Anya Hindmarch
"So happy to welcome back Anya Hindmarch, who was our first hotlister 8 years ago and is the creative genius who continually surprises and delights us with her unique ideas...." Jenny Halpern Prince. "I love that back to school feeling September brings. It’s also the start of London Fashion Week which brings such creativity to our city, and to celebrate it, we will be hosting a three day immersive experience on the ‘Chubby Cloud’, an experiential installation that’s inspired by the cloud motif in our Chubby Collection. Open to the public, visitors will be able to climb on and sink into the world’s largest bean bag under the magnificent Rubens ceiling. There is a programme of events to enjoy whilst on the Chubby Cloud that will bring together Art, Fashion and historic London to engage visitors directly. Claudia Winkleman and Poppy Delevingne will be reading bedtime stories, an Oxford Professor is talking about why we sleep, Radio Four are reading ‘the Shipping Forecast’ live to music, Richard E Grant is doing a story, Daisy Goodwin (who wrote Victoria) is doing a history talk, and Yana Peel an art panel on Rubens & modern body shape" Anya Hindmarch
HACKFIELD PLACE
If you google Heckfield Place you’ll see that this Georgian country house estate turned luxury hotel, is billed as the “UK’s most delayed hotel”...and that’s not wrong. We’ve been wanting and patiently waiting, to feature Heckfield Place on the Hotlist, not for months but years. And finally, the wait looks to be over. The luxuriously renovated 47 bedroom venue is located in Hampshire. Just 40 minutes out of London, the 400 acres of grounds the property is nestled in exudes classic English country grandeur, as though you have stepped right into a Jane Austen novel. The biodynamic home farm, kitchen gardens and orchards supply the two restaurants on site, one of which (Marle) is led by none other than Skye Gyngell of ‘Spring’ fame, then there’s The Moon Bar for intimate cocktails pre or post dinner. Naturally there’s a spa to help you unwind after you've visited one of the three studios for a spot of personal training or Pilates or alternatively try your hand at fly fishing or horse riding if you are more of an outdoors type. And everyone should be when the setting is this beautiful. So, cheers to Heckfield Place, we are so excited to finally see you. Now don’t mind us while we stroll the grounds, coyly giggling as we wait for Mr Darcy to turn up. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit: Hackfield Place
ON BLACKHEATH
And there you were thinking festival season was over. Not yet, our happy, field dancing, glitter decorated chums! On the 8th September, On Blackheath is pitching up literally ON Blackheath, near Lewisham, for two days of boutique festival fun. 35,000 revellers will descend on the site for some of the best food and music including artists like Paloma Faith, Squeeze, De La Soul, Craig Charles, Huey Morgan and Norman Jay to name but a few. Street food for all tastes will feed the masses and families of all ages are of course welcome too. A variety of activities are on offer including CBeebies who will be there in person, which must be to children what watching Madonna or the Rolling Stones would be like to the rest of us, so they certainly won’t get bored. Single day tickets cost from £56 and the website helpfully details all the info including travel options, that you may need. Go on, this summer ain’t over yet! Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit: Paul Box
LAHPET
Lahpet is Burmese for pickled tea...which seems a strange name choice for a French restaurant. Just kidding, Lahpet serves up bloody marvellous modern Burmese cuisine at their new venue in Shoreditch, having moved from their original site in Hackney. Time Out describes the new place as “achingly stylish” which is what we’ve all grown to expect from anything that crops up in Shoreditch to be honest. Wooden flooring, large windows, tiling and a scattering of plants make the fresh space feel welcoming despite its size. But less about the decor and more about the food right? A blend of Indian and Thai flavours make up the Burmese palate and with everything from small plates, to salads, to bowls, there is a dish for everyone. Our pick of the bunch would be the Hake Masala with lemongrass rosti, the stuffed aubergine with dried shrimp and oyster mushroom or the Ginger salad. If you don’t fancy the full dine in experience, then you could pop along to Old Spitalfields Market where they have the Lahpet Street Food Kitchen instead. Lahpet won't break the bank either which is always a bonus but it will make your taste buds explode. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
JURASSIC WEEKEND
Though they may be anatomically questionable in parts, the dinosaurs of Crystal Palace Park are a hit with thousands of visitors each year. And September marks their big event- Jurassic Weekend. Is the Jurassic Park theme tune now playing in your head? Yeah, ours too. As part of Heritage Open Days weekend on the 15th and 16th September, the ‘Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs’ (yes, that’s a thing), are hosting a full weekend of dinosaur fun. You can take a behind the scenes tour of the Dinosaur Islands and the Ice Age mammal sculptures that have been in situ since 1854 when they were unveiled as the first dinosaur sculptures in the world! (Now we can forgive them for getting a few of the details a little off.) As well as seeing this amazing and wacky piece of history up close, you can also watch the ‘The Iguanodon Restaurant’- a hilarious, historically accurate street theatre performed in a life-sized, moving, travelling Iguanodon! OBVIOUSLY. There are ‘brain food’ talks for enquiring minds on topics covering the history and conservation of the whole site plus you can admire works of art inspired by the dinosaurs. Now perhaps we’re just a bit geeky but this is genuinely all very exciting to us. Facebook | Twitter Credit: Facebook @CPdinos
