coolest

BRISTOL is the best place to live in Britain.

Ok I might be biased as it has become my adopted home after moving here 12 years ago from London.

But it has everything the capital has to offer – just less busy and hectic.

Banksy has made it famous with his brilliant and funny graffiti.

His seminal painting of the naked man hanging out of the window of his mistress, takes pride of place at the bottom of the city’s Park Street.

And if you wander around the docks – once a thriving hub of trade at the heart of the Industrial Revolution – you can spot his iconic Girl with the Pierced Eardrum.

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The city, with a population of 500,000, has just been named as one of the top 50 destinations to visit in the world because of its street art.

It ranks alongside stargazing in New Zealand for an experience according to the experts at Lonely Planet which said: “No city in Britain uses its urban landscape as a canvas quite like Bristol, with some of the best street art anywhere in Europe.”

I even have a graffiti mural on the side of my house, painted by a brilliant Italian artist that was done as part of Upfest, Europe’s biggest graffiti festival.

Dozens of other homes and shopfronts in the city are also adorned with all sorts of quirky and irreverent artwork.

But it is not just the street art scene that makes Bristol great.

It has everything from sport, to music, theatre, architecture, and some of the best restaurants in Britain.

It’s host to the mighty Bristol City and Bristol Bears football and rugby teams, as well as Gloucestershire Cricket Club.

And arguably England’s most famous cricketer, WG Grace, lived and played on the city’s many grounds.

Other famous residents included Archibald Leach – better known as movie star Cary Grant.

Bristol was also where “drum n’ bass” was invented, is home to brilliant bands Massive Attack and the Idles, and in its Bristol Beacon has a world class music venue which has hosted everyone from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and Adele.

Its Motion and Lakota nightclubs are also world famous.

And the people, with their West country burr, are some of the friendliest on the planet.

Many are also radical freethinkers who are at the front of counter culture, and lead the way on environmental and equality issues.

A group famously banded together to pull down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston and throw it in the harbour.

The statue was pulled out later and put in a museum.

Its famous Clifton Suspension Bridge – built so the posh residents of Clifton could cross Avon Gorge and get away from the smog for a walk in the countryside – is one of the most iconic bridges in the world.

It was built by Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, whose genius also gave the world the Great Western Railway with its long and complex tunnels, and the then fastest steamship in the world, the SS Great Britain.

On still days, residents are often treated to the spectacle of hot air balloons floating over the city.

The ubiquitous orbs end up landing randomly, including once on a cricket pitch in the middle of a match.

The annual Balloon Fiesta also attracts thousands of visitors.

And one of the greatest advantages of the city is its location and how quickly you can get to some of the best countryside in the UK.

In less than three hours’ drive you can be on the sandy beaches of Cornwall or the rugged coastline of West Wales, with masses of beautiful countryside in between.

There is also a glut of brilliant places to eat with cafes, bars and food shacks, and three Michelin starred restaurants.

One of my favourites is a newly-opened kiosk on the waterfront – near the famous Old Duke jazz pub which has live music every night – called Soft Buoys selling grilled cheese sandwiches and mind blowing ice creams and affogato.

Bristol has a lot going for it, which is why it is believed to have a higher retention rate of university students going on to live in the city than anywhere else in the country. 

Bristol University is one of the best in the world and it is just completing a mega new Enterprise campus near the train station, Temple Meads.

I could go on but you get the picture. 

It has its bad sides too, as does any big city, but they are too few to bemoan and the benefits massively outweigh them.

It definitely rains less than Manchester.

So yes I agree Bristol should be on the list of the top 50 destinations in the world to visit next year.

Just don’t all come at once or it might get too hectic and it would be like living back in London.

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If you are looking for a place to stay in the city, then there is a central Bristol hotel with a riverfront restaurant and revamped rooms.

Plus, great UK city breaks for half term with the kids – that are cheaper and easier than London.

Time Out has released its list of the 39 coolest neighbourhoods in the world for 2025, and one unexpected UK area has made the cut for its community spirit and multiculturalism

The UK’s coolest neighbourhood has been unveiled, and the location might come as a shock. Prestigious travel guide Time Out has just dropped its annual list of the world’s 39 coolest neighbourhoods, with one unexpected British area securing a coveted place.

The publication updates this ranking yearly, spotlighting the latest districts that have earned “cool” status. Notable past UK entries like Stokes Croft and St Paul’s in Bristol failed to make this year’s cut.

