Eloise Feilden

July 2026: If you’ve had the pleasure of strolling down Exmouth Market recently, you’ll know the historic Clerkenwell strip is the buzziest pedestrianised street in London, full of al-fresco fun, convivial pintspeople and sidewalk tapas as far as the eye can see. Which is pretty much all down to the new Number 1 in our list of the best bars in London. Congratulations are due to Cafe Kick, the breezy Euro-chic sports bar about to celebrate 30 years of tricking your brain into thinking you’re on holiday. The rest of our Top 50 features bars old and new, posh and divey, and cheap and pricey, but all of them with great drinks and an unparalleled vibe. Fancy a drink? You’ve come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, which features the greatest bars in the capital right now. These are the places we’d recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail counters to delightful dives, sleek hotel bars, rooftop bars and places to sip wine, London’s got them all. You’ll find historic drinking holes here as well as brand new openings. But what makes a truly good bar? Our critieria is simple; a menu of great drinks is important, but so is the overall energy of the place – there’s no point having the perfect paloma if you have to drink it in a bar that smells of bin juice. To make it into our Top 50, a bar has to be fun, friendly, convivial and inclusive, as we

Looking for the best places to stay in the gorgeous coastal city of Santa Barbara? Well, you’re in the right place. Enjoy long, sunny days lazing by a pool in the warmth of the sun’s rays, or out exploring the bustling cultural scene this seaside city has to offer. From unique airstream stays to romantic beachfront getaways and trendy downtown apartments, we’ve got you covered for every kind of vacation. Have a look at our top picks of the best Airbnbs in Santa Barbara and book a Cali vaycay to remember. Updated 2026: We’re back at it again with more fresh finds like a luxury home in Montecito and an elegant old-timey home in Downtown. Santa Barbara’s best Airbnbs, at a glance: 🌳 Best for families or groups: the adobe ranch house in Carpinteria 🏡 Best for beach lovers: the luxury home in Montecito 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for family reunions: the old-timey home in Downtown 🏄 Best for surfers and swimmers: the shoreline retreat in East Mesa 🌅 Best for sunset views for two: the ocean view bungalow Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we’ve based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Whatever your holiday vibe, chances are there’s a Greek island to match it. While Mykonos remains the playground of the loud and the proud and Santorini has become the go-to for a romantic getaway, Paros has emerged as the retreat for those who prefer laid-back luxury. This is the island of whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes and picture-perfect harbour towns. Whether you’re looking to feel the golden sand between your toes on one of Greece’s most iconic shores or prefer to be tucked away in a sprawling stone mansion in the mountains, here is our selection of the best Airbnbs in Paros. Best Airbnbs in Paros at a glance 🏊‍♀️ Best with a pool: Modern villa in Parikia 🧖‍♀️ Most luxurious: Waterfront estate with private chef 🥳 Best for groups: Mansion with a private gym in Naousa 🏖️ Best Airbnb in Naousa: The sea-view villa Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

With a nickname like the Mile High City, you’d expect Denver to offer some pretty epic mountain views and hilly hiking trails, and Colorado’s capital doesn’t disappoint. Laying east of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city’s surrounding climes offer the perfect getaway for outdoorsy types, while its downtown district—packed full of high-end restaurants, rustic farmer’s markets and historic charm—is the ideal location for an urban getaway.  That’s why we’ve searched across the city, doing some scrolling and quite a bit of staying, too, to find the best inner-city homestays and mountain retreats that Airbnb has to offer. Why settle for the first hotel that pops up on your search when you can choose from a hip, central loft in a former piano factory (yes, really) or a quirky cabin with its own outdoor hot tub? Yep, these Airbnbs give you the complete Denver experience. The best Airbnbs in and around Denver, at a glance:  💸 Most affordable: the sunny hightop home in Highlands 💎 Most luxurious: the state-of-the-art mountain home in the foothills ✨ Most unique: the Central Business District loft with historic city charm How we choose our stays: Every Airbnb in this guide has been hand-selected by our Colorado-based travel editors. We prioritize Superhosts, properties with a 4.85+ star rating, and locations that maximize the Mile High experience. We explicitly vet for high-demand logistical amenities: walkability to CTA/RTD light rail, private outdoor hot tubs, mountain

