Alice Saville

There's something so deeply joyful about shopping at a market. When you're buying from people who're passionate about their wares, the familiar business of picking up supplies becomes a treat, not a chore. Why chain yourself to a supermarket trolley when you could be strolling past stalls piled high with lovingly-sourced cheeses, gleaming fruit and homemade cakes? Why hunt for an unimaginative chain store gift for your bestie when you could give them painstakingly crafted trinket they won't see anywhere else? As a lifelong Londoner, I've never been able to resist the lure of this city's markets. If I'm in London Bridge, I'll stop into Borough Market for a quick chai and pastry. If I want a dose of Paddington Bear nostalgia I'll head to storied Portobello Road. If I want to feel bad about my fashion choices, I'll wander down Broadway Market alongside this city's fittest and trendiest denizens. And if I want to take my life into my own hands, I'll make for Camden Market on a Saturday afternoon in search of whatever viral snack the teens are obsessing over this week. London's best markets are full of local flavour, and each will have its own specialities. Pick up muddy, delicious veg at a farmers’ market, try out new looks at a fashion market, consume the latest trends in street food or rifle through crates of antique gems. Whichever you opt for, you'll be supporting the little guy by buying from small businesses that really care about what they're selling.  RECOMMENDED: The bes

Even London's shiny influx of glass-walled towerblocks can't hide the fact that this city is seriously old. Ancient, in fact. Every street in its inner boroughs is teeming with history, with suited office walkers treading roads paved by toga-wearing Romans, walking past fine Georgian buildings as Victorian sewers churn under their feet. As a lifelong Londoner, I love exploring this city and finding traces of the past in unexpected places: scouring old guidebooks or going on walking tours to escape the boring present and dive into ancient history. From dark and weird artefacts and really, really, really old stuff to the super-cool curiosities hidden in plain sight at some of London’s major landmarks, here's a fun guide to finding some unlikely remnants of London's hidden history. 

As a lifelong Londoner, I like to think I've been and done it all. Major attractions? I've had staring contests with Tower of London beefeaters, survived brushes with the weirdly aggressive dancing buskers of Leicester Square, and wet myself at the sight of the terrifying T-Rex in Natural History Museum (don't worry, I was only three). But even so, sometimes I'll stumble upon a spot that'll make me exclaim, with the righteous indignation of a freshly-dumped lover, ‘well how long has this been going on?’ London is big enough that it can easily keep a few juicy secrets from even its most loyal residents. Want in on the gossip? You're in the right place. Hidden historic houses, outsider art treasure troves, verdant alleyways and bargain noodle hook-ups: we've got them all. Just remember, the best secrets stay secrets, so if someone asks where you’re off to, make like No Doubt and don’t speak. RECOMMENDED: The best of secret London  

From Asian patisseries to sourdough specialists and beigel gurus, when it comes to bakeries London is one big doughy goldmine. This means whittling down the best bakehouses in the city is no mean feat. But, we’ve risen to the challenge and eaten our way through the lot to round up London’s yeasty royalty. Whether you want fluffy naan breads from north London institutions, exquisitely-made pastries, perfectly-proved sourdough, or heritage-grain flaky goodness, there’s an oven in London cooking up something for you. Why not pair your pastry goodies with a hot drink at one of the best cafés and coffee shops in London?  RECOMMENDED: London's 50 best cheap eats. The hottest new openings, the tastiest tips, the spiciest reviews: we’re serving it all on our London restaurants WhatsApp channel. Follow us now.

Fight your way off the tube at Camden Town and you're immediately swept up in a hectic crowd of gig-goers, thrill-seekers, tattooed rebels and baffled tourists. This is London at its most fun and chaotic, with legendary markets, counterculture history and music venues galore. Once, it was a stomping ground for spike-haired punks and spike-heeled goths: then, in the '00s, Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty stumbled in and out of its pubs. Now, Camden's formerly chaotic markets have been tidied up, with redevelopment projects rubbing off this area's rough edges. It would be easy to feel that London's storied home of counterculture has seen better days. But look closely and you'll see traces of the subversive, independent spirit that once made it great. 🏘️ Ultimate guide to where to stay in London I'm a big defender of Camden as one of the weirdest, most fun bits of London. As a teenager, I'd head down for gigs and to waste my pocket money on bags made entirely of zips; now, I can't resist its markets, tranquil canals and stellar line-up of arts venues. If you want to discover its very best bits, here's where to look. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in CamdenThe best bars and pubs in CamdenThe best hotels in Camden

We all know that London is full of worldclass, crowd-pulling museums, cultural attractions, green spaces, theatres, and music venues. Yawn. You can do better. Because delightful though this city's most famous spots are, there's way more fun to be had plunging off the beaten track and into London's hidden weird side. Ever wanted to dine in pitch darkness, take up trapeze, chitchat with robots or sleep with the lions? London is full of unique things to do, ready to fulfil your wildest dreams, or to give you some new ones to aspire to. In my decade working as a London arts journalist, I've traipsed across this city hunting out unusual ways to spend my weekend. Here are the very best, most esoteric ways to escape the mundane and try something fresh.  RECOMMENDED: 101 things to do in LondonRECOMMENDED: Time Out Offers

