Rose Johnstone

There’s something particularly magical about Christmas in London, but if you want to feel really festive, head to Regent Street and St James’s. This area in central London is home to the longest-running festive light display in London, ‘The Spirits of Christmas’, which will be lighting up the city from November 9. As well as a dazzling display, you’ll find brilliant shops, restaurants and cultural spots, making Regent Street and St James’s the perfect place for a festive day out and getting all your Christmas shopping done without having a meltdown. And remember: if you need a little nature break, serene St James’s Park is just minutes away. Need some inspiration to get you started? Here’s our pick of the best gifts for everyone from foodies to fitness fans.

Photograph: The Crown Estate Christmas is the best time for people-watching 'Let’s get one thing straight first: I may be a pigeon, but there’s nothing uncouth about me. I’m fabulous! We pigeons who call Regent Street and St James’s home pride ourselves on our beautiful iridescent green and purple feathers, our keen eyesight and our peerless navigational skills. But at Christmastime, not even I can compare to the spectacle of the lights. The famous ‘Spirits of Christmas’ brighten up Regent Street and St James’s – and unlike you humans, I get to fly right up to these glittering angels and get a properly good view of the streets below. And let me tell you, some of you look very amusing indeed with your mouths agape, looking back up at the lights! My tip: admire the lights, but keep an eye on what’s in front of you.’  Photograph: The Crown Estate It pays to follow your beak We pigeons have an excellent sense of smell. I can tell you that there’s nowhere better for olfactory delights than the Quadrant Arcade. If I’m careful, I can pop into the art deco arcade without being shooed away, and enjoy the scents of amazing candles by Earl of East and MALIN+GOETZ, and perfumes at Creed. Then it’s a short fly away to Bulbous behind St James’s Church, where the flowers are almost as pretty as my plumage. Of course there are also the delicious-smelling restaurants and cafés, which leads me to…’ Photograph: The Crown Estate It’s all about the food I'm always pecking about for snacks – 

What would appear on your perfect city break checklist? Beautiful streets you can easily get lost in? Unparalleled food and drink, a thriving cultural and music scene and strong local pride? Unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else? Well, put your passport away – you only need to travel as far as vibrant, compact Leeds.  Whether you’re looking  to soak up the atmosphere of the city, sip independently brewed beer in a heritage pub, eat Michelin-starred food or watch undiscovered bands in eclectic venues, the Yorkshire city has some of the best music, art and food scenes in the country. It's a place where cutting-edge, world-class culture sits beside a fiercely independent spirit – and all within easy reach of breathtaking countryside. Now LNER and Visit Leeds are giving you the chance to win an exclusive trip that will let you get under the skin of this fascinating place.  What you can win LNER and Visit Leeds are giving away two First Class train tickets to Leeds where the lucky winners will be treated to a luxury stay in The Dakota, alongside a wealth of fabulous experiences including theatre tickets, a food tour around the city, a shopping experience at Victoria Leeds, and meals in the best restaurants Leeds has to offer. Phew. Simply fill in your details below to enter.  This competition has closed. Check out our other competitions here.  Terms and conditions apply Photograph: LNER Getting thereThe answer is simple: an LNER train. Not only is it the fastest way

The florist scene in San Diego is better than ever. Budding new independent retailers are sprouting up (see what we did there?) all over the county, and if you are in a hurry, many florists offer same-day delivery. So if you're searching for gorgeous petals to surprise your loved one with, you're in luck. There is prompt delivery, so you'll never have to wake up on the day and panic-jog to a nearby gas station and pick up some wilted Roses that look sweatier than you. Want to select some blooms that are native to the area? Try California Poppies, Hummingbird Trumpets, Lewisias, Pacific Coast Irises, Coast Indian Paintbrush, Common Thrift, or Yarrows. Chances are they won't have to travel far to reach their recipient, meaning they will stay fresh longer. We’ve picked a bunch of our favorite florists, all of whom deliver throughout the San Diego region. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

As the evenings draw in and the air grows chillier, the sparkling allure of Christmas starts to call to us. It’s not only visions of hot chocolates and Santa that dance through our heads, but anticipating spending time with the people we love. The festive season is a time full of wonder and nostalgia, which is why the chance to win the ultimate Chrissmassy experience for you and a friend in Marylebone Village is a must on your ‘to-do’ list. Merry Marylebone to you! The incredible prize means you will spend a splendidly festive weekend in gorgeous surroundings, be thoroughly pampered, wined and dined while you are there, and showered with luxurious festive gifts. Just imagine winning an overnight stay for two with a sumptuous breakfast at the vibrant new hotel, The BoTree (subject to availability). The hotel is just a moment away from Marylebone Village, where you’ll host a private Christmas party with drinks and canapés at cocktail bar The Clubhouse at The Coach Makers Arms pub. Photograph: BoTree Hotel To feel your best for your party, you’ll have a private PT session for you and your friend at AMP, enjoy supreme manicures and medical pedicures for you both at Margaret Dabbs London and a cut and blow dry experience for two at Atherton Cox (worth £200). As the prize winner, you’ll also be gifted a pair of Forget Me Not Recycled Gold Hoops from Dinny Hall, select your choice of stylish trainers from Allbirds, then choose whether to spoil yourself or another special person wi

Autumn is in full swing. We’re digging out those thermals, layering up leather jackets and finding our much-beloved mittens that have survived many a winter. And it seems the city is getting just as giddy about the changing of the seasons as we are. As the temperature drops and the nights draw in, London lights up with fantastic cultural events, quirky activities and stunning spectacles. And the fastest way to get to all of them? The Elizabeth line. Everyone’s favourite purple transport hub is incredibly popular, thanks to the ease and speed it allows Londoners to get around. You can get free wi-fi on platforms, while the air conditioning makes the journey even more comfortable. Discover our guide to great outings on the Elizabeth line this autumn.