July 2026: Al fresco weather is fully here, and here are the spots that spring into action when the sun is out. These places are ideal for visiting in your nice new sunglasses while snacking on a salt cod fritter. Grab a sarnie in the sunshine at Dusty Knuckle's Dalston location, trek to Epping Forest for seafood at the Oyster Shack, gorge on BBQ at Cue Point in their massive Notting Hill beer garden, lunch at Hackney hero Lardo, or trot down Regent's Canal to Towpath Cafe. Excellent Indian restaurant Kokum in Dulwich is also doing BBQs every weekend on their terrace until September. The best outdoor restaurants in London at a glance: 🍸 Best in central London: Forza Wine, Soho 🚣‍♂️ Best in east London: Towpath, Haggerston 🏡 Best in north London: Red Lion & Sun, Highgate  💦 Best in west London: Cue Point, Latimer Road 🍃 Best in south London: Italo, Vauxhall When it comes to outdoor dining there are some excellent – and hopefully sun-dappled - options at some of London’s best restaurants. These terraces, canal-side spots, gardens and al fresco restos should make you feel like you’re on a proper holiday in your hometown. Whether you’re in the mood to have spaghetti in the sun or snack on sushi by starlight, our list has you covered. If you don’t mind heights, then check out some of the finest rooftop restaurants with views in London as well. Not all of them are open in the colder months, so do check if you’re booking during a chillier time of year. RECOMMENDED: These are

July 2026: Soho remains London’s best place to spend a evening. Soho’s pubs are unmatched and have been around for decades, but the area’s bar scene is a little more dynamic. So as well as old faves such as Bar Termini, The Social, Bar Italia and Garlic & Shots, our list of the area’s best bars includes some newer openings, including chic cocktail bar Three Sheets, Italian hideaway Bar Lina, the ever-entertaining Stormzy's House Party and Below Stone Nest.   For centuries, Soho has been London’s playground: packed with spots for boozing, carousing, and soaking up the best of the city after dark. And even though it’s largely cleaned up its once-sleazy reputation, it’s still packed with fine drinking spots, from moody basements to high-end cocktail bars. Whether you join the crowds hopping up and down its network of streets or settle in for the duration, you’re guaranteed a brilliant, boozy night out in Soho and neighbouring Chinatown. Word to the wise: you might want to line your stomach at one of Soho’s best restaurants. Now head to the heart of the West End to make sure you don’t miss a thing. RECOMMENDED: These are London’s very best bars. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor, and you’ll probably find her at Trisha’s. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

If you’re looking for some old-fashioned glamour with your drinking, a traditional London pub might not cut it. You need to pull up a shiny stool at one of London’s best hotel bars where the service is seamless and every last drink is a showstopper. Sure, you’ll pay for the luxury, but you deserve a treat every once in a while. Here’s a list of London hotel bars where it’s more than worth making your Monzo wince. The best hotel bars in London at a glance: 🌵 Best for mezcal and margs: Side Hustle at The Nomad, Covent Garden 💖 Best for date night: Sweeties at The Standard, King’s Cross 🍸 Best for a serious martini: Dukes Bar, St James’s 🔥 Best for jazz and a roaring fire: Scarfes, Holborn RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in London. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Ranking the greatest pubs in the UK is, obviously, very tricky business indeed. Pub preference is such an intimate, personal thing – one person’s dream boozer might not remotely appeal to another. That said, when it comes to Britain’s absolute finest pubs there are universal marks of excellence: convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks. Time Out’s 2026 ranking of Britain’s greatest pubs was compiled with the assistance of our UK-wide network of drinking aficionados, and features all kinds of establishments. Pint enclaves built in barren deserts, atop blustery mountains and on isolated beaches. Sturdy booze bastions, age-old no-fuss pubs, innovative craft alehouses and everything in between.  Some of these pubs are old favourites though plenty are more recent obsessions; they’re almost all independent (with a couple of worthy exceptions). Mostly, though, they’re united by one thing: a sense of community. A pub is made by its cast of regulars, and you’ll find quality company in each of the institutions below.  (Oh, and for the most part these pubs are outside London. You can find a list of the capital’s top drinking holes here). RECOMMENDED: The best gastropubs in the UK. Mapped: the best pubs in the UK Image: Time OutBest pubs in the UK map

