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Ever heard of ‘competitive socialising’? Unlike the name suggests, it’s not a challenge to make as many friends as you can in a short space of time. In fact, it's about having a laugh with your mates over some high-energy, team-based activities. It’s a huge trend in London right now – and you can get involved right here. The Play-Offs are the UK’s first competitive socialising weekender taking place at Brent Cross Town – London’s newest neighbourhood, designed to get everyone moving with 50 acres of parks, sports and playing fields (hence this event!). Expect a new two-day ‘sport and play’ showcase packed with exciting team-based activities like high ropes, climbing walls and baseball. Not a natural athlete? Don’t worry. You don’t need to be a pro to take part: just enter a team and compete with your friends.    Photograph: Brent Cross Town By the way, it doesn’t stop there. Other sports making up the Play-Offs include Batak Pro, Bungee Run, Catch It and the ‘Last One Standing’ challenge. The big one though? Chase Tag, which is a combination of parkour and tag (yes, the playground game). Grab a pal and take part yourself – or sit back and watch Chase Tag professionals compete in the International Chase Off, featuring some of the best teams from around the world, including the reigning world Champions, Hollywood Freerunners from LA. Participants can enter in teams of two or four and a leaderboard will mean you can track your team’s performance (yes, prizes will be up for gra

What are you doing on Saturday, August 23? Joining us at our pop-up event in King’s Cross, of course! On the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend, you’ll find a cool place to relax with your mates in between your busy day out in London. Not only is it a cool place to wind down in the summer heat, but there are also fun activities to try, including a game where you’ll have a chance to win some great prizes!  We’re creating this space in partnership with Gaviscon, ideal for your summer outings to help stop heartburn in its tracks.  Gaviscon is great to have on-hand this summerGaviscon gets to work in seconds to relieve seven symptoms of heartburn and indigestion (sour taste, acid reflux, bad breath*, throat burning, chest burning, stomach burning and stomach discomfort), helping you go out and explore the best of the city. *Associated with acid reflux Gaviscon Double Action Chewable Tablets/Oral Suspension for Heartburn & Indigestion. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL.  Find out more about Gaviscon here.

This summer, we’re hosting a colourful pop-up experience to listen, explore and share in moments of feel-good connection through music. That includes some seriously blissful DJ sets and performances from rising musicians – handpicked by UD Music. But who are they? Well, UD Music is an organisation that aims to educate, empower and create life opportunities for young people inspired by the sounds, words and rhythms of Black music culture. Whether musicians are on their first steps into music, breaking into notoriously competitive creative environments, or on the cusp of making it big, UD provides the tools they need, from confidence-building to creating structures to build on opportunities and form networks. Here’s a little more info on the organisation and how you can support them. Photograph: Saadiq T/UD Music What does UD Music do? With 25 years of experience in nurturing and supporting Black and culturally diverse artists, it serves as a bridge between burgeoning talent and the music industry. ‘It's overarchingly talent development, and it's enabling young people to believe that a career in music could be for them, particularly young people who don't have access to resources and networks,’ says founder Pamela McCormick MBE. Since UD’s inception in 2000, it’s worked tirelessly to ensure young people get the resources and space to create and explore their potential. In fact, in 2023, UD was named a National Youth Music Organisation by Arts Council England, affirming it as

If you’re looking for a new place to call home in leafy north London, look no further: Brent Cross Town is where it’s at. This vibrant new neighbourhood will have a new high street filled with great restaurants, bars and shops as well as world-class sports facilities to complement the modern homes and offices on offer. With an ethos that has sustainability at its core, the new park town has 50 acres of green space. Oh, and if that’s not enough, the fact you’re an easy 15 minutes from King’s Cross St Pancras International on Thameslink might just do the trick. Because let’s be honest, Londoners love nothing more than a well-connected home hub.  Want to experience Brent Cross Town for yourself? Head to Summer in the Park (on now until August 31), a fantastic free summer programme of events, workshops and activities, for both kids and adults. From Friday basketball sessions to Saturday morning yoga and a whole lot of arts and crafts workshops in between, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, get excited for The Play-Offs, the UK's first free competitive socialising weekender, on September 13-14.

