It’s just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right.
Put your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight.
But it’s the pelvic thrust, that really drives you…
No. Hang on. This is a preview of Timewalk.
Hot on the heels of House Of Dreamers, Immerse LDN has done it again with the unveiling of another attraction at Excel’s waterfront in Royal Docks.
While DEM Museums’ offering has nothing to do with the Rocky Horror Show other than a tenuous similarity to the title of its catchiest song, the experience does promise “spectacular audio and visual storytelling”.
Billed as an immersive walk-through, Timewalk takes visitors on a journey from Göbeklitepe (“the moment humanity moves beyond survival to create ritual, meaning, and collective consciousness,” apparently) to encounter the early civilisations of Babylon, Ancient Egypt, the Maya and Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
The attraction uses “cinematic storytelling” with environments intended to recreate what it was like to be in some of these places.
The attraction promises visitors a walk through ancient civilisations – image supplied by DEM Museums
bringing the past to life
“Ancient civilisations represent an extraordinary heritage that has fundamentally reshaped everything we know about human history,” said Eda Bildiricioglu, CEO of DEM.
“We believe it is a great responsibility to present this heritage accurately to global audiences.
“At DEM, our core mission is storytelling through history.
“However, we do not do this through conventional methods; we transform it into immersive, multi-sensory experiences through advanced technology.
“We remind people of what has been forgotten and teach what is unknown.
“With 35 years of experience in visual and auditory technologies and having contributed to the realisation of 18 museums and cultural complexes, along with earning 15 global awards through the Hagia Sophia and Ephesus Experience Museums, our goal is to bring together the universal narratives of ancient civilisations.
“By interpreting these through a contemporary storytelling language, we aim to help visitors form deeper and more lasting connections with cultural heritage.”
The show takes in Egypt, Rapa Nui, Babylon and more – image supplied by DEM Museums
a growing attraction
The exhibition is the latest attraction to be announced at Immerse LDN, with House Of Dreamers set to open this month.
Damian Norman, director, immersive entertainment at Excel London and Immerse LDN, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Timewalk and to collaborate with the multi award-winning team at DEM, a global leader in technology-driven cultural storytelling.
“Its unique approach to combining historical research with advanced immersive technologies is redefining how audiences engage with heritage at scale.
“Since launching, Immerse LDN has introduced more than 10 groundbreaking immersive experiences to London, selling 1.7million tickets and further cementing the capital’s reputation as a world-leading destination for immersive entertainment and cultural experiences.
“Timewalk represents another significant step in that journey, bringing a truly world-class cultural experience to the heart of the city.”
Visitors will, of course, decide for themselves whether the time slip will prove a bit of a mind flip and leave them spaced out on sensation.
With apologies to Richard O’Brien.
key details: Timewalk
Timewalk is set to open at Immerse LDN at Excel’s Waterfront in Royal Victoria Dock on July 23, 2026.
Ticket prices for the exhibition start at £28.50, with booking now open.
The attraction will be open daily from 10am-7pm daily and lasts between an hour and 90 minutes.
There’s no question that Nazlı Yuceloglu and Louise Nornes make a formidable team.
While the former has experience in the petrol industry, banking, life coaching, dog walking, publishing and textiles, the latter is variously a marketeer, a singer, a vocal coach, a bandleader a songwriter and a jeweller with a degree in fashion design.
Having met at The Trampery Fish Island in Hackney Wick and participated in a summer market together, the pair teamed up to create The Fishmas Shop – a festive winter pop-up in December 2025.
“We found that the summer market was fun and we wanted to do it again – we’d got the bug,” said Louise, originally from Norway but now living in Forest Gate .
“We asked The Trampery for a space because they have many studios here and occupiers rotate, so there was potential.”
Naz, originally from Turkey and a proud native of Hackney Wick, added: “Right before Christmas they told us we could have one, so we contacted a lot of creators and ran the show.
“It turned out really well because it was local.
“People in this area know one another and want to support each other.”
The pop-up was a success and it sparked a desire in the duo to go further.
“At Fishmas, lots of people discovered studios and makers that they didn’t know were here,” said Louise.
“We had almost no budget to put it on – we were using it as a test case and found that people had an appetite for it.
“As we’re creative people ourselves, we know it’s difficult to get exposure for your products in a low-risk way.
“Lots of people buy mass-produced items but we know makers really want to engage with their customers.
“Creativity, culture and community go together but they also help support people locally.”
Naz added: “After Christmas we sat down and found it had been fun and that it had worked. We wondered if we could take it one step further.
“Neighbours and creatives who were involved kept asking us what we were doing next.
“That was encouraging and everybody had left the shop very happy and had enjoyed the experience.
“The creatives and small businesses will still be there, with an affordable way to show their wares, but this time we’ll have more room including a dedicated space for workshops.
“It will also be a place for networking, for meeting your neighbours.”
Studio Delabrousse’s Outils Collection – image supplied by Made By Many Collective
from Fishmas to the Made By Many Collective
Hosted at The Trampery Fish Island’s Studio 82, the pop-up has also had a re-brand.
