Alex Sims

We might not be in for quite as much of a scorcher of a weekend as last week, but July is here and along with it, many of the pillars of the Great British Summer. When you’re not filling up your sweet days off with all those things we love about the season: beer garden hangs, alfresco dining, picnics in the park, open-air theatre and cinema and lido visits, join London’s annual Pride parade on Saturday – grab a rainbow flag and join the floats as they march through central London and finish the day off at one of the many after parties across London. The Wimbledon Tennis Championships have also made their return. If you haven’t bagged yourself a ticket and don’t fancy joining the long entry queue, then take a look at our comprehensive list of screenings around London this weekend. The UEFA Women’s Euros also start this week! If you’re not going to watch the action in person in Switzerland, there are plenty of watch parties and fan zones popping up across the capital – we’ve listed a few of our favourites. On top of that, there’s also plenty of great theatre to see at the moment, including a gorgeous version of Eugene O’Neill’s final play A Moon for the Misbegotten starring Peter Corboy and Ruth Wilson, or grab tickets to Dickie Beau’s Showmanism, a one-man take on the history of acting that’s ‘complex and richly layered’, according to our critic. There’s also plenty of alfresco fun to enjoy this week, from BST Open House’s free programme of music, cinema and games in Hyde Pa

As well as the reams of steel drums, elaborately-dressed dancers, rum cocktail stands and jerk chicken vendors that make up Notting Hill Carnival, we can’t forget about the bass-quaking and rhythm-shaking sound stystems that take over the west London streets during the event.  Notting Hill Carnival’s sound systems are an institution, with some of the DJs having played at the event since its inception. Some of the most famous include Channel One Sound System, Aba Shanti-I and Gladdy Wax, which will all be there in 2025. Dotted all across the Carnival area, there’s a sound system for everyone with reggae, roots, ska, lover’s rock and so much more, all keeping the party going all day long. Whether you’re a hip-hop head, lover of bashment or want to feel dub rattling in your chest, there’s a tinnitus-inducing sound system to suit every kind of musical persuasion. Every corner of W10 over the weekend will become part of a smorgasbord of sound and we’re mapping out the best spots to get stuck in. Give yourself a head start and check out Carnival’s best sound systems below. What day are the sound systems playing at Notting Hill Carnival 2025? On Carnival Sunday and Monday, over 30 static sound systems will play from noon to 7pm at various locations across the Notting Hill area. Make sure to check this page closer to the date of the Carnival for the most accurate list of sound systems that will be playing and their official locations.   Here’s Time Out’s A-Z of Notting Hill Carnival

September in London may be ‘back to school’ time, but it’s also when the city comes alive. A lot of London’s cultural scene goes into semi-hibernation mode over the summer, but come autumn it kicks back into gear with landmark museum exhibitions, new theatre and art shows and brand new food and drink openings.  There’s also a whole host of city-wide fests taking over the capital, including Open House London – giving us a chance to get a sneak peek inside usually private buildings – London Design Festival and Totally Thames – the brilliant celebration of London’s watery main artery. While autumn is still on the horizon, summer isn’t over yet. So make sure you grab your final chance to enjoy the spoils of the season by booking a seat at some of London’s best rooftop bars and alfresco restaurants and lolling about in the city’s best urban beaches, parks and lidos. Get your diary out and start filling it up now. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

London’s LGBTQ+ scene is among the most fabulous in the world, with a wealth of bars, clubs, nights and other spaces serving the city’s queer communities. So it’s no surprise, then, that London celebrates Pride month like nowhere else in the world.  The culmination of this month of parties and protests is Pride in London, which usually takes place in the early days of July and sees the city centre transform into a huge, chaotic, rainbow-coloured celebration. The main event is the Pride Parade, a huge spectacle typically comprising around 600 groups and 35,000 participants, but there are also five stages around Soho and the West End and a Family Zone, all of which will be serving up a wealth of free entertainment throughout the day. Here is everything you need to know about the route and timings of Pride 2025’s Parade.  When is the London Pride Parade 2025? This year London’s Pride parade will place on Saturday, July 5.  How can I take part in the London Pride Parade 2025? With the big day arriving this weekend, applications have long since closed for groups wishing to take part in the parade. But while you might have missed the boat (or float?) for this year’s march, you can still catch all the action from the best seats in the house by booking tickets for the Haymarket Grandstand. Final release tickets are available here for £65. What time does the London Pride Parade start? As in previous years, the Pride parade is expected to kick off at midday from Hyde Park c

