London Life
Your indispensable guide to the capital
Raise the roof
LONDON is seemingly determined to make the most of the summer —whether the weather wants to play ball or not. In Knightsbridge, SW1, The Berkeley hotel’s rooftop (right) is open to the public for the first time. Lucky visitors can book a table, or stripy, poolside sun lounger, from which to enjoy treats from the new Mexicaninspired and tequila cocktails menus. The views—some of the best in the capital—include bird’seye glimpses of Knightsbridge’s red-brick buildings, the elegant, paint-like swishes of Belgravia’s crescent streets and the tippy tops of Hyde Park’s trees. Booking is essential (www.the-berkeley.co.uk).
In Piccadilly, Fortnum & Mason’s Parlour restaurant, W1, has introduced a new eau de nil—which translates to ‘water of the Nile’— ice cream, available to purchase through August. The limited-edition indulgence is the same colour as Fortnum’s famous façade and tastes like peppermint. Instead of the more traditional Flake, executive pastry chef Roger Pizey’s creation is to be served with a stick of orange Blackpool rock (www. fortnumandmason.com).
Over in St James’s Park, SW1, photographer Lucy Laucht is celebrating the publication of her book Il Dolce Far Niente: The Italian Way of Summer (‘the sweetness of doing nothing’) and the spirit of summer (even if we have to travel to Italy to find it) with an exhibition of her signed and framed prints, as well as paper-cut collages by Caroline Popham. The exhibition at 8 Holland Street gallery, runs until September 28 (www.8hollandstreet. com/events/51).