Ed Cunningham

Glastonbury 2025 was an edition that was well worthy of being followed by a year off. Headliners The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo led an all-conquering weekend that was at the centre of political debates but overall ruled by standout pop performances. You can read Time Out’s review of Glasto 2025 in full here. Can’t wait for the next musical feast on Worthy Farm? We have sad news – 2026 will be a fallow year for Glastonbury, meaning there’s no festival. The next edition of Glastonbury will take place in the summer of 2027.  Glastonbury is the UK’s biggest music festival, attracting more than 200,000 music lovers to over 100 stages. It’s also notoriously difficult to get tickets for, with prospective festival-goers attempting all sorts of tips and tricks to improve their chances.  2026 may be a fallow year, but Glastonbury has already confirmed plenty of details about its 2027 edition. Here’s what you need to know. RECOMMENDED:🎪 The best festivals in the UK☀️ The best festivals in Europe When is Glastonbury 2027? The dates for the next Glastonbury Festival were officially confirmed in September 2025. The dates to keep free (if you’re planning that far ahead) are Wednesday June 23 to Sunday June 27, 2027. Who is playing Glastonbury in 2027? Currently it’s far, far too early for Glasto to have revealed any of its next lineup. Bookies reckon huge stars like Sam Fender, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are among the best bets for 2027. When will Glastonbury 2027 tickets go on

Every week, a frankly silly amount of brilliant new restaurants, cafés and street food joints arrive in London. Which makes whittling down a shortlist of the best newbies a serious challenge. But here it is. The 20 very best new restaurants in the capital, ranked in order of greatness and deliciousness. All of them have opened in the past year and been visited by our hungry critics. So go forth and take inspo from this list, which is updated regularly. Check in often to find out what we really rate on the London restaurant scene. And look here for all the info about the best new openings in November. London's best new restaurants at a glance: 🍛 Central: Adoh!, Covent Garden 🍠 North: Belly Bistro, Kentish Town 🥟 South: Doma, Sydenham 🍝 East: Legado, Shoreditch 🥗 West: The Lavery, South Kensington November 2025: New additions include Sri Lankan fast food at Adoh! in Covent Garden, Chingford chophouse Gina, Filipino freshness at Belly Bistro in Kentish Town, indie disco turned gastropub the Macbeth in Shoreditch, Spanish smashers at Legado in Shoreditch and Balkan comfort food at Doma in Sydenham. Hungry yet? Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best restaurants in London. The hottest new openings, the tastiest tips, the spiciest reviews: we’re serving it all on our London restaurants WhatsApp channel. Follow us now to tuck in.

Christmas markets are one of the most magical joys of the festive season. You’d have to be a defiant Grinch to be able to go to a top-tier festive fair and not feel some sense of seasonal inner warmth, whether that’s from the sight of glittering fairy lights, the sound of Christmassy tunes, or the thick smell of wafts of cinnamon and glühwein. Sure, mainland European spots like Nuremberg and Vienna might often top lists of the best Christmas markets around, but here in Britain we know a thing or two about the festive spirit. If you’re after magical places to eat, drink and shop Christmas, the best UK festive markets offer all of that and so much more. Alas, not all Christmas markets are created equal – and some certainly glimmer brighter than others. Here are all the best ones to visit in the UK for the 2025 festive season. Where is the most Christmassy place in the UK? Sprawling, sparkling major cities like Edinburgh, London and Birmingham house some of the best Christmas markets in the UK, however there are also quaint little towns and villages up and down the country which are filled with century-old pubs and fairy-lit lanes where the festive markets also have a more saturated glow. Handily, we’ve got a list of the UK’s most Christmassy towns, which you can read here. What is the oldest Christmas market in the UK? The oldest Christmas market in the UK was Lincoln, which dated back in 1982. The county town’s event, which included a funfair and Ferris wheel, was among the bi

Think treehouses are just for children? Well think again. You can fulfil your inner child’s dream with one of these unique elevated stays across the UK. Don’t worry, these getaways aren’t your typical treehouse with damp and woodlice. Think panoramic forest views, hot tubs under the stars, and interiors worthy of a design mag. Whether you’re after a five-star hideout suspended in the treetops or a rustic perch for some proper peace and quiet, these stays prove that nature and luxury can coexist beautifully. When is the best time of year to stay in a treehouse? Naturally, the warmer months are ideal for simpler, less-insulated treehouses – and for making the most of the great outdoors. That said, it really depends on the spot. If your chosen perch comes with heating (and you don’t mind a little nip in the air), you can head up there any time of year. In fact, winter stays have their own kind of magic: think frosty morning walks, crackling fires, and the bonus of off-peak prices, not to mention fewer bugs for the squeamish among us. Best treehouse getaways at a glance  🧸Best for families: Toad Hall treehouse, Norfolk 💘Best for couples: Tree Tent, Somerset 💫Most luxurious: Cherrybrae Cottage, Saint Fillans 💰Best on a budget:  Little Tree House, Gwynedd RECOMMENDED:💕 The best romantic weekend getaways in the UK🏞️ The most beautiful national parks in the UK🏊 The UK's best Airbnbs with pools👫 The best UK Airbnbs for big groups Who makes the cut? While we might not stay

