Top trending places in 2025

This article is more than 1 year old

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Imagine starting your day with a scenic train ride, watching the countryside roll by, and arriving in the heart of London just in time for breakfast at a cosy café...

Or perhaps you’re more in the mood for a stroll along Liverpool’s historic waterfront, getting lost down Manchester’s quirky side streets, or exploring the charming industrial city of Birmingham. Each city offers a unique blend of experiences, and we’re here to help you uncover the best of them.☕🏙️

Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or a culture vulture, train trips to some of the UK’s best loved cities have something for everyone. What’s more, with trains, all you have to do is pack your bags, grab your tickets, and enjoy your adventure without the hassle of driving!🚆

Ready to explore? Let's dive into the whirlwind of top trending hotspots that awaits in each of these bustling cities!

London

London, the vibrant heart of the UK, is a city that never goes out of style. With its rich history, iconic landmarks, and endless array of top trending spots, it’s no wonder London remains one of the most exciting places to visit. With new openings popping up around the city and exciting food and drink experiences to explore on every street corner, a trip to London is always a great choice for family trips, romantic dates, or quenching your thirst for solo adventure.

Trains to London

Frameless

Experience art like never before and allow yourself to be transported into a world of colour in the Frameless immersive exhibition. This trending art installation allows you to step inside some of the most famous masterpieces brought to life by sensory soundscapes and vibrant visuals so you can truly lose yourself in the world of art.

1.9 miles from London Euston

Closest underground: Marble Arch

Paradox Museum

If you’re looking for a unique experience like no other, prepare to have your world turned upside down in one of London’s best hidden gems. The laws of gravity don’t apply in the Paradox museum, with gravity-defying illusions and quirky photo opportunities that are sure to be a hit for all ages.🌀✨

2.9 miles from London Euston

Closest underground: Knightsbridge

Los Mochis

London’s newest addition to the Los Mochis franchise in the heart of the city builds on the success of its Notting Hill site, this time with a sky-high twist.☁️ This ninth floor Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant provides you with breathtaking London panoramas and food that is as beautiful looking as it is tasting, so you are definitely in for a culinary treat. 🍸🍣🌮

2.8 miles from London Euston

Closest underground: Moorgate

Circolo Popolare

Take a seat in one of London’s most sought after Italian restaurants, cementing itself as a firm favourite with visitors to London. It is clear to see why Circolo Popolare has gained popularity online, with its gorgeous Instagrammable decor and cheese wheels galore. You’ll have to act fast though, this restaurant gets booked up quickly so make sure you reserve yourself a table in advance!✨🍝🌸

1.5 miles from London Euston

Closest underground: Tottenham Court Road

Liverpool

Liverpool is the cultural capital of the North, being the home of The Beatles and boasting a beautiful harbour front location with a rich, industrial heritage. This vibrant Northern hotspot is bursting with new trending spots dotted around the city so you are never short of things to do in Liverpool. Whether you’re after a relaxing sightseeing visit or fancy tempting your tastebuds with a culinary masterpiece, Liverpool has it all.

Trains to Liverpool

Quirky Quarter

For those looking for something a bit different for a family day out or things to do with the kids over Easter, the Quirky Quarter hosts a range of hands-on, immersive activities with mind-boggling twists and eye-catching photo opportunities in the heart of Liverpool. From taking selfies in the upside down room to navigating the mirror maze, Quirky Quarter is sure to provide a unique experience for your trip to Liverpool.🪞📸

0.6 miles from Liverpool Lime Street

WYLD floating sauna

Having opened at the end of November 2024, Liverpool’s newest spa experience is the UK’s first public floating sauna. Located on Liverpool’s docks, the WYLD floating sauna offers a uniquely refreshing mix of hot and cold plunges topped off with a 30-person sauna, aesthetic waterfall showers and cooling salt scrubs for a natural space that prioritises connection, mindfulness and modern living. 🧖🌊

1.2 miles from Liverpool Lime Street

Derek’s Coffee and Sandwiches

Another new opening that joins Liverpool’s exciting independent food scene is this highly anticipated addition to the beloved Merseyside sandwich brand. Derek’s delivers a taste of the popular New York loaded sandwich straight to the heart of the city centre, with subs that are jam-packed with flavours and fillings to satisfy all of your sandwich needs.🥪

2.3 miles from Liverpool South Parkway

The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie

The newest addition to The Ivy franchise finds itself in a Grade-I listed former Bank of England building in the centre of the city. The Ivy Brasserie boasts a touch of luxury with its fine dining experiences and afternoon teas that combine classic British cuisine with an elegant twist, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options so everyone can refuel after a day of Liverpudlian sightseeing. 🍹🍽️

1.5 miles from Liverpool Lime Street

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant and dynamic city that has quickly become one of the top trending places to visit in the UK. Known for its fascinating industrial heritage and a thriving cultural scene, Birmingham offers an exciting mix of historical landmarks, cutting-edge architecture, and serene canals to rival even Venice.

