Chiara Wilkinson

Vibrant, historical, and home to real Scottish humour, Glasgow is a special city with an equally special set of spaces to stay. Along with the usual options of bright and shiny modern chains, you’ll also discover some truly unique places on the map – like the self-catering apartments in a former bank or a room to put your head down in a converted Victorian mansion. The best part is that they’re all conveniently placed near the city’s bars, restaurants art galleries and theatres. You’re sure to find something that suits your tastes and, while we’re at it, some are worth visiting even if just for a glass of bubbly or a wholesome, hearty meal. We love the champagne bar at Grand Central and Barry Duff’s bistro at One Devonshire Gardens Hotel du Vin, for instance. Ideal spots for enjoying the city 24 hours a day, and without being completely bank-breaking. Enjoy – you deserve it!  RECOMMENDED: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿The best Airbnbs in Glasgow⛰The best Airbnbs in the Scottish Highlands Updated July 2024: Pssst, we have a newcomer called Native on the list we think you might like, especially you're after somewhere cosy, central and functional.  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. Fo

The UK is a glorious place to eat, drink and generally be merry. Sure, there are loads of great restaurants in London, but there are hundreds more across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; ones where you'll make napkin-stained memories that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life. Especially if you head to Cumbria, which is home of the most Michelin stars in the UK outside of the capital. But as well as the diner’s paradise that is the Lake District, here's where else you need to head in order to sample some of the finest food and downright transcendent restaurant experiences the UK has to offer. Eat up.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in the UK.

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Even now, a wealth of new hotels are opening – which we reckon is a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. Many of the hotels listed below are incredible enough to have made it straight into the Time Out top 20, but our hand-picked list of the best hotels covers locations right across the capital, and every category from blowout luxury (including having your own butler, might we add) to budget basic and brilliant.We’ve listed everything from five-star hotels in Mayfair to incredibly affordable hotels in some of London’s very best neighbourhoods. Plus you’ll be able to check out one or two of the capital's many Michelin-starred restaurants because yep, loads of them call London hotels their home. But if spending a small fortune on food isn’t your bag? There’s also an ever-increasing number of good-value food options for budgeteers, too. Throw great design and architecture into the mix, plus superb bars, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world and, well, you’re laughing. Basically, you’re totally spoilt for choice. So, read on, decide where to stay in London, and ready yourself for a hotel visit like no other. Enjoy! Looking for even more options? Check out London’s best Airbnbs. Keen on a steamy night in? Check out London's best hotels for sex. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in eve

There’s a reason why so many romantic comedy films are set in London; quite simply, it’s one of the best places in the world to be loved up. The picturesque Little Venice, the historic Whispering Gallery at St Paul's Cathedral, and Waterloo Bridge (which has breathtaking views of the city) are among the many romantic places to visit at any time of year – and we can’t get enough. But to encourage your love to reach full bloom, it's important to pick a hotel with the right kind of vibe. Breakfast in bed, complimentary cocktails upon arrival, and pampering spa packages are the sort of special touches that can make all the difference when you’re in the mood to woo... or maybe even pop the question. Take a look at our favourite romantic hotels in London.  Updated in May 2024: To keep our curated lists tip top we always keep an eye out for any new or trending properties. And this time around we've set our sights on this hidden sanctuary in Shoreditch, and this luxury hotel in South Kenso that's all about British elegance.  Looking for more options? 🛏 Check out London’s best Airbnbs ❤️‍🔥 or London's naughtiest hotels. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel 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.

Edinburgh can get a little pricey (especially once you’ve added up the restaurant reservation and the hotel stay), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t affordable food options here. You just need a bit of local knowledge.  And that’s exactly what we’ve got right here. On our list you’ll find £4.50 pizza slices bigger than your head, burritos for under a tenner and a cult pie shop for a post-clubbing fix (and plenty, plenty more). Ready to feast? Here are the best cheap eats in Edinburgh, right now. RECOMMENDED:🥞 The best brunches in Edinburgh📍 The best things to do in Edinburgh🍰 The best afternoon tea in Edinburgh🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Where to stay in Edinburgh This guide was recently updated by Dayna McAlpine, a writer based in Edinburgh. 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.   

Want a drink? Well you've come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, featuring the buzziest booze dens in the capital right now. If it’s on this list, it’s excellent. These are the 50 places we'd recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail joint to delightful dives, hotel bars, speakeasys, bottle shops, rooftops and wine bars, London's got them all. The latest additions to our list include the new Three Sheets in Soho, Bar Lina, an Italian aperitivo spot underneath the famous deli, Moko hi-fi listening bar in Tottenham, Oranj's vertitable wine warehouse in Shoreditch, and Helgi's, a suggestively Satanic rock bar in Hackney. Now go forth and booze. RECOMMENDED: Like bars? Then you'll love London's best pubs.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

