India Lawrence

People are obsessed with Kent for a reason, and to be honest, the biggest reason is probably Margate. This humble seaside town blew up a few years ago (mostly with day-trippers), and since then its seen a string of fantastic restaurants, bars and more open on its seafront.  Put simply, Margate is the perfect day out, from its quaint vintage shops to its old-school arcades, as well as its thriving contemporary art scene (shout out to the Turner Contemporary, one of the best in the business). We’ve curated the perfect day in this delightful seaside town: here are the best things to do in Margate right now.  🚆 RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from 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. This article includes affiliate links. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

London music festivals have made plenty of headlines this year, with the future of some of the city’s most popular events looking a little uncertain at present. Nevertheless, Londoners are still exceptionally lucky to have an abundance of day-long musical extravanganzas to choose from. We Londoners love live music, so it’s no surprise that we’re absolutely spoilt for choice when summer rolls around. With something taking place almost every weekend throughout the warmer months, you can forget trekking across the country to live in a field for five days; simply hop on the tube and before you know it you’re listening to your favourite artists, tinny to hand, knowing that there’s a hot shower and a cosy bed waiting for you once the day is over.  We are right in the thick of festival season right now, which means you’ve either been to one of the early summer events already or you’ve secured tickets and started planning your outfit for something coming up in the next few weeks. If not, there’s still time to plan a fabulous weekend of dancing, drinking and mild sunstroke before the summer is out, with up-coming festivals devoted to hip-hop, jazz, leftfield electronic music, disco, afrobeats, heavy rock ‘n’ roll...the list goes on. Take it from us, whatever your taste may be, London has a day festival for you! Have a scroll through our comprehensive guide – which we keep meticulously updated with all the latest line-up announcements – and see what takes your fancy. RECOMMENDED: ⛺ The

Summer is officially here, and the current 30C heatwave has us excited about sweating it out on the streets of west London with Red Stripe pulsing through our veins, because Notting Hill Carnival is just around the corner. As you gear up for one of the capital’s most fun weekends of the year, it’s understandable if you might want to do a little more prep than simply stocking up on Red Stripe and paint powder.  Carnival is an incredible knees-up, but with all its sounds, sights and crowds, it can get a little overwhelming. An estimated 2.5 million punters head to west London for the celebration, so it’s totally normal that you might get turned around, lost or just need a handy reminder of where you're going after several rounds of Wray & Ting.  Never fear! We’ve created the interactive map below, soundsystems and all, to help you navigate your way around the famous west London parade. Check it out.  What is the schedule for Notting Hill Carnival 2025? Notting Hill Carnival 2025 starts on Sunday, August 24 and continues on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25.  What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2025 parade route?  NHC likes to keep attendees on their toes and is famous for releasing all the details, including stage headliners, at the last minute. In that ilk, the official route map for 2025 hasn’t been revealed yet. However, it’s pretty similar every year so we have a good idea of what it will look like.  Sunday is the day of the children’s parade and the adult’s parade takes place o

There’s nothing quite like a proper London pub. Maybe we’re old romantics, but old school boozers are the beating heart of this city. After many evenings of tipsy research, we’ve done the impossible and ranked the 50 best pubs in London.  The pubs on this list are heavy with the powerful whiff of history – though that just might be the sticky carpets – and throbbing with heart, soul and community charm.  How did we decide what made the final 50? With a scary amount of the UK’s pubs closing by the week, we wanted to highlight some of this city’s less well-known and independent inns. The pubs included here are places where you’ll not only get perfect pints, but pickled eggs, epic karaoke nights and intense darts sessions. There’s no gatekeeping here at Time Out and these spots are where old-school regulars rub shoulders with the new wave of pintspeople, from Clapton to Catford, via Walthamstow, Woolwich, Peckham and more. Want cosy and convivial? You’ve come to the right place.  Of course, in a city with well over 3,000 pubs, not everything can make the cut. If you’re looking for pubs with fancy food, you’ll find them in our list of the best gastropubs in London. Wondering where London’s most legendary drinking dens are? They’re all in this list of London’s most historic pubs. Cheers. RECOMMENDED: These are the best pubs in Soho. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor, and has spent an impressive amount of time drinking in London's many pubs. She even used to

Europe is not lacking in jaw-dropping beauty. Its home to seven Wonders of the World, for one thing, as well as 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and even that doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the incredible things you can find across the continent. But even if we can’t list every single beautiful place in Europe, we can list our favourites. To put together this list, we asked our editorial staff team and travel writers based all over Europe for the most beautiful things they’d ever seen on their travels. The result? Stories of taking boats out on Germany’s hidden lakes, climbing up to vast sand dunes in France, afternoons spent strolling Art Nouveau streets in Latvia and childhoods spent clambering over jagged stones in Ireland. From solitary islands to well-trodden walking routes, here are the most beautiful places in Europe, picked by us. 📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to destinations in Europe Ella Doyle is Time Out’s guides editor. 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. 

