Articles (32)
The 10 best things to do in Deal, Kent
Kent has endless options for a seaside weekend away. You’ve got Margate with its thriving culture scene, Canterbury with its old-school buildings, and Whitstable with its gazillion-and-one fresh oysters. But don’t let them overshadow what else waits for you in this beautiful county – Deal. Deal is a postcard-perfect town, but there’s much more to it than meets the eye. Its pretty streets aren’t only full of lovely little cafés and bars, the area is also buzzing with culture. You can make a day out of its offerings, or spend a full week here. From family-friendly activities to ideas for couples, here are the best things to do in Deal. RECOMMENDED:🦪 The best things to do in Whitstable☀️ The best things to do in Canterbury🏘️ The best places to visit in the UK
The best hotels in Brighton
Brighton's breezy access from London and its proximity to the rolling countryside of the South Downs has made it an easy go-to for city escapees for decades. And while its myriad pleasures, from chips on the pier to ice cream on the beach, via antiques shopping and trawling for vintage in the Lanes, are readily available on a day trip, it's better to make a night of it. Stay at one of Brighton's best hotels and you can kick back with a cold drink in one of the city's excellent pubs and head to a club and party into the small hours without having to make the mad dash for the last train. Whatever your budget, these are the places to spend the night in the UK's coolest seaside city. Recommended: the best Brighton AirbnbsRecommended: the best hotels in Brighton 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 28 best things to do in Brighton right now
There is no day trip destination quite like Brighton. Whether the sun’s out or not, this is the place to be. Brighton has the perfect mix of an old-school, nostalgia pier (yep, there’s an arcade), and vibrant, winding shopping streets, full of seriously trendy vegan cafés and long-standing markets for thrifting. Oh, and there’s the beach. Lined with ice-cream shops, bustling beach bars, and now the much-anticipated Sea Lanes (opened in June 2023), you can spend whole days here sipping tinnies and tucking into fish and chips – just beware of the seagulls. From feminist bookshops to indie galleries, here are the best things to do in Brighton right now. RECOMMENDED:🥙 The best restaurants in Brighton☕ The best coffee shops in Brighton👚 The best places to go shopping in Brighton🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Brighton This guide was recently updated by Eleanor Forrest, a writer based in Brighton. 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.
The 25 best restaurants in Brighton
Brighton’s restaurant scene is one of the finest in the UK, where new openings (like Redroaster, which opened May 2023) help to push old-school favourites to even greater heights. The result is a city that has put food at the top of the agenda, with something to cater for everyone, whether you're a committed carnivore or diehard vegan. If you want fine dining with wine to match, a food market replete with local options right on the beach or a brunch spot to ease yourself into the day, then you won't leave Brighton disappointed. Plus, with so much to do in between meals, you’re guaranteed to work up an appetite. Hungry? Read on for our pick of the best restaurants in Brighton right now. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Brighton☕ The best coffee shops in Brighton🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Brighton🏨 The best hotels in Brighton This article was recently updated by Liv Kelly, a writer from Brighton. 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.
The 9 best things to do in Margate
It's no secret that Kent's popularity has soared over the last couple of years, and Margate is largely to thank. The shabby chic seaside town has bags of character, from its trendy galleries to the old-school beachfront arcades, and the crowds continue to roll in. The picture-perfect streets are packed with restaurants, vintage shops, plus cracking bars and pubs. There's also a thriving contemporary art scene, meaning the whole place strikes the perfect balance between trendy and twee. We've curated the perfect day in this lovely seaside town, with everything from where to eat to where to stay, so have a look at the best things to do in Margate right now. RECOMMENDED:🐠The best things to do in Whitstable⛪The best things to do in Canterbury 🌤️The best things to do in Kent🌊The best seaside towns in the UK 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.
