Roisin Teeling

Palm Springs doesn’t really do subtlety, and that’s exactly why we love it. The skies are blindingly blue, there’s an amazing food culture, the mountains look like a movie backdrop, and the design scene is second to none. It’s the easiest place to reset, whether you’re dodging Los Angeles traffic for the weekend or flying in to catch the winter sun. The local rental market is just as vibrant as the scenery, moving far beyond standard pads to offer everything from retro pool houses to secluded, high-design escapes. To save you the scroll, we’ve curated the best shortlist for the Palm Springs Airbnbs worth booking this season. Updated for 2026: We’ve keep our nose to the ground and discovered a new wellness retreat in Twentynine Palms and a cabin-meets-yurt just outside of Palm Springs. Enjoy! The best Airbnbs in Palm Springs, at a glance:  💆‍♀️ Best for infrared sauna and spa amenities: the wellness retreat 🏊 Best for mid-century architecture: the modernist home near Downtown ❤️ Best for couples: the iconic Sunny Bungalo in Palm Springs 💫 Best for off-grid stargazing: the geodesic dome near Downtown Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel 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

Ahh, NYC. Street-style mecca. Home of Broadway. All hustle and bustle (hence the coffee). Truth is, there’s never a dull moment here, and that’s why we love it. Even some of the bodegas are in on the nightlife.  Travel upstate and it’s a completely different vibe (a bit like NYC’s introverted cousin) – we’re talking no neon lights, only the amber glow of a wood-burning stove. And when it’s time to escape the inner-city chaos, there’s no place quite like Hudson Valley. Sometimes what you really need is a long weekend in a cozy cabin to help you fully decompress, so without further ado, we’ve rounded up the best places the stay in Hudson Valley, many of which boast breathtaking views, cracking amenities, and scenic hiking trails. The best Airbnbs in Hudson Valley, at a glance: 🏰 Best for fairytale charm: the tiny tower in Lee ⛰️ Best for hiking enthusiasts: the eco cottage in Rosendale 🐟 Best for fly-fishing trips: the smokey A-frame in Livingston Manor 🐶 Best for private lake access: the stylish cabin in the Catskills Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we’ve based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel 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.

Looking for the best places to stay in the gorgeous coastal city of Santa Barbara? Well, you're in the right place. Enjoy long, sunny days lazing by a pool in the warmth of the sun's rays, or out exploring the bustling cultural scene this seaside city has to offer. The Mediterranean vibes of the city will have you thinking you're far away in Italy or Spain but without the hours onboard a flight. From unique airstream stays to romantic beachfront getaways and trendy downtown apartments, we've got you covered for every kind of vacation. Have a look at our top picks of the best Airbnbs in Santa Barbara and book a Cali vaycay to remember. Pass us a cocktail. Updated 2026: We're back at it again with more fresh finds like this luxury home in Montecito and this elegant old-timey home in Downtown. Here's more Santa Barbara inspiration:🍔 Eat at the best Restaurants in Santa Barbara🏖️ Book fun things to do in Santa Barbara😴 Discover luxury hotels in Santa Barbara 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. 

The mammoth Christmas dinner clear-up, shredded tinsel making its way into just about every corner of your home—or even your underwear—and the long drives with screaming toddlers. Of all our least favorite traditions, we’d happily skip that last one. Come to think of it, the holiday season is kind of the perfect time to do just that – go on holiday. So, if you fancy knocking back the eggnog somewhere a little different this year, keep scrolling because we’ve rounded up the best festive Airbnbs in the US.  The best Christmas Airbnbs in the US, at a glance:  ❄️ Best for a real-life snow globe: Campfire Hollow, Ozarks 🎿 Best for a Swiss chalet vibe: the mountain hut in Goshen, VT 🎄 Best for bucket-list group adventures: the rustic treehouse in Kirbyville RECOMMENDED: ☀️ Check out the best warm weather Airbnbs in the U.S. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we’ve based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel 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.

We’re firmly past 2026’s halfway point and it’s already been a stacked year for excellent new music. The race for song of the summer is a packed field, big-name pop titans – Olivia Rodrigo, Madonna – have delivered lauded albums and there’s been a formidable number of breakout bands. 2026’s end-of-year round-ups are already looking like contentious business indeed.  Looking to inject something new into your mid-year listening habits? Time Out’s music geeks have got together to put together a list of the albums we’ve loved so far in 2026. Raving dance-pop, grotty death metal, stratospheric jazz-funk, paranoid techno, the year’s biggest pop records… whatever’s your jam, you’ll find it here.  Read on for the best albums of 2026 as of July, according to Time Out editors and contributors (they’re in alphabetical order – you’ll have to wait until the end of the year for the definitive ranking). RECOMMENDED: The 10 songs of the summer for 2026.

