DISNEY fans could soon be able to get to Disney World much more easily thanks to a massive airport project.
A 10-year plan has been approved for Orlando International Airport (MCO), estimated to cost around $6billion (£4.5billion).
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Orlando International Airport has revealed a £4.5billion expansion projectCredit: Orlando AirportsThe project will be carried out over the next 10 yearsCredit: Orlando AirportsAs part of the project, there will be new car parking spaces and baggage handling systemCredit: Orlando Airports
Orlando Airport is the busiest in Florida, and one of the busiest in the whole country.
And the project comes after passenger numbers have increased at the airport over the past few years, with it handling 57.2million passengers in 2024.
The expansion will focus on four main areas: customer experience, community, infrastructure and people.
By 2030, the airport hopes to add 8,000 car parking spaces, complete the construction of a new baggage handling system for Terminals A and B, complete two gate expansions and add more passenger walkways and travellators in Terminal C.
Also by 2030, the airport would like to increase the number of small businesses working with them.
Then by 2035, the airport hopes to complete work on Terminal C.
The project will also see the terminals renamed by numbering them to make it easier for passengers.
As a part of the plans, the airport is working towards attaining a five star Skytrax rating too.
There will be one new cargo processing facility, an FAA-approved ‘vertiport’ for helicopters and restored stormwater structures, as well.
A video released showing the plans for the airport also implied that there will be facial recognition in the future, better flight information screens, smart restrooms, more shops and lounges and new play areas for families that will even have a theme park theme.
CEO of Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Lance Lyttle, said: “This vision focuses and unites everything we do around one core purpose: delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports.
“We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate, so that every step of the journey feels seamless.”
According to Disney Tourist Blog, the “MCO badly needs modernisation and expansion, and we’re pleased to see that happening with this massive $6billion (£4.5billion) investment.
“That should greatly improve the arrival and departure experience, making for a better first and last impression with Walt Disney World guests.”
The blog added that the airport is usually very busy, with 30 minute queues.
But thanks to the new expansion, a lot of the issues should hopefully go away.
The airport is also renaming its terminalsCredit: Orlando AirportsOnce complete, getting through the airport should be a smoother process then it is todayCredit: Orlando Airports
The expansion also comes after a number of new attractions have opened in Orlando, with more in the pipeline.
For example, Epic Universe at Universal Orlando opened in May of this year with a new Harry Potter land.
The £7billion land also has a ‘How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk’ land and a Super Nintendo World.
Walt Disney World is also investing $17billion (£12.7billion) over the next couple of decades, which includes a number of new rides.
Would you dare to the stay the night in Cornwall in what is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the UK? Well – one woman did, and it inspired her murder mystery novel
10:12, 28 Oct 2025Updated 10:12, 28 Oct 2025
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The hotel has been immortalised in both film and fiction for it’s haunted history(Image: Nickos via Getty Images)
Perched on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, this hotel is renowned for its eerie tales and rich history, tracing back to the 1750s.
As we’re in the midst of the spooky season, there’s nothing quite as chilling as spending a night in a hotel reputed to be one of the most haunted in the UK. The Jamaica Inn, an old coaching inn with a dark past believed to involve smuggling and ghostly stories, is famous for its spine-tingling reputation.
Originally built in 1750 as a coaching stop, the hotel now serves as a pub, restaurant and hotel, with a dedicated area for learning about the alleged spectral encounters. The Grade II-listed building exudes charm – and fear – with its traditional oak beams and snug rooms.
However, before it became a popular spot for food and overnight stays, it was infamous as a hub for the Cornwall smuggling trade. Its isolated location on the moors made it notorious for smugglers transporting goods like tea, brandy and silks from the sea, hidden beneath the floors and panels.
The isolation of the Jamaica Inn was its greatest asset in those days, often frequented by mysterious figures under dimly lit lanterns. Despite its modern touches, it was creepy enough for English author Daphne du Maurier to base her entire murder mystery novel on her stay there in 1936.
Taking its name from the precise spot where it stands, Jamaica Inn became a literary sensation amongst readers and was subsequently transformed into a film under Alfred Hitchcock’s direction.
The movie marked the final British production he would helm before departing for Hollywood, where he would establish himself as one of cinema’s legendary figures, earning up to six Oscar victories.
Thus, despite its shadowy and occasionally unlawful past, the inn achieved immortality through du Maurier’s fictional masterpiece, as she found herself captivated by the brooding heritage and spooky presence of the establishment and its bleak landscape.
Today in the 20th century, Jamaica Inn has evolved into something of a regional icon, where visitors pause to rest and discover its enduring legacy. One guest posted on TripAdvisor: “Had a thoroughly enjoyable two-night stay.
“The views from the inn were amazing onto the moor. The atmosphere was as expected from an old smugglers’ inn, full of mystery and intrigue!”.
Another visitor, eager to witness a supernatural encounter or sense the presence of the smugglers who once trod these very boards, recounted their spine-chilling experience.
They wrote: “We had done some research before arriving and saw that some rooms in the new, and many rooms in the original, areas have had activity from the paranormal…”
They shared tales about their terrifying night’s sleep – or their lack of. “Within a few minutes I was in the bathroom getting ready for a shower and heard a very loud male whistle from inside the room (corner nearest the bedroom). When asking my partner if she had whistled and getting a response of ‘absolutely NO’ I suddenly felt on edge.”
It’s no mystery that whilst the hotel has been transformed into a contemporary cosy pub and inn popular with travellers, its spine-chilling past is renowned for good reason. Whilst many other guests claim to have never experienced anything of the sort, others can’t help but let their minds wander.
About a month ago, as he was lying in a hospital bed after a stroke, Kenny Enea had one main concern: Would the Halloween decorations be completed in time?
“The only thing he was worried about was getting out and finishing,” says Ana Lovelis, his partner of 32 years.
The Hatteras Haunted House in Sherman Oaks is in its eighth year, and is a mix of accumulated, handmade, store-bought and antique items.
(David Butow / For The Times)
After all, if the elaborate front-yard haunt wasn’t fully assembled by Oct. 31, eight months of work could be for naught. This is the eighth and final year Enea’s family of four will be remaking its Van Nuys property into a frightful, walk-through attraction that spooks thousands of visitors each Halloween.
Today, Enea, 62, is on the path to a full recovery, and the Hatteras Halloween House — its official name, based on the street that borders the home — was wrapped with days to spare. The family is planning a large-scale bash Friday featuring a tarot reader, a handful of actors and even a wedding: Lovelis and Enea have decided that after three-plus decades together, it’s time to tie the knot. Their two daughters, Nia and Rena Lovelis, both in their mid-20s, will serve as “best man” and maid of honor.