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Every year, a wealth of new hotels open in the capital – a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. That can, however, make it rather tricky to decide which hotel to choose. But worry not: we have slept our way across the city and hand-picked our favourites, to bring you this ultimate list of London hotels, from Mayfair to Shoreditch, and from budget to blowout (butler included).  Newcomers to our list include the all-new July in Victoria, apartment-hotels which opened in July 2025, and eco-hotel 1 Hotel Mayfair, as well as a few old classics we’ve re-reviewed just for good measure (hint: The Dorchester is just about as great as we remembered). We’ve got a brand-new number one too, but we won’t give that one away just yet. For everything from genuine good value stays to all-out, Zone 1 luxury, you’ll find something on this list for every kind of trip. Superb bars, great architecture, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world await you – here are the best hotels in London.  🏘️ Looking for even more options? Check out our list of the best Airbnbs in London Which area is best to stay in London? It’s not just the range of hotels that’s so impressive – you’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a neighbourhood to stay in London. The city is made up of a sprawling network of dynamic neighb

October 2025: The arrival of cool, crispy weather and increasingly less daylight can only mean one thing - Sunday roast season is finally here. Not simply just a decent hangover cure, Sunday lunch is one of the most autumn-y things a Londoner can possibly do. Our latest update to this list has prioritised the cosiest pubs in town, with extra points for roaring open fires, as well as nooks and crannies to hunker down in as the city gets darker, colder and way more snuggly. We also have a brand new Number 1; the simple, spectacular roast at London’s OG organic pub, The Duke of Cambridge.  London’s best Sunday roasts at a glance: 🥩 Central: Duke of Cambridge, Angel 😇 North: The Angel, Highgate ⛪ South: Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead 🌈 East: The Nelson’s, Hackney 🍻 West: The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill Sunday lunch. There’s nothing quite like it. An elemental meal, one that Londoners take incredibly seriously. Debates about what constitutes the ‘perfect’ Sunday roast have been known to last for hours. There is no shortage of top roasts in London. We’ve rounded up the city’s best Sunday meals from a host of pubs, restaurants and breweries all around town. What makes a good roast? For us, it’s simple; a welcoming room is a good start, maybe in a pub with an open fire. Then it comes to the plate – we need perfect roast potatoes, well-cooked lamb, beef or pork and a decent plant-based option too. A Sunday roast is more than just lunch - it’s self-care. From snug neighbourhood staples t

London is full of perfect pizza. The finest of fast foods, this delicious staple has been elevated far beyond its humble roots by great Italian restaurants in London, pop-ups, street food vendors and pub residencies, and we know just where to find these world-class wonders, because we’ve been eating our way across London in order to discover the best. Whether it’s delivered in a cardboard box or served in a swish restaurant, excellent pizza is hard to beat. Browse our list of the best pizza places in town and try not to drool on your screen. Recent additions to the Top 20 include some nifty kitchen residencies; Dough Hands at the Spurstowe Arms and Old Nun’s Head, Bing Bong Pizza at You Call The Shots in Hackney, Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern in Dalston, Lenny’s Apizza at The Bedford Tavern in Finsbury Park and Short Road Pizza at the William The Fourth in Leyton and Three Colts in Bethnal Green. You can find Ace Pizza at the Pembury Tavern in Hackney Downs, but they have also opened their first standalone parlour in Victoria Park. Try also; Spring Street Pizza in Borough for pizza with a Michelin-starred chefs touch or Carmela’s on Upper Street for a cosy slice. RECOMMENDED: The finest fish and chips in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Once upon a time, the only reason to grab a bite at King’s Cross was if you were waiting for your train. But this once-grimy post-industrial area has undergone an enormous regeneration, and these days it’s packed with fine restaurants. Be it the lofty, warehouse-sized joints around Granary Square, the trendy cafés in Coal Drops Yard or the hip little spots around lower Pentonville, and a selection of Cantonese cult classics, there’s something for all tastes (and budgets, high or low). Check out our list of the best. RECOMMENDED: These are the best pubs in King’s Cross. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

It will come as no surprise that Amsterdam is overrun with exceptional places to stay. And we mean every kind: 18th-century canalside mansions, converted bridge keepers’ houses, luxury historic hotels that have hosted royal weddings – the lot. But that isn’t to say that every stay here will blow the budget – there are plenty of affordable options in Amsterdam too, if you know where to look. On our list, we’ve made sure to include a bit of everything, all individually reviewed and rated by Time Out’s very own travel experts. Read on for five-star luxury, budget boutiques and everything in between.  What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Amsterdam?  There isn’t necessarily one answer to this, as each of Amsterdam’s districts offer something totally unique. If it’s your first time in the city, Centrum offers touristy experiences and classic Amsterdam views for days. For something more off-grid (and often more affordable), you’re best off catching the free ferry to Noord, Amsterdam’s creative warehouse district. But for a reliable all-rounder? We love hipster haven Oost, where you’ll find many of the city’s coolest bars, restaurants and hotels. For more, check out our full area guide.  🏘️ Looking for even more options? Check out our guide to Amsterdam’s best Airbnbs Amsterdam’s best hotels at a glance 👑 Best overall: The July - Boat & Co 🕰️ Best historical stay: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam 💸 Best budget stay: Yotel Amsterdam 🍴 Best for foodies: The Hoxton, Lloyd A

