Travel

THE nation’s most Christmassy coach has been revealed – filled with 53 people named Carol and Noel singing festive songs.

National Express welcomed the army of festive folk with the same name on a service from London Victoria Coach Station.

IDs were checked before boarding to make sure each Carol and Noel was legitimate, and the dress code was simply ‘festive fun’, with many opting for novelty Christmas jumpers.

There were some notable names among the passengers, including TOWIE’s Carol Wright – mum of Mark – and even Noel Fielding (or at least their lookalike).

They were encouraged to sing Christmas songs for the entire journey to get into the festive spirit.

It comes as the UK’s largest coach operator is offering anyone called Carol or Noel free travel on Christmas Day for one of any of the 355 journeys it’s running to 96 locations across the country.

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John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, said: “Carol and Noel are the most festive names, so we were delighted to welcome so many on board to kick off the holiday season.

“This year we are feeling more festive than ever before and we can’t wait to welcome Carols and Noels for their free journeys with us on Christmas Day. Singing Christmas songs is optional.

“With planned rail disruption over the festive period, we’re once again stepping up to help people get home this Christmas with thousands of coach services across our key intercity and airport routes.”

The coach company also polled 2,000 people who celebrate the festivities, which found Silent Night was the most popular carol with 35 per cent of the vote.

It was followed by O Come All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (both 18 per cent).

More than a third (36 per cent) admitted they don’t start feeling festive until they sing their first carol and 45 per cent are left with a nostalgic feeling when they hear them.

Around four in 10 (42 per cent) reckon the main thing that makes a great Christmas carol is that it should be easy to sing along to.

While 40 per cent look for a ‘traditional feel’ and 37 per cent reckon it should have memorable lyrics, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

Other top tunes to hear at this time of year included O Holy Night (15 per cent) and Away in a Manger (12 per cent).

But Ding Dong Merrily on High just missed out on the top 10, placing 11th on the list.

John added: “There’s something magical about hearing carols drift through the air during the holidays.

“Whether you’re out singing them door-to-door, or aboard a coach with three dozen people called Carol or Noel, they’re timelessly festive.

“Singing them at this time of year is almost guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit, even if there’s no snow on the ground.”

Just up the road from Whitby, this village offers golden sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, traditional cottages and ‘the best seafood restaurant’ visitors claim

Nestled along Yorkshire’s captivating coastline, just a short distance from Whitby, lies this charming fishing village boasting secluded beaches – ideal for those seeking a more serene retreat.

Boasting its own stretch of golden sand, Sandsend provides a far more peaceful alternative to its lively neighbouring town. The scenery features dramatic cliffs, gentle sands and the most delightful traditional cottages, creating a picture-perfect British village. When the weather’s fine, both residents and tourists can enjoy a seaside stroll, a refreshing swim or simply unwind whilst catching some sun. A recent guest said on TripAdvisor: “A beautiful coast; would highly recommend. Lovely atmosphere and views. My children loved it here; it’s very peaceful, and if you love a quiet coastal trip, then I would advise visiting here. There are a few pubs, cafes and restaurants too.”

During the warmer months, one holidaymaker remarked: “Beautiful stretch of coastline any time of year. We often visit in the spring/autumn; this was our first time visiting during the summer, and it was great to see this beach in all its glory! Lovely calm water for swimming; it was great for beating the heat after we had walked the length of the beach.”

Originally two separate villages – Sandsend and East Row – the area boasts a lengthy heritage in fishing, operating as a local port engaged in inshore fishing that remains active today. Visitors can savour locally caught fish at the village’s diverse dining establishments, ranging from cafés to restaurants and, naturally, fish and chip shops.

Particularly noteworthy is The Fish Cottage in Sandsend, a charming whitewashed establishment serving as both a seafood restaurant and fish and chip takeaway. Located merely 20 yards from the beach, some diners have even dubbed it “the best seafood restaurant by far”.

Additionally, they operate another location in Robin Hood’s Bay, another picturesque village on the opposite side of Whitby. Following a spontaneous visit, one diner shared on TripAdvisor: “Whenever I’m in the area, I cannot help myself; be it lunch or dinner time, I have to call in, and I am never disappointed. Staff are so so nice and very accommodating. The restaurant, although small, is lovely. If you’re ever in the area, honestly, this fish restaurant is the best.”

If that’s insufficient to entice you, an enchanting castle, Mulgrave Castle, stands just beyond the village and features a fascinating ‘ancient’ tale. According to legend, the site was established by a 6th-century ruler of Hälsingland, with its ruins now serving as a testament to the area’s fascinating past.

One visitor said: “It’s a bit of a slog getting there through the beautiful woods, but it’s well worth the effort. There was only one other person up at the castle, so it felt like the place was all mine. The views are breathtaking, and the ruin itself is very romantic.”

I feel terrible … I’ve left the children at home and Seiffen, nicknamed Spielzeugdorf (The Toy Village), is literally a Christmas wonderland. Every street is alive with sparkling fairy lights and soft candlelight. There are thousands of tiny wooden figurines, train sets and toy animals displayed in shop windows, wooden pyramids taller than doorframes and colourful nutcracker characters. Forget elves in the north pole, this is the real Santa’s workshop. For hundreds of years, here in the village of Seiffen, wood turners and carvers have created classic wooden Christmas toys and sold them around the world.

Near the border of the Czech Republic, Seiffen may be well known in the German-speaking world as the “home of Christmas”, but so far it has been largely missed by English-speaking seasonal tourists. Tucked away in the Ore Mountains, about an hour and a half south of Dresden, it is not the easiest place to get to by public transport – the nearest train station is in Olbernhau, nearly 7 miles (11km) away. Buses are available, but we opt for a hire car and make our way into the hills, arriving the day after the first snowfall of the year. The roads are cleared quickly, but snow clings to the branches of the spruce trees. We half expect to see the Gruffalo’s child, but only spot a rust-coloured fox making its way through a fresh field of snow.

The surrounding forests we drive through are key to Seiffen’s survival. (The only reason we are here is a tipoff from a friendly German forester who said it was a must-see.) The Ore Mountains – Erzgebirge in German – were classified as a Unesco world heritage site in 2019 due to their rich history of mining. For 800 years, the area was shaped by intensive silver and tin mining (and later uranium).

Seiffen was built in the 1300s just below the mountain ridge and is surrounded by forests of spruce, pine and beech. Mining and forestry go hand in hand. Timber was essential for making pit props to hold up the roofs of mines, and for tool-making. So when the supply of tin dried up and the miners were forced to find an alternative way to make a living, they sourced the timber on their doorstep, modified their machinery and first made wooden bowls and spoons, before turning to what would make them famous – toys. One craftsman took his toys to a nearby Christmas market and came back with pockets full of coins, and the rest, as they say, is history. Families in every corner of the village began making small animals and figurines in their homes, with everyone pitching in to help carve and paint them.

It is difficult to know where to start in a town full of twinkly lights and warm, inviting shops, but a trip to the toy museum (Erzgebirgisches Spielzeugmuseum, €9) makes sense. Open since 1936, it tells the story of Seiffen’s toy-making traditions. The short video is recommended as it is the only information supplied in English. Despite the language barrier, the 5,000 exhibits – ranging from nutcrackers to train sets, Noah’s arks to minuscule matchbook carvings (including the “smallest kitchen in the world”) – will, if you are into that kind of thing, keep you amazed for hours. There are even traditional wooden toys that little (or big) kids can play with. To this day, Seiffen continues its toy-making tradition and even played host to the European Toy Maker festival earlier this year.

To experience the toy-making in action, we head to the Seiffener Volkskunst workshop for the toy-decorating session we have booked. We walk through the shop, the tiny figurines and moving candle wheels stealing our attention, then past the viewing gallery of wood-turners and toy-painters. The way they turn the wood here is something special. In the 1800s, craftsmen created a method called hoop-turning, in which a specifically designed lathe turns a piece of wood into a thick ring shape with notches and grooves. When they slice it, the shape of the animal or toy is revealed. This enabled the mass production of figurines, contributing to the economic success of Seiffen throughout the 19th century. Currently, only a few people in the world still use this technique.

For our decorations, I choose a Christmassy-looking toadstool to paint, my partner a characterful duck, plus we take home a forest house to build with the children. Our little decorations are made with wood from local birch, beech, maple and linden trees. We sit alongside the professional toy painters, who are painting nutcrackers and snowmen, a slow mindful feeling settling over us.

