Frankie Lister-Fell

Amsterdam means something different to everyone. Some fall in love with its storybook canals and centuries of history, while others come for its coffeeshops and legendary nightlife. Whatever draws you in, one thing’s certain: every neighborhood has its own charm. Whether you're exploring historic Jordaan, sipping orange wine in Noord or visiting top attractions like the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House, these canal-side flats and rare houseboat Airbnbs put you close to the city's finest. Best Airbnbs in Amsterdam at a glance ⛵Best houseboat: Boutique houseboat in Jordaan 💞Best for couples: Loft Airbnb next to Vondelpark 🤱Best for families: Central Airbnb with private garden 💥Most unique: The old windmill in Abcoude This guide was written by Derek Robertson, a writer based in Amsterdam. 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.  🏨 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Amsterdam

The sun always shines in Lisbon, the colourful Portuguese capital with no shortage of chic places to stay, but the city's best hotels aren't only about good night sleeps and sunshine. The coolest hotels in Lisbon offer inside looks into the city's history, from architecture and design to local culture and cuisine, with extra touches of elegance that'll really wow vitamin D-depraved guests.  Think rooftop pools overlooking a sea of terracotta-topped homes (and the sea, itself) tile-covered hideaways behind Portuguese palaces and buzzy bars and restaurants that are as much a draw for locals as they are for visitors. Whether you're after a humble boutique with plenty of character or a high-end base overlooking the sea and streets, this guide dishes out Lisbon’s most stylish stays for any kind of traveller. Just bring your appetite and your SPF.  The coolest hotels in Lisbon, at a glance: 👑 Best overall: Torel Palace Lisbon 📻 Best for retro charm: The Vintage 🏙️ Best for city views: Memmo Príncipe Real 🏛️ Best for a historic stay: AlmaLusa Alfama 🛋️ Best self-catering: The Lumiares 🏠 Best for homely vibes: Dear Lisbon 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Lisbon How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our brilliant team over at Time Out Lisbon, every hotel on this list has b

Donning your skis and hitting the slopes has a reputation for being an expensive business, often associated with a crowd that doesn’t blink twice at the prices of lift passes and luxury lodgings in Europe’s most magnificent mountain ranges. Sure, you can spend plenty on the slopes if you want, but you don’t have to remortgage the house to enjoy a few days on the pistes. Across Central and Eastern Europe in particular, there are heaps of welcoming resorts offering lift passes that won’t leave your bank account begging for mercy. For the record, all prices here reflect the 2026/27 ski season (unless otherwise mentioned) and are subject to change. What’s the cheapest place to ski in Europe? We’ve done some digging and found the cheapest places to go skiing include central and eastern European destinations like Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro. Oh, and – whisper it – there are a handful of reasonably priced spots in Italy, too. Read on to find out where. Europe’s best budget ski resorts at a glance 💸 Best budget option: Jasná Nízke Tatry, Slovakia 👪 Best for families: Babin Do, Bjelašnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina ⛷️ Best for beginners: Borovets, Bulgaria 🍻 Best for après-ski and all-night dancing: Arinsal, Andorra 🍽️ Best restaurant offerings: Livigno, Italy 📍 RECOMMENDED: The cheapest (and best) city breaks in Europe India-Jayne Trainor is a British-Australian travel writer based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who

Ah, Boston. It’s one of the most historic cities in the U.S.A., with plenty of heritage buildings and important political landmarks ready for you to roam around. In fact, it’s a wonderfully walkable place, but all those steps will leave you craving somewhere pleasant to rest your head (and feet) at the end of the day. That’s where we come in—and we’ve just revamped our list for Fall 2026, with new inclusions in the form of Raffles Boston, and our brand-new number one, The Whitney Hotel. Boston’s best hotels at a glance: 💎Most luxurious: Four Seasons Hotel Boston 👛Best budget: Fairmont Copley Plaza 🏊‍♀️Best swimming pool: The Colonnade Hotel 🌃Best rooftop: The Envoy Hotel 🤩Most iconic: The Liberty Which area is best to stay in Boston? Downtown and Chinatown are where to stay to have loads of the city’s attractions on your doorstep (we’re talking the Freedom trail and the Rose Kennedy Greenway), but opt for Back Bay or Seaport for—you guessed it—oceanfront views and swish modern buildings, or Beacon Hill for something a little more historic. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to hotels in Boston How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their

If you’re looking for a cosy weekend getaway, look no further than Rye – a quaint seaside town in East Sussex. Just over an hour from London, it’s the ideal spot for those wanting to kick back in a romantic medieval cottage or read a book in a sleek dune house. From Rye town centre to Camber Sands beach, here are the best Airbnbs in Rye. Updated September 2026: Fancy a swim? We’ve just added a stunning Airbnb right on Camber Sands, which has been voted one of the best beaches in the UK this year. Best Airbnbs in Rye at a glance 💋 Best for couples: Cottage close to Rye Station 🥳 Best for groups: Old Tudor home with a garden 🐶 Best for dog owners: Boutique cottage with a fireplace 🧸 Best for families: Refurbished pub in Church Square 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.

