August at a glance

LONDON in August is a grossly underestimated gem: empty (everyone else is scrambling for a strip of sand somewhere in Cornwall) and warm (in theory), so there’s never. Some of our favourites include 7, Archer Street, W1 (), Boxpark, Shoreditch, E1 (), and in Borough Market, SE1, and 178, Portobello Road, W11. The has put together a   associated with theatrical life (). One of the stops includes the former magistrates’ court and police station on Bow Street, home to the newly opened ( ). In the 18th century, the Bow Street Runners–widely regarded as London’s first professional police force–were stationed inside the opera house during performances, to ward off would-be criminals from stealing jewels from around the necks of the audience. North London grocer and kitchen  has a new gourmet picnic range, available at its Hampstead Village, NW3, and Primrose Hill, NW1, stores (). Pick up a hamper from the former and enjoy it inside the grounds of the . It’s free to enter the house and the art collection includes masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Turner, among others (). Further south, SW3 (), is hosting throughout the month and the TW9, has installed a series of art installations throughout the gardens, designed to educate visitors on the UK’s native plants and landscapes, until September 19 ().