Jordan Bassett

Another year, another stellar lineup of UK music festivals. Sure, Glastonbury – the UK’s tentpole music event, no pun intended – is taking a fallow year, but other lineups are more than making up for Worthy Farm’s absence. Established musical feasts (Reading and Leeds, Latitude) will return amid tantalising new blockbuster additions (Roundhay Festival), alongside the usual more specialised genre and scene events (Supersonic, AVA, FOCUS). While it might seem a little early (and a tad chilly) for planning a sun-glazed weekend of outdoors live music, these days the UK festival season lasts beyond the summer months. The festival calendar is pretty much a year-round affair, with events taking place not just in fields or parks but in venues across cities, from early spring all the way through to late November. Already confirmed for 2026 are several lineups that’ll have the heads drooling at the mouth. Reading and Leeds has Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + the Machine, Fontaines D.C and Raye. Download has Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Guns N Roses. London’s Victoria Park, across All Points East and LIDO, will host Tyler, the Creator, Deftones, Lorde, CMAT and Maribou State. Looking beyond the major fests, the lineups get even better. The 15th anniversary of Outbreak in Manchester has Alexisonfire and Basement topping the bill; Mighty Hoopla has scooped a headline performance from Lily Allen (performing West End Girl in full); FOCUS Wales will boast Fat Dog, Idlewild and S

You say Haringey, I say Harringay – let’s call the whole thing off and have a kebab. Yes, it’s confusing, but Haringey is the borough and within it you’ll find Harringay Green Lanes, a mile-long strip that teems with bars and cafés, music venues, Victorian boozers and staggeringly well-stocked grocery shops. And that’s before we get to the sensational Turkish restaurants that line the main drag. This is the very best of London in all its noisy, aromatic, chaotic glory. It’s not the starriest of London locales, even if the so-called ‘Harringay Ladder’ (a grid of 19 streets to the west of the Lanes) is becoming ever-more desirable. What Green Lanes excels at, though, is sheer stimulation of the senses. Whether you’re grabbing a gözleme flatbread for a few quid or enjoying the mural of John Lennon and Brazilian football ace Alex de Souza (sure!), you’re sure to spark the imagination. It’s an overwhelming place, so here’s our pick of the crop. RECOMMENDED:Ultimate guide to where to stay in LondonThe best things to do in north LondonLondon’s best Turkish restaurantsThe best restaurants in Finsbury Park

Bonnington Square is an oasis of calm in Vauxhall, area of London with which you might associate many C words – cool, creative… a little crazy – but not that one. It’s here that you’ll find the mildly surprising Italo, a quaint corner deli that offers delightful views of said square, high-quality Italian produce and a limited lunch menu that’s well worth seeking out. It sort of looks like a café in a ‘90s Richard Curtis movie, if the chintzy filmmaker had ever set a film just off the massive roundabout in Vauxhall, which he has not. Launched in the late ‘00s, the café offers a rotating daily menu of dishes – think the likes of confit garlic and burratina on toast and charred courgette with chickpeas – and great whacking sarnies stuffed with Italian meats and gooey, egg-based deliciousness. Space is tight but the deli is stocked with plenty of goodness to take home, too.  Time Out tip Italo regularly hosts supper clubs and has also increased its dinner offering, so keep an eye on the deli’s Instagram account for more. Order this As you might imagine, they take their coffee very seriously at Italo; if you’re a keen bean aficionado, this is the place for you.

That unpretentious name is a clue as to what to expect from this Regent’s Canal-side slice of homeliness in the heart of Haggerston. When the sun is shining, or perhaps on a breezy spring day, there are arguably fewer idyllic spots in London to slurp a coffee or nibble on classic café lunches such as grilled cheese sarnies (albeit poshed up with a quivering slab of quince jelly) and a hearty soups (OK, kneidlach and chicken broth, as was served on one particularly delicious occasion). You’ve probably gathered that the emphasis is on quality food rather than showiness, as the unflashy décor attests. It’s not a takeaway joint: you’re encouraged to stick around, enjoy the view and unwind. The Towpath Café has very little online presence, which hasn’t stopped the place from attracting celebs such as Alexa Chung and foodie royalty such as St. John legend Fergus Henderson. Order this The menu changes daily, but you can’t go wrong with one of Towpath’s inventive, zesty salads – the blood orange, fennel and bitterleaf lives rent-free in our minds. Time Out tip Set aside the morning or afternoon if you can. This is the perfect place to go with the flow. And keep in mind the fact that you may have to queue on sunny days. 

