Section: Travel:Best of British

WITH its enormous Olympic Park, graffiti-clad buildings, old mills, new bars and neighbourhood pubs, it’s no wonder East London is one of the world’s trendiest neighbourhoods.

And actually, that’s why Alberto Cambus who was born and raised in Italy’s Sardinia, decided he was going to stick around when he moved to the London district over 10 years ago.

Alberto Cambus, Director of Sales & Marketing, for The Stratford, explained why he has never left the quirky area of East London.

He explained: “I moved here 11 years ago to study, and I loved it – I embraced the pace, the lifestyle, the coffee – I’m even having cappuccinos after 11am now.”

“I’ve always lived in East London, so I’m definitely an advocate for it and Stratford is one of the areas I love the most.”

Here are some of his top tips on exploring the area.

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Hotels

As he works The Stratford, Alberto of course highly recommends the hotel as a great base for those visiting East London.

He said: “Our hotel is itself a triumph of architecture – our architects are the same that designed the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. 

“It perfectly blends with the local area and community, making it well worthwhile popping in to take a look at our art – if you check out the lobby, we have many pieces that reference the London 2012 Olympics.

“On top of that, we have tours of the area, such as the Olympic venues.

“We do tend help our guests with the ease of access to these London institutions whether it’s to Sadler’s Wells for contemporary dance or the V&A.

“We can try to facilitate the sourcing of West Ham tickets, London Lions or London Aquatics too.”

Restaurants

Despite coming from the Italian island, he did say there was an Italian restaurant in the UK that was just as good.

He said: “I have to mention Santi, an Italian restaurant in front of a hotel – the menu is similar to the classic Italian food that you’ll find in Italy.

“The pizza is amazing, it’s so underrated, I’d say it’s one of the best pizza places in London.

“Another of my favourite restaurants is Hera, a beautiful Greek restaurant – it’s in front of West Ham stadium, it has a great atmosphere, very cosy, sophisticated, but not over the top.”

Bars and pubs

Alberto admitted that the hotel’s Stratford Lounge cocktails were amazing, with “mixing of the classics” as well as a recently launched autumn menu.

But he did shout out another local bar too.

He said: “Another one is Number 90 Bar in Hackney Wick, along the canal.

“It is always lively with amazing music playing, very good cocktails and reasonably priced.”

Being in the UK for more than a decade, Alberto is a pub convert – and he raved about one called Mother Kelly’s in the Olympic Village.

He explained: “It’s tiny, very cosy pub in Victory Parade, a neighbourhood pub that excels in craft beers, sour beers , IPAs and it’s a stone’s throw away from the hotel.

“I’ve been working in Stratford for three years now so I go in a fair bit.

“I still haven’t managed to try the whole selection of beer they have – there’s so much you’re spoiled for choice.”

Lesser-known spots

Despite East London being a popular tourist destination, there are still some spots only locals know about: “Three Mills Island isn’t very well-known; essentially, they are old flour mills between the river and navigation channel – it’s completely off the beaten track.

“It’s nothing short of an East London experience because it has a huge amount of history.

“I’d say it’s quite an unusual place for London, but beautiful – and you can take a long walk around it.

“If you’re in the area, visit now because I think that the landscape of East London in 10 years will be completely different – it’s transforming in front of my eyes.”

One must-do local experience

“You absolutely have to see a West Ham match – I’m so passionate about it, there is nothing like watching them play at the London Stadium.

“I’ve been a West Ham fan since I was about 10-ears-od thanks to a very strong Italian player called Paolo Di Canio.

“One of the first activities I did here was see a West Ham game at Upton Park, then they moved to the London Stadium right next door, I always say it was fate.”

Green spaces

“This area of London used to be a bit of an urban jungle, but then obviously they built the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which is an oasis of green space.

“Stratford is so much more enjoyable now, and if you combine it with the canals in Hackney Wick, the Hackney Marshes, I’d say there’s lots of nature in East London.

