10 Cool Things To Do This Weekend 12.02.26

Share Your Heart At Saatchi Gallery

Until Sunday, Saatchi Gallery is hosting Share Your Heart, a large-scale exhibition and charity auction marking 30 years of Chain of Hope’s life-saving work for children with congenital heart disease. Over 60 heart-themed artworks will be on display, donated by leading contemporary artists and celebrities including Olivia Colman, Gillian Anderson, Mel B and Gray Malin. All works will be available for viewing and bidding, with proceeds supporting paediatric cardiac care worldwide.  

Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 4RY; until 15th February 

Visit SAATCHIGALLERY.COM

Orchids: China at Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens’ much-loved orchid festival returns this weekend, transforming the Princess of Wales Conservatory into a vibrant celebration of China’s rich landscapes and cultural heritage. Thousands of orchids are woven into immersive displays inspired by everything from misty mountain ranges and ancient architecture to modern urban life, creating a riot of colour at the bleakest point of winter. Beyond the blooms, visitors can expect carefully curated soundscapes, sculptural installations and plenty of moments designed to stop you in your tracks.  

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE 

Visit KEW.ORG

Valentine’s At Selfridges

Selfridges is celebrating Valentine’s Day in all its forms with a programme of immersive events designed for couples, singles and everyone in between. Highlights include Tarot & ’Tinis, hosted by artist and astrologer Manuka Honey in The Cloakroom – Selfridges’ hidden bar behind The Cinema – where guests can book tarot readings paired with martinis in an atmospheric setting. Elsewhere, Single at Selfridges with Pears Dating brings IRL romance back to the forefront with an inclusive speed-dating night hosted by drag queen Barbs, complete with live performances, flirting and a welcome drink. For those prioritising self-love, the Self Luvin’ Show promises DJs, drinks, live entertainment and a panel talk exploring confidence and connection.  

400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB 

Visit SELFRIDGES.COM

Montblanc x Claridge’s: Love Letters From London

Swap texts for ink this Valentine’s week as Montblanc teams up with Claridge’s to celebrate the launch of its Meisterstück Romeo & Juliet writing instruments. Until 13th February, the Mayfair hotel will host Love Letters From London, appointing British poet Charlie Child as its first-ever poet-in-residence. Each afternoon, a poet’s corner will take over Claridge’s Art Deco lobby, where Charlie will craft witty, heartfelt notes for guests to send to someone special. Visitors are also invited to write their own letters, which will be posted free of charge anywhere in the world via Claridge’s historic letter box – temporarily renamed the Claridge’s & Montblanc Love Letter Box.

Claridge’s, Brook Street, W1;13th February 

Visit CLARIDGES.CO.UK

Vyrao Pop-Up At Harvey Nichols

Fragrance disruptor Vyrao has unveiled an immersive pop-up at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, running until 1st April. Designed with OMA*AMO (the creative force behind Prada and Jacquemus spaces), the installation translates the brand’s “energy is everything” philosophy into a sensory playground of colour, light and scent. Founded on the idea that fragrance can transform how we feel, Vyrao blends master perfumery with neuroscience-backed ingredients chosen for their emotional benefits. If you’re after a Valentine’s gift that feels thoughtful (and a little unexpected), our pick is 'Ludatrix' – a soft yet magnetic blend of florals, creamy woods and gentle spice that feels equal parts comforting and confident. 

Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ; until 1st April

Visit VYRAO.COM

Fred Bakery, Oxford Circus

Fred Bakery has quietly opened its second London site just moments from Oxford Circus – and it’s already proving to be well worth the detour. Founded in 2021, Fred has earned a loyal following thanks to its refined yet approachable take on artisanal baking, and this new outpost builds on that reputation. Inside, a split-level, minimalist space designed by Red Deer’s Lucas Che Tizard sets the tone: calm, contemporary and ideal for everything from quick coffee stops to lingering lunches. The menu delivers on all fronts, with cinnamon rolls, apple crumble Danish and triple chocolate hazelnut pastries alongside excellent savoury options, including mortadella panini, mozzarella ciabatta and focaccia pizzas topped with burrata or stracciatella. Coffee comes courtesy of Julius Meinl, while fans can also shop Fred’s branded totes, mugs and candles. 

