Amy Houghton

Greece is, quite simply, king of the holidays. It’s a country full of sprawling cities, beautiful islands and some of the best beaches in the entire world, and the food? Don’t even get us started on the food. There’s a hell of a lot of islands, and our editors have been to a hell of a lot of them, but for the on-the-ground knowledge that only a local has, we’ve roped in our Greece expert Demetrios Ioannou, who grew up in Athens but has travelled all over the country. Whatever you’re looking for, here are the best places to visit in Greece.  Where should I go for my first time in Greece? We’re firm believers that everyone should go to Athens at least once in their lives. So if it’s your first time visiting the country, you should probably start there. But the good news is that in Greece, you can pretty much do it all. So don’t stay in Athens for a full week – spend a perfect weekend there before heading out on a ferry to Aegina, Poros, Hydra and more. If you’ve ticked off Athens already, consider Greece’s latest destination dupe, Paros, which is set to this year’s ‘new Santorini’ (just without the crowds).  RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The most beautiful Greek islands🏖️ The best beaches in Greece🏨 The best hotels in Greece 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,

Hearing the squawk of a nearby gull while you inhale the salty sea air is almost as integral to the fish ‘n’ chip ritual as mushy peas and tartare sauce. But that’s not to say that excellent landlocked chippies don’t exist in the UK: you just need to know where to look. Thankfully, no matter where you are, you can trust that this list has got the best of the best when it comes to fish ‘n’ chips, whether that’s at a beachfront cafe frying up daily catches or a city-centre institution which has really mastered its batter craft. Get the salt and vinegar in hand and tuck in: here are the best places for fish and chips in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🍺The best pubs in the UK🍝The best restaurants in the UK☀️The best beer gardens in the UK🏖️The best seaside towns in the UK This list was written by Lucas Oakeley, a freelance food writer for Time Out. 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.

There’s no shortage of excellent hotels in Birmingham, so you’ve got no excuse not to make a weekend of it in England’s second-largest city. How else do you expect to tick off the many magnificent things to do here? Knackered from wandering the city’s extensive waterways? Need to lie in a curry-induced coma after visiting the ‘Balti Triangle’? Or maybe you are planning a big night out and only plan to need a bed for three hours? These hotels are all conveniently located and ready to cater to your every need. And whether you want a beautiful independent, a reliable chain or some proper luxury, we’ve got all tastes covered.  Business or leisure, comfort is key and Brum’s best hotels offer it in abundance. Here’s where to stay in Birmingham the next time you’re in town. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in BirminghamBrilliant restaurants in Birmingham Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews 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 capital’s streets may be lined with all the big names in hospitality, but there are also loads of great cheap hotels in London that you needn’t trek out to the sticks to find. Yep – we’re telling you that you can stay somewhere better located and more fun than many of the city’s grand five-star hotels, all for less than you’d pay for a slap-up meal at one of London’s best restaurants. Whether it’s a dorm bed in the heart of Soho, a traditional family-run guesthouse on a period square, or a tech-smart room near St Pancras you’re searching for, London’s got it covered. Have a peek at our list of the best cheap hotels in London and save your pennies for exploring. Looking for more options? 🇬🇧Check out London’s best Airbnbs 🏨Or how about a stay in London's best hotels? Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research 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.

It’s been a fantastic year for new music. We’ve had long-running artists finally break through (hello, Chappell Roan), what felt like the longest and most carefully calculated album roll-out of all time (Charli, we’re looking at you), as well as niche new finds and epic comebacks from old faves (The Cure).  As the year draws to a close, it’s time to share our favourite albums of 2024. From intergalactic post-punk to gritty, lyrical hip hop, dance floor-ready pop and everything in between, grab your best headphones or line up the speakers: these are the albums Time Out had on repeat this year. RECOMMENDED:The best movies of 2024The best TV shows of 2024 you need to streamThe best songs of 2024

Planning a visit to the United Kingdom? You’re in luck. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are all abundant with incredible things to do and see – from fascinating museums and galleries and thriving nightlife offerings to out-of-this-world scenery and hidden histories.  From the waves of Cornwall to the very top of Scotland, our writers have explored every nook and cranny of this small but mighty country, and we’ve rounded up the best of the best for you to tick-off right here. We’ve got all of the world-renowned destinations you really can’t miss (the Scottish Highlands; Notting Hill Carnival), as well as some more under-the-radar stuff that locals usually keep to themselves (did someone say Celtic-themed club night? A sculpture park that looks like it’s on another planet?). So what are you waiting for? If you’re not already, it’s time to start finally planning that trip.   RECOMMENDED:🧙 The most mystical places in the UK🏰 The best castles in the UK🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK👀 The best new things to do in the UK 2024

Apologies to the sinister shopping centre Santas, but the thing we most truly respect about this time of year is the Christmas sandwich. So pure. So dense. So carby. This year, the gallant staff of Time Out London have taste-tested festive sarnies from 12 bakeries and indie delis across London, in order to find the jolliest Christmas sandwich in town. These are the best Christmas sandwiches in London, according to us. RECOMMENDED: For more festive fun here’s our guide to the best Christmas markets in London.  And don’t miss the best Christmas events, either. 