There’s a reason people travel from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. This is one of our favourite cities on the planet, bursting with food, culture, and all-round great vibes, all while looking a bit like it’s a made up place from a gothic novel.  Firstly, of course, there’s the Fringe, the largest arts festival in the whole world, taking place throughout August. But at any time of year, you’ll find charming old-school pubs, top-notch restaurant scene and plenty of cute cafés to break up a day of mooching. Whatever your vibe, here’s our local’s guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh.  RECOMMENDED:🥞 The best brunches in Edinburgh🍸 The best cocktail bars in Edinburgh🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Where to stay in Edinburgh🏨 The best hotels in Edinburgh   This guide was recently updated by Time Out’s features editor Chiara Wilkinson, who is originally from Edinburgh. 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

While we’ve been experiencing a pretty lacklustre summer so far, the UK’s beaches actually don’t need the sun to truly shine. Sure, they come into their own when the weather is warm enough to brave it and take a dip, but fresh coastal air, thunderously crashing waves and pretty scenery can be enjoyed whether it feels like high season or not.  And the UK is home to some drop-dead gorgeous stretches of coast. From tiny hidden coves with water so clear it’s hard to believe you’re not in the Mediterranean to vast, sandy crowd-pleasers which border our seaside towns, our four nations really do have it all when it comes to beaches. So, after a picnic spot, a ‘gram-worthy backdrop or just somewhere to see nature-watch? Check out our handpicked guide to the UK’s finest beaches. RECOMMENDED:🏖️The most amazing hidden beaches in the UK🌊The best outdoor swimmming pools in the UK🏊The best wild swimming spots in the UK🌤️The best places to visit in the UK 

  One great excuse to explore a new corner of the UK is by checking out all the world-class art which is dotted around. From outstanding galleries across our cities to original, eye-catching sculpture displays in our countryside, the UK is absolutely overflowing with art.  The only question is how to fit it all in – there’s just so many paintings, drawings, statues and installations to explore. Thankfully, we’ve scoured the UK for the very best destinations to go and enjoy some truly outstanding art – head right this way. RECOMMENDED:🧙The most mystical places in the UK🏰The best castles in the UK🖼️The best museums in the UK☀️The best scultpure parks in the UK

Eating out in Stokey is always a good time. A perfect day in N16 would start with shakshuka at brilliant brunch spot The Good Egg, followed by lunch tacos at Sonora Taqueria and then an all-out Indian veggie feast at Rasa or maybe Scottish-Spanish tapas at Escocesa. But we'll leave it up to you to make your own edible agenda; to help, here are the very best restaurants in Stoke Newington.  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Hackney.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. So east London it hurts? Follow our Time Out East London WhatsApp channel for the latest news, openings and goss from the coolest bit of the capital. (Yeah, we said it.)

Choosing the best Santa Barbara hotel isn't the easiest thing. After all, there are so many options, each with a different vibe and aesthetic. Do you want to hang by the beach or opt for a hidden gem nestled up in the hills? Sleep beside the nightlife or doze without a party in sight? Is a pool non-negotiable? And what about entertainment for the kids? Surely you want to be right by the city’s best attractions (don't miss Old Mission Santa Barbara!), tastiest restaurants, and top wineries? See, there's a lot to consider. This central coast hot spot attracts tourists year-round, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s all year long, and an easily accessible location just 90 miles north of Los Angeles. Naturally, that means there's a hotel to cater for all preferences and budgets, but whatever yours are, you can bet we've got a spot for you. We’ve scrolled through Santa Barbara's many hotels and whittled them down to the cream of the crop. All you have to do is pick the right place for your perfect stay. Updated for July 2024: To ensure you're in the know about the coolest properties in Santa Babara, we regularly update this list, and this time we've added a couple of newbies both, no more than a five-minute walk from room to sandy shores, and one offering an outdoor pool and spa. Bikini mode: on. 🎭 The best things to do in Santa Barbara🛏 The best Airbnbs in Santa Barbara Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our

A lot has been made of the decline of our LGBTQ+ venues in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you attribute it to the emergence of online dating, or to coronavirus restrictions, ever-rising rents and a cost of living crisis, it’s an unavoidable fact that the UK has lost a startling number of queer spaces in the last decade or so – including more than half of London’s LGBTQ+ venues between 2006 and 2022. But while queer communities around the country are keenly aware of the precarity of our brick-and-mortar spaces, if queer history can teach us anything, it’s that hardship and struggle can inspire creativity and evolution. For every storied gay bar that calls last orders, up pops a cosy new cafe, a community-owned cinema or a boundary–pushing fringe theatre.  So, as Pride month draws to a close, we asked 19 queer icons – including actors, musicians, comedians, chefs and drag queens – to hand-pick their favourite LGBTQ+ venue in the country. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a hell of a lot of these turned out to be in the capital (one east London venue was chosen no less than five times). Some of them might not even call themselves queer – take Nadine Noor’s pick, Colour Factory in Hackney, or David Cumming’s Choice, the Star and Shadow Cinema in Newcastle – but all of them serve as proof that the UK is still home to any number of brilliant, vibrant, creative queer spaces ready to welcome you with open arms. You just need to know where to look.  From basement nightclubs to

