Amy Houghton

Things are getting more and more expensive here in Europe, and many of our reliably ‘cheap’ cities aren’t so cheap anymore. The hotspots in Greece, Spain, Italy and more that are plagued with overtourism are seeing hiked prices to match, and starting to look startingly similar across the board. But don’t fear: if budgets are tight this year, there’s still plenty of spots that won’t break the bank.  The best part? On the most part, this list of budget-friendly destinations tend to come hand in hand with other wins – we mean less tourists, less crowds, and the flights there are likely to be much cheaper too. Of course, it goes without saying that a ‘cheap city’ is highly subjective, depending on a whole load of factors: which city you’ve travelled in from, what time of year you’re visiting, how bougie your tastes are and all the rest of it. But the spots you’ll find below are lively, culture-packed, and generally incredibly good value for money. Read on for the cheapest (and best) cities to visit in Europe in 2026.  RECOMMENDED:🌃 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe📍 The most beautiful places in Europe At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Every week, a frankly silly amount of brilliant new restaurants, cafés and street food joints arrive in London. Which makes whittling down a shortlist of the best newbies a serious challenge. But here it is. The 20 very best new restaurants in the capital, ranked in order of greatness and deliciousness. All of them have opened over the past 12 months and been visited by our hungry critics. So go forth and take inspo from this list, which is updated regularly. Check in often to find out what we really rate on the London restaurant scene. And look here for all the info about the best new openings in January 2026. London's best new restaurants at a glance: 🍛 Central: Adoh!, Covent Garden 🍠 North: Ling Ling’s, Islington 🥟 South: Doma, Sydenham 🍝 East: Legado, Shoreditch 🥗 West: Martino’s, Chelsea January 2026: New additions include slinky Italian joint Martino's in Chelsea, cosy Chinese cuisine at Ling Ling's at Godet in Islington, Hunanese heat at Fiery Flavors in Surrey Quays, Sri Lankan fast food at Adoh! in Covent Garden, Caribbean classics with a twist at 2210 by NattyCanCook in Herne Hill, perfect pasta at Casa Felicia in Queen's Park, spicy southern Thai at the new branch of Plaza Khao Gaeng by Borough Market, and soup noodles at Khao So-i in Fitzrovia. Hungry yet? Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in London. The hottest new openings, the tasties

Thank god for Burns Night. As the long, bleak month of January rolls on, this kilt-raising, haggis-scoffing, whisky-fuelled celebration of Scotland’s national poet Rabbie Burns is a chance to banish the winter blues and have a rip-roaring time. The Bard turns 267 this year, but you don’t have to be in the big guy’s motherland to join in the festivities. An estimated 200,000 Scottish expats live in the capital, which technically makes it the third most populous Scottish city, so you can guarantee there’s plenty of feasting, boozing and partying to be done down here too.  When is Burns Night in London? Burns Night always falls on January 25, the day Robert Burns was born in South Ayrshire way back in 1759. This year’s celebration falls on a Sunday.  Whether you want to get sweaty at a ceilidh, pipe in a haggis, or have a classy time at a whisky tasting or indulgent Burns supper, this is how you can enjoy Burns Night 2026 in London.  RECOMMENDED: Here are London's best spots for a delicious Burns Night supper.

December 2025 update: There's new songs being added to karaoke machines on a regular basis, so we see it as our duty to keep this list bang up to date. Our latest additions include a K-Pop Demon Hunters anthem, as well as an addicitve tune courtesy of Benson Boone. Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or you’re totally tone deaf, karaoke unites us all. But heed our warning: choosing the right song is crucial (aka, don’t opt for that Whitney Houston tune if you haven’t the range. And if you don't quite have the skill, steer clear of rapping.) So we thought we’d help out a little bit. In our list of the best karaoke songs ever, we’ve got everyone from Adele to Toto, and from Frank Sinatra to Ricky Martin. There's even recent singalongs from Sabrina Carpenter, Huntr/x and Chappell Roan. Something for everyone. So down that shot, grab that mic and take to the stage. Your audience awaits you. Here are the best karaoke songs ever.  RECOMMENDED:❤️ The best love songs🎶 The 40 best songs of 2025🎉 The best party songs🕺 The 25 best albums of 2025  

Even after a couple of vintage years for new music, 2025 has been special. Sure, we didn’t get a clear-cut ‘song of the summer’, but artists have been instead putting out defining works in a longer format. The past 12 (well, 11) months have featured all manner of extraordinary album releases.  Belted-to-the-rafters country pop, plunderphonic majesty, ecstatic dance music, intimate electronic world-building, history-collapsing art rock, triumphant hip-hop… these are just a few of the sounds and styles that have been executed marvellously in 2025. Here are the year’s finest 25 albums, chosen by Time Out editors and contributors.