It’s not that we don’t love them, but England is more than its boozers, Greggs and Buckingham Palace. It’s also a country with a thriving live music scene, towering mountains and idyllic lakes, historic theatres and some of the most exciting chefs around. It’s got huge art institutions moments away from Michelin-starred restaurants. In other words – from its natural wonders to festivals which will make you feel like you’re on a different planet – you really don’t need to look far to keep yourself entertained when you visit here.  This country has also birthed greats like Shakespeare, The Beatles and grime music and has inspired some of the most romantic poetry out there. We have ancient, we have new, and although the weather sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, we can guarantee you a very memorable time when you take a trip to this small but mighty country. Start drawing up the bucket-list: these are the best things to do in England.  RECOMMENDED:  🌤️ The best things to do in the UK🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 The best places to go in Wales 📍 The best things to do in London🏝️ The most beautiful islands in England✨ The most magical places 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 UK isn’t a big place, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of breathtaking destinations to uncover. Whether you’re a hiker, a biker, or a lover of wild swimming, this country’s rural areas are jam-packed with stunning landscapes and various terrains, many of which are tucked away in our glorious national parks.  But with so many to explore, from the lochs of Scotland to the coasts of Wales, it can be tricky to know where to start. Fear not, weary hiker, as we’ve handpicked the very best spots across the UK for soaking up those hills, valleys and views. So, read on for the most beautiful national parks the country has to offer. RECOMMENDED:🚞 The most breathtaking hikes in the UK🌤️ The best places to visit in the UK🏄 The best extreme outdoor activity breaks in the UK🏝️ The most beautiful islands in the UK🌲 The best treehouse Airbnbs in the UK

It’s hard not to fall in love with Wales. This nation may be small but best believe it is crammed with irresistible Celtic charm, spectacular wilderness and vibrant culture. Even after growing up in Bannau Brycheiniog and spending family holidays up north and along the coast, I still cannot get enough. It’s the perfect place to rejuvenate, to give your mind a rest and to bathe in the warm hospitality of Welsh people. It’s also a hugely overlooked arts and music hub. From Michelin-star establishments, to gorgeous hikes, an official book town and several critically acclaimed festivals, whatever kind of getaway you're after, this is the very best of Cymru.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best places to go in Wales 🍴 The best things to do in North Wales 👀 The best things to do in Cardiff🌤️ The best things to do in the UK This article was recently updated by Amy Houghton, a writer from Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales. 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. 

The UK’s rental market has people chasing desperate measures, from serial pet sitting to leaving the country altogether. But in recent years, one means of saving on rental costs has taken off more than any other: subletting. Social media call-outs for subletters have become prolific to the point of meme-ification. Ads verge on the edge of ridiculous — rent a living room for a couple months from these two cats, stay in my windowless box in Camden for two weeks while I jaunt off to Spain — but nonetheless, sublets have become an entrenched part of the London renting experience, particularly for those putting up with the worst of the London’s housing crisis.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by @real_housewives_of_clapton In a general sense, subletting means renting out a property to that you are already renting from someone else. But in recent years, it’s most often used to refer to specifically letting out rooms: usually when tenants who are renting a place long-term leave for a short period of time and (often unofficially) get someone into their empty room, helping to offset cost of living expenses and ensure they’re not sinking money on an empty pad. If you’re going away for a longer period, it’s a means of holding onto a good place and of avoiding the gruelling search for a new one when you arrive back. For those who have to move to London and face that increasingly soul-destroying process of finding an afford

You might never want to leave Edinburgh, and we get it. The Scottish capital is loved the world over for its culture, restaurants and Fringe Festival (to name a few). But if you limit your time in Scotland to just Edinburgh, trust us, you’re missing out.  Scotland is full of gems, but the best part is a whole lot of them can be reached by train or car in just one day – with enough time left to get back in time for dinner. From hilly hikes to wide-open beaches and from pretty towns to full-blown city breaks, these day trips from Edinburgh are not to be missed. Here are our favourites.  RECOMMENDED:🌤️ The best things to do in Edinburgh 🎨 The best art galleries in Edinburgh🏰 The best attractions in Edinburgh🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Edinburgh This guide was updated by Edinburgh-based Arusa Quereshi, and Time Out editors. 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. 