Museum café. If those words conjure thoughts of the humble panini, cartons of juice and flapjack that could sink a battleship, think again. The eatery that adjoins Lambeth’s Garden Museum is all handled in-house, which is just as well considering the dearth of foodie venues in the area. Here, in a deconsecrated church, the powers that be serve up modern-British and European dishes with a minimum of fuss but maximum flavour and quality. The menu changes dailt, though the hearty Barnsley chop on a bed of braised peas and mint sauce is quintessential Garden Café fare: elegant, simple, easy on the eye and tastebuds. They don’t profess to specialise in vegan cooking, but will happily alter vegetarian dishes to accommodate you as best they can. Still enjoying a new lease of life after its 2017 revamp, it’s that kind of place: friendly, unpretentious and relaxed, exceeding expectations all the way. Time Out tip Even if you’re visiting for the café, the Garden Museum – one of London’s lesser-known destinations and Britain’s only museum dedicated to the art, history and design of gardens – is well worth checking out. Order this The pastries here are so delicious you’ll want them by the shovel-load.

If this Brixton Village institution feels decidedly old-school, that’s because it is. Many punters might not know that the yellow-fronted Caribbean joint actually has roots in ‘80s America, as Trinidad-born owner Brian Danclair worked in a Washington, D.C restaurant of the same name back in the day. The original is long gone, but Danclair’s move to the UK in 2012 led him to open a London version – with a similar shop front – in one of the city’s greatest food hubs. Think communal outdoor tables and no-nonsense Caribbean fare from jerk chicken and fried plantain to their patented reggae wings (chicken doused in fiery tamarind sauce and served with a stack of cooling pineapple). Naturally, the reggae-heavy restaurant soundtrack is second-to-none and you can’t beat Fish, Wings & Tings for atmosphere. Order this The cod fritters with ginger and lime aioli make for the perfect combo with the glorious energy of Coldharbour Lane. What’s nearby? With an alcohol-free punch and boozy cocktails jostling for space on the menu, this is an ideal spot for a quick bev before a gig at the O2 Brixton Academy.

It’s only rock’n’roll, but east Londoners clearly love it. The brainchild of Australian sisters Verity and Sharmaine Cox, Blondies is a down-and-dirty Mecca for music-lovers and a decided riposte to those who say London has lost some of its grit. The tiny bar (with a capacity of about 50) is comprised of delightfully wonky furnishings, which is down to the fact that the Coxes created almost everything themselves. That DIY spirit is reflected in the regular gig nights, which have attracted everyone from Grammy winners Mastadon to legendary Swedish hardcore punks Refused. There’s also a good chance you’ll find team Time Out holding down spicy margaritas and working our way through the ever-changing menu of superior craft beers, including their very own Blondies branded beer. Time Out tip Keep an eye on the ‘upcoming events’ section of the bar’s website, as big bands love to get back to basic at Blondies. What’s nearby? You’re less than a five-minute walk from My Neighbours the Dumplings, a sensational dim sum joint that’ll soak up the booze.

Johnny Lake and Isa Bal, the duo behind this acclaimed London Bridge restaurant, aren’t keen on defining their cuisine, having once joked that they could meaninglessly dub it “‘Modern British’ or ‘Contemporary European’” just to get people off their backs. Much has been made of the fact that they’re alumni of Heston Blumenthal’s famous and wildly innovative Fat Duck, but they’ve gone against the grain with Trivet, which is less showy than their mentor’s gaff. It’s still hugely impressive, mind – and they’ve two Michelin stars to prove it. The calming, minimalist décor belies the experimental action going on in the kitchen, which are understated but exemplary: see the ‘puffini’, a filo pastry sandwich created with a panini machine that was left in the building when they acquired it. Lake and Bal are also obsessive about creating the perfect wine list, with a finely tune array of natural and biodynamic tipples to boot. Time Out tip Some of Trivet’s dishes are available in large or small portions depending on your appetite. Order this Social media lost its collective marbles over the Hokkaido Potato dessert, a seemingly bizarre concoction of potato mille feuille, puff pastry and chocolate mousse. Like Trivet, it’s indefinable yet delicious.

