Page 20 – Ideal Magazine

Where To Eat In York: The Best Restaurants In York

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM

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October 20, 2025

Where To Eat In York: The Best Restaurants In York

The best restaurants in York prove there’s more to this historic city than medieval walls and Gothic spires…

There’s an old Yorkshire saying: “Hear all, see all, say nowt; eat all, sup all, pay nowt”, and while Yorkshire folk may be famously careful with their money, the dining scene in York proves that some things are worth loosening the purse strings for.

Behind the medieval walls and Gothic spires, this historic city has quietly transformed into one of Britain’s most exciting food destinations, where talented chefs are writing new chapters in York’s two-thousand-year story through their menus.

The city’s culinary landscape stretches far beyond the traditional tearoom offerings that once defined it. Today, you’ll find everything from refined tasting menus showcasing Yorkshire’s exceptional produce to bustling wine bars, neighbourhood bistros pushing creative boundaries, and even AVPN-certified Neapolitan pizzerias.

In the narrow Snickelways and along the cobbled streets, ancient timber-framed buildings now house restaurants that wouldn’t look out of place in London or Copenhagen. Yet there’s something distinctly Yorkshire about it all – a refreshing lack of pretence that keeps the focus squarely on what matters: the food.

But in a city where every alleyway seems to hide another promising restaurant, and where new openings appear as regularly as tourists at the Minster, the challenge isn’t finding somewhere good to eat – it’s choosing between them. We’re here to help with that; here are the best restaurants in York.

Roots

Ideal for farm-to-fork fine dining that doesn’t take itself too seriously…

The second act of chef Tommy Banks, this Michelin-starred venture doesn’t just serve food – it serves a sense of time and place. Housed in a Victorian pub where patterned rugs soften wooden floors and natural light pours through tall windows, Roots presents the Banks family farm (over in Oldstead, where the mothership Black Swan sits) in edible form.

It all reads a bit pretentious when we write it down, but what a pleasure it is to eat this expression of Northern British seasonality. Head Chef Will Lockwood and team work with ingredients that tell stories: vegetables that spent months in the ground at Oldstead, wild foods foraged from hedgerows, preserves that capture seasons past and gluts enjoyed in jars and bottles.

The Core Menu (£95) serves as your introduction to this philosophy, while the Signature Menu (£145-165) goes deeper and longer, both featuring ingredients that have been coaxed into new forms through months of preservation. A palm-sized scallop is served halved and anointed with brown butter sabayon. It sits on a tamari sauce made, not from soybeans but rather, fermented black squash.

The headlining hogget is the star of the show, a study in whole-animal cookery, featuring both roasted saddle and belly. The saddle, bathed in garlic butter and thyme, shares the plate with its transformed belly counterpart – a testament to time and fire, braised and barbecued before being glazed with a compelling black garlic vinegar caramel. Morels, butter-roasted and cleverly stuffed with lamb faggot mix, bring an earthen depth alongside twin purees of sheep’s yogurt and green onions that have been kissed by fermented onion juice. The dish speaks to both tradition and innovation, crowned with a rich hogget sauce that makes the most of every part of the animal, from bones to trim, all enriched with herbs and lamb fat. Christ it’s good.

Desserts are particularly intriguing, a marriage of both savoury and sweet, and last year and this. A recent sweet course of roasted chicory root turned crumble and ice cream, was paired with Charlotte potato custard foam and sea salt caramel. It was as intoxicating as it sounds.

The drink pairings show similar thoughtfulness. The Experimental & Adventurous might pair your course with a Polish Solaris or South African Cabernet Franc, while Grand & Classic stays closer to fine dining traditions. The non-alcoholic Soft & Inventive pairings prove zero-proof can be just as compelling as their spirited counterparts. At Roots, it’s the most enjoyable drinks pairing we’ve had – nuanced and complex, drawing on the restaurant’s library of preserved ingredients.

The yacht rock soundtrack reminds you that even Michelin-starred food doesn’t require hushed tones. Was that Steely Dan we heard meandering across the dining room? We like this place even more…

The kitchen hums Wednesday through Saturday, with dinner service nightly and lunch adding another layer of possibility on Fridays and Saturdays. Getting a table here requires the same patience needed for their slow-food philosophy – but like their aged beef and preserved vegetables, good things come to those who wait.

Website: rootsyork.com

Address: 68 Marygate, York YO30 7BH

Fish & Forest

Ideal for sustainable seafood that tastes like it was caught just moments ago…

It takes confidence to open a sitdown seafood restaurant 40 miles inland. After nomadic stints at Spark: York and the Gillygate pub, chef Stephen Andrews has found Grape Lane’s brick and timber the perfect backdrop for his ambitious vision. The Michelin Guide’s nod for sustainable gastronomy suggests that geography is no barrier to exceptional fish cookery. And let’s be honest; 40 miles isn’t really that far. We just needed something to say…

The weekly-changing chalkboard menu isn’t just practical – it’s a manifesto for the freedom of flexibility. One week might bring rich pulled mallard ragu with a tangy Yorkshire relish, the next could feature bream kissed by a Japanese Konro grill, accompanied by pickled mussels and samphire. Classical technique meets contemporary thinking, sure, but it’s in the latter where the kitchen really shines – witness their pan fried king scallops, with XO sauce made from dehydrated scallop roe, which packed an umami wallop and is the best thing we’ve eaten here by some margin.

While seafood and game lead the menu, vegetable dishes receive equal attention, proving that the restaurant’s sustainability chops extend beyond just fish. Earthy and humble, a recent carrot dish saw this root vegetable used in multiple ways, from smoky purée to crunch offcut crips, all centred around a perfectly roasted carrot, and crunchy crisps made from the offcuts. It was paired with mallard breast, vibrant carrot top salsa verde, and a rich mallard jus gras – a plate that was as delicious as it was sustainable, and the most carrot-y dish you’ll ever taste, even with a load of blushing wild duck on the plate.

They nail the sweet stuff, too. To finish, you might find a rich chocolate delice served with coffee cream, white chocolate mousse, and a crunchy salted almond brittle – layers of texture and flavour in every bite.

Front of house manager Yohan Barthelemy brings genuine enthusiasm rather than rehearsed service, matching dishes to wines from a list that prizes character over predictability. This is the type of bistro every neighbourhood should have.

Wednesday through Saturday service (noon to 9pm). Friday and Saturday evenings require forward planning. With a reputation as one of the best restaurants in York, tables here are increasingly coveted.

Website: fishandforestrestaurant.com

Address: 13 Grape Ln, York YO1 7HU

Skosh

Ideal for creative small plates that will surprise and delight…

Watching Neil Bentinck’s kitchen at work feels like witnessing culinary jazz – precise yet improvisational, technical yet soulful. Skosh really is something.

The recent expansion of this Grade II listed space beyond Micklegate Bar has added a proper bar, private dining room, and more counter seats, but hasn’t diluted the electric atmosphere that made the original so magnetic.

The name Skosh – Japanese for ‘a small amount’ – understates what’s happening here. Each plate may be small, but the ideas are expansive. Take their hen’s egg – a £4.50 masterpiece where Dale End cheddar, PX sherry and mushroom create something that lingers on diners’ palates all evening, such is the hit of umami at its core.

The kitchen moves effortlessly between culinary cultures without breaking stride: Whitby crab finds itself on tostadas brightened with clementine, while luscious, wobbly pork belly transforms into a vindaloo that would make both Yorkshire and Indian grandmothers proud. Their apple crumble soft serve – a playful collision of salted caramel and blackcurrant – proves that kitchens of real poise and focus can still have a sense of fun.

The staff navigate the menu’s global wanderings with the confidence of seasoned travellers (or, you know, experienced hospitality workers), helping you plot a course through both dishes and a wine list that favours character over convention.

Grab a counter seat to watch the kitchen’s choreography, or settle into the dining room for a more languid experience. They serve Wednesday through Saturday, both lunch and dinner. Even with the expansion, reservations remain as sought-after as summer sunshine in Yorkshire, and booking a week or two ahead is pretty much essential.

Website: skoshyork.co.uk

Address: 98 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

Los Moros

Ideal for North African flavours that will transport you straight to the Yorkshire souks…

What began as Tarik Abdeladim’s market stall in 2015 has grown into something that defies easy categorisation. Still, we’ll do our best…

Behind the warm yellow walls on Grape Lane, traditional North African and Levantine dishes aren’t just reproduced – they’re reimagined through a Yorkshire lens that proves authenticity and evolution aren’t mutually exclusive.

The kitchen’s dedication reveals itself in quiet details: lemons preserved in-house, merguez sausages made daily (served with minty cacik and urfa pepper flakes, and keenly priced at £9), local ingredients transformed through ancient techniques.

The Algerian cassoulet is the headliner, and exemplifies this approach – giant butter beans and house-made merguez create a foundation for Thirkleby duck leg confit, while urfa-spiced whipped feta adds unexpected depth. Whilst £26 is a premium price in this part of town (or rather, in this part of the UK), it’s a massive, bottomless piece of work – Northern portions, indeed.

This commitment to locality runs deep – meat from the Yorkshire Dales, halloumi from Huddersfield, even their house beer comes from Brew York. Whether it’s dry-aged local lamb rump singing with ras el hanout and celeriac, or baked hake, landed off the coast in Whitby, finding harmony with coconut dahl, each dish reflects both its origins and its current home. The wine list travels further, sure, but still has a keen sense of place, featuring Lebanese bottles alongside European classics.

For those seeking Los Moros’ roots, their original street food stall still trades in Shambles Market, serving some of York’s most compelling lunch options. Open Tuesday through Saturday (12-2pm lunch, from 6pm dinner – earlier on Fridays). The restaurant’s popularity makes booking ahead wise.

Website: losmorosyork.co.uk

Address: 15-17 Grape Ln, York YO1 7HU

Melton’s

Ideal for special occasion dining that’s stood the test of time…

Some restaurants survive for thirty years. Melton’s, open since 1990, has done something rarer – it’s evolved. In this intimate Scarcroft Road space, Michael and Lucy Hjort created more than just a restaurant; they arguably laid the foundations for York’s current dining renaissance. Now, with Head Chef Calvin Miller at the helm after 12 years alongside Michael, Melton’s proves that longevity and a forward-thinking mentality aren’t mutually exclusive.

The kitchen marries classical technique with contemporary vision. A cep and kombu custard arrives with barbecued maitake and beer vinegar, honouring the fundamentals of classical cookery whilst introducing more global elements. Even familiar dishes reveal new depths – halibut gains complexity from a truffle and hazelnut crust, while a recent, hugely satisfying blackberry and meadowsweet dessert shows a kitchen willing to play with de rigueur ingredients without detriment to pure pleasure.

Lucy’s presence in the dining room turns first-time visitors into regulars through genuine warmth rather than rehearsed hospitality. Her wine list (all personally chosen) deserves particular attention – not just for its depth, but for markups that suggest they’d rather you explore than play it safe. There’s even a wine from Yorkshire in there- a white from Lauren Vines in Driffield, priced at an eminently reasonable £26.60.

Choose between the tasting menu (£96) or à la carte, both equally accomplished. The dining room itself, with its distinctive murals and considered lighting, feels both special and comfortable – much like the restaurant as a whole. Tuesday through Saturday service (dinner only Tuesdays, lunch and dinner otherwise) still draws crowds after three decades.

Website: meltonsrestaurant.co.uk

Address: 7 Scarcroft Rd, York YO23 1ND

The Star Inn The City & York Minster Refectory

Ideal for special occasion dining in spectacular settings…

Andrew Pern has mastered the art of creating restaurants that feel inevitable – as if they’ve always been part of Yorkshire’s fabric. His Star Inn The City – sibling to the Michelin-starred Star Inn 20 miles north in Harome – transforms a former engine house into all-day riverside dining that makes you wonder how the building was ever used for anything else.

The Star Inn’s terrace captures that rare alchemy of setting and sustenance. Inside, red velvet banquettes and white tablecloths create an atmosphere that welcomes both special occasions and impromptu, booze-fuelled lunches.

The kitchen celebrates Yorkshire with honest confidence – a baked Tunworth arrives generous with salted hazelnuts and onion chutney (£12), while the Sunday roast sirloin (£24) delivers everything you hope for, including duck fat roasties that could start arguments over who gets the last one in lesser establishments. A proudly Yorkshire establishment of course delivers on a particularly proud Yorkshire pudding; this one is fucking massive!

Or, go in a different direction with their eight-hour braised ox cheek with winter truffle potato purée, which shows similar dedication to getting the basics exactly right whilst sprinkling a little stardust (or simply grating a shed load of truffle) along the way.

The wine list spans from accessible to ambitious (yes, that Ornellaia 2008 really is £815), while the cocktail programme adds theatrical touches – their smoked Old Fashioned arrives wreathed in woodchip smoke and tasting of it, too. You can, of course, just have a pint – the Star Inn The City is one of the only Pilsner Urquell Tankovna tank beer sites in the North of England.

Open from 11am weekdays (9:30am weekends), it’s equally suited to morning coffee or midnight digestifs. The dress code stays relaxed, but the cooking never does.

Website: starinnthecity.co.uk

Address: Lendal Engine House, Museum St, York YO1 7DR

Cresci

Ideal for authentic Neapolitan pizza that makes you forget you’re in Yorkshire…

Pizza certifications might seem like bureaucratic overkill, but the AVPN (Association Verace Pizza Napoletana) badge that Cresci earned isn’t just paperwork – it’s proof of Armando Imparato and Berardo Caggiano’s obsession with getting things right – nothing more, nothing less. Since 2020, their Piccadilly restaurant has been quietly showing York that Neapolitan pizza is both science and poetry.

The bare bones space tells you everything about their priorities: wooden tables, walls lined with Italian products, and an open kitchen where the wood-fired oven commands attention like a theatre’s main stage. Each pizza base emerges with that distinctive Neapolitan character – a crust that’s both chewy and tender, soft centre maintaining its integrity. Their Margherita (judiciously priced at £9.50) demonstrates why simplicity requires perfection: San Marzano DOP tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, basil, and olive oil, each element given space to be heard. The Calabrese (a little more at £13, but still not that much) adds ‘nduja and sautéed red onions without losing that essential balance.

Even the starters show this attention to detail – their frittatina di pasta comes in both classic and cacio e pepe variations, while the Sicilian cannolo filled with goat’s ricotta and 70% Callebaut chocolate makes a compelling argument for saving room for something sweet.

Open daily from noon until 10pm without reservations – though the queue at peak times suggests that sometimes the best things are worth waiting for.

Website: crescipizzeria.com

Address: 20 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NU

22 Yards

Ideal for relaxed evenings where the wine list is as compelling as the food…

Cricket and fine dining rarely intersect, but 22 Yards – named for both a cricket pitch’s length and their dining room’s dimensions – proves that unexpected combinations often yield the most interesting results. Housed in a Georgian building facing York Minster, it’s created something increasingly omnipresent down in that there London but less so up north: a wine bar that takes its food as seriously as its cellar.

The menu walks a delicate line between sophistication and comfort. Orkney scallops with brown butter and truffle showcase the kind of technical precision that premium ingredients demand, while their slow-braised ox cheek with pecorino and herb polenta satisfies more base, carnal cravings.

The kitchen shows particular flair with game – their venison goulash with sauerkraut and crispy onions is a winner – a bowl you can get truly lost in until your partner actively becomes concerned. But it’s their charcuterie and cheese programme that truly puts the 22 flag in the ground. The 22 Yards Deli Board (£32) reads like a roll call of Yorkshire’s finest artisans: Wildman’s cured meats, Courtyard Dairy cheeses, house-made focaccia… Gorgeous stuff.

Their wine programme – over 150 bottles for retail and 70+ by the glass – reflects the same thoughtful curation as the food. The sommeliers bring knowledge without pretence, whether you’re exploring house wines priced in their mid-twenties or serious Burgundies that reach triple digits. Their pre-theatre offer (deli board and two glasses of English sparkling for £48) might be York’s smartest value supper.

Open from noon (5pm Mondays and Tuesdays), though weekend evenings require advance planning – word has spread.

Website: 22yardswine.com

Address: 21 High Petergate, York YO1 7EN

Read: The IDEAL all-British Christmas cheeseboard

Partisan

Ideal for brunch that’s worth getting out of bed for…

Some spaces defy easy categorisation. In a neo-Victorian building on Micklegate, Partisan blends café, gallery, and restaurant into something uniquely York. Owner Florencia Clifford, who refined her approach as a cook in Buddhist retreats, brings mindful attention to everything from their North Yorkshire farm’s herbs to the curated artwork on the walls.

