Anya Ryan

If you can somehow prize the iPad out of your child’s filthy mitts and get them out of the house, you’ll find a city full of amazing cultural experiences for kids. Historical relics and heirlooms not for them? Drag them through a hall of Egyptian mummies, fighter planes or dinosaur fossils instead, let them loose on interactive play areas themed around pirates, paintings or the postal service. They might not thank you now, but they’ll appreciate it when they get to your age.    RECOMMENDED: The 50 best things to do in London with the kidsThe 7 best child-friendly exhibitions coming to London in 2026

There’s a reason why so many romantic comedy films are set in London; quite simply, it’s one of the best places in the world to be loved up. The picturesque Little Venice, the historic Whispering Gallery at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the breathtaking Waterloo Bridge are among the many romantic places to visit at any time of year – and we can’t get enough. But to encourage your love to reach full bloom, it’s important to pick a hotel with the right kind of vibe. Breakfast in bed, complimentary cocktails upon arrival, and pampering spa packages are the sort of special touches that can make all the difference when you’re in the mood to woo... or maybe even pop the question! For the ultimate couple’s break, here are our hotels in London to cook up a bit of romance.  💞 January 2026: We’ve just added two of London’s best romantic hotel packages in time for Valentine’s Day in February – find them in spots number one and two on our list.   🛏️ Discover our list of the sexiest hotels in London How we curate our hotel lists Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool of trusted hotel experts, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. By the way, this article includes

It's tempting to hibernate when the thermometer dips, but what a waste that would be when London's blessed with so many gigantic, historic parks to explore. As winter arrives, walking among the sculptural trees, frozen lakes and peaceful pathways is a must for anyone who wants to blow the cobwebs away. Whether you're a Royal Parks stan, a fiend for Hampstead Heath on a chilly day or a Greenwich Park fanatic, there are so many winter walks to choose from in London. So, get out there and enjoy a bracing tramp around this city's prettiest green spaces - if you're lucky, there might even be a dusting of snow to make your winter walk even more magical.  RECOMMENDED: Seven of London's prettiest walks Best winter walks in London at a glance Best in north: Hampstead Heath Best in south: Richmond Park Best in west: Kew Garden Best in east: Victoria Park  

January gets a pretty terrible rep. After last week’s properly bone-chilling temperatures, it’s tempting to write the whole month off as one long battle with the cold (even if this week is offering a slightly kinder, milder days). Between gloomy evenings and the temptation to stay permanently cocooned under your duvet, it’s easy to see why the month is often seen as a total social write-off. But, if you can muster the courage to get out there, we'll show you there's plenty of stuff to keep you busy. And what better way to fight the January blues than filling your diary with things to look forward to? See the Royal Academy’s Kerry James Marshall exhibition before it closes, see a magical five-star revival of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’ at the Bridge Theatre, or watch Felicity Kendal in a moving revival of Tom Stoppard’s ‘Indian Ink’. You can also squeeze in one last glide around one of the city’s pop-up ice rinks before they close, or catch our favourite exhibitions of 2025 in their final weeks. Trust us, there's lots to choose from and you won't regret it.  Start planning: here’s our roundup of the best things to do in London this January In the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Every year, a wealth of new hotels open in the capital – a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. That can, however, make it rather tricky to decide which hotel to choose. But worry not: we have slept our way across the city and hand-picked our favourites, to bring you this ultimate list of London hotels, from Mayfair to Shoreditch, and from budget to blowout (butler included).  Newcomers to our list include the all-new July in Victoria, apartment-hotels which opened in July 2025, and eco-hotel 1 Hotel Mayfair, as well as a few old classics we’ve re-reviewed just for good measure (hint: The Dorchester is just about as great as we remembered). We’ve got a brand-new number one too, but we won’t give that one away just yet. For everything from genuine good value stays to all-out, Zone 1 luxury, you’ll find something on this list for every kind of trip. Superb bars, great architecture, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world await you – here are the best hotels in London.  🏘️ Looking for even more options? Check out our list of the best Airbnbs in London Which area is best to stay in London? It’s not just the range of hotels that’s so impressive – you’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a neighbourhood to stay in London. The city is made up of a sprawling network of dynamic neighb