The Connaught, one of two bars in the ultra-fancy hotel of the same name, is one for special occasions. That’s unless you can happily drop over a grand on a cocktail (their 1893 Sidecar). Not every drink on the menu is quite so overdraft-inducing: mixes such as the bracingly sharp, gin-based Balancer are more realistic for most people (even if the cost is akin to what you might expect to spend on a decent meal). What you’re paying for, though, is a unique experience in one of the best bars in London – if not the world. What with the marble floors and plush leather sofas, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Bond movie. Spiffy waiters wheel out a Martini trolley and mix your indulgent beverage right in front of you. Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in the Dolphin anymore. Order this The bar’s food menu is, naturally, more comprehensive than that of most boozers, running from posh pizzas to caviar on rye bread. What’s nearby? For a truly decadent night out, dine at swish sushi restaurant Umu and head to the Connaught for a nightcap. RECOMMENDED: The best bars in Mayfair.

Simmons comes to us from a different time. A simpler time. The King’s Cross bar opened in 2013, the same year that Little Nan’s Bar served a similar niche as a pop-up in what was then called the Deptford Bunker: cocktails served in chintzy teapots against a colourful, thrift shop-style backdrop. Nan’s has gone legit as an award-winning destination in a permanent space, while there now are loads of swish branches of Simmons throughout London, with one in Manchester. The original King’s Cross gaff, though, has retained its retro vibe, with a skull-shaped glitterball, a neon Top of the Pops logo on the wall and that trusty old SEGA Megadrive ready to rock’n’roll. King’s Cross – and much of London, in fact – has shapeshifted since 2013, but Simmons is forever. When is Happy Hour? This place is famous for its Happy Hour, which stretches the term, gloriously, from 4pm to 9pm Sunday to Friday. What’s nearby? There’s an old-fashioned black-and-white photobooth tucked at the back of Coal Drop’s Yard. Infinitely more fun after a teapot full of booze. RECOMMENDED: The best quirky bars and pubs in London.

Some pairings never go out of fashion – they are simply too perfect. Beer and sausage is the Lennon-McCartney of the food world: crowd-pleasing and nourishing, with each component a complement to the other. Stein’s, a Bavarian beer hall on the banks of the Thames in beautiful Richmond, has the booze and wurst formula down to a fine art (no wonder there's also a branch in Kingston and a more upmarket version in Kensington). Take your seat in the massive, treelined beer garden and sink your teeth into a pillowy pretzel as you await, say, a juicy bratwurst nestled amid golden nuggets of pan-fried spud. Wash it down, perhaps, with a crisp Erdinger wheat beer. Be warned: you can’t order booze without first ordering grub. If you’re looking for somewhere to soak up one of the most picturesque bits of London with a pint in hand, all you need is food. Time Out tip Stein’s has a very cute and pretty large play area for the kids. Since no child has ever wanted to leave a playground, that’s your whole afternoon sorted. Order this It’s not all about wurst, you know: the schnitzels are just as satisfying, while the cheese noodles will be a gift to your future hungover self. RECOMMENDED: The best breweries and taprooms in London.

Naming no names, but restaurants with a view can sometimes be a bit… complacent. And when it comes to views, you can’t really ask for more than a gorgeous vista of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the gently lapping Thames and the twinkling lights of the South Bank. It’s impressive then, that Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe still pushes the boat out – and then some. This elegant ‘modern British’ venue, linked to the famous theatre next door, offers a fine line in classic seafood and the hearty likes of roast corn-fed chicken, with a more casual bar menu serving up pub classics. No prizes for originality, perhaps, but it beats a lot of the chains in the area and the view is so stunning you really won’t want to leave. Yes: parting is such sweet sorrow. Order this Swan’s afternoon tea, a dreamy delight served the traditional way on a dainty cake stand, is as British as the theatre itself. Time Out tip A portion of the restaurant’s takings go towards supporting the Globe. Mmmm: delicious altruism. RECOMMENDED: London restaurants with the best views.

