The details: This two-hour history hunt is suitable for both adults and families (children aged eight and over) and will be led by an experienced guide. Tickets cost from £25; runs throughout January (020 8742 0057; thames-explorer.org.uk). Stay at citizenM Bankside (020 3519 1680; citizenm.com) for a characterful pad in an enviable postcode within walking distance of the Millennium Bridge. Double rooms from £95. Read the full hotel review here.
Enjoy a sober sequel in London
According to recent studies, one in five alcohol drinkers now opt for an alcohol-free dry January. It’s the sober sequel to tipsy December. But that doesn’t mean we must deny our taste buds all the joys of a fun night out. After all, what, pray, was the mocktail invented for? So instead of a Knock-Out Punch, leave the kids at home and try a Winter Sangria (simmered cranberries, apples, orange, blueberries and ginger beer); a Ginger Peach Kambucha (green tea, cane sugar, peaches and ginger); a Lychee Blossom (lychees, jasmine tea, honey, strawberry and lemon); or even a 34 Virgin Colada (pineapple, lime, toasted coconut, cream and maraschino cherry). Thirsty yet? And with no hangover guaranteed.
The details: Some of the finest mocktails can be found in the bars of London, such as Heads + Tails, West Hampstead (07926 968 33534; headsandtails.bar) and 34 Mayfair, Grosvenor Square (020 3350 3434; 34-restaurant.co.uk). Stay at The May Fair (020 7769 4041; themayfairhotel.co.uk) for a chic urban retreat with first-class service and eponymous bar that offers a couple of non-alcoholic cocktails. Double rooms from £262. Read the full hotel review here.
Enjoy the festivities of folk in Glasgow
Banish the January Blues for good in Glasgow, which is set to come alive with Celtic Connections – hundreds of performances, landmark musical collaborations, talks, workshops, film screenings, theatre productions, ceilidhs, exhibitions, free events and late-night music sessions. Europe’s largest winter festival is an 18-day programme of events spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music performed by more than 1,000 musicians.
Taking its title from the old Aberdeenshire love song popularised by the late Tony Cuffe, the ’Neath the Gloamin’ Star opening night event will showcase the new generation of young artists leading the Scots folk song revival. The line-up includes Fiona Hunter, Steve Byrne, Paul McKenna, Ellie Beaton, Cameron Nixon and Jenny Sturgeon.
The details: Tickets from £24.20. Opens Jan 20 at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (0141 353 8000; celticconnections.com); until Feb 6. Stay at Dakota Glasgow (0141 404 3680; dakotahotels.co.uk), an old Works and Pension building that has been transformed into a stylish modern boutique hotel offering affordable luxury and excellent cuisine. Double rooms from £117. Read the full hotel review here.
Embrace Veganuary in London
With the Christmas turkey a distant memory, make January a dairy-free, animal-free vegan extravaganza. Veganuary is a non-profit organisation that encourages people worldwide to try going vegan for January (and beyond) and works with businesses to increase the amount of vegan food in shops and restaurants. During the 2021 campaign, more than 500,000 people took the pledge and embarked on a vegan diet. Start the journey at some of London’s top vegan eateries and cafés including Hackney’s WAVE (We Are Vegan Everything), Stem & Glory’s Bart Square restaurant and Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diners in both Camden and Islington.