We know, we know. NYC is already an incredibly romantic city. With all those legendary sights, how could it not be? But don’t underestimate the power of a hotel to make the city even more amorous. Just think about it: NYC’s classically romantic backdrop plays host to fancy restaurants, hot tubs and massages. It’s enough to seduce even the sternest of New Yorkers. Of course, you can’t put a price on love – but if you could, these hotels are great places to start. Updated December 2024: When we updated a list, you know it’s worth getting excited about – especially when we’ve added two hotels to really get you in the mood: an Art Deco stunner and a Soho institution with a very special bar. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYCThe most romantic hotels in the U.S. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel 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 humble brunch is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the modern age. Breakfast is too early to really get stuck into, while eating eggs and downing buckets of coffee at lunchtime seems odd. Brunch, then, is the one true morning-ish meal, especially if it incorporates pancakes, bacon and those aforementioned eggs. Or you can enjoy a totally vegan take on proceedings at LD’s at The Black Heart. London is particularly well stocked with places to indulge in the famous breakfast/lunch hybrid – one of the latest additions to this list is FKA Black Axe Mangal in Highbury, (don’t forgot to order a pig cheek and prune donut). Let us guide you to the best restaurants for a fabulous brunch, from a traditional full English to innovative twists on the majestic meal, such as a bacon bao brunch or fried eggs on chilli-cheese crumpets.  Best brunches in London at a glance: 🌽 Best for vegans: LD’s at The Black Heart, Camden 🍖 Best for Spanish-style brunch: Lolo, Bermondsey 🏰 Best for a spectacular setting: Aram, Somerset House 🌳 Best for an al fresco brunch: Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park  RECOMMENDED: Like unlimited fizz with your fry-up? Here are the best bottomless brunches in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. October 2025: Now that we're fully into cosy season, we've highlighted some of the more appropriate seasonal spots for a morning meal. Sulk in the dark like a massive (vegan) go

We'll always be NYC's biggest cheerleaders, why wouldn't we be? The city has it all! But everyone needs a breather from the bustle of city life every once in a while. Luckily, you don't need to travel very far for some well-deserved R&R. The Catskills are the place to be. Not too far from the city, but far enough to escape the center. So, pack your best knitwear, dig out those hiking boots, and book a weekend away. Okay so, you've got the destination down, but where to stay? That’s where we come in. We’ve scoured Airbnb to find some of the Catskills’ most unique, stylish, and memorable getaways, from group adventures near the mountains to romantic hideaways, we've ticked every box. Scroll on to discover your dream rental ...  RECOMMENDED: 🪵Check out the best Airbnbs in Hudson Valley🏊‍♀️See our list of best New York upstate resorts⛰Discover the best of upstate New York Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb 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.

You can spot the building that hosts Archives from miles around, a repurposed 1960s industrial tower standing tall above Tottenham Hale’s retail parks and marshland. And it’s a worthy local landmark: since opening in 2024 Archives has regularly hosted blockbuster nights, from James Blake’s CMYK to the second edition of Eastern Margins’ festival Margins United. The space itself is an 8,500-square-foot ground-floor blank canvas with thick concrete columns and capacity for 1,600; the 360-degree soundsystem is solid, the dancefloor is well-proportioned and the outdoor/rest areas are sizeable. The only downside is the bar prices. When I was last here pints were flatly priced at a very steep £8.50 (and £7.50 for cans).

A country home amid gargantuan piles of slate, Plas Weunydd sits atop a hill overlooking not just an old industrial town but the vast landscape of Snowdonia National Park. Needless to say, the hotel is all about its location: the location on a map, sure (it’s pretty much at the dead-centre of Snowdonia and surrounded by all manner of outdoorsy activities) but also its topographical location, with views galore.  For my visit to Plas Weunydd, the approach by car saw me wind my way past the hills and valleys of the national park, through old mining town Blaenau Ffestiniog and most of the way up a not-unsteep hill. The hotel is perched near the top, at the same turning as much-hyped adventure attraction Zip World and a mountain-biking course.  Why stay at Plas Weunydd? If you’re in Snowdonia for an adventure or outdoorsy holiday (and this is very much a region famous for that), Plas Weunydd is extraordinarily well-located. Hiking, cycling, mountain biking, zip-wiring and more is almost literally on your doorstep – as previously mentioned, Zip World is across the road – while countless mountains, waterfalls, lakes or rivers in Snowdonia National Park are no more than a half-hour drive away.  The building itself was built in 1870 as the home of John Whitehead Greaves, the founder of nearby Llechwed Quarry. It was turned into a hotel in 2021, and it relaunched in April 2025 following further refurbishment. Plas Weunydd prides itself on being an adventure holiday base, but also for b

Prince Durairaj and Glen Leeson are good at this by now. Excellent, in fact. The pair have put together a small chain of top Indian eateries; Islington’s Tamil Prince and Tamil Crown, and the first Tamila in Clapham. Fourth time around with Tamila King’s Cross, the experience is more refined than ever. London’s second Tamila is at the other end of Caledonian Road from the Tamil Prince, and, like the Clapham edition, isn’t a ‘desi pub’ but a curry house for fast, casual dining and with an all-day menu. Without the loveable musk of an ex-pub, the space is much airier and restaurant-y, while the service is sharper and more attentive. Food-over-booze indicators don’t get much more obvious than Tamila’s massive interior window directly into the kitchen.  The dhal flashed all sorts of vegetables across your tongue, while paneer butter masala was creamy and mightily generous Our drinks flew out at an impressive pace. A bold harbinger of the strong, spiced flavours to come, the gunpowder margarita, boasting masala dust for salt and earthy smokiness, was sumptuous. The paloma had grapefruity sweetness but a proper, heaped dash of ginger that lingered powerfully.  Tamila’s dishes verge on the more generous side of ‘small plates’. On platters so spotless and shiny they’re genuinely mirrors, come miraculously un-greasy onion bhajis, each one just more than a mouthful of prickly, salty crackle. Retaining integral crispiness beneath dollops of mint chutney, one gets the impression that th

