What To Book Around The UK This October

Clear your calendars: from cosy movie nights to a festival filled with our very favourite comedians, October is shaping up nicely when it comes to fun-filled events. Elsewhere, singer Nadine Shah and all-round domestic goddess Nigella Lawson hit the road, and Bristol’s home to a brand-new wellness festival…

ENJOY MONDAY MOVIE NIGHTS HERE: Boxpark Croydon, Greater London

Whether you’re into romantic comedies or 80s classics, there’s something for everyone at Boxpark Croydon, which is now offering nostalgia-infused entertainment free of charge every Monday night at 7:30pm. Overpriced popcorn and flat fizzy drinks are a thing of the past: at ‘Monday Night Movies’ you’ll have the choice of over 30 delicious food and drink vendors, from BBQ experts Smokey Tails to dessert connoisseurs Sweetbean. When it comes to choosing the flick, our top pick for this month is School of Rock on 8th October.

99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD; every Monday

Visit Boxpark.co.uk

WATCH CILLA THE MUSICAL HERE: Leeds Grand Theatre, Yorkshire

Cilla The Musical is the new stage adaptation of the critically-acclaimed ITV series by Jeff Pope. It tells the extraordinary story of a girl from Liverpool whose teenage dreams of stardom lead to her becoming one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers after an introduction by a young John Lennon to music mogul Brian Epstein changes Pricilla White’s life forever. The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60s and includes Cilla’s hits ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’, ‘Alfie’ and ‘Something Tells Me’. It’s worth a watch for the 60s style inspo alone.

46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NZ; 16th-20th October

Visit LeedsGrandTheatre.com

WATCH THE UK’S BEST COMEDIANS HERE: Comedy Central Live, Southampton

Some of the biggest names in stand-up are set to descend on Southampton for Comedy Central Live. Jimmy Carr, Katherine Ryan, Russell Howard, Lee Nelson, Reginald D Hunter plus dozens more will perform live across the three-day event. Visitors will also be able to watch some of their favourite comedians belt out classic musical hits in live stage show ‘AMusical’ and drag super-group ‘Denim’ will host an alternative all-day party at the festival. You’ll find us crying with laughter at Catastrophe star Rob Delaney.

Hoglands Park, Southampton, SO14 1HU; 5th-7th October

Visit ComedyCentral.co.uk
 

TAKE THE KIDS TO MEET THEIR FAVOURITE AUTHORS HERE: Kingston Children’s Literary Festival, Surrey

The second annual Kingston Children’s Literary Festival is taking place over three days at the end of October. Curated to entertain and inspire the growing minds of 3-11-year-olds in London and Surrey, the event will be kicked off by Adam Hargreaves, best known as the illustrator of Mr Men and Little Miss books, since taking over from his father, Mr Men creator Roger Hargreaves. The line-up also features the 2018 Oscars Book winner John Dougherty, award-winning children’s author Ross Montgomery, YouTube sensation Jonathan Joly, World Book Day Illustrator of 2016 Sophy Henn and up-and-coming local writing duo Doodles & Scribbles.

Waterstones, Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1TR; 25th-27th October

Visit InKingston.co.uk

CHECK OUT A SHOPPING COLLAB HERE: Tate X Bicester Village, Oxfordshire

Shopping destination Bicester Village has launched an experiential pop-up with Tate, offering visitors a virtual reality experience of artist Modigliani’s studio, created for Tate Modern’s acclaimed Modigliani exhibition last year. While listening to narrated first-hand accounts from Modigliani’s friends and commentary from Tate’s experts, visitors can explore the objects in his studio, learn more about his materials and techniques and vividly enhance their understanding of the artist. Each month until January will be inspired by a different artist and will showcase homewares, design, jewellery, prints and books – all of which is available to buy. October will be themed around pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.

50 Pingle Drive, Bicester, OX26 6WD

Visit BicesterVillage.com
 

TRY A NEW RESTAURANT HERE: Peter Street Kitchen, Manchester

Manchester’s newest restaurant, Peter Street Kitchen, is set to launch on 11th October. Guests will be able to choose from an array of small plates from two different cuisines (contemporary Japanese and Mexican) within a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. Expect to tuck into robata pisco-glazed smoked paprika ribs and yellowtail sashimi with spicy yuzu soy. The restaurant will also house a stylish bar, offering guests unusual beverages such as yuzu sake alongside a world-class cocktail collection.

Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP; opens 11th October

Visit PeterStreetKitchen.co.uk

WORK OUT IN THE WILD HERE: Wild & Well Festival, Bristol

Bristol has a new festival in the form of wellness and food event Wild & Well. Offering a diverse programme of events across four themes – Move, Eat, Connect and Explore – the weekend will encompass over 100 events, welcoming authors, theorists, health and fitness professionals and more to share their ideas and bring them to life in a live setting. Highlights are set to include workshops such as ‘Root to Fruit Eating’ with eco-chef Tom Hunt and ‘How to be an Ethical Carnivore’ with best-selling author Louise Gray.

Various venues across Bristol; 20th-21st October

Visit WildAndWell.org
 

FIND A NEW FAVOURITE READ HERE: Cheltenham Literature Festival, Cheltenham

Every autumn Cheltenham is transformed into a literary lover’s dream as the town welcomes over 600 of the world’s finest writers, actors, politicians, poets and leading opinion formers to celebrate the joy of the written word. This year, the festival returns from 5th-14th October 2018, hosting over 500 literary events across the ten-day event. Our pick of the authors who’ll be on hand to discuss their novels and host debates include lunch with GBBO winner Nadia Hussain, life lessons from Ruby Wax and an afternoon with Tracey Beaker author Jacqueline Wilson. Don’t miss the David Attenborough-themed late-night disco.

Various locations, Cheltenham; 5th-14th October

Visit CheltenhamFestivals.com

DROOL OVER NIGELLA HERE: Edinburgh, Dublin and Gateshead

Nigella Lawson established herself as a household name in 1998 with the publication of her ground-breaking debut cookbook How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food. Her engaging, conversational writing style, along with a relaxed approach to cooking has inspired a new generation of home cooks and today she has 11 bestselling books and several hit TV series to her name. This month, she hits the road to talk about her life in food and what she’s cooking right now. Nigella will be interviewed by a range of authors, journalists and foodies during her tour, as we get to the heart of what it means to be an award-winning author, TV cook and all-round food enthusiast.

Edinburgh (14th October), Gateshead (15th October) and Dublin (22nd October)

Visit FanProductions.com

SEE A ROCK ICON IN CONVERSATION HERE: Viv Albertine, Newcastle

Every memoir is a battle between reality and invention – but in her follow up to Clothes, Music, Boys, the Slits guitarist Viv Albertine has reinvented the genre with her unflinching honesty. To Throw Away Unopened is a fearless dissection of one woman’s obsession with the truth – about family, power and her identity as a rebel and outsider. On this tour, she’ll meet with various journalists to explore the themes behind her books and talk all things music. We can’t wait.

St Mary's Square, Gateshead, NE8 2JR; 3rd October

Visit SageGateshead.com
 

BOOK AHEAD FOR THIS MERCURY MUSIC PRIZE NOMINEE: Nadine Shah

The tour might not be taking place until December, but we reckon this forthcoming set of shows from Nadine Shah is set to be a sell-out. Having been nominated for this year’s Mercury Music Prize, Shah is taking her third album – Holiday Destination – out on the road, taking in Manchester, Bristol and Brighton (plus London) along the way. A ferocious performer, expect angst and tenderness in equal measure.

Manchester (2nd December), Bristol (3rd December) and Brighton (5th December)

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