Cassandra's Guide to London in Winter 2026
What to do, what to see and where to eat.
Dates For Your Diaries
Ever After Garden, Duke of York Square, 5th November – 21st December
Sloane Street Christmas Celebration, 14th November
Ice Skating:
Battersea Power Station, from 10th November
Somerset House, from 11th November
Hampton Court Palace, from 19th November
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 15th November, 2026
THE BURBERRY TRENCH: CRAFTING AN ICON
Celebrating 170 years of Burberry and the history of the trench coat.
On until 3rd January, 2027
CONSTANTINOPLE TO ISTANBUL: ONE CITY, TWO EMPIRES
Exploring 1,600 years of history, this exhibition celebrates the art, jewellery and architecture of Constantinople and Istanbul under the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.
Opens on 7th November, 2026
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.
Kew Gardens
Follow the iconic Christmas lights trail in London – expect unforgettable larger than life light installations, sparkling colour tunnels, immersive soundscapes and a special visit from Father Christmas.
13th November, 2026 – 3rd January, 2027
National Portrait Gallery
TIM WALKER'S FAIRYLAND: LOVE AND LEGENDS
This exhibition is an exploration of queer identity, community, and love through the lens of one of Britain’s foremost photographers.
9th October, 2026 – 7th February, 2027
National Gallery
Discover Renoir’s gift of showing love, friendship, and everyday emotion in this impressionist exhibition.
On until 31st January, 2027
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
The Courtauld Gallery
The first solo exhibition in Europe of the celebrated New York-based painter Salman Toor, bringing together 19 of the artist’s most iconic, thought-provoking and at times humorous paintings, never-before-seen in Britain.
2nd October, 2026 – 10th January, 2027
The British Museum
Not to be missed!
On until 11th July, 2027
Theatre
National Theatre
A new play by Helen Edmundson, the story follows Julie Robson who is used to being overlooked whether at home, at work and everywhere in between.
7th October – 21st November, 2026
The Old Vic
Adaptation by Jack Thorne for the stage, Giles Terera is Ebenezer Scrooge.
10th November, 2026 – 9th January 2027
Wyndham's Theatre
A Noel Coward classic starring Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant.
On until 12th December, 2026
Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
Donmar Warehouse
Directed by Donmar artistic director Tim Sheader, Ilford Boy is a funny, moving drama about the ghosts that follow us, the families we choose, and the Streisand that helps us to survive.
10th October – 28th November, 2026
Royal Albert Hall
Magical performances with a joyful mix of traditional carols and modern festive favourites.
19th – 24th December, 2026
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
Vori, 120 Holland Park Avenue, W11 4UA
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 (£££)
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.
Further afield
Chishuru, Fitzrovia (££)
Nigerian modern and delicious food.
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.
Maison Francois, Duke Street (£££)
Bouchon Racine, Farringdon ££££
Luca, Italian, Farringdon £££
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.
Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden (££)
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
14 Stories, Fenchurch Street
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 Cheesemongers, 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.
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