popcorn

With Christmas cinemas popping up all over the country, The Mirror ventured out to try one that promised some of the most epic views in London – and it didn’t disappoint

I’ve watched Love Actually at least 1,000 times now, but this was a viewing with a difference. Never before have I watched it on the rooftop of a stunning hotel overlooking the imposing beauty of Battersea Power Station.

The iconic buildings lovingly brought back to life in October 2022 and is now a vibrant shopping and entertainment area with the existing architecture adapted to accommodate restaurants, stores and luxury flats.

At night, it is beautifully lit up with its historic chimneys serving as a focal point along the river. And it was that view that I was treated to when I arrived for the JOIA Rooftop Movie Pop-Up.

Situated in floor 14 of the art’otel Battersea Power Station, JOIA restaurant is the first London restaurant by award-winning two Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, and takes its inspiration from his travels on the Portuguese Iberian Peninsula.

On the floor above sits the rooftop with its famed swimming pool and breathtaking views of London’s Grade II listed Battersea Power Station. We enjoyed a three-course set menu in the restaurant first, with a delicious sharing starter of sourdough bread, beef pica pau and grilled leeks.

Main course was a choice between fillet of beef, wild Scottish turbot and roasted cauliflower. My friend and I shared the steak and fish, both were melt-in-the-mouth delicious.

Sides included patatas bravas and greens while dessert was a sharing portion of torrija – a moist, caramelised brioche with almonds, raspberries, all eaten while looking out across the London skyline.

Fortified by a couple of rose wines, it was up to the roof where we were prepared to freeze in the 0 degree temperatures. But we were in for a more than pleasant surprise. Each seat came with its own cosy blanket and faux fur hot water bottle. Hand warmers were provided alongside free popcorn. That, combined with the mulled wine, made for a toasty evening watching Love, Actually under the stars.

The rooftop cinema runs until December 21 with packages starting from £80pp for chairs or £90pp for a sofa to seat two. Different films will be shown including The Holiday, The Santa Clause, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Elf and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

For more information, visit https://www.joiabattersea.co.uk/whats-on/joia-rooftop-christmas-movies/

Ever dreamt of walking on a beach resembling popcorn? A European shore on the Canary Islands has a striking natural phenomenon that is well worth a visit for some winter sun

With temperatures plummeting in the UK, holidaymakers are turning their attention to European winter getaways to bask in a warmer climate, and there’s one fascinating place with a ‘popcorn beach’ that reaches a welcoming 24C in November.

The Canary Islands, known as the sunshine centre of Europe, have long been top of the list for Brits hunting for some sun, with beaches offering golden sand and crystal clear blue waters. But it’s not just the picture-perfect coastlines that entice tourists to the southern region of Spain.

Elsewhere on the islands, visitors can stumble upon beaches with shimmering or dark sand, due to the islands’ volcanic origin, or admire the sand dunes in Gran Canaria that resemble those in the Egyptian desert. With a fascinating collection of shores, there’s one that has caught attention, so much so that it’s been given its own nickname.

Popcorn Beach, officially called Playa del Bajo de la Burra, is one of the most striking beaches in the world. Found in Fuerteventura, the beach is fantastically composed of white, fossilised coral or calcareous algae that has been washed up on the shore, resembling puffed-up popcorn pieces.

The similarity to edible popcorn on the beach is so striking that in photos, it could easily be mistaken for the tasty cinema snack. Holidaymakers have flocked to the beach to marvel at the natural wonder, labelling it the “most bizarre in the world” and comparing it to the likes of the Caribbean.

One traveller shared a review of Popcorn Beach on TripAdvisor and said: “Great place to visit and just sit and relax. Nice wind and when the tide is out, plenty of rock pools to explore. Beware of the slippery lava rocks, very dangerous. When the tide is in, the white popcorn algae makes it look like the Caribbean!”

A second holidaymaker commented: “This a brilliant little beach near Corralejo Town, the bits of stoned algae that look like pop corn allow for brilliant photos. We visited with our toddler and filled in a nice half hour.”

“Unusual beach that truly looks like popcorn. Very nice views. Beach itself is a bit small,” a third shared. While another warned that you can’t swim in the sea, “Unfortunately, there is no direct water access on site, but the experience of Popcorn beach belongs on every adventure list on Fuerteventura.”

However, anyone planning to visit Popcorn Beach should be aware that there is a strict law against taking any of the coral home, no matter how tempting it might be as a souvenir. Unfortunately, it’s such a problem that the beach reportedly loses around 1,000kg of natural material per month.

Tourists have been urged to preserve the endangered ecosystems and refrain from removing any of their precious sand in the Canary Islands. Otherwise, visitors can face a fine of £128 (€150) to £512 (€600) for “minor” offences, or up to £2,563 (€3,000) for “major” breaches, depending on the amount pocketed, according to the Canarian Weekly.

Despite the strict laws, visitors are welcome to capture themselves among the popcorn-shaped coral in photos and stroll along the shore to admire its distinctive beauty. It’s well worth a visit to admire the natural phenomenon, and with temperatures in Fuerteventura reaching between 22 to 24C in November, it’s the ideal spot to bask in some sunshine.

Not only this, but the island is incredibly easy to reach with direct return flights from London Stansted to Fuerteventura, starting from as little as £36.99 with Ryanair.

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