Stephen Webster MBE
In the summer, London is the best city in the world to be in. My work involves so much travel that BA offered to make me an honorary pilot (don’t cancel your flights, just joking). For the summer months my wings are clipped and I relish in all the things that this great city has to offer.
As an acadamician (a member of the Royal Academy) I go to see all the great exhibitions, including the must see Summer Exhibition. Hundreds of works, many by amateur artists, hung next to some of the most accomplished in the world. All shows at the RA are open to everyone. Next door to the RA is the Burlington Arcade and this July is exceptionally exciting for us. Not only do we open our town house boutique at No’s 12 & 13, but we also unveil our decorative takeover of the entire length of the arcade. The Jewel of Mayfair by Stephen Webster, is a makeover that will give the oldest shopping arcade in Europe a slice of solid gold, summertime bling, to be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. My wife and I go to the theatre all year, this month we are booked to see Ronald Dahl’s Giant, staring the thespian’s thespian and friend, John Lithgow. It’s hard to separate summer in London from standing outside one of the many, many pubs. My studio local is the Burlington Arms and for home it’s the Cleveland Arms, Bayswater. Both serve crisps, but should you want something gastronomically more substantial they also serve pub food, the Cleveland is of a higher caliber. Soho is a neighbourhood that divides people. It may not be what it used to be but then again, what it used be wasn’t always what it was cracked up to be. The club scene was definitely better but there is still a summer street life with plenty of distractions. Trisha’s Basement jazz club is worth a dive and Ronnie Scott’s, has survived the test of time for good reason. Speedboat is my favourite Chinatown restaurant, despite it actually being Thai with a twist. They’ve become so popular now that Soho House got to opened a Speedboat July pop up in the Electric.
However, the best kept dining secret in Soho is upstairs at the French House pub, 49 Dean Street. Just 7 tables and a menu cooked up by chef Neil Borthwick. Possibly the best chef in town. I’m very fortunate to be able to walk to work across Hyde park. In the mornings, the Italian Gardens, where I enter, are a buzz and very social, mostly people sporting the latest in athleisure wear and cruffs quality dogs, the cafe near the entrance serves a good cuppa, and a ringside seat. I take a diagonal path across the park to Mayfair and my studio on Grafton Street. Every morning my commute reminds me that despite a lot, we still live in the greatest city in the world.
- Stephen Webster MBE
Food: Island
Credit: SquareMeal
Hiding away upstairs at Mare Street Market, Island is the kind of place you’ll want to settle into for the night, with a cocktail in hand and a seafood party on order. This hot new spot from Michelin-starred chefs Tom Brown and Brad Carter, is all about celebrating the best British meat and wild-caught fish, but with those fun, bold American surf-shack vibes. Think charcuterie plates starring juicy monkfish-cheek ham or trout pastrami, followed by shareable dishes like lobster rolls, quail stuffed with prawn paella, or their signature island mixed grill. And don’t even get us started on the desserts: oyster ice-cream sandwiches and choc fudge cake? Yes, please. Pair it all with playful fishbowl cocktails or classic Bloody Marys, and you’ve got a spot that’s both refined and feel-good. Ideal for a group dinner, anniversary, or just a weekend treat and with a playlist you’ll want to steal. A proper East London hangout worth the hype.
Experience: Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs
Credit: Instagram
Step into your wildest childhood dreams with Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs, an epic, selfie-ready adventure opening on the 9th July at Lightroom, King’s Cross. Imagine being completely surrounded by life‑sized dinosaurs, we’re talking your T. Rex’s, Mosasaurs, Brachiosaurus’, Ammonites and all the gang in between, brought to roaring life with jaw-dropping 360° visuals, exclusive CGI scenes never seen on tv, and a spine-tingling Hans Zimmer soundtrack. It’s a full sensory feast that runs for about 50 minutes, and it's suitable for all ages. Kids under three get in free, students and youngsters from £15 and adults from £25. Doesn’t matter if you’re a palaeontology nerd, a family looking for a blockbuster day out, or just in it for the Instagram moment, it’s time to book your time travel ticket and wander among giants!