One decoration I am particularly drawn to is the candle arch, or schwibbogen. These beautifully crafted objects depict the history of the village, sometimes with the local church above and mining figures at work below. Heritage is important in Seiffen, and when the advent season starts each year, there is a miners’ parade, with costumes that would have been worn 400 years ago.

Next, our decorations safely packaged away, we walk the streets of the village and come to understand that each shop has its own style and personality. Some toymakers focus on nutcrackers, some on angels, some on Räuchermänner, incense-burning figures. The more modern artisans’ shops, such as Wendt & Kühn, are fascinating to look around, with smartly decorated interiors, although the toys’ price tags reflect this. In fact, you could spend hundreds of euros in even the most down-to-earth places, with some pyramids costing more than €2,000.

After a lunch of delicious leek soup called Heidi (€7.80) at Hotel Seiffener Hof, we walk to the church, an unusual octagonal shape, which is depicted in so many of the archways and decorations they sell here, and listen a while as the organ is played.

As the Christmas season sets in the sun drops early, so we try a shot of heisse holunderbeere, hot elderberry served with vodka and a dollop of whipped cream on top, to warm us up. Then we take two cups of red glühwein on a walk up the hill and on to the historic miners’ trail. The snow is untrodden up here and it crunches underfoot as we make our way to the Binge, once the opencast mine used to extract tin, now an amphitheatre for the community. The wooden benches arranged in a semi-circle are white, and the only sound we hear today is the dripping of the melting snow.

We climb further up the steps on to the hill made of the waste material left over from the mining years. Now there are birch trees thriving, and we look down over the valley as the lights of the houses click on.

Before the temperature drops further, we enjoy rostbratwurst (grilled sausage) from a street seller and another mulled wine outside the central Hotel Erbgericht Buntes Haus. It is properly cold now. The shops are shutting and the paths are freezing, so we begin to walk back up the hill to our hotel, stopping every few minutes to look at the lights below. We are welcomed into the Panorama Berghotel Wettiner Höhe (rooms from €79), where we settle in for the night, well and truly ready for the Christmas season ahead.

Journalist Liv Clarke visited a joyful Christmas market in a UK town which she says matches any European-style winter wonderland – and has ‘the best’ hot chocolate

Christmas Markets have been bustling for several weeks now and journalist Liv Clarke says she’s “certainly no Grinch” when they pop up, adding that she “relishes” them. Based in Manchester, Liv took a train to an exceptional festive wonderland recently – and she was left enchanted with the “different” kind of Christmas market.

Liv said she loves to “uncover something new each year” at Christmas markets and found herself “whizzing over to Yorkshire on the train on a frosty November morning”, to see how they celebrate Christmas across the border. Heading to Halifax, which hosts an annual Christmas Market each year in the grand Piece Hall, Liv, being a “proud Yorkshire lass” herself, was more than happy to head to the West Yorkshire town.

She said that “getting to these markets couldn’t be simpler” via a pretty train journey – and Liv described the “stunning Grade-I Georgian building” of the the Piece Hall which “boasts a massive 66,000sq ft open-courtyard” as being truly memorable.

She said: “I hopped on the train from Manchester Victoria to Halifax, which takes around 40 minutes, and the Piece Hall is roughly a five-minute stroll from the train station. My ticket set me back £12.59 for an open return which I booked on Trainline the day before, including Railcard discount.”

This works out just over £6 each way, she added, having booked ahead of travelling, which means you can sometimes find one-way tickets at low cost, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Liv said: “The train journey itself was picturesque, especially with a heavy frost adding a sparkle to the rugged landscape of the South Pennines. I passed through Rochdale, Todmoden and Hebden Bridge along the way, admiring the canals and mills which looked particularly striking in the bright sunshine.

“Upon my arrival in Halifax, it was a mere short stroll to the Piece Hall, tucked away from the main thoroughfare. Entry is through one of four gates situated on each side of the square, and there’s something rather grand about stepping through the archway.

“The gate I chose boasted an exquisitely ornate design, adding to the enchantment of the experience. It was still early when I arrived, with many stallholders preparing for the day ahead, but I was already taken with the layout; compared to Manchester, it was refreshing to see the markets here confined to one area, providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of the main high street.”

While waiting for the markets to fully open, Liv took the opportunity to explore the Piece Hall itself, describing “dozens of shops” lining all four sides of the square.

She said: “Given its location on a slight incline, there are varying levels depending on which side you’re on, yet each open-air walkway affords stunning views of the square below.

“On the ground floor, you’ll discover a plethora of cafes and restaurants, many of which stay open late into the evening. I treated myself to a hot chocolate from The Bakery (£3.95), which ranks among the best I’ve ever tasted: rich, chocolatey and perfectly sweetened.”

The Piece Hall is home to shops selling a wide array of items, from handmade gifts to antiques – and while these independent shops operate year-round, “the markets provide a significant boost, with many market traders even supplying the permanent shops”, Liv reported.

Shelly Foster, who runs The Handmade Gift Shop, shared her recommendation for the best time to visit, telling Liv: “The markets are always full of joy, the best time is around 4.30pm, just before sunset when everything is glowing. The markets are open until 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays but the bars and restaurants stay open much later, often with live music creating a lovely atmosphere.”

Lou Harkness-Hudson, who operates Hudson Belle, a shop selling gifts and homeware, said: “It’s just the most unique, unusual place to come, it’s a fantastic building, an excellent community. The markets are a crucial time for us and really boost footfall, it doesn’t get any busier than this. They bring people here to shop and have a nice day out.”

Liv continued to explore, adding: “Back at ground level, the markets were open and shoppers started to wander around as the morning sun began to thaw us all out. There was a fantastic selection of stalls, with many naturally selling products from Yorkshire.

“From rum to cheese to chilli oil – if you can name it, they sell it. Then there were stalls selling hats, gloves and scarves, which I imagine were in high demand during my chilly visit, along with several traders offering the most beautiful decorations and trinkets you could imagine.

“Adding to the enchantment was a merry-go-round and a large Ferris wheel, although it was spinning a bit too quickly for my taste. Given that it was a swinging-seat style wheel, I opted to sit this one out. Nonetheless, it was pleasant to observe.”

In one corner of the square, a towering Christmas tree stood majestically, with a massive ‘Christmas’ sign displayed against the balustrades of the Piece Hall’s second floor behind it, creating an idyllic scene. Liv described.

Liv added: “It’s the setting of the Piece Hall that makes this place special – it genuinely feels like you’re in a European city, rather than in the north of England.

“Naturally, there are far fewer food stalls here than in Manchester, which I found quite appealing. No overwhelming choices here; instead, I easily settled on my early lunch: a Yorkshire Bratwurst from The Sausage Box.

“This was crafted with a locally sourced pork Bratwurst from ‘Lishman’s of Ilkley’, served in a brioche bun with sauerkraut, pickles, crispy onions, ketchup and mustard, all for £9. It was a sight to behold and almost seemed too good to be true.”

Upon taking a bite, Liv said it “lived up to its looks”. She described the sausage as “succulent with a hint of smokiness, the toppings combined to create a flavour explosion, and it was surprisingly easy to eat – no stringy bits of meat or tough bread causing a mess”.

Liv added: “It felt much more thrilling than the Bratwurst stalls we have here in Manchester.”

“Naturally, there’s a stall selling Yorkshire pudding wraps if that tickles your fancy. As a proud Yorkshire lass myself, I wouldn’t dare to sample a pudding made by anyone other than my own mum while in God’s Own County, so I gave that one a miss.

“Other stalls were serving up Indian street food and Paella, while the surrounding eateries included an Italian restaurant and a wine bar that looked rather inviting. After my Bratwurst, I fancied something sweet, so I made a beeline for the churros stall.

“I must confess, it took three attempts to get my hands on some churros, as twice I was informed that the machine was, quite literally, frozen. But as they say, third time’s the charm, and I finally secured my paper cup of golden churros, dusted with crunchy cinnamon sugar and sitting in a pool of chocolate sauce.”

The churros cost £8, with the sauce costing an extra £1, which “seemed reasonable given the generous portion size” which Liv “couldn’t even finish”.

She added: “While I’m not usually one for sweets, even I found these delightful, with the texture being spot-on and just the right amount of chewiness. The sauce was scrumptious and tasted like genuine chocolate rather than a synthetic substitute.”

Summing up the festive experience, Liv said that “everything about the markets was a joy: the location, the people, and the food” – and if she visits again she may even brave a spin on the Ferris wheel, but she’s “making no promises”.