A ‘quiet weekend away’ in Colorado could actually mean 14,000-foot peaks, rivers you can raft before lunch, and enough ski terrain to make your legs regret every decision by day three. Colordo is also turning 150 this year, so 2026 is basically the state’s own birthday party, and you’re invited. Whatever your idea of adventure looks like, whether that’s scaling a fourteener, paddleboarding somewhere scenic, or carving through Champagne Powder at one of its famous ski resorts, the state is more than happy to wear you out.  Oh, and Colorado’s Airbnbs have got it all, from desert cabins and yurts under star-filled skies to treehouses that put you eye level with a mountain range. We’ve done the digging so you don’t have to.  Updated 2026: We’re not good at keeping secrets around here, and after you see this A-frame in Florissant, you’ll know why.  Colorado’s best Airbnbs, at a glance:  🏔️ Best for a hot tub under the stars: the A-frame cabin in Bailey 🌊 Best for water sports: the ranch on the river in Breckenridge ⛺ Best for high-end glamping: a mountaintop custom yurt in Salida 🛸 Best for architecture lovers: the luxe design house 🏊 Best for a big group blowout: a seriously huge alpine villa 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 affi

Nashville is not just the home of delicious and juicy hot chicken, sandwiched between thick slices of fluffy white bread. Anyone else drooling right now? Nashville has a whole lot more going for it, from a seriously poppin’ music scene to some really brilliant art. Check out honky-tonk at Lower Broad, watch live comedy at Doyle and Debbie, or sample good ol’ Tennessee whiskey on a local distillery tour. Bottom’s up! But whether you’re there for nightlife, music, or restaurants, or you are just in the running for seriously good hot chicken, make sure you pick the right place to stay. You need to continue the Nashville vibes from morning to night. And what better place to look for accommodation than Airbnb? Luckily for you, we've found some cracking places to lay your head, for quite literally any occasion. Here are the very best Airbnbs in Nashville, handpicked by us. Thank us later. 2026 update: We’ve added a spectacular couple of new Airbnbs, including Skyline Splendor. Grab your pals and come on down to Nashville for a honkin’ tonkin’ time! The best Airbnbs in Nashville, at a glance:  💃 Best for bachelorette parties: the pink cowgirl home 🏊 Best for pool days near Five Points: the peaceful oasis 🎸 Best for vintage charm: the homely cottage 🌲 Best for private mountain-style nature escapes: the log cabin 🏡 Best for family trips with outdoor fire pits: the cozy modern home Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we’ve based our

If you’re a fan of all things that go bump in the night, read on. These scarily good Airbnbs put the “boo” in booking. We’ve scoured the eeriest corners of the U.S.A. to track down the most haunted Airbnbs, which includes everything from shadow-draped castles to old, creepy mansions packed with creaking floorboards, and the possibility of an uninvited roommate.  You might not exactly rest in peace, but you will get a front-row seat to the supernatural. A word to the wise, though—these legendary spots book up faster than a ghost vanishing through a wall, so secure your stay ASAP. Updated for 2026: With spooky season on the horizon, we’ve added a few more of the most haunted properties in the U.S. to our list. Enter if you dare. The U.S.A.’s most haunted Airbnbs, at a glance: 🩸 Best for paranormal activity: the Civil War field hospital in Gettysburg, PA 👻 Best for shy ghosts and garden strolls: the dead girl’s bedroom in NOLA 🏚️ Best for Salem Witch Trial history: Haunted Henry’s house in Salem 🏔️ Best for large groups: the haunted brothel in Victor, CO 🌵 Best for off-grid stargazing: the ghost town in Terlingua, TX 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.

If your idea of a thrilling getaway involves horror movies, haunted histories, and a desire to star in your own version of Most Haunted, look no further – this is the list for you. While staying in an ordinary Airbnb is undoubtedly fun, why not elevate your trip by adding an extra layer of excitement, mystery, and maybe some goosebumps?  Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these bone-chilling accommodations promise something a little more suited to thrillseekers. Lighthouses that echoe with phantom footsteps, medieval castles sporting a chilling dungeon and full-blown haunted houses, these stays are a chance to visit the eerie unknown. Picture yourself on a spine-tingling trip, where every whispering wind becomes a ghostly tale, and every flickering light sparks a hair-raising thrill. Mwahahaha, the spooks await... Most haunted Airbnbs in the UK, at a glance 👻 Best for a ghost hunt: The Nutshell, Pluckley🏰 Best for a castle stay: Castle Folly, Warwick🌊 Best for a lighthouse stay: St Catherine’s Lighthouse Cottage, Isle of Wight🧙 Best for a witch history weekend: 17th century cottage, Barley🏙️ Best for a city break: The Haunted Chamber Apartment, York   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.

Whether you’re here for the weekend or planning a lengthier staycation, Chicago is bound to have an Airbnb perfect for your trip. From modern masterpieces to homes of eccentric stone collectors, these top stays are cool, quirky, and feel a little more homely than the standard (although very fab) hotels you normally see. And what’s even better is that most Airbnbs are within commutable distance of the great Chicago sights and attractions. Read on for our lowdown on the city’s finest Airbnbs.  Updated 2026: Chicago’s penthouses are some of the finest you’ll ever lay eyes on, and that’s why we've added two new ones to the list. And one for all the quirky couples out there.  The best Airbnbs in Chicago, at a glance 🧖 Best for a group blowout: the sauna-equipped loft in Logan Square 🍽️ Best for foodies and entertaining: the chic penthouse in West Loop 🐾 Best for pet owners: the dog-friendly suite in Gold Coast ⚾ Best for die-hard sports fans: the Cubs confine in Wrigleyville 🏙️ Best for large group getaways: the urban penthouse in Old Town Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we’ve based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel 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.

