What's On in London This August: Events, Dining, Sports, and Exclusive Offers
Key Takeaways
- •Guildhall Yard will host jumbo volleyball and pickleball courts from 17 to 27 August, with all volleyball contributions supporting Central London Alliance's Saving Lives Campaign.
- •The Cartoon Museum is running summer holiday workshops from 5 to 26 August for children aged 8 to 14, covering comic-making, caricatures, and Manga creation.
- •Central London Alliance is attempting to break the world record for the longest CPR relay on 22 to 23 September, aiming for 4,000 participants across 39 continuous hours.
- •Multiple London venues are offering August promotions, including 25% off introductory bouldering classes and a complimentary hand and arm massage ritual at Rituals' One New Change boutique.
- •Daniel Osben, Team England's Pickleball World Cup Captain, will lead open pickleball coaching sessions for all skill levels at Guildhall Yard on 21 August as part of the London Sports Festival.

August brings an abundance of activities to London, ranging from creative workshops and historical attractions to diverse dining experiences, sporting events, and special promotions. With schools on summer break across the UK, the city's cultural venues and public spaces are programming heavily for families and visitors of all ages. The following guide highlights selections across the city, with options suitable for all ages.
Activities and Workshops
Summer Holiday Family Workshops at The Cartoon Museum
Dates: 5 – 26 August (varied dates and times; check website for details)
The Cartoon Museum is hosting workshops designed for young comics enthusiasts aged 8–14. Sessions cover comic-making, caricatures, and Manga creation. One past participant described the experience as "fun and informative, a good start for a budding artist."
Location: The Cartoon Museum, 63 Wells Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1A 3AE
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Visitors can explore the ancient history of Roman London at this interactive and educational attraction. The amphitheatre was uncovered in 1988 during archaeological excavations at Guildhall Yard and is now preserved beneath the modern Guildhall Art Gallery. Exhibits cover the amphitheatre's discovery, surviving structural elements, and the events that took place in London's oldest sporting venue. The site is fully accessible, and foldable stools are available on request.
Location: London's Roman Amphitheatre, Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE
Lunchtime Talks at The London Centre
Schedule: Every Friday, 12:30pm – 1pm
These weekly talks explore London's historical and physical development using detailed scale models. The 1:2000 scale London model spans 85 square kilometres, featuring iconic landmarks and 34 kilometres of the Thames. A more detailed 1:500 City Model illustrates the planned future of the Square Mile.
Location: The London Centre, 3 Aldermanbury, London, EC2V 7HH
Dining
Emilia's Crafted Pasta, Victoria
Hours: Open Monday to Sunday
Emilia's Crafted Pasta focuses on Italian cuisine built around freshness and simplicity. The restaurant applies the principles of matching pasta shapes with complementary sauces to deliver balanced flavour.
Location: 56 Victoria Street, Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6QW
The Happenstance
Hours: Open Monday to Sunday
Situated beside St Paul's Cathedral, The Happenstance serves breakfast through late-night drinks with a diverse menu and cocktails in a welcoming setting.
Location: 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7DX
Satyrio Italian Restaurant
Hours: Open Monday to Saturday
Satyrio brings Italian dining to the heart of the City, pairing substantial, comforting dishes with an extensive wine selection. The restaurant is known for attentive service in a relaxed atmosphere.
Location: 49 Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1AL
Engel Bar
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 5pm
Located within a Grade I listed London landmark at the Royal Exchange, Engel Bar offers an English afternoon tea featuring handmade patisserie, scones, and sandwiches. Options include Jing teas at £42, Hattingley Valley English sparkling wine at £52, or Ruinart Champagne at £57.
Location: Engel Bar, The Royal Exchange
White Mulberries
Hours: Open Monday to Sunday
This café on Tooley Street is known for its coffee, pastries, and all-day brunch. Menu highlights include signature banana bread, breakfast bowls, and rotating cakes. In August, fresh white mulberries are available as a seasonal offering.
Location: Tooley Street, SE1 2HD
Tiffin Tree
Hours: Open Monday to Sunday, 7am – 11pm
Located in Westminster, a short walk from Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster, Tiffin Tree offers an afternoon tea experience with a menu of crispy samosas, paneer pakoras, firecracker cauliflower with black truffle oil, Amritsari machhi, gulab jamun, and mango and cardamom delice, accompanied by freshly brewed house chai.
