Things to do in London this weekend
Whether it’s getting on your bike, going to the races, catching some free laughs or just drinking beer, the weekend has plenty in store for you. Just ignore the weather.
Ride London
All weekend
In case you’d managed to miss it, this is the biggest weekend in London’s cycling calendar. You can watch elite men’s and women’s cycling races on both Saturday and Sunday, see BMX stunts and even jump on your bike to join in the action yourself on Saturday, making the most of a large swathe of central London road closures.
Read our full guide to what’s on and where
Think pink
All weekend
The summer weather may not be in (ahem) full swing, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pretend it is. Let restaurant group D&D help you out — they’ve put together a host of menus and events across their venues themed around Provençal rosé. Think bottomless pink wine brunches, tasting flights and afternoon teas.
Unscripted laughs
Friday and Saturday
Experience a different kind of comedy in Shepherd’s Bush this weekend as Nassim Soleimanpour previews a new show for Edinburgh Festival at the Bush Theatre. Like his previous hot work White Rabbit Red Rabbit, it will require an unprepared actor to read a script from an unopened envelope. Hattie Morahan and Alexi Kaye Campbell are amongst those stepping up to the plate. It runs on Friday and Saturday nights, and Saturday matinee.
Visit bushtheatre.co.uk
Off to Ascot
Friday and Saturday
It’s not long since the hats came out in force for Royal Ascot, but the famous racecourse will be drawing crowds again this weekend for the King George VI Weekend. With a quaint English garden party vibe, it will offer outdoor dining, music and art alongside the on-track action for a royally rewarding day out.
Visit ascot.co.uk
Camden Town in Enfield
Saturday
It may be a bit geographically confusing, but us Londoners have been drinking so much of Camden Town Brewery’s beers that they have had to move to a bigger site out in Enfield. They’re throwing a housewarming this Saturday, with tours, tastings, pop-up food stalls and lots and lots of beer.
Visit camdentownbrewery.com
The Glory at River Stage Festival
All weekend
The National Theatre’s free festival of fun returns to the South Bank from Friday, with four companies taking up residence each weekend over the coming month. This weekend, catch East London venue The Glory bringing a jam-packed, drag-fuelled weekend to the river.Friday will see Jonny Woo gets things going with super group Luxury Hell before a lip synching extravaganza. Then Saturday boasts performances from Le Gateau Chocolat and Figs in Wigs, an informative history session called ‘Homo Histories’ and a comedy duo chatting about all things ABBA.
Read our full guide to River Stage Festival
Meet Josephine
All weekend
New bar Tonight Josephine has just launched in Waterloo. Telling the story — via the medium of a night out — of Joséphine de Beauharnais, the wife of Napoleon. The pink-hued space has an added charm: two-for-one cocktails, rosé and prosecco between 5-7pm every day of the week. That includes Saturdays and Sundays.
Visit tonightjosephine.co.uk
Explore your Modern Nature
All weekend
This summer exhibition at the Wellcome Collection explores the relationship between man and nature using objects from members of the public that display their own personal connection with nature. The purpose of this is to explain the correlation and link between the planet’s health and the behaviour of its inhabitants.
Visit wellcomecollection.org