I ate at the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant — its closure would be a ‘tragedy’

As a child growing up in Birmingham, I was spoiled for choice when it came to Indian food.

My sister and I would gaze at the Gulab jamun marinating in syrup, and the golden swirls of jalebi behind the glass counter of a shop on Soho Road.

Assorted bhajis, pakoras, aloo tikki, and – the star – samosas sat freshly folded after being fried each day since 1974. We packed 50 in a freezer bag when we moved to rural Ireland.

One year, my sister chose rasmalai over a birthday cake, selecting the soft sponge soaked in a sweet, spiced milk from behind the glass counter of a shop on Soho Road.

Birmingham’s Indian food scene, the ‘birthplace of Balti’, is what made me a good cook. I spent years trying to match the quality of those mom-and-pop shops.

In London, I love being able to stroll down Brick Lane, haggling the best deal with the waiters who are luring us in with their promises of a succulent Indian meal, knowing they can deliver.

Across the city, Veeraswamy — which at 99 years old is Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant — is a different kind of nostalgic.

This place is bougie, tied up with royalty and Empire. It even catered for the Queen at Buckingham Palace one year, the owners say.

But now, the Crown is trying to evict Veeraswamy from it’s home on Regent Street, a property where sunlight floods the dining room, in order to conduct renovations on the Grade II listed building it sits in.

‘It’s a tragedy’, owner Ranjit Mathrani, 81, told Metro, describing its possible closure as ‘an act of cultural vandalism’.

Veeraswamy wasn’t the first Indian restaurant to open in the UK. The now-closed Hindoostane Coffee House beat it by 110 years, but Veeraswamy has been a pioneer of British Indian cuisine.

It gave a taste of what was to come – a Britain where an Indian-inspired creation ‘invented’ in Glasgow is the national dish.

More ‘high end’ than ‘high street’, Veeraswamy’s past clientele includes the future King of England Edward VIII, Winston Churchill, Princess Anne, and a Danish prince.

The latter, legend goes, inadvertently inspired the Great British tradition of ‘pints and curry’, by shipping a keg of Carlsberg beer to Veeraswamy each year for his visits.

‘It’s intertwined with British history’, Ranjit says. ‘The history of the British in India, history of Indian food in Britain, and part of the fabric of one of the world’s most interesting shopping streets.’

While it may not have meant to make pints-and-curry a ‘thing’ worthy of pop culture references, making a mark on the wider country has always been part of Veeraswamy’s mission.

Bringing Indian food to Britain before it was cool

From the day it was opened in 1926 by the great-grandson of an English general and an Indian princess, the restaurant set out to introduce Britons to Indian cuisine with a fusion of the cultures.

Nearly a century later, that mission is alive. Forget chicken tikka masala — alongside the Mulligatawny soup from Veeraswamy’s original menu, the restaurant serves arguably the most British on Indian dishes – a Bengali-inspired beetroot croquettes with an English Stilton cheese sauce and Bhutanese green chilli.

On first bite, the £17 starter feels overwhelmed by the Stilton. But the sweetness of the beets soon breaks through, and warm spices tickle the tongue, with the waves of flavours marrying in the aftertaste.

It seems everything on the menu — including a citrus-based drink where you can’t tell where the orange ends and the gin begins, and a crunchy spinach chaat drizzled with yoghurt, coriander chutney and tamarind — has layers and stages to its tastes and textures.

I always judge an Indian restaurant though, on its samosas. If they’re freshly handmade in-house, it’s a sure sign the restaurant cares about quality

With Veeraswamy’s, I made the mistake of judging a book by its cover. They looked worryingly akin to the thin one-note versions you buy in freezer bags at the supermarket.

But they weren’t. Although thin, they had a crispy exterior, a chewy inner layer and the warm explosion of flavour of the filling, packed tight.

How do they compare to the samosas of Soho Road? To paraphrase Ranjit — they tasted almost as good as nostalgia.

