Exhibition October 2–11 ‘Harriet Bane & Georgina Warne’, Jonathan Cooper Park Walk Gallery, 20, Park Walk, London SW10. Birds and animals in watercolour, stoneware, earthenware and porcelain (020–7351 0410; www.jonathancooper.co.uk)
Lectures October 1 ‘The Unlovable Church’, St Paul’s Covent Garden, Bedford Street, London WC2. Matthew Rice discusses some of the less well-known examples of ecclesiastical architecture featured in his Rice’s Church Primer, followed by a recital from Pavel Timofeyevsky. 5.30pm for 6.30pm, tickets cost £27.50, including drinks and canapés (www.nadfas.com)
October 7 A. N. Wilson on Queen Victoria, Hatchards, 187, Piccadilly, London W1. The writer on his groundbreaking new biography of the monarch. 6.30pm, tickets £8, redeemable against the purchase of the book on the night and including a glass of wine (020–7439 9921; www.hatchards.co.uk)
October 3–12 The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, various venues, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Speakers include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sarah Waters, Geoffrey Boycott and Alan Titchmarsh (0844 880 8094; www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature)
October 8–12 Hay Walking Festival, in and around Hay-on-Wye, Powys. A full programme of guided walks graded according to their length and difficulty. Booking advisable (01497 822423; www.haywalking.org)
What to book this weekend October 10 An evening with John Goodall, Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. Explore the history of the country house in general (and Gothic Revival Ettington Park in particular) with Country Life’s Architectural Editor. Tickets £55, including a three-course dinner (01789 450123; www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/countrylife)
December 15 ‘Twelve Christmas Wines’, Berry Bros & Rudd, 3, St James’s Street, London SW1. Tutored cellar tasting with buying director Mark Pardoe MW. 6.30pm, £65 (0800 280 2440; www.bbr.com)
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Vertigo at Victoria Falls, a sunset surrounded by lions and swimming in the Nile: A journey from Cape Town to CairoWhy do we travel and who inspires us to do so? Chris Wallace went in search of answers on his own epic journey the length of Africa.
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A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