First things first, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was in Hackney. The lucent, swish interiors, the window seats overlooking the street, the low-intervention wine list, the highly aesthetic menu. But alas; there are no small plates – there are nibbles, starters, mains and puddings – and no, it’s not in Hackney, it’s in Fitzrovia, darling.  July is a nice idea. The majority of the menu takes inspo from the Alsace region of northeastern France, bordering Germany and Switzerland, which sounds fun enough, but seems to translate into dishes which are heavy, stodgy and beige. For starters: a ‘meh’ walnut and onion tart with yoghurt and lovage and a clumpy potato salad decorated with bacon and dill. So far, so uninspiring. The chicken schnitzel for mains was dry, while the spaetzle and munster gratin with (not enough) lemon was limp, insipid, monotonous. The atmosphere was almost as beige as the food: most of the chatter seemed to come from the staff, creating a feeling that the whole restaurant was listening to your conversation.  As a spot for a glass of wine and a snack on a sunny afternoon, July has potential Luckily, the wine just about made up for the lacklustre food. We enjoyed a nice sharp, florally bottle of Deux Couleurs Orange – one of the handful of ambers on the drinks list which also boasted an exhaustive array of reds, a few dessert wines as well as twists on cocktail classics (expect nectarine spritz, melon negronis and walnut old fashioneds). As a spot for a

Scribbles on a flattened cheese and onion crisp packet form one of the first posters for Loverboy, the monthly club night Charles Jeffrey hosted in Dalston’s Vogue Fabrics to fund his eponymous fashion label. Ten years on, the Loverboy brand is now well on its way to becoming a household name with its signature bunny-ear knitted hats and eye-popping tartan – yet it remains as playful, punky and true to itself as ever.  Celebrating ten years of the fashion powerhouse, The Lore of Loverboy is a pay-what-you-can exhibition at Somerset House, in the same building as Jeffrey’s studios. We start in the mid-2010s: early sketches from Jeffrey’s years as a BA student at Central Saint Martins hang next to images of Basquiat paintings and a distressed Isle of Arran knit. Clips of his AW18 show, directed by Nick Knight, roll into the music video for The Horrors’s ‘Sheena is a Parasite’: all strobes, screams and heavy liner. We see nods to Vivienne Westwood, to Andy Warhol, to folklore festivals in Orkney and to Louis XIV. The influences are wild and vivid, condensed down into gender-bending clothes which look as anarchic as they do fabulous. The influences are wild and vivid, condensed down into clothes which look as anarchic as they do fabulous The whole thing is firmly rooted in Jeffrey’s flamboyant character, his queerness and his Scottish heritage. Stand-outs include the certificate of the official registry of the signature red, blue and black Loverboy tartan and a screen showing th

It’s hard not to let out a large sigh when you roll up up the driveway to Ragdale Hall, a grandiose building with red-brick peaking through the ivy growing over the front. There’s an air of calm about the place, settled in fields upon fields of greenery to make it feel a lot more remote than it is (Loughborough railway station is a handy 15 minutes away). Things get even better once you step through the door, when you’re instantly looked after.  Despite the building’s history, which dates back to the 18th century, it’s not all traditional here: the spa is home to all sorts of tech you’ll probably have never heard of. (Bubble shower, anyone?) The star of the show has to be the rooftop glass-heated infinity pool, which offers massaging jets and views out onto the calm of the front lawn. It’s a perfect place to spot wildlife or watch the world go by. As impressive as the spa’s six pools and thermal journey are, if you’re craving some proper solitude, keep in mind that Ragdale is large and extremely popular (albeit for good reason), meaning some of the pools can get rather busy at times. But that’s not to say you’ll be left twiddling your thumbs while waiting for a spot. Chill out with a book in the cosy reception room, enjoy a tipple in the gorgeous micro-sized cocktail bar or join one of their many excellent gym classes (my legs, bum and tum were aching for days after – in the best way possible). There’s also a huge amount of beauty and spa treatments available (we enjoyed th

Surveying 500 years-worth of any sort of music is no easy feat. But tackling the history of Black British music is near impossible – not least because of its legacy permeating nearly every instance of contemporary pop and underground culture. Having said all that, this landmark exhibition at the British Library does a pretty good job at giving it a go.  Around 300 objects are on display here, including letters by 18th-century composer Ignatius Sancho, an outfit worn by jazz singer Patti Flynn in the 1970s, Steel Pulse’s KKK-style hood, a Nokia 3370, imagery of the early days of grime by acclaimed photographer Simon Wheatley and footage from the MOBO Awards. Each object is full of stories, full of songs and sound, taking us through the development of Lovers Rock, to the creation of two-tone, jazz, reggae, jungle, Afroswing and so much more: showing Black British music as celebration, as protest, as ever-evolving, as vital.   We’re left to reflect on the music we listen to every day, the artists we follow, the spaces we dance in What follows is an accessible, holistic view of an impossibly vast scene. The exhibition does an excellent job of balancing commercial artists with essential grassroots activities, spotlighting the carnivals, community centres, record shops and other spaces that have all played a part in cultivating different musical genres: including The Reno in Manchester, Bristol’s Bamboo Club, Scottish club night The Reggae Klub and The Four Aces in London. There’s

