Best London spa: Hoxton’s Banya No.1 is unlike anywhere else September 12, 2024 When was the last time you were laid out naked in an enclosed space, whipped with hot leaves and then dropped into a tub of freezing water?
Raise a glass to the City’s rich history of pubs, taverns and inns September 12, 2024 Samuel Johnson, the great 18th century writer, poet, and lexicographer, spent much of his life on Fleet Street, in the City of London. Dr Johnson’s house in Gough Square still stands a mere drunken stumble from pubs that the great man would have frequented, such as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. In Johnson’s London, Fleet Street [...]
The Critic review: Ian McKellen shows his dark side in twisty thriller September 11, 2024 After 25 years as a major Hollywood star, and many decades of stage success before that, Sir Ian McKellen shows no sign of stopping. Fresh from reports that he may play Gandalf one last time in the forthcoming Lord of The Rings spin-off The Hunt for Gollum, the 85-year-old stars this week in British thriller [...]
Bordeaux month: Here are the best clarets to celebrate September 10, 2024 September has been named Bordeaux month – it seems every grape has its own international wine day so why not dedicate an entire month to one of the most renowned and beloved wine regions in the world. Here’s what you need to know when selecting a bottle of Bordeaux red. Firstly, French wine is often [...]
Gen-Z hates stilton – of course they do, they’re not mature enough September 10, 2024 While Gen-Z go loopy for smashed avo on toast, the passage through life will inevitably lead them to stilton, writes Andy Blackmore Around 554 moons ago as I chortled my way through Monty Python’s Life of Brian, I chuckled my little heart out to one line without understanding the meaning. Now, 45 years later I’ve [...]
Recharging at the ultra-luxe Siro wellness resort in Dubai September 9, 2024 Siro One Za’abeel exemplifies how Dubai’s health and wellbeing scene is evolving, integrating luxury with science-backed treatments.
Porsche 911 S/T 2024 review: Combining the 911’s best bits September 9, 2024 Mehr-minder, literally translated as ‘more-less’, was Porsche’s official name for the M471 option package. Ticking that box back in 1970 would transform your 911 S into a lightweight, stripped-out ST, with Plexiglass windows and body panels made from aluminium, glassfibre or thinner-gauge steel. In essence, it was a road-legal racing car. Only 33 examples of [...]
The Amalfi Coast is at its best in October – here’s why September 9, 2024 Mention Amalfi, and most imagine a sun-drenched romantic road trip along Italy’s famed coast, meandering through rustic towns draped in bougainvillea and cascading down mountainous cliffs towards a shimmering blue sea. A UNESCO world heritage landscape, the 34 mile stretch on Italy’s southern coast has inspired artists and writers whose creativity is fuelled by a [...]
Mallory Court in Warwickshire is an outstanding retreat September 9, 2024 Mallory Court, a country estate near Leamington Spa, is the perfect weekend retreat, says Harry Owen THE WEEKEND: Founded by IT entrepreneur Sir Peter Rigby, Mallory Court is part of the Eden Hotel Collection, which also boasts Dartmoor’s five-star Bovey Castle. What was once a Manor house set deep in the Warwickshire countryside, Mallory Court [...]
Firebrand review: Alicia Vikander and Jude Law in royal flop September 7, 2024 At the beginning of historical drama Firebrand, a title explains how history often tells only of “men and war”, leaving the rest to our imagination. Adapted from Elizabeth Freemantle’s novel The Queen’s Gambit, Firebrand offers an alternative history of Catherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), the last wife of Henry VIII (Jude Law). Taking a hands-on role [...]