Amy Houghton

Whatever your vibe (and whatever your budget), London’s got it all – and anyone will find something they love here. Historic pubs, leafy parks and gardens and an unmatched restaurant scene make this city worth visiting year-round, but before you’ve booked anything in London, you kind of have to know where you’re going to be based. To get you started, we’ve rounded up the city’s best Airbnbs available to book right now, with expert tips from our local editors.  Should I choose an Airbnb or a hotel in London? London is not short on lovely hotels, ranging from budget to luxury and just about everything in between. But it’s fair to say that even the cheaper options cost a pretty penny – and you’ll often find them in more central, touristy areas in the city. If you want to live like a Londoner, an Airbnb can allow you to properly immerse yourself in an underrated area. And you might save a bit of dosh too. But don’t fear: if you’re more of a hotels guy, here’s our list of the best hotels in London.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in London Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, our writers have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, 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. Ella Doyle is Ti

Things are getting more and more expensive here in Europe, and many of our reliably ‘cheap’ cities aren’t so cheap anymore. The hotspots in Greece, Spain, Italy and more are plagued with overtourism and prices are starting to look similar across the board. But don’t fear: if budgets are tight this year, there’s still plenty of spots that won’t break the bank.  The best part? These are the spots with less tourists and less crowds, and the flights there are likely to be much cheaper too. Of course, it goes without saying that a ‘cheap city’ is highly subjective, depending on a whole load of factors: which city you’ve travelled in from, what time of year you’re visiting, how bougie your tastes are and all the rest of it. On our list of cheap destinations in Europe, we’ve got everything from thriving capital cities to underrated towns. Ready to see a different side of Europe and afford dinner out? Read on for the cheapest (and best) cities to visit in Europe in 2025.  RECOMMENDED:🌃 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🏰 The best city breaks in Europe📍 The most beautiful places in Europe🌊 The best places to ‘coolcation’ in Europe At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Summer's finally here! And that means it's high time you dug out last year's swimsuit (faintly bobbly though it may be) and took it for a spin in one of London's many gorgeous outdoor pools. But don't even think of heading to your local noisy, chlorine-scented indoor swimming baths. When the temperatures soar, lidos are the only way to go. I'm one of the growing band of Londoners who's been bitten by the outdoor swimming bug, and braved the waters at every al fresco pool I can find in this city. Yep, the water's a bit chilly. But that's the whole point: to feel that rush of exhilaration you only get once your body adjusts to the cool water and starts gliding through it like a dolphin (or in my case, a geriatric elephant seal – I said I'm a keen outdoor swimmer, not a good one).   The seriously dedicated will head to wild swimming spots where you bob about face to face with aggy ducks and the odd bit of pondweed. But if you want to get a proper swim in, lidos are the easiest, freshest way to do it. Heated or unheated, regimented lanes or wide open water, serious fitness or chilled family fun – these are all of London’s best lidos and outdoor swimming pools for making a splash in this summer. RECOMMENDED:🏊 The best swimming pools in London.🌡️ The best saunas in London. 💦 The best waterparks in London

Work-dos are a hard art to master. How do you find something that strengthens your team spirit and that everyone in the office, across multiple generations, is actually going to find fun?  Stuck for ideas? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re after some healthy competition among co-workers or an activity that requires all your colleagues to work together, London has a load of classic and quirky ways for your team to let their hair down. So, take notes, we’ve rounded up the best of them. These are some of the top places in the city to go to build your office bonds.  RECOMMENDED: The best office party venues to hire in LondonThe top London venues for a private bash 

After temperatures soared above 30 degrees in June, we’re holding out for a sun-soaked July this summer, which would mean lidos, rooftop bars, beer gardens and alfresco dining galore. We can already taste the sweet, sweet golden hour Aperol Spritz.  When it comes to stuff going on, this July is going to be a biggie. Drake is in town for a whopping three nights at Wireless festival (playing an entirely different set each evening), Rosamund Pike is hitting the West End stage starring in Inter Alia, and BST at Hyde Park is in full swing, with Noah Kahan and Sabrina Carpenter both topping the bill in July.  Other London music festivals are popping off throughout the month, and it’s also a chance to take in the city’s lavender and sunflower fields, which are going to be at their blooming loveliest. Here’s our guide to the best exhibitions, shows and things to do this July 2025 in London.  RECOMMENDED: The definitive London events calendar

