Anya is a London-based freelancer but her hometown of Birmingham will always be where her heart lies. She spend a lot of her time at the theatre and thinks Thursday is the best day of the week.

Anya Ryan

Anya Ryan

Contributing writer, Time Out London

Follow Anya Ryan:

Articles (52)

The best spa hotels in London, reviewed by experts

The best spa hotels in London, reviewed by experts

Let’s be honest, London is hectic. Between the packed Tube and endless emails, sometimes you just want to forget all about the hustle and bustle and switch off and book in for a massage. Luckily, quite a few hotels around the capital are well equipped to make this happen. Some come with hot tubs, saunas, pools and rain showers, while others have sprawling treatment menus offering everything from massages and facials to more elaborate, high-tech treatments. And, because they’re attached to hotels, you can often make a proper day of it, whether that means spending a few hours lounging by the pool or booking a treatment and sticking around for lunch afterwards. Or best of all, booking in for a night's stay. These lovely London hotels all have their own distinctive on-site spas. So whether you fancy a traditional hammam treatment, a relaxing swim, a fancy facial or simply a few hours of doing absolutely nothing, there’s a place for you. What do we mean by a spa hotel? A spa hotel in London isn’t quite the same as a spa resort – you won’t find sprawling grounds or week-long wellness retreats here. Instead, these city boltholes combine stylish accommodation with exceptional spa facilities, so you can slip from sightseeing to a sauna in minutes. On our list, you’ll find the London hotels we’ve visited with standout spas – places that make it worth checking in just for the treatments, pools and pure relaxation. 🏘️ Check out our list of the best Airbnbs in London How we curate our h
A local guide to the best brunches in Manchester

A local guide to the best brunches in Manchester

It’s a cliché that Mancunians are 24-hour party people because it’s true. We’re a city that famously loves a bender, and what do you need on the flip side of that? A massive, late breakfast, or ‘brunch’, if you insist.  We’re good at it, too. On the eclectic streets of Manchester, you’ll find time-honoured greasy spoons, cute as a kitten vintage-style cafes, and TikTok-bothering slabs of glistening, Gen-Z French toast all co-existing in relative harmony despite their differences, like a gaggle of Gallaghers (the Shameless version). Here are the best breakfast and brunch spots in Manchester right now. The best breakfast and brunch spots in Manchester, at a glance: 🥂Best bottomless brunch: Elnecot 🚆Best brunch near Piccadilly: Moose Coffee 🍳 Best classic full English: The Koffee Pot 🥗Best in South Manchester: Thyme Out Food Co. This guide was recently updated by Kelly Bishop, a food writer based in Manchester. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
The best hotels for Christmas in Europe

The best hotels for Christmas in Europe

Decking your house for the holidays and cooking Christmas dinner is cute and all, isn’t it always better to have someone else do it for you? While many hotels around the world bring the sparkle this time of year, nothing compares to the over-the-top opulence in European capitals. We’re talking 20-foot trees in grand lobbies, Christmas markets in hotel courtyards and towers made of trickling cheese fondue – all with roaring fires, festive menus and a whole host of events to make sure it’s magical. From Parisian glam at Le Meurice to snow globe sights at Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland, these stays turn December into a full-on production. All you have to do is show up and enjoy the fun. Here are the most Christmassy hotels in Europe right now. Happy holidays! 📍 Ultimate guide to hotels in Europe Europe's most Christmassy hotels at a glance:  🫰Best for a splash-out stay for a couture Christmas: Claridges  ☀️Best for winter sun: Barceló Tenerife 🍂 Best for countryside calm: Ashford Castle 💸 Best for an affordable Christmas trip: Hotel d'Angleterre  
The 10 best hotels with hot tubs in London

The 10 best hotels with hot tubs in London

After a long day at work (or buzzing in and out of the stores of London's exceptional shopping scene), stepping into a warm, bubbling hot tub to soothe those muscles – not to mention the mind and soul – is something we can surely all get on board with. And London has hot tubs in all shapes and sizes: outdoor, indoor, perched on rooftops – yes, seriously, the city has it all. There’s something for just about everyone. Our cherry-picked list contains all of the above and more – think lavish tubs on private terraces, state-of-the-art hydrotherapy and bubbling vitality pools. Of course, London also has plenty of incredible hotels with spas offering the full whack, but if you’re simply looking to soak until you resemble the most peaceful prune in the world, these hotels will have something for you for sure. RECOMMENDED: The best budget hotels in LondonThe best hotels in London for sexThe naughtiest hotels in London How we curate our hotel lists Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool of trusted hotel experts, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. Fo
Where is hot in Europe in winter? December and January sun destinations

