A leading reviewer said that the chef’s cooking is ‘nothing short of transcendent’

The UK’s finest restaurants have been revealed in a new map – and only one Cambridgeshire venue has made the list.

SquareMeal has published its Top 100 UK Restaurants for 2026. The reviewer said that each establishment merits its place amongst the country’s leading restaurants, based on “performance, value, and quality”.

Experts at SquareMeal said: “It’s no secret that the UK’s restaurant sector is facing formidable challenges. And yet, with each year that passes, hospitality pros continue to invest everything they have into projects for the love of what they do.”

According to SquareMeal, the finest restaurant in Cambridgeshire and the only one to make its exclusive top 100 list is Restaurant 22, in Cambridge. Run by head chef Sam Carter and his wife Alex, SquareMeal described the Michelin-starred venue as “a charming Victorian townhouse off Chesterton Road”.

The restaurant review said: “Sam’s cooking is nothing short of transcendent. Expect technically precise, endlessly creative tasting menus that showcase the county’s natural larder.”

Restaurant 22, ranked 12th in the UK, has previously received a Gold Award, SquareMeal’s highest honour. In its review of Restaurant 22, SquareMeal wrote: “It’s not every day that a restaurant fills you with an otherworldly sense of joy.”

All the restaurants listed in the UK top 100 are outside London, with SquareMeal producing a separate ranking exclusively for venues in the capital. You can use our interactive map to find the closest top 100 restaurants near you, as well as a full list below.

The UK’s Top 100 Restaurants (outside London):1. Wilsons (Bristol)2. Skof (Manchester)3. Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms (Nottingham)4. Vraic (Guensey)5. L’Enclume (Westmorland and Furness)6. Grace & Savour (Solihull)7. The Greyhound Beaconsfield (Buckinghamshire)8. JÖRO (Sheffield)9. Pine (Northumberland)10. Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms (West Lancashire)11. Ynyshir (Ceredigion)12. Restaurant 22 (Cambridge)13. Lyla (City of Edinburgh)14. Woven by Adam Smith (Windsor and Maidenhead)15. Upstairs at Landrace (Bath and North East Somerset)16. Myse (North Yorkshire)17. Updown Farmhouse (Dover)18. Osip (Somerset)19. The Little Chartroom (City of Edinburgh)20. The Kinneuchar Inn (Fife)21. Opheem (Birmingham)22. The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant (Perth and Kinross)23. The Old Stamp House (Westmorland and Furness)24. Lark (West Suffolk)25. Tallow (Tunbridge Wells)26. The Angel at Hetton (North Yorkshire)27. Alchemilla Nottingham (Nottingham)28. Dogstar Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)29. Heft (Westmorland and Furness)30. Argoe Newlyn (Cornwall)31. Stow (Manchester)32. Juliet (Stroud)33. Bavette (Leeds)34. Paul Ainsworth at No 6 (Cornwall)35. Hansom (North Yorkshire)36. Vetch (Liverpool)37. Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall (North Yorkshire)38. The Sportsman (Canterbury)39. The Shed (Swansea)40. The Parkers Arms (Ribble Valley)41. Higher Ground (Manchester)42. Moss (City of Edinburgh)43. Meadowsweet (North Norfolk)44. The Pony Chew Valley (Bath and North East Somerset)45. Dongnae (Bristol)46. Gorse Cardiff (Cardiff)47. The Barn at Moor Hall (West Lancashire)48. Fish Shop Ballater (Aberdeenshire)49. OTHER (Bristol)50. Winsome (Manchester)51. The Wilderness (Birmingham)52. Restaurant Interlude (Horsham)53. The Pass at South Lodge (Horsham)54. Furna (Brighton and Hove)55. Big Counter (Glasgow City)56. Roots York (York)57. The Swine Bistro (Leeds)58. Seasonality (Windsor and Maidenhead)59. The Muddlers Club (Belfast)60. The Abbey Inn Byland (North Yorkshire)61. The Forest Side (Westmorland and Furness)62. The Cottage in the Wood (Cumberland)63. The Greyhound Inn – Pettistree (East Suffolk)64. Root Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)65. Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (Lichfield)66. Forge at Middleton Lodge (North Yorkshire)67. Maré by Rafael Cagali (Brighton and Hove)68. Waterman Bistro (Belfast)69. Gwen (Powys)70. Bybrook Restaurant at The Manor House (Wiltshire)71. Wild at Bull Burford (West Oxfordshire)72. The Black Swan at Oldstead (North Yorkshire)73. Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai (Cumberland)74. Long Friday (Newcastle upon Tyne)75. Aven (Preston)76. Olive Tree Bath (Bath and North East Somerset)77. Emilia (Teignbridge)78. The Jackdaw Conwy (Conwy)79. Manifest (Liverpool)80. Shwen Shwen (Sevenoaks)81. Catch at The Old Fish Market (Dorset)82. Riverine Rabbit (Birmingham)83. Amari (Brighton and Hove)84. Ardfern (City of Edinburgh)85. The Blue Pelican (Dover)86. Skosh (York)87. 670 Grams (Birmingham)88. The Coach Marlow (Buckinghamshire)89. Gloriosa (Glasgow City)90. Cardinal Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh)91. The Victoria Oxshott (Elmbridge)92. Briar (Somerset)93. Bench Sheffield (Sheffield)94. Henrock at Linthwaite House (Westmorland and Furness)95. Lapin Restaurant Bristol (Bristol)96. The Suffolk (East Suffolk)97. Tharavadu (Leeds)98. Belzan Liverpool (Liverpool)99. The Oarsman (Buckinghamshire)100. Legacy at The Grand, York (York)

