Weekly 19 June

Ellie Smith & Parm Bhamra
June 19, 2026

Dear Reader,

As France dropped climate from the G7 environment talks to suck up to one Mr Donald J Trump, London Climate Action Week kicks off tomorrow with a whole host of talks, activations and exhortions throughout the city. Part of the problem is that our connection to nature has become so eroded. I was shocked to find out that half of UK adults spend less than three hours a week in nature (including gardens and parks), and if we're ever to save our place on the planet, this relationship needs to be put front and centre. So if you're free on Sunday afternoon, come and find us at Sea Containers House, where I'll be talking to some very special guests about their role in helping us all flourish – because, of course, we are nature. And in the face of AI, nothing will matter more than this.

Lucy Cleland
Editorial Director

Staying In

CELEBRATE: The Summer Solstice

We’ve been basking in good weather for a while already this year, but according to the astronomical calendar summer doesn’t officially begin until the summer solstice which falls this year on 21 June (Sunday). If you can’t get to Stonehenge for the UK’s biggest celebration, there are lots of ways to mark the day from home. For many people, the solstice has spiritual significance, representing new beginnings, enlightenment and creativity, hence why it’s an important day on the yoga calendar. Yogis mark the day by practising a yoga mala, which is 108 sun salutations in a row. But perhaps the simplest way to celebrate is by making the most of the light: rise early to catch the sunrise, or invite friends round for a late-night dinner in the garden as the sun sets.

MAKE: Nigella Lawson’s Summer Sgroppino

Love desserts? Love cocktails? What if there was a dish that blended the two? Enter the Sgroppino, an icy lemon pudding/cocktail hybrid which is perfect for the summer months. Refreshing, tasty and easy to whizz up, it’s a winner for summer dinner parties – and who better to guide you than one of the world’s most famous chefs, Nigella Lawson?

Makes 1 x 150ml glass, prep time: 3 minutes

Ingredients:

100g Remeo Lemon Sorbet
25ml chilled vodka (1 shot)
25ml chilled prosecco (1 shot)

Method:

Get a small 150ml coupe or martini glass and a small wide-ish jug. Scoop the lemon sorbet into the jug.
Pour over the vodka, followed by the prosecco. Mix swiftly but gently with a couple of forks, pulling the sorbet apart and into the liquid rather than beating the ingredients together.
When you have a lump-free cohesive mixture resembling a cloud of frosty froth, pour into the prepared glass.
Raise to your lips and prepare to be transported!

TIP: Chill your glasses to keep your cocktail cold – put them in the freezer for at least 30 mins, or up to 2 hrs before serving. (Avoid freezing crystal and delicate glass.)

This recipe was created by Nigella for Ocado.

WATCH: House of the Dragon Season 3

Just two years on from series 2, House of the Dragon season 3 is set to return to our screens this Sunday. Based on the world of George R. R. Martin’s books, this season will continue to detail the pre Game of Thrones history set out in his companion history Fire & Blood, chronicling the events that lead to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty. The show’s penultimate season, the action is set to kick off with the Battle of the Gullet – that huge war everyone started marching off to at the end of series 2. With new dragons and dragon riders now under her control, you might have guessed that Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) is about to successfully storm and take King’s Landing. But when she attempts to seize and kill Aegon (as agreed to by Alicent in the finale), she will discover he has been smuggled out of King’s Landing by Larys Strong. Season 3 premieres on NOW TV and Sky on 21 June

Going Out

EXPLORE: WOW!house 2026

C&TH Partnership

The most anticipated event on the summer design calendar, WOW!house is in full swing at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Now in its fifth year, the month-long event sees A-list interior designers and top brands creating immersive, full-scale rooms and outdoor spaces across a large showhouse – whether you’re an industry professional or an interiors enthusiast, you’ll come away brimming with ideas for how to spruce up your home. Take guided tours through the spaces to glean extra insight, and listen to over 20 expert talks and panel discussions – the line-up this year includes topics like slower rituals, craft in the age of AI, how to stand out from the crowd, and the power of the sensory home. Until 2 July 2026, dcch.co.uk

DRINK: Fizz At English Wine Week

English Wine Week is back from 20 – 28 June 2026: the perfect excuse to enjoy a glass or two in the sunshine. Events taking place this year include an al fresco feast at restaurant-with-rooms Boys Hall in Kent paired with wines from Hollands and Danbury Ridge, and a wine festival at Hampshire pub The Mutton – complete with sommelier tastings, BBQ fare and live music. Meanwhile, vineyards like Hattingley Valley and Hambledon are hosting open days, and London’s Covent Garden piazza is being taken over by Chapel Down. Find plenty more ways to get involved here.

BOOK: The International Supreme Sheepdog Trials At Daylesford

We might be in the thick of summer, but we’re already looking ahead to some post-holiday action. First up on the calendar? A trip to the Cotswolds. Daylesford’s working farm is set to host the International Supreme Sheepdog Trials this September, one of the world’s most respected rural events. And to celebrate, the estate state has built a five-night programme: daily grandstand access, behind-the-scenes time at the trials, and honey-stone cottage stays stocked with Le Chameau wellies, Daylesford Organic provisions and fires laid ready for the evening. Beyond the trials, there’s even more to see; the itinerary takes in a private tour of Highgrove Gardens with afternoon tea, a Market Garden walk, wine tasting and meals across the estate's Michelin-starred restaurant and The Wild Rabbit in Kingham. Everything in between, meanwhile, will be handled by a dedicated concierge and Daylesford Defender. If only herding sheep were this easy… 9–14 September 2026, from £12,950 per cottage for two. daylesfordstays.com

Staying in Forever…

Property Of The Week

While Freddie and Valerie’s gold-trimmed Bella Vista in Rivals might be too garish for most, the Kelly Hoppen-designed home where it’s set is much more tasteful and every bit as grand. The most expensive home in Wales, this 24,000 sqft property boasts seven bedrooms, 24 acres, a tennis court, celebrity visits, and a phallic hedge that would make Jilly Cooper proud.

On the market for £8m, fineandcountry.co.uk

Competition Time

Win a three-night stay for two at Bellonias Villas, Kamari, Santorini, Greece
Win a 13-piece HexClad Hybrid Cookware Set
Win a NIRA Pro 3 laser and skincare bundle worth over £700

Psssst…

One of London’s most anticipated new hotel openings, Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch, is now open for reservations from 1 March 2027. Set within the Grade I listed Admiralty Arch on The Mall, it will include prestigious restaurants from Clare Smyth MBE and Daniel Boulud – the latter located on the rooftop, overlooking Buckingham Palace.