It’s easy to leave planning New Year’s Eve to the very last minute – often you get so tangled up in the tinsel-decked glories of Christmas that you forget there's another big bash, just a week later. But New Year's Eve is the kind of night that you forget at your peril. Attempt to wing it and you might well end up stuck at home with a glass of flat prosecco in front of Jools Holland’s Hootenanny, because all London's best clubs and parties book out weeks or months in advance.  But fear not, we're here to make sure you give 2025 a seriously good send-off. Here's our list of London best NYE bashes for ringing in 2026, from never-ending club nights to LGBTQ+- friendly celebrations. Assemble your crew, book your tickets, plan the perfect ‘fit and prepare to say a big fat goodbye to the year gone by. London’s best NYE parties at a glance 🎆 Best for views of the fireworks: New Year’s Eve at Sky Garden 🦖 Best for a one-of-a-kind party: NYE at the Natural History Museum 🍴 Best for midnight snacks: New Year's Eve at Aram, Somerset House  🏳️‍🌈  Best for LGBTQ+: Horse Meat Disco at Village Underground 🌟 Best for glitz and glamour: New Year's Eve at W London RECOMMENDED: Find things to do in London on New Year’s Day.

Let’s be honest, with all the pressure that gets put on New Year’s Eve, often it ends up as a disappointment. You’re lying if you say you haven’t spent at least one countdown with your head over a toilet after getting too razzed before midnight, or the night is spent jostling with what feels like everyone in London to get into an average club night. This year, spare yourself the pain and save the hardest partying for New Year’s Day instead.  New Year’s Day raves have taken off over the last few years. They tend to last longer than the events of the night before and there aren’t the same enormous NYE crowds to battle with. Of course, celebrations on Jan 1 needn’t be instead of NYE revelries – soldier through your hangover and combine the two to create one big 48-hour blowout.  The capital’s venues are ready to welcome you with open arms for the first rager of 2026, with all manner of day and night parties to check out. Because who says the fun needs to stop as soon as the countdown’s over? Here are London’s best New Year’s Day parties.   RECOMMENDED: Find New Year’s Eve parties in London.

The final stretch of 2025 is upon us, and London is looking mighty festive in the run-up to Christmas. The skies are be sparkling with Christmas lights, the capital’s venues are filling up with Christmas pantos and carol services, and the streets are lined with colourful Christmas markets and twinkling trees. But December isn’t just about Christmas, and there’s plenty more brilliant things to do besides all the festive stuff. Notably, the acclaimed Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo is making its UK debut, it’s the first full month of the Design Museum’s hotly-anticipated Wes Anderson exhibition and the last full month of the bonkers jukebox musical Titanique. Plus, there are the ice-skating rinks, the winter pop-ups and the chilly winter walks followed by cosy pub hangouts. And that’s before we even get on to New Year’s Eve!  Here’s our guide to the finest events, parties, cultural happenings and things to do in London over December 2025.  London’s best things to do in December at a glance: 🧀 Best for foodies: Future of Food, Science Museum 🎭 Best for thespians: Ballet Shoes, National Theatre 🎬 Best for cinephiles: Backyard Cinema, Bermondsey 🎨 Best for aesthetes: Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, Design Museum 🧛 Best for night owls: Christmas lights, citywide 📚 Best for families: Winter Funland, Kensington RECOMMENDED: Time Out’s definitive London events calendar.

Boxing Day might not get all the glory of Christmas Day, but if you ask us, in many ways, it’s far superior. It has all the magic of the big day, but without the stress of cooking and the pressure of keeping the whole family happy. But one of the best bits? While everything shuts down on Christmas Day, things start to tentatively open up on Boxing Day, meaning you can get up from your Quality Street-induced stupour on the sofa and get out and about on December 26.  The day after Christmas, London is mostly free of its usual crowds (except for shopping districts like Oxford Street packed with bargain hunters). That means that, should you leave your house, large parts of the capital city are yours for the taking. There are the parks and riverside paths for frosty winter walks or the Christmas lights to admire while you brave the Boxing Day sales. The city’s pop-up ice skating rinks are normally open, pantomime season is still in full swing, and there are even a few parties lined up. Here are some great ideas for how to spend your day off. RECOMMENDED: Find more festive fun with our full guide to Christmas in London.