Birmingham's diverse attractions and friendly atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for any traveller and is a perfect choice for your next train day out.

Trains to Birmingham

Clays

Just a three minute walk from the station, Clays bar offers a unique twist on traditional clay shooting with an immersive, virtual gaming experience, perfect for socialising and showing off your competitive edge. Clays also serves up a wide variety of mouth-watering comfort foods from burger sliders, loaded pizzas and truffle fries, so you can fuel your winning streak without missing a beat.

100 yards from Birmingham New Street

F1 Arcade

Opening in November 2024, F1 Arcade is for all of the diehard speed fanatics and racing enthusiasts, providing an interactive gaming experience packed with race simulators for all levels and abilities.🚘 Race on your own or with friends and family in head-to-head time trials, or test your reflexes and coordination in their Batak-style challenge for a truly thrilling day out.

0.5 miles from Birmingham New Street

The Big Birmingham Bake

For fans of all things cake and baking, this one is for you. The Big Birmingham Bake allows you to make your very own baking delights at your station under the guide of a head baker, with a new monthly theme to ensure a unique experience each time. 🧑‍🍳🥮 What’s more, you don’t need any baking experience as help is on hand from the pros, and all of the washing up is taken care of so you can focus on showing off your baking prowess.

1.3 miles from Birmingham New Street

La Bellezza

Big Mamma’s first regional site outside of London finds itself in the heart of Birmingham’s cultural centre, located in the grand Chamberlain Square. La Bellezza transports diners to a whimsical, Italian courtyard with trailing ivy and grand chandeliers for a classy and romantic culinary experience. The extensive menu also offers plenty of fan-favourites with quirky twists, and a six-inch tall lemon pie to satisfy your sweet tooth. 🌿🍕🥀

0.5 miles from Birmingham New Street

Manchester

Manchester is a lively city brimming with cool new spots and trendy hidden gems. With a unique blend of industrial architecture and contemporary innovation, a trip to the ‘Cottonopolis’ offers something for everyone, whether you’re after exploring the sights or discovering the diverse and exciting food scene.

Candlelight concerts

The viral Candlelight Concerts have taken the country by storm, and Manchester is no exception. Held in some of the city's most stunning and atmospheric venues, these concerts offer a unique way to enjoy your favourite classical and contemporary tunes, surrounded by the soft glow of flickering candles. From Vivaldi to Taylor Swift, these concerts are sure to bring the magic of music to life like never before.🕯️🎼🎻

0.6 miles from Manchester Piccadilly

*multiple venues across the city available

Foldies

Opened in December 2024 as part of the popular Brewski franchise, Foldies has revolutionised everything we thought we knew about sandwiches. Serving up folded pizza-style sandwiches loaded with scrumptious fillings from mortadella and pistachio pesto to roasted squash, these sandwiches are the new taste sensation that cannot be missed on your trip to Manchester.

0.6 miles from Manchester Piccadilly

Makers Market

If you love getting lost in the bustling charm of markets, the Makers Markets in Manchester are definitely the ones to beat. Based around the Northern Quarter, Spinningfields and the Quayside on weekends throughout the month, the markets host a variety of independent retailers selling an abundance of artwork, quirky collectables, baked goods and everything in between. 🛍️🎨

0.3 miles from Manchester Piccadilly

*multiple venues across the city available

The Science and Industry Museum

If you’re more of a history buff, Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum showcases the industrial heritage of the city and traces 250 years of innovation, with special exhibitions from the textiles gallery to the science activity section that provides hands-on fun for all ages.🧪🔭

The museum also hosts plenty of weekend and half-term activities for kids, so a trip out to the museum provides the perfect entertainment for a family day out.

1.2 miles from Manchester Piccadilly

Onda Pasta Bar

What better way to refuel after a day of Manchester sightseeing than with a big bowl of pasta! New to Manchester’s food scene in 2024, Onda has quickly become a firm favourite amongst food fanatics with their viral tiramisu drawer stealing the hearts of Italian food lovers far and wide. You simply cannot go wrong with a plate of fresh linguine and heaps of parmesan to top off your trip to Manchester!🍝

0.6 miles from Manchester Piccadilly

Unique places to visit UK

As we wrap up our whirlwind tour of some of the UK's most exciting cities, it's clear that whether you're exploring the iconic streets of London, soaking in the cultural vibes of Liverpool, uncovering the dynamic energy of Manchester or testing your competitive skills in Birmingham, each city offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

With seamless and affordable train travel too, the opportunities for adventure and discovery are endless across the best cities. Leave the car at home and hop on an LNR train, leaving the stress of traffic and parking behind whilst saving time and the environment.🚆🎟️