“Fishmas was a very nice Christmassy name but no good for all-year-round,” said Naz.
“We’re hosting this as the Made By Many Collective – everything is made by people, so it works and we want to grow as well.”
Louise added: “We have two floors this time, which is very exciting.
“People will walk in to the shop and then upstairs on the mezzanine there will be workshops.
“For sale there will be pottery in different styles from people working at a local studio, jewellery featuring lots of silver and gems and products from a wide variety of other makers using all sorts of techniques.
“There will also be fashion and art to buy.
“It’s important to us that this is a retail space rather than a market so the price level customers have in mind isn’t limited and reflects the many hours creatives put into their pieces.”
Part of the motivation for organising the pop-up shop for Naz and Louise is to help support local makers, so their talents aren’t lost in the inevitable march of change and regeneration.
“It’s great that people are coming into this area and many of the existing buildings are not in the condition they should be,” said Louise.
“But with regeneration, some of the studio space that is here is not being replaced and that means some creatives are being priced out.
“It’s important to protect the heritage we have here and to bring the community into that.
“A lot of people agree that a line should be drawn before the big corporations move in because that doesn’t benefit the people who are here.
“If you’re a maker, we want to lower the barriers that often prevent emerging brands and independent creatives from accessing retail opportunities to help them build businesses through community, collaboration and visibility.”
Naz added: “Most people want to support local businesses. Customers don’t mind paying 50p more for a coffee because they want to help their neighbour.
“We want people around us to be successful and there’s a feeling of safety in that too.”
As for the future, Naz and Louise are already thinking about more events and the possibility of a permanent space.
“World domination is the ultimate goal,” said Naz. “But first, the next step will be another pop-up and then, hopefully, a retail space for new businesses and small producers.
“We’re also hoping to get some support from Tower Hamlets Council.”
Louise added: “We have very big ambitions, which all started with us selling together at a market.”
Re-construction Collection Grid Lock Earrings by June Yoo – image supplied by Made By Many Collective
made locally, sold locally
Over the five weeks in the summer, visitors to Made By Many Collective will be able to browse products from Cone 8 ceramicists and Hone Studios jewellers as well as collaborations with local cheese shop Brie Yourself.
“We’ll be working with local businesses to deliver a programme of workshops during the pop-up and details of these will be made available via Instagram,” said Naz.
“One of the aims of the pop-up is also is to build a network of makers, artists and independent creatives.
“If you’re working alone, you’re the CEO and the janitor in your company and that can be hard.”
Louise added: “It can be especially challenging if you’re not in your home country or you’re from a minority background, so bringing people together is important.
“In the future, we want to bring experts in to offer help and guidance so that our programmes will ultimately be developed by the people we work with and to be useful to them.”
key details: Made By Many Collective
The Made By Many Collective pop-up is set to run at Studio 82 at The Trampery Fish Island from July 1 until August 8, 2026.
In addition to train travel, SWR Business Direct users can access a wealth of deals via SWR Rewards.
South Western Railway has teamed up with a multitude of partners to offer discounts, giveaways and special rates on services and attractions across its network and beyond.
To test this out, we packed an overnight bag and took a trip to Winchester to coincide with the ancient city’s less historic Cheese And Chilli Festival, tempted by the promise of dairy treats, eye-watering spice and discounted entry.
While the foodie event was the main draw, it’s impossible to visit Winchester without at least dipping a toe into the place’s extraordinary history.
In fact walk from the station to the festival ground at the North Walls Recreation Ground and you’ll pass through Hyde Abbey Garden, a monument built in 2003 to mark the last known resting place of King Alfred The Great, who rebuilt the city and made it his capital.
The cathedral is home to a great many tombs including the bones of St Swithin (a ninth century bishop of Winchester), which sits to the rear of the building.
A humble man, it’s said he asked to be buried outside so passers-by would walk over his grave and that the rain would fall upon it.
When his remains were moved inside in July, 971, he reportedly showed his displeasure by drenching the city with 40 days of torrential rain, leading to the superstition that if the weather on July 15 each year is fair or wet, so it shall be for that same period.
This isn’t, of course, true.
Crowds gather at the Winchester Cheese And Chilli Festival – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Fortunately, in any case we’re ahead of the deadline and the skies remain clear for the festival, which turns out to be an extensive affair, easily worth the entry fee.
Popular on the Sunday we went, the show starts with a snaking gauntlet of mostly foodie stalls with traders eager to fill their audience with samples.
As expected, there are many cheesemongers offering unusual creations laced with truffle, garlic and, naturally, chilli.
On the spicier side, condiments, sauces and oils are the main offering, although chilli plants and seeds are also up for grabs.
There are a number of independent drinks brands selling everything from cider to mead and the inevitable gin too.
Thingamabob in full flow – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Notwitstanding the odd chartered accountant or landscaping firm selling resin-fixed gravel, the overall flavour is focused and broad, with the gauntlet of stalls opening out into what might best be described as a festival playground.
Here there’s a stage, a wide selection of street food traders, bars and a succession of rides for the kids to enjoy.