If you boil a sauna down to its nuts and bolts, it’s essentially just a really hot room and some water to create steam with. Wild, then, how much of a positive affect those two simple ingredients can have on our bodies, healing weary muscles, doing wonders for our skin, and helping all the horrible toxins we insist on putting in our insides get back out. Saunas originated back in Finland back in the Middle Ages, where almost every house had one – imagine! In modern London, we’re not all so lucky as to have our own personal spa, but there are a wealth of top saunas around the city. From plunge pools and infrared therapy rooms to Finnish-style homages and ones soundtracked by DJ sets, you’ll find the steam sesh for you in the capital. Check out our video of 10 of the best spas in London: RECOMMENDED:Sauna culture is heating up London’s nightlifeThe best spas in London

The smog and stress of London can really take its toll on your skin. That’s why there’s nothing better than a regular facial (or a one-off treat) to give you that much-needed top-up, leaving you feeling glowing, fresh-faced and dewy.  Just thinking about what we put our skin through is enough to give you frown lines. That’s thanks to the combined efforts of pollution and air-conditioned offices, as well as the added bonuses of harsh weather, booze, sun exposure, dehydration and – our least favourite – the inevitable passing of time. Happily, there are loads of great spas, treatment rooms and estheticians in London who can give your face a break and a much-needed zhuzh. Whether you’re after a relaxing, soothing facial massage, some instant radiance, a total skincare overhaul or something a little more intense such as microneedling or laser treatment, read our pick of facials in London.  RECOMMENDED: The best spas in London. 

Peckham locals have always been proud of the area’s brand: a melting pot of cultural vibrancy, eccentric individuals, and an artsy, young DIY crowd thanks to nearby Goldsmiths University and Camberwell College of Arts. It rivals Dalston and all those other East End upstarts as the place to hang out, and it’s the perfect spot for new restaurants to find their feet. Here are some of the best in the area, as well as a host of notable places to eat just down the road in Camberwell, too.  RECOMMENDED: The best 50 restaurants in London. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

By August you might be feeling burnt out by the preceeding months of beer-garden-drinking, day-festivalling and sun-lounging. But we’re here to tell you to rally, because there are plenty of reasons to get excited about the final month of summer in London. The biggest thing happening? It’s Notting Hill Carnival – the biggest festival of its kind in Europe that takes over the streets of west London for the bank holiday weekend.  When you’re not having a riotous time dancing to tinnitus-inducing dance hall with a pocket full of Red Stripe, there are plenty of other ways to get your fill of live music this month. All Points East, Body Movements and Boiler Room Festival are just a few of the festivals pitching their tents and blasting music across various parks in London. UK Black Pride is also back for its 20th anniversary this year, with what promises to be its biggest and boldest event yet. It’s also your last chance to catch huge theatre shows and art exhibitions, including Evita starring Rachel Zegler, Inter Alia with Rosamund Pike and Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern. Before September hits, let’s hope there’s enough sun for a London lido swim, lazy days in the city’s parks, outdoor-cinema sessions and all the other alfresco pleasures that summer in London has to offer.  Plan your whole year with our BIG London events calendar.

Amsterdam is one of the world’s best cities, no doubt about it. Every wander down a cobbled street will take you somewhere exciting, whether you're a foodie, curious about the Red Light District, or in the mood to party for 24 hours straight. And as a tourism capital, it’s no surpise that it’s overrun with exceptional places to stay, from 18th-century canalside mansions to converted bridge keepers’ houses and seriously high-grade establishments.  So if you’re looking for a tip-top place to bed down after a day of exploring the city’s best museums, attractions and coffee shops, you’ve come to the right place. From the city centre through to De Negen Straatjes, here are the best hotels in Amsterdam right now. Updated January 2025: We re-reviewed Amsterdam’s five-star Conservatorium Hotel to see if it’s up-to-scratch (spoiler: it is). See where we ranked it below! RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Amsterdam🌳 Where to stay in Amsterdam 📍 The best things to do in Amsterdam🍴 The best restaurants in Amsterdam🎀 The best boutique hotels in Amsterdam Ella Doyle and Grace Beard are Time Out’s travel editors. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts. 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. 

