India Lawrence

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: this is the year of the staycation. After all, who needs to go abroad when the weather is this damn good at home, and when there are oh-so-many incredible hotels to pitch up in for the weekend, right here in the UK? In fact, we’d go as far to say that the UK’s hotels are some of the very best in the business – 10-room boutiques, seaside townhouses, sprawling countryside estates n’ all. Whatever trip you’re after, be it a quick break from London or a remote coastal stay, there is a perfect hotel waiting for you. And on this list, we’ve got it all: food-focused pubs with rooms, remote hotels with blessedly patchy signal and all-out, OTT luxurious. However, we want this list to reflect a full spectrum of properties available to travellers (and not just the ones with gold towel holders and Michelin-starred room service.) As a result, we make sure to take into account location, price and value for money – and bring you a guide that has plenty of budget-friendly options included too. Oh, and family-friendly ones. And yes, dog-friendly, too. Itching to book? Read on, friends. Here are our favourite hotels in the UK right now.  The UK’s best hotels at a glance 👑 Best overall: Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh 🎀 Best boutique: The Newt, Somerset 🥂 Best luxury: Claridge’s, London 💍 Best for couples: The Bull, Cotswolds 🌾 Best countryside: Cavendish Hotel, Peak District 💸 Best budget option: Leven, Manchester How we curat

Summer is officially here, and its endless heatwaves have got us excited about sweating it out on the streets of west London with Red Stripe pulsing through our veins, because Notting Hill Carnival is just around the corner. As you gear up for one of the capital’s most fun weekends of the year, it’s understandable if you might want to do a little more prep than simply stocking up on drinks and paint powder.  Carnival is an incredible knees-up, but with all its sounds, sights and crowds, it can get a little overwhelming. An estimated 2.5 million punters head to west London for the celebration, so it’s totally normal that you might get turned around, lost or just need a handy reminder of where you're going after several rounds of Wray & Ting.  Never fear! We’ve got a handy map for you below, soundsystems and all, to help you navigate your way around the famous west London parade. Check it out.  What is the schedule for Notting Hill Carnival 2026? Notting Hill Carnival 2026 starts on Sunday, August 30 and continues on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31.  What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2026 parade route?  NHC likes to keep attendees on their toes and is famous for releasing all the details, including stage headliners, at the last minute. Now, 2026's map is out so you can get your weekend plans sorted. Sunday is the day of the children’s parade and the adult’s parade takes place on Monday. Both parades follow the same route, starting at Westbourne Park station on Great Western Road

August 2026: There's a brand new Number 1 on the list, with the exceptional Impala in Soho taking the top spot as our favourite new restaurant in London. Other fresh additions include Cafe Clement by the Thames in Temple, Hon's BBQ in Hackney Wick, Cue Point in Notting Hill, Jackson Boxer's Vesper in Clerkenwell and Kinz in Notting Hill. Hungry yet? 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 over the past 12 months 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 August 2026. London's best new restaurants at a glance: 🥩 Central: Impala, Soho 🍷 North: The Golden Tooth, Newington Green 🦐 South: The Victory, East Dulwich 🍝 East: Hon's BBQ, Hackney Wick 🥗 West: Maai by Nikita, Fulham 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

June 2026: From Asian patisseries to sourdough specialists and beigel gurus, when it comes to bakeries London is one big doughy goldmine. This means whittling down the very best bakehouses in the city is no mean feat. But, we’ve risen to the challenge and eaten our way through the lot to round up London’s yeasty royalty. The best London bakeries at a glance: 🥐 Best for croissants: Toad, Camberwell 🍩 Best for beignets: Fortitude, Bloomsbury 🍯 Best for sticky buns: Bunhead Bakery, Herne Hill 🍞 Best for bread: Dusty Knuckle, Dalston 🫓 Best for flatbreads: Babans Naan, Finsbury Park 🍰 Best for mankoushe: Edami, Hackney Whether you want fluffy naan breads from north London institutions, exquisitely-made pastries, perfectly-proved sourdough, or heritage-grain flaky goodness, there’s an oven in London cooking up something for you. Why not pair your pastry goodies with a hot drink at one of the best cafés and coffee shops in London?  RECOMMENDED: London's best cheap eats. Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. The hottest new openings, the tastiest tips, the spiciest reviews: we’re serving it all on our London restaurants WhatsApp channel. Follow us now.