If you’re a history buff (particularly a pottery history buff), the surroundings of this DoubleTree alone will be enough to have you in awe. The hotel is attached to Etruria Hall, a neo-classical Grade II-listed structure once home to Josiah Wedgwood – renowned industrialist and the founder of Wedgwood, one of the world’s most famous pottery companies.  Etruria Hall is no longer a stately home but an events venue, and since the 1980s it’s been attached to a hotel. In 2020 that hotel opened as a Hilton, specifically of the DoubleTree brand – yet despite being part of an all-conquering global chain, it’s maintained plenty of character. Beyond the obvious (the in-house restaurant is called Josiah), the corridors and rooms come lined with nods to local heritage; bottle oven skylines, Stoke dialect phrases, that sort of stuff.  Stoke-on-Trent’s DoubleTree, therefore, not only occupies a special historical site but makes sure you fully aware just how special it is. But it’s also a comfortable, well-kitted-out place to stay. I stayed in a king guest room that was extraordinarily spacious and flawlessly clean, with a sprawling, comfortable bed, fast wi-fi, effective blackout curtains and a practical bathroom.  The staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful, the common areas were bright and welcoming, and there was a very sleek indoor pool and leisure centre. There’s on-site parking, too.  Given the building’s age, some of Stoke’s DoubleTree is understandably rough around the

When Stoke’s Hilton Garden Inn opened in 2020 it was the city’s first and only Hilton. Admittedly it didn’t hold that title for long (the DoubleTree in Etruria was rebranded a month or so later) but you get the sense that this was a statement opening. A terracotta titan towering over Hanley, this Hilton Garden Inn cost £20 million and is part of the wider redevelopment of Smithfield – a mixed-use quarter named after the area’s old bottle works. Given it’s getting on for half a decade old, Stoke’s Hilton Garden Inn still looks and feels shimmeringly new. Sure, stepping into the lobby feels very much like stepping into any new-ish Hilton, anywhere, but this one is exceptionally well-kempt, making it very much a slick, shiny beacon of modern comfort.  I stayed in a ‘king room’ up on the sixth floor, a tidy and well-proportioned space with plenty of light and a bunch of amenities tidily packed in. The décor was pared back, minimalist(ish) and very much of-this-decade, and the room’s simplicity made it feel bigger. Stoke touches on the walls (images of pottery ovens and so on) reminded you where you were – as did my view, stretching out westwards towards Etruria, Burslem and Shelton. The rest was very much as one might expect of a somewhat new Hilton. The mattress was supple, the pillows and duvet ideally sink-in-able; the shower worked as required, accompanied by fragrant Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries and the flashy touch of an anti-steam mirror. The room was well insulated for so

Down the cavernous halls of Whitehall’s Old War Offices, surrounded by opulent Michelin-starred restaurants and the supremely swish Raffles hotel, lies Kioku Sake Bar – less blindingly flashy, sure, but just as high-calibre. The street-level accompaniment to Kioku’s top-floor, five-star sushi restaurant has the effortless style and homely hideaway calm of a Japanese listening bar, prim décor and lines of hundreds of sake bottles sitting beneath immaculately balanced light. And Kioku’s substance more than matches its style. There are over 140 sakes on offer, each affectionately described, plus a trim list of sake cocktails and a refined menu of innovative, Japanese-infused small plates. The drinks and food are entirely different to those of the upstairs restaurant Kioku By Endo, making the bar very much worth a separate visit.  Order this The Daikon Gibson suspends itself entirely on the front of your tongue, with silky and potent Ginjo sake ‘vermouth’ and tangy pickled daikon combining with clean Roku gin and yuzu tang. Kioku’s cocktails all exude a sense of craft – and this does even more so. Time Out tip Make the most of Kioku’s formidable sake collection and the bar’s in-house sake sommelier to explore the tipple. Discover how the vessel material affects each sake, get a taste of the many, many different styles and regional varieties – and find a new favourite.

Stepping into the atrium of The Conservatorium, it’s immediately obvious that this is a very special hotel indeed. Rich red brickwork meets sharp glass angles, heritage details fit snugly among silky modern luxury; from the fittings and furniture to the architecture, wherever you look something catches your eye. The Conservatorium’s sense of occasion is tied to the building’s history. Many of its cavernous halls date back to 1897, when it was built as a bank. In the 1980s it became a conservatoire, then it was reconfigured into a hotel by starchitect Piero Lissoni in the 2000s. It opened as a founding member of the luxurious Set Collection in 2011. The Conservatorium’s rooms, appropriately for a hotel inhabiting a building of many previous lives, vary massively – yet they share plenty of common ground. Whether one is in the basic ‘deluxe room’ or the three-floor, roof terrace-boasting ‘I Love Amsterdam’ suite, well-proportioned rooms boast plush beds, spacious bathrooms, bountiful storage and thoughtful, refined décor. My room was a ‘royal duplex suite’, with elegant double-height windows looking out onto the humming trams and cafés of Van Baerlestraat. The essentials – bed, space, storage, bathroom, toiletries – were all faultless. Little touches of Dutch-ness (decorative clogs, a Van Gogh coffee table book, Delftware ceramic plates) were unsubtle but still tasteful, restrained. Beyond the room, breakfast (served in the Lounge) was high-calibre and the staff were as helpful