Sam Teesdale jetted off to Malta for a winter break, staying at the AX Odycy hotel. He went to check out the island’s reputation at great for catching the winter rays

The small island country of Malta, found between Italy and North Africa, has long been regarded as one of the best places to get away for some winter sun.

With affordable flights, a flight time of around three hours, and close ties to Britain, it’s no wonder that it’s ranked number one on easyJet’s top winter getaways for 2025. But, there are, of course, wins and trade-offs with winter holidays.

Yes, the crowds on a winter getaway are a fraction of what they are in the high-season, but then again, so are the temperatures. It’s a mixed bag. Which is why I set off to stay at the all-inclusive AX Odycy hotel, to see whether a winter getaway was worth the hassle and cash.

The weather

With December looming on the horizon, the weather was understandably up and down. There were rainbows, downpours, thunderstorms, sea winds of 50mph and also, some moments of glorious sunshine.

So, while it was most definitely a climatological smorgasbord, Malta was undoubtedly warmer than Blighty. As is always the case with holidays, the final day, which was spent in the airport, saw completely clear skies and a lovely temperature of 20 degrees. Such is life.

Sunbathing

Sunbathing is indeed possible in the late November Malta sun, weather permitting, but whether you’ll see the all-important tan lines appear is a different question. Temperatures reached a cool high of 17 degrees, but, coupled with some fairly relentless winds and sporadic rain bursts, it made for some of the less balmy sun-worshipping experiences I’ve had in my life.

However, it is most definitely warmer and more enjoyable than braving the UK’s measly end-of-November highs of five degrees. So, yes, sunbathing is possible. You will just have to wrap up warm.

Swimming in (unheated) hotel pools

For this, I will have to assign a 1/10 on the enjoyment scale. Although the AX Odycy was blessed to have a lovely heated indoor pool, this was not the case for the numerous rooftop pools. It’s humbling when the brut served at breakfast is warmer than the outdoor pool water. I naively thought that as a hardy Lincolnshire-native, I could firm a quick dip in 15-degree water. So I put my nervous system’s cold shock response to good use, and after some undignified guttural breathing, I decided that swimming was not on the agenda in winter.

Hot tubs

The hot tubs at AX were brilliant, with no notes to report. After a while, it does essentially feel like you’re sitting in a big bowl of human soup, but still, anything is a blessing after the Arctic plunge of the non-heated pools. Opportunities were scarce to have the jacuzzi to yourself, with fellow Brits understandably hogging the coveted warmth of the hot tubs.

Sitting at the ‘beach’

‘Beach’ may be a bit of a misnomer as the beaches near the hotel consisted mainly of jagged limestone. The water was not much warmer than the rooftop pools, so yes, while you can sit at the beach, it most certainly won’t live up to the Euro-summer images you probably had in mind.

Visiting tourist sites

Now, this is an often-overlooked but important factor in winter getaways. I had the distinct sense both in the hotel and out and about that the crowds were a fraction of the size normally seen in high season. My visit to Disney film-set-turned-living-museum, Popeye Village was a similar experience, and I was able to roam unabated by the throngs of tourists one normally encounters on a typical high-season holiday.

Dining

Dining both in and outside of the resort was notably different from a summer holiday. Although I had never visited before, AX Odycy had a quieter atmosphere and dining was similarly subdued.

The hotel was not empty by any stretch, and it still enjoyed a good number of guests, but there were no notable instances of queues and lots of room and time to dine leisurely without the constant barging and overstimulation normally expected at an all-inclusive.

Prices

Finally, the prices. As it was low season and during term time, the prices were incredibly good value. Popeye Village cost just £13 to spend all day there, with minigolf and popcorn included, while AX Odycy’s stunning Junior Suite, complete with private wraparound balcony, came in at £750 per person.

The holiday offered great bang for my buck, so it’s no wonder Malta has become such a popular destination for Brits looking to warm their cockles over the winter months.

Book it

Lastminute.com offers convenient, great-value package deals. Its January Sale starts at the end of December. A six-night stay for two adults in the 4* AX ODYCY in Qawra, Malta from 12 to 18 January costs from £199 per person, with flights from Manchester included.

MEASURING more than 19,000 miles, Britain’s beautiful coastline has a host of attractions and reasons to visit.

Nigel Thompson unveils our pick of what’s happening around our shoreline next year, with options for every traveller’s budget.

Scarborough leads the way for 2026 as the “Queen of the Yorkshire Coast”, celebrating its 400th anniversary as a spa resort.

ANNIVERSARIES

SCARBOROUGH’S journey to becoming the nation’s first seaside spa resort began in 1626, with the accidental discovery of mineral waters.

Mrs Thomasin Farrer noticed natural springs bubbling beneath a cliff.

These were subsequently said to cure minor ailments.

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Celebrations throughout next year to mark the centenary include heritage and art installations and a 10-day festival in mid-July.

Across the Pennines, Morecambe is marking what would have been comic legend Eric Morecambe’s 100th birthday (May 14).

The town he was born in, and named himself after, will offer a series of events and activities that are sure to bring some sunshine!

Italianate village Portmeirion in North Wales will celebrate the centenary of its completion with events, exhibitions and tours.

It’s also 60 years since cult TV series The Prisoner — which starred Patrick McGoohan as a former secret agent dubbed Number Six — was filmed at Portmeirion.

There will be a convention weekend on April 24-26, featuring parades, human chess and immersive experiences.

Fans will surely want to stay in hotel room number six!

The Jurassic Coast will be even more roar-some as it celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Unesco listing.

Highlights along the 95-mile geological route in Dorset and East Devon include dinosaur fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, picture perfect Durdle Door and the 180billion pebbles that make up Chesil Beach.

WALKING

NEXT year will see the completion of the King Charles III England Coast Path. At 2,795 miles it will be the world’s longest continuous coastal trail.

The newest 42-mile section now links the Scottish border to Lincolnshire and a summer celebratory event will be announced.

Other coastal walking celebrations include Dorset’s WALX Festival (September 17-20) with Jurassic Coast hikes and workshops and the Isle of Wight’s Spring and Autumn Walking Festivals (May 9-17 and October 3-11), focussing on its landscape, wildlife and heritage.

ACCOMMODATION

BLACKPOOL’S Royal Carlton Hotel is getting a multi-million-pound makeover.

The 38-room art deco property, between Central and South Pier, will reopen in the spring and feature a new pergola with extensive greenery.

The luxury Kithmore Hotel in “home of golf” St Andrews, Fife, will debut in the summer with a major transformation.

The former Ardgowan Hotel will have 44 rooms, a bar/restaurant and an expanded terrace.

A mixed-use cultural, creative attraction with a 31-room hotel is under construction at Old College on the promenade at Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

The restoration project is due to finish by the end of 2026.

FOOD

FOOD lovers have a busy calendar starting with value-focused Whitby Restaurant Week (March 2-8), Yorkshire produce at Filey Food Festival (April 4-5) and street eats at Southsea Food Festival (July 4-5).

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival runs from August 15-16 and Essex foodies will flock to the Maldon Food & Drink Festival (August 29-30).

CULTURE

HULL Maritime Museum will reopen in the summer after a £27.5million restoration.

New exhibits covering 800 years of history will range from ship models and seafaring art to a 40ft whale skeleton.

Redcar, on the North Yorkshire coast, will welcome a £25million multi-purpose cultural and family entertainment venue near the Esplanade.

The Edge in Cumbria, on Whitehaven harbour, is a unique new building. It has a cafe and bar area and there are 16 en-suite bedrooms.

A £12million development will transform Isle of Barra Distillery in the Outer Hebrides with a visitor centre and café.

Due to open in October, you can try out seaweed botanicals and honey vodka.

FESTIVALS

THE south coast of England has a variety of events for next year, including kites massing for Let’s Go Fly in Dorchester on June 6, Portsmouth’s Country on the Coast Festival on April 17-19 and hydrofoil competitors speeding across the water at the World E-Foiling “iQFOiL” Championships in Weymouth and Portland from September 21-26.

NATURE

WORLD Saltmarsh Day will be held at WWT Steart Marshes in Somerset on June 11, aimed at connecting people with coastal nature via new audio trails, community art and viewing platforms.

In Hampshire, the Southsea Coastal Scheme will double the size of the shingle beach between the Pyramids and Eastney for 2026, to enhance the visitor experience and bolster climate resilience, helping to reduce local flooding.

More info at englandscoast.com/en, visitscotland.com, visitwales.com

VISITING Lapland UK can be more expensive than flying to the Arctic Circle.

Tickets to the festive experience this Saturday are selling for as much as £180 each.

