There’s no more denying it, no more telling yourself that the sub-zero wind is just a gentle breeze, or that your hand-shaking shivers are just down to last night's dodgy tequila - WINTER IS COMING. On Sunday the clocks go back and it’s officially the end of the British summer time. Don't be fooled by that extra hour in bed bollocks, it's about to get cold and icy; the sun will become a distant memory and London will turn apocalyptic with city workers looking even more ashen-faced than usual. But before you resign yourself to falling into the black hole of Channel 4 dating programmes (Naked Attraction, anyone?) take a look at our list of the best things to do once the clocks go back.
Swap nighttime partying for dawn raves with Morning Gloryville
You can thank those pesky Scottish farmers for the lighter mornings, meaning if you want to see the sun during the week you’re going to need to get up early. One event that is going to shove the sunny, sparkly happiness right back into your life is Morning Gloryville. Get up at 6.30am and join the chipper folks down at Oval Space in Hackney for an early morning rave sans alcohol. That’s right, no 2-4-1 Jagar Bombs to get you bopping like a lunatic, but by this point your body will most probably so starved on vitamin D it will be high anyway. Throw in those exercise endorphins, live DJs playing high-octane tunes, yoga classes, coffee, masseuses and cuddle angels and you are going to love this clocks going back business.
Do yoga as the sun rises at Yoga With A View
Getting up at sunrise sounds like the kind of torture reserved for catching cheap Easyjet flights and waking up from the white wine crash, but Yoga with a View is different. It’s worth the groggy start and under the breath swearing at the alarm as yogi Zoe takes you through various stretches and poses to dance music. Taking place in Urban Coterie in Shoreditch, you will go from zero to hero as the sun slowly rises above the London skyline; plus, you finish the session with a breakfast bowl created by a Michelin-starred chef - all for only a tenner.
Get all campfire-y with The Nest Collective
We spend all winter dreaming of summer festivals which, when they eventually arrive, are usually a mud-splattered, rain-soaked affair. We say go for the winter festival with The Nest Collective. The organisation will be putting on a night of acoustic singers and performers all completely unplugged. Imagine what life used to be like before the electric blanket (still in fashion, people) and warm yourself round the fire or go back to the good old days and listen to the singers without the help of electric sound systems. There will be food and booze to keep you doubly warm, and it’s in the seriously atmospheric St Mark’s Church in Dalston - bet you can’t get that snuggly atmosphere in the summer.
Learn a new skill with Nicole Line Workshops
Admittedly, now that the clocks have gone back we can no longer spend our days lying in the park drinking cider. Think of all that spare time on your hands, you could read War and Peace which you’ve been putting off since June, claiming you’ll save it for a cold winter’s night. Do you know what? Don’t bother with that dead bloke’s long-winded clap trap, set yourself an achievable task of learning a new skill with Nicole line instead. From print screening all the way to wood engraving, her workshops are fun and fascinating, and you’ll have your Christmas presents sorted.
Learn how to craft at a Nicole Line workshop.