Greece is, quite simply, king of the holidays. It’s a country full of sprawling cities, beautiful islands and some of the best beaches in the entire world, and the food? Don’t even get us started on the food. There’s a hell of a lot of islands, and our editors have been to a hell of a lot of them, but for the on-the-ground knowledge that only a local has, we’ve roped in our Greece expert Demetrios Ioannou, who grew up in Athens but has travelled all over the country. Whatever you’re looking for, here are the best places to visit in Greece.  Where should I go for my first time in Greece? We’re firm believers that everyone should go to Athens at least once in their lives. So if it’s your first time visiting the country, you should probably start there. But the good news is that in Greece, you can pretty much do it all. So don’t stay in Athens for a full week – spend a perfect weekend there before heading out on a ferry to Aegina, Poros, Hydra and more. If you’ve ticked off Athens already, consider Greece’s latest destination dupe, Paros, which is set to this year’s ‘new Santorini’ (just without the crowds).  📍 RECOMMENDED: Discover our ultimate guide to Greece Which is the best Greek island to visit? If we’re talking most popular, Santorini and Mykonos are always going to be top of the list. But Greece has more than 6,000 islands and islets, each with its own unique vibe and all worth visiting for entirely different reasons. Crete is Greece’s biggest island, in the south of th

London summer has officially kicked into gear. And that means that the Wimbledon Tennis Championships – aka the oldest, and arguably the very best, tennis tournament in the world – is back very, very soon.  This year the tournament is happening from Monday June 30, 2025 to Sunday July 13, 2025. Thousands will be descending on SW19 to see the matches go down in real life but live screenings will be peppered all over London for thousands more who missed the ticket ballot or can’t be bothered to queue in the hopes of getting in day of.  With a jug of Pimms in one hand and a punnet of strawberries in the other, you’ll hardly know the difference. Even better – most of watch parties won’t cost you a single penny. So, pack your picnic blanket, fill your flask and pull up a pew at a summery screening near you.  RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to Wimbledon 2025.

As the UK's most visited national park, the captivating, enigmatic Lake District is just about as English as landscapes come. Forged from glaciers, this UNESCO site is one of the UK's most popular tourist hotspots for visitors, domestic and international. And while people flock to the Lake District because of the history, the walking, the breathtaking scenery, picturesque villages, and the, well, lakes, after all of that, you really do need a place of comfort, great food, log fires, and luxurious spas to rest your weary bones. Long gone are the days of damp B&Bs – style and quality are on the up in the region, so it’s worth checking out these incredible Lake District hotels right now, as this is just about the perfect time to explore this fascinating, beautiful part of the world. From remote bivouacs and remote stays to lakeside luxury and world-famous hotels that draw people from all over the world, here’s our pick of the best hotels in the Lake District to start booking now.  🏡 RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in the Lake District Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, our travel experts have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, 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. 📍 The best things to do in the Lake Distric

It’s true – Dads can be hard people to please. But if you were planning on getting your old man a pair of socks or a bottle of whiskey for Father’s Day this year and calling it a day, let us stop you right there. Why not treat him to a proper day out, eh?  If you want to go beyond the cliche steakhouse or pub dinner (though they’re both perfectly good options), London is awash with other stuff that’ll bring a smile to your dad’s face, whether he’s a sports fiend, a gaming enthusiast, a comedy lover or a beer coneisseur.  Here’s our pick of some genuinely good, not-at-all naff things to do with your pops this Father’s Day (Sunday, June 15, in case you need reminding).  Still not found what you’re after? Try our guide to London’s unusual things to do. RECOMMENDED: Our full guide to celebrating Father’s Day in London.

What makes a good party song? Is it uplifting lyrics? Or maybe it's an uptempo production?Throughout the decades, they’ve come in all shapes, sizes and vibes. However, for a song to be a proper, hip-shaking party song, there are some rules: it’s gotta be a banger, and it’s gotta give you absolutely no choice but to get up and boogie.  No wonder then that this list includes everything from funk, soul and disco classics to ‘90s RnB tunes and 2025 chart-toppers. There’s a tonne of variety on here, so pass the aux cable over to us and we’ll have your party shaking in no time. Ready to throw some shapes? You’re in the right place – these are the best party songs of all time.  RECOMMENDED: 🎵 The best songs of 2025 so far 🕺 The best albums of 2025 so far 🎤 The best karaoke songs🍻 The best drinking songs🎶 The best ’80s songs🎊 The best pop songs This guide was recently updated by Georgia Evans, who covers Time Out’s music section. Entries are by Time Out Editors. For more about how we curate, have a look at our editorial guidelines.

London looks its absolute best when it’s bathing under a blazing sun and bright blue sky. So, on the rare occassion that we’re blessed with such weather, it would be a waste not to head upwards and absorb gorgeous views of the capital in all its shining glory. The city is spoiled with dozens of rooftop bars ready to stand to attention come summertime. But if it’s just greenery, panoramic vistas and a fresh breeze you’re after, one of London’s rooftop gardens may just do the trick instead. Some of the city’s high-rise gardens stay fairly quiet and zen most of the year, while others are attached to buzzy restaurants or host DJs and live music during peak season. So, whether you want a peaceful stroll in the clouds or you’re after some sunny sky-high vibes, these are all of London’s best rooftop gardens. RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor spaces in London.

