Peppa Pig’s baby gender reveal couldn’t be more silly if it tried

Peppa Pig and her cartoon parents are staging a real-life gender reveal for their new piglet? Wake up and smell the bacon, people!

Yes, that’s right, on Friday night, the family will descend on Battersea Power Station in London to announce whether they are having a boy or a girl (spoiler: It’s a girl).

The idea of this shindig has me snorting like silly Daddy Pig.

First up, the whole gender reveal concept is hogwash, in my opinion, and something that should be made as extinct as George Pig’s beloved ‘dine-saws’.

To be fair, I’ve never been to a gender reveal party, but I’ve seen the parade of videos on TikTok: The cutesy cupcakes, the towering balloon arches, the dogs reluctantly sporting huge, coloured bows or with their fur dyed…

Then there’s the poor friends and family who already face being summoned to See The Baby, marshalled into attending baby showers, baptisms and birthday parties, then maybe nativities, school plays, sports days and so on… is this what the future will hold for Miss Rabbit, Grandpa Pig and Madame Gazelle, too?

That said, I accept that tastes differ and of course, being pregnant is a special and exciting time, and expectant parents want to share the joy with their near and dear. So I understand why some people choose to celebrate their impending arrival in this way – if said arrival is an actual, real human being.

But a fictional pig? Give me a break!

My own sons passed quickly through their Peppa Pig phase, but I’ve sat through my fair share of episodes.

I’ve always considered it among the less bad content that parents of young children are subjected to.

I like the fun and silliness of Peppa and her pals– and I’ve always encouraged my boys to jump in muddy puddles. Then there’s the close family bonds depicted, the characters’ ability to not take themselves too seriously, and Peppa’s curiosity about the world.

When news of Mummy Pig’s third pregnancy emerged – revealed live on Good Morning Britain in February, no less – I’ll admit it seemed like a good opportunity for a down-to-earth, empathetic show to deal with the topic of expanding families in an age-appropriate way.

But having Mummy and Daddy Pig do their porcine gender reveal at London’s Battersea Power Station on Friday night, lighting up its iconic chimneys in pink and blue, feels like one ham-fisted gimmick too far.

This fuss and fanfare – taking over a highly visible and significant public landmark for something that is essentially a family matter – is ludicrous.

I appreciate that there are worse things going on in the world to worry about and maybe I shouldn’t be getting my tail in a twist over a cartoon.

But I, for one, won’t be taking my kids to watch four pigs celebrate in a cloud of pink smoke/slicing into a pink cake/releasing pink balloons (choose your gender reveal stereotype) in the name of a £1 billion cartoon franchise.

Oh, Peppa. As you like to say: ‘You’re doing it all wrong!’

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

Exact date ‘mini-heatwave’ will hit UK with temperatures as high as 27°C

It’s not just London Marathon runners who need to stay hydrated this weekend.

As much as it might still feel chilly today, the UK weather will see temperatures climb over the coming days as northwesterly warm air flows from Europe.

This change in wind direction will bring some of the warmest weather of the year so far, including a mini-heatwave next week.

‘It’s warming up over the weekend,’ the Met Office said on X, sharing a video of a heat map showing the UK getting more orange by the second.

‘By early next week, maximum temperatures in the high teens or low 20s Celsius will be widespread,’ the UK weather service said.

‘If you like cooler conditions, head to coastal areas where it won’t be quite as warm.’

But where will it be warm over the coming days? And when will it be hottest?

Saturday

The UK’s thermostat is being slightly cranked up tomorrow. Saturday’s temperatures will be between 13°C and 18°C.

Cloud will smear the skies grey in the west, with patchy rain and drizzle helping to keep the weather more stereotypically British.

According to the Met Office, the rain will creep in overnight, with the heaviest spells in western Scotland, Wales, and south-west England.

The stubborn rain will only begin to clear around midday, helping give the temperature a slight boost to the mid-10s. The east and Northern Ireland will be on the sunnier side, forecasters said, with cloudy starts in the morning clearing a path for dry, sunny spells.

London will be the warmest part of the UK tomorrow at 18°C, only starting to cool off from 7pm.

Sunday

Two major marathons take place on Sunday, in London and Manchester.

But runners won’t need to pack their raincoats. After a cloudy start, both cities will see hours-long sunny spells and warm weather to match.

By 10am, London and Manchester will be 15°C and 14°C respectively, the two hottest places in the UK.

And it’ll only get hotter from there. At 4pm as the races come to an end, the Met Office expects the mercury in Manchester to have risen to 19°C as a  gentle south-westerly breeze blows.

In the capital, it will have tipped over to 21°C.

Elsewhere in the country, a band of rain will slowly creep over from the west in the early hours.

