India Lawrence

July is the month where London really lets its collective hair down and has some fun. It’s just too hot to stay cooped up indoors so everyone descends on lidos en masse, or assembles in fun-seeking hordes at rooftop bars, beer gardens and alfresco restaurants. We can already taste the sweet, sweet golden hour spritzes. And as ever, this year's July line-up of massive festivals and other prospects that are exciting enough tempt you away from yet another tinny in the park. Some massive music names are descending on central London for BST Hyde Park, ravers will be heading west for Junction 2, electronic music artists from around the world are playing Labyrinth by the Thames. Or, if you like your outdoor entertainment to be deeply weird and feline-inspired, spring for the long-awaited revival of Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.  Other London music festivals are popping off throughout the month, and it’s also a chance to take in the city’s lavender and sunflower fields, which are going to be at their blooming loveliest. Here’s our guide to the best exhibitions, shows and things to do this July 2026 in London.  RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar

There has been all sorts of talk about the death of London’s nightlife, with the loss of legendary clubs like Corsica Studios and G-A-Y. However, London’s late-night scene is resilient. It will never die, only evolve. And lets not forget that the Big Smoke is still home to some absolute world-leading clubs where you can go for a proper dance. I’m talking smoke, strobe lights and an absolute stomper of a sound system. I promise you, it’s good for the soul. London’s best clubs at a glance: 🎸Best club for live music: Moth Club 🪩Best intimate club: The Carpet Shop 🏳️‍🌈Best LGBTQ+ club: Dalston Superstore   ⛓️Best techno club: FOLD  💅Best bougie club: The Box Since I moved to London, I’ve been making my way around the city’s many dancefloors, and I like to think that by now I know a thing or two about what separates an average club from a venue which will have you itching to come back week after week. From Sunday day raves at FOLD to secret line-ups at Venue MOT and no-nonsense pop nights at Moth Club, we are home to some absolutely banging nights out in this city. You just need to know where to look. That said, the best thing about going out in London is the sheer variety on offer. You can go to a huge daytime party at Drumsheds with international superstar DJs then head to an underground warehouse party in the Docklands the very same weekend. You can try your best to master Northern Soul footwork, sing your heart out to some serious cheese or dance the night away at one o

Summer’s on its way, and that means only one thing for footie fans: another hotly anticipated FIFA World Cup and all the thrills, spills, soaring highs and beer-soaked disappointments it brings.  This year, 16 stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States will host this epic tournament, which plays out from Thursday June 11 - Sunday July 19 2026. And of course, Engand fans will be glued to the screen, praying that it'll finally come home this summer. In 2022, England once again failed to end its ‘58 years of hurt’, crashing out of the tournament at the quarterfinals after being defeated by France. Could things be better this time round? Getting to the final of the Euros two years ago will give fans hopes a boost, with the bookies’ odds hovering around 6/1. Practically every pub and bar in London will be getting in on the action and vying for your attendance during the World Cup’s biggest games. However, we’ve whittled it down to the places that offer the best atmosphere and the best view of the screen, wherever you station yourself. Last year, England's manager Thomas Tuchel complained that fans were too ‘silent’: fingers crossed this summer's celebrations will prove him wrong.  RECOMMENDED: The best football pubs in London. When are the England World Cup matches? At the moment we only know the dates for England’s first three group stage matches. The Three Lions’ first fixture of the tournament is on Wednesday June 17 at 9pm BST against Crotia. Then, they’ll take on Gh

June 2026: There's a brand new Number 1, with Holy Carrot in Spitalfields taking the top spot thanks to creative and delicious vegetarian cookery. Other fresh additions include Auguste and Cafe Kowloon in London Fields, the latest branch of YeYe's Noodle & Dumpling in Soho, pizza and Lambrusco at Bar Etna in Newington Green (and the nearby Golden Tooth gastropub), Greek goodness at Maza in Mayfair, and Logma, a sensational supper club at a Haggerston cafe. Hungry yet? Every week, a frankly silly amount of brilliant new restaurants, cafés and street food joints arrive in London. Which makes whittling down a shortlist of the best newbies a serious challenge. But here it is. The 20 very best new restaurants in the capital, ranked in order of greatness and deliciousness. All of them have opened over the past 12 months and been visited by our hungry critics. So go forth and take inspo from this list, which is updated regularly. Check in often to find out what we really rate on the London restaurant scene. And look here for all the info about the best new openings in June 2026. London's best new restaurants at a glance: 🍝 Central: Osteria Vibrato, Soho 🍠 North: The Golden Tooth, Newington Green 🇹🇭 South: Kruk, Peckham 🍝 East: Holy Carrot, Spitalfields 🥗 West: The Wei, Fulham Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in London. The hottest new openings, the tasti

Although the weather might not look like it, it is actually summer in London, which means festival season is finally here.  This year Londoners are absolutley spoilt for choice when it comes to fezzies. With something taking place almost every weekend throughout the warmer months, you can forget trekking across the country to live in a field for five days; simply hop on the tube and before you know it you’re listening to your favourite artists, tinny to hand, knowing that there’s a hot shower and a cosy bed waiting for you once the day is over.  Haven’t booked one yet? Get into gear before you miss huge acts like Tyler, The Creator, Lewis Capaldi, Lorde, Blood Orange and Deftones who are all set to take to London stages in the coming weeks. Have a scroll through our comprehensive guide – which we keep meticulously updated with all the latest line-up announcements – and see what takes your fancy. RECOMMENDED: ⛺ The best UK music festivals🌍 The best festivals in Europe

