Ed Cunningham is the news and features editor for Time Out’s London and UK teams. Based in London, he has been writing for Time Out’s London, UK, travel and commercial teams since 2021.

You’ll usually find him writing about culture, music, design, art, sustainability, travel and London. Anything – yep, anything – happening in London or the UK, that’s Ed’s beat. 

Ed has a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London. He previously edited, wrote features for and ran a music website called The Glow.

Time Out has covered the world’s greatest cities through the eyes of local experts since 1968. For more about us, read our editorial guidelines.

Ed Cunningham

Ed Cunningham

News and Features Editor, UK

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Articles (190)

The 100 best TV shows of all time you have to watch (updated January 2026)

The 100 best TV shows of all time you have to watch (updated January 2026)

Updated for 2026: Whatever you think of Netflix’s theatrical strategy, it continues to produce some of television’s most formally daring works, including Adolescence, a hard-to-watch but impossible to ignore limited series about an unimaginable crime. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s HBO’s hilariously profane The Righteous Gemstones, which stuck the landing in 2025 with its final season. In addition, we have moved Andor into the top 20 after its astounding second and final season.  Television used to be considered one of the lowest forms of entertainment. It was derided as ‘the idiot box’ and ‘the boob tube’. Edward R Murrow referred to it as ‘the opiate of the masses’, and the phrase ‘I don’t even own a TV’ was considered a major bragging right.  A lot has changed. Television is now the dominant medium in basically all of entertainment. The shift in perception is widely credited to the arrival of The Sopranos, which completely reinvented the notion of what a TV show could do. But that doesn’t mean everything that came before is primordial slurry. While this list of the greatest TV shows ever is dominated by 21st century programs, from The Wire to Succession to Adolescence, there are many shows that deserve credit for laying the groundwork for this current golden age.  Chiseling them down to a neat top 100 is difficult, so we elected to leave off talk shows, variety shows and sketch comedy, focusing on scripted, episodic dramas, comedies and miniseries. So don’t touc
The best Indian and South Asian restaurants in London

The best Indian and South Asian restaurants in London

London’s South Asian food scene is a mosaic of flavours showcasing the culinary traditions of everywhere from India and Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Rather than one unified cuisine, it reflects the complex cultural tapestry that has evolved through centuries of migration, trade, and gastronomic exchange across the subcontinent. For the diaspora, food goes beyond sustenance; it’s an expression of identity, memory, and community.  London’s best Indian and South Asian restaurants at a glance: đŸ‡±đŸ‡° Best for Sri Lankan food: Rambutan, Borough Market đŸ» Best for a big blowout: Brigadiers, City 🍛 Best for a quick curry: Tamila, Kings Cross ⭐ Best for a Michelin star meal: Trishna, Marylebone 🍚 Best for a street-food snack: Shree Krishna Vada Pav, Fitzrovia and various Rooted in philosophical teachings, including the mindful and balancing principles of Ayurveda, South Asian food in London emphasises reverence for natural ingredients and the simple joy of eating. From masala-rich Pakistani karahis and delicate vegetarian Gujarati thalis, to the spicy thrum of Bangladeshi bhortha, this list spans the diversity of the cuisine in the city. Whether it’s fine dining, street food at a community centre, trailblazing female chefs, or a family-run canteen, these establishments are love letters to their heritage, connecting Londoners through the warmth of South Asian hospitality, shared flavours and stories.  RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in London. Shekha Vyas is
The best Sunday roasts in London

The best Sunday roasts in London

February 2026: It's still cold, and it's still grey - which means we're still in peak Sunday roast season. Not simply just a decent hangover cure, Sunday lunch is one of the most winter-y things a Londoner can possibly do. Our latest update to this list has prioritised the cosiest pubs in town, with extra points for roaring open fires (check out French resto Bistro Sable for a great one), as well as nooks and crannies where you can hunker down until spring returns. There are a couple of posh restaurants in the mix too, with a Nordic roast at the plush Ekstedt at the Yard near Westminster, and a serious meat feast at Quality Chop House in Clerkenwell. Our worthy Number 1 is the simple, spectacular roast at London’s OG organic pub, The Duke of Cambridge in Islington.  London’s best Sunday roasts at a glance: đŸ„© Central: Duke of Cambridge, Angel 😇 North: The Angel, Highgate â›Ș South: Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead 🌈 East: The Nelson’s, Hackney đŸ» West: The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill Sunday lunch. There’s nothing quite like it. An elemental meal, one that Londoners take incredibly seriously. Debates about what constitutes the ‘perfect’ Sunday roast have been known to last for hours. There is no shortage of top roasts in London. We’ve rounded up the city’s best Sunday meals from a host of pubs, restaurants and breweries all around town. What makes a good roast? For us, it’s simple; a welcoming room is a good start, maybe in a pub with an open fire. Then it comes to the plate – we need
The 50 best music festivals in the UK to book for 2026

The 50 best music festivals in the UK to book for 2026

Another year, another stellar lineup of UK music festivals. Sure, Glastonbury – the UK’s tentpole music event, no pun intended – is taking a fallow year, but other lineups are more than making up for Worthy Farm’s absence. Established musical feasts (Reading and Leeds, Latitude) will return amid tantalising new blockbuster additions (Roundhay Festival), alongside the usual more specialised genre and scene events (Supersonic, AVA, FOCUS). While it might seem a little early (and a tad chilly) for planning a sun-glazed weekend of outdoors live music, these days the UK festival season lasts beyond the summer months. The festival calendar is pretty much a year-round affair, with events taking place not just in fields or parks but in venues across cities, from early spring all the way through to late November. Already confirmed for 2026 are several lineups that’ll have the heads drooling at the mouth. Reading and Leeds has Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, Florence + the Machine, Fontaines D.C and Raye. Download has Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Guns N Roses. London’s Victoria Park, across All Points East and LIDO, will host Tyler, the Creator, Deftones, Lorde, CMAT and Maribou State. Looking beyond the major fests, the lineups get even better. The 15th anniversary of Outbreak in Manchester has Alexisonfire and Basement topping the bill; Mighty Hoopla has scooped a headline performance from Lily Allen (performing West End Girl in full); FOCUS Wales will boast Fat Dog, Idlewild and S
The 33 most underrated travel destinations in the world

