Swinging (Not That Kind), Spirits, and Secret Gardens

TOGETHER WITH

Oh hey SW London!

From Bridgerton banquets to polo in the park, secret gardens to the first whistle of the World Cup, here’s what’s happening in your neighbourhood this week..…

Brace yourselves. Wandsworth council tax is set to climb from £525 to £886 by 2028, blamed on a £137m black hole that sat quietly in budget appendices for years, all while we were promised the lowest bills in England. New leadership, eight hard questions, answers due in July. Get the full, eye-watering breakdown.

Britain's biggest land beetle is back, the males swaggering about with their antler-like jaws on sultry summer evenings from now to July. Spot one? Report your sighting to help researchers map these magnificent creatures. Grass up a beetle.

Southfields councillor Emmeline Owens picked up the civic chains on 29 May, taking the top ceremonial job for the year ahead. Meet your new Mayor.

There has been a surge in neighbour disputes where loft conversions, side returns and basement digs across Wandsworth, Richmond and Wimbledon kicked off without the right notices being served. Planning an extension? Read this before you dig.

Get creative for the planet! Join Barnes Common for a free Biodiversity Collage workshop on 15 June at 6pm - a hands-on, collaborative event exploring ecosystems, nature and why biodiversity matters. All materials provided, zero expertise needed. Grab your free spot.

Want to partner with us and get your brand in front of thousands of SW London neighbours? Get in touch: [email protected]

Deloitte ran the numbers. They project UHNW art and collectibles wealth -- already at $2.5 trillion -- to hit $3.47 trillion by 2030.

The institutional world has been quietly preparing for this. Back in 2011, 25% of wealth managers surveyed offered art-related services. In 2024, 51%. Family offices now average a 13.4% allocation to art and collectibles.

And it’s not just because they love art. It’s because they like the math.

These positions were built over decades through private dealer relationships most investors never had. The access just wasn't there.

Masterworks is changing that by allowing individuals to invest in shares of blue-chip artwork by artists like Basquiat, Warhol, and Picasso. Their track record to-date:

Skip the waitlist to join Masterworks.

^{Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.}

Meet the Doghouse Distillery: a laid-back pub by day, a buzzing cocktail bar by night, with spirits distilled from scratch a mile away in Battersea. Cocktails from £9 and London's largest Old Fashioned menu, no less. Go find your new favourite.

The Br3wery Taproom at 97 Moyser Road started life in a shed and now it has teamed up with Naked Loaf Pizzeria, so you can match a proper slice to a proper pint. Pour yourself over here.

MasterChef: The Professionals winner Alex Webb has opened Orion at 75-77 Ridgway, with seafood firmly front and centre. Book before the tennis lot beat you to it.

At 33-35 Abbeville Road, Great British Menu Champion of Champions Nikita Pathakji has opened her own place, a personal take on modern British dining run with her mum and sister. Bag yourself a table.

This Latin American gem is quietly one of the best deals in town. Book a weekday table between 5 and 5.45pm, ask for La Hora Loca, and the cocktails, beers and wines come two for one. Tuesdays bring 20% off the tasting menu too. You are very welcome. Claim your two-for-one.

Lunch, dinner, jazz and candlelight inside a gloriously crumbling Georgian mansion built for a Duke in 1758, all of two minutes from the tube. Brunswick House in Vauxhall is one of those places that feels like a proper discovery. Two minutes from the tube, and absolutely worth the trip. Book your Duke's dinner.

Diary note worth making now: The Wine Circuit is back at Battersea Power Station from 12 to 14 June. Twenty wine stalls, street food, an artisan market, expert tastings and even a drag wine show. Whether you know your Gavi from your Gris or just love a glass, this one's for you. Plan your wine wander.

The Clapham Common Funfair is back from 5-14 June, so treat yourself to a spin on the waltzers. One of London's oldest and most beloved fairs, with over 150 years on the common, this is a great day out for thrill-seekers. Get your thrills here.

On 6 and 7 June, 12pm to 6pm each day, with everything free. A whole weekend of hands-on science, art and discovery across the museum quarter, just up the road. Plan your free day out.

On 6-7 June, over 120 secret and usually closed gardens across London (including Marlborough House) open their gates for London Open Gardens - rooftops, hidden squares, community plots and historic grounds. RHS members save £5. Go explore something beautiful.

The proper Wimbledon warm-up runs at Queen's Club from 6 to 21 June, with top WTA stars confirmed alongside the men's ATP 500 draw. Limited women's tickets still going. Serve yourself some tickets.

From 6 June, this year's free architectural showpiece opens for the season. No ticket, no fuss, just pop in mid-stroll. Go have a wander.

On 6 and 7 June, local artists throw open their homes and studios so you can meet them, see how they work and maybe take a piece home. Grab the trail map and go exploring.

On 6 and 7 June at the Royal Geographical Society, around 40 antiquarian dealers sell original maps from the 15th to 20th century, with prices from about £10. A treat for the curious. Map out your visit.

New mums, this one is for you. Bounce Gym in Wimbledon runs a postnatal strength class every Monday and Wednesday at 11am. 45 minutes to rebuild your energy and confidence, with babies welcome. Led by specialist trainer Jess, it is your time, your pace, your community. Find your people.

Totstars is south London's brilliant blend of sports academy, forest nurseries and adventure clubs for children aged 0-12. From weekend football classes to stay-and-play sessions and holiday camps, little ones can build confidence, make friends and have a brilliant time. See what's on.

Chestertons Polo in the Park gallops back to Hurlingham Park from 5 to 7 June: three days of world-class polo, brilliant food, a luxury shopping village and a legendary Sunday party. England take on South Africa on International Day. Pick your vibe and grab tickets.

The first whistle blows on Thursday 11 June, and the local pubs have been waiting. The Alma in Wandsworth Town launches with live music and, yes, a Gareth Southgate lookalike competition from 6pm. Find your match-day local.

Closing 6 June. The stage telling of Stephen King's much-loved tale of friendship and hope behind bars. Catch it before it breaks out.

From 5 to 7 June, a celebration of filmmakers from around the world, screening across the Odeon, the Rose Theatre and the intimate Rose Studio. See the full bill.

On Saturday 6 June, an afternoon and evening of live music with Beatles tribute The Backbeat Beatles, Bowie tribute David Live, and DJ Tom Ato holding it together in between. See who's playing.

Opening 5 June, a major new exhibition on how the sun and moon have fired human imagination across cultures and centuries. A short hop over the river. Go gaze at the cosmos.

Every Monday evening, Swing Patrol brings Lindy Hop and Charleston to a church hall in Vauxhall. No partner needed, no booking required, just show up. With classes from absolute beginner to advanced, it is one of the friendliest, most joyful ways to spend a Monday night. Get your dancing shoes on.

Fabio and Agnes bring their seasonal Venetian recipes and family stories to a series of cooking classes, all unhurried, generous and the real deal. Book yourself in.

Gousto: Join the food revolution. Choose the recipes you love and get all the ingredients in perfect proportions delivered to your door. 50% off your first order.

Craft Gin Club: Craft Gin Club is the UK's biggest subscription club for gin lovers. Discover the world's best craft gins, delivered to you door. As seen on Dragons' Den!

Craftiosity: Subscription box of modern craft kits, to help crafters unwind and take them on a mini creative adventure.

Got any insider tips, amazing events, or hot local news to share? Something missing that you’d like us to include? Simply hit ‘reply’ to this email and let us know.

We’ll be back next week with another dose of local goodness.

Keep your finger on the pulse of South West London.

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