The Know Daily - Thursday 29 January 2026

_{Read in 4m 12s ∙ Listening to Freya Skye ∙}

Is getting lost in a beautiful gallery your idea of a perfect afternoon? Same here. But we have a secret to share with you: the National Art Pass. Right now you can try a pass for three months for just £20. It offers free and half-price entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, plus 50% off major exhibitions as well as cheeky discounts in shops and cafés. Say no more!

✨ Thank you to Art Fund for opening up the world of art and keeping this newsletter free and accessible to all ✨

A man who inherited an empty field in France has decided to donate it to his local town, asking only that it be turned into a community orchard. Instead of selling the land, he’s creating a shared space where neighbours can grow fruit, spend time together and enjoy something that will last for generations. We dig it! 👩‍🌾

🍺 Supporting UK nightlife 

The UK government has stepped in with new support for pubs and music venues, helping to ease financial pressures and keep community spaces open.

A quick lowdown.
From April 2026, eligible pubs and qualifying live music venues in England and Wales will get 15% off their business rates, with bills being frozen in real terms – which means only increasing by inflation – for the following two years. In other words, it means bills won’t spiral while the sector adjusts to rising costs and offers a bit of breathing space for places that are at the heart of local communities.

But why now?
Rising business rates had been putting more and more pressure on pubs and small venues, on top of energy costs and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Basically, people just aren’t going out at night so much anymore. A recent survey by the Night Time Industries Association found 61% of 18-30 year-olds reported going out less in the last year. Campaigners and MPs had been calling for action, warning that some pubs could close without support. After some back-and-forth, the Treasury finally agreed to the relief – a nod to the lobbying from councils, industry groups and MPs who highlighted just how important these venues are for local culture and jobs.

Who will really benefit from it?
The scheme is focused on pubs and small live music venues, not every hospitality business. Officials estimate around three-quarters of pubs will see their bills either drop or stay the same, with an average saving of roughly £1,600 next year. Small music venues will also be included, which fans say is vital for supporting local bands, artists and communities.

What’s the reaction been like?
Lots of industry groups have welcomed the support, saying it will help ease the pressure from those higher bills and could help venues stay open and protect jobs. At the same time, some bosses described the relief as limited or “wholly inadequate,” arguing that it doesn’t address the wider hospitality sector’s challenges.

Why it matters.
For your everyday pub-goer or gig lover, this relief is about keeping doors open, protecting jobs and preserving spaces where communities gather. It’s not a complete overhaul of how business rates work, but it’s a practical step to make life a bit easier for venues struggling with rising costs.

The National Art Pass is your ticket to seeing more and saving more. But don’t just take our word for it. Until the end of January, you can try a pass for three months for just £20. So whether you have had your eye on that Marie Antoinette exhibition, or are craving a Sunday playing Lizzie Bennet in a historic house, with the three-month trial, you’ll get the chance to explore more for less. T&Cs apply.*

⛪️ The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, says she wants to be open about tackling misogyny as part of how she leads the Church. 

• The bigger story: As the first woman to become the Archbishop, Mullally says she wants to focus on making the Church more open and representative of local communities by speaking out on barriers women face. She’s been clear that talking honestly about these issues isn’t about causing division, but instead helps the Church grow and improve to set an example.

🌳 A sapling from the famous felled Sycamore Gap tree has been planted on the outskirts of Milton Keynes as "a symbol of renewal”.

🏝️ The Dutch government has been urged to do more to help communities on this Caribbean island adapt to the climate.

🔔 Have notifications from Facebook and Instagram been pinging up on your phone asking if you want to pay £3.99 a month? This is what it’s all about.

💸 A successful petition launched by PensionBee calling for a 10-day maximum time limit for pension transfers has received a response from the UK government, putting us one step closer to improving the pension transfer process. 

🐒 Spider monkeys share insider knowledge with each other to help locate the best food, researchers have found.

📺 A bakery in the Highlands has created the largest-ever Empire biscuit – surely this is what sweet treat dreams are made of?

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Trivia answer: C) With the release of his new album Britpop, Robbie Williams has earned 16 number one albums, pushing him ahead of The Beatles.

*National Art Pass T&Cs: The offer is a three-month trial of Art Fund membership for one person entitling the holder to all National Art Pass discounts as listed on the Art Fund’s website and Art In Your Inbox email subscription. Subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and Art Map publication are not included. The trial National Art Pass is available to purchase for £20 until 11:59pm 31 January 2026. Please note that this offer is available to first-time members only. If you’ve previously had a trial membership or annual National Art Pass, this offer isn’t available to you. The trial National Art Pass will be valid for three calendar months from date of payment. The expiry date will be rounded up to the end of the month of expiry. Offer cannot be used to change or renew existing memberships. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or on gift memberships. 18+, T&Cs apply. Please find the full Terms and Conditions here.

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