The 33 most underrated travel destinations in the world

‘Overtourism’. It’s more than a buzzword – in the world’s most popular destinations, it’s a problem that affects almost every aspect of local life, from the environment to the cost of renting, transport and eating out. And when a place is overwhelmed by people, it’s not only locals’ quality of life that suffers; the quality of your trip does, too. But it’s not all bad. Destinations are coming up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. Travellers are seeking cooler climes and embracing slow travel, allowing space to discover somewhere new. And they’re still riding the ‘destination dupes’ trend, where overrun holiday destinations are swapped out for less crowded, less expensive, but just-as-good alternatives. On our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations, you won’t find your Bangkoks or your Balis, your Amalfis or your Amsterdams. What you will find is the hidden side of Yosemite, the French Riviera’s overlooked twin, a place where penguins outnumber people, and plenty more travel inspo where that came from.Why trust us? Because we’ve been to them all. Every spot on this list was picked by one of our expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, recommended because they offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics – and in many cases, because they’re places that actually want tourism. In other words, travelling to any of these 33 criminally overlooked destinations is a win-win situation.
The 20 best major music tours and concerts coming to the UK in 2026, from Lily Allen to Bad Bunny

The 20 best major music tours and concerts coming to the UK in 2026, from Lily Allen to Bad Bunny

When it comes to big-ticket gigs and musicians touring Britain, how do you follow up a year like 2025? Last year some of the planet’s mightiest stars graced UK stages, from Coldplay and Lady Gaga to Olivia Rodrigo, Lana del Rey and, of course, Oasis. Fortunately, 2026 is shaping up to be just as huge as 2025 – if not even bigger. Sure, we might not have the Gallaghers on the schedule (well, not yet), but plenty of others are lined up to headline British stadiums and arenas over the next 12 months. Plus, even more names are rumoured to be yet to announce a tour (BTS, we’re looking at you).  Lily Allen, Bon Jovi, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande
 the UK has all these to look forward to and more in 2026. Here are the best major tours coming to Britain this year. RECOMMENDED: đŸŽ” The best albums of 2025. đŸŽ¶ The best songs of 2025.
London’s best restaurants for pizza

London’s best restaurants for pizza

London is full of perfect pizza. The finest of fast foods, this delicious staple has been elevated far beyond its humble roots by great Italian restaurants in London, pop-ups, street food vendors and pub residencies, and we know just where to find these world-class wonders, because we’ve been eating our way across London in order to discover the best. Whether it’s delivered in a cardboard box or served in a swish restaurant, excellent pizza is hard to beat. Browse our list of the best pizza places in town and try not to drool on your screen. Recent additions to the Top 20 include some nifty kitchen residencies; Dough Hands at the Spurstowe Arms and Old Nun’s Head, Bing Bong Pizza at You Call The Shots in Hackney, Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern in Dalston, and Short Road Pizza at the William The Fourth in Leyton and Three Colts in Bethnal Green. You can find Ace Pizza at the Pembury Tavern in Hackney Downs, but they have also opened their first standalone parlour in Victoria Park. Try also; Spring Street Pizza in Borough for pie with a Michelin-starred chefs touch, Carmela’s on Upper Street for a cosy slice and Vincenzo’s in Shoreditch for no-flop pizza. RECOMMENDED: The finest fish and chips in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
The 16 best new things to do in the UK in 2026

The 16 best new things to do in the UK in 2026

There’s a heck of a lot to get excited about in Britain over the next 12 months or so. Between now and 2027 Brits will gobble down platefuls of new restaurants’ grub, slurp tasty bevs in fresh bars, get cultural fixes at museum exhibitions, spectate at globally-renowned sport events and even witness moments of proper historic importance. In 2026 the UK will see the return of the Bayeux Tapestry (not seen on these isles in 900 years) and the completion of the nation-spanning King Charles III Coastal Path. Among the likes of new music festivals and theme parks will be the world’s biggest Irish cultural event, the premiere of one of this century’s most highly anticipated stage musicals and centenery celebrations for a globally-loved children’s character.  And that’s just the stuff that’s planned – who knows what else will define the year? Without further ado, here are the 16 best new things to do in the UK in 2026, chosen by Time Out editors and contributors. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026.đŸ›ïž The 26 best new things to do in London in 2026.🌍 The best new things to do in the world in 2026.
The best hotels in London, by Time Out travel experts

The best hotels in London, by Time Out travel experts

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.  đŸ˜ïž 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
The 13 best Airbnbs in Copenhagen close to the centre

The 13 best Airbnbs in Copenhagen close to the centre

Copenhagen has risen in popularity recently as one of the best destinations for a weekend city break. Whether you're a tourist travelling from afar or a fellow Dane looking for a change of scenery, renting an Airbnb for a few days is a great way to see the city and experience it like a true local.  The capital of Denmark, one of the world's happiest cities, is a gorgeous place with brightly coloured buildings, amazing food, lots of culture, rich history and architectural design, making it a place worth exploring with lots to do and see. And few cities offer such a resplendent selection of Airbnbs as the Danish capital. No matter your trip, whether you’re hunting for a table at Copenhagen’s fabulous restaurants, spending your days in its captivating museums or boogieing it out thanks to its exhilarating nightlife, there’s usually a phenomenal Airbnb to fit the bill. Here are our favourite Airbnbs right here in Copenhagen.  Time Out tip: The easiest – and quickest – way to get around Copenhagen is on two wheels, but if you prefer to hop on public transport, the DOT ticket app is your best friend.  Updated in January 2026: We think this list is pretty cracking already, but it's even better now that we've added this houseboat in the heart of the city for a truly authentic experience (and one you might recognise from a certain TV show).  Recommended: đŸšČSee the best things to do in CopenhagenđŸ·Hit up the best bars in CopenhagenđŸ‡©đŸ‡°Here's how to spend a weekend in Copenhagen Who m
The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026