There are no discounts for children, a £24.75 booking fee and £5.95 postage and packaging.

It means a family of five would have to spend more than £930 for their day out.

But a few days in the real Lapland, in northern Finland, can cost in the region of £600.

Lapland UK has a site in Siddington, Cheshire, and another in Ascot, Berks.

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Sky-high price of a soft toy at Lapland UK is revealed – as mum details TRUE cost

LAP IT UP

Mum slams ‘insane’ Lapland UK prices as she’s quoted £600 for family-of-four

One dad, who asked not to be identified, said: “When I saw the price I spat my mulled wine out.

“It’s obscene pricing, meaning only rich kids get to have the thrill.”

Danielle Halliday said: “We went to Finland last year with two adults, two children.

“Flights were £250, accommodation was £350 for the four nights and going to see Santa is free, or €10 each for a present.

“You might as well go for the real thing for a cheaper price.”

Lapland UK was asked to comment.

Dec. 8 (UPI) — After a water leak damaged hundreds of books this morning at the Louvre in Paris, labor unions voted to strike against the iconic art museum.

Rolling walk-outs are set to begin Dec. 15. If all 2,100 employees join, it could cause closures during a peak season.

The strike notice said the unions no longer want to negotiate with museum Director Laurence des Cars.

It said “every day, museum spaces are closed well beyond the provisions of the guaranteed opening plan, due to insufficient staffing, technical failures and the building’s aging condition.”

“Staff are struggling with ever-increasing workloads, an increasingly harsh approach to human resources and contradictory directives that prevent a calm public service,” the notice said. Le Monde reported that the number of visits to the occupational psychologist rose from 37 in 2022 to 146 in 2024.

The museum suffered a water leak in its libraries that damaged hundreds of books, it announced earlier Monday.

The leak was discovered in late November and announced Sunday by Francis Steinbock, deputy administrator of the Louvre. Steinbock said up to 400 documents were damaged by the leak from one of the three library rooms in the museum’s Egyptian antiquities department. But no works of art were damaged, he said.

The pieces that were damaged were archaeology journals, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries, that researchers consulted. Steinbock said dehumidifiers are in the room and the items are being dried one page at a time.

“No ancient works were affected,” said Hélène Guichard, director of the Egyptian antiquities department. “And the Louvre’s rapid and efficient response to the incident greatly limited the damage.”

The French Democratic Confederation of Labor, a union that represents some of the museum’s workers, posted on LinkedIn: “This new incident confirms a situation that has been deteriorating for too long, as the trade unions have been constantly alerting, including the CFDT-CULTURE.”

“Fragile infrastructure, a lack of strategic visibility on the work being carried out, and poor working conditions mean that the protection of the collections and the safety of staff and visitors remain insufficiently guaranteed,” it said. Union leaders would meet Monday morning to “decide on the next steps to be taken,” it added.

An October report by France’s Cour des Comptes, a public audit agency, was critical of the museum’s excessive spending on art “to the detriment of the maintenance and renovation of buildings.”

The Louvre is in a former palace, originally built as a fortress in the 12th century. The building’s deterioration has become an ongoing issue. A show was canceled in 2023 because pipes in the walls burst. In November, weak beams caused a gallery to close.

A major renovation was announced in January by President Emmanuel Macron and the Louvre’s director Laurence des Cars. Its goal is to ease overcrowding with a new entrance and a new room specifically for the Mona Lisa. Included are infrastructure repair and the outdated security system, which recently contributed to the jewel heist.

Steinbock said in a TV interview that the ventilation and heating network, which operates with water pipes, is scheduled to be replaced in September 2026.

Father Christmas has found a new way to soar above the rooftops, with the London Eye launching its Santa in the Sky experience which is full of dramatic twists and turns

The London Eye fell victim to an April Fool’s earlier this year when it was claimed that it was to be dismantled and shipped to Scotland.

Originally called the Millennium Wheel, the 135 metre tall observation structure is still very much in place and currently holds the title of the UK’s most popular tourist attraction with more than 3million visitors a year.

It is the focal point for London’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks and has played host to thousands of marriage proposals since it opened its pods in 2000.

The revolving pods give visitors a birds-eye view across London and its historic monuments from the towering Shard to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Hyde Park and Nelson’s Column.

And this year, there is something new to see. Father Christmas has traded his sleigh for the big wheel, setting up shop to meet visitors young and old.

The unique Santa in the Sky experience sees guests depart for the North Pole from the VIP lounge, where they are met by the affable elf, Crumbly Bakewell.

Kids first visit Mrs Clause, who helps them write and post a letter to her husband before making them promise not to leave him any gingerbread on account of his seasonal weight gain.

After a highly entertaining performance of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer that kids and adults will both love, it’s on to the wheel.

The middle bench in the Santa pod has been removed and replaced with a cosy fireplace and reading nook, along with a comfy chair for the man himself.

The experience is interactive from the start. While ascending, kids are asked to help Santa and Crumbly Bakewell build a map by spotting some of the key landmarks across the skyline.

Then they draw their preferred gift on a picture that Santa signs, before he reads T’was the Night Before Christmas to his rapt audience. But the smartest part that floored my four year old was when Santa whipped out the letter that he’d previously written on the ground.

After that, children receive a present, which in our case was a generously sized lego set. Back on solid ground, it was time to say a regretful goodbye to Crumbly Bakewell, my son was bereft!

His verdict would be a solid 10, and I found it to be one of the most authentic and entertaining Santa experiences out there and we will definitely be back.

Tickets are available until Christmas Eve and start at £79 for an adult and child. For more information, visit the London Eye website.

Legoland in Windsor, Berkshire, has been transformed into an immersive Christmas experience, launching its very own Winter Wonderland complete with snow-covered trees and Father Christmas

As a child of the eighties, a Christmas treat was a trip to a questionable Santa’s grotto where fake Barbie dolls were the default gift. But these days, Christmas experiences are in bountiful supply – from light shows, and breakfasts with Santa to ice rinks, ice bars and Christmas markets.

The Santas in the grotto have upped their game and expectations are high when it comes to sharing the magic of Christmas. So which experience to choose? My son is four and Lego is currently his sun and moon so Legoland’s Winter Wonderland seemed like a safe bet.

This winter, the theme park in Windsor has been transformed into an immersive Christmas experience, with twinkly lights, a giant Duplo Christmas tree and a sprawling Christmas Kingdom. We did the Meet Father Christmas experience, which saw elves guide us from Legoland through a mysterious corridor to a snow-covered North Pole.

After navigating through a maze of snow-topped fir trees, we arrived at Santa’s hidden cabin where my son suddenly got stage fright and was too shy to talk. But Father Christmas was lovely and made jokes about my husband’s past on the naughty list. The gift was an impressive Legoland dragon soft toy that he’s slept with ever since.

The Lego City Deep Sea Dive Adventure was also a massive hit, with a submarine taking young explorers through an underwater world filled with stingrays and sharks. He got his first taste of life on the road at the Lego City Driving School and discovered a love for the faster rollercoasters such as Merlin’s Challenge and The Dragon which takes you through the castle before plunging through the treetops.

There are also loads of shows to choose from including the Elf Training Academy show, the Festival of Flurries and Nutcracker’s Marching Band. And for certain dates over Christmas and New Year, dogs are welcome too!

Dark fell just after 3.30pm and we stayed until close. Enjoying the rides under the moonlight was a magical and memorable experience.

The Winter Wonderland runs until January 4 with tickets from £32 per person at https://www.legoland.co.uk/explore/special-events/legoland-at-christmas. Dogs are permitted entry on December 14, 21 and 28 with a meet Father Christmas upgrade available from 5pm.

Meanwhile, LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany has recently unveiled plans for a new theme park land based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter books, and fans will even be able to enjoy an overnight wizarding experience with themed accommodation.

Details of the brand new attraction are currently being kept strictly under wraps, with the park confirming it’ll be announcing further information in the next 12 months.

In a statement, Peter van Roden, EVP of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, said: “We are always looking for new ways for the millions of Harry Potter fans around the world to extend the magic and further connect with the iconic films. This new destination will allow fans to step into in the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”

While there are already Harry Potter-themed lands at some Universal resorts, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where fans can see where the movie was filmed, this is the first Wizarding World attraction for Lego.

And while many places, such as private rentals, offer unofficial wizard-themed accommodation based on the franchise, the park will offer the first official themed accommodation.

The museum, which recently underwent a three-year makeover, has been awarded the 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize

A small UK museum has been named the best in Europe.