This low-key but irresistible jaunt from chef Roberta Hall – the mind behind sister resto The Little Chartroom – ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. To start, the vibe is spot on: all industrial Scandi-esque neutrals with lots of light and a healthy hum of chatter and clatter, it’s the sort of place you’d be just as comfortable popping in for a solo glass of vino as you would be on an anniversary dinner. The food is just as cool – and, importantly, is done to a mouth-wateringly high standard with a pretty reasonable price tag for what you’re getting (£65 per person for a set menu with £45 for paired wines). This is playful, modern cooking, executed with a natural flair: an ever-so-sweet English muffin dunked in soft wild garlic butter, mackerel with soothing cucumber and dill granita, heritage, jewel-like tomatoes for my friend who doesn’t eat fish. The highlight of my meal took me by surprise: a bowl of peas, all creamy goodness with pancetta through them, which has to have been one of the best sides of veg I’ve ever had. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be thinking about your next booking before you’ve even walked out the door.  Time Out tip: Veggie? Vegan? Something else? Eleanore goes above and beyond to cater for dietaries, so long as you tell them in advance.

It’s hard to know where to start with Lyla, Stuart Ralston’s fourth Edinburgh venture: sometimes, you’re left quite literally speechless at the intricacy of it all. Situated in a towering Royal Terrace townhouse which previously housed the late Paul Kitching’s 21212, ingredients are sourced from all over Scotland with a focus on sustainably caught seafood and foraged goods. It’s a lavish affair. First, you’re welcomed up the stairs and into the drawing room – a severe-looking expanse of tall glass windows, dry-age meat fridges and a Champagne trolley – for a tipple (the peach sour went down a treat) and a selection of snacks. Then it’s back downstairs for the real deal – an open kitchen and 28-cover dining room, all calm, minimalist, neutral – allowing the food to take centre stage like sculptures in a white cube gallery. And art it was. Everything – from the dinky cheese and onion crisp sandwich and tweezered garnishes, through to the velvety mouthful of white chocolate financier and the exquisite, meticulously thought-out wine-pairing (which head sommelier Stuart Skea chats through with mind-melting intel) – was impeccable. A highlight was the silky, unami-exploding smoked trout chawanmushi (a Japanese savoury custard; I had to Google it), though the crisp-covered Scottish langoustine and the rich, chocolately salted milk came close seconds. You’ll leave Lyla feeling indulged, of course, but in a chic way, like you’ve just walked into the city after a night at the opera. I

Cardinal is the latest venture from chef Tomás Gormley: one of the minds behind Leith’s Michelin-starred Heron and the more recent opening, Skua in a Stockbridge. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were trying a tad too hard here: the walls are all painted black, lit only with contemporary paintings and candles which you find out are, in fact, made from rendered lamb fat when they’re poured over your plate to mark the halfway point. Luckily, though, they’ve managed to get the balance just right. The staff are super laid-back, Honey Dijon and Jamie XX soundtrack the background, and the drinks pairing, which seemed to have an emphasis on female producers and biodynamic numbers, is gorgeously curated. (Special shout out to the French cider which was like orange wine on acid, in the very best way possible.) All of this makes the extensive (to say at the least) 16-courses feel accessible, or at least less wanky. Boldly thought out and innovative, the food itself is, for the most part, divine – in particular the hand-dived scallop with tom yum and blackcurrant, the top-tier fried chicken with crème fraîche, caviar and sourdough waffle and the gloriously fluffy milk bun with taramasalata and egg yolk. The biscuits at the end felt like something of an afterthought, being frankly too heavy after everything already consumed, but if you’re after a meal which doubles as a night out, this is the place for you. Time Out tip: Not sure you can stomach all 16 courses? They a

In many ways, Nobu Portman Square is completely what you’d expect. Professionals with blindingly shiny watches and rich girl hair balance laptops in the lobby, typing last minute emails before snapping the lid shut and swaggering to the ajoining bar for a martini. Couples dressed to the nines hold hands over tables in the upstairs restaurant, gazing into each other’s eyes and posing for Instagram stories between sips of sake. I even overheard women on their way to the fitness suite ask: ‘are the glasses Gucci or Loewe’? In other ways, though, it’s refreshing – because although you’d not be too surprised to bump into Chloé Kardashian in the ladies’ loos, you swiftly learn that none of this is for show. Nobu’s not riding a wave of reputation at the expense of quality: Nobu is Nobu for a reason. And it’s a place us normal folk can enjoy too (even if only on special occassions), because it doesn’t feel snooty or intimidating. There’s no unnecessary extravagance and the staff seem genuienly happy to help. Of course, the brand’s globally-renowned lustre all harks back to its culinary history via the namesake chef Nobu Matsuhisa, so you’d be a fool to skip eating here. An open kitchen and sushi counter sets a relaxed tone; tasteful, lo-fi music hums from speakers, meanwhile the menu boasts classics like black cod miso, Matsuhisa sashimi salad and A5 wagyu beef. There’s also a bar and a heated concrete terrace if you just fancy a tipple, as well as a large ballroom for event hire an

