Rhys Thomas

Poet Elizabeth Bishop once called Florida the “state with the prettiest name.” And while she lived in Key West for a time during the late 1930s, her poem characterizes much of the natural beauty that still attracts visitors to Florida today. A peninsula ringed by the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it’s home to mangrove islands, wading birds, pelicans, loggerhead sea turtles, palm trees, Everglades swamps and so much more. From the sugar sand beaches of the panhandle to a Disney vacation in Orlando, the surf in Cocoa Beach and the cosmopolitan city of Miami, you’ll also discover plenty of off-the-beaten-path destinations tucked away alongside inland lakes and rivers. There are so many different types of Florida vacations to be had. Use our guide to track down the best Airbnb rentals in Florida for the vacation of your dreams.RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Miami🏨 The best hotels in Tampa🏠 The best Airbnbs in Orlando This guide was recently updated by writer Shayne Benowitz. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews 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.

Los Angeles is one of the most remarkable cities in the world. Hollywood films, gorgeous beaches and A-Listers: it’s a place of luxury, sunshine and some of the best restaurants in the country. It makes sense why the place is so popular. So, if you’re visiting for the first time, or you live just outside of the city and want a weekend break, consider renting a unique Airbnb in Los Angeles instead of your standard run-of-the-mill hotel. Choose from stylish homes in West Hollywood to architectural townhouses in Venice; you’ll find something no matter what vibe you’re looking for. These superb Airbnbs in Los Angeles might just convince you to become a full-time Angeleno – if you’re not one already, of course.   RECOMMENDED:🏨 See our full guide to the best hotels in Los Angeles🌴 Check out these top-of-the-range Palm Springs stays🏄‍♂️ Discover the best things to do while you're in LA🏖️ The best beachfront Airbnbs in L.A.🛀 The best hotels in Los Angeles with an in-room hot tub🏡 The best Airbnbs in Santa Monica  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research 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.

The best hotels in Chicago run the gamut, whether you want plush surroundings with incredible rooftop bars or prefer to spend the night in a boutique hotel with unique touches. And more and more these days, you’re not restricted to staying downtown (or, ugh, next to O’Hare). With so many great choices, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. We took the guesswork out of the equation and selected the very best. These hand-picked spots offer excellent restaurants, unparalleled service, and close proximity to some of the city's best attractions. From pure luxury to cheap and chic(ago), all the options you need are right here.  Updated for March 2024: As interest surrounding Chicago continues to grow, we've decided to add a few more options to our list of top hotels in the Windy City, from a fun outpost with video games, DJs and a bar for a front desk, as well as a classic kid-friendly Four Seasons. RECOMMENDED: Check out our pick of the coolest Airbnbs in ChicagoRECOMMENDED: Book in at one of the best family-friendly hotels in Chicago Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research 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.

The dramatic Niagara Falls, which straddles the US/Canada border, is undoubtedly a natural spectacle, but this is far from a wilderness either. Both banks have developed as resorts, so there is plenty of things to do here other than look at loads of rapidly falling water too. From throwing cash at casinos to vicariously being a piece of water on the Falls by sliding down slides at the water parks. There are also the 1,400 LED lights twinkling behind the cascades nightly to go and awe at. Visitors can eat their way through a fine farm-to-table restaurant scene, complemented by a menu of local Ontario wines too. Yup, Canada has good wine game. The Canadian side is closer to the most dramatic torrents but also the more commercialized. Of course, given the huge attraction, hotels dominate the landscape, largely of the chain variety (for more characterful lodgings, try pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake, half an hour away). The sheer number of rooms makes for keen competition and off-season deals, but watch for inflated overheads. Either way, here’s our pick of the best hotels in and around Niagara Falls. And no we don't mean in the literal waterfall, that would spoil the view.  Updated September 2024: Just to sweeten the deal we've added two new hotels we think you'll love; Cambria hotel offering affordable luxury rooms, and five-star Voco- The Cadence with comfy rooms right in the heart of Niagara Falls State Park. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel fea