Thinking of heading to the UK? Great choice. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are packed with jaw-dropping sights, fun-filled nights out and endless cultural offerings for you to fill your calendar to the brim. The Time Out team has spent a hell of a lot of time travelling up and down the country, really getting to know the big sights and local legends – and by now, we like to think we know a thing or two about what is actually worth your precious time. And trust us: you won’t be disappointed. From Cornwall’s crashing surf to Scotland’s rugged peaks, to the buzz of Notting Hill Carnival and secret spots locals whisper about, there’s something for everyone here. These are the best things to do in the UK in 2025.  What are the best events in the UK throughout the year? Where do we begin? In April, join in infectious crowds at the Manchester or London marathons. Head to Somerset for Glastonbury in June (if you’re lucky enough to get tickets, that is), and go up north for all sorts of cultural happenings at the Manchester International Festival come July. In August, we’d recommend Brighton for Pride, London for Notting Hill Carnival and Edinburgh for the month-long Fringe arts festival. The Scottish capital is also a great place to celebrate New Year’s Eve with their Hogmanay street party to see out the year.  Where are the most scenic places to visit in the UK? If it’s dramatic landscapes you’re after, no trip to the UK is complete without spending time in the Scott

This quirky, tiki-themed minigolf course first popped up in Dalston's Efes in April 2015. A decade later, that debut site is no more, but you can now find Plonks outdoors in London Fields and under the arches at Borough Market. The Hackney course, which recently got a big ol’ refurb, takes you through a ‘Polynesian themed putt paradise’ complete with a tiki forest, a volcano canyon and octupuses. There are plenty of satisfying holes that fire your ball onto tricksy little mechanisms, a loop the loop, and a lot of impossibly steep ramps. All in all: it’s a great place for a plonking party. Prices start from £9.35 per person per play. 

There's a real sense of fun to this deliberately rough-around-the-edges course. Party tunes blare from speakers, graffiti jazzes up the walls and it's made from ‘twisted junk, car booty and charity shop shizzle’. Junkyard Golf Club has four courses – Gary, Pablo, Dirk and Bozo – that are all fabulously chaotic and mildly freaky. Depending on which challenge you take on, you’ll be putting past pirate pigs, dishevelled nightclub urinals, terrifying giant clown heads and a UV rave room. There's also a second location in Camden for more of the same.  Prices start at £12 for nine holes at off-peak times (Sunday to Thursday) and go up to £21 for 18 holes on busier days (Fridays and Saturdays). And as any good crazy golf should, Junkyard has a menu of themed cocktails to keep lubed up before, during and after your game. 

What is it?  Technically several adjoining markets, this sprawl of stalls stretching from Camden Town tube to the Regent’s Canal is London’s fourth most popular visitor attraction. In its recent heyday, around 250,000 people came here every week to shop, sample street food and soak up the distinctive, still-grungy atmosphere. Camden Lock Market is an arts-and-crafts haven while the Stables Market is a trendy spot for everything from quirky furniture to fetish clothing. Nearby Buck Street Market on Camden High Street has had a shipping container revamp. As you saunter through the different markets, don’t be surprised to see grungy teenagers and old punks on the street corners. Camden feels more mainstream than it did in the ‘90s, but it’s still one of London’s most rock ‘n’ roll neighbourhoods. Why go?  To get lost in a one-of-a-kind maze of art, garms, antiques, accessories, books and endless street food.  Don’t miss The Cheese Bar – London’s only fully fromage focused restaurant – for all manner of gooey, cheese-based delights in a classy, low lit space in Stables Market.  Ticket info  No tickets needed.  When to visit  Camden Markets are open everyday of the week from 10am until late.  Time Out tip If you find the lunch queues and options a bit too much in the main Camden Lock Market, cross the road to Buck Street Market where you’ll find food that is just as great and are more likely to find a free spot to sit.  RECOMMENDED: London’s best markets

What is it?  After 130 years, luxury department store Fenwick left its iconic outlet on Bond Street in February 2024 but its flagship store in Brent Cross Shopping Centre is still going strong.  What does it sell?  The three storey emporium offers up everything you expect from any good department store – apparel, homewear, beauty bits and accessories from classic and emerging high-end brands like Stella McCartney, Viviene Westwood, Ganni, Jo Malone and Our Place. There’s also a wee horticultral section downstairs, selling fresh plants and a bunch of tools and sprays to help your patch bloom.  Opening times  Mon-Fri 10am-8pm; Sat 9.30am-8pm; Sun 11.30am-6pm. 

