Articles about London

London winters have met their match. Mama Shelter Shoreditch is returning with its Ski Club pop-up, transforming frosty mornings and snow-dusted daydreams into a cosy celebration throughout January and February 2026. Inspired by alpine cabins, crackling fires, and après-ski vibes, the pop-up offers...

London's magical seasonal steam train is getting ready to roll back into the capital, offering Londoners a rare chance to board a beautifully restored vintage locomotive for a festive voyage through the city. This year's journey once again features the historic 61306 Mayflower at the front – an engi...

The long-awaited National Cookie Day arrives on 4 December, bringing with it a welcome excuse to indulge in something sweet. This year, a small London bakery is preparing to mark the occasion by giving away hundreds of its popular NYC-style cookies.Chocolate Dino Bakery is an award-winning spot tuck...

London's LGBTQ+ nightlife is famed around the world, but there's more to the city than Soho clubs, with lots of different inclusive spaces, sights, and services available to queer individuals. From restaurants and bars flying the rainbow flag to gender-neutral hair salons and libraries delving into...

Swift Shoreditch, the award-winning cocktail bar that's already a hit amongst people who know their mezcal from their martinis, is opening its doors to a pop-up dedicated entirely to pickled onions. So, if you have ever looked at a jar of Garner's and thought you would happily drink the brine, this...

HOP Vietnamese has opened its latest site right by King's Cross St Pancras, bringing quick, tasty Vietnamese dishes to a part of London already spoiled for fast food. To celebrate the launch, HOP is giving away 500 free HOP Boxes from midday on Wednesday, 26 November. The menu sticks to what HOP doe...

Despite the Beer Orders of 1989, independent pubs in London still seem very much a dying breed, often being sold off or even shuttered due to rising economic costs. That said, there are still quite a few excellent London free houses standing their ground in order to offer the best of what a pub is s...

If you're a fan of festive feasting and sandwiches galore, this is one event you won't want to miss.The Christmas edition of Sarnie Party, a food festival that brings together top sandwich masters from across the UK, is setting up shop at Somerset House this Saturday to showcase the outrageously del...

The Big Cathedral Knit returns to Southwark Cathedral for a relaxed day of knitting, chatting, and crafting blankets for people experiencing houselessness in London. Visitors can drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm on 29 November to knit or crochet 20x20cm squares that will become part of Craft For...

London's Christmas shopping scene covers everything from classic bookshops to arts and crafts stores and big-name department stores, so it is easy to map out a route that suits how you like to browse. You can pick up cute stationery in Exmouth Market, handmade ornaments in Seven Dials or nostalgic t...

The London International Animation Festival celebrates the full breadth of animated filmmaking, highlighting that this art form truly has something for everyone. Founded in 2003, it has grown into the UK's biggest and longest-running animation festival, championing independent creators from across t...

If you've ever rolled your eyes at yet another plastic Big Ben or a mug with “I heart London” on it, you'll be pleased to know there's finally a place that gets it. Love and London has launched The London Souvenir Shop (That Doesn't Suck), a pop-up on D'Arblay Street packed with souvenirs made by ac...

This festive season, Mayfair institution Novikov is inviting patrons to enjoy a set Christmas lunch in the Italian dining area of the elegant restaurant. Not only is it a tasty option for a special holiday meal, it's great value for money as well.This festive set lunch menu invites you to settle in...

If you fancy kickstarting the festive season somewhere that feels a bit more fun than your average tinsel-filled lobby, Sea Containers is giving its spot on the South Bank a colourful little glow-up. The hotel has teamed up with Colours of Arley for this year's Christmas tree, which means you can ex...

London has always taken its pubs seriously, but the current Guinness boom has taken things to another level. If you're privy to splitting the G, you'll know exactly what we mean. Suddenly, everyone's talking about it, frantically searching for where to get a pint that actually settles properly. We'd...

Members of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons' Trust will lead this year's World AIDS Day commemoration, hosting an evening of remembrance with AIDS Memory UK. The event takes place on Monday 1 December at the historic Fitzrovia Chapel, a location closely linked to the history of those who died from HIV/AID...

South Bank and Waterloo might look busy at first, but there's plenty to do here that feels more relaxed than the main tourist trail. Once you step away from the riverside crowds, you'll find graffiti-filled tunnels, indie shops, small markets and quiet green spaces tucked between train tracks and cu...

