Ruth Lawes

You could easily spend a city break in Chicago barely stopping at your hotel other than to sleep, but we know just how tiring rushing about eating, drinking, shopping and sightseeing can be, so why not book into a spa hotel for a hit of rest and relaxation while you’re there?  When it comes to curating menus of intriguing ancient treatments or modern wellness techniques, designing impressive fitness centres or building gleaming swimming pools, Chicago has got its spa hotel game down. New additions to this list for Fall 2025 include the Palmer House Hilton, theWit and The Langham. Chicago’s best spa hotels at a glance: 💎 Biggest splurge: Four Seasons Hotel 👛 Most affordable: The Palmer House Hilton 🏊 Best pool: The Peninsula Chicago 💤 Best massage: Eurostars Magnificent Mile 🏋️‍♀️ Best fitness center: The St Regis Chicago 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in Chicago Which area is best to stay in Chicago? Chicago is a sprawling city, but where it’s best to stay varies hugely based on the kind of trip you’re planning. First-timers would do well to be right in the action, opting for the River North or the Loop, whereas travelers after something a little more homely but still well connected should consider Lincoln Park or Wicker Park.  🛏 Check out the best Airbnbs in Chicago

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

The only problem with Britain’s thriving dining scene right now is knowing which restaurant to book. Everywhere you turn, acclaimed eateries are doing inventive stuff with food or just really acing the classics. That's where the AA steps in. Sure, it might be famous for breakdown cover, but it’s also long been a big name in hospitality, handing out its annual Hospitality Awards to celebrate the best restaurants and hotels in the UK. The 2025 award ceremony was held last week, and four restaurants in Manchester, Cardiff, London and Edinburgh were crowned the very best in the country - a handy shortlist for anyone wondering where to eat next. RECOMMENDED: The 4 best hotels in Britain right now, according to the AA. The 4 best restaurants in Britain right now, according to the AA  Manchester – Skof  Declared by Time Out this year as ‘Manchester’s best restaurant’ and recently awarded a Michelin star, the accolades keep stacking up for Skof, the first solo venture by chef Tom Barnes (of L’Enclume in Cumbria and BBC Two’s Great British Menu fame). The brick-walled space is warm and welcoming, the service seamless, and the menu endlessly inventive. Delectable offerings include glazed langoustine with its own emulsion and aged pork fat, and confit chicken wing with dark beer - bold, brilliant cooking from a chef at the top of his game. London – Josephine Tucked away in Fulham, Josephine feels straight out of France - starched white tablecloths, burgundy leather banquettes and eleg

Leisure centres are a uniquely British pastime. There’s nothing quite like a weekend spent swimming, playing a bit of five-a-side, or just catching up with mates, all in one venue.  But over the years, it’s fair to say that plenty of UK leisure centres have been somewhat neglected. Now, though, one landmark site is looking at making a splashy comeback. Bedford Borough Council is on the hunt for a partner to breathe new life into Oasis Beach Pool, which originally opened on Cardlington Road in 1991. The place already has plenty going for it. Inside its striking pyramid-shaped building (yep, inspired by the Louvre in Paris), you’ll find a swimming pool with two flumes, bubbling air beds, a mushroom fountain, geysers, a bubble burst experience and even a party room. Still, the council has bigger plans. It wants ‘significant redevelopment and reinvestment’ to revive Oasis Beach Pool as a next-level leisure centre (the site must stay a leisure facility). There’s also scope for a brand-new attraction on the riverside land next door. ‘Oasis Beach Pool has been a much-loved facility and as part of the council’s leisure strategy we have committed to protecting the site for leisure use for future generations of residents and visitors to the Borough,’ Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience, Leisure and Culture at Bedford Borough Council, said. ‘With the right investment and stewardship, we believe it can be reimagined as a modern, inclusive destination for

