LET’S GO OUTSIDE 
Summer is here and that can only mean one thing: the return of the Fortnum & Mason Terrace at The Royal Exchange. Enjoy alfresco drinking and dining, Monday to Friday, with the backdrop of our grand entrance and the City of London. 

MATCH POINT
Wimbledon is in full swing (quite literally) and although there’s little chance of Britain winning any medals at this stage, The Championships are still a great excuse to indulge in some summer fun. Wimbledon may forever be associated with Pimm’s, but Oeno House is taking part with a limited-edition Wimbledon Wine Flight. Three exquisite bottles, expertly chosen by the sommelier team at the rare wine boutique, are served with a delicious selection of Italian cheese and charcuterie. The wine flight includes a 2014 Blanc de Blancs from UK winemakers Nyetimber and a drop of Cuvée Monsignori Assyrtiko 2018 from Santorini-based Estate Argyros. The flight will be available throughout July and costs £65 per person. Pay a visit to Oeno House at The Royal Exchange to discover more.

PEARLY QUEEN 
Pearl jewellery is having a moment. Far from being the kind of trinkets you’d find in your grandmother’s jewellery box, modern designers are creating striking and contemporary heirlooms. We love the pearl and knot designs by bespoke jewellers Vashi, which feature single organic pearls on 18kt yellow gold. The subtle ‘knot’ design symbolises eternal love, so these pieces make fantastic alternative wedding day jewellery or a sentimental gift for that someone special. Pearl and Knot necklace, £550; Eat Jacket and Stud Set, £780; Vashi at The Royal Exchange. 

THIRST QUENCHER
We’ve had a few scorching days so far this summer – and staying hydrated in the heat is of the utmost importance. Eschew single-use plastic and invest in one of Georg Jensen’s stylish Sky Water Bottles, new for summer 2022. These sleek stainless steel bottles – available in four colours – were designed by Copenhagen-based Aurélien Barbry, who is behind Georg Jensen’s popular Sky homeware range. The organic shape and functional design of the bottle is a masterclass in Scandi design. From £29, available from Georg Jensen at The Royal Exchange. 

THE WRITE WAY 
This month, The Royal Exchange is delighted to host a unique exhibition dedicated to writer Aphra Behn. This prolific and fascinating 17th-century playwright (and one-time spy) was lightyears ahead of her time, but was effectively ‘cancelled’ for centuries due to her progressive and sometimes risqué work. Today, however, she is hailed as a feminist icon – and reportedly England’s first woman to make a career from writing. So much so that the Canterbury Commemoration Society is on a mission to have a statue of her erected in her hometown. The exhibition at The Royal Exchange – a building that featured in many of Behn’s plays – consists of four bronze maquettes of the writer, with visitors invited to vote for their favourite to be later made into a full-size statue. Discover more about the exhibition and the intriguing life of the enigmatic playwright with our Amazing Aphra article. cantcommsoc.co.uk