Sunflower salutations
World renowned for its unparalleled collection of rare plants and stunning specimens, Kew also plays host to a varied and fascinating programme of events all year round. This summer there are outdoor theatre shows, art exhibitions and talks, but we’ve got our eyes on the early morning yoga in the iconic Victorian glasshouse known as the Temperate House.
Greet the morning alongside 10,000 rare and endangered plants with a one hour vinyasa flow guided by Anil Jangi, Kew’s own yoga instructor. You’ll beat the crowds (and even most of the staff), so it’s the perfect way to start your day at Kew. Follow it up with a leisurely walk around the grounds, a warming cup of tea in one of the restaurants, or a breakfast picnic on the grass.
Fun at the fair
Sun, sand, street food…who needs to leave London for a proper holiday? London Wonderground is bringing serious summer vibes to Earls Court, with a veritable grown up playground full of outdoor bars, food stalls, fairground rides and a beach, all free to enter and all summer long.
It’s also the new home of Udderbelly, the upside down purple cow that’s become a fixture of the London summer. Here you can see all kinds of fantastic shows, from music and comedy to theatre and puppetry, and this year there’s even a proper big top for the circus.
Street art
We know how much art lovers have missed spending long, leisurely hours gazing on great works in the capital’s galleries while they were closed. Of course, so do the folks at the National Gallery.
That’s why, this summer, they’re putting 20 life-size replicas of the nation’s favourite paintings on display in Trafalgar Square, as part of their Inside Out celebration of art. The works are all taken from the National Gallery’s collection, including paintings by Gainsborough, Caravaggio and Titian, and – best of all – there’ll be a series of free community art sessions. They’re all free and you only have to book the artist-led classes. Otherwise, just rock up with your pencil case and see where the mood takes you.