“It’s well connected to Victoria Park too so you can actually walk between the two parks in 10-minutes then head along Regent’s Canal.

Family attractions

“The Olympic Park has so many options and activities for families –  there’s the Tumbling Bay Playground and The Aquatics Centre.

“There’s Zip World at the ArcelorMittal, and a huge slide which goes down from the Orbit too – you name it, we have it.

“There’s the Olympic Pool, which is available for guests and for kids to swim, and all sorts of activities at the Velodrome.

“The V&A East opened earlier this year – I can’t say I enjoyed going around museums when I was a kid – but they do have activities for children.”

Shopping

“I’d recommend Hackney Wick for shopping, there are lots of small markets, particularly on the weekend that populate the area.

“They sell any type of quirky item – it’s very nice.

“And I know that most people won’t be going to a butchers but I love Appetite Steakhouse, they have a huge selection of Italian meats.

“I’m mentioning it’s also a restaurant – it has the best meat I’ve found in London.”

Sweet treats and coffee

“My favourite place is called Signorelli, which is an Italo-English” bakery.

“While I’m not a massive sweet tooth, I am a huge coffee lover and Signorelli is perfect for both.

“From time to time you can be lucky enough to find a Cornetto, which is the Italian version of a croissant, but it’s a bit different in terms of the dough, and in terms of coffee, definitely, I mean, they are the best in Stratford.

“Whenever I feel homesick, I have one of their coffees, and it takes me back to Italy.”

Free things to do

“Hackney Wick is full of street art so I’d suggest taking yourself on an unofficial graffiti tour.

“One artist, Helch, has always been known by his tag – like Banksy, he passed away recently, and Hackney Wick was a place he worked the most.

“Lots of the buildings in Hackney Wick are decorated by graffiti and you can probably see it all in around 20 minutes.

“Otherwise, take a stroll around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – they also have lots going on there, so it’s worth checking out their site ahead of time to not miss out like live music to kids activities.”

Best views in East London

“Our rooftop at the hotel has the best view of Stratford.

“The view from the rooftop at Kokin is unbeatable – it’s our signature restaurant on the seventh floor and you can see the very best of East London from there.

“You can enjoy the dramatic views across to St Paul’s Cathedral and enjoy some of the best sushi in London – it’s not just sushi there’s all sorts of Japanese cuisine and the chef is incredible.

“They do special events up there too like tuna carving which takes place every Wednesday.”

Daytrips from Stratford

“The thing about Stratford is that it has so many transport links so really, you’re spoilt for choice, but I would definitely say head to Kent.

“You can get there so easily and the Kent coast is amazing, there’s Whitstable, Margate, Deal, Ramsgate – I was born by the sea in Sardinia so for me to be able to get away to the beach, it’s fantastic.”

THE UK is set to see the last of the summer sun this weekend, so where better to enjoy it than Cornwall’s Saint Tropez?

One charming coastal village has been compared to the French glamorous resort town thanks to its incredible beaches, high-end restaurants and royal visitors.

The village in question is called Rock which sits on the Camel Estuary and has incredible views across from the well-known town of Padstow.

The upscale hotspot has numerous celebrity homeowners and even Prince William and Prince Harry have enjoyed a holiday of two there.

The princes first visited Rock in the late 1990s as teenagers for family holidays and were spotted enjoying nearby beaches and surfing in Polzeath.

Other celebrities that have been known in the area include Gordon Ramsay who owns a multi-million-pound waterfront property there.

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He’s even been filmed arriving to the village by helicopter.

Chef Paul Ainsworth owns the local pub called The Mariners, where you can get some of the best fish and chips in the area.

Other top spots include Four Boys which is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch.

Fee’s Food is a deli where you can pick up quiches, freshly baked loaves, pastries – they also specialise in pies and curries.

Of course, no visit to Cornwall is complete without a trip to the beach, and Rock has a great one.

Rock Beach has described as being called “world class” by previous visitors, and another called it the “best beach I’ve been to in a long time.”