As the seasons change, we all get that itch to escape the city's hustle and bustle. Thoughts of piers, fairgrounds, cosy country pubs, magnificent seafood, and endless shopping sprees fill our heads. Ahh, blissful. So why not take the plunge and book a UK staycation to Somerset, Devon, or Cornwall? These regions are renowned for their stunning coastline, quaint villages, and picturesque countryside, making them perfect for a coastal escape or a rural retreat.  However, choosing the perfect getaway can be a bit of a head-scratcher. If you're planning a trip to the seaside, finding the right place to stay can take your stay to the next level. Whether it's traditional cottages right on the beach or secluded treehouses (yes treehouses) nestled in the countryside, having a comfortable place to rest your head is essential, especially when you consider the unpredictable British weather. To make things easier, we've done the legwork for you and rounded up the best home-away-from-home options in Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall – the sparkling gems of the Southwest. So, whether you're after a unique coastal retreat or a spacious townhouse for you and seven of your closest pals, Airbnb has got you covered. RECOMMENDED: 🏠 Check out the best Airbnbs in the UK💕 Looking for an intimate escape? Explore the best romantic weekend getaways in the UK🏞️ Explore the most beautiful national parks in the UK🏖️ Discover the best seaside towns in the UK Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in e

Ah, the countryside – wide-open pastures, fluffy clouds, walking routes to nowhere, and those seriously epic pub lunches. It really is hard to beat a weekend getaway in the rolling hills of England (if the weather cooperates) and the Peak District is no different. Whether you're up for a hiking adventure in the area’s National Park (which is England's oldest by the way) or just want to mosey around historic towns and villages, a holiday in Derbyshire's Peak District is most definitely the answer. You'll stumble upon everything from grand old homes to thrilling bike trails and rock-climbing spots. And there's no shortage of places to eat and drink either. Trust us, you won't be bored when exploring this stunning part of the country. If you're ready to pull the trigger and book a little UK staycation, we've rounded up the cream of the crop when it comes to Airbnbs in the area. These cosy spots are perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure – think warm log fires, endless views of green fields, and beds so comfy you'll want to stay in them forever. And if travelling with a large group, there's even a massive pub you can rent out – you'll just need 33 pals to share it with, and we’ll be impressed if you have 33 friends. RECOMMENDED: 🏠 Discover the best Airbnbs in the UK❄️ Check out the cosiest places to stay in the UK this winter💕 Looking for an intimate escape? Explore the best romantic getaways in the UK🏞️ Explore the most beautiful national parks in the UK Who makes the

A fun family break in the UK shouldn’t have to be planned like an elaborate military operation, every detail locked down months in advance. Whether we’re talking Christmas, New Year or heck, this weekend, you can still go away and have a properly nice time. In fact, it turns out that more of us are latching on to the spontaneous travel trend. In a recent study*, around 10 million domestic trips per year were more spontaneous (post-Covid).  Often, our number one worry is that last-minute plans equal disappointing or unreliable accommodation, but Hilton hotels – one of the most trusted names in the biz – prides itself on an abundance of high-quality rooms and top-notch service. Yep, it’s spontaneity without the risk, the way it should be!  Here are some ideas for great spontaneous family breaks across the UK, plus a suggestion of the ideal Hilton to stay in to ensure your last-minute trip will still feel like a proper treat. *Opinium research survey, July 2023 (surveying 2,000 UK adults).

Yes, we're moving deeper into autumn, but if you're yet to start planning a pre-Christmas getaway, don't fret! You're actually not alone. In fact, as a nation we are becoming more spontaneous in our holiday planning. A recent study* has shown that over 75 percent of the UK population is swapping meticulous planning for last-minute booking.  Here's more good news: with Hilton, it's easy to be spontaneous in your travels. As a hotel chain with thousands of rooms, a huge range of choice and central locations, you could simply decide mid-week on a weekend getaway. And, you can bank on warm, friendly service, comfy furnishings and all the amenities you could need.  So what are you waiting for? Below, you'll find fun ideas for autumnal getaways that you won't need to book months in advance. Introduce some spontaneity into your seasonal antics and treat yourself, your partner or the family to a trip out that really feels special.  *Opinium research survey, July 2023 (surveying 2,000 UK adults).