Even on the coldest, darkest days of winter, London is always bustling with fun things to do, with a jam-packed calendar of unmissable events to keep you entertained during most people’s least favourite time of the year. And yet, even we culture-mad London superfans have to admit that every once in a while it’s nice to have a little break from it all. When the capital’s hustle and bustle leaves you feeling a little drained, you can find some escape from the crowds and hordes of tourists by getting up and getting out just for a day. In dire need of crisp country air, a relaxing spa day or a gorgeous, long walk? These day trips from London are all under two hours from Zone 1 and will give you the relief you need this winter. RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from London Best winter day trips at a glance 🪄 Best for magic-lovers: Warner Bros Studio Tour 🎄 Best for the light deprived: Go Wild 2025 at Wakehurst  🍴 Best for the always peckish: Chapel Down Luxury Dining Experience 🏞️ Best for crowd haters: Broadway, Worcestershire 📱 Best for digital detoxers: Rocheser Christmas Fair

In a year when it’s become pretty much impossible to so much as glance at a screen without being bombarded with all manner of maddening AI slop, it’s comforting to know that there is still plenty of vivid, funny, brilliantly human writing out there if you know where to look. From laugh-out-loud debuts and masterful autofiction to big-name autobiographies, gripping non-fiction thrillers and binge-worthy travelogues, here are our editors’ favourite page-turners of 2025. Add this lot to your ‘to read’ pile, stat. RECOMMENDED: 🎵 The 40 best songs of 2025📀 The 25 best albums of 2025

There’s a long (and we mean really long) list of reasons why one might choose to visit old New York—the food, the theatre, the bars and the art galleries, to name a few—but up there with the best things about this city is, without a doubt, its skyline. And while heading up to Top of the Rock or the One World Observatory are worthy ways to soak it up, your hotel room could be, too. So, that’s why we’ve compiled a round up of the best hotels in NYC with proper, show-stopping views. Sit back and enjoy. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in New York City

Bored in London? Well, you could easily kill hours in one of London’s huge and downright brilliant department stores. Whether you’re on a mission to nab the latest designer drops, stock up on posh biscuits for your nan, or lose yourself among gleaming beauty counters, the capital’s legendary shopping halls have something for everyone.  From Harrods’ over-the-top opulence to Fortnum’s fancy hampers, these icons are as much a part of London life as red buses and slightly disappointing weather. They’re where locals and tourists alike come to browse, snack, sip, and spend – often all at once. So polish your credit card and prepare to splash the cash. Here’s our list of London’s best department stores. RECOMMENDED: The best thrift stores in London London’s best department stores at a glance 🍷 Best for food and drink: Fortnum & Mason 👠 Best for luxury fashion: Harrods 🏠 Best for homeware: John Lewis 😎 Best for trend-hunters: Selfridges 🎁 Best for cool gifts: Dover Street Market

From top-tier off-licences to under-the-radar vintage shops, specialised delis, plant havens and everything in between, we’ve shopped (and dropped) our way through the capital’s retail offering. You really can buy whatever you want in this city – you just need to know where to look. That’s why we’ve put together this definitive list of the capital’s 50 best shops for 2025.  Featured in the list are a selection of excellent independent shops, some unmissable department stores, and a few delightfully quirky places you might have never known existed. This is our ultimate guide to shopping in the capital. Just don’t blame us if you get a little carried away next payday.  Rosie Heiwtson is Time Out London’s Things to Do Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED:London’s best secondhand shops, picked by expertsThe best markets in London for shopping and browsingThe best car boot sales in London London’s best shops at a glance 📚 Best bookshop: Daunt Books 🏬 Best department store: Liberty 🍴 Best vintage shop: Blackout II 🥪 Best deli: Salvino 🎁 Best gift shop: Botanique

We know that London is the best city in the world. But like any metropolis, it can also get a bit much sometimes. Occasionally, what you want isn’t to drink cocktails in a trendy bar after seeing the hottest Gen Z bedroom popstar at the Islington Assembly Hall, but a little peace and quiet, actually. Enter: the weekend getaway, invented by the Victorians (probably), there’s a reason why Londoners have been taking sojourns to the seaside on sunny bank holidays since the 1800s.  Together, we’ve come up with a cracking list of our favourite day trip destinations near London. There’s something for everyone here, from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside. We've included some recommendations for ace restaurants, quaint little pubs, and our favourite things to do at each destination on the list – all of which are close enough to the city that you can get there and back in one sweet day.  Best day trips from London at a glance 🍔 Best for foodies: Margate 🎭 Best for culture lovers: Stratford-Upon-Avon ⛪ Best for history buffs: Canterbury 🛁 Best for families: Bath 🐴 Best for hikers: New Forest 🍺 Best for pub crawls: Lewes 🏖️ Best for seaside fun: Brighton RECOMMENDED:✨The best day trips an hour from London👪 The best family day trips from London☀️ The best weekend trips from London🏘️ The best Airbnbs near London🌳 The best quirky Airbnbs in the UK This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial conte

