Ed Cunningham

Copenhagen has risen in popularity recently as one of the best destinations for a weekend city break. Whether you're a tourist travelling from afar or a fellow Dane looking for a change of scenery, renting an Airbnb for a few days is a great way to see the city and experience it like a true local.  The capital of Denmark, one of the world's happiest cities, is a gorgeous place with brightly coloured buildings, amazing food, lots of culture, rich history and architectural design, making it a place worth exploring with lots to do and see. And there are few cities that offer such a resplendent selection of Airbnbs as the Danish capital. No matter your trip, whether you’re hunting for a table at Copenhagen’s fabulous restaurants, spending your days in its captivating museums or boogieing it out thanks to its exhilarating nightlife, there’s usually a phenomenal Airbnb rental to fit the bill. Here are our favourite Airbnbs right here in Copenhagen.  Time Out tip: The (easiest and quickest) way to get around Copenhagen is on two wheels, but if you prefer to hop on public transport, the DOT ticket app will be your best friend.  Recommended: 🚲See the best things to do in Copenhagen🍷Hit up the best bars in Copenhagen🇩🇰Here's how to spend a weekend in Copenhagen Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth researc

Of all the many things that have been upended since 2020, office life is one of the biggest. Tools like email and video chat apps have (at least in theory) untethered many of us from the workplace, meaning there may be very little need for many restless workers to stay rooted in one place. And that makes moving somewhere sunnier, cheaper or just more fun sound incredibly tempting. Now that travel has officially bounced back to 2019 levels, many destinations are emphasising longer-term stays over short-term breaks. And at the very extreme end, some are even trying to sell themselves as idyllic remote-working spots, with ‘digital nomad’ visas that allow you to live and work there for up to a year – or sometimes even longer. Here’s a guide to the countries offering digital nomad visas right now, and how you can qualify. And here’s what it’s actually like to be a digital nomad – and how to become one yourself.

There are few neighborhoods in New York better for sightseeing than Midtown, Manhattan. In the heart of the concrete jungle, you’re within walking distance of the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Broadway, big-time shopping and Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s a great spot from which to base a weekend full of NYC’s most iconic sights.   What’s more, often Midtown’s hotels are attractions in themselves. From big-name luxury like Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt to little boutique wonders, the hotels in Midtown can hold enough secrets and activities for you to never even need to do sightseeing at all. But of course, you will. You’re in New York, after all – it’s probably why you came in the first place.   RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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. 

London can be pretty pricey if you're not careful. Whether you live in the city, work or just come for a visit, the spending can quickly add up. From the delicious food that stands on almost every corner and lines up the streets to just having a gander around the city looking for things to do, your wallet might start to feel very, very light. We don't even want to talk about how much a night out costs.  But surprisingly, the UK capital has actually got some wallet-friendly options for spending the night. Both big chains and independent hotel joints (yep, even four- and five-star ones) offer some rooms for under £100 a night – you just have to know where to look. And once you’ve saved all that cash? Well, you’ll be freer to spend your wonga on other, more important stuff. Like, erm, going to the pub. Anyways, here are our top picks for the best budget hotels in London.  RECOMMENDED:🛌 Check out London’s best Airbnbs💆 Relax at the best spa hotels in London🏨 Scroll through the list of 100 top London hotels Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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.