What is it?  In business for over 300 years, Fortnum & Mason is as historic as it is inspiring. A sweeping spiral staircase soars through the four-storey building, while light floods down from a central glass dome. The iconic eau de nil blue and gold colour scheme with flashes of rose pink abounds on both the store design and the packaging of the fabulous ground-floor treats, such as chocolates, biscuits, teas and preserves. A food hall in the basement has a good range of fresh produce; Fortnum’s Bees honey comes from beehives on top of the building. There are various eateries, including an ice-cream parlour. The famous hampers start from £60 – though they rise to a whopping £6,000 for the most luxurious. A sweeping spiral staircase soars through the four-storey building, while light floods down from a central glass dome. The iconic F&M eau de nil blue and gold colour scheme with flashes of rose pink abounds on both the store design and the packaging of the fabulous ground-floor treats, including chocolates, biscuits, teas and preserves. What does it sell?  A food hall in the basement has a good range of fresh produce; Fortnum’s Bees honey comes from beehives on top of the building. There are various eateries, including an ice-cream parlour. The famous hampers start from £60 – though they rise to a whopping £6,000 for the most luxurious. The first floor is for homewares: china- and glassware as well as finishing touches such as silver scoops for stilton, F&M coloured linen

What is it? Part of an esteemed UK chain, Harvey Nicks is a one-stop shop for luxury fashion and lifestyle goodies. Though it may have been in its Knightsbridge pad since 1831, it stays true to its ethos of bringing new and innovative products to a wider audience.  What does it sell?  Makeup junkies should head to the ground floor beauty and perfumery space to pick up established brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Shu Uemura, or to glowup with treatments from the Light Salon, Shavata, Duck & Dry and Nail’d It. Womenswear takes up the next three floors, with swimwear and a Denim Gallery on the third levels, while menswear can be found down in the basement. The clothing rails are full of top labels such as Alexander Wang, Balenciaga and Givenchy, and there’s an excellent array of accessories and beauty buys from luxurious brands such as Tom Ford and COR (whose soap contains real silver). Finish off proceedings with lunch on the fifth floor, where the buzzy food department is located along with The Fifth Floor Cafe, Burger & Lobster, Trullo and Madhu’s Brasserie.  Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am – 8pm, Sunday 11:30am – 6pm (browsing from 11.30am – 12pm).  Time Out tip  Forget Vinted and Depop – if you’ve had a recent wardrobe cull, Harvey Nichols will take any high-end pieces that are still in decent condition. It’ll do all the hard selling work for you, all you need to do is drop the items off. Once they’ve found a new home you can get  a Harvey Nichols voucher with a sw

What is it?  There is a reason why John Lewis is one of the most respected and liked shops in Britain and it’s not a complicated one – John Lewis sells good products, in a pleasant environment, served by knowledgeable and amicable staff. Add to that its sensible ratio of quality to price for all its products, and you quickly see why John Lewis retains its rightful crown as the retail world's safe pair of hands. The store offers one of the most civilised places on Oxford Street to shop – with a commodious food hall stocked with culinary partner Waitrose’s goods (complete with walk-in cheese room), the swanky 1864 Rooftop Bar, the Jamie Oliver Cookery School on the third floor, a Waterstones and four cafes to choose from.  What does it sell?  This enormous store in the centre of the city offers a broad sweep of electricals, homeware, fashion, gifts, furniture and leather goods, each coming with the reassurance of JL’s nonpareil ‘never knowingly undersold’ guarantee and lenient returns policy. Arguably the strongest selling point is the lower ground-floor cookware and white goods section, where an excellent range of kitchen staples is backed up by exemplary customer service. Other strengths include its sprawling beauty hall, technology, schoolwear and a brilliant haberdashery for those knitters struggling to find decent wool. Opening times  Open Monday-Wednesday 10am-8pm; Thursday 10am-9pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11.30am-6pm.  Time Out tip Why not pair your retail t

What is it?  Since launching in 1970, Browns has played an instrumental role in the careers of some of the world’s biggest fashion titans. Founder Joan Burstein (the ‘fairy godmother of fashion’) is credited with discovering John Galliano after stumbling across his graduate collection and later on, stocking the work of (at that time) a little known designer named Alexander McQueen.  Mrs B, as she was known, also introduced the likes of Comme des Garçons, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein to the British fashion scene. More than 50 years later, Browns continues to champion young and emerging designers. After being acquired by fashion website FarFetch in 2015, Browns moved its flagship store on South Molton Street to a Grade II-listed eighteenth century building on Mayfair’s Brook Street in 2021.  What does it sell?  There are more than 100 established and next-gen designers jostling for attention at Browns, from Chloé and Dries Van Noten to Balenciaga and Christian Dior. The first floor hosts a carefully curated collection of apparel, shoes, bags, fine jewellery, accessories and homewear and the Yellow Room is where the most  luxury of luxurious brands reside. More high-fashion pieces are on display in the Focus Room on the ground floor.  Opening times Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am-6.30pm. Closed Sunday and Monday (but can open by appointment).  Time Out tip On the ground floor, you’ll also fine 123V Browns, a fully plant-based, award-winning sushi restaurant. Menu highlights inclu

