Alice Porter

When it comes to planning a city break in the UK, a lot of places will probably spring to mind: London, Manchester, Edinburgh. Don’t get me wrong – these are all brilliant cities in their own right, but they shouldn’t always overshadow the other excellent destinations which are slightly more off the beaten path.   This country is home to sprawling metropolises, cobbled mediaeval towns, foodie hidden gems and cultural hotspots which double as gateways to stunning countryside. So how do you choose the top spots? To put together this list, we asked our team of editorial staff and expert local travel writers based all over Great Britain to tell us their recommendations for fantastic city breaks. From Scotland to Stoke, here are the best UK city breaks, chosen by us.  What is the cheapest UK city break? It’s widely known that London is a pricey place to visit. Edinburgh isn’t much better these days. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a decent hotel room in any large UK city for less than £100 a night, so if you’re looking to save on cash, we’d recommend heading somewhere a bit smaller. Sheffield, our top UK city break, generally offers one-bed Airbnbs and hotel rooms for less than £100. Wells, Stoke and Dundee also offer more affordable accommodation – just bear in mind you’ll probably have to spend a little bit extra to get there, if you’re coming from London. What is the best UK city to get to by train? If you’re travelling from the capital, you’re less than two hours on the train f

Liverpool ain’t all about The Beatles. Sure, there’s an immersive experience all about the Fab Four, and sure, the locals love a bit of Beatles tourism as much as they always did. But once you’ve ticked those off your list, there’s plenty more to get stuck into in this brilliant city.  To start with, there’s the rich architectural heritage, from the city’s two magnificent cathedrals to the historically significant Albert Dock and the Tate art gallery. Then you've got amazing theatres, museums, galleries, and on top of that? Excellent nightlife and food scenes. Well, there. You’ve got yourself a winner. Here are the best things to do in Liverpool right now. RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in Liverpool🍻 The best pubs in Liverpool🏛️ The best museums in Liverpool🪩 The best nightlife spots in Liverpool🏠The best Airbnbs in Liverpool This guide was recently updated by Alice Porter, a writer based in Liverpool. 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.

Dismiss afternoon tea at your peril. Who doesn’t like tiny sandwiches and small cakes piled onto tiered plates, with a seemingly endless amount of tea and conversation on the side? No one, that is the answer. If afternoon tea is the suggestion, we are there with bells on. Liverpool understands this, and the city has many great options for this most marvellous of social endeavours. From lavish luxury hotel restaurants to vegan-friendly cafes, afternoon tea in Liverpool is a delight. The Beatles? Of course, the Fab Four get plenty of attention here on the afternoon tea front. When in Liverpool, you know? RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in Liverpool🍻 The best pubs in Liverpool🏛️ The best museums in Liverpool Alice Porter is a writer based in Liverpool. 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.

We’re just going to come right out and say it: Liverpool is the most exciting city for food in the UK right now. Blink and you’ll miss another newcomer on the restaurant scene (we welcomed Nord and KaiBaiBo last year, which immediately climbed to our top ten).  But alongside the exciting newbies, old faves are as popular and delicious as ever; find Indian street food and old-school Italian joints, and on a sunny day in Liverpool, you’ll see the small plates spots overflowing with as many customers as the restaurants that have been around since the ’70s. Whatever your flavour, the best restaurants in Liverpool won’t disappoint.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Liverpool🍻 The best pubs in Liverpool🏛️ The best museums in Liverpool🪩 The best nightlife spots in Liverpool🏠 The best Airbnbs in Liverpool This guide was recently updated by Alice Porter, a writer based in Liverpool. 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.

