Alex Sims

We’re deep into December. That means any Grinches and festive naysayers must finally succumb to the tidal wave of tinsel that’s hit London as Christmas draws ever closer.  Get stuck into the festive feels with a visit to one of the many carol services taking place across the city, from candle-lit affairs in churches to pub singsongs, hit up a Christmas party at one of London’s best venues or head to Shakespeare’s Globe to see a fairytale reimagined by poet Simon Armitage.  Still doing your best to block out all the tinsel? There’s lots more on offer without the danger of hearing a Michael Bublé cover of Jingle Bells. Head to the National Theatre to see Max Webster’s fabulously camp production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest starring current Dr Who, Ncuti Gatwa (it’s sold out, but you can still queue for standing tickets and bag a seat in the Friday Rush), stand beneath Parmigianino’s stunning painting ‘The Vision of Saint Jerome’ at the National Gallery and see the Science Museum’s new exhibition exploring the scientific discoveries that took place at the palace of Versailles. Consider London your cultural advent calendar – it’s time to fill up your diary with daily titbits. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.   

Hello December. There’s no getting away from it, Christmas is here and London is thick with festive events. You be hard-pressed to avoid the jollities, so you might as well get stuck in. If you want a full-festive hit head to one of the many carol services taking place across the city, from candle-lit affairs in churches to pub singsongs, hit up a Christmas party at one of London’s best venues or head to Shakespeare’s Globe to see a fairytale reimagined by poet Simon Armitage. Still doing your best to block out all the tinsel? There’s lots more on offer without the danger of hearing a Michael Bublé cover of Jingle Bells. Head to the National Theatre to see Max Webster’s fabulously camp production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest starring current Dr Who, Ncuti Gatwa (it’s sold out, but you can still queue for standing tickets and bag a seat in the Friday Rush), stand beneath Parmigianino’s stunning painting ‘The Vision of Saint Jerome’ at the National Gallery, or see rockers Slipknot at the O2. Consider London your cultural advent calendar – it’s time to fill up your diary with daily titbits. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

There’s no better place for a getaway on the French Riviera than the Mediterranean port city of Marseille. Looking for picture-postcard limestone coves? You’ll find them in the sublime surroundings of Calanques National Park. Want to feel the sea breeze in your hair on a boat trip down the Med? Hop on board at the Vieux Port. Up for exploring super-cool arts venues and decades-old independent shops? Get lost in Le Panier’s ancient warren of streets.  Whether you want to gorge on brilliant food, laze on beaches of all shapes and sizes, take in world-class museums, or hang out on spectacular rooftop bars, Marseille has it all. This means you’ll need a cosy spot to retreat to after a day of exploring to make your trip all the sweeter. We’ve rounded up the very best Airbnbs in Marseille to make your holiday sing. From cosy apartments with views of the port to strikingly modern seaside villas with glistening pools, these are the best places to rest your head and more in Marseille.  RECOMMENDED: 📍See things to do in Marseille⛴Check out the best boat trips in MarseilleWho makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

There’s no better excuse than Christmas to plop yourself on the sofa, put on a Yuletide classic and not move for hours. But, if you can bear to pull yourself off the couch (and, trust us, you should), you can experience all the joy of festive film-watching but elevated at one of London’s many Crimbo movie screenings. Cinema snacks are infinitely better than ones you have to make yourself at home and who else will you laugh, groan and cry along with if you’re all on your own in the house? If you need more reason to head out to the flicks, London’s going to give it to you. You want special? It’s got it, from cinema sing-alongs to Christmas movies like The Holiday and Love Actually accompanied by live orchestras. Here are the best Christmas movie events the capital has to offer in 2024. RECOMMENDED:🎄 Read our full guide to Christmas in London.🍿 The 50 greatest Christmas movies.

Known as ‘La Ville Rose’, or ‘The Pink City’, thanks to the unique pink stone used to build its winding streets of picture perfect townhouses, Toulouse is a sunny, bustling and extremely friendly city that should join your French travel check list alongside Paris and Nice. Not only will you find dazzling architecture, elegant squares, lively markets, picturesque river banks, but also a busting nightlife and a food scene that’s up there with the best in the country.  If you really want to get under the skin of this peachy paradise you’ll need a good base where you can settle down after a long day’s sightseeing and plan your next adventure. From romantic historic penthouse apartments with dazzling views over the rosy rooftops to charming cabins in the surrounding leafy countryside, these are the best Airbnbs to book now and complete your perfect stay in Toulouse.  Updated December 2024: Want to keep it cheap and cheerful, but never bland? Take a peek at this top-floor apartment in Minimes. RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in La Rochelle Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Looking to stay in one of the coolest and most vibrant cities in France? Lyon ticks everything off your Français wish list: UNESCO-approved architecture, some of the best restaurants in the country, buzzing cafes and bars and pretty villages and vineyards in the sprawling countryside beyond offering a truly bucolic break.  If you want to pack it all into your itinerary, you’ll need the perfect base where you can rest, recoup and start planning the next day’s adventures. So we’ve rounded up the very best Airbnbs in the city (and beyond) to truly put the cherry on top of your holiday. Whether you want a city centre loft in Lyon’s bohemian enclave or a country retreat in the middle of a vineyard, these boltholes are ready and waiting to make your stay perfect.  Updated December 2024: We couldn't help but sneak a few new ones on this list, and we wanted you to have first dibs. Check out this terraced studio in the heart of Lyon and tthis trendy, elegant apartment in the 6th. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