Art: Emily Kam Kngwarray, Tate Modern
Credit: Tate Modern
Marking her first major UK solo exhibition at Tate Modern, Emily Kam Kngwarray offers up a visual symphony from the 10th July until January next year. This breathtaking survey brings over 70 of her monumental acrylic paintings and batik texts from Australia’s Utopia region, each a vivid tapestry of dots, lines and colours that pulse with ancestral energy. Incredibly, Kngwarray began painting in her late 70s, yet in just eight years she produced thousands of works deeply rooted in her identity as a senior Anmatyerre custodian of Country. Expect vibrant, tactile canvases like “The Alhalker suite” and lush, spiritual landscapes that draw you into stories of plants, emus and Dreaming rituals, told across generational memory. Here’s what you should know before you go: The exhibition is paid-entry (around £20–£22) or free for Tate members and under-18s. You should plan to spend 60–90 minutes wandering through the Eyal Ofer Galleries’ light-filled rooms, where film, audio and textiles amplify the visual experience. For us, the highlights are the big statement pieces painted in her 80s, plus early batiks demonstrating her cultural legacy and creative evolution. This isn’t just an exhibition, it’s a sensory, cultural immersion straight into the soul of the Australian outback through the eyes of one of its greatest late-blooming artists.
Food: Brasserie Constance
Credit: SquareMeal
Tucked into the amazing new sleek Fulham Pier development beside Craven Cottage, Brasserie Constance is a riverside gem opening in the middle of the month. This modern British brasserie from Michelin‑starred chef Adam Byatt (of Trinity fame) channels the elegance of Constance Spry, the inventor of Coronation Chicken no less, with seasonal dishes that nail French technique and British heart. Start with mussels and cockles in cider broth with soda bread, or a cheeky Coronation Chicken pâté en croûte, followed by mains like roast skate wing with lime, lovage and capers, or tender whole chicken slow‑cooked in clay pots brimming with barley stew. Sides include classic toad-in-the-hole, fish pie, and breaded plaice with crushed peas on rotation. With a wine list 200 strong and handpicked from Trinity’s sommelier team, as well as a riverside cocktail bar called Flo which is perfect for pre- or post-dinner sips. The whole place balances class, comfort and charisma. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a sunny terrace, and a private dining space make it ideal whether it’s a Fulham FC match-day or you are just hunting for a stellar lunch spot. Most importantly, it’s incredible cooking without the price tag to match.
Show: London Children’s Ballet
Credit: Seeing Dance
Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz‑Age Cinderella, is a sparkling new ballet production from London Children’s Ballet, taking over the Peacock Theatre from the 3rd to the 6th July. This fresh adaptation of Shirley Hughes’ classic weaves 1920s glitz, live orchestration and charm in a heartwarming story featuring 50 talented young dancers aged 9–16. With choreography by Kristen McNally, a swinging score by Ian Stephens and kitsch-flair costumes inspired by Hughes’ own illustrations, it’s a vibrant 80 minute spectacle (with a sweet 20-minute interval) that’s equal parts storybook magic and toe-tapping fun. Tickets start from £18 rising to £55 on premium seats and is set to be a glamorous family-friendly night. All proceeds support London Children’s Ballet outreach programmes too so you’re doing some good for the future ballerina's of London. This show is perfect for mini-tutu fans and jazz-lovers alike, recommended for ages 3+. Grab your tickets, soak in the glamour, and let Ella’s big moment sweep you off your feet!
Shop: The Giant London Flea Market
Credit: Giant East
Would you love nothing more than the chance to explore an enormous vintage treasure trove tucked inside the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park multi-storey car park on Sunday 6th July from 10 am to 5 pm? Well that weirdly specific daydream can be a reality! Because the Giant London Flea Market is London’s largest indoor flea, gathering over 100 traders hawking everything from quirky furniture and unique home décor to nostalgic oddities from across the UK and Europe. Entry’s a bargain too at just £3.20 (book in advance) and under-16s get in free. After some intense browsing of vintage gems among the buzzing stalls you may want to refuel. And you’ll be in luck as you can stroll over to Here East’s canalside cafés, bars, and restaurants for a relaxing bite or drink. The whole event is wheelchair-accessible, dog-friendly, and there’s a soundtrack setting the vibe while traders happily take cards and even deliver bulky buys. This “fleastival” is a sustainable shopper’s dream and a seriously fun way to spend a Sunday in July.