The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026

2026 has officially landed. An entire year of adventure awaits, with Britain set for a deluge of thrilling new things to see and do. Beyond the individual openings, however – the new bars and restaurants, museums and attractions – where should be on your radar for places to visit in the UK?  If you’re up for being inspired here at Time Out, as always, we’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the listings of all that’s happening in Britain in 2026 and consulted our nationwide network of writers and editors, harnessing all that info to put together a guide to the places that should be on your radar over the next 12 months.  Destinations made it onto Time Out’s list for a vast range of reasons. Some have swaggered onto the scene with a quickfire burst of thrilling new attractions. Others have built their cred slower and reached a point of quiet brilliance, while others still are established spots that simply remain very much worth their rep. Several places will be made even more tempting by those aforementioned 2026 openings, whether that be delicious places to eat and drink, game-changing new transport options or unmissable cultural events.  From trendy seaside towns to revived industries cities, medieval forts to ‘the new Berlin’: here are the UK’s 14 top places to visit in 2026. RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026.📍 The 26 best stuff to see and do in London in 2026. 
The best new European sleeper trains we can’t wait to ride in 2025

The best new European sleeper trains we can’t wait to ride in 2025

Whether you’re a fully-fledged railfan or just a traveller who loves convenience, 2024 has been an unmatched year when it comes to new night services. Countries throughout Europe, in bids to make travelling more planet-friendly and affordable, have launched countless sleeper routes this year, meaning most of us now have plenty of motivation to swap flights for night trains on our next trip. In other words, sleeper trains are back, baby, and at Time Out, we’re here for it. With the option to hop on a train, journey thousands of miles and wake up in your destination (hopefully with enough energy to go out and explore), night services are kind of ideal scenarios, right? And luckily, you’ve got us train afficionados on hand to point you in the right direction. So, pack your bag, embark your cabin and settle in – here are the most exciting sleeper trains we can’t wait to ride in 2025.  RECOMMENDED:đŸŒ€ïžThe most scenic railway journeys in EuropeđŸ—șThe ultimate Interrail itinerary for Europe🚂The most beautiful European train journeys from London🚞The best train journeys in the world At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Listings and reviews (19)

The BoTree

The BoTree

3 out of 5 stars
Soho, Marylebone and Mayfair – these are not London neighbourhoods that are in short supply of luxury. A hotel that sits at the intersection of all three, therefore, might be expected to be very glamourous indeed. And that the BoTree certainly is, though in a very modern and unstuffy sense, having only opened in 2023. Those familiar with this particular link between Oxford and Wigmore Streets might recognise the BoTree’s address from its previous life as home to the brutalist, geometrically-dazzling Welbeck Street car park. These days it doesn’t really resemble that structure, the eye-catching multi-storey replaced with a shiny grey-ish block – though latticed decoration on the corner does ever-so-slightly hint at the site’s previous life. Approaching the BoTree from Oxford Street, it’s miraculous – and a bit eerie – how the atmosphere shifts so quickly from the hectic stress of Europe’s longest shopping street to sleek, calm, palpably wealthy Marylebone. By the time you’ve stepped into the lobby, the blaring pedicabs, roaring buses and general hubbub of the West End are nowhere to be seen or heard. Why stay at The BoTree? The BoTree’s standout feature is its location, no contest. The primest of prime West End, stumble out of Bond Street station and you’re here – practically all of Soho and Marylebone is within walking distance, and the rest of the city is just a tube away. What are the rooms like at The BoTree? My room was the BoTree Suite, a seventh-floor space wrapping aro
Art'otel Hoxton

Art'otel Hoxton

4 out of 5 stars
art'otel and Hoxton: on paper, at least, a match made in heaven. Famously arty hotel chain meets famously arty London neighbourhood (well, if you lump Hoxton in with Shoreditch, which is fine by us). The address has arty history, too: the hotel occupies a site formerly home to the legendary Foundry, an ale bar and arts venue once described as ‘crucible of the Britart movement’. Not familiar with art'otel? Let us bring you up to speed. The brand posits its outposts as both hotels and art galleries, with your stay being a chance to encounter real pieces of art. Each location has its own ‘signature artist’, around whom not only is the hotel themed but who gets to actually design a lot of the hotel, from its wall artworks to its furniture. art'otel Hoxton’s signature artist is D*Face (Dean Stockton), titan of English street art known for his chaotic, colourful, attention-demanding works. Approaching the hotel there’s a sense of occasion fitting for D*Face’s rep: the building towers over the fork of Great Eastern Street and Old Street. Two original Banksys sit above the doorway; dramatic escalators glide past gigantic, blinding screens of video art; a human-size sculpture of ‘D*Dog’ (one of D*Face’s best-known figures) greets you at reception as a kind of concierge. It is very much like entering a proper art gallery. Why stay at art'otel London Hoxton? If you’re fond of art – specifically street art, even more specifically the work of D*Face – art'otel Hoxton is a real treat. It’s
Archives London

Archives London

You can spot the building that hosts Archives from miles around, a repurposed 1960s industrial tower standing tall above Tottenham Hale’s retail parks and marshland. And it’s a worthy local landmark: since opening in 2024 Archives has regularly hosted blockbuster nights, from James Blake’s CMYK to the second edition of Eastern Margins’ festival Margins United. The space itself is an 8,500-square-foot ground-floor blank canvas with thick concrete columns and capacity for 1,600; the 360-degree soundsystem is solid, the dancefloor is well-proportioned and the outdoor/rest areas are sizeable. The only downside is the bar prices. When I was last here pints were flatly priced at a very steep £8.50 (and £7.50 for cans).
Plas Weunydd