Chicago might be the Second City, but our attractions are first class. Need evidence of that fact? Look no further than the many Chicago museums, where you'll find everything from the best-preserved T. rex skeleton ever found to paintings from Van Gogh and Picasso. Or take a stroll through our gorgeous parks and gardens, home to some of the best public art in Chicago (say hello to "The Bean"). You can also laugh it up at a comedy club, see a show at a jazz club once frequented by Al Capone or have a Michelin-starred meal at one of the best Chicago restaurants ... the list goes on. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a lifelong Chicagoan looking to see a little more of their home city, we’ve curated a list of the very best attractions Chicago has to offer, just for you. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Chicago right nowRECOMMENDED: The best cheap things to do in ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best hotels in ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best boutique hotels in Chicago This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Planning a trip to DC? Good call. The District is packed with free, cheap and family-friendly things to do to keep visitors busy. The city is broken into four different quadrants that are made up of distinct neighborhoods, each one promising history, art, food, drinks and so much more. Below are a few of our favorite neighborhoods (complete with pros and cons for each one), so you can better decide where to stay in Washington, DC on your next visit. Plus: Hotel picks for each neighborhood. We hope these are helpful – hopefully see you out on the town sometime soon! Happy vacation, friends. RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Washington D.C.RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in Washington D.C. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

London's weather is unpredictable, so it's good to know that there are spas to help you chill out (or warm up) when needed. If you're sick of the rain, you can relax in the hot tubs, saunas and pools of these luxurious hotel spas instead. And while you're at it, why not treat yourself to a massage? These lovely London hotels all have their own distinctive on-site spas. So whether you fancy a hammam treatment or a relaxing swim, there’s a place for you – the perfect respite from all that trekking around top attractions or ticking off all the best things to do in the capital. Because let's face it, London is incredible, but it can be just a teeny-weeny bit exhausting. So pause to unwind in one of these ace spas with a delicious selection from our cherry-picked list. Updated May 2024: We've added the almighty Shangri-La Hotel to the list – home to Western Europe's highest infinity sky pool. Check out the details and find out where to book below.  RECOMMENDED: Best hotels in LondonBest romantic hotels in London Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research 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.

L.A. might have a bit of a rep for being a very expensive place to stay, but the truth is that the city is actually packed with affordable hotels, too. Shocker, right? Not only are these accommodations a little cheaper, but plenty are also full-on luxurious and boujee. All you need to do is know where to look. Luckily, we're here to help you out. We've scoured Los Angeles to find the city’s finest affordable places to stay, from sleek beachside estabs to peaceful retreats in the hills. Read on for our pick of Los Angeles’ budget hotels. You're welcome.   Updated July 2024: In the spirit of keeping things cheap and cheerful while still offering you the best of the city, we've added Orange Drive Hostel for its home-from-home vibes Hampton Inn Los Angeles for the free hot breakfast, and the pool😍 and  RECOMMENDED: 🏨 See the best hotels on the beach in Los Angeles👙Check out the best things to do in Los Angeles🍷Hit the best bars in Los Angeles Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb 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.

Lisbon is the city for aesthetes. Or rather, it’s the city for anyone who has ever accidentally walked into a lamppost, fallen down the curb or tripped over thin air trying to take the perfect shot of urban beauty. From massive monasteries to those gorgeous rambling streets and – oh! – the interiors of the churches, this city is a visual feast and then some. So where better to find somewhere equally lavish and artfully decked out to stay in than the Portuguese capital? When so many of a city’s hotels are, quite literally, named after palaces, you know you’re onto a winner when it comes to luxury accommodation options. We’ve rounded up a long-ish list of our favourites, including some longtime faves and a few characterful newbies. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. RECOMMENDED:The best things to do in LisbonThe best Airbnbs in LisbonThe best boutique hotels in Lisbon Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews 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.

Lisbon has become something of a tourist hotspot in recent years and with this comes the rise of big hotel chains. But as a Time Out reader, we know you'll be after somewhere with a little more je ne sais quoi. That's why, when we drew up this list, we took into account design, location, service, amenities, architecture and value for money, while also considering vibe and aesthetic. From low-key and tasteful boutiques to hotel spas bursting with luxury, the options are all here for you. Now, all you need to do is pick a fave… RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in LisbonThe best boutique hotels in LisbonThe best eateries at Time Out Market Lisboa Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews 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.