The Hatteras Halloween House has become one of the more well-known home haunts of the San Fernando Valley, a region now known for extravagant, do-it-yourself Halloween displays, especially in Burbank. To enter is to walk through a small cemetery before encountering a winding array of thematic spaces — a skeleton seated at a decrepit vintage piano gives way to a rickety bridge, a smooshy swampland, a doll-laden tea temple, a chapel and an exorcism room.
The Hatteras Halloween House started small as an accumulation of Halloween items but has gradually grown into an elaborately themed walk-through attraction.
(David Butow / For The Times)
The displays are so massive that when the facades for the bridge and mini church started taking shape, the family received a visit from a city inspector. A neighbor, says Nia, complained that the family was building an unsanctioned ADU.
“They thought it was an actual house extension,” Ana says. “We were like, ‘No, it’s Halloween decorations.’ The inspector came by, and I was like, ‘No, it’s foam.’”
One segment of the haunt is lighted by bloody hands holding plastic tea candles. Stairways to nowhere are hiding bones and body parts in their underbelly. Hand-written notes, courtesy of a narrative dreamed up by Nia, dot the space and hint at an enveloping backstory. An abstract, slow-waltz of a moody soundtrack, courtesy of Rena, sets the mysterious tempo. A mix of store-bought animatronics, handmade props and found objects — vintage lamps, creatures with elongated necks and an assortment of mystical, witchy knickknacks, fill every nook.
After eight haunted houses and 32 years together, Kenny Enea and Ana Lovelis will marry this Halloween inside the haunt’s church.
(David Butow / For The Times)
Consider it a collection of intimate rooms, each one holding new reveals and surprises. You may want to duck, for instance, if you spy a snake near a foggy water fountain. Elsewhere, a cabinet never stops quivering as we wait for its door to swing open. Months went into constructing the surrounding fences and the vintage-inspired covered wooden bridge — Enea and Ana run a construction firm — and luxuries such as vacations were skipped as the family estimates that not an evening or weekend went by without some work done on the haunted house. Ana puts the total cost at somewhere in the $20,000 range. And Rena is quick to joke, “Don’t ask about the DWP bill.”
The Hatteras Halloween House
In a way, the haunt feels like an extension of the family’s home. On a recent afternoon the four, plus Darragh Hettrick, Nia’s partner, were gathered in a living room that felt like a mix of an antique store, a tarot tent and an apothecary haven. Or perhaps the embodiment of a witch’s coven — candles, crystals and fantastical items (a small mermaid hangs on one wall) — grace the space.
“It’s not just Halloween,” Enea says. “We’re kind of drawn to the darker side of everything in life. Everything is just a little left of center. A lot left of center.”
“We’re looking to marry the dark with the light,” Ana says, noting she’s held a fascination with Halloween, costumes and masks since early childhood.
A creepy woman figure at The Hatteras Halloween House.
(David Butow / For The Times)
The family’s haunts at first started relatively modest — a hodgepodge of Halloween decorations. But in the last four years, especially, the couple and their children have experimented with various themes. Last year, for instance, was a “hell hotel,” with rooms themed to demented clowns or terror at sea. Other years they have experimented with aliens, complete with a 12-foot spaceship hanging above the proceedings.
It became a family craft project taken to its maximalist extreme. Ana says she wanted something the neighborhood kids could experience for free. Many neighbors started participating, either dropping off old Halloween decor or even acting in the haunt. Enea says the project brought him joy during our stressful and divisive cultural climate.
“In these times we’re experiencing in this country and the world, there’s no politics and there’s no religion here,” Enea says. “We’re literally just having a good time. There’s no left or right. Everyone is just in it, and having a good time. I see the experience of people coming through with the kids, and everyone is just so happy. Can’t we have that throughout the world? I know it’s Pollyanna thinking, but we can give this little section of Van Nuys happiness.”
The Hatteras Halloween House is estimated to have drawn about 3,000 people last Halloween.
(David Butow / For The Times)
Multiple home haunts throughout the San Fernando Valley have been garnering attention in the Southland in recent years. Jen Spincic in 2020 created the Halloween in Burbank and Beyond map and site to catalog them all. Spincic’s accompanying Instagram contains dives into some of the better known, which this year included a house that’s a mash-up of “Wicked” and “The Wizard of Oz,” a creepy exploration of all-things clowns and a joyous celebration of Disney-inspired culture.
“In the last three years it’s really exploded,” Spincic says. “More and more people are decorating. It’s a destination. I see that people on the news keep calling it ‘Halloween town.’”
Halloween in 2025 often stretches into the late summer, and increasingly there are conventions, theme parks and films that celebrate a spooky mood year-round. Spincic also attributes the growth to our cultural climate, theorizing people need community and tension-free places to rally around. “Nowadays everybody hates each other, with political differences or whatever it is,” Spincic says. “It brings people together. People are laughing, connecting and talking.”
Props, creepy antiques and weird dolls are found throughout the Hatteras Halloween House.
(David Butow / For The Times)
But it all raises a question. The Hatteras Halloween House clearly brings the family closer. Nia can talk for more than five minutes explaining the byzantine narrative she has constructed for the haunt. Rena speaks proudly of experimenting with jazzy sounds for the soundtrack (the two daughters were in the now-defunct L.A. rock band Hey Violet). Can they really give up the haunt?
Nia says the family is getting nostalgic for the days before they turned their home into a destination, when they explored the creativity and artwork of others.
“They bought a cabin and they want to spend time building that next year,” Nia says of her parents. “I don’t think we can do nothing. Mom and I will be out there next year putting up some props, but before we started doing the walk-throughs we would go to Reign of Terror (in Thousand Oaks), and all the home haunts. It was a tradition for the family.”
Enea says he also needs a break. This year he worked with the local fire department to ensure the haunt was up to code, and on Halloween night they have hired actors and security. But before Enea can relax, Anna is rattling off a series of dreams for the future — perhaps the family opens a Halloween-inspired pizza parlor, or maybe a “haunted” home that can be rented out.
“My ideas are endless,” she says. “I just have to figure out how to pull Kenny in on it.”
And moments after the family talks about the haunted house’s retirement, for instance, they also speak excitedly of the Krampus figure they purchased that will make an appearance this Christmas season. They may be able to remove the haunt from the yard, but don’t expect the Hatteras house to completely go quietly into the night.
