Charlie Allenby

If you're feeling claustrophobic in busy, built-up, stuffy old London, there's one easy cure: zip out into the countryside by bike for a delicious dose of fresh air. This city is surrounded by glorious landscapes, adrenaline-boosting hills, and lovely little villages that are ripe for discovery. So pump up your tires and dig out your helmet for a ride that's miles more exciting than a commute or a quick jaunt to the shops. It doesn't take long to escape suburbia and find yourself in intriguing new landscapes – from the chalk cliffs of Sussex to the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire and the woodland of Essex to the coastline of Kent. And if you would rather keep your cycling adventures within Zones 1-6 then check out our round up of the best bike rides in London – so that if your sore legs are begging for a break, you can train it back home again.  Discover the best walks near London and the best daytrips to go on too. 

In a city full of magical things to see and do, few activities can be more enchanting than a trip along the Seine. To sail down the river in the City of Love is to dip under narrow bridges, pass tree-lined boulevards and spot iconic landmark after iconic landmark. The trips on offer don’t stop at the Seine either, and there are plenty of other canals and lakes to explore either as part of an organised tour or on your own steam. Ready to hit the water? Here’s our pick of Paris’s best river-based tours, trips and activities. Bon voyage! This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here. RECOMMENDED:🎭 See the best attractions in Paris🏡Enjoy a stay at the best Airbnbs in Paris🏨 Or head to the best hotels in Paris

France is the world’s most famous producer of wine. It’s not hard to see why either, thanks to 17 different regions that produce everything from sparkling Champagne to deep, intense Burgundies. Today, France is still the leading exporter, but for those who aren’t connoisseurs, it can all be a tad intimidating. Luckily, vin-curious visitors to the capital can take their pick from our list of wine tours and tasting sessions in Paris, where expert guidance is on hand. We’ll drink to that! RECOMMENDED: The best cafes in Paris This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here. 

Think a city as trendy as Melbourne doesn't have much to offer in the way of luxury? Think again. The luxury hotels in Melbourne are some of the best you'll find in the realm of non-extortionate, with award-winning international buffets, pools overlooking the Yarra River, and bookable private workout rooms. From old-world glamour to cutting-edge modern marvels, you're sure to find a suite to suit your aesthetic.  While you're planning your high-rolling retreat, it's also worth booking a table at one of the city's finest restaurants and fitting a shopping trip into your schedule. All that'll be left to do is choose where to spend the night. Take a look at our pick of the best luxury hotels in Melbourne, Australia. RECOMMENDED:🏨 The best boutique hotels in Melbourne 🏠 The best Airbnbs in Melbourne 📍 Our guide to Melbourne's best neighbourhoods🖼️ Melbourne's art and gallery guide  This guide was curated by Melbourne-based lifestyle editor, Adena Maier. 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.

This central London neighbourhood is a biggy. The location of Charles Fowler’s neo-classical Covent Garden Market and the Royal Opera House, it is one of London’s most iconic tourist destinations, and is home to a wealth of excellent restaurants, bars and independent boutiques. As these things don’t come cheap, you’d do well to save a few pennies on the hotel. Thankfully, finding accommodation for less than £100 a night is easier than you'd think, both in the area and within ten minutes’ walk of it. Want proof? Here are our top ten favourite cheap hotels in Covent Garden. RECOMMENDED: London’s best Airbnbs Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities 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.

The picturesque patch of Buckinghamshire has become increasingly popular with London daytrippers (and commuters), thanks to its proximity to the capital but also its almost unbelievable tranquillity, and Marlow is the quaint little jewel in the county’s crown. Home to just 15,000 people, Marlow is a ‘gram-worthy town full of historic streets and trendy eateries. In recent years, it’s even made a name for itself as a foodie destination, mostly down to a string of TV chefs opening restaurant after restaurant. But when you’re not gorging on all that glorious scran, there’s plenty more to explore in this little town. Here you’ll find beer gardens, great shops and plenty of relaxation and walks. Sounds pretty idyllic, right? Here are the best things to do in Marlow. RECOMMENDED:🏖️The best day trips from London🌳The best places to visit in the UK🍺The best beer gardens in the UK🏩The best Airbnbs in the UK

