Steve Dinneen

Celtic Manor near Newport is presented as a sprawling Welsh resort combining three championship golf courses, extensive leisure facilities, six restaurants, comfortable rooms and substantial conference and event space. The resort’s 2010 Ryder Cup heritage and distinctive Welsh design contribute to its nostalgic atmosphere, while attractions such as Forest Nets, spa facilities, adult-only areas and varied dining make it suitable for families, golfers and business visitors. Rooms start at £115 per night.

Uzbek businessman Ovik Mkrtchyan won £105,000 in damages and £117,663.38 in legal costs from UK publishing network 2Trom and its director Viktor Tokarev after the London Post published allegations linking him to corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and the seizure of state assets. The High Court entered judgment by default after 2Trom failed to contest the case, finding that the article seriously harmed Mkrtchyan's reputation and contributed to banking-service losses affecting his companies and a family member. The case is described as the largest publicly reported payout involving “pink slime” journalism, a form of apparently legitimate publishing used to spread propaganda, manipulate search and compliance algorithms, and influence AI-generated summaries. Experts say victims can seek removal, delisting, correction of due-diligence records or litigation, although none of these remedies is straightforward.

Rebecca Frecknall’s Almeida Theatre revival of Sarah Kane’s Cleansed is praised for its striking visual design, strong performances and emotional power, while retaining the play’s extreme depictions of torture, violence and humiliation. The production is more stylised and psychologically suggestive than an earlier National Theatre staging, finding moments of beauty and hope amid its horrors. It is presented as an intensely harrowing, uncompromising experience rather than an entertaining night out, but one that remains unusually powerful and worth encountering occasionally.

Trainspotting the Musical is judged a deeply disappointing production that slavishly recreates scenes, costumes and mannerisms from Danny Boyle’s 1996 film while offering little original vision. Its jukebox format relies on familiar songs, and its original numbers are deemed forgettable. Although occasional deviations—including a Blackpool road trip and new character subplots—suggest greater ambition, the production is ultimately criticized for shallow nostalgia, heavy-handed social commentary and a failure to match the source material’s charisma.

Jeff Goldblum's Royal Albert Hall show blends jazz piano, film standards and theatrical audience interaction. Supported by the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, he performs songs including “As Time Goes By,” “Pure Imagination” and “Over the Rainbow,” alongside guest appearances by Khailah Johnson and Dodie. The most unexpected spectacle is an aerial hoop routine by his wife, Emilie Goldblum, while he plays “Soul Bossa Nova.” The review praises the concert's exuberance, accessibility and remarkably low ego, concluding that Goldblum's distinctive showmanship is central to its appeal.

A long-weekend stay at the renovated Francis Hotel Bath is presented as a successful blend of historic Bath character and modern comfort. The hotel’s 98 rooms have undergone a £15 million renovation, with stylish interiors, a bar and lounge, and a spa offering treatments and thermal facilities. Its in-house restaurant, Emberwood, receives strong praise for its seasonal modern British menu, wine selection and afternoon tea. Bath’s Roman Baths, pubs and creative venues are also recommended, although the city’s main attractions can be crowded.

The Toast the City Awards 2026 finalists have been announced across 15 categories covering restaurants, bars, cafés, cultural attractions, green spaces, fitness venues, hotels, retailers and entertainment. Readers can vote through the Toast the City website, which also features a new interactive map for browsing nominees. The article highlights selected finalists, notes last year's winners and explains that previous winners cannot repeat in the same category, although they may join the judging panel. The 2026 judges include hospitality executives, restaurateurs, a beer-industry representative, cultural figures and the Galvin brothers.

The writer visits Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster and takes a flight over London aboard the Goodyear blimp. The piece combines a brief history of airships, including the Hindenburg disaster and the decline of dirigible travel, with firsthand observations of the blimp’s open-window cabin, low-altitude route and unusually quiet, gentle flight over landmarks including the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf and Charlton Lido. Despite initial anxiety, the writer finds the experience tranquil, visually striking and widely appealing.

Coq d’Argent plans to leave its long-standing No. 1 Poultry location and move to One Millennium Bridge in London’s Square Mile, with completion expected in January 2027. The new venue will feature expansive rooftop gardens designed by Andy Sturgeon and views of the Thames and St Paul’s. The relocation follows the planned redevelopment of No. 1 Poultry and is being positioned by owner Evolv Collection as an ambitious new chapter for the restaurant after nearly three decades at its current site.

Avington Estate in the Itchen Valley near Winchester offers luxury accommodation in lakeside Shepherd’s Huts and Stillwaters House, along with private jetties, hot tubs, boating, swimming, a sauna and access to landscaped estate grounds. The estate is presented as a tranquil, high-end rural getaway, with nearby Winchester providing cultural attractions. Dining recommendations include The Chestnut Horse gastropub in Easton, praised for its pub classics and bistro dishes. Overnight prices range from £150 for standard stays to £1,750 per night for Stillwaters House, with minimum-stay requirements.