What is it?  Brockwell Park is a much-needed slab of green (84 acres) just south of Brixton. Locals from the surrounding areas flock here in summer to sun-worship (if they’re lucky), fly kites, play football, swim in the outside pool, garden in the community greenhouses and parade a stunning array of dogs. The vast space was once the private grounds of Brockwell Hall and was opened to the public in 1891 by the London County Council. The hall still stands today and is one of several grade II listed buildings dotted about the park, including the emerald green Tritton Tower Clock, which was gifted to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.  Why go?  It's big, diverse and interesting, with numerous areas to appeal to different tastes, from the calm, rolling meadows around Tulse Hill and walled ‘Old English’ flower garden to the BMX track and sloped football pitches by the Dulwich Road. The playground in Brockwell Park is a favourite, with its aerial slide, massive sandpit and sections for different age groups; nearby you’ll find duck ponds and a huge paddling pool. There’s also a lovely little minature railway open at the weekends May to October, weather permitting – it’s not particularly massive but it’s been just £1 for a return for years now. Don’t miss:  Regular events at the park include circuses and a busy schedule of summer concerts and festivals including Wide Awake, Mighty Hoopla, Field Day and Cross the Tracks. But one of the most beloved annual events is the Lam

What is it?  Never mind the river buses. If you want some excitement on the Thames – the kind that 007 himself would encourage – step aboard the super speedy RIB. This ‘rigid inflatable boat’ will have you hurtling up and down the river in no time with 740 horse power behind you and ‘V8’ twin turbo thrust. No, we don’t know what that means either, but we do know that the RIB can do speeds of up to 30 knots (roughly 35 mph). It’s a pure adrenaline experience. Journeys range from 20-minute blasts to a full 75 minutes. The former either takes you from Tower Millennium Pier past The Shard, Tower of London and HMS Belfast or from The O2 Arena past the Thames Flood Barrier and Greenwich. The longest trip includes the lot. You can choose to have detailed commentary along the way, or there are experiences that keep it to a minimum. Life jackets and waterproof clothing is provided, and all ages are welcome, but there is a minimum weight requirement of three stone (15kg). Why go?  For the fastest, most thrilling way to travel the Thames. Don’t miss The Thames chase scene in ‘Spectre’ was filmed on one of these vehicles, so naturally, Thames RIB offers an ‘Ultimate Spy Experience’. Passengers are taken past some of the most recognisable Bond locations, zooming down the river with the likes of Paul McCartney’s ‘Live and Let Die’, Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ and Shirley Bassey’s ‘Diamonds are Forever’ blasting through the speakers. There’s also an onboard quiz with a chance to win a 007-themed pri

What is it?  Spread across floors 69 to 72 of Western Europe’s tallest skyscraper, the View from the Shard provides the most magnificent 360° views of the city you can get.  Your journey starts the minute you step foot in the lift. Look up, because screens in the ceiling provide fascinating facts and hypnotic visuals as you hurtle 800ft skywards to the first viewing gallery on floor 69. From here you can explore three more levels by foot (don’t worry, there is another lift if you can’t manage the stairs), with walls of windows providing an incredible backdrop and an open-air skydeck on floor 72. There are London experts dotted about the deck to guide you through your view (if you want), sharing stories of the city’s past and offering recommendations fror whatever kind of London experience you’re after.   Why go?  To look down on the Big Smoke in all its shining glory. All of London’s most legendary landmarks are visible (provided it’s not extremely cloudy!), including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and even Wembley Stadium over in Brent. and the Tower of London. On a nice clear day, views stretch as far as Southend-on-Sea.  Don’t miss Watch out for the different events going on here throughout the year. Every Wednesday from 2pm-4.30pm, there’s live music to make your visit even more atmospheric and every so often there are yoga classes offering a chance to practice sun salutations in the clouds.  When to visit Opening times change throughout

What is it?  You want stunning views of London? You’ve got to earn it. In this adrenaline-pumping experience, you’ve got to scale the height of the O2 in order to see unique vistas of Greenwich, Olympic Park, Canary Wharf and beyond. But it’s worth it.  You’ll be kitted out with boots, a suit and a harness and get a quick safety briefing before you start your 170ft  ascent. For the 90 minute experience, one of The O2’s guides will lead you along the springy walkway all the way to the top. You pull yourself via safety lines, clipping and unclipping carabiners along the metal bars leading to the top. The steepest incline you’ll have to tackle on your way up is about 28-degrees. Once you reach the summit, you’ve got 20 minutes to breathe in the fresh air, admire the panorama of the city, take a selfie or two and discover some facts about London’s landmarks before reattaching yourself to the rail and heading back down. The return route a little longer and steeper.  It’s suitable for ages 8+ and anyone at least 1.2 metres tall.  Why go?  For thrills and views.  Don’t miss If you ask us, the best experience at Up at the O2 is the sunset climb. You head up the venue as the sun goes down, meaning you get incredible shades of pink, orange and yellow backdropping your London views. Just make sure to wear an extra layer or two.  When to visit In the summer climbs are from 10am-8.30pm daily and in the winter 10am-6.30pm daily. Peak season is from June to August.  Ticket info  Prices depe