  It’s another balmy week in London. The lidos are full, the parks are a patchwork of picnic blankets, and the tinkling sound of cream vans has become an ever-present sound on the city streets. To make us really feel like July is here, several pillars of the Great British Summer come to London this week. It’s London’s annual Pride parade on Saturday, grab a rainbow flag and join the floats as they march through central London and finish the day off at one of the many after parties across London. The Wimbledon Tennis Championships also make their return this week, with plenty of British talent taking to the courts – if you haven’t bagged yourself a ticket and don’t fancy joining the long entry queue, then take a look at our comprehensive list of screenings around London. The UEFA Women’s Euros also start this week! If you’re not going to watch the action in person in Switzerland, there are plenty of watch parties and fan zones popping up across the capital – we’ve listed a few of our favourites.On top of that, there’s also plenty of great theatre to see at the moment, including a gorgeous version of Eugene O’Neill’s final play A Moon for the Misbegotten starring Peter Corboy and Ruth Wilson, or grab tickets to Dickie Beau’s Showmanism, a one-man take on the history of acting that’s ‘complex and richly layered’, according to our critic. There’s also plenty of alfresco fun to enjoy this week, from BST Open House’s free programme of music, cinema and games in Hyde Park, the open

If you’re dreaming of finding sand in your shoes after a long day out and queuing too long for ice cream, then you could do a lot worse than venturing out of the city and planning a trip to one of the UK’s seemingly endless coastal towns. This is an island nation, after all, which means it’s packed with rugged cliffs and windswept headlands as well as quaint fishing villages and shoreline surf spots. We might not have the sunkissed weather of our European neighbours, but when it comes to costal charm, the UK ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. Planning a trip to the seaside? Check out our list of the best coastal towns in the country, from Scotland to Cornwall.   Which UK seaside towns get the best weather?  If you’re chasing sunshine, you’re probably going to want to go south. Brighton, Margate, St Ives, Salcombe and Falmouth can clock some serious sun hours in the right season – but we can’t make any promises, so be sure to pack a raincoat to be on the safe side.  Where are the best beaches in the UK? If beach walks and swimming in the sea is what you’re after, look no further than our list of the best beaches in the UK. From the list below, we’d recommend Brighton if you’re more of a pebble person. Head to Nefyn for natural beauty and extreme quiet. Try North Berwick if you want sand between your toes and can stomach chillier waters. And for higher temperatures, head to East Portlemouth beach and stay in Salcombe.  RECOMMENDED:🌊The best outdoor swimmming pools in the UK🏖️T

It’s June! The weather is heating up, festival season is in full swing, and the city is gearing up for a blissful summer. Feels good, doesn’t it? There’s plenty of fun in store during the early days of summer, including the first edition of Lido festival (featuring Charli xcx, Massive Attack and Jamie xx), the return of London Road to the National Theatre, and the inaugural SXSW London.  Plus, the capital truly comes into its own this month: beer gardens are at their prime, the city parks are at their prettiest, the open-air theatre season gets going and eating alfresco is on the cards at some of London’s best restaurants. Plus, expect to see long queues in south west London as tennis fans line up to bag a place at the epic Wimbledon championships.  RECOMMENDED: Plan a great summer with our guide to London’s best music fests Get ahead of the pack and start planning your perfect July in London. 

