WC - Wine & Charcuterie
The picket fence goes up by 6pm, partioning off a little patch of ground next to Clapham Common's tube station. The folding tables then fill up in minutes with glass-clinking sybarites, attracting the stares of zipped-up commuters. This former public toilet, integral to the Tube station but derelict for years, is now a wine bar, which turns its tiny outside space into a drinking terrace.
Down the wide stairs it still looks and feels like a Victorian convenience, albeit a sanitised one. The wall tiles and floor mosaics are still there, the cubicle doors have been laid flat and turned into tables within secluded and low-lit booths. Other fixtures and fittings are also reclaimed Victoriana, much of it from a nearby school. It's cosy and appealing.
A score of wines are sold, from a dry German Riesling to a Bulgarian Merlot. Service is enthusiastic and engaging, and the cheese platters and charcuterie plates are both are better than bog standard.
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The Courier
5 hours ago
- The Courier
Will Broughty Ferry's 'Tree House' be crowned Scotland's Home of the Year?
A striking house in Broughty Ferry features in the finale of Scotland's Home of the Year. Built in the 1960s, the Tree House has been sensitively refurbished and updated by its current owners. It was designed by architect Bruce Walker, who lectured at Duncan of Jordanstone and worked for Historic Scotland. Walker built the Tree House in 1962 when he was in his 20s and lived there until his death in around 2015. Paul Durrant and his wife Jackie McKenzie bought the Tree House in 2021 and spent 18 months transforming it into their dream home. They kept irreplaceable original features such as the 4cm thick beech flooring and exposed brickwork. They also expanded into the attic, creating an en suite master bedroom with a private living area beside it. The ground floor has a kitchen/diner, a lounge, three bedrooms and a bathroom. Upstairs there's a snug, bedroom, shower room, and dressing room. The L-shaped living room and kitchen are semi-open plan, with a brick column creating a divider. Meanwhile the bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and an enormous window giving views over the garden. The Tree House featured in episode four of Scotland's Home of the Year. It was up against a farm steading conversion in Deanstone called the Dairy and the Carriage House, a Victorian conversion in Auchterarder. With a score of 29/30 it edged out the Dairy and the Carriage House, which were both given scores of 24/30 by the judges. Paul, 70, and Jackie, 60, are delighted to have reached the final. Paul said: 'We were delighted to make the final and really enjoyed our day in Glasgow. 'We met the other finalists and the judges, who all claimed to be able to match the people to the homes at first sight. 'When we saw the amazing houses that were in the final we were quite humbled that ours had made it. We know it's a bit of a Marmite house that isn't for everyone.' Paul said he and Jackie thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the show: 'The film crew came over and did an interview with us. 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The couple fell in love with this neglected house which had laid empty for five years, lovingly breathing new life into it whilst preserving the original architect's vision. Amongst their changes, they reworked the upstairs space to create their bedroom of dreams overlooking the treetops. A cosy little home, An Cala Cottage is home to Caroline, Lee and their dog, Nuala. This traditional cottage was brought back to life on a budget, with the couple incorporating charming charity shop finds with a creative use of colour throughout. They took inspiration for their interior design from the coastal and mountain views which surround them, creating a cosy and relaxing home. This Victorian semi-detached house near Dalbeattie is home to Ozzy, Laura, daughter Grace and Ethel the pug. The property's coastal views won the family over and they made it their own by renovating and adding a tasteful extension to the original granite building. 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Architect Danny Campbell added: 'This year's finalists are an eclectic celebration of design adventures — bold, heartfelt, and unapologetically individual. Each home tells a story of its owner's passions, priorities and aesthetic DNA, from slick architectural statements to soulful reimagining of traditional spaces. 'The finale is always a head-spin – equal parts tension and celebration. Viewers can expect impassioned debates, inspiring interior insights and that brilliant moment where we finally agree on a winner!' The finale of Scotland's Home of the Year is on BBC One Scotland tonight at 8.30pm and then available on iPlayer.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
The colourful Welsh seaside town with a perfect castle that was never finished
