Discover The Latest Culture, Courses, Cuisine And More In London And Beyond

From London to Greece, new restaurants to the perfect blow dry, there is more than enough happening this autumn to keep your diary bursting.

Beauty Club London

All your needs are covered at this central outpost, Beauty Club London. Book in for a blow-dry or a seamless cut and color. And if you’re looking for a change, Beauty Club co-owner Louise Bailey is a leading hair extension specialist, adding length, thickness, and texture with ease. Her tried and tested technique makes it impossible to tell the difference between your own strands and what’s been added. Equally, colorist Moe Harb is a bit of a miracle worker, transforming even the most damaged hair into enviable locks. The talented team at Paint Nails also offer manicures and pedicures (filed to perfection with more than 150 polish colors to choose from), and natural lash extensions from best-in-the-business Edyta Kurowska. It’s a one-stop-shop to get ready and have a good time! A destination, the salon offers guests a cocktail bar experience along with pampering and quality hair and nail services. If you don’t want to leave, it’s also possible to takeover the entire space for corporate functions, private parties, and PR events. With the fully licensed bar and accomplished team, it’s an easy decision.

Bear Brooksbank Celebrates 10 Years In The Business

Bear Brooksbank started as an intern with Humphrey Butler, the much loved and admired Mayfair jewellery dealer in 2007. Then one of Humphrey’s assistants left and he offered her a full-time job. Here, Bear learned the trade and honed her passion before setting up on her own in 2012. Today, she specialises in bespoke and commission-based projects, whilst also maintaining an eclectic collection of fine jewellery available to buy. Collections include The engagement ring series, Satellite, Monochrome, a curated selection of vintage jewellery, Fur and Claw, Bear Basics, and her signature Bear pendant. With her early influence being predominantly in antique jewellery, Bear draws inspiration from treasures of the past and creates timeless contemporary pieces that are equally relevant today. At the bank of her mind was always a desire to become the “family jeweller,” an old fashioned idea where a family was connected to one jeweller for their lifetime.

Rosewood London Scarfes Bar Playing Cards

It’s hard to imagine a chicer and more imaginative set of playing cards on the market. Specially created by Rosewood London, the aim was to marry the great British tradition of card playings with Gerald Scarfe’s satirical depictions of historical and famous faces that adorn the marble walls of Scarfes Bar. As might be expected from the famed caricaturist, the Scarfe’s poker pack features Prince George as the Knave of Hearts and Vladimir Putin as the Three of Spades, among many more clever delights.

Hydra Book Club

On the top floor of the Historical Archives Museum in Hydra, Greece you’ll find a well-read American named Josh Hickey and the man behind the Hydra Book Club. A “community bookstore and cultural project,” as Hickey describes it, the space is a bookstore, a gallery and a community hub for creative minds. Inside you’ll find tables piled high with books and artefacts (both new and old) inspired by or connected to the laid-back island. Of the passion project Hickey has said, “The literature presented is the fruit of deep, lifelong, often spiritual friendships between artists and writers, visitors and locals, and these friendships remain the core anchor for most of us here together on the island today.”

Cliveden Literary Festival

Taking place at the historic Cliveden House in Berkshire, Cliveden Literary Festival (15-16 October) is a melting pot of today’s leading authors and thinkers. Highlights from this year’s event include patriarch of British actors, Brian Cox, telling broadcaster Chris Evans about his journey from Shakespeare to Succession; Monica Ali sharing the highs and lows of a writer’s life with Merve Emre; William Boyd charting his literary voyage through love and time with Sam Leith; and British Vogue editor Edward Enninful talking to Catherine Ostler about his fashionable life. Thanks to the picturesque surrounds and the calibre of the panelists, Ian McEwan has said it’s “probably the world’s best small literary festival,” and Alain de Botton called it “the most dignified and beautiful literary festival on the planet.”

Peggy Jean Barge By Daisy Green Collection

Have transformed the former Jesus College Boat Race Barge into a restaurant on the banks of the Thames at Richmond, Peggy Jean is the latest launch from the Daisy Green Collection. Inside, there’s a large dining room and outside there’s ample alfresco dining under a series of Instagram-worthy pink parasols. The venue is home to twin Gozney clay ovens—meaning freshly baked pizzas and thick Tomahawk steaks (for sharing) cooked over open fire are a mainstay of the menu. And as with any of the Daisy Green venues, brunch—and on the weekends bottomless brunch—is a focus.

Gail’s Picnic Collection

This summer, Gail’s launched their Picnic on the Green Hamper, filled with delights from the much-lauded bakery. Inside the branded tote bag you’ll find a selection of sweet and savoury items, including their new freshly baked strawberry and ricotta cake. The hamper is the perfect accompaniment to a picnic in the park or a day at the beach. The first Gail’s bakery opened on Hampstead High Street in 2005. Today, they have more than 79 bakeries in neighbourhoods in and around London, Oxford, Brighton and beyond.

Patriots

The Crown show runner Peter Morgan’s new play Patriots made history as the Almeida’s fastest-selling new play. As such, it’s no surprise the heavy hitter will be transferring to the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited twelve-week run from 26 May to 19 August 2023. Directed by the Almeida’s artistic director, Rupert Goold (Ink, Enron), Patriots is a brilliant and timely story of ambition, loyalty and betrayal. BAFTA-winning actor Tom Hollander (The Night Manager, Travesties) will reprise his starring role as Boris Berezovsky, the “kingmaker” who propped up Vladimir Putin; with Will Keen (His Dark Materials) also returning to play Putin, and Luke Thallon (Albion) as Roman Abramovich.

Sicilian Wine Dinner At The Petersham

On Wednesday 28th September, Petersham Nurseries will be hosting an intimate Sicilian Wine Dinner in Covent Garden. Over the course of an evening inside the private dinning room at The Petersham, guests will be will be invited to delve into the world of Sicilian fine wine, exploring the diverse regions from Vittoria to Mount Etna, as well as learning about the organic farming techniques that date back to 4,000 BC. Beginning with the new vintage of Zisola Azisa 2021, guests will be guided by wine experts from the Petersham cellar, while enjoying a seasonal-led four-course meal.

BAO Fitzrovia U BARTEND

This Autumn, BAO Fitzrovia is hosting a new instalment of its bartending evenings, welcoming mixologists from some of the world’s most creative venues to each take over the bar for an evening. U Bartend kicks off on Tuesday 13th September with Kaito del Valle from Mexico City, specializing in Japanese-influenced cocktails with a focus on sake and highballs. Next up, it’s boutique Stockholm bar Lucy’s Flower Shop on 18th October; and innovative Drink Kong, from Rome, on 15th November. Each visiting partner features on the World’s 50 Best Bars lists, which is voted for annually by 600 drinks experts from across the globe.