Look, we love London. But even so, we can't deny that this city is devilishly good at coming up with ways to drain your bank balance, whether it's restaurants that persuade you to order an ever-expanding array of small plates, surprisingly costly pints, or shops so high-end you're scared to so much as sneeze. Still, does that mean you need money to have a good time? Absolutely not. As Time Out editors, we've become experts in finding ways to enjoy this city on a shoestring. Lots of us started out in this city as broke students, and since then we've hunted high and low for cheap things to do before payday hits. From free museums and art galleries to gorgeous parks, gratis jazz nights to balletic performances that won’t cost you a penny, you could easily fill every night of the week with free stuff to do in London (although if you’re willing to part with a few quid, there’s plenty more great stuff to do around the city for less than the price of your average Zone 1 pint). So when it comes to planning a fun day or night out in London, 'I'm too broke' just doesn't cut it as an excuse anymore. Read on for some fab, free ways to make yourself (and your bank balance) very happy indeed.  RECOMMENDED: 101 best things to do in London

Running 26.2 miles (twenty six point two!) across our great city dressed as a sandworm from Dune is a feat that the majority of us Londoners will probably never be brave enough to attempt. But some courageous souls who aren’t averse to hours of gruelling training willingly put themselves in the crosshairs of shin splints and runner’s knee and, for that, they should be applauded. So, when 50,000 of them take part in the London Marathon on Sunday April 27 2025, get yourself down to the route to cheer them on. Check out our route guide below to find the best spots to support those running from and track down nearby pubs and bars from when all that whooping and clapping leaves you feeling nearly as parched as the runners. Remember: your presence at this monumental sporting occasion means it is 100 per cent allowed to drink lager or rosé in the street at 10am. Keep in mind that you won’t be having a lie-in until lunchtime if you plan to attend. Everyone taking part laces up pretty early, with elite runners usually starting their slog around 8:30am before the masses join them from 10am. Here’s our winning guide to this year’s marathon. What landmarks can I spot on the London Marathon route? If you hadn’t noticed, the marathon route is loooooong. Starting in Greenwich Park in south-east London and finishing right by Buckingham Palace, there are loads of famous things to see along the way, especially when you’re a spectator. Here are some of the things to look out for: Mile 6: Cutty

Some of London’s most beautiful buildings are theatres, and perhaps that’s because they were designed to be spaces for pure pleasure and entertainment – ready to transport ordinary people out of their dreary everyday and into somewhere magical. The show doesn’t begin when the lights go down: it starts before you even step over the threshold, when you’re met with grand facades that give way to still-grander interiors, imagined by designers competing to seduce the public into lingering in and returning to these jam-packed spaces. London’s Theatreland (broadly defined as the space between The Strand, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Kingsway) is packed with more than 40 beautiful, historic theatres dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, their interiors rich with gilt, sculptures and paintings designed to tempt the aristocracy through their doors. They’re all pretty gorgeous – inside and out – but cast your eye wider and you’ll find so many theatres where the decor threatens to overshadow whatever’s happening on stage. In my decade-long career as a theatre critic, I’ve set foot in almost every performance space in London. Here are the most beautiful ones I’ve found. Recommended: 🚆Ranked: London’s 14 most beautiful stations🎭 The top London theatre shows, according to our critics

It’s official: London is experiencing a fast-mushrooming plant-based restaurant boom. Across the city, creative chefs are showing off their prowess with plants, creating pitch-perfect imitations of meaty comfort food classics, or dreaming up new vegetable-based delights. Whether you’re after a lavish night of culinary theatre, a delicate Middle Eastern spread, a Michelin-star winning tasting menu, or brisket at a vegan smokehouse, you’ll find it in our list of London’s best vegan restaurants. Read on to plan your next plant-free feast. RECOMMENDED: London’s best restaurants for vegetarian food. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

London might not be heralded as the City of Love like our continental cousins in Paris, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t full of romantic spots to cosy up to a date – or to sit back and daydream about your crush – in. Whether you’re looking for the perfect plan for a successful Valentine’s Day outing or looking to up the romance in your life throughout the year, the capital is teeming with spaces that will make you soon. Separate yourself from the rest of the rabble on dating apps by taking the person who turns your eyes into emoji hearts somewhere unexpected. Here’s our selection of some of London’s most romantic places that make for great rendezvous whether you’re just getting to know someone, are trying to rekindle that spark or have been happily partnered up for yonks. After all, life is better with a little bit of romance. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic restaurants in London.

