Pop-ups, exhibitions, experiences and new street-side dining make the King’s Road in Chelsea the coolest place to take in London’s summer vibes. Heading to London this summer? Here’s what to know and where to go!
Music in Sloane Square
Offering people-watching and imbibing at its best, Summer in Sloane Square brings together four SW1 favourites in one elegant alfresco pop-up. Great for a summer meet-up with friends and family, this little oasis is positioned right outside the tube station. The Royal Court Theatre,  Côte, The Botanist and new Italian seafood restaurant Azzurra have joined to offer a smorgasbord of special tasting plates and dishes, with cocktails, coolers and champagne. There will be live music performances every Thursday from 6-7 pm until 31st August. Organised in partnership with The Pheasantry, the exciting line-up of artists can be found here. With ample seating for over 240 guests, Summer in Sloane Square is open daily from 11.30 am to 10 pm. https://www.kingsroad.
Summer on the Terrace —Mexican-style
A cool fusion of Mexican art, cuisine and tequila will flow onto the King’s Road this July as Ixchel, London’s hottest new restaurant and Tequilla Bar, has launched its new Patron Summer Terrace.  There are six delectable new cocktails including Honey Tequila Spritz, Spicy Watermelon Margarita and Strawberries & Cream Margarita to sip in the sun-drenched setting (open daily from noon until 10 pm). Lunchtime diners can also enjoy a new summer set menu created by head Chef, Ximena Gayosso. The three-course experience features the freshest tastes from Mexico and is available from 12 pm – 3 pm, Monday – Friday every week. Sharing-plate style dishes include short rib taco, smoky adobo and pineapple salsa; also a squash blossom quesadilla with Swiss chard and courgette flower. www.ixchellondon.com
A new animal-themed art trail is great for kids
New Art Trail
Arty, animal-loving kids will ‘Go Wild’ for the new free art trail weaving its animal magic along the King’s Road this summer. Six largescale bronze sculptures – hot from a world tour – will enjoy their new King’s Road home until 30 August. Created by British and Australian artists, Gillie and Marc and in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the ‘Kids go Wild’ trail aims to raise awareness of endangered animals. Part of the wider Kensington and Chelsea Art Week, each statue features a supporting QR code enabling children and adults to find out about the different animals’ lives, needs, and threats. For more information visit: https://www.kcaw.co.uk/
Bold Summer Line Up at the Royal Court TheatreÂ
The world premiere of ECHO (Every Cold-Hearted Oxygen), runs at the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in London from 13-27th July. Performers include: Fiona Shaw, Benedict Wong, Sheila Atim, Adrian Lester, Jeremy O. Harris, Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem, Monica Dolan, Meera Syal, Jodie Whittaker, Mawaan Rizwan, Jessica Gunning, Nick Mohammed, Toby Jones and Kathryn Hunter.
This new work from Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, NASSIM) and director Omar Elerian (NASSIM, Misty, two Palestinians go dogging), will see a different performer take to the stage at each show, completely unprepared for what they will be asked to do. The script will be their guide as they journey through the story of the playwright, connected live from his flat in Berlin. Or is he?  https://
Also new and running from 22 August to 21 September is G, a bold, visceral play from writer Tife Kusoro, about three Black boys living under the threat of a spirit called Baitface the Gullyman. https://royalcourttheatre.
A varied programme of events is ready at London’s National Army Museum
Day Out at The National Army Museum
A trip to the National Army Museum is a great day out, with free entry to all galleries and temporary exhibitions. Families can see life through the eyes of British soldiers and uncover the bigger picture of how the Army has shaped our world and lives.
From marching in time to beating out a rhythm and getting hands-on with gallery interactives to enjoying a Play Base session*, there’s plenty is going on.
Plus, over the summer holidays (25 July – 30 August) a varied programme of events sets the tone for family-fun.
Highlights include getting involved in a giant interactive Cold War game and learning how to make a parachute to Blitz-time storytelling, military hat making and learning all about survival skills and spying.
To find out more visit https://www.nam.ac.uk/
Chelsea’s Saatchi Gallery hosts several events and exhibitions this summer
Saatchi Gallery – Beyond Fashion, Lates and Free Summer Exhibitions
The King’s Road knows a thing or two about art and fashion – and new for summer its Saatchi Gallery has a packed creative programme. Telling the story of how fashion photography went beyond its commercial beginnings to become an art in its own right is Beyond Fashion. Split into four themes: Allure, Fantasy, Realism, and Surrealism, it features works by legendary photographers such as Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber as well as new, up-and-comers.
Alongside the main programme, launching on 2nd August for a summer run, the gallery has three new free exhibitions. These include Yoi, featuring works from nine artists belonging to Munupi Arts & Crafts Association of Australia’s Northern Territories, each using distinctive mark-making techniques of Tiwi Art. Also, Painting, Smoking, Eating casts a satirical look at paintings about painting; while  The Landscape, Reimagined presents a small, internationally based group of emerging and early mid-career artists who have each put a bold new spin on landscape painting.
Plus, taking art into the evening, bookending the summer programme there are two Summer Lates sessions. Open from 6:30 pm-9 pm, they include entry to the gallery and Beyond Fashion exhibition, a drinks bar and a guided life drawing class.
On 26 July, using only fabrics and pins, models will form creative silhouettes for a Draped Drawing class; while on 6th September there will be a Strike a Pose: ‘Voguing’ life drawing.  For more information www.
Summer Sales
A trailblazer when it comes to fashion, the King’s Road is one of those few addresses that can lure brands seldom seen on British the high street. From the likes of Alo Yoga,  Varley and  Farm Rio to Wyse London, Aspiga, Ganni, Luca Faloni,RIXO, Sandro and ME&EMÂ
Even high street brand H&M chose the King’s Road as the location for its first concept store recently – a handpicked curation’ of its most luxurious and fashion-forward designs, with beauty, accessories and styling services. https://www.
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For more information visit https://www.kingsroad.
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