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Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
10 holiday red flags to watch out for this summer, according to travel writers
A holiday is meant to be a time of relaxation: a pressure valve releasing all the stress of day-to-day life. Especially a summer holiday, where thoughts turn to sunshine and the beach, and the only difficult decisions should be between ice cream and sorbet, cone and tub. But too often, these precious weeks away can be fraught with traps and tricks, issues and irritations – from the vastly inflated taxi fare to the resort fee that (you're sure) wasn't mentioned in the brochure, and those insidious terms and conditions where the devil is most definitely in the details. What to do, and what to watch out for? Here, 10 of Telegraph Travel's regular contributors name their main travel bugbears – and the 'holiday red flags' you should take care to avoid if you are heading to distant shores in the coming months. 1. The double tip (of the iceberg) I am not pointing the finger at America in particular. But the USA, the spiritual home of service culture, does seem to be especially guilty of this very modern sin: the double surcharge on the cost of your dinner. It is a pitfall that seems to have widened and deepened in the post-Covid world, where most transactions are not just electronic, but so commonplace in their contactless simplicity that, very often, we fail to check, properly, the sum we are coughing up. Yet it is well worth pausing to peruse the small print. More often than you would like, a restaurant will add a – perfectly reasonable – service charge to your bill, only to then present you with a hand-held payment terminal whose screen asks you whether you want to add a tip -– sometimes 20 per cent or more – on top of what should be the total amount. How to avoid it There is no shame in taking your time, and examining, again, the bottom of the 'cheque'. It certainly makes for less expensive evenings. Chris Leadbeater 2. The departure gate rush 'Now Boarding'. When the message flashes up at the departure gate, there is always a stir of movement towards the desk. Indeed, many passengers start queuing as soon as they arrive. It's a mistake. Airlines now start the boarding process before the plane is even at the gate – as a way of speeding things up. The result? You spend 15 or 20 minutes crowded into a chilly, airless tunnel with no idea how much longer you will have to wait. How to avoid it Don't rush forward. Check the window to see if the plane has actually arrived yet, and ideally wait until passengers are actually boarding, before you move forward. Nick Trend 3. Off-airport car hire headache That first, nail-biting hire car journey from the airport is bad enough: add an uncomfortable journey on a packed shuttle bus and a long queue in a sizzling parking lot before you even get the keys and that bargain off-site car hire deal starts to seem like a dreadful way to kick off a holiday. How to avoid it Before you book, check with a consolidator such as as they offer competitive deals from in-terminal operators that can be as cheap as the off-airport alternatives. Another bonus? You'll have more time on the beach pre-departure too. Amanda Hyde 4. Hotel buffet horrors We've all been there – that first circuit of the hotel buffet, fresh off a flight and ravenous. Loading up a plate with a random assortment of foods that may look enticing, but At best there are the mini pastries at breakfast that are all deviations of the same (dry, uninspired) thing. At worst there's a paella at dinner that's been a hit with the local fly population. The husband of one of my colleagues once memorably described the seafood and raw bar section of a resort hotel dinner buffet as 'certain death'. You have been warned! How to avoid it Embrace mindful eating – think carefully about whether a particular item is likely to be high quality. Do an initial lap to assess the full selection rather than just grabbing the first thing you see. And if you see flies, walk on by. Rachel Cranshaw 5. The lure of all inclusive 'All inclusive': such magic words! Your golden ticket to eat, drink and repeat – no fretting over the bill, and no need to scrimp on your third (ok, fourth) margarita. But reader, beware the small print. Hotels' dining packages are becoming outrageously stingy, whether they're charging extra for à la carte dining (or else you're stuck in the hellish buffet canteen, see above), or rinsing you for key dishes on the menu. I stayed at one 'all-inclusive' resort recently that demanded a premium for prosecco, and just three cocktails on its entire menu were bottomless. Never again! How to avoid it Read the terms and conditions (see below), quiz your travel agent – and check your favourite bevvy is definitely included. Hazel Plush 6. Check-in terms and conditions In a similar vein to the above, watch out for the hotels that seem determined to fleece guests at every turn. There might be a room service tray table charge that's more costly than the item you ordered, or a minibar coke priced at €12 when it can be found at a shop down the road for €1.50. Hotels that charge guests for the use of their swimming pool and spa facilities also leave a sour taste in the mouth, as do those with ruinous 'resort fees,' purporting to cover water and Wi-Fi (surely a human right at this point). How to avoid it Be less British. Ask for a breakdown of various spurious charges and check any resort fees before