Hotlists

Fancy taking a dip in Hampstead Heath Ponds or brunching at the art-deco Brockwell Lido? We’ve found London’s best outdoor swimming pools for you to make a splash in the capital.

Wondering what books to stash into your staycation suitcase? We've picked our all-time favourites set in the blissful British countryside, from cult-classic novels to timeless travelogues and the children's adventure story we still can't put down.

Where better to spend your evening sipping on prosecco whilst watching Macbeth and listening to the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean? Perched high above a gully with a rocky outcrop, the Minack Theatre is Cornwall’s most famous theatre.

Take a walk on the wild side with our favourite hiking trails in Iceland. Expect easy, scenic mountain strolls near Reykjavík, hot-spring baths in the Southern Highlands and routes that scale glaciers and volcanoes. Crampons required.

From island fairy pools to river swims, take the plunge in these beautiful wild spots scattered across the UK.

Pounded the pavements of Porto? Ticked off the streets (and rooftops) of Lisbon? Switch up city living with these Portuguese beach boltholes.

Consider this your one-stop pocket guide to Norfolk’s independent scene. Wade in from its beautiful coast to find time-honoured fish-and-chip shops, farm-to-fork breweries and cultural landmarks. Plus, the boutique hotel opening to book.

Lisbon? Been there. Porto? Done that. These are Portugal's best countryside hotels.

Pack your watercolours and prepare for a trip filled with wholesome pastimes. We’ve found the UK’s most inspiring artist studios and creative spaces where you can stay for the night.

Lisbon? Been there. Porto? Done that. As "second cities" step into the traveller's spotlight, we're stepping away from the beaten track and enjoying tiles and pasteis de natas in underrated fishing towns, scenic cities and sleepy medieval villages.

With summer sun and a heatwave on the horizon, we’re spotlighting the city-centre townhouses with rooftop infinity pools and elegant country piles where you can swim in the open air and sunbathe like socialites of yesteryear. These are the best hotels with outdoor pools in the UK.

Lisbon is gloriously hot in summer. We’ve picked out the best beaches nearby, from the famous coasts of Cascais and Estoril to lesser-trodden shores and the sands that locals would rather keep secret. They’re easily accessible from Portugal’s capital, and we’ve thrown in directions to make life simple. Find your favourite and dive in.

We’re heading to the revamped countryside pubs, Michelin-starred restaurants and a Neapolitan-style pizzeria that let you load up on good food before staying the night in their rather dapper rooms. Looking for a road-trip pit stop or mini staycation destination? Read on.

Kitsch shepherds huts, historic hotels and cool minimalist architecture put Wales firmly on the map for UK staycations. Taking you from Snowdonia National Park to Pembrokeshire via the Brecon Beacons, these are the best places to book now.

We’ve hopped between Shetland, Orkney and the Inner and Outer Hebrides to find the Scottish island to suit you. Get a taste of Skye’s best restaurants, spot puffins on South Mainland or sip Islay’s peaty whisky. Plus, private islands for natural seclusion.