The sandy beach stretches on for around half a mile with views across the estuary to Padstow.

If you fancy venturing a little further afield, Porthilly Cove which is a secluded sandy beach is just around the corner.

The St Enodoc Hotel in Rock recently underwent a multi-million-pound renovation – it was closed for 10 months but had a grand reopening in July.

Along with 21 rooms, there are two restaurants to choose from – the Estuary Grill which serves lots of local seafood or the Flour Garden which dishes up hand-made pizzas.

The hotel has beautiful gardens too with lawn games, deck chairs and Maurice, a charming vintage French truck, with a mix of drinks including Guinness on-tap.

When it comes to getting there, the easiest way is to catch the ferry from Padstow – single journeys cost £3 for adults and £1.50 for children.

WHEN there’s a chill in the air but you still fancy a trip to the seaside, you have to visit this one destination – it’s the warmest in the UK and HAS the least rain.

Not to mention it has some incredible beaches and the world’s biggest Wetherspoons – so it’s the perfect place for a break on the coast this September.

Away Resorts has found the best UK seaside spots by analysing average daytime temperature, sea water temperature, rainfall and in top spot, is Kent.

Kate Watts from Away Resorts said: “September can be a brilliant time to enjoy everything the UK has to offer.”

She continued: “Our research highlights that you don’t need to go abroad to catch the last of the sun.

“From the Kent Coast to the Isle of Wight, Pembrokeshire to Cornwall, there are plenty of destinations around the UK where Brits can make the most of the coast before autumn arrives.”

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Thanks to it being the warmest destination with temperatures of 19C and only 11 days of rain – Kent is the best place to visit in autumn.

And luckily, there are plenty of coastal spots within the county to choose from.

If you’re after a traditional seaside experience, head to Broadstairs.

It has seven sandy beaches and bays including Viking Bay – lots have traditional beach huts and stripy deck chairs.

One must-do is to pop into Morelli’s Gelato, a retro ice cream parlour, for some mega sweet treats – it first opened in 1932.

As for what else you can do there, Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey who hails from Kent tells us her favourite spots in Broadstairs.

She said: “Bar Ingo is my favourite restaurant in Kent, offering Basque small plates with some of the friendliest staff (and in this year’s OpenTable Top 100), and I can never leave Arrowsmiths without picking up a few gifts for myself.

“You can also explore its history via Charles Dickens, exploring his home and namesake pub after he spent some time there.

“But come for Viking Bay, a rare sandy beach in Kent, with some fish and chips from The Mermaid or even a surf lesson or two and embrace the seaside town life.

“Make sure to stay at Smith’s Townhouse – having only opened last year, its one of the coolest in town without the price tag (with some of the best coffee in town too).”

Ramsgate is where you’ll find a soft sandy beach backed by the world’s biggest Wetherspoons.

Called the Victoria Pavilion, arguably the best views are up the top on the enormous rooftop terrace which looks over the coast.

Whitstable is another popular seaside town where you’ll find oyster shops, posh charity shops and art galleries.

One of the most beautiful beach pubs is there, called The Old Neptune; punters love it as they can enjoy a pint right on the sand.

Margate has been nicknamed Shoreditch on Sea thanks to its fancy wine bars, cafes and fine dining restaurants.

Or if you want a bit of nostalgia, head into the Dreamland theme park that visitors say is like ‘stepping back in time’ thanks to its vintage fairground rides.

Don’t miss Folkestone either which was voted Time Out’s best UK place to visit last year.

It has trendy shops and coffee spots on its brightly coloured high street and heading down to the beach don’t miss the Folkestone Mermaid – like they have in Copenhagen.

Other top spots include Deal and Botany Bay.