August 2026: Our latest update includes everything from an early morning Michelin-starred tasting menu to udon noodle bowls, South Indian platters and Hong Kong-style toasted buns. Of course, it wouldn't be a list of the best breakfasts in London without an appearance from Dishoom and their iconic-for-a-reason bacon naan, so that's here too, as is old school East End hangout E Pellicci - one of the best classic caffs in London. The most recent additions to the list include the return of the best bacon sarnie/bap in London, which is now available at St John Neal's Yard Wine Bar from 9am daily, and our brand new Number One in Highgate.   The best breakfasts in London at a glance: 😎 Best for celeb-spotting: The Wolseley, Mayfair 🥓 Best for a fry-up: E Pellicci, Bethnal Green 🍛 Best for a South Indian feast: The Tamil Prince, Islington 🍞 Best for Hong Kong French toast: Hoko Cafe, Brick Lane 🍱 Best for Japanese brekkie: Ikoi, Kings Cross Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and luckily for London, the city caters to every possible morning whim. These days, London isn’t just home to the fry-up, but the ubiquitous smashed avocado on toast, bowls of shakshuka and many more besides. In fact, London genuinely might be the best place to eat breakfast in the world. Whether you’re the kind of person who favours a posh restaurant over a greasy spoon, or who champions a caff over a swanky hotel, we’ve rounded up the ultimate list.  RECOMMENDED: Breakfast’s a little too e

I am standing in a field and am soaking wet. Rain is pelting down on my insufficiently waterproof rain mac, and mud is rapidly seeping into my Nike Shox. People huddle together under trees and the few awnings that pepper the site. It’s safe to say not many of us were prepared for this weather. This might sound like your average British festival, but I’m actually in Tuscany. I’ve come to Castiglion Fiorentino, a small walled city an hour away from Florence, to attend Flash Festival. It’s not quite what I signed up for. When I heard the words ‘Italian festival’, I pictured a week of Aperol by the pool by day, and long balmy nights soundtracked by Italo disco – not torrential downpours. But still, if there’s one thing the brilliantly friendly crowd at Flash can do, that’s make fun out of what some people might call an extreme weather event.  ➡️ Check out our full guide to the best festivals in Europe Photograph: Mitch Noakes‘It’s about food and wine as much as it is about the music’ Flash bills itself as ‘four days of living like you always imagined Tuscany’. In some ways, this is completely true. The setting, on a local-owned airfield a 15-minute drive from town, is unbelievably stunning – all endless rolling hills, cypress trees, a horizon sprinkled with hilltop medieval towns and breathtaking sunsets. The four-day shindig is about food and wine as much as it is about the music. By day you can attend pasta making workshops with real ‘nonnas’ – local grannies who don’t speak

Sometimes you want hotel beds, fluffy robes and a breakfast buffet laid out for you. But sometimes, you really just want your own space, and to live like an actual local – and for those trips, only an Airbnb will do. Our editors agree; some of our most memorable trips feature memories of playing vinyl and cooking scrambled eggs in a light-filled kitchen, and wandering out to our favourite local bar every evening.   There are endless lists out there of the most extravagant, out-there and one-of-a-kind Airbnbs in Europe – the kinds that get splashed in print magazines and featured on Airbnb’s homepage. But often these stays are booked up for the next three years or, ahem, a little out of our budget. Instead, we thought we’d show you the Airbnbs we’ve actually booked ourselves and fallen in love with lately. Some are rare finds, some are unique, and some are just exactly what we needed – filled with character, comfort and perfectly placed for exploring the city. That’s what we’re all about here at Time Out, after all. So for a bit of holiday inspo (or even your next holiday stay), read on, friends – here are our favourite Airbnbs right now.  ➡️ READ MORE: Our ultimate guide to hotels and Airbnbs in Europe Ella Doyle is Time Out’s Europe editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For mo

Our feet are sore, our lungs are full of dust, and our noses are well and truly sunburnt. But we soldier on, because festival season isn’t over yet.  This year Londoners have been absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to fezzies. With something taking place almost every weekend throughout the warmer months, you can forget trekking across the country to live in a field for five days; simply hop on the tube and before you know it you’re listening to your favourite artists, tinny to hand, knowing that there’s a hot shower and a cosy bed waiting for you once the day is over.  Haven’t booked one yet? Don’t worry, because we’re keeping this list updated with London day festivals you can still cop tickets for. So get into gear before you miss huge acts like Tyler, The Creator, Lorde, Blood Orange and Deftones who are all set to take to London stages in the coming weeks. Have a scroll through our comprehensive guide – which we keep meticulously updated with all the latest line-up announcements – and see what takes your fancy. RECOMMENDED: ⛺ The best UK music festivals🌍 The best festivals in Europe

July 2026: If you’ve had the pleasure of strolling down Exmouth Market recently, you’ll know the historic Clerkenwell strip is the buzziest pedestrianised street in London, full of al-fresco fun, convivial pintspeople and sidewalk tapas as far as the eye can see. Which is pretty much all down to the new Number 1 in our list of the best bars in London. Congratulations are due to Cafe Kick, the breezy Euro-chic sports bar about to celebrate 30 years of tricking your brain into thinking you’re on holiday. The rest of our Top 50 features bars old and new, posh and divey, and cheap and pricey, but all of them with great drinks and an unparalleled vibe. Fancy a drink? You’ve come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, which features the greatest bars in the capital right now. These are the places we’d recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail counters to delightful dives, sleek hotel bars, rooftop bars and places to sip wine, London’s got them all. You’ll find historic drinking holes here as well as brand new openings. But what makes a truly good bar? Our critieria is simple; a menu of great drinks is important, but so is the overall energy of the place – there’s no point having the perfect paloma if you have to drink it in a bar that smells of bin juice. To make it into our Top 50, a bar has to be fun, friendly, convivial and inclusive, as we