We’ve officially entered party season, aka the time of the year when it’s socially acceptable to go out for a big one any day of the week. It’s nearly Christmas, after all! From office festive parties to Crimbo plans with your pals to final Mad Friday blowouts, there are a ton of reasons to be hitting the town in the run-up to Christmas Day. Our guide to London’s greatest Christmas-themed parties for 2025 has full-blown raves, Yuletide cabarets and plenty of events full of cheesy festive classics. And in the season’s spirit of generosity, a large helping of them are free entry. You can’t say ‘bah, humbug’ to that. All you’ve got to do now is decide where you’re going and plan the perfect party ‘fit. RECOMMENDED: See our full festive guide to Christmas in London.

Urgently in need of some cool pressie inspo for your nearest and dearest? Don’t worry about it! Our London gift guide is here, and it features loads of lovely pressies to suit just about any Londoner you can imagine.  From nifty gadgets to stylish accessories, covetable homeware to kids’ gifts, our editors have got every base covered, including plenty of sustainable options and handmade bits from some of London’s coolest indie brands and makers.  Need even more present inspiration? Check out our roundup of London’s best Christmas hampers for 2025. Time Out’s 2025 Christmas Gift Guide at a glance 🏰 Best for tech nerds: Nothing headphones 💷 Best for foodies: Allday Goods knife 🔬 Best for style queens: Peachy Den scarf and mitten set 🎡 Best for cool blokes: Percival martini cap 🎨 Best for youngsters: Ty Beanie Bouncers RECOMMENDED: More Christmas fun in London. 

It’s been another stellar year for music in 2025, packed full of belters, breakouts and hook-laden earworms.  Lorde returned to her angsty roots, Pulp dropped their first album since, and Bad Bunny reigned supreme on the streamers. We were blessed with new music from pop heavyweights Lady Gaga, Lily Allen and Robyn. In a plot twist, Rosalía dropped a classical album packed with religious references, and Turnstile made hardcore mainstream. Breakout stars CMAT, Addison Rae and Jim Legxacy proved that they are here to stay. Here Time Out editors and contributors have hand-picked the tracks they’ve had on repeat this year. These are the 40 best songs of 2025.  RECOMMENDED: The 25 best albums of 2025. 

Homely isn’t quite the word that comes to mind when you pull back the heavy velvet curtain separating Casa Felicia from the dozy Queen’s Park street outside. Chic, for sure. Elegant, certainly. A parade of two-cover tables are packed close together in the main whitewashed dining room, and over in a far corner, there’s a booth for larger groups which is painted entirely in an intense sultry red. But the deeper into the evening we go, the more we’re taken in by this place’s unexpected down-to-earth charm.   Fettuccine porcini and paccheri with mussels and squid are simple but impeccable Casa Felicia is helmed by chef Francesco Sarvonio, formerly of Manteca and currently of Elephant. The menu switches up daily, but always promises southern Italian ‘soul food’. A pleasing heap of puntarelle salad embellished with pear and hazelnuts, and a faultless seabass crudo speckled with crispy red pepper starts us off. We’re then presented with the most intriguing take on parmigiana I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t come in the traditional form of layered aubergine coins, but as the whole vegetable roasted, skinned and fried in a tempura batter, then cocooned in cheese fondue with a pool of marinara on the side. It’s fantastic – the batter lightly encases the vegetable like a chiffon blanket and the aubergine manages to be both firm and completely melt-in-the-mouth.   Don’t get carried away with the antipasti, as the bowls of pasta (handmade with just semolina and water, no egg) are truly generou