The London gallery Young V&A, a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum in West London, has been awarded the 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize. The council’s prize has been awarded for almost 50 years, and is given to the museum judged to have had the biggest impact on the understanding of European cultural heritage, human rights and democracy.

Some of its best-used interactive displays include the Spinning Sand Wheel, sensory areas, dress-up zones, and iconic toys like Pikachu and the classic Amstrad CPC 464 Computer. Its three main galleries, Play, Imagine and Design, are suitable for visitors of all ages. Even babies can join in thanks to colours, textures and shapes that are put at their eye-level.

Young V&A, which reopened in 2023 after a three-year period of refurbishment, was selected by the Council of Europe’s Culture Committee at a meeting on Tuesday, 2 December, in Paris. The judges commented on how it balances playfulness and education, while exploring real-world themes such as sustainability and empathy.

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From February a brand new exhibition at the museum will delve into the magical world of Aardman at the Young V&A, showcasing everything from Wallace & Gromit to Morph, Chicken Run, and Shaun The Sheep. Featuring over 150 exhibits – including previously unseen models, sets and storyboards from Aardman’s vaults – the exhibition will launch in February, marking the studio’s golden jubilee.

Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends will be the third showcase at the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, East London, which was formerly known as the V&A Museum of Childhood. The exhibition will offer a behind-the-scenes look at stop-motion animation, revealing how Aardman’s beloved characters are brought to life. It will also feature interactive activities for kids, such as character design and creating their own live-action videos.

Visitors can feast their eyes on early character sketches, concept art, puppets, props, scripts, and set models from Aardman, alongside optical illusion toys and early examples of stop-motion animation from the V&A’s collection.

Notable exhibits include development sketches for Morph, initial character concepts for Wallace, a hand-drawn storyboard from the train chase scene in 1993’s The Wrong Trousers, and never-before-seen items like the duo’s motorbike and sidecar from last year’s Bafta-winning film, Vengeance Most Fowl.

Wallace & Gromit, the brainchild of Nick Park from Bristol-based Aardman Animations, has garnered four Oscars and numerous Baftas over the years. Alex Newson, chief curator at the Young V&A, explained: “Aardman quite literally began on the kitchen table, when two young school friends started experimenting with animations at home.

“Even though Aardman is now one of the most successful animation studios in the world, its films still have the same handcrafted feel. It is this ‘thumbiness’, as they refer to it, that makes the films so charming and well-loved. “This is also what make the story so great for children. While Aardman’s films are now made by large and highly skilled teams it’s also possible for anyone to have a go at making their own stop motion films at home with minimal equipment and experience.”

The showcase will be open from February 12 to November 15 next year.

Switzerland’s largest city is often overlooked by tourists, but its Christmas markets offer unique food experiences including wasabi cheese and fondue served on a train

As Christmas approaches, many flock to Colmar in France for its enchanting half-timbered houses or Lapland in Scandinavia for guaranteed snow and Santa sightings. However, this year I decided to break away from the norm and kick-start the festive season with a hidden treasure.

From bracing dips in the river dressed as Father Christmas to sampling unfamiliar cuisine, this city offers a unique Christmas experience like no other.

This became evident as soon as I landed in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city. Often overlooked due to its reputation as a financial hub rather than an Instagram hotspot, it’s frequently dismissed as merely a gateway to the country, a place to rush through on the way to the breathtaking alpine landscapes elsewhere. But that would be doing it a disservice.

Dig a little deeper, look past the clichés, and you’ll uncover one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets – Zurich is just as vibrant at Christmas as any ski resort. The Weinachtsdorf Christmas market, situated in a city centre square near the lake shore, is a perfect example.

Switzerland may be famed for its world-beating cheese, but have you ever tried a variety that’s greener than your yuletide tree?

My palate was sent into raptures after tasting the wasabi-flavoured cheese at one particular stall, which caught the eye in a striking pistachio green hue. Alongside it sat “tricolore” cheese, spiced with paprika, chilli and carrot atop a goat cheese foundation, plus a black lemon version enhanced with charcoal (reminiscent of a Limoncello-infused Lindt chocolate bar, yet as dark as coals on a crackling festive hearth).

The range was so impressive that other typically “exotic” flavours, such as truffle, jalapeno and pesto, appeared almost commonplace by comparison.

The lively Christmas spirit was already in full flow. Salmon sizzled over open fires in preparation for lunch, fondue pots bubbled enthusiastically and vendors beamed warmly whilst seeking out customers.

The star attraction for those seeking refuge from the chill is a substantial fondue chalet, its interior wonderfully cheese-scented, leaving little doubt about the delectable fare on offer. Meanwhile, whilst everyone adores the classic Christmas favourites like mince pies and marzipan (and in Switzerland’s case, raclette and fondue), it’s equally simple to avoid predictability through an extensive selection of international food stalls, offering everything from Chinese dim sum to Mexican tortillas and Indian street food, each presenting their own distinctive festive twist.

The German bratwurst – a beloved sausage snack – is a must-try here, but I also came across a rather unexpected festive pudding that’s traditional in Switzerland: chestnut purée cheesecake. The artistic rendition is designed so that each portion resembles a snow-capped mountain peak.

After refilling my glass with cinnamon-infused gluhwein (mulled wine) followed by spiced apple punch, I wandered further through the market and quickly happened upon a delightful pick-and-mix stand advertising “old fashioned British fudges”. Flavours ranged from bubblegum to honey and pistachio, whilst neighbouring chocolate vendors left me utterly spoilt for choice with varieties including coffee, Irish cream, pink gin and cherry.

Whilst the market’s European-crafted presents carry hefty price tags, the food offerings are considerably more affordable, and sampling these culinary delights is an experience well worth having. Following a few hours meandering through the market, I headed to the locally celebrated Café Conditorei 1842, renowned for its legendary postcard-perfect interior, where I indulged in hot chocolate and cake.

Later, as dusk descended, I made my way towards the city’s celebrated shopping boulevard, the Bahnhofstrasse, joining the throngs of spectators gathered to witness the Christmas illuminations being switched on. Signalling the official start of the festive period, these lights are nicknamed Lucy, a moniker drawn from the Beatles’ classic ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’.

My scarf, adorned with twinkling stars against a midnight blue backdrop, mirrored the Lucy lights and shielded my ears from the biting wind when pulled over my head. While Audrey Hepburn may not have had to contend with freezing temperatures as she donned a headscarf in a vintage car along the European coast, my Swiss setting offered a festive touch with snowflakes….

After enjoying the city’s renowned Singing Christmas Tree, featuring Santa hat-clad choir members belting out tunes from Cher to the Backstreet Boys, it was time for supper. Zurich boasts an array of fantastic dining options – the festively decorated ceiling of Coco Grill and Bar deserves a special nod – but that evening, there was no doubt about my destination: the famed Fondue Express Train at Polerzauber.

Zurich’s globally celebrated fondue is displayed to its full glory on this charming little train, perched high above the Christmas markets at Zurich Central Station. From my elevated vantage point, I watched shoppers splurge at an impressive 120 stalls, all under the watchful gaze of a towering tree, the undeniable centrepiece of the station hall.

Dunking my bread and potatoes into the steaming pot, it became instantly clear why Switzerland boasts such a stellar reputation for world-class cheese – and you can elevate the experience further by incorporating additions such as “a pinch of blue cheese from the [local] dairy”, white Alba truffles, mountain herbs and even champagne. Vegans needn’t feel left out either, as a dairy-free alternative of this iconic dish is available.

One traditionally Swiss – though entirely optional – method of finishing the meal involves requesting a raw egg to be cracked into what remains of the cheese, creating a flavour combination that Polerzauber promises will deliver “probably the best scrambled eggs ever”. It’s undoubtedly unforgettable – and just to make certain it stays with you, the restaurant also stocks its own branded Christmas jumpers, which naturally all the staff sport whilst on duty.

Had I been blessed with additional time, I would have expanded my Christmas market tour to encompass the one situated on Zurich’s own mountain, the Uetliberg. It showcases handcrafted and locally sourced products, whilst on misty days, there’s the possibility of finding yourself enveloped by fluffy white clouds at eye level thanks to the elevation.

Conversely, should the skies be clear, you can drink in a panoramic view stretching to the distant Alps – meaning regardless of conditions, it appears you simply cannot go wrong. Finally, the locals of Zurich have a rather unconventional way to ring in the festive season – an icy dip in the nearby river.

This annual tradition takes place during the first week of December, and even brave tourists can join in if they complete the necessary paperwork in advance.