If you hadn’t noticed already, London loves to cycle. Whether you’re a lycra-lover, fixie obsessive, road racer or just enjoy a casual bike ride now and again, thousands of people are zipping about town on two wheels. If you’re looking to spend an afternoon with the wind in your hair and a bike seat between your thighs, look no further. We’ve rounded up the most tremendous rides in the city – from Zone 1 zips that take you past all the tourist attractions (without you ever needed to board a tour bus) to trips out to London’s nature-packed edges, here’s our pick of challenging, fun and central cycle routes in London. Fancy something that’ll hurt your glutes a little more? Take a look at our list of tougher, hillier, longer bike rides from London.

Finding an undiscovered cultural spot in London is like searching for the Holy Grail. Every bar has been drunk in, each newly opened food hall comes with the side of an hour-long wait to enter, while finding a patch of grass come peak summer is nigh-on impossible. But it's not completely out of the question. Curated exclusively for Priority customers, here is our guide to London's lesser-known best bits.

Manchester International Festival (MIF) returns this summer (July 1-18) for what is set to be an amazing programme of art, theatre, music and more. The biennial managed to miss the worst of the pandemic last year, but the cultural world’s shift to streaming over the past 18 months has meant it will also be running the festival virtually too. This means it will still be possible to experience the best of this year’s performances and gallery shows, even if you can’t make it to Manchester for an IRL event. Below, you'll find five virtual experiences that we're particularly excited for...  Experience MIF21 online – book tickets now!  

Breaking a sweat in London has never been more popular. These days, one in seven of us regularly hit up parks, studios and gyms – and we’re getting more creative with our fitness routes, too. From yummy mummy yoga classes to bootcamps that are like a Sandhurst entry exam, there’s something for everyone. And thanks to platforms like ClassPass, which gives users access to some of the most bougie fitness sessions around, you’re no longer tied down to the same four-walled space. But what are the new ways you’ll be feeling the burn in 2019 and beyond? We asked four personal trainers for their predictions on the future of fitness.

If London is the country’s heart, the Thames is its big ol’ aorta, pumping life into the city, bringing joy and cheer (and shopping trolleys) to its millions of residents and visitors. Although its source lies out west in the Cotswolds, it’s the section running through the capital that’s most famous (thanks, ‘EastEnders’) and has been a crucial part of Londoners’ lives for millennia. To celebrate the iconic river’s role in the life of the capital, Totally Thames festival 2019 is back for the whole of September (September 1 - 30). The annual festival has a brilliant line-up of events that truly gush about the waterway’s importance. So whether you want to learn about the river’s musical past or get down and dirty in an archaeological dig, be prepared to take the plunge… Recommended: Outdoor London

It’s that time of year again — Notting Hill Carnival is almost upon us. London’s annual celebration of Caribbean history and culture is always one of the year’s highlights, with warm-up and afterparties also setting the mood over August bank holiday weekend.  Carnival is more than just Europe’s largest street festival, however. Along with an estimated 2.5 million attendees that make their way to W10 and W11 over the long weekend, there are the floats, trucks and, of course, the soundsystems. And this year, to mark two years since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, there will also be a 72-second silence at 3pm on both days in memory of each of the victims. With so much going on and so many people, it can be tricky to figure out exactly what you need to know to have the time of your life while also staying safe. So get prepared with all the must-know information before you head to west London…WHICH DAY TO GO? If you’re after a more chilled NHC experience, the Sunday (August 25) is family day, while the Monday (August 26) is the more hard-partying parade.THE TIMETABLEThe festivities kick off with the opening ceremony at 10am on Sunday, with the parade starting at 10.30am, while Monday’s parade starts at 10am. Judging of Carnival’s many mas bands finishes at 6.30pm. Soundsystems play on both days, with a strict noise curfew of 7pm, giving floats, trucks and parade bands time to clear the streets by 8.30pm.TRAVEL – UndergroundThe nearest tube stations without significant disruptions are