New York obviously has no shortage of brilliant hotels, but sometimes the best way to experience the city is to stay somewhere that feels a little more like home. From stylish Manhattan apartments with skyline views to quirky spaces with serious character, these Airbnbs offer a different way to do New York. And whether you’re after a budget-friendly base, a romantic retreat or somewhere seriously special, there’s an option for every kind of trip. Swap the hotel concierge for a local host, room service for late-night cheap eats and a generic room for somewhere with a bit of personality. Then, once you’ve dropped your bags, you’re perfectly placed to explore the city’s attractions, eat your way through the best restaurants and experience the N.Y.C. like a local. The best Airbnbs in New York City, at a glance: 🏙️ Best for access to Central Park: the luxe studio with Juliet balcony 🌿 Best for couples and small families: the garden apartment in Brooklyn 🐾 Best for budget and pet owners: Sweet Pea Cottage in Staten Island 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for large groups and family trips: the spacious home in the Bronx  Please note, N.Y.C.’s “Local Law 18” has applied restrictions on short-term rentals. All short-term rentals and hosts must be registered with the relevant city authorities, and can only rent properties in which they currently reside. They must also be present when a guest is staying, and additional occupancy is limited to two guests. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay

Brighton has just been named one of the best cities in the world for nightlife in 2026 – and if you’ve ever spent a night there, it’s not exactly a shock. It’s one of the UK’s most loved beachside cities, home to incredible food, quaint independent shops filling up the lanes, and a night out that locals rate among the best in the country. It’s the perfect mix of city buzz and seaside charm, and it’s all within an hour of London, if you’re from that way.  It’s also long been the UK’s LGBTQ+ capital and 2026 has only cemented that reputation, with Brighton Pride turning 35 and the city scoring higher than almost anywhere else in the world for community and inclusivity. Good vibes, friendly people, and yes, still that pretty decent pier. But no trip to the seaside city should be without a quirky little place to rest your head. And that’s where we come in – here are the best Airbnbs in Brighton, selected by our editors.  📍 Discover the best things to do in Brighton ➡️ Updated for 2026: We’ve just added two new favourites to our list – one is a super luxe abode on the outskirts of the city, and the other is a boho-chic home in the city centre. Enjoy! Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editori

Our tears have only just dried over G-A-Y’s closure, but luckily something has already come along to plug the G-A-Y-shaped hole in our hearts. Taking over the space of the former iconic LGBTQ+ venue, Matthew Jacobs Morgan’s cult club night started life in a Hackney Wick warehouse. It’s now graduated to Old Compton Street and has brought some serious names with it: already, queer icons including King Princess, Jeffrey Hinton and Princess Julia have stopped by.  The venue isn’t leaning into the occult theme for purely aesthetic reasons, though the glossy black walls and blood-red lighting may beg to differ. Named after a gathering of witches, Coven acts as an alternative assembly for the queer community. Since any witch knows how to master the art of blending in by day, the venue also lives a double-life. By day, it's a sober cafe and co-working space, aimed at rescuing queer freelancers from their kitchen tables. By night, the laptops are cleared for a multi-floor playground packed with live cabaret and techno DJs.  There's a grand piano for the cabaret sets, a decommissioned fountain filled with queer history books, and a mirror decorated in shells, handy for checking if your outfit’s still holding up by midnight. There’s also a tarot reader stationed in the loos, meaning you can have your drunken heart-to-heart with a mystic instead of a stranger by the sinks

Tucked into the grand, slightly hushed bulk of the Templeton Garden Hotel, a stone’s throw from the busier end of Earl’s Court, Sprout is quainter than its posh address implies. It’s just the one bar table and a single row of seating and tables opposite. Cosy? Yes. Cramped? A little. But the real trick up its sleeve is the gorgeous garden. The interior feels like a beautifully curated potting shed, complete with hand-painted branches and buds creeping along the wall by mural artist Tess Newall. A brilliant chameleon of a spot, Sprout works just as well for killing an hour before a train as it does for settling in to make a proper night of it. The interior feels like a beautifully curated potting shed Every drink is anchored to one specific ingredient, colour or garnish. This season, that star ingredient is the humble tomato, for reasons our waiter is happy to passionately explain. Sprout’s market-stall philosophy sees them highlighting fresh herbs, ripe fruit and vibrant veg. The Gojuchang Cobbler is a case in point, mixing Rémy Martin VSOP, peach, and fiery gochujang, which is then clarified with yoghurt, and capped with a white chocolate disc you’re ordered to eat first. It shouldn’t work, but the tangy yoghurt beautifully tames the heat. By rights white chocolate and chilli should be sickly, but the yoghurt keeps it in check. We soak up some of the booze next door at hotel’s in-house restaurant, Pippins, where padron peppers turn up in a generous bowl alongside a chicken

