Swathes of Brits have slammed TimeOut’s list of the 15 best places to visit in the UK this year – arguing that the 2nd and 3rd position should be avoided
Looking for some staycation inspiration? TimeOut has released its official list of the best places to visit in the UK in 2025 – and it’s sparked a pretty heated debate.
Sometimes, it can be hard to appreciate the beauty around you. We Brits are so desperate to get away from the dreary weather and the mundanity of our 9-5 that flying abroad seems more appealing than having a staycation.
It’s usually only the white sandy beaches down in Cornwall that can get Brits hyped up, but there are plenty of destinations across the nation that are worth visiting. You never know, you might actually end up enjoying yourself.
Coming in at number one is none other than Folkestone, a once-drab seaside town that is now booming with tourists who want to live there. As previously reported by The Mirror, Folkestone, in Kent, has completely ‘reinvented’ itself and has become somewhat of a hub for arty folks thanks to its designated Creative Quarter. There’s also the postcard-worthy Mermaid Beach and Sunny Sands for when the weather warms up – if your idea of a good holiday is soaking in the rays with a good book.
“And 2025 will see Folkestone in an even brighter spotlight,” TimeOut wrote. “The town’s triennial, one of the most prestigious events in the UK art calendar, returns from July to October and will pack Folkestone full of public artworks. This year should also see the return of the Leas Lift, the town’s gorgeous Grade II*-listed funicular railway, after restoration.
Second place, and perhaps the biggest surprise of them all, went to Stratford, London. Often snubbed for being ‘nothing more’ than home to the Westfield shopping centre, Stratford doesn’t exactly have the best reputation amongst Brits. However, TimeOut says the neighbourhood is bouncing back to relevance thanks to the upcoming completion of two ‘major new cultural institutions’.
“First to arrive is Sadlers Wells East, a 550-seater sister venue to Islington’s hallowed centre of contemporary dance, which will more or less double the number of contemporary dance productions appearing on London stages when it opens in February,” the publication explained. “Just a few months later comes the V&A East Storehouse, a purpose-built venue housing more than 1000 archives from the V&A’s vast collections.”
Stoke-on-Trent scooped third place, thanks to its rich history and links to the ceramic trade. TimeOut suggested visiting the city as a base for nature spots such as the Peak District and Trentham Estate, as well as exploring the inner workings of factories like Middleport.
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Taking to social media, dozens of Brits contested the list – arguing many of the contenders were not worth the visit. “I do not see how they can make Stratford number two,” one person fumed. “There are better, safer places with a lot more than a 540-seat theatre and a shopping mall.”
Another moaned: “I was taken back when I saw Bradford on the list. Are there two different Bradfords in the UK? It can’t be listing to one I’ve been to.” A third added: “Stoke-on-Trent? Really? We live a 30 minutes drive away and [have] only been there once in the last few years, after moving to Shropshire seven years ago. The city is falling apart,” while a fourth bluntly wrote: “The only reason I would go to Southampton is for the Ikea store.”
However, hotspots like York and Whitby tended to garner a more positive response. “Whitby and York get my votes for top spots, I always loved those places and would love to take my Canadian wife at some point,” one person said online.
TimeOut’s top 15 places to visit in the UK
- Folkestone
- Stratford
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Orkney
- Bradford
- Southampton
- York
- Whitby
- Cardiff
- Birmingham
- Newlyn
- Liverpool
- Norwich
- Belfast
- Glasgow
Which UK hotspot deserves to be on the list? Have your say in the comments section below