The iconic NYC skyline is ever-changing, with fabulous new buildings rising up next to historic beauties like the Empire State, Chrysler and Flatiron buildings. The best views in NYC are from above, atop said buildings and others. These breathtaking panoramas are attractions on their own, and many viewpoints are among the best free things to do in the city. If you’re visiting NYC, or just in the mood for a staycation, why not choose a hotel that also happens to have one of these gorgeous views? These hotels offer views of the city that can’t be beaten. These are top-notch hotels with luxurious, lavish interiors as well as prime views of Central Park, the skyline, the Hudson River and more. After tackling the best museums, galleries, restaurants, neighborhoods and other things to do in NYC, you can kick back, relax and absorb all you’ve seen on your city adventures. Need some extra relaxation? Some of these hotels have hot tubs and some are home to the best spas in the city. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC 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. 

Boutique hotels in NYC have a special place in our hearts - they're not just luxurious with top-notch amenities, they’re bursting with character, offering experiences that few others can match. Seriously, these independent hotels have such unique styles that you'll be planning a full-scale home makeover in your head before check-out. With so many amazing choices, picking the best boutique hotels in NYC is tough. From the Financial District to Williamsburg, these hotels with rich histories and daring designs offer everything from mixology classes and indulgent full-body massages to Parisian-style gardens, rooftop bars, and jaw-dropping views of the city's iconic landmarks.  To help plan your perfect NYC trip, we've done the legwork for you, rounding up our personal favorite boutique hotels in New York City. Because when you're in one of the world's greatest cities, your stay should reflect the unique character and style of the place. As a final note, among some of the editor's old favorites, you'll find some new digs on this list too. Expect a contemporary retreat for the urbanites with "drop dead" views and one of the most iconic luxury stays in Manhattan that money can buy. Welcome to the good life. Updated August 2024: Our list just got even better with this old-money glam, Hotel Giraffe, and the Broadway chic, CIVILIAN Hotel. Take a peek.  RECOMMENDED:🇺🇸 View our full guide to the best hotels in NYC🏊‍♀️ Discover the best NYC hotels with pools🚶‍♂️ Check out the best thi

Few things in life are scarier than taking a penalty, but this spooky tour of Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium might be. From freaky face-painting to ghoulish games, there’ll be all sorts of Halloween-inspired activities for future Harry Kanes to get stuck into, culminating in a Halloween adventure around the stadium where they can search for all the hidden tricks and treats. There’ll even be a prize for the best spooky costumes (no Arsenal kits though, they’re far too scary!)  

Film fans are going to absolutely love this one. The director Edgar Wright is hosting a big old takeover at the BFI Southbank called ‘London After Dark’. Across October and November this year Wright’s takeover series will be a load of film screenings he's curated. But that's not all. They're not just a pick n mix of moving images. Oh no. This list of screenings is the exact list that has inspired his latest film ‘Last Night in Soho’. The idea being, you can sit there after dark in the lovely BFI Southbank and soak up all those films that have influenced Wright’s recent hit There are 17 screenings in total, with choices like ‘The Small World of Sammy Lee’, ‘Frenzy’, ‘Peeping Tom’, and more.

It's back! For just the second time ever, there's going to be a Brent Cross Winter Festival this year. Following on from the very well received 2019 winter festival, this year's instalment will be a great welcome back for the North-West Christmas festivities.  Despite being young, there's no shortage of attractions and activities to enjoy at the wonderland. From bars to bus rides, light displays to a giant observation wheel – the shopping center truly becomes a spot for all things Christmas cheer and quality time. Some of the main features you'll want to check out include the massive ice rink. We're talking one of the largest in London. Plus, and here's the good bit, it's indoors. So you can be sure the surface isn't getting washed out with that Dickensian winter rain. With the help of Santa’s little elves, you'll also find Santa Claus's Magical Grotto where children will be able to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. He's not flown over from the North Pole empty handed though, oh no. He's brought presents!  So come along, enjoy the festive season!   

Following the success of Winterfest in 2019, and a postponed event in 2020, Wembley Park’ will once again host Winterfest. On Thursday 25th November 2021, the festive (uh...) festival, will begin.  An official switch-on of London’s tallest LED tree at Wembley Park Boulevard will mark the start of the event, which contains a host of attractions and events (all visually focussed) which will run until January 4. The super-lit tree will also be the canvas for a series of brand-new digital artworks by Brent-based artist Yoni Alter. ‘City Lights’, will be made up of 100,000 kinetic lights which pulse to different rhythms and evoke the vibrancy and pace of a cityscape. That's a lot of light. Other attractions include ‘Reunion’, a unique light installation from Kumquat Lab, which will be unveiled in Market Square as a world exclusive. The idea of 'Reunion' is to celebrate us being able to interact after the pandemic. With this installation, light will become an interactive experience.  There will be other light installations and a photograph exhibition at Winterfest also. Plenty to see! 