Colorado’s a state of contrasts: snow-capped mountains, lush forests and sprawling metropolises (for all the deets, check out our best things to do in Colorado). Lucky for you there’s a plethora of Airbnbs here, too. With all that adventuring you’ll be doing, we’ve handpicked the best Airbnbs that come with a hot tub so you can enjoy a post hike soak. From ski-in/ski-out chalets in Breckenridge to secluded mountain cabins in Estes Park perfect for stargazing, we’ve rounded up the best of the best for your Rocky Mountain trip. Best Colorado Airbnbs with a hot tub, at a glance:  ⛷️ Best Airbnb for skiing: Ski in and out flat in Breckenridge 🫰 Best budget-friendly Airbnb: Affordable cabin in Durango 🍼 Best Airbnb for families: Family-friendly home in Colorado Springs 🐶 Best dog-friendly Airbnb: Dog-friendly Airbnb near Cripple Creek 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.

Skye is no longer just a holiday in Scotland; it’s a bucket list destination. The remote location was even named one of the best islands in the world in 2026. Intrepid travellers are flocking to the otherworldly terrains of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, while embracing a new wave of modern Scottish architecture: the modern bothy. Here, true luxury means floor-to-ceiling glass windows and wood-burning stoves. We’ve handpicked the best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye.  Best Airbnbs on the Isle of Skye at a glance 🌠 Best to see the Northern Lights: Glamping pod with outdoor bath in Staffin 💞 Most romantic: Airbnb overlooking a loch in Carbost 💎 Best on a budget: Cabin with fire pit in Glendale 🧸 Best for families: Home with a telescope in Snizort Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, our writers have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, amenities and in-depth research 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.

Puglia is the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot that is one of the best places to visit in the country right now. Smart travellers are no longer heading to the overcrowded, very expensive Amalfi Coast, they’re opting for the ancient olive groves, famous trullo architecture and UNESCO-listed towns of Puglia. Whether you’re staying in the White City of Ostuni or the historic Alberobello, Puglia is all about the dolce far niente, the sweetness of doing nothing. These are the best Airbnbs that allow you to do just that. Best Airbnbs in Puglia at a glance 👙 Best swimming pool: Trullo with a whrilpool and hot tub 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Best for families: Airbnb with a garden and pool near Cisternino 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Best for couples: Flat with a balcony by the sea 💎 Best on a budget: Trullo with a pool in San Michele Salentino Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, our writers have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, amenities and in-depth research 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.

British winters deserve more credit. Yes, the sun is gone and the skies are grey – but the leaves are golden, the log fires are lit and country walks are crisp. There’s no better to enjoy it than tucked away in a countryside cottage. From Airbnbs with open fires in the Cotswolds to secluded Lake District stone cabins with hot tubs, here are the top-rated UK winter cottages to book this season. Updated September 2026: We've added an adorable thatched-roof cottage in a sleepy Dorset town. It's the perfect base for windswept walks along the Jurassic Coast. The cosiest Airbnbs at a glance 👩‍❤️‍👨 Best for couples: Cottage with a fireplace in Yorkshire 🌳 Most unique: Treehouse with log burner in Sussex 🤌 Best with a hot tub: Log cabin in Cornwall 💷 Best on a budget: Dog-friendly barn in Somerset 👶 Best for families: Thatched roof cottage in Dorset 📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to UK getaways Who makes the cut? While we have stayed in some of the Airbnbs featured, we may not have been to them all. 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.

