What's On 31 August

Ellie Smith
August 31, 2025

Dear Reader,

Nights out with best friends used to look a lot more booze-filled. We’d pitch up at a bar, order a bottle or two and get the last Tube home. Now half of us are either microdosing mushrooms for a clean high or seeking out sober antics that don’t leave us dehydrated and grumpy the next morning. One friend has finally got her hands on an allotment and her best evenings are spent harvesting her potato crop; I did, however, manage to drag her off to Canary Wharf for Arc after Dark this week for a sauna party (wild, I know). Talk about a natural high though, we laughed so hard as we went through hot and cold immersions (along with loads of others – this is a community sauna), the only drink touching the sides was water. Now I’m looking at booking us into a Candlelight Concert – an hour of music (from Coldplay and Adele to Hans Zimmer) performed by a quartet in just candlelight for something a little different. Of course, the city offers up so many things for those who drink – but equally just as many for those who don’t.

PS: Newsflash: we are launching our very first C&TH retreat. Held at Lime Wood in the New Forest on 2 and 3 October, there are just 30 spots available. Check out the incredible lineup – and book your tickets here.

Have a great week.

WHAT’S ON MY MIND THIS WEEK

Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fresh Talent for Chelsea Arts Festival (& Your Discount Code)

Stephen Fry is the latest name to join our first-ever Chelsea Arts Festival. Check out the full programme here and enjoy a special C&TH discount of 30% when booking tickets for events at Cadogan Hall (this offer is for Ticket Bands A and B, and excludes partner events Ian McEwan, Elizabeth Day and Women’s Words). Use C&TH at checkout. Book your tickets now.

Hamnet: First Look at the Film

I loved Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet – a heartbreaking reimagining of Shakespeare’s family life – so I’m excited about the film adaptation (the stage version left me less in awe). Jessie Buckley as Agnes? Yes please. Paul Mescal as Shakespeare? Double yes. Get your first look here.

Where I’ll Be Eating This Month

Despite the doomster headlines about employment and the gutting out of the hospitality industry (how I wish we could have some good news sometimes, UK PLC), London’s food scene seems unstoppable. September brings a fresh crop of spots to book into. We’re getting our reservations in early.

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS

Listen to talks from names like Clodagh McKenna and Chrissie Rucker OBE at The White Company’s In Residence festival, taking place at the brand’s Kensington townhouse. 10 – 14 September

Check out Elizabeth Gage’s new jewellery collection at Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire. 8 September, 10am – 4.30pm

Eke out the last days of summer at Petersham Nurseries, which is running three al fresco dinners in its private Richmond gardens this week. 4, 5 and 6 September

Image courtesy of the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery

See portraits, installation pieces and sculptures from Andrew Logan at Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in a new exhibition launched to mark the artist’s 80th birthday. 1 September – 18 October

Give your wardrobe a refresh with some new pieces from M&S’ first dedicated resale platform – a partnership with eBay and Reskinned.

WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH

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10 simple swaps to improve your gut health

We got the lowdown on Taylor Swift’s engagement ring

Win A Fabulous Homeware Bundle From Inside Story

Fancy adding some gorgeous new decor to your home? We’ve partnered with Inside Story to give you the chance to win a footstool, mirror, candles, home fragrance and accessories.