June in London is pretty much as good as it gets. It’s hot but not too hot. Festival season is in full swing. And there’s the blissful anticipation of months more gorgeous weather ahead, perfect for picnicking, spilling out onto pavements outside pubs, exploring parks, or partying all day long.  There’s plenty of fun in store during the early days of summer, including the second edition of Lido festival (featuring CMAT and Maribou State), the return of SXSW London, and blockbuster exhibitions on Anish Kapoor and Frida Kahlo.  Plus, the capital truly comes into its own this month: beer gardens are at their prime, the city parks are at their prettiest, the open-air theatre season gets going and eating alfresco is on the cards at some of London’s best restaurants. Plus, expect to see long queues in south west London as tennis fans line up to bag a place at the epic Wimbledon championships.  RECOMMENDED: Plan a great summer with our guide to London’s best music fests Get ahead of the pack and start planning your perfect July in London. 

May 2026: Our latest update includes everything from an early morning Michelin-starred tasting menu to udon noodle bowls, South Indian platters and Hong Kong-style toasted buns. Of course, it wouldn't be a list of the best breakfasts in London without an appearance from Dishoom and their iconic-for-a-reason bacon naan, so that's here too, as is old school East End hangout E Pellicci - one of the best classic caffs in London.  The best breakfasts in London at a glance: 😎 Best for celeb-spotting: The Wolseley, Mayfair 🥓 Best for a fry-up: E Pellicci, Bethnal Green 🍛 Best for a South Indian feast: The Tamil Prince, Islington 🍞 Best for Hong Kong French toast: Hoko Cafe, Brick Lane 🍱 Best for Japanese brekkie: Ikoi, Kings Cross Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and luckily for London, the city caters to every possible morning whim. These days, London isn’t just home to the fry-up, but the ubiquitous smashed avocado on toast, bowls of shakshuka and many more besides. In fact, London genuinely might be the best place to eat breakfast in the world. Whether you’re the kind of person who favours a posh restaurant over a greasy spoon, or who champions a caff over a swanky hotel, we’ve rounded up the ultimate list.  RECOMMENDED: Breakfast’s a little too early for you? Try one of London’s best brunches instead. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. The hottest new openings, the tastiest

The smog and stress of London can really take its toll on your skin. That’s why there’s nothing better than a regular facial (or a one-off treat) to give you that much-needed top-up, leaving you feeling glowing, fresh-faced and dewy.  Just thinking about what we put our skin through is enough to give you frown lines. That’s thanks to the combined efforts of pollution and air-conditioned offices, as well as the added bonuses of harsh weather, booze, sun exposure, dehydration and – our least favourite – the inevitable passing of time. Happily, there are loads of great spas, treatment rooms and estheticians in London who can give your face a break and a much-needed zhuzh. Whether you’re after a relaxing, soothing facial massage, some instant radiance, a total skincare overhaul or something a little more intense such as microneedling or laser treatment, read our pick of facials in London.  RECOMMENDED: The best spas in London. 

Make no mistake, the UK has some of the planet’s finest stretches of coastline. Sure, Britain isn’t always outlined by beaming vast stretches of white à la Caribbean, but there’s extraordinary variety in our coast. Dramatic dunes, towering chalk cliffs and secret coves. Beaches fashioned out of pebbles, shingle and rock pools. Some attached to busy seaside towns, others blissfully remote. That diversity is all part of Britain’s seaside charm. The UK’s coast stretches thousands of miles, within which are around 1,500 beaches. How do you choose which ones are most worth visiting? Well, that’s where Time Out’s recommendations come in. Our latest guide to Britain’s top beaches has something for every kind of beach fanatic: sun-lounging spots in legendary seaside towns, creamy sands on far-off islands, newly-revived destinations, old favourites and much more. Our 2026 guide to the greatest beaches in Britain features 40 coastlines, five of which are new entries. From Cornwall’s world-famous sandy destinations all the way up to Scotland’s West Isles, here’s where to lay down a towel and go for a dip. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK to visit in 2026. 📍 The best places to visit in Britain in 2026. 🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026. The UK’s 20 best beaches, mapped Image: Time OutA map of the UK’s 20 best beaches, according to Time Out

Whether you’re in one of the UK’s diverse, underrated cities, our picture-perfect seaside towns or anywhere in between, there’s always a museum to educate, explain, enlighten. Far from just places to hide from grim weather, Britain’s greatest museums tell stories, explore histories and get you fascinated by stuff you’d never previously spared a thought for. Here at Time Out, we are, obviously, huge museum nerds. You’ll find countless of the cultural institutions peppered throughout our UK city guides, whether that’s a mighty, storeyed national behemoth or an adorably niche local exhibition space. Even better, plenty of those museums are totally free to visit (and they remain so, despite suggestions of change). But which British museums are most essential to visit this year? Which ones are having a moment, basking in a refurb, putting on the most tantalising exhibitions? We’ve rounded up the most unmissable, all chosen by Time Out UK editors who’ve recently visited them. Before we get stuck in, a quick note. The vast majority of the list below is outside London, and that’s intentional. If you’re looking for stuff in the capital, we have an excellent guide to the city’s museums here. We’ve also steered clear of conventional art galleries – watch out for a dedicated upcoming guide. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The UK’s top places to visit in 2026.🎨 The UK’s best new things to do in 2026.🎵 The best music festivals in the UK. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by writers who k