Expert William Mitchell from Sutton Manor Nursery shares the crucial February gardening job that helps roses bloom beautifully and stay healthier throughout the growing season.

February represents a critical period for rose enthusiasts. Following months of winter rest, your roses require care to awaken and flourish magnificently come spring. Neglect them at this stage, and they may falter, produce feeble blooms, or struggle to prosper.

Numerous gardeners believe roses will manage independently once winter passes, but this isn’t accurate. Correct pruning, watering, and pest management in February guarantees your roses bounce back with abundant, striking blooms.

Yet there’s one additional element these garden favourites depend upon, according to William Mitchell of Sutton Manor Nursery.

On his gardening website, Sutton Manor Nursery, William has outlined a list of gardening tasks that “must” be tackled in February, with feeding roses being crucial. Roses demand substantial nourishment, and following winter, they require a lift with this straightforward 10-second job.

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He explained: “February is the ideal time to prepare your flowering shrubs for spring growth. The rose needs a continuous supply of nutrients throughout the growing season in order to perform at its best.”

William maintained that not only do “healthy roses bloom better”, but they’re also “more resistant to disease and insects”.

He recommended that maintaining a gardening diary close by, where you can record when and how you fertilise, will assist you in remaining organised.

William revealed that roses typically emerge from their winter dormancy in late March or early April and should be fed when the first buds begin to appear at the latest.

He observed: “Fertilising them with a slow-release fertiliser in February allows for early growth and protection before the first growth appears.”

Subsequently, in late June or early July, a second feeding is advised for “repeat-flowering rose varieties”.

When nourishing your roses, ensure you apply it at the base, steering clear of the foliage to avoid scorching.

The attack took place at the Blackfriars Station in London, around 6pm on May 17, 2024

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Police are investigating an assault on a railway worker who was sprayed in the face with a chemical substance, leaving them with chemical burns and a temporary loss of vision.

The incident happened at Blackfriars Station in London at around 6pm on May 17, 2024, The Mirror reported. Four men got off a train at Sevenoaks before running through the ticket barriers without paying.

While on duty, the railway worker confronted one of the men. The others initially ran off but later returned to the scene.

When they rejoined their friend, one of the men sprayed an unknown liquid from a Lucozade bottle directly into the worker’s face before the group fled.

The victim immediately felt a burning sensation in his eyes and then lost his vision. He was taken to hospital, where doctors confirmed he had suffered chemical burns to his face and eyes.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident, describing the assault as “horrific” and stating that the victim was simply carrying out his job.

Detective Constable Victoria Callaghan said: “We believe the man in the CCTV footage could assist our ongoing enquiries into this horrific attack on a man simply doing his job. We urge anyone who recognises him to come forward.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or recognises the man in the CCTV image is asked to text 61016, quoting reference 529 of 17 May 2025. Information can also be given by calling 0800405040 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

It will be a dry start to Monday with outbreaks of rain later in the day

It will be a dry start to Monday before becoming cloudier with rain in the afternoon, according to the latest forecast from the Met Office.

The forecaster says that Monday will begin with areas of low cloud and fog but it will remain dry in the morning with some sunshine in places, before becoming cloudy everywhere in the afternoon with outbreaks of rain, some heavy and freshening easterly winds.

The maximum temperature for Monday will be 9C.

Tuesday and Wednesday are set to be cloudy and windy with outbreaks of rain.

On Thursday, the rain will likely clear to sunshine before wintry showers move in later in the day.

Looking ahead to next weekend, predominantly cyclonic patterns are expected to dominate the UK.

The early part of this period could see colder conditions becoming established more widely for a time, bringing with it the likelihood of some snow, primarily to the north and northeast of the UK.

