Eva Walsh

There’s nothing quite like hitting the slopes. But due to the price, and, well, the distance, it’s not something most of us can make a very frequent habit of. Well, we’ve got the answers to all your prayers, right here in the Big Smoke. Fancy a plate of raclette? Or a glass of vin chaud and some cheesy tunes? There’s a whole host of cracking aprés-ski themed bars in London, complete with cosy blankets and the occasional igloo. And now that it’s well and truly winter in London, what would you rather be doing than this? Recommended: The best outdoor winter terrace bars in London. 

Heads up, open-air swimming fans: beloved south London swim spot Tooting Bec Lido has officially made a triumphant return after a protracted period of closure. The pool has been a favourite among both locals and visitors since it opened in 1906 – and now it’s had a massive revamp.  Tooting Bec Lido’s glow-up cost £4 million and brings a host of new features that’ll improve the overall experience of its patrons. Installed so far is new pumping equipment, pipework and a pumphouse, as well as new paving around the pool and pool lining. Eventually, a future project will see the lido get a new entrance, new café, winter clubroom, gender-neutral showers and toilets.  Tooting Bec Lido’s revamp looks pretty swish – but it hasn’t been the smoothest process. The pool was shut in November 2022 and only supposed to be closed for nine months, but the reopening was delayed by the discovery of asbestos.  But now the wait is finally over. After the lido reopened in December to (some very brave, cold-resistant) South London Swimming Club members, it has now formally reopened to the general public. It officially reopened last week, on Wednesday May 29.  You can find out more about visiting Tooting Bec Lido on the pool’s website here.      Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

Back in December, government plans for a two-mile road tunnel close to Stonehenge caused what was described as a ‘David and Goliath battle’ between the local government and campaigners eager to protect the globally-renowned landmark.  The High Court blocked the project in 2021 but the government went and reapproved it in summer of last year. So, campaigners from Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) made a second High Court bid to try and stop the tunnel. But this week, the High Court dismissed their claim, finding most parts of their case to be ‘unarguable’.   The idea of the £1.7 billion tunnel is to ease congestion on the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down, which currently runs close to Stonehenge. By diverting traffic underground, it would supposedly enhance the flow of vehicles and improve the overall transportation network in the area.   In his ruling, the judge declared that ministers had ‘rightly focused on the relevant policies’ and that the campaigners' evidence ‘provides no basis for undermining that conclusion’. SSWHS argued that the scheme would ‘destroy’ seven acres of surrounding landscape and could even lead to the site losing its Unesco World Heritage status. During the hearing, campaigners claimed that the government gave ‘unlawful consideration of alternatives’ and that National Highways ‘failed to acknowledge the heritage harm’.  On the flipside, the government and National Highways say that the benefits ‘outweigh the harms’ and removing the roa

Heads up, skaters: Finsbury Park is about to get a rad makeover. There’ll be no more dwelling in concrete underpasses for boarders and bladers, as the area is getting a brand new skate spot. Plans for a new skate park include moveable skate obstacles – including a manual pad, kerb, and wallie rails – as well as facilities for BMX riders. The project is the result of a partnership between Haringey Council and Friends of Finsbury Park. It’ll be funded by income generated from events like the Wireless Festival, and approximately £145,000 has been set aside for it.  So, time to dust off that board that’s been sitting in the back of your closet. The skatepark will apparently be as suitable for would-be Tony Hawks as it will for complete newbies.  Expect to be able to drop in and show off your sick moves by spring 2024, which is when the FP skate park is expected to open to the public.  FP’s new skate park has the potential to make waves in London’s already-thriving skate scene. It’s bound to attract skaters from all over the city – and maybe it’ll even draw punters from iconic skate spots like the famously-loud Southbank Centre (pictured above).  So, mark your calendars and tighten those trucks. Finsbury Park’s brand new skate park is on its way, and it's going to be epic.  In the meantime, we at Time Out know a few things about the best places to skate in this city. Check out our list of London’s best skate spots and shops, then read our feature about how the city embraced rolle