In 2026, the UK’s coastline is more in the spotlight than it has been in a long, long time. The opening of the long-awaited King Charles III Coastal Path means that the entire coasts of England, Wales and Scotland are now fully walkable – giving you even more of a reason to visit this nation’s extraordinary roster of seaside towns. Of course, being an island nation, the UK has no shortage of coastal spots. Prim, proper, picture-postcard-worthy idylls? Check. Remote, blustery retreats from stormy seas?  Yep, plenty of that. Thrill-packed resort spots with something for everyone? Britain has all of the above and much more. If you’re on the hunt for British seaside towns that are worth checking out right now – the ones that should be on your radar specifically in 2026 – that’s what we’re here for. Time Out assembled our UK travel experts to pick out the country’s most exciting seaside, port, harbour and resort towns to visit this year. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best beaches in the UK (and mapped).📍 The best places to visit in Britain in 2026.🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026.🥾 The greatest walks and hikes in the UK. Time Out’s best seaside towns, mapped Image: Time Out

A red sandstone amphitheatre. An ancient woodland on the English coast. A teeny tiny island with a black sand beach. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes – luckily, the world isn’t held to the same rigid beauty standards as humans are – and we’ve curated this list to celebrate that.  It goes without saying that Time Out’s ranking of the world’s most beautiful places is entirely subjective and by no means exhaustive, but what we can guarantee is real-life experience. Every single beach, lake, city and valley on this list has been visited and vetted by our globetrotting network of travel writers. In short, they’re all well worth making the journey to see for yourself (no social media fakery here).We update this list regularly, ensuring we’re including the big-hitters while considering the impact of overtourism and spotlighting lesser-known beauty spots. So here it is: Time Out’s guide to the most beautiful places on planet Earth. Happy travels!Updated March 2026: There are seven new additions to the list this year, including a terracotta-coloured Old Town in Italy, an opulent Renaissance-style library in New York and a compact mountain range in northern Spain.Grace Beard is Time Out’s travel editor, based in London. 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. RECOMMENDED:⛰️ The most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites🗺 The most underrated travel destinations i

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.🏛️ The 26 best new things to do in London in 2026.🌍 The best new things to do in the world in 2026.

You’ve heard of an Italian bar. You’ve heard of a British boozer. But chances are the concept of a British-Italian cocktail pub is new to you. Well, say hello to Without Papers. Kitsch goes some way to describing the decor. Think; a framed collage of Ziggy Stardust, a picture of Henry VIII in drag and a drawing of Shakespeare graffiti-ed with the words ‘Big Willy’. It’s a bold look. A selection of brews include Italian lagers and Guinness on tap, but cocktails are where the Itanglish joint really shines (the Pink Negroni and Fuhgeddaboudit being particular highlights). Plus, an eclectic back bar stacked with both big name brands and lesser-known liqueurs – an apt visual representation of its dual nationality. Time Out tip: Without Papers switches up its spritz offering weekly, using quirky Italian spirits to keep things interesting year round.

The building which now houses the Fairmont Golden Prague has a less-than-sexy past. Its brutalist bones were built in 1974 during a period of Czech ‘normalisation’, when the USSR was tightening control following a failed attempt by reformists to politically liberalise the country. Like I said: not so sexy. Its present, however, is far more seductive. Bought by the Fairmont Hotel Group in 2020 – owner of swanky global iconics like the Savoy in London, Shanghai’s Peace Hotel and the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca – it finally opened its shiny sliding doors in April 2025 after a long and expensive refurb. The result? Some seriously glitzy Prague digs which pay a respectful nod to the past (spot the grand, chocolate brown wood pillars salvaged from its former life) while wholeheartedly embracing a far more fancy future (fully decked out spa; custom sculptures by local glass artists; on-site brewery tanks offering Czech beer on tap). What’s the area like around Fairmont Golden Prague? You need only clock the Jimmy Choo store and Dolce & Gabbana boutique across the square to realise which side of Prague you’re in (hint: it’s the bougie side). Nestled on the outskirts of the city's Old Town, Fairmont Golden Prague sits right on the bank of the Vltava River, so views of the water glimmering in the moonlight are a given. What are the rooms like at Fairmont Golden Prague? The nine-storey hotel is home to 320 rooms, suites and serviced residences (yep, you can make like Eloise at the

Brutes is here to quench the thirst of anyone with a penchant for the strong stuff. Stepping inside is like a time machine to old school New York, complete with white-jacketed bartenders and branded mini matchbooks. They deal in martinis, of course. Dry, wet, dirty or brutal, depending on your preference and tolerance. Luckily for those with a weak constitution, your stiff drink comes with a snack. Choices range from gildas and blue cheese olives to Monster Munch (the giant kind) and bumps of caviar served atop a pearl spoon. We are in Mayfair after all, darling.