Mayfair is no stranger to sushi. Chisou, Taku, Sexy Fish, and Umu are all within walking distance, though some of them are more lavish and built for Insta-stories than others. Joining their ranks is NIJŪ, the brainchild of third-generation sushi chef Endo Kazutoshi of the Michelin-starred Endo at The Rotunda and fellow new opening Kioku at the OWO Raffles. The focus here is on ‘katei ryori’ cooking, which translates to ‘home-cooked food’ and, in Nijū’s own words, means ‘informal yet decadent’. It certainly feels more relaxed than some of the neighbouring Mayfair restaurants: it’s giving chic, but not overly flashy. Situated in an elegant townhouse, you enter through a heavy velvet curtain to find two separate dining rooms decked out with sunset-hued lights and tasteful indoor plants – the one on the left hosting a bustling open sushi counter, headed up by David Bury (formerly of Notting Hill’s Sumi), and the kitchen by Chris Golding (formerly of The Pantechnicon). We mopped up a dollop of yuzu butter with delightfully fluffy shokupan bread The menu is organised into different sections: snacks and small dishes, nigiri and sashimi, big katei ryori plates and their selection of konro grilled house-aged beef. To kick things off, we mopped up a dollop of yuzu butter with delightfully fluffy shokupan bread – the unami kick of the MSG meddling gorgeously with the citrusy twang – followed by blistered padron peppers scattered with katsuobushi flakes. By this point, we’d downed our s

This review is from the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. ‘Actually, Good’ took home the top award at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so the stakes were already high enough for Gillian Cosgriff’s ruthlessly cheery interactive hour. The show is also all about finding happiness in the mundane – which is a hard enough mission at the best of times. The Aussie performer structures her performance around a game she vox-pops to the (very willing) audience, where you’re asked to come up with a ranking of ten things you ‘like’, before she writes them down in her ‘Book of Good’. Often, these will be as simple as ‘wearing a wireless bra’ or ‘getting a USB in the socket for the first time’ – or, in Cosgriff’s case, ‘bus drivers waving at each other’.  Cosgriff’s manic nods of approval at people’s ‘likes’ occasionally feel disingenuous, especially when it came to some of the more bland responses. But, overall, the optimism is endearing. The real humour came in with her various flashback stories and musical numbers she weaved throughout the game with a zesty flair and considerable pace. (A hilarious longer sketch of an unfortunate phone meeting with a councillor is especially good). There is also a darker undercurrent, which functions to counter the stickier sweet shell and remind us that with good, there is always bad, and with life, there is always death (yes, she is really blunt).  Her game could have quickly become tired or cringe – or risk sounding like a particular

This review is from the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. ‘Actually, Good’ took home the top award at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so the stakes were already high enough for Gillian Cosgriff’s ruthlessly cheery interactive hour. The show is also all about finding happiness in the mundane – which is a hard enough mission at the best of times. The Aussie performer structures her performance around a game she vox-pops to the (very willing) audience, where you’re asked to come up with a ranking of ten things you ‘like’, before she writes them down in her ‘Book of Good’. Often, these will be as simple as ‘wearing a wireless bra’ or ‘getting a USB in the socket for the first time’ – or, in Cosgriff’s case, ‘bus drivers waving at each other’.  Cosgriff’s manic nods of approval at people’s ‘likes’ occasionally feel disingenuous, especially when it came to some of the more bland responses. But, overall, the optimism is endearing. The real humour came in with her various flashback stories and musical numbers she weaved throughout the game with a zesty flair and considerable pace. (A hilarious longer sketch of an unfortunate phone meeting with a councillor is especially good). There is also a darker undercurrent, which functions to counter the stickier sweet shell and remind us that with good, there is always bad, and with life, there is always death (yes, she is really blunt).  Her game could have quickly become tired or cringe – or risk sounding like a particular

A Scandi-inspired spot of calm in the hustling heart of Shoreditch You’d be forgiven for thinking the lobby of One Hundred Shoreditch was the office of some edgy millennial’s start-up, with its fizzy trap-house soundtrack, large statement sculptures and cool twenty-somethings tapping away on their laptops. Head upstairs, though, and it’s a very different story. The bedrooms – all whitewashed walls, feature tapestry hangings and pine – radiate an instant calm. The design is subtle, but carefully calculated: curved vases clash with hard corners, rough natural textures sit next to excruciatingly soft sheets. There’s an attention to detail here which makes it feel like you’re staying in the spare room of some impossibly fashionable friend, what with the cult DS & Durga toiletries and Jacu Strauss artworks. But it’s not all about sleeping. Formerly home to the hipster haven the Ace Hotel, this landmark east London building is now as much a social destination as it is a place to rest your head. Head to the buzzy rooftop for drinks – a cacti-dotted terrace with a pink-tiled bar and panoramic skyline views over the city – and you’ll see why. Neighbourhood Shoreditch might have lost its crown to its Dalston neighbour as London’s king of cool, but that doesn’t mean this area has completely forgone its edge. Nearby, you’ll find a tonne of late-night bars, music venues, art galleries and indie fashion boutiques – in addition to Dickensian-era cobblestone streets and a Palladian church wi

