As London starts to cautiously emerge from the strict lockdown we’ve been sticking to over the past few months, getting out of the house is finally an option again. Head for a cycle, take a socially distanced picnic to the park or visit a National Trust property – plus we’ve got plenty of ideas for things to do at home too.
These are the best things to do right now.
The National Trust is slowly opening some of its gardens and grounds across the UK. Bookings need to be made well in advance, and only a limited number of people will be allowed to visit on any one day, so make your plans ahead of time. While no gardens in the capital are opening, those lucky enough to have a car can travel to sites just outside the city – Cliveden in Buckinghamshire is about an hour’s drive away.
With groups of six allowed to meet outside from Monday 1 June, picnics are fast becoming the hottest social event in our calendar. Take yours to the next level with our guide to hosting the perfect park sit down, with all our must-have accessories from the best hamper to an instant camera to capture the summer that wasn’t lost after all.
Lockdown measures are continuing to cautiously loosen across the country, and we can now head across the city – or out of the capital entirely – on a sunny cycle. Recapture the nostalgic joy of finding freedom on two wheels and take yourself on a bike ride – we like the route between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace, which has some of the best views in all of London.
From today (1 June) some of London’s markets can reopen to the public as outdoor retail is allowed to start up again. Stay local with a trip to a farmers’ market – lots of which have remained open over the past few weeks with social distancing measures in place – ones in Balham, Islington, Notting Hill and more will be going ahead this weekend. Camden Market also plans to open this week, with a new one-way system to ensure safe social distancing. Happy browsing.
Head back in time with The Lost Estate, which is bringing the 1920s jazz scene into kitchens with an at-home cocktail kit. Be transported to New York City in the midst of the prohibition as you receive a set of so-called medical spirits that all happen to taste like classic cocktails… The pack includes ingredients for six drinks, such as Gin Fizz and Old Fashioned, plus instructions on how to make bar snacks and even a soundtrack.
The National Theatre continues its programme of live recordings, streamed straight into viewers homes to give them a taste of the productions. This week, it’s the turn of Coriolanus, the bloody Shakespeare tragedy based on the life of Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus and starring Tom Hiddleston in the lead role.
Devilled foods – which take inspiration from Chinese-Sri Lankan cooking – are some of the most popular plates in Sri Lanka. We asked Karan Gokani, director of favourite London joint Hoppers, to share his recipe for devilled paneer. ‘Devilled dishes are commonly served in restaurants in the country and are always great alongside a chilled beer,’ said Gokani. Watch his guide on how to make delicious spicy paneer on our IGTV and cook along.
The V&A’s big sartorial exhibition of the year was postponed just a few weeks after it opened as museums and galleries across London closed their doors for lockdown. Now, the team who curated this display about the traditional Japanese garment have transformed it into five short YouTube films offering a behind-the-scenes look at the show.
With the Hockney exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery cut short as a result of lockdown, you can still get a fix of the pop artist at home with a series of films made by Coluga Pictures. The production company’s editor-in-chief Bruno Wollheim has directed a number of films and is uploading 80 clips to the Coluga Pictures YouTube channel, including interviews with Hockney and footage of him creating art in Yorkshire.
Picking up a pencil and paper and sketching some of London’s cutest wildlife has always been one of the most popular workshops to take in the city. Give animal portraiture a go at home with Wild Life Drawing’s Wednesday Instagram Lives. Classes are free to join, but donations are welcome – this week, the hour-long session will be focused on drawing donkeys and horses.
Source: cntraveller.com