booking. Emma Beaumont 7. Do not trust (British) public transport Air-travel related stress once began after take-off: in the event of bad weather, bumpiness, uncouth piloting, and horrors like minimal legroom, rotten food, snotty stewards. But as planes have become safer, the stresses seem to have been rewound to begin ever earlier. First was the nasty frisking and all-round faffing at security. Then they turned airports into shopping malls. Then dropping off became ripping off. For non-Londoners, though, the stress begins at home. Based in the North West, every time I use the train (Northern, Cross Country, Avanti West Coast, take your pick), without fail it lets me down – and I'm not alone. Cancellations, delays and general chaos mean there's a very good chance of missing the flight. How to avoid it Avoid public transport if you want to relax before the inevitable stresses of the airport – especially if you live beyond the capital. Get a lift, or a taxi, or doze in a pod hotel the night before. Chris Moss 8. Dog-friendly dilemmas Thousands of pet owners wouldn't dream of going away without the dog – they deserve a holiday, too, after all. When a hotel advertises as 'dog-friendly' I'm thrilled, but all too often I'm disappointed on check-in: we arrive to receive a long list of rules my dog – who cannot read – must follow. He's not allowed in the dining area, breakfast room or the bar. He can't sleep on the sofa as he does at home, and he's not to be left alone in the room (lord knows what I'm supposed to do at breakfast time). Hardly dog tolerant, let alone dog-friendly. How to avoid it Avoid this kind of disappointment by booking the extra dog-friendly hotels – the ones that provide a canine menu, like Kimpton or Four Seasons, or those with their love of dogs displayed on their website, like Homewood Bath. Lottie Gross 9. Neighbourhood watch There are multiple red flags that suggest you are in the touristy part of a city and should leave immediately, in search of a more authentic part of town. These include: people throwing those whizzy toys in the air; a pub with O' in its name; open-top buses; tuk-tuks; people in waistcoats beckoning you into their restaurant. But you know of all these already. More nuanced signals include people wearing hiking trainers, being somewhere shaded in orange on Google maps, and the much maligned key lock boxes affixed outside homes. Increasingly, a not-so-subtle clue is a piece of graffiti scrawled on a wall, politely requesting that you 'go home'. How to avoid it Whether visiting a small city like Bratislava or a behemoth like Berlin, it always pays to do your research before you arrive. After asking friends for recommendations and scouring online sources (such are The Telegraph's city guides). I like to build a customised Google Map filled with some of the most interesting cafes, restaurants, galleries, bars and parks. Generally this pinboard of 'good stuff' seems to cluster in one or two quarters of a city, which can make planning the day over breakfast each day a much smoother process. 10. The tourist trap restaurant After a long day exploring, and eventually hobbling, exhausted, around a city – determined to see all the sites – it's easy to succumb to an overzealous restaurant greeter (spot them, more often than not in a skimpy vest and ripped jeans, drenched in sweat, chain smoking and gesticulating like Basil Fawlty). The red flags of a tourist trap restaurant might also include: laminated menus displayed outside, TripAdvisor stickers plastic table filled by British and American couples (spot bum bags and DSLR cameras as necklaces) and (most importantly) diabolical food. How to avoid it Contrary to popular belief, it is easy to eat extremely well within a stone's throw of iconic landmarks – but you may need to divert from the beaten track a little. Observing crowds is a good way to suss out any restaurant – if a place is full of locals it is usually a good sign. Asking for recommendations is, most certainly, the easiest way to find a good restaurant – but avoid hotel staff, and instead strike up conversation with shopkeepers, bartenders, cleaners, or taxi drivers. Jonathan Hatchman
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Tenby among Britain's most genteel seaside towns
From North Berwick (East Lothian) to Deal (Kent), the travel experts at The Telegraph have compiled a list of Britain's 10 most genteel seaside towns. Introducing the list, the news outlet said: "While there's a certain nostalgic joy to the type of coastal resort that's all candy floss, waltzers and slot machines, there's arguably greater pleasure in towns that have the seascapes and the golden sand but that are more cute than kitsch. "More sourdough than doughnut. More vibrant arts scene than end-of-the-pier innuendo. More artisanal ice cream than Mr Whippy." 