On the Bermondsey Beer Mile, an eclectic run of railway-arch-occupying breweries and tap rooms, you can find an outpost of Manchester’s Cloudwater. It’s at the Bermondsey station end of the strip and there’s no sign above the door, but peer through windows past jazzy tables and pastel-pink stools to see an illuminated logo at the back of the unit beckoning you to the bar. There you’ll find 20 different Cloudwater and collaborative brews on tap, from sessionable pales to wine-strength porters, plus a regularly updated list of cans and bottles in its cold store. I settled on the barman’s selection, a Cloudwater DIPA that went down far too easily for something so strong (8.5%), while my partner picked an IPA that was fruity-yet-subtle in flavour. A schooner or smaller is great for trying a lot in one session, but that could effectively cost a fair bit for a pint. Although, if I’d had a full 20 fluid ounces of mine, I can assure you the water wouldn’t have been the only thing that was cloudy.

On a cold autumn evening, a taproom might not seem like the obvious destination for a drink. There are no roaring fireplaces, the trestle tables that adorn any outside areas have long been stowed away, and the industrial setting can feel a bit cold – both literally and figuratively. But the warm welcome at Fourpure’s new taproom makes up for its lack of log burners. Located on an industrial estate, past rival builders’ merchants Screwfix and Toolstation, Fourpure is technically part of Bermondsey’s renowned Beer Mile – although it’s on the outer reaches compared to other breweries rubbing shoulders along Enid and Druid Streets. But there are enough beers to explore in plenty of space that you won’t want to hop to a rival right away. There was a low-level midweek buzz that belied the taproom’s rather remote location. All the booths were occupied with groups, and although the mezzanine level and its accompanying Wednesday night quiz was rather bare, the huge space had a cosy feel. After choosing from the 20-strong beer list, we settled into a slightly off-brand beach bar-style hanging seat and set to sampling. The Easy Peeler (£5.10 for a pint) was so flavourful I half expected to see some orange peel floating in it, while the Star City DIPA collab with Nunhead’s all-female brewery Mothership (£4.50 for a schooner) had a complex profile for a beer so strong. Sip this in a swinging chair and good luck prising yourself out of it at the end.

When it was announced towards the end of 2018 that ’80s heartthrob and modern-day meme sensation Rick Astley was setting up a pub in Shoreditch, it all sounded a bit #fakenews. But he was never gonna let you down. It’s all come out of a collaboration with Danish brewery Mikkeller. The crooner and the Copenhagen-based craft beer specialists have been working together on unlikely brews since 2015, and this experimentation has now led them to open the brewery’s first UK bar. From the outside, it looks like any of London’s small, unsuspecting boozers – an old-fashioned, hand-painted sign bearing the name of the pub’s previous iteration sits above steamed-up windows and pine-green paint. The only distinguishing features are Mikkeller’s name in signature white type and a jazzy neon sign over the door. Inside though, Mikkeller and Astley have brought the site into the twenty-first century. Musty carpets and stools have been replaced by the contents of a Scandi-themed Pinterest board. Exposed bulbs hang from the ceiling, Swiss cheese plants line the walls and there are a handful of mid-century stools and tables. It’s not somewhere you’d go to settle in for a session, though. There are 20 different beers on tap (and more available in bottles and cans) that are unlike most other offerings in London’s beer-centric bars, but the prices are on the eyebrow-raising end of the spectrum. So whether you’re sampling one-off seasonals like the lip-smacking Hoppy Lovin’ Christmas (£6.40 for a sch