What makes a city great? Some would say it’s all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes. We factor in all that and more in our annual survey, which asks city-dwellers around the world to tell us what it’s like to live, work and play in their hometowns right now. Thanks to the opinions and insights of locals on the ground and our global network of city experts, we’re able to create a global ranking of the world’s best cities – and the 2024 results are in. As in previous years, the basis of the ranking remains our global survey of the people who know their city best: the locals. Working with research company Potentia Insight, we surveyed thousands of city-dwellers about the quality and affordability of food, culture and nightlife in their city. We also asked locals how their city makes them feel: are they happy there? Is it a beautiful place? Is it easy to make social connections? Their thousands of responses gave us a unique insight into the reality of living in the world’s greatest cities right now. Now that international travel is forecast to bounce back to the highest levels since 2019, many travellers will be planning a city break this year – so in 2024, we added a little extra weight to a city’s global appeal. Each survey respondent was asked which

In a ranked list of what are objectively The Best Feelings in the World, hearing the doorbell ring and knowing that there is a lovely person on the other side of that door, holding your delicious dinner, has got to be in the top five. No doubt you’ve got your beloved spots that you return to time and time again: a comforting curry, a life-giving bowl of noodles, a waffle drizzled with chocolate sauce, possibly with some squirty cream on the top. But remember, it’s important to try new things, too. To give you a bit of inspiration for your next meal, we asked Time Out writers from London to Liverpool to tell us about their top picks when they’re hungry at home. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Eurovision is beloved by many across the world, but its queer fanbase might just be the biggest, with hundreds of thousands of LGBTQ+ people marking the event in their calendar every year. The song contest has become known for celebrating and platforming queerness, in a way many TV shows still don’t. With a long list of iconic camp performances over the years, Eurovision is often referred to as the ‘gay olympics’, and it’s also become a safe space for people to express themselves and their identities, as well as promote LGBTQ+ activism. Some of the competition’s most memorable historic moments include a drag troupe performing alongside Norwegian singer Ketil Stokkan in 1986, two years before Section 28 was implemented in the UK, and Israel’s Dana International becoming Eurovision’s first transgender winner in 1998. This year, the competition is being hosted by Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine, which won the 2022 competition, and the city’s LGBTQ+ community is well and truly prepared for (at least) a week of Euro-fuelled celebrations. The official Eurovision committee is putting on a number of events as part of EuroFestival, including Queerovision, an online commission showing digital video reportage of Liverpool’s Queer Fringe, and a LGBTQ+ festival featuring drag, performance, choreography, vogue, music, carnival, circus and more.  But the city’s thriving queer scene is already more than equipped to host a Eurovision-size party. In fact, it’s difficult to think of anywhere bet

Growing up in Liverpool, I mainly heard The Beatles’ songs in two places: at people’s funerals and walking through touristy areas of the city, like Mathew Street and the Albert Dock. For most of my life, I’ve largely felt indifference towards the band and, at times, I’ve even been irritated by the fact that they would come up in conversation almost every time I told someone where I was from. I found it difficult to understand why millions of people would come here from all over the world to learn about The Beatles every year. This is especially true because despite living in this city for most of my life, I’ve never visited a single Beatles-related attraction in Liverpool – not the Cavern Club, or The Beatles Story, or even Strawberry Fields. In fact, if I was going to put an itinerary together for someone who wanted to spend a weekend in Liverpool, I doubt it would include any Beatles-themed stuff, given how much the city has to offer, from museums to restaurants and nightlife.  According to Holly Tessler, who acts as programme leader on the MA Beatles, Music Industry and Heritage course at the University of Liverpool (and has conducted extensive research into The Beatles’ legacy in Liverpool), tourists’ preoccupation with the band was something many locals previously disliked. ‘Before Liverpool became the European Capital of Culture in 2008, many people from the city didn’t want anything to do with The Beatles,’ she says. ‘There was this idea that they’d turned their backs

What is it?  One of only four Tate museums in the UK, originally dubbed the ‘Tate Of the North’. Historically found at the Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool has been around since 1988, designed by architect James Stirling. It’s currently found at RIBA North, while the original building is closed for redevelopment. There’s always something cool and arty going on here (in the past we’ve seen Keith Haring and Andy Warhol here), and in 2007 it hosted the Turner Prize to mark Liverpool as that year’s European Capital of Culture. Is it worth visiting?  Anyone who visits Liverpool will find the Albert Dock is pretty much a right of passage, and the Tate is its crowning glory. The red-brick building itself, originally a shipping warehouse, is quite the sight, and you don’t have to be uber artsy to enjoy the exhibitions either, as they’re often creative and interactive (that’s the Tate way, after all). Only go to galleries for the gift shop? You’re in luck. This one slaps, and stocks plenty of Liverpudlain small businesses – ideal for a souvenir. Is it free to enter? Tate Liverpool is free to enter and there’s generally a few free exhibitions too. But the main exhibitions range from £11-25 or they’re free for Tate members. If you’re visiting at the weekend or there’s a popular exhibition on, it’s worth booking your tickets in advance. Where’s good to eat nearby?  You’ll be spoilt for choice figuring out where to refuel post-exhibition. Madre, a five-minute walk away on the other side of the