Yes nothing beats a Jet 2 Holiday, but you don’t always need to leave the UK to have a good time away from the grind. That’s especially true if you’re booking for a big crew. Whether you’re planning a milestone birthday, hen do, multi-generational family reunion or just a weekend celebration, we’ve found the best big group Airbnbs across the UK. From luxury Cotswolds manor houses to homes on the Cornish coast, here are the best Airbnbs for eight people or more. Updated September 2026: We’ve added a stunning stone cottage in Wales, close to Snowdonia, that comes with a hot tub under the stars and a fireplace – perfect for a cosy countryside getaway. Best large Airbnbs in the UK at a glance 💞 Best for hen dos: Barn with a pool in Oxfordshire 👶 Best for families: Airbnb with hot tub in Lancashire 💎 Best on a budget: Converted church in Shropshire 🧖‍♀️ Best with a hot tub: Coach house near Snowdonia 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.

The best part of a walking holiday isn’t the cardio, it is the absolute impunity with which you can demolish a massive pub lunch afterwards. And if you are looking for a rural escape, the Peak District is elite. England’s oldest National Park is a mix of rugged ridges and pretty valleys, making it the perfect spot to disappear for a weekend. Whether you are here to lace up your boots for a brutal hill climb, crash down some cycling trails, or just spend three days hopping between tea rooms and pints, it the Peak District delivers. To save you scrolling through thousands of identical rentals, we’ve found the Peak District Airbnbs worth your time. We are talking converted stone barns with wood-burning stoves, valley views that don't require leaving the sofa and beds designed to make you miss your morning alarm. Best Airbnbs in the Peak District, at a glance 🛖 Best for a barn conversion in Tideswell ⛪ Best for a converted chapel in Brassington 🦙 Best for a farm stay with Alpacas in Ilam 🛁 Best for a cottage in Monyash 🚶‍♂️ Best for walkers in Flagg 📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to UK getaways 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. 

A weekend escape from the big city is definitely needed sometimes, and you don’t need to hop on a plane to find incredible places to unwind, explore and recharge. If you’re looking to stay put in the Capital, head over to our guide to the best Airbnbs in London. But for all things coastal, charming and windswept outside of the city, read on, friends – we’ve got charming market towns, rolling countryside and tucked-away villages a-plenty.  📌 Updated August 2026: New for 2026 are our all-new reviews of The View at Shoreline in Folkestone and Elmore Wild Treehouses in Gloucester, which are both not to be missed. Read on for details and how to book.  RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to UK getaways The best Airbnb breaks near London, at a glance 🏖️ Best seaside getaway: The View at Shoreline, Folkestone 💦 Best for wild swimming and hot tubs: The Ditchling Cabin in South Downs 🏔️ Best for total isolation: The Pobble House in Dungeness 💅 Best for a girls’ trip: The contemporary vineyard in Toppesfield, Essex 🛖 Most treehouse: Elmore Wild ‘Wildcat’ Treehouse 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.  ➡️ The ultimate guide to travelling near London

People love to make fun of British food. Sure, some of our dishes might be bland, beige and relying on salt for flavour, but one thing we do excellently is Indian food. So it’s always welcome news when another Indian restaurant is added to the mix – and this new venue in west London will bring something new to the capital’s offering. The Talli Queen will open on Tuesday October 27 in Shepherd’s Bush, taking over the former Queen Adelaide pub on Uxbridge Road. At the helm is Avi Shashidhara who is a former chef at the Michelin-starred River Café and featured on Great British Menu in 2023. He also opened the Fitzrovia restaurant Pahli Hill which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. In other words, Avi, who travels frequently to India, knows what he’s doing. The new gastropub has a menu that’s ‘designed to be ordered freely’, rather than in traditional course format. It takes inspo from ‘Kerala's toddy shops, Bangalore's neighbourhood pubs and bars, the military canteens of southern India’. Standout dishes include Toddy shop clams, Bangalore-inspired dosas and chicken and liver pepper fry.  Photograph: Anna Francesca JenningsCocktails at The Talli Queen With all that spice, you'll be needing a pint of refreshing lager to wash it down with. There’s plenty of that to choose from, with 18 beers on tap and an array of Indian spirits, including the rare Mahua. The clue is in the name: Talli is Hindu for ‘tipsy’.  The interior is in harmony with the building’s 120-year-old history,