Adoh! (Sri-Lankan for ‘oi!’) is loud.  Sat on Maiden Lane in frenetic, tourist-packed Covent Garden, this Sri Lankan spot from Kolamba duo Eroshan and Aushi Meewella fits right in. While Kolamba and its sister restaurant on Liverpool Street are sleek, sophisticated haunts, this is a maximalist whirlwind. Chopped roti gets more heavenly with each chewy bite Adoh’s goal is to emulate the rapid, chaotic energy of Colombo and its street food culture. The decor is raucous – the tables a striking shade of red and the walls busy with storybook murals depicting hand-painted trucks of South Asia. As for service, it’s full speed ahead. You can very easily be in and out within an hour, and fully satisfied. In the throbbing heart of the theatreland that’s no bad thing.  The menu features a blend of authentic bits (isoo vadai, mutton rolls or roti and curry) and some milder hybrid dishes (fried chicken and curry leaf waffles are best suited to less adventurous members of your party). Shiny squares of prawn toast dolloped with tamarind sauce start us off, swiftly followed by a supple dosa spread with smoky masala, alongside a rather dry coconut roti with eye-wateringly hot lunu miris chilli paste.  The must-order main (which at £17 is the priciest item on the menu) is crab kothu, a late-night classic in Sri Lanka. The bronze mountain of chopped roti, egg and stir fried crab meat (mutton, chicken or jackfruit kothu are available too) isn’t particularly pretty, but drenched in curry sauce (p

In 1978, Zofia Rydet decided that was going to photograph the inside of every Polish household. Aged 67, she began knocking on doors and asking occupants if they’d be willing to partake in her project. She continued to knock on doors for the next three decades, collecting everyday stories and creating ‘one of the most important achievements in 20th century Polish photography’. More than 100 of Rydet’s prints will be on display at the Photographers’ Gallery alongside books and personal letters offering extra insight into her sociological mission.

The UK’s first major retrospective of acclaimed Ukrainian artist Boris Mikhailov is coming to the Photographers’ Gallery. A ‘kind of proto-punk’, Mikhailov has been capturing and commenting on life in Ukraine since the 1960s – from the everyday consequences of the collapse of the Soviet Union to the realities of people living on the edges of society – through photography, conceptual work, painting and performance art. Ukrainian Diary brings much of that work together to illustrate the tumultuous social and political changes that have shaken Eastern Europe over the past fifty years.

One hundred years ago, a strange curtained box appeared on Broadway in New York City. If you went inside and slotted in 25 cents, you’d emerge with eight sepia tinged photos of yourself in a matter of minutes. It was the Photomaton – the world’s first fully automated photobooth. Fast forward to the 21st century and photobooths are in bars, train stations, cinemas, record shops and on streets all over the world. The Photographer’s Gallery is marking a century of the machines with Click!, an archival exhibition exploring their imperfections, their quirks and their most famous fans. Naturally, there’ll be a working photobooth for visitors to take their own snap.

When a place rates itself as assuredly (in huge bold letters, no less) as Good Hotel does, it’s natural to feel a little sus. But it’s true: Good Hotel really does make you feel good. Service is cheery and laid-back without being overly casual, the food leaves nothing to complain about and – maybe it’s the luxurious silence of the area or perhaps the proximity to gently lapping water – I visited in 2024, and I don’t know if I’ve ever had a better night’s sleep in the city. Aside from all that, guests can walk out of Good Hotel feeling extra gratified by virtue of its ‘do good’ DNA. Why stay at Good Hotel? As you walk along Royal Victoria Docks, this huge black shipping container is impossible to miss. Originally built as a Danish prison, this floating hotel docked in London in 2016 after sailing across from Amsterdam. Its founder, Marten Dresden, had come up with the Good Hotel concept four years prior while travelling in Guatemala. Now, each night you spend there pays for a week of school for a child in South America, with profits also going towards hospitality training for long-term unemployed locals (lots of whom become Good Hotel employees).  The hotel also hosts regular community workshops and events that guests can attend. There are comedy nights, yoga classes, salsa classes, kids art clubs and, if you’re in the mood to be extra good, litter-picking around the local area. What are the rooms like at Good Hotel? Throughout the hotel, the interiors are slick, earthy-toned

One of the more recent additions to Wimbledon Village, Good Fortune Club is bright and buzzy with a sprawling menu of Cantonese dishes, the best known of which is its handmade dim sum. Stop by with a large, hungry posse to pack your table with bamboo steamers and sample har gau (shrimp-filled dumplings,) xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings), cuttlefish cake and more.

Of its four south-west London outposts, DropShot’s Leopold Road location serves up hefty brunches on the daily. The portions here are breathtakingly generous, and the tennis-themed menu goes well beyond the standard eggs benny or avocado on toast; think mozzarella and chilli jam-filled potato pancakes andbig fat slices of French toast laden with monterey jack cheese and fresh pesto, or loaded with tiramisu cream and berries. The coffee is fantastic, too.