🏖️ From the 'Biarritz of the North' to a perfectly-preserved medieval town, these coastal destinations make for a refined trip Find out more ⬇️ — Telegraph Travel (@TelegraphTravel) June 1, 2025 Britain's most genteel seaside towns The top 10 most "genteel" seaside towns in Britain, according to The Telegraph, are: North Berwick (East Lothian) Lymington (Hampshire) Padstow (Cornwall) Deal (Kent) Aberaeron (Ceredigion) Southwold (Suffolk) Lytham (Lancashire) Burnham Market (Norfolk) Lyme Regis (Dorset) Tenby (Pembrokeshire) Why Tenby is among Britain's most genteel seaside towns Tenby was named among Britain's top 10 most "genteel" seaside towns by The Telegraph, recommended for its beaches, pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses and "neat little shops". The news outlet explained: "Tenby's four, beautiful Blue Flag beaches are enough to attract anyone. "But the cliff-top town behind is a looker too. Here old stone walls encircle pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses, many of which are now neat little shops, bars and cafes. "For culture, pop into the Museum and Art Gallery and visit the 15th-century Tudor Merchant House before eating at Plantagenet, fine-dining in a 1,000-year-old building." The Telegraph isn't the only one to speak highly of Tenby. Visit Wales describes the Pembrokeshire town as "one of our best seaside towns". The tourism experts said you can expect "glorious" beaches, Victorian houses and "warm hospitality" upon visiting the coastal town. While Tripadvisor added: "Tenby is lovingly protected from the outside world by an embrace of 13th-century stone walls, which, ironically, attract—not repel—visitors from all over the world. "The town is simply adorable, teeming with the archetypes of pubs and shops one would expect to find in a U.K. city. "Adding further appeal are the miles of gorgeous beaches and the gently lapping waves of a blue-grey sea." Best beaches in the UK The best bars and cafes in Tenby The best bars and cafes in Tenby, according to The Telegraph, that are a must-visit include: Harbwr Brewery Môr Tenby Stowaway Coffee Things to do in Tenby As well as the beaches and shops, there is plenty more to see and do when visiting Tenby. The top-rated attractions on Tripadvisor included: The Dinosaur Park Manor Wildlife Park Heatherton World of Activites Tudor Merchant's House RECOMMENDED READING: While The Telegraph suggested taking a "fabulous" four-mile walk along the coast path to Saundersfoot and trying out Sea and Steam - a mobile woodfire sauna on the beach front. Best place to stay in Tenby If you are looking for somewhere to stay while in Tenby, The Telegraph recommended the 120-year-old cliff-top Imperial Hotel.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
The new baby boomer tax funding your children's holidays
First it was houses, now it's holidays. Today's grandparents, largely the post-war baby boomer generation, are increasingly the source of funding for almost everything in Britain. The Bank of Mum and Dad has been stumping up deposits for house purchases, particularly in London and the South East, in large numbers for a couple of decades now. House price growth has far outpaced wage rises since the 2007-08 financial crisis tanked the global economy and froze wages in real terms. The lucky recipients – myself among them – of these so-called 'gifted deposits' are now having children of their own. Once the sprogs reach school age, and your holidays are restricted to times when half the country is also off, the costs are truly astronomical – and they're getting worse. Colleagues on the Telegraph Travel desk found a return flight to Corfu from Gatwick with easyJet cost £1,300 per person during last week's half-term break. The same journey this week will set you back just £263 per person. It's no wonder growing numbers of families are instead choosing to take their kids out of school during term time and paying the fines imposed by the council for truancy. Yes, some families take the Michael, but for others, the choice is between breaking the law and having no holiday at all. And gone are the days when you could rely on a cheap break in this country, either. Even camping has gone bonkers, with bare pitches (where you bring your own tent) costing £50 a night at some campsites. So, as infantilising as it is, baby boomers are now having to fork out for their children and grandchildren's holidays, too. The truth is that this generation, now in their 60s and 70s, are the only ones with any money in Britain any more. The triple jackpot – index-linked final salary pension, full state pension and a mortgage-free property – is enjoyed by millions of people. Today's workers have wages that have stagnated, once you take into account the effects of inflation, and are labouring under the highest tax burden since the end of the Second World War. If you earn £60,000 a year, your monthly take-home pay (after tax and pensions) will be around £3,300. Take off a typical mortgage or rent, nursery fees for one child, a London travelcard, utilities and food, and you're left with little more than £200. That's simply not enough to build any kind of wealth to afford regular breaks in school holidays. At the same time as younger generations are being squeezed, the Government is coming up with more reasons for older people to give away their money more quickly than ever. For instance, from April 2027, unspent pensions will fall into the scope of inheritance tax at 40pc (assuming the £1m tax-free allowance most couples have has been used up). It is policies like this that have led pensioners to rush to spend their savings before the Treasury can get their grubby hands on it. During last week's holiday, several of the families holidaying around us were all going on the grandparent pound. There were a few nice cars outside – all owned by the retired grandparents, of course, not by their working children. Those of us lucky enough to have parents willing and able to help are very grateful, but it shouldn't be like this. Something has gone horribly wrong when grown adults are reliant on their parents for a roof and the odd jolly with their families in their own country.