It’s the UK’s largest county and it’s home to the best tea bags in all the land, so it’s makes sense that travelling around Yorkshire should be as seamless as possible. And it soon will be, as a brand new station is coming to a city in the north.  Hot on the heels of its year in the spotlight as City of Culture 2025, Bradford is set to welcome a new train station, replacing its current Bradford Interchange, which was built in the 1970s. The new transit hub will bring more frequent and reliable trains, improving connections to major cities including York, Leeds and Manchester. This is all part of a bigger plan, too. The new station will be part of the new publicly owned Great British Railways, which if you haven’t heard of it before is the government’s plan to nationalise the railways, again. Bradford will also be a station where the new high-speed railway line between Birmingham and Manchester will stop. This new route, aptly named the Northern Powerhouse Rail project, will connect the two cities with a super-fast train. The project promises to deliver ‘multiple trains an hour’ running between the major cities, meaning customers won’t need to check timetables before they travel. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘Today marks an important milestone for Bradford with a brand-new station that will transform how people travel across the north.  ‘By bringing Northern Powerhouse Rail into the heart of the city, we are unlocking the huge potential Bradford offers – improving

The Tate is undoubtedly a household name when it comes to seeing reliably good art. There’s the Tate Modern for all things trendy and contemporary, the Tate Britain for British art history from the 1500s, and the Tate Liverpool, which is currently under renovation. But Tate St Ives in Cornwall truly brings something quite special - not least because of its stunning location – so it’s no wonder it’s been declared one of the best galleries in the UK by Time Out. Opening in 1993, the whitewashed gallery occupies a former gas works overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on St Ives’ Porthmeor Beach. The building’s architects Eldred Evans and David Shalev have designed Tate St Ives so visitors are in constant contact with the ocean. Windows and viewpoints throughout the gallery frame the crashing waves outside and the café is on the roof with sweeping views.  While it may be the smallest out of the four Tates – even after it expanded significantly in the mid-2010s – it’s also the most relaxed. Its core collections centre around local artists, mainly 20th century modern art tied to west Cornwall, and its temporary exhibitions are ‘interesting, esoteric, relatively un-blockbustery’, Time Out’s theatre editor Andrzej Lukowski said. So there’s no Matisse or Picasso here, but there’s a lot more in keeping with St Ives history as a fishing village and artist hub. On at the moment is a textile exhibition by Gözde İlkin who makes wave-like sculptures inspired by the west Cornish coast. Andrzej add

London’s lesbian renaissance hasn’t died yet: southeast is about to get a new sapphic venue. After successful crowdfunding, the community-focused Dorothy's will open in Camberwell soon. We truly love to see it. In recent times, London welcomed what was quickly known as a lesbian renaissance, thanks to the opening of new FLINTA bars La Camionera and Goldie Saloon (RIP) in Hackney, buzzing club nights, and community events like the London Dyke March and Dyke Market. But with many queer spots basing themselves in the east of the capital, it’s very welcome news indeed that SE London has another LGBTQ+ venue on the way. Co-founders Molly McCabe and Beth White launched a fundraiser to take over the former St George’s Tavern in Camberwell and turn it into sapphic pub Dorothy’s. They want the space to be not just ‘another bar’ but a ‘real queer home’. It’s located behind Burgess Park on the corner of (amazingly) Rainbow Street. They have managed to raise £46,116 so far. Dorothy’s said on its fundraiser: ‘For years, queer spaces in London have been disappearing, and lesbian spaces have been hit hardest. ‘Right now, there are only a tiny handful of dedicated lesbian venues left in the entire UK. At the same time, so many queer people, especially lesbians, trans people and non-binary people, still struggle to find places where they can fully relax, socialise and feel safe being themselves.’ Dorothy’s will be London’s third dedicated lesbian venue, after the café and cocktail bar Goldie

Dust off your air guitars: rock legends Nickelback are touring next year and will be visiting the UK at a string of venues. That’s right, the Canadian rock band from the 2000s that sung classics like ‘Rockstar’ and ‘How You Remind Me’ will be embarking on a worldwide tour named Everything Under The Sun after their most recent album. They’ll be travelling across Europe, the US and Australia. In the UK, the band will be playing in London, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham in spring next year. Want to relive your youth (and hear some new tracks from the latest album)? Here’s everything you need to know about tickets, from presale information to pricing. When is Nickelback going on tour? The tour kicks off in North America on February 6 before Nickelback crosses the pond and starts touring the UK, beginning in Leeds, during May and finishing in early June. Photograph: Live NationNickelback are going on a worldwide tour next year - and they're coming to the UK   What UK tour dates have been announced so far? At the moment, the band is doing five dates in the UK. They are:  Saturday May 22 – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena Tuesday May 25 – London, The O2 Friday May 28 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena Tuesday June 1 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro Wednesday June 2 – Manchester, Co-op Live When do Nickelback tickets go on sale?  General release tickets for each gig go on sale on Friday, October 16 at 10am. You can buy tickets for each gig from Live Nation here, or on Ticketmaster. Is the