We know, the UK is losing independent music venues at alarming rates. The V&A is even about to open an exhibition dedicated to all the fallen soldiers of the scene. But don’t despair, because it really is not all doom and gloom. Despite the losses of recent years, London’s music landscape won’t die, but will evolve. This is the city that birthed countless genres, including punk rock, grime, Britpop and dubstep, remember? Our city can also be thanked for the creation of seminal artists like Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, Skepta and the Rolling Stones.  So we’re proud to say that the Big Smoke is still absolutely chocka with fantastic settings to pogo to punk bands, nod serenely to classical ensembles and ponder experimental jazz arrangements. And if you want glitzy concerts headlined by megastars, we’ve got plenty of excellent places to experience that kind of thing too. Here, we’ve come up with the definitive list of the capital’s very best spots to catch live music – from old dames of the scene, DIY jazz bars, enormous, shiny arenas and grimy metal dens. These are London’s best live music venues, updated for 2026. RECOMMENDED:🪩 London’s best nigthclubs.🎸 The 42 greatest independent music venues in the UK.

As Londoners are sweating it out on the street this June, the capital’s best dancers will be putting their bodies to the limit in a different way on the London stage. Here, we’ve listed the finest performances from the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and Sadler’s Wells East that aren’t to be missed.  The Royal Ballet’s happiest production ever, La fille mal gardée, continues its run at ROH, while English National Ballet is taking on the ultimate fairytale, Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Albert Hall.  Sadler’s Wells launches its inaugural film festival Dance Digital this June, and will be showing 45 shorts and feature length movies from around the world.  Whether you’re looking for a last-minute night out, or have been planning an evening at the theatre for months (they have air-con!), these are the dance shows in London you should be booking this June.  India Lawrence is Time Out’s resident dance expert. Formally trained, she’s been dancing since the age of four and currently performs in a contemporary dance company outside of work. She has been reviewing contemporary dance and ballet in London since 2022.  RECOMMENDED:🎭 The best theatre shows in London for 2026🎤 The top London comedy shows to see in June💃 Dance classes in London  

BST is back again this summer, bringing some of the world’s biggest pop stars to Hyde Park for its 13th edition. Headling for 2026 are Lewis Capaldi, Pit Bull, Depeche Mode, Garth Brooks, and more. Taking place across weekends in June and July, Hyde Park will host an upmarket festival vibe complete with food, drink and a posh VIP area. Here’s all you need to know about the BST Hyde Park’s 2026 edition.  When is BST Hyde Park 2026? As in previous years, BST Hyde Park takes place over several dates in late June and early July. This year the festival takes place on June 27, 28, July 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12.   How much are tickets? Tickets typically range in price depending on who’s playing and what kind of access you want. The cheapest general admission tickets cost £99.95 plus booking fee, with VIP tickets costing up to £350.95 plus booking fee. Check the website for the full range of tickets and prices. There are also a number of free community events taking place throughout the weeks as part of the BST Open House series. These usually include things like Wimbledon screenings, an outdoor cinema, outdoor theatre shows, DJ sets and gigs. Who’s on the lineup? Country singer Garth Brooks will headline on June 27. This will be his only European performance in 2026. South Korean boyband Ateez headline on June 28, followed by Maroon 5 on July 3 and Mumford and Sons on July 4. Duran Duran headline on July 5, joined by Scissor Sisters and Nile Rodgers & Chic. Pitbull will play on July

Is it art, or is it maths? It’s a question even MC Escher himself couldn’t answer about his own work. While the Dutch printmaker known for his infinite staircases, metamorphosing tessellations and paradoxical buildings was rejected by the art world, he was revered by mathematicians, and is now one of the most famous optical illusionists of all time.  The OG creator of images that make you go ‘Huh?’ is going under the microscope in London with a blockbuster exhibition celebrating his life and work this summer. Created by Italian company Arthemisia and the immersive peeps at Fever, MC Escher: The Exhibition has arrived at Somerset House as part of its world tour.  The family-friendly display is surprisingly big. With more than 150 artworks on show, it tells the story of Escher’s life and work in chronological order, before it gets to the biggies – the ones that have been wheeled out in maths classrooms for decades – towards the end. You’ll see the originals of ‘Waterfall’, where water appears to run upwards, ‘Ascending and Descending’, the looping staircase that goes up and down simultaneously, and ‘Belvedere’ depicting an impossible tower. And you’ll learn about the techniques and mathematics that make these illusions possible along the way.  The meticulous craft that went into his totally baffling work is evident. On a personal level, I can see why Escher was rebuffed by the art world. Many of his works seem like something from a bad acid trip: giant, bulbous ants; monstrous

