Cassandra's Guide to London in Autumn 2026
What to do, what to see and where to eat.
Dates For Your Diaries
Chelsea Arts Festival, 17- 20 September 2026
Luminiscence at Westminster Cathedral, July/August/September,2026
BFI London Film Festival, 7-18 October 2026
Exhibitions
V&A
SCHIAPARELLI: FASHION BECOMES ART
The UK's first exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli spans the 1920s to today, celebrating the innovative designer's influence. It traces the fashion house's groundbreaking origins and its evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry.
On until 1st November, 2026
Called a ‘hidden gem’, this art gallery is located in Marylebone in an inconspicuous 18th century mansion. The collection comprises of a very impressive array of 18th century French paintings, furniture and other artistic spoils. It also boasts a wonderful café – great spot for lunch or tea.
Discover the extraordinary house and museum of Sir John Soane, one of the greatest English architects who built and lived in it two centuries ago. The museum is kept as it was at the time of his death in 1837 and displays his vast collection of antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and paintings.
Open Wednesdays to Saturdays
Entry is free
V&A East
A new permanent home for David Bowie’s archive. A single room featuring guest-curated displays, including spaces where you can book time one-to-one with items from the archive.
Entry is free
Kew Gardens
Set across Kew's iconic landscape, 30 monumental sculptures have been installed which span Moore's nearly 70 year career and demonstrates the varying shape and scale of his artworks.
Open until January 2027
National Portrait Gallery
In celebration of the star's centenary, this exhibition explores the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe through portraits.
4th June - 6th September 2026
The British Museum
Not to be missed!
10th September - July 2027
Theatre
National Theatre
Fierce, funny and full of heart, Pride is based on the award-winning film which tells the inspiring true story of two threatened communities coming together.
On until 12 September 2026
When a white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood, four journalists race to get the headline - at any cost. Directed by Clint Dyer, the cast includes BAFTA award winner Letitia Wright, Ashley Thomas and Lorraine Toussaint.
27 August - 24 October 2026
Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss are directed by Benedict Andrews in this psychologically intense and formally inventive new production.
19 August - 10th October 2026
The Old Vic
Alan Ayckbourn's classic play that involves the lives of three couples, two homes and one laugh-out-loud domestic farce.
29 July - 19 September 2026
Wyndham's Theatre
Richard Coyle reprises his critically acclaimed role in the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of Harper Lee's famous play
25 June - 12 September 2026
Apollo Theatre
The Truth is a wickedly entertaining comedy where trust is fragile, loyalty is negotiable and everyone has something to hide. This star-driven revival of the Olivier-nominated play peels back the lies we tell the people we love, and the ones we tell ourselves.
On until 12th September 2026.
The Bridge
The Oresteia was first performed i Athens in 458 BC. Adapted by the critically acclaimed writer Simon Stone, the superb cast includes David Morrissey and Mary-Louise Parker.
2nd July - 19th September 2026
Greenery
In the heart of Chelsea, the Chelsea Physic Garden occupies four acres of land on the edge of the River Thames. First established by the apothecaries in order to grow medicinal plants, this wonderful garden has an incredible collection of plants, a fun place for families and a wonderful café.
Restaurants
Cassandra's Greek Favourites
Opso, 10 Paddington St. W1U QL
Suzi Tros, 18 Hillgate Street, W8 7SR
Oma, Borough Market SE1 9AL (1*)
Agora, 4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL
Gea Chelsea, 7 Park Walk, SW10 0AJ
Myrtos, 260-262 Brompton Road, SW3 2AS
Brother Marcus, 1-3 Pelham Street, SW7 2ND
Pyro, 53b Southwark St, SE1 1RU
Chelsea
The Trafalgar, Kings Road (££)
Brasserie Olivia, Sloane Square (£££)
No. Fifty Cheyne, Cheyne Walk (££££)
At Sloane, Sloane Gardens (££££)
A hotel in Sloane Square reimagined by Jean-Louis Costes. A tactile Parisian home and arts and crafts inspired restaurant and basement bar.
Hunan, Pimlico Road (££££)
Villa Mamas, Elystan Street (£££)
Fusion of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Persian cuisines.
The Cadogan Arms, King's Road (£££)
Granger & Co., Pavilion Road (£££)
Colbert, Sloane Square (£££)
Manicomio, Duke of York Square (£££)
Casual dining.
Willett's at The Cadogan, Sloane Street (££)
Vardo’s, Duke of York Square (££)
All day dining – perfect for 2 or a crowd.
Mezcalito, Sydney Street (££)
Ottolenghi, Pavilion Road (££)
Perfect casual place for a spot of lunch.
The Chelsea Pig, Old Church Street (££)
The Bluebird, King's Road (££)
Perfect spot for a late lunch or cocktails.
Martino's, Sloane Square (£££)
Casual Dining
La Poule au Pot, Pimlico Road (£££)
Superb French cuisine – one of London’s oldest establishments
Josephine Bouchon, Chelsea (£££)
Fabulous French restaurant serving classic Lyonnaise cuisine with a focus on hearty, rustic dishes.
Azzurra, Sloane Street (£££)
From boat to plate - delicious Italian food.
Ixchel, Kings Road (£££)
Mexican restaurant and tequila.
Chishuru, Fitzrovia (££) (1*)
West African modern and delicious food.
Comptoir Libanais, Duke of York Square (££)
Delicious Lebanese food – perfect for sharing plates
Notting Hill
Dorian, Talbot Road (£££)
Strakers, Golborne Road (££)
The Pelican, All Saints Road (££)
Classic gastro pub.
Mazi, Hillgate Street (££)
Classic Greek food with a contemporary
twist.
Suzi Tros, Hillgate Street (££)
Sister restaurant to Mazi.
Theatreland
San Carlo Chichetti, Covent Garden (£££)
Bocca di Lupo, Soho (£££)
The Haymarket Hotel, Piccadilly (£££)
Café Zedel, Piccadilly (£££)
The 10 Cases, Soho (£££)
Barrafina, Covent Garden (££)
Authentic Spanish tapas.
Gymkhana, Albemarle Street (££) (2*)
Indian fusion.
Fine Dining
The River Café, Hammersmith (£££) (1*)
KOL, Marylebone (£££)
A Wong, Pimlico (£££) (2*)
Superb Chinese.
And for something completely different
Coya, Mayfair (£££)
Peruvian cuisine with traditional elements
Borough market, fresh food market (££)
A London landmark.
BARS WITH A VIEW
The Shard
Sushi Samba, Bishopsgate
The Peninsula, Hyde Park Corner
Cassandra's Favourite Local Shops
Diptyque candles, Sloane Street
Anya Hindmarch
Beautiful handcrafted and witty handbags.
Moyses Stevens, Pavilion Road
For that perfect bouquet.
Conran shop, Sloane Square
Lifestyle retailer.
John Sandoe books, 10 Blacklands Terrace
One of London's best loved bookshops that is crammed full of fiction, non-fiction and classic titles
London Cheese Company, Pavilion Road
Provenance Village Butcher, Pavilion Road
Birley Bakery, Chelsea Green
Delicious French pain au chocolat and croissants and Cassandra’s favourite Tarte Tropezienne.
Buns from Home, next door to Sloane Square tube station
Blog posts
Cassandra's Guide to London in Autumn 2026
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