Sure, they don’t have super strength, infinite stretch or the ability to burst into flames at any given moment, but the Spiteris are basically The Incredibles when it comes to London’s restaurant scene. You might think that for the children of celebrated restaurateurs Jon Spiteri (The French House, St John, Sessions Arts Club) and Melanie Arnold (Rochelle Canteen), the choice to follow in such footsteps risks a life skulking in their parents’ shadows. Not for brothers Fin and Lorcan, who mastered their craft at Islington’s now-shuttered barge-based restaurant Caravel, and sister Molly, who leads business development for Koya. As culinary dynasties go, their powers are immense.  Grilled bream on a bed of fennel is what happens when pub food is done really, really well The latest Spiteri venture sees the two generations join forces. The Latimer is intentionally pub-first, the white tablecloths which hint at its gastro prefix only visible past the stools and steel-topped tables that occupy its main floorspace. Big windows flood the high ceilinged room with light, triggering that irresistible urge to snap a couple of piccies before golden hour fades. Come summer, grabbing a table on its terrace will likely take as much dedication as worming through the crowds to Latimer Road station on Carnival weekend. The Latimer’s menu is best pondered over a Westway cocktail – which tastes like adults-only pink sherbet, because, well, tequila. Masala monkfish with tartare sauce, which featur

Leicester Square’s notorious casino probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind for swanky cocktails, which is exactly how Archive & Myth has managed to retain its air of intrigue. Tucked away beneath the slot machines, green felt tables and waistcoated card dealers of the Hippodrome’s gambling hall, this bar prides itself on being underground in all senses of the word. It might be accessible via the Magic Mike Live entrance, but this subterranean drinking den is better suited to sultry late-night secrets whispered in dark corners than hen parties and body oil.

Sourdough obsessives and pastry fiends, we come bearing good news.  Last month, Time Out reported that cult bakery Bread Ahead could be forced to leave its original home in Borough Market for being ‘too successful’. The famed crème brûlée doughnut maker began life in the Southwark market in 2013 before expanding with sites in King’s Cross, South Kensington and Wembley, as well as overseas.  But in September, Borough Market told the business that its lease wouldn’t be extended and it would have to take its dough elsewhere. A spokesperson for the market said its lease renewal process was designed for the site to remain a place where ‘independent businesses can thrive’. Now, more than a month after the dispute began, Bread Ahead has just announced a resolution. Yep, it’s time to dry those eyes and wash away the salty mourning tears, because the sourdough makers are staying put.  In a video posted to Instagram yesterday (October 20), Bread Ahead announced that its Borough Market lease had been extended.‘We’ll be looking for a new place eventually but let’s take it a day at a time,’ the bakery and cooking school said. ‘So plenty of road ahead to enjoy our bakes and come on a baking course. Roll on 2027.’ View this post on Instagram A post shared by BREADAHEAD (@breadaheadbakery) Shane Holland, chair of the Borough Market Trust said: ‘Our position on Bread Ahead’s lease expiry is unchanged. Our offer of an extension to 2028 was first discussed in July a

Picture this: white sand beaches, turquoise seas and more than a hundred wild islets dotting the horizon. No, we’re not talking about some far off tropical land, we’re actually talking about an archipelago right here in the UK. Yep, as it turns out, Blighty has its very own island paradise in the form of the Isles of Scilly, and they’ve just been voted the best island(s) in the UK for the second year running.  Every annum, Condé Nast Traveller surveys its readers to discover their favourite holiday destinations. Along with categories selecting the top spas and stand out ski resorts, the luxury travel mag also asks its readers about the best islands in each region around the world.  Barbados took home the glory for the Caribbean and the Atlantic in 2026, Palawan in the Philippines won for Asia and Hydra in Greece took home gold in Europe. With more than 4,000 islands peppering UK shores, the publication also dedicates a prize to the best of the best around Britain. The Isles of Scilly, located 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, was crowned victorious, having been named the best British Isle in 2025, too. It beat second place-holder Guernsey to the punch, followed by the Isle of Arran in Scotland, which completed the podium trio.  The archipelago is no stranger to accolades, either. In 2023 it was named among the best places to visit in the world by EnjoyTravel.com. Plus, St Agnes, one of its larger land masses, was named among the quietest in the UK for a staycay by the Teleg

