India Lawrence

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

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.

Why not enjoy your dinner with a side of strange? London is home to hundreds of amazing restaurants, but sometimes everyone hankers for a talking point with their tapas. We’ve rounded up a serious bunch of entertaining eateries: oddball decor, kooky culinary concepts and – yes – cats. Our list of unusual restaurants will delight animal lovers, garlic fans, and yodellers and more. You’ll find these joints in venues as varied as a boat, a prison and a church crypt. This is dining with a difference.  RECOMMENDED: The best weird bars in London. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

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.

In July and August things slow down a bit in the dance world – ballerinas need summer holidays too, you know.  However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an exciting selection of ballet and contemporary shows to pick from in London this month. We’re most looking forward to the legendary Sharon Eyal’s ROSE, which will see Sadler’s Wells East transformed into a nightclub, with beats provided by the exceedingly cool DJ Call Super.  The Quadrophenia ballet also continues its run throughout July, and the National Ballet of Japan is staging romantic classic Giselle at the Royal Opera House.  Over at the Southbank Centre, don’t miss a number of original and new choreographies as part of the Dance Your Way Home programme.  Here’s our pick of the best dance in London this July.  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

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

‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,’ the great 18th-century poet Samuel Johnson once said. Still, there’s no denying a break from the Big Smoke is very tempting every now and then, especially if you’re a regular on the Northern Line at rush hour. Can’t wait until your next holiday for a little escape? Just fancy exploring somewhere new? A day trip is the perfect solution and won’t break the bank. There’s little point in a day trip if you spend half of it getting to your destination, though. So, we’ve chosen six intriguing towns and cities that it only takes an hour or less to get to from one of London’s main railway stations. All you need to do is jump on a train and keep your fingers crossed for good weather. Here are the best places to visit near London, selected by expert editors.  RECOMMENDED: 🚂 The best day trips from London🏘️ The best Airbnbs in the UK This guide was written by Time Out editors from all over the UK. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by writers who know their cities inside out. 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. 

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

What is a spatial audio festival, you might be wondering? If you go to Polygon Live LDN, you’ll probably find out. The gist is seeing live music in a 360-degree arena surrounded by high-tech lights and loads of crystal-clear speakers – a spectacle which event organisers actually call a ‘spaceship’. Artists on the lineup so far include dreamy Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab, electronic legend Jon Hopkins, and composer Cosmo Sheldrake. This is one for audiophiles looking for something a bit more immersive. 

Wake up babe, a new house and techno festival in London just dropped. Legendary house DJ Jamie Jones has announced he is bringing a brand-new festi to the capital this summer, taking over Boston Manor Park with one of his world-famous Paradise parties. Spread across four stages, Paradise in the City promises to have ‘cutting-edge sound and state-of-the-art production’, all produced by partners LWE. The line-up hasn’t been anounnced yet, but it’s going span to a variety of techno and house DJs, all hand-selected by Jones. Expect a day of four-to-the-floor belters with an Ibiza vibe. 

Being out and about in London, chances are you’ve spotted someone reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series by Sarah J Maas. These fantasy books, filled with faeries, hunters and X-rate scenes, first blew up on a literary corner of TikTok (AKA BookTok), and now you can’t catch the tube in the capital without seeing someone reading it.  Now London has its first ever bookshop dedicated entirely to these kinds of romance books, as Saucy Books in Notting Hill officially opened at the end of last month.  While these kinds of books are often called ‘smut’ or ‘fairy porn’ (many of them are packed full of NSFW scenes), they are extremely popular, particularly among young women. According to data gathered from 7,000 British booksellers, in 2024 there were record sales of ‘romance and sagas’ books, making up to £69 million. Sales of these ‘romantasy’ books even pushed UK fiction revenue above £1 billion for the first time.  ‘The popularity of the store speaks for itself,’ Sarah Maxwell, the founder of Saucy Books, told the Guardian. ‘We even had to ticket our first week and give time slots to customers.’  Saucy books even has a corner of the store dedicated entirely to erotic fiction, which Maxwell calls the ‘smut hut’.  Maxwell told the Guardian that she thinks sexism, as well as ‘snobbery and bias’, is stopping these books, that are mainly read by women, from being as respected as they should be.  ‘I think there’s an inherent misogyny around it. A lot of the time, the sorts