Fancy a little slap 'n' tickle in Soho or hanky panky in Hoxton? You’ve come to the right place. London is full of sultry, saucy places to stay, and some of the city’s best hotels have special features to make your night even more romantic – we’re talking sex toys on sale at reception, lavish breakfasts in bed and same-day, daytime-only bookings for you-know-what. Ready to get steamy? Here are the best naughty hotels in the capital. Thank us later, folks.  London’s naughtiest hotels at a glance 🏢 Best views: Shangri-La The Shard 💷 Best value for money: Sea Containers 🛏️ Best for a whirlwind romance: The Hoxton, Holborn 🎉 Best place to party: The Twenty Two 📌 Looking for more options? Check out London’s best Airbnbs, or scroll through the most romantic hotels in London How we curate our hotel lists Our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool of trusted hotel experts, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Let’s start with the positives. The performances in Al Miller’s revival of Lyle Kessler’s 1983 play Orphans are absolutely tremendous. Fred Woodley Evans completely inhabits the childlike Phillip; his hands tremble as he addresses his older, more violent and streetwise brother, Treat, and he gazes with wide-eyed wonder out of the window of the little row house they inhabit in North Philadelphia. Treat (Chris Walley), too, is sharply drawn as spiky and hostile, often clutching a small penknife to heighten his menace. The trio is completed by Forbes Masson as Harold, the elusive businessman whom Treat kidnaps in the hope of an easy robbery, only to discover someone far more unsettling; his performance is suitably dark, jittery and inscrutable. And yet, despite the talent on show here, it feels as though there are plenty of plays far more worthy of revival in 2026. The two brothers live alone and parentless, though their mother’s coats and shoes still decorate the space like relics. While Treat ventures out to make ends meet through theft and intimidation in the neighbourhood, Phillip is ordered to stay inside, dressed in pyjamas like a child, secretly reading and watching television. In form, it could best be described as a poor man’s Pinter or Shepard. The play leaves us with more questions than answers. What happened to Phillip and Treat’s parents? Who, exactly, is Harold — a gangster or a man who deals in stocks and bonds? And how does he manage to convince these two grown-u

What’s funnier than watching things go wrong? Honestly: not much. Building on the theatrical mishaps of the previous Goes Wrong hits (notably West End long-runner The Play That…), Mischief Theatre’s proper laugh out loud spin on A Christmas Carol sees the hapless Cornley Amateur Dramatic Society return with a new Christmas show. And while the slapstick and mayhem that ensues is hardly new ground for the company, the endless stream of slip-ups is what we’re here for. Things begin in the audition room, as steely director Chris sets about casting the play. From the start there’s disaster upon disaster – prospective performers read scenes from films rather than the actual play, the resident dimwit Dennis (Jonathan Sayer) insists Bob Cratchit is actually a frog, and Robert (Henry Lewis) will do just about anything to play Scrooge. To no one’s surprise, though, Chris – who shares some striking qualities with Scrooge himself – casts himself in the leading role. But surprise, surprise, everything that could possibly spiral out of control absolutely does. Written by Mischief’s co-founders Lewis, Sayer and Henry Shields, many of the big gags are set up in the early rehearsal section of the play, with the payoff coming later. It’s a script that leaves no loose end – every single line has a worthwhile, deliciously funny purpose. The play within the play follows Dickens’ story closely: Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Marley, and then the three spirits who aim to show him the error of

Unless you’re fluent in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Hiberno-English, John Millington Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World requires proper, eyes-wide-open concentration. And even more so in this NT revival, in which director Caitríona McLaughlin celebrates the lyrical language of the play in all its glory. At its best, hers is a production that rewards attentiveness, weaving in beautiful, affecting images of County Mayo folklore alongside some standout acting performances. But despite the play’s undeniable importance within the Irish canon, it feels like a strange choice for the National Theatre’s 2025 programme, and the production comes across as a hodgepodge of competing ideas.Not all of that is down to McLaughlin. There’s the rambling, stretched-out plot in which young Christy Mahon arrives at a small local pub, claims he has killed his father, and then, rather than being shunned, becomes something of a village celebrity. What follows are strings of repetitive scenes in which the truth about Christy’s story threatens to come out. Despite an assured, characterful performance, Éanna Hardwicke makes Christy a constantly wowed dufus. Which begs the question: could this really be a man who has hordes of women running after him?It is one of many confusing directorial decisions from McLaughlin, who attempts to lean into both the comedy and the pathos in Synge’s script. Crowds of mummers in traditional dress appear between the scenes, while mourners dressed all in black wail