The globally-influenced menu peaks at brunch. Huevos Vaqueros reimagines eggs in chipotle-spiced tomato sauce with black beans, while Persian Eggs marry slow scrambling with Medjoul dates and almond dukkha. Their Full English comes in three thoughtful variations (all £16), each built around house-made smokey beans and M+K herb sausages. The signature dish, though, is the scallop and bacon bun, which has earned (deserved) legendary status in York.

There’s a counter of delicious bakes, too, including ever-present sweet and savoury scones that change change daily according to the seasons. Elsewhere on the counter, you’ll find inventive bakes like crème brûlèe apple and cardamom cruffins, and sticky baklava buns. It’s all very nourishing indeed, if not for the waistline then definitely for the soul.

Beyond perfectly executed Monmouth coffee, their drink selection shows similar care – from creative spritzes to single-origin hot chocolates featuring bars from Venezuela to Madagascar (£3.50). The recent addition of their evening concept Brancusi suggests an operation still evolving.

Open daily 9am to 3pm, the consistent queue of locals and visitors suggests they’ve found a winning formula. Every piece of art and furniture tells its own story – and yes, it’s all for sale.

Website: partisanuk.com

Address: 112 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX

Arras

Ideal for imaginative British cooking that celebrates Yorkshire’s larder…

Some homecomings take the scenic route. After 15 years of refining their modern British cuisine in Sydney, Adam and Lovaine chose York’s Old Coach House on Peasholme Green to continue their story. The result is a restaurant that combines technical precision with the kind of warm hospitality that can’t be taught.

Their kitchen menu (from £85) reveals ambition tempered by experience. Venison tartare finds unexpected but totally right companions in smoked eel cream and beetroot, while a mushroom dumpling with garlic purée and confit carrot shows similar imagination anchored in an understanding of what works together.

But it’s their cheese trolley – a tradition carried from their Sydney days – that’s become legendary. Working with Yorkshire’s Andy Swinscoe, each morning begins with a debate about perfect ripeness and ideal combinations, turning cheese service into performance art. Or, if you’re after something sweeter, the ‘A Little Bit of Yorkshire’ dessert, featuring local strawberries and Yorkshire Tea marshmallows, captures the kitchen’s ethos: serious cooking that remembers to smile.

The wine list (200+ bins) mirrors this attention to detail, ranging from accessible to esoteric. Their Little Arras bakery nearby suggests an operation unwilling to compromise – the sourdough alone justifies the detour.

Open Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, with their kitchen menu showing the team at their most expressive.

Website: arrasrestaurant.co.uk

Address: The Old Coach House, Peasholme Grn, York YO1 7PW

The Best Sunday Roasts In Brighton

Joseph Gann

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October 20, 2025

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The city of Brighton, both quintessentially British and proudly progressive, hosts a collection of Sunday roasts that are, well, also fitting of those two descriptors.

Here in the so-called London-by-the-Sea, you’ll find traditional meat-and-a-few-veg roast dinners, sure. But you’ll also find full-on vegetarian Sunday lunch menus, as well as those inspired by the USA’s deep south and some cooked entirely over coals.

With such an idiosyncratic range of roasts, you’ll need a trusted guide to take your hand and show you a good time if you’re to satisfy your own specific cravings when it comes to a Sunday lunch in the city. We are that guide – at least, digitally speaking. With that in mind, here are the best Sunday roasts in Brighton.

The Chimney House

Ideal for a traditional, affordable Sunday roast with a side order of community spirit…

We start our exploration of Brighton’s best roasts with a growling stomach and a desire for something both traditional and tasty af. The natural place to land, then, is in Preston Park’s Chimney House, an old school boozer with beer mats on the wall, Harvey’s in the taps, the satisfying click-clack of wooden floorboards under foot, and an exemplary Sunday roast on the dinner table.

This charming pub sits at a prominent corner with elevations to both Upper Hamilton Road and Exeter Street. The building, a two-storey red brick public house adorned with pitched tile roofs, hanging sash windows and decorative plasterwork, is as quintessentially ‘neighbourhood local’ as it comes, the blue signage and actual three chimneys visible for several hundred metres on the approach.

The Chimney House has retained its architectural integrity and continues to serve the community, contributing significantly to the character of this largely residential area. Inside, the vibes are immaculate and the scene set for a fine Sunday lunch.

You’re nursing a hangover – we know you are – so start with a glass of Bloody Ben’s Bloody Mary (£9.50), served with a double shot of vodka as standard. It’s straight on to the main event next – it’s easily generous enough and, besides, there are no starters on the Chimney House’s Sunday menu. Not that we’re complaining; there’s the big four meats available here, with the lamb rump (£19), flavoured enthusiastically with garlic and mint and cooked to a perfect pink, the pick of the bunch.

Showing that the vegetarian and vegan diners of Brighton (of which there are many) are no afterthought, there are not one but two plant-based roast options – a Mediterranean vegetable tart, and a butternut squash and feta wellington no less. We’re told the latter was excellent.

Alongside it all, a serious set of sides – roast potatoes, seasonal greens, a lovely carrot and swede puree, spiced red cabbage, roasted parsnips, homemade Yorkies and a proper meat gravy. A vegan gravy is also available.

Interestingly, the menu proudly states that the gravies are gluten-free, meaning no flour has been used to thicken the sauce. Instead, it’s rich and viscous from its homemade stock base and a diligent effort at skimming and reducing. It’s banging, and you’ll chase it across the plate with your finger. For an extra fiver, there’s also cauliflower cheese and pigs in blankets. Yes, we agree with you; this is a pub that takes real pride in serving a proper roast dinner, just as God intended it.

And with that, we collapse into our sticky toffee pudding with a perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream (£10), thankful that it’s downhill all the way back into Brighton town, because we’re getting rolled all the way down.

When: The Sunday Roast at the Chimney House runs from midday until 6pm, with the roast beef and trimmings (the most expensive of the roasts here) priced at £20.

Website: thechimneyhousebrighton.co.uk

Address:: 28 Upper Hamilton Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 5DF

The Coal Shed

Ideal for a Sunday feast with theatrical, fire-led flair…

The Coal Shed’s recent move to its expansive new home in Clarence House seems to have dialled in to what made it so special first time around – that irresistible combination of fire-cooking expertise and suave-as-silk hospitality, now served with an extra dash of drama.

Inhabiting one of Brighton’s most striking Georgian buildings on North Street, the restaurant has evolved into a 142-seat city-centre destination that blends industrial chic with period grandeur – the perfect environs for a big ol’ lunch, we think. The Sunday offering revolves around their 35-day salt-aged rump cap of beef (keenly priced at £25, we think), a masterclass in careful ageing and precise cooking that arrives at the table with a dark, flavourful crust giving way to tender pink meat within. There’s a smokiness to it all, sure, but one that gently envelops rather than brutalises with the scent of lighter fluid.

The kitchen team, led by executive chef Lee Murdoch, the kind of muscular, tatted chap who always seems to be typecast for this role, lets the quality of their ingredients shine through. Heritage carrots are brightened with burnt orange notes, the roast potatoes take on a golden hue from garlic and thyme, while buttered garden greens provide welcome freshness. The Yorkshire puddings rise proud and true, and the pan jus brings everything together with deep, clear flavours built from the restaurant’s hallmark fire-cooking methods. Always a crowd-pleasing addition any Sunday roast, an order of the cauliflower cheese is a must. With a garlic crumb and tangy fondue cheese, this next level cauli arrives bubbly and golden – just like your good self after a spell on the pebbles with a bottle of Prosecco.

For those seeking alternatives to beef, the fore shoulder of salt marsh lamb makes a compelling case for itself, as does the Sussex herb-fed chicken – the latter arriving fragrant with young sage and Meyer lemon. Plant-based diners aren’t forgotten; the Sussex celeriac roast has been lavishly basted in a mixture of rosemary, Manuka honey and umami-rich kombu until glazed and giving. You know what? It might be the best thing on the menu.

The dining room itself, with its expert blend of industrial-chic and Georgian grandeur, adds to the sense of occasion. Curved booths and intelligent spacing mean conversations stay private despite the bustle. The standalone bar, staffed by a skilled cocktail team, makes an ideal spot for a pre-lunch Dill Pickle Martini (£11.50) or perhaps something from their impressive wine list – maybe a glass of Initial de Desmirail Margaux (£18) or, if you’re feeling celebratory, the Château Mouton Rothschild 2006 from their carefully curated Library Vintages selection.

When: Sunday roasts are served from midday until 9pm, with individual roasts starting from £28 and the sharing option for two at £32.50 per person.

Website: coalshed-restaurant.co.uk

Address: Clarence House, 30-31 North Street, Brighton BN1 1EB

The Ginger Pig

Ideal for a roast dinner that’s big on flavour and low on frippery…

We’re heading into Hove next, down Denmark Villas, towards the sea and into The Ginger Pig, one of East Sussex’s most acclaimed gastropubs and just the place for another stellar Sunday roast.

The pub is one of four venues from the prolific restaurant group behind the Ginger Man, Ginger Fox and the Flint House, and if you’ve ever dined at one of those places before, you’ll know that the Ginger way of cooking is big on flavour and low on frippery.

Originally owned by Tamplin’s brewery from 1916 until 1963, the two-storry, early 20th century inn with its distinctive three gable ends has housed the Ginger Pig (not to be confused with the acclaimed London butchers of the same name) since 2011, with the gastropub recognised in the Michelin Guide just months after opening. It’s still in the little red book, 13 years later.

Stylish and comfortable, it’s a wonderful place to sink into of an afternoon (really, the teal dining chairs are very sinkable indeed), order a Gingerman house lager or even a lovely little glass of local Sussex fizz in the from the excellent Ridgeview wine estate, chase it down with half a dozen oysters with shallot vinegar (£21), and simply luxuriate in the experience.

There are capable starters on the Sunday menu if you’re keen to luxuriate for as long as possible, with the chicken liver parfait and quince jelly a winner. That said, the roast alone will see you right, even if you’ve come with quite the appetite.

Alongside the usual roast sirloin of beef, there are a couple of more interesting options; the pork showing here comes in the form of a perfect round of roast porchetta, its crackled border blissfully bubbled. The lamb option is slow roasted shoulder. Served almost collapsing, its healthy covering of fat has fully melted into the meat, basting it naturally and leading to a tender finish. Gorgeous stuff. For the veggies, a nut roast does the trick. All of these come with all the usual trimmings, plus both Yorkies and cauliflower cheese as standard.

As if the paradox of choice wasn’t already weighing too heavy, there’s even a grilled whole plaice on the Sunday menu, served not with roasties but with Jersey royals. A caper and parsley butter will be your gravy. It’s a light, bright change for those who don’t actively enjoy the cool, clammy embrace of a meat coma.

For those that do, the Ginger Pig has rooms.

When: The Sunday Roast at the Ginger Pig runs from 12:30pm until 8pm, with the roast beef and trimmings (the most expensive of the roasts here) priced at £23.

Website: thegingerpigpub.com

Address: 3 Hove St, Hove BN3 2T

Read: The best restaurants in Brighton

Embers

Ideal for a roast dinner kissed with smoke…

Only a year into clouding Brighton’s famous Lanes with a thick miasma of woodfire smoke, and Embers are already making waves by the coast, with an inclusion in the Michelin Guide and a regularly heaving dining room reward for a clear concept delivered with both panache and precision.

The work of two well known faces on the Brighton culinary scene, Dave Marrow (ex Terre à Terre head chef ) and Isaac Bartlett-Copeland (former chef-patron of now sadly closed Isaac At), here everything is cooked on a specially designed multi-rack grill that sits pretty in the centre of the dining room, bringing a touch of theatre to proceedings as its glowing embers crackle and flare up as fat and glaze drip invitingly.

On the day of rest, you’ll be pleased to hear that Embers doesn’t suddenly extinguish the flames, fire up the combi oven and phone in their roast dinners. Nope, just as it is for every other service here, everything is cooked on the grill, the resulting Sunday roast thoroughly seasoned by wood, smoke and fire, whether you go for the ember roasted Sussex beef rump horseradish, the smoked chicken with bread sauce, or the ember baked onion, which has been stuffed with roasted beetroot and pumpkin seed.

Either way, it all comes with skillet roasted potatoes, cauliflower cheese purée and wood-fired summer vegetables, as well as a protein-appropriate jus. Order a few of the restaurant’s seasonal small plates alongside if you know what’s good for you; the cured sea treat with creme fraiche is especially gorgeous.

And just in case the theme hadn’t been hammered home quite enough yet, then even Ember’s cocktails are also a smoke-laden affair. The Cadillac Joe Margarita, already blessed with the inherent smokiness of mezcal, is infused with an extra lick of flames just before being served. Cheers!

When: The Sunday roast at Embers runs from midday until 7pm, with the wood fired sharing platters of either pork, beef or chicken, plus all the trimmings, priced in the mid twenties. There’s also a ‘four beast feast’ for £33.

Website: embersbrighton.co.uk

Address: 42 Meeting House Ln, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HB

The Roundhill

Ideal for Brighton’s best vegan roast…

As any vegetarian or vegan will tell you, Sunday lunch can sometimes be a dreary affair, reduced to pushing a couple of roasties around a dry plate whilst fellow diners gorge on several rounds of meat.

Not so here. A community-driven pub offering an excellent, eclectic plant-based menu, The Roundhill is the perfect spot for those seeking a hearty Sunday roast that’s 100% vegan.

This family-run establishment prides itself on sourcing ingredients from local suppliers and farms, with the pub placing fourth in the BRAVO restaurant awards’ Best Sunday Roast category recently.

It’s easy to see why the Roundhill’s roast dinner is so acclaimed; there are spreads here to satisfy both the ‘missing meat’ crowd and those who simply love their vegetables. For the former, the seitain roast ‘beef’ comes with two thick slabs of wheat meat alongside an appealing swipe of coarse, vibrant beetroot puree, confit potatoes, Yorkies and a red wine gravy. There’s also the more predictable but no less delicious squash, sage and cashew nut roast, and an expertly conceived beetroot and mushroom wellington.

That’s your Sunday savouries covered, but what about dessert? You’ll be in capable hands with The Roundhill’s sweet stuff too, which are, again, 100% vegan and 0% afterthought. Go for the rhubarb crumble with immaculate soy custard if you know what’s good for you. Seeing as you’re vegan, you probably do…

Finally, on to the booze. The Roundhill has seven craft tabs with two that change weekly to celebrate local breweries and their most exciting vegan ranges. There are also some great sustainable wines here from the team at Sustainable Wine Solutions whose bottles are returned, cleaned and reused to create a zero waste network.

For those who enjoy their Sunday lunch with a side order of sea breeze, the Roundhill has a charming little outdoor space, ideal for alfresco afternoons that nourish both body and soul. It’s all very Brighton, and it’s all very delicious.

When: The all vegan Sunday roasts at The Roundhill run from midday until 7pm, and are priced between £15.50 and £16.50 for the main event and all the trimmings.

Website: theroundhill.co.uk

Address: 100 Ditchling Rd, Brighton, Brighton and Hove

The Cricketers

Ideal for an old school Sunday roast in the Lanes…

The Cricketers is a place every visitor to Brighton has likely passed on their way from the Lanes down to the beach, its terrace seating out front always heaving with revellers, but the promise of the ocean on the horizon sometimes meaning the pub, Brighton’s oldest, is passed by in favour of the pebbles.

On a Sunday, why not step inside instead, for a great Sunday roast with a side order of history – the pub dates back to 1547. With a diverse selection of Sunday roasts at some of the most affordable prices in town, this historic pub caters to all, including vegetarians, who can get stuck into a squash, walnut and mushroom wellington.

For the carnivores, the beef and lamb are sourced from farms on the South Downs, whilst the pork comes from Dingley Dell over in Suffolk. This commitment to quality is reflected in a gold-standard traditional Sunday lunch, which is given an extra dose of seasoning by the Cricketers’ old school interior, all red velvet seating, quirky ornaments, and a nostalgic smell of stale beer.

Whichever way you play it, make sure to add a side of their pork and apricot stuffing balls, which are a textural delight. Prepare to be wowed, too, by the crisp roasties and gravity-defying Yorkies, the latter of which sits atop its meaty throne like a crown. That’s a bit of a weird sentence, but we’re sticking with it.

When: The Sunday roasts at The Cricketers run from midday to 5pm, with the roast beef and trimmings (the most expensive of the single meat roasts here) clocking in at £18.95. You can also get a four meat roast option for £25.95.

