21+ Awesome Things to Discover this August
21+ Awesome Things to Discover this August
From outdoor fun for all the family to the best of local theatre & music
Pictured: Lumos Live
Summer fun
1 Meet Henry VIII
West Horsley Place, Epsom, 29 July – 1 August
Sit down around the Tudor banqueting table with the legendary King Henry VIII. Try some of his food and allow him to regale you with stories from the past.
2 Live Jazz and Festivities on the River
Merton Abbey Mills, 4 & 18 August
Enjoy music, art, crafts and food & drink for all the family at the Summer Series at Merton Abbey Mills, from 2-6pm.
3 Sutton’s Summer of Stories
Honeywood Museum, throughout August
Head to Honeywood this summer for trails and crafts inspired by furry friends from some of your child’s favourite books. Follow Millie’s Furry Friends Trail, make a Winnie the Pooh mask, create a collage of Peter Rabbit and make your own Hungry Caterpillar.
4 Summer of Play
Polesden Lacey, Surrey, throughout August
This summer you can experience a hub of play in Crab Apple Orchard of Polesden Lacey, inspired by the fantastical world of Grizwald and Griffins, so there’s bound to be something fun available for the whole family.
(c) National Trust images / Trevor Ray Hart
5 Summer Holiday Activities at London Wetland Centre
Barnes, throughout August
You can embark on an epic family adventure at WWT London Wetland Centre. From pond dipping to creative workshops and interactive storytelling.
6 The Great Garden Adventure with Shaun the Sheep
RHS Garden Wisley, until 26 August
Kids can frolic with Shaun this summer as he learns top tips about how to grow scrumptious fresh food from the garden. With a family trail, nature workshops, straw bale maze, walks and talks as well as bookable clay model making.
7 Farm Fest
Deen City Farm, 31 August
Come along to take part in Deen City Farm’s fabulous fundraising event, with tons of games, live music, activities to enjoy and prizes to win.
8 Autumn Horticultural Show
St Margaret’s Church, Putney, 31 August
See the prize-winning vegetables, fruits and flowers grown by local gardeners at Roehampton Garden Society’s autumn show. Buy home-made goods, plants and seasonal produce while you enjoy tea and home-made cakes.
More fab things to do:
Art & Culture
1 Unheard Voices
Hampton Court Palace, throughout August
Live performances will take place each day throughout the summer to celebrate the lives and remarkable stories of less well-known individuals from the Palace’s history.
Photo by Richard Lea-Hair © Historic Royal Palaces
2 Hanga Ten at Watts: Japanese printmaking today
Watts Contemporary Gallery, Guildford, throughout August
This exhibition showcases the work of contemporary Japanese printmakers, from the traditional woodblock to stencil printing.
3 Material Thinking
The Lightbox, Woking, throughout August
Comprised of over 50 pieces in mediums ranging from sculpture, painting and prints, to photography, film and installation, this exhibition showcases the work of contemporary artists alongside influential modern giants like Barbara Hepworth.
Susie Olczak (b.1988), Snakes and Ladders, 2024, glazed ceramic (c) The Artist
4 Roland Young
Studio Voltaire, Clapham, until 25 August
An exhibition of drawings and works on paper celebrating the artistic practice of Roland Young (b. 1953–d. 2023). This is the first-ever institutional exhibition of his work.
5 Art 4 Wellbeing Exhibition
Wimbledon Library, 20 August – 6 September
This exhibition will show some of the beautiful work achieved by the range of students who attend the Art 4 Wellbeing class run by Jo Rooks, many of whom are completely new to practicing art.
See what’s on at your local theatres:
Theatre
1 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Kew Gardens, throughout August
Set beneath heritage trees within a picture-perfect Kew Gardens, this is A Midsummer Night’s Dream in uniquely botanical surroundings – as twilight falls, the stage is set for Shakespeare Under the Stars.
© Australian Shakespeare Company
2 Wimbledon Children’s Festival
New Wimbledon Theatre, 31 July – 11 August
Calling all little adventurers! Get ready for an action-packed summer with the inaugural Wimbledon Children’s Festival, taking place at the New Wimbledon Theatre, with an eclectic collection of shows.
3 Wormholes
Omnibus Theatre, Clapham, until 10 August
A domestic abuse survivor, imprisoned by recollections of the past that she can’t make sense of, finds herself in a secure mental facility being questioned by police. But what is her crime? A gripping, relevant tale about the effects of coercion in relationships.
4 Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Ghosts
Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, until 18 August
When a trip to the Space Museum goes terrifyingly wrong, Sam begins a mission to prove to everyone that he is a fearless space adventurer… A vibrant comedy ideal for families.
© Steve Gregson
5 Madwomen of the West
Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, until 24 August
Sandra Tsing Loh’s new comedy stars film/TV icons Caroline Aaron, Brooke Adams, Marilu Henner, and Melanie Mayron. Expect hilarity, outrageous opinions, and unexpected wisdom about what it means to be a woman in the 21st century.
6 Ministry of Science Live! Science Saved the Word
Rose Theatre, Kingston, 27-31 August
Direct from London’s West End. Join the presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in – with a few loud bangs along the way.
Music
1 Emily Breeze
The Boileroom, Guildford, 1 August
Emily Breeze is a magnetic force in the indie music scene. Her music traverses genres, blending elements of post-punk, electronica, and pop with her signature edgy style.
2 Jazz on the Lawn
Fulham Palace, 2-3 August
Enjoy two evenings of jazz on the lawn at Fulham Palace. Bring your friends, family and a picnic for a night filled with enchanting melodies and summer vibes.
© Jonathon Vines
3 Lumos Live
Painshill, Cobham, 17 August
Lumos Live brings its ‘Sunset Candlelight Experiences’ to Painshill. The best hits from Hans Zimmer and more will be played surrounded by over three thousand LED candles, with bar and food vendors throughout the evening.
4 The Drifters
Richmond Theatre, 21 August
The Drifters are back on tour in the UK performing all their classic hits including ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’, ‘You’re More Than A Number,’ ‘Come on Over to My Place’, ‘Under the Boardwalk’, ‘Kissin’ In The Back Row’ and many more.