🦊 Rain, strikes, and Wonderwall

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. Keeping this one short in case you're reading it with one hand on a Lime bike, dodging puddles and strike-induced chaos. If you’re upright and vaguely on course, well done. That’s the win today.

Of course, just as half of London swaps the Tube for two wheels, the weather has gone full November. So if you arrived soaked, know you’re part of a new urban tradition: biking through British optimism.

On a totally unrelated but spiritually urgent note, if you or anyone you know has two spare tickets to the Oasis show at Wembley this September, please get in touch. I’ll be forever grateful and will hand-deliver the Scoop to you every week. Ok, that wouldn’t be very efficient. And whatever you do, don’t fall for the sketchy Twitter accounts with 12 followers and a profile picture of a dog. I’ve looked. It’s bleak.

Oh, and well done to the 76 percent of you who got last week’s trivia right. That was indeed the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Laure, one of our readers, even sang a bit of Spice Girls in celebration.

Let’s dive in.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🚆 The ‘Ryanair of Trains’ Heads to Scotland. Budget rail operator Lumo is launching a new all-electric route from London to Glasgow this December, with tickets starting under £50. No first class, no buffet car, and definitely no legroom complaints allowed. It is slower than your average flight, but greener, cheaper and you can keep your shoes on. Full story

🖌️ Banksy vs The Law. A new Banksy mural appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice this week… and just as quickly disappeared. The artwork showed a judge attacking a protester with a gavel, but it’s now been scrubbed away by order of the courts. Listed building rules strike again. What remains? A ghostly silhouette, an Instagram post and a very Banksy-sized debate. Full story

🎓 A Super-Uni Is Born. The Universities of Kent and Greenwich are joining forces to create the UK’s first “super-university”, officially titled the London and South East University Group. They’ll share leadership but keep their own campuses and names. It’s being hailed as a trailblazing model, though students may just be hoping it comes with better Wi-Fi and fewer 9am lectures. Full story

 .TRIVIA .
Think you know your London?

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: You produce about 1 to 2 litres of saliva every day. 😮💧 That adds up to enough to fill two swimming pools over a lifetime. Refreshing? Not really. But your mouth is basically a hydration factory that never clocks out.

London Fact: There’s a secret pub inside the Tower of London, but you’re probably not invited. 🍻🗝️ It’s called The Keys, and it’s only open to staff, soldiers and Yeoman Warders (aka Beefeaters). One of the hardest pints to get in London… and possibly the safest.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🏛 Mayor’s Community Weekend @ London-wide
Date & Loc: Sep 12–14, across London
Greater London comes together for free, community-led celebrations with over 200 events hosted by grassroots groups across all boroughs.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🍽 A Day on the Lane @ Marylebone Lane
Date & Loc: Sep 13, Marylebone W1U
Take advantage of road closures for a pop-up day of alfresco dining, creative workshops, live music, street food, wellness corners and exclusive offers.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🏛️Family Activities @ Guildhall Art Gallery
Date & Loc: Sep 13, City EC2V
Architecture-themed drop-in fun for curious minds. Build paper cities, LEGO skyscrapers, Roman buildings. Enjoy a construction zone, story corner and quiet space too.
Age: 3-13yo | Price: no cost | Info

🎉 Make It: Party Accessories @ V&A
Date & Loc: Sep 13, South Kensington SW7
Join this crafty family workshop to transform balloon strings and foil into sparkly wearable art, led by artist Hannah Wild. All materials sustainably provided.
Age: 5+ | Price: £20 per adult‑child pair | Info

♻ Wonder Day @ Southwark Recycling Plant
Date & Loc: Sep 13, Southwark SE15 1AL
Ever wondered what happens to your recycling? Family tours of the recycling facility, junk orchestra, crafts, bouncy castle, vehicle displays and upcycling fun.
Age: Everyone (heights apply for tours) | Price: no cost | Info

🎡 Moving Pictures @ Tower Bridge
Date & Loc: Sep 13, Tower Bridge SE1
Recreate historic moments from the bridge’s past by crafting a thaumatrope – a classic Victorian optical illusion toy. A fun hands-on session for curious minds.
Age: 6–10 | Price: incl. with bridge adm. | Info

🐝 Buzzing About Wasps @ UCL Grant Museum
Date & Loc: Sep 13, Bloomsbury WC1E
Hands-on family activities exploring the misunderstood world of wasps, led by expert Lucia. Drop in to learn, craft and maybe make peace with these buzzy creatures.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎭 Centrestage Open Day @ Centrestage Richmond
Date & Loc: Sep 13, Richmond TW9
Explore this local performing arts school with free taster workshops in dance, drama and singing. A great opportunity to try something new in a relaxed, friendly setting.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🔥 Great Fire of London Family Walk @ London Museum
Date & Loc: Sep 13/20/27, City EC3M
Step into the smoke-filled streets of 1666 with this guided walk through the story of the Great Fire. Expect fiery tales, iconic landmarks and plenty of historical drama.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £8 | Info