Believe it or not, but it won’t be long now until we’re sitting around Christmas trees, unwrapping presents, stuffing our faces with festive food and then slumping in front of the telly as Grandma gets sozzled on sherry. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner and, as always, it will be turning London into a sparkling winter wonderland. Tis the season for ice skating rinks popping up outside every big London attraction and Christmas markets in quaint wooden huts taking over the outdoor space that’s left. Then you’ve got entertainment from the traditional – shouting ‘he’s behind you!’ at pantomimes, kidding yourself you can sing in tune at wholesome carol services – to the modern, like ritzy private dining pop-ups and OTT light displays. You’d think Time Out’s editorial team would be pretty jaded by the holiday season, covering all these Christmassy goings-on year after year. But while we’re a pretty cynical bunch most of the time, we can’t help but get excited for Christmas in London, no matter how many times we’ve glided across the Somerset House ice rink, strolled around the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market or chuckled at the predictably rude puns in Dick Whittington. Still, after collectively experiencing several lifetimes’ worth of festive fun in the capital, we’re pretty confident we know what definitely is and isn’t worth your time. Here we’ve listed fifty of our favourite festive events around the capital in 2024; hopefully it provides you with everything you need to

What is it?  Ever wanted to escape to Far, Far Away, where donkeys talk, dragons soar, and Puss in Boots has surprisingly impressive sword skills? Here's your chance. This 70-minute interactive tour through the world of Shrek is a Southbank attraction that's squarely aimed at family audiences. It's made by the team behind London Dungeons so expect a similar walk-and-gawk approach (but with a lot less creepy, gory stuff of course). Live actors will embody some of your faves from the films, while impressive cinematic effects will create 3D visuals that'll make you feel like you're meeting dragons for real. Why go? Perhaps you're a parent giving in to pester power. Or perhaps you're a Shrek fan full of nostalgia for this lovable movie. Either way, you'll find all the green ogre-based silliness yor heart could desire at this offbeat attraction. Don’t miss:  The Magic Bus is a red double decker that'll take you on a 4D simulated journey through Far Far Away, with Donkey in the driving seat. In a fun London touch, you'll even drive through a deserted tube station past posters for Madame Tussauds (another Merlin attraction, of course). When to visit:  You can visit Sunday-Wednesday 10am-3pm; Thursday 11am-3pm; Friday 10am-3pm; Saturday 10am-4pm.  Ticket info:  Standard adult tickets are £32, with children £26. Plus £2 extra for Shrek ears! Time Out tip: Cringey though it might feel, interact with the actors to get the most out of your experience.

This review is from Soho Theatre in 2022; it transfers to Kiln Theatre with a partially changed cast that includes Liz Carr and Leah Harvey. The rainbow flag offers an idealised portrait of the LGBTQ-plus community: people of different stripes co-existing in harmony, each taking up an equal amount of space. But the reality is messier, scribbled over with conflicts and inequalities. Iman Qureshi's warm, complex play 'The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs' explores just how difficult it is to create a queer space, while showing how beautiful it can be when the stars align. Things start out in pretty formulaic style. Each week, a disparate gaggle of lesbians meet up in a leaky-roofed hall to sing in a choir, with the lofty goal of performing on the main stage at Pride. There's wildly confident womaniser Ellie (Fanta Barrie), hyper-woke academic Ana (Claudia Jolly), and her reluctantly-tagging-along butch engineer girlfriend Lori (Kibong Tanji) who turns out to have an amazing singing voice, all arranged into an approximation of harmony by self-styled OWL (older wiser lesbian) Connie (Shuna Snow). It could all be the beginnings of a dykier, hopefully less doomed remake of 'Glee'. But Qureshi's play is way smarter than that. She toys enjoyably with lesbian cliches (sensible footwear, veganism, buzzcuts) only to reach beyond them to tell less familiar stories. Like that of Dina (an engagingly puppyish Lara Sawalha), a Muslim woman who throws herself into choir as an escape from her forb

What is it?  The centre of political life in the UK, housed in the labyrinthine Palace of Westminster on the banks of the Thames. This location has been the permanent seat of Parliament since 1532, when Henry VIII presided over intricate Tudor political wranglings. Still, most of the current Palace is quite a bit newer than you might expect: the Parliament buildings were designed in 1860 by Charles Barry (ably assisted by Augustus Pugin) to replace the original building, which had been destroyed by fire in 1834. It's a wonderful mish-mash of styles, dominated by Gothic buttresses, towers and arches – plus the world-famous Elizabeth Tower housing Big Ben. It's also dauntingly vast, with 1,000 rooms, 11 courtyards, eight bars and six restaurants, plus a small cafeteria for visitors. Of the original palace, only the Jewel Tower and, within the Parliament buildings, Westminster Hall, remain.  Why go? If you've ever found yourself glued to 'Prime Minister's Question Time' or listened out for the bongs of Big Ben, you'll be exhilarated to find yourself in the heart of the action: the place where massive decisions about the UK's future are made.  Visitors to House of Parliament have three main options; Palace of Westminster: Discover the history of this elaborate building and get insights in the modern-day workings of Parliament on this tour, available as a 90-minute guided visit or as a self-led audio guide.Speaker's House: This 75-minute tour takes you inside the historic Speaker'