Tour de France fans will already be well aware that next year’s Grand Départ kicks off in Scotland. The world’s biggest bike race will trace a route from the Scottish capital down to Carlisle, Keswick and Liverpool before crossing a second border into Wales, from Welshpool to Cardiff. Despite having sped through Britain in 1974, 1994, 2007 and most recently in 2014, next year will be momentous for the two-wheeled race because it’ll be the first time it crosses into Scotland. To celebrate, the Tour De France organisers have just announced plans for the opening ceremony, which will take place at Edinburgh’s historic castle. Think bagpipes, drums, and a marching troupe of hundreds from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performing for the crowds, with new music created specially for the occasion. If this sounds right up your street, then have no fear, because we come bearing all the details for nabbing tickets so you can secure your spot at Castle Rock. How to get tickets for the Tour de France 2027 opening ceremony in Edinburgh General sale of tickets begins at midday on Friday October 30. However, there are a few different ways to access pre-sale options from this week. Fans who subscribe to the official newsletter for next year’s Grands Départs will have exclusive access to a pre-sale window from midday on Friday October 23. We recommend being speedy to sign up, though, because you’ll only be eligible if you sign up before Friday morning. Members of British Cycling, Scottish

With just days until Halloween and Bonfire Night are upon us, there’s no denying that autumn is officially here. And we all know what that means: the long, dry days of summer are well and truly over.  If you’re on the hunt for indoor activities to entertain the kids on rainy weekends, chances are a trip to a new museum is high on the to-do list. And it just so happens that one of the best cultural hubs in the UK will also cost you precisely zilch.  Each year, Time Out’s team of editors and writers test out to the UK’s galleries, archives and exhibits and pluck out the best of the best. The 20 museums on our guide to the greatest in the UK right now range from the crustacean-centric to the downright futuristic. Cardiff’s Celtic cultural hub – complete with an Iron Age roundhouse, a saddler’s workshop or a row of miners’ cottages – scored 15th place on the list, and it has also just been named the best free day out in the UK. Comparison company Which? says it has spent the last few years collecting prices for hundreds of days out around the country. It turns out many of them can set you back a pretty penny. ‘If you want to visit a theme park it will typically cost a family of four over a hundred pounds. Wildlife attractions such as London Zoo can be over £30 - just for one adult,’ the website said of its findings. ‘Even visits to many of our great historic buildings can be over £35 and are often around the £20 mark.’   Photograph: St Fagans National Museum of HistorySt Fagans

Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, the Angel of the North – the UK is positively packed with iconic monuments that reel in an endless trail of culture-hungry tourists. And that’s just the landmarks. Don’t even get us started on the exhibitions, stunning vistas and world-famous foodie spots that keep the vacationers coming.  Now, it turns out that all of the culture bursting at our seams has won these fair Isles a shiny prize. Yep, a list of the world’s best countries for travel and tourism has just been revealed for 2026, and the UK scored a spot in the top 10. Every couple of years, the World Economic Forum releases its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI), a measure of how well 110 different economies are positioned to support travel and tourism. To say that the research is thorough would be an understatement; the TTDI evaluates each nation against 17 different criteria including price competitiveness, cultural resources and even port infrastructure.  Japan took home the global crown this year, scoring high with record visitor numbers and sightseers keen to explore its lesser-trodden regions. Completing the podium spots were the US and Spain, the latter already Europe’s most popular destination this year.  As for the UK, well, the land of fish and chips and afternoon tea ranked seventh overall, retaining its position from the 2024 index. The nation’s cultural strengths – from the glitz and glamour of a show in the West End to the buzz of a football match and the heritage a