However, this should offer a few days’ respite from the wet weather across the south of England.

By the end of this period, the track of Atlantic depressions may shift a little further north than during the last few weeks. This will maintain broadly unsettled weather, with further spells of rain and perhaps strong winds at times.

Many parts may become somewhat milder, given more of a westerly influence, though there remains the chance that colder conditions could linger towards the northeast.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The 14-minute set included guest performances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, along with cameos from the likes of Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G and Jessica Alba, who could be seen dancing on the porch of his famous casita, a staple of his shows designed to look like a traditional Puerto Rican home.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government on Sunday released from prison several prominent opposition members, including one of the closest allies of Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, after lengthy politically motivated detentions.

Their releases come as the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces mounting pressure to free hundreds of people whose detentions months or years ago have been linked to their political activities. They also follow a visit to Venezuela of representatives of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president after the Jan. 3 capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. military. Her government began releasing prisoners days later.

Some of those freed Sunday joined families waiting outside prisons for their loved ones to be released. They chanted “We are not afraid! We are not afraid!” and marched a short distance.

“I am convinced that our country has completely changed,” Juan Pablo Guanipa, a Machado ally and former governor, told reporters hours after his release. “I am convinced that it is now up to all of us to focus on building a free and democratic country.”

Guanipa spent more than eight months in custody.

Venezuelan-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal confirmed the release of at least 30 people Sunday.

In addition to Guanipa, Machado’s political organization said several of its members were among the released, including María Oropeza, who livestreamed her arrest by military intelligence officers as they broke into her home with a crowbar. Machado’s attorney, Perkins Rocha, was also freed.

“Let’s go for the freedom of Venezuela!” Machado posted on X.

Guanipa was detained in late May and accused by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello of participating in an alleged “terrorist group” plotting to boycott that month’s legislative election. Guanipa’s brother Tomás rejected the accusation, and said the arrest was meant to crack down on dissent.

“Thinking differently cannot be criminalized in Venezuela, and today, Juan Pablo Guanipa is a prisoner of conscience of this regime,” Tomás Guanipa said after the arrest.

Rodríguez’s government announced Jan. 8 it would free a significant number of prisoners — a central demand of the country’s opposition and human rights organizations with backing from the United States — but families and rights watchdogs have criticized authorities for the slow pace of the releases.

The ruling party-controlled National Assembly this week began debating an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners. The opposition and nongovernmental organizations have reacted with cautious optimism as well as with suggestions and demands for more information on the contents of the proposal.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez on Friday posted a video on Instagram showing him outside a detention center in Caracas and saying that “everyone” would be released no later than next week, once the amnesty bill is approved.

Delcy Rodríguez and Volker Türk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, spoke by phone in late January. His spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, in a statement said he “offered our support to help Venezuela work on a roadmap for dialogue and reconciliation in which human rights should be at the centre” and then “deployed a team” to the South American country.

Machado remains in exile after leaving Venezuela in December. After she was briefly detained in January 2025, she had not been seen in public for 11 months when she appeared in Norway after the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Juan Pablo Guanipa on Sunday said Machado “exercises undeniable leadership” and is needed in Venezuela along with other exiled political leaders to move the country forward. He, Oropeza and others who were released within hours of each other visited detention centers in Caracas, where they called for the release of all prisoners detained for political reasons.

“It is a bittersweet happiness because I know that many are still imprisoned,” Oropeza said outside Helicoide, the notorious prison where she was held after her August 2024 detention. “And I want to tell you that one of the reasons we were unjustly imprisoned for more than a year in that place is the same reason we walked out today: To fight for the liberation of our beloved Venezuela and for the liberation of all political prisoners.

“Because there are no bars that can silence us.”

___

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.

Washing machine countdowns often feel like they take an eternity, with many people noticing cycles extend beyond the displayed time – but there’s a good reason for it.

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Waiting for the washing machine cycle to finish can be one of life’s most frustrating experiences – it frequently seems to go on forever. In principle, it should be fairly simple. When you begin a wash, your machine usually displays a countdown timer, informing you of the remaining time before you can take out the laundry and either hang it to dry or transfer it to the tumble dryer.

Yet many people will recognise the irritation of watching a timer that seems to crawl along interminably, and most would agree that washing machine countdowns are fundamentally misleading. When the display indicates one minute left in the cycle, it rarely means an actual minute.

A TikTok user previously posted a sketch on the platform about this common frustration – jokingly implying that when the timer shows one minute remaining, there’s still sufficient time to go for a stroll, enjoy a pint at the pub, and have a meal before returning home precisely as the cycle finishes.

The issue resonated with many viewers, with one person remarking: “Yes! I’ve stood there waiting, and it took another five minutes! I was so mad.”