What comes to mind when you think of a treehouse? Woodlice, splinters, cold – yes, probably all those things. But treehouses are also secluded and peaceful, dwellings a few feet up in the air that feel that bit away from the rabble below and closer to nature. And a treehouse, crucially, is all yours.  The treehouses of TreeDwellers in Cornbury, northeast Cotswolds, are treehouses in a spiritual sense. No, they aren’t up trees (nor do they even touch them), but they’re surrounded by them, sitting an impressive height above the forest floor. TreeDwellers takes the idea of a treehouse – as something special, private, embedded in nature – and turns it into a luxurious experience genuinely unlike anything, anywhere else. Pulling up to a TreeDwellers dwelling (a TreeDwelling?) has a supreme sense of occasion. This is the sort of architectural magnificence you thumb through in glossy mags, lustfully dreaming of one day giving it all up for. Handsomely curved tubes are perched atop stilts; inside is all sleek, clean wood and floor-to-ceiling windows, each and every convenience slotted in with impossible neatness. It’s all so stunning that you could easily be satisfied with the design and that alone, left gawping at it for days on end. But these treehouses aren’t just flashy façades: they’re comfortable and practical, too. You check-in with slick door-code entry, the heating is underfloor and toasty on your toes, everything you could possibly need is on a tablet (or on hand from delig

On the face of it, Portobello’s neat, proper Holy Carrot and Dalston’s fire-worshipping feast ACME Fire Cult share little common ground. ACME is roaring and showy, as much a swaggering religion as a restaurant; Carrot is prim as a perfume shop, soft clay surroundings fronting a menu that is plant-forward, ‘root to peel’ and sustainable.  But there’s a clear link between the two – namely Daniel Watkins. The ex-ACME founder is now executive chef at the first permanent home of Holy Carrot (previously known for its supper clubs and Knightsbridge residency), and brings his ‘fire and ferment’ ethos across the capital from one neighbourhood of cool to another.  More than just Holy Carrot’s first proper restaurant, it’s also a Watkins-helmed reboot – and it has plenty of his signature punch. From the off, the pre-starter ‘snacks’ offer a studied but unshowy sort of tastiness. Pillowy insides dramatically burst out of crisp ‘honey’ drenched Jerusalem artichokes; one couldn’t help but mop up the warming chilli ragu with ultralight koji bread. Two cold ‘smalls’ followed suit, both intricately flavoured: each mouthful of the smoked beetroot breathing freshness, each spoonful of the stracciatella with persimmon and bitter leaves with deftly measured amount of creamy tang and gentle crunch. This is innovation of a dependable, not reckless, sort Imprinted upon my memory the most, however, was one of Holy Carrot’s ‘larges’: the crispy celeriac with pickle butter. I know what you’re thinking

The Nobu brand, in a word? Dependable. Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japan-via-USA restaurant empire both draws celebrities and is a celebrity itself, but it’s best regarded for its high-quality dining: nearly 30 years after it opened, Nobu’s Park Lane spot remains one of London’s best places for sushi. These days Nobu isn’t just a restaurant chain but a hotel brand too, with two outposts in London. The Shoreditch one, which opened in 2017, was the first of these – not just London’s first Nobu hotel (since followed by Nobu Portman Square in Marylebone) but the first in all of Europe. The greatest compliment one can pay to this place is that the dependability of the Nobu name transfers seamlessly from restaurant to hotel. This is a sleek and comfortable choice, a beacon of minimalist taste in the midst of Shoreditch’s gaudy pick-me bars and tech-bro co-working spaces. Nobu as a chain is Nippon-by-’Murica, and its hotels are too – Japanese style meets American comfort and convenience. From the front Nobu Shoreditch resembles a Pacific battleship, from the side it’s a hillside Kyoto villa. And inside the hotel offers plenty of that same cultural middle ground: polished black wood, sleek furniture and a tea set in every room, but also huge plasma TVs, delightful staff and an in-house spa.  All aided, of course, by housing a Nobu restaurant, the chain’s third in London. You know exactly the deal here: a spoiled-rich clientele, sure, but also generous portions, attentive service (I did exceptio

If you plonked a point on a map denoting Stuttgart’s absolute centre, I’m fairly certain it’d be directly right on top of the EmiLu. Or it may as well be. Dead opposite the city’s Rathaus (town hall) and a few steps from Königstrasse (Stuttgart’s main shopping street), EmiLu is within easy walking distance of most city-centre sights. Just a couple of years old (it opened in 2022), EmiLu occupies an old mid-century city government building and gets its name by combining the names of its co-owner (Petra Luise Bräutigam) and her daughter (Emilia). A self-professed ‘design hotel’, it boasts 90 ‘unique and special’ rooms that range reasonably in price per night from €85 to €200 (£72 to £170). So, the good: EmiLu, with its focus on individual, tasteful design, is a handsome and neat establishment. The chic reception is kitted out with dark wooden furnishings, while the rooms are airy and uncluttered. Cuboid furniture and crisply-shaped décor work well with bare-material walls; an open shower-room (with a curtain) and a mini-bar cut into the corner wall fit the minimal, trendy vibe. In another positive, my room looked out over the atmospheric street below (with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony) but also boasted exceptional sound insulation – an entire crowd of football fans in the space outside were reduced to noiseless silhouettes. Elsewhere, EmiLu’s staff are delightful, the rooftop space is great for taking in Stuttgart’s skyline and the ‘fitness area’ is remarkably well-eq

