Frankie Lister-Fell

Donning your skis and hitting the slopes has always had an expensive reputation, usually associated with kinda crowd who don’t blink twice at the prices of lift passes and luxe lodgings in the Dolomites, the Pyrenees or the Alps. However, while parts of Europe (we’re looking at you, Switzerland) are particularly expensive, there are cheap pockets for 2025 and 2026 dotted about the place, too. By the way, all prices mentioned here reflect the 2026 ski season at the time of writing and may be subject to change.  What’s the cheapest place to ski in Europe? We’ve done some digging and found the cheapest places to go skiing include central and eastern European destinations like Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Slovenia. Oh, and – whisper it – there are a handful of reasonably priced spots in Italy, too. Read on to find out where. Europe’s best budget ski resorts at a glance 💸 Best budget option: Jasná Nízke Tatry, Slovakia 👪 Best for families: Babin Do, Bjelašnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina ⛷️ Best for beginners: Borovets, Bulgaria 🍻 Best for après-ski and all-night dancing: Arinsal, Andorra 🍽️ Best restaurant offerings: Livigno, Italy 📍 RECOMMENDED: The cheapest (and best) city breaks in Europe India-Jayne Trainor is a British-Australian travel writer based in 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 and check out our latest travel guides written by

The hotel scene in New Orleans is as rich and varied as the city itself. Whether you’re after a stay with a renowned bar and French Quarter nightlife on its doorstep or you’re looking for a secluded pitstop (with a rooftop pool) to take a beat from all the bustle, there’ll be something on this list for you. So, scroll on for Time Out’s refreshed roundup of the best hotels in the city, with brand-new reviews for Fall 2025 of The Roosevelt, The Royal Sonesta and Virgin Hotels New Orleans.  Which area is best to stay in New Orleans? If you’re here for the history, stay at the French Quarter—it’s the oldest part of the Crescent City and, yes, a top-tier place to party, but you’ll also find gorgeous boutiques, lip-smacking food and stunning views of the Mississippi river. Opt for the Warehouse District if you want artsy creative spaces on your doorstep, or book a stay in Mid-City or Uptown to have the bustle easily accessible, but not right outside.  Have a look at our brand-new neighborhood guide, curated by a local expert.  New Orleans’s best hotels at a glance: 💎 Most luxurious: Kimpton Hotel Fontenot 👛 Best budget: The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery 🏊‍♀️ Best swimming pool: Windsor Court Hotel 🌃 Best rooftop: Virgin Hotels New Orleans 🤩 Most iconic: The Royal Sonesta 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best budget-friendly hotels in New Orleans How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classic

Don’t get us wrong, we love city living. The culture, the buzz, the endless things to see and do. But even the biggest city lovers need a tranquil escape to nature from time to time. Nothing says relaxation quite like a countryside getaway, and if it’s got a hot tub too, you’ll be that much more refreshed. Luckily, the UK is full of rustic log cabins plonked in the middle of a field or forest with a toasty hot tub ready for you to soak in and forget life’s stressors. From spacious chalets to tiny homes, we’ve rounded up the cosiest cabins with a hot tub in the country. So pack your bikini, turn your phone to ‘do not disturb’ and crack open a bottle of bubbly. Trust us, a few days in one of these spa-like hideaways might be just what you need to recharge. Best Airbnbs with hot tubs at a glance 🪩 Best for parties: The chalet in Cumbria 👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 Best for families: Farm stay in Wales 💖 Best for couples: Love shack in the Lake District 📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to UK getaways Who makes the cut? While we have stayed in some of the Airbnbs featured, we may not have been to them all. We’ve based our list on top reviews, hosts 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, see our affiliate guidelines.