The 14 best coffee shops in Brighton
Brightonians are caffeine fanatics, pure and simple. The wired residents of this seaside town spend more per head on coffee than anywhere else in the UK, and it's thought that the city has a crazy high number of coffee shops per person. It's all for good reason, though. The coffee scene here is the best in the country, with a thriving band of independent businesses serving up delicious cups using beans bought from all over the globe and roasted locally. Whether you’re grabbing an oat flat white to go or want to linger over a dirty chai latte, the coffee capital of the UK has an abundance of options. Here is our roundup of Brighton’s best coffee shops. RECOMMENDED:🥐The best brunch spots in Brighton🦐The best restaurants in Brighton🌤️The best things to do in Brighton🏘️The best Airbnbs in Brighton🐟The best fish and chips in Brighton This article was recently updated by Liv Kelly, a writer from Brighton. 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.
The 8 best things to do in Royal Tunbridge Wells right now
Tunbridge Wells is a very, very nice place. So nice, in fact, it was given ‘Royal’ status in 1909 by King Edward VII, because Queen Victoria liked it there so much. Oh, and there was the thing about King James drinking from the chalybeate spring in the seventeenth century, where he said it cured him of illness. Now, of course, the Kent town is a booming spa resort, nestled away in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful countryside. And just an hour out of London, it’s become a hot spot for day trips and for chilled-out, slow-paced weekends. From fabulous cafés to countryside hikes, here are the best things to do in Royal Tunbridge Wells right now. RECOMMENDED:🦪 The best things to do in Whitstable🏰 The best things to do in Canterbury📍 The best things to do in Kent🌳 The best places to visit in the UK
The 13 best restaurants in Southampton
Southampton has prospered into a fantastic seaside destination for a day out. Its proximity to the stunning New Forest, the historic town of Winchester and the quaint Isle of Wight have made it a go-to stopover in the past, but it is well worth a visit in its own right. And that's largely thanks to its growing and increasingly confident food scene. The myriad of eateries, from incredible Mauritian dishes crafted by the hands of a MasterChef champion, to a swanky French dishes, and a popular pizza van. Here are our top picks for the best-rated restaurants in Southampton right now. RECOMMENDED:🌤️The best things to do in Southampton🍂The best things to do in Winchester⛰️The best things to in the New Forest🏖️The best seaside towns in the UK💕The best things to do in the UK 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.
The best things to do in Winchester
Winchester is one of those cities that feels a bit like stepping back in time. Once the capital of England, it’s kept its traditional charm, even with all the trendy spots that have popped up there over the years. And that’s what makes it such a great place for a city break; beautiful architecture and winding lanes lead into streets lined with hip bakeries. Part of its popularity is down to the city only being an hour’s train from London, and a short drive from the New Forest and the south coast, so you can head up for a full weekend, or just a perfect day out. We’ve carved out the perfect itinerary for Winchester, from river walks to brunch spots and indie shops to sunny beer gardens (and you can take it as slow as you like). Here are the best things to do in Winchester right now. RECOMMENDED:📍 The ultimate guide to Hampshire🌳 The best places to visit in the UK🍝 The best restaurants in the UK
The 16 best things to do in Broadstairs
Broadstairs is probably most famous for being one of Charles Dickens' favourite places to escape to. But, often overlooked in favour of neighbouring Margate or Whitstable, this town has got much, much more going for it. With its backdrop of chalk cliffs and seven golden bays to be explored, Broadstairs has sea views for days – many of which can be enjoyed with a pint in hand or while gorging on some its excellent food offerings. You can build up a hefty appetite by navigating the area's gorgeous coastal trails or perusing its superb independent shops. So, without further ado, these are the best things to do in Broadstairs right now. RECOMMENDED: 🌤️ The best things to do in Deal📍 The best things to do in Ramsgate 👀 The best things to do in Whitstable 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.