“Here, each dish is not merely food – it's an exploration of Persian culture and heritage.” So say the owners of Sufi, a family-run restaurant beloved among Shepherd’s Bush locals. A good 20-minute walk from Shepherd’s Bush Market tube station, this is an informal, intimate eatery where sesame seed-topped flat naan breads are baked in a clay oven for all to see. It’s an understated performance where the dishes are the stars of the show: aesthetically, the restaurant’s interior doesn’t feel a million miles away from being in someone’s front room, while the food itself is prepared with palpable care. Generous slabs of chicken and lamb kebab land with an avalanche of steamed rice, while the khoresh gheimeh – a sweet, tomato-based stew packed with tender lamb and chickpeas – arrives like a warm embrace. Service is similarly homely and generous, with staff keen to offer advice on their hearty, carb-tastic cuisine. Time Out tip Much of the menu is, admittedly, meat-ageddon, but Sufi is typically welcoming to vegans and vegetarians, with the aubergine stew a gooey delight. What’s nearby? The Shepherd and Flock pub, another low-key gem that’s also a little tucked away but much more rewarding for it. RECOMMENDED: London's best Persian restaurants.

The lighting is low, the food is seriously spicy and there are no airs and graces at Smoking Goat. You’ll be glad of the dim wattage, given how many of the dishes in this fiery Thai BBQ restaurant are best eaten with your hands. A chin slicked with sauce and fingers covered in oil: not always a great look, but it’s certainly a sign of an extremely enjoyable meal. The original Smoking Goat was launched in Soho by Ben Chapman (the man behind Kiln and Brat, two other foodie destinations) and after it shut this Shoreditch branch became the go-to spot. The Moo Hong Braised arrives in a vat of gloriously gloopy sauce, while the fried egg, rice noodle and lardo is Heaven-sent when accompanied by a hoppy draft lager. Get stuck in. Time Out tip Smoking Goat is a buzzy place and the volume level is generally set to: loud. Get ready to shout. What’s nearby? You’re two minutes away from Village Underground if you want to keep the party going – and you will. RECOMMENDED: An expert guide to London’s best BBQ joints by Melissa Thompson.

There are, despite rumours to the contrary, still plenty of London pubs where you can bag a pint for less than six quid. As we explored in our handy round-up, some central boozers even meet the brief.  Your quest to swerve the capital’s much-lamented £8 pint will, however, sometimes lead you to search further afield. Luckily, two of the destinations on the Telegraph’s recent list of ‘England’s 10 greatest pub towns’ make ideal day trips from London. Indeed, Ramsgate and Southsea are both easy-peasy to reach from the Big Smoke – leaving plenty of your day free for sinking pints. Ramsgate Writer Will Hawkes wrote of Ramsgate: ‘Kent’s frothy northeastern tip has become very fashionable of late, at least amongst middle-aged ex-Londoners. The decades when it was less hip, though, have left it with some tremendous pubs, particularly in Ramsgate.  ‘This town might be most famous for having Britain’s biggest Wetherspoons, but its best pubs are the Artillery Arms and the Montefiore Arms, both of them street-corner delights. The latter was recently taken over by Gadds’ brewery, also based in Ramsgate and one of England’s finest beer-makers.’ Ramsgate’s Artillery Arms, with its curved bar and only vaguely alarming bust of a bulldog on the wall, is certainly a mouthwatering proposition. The Montefiore Arms is a slightly (key word) more modern affair, with a trendy mural across its exterior, though the similarly curved bar certainly looks like it’s seen a thing or two.    How to get to

It’s that time of year again. Some 42,000 eager beavers are set to get running through the streets of Manchester this weekend, raising money for charity, keeping fit, inspiring others and having a good time in the process. That is, you will have noticed, a lot of people – a record high, in fact, up from last year’s 35,000. The second-biggest marathon in the UK (after London, obvs, which is attracting more than 50,000 this year – and could double in size in 2027) is always an incredible spectacle, whether you’re completing the whole 26.2 miles or cheering on from the sidelines. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Manchester Marathon. When is the 2026 Manchester Marathon? The action kicks off this weekend, on April 19, the week before the London Marathon (which is being held on April 26). Can I still join? It sold out months ago, with charity partner spots now closed too. Sorry – but at least we didn't tell you to ‘jog on’!  Manchester Marathon start times As ever, the start times will be staggered, with ‘Elite’ runners – the athletes competing for medals – getting priority. The Elite Wheelchair race starts at 8.55am and the Elite runners at 9am. From 9am, various other groups – assigned according to their estimated finish time – will set off within 10 minutes of each other, with the last start time kicking off at 11.30am. If you want to change your start time for any reason, you can choose a later slot than the one you were assigned – but not an earlier one. Here