With succulents lining the wall, rattan lamps hanging from the ceiling and colourful alebrijes watching over, Kol Mezcaleria (found underneath Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant Kol) is a moody beach bar-esque place designed to emanate the mezcal bars of Oaxaca. Its cocktail menu is compact. Drinks come in twos, each pair attached to one of five flavour profiles, like coffee and woodruff, corn and chamomile or sorrel and hop. For each combination you can choose from a mezcal-based drink (negronis and old fashioneds are both given an agave twist) or one with other Mexican-made spirits like Abasolo corn whisky or Paranubes rum. To satisfy any ‘little cravings’, an antojitos menu serves standout small plates like wagyu beef tostada and churros with mezcal mousse and pork crackling.  Order this  The ‘Hot and Cold’ is a thick, caramelly concoction. Made with Dangerous Don cafe mezcal and topped with an indulgent sheath of woodruff and white chocolate cream, each refreshingly cold sip is rounded off with a warming smoky kick. Best had at the end of the evening.  Time Out tip  It’s not on the menu, but Kol Mezcaleria does do a signature margarita. Rather than the standard combo of triple sec and lime, Kol’s version blends tequila with verjus, yuzu sake and Muyu chinotto (a more herbal, acidic alternative to triple sec).

What is it? London's largest antiques market occupies a prime, colourful stretch of Notting Hill, an area that manages to feel diverse and surprising despite heavy gentrification (how Hugh Grant in that movie could afford a one-person flatshare while working in a bookshop is well beyond us) in the ’90s. Portobello Road Market is really five markets in one, with different sections dedicated to secondhand goods; clothing and fashion; household essentials; fruit, veg and other food; and the main event: antiques. Why go? To sift through thousands of one-off treasures and haggle for bargains on pieces that you’ll get compliments on for the rest of time.  Don’t miss  Under the Westway and along the walkway to Ladbroke Grove, second-hand clothes sit next to the wares of up-and-coming fashion designers. Fridays are a little less hectic here, and you’ll be able to explore fashion-focused Portobello Green Market, which comprises more than 800 stalls. When to visit Portobello Road is worth exploring any day of the week, but Friday and Saturday are by far the busiest.  The market itself is open Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm; Thursday 9am-1pm; Friday-Sat 9am-7pm and closed on Sundays. The antiques stalls are open Friday and Saturday 9am-7pm.  Ticket info No tickets needed. Just turn up and enjoy!  Time Out tip For a sweet mid-shopping treat, walk a little further down the street to Golbourne Road, where the crowd thins out substantially. There you’ll find the no fuss, no frills Lisboa Pa

What is it? This Grade I-listed gothic masterpiece, completed in 1877, is still a working church and a help centre for London’s homeless. Noble purposes, to be sure, but equally uplifting is the effect the environment has on performances – and performers. Put simply, bands raise their game when they’re playing the Union Chapel – it’d be sacrilege not to – and the spellbinding surroundings and acoustics mean it still beats the crap out of the most modern, purpose-built venues. Elton John, Björk, Amy Winehouse, Ed Sheeran, Mavis Staples and Nick Cave are just a few of the big names that have graced its staged. It’s recently expanded its programming to encompass comedy and live podcast recordings too. Only downside: because it’s a house of God, no alcoholic drinks are allowed in the performance space (though there is a bar).  Why go? For ethereal acoustics in one of London’s most beautiful and benevolent live music venues.  Don’t miss Union Chapel’s guided tours on the first Wednesday of every month give you a closer look at its magnificent Father Henry Willis organ (one of just a few left in the UK an original hydraulic blowing system) and delves deeper into the building’s bumpy history, including its survival of a WW2 bomb.  When to visit  Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm. Evening programmes vary.  Ticket info Standard tickets for guided tours of Union Chapel are £15. Concession tickets are £10, children 12 years and under are £5 and 4 years and under get in free. For events

What is it? Since opening in 1972, the RAF Museum has gathered a collection of some 130 historic aircraft, more than 80 of which stand on display. There’s the Westland Lysander, famous for ferrying Allied agents in and out of enemy occupied Europe; the Seapcat Jaguar, used during the Cold War era and the Avro 504K which served way back during WW1.  Besides the planes, the museum has an interactive area and ‘Our Finest Hour’, a multi-media account of the Battle of Britain. In the interactive Aeronauts Gallery visitors can take a pilot aptitude test to discover whether they have the ‘right stuff’. The museum's historic Hangars buildings give details of early aircraft models, including information on how aircraft had to be modified to ensure they worked properly in different overseas climates and conditions.  Why go? For a fun and expansive journey through the history of the Royal Air Force.  Don’t miss Once you’ve seen the planes themselves, get a taste of actually being inside them with the museum’s set of immersive experiences. There’s the 4D theatre with a moving seat and smoke effects, the flight simulator that jets you over a virtual Lake District and the Spitfire Experience, where you get to sit in the cockpit of an actual real-life Spitfire.  When to visit Open daily 10am-5pm.  Ticket info Entry is free, but certain exhibitions and experiences are ticketed.  Time Out tip The RAF Museum is a great option for anyone with anyone little’uns wanting a bit of breathing sp

