Caitlin Maskell

Plenty of the UK’s best staycation spots are just a train ride away. But while taking a long-distance train is the more environmentally friendly (and probably more comfortable) option, it isn’t always cheaper. And it isn’t just train tickets that cost a lot: it can pretty spenny just to leave your car in a station car park.  Train station car parks can charge a pretty penny – but some are pricier than others. To find the most expensive parking choices, vehicle finance company Moneybarn looked at the busiest train stations in the UK and compared their weekday parking costs of up to eight hours in February 2024. Taking the top spot as the UK train station with the most expensive parking? Well, that’d be none other than Glasgow Central. An eight-hour stay at the Scottish city’s main rail hub costs a weekday rate of £24.95. Moorfields in Liverpool came second, with the same weekday price but fewer annual passengers, while third was Leeds, costing £22.50. Take a peek at the full list below. The UK’s 10 most expensive train station car parks Glasgow Central (£24.95 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Moorfields (£24.95 for a weekday 8 hour stay)  Leeds (£22.50 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Reading (£22 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Sheffield (£22 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Peterborough (£19 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Edinburgh Waverley (£18 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Stockport (£16.95 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Brighton (£16.70 for a weekday 8 hour stay) Bristol Temple Meads (£15.80 for a weekd

Every two-wheeled Londoner has their fave cycle route around the city. Whether you like leisurely rides with wind in your hair or getting all geared up in outrageous lycra, this city has a huge variety of places to speed around by bike. You can find Time Out’s favourite London cycle routes here.  If you’re on the hunt for even more spectacular cycle routes in the capital, we’ve now got just the thing. Bike hire company Swapfiets has put together a list some of the most epic London bike ride routes, ready-made for spring 2024 with approximate distances and times.  Without further ado, let’s get into them. Here are Swapfiets’ five most epic London cycle routes right now.  1. Holborn to Primrose Hill  Total distance: 5.2 miles  Time: 39 mins  This route will take you through King’s Cross and into Coal Drops Yard, then along the Regent’s Canal to Primrose Hill – where you can pedal to the top, chill in the park and enjoy views of the city.  2. Shoreditch to Walthamstow  Total distance: 5.9 miles Time: 32 mins  Fancy getting some flowers for your small, overpriced London flat on a Sunday? This route takes you through Columbia Road where you can do some shopping, so long as you get off your bike and wheel it for a bit. The next part of this route takes you past Hackney City Farm and through London Fields before ending in Walthamstow.  3. Hackney to Highgate Cemetery   Total distance: 5.2 miles  Time: 33 mins  If you’re looking for a break from the city roads and some much needed in

What do we think of when we think of the Royal Opera House? It’s a big, regal-looking building, yes - but it’s also a historical British institution, showcasing some of the best art the UK has to offer.  There are two main types of art on showcase at the ROH. There’s opera: loud, bellowing singing, that goes on for hours. And of course the ballet, which conjures up images of dancers in pointe shoes prancing around. It’s clear the Royal Opera House hasn’t been a one trick pony for years, and is now equally known for both opera and ballet.  And now, both arts are being recognised in a new name for the organisation, which will be called Royal Ballet and Opera. While the building’s iconic name is not changing, remaining as the Royal Opera House, the bosses of both opera and ballet in the building hope this name change will make the ground more level for the two disciplines.  Oliver Mears, head of the Royal Opera said the change was ‘long overdue’. His ballet boss counterpart Kevin O’Hare said: ‘We’re equals in this building, we always have been, so this is a moment saying that.’ Ballet and opera at the Royal Opera House once had to fight (not literally) for schedule time when their seasons clashed. Mears said that thankfully that relationship has now come a long way and that the name change is ‘a good way of acknowledging that’. Did you see that a massive crown sculpture is coming to London this summer? Plus: The Gherkin is getting its first-ever makeover. Stay in the loop: si

There are few things quite as good as a juicy burger loaded with all the toppings. A dripping tender patty, melted all American cheese, crunchy lettuce, grilled onions and plenty of ketchup – all topped off with a generous portion of cajun fries and a large creamy milkshake. Five Guys has created a bit of a following in the UK, which the chain says is because they use the freshest ingredients. Maybe it’s just because us Brits love a burger – in any case, the American burger chain has announced it’ll soon be opening another restaurant in south London.  The resto will be in the Croydon Valley Retail and Leisure Park and it’s set to open on May 6. Croydon’s current and only Five Guys is located near West Croydon station. The chain currently boasts 47 restaurants in London, but only six of these are located south of the river. The American brand was founded by the Murrell family in 1986 in Virginia, USA, and in 2013, the company leapt across the pond to expand to the UK. Its first Brit-side restaurant opened in Covent Garden in summer 2013.  Did you see that this two Michelin starred London restaurant is doing delivery - but only for a very limited time? Plus: here’s six London art exhibitions we can't wait to see in May 2024 Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.  

A new Royal art installation is coming to London in June, including – yes, you heard it here – a gigantic sculpture of a jewelled crown.  Londoners will remember the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, when he donned the crown previously worn by his mum Queen Elizabeth II on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. From June 15, you will be able to visit a huge sculpture of the Imperial State Crown in St James’ Park, just off the Mall and a stone throw away from the King’s Royal residence.  The sculpture is part of a larger heritage trail which takes in a number of iconic London locations, showcasing 10 other classic London themed sculptures such as a top hat, tea cup, King’s Guard, taxi and of course, a London bus. Here’s what the crown sculpture will look like.  Image: London Heritage Quarter The sculptures are not quite the life-size bust of the King made of 17 litres of chocolate, but the new set of sculptures will still make for a bit of outdoor art fun. It’s being run by the London Heritage Quarter. The crown sculpture itself stands at an impressive 1.74m tall and 2.44m wide. Made of fibreglass with a plywood plinth, it will be hand-painted with vibrant colours by a local artist chosen by creative agency We Are Placemaking.  Organisers of the event said it aims to benefit local businesses and residents while attracting tourists. They said: ‘London Heritage Quarter is planning a summer of activity which will celebrate the area’s history, culture and community, while c

The 2024 London Marathon took place just over a week ago – and it’s safe to say the hype still hasn’t died down. A whopping 50,000 people turned out to run in the capital this year, with crowds cheering on everyone from professional athletes and everyday people to celebrities like The Masked Singer host and comedian Joel Dommett, who completed the race in just under five hours and 20 minutes while wearing a fishy piranha suit.   Whilst next year’s marathon is a whole year away, it’s already breaking records. The London Marathon 2025 organisers have already received 840,318 applications for the 2025 race, up from 578,374 in last year’s public ballot. It seems that people just can’t wait to get those running shoes on. Event director Hugh Brasher commented that next year’s applications have an increase in applications from women, from 43 percent to 49 percent. And it’s no shock more women feel inspired to start pounding the pavement for next year’s marathon – after all, this year Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir smashed the women’s world record marathon time with a chill 2:16:16.  For those still considering tightening those laces and getting a chicken fancy dress costume out of the attic ready for next year's marathon, sadly the public ballot applications are now closed. However – the good news is that you can still apply to run for many charities who still have places for the 2025 race.  If you fancy yourself a bit of a runner and are interested, the race’s official website