What To Do This Weekend 14.11.20

CRACK THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING HERE: Digital Christmas at Selfridges

With only 50 days until Christmas, department store Selfridges has unveiled its ‘Once Upon A Christmas’ campaign in store windows and digitally online. Despite store closures, Selfridges remains committed to giving its customers imaginative solutions to help them to prepare for Christmas. This year’s take on Selfridges’ famous Christmas windows have now been unveiled in the London, Birmingham and Manchester stores to inspire some extra Christmas cheer. Customers can get help with all their Christmas shopping with a range of services and virtual shopping appointments with the expert ‘Elfridges’ team across all store categories. You can also take advantage of the Selfridges hamper service, specialist fashion and beauty appointments and a click & collect drive and walk-up service in Selfridges London, Manchester and Birmingham. Customers are still able to visit the famous Foodhall in London, too. 

Visit Selfridges.com

GET INTO THE FESTIVE SPIRIT HERE: Daylesford Christmas Sandwich

One of the highlights of the festive season has to be the many limited-edition foodie releases – think Starbucks Christmas cups and Pret sandwiches. For something a little more luxe, head down to Daylesford to sample its organic turkey toastie, which is stuffed with some of Daylesford’s hero produce, including organic Bronze turkey, Christmas kraut and truffled penyston cheese – all held together by thickly cut slices of toasted fresh sourdough bread. Priced at £9.50 and launching on farmshop menus in London and the Cotswolds this week for takeaway, Londoners can also order theirs via Deliveroo. 

Visit Daylesford.com

KEEP KIDS BUSY IN THE KITCHEN HERE: Pan-n-Ice DIY Ice Roll Kits 

Having launched back in 2015, the founders of rolled ice-cream brand Pan-n-Ice have seen huge success – setting up across locations such as Selfridges, Topshop Oxford Street and Harvey Nichols. Now, they’re bringing their much-hyped product to the masses by releasing their lockdown-proof DIY Ice Roll Kits. Named by Deliveroo as one of the best ice-cream parlours in the UK, Pan-n-Ice’s at-home kits guarantee the same great experience and taste without having to leave the house. Inside the ‘Ultimate’ pack, you’ll find all the tools you need to recreate some of the brand’s bestsellers, including vanilla ice-cream ready to combine with the likes of Nutella, Biscoff, Reese’s and Kinder Bueno. Also included are toppings – think chocolate sauce, sprinkles, Ferrero Rocher, popping candy, Mikado Sticks and rainbow drops.  The vegan pack (£59.95) comes with coconut ice-cream, Oreos, chocolate and strawberry sauce, and signature vegan toppings.

Visit Pan-N-Ice.co.uk

TAKE IN SOME CULTURE HERE: Leila Alaoui, Rite of Passage

Somerset House is now offering a virtual tour of its new exhibition Leila Alaoui: Rite of Passage, guided by award-winning broadcaster and cultural commentator Ekow Eshun. Forming the first major UK retrospective of works from the celebrated French-Moroccan photographer, video artist and activist, the exhibition opened to coincide with 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in October. For those who missed its opening weeks, the virtual tour offers the opportunity to discover Alaoui’s timely and moving work, and gain insight into the evolution of her practice, before she was tragically killed in a terrorist attack at the age of 33 while working on a photography project promoting women’s rights in Burkina Faso in 2016. The tour introduces three of her defining series: No Pasara which documents the lives of North African migrants trying to reach Europe; Natreen (We Wait) follows families trying to flee the Syrian conflict; and Les Marocains meets the many individuals who make up the multifaceted fabric of contemporary Morocco.  

Visit SomersetHouse.org.uk

ENJOY HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS HERE: Paul’s The Bread Market

French artisan bakery Paul has reopened ‘The Bread Market’ at its central bakery in Acton, selling freshly baked loaves straight from the oven. This initiative was originally put in place during the first lockdown to help support the widespread demand for fresh bread and has opened its doors again with the same intentions. Customers can also enjoy ‘buy one get one free’ on all 400g and 800g loaves including the pain de campagne, multigrain, two olives and – for something sweet – the cramique brioche. The Bread Market is open seven days a week from 8am-3pm, with click & collect available and same-day delivery via UberEats and Deliveroo.

Visit Paul-UK.com

HAVE FUN WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY HERE: Virgin Experience Days’ Escape Room Bundle

Get together for a series of fiendish online escape rooms with this lockdown-friendly bundle, courtesy of Virgin Experience Days. Available to play right away with up to eight players, you and your team will have to work against the clock to unravel the mysteries hidden within each one. Follow the scent via a series of audio and video files as you work through each challenging narrative, navigating a series of puzzles. With different themes to choose from – including CSI Stranglehold, Sherlock Holmes, Mansion Impossible and Mainstage Mayhem – there’s something to suit every taste. Check out the rest of Virgin’s virtual experiences which are designed to keep you busy in lockdown 2.0 – we also have our eye on the online whiskey tutorial and chocolate truffle-making workshop.

Visit VirginExperienceDays.co.uk

TUCK INTO SOME FINE DINING HERE: The Wild Rabbit at Home

Now’s your chance to experience some of the The Wild Rabbit’s award-winning fine-dining menu in the comfort of your home. Head chef Nathan Eades has crafted a three-course menu showcasing the restaurant’s most popular seasonal dishes, while all its sustainable credentials are reflected in the at-home kit, with ingredients impeccably sourced from nearby farmers and artisans, including Daylesford Farm. Priced at £65 and serving two people, including vegetarian alternatives, each meal is paired with a bottle of wine from Chateau Léoube, the restaurant’s sister estate in Provence. Every order will be expertly prepared by Nathan and his team and include simple step-by-step instructions on how to finish and present the meal at home. The Wild Rabbit at Home must be ordered in advance by 5pm each Wednesday for collection on either Friday, between 5-8pm, or Saturday, between 10am-12pm – with nationwide delivery options also available now.

Visit TheWildRabbit.co.uk