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And if you fancy a pint with a side of history, the Bulls Head Inn, built in 1472, is where General Thomas Mytton set up camp during the 1648 Siege of Beaumaris in the second English Civil War. While the town is packed with stories, there's still plenty to do here on an Anglesey holiday. Go crab fishing off the pier, take a wildlife-watching boat trip or hike along the blustery shoreline. Here's how to make the most of a trip to Beaumaris Explore the castle An aerial shot of the ancient Beaumaris castle (Image: iStock / Getty Images Plus ) Beaumaris Castle is a reminder of the ambition of English royalty seeking to subdue Wales. This commanding fortress, famous as "the greatest castle never built," was to be the crowning glory of King Edward's "Iron Ring" of mighty fortresses at Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, and Harlech. Article continues below Ruthless Edward I launched two military campaigns in Wales, in 1277 and 1282-83, aimed at defeating the Welsh princes and establishing English authority, and massive castles were a key part of the military plan. 'Beau Mareys,' meaning 'beautiful marsh,' located beside the Menai Strait, proved to be the perfect setting for a grand-scale fortress with near-perfect symmetry. Its defences were nothing short of formidable; four concentric rings encircled the stronghold, including a water-filled moat complete with its own dock, blending strength and strategic elegance. According to Cadw, a lack of money (show-off castles are quite pricey) and brewing trouble in Scotland meant that building work on the grand castle had petered out by the 1320s. The south gatehouse and the six great towers in the inner ward never reached their intended height. The Llanfaes gate was barely started before being abandoned. Today, this incomplete castle serves as a poignant reminder of Wales' tumultuous past, marked by bloody battles and Celtic defiance, all encapsulated within its imposing stone walls. Cadw now manages the site, and you can visit for just £33.60 for a family ticket. Perched along the treacherous Menai Strait, colourful Beaumaris is the historic hub of Anglesey. (Image: Portia Jones ) Go crabbing on Beaumaris Pier Nothing says 'family holiday in Wales' like crabbing off a historic pier while the wind whips around you. Beaumaris Pier was originally opened in 1846 and rebuilt in 1872, and is a favourite spot for crabbing with the kids. You can buy all your gear from the small pier Kiosk or the RNLI Lifeboat Station shop. Both locations offer crabbing nets, bait, and buckets to get you going. After crabbing, settle in on the green with fish and chips and watch out for greedy seagulls. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Go on a wildlife-watching boat trip You can spot seals along the rocky shoreline (Image: Portia Jones ) Seacoast Safaris depart from Beaumaris Pier and offer nature and sightseeing cruises to Puffin Island (or Ynys Seiriol in Welsh). This protected island is a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds, as well as home to a resident colony of Atlantic grey seals. Want a longer trip? Book an all-day Rib Ride boat trip and explore the entire coastline of Anglesey. With its spectacular 100-mile coastline, there's no better way to uncover its dramatic beauty than on a high-speed RIB ride, skimming past rugged headlands, remote beaches, and eerie sea caves. One of the most exhilarating parts of the trip is bouncing over the Menai Strait's most notorious stretch of water—the Swellies. 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(Image: Portia Jones ) One of the most popular beaches in Anglesey, Penmon Point Beach, is a craggy and historic part of the Anglesey coast. From the beach, you have epic views of the nearby Puffin Island and the Trwyn Du Lighthouse, also known as Penmon Lighthouse, which was built in 1838 to mark the north entrance to the Menai Strait. One of the best ways to explore this area is to hike to Penmon on a circular trail. The All Trails app has a 7-mile loop trail near Beaumaris that you can follow. This is a beautiful and varied trail that takes in sweeping coastal views and historic sites as you make your way past the Church of St Cawrdaf, on the road to Trwyn Dy Lighthouse, along the coast to Castell Aberlleiniog, and back to the start past Llangoed. Eat at Bull's Head Inn The Grade II-listed Bull's Head Inn was named the best pub in Wales in 2024 (Image: David Powell ) The Grade II-listed Bull's Head Inn was named the best pub in Wales in 2024 and is renowned for its real ales and live music. Located at the heart of town on Castle Street, it dates back to the 15th century and retains all the character and charm it has acquired over the last 550 years. Its listed bar is decorated with an array of memorabilia, including antique weaponry and, reputedly, the town's original ducking stool. You can stop by for food – including breakfast, light bites, and dinner- or spend the night in its array of rooms. Their delicious, homemade food is freshly cooked to order, and the seasonal menu features pub classics. Typical dishes include a lamb burger, traditional fish and chips, and pan-fried chicken supreme. Stay at Castle Court Hotel This Free house pub with rooms is located in the centre of historic Beaumaris with commanding views of the Menai Straits and Beaumaris Castle. Article continues below Each room features a TV with satellite channels, a view, and tea and coffee-making facilities. They also have an en-suite bathroom with free toiletries and a shower. Book here
