The Time Out London blog team

If you’ve ever run the Hackney Half Marathon, you’ll know that despite the fact you’re exerting yourself for 13.1 miles – risking chafing, blisters and sheer exhaustion along the way – somehow it still manages to be a fun, spirited, life-affirming party, thanks to the atmosphere around the course. This Sunday (May 17), everyone from DJs and bands to drumming troupes and choirs will be lining the route, providing upbeat and motivating tunes. But, more importantly, the Hackney streets will be swelling with crowds of spectators armed with signs, sweets and rousing cheers to spur everyone on until the end. Even after you’ve finished the race, which stretches from Hackney Marches to Hackney Downs and curves round to Victoria Park, before ending back at the Race Village at the Marshes again, you’ll find that the good vibes continue. Whether you’re riding high on endorphins or nursing post-race blisters, there are plenty of afterparties, freebies and perks for the determined folk wearing their medals round their necks. Here are the best freebies and treats to look out for – just don’t wear yourself out running round town to bag ’em all. You’ve earned a nice sit down!HACKNEY MARATHON GUIDE📍 The Hackney Half: route, start time, best places to watch, and everything you need to know. The best Hackney Half 2026 freebies and perks 1. Craft beer at LARDO What you get: Join a party on LARDO’s terrace after the Hackney Half. There’ll be a Sandwich & Spritz menu available in collaboration...

At time of writing, tube strikes are set to hit London once again next week. But those walk-outs aren’t the only travel disruption to watch out for over the coming days. This weekend (May 16-17) there will also be several major tube and train service closures to navigate in the capital. But a bit of travel disruption is no reason to stay at home this weekend – there’s plenty to be getting up to in the Big Smoke on Saturday and Sunday. There’s the opening of the Globe’s outdoor season (with a good-vibes rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, no less), a literature festival on Fleet Street, a new exhibition in the Barbican’s Sculpture Court and much, much more.  There are only a few planned closures and service alterations on May 16-17, but they’re major ones. The Central line, DLR and the Overground’s Windrush line are among the most severely affected routes. Here are all TfL’s train and tube closures to know about this weekend. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London this weekend. London travel disruption and tube closures, May 16-17 2026 Central line On Saturday May 16 in the early morning (1.45am to 5.15am), no trains between Marble Arch and Woodford/Newbury Park. From 5.45am on Sat May 16 and all day on Sunday May 17 (including Saturday night tube), no service between Marble Arch and Leytonstone. On Sat May 16 and Sun May 17, Mile End station is closed. DLR On Sat May 16 and Sun May 17, no service on the entire network after 11.30pm on each evening. On Sun May...

London’s historic Curzon Chelsea is reopening this autumn – and here’s a first look at what to expect from the brand new King’s Road venue. Curzon’s new flagship venue is part of a redevelopment that has left the Art Deco façade intact but reimagined the 20,000 sq ft cinema beneath it as ‘a multi-purpose environment for the wider creative community’. Alongside the 300-seat main auditorium, the venue will boast a space for big gatherings and live programming, two studio spaces for podcasts, writers’ rooms and ‘experimental screenings’, a video and audio recording studio, and a bar, café and creative special space. Originally opened at the Gaumont Palace in 1934, Curzon Chelsea was shuttered in 2018 and demolished a year later. Photograph: CurzonThe Atrium at Curzon Chelsea The new venue, says Curzon CEO Philip Knatchbull, will be a place ‘where audiences can move fluidly between formats – film, audio and live events – for a truly immersive experience.’ He adds that Curzon Chelsea is designed ‘to support a generation of creatives whose work spans platforms, from film to audio, digital content and live formats’. ‘We’re excited to return to such an historic location with a new flagship that will actively promote the creation and exhibition of the very best of British and international art and culture.’ Photograph: CurzonThe Pod at Curzon Chelsea Curzon Chelsea is designed by Takero Shimazaki Architects, the designers of Curzon Bloomsbury and Curzon Camden.  The new-look...