Not sure what to do over the three-day weekend? Here are eight ideas to help you make the most of it.
As we approach the final bank holiday of the year (we’re gutted), the pressure’s on to pack it full with the last of the summer activities.
Whether you’re after family fun or a boozy day out with friends, London’s chock-full of activities and events — it’s hard to know where to start. Here, L360 has picked its favourites.
Enjoy a boozy brunch at SticksʹnʹSushi, Shoreditch
For £70 per person, you can indulge in an All You Can Sip brunch at Sticks’n’Sushi and savour generous set menus featuring signature dishes such as beef tataki, karaage and tuna tartare, alongside maki rolls, fresh sticks and a refreshing sorbet trio to finish. Drinks flow freely for 90 minutes, with English spritz, Mio sake, Asahi beer, wine and no/low-alcohol options. You can also personalise your prosecco with juices to create bellinis, mimosas and rossinis. Available on Saturday from 12-5pm.
Plus, in honour of International Dog Day (26 August) — all month long, dogs will receive a tail-wagging take-home treat box from Pooch & Mutt.
Read more: These are the best al fresco dining spots in London to book this summer
Catch a cricket match at an iconic London pitch
Cricket and live music come together at Lord’s and the Kia Oval, with men’s and women’s matches played side by side featuring stars like David Warner, Ellyse Perry, Jos Buttler and Sophie Ecclestone. In a short, fast format, there’ll be 100 balls per team, under three hours per match. A live music line-up curated in collaboration with BBC Music Introducing will be adding to the atmosphere. Catch London Spirit vs Southern Brave on Saturday 23 August and Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit on Monday 25 August. Tickets available from £21 for adults and £5 for juniors.
Take in rooftop views at Bōkan in Docklands
If sun-soaked terraces and skyline views sound like your ideal bank holiday, Bōkan in Docklands by Canary Wharf is your spot for the weekend. Bar manager Generoso D’Avino has crafted a summer cocktail menu featuring four new creations: ‘Lychee & Blossom’ with Hendrick’s Gin; ‘It’s Thyme’ with Monkey Shoulder; ‘Highland Fig’ with Glenfiddich 15 Year Old; and ‘Island Breeze’ with Discarded Banana Peel Rum.
Complementing the drinks are wagyu beef burgers, British cheese and charcuterie boards, and seafood platters, plus desserts such as Bailey’s cheesecake and classic tiramisu.
Read more: These are the best afternoon teas in London for under £100
Dance the weekend away at an East London DJ takeover
Set the tone for the rest of the weekend with Old Spitalfields Market’s The Happy Hours, a Friday evening DJ takeover on 22 and 29 August. Every Friday in August from 5-7pm, the iconic East London market comes alive with an array of ice-cold drinks, street food and DJ sets curated by Re:Sonate. Expect everything from feel-good classics to smooth evening grooves, whether you’re dancing into the weekend or popping by for an after-work drink.
Plus, Bread & Truffles has a special offer for the occasion, their half/half deal means you can get half of one of their giant filled focaccias with half a spritz or half a Morretti for just £9.95.
Shop till you drop at a Korean beauty brand pop-up
K-beauty fans are in for a treat as Korean skincare brand belif arrives in the UK. From Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 August, a dedicated pop-up at Boots Battersea will showcase the brand’s hydration-focused products. Learn more about the story behind one of Korea’s most popular beauty brands and explore its latest products. Plus, you can take a stroll down the river or hit Battersea Power Station for some shopping afterwards.
Read more: 10 best London brunch spots
Get crafty at a jewellery making workshop
Looking for a more low-key weekend escape? VICKISARGE, the London jewellery brand celebrated for bold, handcrafted designs and collaborations with Alexander McQueen and Lady Gaga, is hosting an exclusive workshop in Kensington. Here, you can design your own bracelet, inspired by the iconic Kitchen Sink piece famously worn by Cindy Crawford.
Each session includes a glass of prosecco and a behind-the-scenes look at the brand’s archive. Choose three charms from a curated collection of 20 in gold or silver and take home your own one-of-a-kind bracelet (normally valued at £175).
Read more: 8 beautiful beaches less than 2 hours from London by train
Dig in to a Bank holiday barbecue at an East London cafe
Whether you want a post night out recovery barbecue or an ice-cold spritz in the sun, the sun-filled terrace at The Brush East London Grand Café is the spot. Executive chef Ryan Matheson’s modern European menu pairs with live music and DJs for all-day music and dining experience. Running 12-8pm all weekend, The Brush has teamed up with Big Green Egg to serve plates like jerk pork chop served with sweet pineapple salsa and tamarind ketchup, brat’dogs loaded with toppings and grilled sugpos (jumbo prawns) with chimichurri and charred corn ribs.
Sip spritzes from Lillet Rosé, Blanc or other creative blends.
Celebrate Caribbean culture at Notting Hill Carnival
Over Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday, half of West London will come alive with the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival, an annual celebration of the Windrush Generation, who came from the Caribbean in 1948 to help rebuild post-war Britain.
From Westbourne Park through Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Grove, the streets fill with vibrant floats, dancers in dazzling outfits and the sounds of steel bands, soca and reggae. Food stalls serve Caribbean favourites like patties, roti and plantain. Best of all, it’s completely free.
Feature image: Pexels