‘I think that was the best meal I’ve ever had, I don’t know how they got so much flavour’, one customer, Cian, told Metro who was celebrating his 21st birthday at the restaurant.

He added: ‘I think it’s very wrong [that it could face closure].’

Cian’s mum, Deirdre added: ‘There are not many restaurants that stand the test of time, and to stop it now, before it reaches the centenary, would be criminal.’

For Ranjit, ‘the best compliment customers ever give us is, “That was almost as good as my mother’s”.’

A home away from home

Beyond being a culinary outpost in a Britain before Indian food was popular, the incarnation of Veeraswamy became a meeting place — almost a right of passage — for Indian immigrants newly arriving in London.

Ranjit himself was among them, 34 years before he bought it with his wife, Namita Panjabi.

The former investment banker says: ‘I came here in 1962 to study at Cambridge and I was taken here by my father’s friends. In those days, as a customer, you always aspired to be there.’

By 1996, Veeraswamy was a ‘faded version of past glories’.

Ranjit says: ‘It was all a bit musty. It was faded. It had all the aspirations like tablecloths, yes, but the carpets were slightly frayed, very worn.’

They were warned at the time that the Crown Estate, which owns the property, would not extend the lease when it ended in 2003.

But modernisation and some money turned around the restaurant’s fortunes enough to convince the Crown to let them stay, allowing Veeraswamy to rise to new heights.

‘We took it back to what it had evoked, which is the Maharaja palaces of India’, Ranjit says.

They were awarded a Michelin star and were called to the service of royalty. ‘Buckingham Palace invited us to cater for the President of Indian in 2008 at a major reception held by Queen Elizabeth,’ Ranjit says.

‘That was the first time an Indian restaurant had ever been invited. I was delighted, very pleased. We were honoured.’

Veeraswamy survived Covid-19, months of lockdowns and the rising cost of energy and supplies when so many other businesses have died.

It’s almost returned to a level of profitability not seen since before the pandemic. The restaurant group MW Eat — which includes Ranjit’s other venues Chutney Mary and Masala Zone — made profits of more than £3.3 million last year.

Ranjit finds it ironic that the Crown Estate has now decided against renewing Veeraswamy’s lease.

‘I think the Queen would feel pretty upset’, he said. ‘I think King Charles would feel upset if he got to know about it.’

The Crown Estate said it needs to carry out a ‘comprehensive refurbishment’ of Victory House, the listed property where Veeraswamy is located, and remove the restaurant’s entrance.

Ranjit says the Crown Estate has not entertained his proposed alternatives. Now its future is unclear, with Ranjit searching for an alternative site and planning an appeal.

A spokesperson for the Crown Estate told Metro: ‘The Crown Estate has a duty to generate value for the nation, while acting as responsible stewards for this historic part of London. We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House.

‘This includes a major upgrade to the offices and improving the entrance to make it more accessible.

‘Due to the limited options available in this listed building we need to remove the entrance to the restaurant, which means we will not be able to offer Veeraswamy an extension when their lease expires.

‘We appreciate this is upsetting for Veeraswamy and have offered to help find new premises elsewhere on our portfolio having explored other options to accommodate their needs. Veeraswamy has been a valued part of Regent Street for many years. We thank them and their customers for their contributions to the West End.’

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The morbid reason I was given a £100 parking fine in popular location

When you’re hit with a £100 parking fine, you’d usually assume your car was actually parked where the ticket says it was.

But for Maurizio Capoccia, there was a morbid reason that wasn’t possible.

The pensioner was handed a £100 fine which said he had parked at a north London Sainsbury’s, but at the time he was actually at a funeral miles away.

Maurizio, 66, from Enfield, was left shocked when he received a surprise fine from Euro Car Parks saying his blue Suzuki had spent hours at the supermarket car park on Friday, January 27.

The pensioner, who lives with his wife Brigida, 60, and dog Max, said it was ‘impossible’ he was at the supermarket on Crown Road.

