Join Clarkson, Hammond and May in the UK

Be quick! Apply now for tickets to join Clarkson, Hammond and May in the studio audience as they filmThe Grand Tour. The guys will be attempting to erect their giant tent in Whitby later this year and you could be there. Registration closes on 30 September 2016, 23:59 BST.

Apply for tickets

Burgh House & Hampstead Museum - What's On at Burgh House

October has arrived! …and it's going to be a busy one! It’s your last chance to catch our Helen Allingham exhibition, finishing with a lunchtime talk by Rea Stavropoulos on the 9th and our new exhibition Nursery Rhymes of London Town opening on the 5th of October. We have walks, talks and concerts galore, there’s plenty to do so keep scrolling and get booking! (cover image: from forthcoming exhibition 'Retracing Ribeiro')

Awkward Art Histories: Which forms of memorial best commemorate the Holocaust? Friday 30 September, 7pm Most memorials aim to honour those who died in the service of their country. However, many innocent victims die during conflicts of war and it is the attempt to honour the memory of around eleven million people in the Holocaust under the regime in Nazi Germany that we shall address in this talk. Tickets £8 (FoBH £6) available here. Donald Towner Wednesday 5 October - Sunday 18 December The next in our series of exhibitions on the first-floor landing of the House, showcasing works from our collection stores, will focus on Hampstead artist Donald Chisholm Towner, 1903–1985. Nursery Rhymes of London Town: Late Event Wednesday 5 October, 6:30-9pm Come and help us celebrate the launch of our latest exhibition. Try your hand at composing a poem, or explore your creative side with some calligraphy. RSVP FREE London Natural History Society: Operation Turtle Dove - Saving a Bird on the Brink Wednesday 19 October, 7pm Once a common farmland bird, the UK’s population of turtle doves has decreased by over 90 percent over last 40 years. This talk by Les Edwins, the RSPB’s Turtle Dove Conservation Advisor for South East England, will to look at the reasons for the decline, what is trying to be achieved to reverse it, and the wider conservation implications for other species of birds. Everyone is welcome, members and non-members alike, so bring your friends. Tickets are £2 on the door and free for under-18s and those in full-time education. For more information please visit www.lnhs.org.uk Richard Harries: Light and Dark Thursday 13 October, 7:30pm Join renowned broadcaster Piers Plowright in conversation with Richard Harries, Lord Harries of Pentregarth and former Bishop of Oxford. They will be discussing his new book The Beauty and the Horror: Searching for God in a Suffering World, and the question of religious faith in the modern age. Doors at 7pm for a 7:30pm start. Tickets £12 (£10 FoBH), including a glass of wine available here All proceeds in aid of Burgh House. Piano and Violin Recital: Mozart & Grieg Sunday 23 October, 2pm Violinist Haru Ushigusa and pianist Yoko Misumi will perform a beautiful ensemble with a programme that includes Mozart’s Violin and Piano Sonata No.18 K.301, Grieg’s Violin and Piano Sonata No.2 op.13, Introduction and Rondo-Capriccioso by Saint-Saëns and pieces by Kreisler. Tickets £12 (£8 students), available here Awkward Art Histories: Post-Apartheid Trauma and Anxiety in Contemporary South African Art Friday 28 October, 7pm Art historian Sue Ecclestone will be giving a series of talks on Awkward Art Histories. Taking subjects not usually discussed in mainstream art history lectures, Sue will lead us through some of the more sensitive subjects of art historical discourse. In this talk, Sue discusses the work of South African artists who grew up during the period of Apartheid and their distinct need to use their artistic medium to confront the issues that faced them on a daily basis. Tickets £8 (£6 FoBH & Under 26s), including a glass of wine available here Beyond Watercolour Gardens: Helen Allingham Revisited Until Sunday 9 October Burgh House has one of the most extensive public collections of art by Helen Allingham, and it will be shown in its entirety in this temporary exhibition, co-curated by artist Rea Stavropoulos. The exhibition reexamines Allingham’s work with a contemporary slant, looking past the exquisite watercolour gardens for which she is widely known, to the life of