What is it?  Remember when the whole world tuned into Will and Kate's big royal wedding in 2011? Well, that spectacular setting was Westminster Abbey, the storied London church where generations of monarchs have tied the knot through the centuries. It was built between 1220 and 1272 by King Henry III, its gorgeous gothic confines growing more and more elaborate as time wore on.  Why go? Well, obviously it's stunning as a piece of architecture, with its elaborate perpendicular gothic facade decked with innumberable turrets that pierce the sky like something out of Lord of the Rings. Its interior is equally striking, especially the elaborately vaulted stone roof that'll have you gazing up in wonder. Look down and things get even more interesting. Like the Pantheon Crypt in Paris, where you can see the tombs and memorials to great figures from history, Westminster Abbey is full of a historic array of graves, tablets, busts and stone dedications. Seventeen kings and queens are buried here, along with dukes, countesses and history’s ‘celebs’ – including George Frideric Handel and Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, Hardy, Behn, Olivier, etc. There’s an entire stained glass window dedicated to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and the famous Poet's Corner memorialising famous authors in the South Transept, including DH Lawrence, Jane Austen, Dylan Thomas, Lewis Carroll, Shakespeare and many more.Shake off any morbid thoughts after all that grave-visiting by exploring the Abbey's beautiful grou

If you wish to indulge in the luxuries of old Vienna, there’s nowhere finer to do so than in Hotel Sacher, a storied establishment that sits amongst the grand museums and galleries at the city’s heart. Of course, this is the birthplace of Austria’s beloved sachertorte, an oh-so-sweet chocolate cake best enjoyed masked with clouds of whipped cream. But your eyes will feast too, on Belle Époque-inspired interiors that shine like glacé fruit – a richly brocaded cherry red foyer, a lime peel green restaurant – or gleam with the snowy intricacy of an old-fashioned wedding cake.The more restrained bedrooms and suites are a breath of fresh air after the richness and grandeur downstairs, with their pale neutral colour schemes and sizeable windows. Still, even the smaller rooms are decked out with crystal chandeliers and oil paintings (its visionary former owner Anna Sacher was a keen artist), while the suites boast impressive views over the Opera House and its glamorous clientele, as well as elaborate marble-decked bathrooms and chaise longues to swoon over. In the hotel’s boutique spa, you can have your whole body wrapped in a chocolate mask Things here could easily feel stiff or intimidating, with photos of famous former clientele from Sharon Stone to JFK surrounding the reception desk and immaculately uniformed staff perpetually standing to attention. Thankfully, though, this family-owned hotel has a genuinely warm and welcoming approach, full of thoughtful touches (from kettles

‘Mrs Doubtfire’ is the latest in a seemingly endless post-pandemic string of musical takes on retro movies. ‘Back to the Future’, ‘Dirty Dancing’, ‘Groundhog Day’... if you were born in the ’80s, the West End has decided that by now you're obviously loaded and ready to be milked of your money like a pantomime cow. Only this genuinely funny comedy musical doesn't feel like a cash grab, thanks to its twenty-first-century jokes, perfectly paced book, and silly voices galore. Writer John O’Farrell has worked on ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘Spitting Image’, and some of that topical flair can be seen here. Freshly divorced dad Daniel is a comic actor whose voiceover recording seshes ingeniously break out of the American world of the story: he begins with a witty theatre pre-show announcement, then breaks into non-naff impressions of Prince Harry and Boris Johnson. Refreshingly, this production has resisted the temptation to cast a famous funny person in the role, and musical theatre actor Gabriel Vick pulls off both the gags and the songs with impressive aplomb.This story’s serious bits aren't quite as well-handled. O’Farrell struggles a little to make Daniel’s ex-wife Miranda (Laura Tebbutt) more than a boring disciplinarian foil to Daniel's relentless zaniness (here, she gets an improbable fashion career and a 2D hunky love interest). Karey and Wayne Kirkpatricks’ lyrics don't zing with the kind of psychological insights or witty couplets musical theatre fans dream of. But who

This review is from 2018; Hansel and Gretel returns for 2024. Engelbert Humperdinck’s 1893 opera for kids is as warm as a witch’s kitchen, and as dark as the forest outside. It swaps the Grimm Brothers’ fairytale’s wicked child-abandoning parents for a desperately poor couple who send their kids into the forest in a much-regretted flash of anger. And Antony McDonald’s stylish new production mixes in more than enough wit to leaven the bleakness of black forest poverty. The witch’s gingerbread house is a masterstroke: a lopsided cottage impaled with a giant knife that might just have been a warning to savvier kids than these two. But Humperdinck’s parent-provoking children are a refreshingly naughty antidote to all the saintly moppets that fill Victorian fiction. They gobble strawberries and leap up to tramp folk dances across the kitchen table. These stamping, finger-clicking scenes are probably the most German thing you’ll ever see outside a beer hall, and they make for moments of gutsy energy in a score that’s otherwise all about lush, rich romanticism. It might be nominally aimed at kids, but ‘Hansel and Gretel’ is musically complex, and its central duo are played by adult performers Hanna Hipp and Jennifer Davis. They mix knockabout tomfoolery with beautifully blending soprano voices that soar through the towering darkness of the forest – a place that hides a magical array of leaping woodland animals and fairy story characters who play in the shadows. The only disappointme