Northern Ireland will avoid the worst of the downpours, but from 7am or so, the majority of western and central Scotland will be soaked. Some parts will see as much as 8mm of rain per hour.

Scots probably won’t need to pack and sunscreen alongside their umbrellas, unfortunately, though some cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow will experience temperatures in the mid-10s.

When will the mini-heatwave start?

From Monday onwards, Britain will bask in a mini-heatwave.

The BBC weather forecast says temperatures will climb to 23°C – being overall ‘very pleasant in the sunshine’ – before peaking at 27°C in the Midlands and south-east England on Wednesday (May 1).

This will be the warmest the UK has been since September, when it was briefly even warmer than Barcelona.

The Met Office’s forecast is slightly lower than the BBC’s, however. The agency doesn’t expect it to get warmer than 25°C in London at about 4pm – freezing, in other words.

Elsewhere, the temperatures will be in the low 20s and the high-10s across the Scottish coast and Northern Ireland.

Next week’s temperatures, while sweltering, are typically what a warm spell in April will reach, the Met Office says.

A heatwave – a regular-sized one, not a mini – would need to see the temperature be above 25°C for three days or longer.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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London Marathon 2026 ballot opens today – here’s how to take part

As runners gear up for this year’s London Marathon on Sunday, the have ballots opened today for next year’s race.

Anyone keen to take on the 26.2 miles challenge around the capital in 2026 has until Friday, May 2 to sign up.

A world record-breaking 840,000 people entered the ballot for this year’s race, making it officially the most popular marathon on the planet.

Around 56,000 people are expected to take part.

Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said: ‘The London Marathon is one of the most iconic and inclusive sporting events in the UK and is unique in the fact that anyone can be part of it.

‘You can stand on the same Start Line as the legends of the sport and be cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of people who line the streets.

‘It is a day like no other when the whole of humanity comes together, and entering the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot can be the first step towards being part of it.’

More than 1.25million people have completed the circuit since the race was launched in 1981, with runners having raised more than £1billion for charity.

How do I sign up for the London Marathon 2026?

The 2026 London Marathon will be held on Sunday, April 26 next year.

Prospective marathon runners can sign up by entering a public ballot, with winners drawn at random.

When does the ballot open?

The ballot for the 2026 London Marathon opened today, Friday, April 25, and will stay open for a week until Friday, May 2.

How much does it cost?

If you are a UK resident, and choose to donate your entry fee to support the work of the London Marathon Foundation during the ballot process if your entry is unsuccessful, your entry free is reduced from £79.99 to £49.99.

If you get offered a place after being successful, if you live in the UK and didn’t opt to donate your entry fee when applying, you’ll need to pay the full entry fee of £79.99. 

What happens if I don’t get a place in the first ballot?

If you don’t get a place in the main ballot, not all hope is lost.

You will automatically be entered into a second ballot, and you will at least double your chance of getting a place through that second draw. 

If you are successful in either the first or second ballot, your entry is prepaid and confirmed.

How do I know if I’m in the ballot?

First of all, you’ll receive a confirmation email when you apply, as well as a payment receipt if you donate your entry fee.

Organisers of the marathon recommend checking your junk folder if you don’t see a confirmation email soon after applying.

The results of the 2026 London Marathon ballot will be emailed to all entrants in July 2025 – the exact date has not been confirmed.

What if I’m unsuccessful in both?

If you are unsuccessful you will receive a ‘premium winter running top’ which retails at £60, and the money you entered will be donated to the London Marathon Foundation.

Top-rated marathons in the UK if you don’t get in to London

If you aren’t lucky enough to be able to race in London next year, never fear as there are plenty of other options across the UK.

From Manchester Marathon, billed as the flattest and most friendly, to the Great Welsh Marathon offering stunning views of the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park, there’s bound to be another option for you.

The Brighton Marathon is held a few weeks before the London Marathon, or you could head to Blackpool and take in all of the seaside resort’s tourist spots en route.

Edinburgh Marathon is also known for its super-flat route, making it a great option for beginners, or if you want more of a challenge the multi-terrain New Forest Marathon takes you through the heart of the stunning national park.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Gordon Ramsay admits his own restaurant is ‘too posh and intimidating’ even for him

Gordon Ramsay has only dined in his own Michelin star restaurant twice – because it is ‘too posh’ for him.

While the 58-year-old celebrity chef’s Restaurant Gordon Ramsay gained three Michelin stars in 2001, that doesn’t mean he likes it there. Get the man to Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza, dear god.

In fact, the shouty yet beloved British chef has only dined in the white linen-clad Chelsea eatery twice in 25 years, because he finds the experience ‘bloody intimidating’, and insists such a level of dining is simply ‘not [his] style’.