Crack Comedy Club brings pre-party laughs to Tunnel 267 – Wimbledon’s only nightclub – every Saturday night from 8pm to 10pm. For standup sets from four or five comics, tickets are £25 for general admission on the door or £21.50 if you book online in advance. You can also buy tickets that include dinner from a local restaurant beforehand, and if you stick around afterwards you’ll get free entry to Tunnel’s clubnight. Three in one. 

There's a real sense of fun to this deliberately rough-around-the-edges course. Party tunes blare from speakers, graffiti jazzes up the walls and it's made from ‘twisted junk, car booty and charity shop shizzle’. Junkyard Golf Club has four courses – Gary, Pablo, Dirk and Bozo – that are all fabulously chaotic and mildly freaky. Depending on which challenge you take on, you’ll be putting past pirate pigs, dishevelled nightclub urinals, terrifying giant clown heads and a UV rave room. There's also a second location in Camden for more of the same.  Prices start at £12 for nine holes at off-peak times (Sunday to Thursday) and go up to £21 for 18 holes on busier days (Fridays and Saturdays). And as any good crazy golf should, Junkyard has a menu of themed cocktails to keep lubed up before, during and after your game. 

This quirky, tiki-themed minigolf course first popped up in Dalston's Efes in April 2015. A decade later, that debut site is no more, but you can now find Plonks outdoors in London Fields and under the arches at Borough Market. The Hackney course, which recently got a big ol’ refurb, takes you through a ‘Polynesian themed putt paradise’ complete with a tiki forest, a volcano canyon and octupuses. There are plenty of satisfying holes that fire your ball onto tricksy little mechanisms, a loop the loop, and a lot of impossibly steep ramps. All in all: it’s a great place for a plonking party. Prices start from £9.35 per person per play. 

What is it?  Technically several adjoining markets, this sprawl of stalls stretching from Camden Town tube to the Regent’s Canal is London’s fourth most popular visitor attraction. In its recent heyday, around 250,000 people came here every week to shop, sample street food and soak up the distinctive, still-grungy atmosphere. Camden Lock Market is an arts-and-crafts haven while the Stables Market is a trendy spot for everything from quirky furniture to fetish clothing. Nearby Buck Street Market on Camden High Street has had a shipping container revamp. As you saunter through the different markets, don’t be surprised to see grungy teenagers and old punks on the street corners. Camden feels more mainstream than it did in the ‘90s, but it’s still one of London’s most rock ‘n’ roll neighbourhoods. Why go?  To get lost in a one-of-a-kind maze of art, garms, antiques, accessories, books and endless street food.  Don’t miss The Cheese Bar – London’s only fully fromage focused restaurant – for all manner of gooey, cheese-based delights in a classy, low lit space in Stables Market.  Ticket info  No tickets needed.  When to visit  Camden Markets are open everyday of the week from 10am until late.  Time Out tip If you find the lunch queues and options a bit too much in the main Camden Lock Market, cross the road to Buck Street Market where you’ll find food that is just as great and are more likely to find a free spot to sit.  RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

Last year, Claire’s Accessories and The Original Factory Shop both came painfully close to disappearing from UK high streets for good. Luckily, investment firm Modella Capital (which also runs WHSmith and Hobbycraft) swooped in to save the day – it acquired the Original Factory Shop at the start of 2025 and took over Claire’s back in September.  But less than a year later, Modella’s efforts to give the retailers a new lease of life have led to both chains going into administration. Now the remaining 150 Claire’s stores could also disappear from our high streets, and 140 Original Factory Shop outlets could say goodbye. Here’s everything we know.  Why are Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop going into administration?  Modella said that both chain’s were already ‘highly vulnerable’ when it took them over, and put its decision down to a combination of ‘very weak consumer confidence, highly adverse government fiscal policies and continued cost inflation’.  It added: ‘This has been a very tough decision. We have worked intensively in an effort to save both businesses, having made last-ditch attempts to rescue them, but neither has a realistic possibility of trading profitably again.’ Photograph: Shutterstock What will happen to Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop? Right now, administrators will be looking for new buyers to rescue the brands – but if a buyer isn’t found, both are likely to be liquidated with all branches closing down. Between the two business, there are m