The Hatteras Halloween House comes with an elaborate, slightly hidden backstory for guests who want to dig deep.
It’s 10pm, and I’m chatting with new friends after dinner at a guesthouse in wilds of Catalonia. The candlelight flickers off stout terracotta jugs of wine and on to the faces of Thomas, a management consultant from New York, and Viktoras and Gabije, a charming Lithuanian couple I’ve been grilling about Baltic holiday spots. Ellen is German, living in Barcelona and training to be a therapist. It’s testament to the relaxed vibe that the conversation flows as smoothly as the wine.
I’m at Off Grid, a new 10-room retreat(plus four-bedroom barn) in Alta Garrotxa, a protected nature reserve about 30 miles (50km) north of Girona. A converted 17th-century masia (farmhouse), it’s encircled by the fertile green humps and limestone crags of the pre-Pyrenees, with sloping gardens sheltering a large swimming pool. With its rustic, slow-living ethos, it’s perhaps a surprising departure for owner Gerard Greene, former CEO of Yotel – the modern, tech-driven city-centre brand with hotels in New York, Amsterdam and Tokyo among other cities. Just being here is a kind of therapy.
It was only in spring 2024 that Greene spotted the site’s potential (a main farmhouse building, barn conversion and various outbuildings) and began doing it up. Inner walls have been whitewashed, bedrooms stripped back and painted with limewash shades of blush, ochre and sand. Sculptural stone sinks and brassy bathroom fixtures jazz-up en suites.
The Santa Margarida volcano in Al Garrotxa natural park, near the border with France. Photograph: Prisma Archivo/Alamy
Outside, birds chatter in the treetops above the swimming pool. Dragonflies flit by and a vast mountain – Mare de Déu del Mont – looms behind the quaint tiled roof, a natural place to fix your eyes in a moment of meditation. I’m here solo for a few days’ respite. I had a baby 10 months ago, and have barely moved my body properly since. A DIY retreat: yoga sessions, walking, a little autumn sunshine is just what’s needed.
Another delightful aspect at Off Grid is that dinners are taken communally (poolside in summer, around the chunky farmhouse table in the dining room when cooler). It’s not enforced, but gently encouraged – a blackboard heralds a €30 three-course menu that changes daily depending on chef Joep’smarket finds: a tomato salad with local cheese and toasted seeds, say, followed by a rustic oxtail pie and an orange-zest cheesecake. Guests tend to amble down for a vermut around 8pm – there are honesty bars in the hotel, plus a vintage spirits trolley.
There isn’t always a full house at dinner – on my first night there’s just myself, Alex and Judith: an Englishman and a Belgian visiting from Peckham. There’s plenty of choice for venturing out to dine nearby: La Guixera is a small bistro within walking distance (open Friday to Sunday only), while others are within a five- or 10-minute drive. My favourite is El Claustre de Palera, a terrace built into a restored Romanesque church, where I order platters of fried anchovies, and barbecued mackerel with rich ratatouille.
Beyond the hotel, this place is ripe for adventure. Spanish tourists mostly come for the epic cycling, while scores of walking trails traverse mountainside, forest and idyllic green pastures. I start with a hike around the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcànica (there are 25 recommended trails,ranging from one mile to 10 miles) with local guide Mike Lockwood, a Brit who has lived in Catalonia for 20 years, Spain for more than 40.
Parking up near the Croscat and Santa Margarida volcanoes, Lockwood tells me there are 40 dormant volcanoes in this park. “Would you like to go inside one?” he asks. I’m intrigued. On the far side of Croscat, a former quarry is revealed, a jagged cake-slice lifted from the volcano’s side. Lockwood deciphers its chalky stripes and fine cinder granules, layers of rust-red and huge chunks of rocks where the magma was blasted out at speed some 13,000 years ago. “It erupted for just three weeks,” he says. “That was enough to create all this.” Next we go to Fageda d’en Jordà, a striking beech wood whose undulating path was formed by the lava flow. It’s all fairytale mossy boulders and calf-height mushrooms.
Lucy Thackray took an ebike out for the day from Off Grid. Photograph: Lucy Thackray
On another morning I hire an ebike from the hotel, and skim along quiet roads, to sleepy, cypress-framed villages reminiscent of Tuscany. Both L’Alta Garrotxa and the Parc Natural are well signed and easy to navigate – having a guide is a plus, but solo travellers won’t struggle to explore. The really hardcore Lycra-heads take to the mountainside, or set off on the 35-mile (57km) route from Olot to Girona.
Yoga is currently available on-demand at Off Grid, but is set to run twice weekly from the new year in an onsite studio. Instructor Alba is from a nearby village, and is into bees, she says, lighting a beeswax candle and encouraging our group to buzz meditatively into the morning sunlight. Hunched from the past few months, I also book an hour with local masseur Jordi.
The whole place lends itself to relaxation. Much of the hotel’s charming atmosphere comes from its past: hefty wood beams, an ivy-coated courtyard and antique pieces of furniture reupholstered by local artisans and restored to their former glory. Alongside huge iron fireplaces, original artworks and farm trinkets are displayed prominently.
A bedroom at Off Grid Girona, Spain Photograph: Enric Curto
Off Grid owns some land across the road too, which is used to farm organic produce. The hotel is working to become as sustainable as possible, and much is locally sourced: small-batch coffee from the medieval town of Besalú (5 miles away); sustainable Bekume bed linen made in Olot (29km); toiletries from the Olively startup in the nearest city, Girona; wines from two Catalan wineries.
There are plans for solar panels, an aerothermal heating system, a yoga pavilion, even an alfresco sauna. For now guests have the huge, unheated pool, trimmed by pumpkin-coloured loungers and scented Mediterranean foliage.
Each morning, as the sun peeks through the trees, I venture down for a solitary swim – practically a cold plunge in these autumn days. Back home, motherhood can feel like a stream of anxiety about the next step, the next nap, the next choice to feel guilty about. Here, for the first time in months, I’ve time to think, to simply be – and it feels good.
The trip was provided by Off Grid. Doubles from €150 room-only
It was named the second best coastal town in the UK last year, and it’s easy to see why. With a two-mile long beach, a charming high street and great food, it’s the perfect spot for a day trip.
Nicola Roy Spare Time writer
04:12, 28 Oct 2025
A coastal suburb just a 15-minute journey from a major UK city should be the next addition to your autumn travel itinerary. Despite the crisp air, a seaside trip is always a fantastic way to shake off any stresses, and you can’t beat the stunning views across the water.