Over the years, London has done a fabulous job of finding new uses for its many, many historically fascinating buildings. The Bankside Power Station is now the Tate Modern. Churchill’s Old War Office is a hotel and apartments. County Hall houses restaurants, an aquarium and That Shrek Thing. Another of those retrofits is the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, a Grade II-listed building which dates back to the 1820s and was once the Ministry of Defence’s old library. Sitting at an address best known for also housing the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, the building has been a hotel for a while – though was spruced up a few years ago with a £75 million revamp.  Admittedly, the words ‘Scotland Yard’ do not exactly scream ‘mega-luxe five-star hotel stay’, but… maybe they could? This 151-room Hyatt is as deeply, thoroughly refined as hotels in this city get.  Each step of a stay at Great Scotland Yard is virtually faultless. The neat rooms are full of light, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies looking out over the turrets, towers and courtyards of the Palace of Whitehall. Full of modestly luxurious conveniences (like Chromecast TVs and fancy Japanese Toto loos), the rooms are also of a satisfyingly comfortable size: neither small and cluttered nor massive and awkwardly empty.  Beyond the rooms, Great Scotland Yard is far from a copy-paste Hyatt. Playing into the history of the building and address, the doors are slathered in a deep and polished police blue. The fo

London’s 2026 summer festival season is shaping up nicely. You’ve got rapper Tyler, The Creator confirmed for All Points East, Lewis Capaldi, Pitbull and Garth Brooks on the bill at BST Hyde Park, and Maribou State headlining a day at LIDO in Victoria Park. Now another huge name has been added to the capital’s festivals next summer: none other than Maroon 5 will headline BST Hyde Park in July. Adam Levine and the band will be bringing hits like ‘Moves Like Jagger’ and ‘She Will Be Loved’ to the central London park. The show follows the release of Maroon 5’s eighth studio album Love Is Like, which came out in September. Keen to get tickets for Maroon 5 at BST next summer? Here’s what you need to know about the event, including presale details, pricing and the supporting lineup. RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in London. When are Maroon 5 playing BST Hyde Park? The California pop band are in town on Friday July 3 2026. When do tickets go on sale? General sale will kick off on Wednesday November 12 2025. An onsale time hasn’t yet been confirmed – previous ticket sales have taken place at 9am. You’ll be able to get tickets on Ticketmaster here. Presale information One presale is already live, which is for Amex cardholders. Lucky enough to have an American Express card? Find tickets here. One more presale will take place on Monday November 10 at 10am. This will be open to fans that sign up at this link. Ticket prices At time of writing, here are the prices in the Amex presal

Back in July Scottish singer/songwriter Lewis Capaldi announced a grand return to touring after a two-year break. The ‘Someone You Loved’ and ‘Before You Go’ singer revealed a bunch of UK tour dates, and he’s currently working his way through several of Britain’s biggest indoor arenas. Now Capaldi has announced an extension of that tour with several equally massive (if not bigger) outdoor shows in the UK next summer. And, excitingly, two of them are here in London at BST Hyde Park. Last week Capaldi initially announced one show in London, but today (September 19) another was added due to ‘phenomenal’ demand.  Lewis Capaldi is the second headliner confirmed for BST Hyde Park 2026 (after country superstar Garth Brooks). Don’t want to miss seeing Capaldi in London next summer? Here’s what you need to know about buying tickets. When is Lewis Capaldi playing BST Hyde Park? Lewis will be topping the bill at BST on the following dates: Saturday July 11 2026 Sunday July 12 2026 When do tickets go on sale? General sale went live this week on Friday September 19 2025 at 9am BST. You’re able to buy tickets on Ticketmaster here and AXS here. Presale information There were two main presales to know about, both of which take place this week: Amex presale – Monday 15 September, from 10am Artist presale – Thursday 18 September, 10am. Ticket prices General admission tier one started at £91.45, and went up to £102.15 in tier two, For an idea of how much tickets will cost, here is the prici

This weekend London starts to get seriously ready for Christmas. Yep, we know it’s only the start of November but you’ll already be able to see festive lights displays switched on and get your ice skates on at London rinks. In non-Christmassy stuff, Pitchfork Festival London will be wrapping up its final few days and there are still a few Bonfire Night displays taking place. Whatever you’re doing in London this weekend, the likelihood is you’ll need public transport to get you there. Fortunately November 7-9 is actually comparatively light on planned disruption on TfL services – though some major lines will still have impacted services, and a few key stations will be shut.  Out and about in the capital over the next few days? Here’s all the travel disruption you need to know about. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London this weekend. London travel disruption and tube closures, November 7-9 Metropolitan line The magenta line has been partially down all week, with no services between Baker Street and Aldgate due to a track fault. On Friday November 7 and Saturday November 8, the line will still be shut between Baker Street and Aldgate Bakerloo line On Sunday November 9, no service between Stonebridge Park and Harrow & Wealdstone until 7.45am On Sunday, Harrow & Wealdstone, Kenton, North Wembley, South Kenton, Stonebridge Park and Wembley Park stations will be shut Lioness line (Overground) On Sunday November 9, no service between Willesden Junction and Watford Junct

It’s November and officially acceptable to start getting excited about the festive period.  If you’re the type to savour the Christmas period (rather than panic about present-buying), there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks. Some of London’s biggest and best festive markets start welcoming visitors at the start of November (find a full list of markets and opening dates here), and soon the capital’s iconic neighbourhoods will sparkle with Christmas-themed displays.  But when exactly does each of London’s major Christmas lights displays officially turn on? We’ve got the lowdown. From Oxford Street and Covent Garden to Kew, here are the switch-on dates for the capital’s festive displays. RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas lights displays in London. When are London Christmas lights turned on this year? West End The first official display turned on in the capital this year was in the West End – specifically Piccadilly, Leicester Square, and St Martin’s Lane. The lights are on until January 6, and the festivities include a brand-new ice rink at Leicester Square. Switch-on date: Saturday November 1. Oxford Street The longest shopping street in Europe features, as before, 5,000 stars consisting of 300,000 LED bulbs. Once again, the street is partnering with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) to raise funds for seriously ill children.  Switch-on date: Monday November 3. Photograph: BBA Photography / Shutterstock.com Regent Street and St James’s Regent Str