Northern students, listen up! Alongside your cheaper rent and access to an abundance of bars serving trebles, you now have one more reason to be smug about attending a superior uni. Because Newcastle University has just been named the best institution in the UK for student life by Uni Compare. And the top three universities in the ranking are all based in the north. Oxbridge could never.   For 2025, Uni Compare ranked 209 institutions based on 28,430 verified student reviews. The student life category assessed universities across multiple categories including nightlife, societies, campus culture, events, and community atmosphere. Universities required a minimum of 10 verified reviews to qualify for inclusion. Newcastle claimed the top spot for student life with a social score of 4.48, alongside a perfect 100 percent recommendation rate from students. The ranking wrote: ‘Newcastle's standout performance in social experiences suggests a vibrant campus community with strong student engagement across societies, events, and social activities.’ Hurrah for Newcastle!  The uni in the northeast climbed two spots from its 2024 ranking, and was closely followed by Nottingham Trent University with a social score of 4.42 and a 98 percent recommendation rate. The report noted Trent’s ‘excellent’ campus culture and ‘community atmosphere’.  In third, climbing one place from 2024 was Liverpool John Moores University, also in the north of England. Liverpool John Moores had a social score of 4.

You’ve booked the accommodation, organised the airport transfers, and argued with your mates over the itinerary. Now the holiday is finally here. So after all that planning and admin, do you really want to risk missing your flight? We didn’t think so. Most airports advise arriving two to three hours before your departure, depending on the destination. To make it easier for you, below we have advised what time you should arrive at each London airport for your flight, giving you ample time to waltz through security stress-free and grab a pre-holiday pint in ’Spoons.  Here’s when you should arrive at each London airport, based on the airports’ official advice. NB: All suggestions below include enough time to drop bags.  Heathrow Airport (LHR) Long haul Heathrow recommends arriving three hours before your flight if travelling out of Europe.  Short haul For domestic journeys and flights within Europe get there two hours ahead.  Find more information here.  Gatwick Airport (LGW) Long haul  Check-in opens three hours before scheduled departures. Aim to arrive then. Short haul Within Europe Gatwick recommends two to three hours before. For UK and Ireland flights its two hours.  Find more information here. Stansted Airport (STN) Long haul  Get there three hours ahead. Here’s what Stansted says: ‘If you’re flying long haul or with airlines like Jet2, TUI, or Thomas Cook, give yourself three hours to spare to help avoid any last-minute rush.’ Short haul For Europe and UK flights, plan t

Heathrow Airport is going to get bigger and bigger. As well as the potential (and controversial) third runway, now the airport has announced it plans to increase passenger numbers by up to 10 million by 2031.  Heathrow has unveiled its £10 billion investment plan that will allow it to grow its passenger numbers by 12 percent, up from a record-breaking 83.9 million passengers in 2024, over the next six years. In the proposals, the airport wants to create new space within existing terminals equivalent to 10 football pitches for new restaurants, shops and lounges to be built. The airport said it would also allow for faster security and baggage handling.  But to do all this, London’s flight hub needs money. The raise funds, the big bosses said they need to raise the average passenger charge from £28.46 to £33.26 between 2027 and 2031. This is the fee that airlines pay the airport for each passenger travelling through, and it is included in the price of the flight. Essentially, to pay for all this, flight prices at Heathrow will go up.  Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: ‘We’re making good progress on our strategy to become an extraordinary airport – having become Europe’s most punctual major airport so far this year. But our customers want us to improve our international rankings further, as do we. ‘To compete with global hubs, we must invest. Our five-year plan boosts operational resilience, delivers the better service passengers expect and unlocks the growth capacity

Would you go to a club in a skyscraper as high as Gherkin, the Shard, or the Walkie Talkie? Because that could be the future of going out in London. A new report from a creative studio has suggested that London’s empty office blocks could be used on the weekends house nightclubs.  The most recent edition of an annual report by Bombas and Parr, titled the ‘Future of P-Leisure’, has said that the solution to London’s nightlife crisis could be to just look up. Presented at the Barbican last week, the authors of the report said that putting temporary clubs in skyscrapers could utilise unused space in the City, while also provide late-night areas that wouldn’t risk causing clashes with neighbours and getting noise complaints. Bombas and Parr suggested that tower blocks could be used for ‘finance by day, and rave by night’. ‘While over half a million people work every day in the Square Mile of the City of London, only 8,000 people actually live there,’ the report said. ‘This daily mass exodus leaves immense square meterage that could house nocturnal revelry... ‘With few residents to file noise complaints, organisers capitalise on the empty, echoing canyons of glass and steel. Empty office lobbies become sought-after DJ booths, rooftops host industry-defining light shows, and any space that isn’t locked morphs into a dance floor to create a sprawling web of passionate chaos as capitalism and counterculture merge.’ While quite the lofty idea, Michael Kill, chief executive of the Nigh

