What To Do, See & Buy: Cole & Son; Quentin Blake; British Museum; The Modern Pantry at Harrods; The Varsity Hotel; Preen Line

Bird calls

When the Queen stares idly at the wall, wondering what to have for lunch or whether she really ought to just sack off and go on a cruise, there's a good chance she's looking at wallpaper designed by Cole & Son. The leading designers, who have done work for Buckingham Palace, have stunning new designs by Fornasetti. Best in show is this beguiling print (see gallery): Ucelli. £180 per panel, cole-and-son.com

Dinner with the stars

The Varsity Hotel, famed for its roof garden and views of Cambridge, is hosting an evening of dinner, drinks – and astronomy. The head of the Cambridge Astronomical Society will explain the cosmos while you sip and dine. £45, Thurs, thevarsityhotel.co.uk

Blake's heaven

There's every likelihood that the mere sight of Quentin Blake's illustrations gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, thanks mainly to his collaborations with Roald Dahl. But there is more to the artist and former children's laureate. A new book, Beyond the Page, is the story of Blake's many artistic adventures of the past 10 years, including illustrating walls in children's hospitals. £19.99, shop.tate.org.uk

Venus rising

A new show at the British Museum (a rather good one about Ice Age art) can only mean one thing: new goodies in the gift shop! Pick of the Palaeolithic pack is a resin replica of the Venus of Grimaldi, a 25,000-year-old carving found in Italy. It is among the earliest known representations of the human form in art and while this Venus is no Botticelli painting, she remains a thing of eerie beauty. £90, britishmuseumshoponline.org

Pot luck

Foodie fans should not miss the temporary residency of The Modern Pantry at Harrods. Specially for the occasion, award-winning chef Anna Hansen has made a new range of jams, several spices and chutneys galore. Fresh food from their enviable menu is also available. Spice and ingredients from £3, relishes, chutneys and jams from £4.50, themodernpantry.co.uk

Pinky, perky

Preen Line is the contemporary branch of Victoriana-obsessives Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi's upmarket Preen label. Of course, there's nothing 19th century about this sleek, stretch-knit number (see gallery). Great lines, great colours, but word of caution, wear it round the office and you will attract the nickname 'Pink Panther'. £265, net-a-porter.com