Now that July has come to a close and payday has landed, it’s going to be all too tempting to splash out in London over the next few days. We wouldn’t blame you, of course – there are all sorts of fantastic festivals, shows and events happening across the city this weekend that are absolutely worth spending your hard earned cash on.  But in the event that you’re trying to keep spending to a minimum – maybe you’re saving up to splurge on one final summer holiday, or so that you can go ham at one last day fest later in the month – we’ve got your back. Being frugal doesn’t have to mean days spent idle and bored in your bedroom. Here are great six things you can do to fill up your weekend in London without spending a penny.  📍 Things to do in London this weekend. The best free things to do in London this weekend, August 1-3 1. Head to Soho for a street party hosted by Ronnie Scott’s Legendary Soho jazz club Ronnie Scott’s knows a thing or two about staging a good party, so this summer it’s making use of the (hopefully!) sunny weather and taking things outside for a good old-fashioned street party Visitors will be regaled by a stellar line-up of UK jazz acts including tuba virtuoso Theon Cross, genre-blending band Cosmic Fusion and pioneering mento, ska, reggae, and jazz collective Jazz Jamaica. None other than Time Out’s reigning Londoner of the Year, DJ AG, kicking off proceedings, and visitors can also take part in a host of family-friendly activities, with outdoor bars and

A long brown hair in your spaghetti, a plate of pink, undercooked chicken, a smear of old encrusted sauce on the table – the thought of low hygiene standards at a restaurant is enough to make a person retch. And in some unfortunate news for the foodies of London, its been revealed that eateries in the capital have the worst food hygiene ratings in the whole UK. High Speed Training (HST) is one of the UK’s biggest providers of food hygiene courses, so it knows its stuff. Every year it crunches Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for more than 240,000 food business (restaurants, canteens, takeaways, bars, pubs, hotels, etc.) across the UK to rank each region based on their level of food hygiene.  Before you spit out your food, London’s food hygiene score isn’t actually that bad. Although it does sit at the bottom of the pack, its average food hygiene score is 4.38 out of five, which means that the hygiene at most of our eateries sits between ‘good’ and ‘very good’. The rating takes into account the handling of food, how food is stored, how it’s prepared, the cleanliness of the facilities and how food safety is managed. When we break it down by borough, Kensington and Chelsea is the most hygienic place in the city with an average rating of 4.79. London’s lowest rating went to Waltham Forest, with an average of 3.89 out of five. To Waltham’s credit, that is an ever-so-slight improvement on last year’s score of 3.74.  Of the city’s 36,383 premises, 149 were slapped with a big fat zer

This year has been a whopper for sports events in London. We’ve already hosted the annual classics like Wimbledon and the record-breaking London Marathon, but there’s still the Women’s Rugby World Cup, NFL matches and Grand Sumo Tournament (the only professional sumo wrestling competition outside of Japan) to come. Add to that Euro 2028, the Women’s World Cup 2035 and ambitions to host the Superbowl, Olympics, World Athletics Championship and WrestleMania, it’s little wonder the Big Smoke has officially been named the best sporting city in the world.  Now, the America’s number one basketball league is getting in on the action. In 2026, the NBA (National Basketball Association) London Game is making a comeback. The NBA game was an annual fixture at the O2 Arena for eight years, but it went on hiatus back in 2019. So, this will be the first NBA match to take place in the UK since the Washington Wizards faced the New York Knicks at the venue six years ago. The league has also confirmed that it’ll be holding its first ever regular season game in Manchester in 2027.  Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: ‘London is now the undisputed sporting capital of the world and the NBA coming to The O2 in January 2026 will further cement our global status.’ Want to know more? We’ve got all the info you need ahead of the NBA’s return to London.  When is the NBA coming to London?  The National Basketball Association is coming back to London on Sunday, January 18 2026.  Which NBA teams are coming t

Ready for the weekend? Of course you are. Payday has landed, the sun is set to make its return, and as ever London will be bursting with things to do. Oasis’s ongoing reunion gigs are the major thing happening over the next few days. But if you’re not one of the tens of thousands of people to have nabbed tickets, there’s loads of other great stuff to fill your diary with, like BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, a ton of really cool art exhibitions and loads of outstanding new theatre shows.  Whatever you’re getting up to this weekend, it’s likely that you’ll have to use public transport to get there. So, to help you get around without a hitch, here are all the planned closures and disruptions happening across London for the first weekend of August.  RECOMMENDED: All the best things to do in London this weekend Getting to Oasis at Wembley Stadium  Good news! There will be no major closures or planned disruption on any of the Tube and train lines that serve Wembley Stadium when Oasis are back on August 2 and 3. Find our full guide to getting the tube or trains (or cars, buses or coaches) to Wembley here. Full list of London tube and train disruption August 1-3 District line From Saturday to Sunday, you won’t be able to get the District line from Turnham Green to Ealing Broadway.   Piccadilly line All day Saturday (from 6am) and all day Sunday, there won’t be any Piccadilly line trains between Kings Cross St Pancras and Osterley / Uxbridge. TfL says you can use the Metropolitan

