India Lawrence

By August you might be feeling burnt out by the preceeding months of beer-garden-drinking, day-festivalling and sun-lounging. But we’re here to tell you to rally, because there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the final month of summer in London. The biggest thing happening? It’s Notting Hill Carnival – the biggest festival of its kind in Europe that takes over the streets of west London for the bank holiday weekend.  When you’re not having a riotous time dancing to tinnitus-inducing dance hall with a pocket full of Red Stripe, there are plenty of other ways to get your fill of live music this month. All Points East, Body Movements and Boiler Room Festival are just a few of the festivals pitching their tents and blasting music across various parks in London. UK Black Pride is also back for its 20th anniversary this year, with what promises to be its biggest and boldest event yet. It’s also your last chance to catch huge theatre shows and art exhibitions, including Evita starring Rachel Zegler, Inter Alia with Rosamund Pike and Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern. Before September hits, let’s hope there’s enough sun for a London lido swim, lazy days in the city’s parks, outdoor-cinema sessions and all the other alfresco pleasures that summer in London has to offer.  Plan your whole year with our BIG London events calendar.

Amsterdam is one of the world’s best cities, no doubt about it. Every wander down a cobbled street will take you somewhere exciting, whether you're a foodie, curious about the Red Light District, or in the mood to party for 24 hours straight. And as a tourism capital, it’s no surpise that it’s overrun with exceptional places to stay, from 18th-century canalside mansions to converted bridge keepers’ houses and seriously high-grade establishments.  So if you’re looking for a tip-top place to bed down after a day of exploring the city’s best museums, attractions and coffee shops, you’ve come to the right place. From the city centre through to De Negen Straatjes, here are the best hotels in Amsterdam right now. Updated January 2025: We re-reviewed Amsterdam’s five-star Conservatorium Hotel to see if it’s up-to-scratch (spoiler: it is). See where we ranked it below! RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Amsterdam🌳 Where to stay in Amsterdam 📍 The best things to do in Amsterdam🍴 The best restaurants in Amsterdam🎀 The best boutique hotels in Amsterdam Ella Doyle and Grace Beard are Time Out’s travel editors. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

In August things slow down a bit in the dance world – ballerinas need summer holidays too, you know.  However, that doesn’t mean that Londoners will be totally deprived of dance on stage this month. The Peaky Blinders ballet comes back to town, and Stratford East is staging a new version of Romeo & Juliet, co-produced with emerging dance artists and local community talent. Meanwhile Camden Fringe will include several new and experimental works.  Here’s our pick of the best dance in London this August.  India is in charge of dance listings at Time Out. She was first shoved into a leotard and ballet shoes aged four, and has loved it ever since. Nowadays India prefers contemporary (or dancing in a sweaty club) to ballet, but still has a soft spot for the odd grand jeté every now and again. India has been reviewing dance in London since joining Time Out in 2022.  MORE STAGE: Dance classes in London Best theatre shows this yearBest theatre shows this monthBest comedy shows this month

Peckham locals have always been proud of the area’s brand: a melting pot of cultural vibrancy, eccentric individuals, and an artsy, young DIY crowd thanks to nearby Goldsmiths University and Camberwell College of Arts. It rivals Dalston and all those other East End upstarts as the place to hang out, and it’s the perfect spot for new restaurants to find their feet. Here are some of the best in the area, as well as a host of notable places to eat just down the road in Camberwell, too.  RECOMMENDED: The best 50 restaurants in London. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that London is home to world-leading nightlife. Sure, we have cracking pubs on every corner, amazing restaurants and a buzzy bar scene, but often what you really need is a full-on dance: I’m talking smoke, strobe lights and an absolute stomper of a sound system. I promise you, it’s good for the soul. 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 of the capital’s many LGBTQ+ institutions. Want a big night out? Not sure where to go? We’ve got you. Our list features clubs in central London, east London, west London, north London and in south London, and all of them have been selected for their quality of programming, sound system and straight-up vibes. These are the best nightclubs

The future of some of London’s day festivals may have been thrown up in the air earlier this summer, but Londoners are still exceptionally lucky to have an abundance of day-long musical extravanganzas to choose from, with something taking place almost every weekend throughout the warmer months. Forget trekking across the country to live in a field for five days. When you live in London, you can hop on the tube, and an hour later 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. We Londoners love live music, so it’s no surprise that we’re absolutely spoilt for choice when summer rolls around. You’ve got festivals devoted to hip-hop, jazz, leftfield pop, disco, afrobeats, heavy rock ‘n’ roll. Whatever your taste may be, my god does London have a day festival for you. We are right in the thick of festival season right now. You’ve probably already secured the tickets and started planning your outfit, but if you’re doing things a little last minute this summer, there is still time to plan your day festis. 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