The British Summer always feels like it’s passed by in flash when it gets late August, so be sure to make the most of the last – and longest – weekend in the month (Saturday August 23 to Monday August 25 2025). And we think the year definitely saves the best bank holiday till last, mainly thanks to the fact that it means Notting Hill Carnival is back. August in London wouldn’t be the same without Europe’s biggest street party. Heading to west for the big day? Make sure you look at our guides to the soundsystems, timings and fringe events, so you’re fully prepped for the party.  The long weekend also brings some of London’s finest music festivals. All Points East, Rally, South Facing and Body Movements will be popping up again for the weekend with stellar line-ups featuring some huge acts. Or, venture south for Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, south London’s annual celebration of outdoor theatre, which will fill the streets with spectacular installations and community shows.  We’ll be updating this page as events are announced, so be sure to check back here regularly in the run-up to the long weekend. This is the last gasp of the summer, so make it count! RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to the bank holiday in London.

  London is more than two thousand years old. It’s a world-class hub for history, art, culture and politics. Frankly, it’s a bit overwhelming. What is the best way to explore a city that has so damn much on offer? Where do you begin in an area that’s 1,572 square kilometres? The answer: on foot.  This is where a guided walking to tour comes into it. Street tours. Museum tours. Food tours. There are literally hundreds to choose from in the capital. So this is where I step in, tour guide-esque, with some suggestions of my own, to help you understand all that history a little better.  A great tour guide will inspire and fascinate you – before you know it, you’ll enthusiastically be sharing the stories you heard with Linda on the checkouts at your local supermarket, or Iqbal at work. The ones included here are the well-worth doing and unsung tours that deserve your attention. Yes there’s your usual Changing of the Guard and Westminster Abbey tours, but there’s also some more offbeat ones which are frankly exceptional.  Why take my word for it? I’m a tour guide myself. I have since led all sorts of walks around London, from cemetery tours, queer history walks to pub outings. I regularly guide in places like The British Museum and National Gallery and after a decade in the industry, here are some of my choices for an unforgettable experience. Need more sightseeing inspiration?🛥️ Here are London’s best boat tours💂‍♂️ Check out our list of 101 things to do in London🛏 Or stay in o

Spring flowers are all about delicate prettiness: March's cherry blossom, April's bluebells and May's wisteria bring frilly petals and photoshoot opportunities galore. But as spring deepens into summer, it's all about richly-scented lavender, tough enough to survive the hotter days, and beautiful enough to make a worthy backdrop to any picnics you've got planned. Its deliciously fragrant purple flowers typically arrive between June and September, peaking in August, when its rich scent fills the air and bees and bumblebees enjoy a pollen bonanza. There are endless varieties, each with their own colour palette and distinct aroma, from pale mauve to deepest indigo. In London, Kennington Park, Kew Gardens and Vauxhall Park are top destinations for lavender-fanciers. Or make a day of it and head to whole farms dedicated to the mauve blooms just outside the capital, in Kent, Surrey and Hertfordshire. Immerse yourself in a purple haze this summer by visiting one of London’s fragrant lavender gardens, or head out of town on a day trip to find sweeping fields of the stuff. Got the bug for a wholesome, sweet-smelling day out? Pay a visit to some of the blooming, beautiful lavender farms further afield across the UK.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do outdoors in London.

Have you noticed that everyone seems to be doing Pilates right now? Well, there’s good reason. Developed by German trainer Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, the exercise regime is low-impact but does absolute wonders for your muscles (including your core) – and it’ll sort out a load of other issues form bad posture to balance, too. Celebs, dancers and elite athletes swear by it and now all sorts of new studios are popping up over the city. If you wanna get a bit more bendy, toned and powerful, look no further than one of these expert pilates classes. What’s more, it doesn’t matter whether they’re mat-based, inspired by ballet or take place on a reformer machine (they’re not as scary as they look, we promise), these fun and fancy studios won’t leave you bent out of shape. Here are the best pilates classes in London. Fancy testing that new-found flexibility? Try one of these yoga classes in London next.  RECOMMENDED: The best sport and fitness in London

