Alex Foch

Next month is the thirtieth anniversary of the Docklands Light Railway, a pioneer of urban light-metro travel, linking the regenerated Docklands area of London with the City. Here are some reasons why we love it. A post shared by Ed Elloway (@edelloway) on May 3, 2017 at 10:42am PDT  Seeing tourists clad in Beatles paraphernalia eagerly getting off at Abbey Road in West Ham never ceases to be funny Still, if you’ve made the pilgrimage, you might as well fake it on the nearest zebra crossing, since Abbey Road in St John’s Wood is ten miles away.  Getting a burst of (relatively) fresh air at every DLR station is a godsend Reportedly, if animals were to be transported on the tube, EU animal welfare laws would be breached. Some might challenge the validity of this comparison post-Brexit, yet the fact that 20 minutes spent on the Northern line has the equivalent effect of smoking a cigarette makes for sombre reading. Thank you, DLR.   The DLR network is less likely to be affected by strike action Hopefully, this will mean that your quickest route to work won’t have to involve a bus, bike, train then boat across the Thames. A post shared by Nicki Petitt (@nickipetitt) on Jun 21, 2016 at 4:17am PDT Forget about Ryanair, you can get to Cyprus for pocket change (sort of) Plus, you’ll have better leg room at this DLR station, won’t get penalised for extra baggage (unless it exceeds two metres in length) and, best of all, won’t h

Wedged between Archway and Kentish Town, leafy Tufnell Park plays host to Simon Pegg’s laidback surreal stoner comedy ‘Spaced’. No surprise then, really, that the area is home to several cosy boozers, whatever the season or weather. If you’re on the lookout a place to warm up before a gig at the Forum, look no further than these four joints: you won’t find a £5 pint of Carling in sight. The Lord Palmerston Whether you live around the corner or on the other side of the world, you will instantly feel at home here with the smiley service and what could quite possibly be the nicest pub toilets in town. Come for the north London-renowned Sunday lunches and Guinness-infused dark chocolate brownies, stay to get involved in the cider festivals, jazz nights and ever-diverse cultural calendar including bread-making and life-drawing classes. Just don’t snort out some chateauneuf-du-pape over one of the lovely leather sofas gathered around the fireplace. 33 Dartmouth Park Hill, NW5 1HU.    The Tufnell Park Tavern Is there anything that the Tufnell Park Tavern can’t provide? Aside from being a Pokémon Go Gym (yes, they still exist), it boasts a coffee shop, a wine bar that puts on a Wednesday Wine Club, a wood-fired pizza oven, as well as a spacious beer garden and convivial seating area around the pub fire. You might even rub shoulders with local celebrities Jezza Corbyn, Damian Lewis, Bill Nighy and the TPT bar cat. The Monday pub quiz starts at 8pm, drawing a sizeable crowd with its a

Kebabs get a hard time, their image sullied by those Saturday nights spent cradling a grease-caked styrofoam box. A trip to Green Lanes will help dispel this myth and is a must for any self-confessed London-based foodie, being the kebab scene’s answer to Rusholme’s Curry Mile in Manchester. However, venture a little further north, past Turnpike Lane, and you’ll come across some of the most authentic kebab joints in the UK. Here are three of them:  A post shared by Capital Restaurants (@capital_restaurants) on Jan 21, 2017 at 8:39am PST Capital Whatever else you do, make sure you come here with an empty stomach; the portion sizes are mammoth. For those fully prepared, why not try the 1.6-metre kebab for size? It comes with 63 chop shish pieces, 32 lamb ribs and 16 chicken wings, among other ingredients. If you’ve patiently worked your way through that lot, the attentive waiters will be poised, waiting to offer complimentary bread, dips and Turkish tea. Don’t fret, vegetarians, as the mezze are impressive, particularly the sarma (stuffed vine leaves) and ispanak tarator (fresh spinach with creamy yoghurt). Capital is also an ideal location for celebrations with its lively atmosphere and stellar service. Make sure you book well in advance, though. Both floors are constantly packed. The Broadway, 1-2 High Rd, N22 6DS.   A post shared by Tarshish (@tarshishlondon) on Apr 25, 2017 at 10:11pm PDT Tarshish Looking fo