水曜日の夜、ウェールズの首都であるカーディフを訪れたなら、行くべき場所は一つしかない。 街の中心部にあるヴェニュー「Porter's」だ。ここではコメディアンのライブやパブクイズも開催されるが、最近はウェールズのローカルラップシーンに一番触れられる場所として人気。れんがの壁とコンクリート床に囲まれた空間では、ドリルからグライム、ガラージからヒップホップまで、同シーンから生まれるあらゆるサウンドを楽しむことができる。 道路を挟んですぐの場所には、ストームジー、ケンドリック・ラマー、ニッキー・ミナージュなどのスターたちがコンサートを行ってきた「カーディフ・インターナショナル・アリーナ」がある。かたや「Porter's」のキャパは100人ほど。しかし、ここを震源地の一つとするウェールズの「地元産」ラップは沸々と話題を集め、最近広く知られるようになってきている。 この1年間で、「ディフ」（カーディフの短縮形）出身の若手ラップアーティストが世界中で聴かれるようになり、ストリーミング再生回数の「100万超え」も出始めた。 その中で、22歳のラッパー、ジュース・メナスは2022年の夏、ウェールズ女子サッカーチームの「2023 FIFA女子ワールドカップ」予選キャンペーンにオリジナルトラックを提供。28歳のメイス・ザ・グレートは、男子サッカーチームの成功を祝う、エネルギッシュで国を愛する気持ちを込めたトラックをリリースした。 かつてはオルタナティブやエモ、メタルを中心に扱ってきたカーディフのヴェニューも、ラップシーンの中で大いに注目を集めるようになった。例えば 歴史的にインディー音楽と関わりが強かった「Clwb Ifor Bach」は、今ではラッパーやグライムファンが集まるライブを頻繁に開催している。このことでも分かるようにウェールズラップは流行しており、その規模はますます大きくなっているといえる。  Photograph: Porter’s 過去にも注目されたウェールズのラップシーン ウェールズがラップシーンが盛んな国として注目されたのは、これが初めてではない。DJであり、ブームタウン・フェスティバルの元音楽ディレクター、そしてウェールズ国立博物館のために同地のヒップホップについての展示キュレーションを担当したカプチン・バレットは次のように振り返る。 「1980年代初頭、ウェールズではグランドマスター・フラッシュ・アンド・ザ・フューリアス・ファイヴなどの曲をかけるディスコDJがいました。この地域から、4DeeやMC Ericのようなアーティストがラッパーとして登場するようになったのは、数年後です」 MC Ericは、カーディフでジャマイカ人の両親のもとに生まれ育つ。兄のサウンドシステムに合わせて言葉をリズムに乗せるようになり、その後はよりダイレクトにヒップホップに関わっている。彼は1980年代後半に、テクノトロニックのメンバーとして、当時大ヒットして時代を象徴する曲となった「Pump Up the Jam」に参加したこともある。 1990年代後半から2000年代前半にかけても、ウェールズには同様の波が押し寄せた。グライムパンクバンドのAstroid Boysはおそらくその頃の最大の存在だったといえる。2012年、彼らは「Fire in the Booth」にも出演を果たし、フリースタイルパフォーマンスを披露した。 しかし、何組かを除けば、ウェールズの才能はほとんどアンダーグラウンドにとどまっていた。次の世代のウェールズラップのスターにマイクを渡す前に、火が