In an ideal world, you’d be the type of urbane, highly successful, sophisticated person-about-town who doesn’t go a day without eating in a top-tier London restaurant. You know the types: national treasures waxing lyrical about Mayfair brasseries on ‘Off Menu’; chefs on talk shows reflecting on a perfect pasta dish that they couldn’t live without ordering “at least once a week”.  Time to be realistic. We can’t eat out every night – and in fact, there are loads of benefits to staying in and cooking up a storm at home. Not only will you stay warm on a chilly night, but you’ll learn new skills! Impress your loved ones! Make enough to save leftovers!  Thankfully, numerous London restaurants have released the recipes to some of their most popular dishes online and in recipe books. Below, you’ll find some of our favourites.  This feature is brought to you by Sky Bingo, bringing exciting times to your Time In. 18+. BeGambleAware.org.

It’s official: summer is over. We had a good run, but it seems we’re now paying for the early October heatwave by bypassing autumn completely and fast-forwarding straight to winter and for the foreseeable. The budding blooms of spring are a distant memory; the only signs of a sunbaked summer are your fading T-shirt tan lines.  While the odd Christmas lights display or bright start to a November day will momentarily thaw the frostiness, it’s not a stretch to say that the concrete and glass-heavy buildings of London take on a particularly grey hue at this time of year. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept the bleakness or hibernate from happiness. In fact, adding some nature into your life is proven to improve your physical and mental health. It doesn’t have to involve a trip to a park or schlepping out to the green spaces on London’s outskirts either. Research shows that just five minutes spent connecting with nature boosts mood and well-being, and it can be as simple as buying some fresh-cut flowers or adding some houseplants to your home (finally, a scientifically-backed reason to splurge your savings at Columbia Road market this Sunday). Despite how straightforward it is to get your flora and fauna fix though, The Joy of Plants and Funny How Flowers Do That – initiatives by the Flower Council of Holland – have found that Brits aren’t getting enough nature in their lives. To highlight this issue for busy city-dwellers, these brands have collaborated with digital artist R

Think the past couple of years have been rough? Try surviving a Martian invasion only to be captured by an enormous fighting machine and having your blood harvested, ‘The Matrix’-style, in a stifling capsule. That’s the 1898 envisaged by H.G. Wells in his pioneering sci-fi thriller ‘The War of the Worlds’, which was then adapted by Jeff Wayne in his 1978 prog sci-fi album, which imbues Wells’s Victorian tale with rock-opera camp and steampunk kitsch. It’s this rather Marmite pop culture relic that forms the basis of this immersive theatre experience. It launched back in 2019, but it’s changed a fair bit since then. Presumably, techy immersive theatre company Layered Reality has finessed the VR and AR (augmented reality) tech, because now it’s slick AF. In fact, at times it’s terrifying… in the best possible way.  Take for example the moment that I stood, ensconced in a VR-enhanced Fighting Machine capsule, and felt something actually pinch me. I screamed into what (through my VR goggles) I perceived as a hellish Martian human-blood farm. I heard other screams in the distance – my fellow survivors in the booths beside me.  But it’s not all jump scares. The 24 scenes that make up the experience are incredibly varied; as per Jeff Wayne’s album, we follow the path of The Journalist, starting with his first glimpse through a telescope of noxious green gas emerging from Mars. We duck through tunnels, climb through windows and ride hot air balloons, encountering actors who are, for

Before Gaga, before Princess Diana, before Kylie, before Barbra… there was Judy. The 1939 musical fantasy film ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is more central to queer culture than ‘Drag Race’ will ever be. But beloved by ‘friends of Dorothy’ as the MGM classic is, perhaps 2022 calls for a retelling; one where the Lion is into BDSM, Dorothy is non-binary and the Wicked Witch whips out a banging rendition of ‘Rolling in the Deep’. ‘The Witches of Oz’ is the second show at The Vaults written and directed by London artist ShayShay. It comes right off the back of their hugely successful ‘Mulan Rouge’: a riotously funny queer mashup of Disney’s ‘Mulan’ and Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Moulin Rouge’.  ‘Mulan Rouge’ fizzed with originality. ShayShay’s choice to give the Disney film the treatment its LGBTQ+ fans didn’t even know they wanted – bringing the film’s trans and bisexual subtext to the fore – felt genuinely important. ‘The Witches of Oz’ is no less fun and inclusive – even if it’s not as revelatory.  The key is not to think too hard about the plot: it’s really all about the one-liners. The funniest moment (at least for me) appears in the first scene, when the Wicked Witch (Fèyi Wey) introduces herself as ‘the wickedly talented Adele Dazeem’ – a reference to a gem of the queer canon that thankfully took away the taste of the ‘broccolollipop’ I’d just eaten. (It is what it sounds like, and don’t worry, the food improves somewhat from here). ShayShay’s writing sings with pun-tastic campness and the act

In a world where work is rarely restricted to 9 to 5, where your phone could go off at any moment and where uncertainty reigns, finding a space to completely let go isn’t easy. That’s where floatation therapy comes in. Over the last couple of years, floatation tanks have popped up all over the city – warm, enclosed sanctuaries that offer busy Melburnians a chance to escape from the world and enter a dream-like state of weightlessness. There are all sorts of benefits of floating, from complete muscle relaxation to the ease by which it’s possible to ascend into a restorative meditative state. But let’s start with the basics. The concept itself is fairly simple: it involves stepping into a space-age white pod and slipping into water that is heated to average skin temperature (around 35 degrees). The epsom salt water (which is loaded with magnesium) means that no effort at all is required to float, much like being suspended in the Dead Sea. With no light, sound or use of your body to stay afloat, the feeling is unlike anything else: complete weightlessness, where it’s possible to forget about your own physical being. Sounds far-fetched? I was unsure, too, until I tried it for myself. At Rest House Float Centre – located in Melbourne’s south, about half an hour’s drive from the CBD – the feeling of calm permeates the entire experience, from the moment you step into the lounge-like waiting room and become ensconced in soothing ocean noises and the sweet smell of herbal tea brewi

