Parks are at their prime, beer gardens are brimming with bon vivants and entertainment options abound: June in London is a total delight. Celebrate the start of summer by getting out and about and making the most of what the capital has to offer. This month, London plays host to a whole array of events and openings, from the always eagerly anticipated Summer Exhibition to an elegant terrace takeover. Without further ado, these are the best things to do in London in June 2024…
Sundance Film Festival London
The beloved annual film festival from across the pond takes London this June, with a stellar programme of fiction and documentary features that originally premiered in January in Utah. It will open with ‘Kneecap’, the first-ever Irish language film to premiere at Sundance, about a rising Belfast rap group and their mission to save their mother tongue. Closing night will feature the UK premiere of ‘Dìdi (弟弟)’, Oscar-nominated director Sean Wang’s ode to first-generation teenagers in the Bay Area.
When? 6-9 June, 2024
Where? Picturehouse Central, Piccadilly Circus
How much? £20.30 for adult tickets
Villa Minuty Vineyard Feast
Transport yourself to the Côte d’Azur this June, with a vineyard feast at Villa Minuty, a terrace takeover at The Rosewood. The three-course sharing menu will feature dishes like ‘coeur de boeuf’ tomato tatin, grilled lamb rump with basil red wine jus, and salads of fennel, orange, dill and black olive, all paired with Minuty’s latest vintages: Château Minuty ‘Rose et Or’ 2023 and Château Minuty ‘281’ 2023.
When? 29 June, 2024
Where? The Rosewood
How much? £155 per person
'Stories of Soho' Cocktail Menu at Ham Yard
This month, Ham Yard Bar is marking their 10th anniversary with a new menu, 'Stories of Soho'. The menu honours the hotel’s eclectic neighbourhood, with each cocktail drawing inspiration from Soho landmarks as well as famous figures that have graced the streets over the years – from David Bowie who recorded at the iconic Dean Street Studio to the legendary Windmill Girls of the Swinging Sixties. Highlights include the Soho Square-inspired Soho! (pictured above), made from Chivas Regal 12, vermouth, açaí liqueur and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, as well as Heroes, a mixture of grapefruit-infused gin, Suze and citrus oil topped with a stencil of David Bowie.
Summer Exhibition 2024
Held every year since 1769, the Summer Exhibition is the Royal Academy’s annual exhibition of the art you need to know about now, featuring work by everyone from emerging artists to the biggest names in contemporary art and architecture. Most of the paintings, prints and sculptures will be available to buy, making this the perfect opportunity to start, or grow, your art collection.
When? 18 June - 18 August, 2024
Where? Royal Academy
How much? £22-24.50
Games Night at the Beaumont
On the first Tuesday of every month, The Beaumont plays host to a throwback-style games night, held within the hotel’s ground-floor Gatsby’s Room (the concept of the bolthole is that of a hideaway created for a fictional New Yorker who’s escaped prohibition for the heights of London). There’s backgammon on offer, as well as Scrabble and Rummikub (and more), all of which are produced in high-tone finishes, meanwhile the bar snacks (Hereford-beef sliders, lobster rolls), period cocktails (mint juleps, French 75s) and licks of jazz tracks contribute to the art deco feel.
When? The first Tuesday of every month (dates may change depending on bank holidays)
Where? The Beaumont, Mayfair
How much? Champagne cocktails from £20
Taste of London
Taste of London, the feast of the summer, is back for its 20th anniversary, so this year’s attendees can expect the ultimate celebration of food and drink. There will be over 120 dishes from London’s most exciting restaurants, plus fire-fuelled theatrics and live entertainment. Be sure to wear your stretchy pants.
When? 12-16 June, 2024
Where? Regent’s Park
How much? Tickets from £24
Hampton Court Palace Festival
Each summer, iconic artists take to the intimate surrounds of Hampton Court Palace’s historic Tudor Court for a series of unforgettable concerts. This year, headliners include Tom Jones, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Jack Savoretti, Sam Ryder, Björn Again, Sheryl Crow, Deacon Blue, Paloma Faith, and Jessie J. With just 3,000 seats available per night, the festival offers unrivalled access to your favourite stars.
When? 11-21 June, 2024
Where? Hampton Court Palace
How much? Ticket prices vary
The Goring
Following a historic refurbishment, The Goring’s Michelin-starred restaurant The Dining Room has just reopened. The elegant Russell Sage-designed interiors draw inspiration from London’s Royal palaces and grand residences, creating a whimsical and theatrical atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time. In the brand-new kitchen, Executive Chef Graham Squire and his team will be plating up seasonal, ingredient-led British dishes, from beef wellington and stuffed turbot to the showstopping rum baba flambé.
When? Open now
Where? The Goring
How much? Prices vary
Yoko Ono: ‘Music of the Mind’
Yoko Ono is perhaps best known for her relationship with her husband and collaborator John Lennon, but she has never let that define her. Over the past seven decades, Ono has carved out a name for herself as an artist, musician and activist in her own right, and now Tate Modern is celebrating her multidisciplinary career in the UK’s largest exhibition of Ono’s work. Yoko Ono: ‘Music of the Mind’ traces the development of her practice and features over 200 of her works including installations, films, music, photography and scores.
When? Until 1 Sep, 2024
Where? Tate Modern
How much? £22
Bubbledogs at 45 Park Lane
Cult Champagne and hot dogs restaurant Bubbledogs, which closed in 2020 to the chagrin of many, is making a triumphant return this May as an alfresco pop-up at Dorchester Collection’s 45 Park Lane. Highlights of the American-inspired menu will include the Native Dog, featuring crispy native lobster tempura, Marie rose sauce and beluga caviar, as well as the Fourth of July, with spicy BBQ sauce, coleslaw and crispy bacon.
When? Unti 29 September, 2024
Where? 45 Park Lane
How much? Classic dogs from £22
Gaia
Mayfair has a new restaurant to add to its expanding roster of excellent eateries. Gaia, named after a female Greek deity, is focused on providing the very best that the land and the sea have to offer. And Gaia does exactly that. Inspired by Mediterranean culture, Gaia sits in a lively and bright venue. Fresh produce is at the core of what the restaurant serves up, and lightly smoked tuna carpaccio, zucchini tempura sits alongside rigatoni pasta and slow cooked Baby goat. Our advice? Come for it all, but stay for the seafood. The fish market is unlike any other fresh seafood selection we've tried yet, and you'll be able to try out everything from giant prawns and turbot to caught-that-day lobster and monkfish. Finish off with the brownie with mastiha marshmallow or Gaia Cheesecake.
When? Ongoing
Where? 50 Dover Street
How much? Prices vary
42 Mayfair
After a lavishly opulent cocktail bar to while away the hours in? Well, 42 Mayfair is just that. Situated above the famous Michelin star restaurant Gymkhana, and actually the sister to it, 42 Mayfair is well worth a trip, even if it's just to check out the decor: extravagantly patterned tapestries and ceramic animal ornaments make it feel like you're in an aristocrats house. Meanwhile, the drinks are worth their buck. The drinks list at 42 comprise house cocktails, made with carefully sourced Indian ingredients and flavours, as well as a selection of elevated seasonal classics. There's also super rare whisky (which will cost you).
When? Ongoing
Where? 42 Albermale Street
How much? Prices vary
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