Despite temperatures potentially dropping to a chilly minus 5C, around 300 festive swimmers don their swimsuits and signature Santa hats each year for the so-called Santa Swim (or Samichlausschwimmen in German). It might be a challenge for the fearless, but it’s hard not to get swept up in the Christmas spirit in a city so committed to the cause.

Some locals boast about the cleanliness of their river, claiming it’s so pure there’s no food for fish, while others highlight the much-touted health benefits of ice bathing. Upon leaving, I was left with no doubt that Zurich’s quirky traditions and distinctive flavours create a unique Christmas experience that simply can’t be found elsewhere.

Book the holiday

Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) provides one-way flights to Zurich from various UK airports. The fare includes all taxes, fees and surcharges, one piece of checked luggage up to 23kg and one piece of hand luggage. Book at swiss.com.

Room rates at Hotel Seidenhof start from 320 CHF (£300) per night, including breakfast, based on two adults sharing a double room. Discover more and book at sorellhotels.com.

For further details on Zurich, head over to zuerich.com. You can also purchase the Zürich Card here, which offers unlimited 2nd class travel in Zurich, various lake cruises, free entry to popular museums, a 50% discount on selected public city tours, and a host of additional discounts and exclusive offers.

KATIE Piper has swapped the Loose Women panel to soak up the sun on Spain’s Costa Brava.

She’s battling it out with two of her ITV co-stars to find out who can organise the best excursions from horse riding to making human towers on The Great Escapers.

Katie Piper, 42, has ditched the gloomy UK weather for a slice of Spain alongside Sunetra Sarker and Denise Welch, so how did she feel about jetting off with her colleagues?

Katie told Sun Travel: “Whether you go away with friends or family, travelling in a group is difficult.

“You want everyone to be having the food they like, doing the trips they like, and everyone has different ideas of fun.

“Then, don’t forget if you throw in a bit of competition and jeopardy as well – it starts out friendly, but everyone wants to win.”

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Katie, Sunetra and Denise headed to Spain to organise the best excursions with the help of Jet2holidays‘ Gio who helped them create the ultimate holiday experience.

Once everyone has completed the excursions, the ladies take a vote to decide whose were the best and who is ‘The Great Escaper’.

For the Loose Women, activities ranged from going horse-riding, to trekking and even spending time on a luxury boat trip.

Katie however avoided the holiday stereotypes and instead, joined in the human tower festival which is a Catalan tradition.

She said: “I wanted to show people local culture and to see what brings people together.

“It happens during some evenings for people of all ages and anyone can get involved – men, women and children. It made me laugh thinking about British culture at 7pm in the evening.”

Katie continued: “We’re watching I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! with a takeaway on the sofa. But in Costa Brava, they come out straight from work and they stand on each other’s shoulders.”

The three ladies tried everything out – but there’s one thing that they couldn’t do.

Katie confessed: “The only thing we didn’t do was fly and flop, we never got a tan. I came back the same white as a sheet colour as when I went out.”

During the trip, Katie stayed in Tossa de Mar, which is on the coast and has pretty beaches, coves and is centred around a walled medieval old town.

Katie is a mum of two, Belle, 11, and Penelope, 7, and heading to the Costa Brava has meant it’s been added to their family’s travel list.

She said: “I think I’ll go back with my girls, the kids will watch the show and go ‘it’s so unfair you got to go’. It’s affordable and accessible, you can go self-catering or stay in an Airbnb – I think we will plan a trip there.”

“I’ve been to other much more touristy Spanish places, like the Costa del Sol.

“The Costa Brava is a bit of a hidden gem, it’s touristy enough to take your kids out and walk on foot to restaurants.

“But it’s not lost its culture, like along the strip there’s lots of architecture like gorgeous churches, cliffs, castles – it’s not neon signs and karaoke. It’s a great place for families as well because it’s such a short flight.”

The fact that the trip to Costa Brava was not a family holiday was a strange experience for Katie.

She said: “Usually any holiday for me is putting the kids first – we go somewhere that serves chicken nuggets.

“Our next holiday will be to Tenerife where there’s a kids’ club and water slides – we’re doing five days during half-term.

“We tend to keep it cheap and stay in and around Europe where the flights are shorter.”

Katie is no stranger to a staycation though, in fact South East of England is where she spent lots of time on holiday.

She told us: “My mum and dad didn’t have a lot of money, so we didn’t really go abroad. Instead, we went Kent most years; Margate, Deal, and Broadstairs.

“We’d watch Punch and Judy on the beach, there would be donkey rides and we’d eat big sticks of rock and go to the arcades – we absolutely loved it.

“Then as I got older, we went away with family friends to Spain, Greece or Portugal. It would be like your typical package holiday and we’d go to the kids’ club all day.

“Looking back I think my mum and dad were drinking all day and then we’d go out at night. They’d let us stay up late and we’d all play card games like Snap and Happy Families.”

For her next trip, Katie and her husband Richard, are planning on keeping it Britain-based too.

She said: “We’re looking into a trip at the moment that we want to do in the Easter which is to go to Scotland.

“We’re trying to plan to do it on the sleeper train because it’s a bit of an adventure to go on a sleeper train and my kids have never done that.

“We’ve got a dog now. We got a puppy this year if we go on a sleeper train, then we can take her on the train with us.”

Watch the Loose Women on The Great Escapers on ITV, Sunday, December 14, at 6PM.

Catch up on previous episodes starring the cast of I’m A Celebrity, Coronation Street and The Chasers on ITVX.

LEGOLAND is opening a new land based on space exploration – with a world first rollercoaster.

LEGO Galaxy will open on March 6, 2026 with three new rides at the California theme park.

The main ride will be the Galacticoaster, which lets riders design their own vehicle, using touch screens and RFID wristbands.

The personalization includes choosing the tail, noses and wings for the ride, which has 625 combinations.

Guests will enter the ride via the Briefing Room, meeting Chief Engineer Biff Dipper.

After creating their machine, they will then “blast off” through the Lego solar system.

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It is opening at the California and Florida Legoland, as the “first new rollercoaster in nearly two decades”.

Two other rides with also be part of the new land – F-Force Test Facility and DUPLO Launch and Land.

There will also be a Junior Astronaut Training Zone which will be a toddler play area.

There will also be space themed shops and restaurants too.

This includes the Ultimate Food Outlet (U.F.O) along with Stardust Treats and Satellite Bites.

And then Orbital Outpost will be the souvenir shop onsite.

The website states: “We are charting course for an out-of-this-world adventure with a brand-new, space-themed land featuring  an all-new indoor family coaster, 2 other cosmic rides, and even more LEGO space adventures.”

Merlin Magic Making boss Flora Liu said: This isn’t just a coaster – it’s a full-on Lego galaxy.

“We’re mixing the creativity of Lego with the wonder of space to bring families a totally new kind of adventure.”

It’s not the only exciting new land coming to the Lego parks.

Legoland Deutschland in Germany is opening the world-first Lego Harry Potter themed land.

Little has been revealed as of yet, with more announced over the next 12 months.

However, Peter van Roden, EVP Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences said: “This new destination will allow fans to step into the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”

The world’s biggest Legoland is actually in the UK, being Legoland Windsor.

And one mum revealed what she thought after visiting the UK Legoland for the first time.

HAVE you ever fancied pulling a pint at the Queen Vic or stepping inside the Star Wars universe?

Well, at a brand-new immersive museum that’s set to open next year, you’ll be able to do exactly that.

Set to open next year in Borehamwood down the road from Elstree Studios is a museum, but not in the traditional sense.

It won’t be a stuffy room full of relics, but rather it is set to be an immersive experience which will allow visitors to feel like they’re on the sets of their favourite films and TV shows.

It was approved by the council in November 2025 and will honour 100 years of film and television production in Hertsmere.

The new experience is set to open in December 2026 on a vacant former Sky Studios space in Panattoni Park.

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Just down the road, Elstree Studios has been used to film shows like Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Harry Potter and of course, BBC soap opera, EastEnders.

These shows are likely to make an appearance at the museum – but nothing has been confirmed so far.

Other TV or film shows that could potentially appear in the museum are Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail, The Shining and BBC’s Holby City which was axed in 2022.

The opening aligns with the 100 year celebration of the UK’s first sound film, Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail, which was filmed at the studios in 1929.

The local council stated: “This isn’t just about looking back, it’s about creating an experience that can bring any story to life.

“From walking through the sets of EastEnders to standing in the middle of a historic scene like the Great Fire of London, or even taking part in the launch of a major new movie filmed right here in Borehamwood, the Immersive Experience will combine cutting-edge technology with creative storytelling.”