The sign from the London Astoria, the sound monitor from the Haçienda and the hefty metal doors from The End are just some of the relics you can see at the V&A’s new display that shines a light on some of the UK’s closed-down music venues. Compiled from an open call-out, the museum has curated a free exhibition that spotlights 50 former independent venues through more than 150 objects, including photographs, band merch, clothing, flyers and posters.   You don’t have to be an ageing rocker or former clubber to get something out of this display, as there’s something for all ages. People who came of age at any time between the ‘70s and the 2010s might be hit with a Proustian rush when confronted with a collage of gig tickets from the Rainbow Theatre (a pass for Blondie was just £2.50), or noughties flyers from Plastic People. And nostalgia-loving Gen Zs will get to see what living through indie sleaze was really like – there are spotlights on the ‘toilet circuit’ (the network of small, grubby venues where up-and-coming bands would cut their teeth), amazing, sweaty photos from indie discos at Madame Jojo’s, and oral histories explain that in the pre-smartphone era, you would just turn up at the party and hope your mates were there. What a concept! Nostalgia-loving Gen Zs will see what living through indie sleaze was really like. But the most winning aspect of Lost Music Venues is the fabulous immersive design by Misty Buckley. Buckley’s recreation of a grassroots venue will have

They grow up so fast! One of London’s best grassroots clubs, The Cause, is turning eight this summer, and to celebrate they will be going hard for a full day at the Docklands venue. First opening in Tottenham Hale in 2018, now the club – known for having some of the best house and techno programming in the city – is now firmly situated in its brilliantly DIY venue at 60 Dock Road in Silvertown. For the big day, world-class DJs like Prosumer, Sweely, Chez Damier and Planetary Assault Systems will be stepping into the booth. Pace yourself: this party, spread over eight different rooms, will go non-stop for 24 hours. 

Could this be one of the best value cafés in London? Angel Dabang is a gloriously diddy and retro Korean caff and bakery, serving coffee, tea and bunsik. Inside, it feels like a nostalgic nod to Seoul and its dabang – traditional Korean coffee and tea houses. There are grannyish floral curtains, ceramic pots, dark wood walls and najeonchilgi panelling (a traditional Korean lacquer that uses iridescent mother-of-pearl to create motifs of cranes and flowers).Here, a tenner could get you a long way. The food menu spans kimbap, corndogs, tteokbokki, croquettes and Korean fried chicken. For drinks, it’s got coffee, matcha and a panoply of Korean teas (including barley, buckwheat and balloonflower). The specialities are the kkwabaegi, twisted doughnuts with cinnamon sugar, and the sweet Dabang Coffee (only £2.90!). Bites are made on-site in limited numbers, so it’s worth getting down here sharpish lest you miss out.The egg sandwich (£4.50) is served cold and comes with a generous portion of scrambled egg, cabbage slaw and cucumber. The bread – which can only be described as doughnut-adjacent – is sweet and soft in the centre, with a golden, crispy fried crust. One of the more expensive drinks on the menu (although still only a modest £3.40) is the refreshing and sweet mango iced tea, replete with half a fruit’s worth of massive mango chunks. Time Out tip Inside this corner shop there’s not much seating, but stroll 10 minutes up to Highbury Fields and you will have yourself the perf

Papo’s Bagels may be gone from the little alleyway behind the Shacklewell Arms, but something excellent has popped up in its place. Edami is a bright and friendly new Lebanese bakery serving coffee and Middle Eastern bites daily from 9am to 3pm (apart from Mondays). The star of the show here is the mankoushe, a traditional Lebanese flatbread stuffed with fillings like labneh, jibneh (a stretchy white cheese, not too distant from a mozzarella), minced beef, or sweet variants like carob and tahini. The most popular, ‘the cocktail’, combines jibneh with za’atar. It’s tangy, unctuous and has a cheese pull that is surely destined to end up on the Instagram grids of London’s foodie elite.

I am sitting on a rhinestone-encrusted pew, my feet resting on a furry leopard print rug. I’m looking at an altar that’s decorated with bedazzled condoms, votive candles and a photograph of a tree in Hampstead Heath emblazoned with the words ‘Take me to the f*ck tree’. I haven’t joined some strange new sect of Catholicism – I’m actually looking at a shrine dedicated to the late George Michael.  Reliquaries devoted to Prince, Dolly Parton and the Spice Girls; home videos of pilgrimages to Andy Warhol’s grave; and a piece of gum chewed by Nina Simone are just some of the things you can see at Somerset House’s new exhibition Holy Pop!, which explores the excesses of fan culture through photos, artworks, videos and memorabilia.  The free exhibition interrogates what it means to be a fan in our modern, secular world, and makes the case that a steadfast devotion to artists, musicians and celebrities is a contemporary type of spirituality. The show is an ode to anyone who has run a Tumblr dedicated to Lana Del Rey, has a room full of Marvel memorabilia at home, or harbours an immoderate obsession with anime. An installation that could easily be construed as creepy has a profound effect. This melange of objects and artworks under an umbrella theme is typical of Somerset House exhibitions, which have previously explored the grand themes of soil and cuteness. As well as the various real fan shrines, highlights include a number of vibrant and camp artworks. There’s an original commissio