The London Pavilion has always dealt in the improbable. For decades this Grade II-listed pile on the corner of Piccadilly Circus housed Ripley's Believe It or Not, an odditorium of shrunken heads and two-headed calves. Its latest exhibit might be the strangest yet, as more than 1,000 people are sleeping in oak boxes, stacked five floors high above the most chaotic junction in the capital. All from £30 a night – a bargain.  The UK's biggest capsule hotel is a bet that what Londoners and tourists actually want from a central stay isn't a trouser press and a Nespresso machine, but a quiet place to lie down that doesn’t cost twice the price of the theatre tickets they came for. And mostly, it pays off. Just don’t expect anyone to carry your bags. Or, indeed, to hand you a towel – that’ll be an extra fiver.  What are the rooms like at Zedwell Capsule Hotel? Well, first you have to find them. Check-in happens at a self-service kiosk (once I’d located the right entrance, across the road from where I’d initially marched in confidently) where syncing your key card to your capsule number is entirely your responsibility, a small act of hospitality DIY that sets the tone of the stay. Then it’s into the corridors, which are dim and labyrinthine. I walked the wrong way more than once, and mark my words, wandering somewhere this vast and hushed on your own has a faintly Backrooms quality, as if I were the last person left in a horror film.  Dorms range from four capsules to a hundred, mixed

A Viking longboat’s worth of Icelanders will be invading the capital this September. After two and a half decades of charming its way round more than 20 cities across the US, Canada, Germany and Japan, Taste of Iceland is arriving in London for the first time.  The three-day festival offers loads of opportunities to get better aquainted with the food and culture of the remote country who many Londoners mostly know through Sigur Rós and travel TikTok. Vauxhall brasserie Darby’s is hosting nightly dinners where Iceland’s reigning Chef of the Year, Hinrik Örn Lárusson, joins forces with the restaurant’s own Robin Gill to build a multi-course menu around Icelandic lamb and seafood. There’s also a guided cocktail journey through Iceland’s wildest regions, featuring a mixologist and a storyteller-guide who will walk you through three destinations via three drinks. Comedy fans can catch Iceland’s biggest stand-up Ari Eldjárn breaking down the realities of Icelandic life, fresh from his Netflix special. And don’t miss an Iceland-themed exhibition from the World’s Worst Photographer, chosen from 127,000 entries, whose slightly blurry Iceland shots are somehow still better than anything on your camera roll.  Best bit? Almost all of it’s free. Just bring an appetite and low expectations for your own photography by comparison.

Battersea Power Station already has an indoor chimney lift experience, a huge food court, a lovely cinema and more high street faves than you can hope to get round in a weekend-long shopping spree. Now it’s adding a free summer funfair to its entertainment offering Electric Summer opens in Power Station Park and along the Coaling Jetty from 29 July, and it’s an entire seaside town’s worth of things crammed onto a Thames-side patch of concrete.  The centrepiece is a full roller rink with sessions ranging from wobbly first-timers to Thursday date nights and Saturday silent discos, plus roller fitness classes if you fancy your cardio with a side of nostalgia. Out on the jetty, pétanque courts turn the riverside into a passable stand-in for the south of France, river views included. There's also a big wheel for skyline views, dodgems, a wave swinger and boardwalk games including Lobster Pot and Blockbuster. We aren’t too sure what either involves, but we’re very intrigued. The Boardwalk Bar’s rooftop terrace is also the obvious spot for an after-work pint with a view. Getting in is free. You only pay if you want to skate or spin around on something.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park celebrates its burgeoning status as one of London’s most cultured quarters with another themed weekend as part of its The Music is Black Festival, a series of four weekend festivals happening throughout the summer in tandem with V&A East’s inaugural exhibition.  Following June’s grime and soundsystem celebration The Music is Ours,  Power & Respect is a two day celebration of the immense contributions of Black women and non-binary artists to contemporary music, both on stage and behind the scenes, with live music and DJ sets across three canalside spaces.  Curated by DJ and broadcaster Jamz Supernova, Saturday’s line-up features live sets by neo-soul singers Lava La Rue and Terri Walker and plus jazz outfit the Cassie Kinoshi Quartet on the Waterfront Stage, while the Mid Terrace stage at Sadlers Wells East celebrates the 25-year career of London rapper Cooly G alongside sets from DJ Smokin Jo. And over at Sadler’s Wells East, Hackney Showroom and the Museum of Youth Culture host a talk with the women who pioneered UK reggae, dancehall and lovers rock in the 80s and 90s, including the legendary Carroll Thompson, before a club night curated by theatremaker Jade Hackett gets the crowd dancing until midnight.    Sunday’s Waterfront Stage line-up is curated by neo-soul and R&B talents in Yazmin Lacey and TYSON, while south London DJ collective BORN N BREAD oversees the Mid Terrace; catch the likes of yeahitsrenee and Kokoroko’s Sheila Maurice-Grey, 