Planning a Midwest getaway? Here’s a thought: skip the sprawling rental and go tiny. These pint-sized, cleverly designed hideaways pack serious charm into a few hundred square feet, offering everything you need (and nothing you don’t) for a cosy escape. Whether you’re after a quiet woodland escape, a lakeside hideout, or a beachfront perch, we’ve found the cutest stays the Midwest has to offer. So go ahead, downsize your next adventure. From romantic retreats to solo resets, here are the best tiny Airbnbs it worth checking into.  Updated November 2025: To keep things fresh we've added new properties, including a cabin with a sauna, which you'll need for those snowy winters. You're welcome. Tiny homes in the Midwest at a glance 💥Best for families: The A-frame cabin in Homewood 💞Best for couples: The sweetheart beach cottage in Lake Ann 🚶‍♀️Best for solo travellers: The garden getaway in Wisconsin 💸Best on a budget: The sunlit retreat in Charlevoix RECOMMENDED: 🏠Check out the coziest Airbnbs near Chicago💕stay at the most romantic Airbnbs near Chicago🌇 Find the best Airbnb lofts in Chicago Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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, see our affiliate guidelines.

Sunshine, palm trees and year-round vacation vibes – Florida was made for getaways. While hotels have their charm, the real magic lies in the state’s Airbnb’s: beachfront bungalows, luxury condos, and off-grid treehouses where you can get up close with nature. From sugar-white beaches to Orlando’s theme parks, the surf breaks of Cocoa Beach and the nightlife of Miami, Florida is packed with unforgettable getaways. You’ll also find hidden gems inland – peaceful lakeside cabins, riverside retreats, and off-the-map escapes that show a quieter side of the Sunshine State. Whatever kind of trip you’re dreaming of our these are the best Airbnbs in Florida to make your trip unforgettable. Best Airbnbs in Florida at a glance 🏡Best for families: The log cabin in Live Oak 💕Best for couples: The oceanfront condo in Panama City Beach 🪽Best on a budget: The nature intense cabin in Fort White 🌊Best luxury stay: The luxe condo in South Beach 🎳Best for big groups: The adult playground with a bowling alley RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Miami🏨 The best hotels in Tampa🏠 The best Airbnbs in Orlando This guide was recently updated by writer Shayne Benowitz. 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 link

Before you start planning that Paris itinerary, you’re going to want to decide where to stay. After all, you’re not about to simply ‘visit a city’ – no sir – you’re stepping into a tightly woven patchwork of neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct personality, often far removed from the cliché of the Eiffel Tower (stunning though she is), twinkling over the Seine at night. That’s where this guide comes in – we’ve taken a closer look at each neighbourhood (and arrondissement) to help you experience Paris like a local, from the foodie haven of Charonne to the bougie shopping street of Tuileries. And we’ve included our favourite hotels too.  📍Discover our guide of the best Airbnbs in Paris In this guide Where should I stay on my first trip to Paris? + − If you’re hoping to tick off all the major landmarks on your first trip to Paris, you’ll want to be based as centrally as possible. For those looking to go luxe, staying in one of the iconic hotels in Tuileries will put you just a stone’s throw from the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens and Champs-Élysées. More interested in soaking up the cafe culture and exploring winding streets? Opt for bohemian Montmartre – if it’s good enough for Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet, it’s good enough for us. What’s the difference between arrondissements and districts? + − In Paris arrondissements are the city’s official administrative divisions. There are 20 in total, and they are numbered from the centre outwards in a clockwise spiral. F

The stretch from November to February can feel bleak. Summer holidays and festivals suddenly seem very, very far away. But the best way to beat the winter blues is to lean in. Yes you could jet off to Barbados if you’ve got the funds, but keeping things hygge can be just as relaxing. When it comes to a winter getaway in the UK, you don’t need loads of annual leave, a long journey, or an unlimited budget. The truth is, there are plenty of brilliant spots for a quick pre- or post-Christmas escape, whether you’re after a day trip, a cosy weekend, or a week-long break. Think fresh sea air, wild reindeer sightings, snug pubs, and countless other ways to embrace the chill. Here’s our roundup of the best places in the UK for a winter break. The UK’s cosiest cottages to stay inThe UK’s best Airbnbs for Christmas 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.