Planning a dreamy beach getaway in Long Island and on the hunt for a lush place to stay? Well, look no further than these gorgeous Airbnbs in the Hamptons, in an area ideal for everything from soaking up the rays at some of the finest beaches near NYC to fancy dining at world-class restaurants. We’ve found the best Airbnbs to help you make the most of your Hamptons trip. Read on for lavish mansions, peaceful retreats, cute cottages, and much more. Enjoy! Updated April 2024: It's hard for a Hampton Airbnb to impress when the area is chocked full of so many amazing properties – so when we find something new to add to the list, you can bet it's something special. Shiny additions include a newly renovated mansion and a beautiful home-away-from-home that's right near the beach.  RECOMMENDED: 🛍Here are the best things to do in the Hamptons Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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 UK really does boast quite a lot of coastline – we’re an island, after all – and seeing every little lighthouse, cliff collection, sweeping bay and dramatic headland would be no walk on the beach. That’s not even all our coasts have to offer.  Our shores are decorated with a vast number of marvellous coastal settlements, from the characterful fishing villages of Wales and the upmarket enclaves of Cornwall to the pulsing party towns of the Sussex coast. Leave those clichés of soggy chips, rainy weather and nasty seagulls at home – our handpicked roundup of the country’s coolest and prettiest seaside towns includes knock-out restaurants and cutting-edge museums, as well as plenty of sandy walks for the sunniest days of the year. Without further ado, here are the UK’s very best seaside towns. RECOMMENDED:🌊The best outdoor swimmming pools in the UK🏖️The most amazing hidden beaches in the UK🐟The best fish and chips shops in the UK🌤️The best places to visit in the UK

Key West is one of those places that is so idyllic it can be hard to believe it’s actually real. Picture the scene: palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, surrounded by crystalline turquoise waters, basking in year-round sunshine - absolute bliss. If that ain’t the good life, we don’t know what is. And there are few better ways to properly indulge in Key West than by renting an Airbnb. The city’s finest Airbnbs range from abodes that are mere steps away from the area’s biggest attractions to those that are perfect for lounging by the beach. We’ve sifted through all of Key West’s Airbnb rental options to find the ones that are totally unmissable: read on to find out more. Updated April 2024: With new properties constantly emerging from the woodwork, it's only right that we share the ones that have recently caught our attention. Prepare to be dazzled by a renovated condo with communal pool and a classy duplex that opens up onto a private beach.  RECOMMENDED: 🏝Why not stay at one of the best hotels in Key West? Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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 humble brunch is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the modern age. Breakfast is too early to really get stuck into, while eating eggs and downing buckets of coffee at lunchtime seems odd. Brunch, then, is the one true morning-ish meal, especially if it incorporates pancakes, bacon and those aforementioned eggs – or a totally vegan take on proceedings like at LD's at The Black Heart in Camden. London is particularly well stocked with places to indulge in the famous breakfast/lunch hybrid. Let us guide you to the best restaurants in town for a fabulous brunch in our city, from a traditional full english to innovative twists on the majestic meal, such as a bacon bao brunch. And it’s not just a weekend treat; some of these spots serve brunch every single day.  RECOMMENDED: Like unlimited fizz with your fry-up? Here are the best bottomless brunches in London.  Want to brunch for less? Check out the awesome selection at Time Out Offers. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Ok, so you’ve decided, for whatever reason, that you really, really want to get away from Los Angeles for a while. We’re talking a ‘jump in the car, pick up some groceries and get as far away from other people as poss’ kinda getaway. But sometimes, for these kinds of trips, conventional vacation rentals simply won’t do – so where should you go? Well, luckily Airbnb is packed full of secluded rentals perfect for getting away from it all. We’ve scoured everything within a three-hour radius of L.A. for the region’s finest Airbnbs, all of which offer a bucketload of space, acres of clean air, and a whole load of peace and quiet. Just a quick note: We’ve included a couple of guest houses in our list, but all of them offer separate entry and private amenities. Updated April 2024: We've added two desert properties in Joshua Tree to the list, both offering a whole lot in the way of outdoor activities (think transparent bedroom domes, cowboy tubs and the ultimate movie night set-up).  RECOMMENDED: 🏕 See the 10 best Airbnb cabins near L.A.🌴 Check out L.A.'s most unique rentals💰 Discover the most luxurious Airbnb rentals in Los Angeles Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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. 