Website: cricketersbrighton.co.uk

Address: 15 Black Lion St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1ND

Petit Pois

Ideal for a Sunday roast a la Française…

Petit Pois is arguably the number one purveyor of traditional French fare in the city, and one of Brighton’s best restaurants, period.

Whilst the weekdays are more broadly defined by snails and bouillabaisse, on Sundays the Petit Pois ‘Sunday roast a la Française’ comes into play alongside the usual menu, with a Gaelic take on a Great British tradition served up on this most narrow of Brighton streets.

In all honesty, the only nod to the influence of our cousins across the Channel is the serving of red wine jus instead of thick (sometimes lump) gravy, and a few superfluous pea shoots scattered across the plate.

Aside from that, the Sunday roast at Petit Pois errs on the more traditional side, with expert meat cookery and hearty, homely sides. Still, it’s refreshing to see the sometimes neglected cut of lamb breast making a welcome appearance. Here, it’s been rolled and braised for hours until tender and wobbly in all the right places, whilst still holding its shape in a pleasing puck. It’s gorgeous.

Alongside, duck fat roasties, honey roasted carrots, swede mash, mixed greens, a light-as-you-like Yorkshire pudding, and that glossy, viscous jus. Hmmm, we hate to admit it, but the French might just have this whole Sunday roast thing nailed.

Another thing Petit Pois has nailed is their desserts. Could there be anything better than sinking into an expertly made tarte tatin a Sunday evening, knowing that the only thing that follows is a good lie down? We certainly haven’t found it!

When: The Sunday roast ‘a la Française’ at Petit Pois is from midday until it sells out, which is often by 4pm (regulars often call in advance and reserve theirs if they’re planning to dine in the evening). Prices hovering around the £20 mark for whichever meat takes your fancy. There is an option to have pork, lamb and beef all on one plate.

Website: petitpoisbrighton.co.uk

Address: 70 Ship St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1AE

Stick around in Brighton with us, and head this time for the city’s best Italian restaurants. Can we just say your appetite is impressive?

Is Fine Wine A Worthwhile Investment? 7 Beginner’s Tips

The Daily Grind

Vicky Clifford Sanghad

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October 17, 2025

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Is Fine Wine A Worthwhile Investment? 7 Beginner’s Tips

Hey you! Yes, you there, squinting into the screen and searching for meaning. Since you’re here, may we pay you a compliment? Ok, here goes; like a fine wine, you just seem to get better with age. But what if that compliment could, well, pay you?

In recent years, discussion of fine wine has moved from the mouths of sommeliers, claret connoisseurs and part time plonkers and into the vernacular of the serious investor, regardless of the latter’s grasp of bouquet, grape and noble rot.

Though you may be conservant in the terminology, the process of investing in fine wine can be complex. Whilst not everyone has a nose for quality wine, if you’re able to sniff out a good deal, then this could be for you.

The scarcity and quality of fine wine will appreciate as time passes, and so will its value. As such, it is possible to purchase wine bottles, store them, and then sell them for a higher price in the future. Of course, it’s not that simple, but if you’re wondering whether fine wine is a worthwhile investment, then here are 5 beginner’s tips.

Types Of Fine Wine Investment

Fine wine investment isn’t restricted to simply buying a few more expensive bottles, stashing them in the back of a cupboard and hoping for the best a few years down the line. In fact, that would be one of the more limiting approaches in this increasingly lucrative field.

There are several fine wine investment opportunities available, depending on your budget, level of commitment, and knowledge of both wine and, perhaps more importantly, investing. For example, investors can choose from wine-specific investment funds, stock exchanges, storage solutions for aging bottles, and more, all in the name of generating a pretty profit.

Beyond wine itself, the broader spirits investment market has also gained significant traction in recent years. Whisky, in particular, has emerged as a high-performing alternative asset, with rare bottles showing returns of up to 322% over the past decade.

Some investors are even exploring cask investment services, which allow them to purchase entire casks of maturing whisky directly from distilleries, offering the potential for substantial appreciation as the spirit ages. There are also plenty of options when it comes to buying and selling assets. The most popular for more small-time, hobbyist investors is the gradual building of an investment portfolio of fine wines which are most likely to accrue value over time and are, also, the least risky to store over the necessary, extended period of time without depreciating in quality and value.

If all of that sounds a little complicated and you’re purely in this thing for the money, then there is a simpler solution, too. A person can rely on a wine investment company for purchasing the wine and storing it on their behalf. This helps individuals invest in wine without having to deal with the headaches and hangovers related to constructing a wine cellar.

Storage Smarts

Storing fine wine correctly, in the hope of it appreciating value over time, is one of the key elements of successful fine wine investment. In some situations, a person does not even have to possess the bottle of wine purchased to gain its accrued value. Instead, they can have them stored in specialist facilities for as long as they need, for a price, of course. This ensures the wines remain safe and in pristine condition until a profit can be made. Alternatively, if someone is not interested in collecting and storing wine, they can consider making an investment in blue-chip wine stocks and funds, which is another viable market.

But on the more hobbyist side of things, investing in proper wine storage is absolutely essential to ensure the value of bottles appreciates rather than depreciates, and is integral to any fine wine investment actually being financially viable. Fortunately, we’ve got just the article to help you with that; check out these 5 IDEAL tips for storing your wine to guarantee longevity.

Benefits Of Wine Investment

Making moves into the world of fine wine can be a profitable investment option, whether it’s a simple, singular transaction or a way of further diversifying a large, varied portfolio.

When considering the benefits of investing in wine, it should be noted that fine wine has a low correlation with a stock market currently performing somewhat lethargically.

Reports show that the fine wine market has outperformed most exchange-traded funds and global equities in these increasingly volatile times. Indeed, the Liv-ex Fine Wine index, which tracks the daily price movement of the most heavily traded commodities in the fine wine market, consistenly shows wine seriously outperforming more traditional forms of investment, showing that luxury consumables are resistant to the broader volatile markets’’. Food, or rather, drink for thought, indeed.

It’s this sense of stability which should appeal to new investors, particularly when gold and real estate are currently so unpredictable. In fact, at the end of last year, the Telegraph reported that fine wine had surged 200% in the last decade, with its price particularly resistant to the market swings of a global pandemic and Brexit.

…& The Risks

So, why wouldn’t you invest? Well, as with any investment in a perishable product, there are some pretty big risks here. Perhaps the largest concerns the risk of fraud, which is rife in the upper echelons of the fine wine world.

A particularly high profile case involving the relabelling of basic bottles with highly sought after vintages garnered widespread media attention in 2016; there’s even been a Netflix documentary, Sour Grapes (reviewed strongly on Rotten Tomatoes, the parallel names amusing us), about the protagonist Rudy Kurniawan, who amassed a fortune, selling $24.7 million worth of wine at a single auction in 2006. Though this is an extreme example, scams of a similar nature aren’t particularly rare in the fine wine investment game, and do represent a risk.

It should also be noted that short term gains are very rare. Anyone hoping to make profit from fine wine investment needs to be playing the long game. Since wine doesn’t actually produce any returns whilst it’s in storage (and storing and insuring your bottles will cost you), you’ll only see financial gains when you sell your bottle. As such, you need a fair amount of capital and patience to make this thing a success.

Understanding Investment Grade Wine

Several key criteria determine whether a wine qualifies as investment grade. First and foremost is aging potential; the wine must be capable of improving in the bottle for decades, not just years. Production volume matters too – wines must be scarce enough to be desirable but produced in sufficient quantities to create a liquid market for trading. Provenance is paramount; bottles must have impeccable storage history and documentation to command top prices. Finally, consistent critical acclaim and a proven track record of price appreciation are essential indicators that a wine will continue to perform well as an investment.

The Classics: French Dominance

This category is dominated by classic French wines, especially 1855 classification Bordeaux reds, Grand Cru Burgundy, and Rhône Valley wines. The 1855 Bordeaux classification, created for the Exposition Universelle de Paris, remains the gold standard of investment grade wine nearly 170 years later. This ranking system classified the region’s châteaux into five tiers, with First Growths (Premiers Crus) representing the pinnacle of collectability.

The ‘Big Five’ First Growths – Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Mouton Rothschild (elevated to First Growth status in 1973) – consistently command the highest prices and offer the most stable returns. Particular vintages, such as 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2015, are especially sought after by collectors and investors alike.

In Burgundy, the Grand Cru vineyards represent less than 2% of the region’s production, making them inherently scarce and valuable. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) produces some of the world’s most expensive wines, with bottles regularly fetching five and six-figure sums at auction. Other notable Burgundy producers include Domaine Leroy, Domaine Armand Rousseau, and Domaine Leflaive.

The Rhône Valley’s contribution to investment grade wine centres largely on Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, with producers like Domaine Jean-Louis Chave and Maison Guigal commanding serious premiums for their top bottlings.

Beyond France

Italy’s ‘Super Tuscan’ wines – so called because they initially defied traditional Italian wine laws by blending international grape varieties – have carved out their own investment niche. Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Masseto regularly feature in investment portfolios, with certain vintages appreciating significantly over time.

California’s Napa Valley has produced genuine investment grade wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon from cult producers. Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, and Opus One have all demonstrated strong secondary market performance, though they remain somewhat more volatile than their European counterparts.

Emerging Markets

Whilst traditional European regions still dominate, savvy investors are keeping a close eye on emerging investment grade wines. Champagne, particularly prestige cuvées from houses like Dom Pérignon, Krug, and Cristal, has shown impressive appreciation in recent years. Spain’s Vega Sicilia Único and Pingus have also gained traction in investment circles.

Perhaps most intriguingly, certain producers from Australia (Penfolds Grange), Chile (Almaviva), and even England’s sparkling wines are beginning to demonstrate the consistency and secondary market liquidity that could see them classified as investment grade in the coming years. However, these remain speculative plays compared to the established French classics, and should constitute a smaller portion of any serious wine investment portfolio.

Building A Balanced Wine Portfolio

Much like traditional investment portfolios, a well-constructed wine collection requires thoughtful diversification to maximise returns whilst mitigating risk. The temptation for newcomers is often to chase the most prestigious names or the latest ‘hot’ vintage, but a strategic approach will serve you far better in the long run.

Investment advisors typically recommend that 60-70% of your wine portfolio should consist of ‘core holdings’ – established, blue-chip wines with proven track records. This means First Growth Bordeaux from strong vintages, top-tier Burgundy Grand Crus, and other classics that have demonstrated consistent appreciation over decades. The remaining 30-40% can be allocated to ‘growth wines’ – slightly more speculative investments like Second Growth Bordeaux, cult California Cabernets, or highly rated wines from emerging regions.

Avoid concentrating too heavily in any single region or vintage, regardless of how promising it seems. A balanced portfolio might allocate 40% to Bordeaux, 25% to Burgundy, 15% to Italian wines, 10% to Champagne, and 10% to other regions. Similarly, mix highly rated vintages with ‘good’ vintages from top producers, which often represent better value.

Where possible, invest in full cases rather than individual bottles – they command premiums at auction and are far easier to sell. However, keep some smaller lots for flexibility when you need to liquidate portions of your portfolio. Not all wines should have the same investment timeline either; stagger your holdings so some are suitable for selling within 5-7 years whilst others should be held for 15-20 years to realise their full potential.

Review your portfolio annually and rebalance as needed. Research suggests allocating around 5-10% of an overall investment portfolio to fine wine can improve stability and enhance long-term returns. The goal isn’t just to own impressive wines; it’s to build a collection that generates returns whilst managing risk effectively.

Timing Your Exit

Knowing when to sell your wine is just as crucial as knowing what to buy. The interval between when a wine is ready to drink and when it starts to go downhill is known as its drinking window, and savvy investors aim to sell when demand from collectors is at its highest but with sufficient time remaining to ensure the wine is still of optimum quality to drink.

Market conditions matter, too. Pay attention to significant anniversaries – milestone vintages often see price spikes as collectors seek out birth-year bottles or wines from historically important years. Similarly, critical re-ratings or the passing of a renowned winemaker can trigger sudden increases in demand and value.

Avoid selling during summer or winter months when possible, as adverse weather conditions increase the risk of damage during shipping, potentially affecting both the sale price and the wine’s condition upon arrival. The spring and autumn months typically offer more stable conditions for wine transport.

Finally, keep a close eye on your wine’s drinking window. Once a wine passes its peak, values can drop precipitously. Better to sell a year early than a year too late – in the wine investment game, timing truly is everything.

The Bottom Line

Once the preserve of wealthy elites, fine wine investment now represents a savvy, stable financial move in a market so volatile and unpredictable. Cheers to that!

Perhaps you’ll be starting your investment journey in the famous French wine region of Champagne? Check out our guide on taking a luxury holiday in the region here, and make sure you pack some Gaviscon!

8 Autumn Day Trip Ideas 2 Hours From London

Vicky Clifford Sanghad

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October 17, 2025

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8 Autumn Day Trip Ideas 2 Hours From London

If you’re living in the Big Smoke and keen for an escape, even if it’s just for a day, then rest assured that there’s huge variety just a short train ride or drive away. The beauty of living in London is having such diverse destinations within easy reach.

Fancy fresh oysters by the sea? A wander through ancient university cloisters? Perhaps a proper countryside ramble with deer and wild ponies? Each of these spots has its own distinct character, and all are perfectly accessible for a spontaneous day out or a carefully planned weekend escape.

From beachside breaks to strolls deep in the countryside, here are 8 autumn day trip ideas 2 hours from London.

Whitstable, Canterbury

Whitstable could be the quintessential British seaside town, full of quirky art, independent shopping opportunities, beach huts in pastel shades and most importantly, fish!

Yep, oysters, in particular, are big business here, and you’ll find the freshest, plumpest ones at The Whitstable Oyster Company, Wheeler’s Oyster Bar and The Forge, to name but a few great places. Or, head to the source; Whitstable Fish Market, on the East Quay, looks over trawlers bringing in the bacon (not real bacon) each and every day. It’s been closed for the past year due to a fire, but it’s slated to reopen in the first quarter of 2026 – we can’t wait. Wash it all down with a pint and some chips at The Old Neptune, which sits right on the pebbles.

End your day with a hyper-seasonal, ridiculously reasonable Michelin-starred meal at The Sportsman, just an hour’s walk along the beach front away. This place is a favourite of chefs from across the globe and relies firmly on the land and sea surrounding the pub, and the bounty available here, from the Thames estuary, salt marshes and of course, the ocean, is of pristine quality and freshness. Most of the ingredients are actually visible from the pub itself; you can’t argue with that for quality.

How long will it take? About an hour and a quarter by train and just over two hours from Central London by car.

Oxford, Oxfordshire

The historic town of Oxford needs little in the way of introduction. From the famous dictionary to celebrated colleges made even more iconic by Harry Potter, Oxford is a household name around the globe.

It’s a visually arresting city, with golden stone buildings, majestic spires, Gothic Revival museums and a fair few cobbled stone backstreets to stumble along. When on a trip to Oxford, don’t forget to visit Christ Church College, which Hogwarts was largely based on, and the Bodleian Library, one of the world’s oldest and most iconic libraries, housing over 12 million items and supplying the knowledge and inspiration which gave us the internet, the Hobbit and the unification of quantum theory and general relativity.

A pint in one of the world’s most iconic pubs, the Turf Tavern, is a must, where everyone from Stephen Hawking to CS Lewis has imbibed. In fact, it’s here that in 1963 the future Australian PM set a World Record, downing a yard of ale in just 11 seconds.

The city has an intriguing, diverse food scene, too. Check out our tips on 5 of the best restaurants close to the Bodleian Library (which is in the city’s centre) for more on that.

How long will it take? Just 45 minute on the train from Paddington and around an hour and 45 minutes drive from Central London.

New Forest, Hampshire

If you’re looking to pull on your wellies, perhaps even don some tweed and enjoy a seriously restoring country walk, then the New Forest National Park will see you right. There are seven train stations to aim for, but for unadulterated, untouched rural beauty, we’d recommend Brockenhurst, the largest village in the New Forest and also one of the most convenient from London. That, or you could rent one of London’s thousands of Zip cars – temporary car insurance for just a few hours or a day can be more economical than a full-year policy, making it perfect for spontaneous trips like this.

From Brockenhurst, you can stroll through gorgeous forests and over streams to Lyndhurst, and onto the Lyndhurst Parish Circular Walk, which is a total of ten miles and takes in views of deer, horses, ponies and more; so far removed from London you’ll forget the rat race for the day, of that we can gurantee.

