Eloise Feilden

There’s a heck of a lot to get excited about in Britain over the next 12 months or so. Between now and 2027 Brits will gobble down platefuls of new restaurants’ grub, slurp tasty bevs in fresh bars, get cultural fixes at museum exhibitions, spectate at globally-renowned sport events and even witness moments of proper historic importance. In 2026 the UK will see the return of the Bayeux Tapestry (not seen on these isles in 900 years) and the completion of the nation-spanning King Charles III Coastal Path. Among the likes of new music festivals and theme parks will be the world’s biggest Irish cultural event, the premiere of one of this century’s most highly anticipated stage musicals and centenery celebrations for a globally-loved children’s character.  And that’s just the stuff that’s planned – who knows what else will define the year? Without further ado, here are the 16 best new things to do in the UK in 2026, chosen by Time Out editors and contributors. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026.🏛️ The 26 best new things to do in London in 2026.🌍 The best new things to do in the world in 2026.

It was with a heavy heart that we reported on the closure of Dreamland Margate’s Scenic Railway a couple of weeks ago. After more than 100 years, the ride’s operator waved goodbye to the Scenic Railway, saying the nation’s oldest ride would ‘take well-earned retirement’. Dreamland’s Scenic Railway was the oldest ride of its kind in Britain – but it wasn’t the only scenic coaster in the UK. There remains one surviving ride, one of only seven similar attractions in the entire world. Thrill seekers far and wide can head to Great Yarmouth for their scenic coaster fix. The Norfolk town’s 98-year-old coaster is still standing, and so has naturally now taken up the mantle of the oldest scenic ride in Britain. In fact, it’s now the UK’s last remaining scenic railway – that is, a ride designed to give a view of picturesque landscapes. Built in 1928, Great Yarmouth’s Roller Coaster began life in Paris before being shipped to Norfolk and opening to the public in 1932. The attraction is also unique in that it’s the only one of its kind to be controlled manually by a seated operator using a lever. And unlike Margate’s Scenic Railway, the future of Great Yarmouth’s attraction is safe – at least for now. Albert Jones, who manages the ride, has assured people that the rollercoaster isn’t heading in the same direction as Dreamland’s retired ride. Jones told BBC News: ‘It’s disappointing that unfortunately another coaster is closing... we’re the only one that will be left running using a brake

Smashed or fatty patty? Brioche bun? What kind of cheese? There are so many variables that make up the ultimate hamburger – each as subjective as the rest. If you’re on the hunt for a bona fide award-winning burger, however, luckily you won’t have to wait long. This year’s National Burger Awards final will take place on March 24. In a heated competition assessing grilling skills and wits, 16 chefs will battle it out to have their burger crowned the best in Britain. And, excitingly, four of those esteemed finalists are from London.  So, who’s in with a shout of being crowned 2026’s burger champ? First up is Bleecker’s Bacon Double, with the Soho-based burger joint in with a chance at glory for a third time. Its Bacon Double Cheeseburger was crowned National Burger of the Year in 2024, and the London chain already had a first win under its belt from back in 2020. Next up from the capital is Burger & Beyond, a competition debutant. The food truck-turned-restaurant has three locations in Soho, Borough Yards and Shoreditch, plus delivery in Manchester, and its Bacon Butter Burger will be put to the test in March. Dover St Counter is the second newcomer on the docket. Dubbed ‘like McDonald’s for oligarchs’ by our very own restaurant critic, this joint is the not-so-little sister of Mayfair’s New York-style Italian restaurant The Dover. Its Cheeseburger – which helped secure it a spot on Time Out’s best new restaurants list – is up the top burger gong. Last but not least, SoBe Burge