When you think of London fashion, you’ll probably think of Nova check, Kate Moss and Princess Diana’s revenge dress. You might think of Naomi Campbell taking a tumble on the catwalk and Vivienne Westwood’s iconic ‘DESTROY’ shirt. But your mind might also go elsewhere, far from studios and runways and photoshoots. To the smoking areas of nightclubs, to moshpits, to drag queens with extra-long acrylic nails and to the girl popping to the offy in an Adidas tracksuit and Ugg boots.  The point is, while Paris and Milan will always take the crown for sophistication and an elusive level of chic, London fashion is fun. It’s a bit punky, it’s loud and it’s always changing, always moving: fusing together all sorts of different cultures to reflect the diversity of the city itself. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.  It’s not exactly easy for younger designers right now: rents are rising, production costs are skyrocketing and Brexit has brought in a whole host of challenges. But there’s still a load of exciting talent pushing on, pushing boundaries – and showing that London isn’t only still relevant in the global fashion scene, it’s thriving. These designers are mindful of sustainability, functionality and the importance of making clothes for a diverse audience. In other words, they’re making us hopeful that London fashion in another 40 years’ time will look radically different than it does now: no more runways of exclusively thin white women, relentless microtrends (‘Mob wife’, we’

Covent Garden is so rammed with restaurants that decision fatigue can easily threaten the quality of your dinner. Weave through the tourists and theatregoing crowds and you'll discover that this area hosts many of the best restaurants in London, including French-styled Story Cellar, and The Portrait by Richard Corrigan, as well as old faves The Savoy Grill and J Sheekey. We’ve compiled a list of the best in the area, from cutting-edge eateries and classy counter joints to party-ready and casual hangouts, with pre-theatre favourites and cheap eats among them. Think of it as your Covent Garden bucket list. RECOMMENDED: The absolute best restaurants in Soho. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Summer is officially here, and the current 30C heatwave has us excited about sweating it out on the streets of west London with Red Stripe pulsing through our veins, because Notting Hill Carnival is just around the corner. As you gear up for one of the capital’s most fun weekends of the year, it’s understandable if you might want to do a little more prep than simply stocking up on Red Stripe and paint powder.  Carnival is an incredible knees-up, but with all its sounds, sights and crowds, it can get a little overwhelming. An estimated 2.5 million punters head to west London for the celebration, so it’s totally normal that you might get turned around, lost or just need a handy reminder of where you're going after several rounds of Wray & Ting.  Never fear! We’ve created the interactive map below, soundsystems and all, to help you navigate your way around the famous west London parade. Check it out.  What is the schedule for Notting Hill Carnival 2025? Notting Hill Carnival 2025 starts on Sunday, August 24 and continues on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25.  What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2025 parade route?  NHC likes to keep attendees on their toes and is famous for releasing all the details, including stage headliners, at the last minute. In that ilk, the official route map for 2025 hasn’t been revealed yet. However, it’s pretty similar every year so we have a good idea of what it will look like.  Sunday is the day of the children’s parade and the adult’s parade takes place o

There’s a reason why so many romantic comedy films are set in London; quite simply, it’s one of the best places in the world to be loved up. The picturesque Little Venice, the historic Whispering Gallery at St Paul's Cathedral, and Waterloo Bridge (which has breathtaking views of the city) are among the many romantic places to visit at any time of year – and we can’t get enough. But to encourage your love to reach full bloom, it's important to pick a hotel with the right kind of vibe. Breakfast in bed, complimentary cocktails upon arrival, and pampering spa packages are the sort of special touches that can make all the difference when you’re in the mood to woo... or maybe even pop the question. Take a look at our favourite romantic hotels in London.  Updated in May 2024: To keep our curated lists tip top we always keep an eye out for any new or trending properties. And this time around we've set our sights on this hidden sanctuary in Shoreditch, and this luxury hotel in South Kenso that's all about British elegance.  Looking for more options? 🛏 Check out London’s best Airbnbs ❤️‍🔥 or London's naughtiest hotels. 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.