The UK is home to several iconic LGBTQ+ districts – areas that have been officially recognised for their significance to Britain’s queer community.There’s the UK’s unofficial gay capital of Kemptown in Brighton, which has been home to queer-friendly venues since the 1920s. Canal Street in Manchester has been an LGBTQ+ safe haven since the ’50s and Birmingham’s Southside is where the country’s first LGBT Community Centre was established. Now, Nottingham is getting it’s own officially recognised gay village.  Hockley, which is part of the city centre’s creative quarter and already well-known for its queer venues, is set to be transformed into the city’s LGBTQ+ district (aka ‘Rainbow Quarter’) later this year. The district will cover three streets: Broad Street, Carlton Street and Heathcote Street.  RECOMMENDED: 🏳️‍🌈 The best LGBTQ+ venues in the UK – chosen by queer icons. It’ll be designed in a similar way to the well-established gay villages in Manchester and Birmingham, with help from Carl Austin-Behan, Manchester’s first gay mayor and a key player in the creation of its own Rainbow Quarter.  The idea of making Hockley a designated LGBTQ+ area was first mooted 10 years ago. Its significance to the city’s LGBTQ+ community dates back to the ’90s when The Health Shop, a centre offering sexual health advise to gay men, opened. Next door to that is the GAi Project, a gay and bisexual men's HIV prevention initiative launched by actor Sir Ian McKellen in 1994. In 1997, Nottingha

Have you heard? Virgin is firmly on track to be the first train operator to challenge Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly on the Channel Tunnel. Back on October, the Office for Rail and Road gave Virgin the green light to use the Temple Mills depot. As the only depot that can be accessed from HS1, permission to use it is crucial for any operator wanting to run trains to Europe.  Now, Virgin is working towards making its services from London to Europe a reality by 2030. And to do that, it needs trains.  The company has signed an exclusive agreement with train manufacturer Alstom to purchase 12 vehicles for its cross-Channel fleet, each one with seven carriages. The model it has chosen is the Avelia Stream, which is apparently ‘state-of-the-art’ and builds upon the design of the Class 390 Pendolino trains that were used by Virgin Trains when it operated on the West Coast Main Line. We don’t know exactly what the trains will look like just yet. All we have is a render (below) that Virgin shared when its use of the Temple Mill depot was approved, which shows the train decked out in Virgin’s famous red and white colours. Virgin has promised that the new trains will boast ‘improved speed, passenger comfort and energy consumption’. On its website, Alstom says that the Avelia Streams can travel up to 320km/h.  Image: Virgin Trains Andrew DeLeone, Alstom Europe Region President said: ‘Virgin and Alstom have a history of driving innovation and change in the rail industry, and delivering for

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s absolutely baltic out there. And it’s not going to get much warmer any time soon. After a couple of days of snow across large parts of the UK, it’s finally London’s turn.  Last night (Jan 5-6) was this winter’s coldest so far in the UK, with London hitting an extreme low of -8C. Then, non-forecasted snow began falling across the capital on Tuesday morning, with temperatures around 1C but feeling more like -3, according to the Met Office. Snow is a notoriously difficult weather phenomenon to accurately predict, but according to weather forecasters, we’re set to see even more over the coming days. Here’s what they’re saying.  RECOMMENDED: London’s best things to do in winter.  When will it snow in London? Both BBC Weather and the Met Office predict that rain will turn to snow overnight on Thursday January 8 before conditions turn windy. They say that Friday will then ‘start cloudy with rain and snow clearing to the east’. The temperature across those two days range from 1C to 6C.  What time will it snow?  The Met Office expects more snow from around 6pm on Thursday until midnight.  How much snow will there be? Forecasters haven’t specified just how much snow there will be in London or whether it will settle yet.  Yellow and amber weather warnings across the UK The Met Office has issued yellow and amber snow and ice warnings for practically all parts of the UK, including London, from Tuesday night until 10am on Wednesday. The Met Office warns th

With their nine course tasting menus, experimental small plates and cutting-edge cocktails, Michelin-star restaurants rule dinner. But none so far have ventured into the world of tasting menus for breakfast, AKA the most important meal of the day. That is until now. This month, a London Michelin-starred restaurant is taking on brekkie for the very first time.  Pavyllon at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane is launching a five-course breakfast tasting menu on January 10. Featuring luxurious takes on early morning classics, it’ll be available every weekend from 6.30am (7am on Sundays) until 10.30am, so you can’t get away with calling it brunch. The meal will kick off with a bespoke ‘amuse-juice’ followed by a seasonal ‘bakery creation’ by the restaurant’s executive pastry chef Francesco Mannino. Then, diners will have the choice between a chia pudding with mango or granola with berries, and after that eggs royale (with an extra caviar option) or a weekly chef's special such as Turkish eggs or tiramisu pancakes.  Photograph: Pavyllon London The final course is a round of French toast with caramelised hazelnuts and whipped cream and, to top it all off, guests will be treated with a parting gift of ‘Les Chocolats de Yannick Alléno’, which the restaurant describes as ‘a gastronomic delight made with birch bark extract’. Veggies and vegans will be catered for, too.  You’ll get all of that, plus a tea or coffee, for £70 per person. And the early start has you feeling extra spen