コロンビアの首都ボゴタは、「世界で最も渋滞している都市」として何度も悪評を買っていて、2020年には住民1人当たり平均133時間もの時間を交通渋滞の中で過ごしていたという試算もある。しかし、そうした渋滞とクラクションだらけの道路にも、車に代わる移動のための現実的な選択肢がある。そう、自転車だ。イメージできないかもしれないが、ボゴタは今「サイクリスト天国」なのだ。 ボゴタには、市全体をカバーする600キロメートル以上の自転車ルート網が敷かれている。これはラテンアメリカで最も広範囲であり、世界でも有数の規模を誇るもの。こうしたインフラは、最近の新型コロナウイルス大流行への対応としても拡大。自身も熱心なサイクリストであるボコタ市長のクラウディア・ロペスが、住民がソーシャルディスタンスを保ちながら移動できるよう、ロードコーンを使って84キロメートルの臨時の自転車レーンを増設した。 市長は、2024年までにさらに280キロメートルのレーンを整備し、最終的には交通手段の50％を自転車またはスクーターに切り替えるという目標を設定。その達成のため、臨時レーンの大部分は常設化された。 この取り組みは効果を上げているようで、2017年に9％強だった市内の移動における自転車の割合が、2020年の統計では13％にまで上昇する見込み。人口800万人のボゴタで、サドルに座る人の数が格段に増えている（参考までに、2020年のイングランド全土の数値はわずか3％）。 しかし、この街でこれほど自転車が愛されるようになるまでには、実は長い時間がかかっている。1951年に開催されたロードレース『ブエルタ・ア・コロンビア』をきっかけに、自転車は国民に受け入れられ、娯楽利用では人気が出た。ただその後、自転車が本格的に街中での移動手段になったのは、1970年代。『Ciclovía（シクロビア）』と呼ばれる、車道を一時的に（歩行者天国のように）「自転車天国化」するイベントが浸透するようになってからだ。 建築家のハイメ・オルティス・マリーニョとフェルナンド・カロ・レストレポが発案した『シクロビア』は、日曜日と祝日の午前7時から午後2時の間、市内の主要な通りを車で封鎖し、ランナーや自転車、歩行者が安全な場所で運動できるようにするというもの。1974年12月に非公式イベントとして始まったが、今ではボゴタでの生活に欠かせないものとなり、世界中のカーフリー運動にも影響を与えている。 Photograph: EGT-1 / Shutterstock.com スタートから47年、マリーニョは『シクロビア』について、「ボゴタの人々のアイデンティティーの重要な一部。街のアイコンであり、世界の基準であり、サイクリングの進化に間違いなく貢献しています」と語っている。 『シクロビア』はインパクトが大きかったが、街中における自転車移動の問題を、週7時間分のみ解決しただけだった。残りの161時間のために、もっと永続的な対応が必要だったのだ。変化が訪れたのは、最初の『シクロビア』から20年以上たった頃。エンリケ・ペニャローサが初めて市長を就いた1998年から2000年にかけて、ボゴタの自転車インフラの整備が始まり、300キロメートルの道が造られた。 地元の自転車擁護者であり、New Urban Mobility Allianceのシニアアドバイザーであるカルロス・パルドは、ボゴタの自転車インフラの発展を次のように振り返っている。「このインフラは、自転車文化、習慣に欠かせない要素だと思います。自転車レーンのおかげで、自転

The Colombian capital of Bogotá might not seem like an obvious place to be described as a cycling haven. The city has repeatedly been awarded the title of ‘most congested city in the world’ and in 2020 each resident spent an average of 133 hours sitting in traffic. But alongside the gridlock and horns lies a viable alternative to the car. Bogotá is also home to a city-wide cycling network that covers more than 600km of streets – making it the most extensive in Latin America and one of the largest in the world. The latest additions to its cycling infrastructure came in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, when mayor Claudia López – a keen cyclist herself – created 84km of temporary lanes using traffic cones to allow residents to get around in a socially-distanced way. The majority of the makeshift cycle paths have been made permanent, as the mayor’s office strives to meet its goal of adding 280km of lanes by 2024 (and eventually having 50 percent of trips made on bikes or alternatives such as scooters). It appears to be working, too. In 2017, more than nine percent of trips in the city were made on two wheels (compared with just three percent for the whole of England in 2020), while it’s estimated that the proportion climbed to 13 percent in 2020. For a city with eight million residents, that’s a lot more bums on saddles. The city’s love-in with cycling has been a slow burn, though. The launch of the annual Vuelta a Colombia road cycling race in 1951 saw the bicycle become part