How long will it take? Around a two hour drive from Central London or an hour and a half’s train ride to Brockenhurst (one of seven train stations within the New Forest).

Stonehenge & Salisbury, Wiltshire

For a small city, Salisbury packs one hell of a punch culturally. There’s Salisbury Cathedral, which boasts the tallest church spire in the UK and the second tallest in Europe, and the gorgeous surrounding grounds, which author Bill Bryson called ‘the most beautiful space’ in England. What’s more, inside the cathedral you’ll find the best preserved copy (there are just four) of the groundbreaking document Magna Carta, which has sat in the cathedral’s Chapter House since 1215.

Perhaps the highlight here is Stone Henge, just 9 miles away – a fifteen minute drive or 20 minute bus ride from just outside the train station. Head there to ponder the mysteries surrounding the prehistoric monument in person, and follow it with lunch at the superb, Michelin starred gastropub the Red Lion Freehouse, which is just another 15 minute drive north of the world famous site.

How long will it take? Around two hours by car. Or, you can catch the train from Clapham Junction which will take an hour and fifteen minutes, and then take a short bus ride to Stonehenge from Salisbury station.

Read: The best restaurants in Salisbury

Winchester, Hampshire

The cathedral city of Winchester can be reached in under an hour from London, and the centre retains a laid back, unspoilt charm just perfect for a spot of strolling and shopping. At the weekend, the narrow streets are alive with shoppers, markets and street performers, and if the crowds get too much, the world famous medieval cathedral is just off the high street. The longest Gothic cathedral in the world and one of the largest cathedrals, full stop, in Europe, it’s open daily from 10am from 4pm, and well worth a look. The sizeable grounds are also a peaceful place to catch your breath and soak up some autumn sun away from the high street’s ever present throng.

If you’re keen on further deep dives into the past, then Winchester’s Great Hall is just around the corner, the last surviving part of Winchester Castle and now a museum. Amazingly, King Arthur’s round table, where the King and his knights congregated, is reported to have been hosted here. You’ll find an imitation in the Great Hall to this day.

How long will it take? Under an hour on the train from Waterloo or around an hour and 45 minute drive from Central London.

Read: The best restaurants in Winchester

Hove, East Sussex

Because every Londoner is already conversant in Brighton day trips, right? Well, neighbouring Hove has something different to offer, away from the Pier, Teddy Pickers, Rock and the rest. Here, the vibe is more laid back, with some superb cafes, eateries, and a gorgeous seafront promenade and lawns.

Before heading to the pebble beach, pick up some fish’n’chips at Bankers on Western Road, one of the South’s most celebrated chippies. Or, if you’re looking for a proper sit down meal, cutlery, crockery and all, the Little Fish Market on Upper Market Street is one of the country’s best fish-only fine dining experiences. It’s tiny, so booking is highly recommended.

Hove has a fantastic, independent cafe culture, too. Look out for Small Batch Coffee, a local chain who do superb, house-roasted coffee with a few outposts dotted around Hove. For something a little stronger, Bison Beer on Church Road or The Urchin on Belfast Street are both craft beer connoisseurs with great food to match.

Visit late autumn and you’ll also see mesmerising murmurations of starlings. These birds visit from further north in the continent, seeking out the relative warmth we offer. Huge flocks gather along Brighton and Hove’s seafront to roost on the pier, and it’s a sight to behold. The best time to see catch them swirling in the skies is just before sunset.

How long will it take? Just over an hour on the train from Victoria or a two and drive from Central London.

Deal, Kent

Hey, perhaps we’re biased (add an ‘I’ and you have our favourite word of all), but Deal is beginning to eclipse its more famous neighbour Margate as every Londoner’s favourite seaside escape.

Here’s the deal with Deal; the pebble beach is pretty as a picture, there’s a brilliantly preserved castle (built by Henry VIII), a buzzing art scene and best of all, fresh seafood everywhere you look.

Should you be heading here at the weekend, then the Deal Saturday Market is great fun, with pop-up wine shops, local charcuterie and cheese and loads of vintage goodies to unearth. You’re blessed with some fancier options for dinner, too. To our mind, it has to be Frog & Scot; unfussy yet refined fare celebrating the region’s produce, just a short stroll from the station. Oh, and it’s run by a former chef of The Sportsman, from a couple of paragraphs earlier!

How long will it take? About an hour and a half by train from St Pancras or a two and a half hour drive from Central London.

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Oxford’s historic rival, Cambridge offers its own brand of architectural splendour and academic prestige, all wrapped up in a more intimate, navigable package. The city’s honey-coloured colleges line the River Cam, where punting remains a quintessentially Cambridge experience, particularly atmospheric during autumn when the trees along the Backs turn golden.

King’s College Chapel is the jewel in the crown here, with its fan-vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows creating one of England’s most breathtaking interiors. The college grounds are open to visitors, and wandering through the courtyards feels like stepping back several centuries. For a different perspective, climb the tower of Great St Mary’s Church for panoramic views across the city’s famous skyline of spires and turrets.

Cambridge’s food scene has evolved considerably in recent years. Midsummer House, a two Michelin-starred restaurant set in a Victorian villa overlooking the Cam, offers tasting menus that showcase British ingredients at their finest. For something more casual, the historic Eagle pub is where Watson and Crick announced their discovery of DNA’s structure, and it serves excellent gastropub fare alongside its famous history.

Don’t miss the Fitzwilliam Museum, one of Britain’s finest regional museums, housing everything from Egyptian antiquities to Impressionist paintings, all with free admission. The surrounding Botanic Garden is particularly stunning in autumn, with 40 acres of plantings showing off their seasonal colours.

How long will it take? Just under an hour by train from King’s Cross or around an hour and a half drive from Central London.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re drawn to coastal charm, historical intrigue or peaceful countryside, these autumn escapes prove you don’t need to venture far from London to find something special. Each destination offers its own rewards, from Michelin-starred meals to medieval marvels, and with journey times under two hours, they’re all perfectly feasible for a spontaneous day out. Pack a jacket, check the train times, and rediscover just how much variety sits right on London’s doorstep.

Just What Is Reformer Pilates & Can I Do It At Home?

Editorial Team

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October 15, 2025

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Just What Is Reformer Pilates & Can I Do It At Home?

You’ve seen it all over Instagram. Celebrities swear by it. Your friend who’s suddenly got incredible posture won’t stop banging on about it. But what actually is reformer Pilates, and more importantly, can you do it without joining an eye-wateringly expensive studio?

If you’ve ever walked past a Pilates studio and glimpsed what looks like medieval torture devices through the window, you’ve seen a reformer. These peculiar contraptions seem to belong somewhere between a working gym and a Victorian sanatorium, yet they’re having a serious moment in the wellness world. The question is whether all the hype is justified, or if this is just another fitness trend that’ll be forgotten once the next thing comes along.

Let’s cut through the wellness jargon and get to the good stuff.

So What’s the Deal With Reformer Pilates?

Right, let’s properly explain this. A reformer is a piece of exercise equipment invented nearly a century ago by Joseph Pilates (yes, that’s actually his surname). Picture a wooden or metal frame about the size and shape of a single bed. Inside this frame sits a padded platform called a carriage that slides back and forth on wheels, a bit like a rowing machine but horizontal.

Here’s where it gets interesting: attached to one end are a set of springs – usually between two and five of them – that create resistance when you push or pull the carriage. There’s a footbar at the same end (which you can push against with your feet or hands), and at the other end, there are straps with handles that you can hold or put your feet into. Some reformers also have shoulder blocks to stop you sliding off, and a headrest for comfort.

The genius of the design is that unlike mat Pilates where you’re working against gravity and your own body weight, the reformer adds variable resistance that you can adjust to suit your fitness level. Want more of a challenge? Add more springs. Need to ease off? Remove a spring or two.

The beauty of it? You’re in total control. Those springs can make exercises easier or harder, depending on how you set them up. One minute you’re doing what feels like an elegant leg press, the next you’re trying not to look like Bambi on ice whilst balancing on one foot.

It’s low-impact, which means it’s kind to your joints, but don’t let that fool you. A proper reformer session will have your muscles shaking in ways you didn’t think possible. Your core, legs, arms, and back all get a thorough workout, and because you’re moving in multiple planes of motion, you’re building functional strength that actually translates to real life. You know, like being able to pick up heavy shopping bags without looking like you’re training for the Olympics.

Read: 8 cardio machines perfect for a whole body workout at home

The Benefits That Actually Matter

Forget the wellness buzzwords for a second. Here’s what reformer Pilates genuinely does for you:

It sorts out your posture. If you spend your days hunched over a laptop (who doesn’t?), reformer work strengthens the muscles that keep you upright and counteracts all that slouching. Your back will thank you.

It builds strength without bulk. You’re working with resistance, but in a way that creates long, lean muscle tone rather than making you look like you’ve been hitting the weights hard. It’s about functional strength and control, not just size.

Flexibility comes as standard. Many exercises take you through a full range of motion, so you’re getting stronger and more flexible at the same time. It’s like getting two workouts in one, which sounds far too efficient for something this enjoyable.

Your balance improves. The instability of the moving carriage forces your stabilising muscles to work overtime. Before you know it, you’re standing on one leg without wobbling like a toddler.

Can You Really Do It At Home?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Yes, you absolutely can set up a reformer practice in your home gym, but let’s be realistic about what that involves.

First, the elephant in the room: reformers aren’t small. They’re about the size of a single bed, so you’ll need dedicated space. If you’re in a shoebox flat, this might be a dealbreaker. But if you’ve got a spare room, garage, or even just a corner of your bedroom that you’re willing to sacrifice, it’s entirely doable.

The investment isn’t small either. A decent home reformer starts at around £500 and can go up to several thousand for studio-quality equipment. But before you close this tab in horror, consider that a single studio class can cost £25-40. If you’re planning to practise regularly, that reformer pays for itself surprisingly quickly.

Once you’ve got the reformer itself sorted, the real game-changer comes from adding reformer Pilates accessories for personalised workouts. These additions transform your practice from basic to brilliant, letting you customise your sessions to target exactly what your body needs on any given day. Think of them as the supporting cast that makes your reformer the star of the show.

Kitting Out Your Home Practice

Once you’ve got your reformer sorted, it’s worth investing in a few key accessories that’ll take your practice from “I’m just mucking about” to “I actually know what I’m doing.”

A proper reformer mat isn’t just about comfort (though that’s lovely). It provides grip, hygiene, and just enough cushioning to keep you focused on your form rather than the hard surface beneath you. Trust us, your knees will appreciate it during kneeling exercises.

Roll-up poles are brilliant for adding an extra challenge to your balance work. They create instability that forces your core and smaller stabilising muscles to work harder. Think of them as the bit of chaos that makes your workout more effective.

A jumpboard is where things get properly fun. It converts your reformer into a low-impact cardio machine, letting you add jumping movements that get your heart rate up without the joint-jarring impact of actual jumping. It’s surprisingly addictive once you get the rhythm down.

Building A Routine That Actually Works

The mistake most people make when designing their home workouts is thinking they need to recreate an entire studio class every time. You don’t. Twenty minutes of focused, intentional movement beats an hour of going through the motions any day.

Start with the basics. Get comfortable with footwork, leg circles, and basic arm exercises. Master your breathing pattern (exhale on effort, always). Once these feel natural, start layering in more complex movements.

The secret to balancing strength and flexibility? Do them in the same session. Begin with resistance-based exercises when your muscles are fresh, then move into deeper stretches whilst everything’s warm. Your body responds better to flexibility work when it’s already engaged, and you’ll notice the difference in your range of motion.

Listen to your body, but also don’t coddle it. If something feels too easy, adjust the springs. If you’re wobbling all over the place, that’s actually good – it means you’re challenging your stability. The reformer is remarkably good at giving you instant feedback about where you need to focus.

Making It Sustainable

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about home workouts: the biggest challenge isn’t the exercise itself, it’s showing up consistently when Netflix is right there.

Set yourself up for success. Keep your reformer somewhere visible, not hidden away in a cupboard that requires a Tetris championship to access. Schedule your sessions like proper appointments. Lay out your kit the night before if you’re planning a morning workout.

And here’s a revolutionary idea: your sessions don’t all need to be intense. Sometimes a 15-minute stretch session focused purely on flexibility is exactly what you need. Other days, you’ll want to challenge yourself with jump work and heavy resistance. Both are valid. Both are valuable.

The beauty of having your reformer at home is that you can hop on for ten minutes between meetings if that’s all you’ve got. You can practise in your pyjamas at 6am or 11pm without judgement. You can repeat the same exercise 47 times until you finally nail it, without feeling like you’re holding up a class.

The Bottom Line

Reformer Pilates isn’t some mystical wellness trend that only works if you’re doing it in a pristine studio whilst wearing £90 leggings. It’s an effective, adaptable form of exercise that absolutely can be done at home if you’ve got the space and inclination.

Will it transform your body overnight? No, because nothing does (sorry). But practise consistently for a few months and you’ll notice genuine changes in your strength, flexibility, posture, and how your body moves through everyday life. You’ll develop that elusive core strength that makes everything else easier.

Is it for everyone? Probably not if you hate controlled, precise movement and prefer your workouts chaotic and sweaty. But if you want to build functional strength whilst improving your flexibility and body awareness, it’s genuinely brilliant.

The home setup requires investment – both financially and in terms of space – but it gives you the freedom to practise on your own terms, at your own pace, without the pressure of keeping up with anyone else.

And honestly? Once you’ve had that moment where you finally nail an exercise you’ve been struggling with for weeks, you’ll understand why people get so evangelical about it. Just try not to become that friend who won’t stop banging on about it.

8 Top HR Tools That Improve Workplace Productivity & Employee Happiness

Editorial Team

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October 10, 2025

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8 Top HR Tools That Improve Workplace Productivity & Employee Happiness

HR is no longer just about hiring and payroll – it’s about nurturing culture, streamlining systems, and helping teams thrive. In today’s hybrid and high-pressure work environments, there are a host of platforms, apps and tools that play a pivotal role in ensuring employees stay productive and fulfilled.

In today’s hybrid and high-pressure work environments, HR solutions in Cambridge, Peterborough, or wherever you may work, play a pivotal role in ensuring employees stay productive and fulfilled. If your organisation is looking to invest in tools that support both performance and wellbeing, this guide covers some of the most effective HR platforms and how they help people – not just processes – flourish.

Performance Management Platforms

Performance reviews don’t have to be dreaded. Modern HR software makes continuous performance tracking intuitive and transparent.

Tools like:

Lattice: Helps managers set goals and provide ongoing feedback.
15Five: Focuses on weekly check-ins and employee sentiment.
Clear Review: A UK-based platform designed for real-time conversations.

These platforms remove the awkwardness of annual appraisals and replace it with a culture of ongoing professional development. Employees feel heard, and managers get clearer insights into who needs support – and who’s ready to level up.

Employee Engagement Tools

Disengaged employees aren’t just unproductive – they’re often on their way out the door. Engagement tools help measure morale, increased output and build better connections.

Top platforms include:

Officevibe: Anonymous pulse surveys to understand how your team really feels.
Peakon: Tracks engagement trends and recommends management actions.
Culture Amp: Combines feedback, development and diversity insights.

Used regularly, these tools empower HR teams to address problems early and keep morale high – particularly during change or restructuring.

Wellbeing & Mental Health Apps

Wellbeing is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It’s a business essential. Companies using mental health support tools see improvements in focus, loyalty, and even reduced absenteeism.

Consider integrating:

Headspace for Work: Meditation and mindfulness for teams
Unmind: A UK-based platform with clinical backing
Spill: On-demand therapy via Slack, tailored for startups and SMEs

Encouraging staff to prioritise mental health – and giving them the tools to do so – shows that wellbeing is more than just a policy.

HRIS Systems That Do It All

Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) combine multiple functions – from onboarding and benefits to time tracking and compliance.

Popular HRIS platforms in the UK include:

BambooHR: Known for user-friendly design and integrations.
CharlieHR: Built for small UK businesses, offering holiday tracking and policy storage.
HiBob: A newer player with a focus on culture and growth metrics.

Having everything in one place reduces admin and ensures consistency across the employee lifecycle.

Learning & Development Platforms

When employees feel they’re growing, they’re more likely to stay. L&D tools make learning accessible, fun and relevant.

Top platforms include:

Udemy for Business: A vast catalogue of online courses
Learnerbly: A UK-based learning marketplace tailored to employee preferences
LinkedIn Learning: Integrated with LinkedIn profiles and career paths

Providing access to learning signals that a company is invested in its people – not just their output.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Tools

DEI shouldn’t be an afterthought. Specialist tools can help track representation, ensure inclusive hiring, and surface hidden biases.

