LONDON’S oldest spa is considered a local landmark, with original features from when it first opened in 1929 and three Turkish bath rooms.

The Porchester Spa, located in Queensway, has been welcoming visitors for almost a century, offering an oasis of calm with a Victorian bath house feel.

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It’s set within a Grade II listed building that was restored to its former Art Deco splendour in 2020. 

Its traditional decor includes green and white tiles, marble and wood, a gold ceiling, and original lamps, mirrors and hooks.

Among its facilities are two steam rooms, a sauna, Turkish bath rooms, small and large swimming pools, a plunge pool, and chill out room.

Turkish baths include a series of rooms with different temperatures and humidity levels, and The Porchester Spa has three.

There’s the Tepidarium, a warm room, Caldarium, a hot room, and Laconium, the hottest room.

Roman-style Turkish baths were reintroduced to the UK in the mid 19th century by MP and diplomat, David Urquhart, who promoted the health benefits of hydrotherapy and thermal treatments after travelling Russia, the Ottoman Empire and Moorish Spain.

There are sessions for just men to use the spa, sessions for just women, as well as mixed sessions.

On top of relaxing at the spa, you can opt for one of a range of treatments, including wraps, scrubs, facials, waxing, and aromatherapy massages.

And there’s also a cafe serving hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and snacks.

The spa offers affordable prices – day passes for non-members to the spa are £29.70.

Treatments start from just £36, including a 30 minute back, neck and shoulder massage, and an Indian head massage.

People who have visited the spa have been amazed as its luxury-feel decor and cheap prices.

One person, who gave the spa five stars on Tripadvisor said: “Wow; a fabulous find here in London. A nice traditional Turkish style baths; but Art Deco!”

Another penned: “I love this place. I come here often. An oasis in the city.”

And someone commented on the spa having a great pool and good customer service, and said they couldn’t fault it.

They added: “Lovely facility for a fraction of the price that luxury spas are charging.”

Day passes and treatments at The Porchester Spa should be booked in advance, either online or through the Everyone Active app.

Casual bookings are only available five days in advance.

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GOING to the theatre at Christmas doesn’t have to be all about PG-rated pantomimes and stories of goodwill.

There are plenty of opportunities for adult-only nights out during the festive season, minus the Christmas cliches.

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We’ve put together a list of some of best Christmas shows for adults happening up and down the country – and a lot of them are definitely no kids allowed!

London

The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet

The English National Ballet’s Nutcracker is a brand-new production for 2024, with over 100 dancers and musicians to dazzle audiences.

Follow Clara as she travels to the land of Sweets & Delights, meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, and bravely defends her home form the Rat King.

Yes, kids are allowed at the ballet but they are also great for the adults too.

Venue: London Coliseum, 12th December – 12th January.

Rick Astley’s Swinging Christmas

Multi-million selling global star Rick Astley will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall this December for a special big band concert, performing swing and festive classics.

The show will see Rick perform in the Hall’s stunning historic auditorium.

Venue: Royal Albert Hall, 17th December.

A Very Naughty Christmas

Direct from down under, Australia‘s favourite adults only Christmas comedy is coming to London.

Audiences can let loose and indulge in some adult-only ‘elf-care’, with a live band, eight above-average performers, and plenty of surprises from Santa’s sack.

Venue: Southwark Playhouse, 18th November – 11th January.

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Manchester

Crown Ballet presents The Nutcracker

The Crown Ballet will also be performing the classic Christmas story up in Manchester.

The story is based on the original story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffmann.

Venue: The Plaza, Stockport, 25th November.

Tinderella

A show where you definitely need to leave the kids at home. It’s a scandalous twist on the classic fairy tale – Tinderella is a whizz on social media, but it’s all a charade because she has no money, no man and none of the glamorous life she claims to be living. Until one day, she meets not one, but two Princes in the woods…

Expect a night of raucous laughter, innuendos and unexpected encounters.

Venue: Hope Mill Theatre, 4th-23rd December.

Come From Away

Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, the smash hit show shares the incredible real life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11.

Experience this joyous story and soaring music as spirited locals and global passengers come together to forge friendships that will stay with them forever.

Venue: The Lowry, 3rd December-5th January.

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Liverpool

The Holiday: Film with Live Orchestra

The beloved Christmas rom com, The Holiday will be presented live in concert, as part of a 15 date UK-wide tour, which will see the film’s score played live-to-film with a complete concert orchestra.

The orchestra will also be making stops at London, Birmingham, Poole, Portsmouth, Brighton, Bath, Southend-on-Sea, and Nottingham.

Venue: Liverpool Empire, 30th November.

Love Actually In Concert

If you’re more of a Love Actually fan, a similar thing will be happening at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.

Love Actually will be screened live in concert, with a full orchestra playing the score live-to-film.

Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 2nd December.

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Birmingham

The Nutcracker

In this Birmingham Royal Ballet production, Tchaikovsky’s glorious score will be performed live by the 60-strong Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

There are also daring sword fights, falling snow, magic, and a 30-foot Christmas tree. 

Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome, 22nd November-14th December.