I recently had a day out in Portobello near Edinburgh on a sunny yet chilly day, and I’m kicking myself for not visiting sooner. With a bustling high street filled with independent retailers, delicious food, and excellent public transport connections, it’s an ideal spot if you’re looking to venture off the beaten track.
A mere 15-minute bus ride from the city centre dropped us right in the heart of the town, and it was immediately apparent that this place was something special.
Of course, our first port of call was a brisk walk along the seafront. The weather was very nice and bright bright, but cold, however it was quite invigorating after the hour-long train journey from Glasgow.
Portobello’s beach stretches two miles, boasting a Victorian-style promenade and views over the Firth of Forth. As it was a sunny Sunday morning, it was quite busy, with numerous families out for walks and dogs joyfully darting across the sand, reports the Express.
The first thing that struck me about the beach was its cleanliness. It’s evident that the locals of Portobello, or ‘Porty’ as it’s fondly referred to, take immense pride in their environment.
I regret not visiting during the summer months, as I can see this being a fantastic spot for sunbathing and maybe even taking a dip in the sea.
Last year, Portobello was named the UK’s second-best coastal town by JoJo Maman Bebe, and its beach bagged a Keep Scotland Beautiful award, which really proves its charm.
After a stroll along the beach, we worked up quite an appetite. The seafront at Portobello beach is lined with a variety of eateries and pubs, from massive pizza slices at Civerino’s to brunch and coffee at The Beach House.
Many of these places offer outdoor seating, allowing you to dine practically on the beach, which was lovely to see.
We decided to try Shrimp Wreck, a seafood joint with a small yet appetising menu. This street food stall gained fame after featuring on BBC’s My Million Pound Menu and is renowned for its fish finger sandwiches – it even made it to the finals of the Birds Eye Fish Finger Sandwich Awards in 2017.
Naturally, I opted for the dish that was all the rage. The battered flaky fish fillets, mushy peas and the best chips I’ve ever tasted, all in a soft roll, was probably the messiest thing I could have eaten, but I have no regrets.
Next, it was time to properly explore the high street where the bus had dropped us off. It’s tucked just behind the promenade, and while it wasn’t as bustling as the beach itself, there were still plenty of people milling about – and crucially, plenty of shops open too.
One of the highlights for me was The Portobello Bookshop, a delightful independent bookshop brimming with novels, cookbooks and so much more. The space was bright, cosy and inviting, and the kind of place that you could spend hours browsing and not get bored.
They also host events, such as Q+A’s with authors, so it’s worth checking out what’s on if you’re planning a visit there.
Cove is another must-visit if you’re a fan of a gift shop. This one was overflowing with all the trinkets you could ever want, from Jellycat toys to candles and shampoo bars, as well as lovely cards and mouth-watering chocolate bars too.
The high street of Portobello might not be the largest but it’s definitely one of the most charming I’ve seen. There are more food and drink places here, as well as pubs and even an Aldi, so you’re not going to run out of options quickly.
One spot we missed, which I’m eager to return for, is the swim centre. Nestled in Portobello, you’ll discover a genuine Victorian Turkish bath, one of only 11 in the UK, along with a gym and fitness studio, so this is definitely on my list for the next visit.
If you’ve never ventured to Portobello, it truly is the ideal location for a weekend getaway – even as the weather turns chillier. Its proximity to the lively city of Edinburgh makes it perfect if you’re seeking a break from urban life and fancy some time indulging in food, drink and relaxation by the water.
EASYJET is turning thousands of old crew outfits into school uniforms to support families struggling with rising costs.
The airline partnered with Luton-based charity Level Trust, which works across 75 local schools, providing uniforms to support the estimated 45 per cent of children living in poverty in the town.
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Children from a school in Luton with the donated uniformsOld airline uniforms will be upcycled into school uniforms
Their initiative is aiming for pilots and cabin crew to donate 100 per cent of their retired outfits – which will be recycled into shirts, skirts, blazers, jackets and trousers.
The garments will then be available for older year students through the charity’s Uniform Exchange.
It comes as 58 per cent of 2,000 parents polled said they feel the pressure of the rising costs of school uniforms.
An average of £256 a year is forked out on school uniform items for just one child, totalling over £3,072 across 12 years in education.
With over a third of parents (34 per cent) sacrificing household essentials to keep up with the costs of school uniforms.
Nearly one in five (19 per cent) have used overdrafts and credit cards to afford school uniforms, as 53 per cent reported having to purchase new items before even the end of the first term alone.
Michael Brown, director of cabin services for easyJet, which is launching a crew uniform refresh on 10th November, said: “We’re proud to launch the uniform recycling programme – our aim for this first phase is both to support parents who are facing financial hardships as well as reduce our textile waste.
“Our crew uniforms have always represented care, professionalism and unity, and we’re honoured they’ll carry those same values into classrooms to empower the next generation.”
It emerged 76 per cent would like to see more government-backed community initiatives, like the uniform exchange, to help families.
Two-thirds of parents (66 per cent) say they would consider second-hand or upcycled uniforms in order to save money.
And a further 93 per cent of parents would also favour increased flexibility when it comes to school uniforms.
With 80 per cent of parents agreeing they would like to see more businesses repurposing retired materials such as uniforms into items to support local communities.
And 85 per cent would be likely to use cheaper or free school uniforms made from upcycled materials.
The research also found that 76 per cent of British parents would like to see more government backed community initiatives like the Level Trust’s uniform exchange rolled out on a national scale.
Jennie White from the charity the Level Trust, added: “We have seen a significant rise in requests for school uniforms, highlighting the challenges many families are facing.
“easyJet’s donation of surplus uniforms is a crucial step in addressing these needs as this initiative not only helps alleviate the financial strain on parents but also ensures that children have the necessary attire to feel confident and focused at school.”
The campaign launches in Luton, home to easyJet’s headquartersAround 58 per cent of parents say they feel the pressure of the rising costs of school uniforms
HUNGRY Brits are being led by their stomachs when it comes to booking a holiday – as the UK establishes itself as a nation of foodies.
Research from tour operator TUI has revealed that 41 per cent of us would consider booking a trip that’s all about the nosh.
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We share the best short-haul breaks in 2026 for those who love their grubCredit: Getty
It’s little wonder as, even at home, 39 per cent said they prioritise eating out in local restaurants.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the best short-haul breaks in 2026 for those who love their grub . . .