Plas Weunydd

3 out of 5 stars
A country home amid gargantuan piles of slate, Plas Weunydd sits atop a hill overlooking not just an old industrial town but the vast landscape of Snowdonia National Park. Needless to say, the hotel is all about its location: the location on a map, sure (it’s pretty much at the dead-centre of Snowdonia and surrounded by all manner of outdoorsy activities) but also its topographical location, with views galore.  For my visit to Plas Weunydd, the approach by car saw me wind my way past the hills and valleys of the national park, through old mining town Blaenau Ffestiniog and most of the way up a not-unsteep hill. The hotel is perched near the top, at the same turning as much-hyped adventure attraction Zip World and a mountain-biking course.  Why stay at Plas Weunydd? If you’re in Snowdonia for an adventure or outdoorsy holiday (and this is very much a region famous for that), Plas Weunydd is extraordinarily well-located. Hiking, cycling, mountain biking, zip-wiring and more is almost literally on your doorstep – as previously mentioned, Zip World is across the road – while countless mountains, waterfalls, lakes or rivers in Snowdonia National Park are no more than a half-hour drive away.  The building itself was built in 1870 as the home of John Whitehead Greaves, the founder of nearby Llechwed Quarry. It was turned into a hotel in 2021, and it relaunched in April 2025 following further refurbishment. Plas Weunydd prides itself on being an adventure holiday base, but also for b
Tamila King’s Cross

Tamila King’s Cross

5 out of 5 stars
Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson are good at this by now. Excellent, in fact. The pair have put together a small chain of top Indian eateries; Islington’s Tamil Prince and Tamil Crown, and the first Tamila in Clapham. Fourth time around with Tamila King’s Cross, the experience is more refined than ever. London’s second Tamila is at the other end of Caledonian Road from the Tamil Prince, and, like the Clapham edition, isn’t a ‘desi pub’ but a curry house for fast, casual dining and with an all-day menu. Without the loveable musk of an ex-pub, the space is much airier and restaurant-y, while the service is sharper and more attentive. Food-over-booze indicators don’t get much more obvious than Tamila’s massive interior window directly into the kitchen.  The dhal flashed all sorts of vegetables across your tongue, while paneer butter masala was creamy and mightily generous Our drinks flew out at an impressive pace. A bold harbinger of the strong, spiced flavours to come, the gunpowder margarita, boasting masala dust for salt and earthy smokiness, was sumptuous. The paloma had grapefruity sweetness but a proper, heaped dash of ginger that lingered powerfully.  Tamila’s dishes verge on the more generous side of ‘small plates’. On platters so spotless and shiny they’re genuinely mirrors, come miraculously un-greasy onion bhajis, each one just more than a mouthful of prickly, salty crackle. Retaining integral crispiness beneath dollops of mint chutney, one gets the impression that th
DoubleTree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent

DoubleTree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent

3 out of 5 stars
If you’re a history buff (particularly a pottery history buff), the surroundings of this DoubleTree alone will be enough to have you in awe. The hotel is attached to Etruria Hall, a neo-classical Grade II-listed structure once home to Josiah Wedgwood – renowned industrialist and the founder of Wedgwood, one of the world’s most famous pottery companies.  Etruria Hall is no longer a stately home but an events venue, and since the 1980s it’s been attached to a hotel. In 2020 that hotel opened as a Hilton, specifically of the DoubleTree brand – yet despite being part of an all-conquering global chain, it’s maintained plenty of character. Beyond the obvious (the in-house restaurant is called Josiah), the corridors and rooms come lined with nods to local heritage; bottle oven skylines, Stoke dialect phrases, that sort of stuff.  Stoke-on-Trent’s DoubleTree, therefore, not only occupies a special historical site but makes sure you fully aware just how special it is. But it’s also a comfortable, well-kitted-out place to stay. I stayed in a king guest room that was extraordinarily spacious and flawlessly clean, with a sprawling, comfortable bed, fast wi-fi, effective blackout curtains and a practical bathroom.  The staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful, the common areas were bright and welcoming, and there was a very sleek indoor pool and leisure centre. There’s on-site parking, too.  Given the building’s age, some of Stoke’s DoubleTree is understandably rough around the
Hilton Garden Inn, Stoke-on-Trent

Hilton Garden Inn, Stoke-on-Trent

4 out of 5 stars
When Stoke’s Hilton Garden Inn opened in 2020 it was the city’s first and only Hilton. Admittedly it didn’t hold that title for long (the DoubleTree in Etruria was rebranded a month or so later) but you get the sense that this was a statement opening. A terracotta titan towering over Hanley, this Hilton Garden Inn cost ÂŁ20 million and is part of the wider redevelopment of Smithfield – a mixed-use quarter named after the area’s old bottle works. Given it’s getting on for half a decade old, Stoke’s Hilton Garden Inn still looks and feels shimmeringly new. Sure, stepping into the lobby feels very much like stepping into any new-ish Hilton, anywhere, but this one is exceptionally well-kempt, making it very much a slick, shiny beacon of modern comfort.  I stayed in a ‘king room’ up on the sixth floor, a tidy and well-proportioned space with plenty of light and a bunch of amenities tidily packed in. The dĂ©cor was pared back, minimalist(ish) and very much of-this-decade, and the room’s simplicity made it feel bigger. Stoke touches on the walls (images of pottery ovens and so on) reminded you where you were – as did my view, stretching out westwards towards Etruria, Burslem and Shelton. The rest was very much as one might expect of a somewhat new Hilton. The mattress was supple, the pillows and duvet ideally sink-in-able; the shower worked as required, accompanied by fragrant Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries and the flashy touch of an anti-steam mirror. The room was well insulated for so
Kioku Sake Bar