It’s that time of year again. The Michelin Guide has crowned the latest set of British restaurants to be adorned with its coveted star ratings for 2026.  Monday (February 9) night saw the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland dish out its latest awards at a ceremony in Dublin. A total of 20 eateries joined the list this year with their first star, while a duo were welcomed into the ranks of two-Michelin-starred kitchens. No new establishments received three stars, though the 10 three-star restaurants retained their status. In all, now 230 restaurants have stars, with 28 two-starred restaurants and 192 with a single star. So who made the cut this year? Well, unsurprisingly, as is the case in most years, London’s culinary scene was the darling of Michelin’s anonymous inspectors in 2026. There are 10 newly anointed London restaurants, which we’ve already detailed in full on Time Out London here. Joining those in the Big Smoke are two Scottish venues, which both gained their first star. Vraic, a restaurant in Guernsey – technically not part of the UK, but a self-governing British Crown Dependency – was also included in the list, and became the only Michelin-starred establishment on the island and its first in more than 10 years. The rest of the newcomers to Michelin’s list of starred restaurants are all on English soil, spanning from a self-professed ‘rock and roll fine dining’ experience in Birmingham (The Wilderness) to the first starred restaurant in Brighton and Hove for n

Need to book a holiday to get you through this dreary London winter? Here’s just the thing: British Airways has announced a new direct route from London to a premier Italian beach destination for this summer. The capital is getting a new service to the seaside city of Olbia in Sardinia. Olbia, for those not in-the-know, is best known as a beach paradise with white sands and the glittering Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s a gateway to Sardinia, offering easy access to the island’s many resorts, and about a half-hour drive from the majestic Costa Smeralda.  BA’s new service will run twice a week, connecting Olbia with London Stansted. Launching on May 23 – just in time for spring half term – and lasting until September 27, one-way fares will start from £127. The two-and-a-half-hour flights will operate on Saturdays and Sundays.  Photograph: Shutterstock The Stansted service is the latest addition to BA’s range of options for flying from London to the historic Sardinian city. The UK’s national carrier already runs flights to Olbia from City and Heathrow airports. Flights from City to Olbia will also increase to up to five times per week during the summer. Booking an Olbia trip? Here’s Time Out’s guide to the best hotels in Sardinia. Find out more about BA’s new service on the airline’s website here. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out

You must’ve been living under a rock if you didn't notice how big 2025 was for women’s sports. Footy fans crammed into their local boozers like sardines to watch the Lionesses defend their Euros title in an electric, excruciating, edge-of-your-seat final. Then in September pints went flying once again as crowds returned to cheer England’s Red Roses to glory. Demand for women’s sport has seen a meteoric rise in recent years. A record 357 million hours of sport was watched by the female population in the first nine months of last year, according to the Women’s Sport Trust Visibility Report. That’s more than ever before. But with many women’s events still stuck behind paywalls or simply not shown in public spaces, the UK has been lacking the perfect place to catch every match. That is, until now.  Seaside venue Crossbar Brighton, opening on February 6, reimagines the classic sports bar to put women’s teams in the spotlight. Founded by duo Lucy and Pippa Tallant, the Brighton venue will show football fixtures, rugby games, cricket matches and more across three rooms and eight screens, prioritising women’s sport but welcoming everyone to get involved. Athletic appreciation isn’t just reserved for evenings, either. Crossbar Brighton will open bright and early from 9am each morning, operating as a daytime coffee shop and workspace before the screens switch on the sports coverage in the pm. As for drinks, well, it wouldn’t be a sports bar without a selection of draught beers on tap.

In heartbreaking news for Britain’s adrenaline junkies, one of the nation’s most storied rollercoasters has shut. The legendary Scenic Railway, of Margate’s Dreamland, appears to have pleased its last thrill-seekers. The ride’s operator waved goodbye to the Scenic Railway in an announcement on Tuesday (January 27), saying the nation’s oldest ride would ‘take well-earned retirement’. The Kentish attraction had been in operation for more than a century, having opened in 1920. The ’coaster lived through a World War and survived accidental fires in 1949 and 1957, plus an arson attack (yes, really) in 2008. A restoration of the Grade II* listed rollercoaster was completed as recently as 2015 during a wider £18 million revamp of Dreamland, which had been closed for a decade prior. However, a fault discovered in 2024 has left the big dipper out of action for over a year, apparently leading to a decision to shut it down permanently. A statement from the seaside amusement park said that ‘after 100+ years, the ride has come to the end of its current life’, despite an ‘extensive process of consultations and inspections’. Photograph: Shutterstock Not everyone has taken the news well. Local councilor Helen Whitehead has written an urgent appeal to the culture secretary to save the ride, stressing the Scenic Railway’s ‘international importance’. So is there still hope for the old girl yet? Well, Dreamland is planning a pop-up exhibition on the ride’s history later this year and wants to