These are the best UK seaside destinations when it comes to weather for September…

1. Kent Coast
2. Solent & Hampshire Coast
3. Sussex Coast
4. Isle of Wight
5. Norfolk Coast
6. Dorset & the Jurassic Coast
7. Devon
8. Cornwall
9. Pembrokeshire Coast
10. Suffolk Coast
11. Gower Peninsula
12. Anglesey, North Wales
13. Yorkshire Coast
14. Northumberland Coast
15. Cumbria & the Solway Coast
16. East Lothian Coast
17. Fife Coast & East Neuk
18. Causeway Coast
19. Argyll & the Scottish Isles
20. Scottish Highlands & North Coast

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in some of the best holiday destinations abroad as well as some lesser-known spots in the UK.

With the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Megan and Harry, beginning their new life in the UK, we’ve decided to shine a light on the Cotswolds town of Witney as the couple and their children are reportedly settling into the historic region.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey grew up there and has long claimed its an excellent day trip outside of the nearby busy Cotswolds towns of Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.

Try Hunter’s Cake Cafe for insanely delicious sweet treats, and pick up some cute gifts from Lily’s Attic.

Or go just outside of town to Minster Lovell Ruins for the ideal picnic spots within the 16th century remains.

Here are some of my other top tips of places to go.

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Learn about the town’s history in wool at Witney Blanket Hall, which dates back to 1721 and is free to visit (make sure to pick up a blanket at the gift shop too).

And kids will love Cogges Manor Farm with 17 acres to explore which includes an adventure playground and animals they can feed and pet.

Tickets start from £12 for adults, see cogges.org.uk.

Otherwise a short drive away is Blenheim Palace as well as Jeremy Clarkson’s The Farmer’s Dog.

HIDDEN GEM

Only known by locals, head straight to Sandwich de Witney for one of the heartiest baguettes you’ll have ever seen.

Just don’t be too late – most of them sell out shortly after lunch.

For evening entertainment, catch some comedy or some live tribute acts at the very tiny Fat Lils music venue.

Previous comedians have included Greg Davies and Milton Jones. Tickets from £5. See fatlils.co.uk.

BEST VIEW

Grab a coffee and head down to the banks of the River Windrush which runs through the town.

The peaceful break from the bustling town is the ideal escape, where you’ll be mainly joined by joggers and a few cows in the distance.

It even used to host the World Pooh Sticks Championships, so grab a stick and get racing.

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If there is one thing Witney has an abundance of, its pubs.

And one of the finest in town for a meal out is The Fleece, a gastropub and hotel.

You’ll be licking the crumbs off the plate of the Devon crab cakes, and I’d go back just for Aubrey’s Cheeseburger, complete with the crispiest chips and pickles.

There’s a fantastic list of desserts, but my sweet tooth was satisfied by the bizarre, yet strangely delicious Banana Brulee Old Fashioned.

BEST BAR

If you love a beer, head to the Crafty Pint Bar.

It was recently named Oxford Pub of the Year by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), with a number of independent beers both on tap and by the bottle.

Try the Little Ox which is brewed just down the road.

Otherwise for the best vibes on a Friday night, head over to the Como Lounge in the centre of town where you can get two cocktails for £13.25.

HOTEL PICK

The Blue Boar ticks all the boxes – central location, cosy-yet-modern bedrooms and a fantastic restaurant downstairs.

Originally a 17th century coaching inn, there’s just 20 rooms to choose from, each with four poster beds, DAB radios and Nespresso machines.

Some rooms have views over the town centre, and easy has lush bathrooms kitted out with fluffy towels and luxe toiletries.

After recent renovations to the bar and restaurant, it reopened last week. Rooms start from £81. See acornpubs.co.uk/blueboar.

THERE’S lots of exciting things happening in 2027 across England, with plenty to interest all ages.

From the opening of the world’s first Minecraft land to a beautiful resort in Oxfordshire and the reopening of a funicular cliff lift in Kent – these spots should be on your radar.

Chessington, Surrey

If you’re a fan of the Minecraft video game, head to Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey for the opening of an immersive new land.

Minecraft World will cost £50million and will also have the first ever Minecraft coaster.

There will be other interactive features too like “epic block built playscapes” along with themed food and drink stores and a gift shop.”

