UK's top airports reveal the best time to fly
To avoid the busiest periods, passengers are advised to book flights departing later in the day, after the initial "first wave" of departures.
The "halfway point" for passenger departures, when half of the day's travellers have left, varies significantly between UK airports and can also depend on the day of the week.
While an even spread would place the halfway point at 2:30pm, most airports reach this milestone earlier, with Birmingham being the earliest at 8am and Southampton the latest at 2:50pm.
Birmingham Airport, which has relaxed the "liquids rule", says half of its more than 26,000 daily departing passengers leave before 8am, highlighting the intensity of early morning travel.
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The Guardian
42 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The Greyhound, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire: ‘An oligarch's saloon bar teetering on the edge of chintz' – restaurant review
Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire is heroically lovely, but it does have about it a heavy whiff of the Hot Fuzz. It's a market town with a nearby model village, while the 'best things to do' section on TripAdvisor highlights the cemetery or a trip to the former residence of writer GK Chesterton. If all that fails to thrill, you could just go for lunch at the pub – although be aware that the Greyhound isn't anything as simple as a plain old gastropub. Heck no, that would be something completely different: more shabbily chic, more carbohydrates on the menu, fewer staff calling you 'Madam' while you're en route to the loo and not even a hint of white peach granita on your burrata starter. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Rather, this is a charming, pale-fronted pub in a grade II 17th-century former coaching inn that also boasts a decidedly fancy and swanky restaurant that steers well away from muddy wellies and sticky toffee pudding, and instead pitches its tent in the land of wood pigeon with white beetroot and lavender, Norfolk chicken pressé with pickled girolles and sweetcorn, and ajo blanco with grapes, cantaloupe melon and nasturtium. And, to be fair, it might well not be for everyone. Gourmands, birthday treats and special occasions, perhaps, but picky children and Aunty Pam who just wants toad-in-the-hole might find the semi-formality a bit testing. Over at the Ritz in London, I note that they call this style of dining 'an epicurean journey', which is, I feel, modern shorthand for small yet significant portions of largely French-influenced gastronomy heaving with finesse, technique and accomplishment. Whether or not epicurean journeys are delicious is a moot point, however, because we are here to gasp spellbound at the chef's imagination and to nod sagely as a surprise amuse-bouche of fresh peas and lovage is delivered in a teeny ramekin with an equally ickle spoon. That's followed by an equally precise and inoffensive minuscule tartlet of fresh sweetcorn and whipped cream cheese. Decor-wise, and despite its L'Enclume vibes, the Greyhound hasn't gone fully stripped back with stone floors and crofter's cottage chic, as so many other highfalutin country pubs have done, and prefers instead to complement its olde-worlde low beams and wooden floors with warm, cinnamon-coloured leather horseshoe banquettes, patterned wallpaper, bottle-green velour cocktail chairs and modern art on every wall. This may be an oligarch's saloon bar teetering on the edge of chintz, but it's still hugely cosy and welcoming. Daytrippers lured this way by the model village could not help but be seduced by its sheer quaintness. We ordered from the à la carte, rather than the six-plus course, £110-a-head tasting menu, and began with a pleasant bowl of La Latteria burrata in a green nasturtium pesto and topped with a sweet, peachy granita. Hereford rump cap tartare looked like something out of a fairytale, and was served very roughly chopped and arranged like a bird's nest around a miso confit egg, pickled shimeji mushrooms and some capers. A main of roast sea bass had a gorgeously crisp skin and came with a silky spin on beurre blanc and some rather al dente braised baby fennel. Another main of wood pigeon erred on the side of well done and was submerged in a rich cherry jus that resembled nothing so much as a crime scene. There's some clever, cogent cooking going on at the Greyhound, with some hits, some misses, but an overall sense that, in a bid to be the best restaurant for miles around, they might just be missing the chance to be simply delicious. Still, diners all around us, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, were having a lovely time of it, and the restaurant was ticking over very nicely, thank you, especially for a Tuesday evening. It was only in the dessert list where a mood of pure decadence was allowed to let rip and flourish, because here we had îles flottantes with limoncello custard and raspberry souffle with sarsaparilla sorbet. Beforehand, we had foxtrotted neatly and nimbly around the world of fine dining, but thank God we were now in the sugary and comparatively silly ante-room. We opted for the heavenly sounding blackcurrant tart, which turned out to be a fat, chunky, individual tart with a crisp, buttery casing loaded with berries and clotted cream, all infused with the sharp kick of lemon verbena to break through all the lactose richness; best of all, it was topped by a glorious blackcurrant sorbet. Now we were talking. On the tasting menu, I noticed that they serve Yoredale Wensleydale with homebaked fig loaf and chutneys, which sounds equally rustic and exquisite. If only the Greyhound did more fig loaf and less forlock-tugging, I might well be back for more. The Greyhound 33 Windsor End, Beaconsfield Buckinghamshire, 01494 671315. Open Tues-Sat, lunch noon-1.30pm (2pm Fri & Sat), dinner 6.30-8.30pm (last orders). From about £70 a head à la carte; set lunch £40 for two courses, £49 for three; six-course tasting menu £110 (£95 vegetarian or vegan), all plus drinks and service The next episode of Grace's Comfort Eating podcast is out on Tuesday 5 August – listen to it here.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Simply magical' holiday destination named as 'UK's best summer escape'
The Lake District has been named the UK's best destination for a summer escape, but it matters when you visit. That said, one travel expert has shared her insight into when exactly to visit and how to prepare. It's no secret the Lake District boasts stunning landscapes, warm weather, and a wide range of outdoor activities. But Plates Express spoke to travel expert Katie Willis, founder of UK-based travel agency, to get an expert's intel. 'Summer is definitely peak season, so [the Lake District] is busier – especially during the school holidays, " says Katie. 'But the trade-off is well worth it. You get the full Lake District experience, from swimming in the lakes to ice cream in Ambleside.' Important to note considering a new heatwave forecast with maps reveals the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK. July and August are the Lake District's warmest months, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 22°C. The summer months also have the longest daylight hours, which is important if you're planning long days of hiking and boat excursions. 'The Lake District is simply magical in the summer. The scenery is alive with colour, the lakes are calm and clear, and the longer days give visitors more time to explore,' according to Katie. 'It's the perfect mix of nature, charm and adventure, all just a drive away for most people in the UK.' 'This mad holiday activity combines near-death experiences with cheese and wine' UK's most remote and underrated train station that rivals Hogwarts Express line Popular summer activities include hiking scenic trails like Friars Crag or the Old Man of Coniston or boating on Derwentwater or Ullswater. The villages of Grasmere, Hawkshead, and Keswick are also worth exploring. If you are keen to avoid the densest tourist crowds, Katie suggests planning your trip for the end of May or early September instead. The weather during these periods is still very pleasant and some hotels and B&Bs also offer lower rates during these off-peak weeks. No matter when you set off for the Lake District, you should prepare your vehicle for the long drive. Even navigating the country roads themselves can be tricky for those without experience driving on the narrow roads with sharp bends. 'Always check your car thoroughly the day before your trip, not on the morning you leave,' says a spokesperson from Plates Express. 'This gives you time to sort any issues. They continue: 'Check your lights, fluid levels, tyres, and number plates – and plan your route in advance. Mobile signal can be weak in parts of the Lake District, so download your maps if needed.' Prior to hitting the road you should double-check the tread and inflation of your tires–as they can wear down quicker during warm weather and on country roads like those of the Lake District. Be sure to top up your coolant, check your oil and - though it's tempting for long drives - do not overload your boot. That said, you should have plenty of water on hand for long summer drives.