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Telegraph
The ultimate long weekend break, according to our experts
What exactly is a weekend? In terms of basic maths, it is a simple pairing of two days – or 48 hours, if you prefer. In certain wonderful corners of the calendar, it drags its heels into three, or even four, days. But a weekend is much more than time and numbers. Whether you are enjoying it in its standard duration, or hopping onto a plane over a Bank Holiday, a weekend is a chance to escape routine. Depending on your sense of adventure, it can be an opportunity for far-flung travels, to less heralded places and relatively distant horizons, or for closer-to-home exploration with the kids, or grandkids, in tow. Here, 10 of Telegraph Travel's contributors remember their most amazing long weekends away; from a mini-break on the Europe-Asia divide to a night with wolverines in Finland and reconnecting with the family in the south of France. Of course, such there-and-back-in-a-blink wanderlust is not restricted to travel writers. Share your favourite short trips in the comments section below. Tromsø, Norway An expedition beyond the Arctic Circle I think, perhaps, I had underestimated the distance involved. Tromsø is located so high on the Norwegian landmass that it sits a full 1,100 miles above its own national capital Oslo – never mind the 1,450 miles that separate it from London. To provide a further statistic, it also sits a good 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. 'Distance' is absolutely the word. But a European city-break is a European city-break, and the 'Paris of the North' is as pretty a place as anywhere found in a more fabled corner of the continent. Admittedly, it has little in common with the Marais or Montmartre. In look and feel, Tromsø is very much a sentinel of the cold world, its centre huddled for warmth on an island in the middle of the Tromsøsundet strait. Its vibe is encapsulated by the pale beauty of its 'Arctic Cathedral', which resembles an iceberg, and by the daring stories of frozen exploration told at its Polar Museum. Flying there and back over a weekend was an expedition in itself – yet one worth the air miles. A three-night stay at the Scandic Ishavshotel costs from £698 per person, including flights and transfers, via Kirker Holidays (020 7593 2288). Chris Leadbeater Bangkok, Thailand A pampered girls weekend Hongkongers enjoy a whopping 17 public holidays annually (more than double that of England and Wales), and we have one of the world's best-connected airports, making long weekends away a breeze. Over the recent Ching Ming Festival, I travelled with a friend to Bangkok (a 2 hour 55 minute flight from my home in Hong Kong), my favourite place for a girls's weekend. It's got everything you need: sunshine, five-star hotels at three-star prices, bargain shopping, cut-price spas on every corner, as well as top-quality food. Our first stop was MBK, a monster shopping mall selling everything from underpants to power banks, where we made an impromptu stop at a dentist for a check-up and Airflow clean, costing half the price of Hong Kong or London. We also visited Dr. Zen, our favourite aesthetics clinic for the latest anti-aging tweakments – again at a fraction of the price of other major cities – in between hour long Thai massages, that clocked in at around £5 a pop, massaman curry lunches at trendy family-run diner Taling Pling and dinners and drinks at rooftop restaurants. Take an overnight flight from London and you could enjoy this ultimate long weekend for yourself. Lightfoot Travel (020 3950 5105) has four nights at the Banyan Tree Bangkok from £1,250, B&B, including return flights from Heathrow. Lee Cobaj Pembrokeshire, Wales Stretching your legs Was someone laughing at me? Throaty guffaws echoed around Strumble Head, bouncing off crags and stacks. But no: the yawps and grunts of Atlantic grey seals hauled out on kelp-strewn rocks below the Pembrokeshire Coast Path provided a suitably wild welcome to this most magical stretch of trail. These vocal, blubbery marine mammals join puffins, porpoises, red kites and kestrels among the route's many natural wonders. And all so easy to encounter: arrive by road or rail at your base in Fishguard, then use excellent public transport, notably bookable fflecsi buses, to stitch together a three-day hiking micro-adventure. Start at Britain's smallest cathedral city, St Davids. Wind past dolphin-breached straits and seabird city Ramsey Island, accurately named Whitesands Bay and winsome fishing hamlets. Day two departs Trefin, passing 5,000-year-old dolmen Carreg Samson, Iron Age hill forts and those garrulous seals, arriving back in Fishguard. Finish with the amble to toothsome Newport, sparing time to explore its appealing eateries and independent shops before the reluctant return home. Manor Townhouse (01348 873260) is a coolly stylish, yet warmly welcoming, boutique guesthouse in Fishguard; doubles from £150, including breakfast. Paul Bloomfield La Cavalérie, France A multi-generational break A long weekend is absolutely the recommended way to meet up en famille – time to develop themes usually confined to fleeting meetings, but not time enough for them to get out of hand. You're reminded why you like them, not why you don't. Certain rules apply: book a gite a decent distance from all participants's homes, so no one feels they're hosting and grandparents should cough up for the best and biggest they can afford (you'll need space, and to convince the rest that the seniors are not invariably cheapskates). We had a big old farmhouse on the edge of La Cavalérie, a village with ramparts, bars and a Knights Templar past, itself isolated on the upland causse. Near La Cavalérie is Roquefort, where they make the cheese and take you inside the mountain, where the blueness develops. A great way to keep us entertained. So was the local horse-riding. So was the mass pétanque game on the village boules pitch, in which all but the one-year-old played and I won (which made it better). Other time was taken with cooking, eating, drinking, playing daft games, sitting in the garden to chat to daughter, son or son-in-law or any combination of the entire tribe. This can be accomplished almost anywhere. It's great for the grandparents, apparently OK for rest – and that's as ultimate of a weekend as most of us need. La Cavalérie is an hour from Rodez airport, 1h30 from Montpellier airport. Find La Cavalérie, and Larzac, gîtes on or from £600 (three nights, four bedrooms). Anthony Peregrine Istanbul, Turkey Exploring the continental divide An ambitious birthday weekender in Istanbul started with a flight from London that squeezed in at just under four hours. Not bad for a skip to Asia's doorstep and an endless sprawl of mosques, bazaars, teahouses and friendly cats. Mercifully for the first-timer, a great chunk of the city's big-hitters are clustered in Sultanhamet. By staying nearby, we managed four uninterrupted days pottering around, mouths either agape at Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman wonders or stuffed with lamb dürüm and baklava. Arguably, the city's more exciting half spills out over the Bosphorous into Asia. Making the crossing – alongside the two million Istanbulites who do so daily – is non-negotiable, for the views but also for the thrill of traversing the continental divide. Laid-back Kadikoy and achingly cool Moda lie on the other