In August things slow down a bit in the dance world – ballerinas need summer holidays too, you know.  However, that doesn’t mean that Londoners will be totally deprived of dance on stage this month. The Peaky Blinders ballet comes back to town, and Stratford East is staging a new version of Romeo & Juliet, co-produced with emerging dance artists and local community talent. Meanwhile Camden Fringe will include several new and experimental works.  Here’s our pick of the best dance in London this August.  India is in charge of dance listings at Time Out. She was first shoved into a leotard and ballet shoes aged four, and has loved it ever since. Nowadays India prefers contemporary (or dancing in a sweaty club) to ballet, but still has a soft spot for the odd grand jeté every now and again. India has been reviewing dance in London since joining Time Out in 2022.  MORE STAGE: Dance classes in London Best theatre shows this yearBest theatre shows this monthBest comedy shows this month

It’s sometimes easy to forget that London is home to world-leading nightlife. Sure, we have cracking pubs on every corner, amazing restaurants and a buzzy bar scene, but often what you really need is a full-on dance: I’m talking smoke, strobe lights and an absolute stomper of a sound system. I promise you, it’s good for the soul. Since I moved to London, I’ve been making my way around the city’s many dancefloors, and I like to think that by now I know a thing or two about what separates an average club from a venue which will have you itching to come back week after week. From Sunday day raves at FOLD to secret line-ups at Venue MOT and no-nonsense pop nights at Moth Club, we are home to some absolutely banging nights out in this city. You just need to know where to look. That said, the best thing about going out in London is the sheer variety on offer. You can go to a huge daytime party at Drumsheds with international superstar DJs then head to an underground warehouse party in the Docklands the very same weekend. You can try your best to master Northern Soul footwork, sing your heart out to some serious cheese or dance the night away at one of the capital’s many LGBTQ+ institutions. Want a big night out? Not sure where to go? We’ve got you. Our list features clubs in central London, east London, west London, north London and in south London, and all of them have been selected for their quality of programming, sound system and straight-up vibes. These are the best nightclubs

If you’ve seen a ballet at the Royal Opera House, there’s a high chance you will be familiar with the work of Wayne McGregor. The ROH’s resident choreographer since 2006, the dance polymath brought a sleeker, more minimal and modern style of ballet, rooted in contemporary, to the Covent Garden stage. He has worked with numerous companies, including his own Studio Wayne McGregor, and even choreographed ABBA Voyage. Now Somerset House is staging a huge exhibition dedicated to McGregor’s three-decade-long repertoire, which includes ballets inspired by Virginia Woolf, Margaret Attwood, and 1980s sci-fi. Through a series of multi-sensory choreographic installations, performances and experiments, Infinite Bodies will explore how technology is used in dance choreography, music, and lighting, with works that incorporate motion capture, machine learning, AI interactivity, and digital imaging, alongside hybrid realities and robotics. 

From Vivienne Westwood’s mud-inspired collection, to Acne Studio’s stained jeans, the autumn exhibition at the Barbican traces fashion’s obsession with all things dirty, grimy and messy. That’s right. Through the collections of more than 60 designers from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion will take a look at everything from models wrestling in mud at New York fashion week, to Hussein Chalayan’s dresses buried underground, and the newish trend, hailing from Copenhagen, ‘bogcore’. Containing pieces from Paco Rabane, Dilara Findikoglu, Maison Margiela, Issey Miyake and Alexander McQueen, Dirt’s lineup promises to give a comprehensive look at the grubbier side of clothing design, with enough to impress any fashion lover. 

‘It’s Ibiza lite,’ says my trip guide about Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza, as we whizz through the island’s lush hillsides in a taxi on our way to the hotel.  What she means is this: at the four-star resort Amàre you can be either a beachy hippy or a club rat (the dichotomy of ‘beefa, basically) – or for the most fulfilling stay, try a bit of both. So whether you’re going down the route of balearic poolside beats fuelled by unlimited breakfast mimosas, or rooftop yoga, heavenly massages, and serene swims, at Amàre you get to choose your own adventure, Ibiza style.  Why stay at Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza? To put it simply, Amàre Ibiza is a non-pretetious place to kick back, lounge by the pool and enjoy the Island’s nighttime delights. It’s in a good location for getting to both the nightclubs and the more tranquil beaches, but there’s enough going on inside the resort that you could happily stay there for a week without leaving.  If luxe exclusivity is your motive, Amàre also gives guests the option to book access to ‘The One’, a VIP lounge offering unlimited free snacks and drinks all day long, and a private seafront terrace, as well as a 10 percent discount on the minibar and wellness treatments.  This adults-only resort did have quite a few hen parties (where in Ibiza doesn’t?) but it was nothing imposing, and it was quite fun playing ‘spot the bride’ when gaggles of women would arrive at reception in matching sparkly outfits.  What are the rooms like at Amàre Beach Hotel Ibiza? Bri