Whether you’re on the hunt for a new home or looking to sell, it’s handy to know which areas of the UK are at the top of people’s wish lists. According to new research by the Telegraph and Savills estate agents, towns across the Home Counties are the most hotly sought after right now. And the number one most desirable spot in all of Britain is just a stone’s throw from the Big Smoke. Savills scored each town according to things like their green spaces, travel links and schools as well as the proportion of residents holding managerial and professional jobs, their level of qualifications and the state of their health (if you want to see a desirability ranking based on actual demand, see here instead). Based on those factors, the research concluded that that being within a commutable distance of London is a major contributor to a town’s desirability. Posh places in the south east of England dominate the top 20, and in first place is the Hertfordshire town of Harpenden.  It takes just 30 minutes to get from Harpenden to London St Pancras on the train. The Telegraph said that the town has  ‘village charm’ with a ‘superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities’. It also boasts a bunch of schools that are highly rated by Ofsted and 60 percent of its population have a bachelor’s level qualification. Photograph: Shutterstock One local told the paper that newcomers to Harpenden should be prepared to ‘navigate a lot of SUVs’ through the town and another said that it at

Whatever sort of holiday you want in 2026, Time Out has a list for it. Want to party at a music festival overseas? Check out all of the best ones here. Up for soaking up the sun from one of the world’s most beautiful beaches? Take your pick from these stunners. And if no trip is complete for you without a wander around local art galleries, you’re in the right place.  Time Out’s global network of expert editors and writers have put together a guide to the most unmissable art exhibitions happening across the world in 2026. Among them is the Tokyo Museum of Contemporary Art’s celebration of Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Art Institute of Chicago’s Matisse retrospective and Tate Britain’s homage to the gamechanging art, fashion and photography of the ’90s. Another major exhibition to look forward to here in the UK this year? The Royal Scottish Academy’s landmark 200 Years showcase.   In case it’s not clear from the exhibition’s title, the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) turns 200 years old in 2026. Of course, such a milestone demands a huge celebration. The esteemed institution will bring together Scotland’s greatest museums and galleries to put on a mega year-long festival of contemporary Scottish art. There are loads of showcases lined up as part of the RSA’s biggest exhibitions programme ever, but 200 Years is the one we’re most excited for.  200 Years opens at the RSA in Edinburgh in October and promises to ‘celebrate the rich history of Scottish art in a

London is changing all the time. Our transport is always being upgraded to make travel smoother, our neighbourhoods are always getting new homes and community spaces, and fresh cultural offerings like restaurants and theatre shows are always popping up. So naturally, 2026 will be full of new openings. We’ve put together a list of all of the most exciting new projects set to alter London over the next 12 months. There are enormous multi-venue developments opening in the west of the city, a new public garden, a casino and a quirky hostel coming to the centre, and a shiny new museum and jazz bar launching in the east. Read on for all the details.  RECOMMENDED: 12 major changes coming to London transport in 2026 9 developments that will change London in 2026 Photograph: Peter Kelleher © Victoria & Albert Museum V&A East  Last year saw the great unveiling of the V&A East Storehouse. This year, it’s all about the V&A East Museum. Based in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a short walk from the storehouse, the new museum will have two free permanent galleries packed with more than 500 objects spanning art, architecture, design, performance and fashion. It’ll open to the public on April 18 and its first exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, will explore how Black British music has shaped culture in Britain and beyond, with exhibits including Joan Armatrading’s childhood guitar, looks worn by Little Simz and photography by Dennis Morris and Jennie Baptiste. Tate Britain Clor

