This seaside haven for indie shops, bars and restaurants is one of Time Out’s coolest UK neighbourhoods for 2026

Time Out has contributing writers stationed all over the country. So last month, to coincide with our guide to the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, we asked them to nominate the British neighbourhood that they think deserves a place on the cool list for 2026. Some were put forward for being on the cutting edge of British culture, others because they’ve experienced a burst of new openings and others simply because they have a heap of underrated stuff to eat, drink, see and do.

Glasgow’s Govanhill claimed first place followed by Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and London’s Newington Green. Crooks in Sheffield, Heaton in Newcastle and Beeston in Nottingham were also among the top 10.

In at number nine on this year’s list was central St Leonards. When we say central St Leonards, we mean the area between Warrior Square station and the resort town’s seafront, the part of the town that’s most teeming with indie shops, hip cafes and restaurants. 

Time Out contributing writer Hannah Summers wrote that the area has a ‘formidable amount’ of things to see, eat, drink and do. Her idea of the perfect day in central St Leonards includes grabbing a ‘better-than-Brick Lane’ bagel from Sleeper in the morning, followed by a swim sea and a takeaway from Half Ma Half Burger for lunch.

In the afternoon, Hannah says to stop by Tough Love for records, Pitch for antiques and Popsicle for fun gifts then get dinner from gastropub The Royal. Round it all off with a dance at LGBTQ+ bar The Forbidden Fruit. Other spots worth having on your radar include Heist indoor market, Fika@44 coffee shop and beachfront bar Starsky and Hatch. 

Here at Time Out, we harp on about how great St Leonards is quite a lot. Alongside its sister town Hastings, we crowned it one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026, one of the country’s best seaside towns and one of the best places to go for a day trip from London. 

🏘️ Read the full list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK 2026.

ICYMI: Britain’s best island, according to Condé Nast Traveller

Plus: Why this ‘under-the-radar’ Sheffield suburb is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK for 2026. 

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