The couple, who have two adult children, were attending Brigida’s uncle’s funeral on the other side of town at St John Vianney Catholic Church.

He told Metro: ‘My wife and I had to go to a funeral at 11am on Friday, January 27.

‘They said the fine was on the same day. It said we were at Sainsbury’s for six hours.

‘The church is six miles from it.’

He said getting the £100 fine was ‘definitely a shock.’

‘How did Euro Car Parks have photos of my car at the same time in the car park?

‘We left home at 10am and before that my wife was at Boots, and I took my dog out. I never leave my dog in the car on his own for shopping,’ he said.

Maurizio decided to challenge the fine issued by the parking giant, which runs more than 750 car parks in the UK and Europe.

‘The fine was £60 and £100 after that. I didn’t pay because once you pay, they close the case,’ he said.

Fortunately, the couple were captured on the church’s CCTV, which they gave to Maurizio.

But, getting hold of Euro Car Parks was ‘difficult,’ he claimed.

‘It was very difficult to communicate with Euro Car Park. We didn’t hear from them,’ he alleged.

After repeated attempts to send the CCTV footage to the company to challenge the fine, he complained to Sainsbury’s.

‘They told us our fine is being cancelled.’

He said it’s the ‘injustice’ that angers him, adding that ‘we couldn’t be there, couldn’t be there for six hours.’

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: ‘We’re in touch with the customer to apologise for their experience and have worked with Euro Car Parks to arrange for the parking fine to be waived. We’re looking into what happened on this occasion.’

We approached Euro Car Parks for a comment.

A version of this article was previously published on March 26, 2025

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Trans rights groups descend on London for mass protest

Thousands of trans rights protesters gathered in central London in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.

Trans rights groups, trade unions and community organisations came together for an ’emergency demonstration’ in Parliament Square.

Chants of ‘trans liberation’ and ‘trans rights now’ echoed off the buildings in central London, with some protesters waving flags and holding banners.

In a long-awaited judgment delivered on Wednesday, the UK’s highest court confirmed the terms ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the 2010 Equality Act ‘refer to a biological woman and biological sex’.

This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces if ‘proportionate’ – and has sparked outrage in the UK and abroad.

The Government said the unanimous decision by five judges brought ‘clarity and confidence’ for women and service providers, while a Labour Party source said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had brought the party to a ‘common sense position’.

The ruling means trans women cannot use single-sex female toilets, changing rooms or compete in women’s sports, according to the head of Britain’s equalities watchdog.

Among the groups supporting the London protest were Trans Kids Deserve Better, Pride in Labour, the Front for the Liberation of Intersex Non-binary and Transgender people (Flint) and TransActual.

Celebrities have also spoken out about the matter.

Nicola Coughlan raised more than £100,000 for transgender women following a ‘stomach-churning’ Supreme Court ruling over the legal definition of a woman.

Various transgender stars and allies alike have spoken out against the ruling in support of trans people, including Derry Girls star Nicola, 38, who was left ‘completely horrified’ by the legal change.

Speaking in an Instagram video, the Bridgerton actress said: ‘To see an already marginalised community being further attacked and attacked in law is really stomach-churning and disgusting, and to see people celebrate it is more stomach-churning and disgusting.’

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Man killed and six injured in three-car crash during police chase

A driver who was being chased by police died after a crash involving two other cars.

The crash happened on Wickham Road, Croydon, just before 9pm on Friday, and six people in the two other vehicles were injured.

The 63-year-old man who died, who was driving the first car, was suspected of using cloned number plates on his car.

Metropolitan Police officers tried to stop the vehicle near South Norwood High Street, but gave chase after it failed to stop.

The crash happened about eight minutes later, when the first car crashed into two others.

The man was given CPR by officers but died at the scene. His next of kin has been told.

Six people were taken to hospital, the London Ambulance Service said, and one of those suffered a ‘potentially life-threatening injury’.