Next summer a field in Leicestershire will become a nu metal paradise, as Download Festival has confirmed two of the genre’s biggest names as its 2026 headliners. None other than Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit are topping the bill at the rock fest’s next edition. The third headliner aren’t nu metal but they’re equally huge: legendary hard rockers Guns N' Roses wrap up the top of the Download 2026 poster. Other names revealed for the festival’s 23rd edition are Cypress Hill, Architects, Babymetal, Behemoth, Pendulum and Mastodon. Already tempted to get a Download 2026 ticket? Here’s what you need to know about the event, from the lineup so far to ticket prices. RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in the UK. Download 2026 date and location The next edition of Download is set for June 10-14 2026. As usual, the festival will take place in Donington Park in Leicestershire. Download 2026 headliners Next summer’s Download headliners are Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Guns N' Roses. It’ll be Limp Bizkit’s first time headlining the event, while Guns N' Roses will have done so for the third occasion. Linkin Park will have topped the bill at Donington Park a whopping five times, though this will be their first with new lead singer Emily Armstrong. Download 2026 full lineup so far Dozens of names have been confirmed already for Download 2026. Here are the bands and acts listed in full: Limp Bizkit Guns N’ Roses Linkin Park Ankor Architects As Everything Unfolds AS IT IS Ash BABYMETAL Bad O

In the market for a (sort of) last minute Christmas getaway? Here’s just the thing. Eurostar has just launched a massive sale slashing a whopping 25 percent off normal ticket prices, valid on journeys from November 2025 all the way through to March 2026. Eurostar’s sale kicked off today (November 4) and lasts until Thursday November 6. It applies to both standard Eurostar tickets and Eurostar Plus seats (which come with greater flexibility and comfier seats). In Time Out’s recently published ranking of the best cities for Christmas markets in Europe, Paris’s festive fairs placed third. We shouted out the Tuileries Garden market as particularly worth visiting, with its giant Ferris wheel and classy champagne bar. If you were planning a visit, Eurostar has made it that bit more affordable to do so. Eurostar sale dates The sale itself is taking place from Tuesday November 4 until Thursday November 6 (at 10.59pm). Travel dates The sale applies to travel dates from Monday November 24 2025 to Wednesday March 11 2026. Exemption dates include November 30; December 7, 20, 26, 27, 28 and 30; January 2 and 3; February 13, 14 and 22. How to get the 25 percent discount on Eurostar The discount is applied automatically at checkout. Book on the Eurostar website here. Which destinations are included? You can travel from London St Pancras International to: Paris Lille Brussels Rotterdam Amsterdam Will Virgin soon launch direct trains from London to Europe? Last year it was confirmed that V

Benson Boone is one of the hottest popstars on the planet right now. The American singer-songwriter has produced some of the biggest pop hits of the last few years, with hits like ‘Beautiful Things’ (the most streamed song in the world in 2024) and ‘In the Stars’. In other words, it’s a big deal that Boone is in London this week. Benson Boone’s American Heart world tour is currently in the UK, and he’s lined up three huge gigs at the capital’s biggest indoor arena. Over the weekend there was concern that Boone may not be able to play the London shows, as his Birmingham arena gig was called off at the last minute. He’s since confirmed on his Instagram that ‘London is a go’.  Seeing Benson Boone in London this week (or still hoping to get a last-minute ticket)? Here’s what you need to know about the gigs, from timings to remaining ticket availability.  When is Benson Boone playing London’s O2? Benson Boone is at the O2 on three consecutive nights this week: Monday November 3 Tuesday November 4 Wednesday November 5 What time do doors open? At all three shows, the venue’s doors will open at 6.30pm. However, the O2’s shops, restaurants and bars will be open in advance. When will Benson Boone come on stage? Timings are approximate and subject to change, but Boone is expected on stage at around 9pm. At the first show, he came on at 9pm.  Who is supporting Benson Boone at the O2?  Support at all three gigs will come from Manchester soul singer Elliot James Reay. Reay should take to

Big news, UK festival-heads: Latitude has just announced the lineup for its 2026 edition, and it’s looking huge. Next year will mark the 20th edition of the Suffolk festival. To mark the occasion, Latitude has revealed a mightily impressive bunch of names for the lineup ranging from headliners David Byrne (in a UK exclusive), Lewis Capaldi and Teddy Swims to beloved performers like The Flaming Lips, Self-Esteem and Wet Leg. And that’s only part of the lineup announced for Latitude 2026. Here’s what you need to know about the festival. RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in the UK. Latitude 2026 date and location Klarna presents Latitude (the fest’s official sponsorship name) will take place on July 23-26 2026 at Henham Park in Suffolk. Latitude 2026 headliners The headliners of next year’s Latitude are: David Byrne – the ex-Talking Heads frontman is playing his only UK headline gig of 2026 at Latitude. Byrne recently released a new album titled Who Is the Sky?. Lewis Capaldi – following a big return at Glastonbury 2025 and a UK tour this autumn, Capaldi is working Latitude into his summer touring plans for 2026. Teddy Swims – Grammy-nominated soul titan Jaten Collin Dimsdale has several massive UK outdoor gigs planned for next summer. Latitude will be at the end of that run of shows. Latitude 2026 full lineup so far Here are all the names currently confirmed for Latitude 2026: David Byrne Lewis Capaldi Teddy Swims The Flaming Lips The Last Dinner Party Self Esteem Tom Gr