side. Elsewhere, forgo the £35 fee for Galata Tower and instead appreciate its Genoese beauty from the rooftop terrace up the hill at Mikla, martini in hand. Snap pictures of the colourful bohemian houses of Balat or catch some live jazz in buzzy Beyoğlu. Turkey's turbulent economy has seen admission for top attractions reach obscene highs. You'll pay more to poke your head around the Hagia Sophia for 20 minutes than to see the Louvre, Uffizi or Prado, so plan with this in mind. WizzAir offers return flights from London from £56. Neorion Hotel, Sultanhamaet (0090 212 5279090), has doubles from £133 per night. Jordan Young Finland A night in the wild I'd thought wolverines were pure movie fiction, a mutant superhero played by a muscly Hugh Jackman – until a very real, very toothy wolverine started circling my cabin. I watched as it stalked silently, furry snout to the dirt, following the scent of an invisible prey. I was alone, on an all-night vigil in Finland's taiga forest – and short of Hugh himself emerging from the woodland, I'd just hit the weekend jackpot. During summer, northern Finland basks in 24-hour daylight: the ideal conditions for observing its brown bears and wolverines in the wild. These forest creatures are nocturnal, and for one weekend so was I, eager for an outdoor adventure. On the first night, we spotted gigantic brown bears from our discreet woodland 'hide': a juvenile pair gambolled through the forest, while the adults sloped on paws the size of dinner plates. We held our breath as each group approached: 'They look menacing, but even the slightest noise will spook them,' our guide Sabrina warned. The second night, I had a hide all to myself, kept awake by adrenaline as bears and Arctic foxes snuck through the forest. I was safe in my cabin, but when the wolverine looked my way I could swear he heard my heart thudding. Exhilarating, life-affirming – and doable in just one long weekend. Naturetrek (01962 733051) offers four-day Finland bear-watching trips from £1,645pp including flights via Helsinki. Hazel Plush Mawgan Porth, Cornwall Family-friendly perfection Rumour has it that Cate Blanchett has just bought a home in this beautiful Cornish town that is quickly becoming known as Hollywood-on-Sea. It's less than a five-minute drive from Cornwall Airport Newquay and sits on what I would argue is one of Britain's most spectacular sections of coast. At low tide, the stretching yellow-cream sands expand to reveal rockpools and caves that my children loved to explore, while a stream runs down the centre of the beach, offering no end of entertainment. If you're partial to catching a wave, the direction of the bay mirrors its more famous neighbour, Fistral beach, meaning that you can expect the same conditions, but with fewer crowds. Beyond the beautiful sand and the coast path that runs up to the clifftops on either side, you'll find a great range of amenities; a beach shop selling great local produce, a newsagents, fish and chip bar, pub, car park and restaurant. There's even a crazy golf course with a pitch & putt. It has everything in such a small radius that it's the weekend break of dreams – especially for parents with young children. All Decked Out sits on the cliff and has been designed so that the three bedrooms (sleeping seven) are downstairs, meaning that the living space and small terrace look out across the sand to the sea. From £863 per week (01736 754242). If you prefer a hotel, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa (from £195 per night) is great for families, while The Scarlet is an elegant adults-only hotel with hot tubs that overlook the beach (from £390 per night). Penny Walker Pater Noster, Hamneskär, Sweden Remote rewards It doesn't get much more exciting than arriving at an 1860s lighthouse hotel by speedboat, while wearing thick boots and a drysuit. But there it was – Pater Noster – a beacon of steel and iron, built by Swedish engineer Gustav von Heidenstam, looming 100 feet above me. I spent the first day on Hamneskär, a tiny island off the Swedish coast, jumping between a hot tub and sauna, while watching the mid-summer sun flirt with the eddying horizon. Completely free of light pollution, the sky gave way to a billion fizzing stars as a handful of fellow guests tucked into platters of crab, shrimp, lobster and crayfish. When dusk finally descended, I slept in a cosy cottage with a fat leather armchair and pine floorboards. The next day, I climbed to the summit of the lighthouse and watched the chef snorkel around Hamneskär's coastline, looking for sugar kelp, Nori and sea lettuce. Then ended the weekend with a spot of fishing myself, if you could call it that. Not a single bite, but more epic views of the ocean and a few cold beers. A two-night stay at Pater Noster (0046 304 303 10) costs SEK 15,300 (£1,199) per person, full board. Boat transfers from the mainland cost SEK 950 (£77) per person. Simon Parker The Dolomites, Italy Escape to nature At weekends, however long or short, whatever the season, I yearn for lofty peaks, crisp mountain air and the type of peace that's void of email alerts and messaging apps. Enter the Dolomites. Seeking the ultimate weekend away, my hiking boots and I took a direct flight from London to Bolzano – the getaway to Italy's Unesco-listed mountains – before travelling 30 minutes onwards to the small village of Seis am Schlern and the serenity of the five-star adults-only retreat, Sensoria Dolomites. I had hoped for crowd-free trails and clear skies to backdrop the world-famous limestone peaks, and had planned to spend two days exploring the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park. Then came the snow. After seeing out the worst of the storm in the calm of the spa – with floor-to-ceiling views of the tower mountains through the mist, from the heated pool and outdoor sauna – my waterproofs were put to the test on a 20km six-hour circular loop of the Seiser Alm plateau – the largest high Alpine pasture in Europe. All made uniquely more magical by the unseasonal blanket of white. After two nights of mountain rejuvenation, my calves ached with delight on my journey home – a telling sign, in my opinion, of a weekend well spent. Sensoria Dolomite s (0039 0471 706522) offers doubles from €198 (£170) per person per night, all-inclusive, excluding flights. You can fly twice weekly from London Gatwick to Bolzano with SkyAlps from £165 each way. Lucy Aspden-Kean New York, United States Yes, it's eight hours from the UK, and yes, there are easier city breaks – but once upon a time, the London-to-New-York weekend flit was all the rage; and for good reason. Back in the days when I could still leap off a red-eye flight and feel entirely human, I could race off to Heathrow from the office on a Thursday evening and, by 10pm that same day, alight at JFK. The marvellous thing about a short trip to NYC is, of course, its compactness. Base yourself centrally in Manhattan, and you can zip about – on foot or by subway – with ease, from MoMA to the Met, via Russ & Daughters for bagels and a stroll in Central Park; nipping over to a little gallery in Brooklyn, then a nose round the shops in the Village, and back in Alphabet City in time for a craft beer, a bowl of ramen and a night on the tiles. For three full days, sleep and repeat – then, as I did, hop on the Sunday night red-eye, and you'll be back at your desk in time for the 9 o'clock meeting Monday morning. Ideal.
