See what’s happening in London Heritage Quarter this month! From a series of free and affordable events at Somerset House to kids eating free at PizzaExpress, there is plenty to get involved with this summer.
Events
Journey Through Time Trail Extended Until 2 September
Experience a trail of 11 London-themed sculptures, linked to augmented reality, exploring London’s rich heritage and vibrant evolution. Find out more.
Ice Cream Cart at The Guards Museum
Indulge with a free ice cream at The Guards Museum Square, 5 to 9 August, 11am to 4pm, and explore all the Museum has to offer with discounted entry! Ice cream is subject to availability.
Reimagining St Mary le Strand
Interested in helping a heritage space reimagine its space and stories for future visitors? St Mary le Strand is hosting two workshops on 15 & 16 August to discuss these concepts in line with their large-scale project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. There will be a chance to meet members of the project team, and the project’s interpretation consultant, who will be leading the session. Spaces are limited, to ensure that project team members can have meaningful engagement with attendees.
School Uniform Drive
The cost-of-living crisis is pushing many families further into poverty. As parents make tough choices to cover the cost of heating and food many are struggling to pay for their children’s school uniform which costs an average of £337. We will be collecting for the School Uniform Bank located at St Andrew’s Youth Club. Help support the school uniform appeal by donating school uniform items. Businesses can also make monetary donations. Find out more.
Nova Sundowner Sessions
Every Thursday from 5pm until 29 August, experience live music with the Nova Sundowner Sessions presented by Landsec. A variety of talented DJ’s and musicians will play summer tunes and the events are free to attend. To guarantee the best seats, book a table at one of the Nova restaurants.
Summer in the Courtyard
A series of free and affordable events, activities, performances and food & drink pop-ups are running throughout summer at Somerset House. On weekdays, people are welcome to enjoy the sunshine alongside workshops and the magnificent fountains in the Courtyard. From 31 July the fountains will be switched on daily from 10.00 – 19.00 (10.00 – 18.00 on 23 Aug) except on the following dates: 17 Aug and 24 – 26 Aug. At weekends, there will be a series of live events and performances from established creatives and grassroot communities with inclusivity at their heart alongside food & drink pop-ups. See the full schedule.
Summer on the Square
The National Gallery are hosting free creative sessions and activities on Trafalgar Square for families throughout summer until 1 September, in partnership with Westminster City Council. Create, collaborate and celebrate, work together as a family, perhaps with other families too, and see what you can make. See the schedule.
Summer of Sport
Many businesses across London Heritage Quarter are celebrating the fantastic summer of sport with live screenings of the tournaments as well as special offers. The RSA are broadcasting the Olympics and Paralympics for free, with drinks and refreshments available. In collaboration with Boodles, Belgravia are showing free open-air live screenings in Eccleston Yards until 8 September of all the sporting action, with a wide variety of seat, food, and drink choices. Find out more about Olympics & Paralympics screenings and offers across London Heritage Quarter here.
Summer Family Fun at London Transport Museum
A variety of different events are taking place, for all ages to take part in. These events range from storytelling sessions, family-friendly workshops and crafts. During some of the events, presenters touch on sustainability and enlighten guests on the small changes they could make in their day-to-day lives that would help transform the Earth into a greener, more eco-friendly place to live in. As well as this, an interactive Green Journey Garden featuring four tactile areas has been installed. This instillation enables children to learn about the ways we can be sustainable in a way that is fun and enjoyable. Find out more on their website.
The RSA Kids Club Holiday Screenings
Taking place on Monday 12, 19 & Tuesday 27 August, 1pm. Treat the little ones to family favourite films this month. The RSA will be showing Cloudy with a chance of meatballs, Mary Poppins (1964), Shaun the sheep: Farmageddon in the Durham Street Auditorium during the school holidays and enjoy films for all the family – for free! Browse events.
Tony Birch and Dorothea Smartt in Conversation at The RSA
On 15 August, The RSA will welcome Brit-born Bajan performance artist and poet, Dorothea Smartt in conversation with leading literary luminaries Tony Birch. This is an Edinburgh International Book Festival Preview, in partnership with the Royal Society of Literature. Find out more.