The main stage is dominated by an energetic, slickly tight set from Blink Daze – a band specialising in the music of Green Day, Blink 182, Sum 41 and many more.
In many ways their punchy set with the people of Winchester happily singing along summed up the experience – a feast for the senses served up with fire and flavour – exactly the kind of thing its worth getting on a train out of London for and the ideal excuse for a trip to an historic city.
While the Winchester event has passed, readers can visit the Cheese And Chilli Festival 2026 as it stops at Chichester (June 20-21) and Guildford (July 18-19) on its 2026 tour. Use code SWR10 to get 10% off tickets (normally £14) with SWR Rewards.
Historic nosh – The Chesil Rectory in Winchester – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
dine at The Chesil Rectory
>> This independent restaurant is located in Winchester’s oldest commercial building, dating to around 1420.
It’s been feeding people for 85 years.
Today, sheltered by bent beams it houses a cosy interior with curios on shelves and delicate sketches of horses on its walls.
Its food is generous, finely cooked and gently priced (starters from £11.95 and mains from £21.95).
We start with a Jane Austen-inspired Pride And Prejudice cocktail before sampling the likes of Sea Bream Ceviche and Oven Roasted Lamb Rump.
Oven Roasted Lamb Rump at The Chesil Rectory – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Executive chef Damian Brown’s plates arrive pumping with flavour.
The acidity of the fish is offset beautifully with a punchy nduja mayo and plenty of olive oil, while the meat comes with crispy belly and sweet, refreshing Jersey Royals.
Sinking into a soft chair and kicking back with glasses of Dancer In Pink – a dry rosé from Hampshire vineyard Black Chalk – there’s little doubt that dining in this Winchester institution is a pleasure as sweet as its exceptional Spiced Bramley Apple Sponge.
The Westgate pub with rooms in Winchester – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
stay at The Westgate
>> As places to stay in Winchester for those travelling by railway go, this takes some beating.
It’s six minutes’ walk from the station, offers 10 characterful rooms and is located right opposite the city’s Great Hall at the top of the High Street.
Downstairs it’s a popular, busy pub run by Young’s, that offers a range of snacks including excellent cheese straws and breakfast for guests.
Our tip, if you’re looking for something light, is the Avocado On Toast with a pair of poached eggs. Expect to pay about £200 per night.
The Great Hall complete with its Arthurian Round Table – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
must-visits in Winchester
>> In addition to Winchester Cathedral, which is a must-see for its architecture and to pay homage to Jane Austen (who’s buried in its North Nave), visitors should call in on the extraordinary Great Hall.
Dating to 1222, it’s all that’s left of the city’s castle and houses an Arthurian Round Table, rebranded by Henry VIII, that for hundreds of years many thought was the real thing.
Nasi Goreng at Dim-T – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
a quick bite at Dim-T
>> There are plenty of options in central Winchester for a quick bite to eat on an evening, but our pick is this Asian micro chain.
Pleasantly decorated, the feel is of a Wagamama with slightly better taste and a menu that takes in a host of classic dishes.
For a plate that throws up forkfuls packed with pep, however, the Nasi Goreng is the stuff to sample.
Joe says those booking with SWR Business Direct can also access SWR Rewards – image supplied by SWR
on track with Joe Thurgood
I understand when I purchase tickets through SWR Business Direct I am able to get access to SWR Rewards. What kinds of offers does it include and how do I go about accessing them?
Whenever you use SWR Business Direct it gives access to our SWR Rewards and Rewards + schemes.
So whether you are booking a ticket to meet a client in London or tickets for a team-building exercise in Exeter, there’s an offer just for you.
Whatever the reason the rewards cover a number of great deals and discounts for you like a free hair and body set from Grüum worth £24 or tickets to Mamma Mia and a two-course meal at Bocconcino for just £89.50 per person.
SWR Rewards has scores of exclusive incentives for all our Business Direct users.
Food And Drink: Score up to 20% off at top spots like Gordon Ramsay restaurants, plus deals on afternoon teas and group dining.
Theatre And Cinema: Get cheap tickets for major West End shows (often bundled with dinner) and big discounts on ODEON cinema tickets.
Big Days Out: Grab up to a third off or two-for-one entry to major attractions like the London Eye, Thorpe Park and the London Dungeon.
Shopping And Extras: Save money at premium spots like Gunwharf Quays or get discounted trips on Uber Boat By Thames Clippers river bus services.
Getting your hands on these deals is quick and completely free. Simply book a ticket via the SWR Business Direct platform and head over to the SWR Rewards website to browse what’s available.
Then click on the offer you want to generate a digital promo code for, or download a voucher.
Use the code online when booking your event, or just show your voucher alongside your valid SWR train ticket at the venue.
Rewards+ is also free to sign up for and enters you into exclusive prize draws and gets you freebies at the station
Opened a couple of years ago, the original plan was for a sports-focussed space more akin to A Herd Of Yaks’ establishments in Wembley and Elephant And Castle.
Both of those are named Feed The Yak in tribute to totemic Nigerian striker Yakubu and a fan chant encouraging his teammates to pass him the ball, that followed him throughout his career in the English leagues.