Want a trip full of adventure? Consider Colorado. You’ll find an endless itinerary of things to do, from incredible mountains just waiting to be climbed (or looked at from ground level) to wide open water for paddleboarding. Or even skiing at one of the nearby resorts. But after a long day of enjoying everything the state has to offer, a cozy place to rest your head is needed. Yeah, a posh hotel is nice, but Colorado has so many other options worth considering. Cozy desert cabins, yurts, and even treehouses overlooking forests and a skyline of mountains. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work – these are the best Airbnbs in the whole of Colorado, to get that perfect trip every time.  RECOMMENDED:  🪵See the coziest Airbnb cabins in the U.S.🏨Find the best hotels in Colorado🧖‍♀️Check out the best Airbnbs with hot tubs in Colorado   Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel 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.

Television used to be considered one of the lowest forms of entertainment. It was derided as ‘the idiot box’ and ‘the boob tube’. Edward R Murrow referred to it as ‘the opiate of the masses’, and the phrase ‘I don’t even own a TV’ was considered a major bragging right. And for a long time, it was hard to say that television’s poor reputation was undeserved.  A lot has changed. Television is now the dominant medium in basically all of entertainment, to the degree that the only thing separating movies and TV is the screen you’re watching on. Now, if you don’t own a television – or a laptop or a tablet or a phone – you’re basically left out of the cultural conversation completely. The shift in perception is widely credited to the arrival of The Sopranos, which completely reinvented the notion of what a TV show could do. But that doesn’t mean everything that came before is primordial slurry. While this list of the greatest TV shows ever is dominated by 21st century programs, there are many shows that deserve credit for laying the groundwork for this current golden age. Chiseling them down to a neat top 100 is difficult, so we elected to leave off talk shows, variety shows and sketch comedy, focusing on scripted, episodic dramas, comedies and miniseries.  So don’t touch that dial – these are the greatest TV shows of all-time. Recommended: 📺 The best TV and streaming shows of 2023 (so far)🔥The 100 greatest movies of all-time🎬The most bingeable series on Netflix

  A beer garden and a great view – it’s a simple combo, but it’s a glorious one. Perched before a blissful vista, cold pint in hand and (hopefully) soaking in some sweet, sweet rays... there are very few places we’d rather be. And now Spring has finally sprung, it’s the ideal time to throw yourself back into outdoor boozing. The UK has tons of fabulous pubs, so it makes complete sense that plenty of ‘em come with astounding views. If you’d never realised that pebble beaches, grassy plains, city skylines, vast rivers and much more could all be enjoyed from the comfort of a boozer, you’re in for a heck of a ride. Here’s our roundup of the best pub gardens with views in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🍺The best pubs in the UK🐟The best fish and chips shops in the UK🥗The best restaurants in the UK🌤️The best places to visit in the UK

Few London hotels so boldly take inspiration from their surroundings as the Ampersand. Steps from Kensington’s Museums Quarter, this boutique riffs off the studies and research of nearby world-leading institutions like the Science Museum and Natural History Museum, combining it all with many of the bells and whistles of a luxury hotel. From ornithological wallpapers and artworks to complimentary galactically-themed macarons, everything at the Ampersand plays heavily into the hotel’s neighbours. Its ‘science’ afternoon tea spectacularly involves making your own lemonade (with wacky test tubes and all) plus dry-ice and space-themed treats. Sure, this sort of stuff will no doubt be naff to anyone wanting a frilly, snooty sort of posh hotel; but it also makes everything a bit more fun, much less stuffy, and a lot more memorable. Beyond that, lots of the rest is solid, occasionally a bit more. Rooms are decked out with nice stuff: vast, comfy beds, sizeable TVs, Malin + Goetz toiletries, a standalone bath (with full view of the telly), nifty, sleek desk and huge, glitzy headboard. You’d be hard-pressed to criticise the style or function of any individual pieces within the Ampersand’s rooms, while the first three floors of Victorian ceilings are spacious and fresh.  The staff are as helpful as you’d want them to be, everything is delightfully clean, there’s a gym and two restos (one, Apero, is Mediterranean-themed). There’s also a general sense of calm. Compared to the shoulder-to-