You’ll find murals and graffiti reading ‘Keep Portland Weird’ all over this Pacific Northwest city and its quirky, ramshackle, artsy charm is what makes it special. Oregon’s best-known city is a place of thriving underground art scenes, uber cool wine bars, craft beer taprooms, very serious coffee shops and buzzing live music. Whether you want to get lost in one of the largest independent books shops in the world, eat doughnuts the size of your head, explore gorgeous Japanese gardens or cycle across the city’s many famous bridges – it’s all here.  It means you’ll need somewhere cosy to bed down for the night after a long day’s sightseeing and all these wonderful hotels manage to provide luxe comfort while losing none of the eccentricity Portland is famed for. Boasting famous art, al fresco terraces, revival architecture and atmospheric eateries, these are the best hotels to book in Portland, Oregon right now.  RECOMMENDED:Best things to do in PortlandBest Airbnbs in PortlandBest restaurants in Portland Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Whether you’re a regular in church or only step into one occasionally to admire the architecture, you can’t deny the impact that hearing carols reverberating around the spires can have on your festive mood. Carol concerts are peak Christmas and London plays host to a variety of them in the run-up to the day. There are events to suit all styles and moods, from the iconic splendour of St Paul’s annual concerts to glam charity bashes and events that highlight cultural traditions. In between all the hubbub of the Christmas season, from light displays, festivals and big events, one of the city’s carol concerts will provide the perfect moment of respite and reflection. RECOMMENDED: Our comprehensive guide to Christmas in London

January 2025 might seem like aeons away right now amid the festive chaos but pretty soon we’ll be polishing off the last of the Quality Street, belting out Auld Lang Syne and committing to a punishing new exercise regime.  The first month of the year gets a pretty bad rep, what with the depleted bank accounts, freezing temperatures and general post-Christmas malaise that it usually entails, but January is the ideal time to discover London on a budget and without the crowds. Many of city’s very best theatre and musicals, restaurants and bars – ranked definitively by Time Out's crew of expert local editors – offer discounted tickets and cheap meal deals. Spend cold, clear days walking off all that Yule log in glorious parks and spectacular walking routes. Cosy up with drinks on a beautiful heated winter terrace, or in one of the 100 best pubs in the city. And catch up on magical lights, winter wonderlands and Christmas shows before they disappear.  Recommended: Bookmark our regular weekend guide for even more things to do in the city.

It’s hard not to fall in love with London all over again at Christmastime. In the run-up to December 25 each year, the city becomes a glittering wonderland of all things festive, from gorgeous light displays to quaint markets with warming mulled wine and pressie perfect trinkets, a packed calendar of Crimbo events to gleaming ice rinks. But all of that would feel like it was missing something if a whole host of eye-catching Christmas trees didn’t also accompany it. London’s festive firs (and quirky ‘trees’ made out of all manner of creative materials) are the jewels in the crown of its Yuletide makeover, and there are so many to go and marvel at. Trafalgar Square’s annual gift from Norway comes backed by heartwarming tradition and Covent Garden’s doesn’t hold back when it comes to a bit of sparkle. The city’s bougiest hotels, meanwhile, call on artists and fashion designers to give a modern twist on a festive staple. Here’s our rundown of London’s must-see Christmas tree displays this year. RECOMMENDED: Where to buy a Christmas tree in London. 

  If you think jazz is something that’s old and musty, you couldn’t be more wrong. The genre is constantly evolving, and London’s fabulous scene of jazz bars and clubs is proof of that. Inside the doors of those venues, you’ll find a whole host of emerging musicians reimagining jazz, keeping its roots alive and kicking while giving it a modern makeover. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a total newbie, you’ll find your spot at one of London’s best jazz clubs. There are several of the former in the Time Out office who kickstart our days with jazz, new and old, on the office stereo, so we know what makes for a good joint to experience the sweet sounds of the genre. On our list, you’ll find plenty of characterful venues, from the iconic Ronnie Scott’s to free-of-charge, grassroots nights at New Cross pubs. Choose your fighter and get ready to get your groove on. RECOMMENDED: keep the party going at the best bars in London. 