Ranking the greatest pubs in the UK is, obviously, very tricky business indeed. Pub preference is such an intimate, personal thing – one person’s dream boozer might not remotely appeal to another. That said, when it comes to Britain’s absolute finest pubs there are universal marks of excellence: convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks. Time Out’s 2026 ranking of Britain’s greatest pubs was compiled with the assistance of our UK-wide network of drinking aficionados, and features all kinds of establishments. Pint enclaves built in barren deserts, atop blustery mountains and on isolated beaches. Sturdy booze bastions, age-old no-fuss pubs, innovative craft alehouses and everything in between.  Some of these pubs are old favourites though plenty are more recent obsessions; they’re almost all independent (with a couple of worthy exceptions). Mostly, though, they’re united by one thing: a sense of community. A pub is made by its cast of regulars, and you’ll find quality company in each of the institutions below.  (Oh, and for the most part these pubs are outside London. You can find a list of the capital’s top drinking holes here). RECOMMENDED: The best gastropubs in the UK. Mapped: the best pubs in the UK Image: Time OutBest pubs in the UK map

Whether you’re in one of the UK’s diverse, underrated cities, our picture-perfect seaside towns or anywhere in between, there’s always a museum to educate, explain, enlighten. Far from just places to hide from grim weather, Britain’s greatest museums tell stories, explore histories and get you fascinated by stuff you’d never previously spared a thought for. Here at Time Out, we are, obviously, huge museum nerds. You’ll find countless of the cultural institutions peppered throughout our UK city guides, whether that’s a mighty, storeyed national behemoth or an adorably niche local exhibition space. Even better, plenty of those museums are totally free to visit (and they remain so, despite suggestions of change). But which British museums are most essential to visit this year? Which ones are having a moment, basking in a refurb, putting on the most tantalising exhibitions? We’ve rounded up the most unmissable, all chosen by Time Out UK editors who’ve recently visited them. Before we get stuck in, a quick note. The vast majority of the list below is outside London, and that’s intentional. If you’re looking for stuff in the capital, we have an excellent guide to the city’s museums here. We’ve also steered clear of conventional art galleries – watch out for a dedicated upcoming guide. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The UK’s top places to visit in 2026.🎨 The UK’s best new things to do in 2026.🎵 The best music festivals in the UK.🥾 The greatest walks and hikes in the UK. At Time Out, all of our 

2026 has officially landed. An entire year of adventure awaits, with Britain set for a deluge of thrilling new things to see and do. Beyond the individual openings, however – the new bars and restaurants, museums and attractions – where should be on your radar for places to visit in the UK?  If you’re up for being inspired here at Time Out, as always, we’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the listings of all that’s happening in Britain in 2026 and consulted our nationwide network of writers and editors, harnessing all that info to put together a guide to the places that should be on your radar over the next 12 months.  Destinations made it onto Time Out’s list for a vast range of reasons. Some have swaggered onto the scene with a quickfire burst of thrilling new attractions. Others have built their cred slower and reached a point of quiet brilliance, while others still are established spots that simply remain very much worth their rep. Several places will be made even more tempting by those aforementioned 2026 openings, whether that be delicious places to eat and drink, game-changing new transport options or unmissable cultural events.  From trendy seaside towns to revived industries cities, medieval forts to ‘the new Berlin’: here are the UK’s 14 top places to visit in 2026. RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026.📍 The 26 best stuff to see and do in London in 2026. 🥾 The greatest walks and hikes in the UK.

Located inside an unsuspecting old sandwich shop by Smithfield Market (the entrance still bears a sign reading ‘Sunset Sandwich Bar II’), this tiny gallery is anything but as humdrum as its exterior would suggest. Since being founded by Freddie Powell in 2021, Ginny on Frederick’s single tiled room has made a name for itself by hosting quirky and diverse shows by young and up-and-coming artists. 

Found on the campus of Goldsmiths University, don’t be surprised if you see painfully cool students dressed artfully in charity shop garms wondering the halls of this free gallery. Designed by Turner Prize-winning architecture collective Assemble and opened in 2018, this gallery in a grade II-listed former Victorian bathhouse seems hellbent on ignoring all the usual art conventions and putting on whatever challenging shows it bloody wants. Which is a really, really good thing. Make sure to check out work of the gallery’s residents in the John Garcia Family Foundation Gallery – it’s a programme that welcomes community and student groups to create art at the CCA. 