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Every year, a wealth of new hotels open in the capital which is a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. However, that can make it tricky to decide which hotel to choose. But worry not because we have slept our way across the city and hand-picked our favourites for the ultimate list of London hotels, which covers locations right across the city, and every category from blowout luxury (including having your own butler, might we add) to budget basic and brilliant. In this mega list, we've listed everything from our favourite five-star hotels in Mayfair to more affordable hotels outside of zone 1. Plus you’ll be able to check out one or two of the capital's many Michelin-starred restaurants because yep, loads of them call London hotels their home. But if spending a small fortune on food isn’t your bag? There’s also an ever-increasing number of good-value food options for budgeteers, too. Throw great design and architecture into the mix, plus superb bars, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world and, well, you’re laughing.  Which area is best to stay in London? It's not just the range of hotels that's so impressive – you're also spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a neighbourhood to stay in London. The city is made up of a sprawling network of dynamic neighbourhoods, all with their own uniqu

After temperatures soared above 30 degrees in June, we’re holding out for a sun-soaked July this summer, which would mean lidos, rooftop bars, beer gardens and alfresco dining galore. We can already taste the sweet, sweet golden hour Aperol Spritz.  When it comes to stuff going on, this July is going to be a biggie. Drake is in town for a whopping three nights at Wireless festival (playing an entirely different set each evening), Rosamund Pike is hitting the West End stage starring in Inter Alia, and BST at Hyde Park is in full swing, with Noah Kahan and Sabrina Carpenter both topping the bill in July.  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 2025 in London.  RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar

‘It’s Ibiza lite,’ says my trip guide about Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza, as we whizz through the island’s lush hillsides in a taxi on our way to the hotel.  What she means is this: at the four-star resort Amàre you can be either a beachy hippy or a club rat (the dichotomy of ‘beefa, basically) – or for the most fulfilling stay, try a bit of both. So whether you’re going down the route of balearic poolside beats fuelled by unlimited breakfast mimosas, or rooftop yoga, heavenly massages, and serene swims, at Amàre you get to choose your own adventure, Ibiza style.  Why stay at Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza? To put it simply, Amàre Ibiza is a non-pretetious place to kick back, lounge by the pool and enjoy the Island’s nighttime delights. It’s in a good location for getting to both the nightclubs and the more tranquil beaches, but there’s enough going on inside the resort that you could happily stay there for a week without leaving.  If luxe exclusivity is your motive, Amàre also gives guests the option to book access to ‘The One’, a VIP lounge offering unlimited free snacks and drinks all day long, and a private seafront terrace, as well as a 10 percent discount on the minibar and wellness treatments.  This adults-only resort did have quite a few hen parties (where in Ibiza doesn’t?) but it was nothing imposing, and it was quite fun playing ‘spot the bride’ when gaggles of women would arrive at reception in matching sparkly outfits.  What are the rooms like at Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza? Bri

‘Instagram face’, CGI influencers and AI sex dolls are all going under the microscope in the new Somerset House exhibition, Virtual Beauty.   Through more than 20 works, this pay-what-you-feel show explores the impact of digital technologies on how we define beauty today. The exhibition traces the origin of the digital selfie from the first flip phone with a front-facing camera, to today’s minefield of deepfake pornography, augmented reality face filters and Instagram algorithms. It’s primarily concerned with the ‘Post-Internet’ art movement, a 21st-century body of work and criticism that examines the influence of the internet on art and culture. In the first room, we encounter early artworks that comment on society’s gruelling beauty standards, like ORLAN’s disturbing 1993 performance that saw her going under the knife live on camera, and taking recommendations by audience members over the phone. Famous celeb selfies like Ellen DeGeneres’ A-lister packed Oscars snap are shown on a grainy phone screen, then we’re taken on a whistlestop tour of digital artworks, each one providing some sort of comment on beauty, society and the online world.   There’s a lot in Virtual Beauty that is pretty on the nose. We are shown a Black Mirror-style satirical advert for a pharmaceutical company called ‘You’, that offers people the chance to alter their appearance without plastic surgery – simply have a chip inserted into your brain, and the technology makes you appear different, essentially

From the outside it looks like just another flat roof pub, but inside is one of London’s best intimate nightclubs. Hidden inside a Hoxton estate, the Lion and Lamb has been a favourite with London’s electronic heads for quite some time now. The dark cavern (which happens to have one of the best ceilings in London, covered in dangling aux cords) is known for booking the finest DJs in house, techno and tech house. Regulars behind the decks include fabric resident Craig Richards, Radioactive Man, Voigtmann and more. Bear in mind: the Lion and Lamb hasn’t got the latest licence, but parties often start early at 6pm to make up for it. 