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Telegraph
The 21 best restaurants in Brighton
Gone are the days of good-but-staid establishments, second-rate pizza parlours and soggy fish and chips. Brighton today has an increasingly sophisticated restaurant scene that easily outshines other seaside resorts. The trend in many is to emphasise locally sourced ingredients, and that's all to the good, given Sussex's burgeoning vineyards, artisan cheesemakers and organic farms. From a chic all-day brasserie and cocktail bar in The Lanes to a hip but cosy restaurant serving Southern Indian street food, Telegraph Travel Brighton expert Louise Roddon shares her favourites. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, discover our guide to Brighton and the best hotels, nightlife, shopping and things to do in the area. Find a restaurant by type: Best all-rounders Best for families Best for cheap eats Best for walk ins Best for fine dining Best for seafood Best all-rounders The Flint House This, the latest offshoot of Chef Ben McKellar's local restaurant empire, is a fab place to flop after scouring The Lanes' antiques shops. Located in a newly renovated flint and stone fisherman's house, it has a lofty bar and patio upstairs (check out the dramatic plant arrangement above the bar) and either casual counter-top or table service below. The theme is small sharing plates: zippy-tasting mushrooms on toast with truffle oil and duck egg (perfect for lunch) or slow roast lamb belly with confit garlic, anchovy and crushed peas. Prices are decently pitched; so too the wines, including a palatable but unusual 'Taronia de Gris' orange wine from Languedoc. Kindling The elements underpin this chic restaurant, with strictly seasonal, locally sourced tasting menu divided into three themes: Earth, Sea and Fire. The first two are pretty obvious: think retired Sussex dairy beef, or locally caught red mullet with courgette and sea aster. But fire? Well, that element is the grill. In fact, Kindling is mad keen on grilling, and the results are pretty accomplished. Starters at this buzzy restaurant might include grilled patty pan squash with ricotta and basil; that retired beef will be grilled to perfection, and as always, there's an unexpected but delicious burst of flavours – a dab of chimichurri, pickled elderberry, perhaps some fermented apple… Burnt Orange From the team behind The Coal Shed and The Salt Room comes Burnt Orange – pitched as 'a new grown-up hangout for Brighton' – and favouring grilled, slow cooked and smoked specialities. Set in The Lanes, it has a pleasant courtyard and an interior where burnished orange colour notes mix with exposed flint walls. Come here for creative Sunday brunches with live DJs; drop by for an early evening cocktail (we're behind their twist on the Bloody Caesar, aptly-named The Bloody Pleaser), or settle for yummy sharing plates spanning Sussex grilled halloumi, tender smoked lamb shoulder shredded into fat filo cigars, or – particularly winning favours – slow-cooked Baba Ganoush. Plateau Brighton Is it a wine bar? Bistro? Cocktail bar? Well, Plateau offers a bit of everything on the edge of The Lanes and champions an award-winning list of low-yield, natural and organic wines. A reasonably-priced bites menu offers exquisitely cooked modern European sharing plates. Featuring the likes of excellently crispy pan haggerty with rosemary mayo, Sussex charcuterie, or wild venison pierogi with fermented chilli. If fish is available, go for it. It is bound to be local, zinging with flavour and perfectly cooked. Alternatively, grab a seat outside and order a few of their fabulously crafted cocktails. Nostos Greek cuisine is having a bit of a moment: gone are the days of dimly lit tavernas and endless bouzouki music; today, you're more likely to find innovative cooking with staple dishes given a contemporary twist. This is certainly true at Nostos – a relative newbie to Brighton's dining scene – where clean flavours match the fresh, uncluttered décor, and where over half the dishes are either vegan or vegetarian. Starry starters include perfectly cooked, exquisitely crispy calamari, and lamb cutlets with celeriac and parsley and raisin dressing. Mains feature flavoursome chicken souvlaki, always a fish of the day, and excellent vegan moussakas. Wild Flor Wisely pitching at innovative comfort food, Hove's buzzy new Wild Flor quickly found favour with locals, and not just because it's a good place to go for a decent meal: this is a pleasingly calm space too (no over-loud music or over-fussy décor). Winner of Brighton's best wine list, this modest well-cellared restaurant offers clean, unpretentious dishes such as Cornish crab with pink grapefruit and celery, or pappardelle of pig cheek, peas and aged parmesan. Starters are particularly starry: if it's on the menu, don't miss the veal sweetbreads in a foam almond and cream sherry sauce. Manju's This family-owned and run restaurant was dreamed up by its eponymous, octogenarian owner. The décor is a blend of modern and homely, with traditional cooking pans, milk jugs and material from one of Manju's saris framed and