Molly Dubens

Train stations can have quite a charm about them. Maybe it’s down to the anticipation of travel, the ‘goodbyes’ and the ‘hellos’, or, if you’re lucky, it could be thanks to some seriously stunning, innovative or historic architecture. Don’t get us wrong: there are definitely a fair few grotty railway stations out there. But there are also some which are mind-boggingly beautiful.  Believe it or not, we’re home to more than 2,500 train stations in this little country: all the way from the northern Scottish coastline to the glistening beaches of Devon. It should come to no surprise, then, that some of these stations are spectacular in their own right – and we’d argue are well worth travelling to for a glimpse at their beauty.  From quaint, cottage-like waiting rooms to grand city structures, some of the most picturesque railway stations are found in places where you’ll least expect them. Ready for an explore? Get your ticket ready: here are the 12 most beautiful train stations in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🚞 The world’s 15 most beautiful train stations🚂 The 11 most scenic train journeys in the UK🌊 9 of England’s most beautiful islands

Londoners arise: Taylor Swift is finally returning to the capital after what will be a six-year hiatus. While the first portion of the pop star’s Eras tour did not reach overseas, Taylor Swift has since released international dates and is coming to Wembley Stadium in the summer of 2024, supported by pop punk icons Paramore.  Social media has provided UK Swifties with a few glimpses of what to expect from the shows, which last a whopping three hours, feature TayTay's biggest hits of her career, a couple of surprise songs and some truly epic stage production. Sadly, July turned into a ‘Cruel Summer’ for many fans who failed to secure tickets for her British dates. But today (November 14) the star has announced two new shows at Wembley Stadium so thousands of the disappointed fans may still be in with a chance. Here’s what you need to know.  RECOMMENDED: Expert tips to get tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in the UK Taylor Swift London tour dates as new shows added The new Wembley Stadium dates are August 19 and August 20. Tickets can’t be accessed by just anyone though — they will only be available to a limited number of fans who registered for London shows earlier this year. If you’re one of the Lucky Ones (Taylor's Version), you should receive an email from today (November 14), with sales for August 19 going live at 2pm and for August 20 going live at the same time on November 15. Obviously demand will still be super high, so getting an email does not guarantee you ticke

With Pride around the corner, Saturday being the parade, all sorts of parties and events are being unveiled around the capital. Well Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, has announced five new Pride-inspired plaques. They will be dotted around the city, celebrating notable people, places and events within LGBTQ+ history.  Funding was received from the Mayors’ Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm and Wandsworth Oasis. These are teams who take part in commemorating and identifying hidden LGBTQ+ heritage. The support was requested by the London LGBT+ Forums’ Network and Studio Voltaire.  The rainbow plaques are as follows:  Beautiful Thing in Greenwich. This is a celebration of the 1996 coming-of-age film, which covers a coming out story. The July 23 unveiling will be accompanied by the movie screening at Greenwich picture house  Black Lesbian and Gay Centre in Peckham. This was the first centre in Europe that supported this specific community Jackie Forster in Westminster. She was an extremely influential journalist and activist who helped found Sappho, the LGBTQ+ social group London Lighthouse in Ladbroke Grove. This is a centre for HIV and AIDS patience and they offer support for people disregarded after their diagnosis Section 28 in Haringey. This was a 1988 section that forbade councils from ‘intentionally promoting homosexuality’. It was repealed in 2003 but the site has been the location for many protests. The Council has since placed a Lesbian and Gay unit to show supp

The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is expecting a mighty 11 extra trains. These will be new and improved with walk-through designs, real time audio and visual travel information, charging points and aircon. So no more sweltering, thank the lord.  They will be introduced from 2024 and testing has already begun. This mostly occurs during overnight engineering hours and planned closures, but later this year there will be day trials in between real trips. Not to worry though, the glamorous trains will be ‘colour wrapped’ so you won't mistake them for your usual. The endeavour was funded by the Government Housing Infrastructure Fund with the hope of increasing housing and job opportunities for the connected areas. The extra train capacity will create 10,000 new homes, mostly in the Royal Docks and Isle of Dogs.  Because of this additional 11 there will now be a whopping 54 trains rolling out. The DLR is already the busiest light railway in the UK and this will only increase, the network capacity will be enhanced by 60 percent.  All trains will be operating by 2026, so you have some time to prepare yourselves for journeys of absoloute luxury. A climate clock has appeared in Piccadilly Circus  Two London universities have been ranked amongst the world's top 10

