Hello London!
Camden's traffic-free High Street stretch is staying, and the government wants international trains to stop at Stratford. Oxford Street gets a Harry Potter flagship on Wednesday. There are free fireworks at Coram's Fields, illuminated roses in Chelsea and a late DJ night in Leytonstone, plus Portuguese small plates and handmade pasta at two restaurants opening this week.
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Weather Report
Nov 2–8 · High / low · °C
Mon 🌤️ 12° | Tue 🌦️ 12° | Wed 🌤️ 11° | Thu 🌤️ 11° | Fri ☁️ 10° | Sat ☁️ 10° | Sun ☁️ 10° |
Showers on Tuesday, with brighter spells on Wednesday and Thursday before a cloudier, cooler weekend. Monday’s temperatures are recorded in Hampstead; the rest are forecasts.
News to Know
Pedestrians on Camden High Street during the traffic-free trial.
Camden's traffic-free stretch is staying. The council has confirmed permanent pedestrianisation between Britannia Junction, by Camden Town station, and Jamestown Road/Hawley Crescent. An extension over Camden Lock bridge is still a proposal, so this doesn't mean the whole High Street is going car-free.
Government backs international trains at Stratford. Last week's Budget commits the government to working towards international services stopping at Stratford International. That would give east London a direct cross-Channel departure point, but no operator, route or start date has been announced.
Harry Potter lands on Oxford Street. The official flagship opens Wed Nov 4 at The Ribbon, 134–140 Oxford Street. A full-sized Knight Bus and a Leaky Cauldron-themed Butterbeer café are among the attractions across its two floors.
Free Events Worth Going To
Illuminated roses outside the Saatchi Gallery at Duke of York Square.
Carnaby's Christmas lights (Wed Nov 4, music from 4.30pm and switch-on from 6pm, Soho) — This year's display takes its cue from the 1990s. Free to watch, with no ticket needed.
sweetestcape at upperground (Thu Nov 5, 6.30–9.30pm, Stratford) — Head to V&A East Museum for a free set from London-born, Nigerian-raised DJ and record collector sweetestcape.
Ever After Garden (from Thu Nov 5, Chelsea) — More than 30,000 illuminated white roses fill Duke of York Square. Entry is free; optional dedications support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The garden stays until Dec 21.
Does Size Matter? (Thu Nov 5, 6–9.30pm, North Greenwich) — Browse more than 150 small artworks at Firepit's opening party, with live music from the Tom Gaddes Trio. Every work costs £500 or less. Free entry.
Things To Do
Luxmuralis from the Old Royal Naval College.
Teddington Beer Festival (Thu Nov 5–Sun Nov 8, afternoon and evening sessions, Teddington) — Try cask ales, craft beer and cider at the Landmark Arts Centre. £18. Session times vary. Ages 18+.
Lost Worlds by Luxmuralis (Fri Nov 6–Sun Nov 8, timed entry 5.45–9pm, Greenwich) — Walk through projections and sound at the Old Royal Naval College, including the Painted Hall. Entry starting from £20.
Julius Caesar (Fri Nov 6–Sat Nov 7, 7.30pm, Bankside) — Joe Hill-Gibbins directs Shakespeare's political tragedy in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Seats from £39 on Friday or £59 on Saturday; limited availability.
Fag Packet: DYKE Systems Ltd (Fri Nov 6, 8.45pm, South Bank) — Two performers parody a 1990s multi-level-marketing seminar through queer comedy and physical theatre at the Purcell Room. From £26. Ages 15+.
Auntie Flo at Altar (Sat Nov 7, 10.30pm–3am, Leytonstone) — Auntie Flo and Altar residents take over the downstairs room at the new listening bar and music venue. £14. Ages 18+.
Kids & Families
Families watching fireworks at Coram's Fields.
Coram's Fields fireworks (Thu Nov 5, gates 3.30pm and fireworks 6pm, Bloomsbury) — A free Bonfire Night display with stage performances from 4.15pm. General entry is first come, first served, subject to capacity. Adults must attend with anyone aged 19 or under.
Drawing Futures with MATT+FIONA (Sat Nov 7, 1.30pm, South Bank) — Design games and collective 3D drawing take over the Royal Festival Hall's Clore Ballroom for 75 minutes. Free drop-in for ages 5–11 with an adult. Stay for the family dance session at 2.45pm.
Power of Play Together (Sat Nov 7, 2–4pm, Bethnal Green) — A free afternoon of creative play at Young V&A marks the end of its Power of Play programme. Drop in as a family.
New Openings
Chocolate feuilletine tart with salted cream and caramel at Lunette.
Edmondo — Big Mamma's new restaurant opens Fri Nov 6 at 6 Lombard Street. Try spicy tomato spaghetti with ricotta (£18) or Gorgonzola gnocchi with candied lemon (£21). Bank.
Bar Douro Soho — Opening Wed Nov 4 at 10 Greek Street, with Portuguese small plates and wine. The menu lists salt-cod fritters at £9 and piri-piri half chicken at £19, alongside native-breed beef cooked over an open grill. Soho.
Lunette — Florence Knight's 30-seat restaurant on St Clement's 11th floor is taking public reservations. The seasonal menu is priced at £70 for four lunch dishes or £110 for six at dinner, with optional supplements. Open Tuesday–Saturday. Temple.
🚆 Travel: On Nov 7–8, no Overground trains run between Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction via Shepherd's Bush; Southern's Clapham Junction–Watford Junction route is also closed. Overground services between Kilburn High Road and Euston are reduced.
💡 Fun fact: Parliament still ceremonially searches its basements before the State Opening, a tradition that followed the Gunpowder Plot.
Which of this week's picks would you try? Hit reply with your favourite, or tell us what we missed.
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