If you ever catch yourself in Cardiff on a Wednesday night, there’s only one place you should go. At Porter’s, a 100-capacity venue in the city centre, you’ll discover a thriving rap scene that rivals pretty much anything else in the country. From drill to grime, garage to hip-hop, you’ll hear it all in this brick-walled, concrete-floored bar, which also hosts live comedy and pub quizzes. It’s just across the road from the Cardiff International Arena, which has previously hosted stars like Stormzy, Kendrick Lamar and Nicki Minaj. But right here, in the Welsh capital, a cauldron of homegrown rap is bubbling – and it’s starting to spill its raw guts all over the place. Over the past year, young rap artists from the ’diff have played across the world and streams are starting to surpass the million mark. Last summer, 22-year-old rapper Juice Menace released an exclusive track for the Welsh women’s football team’s 2023 World Cup qualifier campaign, while Mace the Great, 28, released an energetic, patriotic track celebrating the men’s team’s successes. Venues that were once reserved for alternative, emo and metal are taking plenty of notice too: Clwb Ifor Bach, historically associated with indie music, now often puts on gigs filled with MCs and grime fans. Needless to say: Welsh rap is a thing, and it’s only getting bigger.  Venues once reserved for emo and metal are now putting on gigs filled with MCs and grime fans This isn’t Wales’s first rodeo as a nation with a vibrant rap sce

Let’s be honest: there’s nowhere in London where it's properly cheap to rent a room, but it turns out there are neighbourhoods where you can still get a space for less than £600. Want to get to know what they are, where they are and what they’re like? Look no further. Here are the key details to know – from parks and pubs to big supermarkets and transport connections.  10. Palmers Green, N13 Average room rent £598.What’s it like? A suburban area beyond Tottenham. Broomfield Park is nice. River Lee isn’t far away. Best places to eat and drink Cypriot cuisine rules these quarters, the food at Nissi is a prime example. Big supermarkets nearby There’s a Waitrose in a weirdly fancy building, a Sainsbury’s and a big Morrisons. Transport connections Arnos Grove is just outside the postcode. Otherwise, buses run to central, and Palmers Green station has Great Northern and Thameslink trains. 9. Upper Edmonton, N18 Average room rent £595.What’s it like? A bustling, diverse area with a big Ikea and 
an even bigger park (Pymmes).Best places to eat and drink Lincoln’s Patisserie is a gem. Hilal Restaurant does great Turkish food. And try Enfield Brewery for pints. Big supermarkets nearby A huge Lidl, with a car park and all the rest. Transport connections There’s Edmonton Green Overground, a couple of buses and national rail from Meridian Water to Stratford every half an hour. 8. Wanstead and Leytonstone, E11 Average room rent £592.What’s it like? A slice of east London, further out than

Adele is without doubt, one of the best celebrity Londoners to have ever existed. Born in Tottenham, raised in Brixton and West Norwood (after a brief spell down in Brighton) she's up there with chicken shops, the Southbank skaters and railway arches with fun things in them when it comes to our city’s finest achievements.  Community has clearly been on Adele's mind too. Last night, to mark the release of her new album ‘30’, the singer hosted an episode of ITV's ‘An Audience With’. It was by all accounts, an A-List event. Dame Emma Thompson, Stormzy, Emma Watson and plenty more were in the audience. Mainly ambivalent about my Britishness until I watch something like Adele in London Palladium with Emma Thompson tryna get everyone up on their feet and Stormzy being all shy asking a question and then I'm like oi oi saveloy — Bolu Babalola (@BeeBabs) November 21, 2021 More importantly, Adele also invited plenty of Londoners who lived through the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy, including firefighters who were at the scene, and NHS staff. They were all treated to performances by Adele from her new album alongside some of her most popular tracks from the previous three records. She even gave them a special shout out ("Grenfell oi oi") during the show.  The emotional surprises were also gifted to Adele herself, who was prompted by Emma Thompson to speak about one of her inspirations from childhood, an old teacher called Miss McDonald. Was Miss McDonald in the audience? Yo

Yup, it’s that time of the year once more! Sure, there are already mince pies in the supermarkets and mulled wine at the pub, but for many people the festive season truly begins when December arrives and we can start on our advent calendars. And for south-west Londoners that tradition has become larger than life. For the third year, Nine Elms is transforming into a massive neighbourhood advent calendar.    The area will be hosting a huge, sprawling art trail, organised by Nine Elms Art Ministry. Twenty-four venues will each host an art installation – so there will be literally 24 doors to open. This year the theme is Peace on Earth. The artists involved have responded to that with all manner of creative and innovative installations, including a giant vintage collage, a floating barge and a living forest (you’ll find that in New Covent Garden Market). Artists include Saskia Jiggens, Adalberto Lonardi and Michael Wallner – all of who were part of the event last year – and many others based in the borough and beyond.  You can visit the trail on foot, using a special map to navigate your way around all of the installations – and you can check out the two new tube stations in the area while you’re at it. The trail is also available online, should you not fancy the cold: Nine Elms Arts Ministry’s social media channels will highlight one venue, and its artist and installation, each day. The event will start on December 1 (duh) and the work will be up until January 5, but the online