Kioku Sake Bar

Down the cavernous halls of Whitehall’s Old War Offices, surrounded by opulent Michelin-starred restaurants and the supremely swish Raffles hotel, lies Kioku Sake Bar – less blindingly flashy, sure, but just as high-calibre. The street-level accompaniment to Kioku’s top-floor, five-star sushi restaurant has the effortless style and homely hideaway calm of a Japanese listening bar, prim dĂ©cor and lines of hundreds of sake bottles sitting beneath immaculately balanced light. And Kioku’s substance more than matches its style. There are over 140 sakes on offer, each affectionately described, plus a trim list of sake cocktails and a refined menu of innovative, Japanese-infused small plates. The drinks and food are entirely different to those of the upstairs restaurant Kioku By Endo, making the bar very much worth a separate visit.  Order this The Daikon Gibson suspends itself entirely on the front of your tongue, with silky and potent Ginjo sake ‘vermouth’ and tangy pickled daikon combining with clean Roku gin and yuzu tang. Kioku’s cocktails all exude a sense of craft – and this does even more so. Time Out tip Make the most of Kioku’s formidable sake collection and the bar’s in-house sake sommelier to explore the tipple. Discover how the vessel material affects each sake, get a taste of the many, many different styles and regional varieties – and find a new favourite.
The Conservatorium Hotel

The Conservatorium Hotel

5 out of 5 stars
Stepping into the atrium of The Conservatorium, it’s immediately obvious that this is a very special hotel indeed. Rich red brickwork meets sharp glass angles, heritage details fit snugly among silky modern luxury; from the fittings and furniture to the architecture, wherever you look something catches your eye. The Conservatorium’s sense of occasion is tied to the building’s history. Many of its cavernous halls date back to 1897, when it was built as a bank. In the 1980s it became a conservatoire, then it was reconfigured into a hotel by starchitect Piero Lissoni in the 2000s. It opened as a founding member of the luxurious Set Collection in 2011. The Conservatorium’s rooms, appropriately for a hotel inhabiting a building of many previous lives, vary massively – yet they share plenty of common ground. Whether one is in the basic ‘deluxe room’ or the three-floor, roof terrace-boasting ‘I Love Amsterdam’ suite, well-proportioned rooms boast plush beds, spacious bathrooms, bountiful storage and thoughtful, refined dĂ©cor. My room was a ‘royal duplex suite’, with elegant double-height windows looking out onto the humming trams and cafĂ©s of Van Baerlestraat. The essentials – bed, space, storage, bathroom, toiletries – were all faultless. Little touches of Dutch-ness (decorative clogs, a Van Gogh coffee table book, Delftware ceramic plates) were unsubtle but still tasteful, restrained. Beyond the room, breakfast (served in the Lounge) was high-calibre and the staff were as helpful
TreeDwellers Cornbury

TreeDwellers Cornbury

5 out of 5 stars
What comes to mind when you think of a treehouse? Woodlice, splinters, cold – yes, probably all those things. But treehouses are also secluded and peaceful, dwellings a few feet up in the air that feel that bit away from the rabble below and closer to nature. And a treehouse, crucially, is all yours.  The treehouses of TreeDwellers in Cornbury, northeast Cotswolds, are treehouses in a spiritual sense. No, they aren’t up trees (nor do they even touch them), but they’re surrounded by them, sitting an impressive height above the forest floor. TreeDwellers takes the idea of a treehouse – as something special, private, embedded in nature – and turns it into a luxurious experience genuinely unlike anything, anywhere else. Pulling up to a TreeDwellers dwelling (a TreeDwelling?) has a supreme sense of occasion. This is the sort of architectural magnificence you thumb through in glossy mags, lustfully dreaming of one day giving it all up for. Handsomely curved tubes are perched atop stilts; inside is all sleek, clean wood and floor-to-ceiling windows, each and every convenience slotted in with impossible neatness. It’s all so stunning that you could easily be satisfied with the design and that alone, left gawping at it for days on end. But these treehouses aren’t just flashy façades: they’re comfortable and practical, too. You check-in with slick door-code entry, the heating is underfloor and toasty on your toes, everything you could possibly need is on a tablet (or on hand from delig
Holy Carrot

Holy Carrot

4 out of 5 stars
On the face of it, Portobello’s neat, proper Holy Carrot and Dalston’s fire-worshipping feast ACME Fire Cult share little common ground. ACME is roaring and showy, as much a swaggering religion as a restaurant; Carrot is prim as a perfume shop, soft clay surroundings fronting a menu that is plant-forward, ‘root to peel’ and sustainable.  But there’s a clear link between the two – namely Daniel Watkins. The ex-ACME founder is now executive chef at the first permanent home of Holy Carrot (previously known for its supper clubs and Knightsbridge residency), and brings his ‘fire and ferment’ ethos across the capital from one neighbourhood of cool to another.  More than just Holy Carrot’s first proper restaurant, it’s also a Watkins-helmed reboot – and it has plenty of his signature punch. From the off, the pre-starter ‘snacks’ offer a studied but unshowy sort of tastiness. Pillowy insides dramatically burst out of crisp ‘honey’ drenched Jerusalem artichokes; one couldn’t help but mop up the warming chilli ragu with ultralight koji bread. Two cold ‘smalls’ followed suit, both intricately flavoured: each mouthful of the smoked beetroot breathing freshness, each spoonful of the stracciatella with persimmon and bitter leaves with deftly measured amount of creamy tang and gentle crunch. This is innovation of a dependable, not reckless, sort Imprinted upon my memory the most, however, was one of Holy Carrot’s ‘larges’: the crispy celeriac with pickle butter. I know what you’re thinking
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch

Nobu Hotel Shoreditch

4 out of 5 stars
The Nobu brand, in a word? Dependable. Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japan-via-USA restaurant empire both draws celebrities and is a celebrity itself, but it’s best regarded for its high-quality dining: nearly 30 years after it opened, Nobu’s Park Lane spot remains one of London’s best places for sushi. These days Nobu isn’t just a restaurant chain but a hotel brand too, with two outposts in London. The Shoreditch one, which opened in 2017, was the first of these – not just London’s first Nobu hotel (since followed by Nobu Portman Square in Marylebone) but the first in all of Europe. The greatest compliment one can pay to this place is that the dependability of the Nobu name transfers seamlessly from restaurant to hotel. This is a sleek and comfortable choice, a beacon of minimalist taste in the midst of Shoreditch’s gaudy pick-me bars and tech-bro co-working spaces. Nobu as a chain is Nippon-by-’Murica, and its hotels are too – Japanese style meets American comfort and convenience. From the front Nobu Shoreditch resembles a Pacific battleship, from the side it’s a hillside Kyoto villa. And inside the hotel offers plenty of that same cultural middle ground: polished black wood, sleek furniture and a tea set in every room, but also huge plasma TVs, delightful staff and an in-house spa.  All aided, of course, by housing a Nobu restaurant, the chain’s third in London. You know exactly the deal here: a spoiled-rich clientele, sure, but also generous portions, attentive service (I did exceptio

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J Cole is going on a huge UK arena tour in 2026: dates, presale, ticket prices and everything you need to know

J Cole is going on a huge UK arena tour in 2026: dates, presale, ticket prices and everything you need to know

J Cole’s seventh studio album The Fall-Off was released at the start of the month – and now the US rap superstar has followed it up with the announcement of a vast, globe-spanning tour. The Fall-Off Tour will see Cole hit more than 50 cities in over a dozen countries – and six of the dates are here in the UK. The Fall-Off Tour is J Cole’s first solo headline tour in five years and his first truly global run of dates since he was touring 4 Your Eyez Only in 2017. The tour starts in North America before heading to Europe and finally Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Are you in the market for J Cole tickets? Here’s what you need to know about The Fall-Off Tour in the UK, from dates and on-sale timings to ticket prices. RECOMMENDED: The 20 best major music tours coming to the UK in 2026. When is J Cole going on tour in 2026? The tour starts in July in Charlotte, North Carolina and finishes up in Johannesburg in December. What UK tour dates have been announced so far? So far, the UK has six confirmed dates on Fall-Off Tour, all in October 2026. October 19 – London, O2 Arena October 20 – London, O2 Arena October 25 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena October 26 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro October 28 – Manchester, Co-op Live October 31 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena When do J Cole tickets go on sale? General sale for all dates starts at 9am on Friday, February 20. You’ll be able to get tickets on Ticketmaster here. Presale details There are a few presales to be aware of – here’s the lowd
RALLY, one of London’s best music festivals, has revealed its full lineup for 2026

RALLY, one of London’s best music festivals, has revealed its full lineup for 2026

Even though it’s only been around a few years, RALLY is already one of the UK’s finest music festivals. Despite having battled named storms in its first two editions, the Southwark Park event has carved itself a niche within London’s day festival market – and RALLY’s fourth event is shaping up to be its best yet. Back in November it was revealed that, for the first time, RALLY would be co-curated by a musician. None other than Blood Orange was confirmed to be headlining and helping to put together the lineup for the 2026 edition. Today (February 17) we know exactly who will be filling out the rest of the bill. On the August Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday August 29, to be specific) RALLY will feature all kinds of on-trend and left-field pop, electronic and dance music. There’ll be Daniel Avery performing with a full band, Time Out 2025 album and song of the year favourite james K and the legendary Optimo (Espacio). RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in London to book for 2026. RALLY 2026 will boast the first ever UK performance from Jump Source – the project of MontrĂ©al-based DJs and producers Priori and Patrick Holland – as well as sets from GENA (another new project from Liv.e & Karriem Riggins), out-there DJ and producer Parris, a special live show from Roman FlĂŒgel, and Pitchfork-approved artists like Norwegian slinky poppers Smerz and US experimental rockers YHWH Nailgun. This year’s event theme is ‘Make Your Reality’, which will apparently see the festival ‘[foregrou
Full list of UK high street closures confirmed in 2026, including Lloyds Bank, Poundland, River Island and Revolution bars

Full list of UK high street closures confirmed in 2026, including Lloyds Bank, Poundland, River Island and Revolution bars

Are we witnessing the death of the British high street? Maybe that’s a tad dramatic, but many UK town centres have certainly seen better days. In 2025 Britain witnessed a huge number of chains closing locations – and that trend has continued in 2026. Among the names to have announced closures are Lloyds Bank, GAME, Revolution, TGI Friday’s and Quiz. Retailers have been sounding the alarms for some time now. Costs are rising, consumers’ budgets are shrinking and shopping habits are moving online, meaning that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make a profit on the high street. Some bosses, such as the CEO of Shoezone, have also said that government tax hikes are cutting into already tight margins. Several British high-street staples have already confirmed closures for 2026. Here are the ones that have so far announced that locations will be shutting.  All the UK high street closures in 2026 Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland In February, Lloyds Banking Group – which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland – confirmed that 95 branches would close across the the UK. The country’s largest banking group will have 610 branches remaining after the closures, which will all take place between May 2026 and March 2027.  The group says that 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax and 11 Bank of Scotland sites will shut.  Lloyds Bank Aberdare Altrincham Birkenhead Birmingham, Blackheath Birmingham, Bordesley Green Birmingham, Highters Heath Birmingham, Upper Kingstanding Bournemout
16 mighty British burgers are in the final of the National Burger Awards 2026