Gordon – who has earned 17 Michelin stars over his career – said on The Savoy Originals podcast: ‘There’s a very fine line, running it or indulging in it.

‘I’ve only had dinner at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay twice in 25 years.

‘Once was for Megan’s birthday, and the second time was with Bradley Cooper when we were together for the film Burnt.

‘It’s not my style. It’s too posh for me. It sounds weird, right?

‘You built the place and it’s like, “I’m not built that way. I can’t sit there with that level.”

‘It’s bloody intimidating and it’s a very special moment for the guests, not for me, because I’m a giver – I’m not a receiver.’

Alright, Chappell Roan.

It seems Gordon is somewhat of a PR nightmare for his flagship restaurant, established in 1998, which provides an a la carte starter and main experience for £180.

The West London eatery, which prides itself on ‘giving every guest an experience to remember’, also offers an ‘Inspiration Table’ where parties of up to four can gain a ‘deeper understanding’ of the culinary techniques behind their most creative dishes.

However, to book, guests must put down a deposit of £300 per person, which is non-refundable if the booking is cancelled with less than seven days’ notice. Yikes.

Perhaps it’s the fine-dining element Gordon can’t get behind, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because he wants to wear shorts.

‘We would like all of our guests to feel free to express their own individual style,’ says the website, but…. ‘However, we do ask guests to avoid shorts, tracksuits, hoodies and hats. Smart trainers are fine. We know lots of our guests like to dress smartly which we appreciate.’

It adds: ‘Ultimately we want every guest to feel at home.’ (Apart from Gordon).

How much do Gordon Ramsay's restaurants cost?

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High offers the same restaurant experience but in the sky, on level 60 of 22 Bishopsgate in east London.

‘Immerse yourself in a first-class culinary journey, hosted by our three-Michelin-starred team,’ the blurb says of the ‘intimate’ 12-seat Chef’s table, which will set you back £250 per person for eight courses.

He’s also got Michelin-starred Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay, offering a sprinkle of French cuisine in Knightsbridge if you’re willing to pay £85 for two courses.

Or there’s the 1920s-style Savoy Grill, offering pre-theatre eats including marmite on toast for £5.50, a cured seabass starter for £21, and a £65 beef wellington. That’s got to be some good beef…

Don’t worry though, Gordon does cater for people with his more casual tastes too, with his Bread Street Kitchen Kitchen and Bar. The prices don’t exactly match the casual vibe though, with the cheapest main a curry for £17. A smash burger and fries will set you back £24…

Enter Street Pizza and Street Burger, which are dotted around London and offer slightly more affordable options – that’s bottomless pizza for £20, and £18 burgers.

His Asian-inspired restaurant Lucky Cat offers small plates starting from £9 sashimi, £12 bao, and £26 scallops, and he’s opened another one in the Bishopsgate skyscraper.

Dotted throughout the new joint are the Japanese cat models called maneki-neko, which are a good luck charm. However, in just a single week of opening, nearly 500 of these cat figurines have been stolen, Gordon recently said.

Speaking on this weekend’s episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, Gordon revealed: ‘The cats are getting stolen. There were 477 stolen last week – they cost £4.50 each.’

In total, the cost of the stolen cats comes to more than £2,000.

The Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares star sometimes brings his Michelin flair into his home, making extravagant breakfasts for his and wife Tana Ramsay’s son Oscar.

However, Tana thinks he takes it all too far. God forbid she finds Gordon cooking Michelin-starred dinners for the youngster…

He explained: ‘I will do sausage and mash with baked beans and make it look like a three-star Michelin sausage, mash and baked beans.

‘And I’ll put the beans on one at a time, and I’ll finish them, making mashed potatoes like [French chef] Robuchon did, with 70 per cent butter.

‘And then Tana will kick me up the a*** and say, “What are you doing? Our son is five years of age and you’re f****** around with these sausages. Stop it.”‘

‘So, yeah, I get a little bit carried away.’

As his homelife indicates, Gordon is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Self-aware Gordon added: ‘I’ll be the biggest pain in the ass to everyone if I retire. I’m in control. I’m enjoying everything I do.’

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Man, 65, found dead in west London flat named after two arrested for ‘murder’

A man found dead at his west London flat has been named as 65-year-old Michael O’Donnell, as detectives continue to question a suspect on suspicion of his murder.

Police were called to a flat in Samara Drive, Southall on Wednesday after neighbours raised the alarm. 

Michael was found dead at the address, triggering a murder inquiry.

The Met is appealing for anyone who may have seen him within the last two months to come forward. 

They have arrested a man, 54, on suspicion of murder and preventing the lawful burial of a body. 

