Things are starting to open up; shops are welcoming customers again and the hospitality industry is back in business this weekend, even if we're still having to work out which pubs doing takeaway pints are closest to the park.
There are still things to check out online, with theatre, comedy and art exhibitions all going virtual and are plenty of online cocktail and wine masterclasses to get stuck into as well.
More restaurants are opening for table service and delivery and cinemas are opening soon, with lockdown continuing to loosen.
For the time being, it's still a mix of staying inside and getting out there, but these are our top picks of things to get up to this week.
Get ready for Hamilton on Disney+
We might not be able to sign up to the Disney+ free trial anymore, but there’s one great reason to check out the streaming service this week. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical phenomenon Hamilton is coming to the service on Friday, with subscribers able to watch a 2016 recording of the show featuring the original cast. Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr, Phillippa Soo and Anthony Ramos all star.
Check out AngloThai at Newcomer Wines
Restaurants are opening up in the capital from this weekend and there’s a new partnership to look out for in Dalston from Friday. Great British Menu’s John and Desiree Chantarasak are the creative team behind AngloThai, a roving kitchen which is making its latest home at Newcomer Wines in east London. The inventive modern Thai menu will be open for delivery and collection from 5-9pm, with a small number of alfresco tables available each evening too.
Head online for a literary treat
A series of literary delights are arriving online every day this week until Friday. A host of stars have signed up to read extracts from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, with a new translation from author and playwright Morpugo. Different stars like Ruth Wilson and Tom Burke will join presenter Nihal Arthanayake at 5pm every day for the readings, which are taking place in partnership with Montblanc, the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Foundation. Don't worry if you missed the ones earlier this week, they're available to catch up with on YouTube.
Take a trip to one of London’s newly open attractions
Londoners can now head for socially distanced days out, with more places announcing plans to open their doors all the time. Kew Gardens, London Zoo, Hampton Court Palace gardens, and a selection of National Trust properties have all reopened their doors, meaning some of the most idyllic spots in the capital are ready to be explored once again – read our full guide here.
Tune in to our pick of the funniest comedy podcasts
It’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed at the moment, but a good podcast is a great way to unwind. 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.
Catch the National Theatre Live
The National Theatre continues to dig into its archives, sharing its plays for free. The London Theatre Company's production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is ready to watch until 7pm on Thursday, when it’s the turn of Les Blancs’ by Lorraine Hansberry. The production transports viewers to an African country on the brink of civil war, with members of society striving for independence amid rising racial tensions.
Join the Heartbeats 4 Sneakers campaign
This Thursday, five of the most exclusive and sought-after sneakers of the past decade are being raffled off in an online event. Unlike most auctions, though, fans will need to prove how much they love the shoes themselves to enter. To take part, guests are required to enable a heart-rate monitor on their smartphone and get their blood pumping to prove their passion. Only those with the highest rates will earn the chance to bag some goodies for free – including Adidas Yeezys and Sean Wotherspoon Nike Airmax. Head over from 6pm for the virtual launch party.
Sign up to one of London’s best wine delivery services
Lockdown 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. Wine not your bag? Have a read of our guide to the best beer and cocktail delivery services.
Take the Old Dairy online pub quiz
Online pub quizzes are coming to an end but hell, why not do one for old times sake? Crouch Hill pub The Old Diary has been keeping its punters busy with its weekly quiz, running a virtual version every Tuesday at 7.40pm. It’s even got its own Twitter handle (@OldDairyN4Quiz), where you can watch the quiz via a live broadcast, but you’re asked to register your team beforehand via email or direct message. Each week, the pub chooses a different charity which it asks its participants to donate to, with previous choices including NHS Charities and The Trussell Trust.