Where is hot in Europe in winter? December and January sun destinations

It was a challenge to enjoy the hottest summer on record in the UK – mostly, it consisted of laying on the sofa with a Fab. Autumn is approaching, and many of us haven’t even had a chance to break out the beach equipment. But don’t fret – winter doesn’t necessarily mean cold in many of Europe’s peak holiday destinations. In some spots, temperatures stay in the double digits and crowds will be thinner than ever. You can even leave the coat at home. From sunny Sicily to Costa del Sol, a holiday strolling outdoors in t-shirts and shorts is not out of the cards. Here are our top picks in Europe for a healthy dose of winter sun. What is the warmest place in Europe in winter? The undisputed champion of European heat in December and January? Unsurprisingly, Spain’s Canary Islands take the title. This archipelago of eight inhabited islands just off the coast of northwestern Africa is Europe’s winter sun champion, sitting pretty with December and January temperatures that many towns in Northern Europe would be happy with at the height of summer. The Canaries are particularly delightful at this time, and you might even spot some migrating humpback and fin whales. If it’s good enough for the world’s largest mammals, it is good enough for us. Besides, does it get much better than Christmas on the beach in the Canary Islands?  Europe’s best winter sun destinations at a glance ☀️ Best for scorching heat: The Canary Islands 🍝 Best food: Sicily, Italy 🏛️ Best for a balmy city break: Cadiz
The 10 best hotels in the West End 2026

The 10 best hotels in the West End 2026

The West End, one of London's crown jewels, stretches between Regent Street and Covent Garden – from the Thames to Euston. While no one can quite agree on its exact definition, the area is synonymous with bright lights, big shows and excitement around every corner. And, if you're in London to cram in as many shows as possible, well, there's really nowhere better to be, is there? Because this is theatreland! You could very feasibly roll out of a matinee, grab a bite to eat and head straight into another theatre for the evening. There might even be a celeb spot on the way. Then it's back to your hotel to collapse into bed and dream about the whole thing. When it comes to the best hotels in the West End, those with deep pockets are well catered for – but so too are those on backpacker budgets (if you know where to look). And that's where we come in. So, let's lift the curtain on the best places to stay in London's West End. RECOMMENDED:Check out London’s best AirbnbsAnd the best hotels in Soho  
The 20 best things to do in Stratford

The 20 best things to do in Stratford

Twenty years ago, Stratford basically just consisted of miles of industrial wasteland filled with abandoned factories, contaminated waterways and ‘Fridge Mountain’, a 20-foot-tall pile of discarded white goods that looked like some sort of monumental Anselm Kiefer sculpture. But then London was chosen to host the 2012 Olympics and a £9.3 billion regeneration project began.It scarcely seemed possible back when E20 was just the fictional postcode designated to ‘Walford’ on EastEnders, but these days Stratford is a destination in its own right.  Your shopping needs are covered by Westfield Stratford City, a second location for Europe’s biggest shopping centre, boasting over 250 shops and more than 70 dining destinations. ABBA Voyage sees around a million sequin-clad dancing queens descend each year to boogie along to ‘Voulez-Vous’, while gigs and football matches at the London Stadium attract crowds of 70,000 raucous fans, be it for a crucial West Ham fixture or the latest Metallica tour. And that’s before we even mention the handful of world-leading cultural institutions that have recently arrived in the area, or the plethora of Olympic venues that are now open for public use. Add to that some tasty restaurants and bars, and you’ve got yourself an up-and-coming area that gives trendy neighbours like Hackney Wick and Leyton a run for their money.  Not sure what to explore first? Time Out has got you covered. Here are the best things to do in Stratford, as recommended by our team
The 9 best hotels near Covent Garden