A 28-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

One of Michael’s neighbours, a father-of-two, 43, told Metro: ‘I am in complete shock. He was a lovely man. I have a disabled son, and he often helped me to get my disabled son on the special bus that takes him to school.

‘It was so kind of him as he himself walked with a stick. He was always smiling, joking and was very well liked. We just don’t know how or why this happened. As far as I know he had lived alone in the flat for around three years. He was never any trouble far from it. It was a pleasure to have him as a neighbour.’

He added: ‘It’s so nice around here I’m just very confused over this devastating news.’

A mother of two from the block told Metro: ‘We are very fearful. He was a nice man we cannot imagine anyone would want to do him harm. The police have told us nothing. Loads of them arrived and then forensics. We have never had this here it’s a new development and very safe at least we thought. We even have a private security firm patrolling.’

The flat is in the Green Quarter – a project described by Berkeley Homes as ‘one of West London’s most exciting canalside destinations.’

It is 88 acres and one of London’s largest recent regeneration projects.

Kelly Barnes, 28, who works in publishing, said she had recently moved to the private estate because of its reputation as a safe area with good transport links. 

The mother of one told Metro: ‘We haven’t been here long but we have been very impressed. It seems so safe relative to some areas. To see police cars everywhere and to find out there’s been a killing is utterly shocking.’

One neighbour described how he had, three weeks ago, reported ‘a horrible smell’ coming from the flat.

The neighbour said the dead man as ‘a gentle, grandfather figure’ much loved in the block.

The father of two told Metro: ‘About three weeks ago I smelled a horrible smell around the flat. I reported it and the fire brigade were sent here. After looking around they said the smell was coming from the bins and it was left at that.

‘But it got worse and worse and the lady who cleans in the block asked me about it. She then time the housing management, the police came and they found my neighbour’s body.

‘The smell had gotten so bad we had to cover our faces it was so bad, horrible for my kids.’

He added: ‘I hadn’t seen my neighbour for a while but I just thought he had gone away.

‘He was a lovely guy, like a grandfather figure. He was well liked by everyone. Just a nice man. To think of him laying dead is heartbreaking.’

Detectives are in the block gathering evidence alongside forensics specialists. 

They have carried out door to door inquiries and are collecting CCTV footage from around the estate which is monitored by a private security company. 

The block is a crime scene with only residents permitted in and out.’

A Metropolitan Police statement said: ‘Police were called by the London Ambulance Service following concerns for the welfare of a man at 10:56hrs on Wednesday, 23 April in Samara Drive. 

‘Sadly, a man, believed to be in his 60s, was found dead at the address. 

‘An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of his death, which at this time is being treated as suspicious.’

Detective chief inspector Brian Howie, said: ‘Family liaison officers are supporting Michael’s family at this distressing time and my thoughts remain with them.

‘We continue to work diligently to gather evidence and establish what led to Michaels’ death and I would ask any local residents to take a careful look at these images to check whether they know him.

‘Have you seen him since Monday, 24 February either alone or with anyone else?

‘Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference CAD2369/23APR or online by visiting the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) Website.

‘Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Graffiti on Tube leaves carriages looking like ‘New York subway in the 1980s’

Londoners say more graffiti has appeared on the Central line Tube carriages in recent months.

Passengers on the London Underground claim there has been a rise in graffiti on the Central line, with tags appearing on carriage interior walls and doors.

One passenger on Reddit made the unflattering comparison between the Central line and the New York Subway in the 1980s, when the US city’s underground system was infamous for graffiti-covered trains and crime.

Footage appears to show carriage after carriage sprayed with colourful graffiti also on the outside of some trains.

One frustrated commuter wrote on X: ‘Becoming really sick of commuting daily on the Central Line. It’s filthy and constantly covered in graffiti.

‘Commuters all deserve better. Sort it out.’

Another passenger said he saw graffiti on Bakerloo line trains too which ‘makes for a poor journey experience.’

One daily commuter told Metro that the situation last month ‘has gotten dreadfully bad in the past few weeks.’

Bassam Mahfouz, a London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, told Metro it isn’t ‘a tag here or there’ but it now affects entire carriages in some cases.

‘It is a complete eyesore,’ he said.

‘You wouldn’t expect that sort of thing in London.’

He said he contacted Transport for London about the graffiti on the Central line and was told that ‘additional teams have been introduced on site’ and that TfL is ‘determined to remove all graffiti attacks and maintain high service standards.’

Extra cleaning teams are working at the Central line depots in Hainault and Ruislip and at the Bakerloo line Stonebridge Park depot, Metro understands.

He said the graffiti being dealt with is ‘positive news,’ but he said ‘we have to have a zero tolerance approach to graffiti’ and that tags are being removed as quickly as possible.