Somerset House has hosted fashion shows, ice rinks, open-air gigs and cinema in its Fountain Court, but never stand-up comedy, until now. This July, the courtyard plays host to five days of non-stop punchlines as Laughterama touches down for the first time, bringing seven shows and a stacked line-up of British comedy talents you’ll recognise from the telly. Wednesday's opener sees Taskmaster champion Sam Campbell and chaos merchant Ross Noble share a bill with the BAFTA-nominated Bridget Christie. Meanwhile, Thursday belongs to Josh Widdicombe, fresh off dissecting other people's parenting on his podcast, alongside the brilliantly deadpan Rosie Jones. Dara Ó Briain and ventriloquist Nina Conti headline Friday, before a weekend of double-show days featuring basically everyone you’ve ever seen on a panel show in the last five years, including  Sara Pascoe, Phil Wang, Fern Brady, Ania Magliano, Catherine Bohart, Tom Allen, Nick Mohammed, Ed Gamble and Tim Key. Factor in a stop at the food and drink stalls dotted around the courtyard, because nothing pairs better with chuckles in the sunshine than an overpriced Aperol spritz.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan (aka India’s answer to Tom Hanks) is heading to the BFI Southbank this July for the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF).  Returning for its 17th year to take over six UK cities for ten days, the festival is bringing an absolute mammoth of a line-up. The biggest coup? Snagging the notoriously private Khan for a rare live Q&A. His appearance sits alongside a 25th-anniversary IMAX screening of Lagaan, the Oscar-nominated cricket epic that catapulted him to fame.  The rest of the bill is just as stellar. The cast of BBC’s Goodness Gracious Me are staging a live reunion, while film heads can catch new Bangladeshi arthouse cinema from ruthless action movies like Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Master, to comedies including Shlok Sharma’s unpredictable All About Weddings. There is also a pristine digital restoration of In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, a 1989 indie masterpiece written by Booker Prize-winner Arundhati Royt. Add in Too Desi Too Queer, the festival’s showcase of South Asian LGBTQ+ cinema, and screenings at some of London’s best-loved cinemas – including the Barbican, the ICA, Rich Mix and the Bertha DocHouse – and you’ve got an unmissable week and a half of film.

Hundreds of sculptures, paintings, drawings and films made by Camden pupils, from Early Years all the way up to A Level, are taking over the Lethaby Gallery at Central Saint Martins for two weeks this July. The second edition of this borough-wide show is bigger than its 2024 debut, with a new 2D sculpture park sprawling out across the King’s Cross estate. Plus, you can drop in for a free programme of workshops, artist sessions, and creative careers talks. It’s definitive proof that London’s creative future looks very bright.

A wayzgoose (for the uninitiated) was a traditional summer feast thrown by master printers for their apprentices, a centuries-old ritual marking the point in the year when workers began printing by candlelight. It might be the height of summer, but Bell House in Dulwich has revived the spirit of the occasion as a full-blown craft fair, with independent artists and makers setting up across the Georgian venue’s interiors and garden to show and sell work in print, textiles and ceramics. Alongside the stalls, there are live demonstrations and taster workshops, so you can get your hands properly inky.

If you’ve ever rifled through the interesting titles in specialist indie magazine shop magCulture and wished you could meet the people behind the glossy pages you were flicking through, here’s your chance. The print mecca is hosting its inaugural magazine fair at design studio Pentagram’s Islington HQ, bringing together 40 independent titles to browse and buy directly from their publishers. Expect magazines covering design, wine, sex, food, sport, juggling and everything in between, with publishers travelling from Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan and the US to join the local lot. Entrance is free on a first-come, first-served basis  And the magCulture shop is a mere 15-minute walk away, if you want to stop by and part with even more cash.

The annual Big Caribbean Lunch is taking up residence in Windrush Square this Sunday for a Windrush Day celebration, turning the heart of SW2 into a kaleidoscope of food, music and culture. Ostensibly a day honouring the Windrush generation and their unparalleled impact on British life, it doubles as one of the best free community events on London’s calendar. While the headline act is the heartwarming complimentary lunch provided to Windrush elders, everyone else is fully catered for with a sprawling Caribbean food market, live music and family fete vibes courtesy of event planning and entertainment collective Just Vibez. Take a breather from the food to browse the outdoor 'Windrush Untold Stories' storyboard exhibition. Do yourself a favour, skip your standard Sunday pub roast, grab the family and head down to the square.

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived, and no, we’re not disgustingly eager about Christmas. We’re actually talking about the shortlist for the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026, proving once again that Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humour. This year’s competition received more than 10,000 entries from 112 countries, the highest number in the award’s history, and the shortlist has now been narrowed down to 40 individual finalists. There are three entries in the under-16 category, four portfolio finalists and nine video finalists. The overall winner, category winners and Highly Commended entries won’t be revealed until an awards night in London on Tuesday December 8, but the finalists alone are packed with shots that will make you belly chuckle. Among our favourites are Diego Perez’s ‘Sexy Mantis’, a tiny green mantis photographed in Cusco, Peru, caught at just the right angle to make its hind legs disappear and its front legs look disarmingly human. You can practically hear it whispering, ‘paint me like one of your French girls.’ Photograph: Diego Perez / Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsSexy Mantis Cliff Fawcett's ‘If I Can't See You’ captures a young elephant in South Africa’s Addo National Park mid-blunder, slapping its own trunk across its eyes in a moment of pure toddler logic. Photograph: Cliff Fawcett / Nikon Comedy Wildlife AwardsIf I Can't See You Over in the Philippines, Kyo Chen's ‘A Very Pressured Spadefish’ catches a small fish swimming directly in