Some five-star hotels are all-guns-blazing affairs: immaculate service, supremely stylish décor, spotless cleanliness, peerless comfort. Others? Well, others aren’t. Some AA-awarded five-star hotels get a top-tier rating by simply doing all the basics really, really well. Sort of technical, no-frills five-star hotels, if you will. Where does the brand-new Hyatt Regency Blackfriars fit with all that? It’s somewhere between the two, but mostly falls into the latter category. You get the feeling here that the comfort is well-honed, that it’s part of a formula thoroughly, thoroughly tried and tested. And that’s because it is: it’s a Hyatt Regency hotel, meaning that it’s one of American hotel giant Hyatt’s signature outposts. Looking at Hyatt Regency Blackfriars functionally, there’s very little it doesn’t do. The rooms are spacious and bright with Scandi-ish décor that is a few notches swisher than Ikea. The beds are plush, the Chromecast-compatible TVs are big, the standards of cleanliness are decent, the curtains are marvellously blackout and the bathrooms are well-equipped. In the rooms, the closest you get to a bit of OTT luxury are the floor-level lights specifically designed to show you the way to the loo. Though those are, admittedly, pretty snazzy. The flashiest part of Hyatt Regency Blackfriars is almost certainly the building itself, which is Grade II-listed and on the former grounds of Henry VIII’s Bridewell Palace. The location’s pretty unbeatable, too: in the City o

Looking to seriously broaden your musical horizons? Colour Green could well be just the ticket. Pitching an evening of tremendously diverse sounds and styles – with a focus on women and non-binary musicians – this brand-new night has a line-up teeming with music from the world over. Camden’s intimate Green Note (our very own ‘London’s Favourite Music Venue 2015’, no less) will be graced by the soaring Latin/jazz/R&B of XATIVA, marvellously textured electronica from Alice Boyd and the studious jazz and South American folkloric music of Delfina Cheb. Musical adventurers, don’t miss it.

On the hunt for the heights of convenience and cleanliness with a healthy helping of luxury and space? Look no further than the Henrietta. This sort-of boutique hotel (it’s a little bigger than most boutiques) sits steps away from the main Covent Garden piazza on Henrietta Street. It’s technically not one site but two; split between two townhouses that aren’t connected but aren’t more than a dozen feet or so from each other  As the townhouse location beckons glamour, so does the hotel’s inner chambers. Hidden behind an otherwise-unassuming door, you’ll find a place that reeks with design, from its loud wallpaper to the carefully placed Henry Moore, Man Ray and Roy Lichtenstein books in the lobby. The Henrietta was made with an eye for design and it wants you to know – but there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s all an exhilarating change from the dime-a-dozen, copy-paste rooms of many of the West End’s ginormous multinational hotel brands. The rooms are also exceptionally design-y (this time taking from art-deco, from golden lamps to swishly round sofas, stools and coffee tables) but don’t skimp on the essentials. The beds are massive and plush, the windows and huge and airy, the lighting is controlled and tasteful. There’s a decent mini-bar and tea/coffee selection, effective air-con, plenty of cupboard space and a well-equipped bathroom. If you want the basics covered – and a little more – few do them better than the Henrietta. Neighbourhood When it comes to the West

London’s Latinx music scene has a lot going on at the mo – and there’s nowhere better to get a taste of it than Alturas, which returns to Stoke Newington’s Doña this January. From the Latin/folk/jazz fusion of singer-songwriter XATIVA and silky, dark pop of Sophie Castillo to the Andean-inflected dancefloor concoctions of ANTIK’ARA and classic bossa nova of Cláudia Marques, revel in a diverse blend of contemporary Latinx sounds. And better yet, the deliciously kitsch Bar Doña will be dishing up its usual array of tacos and mezcal all night.