Ever dreamed of nibbling your way across the UK, pastry by pastry? You’re not alone. From flaky croissants to sticky buns, the UK is full of bakeries worth a pilgrimage. But with so many to choose from, where do you even start? Luckily, the National Bakery Awards has done the legwork. The annual competition has revealed its shortlist of the 87 best bakeries in every region, celebrating the small shops and big names that keep us in fresh sourdough and treacle tarts. Among some of the nominees this year are south London favourite Toad, Suffolk staple Two Magpies and Edinburgh institution Mimi’s Bakehouse.  The winners will be crowned at an event on November 25 at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. As well as National Bakery of the Year, there’ll be county and regional winners, plus gongs for Social Enterprise Bakery of the Year, Young Baker of the Year, and Outstanding Contribution to Bakery. Think of it as the Oscars of the oven – but with more buttercream and fewer speeches. See the full list of every nomination in the UK below. The best bakeries in every UK region in 2025 Derbyshire Birds of Derby Loaf Tough Marys Bakehouse Leicestershire Baker Street Bakes Connors Bakery The Garage Bakehouse Northamptonshire Magee Street The Good Loaf The Little Bakery of Happiness Nottinghamshire Little Brunette Bakery Small Food Bakery The Welbeck Bakehouse Rutland Baines Butterwick Hambleton Bakery Essex Homemade Bakery Ravens Tiptree Patisserie Bedfordshire Cottage Bakery Lit

It’s fair to say that Mexican food in London hasn’t always had the best reputation. But in recent years, that’s been flipped on its head thanks to a new wave of excellent taco joints like Sonora Taqueria in Stoke Newington and Homies on Donkeys in Leytonstone, to name just a few. And now? The capital is about to become home to another taco eatery – this time from cult US chain Velvet Taco. In November, the restaurant will open its first-ever UK outlet at the former Shoryu Ramen restaurant in Broadgate Circle. Velvet Taco is known for slinging out unusual tacos with a global twist. In the US, where it has over 50 branches in cities including Chicago and Austin, the menu includes wildcards like spicy tikka chicken, bacon smash burger and even fish and chips tacos. Sides, meanwhile, range from red curry coconut queso to brisket nachos. And of course, there's margaritas to wash it all down with. Clay Dover, chief executive of Velvet Taco, told the Caterer: ‘Velvet Taco’s menu is inspired by flavours from around the world so London, known for its international food scene, was naturally at the top of our list for our first location outside of the US.  ‘We’ve always been inspired by UK flavours and featured them on our menu, so to have our global debut in London feels like a real full circle moment.’ Last year, Velvet Taco announced that it would be opening its first UK restaurant slap bang in Picadilly Circus, though the site never came to be. This time, though, it looks like Londo

After more than 50 years of steam, diesel and electric adventures across the UK, one of the country’s most iconic special rail companies is about to make its final stop. Pathfinder Railtours, based in Stroud, is shutting shop in December so its chief executive and owner, Barry Cordell, can enjoy his well-earned retirement. But it’s not quite the end of the line yet. For those hoping to hop on board before it’s gone, there are still two November tours on sale to Shrewsbury and Chester. And the final excursion is planned for December – although the itinerary is still under wraps. Since the 1970s, Pathfinder Railtours has been taking train lovers on unforgettable journeys across the UK. The very first trip ran in 1974 from Gloucester to Pwllheli in Wales under the original name F&W Railtours. A rebrand in 1987 gave it the Pathfinder name, and just a year later, it became one of the first UK charter train operators to introduce a full dining service on board. Photograph: John Lazenby / Shutterstock.com Since then, passengers have enjoyed everything from steam train trips along unusual routes to the diesel-hydraulic locomotives powering their way to the north and west of Scotland, reaching destinations like Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh. Pathfinder Railtour’s business founder Peter Watts said: ’When five years is a long time in the rail industry, to have achieved more than 50 years of continued operation, is truly remarkable, and something that I am incredibly privileged to hav

Planning on chasing a bit of autumn sun in October, whether that’s on Italy’s coast or over plates of tapas in Spain? Can hardly blame you. The weather in the UK has gotten a bit chilly over the last week or so – and besides, a pre-winter European escape is always a good idea, often with lower prices, favourable weather and fewer crowds. But UK holidaymakers should be aware that a new entry system is about to kick in, affecting travel to 29 European countries in the Schengen area, including hotspots like Greece, France and Portugal. From early October onwards, travellers will have to register their fingerprints and facial biometrics, among other new requirements, on arrival. So, what exactly does this mean for your next trip, what countries are affected and what does the new system actually entail? Here’s your guide to the new European travel rules coming into force this autumn. What are the new EU rules? The EU has introduced a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for UK passport holders visiting countries in the Schengen area for short stays. At the border of a Schengen area country, UK travellers will be required to enter biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. Passengers don’t need to do anything before arriving at the border, and it’s completely free.  However, the new system will likely take a ‘few extra minutes to complete’, according to the Foreign Office, so passengers will want to factor this into their journey times. What is EES? Think of EES as a new digital b