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Press and Journal
Gallery: A nostalgic look back at RGU students' union in photos
For 40 years, RGU students' union commanded a prominent spot at the top of Schoolhill, conveniently located a wee stumble away from Belmont Street's pubs. Previously the headquarters and shop of bakers Mitchell and Muil, Robert Gordon Institute of Technology (RGIT) bought the entire site at 60 Schoolhill after the firm closed in 1972. Until then, RGIT students had been squeezing into a union at 17 Rubislaw Terrace. But after £96,500 of building work, the Schoolhill building was transformed into a five-floor haven for students. Back then, RGIT's schools and departments were scattered across the city; from Schoolhill and St Andrew's Street, to King Street, Kepplestone and Garthdee. It wasn't until 1991 that the institute gained university status, becoming Robert Gordon University. When the union opened in October 1974, it gave RGIT's body of 2000 students a central base for the first time. The facade of the 1885 building, designed by Aberdeen architect Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, was retained to give 'the handsome old building a unified dignity'. But inside, the Victorian building was 'completely gutted and rebuilt' with internal walls flattened and ceilings lowered. When the students' union was unveiled, it was said the interior rang the changes of the era, with 'hessian walls, cord carpets, asbestos ceiling tiles and tough spray-painted walls'. A basement was remodelled to contain showers, storage and a cloakroom, while the ground floor hosted the main lounge bar. Tan-coloured bench seating ran around the walls, which contrasted with the purple, brown and tan hessian walls. The first floor of the students' union had a canteen, that catered for 650 people daily, which also had jukeboxes and a shop that sold stationery and cassette tapes. Floor two provided entertainment including a table tennis room and offices, while the third floor had three TV rooms – one for each TV channel. It was predicted by the 1980s student numbers could increase to 6000, and there were concerns even the new union could be too small. But it was still going strong by the time Robert Gordon University was founded, and it became known as RGU Students' Union. It was an ideal venue for a cheap lunch, a pub quiz, a meeting place for societies, a game of pool – and of course the place to go at the beginning of a night out. Back then, 'rivals', Aberdeen University, still had their historic students' union at the other end of Schoolhill. With two unions and a plethora of pubs and clubs, student nightlife in Aberdeen was thriving. By the 2000s, the hessian might have gone, but RGU students' union was still a popular hub in heart of the city. As Aberdeen University migrated entirely to Old Aberdeen, its union eventually closed down in 2004. But RGU's was still going strong, by day you could pick up a mean macaroni pie, by night you could enjoy drinks deals galore. It might have been a slightly terrifying trek up unforgiving stairs to reach the second floor bar (especially in heels), but the cheap pitchers of cocktails were worth it. At RGU union you could pick up a pitcher of the very sugary 'Purple People Eater' (containing Bacardi, peach schnapps, Blue Bols, grenadine and lemonade) for just £8 – if you valued your wallet over your teeth. Or if you really wanted to kick-start your night out, Jagerbombs were only £1.50 off-peak, with an additional charge of 50p for the weekends. Although after a few 'Absinthe Bombs' it's unlikely you'd make it much farther than the union on a night out. Sadly generations of students are missing out on £1 Apple Bombs or Messy Bombs (it's still unclear exactly what the latter was), because there's no student union bar left in Aberdeen. Like Aberdeen University, RGU moved its schools to one campus at RGU, creating a united university in one location. RGU student union on Schoolhill followed suit; in 2013 the university announced its closure. However, a valiant campaign from students saw it gain a stay of execution until 2014 when RGU sold the building and its doors shut for good. Its closure ended 40 years of fun, but at least we still have the (hazy) memories. The old building has just recently been put up for auction.
