Five fun things to do this week in London, August 8-14, and heads up, with beer festivals and Afternoon Tea Week coming up, it’s pretty foodie…
Main image: Cocktails in the city
This Bright Land Festival, Somerset House
Ride the 35-metre Ferris wheel, cut some shapes at a fashion ball, gather the kids and enjoy a street party, or just head into the courtyard of Somerset House and soak up the atmosphere of The Bright Land. Watch weekend performances by creative collectives such as Drag Syndrome, Vogue Rites and Figs in Wigs, or stroll through Jo Malone London’s sensory garden. In addition to the crowds, Somerset House’s summer festival has plenty of food and drink options, soundscapes and installations, as well as beauty pop-ups to explore.
Dates: August 1-29
Tickets: Free – £22.50
Address: Somerset House, Strand, WC2r 1LA
Website: somersethouse.org.uk
The Cadogan Arms Summer Beer Festival, Cheslea
For those of you who don’t want to head east to London Craft Beer Festival (read on), Cadogan Arms in Chelsea is hosting a mini beer festival this week. The mini beer party features 20 brews — five of which are cask ale — to swash and swill. There are meet the maker sessions and swag bags to take home, and there is also a well-stocked fridge with cans to take home.
Dates: August 9-13
Times: 12.00-22.00 hrs
Tickets: £45, which includes 10 half pints and a snack platter at the back
Address: 298 King’s Road, Chelsea SW3 5UG
Website: thecadoganarms.london
Cocktails in town, Bloomsbury
The second episode of Cocktails in the City, gives an international twist to your martini glass this weekend. Some of London’s best cocktail bars are ready to mix up concoctions that taste like a holiday — think margaritas, French-style brandy and brandy cocktails, and tiki drinks. There is a selection of food stalls and things like shuffleboard, silent discos, masterclasses and tastings.
Dates: Friday & Saturday 12-13 August
Times: 12:00pm-4:00pm; 5pm-10pm
Tickets: £20 including welcome drink
Address: Bedford Square Gardens, Bedford Square, WC1B 3ES
Website: cocktailsinthecity.com
London Craft Beer Festival, Tobacco Dock
London Craft Beer Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is taking over Tobacco Dock with a showcase of top breweries and a stack of excellent food. Over 100 craft breweries from around the world come together for the festival, which will feature over 1,000 different brews, alongside an amazing lineup of some of London’s favorite restaurants and chefs. Tickets include unlimited beer samples and give you access to afternoon or evening sessions.
Dates: Friday & Saturday 12-13 August
Times: 11:30am-4:30pm; 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Tickets: From €47.50
Address: Tobacco Dock, Wapping London E1W 2SF
Website: londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk
Jurassic Afternoon Tea, South Kensington
The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington is launching its Jurassic Afternoon Tea for Afternoon Tea Week, one for adults and children. To celebrate Dippy the Dinosaur’s homecoming at the nearby Natural Science Museum earlier this year, have T-Rex cheese straws, dinosaur jam sandwiches, a nest of dark chocolate and caramel dinosaur eggs, and a T-Rex footprint macaron with mixed berries, between the dino-themed treats. Adults can also try the gin-based Dino Sour or the tequila-based T-Rex Mex.
Date: From August 8
Times: Monday to Sunday 12.00-17.30 hrs
Cost: From £35
Address: 10 Harrington Road, SW7 3ER
Website: ampersandhotel.com
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