Since Earl’s Court’s Mosaic Rooms closed at the end of 2024, London has been without one of its finest specialised art museums. The gallery, which celebrates Arabic culture from Morocco to Syria, shut for a major refurb.  But as of February, London’s Arabic art devotees will be able to breathe a sigh of relief. The non-profit space has announced a date for its reopening. Even better, its refurb is looking very swish indeed. When the Mosaic Rooms reopens on February 18, the space will boast a new entry hall, refreshed galleries and an upgraded bookshop.  So what exhibitions can we look forward to post-refresh? Walking through the garden into Mosaic Rooms’ new entry hall, you’ll be immersed into ‘Four Moons From Home', a permanent site-specific work by Palestinian architect, visual artist and academic Dima Srouji. Expect immense stained-glass windows carved in Jerusalem stone by artisans in Bethlehem. And that’s not all. The serious facelift has led to the creation of a new creative learning space called the Play Room and an upstairs room named The Salon for screenings and gatherings. The gallery’s distinctive tower has been transformed into a space for experimental broadcasts. Film fans can also revel in the gallery’s next phase, which will host the UK’s first ever public solo exhibition by artist Bouchra Khalili. Titled ‘Circles and Storytelling’, its three films dig into the legacy of 1970s activist collective the Movement of Arab Workers and its theatre groups, led by undoc

The saying ‘Glasgow made the Clyde and the Clyde made Glasgow’ shows you just how important the river is to local Scots. But however much Glaswegians cherish its waters, you won’t find them swimming in its murky depths. Dark, dirty and, thanks to heavy metals and pollution, often dangerous, the Clyde is no place for wild swimming aficionados and their snuggly dryrobes and Wim Hof-method breathing. But that could all change thanks to a new campaign. In recent years, urban bathing has exploded in popularity across the UK. Just last week, plans were unveiled to transform a gasworks in south London into an outdoor pool, while Liverpudlians have been splashing about in the city’s Princes Dock for a few years now. It’s not just a British thing, either: Paris made the Seine swimmable in time for the 2024 Olympics, while Rome hopes to welcome swimmers back to the River Tiber within five years. Could the same happen to Glasgow’s iconic Clyde? A group of locals hopes so, having launched a campaign to clean up the waterway – with their wet suits at the ready. As first reported by Glasgow Bell last week, Jude Barber, one of the campaigners, has helped set up a round table in February to explore plans to make Glasgow a swimmable city. Barber has teamed up with author Louise Welch to explore how Glasgow can be added to the ranks of cities that have cleaned up their waterways and turned them into urban swimming spots. Photograph: Ungvari Attila / Shutterstock.com But don’t get ahead of yo

If you want to feast your eyes on the world’s most iconic masterpieces in London, next month you won’t have to trek all the way into central to do so. Croydon will become one of the city’s hottest arty hubs thanks to a new show of National Gallery masterpieces. Paintings including Van Gogh’s legendary painting ‘Sunflowers’ and works by Michelangelo, Monet, Picasso and Renoir will be scattered throughout the south London town next month as part of the National Gallery’s free ‘Art on Your Doorstep’ programme. Before you get too excited (or worried about these paintings being exposed to the elements), no, the real masterpieces aren’t being shown in Croydon. The artworks are life-sized reproductions – though they’ll still be very much worth a look. ‘The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep’ is a programme aiming to bring life-sized reproductions of 30 world-famous paintings to neighbourhoods across the UK. The project has already been to Stoke and will also come to 10 other UK locations between now and 2027. Croydon is the first London borough on the docket. The exhibition will debut on February 3 and run all the way until July 5. Photograph: The National Gallery Photographic Department So, where exactly can you search out these iconic pieces of art in Croydon? They’ll be dotted around town centre locations including The Queen’s Gardens, Croydon Minster, Whitgift Shopping Centre and Park Hill Park. The National Gallery is also installing artworks in Coulsdon, New Addington, P