With great food, lines of bars and clubs, incredible museums and epic architecture, Berlin should feature high on any list of top city breaks. Take the time to explore this multicultural metropolis, and stay in some of its most luxuriously appointed hotels. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favourites for when you’re after that high-end holiday feeling. From the classic Intercontinental to a local luxury outpost, Das Stue, we’re showcasing the best of where to spend the night, in serious style. Glance over our list below of the best luxury hotels in Berlin.  And if 'luxury' isn't on your accommodation criteria, check out the other hotels in Berlin making their mark on the city.  Looking for more options? 🛏 Check out the best Berlin Airbnbs🪩 Discover the best things to do in Berlin📍 Here's how to spend a weekend in Berlin At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

This mammoth Art Deco building has a history of illustrious guests. Over the years, musical icons including Diana Ross, Madonna, Lady Gaga, The Killers and Jimi Hendrix have bedded down here, largely due to the fact it was just around the corner from the original Hard Rock Café, with the place eventually branding itself as the Hard Rock Hotel in 2019.  In 2023, however, the Hard Rock branding was removed and the hotel reverted back to its previous name – The Cumberland, so-called after The Duke of Cumberland pub that used to exist nearby. Cue a big renovation and rebrand of the huge 900 hundred-room site. But, while the entrance shows no sign of its former musical associations, inside there are still plenty of references to its roots. Musical memorabilia and artwork fill the walls and corridors, each room has a record player and a selection of vinyl, and some suits even have an electric guitar to play. It’s also kept Hard Rock’s VIP ‘Backstage Area’ where, for a premium, guests can access a room off the main lobby with free refreshments.  The former Hard Rock Cafe on the ground floor has been transformed into the Sound Cafe, and it still retains its previous layout of tables fanned out around a main stage, where live music – an acoustic cover artist on our visit – is on the bill nearly every night of the week. The staff are friendly, but the food is an underwhelming mix of US-style classics and pub fodder. Considering guests have the whole of Mayfair on their doorstep, it may

What is it?  Seven books and nine films down the line, the world has lost none of its appetite for all things Harry Potter-related, which is why people just keep on coming to Warner Bros’ special exhibition, ‘The Making of Harry Potter.’  Just north of Watford, you’ll find the very warehouses and movie studios that played an integral part in the making of the Harry Potter film franchise. When the crew weren’t at real locations, they were creatively mocking up most of the scenes here in Leavesden. And they’re still standing strong. Given the sheer volume and Potter nerds, Warner Bros decided to leave everything where it was and expand the studios, so other films could still be produced here without interruption. It truly is a magical place. The props, sets and costumes have been lovingly maintained for what has become a permanent exhibition of the memorabilia. Wander through the workshops, storerooms and life-sized sets that were used for the series. Fans will be in heaven here. Step into some of the most iconic locations from the movies: the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and, of course, Platform 9¾ with the gleaming Hogwarts Express steam train. General cinephiles will also appreciate learning more about behind-the-scenes trickery: the special effects, animatronics and methods by which more outlandish characters were brought to life.  You can also get your chops around a flagon of butterbeer (don’t worry, as fans know, it’s kid-friendly), and if you fancy taking a souv

What is it? The Science Museum features seven floors of educational and entertaining exhibits, including the Apollo 10 command module and a flight simulator. The Wellcome Wing showcases developments in contemporary science, medicine and technology. The Medical History Gallery in the museum's attic contains a substantial collection of medical history treasures. Pattern Pod introduces under-eights to the importance of patterns in contemporary science and Launchpad is a popular hands-on gallery where children can explore basic scientific principles. Exhibits in the Exploring Space galleries include the three-metre-high, 600kg Spacelab 2 X-ray telescope that was flown on British space missions and full-scale models of the Huygens Titan probe and Beagle 2 Mars Lander. The Clockmakers' Museum, previously held at the Guildhall, is the oldest display of clocks and watches in the world, with most of the 1250 exhibits dating from between 1600 and 1850. The shop is also worth checking out for its wacky toys.  Why go? To see a fascinating showcase of human ingenuity, and get involved with a wealth of enthralling interactive exhibits.  Don’t miss: The museum has its own in-house IMAX cinema which shows scientific films in 3D, allowing visitors to be surrounded by space or submerged in the depths of the ocean. Tickets start at £11 for adults and £23 for a family of three, and booking is recommended. When to visit: Daily 10am-6pm (last admission 5.15pm). Peak times are at weekends, duri

What is it?  Both a research institution and a fabulous museum, The Natural History Museum opened in Alfred Waterhouse’s purpose-built Romanesque cathedral of nature on the Cromwell Road in 1881. Joined by the splendid Darwin Centre extension in 2009, the original building still looks magnificent, and the pale blue and terracotta façade just about prepares you for the natural wonders within. Since 2017, a huge diving Blue Whale skeleton named Hope, has hung in the Hintze Hall. (She replaced London’s most beloved dinosaur, Dippy the Diplodocus, who reigned in the Hall since 1905). A new Diplodocus skeleton Fern, can now be found outside in the Museum garden.  The museum is divided into four different coloured zones. The Blue Zone contains eccentric animatronic dinosaurs, including the endlessly popular T rex, and models of some of the biggest mammals on the planet. The Red Zone is full of prehistoric fossils, volcanic simulations and artefacts explaining human evolution. The Green Zone is where you’ll see the ‘Creepy Crawlies’ gallery and the fascinating bird specimens. The Orange Zone is full of zoological curios suspended in alcohol and the Darwin Centre where many of the museum’s 80 million specimens are housed, taking up nearly 17 miles of shelving. With its eight-storey Cocoon, this is also home to the museum’s research scientists. The museum has just announced a huge refurbishment project that will restore and reopen Victorian galleries which have been closed to the publ