AYIA NAPA, CYPRUS
TO get a bit of guidance on your foodie adventure, take a look at TUI’s new Dine & Discover packages, which are designed to send travellers to hotels renowned for their food.
As well as excellent grub and booze within the resorts’ restaurants, visitors will be treated to special extras, such as a complimentary cookery lesson or a cocktail mixology class, as part of the deal.
Ayia Napa, on Cyprus’s south-eastern coast, is the ideal spot for a romantic foodie escapeCredit: Getty
The 5H Amanti, MadeForTwo hotel in Ayia Napa, on Cyprus’s south-eastern coast, is marketed as a couples-only resort and is the ideal spot for a romantic escape.
Travellers booked on the TUI package will receive money off a mountain villages tour with lunch and honey tasting.
Or they can opt for a discount on a halloumi-making and bread baking experience.
GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Amanti, MadeForTwo hotel is from £1,192pp including flights from Manchester on June 1, 2026. See tui.co.uk.
MOROCCO
IF it’s authentically traditional tastings you are after, Intrepid is the holiday company for you.
Their 12-night Morocco Real Food Adventure is undoubtedly something for the bucket list, showcasing everything from camel burgers to traditional family dinners whipped up in local homes – as well as tours of traditional markets.
Intrepid’s Morocco Real Food Adventure is undoubtedly something for the bucket listCredit: Unknown
Cuisine is at the heart of this trip, but you’ll tick off some pretty cool sights, too, as you pass through Casablanca, Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Chefchaouen, Fez and Midelt before moving on to Merzouga, the M’Goun Valley and, of course, Marrakech.
You’ll stay in hotels, guesthouses, gites and a desert camp.
GO: The 12-day trip costs from £984pp including accommodation, breakfasts, most dinners and some lunches.
Price also includes several foodie experiences such as a goats-cheese tasting and cous-cous demonstration. Flights extra. See intrepid.com.
DOLOMITES, ITALY
HAVING your hand held is no bad thing – and because of this, you know you’ll get the best of the best wherever you go when you book one of Saga’s food-and-wine holidays.
Every itinerary on a these getaways has been carefully curated, to include the top spots and activities on offer in that region, whether it be a visit to a local market or a cookery workshop combining culture and grub.
A couple raise a glass in the tranquil Dolomites in ItalyCredit: Getty
This week-long Dolomites tour is lip-smackingly good, with a visit to a working dairy farm, a wine-cellar tour with olive-oil samplings, and demonstrations at an apple orchard.
When you’re not tasting goodies, kick back at your hotel, the Alle Dolomiti over-looking Lake Molvano – enjoy the pool or unwind in the sauna.
GO: A seven-night Food And Wine In The Dolomites trip costs from £1,525pp on a half-board basis, including flights from Gatwick on September 21, 2026. See holiday.saga.co.uk.
BODRUM, TURKEY
HOLIDAY firm Jet2 has a specific section entirely dedicated to foodie escapes.
It is called Perfect For Dining – and these places really are.
The all-inclusive-plus deals at the 5H Lujo Art And Joy hotel, in sun-drenched Bodrum, cover everythingCredit: Getty
The collection of hotels offer gourmet food, with extensive a la carte menus, and have an emphasis on local flavours.
Unlike many all-inclusive packages, the all-inclusive-plus deals at the 5H Lujo Art And Joy hotel, in sun-drenched Bodrum, cover everything.
That means not being restricted to the buffet each night, as a la carte dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner is available at most of the 11 onsite restaurants and bars.
You will have to fork out extra for the teppanyaki, steakhouse and Asian joints, though.
Kids will be kept happy with a 24-hour ice cream and frozen yoghurt stand.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive-plus costs from £1,828pp based on a family of four sharing and including flights from Leeds Bradford on April 19, 2026. See jet2holidays.com.
PORTOPETRO, MAJORCA
THE Spanish island of Majorca most certainly pips the other Balearics to the post when it comes to a smashing food and drink scene.
If you’re tempted to visit, it’s worth remembering that customers booking a TUI Dine & Discover package also receive 15 per cent off food and gastronomy experiences with TUI Musement.
Majorca most certainly pips the other Balearics to the post when it comes to a smashing food and drink sceneCredit: Getty
And on this gem of an island, that includes a Majorca Winery Visit & Local Food Tasting experience.
You’ll be driven into the heart of the island’s wine country to sample tipples from a small family-run vineyard.
Soak up that booze with homegrown snacks, fresh bread, olive oils and local cheeses.
The return of winter has already claimed a life on the tallest mountain in the continental United States, with the death of a hiker on slippery Mt. Whitney, according to the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department.
Over the weekend, the hiker fell in the notorious “99 Switchbacks” section of the main trail, said Lindsey Stine, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department. The switchbacks begin just above Trail Camp at almost 12,000 feet, where many hikers spend the night before making an early morning start for the 14,500-foot summit.
In the summer, when the trail is dry, the switchbacks section is a long slog, winding back and forth up two miles, and nearly 2,000 vertical feet.
When it gets a big snow, as it did earlier this month, the trail becomes buried and the whole slope becomes perilously steep.
Wes Ostgaard, who said he has climbed Mt. Whitney four times, posted on Facebook that conditions on Saturday were so treacherous he and his climbing partners decided to turn around.
“Winds were extremely intense, and with the recent snowfall, the wind was blasting snow in our faces,” Ostgaard wrote. The snow covered the trail and, in many places, rendered it “invisible,” he wrote.
When Ostgaard and his companions were descending the switchbacks they encountered the body of another hiker who had apparently fallen above a section of steel safety cables and then slid another 70 ft, or so.
“I believe it is highly unlikely he survived,” Ostgaard wrote of the hiker. “There was a fair amount of blood from [colliding with] the cables, and a lot of blood around a rock he made contact with.”
Ostgaard used Starlink to contact his father around 12:30 p.m., who then contacted emergency services. A helicopter arrived about four hours later, Ostgaard wrote.
Another hiker that day, Kirill Novitskiy, encountered the same conditions on the switchbacks on Saturday but made the “wrong decision” to keep climbing.
He made it up with just microspikes — little metal cleats that attach to the bottom of shoes and provide winter traction on flat ground — or on gentle slopes where falling would be no big deal.
But microspikes are notoriously inadequate for winter mountaineering, when a fall could be fatal.
As so often happens in the mountains, when Novitskiy returned to the steep switchbacks after a few hours traveling on relatively flat ground to and from the summit, he discovered conditions had deteriorated so much that he was in real danger and seriously under-equipped.