Disputes between trade unions and train companies in the UK have now been dragging on for well over two years, with rail workers taking action to protest poor pay and working conditions. So, it’s a surprise to absolutely no one that more train strikes are expected in the coming months.  Following the ASLEF strikes in May – which saw train drivers at 16 operators across the UK walk out over three days – there is no further action planned on British train services. Yippee! Enjoy this glorious strike-free moment while it lasts.  But don’t get your hopes up too high. The ASLEF union’s members previously voted to continue striking until at least August 2024, so we can expect more industrial action in the coming weeks. If a union wants to call a strike, it has to give at least two weeks’ notice. The most recent update on UK train strikes will see ASLEF meet with the Department for Transport next week (on July 23) in an attempt to resolve the dispute. In better news, the RMT says that it has come to some sort of agreement with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) over pay and job security that has paused action by RMT members. Here’s everything you need to know about upcoming industrial action on the UK’s rail network.  RECOMMENDED: All you need to know about the train strikes in London.Heathrow Airport strikes 2024: full list of May and June dates and airlines affected. When are the next train strike dates? Following a ‘rolling programme’ of ASLEF strikes on May 7-9, no further strike act

Hot Swiftie summer is officially underway. After over a year pouring over set lists and constantly refreshing our feeds to hear news about the star, Swifties of Britain are finally getting to experience the Eras Tour live and in person. Her UK run of shows kicked off last week in Edinburgh – Liverpool is up next.  On her US leg, we saw the mega star perform through a torrential storm, dive head first into the stage, partake in a short-lived relationship with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy (that then inspired a whole new album), and bring her ex Taylor Lautner out to do a few backflips. We can only hope that the UK leg will be just as exciting and spectacular.  So make the friendship bracelets and pick your Era. Here’s everything we know about Taylor’s Eras tour in the UK.  RECOMMENDED ERAS TOUR GUIDES🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Eras Tour in EDINBURGH🎤 The Eras Tour in LIVERPOOL🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 The Eras Tour in CARDIFF👑 The Eras Tour in LONDON When is Taylor Swift coming to the UK as part of her 2024 Eras tour? She’s over in two rounds throughout June and August playing stadiums in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and London. The dates are as follows:  June 7 2024 – Edinburgh, BT Murrayfield StadiumJune 8 2024 – Edinburgh, BT Murrayfield StadiumJune 9 2024 – Edinburgh, BT Murrayfield Stadium June 13 2024 – Liverpool, Anfield StadiumJune 14 2024 – Liverpool, Anfield StadiumJune 15 2024 – Liverpool, Anfield Stadium June 18 2024 – Cardiff, Principality Stadium June 21 2024 – London, Wembley

In what might be one of our most apocalyptic-sounding headlines of 2024, five escaped Household Cavalry horses have been on the loose in central London this morning.  The horses were partaking in the Household Cavalry’s daily morning exercise on Horseguards Parade, Whitehall, when they threw off their riders, made up of the Lifeguards and Blues & Royals.  Videos of the horses, one blood-covered, surfaced online. The horses were spotted bolting through streets in Victoria and down to Aldwych, even getting as far as Tower Bridge.  Two horses have just been seen running down Aldwych in central London. One covered in blood. Filmed by @itvnews. pic.twitter.com/0M6A1bot6Q — Daniel Hewitt (@DanielHewittITV) April 24, 2024 The Telegraph reported that five people have been injured at three different locations. The ambulance service has been called to horse-related incidents at Buckingham Palace Road, Belgrave Square and the junction of Chancery Lane and Fleet Street.  In a statement, London Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 8.25am today (April 24) to reports of a person being thrown from a horse on Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W. ‘We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, and an incident response officer. ‘Our first paramedic was on the scene in five minutes.’ Just before 10.30am, the City of London police force said two of the horses were ‘contained’. An Army spokesperson has since confirmed that all hor

Fancy yourself a bit of a runner? The London Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events of the calendar, boasting 50,000 runners and millions of pounds raised for worthy causes each year. It’s not as simple as just lacing up your trainers and showing up on the day, though. Not only will you need serious preparation, but you’ll also have to be allocated an official place via a competitive ballot system. Do you think you have what it takes? Here’s everything you need to know about entering the London Marathon 2025.  How to enter the 2025 London Marathon To secure your spot in next year’s race, make sure you’re ready to enter the ballot, which opens on Saturday April 20, one day before the 2024 edition of the race and closes on Friday 26 April. You’ll find out if you got a spot before the end of July.  When is the London Marathon 2025? Mark those calendars: the London Marathon 2025 is on Sunday, April 27, 2025.  When is the London Marathon ballot announced? The ballot opened on April 20, 2024, and will close on April 26, 2024. The results of the ballot are then announced in July. How much does entering the ballot cost? It depends. For UK participants, the cost of a place is £69.99 with the option to donate their entry fee to The London Marathon Charitable Trust.  For international entrants, it costs £120 for a place, plus a £26 carbon offset levy. Can anyone enter the London Marathon? They can, but if you’re entering from outside the UK you will need to enter via a recognis