At this point, Charles Dickens is basically a second Father Christmas. Every year, theatres across the country are engulfed in a blizzard of productions of A Christmas Carol. Jermyn Street Theatre have gone a little left field with their festive programming, then – but really, only a little. Scrooge has been ditched for an adaptation of Dickens’s ‘favourite child’, David Copperfield. And, in Abigail Pickard Price’s production, the reasons for this great honour shine loud and clear. With a small cast of three – Eddy Payne as David, and Luke Barton and Louise Beresford as, erm, everyone else – the diverse and sprawling world is pulled out bit by bit. Does it manage to include all the intricate chronicles and glory of the book’s 882 pages? Well, of course not. But good god, Pickard Price keeps Dickens’s irresistible richness intact. Much of that is down to Barton and Beresford, who must be dying for a lie-down after their final bow. The pair dash from one personality to the next, changing costumes, physicality, and accents at the rate of a runaway train. The speed alone is enough to impress you, but with every new face so sharply etched, it becomes a magnificent, character-exploding evening. As our narrator, David (also nicknamed Davy, Trotwood, Daisy, and Doady at various points), Payne exudes wide-eyed, open-hearted charisma. Occasionally, he slips away from telling the story to provide reflections from his future life; early on, he ponders the novel's iconic central question:

Sketch has never been shy about doing Christmas loudly, and for 2025 they’ve basically turned their Mayfair mansion into a high-fashion ski lodge. The new festive takeover, The Art of Après, whisks you straight from Conduit Street to the Alps, minus the frostbite.A gentle fall of snow greets arrivals (because of course it does), leading into a the Reception and Glade room that has been transformed by Lucy Vail Floristry into a frosted forest. Yes, there’s real pine galore, hand-painted alpine scenery and drifts of snowy dried flowers. There’s even a repurposed ski chairlift just casually plonked among the trees.In the East Bar & Pods, Sketch stalwart Ricky Paul returns for his ninth Christmas installation, and it’s a show-off moment in the best way. A tiny ski resort rises beneath the dome, complete with glowing lodge and moving cable cars. Upstairs, the three-Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library shimmers with Mehbs Yacqub’s crystal tree, dressed this year by artist Maya Heritage. Throw in seasonal menus, some festive cocktails and the return of Folie Saturdays (think DJs, Veuve and après-ski chaos), and you’ve got Sketch doing what Sketch at Christmas does best.

December can be expensive, but this year Creditspring is on hand to make things feel a little easier with an actually-quite-lovely little brand activation.  The loans company is launching Home A Loan, a three-day pop-up just off Brick Lane where families can effectively borrow Christmas.  From Wednesday to Friday, 137A Bethnal Green Road will transform into a treasure trove of twinkling fairy lights, wreaths, baubles, tableware and other festive essentials; all available to be borrowed without spending a single jingling penny. Think of it as a magical mash-up of a Library of Things and the McCallister family home. There’s no faff either: no sign-ups, no forms, just walk in, browse, and borrow. Once Christmas is over, you can return your borrowed delights, with everything donated to local charities, or if you’ve become emotionally bonded to your bauble set (it happens), you’re welcome to keep it for next year. A branded pop-up with a bit of heart, that. 

If your Thursday night could do with a hit of fun, Somerset House has you sorted. Photographer Jennie Baptiste (whose work celebrates Black British style, music and identity) is taking over for an evening packed with hands-on workshops, DJ sets and good vibes.  You can try your hand at zine-making, design your own flyer, and catch DJ 279 spinning tunes while Baptiste chats with curator Lisa Anderson about her career behind the lens. It’s all part of the Upgrade Yourself series, which champions young creatives. And best of all, it’s free.

Anna Ziegler’s play The Wanderers makes its UK debut at the Marylebone Theatre after becoming an off-Broadway hit in 2023, starring Katie Holmes. Tracking the lives and loves of two Jewish couples from different generations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, it is a crafty, gradually intensifying drama that examines the values we embrace and reject. Directed here by Igor Golyak, it’s staged on two sides of a translucent screen, with the tensions from the separate eras overlapping and reverberating across time. Abe (a wonderfully weary Alex Forsyth) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning prodigy who has known his wife, Sarah (Paksie Vernon) – a less successful writer – practically his whole life. At one of his book readings, he spots the movie star Julia Cheever (Anna Popplewell) in the audience and so begins a lustful email exchange, which sends Abe on a downward spiral; he questions the roots of his marriage, declares his love for Julia, and descends further into his own world. Elsewhere, in the novel Abe is trying to piece together about his family history, his parents Esther (Katerina Tannenbaum) and Schmuli (Eddie Toll) are Hasidic Jews. They’ve met only once before their arranged marriage and are about to embark on a life together. But, with Esther’s desire to push the boundaries of tradition, it’s not long before their union is in tatters. In the hands of Golyak, the play glows in its duality. Using white marker pen, the actors draw out objects, like radios, that are used separately in bo