‘Instagram face’, CGI influencers and AI sex dolls are all going under the microscope in the new Somerset House exhibition, Virtual Beauty.   Through more than 20 works, this pay-what-you-feel show explores the impact of digital technologies on how we define beauty today. The exhibition traces the origin of the digital selfie from the first flip phone with a front-facing camera, to today’s minefield of deepfake pornography, augmented reality face filters and Instagram algorithms. It’s primarily concerned with the ‘Post-Internet’ art movement, a 21st-century body of work and criticism that examines the influence of the internet on art and culture. In the first room, we encounter early artworks that comment on society’s gruelling beauty standards, like ORLAN’s disturbing 1993 performance that saw her going under the knife live on camera, and taking recommendations by audience members over the phone. Famous celeb selfies like Ellen DeGeneres’ A-lister packed Oscars snap are shown on a grainy phone screen, then we’re taken on a whistlestop tour of digital artworks, each one providing some sort of comment on beauty, society and the online world.   There’s a lot in Virtual Beauty that is pretty on the nose. We are shown a Black Mirror-style satirical advert for a pharmaceutical company called ‘You’, that offers people the chance to alter their appearance without plastic surgery – simply have a chip inserted into your brain, and the technology makes you appear different, essentially

From the outside it looks like just another flat roof pub, but inside is one of London’s best intimate nightclubs. Hidden inside a Hoxton estate, the Lion and Lamb has been a favourite with London’s electronic heads for quite some time now. The dark cavern (which happens to have one of the best ceilings in London, covered in dangling aux cords) is known for booking the finest DJs in house, techno and tech house. Regulars behind the decks include fabric resident Craig Richards, Radioactive Man, Voigtmann and more. Bear in mind: the Lion and Lamb hasn’t got the latest licence, but parties often start early at 6pm to make up for it. 

  I’m going to say it: I’m not a fan of rock ballets. Pop ballet, electronic ballet and soul ballet are all things I can get on board with. But rock ballet? Please god no. I don’t want to see a ballerina in an edgy black tutu playing air guitar, à la the 2023 Black Sabbath Ballet. So, I’m pleased to say that Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, using music by The Who and inspired by the 1979 film of the same name, manages to avoid all the usual pitfalls of a classical dance show desperately trying to attract, lets face it, probably boomer men who would usually be averse to spending three hours in the theatre watching men and women leaping about in tights.  For starters, the music of this show created by Who guitarist Pete Townshend isn’t simply  recordings of the original songs, but a moving, bombastic and sweeping live orchestral rendition of the album Quadrophenia (with a few other songs, including ‘My Generation’, thrown in for good measure) by Rachel Fuller, AKA Mrs Townshend. Secondly, the stunning lighting, set and projections (videos are by YeastCulture) keep the production feeling sharp and modern. And most importantly, the themes of the story ring as true today as they did when the film was made – it explores toxic masculinity, and an increasingly dissatisfied and restless younger generation, facing an existential crisis in the face of capitalism, class struggles, and world-wide conflicts (in this ballet’s case, it’s the aftermath of World War II).  Quadrophenia tells the sto

The UK Green Film Festival returns to cinemas across the country this July with a programme of award-winning environmental documentaries. Dalston’s Rio Cinema will be hosting the London screenings of five urgent documentaries that explore global stories of environmental justice and hope. These include: Nanna Frank Møller and Zlatko Pranjic’s The Sky Above Zenica, a portrait of civic resistance which follows citizens of Zenica, Bosnia as they confront pollution, corporate negligence, and political indifference; Searching For Amani, a deeply personal story exlporing the relationship between climate change and social justice that picked up awards at Tribeca and Raindance film festivals; and Once Upon A Time In A Forest, that follows a passionate young activist resisting deforestation. 

A new wholesome day festival has entered the chat. From the people behind Brainchild, Desire Lines promises to be an all-day extravaganza of DJs, live music, theatre, works-in-progress performances, local craft, zine and art vendors, and a selection of eats from some of southeast London’s finest independent restaurants. It’s taking place at the Shipwright, a multi-purpose venue by the river in Deptford. The line-up features some of London’s hottest home-grown DJs, including Rohan Rakit, Lagoon, Shivum Sharma, otta, Bushbby, Papaoul and more.  Line-up includes: Rohan Rakit, Lagoon, Shivum Sharma, otta, Bushbby, Papaoul and more.

One of London’s biggest dance music festivals is back to take over Boston Manor Park in 2025. If previous years are anything to go by, you can expect Junction 2 to provide a careful balance of massive names and hotly-tipped up-and-comers across the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July. The festival has just released its final lineup, and it’s got some huge names on it. This year you’ve got a stacked selection of house and techno juggernauts like deadmau5, Christian Löffler, Ahmed Spins, Amber Broos and Kolter. They come alongside the likes of Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie, Midland, DJ Koze and Soul Wax. Basically, it’s the holy grail of raves. Lineup includes: deadmau5, Christian Löffler, Nina Kravitz, Bashkka, Mount Kimbie, Moxie, Midland, Palms Trax, DJ Koze. 

