Summer in the Square – Cecilia Knapp

Acclaimed poet Cecilia Knapp shares how creativity can be self-care – “Summer in the Square” serves up free Wimbledon and a celebration of food, culture and community

With burnout, digital overload and constant busyness now part of everyday life, more people are looking for simple ways t slow down and reconnect with themselves and those around them.

Which is why, for this year’s ‘Summer in the Square’, London’s much-loved free community festival in Marylebone, Cecilia Knapp, an acclaimed poet, novelist and creative writing facilitator, will be hosting a gentle, wellbeing-focused poetry session designed to help people find joy in creativity, even if they have never written before.

Acclaimed poet Cecilia Knapp shares how creativity can be self-care
– “Summer in the Square” serves up free Wimbledon and a celebration of food, culture and community

The session is built around the idea that everyone can write. Through simple prompts, inspiring contemporary poems and accessible exercises, Cecilia will help participants explore gratitude, small moments of joy and personal reflection, leaving with their own poem and a renewed sense of creative confidence.

Acclaimed poet Cecilia Knapp shares how creativity can be self-care
– “Summer in the Square” serves up free Wimbledon and a celebration of food, culture and community

Cecilia has spent more than a decade helping people discover the power of writing as a tool for self-expression and wellbeing. Her message is simple: you don’t need to be “a creative person” to create.

Small moments of joy can boost wellbeing and adults as well as children need more opportunities to play, create and experiment without pressure. Cecilia sees creativity as self-care, and that’s exactly why poetry is becoming a modern mindfulness tool.

In the usually private Portman Square Garden in Marylebone until Sunday 12 July 2026, the six-day event combines big-screen Wimbledon coverage with a curated programme of food, cultural pop ups, a free wellness programme – bringing a festival to the heart of the city.

Acclaimed poet Cecilia Knapp shares how creativity can be self-care
– “Summer in the Square” serves up free Wimbledon and a celebration of food, culture and community

Open to the whole community, this free-to-attend, week-long extravaganza brings big culture to this rarely accessible central London oasis.

Live Wimbledon screenings, and a varied programme highlighting Marylebone’s independent suppliers, artists, hotels and restaurants including:

• Botanical scent-blending workshops with local Chiltern Street apothecary anatomē,
• A ‘creative prompt’ writing workshop with Author and Poet Cecilia Knapp
• Artist Andrea Tierneyleading musical legacy watercolour sessions inspired by musical history
• A cocktail mixology masterclass by The Churchill Bar
• A creative theatre workshop inspired by “The Tempest”, William Shakespeare’s magical tale of shipwrecks, mystery and enchantment by Marylebone Youth Theatre Workshop
• Physical wellness sessions featuring mat Pilates by Nobu Pilatesand grounding breathwork hosted by Home House.
• And outstanding celebrations of food with The Guest Kitchen, presented by Portman Marylebone, hosting a rotating line-up of standout chefs and restaurants across the week, while a vibrant street food village will serve global flavours, comfort dishes and indulgent sweet treats.

Summer in the Square is the flagship summer event from Make it Marylebone, the destination brand celebrating the neighbourhood’s independent and established businesses, restaurants, hotels, culture and community. The festival brings together many of the people, places and experiences that make Marylebone one of London’s most distinctive neighbourhoods.

Pause, recharge and reconnect. The Wellness Den, supported by Derwent London, returns with a series of yoga, pilates mindfulness and breathwork sessions led by expert practitioners. Alongside this, visitors can take part in interactive workshops and creative experiences designed to inspire and uplift.

Marylebone’s rich cultural history provides the backdrop for artist Andrea Tierney’s watercolour sessions, inspired by the musical legacy of former local residents Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. Meanwhile, visitors can also explore botanical notes and create a tailored summer scent profile in a workshop hosted by anatomē, the London apothecary.

Key dates: Breathwork Workshop with Home House (7 July, 12.30), anatomē Scent-Blending Workshop (8 July, 12.30), Mat Pilates with Nobu Pilates (9 July, 12.30), Watercolour Sessions with Andrea Tierney (10 July, 12.30 and 14.00)

The programme of free workshops continues with The Churchill Bar & Terrace’s Cocktail Masterclass (9 July, 17.30) showing that anyone can mix the perfect summer serve, and a Kamaña Salsa Evening (10 July, 16.00) when the square celebrates Latin America with music, food and culture courtesy of Home House.

Food and drink

Curated by Portman Marylebone, The Guest Kitchen offers a rotating menu of culinary excellence, featuring some of London’s most exciting kitchens:

• On Wednesday, The Montagu Kitchen from Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill brings its renowned open-fire Mediterranean menu to the square.
• On Friday, Angela Hartnett’s Cafe Murano serves relaxed Italian dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients.
• On Saturday, Cantoast offer up a sweet treat with a Hong Kong style French toast menu.
• On Sunday, Donostia brings Basque-inspired tapas and pintxos to the square.

The Home House bar will be bringing refreshing summer serves to the garden bar throughout the week. Expect spritzes, chilled cocktails and effortless elegance to keep visitors refreshed. Attendees will get the fabulous members only premium experience, open to all for one week only.

Running throughout the week, the street food line-up by KERB includes Banzai Kitchen (Authentic Japanese Karaage), Taco Bros (Tacos and Quesadillas), Nanny Bill’s (Hand-pressed burgers, fries and sides), Peel’d (Fresh Poke Bowls), Italian Gelato from Wave Artisan Gelato and Pour will be on hand with coffee and the quintessential Wimbledon treat – Strawberries and Cream.

Summer in the Square takes place from 7–12 July 2026, open daily from 12pm to 8pm at Portman Square Garden, Marylebone, London W1 (nearest tube Marble Arch).

Free to attend, it offers a rare opportunity to step inside this private garden in full summer bloom – an elegant, hidden oasis just moments from Marble Arch and Baker Street.
Workshop bookings can be booked via the website. All activities are free, with optional donations supporting the festival’s charity partner, The Passage.

www.makeitmarylebone.co.uk/summer-in-the-square