Even if you’ve never stayed there, you’ve probably heard of The Savoy. And you’ll probably think of it as one of London’s most deluxe hotels. It’s up there with The Ritz and Claridge’s. Well, that same Savoy has just opened a new drinking den, proving London’s wine bar obsession isn’t slowing down any time soon. Located on the ground floor, The Beaufort Wine Bar will offer a huge collection of 250 wines from 18 different countries. If you can’t afford a bottle, you’re in luck. Over half of the cellar can be served by the glass (using Coravin technology), so you can sip your way through rare options without having to splash out a fortune. The new method allows you to drink wine without pulling the cork out. The wine list includes vintage bottles from 1975 up to 2025, including First Growth Bordeaux and mature champagne.  Photograph: The SavoyCured meats will be cut at the table using Head sommelier Romain Audrerie will guide choices with curated recommendations. He previously worked on the opening of celeb hotspot restaurant Chiltern Firehouse, which closed temporarily following a fire. There will be live music, DJ sets and wine cocktails, which focus on grape-led spirits, featuring Pisco, Cognac and Grappa.  The food offering is hearty plates built for sharing and pairing with the wines. Adding a bit of table-side drama, a bespoke flywheel slicer trolley will be rolled out to serve hand-carved jamón Ibérico and artisan cured meats on demand, alongside British cheeses. The B

If you’ve seen Trainspotting, you’d probably want to stay clear of Edinburgh’s Leith. But a lot has changed for the waterfront neighbourhood since its economic decline in the 1980s. It’s not much of a secret that Leith is one of the best places in Edinburgh these days. In summer, it made the shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028. Now, one of Leith’s main neighbourhoods has just been ranked as one of the coolest in the UK. Leith Walk, the 1.2-mile stretch of road connecting Leith with Edinburgh’s New Town, is cool for many reasons. Primarily, it’s a place that ticks all the cultural boxes: indie shops, a good place for a pint, and most importantly: food. Leith is considered a proper foodie destination, with Michelin starred restaurants, Scottish pub grub and bakeries. On Leith Walk, pick up a flat white and a loaf of slow fermented sourdough from Twelve Triangles, head to Mirin for Asian fusion small plates and Vittoria for classic Italian fare. On the culture side of things, you’ve got Out of the Blue Drill Hall for markets, exhibitions and tastes of the community’s creative scene. When nighttime calls, La Beat Soul Club is the spot for a sweaty dancefloor and vinyl DJ sets or there's Queer Ceilidh for a taste of traditional dance. Vintage lovers should head to 5th Season for ’70s-leaning Western vibes and Pascal & Co for folkloric charm and carefully restored garments. Time Out’s resident experts across the UK have handpicked the coolest neighbourhoods in the country right n

It’s no secret that London has terrible phone service. Struggling to send a text on Stoke Newington’s Church Street or open your emails in Covent Garden is a frustratingly familiar feeling. But which area really has it the worst? A very precise picture of the capital’s true phone service issues has been developed. Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a plan to eradicate ‘dead zones’ (we’re looking at you, Liverpool Street) and sluggish network speeds across the capital. An interactive map of the city’s mobile coverage measured every part of London against four factors including signal strength and download speed. Researchers hit the pavements across 19 neighbourhoods during the busy Christmas shopping season, testing four anonymised phone networks. They then merged those results with connectivity data expert Ookla’s Speedtest, which was crowdsourced from users. This gives us an accurate picture of Greater Londoner’s connectivity issues. The stats show that overall, London’s download and upload speeds were actually good, and even surpassed Ofcom’s minimum by quite a bit. Where the city struggled the most was in the ‘latency’ category. Okay, allow us to get technical, latency is a network response time, such as how long it takes to load a webpage or hear the other person you’re calling. All 19 areas surveyed exceeded the Ofcom minimum. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 5G was ‘widely available’ but ‘unevenly deployed’, with Brick Lane, Dalston and Eversholt Street having weak or absent 5G cover