Easter is an underrated holiday. It doesn’t get anywhere near as much hype as Christmas, but is almost as good. Sure, you might not get sacks full of presents, but you still get an excuse to stuff your face with chocolate, tuck into a big roast dinner, and a whole four-day weekend to spend however you like. This year, this glorious double bank holiday lands between Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21. The only thing standing between you and a glorious four days of fun is figuring out how to fill all your extra time off. Don’t worry – as always, Time Out’s fun-loving editorial team have your back. There’s tons to do in the capital over Easter weekend, from checking out spring flowers and other kid-friendly activities to making the most of the spring sun (thankfully the weather isn’t lookimg too bad!) at one of London’s top rooftop bars and parks. You could also spend your time checking out a free art exhibition or, of course, treating yourself to a proper pub roast on Easter Sunday. Make the most of your extra-long weekend with our top things to do in London this Easter. Rosie Hewitson is Time Out’s Things to Do Editor. She’ll be spending the long weekend lounging around in Clissold Park with a bag of mini eggs, some tinnies and a good book. RECOMMENDED: Check out our eggcellent guide to Easter in London.

Europe’s largest celebration of Indian film arrives in London for its 16th edition this year. It’s a chance to see UK premieres, anticipated restorations and discover new emerging talent. This year, watch the high-action gangster film Little Jaffna directed by Lawrence Valin, following a rookie cop who goes undercover to infiltrate Tamil gangs in Paris; see a filmic restoration os one of legendary British theatre impresario Peter Brooks’ most famed works, The Mahabharata, which will be attended by some of the original cast; see new work from director Rima Das, who returns with the smoulderingly powerful Village Rockstars 2, about the many challenges facing young people in rural India today; watch Boong, a film telling the story of a disobedient schoolboy’s ambition to mend his broken family in Manipur; and don’t miss Pyre, a Himalyas-set and sumptuously photographed story about an elderly couple struggling to survive in a changing mountain society. Plus, look out for industry events encouraging more British South Asian talent into the industry and the festival’s popular programme of Brit-Asian shorts. See the full programme here:  Wed July 16, 6:10pm, BFI Southbank: Little Jaffna Fri July 18, 8:15pm, BFI Southbank: Village Rockstar 2 Sat July 19, 5:45pm, BFI Southbank: Brit-Asian Shorts Sun July 20, 11am, BFI IMAX: The Mahabharata Tue July 22, 6pm, BFI Southbank: Pyre Wed July 23, 6.10pm, BFI Southbank: Boong

‘A problem shared is a problem halved’ isn’t just a saying, it’s a fact. So, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18), London Designer Outlet is opening a pop-up barbershop offering Londoners valuable emotional check-ins along with a free trim. The shop is a collaboration with Talk Club, the UK’s leading male mental health charity, known for asking ‘How are you? Out of 10?’ in their regular talking groups. There’ll be some talented coiffeurs on hand, with A Star (Ahmed), best known for shaping Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham’s locks, leading the team of professional barbers who’ve all been trained in Talk Club’s ‘Captain’ programme, and will be giving out free trims and lending an ear for the event. Simply walk in for a trim and a chat on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s also the option to make a donation to support Talk Club. 

What is it?  It’s something when a museum can lay claim to having been opened as Queen Victoria’s last public engagement. In 1899, the current premises of the V&A enjoyed that privilege. It has gone on to become one of the world’s – let alone London’s – most magnificent museums. It is a superb showcase for applied arts from around the globe, appreciably calmer than its tearaway cousins the Science Museum and Natural History Museum on the other side of Exhibition Road. All three museums would be must-visits in another city, but it is the sheer beauty of the V&A that keeps it closest to our hearts. The details? There are some 150 grand galleries over seven floors. They contain countless pieces of furniture, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, posters, jewellery, metalwork, glass, textiles and dress, spanning several centuries. You could run through the highlights for the rest of this guide, but key artefacts include the seven Raphael Cartoons, painted in 1515 as tapestry designs for the Sistine Chapel; the finest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside Italy; the Ardabil carpet, the world’s oldest and arguably most splendid floor covering, in the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art; and the Luck of Edenhall, a 13th-century glass beaker from Syria. Over more than a decade, the V&A’s ongoing FuturePlan transformation has been a revelation – more than 85 percent of its public spaces have been restored and redesigned. The completely refurbished Medieval & Renaissance Galleries a