The roads north of St Paul’s cathedral, AKA the gyratory, are set for a makeover. The area is being transformed into an open-space square, and the City of London has already approved the project. The construction will hopefully begin in 2025, which seems drastically far but it's only a year and a half away (scary stuff), and further planning is still needed. The public square will be 3000 sq m and has a weighty estimated cost of somewhere in the vicinity of £16m.  The pedestrianisation of part of the gyratory will hopefully reduce the local traffic, while improving air quality and road safety. These roads were built in the 1970s and the specific area that will be transformed is between the old Museum of London and St Paul’s underground station. To counter these closures a new two-way lane will be added on Newgate Street and from St Martin Le Grand up to its junction with Angel Street.  The revamp fits nicely with London’s ambition to have more open spaces. This currently unnamed site will be bigger than Aldgate Square. The competition of the open spaces has begun. The area’s designs will apparently compliment the already-green space of the Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden.   The square will be filled with seating areas, further greenery and night lights, perfect for recreational hanging out and work breathers! Can’t wait. Harry Styles is arriving at Madame Tussauds All the London Pride Parade road closures you need to know  

In June, Harry Styles graced London’s shores with his Love On Tour Wembley shows. Well if you were unable to see him due to the sheer impossibility of nabbing tickets do not worry, here's your chance.  Sort of … he’s coming to Madame Tussauds! Super fans will know that Hazza has already appeared in the iconic wax museum but this was back in the One Direction days, before his solo career took off, and since the sculpture has been sadly retired to back office. Shame.  Thousands of fake celebs have appeared in the gallery, but the last really big unveiling was arguably Lady Gaga, 12 years ago. So this is very exciting to both pop fans and wax enthusiasts everywhere. Seven other Harrys have been dispatched to other Tussauds venues across the world, and of course one in the founding London location. The great reveal will be July 17. The question is: can the great Madam Tussauds create a wax feather boa. Everything you need to know about London July train strikes Here are the best LGBTQ+ club nights in London 

This monumental penthouse apartment lies on the the 10th floor of W, one of the eight buildings in the new(ish) South Bank complex. It's now for up for sale so if you have any cash lying around… it’s going for a modest £17,000,000. The apartment, obviously, occupies the whole floor with its four bedrooms, four bathrooms and, you guessed it, two kitchens. Who knew you needed more than one? This waterside digs is a whopping 3778 sq ft, not too shabby, and it has a modern interior with an open-plan setting and mammoth windows. This makes sense as it is what’s outside the home that is of greatest importance: the overwhelmingly up-close London Eye. And if the windows aren’t near enough the flat comes with multiple terraces, where you can enjoy a nice Thames breeze while watching tourists go round and round and round. The site is part of the South Bank revamp, so as you’d expect, it’s fitted with all the big-budget trimmings, including a health club, swimming pool, spa and sauna. Sounds like its residents will never have to leave the building.  So, if you're feeling extravagant (or delusional) check out the over-the-top space here. Another extravagant penthouse is also for sale in Neal's Yard Everything you need to know about London train strikes this July

In the grand scheme of things, train stations can be quite charming. They can be even more charming when they’re free from stressed-out crowds, delay announcements and pigeons.  Rowden Mill Station in Bredenbury, Herefordshire, closed for use in 1953. Now, it has been transformed into a seriously unique holiday home – offering train enthusiasts the opportunity to spend the night in the peaceful spot near the Malvern Hills and Wye River Valley.  There are three housing options available, with the most extravagant being the 1960s Saloon Coach which is decked out with two bedrooms and sleeps four people. The carriage sits on the second platform and is almost completely surrounded by grass and woodland, with picnic and BBQ facilities on hand to make the most of the luscious backdrop. Photograph: Rowden Mill Station Photograph: Rowden Mill Station The two other sleeping options are located in what used to be the actual station: the Parcel Office, which sleeps two guests in one bedroom, and the Station Building, which hosts four guests across two bedrooms. All three properties are fitted with a kitchen and bathroom. The owners of Rowden Mill, Cecilia and Paul, bought the neglected station from a family who had previously carried out a refurbishment. Keen to develop it further, the couple acquired antique furniture and kept to a vintage theme for the decor.  Prices for a weekend stay Rowden Mill Station range from £205 to £405. Find out more and book here. ICYMI: Its officia

We all know Henry VIII for his six marriages – and it turns out that if you have that many wives you need lots of properties to house them. This East Sussex home, named Wings Place, is one of them and it’s now on sale for £2.25 million. It was granted to the king’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. This was the shortest of his marriages, lasting an epic six months. This not-so-humble abode is in Ditchling, near Lewes. A mix of Tudor style and more modern design, the house has a timber frame, brick chimneys and a ‘priest hole’, as well as a remodelled kitchen featuring large windows, an island and underfloor heating. The three-floored pad has three bedrooms, two oak staircases and inglenook fireplaces basically everywhere. The home also has a fancy drawing room and ‘east wing’, as well as a panelled library which leads to a stone terrace. The cellar has plenty of traditional amenities – boilers, a hot water tank, wine storage – and outside you’ll find a sloping garden which leads to a stream with views of the South Downs.  Between 1540 and now there has been another celeb inhabitant: presenter Jamie Theakston, who owned the house for 11 years. The residence is a Grade I-listed and the estate agents Jackson-Stops is offering open-house tours, so if you’re not quite willing to drop a couple mill, you can still take a spin around the property anyway. ICYMI: These are the 10 most popular walks in the UK. Plus: A remote pub is offering a free pint to all those who trek there.

Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand has arrived in the capital. On June 12 Londoners were first given access to Skims. Does this interest you? Act fast. The Californian company will only be popping up for less than a month. July 15 is when it closes its doors. Skims mainly sells loungewear and underwear, but, as of June 8, it’s ventured into the swimwear business. The Selfridges Corner Shop will be selling all of it. The pop-up will be open seven days a week, from 10am to 10pm on weekdays, 10am to 9:30pm on Saturdays and 11:30am to 6pm on Sundays.  The shop will be done up with LA-themed decor including palm trees and surfboards. You know, all that stuff we don’t have in London but wish we did in Britain. The pop-up will also be offering ‘sweet treats’, whatever they are. So if you find yourself drifting down Oxford Street wishing for a dose of West Coast vibeyness, maybe give Kim K’s brand a look. All the news on Harry Styles’ ‘Love On Tour’ in London The new V&A exhibition is all about Coco Chanel and tickets are now on sale 

The Wes Anderson aesthetic seems to be all the rage these days, not least thanks to TikTok: the hashtag #wesanderson has racked up a whopping 1.7 billion views. There are Anderson-inspired trends coming out of every nook and cranny, and now, the craze is spreading into interior design, with a host of pretty properties popping up that look like they’re straight out of one of the dude’s films. Exhibit A? This funky Airbnb in Kent. Fitted with all sorts of aesthetically-pleasing furniture, it has a stark and somewhat overwhelming colour palette. There are two bedrooms, sleeping five, and a kitchen and private courtyard. Photograph: Courtesy of Airbnb Photograph: Courtesy of Airbnb Photograph: Courtesy of Airbnb The two bedrooms are designed in the most Anderson-esque manner: one is decked out in a severe pink and orange colour scheme, with a massive circular bed – perhaps more Hannah Montana than The Grand Budapest Hotel. The second room, suitably named the ‘mermaid room’, has bright-blue underwater decor with the bed tucked into a sea shell-shaped wall cut-out.  The Airbnb is in Margate, so even if you aren’t a keen Wes fan, the seaside air might be nice. What’s more, the property is basically right on the beach, with handy waterfront access (a nod to Moonrise Kingdom, if you will).  Fancy proving your film-fanatic integrity while also having some time away from it all? This might need to be your next getaway. You can book the Airbnb here.   Read more: These are the 25 b

What Brit doesn’t love a good pint in the sun? We’d argue there’s nothing better, especially after a nice ramble through some hilly countryside. The Old Forge, in Knoydart, a peninsula off the west coast of Scotland, is the most remote pub on the British mainland, requiring a whopping 15-mile hike or 40-minute boat ride from the fishing town of Mallaig. And while it would be hard to make it your regular, it could be well worth the journey for a beer (or three) on the house. The boozer is offering a new, limited-edition beer all summer, starting July 1, and it will be free to all those who make it there. There are many routes you could take, but the shortest is from Kinloch Hourn to Inverie, with the option of staying the night at Barrisdale Bothy. Typically the trek takes two days, but if you’re a keen hiker you might be able to do it in a mere eight-hour stretch. The offer is a partnership with Knoydart Brewery and online sports retailer Wiggle, which has created a new citrus golden ale known as ‘Trale Ale’. And if just one brew doesn’t seem quite enough of a refreshment after the 15-mile trek, a second ale is also provided on the house – available only if you say the not-so-secret password, ‘wiggle’, at the bar. The Old Forge is on the northern shore of Loch Nevis, so you can hike safe in the knowledge that you’ll be able to admire great views of the Scottish Highlands while sipping your well-deserved pint. ICYMI: This is officially the best hotel in England for 2023. Plu

Time to update your Citymapper app; there's a new feature in town.  Traditionally, Brits will complain about anything. It‘s finally hot and sunny in the capital and all we can do is complain about it.  In fairness, sweaty tube journeys really aren’t the one. So Citymapper is helping out with a new option that shows which routes through the capital are fully air conditioned.  Despite the fact that only a handful of London tube lines feature air conditioning (Circle, District, Elizabeth, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan,) the option works very well. When we tried it out it was able to recommend an alternative, cooler route to most central London destinations. For further-away places you might just have to brave it and endure a bit of sweltering heat, as the above lines sadly can’t reach everywhere (yet!).  To find this new tool, search your destination as usual and scroll down to the ‘with air conditioning’ tab and be on your merry way. The route might be a longer trip with slight detours but at least you're avoiding the humidity, and honestly who doesn’t mind skipping the dreaded Central line, whenever possible. The trans and intersex-inclusive pride flags will return to Regent Street Kim Kardashian's swimwear pop-up is at Selfridges now