  What is it?  The Hunterian Museum houses one of the oldest collections of anatomical, pathological and zoological specimens (dead stuff) in the UK and is based on the items assembled by John Hunter, surgeon and anatomist (1728-1793). The collection comprises more than 3,500 anatomical and pathological preparations, fossils, paintings and drawings. Exhibits at the Hunterian Museum include a collection of surgical instruments dating from the seventeenth century, the tooth of a megatherium (an extinct giant sloth) donated by Charles Darwin,  Winston Churchill’s dentures and countless pickled animals.  The museum reopened in May 2023 following a six-year, £4.6m redevelopment that has rethought and modernised the layout for the 2,000 medical items, anatomical specimens and general oddities on display at a given time. Why go? To gape and gawp at some of the truly weird, grisly shit Dr John Hunter gathered in his lifetime, like the cockerel head into which he implanted a human tooth. Not for the faint of heart.  Don’t miss  The Evelyn Tables, four wooden boards on which anatomists have pasted real human blood vessels and nerves.  They date back to 1640 and are thought to be the oldest surviving anatomical preparations of their kind.  When to visit  The muesum opens every Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. Recommended last entry is 4pm. Ticket info  Entry into the Hunterian is completely free. However it can get busy, so we recommend that you book a ticket in advance.  Time Out tip

What is it?  Covering a whopping 96 hectares, beautiful Beckenham Place Park is the Borough of Lewisham’s largest green space. As well as areas of ancient woodland and sweeping grass verges, you’ll also find the gorgeous Georgian Beckenham Place Mansion here, filled with pastel pink and baby blue interiors. The building has recently been renovated as an arts, cultural and community centre by the people behind Copeland Park and the Bussey Building with a record store, bar, cafe, artists studios and regular pop-up events. In 2019, a £6.8 million renovation project brought an open swimming lake to the park. The council refilled the park’s lost Georgian lake, which was originally created by Beckenham Place Mansion’s former resident John Cator in 1800 before being filled in in the twentieth century. The purpose-built open-water hangout (the first of its kind in London) is open all year round  for swimming and boating with lifeguards in the summer. Don’t miss The multi-million-pound project also created a new wet woodland, hoped to become a brand new ecological environment for wildlife, and renovated the old stable block to become the light and airy Homestead Cafe.  When to visit Beckenham Place Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Ticket info The park is completely free to explore. But to swim, an hour session costs £7 for non-Lewisham residents and £4.30 for concessions. They must be booked online in advance, here. Time Out tip Swimming’s not the only activity on offer

 What is it?  In Covent Garden’s branch of, US-based, celebrity-backed (Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, and Will Smith are all investors) Sandbox VR, teams of two to six don helmets, haptic vests and shoulder rifles to step into a virtual world where they’re mostly charged with zapping one thing or other. The games skew towards aggressive shoot ’em ups with names like ‘Dragonfire’ and ‘Deadwood Valley’ or based on Netflix shows like ‘Squid Game’ or ‘Rebel Moon’. There are a couple of gentler games in the mix, like official Star Trek spin-off ‘Away Mission’ or the explicitly younger audiences-orientated ‘Curse of Davy Jones’.  The entire experience last around an hour, which includes ten minutes of instructions, half an hour of game, and ten minutes to grab a drink and watch highlights. Why go? To bond with family and friends fending off zombie attacks, battling dragons and protecting Earth against an alien army.  Don’t miss   Toni, the robot bartender. Built to mimic the movements of pro mixologists, the two automaton arms can apparently whip up as many as 80 drinks an hour.  When to visit  Mon-Fri 11am-11.30pm; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun 10.30am-11pm.  Ticket info Sandbox VR experiences are £35-£60 per guest.  Time Out tip If you’re in southwest London and don’t fancy the journey to Zone 1, Sandbox VR has a second venue in Wandsworth, which opened in 2024. You don’t miss out on anything, it’s got all the same games as its city centre counterpart.   

What is it?  Only the home of the world’s most prestigious Grand Slam tennis tournament. Beyond hosting the Wimbledon Tennis Championships each July, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is open to visitors year-round. The private members club began life as a croquet club in 1868 before introducing lawn tennis shortly after it was patented by Major Walter Wingfield in 1874.  Tennis fanatics can go on behind-the-scenes tours of the 42-acre site and get a glimpse inside the 18 Championship grass courts, including the iconic Centre Court. There are 14 grass practice courts located in Aorangi Park (named after the London New Zealand Rugby Club, which leased the grounds from 1926 ’til 1981) plus six more on the old croquet grounds and eight clay courts. The only thing you can’t do is play tennis – that’s reserved for pros and the people that hold exclusive memberships.   Why go?  To walk in the footsteps of tennis greats.  Don’t miss: The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, where you’ll find memorabilia dating as far back as 1555, a 3D cinema explaining the science of the game and a holographic ‘ghost’ of former world champion John McEnroe roaming the dressing room.  When to visit: Open daily 10am – 5pm from April to September and 10am – 5.30pm October to March. Peak times are weekends and school holidays.  The busiest time of year is the first two weekends of July, during the Wimbledon Championships.  Ticket info: Outside of the Championships, tickets for the museum and grounds