It’s easy to make a day of it too by checking out the other 40 rides and attractions at the theme park.

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Paultons Park, Hampshire

Over at Paultons Park in Hampshire, the theme park will be opening its very first water coaster.

Called Serpent’s Curse, it will be an exciting new addition Valgard: Realm of the Vikings and it will be one of the biggest rides ever built in the theme park.

The watercoaster will be 471-metres long, with top speeds of 44mph and will open next spring.

For ride enthusiasts the details say that it will have ‘a lift hill, fast-flowing twists and curves, and a dramatic plunge into a final splashdown.’

The exact date of the opening of the ride is yet to be confirmed.

Blackpool, Lancashire

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is known for having it all, and it’s about to reopen a much- loved attraction, the River Caves.

The classic water ride first opened in 1905 before closing in 2024 due to technical complications – it will reopen next year after a period of “reimagination”.

It’s one of the oldest operating dark rides in the world and takes visitors through Ancient Egypt and lost jungles past dinosaurs and temples on a boat.

Amanda Jean Thompson OBE, the managing director of Pleasure Beach Resort teased some details, she said: “What I can tell you is what will remain – the Egyptian scene will remain but it and the Angkor Wat scene, which is so integral to Aviktas will remain, but rethemed and redone.”

She added: “I think the Blue Grotto may stay because I particularly like that area. The rest will be new and remains top secret for now, because I keep changing my mind.”

For anyone heading to Blackpool, another must-do is head to Sandcastle Waterpark which was recently voted the best waterpark in the country.

It’s kept at a toasty 29C and has more than 18 waterslides and attractions including a spa.

Don’t forget to pop into the seafront Wetherspoons either – called Velvet Coaster, it sits right on the front with views across the pleasure beach.

It’s across three floors, there’s a beer garden on the ground floor, a balcony on the first floor, and a roof garden on the pub’s highest level.

Morecambe, Lancashire

Work has officially started on the £100 million Eden Project in Morecambe and the majority will open in 2028.

But part of it will actually open next year – and it will be completely free to enter.

Called the Bring Me Sunshine Garden, it will have tall Austrian pine trees, grasses, a natural flower meadow as well as a solar-powered, shell-shaped outdoor pavilion and classroom that harvests rainwater.

The garden was shown off at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and will open as a permanent part of the Eden Project in Morecambe in spring 2027.

The rest of the Eden Project Morecambe is scheduled to fully open in winter 2028.

There’s plenty to see in Morecambe like the Happy Mount Park, the Eric Morecambe Statue and The Smugglers Den pub all rated highly on TripAdvisor.

Folkestone, Kent

If you love the Kent coast, Folkestone might be the seaside town to visit next year as its funicular lift is set to open after being closed for 10 years.

Folkestone’s Leas Lift first opened in 1885 and was forced to close back in 2017.

But a long campaign has finally seen restoration works start – and it’s set to reopen in 2027.

The £6.6million works will restore the main systems, which connect the top of the cliff to the beach.

The cafe is also being restored, along with the waiting room and addition of an outdoor terrace.

It remains one of the oldest in the UK, and one of just three of its kind left, being a water-balance funicular.

Along with its beach, the town has its own art trail, including a 2014 Banksy, as well as the Antony Gormley cast iron statues and ‘Folkestone Mermaid,’ similar to the one in Copenhagen.

Pop by its Artist’s Quarter to see local artwork and coffee shops.

Oxfordshire

If a bit of R&R is part of your 2027 plans then perhaps a trip to Oxfordshire is on the cards.

CABÜ is set to open a new resort just outside of the Cotswolds – and it will be the third of its kind in the UK.

It will have beautiful luxury cabins, a relaxing nature spa as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

There will be a new range of 51 “ultra- cool timber cabins” which will have either one, two or three bedrooms.

Guests will be able to use all of the facilities which include a nature spa, hot tubs, saunas and plunge bucket.