It’s one of the best, perhaps the best national dish, so it’s only right we have a seriously coveted awards competition behind it. Pass the tartar sauce, the National Fish and Chip Awards has just released its shortlist of the best fish and chip restaurants in the UK. This category is all about the best sit-down joints you can get a proper battered cod, mushy pea and thick-cut chip situation. So it’s not to be confused with the annual awards’ best fish and chip takeaways shortlist. These eateries were judged by a panel – consisting of industry experts — on the quality of food, hospitality, vibes, and the more business side of things such as sustainably and staff development.    Finalists are from across the country, from The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack in Edinburgh to Lakeside Fish & Chips in Poole. There’s even a London entry, with Golden Union in Soho pulling ahead of the rest of the capital’s competitors. Last year, the seaside Trenchers of Whitby in Yorkshire won the top spot. Judges praised their fish fried in traditional beef dripping – a staple they’ve been serving since 1980. The restaurant’s general manager Andrew Wilkinson said since winning the award they have had their ‘best and busiest year’ year. Photograph: The National Fish & Chip AwardsGeneral manager Andrew Wilkinson (pictured right) with the team at Trenchers of Whitby, who won the award last year Another Yorkshire gem, Whitby’s Restaurant & Take Away, came in third last year, and it has been shortlisted ag

Londoners, if you were hoping to frolic through the West End without having to look both ways when you cross the road, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer. The much-anticipated plan to transform one of the busiest parts of central London into a car-free zone has been delayed. Led by both Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate, the grand plan announced earlier this year would pedestrianise Regent Street St James’s from south of Piccadilly Circus until it reaches the royal St James’s Park. The proposals would also broaden the pedestrian space currently at Piccadilly Circus. Overall, this would generate 35,000 square metres of public space, which is about five football pitches. Image: Westminster CouncilMap of pedestrianised area around Piccadilly Circus Separately, a 1km stretch of nearby Oxford Street is also being pedestrianised by the Mayor of London. And the grand opening of that is just around the corner. Part of Oxford Street will be car-free from October 26. The mayor’s City Hall had previously been supportive of the pedestrianisation of Regent Street St James’s, saying it would ‘complement’ the Oxford Street redevelopment. At the mo, vehicles heading north travel along Regent Street St James’s, whereas those going southwards drive down neighbouring Haymarket. But under the proposed plans, no drivers are allowed on Regent Street James’s and instead they can travel on Haymarket, which would handle traffic moving in both directions. There would also

Forget Cornwall’s famous coves and Brighton’s fun-filled rocky beaches, a secluded beach in Wales has just been deemed the best in the UK. Traeth Llanddwyn on the quaint island of Anglesey has been crowned the best beach in the country in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. They’re in good company, as we also picked it as the best beach earlier this year. So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, for starters it’s not just a beach. This 3.5-mile-long stretch of white sand is surrounded by Corsican pine forests, dunes home to wildflowers and a lighthouse. In other words, it’s got a seriously stunning backdrop. Not only that, but visitors can enjoy views of the Irish sea and the peaks of Snowdonia. Arguably one of the best parts is it never feels super crowded, thanks to its remote location (you need to travel to the island of Anglesey first). CNT readers gave it a near-perfect average score of 96.67 out of 100.  Photograph: ShutterstockAnglesey, Llanddwyn Island Lighthouse At low tide, you can also walk to Llanddwyn Island, which is often considered the most romantic place in Wales. Here, wild horses graze near the 16th century chapel ruins built in honour of St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Reaching Traeth Llanddwyn takes a bit of extra effort. Driving is by far the most convenient way, but adventurous folk relying on public transport can catch the number 42 bus. Get off at Niwbwrch and you can enjoy a scenic, 5km trek before you can sink your toes i

If you think art is only displayed in sterile, white-washed rooms or lofty halls, think again. A radical art centre in Cardiff that mixes film, performance and art has been recognised as one of the best in the UK. Chapter Arts Centre, in Cardiff’s trendy creative neighbourhood Canton, has been breaking the rules for decades – since the 1970s to be precise. There’s certainly a lot going on at Chapter: an indie cinema, contemporary exhibitions and performance art. The through-line is that each showing is designed to spark conversations on contemporary issues and provoke new perspectives. The best part? Entry is pay what you can. The cafe and bar is usually pretty popping too. Currently on display is Street TV, an exhibition on the history of Welsh activists in film; Silence in the Dream that Cannot Hold Us, an exploration of the family archive and On Hold On, a series of overlooked artworks and objects from the National Museum of Wales. Chapter also supports local artists and is home to more than 50 creative studios. The cultural site is also an official partner venue for the BFI London Film Festival, hosting premieres outside of London that local film buffs would otherwise have to travel across the border to see. Locals have long known Chapter is the place to be, but now the multidisciplinary space has been recognised in Time Out’s list of the best art galleries in the UK, behind The Lowry in Salford and Hastings Contemporary. So its diverse programming and status as an art-