🧱 Blocks, Rods, Bricks and Fiddly Bits @ Pollock’s Toy Museum
Date & Loc: Sep 13–14, Croydon CR0
Explore 150 years of building toys with vintage bricks, hands-on challenges, and talks from toy and architecture experts.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🍶 Ceramics in the City @ Museum of the Home
Date & Loc: Sep 13–14, Hoxton E2
Browse and buy from over 40 leading ceramic artists at this annual celebration of contemporary pottery. Free family workshops, demos, and wheel-throwing sessions throughout the weekend.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🏛 Step Inside @ Somerset House
Date & Loc: Sep 13–14, Strand WC2R
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Somerset House throws open its doors with free installations, creative workshops, performances and behind-the-scenes access across the building.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🐰 Miffy at Bankside @ London Design Festival
Date & Loc: Sep 13–21, Bankside SE1
Jump into the whimsical world of Miffy with silkscreen prints, a towering Miffy lamp and a plush wall of 400 mini‑Miffys. Art meets cuteness.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎤 Kids Choir @ The Scoop at More London
Date & Loc: Sep 14, London Bridge SE1
Catch the joyful sound of hundreds of children’s voices as primary school choirs from across London take over The Scoop amphitheatre with uplifting songs and vibrant performances.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🇧🇷 Viva Brazil @ Woolwich Works
Date & Loc: Sep 14, Woolwich SE18
A vibrant celebration of Brazilian music, food, dance, art and storytelling—an immersive cultural experience with something for all ages.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost (book. req) | Info

🦜 The Zoo That Comes To You @ Studio Theatre
Date & Loc: Sep 14, North Finchley N12
Two wildlife enthusiasts set up a mini zoo and wait for visitors... but the animals have other plans. A charming puppet-filled show with songs, giggles, and gentle eco themes.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £13.75 | Info

🩰 Mini Movers & Their Grown-up Groovers @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Sep 14, Croydon SE25
Bond with your little one through a joyful dance‑and‑move workshop using props, drawing and gentle contact. A perfect little morning routine.
Age: 1-4yo | Price: £5 per child | Info

🧼 Cleaner Croydon Community Day @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Sep 14, Croydon SE25
Join Norwood Junk Action for a community clean-up day with fun workshops, junk-to-art making, litter-picking, free lunch and a big local impact. All ages welcome.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Marvin’s Great Create @ The Mercury Mall
Date & Loc: Sep 14, Romford RM1
Join Marvin for a fun-filled family day of arts, crafts and creativity. Expect colourful hands-on activities designed to spark kids’ imaginations – all free and drop-in.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎨 Little Explorers @ National Gallery
Date & Loc: Sep 17, Trafalgar Square WC2N
Stories, songs and playful creative activities for under-5s and their grown-ups, all inspired by the Gallery’s portraits and sitters. A lovely way to explore art as a family. These free sessions usually book up fast, so grab a spot when they open (3 weeks before the event).
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

🛍 Bartholomew's Fayre @ Smithfield
Date & Loc: Sep 19–20, Smithfield EC1A
A two-day arts and community festival packed with workshops, walking tours, puppet shows, queer poetry, eco-friendly crafting, graffiti art and more. All ages welcome.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🐜 Family Fun: Minibeasts & the Garden @ Leighton House
Date & Loc: Sep 20, Chelsea SW7
Explore every nook for creepy crawlies with science kits and games in Leighton House’s garden. Ideal for young explorers keen to learn about minibeasts and their homes.
Age: 5–10 | Price: £5 | Info

👕 Family Day @ William Morris Gallery
Date & Loc: Sep 20, Walthamstow E17
Join artist Angry Dan to screen‑print your very own version of his William Morris‑inspired mural at the final weekend of Morris Mania. (limited numbers!)
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🏃 Emil Zátopek Charity Run @ Linford Christie Athletic Stadium
Date & Loc: Sep 21, White City W12
Join a family-friendly charity race in honour of the legendary Czech runner Emil Zátopek. Choose from 2k, 3k or 5k routes, or take on the one-mile fun run,plus music, food and a community atmosphere.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £7 | Info

🐑 Counting Sheeps @ The Albany
Date & Loc: Sep 21, Deptford SE8
A playful adventure for little ones about bedtime battles, big imaginations and a herd of cheeky sheep. Expect music, laughs and plenty of silliness.
Age: 0-3yo | Price: £8 | Info

🎥 Film 100 Guinness World Record Attempt @ Old Royal Naval College
Date & Loc: Sep 27, Greenwich SE10
Celebrate 100 years of film with pop-ups, screenings, and you could help set a Guinness World Record by dressing as your favourite movie or TV character.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

👑 Royal Day Out @ Buckingham Palace
Date & Loc: until Sep 28, Westminster SW1A
Explore the State Rooms, Royal Mews and King’s Gallery all in one ticket. A compelling 4‑hour royal experience that includes art, carriages and palace gardens.
Age: Everyone (under‑5s free) | Price: from £30.60 | Info

🩰 Family Sundays @ Royal Opera House
Date & Loc: Sundays from Oct 26–Nov 30, Covent Garden WC2E
Discover opera, ballet and backstage magic through hands-on creative activities, workshops and themed fun in the heart of the Royal Opera House. A great intro for curious kids and their grown-ups.
Shoutout to our reader Emma for this hot tip: tickets are released on Fridays at 1pm and usually book up fast — but she’s never failed to get in by checking a few weeks in advance 😉
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

Let me know what you think! Your feedback helps us keep this section better and more useful for you.

. SPREAD THE LOVE .
Thank you for reading ❤️

Got any comments or suggestions? Feel free to reply; I’d love to hear from you.

Also, if you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with friends!