What To Do This Weekend 24.10.24

This year, Brasserie of Light at Selfridges has been transformed into the Brasserie of Fright, inspired by Hitchcock’s Bates Motel. The menu features a dessert called It’s Norman’s Knife and two special cocktails: the Mama’s Boy Marg, a refreshing take on the classic with passion fruit and tawny port; and the 78/52 Paloma, inspired by the meticulous filming of the iconic shower scene, featuring Casamigos blanco tequila, nettle, pomegranate and pink grapefruit soda. Plus, this Saturday and Halloween night, there will be live entertainment, actors and a guest DJ, with spooky surprises throughout the evening.

400 Oxford Street, Duke Street, West End, W1A 1AB; until 31st October

Visit BRASSERIE-OF-LIGHT.CO.UK

Wimbledon BookFest has a full schedule of literary talks and events from authors, politicians and historians at venues across the area. This weekend brings a talk with Mary Berry on her new cookery book Foolproof Dinners (26th October); a conversation about life, loss and finding joy with Oscar-nominated Richard E. Grant (26th October); and a talk with bestselling author Elif Shafak (27th October). Tickets start at £12.50 per person; check the website for the full event listings.

Various sites; until 27th October

Visit WIMBLEDONBOOKFEST.ORG

Cubitt House – which looks after London outposts like The Princess Royal in Notting Hill and The Barley Mow in Mayfair – recently revamped the Orange on Pimlico Road. The upgrade included four bedrooms and an upscale dining area with a menu to match, but the spot also has another string to its bow: the Blood Orange bar. Hidden in the basement, it’s the Orange’s cooler sister. It has cocktails, craft beers and a relaxed food menu featuring wood-fired pizzas. The live music and vinyl-spinning DJs create a lively atmosphere, while its Vault provides a private space for a more intimate night out.

The Orange, 37 Pimlico Road, Belgravia, SW1W 8NE 

Visit CUBITTHOUSE.CO.UK

If your Sunday ritual involves the papers, croissants and coffee, you’ll want to know about this collaboration. East London bakery and coffee shop Layers and B Corp speciality coffee roaster Origin Coffee have joined forces to create a tonka bean and coffee croissant. This limited-edition treat uses surplus coffee grinds to minimise waste, and is available exclusively at Layers and Origin’s coffee shops at the British Library, Charlotte Road and Scoresby Street.The croissant features a rich dough infused with Origin coffee, and is filled with coffee cream, and topped with tonka bean, black cardamom and white chocolate cream for a smoky vanilla finish. 

Various locations; until 7th November

Visit LAYERSBAKERY.UK & ORIGINCOFFEE.CO.UK

This weekend, French skincare brand Caudalie is treating Londoners to a special experience focused on skin and body wellness. It begins with a 50-minute reformer Pilates class led by a top instructor from Vita Boutique Fitness. You can then choose between two sessions: in the morning, there’s a gua sha workshop hosted by skincare expert Elisabeth; in the afternoon, you can join a sip and paint masterclass that includes a wine tasting. At the end of the session, enjoy a complimentary smoothie and take home a goody bag. Tickets are £33.22 per person, with £30 redeemable on Caudalie products purchased on the day.

31 Sloane Square, Chelsea, SW1W 8AQ; 26th-27th October

Visit EVENTBRITE.CO.UK

The Natural History Museum’s new mixed-reality exhibition, Visions of Nature, opens this week, offering an immersive experience for the whole family. In a first for the museum, visitors can don headsets to interact with wildlife and see how animals and their environments might look 100 years from now. An in-ear guide will take you through eight ecosystems – including highlands, rainforests and the Arctic Ocean. You can also interact with virtual plants and creatures to discover how human intervention and scientific innovation have aided in the recovery of these habitats. Tickets start from £9.95 per person. 