What is it? The V&A East Storehouse is perhaps London’s best new museum, found in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Inside, you will find rows and rows of steel shelves, filled with treasures that make up the V&A’s vast archive, that is now on display for all the see.  Purpose-built to house more than 1,000 archives from the museum’s collection, comprising more than 250,000 objects and 350,000 books, the storehouse promises to offer a peek behind the scenes to show how a working museum goes about cataloguing artefacts, from vintage footie kits and Glastonbury festival ephemera to a collection of samurai swords. Oh, and did we mention it will house the David Bowie Centre, a massive archive of more than 80,000 objects related to the music icon? We can’t wait to have a good old poke when it opens slightly later, in September.  It is a ‘working museum’, meaning it doesn’t have permanent displays (it doesn’t really have proper displays at all, just shelves), and every one of its objects is free to be moved around by the people at work behind the scenes at any time. Why go? This is a genuinely radical new museum offering, and it could just change the way we think about viewing artefacts forever. There are no lengthy gallery texts, instead just library-like barcodes and the odd QR code, meaning it’s all down to your own interpretation. The randomness is part of the fun, and the objects get to speak for themselves.  Don’t miss:  The six prized large objects that have been b

What is it? Brixton club Phonox has been an important part of London’s electronic music scene since it opened a decade ago in 2015.  A sleek, dark dance cavern with plenty of space for dancing, Phonox has been a favourite with the heads for a while. It stays ahead of the curve, booking the best current and underground DJs – over the years pretty much any selector who’s worth their salt has graced its decks, with recent bookings including DJ EZ, Laurent Garnier, Sherelle and Call Super.  Phones are not banned, but taking photos and videos is strongly discouraged in this space that wants punters to enjoy the music and use the dance floor for well, dancing.  Why go? Killer DJs, a Funktion One soundsystem and gorgeous disco ball make nights out at Phonox an always stellar experience. If you want to experience properly good house, techno, garage, UK bass, disco and everything in between, chances are that Phonox will have something decent on.  Don’t miss: The legendary residencies. Phonox has a revolving list of the hottest DJs taking over the club as part of its ‘4 Fridays at Phonox’ series. Past editions have seen Peach, Daytimers, Saoirse and Ross From Friends curate four weeks of parties at the south London venue.  When to visit: If you want to attend the DJ-curated residencies, it’s Friday nights. Saturdays are the regular club night, which could see record-label takeovers, all-night-long sets or special one-off events.  Ticket info: Depending on the entry time or the release,

Picture your classic hotel bar. It’s probably got dark wood panelling, a wall of leather-bound books to rival an Oxbridge library, low lighting, squidgy arm chairs, and maybe a jazz band playing smoothly in the background. This is Scarfes Bar, an elite embodiment of the quintessential hotel watering hole. This is the kind of place where you might find Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass moodily sipping a Scotch alone at the bar. The crowd gives an equally sophisticated vibe; millennial couples on date night, people who look like they have important jobs and cash to spend, and fashionistas dressed all in black. The name is not an ode to having a warm neck, but to the cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, whose jaunty drawings line the walls. They’re probably not to everyone’s taste – think a giant-nosed caricature of King Charles, and an ultra flamboyant David Bowie – but they certainly add a unique flavour to décor that could otherwise be seen as identikit. Order this  The gimlet on the vine was my winner of the evening, a trendy riff on a gimlet, with a base of Bombay Premier Cru. But instead of lime-y sweetness, this savoury delight tastes just like a ripe cherry tomato, and a saltiness is supplied by a pleasingly massive floating caper. Time Out tip Get down earlyish, because after 8pm there was already a line at the door. Plus you’ll want to have ample time to have a bash at the 20-strong list of inventive, complex drinks (hello Smoky Maria, a concoction of tequila, smoked clamato juice and Mar

Cars and trains are good and all, but seeing the country on foot is one of the best ways the experience the awe-inspiring nature we have right on our doorsteps here in Britain.  This autumn a brand new trail will open for intrepid hikers in the UK. The 100-mile South Hams Way will traverse south Devon, taking a full loop starting in Totnes and passing through dramatic coastlines, the rugged plains of Dartmoor, gentle valleys and forests.  You don’t have to tackle it all at once: the pathway is divided into 10 sections, covering 101 miles in total, with distances ranging from 7 to 13.4 miles per section. As well as going through Dartmoor National Park , the South Hams Way will travel through native forests of the South Devon National Landscape, and five estuaries: the Yealm, Erme, Avon, Kingsbridge and Salcombe, and Dart. There are a few towns and villages along the way, which will provide walkers with access to cafés, pubs and a place to stay overnight.   The fully signposted trail will open on September 14 with a ceremony at Borough Park, Totnes.  Here is the full South Hams Way walking route Totnes to Buckfastleigh – 7.1m Buckfastleigh to South Brent – 8.9m South Brent to Ivybridge – 7.1m Ivybridge to Noss Mayo – 11.9m Noss Mayo to Mothecombe – 10.3m Wonwell to Hope Cove – 10.1m Hope Cove to Salcombe – 8.1m East Portlemouth to Torcross – 13m Torcross to Dartmouth – 10.7m Dartmouth to Totnes – 13.4m ICYMI: These are the 10 best walking trails in Britain that are accessible