hung on the blue-drenched walls. Food is an exciting whirlwind of palate-punching starters, curries, sweet-sour homemade chutneys and moreish flatbreads for mopping up sauces (vegan and gluten-free options, too). Don't miss the classic Gujarati snack, palak patra or the imaginative take on samosa chaat, served in a martini glass. Pick up a jar of the sweet and fiery date and tamarind chutney on your way out. Back to index Best for families The Coal Shed The Coal Shed is known for its expertly cooked, well-hung steaks. And – huge puff for Brighton being first on the scene – they've also got an outpost in London. The décor of stripped floorboards, wooden tables and brick walls can result in poor acoustics but the cooking is spot on. Come in the evening to chow on aged Scottish cuts and fabulous beef dripping chips. Alternatively, try good value lunches, BYO Corkage every Monday (£5) and Sunday sharing roasts featuring 35-day aged beef. They also offer locally caught fish and seafood, but it's better to stick to the dishes that serve the restaurant's original purpose. Tutto Brighton has lacked a decent Italian restaurant for many years, but new Tutto looks set to redress the imbalance. Housed in a former banking hall and elegantly decorated with sage green banquettes, parquet flooring, and bold, abstract paintings, this is the place to come when you're in the mood for some authentically Italian comfort food. Delicious pastas include velvety saffron-infused risottos and a sublime spaghetti with crab, tomato, chilli and samphire, while mains span excellent sea bream with young leeks, pine nuts and olives, to a meltingly-good Mozzarella Parmigiana. Tutto also offers sharing plates and many vegetarian and vegan options. Above all, don't miss the to-die-for chocolate and hazelnut torte served with vanilla ice cream – heaven on a plate. The Ginger Pig A member of the Gingerman clan of local restaurants, 'The Pig' takes the concept of gastropub to new levels. Inside, it's spacious and contemporary, with dark wooden tables, banquettes and a cool revamped auberginey colour scheme. Do keep in mind it's popular with local families, and gets busy at weekends. That said, the atmosphere is convivial and the staff are super friendly. Pick a Sussex brew to enjoy with hearty comfort-food grub such as barbecued braised beef cheek or pork fillet with crispy pig head. Just the thing before a wind-whipped walk along Hove's prom. Back to index Best for cheap eats Shelter Hall Set within an exquisitely converted Edwardian rotunda, Shelter Hall is a gloriously vibrant food market, offering a taste of the very best from Brighton and indeed Sussex's artisanal producers under just one roof. Come here for knock-out live music, fab cocktails or craft beers at their first floor Skylark Cocktail Bar, and of course, sensational sea views. You can either grab a high-end takeaway to munch on the pebbles or settle in either outside or at one of the trestle tables, then pick from the likes of VIP Pizza's authentic Amalfi creations, Asian salads and noodles from Zest, lip-smacking chicken wings from Lost Boys Chicken – or masterchef-winner, Kenny Tutt's yummy grilled meats. Brighton Smokehouse Seafront counter food doesn't get more authentic than the Brighton Smokehouse. Collectively, the Smokehouse, The Net Loft and Brighton Fishing Museum comprise Brighton Fishing Quarter, located a five-minute walk from the West Pier. Visit the Smokehouse for hot mackerel and fresh crab sandwiches, hot kipper rolls and sea bass salads – all for under a tenner. On a recent visit specials included smoked mackerel with horseradish and homemade beetroot salsa in a ciabatta roll (£8.95), which can be enjoyed on bench seating and chairs. Back to index Best for walk ins Basketmakers Arms This Victorian street-corner boozer is a locals' favourite, and at weekends it's packed with a benevolent mix of hipsters, young families and ageing hippies. From the snug salons and low ceilings, crowded barstools and walls covered with a clutter of old cigarette tins, this is where Brightonians come for a great range of cask-conditioned beers and craft lagers. If whisky is your thing, they've over 100 varieties. Expect a noisy friendly vibe and mostly traditional pub grub fodder: burgers, cheesy chips, mussels or dressed crab. That said, the ingredients are generally locally sourced and the cooking is sound. Contact: Prices: £-££ Getting in: ID sometimes required Moshimo Aside from the comprehensive menu, there's a lot to like about Moshimo. The buzzy dining room is set inside an interesting purpose-built modernist building, it operates under an award-winning sustainability policy and the service is slick. The menu runs the gamut from sharing plates, bento boxes and nigiri to the more familiar gyoza, soup noodles and sushi (with plenty of vegan options). Don't miss the moreish tempura udon fries or the tempura ice cream. If time is tight, ask for a booth by the conveyor belt. Back to index Best for fine dining The Bistro at Hotel du Vin Okay, we miss the cluttered Parisian bistro look they had going – even the dried flowers, and particularly the