This review is from the London Palladium in July 2023. ‘The Wizard of Oz’ returns in 2024 to the Gillian Lynne Theatre with a new cast. Crashlanding onto the stage of London's Palladium, this high-octane 'Wizard of Oz' promises to obliterate the wicked witch of school holiday boredom, banishing her memory in an all-consuming explosion of video projections, perky songs and old-fashioned sap. It's certainly not subtle. But kids will complain that TikTok feels too slow after a few hours in its exhilarating company.Director Nikolai Foster's production started out at Leicester Curve theatre last year: now, it's hitting the West End with a souped-up cast designed to wring some humour from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams's overly sincere book. Now, comedian Jason Manford is playing the Cowardly Lion, but the book is light on jokes for this star to milk, so when Manford incongruously announces that 'I'm a friend of Dorothy', it brings the house down. In a less successful bit of star casting, reality telly personality and dance troupe Diversity's choreographer Ashley Banjo pops up as the Tin Man. His singing skills are somewhat rusty, so it's a relief when he breaks into a 'Hamilton'-style musical theatre rap.The standout performances here are the most vocally accomplished. As Dorothy, Georgina Onuorah delivers a subtle, rich 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow,' its wistful tone a welcome contrast with the score's bombastic newer songs. And Christina Bianco is an enchanting good fairy G

‘Present Laughter’ will return to UK cinemas as part of NT Live from July 18 2024. This review is from the Old Vic in 2019. Interview: the Hot Priest returns to the stage. He’s won hordes of new fans as a restrained, tormented priest in ‘Fleabag’, but this Noël Coward play shows Andrew Scott under a different kind of sexual torment. He plays Garry Essendine, a spoilt, petulant actor who gluts himself on the sex and intimacy his fans offer, then sits soggily in the mess he’s created. And he’s frighteningly good at it. Coward’s comedy lets Scott show off both his endless proficiency for delivering a well-timed quip, and his physical virtuosity. Each time Essendine’s resentful friends accused him of overacting (and that happens a lot) his gestures amplify until he’s carving his frustrations into the indifferent air. He shrugs off a new dressing gown his ex-wife gives him with the sinuous grace of a cat wriggling out of an expensive new collar, effusively praising it all the while. And his chemistry with Joe, the lover he takes against everyone’s better judgment, mixes a mocking knowingness with a desperate intensity that makes the audience gasp.  Coward admitted that ‘Present Laughter’ is basically him sending himself up, albeit in a way that was acceptable within the homophobic moral codes of WWII-era society. Matthew Warchus’s production takes things a step closer to real life. ‘Joanna’ has become ‘Joe’, and suddenly the illicit thrill of their relationship makes more sense, a

The almost uncanny perfection of Lulworth Cove draws thousands of holidaymakers each year, all enticed by this wonderfully round, calm bay and its views of the Dorset coast beyond. Stay at nearby seaside pub hotel Lulworth Cove Inn and you'll get stellar views over this rocky coastline, as well as the chance to escape the crowds with a brisk pre-breakfast stroll round its pebbled edges, or watch the sun set over its waters with an after-dinner pint. Owned by Dorset-based brewers Hall & Woodhouse, Lulworth Cove Inn's interiors mix old-school pubby charm with plenty of artfully arranged seaside flotsam and jetsam. Upended wooden boats become shelves housing maritime paraphenalia, vintage holiday posters paper the walls, and a cheery aqua and yellow colour scheme extends into the bedrooms upstairs, echoing the hues of the beach that's just a short toddle down the road. These rooms are all about solid, midcentury-style comfort, with cast iron bedsteads, wicker chairs, and carefully chosen vintage furniture that's a welcome break from other hotels' standard issue MDF. Still, there's enough freshness to stop it feeling fusty, with breezy colour palettes and whimsical touches like Roberts Revival radios lodged on the bedside tables and handmade stuffed toys parked on your pillow. The hefty cooked breakfasts make good hikers' fuel for anyone planning to set off along the Jurassic Coast come sunrise: if you can't stomach a full English, there are welcome lighter alternatives like gran

This review is from 2023. ‘For Black Boys…’ returns for 2024 with a new cast. To say that ‘For Black Boys...’ is the kind of show you don't normally see on the West End is a massive understatement. It’s a sleeper hit that started out at tiny fringe powerhouse the New Diorama, then transferred to the Royal Court before making it to Theatreland, powered by a passionate fanbase rather than rave reviews. All of its cast and most of its creative team are Black men, talking about their experiences of growing up in a world that often sidelines and stereotypes them in a style that's non-linear, raw, spontaneous, and massively fun to watch.Its creator Ryan Calais Cameron researched the play by running open-ended therapy-style sessions for Black men, ones that sprawled out over hours as they broached hard-to-talk-about subjects like mental health, masculinity, and love. Some of that same soul-baring earnestness finds its way into the finished play, which is structured around dream-like dialogues between the six cast members. ‘I'm already learning new ways to hate me’ says one boy, after getting ignored while playing kiss chase. This opening scene explores how school offers unwanted lessons first in other kids' prejudice, then, later, in the grinding historical traumas of slavery. The same rhythm patterns throughout the play, with big themes getting introduced and then broken down through the fragmented experiences of the cast.But it never quite feels predictable, because Calais Camero

The outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent don't feel particularly countrified, with their sprawling streets of tiny red brick workers' cottages and old pottery mills. But at the city's furthest edge you'll find the Manor House, a popular spa hotel that ekes every bit of rural charm from its location. The biggest draw? Its English country garden, with outdoor pools laid out in formal courtyards, with views of the rolling green meadows beyond. You'd think that a spa sesh at this spot would be a summer-only affair, but it works surprisingly well in chillier seasons (on our visit, snow was on the ground). A rich fug of steam rises from the main heated outdoor relaxation pool, which has an abundance of spots to lounge with a glass of fizz from the swim-up bar. Around it are thoughtfully designed cabins offering botanically inspired relaxation opportunities. The potting shed houses a herbal sauna, where a zing of lavender rushes through your airways as your limbs surrender to the steamy heat. The less intense salt steam chamber invites you to inhale salt and essential-oil scented vapours next to a rose quartz centrepiece (which, whether or not it has healing powers, certainly looks very pretty). And the glass-walled, heated sunroom is a blissful way to banish wintry gloom, with a swing overlooking green fields.   Need to warm up? There's also an indoor pool for proper swimming, and a short, crowd-pleasing list of treatments, including massages and skin treatments like a warming honey facial.

The ultimate test for any London runner isn’t dodging pavement dog poo or weaving through crowded canal tow paths (although both those things are fairly challenging). Nope, it's the storied London Marathon, a 26.2 mile long feat of endurance that takes participants past some of the city’s prettiest landmarks.  This year, runners will take to the streets on Sunday April 27, with friends and families turning out to cheer on their champions from the sidelines. Still, sometimes, the adulation of loved ones isn’t enough. Sometimes, you need a little treat. Of course, you’ll get the official marathon runner’s race pack, which includes your race number and safety pins, a timing chip, and a final event guide, as well as an optional finisher's T-shirt and medal after the race. But now, a host of London business have decided that marathon runners need a little extra love. And that’s where the growing selection of freebies and special offers comes in. Here are some of the best perks in town this year. 📍 Where to watch the London Marathon: the best places along the route map.⛔️ London Marathon 2025 road closures – full list.🌤️ The 2025 London Marathon weather forecast.👟 How to track runners at the 2025 London Marathon.✅ How to enter the 2026 London Marathon ballot.⏱️ All the race waves and start times. The best London Marathon 2025 freebies and perks City Cruises What you get: The London marathon route winds round some of this city’s most famous landmark but its runners are probably t

Since the dawn of time, humans have had a deeply embedded instinct to forage, rummaging around in fields and forests to unearth edible treasures. It's kind of hard to indulge that urge these days (unless you're really into making nettle soup) but Easter is a joyful exception, with people of every age setting off in search of eggs. London has an abundance of Easter egg hunts aimed at every age group, whether its toddlers filling a basket or adults cracking codes to find secret caches of treats. Here are 10 of the best this city has to offer. Happy hunting! RECOMMENDED: 🐣 Time Out’s ultimate guide to Easter 2025 in London. London’s 10 best Easter egg hunts for the 2025 Bank Holiday weekend The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt Hop to Hampton Court Palace with the kids this Easter and you’ll get a fun trail thrown in with your admission ticket. Giant Lindt gold bunnies are dotted around the grounds, and once you’ve found them all you can get a little chocolate rabbit to take home (or alternative treat).  Age range: Ages three to 12. How to enter: Just turn up: entry to this self-led tour is included in admission to Hampton Court Palace. Hampton Court Palace. KT8 9AU. Tuesday April 15 - Monday April 21. Virgin Wines Easter egg hunt There’s not much evidence that Jesus was into eggs. But you know what he definitely did love? Wine. So cheers to this free, adults-only hunt, made in a link-up between Virgin Wines and ingenious location-identifying app what3words. Clues will lead participants to

If you’ve spent any time at all on social media in recent months, you’ve probably heard of ‘Dubai chocolate’. Inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert knafeh and created by Dubai chocolatier Fix Dessert, the decadent chocolate costs around £15 per bar, and features a vibrant green mixture of shredded filo pastry (or kataifi) and pistachio butter encased in milk chocolate. Apparently, it’s really, really good. So good that it’s been making waves on TikTok since at least last May. But in recent weeks, the viral sweet treat has really exploded in popularity, with dozens of TikTokers flocking to the platform to post their honest reviews, share attempts to recreate the chocolate bar from scratch or put a ‘Dubai chocolate’ spin on everything from brownies to tiramisu. So popular is the trend that it’s apparently causing a global uptick in holiday bookings, at least according to one luxury holiday site, Destination2, which has seen a 38 percent increase in Dubai bookings compared to the same time last year. Unsurprisingly, the original ‘Can’t Get Knafeh Of It’ bars by Fix Dessert are almost impossible to get your hands on, even if you happen to be making a trip to the UAE. But a trend this massive of course inspires copycats. From major supermarket chains to indie chocolatiers, here are a bunch of London businesses peddling ‘Dubai chocolate’ treats that you can try for yourself, ranked from most to least expensive. The 8 best places for Dubai chocolate in London Photograph: courtesy