Another concurred, writing: “Waiting for the click is like an eternity, it’s like, just tell me if you need extra time.” A third commented: “The biggest lie ever told.”

Nevertheless, there appears to be an explanation for why washing machine cycles take longer than expected, according to Vivien Fodor, the laundry category manager for Hotpoint UK. She revealed that the reason for these timing changes is that the machine is optimising its performance to operate more efficiently, which ultimately helps reduce your bills.

Vivien noted: “Many individuals depend on the timers of their washing machines and dryers to organise their daily tasks – and they are correct in doing so!”

“This is the reason why most contemporary appliances come equipped with displays that indicate how much time remains in your cycle.

“However, as the washing continues, the timer doesn’t always reflect the total time set at the start and, in the end, can differ by a few minutes.

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“Whilst the difference is not usually big, this can be frustrating. However, there is a perfectly good explanation for this – and it is actually helping you to save energy and money.”

She added, “Washing machines are designed to save resources wherever possible, be it water, energy, or laundry detergent.

“So, there are several checks that a washing machine will do during its cycle. These are usually automated and are there to tell the machine if it is taking more or less time than expected to fill, wash or spin.”

As a result, the machine will adjust the time to end at certain points of the cycle – sometimes sooner, sometimes later.

“The only difference is that people only notice when it’s the latter! As the parameters differ with some loads being heavier than others, such as bedding and towels, this automated function ensures your laundry is washed properly yet economically every time, regardless of the load type.”

TURNING Point’s halftime show closed out with a heartfelt message from its late founder, Charlie Kirk.

The conservative nonprofit’s country-focused set was framed as a rival to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.

Turning Point’s show was headlined by Kid Rock and featured Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.

The alternative halftime show closed out with Kid Rock, who performed a slow cover of slowed-down version of Cody Johnson’s ‘Til You Can’t.

The camera panned over to a montage of Kirk, who founded Turning Point in 2012 and led the nonprofit until he was killed during a debate at a college in Utah in September 2025.

“I want to honor God in all that I do. I want to be a great husband, a great father. I want to serve this country,” a voice-over of Kirk said set over a montage of his tenure at Turning Point.

On a dramatic night:

“I want to try to continue to lead this movement and to speak truth and to never lie, to stop thinking about yourself all of the time, and instead think about what you should do to help other people and defend this country above yourself.

“I am so inspired by this army of freedom fighters. We’re going to be around for the next 100, 200 years because we know in the end our ideas will win.”

The video also featured photos of Kirk with his wife, Erika, and their two children.

“God should be the most important thing in your life. But then beyond that, it’s getting married, having children, building families. My kids are the most important thing in my world. My wife, my kids, my relationship with God. Top three things,” Kirk said in the montage.

“And the more often that you choose the deep, the difficult, but the right path over the easy path is the one that will reward you, your family, and this beautiful nation.”

The two-minute long montage closed out with a tribute to Kirk: “In Loving Memory of our Founder and CEO, Charlie Kirk.”

It also included the Bible verse: “Here I am, Send Me.”

TPUSA’s halftime show aired when Bad Bunny took the stage at the Super Bowl for a distinctly Puerto-Rican inspired performance.

The musician brought stars out Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin as he performed his all-Spanish language setlist.

Bad Bunny performed several songs off of his Grammy-award winning album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

He closed out the show yelling “God bless America!” while surrounded by flags from countries all around the world.

On its improved cloud and fog guidance, it said: “This advancement will be vital for industries such as aviation, where precise weather information is critical to manage flight schedules, avoid delays, and ensure safe take offs and landings, especially in situations with low cloud bases, mist and fog.”

BAD BUNNY called on a clan of big shots from Hollywood and beyond to jazz up his fiery Super Bowl halftime show.

The Puerto Rican’s saucy performance was always going to cause a stir – but he made absolutely sure that tongues would be wagging by recruiting A-list help.

Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny for a breathtaking performance of ‘Die With a Smile’ in Santa Clara.

And there was also space on the bill for Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin.

But those who looked closer spotted a number of other high-profile celebs dancing in the ‘casita’ – or ‘little house’ – which was part of the on-field set.

One of them was Chilean-American acting star Pedro Pascal, seen looking suave dressed all in white with a pair of tinted glasses.

Pascal, 50, is perhaps best known for his role in Narcos, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe.

Jessica Alba was another big name in the mix.

The Californian, 44, enjoyed the peak of her acting career in the 2000s and has since made millions as a successful businesswoman.

She was joined on stage by Cardi B – the New York rapper of Dominican and Trinidadian heritage whose boyfriend, Stefon Diggs, plays for the New England Patriots.