It’s been a mixed month for comebacks. First, Kanye West was announced as Wireless festival’s headliner for his first UK performance in over a decade but was instead banned from the country, resulting in the scrapping of the entire event. Then Justin Bieber headlined Coachella, marking his first major appearance since he cancelled his 2022 tour due to ill-health, and divided fans by singing along to YouTube videos of himself. So we could do with a comeback we can all agree on – like, for example, the golden eagle. The majestic bird will be hoping to have a more universally successful comeback than Biebs and Ye as it prepares for its grand return to the UK, more than a decade since the last English native of the species reportedly died alone in the Lake District in 2015. That’s because Forestry England has released a study explaining that England can provide an hospitable habitat to the majestic creatures once more. The birds became essentially extinct in the country by the middle of the last century after being targeted by gamekeepers and farmers, who viewed them as a pest that threatened livestock. Just a few pairs have been identified in the country over the last 150 years. Photograph: Shutterstock Forestry England has identified eight areas – mostly in the north – where the golden eagle could now live. These are:  The Cheviots The North Pennines The Lake District The Yorkshire Dales Bowland The South Pennines The North Yorkshire Moors The South-west  The Environment Se

People talk about the ‘north-south’ divide in terms of culture and economics, but it turns out we should be talking about it in terms of… spiders.  That’s because a certain type of poisonous arachnid has become ‘hugely more abundant in Britain, particularly in the south’, according to Oxford University ecologist Clive Hambler. Now, a Freedom of Information request has revealed that hospital admissions from spider bites have doubled in the UK over the last 10 years. There were 100 NHS hospital admissions related to spider bites in 2025, compared to just 47 in 2015. The figures actually dipped to 43 in 2021, though scampered back up to 95 the following year. Ilford’s Redbridge Council has even been moved to officially warn residents about the dangers of the eight-legged menaces, with a statement explaining that a group of arachnids known as false widow spiders (so named because they’re often mistaken for black widows) are the ones look out for. ‘[False widows were] generally only found in the south-west but recent mild winters have seen an increase in numbers in London and Kent,’ reads the statement. ‘While these spiders are venomous and their bites can be painful, they're no more dangerous than a wasp sting and the spiders are non-aggressive.’ Photograph: Shutterstock Clive Hambler revealed that he’s spotted a false widow in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, adding that they’re more common than people think. He also said that they may carry bacteria that can cause ‘amputatio

It’s time to dust off your tweed jacket, your most obscure tote bag and that battered copy of The Collected Works of Oscar Wilde: legendary indie label Rough Trade is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a weekend-long shindig at the Southbank Centre.    Featuring performances from Pulp and Scritti Politti, as well as fellow signees such as caroline, the event is one July 17-19. There’ll also be ‘cross-arts performances’, a record fair and author appearances at An Evening With Rough Trade Books. The weekender coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain and the building of the Royal Festival Hall, making it a bonanza for British institutions. Among the many unmissable events, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Hannah Patterson will present her debut novel Ungone with a performance from Ana da Silva of post-punk legends The Raincoats. The caroline show will also feature a set by My New Band Believe, the latest project from former black midi member Cameron Picton. In a development that is endearingly beyond parody for the indier-than-thou label, Jarvis Cocker will also present a screening of northern kitchen sink classic Kes, featuring a live orchestral performance of its soundtrack. What’s the full line-up? Good question, fair question. Here’s a handy event listing: An Evening with Rough Trade Books: July 17, 7.30pm, Queen Elizabeth Hall Pulp: July 18, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall Hannah Patterson: Ungone – The Play: July 18, 3pm, Purcell Roo

