21+ Awesome Things to Discover this August

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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.

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