No one’s life and death has been picked apart, analysed and mythologised quite like Marilyn Monroe’s. Over 60 years after the peroxide-blonde star died at just 36 years old, her legacy continues to fascinate: Andy Warhol’s pop-art portrait of the star broke the record for the most expensive piece of artwork sold by an American artist, her custom-made crystal dress made headlines when it was worn by Kim Kardashian on the Met Gala’s red carpet and biopics and documentaries continue to try and make sense of the person behind the glamorised persona – most recently in Netflix’s widely tanked Blonde. Now Marilyn: The Exhibition in Arches London Bridge promises to cut through the noise and reveal the ‘woman behind the myth’ with this vast display of Monroe’s personal objects. Billed as the ‘first exhibition of its kind in the UK’, it features 250 items of personal ephemera ranging from love letters to make-up and clothes from the private collection of Ted Stampfer, a German art collector who owns the world’s largest collection of Monroe’s historical objects. After her death in 1962, Monroe left all her possessions to Lee Strasberg, owner of the Actor’s Studio in New York where she studied method acting. The pieces remained untouched until they were gradually sold off by his widow in 1999, which means you can still see her individual bleached hairs on some of the clothing and curlers she used. In fact, the Arches is the perfect setting for this rare collection, where wandering about

What is it?  Dennis Severs’ House is a time capsule attraction which immerses visitors in a unique form of theatre. Part museum, part art piece, the ten rooms of this original Huguenot house have been decked out to recreate snapshots of life in Spitalfields between 1724 and 1914. An escorted tour through the compelling ‘still-life drama’, as its eccentric American creator Dennis Severs put it, takes you through the cellar, kitchen, dining room, smoking room and upstairs to the bedrooms.  With the hearth smoking, candles burning smells lingering and objects scattered around apparently haphazardly, it feels as though the inhabitants had deserted the rooms only moments before. It’s a real immersive experience, plunging you straight into the past.  There are a range of tours to pick from including self-guided silent tours, informal tours which are best for children, tours guided by actors and one-off behind the scenes tours revealing the hidden secrets of the place.  Why go?  This ornate Huguenot house tucked down a backstreet in Spitalfields is a real-life time capsule. If you’ve ever wanted to go back in time, this is the next best thing.  Don’t miss:  The house is particularly special over the Christmas period when all the rooms are covered with period decorations with gingerbread figures and figgy pudding mix laid out in the 18th-century kitchen, Christmas trees covered in crimson and a lavish holiday feast set out on the dining room table. When to visit:  Fri 12 noon-9pm, Sa

What is it?  Anywhere calling itself the Design Museum had better have an architecturally fabulous building to hold its archive, and London’s design HQ achieved just that in 2016 when it relocated from its former home on the side of the Thames near Tower Bridge to a new-and-improved building by British architect John Pawson. With its shiny Pringle-shaped parabolic roof and colossal atrium, it’s both an awe-inspiring presence and also a trove of the world's finest design. Founded in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, the museum shows off the most innovative design in the world, and shows how it can help the planet and humanity to thrive. It began life as part of an independent project by the V&A museum and brought garments from Issey Miyake and tech from Sony to London. It then took over a former banana warehouse in the Docklands where it staged groundbreaking exhibitions including the first UK showcases of Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Eileen Gray. Its new digs are bigger and brighter and hold multiple gallery spaces and learning environments.  Its permanent collection is an important record of the key designs that have shaped the modern world, telling the history of mass production and the digital revolution and spans all aspects of design including architecture, fashion, furniture, product, graphic design and transport. Its temporary exhibitions are often big-scale affairs like its Stanley Kubrick exhibition and its focus on Californian design.  Why go?  To understand ho

What is it? The IWM London was given a major, £30 million refit in recent years, with new 3000 square metre Holocaust and World War II galleries opening in autumn 2021 after six years of renovations. In its new, modern guise it has devoted a lot of attention to making sure the exhibits and temporary exhibitions tell a well-rounded, big picture of war, looking at the human side of conflict with a rich programme that takes in everything from war and its impact on mental health to the role soldiers from across the world played in WWI and WWII.  Visitors to the Lambeth landmark arrive in the Central Hall, an attention- grabbing repository of major artefacts: guns, tanks and aircraft, including a Spitfire used by West Riding RAF Squadron on 57 missions, to the wreckage of a Land Rover operated by press agency Reuters on the Gaza Strip. Extensive World War I galleries occupy the rest of the ground floor, and feature over 1300 objects encompassing weapons, uniforms, diaries, keepsakes, film and art. The new World War II galleries are even larger, displaying 1500 items, while the first floor leads into new World War II galleries.  The museum’s third floor space is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, while the fifth floor Lord Ashcroft galleries display the world’s largest collection of Victoria Crosses alongside accounts of the individuals who earned them in a permanent display called ‘Extraordinary Heroes’. Why go? To get a full and rich picture of the conflicts that have shaped ou