Rocking up at Wonton Charlie’s on the first rainy day in months feels like kismet. At this Hong Kong-inspired noodle bar everything is steamy. I might be soaked and shivering, but am instantly warmed by plumes of vapour that waft over from massive metal pots in the open kitchen. The quick arrival of a strong Vesper martini doesn’t hurt either.  An unpretentious place to get a relaxed bite Owned by the restaurant group behind Peckham’s much-loved Mr Bao, Wonton Charlie’s is a casual joint attached to the front of vibey Cantonese restaurant Cafe Kowloon. It’s been a popular lunchspot since late 2025, but only recently started dinner service. The space has an airy, canteen-like feel, with a massive stainless steel bar wrapping round the kitchen. Storied chef Budgie Montoya stands at its centre, dishing out noodle soup and dumplings. Already, Wonton Charlie’s seems like a hit with commuters grabbing takeaway or stopping by for a quick bite on their way home from work (it’s right next to London Fields station). By the time I leave, the 18 seats are almost all taken.  For the grub, it’s a simple offering. Choose your wonton (pork, prawn, both or fish skin), choose your noodles (with or without broth), choose your side (crispy fish skin or fish balls). I go for pork and prawn with noodles in broth and crispy fish skin. The fish skin is featherlight, with an airy batter and a satisfying crunch – the perfect beer snack. Then comes the generous bowl of comforting soup. The broth is cl

What is it? Originally drawing on the collection of Charles Saatchi, a famous supporter of the Yound British Artists – Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Gavin Turk, Sarah Lucas and the like – when the Saatchi opened in its current Chelsea location in 2008 it surprised many that the opening exhibition was of new Chinese art. The Saatchi continues to surprise, and these days, after more than 40 years in the biz, the gallery is a globally recognised authority in the contemporary art world.  Why go? Inside the grand Duke of York HQ, the Saatchi has three floors, providing more than 70,000 square feet of space for temporary exhibitions.  As well as staging blockbuster shows, the gallery continues to provide a platform for unknown, young, contemporary artists both homegrown and international. Don’t miss:  Saatchi Lates which take place on select Fridays. There’s a bar, workshops, classes and galleries stay open until 9pm.  When to visit: The gallery is open daily from 10am to 6pm.  Ticketing info: Some exhibitions are free while others charge a fee. Check the Saatchi website for all the up-to-date information.  Time Out tip: The Saatchi is in very posh part of town. Channel your inner Sloane Ranger and go for a stroll down the King’s Road after perusing the art. Lovely, darling. 

After falling into the art world by accident, the rather wealthy Alex Sainsbury (yes, from the supermarket) started Raven Row in 2009 by taking over two adjoining houses dating from 1690, splashing around a lot of white paint (with the help of architects 6a) and presenting an inaugural exhibition by New York pop artist Ray Johnson. Almost 20 years later the gallery hasn’t upped sticks to St James’ like a lot of commercial places do, and remains one of east London’s best places to see contemporary art.    

Once dubbed ‘the queen of old ladies’, writer and curator Alison Jacques has been championing underrepresented and forgotten female artists who others might deem ‘past it’ since opening her gallery in 2004. Her swish Fitzrovia space, now based on Cork Street, can be credited for the revival of the careers of several female artists such as surrealist painter Dorothea Tanning, American performance artist Hannah Wilke and fibre artist Sheila Hicks. Jacques’ gallery – set over 3,500 square feet including two ground floor exhibition spaces – also made its name supporting young artists fresh out of art school, who have gone on to achieve international recognition, and represents the estates of groundbreaking big names like Robert Mapplethorpe and Ana Mendieta. Jacques has staged exhibitions curated by the likes of David Hockney, the Scissor Sisters and Patti Smith. 

For quite a long time, Church Street has been curiously lacking in the café department. Bakeries, brunch spots, restaurants, boutiques and pubs it has a-plenty. But look for a sit-down coffee shop and your choice will be limited. Enter: Foku. This serene little Japanese caff serves coffee, matcha and homemade Japanese sweets. Its rustic Japandi décor is destined to wind up on the Pinterest boards of the east London fashion girlies and design bros, all untreated wood, stainless steel, ceramic bowls. The food and drinks are just as attractive – but it’s not just style over substance. An expertly made matcha latte is viridescent, its pleasantly grassy taste not overly sweetened or lost in a vat of milk. The miso chocolate chip cookie is so perfect it could be from a Studio Ghibli cartoon. It tastes wonderful too: rich, gooey, salty, buttery. The sweet garden out the back is still a work in progress, but will be a real Stokey gem once complete. Get down here quick before it blows up on TikTok.