On any given night at this Collingwood bluestone stalwart, punters of all ages, genders and sexualities are sinking $6 pints of Vale Lager at happy hour by the roaring fireplace, smashing beer burgers and parmas or veg, vegan or gluten-free meals, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder watching gigs on the mezzanine level of the 350-person bandroom. All of this is thanks to a new direction that the Gaso took several years ago, when publicans Shan Vanderwert (formerly from Coburg’s Post Office Hotel) and Clint Fisher (Brunswick’s the Retreat) stepped in and saved the venue from closure. Their mission: to create a warm, welcoming environment that would reflect Melbourne’s incredibly diverse music scene, and the people who make up that ecosystem. It’s a philosophy that you feel the moment the doors to this grand old corner pub swing open. Pull up a plush swivel chair at the bar or sink into a couch (take note of the cute nanna lamps and ’70s vintage planters on the brick walls) and put yourself in the hands of the friendly staff. On the walls are posters and blackboards advertising upcoming events; you could spend an evening eating free pies (meat or veg options) while watching women’s AFL, listening to local and international bands, or sweating your glitter make-up off at a raging queer electro dance party like Outpost or Daydreams. Band bookers Alex Gleeson and Emily Ulman work alongside Katie Pearson who heads up LISTEN (a taskforce addressing sexual harassment and gender parity

In Melbourne, there are plenty of places to drink if you want your cocktail served with a side of fun. We’ve embraced the introduction of booze to otherwise wholesome activities like bowling, video games and even escape rooms – and now, mini golf has entered the mix. But if you’re picturing Holey Moley as a bar with a couple of putting courses tacked on, you need to turn your expectations up several notches. The huge, multi-level CBD space – which was once raging nightclub Sorry Grandma – is a colourful fun house of 27 wacky themed holes, neon lights, pizza and pumping pop music. The formula works. When Holey Moley’s owners (Fun Lab, the same team behind Strike Bowling) announced their expansion from the original Brisbane venue to Melbourne and Sydney, bookings came in thick and fast. On our visit, teenage birthday parties teed up alongside young couples and groups of friends – some of them putting their way through the melting clock madness of ‘Sorry Ms Jackson (I Am Surreal), others taking selfies at a Game of Thrones Iron Throne made entirely from golf clubs. Puns are par for the course at Holey Moley, and once you’re in the golfing spirit (the visor helps) you won't think twice before ordering a Teeyoncé Holes cocktail from the upstairs bar – an instant sugar high of citron vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, sour mix, lemonade and soda. Kids-at-heart will jump at the chance to try liquid dessert Happy Gilmoreo, a dangerously drinkable blend of raspberry liqueur, vodka,

Venture to the top of Lygon Street and you’ll find a wine nerd’s paradise. Modelling itself on the French ‘négociant’ model, ReWine buys wine directly from wineries across the country and stores wine in the shop in barrels. It’s all about personal service here; spend time tasting, comparing and talking, then when you find something you like and buy it by the refillable bottle. That bright 2016 Tempranillo from King Valley you like? Your bottle will cost $18, but it's $15 for a refill when you bring your bottle back.

Is anything just a bar these days? The Grid is an escape room in dystopian London, where an evil AI startup threatens to wipe out humanity. Your goal is to beat the system. While drinking cocktails. You go in thinking that you’re a volunteer for a company called Neosight, sent to interact with a new AI robot to teach it about human intelligence. But then there’s a twist that’s (almost) Brooker-worthy. But surely cocktails and complex puzzles don’t mix? Oh, you’d be surprised. The experience includes two drinks – one you have at the beginning, and the other at the end. The game’s creators cleverly weave both into the narrative, and neither are so strong that you’d struggle with logic and maths (well, no more than usual). And the cocktails are good – if you like your drinks teeth-grittingly sweet. There’s a fun, DIY element to them, too, and you can choose between gin, vodka or non-alcoholic. Really, they’re more a fun add-on than the main event. Turns out there’s not much time for boozing on the brink of an AI apocalypse.

Here’s the thing about escape rooms: no matter how many of them you try, you’ll always feel the same sense of nervous intrigue when you visit a new one. Here at Time Out, we can’t get enough of being locked in a room and solving puzzles against the clock to escape – which is why we jumped for joy when we heard about the Mystery Rooms in Fitzroy.  Tucked away in leafy Napier Street, The Mystery Rooms occupies the site of a former wool factory. We’re greeted by Tom Hudson and his partner, Jodie, a couple who discovered escape rooms in Budapest (the city where the craze first took off in Europe) and were inspired to create their own. Clearly, adventure runs through their blood – in 2015, Tom built a boat and rowed with one friend from New York across the North Atlantic to the UK to raise money for a breast cancer charity.  Knowing this, it’s less surprising, but no less impressive, that Tom and Jodie have built the rooms themselves in consultation with a set designer. As an antidote to some of the city’s glitzier CBD operations, The Mystery Rooms is charmingly DIY and a little eccentric: a cosy lounge offers a space to relax before the action begins; the toilet is a Doctor Who ‘Poolice Box’; a small bar is stocked with wine for debriefing with friends after the escape.  There are four rooms here, the Footsteps of the Pharaohs, the Ned Kelly Experience, Secrets of Camelot and A Grimm Finale, which can only be played once you've completed the other three. We choose the Footsteps o