But the company’s founder, Sebastian O’Driscoll, is a cheerful laid back sort – a man content to let his bars find identities suited to their communities rather than the other way around.
“I’d been working in the third sector for a number of years, but I had a bit of a desire to set up my own thing,” he said.
“So in 2014 I decided to jack it all in, took over a shipping container in Elephant And Castle and built a little sports bar in it with a friend.
“The Six Yard Box did really well over four years and we went on to open our first bricks and mortar bar – Feed The Yak – in 2018.
“Yakubu was this everyman footballer who seemed to have played for every mediocre club in England and that felt like very much the vibe.
A Herd Of Yaks founder, Sebastian O’Driscoll – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
“We wouldn’t get fans of Manchester United or Arsenal so much, we’d have disparate groups of Leeds or Aston Villa supporters.
“We were a little bit cult, a little bit fringe.
“While I dictated that vision onto the first Feed The Yak – I wanted it to be a sports bar – with our openings in Wembley and Deptford, things have been more organic.
“That really works because we’re not inspired by the kind of American sports bars that have 550,000 screens and serve wings.
“We looked to the kind of cafe bars you find in Spain, Portugal and Italy in smaller towns.
“These places are everything to their communities.
“They’re somewhere you can go for a drink, get something to eat and where everyone goes to watch the match because they have the big TV.
“Equally though, they’re the places where musicians will play and artists will showcase their work.”
Little Yak manager, Phoebe Tallman – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
food, drink and entertainment
Little Yak shares its space with Irish-Chinese takeaway Paddy Wok (paddywok.com) and global fusion foodie spot How Greedy (howgreedy.co.uk) and has taken an adaptive approach to appeal to the Deptford community.
Manager Phoebe Tallman, who has worked with Seb for seven years, is in charge of things and has led a redesign of the bar, bringing live music and DJs into the mix.
She said: “We wanted to make it more like a lounge – somewhere very comfortable – a third space away from home were people could come and see friends, relax, eat good food, have a drink and play board games. We’re also pet friendly.
“On the live music side, we have a group from Trinity Laban Conservatoire Of Music And Dance, who put on a regular night, which is really amazing.
“I’ve been blown away by the quality.
“It’s something we’d like to do more of, as well as poetry nights and things like that, because there’s a really well established artistic community here and building something for them is really important to us.
“We have local DJs too, who come down and mix their own tunes and a regular hip hop night that’s really popular.
“We also have a really good selection of beers – some crafty, but also standard lager.
“We wanted to be accessible and offer something for everyone on tap that would also go well with the food.
“Our assistant manager, Ed, has built a great little cocktail menu too with a lot of south American flavours such as Pisco Sours and Chilli Margaritas as well as a really good Espresso Martini.”
Inside, the theme is welcoming comfort – image supplied by Little Yak
popping over from Cork
Seb, originally from Cork, is especially passionate about the stout, opting to stock Beamish, which has been brewed in his home town since 1792 rather than Guinness.
Another Irish flavour, Mo’s Lager, is set to arrive at the venue in the coming days.
“It’s gluten free and, because lots of our visitors are here to enjoy Paddy Wok’s food, we think it will work well for that market,” said Seb.
The venue has not abandoned sport, opening a second bar outside with a big screen and late licences for fans to enjoy matches during the World Cup.
“We’re not a very conventional venue to watch a game of football in – it’s not like going to the pub, which can sometimes feel a bit off putting, especially for people in the queer community, for example,” said Seb.
“While we do serve alcohol, we also have lots of food options and non-alcoholic drinks – I hope we’re a welcoming space for everyone.
“We really like welcoming different people.
“The manager of our Elephant And Castle bar, for example, is Colombian so we’ll be staying open late for all of Colombia’s games and driving hard to welcome any expats in London for those.”
The bar has moved away from a focus on sports to a broader remit – image supplied by Little Yak
launching in Stratford
Growth is also in the offing for A Herd Of Yaks as it prepares to open its latest bar in Stratford at East Bank.
“We’ll be launching a pop-up there on June 27, 2026, and then hoping to open fully in September,” said Seb.
“The plan is to marry the work we’ve done in all the other venues – it will be our largest space by far and we’ll be aiming to serve the West Ham fans or away supporters but also to have a compelling offering for the students at UCL East and the London College Of Fashion.
“We’re also looking to tap into the cultural venues like the V&A East Museum and Sadler’s Wells East and I hope, as an independent bar, we’re dynamic enough to do that.
“There are a lot of chains in that area and we want to offer something different, including kitchen residencies with up and coming chefs to give talented cooks a space in a place they might not otherwise be able to afford.
“We’ve been so lucky in south-east London to be able to get involved with things like Deptford Jack In The Green and to welcome the community in.
“Hopefully we can take that approach in Stratford too.”
Little Yak is screening World Cup games – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
key details: Little Yak
Little Yak is located at The Artworks Creekside in, well, Creekside a short walk from Deptford Bridge DLR station.
The venue is usually open Tuesday-Thursday from 4pm-11pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 1pm to 1am and Sundays from 2pm to 10pm. It is closed on Mondays.