‘We need to make sure there is a zero tolerance approach, because that is the way to tackle graffiti.

He continued: ‘They get off doing the graffiti there and everyone sees it.

‘And if it is removed within a reasonable period of time, then that minimises the number of people who see it and therefore, there is no point putting even the sliver of effort to my artwork if it’s not going to be seen, and I’ll move somewhere else.

‘It has an impact on how safe people feel on the Tube network and on Londoners’ pockets because of the cost of dealing with the graffiti.

‘We need to tackle the scourge of graffiti and in order to do that effectively, we need to make sure we have that zero tolerance approach.

He said that if graffiti was dealt with within ’24 hours’ it would discourage further appearances and to make sure it is ‘nipped in the bud.’

Last year, some of the new Piccadilly line carriages were vandalised before they entered service.

The shiny, new trains with air conditioning were pictured with three spray-painted tags.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

10 unmissable Time Out deals – including champagne, cocktails and live jazz

Looking for 10 things to do in London? Luckily, there’s lots to do in this city for cheap in 2025! At least… There is now.

Metro has teamed up with Time Out to bring you the best deals across the capital.

Every Friday, 10 new deals will drop, available in the Metro newspaper, on Metro, and on our socials. You’ll also find them in our weekly London newsletter, The Slice, in your inbox every Wednesday.

Enjoy an intimate evening in Mayfair at 28°-50° by Night, where £34.95 gets you three delicious courses, a glass of Prosecco and the smooth sounds of live jazz.

Or head to Searcys St Pancras Bar & Brasserie, where champagne is no questions asked, thanks to their iconic ‘Press for Champagne’ buzzers. Choose between three elegant small plates and a full bottle of Brut Champagne for £99, or go for two cocktails and three plates for £49. Available Sunday to Wednesday.

And for a touch of West End glamour, the Sanderson Hotel is serving a three-course meal with a carafe of wine for £39.95. Expect seasonal dishes, indulgent desserts and in a five-star setting.

It’s all here and more in these 10 incredible offers, discounts and deals.

Unlimited buns, free-flowing booze and big vibes at YUU Kitchen, now £39.95

​​Bao lovers, this one’s for you. Tucked in the heart of Spitalfields, YUU Kitchen is turning up the volume with an offer that’s borderline outrageous: unlimited bao and bottomless drinks for just £39.95. Grab your mates and dive into pillowy buns stuffed with crispy chicken, soft-shell crab, tofu, pork belly, or aubergine – then go again and again. Wash it all down with endless Prosecco or pints, and finish strong with a fluffy ice cream bao. Save over 40% off the full price available Monday to Saturday, all-day now! Come hungry, leave victorious.

GET THE OFFER

Get over 50% off three courses & prosecco with live jazz at 28°-50° by Night

Tuck into three delicious courses, sip on a glass of Prosecco, and soak up the smooth sounds of live jazz – all in the heart of Mayfair. This is dinner with a seriously chic twist, and it’s yours for just £34.95.

GET THE OFFER

Was £45, now £39: Get bottomless brunch at The Dixon Hotel

Indulge in a bottomless brunch for just £39 at Shakedown Bar & Restaurant, The Dixon Hotel. Enjoy a three-course feast featuring pancakes, shakshuka, and crème brûlée with 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco, beer, and cocktails. A stylish brunch in a historic setting!

GET THE OFFER

£39.95 for three courses & a carafe of wine at the five-star Sanderson Hotel

Dine in style at the five-star Sanderson Hotel with a three-course meal and a carafe of wine for just £39.95. Indulge in a carefully curated menu featuring seasonal dishes and decadent desserts, all served in the chic surroundings of this iconic West End hotel.

GET THE OFFER

Save 25% on a sharing menu with champagne at Searcys St Pancras Bar & Brasserie

Enjoy three small plates with a bottle of Searcys Brut Champagne for £99 (25% off), or two cocktails with three plates for £49 (32% off). Set in the stunning St Pancras station, Searcys pairs Eurostar views with brasserie-style bites like pea arancini and gochujang prawns. With ‘Press for Champagne’ buzzers and midweek availability (Sun to Wed), it’s the perfect excuse to indulge.

GET THE OFFER

£17.50 tickets to Frameless Lates: London's ultimate immersive art experience

Make your weekend memorable with Frameless Lates in Marble Arch. Enjoy over-18s-only sessions every Friday and Saturday, featuring four galleries, a Soho Radio soundtrack, and drinks from the Café Bar. Perfect for date nights or fun with friends!

GET THE OFFER

From £48 to £29.95: Enjoy wine-tasting and a cheese board at six top London bars

Enjoy a wine-tasting adventure at one of six cosy central London spots for just £29.95 (was £48)! Sample three global wines, red, white, or bubbly, guided by an expert sommelier. Accompanied by a delicious cheese board, this is the perfect way to catch up, celebrate, or unwind. Cheers to a memorable experience!