Want to witness history in the making? It’s the thirty-seventh London Marathon this weekend so make sure you get down early with a collapsible chair and a packed lunch to catch a glimpse of these fascinating running types. The Mufti Day Runners Alongside queueing, 8C barbecues and saying sorry when sorry is the last thing that you intend to say, dressing up is one of our national sports. London Marathon runners therefore have a God-given right to look utterly ridiculous in the name of Britishness. Previous marathons have witnessed a man lugging around a 42kg fridge on his back, human telephone boxes and countless mankinis that left precious little to the imagination. This year, we’re expecting a sea of orange botox and hairpieces that resemble frozen strands of piss. The Five Minutes of Fame Runners Some people will do anything to get into the spotlight, whether that be faking a kidnapping, starring in a sex tape or just making an excruciatingly bad viral video. Marathon runners can join in on the action by making a lung-bursting effort at the beginning of the race to be amongst the leading pack. Keep your eyes peeled for those passing out, although you’ll probably see re-runs on TV as it’s shown in almost 200 countries worldwide. Not to mention the countless memes. A post shared by Virgin Money London Marathon (@londonmarathon) on Mar 15, 2017 at 4:57am PDT The Golden Oldie Runners These absolute troopers have been tearing up the London Maratho

Combining mesmerising delivery and provocative, imagery-rich lyrics, spoken word is poetry’s more dynamic younger cousin – and for many, it’s also an important outlet for speaking up in a world overrun with fake news. We’re celebrating four stars from the capital’s hotbed of homegrown artists who, luckily for us, are performing here in the coming months.   A post shared by Zoë Buckman (@zoebuckman) on Oct 6, 2016 at 10:17am PDT Sabrina Mahfouz at Clapham Omnibus, Tue Mar 28 Sabrina Mahfouz, raised between London and Cairo, is a multi-talented spoken word artist, having written plays, screenplays and librettos. Her recent collection of poetry, called ‘How You Might Know Me’, follows the bleak day-to-day realities of four sex workers, confronting the audience with taboos and powerful truths, inspired by Mahfouz’s time spent waitressing in London strip clubs where she used to scribble down notes on pieces of till receipt. Her rhyme and flow are a joy to watch live, with witty lyrics that everyone can relate to, showcased in ‘Toilet Break’ and ‘Red Raving Hood’. The event is now sold out, but you can put your name on the waiting list by emailing boxoffice@omnibus-clapham.org.   A post shared by Mari Angelica (@marimindles) on Mar 5, 2017 at 1:56pm PST Kate Tempest at O2 Academy Brixton, Sat May 27 If you’re just beginning to discover the wonderful world of spoken word, Kate Tempest is a good starting point. The Brockley native has made a seamless transition from o

Between all the passive-aggressive notes and the hallway grunting, a quality relationship with your neighbour can be hard to come by. But it's not totally impossible. Check out these three websites that can help rebuild neighbourhood morale, one click at a time.   A post shared by Streetbank (@streetbank_share) on Nov 20, 2014 at 8:53am PST Streetbank So you’re hosting a party next week and you could really do with your neighbour’s barbecue set (not that you’ve been peeking into their garden or anything like that). Streetbank has you covered, listing all manner of tools and whatnot available to borrow in the local area. The exchange of services is also encouraged, which may include language tuition or advice on a range of interests, so even budding competitive dog groomers can find inspiration. Users are also able to declutter their cupboards of forgotten items, such as that dust-covered film projector you haven't used since 'Finding Nemo' came out on DVD. Team London Want to make a difference but don’t have the time or money to fly halfway across the world? With Team London, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own borough. There’s a wide selection of roles on offer, such as child mentors, conservation workers and choppers/stirrers of nutritious surplus food for the homeless. It doubles up as a handy platform for charities to enlist local help. You’re guaranteed to meet fantastic, like-minded people and you can even collect badges to show off about your vo