In his role as student recruitment and conversion manager at the University Of Sunderland In London, he’s responsible for showcasing what the institution has to offer to prospective students.
But beyond increasing the numbers enrolling at its Isle Of Dogs campus, there’s a wider mission.
“While a lot of other universities focus on selling their courses, our goal is quite different,” he said.
“We’re very conscious of the role that we play in the community.
“If we’re able to go into schools and colleges, explain the benefits of studying at university and then see people decide to continue their education, then we’ve achieved something big, whether that’s with us or somewhere else.”
Having opened its new £10million campus in 2025, the University Of Sunderland In London is, however, also preparing to showcase its facilities next month.
Based at Harbour Exchange, it offers a wide range of courses in business, management, finance, nursing, health, tourism and hospitality as well as opportunities for postgraduate research.
The university’s LSEG Fintech Lab – image supplied by UOSiL
welcoming visitors to the open day
“It will be run by our recruitment and admissions team with the support of student ambassadors,” said Harpal.
“Students coming in on the day will get a presentation about life at university, an insight into what we offer here – not just the courses, but also the support.
“There will be a video from our graduates, to give an idea of what students can go on to do too.
“Then there will be a chance for visitors to speak to our staff, get assistance with making applications and even help applying on the day, if they would like to.
“There will also be tours of the campus, to see all the different facilities to help prospective students make an informed decision.
“For us, a big part of that is the student ambassadors.
“They can give visitors real personal insight into what they can look forward to if they study with us.
“This will be our second open day since we opened this campus.
“Having these facilities gives us a lot more to showcase and to offer so that prospective students and their families can really see what’s on offer.”
The university campus is located at Harbour Exchange close to Canary Wharf – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
catering for diversity
The university is well versed in dealing with the needs of a diverse student body that includes people coming from overseas to study in the UK as well as mature individuals seeking further education for a range of reasons including improved employment prospects.
“I studied marketing at Middlesex University and then found a natural route to working there in marketing,” said Harpal.
“My role gave me experience across that department and I really liked student engagement, so became a manager there working on that before moving into recruitment.
“I joined the University Of Sunderland In London in 2021 in a similar role as we look to increase the number of people from the UK enrolling here.
“To achieve that, one of the things we do in our department is to go into schools and colleges in the community, as well as recruitment fairs, so we can talk to prospective students directly.
“It’s also to raise awareness of who we are and what we do – that we are located on the Isle Of Dogs right next to Canary Wharf.
“That we have that proximity to the financial district and the companies that are based there is to our advantage and it’s something we can really shout about.
“Our teams work really hard to engage with the businesses here to secure both expertise and work experience opportunities for our students that will help them in their careers.
“Just walking over to us from the station really opens their eyes to what we have here and the environment they will be studying in.
“The building we have now is also fantastic with facilities such as our mock hospital ward and our fintech lab.
“One of the things we are looking for are more local education partners within a 10-mile radius that we can work with to help students find the right path.”
The simulation ward at the University Of Sunderland In London – image supplied by UOSiL
a strong student culture
Harpal said that, beyond the courses on offer, the culture of the university was also a key selling point.
“A lot of work goes into making students feel welcome here, whether they are international students or from the UK,” he said.
“What I enjoy here is the fact that the student body mixes very well, we have a lot of events and activities.
“We have a great student union space that hosts lots of activities and acts as a meeting space for those studying here.
“What I find most rewarding, however, is seeing students progress into jobs in the fields they’re gaining qualifications in.
“I know from my personal experience how beneficial a university degree can be.
“It feels really good when you see people you’ve engaged with choose to come to your university and then to embark on a career that is aligned with the course they’ve been on.
“The teams here do a lot of work to ensure that our courses are giving graduates the skills they need in the workplace.
“We are constantly evolving our offering and there’s a big emphasis on giving students practical experience that will be of use to them in their careers.
“I’d love anyone who’s interested to come along to our open day and see what we offer.”
In 2025, secretary of state for education, Bridget Philipson MP, opened the £10million campus in the presence of University Of Sunderland chancellor Leanne Cahill, vice-chancellor Sir David Bell, Alan, deputy directors of the University Of Sunderland In London, Lynsey Bendon and Geoff Paul and head of marketing, recruitment and admissions, Jelena Miljanic – image by UOSiL
key details: University Of Sunderland In London open day
The next open day at the University Of Sunderland In London is set to take place at the Harbour Exchange campus on July 11, 2026, and will run from 1pm-4.30pm.
Open days are also planned for September 12 and November 26.
The university also offers personal consultations that allow prospective students to explore the institution’s facilities and courses.
“Doing something like this – showing up and surprising people so they can interact with their bank in a different way to just logging in and checking their money – is a way to do more for our customers,” said Emily Lewis, head of growth for the UK and Ireland at Revolut. “It’s a bit of guerilla marketing.”
Earlier this month, the Canary Wharf-based bank staged a takeover in front of its global headquarters in Reuters Plaza, parking a Formula One racing car in a glass-sided shipping container outside for Wharfers to admire.
Photos were snapped and give-aways were queued for, but the stunt had a wider purpose.