You’ve decided you’re travelling to London. You’ve booked your transport and downloaded a tube map, but where to stay? You’ve probably clocked that London is one massive, sprawling city, made up of neighbourhoods that each have their own unique character. Resist the urge to panic-book a fancy hotel in London’s West End – there’s plenty more out there, we promise. Dive into the real London by branching out from the well-trodden tourist path. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of somewhere totally new. Whether you’re after lively nightlife, easy access to gorgeous green spaces, culture on your doorstop, or serious dining, you’ll find it here. Ready to get booking? Read on for our guide to the best neighbourhoods and places to stay in London.  Where to stay in London at a glance Hackney - best for living like a local Camberwell - best for hyped restaurants, bakeries and galleries Camden - best for punk living and vegan food Peckham - best for BYOBs, rooftop bars and hitting the club Shoreditch - best for vintage shopping and curry houses Chiswick - best for a tranquil getaway Dalston - best for eating, drinking and nightlife Marylebone - fine dining and luxury hotels Harringay - best for neighbourhood vibes and Turkish food Hampstead - wild swimming, cosy pubs and spotting Harry Styles Richmond - leafy walks, boutique hotels and pints by the river 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in London Ella Doyle and Rosie Hewitson are editors at

A weekend escape from the big city is definitely needed sometimes, and you don’t need to hop on a plane to find incredible places to unwind, explore and recharge. In fact, some of the best weekend getaways are just a short drive or train ride from London – all offering windswept coastal walks, charming market towns, rolling countryside, or tucked-away villages with cosy pubs and boutique stays. So, if you’re itching to swap the skyline for stargazing or trade Tube journeys for countryside rambles, let us point you in the direction of your next escape. We’ve rounded up the absolute best weekend breaks near London – all easily reachable within a couple of hours. 📌 Updated October 2025: We’ve added two stays in the trendy seaside towns of Whitstable and Margate. Both are affordable and within very easy reach of London. RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to UK getaways The best Airbnb breaks near London, at a glance 🏖️ Best seaside getaway: The courtyard oasis in Margate 🌲 Best for reconnecting with nature: The woodland retreat in Northamptonshire 🏔️ Best for total isolation: The Ditchling Cabin in South Downs 💅 Best for a girl’s trip: The contemporary vineyard in Toppesfield, Essex 🛖 Most unique stay: The luxe airship in The Haven Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial conte

Looking for a getaway with a group of friends? Yes nothing beats a Jet 2 Holiday, but you don’t need to leave the UK to have a good time nor fork out lots of cash. If you're holiday hunting with a large group of friends, you can book a huge Airbnb and it won’t cost the world. Sure sunning yourself in Spain might sound more desirable than a weekend in Scotland but hear us out. What if you could stay in a literal castle, Traitors style, for around £50 per night. If you’ve got a big enough group of you, you can afford to stay in super luxurious places that are affordable. We think that’s the ideal way to catch up with friends and create your own fun. Plus a UK stay usually involves less admin than an international holiday, so put your passports away and get booking. We’ve rounded up some of the coolest Airbnbs for big groups of eight to 16 people across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, from a villa on a private island near the Lake District to a converted windmill in Norfolk. October 2025 update: We've added a stunning Cotswolds barn for the perfect cosy countryside getaway this winter. Best large Airbnbs in the UK at a glance 👰‍♀️Best for hen dos: The Kinettes Mansion, Fife 👶Best for families: Groves Barn, Cotswolds 💫Most unique: Star Lux Villa, Lancaster 🌳Most rural: Hawkhow Cottage, Lake District RECOMMENDED: 🏰 20 castles you can actually stay in ⛺ The best UK campsites🚗 The best road trips in the UK Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every 

An adventure in the Scottish Highlands is like no other trip in the UK. One minute you could be scaling a mountain with stunning views across the sea, and the next sunbathing on a Caribbean-esque beach. There’s plenty of Airbnbs to provide a comfortable and relaxing stay while you spend the day bracing the elements in your walking boots. From cottages with crackling wood-burning stoves (a must in the Highland chill), to quirky luxurious bothies, the options are as charming as the landscape itself. Feeling spoilt for choice? Don’t worry – we’ve handpicked the very best stays to make your Highland escape even easier to plan. Updated October 2025: We've added a new cabin property that promises a midge free stay, and is just a 10-minute drive from Inverness Airport. Best Scottish Highland stays at a glance 💞 Best for couples: Assich Zen Lodge 🎉 Best for big groups: The Bakehouse at Foulis Castle 🌊 Most off-grid: The Lighthouse Cottage 🏃‍♀️ Best for adventure seekers: The Bunker in Flesherin RECOMMENDED: 🛖 Discover the best Airbnbs in the UK📍 Our ultimate guide to UK getaways Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts 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, see our affiliate guidelines.