The summer holidays are almost upon us, and that means it’s soon going to be all-go at Britain’s airports. Air travel is rarely fun at the best of times, but when you’re running late for your flight and then met by a massive queue for security it can be even worse.  Now, new research by the Independent has revealed exactly when British airports will be at their busiest this summer. The newspaper analysed data from airports and flight data from aviation data analyst Cirium to work out when terminals will be most crowded.  According to the paper, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays will be the most crowded days in UK airports throughout the summer.  In Scotland’s biggest airports, the later days in July will see the terminals at their most crowded.  British airports that cater to more than 30 million passengers each year – Manchester, Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick – will see their busiest days in the second half of August.  At Gatwick, the world’s busiest single-runway airport, a plane will land or take off an average of every 95 seconds around the clock on a couple of days in August – with just 65 seconds between departures and arrivals in peak hours. Major airports in Northern Ireland and Wales have already seen their busiest days this summer, but Cardiff airport will see its highest number of departures on August 28, when 2,684 passengers are expected to take off. As for London’s business-oriented airport London City, that will have its most crowded day after the summer hols have

The UK might be in the grips of Oasis mania right now, but there are other bands playing this weekend too you know. Over at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, K-Pop titans Stray Kids will take to the stage, playing two nights at Spurs’ home.  The eight-piece South Korean band, known for hits ‘LALALALA’ and ‘God’s Menu’, are bringing the Dominate World Tour to the capital this week. Heading to see Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, HAN, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N? Here’s everything you need to know about the concert, from timings and the setlist to any remaining ticket availability.  When are Stray Kids playing Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Stray Kids are playing in London on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 2025. What time do doors open? Doors to Tottenham Stadium will open at 5pm for both shows.  What time will Stray Kids come on stage? The official stage time hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s likely that Stray Kids will come on at around 7.30pm. As always, get down early to avoid disappointment.  What’s the seating plan? Here’s the official seating chart for Stray Kids at Tottenham.  Image: Ticketmaster Who’s supporting Stray Kids at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Stray Kids don’t have any support acts for the Dominate World Tour.  Setlist Based on previous shows, the setlist is likely to go like this: MOUNTAINS Thunderous JJAM District 9 Back Door Chk Chk Boom Truman Burnin' Tires ESCAPE CINEMA GIANT Walkin on Water DOMINO TOPLINE God's Menu Lonely St. LALAL

A direct train between two East Sussex towns and London is being brought back for the first time since 2020.  From December, travellers will be able to reach London Bridge directly from Eastbourne and Lewes as the pre-pandemic Thameslink train will be reinstated. It will only run from Monday to Thursday, making it ideal for commuters. Rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway said it would make the journey ‘much easier’. Previously, Eastbourne only had one direct service to London Victoria.  At the moment the train will only run twice a day. The Monday to Thursday service will depart from Eastbourne at 6.48am, arriving at London Bridge for 8.25am. The return service will leave London Bridge at 5.03pm and reach Eastbourne at 6.34pm. The commuter train’s first journey will be on December 15 2025.  Visitors planning an overnight trip to Eastbourne could take the 5pm service out of London, but it would only be worth it if you were planning to spend a couple of days in the seaside town (lest you have to return at 8am the following morning). Still, there would be plenty to do during a multi-day visit, including seeing contemporary art at Towner Eastbourne, walking the iconic South Downs cliff path, or having a slap-up meal at one of the many independent restaurants. However, bear in mind that this service won’t work for weekend trips, as it only runs from Monday to Thursday.  Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde who had been campaigning for the service to be brought back called the return of