All aboard! York’s National Railway Museum has officially reopened its historic Station Hall following a nearly £11 million revamp – the biggest upgrade the Grade II-listed building has seen since it first became a museum in 1975. The hall, originally built in the 1970s as York’s main goods station, has been closed to the public since 2023. Now, after a top-to-toe restoration, it's looking brighter and better than ever, thanks to more natural light, upgraded displays and a lineup of brand-new exhibitions.  What can visitors expect? Well, among the new treasures are the last-ever cheeseburger box from London North Eastern Railway before it pivoted to ‘deli-style’ grub and a completely restored WH Smith bookstall that originally lived in Waterloo station back in 1921. There’s even Queen Victoria’s funeral wreath, lending the space a dramatic dose of history. Image: National Railway Museum Image: National Railway Museum Image: National Railway Museum   What really makes the glow-up shine, though, is how immersive it feels. Visitors aren’t just looking at engines and artefacts from afar – they can walk through restored spaces, step inside historic carriages and get a sense of what railway life was actually like. The mix of quirky details (like retro packaging and vintage signage) alongside grand royal coaches means there’s something to capture every kind of imagination, from train nerds to casual day-trippers. For those after a truly unique experience, climb aboard the Coun

London’s waterways are among its many treasures, from the Thames at Southbank to the canals of Little Venice and Hackney Wick. Soon, more Londoners could wake up to riverside views thanks to government backing for an entire new town on the Thames in southeast London. A vast 1,000-hectare brownfield site in Thamesmead – in the Royal Borough of Greenwich – has been earmarked for up to 15,000 homes. The site, largely owned by housing association Peabody, will be developed with The Crown Estate and Lendlease into a ‘modern and vibrant’ riverside community. Thamesmead was originally conceived as a bold post-war development in the 1960s, but most of that vision was left unfinished. Today, despite its riverside setting and open spaces, it remains one of London’s least connected areas. Unlocking its true potential also depends heavily on transport: an extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Thamesmead is central to the regeneration plans, with designs for a brand-new station already underway. If the plans get the go ahead, construction of the extension could begin in 2028, with the first trains expected in the early 2030s. Local leaders are also lobbying for the DLR to stretch even further east to Belvedere, which would dramatically improve links across southeast London. Thamesmead isn’t the only place in London poised to transform into a new town under the government’s New Towns Taskforce. Crews Hill, a quiet, leafy enclave in Enfield with only a few hundred residents, wil

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That's certainly the motto that the current members of Take That – Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen – have kept in mind when announcing the return of The Circus Live tour. Next summer, the trio will hit the road once again, bringing their spectacular live show to major venues across the UK, including London, Manchester and Glasgow, nearly two decades after the tour’s original run. Back in 2009, The Circus Live made history as the fastest-selling UK tour ever, shifting a staggering 600,000 tickets in less than five hours. For 2026, Take That fans can expect the beloved setlist that made the tour iconic, plus a few fresh surprises. To top it off, Irish band The Script, the OG 2009 support act, are back to open the show. Desperate now to buy a ticket? Here's everything you need to know about Take That's upcoming UK 2026 The Circus Live Tour. How much will Take That tickets cost?  Ticket prices are as follows:  Front standing – £116 General admission standing – £71 Seated tickets – £131 / £100 / £86 / £61 VIP front pitch standing – £196 VIP seats – £236 Take That UK tour dates Here are the dates that have been confirmed so far (including newly added dates) Friday May 29 – Southampton, St Mary’s Stadium Saturday May 30 – Southampton, St Mary’s Stadium (new date) Thursday June 4 – Coventry, Building Society Arena (new date) Friday June 5 – Coventry, Building Society Arena Saturday June 6 – Coventry, Building Society Arena Tuesday June 9