  I’m going to say it: I’m not a fan of rock ballets. Pop ballet, electronic ballet and soul ballet are all things I can get on board with. But rock ballet? Please god no. I don’t want to see a ballerina in an edgy black tutu playing air guitar, à la the 2023 Black Sabbath Ballet. So, I’m pleased to say that Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, using music by The Who and inspired by the 1979 film of the same name, manages to avoid all the usual pitfalls of a classical dance show desperately trying to attract, lets face it, probably boomer men who would usually be averse to spending three hours in the theatre watching men and women leaping about in tights.  For starters, the music of this show created by Who guitarist Pete Townshend isn’t simply  recordings of the original songs, but a moving, bombastic and sweeping live orchestral rendition of the album Quadrophenia (with a few other songs, including ‘My Generation’, thrown in for good measure) by Rachel Fuller, AKA Mrs Townshend. Secondly, the stunning lighting, set and projections (videos are by YeastCulture) keep the production feeling sharp and modern. And most importantly, the themes of the story ring as true today as they did when the film was made – it explores toxic masculinity, and an increasingly dissatisfied and restless younger generation, facing an existential crisis in the face of capitalism, class struggles, and world-wide conflicts (in this ballet’s case, it’s the aftermath of World War II).  Quadrophenia tells the sto

One of London’s biggest dance music festivals is back to take over Boston Manor Park in 2025. If previous years are anything to go by, you can expect Junction 2 to provide a careful balance of massive names and hotly-tipped up-and-comers across the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July. The festival has just released its final lineup, and it’s got some huge names on it. This year you’ve got a stacked selection of house and techno juggernauts like deadmau5, Christian Löffler, Ahmed Spins, Amber Broos and Kolter. They come alongside the likes of Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie, Midland, DJ Koze and Soul Wax. Basically, it’s the holy grail of raves. Lineup includes: deadmau5, Christian Löffler, Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie, Midland, Palms Trax, DJ Koze. 

A new wholesome day festival has entered the chat. From the people behind Brainchild, Desire Lines promises to be an all-day extravaganza of DJs, live music, theatre, works-in-progress performances, local craft, zine and art vendors, and a selection of eats from some of southeast London’s finest independent restaurants. It’s taking place at the Shipwright, a multi-purpose venue by the river in Deptford. The line-up features some of London’s hottest home-grown DJs, including Rohan Rakit, Lagoon, Shivum Sharma, otta, Bushbby, Papaoul and more.  Line-up includes: Rohan Rakit, Lagoon, Shivum Sharma, otta, Bushbby, Papaoul and more.

The UK Green Film Festival returns to cinemas across the country this July with a programme of award-winning environmental documentaries. Dalston’s Rio Cinema will be hosting the London screenings of five urgent documentaries that explore global stories of environmental justice and hope. These include: Nanna Frank Møller and Zlatko Pranjic’s The Sky Above Zenica, a portrait of civic resistance which follows citizens of Zenica, Bosnia as they confront pollution, corporate negligence, and political indifference; Searching For Amani, a deeply personal story exlporing the relationship between climate change and social justice that picked up awards at Tribeca and Raindance film festivals; and Once Upon A Time In A Forest, that follows a passionate young activist resisting deforestation. 

What is it? The V&A East Storehouse is perhaps London’s best new museum, found in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Inside, you will find rows and rows of steel shelves, filled with treasures that make up the V&A’s vast archive, that is now on display for all the see.  Purpose-built to house more than 1,000 archives from the museum’s collection, comprising more than 250,000 objects and 350,000 books, the storehouse promises to offer a peek behind the scenes to show how a working museum goes about cataloguing artefacts, from vintage footie kits and Glastonbury festival ephemera to a collection of samurai swords. Oh, and did we mention it will house the David Bowie Centre, a massive archive of more than 80,000 objects related to the music icon? We can’t wait to have a good old poke when it opens slightly later, in September.  It is a ‘working museum’, meaning it doesn’t have permanent displays (it doesn’t really have proper displays at all, just shelves), and every one of its objects is free to be moved around by the people at work behind the scenes at any time. Why go? This is a genuinely radical new museum offering, and it could just change the way we think about viewing artefacts forever. There are no lengthy gallery texts, instead just library-like barcodes and the odd QR code, meaning it’s all down to your own interpretation. The randomness is part of the fun, and the objects get to speak for themselves.  Don’t miss:  The six prized large objects that have been b