What is it?  Brockwell Park is a much-needed slab of green (84 acres) just south of Brixton. Locals from the surrounding areas flock here in summer to sun-worship (if they’re lucky), fly kites, play football, swim in the outside pool, garden in the community greenhouses and parade a stunning array of dogs. The vast space was once the private grounds of Brockwell Hall and was opened to the public in 1891 by the London County Council. The hall still stands today and is one of several grade II listed buildings dotted about the park, including the emerald green Tritton Tower Clock, which was gifted to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.  Why go?  It's big, diverse and interesting, with numerous areas to appeal to different tastes, from the calm, rolling meadows around Tulse Hill and walled ‘Old English’ flower garden to the BMX track and sloped football pitches by the Dulwich Road. The playground in Brockwell Park is a favourite, with its aerial slide, massive sandpit and sections for different age groups; nearby you’ll find duck ponds and a huge paddling pool. Don’t miss:  Regular events at the park include circuses and a busy schedule of summer concerts and festivals including Wide Awake, Mighty Hoopla, Field Day and Cross the Tracks. But one of the most beloved annual events is the Lambeth Country Show: a sensational mix of village féte, city farm, reggae concert and vegetable sculpture gallery that draws crowds from across the city. It tends to happen in early June

What is it?  A floating naval museum inside Europe’s largest WWII-era cruiser, HMS Belfast is one of the most significant battleships to have survived the Second World War.  With nine huge decks, including gun turrets, punishment rooms and an operating theatre, you can’t miss it if you’re walking through Tower Bridge, where it’s stationed on the south bank of the Thames.  Under the care of the Imperial War Museum, the museum offers an immersive experience of what life would have been like for members of the ship’s 950-strong crew. You’ll learn all about its history, from Arctic convoys to D-Day, its role in the Cold War and beyond. The HMS Belfast also makes an unlikely playground for children, who tear around its cramped complex with ease. And the array of interactive exhibitions will distract them from the fact that they’re even in a museum. If you plan on visiting, bear in mind that there are ladders and a fair few narrow passages involved.  Why go? From the boiler room to the bakery to the gunnery, HMS Belfast is a vast time capsule for you to learn everything there is to know about seafaring life.  Don’t miss HMS Belfast’s Command Centre – a fully equipped gaming room at the heart of the ship where visitors can play ‘World of Warships’ and get a taste of what it would have been like to steer the British cruiser or other historical warships into battle.  When to visit Open daily 10am to 5pm, last entry 4pm. Peak times at weekends and school holidays.  Ticket info A

What is it? When Swingers opened in the City in 2016, it was pretty much a hole in one: 16,000 square feet of 1920s-themed crazy golf in an office block next to the Gherkin. Then that site in Suitsville got an even bigger, more outlandish sibling in the former BHS flagship store on Oxford Street. Swingers West End is the second of its kind, and like its sibling in the City, it’s got a nine-hole course to knock your balls into. For the Helter Skelter course, there are a lot of loops that will have you going round in circles. On the Big Wheel course, things are just as tricky, with miniature mounds that’ll make you feel like a real hill-seeker. An ode to the English Riviera, Swingers West End has beach huts and bandstands – plus lush palms for added ‘Miami Vice’ vibes. It’s basically like your best seaside holiday, but with more booze. Why go?  For some healthy competition accompanied by a vast pick classic (and not-so-classic) cocktails.  Don’t miss  The street food stalls by Slice (ie Pizza Pilgrims), Patty & Bun and Crosstown. When to visit Mon: Closed, Tues-Wed: 3pm-10.30pm, Thurs: 1.30pm-12am, Fri: 1.30pm-12.30am, Sat: 10.30am-12.30am, Sun: 10.30am-9pm Ticket info  Tickets for crazy golf at Swingers West End are £12 at off-peak times and £15 on-peak. Peak times are weekends and evenings.  Time Out tip Don’t stress about queuing up for a drink prior to your game or running out midway through. Lubrication is provided on-course by roving caddies. 

A crazy-golf club in the heart of the City, where players can enjoy 16,000 square feet of 1920s themed golfing. There are two bespoke, nine-hole courses, five (count ’em) bars, a trio of street food vendors (currently Pizza Pilgrims, Patty & Bun and Breddos Tacos), DJs and a two-storey clubhouse with a terrace. All this in an fairly innocuous office block beside the Gherkin. A second, Riviera-inspired addition to the Swingers franchise can be found at Oxford Circus.  Tickets are priced £12-£15. 