In addition to celebrating the bank’s status as title partner to the Audi Revolut F1 Team, the pop-up showcased the unveiling of a market-leading boosted interest rate of 5% AER (variable) on its Instant Access Savings Account.
The introductory offer is available for new customers on deposits of up to £25,000 who sign up before August 4, 2026.
The rate runs until December 4 this year.
Emily Lewis, head of growth for the UK and Ireland at Revolut – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
accelerating the savings
“Bringing the Audi show car out is a nice way for them to get involved,” said Emily.
“Canary Wharf was the first stop on our UK tour with dates all around the country through to June 30.
“We know that following sports like F1 can be expensive and our instant access account is designed to make saving much easier.
“The 5% rate is the most competitive on the market and we don’t lock your money away.
“With our account, interest is paid daily and people can withdraw their money with no penalties – it doesn’t impact the rate.
“For example, I was the budget master for a friend’s hen do – I wanted to keep the money people were paying towards it separate from my own savings to avoid any confusion.
“I opened a separate account with Revolut, which is very quick, and transferred the funds in.
“From there we earned daily interest on those funds and were able to spend them together on the hen do.”
Crowds gather at Revolut’s pop-up – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
growing Revolut’s operation
Founded at Level39 in Canary Wharf in 2015 by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko, the company has gone from small startup to having its name atop the YY London tower in a decade.
“When you’re a digital bank, having the concrete legitimacy of a building is a good thing,” said Emily, who worked for THG before joining Revolut four years ago.
“Having that visibility helps.
“Working with distinguished partners such as F1 and Audi means we can further raise awareness of what we’re doing.
“In the UK, we want to be the primary bank for everyone.
“In each of our products we’re on a par with our competitors, but our aim is that there’s also an element that’s better – like reward points on your debit card spending or the speed with which you can access your money.
“It’s about educating people about what we offer so that they can make an informed decision about who they bank with.
“We’ve expanded at an amazing rate, but even with this growth we must make sure that we’re still being true to what a trusted bank should do.
“I believe introductory rates like this are helpful because they make the market more competitive.
“We see institutions battling to present the best offers, which is good for consumers.
“We’re constantly working on how Revolut can be super lucrative for existing customers and how we can reward people who have been loyal to us.”
Revolut is based at YY London in Canary Wharf – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
key details: Revolut’s savings offer
To get a Revolut Instant Access Savings Account, customers must open a Personal Current Account with the bank.
The 5% AER variable bonus rate for up to £25,000 in savings is only available to new clients who sign up before August 4, 2026.
After December 4, the savings rate reverts to the base rate of the customer’s plan (currently between 2.9% and 4%).
Taking a dip costs £10 a go, but Sea Lanes has a great deal more to offer than just splashing about.
Wharfers seeking a place to relax by the waters will find a new complex of pergolas, tin roofs, glazed weatherproof igloos and extensive seating all served by a bar and on-site kitchen.
Earlier this week, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf hosted a preview event in partnership with Canary Wharf Group complete with a friendly relay race and a chance to get a sneak peek at the facilities before the public dive in.
Sea Lanes managing director, Ross Gilbert addresses the preview event – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
for swimmers who want to try open water
“Sea Lanes began with a very simple idea – to create a stepping stone that would encourage more people to get into open water swimming and to make that accessible for everybody,” said Ross Gilbert, managing director at Sea Lanes.
“That vision was realised when we opened our pool in Brighton. Since then we’ve opened Hilsea a month ago and now Canary Wharf.
“We have six lanes and finely crafted saunas – this will be a facility that helps people to explore the wider Eden Dock.”
In addition to the floating pool, Sea Lanes also intends to offer dock swimming, paddleboarding, freediving and open water events from its base close to Newfoundland tower.
The facilities include a six-lane floating pool fed by Eden Dock – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
part of Canary Wharf’s evolution
Canary Wharf Group CEO, Shobi Khan, said the estate had been focused on the water for six years starting with the opening of the boardwalk at Harbour Quay Gardens and four years of open water swimming at Eden Dock.
He said: “Everyone who has worked on this project deserves a big round of applause.
“Two years ago some folks from Sea Lanes were present when we opened Eden Dock during a virtual monsoon – that was the start of this evolution.
“This is a unique environment and will hopefully become the envy of London.
“These really are amazing facilities that Sea Lanes has created in partnership with Canary Wharf Group.”
There are on-site saunas for swimmers to warm up in – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
inspiring for London
Also attending the preview was deputy mayor of London for environment and energy, Mete Coban.
He said: “What I think this project here today does is to inspire the whole city.
“We need to reimagine how we can use spaces to make London healthier – a place people can thrive in. I don’t know how to swim.
“I was one of those people who didn’t have access to affordable swimming lessons when I was growing up.
“This and access to nature are still big racial and social justice issues today.
“One of the things we will be doing in the capital is selecting specific sites where we’ll take inspiration from this vision and create more access to safe swimming, because we know that 700,000 Londoners currently do not know how to swim.
“It isn’t just about having the infrastructure, however, it’s about the work that happens with the community so they feel a sense of ownership.