The London marathon happens (pretty much) every year, but somehow that doesn’t stop it coming as a huge surprise to even the most seasoned city-dwellers. So if you’re not already clued up, please be warned that this Sunday April 21, you’ll find 48,000 sweat-drenched runners stampeding through the city, trailing cheering fans, road closures, traffic restrictions in their wake. If your weekend plans involve a pleasant stroll through Blackheath, motoring over Tower Bridge, or picnicking in St James’ Park, please read on. Knowledge is power.  RECOMMENDED: Here’s the full guide to the 2024 London MarathonCheck out the 2024 route here What roads will be closed for the London marathon 2024? This handy map marks the overall route.   Image: Courtesy London Marathon But the roads on it aren’t necessarily closed all day. Instead, their closing times are staggered as the runners make their way from Greenwich to central London, meaning that an afternoon browsing the chichi shops of Blackheath is far from off the cards. Read on for a full breakdown of road closures and times:Charlton Way, Greenwich: 4am to 1pmShooters Hill Road: 4am to 1pmSt John’s Park: 7am to 1pmCharlton Park Road: 7am to 1pmOld Dover Road: 7am to 1pmLittle Heath: 7am to 1pmCharlton Park Lane: 7am to 1pmArtillery Place: 7am to 1pmJohn Wilson Street: 7am to 1pmWoolwich Church Street: 7am to 2pmWoolwich Road: 7am to 2pmTrafalgar Road: 7am to 3pmCreek Road: 7am to 3pmEvelyn Street: 8am to 4pmSurrey Quays Road: 8am to 4pmS

Not sure if you’d heard, but there’s quite a big race happening in London at the weekend. Big enough for the city to be brought to a sort-of-standstill and for your office manager to send out email after email reminding you to sponsor those very fit colleagues of yours. It’s even big enough for your mate to excuse themselves from your birthday pints on Saturday night. Must be pretty big, then. We are – of course – talking about the 2024 London Marathon, which will see around 48,000 people chuck on their trainers and run a hefty 26.2 miles this Sunday, 21 April for some worthy-ass causes. And even if you’re not running, even if you’re not cheering someone on from the sidelines, chances are you’ll sense some of the marathon energy if you venture into central London this weekend. The pubs will be packed, roads will be closed and you’ll probably see one or two people wondering around in tinfoil cloaks.  So what are the all-important deets? Here’s all of the essential timings you need to know about the London Marathon 2024 this weekend.  Where and when does the London Marathon 2024 start? The race kicks off in Greenwich Park on Sunday morning at around 8.30am with professional athletes leading the way. The masses then set off in waves. From 10am to 11.30am a sequence of start waves will take place, with short gaps in between to allow the course ahead to clear. All start lines will be closed by 11.30am.  Does everyone start the London Marathon at the same time? No: imagine the chao

This winter has felt particularly long, hasn’t it? Finally, spring is within sight. The biannual clock change will take place at the end of this month, meaning the UK is about to return to longer, brighter days. And with that, comes all of the good stuff: picnics in the park, beer gardens, beach days and music festivals.   Once the clocks go forward, sunlight will finally stretch into evening, though sunrise will happen a little later than in the past weeks. Here’s everything you need to know about when the clocks go forward in the UK in 2024.  When do the clocks go forward in 2024?  Mark your calendars: in 2024, the clocks will go forward on Sunday, March 31 at 1am.  Will I lose or gain an extra hour in bed? With all the different dates and times, it’s easy to get confused about what it actually means for us in practical terms. But as the time change occurs at night (at 1am, the clocks will go forward to 2am), most of us will be sleeping. The March time change means we lose an hour in bed. When will the clocks go back again? In autumn 2024, the clocks will go back on October 27 at 2am.  Why do we change the clocks in the UK? The tradition of changing clocks began in 1916 in an attempt to make better use of daylight hours. Daylight Saving Time (or British Summer Time) meant people could work for longer and could save fuel during the war.  Which other countries change the clocks? More than 70 countries around the globe change their clocks, with most European countries chan

Holidaymakers, we’ve got bad news. Border Force staff at Heathrow (the UK’s biggest and busiest airport) are threatening to walk out from April onwards in a dispute over changes to workers’s shifts. If the strike is approved by a ballot of 600 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU), industrial action could impact the Easter holidays.  Travelling in or out of Heathrow this Easter? Here’s everything you need to know about the potential strikes, from the dates they could take place to the expected amount of disruption. When are the Heathrow strikes meant to take place?  The ballot of PCSU workers will run until March 22. The earliest a strike could take place is April 5.  Who is going on strike at Heathrow Airport? Around 600 Border Force officers who are members of the PCSU could strike.  What airlines are affected? As the strike hasn’t been confirmed, the scale of the potential disruption at Heathrow hasn’t yet been quantified.  Why are Border Force workers striking? The PCSU has said workers are unhappy about Heathrow’s changes to rosters and shift patterns, which will apparently leave Border Force employees working long, exhausting shifts.  What’s been said about the strikes?  PCSU General Secretary Fran Heathcote said: ‘Our members at Heathrow are united in their opposition to these draconian plans. ‘One aspect of the plans would force workers to choose between finding another job or losing their allowances. Another would see others having to sign u