It’s happened to us all. You meet someone on a night out and you just click right away. They’re wearing the perfect leather jacket and tell you your hair is cute. You listen to all the same bands and watch the same films. It’s fate. Only, you never hear from them again. You’re haunted by the idea of the missed connection, by the ‘what ifs?’. Alicia MacDonald’s Finding Emily is a charming and heartfelt romcom that explores what happens when the ‘what if?’ goes too far.  Twenty-two-year-old Owen (Spike Fearn from Alien: Romulus) is a hopeless romantic who works as a sound engineer in the student union at Manchester City University. One night he meets the enigmatic Emily, dressed as a fairy, and sparks fly. But when goes to text her the next day, he’s got the wrong number. Owen then embarks on a maniacal, and often cringeworthy, quest to find his real-life manic pixie dream girl. On the way he gains the help of another Emily (The Nice Guys’ Angourie Rice), a determined psychology student writing her dissertation on romantic love. She’s looking for a case study to prove her thesis that love is an unnecessary ‘evolutionary hangover’ that can only lead to self-sabotage and madness. It’s a romcom match made in heaven. It has all the things a good romcom should have Fearn is painfully adorable as Owen. He’s got the face of Mick Jagger with a Liam Gallagher haircut (and monobrow), and has the energy of the sweet boy-next-door crossed with a swaggering front man. As well as being a pr

Stepping inside Oula is like being given a warm hug. The pink-hued Tunisian café in Fitzrovia is owned by French-Tunisian chef Boutheina Ben Salem; she created Oula to celebrate matriarchal culinary traditions, hence the womblike interior and extremely amiable service. I arrive before lunch service (which takes place 12-3pm), but Ben Salem kindly offers to make me a brik – a delicious half-moon parcel of golden filo pastry stuffed with tuna, potatoes, tangy capers and an egg. It’s fried to perfection and finished with a generous squeeze of lemon juice; I think I’ve discovered my new favourite brunch. The rest of Oula’s menu ranges from kastrout – a beloved Tunisian street food in the form of stuffed baguette sandwiches, with bread from Quince bakery – to drô gourmand – a sorghum porridge topped with pumpkin seeds, coconut chips and pomegranate. The coffee is good, or you can try a traditional mint tea, served with pine nuts.

If you want to show someone some proper British pride (without all that St George’s flag stuff), take them to this winningly atmospheric restaurant on the fringes of Spitalfields Market. Inside it’s all dark wood-panelled walls, weathered wooden tables and walls peppered with old photos of Brick Lane. Or pop yourself in one of the red leather booths for a more intimate experience.For food it’s a traditional fare. The breakfast menu offers fry-ups, kedgeree and crumpets, while lunch and dinner give the chance to munch on oysters, pork chops with mash, roast lamb and spotted dick. For the time being Sunday roasts are off the menu. Service is warm without being cloying in this all-day eating and drinking nook, making Market House a convivial place that offers a slice of old school hospitality. They even host fortnightly jazz nights and beginner ballet classes upstairs.

Skate boarders, roller skaters and BMXers have been hanging out at the Southbank’s Undercroft since the ‘70s. Back then, the area had no chain restaurants, no street vendors and certainly no tourists. The Southbank was a barren stretch of pavement along the Thames that was home to ‘two pubs and a sweet shop’. Here, London’s first generation of skateboarders, borrowing from a culture that was growing in California, fell in love with the area’s abundance of make-shift concrete ramps (which they called ‘pigeon-shit banks’), open paved surfaces, blocks and railings. The Southbank Centre itself was an impenetrable office building, and the haughty people inside were not happy about the growing community of skaters that was gathering beneath it. Things are looking quite different these days.  In a new pay-what-you-can (and free for skaters) exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Southbank Skate Space (AKA the Undercroft), the Southbank Centre is telling the story of the iconic graffitied, low-ceilinged skate haven through oral histories, photographs, films and sound art.  As well as giving a granular timeline of the skate park, accompanied by vibrant photographs (although I would have liked a few more photos), Skate 50 is all about the Southbank’s resilient and pioneering skate community. There are recorded interviews with some of the park’s OG boarders – like Lorraine Rossdale, one of the first British female skaters in the 1970s. She recalls earning her stripes as the first woman,

If streetwear is a religion, Nigo is one of its deities. The man behind A Bathing Ape (Bape, for short) is worshipped by hypebeasts the world over, not only for his pioneering approach to streetwear but also for his cultural footprint. Inextricably linked to hip hop – Nigo is besties with Pharell, and everyone from Biggie Smalls to Drake and Lil Wayne have donned his designs – the Japanese designer’s work is characterised by bold camo prints, Warholian pop-culture references and brash graphics.  For the first time, the man behind Bape and Human Made, and the creative director of Kenzo since 2021, has his own London retrospective. The Design Museum’s exhibition features 700 objects – 600 of which come from Nigo’s personal archive – including records, toys, magazines, music videos and a whole lotta clothes, spanning the ‘80s to the present day.  Nigo: From Japan With Love starts with a joyful recreation of the designer’s teenage bedroom – a dream of an ‘80s boudoir displaying Nigo’s own teenage relics: a lava lamp, a Kangol hat, stacks of hip hop records and his very first vintage piece – a shredded Levi’s type II denim jacket. It then moves through a selection of his most treasured objects, which range from Star Wars figurines to a Mr Peanut canvas jacket, and an absolutely amazing 1970s McDonald’s uniform from Hawaii, where the traditional flowers of the Hawaiian shirt are replaced by illustrations of burgers, fries and shakes. His obsession with Americana and vintage workwea