There’s something seriously wonderful about rifling through a crate of cardboard-wrapped vinyls, and music fans all over London agree. That’s why this city is going all out for Record Store Day this Saturday April 12, with parties, gigs, and even a dedicated limited edition beer from hip craft brewery DEYA.  Founded back in 2007, this massive international event is all about showing a bit of love for vinyl records and the indie shops that peddle them, and many of London’s 50-odd record stores will be selling limited-edition vinyl records produced especially for the occasion. There are some big names involved, including Charlie xcx & Billie Eilish, Air, Black Sabbath, Tori Amos, and even Taylor Swift, but that ain’t all. Many of London’s record stores will also be laying on live music, DJ sets, free drinks and more to mark the occasion. Here’s where to get into the groove. London’s top 10 Record Store Day events in 2025 Miraval’s Mystery Vinyl Pop-Up Inject some excitement into the run-up to RSD courtesy of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s wine brand Miraval. It’s running a mystery vinyl pop-up at The Truman Brewery, which invites punters to pay a fiver to bag a brand-new surprise record, and get their hands on a glass of pink vino into the bargain. Can’t wait til you get home to find out what you reckon? Spin your brand new vinyl in a dedicated listening space, as well as browsing exclusive prints by artist Yinka Ilori, and checking out an acoustic set by vintage-inspired rocke

April has arrived, spring is in full force, and Londoners are heading outside with a vengeance: soaking up some rays in their local park, flocking like geese to canal-side cafés, or desperately trying to take non-naff photos of cherry blossom (good luck). Still, there’s even more fun to be had indoors if you know where to look. And best of all, plenty of it is totally free. From five-star photography exhibitions to free croque monsieurs, here are five brilliant free things to do this weekend. Get a free croque monsieur at Balthazar Photograph: Balthazar Fun fact: croque monsieur basically means 'Mr Crunch' in French. It's not a serious food. So why not get a bit frivolous this weekend and treat yourself to a free ham and cheese toastie at Balthazar. All you have to do is turn up in a Breton stripe top (string of garlic and beret optional) and you'll get your hands on a delicious croque monsieur for zero pounds and zero pence. Délicieux. Balthazar, WC2B 5HZ. Sat Apr 5 - Sun Apr 6, 10am - 4pm. 50 available per day, first come first served. Check out the National History Museum's brand-new gallery It's not every day that NHM opens a new gallery. In fact, it's been 10 years since the last one was unveiled. So don't miss their brand new free exhibit, the optimistically-named Fixing Our Broken Planet. Over 200 specimens will tell the story of climate change in a fun and approachable way. You can discover what a whale's ear wax can tell us about rising sea temperatures, learn how

When London’s museums first started opening late in the 2000s, it was a total gamechanger. The V&A’s senior curator Susan McCormack led the charge, with buzzy after dark openings that brought younger audiences through the museum’s doors for a monthly line-up of talks, workshops, and live music. Soon, the other South Kensington institutions followed suit, while Tate Modern’s uber cool Tate Lates filled the gallery with DJs and sent queues snaking down Southbank. The initial hype might have subsided around museum lates, but they’re arguably more needed than ever. They’re a chance to do something (usually) free, fun and different in an increasingly pricy city, and to fill an unpromising weeknight with a bit of top quality culture. So it’s nice to see south London stalwart the Horniman getting in on the act, with a new late opening on the first Thursday of every month. The extended hours will run from 5.30pm to 9pm, giving you a chance to browse the free collections without dodging the dozens of kids that normally flock to this very child-friendly museum. The late openings will also have special events themed around the collections. In the first one on Thursday April 4, writer Jenny Lau invites people of east or southeast Asian heritage to bring their most treasured teacup to the museum’s Chá, Chai, Tea exhibition, and share their reflections for a new poem. There’s also a special Thursday Lates deal which means you can see the Horniman’s two current ticketed exhibitions (the aqu

The reviews are in for ‘Cabaret’, starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley, and they're pretty much universally star-scattered raves. Time Out’s own critic Andrzej Lukowski was full of praise for this ‘brilliant, chilling story, superbly realised, with a performance from Jessie Buckley that deserves to win awards’. So what’s the catch? Errr, the ticket prices are about as high as the West End ever stretches to. The most expensive seat is a whopping £325. Okay, that does include a tasting menu and lashings of champers, but it probably shouldn't cost as much as a last-minute package holiday to Malaga. Still, if you're a musical theatre fan on a budget, there's no need to despair. Your first option – if you're hellbent on seeing this show asap – is to check back for last minute returns as often as you can. Omicron means that many people are self-isolating and have had to return their tickets, so tickets for as little as £50 regularly pop up for December and January. Alternatively, your other way to see ‘Cabaret’ is to plan ahead. Really far ahead. Saturday March 19 is the last date you can see ‘Cabaret’ with its two stars, Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley, in place, which means the remaining few tickets start at £250. But if you're above the lure of star power, don't despair. From Monday March 21, there will be new leads (as yet to be announced) and the uncertainty means that you can score tickets for as little as £30.  A high-profile show like ‘Cabaret’ is bound to bring som

