MUST DO: Bloomsbury Festival, Ardizzone and more

Bloomsbury Festival is back

For five leisurely days this week, the gently vibrant streets of WC1 will be full to the brim with artistic, scientific and literary events for all ages and tastes. Parks, museums, galleries, laboratories, public and (normally) private buildings will host over 150 happenings, from a choir in Coram’s Fields to a sound installation by Lena Herzog at the British Museum. Oct 19th to 23rd, bloomsburyfestival.org.uk

Ardizzone: a retrospective

The first major exhibition of the English artist’s work in forty years has just opened at the House of Illustration. Featuring over a hundred pieces from public and private collections that reflect the diversity of his career, you can pore over original illustrations, paintings, prints and ceramics. Until 15th Jan 2017, more info here.

A new school of vino

Want to brush up on the grape before Xmas hits? Local Heidi Cullip is laying on informal classes, from one-evening sessions to four- and eight-week courses. The school is based at the London Irish Centre in Camden Square, the leafy enclave located midway between Camden Town and King’s Cross. The Introduction to Wine is on Thurs 20th Oct; a Christmas special is on Thurs 17th Nov. Tickets here.