Mud baths, seaweed scrubs and… strippers. The writers of The Hangover have thrown off their sunglasses and slipped on their dressing gowns for this new friendship comedy that laughs in the face of Goop, guided meditations and yoga classes.  Jane (Leslie Mann), Sophie (Anna Faris) and Coco (Michelle Buteau) have been best friends since childhood. Now firmly in middle age, all three of them are harried and worn down, each with their own cross to bear: single motherhood, a sick parent, a divorce, an overbearing man-baby boss. To celebrate Jane’s birthday, the trio decide to do something for themselves for a change, and book an indulgent spa weekend.  So far, so relaxing. The hotel is beautiful, they got an amazing discount, and there’s a particularly hot yoga instructor. But uh-oh, here comes the maniacal and preposterously idiotic Mel – played by Isla Fisher dressed like she’s an extra in Mamma Mia!, in a blaze of neon flares and oversized sunglasses – gyrating and yelling at her fellow ‘middle-aged sluts’ across the pool. Mel is the loose cannon of the group who wasn’t supposed to be invited. What could possibly go wrong?A lot, it transpires. The ensuing hijinks are a melange of pleasingly satirical takedowns of woo-woo wellness culture (goat yoga, anyone?), relatable friendship dynamics, and some downright ridiculous stuff that feels a bit forced (a Police Interceptors-style golf cart chase? I don’t think so).  Spa Weekend is as formulaic as a sauna followed by a cold plunge

With outposts in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Hong Kong, David Zwirner is a really important international modern art gallery. The London location is sort of what you’d expect from a swanky Mayfair commercial gallery, housed inside a gleaming white five-storey Georgian townhouse. Don’t be intimidated though, because a visit to Zwirner will give you the chance to see some museum-quality exhibitions – and they always deliver, whether it’s with the cartoon pop of Rose Wylie or the mid-century modernist classicism of Josef Albers.

What is it? The Southbank Centre’s modern art gallery housed in a glorious heap of concrete brutalism. The Hayward has no permanent collection but hosts a changing programme of innovative and interesting art shows spanning painting, photography and sculpture Some people absolutely hate this building (King Charles is one of them), but it’s an iconic piece of the South Bank, and the London skyline.  Why go? The Hayward programmes some of the biggest and best names in contemporary art, with recent and upcoming blockbuster shows from the likes of Anish Kapoor, Nan Goldin and Yoshitomo Nara.  Don’t miss: Part of the sprawling concrete maze of the Southbank Centre, the Hayward Gallery has a number of free public artworks on display at its outdoor sculpture court. The permanent pieces include Ian Walters’ strikingly large bust of Nelson Mandela, Jeppe Hein’s bright park benches and an abstract statue of Chopin by Polish artist Bronislaw Kubica.  When to visit: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday 10am-6pm Ticketing info: Tickets for exhibitions cost £22 Time Out tip: After browsing the art, head for a drink at the Southbank Centre’s secret rooftop garden, it’s a little oasis overlooking the river. 

What is it? Opened in 1971, the Photographers’ Gallery was the UK’s first public gallery dedicated solely to photography. Today, it’s still one of London’s only non-commercial galleries entirely focussed on the medium. After a handsome renovation in 2018, nowadays the gallery boasts six storeys of spacious displays, a lovely bookshop, print sales room and café on the ground floor.  Why go? This spot is heaven for anyone who’s tired of paintings and sculptures. The programming here is forward-thinking, varied and interesting, with exhibitions spanning music photography, unsung pioneers and iconic artists.  Don’t miss: The gallery has free entry every Friday from 5pm to 8pm – perfect for an alternative date night or catch-up with friends.  When to visit: Monday-Wednesday, Saturday, 10.30am-6pm; Thursday-Friday, 10.30am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm.  Ticket info: £14, grants access to all exhibitions.  Time Out tip: The Photographers’ Gallery also stages free outdoor exhibitions in the surrounding streets, known as the Soho Photography Quarter. 

Cult east London barbecue joint Uncle Hon’s finally has its own permanent space. Though he’s now dropped the ‘Uncle’, grillmaster Man Hon Luk has been plying Londoners with slow-cooked meats since 2022. After various pop-ups and residencies, he’s now moved into an east London site dutifully crowdfunded by the restaurant’s biggest fans.  Taiwanese pork belly is enough to send me into a frenzy Would we even be in Hackney Wick if the building wasn’t covered in graffiti, and the interior wasn’t chicly industrial? The spacious white restaurant (once home to the super sustainable Silo) has polished concrete floors, vaulted ceilings with exposed insulation and ceramic light fixtures. In the centre, a sleek red counter surrounds an open kitchen where calm chefs cook on a grill that licks our dinner with ferocious flames. Moody techno plays over a high-spec soundsystem and the waiters look like they’ve stepped straight out of the streetwear dons SSENSE’s Instagram page.  Hon’s cooks meat the Texan way – low and slow – and then bombards it with Chinese-inspired flavours. Here, you order your carnivorous feast by weight. Three-hundred grams per person is the recommended amount, if you were wondering. So while I had previously believed that weighing food was something only protein-crazed gym freaks did, this is how I find myself sharing a dinner comprising 100 grams of ox cheek, 100 grams of lamb breast, 100 grams of pork belly and 300 grams of beef short rib. And I’m not mad about it. 