“I had a couple of dangerous places where the trail became a slope full of powdery snow, and it was very easy to slip off,” Novitskiy wrote on Facebook. “The worst part on the way back were the switchbacks. Almost all the trail was covered with powdery snow brought up with the wind, it was very hard to go with just microspikes.”
Near the cables he saw a pair of trekking poles with nobody around, and then encountered a group of five hikers at the bottom of the switchbacks who told him about the accident.
Anyone attempting to climb Mt. Whitney from this point on in the winter season should bring crampons — much larger spikes that attach firmly to mountaineering boots and dig deep into snow and ice to prevent falls – and an ice axe.
Experts also advise traveling in groups, and bringing a satellite communication device to contact help if anything goes wrong.
So far, the Inyo Sheriff’s Department has not released the identity of the hiker who died.
In January this year, a hiker from Texas died after attempting to climb Mt. Whitney in bad weather. His body was found at an elevation of 12,000 feet near North Fork Lone Pine Creek Trail.
ANOTHER European airline is set to go into administration in days – impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Eastern Airways, that serves different destinations in England and Scotland, has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.
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Eastern Airways has filed for an administratorCredit: Alamy
This means the company has 10 days to fix its problems before it officially goes bust.
However, all routes have now been suspended with all flights axed.
Selina Chadha, Consumer & Markets Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled.
“Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.”
Eastern Airways launched back in 1997 and carries around 1.3million passengers each year.
The airline plays a key role in providing regional air travel across the UK, with current destinations including Wick and Aberdeen in Scotland, and then Humberside, Teeside International, London Gatwick and Newquay.
However, the airline has previously operated many other routes including to Gibraltar from Southampton and Birmingham.
Services to Gibraltar were launched back in 2021 but then axed just a year later.
And in March last year, the operator also cancelled its route between Cardiff to Paris Orly, France.
Only this year, did the airline also announce that it would be launching flights from Newquay in Cornwall, to London Southend Airport in Essex.
Currently, this route cannot be seen on the airline’s website.
Eastern Airways is also the number one provider of charter flights for sports teams in Europe – this includes Premier League and Championshipfootball teams, Rugby Union teams and Super League teams.
For the 12 months to March 2024, Eastern Airways reported a net loss of £19.7million — £4.8million higher than the previous year.
The company’s total debt rose by £4.8million to £25.97million, while profit fell sharply to £454,000 from £1.55million the year before.
What to do if you have an upcoming flight with Eastern Airways
LISA Minot, Head of Travel at The Sun, shares her advice…
Passengers stranded by the collapse of Eastern Airways have several options depending on their circumstances.
If you’re flight is cancelled, you’ll need to find – and pay – for an alternative flight with another airline.
Many airlines offer rescue fares when competitors go bust, offering lower prices for those who can prove they were due to fly with the airline that has failed.
It will be your responsibility to get yourself home – but if you have scheduled airline failure as part of your travel insurance policy you may well be able to claim on that and recoup the cost.
For those without scheduled airline failure insurance, you will sadly be left out of pocket and have to get yourself home.
If you are due to fly with Eastern Airways in the coming days, weeks or months, you should put a claim in straight away with your debit or credit card provider.
They should refund you without fuss.
For those who are due to fly with Eastern Airways as part of a package holiday they have bought from a travel agent or tour operator, your package holiday provider is obliged to find an alternative way for you to reach your destination or offer you a full refund.
Or if you can get the train, London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), ScotRail, TransPennine Express (TPE), and Northern Railway are offering free Standard Class travel to Eastern Airways staff and customers on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October, on suitable routes operated by each train company.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has the latest information on its website, caa.co.uk
The stunning Mughal Indian-style building built in 1805 offers guests a slice of India — right in the heart of Gloucestershire’s picturesque Cotswolds countryside
You have to see it to believe it(Image: Getty Images)
What if we told you that a 200-year-old Indian-style palace, reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, is tucked away in the heart of Gloucestershire?
While the Cotswolds are typically associated with charming cottages, chocolate-box homes, and honey-hued mansions that seem frozen in time, nestled in the idyllic Cotswolds countryside — Sezincote House and its estate offer a taste of India just outside Moreton-in-Marsh.
This traditional family-run estate spans approximately 3,500 acres of undulating countryside, complete with waterfalls, canals, grottoes, and temples. The house and garden welcome visitors at specific times throughout the year, and the unique location hosts six weddings each summer in its breathtaking grounds.
Perched roughly 600 feet above sea level in the North Cotswolds, Sezincote House remains privately owned and operates a thriving agricultural estate. This provides resources to support both the intricate rural life in the region and the maintenance of the house. A brother-sister team manage the home and the estate, with assistance from the older generation and keen interest from the younger ones.
Operating in line with traditional English practices, the estate boasts a mixed farming enterprise, ensuring proper fencing and permanent grassland. This is complemented by woodlands that provide an ideal habitat for local wildlife and a source of timber, reports Gloucestershire Live.
However, Sezincote House is far from ‘traditionally English’. Designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell, this historic edifice was built in 1805 and stands as a stellar example of Neo-Mughal architecture, offering a 19th-century take on 16th and 17th century Mughal design.
John Cockerell initially purchased the vast country estate as a display of his wealth. However, it was his brother Charles Cockerell who truly transformed the property after inheriting it three years later following John’s demise.
Charles then sought the expertise of his architect brother Samuel and artist Thomas Daniell, renowned for his sketches of Indian properties, to design a house inspired by a fusion of Hindu and Muslim architecture — something he had seen plenty of during his travels.
Samuel had previously experimented with subtle Indian features at Daylesford House in the Cotswolds, but he fully embraced the style at Sezincote, incorporating peacock-tail windows, jali-work railings, and pavilions. George IV, while still Prince Regent, visited Sezincote and is said to have been so smitten with the design that he instructed his architects to incorporate similar elements into the Brighton Pavilion that was being built for him.
The grand building has the red sandstone look that’s typical of Mughal architecture and instead of the famed white marble (as seen in the likes of popular structures like the Taj Mahal), this building features a large copper-covered, onion-shaped dome instead.
The home’s fenestration features a series of oversized windows crowned with arch-shaped tops. However, these arches depart from conventional forms, taking the shape of shell-like fans that reveal a distinctly Mughal influence. In contrast, the interior design adheres more closely to European stylistic traditions.
