Secret Barbican: visit these beautiful parts of the famous building May 19, 2026 I’m not sure anyone can really consider themselves an ‘insider’ at the Barbican. It’s a giant, complex dream of a place, a vision of what a community and a life might be like with creativity at its heart. I’m just lucky enough to be one of the people looking after it for a bit. And [...]
Lazy Coffee is the best coffee in the City – this is how they do it May 19, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the past winners. Today we caught up with Lazy Coffee founder Matthew Staite, whose Abchurch Yard coffee cart won the Best Coffee award. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots for the 2026 awards, from bars [...]
Is The Butcher’s Hook & Cleaver the City’s best pub? May 18, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the nominees. Today we caught up with The Butcher’s Hook & Cleaver general manager Iliana, whose awesome pub has been nominated in the Best Boozer category. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots, from the best [...]
Why now is the perfect time to visit Cyprus May 16, 2026 There are many reasons why Brits love holidaying in Cyprus. The weather, of course, but then there is the driving on the same side of the road, the plugs are the same and communication is easy. “As my mother used to say” says Mario, my excellent guide, “even our cat speaks English”. Competition may come [...]
Bentley Bentayga Speed: The maddest, baddest SUV you can buy May 15, 2026 Bentley has long been synonymous with luxury, but the British marque seems determined to dial up the sporting side to its character. Last year, Bentley unveiled the Supersports, a lightweight, rear-driven road racer. A ‘FULL SEND’ video, with Travis Pastrana driving fast and sideways around the company’s campus in Crewe, introduced the 666hp coupe to [...]
‘An impish sense of fun’: Claridge’s announces new era with fresh restaurant May 15, 2026 Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair has traded on its British history ever since Queen Victoria chose it as her preferred choice for a cocktail. The late Queen was another fan of the property, which first opened in 1812. But the hotel has experimented with that image lately, welcoming a kitchen takeover from New York restaurant Dante. [...]
Pan Pacific London director: The City is ‘incredibly special’ May 15, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the nominees. Today we caught up with Pan Pacific London director of marketing communications Michelle Whittemore, whose hotel has been nominated in the Best Overnight Experience category. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots, from bars [...]
Nothing Headphone (a): We review Charli XCX’s new collab May 15, 2026 Charlie XCX has been unveiled as the new face – and presumably ears – of the Nothing headphones (a). Our Life&Style editor Steve Dinneen, of course, was wearing them long before the Brat superstar. Here’s his review of the weirdest headphones on the market. Nothing Headphone (a) | £150 | ★★★★★ | nothing.tech When upstart [...]
Sherlock Holmes review: The game is afoot in Regent’s Park May 15, 2026 When hailstones were crashing down around Regent’s Park ahead of press night for Sherlock Holmes, it did not take a genius to deduce that we might be in for a rather miserable evening. It is a brave London theatre that relies so heavily upon the weather. But the skies cleared just in time for the [...]
Why Uzbekistan is the pick of the Silk Road, with amazing food and design May 15, 2026 The Silk Road is calling. You no longer need a Bactrian camel, and with a fair wind, you can fly from London to Tashkent in the same time it would take you to travel by train to Penzance or Glasgow. For the first time in history, Uzbekistan is a viable destination for a long weekend. [...]
