Wimbledon, NAOMI & 15 More Fun Things To Do In London In July 2024
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6 months ago
London is alive with the summer of sport
Whether you’re looking for big screens to watch the Wimbledon action or you’re a culture vulture seeking the latest exhibition, there’s plenty to please you in London this month. Here’s our top pick of the best things to do in London in July 2024.
Best Things To Do In London: July 2024
Watch Wimbledon
Running 1–14 July, watching Wimbledon should be top of your list of things to do in London in July – especially thanks to the plethora of huge screens the city has to offer. If you’re looking for more of an exclusive watching spot, head to Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, where the carousel bar has had a Wimbledon makeover and strategically placed TVs stream all the action, accompanied by summer drinks and a huge dollop of style.
Details: The Carousel of British Summer is open daily from 3–8pm at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park (66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA) until 14 July. mandarinoriental.com
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Summer Roast @ The Laundry
Snagging a seat at this Brixton honeypot isn’t for the faint of heart (so make sure you book). The Laundry’s summer roast has officially landed, best enjoyed with a spritz on the huge terrace – or one of the margaritas (the cucumber margarita is this writer’s favourite tipple in London). Choose between the veggie roast tomato and confit garlic tarte, the half roast chicken, the Hereford sirloin or the Surf & Turf, and enjoy bottomless gravy and roast potatoes, carrots and minted peas. For a real treat, order the whole roast market fish of the day to be shared between two, served with summer pea, fennel and mâche salad, and manzanilla salsa verde, perfect for warmer Sundays.
Details: Every Sunday from 1–6pm 2024 at The Laundry Brixton (374 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PL). Book at thelaundrybrixton.com
ROH Songs for Ukraine © 2023 Veronika Ward
Concert At St Paul’s Cathedral
Not to be missed in London this month is a special concert from the acclaimed Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, who will be performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Royal Opera House’s Songs for Ukraine Chorus. Conducted by Keri-Lyn Wilson, the concert will be a celebration of Ukrainian resilience and culture, and a call for peace across the world.
Details: Monday 29 July at St Paul’s (St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD). Tickets start from £30 and can be purchased at barbican.org.uk
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Classical Pride
After a huge success in its inaugural year last year, Classical Pride will return to London this month over five days, spotlighting the contribution the LGBTQ+ community has made (and continues to make) to the classical music genre.
Details: 3–7 July 2024 across London. See the full line up of events at classicalpride.uk
Sun Trap Terrace At The Apollo Arms
If decadent pub grub is what you crave, look no further than Clapham’s The Apollo Arms, a beloved pub with an in-demand Secret Garden. Expect festoon lights draped overhead and planters brimming with gold euonymus plants alongside olive and spindle trees, all best enjoyed with a dish from the special Garden Menu. Options include the light Chilled Gazpacho Andaluz with basil oil, big bowls of summer salads (from Caprese to Caesar) and pub classics like beer-battered haddock and flat iron steak. On a Sunday, don’t miss the impeccable Roast, with beef, pork, lamb, chicken and a veggie pithivier all served with a generous pile of roasties and veg, topped off with a Yorkshire pud. For dessert, enjoy the likes of the playful ‘Solero’ Baked Alaska, a classic Tiramisu or a seriously decadent chocolate mousse.
Details: The Apollo Arms (19 Old Town, Clapham, SW4 0JT). apolloarms.co.uk
Delve Into Donutelier
What’s everyone queueing for? If you’re right by Leicester Square station, it’s most likely Donutelier, London’s most luxurious donuts brimming with pillow-soft buns, fresh fruit, divine chocolate and chantilly cream galore. The comprehensive menu is always brimming with goodness, or tuck into the special summer menu additions this month:
- Apricot Crumble: Cream cheese Chantilly and apricot coulis filling, almond crumble, apricot Chantilly cream; £6.50
- Raspberry Rose Creme: Rosewater crème and raspberry jam filling, crispy raspberries, pistachio nibs, Chantilly cream, meringue nest and fresh raspberries; £6.50
- Yuzu Meringue: Chantilly cream filling, vanilla sugar crust, yuzu ganache and a toasted meringue; £6
Details: Available all summer in store at Donutelier (48-50, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0BB), open 8.30am–10pm everyday. donutelier.co.uk
Max Mara Art Prize For Women Exhibition
The ninth edition of the prestigious Max Mara Art Prize for Women culminates with an exhibition at London’s Whitechapel Gallery this month, celebrating the work of the winning artist, Dominique White. Exploring transformation and rebellion, White’s exhibition is titled ‘Deadweight’ and is a new body of work developing during a six-month residency in Italy. It’ll be shown at Whitechapel Gallery until mid-September before journeying to Italy’s Collezione Maramotti for the winter.
