Hidden Secrets Are Now Found In London

London has so many secrets. Behind its red buses and grand facades, there’s a quieter rhythm. A hidden city waiting to be discovered. You can’t find it by following the crowds. You need to go your way and explore because it shows up in the most unexpected ways. By going down this little street, you find this small café that feels like it belongs to another time. Another street that you’ve passed so many times before, but never really noticed until now, which makes you stop and look. London is filled with surprises. To help you find the more creative ones, why not read “Make London” by Riya Patel? Find out more in Hidden Secrets Are Now Found In London

London is a playground for the curious and the creative. From cutting-edge maker spaces to traditional heritage workshops, the city offers a world of hands-on experiences for anyone who wants to learn. A new book, “Make London”, highlights the most inspiring studios and spaces where you can sculpt with clay, shape molten glass, tuft your own rug, or even try your hand at bespoke spectacle-making.

Whether you’re an experienced artisan or simply craft-curious, this guide reveals the best places to get you started, from weaving and whittling to printing and pottery.

Riya Patel is a London-based writer and curator with ten years’ experience in architecture and design. A former editor at Icon and curator at The Aram Gallery, she writes for FRAME, Design Anthology, and Disegno. Hoxton Mini Press is a small East London publisher making books on art and photography. Inspired by local stories and community spirit, they focus on accessible, high-quality books with a love for print and a commitment to staying small and sustainable.

After reading a book, why not watch a movie? But choosing a good movie can be tricky. So why not go to the 33rd edition of the Raindance Film Festival? It returns from 18 to 27 June with projections at Vue Piccadilly. This year’s festival is its biggest yet, with 70 feature films, 113 shorts, and 32 immersive works as part of its 10th Raindance Immersive programme. The festival highlights include 29 world premieres.

On June 18th, the Opening Gala will present the world premiere of HEAVYWEIGHT, a tense British boxing drama starring Nicholas Pinnock and Jason Isaacs. The Closing Gala on June 27 presents The Academy, a haunting German film exploring identity and survival at an elite art school.

There are lots of experiences available during the festival, like the Raindance Immersive, the Raindance and Netflix Documentary Talent Fund, the 20th anniversary tribute screening of Mrs Parlfrey at the Claremont, and different competitions.

With support from main sponsor Europe, the festival also takes over One Ninetyfour, home to the Canon Lounge, Raindance’s official industry hub. There will be a Cinematography Day presented by Canon.

Want another? Discover the Serpentine Pavilion 2025: A Capsule in Time. It marks the 25th edition of the Serpentine’s celebrated architectural commission. Serpentine’s Pavilion commission aims to choose architects who consistently extend the boundaries of contemporary architectural practice and to introduce these practitioners to wider audiences. The architects are invited to design a Pavilion that can be used as a meeting space and café by day and a forum for learning, debate, and entertainment at night.

This year it is designed by Marina Tabassum, an architect from Bangladesh. The Pavilion draws inspiration from Zaha Hadid’s experimental heritage, combining contemporary design with climate, culture, and context. 

Set in the grounds of Serpentine South from 6 June to 26 October, the structure is composed of four wooden capsules with translucent façades, positioned around a central courtyard aligned with the gallery’s bell tower. A movable capsule adds a dynamic element to the space. At its heart stands a semi-mature Ginkgo tree, which is a symbol of resilience, and will be replanted after the exhibition.

Maybe you are more of a belly-laughing type? London Clown Festival 2025 returns to Soho Theatre and Jackson Lane from the 16th of June til the 4th of July, to celebrate the bold, brilliant world of clowning and physical theatre.

With a diverse program of UK and international performers, the festival is presenting everything from surreal solo shows to chaotic cabarets.

Highlights include The Weight of Shadow by Sasha Krohn, the wild return of Red Bastard, Berlin’s musical duo Otto & Astrid, and Dirty Work by rising star Jessica Barton. This year also expands into physical theatre, fusing movement, mime, and clowning in genre-defying ways. It’s a week of fearless comedy, creative chaos, and unexpected delight.

If you’re searching for a calm, cultural, and familial experience, Summer in the Square is for you. It returns from 9th to 14th July by transforming the discreet beauty of Portman Square Garden into a peaceful and familial cultural festival. For its 11th year edition, which coincides with Wimbledon’s final week, this free event offers a mix of live screenings, creative workshops, and wellness experiences.

Families can enjoy captivating Alice in Wonderland activities provided by the Marylebone Theatre, watch Wimbledon on the big screen, go see a Grayson Perry-themed workshop, and do some breathwork sessions led by Sarah Hyde of Home House. Guests can relax in the Wellness Den, enjoy free kid-friendly programming, and savour dishes from the Guest Kitchen, featuring The Landmark London.

Find out more about the Serpentine Pavilion 2025: A Capsule in Time
Find out more about the London Clown Festival
Find out more about Summer in the Square
Find out more about Raindance Film Festival

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