What is it?  When he wasn’t designing notable buildings (among them the original Bank of England), Sir John Soane (1753-1837) obsessively collected art, furniture and architectural ornamentation. In the nineteenth century, he turned his house into a museum to which, he said, ‘amateurs and students’ should have access. The result is this perfectly amazing place. Much of the museum’s appeal derives from the domestic setting. The modest rooms were modified by Soane with ingenious devices to channel and direct daylight and to expand space, including walls that open out like cabinets to display some of his many paintings (Canaletto, Turner, Hogarth) and the Breakfast Room, which has a beautiful domed ceiling, inset with convex mirrors. There are also numerous examples of Soane’s eccentricity, not least the cell for his imaginary monk ‘Padre Giovanni’. The Museum has also opened Soane's private apartment and Model Room to the public. Until 2015 the apartments had not been open to visitors for over 160 years, so guests paying a visit to the fully restored model room, bedroom, bathroom, book passage, oratory and morning room will get a true glimpse of London's past. The recently restored Drawing Office, where Soane’s draughtsmen and pupils worked on his architectural projects, has also been opened to the public for the first time in 200 years.  Why go?  One of the most bewitching and fascinating buildings in London, Sir John Soane’s House is a beautiful time capsule.  Don’t miss:  Th

What is it?  It really seemed that cult '90s game show 'The Crystal Maze' had been relegated to the dusty VHS zone. Then a team of clever, ambitious people decided that, with the help of a Kickstarter, it was possible to rebuild the whole show, dome and all, in an old building in Zone One. Just like the old TV show, the Crystal Maze experience includes dozens of game rooms in four different zones and a glass geodesic dome strong enough to handle eight adults flailing around in it. The experience allows you to play the game, just like you saw on your screens during childhood. There are gamemasters, team tactics, crystals and everyone who plays gets to wear a bomber jacket.  Our team of eight dashed through the zones, taking it in turns to play physical, mental, skill and mystery challenges in the hope of earning a crystal, and thus five extra seconds in the dome finale. We were rubbish, but it didn't matter. The joy of this experience is in the incredible sets, the brilliantly silly hosts, the games so faithful to the original show that you can nearly remember their secrets, and the opportunity to blast your team-mates with frustrated yells and not have to deal with any hatred when their two minutes are up. Why go?  This incredible reproduction of a '90s cult classic offers an exciting, authentic and bonkers team experience. Tickets are expensive but already in high demand – pick your team captain and wait patiently for your turn in the dome. Don’t miss: The upstairs bar is th

What is it? So what did we get for our £8.77bn? In addition to an expectation-busting Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, there's the small matter of those remaining buildings and all that parkland, now officially known as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The immaculate park was first opened to the public in summer 2013, a year after the Games, their paths and waterways enhanced by the new Timber Lodge Café. Next came the Zaha Hadid-designed Aquatics Centre, which is open for public swimming and diving sessions, followed by the VeloPark, home to road, track, BMX and mountain biking, and the southern section of the park. The latter comprises all the remaining parkland, including children's play areas, four walking trails and a couple of dozen public artworks. To the north, the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre has two superfast hockey pitches and ten tennis courts (four indoor, six outdoor) – you can just turn up and play, although it might be advisable to book ahead. The retooled Olympic Stadium (renamed the London Stadium) opened most recently, and now plays host to West Ham as well as various athletics championships and big concerts. But the Olympic Park isn’t finished yet. Work is ongoing around its fringes on a crop of new cultural destinations, housing and other bits and bobs.  Why go?  To take in the greenery and look at all the fancy Olympics buildings in London’s newest postcode, E20 (playfully shared with the fictional Walford of ‘EastEnders’ fame).  Don’t miss:

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is currently closed to the public but is due to re-open in 2025. What is it? The curly-wurly red scaffolding tower lords it over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from its position right alongside the Olympic Stadium. Designed by the artist Anish Kapoor and structural engineer Cecil Balmond, it stands 114.5m (376ft) tall – with lifts (and a 455-step staircase) up to two platforms from which look out on  The Shard, St Paul’s and the Wembley arches. There are also two of Kapoor's entertaining distorting mirrors inside and some newly installed digital telescopes so that you can get closer to the views. Since 2017 it’s also been home to the world’s longest tunnel slide. It’s been closed since the start of 2024 due to maintenance work and the previous management contract coming to an end. However, Welsh adventure brand Zip World will be taking over operations of the site and is set to relaunch it in early 2025. The company is investing £2.6 million in the tower and is working with local planning authorities to open a ‘first-of-its-kind adventure’.  Why go? Built to mark the London 2012 Olympics, the Orbit is the UK’s largest public sculpture. It was projected to see around 350,000 visitors per year but since opening has only had 1.2 million.  Discover our guide to the very best things to do in London.