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

We’ve all been there: marooned on a lonely street at night, trying to melt into the safety of a bright red bus stop as strangers with potentially villainous intentions loom out of the darkness. Night buses are a much cheaper (and more eco) alternative to cabbing it home, and actually riding them usually offers safety in numbers, however chaotic the line-up of tipsy passengers might be. But there can still be an element of anxiety that comes with waiting for your ride to show up. Now, TfL is tackling the problem head on with a new programme of safety measures. A pilot scheme will install specially-designed CCTV cameras on selected bus stops: Peckham Library is the first stop to be outfitted with the new surveillance scheme, with shelters at Finsbury Park, Gants Hill, Stratford City and Turnpike Lane set to follow suit soon. The cameras will hopefully act as a deterrent, as well as storing footage for 31 days for any subsequent police investigations.  These new cameras will join an existing scheme to patrol TfL’s network at night. Since January this year, 15 specially trained night enforcement officers have been making their way around London’s tube and buses after dark. According to TfL, in their first four weeks they removed 47 passengers for obstructive, threatening or rule-breaking behaviour, as well as preventing 82 more passengers from boarding in the first place. Bringing in 15 officers might well sound like a drop in the ocean compared to the tens of thousands of passen

If you’ve got a free day in your calendar coming up, don’t squander it on something boring like batchcooking, cleaning or drafting vengeful messages to your foes. TfL has unveiled a new 15-mile walking route that crosses some of London’s most fascinating corners. Take on all the whole damn thing in a glorious (if exhausting) all-day hike, or pick and choose the stretches that catch your fancy.  The so-called Green Link Route is a direct response to London’s love affair with putting one foot in front of the other, with a 10 percent increase in walking since the pandemic, and 57 percent of us wanting more dedicated walking space (according to TfL). It’s the newest part of the Walk London network, which already includes much loved routes including the Green Chain and the Thames Path. Photograph: Go Jauntly It’s also a bit more urban in character than some of this city’s existing walking thoroughfares, crossing right through east London, from Peckham in the south right up to Epping Forest in the north. But the ethos of this route is all about avoiding traffic and helping walkers stumble upon hidden green spaces and historic sights, even in London’s busiest corners. That means that you’ll find yourself traversing Walthamstow Marshes, London Fields and Burgess Park, discovering fascinating historic sights like Clothworker’s Almhouses or Postman’s Park, and stumbling upon promising spots for lunch such as Islington’s Exmouth Market. Has your curiosity been piqued? Find the full ma

Normally, theatre awards are a mysterious business, with major showbiz gongs handed out by shadowy panels of industry insiders. But the WhatsOnStage Awards are an altogether different affair, because its winners selected by public vote amidst much online fanfare. In years gone by, this approach has yielded some slightly odd results: reflecting the fact that canny shows can mobilise their fanbases on social media in order to rake in the accolades. Still, it’s hard to argue with this year’s big winner. Hotshot director Jamie Lloyd’s stunning take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Sunset Boulevard’ landed a whopping five stars in Time Out, with theatre critic Andrzej Lukowski praising its ‘wonderfully weird and audacious’ approach. Now, it’s landed seven wins at the 2024 edition of the WhatsOnStage Awards, with its star Nicole Scherzinger being anointed as best performer, and Lloyd being named best director.  However, Sunset Boulevard didn’t manage to land the coveted best musical gong, which went to ‘Cabaret’ at Playhouse Theatre. It’s arguably a bit weird for the title of best musical to go to a show that’s been open for well over two years, instead of celebrating fresh blood in the West End. But unlike other awards, the WhatsOnStage Awards have categories specifically designed to celebrate long-running shows. And they also delve much deeper than most awards around, highlighting backstage talent as well as regional and small-scale shows that don’t get a look in elsewhere. Curious to s

For over 40 years, the waiting room at Tottenham’s Bruce Grove station was left to moulder. Plaster crumbled from the walls, the roof rotted away, and passing passengers were left wondering what lay beyond its boarded up windows. Now, finally, a project funded by Transport for London and Arriva Rail London has unveiled this once-hidden Victorian space to the public once more, and it’s a beaut.  The jewel in the crown is the waiting room, which has been restored to its original 1872 design, complete with the bold green and ivory colour scheme favoured by its then-owners, Great Eastern Railway. Heritage features including cast iron radiators, wooden benches, fireplaces and gothic arches doors have all been lovingly restored thanks to a £35,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust.  Photograph: courtesy of Arriva Rail London But the works have also extended to three other spaces - including the old station master’s office, also decommissioned in 1980 and fallen into disrepair. Now, Bruce Grove station has a brand-new community space, staff mess room, and storage facility to play with. It’s all a welcome fresh start for this Tottenham transport hub, which provides valuable Overground links into central London. Looking for an excuse to visit? It’s named after nearby Bruce Castle, a sixteenth-century manor which houses local history displays as well as a collection of dreamy paintings of veiled women by artist Beatrice Offor (1864-1920), who once lived in the area. Head down and