Cutty Sark is throwing its annual Sea Shanty Festival this weekend, which marks the famous tea clipper's 156th birthday. It's a full day of maritime music with choirs, folk singers and shanty groups performing across the ship. Expect everything from traditional work songs to newer takes from groups...

If you are after something firmly in the cosy Christmas zone, “The Snowman” is back at the Peacock Theatre from this weekend. It is the Birmingham Rep's long-running stage version of Raymond Briggs' picture book and the classic animated film “The Snowman”, and it has become a yearly comfort watch fo...

If you are already thinking about sorting this year's Christmas tree, Big Penny Social in Walthamstow is worth a look. Its annual tree market opens on Friday and has become a bit of a neighbourhood tradition, feeling like a gentle early step into the festive season.The selection is all British-grown...

The Design Museum's latest exhibition, “Wes Anderson: The Archives”, showcases approximately 600 pieces from the director's personal collection, many of which have been rarely seen outside of storage. The museum is pitching it as its most popular exhibition yet, and that's a very fair assumption giv...

During the festive season, the Blooming British Afternoon Tea will add a dash of festive charm to its treats for one of the top Christmas afternoon tea experiences in London.Served in the pretty Hyde Café at the luxurious Royal Lancaster hotel next to Hyde Park, the Blooming British Afternoon Tea is...

Pizza Pilgrims is closing out the year by doing what it does best: opening more places to eat pizza. After spending the past year expanding across the UK and publishing their latest cookbook, 'Pizza Napoli', the brothers are heading back to where it all started. Their original Soho pizzeria is reope...

Sael in St James's Market is getting into the festive spirit with a season of indulgent dining, private parties, and late-night drinks. The Michelin-recommended restaurant, known for its woodfire British cuisine, is hosting celebrations across its elegant dining spaces and swanky upstairs speakeasy,...

Hi-fi listening bars are all the rage in London these days. Inspired by the jazz kissa bars of Japan, these relaxed, stylish listening lounges offer serious audiophiles and casual listeners alike the opportunity to enjoy a lovingly curated vinyl collection served via a state-of-the-art sound system....

Soho restaurant 64 Old Compton Street is hosting a special one-day giveaway to celebrate one month until Christmas. The restaurant will offer 100 free portions of its new Pigs in Blankets Ragu to take away. The Pigs in Blankets Ragu takes the house gnocchi ragu and makes it festive. Soft handmade po...

Daly's has made a comeback, and it's had quite the glow-up. The long-loved wine bar opposite the Royal Courts of Justice has reopened as Daly's Wine Bar & Beer Hall, giving Londoners two very different reasons to stop by. Upstairs, it's all polished glasses and chatter over Malbec, but head downstai...

The founders of the popular Pub in the Park festival series are returning with a new venture.Now under new ownership, Pub in the Park is set to skip London next year, but don't worry – there's already a new festival on the way to fill the void. Launched by the founders of Pub in the Park, Sound Bite...

South Bank and Waterloo are two of those London areas where you can finish a riverfront walk, step out of a matinee or come off the train and be surrounded by lovely lunch options. This area of the city has everything, from casual pubs and open-air market stalls to sleek riverside restaurants, offer...

The annual display of illuminated white roses, dedicated to memories of lost loved ones, has a new home this winter.Usually found in Mayfair, the Ever After Garden has relocated to Duke of York Square in Chelsea due to ongoing works in its previous home this year. Despite the new setting, the instal...

Widely considered one of the best jazz festivals in the world, EFG London Festival kicks off this week for ten days of acts by some of the biggest names of the jazz world.The biggest pan-city music festival in Europe, the annual EFG London Jazz Festival is more than just a programme – it's an opport...

This November, whisky lovers and industry insiders will gather at Christ Church Spitalfields for The World Whisky Experience hosted by the IWSC, a curated exploration of the most highly awarded and exciting whiskies from around the globe. Drawing on the latest International Wine & Spirit Competition...

Between The Bridges is officially kicking off Christmas early this year, with the return of Electric Winter from Friday, 14 November. The South Bank spot is going all out again, with twinkly lights, winter markets, live music, DJs and a brand new festive neighbour, Wunder Bar, opening right next doo...