Would you ever imagine that a mere 33 metres below Clapham High Street, there lies one of the UK’s most cutting-edge urban farms? Us neither, yet that’s where you can find Growing Underground, a farm fashioned out of a former Second World War bomb shelter. Cultivating veggies using LED tech and hydroponic systems, the farm produces pesticide-free, carbon-neutral and nutrient-rich greens that taste delicious. Snoop around and discover more about the history of the tunnel and the farm’s sustainable credentials during a 75-minute tour, which includes a fresh micro herb salad to take home with you. Green in more ways than one. 

London indie-heads, time to get very, very excited. Pitchfork Festival London has revealed the first wave of acts for its 2024 edition – and, as always, it’s set to be a feast for every kind of music listener. This year will mark Pitchfork London’s fourth edition and, as before, it’ll be spread over several venues throughout the city. This year’s fest will take place on November 5-10. Highlights from the festival’s first wave include a Roundhouse bill topped by Pakistani singer and composer Arooj Aftab, another Roundhouse night headlined by hip-hop artist Tierra Whack, a showcase at Troxy entirely curated by Londoner CASISDEAD and Sega Bodega heading up a club event at Outernet’s HERE. Also on the bill are south London post-punks Shame, trance-y electroclash duo Snow Strippers, Guatemalan cellist Mabe Fritti, pop musician Empress Of and poet Kae Tempest, plus a night of cutting-edge hip-hop at Fabric featuring billy woods, Moor Mother, ELUCID and Goya Gumbani.  And that certainly isn’t all. Here’s a full poster with the many, many artists revealed in Pitchfork 2024’s first wave. Image: Pitchfork Music Festival London Quite the roster, eh? And that’s just the first bunch of names. This year’s Pitchfork Festival venues include KOKO, HERE at Outernet, EartH Theatre, Fabric, Roundhouse, Village Underground, Troxy and Islington Assembly Hall.  As with previous Pitchfork Festival London editions, tickets for each event will be sold separately. Presale kicks off tomorrow (April 24

It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis and pandemic-era pay cuts, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too. Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action. Strikes can, obvs, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them. Air traffic control strikes in France France’s largest air traffic control union, the SNCTA, which represents around 60 percent of air traffic controllers, has filed a strike notice for this Thursday (April 25).  If the industrial action goes ahead, which is in protest of ‘unacceptable’ proposed changes to their job role, it could mean that up to 70 percent of flights are cancelled, according to French media.  UK Border Force strikes Border Force workers at London Heathrow have planned a walkout from April 29 - May 2 in protest of plans to lay off staff, which could cause major disruption to international flights.  There are also plans for a ‘

In devastating news for UK clubbing, legendary Leeds nightclub Wire has announced it’ll be shutting its doors for good. After 18 years, the intimate, much-loved Call Lane club will close next month. The Leeds club cited the cost-of-living crisis and post-pandemic lifestyle changes as among the reasons for its permanent closure. In a statement on Instagram on Friday (April 19), the club said: ‘Since re-opening after the pandemic the UK nightlife industry has been under immense pressure which we have not been immune to. The cost-of-living crisis and changing lifestyle choices coinciding with other commercial challenges unique to the venue has gradually led to the unavoidable outcome that the club can no longer operate as a viable business.’ Photograph: Ed Cunningham for Time Out   Wire is effectively little more than a basement room with some zippy ceiling lights and a few side booths of seating – but it’s precisely that simplicity that makes the place so special. Since opening in 2005, Wire’s focus has been on the music and that alone: over the years, it’s hosted plenty of the world’s finest DJs and electronic musicians and seen events from countless renowned promoters – all with a capacity of just 300. But that’ll all come to an end in a few weeks’ time: Wire’s final event will take place on June 1, then the club will close on June 2. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wire Club (@wireclubleeds) Time Out’s take Sure, Leeds isn’t short on

