Time Out

Timeout London (as it's now called) has become a part of my London life since moving here, and has guided me to many events, exhibitions, and clubs that otherwise I wouldn't have found. I've tried other listings, the nearest competitor is TheGuide (part of Saturday Guardian) which compares favourably but for me is a little to compressed, like sorting through a phone directory.

Time Out has improved over the years, and is still primarily a listings mag, but has many interesting articles to supplement. Each edition leads with a particular aspect of London, for example one week it may be markets, or London Fashion Week, or a neglected part of London.

The listings are thorough and diverse and cover music, nightlife, exhibitions, events, theatre, film, lonely hearts, and most sections have highlights pulled out to draw you the attractions of the week.

It costs £2.20 a week, but if you subscribe it's £69 for the year (which brings it down to £1.35). The years subscription includes annual members' offers - this year it's 50% off membership to V&A or the NFT, and each month there's more offers giving reductions on shows, restaurants, and events round London. Even if you're not a subscriber there are normally different vouchers in each issue, in the summer they had 2 for 1 vouchers for Kew Gardens, Gatwick Express, Wagamama's, etc. Most weeks they have reductions on big shows and exhibitions.

I know Londoners have been known to sneer at this publication (akin to the crime of being seen carrying an A-Z around with you). But to me this helps sum up the excitement of London, to help me pick through all the things that are happening around town, and occasional save some money. It manages to balance appealing to new Londoners and also appealing to someone who knows this city very well.

It's worth mentioning their website (timeout.com) which although doesn't have any of the magazine on there, has links to their very useful city guides (great for bar and restaurant recommendations). I recently took some tips to Amsterdam, and found two great restarants there (see my reviews).