Quan penses en viatjar per Europa, acostuma a ser difícil triar entre de tanta oferta cultural de primer nivell. Però, si vols avançar-te a les masses, potser t'interessarà afegir una petita ciutat mediterrània a la teva llista de viatges. Si no et sona Victòria, no ens sorprèn. És una ciutat de Gozo, la més petita i tranquil·la de les dues illes principals que formen Malta, situada a poca distància en ferri de l'illa principal. Fins i tot els habituals de Malta pot ser que només la coneguin com una parada de tres hores per dinar i fer una foto a la Ciutadella medieval mentre visiten Gozo en una tarda. Foto: ShutterstockVictoria, Gozo Però tot això està a punt de canviar, ja que Victòria ha estat coronada oficialment com a Capital Europea de la Cultura per al 2031. Com es decideix la Capital Europea de la Cultura? Aconseguir el títol és una gran fita. És un procés d'eliminació de nou mesos, valorat per un jurat independent d'experts nacionals i de la UE. Primer, les ciutats candidates han de presentar-se amb una proposta inicial només per passar a la llista de finalistes. Després, han de lliurar un dossier de candidatura i defensar-lo en persona per demostrar que tenen la estratègia cultural a llarg termini, la rellevància europea i la infraestructura necessàries per tirar-ho endavant. Després d'una reunió final decisiva a La Valleta, Victòria es va emportar oficialment el premi. En el cas de Malta, dues ciutats es van presentar a la cursa quan es va obrir la convocatòria l

Anar a treballar en transport públic es considera una de les grans penúries de la vida. Tant si estàs encaixonat sota l'axil·la d'algú en un tren del matí que arriba amb retard com si esperes en una andana de formigó, anar en tren no acostuma a ser el millor moment del dia per a ningú. Però aquestes set estacions podrien fer-te canviar d'opinió. El Prix Versailles és el premi d'arquitectura que aquest any ja ha dictat sentència sobre els hotels, restaurants, aeroports i museus més bonics del món, i ara acaba de revelar la seva llista de finalistes de les estacions de tren més boniques del món del 2026. Aquest guardó s'atorga anualment des del 2015 a la seu de la UNESCO a París, i la selecció de cada any és realitzada per un jurat internacional d'arquitectes, dissenyadors, artistes i figures públiques, que valoren l'excel·lència arquitectònica, la innovació, la manera com el projecte s'integra en el seu context cultural i el seu compromís amb la sostenibilitat. Tres d'aquestes set estacions rebran títols mundials addicionals, Prix Versailles, Interior o Exterior, en una cerimònia que se celebrarà al desembre. ShutterstockEstació de Melbourne Les set estacions es presenten com a finalistes en igualtat de condicions, però una de les opcions més espectaculars és, sens dubte, l'estació de Monte Sant'Angelo a Nàpols, inaugurada l'any passat. Dissenyada per l'artista Anish Kapoor juntament amb Future Systems i AL_A, està inspirada en l'Infern de Dante. Situada a 48 metres sota ter

The Royal Armouries in Leeds is gearing up for its biggest transformation since it opened three decades ago. The national museum is home to the UK’s national collection of arms and armour and has revealed further details of a major redevelopment worth more than £100 million. The upgrade is also timed to mark the museum’s upcoming 30th birthday. At the centre of the plans is a brand-new 3,500-square-metre exhibition and events hall. The new space is part of a wider scheme that would more than double the museum’s existing conference and events facilities, creating over 8,000 square metres for conferences, exhibitions, hospitality and leisure. The new development will be built on the site of the current Tiltyard, home to the museum’s outdoor jousting arena – but don’t worry, the jousters aren’t hanging up their lances. The plans include expanded jousting spaces as part of the new complex. The plans are currently going through the final stages of an appraisal, with a planning application expected to be submitted to Leeds City Council in 2027. The team behind the redevelopment, including architects and the wider design group, is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks and months. If you’ve got a visit planned in the meantime, there’s no need to rearrange. The museum says its existing conference and events facilities, along with the museum itself and New Dock Hall, will all remain open throughout construction, still offering free entry across five themed galleries and a dail

When your social feeds are a relentless barrage of destination mood boards, custom itineraries and endless posts from that one friend who always seems to be on holiday, figuring out where to book your next trip can feel overwhelming. But if you want to know exactly which countries have their act together right now, the data has spoken. The World Economic Forum has just released its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) for 2026 and Japan has come out on top, climbing two places since 2024 to claim the number one spot for the first time.  Photograph: JWCohen / ShutterstockTokyo, Japan The TTDI is produced in collaboration with Zurich Insurance Group and measures how well 110 economies are positioned to support travel and tourism. That means looking at everything from cultural and natural resources to air transport infrastructure, safety, price competitiveness and how prepared a country’s tourism workforce is. The 2026 edition, launched at the World Economic Forum’s inaugural Beyond Tourism Day in Geneva, found that conditions have improved across 92 percent of the economies surveyed since 2024 – the fastest pace of progress since before the pandemic.  Japan took the crown this year for broadening its visitor base and pushing travel beyond Tokyo and Kyoto’s already stretched hotspots into the lesser-visited regions. This has helped the country absorb record visitor numbers without the demand becoming too concentrated in just a handful of cities. It’s not the only recent

