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YOU’ll soon be able to enjoy a tipple in one of the capital’s grandest landmarks that was once home to Winston Churchill and is thought to have sparked the creation of 007.

Admiralty Arch will soon be home to a huge new bar called The Admiral’s Mess.

And what makes it even more exciting is that it will be an ‘immersive’ bar.

While few details have been revealed, the bar is from the team behind Mr Fogg’s and Bunga90, which are both known for their fun interiors and entertainment including arcade games.

The bar will open at The Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch hotel, which is set to launch in autumn of this year.

It will be the first hotel inside the Grade I-listed Arch.

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The Admiral’s Mess will span 223sqm and have a 60-seat capacity.

All that has been revealed about the bar so far is that guests will be able to “discover something distinctive and unexpected”, according to the Inception Group (the team behind the new bar).

If other Inception Group venues are anything to go by, visitors can expect a bar that is more than a place for drinks.

For example, Inception Group has Cahoots in Soho which is themed around the London Underground.

At Bunga90, another of the company’s destinations, guests travel back to the 1990s through a fridge, where they can play on old arcade games, sing karaoke and order cocktails in cups that are the heads of famous 90s stars including Britney.

Meanwhile, inside The Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch hotel, there will be restaurant Coreus by Michelin-star chef Clare Smyth.

And another Michelin-star chef, Daniel Boulud, will open Cafe Boulud.

Of course, there will be an expansive rooftop terrace as well, with views across the capital.

As for bars, there will be the signature hotel cocktail bar as well as Whisky & Seaweed by Clare Smyth.

As for the bedrooms, each will honour the heritage of the building with sleek interiors.

Guests will also be able to head to the Waldorf Astoria Spa with a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool.

And it wouldn’t be a lavish London hotel without a ballroom, which guests will be able to reach via a Grade I-listed oval staircase.

The ballroom will feature a huge chandelier and enough room for 500 guests.

Admiralty Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII as a memorial to his mother, Queen Victoria and was completed back in 1912.

It has previously been used as offices and residences for the British Royal Navy and at one point, Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten had offices or lived within the building.

The building is also said to have inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond stories.

The UK government left the offices in the building back in 2011 and since then it has been left empty.

Works for the hotel then started at the site back in 2014.

I THINK it’s fair to say it seems like summer is on the way out and autumn is on the way in.

But there is no need to stress as one UK county ideal for staycations is home to an abundance of spots that are great even in the rain.

Having grown up in Devon, I know the county really well and yes, while there are a load of sandy beaches and picturesque coastal walks, there are also loads of towns and attractions that make the ideal day when the weather isn’t great.

So with autumn looming and the return of threatening dark skies, here are my top towns in Devon that are perfect for exploring in the rain:

Totnes

One spot you need to explore in Devon is Totnes – often dubbed the hippie capital of the UK.

Once upon a time it even used to have its own pound note.

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You won’t see any big branded chains here and that’s the best thing – instead the high street is full of independent boutiques with locally crafted gifts, antique and vintage shops, treasure trove charity shops and cosy coffee spots.

Yes – to get to each you’ll need to walk outside, but even in the wind and the rain the high street remains sheltered.

At the top of the town make sure to dive into Hairy Barista and grab a cuppa and something to eat – everything here is handmade and delicious.

If the rain isn’t giving up, then head to Totnes Museum to discover local history – it costs just £2.50 per person.

Or cosy up in Totnes Cinema, which is less commercial and more intimate than your local Vue with classic films, exposed brick walls and vintage seating.

If the weather isn’t too bad and you happen to be in the town on a Friday or Saturday, make sure to head to the market where you will find an abundance of antique gems and tasty food stalls.

Exeter

While technically not a town, the city of Exeter is a great spot for exploring in poor weather.

Right by Exeter Central Train Station, you can head to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) for free.

Inside, you’ll find extensive displays of exotic animals including birds and insects as well as artefacts dating back 2,000 years.

For more historical exploration, visit Exeter Cathedral.

This impressive Gothic Cathedral dates back to 1050 AD and has the longest uninterrupted stone-vaulted ceiling in the world.

Having visited several times, I can easily say it is one of the most impressive buildings I’ve seen – even compared to more famous churches in Europe.

Tickets to the Cathedral cost £12.50 per adult and is free for those under 18-years-old visiting with family (you can also get half price entry on Sundays throughout September).

If you prefer to shop, head off the high street to Princess Hay Shopping Centre, which is conveniently covered.

Here you’ll find brand names including Apple, Superdry, Oliver Bonas, Hollister and HMV.

If you want something a little more active, head just outside the city to Exeter Quay where you will find The Quay Climbing Centre for indoor climbing and bouldering.

Dartmouth

Despite being a coastal town, there is still loads to do in Dartmouth when the weather turns bad.

The best activity is heading on the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

The journey heads between Paignton and Kingswear, where you’ll then hop off onto a ferry across to Dartmouth and you can either go one way or go on a return trip.

You could even do the Round Robin experience which begins by hopping on a bus from Paignton to Totnes, where you’ll then get on a 90-minute cruise to Dartmouth, then grab the ferry to Kingswear, where you will then board the steam train back to Paignton.

Ticket prices vary depending on the experience you choose.

When in Kingswear, make sure to visit Greenway Mansion – Agatha Christie’s holiday home.

Managed by the National Trust, the Georgian House has 1950s interiors with first editions of Christie’s novels as well as objects that inspired some of her stories – tickets cost from £18 per adult and £9 per child.

And in Dartmouth itself, there are plenty of cosy cafes and shops to explore, as well as the town’s museum.

Bovey Tracey

Not too far from Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Tracey is a small yet pretty town.

It acts as the gateway to the House of Marbles – a unique attraction where you can explore glass-blowing studios, interactive marble runs and historic games.

There are even giant marble runs that head along the walls – including Snooki 2000, which is one of the largest marble runs in the UK.

Visitors can press different buttons to get marbles to travel along the runs.

The attraction also has a heap of antique games and toys, as well as vintage fairground attractions to try out like distorted mirrors.

What makes the attraction even better is that it is completely free to visit.