Bad news for Soho’s brunching elite: the future of the beloved all-day café Balans is up in the air after an email allegedly said the group was ‘no longer trading’ and ‘all creditors will be contacted in due course’, the Sun reported. First opening in Soho in 1987, Balans currently has two sites: Balans No 60 in Soho and Balans in Kensington. At its peak the chain had eight outposts across the capital.  Balans East in Stratford and Balans No 34 on Old Compton Street have already shut down. Then at the end of May social media users reported that Balans No 60 was closed, and at the beginning of June both Balans No 60 and Balans Kensington appeared as ‘temporarily closed’ on Google. At the time of writing both restaurants are listed on Google as open and are taking online reservations, however the future of the group still appears uncertain.  The group has been through a number of struggles over the past few years. It put its restaurant estate up for auction in 2020 as it struggled with the Covid pandemic restrictions. It reopened five of its sites that summer after receiving a cash injection, however Balans Shepherds Bush shut down later in 2020 amid further restrictions. Since opening in the ’80s Balans has become famous for being a welcoming LGBTQ+ hangout. The late-night spot stays open until 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and over the years the Soho institution has been frequented by the likes of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Rowan Atkinson.  Balans was contacte

The legendary artist David Hockney has died aged 88.  The prolific painter, who was born in Bradford, was one of the most influential and popular British artists of the modern era. He was best known for his colourful depictions of LA featuring dreamlike images of swimming pools, palm trees and pastel pink architecture, alongside his revolutionary portrayal of gay life during a time when homosexuality was still criminalised in the UK. Later in his six-decade career Hockney became a digital artist, making bold iPad drawings of landscapes in Yorkshire and France. If you want to experience his work first hand, there are a number of places in the capital where you can see the virtuoso’s paintings. Here we’ve rounded up the best places to see David Hockney’s art in London right now.  Places to see David Hockney’s art in London Tate Britain Hockney’s 1967 masterpiece A Bigger Splash is currently on display in Tate Britain’s free collection. You don’t need a ticket to see this one.  The gallery is also planning a major retrospective of the artist’s work, which will open in October 2027.  Image: David HockneyA Year in Normandie (detail), 2020-2021, composite iPad painting © David Hockney Serpentine North The Serpentine North gallery is currently hosting a free exhibition of Hockney’s digital artworks. The centrepiece of this show is A Year in Normandie, a ninety-metre-long frieze, inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, showing the change of seasons at the artist’s Normandy studio. You can

Foodies and francophiles, get this on your radar, because top American chef Daniel Rose is soon going to open his very first London restaurant.  Rose, an American chef specialising in French cuisine, is the man behind the Michelin-starred Le Coucou in New York and La Bourse et La Vie in Paris. Now it’s been revealed that Rose will open Le Perroquet inside London’s brand new branch of the St Regis hotel in Mayfair, which is taking over from the now-closed Westbury hotel.  For London Rose will be sticking with the whole French thing and opening an all-day brasserie with a menu of refined classics that still retain their heritage. Exact details of the menu are yet to be revealed, but we do know that it will be centred around ‘expertly crafted sauces, vegetables prepared with care, roasting as an art form, and desserts that comfort as much as they delight’.  The relaxed restaurant will have a fluid menu that can roll through from breakfast into dinner, and hopes to have an atmosphere that welcomes all sorts of diners looking for quick bites, spontaneous dinners or long lunches.  Rose will work alongside executive head chef Robert Aikens, who comes from most recently leading the reopening of Pastis in New York.  Rose said: ‘For me, the brasserie is one of the most complete forms of a restaurant. It’s not about invention – it’s about doing things properly, with attention and care. It should feel alive, and part of the city around it. That’s what we hope to create here.’ Le Perroque

In a move that is guaranteed to get people talking about how much the area has changed, Gail’s has revealed plans to open next to Brixton tube station.  The bougie bakery chain has submitted plans to take over a unit at 439 Brixton Road – formerly home to noodle chain Chopstix – right next to the Underground station. The planning application seeks to make changes to the store, which include removing the existing shopfront and installing new signs.  If you feel strongly about Gail’s arriving in Brixton, a public consultation is running on the plans until Friday, June 19. After that the future of Gail’s Brixton will then be decided by either a planning officer or will be referred to Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee.  Gail’s has often found itself at the heart of London’s gentrification debate when opening in areas that are abundant with independent cafés and restaurants, such as Walthamstow, Stoke Newington and Primrose Hill. However, the bakery’s opponents have not been able to slow down the chain’s astronomic rise in the capital; last year Gail’s was even crowned the best bakery chain in Britain.  Photograph: rightclickstudios / Shutterstock.comGail’s bakery in London Independent café owners in Brixton have already spoken out about being priced out of the area by chains. Metin Balci from Old Roots Café recently told My London: ‘TfL are limiting small businesses that are trying to run in their stations. We’re all being replaced by Gail's, Pret and Greggs, bu