Fancy yourself a bit of an oenophile? Then you’ll probably already know that this coming Thursday is a pretty big day in the wine world. That’s because the third Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day, i.e. the first day on which this year’s bottles of the good stuff are allowed to be sold. A gamay grape wine from the Beaujolais district of Burgundy, Beaujolais Nouveau is one of the few varieties of plonk that’s sold during the same year in which it’s produced. The juicy red has gained a bit of a following in London in recent years, with many of the capital’s favourite wine bars throwing special events to celebrate the cult cuvée. Here are some we especially like the look of.  Gordon’s Beaujolais Breakfast If Beaujolais Nouveau Day is the equivalent of Christmas in your world, then Gordon’s should be the first place you head to on the Big Day. London’s oldest wine bar is playing every oenophile’s St Nick, letting you sip on glasses of the good stuff bright and early from 8am on, so you can sample this year’s crop before everyone else. They’ll be serving up Full English brekkies to soak up all the booze, and nice strong coffees for anyone needing to sober up quickly. All the same, we’d probably still advise going into the office on this particular Thursday. Gordon’s Wine Bar. Thu Nov 16. Free entry. Top Cuvée Beaujolais Nouveau Masterclass If there’s a burgeoning trend on the British wine scene, you can bet that London’s most ‘banter’ wine merchants will be heavily i

Like NFTs and Orlando Bloom, sherry has long been tipped by those in the know to be due its big moment of glory, but somehow the giddy heights of ultimate popularity never came. No matter how successfully the fortified wine has shaken off its reputation as the sickly sweet drink your Gran would drag out every Christmas, unlike port or tequila, sherry has never fully experienced its moment in the sun. But, passing over the Spanish delicacy is a big fat miss on the part of any discerning oenophile. ‘Sherry is actually the driest wine in the world because of the way it's made,’ says Sandra, bar manager at Spanish importer and restaurant group Brindisa. ‘There are lots of completely different styles that are dry, fresh, salty and refreshing.’ The Jerez-made wine also has a far more storied heritage than you might think. ‘Sherry is a super classic ingredient in traditional mixology,’ says Sandra. ‘If you go to that golden era of mixology in the 18th and early 19th centuries you get a lot of sherry and old recipe books feature a lot of it too.’ A drink called the ‘Sherry Cobbler’ became hugely popular in the 1840s coinciding with the invention of the drinking straw, while another sherry cocktail, the ‘Artist’s Special’, was invented in Paris in the 1930s, becoming a favourite with Picasso and other artists living in the city at the time.  This week – November 6 to 12 – marks National Sherry Week and in celebration of its glitzy history we’ve rounded up the very best sherry cocktail

London is pretty stressful, right? In fact, complaining about stress – that annoying neighbour playing hardcore techno right under your bedroom ceiling every night or the mindfuck of trying to exit any Central line platform at Oxford Circus – is a time-honoured London pastime. But if you were forced to relax and then timed on how long it takes you to reach a calm level of zen? Well, that might well sound like the most disquieting experience of them all. However, in the name of peace and tranquillity, that’s exactly what’s coming to London this month.  The Extreme Relaxing UK Championships will be landing in the Kia Oval, a venue usually known for anxiety-inducing cricket matches. It’s Europe’s first-ever competitive event dedicated to relaxing and involves 30 frazzled people going head-to-head to see who can achieve a relaxed state against the clock in the face of stressful ‘obstacles’.  Each contestant will have their resting heart rate taken before competing in three heats. They’ll be tested, scientifically, for their speed at relaxing and their ability to recover from stressful surprises like car alarms and jarring TV clips, presumably playing scenes like accidentally cc’ing the wrong person into a *sensitive* email chain or being made to re-watch the Lionesses’ penalty shootout against Nigeria in the Fifa World Cup this week. The winner will be able to take these fraught experiences in their stride and reach a state of calm in the fastest time possible.  It may all sound

London is already doing its bit to reassess the patriarchy. The city is home to The Women’s Library at the London School of Economics and The Feminist Library in Peckham, and now a new glass-ceiling mashing institution is about to join the feminist fold.  Barking and Dagenham Council has announced plans to open a Women’s Museum later this year. If you live around Barking Wharf Square you may have already spotted the future site which is covered with a mural designed by artist Clare Mason displaying a timeline of local women’s history stretching from 600AD to the present day and featuring female trailblazers such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Muriel Lester and Doris Lester, Sandie Shaw and Zara McFarlane.  Psst! There’s no better day than #InternationalWomensDay to share a little SNEAK PEAK of what we're working on to celebrate the amazing women from our borough. Keep your eyes peeled 👀 for more info coming soon. #WomensMuseum pic.twitter.com/V70MgpdjsU — Barking and Dagenham (@lbbdcouncil) March 8, 2023 The space, which is linked to the local history service at timber-beamed Tudor manor Valence House Museum and Archives, aims to ‘showcase the history, heritage, stories and role of women from the local area and beyond.’ Due to open in late 2023, the programming will kick off with an exhibition by curator and artist Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf on the Abbesses of Barking Abbey, exploring how the former Royal Monastery was home to radical and highly-educated women