Has London hit peak immersive experience? We’ve got immersive art, theatre, game shows and even an optical illusions museum in the pipeline – but while you can spend entire days in the capital just doing immersive experiences (which we did here), you get the feeling that there’s even more to come.  And now yet another ‘immersive’ museum has opened in London. Called the Balloon Museum, it opened last December and features lots of – you guessed it – big inflatable balloons. Like all ‘immersive’ experiences, the Balloon Museum offers visitors the opportunity to touch and interact with its contents. The Balloon Museum has previously had outposts in both Europe and the US, having welcomed three million visitors – though this is the first time it’s been in London.  The Balloon Museum has opened with an exhibition called ‘EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel’. Featuring the work of 20 artists from around the world, it apparently ‘aims to explore the profound relationship between art and human emotion through the captivating medium of inflatable art’. So, erm, make of that what you will. It officially opened on December 27, taking over a 78,000 square feet space at Old Billingsgate in the City. How much are tickets for the Balloon Museum? Similar to many other ‘immersive’ things, the Balloon Museum won’t be cheap. Adult tickets will apparently cost £32, while child tickets will be priced at £15. How long does the exhibition run for? The current exhibition runs until February 18.  If you ne

爆音で、しかもダンスを交えながら、心置きなく歌うのが大好きなロンドンの人たちにビッグニュースだ。ロンドンに、なんとヨーロッパ最大のカラオケ店が誕生することになった。 「BAM Karaoke Box」という名のその店がオープンするのは、ビクトリアにあるタウンハウスの一つ。約930平方メートル以上の広さを誇る店内には、22の個室カラオケルームとライブステージ、バーと屋外テラスがあるという。 Photograph: BAM Karaoke London そのサイズに加え、この店の特徴といえるのが、カラオケとラグジュアリーなインテリアや上品さとの融合だろう。ヨーロッパですでに展開されているほかの店舗の雰囲気を踏襲し、食べ物や飲み物のメニューはきちんと考え抜かれたもので、しゃれたバーもある。 「BAM Karaoke Box」はパリ生まれのブランド。「BAM」は「boîte à musique」、つまりフランス語で「オルゴール」を意味する。彼らは「もしシャネルがカラオケだったら......」と自らを表現しているが、我々は、その意味が理解できていない。 ただ、2024年3月に死去した、カラオケの発明者の一人と言われている根岸重一に敬意を表するのには、ここを訪れるのが素晴らしい方法だといえるかもしれない。「BAM Karaoke Box」のオープンは、2024年4月19日（金）だ。 関連記事 『Europe’s biggest karaoke venue is coming to London（原文）』 『2024年、ロンドンで見るべきアート展11選』 『バンクシー、カウズ、草間彌生も？ ロンドンに現代美術館「Moco」がオープン』 『オーストラリアのスターシェフが腕を振るうポップアップレストランが西新宿にオープン』 『日本初、フランス伝統菓子「フラン」専門店が代々木八幡にオープン』 『ナチュラルワインバーの先駆け、フランス人店主が「アペロ」にかける思い』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

Can you believe that Walthamstow has been without a cinema for nearly an entire year? Since the collapse of Empire cinemas back in July 2023, ‘Stow’s been terrifyingly kino-free, the northeast London suburb’s residents left to traipse all the way to Stratford, Hackney or Finsbury Park for movies on the big screen. If you’re a ‘Stow resident who’s been sorely missing the area’s beloved Empire cinema on Walthamstow High Street, now we have excellent news: it’s set to reopen. The cinema, which is owned by Waltham Forest Council, will reopen as Forest Cinemas and be run by independent operator PDJ Cinemas. PDJ currently runs four cinemas spread throughout the UK. The family-run chain’s small roster local cineplexes currently includes Worthing’s seaside Edwardian Dome Cinema, the Island Cinema in Lytham (near Blackpool), King’s Lynn’s 1920s Majestic Cinema and Premiere Cinemas in Romford. PDJ has a 25-year lease to run Walthamstow’s old Empire. It has plans for the cinema’s first-ever bar, plus a VIP lounge area decorated with tributes to Alfred Hitchcock, who was born in nearby Leytonstone and began his career at Walthamstow film studios. PDJ will also have to replace a lot of the old Empire’s screens and equipment, much of which was damaged during an illegal rave last September. Local councillor Grace Williams said: ‘I am thrilled that we have been able to secure such a great new operator for the former Empire so quickly. PDJ has exciting plans for Forest Cinemas – I know our re