His two passengers, two 61-year-old men, were arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. One of them was also arrested for possession of class A drugs.

A spokesperson for the Met told Metro: ‘Road closures were put in place while the incident was investigated, with buses on diversion. These closures have now been lifted.

‘The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was immediately informed and a referral made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which is a required step whenever vehicles are involved in a collision involving death or serious injury following a police pursuit.

‘The IOPC will now carry out an independent investigation.’

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 8.47pm on April 18 to reports of a road traffic collision near the junction of Wickham Road and Shirley Road in Croydon.

‘We sent multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, members of our hazardous area response team (HART) and an advanced paramedic. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

‘We treated seven patients at the scene. Sadly, one person was declared dead at the scene. We took one patient to a major trauma centre and took five patients to hospitals.’

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: ‘We can confirm we have started an independent investigation into the circumstances of a fatal traffic incident in Croydon following a pursuit involving Metropolitan Police (MPS) officers on April 18.

‘So far, we have gathered initial accounts from the officers involved and obtained body worn video footage. Our investigation is in its very early stages.’

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Urgent search for woman hit by car and dragged for 30 yards after dancing in middle of road

Chilling footage shows a woman dancing in the street before being hit by a car and carried on the bonnet up the road by Wembley Arena.

The incident happened shortly after 11pm following a gig at the northwest London venue by artist Alkaline.

Footage filmed by onlookers shows the women narrowly avoiding passing cars before one smashes into her and drags her 30 yards where she is thrown to the ground.

Horrified witnesses called 999 but the woman had left the scene before they arrived. Police are now trying to trace her to speak with her about the incident and make sure she is OK.

The car did not stop at the scene, police said, but a 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

She has since been released on bail to a date in early June.

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police are appealing to identify a woman, who is believed to have been injured following a hit and run collision near Wembley Arena on Thursday, April 17.

‘Investigating officers want to identify the woman in the footage to speak to her about the incident, to ensure she is okay and that she gets appropriate medical attention.’

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference 8317/17APR.

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What I Own: I’m a first time buyer — I paid £620,000 for my London two-bed flat

Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

This week, we’re back in London, meeting 30-year-old Nitish Kumar, who bought a two-bedroom flat in Poplar, East London for £620,000 in July 2024.

A keen gamer, Nitish has truly made the place his own – with a dedicated gaming desk, a games console in the living room, and even a chess set in the kitchen.

When he moved to London, his first flat was in Canning Town. While Nitish has lived in other areas, the East London spot felt like home, so when it came to buying, he looked at nearby Poplar.

Now, his building plans to introduce boujee amenities including a jacuzzi, salt room, spa, and even a mini cinema room.

Here’s what Nitish had to say about his property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Nitish Kumar, I’m 30 years old and work as a software engineer in Euston.

I occasionally work from home, but I typically cycle to the office, which takes me about 40 minutes each way.

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?

I live at Iris House at Berkeley’s Poplar Riverside, a new neighbourhood in East London.

I absolutely love the area – it’s much quieter and more peaceful compared to where I lived before. There are beautiful local walks, and it’s great for cycling, with plenty of routes to explore. It has the perfect blend of green spaces and convenient access to the city and Canary Wharf.

It’s in a prime Zone 2 location, so has excellent transport links too. Both Canning Town and East India stations are within walking distance. I’m super excited about the bridge currently under construction that will connect the area to Canning Town.

The Poplar Riverside neighbourhood itself has a new public square, which will host a variety of events and will be surrounded by cafés, bars, and restaurants.

I’m a big fan of the basketball court, and I’m really looking forward to the launch of the Riverside Club, which will include a 20-metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, lounge, co-working spaces, games room, cinema room and even a salt room.

When did you move in? Who do you live with?

I moved into my two-bed home last July. I live alone.

How much did your property cost?

The property was £620,000.

How much was your deposit?

I paid a 25% deposit, which came to £155,000.

What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?