In December 2025, Hertsmere Council approved a £2million contribution towards the project.

Visitors can easily reach the studios from Elstree & Borehamwood Station, which is a 25-minute train ride from London St Pancras.

Currently, visitors aren’t able to take general public tours of Elstree Studios because they are working production sites.

However, the public are permitted to visit if they’re seeing shows like Strictly Come Dancing which requires a live audience.

Currently, the only other permanent tour experience is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, which is just a 20-minute drive from Elstree Studios.

Sun Travel recently visited Hogwarts and discovered everything you need to know about the experience.

We rated everything from its general experience, which is a self-guided tour, to discovering Diagon Alley and the creepy Forbidden Forest.

Other aspects we rated were whether it’s child-friendly, how much tickets are, food and drink options, and exactly how long you need to explore it.

Plus, here’s everything we know so far about the new Universal theme park set to be built in Bedfordshire.

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CENTER Parcs has confirmed when its newest holiday park is opening in the UK.

Called Center Parcs Scottish Borders, works will finally start in spring 2026.

But you’ll have to wait a while to visit, with a planned opening date of summer 2029.

The resort – between the towns of Hawik and Selkirk in the south of Scotland – is the newest Center Parcs in the UK for more than a decade.

Inside the park will be a central village with 700 lodges and apartments.

The Village Centre will have all of the shops and restaurants.

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And the family-favourite waterpark, Subtropical Swimming Paradise, will also be part of the resort, along with the Aqua Sana Forest Spa.

They are also planting their first forest, to create a new woodland around the park.

Two lochs will also be created, which will host the water sports and activities.

New nature trails, flower meadows and wetlands will be part of the Nature and Heritage Centre.

It is expected to cost £450milllion to build, and eventually attract as many as 350,000 people a year.

Center Parcs’ CEO Colin McKinlay, CEO of Center Parcs, said they were “thrilled” to have planning permission for the new park.

He added: “This village will be truly unique. The scale of the site, the setting and the ability to plant and shape a brand-new forest give us the chance to take a bold step forward in both design and sustainability.”

He said it will also attract a new market, including both Scotland and the North of England.

Mr McKinlay explained: “We’re also pleased to confirm that the new village will be named Center Parcs Scottish Borders. We explored a range of options, but this was the name we kept returning to.

“Put simply, we want the village to be an anchor destination that draws visitors to this wonderful region – and we believe this name will help do exactly that.”

While it is the newest Center Parcs resort in the UK, the most recent one opened in Ireland‘s Longford Forest in 2019.

However the most recent one in the UK was Woburn Forest which opened in 2014.

And the newest Center Parcs currently to Scotland is Whinfell Forest, in Cumbria, which opened in 1997.

Center Parcs also recently revealed its first-ever new treetop adventure attraction.

Here are the new check in rules rolled out at Center Parcs.

Plus, here’s how to bag an affordable Center Parcs stay with your family.

Dave and Tracey Mani paid a visit to a lesser-known Christmas market with “incredible” food and claimed it’s the best one on the continent that “you’ve never heard of”

A hidden gem of a Christmas market, reportedly the best in Europe that “you’ve never heard of,” could be within reach of Brits for as little as £21. The recommendation comes from Canadian travel vloggers Dave and Tracey Mani, whose YouTube channel chronicles their adventures across the globe, from Poland to Cambodia.

During their festive escapade, the adventurous duo explored the Bratislava Christmas Markets in Slovakia’s capital. As self-proclaimed “Christmas foodies”, Dave and Tracey wasted no time sampling the regional delicacies on offer.

Running from 27 November 2025 to 6 January 2026 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), the markets are divided between two locations: Hlavné Square (Hlavné námestie) and Hviezdoslavov Square (Hviezdoslavovo námestie), conveniently just a five-minute stroll apart.

Open daily from 10am to 10pm, the markets promise a “warm and joyful atmosphere,” according to the official website, featuring craft stalls, local and international cuisine, and an array of tempting beverages including grog, mead, fruit wines, and beer.

For Dave and Tracey, though, it’s clearly the food that steals the show at such events. Kicking off their visit at Hlavné námestie, Tracey declared in the video that this is what Christmas markets “are all about.”

She went on to spotlight the festive music and the enticing aromas wafting through the air, while a beaming Dave noted it was “packed” and that he’d “never seen that many food kiosks” at any Christmas market they’d previously visited.

One regional speciality that Tracey deemed essential was a cabbage soup served with bread, which she said resembled goulash. After tasting it, she announced she wanted it “all day.”

Dave was equally impressed, describing the broth as “so good” and noting the dish priced at €7.90 (roughly £6.90), was “so full of flavour.” Their next discovery was Lokša, a traditional potato pancake that Dave called “insane.”

The pair also sampled other treats, including a potato pancake topped with cabbage and smoked meat, as well as a strudel.

Dave and Tracey then headed to the second area of the markets at Hviezdoslavovo námestie, where Dave tasted what he proclaimed to be “some of the best ham” he’d ever encountered.

Their overall verdict on the markets was glowing, with Dave suggesting they’d be “hard to beat” and Tracey branding the food “incredible.” They expanded on their enthusiasm further in the video description.

Beneath their clip, titled Europe’s Best Christmas Market You’ve Never Heard Of, they wrote: “As Christmas foodies, this is one of our favourite European Christmas markets of all time.

“Of course, they had arts and crafts and different items that make perfect Christmas gifts, but food was truly the star everywhere you looked.”

A quick search on Skyscanner.com for a one-way ticket from Manchester to Bratislava for an adult in December showed the cheapest option was Sunday, 14 December, at £21, with a return the next day increasing the price to £68.

However, it’s worth noting that prices can fluctuate considerably depending on travel dates in December, so it’s recommended to plan ahead to secure the best possible deal.

EVERYONE has heard of St Ives in Cornwall, but did you know there was another St Ives in the UK?

Around 350 miles away is the town of St Ives in Cambridgeshire.

The medieval market town lies on the Great Ouse river, with a number of pubs and shops overlooking it.

It was named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2022 by The Times,. citing it for being “all the lovelier for being off the tourist trail”.

One local told them: “As soon as the sun comes out, the river fills up with rowers and lots of the locals have boats. It’s such a lovely way of life.”

When it comes to attractions, there is the St Ives Bridge which you will spot in most pictures.

BY THE RIVERSIDE

English town called the ‘Gateway to Cornwall’ with one of UK’s best pubs

TOWN SECRET

Quaint ‘under the radar’ English town that feels like a cheaper Cotswolds

Dating back to the 15th century, it is one of the last ones of its kind in the UK, and can be crossed by foot.

At the end is the St Ives chapel too, although this isn’t always open to the public.

One of the most popular pubs on the river is The Oliver Cromwell.

And there is a street market twice a week on Mondays and Fridays as well as Farmers Market on some Saturdays.

Make sure to find time for the art at VK Gallery as well as Norris Museum, showcasing the history of the region.

There is also a Holt Island Nature Reserve to go on wildlife spotting.

There is also a rather unusual way to travel through St Ives, with the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.

The unique transport is the largest of its kind in the world, and is a mix of a bus and a train, with the bus running on a guided track.

And if you need somewhere to crash, there are a number of amazing hotels too.

The Dolphin Hotel is on the riverbank as well, with rooms from £60 a night,

Otherwise one of the highest rated is The Golden Lion Hotel, with rooms from £109.

So make sure not to confuse the St Ives town with the Cambridgeshire town – or you face a long six hour drive.

Otherwise we’ve also explained what you can do if visiting St Ives in Cornwall.

I want to plan a weekend “staycation” with two of my girlfriends. They have kids, I don’t. This weekend would be adults-only. We are longtime friends who thought about getting out of town, but now feel that option is too expensive. We’re not heavy drinkers, but do like cocktails and good food. One of us doesn’t eat meat. We all love the outside, but would prefer to sit in the shade (to protect our skin and to be outside longer). We love dancing and live music. One of us is an avid walker.

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Can you suggest some things to do to have a restful, relaxing and energizing weekend that is affordable and can help make unique memories? — Stephanie Perea

Here’s what we suggest:

I love your idea of doing a staycation as opposed to going out of town. It’s definitely cheaper and easier to plan (especially for moms). Plus, it’s fun to play tourist in your own city. I’ve put together three mini itineraries in different areas to give you some options. All of the hotels mentioned have rooms with double beds at rates under $250 a night (before taxes and fees).