It’s hard to beat a walking holiday: breathtaking scenery, endorphins and of course an excess of food eaten at pub lunches. When it comes to rural retreats, the Peak District is right up there with the best of them. With its dramatic landscapes and postcard-perfect villages, it’s an ideal destination for a weekend away. Whether you're eager to lace up your walking boots and explore England’s very first National Park, or prefer leisurely strolls through historic market towns, Derbyshire’s Peak District has you covered. If walking isn’t your bag, there’s plenty of cycling trails and even popular rock-climbing spots. Or you could while away your days hopping between tea rooms and pubs if you’re looking for a more relaxing escape. We’ve handpicked the best Airbnbs in the Peak District. Expect character-filled barns with wood-burning stoves, sweeping valley views, and beds so snug you’ll struggle to leave them. Best Airbnbs in the Peak District at a glance 👶 Best for kids: The modern barn conversion in Buxton 🚶‍♂️ Best location for walkers: Leaping Hare Barn 🏔️ Best view: Cuckoostone Barn 🦙 Most unique: Dovedale Animal Sanctuary 📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to UK getaways Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, 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, see our affiliate guidelines.

After surviving a pandemic and the demolition of the Elephant and Castle shopping centre, a top Caribbean spot in south London is being forced to close following after a legal battle with its landlord. Kaieteur Kitchen Original in Castle Square was a Time Out favourite, having featured on our ranking of London’s best Caribbean restaurants. Helmed by Faye Gomes, known to many as Aunty Faye, Kaieteur wasn’t fancy or flashy but simply served some of the best Guyanese food in town.  Gomes had been serving fresh Caribbean cuisine for 20 years at Kaieteur, including her famous pepper pot, but a few months ago she was reportedly handed a £21,000 electricity bill and told she needed to pay upfront. Without the funds to do so, in October she arrived to open up shop to find it had been locked shut. Aunty Faye wasn’t alone. Four other food traders in Castle Square – who had been relocated there from the shopping centre after it was knocked down in 2020 – received similar hefty bills and were barred from their stores. A fundraising campaign ensued to help the traders pay for legal bills to fight the extortionate electricity bills, but in a statement posted by the local charity Latin Elephant this week, it was revealed that Kaieteur Kitchen will close for good. The post said: ‘The landlord refused to lower the monthly repayment amount further, which was too expensive for them to accept.’ But all is not lost. Aunty Faye is on the look out for another commercial kitchen space this month, id

After a two year refurbishment, the Edmonton Leisure Centre in Enfield, north London has fully reopened.  The centre shut its doors in December 2023 when Enfield Council transferred its leisure centres from Fusion Lifestyle to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) – the same people running the new Woolwich Waves centre in south London. What started as a routine inspection quickly uncovered some big maintenance issues, and it became clear the place needed significant repairs.  A total of £7.5 million has been spent on updating the facilities at Edmonton Leisure Centre, including redoing its 25-metre swimming pool and training pool. Its non-swimming facilities had a glow-up, too, though reopened in April earlier this year. The upgrade has given the training pool, splash pool and surrounding areas brand-new tiles and LED lighting. The training pool itself is designed specifically for beginners and offers a ‘warm, shallow environment for building water confidence, helping babies, children and adults to take their first steps in swimming’.  Councillor Sabri Ozaydin, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Climate Action, told the Enfield Dispatch: ‘We know how important Edmonton Leisure Centre is to the health, wellbeing and social life of local people, so we are delighted that this major renovation project is now complete with the reopening of the training pool.  ‘We have invested not only in this facility but also the health and wellbeing of the local community, who now h