After months of scorching temps and nights spent sleeping with a fan blowing in our faces, autumn has arrived – bringing with it wooly jumpers, rainy days in front of the telly and cosy cups of tea. Feeling the seasonal blues? A new immersive exhibition will give you back that summer holiday feeling.  The Royal Academy of Arts and Art of London have teamed up with TV host and radio broadcaster Clara Amfo (who also happens to be a Royal Academy Honorary Trustee) to launch Step Into the French Riviera. Inspired by the RA’s Painting the French Riviera exhibition, the new installation invites West Enders to literally step inside the landscape of the south of France – blue skies, rich foliage and gorgeous rolling hills included. The larger-than-life artworks, which are dotted across the West End, are all immersive, using colour, sound and smell to bring the pictures to life and liven up grey and drizzly streets. Photograph: Matt Crossick/PA Media AssignmentsVisitors at Art of London’s Step Into the French Riviera in London’s West End The first installation – an interpretation of André Derain's ‘View of Collioure’, with sun-warmed scents and the sounds of the French coast at dusk – launched this week at Piccadilly Circus. Two further installations, inspired by Yves Klein's iconic ‘International Klein Blue’ and Raoul Dufy's ‘Golfe Juan’, are set to pop up across the West End this month. The immersive installations will be open until October 25. Each installation has a QR code lett

Autonomous vehicles are no longer a thing of some distant future. Not only are robotaxis coming to London but now Deliveroo is rolling out robot deliveries across the UK.  Yep, you’ll soon be able to get a cheeky Friday night takeaway delivered to your door by a box on wheels, with no driver in sight. Deliveroo has teamed up with LA-based firm Coco Robotics, one of the leading companies behind the food-delivery bots, for its latest food-to-go offer.  Coco robots operate at a walking pace and use sensors, cameras and AI-driven navigation to move along busy city streets while carrying orders directly to customers. According to Deliveroo, each delivery is zero-emission and reduces urban congestion. Photograph: Deliveroo / Coco RoboticsDeliveroo and Coco Robotics are launching food delivery bots in the UK As for where you can expect to spot the bots, the rollout begins in Canary Wharf, east London, this month, before expanding to Milton Keynes, Leeds, Stockton-on-Tees and Nottingham. Londoners will be able to order robo-deliveries from Patty&Bun, Signorelli and Beam, before Ole & Steen, Royal China and Din Tai Fung join at a later stage. Once the droids are up and running in Milton Keynes, MK residents will be able to order from Smoke and Pepper and 5 Akhis, amongst others. Deliveroo has said the bots will roll out across more cities over the coming weeks and months. Did you see that this famous US doughnut shop is coming to the UK for the first time? Plus: the world’s first Mi

These fair British Isles may be small, but when it comes to world-class accommodation, they’re mighty. From rural inns with rooms to swanky townhouse stays and luxury resorts, the UK is practically bursting at the seams with quality places to rest your head. You can find a whole range of abodes in Time Out’s recent list of the 20 best hotels in the country. But we’re not the only ones with something to say about Britain’s top accommodation options. Condé Nast Traveller has just published its 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards – which were based on votes from the magazine’s readership – naming Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire the finest stay outside London.  We might suggest that CN Traveller has a horse fanatic or two among its readers, because Lucknam Park is a hotspot for equine experiences. The palladian mansion, which sits at the southern edge of the Cotswolds, offers a riding programme for everyone from seasoned riders to adult beginners, children and families. Photograph: Booking.comThe spa at Lucknam Park hotel in Wiltshire Once you’ve finished trotting your way around Lucknam Park’s ancient woodlands, gardens and narrow lanes, its dining options are also very much worth exploring. The classic country house is home to Restaurant Hywel Jones, which has held a Michelin Star for more than 20 years and serves up dishes including Brecon lamb with a rich, glossy lamb and red wine jus. These posh digs are also home to a very fancy spa, which features 20-metre indoor pool, an

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (October 6), four fire engines and 25 firefighters rushed to Kingston’s Ancient Market to extinguish a blaze which broke out in the Market Place. Luckily, no injuries were reported from the fire, but the damage to local businesses could be hefty, with stalls destroyed and local shopfronts seriously damaged.  In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, the council cordoned off the whole of the Market Place to allow the Met Police and London Fire Brigade to investigate. The area of the cordon has since been reduced to lessen the impact on local traders, but many still won’t be able to do business for the foreseeable future.  Mushtaq Ahmad, owner of Pakistani street food stall Chilli Cha Cha, told Time Out: ‘We’ve been trading at Kingston Market for over 10 years, so it has been incredibly difficult to see the damage caused by the fire, particularly to the fruit and veg stalls and the fish stall.’  Vietnamese street food stall PhoReal took to Instagram to say they were ‘sad and speechless’ at the impact of the devastating fire, while Kingston council leader Andreas Kirsch said the local authority was working hard to ‘support all those affected’. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phoreal Vietnamese Street Food & Franchise (@phorealuk) Founded in 1170, Kingston’s is one of the oldest markets in London. If, like us, your first thought on reading this was ‘what can I do to help this historic spot?’, you’re in the righ