If you’ve ever been through Great Yarmouth, you’ll be familiar with the spectacular but incredibly run-down glasshouse that overlooks its promenade. The Norfolk town’s Winter Gardens is the last surviving Victorian glasshouse on a seaside promenade in the whole of the UK. That’s the kind of thing that deserves to be preserved, right?  Once serving as a ballroom and exhibition space, the Gardens originally opened in Torquay in 1878 before moving to Great Yarmouth in 1904. It eventually shut in 2008 over safety concerns and has sat empty and rusting ever since. But now there’s a project dedicated to returning the Grade II building to its former magnificence and reviving its role as the ‘People’s Palace’.  The revived space will feature indoor gardens, community areas, cafes and venues for leisure, entertainment and education. Work starts this spring, backed by a £12.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and an additional £4 million from the Government's Town Deal Fund. Overall the ambitious project is expected to cost around £18m.  Work will include the restoration of the building original features, including the cleaning and repainting of its detailed iron frame. The project is big into sustainability and will ensure that the building has ventilation, rainwater harvesting and heating via low-carbon sources. Iain Robertson, who is leading the project for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ‘The Winter Gardens, which is on the Historic England Buildings at Ri

At more than 300 years old, Castle Howard in York is arguably Britain’s most famous country house (although Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House might have something to say about that). It’s starred in the likes of Bridgerton and Brideshead Revisited and, yes, was the family home of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife. A number of rooms at the stately home have been empty shells since 1940, when the house was hit by a huge fire. The fire destroyed Castle Howard’s dome and more than 20 rooms, but over the years parts of the building have gradually been restored. Now, its latest renovation is set to be revealed to the public in the spring. Castle Howard’s ‘21st Century Renaissance’ is opening to the public on April 25. At the centre will be the unveiling of its restored Tapestry Drawing Room, which has been brought back to its full splendour for the first time since it was hit by the fire.That means that the four beautiful bespoke tapestries that originally hung in the room, made in 1706, have been reintroduced.  Photograph: Tom Arbor Later down the line, visitors will get to see the building’s renovated Long Gallery and Grand Staircase, plus a complete rehang and redisplay of its entire collection of paintings, sculptures and tapestries. Those will open to the public in 2026, ahead of the 300th anniversary of Sir John Vanbrugh’s death (that’s the architect who designed both Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace).   Photograph: Tom Harbor Simon Thurley, a history and ex-c

The atmosphere inside a proper rugby pub when everyone is rallying around their team, gripping onto their chairs for dear life as the team edges towards the try line – there aren’t many feelings quite like it. Now, it’s time to gather round pub screens for the the Six Nations, and ahead of the first games kicking off this weekend, Time Out has revealed its pick of the very best rugby pubs in London.  And the capital’s best place to grab a Guinness and watch the games go down is... The Cabbage Patch in Twickenham. Why, you ask? Well, if you can’t be inside the home of English rugby, this is the next best thing. Found just a pop pass away from Twickenham Stadium itself, it absorbs the exhilarating vibes from across the road and attracts ‘loyal supporters for a pre- or post-match pint, as well as those who've missed out on match-day tickets and fancy soaking up some serious sports atmosphere’. And if you’re wondering about the name, the Cabbage Patch is christened after the grounds the rugby venue was built on, which were once used to grow cabbages and other veg.  We picked north London’s beloved Irish boozer, the Faltering Fullback as the city’s second best rugby pub. Leonie Cooper, Time Out’s food editor and pub connoisseur, said: ‘Full disclosure, I'm not the biggest rugby fan. But The Faltering Fullback is, undoubtedly, an excellent rugby pub. Surround yourself with pints and grab a spot on the wooden benches in the massive backroom before shout at grown men tackling each o

Disputes between trade unions and train companies in the UK have now been dragging on for nearly three years, with rail workers taking action to protest poor pay and working conditions. But while train strikes are officially over for much of the UK after ASLEF negotiated a pay deal, some strikes have since been called for select services for an extended period.  RMT train managers on Avanti West Coast services announced new strikes back in December, and they’ve already begun. That period of action started on New Year’s Eve and will continue all the way to May 2025.  As for nationwide strikes? Following the last bout of ASLEF strikes in May 2024 – quite some time ago, at this point, and which saw train drivers at 16 operators across the UK walk out over three days – no further action has been called for British train services.  Here’s everything you need to know about upcoming industrial action on the UK’s rail network.  RECOMMENDED: ⛔️ All you need to know about the train strikes in London. When are the next train strike dates? Avanti West Coast strikes started on New Year’s Eve and continued on January 2, and they’ll take place every Sunday between January 12 and May 25. On a nationwide level, there are no future strikes planned for now.  Which rail services will be impacted by train strikes this weekend, February 1-2? This weekend Avanti West Coast strikes will take place on Sunday February 2. This will only impact Avanti West Coast services.  What train lines will be affe