It's been a horrible winter. Between the four hours of sunlight, feeble attempts to burn off the festive excess and the seeming omnipresence of Donald Trump, laughs have been hard to come by. But at least we've got comedy. Check out this line-up of funny gigs coming up.   A post shared by Pickle Boy (@pickleboycomedy) on Oct 12, 2016 at 3:56pm PDT   Yuriko Kotani: Work in Progress at Pleasance Theatre, Islington Winner of BBC's Radio New Comedy Award, Yuriko Kotani is trying out her new material this month and it'll cost you just a fiver to see it. Listen to her brilliantly awkward observations of life in the UK as a Japanese woman, recounted with her typically deadpan delivery. Carpenter’s Mews, North Road, N7 9EF. February 26, 7.45pm. £5. Helen Thorn at Hen & Chickens Theatre, Islington Helen Thorn, the notoriously brash parenting icon from the Scummy Mummies podcast fame, is trialling her Thorny Questions show before heading back to her native Australia to take on the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Expect a whole host of self-deprecating sketches as she tackles first-world problems, such as that time she found yesterday’s knickers in her jeans on the school run. Hen & Chickens, 109 St Paul’s Road, N1. February 27, 7pm, £8.50. Comedy Grotto at The Star Of Kings, King's Cross Is there anything that the Star of Kings doesn’t do? Nights such as 'Laundry to Do Music To' and a horror book club are a regular feature, yet the jewel in the crown is undeniably the bi-weekly Comed

Feeling inspired by last night’s Superbowl and want to replicate Tom Brady’s five Superbowl haul? Let this beautiful dream become a reality (with an audience nearer to 50 people and the odd smartphone) by joining one of these teams in London.       A photo posted by London Blitz AFC (@londonblitz) on Jan 12, 2017 at 8:51am PST London Blitz If you're looking for regular practice sessions and games in a close-knit team with a proud history, head over to Finsbury Park. The London Blitz play there and you can enrol with a flexible payment option. Some players are internationally-capped, others have made the transition across the Atlantic, with one even making it onto the TV series Gladiators (no, it’s not Wolf). With a bit of training (95 percent of new joiners are beginners), you could be next football hotshot. Finsbury Park Stadium, Endymion Road, N4 2NQ. londonblitz.com     A photo posted by London Warriors (@londonwarriors) on May 10, 2016 at 6:34am PDT London Warriors For those south of the river, there's the reigning UK champions London Warriors in Thornton Heath. Founded in 2007, they are the only Premier South team to offer women’s teams, with both kitted and flag varieties on offer. Notable alumni include former Dallas Cowboy Efe Obada, as well as funnyman Vernon Kay, who must have formed quite a formidable defensive partnership. Streatham-Croydon RFC, 159 Brigstock Road, CR7 7JP. londonwarriorsafc.co.uk     A photo posted by London Olympians AFC (@londo

November saw the Canadian immigration website inundated with applications, which may or may not have been the direct result of the National Hockey League season starting to heat up. Luckily for us Londoners, we don’t have to brave the sub-zero conditions of the North American winter. You can spend an evening watching ten men chase a vulcanised rubber disk at Ally Pally instead. Here are four reasons why you should.   A photo posted by Josh (@jhg401) on Dec 9, 2016 at 6:47am PST Ice hockey matches take place in a much-loved, historic venue Alexandra Palace needs no introduction. Having once been home to the world’s first regular public 'high definition' TV service and London’s only racecourse, the venue has since played host to the Brit Awards, the World Darts Championships and even the Miss World Awards, not to mention musical acts from Led Zeppelin to Jay-Z. It’s cheap as chips Thanks to Groupon, tickets are a total steal at £4 – which is now sadly considered the cost of a reasonably priced pint these days. When you throw in the value for money offered in the Ally Pally café, you're well on your way to an inexpensive Saturday night of boozing, particularly with rinkside drinking permitted (take note, football grounds).   A photo posted by London Haringey Racers (@londonracers) on Nov 6, 2015 at 11:52am PST You won’t be able to take your eyes off the action Where else would you have front row seats as the tussling of bear-like warriors is tempered with end-to-en