Details: 2 July–15 September 2024 at Whitechapel Gallery (77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX). whitechapelgallery.org
Connect At The Yards
Wellness lovers shouldn’t miss this one-day festival in London this month. Connect at The Yards features a whole host of activities spanning Pilates, Barre and Zumba, all the way to Sip and Paint workshops. Ticket holders can also enjoy a range of exclusive discounts on lunch and dinner at select restaurants within The Yards, including rooftop restaurant Ruccola at The Conduit, Gura Gura, Oriole, Le Bab, Fairshot Café, Lahpet and many more. You’ll also get to take home a bumper wellbeing goodie bag.
Details: 9am–6pm on 7 July 2024 at The Yards (St Martin’s Courtyard, Slingsby Pl, London WC2H 9EF). Tickets start from £50 and can be purchased here. Best of all, Country & Town House readers get an exclusive 20 percent off using the code CT20.
Sunny Pasta At Lina Stores
The latest outpost of this delicious collection of Italian delis and restaurants is light-filled and has a huge terrace to boot. Nestled in South Kensington, enjoy a delightful spritz and mouthwatering bowl of pasta al fresco as you watch the world go by. Summery dishes include pici with Umbrian sausage, Agnolotti with artichokes and ricotta, burrata ravioli, crab linguine and plenty more.
Details: Lina Stores South Kensington is located at 15 Exhibition Rd, London SW7 2HE – but there are locations in Soho, King’s Cross, Clapham, the City and Marylebone, too. linastores.co.uk
Allie Esiri Poetry Live at Hay Festival 2023
Shakespeare For Everyday Of The Year – Live
Contrary to this lovely poetry collection’s title, for one night (and one night only), Regents Park Open Air Theatre will host Allie Esiri and a host of star-studded readers for a night of Shakespeare poetry readings. Actors including Paul Chahidi, Damian Lewis, Stephen Mangan, Tracy Ann Oberman, Samantha Spiro, Luke Thompson and plenty more will guide the audience on a journey through the Shakespeare you love and the best bits you don’t. Expect poetry, speeches, comedy and scenes read by actors who have a special connection to Shakespeare’s work and to Regents Park Theatre itself.
Details: Monday 8 July at Regents Park Open Air Theatre (London NW1 4NU). Tickets are £25 and can be booked at openairtheatre.com
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Kutir’s Summer Terrace
Enjoy refined yet supremely flavourful Indian food in Chelsea this July, with the added elegance of being perched atop a historic Georgian townhouse just a stone’s throw from Sloane Square. From chef to the stars Rohit Ghai, Kutir’s brand new rooftop terrace is the perfect spot for whiling away a sunny afternoon with vibrant dishes and ice cold drinks to boot. Think silky smooth baked scallops, crispy and moreish masala prawns, indulgent paneer parcels, and fresh pan seared sea bass amongst plenty more – best enjoyed with a side of the chef’s selection of breads, poppadoms and chutneys.
Details: Kutir (10 Lincoln Street, Chelsea, London SW3 2TS) is open Tuesday–Friday from 1–10pm. kutir.co.uk
© Charlie Round Turner
The Battersea Games
Wimbledon fever is taking over the city – and Battersea is celebrating in true form. The Battersea Games is back for its second year, with a whole calendar of activities perfect for all ages, from a 100 metre running track to fast feet football, a climbing wall and a Rocket Padel pop up court.
Details: 1 July–8 September 2024 at Battersea Power Station (Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD).
Tacos & Cocktails @ Mezcalito
What says summer like tacos and margs on an outdoor terrace? Head to Chelsea’s hotspot Mezcalito to enjoy just that, with a huge outdoor area, a drinks menu brimming with Mexican classics, and delicious food spanning soft shell tacos, cheesy quesadillas and, of course, moreish guacamole. Arriba!
Details: Find Mezcalito at 119 Sydney St, London SW3 6NR. Book your table at mezcalitochelsea.com
© Marco Bahler
See NAOMI At The V&A
Now open at the V&A is NAOMI, a mammoth fashion exhibition delving into the 40-year-career of Naomi Campbell. Here’s exactly what to expect.
Details: Open until 6 April 2025 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). Tickets can be booked at vam.ac.uk
A still from Taylor Swift’s ‘Willow’ music video. © TAS Rights Management, LLC
Follow The Songbook Trail
Also at the V&A in July is a brand-new, free-to-visit trail showcasing the career of pop icon Taylor Swift. Expect show-stopping costumes, storyboards, archive material and more. Read all about it here.
Details: Taylor Swift: Songbook Trail runs 27 July–8 September 2024 at the V&A South Kensington (Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL). No ticket necessary.
Summer in the Square, Marylebone
Summer in the Square is back in Marylebone this month, with a family-friendly line-up fit to burst. Expect the famed and favourite Wellness Den to return with a series of free workships spanning pilates to circus skills, while Nobu Catering whips up a delicious storm of world class Nikkei eats at the Guest Kitchen.