The 11 best things to do in Portsmouth
One of the oldest seaside cities in Britain, Portsmouth (AKA Pompey) blends its historic past with its prospering food, drink and nightlife scenes. This place still serves as Britain’s foremost Royal Navy base, and no trip is complete without a roam around the Les Misérables-esque dockyard, complete with four historic ships and a string of superb museums. However, there's much more to Portsmouth than its famous maritime heritage. There's everything from ancient pubs on cobbled streets to unique contemporary art galleries, and football supporters so passionate they must be seen to be believed (particularly Pompey John, who has 60 tattoos and ‘P.F.C’ engraved into his teeth). It's a coastal city well worth a visit, so here’s our pick of the best things to do in Portsmouth for the day. RECOMMENDED:🏰The best things to do in Winchester🛍️The best things to do in Southampton 🏖️The best seaside towns in the UK 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.
The 13 best things to do in Canterbury
Though Margate and Whitstable often seem to get all the glory, you’d be a fool to sleep on Canterbury, a grown-up type of town with a hell of a lot going for it. Like its neighbours, it’s got a great pebbly beach, tons of trendy food spots and lots and lots of architecture to gaze at on your long afternoon walk. So as certified Canterbury lovers, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do on your day trip (a one-hour train from London, just saying), your weekend or your week-long hol. We’ve got family-friendly activities, cool wine bars, trendy coffee shops and more, but what makes it really special is Canterbury’s famous cathedral. Everything on our list is ranked to help you plan the ideal day out. Here are the best things to do in Canterbury. RECOMMENDED:☀️ A perfect day in Canterbury📍 The best things to do in Margate📍 The best things to do in Whitstable📍 The best things to do in Kent
News (2)
Brighton is getting a beachfront lido – and we’re really into it
Brighton’s incredible new beachfront lido is go. Work on the 50-metre pool – the UK’s first National Open-Water Swimming Centre of Excellence – has been confirmed to start this winter, with plans for the first swimmers to take the plunge in summer 2022. The pool is being built by developers Sea Lanes Brighton, close to a dilapidated stretch of seafront. Over the past three summers, Sea Lanes has run a pop-up site close to where the pool will eventually sit on the beach, with local faves Bison Beer running a bar and swim tour operator Swimtrek offering training in a clever ‘endless water’ swimming machine. Beach Box Spa completed the package, offering hardy sea swimmers a chance to warm up in its saunas between cooling dips in the English Channel. Photograph: Sea Lanes The pool, which is set to be fully accessible, is set to be a complete game-changer for this part of town. ‘The pool will provide much needed swimming facilities in Brighton,’ says Sea Lanes director Joe McNulty. ‘It act as a gateway for those looking to gain the confidence to swim in the sea, as well as a training hub for open-water swimming events, triathlon, sea safety and lifeguard courses.’The pool got planning permission back in March 2021 and will be run by South Downs Leisure. As these amazing pictures show, it will sit on the beach itself, with Sea Lanes still operating on the road side. Time to pack your swimming kit and get set for a seaside adventure in 2022. Can’t wait until then? Here are 14 more
Relive the golden age of rail travel on this luxury London-to-Brighton train
For years, the train line between London and Brighton has been a byword for misery. Chronic delays and endless strike action have often meant it would have been quicker to cycle from the capital to the coast. And while many have been spared the pain of dealing with last-minute cancellations and train breakdowns over the past 12 months, there’s one way to experience this famous tourist route in real style: Belmond’s Golden Age of Travel Brighton Belle service. This is train travel as it’s meant to be. The route kicks off at Victoria, with its art deco carriages (including three painstakingly restored cars from the original Brighton Belle) trundling through the South London suburbs and on to a circular route through the Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex countryside. Champagne is served as you settle into your plush armchair, before a leisurely five-course lunch. The train then follows the route of the famous Brighton Belle north to London from the seaside. The Belle ran for 41 years, from 1933 until 1972, and was the world’s only all-electric Pullman train. The services were renowned for their opulence, beyond even the best first-class experience on British Rail, with fancy fittings and at-seat service. Brighton resident Laurence Olivier famously campaigned to have kippers and eggs reinstated to the service’s menu in 1970 after his favourite breakfast option was suddenly removed. Recreating Olivier’s regular trip doesn’t come cheap, with Belmond’s service costing £365 per person for