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Hair cuts, manicures and skin treatments – get it all at Body Essential

Sometimes, you just need a little ‘you’ time – what better place to get that than with Body Essential? This east London-based independent salon is offering you up to 45% off on hair cuts, treatments and cleansing skin treatments. Got an occasion coming up? Opt for a full head of highlights cut, blow-dry and toner and treatments or a Balayage cut, blow-dry and toner, both with a glass of wine.

GET THE OFFER

Play, eat and drink at ShuffleBoard Bar London for just £15.95

For a fun night in Camden, head to ShuffleBoard Bar and compete on champion-sized shuffleboard tables, then enjoy live DJs, sports, and games like pool, foosball, and arcade classics. Refuel with tasty pizza and a refreshing pint or glass of wine all for just £15.95.

GET THE OFFER

Unwind with a five-star luxury experience for two at The Spa at Athenaeum Hotel

Do you feel that? It’s the feeling of a long-awaited self-care day on the horizon! Invite a friend or partner to escape the hustle and bustle of central London and share a five-star luxury experience at Mayfair’s Athenaeum Hotel Spa. Spend a relaxing hour in the wet area, sauna, steam rooms and hot tub, then take your pick from a facial and body wrap treatment or massage. All this with a glass of bubbly for 40% off – you’ll find it hard to say no.

GET THE OFFER

Best things to do in London this weekend including Squid Game in ‘real life’

Welcome back to The Slice!

The London Marathon is this weekend. And while we’ll be cheering on the brave runners of London from home or on the sidelines, we know some of you will be out there putting your best foot forward. Find out where medalists can claim their post-race freebies for some much-needed refueling below.

The race isn’t the only thing hotting up this weekend. Where better to enjoy the heatwave than at one of London’s world class cocktail spots sipping on ice-cold inventive drinks? Find out which three cocktails are breaking barriers this year, as part of Diageo’s World Class GB Cocktail Festival.

Plus: We’ve all seen Pride and Prejudice… but what about Plied and Prejudice? We bring you our official review of the hilarious adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel.

Read on for a whole range of recommendations for 26-27 April, handpicked as always by The Slice.

This week in London

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are 12 of the best activities, dining, and drinking spots in the capital.

1. Raise a glass at the UK’s First Negroni Bar

By Kate Rice

The reign of the spicy margarita is over, long live the negroni. The Alchemist Monument have opened the UK’s first negroni bar, bringing with it six variations of the cocktail from Negroni sour to a non-alcoholic No-groni. 

Unsurprisingly, the Classic is a highlight, while the barrel-aged option is a subtle but refined twist on the much-loved original recipe. But it wouldn’t be The Alchemist if there weren’t some more experimental options.

Prefer a fruitier cocktail? The Paradiso is the perfect gateway glug into the negroni world. The chocolate orange in the Pressurised Negroni is a surprising addition to bitter Campari, and alongside an interactive dry-ice presentation, is a clear showstopper. If you’re looking for a quiet drink, it may not be the spot for you. But for fun tunes and good booze in the centre of town, this is a strong addition to the list.

Negronis from £13. 16-18 Eastcheap, Monument, EC3M 1BD. Book here.

2. Try some of the best cocktails at the Diageo World Class GB Cocktail Festival

By Courtney Pochin

Calling all cocktail lovers! The Diageo World Class GB Cocktail Festival is currently taking place across London until 27 April and there are some truly unique drinks on offer.

You’ll have the chance to try special menus crafted by top bartenders from Diageo’s top 100 list of best bartenders in Britain. 

You can find these pros at a number of the city’s coolest bars, including Bar Kinky, The Connaught, Bacchanalia, The Donovan, and more – and each has its own limited-edition menu featuring drinks made with either Don Julio tequila, The Singleton Whisky or Seedlip.

Here are three standout spots to visit before the festival ends…

The Alchemist’s Smile at The Dover Yard

Best for: the best of both worlds (savoury and sweet)

Head bartender Daniele Mondelli has created some of the most creative and unique drinks I’ve ever seen, with a non-alcoholic and two alcoholic options to choose from. My favourite was The Alchemist’s Smile, which on paper sounds like everything I’d despise in a drink: single malt Scotch whisky, celery and coconut ‘toothpaste’, cucumber, chamomile and bergamot spray. But I guess that’s the alchemy of it all, somehow the ingredients came together to create something magical. The drink also looks fabulous — served with an actual toothbrush, topped with the celery and coconut paste. An all-round wonderful surprise.

Cocktails, £22. 1 Dover Yard, Mayfair. Book here.