What is it? Sefton Park is often compared to New York’s Central Park, and here’s a fact for you: the 19th century designer of both was inspired by the same green space, which was also built in Liverpool, just down the road in Birkenhead! With 200 acres of green space, Sefton is the perfect spot to escape the city for an afternoon, plus it’s home to the Palm House, a conservatory with an impressive botanical collection, a café and various events. Is it worth visiting? The idea of a city park might not excite you – a park’s a park, right? Well in this case, you might be wrong. Sefton Park is not only impressive in its size, but its landscapes too, which although man-made are pretty breathtaking. It’s even been Grade One listed by English Heritage. Try to go in autumn, so you can admire the auburn leaves and pretend you’re Meg Ryan in a New York-based rom-com. Is is free to visit? Sefton Park is completely free to visit. It’s around a ten-minute train journey from the city centre and the closest train station is St. Michaels. If you want to drive, there’s a few parking spots around the park. Where’s good to eat nearby? You’ll find Sefton at the top of Lark Lane, which is full of great restaurants and shops. We’d recommend eating at Hafla Hafla, a Middle Eastern restaurant whose salt and pepper halloumi regularly sell out. If you’re having a Sunday stroll, the Old School House does a cracking roast, and if it’s a nice day, it would be rude not to have a drink in its sunny beer ga

What is it? A new theatre that opened in 2022, located in Prescot which is just outside of Liverpool city centre. Designed to resemble a traditional Shakespearean theatre and currently the only ‘cockpit’ style theatre outside London, Shakespeare North Playhouse is an impressive space that seats 470 people and was awarded ‘Theatre Building Of The Year’ at The Stage Awards in 2023. Is it worth visiting? This is a theatre buff’s dream, putting on some of the most exciting productions in the UK right now, with both traditional and modern takes on The Bard’s works. What are the prices like? Seriously affordable, prices start at £15, and go up to around £40. But if money’s tight, Shakespeare North Playhouse are keen to improve accessibility to theatre, so they also offer a pay-what-you-decide system for a limited number of tickets. The only catch with Shakespeare North Playhouse is that it’s located outside of the city centre, so it will take you around 20 minutes to get there by train. Just enough time to Google a plot summary for the play you’re about to see so you can impress your friends with Shakespeare facts. Where’s good to eat nearby? There’s a cafe at Shakespeare North Playhouse if you’re after a small lunch or pre-theatre bite to eat. If you’re after something more substantial, try Pinion, a neighbourhood bistro just down the road. You could also eat at a city centre spot before hopping on the train. Mowgli is a well-loved Indian restaurant not far from Liverpool Central

What’s the vibe?  A cosy but lively restaurant at the top of busy Bold Street – with another location on the Albert Dock – you’ll feel immediately relaxed when you enter Maray. Known for its Middle Eastern sharing plates, it attracts locals and tourists alike, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself agreeing to go out with a group of chatty scousers after your meal. What are the prices like? Maray is a small plates situation, and the pricing is pretty reasonable, ranging from £6-14 per plate. What should I order? It’s renowned for its disco cauliflower, bound to be the most exciting head of cauliflower you’ll come across, slathered in chermoula, harissa and tahini. The halloumi drowned in pomegranate molasses is also well worth a go, and make sure you order all of the dips to dunk fresh warm pitta into. Hummus and baba ganoush are both great but the whipped goats cheese paired with pickled apple is a winner. What’s worth visiting nearby? Turn left on your way out and you’ll see Cafe Tabac, one of Liverpool’s oldest bars that maintains its ‘70s charm. Or, head the other way down Bold Street and you’ll be spoilt for choice with bars: there’s the newly opened L’aperitivo, which is sort of designed for a pre-dinner drink but turns into a cracking late night spot after hours. Albert Schloss at the end of the road is a German-style beer hall where you can dance on tables alongside cabaret performers until the early hours of the morning.  📍 Discover more of the best bars in Live