From e-bikes to a bike shop that helps refugees get around the city, ‘Bike London’ author Charlie Allenby picks the city’s best cycle shops. Fully Charged If you need an extra boost (or you just CBA to pedal too hard), Fully Charged’s flagship London Bridge shop (above) specialises in all things e-bike. It has battery-assisted machines of all kinds, from humble hybrids to Harley Davidson-inspired pedelecs. 37 Bermondsey St. Cloud 9 Cycles Want your two-wheeled steed to stand out? This Bloomsbury spot is the place to go for a completely custom bike. The shop also hosts events throughout the year – from launch parties for new models to talks with legends from the wider cycling community. 38 Store St. The Bike Project A local bike shop with a difference: all profits help fund The Bike Project, a charity that takes donated secondhand bikes, repairs them and gives them to refugees and asylum seekers to get around on. Finally, a positive to getting a puncture. 210 Edward Place. ‘Bike London’ by Charlie Allenby is out now from ACC Art Books. £15. Ready to ride? Check out these nine ace bike rides in and around London.

Nuts for Nutella? Sadly you’ll have to head across the pond to hit up this New York spot. Everything on the menu includes the hazelnut spread. Pound cake panzanella? Check. Nutella ice cream? Check. Grilled banana bread with Nutella?! We’re salivating just thinking about it. There’s even a create-your-own station – like a salad bar, but a million times better and infinitely tastier. So, will London be getting a spoonful of the action? Nothing has been confirmed, but Nutella did open a pop-up in Harvey Nichols a few years ago. Here’s hoping that a café full of hazelnutty goodness materialises this side of the Atlantic. For now, we’ll just have to make do with eating it straight from the jar. Want more travel inspo? Here are the coolest events on earth in 2019.

You’ve done it! You got through another week of emails, meetings and listening to Janet from accounts drone on about her new pet chinchilla. You deserve a treat for reaching the weekend in one piece. Or how about ten? Look no further – we’ve got the ultimate guide for you. So whether you want to boogie with a meat-free burger in Bethnal Green on Saturday or fancy lacing up your skates in South Ken on Sunday, be sure to make the most of your two days of freedom – you’ve earnt it! Saturday October 19 2019  1. Oval Night Market Street food? Check. Live DJs? Check. Hot cocktails? Triple check. The Bethnal Green-based block party is back, bringing some autumnal cheer to this time of year.The Oval. Cambridge Heath Overground. Free. 2. All-Night Graffiti and Tattoo Art Festival This celebration of all things ink is set to make its mark in Manor House. Go for the tattoo rooms and live graffiti workshops, stay for the all-night rave.Low Profile Studios. Tube: Manor House. £12. 3. Clean Up Crawl Fancy some free beer? All you have to do is help clean up the Regent’s Canal area, with a full bag’s worth of plastic collected that you can exchange for a free half-pint in six local pubs. Rubbish has never tasted so good.London Fields Brewery. London Fields Overground. Free. 4. Hogarth: ‘Place and Progress’ Trying to avoid the news on the so-called ‘Super Saturday’? Head to see some Hogarth instead and laugh at the fact that literally every other character looks like Boris Johnson (including

Shut down your work computer and sack off replying to that annoying email that came in at 5:31 – the weekend is officially here. Make the most of your two days off work with these ten ace things to do. Head to an Oktoberfest with a lip-syncing drag queen and don’t miss all the bearded pups as they take over Hampstead Heath for Schnauzerfest on Sunday!  Saturday October 12 2019 1. Black Girl Festival The third edition of Black Girl Festival is taking over the mahoosive space of Angel’s Business Design Centre and is putting on a day jam-packed with workshops, screenings, exhibitions and performances celebrating black women and girls. Bag one of the last tickets before it sells out completely!Business Design Centre. Tube: Angel. £27, under-16s £13.20. 2. Festifeel The one-day event run by breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel turns ten this year, and to mark the anniversary it is throwing its best bash yet. Bombay Bicycle Club and James Bay are swinging by the do acoustic sets, while Sara Pascoe will be bringing the lols on the comedy stage. Tickets have sold out online but will be available on the door from noon.House of Vans. Tube: Waterloo/Lambeth North. £35. 3. Pink Oktoberfest This huge Germany beer fest is getting a big ol’ LGBTQ+ makeover for the night. Oompah bands are being swapped out for sickening drag queens, but there will still be lots of booze and leather lederhosen galore.Dock X. Tube: Canada Water. From £15. 4. Grown & Thrown House plants meet jazzy pots at