Every year, lifestyle guide Muddy Stilettos names ‘the best of’ independent businesses in the UK, including pubs, bars, shops, cafés, hotels and more. Listen up, because this year’s Muddy Awards, naming the ‘Best of the Best’ winners, have just been revealed.  According to the 2025 awards, the UK’s best hotel is in London. The winners were judged by the Muddy Stilettos editors. Judges from 35 countries selected the number one entry from shortlist of regional entries across 21 lifestyle categories.  ➡️ Check out Time Out’s guide to the very best hotels in the UK Britain’s best hotel for 2025 is Broadwick Soho in, you guessed it, Soho. The central London boutique hotel is known for its OTT interiors with clashing colours and prints, and seriously glam old-school atmosphere. Opened in 2023, the eight-storey, 57-bedroom bolthole is quickly becoming known as one of London’s top places to stay. It’s so good that Time Out gave the hotel five stars when we reviewed it back in February.  Talia Stanton ‘Taking inspiration from the loud-and-proud exuberance of London’s West End, there’s no holding back at Broadwick Soho,’ wrote Time Out’s Talia Stanton.  ‘It’s an independent hotel to its core, with intricate interiors that can’t be replicated and a clockwork standard of service that takes a one-of-a-kind team to achieve. You can sense you’re about to experience some serious hospitality magic from the moment you enter through that big pink townhouse door.’ Talia Stanton Runners up fo

If you know your dumplings, chances are you’ll be familiar with the cult phenomenon that is Din Tai Fung. The Taiwanese chain founded in 1958 by a Chinese immigrant is famous for its xiao long bao (Shanghainese soup dumplings). These days it’s a global outfit with 170 sites around the world, including four – soon to be five – in London.  Din Tai Fung has revealed the location of its fifth London location. Soup dumplings, wontons and fried rice are thought to be coming to King’s Cross, as Din Tai Fung is reportedly in talks to open at the former site of Babel Beerhouse on Lewis Cubitt Walk. The beerhouse next to Lightroom closed in May before being snapped up by the dumpling chain.  The chain’s famous xiao long bao are traditionally made with a rich pork filling encased in a delicate wrapper that’s hand-folded at least 18 times. They also come stuffed with crab, chicken and truffle. It’s not unusual to see long queues outside the restaurants as people flock to try the famous dumplings.  Currently, you can visit Din Tai Fung restaurants in Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Selfridges and Centre Point by Tottenham Court Road station. The opening date for Din Tai Fung King’s Cross hasn’t been revealed yet, and exact details of the restaurant are also still under wraps. When it arrives it will be in good company, joining the likes of Dishoom, Lina Stores and Barrafina in Coal Drops Yard.  The best restaurants in King’s Cross.  Did you hear that cult vegan sandwich spot Coven of Wiches

Great news for the vegans of south London. The cult (or should that be occult?) plant-based sandwich shop Coven of Wiches has risen from the grave and opened in Brixton.  Originally hailing from Walthamstow, the Coven of Wiches is beloved by vegans and meat eaters alike for its massive toasties, baguettes and wraps with very generous fillings. The northeast London outpost closed in July this year as the shop upped sticks south of the river.  The new outpost opened in Brixton’s Market Row on August 19. ‘Wiches on the menu include The Reuben (house ‘vastrami’ on sourdough rye), the A.G.A.T.H.A (aubergine schnitzel with hot raclette) and the Vish Finger Beauty, a ‘fish’ finger wrap with shoestring fries. The menu changes weekly, so keep an eye on the shop’s Instagram page for updates.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE COVEN of WICHES (@covenofwiches) Coven of Wiches also serves craft beers, frozen margaritas and specialty pickleback or kimchiback shots. The shop has also partnered with Gravity Well Brewing to create ‘Wiccan Liquor’, a speciality vegan pale ale.  Coven of Wiches is open at 14D Market Row from Wednesdays to Fridays, 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm; Saturdays 12pm-10pm; Sundays 11am-6pm.  For more plant-based goodness, check out our list of London’s best vegan restaurants.  Plus, here are the 6 best new London restaurants opening in August 2026.  Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and t

Enjoying the current little cold snap? Finally, it’s been cool enough to wear a jacket and use a duvet. It’s even been raining. But don’t get too comfortable, because the UK is bracing itself for the sixth heatwave of the summer.  Londoners have sweated through five heatwaves already this season, with temperatures soaring to a sweltering 38.1C – making it the hottest summer ever recorded. Now, the Met Office’s long-range weather forecast for September, October and November has said there could be an ‘increased risk of heatwaves and heat-related impacts especially during the first half of the period’. When will the sixth heatwave arrive in London? According to the Met Office’s long-range forecast for August 30 to September 13, ‘there is a chance that late-season hot spells or heatwaves develop, especially in the south’. September will be filled with a mixture of showers and hot spells, followed by ‘drier, more settled weather, especially in the south and east’ for the second half of the month.  The forecast added: ‘Temperatures will probably be near normal at first, but may turn warmer later with a chance of some hot periods in the south.’ The Met Office also warned of risks of thunderstorms and flooding throughout early autumn.  Photograph: starlings_images / Shutterstock.comLondon heatwave, May 2026 However, this forecast isn’t for certain and could easily change. The Met Office said that the signals for the heatwave in later September were currently ‘very weak’, meaning t