16 mighty British burgers are in the final of the National Burger Awards 2026

Do you consider yourself a burger connoisseur, an expert purveyor of all things patty and bun? You’ll want to know about this year’s edition of the National Burger Awards, which has just revealed its finalists. The 2026 National Burger Awards will see a total of 16 of the country’s mightiest burger chefs face each other in a dramatic live cook-off. The finalists range massively from one-post burger boutiques to all-conquering nationwide chains. Among the finalists are four London burgers – read more about those on Time Out London here – as well as several previous winners and competition debutants. Organised by Dine Out magazine, the National Burger Awards cook-off will take place in Walthamstow, London on March 24 So, who’s up for being crowned the mightiest burger in the land? Previous winners up for the prize again are Bleecker, Danny’s Burgers and El Perro Negro, while newbies include Burger & Beyond, Honest Burgers and Dover St Counter. Photograph: Honest Burgers The competitors that have outposts across the UK include the aforementioned Honest plus Fat Hippo and SoBe Burger, but there are plenty of smaller establishments vying for the top gong. Bristol is particularly well represented, with Danny’s Burgers, Oowee Diner and Dodo Pub Co (whose Longhorn Burger is pictured at the top of the page) making the cut. The burger maestros won’t just be plating up their own signature burgers, though – they’ll also participate in a plant-based round and take part in a challenge wh
In pictures: the return of legendary Manchester nightclub Sankeys

In pictures: the return of legendary Manchester nightclub Sankeys

It’s back. Sankeys, one of the most legendary nightclubs in Manchester (and often counted among Britain’s greatest ever clubs), has officially opened a new venue in the city where the dance music institution began. Nine years after Sankeys’ Ancoats venue shut, the club opened a new city centre venue on Sidney Street on January 30-31. The 500-capacity club has a no-phones, no-VIP policy, as well as boasting Sankeys’ renowned LED matrix lights installation. Can’t wait to get yourself back to a Manchester institution? Here’s something to whet your appetite. Sankeys has released a bunch of photos showing off the opening weekend of its grand return to Manchester – here’s what the new venue looked like. Get tickets to upcoming Sankeys events on the venue website here. Photograph: Robbie Kirk Visuals Photograph: Robbie Kirk Visuals Photograph: Robbie Kirk Visuals     Photograph: Robbie Kirk Visuals Photograph: Robbie Kirk Visuals Photograph: Robbie Kirk Visuals Find out which nightclubs in the UK were crowned the best in 2025.  Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country. 
Which FA Cup Fourth Round games are free to watch on TV this weekend? Full list of fixtures and kick-off times

Which FA Cup Fourth Round games are free to watch on TV this weekend? Full list of fixtures and kick-off times

It’s a great time of year for free-to-view sport on telly. This weekend Brits will get to watch the Six Nations, Winter Olympics and, excitingly, the FA Cup – all without having to pay for a subscription service (unless you count a TV licence). After an exhilarating third round – which saw defending cupholders Crystal Palace defeated by National League Morecambe – the FA Cup’s fourth round will take place from Friday February 13 to Monday February 16. There are some tantalising fixtures in store, including an all-Premier League clashes between Aston Villa and Newcastle and Liverpool and Brighton. There are potential giant-killings, too, with Burton playing West Ham, Hull facing Chelsea, Grimsby attempting to topple Wolves, and Oxford United playing Sunderland. Morecambe will attempt to sink their second top-flight opposition of the tournament when they face Brentford on Monday. While many of the FA Cup’s fourth set of games will be shown on TNT Sports, a couple of games are being broadcast by the BBC. Until the quarter finals, the Beeb is showing two matches from each round. Here’s when those games are – and who’s in them – this weekend. How to watch the 2026 FA Cup Fourth Round on TV The tournament’s free-to-watch games will all be shown on BBC One. They’ll also be streamed BBC iPlayer. Other matches will be on TNT. Full BBC Fa Cup TV schedule and fixtures for the fourth round Here’s the breakdown of this weekend’s FA Cup games on the BBC. Friday February 13 Hull v Chelsea:
London travel disruption this weekend: full list of tube and train closures for February 14-15 2026

London travel disruption this weekend: full list of tube and train closures for February 14-15 2026

London is set to be even busier than usual this weekend. Not only is it Valentine’s Day on Saturday but it’s the start of half term – if you’re stuck for ideas for either, find free half term activities here and Valentine’s spots here. The capital may be teeming with lovebirds and excitable kids, but that doesn’t mean TfL is putting a pause on service cancellations and alterations over the coming days. In fact, there’s a fair amount of planned disruption to watch out for, with notable closures on the Central and District lines.   Out and about in the city on February 14-15? Here’s everything you need to know about travel disruption in London this weekend. RECOMMENDED: 📍The best free things to do in London this weekend. London travel disruption and tube closures, February 14-15 2026 Central line From 4am on Saturday February 14 and all day Sunday February 15 (including night tube), no service between White City and Ealing Broadway / West Ruislip. From 2am to 4am on Saturday February 14, no trains between Marble Arch and Ealing Broadway. District line On Sun Feb 15, no service between Turnham Green and Richmond. Eastbound trains will not call at Barons Court until June. When travelling east, go one stop west (to Hammersmith) and bounce back east. Lioness line (Overground) No trains between Kilburn High Road and Euston during the following hours: 8.30pm Sat Feb 14 to 12pm Sun Feb 15, then again from 9pm on Sun Feb 15. Mildmay line (Overground) All day Sat Feb 14 and Su
This London icon that was once voted ‘Britain’s ugliest building’ has just been protected for future generations

This London icon that was once voted ‘Britain’s ugliest building’ has just been protected for future generations

These days, brutalist buildings are among London’s most celebrated works of architecture. But it hasn’t always been this way. Back in 1967, the Southbank Centre, one of the city’s most striking examples of the style, was voted Britain’s ugliest building by readers of the Daily Mail. In the latest indicator of just how much times have changed, today (February 10) the Southbank Centre has been awarded listed status by the Department for Culture Media and Sport. The complex, which includes the Hayward Gallery, Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the skatepark, now has Grade II status and is thereby protected for future generations. Now, you might look at the Southbank Centre, with its mesmerising staircases and spectacular interior spaces and think ‘yeah, this is obviously a work of art’. But the journey to listed status hasn’t been easy for the Thameside icon. The Twentieth Century Society and Historic England recommended the Southbank Centre to be listed six times since 1991. It’s also been threatened by a number of demolition plans over the years. Today’s decision ends a 35-year impasse. Photograph: Shutterstock The Southbank Centre was designed by a team under the leadership of Norman Engleback (who was also behind Crystal Palace’s National Sports Centre) and it opened in 1967. The place had a sizable revamp in 2018, with the Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room at the centre of a restoration and conservation project. Grade II status means that a struc
Here’s why the Czech Republic has changed its name to Czechia