There’s nowhere quite like London in the summer. Everyone’s in a good mood, the smell of baking asphalt drifts through the city, and there’s music playing everywhere. It’s glorious. And this summer, to tie in with the capital’s sunny spirit, we’ve teamed up with Westfield London to put on a colourful pop-up experience in Westfield Square that invites everyone to listen, explore and share in moments of feel-good connection through music.  Photograph: Jake Darling We’ve gone through our contact list and invited some of the UK’s most promising DJs and performers to fill the space, with UD Music taking over our Saturday sessions. The non-profit works with young people to build connections through Black music culture, while also providing you, the visitor, with some top-tier entertainment. This is what’s coming up at Sounds of the Summer, and why you should make your summer days out even more blissful, with a trip to Westfield London. And when you’re looking for refreshment? Westfield London has over 90 restaurants to explore, many of which offer outdoor seating, meaning you can feast on all kinds of summer specials in an alfresco setting. From grab-and-go bites at Sushi Dog to Flat Iron’s barbecue dinners, there’s plenty to enjoy when the music finishes.

There’s something about the summer that makes you want to drift around the city, plugged into your favourite playlist (cue, ‘Headphones on’ by Addison Rae), soaking up the vibe of a surprisingly content capital city. If you fancy hearing some seriously blissful sounds IRL, you can catch live DJs, roaming entertainment and rising artists from UD Music ay Sounds of the Summer. UD Music is an organisation that aims to educate, empower and create life opportunities for young people inspired by the sounds, words and rhythms of Black music culture. Whether musicians are on their first steps into music, breaking into notoriously competitive creative environments, or on the cusp of making it big, UD provides the tools they need, from confidence-building to creating structures to build on opportunities and form networks. You can read more about what they’re doing here. Don’t miss our series of summertime events, taking place at Wesfield London until August 26, which offer you the chance to listen, explore and share in moments of feel-good connection through music. Wondering what to listen to on your way there? Our friends at UD Music have got you covered.  Photograph: Courtesy of the artist Victoria Ho Justin Bieber – ‘YUKON’ Kehlani – ‘Folded’ Tyla – ‘IS IT’ Flames Collective – Just One Minute Photograph: Courtesy of the artist Rio Sterling Jalen Ngonda – ‘If You Don’t Want My Love’ Slum Village, John Legend & Kanye West – ‘Selfish’ The Isley Brothers - ‘(At Your Best) You Are Lo

Let’s be honest, everyone loves a pink drink, and there's something about those bright shades of pink that makes everything feel a bit fresher! And now you can get your hands on one from the world’s renowned lemon-lime brand, 7UP. In celebration of the brand-new 7UP Pink Lemonade, 7UP is bringing its uplifting ‘Pink Refresh Windows’ – think bold pink murals with a pop-up surprise window – to the streets of London, Manchester and Liverpool. Lifting people’s spirits with the beautiful wall art (and the chance to win some fun surprises), the pop-up will also be serving up complimentary serves of 7UP Pink Lemonade.  Inspired by a recent study, which showed that 88 percent of Brits say that adding colour to vibrant surroundings instantly lifts their mood*, this thoughtful activation from 7UP is not only a summer photo op, but a great way to lift your spirits.  So what’s the deal with this new drink? A stunning addition to the 7UP Zero Sugar range, 7UP Pink Lemonade is a refreshingly tantalising, zero-sugar thirst-quencher bursting with flavour – best enjoyed ice-cold as the perfect summer drink that leaves you feeling refreshed! What is it?The ‘7UP Pink Refresh Windows’ are a unique pink pop-up designed to surprise and delight. Each window will sit within a striking pink mural. A brand ambassador is positioned in the window, inviting passers-by to take part in a playful card-picking game, with each card to reveal a treat – whether it’s a refreshing 7UP Pink Lemonade mocktail or bo

If you’re looking to enjoy some of the best the West End has to offer this summer (and find epic deals to go with), we’ve got you covered. Our pals at Official London Theatre are bringing you a range of special offers, including up to 50 percent off top musicals, plays and entertainment, as well as their annual Kids Week initiative, where kids can go free to the theatre all summer long. Keen to support the theatre industry? Run by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), a not-for-profit organisation that's been championing theatre since 1908, your next theatre ticket will also contribute to their work in making theatre more accessible for everyone.  Photograph: Official London Theatre All you need to do is stroll up to their ticket booth in Leicester Square and let their award-winning team of theatre experts take care of you, or hop online and book your tickets. Supporting a great initiative while saving money on entertainment? Sounds like a win-win to us. Every ticket you buy through Official London Theatre helps keep London’s theatre scene thriving for generations to come. Join us in championing the magic of live performance and be part of London’s incredible theatre community. Keen to know more about those special offers this summer? Let’s take a look.