It’s been almost 20 years since the final Harry Potter book was released, and people still can’t get enough of Hogwarts, Hagrid and that elf that carries a sock.  If you’re a self-proclaimed Potterhead, listen up. This summer the trolley from Platform 9 3/4 is going on tour. How does a trolley that’s rammed into a wall go on tour, you might be wondering? Well, it’s not actually the trolley (that one will remain in situ at King’s Cross Station), but a replica. Fans of The Boy Who Lived will get the chance to have their very own photo op without having to travel to London, as it will be making its way to cinemas around the UK this August with stops in Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff. The trolley is making its grand tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The film is also being screened in select cinemas around the world along with 12 minutes of never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage.  On all dates the trolley will be available for photographs from 10am to 10pm on a first-come-first-served basis, and it’s completely free. There are expected to be queues, so hop on your Nimbus 2000 and get down there early doors.   All the dates and locations for the Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 trolley tour London – Westfield Stratford City Vue, 21–22 August Cardiff – Cineworld Cardiff, 24–25 August Manchester – Trafford Centre Odeon, 27–28 August Edinburgh – Vue Cinema Edinburgh, 30–31 August ICYMI: the UK’s biggest Harr

This summer, London has been gripped in football fever. First, Arsenal won the league for the first time in 20 years, turning north London red as Gooners celebrated the win for weeks. Then, for a few glorious weeks, the World Cup had us all obsessed with Djed Spence’s big tackles, Harry Kane’s poacher’s goals and the Bellingham-Haaland bromance. Now, fans of the beautiful game in the Big Smoke can visit a brand-new museum dedicated to the sport. Leyton Orient – the second-oldest football club in London, dating back to 1881 – has opened a new gallery that pays homage to the club’s 90 years of playing at Brisbane Road stadium. Located in the stadium’s former home dressing room, the footy museum displays memorabilia, photographs, match programmes, historic shirts and unique artefacts from nine decades of Orient, with much of it donated by fans. The club is asking for fans to continue sharing their photos and memorabilia which could end up featured in the display. The changing room was recently restored to the same appearance it would have had in 1956, when the O’s won the Third Division South, with 1970s panelling removed from the walls.  The Leyton Orient Museum is open now and can be accessed under the ‘Only One Orient’ sign in Brisbane Road, through the set of red wooden double doors. Chief executive of the Leyton Orient Trust, Neil Taylor, said: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Davis Watson – club historian – on bringing the East Stand home team changing room back to lif

Canary Wharf is a-changing. The cluster of skyscrapers typically associated with bankers and insurance brokers (AKA, some of the worst Hinge dates you’ve ever had) is becoming more of a leisure destination: this summer E14 saw the arrival of Sea Lanes, a massive outdoor lido, and it could be about to receive the district’s first ever viewing platform.  Plans have been submitted for the transformation of 8 Canada Square, a 45-storey tower in Canary Wharf. The 200-metre-tall tower is currently home to HSBC, but soon the bank will vacate so the building can be converted into a mixed-use hotel, leisure space and office block. Under proposals submitted to Tower Hamlets Council by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), part of the 24-year-old building will be demolished while the rest will be retrofitted. Outdoor terraces will be added to the building and the ground floor will be ‘radically reimagined’ as a public realm with food and drink outlets. Image: Kiasm8 Canada Square development by KPF While lower levels will remain as offices, the upper floors will become a hotel and an ‘experiential leisure destination’, called The Cloud. It’s thought this could be the area’s first viewing platform, with views across London accessible via a lift from the ground floor.  Getting around the maze of Canary Wharf can be a right pain, but the redeveloped building will also create new routes at ground level between the nearby Elizabeth line station and Canada Square Park. Photograph: WD Stock P

Getting around Stansted Airport is about to get much easier.  The airport has revealed plans to build new ‘skylinks’ – walkways that will directly link the terminal with the departure and arrival gates. This means that travellers will no longer have to get around using the airport’s clunky and outdated transit system, as the train-like people-mover that was first introduced way back in 1991 will be decommissioned. The new walkways should create a more seamless experience in the airport, with travelators and space for assistance buggies.  The decommissioning of the track transit system will open up new space for the expansion of the terminal building. The Essex hub has previously revealed ambitious plans for its £1.1 billion upgrade, which will see its yearly passenger numbers almost double to 51 million. The huge expansion of the terminal will boast new seating areas, shops, bars and restaurants in the hub that is on track to become the UK’s second busiest airport.  Image: Stansted AirportNew walkways will be built at Stansted Work on the skylinks will begin later this summer, but it won’t disrupt your flying experience. Parts of the walkways will be pre-assembled in an empty aircraft hangar nearby. Once completed they will be transported to the airport at night for minimal disruption. Stansted has appointed contractor Farrans to carry out the construction.  Rob Stewart, London Stansted’s capital delivery programme director, called the skylinks a ‘vital component’ for the t