STRETCH: Fitness & Wellness Classes in Eccleston Yards
Until 20 August, enjoy a programme of fitness and wellness classes in Eccleston Yards in Belgravia. Visitors are invited to stretch their minds and bodies with a series of exclusive classes and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, STRETCH is designed to leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Find out more.
News and Offers
Win a Bottomless Brunch at The Royal Horseguards Hotel with the LHQ Hub App
This brilliant prize is to be enjoyed by two people on The Terrace. Tap for ‘more’ on the LHQ Hub App then enter the competition. T&Cs apply, one entry per day, ends 31 August.
Villiers Street Enhancements
We are delighted the final elements of the £5m street enhancements scheme are complete. New planting will bring seasonal interest and extend the feel of Victoria Embankment Gardens into the street and timed access is also implemented. Flowers for year-round interest including Anemone, spring bulbs and English native Bluebell. Also a variety of leaf forms including Carex grases, Brunnera Macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ and ferns. We look forward to seeing the plants grow and flourish.
The scheme was proposed in The Northbank District’s Public Realm strategy & vision and has been delivered through close partnership working with Westminster City Council, local business, stakeholders and consultants. For more information please contact us.
Happy Hour at Apollo Victoria Theatre
Buy one cocktail or mocktail and get your second one for free between 6pm and 6:45pm at The Apollo Victoria Theatre (Home of Wicked the Musical). Offer does not apply to any other WET items and is not valid for matinee performances, including those on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Limited-Edition Cherry Cheesecake at Ole and Steen
This all-new cheesecake has arrived for August. This new treat celebrates the mighty cherry, typically in season over the summer months in the UK. This fruit is bursting with sweet, tart and juicy flavours, great for pairing with a crunchy biscuit base and cream. Available for a limited time only!
Kids Eat Free at PizzaExpress
Until 1 September, Kids Eat Free at PizzaExpress. Get one free Piccolo meal per adult main purchased during the specified date period, all day, every day. T&C’s apply, see more.
Cornus Restaurant Now Open
Find the newly opened rooftop restaurant with an exquisite menu at 27 Eccleston Place SW1W 9NF. Dishes include hand-rolled spaghetti with native lobster, Amalfi lemon, N25 caviar and Two Fields olive oil, and Lake District Farmers Lamb with Romero pepper piperade, lamb kofte, fried capers and olives. Book a table.
Emergency Stone Repairs at St Mary Le Strand are Nearly Complete
You may have seen that some areas outside the church have been cordoned off, although the main entrance remains safe to access. As part of The Jewel in the Strand project, a series of surveys of the building have been taking place. One element of this work involved surveying the external masonry. Experts removed some loose pieces of stonework but were still a few large pieces which are too large to remove but too loose to be considered safe. All the fractured stones still in place have been pinned; five urns on the parapet which were cracked at the base have been lifted down; and the balustrade has been stabilised. The stonemasons are now undertaking final works on the balustrade. Find out more about the project here.
Summer at Toklas Bakery
Celebrate summer with alfresco drinks and dining on Toklas’ hidden garden terrace, or escape the heat and come enjoy an Assembly iced latte or cold brew from the bakery alongside a host of freshly baked sweet treats and bread. Walk in tables are available or you can book a table here.
Icons Cocktail Brunch at The Alchemist
Fill your weekend with nostalgic tunes, delicious dishes, and cocktails that keep on flowing. The Alchemist will bring back iconic serves including tropical ‘Solero’, a smoke-infused paloma, or the fruity ‘Peaches & Cream’, all served with a cosmic, disco twist. Choose 3 cocktails and a brunch dish for £30, or go bottomless for an extra £10. Find out more here.
To read more about Brunch in London Heritage Quarter, see here.
Operations, Insights and Security
Help Address Rough Sleeping
If you see someone sleeping rough in a park, on the street, or anywhere, please take a few seconds to record the instance with StreetLink. It only takes a few moments. In Westminster, your report also goes to the council’s outreach team who we work with. They also use StreetLink records, along with other metrics, to determine how to resource the outreach team.