In it’s heyday, TGI Friday diners were staples for kids birthday parties and tweens who had been let loose in a shopping centre for the first time. Mammoth milkshakes, filthy burgers and sticky BBQ ribs? An 11-year-old’s heaven. But people aren’t going to TGI’s like they used to. Back in October, nearly 40 years after it first opened here, the all-American chain was forced to make major cuts and shut 35 of its UK restaurants.  It was originally thought that its flagship Leicester Square branch would be one of the 51 across the UK that would stay open after the brand was rescued from going bust. But now that site has officially gone.  TGI Fridays Leicester Square shut its doors for good earlier this month. The site opened in 2015 after a huge £3.5m investment. With 260 seats, an open kitchen and four-sided bar, at the time it was described as the ‘Fridays jewel in London’s crown’.  In 2023, the chain was taken out of administration by Breal Capital and Calveton for £9.55 million. But that wasn’t enough to completely revive it. The most recent closure comes after sales at the UK chain reportedly went down by more than 10 percent over the last year. There are now no TGI diners in central London, though the brand still has outlets in Westfield Stratford City, the O2 in Greenwich and at Wembley Park. TGI’s once had a portfolio of more than 100 UK sites, but that has gone down to just 50.   Gonna miss TGIs? Visit one of London’s best north American restaurants instead.  Dishoom i

Tom Grennan fans, look lively! The singer-songwriter, former BRIT nominee and the guy behind that iconic Gillette song has announced that he’s hitting the road and heading on a huge UK tour.  The Grennan ’25 Tour will celebrate the release of his fourth album, Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be, which comes out in August. He said of the new record: ‘This album is about me, revived. Now I'm at a place where I DO want to be. And I'm ready to blow people's heads off.’ It’s the singer’s biggest run of shows to date and includes mega shows at London’s O2 Arena and Manchester’s Co-op Live. Want to be a part of it? This is all the info you need to get tickets to see Tom Grennan this year. When is Tom Grennan going on tour?  Tom will be playing in 11 arenas across the UK and Ireland from September 3 to September 19, 2025.  When do tickets go on sale?  Fans can get their hands on general sale tickets from 10am on Friday, February 7 over on Ticketmaster or Live Nation.  Is there a presale?  If you preorder Tom’s new album or register before 3pm on February 4, you’ll get exclusive access to a presale that begins Wednesday, February 5 at 10am. There are two more presales with Live Nation and Metropolis Music that go live at 10am the next day.  If you’re one of Tom Grennan’s top fans on Spotify, keep an eye out for an email that gives you an exclusive access code to the presale beginning at the same time.  There are also some presales specific to individual venues, suc

The new year of the zodiac – the Year of the Snake – is officially underway. The year began on Wednesday (January 29) but that doesn’t mean the fun is over just yet. This weekend London will host its traditional Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown.  When is London’s Chinese New Year parade?  The big Chinese New Year parade is happening a few days later on Sunday February 2.  London hosts the biggest Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Asia. Every year, Chinatown comes alive with martial arts displays, opulent red and gold costumes, fireworks, dancing lions and more to mark the occasion.  In 2025, Chinese tradition welcomes in the Year of the Snake. According to the Chinese zodiac, anyone born in the Year of the Snake (1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013) will be presented with exciting new opportunities in over the next 12 months. If that’s you – all the more reason to get down to Chinatown! The main festivities kick off with a spectacular parade from Trafalgar Square and into Chinatown. Here’s all the info you need to know.  🐍 Time Out’s ultimate guide to the Chinese Lunar New Year in London.🧧 London’s best Lunar New Year events in 2025 (outside Chinatown). What date is Chinese New Year 2025? For 2025, Chinese New Year fell on Wednesday January 29.    Chinese New Year parade start time Celebrations are expected to start at around 10am.  London Chinese New Year parade route  It’ll start to the east of Trafalgar Square, a few metres down from Charing Cross station. Sp

Rugby union fans, it’s time to get excited. The 2025 edition of the Six Nations, one of the biggest and best tournaments in the rugby world, is returning this weekend. Across 15 adrenaline-pumped matches England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy will all battle it out to take this year’s crown. As always, matches will take place in some of the continent’s mightiest sports arenas, including Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium, London Twickenham and the Stade de France in Paris. If you can’t get to the games in person, you can always soak up the atmosphere at your local pub – or, of course, there’s the option to watch the nail-biting contest from the comfort of your own home. Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you keep up with all the Six Nations action on TV.  RECOMMENDED:🍻 The best rugby pubs in London.🏉 The best places to watch the Six Nations in London. Which 2025 Six Nations matches are this weekend? The Six Nations kicks off today (January 31) with a standoff between France and Wales at Stade de France. On Saturday, Scotland will be taking on Italy at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium and Ireland will be playing England at Dublin’s Aviva.   How to watch the Six Nations 2025 If you want to watch the Six Nations from home, all of the matches this year will be split between ITV1 and BBC One. You can also tune in via ITVX or BBC iPlayer. Full TV schedule Here are the games to tune in for this weekend, as well as when and whe