Islington’s Union Chapel is a true cornerstone of its community. The late nineteenth-century Gothic-revival building has a place in the lives of many: worshippers go there for services (it is still a working church), audiences enjoy live entertainment there and homeless people use its drop-in centre. Times are tough, though. The chapel has, like so many other venues, lost a huge amount of its live-events income as a result of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions. With Covid cases still high across London, there’s still an uncertainty in the air when it comes to planning for its future. This isn’t stopping the Union Chapel from persisting with the expansion of its charity programmes, though. London’s most vulnerable need our help more than ever. Please join @frankturner @hornesection @TheMaeMartin @stephenkb in supporting our crowdfunder. Please watch. Watch donate. Please share.https://t.co/D9M1CKF71b — Union Chapel London (@UnionChapelUK) November 20, 2021 The issue is that 80 percent of the chapel’s charity income was earned through its events, so now it will need help from the generous public (that’s you!) to achieve its goal of accumulating £120,000 over the next 30 days. The campaign has already raised more than £5,000, with support from the likes of Frank Turner and Deborah Frances-White. The funds will go towards supporting the Union Chapel’s community work for the rest of 2021 and rebuilding the Grade II-listed Sunday school hall, turning it in

Christmas menus are great, aren't they? What says ‘oh my goodness I get some time off work soon’ better than a limited-edition lunch number from the lunch spot ten-yards away from your office? Nothing. Exactly. If you’re a little done with the usual supermarket/superchain fare though, Eggslut might offer something a little different this year. They've just announced their new seasonal items.  Let’s get deep into what they're cooking for a second. The Eggslut Christmas Sandwich is a brand-new creation. The heart of it is a turkey and sage patty with a 'Christmas spiced' butter, and the toppings are cranberry sauce, rocket, plus a quality fried egg (Clarence Court Burford Brown, for the egg heads among you) on top. All of which is slotted between two slices of a brioche bun from Bread Ahead. Nice. It comes in at £9.95. They’re also bringing back their non-alcoholic Eggnog drink (which is a fiver).  You can pick up the festive goods at their stores across London (there’s one in Portobello, Fitzrovia and Shoreditch) from December 2 (that's day two of the Advent Calendar!) and on Deliveroo. Customers who order via Deliveroo or click and collect on the eggslut app can redeem a free Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie with any sandwich and drink (when ordered together) also, for a bit of an extra treat. If you're thinking ahead to morning munching on the big day itself, the Fitzrovia branch will be open from 8am - 5pm on actual Christmas Day. Pretty ideal if you're the type to accidentally

Oxford Street usually unveils its Christmas lights first, but this year 20 streets across the West End, including Regent Street, Bond Street and areas in Mayfair and Piccadilly, all lit up in sync last week for what was the biggest switch-on in the world. Between them, they’re using more than a million LEDs. The Oxford Street display is brand new for this year, consisting mainly of nice calming stars, which make a lovely impact in the night sky. Pretty magical looking, really. As per, Bond Street’s installation is pretty stunning too, making use of opulent peacock motifs.  Instagrammers have been loving the lights too, with dozens of snaps already being uploaded to the grids. Here’s a little look at the photos people have taken. The lights should be on until early January. Best off seeing them at night-time, naturally.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by London UK 🇬🇧 (@its_so_london)   View this post on Instagram A post shared by م (@mmn.inldn) View this post on Instagram A post shared by 珍妮 (@jennie_zznnnn) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wellington Araújo (@wellington_anaju) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Magdalena Skorupa (@magdalena_skorupa_) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Delia (@youmenthesea)