52-53 Margaret Street, Oxford Circus, W1W 8SQ 

Visit @FREDBAKERY

Hawksmoor, St Pancras

Home to both a grand restaurant and a martini bar, Hawksmoor St Pancras is now open under the soaring neo-gothic arches of one of London’s most remarkable buildings. The St Pancras menu brings together everything Hawksmoor does best: a new seafood platter is a feast in itself, with Scotch bonnet oysters, dressed Dorset crab, scallop crudo, crevettes and pickled cockles; and the steak list continues the Hawksmoor tradition, with sustainable 35-day dry-aged cuts seasoned simply with flaky Maldon salt for crunch and minerality. Celebrating the group’s long-standing love affair with the martini, a dedicated bar serveseverything from Pink Gibsons to Duke’s-style Direct Martinis. 

Visit THEHAWKSMOOR.COM

Rebase x The Marylebone Hotel

If you want your Valentine’s Day to have a wellness slant, check out The Marylebone hotel’s new partnership with Rebase. The Suite Health at The Marylebone is a restorative one-night, two-day experience created in collaboration with pioneering wellness studio Rebase, combining innovative recovery treatments with curated in-room wellness perks. Just a short stroll from the hotel, Rebase’s flagship studio offers an invigorating contrast therapy experience for two, which includes unwinding with a 45-minute infrared sauna and ice bath session in a private suite, followed by a 60-minute deep-tissue massage each. Back at the hotel, guests can have breakfast at 108 Brasserie, before continuing to unwind in one of The Marylebone’s elegant suites with a Skincycles face mask, Rebase supplements, vitamin C shots and freshly pressed juices. The experience also includes access to Third Space Marylebone.

47 Welbeck Street, Marylebone, W1G 8DN

Visit DOYLECOLLECTION.COM

Wallace & Gromit & Friends at the V&A

Few exhibitions manage to delight children and adults in equal measure, but the V&A’s deep dive into the world of Aardman is one of them. Featuring original sets, models and behind-the-scenes sketches from Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and more, the show offers a fascinating look at the craft behind some of Britain’s most beloved animations. Visitors can trace the evolution of the characters, explore the painstaking stop-motion process and see how everyday materials were transformed into cinematic magic. Nostalgia plays a big part, but it never overshadows the sheer ingenuity on display. 

Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA 

Visit VAM.AC.UK

Stripe & Stare Lands On King’s Road

Cult-favourite lingerie brand Stripe & Stare is opening its very first store – and it’s chosen London's King’s Road for the occasion. The two-floor space will stock the label’s full line-up of comfort-led underwear and sleepwear, from its bestselling knickers and thongs to bras, Brazilians and cosy nightwear, all made from planet-kind fabrics. Founded in London in 2017, Stripe & Stare has built a loyal fanbase (think Oprah Winfrey, the Princess of Wales, Iris Law and Lila Moss) with its seriously soft, wear-all-day designs. Expect seasonal colourways, core classics and a few special in-store moments too.

149 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5TX

Visit STRIPEAND STARE.COM

Free People Valentine’s Photobooth Takeover

Free People is bringing a little vintage romance to Duke of York Square this Valentine’s weekend with a two-day photobooth takeover. From 13th-14th February, shoppers can step inside the brand’s retro-inspired booth to snap a keepsake photo strip before heading just around the corner to the Free People store to redeem a sweet treat. Inside the boutique, things continue in suitably indulgent fashion: expect complimentary glasses of Amie wine, more sweet bites and the chance to browse the brand’s Intimately collection. To mark the occasion, customers will also receive a handcrafted Valentine’s garland – made in India exclusively for Free People – with any purchase from the Intimately range.

38-39 Duke of York Square, SW3 4LY; 13th-14th February, 10am-7pm

Visit FREEPEOPLE.COM