London has one of the best public transport systems in the world. But anyone who’s spent a hot, sticky journey on the coach to Luton Airport or faced a long meandering trundle down the Piccadilly Line stressing about making a flight at Heathrow knows that travelling to the capital’s airports can be a trying experience.  That’s where the Heathrow Express comes in: the Uber executive of train journeys, the snazzy express service whisks passengers from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes, making it the fastest direct rail route between central London and the UK’s biggest airport. But there’s a hefty price to pay for the speedy journey. The Heathrow Express is the second most expensive rail journey in Britain, costing £25, or £1.50 per mile for the 16.5-mile trip. This didn’t stop the Heathrow Express from generating a whopping £31 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2019, with people opting to pay a premium for stress-free travel. But things might be about to change for the high-speed service.  According to reports seen by The Times, the opening of the Elizabeth Line appears to have made a dent in the Express’s revenues. Heathrow Express’s passenger numbers apparently haven’t returned to pre-pandemic levels despite flights at the airport being pretty much back to normal. Heathrow said revenues from Heathrow Express in the first three months of 2023 were at £22 million – a third less than during the first quarter of 2019. The new Lizzy Line gets you t

It’s that time of year again when the Michelin Guide bestows its shiny stars on the great and the good of the British and Irish restaurant scene. Yep, it’s Michelin awards ceremony day when chefs across the two nations wait in anticipation to see who has received new stars (and retained them) for 2023.   Whether or not you think that the awards are too highbrow, too European or too dwindling in relevancy, there’s no denying the clout that the big fat white man mascot still holds. Plus, those little stars can have a huge impact on a restaurant’s footfall, which is especially important right now after years of turbulence thanks to the pandemic, not to mention inflation, and rising food and energy costs.   As any proud London foodie knows, the capital is home to a wealth of brilliant restaurants. So it’s no surprise that London’s dining rooms usually occupy a good chunk of Michelin’s list. This year, there are four new one-star restaurants in the capital and two new two-stars. No new three stars were awarded in London this year. Only one restaurant has been given the proverbial chop and lost a star: Seven Park Place in Mayfair. Sadly one of the restaurants that held a Michelin star in 2022 has permanently closed: The Glasshouse in Kew.  Here’s the full list of new Michelin stars for London restaurants, and who’s in, and who’s out.  Which London restaurants have won a 2023 Michelin star? NEW ONE-STARS Cycene, Shoreditch – Theo Clench Luca, Clerkenwell – Robert Chambers St Ba

It rains in London. Lots. Even in the summer. It can also be quite chilly. This means you’ll frequently find Londoners on the hunt for interesting places to hide away from the elements. So, it’s sweet relief to know that our fine capital city houses the UK’s most popular indoor attraction, which surely makes it the UK’s very best indoor attraction (that’s what we’re claiming, anyway).  A ranking of visitor numbers by The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions has crowned the much-loved Natural History Museum in South Kensington the most-visited indoor attraction in the country. According to the data, a whopping 4,654,608 people passed through the grand doors of Alfred Waterhouse’s landmark romanesque building in 2022.  It’s no wonder that visitors flock to the capital’s cathedral of nature. The 142-year-old museum and research centre is home to more than 80 million items, including a cup made from a human skull, a life-size animated T-Rex, an earthquake simulator, cabinets full of sparkling gemstones and beautiful glass models of marine invertebrates. Even the entrance hall has a massive 25-metre-long blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling (called Hope, fyi). What’s more, it’s totally free to see all the main collections making it the perfect spot for a family-friendly day out or a fun pitstop to hide away from the weather on a day out.  The Cromwell Road institution isn’t the only indoor attraction in London to make the list. Ranked close behind it are the British

Huge news for anyone with a bladder who travels through London Waterloo Station on the reg: the UK’s busiest rail terminus is getting a massive toilet refresh, which will include the addition of gender-neutral lavs to ‘improve inclusivity’.  It’s all part of a big project to make the passenger experience at the station better. It involves giving the bathrooms a complete revamp with new and improved facilities and the installation of a ‘balanced number of female and male facilities’ as well as the new gender-neutral loos. Extra baby-changing areas and better access for those with reduced mobility are also promised. Network Rail has even released a fancy CGI graphic of what the new lavs will look like.  Photograph: Network Rail Construction of the new WCs is due to start in mid-February and be completed during the summer. Cem Davis, Network Rail’s London Waterloo station manager, hoped the new facilities ‘will make journeys a lot more pleasant and comfortable’. Ironically, given its name, Waterloo needs a real lav spruce-up. It’s repeatedly crowned the busiest railway station in the UK (an estimated 41 million passengers passed through its concourse in the 12 months to the end of March 2022). And it’s pretty clear that London is long overdue better toilets in general. A report from ​The London Assembly in 2021 found 90 percent of Londoners thought there weren’t enough public toilets in the capital, while another survey from the same year found 30 percent of the city’s so-call