“This is a flagship project and I want to thank Canary Wharf Group and Sea Lanes because it takes real courage to be able to imagine these spaces – what it was then and what it is now.”
Sea Lanes Canary Wharf includes extensive hospitality facilities with a bar and fresh food offering – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
Located at Sweetwater Mooring on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, it boasts a fine dining floating restaurant, a riverside terrace, a garden, a sister ship that sells drinks and gelato and plenty of space to stretch out alongside the River Lee Navigation canal.
It even offers paddleboard, kayak and canoe hire and that’s before you even mention the connections to DJs, live music and entertainers.
Fine dining is available on board – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
flexible options for all kinds of function
“We’ve got space at Barge East for almost any type of function, from weddings to corporate away-days and festival-style summer parties,” said Stuart ‘Tommo’ Thomson, one of the three founders of the business.
“We’ve got restaurants, with outdoor menus and terrace menus, with Parisian bistro-style, and our street food menus with amazing burgers.
We’ve got food across different price points, and all of it is sustainably sourced, using responsible suppliers.
“There’s our 125-year-old Dutch barge and the Milk Float, a more modern wide beam vessel with a beautiful sun deck that overlooks the London Stadium.”
Executive chef Kayla Dimmick and her team hard at work in the venue’s kitchen – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
In addition to adding this new ship to the fleet, Barge East is also now operating the Moo Canoes hire business, allowing people to explore east London’s waterways via stand up paddleboard, canoe or kayak.
“We can offer all sorts of activities and events at Barge East for groups of any size.
“We can organise garden games, entertainers and live music outside and we’re happy to signpost Bola Beach Tennis next to us and work alongside them in collaboration.
“Companies are welcome to use Barge East for a whole day or use us as a base to explore the area.
“There’s so much going on around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney Wick.
“We’ve even introduced a litter-picking day every month where groups go out on the boats, help clear the waterways and then swap the bag of rubbish they’ve collected for a beer.”
Barge East offers bistro style dining on the canalside – image by Barge East
space for summer parties
Barge East is located a short walk from Hackney Wick station and can also be easily accessed from Stratford.
The boat itself can handle standing receptions for up to 80, while its Terrace and Gardens can take up to 150 and 300 respectively.
The Milk Float is suitable for standing parties of up to 80 and all of the venue’s spaces can be booked in combination.
Barge East offers a wide range of party packages starting at £15 per head.
Executive chef Kayla Dimmick oversees all the food on-site including dishes created with ingredients from the venue’s edible garden.
Those seeking a deal can visit Barge East’s Terrace on weekdays from noon-4pm to indulge in its £10 lunch offer and enjoy a Chicken Burger or Mushroom Burger with a drink for a tenner.
The Milk Float has joined the Barge East fleet – image by Barge East
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf’s seasonal offering demands attention.
The venue recently unveiled three market-leading offers at its Hine Bar And Garden Terrace aimed at attracting Wharfers to the lower of its two floors as the mercury rises.
But its also the eclectic establishment’s flexibility and the sheer depth of its proposition that will be of interest to those arranging get-togethers in the coming weeks.
It’s perhaps the only venue in Canary Wharf that can do dinner for two or 250.
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf’s executive head chef Andrew Donovan, left, and general manager, Tony Havin – image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life
“We really think we’ve done everything to create a great offering this season.
“Boisdale is right in the middle of Canary Wharf, but on our terrace guests feel secluded.
“It’s away from the bustle of the street below – our own secret garden on the first floor.”
With cooking from executive head chef Andrew Donovan and drinks from bar manager Malika Kirchel-Sharper, the venue aims to tempt drinkers and diners to visit with three core offers this summer.
The venue is offering pints of lager for £5 and glasses of wine for £6 – image supplied by Boisdale
chilled refreshment
“We’ve extended our Happy Hour on drinks from noon-7pm, covering selections from the bar and our range of frozen cocktails,” said Tony.
“The idea is that you can come for lunch and then stay into the evening.
“We’re always trying to improve and so we have a new menu of cocktails that I think even top what we were offering last year.
“We’ve done extensive tastings and the flavours are really there.
“Personally, I like the take on a Pina Colada, but I’m also pleasantly surprised by the Bittersweet Delight, inspired by a Margarita with a dash of Orange Angostura Bitters and a spicy jalapeno.”
The venue’s Happy Hour has been extended from noon-7pm on weekdays – image supplied by Boisdale
buy-one-get-one-free
The frozen cocktail list, which also includes the likes of Tennessee Peach Punch and Banana Split, presents a selection of drinks for £14 or £14.50, with customers getting a pair for that price during Happy Hour..
Other drinks on offer during that period include pints of Harbour Singlefin’ Lager for £5 and glasses of Boisdale’s Bekaa Valley red or white for £6.
The set menu includes a Scottish Flat Iron Steak With Chips – image supplied by Boisdale
on to the Boisdale food
“We always offer seasonal dishes at Boisdale and we’ve got morel mushrooms, asparagus, peas, broad beans and sardines on the menu,” said Andrew, who’s been cooking in the restaurant’s kitchens for well over a decade.