tobacco-coloured walls – but the latest look of sparseness works very well and the place still exudes a certain Gallic charm. It's just more elegantly conceived, with marble tables offsetting eau de nil colour notes. What this place continues to do well are classic favourites such as slow roasted Gloucester old spot pork belly and steak frites. This is equally a perfect spot for a Sunday roast – but you need to book. Terre à Terre Vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike adore this spacious pared-back restaurant for inspiring dishes and clever twists on all things pulled from the soil. The menu is a tad convoluted – what exactly are amchur, arame wakame and dengaku? – but no matter; if you can't decide, opt for the easy-to-share tapas menu comprising seven generously sized though scaled-down portions from the à la carte menu. An Asian twist runs through some of the dishes, too. Wash down with cocktails made from local distiller's Blackdown gin and vermouth – alternatively, book ahead for their hugely-popular Afternoon Teas. Alongside scrummy cakes like orange and almond polenta or chocolate hazelnut truffle, you get innovative savoury treats spanning steamed rice buns stuffed with Szechuan marinated halloumi, to pumpkin, sage and onion corn hush puppies. 64 Degrees Chef Michael Bremner opened this cramped industrial-chic establishment in the Lanes before flexing his wings in London, yet the original still pulls in the punters. The concept is slow precision cooking with a strong emphasis on local ingredients: an egg, for instance, poached at 64 degrees for 40 minutes to intensify flavour – with dishes intended for sharing. Grab a chair at the kitchen counter (always fun), and choose from ever-changing yummy treats spanning ox tongue, polenta and pickles to brill with grapefruit and chilli. Five or six dishes are sufficient for two – just don't expect them to arrive in any logical order. The Gingerman The Gingerman was one of the city's first restaurants to offer proper posh nosh, and despite swapping its formerly plush and somewhat staid décor for a more contemporary look of exposed brickwork and wooden tables, it's still an absolute winner. The cooking is highly inventive to the point of quirkiness, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced produce. And for such high standards the five-course tasting and set menus (including dedicated vegetarian menus) offer surprisingly good value. Get behind irresistible dishes such as Brighton coast Gurnard with pork scratchings or the much-vaunted Sussex Wagyu beef with Brighton blue cheese. Dilsk A standout addition to Brighton's dining scene, Dilsk – named after the seaweed dulse – is located in the Drakes hotel. This sleek, intimate venue is driven by a small, passionate team with an expert knowledge of local produce. There are short and full tasting menus, with optional wine flights, and the lunch menu offers exceptional value for money. South Downs venison is paired with hay-baked beetroot, and a memorable starter combines crab with kohlrabi and lovage, topped with pomelo pulp. A rich dessert features chocolate from a local bean-to-bar chocolatier, served as a choux bun with crème fraîche and cold-brew syrup. Best for seafood The Salt Room Brighton has ridiculously few decent fish restaurants, considering its seaside location – but this is certainly one of them, especially, given its somewhat pricey a la carte, for a celebratory treat. Peerless sea views meld with on-trend ships' lamps, exposed brickwork and stripped floorboards. There's even a covered sea-facing terrace, though the traffic noise mars the enjoyment a bit. And the food? Sometimes a bit hit and miss, but when they're on fire, expect – appetisers of little fish tempuras or Maldon oysters – preceding starry fire-roasted local fish and surf boards. Pick a window table, try one of their cocktails and linger on for the inventive afternoon tea featuring sweet and savoury treats topped with candyfloss. The Little Fish Market The city's star turn is found in Hove where three AA Rosettes chef, Duncan Ray (ex-Fat Duck) presides over a very special restaurant at the bottom of an easy-to-miss side street. What's not to love apart from the scary bill? Expect exceptional cooking, an unfussy blond wood interior of just eight tables and a fish-led eight-course set menu. No choice means no foodie FOMO (that's fear of missing out) – just plate after zinging plate, with stand outs spanning perfectly cooked cubes of cod with seaweed butter and a memorable salmon risotto with oyster, watercress and lemon to velvety halibut with caviar and crispy chicken skin. Back to index How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Festivals, a thriving music scene, independent shopping and an 'anyone is welcome' vibe are just some of the things Teresa loves about Brighton. If not roller skating into the sunset or scouring vintage shops in North Laine, she'll be in the sea. Louise has never regretted moving to this fun-fuelled city since she did 23 years ago. Her favourite pastimes include people watching at Pavilion Gardens Café and out-of-season seaside walks.