Examples include:

Equally.ai: Accessibility and inclusion auditing
Included: Uses AI to remove bias from decision-making
Diversio: Analytics-based tool focused on measurable DEI outcomes

Recognition & Reward Systems

Acknowledging a job well done boosts morale and encourages high performance.

Consider platforms like:

Bonusly: Peer-to-peer recognition with points and rewards
ThanksBox: A UK-based system for public shout-outs and team culture
Perkbox: Offers rewards, discounts and wellbeing content

Regular recognition helps people feel valued, especially in remote or dispersed teams.

Automation & Workflow Tools

Streamlining repetitive tasks frees up HR teams to focus on strategic work.

Tools like:

Zapier: Connects apps to automate onboarding, surveys, and more
Workato: A more advanced integration platform for larger companies
Trello or Asana: Great for workflow tracking and HR project planning

Automation reduces manual error and gives your team breathing space to focus on people, not paperwork.

Making HR Tech Work for Your Team

It’s not about having every tool on the market – it’s about choosing what fits your culture and goals, and helps strengthen overall HR strategy. Here’s how to make the right decisions:

Ask your team what support they want
Prioritise tools with UK compliance built in
Trial before you buy – most platforms offer demos or pilots

When your HR tools reflect your values, employees feel it. They work better, stay longer, and contribute more.

The Bottom Line

Great HR solutions aren’t just about ticking boxes – they’re about building a workplace where people want to be. Whether it’s managing performance, encouraging wellbeing or recognising great work, the right tools can transform how your business functions.

*This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute legal or HR advice. For support tailored to your organisation, consult a qualified HR or legal professional.*

Make Your New House Feel Like A Home In 7 Simple Steps

Editorial Team

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October 10, 2025

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Make Your New House Feel Like A Home In 7 Simple Steps

Look up the difference in definition between ‘house’ and ‘home’ in the dictionary, and the divergence in description is telling. The former is defined, simply, as ‘a building for human habitation’. It’s functional and formal, and let’s face it, doesn’t sound particularly welcoming. But ‘home’ is described as ‘the place where one lives permanently, especially as the member of a family’. That sense of stability and love just leaps off the page, don’t you think?

Have you recently moved into a new house that doesn’t yet feel like a home? That shift from functional to familial doesn’t happen without work, let’s make that clear. Though time and memories, of course, play a part, you need to take an active role in shaping the decor and ambience of your place before it becomes more than just walls, a door and a roof.

Whether it’s Birmingham, Bradford or Bristol conveyancing solicitors, the advice remains reassuringly resolute. With that in mind, here’s how to make your new house feel like a home in 7 simple steps.

Personalise Your Property

First things first, your new property is never truly going to feel like it’s your home until you add some personal touches. This means putting your own stamp on it and making it look and feel like a place that resembles your unique personality.

Start personalising your property by surrounding yourself with trinkets that you’ve collected on your travels. Hang paintings from your favourite artist. Throws, pillows and rugs always give a homey feeling as do shelves full of books, so carefully curate a bookcase with your favourite reads – the sooner the books are on the shelves, the quicker you can settle in with a good read and a glass of wine.

Recreate The Feel Of Your Childhood Home

Another way to personalise your property is to recreate the feel of your childhood home. No matter where you live in your adult life, your childhood home will always feel like your true home. There’s no place like it, after all.

This is the place where your first memories were formed, and if those memories are positive ones, then introduce some elements of your family home to evoke nostalgia and that warm sense of belonging in your new house. You can achieve this by displaying items that you remember from your childhood. This could be a teddy bear, old photographs, or even a dated piece of furniture which your parents have let you adopt.

Now, if someone could just bottle that smell of your childhood home, we might just make a fortune selling it back to you.

Aromatherapy

Speaking of which, every house has its own distinctive smell; some inviting, some not so. To evoke a welcoming, peaceful vibe in your new home, make sure you channel the energy of aromatherapy.

Smell should also play a big part in any home sanctuary setting. Amping up aromatherapy and optimising your olfactory sense can help you gain that inner calm. Chamomille and lavender scents are particularly evocative of a peaceful space, but it’s important you find an aroma which reflects your sense of individuality, whether that’s incense, the smell of freshly baked bread or even of freshly done laundry, which you can now buy in diffuser form.

Focus On The Heart Of The Home

There’s one narrative thread with runs through so many of the best homes; that the kitchen is the hub of the house and the heart of the home. This is where bread is baked and broken, where families draw their faces away from screens for a short while and actually make eye contact. Relationships are nurtured and souls are nourished in the kitchen, so it’s a good idea to focus your initial efforts here after moving in.

The good news is that it’s also one of the easiest rooms to get right, simply by adding a few accessories which even a dictatorial (aren’t they all?) landlord couldn’t object to. This could be as basic as putting in a hanging rack for utensils, or having your spice collection on display, to using brightly colour crockery to add a new, confident colour scheme to the overall aesthetic of your home.

The sooner you get your kitchen sorted, the sooner you can have friends and family around and start creating the first memories in your new house.

Adopt A Pet

Ok, we know this seems like a big step, but adopting a pet can be a great thing to do if you’re struggling to settle into your new home. Though, of course, a pet isn’t just for Christmas, taking one into your house which needs shelter and love can imbue a real sense of family into your new gaff, helping you nurture a loving atmosphere within.

Not only will this help mark a new era for you in your life, but it’ll also inject your home with a much-needed sense of warmth. That furry companion waiting at the door for you each day? That’s domestic, comforting and homely.

Increase The Flow Of Natural Light

As SAD sufferers will reliably attest, natural light can lift your mood immeasurably. It can increase the level of warm energy running through your home, give you a nice dose of vitamin D and a much-needed boost of serotonin. And we all need a legally permitted dose of that right now.

You’ll never settle into your new home if your living space feels moody and dreary. In fact, natural light has consistently been found to lift the mood and improve a sense of wellbeing. If you want to start feeling comfortable in your new house, make sure you do your utmost to increase the natural light within it. You can achieve this by:

Investing in more mirrors and objects that reflect natural light
Opting to paint and decidorate your home in a lighter colour palette
Painting your window overhangs white
Installing larger windows and doors
Washing your windows on a regular basis
Adding skylights
Installing solar tubes
Using reflective backsplash tiles
Trimming the trees that stand outside your windows and door

After investing so much of your hard earned money into your property, you want to start feeling comfortable within it as soon as you possibly can. If you put the above advice into practice, your new house will start feeling home in no time.

Get It Clean From The Get Go

Even if end-of-tenancy cleaners were employed to clean the property before you’ve just moved into, there’s nothing quite like giving it a good scrub from top-to-bottom yourself to make it feel like your own. There’s something symbolic about washing away the residue of previous tenants with your own hands, allowing you to start fresh in your new space and create your own home.

*This article is for general guidance and inspiration only. For legal advice during the property purchase process, consult a qualified solicitor or conveyancer.*

Life After Divorce: How To Embrace (& Even Enjoy) This New Chapter Of Your Life

Vicky Clifford Sanghad

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October 10, 2025

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Life After Divorce: How To Embrace (& Even Enjoy) This New Chapter Of Your Life

Divorce can hit you like a ton of bricks. It can bring up all sorts of emotions, from anger and sadness to confusion and uncertainty. Even if you were the one who instigated the divorce, it’s all too easy to get swept up in dealing with a divorce lawyer and making dramatic changes to arrangements in your life that were once familiar. Doing so can mean you don’t give yourself the time to process this major change properly.

Being a spouse can feel like an integral part of your identity, as one half of a team that made decisions together, enjoyed the good times and perhaps even raised children together. And when you suddenly find yourself on your own, you may question who you are outside of your marriage and not know how to navigate this new territory.

While solicitors in Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent, or wherever you may live, often support people through some of life’s hardest transitions, the legal side of separation is only part of the picture. For many, the emotional toll is just as heavy, if not heavier. That said, divorce offers an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, and while it won’t all be rainbows and unicorns, it can still be an exciting, enjoyable and incredibly liberating experience.

With that in mind and with eyes firmly looking on the bright side, here’s how to embrace (and maybe even enjoy) life after divorce.

You Don’t Need To Reinvent Yourself

Most of us know someone who went through a breakup and completely transformed themselves. They might have channelled their loss into getting fit at the gym or completely changed their hairstyle.

Why do we do this? When a relationship ends, it’s easy to feel a total lack of control, so changing your appearance is a way to claim authority over what’s happened. It might also be a way to express your newfound freedom or disassociate yourself from the person you were when you were in the relationship.

But you don’t need to get out the hair dye or buy a gym membership to reinvent yourself after divorce. Instead, spend some time getting to know you. Marriage is all about compromise, but a divorce gives you the freedom to do what you want. That hobby you took part in because your spouse loved it, even though you secretly hated it? You don’t need to do that anymore!

Think about what you enjoy, and embrace it with vigour. Create a perfect date night for yourself. Go out and see a movie on your own. Take yourself to that new restaurant you wanted to go to but couldn’t because your spouse didn’t like seafood. Or simply stay in and binge the TV series that’s caught your eye while enjoying your favourite takeaway. These are days for a little indulgence. And when combined with that gym membership…well, you know what they say about variety being the spice of life?

Wreck Your Wedding Dress (Yes, Really!)

Dress wrecking is an empowering act that began as a post-wedding photography trend, where newlyweds would pose for photos while splattering their wedding attire in paint. But now, divorcees are destroying their wedding dresses to celebrate the start of a new journey, too.

Much like screaming or destruction therapy, wedding dress wrecking can be cathartic. Last year, Anna O’Neill, a mum from Kent, enlisted her friends to help ruin her £1,200 designer wedding dress. How? By filling 12 water guns with paint and coloured flares!

About her decision to host a paint fight, she said: “I wanted to do it for other parents going through divorce, which can be tough, and who are holding the fort together.’

‘The most important message is that things get better, and we can turn it around.”

Many women who choose to turn heartbreak into something beautiful find it a therapeutic and liberating experience. Whether you decide to get out the paint, grab a pair of scissors or set your dress on fire, wrecking your wedding attire can be a powerful way to embrace your new future.

Just remember to dispose of the debris responsibly at the end of the process. Or, frame it!

Read: How to deal with a divorce or break-up without losing your head

Make New Friends

After divorce, you may feel like the odd one out amongst your happily married friends. If you were married for a long time, a lot of your friends might also be friends of your spouse, which can be an awkward proposition at social gatherings.

Making new friends who are yours and yours alone will help you move on instead of being reminded of the past. Going to a class or trying out a new hobby is a great way to meet new people, whether you want to try your hand at yoga, go on a cooking course or express yourself at an art or craft club. And even if you don’t click with anyone, you’ll have learned a new skill or discovered a new favourite pastime!

Know That It Won’t Be Forever

Being told “as one door closes, another opens” doesn’t provide much comfort on a lonely night. You might even feel that things will never be the same again. The truth is, things will be different, at least for a while, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Being on your own can be scary at first, but time does heal, and it won’t be long before you find yourself enjoying your new freedom once again. You might find love again (even if dating is the furthest thing from your mind right now), or you might come to genuinely love being single and find yourself fiercely protective of your independence.

Going through a divorce and coming out the other side is the hardest step. You’ll still have days where painful memories resurface, and that’s okay — allow yourself to feel. It may be a cliche, but that doesn’t make it any less true: with each day, things will get a little bit better.

*This article offers general wellbeing guidance and does not constitute legal advice. For matters relating to divorce and legal rights, consult a qualified solicitor.*

5 Delicious Things To Do With Your Leftover Onions & Shallots

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM

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October 10, 2025

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5 Delicious Things To Do With Your Leftover Onions & Shallots

Wondering what to do with a glut of onions or shallots? You’d only need to have a passable interest in cooking to have experienced a vegetable drawer so stocked, stacked and burgeoning with alliums that decisive action is required. Fortunately, both onions and shallots lend themselves incredibly well to preserving, in doing so saving them from the compost heap and turning them into a superb and versatile condiment. Here’s our favourites; our 5 delicious things to do with leftover onions and shallots.

Pickled

Pickling is a diverse tool to have in your cooking arsenal, whether you’re quick pickling, going for a longer pickle, brining or sousing. Then, there’s all the flavours you can add to the pickle, usually in the form of dried spices and their seeds, but also determined by your choice of vinegar, and the addition of fresh herbs and supplementary vegetables. It’s that diversity which makes this such a great preserving method, and onions and shallots are some of the greatest beneficiaries of the age-old technique.

Perennially popular, particularly on home turf in Britain, is to pickle onions whole; peeled, pickling (sometimes called pearl or baby) onions or round shallots are salted overnight in a colander, ensuring crunch in the final product. A mix of malt vinegar and sugar (or honey) at a ratio of 3:1, with added coriander and mustard seeds, is then warmed until thoroughly dissolved, and poured over the onions, which have been packed in a sterilised jar. The finished pickled onions are ready in around a month. Once they’ve been opened, keep them in the fridge. These are absolutely delicious with cheese, particularly as part of a Ploughman’s lunch, or with fish and chips.

Alternatively, you can quick pickle sliced onions or shallots in a Vietnamese style. Here, you should simply combined vinegar and sugar in a bowl (the ratio is up to your personal preference of sharp against sweet) and then add your sliced onions and perhaps some thinly sliced chilli. Mix thoroughly and let sit for around 15 minutes. These are enjoyed straight away; perfect in a chicken salad or as part of the intricate flavour and texture building of a fine banh mi sandwich.

Lacto-Fermented

Lacto fermenting is a complex and diverse term, but here we’re talking about preserving onions in a salt brine solution, in an anaerobic environment, in order to add crispness to their texture, a delicate, delicious sour flavour, and to unleash the onion’s probiotic potential in the process.

This method is particularly rewarding if you’ve been growing your own onion plants and find yourself with more than you can use fresh, as they last for several months when properly fermented and stored in the fridge. Simply pack sliced onions or shallots into a sterilised Kilner jar, add water to cover and then weigh the jar. Calculate 2% of that weight, and convert that amount into salt. Say your Kilner jar, water and onions weighed 1000g, then that’s 20g of salt.

Mix everything together in a scrupulously clean bowl, then add back to the Kilner jar. Fill a ziplock bag with water, making sure there’s no air inside, and use it to weigh down the brine and onion mix, to keep the vegetables submerged, and close the lid. With the hard work done, you simply leave the fermentation to occur, opening the lid each day and removing the weight to ‘burp’ the mixture. After roughly a week, you’ll have a complex and versatile condiment which is superb on burgers or in hot dogs, as well as added to salads.

Deep Fried & Crispy

Crispy shallots are a hugely popular addition to a vast array of curries, salads and dips in South East Asia, though they’re so moreish we could well eat them on their own as a snack, or even a meal. Ok, maybe not a meal, that would be weird.

Anyway, slice your shallots against the grain thinly, though not quite gossamer style, and dry them thoroughly on paper towel. Starting in cold oil, add your shallots and bring the pan up to medium heat. Stir regularly in a clockwise motion (perhaps it’s an old wive’s tale, or maybe it does indeed elimate the pockets of colder and hotter oil, but it works for us) noticing the delicate change in colour.

Once the shallots are golden, but a shade down from what you’re hoping the finished product to look like, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon onto more kitchen towel. Be warned that this is a delicate business and the residual heat will take the shallots through to the perfect colour once they’re out of the oil; take your eye off the ball and in a blink, they’ll be overdone and bitter. Store the crispy shallots in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, preferably with a silica gel bag added to soak up any excess moisture, for up to five days.

These are amazing as a garnish for Thai coconut based curries, as a topping for traditional Danish hotdogs or baked potato, and added to various Vietnamese soups, salads and dumplings.

Chutney

No cheese board would be complete without it, right? Needing little in the way of introduction, an onion chutney is indispensable alongside goat’s cheese particularly, as well as with cold cuts of meat or even on a pizza.

Simply slice or dice (depending on the texture you’re looking for) a good couple of kilos of red onions thinly and fry gently, with a bayleaf added, for at least half an hour, but preferably even longer, until sticky and caramelised but not burnt.

Add 500 grams of muscovado sugar, and 250ml of balsamic and 500ml of red wine vinegar, as well as a generous pinch of salt, and simmer on a low heat, letting it bubble gently for an hour or so, until thickened and jammy. If in doubt, run a spoon through the middle of the pan; a good few seconds should pass before the mixture meets again.