For decades, White City has been at the heart of the UK's cultural life thanks to Television Centre. Up until 2013, the biggest names in arts and showbiz headed to the private BBC Television Centre to record legendary TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who and Faulty Towers. It was a secret world of the stars. Skip to 2025 and the walls are down, the iconic Television Centre has been redeveloped and is now open to the public and bursting with culture. Today, Television Centre still continues its legacy as a creative hub for Londoners, but it’s not just television anymore – it’s music, arts, sports, food and everything in between. It's home to the Electric Cinema, member's club Soho House, busy gastropub The Broadcaster, Caribbean farm shop The Black Farmer, coffee connoisseurs Flying Horse Cafe, and incredibly the site still has three working TV Studios where you can catch recordings of shows like Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross and QI. This summer, Television Centre is throwing a line-up of free events, called Television Centre Live, that are the perfect reason to visit this bustling London landmark. You can expect an explosion of culture and local creative west London talent, all free and open to the public. Here are some highlights.

There are plenty of reasons why the Caribbean islands are a bucket list destination for so many people: the beautiful white sands and the clear waters, the welcoming cultures and the fantastic food and drink. So to experience all of this and more for yourself (and finally get that bucket list item ticked off), here’s your chance to win a glorious 14-night getaway to the Eastern Caribbean islands, with P&O Cruises. Keep scrolling to find out how to enter! You’ll sail on board stunning Arvia – specially designed for sailing in warmer climates – heading to Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortola, Grenada and more. Between exploring all of these amazing destinations, you’ll enjoy everything Arvia has to offer. Take in the truly breathtaking ocean scenery or the starry night sky in the SkyDome, and be entertained with everything from live comedy to karaoke and acrobatic shows. Plus, the prize includes return flights from UK, everything you need to jet straight to paradise! Food and drink on board is just as varied. With over 30 bars and restaurants to choose from, you can enjoy a slice of home with a traditional afternoon tea, discover the flavours of India at Sindhu, or try out some tapas at The Glass House. If you’re looking to chill out, why not unwind poolside at one of the ship’s four pools, or check into the spa? Or if something action-packed is more your style, you could try out a shore experience with P&O Cruises – take a catamaran to snorkel in Bridgetown, Barbados, or t

Under an hour from London lies one of the most important historic sites of the twentieth century, and we highly recommend experiencing this 12 acre site, with 11 fascinating buildings, for yourself. Throughout the Second World War, Bletchley Park was home to Britain’s top-secret codebreakers, including Alan Turing, whose work changed the course of the war and laid foundations for the digital age. These days, you can immerse yourself in its history, learn how the codes were broken and discover how the crucial work at Bletchley Park influenced modern-day technology. Here are five reasons why we’re going this summer. 

For all its huge international success, it doesn’t get more Scottish than Johnnie Walker whisky. The world’s leading blended whisky – as in, Johnnie Walker Red has been the most popular blended Scotch since the ’40s – has a must-visit immersive experience slap bang in the centre of Edinburgh. Johnnie Walker Princes Street is home to a lavish whisky experience that has played host to over a million visitors since opening its doors in September 2021.  The Johnnie Walker Experience is far more than just an opportunity to sample top-tier whiskies. It’s a hub for the type of theatrical whisky tasting that nobody should leave Scotland without visiting. Maybe you’re here on a full-on holiday and it’s exactly the sort of Scotch-based tourism you came to the country looking for specifically. Maybe you’re up for the Fringe and weren’t thinking of doing any ‘tourism’ but actually this fits in perfectly. Heck, maybe you’re a local who just hasn’t got around to it yet: it is, after all, a fairly new attraction. Photograph: Talha Imam Immerse yourself on the Journey of FlavourCentral to The Johnnie Walker Experience is the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour, an immersive theatrical experience that’s much more than just a tour. Beginning with a quiz to establish your flavour profile, over the course of 90 minutes you’ll receive three cocktails – or neat whisky if you want – that are matched to your tastes. Think you don’t like whisky? Well there’s going to be something here for you, and yo