It’s October and officially autumn. In just a few weeks, the UK will be swapping British Summer Time for Greenwich Mean Time, putting all our clocks back by an hour and plunging our evenings back into darkness. While we might have to get used to the sun setting well before most of us have even left the office, GMT does mean an extra hour in bed (well, at least on the first day) and the season of cosy pubs. Before we know it, the countdown to Christmas will be well and truly on. Time flies. From the exact date the clocks go back to why we do it in the first place, here’s everything you should know about the end of British Summer Time this year. What date do the clocks go back in 2026? The clocks will go back by an hour to mark the end of British Summer Time (BST) on Sunday October 25. What time do the clocks go back? The clocks will fall back one hour at 2am. So, it’ll become 1am again. What is Greenwich Mean Time? Greenwich Mean Time or GMT is the UK’s standard time zone during the winter months, once the clocks have gone back and we've dropped British Summer Time (AKA daylight saving time). Why do the clocks go back? The UK first started changing its clocks back in 1916, as a way of making better use of daylight hours and saving fuel during the war. Once we hit the point in autumn where sticking with British Summer Time would mean unnecessarily dark mornings, we put the clocks back to stop the sun from rising too late, moving the daylight to where it’s needed most. When do t

Nos encanta visitar monumentos de esos que hay que ver una vez en la vida tanto como a cualquier otro viajero, pero ¿qué os parecería una escapada diseñada científicamente para haceros sonreír? Esta es la premisa que hay detrás del nuevo Holiday Happiness Index de BookRetreats.com, desarrollado en colaboración con la Dra. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, psicóloga clínica afiliada a Harvard. El estudio ha analizado 47 destinos de todo el mundo basándose en cinco factores vinculados científicamente a las hormonas del bienestar del cuerpo. Se puede ver cómo se posiciona cada lugar en cuanto a horas de sol, calidad del sueño, alimentación saludable, tiempo en la naturaleza y lo fácil que es recorrer la ciudad a pie. Cada factor se ha ponderado por igual para obtener una puntuación única de felicidad sobre 100. En cabeza de la lista está Lisboa, Portugal. Casi el 10% de los restaurantes de la ciudad están clasificados como "saludables", la segunda proporción más alta de todo el índice, por delante de capitales gastronómicas como París, Tokio y Nueva York. También es una ciudad para pasear a pie a pesar de su terreno empinado; es lo suficientemente compacta para que la mayoría de los principales atractivos, desde la Praça do Comércio hasta la Torre de Belém, se encuentren a un par de horas de distancia caminando. Si añadimos 49 metros cuadrados de espacio verde por persona (casi cuatro veces más que Madrid), un acceso fácil a las playas de la Costa da Caparica y Cascais, y la cifra nada desp

Ens encanta visitar monuments d'aquells que s'han de veure una vegada a la vida tant com a qualsevol altre viatger, però què us semblaria una escapada dissenyada científicament per fer-vos somriure? Aquesta és la premisa que hi ha darrere del nou Holiday Happiness Index de BookRetreats.com, desenvolupat en col·laboració amb la Dra. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, psicòloga clínica afiliada a Harvard. L'estudi ha analitzat 47 destinacions de tot el món basant-se en cinc factors vinculats científicament a les hormones del benestar del cos. Es pot veure com es posiciona cada lloc pel que fa a hores de sol, qualitat del son, alimentació saludable, temps a la natura i com de fàcil és recórrer la ciutat a peu. Cada factor s'ha ponderat per igual per obtenir una puntuació única de felicitat sobre 100. Al capdavant de la llista hi ha Lisboa, Portugal. Gairebé el 10% dels restaurants de la ciutat estan classificats com a "saludables", la segona proporció més alta de tot l'índex, per davant de capitals gastronòmiques com París, Tòquio i Nova York. També és una ciutat per passejar a peu malgrat el seu terreny costerut; és prou compacta perquè la majoria dels principals atractius, des de la Praça do Comércio fins a la Torre de Belém, es trobin a un parell d'hores de distància caminant. Si hi afegim 49 metres quadrats d'espai verd per persona (gairebé quatre vegades més que Madrid), un accés fàcil a les platges de la Costa da Caparica i Cascais, i la xifra gens menyspreable de 2.828 hores de sol a