The 9 best hotels near Covent Garden

Want to be in the epicentre of it all? Then Covent Garden is a pretty good place to start. A popular destination for a bit of everything; elegant facades, food halls, pubs, street performers, high-end shopping, some of the city's finest theatres, the Royal Opera House, and most sought-after restaurants: Barrafina for tapas the way they do it in Spain, and London classics like Flatiron and The Ivy, to name a couple. Choose to stay in Covent Garden and you’re no more than a stroll from vibrant Soho, Bloomsbury, and the British Museum. Hop on at Tottenham Court and you're just one stop from the bustling Oxford Street. This does make accommodation a little on the pricey side, but that’s not to say there aren’t bargains to be had here too, especially if you don’t mind a short walk. Here are our top picks for the best hotels in and around Covent Garden.  📍RECOMMENDED: Best restaurants in Covent Garden  Best hotels in Soho at a glance 👑Best luxury: Covent Garden Hotel 💰 Best cheap: Z Piccadilly 🍸 Best cocktail bar: Rosewood Hotel 🛀 Best bath: St Martins Lane Hotel How we curate our hotel lists Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool of trusted hotel experts, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we thin
The best hotels in London for Christmas 2026

The best hotels in London for Christmas 2026

We can't believe it either, but it might be time to start thinking about the festive season. Yes, really. But, nowhere does Christmas quite like London. Come December, this city comes alive with dazzling festive lights, Christmas markets, theatre and endless shopping. Whether you’re venturing in from a nearby city or travelling from across the pond, there are endless reasons why a stay in the UK’s capital should be at the top of your list this festive season. Ready for some serious Christmas spirit? Look no further – we’ve handpicked the best hotels to stay in at Christmas in the Capital. And we’ve covered all the bases: hotels with Christmas markets on your doorstep, hotels that look out over ice skating rinks, and hotels that go all out for their very own festive offerings, with everything from bespoke Christmas packages to mega trees and blowout festive menus. And yes, you can stay on Christmas Day too. Ready to get festive? Us too. Read on for the best Christmas hotels in London this year.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in London  The best hotels for Christmas in London at a glance 👪 Best for families: Claridges 🏢 Best views: Shangri-La The Shard ⛄ Best for snow lovers: The Berkeley 🎄 Best Christmas tree: Landmark London ☕ Best festive afternoon tea: The Dorchester Who makes the cut? Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old class
The 20 best hotels in the UK, from city stays to country escapes

The 20 best hotels in the UK, from city stays to country escapes

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: this is the year of the staycation. After all, who needs to go abroad when the weather is this damn good at home, and when there are oh-so-many incredible hotels to pitch up in for the weekend, right here in the UK? In fact, we’d go as far to say that the UK’s hotels are some of the very best in the business – 10-room boutiques, seaside townhouses, sprawling countryside estates n’ all. Whatever trip you’re after, be it a quick break from London or a remote coastal stay, there is a perfect hotel waiting for you. And on this list, we’ve got it all: food-focused pubs with rooms, remote hotels with blessedly patchy signal and all-out, OTT luxurious. However, we want this list to reflect a full spectrum of properties available to travellers (and not just the ones with gold towel holders and Michelin-starred room service.) As a result, we make sure to take into account location, price and value for money – and bring you a guide that has plenty of budget-friendly options included too. Oh, and family-friendly ones. And yes, dog-friendly, too. Itching to book? Read on, friends. Here are our favourite hotels in the UK right now.  The UK’s best hotels at a glance 👑 Best overall: Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh 🎀 Best boutique: The Newt, Somerset 🥂 Best luxury: Claridge’s, London 💍 Best for couples: The Bull, Cotswolds 🌾 Best countryside: Cavendish Hotel, Peak District 💸 Best budget option: Leven, Manchester How we curat
The 20 best things to do in King’s Cross

The 20 best things to do in King’s Cross

King’s Cross will always be synonymous with its two huge, bustling train stations, which link London to the rest of the country via the National Rail, some major European destinations via the Eurostar, and the wizarding world via Platform 9¾. But there’s much more to this part of WC1 than Harry Potter tourism and harried pre-departure Pret visits. In fact, the neighbourhood has completely transformed in recent decades. At the turn of the century, King’s Cross was what an especially brazen estate agent might have described as ‘gritty’, an area dominated by industrial wasteland where the 90s rave scene flourished and the city’s more squalid vices found a natural home.  In the past quarter of a century, though, it has been completely transformed. Regeneration projects totally some £3 billion have seen 67 acres of former industrial land turned into some of the city’s swankiest office and retail space. Dozens of new restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces have popped up around Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, along with major headquarters for the likes of Google and Universal Music.  And yet, King’s Cross is far from the kind of soulless corporate playground that such a massive cash injections tend to result in. Replete with interesting museums and music venues, wild green spaces and a pretty stretch of Regent’s Canal, it still feels like a real London neighbourhood.  There’s something for everyone here, whether you want to pore over some rare texts at the British Library,
The best Airbnbs in London to book right now

