From West End plays and gallery reopenings to brunch spots, here are five of the best things to do with family and friends in London from June 26 to July 2.

1 The Crucible, West End

The National Theatre’s Crucible is restaged for the West End this summer. Directed by Olivier Award-winning Lyndsey Turner and with set design by Tony Award-winning Es Devlin, Arthur Miller’s gripping parable gets a contemporary makeover as it tells the tale of Salem’s witch hunt and a group of young women who now find their voices have power, for once. The production features House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock as Abigail Williams and Caitlin FitzGerald from Succession and Masters of Sex as Elizabeth Proctor.

Date: Running until September 2

Tickets: From £20

Address: Gielgud Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6AR

Website: thecrucibleonstage.com

2 Young V&A opening weekend, Bethnal Green

The anticipated opening of Young V&A, a new national museum dedicated to children and young people, is finally here. Striving to be ‘the world’s most joyful museum’, the three interactive galleries offer tactile hands-on creative experiences for children aged from new born to 14-years-olds. It will open with the Sound It Out display which features original poems inspired by the V&A’s collections by leading authors like Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Valerie Bloom, Liz Brownlee, Bob Raczka and Michael Rosen. Also look out for a life-size Joey the War Horse puppet, a Microlino car suspended from the ceiling, Star Wars’ Jabba the Hutt and conservation-approved slime. 

Date: Saturday, July 1

Tickets: Free admission

Address: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

Website: vam.ac.uk

3 DIVA, V&A

This is celebration of the female performing powerhouses, from the Opera goddesses of the Victorian era to today’s global megastars. The V&A’s major summer exhibition explores the idea of being a diva and how this has been subverted or embraced over time across opera, stage, popular music, and film through fashion, photography, costume music and performance. Let’s hope Diana gets a mention.

Dates: June 24 – April 7

Tickets: From £20

Address: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL

Website: vam.ac.uk

4 Brunch and Workout at Yauatcha City's Summer Terrace

Be decadent and guilt free at this brunch, which puts you through your paces before heading into a three course brunch. A partnership with John Reed Fitness, brunchers start with a specially tailored fitness class – either high intensity or low impact – before moving on to Yauatcha City for your meal on the dim sum restaurant’s terrace that comes with two Patron tequila cocktails. On every Saturday until September 29.

Price: £50 per person

Address: Broadgate, EC2M 2QS

Website: sevenrooms.com

5 National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square

The National Portrait Gallery reopens June 22, after closing to the public in spring 2020. The new look gallery features a complete re-hang of its collection, as well as new spaces and an extensive programme of activities. It also opens with two exhibitions – one a collection of photographs taken by Paul McCartney as the Beatles were coming into fame and the other on pioneering fashion photographer, Yevonde. Also, don’t miss the First Look Festival, headlined by Stanley Tucci, with s an in-conversations with Paul McCartney, Tracey Emin and architect Jamie Fobert, as well as workshops, DJ sets, artist talks and tours.

Date: Reopens June 22

Tickets: Entrance is free, but book in advance; exhibitions from £15

Address: St. Martin's Place WC2H 0HE

Website: npg.org.uk