What is it? Wild and undulating, the grassy sprawl of Hampstead Heath makes a wonderfully untamed contrast to the manicured lawns and flowerbeds found elsewhere in the capital – and it will feel even more delightfully rural if the City of London Corporation's ‘aspiration’ to graze sheep on the heath as a flock of organic lawnmowers ever comes to fruition. The heath stretches across 791 acres of woodland, playing fields, swimming ponds and meadows of tall grass in north London from Hampstead to Highgate, and has provided the inspiration for countless films, books and poems. Why go? It is pretty darn beautiful. It is the park that inspired C S Lewis’ Narnia series, after all. On a sunny day there is really nowhere better to soak up the rays.  Don’t miss: The dizzying heights of Parliament Hill provide a popular destination for kite-fliers when the weather turns breezy, while the Hampstead Ponds are an idyllic and hugely popular spot for a refreshing dip on hot summer days. When to visit: The heath is open 24 hours a day.  Time Out tip: Why not try out one of the brilliant local pubs while you’re there? The Spaniards Inn is a personal favourite.

What is it? The London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space brings Roman London to life in the heart of the City. Originally discovered in a bombsite near Mansion House in 1954, the Temple of Mithras was temporarily relocated and later reconstructed beneath Bloomberg’s glossy HQ. The three-storey space houses a faithful reimagining of the temple, alongside artefacts from the site, offering a glimpse into life in Londinium almost 1,800 years ago. Why go? This is history, theatre, and archaeology rolled into one. Step underground into a men-only (well, now open to everyone) Roman cult hall and experience an atmospheric recreation of the Mithraeum. There's even audio installations of Latin chanting. I mean what's not to like? Don’t miss: The artefacts on the first floor, including leather shoes, broken pots, and a wooden tablet from AD 57, one of the oldest handwritten documents discovered in the UK. When to visit: Open daily – check the Bloomberg Space website for current hours and booking requirements. Ticket info: Entry is free, but booking a timeslot in advance is recommended. Time Out tip: Take your time in the atmospheric underground temple, and listen out for the immersive soundscapes that evoke Roman London—this is as close as you’ll get to stepping back into Londinium.

What is it? Tucked within the sprawling concrete angles of the Barbican, the Conservatory is one of London’s most unexpected green spaces. Opened in 1984, it’s the city’s second-largest greenhouse after Kew Gardens, home to 2,000 plant species, including towering palms, ferns, and tropical blooms.  Why go? Escape the urban grind and wander through this tropical paradise. The combination of exotic plants, terraces, and serene water features will trick you into thinking you're far away from London.   Don’t miss: The koi carp ponds and terrapin enclosures (trust us). When to visit: Friday 6.30pm–9.30pm, Saturday–Sunday 12pm–7pm. Ticket info: Free entry, but remember to book a timeslot in advance.  Time Out tip: The Conservatory isn’t just for strolling – it’s also available for private events, including weddings. Who wouldn't want to say “I do" here?   

Let’s be honest, you’re probably booking a ticket to a stage adaptation of The Harder They Come for the songs. Perry Henzell’s seminal 1972 film is the movie that introduced reggae to the world, after all. But Suzan-Lori Parks’s new version of the stage musical – the second to have been staged at Stratford East after a hit 2006 version by Henzell himself – is as much about the grit of the production, impeccably directed by Matthew Xia, as it is the groove of its soundtrack. And yes, of course, Jimmy Cliff’s anthems are as rousing as ever. The soundtrack roars, cracks and prickles in the hands of this killer cast, led by Natey Jones. Big hitters like the aspirational ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ and the haunting power ballad ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ are so stirring, members of the audience can’t help but join in, to sing along.  Telling the story of Ivan (Jones) a young man who arrives in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1971, eager to make a name for himself in the music industry, the book by Parks folds in the textures of city life, from the bustle of bars and backstreets to the weight of financial insecurity. Frustrated by his failure to climb to the top, Ivan slides his way into crime, eventually having to go on the run after shooting a police officer. The story lacks the agony that was layered into the film’s fabric. But it is Xia’s ability to paint vivid stage pictures that makes this revival a hit. His production takes us inside cinemas, on bike rides through green fields, an