The best Airbnbs in London to book right now

Whatever your vibe (and whatever your budget), London’s got it all – and anyone will find something they love here. Whether you’re searching for a cheap central London studio, a luxury Hackney loft, or a leafy Highgate townhouse, finding where to stay in London is step one. From historic pubs to world-class dining, London delivers year-round. To help you book, our local editors rounded up the best Airbnb venues in London for 2026 – including our top new addition, a sunny home in Peckham. Best Airbnbs in London at a glance  📍 Best central Airbnb near Soho: Aribnb with balcony in Bloomsbury 🌇 Best east London warehouse loft: Loft in London Fields 💗 Best for couples: Holland Park home with balcony 🧸 Best for families: Luxury loft with workspace in Archway 🤑 Most affordable: Spacious flat with a bath in Brixton 🎊 Best Airbnb for large groups: Huge home in Canary Wharf   Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, our writers have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. Ella Doyle is Time Out’s guides editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guide

Listings and reviews (177)

Darkling

Darkling

Nobody would expect a play about the legacy of the worst industrial disaster in human history to be all smiles and rainbows. Nor should it be. But the end of Titus Halder’s play about the Bhopal gas leak at a Union Carbide pesticide factory that poisoned 50,000, killed 22,000 and left years of generational damage looks pretty darn bleak. Next to me, an audience member was audibly sobbing. But Matthew Xia’s production takes a long time to reach this emotional peak. It starts with a girl (Linnea Berthelsen, who played Kali in Stranger Things), born ‘under a blue sky with lakes’. She lives happily with her father and older sister – all three of them always together – ‘in a dump’, but dreams of a brighter, richer future: one where she can ride her bike to her heart’s content and journey the country by car and train. Hope carries her forward. Besides, the Americans are building a giant factory, which will surely save them all. At first, Berthelsen plays her role with a wide-eyed, squeaky innocence. She skips, barefoot, along the grimy perimeter of Simon Kenny’s set. At eight, she watches the boys around her go to school while she stays home to learn how to make roti. At 11, she earns money sweeping floors. And at 12, she hears the word ‘factory’ for the first time. Her sister remains her closest confidant; the idea of them being split up or growing apart fills her with fear. When she hears the news of her marriage, she begs it isn't true. Even as her relationship with her family b
The Mill Community Centre

The Mill Community Centre

The Mill’s Instagram bio calls it a ‘community space created by local people for everyone’ – and, honestly, that’s about as good a description as you’ll get. This is community centre in the truest sense: a welcoming place where Walthamstow residents can drop in, make use of the facilities and, importantly, get involved. There’s an ‘honesty library’, regular exhibitions and plenty of space for locals to run their own projects and events. The programme is impressively eclectic, spanning yoga workshops, Chinese culture clubs, art sessions, Scrabble and knitting groups, alongside classes for new parents and babies. There are tea and coffee stations for a pit stop, plus rooms available to hire. In other words, it’s a place to meet, make, learn and linger – without spending a fortune. And, in London that really is quite something.   
Walthamstow Trades Hall

Walthamstow Trades Hall

For the past 100 years, Walthamstow Trade Halls have sat right at the heart of the local community. Open to everyone, members and non-members alike, this not-for-profit grassroots venue is the place to come for a drink, a dance, a gig or simply to get to know your neighbours. Irs wide-spanning programme takes in everything from cabaret, karaoke and quizzes to queer line-dancing, Northern Soul all-dayers, comedy, choirs and international metal festivals, with the occasional A-list celebrity DJ thrown in for good measure. Family-friendly and LGBTQI+ welcoming, Trades Hall has a proudly independent spirit and a genuinely community-minded feel. Whether you’re after a night of live music or just a pint, this place is an absolute Walthamstow institution. 
Lloyd Park

Lloyd Park

Everyone craves a little bit of green-space bliss in London, and if you’re a Walthamstow local, Lloyd Park is one of your best bets. This handsome Victorian-style park was given a major makeover in 2012 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and has since held Green Flag Award status. There’s plenty here to keep you busy, from play areas and cafés to tennis courts, table tennis tables, bowling greens, an outdoor gym and a dedicated nature area. On a sunny day, spread out a blanket with some picky bits and settle in for some serious sunbathing, while winter calls for a brisk wander through the grounds to get that much-needed chill on your bones.
Mother's Ruin Gin Palace

