The September 2025 Edition

The cricket pitch at Chiswick House and Gardens turns into a canine stage: 17 classes ranging from Waggiest Tail to My Dog’s Got Talent. Expect rescue stories, mischief in the “Naughtiest Dog” ring, and the finale - Best in Show. Entry to wander is free; it’s £6 to compete. Proceeds support the upkeep of Chiswick House’s grounds, a haven for local dog walkers.

Across ten days, expect names like No Such Thing as a Fish, Jameela Jamil’s Wrong Turns, The Empire Film Podcast and history deep-dives from History Hit. Audio drama fans get the Wooden Overcoats 10th-anniversary special, while cult favourites Wrestle Me! and others return to London Podcast Festival.

Step into the car park on Carmarthen Place, where Peter Layton’s experimental “test” glass pieces, along with work by Tim Rawlinson and resident artists, surface at special prices. Can’t make it? An online selection runs from 21–28 September.

Expect a rolling line-up across multiple stages, with collaborations from Brainchild Festival, Colour Factory, Orii Community and Voices Radio. Acts include Alexander Nut, Dele Sosimi, Lizzie Berchie, Charlie Dark and over 40 artists, all celebrating jazz and its neighbours in sound.

Groups like Forty Forty, Bisque and Net Socials are making park tennis feel less like a membership grind and more like a run club: music, drills, weekend sessions, and plenty of off-court socialising. Expect beginner-friendly formats, competitive games, even dating mixers - all for around £10–£13 a session. No waiting lists, no four-figure fees, just quick bookings via Instagram and WhatsApp.

The Chelsea Arts Festival spans Cadogan Hall, Saatchi Gallery Royal Court Theatre, and the streets beyond. Highlights include in-conversation events with Matt Haig, Jordan Stephens, William Boyd, and Elizabeth Day. King’s Road and Duke of York Square come alive with pop-up performances and free outdoor happenings.

Step into a fairy-tale realm as over 50 UK floral artists transform the Gothic revival villa into a magical stage at Strawberry Hill House Flower Festival. Expect spinning wheels, a witch’s perfumery, flying carpets, a goblin market and even a giant spider - crafted from homegrown blooms, all made sustainably, without floral foam or single-use plastics. Guest curated by Gaia Eros and Leigh Chappell, every corner spins floristry into storytelling. Advance booking is wise - tickets are timed and limited to protect this Grade I listed jewel. While you’re there, linger over a garden picnic or seasonal afternoon tea to complete the experience.

The British Art Fair showcases top-tier Modern and Contemporary British art - with names like David Hockney, Tracey Emin, Henry Moore, L.S. Lowry and more under one roof. Over seventy galleries present ambitious, rare works, with specialist dealers on hand to guide both collectors and first-timers. Expect elegant galleries, curated exhibitions like Unsung, and a thoughtful spotlight on emerging voices in British art.

Step into East London’s creative heartbeat as over 50 ceramic artists - working in stoneware, ornamental sculpture, and functional tableware - transform the museum into a weekend of craftsmanship, stories, and texture under one roof. Catch live demonstrations (Anna Collette Hunt and Pottery Craft on Saturday; Sylvie Joly and Joanna Terry on Sunday), browse unique pieces, and meet the makers - always free to drop in, no booking required. For a quieter first glimpse, there’s a private-view launch on Friday evening (tickets £5–£7.50).