Countries changing their names is nothing new. In fact, plenty of states have done so over the years. Whether trying to better capture the geography of a country, ditch a colonial past or to just simplify things a little, there are plenty of reasons why states change how they’re known on a world stage. Despite initially being a bit difficult to get used to, these things gradually become completely normalised. Zimbabwe was once Rhodesia, Thailand was Siam, Myanmar was Burma, Iran was Persia and the Netherlands was once Holland. In recent years, other countries have made slight tweaks to their name, too. The Republic of Iceland became just ‘Iceland’ in 2022, while last year Micronesia became the ‘Federated States of Micronesia’.  The Czech Republic also wants to go by a different name – ‘Czechia’. But what’s the story? Why is Czech Republic called Czechia? Czechia and the Czech Republic have both been used in an official capacity for years (since 2016, in fact), with the former being simply a shortened form. From now on, however, Czech Republic will only be used in things like official government documents, legal correspondence and embassy business. Sort of how France is called the ‘French Republic’ in some very formal contexts. Czechia, on the other hand, is what the country would prefer to be called in more practical, less formal situations. Czechia will be used in things such as literary works and newspapers, as well as by people representing the country like sportspeople. W

After battling through the stress and queues of check-in and security, there are few things quite like settling down in an airport bar or pub for a nice, cold pre-flight pint. An airport bevvie is essential to properly getting you in a holiday mood. Alas, a pre-flight pint, like everything in airports, often doesn’t come cheap. Airport lounges typically take advantage of a captive market by ramping up the price of a pint, draining your wallet before you even manage to get on holiday. Wondering which of the UK’s airports offer the cheapest pre-flight pints? We’ve just the thing. For its ‘Pints and Prosecco Index’, travel company Velloy trawled through pricing data to reveal how much average pints cost at the country’s 15 biggest airports. God’s work, truly. The title of the UK’s cheapest airport pint goes to, drum roll please, Glasgow International Airport! The average price of a pint at Glasgow Intl is apparently £6.06, which, given the typically-pricey nature of airports, really isn’t too bad. And that isn’t all. Glasgow is also home to the cheapest individual airport bar in the country. Tennent’s Pier Bar was the cheapest airport bar for a pint, charging just £4.79. Second in the study came Manchester, with an average pre-flight price of £6.33, while third was East Midlands International, with an average of £6.44. The most expensive average pints are to be found at London Luton (£7.36). The cheapest airports for pints in the UK, plus the average pint prices Glasgow Interna

The UK’s pubs and bars come in all shapes and sizes. Such is the variety within Britain’s drinking scene that it’s tough to really rank the country’s watering holes: you’ve got your all-time great boozers, sure, but there are also the ones with spectacular gardens and views, glitzy innovators, quiet charmers and, obvs, everyone’s individual, highly subjective faves. On the hunt for the latest award-winning UK pubs? You’ve come to the right place. Today (April 8) the National Pub and Bar Awards has announced the victors of its 2024 edition, naming 94 ‘county winners’ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Those winning pubs will go on to compete for regional titles at an awards ceremony on June 26, as well as for prestigious prizes like ‘national pub and bar of the year’ and ‘pub group of the year’. Wondering if your local made the cut? Without further ado, here are all the ‘county winners’ of the National Pub and Bar Awards 2024. Full list of National Pub and Bar Awards 2024 county winners East Midlands Derbyshire, The Railway, Belper Leicestershire, The Forge Inn Northamptonshire, The Tollemache Arms Nottinghamshire, The Plough, Normanton Rutland, The Olive Branch East of England Essex, Galvin Green Man Bedfordshire, The Crown, Henlow Cambridgeshire, The Royal Oak, Hail Weston Hertfordshire, The Black Horse, Barnet Norfolk, The Dabbling Duck Suffolk, The Newbourne Fox  London City of London, Mr Fogg’s City Tavern Greater London, The Audley Public House N

