The Peabody Trust will be hosting a series of workshops around the borough, ranging from Beat boxing and DJing to football trials and street art. The programme is aimed at teenagers and will be hosting events all across the area. Look out for your local Peabody event.

William Morris Society Summer Arts and Crafts Workshops

Based at Kelmscott House, the riverside residence of famous poet, artist and socialist William Morris, the annual arts and crafts workshops offer children the chance to get creative during the summer holidays. There are two sessions of workshops each day. Alongside making their own puppets and personalised tapestries, children will also have a chance to learn about the life and work of William Morris. With a number of workshops available on different days, they are a fantastic way for children to spend their summer holidays.

  • What? William Morris Society Summer Arts and Crafts Workshops
  • Where? Kelmscott House, 26 Upper Mall, London, W6 9TA
  • When? July 31, August 9, 14 , 16 10am-2pm
  • Cost? £3 for 1 session, £5 for the entire day
  • See: http://www.williammorrissociety.org.uk/

Read in the Park

To get everyone in the Summer mood, Read in the Park are offering families in Hammersmith and Fulham a day of story telling and summer games. Everyone can get involved in their arts and crafts workshops, or can learn about all the wonderful insect and plants in their gardening workshop. The event is organised by Hammersmith and Fulham council and is part of their scheme of encouraging children to read. This free event is a wonderful way for families to soak up all the summer has to offer.

Lyric Square Food Markets

Twice a week for the rest of the summer, Lyric Square is transformed into a popular food market.

On a Thursday, a farmer's market offers locals organic food, fresh from the countryside. Along fruit and vegetables, the market will also be offering the best in organic street food and Caribean-style salads. On Fridays, a World Food market takes over. The stalls are filled with the most exotic and mouthwatering dishes from across the globe, as well as a few organic take-out stalls for those on the go.

Bush Theatre production of Perseverance Drive

Writer Robins Soans's religious drama Perseverance Drive is taking over the Bush Theatre on Uxbridge road.

Set both in the Caribbean and in London, the play explores the life of the Gillard family as they discover secrets about each other. With a number of performances daily between 4 July and 16 August, this religious drama has received critical acclaim. The play is two and a half hours long including an interval.

Westminster

Prudential Ride London is hosting a free ride event in the city.
Prudential Ride London is hosting a free ride event in the city.
 

A cycling trip in the city centre

Prudential Ride London are hosting a free ride event in the centre of the city.

The event allows cyclists to ride along a 10 mile traffic-free route that passes some of London's most famous landmarks. Scattered along the route are various music zones, each playing high-tempo music to keep the riders cyclying. Culminating in a dash to the finish down the Mall, the organisers are working in partnership with the Mayor of London to encourage cycling in the capital. The event is free but requires riders to register before the day.

Learn about Hyde Park's tiniest inhabitants

The Isis Education Centre plays host to a number of discovery days across August. Perfect for a family day out, these events aim to educate people about the different types of animals and plants that live in Hyde Park. The day includes hands-on participation, as guests are encouraged to examine a pond using a net, looking at all the different plants and creatures within the habitat. Organized by the Royal Parks Foundation, these discovery days offer families a chance to breathe in the summer air whilst learning about Hyde Park's biological make up.

See how the Royals live

Buckingham Palace opens its doors to the public for their annual Summer Opening.

As the Queen leaves for her holiday home in Aberdeenshire, the public are allowed into the palace to see how Britain's Stately Events are held. Also included in the tour is the 'Royal Childhood' exhibition, which showcases the favourite toys, outfits and treasured belongings of the royal family. A truly brilliant way to spend a day in Westminster.

  • What? Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
  • Where? Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
  • When? 26 July- 28 September
  • Cost? £19, concessions £17.50, under 17s £10.85, under 5s free
  • See: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/

Art and the Monarchy

Celebrating the 300 anniversary of the beginning of the Georgian Era, the Queen's Gallery is showcasing an exhibit of portraits from the Georgian period.

Considered as the bloodiest century in British history, the exhibition looks into the life of George I after the Glorious Revolution. Family activity packs are also available, providing an easier way for children to interact with the gallery. The gallery is perfect for history lovers and families looking for a summer activity.

Free Family activities at the Abbey

Something happening for families is the creation of family day activities at Westminster Abbey.

The abbey will be putting on a serious of activity days across the entire summer. Activities include dancing for the queen, learning about Tudor spies, learning to be a knight and a historically themed musical entitled Edward. As the event is expected to be extremely popular, booking in advance is recommended.

Chelsea and Kensington

 

Face Paints, Cakes and Tea!

The National Childbirth Trust will be hosting a Cheeky Monkeys Tea Party this August. Based in Holland Park, the tea party will bring children together from the local area and will include face painting, music and dancing. The party is aimed at babies, toddlers and young children. A perfect way to soak up all the summer has to offer. With 250 other parties planned across the UK, the events have proved to be a fantastic way of raising money for the charity.

Workshops in London's Oldest Classroom

The Chelsea Physic Garden is offering a number of family days over the course of August.

Established in 1673, the gardens are home to over 5,000 different species of plant. The Summer family days will educate visitors about the different medical and historical use of certain plants. Additionally, workshops will be on offer, including making your own paper as well as learning about the science behind chocolate. A truly wonderful way to spend a summer's day.

Fashion at the V&A Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is showcasing two exhibitions this summer, each looking into the history of fashion.

The Glamour of Italian Fashion exhibition looks into the history of Italian fashion from 1945 to the present day, observing the work of famous designers, such as Roberto Cavalli and Giorgio Armani. Alongside this, the V&A museum is also hosting a Wedding Dress exhibition, showcasing wedding dresses from across the globe. Both exhibitions are a must see for fashion lovers.

  • What? 'The Glamour of Italian Fashion' and 'Wedding Dresses' exhibitions
  • Where? Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
  • When? Glamour of Italian Fashion – 5 April- 27 July, Wedding Dresses 3 May-15 March 2015
  • Cost? £8
  • See: http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/c/current-exhibitions/

Fluttering Wings and Extraordinary Patterns

The Natural History Museum celebrates the arrival of the summer with a Butterfly exhibition.

Visitors are able to walk through the outdoor butterfly enclosure, seeing different butterflies,caterpillars and moths from around the globe. The exhibition looks at the four different stages of life of a butterfly. Lucky visitors may even see a butterfly emerge from a pupa. The exhibition is a wonderful way to celebrate the colour and vibrancy of Summer.

Join Alice and the Mad Hatter in the park

Something for families with young children, the production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland returns to Holland Park this summer. Alongside all your favourite characters, the performance will be accompanied by a live orchestra, bringing this musical play to life. The production will be based at the Opera Holland Park theatre and offers young families the perfect way to interact with some of their favourite characters from Lewis Carroll's book.