Here’s why the Czech Republic has changed its name to Czechia

The Milan Winter Olympics have finally kicked off, blessing us with some top-tier sporting entertainment that’ll hopefully get us through the final few weeks of darkness and dreary weather. But you might have noticed something different about the official title of a competing nation: the Czech Republic, or ‘Czechia’, as it’s known in the competition. Has the country officially changed its name, or does the shortened title only apply in certain circumstances? We’re here to explain. Below is a guide to why the Czech Republic is also known as Czechia. Why is Czech Republic now called Czechia? Czechia and the Czech Republic have both been used in an official capacity for years (since 2016, in fact), with the former being simply a shortened form. For the last two years, however, the Czech Republic has only been used in things like official government documents, legal correspondence and embassy business. Sort of how France is called the ‘French Republic’ in some very formal contexts. Czechia, on the other hand, is what the country would prefer to be called in less formal situations – stuff like literary works and newspapers, as well as by people representing the country like sportspeople. For example, ‘Czechia’ is the official name of the national men’s football team, listed as such by UEFA and FIFA, and it is increasingly being used by commentators and pundits for football tournaments, including during the UEFA Euros 2024. Cast your minds back to the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Team
One of north London’s greatest pubs is closing

One of north London’s greatest pubs is closing

Pub-loving north Londoners, we come bearing sad news. The Orange Tree, one of Enfield’s top pubs, is reportedly set to close. The Winchmore Hill boozer, which featured in Time Out’s latest ranking of the top pubs in London, is an independent establishment run by landlords John and Marie Maher. The Enfield Society reports that John and Marie will retire this month, as revealed at last week’s pub quiz on Thursday February 5. In our best pubs guide, writer Jimmy McIntosh described the Orange Tree as ‘a suburban jewel with a splendid garden’ and noted that the pub has been in CAMRA’s Good Pub Guide for over 30 years. He said: ‘Real ale aside, the pub really is your archetypal backstreet boozer, the kind of which you could once find in every London suburb. Warm, welcoming, and serving up incredibly well-kept hooch, the Orange Tree is the perfect pitstop on a winter’s yomp or, thanks to its generous beer garden, a summer one as well.’ As a Winchmore Hill local, I very much agree with all the above. Always friendly, always serving up perfectly crisp pints, the Orange Tree has long been very fine place for a snifter. Its closure will leave locals with scant opportunities for boozing that isn’t in a gastro or gastro-adjacent joint, with only the Little Green Dragon and Dog & Duck still standing. Whether the pub will be taken over by new landlords is yet to be seen. The 50 best pubs in London, according to Time Out. Plus: central London is getting a new Wetherspoons next to a major tra
Robyn is going on a UK arena tour this summer: dates, presale, ticket prices and everything you need to know as tickets go on sale this week

Robyn is going on a UK arena tour this summer: dates, presale, ticket prices and everything you need to know as tickets go on sale this week

Is ‘Talk to Me’ your song of the year so far? Can’t wait for Sexistential to drop in March? Listen up, Robyn fans: the Swedish pop icon is going on tour this summer and she’s set to play some of the UK’s biggest arenas. Sexistential will be Robyn’s first studio record since 2018’s Honey. To mark the album’s release, she’s announced a huge tour of venues across Europe, North America and Australia. There are three UK dates so far confirmed. Up for seeing Robyn perform hits like ‘Dancing On My Own’ and ‘With Every Hearbeat’ live and in the flesh? Here’s what you need to know about the Sexistential tour in Britain. RECOMMENDED: The 20 best major music tours coming to the UK in 2026. When is Robyn going on tour in 2026? The popstar’s UK dates are spread across June and July 2026. What UK tour dates have been announced so far? Find all the confirmed Robyn shows in the UK below: June 26 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro June 27 – Manchester, Co-op Live July 3 – London, O2 Arena When do Robyn tickets go on sale? General sale starts for all dates on Friday February 13 at 10am GMT. Get tickets on Ticketmaster here. Presale details There are a few presales to know about. Find out all you need to know below: Album preorder presale – from 10am on Tuesday February 10 (all dates) Artist presale – from 10am on Wednesday February 11 (all dates) OVO presale – from 10am on Wednesday February 11 (Glasgow only) Co-op presale – from 10am on Wednesday February 11 (Manchester only) Spotify presale – from 10am
Britain’s last three high-street GAME shops are closing down for good

Britain’s last three high-street GAME shops are closing down for good

Lay down your controller for a moment of remembrance: an era is officially ending. It’s been confirmed that the UK’s last high-street GAME stores will shut. Now, we know what many of you might be thinking: didn’t GAME close years ago? Well, most of the gaming retail business’ standalone physical outposts did indeed shut back in 2019. Only a few shops remained, with five open at the start of 2026. As reported by The Game Business on its podcast, following the closure of GAME outposts in Chatham and Belfast in January, the remaining three shops will shut from April. Those locations are in Dudley, Lancaster and Sutton. To be clear, the company isn’t disappearing and it’s very much just the standalone shops that are shutting. The 200 GAMEs that are part of Sports Direct and House Of Fraser will remain open, as will the online store. GAME was founded in 1990 by Peter Wickins and Neil Taylor. Over two decades the company expanded with outposts across Europe and even as far as Australia, before it was taken over by Frasers Group in 2019. These days you can only find GAME shops in the UK, Ireland and Spain. GAME store closures It hasn’t been confirmed exactly when GAME’s final stores will shut, but these are the locations: Merry Hill, Dudley Nicholas Arcade, Lancaster Times Square Shopping Centre, Sutton Full list of UK high street closures confirmed in 2026: including Poundland, River Island and Revolution bars. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the