Outdoor event: Marzamemi Festival
Credit: Barbican
Fancy a mini Sicilian escape on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th? From 10 am to 8 pm, the Old Deer Park in Richmond will be transforming into a sun-drenched Italian piazza at Marzamemi Festival. Day tickets for adults start at £24.50 and children’s tickets are around £9.50. Or if you’re feeling ‘speciale’ then go all-out with a VIP Super Space experience at £49.50 for extra perks like two complimentary cocktails, luxe seating and festival glam kits. Inside you'll find rows of Sicilian street-food vendors serving up arancini, Napoli-style pizzas, juicy calamari, cannoli, granitas and gelato, plus a stunning Aperol/Malfy gin bar to sip under festoon lights and olive trees. Expect live DJs and energetic sets from Italian Radio Society, Molto Soul Duo, DJ Fabrizia and more, offering that perfect blend of feel-good summer beats. The kids will be spoiled silly with inflatable mini-beaches, pasta-making workshops, silent cinema, face painting, trampolines, storytelling and fancy-dress fun - all included with your ticket. Plus, explore a super-curated craft tent filled with Sicilian-style homeware, ceramics and fashion, and don’t miss the Gioia beauty lounge for glitter makeovers or a quick blow-dry. It’s a laid-back, stylish family day out that's more than just food and drink; it’s Sicilian culture, music, markets and sunshine vibes all rolled into one.
Event: Great Event: Grassroots Music Tube Map trail
Credit: Instagram
We’ve found an amazing way to dive into London’s music scene in the most joyful, spontaneous way possible. Grab a copy of the Grassroots Music Tube Map (a special edition transport map launching across July) and turn your Tube journey into a sonic treasure hunt. Every Underground line will be reborn as electric cable artwork, featuring songs, genres, indie record labels, subcultures and artists to discover. The District Line will highlight 25 rising acts of 2025, the Jubilee Line will celebrate iconic albums and the Piccadilly Line will shout-out today’s breakout stars. Pick up a physical trail map at hotspots like Outernet London (where it’s displayed all month) or download it online. You just hop on the tube and alight at places like Ministry of Sound, Rough Trade East, The Water Rats, Abbey Road, XOYO and Camden’s Dublin Castle, then follow the artwork to hidden gems, underground nights and classic venues where legends like Coldplay, Charli XCX, and Iron Maiden got their start. With ticket prices for grassroots gigs averaging around £11 (some shows are free), it's the ultimate low-cost, high vibe adventure. Whether you're a culture-seeker, an aspiring live-music junkie, or just after a new way to explore the city, this is your backstage pass to London’s beating creative heart. Make sure to pack your curiosity, good shoes and maybe your Oyster card!
Event: Zine-Making & Queer ’70s Cinema at Barbican
Credit: Barbican
If you’re after something a bit offbeat this July, the Barbican’s Zine-Making & Queer ’70s Cinema series is where it’s at. It’s all about retro films, DIY creativity and proper community spirit all rolled into one. On screen, you’ll catch bold, defiant gems like A Woman Like Eve and Sebastiane (Derek Jarman’s Latin-language, homoerotic classic!), showing through to the 16th July. Tickets won’t break the bank, expect to pay around £6 to £13 depending on the screening, with extra treats like talks, Q&As and special intros that bring these pioneering LGBTQ+ stories to life. Then, swap your cinema seat for a spot at one of their chilled zine-making workshops, where all materials are provided and no artistic skill is required. You just turn up and get stuck in cutting, collaging and creating. These sessions are about £10–£15, and they’re super welcoming, with pay-what-you-can spots available too. Add in good tunes, a drink from Queer Brewing at the bar and you’ve got a laid-back, low-cost way to tap into London’s creative queer scene this summer.
Charity of the Month: Samaritan’s
Credit: Samaritans
On the 24th July, Samaritans Awareness Day returns in full force, spotlighted as 24/7 Samaritans Awareness Day, a powerful reminder that emotional support is available anytime, day or night, all year round. Even though this day is the focal point of the calendar, all month long, branches across the UK and Ireland hold local events, from information stands to community talks. All to let people know there's always someone ready to listen. Whether you’re looking to support the cause or raise awareness in your own circle, there are tons of ways to jump in. For example, help spread the word by using the hashtag #TalkToUs or #SamaritansAwarenessDay on social media, or grab downloadable assets and posters from their brand centre to share online or at your workplace samaritans.org. Alternatively host a community conversation by volunteering with your local branch for a coffee morning, school visit, or pop-up stall. These grassroots events bring mental health support into everyday spaces. You can fundraise or donate and make a lifesaving difference because just £10 can help answer a critical crisis call—and many branches run charity shops where your donated goods turn into vital funds. Lastly, commit to listening: In the spirit of Samaritans’ mission, take their “small talk saves lives” pledge and reach out to someone you care about and offer an open ear. It’s not just about crisis support; it's about building a kinder, more connected world, one conversation at a time. And if you're ever needing to talk through something yourself, Samaritans are reachable 24/7 by phone (dial 116 123), email, letter or in-branch support and it’s always free and confidential. So this month, let’s all commit to listening, sharing and staying connected because sometimes the best gift you can give is just being there.