Bootylicious – one of London’s longest-running club nights for queer and trans people of colour – was one of the earliest clubs in the capital to strive for diversity on the DJ lineup and the dance floor when it began back in 2001. It’ll be taking over the entire three floors at Scala in King’s Cross for a one-off Easter special. Expect a line-up of hot selectors including the scene’s fast-rising DJs, artists, performers and hosts. Head to the top floor for UK funky house, GQOM, Afro electronic and House with DJs NG and Kyma, the main floor for to hear Bootylicious resident DJs Kartel Brown (promoter of Vogue Rites) ,Biggy C (daddy of Dancehall), Randall Watson and DJ Tyom keep. Or keep it old-school in the Glassbar with a set from Jeffrey Hinton and guests. Starting at 11am and ending at 6am, it’s going to be one big bank holiday blowout.   

What is it? The Science Museum features four floors of educational and entertaining exhibits, including the Soyuz capsule, which brought Tim Peake back from theInternational Space Station Apollo 10 command module and a gamingexperience. The West Hall showcases developments in contemporary science, medicine and technology. Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries contains a substantial collection of medical history treasures. The Pattern Pod is a multi-sensory area for under-eights, Wonderlab holds demonstrations and explainers for bigger kids and Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery lets teenagers discover more about STEM careers. Or, explore the creative work of engineers which change our everyday lives in the Engineers gallery. Exhibits in the Exploring Space gallery include a piece of the Moon and real space rockets suspended from the ceiling and Making the Modern World holds items like the Apollo 10command module. 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: The Ronson Theatre cinema which shows scientific films in 3D, allowing visitors to be surrounded by space or submerged in the depths of the ocean. Ticke

Whatever sort of night you’re after, this glitzy spot can provide it. If you’re feeling competitive there are 11 pool tables to choose from in its stylish pool hall – four luxury American pool tables and seven English tables – surrounded by modern art, chandeliers and leather sofas. Anyone wanting to improve their cue game can book a session with Q’s resident trick shot pro Rico Diks, or if you’re just there for a laugh, book a pool package which can include drinks, food and even bottomless brunch. As well as pool, you’ll find blackjack, poker, and roulette tables as well as a well-equipped bar fully stocked with prosecco. Keep the action going late into the night by heading downstairs to the Q night club where DJs spin a mix of disco, funk, old-school R&B, rock and house into the early hours. There are plenty of dedicated club nights here too, including London favourites like Supa Dupa Fly and R’n’B Brunch Party. If you like your gaming with a side of glamour, Q has you covered. 

Staying up late in one of the Barbican’s iconic Brutalist foyers to listen to the best of London’s DIY music scene sounds like a pretty epic evening. The Barbican’s ClubStage will be making way for south London producer and multi-instrumentalist Wu-Lu, who’ll be spinning his eclectic record collection that’s inspired his punk-rap sound at this night celebrating the capital’s grassroots music scene. He’ll be joined by goth hardcore rapper Denzel Himself and queer multi-instrumentalist and producer Sheiva, who’ll all be making noise until 2.30am. If you’re looking for a club night with a difference, you’ve found it. 

Do you have a dog-eared copy of Hamnet on your bedside table? Meet Maggie O’Farrell the author behind the best-seller, as well as eight further novels, at this talk with BBC culture journalist Katie Razzall. Expect the evening to touch on everything from O’Farrell’s writing practice, her memoir, I Am, I Am, I Am, detailing 17 near-death experiences which have punctuated her life and her most recent novel, The Marriage Portrait, which was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize.

It might have had a makeover a couple of years ago, but Jeremy Lee’s Quo Vardis still oozes old-school Soho and has been rustling up some of the capital’s finest food since 2012. Now it’s collaborating with its favourite producers and suppliers for a programme of tasty-sounding culinary events.  Announced so far is a celebration of caviar and vodka on February 19, a supper focussing on quality British meat from famous butcher Swaledale on March 19, Basque cooking from Tomos Parry on April 23, a menu paired with Journey’s End’s wines from the West Cape of the Stellenbosch on May 7 and a supper from four of London’s most interesting wine-focused restaurants – 40 Maltby Street, Planque, Camille and Cadet – in June. They’ll be sure to sell out fast, so keep an eye out for ticket releases for each event by signing up to the Quo Vadis Rocket newsletter. 