The estate’s landscape, designed by Humphry Repton, reflects a Renaissance-style garden interwoven with elements of Hindu architecture – most notably expressed through the crescent bridge supported by intricate columns. Minarets and a temple dedicated to Surya, the Hindu Sun God, also lend to its Indian heritage and influence. A Persian Garden of Paradise adds to its breathtaking charm.
While Sezincote Garden continues to welcome visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between October and November, both the Sezincote House and the Orangery Tearoom have shut their doors for the season, with plans to reopen in 2026.
Entry to the Sezincote Garden will set adults back by £9, while children aged 16 and under can get in for £3. A visit to the Sezincote House, which includes a house tour and garden entry, is priced at £15 for adults and £9 for children aged 16 and under.
Riyadh Air operated its first flight to London Heathrow on October 26Credit: Getty
This flight was the first of the airline’s daily launch flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow, which are being used to ensure they are ready to operate for the public.
The aircraft used for the first flight, named ‘Jamila’, is a Boeing 787-9 technical spare aircraft and only employees and invited guests were on the flight.
The airline is still awaiting its first deliveries from Boeing, having ordered 39 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in February, with options to add another 33 in the future.
Also earlier this year, the airline revealed the interior of its business class suites.
Inside its ‘Business Elite’ cabins, passengers will find speakers built into the headrest of their chair, which can also be turned into a double bed.
The cabins will be arranged in a 1-2-1 layout on board the plane, with the airline saying that they will compare to those found in Emirates’ first class.
If you are in one of the middle two cabins, and know the person next to you, you can always change it into a double bed.
As for entertainment, passengers can watch films and series on a 31-inch screen – which is set to be the biggest in business class, on any airline.
Of course there will be multiple USB ports,power outlets and wireless charging pads as well for charging devices.
Cabins will also have sliding doors for privacy.
On the other hand, premium economy will be “more like business” class, but it won’t feature lie-flat seats.
The flight takes place ahead of launching operations to the publicCredit: Getty
In economy, passengers will then have 13.3 inch screens and USB-C charging ports.
The airline is expected to be super high tech as well, with the possibility of biometric scans instead of boarding passes.
However, passengers shouldn’t expect to get any alcohol onboard, as Saudi Arabia has strict laws on booze which mean it’s been banned since 1952.
The airline also recently announced its loyalty programme called ‘Sfeer’.
Sfeer members will be able to share points within the community, which will allow family and friends to increase their membership levels, as well as their benefits.
The loyalty programme will be fully active in 2026, and will also include gamified features such as challenges and leaderboard competitions.
The points will never expire and can be used to get special culinary and entertainment experiences, as well as opportunities to win free flights and other prizes.
The Dutch capital has started to say ‘nee dank je’ to British holidaymakers, but Utrecht is a city that’s just as good for a night out and is just as easy to get to
The Dutch city has canals but far smaller crowds than the Netherlands (Image: franswillemblok via Getty Images)
The Netherlands’ fourth city, Utrecht, has emerged as a must-visit destination and an ideal spot for a night out.
In recent years, Amsterdam has started to say ‘no thank you’ to British holidaymakers, along with tourists from other countries.
Fed up with its labyrinthine streets being congested by non-clog-wearing visitors, Amsterdam’s authorities have begun cracking down on unruly tourists.
Despite being home to only about 800,000 people, the Dutch capital attracts up to 20 million tourists a year. In response, it has banned alcohol-fuelled tours, prohibited cannabis in the Red Light District, and initiated a digital “stay away” campaign targeting young British men.
For those who’ve received the message loud and clear but still crave a stroopwafel and a taste of Dutch nightlife, Utrecht is the place to be.
Located right in the heart of the country, this city of 400,000 has been named one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel destinations for 2026, reports the Express. It’s easy to understand why Utrecht made the list for 2025, given its central location and the fascinating layout of its waterways.
“Easily accessible from Amsterdam by train, Utrecht is a brilliant destination for a weekend break. You’ve got a compact medieval centre, gabled houses that belong in a Vermeer painting and a bounty of bookshops, restaurants and museums to dig into,” says Lonely Planet.
“One of the most charming aspects of Utrecht is its canals. Canals are a common sight in the Netherlands, but Utrecht’s stand out due to their two-tier design, creating an almost subterranean world beneath the bustling streets above. While bikes clatter over the cobblestones at street level, descend the stone steps to tranquil walkways at water level, flanked by trees and 13th-century vaulted cellars.”
Utrecht is steeped in history, with the iconic Domtoren, a 14th-century bell tower, standing tall opposite the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin in the central Domplein square.
The city also pays homage to its most famous offspring, Miffy. The creator of the cartoon rabbit, Dick Bruna, was born and died in the city, which now boasts the Miffy Museum, Miffy Square, and a special Miffy walk that allows pedestrians to discover more about the globally renowned character.
While this side of the city is delightful and family-friendly, those seeking an alternative to Amsterdam are likely after something a bit more raucous. Fortunately, Utrecht has a thriving nightlife scene that’s as edgy and European as you’d expect.
The area around Nijverheidsweg, west of Juliana Park and behind the Zuilen train station, is Utrecht’s newest party hotspot.
A number of entrepreneurs have launched nightlife venues in the area, also known as Werkspoorkwartier, named after a former train equipment factory that once stood there.
DUB magazine reveals how entrepreneurs have cleverly utilised the industrial charm of the buildings, with Club WAS offering a unique dancing experience in the former washing rooms of the Werkspoor Cathedral, where the old bathroom tiles and faucets are still visible.
The creative hub De Nijverheid offers a festival-like atmosphere with an art studio, creative spaces, a café, and a mini museum, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. The newly opened nightclub Kabul à GoGo also capitalises on its raw warehouse setting, boasting high ceilings and oriental rugs adorning the walls.
Student Lennart, 22, shared his fondness for the area with the publication, stating: “When I feel like a spontaneous night out or singing along to some music, the city centre is more accessible, it’s close by. You just show your ID and you’re in. But the Werkspoor area is much more fun than the pubs in the centre. It feels like going to a festival.”
Just like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Utrecht is easily accessible from the UK, being only around 30 minutes away from Schiphol Airport, with connections approximately every 15 minutes. Utrecht Central Station is the busiest in the Netherlands, providing easy links to the rest of the country and Europe.
