What's On 18th May

Ellie Smith
May 18, 2025

Dear Reader,

Down on the farm this week, volunteers from C&TH headed to Gloucestershire to spend a day with our charity partner, Farms for City Children, which was founded in the seventies by Michael and Clare Morpurgo. In the bristling heat, we fed the livestock in our fetching overalls, and got to work pulling weeds, mulching and clearing the play area from pesky nettles so the children could avoid stings as far as possible. The best bit was sharing lunch with 30 Year 5s from Catford around the firepit, who each had to tell the person next to them something wonderful about them. It wasn’t that that moved me so much as one of the teachers, who’s been accompanying children to the farm each year for the past 30 years, who broke down when he said how good they’d become at leaving their dorms immaculate. The fact that they’d started on 5/10 (i.e. unmade beds and clothes everywhere) and were now on 10/10 (shoes lined up, sheets straight, clothes folded, toothbrushes in line) had brought him to tears. A small thing perhaps, but he knows the impact of a week spent in nature where kids are stepping out of their comfort zones in all sorts of ways. And good for team C&TH too.

Have a great week.

WHAT’S ON MY MIND THIS WEEK

Wanna See Elizabeth Day?

She’s just one name from some of the brilliant talent line-up we’ve just released for the inaugural Chelsea Arts Festival this September. Tickets have just been released, so get booking now.

RHS Letters by Pinstripes & Peonies. (RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024)

Chelsea’s Just Blooming

I’m a true Chelsea girl this week and so should you be, it’s when the streets of SW3 are transformed by incredible floral displays for Chelsea in Bloom. I’m also heading to the Flower Shower, of course, but what should I wear?

Meanwhile, Over On Clarkson’s Farm

I love this series and it’s back on May 23rd with a new farmhand – and it’s a girl (meet her here). Can’t wait to see how she copes with Jeremy’s eccentric ideas…

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS

The Berkeley’s legendary rooftop bar is back, sporting a chic Capri-inspired look – pop by for some poolside pizza and a cocktail in the sunshine.

Blenheim Palace is transforming into a foodie haven this week for its annual festival, complete with stalls, chef demonstrations and live music.

After two years of closure, The National Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing has reopened to visitors following an extensive refurbishment – featuring brand-new restaurant Locatelli.

A first-of-its-kind social wellness space has arrived in Shoreditch, complete with a sauna, alcohol-free bar and programme of holistic events.

Wondering where to go for lunch after the flower show? A whole host of local restaurants and bars are offering special floral dishes and drinks.

Join today and enjoy digital editions of all our publications (worth £39), exclusive discounts and offers from our advertising partners, plus...

Automatic entry into all of our competitions for an entire year.

£2.50 per month (billed annually)