The famous and historic London rowing contest between the UK’s oldest two universities returns for its 170th edition on Sunday April 13, when crews from Oxford and Cambridge go head-to-head in eight-oared rowing boats across the Thames. Beginning in 1829 for chaps and 1927 for ladies, the annual fixture now attracts around 250,000 spectators to south-west London every year. The four-and-a-quarter mile course runs along the Thames from Putney Bridge to Mortlake and takes around 16 to 18 minutes (Cambridge holds the course record of 16 minutes 19 seconds, set in 1998). The women’s race is usually up first, followed by the men’s race an hour later. Spectators can watch the BBC’s coverage of the race large screens at two riverside Fan Zones in Hammersmith and Fulham, where they’ll also find covered seating, street food vendors, bars and toilet facilities. Putney Bridge, Hammersmith and Kew Gardens tube stations will all be in use on the day, as will Putney, Barnes Bridge, Mortlake or Chiswick rail stations, while Putney Embankment, Thames Bank, Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge will be closed to vehicles for much of the day.

Brilliant news for bookworms: London has a brand new literature festival. The Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words will be exploring how words shape our world all while celebrating its heritage as the home of London’s printing press. The headliners already on the bill include  Booker Prize-winning author Ben Okri and Kate Mosse OBE. Elsewhere there’ll be talks from screenwriter Ed Docx and author Mick Herron on the process of bringing TV hit Slow Horses from book to screen; Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Iain Dale, and Sir Richard Evans will discuss history’s lessons from its most notorious dictators, Jeremy Vine will present new crime fiction series Murder on Line One; Nick Wallis (The Great Post Office Scandal) and Caroline Wheeler (Death in the Blood) will spotlight the power of long-form investigative journalism and there’ll also be talks on Samuel Pepys’ Diary, the real Wolf Hall and the life of Thomas Cromwell and breakfast events with The Times and the Daily Telegraph to explore the biggest news headlines for the day. The whole festival will be analysing how words can shift the balance of power from censorship to freedom of speech to technology and AI, so expect some especially insightful discussions.  Full line-up and ticket information to be announced in March

Back for its fifteenth edition, the Cinema Made In Italy festival will be celebrating the best new Italian cinema and filmmakers at its new home at BFI Southbank. Over five days, the festival will screen 10 of the best contemporary Italian films, including biopics, period drama, historical epics, noir thrillers and documentaries. Much of the programme will be receiving its first screening in the UK and some screenings will feature talks from the directors and cast members. This year look out for Francesca Comencini’s The Time It Takes charting her relationship with her famous filmmaker father, Anywhere Anytime from Milad Tangshir portraying Issa, an African migrant scratching out a living in Turin, a special archive screening of the classic Italian comedy Bread, Love and Dreams and Andrea Segre’s biopic of a popular communist Italian political leader Enrico Berlinguer, The Great Ambition. 

Do you remember the last Women’s Euro final in 2022? How could you forget Jill Scott’s viral ‘F**k off, you f**king prick’ retaliation, the rogue tactical note passed around the pitch and Chloe Kelly’s sport’s bra-bearing celebration as she scored the goal that led England’s Lionesses to win 2-1 during extra time against the formidable German team? Not to mention, the match made history after a record-breaking 87,192 fans turned out to watch them in action. Can the Lionesses repeat their success again? Well, we’ll get to find out soon, because the Women’s Euro 2025 is here. Kicking off on Wednesday July 2, there’ll be just over three whole weeks of women’s footie to occupy ourselves with over the month: the group stages will take place up until Sunday July 13, the quarter finals will run from Wednesday July 16 to Saturday July 18, and the semi-finals and final will take place on Tuesday July 22, Wednesday July 23 and Sunday July 27, respectively. After winning the Women’s World Cup in 2023, Spain are the favourites to take home the trophy, but England and France are predicted to be their toughest competitors. It’s also a great year for Welsh women’s football, as the Wales women’s team will be making history on Saturday July 5 with their first appearance in a major tournament against the Netherlands.  The matches, including England’s first match against France on Saturday July 5, are taking place in stadiums across Switzerland this year. But, if you haven’t got your flights bo

