Staying In

Watch Secret Service

As geopolitical tensions ramp up, so do the political thrillers on our television channels. Think The Capture, Hostage, Zero Day, The Diplomat… But Secret Service, a new drama kicking off this evening (not to be confused with Gordon Ramsay’s new reality series), is based on a 2019 novel penned by ITV’s longstanding news anchor Tom Bradby. Indeed, it delves into tensions that feel both timely and longstanding: surveillance, spies, Russian moles, and the instability of the British government. We centre on Kate Henderson (Gemma Arterton), a spook in charge of the Russia desk at MI6, who uncovers some explosive intel: a senior British politician is about to resign, and the Russians have an asset in pole position, ready to step up and take his place. When Kate takes the intel to her boss, he is cautious – but then everything falls into place. The Prime Minister calls a press conference to announce he has cancer and will be stepping down, naming two candidates in line to replace him: Foreign Secretary Ryan Walker and Home Secretary Imogen Conrad. But who is the mole? Tonight at 9pm on ITV1. All episodes are streaming now on ITVX.

Going Out

Have Cocktails At The Berkeley

We always get excited about the return of The Berkeley’s rooftop, which opens up to the public for a few months each summer. It’s back on Friday – but this year we’ll also be stopping by the chic hotel to visit its ground-level bar and terrace, which has launched a new cocktail offering designed to celebrate its prestigious Knightsbridge postcode. The SW1 Sips menu features concoctions like the Anya Sgroppino, inspired by British designer Anya Hindmarch whose flagship Village is located just down the road (served with a leather coaster featuring Hindmarch’s signature googly eyes motif). There’s also The Belgravia Rose: an ode to Belgrave Square Garden featuring a real rose encased in ice and flavours of violet, elderflower and pea, as well as Barracks Brew, which nods to Belgravia’s historic pub The Grenadier with a chocolate coin garnish (the institution’s ceiling is covered in bank notes to pay the ghost of this notoriously haunted watering hole). Enjoy alongside lobster pizza topped with lashings of shaved truffle – all while soaking up views of St Paul’s Church and Wilton Place. maybourne.com

Property Of The Day

An NYC home with Central Park views is a pretty good offering on its own – but boasting superstar David Bowie and his wife, the model and actress Iman, as its former owners launches this Art Deco apartment into an entirely new stratosphere. 

On the market for $4.95m, cristinahungria.com

Little Luxury

Earth Day was last week, but you can still get involved through Dr Sebagh’s Box-Free Beauty initiative. The campaign – a commitment to reducing unnecessary packaging – launched in 2020 but the brand is offering a 20 percent discount as an ode to Earth Day. Skip outer cartons and make savings on hero products like the Exo C Booster (from £12) and the Rose de Vie Serum (from £26). Find the whole range at drsebagh.com

Competition Time

Step into a world of heritage, horsemanship and high society with an exclusive opportunity to attend the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show, held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. This remarkable competition offers four Thursday Day Members’ Badges (worth £720) for 14 May 2026, granting unparalleled access to one of Britain’s most celebrated sporting occasions. Enter here.

Psssst…

Hästens’ Grand Vividus, AKA the world’s most expensive bed (estimated at $660,000), has been upgraded – with a little help from designer Ferris Rafauli. The signature leather base remains the same, but the mattress has been levelled up to make it heavier and more comfortable. Plus, the Vividus universe has expanded with a new range of ultra-luxe Rafauli-designed nightstands.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Rely on passwords for cyber safety, according to new guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The organisation said it was ‘overhauling decades of practice’ by advising the public to adopt passkeys rather than passwords, which have become too vulnerable to hackers. Passkeys, on the other hand, cannot be stolen from servers and are therefore being deemed safer for users.