Também adoramos um monumento imperdível como qualquer outro viajante, mas que tal umas férias cientificamente concebidas para fazer sorrir? É essa a premissa do novo Holiday Happiness Index do BookRetreats.com, desenvolvido em colaboração com a psicóloga clínica Dra. Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, associada a Harvard. O estudo analisou 47 destinos em todo o mundo através de cinco factores cientificamente ligados às hormonas do bem-estar. Pode ver a posição de cada lugar em termos de exposição solar, qualidade do sono, alimentação saudável, tempo passado na natureza e facilidade de circulação a pé. Cada factor teve o mesmo peso para gerar uma pontuação final de felicidade de zero a 100. No topo da lista está Lisboa. Quase 10% dos restaurantes da cidade são classificados como “saudáveis”, a segunda maior percentagem de todo o índice, à frente de capitais gastronómicas como Paris, Tóquio e Nova Iorque. É também uma cidade fácil de percorrer a pé, apesar do famoso relevo das colinas, e suficientemente compacta para que a maioria das principais atracções, da Praça do Comércio à Torre de Belém, fique a poucas horas de distância num passeio a pé. Junte-se-lhe 49 metros quadrados de espaços verdes por pessoa (quase quatro vezes mais do que Madrid), o acesso rápido às praias da Costa da Caparica e de Cascais, e umas generosas 2828 horas de sol por ano, e a vitória de Lisboa faz todo o sentido. A fechar os cinco primeiros lugares surgem, por ordem, Helsínquia, na Finlândia — coroada o país mais

Ir para o trabalho é universalmente aceite como uma das grandes misérias da vida. Quer vá atrasado e comprimido debaixo da axila de alguém num comboio da manhã ou a desviar-se de poças enquanto espera numa plataforma de betão, raramente este é o ponto alto do dia de alguém. Mas estas sete estações podem fazer com que mude de ideias. O Prix Versailles é o prémio de arquitectura que já deu os seus veredictos sobre os hotéis, restaurantes, aeroportos e museus mais bonitos do mundo este ano – e revelou agora a sua lista de finalistas para as estações de comboio mais bonitas do mundo em 2026. O prémio realiza-se anualmente desde 2015, na sede da UNESCO em Paris, e a selecção de cada ano é feita por um júri internacional de arquitectos, designers, artistas e figuras públicas, que avaliam a excelência arquitectónica, a inovação, a forma como cada projecto responde ao seu contexto cultural e também o seu compromisso com a sustentabilidade. Todas as sete estações surgem em pé de igualdade como finalistas, mas a proposta mais impressionante é provavelmente a Estação de Monte Sant'Angelo, em Nápoles, que abriu no ano passado.    Photograph: Amedeo Benestante / © Anish KapporMonte Sant’Angelo Subway Station Projectada pelo artista Anish Kapoor em conjunto com os ateliers Future Systems e AL_A, foi inspirada, segundo consta, no Inferno de Dante. Situada a 48 metros de profundidade, tem duas aberturas monumentais em aço corten e alumínio que conduzem a um mundo subterrâneo de paredes b

If you’ve ever fought your way across the concourse at Liverpool Street during rush hour, we’ve got news that may have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. The City of London transport hub – which has also been the busiest station in the UK for three years in a row – has just been crowned the best train station in the country. Research from TrainPal analysed 210 transport hubs nationwide, judging stations based on factors including performance, reputation, food and drink options, nearby amenities and consumer feedback. The ticket platform then gave each station a score out of 100.  Liverpool Street scored a whopping 91.65 overall – 0.2 points ahead of Glasgow Central in second place.  TrainPal’s ranking awarded Liverpool Street 96.40 for station experience, looking at accessibility, facilities and connectivity. It also boasted a 98.20 rating for nearby food and drink, which was the second highest score of any station in the country.  The Big Smoke also dominated the rest of the ranking, claiming four of the top 10 spots. Victoria came in fifth overall (89.02), Charing Cross took sixth (88.23) and King’s Cross rounded out the capital’s entries in seventh (88.05).  Photograph: Angelina Dimitrova / Shutterstock.comCharing Cross station The UK’s Best Train Stations 2026, according to TrainPal London Liverpool Street – 91.65  Glasgow Central – 91.45   Glasgow Queen Street – 90.05  Edinburgh Waverley – 89.50  London Victoria – 89.02  London Charing Cross – 88.23  London King’s C

Yes, Dalston’s beloved pumpkin lantern festival has been cancelled for 2026’s spooky season. But there are plenty more gourd-tastic events taking place in the capital this autumn – and, if you look just beyond the M25, there’s even more frightful fun to be had.  For those willing to travel, the AA has just revealed its ranking of the best pumpkin patches in the UK for 2026, and the top spot is just outside London. To find the best patch, the AA crunched the numbers on 370 patches across the country, scored each one out of 100 based on several factors including Google review scores, Instagram hashtag popularity, entry prices and whether the pumpkins are actually grown on-site (rather than imported from a wholesale warehouse). After all that, the AA crowned Hatter’s Farm in Takeley, Essex, the best pumpkin patch in Britain. Not only does Hatter’s grow its own pumpkins, it had by far the most Google Search volume (135,000 in October) and a great Google Review score of 4.8.  Hatter’s Farm is a real wheelbarrow-and-welly affair. Visitors grab a barrow and traipse through fields packed with over 100,000 pumpkins across more than 75 varieties, from knobbly heirloom types to giant show pumpkins and tiny ornamental ones. Hatter’s isn’t just about the picking, either. There’s a seven-acre ‘maize maze’ to get lost in, a ‘pumpkin cannon’ firing squash at a Halloween target range, a ‘haunted mad house’ for anyone after a scare, and a ‘bale mountain’ to clamber up for views of the farm.