When it comes to the world’s most beautiful buildings, train stations are up there as some of the most spectacular. London is home to a profusion of stunning stations – from the unexpectedly futuristic, to the proudly art deco – and we have ranked them all here.  Now a new list of the planet’s most gorgeous train stations has been revealed, and one terminal from the Big Smoke made the cut.  St Pancras International has been named as one of the nine most beautiful stations in the world by the Express. Opened in 1868, the iconic station is most known for its red brick gothic revival façade. The building is also home to the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel London (FKA the Midland Grand), a neo-gothic masterpiece with towering spires and huge arched windows, designed by George Gilbert Scott.  Inside, the station’s striking Victorian architecture comprises the Barlow train shed, an arched iron-and-glass roof designed by designed by William Barlow and engineer RM Ordish.  The London station, known for linking the UK with Europe via the Eurostar, was joined by the likes of New York’s Grand Central Terminal, Hua Hin train station in Thailand and Kanazawa Train Station in Japan. St Pancras International was the only British station to make the ranking, however a number of European spots made the cut, including the Eurostar’s French counterpart the Gare du Nord and the azulejo-tiled São Bento station in Porto.  For an alternative list... Read Time Out’s guide to the world’s most beaut trai

From chocolate box villages, to arresting walking trails and colourful seaside towns, there is so much to choose from when it comes to finding a decent day trip out of London. And if that’s not enough for you, there area also magical forests, foodie meccas, historical cities and even more just a train ride away from the Big Smoke.  Because of the myriad possibilities for a quick sojourn out of the city, we created a ranking of the 20 best day trips from London, to help prospective tourists whittle down where they’d like to visit.   And if you’re still lacking inspiration, may we present to you another fabulous spot that can be reached from the capital within just one and a half hours.  We’ve named Chichester as one of London’s best day visits. Why? Because the dinky, pastel-coloured city looks like it could be built out of macarons. The city 80 miles southwest of the capital has oodles of history, having been home to Roman and Anglo-Saxon settlements, and a market town during the Norman period.  Here’s how Time Out editors recommend spending a day in Chichester: ‘Start at the Norman-meets-Gothic cathedral before moving on to the Pallant House Gallery, home to brilliantly curated exhibitions, a first-class bookshop and a courtyard café that gives Rochelle Canteen a run for its money. ‘Some of the best bits of Sussex are an easy drive (or, if you’re feeling full of beans, a slightly less easy bike ride) away, from the Goodwood Estate to West Dean Gardens and the gorgeous sandy

Batten down the hatches people, because there’s a big storm comin’.  The Met Office has issued weather warnings across parts of the UK as certain locations are to be hit by Hurricane Erin as it comes in from across the Atlantic.  The remnants of the tropical storm is expected to hit the southeast of England, causing heavy downpours in Portsmouth, Brighton, Canterbury and London. Much of Kent, Sussex and Greater London have been slapped with a yellow weather warning from the Met Office, meaning heavy rain, the potential for flooding and possible disruption to public transport and power cuts. The yellow warning has been in place since Thursday at 10pm and will remain until midday today (Friday, August 29).  Warnings have been in place across the UK since Thursday morning, with the worst downpours hitting Wales, with Bridgend, Powys, Swansea and Neath all affected. Brits have been warned to brace for flooding in some areas and potential power cuts after torrential rain pelted the country for 14 hours.  If you’ve got outdoors plans this weekend, you might want to rethink, as the Met Office has warned the ‘unseasonal’ rain is going to continue throughout Saturday and Sunday.  ‘Heavy showers, perhaps merging into longer spells of heavy rain at times, will continue to push from west to east through Friday morning,’ the Met Office website said.  ‘Whilst not everywhere will see the heavy showers or rain, where they do occur 10-20 mm of rain in less than an hour is possible. 50-70 mm o

