Lucy Lovell

It won’t shock you to learn that we’re obsessed with the city, but even the biggest townies among us need to press pause on the endless bustle and noise occasionally – and that’s where the glorious British countryside comes in.  Up and down the UK, there are magnificent hideaways tucked next to our rivers, amongst our woodland and even up our trees, offering you panoramic greenery and the perfect excuse to actually, properly log off for a while. So whether you’re after a scenic hangout for a pals weekend or a romantic mini break, these log cabins, treehouses, shacks and eco-friendly huts have got you covered. RECOMMENDED:🍃The most beautiful national parks in the UK🌤️The best places to visit in the UK🏄The best extreme outdoor activity breaks in the UK🏰The most amazing UK castles that you can actually stay in 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.

London can be a pretty thrilling place to live – sometimes you spot a minor celebrity in the Tesco Metro near work, for example. Other times you make it onto the last tube home with mere seconds to spare. If that isn’t enough adrenaline for you, though, look no further than our guide to the best theme parks in and around the city. At some of them, you’ll find the nation’s most scream-inducing rollercoasters. At others, you’ll get something a bit more gentle and suitable for little ones. Anyone for a go on the teacups at Peppa Pig World? And if you’re still in the mood for more heartbeat-raising activities, read our list of the best extreme London fitness classes or try these outdoor pursuits that’ll really get your blood pumping. Still not enough to satisfy your daring side? Check out the most splashtastic water parks in and around London and the UK's best theme parks and discover more of the nation's best rides.  This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

There’s nothing more romantic than a scenic train journey – and the Caledonian Sleeper is one of the best. The overnight service whisks sleeping travellers from London to Scotland, where they wake up to lochs and mountains whizzing past the windows. Inspired to ride the rails? Set your sights on the pretty Victorian seaside town of Oban. Known as the gateway to the Outer Hebrides, it’s a totally charming destination in itself. RECOMMENDED: Discover Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness

People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared… RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now🌎 The best things to do in the

Dust off your suitcase, set up your out-of-office, and find those swimming trunks shoved in the back of the wardrobe... there is nothing better than a well-deserved break right on home soil. Yeah, you could fly to some tropical paradise or European city, but the UK has some incredible hidden gems worthy of a staycation.  We're all about celebrating the bits that make the UK great: diverse climates, lush environments, gorgeous coastlines, and good ol' pub grub. With a wealth of countryside, forests and secluded sandy beaches, there are endless opportunities to explore the country. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best Airbnbs in the UK for you to look at. Cuppa, anyone? RECOMMENDED:💕 The best romantic weekend getaways in the UK🪵 Amazing cabins and cottages in the UK🧘 The best wellbeing breaks and yoga retreats in the UK RECOMMENDATIONS BY LOCATION:Airbnbs in ManchesterAirbnbs in CornwallAirbnbs in WhitstableAirbnbs in DevonAirbnbs in LondonAirbnbs in EdinburghAirbnbs in Cardiff This guide was written and edited by travel writers and UK-based destination experts. 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. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information,

  Camping is glorious, and with all its plush fields, glorious scenery, and brilliant pubs, the UK is primed for some excellent spots to do it. Throughout the country you’ll come across everything from pretty beaches to fairytale forests, and chances are there’s a charming place you can pitch up nearby. From Devon and Cornwall to the Isle of Mull and Gower Peninsula, below we’ve rounded-up the country’s finest places to sleep under the stars.  Can you legally wild camp anywhere in the UK? In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, wild camping without the landowner’s permission is technically illegal. However, it’s not prohibited in Scotland thanks to the nation’s ‘right to roam’ law which means you can, in theory, pitch up wherever you like – even in the country’s lovely national parks. Read more about it in our wild camping guide, and read on for the best campsites in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🏕️The best campervan-friendly campsites in the UK🏩The best glamping sites in the UK🍃The best road trips in the UK🏞️The most beautiful national parks in the UK🏊The best best wild swimming spots in the UK Ed Cunningham is the News Editor for Time Out UK. 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.

