Late Summer in London
Your cultural agenda for July, August and September 2026...
Come rain or shine, London always offers something to engage the mind or lift the spirits, whether a new art exhibition, a well-stocked bookshop or an under-the-radar café. We’ve rounded up the best of what the city has in store from summer through to autumn, from West End premieres such as Hayfever starring Richard E Grant, to beloved festivals including the BBC Proms, plus the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry in London.
The BBC Proms
17 July - 12 September
One of London’s most beloved annual music festivals sees a full calendar of dynamic concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and across the city, hosted by the BBC over a two-month period. Enjoy the work of world-class orchestras, musicians and conductors across a variety of genres, from classical to soul.
Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
Hay Fever at Wyndham's Theatre
from 22 september
Noël Coward’s classic comedy of manners – which first made a stir in the West End more than a century ago – returns to the London stage in this new production at Wyndham's Theatre, headlined by Tony Award winner Christine Baranski and beloved star of stage and screen Richard E. Grant. Revolving around a weekend at the country house of the Bliss family - and their unexpected guests - this delightfully outlandish play promises the stinging wit and British eccentricity that Coward is remembered for.
We've teamed up with Delfont Mackintosh Theatres on a special theatre and dining offer. Enjoy a ticket to the show and a two-course meal with a glass of wine at Haymarket Hotel's Brumus Restaurant for £130 per person. View full details here.
Wyndham's Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA
Open House London
12 - 20 September
An annual highlight, this festival sees a host of architecturally interesting buildings across 33 boroughs open their doors to the public. Join a guided tour of a historic building, such as Somerset House, take an architectural walking tour of a beloved neighbourhood like Bloomsbury, or step behind the doors of a number of private homes. This year’s full list of events is published on 15th July, and all are free.
London Review Bookshop
open daily
There’s always a good reason to visit this Bloomsbury treasure, known for its intelligent curation of more than 20,000 titles, covering classics from world literature, contemporary fiction and poetry, plus plenty of philosophy, history, politics, cookery and essays. More recently, a branch of the city’s pioneering bakery and nose-to-tail restaurant St. JOHN has made a home here, in the form of a relaxed café offering coffee, pastries, savoury tarts and sandwiches, from 8am daily (midday-6pm, Sundays). A mere 15-minute stroll from Charlotte Street Hotel, it's perfect for a cultural pit stop
14 Bury Place, London, WC1A 2JL
London's Royal Parks and Gardens
all summer
For locals and visitors alike, London's Royal Parks and Gardens play a central role in summer plans. From picnics beneath the boughs of ancient trees in St James' Park and Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park to the Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens and live music in Hyde Park (Duran Duran are headlining this year's British Summer Time festival), there's something for everyone.
Canal-side Cinema
29 june - 16 august
This year, Everyman on the Canal returns to Granary Square at King’s Cross for a programme of classic or nostalgic films screened canal-side and perfect for balmy evenings. Our favourite low-fuss option, there’s no booking required: just find your spot along the canal and settle in (we recommend arriving early with canapés and rosé in hand). The programme order is currently hush-hush, but screenings include Grease, The Devil Wears Prada and Paddington in Peru.
Bayeux Tapestry at The British Museum
from 10 September
Few pieces of embroidery are as precious as the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century artwork that tells the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Shrouded in mystery, the piece - made of dyed wool stitched into a bleached linen ground - remains the only pictorial evidence of this historic period, though the identity of its creators is still up for debate. The 70-metre-long tapestry has crossed The Channel, having been loaned to the British Museum, and will be on display from 10 September until next summer.
Great Russell St, London, WC1B 3DG
Fornum & Mason's Biscuitorium
open now
One of the city’s oldest stores – which started life supplying the public with recycled candle wax from Queen Anne’s royal household – is celebrating three centuries of teatime treats. Fortnum & Mason has just launched a new section dedicated entirely to the biscuit in its Piccadilly store - conveniently located just moments from Ham Yard Hotel. With a library of more than 70 flavours, a new selection of decorative tins, chocolate enrobed options and even delicacies for dipping into champagne, this is the perfect spot for a little indulgence or for picking up a thoughtful gift.
181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER
Totally Thames Festival
1 - 30 September
London’s most iconic landmark is often also its most overlooked. This month-long celebration of the River Thames aims to correct that with a packed roster of events, including photography exhibitions, art installations, live performances, boat trips, river races, foreshore walks and talks running the 42-mile stretch of the Thames.
