Stay at home diary

June 2020

As the weather warms up and the new regulations allow us more freedom, there is a buzz about London’s green spaces as friends reconnect from a distance on the grass. Just because we can’t head to the cinema or wander through a museum, sit in a pub or go to a show, it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun in the capital this summer. There is still plenty to do over the coming weeks and here are some lovely ideas:

Visit the National Trust
The National Trust is slowly opening some of its gardens and grounds across the UK. Bookings need to be made well in advance, and only a limited number of people will be allowed to visit on any one day, so make sure you plan ahead of time.

Pitch up for a picnic
With groups of six now allowed to meet outside, picnics are the hottest social event in our calendar. Take yours to the next level with Conde Nast’s guide of must-have accessories from the best hamper to an instant camera to capture the summer that wasn’t lost after all.

Get to the Drive-in
A retro experience of pure Americana, watching a movie at the drive-in is set to become the UK’s most anticipated date night. Drive-ins are popping up all over the country but where are they and what can you watch? Here is everything you need to know about the summer of drive-ins.

Travel back in time
The capital is often celebrated for its modern architecture, but if you’re looking for somewhere different to explore on a stroll around the city, there’s a number of streets where a walk really feels like time travel. Seek out photogenic mews and alleys – from 18th-century Fournier Street in East London to wisteria-covered Kynance Mews – with Nostalgic London‘s guide to the prettiest historic streets in London.

Soak up some culture
A few of London’s charming but tiny galleries have opened this week, which means art lovers can get a hit of the city’s culture scene in real life for the first time since March. In Mayfair, the David Zwirner gallery displays art by Bridget Riley (you have to make an appointment), while Hauser & Wirth shows work from Alina Szapocznikow and Isa Genzken, with visitor numbers restricted to allow safe social distancing. The exhibitions are free.