What’s the vibe?  Chef Paul Durand tells me he opened Manifest with his wife Charlotte Jones because they ‘wanted to create the type of restaurant we’d eat at on a Saturday night’. Manifest was actually once a factory, but none of the hustle and bustle of its past life remains. Now, it’s a fine dining restaurant with intimate seating, chatty waiters and a refreshingly chilled-out vibe.  What are the prices like? Pretty affordable for fine dining; the chef’s choice menu will set you back £75 per person, plus £40 for wine pairings.  What should I order? The menu is made up of both small and large plates and the portions are generous, so you can breathe a sigh of relief if you’re feeling exhausted by just how small small plates are getting recently. The seasonal small plates menu will vary, but here are your non-negotiables; start your meal off with ‘still warm’ salt and vinegar crisps, straight from the fryer, then order the onion tart, perfectly sweet and satisfying with caramelised roscoff, pickled silverskin, black garlic, crispy leek and ricotta. The rest is up to you.  What’s worth visiting nearby? If all goes to plan, you’ll leave Manifest feeling full and maybe a little bit tipsy. If that’s the case, you’ll be glad to find yourself in the always-popping Baltic Triangle. Love Lane Brewery is just down the road, where they make their own gin and beer. Or if you’re lucky enough to see the elusive Liverpudlian sun, head to Sub Rosa for a drink in their beer garden. 📍 Disco

What’s the vibe?  Old-school fine dining, like how it was done before Instagram (no natural wine here folks). Housed in an impressive building that was once the Victorian Home For Destitute Children, you’re in for a fancy, fad-free and delicious meal. What are the prices like? Art School isn’t cheap, but you won’t be paying over the odds for what is a seriously swanky dining experience. The set menu comes in at £125 per person, which includes a glass of champagne to start. Add a wine flight for £75 per person, taking the grand total to £200. If you’re after something more affordable, try their Excellence menu (£75 pp), available Tuesday-Saturday with a lunhtime and evening slot.  What’s on offer? Head chef at The Art School Paul Askew is well-known across the city for championing regional produce, so you’ll spot lots of local supplier’s names on the menu. Although there are vegetarian and pescatarian menus, Askew’s menu shines best for its meat and fish; the sirloin beef with ox cheek is enough to turn any veggie anyway.  What is worth visiting nearby? You’re just a stone’s throw from the Liverpool Philharmonic, as well as the Everyman Theatre. Our top tip? Dine on Art School’s £49.50 prix fixe menu before seeing a show.  📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Liverpool

If you haven’t already heard, Eurovision is coming to the UK in 2023 after the country came second in this year’s competition behind winners Ukraine. Seven cities were shortlisted to host the event, and now just two – Liverpool and Glasgow – are in contention, with the winner due to be announced this week. And although both are obviously pretty good candidates, as a Liverpudlian, there are so many reasons why I believe we should host the competition. For a start, Liverpool considers itself to be a European city through and through. Not only was it awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2008, but it attracts tourists from all over the Continent. A whopping 67.3 million visitors came to the region in 2018. And over the decades, many of them have decided to stay, creating a rich, diverse European population across Liverpool and Merseyside. On top of that, there’s also an incredible LGBTQ+ community in Liverpool, which is important for an event like Eurovision, where queerness is actively celebrated and encouraged. The area around Stanley Street is the city’s officially recognised ‘Gay Quarter’ and bars including OMG, Heaven and Gbar will make the perfect afterparty locations post-Eurovision.  Photograph: iaminut / Shutterstock.com And if we’re talking about a party, you can be sure that Liverpool knows how to throw one. Walking through the city centre day or night, you can expect to hear music, whether it’s from young musicians busking on the street, all-day karao