There will be an indoor swimming pool too surrounded by loungers and huge windows which will let in lots of natural light.

During the warmer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool – also on site will be a shop, restaurant, two bars and a studio events space.

The resort will open in Langley and will be a short distance from popular Cotswolds villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford.

Isle of Wight and East Yorkshire

If you’re looking for a holiday park break next year, then two Parkdean Resorts are getting major makeovers for spring 2027.

The first is Thorness Bay on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight.

Added to the site will be the new Hat-Tricks Sports Bar with pool and darts.

Joe’s American Grill is its new dining and there will be Minigolf & Adventure Activities which include high ropes, low ropes and climbing wall.

The second resort undergoing an upgrade is Skipsea Sands in East Riding of Yorkshire.

As part of a £5million makeover, it has recently added a Clip & Climb wall, Bear Grylls Escape Rooms and Fairground Golf.

Paignton, Devon

If you fancy a trip to the seaside this summer, one of the biggest hotels in Paignton is getting a huge refurb.

The Redcliffe Hotel is set to open in early 2027 and when it does, it will have been closed for a full year for the refurbishment.

The hotel has Indian-style architecture and sits right next to Paignton Beach and Preston Sands.

During the refurb, the 67-room hotel will be reduced to 55 rooms and the ground floor function room will be converted into guest rooms.

There will be a new restaurant and bar, and enhanced spa facilities.

Outside, there will be a restaurant patio with seating pods, planters and benches, terraced terraced gardens, guest patios and a refurbished outdoor pool area as well.

If you want to find a slice of Greece in Devon, then head to Elberry Cove which sits on the South West Coast Path between Paignton and Brixham and has crystal clear waters.

IF you’re looking forward to the dark autumn nights and epic firework displays – you’ll want to bag tickets to the biggest in the country.

The event also has a huge fairground, live entertainment and monster trucks – tickets go on sale today and are bound to sell out fast.

Held at Abingdon Airfield, the firework display is the biggest in the country and will take place on November 14.

It’s an incredible wraparound display with 270 degrees of fireworks across the airfield’s horizon with flashing lasers and lights all to music.

There’s also an earlier kids singalong fireworks show especially for youngsters – both fireworks displays are followed by the lighting of roaring bonfire.

Throughout the event, families can enjoy the rides at the largest fairground in the south of England.

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There are over 100 rides and attractions like the waltzers, ghost houses, mirror houses and bouncy castles – each ride costs £2.

There will also be enormous monster truck rides doing donuts and epic fireball explosions too.

Music and live entertainment will be held throughout the evening including Kerin & Perry which are an act where ‘comedy meets dance nostalgia’.

When it comes to food and drink, there’s a food village with plenty of snacks to pick up, sweet treats, drinks and craft bars.

One visitor who went last year said: “It was an absolutely amazing event! Fireworks were out of this world, the fairground had a huge choice of rides and prizes for all games, food – delicious and not overpriced.”

Another added: “The fireworks are on another level! Each year tops the last; bigger, brighter, and more breathtaking every time. Easily the best we’ve ever seen.”

Another simply said they were “The best fireworks we have seen to date!”

One change for this year is there is less capacity in order to make the event more exclusive and comfortable – but it does mean fewer tickets are on offer.

So if you want to get yourself some, head to their website, here.

Adult tickets start from £20, tickets for children (3-15) start from £15 – those under three go free.

RAIN has arrived and it seems summer is truly over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out in nature – especially if its indoors.

Around the UK are lots of attractions with indoor conservatories and glasshouses full of plants – and we’ve highlighted some of the best to explore this autumn.

The Eden Project, Cornwall

Go big or go home, right? The Eden Project has two biomes one of which is home to the world’s largest indoor rainforest.

The Rainforest Biome can be as hot as 35C so make sure to wear layers if you visit this autumn and winter.

Inside are beautiful waterfalls, a canopy walkway, wobbly bridges, free-roaming partridges and over 1,000 varieties of plants.