Are you someone who lives in Salomon trainers and Patagonia fleeces? Do you think a crunchy handful of granola sounds better than a Big Mac? Then listen up. Londoners needn’t travel as far as the Peaks, Lakes or Highlands to embark on one of Britain’s best hikes. You could wake up in the comfort of your own bed, embark on one of nation’s finest walks, and be home in time for tea. In Time Out’s new list of the best hikes in the UK, the entry at seventh place is in the capital.  Lace up those hiking boots, because one of our top walks in Britain for 2026 is the London Outer Orbital Path (or the Loop, for short). If hardy walkers wanted to complete the 150-mile circuit all in one go it would take them well over a week. However, the best thing about the Loop is that it’s designed to be taken leisurely, and has been split up into 24 neat and accessible sections (ranging from four to 10 miles).  Photograph: Ed Cunningham for Time Out LondonFarthing Downs at Coulsdon on the London Loop All segments of the walk are accessible by public transport. It starts in Erith in east London and follows the boundaries of the capital, going all around the city.  Think a walk around the outskirts of the city sounds uneventful? Think again. The Loop traverses wartime airfields and storied forests, passes by mighty country houses and reveals awesome cityscape views. Some of the highlights along the trail include Coulsdon’s sweeping Farthing Downs, Bushy Park’s deer, Old Bexley’s medieval St Mary’

As the heatwaves roll on, London’s barbecue restaurants are firing up their grills. Time Out has just updated its list of the best BBQs in the city – because it’s only right that chargrilled meats should be eaten al fresco on balmy summer evenings. Whether you’re after Texan style platters, Jamaican jerk or Korean live-fire cookery, our list has you covered.  As for the very best BBQ in the Big Smoke? We crowned Afghan grill spot Cue Point the number one BBQ in the capital right now.  Found in the enormous beer garden at Garden Bar & Grill in Kensington, Cue Point has been one of London’s best-loved eateries for a decade. So it’s only right that it finally gets its flowers. The open-fire eatery fuses Afghan flavours with a Texan feasting menu, and has been stationed at several locations in London over the years, including Walworth’s Orbit Brewery and a recent stint off Brick Lane. Now though, grill-masters Mursal Saiq and Joshua Moroney have found a forever home in W10.  Described as ‘so good it almost makes you want to laugh’ by Time Out food and drink editor Leonie Cooper, must-try dishes at Cue Point include the fist-sized brisket burnt end skewers, the trademark Texas naan and an oak-smoked lamb shank, served with perfumed Kabuli pilau. But the non-negotiable order is the Wagyu brisket steak, which Cooper called ‘the best barbecue we’ve ever eaten on UK soil’. lon And if that’s not enough to convince you to make the pilgrimage to west London, we don’t know what is.  🥩 Lo

Workers at the V&A museums in London are going on strike.  Earlier this week, employees at the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over ‘Amazon-style’ working conditions. Staff members in the Prospect union are in a dispute with the museum over what they say are inadequate toilet and hydration breaks.   Why are V&A workers going on strike? The dispute mainly centres around officers who facilitate the ‘order an object’ service in the Storehouse, which allows visitors to order any object from the museum’s vast archive. Many of the people who work at the Storehouse were recruited from the local area.  The union is asking for workers to be given two paid 15-minute breaks per day as well as a four percent wage increase and time-and-a-half pay for bank holidays. One Prospect union member told the Guardian that ‘order an object’ workers currently get one unpaid lunch hour.  Staff at other V&A sites in London also voted to strike over pay, working conditions and the museum’s refusal to become an accredited Living Wage employer.    Photograph: DJSully / Shutterstock.comV&A East Storehouse   When is the V&A strike? The strike dates have yet to be decided – we’ll update this page when we have more information.  Which V&A museums will close during the strike? This is also still to be confirmed. We don’t yet know if the strikes will affect whether the museums will be able to open or not.  What’s been said about the strikes? Workers to

For the second year in a row, a DIY sweatbox on a south London industrial estate has been named the best club in London.  Time Out has just released its annual ranking of the best nightclubs in the capital, with the 45-long list spanning legendary techno venues, massive superclubs, former working men’s clubs and tiny independent nightspots.  Taking the crown for the second year in a row was MOT in south Bermondsey. You might know it as Venue MOT (the club dropped the first part of its name in 2025) – the brilliantly ramshackle warehouse has been blowing clubbers away since it opened in 2018.  Tucked between a hose manufacturer and a property maintenance company, the location might not be where you’d expect to find London’s top night out. MOT has made a name for itself for its bone-shaking sound system, excellent programming and for fostering an up-for-it crowd that comes to listen to music and have a good time.  Expect to hear anything and everything across the spectrum of electronic music and beyond at club nights run by local promoters cutting their teeth and more established alike. Sometimes, the venue attracts big names like Jamie xx and Peggy Gou, but the line-ups here are full of quality, no matter how famous the DJs. Occasionally, in the summer months MOT opens its courtyard for day parties, so keep an eye out for those too. See you front left.    🔊 Find Time Out’s full list of the best clubs in London here.  ICYMI: Legendary nightclub Fabric is curating events at the