Once you’re satisfied with the consistency, spoon into sterilised jars and allow to cool. This guy will keep in the fridge pretty much indefinitely.

Onion Soup

Use up a glut of white onions in style by making a big batch of this French bistro classic, and keeping what you resist eating the first time round in the freezer. Whilst we’d love to sit around talking about onions, we’ll let the don Raymond Blanc play us out on this one. Check out his recipe for a classic French onion soup over here. And with that, happy cooking!

Next up, we’re tackling our glut of chillies. Fermented hot sauce, anyone?

2025’s Top Wedding Suit Trends: A Groom’s Guide To Getting It Right

Editorial Team

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October 10, 2025

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2025’s Top Wedding Suit Trends: A Groom’s Guide To Getting It Right

This year has brought an exciting evolution in wedding fashion, with men’s trends bringing about bold, innovative tailoring and fresh colours that allow grooms to express their individuality like never before. From earthy tones that celebrate nature to luxurious textures that demand attention, 2025’s wedding suit trends offer something for every style-conscious groom ready to make his mark on the aisle.

The Rise Of Earth Tones & Nature-Inspired Hues

This year is definitively the year of earthy tones and pastels. Bright shades like sage green, and richer ones like chocolate brown, are taking centre stage. These nature-inspired hues work beautifully for outdoor celebrations, creating a harmonious connection with natural settings whilst maintaining sophisticated appeal.

Green suits are perfect for rustic, outdoor weddings. This versatile shade is ideal for country barn weddings, matching seamlessly with nature’s landscape. Deep emerald and burgundy are particularly striking choices for autumn ceremonies, offering richness and depth that photographs beautifully against changing foliage.

For spring and summer celebrations, soft, gentle pastels with pops of bright colours synonymous with warmer months have gained significant traction. These lighter tones bring a fresh, contemporary feel to traditional wedding attire whilst remaining elegant enough for formal venues.

The Timeless Appeal Of Black Tie

Whilst bold colours and relaxed styles dominate many trends, the classic black tuxedo remains an undisputed champion of wedding elegance. Tuxedos never go out of fashion, so it’s no surprise they remain a go-to choice for grooms and groomsmen this year.

There’s been a surge in popularity in black tie weddings, and there’s no escaping the timeless appeal of a monochrome wedding party, perhaps enhanced with pops of vivid colours and accessories.

Double-Breasted: The Vintage Revival

Double-breasted suits have made a major comeback, appearing everywhere from the runways to weddings this year. Modern versions of this style feature slimmer cuts that flatter all body types, making it a versatile option for contemporary grooms.

The double-breasted silhouette works particularly well for grooms seeking a distinguished, authoritative presence. It’s an excellent choice for formal church ceremonies or grand ballroom receptions where traditional elegance is paramount. After years of slimmer, single-breasted cuts dominating wedding attire, the double-breasted jacket has made a triumphant return.

Texture Takes Centre Stage

Velvet and mohair are amongst the fabrics making waves this year. Grooms are experimenting with rich textures like velvet, tweed, and jacquard to add depth to their look. Velvet suits, in particular, are perfect for winter weddings, offering luxurious appeal in deep jewel tones like midnight blue or emerald green.

For those planning cooler weather ceremonies, tweed brings a sophisticated country elegance that pairs beautifully with traditional venues. Meanwhile, jacquard fabrics offer intricate patterns woven directly into the material, creating visual interest without overwhelming boldness.

This year, texture has taken centre stage, adding depth and dimension to the groom’s attire. Velvet and tweed have made a stylish return for fall and winter weddings, offering a luxurious and cosy feel.

The Sustainable Groom

Eco-friendly suits are no longer a niche choice; they’ve become incredibly desirable. Wedding suits made of sustainably-sourced wool, cotton, and even bamboo fabrics are hugely popular this year and this trend continues to grow.

Eco-friendly suits feature modern, high-quality designs and craftsmanship that rivals traditional bespoke tailoring. Designers are using organic cotton, recycled materials, and innovative fabrics derived from renewable sources, proving that conscious choices can be incredibly stylish.

Statement Accessories & Personal Touches

Accessories have become the primary way for grooms to inject personality into their wedding look without compromising overall elegance. There’s been a notable shift toward statement accessories, particularly jewellery, this year, but unique bow ties, exaggerated sizing, and vintage timepieces are all also leading the charge.

Popular choices include swapping the traditional boutonnière for a bold brooch that reflects personal heritage or style. Vintage pocket watches add a nostalgic twist perfect for timeless elegance, whilst colourful or patterned socks provide a pop of personality. Custom cufflinks featuring initials, wedding dates, or sentimental symbols are particularly popular, offering a subtle way to commemorate the special day whilst adding refined detail.

The Three-Piece Renaissance

Three-piece wedding suits continue to captivate grooms who favour a more traditional look. These suits offer a level of versatility and formality that’s hard to match, allowing the wearer to transition smoothly from the ceremony to the reception by simply shedding a layer or two.

The waistcoat adds structured sophistication whilst providing practical versatility throughout the day. There is an unspoken rule that you should only wear a waistcoat if the month has an ‘r’ in it. However, if you’ve got your heart set on a waistcoat for a summer celebration, lighter fabrics will ensure comfort without sacrificing the polished three-piece aesthetic.

Relaxed Elegance For Modern Ceremonies

Grooms have increasingly embraced a more relaxed approach to formalwear this year, especially for outdoor or destination weddings. Unstructured blazers, softer fabrics, and more casual cuts that maintain sophistication without the stiffness of traditional wedding suits have become increasingly popular.

For destination and outdoor weddings, linen and lightweight wool suits are in high demand. Unstructured blazers paired with tailored trousers offer a stylish yet comfortable look, perfect for a laid-back celebration.

Monochrome Mastery

Whether driven by the rise in popularity of minimalism or contemporary aesthetic preferences, monochrome-clad grooms are having a moment. This trend offers sophisticated simplicity, allowing grooms to create striking visual impact through tonal variations rather than contrasting colours.

Monochrome looks offer a clean, uncluttered, and understated kind of elegance, appealing to those who prefer simplicity and refinement.

Large Lapels & Statement Details

Modern grooms are embracing bold design elements to elevate traditional looks. From bold contrasting colours to intr

icate embroidery and unconventional shapes, statement lapels are redefining the modern groom’s look. These details ensure grooms stand out whilst maintaining refined sophistication.

The Year Of Individual Expression

Wedding suits aren’t just clothing — they’re part of the celebration. And whether you choose a breezy two-piece for a summer garden ceremony or a sleek black tuxedo for a glamorousevening affair, what matters most is that it feels like you.

The trends that have emerged this year reflect this balance perfectly, offering grooms the opportunity to express individuality whilst respecting wedding tradition. This shift represents a fundamental change in how grooms approach their wedding day attire.

Today’s groom understands that his wedding day is an opportunity to showcase not just love for his partner, but his own sense of style and sophistication. With these trends as inspiration, this year has become one where grooms step confidently into the spotlight, looking every bit as spectacular as the love they’re celebrating.

9 Great Ways To Boost Kerb Appeal & Add Value To Your Property

Editorial Team

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October 9, 2025

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9 Great Ways To Boost Kerb Appeal & Add Value To Your Property

They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but when making judgements on the quality of a house, that facade you see from the kerb really does matter.

In fact, a survey of over 2,000 UK adults by the HomeOwners Alliance, conducted by YouGov, revealed that 68% of homebuyers consider kerb appeal to be important when purchasing a property. The research found that the most significant features were well-maintained windows and a roof in good condition, followed by a well-maintained front garden, pathways and fences.

Indeed, how your home looks from the outside can create a great first impression or, equally, turn homebuyers off. With that in mind, here are 9 excellent ways to attract viewers and add value by boosting your property’s kerb appeal.

Revamp Your Front Door

Your front door is the entrance to your home and what homebuyers will see when arriving for a viewing. How your front door looks can say a lot about your property as a whole.

This means it may be time to revamp it. You want viewers to feel welcomed from the beginning, and improving your front door is essential in creating a good first impression.

If you don’t have the money to replace your front door, a fresh coating of paint can work just as well. According to Country Life, blue and green are the best front door colours for selling a house; just make sure any colour you do choose complements the overall aesthetic of your home’s facade.

Go further and get rid of any dirty spots or rust, which is easily done with metal polish and a little elbow grease. You want your front door to add character to your home, so make sure you think about this before viewings commence.

Go even further, and consider a wall-mounted mailbox, which can offer a sleek, modern touch or a classic, traditional look depending on the style you choose. A stylish wall-mount mailbox not only serves a practical purpose but also acts as an accessory to your home’s exterior. Select a mailbox that matches the finish of your door hardware or lighting fixtures to create a cohesive look. Because that sense of cohesion is what it’s all about, don’t you think?

Read: 5 different types of door for your home explained

Photo by **Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie** from **Pexels**

Transform Your Front Garden

When it comes to boosting your home’s kerb appeal in a way that attracts viewers and adds value, you shouldn’t neglect your garden in the process. As you show prospective home buyers around your outdoor space, they’ll want to envisage themselves making the most of it, and a chaotic garden full of debris will likely present an obstacle, both tangible and metaphorically, to viewers picturing themselves living in your property.

There are lots of things you can do to your garden to make it more visually appealing, such as maintaining trees and shrubs, adding decking, or even installing a patio.

Many homeowners install verandas in their gardens, too, in order to add aesthetic appeal. These structures can protect you from the sun, extend your outdoor living space, and make your garden look more pleasing to the eye.

Add a Glass Roof Pergola

A glass roof pergola can be a game-changer when it comes to elevating your property’s kerb appeal and overall value. Unlike traditional pergolas with slatted roofs, glass-roofed versions offer a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that catches the eye immediately. They create a sophisticated focal point in your garden whilst providing practical shelter from the elements.

The beauty of a glass roof pergola lies in its ability to blend indoor comfort with outdoor living. Natural light floods through the transparent canopy, creating a bright, airy space that potential buyers can easily imagine themselves enjoying year-round. Whether used as an outdoor dining area, a relaxation spot, or simply as an architectural feature, a well-positioned glass roof pergola demonstrates that your property offers more than just four walls—it provides a lifestyle.

When selecting a glass roof pergola, consider how it complements your home’s existing architecture. Modern properties benefit from clean lines and frameless glass options, whilst more traditional homes might suit pergolas with decorative support posts. The investment not only adds visual appeal but also extends your usable outdoor space, which is increasingly valuable to today’s homebuyers.

Install New Windows

There is a whole host of reasons why you should consider installing new windows before viewings get started. This project will not only increase your kerb appeal, but it can also reduce noise from the outside, lower utility costs, and contribute to your home being more energy-efficient. If your windows are looking a little dated, homebuyers will take note of this, make no mistake.

Many homebuyers like to move into a property that’s close to perfect, meaning they don’t have to tackle major projects. Therefore, if your windows are old and don’t align with how the rest of your home looks, installing new ones could well benefit your property in terms of added value and ease of sale.

Tidy Up Your Drive

One of the quickest and most straightforward ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal is by making sure your driveway is clean and pristine. A simple power wash can work magic on the route to your front door by getting rid of stains and dirt. If there are any pesky weeds growing, make sure you remove them before homebuyers rock up.

Creating easy access from the street to the entrance of your home is particularly crucial. Cracked paving stones not only look unsightly; they’re a health hazard too, so ensure they’re replaced. There’s no quicker way to torpedo a house sale than by a prospective buyer tripping up and injuring themselves in your drive. Just sayin’.

Read: How to jazz up your driveway to make the best first impression

Maintain Your Front Garden

As well as getting your driveway in good order, you need to maintain your front garden, too. When buyers pull up, a well-maintained exterior can fill them with excitement and anticipation about what’s behind the front door. However, if your front garden is overgrown, this won’t create that same impression.

Firstly, trim back shrubbery and weed diligently, mulch flower beds, prune, and make sure the whole area is ready for some finessing. Then, you can set about introducing hanging baskets, window boxes, and planting new flower beds. Copper window boxes are a great option here. Not only do they look fantastic, but they’re also easy to maintain and can last for years with minimal care. They add instant charm and character to any home, no matter what the style.

If you have a lawn, make sure you’re watering it deeply but infrequently to guarantee a verdant green, preferably early morning or late evening to reduce the opportunity for evaporation. Mow regularly but not so obsessively that your lawn looks like it’s balding. Once a year, make the effort to dethatch your lawn, using a specialist rake. Experts suggest early Spring as the best time to do so, aerating the grass and leaving it a clean run at growing healthily.

Invest In A Quality Carport

Whilst many homeowners focus on gardens and front doors, the area where you park your vehicle deserves equal attention. A well-designed carport can significantly boost your property’s kerb appeal whilst adding genuine practical value. Unlike enclosed garages, which can appear bulky and dominating, carports maintain an open, welcoming aesthetic whilst still protecting vehicles from harsh weather.

A carport demonstrates to potential buyers that you’ve thought about the practicalities of modern living. It shows your property can accommodate vehicles safely without compromising on style. If you’re looking for quality options that blend functionality with design, a carport from Tuinmaximaal offers solutions that cater to various architectural styles, from sleek contemporary designs to more traditional structures.

When installing a carport, positioning is key. It should integrate naturally with your driveway and not obstruct views of your home’s facade. Choose materials and colours that complement your property: matching the carport’s finish to your window frames or roofing can create a cohesive, well-planned appearance. A thoughtfully installed carport signals to buyers that your property has been carefully maintained and improved, potentially adding thousands to your home’s value.

Hide Your Bins

Something as simple as keeping your bins out of sight can do wonders for creating a good first impression. No one wants to arrive for a property viewing to find bins overflowing with rubbish. Not only does it not look appealing, but there may also be all kinds of foul odours that won’t set the right tone.

If you can, it’s wise to place your bins at the side of your home. If you don’t have any space to do this, buying a bin shed is a wise move. Other ideas you can look into to hide your bins include using slatted style fence panels. If you cannot hide your bins before a viewing, just ensure that they’re not full to the brim with rubbish.

Check Your Gutters

Checking your gutters for any wear and tear is essential before opening your home up to viewers. Over time your gutters can get filled with leaves and debris, resulting in water retention, which in turn can lead to structural damage. You don’t want something as basic as clogged gutters to be the reason homebuyers look elsewhere, so now may be the time to clear them.

The Bottom Line

When homebuyers arrive at your property, you’ll want to greet them and see smiling faces, rather than trepidation. How your home looks on the outside can say a lot about what’s behind the front door, and this means you need to pay close attention to your home’s kerb appeal. Transforming your outdoor space can boost value, impress buyers, and get your property off the market quicker.

The Best Restaurants In Walthamstow

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM

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October 8, 2025

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Some Londoners are guilty of thinking of Walthamstow purely as that place at the end of the Victoria Line, the one with the marauding market or where you go to see bands at The Bell. They’re missing the point. Around the historic village green near St Mary’s Church, an impressive dining scene has been bubbling under these last few years, one that locals guard jealously and food writers are only just beginning to cover with the requisite diligence.

The Victorian terraces that web out from the ancient village green hide award-winning restaurants that have made national food guides, family-run establishments serving some of London’s most regional cuisines, and newer arrivals bringing serious cooking to an area that still remembers when its only dining option was the local pub. It’s this mix of old and new, community spirit and culinary ambition, that makes Walthamstow Village worth the journey to Zone 3 for your tea.

We’ve spent the last few months eating our way around the area (someone had to) to bring you this selection of the best restaurants within walking distance of Walthamstow Central and Wood Street stations. Here are the places that make Walthamstow Village a culinary destination.

Hiba Taboun, Wood Street

Ideal for freshly baked Palestinian flatbreads and mezze worth crossing zones for…

This compact Palestinian café on Wood Street has built its reputation on gorgeous kamaj (soft, airy Palestinian pitas) that emerges from the ovens throughout the day, still warm enough to steam when torn open. Part of a small family restaurant group that includes Hiba Express in Holborn, the Walthamstow branch focuses on turning those daily-baked bread into sandwiches and flatbreads that have locals returning multiple times a week, as well as regulars drawn from further afield by the come-hither wafts of the bread oven.

The manakeesh comes topped with za’atar and olive oil or spiced lamb mince (£7.75), the base given a sourdough treatment that adds complexity to the traditional flatbread. Their falafel sandwich layers the freshly fried chickpea fritters with roasted cauliflower, aubergine, and a sharp salad of cucumber and tomato bound with tahini and lemon. It’s superb; so invigorating and, giving you change from a ten spot, an absolute steal. For bigger groups or, indeed, appetites, the day’s platter brings together four different mezze alongside falafel and grilled meats – enough variety to work through slowly over conversation.