Mother's Ruin Gin Palace

Like gin? Well, this one’s for you – ‘Gin Palace’ is literally in the name. Promising to serve up Walthamstow’s best gin and cocktails, this cosy neighbourhood bar has a little tipple for every taste. Whether you’re after a classic G&T, something fruity and refreshing or a cocktail with a little more punch, there’s plenty to choose from behind the bar. There are tables inside and outside, and dogs are more than welcome to come along for their own night out. It’s had a refurb recently, so the bar is really looking its best, and with regular events including Christmas nights out and cocktail-making evenings, why not make a whole thing of your visit?
Waltham Forest Town Hall

Waltham Forest Town Hall

Waltham Forest Town Hall is quite the sight. All white, imposing and faintly regal, it cuts a striking figure among the suburban streets of Walthamstow. Designed by Philip Dalton Hepworth following a 1929 competition, the Portland Stone-clad building blends Art Deco with Nordic Classicism, with the influence of William Morris thrown in for good measure. Following a major refurbishment in 2020 and 2021, it’s looking particularly handsome these days. Want to see beyond that grand exterior? You can take a guided tour of the building, starting in the foyer, where you’ll find objects from the former history room, before heading into the council chamber, basement rooms and grounds. The tour also takes in the newly created Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden.
Nags Head

Nags Head

The Nag’s Head is the kind of neighbourhood pub that will make you a regular. Tucked away on Orford Road in Walthamstow Village, it’s bright, cosy and gloriously eccentric, welcoming ale drinkers, pizza fans and, crucially, cats and those who love them. The words above the bar – ‘Pizza, Ale, Cats’ – neatly sum up its priorities. Inside, faded sofas invite you to sink in for the afternoon, while a spacious beer garden provides plenty of room for sunny-day pints. There’s a warm, slightly scruffy charm to the place, with a genuine community feel and regular events including life drawing, pub quizzes and lots of live music adding to its character. There's plenty to do here, and that's why people come back for more.   
Walthamstow Market

Walthamstow Market

Allegedly Europe’s longest outdoor street market, Walthamstow Market has been running along the High Street since 1885. Stretching for around a kilometre, it’s a wonderfully old-school place to browse, with stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to clothes, household goods and other bargains. The main market runs from 8am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday, and until 5.30pm on Saturdays, although individual traders may close earlier. There’s also a Sunday Social Market, running from 10am to 4pm, with fresh street food (we love the Cockney pie and mash for a splash of local flavour), local brands and community entertainment. For a quieter browse, arrive early; for the liveliest atmosphere, Saturday is your best bet. Either way, leave plenty of time to walk the full length of this sprawling east London institution. You'll be sure to get your step count in here. 
Love’s Labour’s Lost

Love’s Labour’s Lost

3 out of 5 stars
I’ve just come back from holiday in Spain (sigh!), but tonight at the Globe it seems I’m right back there again (hooray!). For starters, it’s boiling – is it ever not these days? – with the crowd aptly waving paper fans to cool themselves down. But moreover, Indiana Lown-Collins’ production of Shakespeare’s early comedy about three Spanish noblemen who decide it will be a great idea to swear off women and lock themselves away for three years of study – mere moments before a very eligible princess and her ladies arrive – is awash with sun-soaked flamenco energy. So much so that it’s even billed on the Globe’s website as ‘Shakespeare with Flamenco’. And it really is just that. The whole Spanish thing has been dialled up to 11. There are Spanish accents (some easier to understand than others), castanets, bursts of colourful, stomping dance, and even Shakespearean spins on ‘Despacito’ and ‘Livin' La Vida Loca’ thrown in because, well, why the hell not? Traditionally, Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of Shakespeare’s trickiest plays to pull off, which is presumably why it hasn’t been staged that often (until this summer, when it suddenly seems to be everywhere). It veers off into strange subplots, its dense wordplay is littered with Latin and elaborate puns, and that’s all before its famously unexpected, melancholy final scene arrives and sends the audience home feeling blue. Lown-Collins’ production doesn’t really do much to combat these issues – the Latin is simply swapped for Spanis
Blackhorse Beer Mile

