Imperial War Museums - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ai Weiwei at IWM

HISTORY OF BOMBS A NEW WORK BY AI WEIWEI LEARN MORE "THE BRILLIANCE...LIES IN THE FACT YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW IT'S ART TO FIND IT INTERESTING" ☆☆☆☆☆ THE GUARDIAN Spearheading IWM’s Refugees season, History of Bombs is a brand new work by the internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei. It will be on display at IWM London from 1 August 2020. Covering over 1,000 square feet, Ai Weiwei's takeover of our atrium is the first time that this space has been given over in its entirety to an artist.    Exploring international migration, conflict as a root cause of human flow, and the relationship between the individual, society and the state, History of Bombs draws on the artist’s ongoing investigation into politics and power.    Ai Weiwei has had major exhibitions in galleries across the world, from Taiwan to Turkey. We're thrilled that the destination for his latest artwork is IWM London.  IWM London is free for everyone. In line with government advice, we have strict guidelines on the number of visitors we are able to have. To avoid disappointment please click here to book your free ticket. IWM will also be launching a new range of Ai Weiwei products, including a limited-edition History of Bombs poster. These exclusive posters will come with a certificate of authenticity, bearing the artist’s digital signature, and will only be available in store at IWM London from 1 August 2020 while stocks last.   © Rob Pinney   REFUGEES History of Bombs is part of our new Refugees season. This extensive programme of exhibitions and events unlocks the personal stories of people who have been forced to flee their homes and those who work to support and care for them. LEARN MORE         WIN A CHANCE TO SIT IN CHURCHILL'S CHAIR There's still time to win a private ‘behind the glass’ tour of Churchill War Rooms. Book tickets to visit in August 2020 before midnight 31 July and you’ll automatically be entered into the prize draw. BOOK NOW

Summer at Strawberry Hill House  Last Sunday we were delighted to officially reopen our doors and welcome visitors back to the House. We have received lots of positive feedback about the visitor experience, and if you haven't already had the chance to visit, Nevil Tomlinson, Serendipity Editor, shares his experience in our latest House Blog. Along with our reopening, we have also started to plan new events and activities, all of which allow for social distancing. This August, we welcome back performance group, The Handlebards, who will showcase two outdoor events:  Gnora the Gnome's Daytime Disco and Romeo and Juliet. We also welcome Strawberry Hill Guide, Sandra Pullen, who will deliver an insightful online talk on 'Horace Walpole and the 18th Century Gardens of Strawberry Hill'. And finally, if you haven't yet contributed towards our 'Write to Horace' campaign, you still have time to do so. All the letters we receive will be displayed in an installation at the House in the Autumn, as part of our 10-year anniversary celebration of the restoration of Strawberry Hill House.  Thank you for your ongoing support  The Strawberry Hill House Team   Visit the House Opening Times House – Sunday to Thursday: 11am – 4pm  Final entry one hour before closing Garden – Free entry daily Garden Café – Sunday to Thursday: 10am – 4pm Outdoor Event: Gnora the Gnome's Daytime Disco Thursday 20 August Admission at 2pm, show starts at 3pm With smash disco hits and lots of dancing bits, Gnora’s the Gnome’s Daytime Disco is fun for all the family, so come and join us at Strawberry Hill House for a boogie.  Standard Ticket Price: £12 plus booking fee.  Book Now Outdoor Event: Romeo and Juliet Thursday 20 August Admission at 6pm, show starts at 7pm Three HandleBards cooped up together during lockdown. Fuelled by cabin fever and a bookshelf full of Shakespeare, we did what the Bards do best and created an unhinged and bonkers, laugh-out-loud version of Romeo & Juliet.  Standard Ticket Price: £18 plus booking fee. Book Now

Natural History Museum - Join us at Lates Online this Friday night

Join us at Lates Online this Friday Birds do it, bees do it, but attracting a mate can be a tricky business for any species. Whether you're a love bug, a solitary bee or fawning over someone toad-ally unsuitable, grab yourself a drink and join us as we explore the wilder side of dating. Friday 31 July From 19.30 Free #NHMLates Find out more Plan your Lates The dating game Join us for a very special dating show with a natural history twist, and help our luckless singleton find a date from the animal kingdom. Free, 19.30-20.15 Find out more   Quiz: The Mating Game Assemble your significant otters, come up with a fun name, and join us for a quiz all about mates and mating. Free, 20.30-21.15 Find out more Art Sippers this evening   Art Sippers Join us for a live stream event and learn step-by-step how to paint your own artistic masterpiece inspired by the Museum collection. Paint and sip along at home and try your hand at a T. rex portrait.  29 July, 18.00 Find out more

Three-course sharing menu and a cocktail at Sea Containers - Southbank

Head to a London favourite for a lavish dinner and drinks

What do you get?

