Yahoo News The best events and things to do this week, July 6-10
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 headed out over Super Saturday 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 the newly opened National Gallery
It’s what art lovers have been waiting for – The National Gallery is due to open this week, welcoming guests back for the first time since March. Masterpieces from the likes of Van Gogh, Turner, Titian, Rembrandt and Da Vinci will be available to peruse from Wednesday under new social distancing regulations, and we had a sneak peak of what it's like to be back. There are plenty of commercial galleries ready to visit now as well. Thomas Dane Gallery will permit four viewers per room at any one time and David Zwirner is open to guests now too – check out our guide here.
Head online to celebrate Ringo Starr’s 80th birthday
Legendary drummer Ringo Starr is turning 80 this week, and some of his pals in the music industry are getting together to celebrate with him. The likes of Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Ben Harper and Sheryl Crow are getting together to promote peace and love with a virtual gig, taking place at 1am on Wednesday morning.
Check out one of the city's best beer gardens
Only venues that are Covid-secure and can operate while maintaining the one metre rule can open their doors, but we’ve put together a handy guide to the best and biggest pub beer gardens open now. 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 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.
While some of the major chains are back in business straight away, it’s a different story for the independents – the only one we can find open at the moment is Genesis in Whitechapel, but the arts support package from the government will be music to owners’ ears.
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 last weekend, 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 Les Blancs by Lorraine Hansberry is transporting viewers to an African country on the brink of civil war, with members of society striving for independence amid rising racial tensions. Things change on Thursday at 7pm, when it is the turn of The Deep Blue Sea starring Helen McCrory in the role of Hester Collyer.
Head to one of London’s newly open attractions
Things are beginning to open up across the capital, meaning Londoners can head for a socially distanced day out. 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.