Neil Halstead speaks to me over the phone from Cologne, where Slowdive are currently on tour. It’s been a busy few months – they’ve just returned from South America, where they played Argentina, Chile and Brazil – so it’s been a while since the frontman has spent any substantial time in Newquay, the Cornish town he’s called home since 1994.  ‘It used to be just a little sleepy surf town that would get busy in the summer; a lot of families would come down for holidays,’ he says. ‘Now, it’s changed a bit. There’s lots of nice coffee shops and many different surf schools. In some ways I miss when it was a little less gentrified. But it’s still a lovely place.’ Neil recommends visiting in September or April, when the surf and weather is good but the crowds are at bay. Here are his top things to do.   Eat ‘Pachanga is quite close to where I live. They do simple Mexican food, like huevos rancheros for breakfast. The couple who run it used to have a food truck parked up in town and they finally got their own spot. If you want fancy food there’s a place called Verbena, from chefs Adam Banks and Mariana Chaves, which does small plates. If you’re feeling a little bit flush, it’s a good place to go.’ Drink ‘The Red Lion is the most traditional pub still in Newquay. It overlooks the harbour and they do a good quiz night on Tuesdays. It’s always busy. The pubs in Newquay close at about 11, but there’s a bunch of clubs that are open until two or three in the morning. In summer, it gets pre

When speaking to Marshall Jefferson – the American producer responsible for the legendary late eighties house track, ‘Move Your Body’ – with his warm, thick Chicago accent, you might be surprised to hear that these days, he’s an adopted Mancunian. ‘I was living in London in Chelsea, paying £3500 a month for a studio apartment,’ he says. ‘I visited some friends in Manchester and saw it was a lot cheaper, then moved in 2006. Now I’m living in Prestwich, a very nice neighbourhood.’ But as one of the original architects of the house music genre, Jefferson living in Manchester also completely makes sense. ‘The crowds are just enthusiastic to house now as when I started,’ he says. ‘The only difference is that in the ’90s, you had a lot of hits: there are no hits anymore. There’s thousands of new songs every day. You can’t just hop in the music business one day and come up with a hot song because nobody will ever hear it – and they’ll forget it, because nobody’s played it twice.’ This month, Jefferson is heading over to Leeds to play the 30th anniversary party of Love To Be, the established house music party series. ‘Certain people just do great events, they have it down to a science – Love To Be is one of them,’ he says. Ahead of the night, he talks us through his favourite spots in his adopted hometown of Manchester.  Eat   ‘My area is home to a lot of Orthodox Jewish people and you can get the best kosher at Shefa Mehadrin: fresh food, breads, duck eggs. It’s kinda expensive, but

We all know the air quality in London isn’t great. In fact, it’s pretty worrying – especially when we look at the levels in our widely-used tube network.  A recent study by Cambridge University academics, published in December 2022, found that ultrafine particles – those primarily generated by friction from wheels, tracks and brakes – are found in ‘abundance’ on the Underground. The study said that it ‘could have particularly adverse health impacts as their smaller size makes it possible to pass from lungs to the blood stream’. Thankfully, new technology is about to be trialled in an attempt to improve the air on the Underground. Transport for London will be deploying the tech at Baker Street and Green Park stations this winter, tackling dust on the network.  The Mayor’s Budget for 2024/25 said: ‘In winter 2023/24, we will trial a new air filtration system at Baker Street and Green Park stations. We are funding the trial as part of our work to test innovative solutions to improve air quality on the Underground.’ They’ll also be funding a team to explore the capturing and re-use of thermal energy from the tube’s ventilation shafts, which could then be used by external suppliers for nearby buildings. Want to find out more about how the capital is tackling pollution? Take a read of our interview with clean air campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, our 2023 Time Out Community Hero of the Year.  Did you see that a Queen Elizabeth II memorial garden is coming to Regent’s Park?

Ever since the Battersea Power Station re-opened its doors to the public in 2022, its luxury penthouses at the top of the building have been shrouded in mystery. Who’s living there? Does Harry Styles actually own one? What we do know, though, is they’re not cheap – as this lavish property to recently hit the market shows.  Situated in the Boiler House at Battersea Power Station, a four-bedroom property is up for grabs with a hefty price tag of £31 million. It actually combines two penthouses into one space – meaning you’ll have 5,167 square feet of the iconic building to call your own.  The main bedroom suite comes with two dressing rooms, a bathroom and ‘dual aspect’ bedroom with its own private roof terrace. On the top floor, there’s a media and family room, plus a study with balcony, two river-facing guest bedrooms, a kitchenette and utility room.   Photograph: Courtesy of Right Move   Photograph: Courtesy of Right Move You’ll also get an outdoor seating area under one of the former power station’s four chimneys, plus an internal roof garden – all with pretty enviable views over London’s skyline. That’s not all, though: also included is secure underground parking for four cars (because obviously you’ll own more than one if you can afford this kind of place), plus access to the eleventh floor communal resident garden and use of a 24/7 concierge service. To break a sweat, you’ll have access to a residents leisure facility, complete with gym, classes and a pool. The tran