Bromley Palace, a grand Grade II-listed manor house in south London, is to be converted into 11 flats under new plans approved by Bromley Council.  Once a bishops’ residence, the palace (also known as Bishop’s Palace) was home to the Bishops of Rochester from the 12th century until 1845. It then had a stint as a girls’ finishing school, among other things, before it was acquired by the London Borough of Bromley in the 1980s. It was extended and became the borough’s Civic Centre until 2024, when it was bought by developers Galliard Homes.  Now, the majority of the former Civic Centre is going to be demolished to build new apartment blocks, while the historic palace will be refurbished for residential use. The council voted unanimously in favour of the developers’ proposals at a meeting on Monday June 1. However, the plans to build 222 new homes, 10 percent of which (22) will be affordable, aren’t so popular with the locals. The plans for the old Civic Centre received received 138 objections and three letters of support, the BBC reported. The new development will comprise a range of one bed, two bed, three bed and studio homes and will include 25 wheelchair units, 38 parking spaces and 37 later living properties. The ground floor of the old palace will have commercial space which will include a new café, co-working areas or community spaces. Councillor Alexa Michael, chair of the Development Control Committee, said: ‘This is a carefully planned proposal for this historic site,

Carnaby Street will be going Mexican this summer, as a huge new immersive installation celebrating Frida Kahlo will take over the shopping destination.  ¡Frida Icónica!, created in collaboration with Tate Modern, will mark the opening of the gallery’s landmark exhibition dedicated to the painter best known for her surreal self-portraits and nuanced depiction of her disability.    Carnaby Street’s installation will consist of an anamorphic mural and a papel picado (a traditional Mexican decoration, translating as ‘pierced paper’) designed by artist Alejandra Ballesteros highlighting motifs and themes central to Kahlo’s life and work. The hanging mural will be composed from four portraits by Kahlo and contemporary artists, which come together to form her iconic profile when viewed head-on. Soho and Carnaby Street will stage a programme of events and experiences celebrating the Tate Modern exhibition, including special menus highlighting Mexican and South American flavours as well as special offers.  Frida: The Making of an Icon opens at Tate Modern on June 25, bringing together more than 30 of Kahlo’s works, alongside more than 200 works by her contemporaries and commercial objects that explore her global and lasting impact as an idol.  ¡Frida Icónica! will be unveiled on Carnaby Street on June 25 and will be free to visit.  ICYMI: London is getting an eye-opening new exhibition about Marilyn Monroe this month. Plus: These are the best exhibitions on in London right now.  Get

When it came out in 2021, It’s a Sin floored many of us for its beautiful, heartbreaking and raw portrayal of the 1980s AIDS crisis in the UK. Now the award-winning Channel 4 drama is set to return – but not how you might expect.  Russel T Davies’ acclaimed TV show is being adapted into a major new dance work by world-class contemporary dance company Rambert. The London-based company will work alongside Davies as the executive producer, as well as the Pet Shop Boys and Glyn Fussell (co-founder of Sink the Pink and director of Mighty Hoopla). The production will be choreographed and directed by Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer.  We don’t know too much about the storyline yet, other than it will be inspired by the hit Channel 4 show which starred Callum Scott Howells, Olly Alexander and Omari Douglas.  It’s a Sin will premiere at Aviva Studios in Manchester in February 2027, before touring around the UK. The show will arrive at Sadler’s Wells in London on October 5 2027, where it will undertake an 11-day run. If you want to see the production, pre-sale tickets are already on sale for the Manchester performances, with the general sale starting on 4 June. The general sale for the Sadler’s Wells performances begins on July 6.  Director Benoit Swan Pouffer said: ‘This is a story we feel compelled to tell right now, and collaborating with Russell – one of the most powerful storytellers of our time – is incredibly exciting. Together we’re exploring how dance and choreo

The Bull and Gate, London Astoria, Rainbow Theatre, the End, Turnmills and Plastic People. For Londoners of a certain age, hearing the names of these now-closed music venues will conjure memories of early Blur gigs where a young Damon Albarn swung from the rafters of the Kentish Town pub, of hearing dubstep for the first time, and sweaty club nights where megastars like Prince might just show up. For anyone younger, they might feel a pang of loss that they never got to experience this messy, unbridled version of London nightlife.  In a new exhibition, opening on May 30, the V&A is spotlighting some of these legendary lost music venues.  ‘I was concerned about the reports during the pandemic and post-pandemic that a lot of venues were struggling and closing. It was an unprecedented situation which was affecting the whole creative sector,’ says Harriet Read, lead curator of Lost Music Venues, which was created in collaboration with the Music Venue Trust. RECOMMENDED: An oral history of Madame Jojo’s Photograph: © Ali AugurAde Fakile fixing projector in Plastic People, 1991 ‘Because of that there’s been this increased awareness of music venues and their importance in the creative economy and the music industry. ‘[The V&A wanted to] highlight these spaces not just for their musical significance but as a place for design and art and performance, from poster design, to architecture and sound design.’ After an open call-out for music memorabilia, the V&A has pieced together an ex

