Padel – the fast-growing tennis-squash hybrid between tennis and squash – now has over 25 million players. To meet the burgeoning demand, Padium is a new padel club in Canary Wharf from the team behind Barry’s Bootcamp. The club has seven indoor panoramic glass courts and one outdoor court. Advanced players will appreciate the 10m indoor ceiling and the excellent floor conditions for a fast-paced game. You’ll also have access to world-class coaches for one-to-one and group sessions. Off court, there are chillout zones, modern changing rooms, a bar with energy drinks and protein shakes, and a pro shop with exclusive clothing from Björn Borg and Babolat rackets. 

10 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14 4JD

Visit Padium.com

Meatopia brings together the best BBQ chefs for a full-on weekend of smoking, grilling and charring. From Thursday 31st August to Sunday 3rd September, more than 70 cooks will set London’s Tobacco Dock ablaze with food, drink and music as the meat masters showcase techniques and dishes using nothing but sustainable wood and charcoal, and responsibly sourced meat, fish and veg. Due to popular demand, an extra day has been added to this year’s event. Tickets cost £27.50.

Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, E1W 2SF

Visit Meatopia.co.uk

Queen’s Park Book Festival returns this weekend with over 20 events and talks. Visitors can listen to talks from authors, comedians, chefs, sportsmen, historians and political correspondents at three sites across the neighbourhood. This year’s highlights include a talk on home cooking from Michel Roux Jr (2nd September at 2.30pm), Sebastian Faulks on his new book The Seventh Son (2nd September at 5.30pm), and a Q&A with Zadie Smith (3rd September at 5.30pm). Talks start from £5.

Various sites

Visit QueensParkBookFestival.co.uk

Regular SLMan readers will know we rate The Ned for a staycation in the capital, so we were pleased to hear it has launched a date-night experience. On Fridays and Saturdays, diners can enjoy live jazz and cabaret with a three-course dinner in The Parlour, its swanky basement restaurant. Tuck into steak tartare or oysters before enjoying dishes from the grill like whole lobster with garlic butter. If you want to go all out, book an overnight stay which includes chocolates in your room on arrival and breakfast the next morning. 

27 Poultry, City, EC2R 8AJ; from 6pm until late

Visit TheNed.com 

Tom Kerridge’s annual food festival has its penultimate event this weekend at Chiswick House and Gardens. Guests can enjoy small plates from Tom’s two Michelin-starred pubs, The Hand & Flowers and The Coach. There will also be a selection of other great UK restaurants and Michelin-starred chefs serving their most popular dishes. Tune into talks and watch demos from Andi Oliver, Si King from The Hairy Bikers, Atul Kochar, McFly’s Danny Jones and Ben Tish. A great day out with the kids, expect live music from The Hoosiers, Apollo Junction, La Roux and Squeeze to name a few. Tickets start from £45.

Burlington Lane, Chiswick, W4 2RP

Visit PubInTheParkUK.com