Ever walked past that tiny kiosk near the Garrick Theatre? The little round one tucked under a lamp-post, that used to be a bit of haven for cheap, last-minute tickets to theatre and music shows across the city? Well if you have, and enjoyed it, you might be pleased to know it's up for grabs. How much? Oh just 3.3 million great British pounds, plus VAT. That's right, for more than three million pounds the kiosk could be yours. Tourist Island, it's known as. From the surface you might be scratching your head as to the price tag, as it's a mere 250 square foot on ground level, which is roughly the same size as a small (maybe very small) studio apartment. However, there's also a basement which is a much more spacious 1448 square feet (nearly six times the size), according to Metro. On the for sale sign it’s described as a freehold with 1700Sq ft of space, so the numbers add up. This also means you're paying around £1943 per square foot.  It's actually been on the market for eight months or so. Prompted by the freehold ending, TKTS presumably decided to pass the building onto another business, having taken their ticket sales online. They first used the space for ticket selling in 2011, and stopped operations in Spring 2021. The spot has recently been brought to attention as a result of good bants on the Facebook Group Londonist Urban Oddities, where people have speculated what the new function of ‘Iconic Island’ should be, and whether it'll end up on Grand Designs. While the top-

If you're looking for new things to do in London, here's an idea that'll help you ch-ch-change up your itinerary. A David Bowie pop-up shop has opened in near Soho.  Running from October 25 through to late January 2022, the ‘retail experience’ will have a load of drops, including signed memorabilia and other rare and unique merchandise. It's intended to be a place to celebrate the life of David Bowie, exploring his super-prolific and influential career across music, fashion and art.   At the store, fans are able to watch and listen to Bowie content for the first time, using immersive audio. There’s also hour upon hour of unseen behind-the-scenes footage and clips to enjoy. If that wasn’t enough, there’s an extensive gallery of photography and installations offering new insight into Bowie's career, so you’ll be wanting to visit time and time again.  Should you want to swing by, the shop is at 14 Heddon Street, not too far from Piccadilly Circus. Bit of trivia for you: This is a couple of doors away from where Bowie (well, Ziggy Stardust if we're being specific) posed for that moody late-night shot that became the album cover of ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’. If you're on the other side of the ocean, no worries, a sister shop is opening on 150 Wooster Street in downtown Manhattan. This spot is also significant, being near the house Bowie lived in while creating the final album he released during his lifetime, ‘Blackstar’.  The store is

Back in June 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd protests, Mayor Sadiq Khan announced The Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm. The initiative was founded to review and improve diversity and representation in public spaces across the capital, including statues and landmarks.  A little over a year on, a study (the first diligent one of its kind) has found that London has more statues of animals than it does of named women. The study also found that around 1 per cent of sculptures are dedicated to named people of colour, with just 0.2 per cent being named women of colour, as the Guardian has noted.  These (less than good) findings have prompted the mayor’s office to announce a £1m fund to help kick-start actual change across the city where representation in public spaces is concerned for "Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, women, LGBTQ+ communities and disabled people" a statement says. The initiative also extends to reviewing current landmarks, statues and street names across London, in a bid to decolonise the city we all live in together. As part of these efforts, grants of up to £25,000 are being made available for community-led groups that wish to remove and replace street names, building names, and memorials in their area that reference figures responsible for slavery and other events of oppression and colonialism.  The first round of Untold Stories grant applications opened on October 21 and will close on January 12, 2022. The applications are open t

Did you know that quite literally right next to Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, there’s a unique urban nature reserve? Well, there is! It’s called Camley Street Natural Park. It isn’t massive (clocking in at around a hectare) but it boasts a huge variety of habitats and wildlife that you can spend the day discovering and getting lost in.  Get ready, the canalside park includes: woodland, grassland and wetland habitats, such as meadow, ponds, marshy areas and reed beds. These diverse environments attract insects, amphibians, birds, mammals and hundreds of plant species. Quite the line-up!  The reserve has been a park since 1985, but its history dates back to the eighteenth century, when it was an industrial area. Until the 1960s the spot was used as a coal drop for the railways but it became derelict. Then it was colonised by nature, so the London Wildlife Trust campaigned to save the site from redevelopment, and succeeded. In December 2017 the park closed for reconstruction and reopened in September 2021. The makeover includes a new Visitor and Learning Centre featuring a café. Other improvements include better accessibility and interpretation, and there has also been ‘habitat enhancement’ work taking place.  Camley Street is also creating a butterfly and invertebrate bank, which is being worked on in collaboration with the park’s volunteers. So you might notice some differences there from one month to the next. Nice to have a new spot to walk to in central, isn't it?  Visit