Few things beat a sea view. There’s just something about seeing that endless blanket of deep blue and hearing the lapping waves that just calms the senses. It’s no surprise that coastal vistas are one of the top things people look for when they’re booking their next trip away. And, being the tiny island it is, the UK is packed with them. But where can you find the most beautiful British sea views of them all? Holiday park company Haven joined forces with OnePoll.com to quiz 2,000 Brits on their favourite sea views in the UK. From that data, it concluded that the finest seaside views in the UK belong to St Ives in Cornwall.  You can soak up sea views from almost anywhere in the Cornish town, but you’ll find the it’s best vantage points on its gorgeous surrounding bays. There’s Porthmeor Beach, a favourite among local surfers, Porthminster Beach which offers views towards Godrevy Lighthouse, and Porthgwidden Beach, a smaller cove facing the English Channel. And if you want to stay somewhere in St Ives with postcard worthy panoramas, find it on our lists of Cornwall’s best hotels and best Airbnbs.  Photograph: Shutterstock There’s far more than just views in St Ives, though. It’s home to the Tate gallery’s western outpost, Barbara Hepworth’s house and sculpture garden and the Porthminster Gallery, plus a host of great watering holes, like the Sloop Inn and The Castle Inn.  Eight out of 10 respondents in Haven’s study said that accommodation with a sea view is important to them

Like to spend your time pondering the meaning of life? Love debating the existence of free will? Can’t stop thinking about whether morality really is objective? Sounds like a philosophy degree would be right up your street. And if you want the best philosophical education that the UK has to offer, Complete University Guide (CUG) has the answer.  Last month, the guide published its 2026 edition, ranking British universities based on stuff like entry requirements, student satisfaction, graduate prospects and research quality. Cambridge and Oxford earned the top two spots when it came to which universities are the best all-round, but the guide also ranked unis based on specific subjects.  While London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) came third in the overall ranking, it was awarded first place for philosophy. CUG gave LSE a perfect overall score of 100 for its philosophy department, with an entry standards score of 86, a student satisfaction score of 78 and a graduate prospects score of 100.  If you were to enrol onto LSE’s undergrad philosophy course, you could be studying things like animal ethics, the philosophy of language, how we can control AI or whether time travel is really possible. You’d need to get at least AAA in your A-Levels for a place.  For back-up options in the capital, the University College of London and King’s College London also ranked highly for their philosophy courses, sitting in fourth and tenth place respectively.  The Complete Universi

Cocktails are a fine art – temperatures have to be just right, ice cubes must be the perfect size and don’t you dare shake something that should be stirred. But, of course, rules are there to be broken, and bars all over the world are constantly playing with the rules of mixology. Now, one bar in Scotland has been recognised for creating the best, most innovative drinks menu on the planet. The cocktail menu at Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons was named the best in the world at the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s 2025 Spirited Awards on Tuesday, July 25 and won top prize for best international bar team.  The speakeasy-style bar is known for its wildly inventive approach to cocktails. Its mixologists gather like mad scientists into a basement dubbed the ‘Brain Melting Society’ to experiment with creating new flavours and textures at sub-zero temperatures. Owner Iain McPherson (who also won best international bar mentor at this year’s Spirited Awards) even enrolled onto a Science of Ice Cream course at the University of Reading and the Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna to get clued up on the art of freezing.  The result is its ‘Transcend’ menu, split into four chapters based on funky sub-zero techniques: sous pression, switching, freeze drying and cryo concentration. You’ll have to go to the bar itself to discover exactly what concoctions it has created.  Photograph: Panda & Sons Thanks to all that innovation, Panda & Sons is no stranger to accolades. It’s a regular on the pr

Run out of summer holiday stuff to do already? Look no further. Each and every year, TripAdvisor digs into thousands of reviews left on its site and reveals the world’s top-rated attractions and experiences in its Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do. The awards are split into categories, like the best food and drink experiences, the best bucket-list experiences and the best nature excursions. And there was one category in which a UK-based experience was named the very best on the planet.  Gather your brood and head up north for TripAdvisor’s best family-friendly experience in the world for 2025: The Wizard Walk of York.  The Wizard Walk is just over an hour-long tour of York created specifically for kids, led by an eccentric magician. It promises comedy, close-up magic, and a ‘search for mythical creatures at interesting locations’. The experience sets off from York’s historic Shambles, taking the group by Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma Gate (York’s shortest street), then down to the York Sweet Shop, past York Minster, by Bedern Hall, then looping back to where it started.  One recent TripAdvisor review of the experience says that ‘the jokes are so bad they are funny, the magic is excellent, and the non-stop banter is amazing’. One person called it ‘a perfect blend of fun and silliness to appeal to all ages’ and another said that the ‘hilarious magician’ had kids of all ages ‘captivated’. Out of 761 reviews, 737 have given the Wizard Walk five out of five bubbles (TripA

