It’s been tough, but London is now closer to normality than it has been in months.
Social distancing is still in place and venues are staying Covid-secure, but pubs, cinemas and restaurants are now open to the public with the government taking bigger steps to ease lockdown.
Thousands of people have been heading out this month to spend time in their favourite haunts and see loved ones for catch-ups. There'll be more of the same this week.
Still, after months indoors, if can be a touch overwhelming to work out when, where and what to get up to. These are our picks of things to do this week.
Head to the Barbican conservatory
Barbican conservatory, one of the most beautiful hidden spots in the capital, is welcoming members of the public for the first time in months. Even better, the resplendent spot is packed with tropical plants and ponds is open on weekdays for the first time, after previously only opening on Sundays. Visits must be booked in advance.
Silk St, EC2Y 8DS, barbican.org.uk
Sample one of the 30 must-try dishes in London’s restaurants
Dozens of fantastic restaurants have been opening their doors across the city, which means London's foodies can start making up for lost time. Do you fancy noodles in north London? Or a bao bun in Borough? We’re overwhelmed with dishes to revisit – so we’ve decided to make a list of the very best. Check it out here.
Watch live sport in the pub
We've missed catching up with sport down the pub – but now it's back. There are plenty of places showing Premier League games in London on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, as well as England vs West Indies cricket on Monday and Friday. The likes of Skylight in Tobacco Dock, Greenwood in Victoria and Brigadiers in the City are showing some of the best of the action – read our full guide here.
Head to Costa Del Tottenham
There’s a new outdoor site in north London to check out, and it looks like a cracking spot. Costa Del Tottenham is a new venture from clubbing favourite The Cause, described as an “all-weather tropical industrial paradise”. The area doubles the size of the Tottenham club’s existing outdoor space, which hosted its first socially distanced DJ event earlier this month.
Ashley House, Ashley Rd, Tottenham Hale, N17 9LZ, costadeltottenham.co.uk
Go for a dip at Parliament Hill lido
The closest thing most of us have come to going for a swim during in recent weeks is getting caught in the rain during a socially distanced picnic. Blow off a little steam and splash around at Parliament Hill lido, which is one of the outdoor pools now open to the public. The 60m pool on Hampstead Heath can be booked online for one hour slots, and can be combined with a lovely stroll through the heath. See our full guide to the swimming pools here.
Parliament Hill Fields, Gospel Oak, NW5 1LT, parliamenthilllido.org
Catch the National Theatre Live
The National Theatre continues to dig into its archives, sharing its plays for free. This week Lucian Msamati plays Salieri in Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, all with live orchestral accompaniment by the Southbank Sinfonia. The acclaimed production is ready to watch until 7pm on Thursday on YouTube.
Check out one of the best comedy podcasts around
A good podcast is a great way to unwind during testing times. Leave the true crime stuff to one side and choose one of the funniest comedy shows this week. How Did This Get Made? sees Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas rip apart some of the most ridiculous and preposterous films ever made, while Pappy’s Flatshare with Matthew Crosby, Tom Parry and Ben Clarke is one of the most reliably laugh-out-loud panel quiz-style shows out there. Old favourite My Dad Wrote a Porno, too, always raises a smile. Check out our full guide here.
Sign up to one of London’s best wine delivery services
2020 is no time to be drinking bad wine. There’s a great selection of London wine bars and subscription services running deliveries at the moment, from top end distributors to more wallet-friendly choices. Check out our full guide to see options from Hedonism Mayfair wine merchants, which part-runs Ollie Dabbous’s Michelin-starred restaurant Hide, to Noble Fine Liquor and Quality Wines – The Quality Chop House spin-off which is delivering wines from the brand’s Clerkenwell shop.