What is it? Brixton club Phonox has been an important part of London’s electronic music scene since it opened a decade ago in 2015.  A sleek, dark dance cavern with plenty of space for dancing, Phonox has been a favourite with the heads for a while. It stays ahead of the curve, booking the best current and underground DJs – over the years pretty much any selector who’s worth their salt has graced its decks, with recent bookings including DJ EZ, Laurent Garnier, Sherelle and Call Super.  Phones are not banned, but taking photos and videos is strongly discouraged in this space that wants punters to enjoy the music and use the dance floor for well, dancing.  Why go? Killer DJs, a Funktion One soundsystem and gorgeous disco ball make nights out at Phonox an always stellar experience. If you want to experience properly good house, techno, garage, UK bass, disco and everything in between, chances are that Phonox will have something decent on.  Don’t miss: The legendary residencies. Phonox has a revolving list of the hottest DJs taking over the club as part of its ‘4 Fridays at Phonox’ series. Past editions have seen Peach, Daytimers, Saoirse and Ross From Friends curate four weeks of parties at the south London venue.  When to visit: If you want to attend the DJ-curated residencies, it’s Friday nights. Saturdays are the regular club night, which could see record-label takeovers, all-night-long sets or special one-off events.  Ticket info: Depending on the entry time or the release,

Picture your classic hotel bar. It’s probably got dark wood panelling, a wall of leather-bound books to rival an Oxbridge library, low lighting, squidgy arm chairs, and maybe a jazz band playing smoothly in the background. This is Scarfes Bar, an elite embodiment of the quintessential hotel watering hole. This is the kind of place where you might find Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass moodily sipping a Scotch alone at the bar. The crowd gives an equally sophisticated vibe; millennial couples on date night, people who look like they have important jobs and cash to spend, and fashionistas dressed all in black. The name is not an ode to having a warm neck, but to the cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, whose jaunty drawings line the walls. They’re probably not to everyone’s taste – think a giant-nosed caricature of King Charles, and an ultra flamboyant David Bowie – but they certainly add a unique flavour to décor that could otherwise be seen as identikit. Order this  The gimlet on the vine was my winner of the evening, a trendy riff on a gimlet, with a base of Bombay Premier Cru. But instead of lime-y sweetness, this savoury delight tastes just like a ripe cherry tomato, and a saltiness is supplied by a pleasingly massive floating caper. Time Out tip Get down earlyish, because after 8pm there was already a line at the door. Plus you’ll want to have ample time to have a bash at the 20-strong list of inventive, complex drinks (hello Smoky Maria, a concoction of tequila, smoked clamato juice and Mar

This is one for fans of Glastonbury’s NYC Downlow. The former Panorama Bar resident and Downlow big cheese Prosumer will bring his house and disco goodness to Phonox for an all-night-long set of pure vibes this Easter Thursday. Expect a night of euphoric house, uplifting soul and disco deep cuts, the perfect start to the bank holiday weekend. 

As anyone who has ever tried to secure a booking at the London Fields Lido on a warm summer day will know, us Londoners love a good dip. So it’s only natural that the capital’s Design Museum should stage an exhibition dedicated to our adoration of swimming.  With more than 200 objects, Splash! presents a whistle-stop tour for water babies taking us all the way from bizarre Victorian bathing carriages, to the present-day mermaidcore TikTok trend. From the politics of the pool (and who gets to learn to swim) to the evolution of swimwear and pool architecture, Splash! covers a lot of ground. The show is split into three sections – the pool, the lido and nature – and perhaps the most fun part, each section is designed to mimic different swimming spaces which feature in the exhibit, including the London Aquatics Centre and the art-deco Penzance Jubilee Pool.  In the first part, ‘the pool’, is quite the collection of stuff, focussing largely on Olympic swimming – a model for the London Aquatics Centre, a swimming cap belonging to Syrian swimmer Yusra Mardini, a jumper knitted by Tom Daley, and a 1984 David Hockney poster for the Los Angeles Olympics are all show. It also wouldn’t be an exhibition about pool design without some pretty Wes Anderson-style photography. The highly controversial LZR racer swimsuit is another gem on display – the suit designed by Speedo and NASA was responsible for 94 percent of swimming gold medals at Beijing 2008, and was subsequently banned for ‘techni

Would you want to live an abandoned 1930s hospital? As creepy as it sounds, soon Londoners will be able to shack up in the former Ravenscourt Park Hospital that hasn’t been used for nearly 20 years.  The Grade II-listed art deco building, built in 1933, is going to be transformed into hundreds of homes by property developers TT Group.  Don’t worry, this one is less haunted, and more of a historical stunner: the then-Royal Masonic Hospital picked up the prestigious RIBA architecture prize when it was opened by King George V in the early ’30s. It finally closed as a hospital in 2006 (then named the Ravenscourt Park Hospital), but has since featured in several film and TV productions, including Agatha Christie’s Poirot (1989 and 1991), The Queen (2006) and Back to Black (2024). The building was on the Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for a while, but now the landmark is going to get a brand new lease of life. TT Group acquired the 3.87-acre site in 2022, and has now revealed plans to transform the old red brick building into 140 new homes, a 65-bed care home and communal spaces. Former wards, treatment blocks and administrative buildings will become flats – ranging from studios to family-sized –, communal workspaces, private gardens, and lounge areas, all designed by the same architecture studio behind the Olympia redevelopment, SPPARC.  Many of the building’s art deco features will remain, including welded steel semi-circular sun balconies, and two original Greek-in