CHRINGUITO
Primely positioned right outside Bethnal Green tube station, Chiringuito (that’s espaňol for beach bar) serves up laid back, Latino vibes in the heart of East London. They open early, serving commute-saving coffee, through to evening cocktails, and the Latin inspired menu has been curated by a Peruvian chef with links to Michelin star restaurant Lima London. The all-day diner and bar specialises in Gin and Tonics, every Londoners favourite tipple right? As well as Bloody Maria’s, the Latino equivalent of a Bloody Mary, switching vodka for tequila or mezcal. Although it seems like you’ll need a Bloody Maria to get over the Bloody Marias! The passion project of a local East-Londoner, Chiringuito has been built from scratch from the ruins of a derelict public toilet block and converted into something vibey but yet aesthetically sympathetic next to its neighbour, a grade I listed church. The rooftop, with its unparalleled views of the church and park, and a walk-over skylight, is a perfect setting for our unseasonably wonderful summer, channelling beach bar ethos with an East-London twist. Alternatively grab a stool next to the bar downstairs which has a bar top made entirely of old pesetas….we love that detail. Facebook | Instagram
DARK ARTS
The continued fascination with the world of Harry Potter is astounding but yet not surprising. There are tours, shops, movie marathons and all sorts dedicated to our favourite lightning scarred young wizard. At the end of this month, for the Halloween season, Warner Brothers are opening Dark Arts once more, for all superfans to explore a special exhibition dedicated to...well...Dark Arts as it happens. Guests are invited to dress up as their favourite characters and explore the iconic Great Hall, filled with floating pumpkins and to learn wand combat moves ready to live duel with Death Eaters. Once you've defeated evil and brushed your shoulder off, you can kick back and admire the intricate costumes from the films or take a stroll down the infamous Diagon Alley for a spot of potion shopping. The Warner Brothers Studio Tour is located 20 miles outside the capital in Leavesden but this is no problem for anyone with a broom so make sure to buy your tickets and ‘Slytherin’ through the ‘Dumbledoor’ to the exhibition. Sorry, we ‘Siriusly’ couldn't resist. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter
THE SECOND VIOLINIST
It would be naive to believe that all operas feature busty women in corseted, full skirted dresses with bouffant hair and men in masks and suits dashing around them singing their lungs out. While classic, it's not the only way. *Enter Enda Walsh stage left.* The Second Violinist is the second opera from Irish playwright Walsh, written with composer Donnacha Dennehy and it’s a contemporary opera that tells the foreboding story of a life falling apart. ‘Martin, an orchestral violinist, is consumed by social media platforms, morbid fantasies and violent video games. Seeking solace in the music of Italian Renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo, his inner turmoil becomes ever more apparent as he searches for beauty in a dark, dark world.’ Upbeat eh? But seriously, featuring a 13 metre screen, pyrotechnics, a very modern tale with love, Tinder, video games and a silent protagonist, to say it intrigued us is an understatement. How can you have an opera with a silent protagonist? Well Walsh has done it and the production was crowned winner of the 2017 FEDORA–GENERALI Prize for Opera, so there’s all the evidence you need if you were concerned this wasn't the real deal. From the 6th September, the Barbican is hosting the UK premiere of The Second Violinist and tickets are on sale now from £16. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Credit: Patrick Redmond
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
On the 25th of the month, Action against Hunger, the global humanitarian organisation committed to ending world hunger, is hosting their 6th annual ‘Auction against Hunger’ evening in Borough Market, serving up Michelin-starred quality dishes in a street food manner in a bid to create the ‘world’s greatest menu’ and raise money for the charity. Some of the best chefs in the UK are involved in the evening including James Lowe, Anna Hansen, Ceviche, Andina, Mike Reid and Jennifer Earle and the £60 tickets gets you seven dishes of your choice from all that's on offer, plus five drinks and unlimited snacks! Champagne Taittinger are hosting Taittinger Time: a wheel of fortune style game where you can win a glass, bottle or Magnum on the spot and of course, as the name suggests, guests will be able to bid for a variety of ‘truly incredible gastronomic experiences in the silent and live auction hosted by Tom Best, Christie’s youngest ever auctioneer’. ALL proceeds go directly to Action against Hunger and this year looks set to be the best ever. Click here to read more about the evening and also the fabulous work that Action against Hunger does all around the world. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
DABBL
dabbl is the new app-only share dealing service which is on a mission to revolutionise investing by making it simple, accessible, and affordable to everyone. There's an entire generation of people who lack the confidence, tools and price point to be able to benefit from investing directly in the stock market so at dabbl, they're reimagining this complex and intimidating experience by making it frictionless and accessible to all. Founder Mark Ackred commented: "We are making investing in shares, in the companies that people connect with every day, easy and accessible to everyone - it's our fair share revolution." So go forth and invest fine friends, in the brands you know, buy and love... and thank us later :) Facebook | Instagram | Twitter