Spring has officially sprung this week, but for many Londoners the first weekend of a brighter, warmer new season comes just before pay day. Counting down the days your bank balance is no longer in the red?  Resigned to a weekend spent indoors, eating leftovers with the heating off? Never fear!  There’s loads of great fun to be had around the city this weekend, if you know where to look. From free club nights to late openings, an arty market and a last-chance exhibition, here are five fabulous free events happening in London over the next few days. Science Gallery Spring Equinox Late The Science Gallery celebrates the arrival of brighter, warmer days with a Friday night late themed around the ‘Pulse of the Planet’. Visitors can check out DJ sets curated by Club Sol, take part in creative writing workshops and reflection sessions, and watch a screening of emerging artist Julianknxx’s film Black Corporeal (Breathing by Numbers) exploring the start realities of environmental poverty. Tickets are free, but be sure to book in advance.  Science Gallery. Fri Mar 21. Free. BFI Flare DJ Nights The UK’s largest queer film event is back this week, with over 130 films plus a whole bunch of talks, panels, creative workshops and after-hours events to check out over the next eight days. The BFI’s Southbank headquarters are a vibey place to hang out during the festival, regardless of whether you’ve nabbed tickets to some screenings. And this is particularly true on weekend evenings, when a h

The weekend sun seems to have given London a shake up, as though it has injected colour back into the city. Blossom is growing on trees, flowers are shooting up from grass, and the city’s museums and galleries are also gearing up for a new lease of life, with all sorts of exciting exhibition openings in the calendar for this month.  From striking Munch portraits at the National Portrait Gallery to evocative photography documenting everyday life in northern Britain, these are the best new exhibitions arriving in the capital as spring starts to show.  Six London art exhibitions to see in March 2025  Photograph: Seated Model on the Couch, Birgit Prestøe, Edvard Munch, 1924 © Munchmuseet. Photo: Munchmuseet / Sidsel de Jong. Edvard Munch Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery We all know Edvard Munch’s masterpiece ‘The Scream’, but there was a lot more to him: this show at the National Portrait Gallery catalogues the great Norwegian expressionist through his portraits of family, friends, fellow artists, writers, art collectors and others in his lifetime. Intimate, energetic and deeply human, this exhibit is set to remind us why Munch had such influence in his sphere and far beyond.   Edvard Munch Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, March 13-June 15 2025. More details here. Textiles: The Art of Mankind From the clothes we wear to the furniture in our homes, textiles are functional, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be art at the same time. Since ancient times humans

When it comes to American sports, it doesn’t get any bigger than the Super Bowl. The NFL’s most prestigious competition is arguably the most important annual fixture in the country’s sporting calendar, with millions of Americans getting together at screening parties to watch the action on TV. But with over 200,000 Americans living in London, and the sport steadily growing in popularity among Brits, it’s also a reasonably big deal here too. Thousands of Londoners will be staying up til the early hours this Sunday to watch all the action from the New Orleans Superdome, where the game kicks off at 11.30pm UK time. Super Bowl LIX sees the Kansas City Chiefs attempt a three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles, in a replay of 2022’s event, the first of the Chiefs’ back-to-back titles. As well as all the cheerleading, interceptions, touchdowns and numerous cutaways to Taylor Swift cheering on boyfriend Travis Kelce from the stands, there’s also the epic half-time show from Kendrick Lamar, who arrives in New Orleans fresh from picking up five awards at the Grammys last weekend. Of course, you could catch all the action on your TV at home. But for a raucous atmosphere, freshly-poured pints, themed snacks and all manner of live entertainment, head to one of these Super Bowl screening parties around the city.  The best places to watch Super Bowl LIX in London Bad Sports: Super Bowl LIX Remember Hackney’s Bad Sports Bar? The now-closed (but never forgotten) US-style bar that served slam

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