London is brimming with old-school glamour and charm, so it’s no surprise that one of the city’s oldest and most famous hotels is still topping rankings for the world’s top places to stay. That’s just what London does best.  Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair has been named as one of the ‘50 greatest luxury hotels on Earth’ by luxury lifestyle guide Robb Report.  Each year Robb Report produces the 50-strong list of the planet’s finest high-end hotels. For 2025, only one UK establishment made the cut. Claridge’s came in an impressive third place in the global ranking, being beaten only by Florence’s Collegio alla Querce in second, and Rosewood Amsterdam in first place.  Opened in 1812, the historic hotel is a true legend of the scene and a longtime favourite place to stay for royals and celebrities – its pillows have supported the very important heads of everyone from Queen Victoria to Kate Moss. Made up of 269 regal rooms, a subterranean spa, swanky gym and two very highly regarded restaurants, Claridge’s has everything one might need for a truly luxurious stay.  Robb Report wrote: ‘This grande dame of the London hotel scene is a beloved, determinedly British institution that’s been part of English life for decades, yet it retains a youthful vigor. Photograph: Alex Segre / Shutterstock.com As for the Time Out editors? They agree. ‘Inarguably one of Europe’s finest hotels, Claridge’s has a top-to-bottom vibe that exudes Art Deco glamour, historical significance and smoky old-world

It’s August and the summer hols are in full swing. Whether you’re looking for ways to entertain the sprogs, or just planning a fun day with mates, there are plenty of activities on in London this weekend where you can enjoy the final few weeks of the summer, without having to spend a penny.  This weekend there’s a pop-up beach in Croydon, a hip hop photography exhibition at the Saatchi, and the world’s largest pride celebration for people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent comes to the city.  📍 The best things to do in London this weekend. The best free things to do in London this weekend Here are the six best free things to do in London this August 8 to 10.  Boogie to flamenco, jazz and folk music at the Summer Sounds Music Festival It’s not often you get a free music festival in London, but King’s Cross’s Summer Sounds festival is just that. Coal Drops Yard is once again becoming the ultimate alfresco hangout this August for the 10th anniversary of its free outdoor gig series. Visitors can catch an eclectic programme of shoes encompassing everything from classical and folk music to jazz and indie rock over the eleven day festival. This weekend will see flamenco workshops on Saturday, West End stars performing showtunes from Les Misérables, Wicked, Mamma Mia and more, and a family-friendly day of jazz on Sunday, hosted by Voices Radio and Abram Wilson. Coal Drops Yard, N1C 4AB. Aug 7- 17. Free.   Photograph: SMC Photo / Shutterstock.co

Back in the day, nightclubs used to be a places of freedom, hedonism, and total abandon. These days, it’s a different story, as it’s not unusual to see punters whipping out their phones throughout the night to get that all-too-coveted Insta stories moment.  But some clubs have said enough is enough. These institutions want revellers to enjoy the music instead of experiencing the night through their phone screens. Now one of the UK’s biggest nightclubs, the Warehouse Project (WHP) in Manchester has announced a new no phones policy for its upcoming season.  WHP joins the likes of London’s Fold, fabric and Manchester’s Amber’s in its phone-free dancefloor. The new rule was announced alongside the line-up for the venue’s 2025 season, which starts on September 6 and takes place in Depot Mayfield.  Take note: not every WHP event will be phones-free. The no phones policy will only apply to specific events held in the venue’s smaller room, Concourse. According to WHP, these Concourse-only shows will aim to build a ‘deeper audience connection’ by ‘encouraging fans to stay in the moment, immerse themselves in the music, and connect with those around them and the artists, without the filter of a screen’. WHP also promises to share official photos and videos with attendees at the end of the event, meaning they can still have a few snaps in their camera roll of the night.  Sam Kandel, founder of Warehouse Project, said: ‘We want to take the clubbing experience back to its core, which is b