If you’re looking for an alternative activity over the festive period, here’s just the thing: you’ll have a rare opportunity to tour a mysterious, long-abandoned English village.  The village in question is Imber in Wiltshire, a mysterious hamlet on the Salisbury Plain which was deserted during World War II and is now owned by the military. From December 29 2025 to January 1 2026, the Ministry of Defence is giving the public the rare opportunity to tour the place.  Imber has a fascinating backstory. Appearing in the Domesday Book of 1086, for years the village was just a quiet farming settlement. However, it was slowly bought up by the MoD until, by 1932, all the farmland was owned by the government. During World War II in 1943, all 150 residents were kicked out to allow American soldiers to train for the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. Even after the war ended, locals weren’t allowed to return.  Today, despite being vacant and still under the control of the military, the village has kept its original features – including the Grade I- listed St Giles Church, which is home to wall paintings from the 13th and 15th century. There’s also farmhouses, a school, council homes, training buildings constructed by the military in the 1970s and a pub called The Bell Inn. On tour days, the church will be open each day from 10am to 4pm and be serving light refreshments. For a few days a year, the MoD lets the public tour the town on foot, and on other days it’s still used for training in

Crinkle cut fries and gloopily thick milkshakes are officially coming to Manchester in the new year. Popular, ever-expanding New York burger chain Shake Shack has revealed plans to open at the Trafford Centre in March 2026. So far the US company’s UK operations have been mostly focused on London, though it also has outposts in Oxford, Cardiff, Cambridge and Birmingham. The Manchester opening will be the first Shake Shack branch in the north of England and 18th in the UK.  Expect the usual fan favourites on the menu: Aberdeen angus burgers, crispy chicken, homemade lemonade, those wavy fries, ‘flat-top’ hot dogs and seriously hefty chocolate, coffee and caramel milkshakes. Shake Shack is not the only hyped American food chain to have announced it is branching out of London and heading up north in recent weeks. Egg-centric company Eggslut announced it will open in Manchester's Deansgate by the end of January 2026.  Richard Franks, Business Director at Shake Shack UK, said: ‘Manchester’s a city that does things proper; it’s full of heart, graft and great taste. We’re so pumped to be growing Shake Shack across the UK, and to be opening our first Northern Shack at the Trafford Centre. We can’t wait to be a part of this city.’ Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: ‘We’re really excited to welcome Shake Shack’s first Northern restaurant to Trafford Centre. ‘We know our visitors are going to love getting their hands on those iconic ShackBurgers and crinkle-cut frie

London is known for many things – top-class food, music and culture, to name a few of the city’s great draws – but the capital, with its high levels of light pollution, isn’t great for stargazing. Fortunately you won’t need to find high ground or a clear night to see a new celestial sight in the capital.  Artist Luke Jerram is bringing a scientific replica of the reflective orb up close and personal to the Royal Observatory Greenwich in the New Year. Jerram, an artist known for his large-scale celestial works, will put his latest sculpture, ‘Mirror Moon’, on show in March 2026.  ‘Mirror Moon’ is a two-metre-wide mirrored steel duplicate of the real deal using accurate topographic data from NASA of the Moon’s surface. Visitors will be able to run their hands over imitations of our celestial sister’s craters, valleys, mountains and lava fields that are visible from Earth. You’ll also be able to feel your way around the deeply cratered surface on the previously mysterious ‘far side’ of the Moon.  Photograph: Luke Jerram It’s fitting that the exhibition will be at Greenwich Observatory, which has been observing the satellite for 350 years. The astronomical institution is also the place where sailors learned a method to determine their position at sea depending on the distance between them and the Moon. Jerram said: ‘For more than two decades, the Royal Observatory Greenwich has been inspiration for my work as an artist and so it’s an absolute privilege to be commissioned to cr