London claims the title for Britain’s “coolest” neighbourhood, though it’s probably not the area you’d expect. Most people would immediately think of trendy spots like Camden, Shoreditch, Hackney, Dalston or Peckham when considering London’s hippest districts.

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Yet none of these well-known areas secured a place on the list. Instead, a compact but flourishing neighbourhood in London’s southeast corner has been crowned the country’s coolest district.

Time Out ranked Camberwell fourth on its global list of the world’s trendiest neighbourhoods, reports the Express. Contributor Lauren O’Neill praised this “community-oriented little patch” for its “young-at-heart vibe, the independent spirit, the multiculturalism”.

She added: “One of the big draws of the place, of course, is the food. Over the years, Camberwell Church Street has become the stuff of legend, and now, it’s easily one of the heaviest-hitting roads in the capital for hungry Londoners.”

For an ideal day out in Camberwell, the writer suggests kicking things off at Toad with a scrumptious sandwich and a cuppa, then heading over to the South London Art Gallery. While wandering around, she advises popping into Dash the Henge for some vinyl hunting, followed by a refreshing pint at The Clarendon.

When it comes to dining, she raves about “FM Mangal for Turkish food that absolutely always hits the spot.” Impressively, Camberwell has outshone a host of trendy global spots to clinch fourth place.

This year, it’s ranked above locales in Paris, Chicago, Lisbon, and New York. Another British area also made the cut, with Digbeth in Birmingham securing the number 13 position.

Time Out described Digbeth as possessing a “rough-edged beauty” and being a hub for the city’s creatives including writers, artists, and filmmakers.

Hopping over the Irish Sea, Dublin’s The Liberties nabbed the 23rd spot on the list. Known for housing the iconic Guinness Storehouse, The Liberties was lauded for its historic charm and an array of distinctive, traditional pubs, cafes, and distilleries.

The coolest neighbourhoods in the world for 2025, as per Time Out, are:

• Jimbōchō, Tokyo
• Borgerhout, Antwerp
• Barra Funda, Sao Paulo
• Camberwell, London
• Avondale, Chicago
• Mullae-dong, Seoul
• Ménilmontant, Paris
• Nakatsu, Osaka
• Vallila, Helsinki
• Labone, Accra
• Nguyen Thai Binh, Ho Chi Minh
• Anjos, Lisbon
• Digbeth, Birmingham
• Red Hook, New York
• Perpetuo Socorro, Medellín
• Burwood, Sydney
• Linden, Johannesburg
• Former French Concession, Shanghai
• Quartieri Spagnoli, Naples
• Bencoolen, Singapore
• Endoume, Marseille
• Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montréal
• The Liberties, Dublin
• North Melbourne, Melbourne
• Portales, Mexico City
• Davenport, Toronto
• Little River, Miami
• Kemang, Jakarta
• Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
• Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
• Barranco, Lima
• Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
• Clarksville, Austin
• Margit-negyed, Budapest
• Glen Park, San Francisco
• MiZa, Abu Dhabi
• Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires
• Mehrauli, Delhi
• Poblacion, Metro Manila

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Self-proclaimed adventurer Adam headed to the south west of England where he discovered what he described as possibly the UK’s ‘coolest and quirkiest’ Airbnb experience

A self-proclaimed British adventurer claims he’s discovered one of the “coolest and quirkiest” Airbnb spots in the UK that would make a “unique” staycation getaway. Adam took to TikTok to show off the unique accommodation, which gives guests the opportunity to sleep inside a real airliner.

He began a video by providing a tour of the plane’s exterior, which boasts a hot tub, sauna and shower. “As you can tell behind me, this isn’t just any stay – it is a very large Boeing 727,” Adam continued, indicating that he had lowered the stairs into the cabin ready for him to board.

Understandably, the rooms inside are quite narrow, but Adam pointed out the plane comes with everything you could ever need. Starting with the living area, which includes two rows of seating from the 727’s days as a passenger plane either side of a dining table.

“I believe its from the 1960s,” Adam revealed. “There are so many switches on this plane,” he added as he made his way down a corridor to the master bedroom.

He highlighted the luxury double bed still has includes a “strap for safety” for “night flights”, while noting the room comes with an en-suite bathroom and shower, as well as a sofa, table and two reclining chairs.

“How cool is this?” Adam enthused, passing another bathroom on his way to the “area you will be spending most of your time”.