A good gastropub should do two things: serve upmarket food that can compete with the fanciest of restaurants but also maintain the personality and unfussy aura that makes a great British pub. It’s a tough balance to strike, but one that the Unruly Pig, led by chef patron Dave Wall (formerly Bibendum and Claridges), seems to have nailed. That’s probably why it's been crowned Estrella Damm’s best gastropub in the UK for the third year running. Between the exposed beams and cosy fireplace, the first thing you notice walking into the 16th century inn is the playful, irreverent decor – there’s a ginormous frame of Lego mini figures at the main entrance and a ‘Last Supper’-esque portrait of The Sopranos cast above our table. It feels like the Unruly Pig is assuring you that, yes the food is fancy, but look, we don’t take things too seriously.  Photograph: Amy Houghton for Time Out After we take our seats beneath Tony, Carmela and their brood, we start with the Unruly Dozen, a tray of 12 oysters in four forms: natural, deep-fried, grilled and pickled. I’m not normally one to drool over oysters, but these paired with a fizzing glass of Langham Culver? I’m still dreaming about them.  Photograph: Amy Houghton for Time Out Side note here: while lots of restaurants around the UK have removed raw oysters from their menu over norovirus concerns, the Unruly Pig serves exceptionally plump, briny raw oysters and these ones definitely did not give us a sore belly. In October, it became th

Did you know that Fabric is home to the world’s first ‘BodyKinetic’ dancefloor? That’s what creates the multi-sensory experience you get in Room One at the club. Featuring transducers that produce frequencies in the floor, the floor makes it feel as though the music is vibrating through your body.  Now, for the first time since the club opened in 1999, Fabric’s innovative dancefloor has had an upgrade. The club began renovating the room last year as part of its 25th birthday celebrations and added a brand new sound system in August.  For the new floor, Fabric partnered with amp manufacturer Powersoft to upgrade it using ‘Moving Magnet linear transducers’. They’re more powerful than the previous transducers, meaning that next time you’re in the club, you’ll get an even more immersive, full-body experience.  The club said that: ‘The advanced Movers provide more reliable performance, ensuring the dancefloor feels consistently responsive and smooth. The cleaner, more refined sound and feel allow dancers to truly connect with the music on a deeper, more visceral level.’ Matt Smith, the club’s tech manager, added: ‘We knew the newly refurbished Room 1 sound system wouldn’t be complete without upgrading the floor as well. We’ve been working tirelessly to make this happen. Installation began immediately after the New Year's Day show, with the full technical team involved and years of planning and design behind it.  ‘Arguably unnecessary? Perhaps. But we believe it’s worth it.’ Four L

Everyone renting in London knows the feeling. That begrudged moment when, just after you think you’ve scored a bargain, your mate living south of the river reveals that their monthly rent is about £200 less a month than yours. It’s painful knowing you can get cheaper deals just a few stations away, but we can all agree that even on the cheaper end, London rental prices, quite frankly, suck.  To give you the full picture and help you compare north to south and east to west, DOSE News has put together a tube map of average rental prices across London. The map shows the average monthly rental prices for a room around each London Underground station.  It’s of little surprise that if you plan on renting by a station smack bang in the centre of London, you’ll need to be prepared to spend a whole lot more. According to DOSE’s research, you’ll find London’s most expensive rooms in Green Park (a whopping £1,707 per month), Victoria (£1674) and St Pauls (£1,559).  If you want somewhere more affordable in zone one, your best bet is Aldgate which is an average £814 a month.  Heading into zone two, some of the cheaper places include Kentish Town, where the average room is £735 a month; Brixton, which costs around £792 and Clapham, which is an average of £812 to rent in.  A little further out, you can get a room by Leyton Underground station for an average of £650, Walthamstow for £737 or Hendon Central for £677. Across the city, the average price of renting a single room is £931 per month

Ever since it was announced way back in 2012, the sub-Thames Silvertown Tunnel has been a controversial development. But, despite complaints from locals and experts that it would increase traffic and pollution (TfL says it’ll do the opposite), it’s officially opening in April this year. Once open, drivers will have to play a toll to get from one side of the tunnel to the other. And a matching toll is being applied to the nearby Blackwell Tunnel. Locals aren’t too happy about the charges, but now TfL has announced that it’s offering thousands of residents across 13 boroughs a 50 percent discount. That means the levy will be £2 instead of £4 at peak times and 75p instead of £1.50 at off-peak times. So, who qualifies? Here’s the lowdown.  Who is eligible for Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel charge discounts?  To qualify for the discount, you need to live in Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest or the City of London. You also have to be able to show that you’re in receipt of state benefits such as income support, universal credit, carer's allowance or housing benefit.  Make sure you register in advance. Applications opened on Wednesday, January 29 on the TfL website. The tolls come into place from April 7.  It’s also important to note that all drivers will also have to register in advance to get charged the cheaper off-peak rate, or you’ll get charged the full price of £4. You c