If you hadn’t already noticed, London is awash with Christmas markets. Each market has its own charms, whether that be specialising in artisanal treats or brewing up tangy mulled wine – but now two more have been added to the mix.  Real Food Market has opened two new Christmas markets for the 2025 festive season. One is outside London Bridge Station (which is open until December 21) and the other is at King’s Cross Station (there until December 22). The London Bridge fair is new for 2025, while the King’s Cross edition is returning once more.  You’ll find the London Bridge fair on the walkway between St Thomas Street and Tooley Street. The whole stretch has been transformed into a festive scene with twinkly lights, wooden chalet huts selling handmade gifts and even a choir singing sweet music.  Over at King’s Cross Square you’ll find similar festive cheer, with live music, toasted marshmallows, and more festive delicacies you can fill a tote bag with (the Sicilian panettone sounds especially delicious). Photograph: Real Food Philip Lowery, director at Real Food Market, commented: ‘By bringing artisan food and handmade gifts to two of London’s busiest stations, we’re giving people the chance to support independent businesses. Whether you’re picking up a gift or grabbing a festive bite, we want visitors to feel the magic of the season.’ Here’s Time Out’s definitive guide to the best Christmas markets in the capital this year.  Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke –

Love or loathe it, you can’t deny that Wetherspoons has some of the best-value pints in the capital. In outer boroughs like Croydon a beer a ’Spoons pint can set you back just £2.40; in the city centre it might be closer to £4, but that’s still vastly cheaper than most boozers (and even some flat whites). In good news for south London (and Kentish) commuters, JD Wetherspoons has applied to open a new branch right next to Charing Cross at 11 The Strand.  ’Spoons is pitching to open in a former café and retail space. The two-floor venue will have capacity for 320 people, as well as boast a full food menu serving up to an hour before closing and a smoking area (but with no outdoor seating).  Similar to the pub chain’s other train station boozers, this one hopes to open early: between 7am and 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, extending to a 12am finish on Fridays and Saturdays and closing at 10.30pm on Sundays. Due to its central location – Charing Cross is considered the centre point of London – the pub will come with a system designed to manage busier periods, including football matchdays. The application says that the pub will consider employing the same door staff used by Heaven nightclub, who will work the door from 6pm onwards. ’Spoons first applied to take over the site, which was once occupied by a Paul café and Next shop, last year but the application was rejected by Westminster City Council. My London reported that a council document said the size of the pub was ‘inappropriat

It’s December, which means you’re almost certainly starting to think seriously about Christmas. It’s time to plan what presents to buy, which festive songs to play and, crucially, figure out how to travel to wherever you need to be in the festive period. For instance, will you need to wrap up warm and navigate snow? Britain’s weather has recently swung from unseasonably mild to seasonably freezing, and some have forecasted that a ‘Beast from the East’ could arrive in December. When it comes to the end of the month, forecasters are releasing long-range predictions for what the weather could look like over Christmas and New Year.  Will there be a White Christmas in the UK this year? If you’re holding out for a snowy Christmas, the stats aren’t in your favour. In the UK, December is actually one of the least snowy winter months – we only get snow settling on the ground for about three days on average. January and February are far better bets, with around 3.3 and 3.4 snowy days respectively, and even around 1.9 days in March. The last white Christmas in the UK was in 2023, when 11 percent of the Met Office’s weather stations recorded snow falling, but none of it settled. Early forecasts suggest snow is going to be unlikely on December 25. What does the Met Office forecast say? For December 15 to December 29, the Met says that ‘there is a greater chance of spells of high pressure during this period’, and that there are higher chances of dry weather than in the first weeks of Decem

If you’re forking out on an airport lounge, you’d be forgiven for wanting a fair bit of luxury: good food, proper drinks, comfy seats and maybe even a runway view worthy of a smug Instagram story. After all, many lounges now charge up to £50 for the privilege. But a new investigation by Which? suggests that, in the UK, the reality of airport lounges falls short of expectations. The consumer advice company investigated 28 lounges up and down the country and found travellers might be better off spending their cash at an airport bar or restaurant instead. Which?’s undercover shoppers gave each lounge a rating out of five stars based on runway views, food and drink, decent loos, family areas and quiet zones. None of the areas scored five or four stars. Birmingham Clubrooms and London Gatwick South Clubrooms ranked the highest, at three and a half stars.  Which? first started reviewing lounges in 2017. Back then, the average entry price was £25, and you could expect extras like showers, spa treatments and free magazines. Fast forward to today: many spa perks have vanished, magazines are digital only and showers will cost you at least £25 on top of your entry fee. Meanwhile, the average lounge price has surged to £42 – a hefty 68 percent rise. Spending more doesn’t guarantee quality, Which? discovered. Newcastle Airport’s Suite by Aspire topped the price list at £68 but earned only two and a half stars. Aspire promises the polish of a five-star hotel and restaurant-level dining, bu