Imagine a world where instead of spending £7 a day just to get to work, it didn’t cost you a penny. Finding it hard to picture? With the astronomical cost of just walking out the door in London, us too. But some people are campaigning for just that.  Transport for London (TfL) has been told that in order to fight inequality and reduce pollution from cars, the organisation needs to introduce free public transport.  London’s transport system is one of the most expensive in the world for a global city, and fares are expected to rise above inflation every year until 2030. TfL is mainly funded by passenger fares, compared to capital cities in other countries which have their transport systems highly subsidised by the government.  A campaign group called Fare Free London is concerned that London’s extortionate travel fares are putting regular Londoners off using public transport and potentially increasing the number of vehicles on the road. They are asking TfL to ‘completely rethink’ the system in order to encourage more people to use TfL, and combat inequality.  Currently a single tube journey in London costs from £2.50 to £3.80 using Oyster or contactless, depending on the travel zone and time of day. Tube fares are capped at £8.90 a day for zone 1 and £16.30 a day for zones 1 to 6. TfL made £5.24 billion from passenger fares in 2023-24, and is expected to make £5.7 billion this year. With above inflation increases, the daily cap for travelling between zones 1 to 3 could cost mor

Last week we revealed that Woking had just been named London’s best commuter town. But what about the worst location for the capital’s commuters? A new study by mortgage lenders Pepper Money has ranked the best and worst commuter towns in Britain. The analysts took into account average house prices (to buy and to rent), travel time, public transport cost and quality of life to come up with a total score.  While Woking in Surrey came out on top for London, thanks to its low crime rates, short commute time and relatively modest house prices, other locations didn’t perform so well.  Luton was named as not only the most rubbish commuter town for London, but the worst in all of Britain. Oh dear. Luton scored a meagre 114 points out of 469 in the report. While rents and house prices in the town northwest of London were low compared to the capital’s other commuter towns (they averaged at £1,190 per month and £285,000, respectively), the median salary in Luton was only £33,202, compared to Woking’s £42,624.  ‘While Luton appears more affordable on paper, with lower house prices and rents, its longer commute (36 minutes) and lower average salary make it less attractive overall,’ the report wrote.  However, things could be looking up for Luton. The town’s ever-growing airport is to undergo a huge expansion over the next several years, which is predicted to create 11,000 jobs in the area. The Luton Airport expansion could also pave the way for the highly anticipated new Universal Studio

We might be in the midst of a slightly concerning ‘false autumn’, but summer is not over just yet. There are here are plenty of free activities taking place in the capital this weekend for those wanting to soak up the season’s final rays, while not breaking the bank. Because even if payday has finally come around, if you’re anything like us you’re still a little scared to check your bank balance after a summer of serious spending! From a mini south London carnival, to a huge weightlifting extravaganza, and a free party curated by NTS and Rinse FM DJs, here are the five best free things to do in London during the final weekend of August.  📍 Things to do in London this weekend. The best free things to do in London this weekend, August 29-31 Photograph: Jann Höfer 1. Be amazed by a human/robot acrobatic act at the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival This weekend, the Greenwich + Docklands festival is all about the collaboration between humans and technology. Saturday and Sunday will see a series of free events and performances that fuse impressive tech with amazing feats of human endurance and strength. Visitors will be able to spy Robopole, where human circus performers will dance with a giant robotic arm, and Walking On The Wall, where intrepid performers will use a metal contraption to defy gravity and scale walls.  Greenwich, various venues, SE10. Aug 30-31. Free. 2. Keep the carni vibes going at Camberwell Carnival Got a hankering to keep the Notting Hill Car

Londoners can’t get enough of saunas these days. From sober sauna raves to multi-sensory sauna listening experiences, we’re absolutely obsessed with the Finnish pasttime of sweating it out in hot boxes and jumping into ice cold plunge pools. And the craze is only getting bigger. So rejoice, because a new outdoor sauna is opening in south London.  Clapham Common is getting its very first sauna and cold plunge, called The Cabin. Opening sometime in November, The Cabin promises to be a ‘mobile sauna and cold plunge experience’. It’ll be located in an enclosed space next to the Splashpad area on Clapham Common, and will also be a place to grab a coffee, smoothie and soft drink.  This is about as much as we know about the new sauna at this time. Prices have yet to be finalised, but are looking likely to be around £17–18 for peak times, according to an Instagram post by The Cabin.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Cabin Clapham (@thecabinsauna) If you want to receive all the latest updates about the opening of Clapham Common’s first sauna, you can sign up to the newsletter online. The sauna is also currently taking booking requests for groups, private sessions and is open to collaborations with community groups, run clubs and brands. Can’t wait for November to get steamy? Soon London is getting another new community sauna in Walthamstow. These are the best saunas in London, according to Time Out.  Uber has revealed plans to run trains to Europe fro

