For CDW26, Wagstaff and Umbrella return with the most impactful ‘Umbrella+Friends’ festival and activation takeover to date!

Centered on the vital theme of Neurodiversity in the Workplace, we have transformed our Brewhouse Yard showroom into a sensory-informed journey exploring how design can empower different minds. We present our ‘Umbrella+Friends’ partner brands and the return of our incredibly popular Puppy Therapy sessions, alongside a thought-provoking talks programme, a live ‘sofa-refurbishment’ second-cycle demonstration, and our on-site ‘London Scene’ LEGO® build workshop for grown-ups.

By bridging industry insights with leading world-class brands and the most engaging activations in EC1, the Wagstaff and Umbrella space will once again prove to be the definitive, ‘not to miss’ destination of Clerkenwell.

INTRODUCING OUR 2026 UMBRELLA + FRIENDS PARTNERS!

Don’t miss exploring our immersive brand zones of curated collections from these global design brands – each showcasing their latest designs, and intersecting aesthetic excellence with sensory wellbeing.

Arco | Savo | Midj | NINE | Paged | Piaval | Wendelbo | Woud plus Plantplan

 

WIN WITH UMBRELLA+FRIENDS AT CDW2026

To celebrate Clerkenwell Design Week, we’re running a social media competition offering our showroom visitors the chance to win 1 of 3 £100 vouchers.

Simply share a photo of your favourite moments in our showroom during CDW and post it on Instagram.

To enter, make sure you follow and tag @umbrellafurniture and @wagstaff_interiors in your post and use hashtag #UmbrellaCDW.

T&Cs: Open to UK residents aged 18+. Competition closes at 23:59 on 31 May 2026.

Winners will be selected at random and contacted via social media. Entries must be original and appropriate, and you must have permission from anyone featured. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative is available.

For full T&Cs, please click here to view; Umbrella & Wagstaff Social Media Competition T&Cs

 

 

Let’s see what’s on…

 

LEGENDARY ‘PUPPY THERAPY’ SESSIONS

19-21 May: Eight daily sessions – 20 minute each session

10:00am, 10;40am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm & 3:30pm

The festival’s favourite wellbeing experience returns!
Our famous Puppy Therapy Sessions offer a daily dose of de-stressing to guarantee a smile. The perfect sensory reset to help you decompress and recharge with a furry friend during the busy CDW schedule.

Strictly ONE booking per person throughout CDW three-day festival, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Multiple day tickets will be CANCELLED.

Click here to BOOK TICKETS via our dedicated Eventbrite page

 

Talks Programme

 

This year’s programme is anchored by two headline talks – don’t miss industry experts discussing the essential neuro-inclusive factors we must all consider across our industry.

 

Wednesday 20 May at 5.00pm

THE SENSES AND SENSIBILITIES OF DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERGENCY

For the neurodivergent mind, the modern office can overwhelm the senses. Chaired by William Knight, Material Matters , this expert panel explores how sight, light and touch shape neurological comfort and inclusion.

Panelists: Ben Ayling, Lundhs Real Stone, Fredrik Franzon from Baux Acoustics, Jordan Waller from Lamnaire, Monique Tollgård representing Eikund and Piers Roberts, from Trinary. The discussion reveals how thoughtful design can calm the senses, support focus and create truly inclusive workplaces.

Stay behind for drinks and refreshments!.

 

Thursday 21 May at 5.00pm

THE SENSORY OFFICE: DESIGNING FOR THE 100%

This panel explores how designing for neurodiversity reshapes workplaces for everyone – the 100%. Moving beyond the ‘average’ user, it examines how high‑energy zones and low‑stimulus refuges can coexist to boost focus and wellbeing. Chaired by Vanessa Champion, Editor, Journal of Biophilic Design.

Panelists: David Potts from the Government Property Agency, Katie Le Chevalier from Planteria Group, Luke Ward from Gensler, Oliver Heath from Oliver Heath Design.

Stay behind for drinks and refreshments!.

Click here to BOOK TICKETS via our dedicated Eventbrite page

 

Daily ‘Drop-in’ Sessions

JOIN THE BUILD: INTERACTIVE LEGO® WORKSHOP

Daily | Free Entry – No Booking Required

Unleash your creativity at our on-site ‘London Scene’ LEGO® station, led by our Fit-Out Division. Open throughout the three-day festival, visitors can drop in at any time to help shape this evolving installation – reflecting the craft, collaboration and attention to detail that underpin our fit out work.

A playful, tactile sensory reset amidst the busy CDW schedule for grown-up Lego enthusiasts.

 

MATERIAL TRUTHS: AN UPHOLSTERY SHOWCASE

Daily | Free Entry – No Booking Required

Upholstery specialist Jade Ilke presents a touch-and-feel materials showcase exploring the good, the bad and the genuinely smarter circular material choices to reduce carbon through refurbishment and minimize harmful materials released into our spaces. Come and handle the evidence.

 

Showroom Hours: 10:00 am – 6.00pm

#CDW2026 #UmbrellaAndFriends