It’s mid-July, and we are fully in summer mode. And while we are enjoying the current heatwave (while also relishing in complaining about just how hot and actually quite unsafe the tube is), we’ll admit that our bank balances aren’t looking so healthy right now.  After all the beer garden pints, small plates dinners on trendy terraces, day festivals and M&S picky bits picnics, there’s only so much more our worn out purse strings can take. So, we have something for you – below we have listed five wonderful things you can do in the capital this weekend without spending a penny. And this is by no means an exhaustive list. If you don’t fancy gasping in awe at the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, or picking up a vintage kimono at the Southbank Centre’s Japanese market, you could be cheering on the Lionesses at a Women’s Euro 2025 screening, or kicking back with a classic flick at one of London’s free outdoor cinemas. Here’s our pick of the best free activities on this weekend.  The best free things to do in London this weekend, July 18-20 Explore East and South East Asian Culture at the Southbank Centre The Southbank is putting on a big celebration of East and South East Asian culture this weekend with ESEA Encounters. The multi-day extravaganza will present a veritable smorgasbord of activities, performances, pop-up markets, art, dance, music, poetry readings and more, all by East and South East Asian creatives. Shop for Japanese ceramics, jewellery, vintage kimono, comics

When you think of Europe’s best islands, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the crystal clear waters of Rhodes, the striped beach umbrellas of Capri, or the swanky waterside clubs of Ibiza. So what if we told you one of Europe’s best islands wasn’t one of these sun-soaked destinations, but a rocky archipelago off the coast of Scotland?  Okay, it’s not exactly a hidden gem, but the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides have been ranked as one of the best islands on the continent in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for 2025.  The Scottish isles were the only British location to be included on the list, which named the 15 best islands in Europe as voted for by the readers of Travel + Leisure. Skye and the Hebrides came in 12th place with a reader score of 84.94. One survey respondent wrote that the Scottish location is ‘not overdeveloped and a gorgeous place to enjoy nature and peace’.  According to Time Out, some of the best things to do on Skye are visit the technicolour town of Portree, explore the rugged and dramatic scenery, especially the magical fairy glen and the Quiraing land slip, and a visit to the Talisker whisky distillery. And no trip to the island is complete without seeing the legendary Old Man of Storr – it’s in all the tourism photos for a reason.  We’ll admit that most of the other islands in the ranking were in the sunny Mediterranean, with Páros in Greece clinching first place. The Aegean isle was followed by Italy’s Ischia, Hvar in Croatia, and Portugal’s Madei

The West End’s Denmark Street has long been a centre of music history in the capital, with legends like Elton John, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones recording music at studios on the street in London’s West End. Now a new musician has entered the chat, as Yungblud is opening up his own music venue on the street near Soho.  The ‘parents’ singer and former Time Out cover star told the Daily Star that his venue would be opening this year. ‘I want people to hang out, meet and have a physical space to make real connections in this virtual world. There will be a leopard pool table downstairs,’ he said.  ‘My biggest dream is to have clubs all over the world where my fanbase can hang out, seven days a week, open all day and at night. London is hopefully just the first one.’ Yungblud hasn’t revealed any more information about the venue that will be at 20 Denmark Street. The singer has openly criticised the high prices of tickets to live music nowadays, and the live music venue comes after he launched his own ‘community-focussed’ festival BludFest in 2024.  In an interview last year, Yungblud told Time Out: ‘All I’m trying to do is serve my community with good intentions, build something new and try to change the bullshit system.’ Lenny Henry, Minnie Driver, Sue Perkins and Ambika Mod are starring in this summer’s must see London play.  This legendary London cinema is starring in a new cult movie. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and t

Eilashes and Avocados (or whatever you want to call yourselves) of London, the time has finally come, because Billie Eilish is in the midst of a mega six-show run in the capital. She’s bringing her Hit Me Hard And Soft tour to town, and the final two shows take place this week. This has been a long time coming, because the Gen Z singer last played in London in 2022 during her Happier Than Ever tour, when she also had a mega six-show run at the same venue. This time she will be celebrating her hugely successful third album, which includes hits like ‘Birds Of a Feather’ and ‘Lunch’.  Heading to the concert? Here’s all you need to know about Billie Eilish in London.  When is Billie Eilish playing at London’s O2? Billie is taking over the O2 for nights on the following dates: July 10, 11, 13, 14, 16 and 17.  What are the timings? According to the O2’s website doors to the arena will open at 5.30pm every night. Billie’s stage time hasn’t been officially announced, but she’s come on at 8.15pm every night so far. Expect something similar with the last two shows.  What’s the setlist? There is no official setlist, but Billie has been playing a broadly similar set throughout her tour. It will probably go something like this: CHIHIRO LUNCH NDA Therefore I Am WILDFLOWER when the party's over THE DINER ilomilo bad guy THE GREATEST Your Power SKINNY Halley's Comet bury a friend Oxytocin Guess everything i wanted lovely / BLUE / ocean eyes L'AMOUR DE MA VIE What Was I Made For? Happier Tha