Blackhorse Beer Mile

Ready to drink up? Well, if you're local to Blackhorse Road, the best place to do that is Blackhorse Road Beer Mile - especially if you like your beer with a side of industrial chic. It does what it says on the tin: this stretch is home to a cluster of independent breweries, taprooms and bars, making it ideal for an afternoon of hopping from one pint to the next. The vibe is relaxed and resolutely unpretentious - although you might bump into a stag-do or two, with plenty of outdoor space, street food and sunny-day drinking spots along the way. It’s become something of a pilgrimage for London’s craft beer obsessives, but you don’t need to know your pilsner from your porter to enjoy it. Just come thirsty. 
Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

What is it? Think ‘London’, and you’ll probably picture Trafalgar Square. With its gargantuan, 52-metre-high Nelson’s Column, it’s one of London’s most iconic public spaces and perhaps the most ostentatious reminder of the nation’s former imperial might, commemorating Britain’s triumph in the Napoleonic Wars. It was once notorious for its large pigeon population, but like Louis XIV, they’ve now been seen off. From the 14th to 17th centuries, the site was home to the Royal Mews but once they moved to Buckingham Palace, John Nash stepped in to redesign the square. Officially opening in 1844, it remains much the same today, although in 2003, a pedestrianised area was added.  Why go? As well as Nelson's Column there's lots of history to soak up here. Have a look at the Trafalgar Square police box, which was the smallest police station in London, or throw a coin into the iconic central fountain, redesigned by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1930s. Don't miss: The square’s Fourth Plinth (that’s the concrete block in the northwest corner) always sports a sculpture created by a contemporary artist, changing every couple of years. The artwork might make a political statement, like Samson Kambalu’s ‘Antelope’ which celebrated an anti-colonial hero, or it might be completely absurd like  Heather Phillipson’s ‘The End’, which depicted a massive melting dollop of whipped cream topped with a festive cherry and a less pretty fly perching on the fatty mess.  Throughout the year Trafalgar Square als
Hyde Park

Hyde Park

What is it? At 1.5 miles long and about a mile wide, Hyde Park is one of the largest of London's Royal Parks. It’s also probably the most famous stretch of greenery in the capital. The land was appropriated in 1536 from the monks of Westminster Abbey by Henry VIII. But, despite opening to the public in the early 1600s, was only frequented by the upper echelons of society. Nowadays, it is a favourite of Londoners in the summer months, particuarly as it is home to the city's oldest boating lake, The Serpentine. Hyde Park is a place of great historic interest too: it was a hotspot for mass demonstrations in the nineteenth century and remains so today. The legalisation of public assembly in the park led to the establishment of Speakers' Corner in 1872 (close to Marble Arch tube), where political and religious ranters – sane and otherwise – still have the floor. Why go? To enjoy a day in London's fresh air and soak up the greenery. Don't miss: If you're exploring on foot and the vast expanses defeat you, look out for the Liberty Drives (May-Oct). Driven by volunteers (there's no fare, but offer a donation if you can), these electric buggies pick up groups of sightseers and ferry them around. The Joy of Life fountain, next to Aldford Street North Gate, alongside Park Lane, is a popular spot for splashing around in when the weather heats up. The divisive Winter Wonderland takes place in the park each year, so if you're a fan of festivities, grab a mulled wine and head on down. When

News (1)

Where to watch Super Bowl LX in London this weekend – the city’s 13 best watch parties

Where to watch Super Bowl LX in London this weekend – the city’s 13 best watch parties

When it comes to blockbuster sporting events, few things come close to the Super Bowl. The NFL’s showpiece fixture is less a match and more a full-blown cultural phenomenon – and while the game takes place thousands of miles away, London will be very much awake for it.  In 2026 the Super Bowl heads to Santa Clara. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, around 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, the California city won a fiercely competitive bidding process to host the game (a privilege that reportedly costs close to $100m once security and production are factored in). It’s not Santa Clara’s first rodeo either, having previously hosted the Super Bowl 50 back in 2016. As ever, the action on the field will be joined by all the familiar Super Bowl trimmings: high-stakes drama and, most importantly, a globe-stopping half-time show. I mean, who could forget Beyoncé? And Rihanna? Prince? Pop-culture milestones one and all. So sure, you could watch it from your sofa with a multipack of crisps. But for anyone after a proper Super Bowl experience – big screens, booming sound systems, flowing pints and American food – London has plenty of late-night parties worth staying up for. These are the best places in the city to catch it. When is the Super Bowl?  Super Bowl LX takes place on Sunday February 8, kicking off at around 11.30pm GMT. Who is performing at the Super Bowl? Bad Bunny was announced as the headline performer for the Super Bowl Halftime Show back in September. Green Day are