The Time Out London blog team

Want to step inside an iconic rock’n’roll landmark? Next month you can do just that, as one of the capital’s oldest music venues, the Half Moon in Putney, is due to reopen after temporarily closing for refurbishment. The pub has existed in its current form since 1903 and began hosting live music in 1963, smack-bang in the heyday of British invasion bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Small Faces, all of whom have performed at the 250-capacity venue. A short walk from Putney Bridge and overlooking the Thames, the Half Moon closed its doors in mid-January for a huge makeover. In a statement released the previous November, the venue promised via a social media post: ‘While we’re modernising the space and adding an extra room, we’ll remain true to our roots and continue to build on our reputation as a legendary grassroots venue.’ It transpired that this involved extending the first floor to include a new terrace with a retractable roof and spiral staircase, plus a lick of paint and new equipment that would enable the owners to serve a wider range of food. The revamp was approved by Wandsworth Council in 2023, with planning documents explaining that the move would ‘reinvigorate the public house, improving its popularity and customer base, and ultimately securing its long-term viability’. While no specific date has been given for the relaunch, events are listed on the pub’s website from April 4, with rock’n’roll singer Laurie Wright performing as part of a day-long...

The debate rages on as to who is the most iconic Londoner. Sir David Attenborough? Bowie? Amy Winehouse? For all the greatness of those aforementioned figures, the answer is clearly the red Routemaster bus, a symbol of the city since its arrival in 1956. Soon, you could own one for yourself, as five are coming up for auction. Owned by TfL, the AEC Routemaster double-decker buses will come under the hammer at Wilsons Auctions Newcastle at 11am tomorrow (Wednesday March 4). Each one is expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000. The buses were built around 1960 and have, according to Wilsons, been ‘meticulously’ maintained throughout their decades of service, meaning that the vehicles remain in ‘impressive running condition’. Original Routemasters were fully removed from service in 2005. They were replaced by the ‘New Routemaster’, buses with fully closing doors that were considered safer than the previous model’s famous open platform. That also meant bidding a fond farewell to the role of conductor.  TfL continued to run the original model as a ‘hop on, hop off’ service on the number 15 route, which ran between Tower Hill and Trafalgar Square. But the heritage service was withdrawn in April 2021, after its pandemic-induced suspension, with TfL blaming its permanent withdrawal on its failure to meet ULEZ standards and offer step-free access. Transport historian Tim Dunn described the disappearance of the final original Routemaster from official service as ‘a real shame’....

Do you occasionally have a flutter on the National Lottery? Your chances of winning millions might be pretty slim, but whether you win big or not this weekend, your ticket means guaranteed prizes in the form of free or discounted entry to dozens of top attractions across the UK. Returning from Saturday March 7 to Sunday March 15, the National Lottery’s Open Week is a way for National Lottery-funded venues across the country to say thank you to participants for their part in raising £32 million each week to support charitable causes. The annual celebration offers free or heavily discounted access to visitors who present a lottery ticket upon entry at hundreds of celebrated venues, from historical sites, art galleries and museums to wildlife hotspots, sporting venues and even some lovely independent cinemas. In the mood for a bargain day out in the city? Here are loads of great London venues participating in National Lottery Open Week 2026. London venues with free or discounted entry for National Lottery Open Week The Tower of London What? 50 percent off for two adults and four children When? March 7-14  Kensington Palace What? 50 percent off for two adults and four children When? March 7-8 and March 11-14 Hampton Court Palace What? 50 percent off for two adults and four children When?  March 7-8 and March 13-14 Photograph: Shutterstock Tate Modern What? Two for one entry to the Theatre Picasso exhibition When? March 7-15  Eltham Palace and Gardens What? Free entry for...