Most of us can only dream of being in the market for a castle. Ruling over your own patch of land from a towering, turreted fortress, protected by a moat and drawbridge… doesn’t that sound sweet? And if you’ve always wanted to own a castle, now you can, as one has hit the market near Edinburgh.   Well, sort of. Rightmove calls this place a castle, but it’s actually a ‘baronial mansion’. Named Woodhall House, it sits in the foothills of the Pentland Hills (just southwest of Edinburgh) and combines buckets of history with loads of modern conveniences. Woodhall House may not technically be a castle, but it has all the glamour and heritage of one. Built in the early 1600s for Adam Cunningham, Lord Woodhall (no relation to the author of this piece, I think), according to the Scotsman the property has had several owners including the Society of Jesus. Featuring ceilings dating all the way back to the 17th century, Woodhall House maintains its original flagstones and parquet flooring, plus has six working fireplaces. The mansion itself features lots of other stuff you’d expect of this sort of humungous, deluxe property. With eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms, it also has a dining room, drawing room, music room, games room and bar, plus a cinema, hot tub and gym – as well as 7.8 acres of land. But that certainly isn’t all. Woodhall House also boasts tennis courts and a ‘magical children's adventure playground’ complete with a zip line. Fun stuff. The listing also notes that the plac

Fans of beloved homeware chain Wilko, it seems there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet. Having closed 400 stores last year, the brand’s new boss has announced plans to open hundreds of new outlets. And now we know where some of those stores are going to be – and when they’ll open, with two planning to welcome customers this week. Yep, this very week! So how, after collapsing into administration, is Wilko reopening? Well, keen followers of the Wilko saga may remember that as the chain was going under, its brand, website and intellectual property were bought by The Range. That chain’s owner Chris Dawson is spearheading Wilko’s resurgence, with completely new ownership. Dawson apparently plans on opening a massive 300 new Wilko stores, though it hasn’t been confirmed exactly when they’ll all open. Apparently 50 are officially in the pipeline, with several already open and two more set to welcome customers this week on Good Friday. In other words, you’ll be able to pick up some Wilko goodies in time for Easter Sunday.  Those two stores now have both confirmed locations and opening dates. They are:  St Albans, The Maltings Shopping Centre (March 29 at 9am) Rotherham, Parkgate Shopping Park (March 29 at 9am) Wilko has also revealed another store, which has a location but no confirmed opening date. That’ll be at:  Dolphin Centre, Poole, Dorset  A further three Wilkos opened before the end of 2023, which are: Plymouth, Armada Centre, Mayflower Street Exeter, Guildhall Shopping

For many in east London (and far beyond, for that matter), Stratford’s Market Village is a treasured community space. Inside the Stratford Centre, it’s everything a proper indoor market should be, rammed with stalls stocking everything and anything from fruit and veg to clothes and electronics. In shocking news, however, back in January Market Village closed down. The company directors of the market went into administration, forcing all traders to shut up shop with ‘immediate effect’. According to the market’s website, more than 60 traders operated in Market Village, and all were ordered to vacate their units on January 10.  Understandably, plenty were bereft at the news – and a petition was even set up to pressure the local council to reopen Market Village. And now we have good news: Market Village has officially been saved! Following a cabinet vote on April 2, it’s been decided that Newham Council will take on a 15-year lease of Market Village. A total of £700,000 will be spent on supporting the operation of the market in a one-year trial, after which the council can either terminate the contract or lease it for another 14 years.  On Change.org, the petition to save Market Village said: ‘The abrupt closure of Market Village not only affects the livelihoods of these traders but also disrupts a piece of our local history and culture that we hold dear. The impact is far-reaching with numerous viable businesses now left in limbo. ‘We are calling on you – our fellow citizens – t