You can tell a lot about a person from on their name. Did they have hippyish parents who named them after something in the natural world, like Rain, or Apple? Are they following a long family tradition of being named after their great-great-great grandfather? Or perhaps, does their name reveal which London borough were they born in? Each year the Office of National Statistics (ONS) releases the data on the country’s most popular baby names from the previous year. The results from 2024 have just been unveiled – here’s what parents in London were naming their sprogs in 2024.  Last year, parents in Camden, Kensington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Kingston and Wandsworth were all naming their little girls Olivia, while in Barking & Dagenham, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Southwark and more, the most common girls’ name was Amelia. Fourteen London boroughs were topped by Amelias in 2024, double from seven the year before.  For boys, the most popular boys name across the city was Muhammad, with that name taking the top spot in Barking & Dagenham, Croydon, Ealing, Hounslow, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. But parents in Barnet, Enfield, Greenwich, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Kensington & Chelsea, Wandsworth and more were most likely to call their boys Alexander. Alexanders climbed the ranks in 2024 after only topping one London borough in 2023, now growing to eight.  In Hackney Sarah made a comeback for girls, while the most common boys’ name was Moshe. For Islington, the numb

For some people, plain old lager just isn’t enough. Luckily when it comes to beer, the options are endless. Is your favourite a chocolatey porter, a fruity IPA, or something more left-field, like a tzatziki sour? The people at the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have named the UK’s best beer for 2025 in the annual Beer of Britain championships. The CAMRA competition is one of the stiffest, and most prestigious, ale contests in the world; 12 finalists were judged by a team of beer experts to be named gold, silver or bronze in the championships.  A dark ale brewed by Cornwall’s Penzance Brewing Company was crowned as CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2025. Called ‘Mild’, the brew was lauded for its complex flavour with notes of coffee, chocolate and dried fruits.  This is what Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain judging coordinator, said about Mild: ‘The aroma of this classic dark mild has all the enticing aromas one would expect. Chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose. Chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate where the gentle pleasant sweetness is balanced by a roasty, subtle, dry bitterness. Packs a lot of flavour for a 3.6 percent beer.’ Lewis Elliott and Richard Hickman of Penzance brewery said: ‘It’s quite overwhelming. I'm really glad the style has come back. It’s down to the founder of our brewery Peter Elvin and his nephew Rob, who showed me the ropes.’ Silver went to ‘Snowflake’, a barley wine brewed by Dudley-based brewery Sarah Hughes, while bronze was clinc

At the rate we’re going, most Londoners working now will be lucky to retire in their 70s. But if you’ve already reached retirement age, congratulations, and listen up. A new study has named the top 20 places to retire in Britain, and one is here in the capital.  Pensions firm Legal & General ranked constituencies across the UK taking into consideration six different measures for wellbeing in retirement, which include housing, health, community, finances, nature and access to amenities. This was based on an analysis of a wide range of existing data including Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, census data and housing and house price reports.  According to the analysis, most of the best places to retire in Britain are in the south east of England. As for the capital, the only location named in the list of 20 was Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner in outer London. This northwest London constituency came in 14th place with an index score of 68. London scored highly across the board when it came to access to amenities like pharmacies, supermarkets, post offices, banks, libraries and theatres, but the city was let down when it came to financial security and house prices.  Photograph: Lois GoBe / Shutterstock.com Residents of Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner have access to plenty of green spaces, including Ruislip Lido and Pinner Memorial Park. According to Rightmove data, the average house price in Pinner is £733,053, while the average flat sold for £411,115 in the past year. H

It may only be August, but we are already planning our Christmas calendars. You know how it gets.  Kew Gardens’ legendary Christmas lights will be back again for 2025, this year with some exciting new additions. For the first time this winter, Kew’s iconic Great Pagoda will be adorned and sparkling with festive lights.  Every year the botanical gardens are illuminated with a light trail at winter. As well as bringing back many of the old bangers, Kew will introduce eight new displays in 2025, some of which are created by international artists and on display in the UK for the first time.  Originally built by architect William Chambers in 1762, Kew’s 163-foot-tall Chinese-style pagoda was restored in 2018. Now visitors will be able to see it in a new light (pardon the pun) as part of the winter installation.  Alongside the new Great Pagoda illuminations, the 2025 edition will also see the introduction of the Christmas Orchestra, a new piece by Culture Creative, featuring a show of festive music and lights. Multidisciplinary artist Wilhelmusvlug from the Netherlands will present ‘In Bloom’, which evokes delicate flower petals dancing through the air. And for the first time visitors will be able to walk across the Palm House Pond, which will be decorated with a light display of 100 lilies. Christmas at Kew will take place on selected dates from November 14 2025 to January 4 2026. It will open from 4.20pm to 10pm, apart from on Christmas eve when it closes at 9pm. Tickets cost £27