If there’s one thing Londoners can count on in summer, it’s open-air theatre. A lot of open-air theatre. But it’s one thing to watch a play under the stars, and another entirely to be immersed in a production that makes the most of an unconventional environment. It’s for this reason that Iris Theatre’s ‘The Tempest’ – brought to life in the lush gardens of St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden – is so much fun, despite its unevenness. Partially, this is down to the promenade structure of Daniel Winder’s production of Shakespeare’s magical late play. Audiences are invited to follow the action through four locations – three in the garden, and one inside the church. There’s no point in cringing when Jamie Newall’s magician Prospero first instructs audiences to ‘Go, follow!’ in a show filled with magic – including some fun sleight-of-hand involving floating recorders and disappearing food – surrendering to the conceit is compulsory. Besides, the decision to keep things moving (literally) allows set designer Mike Leopold and lighting designer Benjamin Polya to flex their muscles. The visual aesthetic is heavily based on opulent seventeenth-century masques, which makes perfect sense given that Inigo Jones, St Paul’s architect, was a leading designer of these royal soirees. In the outdoor scenes, thick vines snake around multi-levelled set pieces that evoke ruined royal palaces. A soundscape of running water and birdsong (by Filipe Gomes) fills the space so naturally that it blends with

Just when you thought our fair city had it all, a new, shiny activity comes along that you never knew you were missing out on. Melbourne, welcome to the world of axe-throwing. After winning hearts in Sydney, Maniax opened in Abbotsford in 2018 to the delight of all those who want to have fun or blow off some steam, Viking-style.  The concept is pretty simple. Pick up an axe, aim carefully, and lob it at a target. Maniax recommend that you book in groups for a two-hour session, where you'll receive one-on-one coaching session then taken through a series of tournaments to find out who is deadliest with a raw steel axe. Up in Sydney, Maniax attracts everyone from hens and bucks parties to office outings. "Everyone's got a different style," Maniax co-owner Adam Schilling told Time Out Sydney. "Some people are lobbers, some throw it hard, some soft... but everyone puts their own spin on it." The concept supposedly started when Schilling and his business partner Steve Thomas – both working airline pilots – set up a backyard version of the sport after Steve had encountered axe-throwing in Canada. As you can imagine, there is a strict no-tolerance policy for alcohol and open-toed shoes. 

If you’ve never strapped on a VR headset and entered the virtual reality world, then what I’m about to tell you might sound pretty farfetched. Ridiculous, even. I’m standing on the tip of a wooden plank, which is jutting off a skyscraper 80 storeys above a city. I look down at the rooftops, streets and cars, and my hands begin to sweat. I can almost feel the wind swirling around me, and I can definitely feel a rising sense of vertigo. Then, I hear a voice telling me to jump off the plank. At first, the idea of doing this is unthinkable. But then, I close my eyes for a second, brace myself, and take a leap – screaming as the ground rushes up to meet me. Of course, none of this is actually happening. In the real world, I’m standing in a small room above a bookshop in Fitzroy, walking on a real wooden plank on the ground. And until this moment, I never would have expected virtual reality to feel so incredibly real. vArcade is the brainchild of Owen Spear – who is also the man behind Melbourne’s first-ever escape room – and Daniel Duckworth. Given that escape rooms are all about thrilling, immersive experiences, it’s no surprise that he decided to branch out into VR. If the first thing that comes to mind with VR is hardcore gaming, then it’s time to shift your perception. vArcade is all about giving everyone (regardless of whether they’re into gaming or not) a chance to enter new worlds. Participants get to choose between one of three packages for a 45-minute session. In each o

Not your average trip to the museum There are now so many similarly named escape room venues in Melbourne that these days, what really sets them apart is the creativity of their themed rooms. So imagine our excitement to discover Escape Hunt: one branch of a huge global company that changes up its four rooms every nine months on average. In the majority of rooms, willing captors are cast as detectives, hired to solve everything from the thief of a secret beer recipe (‘Secrets of the Brewery’) to the murder of our colleagues (‘Law and Disorder’). This time around, we decide to go for ‘Odditorium’ – an experience set in a spooky museum. In the comfortable waiting room, our friendly hosts informs us that our four-person team has been hired to find out why employees of the Odditorium have been mysteriously disappearing. The current curator Oliver has begun acting strangely; how long will it be until he vanishes? We step into the small, dimly lit space, and begin to let our eyes adjust to our surroundings. We’re surrounded by bookshelves, with shelf after shelf filled with statues, books and other oddities. So far, so normal (if a little bit creepy). It’s only until ten minutes later that we realise that this room is just the beginning of a much larger journey. As consummate puzzle-masters, Escape Hunt know how to weave a devious plot through the entire experience. Slowly, the mystery of the Odditorium unfolds, and it’s much darker than we imagined. As we venture deep into the

