5 Amazing Things You May Have Missed In London Last Week: June 6 – 12

We’re well into the summer now, and there even might be a heatwave on the way this week. Here’s some things that happened in London that’ll get you excited during the best season of them all.

1. The full lineup for Pride in London has been revealed for 2022

Pride in London is always a momentous occasion, but when you have the added factor of 2022 a) being the first full celebration since 2019 due to the pandemic and b) marking the parade’s 50th anniversary in the city, you can bet a pretty penny that it’s going to be a huge one.

In order to match a celebration that big, a sizeable lineup is required, so it’s a good thing they’ve gone and pulled just that out the bag. Pride has just announced their star-studded bill, and attendees can expect to see Ava Max, Emeli Sandé, and Eurovision 2018 winner Netta, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars The Vivienne and Lawrence Chaney among others. Read more here.

2. London’s incredible lavender field is back open for the summer

Picture this: it’s a gorgeous summer’s day, and the wind gently ruffles your hair as you wander lazily through a field of lavender. Does that sound like perfection to you? If the answer is yes, you need to get yourselves down to Mayfield Lavender Farm. (If the answer is no, you clearly need to rediscover the joy in life, so head there anyway.) This perfectly purple paradise opens up for the summer season this weekend (June 11), and with plenty of open space and fresh air, it really is the place to be this summer. Read about it here.

3. London’s fabulous free riverside festival has returned for the summer

When the sun shines in London, there’s no better place to be than by the river. So it’s rather nice that London has a three-month festival overlooking the Thames at Tower Bridge. Returning for another (hopefully) glorious summer of sun, Summer by the River has once again set up three London Bridge locations, laying on a programme of free, summery events until September rolls around. Read about it here.

4. A four-day working week trial has just begun in the UK

Four-day working weeks have long been rumoured, but often felt like a bit of a pipe dream. Studies outlining the benefits – including increased productivity and improved staff morale – have been released, other countries have trialled the idea; hell, most of us even give it a shot every year on bank holiday weekends. That, however, does usually feel like the best we’re going to get.

But now, a pilot scheme has been launched, giving us some further fresh hope that a four-day week could happen 52 times in a calendar year. A six-month trial including around 70 companies in Britain has begun today, with employees involved receiving the same pay they would for a five-day week, in exchange for full productivity over four days. Read about it here. 

5. A Phileas Fogg themed apothecary bar has just arrived in Mayfair

Around The World In 80 Days. Many of you will have read the beloved tale penned in the Jules Verne novel or seen the movie, but have you been to an apothecary bar themed around its central character?

Yes, that’s right. Mr Fogg’s, the famous collection of venues themed around the world of Phileas Fogg, are opening a brand new site in Mayfair. Read about it here.