When it comes to the best restaurants in Britain, there are all sorts of guides and people telling you which ones to visit. You’ve got the World’s 50 Best, the prestigious Michelin Guide, and countless TikTokkers recommending ‘hidden gems’ and ‘best kept secrets’ (until said restos get spoiled by overcrowding). And of course, we at Time Out have our own meticulously researched list of London’s top restaurants, which you can read here.  If you could possibly need any more inspiration, a new ranking has named the best restaurant in the UK, and said resto is only one hour outside of the capital.  Caldesi in Campagna, an Italian restaurant in Bray, Berkshire specialising in Tuscan cuisine, has been crowned Britain’s best place to dine in the annual Muddy Stilettos awards.  Every year, the lifestyle guide names ‘the best of’ businesses in the UK, including pubs, bars, shops, cafés, hotels and more. This year’s winners, selected by a team of Muddy Stilettos editors, have just been revealed.  Photograph: Courtesy of Caldesi The Italian joint in the top spot is part of a small chain owned by celebrity chef Giancarlo Caldesi. He also owns Caldesi in Marylebone and cookery schools in London and Berkshire. Opened in 2007, favourites on the menu at Caldesi in Campagna include pappardelle with beef and pork ragu, courgette flower carpaccio and Italian style doughnuts. The spot is also known as being a favourite haunt of the former PM Theresa May. Make of that what you will.  Runner’s up

Reading the news might feel like being inside a flaming car hurtling into a tornado at the moment, but there are still good things happening in the world.  Don’t believe me? An ‘iconic’ bird that vanished from London centuries ago could be about to make a big comeback. White storks could be re-established in London, after the bird was hunted to extinction 600 years ago.  The metre-tall birds have already been reintroduced in southern England, and could soon make their way into the city centre. The birds are known for flourishing in urban environments, and conservationists are now exploring whether they could thrive in London. We expect to see them dining on small plates and sipping natty wines any day now.  Urban rewilding organisation Citizen Zoo is hoping to transform London into a ‘white stork-friendly city’. Their project would involve conducting public surveys, habitat mapping and collaborating with councils and locals across the city to make them stork-ready.  Before the reintroduction took place in 2016 there were just 27 sightings of white storks in Greater London in the past 40 years. But between 2016 and 2023 472 of the birds were spotted in the city’s outskirts.  Before their extinction, it was common for white storks to build their nests on rooftops, buildings, and in trees. White storks bring ecological benefits with their huge nests, which act as homes and food sources for all sorts of species including other birds and insects.  Elliot Newton, co-founder and di

After a few beers, there’s nothing worse than feeling woozy on the top deck of a night bus. So it’s good news for night owls and weekend warriors, because south Londoners could soon have a new way of getting home after a night out. Lewisham Council has called for the DLR to run overnight on weekends.  In a recent meeting about the Bakerloo line extension, Lewisham Council also raised concerns about having a nighttime DLR service in the area. The council said that while it was supportive of the extension of the brown line, it still wanted to see improvements to local railway lines locals wait for the new Bakerloo service to arrive.  High costs mean there are limited options when it comes to making improvements on local trains, but one option suggested was to introduce a DLR night service on weekends. In a written response, the council said ‘this could be achieved within the confines of the existing DLR network – possibly without the need for signalling improvements’.  TfL previously considered a late-night DLR service between Bank and Lewisham/Woolwich Arsenal back in 2018, but it was ruled out at the time when a report said the cost of the extra service would not justify the benefits. However, things very well may have changed since then.  Lewisham residents are still waiting for the arrival of the new walk-through, air-conditioned, driverless DLR trains. The swanky carriages were supposed to arrive in 2024, but were delayed indefinitely at the end of last year. They are appa

Soon a derelict motorway service station near Bristol will be converted into a first-of-its-kind soft play centre for disabled children.  The £8 million new centre, created by Gympanzees, a local charity that supports disabled children, will be kitted out with trampolines, climbing walls, a two-storey soft play area, sensory rooms and much more. It will be a site for therapeutic play, exercise and fun for kids and young people with accessibility needs.  It’s going to be housed in a former service station near the M48. Dubbed a ‘motorway relic’, Aust Services was once known as a dated and run-down roadside stop, and had long fallen into disrepair but is about to be given a whole new lease of life.  When complete, the Gympanzees Centre will be Britain’s first totally inclusive play centre with wheelchair-access across the whole site. It’s expected it will host 200,000 visits from disabled children, young people and their families every year, and promises to be open 364 days a year, and seven days a week. It will specifically cater for people aged from zero to 25 with sensory, physical, learning difficulties, SEN and any mild to profound disability.  Photograph: Jon Craig Until now Gympanzees has only operated as a pop-up, putting on events around Bristol – the centre will be its first permanent home.  Gympanzees is currently fundraising to reach its goal of £8 million, which will fund the building of the centre in the former Aust Services. So far the charity has acquired £5