One of London’s finest music festivals has returned after a seven-year hiatus – and it’s found a dreamy new seaside location. Lovebox, which was founded by Groove Armada in 2002, will return next year at Margate’s Dreamland amusement park venue – and it will be headlined by the likes of pop superstars Scissors Sisters, Rudimental and Jayda G. There will be plenty of DJs to keep crowds dancing too. Drum and bass legend Goldie will be going back to back with Special Request, with the likes of Horse Meat Disco and all-female group Girls Don’t Sync also on the bill.  Lovebox 2026 location  The event is being held at Dreamland, an amusement park set right next to the beach. There’s a roller-skating rink, arcade, beach and proper British seaside vibes. The festival will take over three of Dreamland’s stages: the Main Stage, Hall By The Sea and the Roller Rink. Dreamland is about a two-hour drive from London, or a 1-hour, 45-minute train. Lovebox Dreamland 2026 date The festival will take place across two days of the last weekend in May, on Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30 2026. Full Lovebox Dreamland lineup Here are all the names confirmed for Lovebox in Margate, split by day.  Friday May 29 Rudimental Armand Van Helden Groove Armada (DJ Set) Girls Don’t Sync DJ EZ David Rodigan Mike Skinner (DJ set) 4AM KRU GoldieB2B Special Request Hot Blood Emily Rawson (Supa Dupa Fly) JAW-G Abbie Neill Saturday May 30 Scissor Sisters Friendly Fires Soul II Soul (Live) Jayda G Dan Shake Hors

Nine years since it shut its doors, legendary nightclub Sankeys is officially returning to its hometown of Manchester.  Reopening in the city where it all began, the iconic nightclub will throw open its doors over the last weekend of January. Aye, you may want to rethink those dry Jan plans. Sankeys MCR promises to open with all the components of good clubbing: a no phone policy (joining Warehouse Project), no VIP areas and an intimate 500-capacity limit. There will also be a new area for chilling – and don’t worry, Sankeys promises that it will keep its immersive ‘LED matrix grid installation’. Creative Director, David Vincent said: ‘What we’re creating is an intimate underground club with a chill out room. We will only be open one night a week on the Saturday. There will be no VIP or phones allowed on the dancefloor – everyone is a VIP. ‘People need to stop taking pictures and start dancing to the beat.’ In 1994, the famous club was opened as Sankeys Soap in a vacant soap factory in Ancoats by Andy Spiro and Christ Wright. It grew in popularity and became known for launching the careers of emerging talents, including debut performances from The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Solomun and David Guetta. Sankeys was crowned the Best UK Club by Mixmag in 2004 and the Best Club in the World by DJ Mag in 2010.  The club, which will open in the city centre, said the new Sankeys will continue this tradition in championing up and coming house, tech house and techno DJs alongside ‘a se

It’s happening again – UK passports are getting another makeover. It seems like it was only yesterday that the trusty burgundy cover was replaced with navy, and now some further adaptations to Britons’ travel books are on the cards. Redesigns of passports usually happen every five years. The 2020 update famously swapped the burgundy cover for navy after Brexit. The blue covers are here to stay but meaningful changes will come to the travel document next month, with changes to how the passport looks, and how secure it is.  Wondering what your new little navy book will look like? Here’s everything you need to know about the new passports launching in the UK in December. RECOMMENDED: the UK passport has since slipped to eighth place in the latest global rankings. What are the new features on the UK passport? Passports are being redesigned with new aesthetic and security features. The most obvious changes in this update are inside. The geometric designs from 2020 have been replaced with watermark-style illustrations of famous British landscapes representing the four nations that make up the UK. The images will be of UNESCO-protected locations: the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Lake Windermere in the Lake District and Three Cliffs Bay in Wales. On the photo pages that include your mugshot there will be more holographic and translucent elements which reveal certain shapes when tilted. The front cover will replace the late Queen’s coat of arms with Kin