A historic British jewellery factory that appears frozen in time has re-opened to the public.  The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham was once a jewellery making firm, though it stopped trading in 1981. When the factory closed, workers put down their tools and it was left as it was, becoming a ‘time capsule’. It became a museum in 1992, but has been shuttered since 2020 when it closed for repairs and maintenance.  Now the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is about to make its grand return. The museum first returned as a pop-up during the Jewellery Quarter Festival in July, but now the former Smith and Pepper workshop is open to visitors every Thursday to Saturday offering guided tours of the historic shop. Repair works will continue on the site during the week when it is closed to visitors.  Photograph: Birmingham Museums Trust As well as exploring the preserved workshop, visitors can discover the 200-year-old history of Birmingham’s jewellery quarter in the museum’s self-guided gallery.  Rob Lewis, Director of Transformation at Birmingham Museum Trust said: ‘We are delighted to be reaching this significant milestone. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the public to the pop-up opening during the Jewellery Quarter Festival and we are now looking forward to welcoming visitors through the doors on a regular basis to explore the story of the region’s unique heritage.’ Pre-booking is recommended. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £4 for children, and are

While some meme pages would have you believe that Clapton is solely a playground for young affluent creative directors sporting Maison Margiela Tabis, Top Cuvée tote bags and Good Squish scrunchies, there is in fact more to the east London area than that.  E5 is actually home to one of London’s oldest and most historic markets. We’re talking about Chatsworth Road Market. Beginning in the 1930s, the east London bazaar used to be home to around 200 stalls and open up to five days a week. Now it’s a Sunday market that specialises in street food and is home to independent sellers flogging everything from second hand books, to handmade jewellery.  We now have good news, because Hackney Council has given Chatsworth Road Market a lovely makeover. Now, every Sunday the street will be transformed into a fully pedestrianised shopping and eating zone. And the market is getting bigger.  To create more space for vendors, browsing and socialising, now every Sunday from 6am to 8pm, between Dunlace Road and Blurton Road, there will be no vehicles.  To celebrate the change, Hackney Council launched the new iteration of the market on Sunday, August 24 with live music, drumming workshops and kids’ play areas.  Fancy checking it out for yourself? Chatsworth Road Market takes place on, you guessed it, Chatsworth Road, every Sunday from 10am to 4pm.  These are London’s best markets according to Time Out.  The 14 best new London restaurant openings in September 2025. Get the latest and greatest fr

For a long time, the Eurostar has been the only passenger train ferrying Brits from London, under the Channel and onto the Continent. But not for long.  In recent years cross-Channel ambitions have been revealed by the likes of Deutsche Bahn and Evolyn, while Virgin has announced a new service that will be a direct competitor with the OG London-Paris line, due to launch in 2029. Now there’s been an update for yet another Eurostar competitor. It involves Gemini Trains, which is led by Labour peer Tony Berkeley and was launched back in March. Gemini will be teaming up with Uber to launch a new international train line, that could take Londoners en train to Paris and Brussels from Stratford in the heart of east London. ‘Stratford is a bit of a blank canvas,’ said Adrian Quine, chief executive of Gemini Trains. ‘It’s a bit like London City airport as opposed to Heathrow or Gatwick: it’s very quick and easy to get through. It’s going to be far less crowded, so we think it’s a bit of a jewel in the crown.’ When the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (AKA High Speed 1, HS1) was built back in 2007 Stratford International station was fitted out to handle passengers heading across the Channel from London, but it was never used for this purpose. The HS1 Stratford station has only been used by domestic Southeastern trains using the high-speed track to stations in Kent. The most recent developments in Uber and Gemini’s plans have revealed that wants a fleet of 10 high-speed trains. The service woul

The Big Smoke and the Big Apple have always been kindred spirits. They might have the Atlantic between them, but the two cities, as well as having their own unique charm, bear a striking resemblance. It’s kebabs vs pizza, corner shops vs bodegas, pubs vs dive bars. Soon, however, it’s going to be that bit harder to get between the two cities, as British Airways is axing a flight route between New York and London.  BA has announced it will scrap its popular route between London Gatwick and New York (JFK) later this year. This flight currently runs between London and NYC once a day, but from October 25 will cease to operate. BA usually pauses this route for the winter, between October and March, but has said next year it won’t return in the spring as usual.  Londoners will still be able to fly to New York from Gatwick, but with Delta and Norse Atlantic instead. If they want to fly with BA they will have to go from London Heathrow, where there will be nine flights to New York every day.  This move from BA comes as a number of airlines have scrapped flight routes to the US, mainly due to a significant drop in tourism to the States. Norse also plans to cancel six services from Europe to the States, including its London Gatwick to Miami route. It’s not all bad news though. BA will instead increase routes from Gatwick and Heathrow to several different locations, including Bangkok, Kingston and Las Vegas. Find a full list of all the new BA routes in summer 2026 here. London Gatwick A