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story

Mark Gatiss‘ acclaimed retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story visits The Rep this Christmas, starring Matthew Cottle as Scrooge and Rufus Hound as Jacob Marley.

Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter the supernatural Victorian world of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story.

Venue: The Rep, 14th November-5th January.

Christmas with Anton du Beke

Embark on a dazzling journey into a festive wonderland as Strictly’s one and only Anton Du Beke brightens up your Christmas with his brand new show – Christmas with Anton Du Beke.

The Ballroom King and Strictly Come Dancing judge joins forces with a dynamic live band, vocalist Lance Ellington, and a troupe of extraordinary dancers to bring an evening of music, dance and laughter. He’ll also be performing in London, Cambridge, Southend-on-Sea, Basingstoke, Woking, Leicester and more.

Venue: B:Music Town Hall & Symphony Hall, 17th December.

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Glasgow

Step Into Christmas

This Christmas concert brings all the magic of the season to life with people’s favourite songs they know and love.

Featuring singers, dancers, and speciality acts who give you their hearts and don’t take them away.

Venue: Pavilion Theatre, 11th November.

A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’ beloved tale is brought to life by students from the BA Performance for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Actors programme in a uniquely visual retelling.

A piece of visual theatre accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences.

Venue: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 29th November and 6th December.

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Leeds

Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight

This concert of timeless classics is stuffed full of magical music from Christmas film favourites including, The Polar Express, Elf, E.T., Home Alone, White Christmas, and Love Actually.

Venue: Leeds Minster, 13th December.

Northern Ballet’s A Christmas Carol

A festive feast for the senses, Northern Ballet brings one of the most loved stories of all time to life.

Dickens’ timeless tale is reimagined through dance, music and storytelling which will transport you to Victorian England and leave your heart aglow.

Venue: Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, 7th November.

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Newcastle

The Scummy Mummies Christmas Show

Comedians Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibson bring their special Christmas themed comedy show back.

Expect scummy carols, yuletide sketches, festive stand-up and scummy Santa stories.

Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House, 28th November.

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Sheffield

Fairytale of New York

From the producers of Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Irish culture as talented singers, musicians and dancers perform a world class concert.

All the festive favourites will be featured, including ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ and ‘Step Into Christmas’ and, of course, ‘The Fairytale of New York’.

Venue: Sheffield City Hall, 3rd December.

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Belfast

Ulster Orchestra Messiah

No Christmas would be complete without the majestic performance that is Handel’s Messiah.

The Ulster Orchestra will provide an evening of festive fun at the Waterfront Hall.

Venue: Waterfront Hall, 14th December.

Keith and Krysten Getty

Keith and Krysten Getty are Grammy-nominated artists known for modern hymns and carols.

This year’s Christmas tour will feature brand new songs from the duo, along with many of the traditional Christmas carols people have come to know and love.

Venue: The SSE Arena, 19th-20th December.

Hallow’istmas: The Xmas Chainsaw Massacre

Belfast’s cult comedy cabaret is back. (G)host with the most, Sir Arthur Chichester (Dan Leith) presents an evening of fiendish festive fun.

Hallow’istmas will be serving up live comedy, music, and the chance to win some fantastic prizes. It also promises to add a little horror to the holidays.

Venue: Accidental Theatre, 22nd-23rd of November.

Sleeping with Beauty

This iconic adult pantomime returns, ballsier than ever.

Be taken on a wild ride through the unconventional tale of Sleeping with Beauty – the faint hearted/prudish have been warned.

Venue: Waterfront Hall, 28th-29th December.

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Nottingham

Christmas at the Musicals

Be treated to a festive feast of West End showstoppers performed by Stephanie McKeon, Alice Fearn, Jon Robyns and Scott Davies, accompanied on stage by the West End Theatre Orchestra.

Expect songs from the greatest musicals, including Mamma Mia!, The lion King, The Book of Mormon, Cabaret, Starlight Express, Frozen and Wicked.

Venue: Theatre Royal, 19th December.

Sara Pascoe, Tim Key, Steen Raskopoulos, Janine Harouni, Ivo Graham, and Alex Horne: Live At Christmas

The country’s best comedians are coming to Nottingham for a spectacular all-star festive show.

Joining Sara is a spectacular line-up with cult comic/poet and Alan Partridge star Tim Key, bumbling charmster Ivo Graham, master character comic Steen Raskopoulos, viral phenomenon Janine Harouni, and BAFTA-winning Taskmaster host Alex Horne as MC.

Venue: Theatre Royal, 18th December.

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Bristol

A Christmas Carol

Told in true Bristol Old Vic style, Tom Morris (The Grinning Man, Swallows & Amazons) joins forces with Lee Lyford and Gwyneth Herbert (The Snow Queen) to present an enchanting new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, A Christmas Carol.

Join Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Scrooge himself in this riot of music and theatrical imagination.

Venue: Bristol Old Vic, 29th November-13th January.

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Cardiff

My Favourite Things

For two nights only, Soho’s most mischievous drag-diva, Heiress Blackstone, will host the season’s merriest night of international variety. This festive event features a dazzling all star line-up, blending sensational cabaret, breathtaking circus, joyous burlesque and raucous comedy.