Location: 71 Vane Street, SW1P 2PA
Special Offers
Intro to Bouldering
Available until: 31 August
Aldgate City Bouldering offers first-time climbers an introductory class at 25% off when booked using the code LONDONSPORTS through the City Bouldering website. Terms and conditions apply; all bookings must be made online.
Location: Aldgate City Bouldering, 33 Aldgate High Street, EC3N 1AH
Sporty Spice Spritz Special
Available until: 31 August
Four Drake & Morgan venues are serving a Sporty Spice Spritz — a blend of prosecco, elderflower, and fresh citrus — for £11. Participating locations include The Happenstance at 10 Paternoster Square (EC4M 7DX), The Anthologist at 58 Gresham Street (EC2V 7BB), Refinery New Street Square at 12 New Street Square (EC4A 3BF), and Refinery CityPoint at 1 Ropemaker Street (EC2Y 9HT).
Mind & Body Reset: Hand & Arm Massage Ritual
Available until: 31 August
Rituals' boutique at One New Change is offering a complimentary hand and arm massage paired with herbal tea and a fragrance mist. Visitors can walk in or call the boutique to request the experience.
Location: Rituals, SU 4/5 19, Cheapside, One New Change, EC4M 9AF
10% Off Adamo Spa Treatments
Available: Now – 18 October
Adamo Spa, offering manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages, is providing 10% off all in-spa treatments when customers apply the code LSF2026 in the Special Requests field at adamospa.com. The offer is valid exclusively for in-spa treatments through 18 October 2026, excludes retail products, and cannot be combined with other promotions or exchanged for cash.
Location: 100 Minories, London, EC3N 1JY
Sport and Wellness
Three Courts at Guildhall Yard
Dates: 17 – 27 August, 11:00am – 7:00pm
Guildhall Yard in Culture Mile will host a jumbo volleyball court and two pickleball courts, now open for bookings. Culture Mile is a City of London cultural district stretching from Farringdon to Moorgate. Equipment is provided, and the courts are wheelchair accessible. The initiative is presented by Central London Alliance and Culture Mile BID. All contributions for jumbo volleyball go directly to Central London Alliance's Saving Lives Campaign.
Location: Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE
Adult Pickleball Coaching with Daniel Osben
Date: 21 August, 10:45am – 4:00pm
As part of the London Sports Festival, delivered in partnership with Culture Mile BID, Guildhall Yard welcomes Daniel Osben, Team England's Pickleball World Cup Captain, for a day of open coaching. Pickleball, a paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has seen rapid participation growth in the UK over recent years. Sessions run every 45 minutes and are open to all skill levels.
Location: Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE
Junior Padel Coaching Sessions
Date: 11 August
Children can participate in a one-hour padel coaching session led by a qualified coach at Hay's Galleria. Padel, typically played in doubles on an enclosed court with glass walls, is among the fastest-growing racket sports in Europe. Sessions focus on fundamentals through games and drills in a supportive environment.
- 11am – 12pm (ages 9–12)
- 12pm – 1pm (ages 13–16)
Location: Guildhall Yard, EC2V 5AE
World Record CPR Relay Attempt
Dates: 22 – 23 September
Central London Alliance is attempting to break the world record for the longest CPR relay, with a target of 4,000 participants across 39 continuous hours. The initiative highlights the importance of CPR training: every three minutes, someone in the UK dies from a cardiac arrest, and fewer than 1 in 10 survive when it occurs outside a hospital. Bystander CPR performed within two minutes raises survival chances by 81% and reduces the risk of serious brain damage by 95%.
Location: Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hospitality, 100 Minories, London, EC3N 1JY
Padel at Tower Hill Terrace
Available: Now – 25 October, 8:00am – 8:45pm
Set against the backdrop of the Tower of London, Tower Hill Terrace welcomes players of all abilities. Evening sessions with lighting are available, equipment is provided, and the court is wheelchair-accessible.
Location: Tower Hill Terrace, EC3N 4EE
Rooftop Yoga at The Skyline London
Date: 22 August, 9:30am – 11:00am
The Skyline London hosts a rooftop yoga class with views of the Tower of London, the Thames, and Tower Bridge. The session is followed by a social brunch for participants.
Location: The Skyline London, 100 Minories, London, EC3N 1JY