Let’s play a little word association game. When we say ‘Pokémon’, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Cards? Pikachu? Go? If you said ‘EDM’… well, OK, that’s weirdly specific – but in this case you’d be right. On November 10, Pokémon Night Out will touch down at the O2 Arena for one of only two events of its kind in the entire world. It’ll mark the first time in the brand’s history that Pokémon has put on an EDM event, with Marshemello headlining and Alison Wonderland on support.  This arrives amid a bonanza of London news for Pokémon stans, with a themed green space called a ‘Pokopia Garden’ having opened at Acton Mount in west London earlier this month. In turn, that followed an official pop-up immersive experience at Outernet, a rare merch drop at the Natural History Museum and the Pokémon Europe International Championships at the ExCeL. Think of the new event as a Pokémon-based EDM festival, which is not something we ever thought we’d find ourselves writing. The event is open to fans aged 16 and over and there’ll also be a version at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome on October 24. In addition to this, Pokémon has promised one-day, family friendly summer events in the US, Europe and Mexico. Dates for the daytime events are yet to be announced, though they’ll be held in Bordeaux, New York City, Dresden and Mexico City. The festival is part of Pokémon’s What’s Your Favourite? 30th anniversary campaign, which has seen the likes of Lady Gaga and Trevor Noah choose their m

Update: LIDO have cancelled the CMAT and Bombay Bicycle Club dates, with Maribou State rescheduled to August 31, in order to protect the park grounds. As you know, we love a London festival. 2026 looks set to be a bumper year in the city, with events drawing huge acts such as Tyler, the Creator, Lewis Capaldi and Lily Allen. There have been some casualties – Wide Awake has been scrapped following a local backlash against festivals in Brockwell Park – but all in all, it seems our summer shindigs are in rude health. Case in point: east London’s Victoria Park is once again set to host the eclectic All Points East and more indie-inclined LIDO (the former has been a fixture since 2018, while the latter launched last year). All Points East currently runs across six days split over two weekends (August 21-23 and August 28-30), with LIDO covering three days from June 12-14. All Points East boasts headliners Lorde and Twenty One Pilots, among others, while LIDO has bagged Maribou State, Bombay Bicycle Club and CMAT. There’s bound to be something there to tickle your fancy? In any case, these festivals, both of which are run by entertainment behemoth AEG, descend on Vicky Park for a grand total of nine ticketed days combined. Each festival takes up about a third of the park. It’s no mean feat to hold such mega-fests, and AEG currently has the right to take over the park for 28 days per year. Now, the company has requested permission to extend its takeover to 75 days – more than double

Tell you what: 2026 has got off to a great start for Spitfire stans. Last month, we brought you the news that Southampton has launched a year-long celebration of the fighter plane to mark 90 years since it was created in the city. Now, a derelict former World War II RAF building, which previously held Spitfires and US fighter-bombers, is being turned into a holiday let – and its location really is the bomb. The RAF Ibsley control tower, located near Ringwood in Hampshire, is nestled in woodland overlooking the picturesque Mockbeggar Lake. The former airfield opened in 1941 and ceased operation in 1947, during which time it was used as a location for the 1942 movie The First of the Few. Now, the Landmark Trust, an organisation that specialises in taking buildings that are in danger of collapse and turning them into holiday lets, has been granted permission to redevelop the site. In 2024, Natural England opposed the proposed £3m scheme on the basis that it would be a conservation risk. At the time, the Landmark Trust wrote to the New Forest District Council about the issue, saying: ‘We entirely understand NE's reluctance to see any change on this special site and their responsibilities for ensuring its protection. However, we are also deeply conscious of the outstanding historical importance of the watch office and the very high risk that if action is not taken the building all it represents will be lost. ‘The watch office was erected at a time when Britain stood almost alone a

Amid the (sadly justified) doom and gloom about the UK’s pub scene, we’re seeing green shoots of hope. At the end of last year, it was reported that a staggering 930 London pubs closed between 2004 and 2024. One of those boozers was the Mother Red Cap, which called last orders the day after St. Patrick’s Day 2024 and has yet to reopen its doors. Well, here’s some good news: the Archway gaff is coming back, baby.   Posting on X last week, Labour councillor James Potts shared a photo of the pub’s exterior, with the caption: ‘Looks like the grey barriers have been removed from the Mother Red Cap on Holloway Road. I’ll be asking for an update on what is happening and will let residents know when I hear back. Let’s hope this means the pub will reopen soon!’ Now, he tells Time Out: ‘It is great to see works underway at the Mother Red Cap after it being closed for over two years. I have been campaigning for it to reopen and I hope to pop back in there for a pint soon.’ The pub was covered in graffiti, having closed in 2024 because its publican retired. Potts told us the graffiti had been scrubbed away when he walked past on Tuesday night (April 7). In January, neighbouring boozer the Archway Tavern shared an Instagram post with the caption: ‘We were able to speak to someone at Star Pubs, the owners of The Mother Red Cap (Heineken) and were told that it will definitely return as a pub. They said that they were renovating the place and it would be back this year. 'Not sure why you’d n

