The UK’s best towns, cities and counties to visit in 2023 have been revealed, with Eastbourne scooping first place.
There’s a lot to love across England, Wales and Scotland, with many areas celebrating their strong identities of food, culture, music and history. If you’re already looking at travel plans for next year, Time Out has compiled this list of the places you should be visiting in 2023 — and there’s something for everyone.
Read on to find out where you need to get booking for next year…
1. Eastbourne
Situated along the coast from Brighton, Eastbourne is redefining itself as a hub for creatives. Next year, make sure to visit the Towner Eastbourne gallery, which will be celebrating its centenary year. Elsewhere, fans of the South Downs National Park will love the Eastbourne Walking Festival, running from September 16 to 25.
2.Birmingham
It’s with thanks to the Good Food Guide that Birmingham has received some of its well earned praise, after securing an impressive three places on its recent Top 20 Most Exciting Restaurants of 2022 list, which include Carters of Moseley, The Wilderness, Grace & Savor at Hampton Manor). But that’s not all, as the city was also crowned Britain’s most exciting food destination too.
Time Out also notes that next year will see the return of The Ashes cricket competition in June too, as well as big anniversaries for the Library of Birmingham, which is the biggest in Europe, and The Bullring shopping centre.
3. Cardigan
Cardigan in Wales is also on the list. Time Out noted its “dazzling creative streak” and “fascinating history” with plenty of independent pubs, cafes and businesses including a gin distillery and the Guildhall market.
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4.Manchester
​There’s a lot happening in this city in 2023, including the long-awaited re-opening of the Manchester Museum, a huge exhibition from cult artist Yayoi Kusama named ‘You, Me and the Balloons’ in June, plus the cult 90s film, The Matrix will be adapted for the stage.
Also on in June and July is the Manchester International Festival full of events and performances, which takes place at the Factory International building.
5. Scarborough
Another British seaside town having a revival next year will see the return of Scarborough’s famous fair, from 8 April to 29 May, which covers, theatre, dance and comedy to name a few arts. Though Time Out recommends going in February to catch the Dark Skys festival running between 10-26 February and includes “walks, talks and late-night stargazing events in one of Europe’s biggest protected Dark Sky Reserve”.
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6.Glasgow
Often overlooked by it’s easterly cousin, Edinburgh, the industrial city of Glasgow has a lot on offer too that you might not know about.
Food is big here, with some of its best restaurants sitting on the ‘Finnieston strip’ between the city center and the west end. Vegan food is also high on the agenda across the city. Time Out named its coolest street as Great Western Road, which has everything from “fine dining to boutique shopping, great pubs and basement gigs, all in one short stretch”.
7. Dorset
The south coast county is best known for its soft coastline and great walks throughout its many Designated Areas of Outstanding Beauty, such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.
Time Out says there’s two festivals to note here: End of the Road (31 August to 3 September) which covers a huge range of music and We Out Here, which is moving from its Cambridgeshire location and takes place 10-14 August, and is curated by BBC Radio DJ Gilles Peterson.
8.London
The capital doesn’t need an introduction, nor any convincing that it’s worth your time, as it undeniably has something for everyone, from art galleries to theater and live music, to some of the world’s best restaurants and lively food markets, as well as huge parks and of course shopping.
Two galleries of note that are finally reopening after extensive renovations next year are the Young V&A to the east of the city in Bethnal Green and National Portrait Gallery, in Trafalgar Square.
9. Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a lot going for it, so much so that Time Out named it the best city in the world for 2022. With its cobbled streets and imposing castle, there would be plenty to do on a long weekend. Time Out says next year the city has plenty of new hotel openings to shout about as well.
10.Liverpool
As the host city for next year’s Eurovision, 2023 is a great time to visit this industrial city. Liverpool was named as the Cultural Capital in 2008, so we expect there will be lots to see and do.
11. Padstow
In north Cornwall, this little fishing village has undeniably shaped Cornwall’s food scene over the past few decades, which is owed to Rick Stein. Now other chefs such as Paul Ainsworth who has No 6, as well as number of other restaurants, Katie and Rick Toogood, the duo behind Prawn on the Lawn and Barnaby’s, and the arrival of the Pig at Harlyn Bay hotel from the Pig mini chain , which is only a few miles away, are taking the baton to continue its good name.
Though of course a pasty is an essential, and Time Out says to get one at Stein’s Deli.
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12. Orkney
Off the coast of John o’Groats, Orkney’s archipelago of more than 70 islands is described as “other worldly”. It’s home to Britain’s largest concentration of pre-historic monuments including Ring of Brodgar standing stones, while the highlight of next year is that the Neolithic Ness of Brodgar excavation site will open to the public from 5 July until 17 August.
It’s a long journey from practically anywhere, so it will be made easier as Loganair will fly London City to Kirkwall (the largest town in Orkney) twice a week from April 2023.
13. Margate
Once a kiss-me-quick classic seaside town, Margate, along with many others on the Kent coast, has worked hard to change its perception. It’s been helped along with the opening of the Turner Contemporary gallery in 2011, and restaurants like Angela’s which focus on sustainably-caught local fish.
Time Out says to go in March when it will be holding its Power of Women Festival (3-12 March) to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March.
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14. Sheffield
Awarded the accolade of the UK’s greenest city in 2021, Sheffield is another city with lots in the realms of food, drink and art, including a new shipping container complex which is definitely worth a visit.
A few bands are coming home to play, including Arctic Monkeys at Hillsborough Park between 9-10 June, and Pulp at the Utilita Arena on 14 and 15 July. Make sure not to miss out.
15.Cheshire
Cheshire is worth traveling to not only for its Roman and Medieval history, but for its burgeoning food scene. Huw Oliver, Time Out’s UK Editor says: “Macclesfield’s beautiful cinema-turned-food hall the Picturedrome and craft-beer haven Fiveclouds are turning this small industrial town into a destination in its own right”.
He also suggests visiting Jodrell Banks’ new £21.5 million attraction — the First Light Pavilion at Jodrell Bank Observatory, which is all about radio and astronomy in the UK.
For music festival fans, Bluedot is one for the diary (20-23 July), which Time Out says “the line up is often as spectacular as the setting”.
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