Join Heiress and her Christmas favourites for a night filled with laughter, glamour, and festive cheer.

Venue: Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna, 20th-21st December.

Welsh of the West End of Christmas

Join Welsh of the West End, the musical theatre super-group, as they perform Christmas classics and musical theatre favourites.

Prepare to be dazzled by performers from shows such as Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

Venue: Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna, 29th November-22nd December.

Aled Jones’ Christmas Songbook Featuring The Snowman

Aled Jones and the Welsh POPS Quartet will be performing music from The Snowman and other festive favourites.

Aled will perform and narrate The Snowman in the first half of the show and in the second half perform some of his own favourite show and classical numbers and then lead a seasonal sing along.

Venue: Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna, 7th-8th December.

THE long-delayed European Entry/Exit System that was set to come into force next month has been quietly postponed.

At the end of August, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed the new Entry/Exit System (EES) would come into force on November 10, 2024.

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However, one month before the new rules were set to be introduced they were quietly delayed.

According to Reuters, Ylva Johansson made the following statement following a meeting of European ministers: “November 10 is no longer on the table”.

Following the announcement, Johansson told the BBC: “It’s clear that we’re not going to be ready for the 10 November.

“We will be going for a phased approach, step by step.”

A phased introduction of the new EES is now being discussed by officials who will meet in the coming weeks to hash out details.

A report from the Justice and Home Affairs Council, which was published on October 10, 2024, reads: “To ensure a smooth transition, the Commission outlined plans to roll out the EES in a phased manner. The details of this approach will be established in the coming weeks.”

The news comes days after easyJet boss revealed UK travellers could risk being stuck on planes after arriving at European airports once enhanced border checks are introduced.

In an interview at the annual convention of travel trade organisation Abta in Costa Navarino, Greece, Mr Lundgren said it is possible EES will cause airport terminals to be congested with arriving passengers waiting to be processed, leaving no room for additional travellers.

“In the worst case you actually can’t disembark, you hold people on the plane,” Mr Lundgren warned.

He said: “We have to think about what can actually happen.”

Mr Lundgren predicted “there will be some disruption” from EES as “it is a new procedure”.

Earlier this year, France, Germany and The Netherlands wrote to Ylva Johansson saying they wouldn’t be ready by the November deadline.

It is not yet known when EES will come into force.

However, a source told the Independent: “It will almost certainly be well into 2025 before there is any chance of it having a significant effect on British travellers.”

When the border checks do come into force, it’s feared that EES could cause huge delays at the border due to the extra checks needed.

The new system will replace the need to wet stamp passports but other checks will be required.

November 10 is no longer on the table

Passports will need to be scanned and passengers will need to have their fingerprints scanned and photos taken.

Delays are expected at the UK-France borders where queues could reach 14 hours at some ferry ports.

Tim Reardon, head of EU exit for the Dover Harbour Board previously warned last year: “There is no way of doing a biometric control without getting everyone out of the vehicle.

“That’s the one thing on our site which cannot happen because you’re in the middle of live traffic.”

And Neil Baker, Kent County Council’s cabinet member for roads said it could cause a “serious mess”.

He told fellow cabinet members on January 4: “I don’t think we can downplay how big of an impact it could well have on Kent and over an extended period.”

Holidaymakers have previously been warned to travel with “extra supplies” such as food, water and nappies in case of the huge queues when the checks are introduced in November.

The Sun’s Head of Travel explains what the EES means for you

The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained everything you need to know about the upcoming EES.

JUST one month before the start of the EU’s new Entry Exit System, the entire launch has been delayed yet again.

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Originally due to roll out in 2021, we are now told it will happen in phases with absolutely no specific timeline. 

Many millions of pounds has been spent by the likes of Eurostar and Eurotunnel plus the Port of Dover in preparing for the imminent launch. Airports across Europe have had to invest heavily in new equipment and re-configure passport halls.

Now yet again, new processing areas will be moth-balled. It will be a source of huge frustration to the travel industry as a whole.

Talking to easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren this week, he was adamant the system should never be launched until a pre-registration system was up and running.

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 An app is being developed to capture the data required by the Entry Exit System – facial biometrics and fingerprints – so it will take less time at busy borders with confined space.

But the European Commission had already confirmed this would not be ready for the proposed November launch.

And the easyJet CEO is right – without the means of allowing people to provide their information in advance, anyone connected with the new system could see that the time it would take to collect all the details would cause major delays.

While UK travellers will no doubt be relieved the system won’t launch until later in 2025, the chaos caused by the continual delays does nothing to engender confidence.

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Other European governments have expressed their concerns too – Slovenia said it would take “four times longer” to process passengers, while Austrian authorities said it would be at least “double compared to the current situation”.

EES was meant to be introduced back in 2022.

The new border checks were then rescheduled for May 2023 and then late 2023, before the latest deadline was set.

Sun Online Travel have contacted the EU Home Affairs Commission for comment.

The new ETIAS system is also to be introduced, although this isn’t until next year.

ETIAS, a visa-waiver, will require all Brits to pay €7 when visiting Europe, and will last three years.

An official start date in 2025 is yet to be revealed

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