The first place I usually recommend to visitors is the Line in Koreatown because it’s centrally located and there are loads of things to do nearby. The aesthetically pleasing hotel has a rooftop pool, a highly Instagrammed greenhouse restaurant and the ’80s-themed speakeasy with karaoke suites. Within walking distance — because you’d easily waste an hour trying to find parking — there are also several yummy restaurants. In this guide to Koreatown, Jeong Park recommends Sun Nong Dan for a delicious Korean breakfast (“get there before 10:30 a.m.,” he notes) and Guelaguetza for Oaxacan staples. If you’re a fan of Sundubu-jjigae (spicy tofu stew), my personal favorite is BCD Tofu House, which is a short walk from the hotel and stays open until 3 a.m. on most nights. It’d be criminal to not visit a Korean spa while you’re there, so check out Olympic Spa. I recently got a massage there after a stressful week and it brought me back to life — no exaggeration. For fun activities, you can take your pick from the many karaoke bars in the area, go dancing at Apt 503, take a virtual swing at W Screen Golf or bowl a strike at Shatto 39 Lanes.

For a Westside option, my colleague Christopher Reynolds suggests the lively Hotel Erwin in Venice, which “has a rooftop bar, hip vibe and a location close to the boardwalk,” he says. Some standout restaurants in the area, according to senior food writer Danielle Dorsey, are Si! Mon, Dudley Market and Wallflower (which is vegan, vegetarian and gluten free-friendly). She also suggests taking “a stroll through the Venice Canals, which is decorated during the holidays.” Take a short drive to Santa Monica for a pastry and coffee at Bread and Butter, which you can enjoy as you walk along the beach. My colleague Hanna Sender, who lives in the area, says, “I also love taking visitors to Bergamot Station for comedy at the Crow and food at Le Great Outdoor.” To achieve the ultimate relaxation, visit Tikkun Holistic Spa, featured in our Times guide to under-the-radar spas. Writers Elisa Parhad and Danielle Roderick noted that it garnered notoriety when Goop reported on its ancient vaginal steam therapy, but that its services are beloved for having “a more holistic bent than straightforward body scrubs.”

Another neighborhood that would be fun to explore during a staycation is Culver City. The Hilton has affordable rooms, but if you don’t mind splurging a bit, the charming Culver City Hotel is a great option. It’s located downtown, which is also home to an array of restaurants and shops including the infamous Erewhon. Start your day with a short hike at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, which offers a breathtaking view of the city. (If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even challenge yourself to the 282-step staircase.) Dorsey also recommends Destroyer for brunch and Merka Saltao for an affordable lunch. I recently tried the Japan-born ramen shop Mensho Tokyo and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. For a relaxing activity, get a facial at Formula Fig, but when you’re ready to dance, head over to Blind Barber, a speakeasy that has live DJs throughout the week.

I hope these suggestions help you plan your relaxing staycation. If you’re anything like me, simply being with your girlfriends — no matter where you end up — is always a good time and a necessary recharge. *Cues the “Girlfriends” theme song by Angie Stone.*

Two years ago, at Jason Woliner’s birthday party, there was a strange guest in attendance. Mysterious, wise, uncanny — it was an animatronic robot cowboy named Dale. In the years prior, Woliner had become transfixed by immersive theater and animatronics, prompting him to purchase Dale. Woliner’s obsession with him became akin to Frankenstein and his monster.

Dale’s presence was a triumph. Using a complex software system, Woliner made the animatronic conversational. “I set him up in my garage. People came in and asked him questions, and he gave advice on relationships,” Woliner says.

A disquieting collection of animatronics became fixtures in the director’s life. More encounters ensued. Dale hosted an event at the Dynasty Typewriter theater in place of Woliner. Later, another one of his animatronics had campfire-side chats with audiences at the Overlook Film Festival in New Orleans. Woliner’s creative partner of 15 years, Eric Notarnicola, joined the endeavor as well.

Notarnicola and Woliner, known for comedy projects like “Nathan for You,” “The Rehearsal,” “Paul T. Goldman” and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” found that animatronics aligned with their body of work — absurd, amusing and occasionally devastating explorations of truth and vulnerability.

Dale — now better known as “the man” — this month will host guests at the Velaslavasay Panorama in a show called “The Man in the Tuskhut.” The Nova Tuskhut is a space within the venue designed like an Arctic trading post. For the show, attendees have a one-on-one encounter with the man in the Tuskhut. That’s after watching a documentary about frontiersman Henry James Entrikin, enjoying a drink at a saloon and grilling hot dogs.

“We started experimenting with this weird, interactive, intimate conversation with an animatronic and building it into a story that is surprising and maybe funny and maybe unsettling — something that leaves you with an unusual experience,” Woliner says.

From left to right, Ruby Carlson Bedirian, Eric Notarnicola and Jason Woliner, who collaborated on “The Man in the Tuskhut,” stand behind the saloon with animatronic skeletons.

(Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)

The animatronic improvises in conversation based on a story outline written by Woliner and Notarnicola. Inside the Tuskhut, the animatronic spurs surprising encounters with guests, Notarnicola says. “Some people come in and play a character. If they’re interested in role-playing, then they get to do that. Other people play it a lot more straight,” he says.

The buzzy show, not advertised on social media, has been gaining popularity through word of mouth. “We haven’t spent a penny on marketing,” says Woliner. The collaborators have sold out 200 encounters with the animatronic, hosting 20 encounters per day.

In the Ken Burns–style sepia-stained historical documentary, visitors learn that the man was killed by “Arctic cold that was both his companion and his adversary.” His travels include encounters with Inuit people, snow blindness and a stinging need for solitude that leads him to abandon his family for a life in the Arctic trading post. The documentary echoes the protagonists of Jack London novels — men up against the wild, grappling for survival — a trope Woliner enjoys.

“We’ve done a few things with those kinds of lonesome, filthy men,” Woliner says with a laugh.

Once inside the Tuskhut, visitors sit across from the man in a dimly lighted room. Hooks line the walls. Medicine cabinets collect dust on bookshelves — ones with “remedies for ailments, some imagined, some real.” Later, the man muses: “Real medicine is having something to believe in.” A radio buzzes in the background with static and news of “that Hitler fella,” as the man says. The bizarre encounter is different for each visitor who sits in his haunting gaze.

“Some people have had experiences that seem similar to going to a confessional or to a therapy session because some of the prompts and questions are open,” says Sara Velas, founder of the Velaslavasay Panorama and collaborator on the project. “People say: ‘I hadn’t heard someone talk to me in that tone of voice since my grandfather was alive.’ It’s a framework with many different outcomes, and it has been really special to observe.”

From left to right, Jason Woliner, Ruby Carlson Bedirian and Eric Notarnicola next to an animatronic skeleton.

(Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)

Notarnicola says the scope of animatronic entertainment technology is far-reaching across language and culture. “We’re able to run the experience in over 30 different languages. We’ve run the experience in Spanish, Slovak, Polish and Chinese,” he says. “It removes this boundary of communication where anyone, anywhere can experience it and communicate.”

Ruby Carlson Bedirian, head of engineering and enrichment at the theater and collaborator, says many visitors try to stump the animatronic or break it. “Many of the people coming are, proportionally, insiders — they’re interested in this form,” Carlson Bedirian says. “There have been so many artists and technicians and specialized artisans who have had really amazing interactions.”

The animatronic had a storied history before joining Woliner and Notarnicola’s world. As they discovered, the robot was manufactured as part of a U.S. military operation. It was used in an immersive training facility at Camp Pendleton to prepare soldiers for the war in Afghanistan. By a bizarre twist of fate, it ended up in the filmmakers’ possession through eBay, after a man named Juju kept the animatronic in his living room in Florida.

“We found them through Reddit — there’s an animatronics-for-sale Reddit — and a guy had posted that he was trying to unload them,” Woliner says. Woliner spends time on the animatronic Reddit alongside Disneyland and Chuck E. Cheese enthusiasts.

One of the animatronics even appeared in the most recent season of “The Rehearsal.” “We’re trying to use them for good,” Woliner says.

For Woliner and Notarnicola, “The Man in the Tuskhut” is only the beginning of their venture with animatronics. “We have other shows in development, and other things we want to do that are bigger — multiple characters. This is just the beginning of where this form of interaction and entertainment is headed,” Notarnicola says. The creative duo recently launched Incident, a new experimental entertainment company dedicated to these otherworldly projects.

Woliner is enthusiastic about being part of a growing community of interactive experiences in Los Angeles. “I’m most excited about being part of the offbeat L.A. community,” he says.