My mortgage is £2,800 per month, and bills come to an additional £400-£500 per month.

How did you save up for your deposit?

I bought my flat with a mix of savings and a generous gift from my family. About 70% of the deposit came from them, and the rest I pulled together myself after saving for a number of years.

Prior to purchasing the flat, my savings were deposited in both a Cash ISA and Stocks and Shares ISA. Since the AER of the Cash ISA is much lower, I liquidated it and used that money to increase the deposit amount.

The contribution from my family also meant I could hold keep my investments intact and also helped me set up my flat with furniture that I wanted to buy.

I kept a buffer for this in my savings, to purchase necessities and slowly add in decorative items over the years. I’m more about quality than quantity when it comes to interiors, so I’ve taken my time to choose pieces that feel right.

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?

The process of getting a mortgage was mostly hassle-free for me – there was a bit of an issue with one bank, but another was much smoother to deal with.

Berkeley was very supportive throughout the entire process and helped me navigate each step.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?

My mortgage is fixed for two years.

Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family?

Before moving to Poplar Riverside, I was renting in Wembley on my own.

My rent in Wembley was £1,765 a month, but I had secured a discount for the first year of my two-year contract and paid £1,500 instead. After the first year, my rent then increased from £1,500 to the full £1,765, and that is when I started thinking about purchasing.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

The cost of renting had become quite high, especially for a small studio. Given that I had made the decision to stay in London long-term, it just felt like the right moment to settle down and invest in a place of my own.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it?

When I started looking for a home, I was really impressed by the build quality of Berkeley developments. The little things really stood out to me, like the thickness of the doors, which I think is a great indicator of quality.

I also love that there are balconies on both sides of my home. It’s perfect for chasing the sun throughout the day and allows for great ventilation in the summer.

The Sainsbury’s on-site is another bonus – it’s incredibly convenient to have a supermarket just a stone’s throw away.

I also considered Alexandra Gate, a Berkeley neighbourhood in Haringey, but ultimately chose to buy at Poplar Riverside because I was already familiar with the nearby area, having lived in Canning Town.

Ultimately, I chose this area for my first home because it’s not only a great place to live now, but it has a lot of potential for the future too, making it a good investment.

What’s your favourite room and why?

The living room is my favourite room in my apartment as it’s where I spend most of my time. I have set it up well for gaming, which is a big passion of mine.

The room also has access to the two balconies, which is great for natural light.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

Yes, there is plenty of space, especially given it is a two-bed. There is plenty of room for storage – it sometimes feels like Narnia.

The open floor plan of the kitchen and living area makes it feel even bigger, and the rooms are a great size. Having plenty of green, open space on the doorstep also makes it feel super spacious for me.

Do you have plans to change the property?

I don’t currently have any plans to change the property. The space works really well for me as it is.

What do you want people to know about buying a home?

One of the most important factors when choosing a home is finding the right area. For me, Poplar was a clear choice. It’s rapidly evolving and becoming an increasingly popular place to live, which makes it a great investment.

I would definitely recommend others buy a new build, particularly with Berkeley, as the build quality and the on-site amenities are excellent.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long term?

I plan to stay here for the foreseeable future, likely for the next five to seven years. After that, I may look to move elsewhere when I’m ready to start a family.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

The best alternative things to do in London – most are under £20

You’ve got your selfie outside Buckingham Palace. You’ve marvelled at St. Paul’s Cathedral. You’ve stuffed your face with pasties at London’s oldest food market.

You look up to Big Ben to check the clock, only to realise you’ve still got loads of time to kill in the Big Smoke.

Tourist traps aside, alternative London is where it’s at. The city is brimming with fun – and affordable – things to do, from game nights with friends to white water rafting. Yes, really.

So, if you’re looking to make the most of your time in London, but don’t want to break the bank, Metro has rounded up 15 of the best alt activities the city has to offer.

This Easter weekend, remember there’s so much more to the capital than meets the eye.