The Mesa Redonda at Kwãnt

Best for: grapefruit fans

Two bartenders at Kwãnt made it onto the top 100 list, with Yvonne Chan and Francesco Cercato creating their own drinks to celebrate. Yvonne’s is called The Singleton After Rain and is a smoky and earthy drink, featuring whisky, cedar wood, eucalyptus, pine needle and oak moss soda. Francesco’s Mesa Redonda is a sharper carbonated cocktail with Don Julio Blanco, grapefruit and pandan — it’s a fun, pink drink with a strong grapefruit flavour and a nice fizz.

Cocktails, £18. 52 Stratton Street, Mayfair. Walk-in only.

The Seeds cocktail at The Rivoli Bar, The Ritz London

Best for: enjoying yourself without the next-day headache

If you were ever in need of an excuse to treat yourself to an evening out at The Ritz, this is it. Astonishingly, the world class drink here is a mocktail, so you won’t even have a headache the morning after. Bartender David Riera’s creation is called Seeds and contains Seedlip Garden 108, Blueberry shrub and Birch Soda Water. It’s a simple, yet visually striking drink with a deep, luscious red hue, containing a pyramid of ice that looks like a giant gemstone. The best part? It tastes as good as it looks.

Cocktails from £25. The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz London. Book here.

3. Taste Indian food with a view over the Tower of London

By Beatrice Aidin

‘This is such a happy place,’ says Ab Fab actress Helen Lederer as we sit down at the Tower Bridge branch of Gunpowder, a small but mighty chain of modern Indian restaurants that has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand at its OG site in Spitalfields since 2016.

Looking out at the panoramic view over the Tower of London, where Guido Fawkes was held at his Majesty’s displeasure, we clink our huge G&Ts to ‘gunpowder, treason and plot.’ First, we tuck into crispy dosa balls with potato and spices atop a shot glass of sambal. ‘It’s like a delicious spicy bonbon,’ says Helen.

Other hits that arrive at our groaning table include saag with tandoori paneer, a grilled Barnsley lamb chop in Kashmiri ghee and marinated chicken served with Gunpowder slaw (which we both agree is tip-top). Despite feeling very full, I remind myself of the restaurant reviewer’s oath to try each course. Happily, the Old Monk rum bread and butter pudding is a star turn!

As a tribute to the much-missed India Club, on the last Sunday of the month, Gunpowder Tower Bridge and Soho will celebrate festivals such as Easter (27 April), Moatsu (25 May), Eid (29 June) and the Mango Season Festival (27 July) with six courses for £25.

Sharing plates from £21. 4 Duchess Walk, Tower Bridge, SE1 2SD. Book here.

4. Indulge at a once old-school chippy, now a rustic pintxo bar

By Sophie Laughton

A trip to Tollington’s on an unseasonably hot spring day made me feel like I’d just been on a plane to Spain rather than a sweaty Piccadilly line train. The tiny restaurant was once an old-school chippy, which has since been transformed into a rustic pintxo bar that wouldn’t look out of place on a back street in Barcelona.

It’s the second remodel from the team behind critically-acclaimed pub The Plimsoll, and their fishy sharing menu is designed for the perfect laid-back European dinner. Share steamed octopus salad with a fresh, zingy fennel dressing, a plump scallop in fiercely smoky chorizo oil, and catch of the day drizzled in peri peri sauce straight from the plancha (warning: the lamp-lit back room is not bright enough for effective filleting, so watch out for bones), plus little glasses of £2.50 Estrella to sip on.

Just promise to order the chips – top-notch chippy style chunks slathered in aioli and paprika-spiked bravas sauce. 

Tapas from £5. 172 Tollington Park, Finsbury Park, N4 3AJ. Book here.

5. Get these London marathon freebies

It’s the annual London Marathon this week. If you’re braving it this year, plenty of restaurants and bars have got you covered as a little treat for running a whole 26.2 miles…

Lush stores in London are giving away two free products from their new magnesium range (a bath bomb and a massage bar) to help runners with their recovery. Head down between 27 April-30 April and show your medal to a member of staff. 

Fancy a free pint? Vinegar Yard in London Bridge is offering a free pint to all 2025 London Marathon runners. Claim by showing staff your medal on race day.

Get a perfectly grilled Argentinian steak on the house at Gaucho from race day until 1 May. Just show your medal to a member of staff. Find plenty more marathon freebies here.

6. Get Tickets to Squid Game: The Experience

Tickets for Squid Game: The Experience go on sale this Friday. Fans of the hit Netflix show will have the chance to participate in their very own version of Squid Game at Immerse LDN.

You’ll make your way through five challenges inspired by the show across a 60 minute session including the famous ‘Red Light, Green Light’. Get your tickets here!