“I think now, more than ever, people want value and quality and that’s what we offer.
“We pride ourselves on using the best ingredients cleverly to hit the right price point.”
The second of Boisdale’s key offerings is its set menu, available noon-3pm. Depending on their schedule and commitments, diners can order one course for £17.50, two for £23.50 or three for £28.50.
Options include the likes of Crispy Salt And Pepper Squid and Asparagus With A Crispy Hen’s Egg to start, Scottish Flat-Iron Steak With Chips and Char-Grilled Breast Of Suffolk Chicken for mains and Affogato and British Cheeses for dessert.
“My personal choice would be to start with the Grilled Cornish Sardines On Toast, which come with wild garlic and Isle Of Wight tomatoes,” said Andrew.
“Years ago we had whole industries based on oily fish – sardines, herring, kippers – all those great things.
“Now we catch them and sell them to the Europeans who, rightly, adore them.
“After that richness, I’d want something more delicate, so I’d order the Broad Bean, Courgette And Pea Risotto with lovely Suffolk goat’s cheese.
“Then, because I’d been so well behaved, I’d have to go with the Boozy Cherries With Dark Chocolate Mousse, which comes with a hazelnut praline. It’s amazing.
“Another favourite is one of the starters on the set menu – Gnocchi With Wild Venison Ragu, served with shavings of Parmesan.
“Being a Scottish restaurant, we use a lot of game, and we’ve currently got a dish on the evening show menu – roast haunch of venison with morels and wild garlic mash.
“All of the trimmings are used to make a ragu for four or five hours – in there you have carrots, garlic, rosemary, juniper and balsamic vinegar for richness and red wine.
“We just braise the meat until it’s completely tender.
“Then we take the gnocchi and just toss them in that wonderful sauce.”
An evolved version of Boisdale’s Ultimate Surf And Turf is back for summer 2026 – image supplied by Boisdale
land and sea
Last – but, by no means, least – following a successful run last year, is Boisdale’s “Ultimate Surf And Turf” – also available on weekdays from noon-3pm.
Diners can choose to pay £19.95 for Chargrilled King Prawn Brochette with either a Scottish Wagyu Burger With Cheese or a 200g Scottish Flat-Iron Steak, all served with pickles and lettuce hearts with blue cheese.
Alternatively they can opt to pay £29.95 for Half A Grilled Lobster with the burger or steak, served with a house salad and garlic butter.
“This was an incredibly popular option on our terrace last year and we’ve given it a bit of a twist for 2026,” said Tony.
“We’re expecting our offers across food, drinks and cocktails to draw in locals and visitors. There’s really no excuse not to come.”
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf has an extensive portfolio of spaces for private dining and parties including gatherings of 250 for a seated banquet – image supplied by Boisdale
party season at Boisdale Of Canary Wharf
For those planning events over the coming months, Boisdale presents a compelling offering, whether it’s a team lunch, after-work drinks or a full company celebration.
“We can host more than 400 people for a standing reception across the whole venue or cater for up to 250 seated,” said Tony.
“We’re very flexible about the size and style of gathering and we’re also happy to hire the venue on Mondays when we’d usually be closed – that includes the Terrace, which is just one of the many spaces we have for groups to host in.
“We can tailor every aspect of an event to a client’s needs and we’ve done all kinds of things over the years including barbecues and hog roasts.”
Andy added: “We have tremendous teams here with a lot of experience.
“That’s testament to the fact we’re always changing, evolving and offering new things.
“I think now, more than ever, people want value and quality and that’s what we’re able to deliver.
“I love cooking for events. In my view a canapé should be something fresh and amazing. There should be just enough so that you get that flavour, but not so much that it’s overwhelming.
“My top choices would be bitesize versions of Prawn Cocktail, Steak Tartare and Ceviche.
Then there’s our Smoked Salmon, of course, and our Venison Empanadas, which are made with the same ragu that we offer with gnocchi on our set menu.
“We always try to let the ingredients speak for themselves.”
Luxury health and fitness brand Third Space has generously donated a 12-month group membership to help raise funds for Newham-based charity the National All Star Skills Academy (NASSA).
NASSA was founded by Natasha Hart MBE in 2005 to offer competitive basketball coaching to young people in east London – a safe haven to play sport away from the lure of anti-social behaviour, alcohol, drugs and crime.
The Arsenal FC shirt, signed by the Premier League-winning team – image supplied by NASSA
Its Carry A Basketball Not A Blade campaign, founded by Natasha’s son, Anthony Okereafor, in response to the death of two of his friends in knife attacks, works in partnership with the Met to steer children and youths away from gang culture and carrying weapons.
Since its launch in 2008, it has reached more than 100,000 young people, an essential part of the battle against knife crime. It’s working.
The most recent figures from the Newham Safety Partnership showed that both injuries from blades and violence against young people had fallen locally.
NASSA relies on grants, donations and volunteers to fund and run its activities.
By bidding for this prize, you’ll be contributing to that vital work.
The Arsenal FC shirt, signed by Declan Rice – image supplied by NASSA