the artist herself; her marriage, her friends and the evolution of her artistic career. Browning and Pre-Raphaelite artists such as Rossetti. In 1890, when the ban on female members was lifted, Allingham became the first fully elected woman in the Royal Watercolour Society’s history. Providing a fresh view of this prolific Victorian watercolourist’s output and influences, Rea Stavropoulos’s written and artistic responses to Allingham’s work will also present a view on what it means to be a professional female artist. #BeyondWatercolour Lifelines with Jeremy Irons Tuesday 1 November, 7 for 7.30 Eminent British actor and Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons joins Matthew Lewin, journalist, author and chair of Burgh House CIO, for a conversation about his life and career as part of our ever-popular Lifelines series of talks.Tickets £12 (£10 FoBH) available here, supper including wine is available after the event for an additional £20. Black-Brow’d Cantor Fanny Cecilia Mendelssohn Friday 7 October, 7pm Presentation by performer and NADFAS speaker Karin Fernald, illustrated by music by Fanny Mendelssohn, portraits by Wilhelm Hensel, watercolours by Felix Mendelssohn and paintings by their contemporary Caspar David Friedrich. Fanny Mendelssohn was as talented as her brother Felix, four years younger, but only started to receive similar critical acclaim towards the end of her short life. All proceeds in aid of Burgh House and sponsored by the Tana Trust. Tickets £12 (£10 FoBH), including a glass of wine availablehere Nursery Rhymes of London Town Wednesday 5 October - Sunday 18 December Nursery Rhymes of London Town, published in 1916, was the first literary success for the renowned writer Eleanor Farjeon. It led to a string of much-loved children's stories, works of poetry, plays, biographies and novels. Children still learn her poem 'Cats Sleep Anywhere' at school, churchgoers still sing her hymn 'Morning has Broken' and for lovers of First World War poetry, her poignant book Edward Thomas: The Last Four Years is a must. A second volume, More Nursery Rhymes of London Town, was published in 1917. The popularity of the books was due in no small part to the delightful illustrations by MacDonald Gill, best known for his humorous pictorial maps for the London Underground, including the famous Wonderground Map of London Town. To mark the centenaries of the two books, Burgh House & Hampstead Museum is hosting a special exhibition including first editions, art, photos and memorabilia from the estates of Eleanor Farjeon and MacDonald Gill. There will also be a series of talks and children’s workshops to run alongside this exhibition. For more details visit our website Helen Allingham in the 21st Century Sunday 9 October, 1pm An illustrated lunchtime talk given by artist Rea Stavropoulos, co-curator and exhibitor in the current Burgh House museum exhibition Helen Allingham: Beyond Watercolour Gardens. Rea takes a closer look at Allingham’s work and legacy, filtering it through her own practice as an artist on this, the last day of the exhibition. FREE  Camden History Society: When Sigismund Came to Dine Thursday 20 October, 7:30pm King Sigismund, future Holy Roman Emperor, visited local resident William Bruges, England's first Garter King of Arms, for a stupendous feast in Kentish Town at Whitsun 1416. Six hundred years on, Lester Hillman explores the visit and the post-Agincourt peace negotiations. Non-members welcome. £1 on the door. Trinidad Ball and Loli Cardeñoso: Fragments of Spain III Wednesday 26 - Sunday 30 October Painter Trinidad and ceramic artist Loli join forces again to bring you an exhibition of oil paintings and ceramic works in porcelain; fragments that come together in harmony at this exhibition. The exhibition features work by new contributors painter Manuel Noguera and Sargadelos Ceramics. Heath and Hampstead Society: Springett Lecture Thursday 27 October, 7:30pm This year’s speaker, Thomas Pakenham, will present The Company of Trees: A Year in a Lifetime's Quest. More details available here Violin and Piano Recital Sunday 30 October, 7pm Marina Solarek (violin) and Caroline Soresby (piano) have enjoyed performing together since 2009. In this recital, they will be playing a colourful programme of works by Lili Boulanger, Johanna Senfter, Barbara Heller, Edvard Grieg and Johannes