You’ve got to give it to us: we dream big in Melbourne. That said, not all our intentions become reality. It’s time to accept that most of us probably won't... 1. Find a way to visit the Flinders Street Station Ballroom – Melbourne’s white whale, if you will. If no one ever sees it, then does it even truly exist? 2. Get up early and go for a run around the Tan, instead of snoozing to the point that you’ve got three minutes to frantically get ready for work. 3. Book in for a full degustation at Attica or Brae (with matching wines, of course). 4. Buy a bike lock that takes more than a pair of nail scissors to cut. 5. Quit your job and finally launch that collaborative tech start-up you’ve been working on. 6. Actually find a spot where your whole crew can sit together at the Queen Victoria Night Market. 7. Host a house party with an epic theme, smoke machines, live bands and performance art, instead of just putting out a bowl of chips. 8. Start making your own coffee so you’re not single-handedly putting your barista through graphic design school. 9. Ride the whole Yarra Trail instead of stopping at the first pub you pass and “resting” until darkness falls. 10. Reject the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths in favour of the mixed fruit and veggie box at CERES. 11. Enrol in that woodworking/silversmithing/pottery class. 12. Attempt to win the Comedy Festival's passport so you can see more shows than seems humanly possible. 13. Have just one (one!) cocktail at the Black Pearl. 14. Set

There’s a surreal quality to Iceland. The craggy lava fields that look more like the surface of the moon than Earth; the herds of shaggy-maned wild horses roaming freely across fields; the first green glimpses of those elusive Northern Lights flickering in the night sky; the elves which are said to have lived here long before humans arrived. It’s that otherworldly quality that makes Iceland such a tourist magnet – and it’s a feeling that only grows stronger the longer you stay at Hvammsvík Hot Springs, Iceland’s newest natural geothermal spa.  Located 45 minutes from the capital of Reykjavik, this private 1,200-acre estate is perched right on the edge of the Hvalfjörður fjord. As our group approaches the entrance by the shore, that surreal feeling hits when I take in the colour palette: the jet black of the beach, the grey waters of the Atlantic ocean, the white caps of the mountains in the distance. Later, what’ll be even more uncanny (in the best possible way) is the sensation of breathing in fresh, frosty air while sitting in 40-degree water.  Photograph: Hvammsvík Hot Springs Hvammsvík is old. Really old. The estate has been used for many things in history: first a Viking settlement, and nearly 900 years later, barracks for the allied forces in the Second World War. Its current owner, Skúli Mogensen, traced its history right back to its foundations in the twelfth century through the Icelandic records and sagas. Mogensen – ex-CEO and founder of now-defunct airline Wow Ai

A few years ago, we asked Melburnians to send in their best make-out stories and they really, really delivered. As much as we're committed to keeping it classy, we're also suckers for the less romantic side of dating. A cheeky pash in a less-than-charming locale can sometimes be more memorable than one between dishes at a degustation. Below are the best answers that you sent us. 1. Rod Laver Arena car park... with a tennis player from Ecuador. GameSetMatch 2. Between two dumpsters in the alleyway behind Boney (Pony at the time, and RIP Boney). It smelled distinctly of rotting lettuce, which is not the kind of smell you want to associate with memories of your new crush. Phoebe 3. In the corner of Mad Mex in QV. The staff kept turning up the volume of the music in our corner but we ignored it. Donald Tramp 4. The abandoned/never used platform 15 at Flinders Street Station.* Katrina *not just pashing. 5. In the back of an ambulance while working a NYE with my now husband! Nurse Hoolihan 6. My boyfriend and I shared our first kiss in a Seven Eleven. Our friends were buying something and we just couldn't wait until we got into the nightclub next door. Miranda 7. I made out with someone for the first time on the light-up dancefloor in the Melbourne Now exhibition at the NGV during White Night one year. It was 4am and the place felt like a club. Ton Silhocky 8. The alleyway behind 170 Russell because the stench of old cigarettes and urine was just so romantic. Angela 9. Hooking up a

In a list of things that are quintessentially Melbourne, trams sit up there with laneways, coffee, footy, volatile weather and Franco Cozzo. From Port Melbourne to Box Hill, St Kilda Beach to East Brunswick, Melbourne’s electric tram network is the transport of choice for many of us – a way of life, if you will.  But it must be said that not all trams were created equal. If you’re a regular tram rider, no doubt you’ve chugged along on the ancient W-Class tram, rattled through Kew on a C-Class or zoomed through the city on a new-fangled E-Class. And if, like many of us, you’ve found yourself arguing with a friend over which tram is your favourite, then you’ll be relieved to know that we’ve come up with the definitive ranking of Melbourne’s tram network.  1. The best tram in Melbourne: E-Class  Introduced: 2013 Routes: 11, 86 and 96 Detailed automatic passenger announcements. Comfortable chairs. Ample butt-rests. Ergonomic stop request buttons. The most powerful air-conditioning system yet. Yarra Trams have triumphed with their latest model, which, with its sleek and minimalist interior, means that the most stylish of Melburnians need not compromise on design principles when getting from A to B. The shrill peel of older trams has given way to a pleasant low beep when doors open. Extra points go to the low-floored E-Class for complying with the Disability Discrimination Act.  Fun fact: This is the first Melbourne-built tram since the B-Class in the ’90s. 2. Z-Class  Introduced