7. Try inventive cocktails at brand-new cocktail bar Parasol

Can London ever have too many cocktail bars? The more the merrier is what we say. New cocktail bar Parasol opens in Dalston on 1 May.

Look forward to late night cocktails, like the Yuk Fu which is a unique blend of El Gobernador Pisco, Green Chartreuse and lemongrass – plus a rotation of DJs.

8. Want 50% off pizza? Read on

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Common Pizza UK, a new open-air pizza spot has just opened on Clapham Common, serving up NYC-style pizzas and deep-pan Detroit pies.

To celebrate its opening, you can get 50% off their menu for a whole month. Sign up to their mailing list to get their discount.

9. Try a Taiwanese bottomless brunch

Mr Bao’s new Taiwanese bottomless brunch menu involves a blend of classic breakfast dishes and punchy East Asian flavours. Think brunch dumplings made with Taiwanese sausage and smoked bacon, and spring onion pancakes. Yum!

Sharers start at £3.50 and bao at £4.80. Bottomless cocktails are £24 for an hour. Book here.

10. Get your hands on tacos and cocktails for £10

Gran Luchito has teamed up with renowned chef, Sophie Wyburd, for a one-night-only Mexican supper club.

Tickets are just £10 for a multi-course taco menu and cocktails, with all proceeds going to The Felix Project which tackles food waste and feeds people experiencing hunger. Book your spot here!

11. Find some cool jewellery at Coal Drops Yard’s Indie Jewellers’ Market

An Indie Jewellers’ Market takes place between 1-5 May, with over 80 designer-makers and boutique brands from across London and the UK.

From futuristic statement pieces evoking the Berlin techno scene; to elegant art deco-inspired design. Just head down to Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross.

12. You’ve heard of Pride and Prejudice… well what about Plied and Prejudice?

By Sophie Laughton

Raise a glass to the Aussie cast of Plied & Prejudice, who have come from Down Under to turn Waterloo’s quirky underground venue The Vaults into a gaudy catwalk that’s part Pemberley, part RuPaul’s Drag Race. And with waiters bringing cocktails to your seat throughout the performance, you are fully encouraged to, as well as filming, heckling, and all the other naughty things you’re not usually allowed to do in the theatre.

The waiters aren’t the only ones running around; there are 20 characters in Plied and Prejudice, and only five actors. Cue hysterical costume changes and breakneck banter as Mr Darcy flips between various Bennett sisters and back again. Surprisingly, it’s all still vaguely faithful to the book, with a fair few references to movie moments Austen fans will swoon over (The wet shirt competition! The hand clench! Keira Knightley’s jaw!).

In all, a high camp, bawdy romp which should absolutely be enjoyed at least a little bit plied. And that’s without counting the after-party… Bottoms up! 

Until 18 May. Tickets from £19, The Vaults, Waterloo. Book here.

MORE: ‘Unreal’ BBQ fast food chain owned by UK pub to open 10 new restaurants in 2025

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

Map reveals the English regions hit by this year’s biggest council tax hikes

This year, council tax in England will go up by a total of £2.1 billion – but some are facing far bigger hikes than others.

Based on the nationwide average increase of 4.9%, the annual bill for a typical band D property is estimated to be £109 more expensive than the 2024/25 period, with the previous figure of £2,171 rising to £2,280 on April 1.

However, the situation varies across local authorities: nearly half raised rates by the maximum 5%, while six councils around the country were granted permission to exceed this cap.

According to a new study by Go.Compare, Birmingham will see the biggest overall jump among England’s 296 billing areas, paying an extra £43.1 million over the 2025/26 period.

Using government data, the comparison site also compared each authority’s increase against its population, drilling down to the impact on an individual basis.

Results show Windsor and Maidenhead residents will officially be hit hardest, with the bill for each eligible household rising £169.43 compared to 2024/25.

Somerset and Bradford didn’t fare much better either, placing second and third highest thanks to respective increases of £165.19 and £163.40.

Aside from Manchester’s Trafford district in fourth, the rest of the top (or bottom, depending on how you look at it) 10 councils were clustered together in the South, but Richmond Upon Thames was the only one in London.

Elsewhere, Welsh taxpayers can expect rises of between 4.5% and 9.5%, while in Scotland the jump – the first after a two-year freeze – will typically be at least 8%.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, commented: ‘Council tax is an essential household expense, but for many, these rising costs are putting even more pressure on already stretched budgets. If you’re struggling, it’s worth checking if you qualify or council tax reductions or any support schemes in your area.

‘At the same time, looking for savings on other bills, like home insurance, could help offset some of these rising costs. Shopping around for a better deal could make a real difference to your monthly outgoings.’