Halloween is out of the way, most Bonfire Night displays have taken place and November has begun – it’s officially time to get excited about Christmas in London. For those who love getting immersed in all the city has to offer at Christmas time, there’s loads of markets to get you excited (and stocked with presents) for December 25. And no, we’re not just talking about Winter Wonderland. Christmas markets in the capital will start opening this very week, ready for you to get your festive shopping done nice and early.  Here’s a roundup of when every Christmas market that has announced its opening date so far for this year, and when it opens.  RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets and festive fairs in London. When every London Christmas market opens for 2025 Christmas in Leicester Square Tie in a visit to the towering pine tree in Trafalgar Square with a browse of nearby Leicester Square’s market. Each stall has seasonal treats, food and delicious drinks. The market is on from November 1 to January 4. Opening times: 10am-10pm. Southbank Centre Winter Market Southbank Centre’s annual Christmas market on the Queen’s Walk is back from November 3 to January 4. Expect the usual cute alpine-themed huts selling tasty dishes and festive wares by the river. Opening times: 11am-10pm Sunday to Thursday, 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday Covent Garden Christmas Market Beneath the West End pavilion’s gigantic signature Christmas bells will be stalls selling handmade crafts and artisan gifts

If you were out and about in the West End last weekend, you may have already noticed a festive sparkle in the air. Christmas lights displays at Piccadilly, Leicester Square and St Martin’s Lane became London’s first to light up for 2025, having been switched-on on Saturday November 1. With Halloween and most (but not all) Bonfire Night displays out of the way, now Christmas-loving Londoners can really revel in the season. This week three more major London displays will be turned on, meaning you’ll be able to soak up the festivities with two whole months still to go until the big day. Here’s which London Christmas lights displays are getting turned on this week (Nov 3-9). RECOMMENDED: When every major London Christmas lights display will turn on for 2025. London Christmas lights displays being turned on this week, November 3-9 Oxford Street Kicking off the week with a festive (metaphorical) bang, Oxford Street’s display will be switched-on on Monday November 3. A whopping 300,000 LED bulbs in 5,000 dangling stars will illuminate Europe’s longest shopping street, with the street also raising funds for seriously ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Photograph: BBA Photography / Shutterstock.com RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas lights displays in London. Regent Street and St James’s Regent Street’s ‘spirits’ have become one of festive London’s most iconic sights, and they’re among the first to return to the capital for 2025. There are 30 of the spirits in total, and the

While it’s been a long time since everything in Poundland cost just £1, earlier this year it was revealed that there was one thing about the chain you could get for just a quid: the shop itself. That’s not a joke. In the summer the entirety of Poundland was sold by its owners Pepco to a US investment company called Gordon Brothers (which used to own Laura Ashley) for a ‘nominal fee’ of a single pound. The low cost was not quite the deal that it appeared at face value – it was estimated that it could cost the new owners up to £100 million to get the brand back on its feet. Following the sale a huge restructuring plan was announced and approved. Dozens of stores were set to close by the end of 2025, and further Poundlands were expected to shut as a result of the brand seeking rent reductions and lease expirations. Before the closures, Poundland employed over 16,000 people across 792 branches in the UK and Ireland.  Pepco maintains that this does not mean that it’s the end of Poundland, stating that it ‘remains a key player in UK discount retail, with millions of customers annually and a well-loved brand and proposition’, and adding that this is simply a move to ‘[simplify] the group and [focus] on our successful Pepco business.’ Poundland managing director Barry Williams said of the closures: ‘It’s no secret that we have much work to do to get Poundland back on track.’ ‘While Poundland remains a strong brand, serving 20m-plus shoppers each year, our performance for a significan

Missed out on tickets to Little Simz’s recent UK arena tour stop in London? Worry not. The all-conquering rapper is back in the capital next summer, this time headlining hip-hop, jazz, funk and soul fest Cross the Tracks. And Simz isn’t the only big-name act that has been confirmed for Cross the Tracks 2026. Among the other acts already announced for the day festival are Afrobeat collective Kokoroko and Nigerian-born, London-based star Obongjayar. Simz’s headline slot at Cross the Tracks follows her sixth album Lotus, which was released in June. She’s currently on her biggest headline tour to-date, which featured dates this month at London’s O2 and Manchester’s Co-op Live. Already keen on getting yourself to Cross the Tracks next summer? Here’s what you need to know about the festival, from the full lineup so far to how to get tickets. RECOMMENDED: The best music festivals in London. Cross the Tracks 2026 date and location The next edition of Cross the Tracks will take place at Brockwell Park in south London on Sunday May 24 2026. Full lineup so far Here are all the artists confirmed in the first announcement: Little Simz Kokoroko Obongjayar Lady Wray Brooke Combe Bricknasty Bel Cobain Sholto The Womack Sisters Channel One Reek0 Sonnyjim & Goya Gumbani w /Franky Bones Ensemble 2fox (live) Zena Image: Cross the Tracks How to get tickets The exact date that tickets will go on sale hasn’t yet been revealed. However, you can sign up to presale here to be kept in-the-know on t