The August 2025 Edition

August in London is a strange one. Half the city clears out, the other half leans in. Quieter commutes, easier tables, and a welcome pause before autumn kicks back in. It can be easy to feel jaded, especially this year with how lucky we’ve been with the weather, leaving room for nostalgia of variety and autumn creeping in. This edition reflects that, a very picky curation of things to do for every mood this month.

There’s something about experiencing London on water. When you’re constantly rushing and zig-zagging through busy streets and traffic, drifting offers a different kind of luxury. One that is slower, softer and more discrete. In my opinion, it’s the best way to experience London, transport wise. But as always with London, it’s got to be done right.

This August, London Glassblowing is releasing a collection of works that rarely leave the studio - prototypes, experimental forms, and pieces from series Peter Layton is reworking or retiring. It’s a window into the way glass artists think: sketching not on paper, but in molten form. Alongside Layton, Tim Rawlinson presents striking new work, with prices reflecting the studio’s need to clear space. A chance to collect something breathtaking, before it disappears for good.

Returning to South London this August is a stacked, open-air line-up shaped by the scene’s most influential crews. Joy Orbison and Theo Parrish headline alongside The Alchemist, Kenny Beats and DJ AG, while Places + Faces, Recess and Dialled In each curate their own high-energy stages. Expect sharp programming, deep cuts, and crowd chemistry in a setting that blurs mainstream and underground.

Coworth Park offers polo with clarity and polish. Lessons run from April to September on two fields and a dedicated teaching paddock, taught by Guards Polo Academy - the world’s most established club. Expect smart, tailored coaching whether you’re a beginner or brushing up. A refined way into a game that’s fast, precise, and increasingly open to newcomers.

An August evening at Kew, set to candlelight and choral harmony. The Nash Conservatory hosts a 90-minute programme by one of the UK’s leading chamber choir, with singers drawn from the likes of St Paul’s and Westminster Abbey. Expect a mix of sacred anthems, wedding favourites, and reimagined classics, from Handel to Sting.

The Book Festival returns for another weekend of considered conversation and literary presence in one of London’s most quietly creative corners. Past editions have welcomed names like Zadie Smith, Elif Shafak and Michael Palin, alongside new and local voices through the festival’s dedicated Community Tent. Set across the park’s green lawns and neighbourhood halls, the tone is thoughtful but relaxed - a blend of big ideas and everyday culture, grounded in the area’s long-standing ties to the written word.