Danielle Jones

Hastings spent an alarmingly long time getting overshadowed by some of the biggest names in the seaside town industry – but enough is enough. Luckily for Hastings (but unluckily for those of us who wanted to keep it a secret), people have now caught on to why this hilly old place is so worth visiting, and a cultural explosion (partly due to an exodus from London’s art scene) has followed. Despite its newfound trendiness, Hastings’ heart remains very much the same. Famed for the Norman Conquest of 1066 (and the subsequent Hastings Direct advert), the seaside town is full of history. Here you’ll find vintage shops dotted throughout the city centre, an old pirate town, and the rather brilliant Hastings Contemporary gallery, as well as some of the finest Art Deco architecture around. 🚆The best day trips from London Just along the coast, Hastings' little sister, St Leonards has emerged as a creative hub in its own right, with galleries, independent coffee shops and grand Regency buildings aplenty. It is the perfect place for a laid-back wander, a pint in a pub full of local artists, or a browse through antique treasure troves. Here are the best things to do in Hastings and St Leonards right now. RECOMMENDED:📚The best things to do in Rye🏖️The best seaside towns in the UK☀️The best beaches in the UK

They say opposites attract, and Norwich is solid evidence for that argument – it’s where the ancient times meet modern day, after all. But though some of the city’s most popular attractions are pretty darn old (the Cathedral has been welcoming worshippers for almost 900 years), it’s far from a drab and dusty place.  Norfolk’s capital is a compact, teeming little city which, in some spots, feels more like a village. However, there’s no shortage of cosy pubs, creative and sleek cocktail bars and some really cracking brunch, lunch and dinner spots, as well as copious second-hand shops, all alongside Norwich’s big-ticket landmarks. Read on for the best things to do. RECOMMENDED:🧙 The most mystical places in the UK🏰 The best castles in the UK🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK📷The best things to do in the UK ✈️ The best weekend breaks from London 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.

From my home in the seaside town of Deal it is eighteen miles to Canterbury, and I’m lured there often by my love of its tangible history and show-stopping 11th century cathedral, ever the marvel no matter how many times you’ve stepped through the magnificent Christ Church Gate. But this isn’t a city stuck in the past. Canterbury University students keep the café and pub scene on its toes, and brilliant new restaurants are opening all the time. So here are its best things to do; from cutesy tea-rooms and classy cocktail bars to wondering through the living museum of its Medieval back streets. –Kate Wickers RECOMMENDED:🎡 The best things to do in Margate🐟 The best things to do in Whitstable🍃 The best things to do in Kent🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK Kate Wickers is a writer based in Deal, Kent. 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.

Peterborough often gets overlooked in favour of Cambridgeshire’s capital, but the best things to do in Peterborough prove that this city in England is on the up and up. Peterborough is full of green open spaces, giving it a countryside feel but with all of the mod-cons of a city. In fact, it’s vying to become the UK’s Environment Capital. If you’re looking for a few things to do while in town, why not check out our list of recommended hotspots? Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

If you’re looking for a coastal retreat that’s a little more off the beaten track than other locations, then you might want to take a look at our list of best things to do in Weymouth, on the Dorset coast? This spot’s full of unspoilt beauty and yet is filled with enough places to eat, drink and shop to keep things interesting on rainy days. Whether you want to lounge on the beach, ice cream in hand, or would rather be discovering the area’s cultural side, here’s how to have the perfect Weymouth experience. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

This East Midlands city was home to both the Romans and the Viking in the past, and that shows across the various things to do in Lincoln. Nowadays, the town is filled with fascinating architecture, mouth-watering restaurants and enough eccentricity to satisfy the most adventurous of travellers. Step out of the station and you’ll feel a home-away-from-home vibe, utterly charmed by the friendly inhabitants of the city. Divided into Uphill and Downhill, plus a smattering of mini-districts, take a ramble to find some of our top spots in the city. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.