Rory Buccheri

This is about the time when the January blues start to hit pretty hard. It’s dark at 4pm, you’ve got no money left after Christmas and winter feels like it’s dragging on forever. But we’re here to tell you that things are looking up, because 2025 is going to be a corker of a year for the UK.  It turns out that 2025 is going to be a bit of a big one, with a number of landmark occasions being celebrated across Britain. There’s Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Southampton, as well as the art-packed Folkestone Triennial, a celebration of 200 years of the British railway in York and Bradford’s 2025 City of Culture festivities. Then, there are up-and-coming foodie towns in Cornwall, music scenes that are popping off in Cardiff and Belfast, and the reopening of grand cultural insitutions like the Tate Liverpool.  If there’s ever been a good time to book a trip, it’s now (it might even help keep some SAD at bay). There is so much fantastic stuff happening across the country this year, so read our list curated by local experts of the best places to visit in the UK in 2025, and get stuck in.  RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The 25 best new things to do in the UK in 2025📍The 12 most underrated city breaks in the UK 🏨 The UK’s 13 best new hotels opening in 2025👨‍👩‍👧 6 amazing places to stay with Kids in the UK

It may be a bit of a travel cliché, but in York, old and new exist in rare harmony. A cultural hub since Roman times, this city maintains a lasting historical charm, with many of our ancient ancestors’ constructions still standing strong. But if you’re after some more modern sights, there’s plenty here for the inquisitive visitor to get lost in, from sumptuous restaurants to buzzing bars and contemporary art galleries (and everything in between). Ready to get out there and explore? Here’s our pick of the best things to do in York right now. When's the best time to visit York? Your best bet is during the peak of spring and summer if it's warm weather you're after. For the wintry enchantment, you can't miss out on the Christmas markets in December.  RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in York🍸 The best bars in York🍺 The best pubs in York🏘️ The best Airbnbs in York🏨 The best hotels in York Rory Buccheri is a writer based in York. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links. These have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

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

Each of York’s ‘gates’ has its own distinctive food offering. Castlegate offers a hub of touristy bistros right next to the castle. Casual lunch spots abound on Fossgate and Walmgate, while Micklegate has been revitalised as York’s most exciting area for independent food options. But the best way to do it? Do it all. Our local writer has tried every restaurant worth its dough in the city, to bring you the 21 absolute best to try out right now. We’ve got curry. We’ve got Nepalese dumplings. We’ve got Michelin stars and doughy pizzas. Whatever you’re craving, we’ve got it all right here. Here are the best restaurants in York right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in York🍸 The best bars in York🍺 The best pubs in York🏘️ The best Airbnbs in York Rory Buccheri is a food writer based in York. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  

What’s the vibe? Both owned by chef Florencia Clifford, Partisan and Brancusi are the jewels in the crown of the Micklegate, and just a few metres apart on the same street. Partisan is an ideal spot for an international brunch or daytime meal. The interiors are always changing due to their partnership with a French antiques dealer and works from indie artists on display, making for a cosy spot with an artsy backdrop.  What are the prices like? Partisan’s brunch plates range from £8-16, so it’s a bit splash for a brunch, but still pretty reasonable for how good the food is.  What should I order? Both menus change to reflect the freshest seasonal product. The fantastic staff always know what creations are brewing in the kitchen. When in doubt, go with Partisan’s evergreen Haxby sourdough with Turkish figs and goats cheese (veggie) or an indulgent scallop and bacon roll when in season. You can’t go wrong with classics like the cold sirloin roast. What’s worth visiting nearby? The towering Micklegate is a marvellous sight in itself, and the entrance to a neighbourly side of town that’s up and coming. You are ten minutes away from the heart of town, and five to the city walls winding picturesquely around the city. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in York

What’s the vibe? The sister restaurant to Partisan, Brancusi down the road is its after-dark sidekick. It offers a more sophisticated dinner experience, with dishes ranging from risotto to roast halibut and king scallops. What should I order? As a proper restaurant, Brancusi is a bit pricier than its sister – you can expect to spend up to £45 per person with a main and a drink. Focusing on organic ingredients, the menu at Brancusi changes often, according to what’s available. If you can get it, order the wild mushroom bordelaise with samphire.  What’s worth visiting nearby? The towering Micklegate is a marvellous sight in itself, and the entrance to a neighbourly side of town that’s up and coming. You are ten minutes away from the heart of town, and five to the city walls winding picturesquely around the city. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in York