Palestinian coffee arrives with gentle warnings from staff about its intensity – the small cup carries cardamom, cinnamon and other spices, served without sugar in the traditional style. Not everyone’s cup of tea (or coffee), perhaps, but it’s excellent. Alternatively, the milky, fragrant mouhallabieh pudding provides a gentler finish to the meal.

The space is divided between Hiba Taboun and Mini Hiba, both simple rooms where the focus stays firmly on the food. Staff show obvious, merited pride in what they’re serving – the kind of place where servers check in through the window to ensure you’re enjoying your meal, which inevitably you are.

At £35 for the full Palestinian brunch of a dozen plates and breads to match, or under £8 for a substantial sandwich, it’s priced for regular visits rather than special occasions. For both the quality of the food and the value, we’ve become one of those regulars. Takeaway is also available.

Instagram: @hiba_taboun

Address: 2, Golden Parade, London E17 3HU

Gökyüzü, Selborne Road

Ideal for generous Turkish grills and all-day dining from breakfast through late dinner…

Inside 17&Central shopping centre on Selborne Road, Gökyüzü occupies a two-level space that buzzes with families tucking into platters of grilled meat from morning until midnight (9am to 11pm actually, but who’s counting?). Part of a burgeoning London chain with roots in Kahramanmaras, the Walthamstow branch has become something of a local institution since opening in the early 2000s, winning the best Middle Eastern restaurant at the Deliveroo Awards earlier this year.

The wood-fired oven near the entrance sets expectations immediately, producing a warm glow and warm bread that arrives at your table unbidden, alongside garlic yoghurt and ajvar. The Turkish breakfast spreads across the table in small plates – free-range eggs, feta, Turkish beef sausage, muska böreği, halloumi, fresh vegetables, simit, honey and jam – substantial enough to carry you through to dinner.

Come evening, the charcoal grills take centre stage. The Adana kebab showcases their skill with seasoning, the lamb mince enthusiastically but deftly salted. The mixed grill platters hit the table bearing enough lamb shish, chicken shish, ribs and chops to feed a small gathering. For something a little more personal, the Icli Kofte – stuffed bulgur with spiced minced lamb blended with spices – is a real winner.

Vegetarians gravitate towards the Sarma Beyti, which regulars describe in reverent tones. To finish, the künefe is a properly indulgent conclusion – honey-drenched wheat and cheese that arrives hot from the kitchen.

The atmosphere lands somewhere between casual and special occasion, with latticed screens and teal accents throughout creating pockets of intimacy. After 9pm the lights dim slightly, the crowd gets livelier, but families with children remain welcome. At lower mid-range prices – expect around £30 per person for a feast – it delivers value too.

Website: gokyuzurestaurant.co.uk

Address: 42D Selborne Road, The Mall, Walthamstow, London E17 7JR

Read: The best restaurants in Camden

Slowburn, Blackhorse Lane

Ideal for award-winning vegetable-forward dining in London’s most unlikely location…

Slowburn has become one of London’s most talked-about restaurants despite (or, indeed, because of) its position inside a working denim factory on Blackhorse Lane. The 2025 Good Food Guide named it among the UK’s Top 100 Best Local restaurants, a recognition that seems almost surreal given you need to walk through an active jeans workshop to reach your table.

The dining room occupies one corner of the factory floor, separated from the industrial sewing machines by nothing more than some strategically placed plants and the confidence of chef-owners who understand that great food speaks louder than grand interiors. The menu changes with obsessive seasonality, focusing on vegetables grown within a few miles of East London, treated with techniques that turn humble ingredients into something truly memorable.

Recent highlights have included heritage carrots with brown butter and hazelnuts, fermented turnip with aged goat’s cheese, and a beetroot tart that converts even the most committed carnivores. When meat does appear, it’s used sparingly – perhaps cured duck breast with pickled plums, or slow-cooked lamb shoulder for sharing with a whole host of seasonal sides and sauces that are, in truth, the main event.

The natural wine list reflects the same commitment to small producers and sustainable practices, while service maintains the kind of knowledgeable enthusiasm that comes from a team who genuinely believe in what they’re doing. Booking essential, particularly since the Good Food Guide recognition has brought food pilgrims from across London.

Website: slowburn.london

Address: 114b Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, London E17 6AA

Güneş, Hoe Street

Ideal for Anatolian platters and charcoal-grilled kebabs in marble-clad surroundings…

The bar at Güneş, backlit in blue with what appears to be a vast slab of mineral-veined stone, sets the tone immediately – this is a restaurant that’s committed to creating a scene. Neon strip lighting, marble everywhere, velvet seating, a conservatory done up with faux-jungle styling…

But look past the decor and you’ll find a restaurant doing genuinely excellent things with meat over charcoal, the kind of place where locals return for ebullient hospitality and cooking that doesn’t cut corners.

The Anatolian and Mediterranean menu centres on what emerges from the charcoal grill. Adana kebab skewers arrive sizzling, the minced lamb seasoned with pepper and thyme. Lamb and chicken döner gets carved from the rotisserie throughout service, chicken shish is grilled until nicely charred. The Family Platter for 3-4 people brings together lamb and chicken döner, both shish varieties, chicken beyti, Adana kebab, chicken wings, and lamb ribs at £72.90, all served with rice, bulgur, salad, and bread for mopping.

The Iskender kebab – sliced döner layered over torn bread with tomato sauce and yoghurt, then finished with butter and herbs – is the sort of dish that keeps people coming back. Choose lamb or chicken for £21.90. Portions defeat most appetites, which seems to be the standard here. Hot and cold mezze run from hummus and cacık through to sigara böreği (feta and halloumi in Turkish pastry) and grilled halloumi, providing routes in for those pacing themselves.

Service operates with typical Turkish generosity – complimentary rice pudding arrives at the end of your meal, the kind of gesture that turns first-time visitors into regulars. The drinks list accommodates both the after-work Efes crowd and birthday parties ordering strawberry daiquiris and Sex on the Beach cocktails by the round. Chef Drew Snaith of SESTA in Hackney singled out Güneş when sharing his Walthamstow favourites, specifically recommending the Iskender kebab.

The restaurant handles everything from solo diners to large groups celebrating special occasions, remaining welcoming throughout. At mid-range prices, it delivers consistent cooking and portions that ensure nobody leaves hungry.

Website: gunesrestaurant.uk

Address: 328 Hoe Street, London E17 9PX

The Good Egg at Eat17, Orford Road

Ideal for Middle Eastern-inspired dishes in a unique grocery-restaurant hybrid…

Within Eat17’s expanded premium grocery store, The Good Egg operates as an independent restaurant serving Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. This unusual setup – dining alongside shoppers browsing award-winning local products and artisan goods – creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in London.

The Good Egg’s menu focuses on vibrant, spice-forward dishes that wake up your palate. The shakshuka comes with perfectly runny eggs nestled in rich tomato sauce scattered with fresh herbs, while the babka French toast offers an indulgent take on weekend brunch. The za’atar fried chicken has quickly developed as something of a signature, and the rotating specials often feature lesser-known Middle Eastern dishes that showcase the kitchen’s ambition.

Operating from 8am-4pm for breakfast and lunch, then 5pm-9pm for dinner, The Good Egg accepts walk-ins for small groups or email reservations for parties of six or more. The casual approach suits the relaxed vibe – you might find yourself sharing a table with someone who just popped in to buy Eat17’s famous bacon jam and decided to stay for lunch.

The combination works surprisingly well. You can stock up on premium groceries, local produce, and specialty items while enjoying a proper meal, making this a true neighborhood destination rather than just another restaurant.

Website: thegoodegg.co

Address: 28-30 Orford Rd, London E17 9NJ

Etles, Hoe Street

Ideal for discovering Uyghur cuisine at one of London’s pioneering regional restaurants…

One of London’s first Uyghur restaurants, Etles has been serving the distinctive cuisine of Xinjiang province since before we (most of us) could locate the region on a map (we’re still not sure we can). The family-run restaurant occupies a modest corner site on Hoe Street, its dining room decorated with traditional textiles and the sounds of Mandarin and Uyghur floating from the open kitchen.

Uyghur food sits somewhere between Chinese and Central Asian, a gorgeous blend of influences, with dried spices featuring prominently and noodles – hand-pulled until slack – taking centre stage. Those noodles get made to order, each strand stretched with practiced confidence to achieve the perfect texture – chewy but tender, robust enough to hold up to rich, aromatic broths. The Large Plate Chicken (Da Pan Ji) lives up to its name, a generous serving of chicken, potatoes, and peppers in a sauce that builds heat gradually through layers of cumin, coriander, and chilli.

The lamb dumplings flaunt the kitchen’s skill with dough and seasoning – each dumpling perfectly pleated and filled with spiced lamb that’s been cooked until it falls apart at the suggestion of a lurking utensil. It’s heady, brilliant stuff, and has earned a glowing national review from Jay Rayner at a time when he felt particularly threatened by Eater and Vittles for not venturing out of Central, it should be said.

Cash only, BYOB with no corkage, and expect to share tables during busy periods when local Uyghur families arrive for weekend meals that stretch across multiple courses and several hours.

Website: etleswalthamstow.com

Address: 235 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 9PP

Sodo Pizza, Hatherley Mews

Ideal for sourdough pizza and natural wines in an intimate neighborhood setting…

Sodo Pizza occupies a converted industrial unit on a quiet mews off Hoe Street that’s been transformed into one of Walthamstow’s most charming dining rooms. The exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and open kitchen create something intimate, worlds apart from the business of this corner of North London, while the flickering wood-fired oven (imported from Italy, naturally) brings a gentle touch of theatre.

The sourdough pizza bases represent years of obsessive experimentation – slow-fermented for 48 hours to develop complex flavors and a texture that’s simultaneously crispy and chewy. Toppings focus on quality produce first and foremost, with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and carefully sourced charcuterie. The nduja pizza with chilli honey and rocket is bang on trend to the point of ubiquity, but still works and is our go-to order. We love the anchovy, capers and olives number too, but simply can’t bring ourselves to order it, the Jon Bon Chovy moniker too cringe to say out loud.

The natural wine list leans into interesting bottles – Joan Meyer’s Liquid Skin, an orange Chenin Blanc from South Africa with cardamom and honey notes clocks in at a keen £36. There’s Heinrich’s Austrian pet-nat with mandarin and quince for £43, too. It’s a lot for a drop with your pizza, but it’s great wine nonetheless.

Claw back some of that money on their particularly sharp lunch deal, which runs Tuesday to Friday: £10 gets you either a 7-inch pizza with salad or a full-size pizza, plus a soft. Cheers to that.

The intimate size means booking is essential, particularly at weekends when the 30-cover dining room fills with locals who’ve discovered this hidden gem.

Website: sodopizza.co.uk

Address: 21-23 Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow, London E17 4QP

Yard Sale Pizza, Hoe Street

Ideal for award-winning pizza in a converted glass factory…

Time Out consistently declares this as one of London’s best pizzas (as do we) and the Walthamstow location emphasises how we both might be right.

Rather than the promised yard, there’s a roof and stuff, with the converted glass factory providing an industrial backdrop to your pie, all high ceilings, exposed beams, and an outdoor terrace – call it a ‘yard’ if you want – that comes into its own during warmer months.

The sourdough bases use a mother culture refined over years, resulting in pizza that’s substantial and, in turn, digestible. The Holy Pepperoni holds cult status among London pizza obsessives, with pepperoni that cups and chars at the edges. The Full House combines pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, olive and peppers, but somehow doesn’t end up feeling like a Pizza Hut. That’s some sleight of hand, that.

Local beers are what you want to wash it down, with several options from Gipsy Hill Brewery on the menu. That means the beer travels just twenty miles from grain to glass. Our favourite is Yard Sale’s house lager, the Pyramid Scheme. The name baffles us, but there’s plenty of clarity in the can.

Website: yardsalepizza.com

Address: 15 Hoe St, London E17 4SD

With pizza on the brain, we’re off in search of the perfect New York slice next. Care to join us?

Superfood Sources Of Antioxidants: 7 Of The Best Foods To Eat

Vicky Clifford Sanghad

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October 7, 2025

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Free radicals; you’ve probably heard them mentioned by health food experts and nutritionists, but perhaps never sought further explanation. Or, maybe you’re like us, and assumed they were a cool band you ought to investigate…

In actuality, free radicals are molecules that are produced in the body, and are used for cellular processes like digestion. However, when we’re exposed to pollution, and when we drink, smoke and eat unhealthy foods excessively, our body produces too many of these free radicals. This excessive production of free radicals has been linked to a harmful process called oxidative stress, and to premature ageing and a host of diseases, in turn.

So far, so gloomy. The good news is that this oxidative stress is best counteracted (as is always the case) by a healthy, wholesome diet, rich in antioxidants that are believed to prevent some of the damage caused by free radicals by neutralising them.

So, what superfood sources of antioxidants should you be eating as part of a balanced diet? Let’s find out.

Blueberries

Considered the king of all antioxidant fruit and vegetables, several studies have found that blueberries boast the highest amount of antioxidants of all the fresh ingredients out there. Particularly rich in anthocyanins, blueberries have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Whether you’re sprinkling a handful over your morning cereal or enjoying a small bowl as an afternoon snack, blueberries make for one of the most healthy dietary additions around. One of the easiest and most delicious ways to incorporate blueberries into your daily routine is through smoothies. Their naturally sweet flavour pairs beautifully with banana, spinach, or Greek yoghurt, while their antioxidant power remains fully intact when blended.

Dark Chocolate

Rejoice! Celebrate! Party! Crack out a bar of the 70% stuff and indulge a little. That’s right; dark chocolate also contains important antioxidants, including polyphenols, catechins and flavanols, the latter of which also contains anti-inflammatory properties. As if we needed an excuse…

Of course, owing to its high sugar and fat content, dark chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation. The maximum recommended daily allowance for adults with no health problems is between 30 and 50 grams a day, which is roughly equivalent to 5 squares of the good stuff. Again, everything in moderation seems a sensible approach here.

Read: Why does chocolate make you happy? 4 IDEAL reasons to indulge

Cranberries

A study into the antioxidant properties of 20 common fruits found that cranberries contain the highest levels of phenols, a key antioxidant. But that’s not all; cranberries also boast anthocyanins, another important antioxidant. Because of this, research has looked into the possibility that cranberries may help protect against liver disease by potentially detoxing the liver, as well as improving eyesight and cardiovascular health, and lowering blood pressure.

Cranberries are fantastic for keeping your urinary tract healthy, too. Cranberry juice is great for preventing bladder infections, as it acts as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Green Tea

Green tea has been used for centuries, not only as a refreshing drink, but also as a detoxifying force. Green tea contains a type of catechin, EGCG, which acts as an antioxidant and reduces the formation of free radicals in the body. EGCG is a powerful compound, and its presence is what gives green tea its medicinal properties.

Of course, it’s not just the properties of green tea that are so good for you. Though it isn’t an antioxidant, water is one of the body’s only scientifically proven tools that genuinely help with ‘detoxification’. Water does this by removing waste products from the body through urination, breathing and sweating. Do remember to drink at least 6 cups a day.

Beans

Beans, beans, the musical fruit, the more you eat the more you, erm, mute. Free radicals, that is…

That didn’t quite work as a rhyme or a joke, but what does work in terms of giving your body the best chance to counter free radicals is the consumption of beans. Pinto, red, black, cannellini, haricot, kidney, broad, green…beans are some of the vegetable world’s best sources of antioxidants. Enough to tolerate a little extra wind for, don’t you think?

Read: 5 IDEAL recipes if you’re in the mood for butterbeans

Artichokes

Another wind inducing vegetable that’s also considered a superfood because of its antioxidant properties is the humble artichoke. This delicious cruciferous vegetable is particularly high in the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which has been linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, this component is also found in coffee.

Two of our favourite food and drink items in a single paragraph? You’re really spoiling us.

Read: How to take your coffee game to the next level in 7 simple steps

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Finally, another reason to eat your greens…

Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale, have long been heralded as a superfood, and one of the reasons for this is their antioxidant properties. Interestingly, red variants of green vegetables are thought to be even more rich in these antioxidants, with red Russian kale boasting twice the amount as the green stuff. A similar ratio occurs between red and green cabbage, too.

This is because, as Healthline explains, ‘’red varieties of kale contain more anthocyanin antioxidants as well as several other antioxidants that give them their vibrant color.’’.