Wanting to jet off to the big ol’ US of A but been struggling to raise the funds? We come bearing good news. That US road trip you’ve been planning could soon be cheaper (at least to get to), as Wizz Air has applied to operate between the UK and the US ‘as soon as possible’. The low-cost airline submitted an application to the US Department of Transportation last Friday (January 23), which would allow its UK subsidiary to offer transatlantic flights for the first time. Wizz’s current destinations include over 800 places across Europe, the Middle East and parts of North Africa. Journeys to the Western Hemisphere would be a first for the Hungarian airline, potentially putting stuff like the Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Rushmore within cheaper reach. Photograph: Shutterstock To the Americanophiles out there (or Ameriboos, depending on who you ask), if you’re reading this and thinking ‘I’m down, how do I book?’ you may have to hang on a little longer. Wizz Air’s application doesn’t name specific routes, launch dates or aircraft types.  Of course, there are plenty of other airlines that already fly direct to the States – and some aren’t even that expensive. JetBlue and Norse Atlantic currently offer cheap-ish travel from the UK to the US, the latter serving both New York and Orlando with return tickets priced at an impressively low £300.  In other words, the transatlantic affordable flight market has plenty of space for competition – and is primed for a new se

Norway’s glacial fjords, snowy ski slopes and breathtaking northern lights may soon get just that bit easier for Brits to access. A new direct ferry route has been proposed for between the UK and the Scandinavian country.  Newcastle City Council has said it will look into reinstating the ferry service running between Newcastle and Bergen. Nothing is confirmed yet, with local officials still needing to find an operator for the potential voyage.  Two decades ago, travelling from Tyneside to the Scandi city meant a simple boat journey across the North Sea. But operator DFDS closed the route in September 2008, chalking the decision up to rising oil prices. After that, the quickest way to travel between the two cities has been by plane, via a stop in Amsterdam.  Last year Jet2 launched a direct flight from Newcastle to Bergen, taking a brisk 1 hour and 25 minutes, but there are several reasons why you might prefer sea travel to the air. For one, ferry travel is usually much more environmentally friendly than flying.  The new ferry route plans were suggested by Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour, who said in a meeting on January 21 that she would ‘love to see the return of the ferry’ and would ‘continue to work with partners and our friends in Bergen to explore all ways of bringing it back’. So, why does Newcastle specifically want a ferry connection to Bergen? Well, the Toon has a longstanding relationship with the Scandi city which dates all the way back to World War II,

Great news for the City slickers with a taste for posh nosh (we know there’s loads of you out there): Leadenhall, one of London’s oldest markets, has revealed ambitious plans to up its food game. Leadenhall is one of the City of London’s most iconic landmarks. Dating back to 1321, the place was originally a trading hub for meat. Today’s red and gold market buildings – decked out with dragons, shields and sacks of money carved into the stone entrance ways – date back to 1881. And yes, it was where they filmed Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The blood and guts of the OG Leadenhall Market are long gone: these days it’s a beautiful indoor shopping space home to weekday stallholders offering jewellery, arty gifts and a variety of tasty lunch options to nearby office workers and tourists. But soon Leadenhall’s foodie game is going to level up big time. The market’s operator, the City of London Corporation, has announced plans to make Leadenhall the ultimate foodie destination, with more restaurants, premium wine bars and popular lunchtime brands. Photograph: Shutterstock Details of the plans will be announced soon, but changes are set to mean longer opening hours and more options for people visiting on weekends. The idea is that the market will no longer be just a pit stop for corporate workers to grab a bite to eat on their lunch break.  The plans are all part of the local authority’s ‘Destination City’ programme, designed to turn the Square Mile into a