1. Phoenix Garden

Desperate for a moment’s peace from the hustle and bustle of city life?

Tranquillity is closer than you think. Hidden between the perpetually teeming Soho and Covent Garden, you’ll find Phoenix Garden.

An oasis of calm amid chaos, this small community space is alive with brightly-coloured flowers, buzzy bees, and plenty of greenery, especially in spring.

As well as being a welcome retreat from the stresses of London, the gardens provide a valuable habitat for urban wildlife.

Take a walk to gather your thoughts or eat your lunch on a bench — you’ll soon forget you’re surrounded by bustling shops and theatres.

Netflix lovers will also recognise the gardens as a key filming location from the 2019 movie, Last Christmas.

Price: Entry to Phoenix Garden is free. Donations are appreciated to support its maintenance.

2. Kenwood House

If you’re into stately homes, Kenwood House should be on your weekend hit list.

Located in the fashionable Hampstead area, it’s been described as one of London’s ‘hidden gems.’

The property dates back to the early 17th century. However, the building we see today was remodelled by British architect and furniture designer, Robert Adam, between 1764 and 1779.

Boasting a neoclassical villa exterior and an interior brimming with paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, it’s a classic culture lover’s dream.

Price: The house is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and it’s free to enter.

3. Get an Uber along the Thames

While the term ‘tourist trap’ is debatable with this one, Metro‘s Jen Mills recommends it anyway.

She says it’s one of the best and easiest ways to see classic sights along the River Thames, from Big Ben to the London Eye. It’s also affordable.

The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers connects 24 piers between Putney and Barking Riverside. Like you would with a taxi version, you can book and pay for your trip on the app.

Price: According to the Thames Clippers site, a single adult ticket costs between £5.90 and £10.80, depending on the zone.

4. Hidden City treasure hunt-style experience

Immersive city treasure hunts have exploded in popularity in recent years.

Hidden City – Real World Adventure Games is a London-based company offering treasure hunt-style experiences guided by your phone.

Teams of two to six players select one of the four story-led adventures before receiving a trail of clues.

Throughout the game – which usually takes between three to four hours – you’ll journey across the city, interacting with characters and the real world around you.

To mark the Easter celebrations, all games completed in April will receive a free Easter egg. Plus, as a reward for clue-cracking and creativity, 20 giant eggs worth up to £225 each are up for grabs.

Price: Depending on the game you pick, prices start from £19. You can get 10% off your first game.

5. Wimbledon Common Windmill

Combine the outdoors with a bit of history at Wimbledon Common Windmill, a former working windmill which is now a museum.

There’s also a cute cafe next door to grab a coffee before walking around ‘Womble’ territory.

To avoid paying extortionate taxi fees or jumping on an overcrowded tube, you can then walk from the Windmill to Pen Ponds in Richmond Park.

The journey takes 45 minutes, and on a sunny day, it allows you to take in the beauty of both parks.

Price: Entry is free.

6. Spitalfields City Farm and Hackney City Farm

These are firm Metro newsroom favourites.

Our very own Audience Editor Ellie Hutchings describes both farms as ‘lovely days out.’

However, if you’re keen to avoid crowds, she notes that the latter can get quite busy.

Described as an ‘oasis in the city with rare breed and rescue animals,’ Spitalfields City Farm offers fun and environmental education.

From Shoreditch High Street and Bethnal Green (Mainline), it’s an eight-minute walk to the farm, where goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, rabbits and other animals are waiting to greet you.

Price: Entry to both farms is free.

7. Electric Shuffleboard

If you and your friends love a good game session, be sure to check this gem out.

Metro’s food guru Courtney Pochin says: ‘If you’ve got a couple of hours to kill with several friends or relatives in London, Electric Shuffle is a great way to spend the time – especially if you’re the competitive sort.

‘The venues look pretty funky inside, they serve tasty cocktails and nibbles and the games are really fun. You might get lucky and discover a hidden talent for it, but at the very least you’ll definitely have a laugh.’