Brahms. Tickets £10 (£8 conc.) on the door or reserve tickets by emailing Marina Solarek Halloween Kids’ Party Friday 28 October, 1-3pm Our frightfully fabulous Kids' Halloween Party is back! There'll be spooky story-telling and creepy craft activities, fancy-dress competition and a monstrous Museum trail. Advance booking is essential. Ages 8 and under. £10 per child. Must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available here Burgh House & Hampstead Museum open Wed - Fri & Sun 12noon - 5pm Buttery Cafe open Wed - Fri 11am - 5pm Sat - Sun 9.30am - 5.30pm Retracing Ribeiro Wednesday 26 October - Sunday 19 March 2017 The Hampstead painter Lancelot Ribeiro was one of the most original of the Indian artists who settled in Britain in the post-war period. A new temporary exhibition of his works at Burgh House will launch a year-long Retracing Ribeiro programme of events, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and being celebrated as part of the 2017 UK-India Year of Culture, in partnership with The British Museum, V&A, Central Saint Martins, and Camden Archives. Hampstead Museum Open Wednesday - Friday & Sunday Mayhew International: Celebrate World Animal Day Sunday 2 October, 6:30pm Join the Mayhew International team to look back at this year’s achievements. With special guests Peter Egan and the Kate Daniels Quartet. Tickets £15, including a glass of fizz, available here  Ann Herdman and Clare Froy Wednesday 12 - Sunday 23 October A treasure trove of paintings; light, colour and movement inspired by the landscape and prehistory of the islands of Orkney and the caves of Southern France. From paintings to ceramics, clay, slip and glaze.  RSPCA Auction Tuesday 11 October, 6:30pm An auction of illustrations in aid of the RSPCA's work to end the illicit puppy trade. Original illustrations from award-winning artists including Helen Oxenbury, John Burningham and Quentin Blake. Private event by invitation only. For more information, please contact Karen Branagh on 0300 123 0309 or by email Thane Bing: 6ix Songs. Scores & Skies- Re-inventing Harmony and Rhythms Untill Sunday 9 October Poems and paintings by Thane Byng. Musical Compositins to T.B’s poems: D. Godfrey-Jones. Art Genre: Abstract / Semi-surrealist / figurative The musical scores with words of the poems will be exhibited on the walls of the Gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition. Hampstead Life: Nanny Hire - Everything You Need to Successfully Hire a Child Carer Monday 17 October, 7:30pm Ready to hire a nanny, but not sure where to start? Join Hampstead Life for an evening learning the ins and outs of finding and employing the right nanny for your child. Tickets are £10 in advance. Click here for further details or to buy tickets. George du Maurier’s Hampstead Walk Thursday 20 October, 1-3pm Take a walk around the Hampstead of George du Maurier, famed for his illustrations for the legendary magazine Punch. Many of his images were inspired by scenes from his rambles across the Heath, often in the company of the great author Henry James or another well-known local, Canon Alfred Ainger. Led by Helen Walasek of Punch Cartoon Archive to celebrate Punch’s 175th anniversary. Meet in the hall of Burgh House. FREE Retracing Ribeiro: Late Event Preview Tuesday 25 October, 6:30-9pm Come and help us celebrate the launch of our latest exhibition. Be creatively inspired by Ribeiro and meet the people behind this new exhibition. RSVP FREE Print the World! Wednesday 26 October, 2–4pm Join us for an exciting art activity inspired by MacDonald Gill’s world map. Suitable for ages 5 and over. Tickets are £5 per child and are available here Piano and Song Recital Sunday 30 October, 3pm Wendy Back (mezzo-soprano) and David Dreebin (piano) present a programme that includes songs by Mozart, Shakespeare settings by Sullivan and Maconchy, and piano solos by Scarlatti, Chopin, Scriabin and Brahms. Tickets £10 (£8 conc.) available on the door. For more information, please email David here. Haunted Hampstead Monday 31 October, 6-8:30pm A night of witches, restless spirits and tormented souls. Burgh House brings to life ghoulish mysteries with a haunting walk around Hampstead’s spookiest landmarks, and a theatrical performance written and directed by Sebastian Andrews. Ages 18+ only. Tickets are £18 per person, including refreshments, available here

