The beautiful British town that is one of Time Out’s best places to visit in the world in 2026

With editors and writers in almost every corner of the globe, Time Out has a pretty good gauge on which destinations are worth visiting. So, to kick off the new year, we’ve asked our international network of contributors to impart their travel wisdom and let us know the places that they’re most excited to see in 2026.

The list includes far-flung destinations such as the soulful city Oaxaca in Mexico, the awe-inspiring Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand and the sweet Sicilian island of Favignana. But, there’s also one place much closer to home that’s worth including in your 2026 plans. 

The ‘capital of the Cotswolds’ Cirencester is not only one of Time Out’s best places to visit in the UK, but one of our best places in the entire world to travel to in 2026. 

The classic, picture-perfect countryside charm of the Cotswolds reportedly brings in more than 35 million visitors a year.  Those huge numbers have started to overwhelm towns like Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water, but Cirencester has remained a little more under-the-radar. That means it’s perfect for if you want to experience all the beauty of the Cotswolds without having to battle enormous crowds. 

It’s especially worth visiting Cirencester in the summer to experience a dip in the beautiful Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool or in October for a fun family day out at the Cirencester History Festival. But throughout the year, there are still loads of quaint pubs, historic buildings and independent shops to check out. 

Time Out’s UK news editor Ed Cunningham said: ‘Ideally located for exploring the area’s less busy (but no less beautiful) spots, the Cotswolds’ biggest settlement has countless charms of its own. An elegant collision of architectural styles, bags of Roman history at the Corinium Museum and the Amphitheatre, fabulous shopping options at the markets, a solid roster of pubs and restaurants; in the Cotswolds, Cirencester is the place to be.’

For a place to stay overnight, we recommend booking The Fleece, a cosy boutique right in the centre of town with a restaurant serving homely British classics. 

Explore the world’s best places to travel in 2026, according to Time Out editors. 

📍 Plan out your 2026 with Time Out’s guides to the UK’s best new things to do and best places to visit in Britain this year. 

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