As brilliant as London is, the closest you’ll get on the streets to a wild encounter is dodging an urban fox or a rogue pigeon. If you want to see some really majestic – and wild – creatures, then, you’ll need to book a ticket to the zoo. Fortunately, there are several gems in and around the city, from ZSL London, the world’s oldest scientific zoo, to the epic 60-acre park in Whipsnade. These animal-housing venues aren’t just chances for us to goggle at lions and tigers, though. They also aim to promote the conservation of the animals they look after and many of them raise funds for projects that aim to help repopulate species in their natural habitats. So whether you’re entertaining kids or looking to learn about nature, you should plan a trip to one of these zoos and take a walk on the wild side. RECOMMENDED: 50 best things to do in London with kids 

London might be filled with a tonne of pretty parks, flower-filled gardens and walks, but sometimes you just can't beat getting out the city for some much needed fresh air. Luckily, there are some stunning places to enjoy nature near London to choose from. So many, in fact, that it can be tricky to decide where to go. That’s where Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (or, as they're currently being rebranded, National Landscapes) come in. These verdant areas are given special conservation laws to limit development and preserve their natural beauty. In other words they’re quiet, pretty, and perfect places to take a hike. There are 46 AONBs across Britain, and a handful of these are within just a few hours journey of the capital. Take a look through our list of places to enjoy nature near London and start planning your great escape. Put that gorpcore to good use! RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from London

Modern life can be a little overwhelming and leave you feeling like you need to find some direction. Everyone has their own method of doing this – whether it’s heading to a yoga studio to stretch themselves into a zen zone or getting out of the city for a mind-clearing day trip. Other people look to the spirit world for guidance, consulting mediums and tarot readers to help them sort through the confusing clutter of their lives. Crystals and consulting your spirit guides is very much back in vogue right now and you’ll find plenty of spots across London where you can get your own personal reading down. Some places will even teach you how to read the cards yourself, so you won’t have to wait for appointments to find some clarity once you’ve mastered the art. Here are our picks of where to get your tarot read in the capital. RECOMMENDED: Get witchy at these magickal London spots

Hidden cosily inside the final meanders of the River Camel, Padstow is one of Cornwall’s loveliest little villages. From its famous walking trails, charming beaches, lobsters and even witchcraft (yes, that’s right), this postcard-worthy spot has got a whole lot that makes it well worth visiting.  Okay, it might be impossible to escape the various outlets of celebrity chef Rick Stein’s empire, but why would you want to? That guy sure knows what he’s doing when it comes to food (and the steak pasty is to die for). So, here’s a roundup of our favourite things to do in Padstow – Stein and no Stein – but make sure you come hungry. RECOMMENDED:🌤️The best places to visit in Cornwall🦐The best restaurants in Cornwall🎭The best things to do in Cornwall🌊The best beaches in Cornwall At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

London is a stressful city at the best of times, but going away for a few days to recharge isn’t always possible. However, you can get a quick fix of relaxation with a trip to one of London’s best day spas. Dissolve into a hot tub or heated pool, feel your muscles release as you succumb to the heat of a sauna or steam room and let a professional massage your cares away. The places on our list of London’s best day spas range from the ultra-affordable to the super-luxurious, and includes tried-and-tested favourites from several of our editors (they’re a perennially stressed out bunch with some of the worst postures you’ve ever seen, so trust us when we say they’re the perfect guinea pigs for trying out some steam rooms and massages). Ready to step out of your daily life for a few hours. Here are fourteen of our favourite paradises for pampering, right here in London. Aaaaaaah. Recommended: the best spas in LondonRecommended: the best hotels in LondonRecommended: the best Airbnbs in London

Cooped up under the bright lights of a city, it’s easy to forget just how magnificent our sky can look at night. But the UK has a surprising number of spots which are perfect places to lay back to marvel at the wonder of the cosmos, and plenty of them aren’t too far from the metropolis.  From the rolling hills of Kent to the furthest stretches of Scotland, we’ve handpicked a list o the absolute best places to go stargazing in the UK, so pack a bag and some layers and have a read – taking an evening to appreciate all that twinkling above our heads can do wonders for the soul. RECOMMENDED:🌲The best tree houses you can actually stay in🏩The very best Airbnbs in the UK🏔️The most breathtaking hikes in the UK☀️The best places to visit in the UK