The Mediterranean Biome is slightly cooler but can still get up to 25C with pretty flowers and plants from the Mediterranean, California and even Western Australia.

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Make sure to follow the path to the olive trees, stop by the perfume garden for some scented plants and spot the sculptures hidden amongst the greenery.

You can book during events throughout the year too.

Across September 26-27 will be the Celebration of Stories Weekend where children’s authors will read stories from their books, along with workshops and family activities.

From November 20-January 2 will be its Christmas event. General tickets for adults start from £35.50 and tickets for children (5-15) start from £12.50.

Kew Gardens, London

Kew Gardens is known for its incredible landscape gardens and lakes – but there’s plenty of it that’s indoors too.

One of its most impressive attractions that’s inside is Palm House which is an indoor rainforest full of endangered plants – some of which are even extinct in the wild.

The Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens has 10 different zones with different climates including topical ones – so you can warm up inside.

Discover Venus flytraps, succulents and tropical orchids inside.

Other indoor attractions include Davies Alpine House where plants that thrive in cool, dry and windy conditions live.

There’s also Temperate House which is the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse with around 10,000 different plants from around the world.

If you want to find out more on Kew Gardens, check out Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding’s full guide on it, here.

General admission tickets start from £17 for adults – an offer for £10 tickets starts later this month. Tickets for children (between 4-15) start from £2.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire

In the heart of Carmarthenshire is the National Botanic Garden of Wales which has a claim to fame as being the largest single-span great glasshouse in the world.

It was even designed by Foster + Partners which are behind buildings like The Gherkin.

Inside the raindrop-shaped glasshouse are endangered plants from Mediterranean climate regions like the Canary Islands, Chile and South Africa.

Along with its various species of plants are rocky terraces and sandstone cliffs.

There are places for snacks too at the Caffi Botanica which serves up snacks, sandwiches, hot meals – some ingredients are even grown in the conservatory itself.

Tickets start from £16.49 for adults and £8.44 for children (between 2-17).

The Winter Garden, Sheffield

The Winter Garden in Sheffield is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK in the last 100 years.

The building is so big that it could actually fit 5,000 regular-sized greenhouses inside of it.

It’s full of greenery with over 2,500 plants from around the world inside of it and paths for a relaxing stroll inside.

There’s everything from tall trees to bamboo, bedding plants which change seasonally and flowers.

It might not be a place that you can spend a day in – but it’s attached to connected to the Millennium Gallery and the Peace Gardens which you can explore too.

It’s completely free to walk through The Winter Garden and it’s open Monday to Saturday between 8am-8pm, on Sunday it’s open from 10am to 5pm.

David Welch Winter Gardens, Aberdeen

David Welch Winter Gardens is found inside Duthie Park in the Ferryhill area of Aberdeen.

The glasshouse was added to the park in the 1900s and is now one of the most visited indoor plant collections in Scotland.

Inside is Europe’s largest indoor plant collection where you can explore the enormous Temperate House.

There’s also the Corridor of Perfumes which is a fragrant zone within the glasshouse, Fern House, Victorian Corridor, Japanese Garden, Tropical House and Arid House.

If its not too cold outside, take a stroll around Duthie Park which has a bandstand, fountains and a boating pond too.

Entry to the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park is completely free.

The Barbican Conservatory, London

This one might be slightly harder to visit – but it’s still worth mentioning as the Barbican Conservatory is the second biggest of its kind in London (behind the Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens).

The conservatory is part of the Barbican Centre in central London and is full with over 1,500 species of tropical and subtropical plants, trees and even fish.

There’s very much limited time to visit though as the Barbican Conservatory will close to the public and undergo a major restoration in January 2027.

But if you want to see inside before its closure, tickets are released one month in advance online with a number day tickets released from 9.30am on the day that the conservatory opens – entry is completely free.

If you want to find out when new tickets are available, you can join the waiting list.

And if you want to take a rare piece of the Barbican Conservatory home with you, check out the plant adoption event happening later this year.