Speaking of colour, it’s often posited by nutrition experts that the most healthy diet isn’t one that just focuses on consuming superfoods to excess. This could, in fact, be harmful. Instead, it’s recommended that a healthy diet is often one with the brightest and most varied range of colours.

In plants, different pigments and shades indicate the presence of different antioxidants that your body needs, so if you’re looking for an easy, simple way to enjoy more ingredients with antioxidant properties, ‘’eating the rainbow’’ is likely to be a more wholesome, sustainable way to do things than by focusing only on superfoods.

*This article is not intended to replace dietary, nutritional or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries concerning your diet, always consult your GP or a qualified nutritionist first*

9 Tips For Planning The Ultimate UK Family Road Trip

Editorial Team

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October 7, 2025

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9 Tips For Planning The Ultimate UK Family Road Trip

Because we’ve all got our eyes on summer right now, and, much like the open road, we can hear the sound of endless possibility calling…

But wait. What’s that whining? Are we there yet? A baby crying? Mum, I’m bored. And what’s that other sound? Yep, that’s the sound of your dream ride of fun and freedom, loose morals and looser plans, shattering. It shouldn’t have to be this way, though.

You can still have a great adventure, a more fulfilling one even, with the little ones in tow. And here’s how; our 8 tips for planning the ultimate UK family road trip.

Lock Down The Budget

Trying to establish a budget for a trip so reliant on spontaneity and the thrill of the open road may feel counterintuitive, like plucking a number out of thin air. But when the little ones are involved, it’s important to be practical in your approach. Use a dedicated online holiday budget calculator to understand the costs prior to setting off. In doing so, there’ll be no nasty surprises waiting for you round the bend.

Decide On Your Destination

Choosing the location can be equally mind-boggling. As a starting point, try and think of common interests that you all share as a family. Does everyone love beaches? Or perhaps the family are more interested in historically significant destinations?

Whilst the UK is relatively small in comparison to other countries, you are unlikely to get much done within the space of a week. You can drive from top to bottom within a day but all you’ll get to see is the motorway.

We’d suggest deciding where you’d most like to visit beforehand and try making your way from the top of the country to the bottom or vice versa. You won’t want to overexert yourself by driving hours on end each day, particularly if you’re travelling with a young family.

Take a few days to properly relax and see the sites in each city or town. We’d recommend visiting Stonehenge, Bath, Harrogate, York and Edinburgh if you can but the choice is totally up to you!

Should all else fail you could use this list of the UK & Ireland’s best road trips for inspiration. Whatever you decide on, when the kids are involved it’s vital to have an itinerary locked down. Which brings us to…

Read: 5 places in Yorkshire to visit with your kids

Have A Firm Plan In Place…

Are we there yet? It’s a tough question to field and an even tougher kid to placate if you have no bloody clue of the answer. With kids, we’re sorry to say, the rules are somewhat changed on being impromptu and carefree.

It’s essential to have a plan of attack in place, including a detailed knowledge of where you’ll be staying and the nearby entertainment, activities, medical provisions and kid-friendly food available. This will take huge amounts of stress away from the trip, and allow you more quality time with your family. And that’s what it’s all about, right?

Read: The best UK road trips to do with the kids before they grow up

…But Be Flexible

Yep, we know we’ve just extolled the virtues of meticulous planning, but it’s also important to leave a little room for flexibility on your trip. Military precision is all well and good, but it can ruin the vibe of the holiday entirely if you ignore your kids’ sudden desire to have a dip in a lake or picnic in the forest just because your hostel check-in specifies 6pm on the dot. So, when booking accommodation and activities in advance, make sure you click that oft-ignored ‘cancellation insurance’ button and opt for places which allow free cancellation or date and time flexibility wherever possible.

By Kate_sept2004 from Getty Images Signature

Pack A Comprehensive Car Care Kit

Ensuring you have a well-stocked car care kit can be a lifesaver on a family road trip, especially when travelling with little ones. Here are some essential items to include:

Tyre Repair Kit: A puncture can happen at any time, so having a reliable tyre repair kit is crucial. Consider the Slime Smart Spair Emergency Flat Tyre Repair Kit, which is easy to use and can get you back on the road quickly.
Jump Leads: A flat battery can ruin your day, but with a set of jump leads, you can get a boost from a friendly passer-by.
Spare Bulbs and Fuses: It’s always a good idea to carry spare bulbs and fuses for your vehicle. The Ring Automotive RCT5 Car Bulb Kit is a comprehensive set that covers most needs.
Basic Tool Kit: A small tool kit can help with minor repairs. The Halfords Advanced 30 Piece Socket Set is compact yet versatile, perfect for handling a variety of small fixes.
Engine Oil and Coolant: Keeping a litre of engine oil and some coolant in the car can help you top up if levels get low. Brands like Castrol GTX for oil and Prestone Coolant/Antifreeze are reliable choices.
Clutch Kit: If you’re driving a manual car, having a spare clutch kit can be invaluable.
Duct Tape and Cable Ties: These can be used for temporary fixes on a variety of issues, from securing loose parts to patching up minor leaks.
First Aid Kit: While not strictly for car repairs, a first aid kit is essential for any road trip. The St John Ambulance Car First Aid Kit is comprehensive and compact.

By packing these items, you’ll be well-prepared to handle minor car troubles, ensuring your family road trip remains as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Protect Your Vehicle’s Interior

Family road trips can be tough on your car’s interior, with constant snacking, drink spills, muddy boots, and sandy beach visits taking their toll. Between ice cream drips, juice box accidents, and the inevitable trail of crumbs, your vehicle’s flooring takes a serious beating during a multi-day adventure with kids.

One simple way to minimise damage is investing in quality, washable car mats. Whether you drive a compact vehicle and need car mats for a Nissan Juke or have a larger family SUV, protective mats are a small investment that pays dividends. Look for all-weather mats that can handle whatever your kids throw at them – literally. Rubber or heavy-duty carpet mats with deep grooves are particularly effective at trapping dirt, sand, and liquids before they reach your car’s original carpeting.

It’s also worth considering seat protectors for the back seats and a boot liner if you’re planning beach stops or countryside walks. These can be easily removed and cleaned at the end of your trip, saving you hours of intensive interior cleaning and helping maintain your car’s resale value.

Choose Your Accommodation & Ride Carefully

One of the best things about a road trip is the freedom to stay in many different places. While there are options for every budget including Airbnb, hotels and even camping, there is, of course, one way to skip this step all this: hire an RV or trailer. This option gives your family full flexibility and best of all, your pets could even come with you.

You will also want to carry out the necessary checks on your vehicle before embarking on a long journey, including the tyre pressure, tyre tread depth, oil level and engine coolant fluid. Having your car examined is the best way to make sure you have full peace of mind when driving and reduces the chances of a breakdown occurring.

Read: How to prepare your car for a family road trip

Take Plenty Of Entertainment For Adults & Kids

Boredom can lead to plenty of backseat infighting so it’s best to come prepared with entertainment to keep the little ones occupied during the more boring stretches of road and scenery. Make sure all electronics are fully charged and films downloaded. Agree set times for screens before you set off to encourage family members to look up from their devices and take in the scenery.

A family playlist is a great idea, too, with contributions and choices from all members, as this avoids unseemly squabbles about what to listen to and can conjure up wonderful memories once the trip is over. An audiobook that appeals to everyone is also a great way to pass the hours on the open road.

Pack Light But Pack Well

Kids need stuff. And so much of it. But your trip will be vastly improved by packing light and only bringing with you what you absolutely need. Of course, medical necessities, snacks, and entertainment are essential, but does the little one really need his lightsaber, superman cape and doll’s house in the back of the car? We think – nope we’re sure – that a cramped, uncomfortable car will elicit more moaning than a couple less toys being present on the journey.

The Bottom Line

A family road trip across the UK doesn’t have to be a recipe for chaos and stress. With careful planning, the right preparation, and a balance between structure and flexibility, you can create an adventure that everyone will remember fondly for years to come. Yes, it requires more forethought than a spontaneous solo jaunt, but the reward – quality time together, shared discoveries, and the joy of watching your children experience new places – makes every bit of effort worthwhile.

So lock down that budget, map out your route, pack smart, and protect your vehicle. Then hit the open road with confidence, knowing you’ve set yourselves up for success. The memories you’ll make together are priceless, and isn’t that what family holidays are really all about?

Can I Pour Cooking Oil Down The Toilet? Do Egg Shells Go In The Compost? Your Food Waste Questions Answered

Editorial Team

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October 7, 2025

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Can I Pour Cooking Oil Down The Toilet? Do Egg Shells Go In The Compost? Your Food Waste Questions Answered

Ideal for safe, sustainable food waste disposal…

We’ve all been there; frying pan in one hand, a Google search in the other, desperately asking whether or not it’s permissible to pour some just-used cooking oil down the drain. In short, it isn’t.

But to field that query with such brevity would be to leave us without an article to write, so instead, we’re exploring the above question – and more – in vast, sometimes unnecessary detail. From ‘’Can I pour cooking oil down the toilet?” to ‘’Should I separate my compost?’’, here are all of your food waste questions answered.

Why Can’t I Pour Oil Down The Sink?

Pouring oil down the sink is ill-advised for both personal and environmental reasons. On a domestic level, oil solidifies once it cools, leading to potential obstructions in your pipes and causing severe plumbing problems.

On a broader scale, it wreaks havoc on the communal sewage system. It interferes with wastewater treatment procedures, as oil doesn’t mix well with water and cannot be broken down easily by the bacteria used in the process.

There’s also the risk that without proper treatment, the oil could percolate into our groundwater reserves. In essence, water contaminated with oil is detrimental to aquatic, terrestrial wildlife and degrades the natural ecosystem, leading to irreparable environmental damage.

Can I Pour Cooking Oil Down the Toilet?

No, you should never pour cooking oil down the toilet. While it may seem convenient – even a little rebellious – pouring cooking oil down the toilet can have detrimental effects on both your plumbing system and the environment.

In short, cooking oil can solidify and clog pipes, creating a ‘fatberg’ that can cause blockages and expensive repairs. Instead of pouring it down the drain, it’s essential to learn how to dispose of cooking oil responsibly.

After letting the oil cool down, pour it into a sealed container and dispose of it in the regular trash or find a local recycling centre that accepts used cooking oil. Some recycling centres even convert used cooking oil into biofuel, contributing to a more sustainable future. For larger quantities, local waste or rubbish removal services may come to your house to collect and safely dispose of your oil.

Do Egg Shells Go In The Compost?

Yes, eggshells can be composted in the UK. They are a valuable source of calcium and other minerals that can enrich your compost. However, it is important to crush the eggshells before adding them to the compost bin. This helps them break down more quickly and prevents them from taking a long time to decompose. By adding crushed eggshells to your compost, you not only reduce waste but also enhance the nutrient content of your compost, benefiting your garden or plants. It should also be noted that it makes no difference whether or not your egg shells have been cooked prior to composting.

Can I Compost Cooked Vegetables?

Yes, you can compost cooked vegetables. Cooked vegetables are a great addition to the compost pile, contributing essential nutrients that can enhance your soil’s fertility. However, it’s important to note that composting cooked vegetables should be done with caution.

If these vegetables have been cooked with oil, butter, or other animal-based products, they may attract pests and result in an unpleasant smelling compost pile. But generally speaking, as long as the cooked vegetables are not heavily contaminated with oils or animal-based products, they can be composted successfully.

Read: 8 reasons why you should start composting your waste today

Can I Compost Tea Bags & Coffee Granules?

Yes, both tea bags and coffee granules can be composted in the UK. Tea bags are typically made from paper, which is compostable, and some brands use biodegradable materials for their bags. However, it’s important to check the packaging or contact the manufacturer to ensure that the tea bags you use are suitable for composting. Remember to remove any staples or plastic elements from tea bags before composting them.

Coffee granules, being organic matter, also make a great addition to your compost pile. They contribute nitrogen to the compost, which is essential for the decomposition process. That said, composting coffee granules does come with some caveats.

Does Raw Meat Go In The Compost?

In terms of organic breakdown, raw meat can, in theory, degrade and be composted. However, it’s usually considered unwise to add it to your domestic compost bin. The principal reason for this counsel is that raw meat can draw unwelcome visitors such as rodents and pests due to its appealing scent and rich protein content.

Additionally, it decomposes more slowly compared to plant-based materials, forming an unpleasantly scented heap and upsetting the balance of your compost, which may impair the overall decomposition process.

Importantly, there is also a health concern, as home compost piles often don’t reach high enough temperatures to effectively destroy potential pathogens in raw meat. Therefore, raw meat should generally be excluded from home composting, although some professional composting facilities might accept it, subject to local regulations.

Read: 5 IDEAL tips for storing meat safely

Are Chicken Bones Suitable For Compost?

In general, chicken (and other animal bones) are not considered suitable for a typical compost heap. While bones are organic in nature and will decompose over a very long period, this process takes significantly longer than the decomposition of plant materials or vegetable scraps traditionally used in compost. If you include bones in your compost pile, they may persist there for years.

Moreover, bones can attract unwanted pests and flies to the compost pile which could be problematic. However, there are specially designed composting systems known as ‘bokashi’ bins, which use beneficial microorganisms to break down tougher items, such as bones, in a more manageable timeframe. All that said, unless a specific composting technique is used, it is generally recommended to avoid adding bones to your compost heap.

Fish bones, on the other hand (or should that be ‘fin’?) are a little more willing to break down. They are rich in calcium and other minerals that provide essential nutrients for the compost mixture. However, they break down relatively slowly and can attract pests. To keep pests away from your compost pile or bin, bury the fish bones deep within the compost pile. Crushing or grinding the fish bones can help them break down faster, too.

How Can I Best Dispose Of Cooked Meat Safely?

Cooked meat shouldn’t be put into compost. Rather, it should be double-wrapped and put in your regular rubbish bin. To avoid waste, you can freeze surplus meat for future use, create new meals out of leftovers within a day or two, or check with a vet to potentially use it as pet food.

If it’s uncooked packaged meat you need to get rid of, consider donating to a local food bank or using a food-sharing app like OLIO. The optimal way to prevent meat waste is to plan your meals and cook only what you will consume.

Does Fruit Peel Go In The Compost?

Absolutely, fruit peels can and should go into the compost bin. They are a rich source of nitrogen and other nutrients, valuable for the composting process. Whether it’s banana peels, apple skins, or citrus rinds, these all decompose fairly quickly and contribute to a balanced compost heap.

However, it is important to remember to cut or tear the peels into smaller pieces to help them break down more easily, thereby expediting the composting process.

If you’re composting at home, be sure your compost heap is well-balanced and includes a mix of ‘greens’ such as fruit peels, which are nitrogen-rich, and ‘browns’ like dried leaves or newspaper, which provide carbon. This ensures an ideal environment for composting and minimises any potential odour issues.

Are Milk Cartons Recyclable?

In the UK, milk cartons are generally recyclable. Most milk cartons are made of paperboard with a thin layer of plastic on the inside. This combination of materials can be recycled through local recycling programs. However, it’s important to rinse out the cartons and remove any plastic caps or straws before recycling them. Some local authorities may have specific guidelines for recycling milk cartons, so it’s advisable to check with your local council or waste management facility for precise instructions.

For an even more sustainable option, you can even get a milk delivery in returnable glass bottles. Traditional doorstep milk delivery services have made a comeback in recent years, offering a zero-waste alternative that eliminates packaging waste entirely. The glass bottles are collected, sterilised, and reused multiple times, significantly reducing environmental impact compared to single-use cartons.

Should I Separate My Compost?

Separating your compost isn’t strictly necessary, but it can be helpful. Composting is a continuous process and having two or more compost heaps or bins running concurrently enables you to have a continual supply. You can keep adding to one heap while the other is ‘cooking’ or processing. This means you constantly have one active pile to receive fresh compost material, while the other matures into rich compost for your garden.

Separating also allows you to segregate materials based on their decomposition rates. For instance, leaves and grass cuttings compost much quicker than branches and twigs. While it’s not essential, separating your compost can make the process more efficient and beneficial for your gardening needs.

The Bottom Line

Proper waste management, including the appropriate disposal of cooking oil, composting eggshells, and reducing food waste, is crucial for a sustainable future. Remember to always check with local regulations or composting facilities for specific instructions on waste management in your area.

Please note that while this information is accurate at the time of writing, it’s always advisable to stay updated with local regulations and guidelines regarding waste management in the UK.

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