It’s Saturday and the weekend is officially here. Make the most of your two days off work with these five ace things to do. Prepare to be amazed as Fun Palaces pop up across the capital once more before raising your stein to some great beer at London Craft Oktoberfest. Prost! 1. Fun Palaces The fifth annual celebration of all things art and science is returning. Expect pop-up ‘laboratories of fun’ for all ages, opportunities to get stuck in or just the chance to watch someone spellbinding in front of your eyes. Various London locations. Free.  2. Insect Taxidermy Master the art of preserving dead insects at this fascinating workshop where you’ll learn about techniques that have been in use for 300 years. You’ll never look at those dead flies on your window sill in the same way again. The Dissenters’ Chapel. Tube: Kensal Green. £45. 3. Twin Peaks Festival A freak for all things Peaks? Get yourself down to this Lynchian wonderland, featuring doughnuts, damn fine coffee and cast appearances (both original and reboot). Stoke Newington Town Hall. Stoke Newington Overground. From £90. 4. London Craft Oktoberfest Oktoberfests don’t have to be lederhosen-clad and pissed up City boy affairs. Head along to one where the focus is (rightly) on the beer – pints from Gypsy Hill and Bohem are on tap and there will be bratwurst to soak up the suds. German Kraft Beer. Tube: Elephant & Castle. Free entry. 5. 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair Catch some of Africa’s best artists as 45 galleries

Summer might now seem like it’s over, but that doesn’t mean that the fun is too! Make the most of what the city has to offer and get involved in one of these five unmissable things to do today in London. 1. HowTheLightGetsInFestival Join politicians, campaigners and philosophers as they debate everything from climate change to the future of health tech at this festival for the mind. And, if things get a little too high brow, lighten the mood with a spot of stand-up comedy.Kenwood House. Tube: Golders Green/Archway then bus 210. 9.15am-7pm. Book tickets and see full programme here.   2. Black Food Festival Are you a goth who wants to turn the food on your plate the same colour as your emotions? Or maybe you just like it when restaurants add squid ink to dishes, staining your teeth in the process. If so, you’re in for a treat at this food fest with a twist, where everything on offer is, you guessed it, black. Gorge to your emo heart’s content.Oval Space. Tube: Bethnal Green. 11am-9pm. Book tickets here. 3. Clapton Jumble Trail One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, or so the saying goes. Buy other people’s unwanted wares at this crowd-sourced street sale in E5 where sellers are invited to set up stalls outside their homes.Various locations. 11am-4pm. Free entry. See map of locations taking part here. 4. EndoftheLine Graffestival East London is known for its street art, and this fest will see 40 spray can-totting artists collaborate to cover the area’s largest legal spray

It may be Monday, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun-day! Give yourself something to look forward to after work (or on your lunch break!) and get involved in one of these five unmissable things to do today in London. 1. Druid’s Autumn Equinox The start of the Druid year is here, so join the ancient order for a celebratory ceremony to mark the day when day and night are equal. Primrose Hill. Tube: Chalk Farm. 1pm. 2. ‘Preludes’ Fancy seeing a musical unlike anything you’ve seen before? Head along to David Malloy’s ‘Preludes’ and get caught up in the trance-like excavation of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff’s life. Southwark Playhouse. Tube: Borough. Book tickets here. 3. Urban Food Fortnight This food-focused 14-day celebration is still in full swing. Head down to Mercato Metropolitano for a herbal honey infusion workshop, or swing by Better Health Bakery for a sourdough starter giveaway. Various locations. Find out more here. 4. Tim Walker: ‘Wonderful Things’ Expect fashion photography at its glitziest, sexiest best. Treat yourself to a golden ticket to Walker’s wonderland and gawp at the beautiful images of fashion, sex and all sorts (no, we don’t mean the sweets). V&A. Tube: South Kensington. 10am-5:45pm. £15. 5. Kwãnt Take your Monday up a notch and enjoy a Gimlet or two at this swanky Mayfair spot. This classy, old drink includes orange flower water and cassia so it’s like a drinkable perfume – in a good way. Kwãnt. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. 5pm-1am. Find eve