Here, a second living area is furnished with more sofas and reclining chairs and a TV linked to a mirror enabling guests to watch at either end of the room.

Adam continued with 727 exploration, making his way towards the front of the aircraft where he discovered a single bedroom situated across the aisle from a charming kitchen area, equipped with hob, oven, sink and “everything you might need” – including a dishwasher, fridge and freezer.

He left the “coolest part” until last, however as his journey reached its finale at the very front of the plane. Donning a pilot’s cap, Adam squeezed himself into the cockpit, which remains fitted out exactly as it would have been during the aircraft’s days soaring through the skies.

Meanwhile, the Airbnb, located in Brislington on the city’s outskirts, boasts an outstanding guest rating of 4.82 out of 5 from 103 reviews.

The accommodation, which caters for four guests, is promoted by its owner as “your chance to live like a billionaire at 32”.

“This Boeing 727 airliner has the original 1980’s private jet interior,” it adds. “Walnut panelling, gold details and crystals adorn this exquisite space ideal for nights away. It has two lounge spaces, a king-sized bed, two single beds, three toilets, a shower, full kitchen and a fully-fitted cockpit.”

Meanwhile, the latest review of the Airbnb makes for remarkable reading, with the visitor gushing: “This is a great and special place. You can tell, this property was a passion project and was overflowing with character. Good and clear check in instruction video. Check in and check out was perfect.

“Would recommend staying at a weekend, as its location in an industrial estate wouldn’t have a lot of privacy in the week. Loved it so much, am already thinking of the next excuse to stay.”

The only drawback of this Airbnb, as highlighted by several TikTok users, is its location in the “middle of an industrial estate, lacking nearby amenities other than a McDonald’s”.

One of Europe’s coolest seaside towns has flown under the radar for years but in recent months it’s becoming quite the hotspot rivalling popular holiday towns in Spain

A beautiful seaside town that boasts a palm-fringed promenade and azure waters has been named as one of ‘Europe’s coolest’, with insiders saying it rivals hotspots in the likes of Majorca and Ibiza.

Tivat in Montenegro is being hailed as an alternative summer destination for Brits, thanks to its balmy temperatures, gorgeous coastal views and lack of huge tourist crowds to be found in other European destinations.

The good news for Brits is that you don’t need to break the bank if you want to see it for yourself. easyJet and Jet2 both offer direct flights to Tivat from London, and the cheapest fares tend to be in October according to Skyscanner, which shows return flights from £59 to the gorgeous seaside town, with a flight time of just under three hours.

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As for accommodation, Tivat has a reputation of being all about luxury hotels and chic stays, but there are actually a number of budget-friendly options too. For example, you can find hotel stays from £34 a night with Kayak.

There’s plenty to see and do in town too. One of the highlights has to be Porto Montenegro which is home to plenty of harbour-front restaurants and shops with views out to the boats as well as some of the area’s rocky beaches. Adventure seekers may also want to consider a boat trip to explore the region.

The Pine Embankment tends to be a hit with visitors because it boasts a wide promenade lined with shops and restaurants as well as attractions such as the historic Jadran Ship. It’s worth noting that this area can be a little pricey – think the sort of vibes you’d get at Mykonos but with less of a party scene.

For those who want to explore some of the beautiful scenery that Montenegro has to offer, Tivat can be a great base from which to head into the mountains and take on the breathtaking hiking trails. Mount Vrmac tends to be a popular spot for those who want everything from an easy stroll to challenging hikes.

In recent months Tivat has been capturing the attention of intrepid explorers. Insiders at travel firm Welcome Pickups, which organises airport and port transfers, described it as “one of Europe’s most exciting summer alternatives” after seeing a 200% increase in bookings to the hotspot just this year.

Dimitris Floros, the company’s CCO, added: “Tivat is capturing the attention of holidaymakers who are looking for the luxury and scenery of the Mediterranean without the premium price tag. We’ve seen a remarkable 200% increase in airport transfers in Tivat since 2024, reflecting how quickly this destination is climbing the ranks with British travellers.

“Its sleek infrastructure, combined with the charm of Porto Montenegro and seamless connectivity from the UK, make it a standout alternative to more saturated spots like Dubrovnik or Ibiza. The surge in demand shows that British travellers are not just looking for new destinations, they’re looking for ease, value, and a touch of indulgence, all of which Tivat delivers beautifully.”

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