Time to start penning that wish-list to the North Pole, because Christmas is just two-and-a-bit months away. London’s traditions of the festive period – think carol singers warbling in the street, tall trees ornamented with shiny baubles and Christmas lights glittering in the streets – will be making a comeback in a mere matter of weeks. And this year, they’ll have a touch of added magic. That’s because some of the Big Smoke’s most iconic Christmas lights will be themed around the wizarding world for 2026. Oxford Street’s yuletide illuminations will be going full ‘The Boy Who Lived’ this year to celebrate the launch of the new Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone TV show, scheduled to premiere on HBO on Christmas Day.  Alongside Oxford Street’s classic star Christmas lights, expect a series of Harry Potter-themed designs. Details of the illuminations are still under wraps, though, so as not to ruin the big switch-on, which usually takes place in early November. In recent years Oxford Street’s festive displays have been made out of eco-friendly materials including LED lights and recycled plastic. Photograph: Aidan Monaghan / HBOHarry Potter in his Quidditch cloak The lights will also make their sparkling debut in conjunction with the new Harry Potter flagship store, which opens on Oxford Street on November 4 (check out all the deets here). 2026 is turning out to be a big year for Potterheads. Check out Time Out's list of the best Christmas lights in London. Did you see t

If the news that Leytonstone has become something of an ‘it’ neighbourhood has escaped you, well, you’re a few years behind the times. Chock full of vintage furniture stores, lively nightlife spots and a wealth of proper boozers, nearby Leyton was even named among Time Out’s coolest neighbourhoods in the world a couple of years ago. Now, E11 is getting a new gig venue to add to its array of hotspots. When it opens its doors on October 23, Altar will be a bar slash record shop slash performance space. Get ready Leytonstoners, triple threat incoming.  Stepping inside its ground floor space, you’ll be greeted by a glossy tiled bar, curved wood-panelled banquette seating and velvet upholstery. Chop Shop Tavern’s team is to thank for the drinks menu, which features signature serves like a caprese gimlet, made with gin, tomato, basil and black pepper, and a Chunk sgroppino, a blend of liqueur and prosecco topped with lemon gelato from Leyton local Chunk Provisions.  Photograph: AltarBanquette seating at Altar, Leytonstone As for food, Altar is elevating the humble hot dog with twists like the banh mi hot dog dressed with pâté, kachumber, chilli-pickled carrot and crispy onion, and currywurst topped with mango chutney, raita, kachumber and crushed poppadom.  Sipping an ice-cold drink at the bar, you may even notice, from the corner of your eye, a teeny-weeny record shop. Run in partnership with Leyton’s Dreamhouse Records, it’ll stock a curated selection of new and used vinyl, wit

From singers and actors to reality TV stars, it seems like every celebrity and their mother has climbed Mount Everest by now. But with the ascent costing tens of thousands of pounds, not all of us have the moolah to get to the top. Just as well, then, that a new immersive experience recreating the scramble to the peak is coming to London. When ‘Everest: The First Ascent’ launches in the Big Smoke on September 30, the VR experience will transport visitors back to 1953 to relive Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's historic first climb. Expect to walk through the high-altitude camps, visit glaciers, and live the final summit approach, all without leaving the borough of Camden.  Image: EclipsoVR experience of mapping Everest route According to Eclipso, the virtual reality firm behind the new experience, it has been brought to life with a scientific advisory board of Himalayan, mountaineering and cultural specialists. Basically, the experts that really know their high-altitude stuff.  The new immersive experience heads to London after previewing at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, running on September 2-12.  Tickets start at £20, and the 50-minute experience includes a brief onboarding session followed by a 35-minute VR immersion. If you ask us, that sounds like one speedy race to the top. Everest: The First Ascent launches at Eclipso London on the basement floor of 213–219 Camden High Street, London NW1 8QR. You can book tickets via the company website here. Did you