Somerset House - October: Last chance to catch Björk Digital, 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair and more highlights

Björk Digital Until 23 October 2016 New Wing Join us for Björk Digital, an immersive exhibition of digital, video and virtual reality works from Icelandic icon Björk. Including the ground breaking films Black Lake, Mouth Mantra VR, Stonemilker VRand Notget VR, the exhibition showcases Björk's work with some of the world’s finest visual artists and programmers. This European premiere includes never-before-seen work. > Book now We've joined up with REWIND:VR to present three special events with key speakers from the world of virtual reality including a FREE networking event for women working in VR. > Book now

1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair 6-9 October 2016 West, East and South Wings 1:54 is the leading international art fair dedicated to promoting contemporary African and African diaspora art. Its title refers to the 54 countries that make up the African continent, and for its fourth London edition at Somerset House there’s an expanded programme of exhibitions, special projects and an artists' talks programme featuring panel discussions and debates. > Book now

Malick Sidibé: The Eye of Modern Mali From 6 October 2016 Terrace Rooms, South Wing Free admission Somerset House and 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, in collaboration with MAGNIN-A Gallery, Paris, present Malick Sidibé’s first major solo show in the UK. Organised around three themes, the exhibition presents a selection of the late Malian photographer’s iconic original prints from the 1960s and 1970s, capturing the energy and exuberance of this young, newly independent nation during an era of significant social and cultural change.    > More info

COMING SOON Hair by Sam McKnight From 2 November 2016 Embankment Galleries, South Wing Book now for our major winter exhibition looking at the remarkable career of hair stylist Sam McKnight. Over the last forty years, Sam has been instrumental in creating the most iconic images of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Princess Diana, among many others. This exhibition will be the first to contextualise the cultural significance of hair and the key role of the session stylist within fashion. > Book now

MORE EVENTS THIS MONTH Paths to Utopia Until 2 October 2016 Inigo Rooms, East Wing, King's College London Paths to Utopia is a collection of new art works resulting from collaborations between artists, performers, technologists and King’s College London academics. Encounter whales, step into the housing crisis and witness the ubiquitous, transcendental pursuit of creativity. Part of Utopia 2016. > More Rodin and Dance: The Essence of Movement From 20 October 2016 The Courtauld Gallery, North Wing By 1900, Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) was considered France’s greatest living artist. In the mid-1890s his practice moved away from producing bronzes and marbles and took a more intimate turn, as he developed his long-term passion for capturing expressive movement. This is the first major exhibition to explore Rodin’s fascination with dance and bodies, explored in a series of experimental sculptures known as the Dance Movements. > Book now Museums at Night 2016 Druids in the Deadhouse 28 October 2016 As winners of the Museums at Night 2016 Connect! competition, Somerset House is hosting a series of events inspired and programmed by artist Bedwyr Williams. The events re-imagine an alternative reality where post-Neolithic druids live on, conducting their chants, traditions and rituals in modern day London. Expect stand-up comedy, pagan cocktails, heathen nibbles and non-lethal human sacrifice accompanied by flowing robes and fake beards. > Book now Learning & Events This October we host a pair of Wildlife Drawing Workshops with special seasonal subjects. A Halloween Special welcomes wolf look-a-likes and there’s a Druidic folklore event with hawks, owls and snakes to coincide with our Druids in the Deadhouse evening. Look out too for more visions of Utopia with Guardian Live talks, a courtyard reading and the remarkable story of naked mole rats. > More

FORTNUM & MASON - Pre-Order the Fortnum's Cook Book today

300 Years in the Making Introducing the first-ever Fortnum’s Cook Book Filled with all our most delicious secrets, the Fortnum's Cook Book is almost here. Ahead of its October 6th publication, read our interview with author Tom Parker Bowles and pre-order your signed copy today.

READ MORE