What’s the vibe? Behind a very casual Japanese-style teahouse hides one of the craftiest kitchens in York. The vibe is relaxed – with people having a classic tea experience sitting side by side to people having a full meal, or just matcha bakes and drinks.  What are the prices like? Hot drinks and cake range from £4-6, but if you want to have food you have a few options. Ippuku’s signature teishoku sets, including a main with soup and steamed rice, are around £17, while their onigiri are £3.90 per piece (but very filling). What should I order? For a substantial lunch, order a set. For a light, inexpensive lunch, go for a choice of onigiri (my favourite are the seaweed-filled and chicken teriyaki) with a side of miso soup or homemade pickle. What’s worth visiting nearby? Both the Minster and the Yorkshire Museum Gardens are a stone’s throw from Ippuku. The gardens are great for a post-lunch stroll with a dramatic backdrop of medieval ruins and the riverside, whereas the famed Minster is a picture-perfect location, but also an indoors shelter for when the weather gets too hot…or too cold. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in York

What’s the vibe? Melton’s offers a fine dining experience without too many frills. The restaurant’s long history has seeped into its walls, giving it a charming yet intimate vibe which matches the French art-nouveau style décor perfectly. No strict dress code and a love for the finest food are what gets you through the door. Melton’s continues to be featured in The Michelin Guide, and has Two AA Rosettes, so you know you’re in good hands. What are the prices like? Expect to spend around the £100 mark with no wine pairings, and a bit above £150 for wine pairings and additional courses. What should I order? Melton’s has two set menus you can choose from, a longer 7-courses tasting menu for £96, and their short three-course for £78. Their accompanying ‘wine flight’ pairing is extra £50, but well worth the extra spend for the quality of the wines and a knowledgeable, passionate presentation by sommelier and founder Lucy Hjort. What’s worth visiting nearby? Once a hidden gem, Bishy Road is now a worthy travel guide entry thanks to its charm. The affectionate nickname – the original being Bishopthorpe – is infused with the love locals feel towards Bishy, a place populated by quirky boutiques, charming little churches, and independent shops including old-style hardware stores, greengrocers, and antique shops. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in York

What is it? York’s most famous historic street, the Shambles, are a picture-perfect place, with dozens of perfectly preserved, charming medieval buildings. Now a trendy spot, the Shambles have a gruesome past, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, when the streets and intersecting alleys were used as an open-air slaughterhouse and hosted many butcher's shops. Is it worth visiting?  With their timber and wood-framed buildings and winding, cobbled alleys, the Shambles offer a unique experience to taste a slice of British history alive and thriving in the present. To this day, they keep their bewitching charm thanks to a string of quirky shops and cafés.  Tickets, accessibility and booking Being a public street, it's free to enter. However, you can expect the Shambles to get quite crowded over the weekend and during festive periods. A weekday or morning trip won’t make the cobbled streets any easier on the feet, but it will allow you a quieter, less crowded experience. Where's good to eat nearby? You’re in the heart of the city centre, so the world’s your oyster. Head to Duck Shack for a delicious Hong Kong BBQ, or to the Shambles Kitchen for the best deli sandwiches in town. The Shambles Market, the UK's largest open-air market, is the best place to head for a variety of food all under one ‘roof’. It has options for every taste, from Greek street food to Thai, Sicilian and Moroccan.

What is it?  Known also as ‘Roman walls’, the original structure dates back to 71 AD, when the city was fortified and connected to the Via Pretoria by the Romans. The history of the walls is a long one, with the Vikings and Normans building towers and strategic fortifications to better protect the ancient city within. Now a defining feature of the city’s landscape, their uniqueness lies in being almost entirely preserved, and walkable from beginning to end.  Is it worth visiting? Without a doubt. The walls are a fantastic feature, containing York city centre in a circular hug. The pleasant strolling experience alone is worth it, but you will also see lots of residents using them to get to various places. The walls are a practical connection between York’s main attractions, taking you from the historic Micklegate to the Central Station and from Clifford Tower to the city centre. Tickets, accessibility and booking They are free to access, and are open dawn to dusk. The walls are sometimes closed during winter due to frost and depending on weather conditions. Unfortunately, no part of the walls is wheelchair accessible due to narrow paths and stone steps. Where's good to eat nearby? If you feel like a treat, The Star Inn has an impressive menu populated almost entirely by fresh Yorkshire produce and it’s only two minutes’ walk from the Western walls, connecting the Micklegate to the city centre. Or you can head to the Walmgate, York’s foodie street, just 5 minutes’ walk from the