Not sure what to do on this sunny Saturday? Make the most of the good weather and head to one of London’s best parks to catch the last of the summer sun. Or, get involved in one of these five unmissable things to do. 1. Open House London More than 800 locations are opening their doors for this year’s Open House London weekend. While some of the big draws (10 Downing St, the US Embassy) sold out long ago, there are still some cracking architectural wonders to explore. Various venues. 2. Blackhorse Makers Market It may seem like robots are taking over the world, but people are still making things the good ol’ fashion way at Walthamstow’s wood and metal workshop. Discover some custom creations and enjoy food and drink from Wood Street Coffee. Blackhorse Workshop. Tube: Blackhorse Rd. 10am-3pm. Free entry. 3. Peckham Kilo Sale Bag yourself a whole new wardrobe without it costing the earth (figuratively and literally). A kilo of well-picked wares costs just £15, so you can get some new garms with change from a twenty! Peckham Springs. Peckham Rye Overground. 11am-5pm. Free entry. 4. Bascule Chamber Concerts Get treated to performances from the Apartment House ensemble, poetry by Birdspeed and a new commission by Fiona Foo Pui-Yee that uses ‘found objects’ from the Thames itself in one of London’s most atmospheric venues. South Bascule Chamber, Tower Bridge. Tube: London Bridge. From £30. Book tickets and see schedule here. 5. ‘A Doll’s House’ Ibsen’s masterpiece has been rewritt

Got a taste for Ted Talks? HowTheLightGetsIn might just be the thing for you. The Kenwood House festival comes to north London on September 21-22 and visitors can expect to see heated debates with thinkers, philosophers and activists across a spectrum of subjects. But away from the headline acts (the motorcycle-riding bad boy of economics, Yanis Varoufakis, and legendary musical mind Brian Eno), there are a whole host of debates, talks and food to sink your teeth into. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s events… 1 Debate the role of nature in our lives Climate change is very real. It’s impossible to turn on the news and not see a story about the latest catastrophe that the human race has contributed to. But were our ancestors right in putting nature at the centre of everything they did – from worshipping the sun to believing in tree gods? And should we look to build a whole new way of life that does the same (minus the tree gods maybe)? Join a panel including ex-Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and Extinction Rebellion co-founder Roger Hallam and discuss our place on the planet. 2 Learn how we can stop the rise of big tech We’re glued to our smartphones and are suckers for the latest social media innovation. (Don’t shake your head – we’ve seen you messing around with Snapchat filters). But as big tech gets bigger, its ability to shape our lives (from individual emotions to national governments) is often seen as alarming. Listen in as authors Shoshana Zuboff and

Stop packing your camping stuff and mute that WhatsApp group for a bit – Houghton Festival 2019 has sadly been cancelled. The third edition of the Craig Richards-curated four-day fest was set to kick off tonight at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, but the plug has been pulled at the last minute due to forecasts of 60mph winds, thunderstorms and torrential rain over the weekend. In a statement released on its Facebook page, organisers said: ‘Tragically, following this morning’s reports and further consultation with authorities, health and safety, and all the festival directors, the decision has been made to cancel Houghton 2019. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers, staff and performers, which would be compromised if we were to go ahead. Please do not turn up on site today, and pass this message on to anyone else you know who may be leaving for the event today.’ Information regarding refunds is set to be announced later today. The good news is that the UK’s tight-knit community of promoters, DJs and clubs is already coming together to throw replacement parties across London, many hoping to use the huge weight of DJ talent in the country for the cancelled fest. Here are some freshly announced Houghton replacements, plus a few existing parties and fests that should be of interest to Houghton punters at a loose end...    1. Art's HouseArtwork is returning to Three Mills Island for his own slice of festival bliss, Art’s House. DJ Harvey will be returning alongside