Not since Bimini Bon Boulash sashayed down the runway on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ back in 2021 has anyone become a nationally revered gay icon as fast as Amanda Lovett from ‘The Traitors’.  The BBC reality TV show described as ‘the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust’ became an unlikely hit at the end of last year. The premise: 22 people are taken to a remote castle in the Scottish Highlands. Among their number are three ‘traitors’ – a group of contestants selected by host Claudia Winkleman and tasked with covertly ‘murdering’ the other players – the ‘faithfuls’ – without being detected to steal a £120,000 prize fund for themselves. Basically, it’s a chaotic, long and very emotional version of ‘wink murder’.  Out of all the players, Welsh grandmother Amanda – who was picked as a ‘traitor’ on the first day of the contest – quickly stole our hearts. Her camp mix of warm, maternal energy and merciless ability to mastermind the perfect game-playing strategy made it feel like she’d wandered straight out of a Love of Huns Insta post.  It was only a matter of time before Amanda – aka the Welsh Dragon – did the rounds of the UK’s premier LGBTQ+ venues and tonight you’ll find her at Clapham’s long-established gay pub and club The Two Brewers.  She’ll be appearing at The Betray Ball alongside drag queen host Poppycock (who may or may not be channelling Winkleman in an overly chunky knitted jumper) for a meet and greet where guests can snap a picture with the star and catc

Move over sourdough – who wants to be reminded of that soggy starter you nursed like a Tamagotchi in deepest, darkest lockdown anyway? A new doughy delight has started flying off the shelves of bakeries around the world and now it’s arrived in London.  Sweet and pillowy soft, shokupan (aka Japanese milk bread) is taking over sourdough and focaccia as the internet’s bread du jour. Incredibly photogenic – you’ve probably seen your feed filling up with pictures of intricately sliced ‘sandos’ packed with neat stripes of rainbow-hued fillings – and with a unique, chewy texture, the bread sits somewhere between a bog-standard white loaf and brioche on the taste and texture scale and it’s now selling out in specialist bakeries everywhere from LA to Australia.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Happy Sky Bakery (@happyskybakery) In Tokyo, scores of cafes and bakeries churn out hundreds of the squishy white loaves daily where they’re served plain, toasted, in sandwiches, or shaped into cute animals and decorated with fruit. Its cloud-like fluffiness and milky sweetness are down to something called the ‘tangzhong’ method, where the baking process begins by mixing a tiny amount of flour with water or milk to create a base and give the bread a unique chewy bite, a bit like mochi.  Now Londoners can get their teeth into a slice at Hammersmith’s artisan Japanese bakery, Happy Sky. The only catch? It’ll set you back a bit at £11.40 per loaf.

Following in the footsteps of Ed Sheeran, Mark Wahlberg and Krept & Konan, ‘Emily in Paris’ actor Lucien Laviscount is the latest celebrity to join the London hospitality scene.  The 30-year-old who plays Alfie in the series has teamed up with restauranter Zac Lichman and head chef Gareth Drew (formerly of Nobu and Buddha Bar) to open The Wealthy Beggar in Kensal Rise.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Wealthy Beggar (@wealthybeggar.london) Described as a ‘five star dive bar’, the new joint has a speakeasy atmos, a menu packed with tropical cocktails and Pan-Asian tapas to soak them up with. Tipples include the ‘Loaded Dice’ – a piña colada style concoction with watermelon, banana, coconut, pineapple and three types of rum, and the ‘Velvet Hand’ which mixes together fresh pomegranate cordial, sparkling wine and apple-infused brandy. And from the kitchen, there’s an opulent selection of snacks including wagyu tartare with whipped foie gras and cheeseburger dumplings with kimchi ketchup. Fancy.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Wealthy Beggar (@wealthybeggar.london) But, perhaps the most exciting news is that they’ve teamed up with none other than dub and reggae legend Don Letts, who‘ll be overseeing the programming for the new venue, including live music every Wednesday, DJ sets and weekend parties. There’s even a recording studio on the bar’s lower floor.  View this

Alexandra Palace has been through a lot over its 149-year history. Just 16 days after opening in 1873 the whole building was gutted by a huge fire (before being quickly rebuilt and reopened with – what else? – a massive fireworks display). It also survived another big blaze in 1980 that burnt large chunks of it to the ground. In between these flaming disasters, the ‘People’s Palace’ has also been used as a refugee centre and an internment camp during WWI, all the while working its way into London’s heart with its annual bonfire displays, roster of electrifying gigs and a whole load of whacky events from the World Darts Championship to Red Bull’s whacky races style soapbox run. But now Ally Pally is facing taxing times again. As if we needed any more reasons to be bitter about the cost-of-living crisis, it looks like the UK’s crap economic situation is taking its toll on the finances of the Haringey landmark. Turns out massive Grade-II listed Victorian buildings are quite hard to heat and rapidly rising energy costs mean the price of keeping the drafty pile warm has surged. A recent report from The Alexandra Park and Palace Charity Trust, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, said costs to run the building have rocketed by 132 percent, largely due to soaring energy prices. It warned the building may run up an operating deficit of £1.1 million this year. A pretty terrifying figure that may even reach £2 million next year. The venue has said it’s putting in cost-cuttin