It’s lockdown three and you miss going out a lot. You miss sticky pub floors, rubbing sweaty shoulders, talking shit while you shiver in the smoking area, taking control of the aux cord, furiously applauding, awkwardly flirting. All is not lost however. You and your mates can organise a Zoom party and attempt to recreate some iconic facets of the ‘eclectic’ and ‘vibrant’ nightlife that we used to bang on about all the time via, er, cushions, your central heating, mini sausage rolls and the power of your imagination, woooo. Forget quizzes: it’s time to get nostalgic. Your city demands it. The ‘hen do at ‘Magic Mike Live!’’ theme Channing Tatum’s woke, female-gazey spectacular ‘Magic Mike Live!’ was the holy grail of hen do activities. Basically a prosecco-fuelled, sex positive strip show, ‘MML!’ wholeheartedly embraced singing, screaming and in-seat dancing. You were even allowed, encouraged, to touch the men. That would certainly be frowned upon IRL now, but there are ways to recreate the experience at home. Obviously, watch the film. Nay, watch the 2015 sequel, ‘Magic Mike XXL’. It involves even more stripping. Before you press play, don your tightest dresses and neck a bottle of prosecco each (ideally, through a penis straw). Then, decide who’s maid of honour. Think carefully before you assign the role. She must be prepared to a) throw pink dollar bills into the sky; b) yell ‘you are enough, just as you are!’ at the hens and c) decide when the time is right to blast Ginuwin

On a scale of one to 'I laid out my old ticket stubs to create a sad little shrine,' how much do you miss theatre? If you’re caning 'Hamilton' on repeat on Disney+ and the mere memory of tiny West End ice cream tubs brings a tear to your eye, then we’ve got another way for you to fuel that theatre nostalgia while you wait for lockdown to ease. 'Stage Door' is a photography project by London-based photographer Harvey Aspell. Started in 2018, the series at the time was a way for Aspell to capture their mystique. 'I’ve always been attracted to the theatre’s stage doors. They’re like the unsung heroes, each with their own characteristics,' says Aspell. 'They are often inconspicuous and understated, however behind them lies a bustling atmosphere of excitement, nerves, and hard work.' But now, as curtains remain closed and spotlights dimmed, the photographs have taken on new significance. 'The photos have taken on a different meaning in these strange times, evoking nice memories for many,' explains Aspell. 'To me, the doors are like symbols of hope now, a reminder that the community will thrive again.' Unsurprisingly, there’s been a resurgence of interest in the series in the past few months. We've pulled together some of our favourite shots, and asked Aspell about some of the stories behind them. Like what you see? Aspell has created a limited number of prints available to buy – DM him on Instagram to find out more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stage D

1. Revel in live dating disasters Rule #1 of being single on Valentine’s Day: don’t go on a first date. Apparently, six brave folk around the country DGAF about that because they have agreed to go on an interactive virtual dating show for the world to watch over Zoom. ‘Quarandating’ was created in 2020 and is hosted by comedians Joe Davies, Robin Clyfan and event director Claire Fitzgerald. For this special Valentine’s edition, held on Friday February 12, six singles will undergo bizarre challenges and date scenarios that will have you feasting on schadenfreude.Fri Feb 12, 8pm. Tickets £5. Photo by Pamela Raith 2. Rip rom coms to shreds Soppy romantic comedies can get in the bin on V-Day weekend; unless they’re being mercilessly mocked by an improv comedy troupe. Mischief Theatre (you know, the London company behind ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’) are doing a special romantic comedy edition of their Mischief Movie Night In series, where the audience tunes in virtually, submits a suggested title, genre and location of a film, and then watches as comedians improvise the film, live. Sun Feb 14, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 per device. 3. Rave the weekend away In the old days, you could just gather your single mates, go hard on the dancefloor and sleep through your Sunday none the wiser that Valentine’s Day had even passed. Re-create that vibe by hitting up an ‘illegal rave’ (which is actually, entirely virtual and totally legal). BBL CLB is a new online offering that’s part interactive the

Maybe you’re one of those people who scorns Valentine’s Day. ‘I don’t buy into overpriced set menus in stuffy Park Lane restaurants, and I wouldn’t go near those Paperchase cards with stupid animal puns on them!’ you once scoffed to your colleague after he innocently enquired what you had planned. ‘You can keep your Bloom & Wild letterbox flowers, your sickly sweet Cutter & Squidge ‘biskies’ and your Oliver Bonas mugs with ‘LOVE’ on them, man.’ But this year, something’s changed. Special occasions like this one are basically all we have to look forward to right now. That, and the vaccine. You already went all in on Burns Night and now you’ve found yourself Googling ‘most romantic walks in London’ and picturing you and your partner looking into each other’s eyes as the sun sets over Parliament Hill. So the question remains: what the hell can you actually do to make this February 14 different to any other day in this blighted wintry lockdown?    1 The digital death spiral  If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day over Zoom, then it’s for one of two reasons: you’re doing long distance, or you’ve only been dating for a few weeks and you don’t feel ready to meet up. Either way, you’re in the danger zone. Fail to prepare and you’ll find yourself sitting in bed wearing the same grey jumper with the brown, cheesy stains from last night’s Patty & Bun. To make up for your dishevelled appearance, you’ll monologue about how you’ve recently gotten into playing online chess with strangers aft

