Volkswagen Passat Estate review: Second place in the space race January 21, 2026 Volkswagen has celebrated several big birthdays in recent years, with both the Polo supermini and Golf hatchback marking their 50th anniversaries. Yet the Passat, first launched in 1973, seemingly did not merit a special commemorative edition when it turned 50. Volkswagen has launched a new version of the Passat, though, now only available in estate [...]
Elevate your dishes the Italian way with a refreshing Menabrea January 21, 2026 Eleanor Quigley, brand manager at Menabrea, tells us why Menabrea lager can be an alternative to wine when pairing with food, and gives us six options to try Wine may be first to mind when pairing drinks with food, but beer can provide a refreshing alternative. Like wine, beer’s varied flavour profiles and styles can [...]
Inside Claridge’s Bakery, the bougiest bakery in London January 21, 2026 Claridge’s Bakery opens from today with its menu of “nostalgic” classics The staff entrance around the back of Claridge’s has long been the getaway route for A-List guests favouring discretion. Johnny Depp’s security detail have had some explosive stand-offs with paparazzi at this unassuming doorway on Brooks Mews, the business end of Mayfair’s most storied [...]
Vibrance festival to light up City evenings this January January 21, 2026 The City of London’s built environment – its streets, squares and landmarks – reflects nearly two thousand years of change and reinvention. Between 17:30 and 20:30 on January 29 and 30, the City will transform once more, with the award-winning Guildhall Production Studio presenting a brand-new – and free – festival of light and sound – [...]
Make your lunch break count: free learning and culture in the City January 21, 2026 Setting a New Year’s resolution is one of those time-honoured traditions. Indeed, it’s a ritual that can be traced some 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonian times, with citizens celebrating the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. One common New Year’s resolution was the return of borrowed farm equipment. While our goals may [...]
Leapmotor B10 review: Electric SUV majors on value for money January 20, 2026 Leapmotor caused a stir last summer by being the first car company to launch its own EV grant. The announcement came within days of the UK Government announcing the official Electric Car Grant. Interest in the new Chinese brand duly surged an incredible 2,675 percent, and its C10 large electric SUV quickly sold out. Now, [...]
Giant film review: Pierce Brosnan grips in this underrated boxing drama January 20, 2026 Giant film review with Pierce Brosnan, world premiere at the London Film Festival: ★★★★ Speculation about Pierce Brosnan returning to James Bond seems less outrageous after watching Giant, in which the 72-year-old plays variously-aged versions of the same boxing trainer. In the younger scenes, with flat cap pulled down and pouting like a champ, squint [...]
Saipan film review: this football World Cup movie is ‘unmissable’ January 20, 2026 Saipan follows the story of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and his very public fallout with captain Roy Keane in the weeks and months heading towards the 2002 World Cup. It arrives in UK cinemas this weekend. Film review and star rating: ★★★★ Even by football fan standards, the feud between former Republic of Ireland manager [...]
The London hotel in the heart of hip, creative east January 20, 2026 Bethnal Green’s town hall opened in 1910, and one hundred years later, the building was turned into the eponymous Town Hotel Hotel. Edwardian meets Art Deco architecture at this striking London property, celebrating its 15th anniversary. Modern art and proximity to creative East attracts an international cultural crowd. WHAT’S THE VIBE? Surprisingly low-key for a [...]
Top London restaurants to visit in January 2026 January 19, 2026 Despite record restaurant closures in the capital, brave souls continue to open new ones. But as tempting as it is to visit the latest hotspot or search for new trends you should never ignore the iconic restaurants in our city. Some classic London favourites I have visited recently include The Maine, Bob Bob Ricard City, [...]