Yahoo News The best events and things to do this week, July 13-17
It’s been tough, but London is now closer to normality than it has been in months.
Social distancing is still in place and venues are staying Covid-secure, but pubs, cinemas and restaurants are now open to the public with the government taking bigger steps to ease lockdown.
Thousands of people have been heading out this month to spend time in their favourite haunts and see loved ones for catch-ups. There'll be more of the same this week.
Still, after months indoors, if can be a touch overwhelming to work out when, where and what to get up to. These are our picks what to get up to this week.
Head to one of London’s open lidos
There are plenty of Londoners who will have been craving a dip in London’s outdoor lidos during lockdown, and now they can finally get out for a swim. Outdoor pools have been given the greenlight to open, while indoor swimming pools will reopen on July 25. In London, open air swimming venues Denham Lake, Stoke Newington West Reservoir and London Royal Docks Open Water Swimming are ready to visit, as well as Parliament Hill lido and Charlton’s heated 50m pool. Read our full guide here.
Book in for rosé on the roof at Coq d'Argent
Some of the city’s most beautiful bars and nightspots are starting to open up, and this week there’s the chance to book in for a rosé on the roof at Coq d'Argent. The French restaurant has launched a new brunch menu, with dishes inspired by traditional cooking from Toulouse, Nice, Saint-Tropez and other parts of southern France. It can all be enjoyed from this Saturday onwards, so book to secure your spot.
Celebrate Bastille Day with Bompas & Parr
Get experimental with Bompas & Parr’s culinary and pyrotechnic virtual pop up for Bastille Day. The free Wednesday session will see guests create DIY fireworks using household items, as well as easy ice-cream recipes and Tricolor jellies. Tune in from 12pm to 1.20pm to take part.
Host the perfect cocktail night at home
Turn your home into a 1920’s speakeasy with a prohibition-style cocktail delivery kit from Ms. Belle Livingstone’s Superior Medicinal Spirits Company. The kits include ingredients for gin fizzes, Old Fashioneds, bees knees and mojitos, as well as a bartender's kit and glasses – check out our full guide to cocktail delivery kits here, too.
Check out one of the city's best beer gardens
From Pub on the Park in London Fields, to the People’s Park Tavern in Hackney and The White Swan in Twickenham, there are plenty of fantastic places open now to recline with a pint – just bear in mind that many venues will require guests to book in advance. Read our full guide here. If you're keener on heading to the pub, have a read of the do's and dont's.
Hit the flicks with a trip to the cinema
There have been some fantastic options for film fans to check out online during lockdown, but nothing beats a trip to the cinema. Check if your local is open with our guide to the cinemas in London here, and discover what it's like to visit the cinema under new social distancing rules here.
If you don't feel like heading to cinemas, you can take the car instead. The first drive-in film screenings took place across the UK earlier this month, with people parking up at the pictures for a socially-distanced day out. The Luna Cinema is welcoming guests in London’s Allianz Park until July 19, while Rooftop Film Club’s Drive in Film Club is entertaining film lovers at Alexandra Palace. Read our full guide here.
Catch the National Theatre Live
The National Theatre continues to dig into its archives, sharing its plays for free. This week is the chance to see The Deep Blue Sea starring Helen McCrory. The play was written by Sir Terence Rattigan in 1952, based on his secret relationship with a former RAF pilot named Kenny Morgan. Things change on Thursday at 7pm when Lucian Msamati plays Salieri in Amadeus, directed by Michael Longhurst.
Head to one of London’s newly open attractions
Looking to plan a first day out after lockdown? Kew Gardens, London Zoo, Hampton Court Palace gardens, and a selection of National Trust properties have all reopened their doors, meaning some of the most idyllic spots in the capital are ready to be explored once again – read our full guide here.