You’d be hard-pushed to name a more iconic London restaurant than St John. Since opening in 1994 in a former bacon smokehouse by Smithfield meat market, Fergus Henderson’s legendary spot has reimagined British food with his pioneering nose-to-tail dining, earning a long-held Michelin star. Even the late, great Anthony Bourdain called St John the ‘restaurant of my dreams’. High praise indeed. In the years since, St John has built a mini-empire of restaurants, bakeries, a winery and even its own wine label. And now the foodie institution is about to expand its growing family with a brand new café in Bloomsbury. Taking over the café next to the London Review Bookshop from Wednesday October 1, this feels like one of those perfect pairings like cheese and wine or madeleines and coffee. The all-day menu will showcase St John’s bakery heroes: sourdough loaves, croissants and Eccles cakes. At lunch, expect savoury tarts and doorstopper sandwiches. Naturally, there’ll also be a neat little selection of St John wines. The café will open daily from 8am to 6.30pm, when the bookshop also shuts. On event nights, though, things get livelier: the café will stay open later, serving wines, house cocktails and snacks. Reneé Doegar, publisher of the London Review of Books, said: ‘In my 14 years with the London Review of Books, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such unanimous delight across the magazine and bookshop teams. Bringing this idea to life with St John has been a genuine meeting of minds, an

Apparently, Nottingham is the most dangerous city outside of London. At least, that’s according to a new City Safety Index 2025 put together by security training platform Get Licensed. The company compared police-recorded crime with year-on-year change in crime severity, reoffending and antisocial behaviour, and an FOI-led count of public-space CCTV to rank different places across the nation. By those metrics, Nottingham is the third most dangerous local authority behind Camden and Islington, respectively, but above Westminster. Other places on the list include Bristol in fifth place, Newcastle in eighth and Manchester at number 10. The East Midlands city scored a safety score of 2.59 out of 10, while the city’s annual crime rate stands at 118.4 per 1,000 people, putting it among Get Licenced’s top 10 most dangerous places in Great Britain. However, it’s also important to consider the other side of the coin. The City Safety Index shows that crime in Nottingham is actually down 2.33 percent year on year. Plus, it’s also a thriving city centre with top-notch venues and home to the UK's best restaurant (according to SquareMeal), Restaurant Sat Bains. As for the safest place in the UK? Well, that honour went to the south London town of Sutton. It had an annual crime rate of 61 per 1,000 people and saw a 2.75 percent fall in crime year on year. Close behind in second place was the Shropshire borough of Telford and Wrekin. The 10 most dangerous city areas in Britain, according to G

Thinking of upping sticks this year? Maybe you’re dreaming of a storybook village with thatched cottages or craving a city postcode with more restaurants than you could ever eat your way through. Whatever your vibe, lifestyle guide Muddy Stilettos has you covered with its pick of the best places to live in every British region in 2025 as voted by readers. Topping the list was under-the-radar market town of Dursley in Gloucestershire, owing to its ‘arty community, thriving high street and lush countryside walks’. Elsewhere, Islington took London’s crown with its gastropubs and Georgian terraces, while York, Frome and Worthing showed off their cobbled charm, creative buzz and seaside swagger. Photograph: Shutterstock Riverfront gems like Henley-on-Thames and Bradford on Avon also made the cut, alongside foodie favourites Bakewell and Knutsford and coastal hotspots Penzance and Cowes. The best place to live in every UK region in 2025, according to Muddy Stilettos  Bedfordshire: Ampthill Berkshire: Pangbourne Buckinghamshire: Amersham Cambridgeshire: Ely Cheshire: Knutsford Cornwall: Penzance Derbyshire: Bakewell Devon: Bampton Dorset: Sherborne Essex: Chelmsford Gloucestershire: Dursley Hampshire & Isle of Wight: Cowes Hertfordshire: Hitchin Kent: Sevenoaks Leicestershire & Rutland: Ashby-de-la-Zouch London: Islington Norfolk: Norwich Nottinghamshire: West Bridgford Northamptonshire: Oundle Oxfordshire: Henley-on-Thames Somerset & Bristol: Frome Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds Surre