As glorious as the capital is in summer – all nine million of us Londoners making a beeline for the nearest beer garden, green space or rooftop bar – the sheer volume of humans can leave you feeling a bit claustrophobic. Luckily, we can once again hit the coast, hike a forest trail or explore a postcard-perfect village whenever the bustle of the Big Smoke gets a bit much. Dreaming of an escape? Here are our 17 of our favourite day-tripping spots, complete with tips on the cutest pubs and best restaurants to hit up. And they’re all close enough to London to get there and back in one glorious day.
We all know someone who’s utterly obsessed with Harry Styles. From middle-aged mums to preteens and fashion types, the boyband heartthrob-turned-serious solo artist (and masculinity-redefining style icon) has a curious power to inspire maniacal devotion among fans. That’s something one English spa hotel in the singer’s hometown is hoping to capitalise on. Head to the Abbey Hotel in Redditch and soon you’ll be able to eat, drink, relax and even smell like man himself – thanks to a brand-new Styles-themed spa experience.
With Manchester’s fun-loving reputation, it comes as little surprise that we’re a city known for appreciating a well-crafted drink. From twists on the classics to creative concoctions crafted with ingredients sourced from across the globe, these cocktail bars in Manchester have proved themselves some of the country’s best.
In celebration of being able to eat delicious dishes without having to do the washing up afterwards, we’ve updated our list of the best restaurants in Manchester – from Michelin-starred heavyweights and enduring curry houses to new emerging joints and street food spots. Book these beauties now.
This summer, after more than a year of being more-or-less closed for business, Manchester looks set to explode with the kind of big, must-see events and openings that mark the city as an essential destination. And the brilliant thing about Manchester is that you could probably fit a lot of it into a weekend. (Preferably a long one.)
