Richard Franks

Okay, while dreaming about a white Christmas is about as close most of us will get, the UK is fuller than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas eve with wonderful festive towns. You know the ones: those quaint little spots with cobbled lanes, mock-Tudor high streets, weekly farmers markets and colourful lights.  And as the winter properly rolls around, each of these places transforms into a Christmassy wonderland, with everything from festive railway rides to Shakespeare-themed candle-lit walks on offer. So, don some layers and buckle up – here are the best Christmas towns in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🎄The best places to visit at Christmas in the UK🛍️The best Christmas shops in the UK✨The most magical Christmas markets in the UK🏩The cosiest winter cottages to stay in the UK Richard Franks is a travel writer based in Birmingham. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide also includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

When it comes to Christmassy destinations, the UK is packed fuller than a stocking on Christmas morning with lovely places to visit during the festive season. From ridiculously pretty palaces and royal parks to joy-filled cities and quaint little towns, there’s a plethora of places whether you’re spending the day Christmas shopping or nipping away for a cheeky city break.  From Scotland to Oxfordshire, Northern Ireland to Wales, there’s wintery castles, cobbled streets and Christmas lights galore on this list. So, without further ado, here’s our roundup of the best very places to visit at Christmas in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🛍️The best Christmas shops in the UK🎄The most magical Christmas markets in the UK✨The most dazzling Christmas light trails in the UK🏩The cosiest winter cottages to stay in the UK Richard Franks is a travel writer based in Birmingham, specialising in Scotland and the West Midlands. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide also includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Here at Time Out, we love a good curry. And the best thing about the UK is that every city has a great curry spot – each of them with their own fabulous signature curry. So Time Out editors and contributors have put our heads together to select the very best out there.  Be you a korma person, a balti person, a blow-your-head-off-spicy kind of person or fancy something else entirely, there’s a curry on this list for you. From veggie delights at London’s Rasa to the classic balti at Birmingham’s famous Shababs, here are the best curries in the UK right now. Enjoy!  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in the UK🍺 The best pubs in the UK☀️ The best beer gardens in the UK📍 The best places to visit in the UK This guide is by the editors and writers at Time Out UK. For all our latest recommendations, check out our travel guides page.   

Birmingham might just be Britain’s most exciting food destination right now. This burgeoning city bursts at the seams with creative chefs, great-value restaurants, Michelin-star dining and everything in between. Looking for street food? It’s here. Small plates and natural wines? We’ve got you covered. Even if you’re just looking to dive into a burger and chips, you might find the best one you’ve ever tasted in Brum (in fact, we can promise that one). Here are the best restaurants in Birmingham.  RECOMMENDED:🍺 The best bars in Birmingham📍 The best things to do in Birmingham🍻 The best pubs in Birmingham🛏 The best hotels in Birmingham This guide was recently updated by Birmingham-based food writer Lauren Potts. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

We all like the idea of summertime in Europe – long, lazy days in the Mediterranean sunshine, whiling away an evening people-watching in local bars – but the reality is often much less romantic, with overtourism, sky-high prices and heatwaves blighting many a Euro Summer fantasy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To inspire your summer holiday plans this year, we asked writers across Europe to tell us about their favourite alternative summer trip ideas. From Croatia’s quieter island-hopping route to an Estonian spa break, here’s where to head for crowd-free bliss and unsung adventures right across the continent. You’re welcome. RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks🗺️ Europe’s most underrated travel destinations

Birmingham is a city that somehow simultaneously fulfils expectations while being delightfully surprising. That trend is true of its bars, an impressive collection of venues that are as much about history and heritage as they are about style and sophistication. The bar scene here tells its own story of Birmingham, a tale that needs to be heard. Sure, most might think of classic Victorian boozers and real ale pubs when they dream of nights out in Birmingham, but Brum does a fine line in colourful cocktails, speciality gins, and innovative craft spots. There is even a zero-waste bar, which happens to be spectacular. Birmingham, your bars are brilliant. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Birmingham🍻 The most charming pubs in Birmingham🛏 The best hotels in Birmingham📍 The best things to do in Birmingham At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  

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

Birmingham has, at long last, awoken from its slumber. Often dismissed and long ridiculed, the UK’s second city – and proud 2022 Commonwealth Games host city – has splashed its squares in colour, wrapped its buildings in branding and left its people quietly optimistic. Truth is, there are umpteen reasons for Brum to be proud. Its diverse cultural offering will be seen by an estimated one billion viewers at its opening ceremony tonight, with local legends Duran Duran and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi among the performers, while its official song harks back to Birmingham’s rich heritage: ‘It’s a Brum Ting’ by Friendly Fire Band is a catchy reggae love letter to the city. ‘Birmingham is a brilliant city, with a young, diverse and talented population, a world-class food scene, a thriving cultural sector, and of course an array of brilliant sporting teams and venues,’ said Ian Ward, the leader of Birmingham city council. ‘For too long Birmingham has been shy about itself,’ he continued. ‘Thanks to the investment over recent decades, and of course the £1 billion that has come into the city through the Games, Birmingham is now looking like a global city. Our “Be Bold Be Birmingham” branding ensures the city is dressed to host the Games, with colourful additions across the city.’ Photograph: Courtesy of West Midlands Growth Company Birmingham has indeed undergone somewhat of a vibrant transformation. Stroll through the city centre and it’s impossible to avoid larger-than-life