Cassandra's Guide to Spring in London
What to do, what to see and where to eat this spring in London.
I am also delighted to announce that our in-store conversation events will be starting soon, welcoming founders and creatives inspired by Greek culture into our boutique to share their stories and ideas.
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.
Opens 28th March, 2026 until 1st November, 2026
A complex fashion icon, Marie Antoinette’s timeless appeal is defined by her style, youth and notoriety. Explore the lasting influence of the most fashionable and ill-fated queen in history.
On until 22nd March, 2026
National Portrait Gallery
TAYLOR WESSING PHOTO PORTRAIT EXHIBITION
This exhibition showcases talented young photographers, gifted amateurs and established professionals in the very best of contemporary photography.
On until 8th February, 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
As well as providing a purpose-built home for over 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books and 1,000 archives from the V&A’s collections, V&A East Storehouse is a new kind of museum experience. It offers a chance to see behind the scenes of a working museum, explore why and how objects get collected by museums, find out how they are cared for, and uncover the stories they tell about us and our world.
Entry is free.
Theatre
National Theatre
In a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, 3 adopted sisters are learning who they are and what they want to be.
On until 21st February, 2026
Aldwych Theatre
Based on a true story, Shadowlands follows Oxford don and author C. S. Lewis (Hugh Bonneville) as he opens his heart to a surprising and transformative romance with Joy Davidman (Maggie Siff), a spirited poet whose wit and honesty challenge his long held beliefs.
5th February – 9th May, 2026
Donmar Warehouse
A classic J B Priestly about three couples, highly respected pillars of the Yorkshire community, gather to celebrate their joint silver wedding anniversaries. It's champagne toasts all round until their evening of pride and self-satisfaction is upended by an unexpected and deeply embarrassing revelation.
On until 7th February, 2026
Wyndham's Theatre
Starring acclaimed actress, Rosmaund Pike, Inter Alia follows Jessica Parks, a maverick judge who balances to fight to change an unjust legal system with motherhood, friendship and the realities of day-to-day life.
19th March - 20th June, 2026
Theatre Royal Haymarket
GRACE PERVADES
A new work by playwright David Hare, Grace Pervades stars Ralph Fiennes as Sir Henry Irving, the greatest of all Victorian stage actors and the first actor ever to be knighted. Also starring Miranda Raison as Ellen Terry who is recruited to join Irving’s company and the pair embark on a relationship that will change British theatre forever.
24th April – 11th July, 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
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.
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
The Botanist, Sloane Square (£££)
Perfect cocktails, infamous weekend brunch and endless dining opportunities
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.
Theatreland
San Carlo Chichetti, Covent Garden (£££)
Bocca di Lupo, Soho (£££)
The Haymarket Hotel, Piccadilly (£££)
Café Zedel, Piccadilly (£££)
Barrafina, Covent Garden (££)
Authentic Spanish tapas.
Gymkhana, Albemarle Street (££) (2*)
Indian fusion.
Fine Dining
Riverside Café, Hammersmith (£££) (1*)
KOL, Marylebone (£££)
A Wong, Pimlico (£££) (2*)
Superb Chinese.
Blog posts
Cassandra's Guide to London in the Spring
Discover Cassandra's guide on what to do, what to see and where to eat this spring in London.
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Persephone Books: Rediscovering Forgotten Classics
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