With a total of seven Michelin stars earned across six restaurants worldwide, it's fair to say Jason Atherton is firmly among the best in the business. When Pollen Street Social opened in 2011, it wasn't just another restaurant — it was the place to eat, earning a star within six months. Fast forwar...

Boxhall City in Liverpool Street hangout is giving out 1,000 free pints for one night only, and the rules are surprisingly simple. Turn up, say the words "pint please", and walk away with a Madrí Excepcional or a Guinness. No app sign-ups or awkward loyalty cards, just a polite request and a cold dr...

Dust off the studded belts and butterfly clips, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club is throwing it back to the turn of the millennium with a full-blown Y2K party. Expect nostalgic chaos, featuring pop icons like Britney and Christina, as well as the peak 2000s band energy courtesy of Busted, McFly, and...

Pictograms are everywhere, which is probably why we rarely think about them. Street signs, door symbols, train platforms, your phone keypad, they quietly keep the world moving. Japan House's latest exhibition takes a closer look at this universal visual language and the role Japan has played in shap...

The Tower of London has been filled with tens of thousands of red ceramic poppies since May, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. The display runs until 11 November, making it a fitting visit around Remembrance Sunday.Almost 30,000 poppies from the original artwork are returning,...

Carnaby Street's Christmas lights are making their return, which means Soho is slowly slipping back into festive mode. The street is known for switching up its design every year, and this year's display is no exception. This year, 'All Is Bright' is part of Carnaby's five-year plan to reuse its LED...

South Bank and Waterloo might be better known for theatres, galleries and tourists trailing along the river, but the pub scene here has plenty going for it. You get riverside spots perfect for long summer afternoons and backstreet locals that still feel like proper neighbourhood secrets. It is an ar...

Waterloo might make you think of ABBA, heroic battles, or just trying to escape the station at rush hour, but it is also packed with cafés to get your caffeine and pastry fix. This pocket of central London has everything from tiny South Bank takeaway hatches serving flat whites to hip riverside hang...

Novikov's Mayfair Christmas Market 2025 is making a return, bringing festive food, cocktails, and shopping to Mayfair. The best bit? This much-anticipated market is totally free to enter.Expect a generous spread of luxurious comfort food, like pasta tossed in a Parmesan wheel, tender porchetta, lobs...

Mazarine, the latest project from Khaled Dandachi and Fred Srouchi (the duo behind Sparrow Italia), is set to open on Hanover Square later this month, bringing a slice of coastal France to central London.Headed up by Thierry Laborde, whose résumé includes stints at Le Gavroche, LPM, and Monaco's thr...

After years of speculation, Guinness is finally getting a proper London home, and it's a biggun'. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery will open its doors in Covent Garden on December 11, transforming the historic Old Brewer's Yard into a 54,000-square-foot playground for beer lovers, foodies, and cult Gu...

Get ready for the ultimate New Year's Eve experience at Mama Shelter—a celebration that's bigger, brighter, and bursting with nostalgia. Why ring in just one year when you can relive them all?From the 1970s to the 2000s, Mama's taking you on a decade-hopping journey packed with disco balls, neon lig...

Throughout November, the elegant Novikov restaurant in Mayfair is shining a spotlight on the seasonal white truffle – particularly on Thursday evenings, when they'll take things up a notch to create an elevated experience for their guests.Between 6 and 11pm every Thursday in November, Novikov will b...

The St James's Motoring Spectacle returns to London's Pall Mall on Saturday, bringing more than 130 cars and displays to the heart of the city. Organised by the Royal Automobile Club, this free family event celebrates motoring past, present, and future, serving as the curtain-raiser to the following...

Beloved star of book and film Paddington Bear is taking to the stage in a brand-new musical production at the Savoy Theatre this November.The story of a small bear from Peru lost in London and finding a new family has charmed millions around the world, whether in its original literary form or the hu...

Marking 100 years since the invention of the photobooth in New York, the “Strike a Pose! 100 Years of the Photobooth” exhibition at the Photographers' Gallery celebrates a century of spontaneous self-portraiture.First introduced in 1925, photobooths transformed photography by making it accessible to...

The St Andrew's Book Festival, London's largest celebration of Scottish literature and culture, has unveiled the full programme for its second edition, taking place across multiple venues from 26–30 November 2025.Founded by Scots in London, the festival brings together acclaimed authors, poets, poli...