13 Things To Book This Month
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
After last year’s online event, the RHS returns to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for its annual flower show. This year, the six-day event is taking place in September for the first time ever, with the usual cutting-edge garden design and fabulous floral displays. Expect exhibits and landscaped gardens by David Harber, James Parker, Freddie’s Flowers, Laura Jane Wylder and Middleton Nurseries, as well as pop-up shops featuring plants, ceramics, paintings and sculptures. Visitors can also head to the Discovery Zone to learn about the latest technology from the world of horticulture, before stopping off for a glass of champagne and slice of cake at one of the on-site food stalls.
From Tuesday 21st to Sunday 26th September; Royal Hospital Chelsea, SW3 4SR; tickets start from £83.75.
Visit RHS.org.uk
BBC Proms
The BBC Symphony Orchestra kicked off The Proms last week with a special performance led by guest conductor, Dalia Stasevska. Running until Saturday 11th September, there are a number of performances at the Royal Albert Hall, all of which are ticketed so you can enjoy live music again. On Wednesday 18th August, British saxophonist and composer Nubiya Garcia makes her Proms debut, while legendary conductor Sir Simon Rattle joins his colleagues at London Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 22nd August. If you want to take the grandkids to a performance, book tickets for the Family Prom on Sunday 29th August where author Michael Morpurgo joins the seven talented Kanneh-Mason siblings for a special family performance of Saint-Saëns’s ‘zoological fantasy’, The Carnival of the Animals.
Until Saturday 11th September; Kensington Gore, South Kensington, SW7 2AP; tickets start from £7.50 and each show will be available to watch on the BBC.
Visit BBC.co.uk/Proms
Rigoletto, Royal Opera House
The new season at the Royal Opera House opens this month with a new production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, directed by Oliver Mears – his first as director of the Royal Opera. The Italian opera tells the tragic story of the womanising Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester, Rigoletto, and Rigoletto's daughter Gilda. When a curse comes to fruition, Gilda falls in love with the duke and makes the ultimate sacrifice when an assassin is hired by her father. This production sees Verdi’s masterpiece as a modern morality play that pits power against innocence, beauty against ugliness, in a pitiless world of luxurious decadence, corruption and social decay.
Opening later this month; Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD; tickets go on sale on Tuesday 24th August.
Visit ROH.org.uk
Mayfair Wellness Festival
The new Mayfair Wellness Festival will celebrate fitness and wellbeing with an exciting schedule of classes and experiences taught by health and fitness experts. Highlights include a crystal sound healing workshop at Bamford’s store, designed to steer you through a meditative experience to rejuvenate the mind and body; a Pilates class at Mayfair Pilates’ studio; and a floral arranging masterclass at McQueens Flowers where you can create your own hand-tie bouquet. In between sessions, stop off for lunch at Deliciously Ella’s new eatery, Plants, to choose from dishes like asparagus ceviche with burnt orange fennel, cauliflower schnitzel with slaw, and coconut caramel panna cotta.
From Saturday 21st to Sunday 29th August; Grosvenor Square, W1.
Visit MayfairLDN.com
Tai Chi At Kew Gardens
This summer, Kew Gardens is hosting a series of tai chi lessons in their Mediterranean Garden. Taking place on Friday mornings until early September, the hour-long classes aim to boost your physical and mental wellbeing with the centuries-old Chinese martial art of tai chi. The session starts with a standing meditation, followed by joint-loosening exercises, and two traditional tai chi movement routines. After the session, enjoy breakfast in one of Kew’s restaurants and explore the beautiful gardens.
Every Friday at 9am until 3rd September; Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE; tickets cost £35, including entry to the gardens and 20% discount in the restaurants.
Visit Kew.org.uk
Denbies Food Festival
Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking is holding a food festival on the first weekend in September. Easily reached from London via a 90-minute drive, the estate has beautiful views of the Surrey Hills and beyond. Visitors can hear from an impressive line-up of chefs in the Festival Kitchen including Gennaro Contaldo, TV presenters Chris Bavin and Dean Edwards, The Great British Bake Off star Karen Wright, and MasterChef winners Thomas Frake and Kenny Tutt. Eat your way round each stall to try yummy organic food and street bites, including Mediterranean salads, meat pasties, Italian desserts and ice-cream. Go all out and opt for a VIP Adult Ticket which includes complimentary refreshments and entertainment.
Saturday 4th to Sunday 5th September; London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA; tickets start from £10.