Have you heard? Arsenal have won the Premier League after 22 long years. To celebrate the historic win for the Gunners, people all over north London have been going mad for their team. For days the streets have been filled with Arsenal flags, flares and shirts, and there was a huge impromptu gathering outside the Emirates stadium on Tuesday (May 19) night.  Now, one pasta restaurant wants in on the action. Trullo, an Italian eatery in Highbury, the heart of Arsenal territory, has painted its façade Arsenal red as a tribute to the footy team.  Trullo has been painted navy since it opened in 2010 on St Paul’s Road. The beloved Islington joint is known for its excellent fresh handmade pastas. It also serves Italian mains from the grill, like turbot, squab pigeon and stuffed courgette flower. It’s apparently a popular matchday eating spot, possibly making Trullo the most middle-class football fuel in the country.  RECOMMENDED: Date, route and what you need to know about Arsenal’s Premier League title parade. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out London (@timeoutlondon) Trullo’s red exterior was revealed earlier today. The restaurant hasn’t confirmed for how long it will be sporting the colour of the Gooners.   ICYMI: Arsenal Premier League trophy parade – confirmed date, route, start time and what you need to know.  Plus: The 7 best Arsenal pubs in London to watch the Champions League final.  Get the latest and greatest from the Big Sm

If you live in Liverpool, heading off on a summer getaway is about to get a heck of a lot easier. A brand new rail route connecting the northern city and a seaside town in north Wales launched this week.  A direct train route now runs between Liverpool and Llandudno thanks to a new timetable introduced by Transport for Wales (TfW) on May 17. Passengers no longer have to change trains at Chester, instead they can hop on in Liverpool and hop off in Wales after an hour and 45 minutes. The service will run about once an hour from 7am to 7pm and cost around £20 for a single.  Visitors will find plenty to do in the seaside town. Legend has it that Llandudno was where was where Alice Liddel – the real-life person who inspired the character of Alice in the Lewis Carroll books – spent her summer holidays. The legitimacy of the connection is continually up for debate, but that didn’t stop the town from making the most of it, devising a White Rabbit trail that traverses the many sights in the centre of Llandudno. The Victorian resort is also home to a pier with shops and an arcade, and some glorious coastal walks.  The new train route comes as part of a major overhaul of services by TfW, which hopes to increase all services by around 50 percent in time for the summer. Other changes will see direct trains from Manchester Airport to Llandudno serving Holyhead instead, and the separate Wrexham to Chester and Chester to Crewe hourly services are now combined into one through service. It wil

You’ve probably heard of Nobu. The bougie sushi restaurant and hotel chain is known for its celebrities, glamourous setting, and sky high prices. It was also co-founded by Robert de Niro, alongside chef Nobu Matsuhisa and businessman Meir Teper.  Now Nobu is coming the the East Midlands. The swanky chain has announced plans to open a ‘first-of-its-kind concept’ in Rutland, the smallest county in England which borders Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. Hollywood who? The new Nobu is being developed on an 185-acre plot English land in collaboration with Woolfox Members Club – a luxury lifestyle club that already exists on the site. It’s going to be transformed into Nobu Woolfox, and could give Soho Farmhouse a run for its money.  The nature-led retreat will have lake view rooms and suites, a spa, bar and signature Nobu restaurant. It hopes to offer guests ‘a slower, more restorative pace’. It will be Nobu’s second hotel in the UK, with the only other in London.  ‘This is a truly special location in the heart of England, surrounded by rolling historic landscapes and quintessential English countryside,’ Trevor Horwell, chief executive of Nobu Hospitality told Euronews.  Photograph: DenisShumov / Shutterstock.comMatsuhisa and Robert De Niro visited opening of Nobu restaurant in November 2015   ‘For the first time within our portfolio, we have the opportunity at Nobu Woolfox to create a special countryside retreat experience – one that offers all the hallmarks of

This article concerns the strikes in April. Find out about the Elizabeth line’s status during the May 2026 strikes here. More tube strikes are underway. RMT drivers are walking out for six 24-hour periods across April, May and June. The first two of those strikes have been this week, with one walk-out having already taken place. Another strike straddles Thursday April 23 and Friday April 24.  Before you panic and sign up to a Lime bike subscription, you do have options. Here’s everything you need to know about using the Elizabeth line during the strike period.  RECOMMENDED:🚇 How to get around London during April’s RMT industrial action.⛔️ The full list of dates and train services impacted by RMT train strikes in April, May and June 2026✈️ How to get to London airports during next week’s RMT industrial action❌ London travel disruption to watch out for this weekend: tube and train closures on April 25-26. RMT union members voted in favour of action back in February, with strikes called for the London Underground. Walk-outs that were supposed to take place in March were suspended, but for now further action will still be going ahead. The action is only affecting services on the Underground, meaning that the DLR, Overground and Elizabeth lines are all still operating. London buses will be affected by separate strikes in April and May.  RMT drivers are striking over a proposal to condense the working week into four days, resulting in changing shift patterns.  A representative fro