The warm weather is (finally) upon us. If that’s got you thinking of weekend breaks, you’re in luck: the good people of the Eurostar are way ahead of you. They’re offering a flash sale, with one-way tickets to cracking destinations available for as little as £35. Fancy a jaunt to Paris, Amsterdam, Lille, Rotterdam or Brussels? Now's your chance to bag a bargain. The deal launched yesterday and only runs for a few days. Well, it is a flash sale after all. How long does the discount apply for? You’ve got until next Monday (April 13) at 10.59pm. So that’s not a massive window, but it does mean you’ve got the weekend to work out your plans. Remember, though, that this is a first-come-first-served deal, so you might not want to leave it too late. What’s the time window for the trips? Well, we’re glad you asked. You can make your discounted journey between April 22 and July 8. That’s actually a pretty long window, given how affordable the tickets are.  What’s the catch? There isn’t one, really, though there are dates where the discount won’t apply – these mostly kick in around May and the end of June, which tend to be when most people fancy a getaway. And while the likes of Cologne or Düsseldorf are still possible to reach (albeit with connections), they won’t be discounted. Is it complicated to claim the tickets? Often these bargains involve acquiring pesky codes that you need to apply before checkout, but there’s none of that business here, as the discount is applied automaticall

We all love a comeback story, and the county of Middlesex could be about to experience a resurgence more than six decades after it got the axe. This is because Surrey County Council will be split into two different unitary authorities next year and campaigners are calling for the ‘Middlesex’ name to be restored as part of the changes. Now an historic county, Middlesex once covered much of north and west London, from Staines all the way up to Potters Bar. With the London Government Act 1963, however, these boundaries were redrawn. Certain areas of north London, such as Islington, were reapportioned into London boroughs, while Staines and Potters Bar – for example – became part of Surrey and Hertfordshire respectively. As Surrey County Council is due to be carved up in 2027, however, the aforementioned campaigners have argued that the western section should not be called ‘West Surrey’ but ‘West Surrey and South Middlesex’. This is because the new county will cover around 20 square miles of the area that was once known as Middlesex. The other half of the county is due to be known as East Surrey. The Association of British Counties (ABC) is behind the proposal and has claimed that the ‘Middlesex identity of this area should be reflected’. According to the Telegraph, a spokesperson said: ‘Since 1965, the people of the Spelthorne area of Middlesex have suffered the indignity of being under a local authority absurdly called Surrey county council. ‘But with the abolition of Surrey co

It’s been a rough week already for UK festivals. While we’re still digesting the rapid cancellation of Wireless, here’s another piece of bad festival news: Brighton’s Boundary Festival has been scrapped, albeit in very different circumstances. The dance music-focused event would have celebrated its 10th anniversary this year (it was usually held in late September), but the organisers shared a social media post in which they broke the sad news that ‘the time has come for Boundary Brighton to close this chapter’. Held at Stanmer Park, the festival was renowned for its DIY feel but still packed in the big names, with Chase & Status, Gorgon City, Giggs, Craig David, D Double E, Kurupt FM and Andy C among its previous performers. It was typically a one-dayer, though expanded to two days for the first time last year. Despite this, the organisers evidently had no plans for the kind of over-expansion that has seen some festivals run into difficulties. Luke Ralph, owner of Supercharged Events, the festival’s promoter, explained in 2023: ‘[We have] no plans to take over the whole country or throw five festivals a year. We want to make Boundary as great as possible and for it to represent Brighton.’ At the time, he emphasised the event’s DIY roots: ‘There wasn’t really a big party or rave in Brighton, apart from Pride, so we wanted to start our own.’ Ralph added that his ambition was ‘to throw the best day festival party on the south coast and close the summer festival season in style,’