Price: £11 per person.

8. Chislehurst Caves

Fancy a school trip-style experience? Knock yourself out with nostalgia at Chislehurst Caves, a network of caves carved out over hundreds of years.

The history of this place is diverse; during the 1900s, guides told stories of Romans, Druids and Saxons, smuggling and murder.

During World War I, the caves were used to store munitions.

In the 1920s and 30s, mushroom-growing took over, while during the Blitz, the caves provided shelter for over 15,000 people every night.

Before opening to the public as a museum, the last known use for the caves was as a music venue.

In the 50s, 60s and 70s, jazz, skiffle and folk gigs were held deep below ground, with some of the most famous names in music having played a set here.

Price: Adult tickets are £8 each, children and seniors are £6 each.

9. God’s Own Junkyard

Metro’s Eleanor Noyce highly recommends this neon paradise. Based in Walthamstow, the venue celebrates the life and work of the late artist Chris Bracey.

Eleanor says: ‘If you want an edgy snap for your Instagram page, this is sure to provide one. God’s Own Junkyard is set amongst an array of craft ale shops in an unsuspecting old industrial estate.

‘There’s more to do here than just gaze at vintage neon signs though, as there’s a cafe where you can sit and read or catch up with a friend over coffee.

‘Nearby, there’s also Walthamstow Village which is home to loads of fantastic pubs, including The Nags Head and The Castle (which does a delicious roast dinner).’

Price: Entry is free.

10. White water rapids

White water rapids? In London? But where?

At the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, of course.

The London 2012 legacy venue will host you for the day and kit you out in a wetsuit, boots, helmet and a buoyancy aid before letting you loose on the rapids.

As well as white water rafting, the centre offers a whole host of adrenaline-inducing activities from kayaking and canoeing, to Hydrospeeding and Hot Dog kayaking.

Price: Granted, this isn’t the cheapest day out – an individual ticket for 90 minutes costs £70.

But whether you decide to tackle it solo, with a friend, or in a group, it’s guaranteed to be a day to remember.

11. New River Path

Fancy a good walk or a breezy cycle?

Metro’s Craig Munro says the New River Path is the place to explore on a weekend off.

‘I did the New River Path between Clerkenwell and the M25 at Enfield,’ he said. ‘It’s really beautiful at many points, particularly with the spring blossom. There’s also plenty of nice pubs and food spots along the way.’

The 28-mile footpath connects Hertfordshire with Islington in North London.

It was designed with leisurely walks in mind, featuring flat, grassed trails. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of green spaces, nature reserves and urban environments.

Price: Free.

12. Fulham Palace

Jen Mills also recommends Fulham Palace, ‘the home of the bishops of London.’

‘It has a lovely walled garden and museum, and entry is free. There’s also a tearoom and natural playground for kids, and it’s within Bishop’s Park, which is a big green area alongside the Thames,’ she says.

Fulham Palace also combines a bit of education, too.

According to the site, it hosts ‘paintings, archaeology and artefacts tracing the history of the Palace site from prehistoric times.’

Price: Free.

13. Little Venice

As the real-life Venice continues to tackle the effects of overtourism, perhaps now isn’t the best time to visit the Italian city.

Not to worry, though, because Little Venice, the affluent residential district in West London, is just as Instagrammable.

With beautiful waterways and canals, quirky cafes, cosy pubs and charming restaurants, it’s the perfect spot for a springtime stroll.

Once you’ve explored the quaint Little Venice, a 2.5-mile canal walk will take you to vibrant Camden.

Price: Free.

14. Maltby Street Market

When you think of London food markets, the first ones that spring to mind are likely Borough or Spitalfields.

But have you ever tried Maltby Street Market?

A compact alley enveloped by railway arches and colourful flags awaits you, while the smell of freshly cooked street food is inescapable.

The market has been a local Bermondsey gem since 2010.

Price: Entry is free.