Details: 9–14 July 2024 in Portman Square Garden. See the full line-up of events at makeitmarylebone.co.uk
See Punchdrunk’s Viola’s Room
Barefoot and wearing headphones, small groups of up to six at a time are invited to feel their way through award-winning theatre company Punchdrunk’s latest creation. Written by Booker Prize-shortlisted Daisy Johnson, Viola’s Room is a maze-like installation with an unseen narrator (the recognisable voice of Helena Bonham Carter, no less) guiding visitors on a sensory journey to reveal a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed inspired by Barry Pain’s classic gothic mystery, The Moon-Slave.
Details: Running until 15 September at One Cartridge Place, Woolwich, London SE18 6DJ. Tickets can be booked at punchdrunk.com
London Clown Festival 2018 launch Cabaret at Mirth, Marvel and Maud, Walthamstow, London
London Clown Festival
This annual festival is no laughing matter. Across two weeks, a festival of physical comedy and clown influenced performances will descend on Soho Theatre and Jacksons Lane for the annual London Clown Festival. Gather your friends, grab your tickets and head down for guaranteed buffoonery.
Details: 8–26 July 2024 at Soho Theatre (21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE) and Jacksons Lane Arts Centre (269A Archway Rd, London N6 5SS). See the full line-up and snag your tickets at londonclownfest.online
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Theo’s On The Terrace
Looking for a lunch spot in central London? A stone’s throw from Green Park is the supremely elegant Theo Randall restaurant – but, for a summer twist, try his new summer terrace. Channelling the vibrant charm of Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, Theo’s on the Terrace is a feast for all of the senses, with colourful awnings, painted crockery and plants galore. On the menu, find exquisite Mediterranean ingredients across a curated selection of classic Italian dishes. To start, think focaccia, Datterini tomato bruschetta, cured meats and artisan cheeses, while the fritto misto di mare (a big bowl brimming with fried tiger prawns, calamari, courgettes and butternut squash) just screams summer. For mains, go light with a refreshing salad, or indulge in the Southern Italian fried chicken or the beef tagliata (sliced sirloin with summery sides: rocket, tomatoes, parmesan, balsamic. Divine). Save room for dessert the Italian way: tiramisu, affogato, sorbet or gelato. Wash it all down with a perfect Aperol spritz. It’s just right.
Details: Open all summer at the InterContinental London Park Lane (1 Park Ln, London W1J 7QY). parklane.intercontinental.com
© Lloyd Winters
Alexandra Palace Kaleidoscope Festival
Kick off London festival season in style at Alexandra Palace’s annual Kaleidoscope Festival, this year featuring the likes of Ministry of Sound Classical, Soul II Soul, The Go! Team and Antony Szmierek as well as comedians including Simon Amstell, Sophie Duker, Chloe Petts and a programme of children’s entertainment.
Details: 13 July 2024 at Alexandra Palace (Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY). Tickets start from £13.43 and can be booked at kaleidoscope-festival.com
Cocktails In The City
Cocktail fans should head to Bedford Square Gardens this month, where Cocktails in the City will be returning with a selection of games celebrating our summer of sport. Expect signature serves from the likes of The Royal Cocktail Exchange, Gaia Mayfair, Nancy Spains, Rhum Tavern, The Coral Room, Café Pacifico, Hutong and plenty more, with a healthy dose of spirited competition.
Details: 11–13 July 2024 at Bedford Square Gardens (Bedford Square, London WC1B 3HH). Tickets start from £22 and can be booked at cocktailsinthecity.com
See The Mandrake’s Artist In Residence
Ever artistic London hotel The Mandrake will welcome a new artist in residence in July: contemporary myth-maker and sonic alchemist HforSpirit. H will be exploring the philosophical, historical and architectural complexities of the labyrinth, assembling the latest iteration of their ‘Scratchproof Orchestra’ for improvised performances in the Masha Hari Theatre.
Visitors are also invited to attend open studio visits on Tuesday (3–6pm), Thursday and Saturday (3.30–6pm) for a unique insight into the artist’s creative process. If you’d like to attend, please email [email protected].
Details: 8–15 July 2024 at The Mandrake (20-21 Newman St, London W1T 1PG). themandrake.com
The Natural History Museum’s newly transformed gardens will provide visitors with a new outdoor space to rest, relax and connect with nature. © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
New Gardens At The Natural History Museum
The big reveal of the Natural History Museum’s long-awaited and much-anticipated rejuvenated gardens will take place on 18 July, ready to welcome visitors throughout the summer months. Here’s exactly what to expect.
Details: People are welcome to visit the Natural History Museum’s new gardens from 18 July 2024. Find it at Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD. nhm.ac.uk
SIX Takes Over The National Portrait Gallery
Celebrating the opening of Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens at the National Portrait Gallery and SIX the Musical’s sixth sensational year in London, the NPG is hosting a Gallery-wide musical takeover for one night only on 26 July. Expect a special live performance from SIX the Musical cast members, plus dance workshops and a DJ set, all celebrating the lives and legacies of the six Tudor Queens.
Details: 6–8.30pm on 26 July 2024 at the National Portrait Gallery (St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE). The takeover will take place throughout the gallery and is totally free to visit. npg.org.uk