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD

Visit NHM.AC.UK

The LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair returns to its home in Mayfair this week. Primarily known for its antiquities, the fair features over 100 exhibitors showcasing everything from jewellery to ceramics and furniture – look for a curated collection of Samurai artefacts and impressionist works. New for 2024 is the LAPADA Fringe, taking place across Mayfair and the surrounding area. Venues getting involved include Handel Hendrix House, Heywood Hill Bookshop and Brown’s hotel

Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BR; until 27th October

Visit LAPADALONDON.COM

Lily Collins is swapping Paris for Barcelona in a steamy new thriller at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Much like her titular character in Emily in Paris, she plays an American tourist who meets a handsome local – but things take a sinister turn this time. What begins as a carefree one-night stand spirals into a tangled game of cat and mouse, reminding us just how strange strangers can be. This production marks the West End debut for both Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte (Netflix’s Money Heist), who plays her charming yet duplicitous love interest.

St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, WC2N 4BG; until 11th January

Visit THEDUKEOFYORKS.COM

Looking for some guilt-free retail therapy? Smart Works is a UK-based charity dedicated to helping unemployed women unlock their potential and secure employment. Its fashion sales feature a mix of vintage and sample pieces, with all proceeds going directly to the charity. This weekend brings the much-anticipated autumn edition of the sale. While this year’s stock list is under wraps, past events have included brands like Anine Bing, Aligne and Whistles.

The Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, E1 6QR; 26th-27th October

Visit EVENTBRITE.CO.UK

To celebrate its seventh birthday this month, artisanal bakery and restaurant Pophams is reintroducing some of its bestselling pastries from over the years. Last week, the bakery hosted a series of Instagram polls to determine which recipes will make a comeback. We’re particularly excited to see if the cult-favourite apple crumble or the Guinness chocolate cake topped with Bailey’s cream made the cut. And for those craving something savoury, the fig, walnut and blue cheese croissant is also a contender. The winning pastries will be available at its London Fields, Victoria Park and Islington spots. 

Various locations; until 28th October 

Visit POPHAMSBAKERY.COM

Since he started knocking out negronis on Instagram during lockdown, Stanley Tucci has gone from beloved actor to foodie arbiter. Now, he’s bringing his cocktail expertise to a residency at the Artesian in The Langham Hotel. Stanley has teamed up with Tanqueray No. TEN and Artesian’s head bartender, Giulia Cuccurullo, to curate a cocktail menu and events programme. Highlights include their takes on the gimlet and the French 75, each paired with bespoke canapés like seared tuna with hoisin sauce, caviar blinis topped with compressed cucumber, pear caviar and lemon balm, as well as whipped ricotta with sundried tomato and marinated fig. Tonight, the celebrations continue with an exclusive Gin & Jazz night. It will be an intimate evening soundtracked with live performances by breakthrough jazz instrumentalist CKTRL. 

1C Portland Place, Marylebone, W1B 1JA; until 31st October

Visit LANGHAMHOTELS.COM

Carving a pumpkin is a time-honoured spooky season tradition, and why settle for a supermarket one when you can find your perfect gourd at Hobbledown Heath? Next to the River Crane in Hounslow, this expansive meadow has been transformed into a pumpkin patch. Grab a wheelbarrow, browse through a colourful selection of pumpkins and pick the ideal one to take home. Feeling peckish? There are food and hot drink carts to warm you up, plus plenty of Instagram-worthy spots for a seasonal family photo. To ramp up the spooky vibes, late entry will be available from 25th October. Tickets start from £6.50.

Hobbledown Heath, Staines Road, Hounslow, TW14 0HH; until 3rd November

Visit FEVERUP.COM

London’s go-to aesthetics doctor, Dr David Jack, has opened his fourth clinic, specifically designed to tackle city-stressed skin. This new location offers luxury skincare and world-class treatments and features three state-of-the-art spaces providing the full spectrum of Dr Jack’s aesthetic and anti-ageing services, including advanced injectables, rejuvenating peels, bespoke facials and cutting-edge laser treatments. Plus, with early opening hours and express treatment options, it’s well tailored for busy schedules.

22a Royal Exchange, Bank, EC3V 3LP

Visit DRDAVIDJACK.COM