Visit FantasticFoodFestivals.co.uk
HELEN DIXON
Daylesford Beginner’s Floristry Class
Daylesford is holding a one-off floristry workshop for beginners. The ideal starter guide for those looking to master the art of flower arranging, the workshop will take place at Daylesford Pimlico in Belgravia. Led by local florist Katie Musgrave, you’ll learn how to cut flowers at home and put together a beautiful hand-tied bouquet with seasonal blooms, understanding tints, tones, shades and textures. A lovely evening activity to enjoy with friends or solo.
Tuesday 21st September, 6-8pm; 44B Pimlico Road, Belgravia, SW1W 8LP; tickets cost £95.
Visit Daylesford.com
Kate Thornton White Wine Question Time
Kate Thornton’s podcast White Wine Question Time is going live this autumn with three shows at Leicester Square Theatre. Kate will delve into conversation with a string of celebrity guests, a few glasses of wine and some thought-provoking questions. On Saturday 18th September, Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood will join Kate on stage, while Todd Carty, Lee MacDonald and Alison Valentine (the stars of Grange Hill) will head to the theatre on Saturday 9th October. Finally, on Saturday 13th November, Kate will talk to some of her best showbiz friends, including actors Angela Griffin, Denise Welch, Tamzin Outhwaite, Alison Newman, Julie Graham and Tracy Ann Oberman in what’s set to be a raucous night.
Dates and details as above; 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX; tickets start from £23.50.
Visit LiveNation.co.uk
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Blenheim Palace Food Festival is taking place later this month. The festival will showcase produce from local and national stallholders, from indulgent sweet treats and organic fruit and veg, to glorious bakes and tasty street food. Ideal for a family day out, there’s a full programme of demonstrations, Q&As, workshops and book signings from celebrity chefs, including Mary Berry. Adults will appreciate the delicious food on offer, from authentic paella to artisan cheese, while little ones will love the adventure playground, maze and bouncy castle. Make a day of it and book tickets which include entry to Blenheim palace.
From Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd August; Woodstock, OX20 1PP; tickets start from £18.50.
Visit BlenheimPalace.com
Fortnum & Mason x Ronnie Scott’s
Following the success of its sold-out one-night event earlier this month, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason is teaming up with London jazz institution Ronnie Scott’s for a series of ‘High Tea and Jazz’ evenings, every Thursday this month. Groups of up to 12 can book in to enjoy an evening of Ronnie Scott’s highly renowned jazz trios, alongside a selection of well-executed dishes. The high teas will come with a choice of lobster omelette with truffle; fresh baked Cornish brill with champagne sauce; puff pastry case of artichoke and confit peppers with basil pepper; or traditional Southwest PGI lamb Wellington.
Every Thursday in August; 181 Piccadilly, St James's, W1A 1ER.
Visit Eventbrite.co.uk
The Big London Bake
Put your baking skills to the test at The Big London Bake at The Castle pub in Tooting. During this award-winning experience, you and your partner will be provided with all the ingredients to make a delicious dish in the pop-up marquee based on The Great British Bake Off. Under the guide of a top baker, you’ll have 90 minutes to whisk, roll and drizzle your way towards a winning bake, with instructions, tools and tips. Ideal for a fun day out, children are welcome, provided they are partnered with an adult. Tickets start from £41.95.
Various dates; 38 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RG.
Visit DesignMyNight.com
Champagne Masterclasses, St Pancras By Searcys
St Pancras brasserie and champagne bar By Searcys reopens its champagne masterclass series this summer for the first time in two years. Home to Europe’s longest champagne bar, you’ll be able to learn the art of all things fizz at a special tasting, complete with a seasonal three-course meal. Champagnes include Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, Drappier Millésime Exception Brut and Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, while the pairing menu will focus on British dishes, like confit lamb with goat’s curd, heritage beetroot salad and stone bass fillet, and smoked haddock with West Country mussels and Puy lentils. On Thursday 19th August, diners can sample rosé champagne, and on Thursday 23rd August, you can learn about the art of harvesting champagne.
Book now for masterclasses on 19th August, 23rd September, 21st October and 11th November; St Pancras International, N1C 4QL; tickets cost £65.
Visit StPancrasBySearcys.co.uk
Van Gogh Alive
After being seen by seven million people in 65 cities, the world’s most visited immersive experience finally opened in London a couple of months ago. The multi-sensory show will take place in a purpose-built venue in Kensington Gardens, with over 3,000 moving projections filling the walls. It’s designed to make you feel as if you’ve stepped into one of Van Gogh’s paintings, transporting you from the Netherlands to Paris, journeying through the landscapes that inspired his work.
Until 26th September; Kensington Gardens, W2 2UH; thereafter it moves to Mediacity in Salford.
Visit VanGoghAliveUK.com
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.