• Three small plates, three large plates and two desserts to share
• Plus a cocktail per person
• Dine in style overlooking the Thames

Time Out says:

If you’ve not been, Sea Containers offers one of the finest views of the Thames that you will find in London. And the restaurant itself was designed by the legendary Tom Dixon, so you know you're in for a top-drawer dining experience. Normally this lavish London eatery wouldn’t be the cheapest place to eat, but with this offer, you can tuck into a three-course sharing menu for just £25. Oh, and you’ll get a cocktail of your choice with which to wash it down, too.

What’s on the menu?

Small plates

Bibb lettuce, bacon, cured egg yolk and parmesan dressing

Loch Duarte salmon tartar, black garlic mayonnaise and garlic chive

Isle of Wight heritage tomato, dill, pickled red onions and black olives

Large plates

Seared Skirt Steak, herbs and braised lentils

Trofie, fennel, basil and parmesan

Cod Loin, baby gem, peas and bacon

Desserts

Chocolate brownie and vanilla ice-cream

Eton Mess

Vegan lemon cheesecake and raspberry

Cheeseboard (£4 supplement)

Museum of London - Top tips for a great family day out

Families, we've missed you! Hi Dominic, The summer holidays are here and we’re re-opening next week - it’s time to have some fun! Whether it’s your first visit to the museum or you’ve been through our doors before, be sure to check out our guide on how you can make your visit a day out to remember. When you’re in the museum, why not pick up a free family pack? Inside you’ll find our brand new Family challenger game - along with some drawing materials. Play along in the galleries and see who can complete the most challenges! Who will be the challenger champion in your family? But don't fret if you aren't ready to visit us yet, the Museum of Fundon is here for you with a range of fun, free activities to do at home. Full of digital games, craft ideas, messy play and more, there is something for everyone.  We can’t wait to see you soon, The Museum of London team BOOK TICKETS >

Visit London’s Pick of the Week

Visit London’s Pick of the Week Hello Dominic This week we are shining a spotlight on London’s culture as many of the capital’s much-loved cultural institutions reopen their doors to visitors. While many of the galleries and museums have kept us all entertained with innovative programs of virtual events, we have missed the real-life experience! Do check online for advanced booking requirements and safety information. London & Partners Communications Team This Week's Highlights Enjoy the Great Outdoors at King’s Cross What: King’s Cross is inviting visitors to discover a new side to London with The Great Outdoors, a programme of art, culture and fun. Over fifty restaurants are already open and embracing outdoor dining, including the famous Dishoom, Lina Stores and Hoppers – all of which are now taking bookings. There will also be a series of new art installations, with highlights including an artist residency from street artist Andy Leek, a sweet summer makeover on the Canalside steps with Lollypop Lounge and Alfresco Fitness. Read the full programme. When: throughout July and August Who: Vinusha Amudan, LCA, VA@londoncommunications.co.uk Visit the Tate Galleries What: People will, once more, be able to visit the national collection of art on display at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, featuring hundreds of artworks from across the centuries and around the world. As well as the collection displays at both galleries, Tate Modern will reopen with Andy Warhol and Kara Walker’s Hyundai Commission Fons Americanus. Tate Britain will reopen with Aubrey Beardsley and Steve McQueen’s Year 3 installation. Entry is via advanced timed tickets for both collection and exhibition visits. When: opening Monday 27 July Who: Pandora Ryan, Pandora.Ryan@tate.org.uk Electronic: From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers at the Design Museum What: The museum will reopen with this temporary exhibition, originally due to open on 1st April 2020. The exhibition is by the Philharmonie de Paris - Musée de la Musique, exploring the hypnotic world of electronic music, from its origins to its futuristic dreams. The London edition will feature the museum premiere of electronic pioneers The Chemical Brothers’ sensory spectacle by creative studio Smith & Lyall, featuring mesmerising visuals for the Grammy Award-winning track ‘Got to Keep On’. Entry to the museum will be by advance ticket only. When: opening Friday 31 July Who: Rioco Green, rioco.green@designmuseum.org Among the Trees at the Hayward Gallery What: After more than twenty weeks closed due to Covid-19, the Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre is reopening this week with their critically acclaimed Among the Trees exhibition, with free tickets for NHS staff. The exhibition celebrates key works of art reimagining how we think about trees and forests. Illuminating their beauty, it invites us to consider trees as both cultural symbols and living organisms. Pair a visit to the exhibition with a stroll along London’s beautiful South Bank. Booking is essential. When: Saturday 1 August – Saturday 31 October 2020 Who: Filipa Mendes, filipa.mendes@southbankcentre.co.uk Take a 3D virtual tour of the Handel & Hendrix Museum What: In London’s Mayfair, separated by a wall and two hundred years are the homes of two musicians who changed music: classical composer George Frideric Handel and rock god Jimi Hendrix. 25 Brook Street is the house that belonged to Handel, where he composed some of the world’s most enduring Baroque music such as Zadok the Priest. On the top floor of 23 Brook Street is the flat where Jimi Hendrix lived from 1968-9. The museum isn’t quite ready to open yet, but you can virtually visit the room where Jimi himself slept, partied and worked. When: ongoing Who: Sean Doherty, SDoherty@handelhendrix.org