Valentine’s Day is one of those things that creeps up on you. There’s the wintry torpor of January – especially this year – and then boom, old Saint V is right on your doorstep. Thankfully, there’s still enough time before Sunday February 14 to sort a seriously special gift for your loved one. There’s no need to overthink it; flowers are always a great choice. And you know what else is a great choice? Supporting a local florist. Times are tough for independent businesses right now, so every bouquet of blooms you buy will help keep your local going strong. Many of them offer online delivery, too, which means you’ve got no excuse. Here’s five indie florists we love. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here. The Fresh Flower Company  This East Dulwich florist sources nothing but the finest seasonal flowers from the New Covent Garden Flower Market and other local growers. Bright, contemporary bouquets are what these guys are best known for – and their V-Day special, the Valentine’s Rose Posy, is no exception. It’s a beautiful bunch of ruby red and vintage lilac roses with some scented blossom and eucalyptus.  From £25. Order by 11am for same-day delivery to local SE postcodes, Tue-Sat. All other London postcodes must place orders by midday on the day before delivery. No delivery on weekends. www.freshflower.co.uk.   Appleyard Nothing says romance like a bunch of red roses as big as your head.

Fact: singing makes you feel better. A lot better. I won’t hear anything against that – it’s just true. And if you can come together with others to sing in perfect harmony to one of your favourite songs? Well, that’s basically the Gail’s cinnamon bun of happiness. It doesn’t get much sweeter. Unfortunately, IRL choirs are out of the question right now. And that’s where Some Virtual Voices comes in. This month, Some Voices – the huge London choir that you’ve probably heard a mate (or us) raving about in the last couple of years – is launching a series of online classes to help recreate the in-person experience. Here’s how it works: the 90-minute rehearsals run weekly on Wednesdays from 7pm over Zoom. The choir leader, Marion Wyllie, will take you through a series of warmups, then you’ll learn an original Some Voices version of a popular song. No sight-reading is required; it’s all about repeating what the teacher sings, then putting all the harmonies together. You’ll be on mute the entire time, but at the end, you’ll get to sing along with a video of all the parts put together, so you’ll get the full choir sound. The series kicked off last night with David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’; check out the video of pro singers performing it here.  The best bit? Because you’re alone, you can really belt out those high notes – and maybe even unleash some dance moves. And if this sparks a love for live performance, then keep following Some Voices to find out when in-person rehearsals and shows begi

Welcome to our new series, One Good Thing to Do Today. It’s a guide to little things you can actually do in lockdown London that will provide bits of light in these dark times. In this instalment, Time Out editors select songs that will lift the gloomiest of moods Apparently, today is Blue Monday – aka the most depressing day of the year. HOW FUN. According to the 'scientists' who coined the term back in 2005, the third Monday of January is cursed: we're skint-post Christmas and pay day is still weeks away, our new year's resolutions are in the bin and the weather's still shit. Sounds about right! But you know what? By that logic, things can only get better from here – which means all we've gotta do is make it through the remainder of the day. Take that, science. And to help you do that, we've come up with a powerful playlist of tunes so motivational, so upbeat, so toe-tappingly, head-boppingly fun that you'll remember this as the greatest day of your entire life. Or, you'll just feel a little bit better. We'd be satisfied with that too. Listen to these songs on Amazon Music 1. ‘Good As Hell’ – Lizzo I will be forever grateful to my friend who bought me a ticket to see Lizzo back in 2018 at the O2 Academy Islington. In the space of two minutes, I went from ‘I think I saw her on RuPaul one time?’ to ‘This woman is a goddess and the antidote to all society’s problems'. I’ve calmed down a bit since then, but her powerful self-love anthem ‘Good As Hell’ reminds of t

Got a huge, musical theatre-shaped hole in your life? The BBC is here to help. ‘Musicals: The Greatest Show’ – dropping on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday January 31 – will see some of the West End and Broadway’s biggest stars belting out musical theatre hits captured at the London Palladium. Then, later in February, it will broadcast them on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for you to watch. Your host for the evening will be award-winning Sheridan Smith. She’ll perform the famous ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ from ‘Funny Girl’ (if you saw her play the lead in the 2016 West End production, you’ll be as pumped for this as we are). There are too many other highlights to name, but here’s a smattering: the Tudor-tastic cast of ‘Six the Musical’ will perform ‘Six’, Michael Ball will unleash the rollicking ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ from ‘Hairspray’, Gavin Spokes will bring the laughs with ‘You’ll Be Back’ from ‘Hamilton’, plus there’ll be hits from ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘The Greatest Showman’ and more.  Sheridan Smith said: ‘With so many amazing performers we’re going to hopefully bring some joy to all those at home, with the best songs to help lift the spirits in these very difficult times’.  But that’s not all we’re getting. ‘Musicals: The Greatest Show’ is the centrepiece of a three-day festival called Radio 2 Celebrates Musicals. Expect everything from celebrity guest presenters (including Jason Donovan, who played the lead in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’), int