Five of the best: London's interiors events in July

1. Apsley After Hours

Fridays, on July 6, 13, 20, and 27 and August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at Apsley House, Hyde Park Corner, W1 (020 7499 5676, english-heritage.org.uk)
A grateful nation gave Wellington this magnificent house, known as “Number One, London”, following his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.

Savour its treasures (3,000 artworks) at special summer Friday lates, from 6pm to 9pm, and listen to talks from experts on art and military history.
Tickets: adults, £6.50; concessions, £5.90.

2. Art in Clay

This weekend, from Friday, at Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (artinclay.co.uk)
One of the country’s finest Jacobean mansions holds a three-day outdoor event in marquees in its stately parklands (entrance opposite train station). Meet 200 makers from all over Europe, and buy a pot to take home, from garden urn to jug.

Collectors will seek out Robin Welch, Mary Rich and Svend Bayer, and don’t miss Hilary Simms’ Nautilus bowl in Ashraf Hanna clay (pictured). Find your inner potter in the tents for “throw a pot” and “make and take”. Play areas for children over four, plus talks, demos and awards.

Tickets: adults £8.50; concessions, £8; children under 15, free. Two-day ticket, £15; three-day ticket, £22.50.

3. Festival of Silver

July 10-14, Goldsmiths Centre, 42 Britton Street, EC1 (020 7566 7650, goldsmiths-centre.org)
Elegant contemporary silver catches the light in the new Goldsmiths Centre in Clerkenwell, with its convenient café. Exhibits, mostly for sale, range from those of post-war modernists to rising stars such as Kate Earlam, winner of the Goldsmiths Company Young Designer Silversmith Award 2012.

Silversmith Martyn Pugh has made a limited edition caddy spoon to mark the 2012 Olympics. Special guests are the Belgian father-and-son duo Rob and Jaap Thalen, famous for dramatic vessels and sculpture on a large scale.

Plus pieces from the renowned Pearson Silver Collection, and seminars on 12 July. To book call 01249 656230 or email office@britishsilverweek.co.uk.

Also on until September 29: Post War Winners: 60 Years of British Silver Selling exhibition at The London Silver Vaults (30 shops below ground), corner of Chancery Lane and Southampton Buildings, WC2. Call 020 7242 3844 or visit thesilvervaults.com.

4. The Ceramic Flower Garden at Westminster

Now until August 25, Cromwell Green, Houses of Parliament, SW1
(parliament.uk/artsinparliament)
Peep over the railings of the House of Commons at hundreds of ceramic roses in red and white, hand-thrown by artist Paul Cummins, who was inspired by Pugin’s rose in the architecture at Westminster. The flowers almost seem to be dancing in the wind, but are mounted on rods.

There are many events in Parliament this summer, including theatre and music in Westminster Hall, as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Check the website above for details.

5. Paper Cloud

From now until July 21 at Platform Gallery at Habitat, 208 King’s Road, SW3 (0844 4991 144, habitat.co.uk)
Habitat’s three surviving London shops have been energised by new creative director Polly Dickens. There’s a gallery in the King’s Road branch, with design journalist Suzanne Trocmé as curator. This month sees Liam Hopkin’s cloud-cum-lampshades installation, fashioned from chic new Habitat wallpapers (£25 a roll).