Somewhere like the UK, which has a reputation for being overwhelmingly dull and grey, a little bit of colour goes a long way. There’s something about rainbow pastel-painted houses, neon street murals, dazzling azure waters and rich green grass that just helps to add a little spring to your step. Despite the aforementioned reputation, there are countless places across the country that put on a colourful show. And there’s a new study to prove it.  Berlew, a creative studio based in Nottingham, has analysed hundreds of cityscape photographs to figure out the UK’s most ‘colour-rich’ destinations. How exactly does it do that? First, it put pictures of each place through ‘computer vision technology’ to identify its five most dominant colours and created a colour palette for each one. Then each palette was judged on its chromatic diversity (the variety and range of hues) and the vibrancy intensity. The wider the spectrum of bold and vivid colours, the higher the score.   After all that, Bristol claimed the title of Britain’s most colourful city. Berlew said that it took the top spot thanks to ‘its vibrant murals, rainbow-hued harbourside houses, and street art everywhere you look’. It found hues of lime green, oranges, hot pinks, royal blues and more dotted across its skyline.  The most famous and Instagrammable of Bristol’s colourful neighbourhoods is Cliftonwood. That’s where you’ll find the row of rainbow terraced houses overlooking the harbour. Nobody really knows for sure when

Cycling through London can be a terrifying prospect. You’ve got to share the road with huge double deckers, swerve distracted pedestrians and navigate your way around some perilous junctions – to the uninitiated, it doesn’t sound at all appealing. But if you’ve ever thought about swapping public transport for a bike on your morning commute, there are few better, safer places to do it than the capital (honestly!). And there’s one particular part of the capital that has just been named one of the best places for cyclists in the world. The People for Bikes City Rating ranks places across the world based on ‘how well the bike network in a given area connects people to the places they want to go’. It considers each area’s number of protected bike lanes, the off-street paths, slow road speeds and safe crossings to give it an overall score out of 100.   Hackney ranked 29th in the world with an overall score of 83. It was named the second best place for bikes in the whole of the UK, just beneath Cambridge, and earned most of its points for its safe bike access to major shopping centres and to recreational amenities like parks and trails.  Hackney has put a lot of effort into becoming a bike friendly borough. Its ‘cycle permeability programme’ sets out to make streets even safer and more accessible for cyclists and to encourage people to hop on their bike instead of their cars or public transport. Hackney Council says that it has the highest number of people cycling to work out of all

The Lionesses have made history once again after defending their Euros title in an electric, excruciating, edge-of-your seat final on Sunday. Sarina Wiegman’s team defied the odds in Basel’s St. Jakob-Park, beating bookies’ favourites Spain in a penalty shootout. Now, they’re the only England team to have won back-to-back titles and first senior England football team to have a major trophy on foreign soil. All that’s left now is for the trophy to come home. HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/ww3aASwPzC — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025   A huge parade and ceremony has been lined up to welcome the girls back after their second spectacular Euros victory. Here’s all the key info you need ahead of the Lioness’s victory parade back in London.  When is the Lioness’s trophy parade?  The Lionesses will cruise through central London on an open-top bus on Tuesday, July 29, starting at 12.10pm. Then, there’ll be a ceremony at around 12.30, hosted by former Lioness Alex Scott.  Where is it?  The bus will cruise from the north-east end of the Mall towards Buckingham Palace, before stopping for the ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial.  Best places to watch the Lioness trophy parade If you want to celebrate the back-to-back Euros champions in person, situate yourself somewhere along the Mall.  The FA warns that it’ll get very, very crowded, so arrive nice and early to ensure you get a good spot.  In a statement announcing the parade, the FA said: ‘Further details on the homecomin

For most of us, a dip in the lido is reserved for only the most sweltering summer days. But there are people out there who enjoy diving into cold waters year-round, no matter the weather. And we’ve got some good news for those brave folk – one of the UK’s oldest lidos (which right now is only open from May to September) could soon be open year-round. Guildford Lido, which recently got a fresh new look, is coming under new management. The lido’s current contract, which also oversees management and delivery of Guildford Spectrum and Ash Manor sports Centre expires on October 31 this year. So, Guildford Council has been busy trying to secure a new operator ready for November 1.  Bidders were invited to outline how they would invest in the venue and the council enlisted the help of internal specialists and external industry experts to judge each one based on transparency, value for money and whether they would continue to offer high-quality leisure services. It said that ‘following a thorough commercial and technical evaluation, Freedom Leisure scored the highest total score and has therefore emerged as the preferred bidder’. Freedom Leisure, which already runs more than 130 sites across the UK, has proposed £9.98m worth of investment if it was to secure the contract for all three venues. It wants to introduce a new reformer pilates and yoga studio to replace the lido’s existing gym, install a sauna cabin and therapy dip pools and set up floodlights that’ll keep the lido lit for