15. Raffles London at The OWO (Old War Office) secret basement bar

If you like a cocktail with a twist, Courtney Pochin insists you head to Raffles London at The OWO (Old War Office), which has recently been named as one of the top luxury hotels in the world by Forbes.

Hidden in the basement is the 007-inspired The Spy Bar, a ‘speakeasy that’s got an impressive history and is potentially the most secretive drinking spot in the UK.’

While a vintage cocktail menu contains drinks ranging from £200 to £350 in price, there is a regular list with beverages a little cheaper.

Disclaimer: the stiff ‘Writer’s Club’ cocktail, inspired by a martini, still costs £23. But, if you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the place to go!

Price: Entry to the hotel itself is free, but if you want to sit in the Spy Bar, you’ll need to be a guest.

Netflix fans can’t stop watching ‘legendary’ Guy Ritchie crime series topping chart

Netflix’s mind-boggling true crime documentary about ‘the most audacious heist of all time’ is currently number one on the streamer.

The three-part docuseries, The Diamond Heist, is executive produced by Emmy nominee Guy Ritchie and explores the astonishing story of how a group of criminals attempted to rob the Millennium Star Diamond, worth £350millon.

The official synopsis reads: ‘It’s summer 2000. A group of south-east London criminals are orchestrating what just might be the most audacious heist of all time.

‘Their plan: use a bulldozer to ram-raid the brand new Millennium Dome in broad daylight, steal the world’s second biggest flawless diamond in a haul worth £350 million, and escape by speedboat down the Thames.

‘There’s just one tiny problem: the Flying Squad are watching.’

The show has an acclaimed crew behind it including director Jesse Vile and executive producers Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, Suzanne Lavery and Ivan Atkinson.

Fans have been raving about the ‘fantastic’ show, dubbing it ‘a must watch’.

‘Guy Ritchie Diamond Heist is best doc on the raid I’ve seen as actually managed to get blokes who done it to talk .!,’ Jon Saunders wrote on X.

Adrian Stevens added: ‘If you have Netflix “The Diamond Heist” was very good!’

User Kev Is Me wrote: ‘Just watched #Diamondheist on #Netflix. Fantastic. Remember it so clearly. The last sentence of the 3 episodes is so funny. Defo a must watch documentary.’

The foiled diamond raid took place at Millennium Dome’s diamond exhibition in Greenwich in November 2000 but the Metropolitan Police branch known as the Flying Squad swooped in just in the nick of time.

The notorious attempted robbery has been portrayed in popular media before including a book written by Detective Superintendent Jon Shatford and William Doyle about the raid titled Dome Raiders: How Scotland Yard Foiled the Greatest Robbery of All Time.

On screen, the heist has been portrayed in an episode of Britain’s Biggest Heists and The Millennium Dome Heist with Ross Kemp, which aired on ITV in 2020.

Ironically, the legendary filmmaker himself was the target of a heist in November while filming his new big-budget Paramount+ series The Associates.

During the incident, two men reportedly rocked up in a Toyota Prius and distracted people while a third person stole some camera equipment from the side of the road.

An insider told The Sun: ‘[The thief] jumped back in the car and they sped off. The security guards started going bananas because they’d basically been robbed in broad daylight.

‘It was pretty embarrassing and a costly mistake,’ the source added. ‘The kit on those films isn’t cheap.’

And of course his 2000 movie Snatch, which is available to watch on Prime, portrays the criminal goings-on in London’s underworld – including the hunt for a missing diamond.

Guy is no stranger to portraying the world of crime. His best-known projects include the 1998 crime comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the 2009 Sherlock Holmes movie.

Most recently, he shot to the top of the Netflix charts with The Gentleman, which follows the criminal misadventures of Eddie Horniman (Theo James) and Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario).

It amassed a whopping 70 million views before being renewed for a second season.

The Diamond Heist will arrive on Netflix on April 16.

A version of this article was published on March 21, 2025.

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