Times
8 hours ago
- Times
5 of the best UK waterfront spots to visit this summer
Summer evenings by the canal underpass anyone? Yes, from Leeds to Leith the country's towpaths, wharfs and riversides have become a breeding ground for cult cafés and buzzy bars. Read on for our five top waterfront spots. On Edinburgh's northern edge sits the historic port of Leith, a once industrial heartland turned culinary mecca, with the highest concentration of Michelin stars in Scotland. The jewel in this gastronomic crown is Heron, with its smart dining room and farm-to-table philosophy (think hand-dived Orkney scallops and Speyside lamb). It even made history back in 2023, when its chef patron, Sam Yorke, then 25, became the youngest chef in Scotland to earn a Michelin star. The Kitchin is another standout (also starred) with its surprise tasting menus — an upscale take on lucky-dip dining. The grandaddy of them all is Martin Wishart — which opened in 1999, winning its own Michelin star two years later — recognised for putting Leith on the foodie map. Newest to the scene is Barry Fish with a menu of just six main courses. Still scratching your head? The lemon sole with sauce vermouth comes highly recommended. If there's one place where you're guaranteed to find the off-duty fashion pack on a sunny Sunday, it's the Towpath. This seemingly unassuming café has a crowd of feverish devotees (famous fans include Keira Knightley and Alexa Chung), all flocking to nibble away on its small plates, served up on mismatched crockery. Towpath sits beside the Regent's Canal in east London, and is joined by a host of other stylish outposts, such as Route Haggerston, a café popular with freelance graphic designers, and Arepa & Co, which serves up Venezuelan brunch plates including toston avo (avocado mash on a plantain crostini). Take a left and you're at Kingsland Basin, home to the Hackney mums' favourite Toconoco, a Japanese café with a kids-first MO, including a designated play space. But if people watching is your top priority, grab an oat flat white to go from the local bottle shop and vegan café Helma, and park up on a bench. Set among the railway arches leading into Leeds station, Granary Wharf offers buzzy late-licence pubs, bars and restaurants that will take you from an afternoon tipple to dancing into the wee hours, plus panoramic views of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Locals kick things off with a bite at Livin'Italy, where Nonna's meatballs and fresh crab meat pici are popular. If the sun's out, Water Lane Boathouse is the place to be. Just move quickly — it may be one of the city's largest beer gardens but canal-view benches are a hot commodity. NoNo Wine Bar is a new addition to the fold, with more than 50 wines sold by the glass. Ale more your speed? Then try Salt, where the locally brewed stuff is on tap until 1am. Afterwards, head to the Canal Club for a boogie. And if you wake up with a sore head, the best morning-after destination is the cult café Bake, which has divine laminated pastries. Built in the 1810s on the Sheffield Canal, these former coal yards are now attracting the city's young arty crowd. Yorkshire Artspace is housed in the brutalist Persistence Works and art deco Exchange Place (top), providing studio spaces for more than 160 local artists including ceramicists, sculptors and jewellers — much of their work is on display at the city's Millennium Gallery. Residents to note include the leather worker Jonathan Hyde of Hyde Wares and the artist Ashley Holmes, who last year was a recipient of a Serpentine fellowship. During the day find these new-gen makers at the canal-front bar and pizzeria True Loves; then in the evenings at Plot 22, a nearby music venue and studio space hosting underground gigs. Once a month the entire waterfront is transformed into a bustling street food market and makers fair where you can, ahem, eat your art out. If it's views you're after, nowhere does it like Llangollen, a picture-postcard-perfect outpost tucked away in Denbighshire, Wales. On the banks of the River Dee, this small town is perfect for outdoor types who fancy a spot of walking, cycling, rafting or canoeing the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, a Unesco world heritage site. Chill out afterwards in the pretty Corn Mill with glorious views over the Dee's white waters, or head to the sun-drenched RiverBanc café, which has a brunch menu of dreams, including a slow-cooked beef brisket wrap. Fancy staying the night? Stick with the great outdoors and book Hydra ( an Instagram-worthy off-grid two-person hut five minutes' drive out of town with nothing but the Welsh hills and a couple of board games for company.