Ah, Muswell Hill. The leafy, latté-liberal enclave that has managed to retain a village-like feel partly due to its distance from a tube station. Even though the last few years has seen a high-street makeover and an influx of Yummy Mummies, you know you grew up in Muswell Hill when...   ...there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly ground coffee outside W Martyn.    A photo posted by Sasha Fox (@sashafox90) on Jan 11, 2015 at 10:06am PST   ...you fell in love with reading at the Children’s Bookshop, getting toys at Fagin’s Toys and going to the Phoenix kids’ club in East Finchley.      A photo posted by @thelondonmummyreview on Jan 28, 2016 at 2:40am PST   ...the owner of the New Century barbers has been with you at every stage of your life. You still cling to the hope of getting your picture put up in the shop window.     A photo posted by Ellen Graham (@theboycaleb20) on Sep 15, 2016 at 2:04am PDT   ...you take some of the most underrated greenery in London for granted. This includes Highgate Wood (despite the sky-high café prices), Parkland Walk, Alexandra Park and Cherry Tree Wood.      A photo posted by Sarra Manning (@sarra_manning) on Oct 13, 2016 at 7:36am PDT     ...you feel that the restaurant scene has finally upped its game after years of dreariness. Nowhere is this more apparent than Kennedy Chicken metamorphosing into a Franco Manca. Bring on Bodean’s.     A photo posted by Caroline (@travel_mate_worldwide) on May 28, 2016 at

With the average Londoner's commute being widely quoted at an hour, we simply have to accept that commuting is yet another bodily process - like eating or sleeping. Here's what you can expect when you have the privilege of the long commute.  1. Let's face it. You'll never pluck up the courage to utter a word to the elite group of regulars at your bus stop, but you'll know them inside out. The holidays in the Algarve, the last time they got in a tiff with their partner, their Friday shirt that never has its collars ironed. Believe me, you’ll get cold turkey when they're not around. 2. As a hardened veteran, you'll have ceased caring about your music blatantly filling the tube carriage. Remember the kids that drowned out the upper deck of the bus with polyphonic ringtones? You’ve become the adult version, with those guilty pleasures on your shuffle conveniently doubling in volume whenever the train stops. Cue a series of incredulous death stares reacting to the Madonna powerballad blaring at Borderline ear-splitting levels.  Flickr / Stephen Bartels   3. Your favourite seat in your carriage of choice has been nabbed by your arch-nemesis Banking 'Big-Wig' Barry for the second time this week and your nostrils are millimetres away from a sodden armpit. All is not lost, as you're armed with a predatory instinct for predetermining when seated passengers will disembark. A subtle wandering eye, earmark of the romantic thriller or drop of the shoulder indicate movement. It also can’t

Long tainted by the 1985 and 2011 riots, Tottenham is an underrated part of London, boasting the UK's most ethnically diverse postcode. So what can you expect when you live here, other than not having to Pot Noodle binge the week before your rent payment's due? You know you live in Tottenham when...  ...you grow used to people wincing when you mention where you live I like to play a game with people. How long will it take them to bring up the riots when I tell them I live in Tottenham? The High Road isn't a war-torn Chechen commune unless you brave the North London Derby in an Arsenal shirt.   A photo posted by Beavertown Brewery (@beavertownbeer) on Jul 6, 2016 at 12:56pm PDT   ...you've become a craft beer snob You’ll recognise the zany Beavertown branding served in trendy London burger joints. Make the pilgrimage to taproom Saturdays to quaff two-third pints of keg-fresh Gamma Ray, tour the premises and splash out on a beanie, if you’re so inclined. Don't forget the ever-expanding Redemption Brewery using local ingredients to deliver its seven cask ales. ...you always know where to eat after hours North Londoners rightfully have an ingrained scepticism about kebab joints outside of an N postcode. Green Lanes, the Champs-Elysées of London’s kebab scene, is a stone’s throw away, yet T-Town competes with Umut Ocakbasi, Koyum and the brashly-named Best Kebab in Town. On the chicken front, there's the Chick King institution and the UK’s healthiest chicken shop, not-for-p