Mark Twain famously once described London as ‘fifty villages massed solidly together’. Indeed, across the city, there are are dozens of little pockets that wouldn’t feel out of place far out in the countryside. They’re full of independent shops and caffs, they’re surrounded by greenery and they all have their own distinct sense of community. Combine all of that with easy access to the exciting bustle of central London and those pockets are some of London’s most desirable places to live.  The Telegraph collaborated with Hamptons estate agents to select the top places to live in each of the city’s 32 boroughs – the places that it says are ‘the golden neighbourhoods that offer the lifestyle most want – without breaking the bank’ (though we might argue with that last bit). According to the paper, that ideal lifestyle includes good schools, ample green spaces and an easy commute into work. One thing that many of the chosen spots have in common is their village-like vibe.  Once the Telegraph had picked out the best neighbourhood in each borough, it then ranked each area based on just how desirable they are.  So, London’s prime place to live according to the Telegraph? Richmond Green. Owned by the Crown Estate, the park is a short walk from the centre of Richmond and is a buzzing community hotspot throughout the year. It probably won’t come as a huge surprise that a Richmond postcode is at the top of the pack. Rightmove has named it the happiest borough in London for several years r

If you’ve ever walked through Covent Garden’s market hall, you’ll know the Crusting Pipe. Located on the lower ground floor of the complex, you’ve likely looked down on its winers and diners from above. It’s long been one of the market’s most instantly recognisable outposts. But no more.  Despite being one of Covent Garden’s most popular and longest standing bars, the Crusting Pipe has officially closed for good.  The bar and restaurant was one of the first tenants of Covent Garden’s market hall after it was redeveloped from a fruit and veg market into an entertainment and hospitality hub in 1980. After 45 years in operation, the Crusting Pipe shut up shop on December 21. The bar’s closure has been put down to a change in trading environments and consumer habits. A statement on the website of Davy’s (which operated the boozer) said: ‘As trading environments and customer habits have evolved, this chapter has now come to a close. ‘We remain grateful to the many team members and customers who contributed to the character and success of The Crusting Pipe over the years.’ The Crusting Pipe wasn’t the only beloved London drinking hole to say farewell in 2025. Hackney boozer The Gun, iconic bar G-A-Y and historic pub Ye Olde Swiss Cottage all permanently closed last year, too. And while we’re at it, these are the great restaurants that said goodbye at the end of 2025.  The best new pub that opened in London in 2025, according to Time Out. Did you see that this London exhibition wil

If one of your goals in 2026 is to become disgustingly well-cultured, Time Out is at your service. We’ve called upon our international network of editors and writers and rounded up all the exhibitions across the world that should be at the top of your list. Our guide includes Sydney’s huge biennale, Chicago’s Matisse retrospective and Tokyo’s celebration of Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. And, of course, as a city constantly at the forefront of culture, it would be a crime to write such a list without including any exhibitions that are coming up here in London.  One of the exhibitions we’re most looking forward to in 2026 is Tate Britain’s The 90s. The show is set to be pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. It’ll explore the ways in which subculture, rebellion and experimentation grew in the 1990s and will feature era-defining work spanning art, photography, fashion design and pop culture.  The show has been curated by none other than gamechanging former British Vogue editor Edward Enniful. During the nineties, he was the youngest ever fashion director at i-D magazine and regularly hung out with the likes of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Expect to see iconic shots from photographers such as Juergen Teller and Nick Knight, legendary looks by the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan and groundbreaking pieces by artists including Damien Hirst, Gillian Wearing and Yinka Shonibare.  Tate Britain says of the exhibition: ‘As th

When it comes to the UK’s most beautiful landscapes, places like the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and the Cotswolds tend to steal most of the attention. But those spots can often get overrun with visitors, and there are so many other places across the British Isles that deserve a bit more love and appreciation.  But you don’t need to just take our word for it, National Geographic Traveller agrees. And it has named Northumberland one of the best places in the world to go in 2026. Specifically, it says that going on a mini stargazing safari across the county is the number one ‘most epic’ trip you should book next year.  Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park is Europe’s largest area of protected night sky, making it one of the greatest places to go for finding constellations, witnessing meteor showers and seeing the shimmer of distant planets. Plus, the region’s Kielder Observatory, which sits within Kielder Forest, is one of the UK’s prestigious observatories. It puts on 700 events throughout the year for all ages and experiences. In NatGeo’s words, the ‘focus is on making the unfathomable comprehensible and the involved fun’.  Photograph: Shutterstock For rest your stargazing safari through Northumberland, the publication recommends booking a two-hour stargazing experience at the Twice Brewed Inn, stopping by Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant for a stargazing workshop or staring up at the sky from one of the cabins with retractable roofs at Hesleyside Huts.  If