Rough Guides suggests that the best way to explore Utrecht is by hiring a bike, with boating the historic canals coming a close second. You can even combine the two with a pedalo and tour the waterways that encircle the city centre.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 – The Full Rundown
A Canadian man living in the UK recently travelled to Newcastle for the first time and was blown away by the city and the surrounding area
The man believed he’d stumbled onto a gorgeous Greek beach(Image: palliki via Getty Images)
Discovering new parts of the UK can reveal some truly stunning sights, from hidden forests to quaint villages boasting top-notch independent coffee shops. However, one Canadian man’s first visit to Newcastle has left locals scratching their heads after he likened a part just outside of the city to the sunny beaches of Greece.
Matt Giffen, originally from Canada but now residing in the UK, recently embarked on his first-ever trip to Newcastle and the surrounding Tyne and Wear area. Keen to explore beyond the city limits, Matt sought out a beach, and his social media followers directed him towards Tynemouth.
Located just eight miles from Newcastle, Tynemouth is easily accessible via the Tyne and Wear Metro, which is precisely how Matt travelled. Within half an hour, he was soaking up local attractions, including the Tynemouth Market, held at the station every weekend.
In a TikTok video documenting his journey, Matt praised Tynemouth for its “wholesome vibes” and suggested it seemed like a “very nice place to live”.
Before hitting the beach, Matt indulged in a classic British dish of fish and chips from Longsands Fish Kitchen, accompanied by a pot of curry sauce.
He remarked: “Can I just say, everyone here is so friendly. It’s like a little pixie fairy town here, it’s not a real place.”
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When Matt finally reached King Edward’s Bay, he was taken aback by the tranquillity and cleanliness of the beach. Despite the overcast skies, he even compared the sandy shore to Greece.
He questioned: “Why has nobody told me that the UK has beaches like this? It’s probably so busy here in the summer.”
While enjoying the beach, Matt savoured three oysters from Riley’s Fish Shack, a local eatery perched on the edge of the bay that serves food all year round.
But King Edward’s Bay isn’t Tynemouth’s only beach, and Matt took a brief stroll to Long Sands Beach to give his followers a glimpse of the larger seafront. Capturing footage of surfers, he likened the beach to the renowned Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.
He exclaimed: “It’s giving the British version of Bondi Beach.”
Viewers were astonished to learn that Matt, a frequent traveller around the UK, had visited Newcastle and Tynemouth. Many expressed delight that he was sampling local cuisine.
One individual commented: “Thank you, pal! Tynemouth and Whitley Bay are what make us proud of the North East. To be literally 30 mins on a metro near the beach and a city and have the diameter of Newcastle United fans is why we are proud of where we are from. Thank you for putting this on your platform.”
Another chimed in: “I am loving Americans discovering UK food and realising that it isn’t bland and horrible!”
ONE of Scotland’s Wetherspoon pubs could soon house guests as it has been proposed that it turns into a hotel.
If approved the pub that’s in one of busiest areas in Aberdeen could have 29 hotel rooms an a beer garden.
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The Archibald Simpson Wetherspoons in Scotland is set to become a hotelCredit: JD WetherspoonThe chain is hoping to convert some of the floors into space for hotel roomsCredit: JD Wetherspoon
The boozer called The Archibald Simpson sits on one of the busiest streets in Aberdeen and could well become a place for city explorers to have a good night’s sleep as well as a beer.
It has a grand entrance with huge columns, and was designed by local architect Archibald Simpson – who also designed St Andrews Cathedral.
Built in the 1800s it was originally home to the Head Office for the North of Scotland Bank.
It later became the headquarters of Clydesdale Bank, before opening as a Wetherspoon pub in 2003, and could soon be a hotel too.
Earlier this year, the pub submitted proposals for development which would see its unused first and second floors being converted into 29 hotel rooms.
Inside would be comprising 21 double rooms, three family suites, two twin rooms and two singles.
It wouldn’t just be built upon though, as part of the project would require some demolition.
At the back, the pub’s rear extension would be knocked down to make way for a 51-seat beer garden to encourage al fresco dining and drinking during the summer.
On Tripadvisor, most of the reviews go on to compliment the pretty building. One visitor wrote: “Huge building high vaulted ceilings marbled pillars and tiled floors. Lovely bar.”
If the plans go ahead, it will join the other 55 Wetherspoon hotels across the UK.
The Archibald Simpson pub could get a huge beer gardenCredit: JD WetherspoonWeston-super-Mare hotel is right on the beach front and is in the CAMRA guideCredit: Alamy
One Wetherspoon pub that has been converted is The Cabot Court Hotel in the coastal town of Weston-super-Mare
All of the rooms are en suite with Freeview TV, tea and coffee making stations, and unlimited free Wi-Fi.
In the morning, visitors can head down to the bar to enjoy a Wetherspoons breakfast and classic pub meals at dinner.
The pub sits right on the waterfront, on Knightstone Road, so it’s in a great spot for anyone heading onto the beach or taking a walk along The Grand Pier.
WHO can say no to a Wetherspoons? And what if I told you the smallest one in the world is just as good as the rest, if not better.
Not only is it the smallest Spoons, but it is also in a rather bizarre location – a train station.
Of course, some UK airports have Wetherspoons, but I have never come across one in a train station before.
Sat at one end of Cannon Street Station in London, you will find the Sir John Hawkshaw, complete with just 42 tables.
Whilst that might sound a lot, compared to the usual London Spoons, this is considerably less.
And the obscurities about this spot just continue – if you need to use the toilet, well then you’ll need to head to the other end of the station and down a set of stairs.
For those who love to train spot, sit outside on the terrace, which is essentially like sitting on one of the platforms.
Despite its small size, the pub still features Spoons’ extensive menu and the service isn’t impacted either.
A Victorian train station is closing down for over two years amid network upgrades.
Rail commuters are bracing themselves as the station is set to be demolished.
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Victorian train station will undergo a major revamp amid network upgradesCredit: Network RailRavensthorpe station is set to close from Sunday, December 14Credit: Alamy
Ravensthorpestation, nearDewsbury, will be shutting down from Sunday, December 14 until the summer of 2028.
Brits traveling between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury will be offered a rail replacement bus service during the closure.
The new, modernised station will re-open 200 metres west from its current location.
Ravensthorpe station will boast a step-free access, shiny new lifts, and a modern footbridge linking platforms.
A revamped forecourt will make it easier for cars to drop off passengers, while a longer island platform means bigger trains and more seats for commuters.
It’s all part of the massive Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) which focuses on rebuilding huge chunks of the northern rail network.
Engineers are putting in a new four-track railway through the old and new station sites, plus a brand-new Baker Viaduct.
Once complete, it’ll let faster trains overtake slower ones, cutting journey times across the North.
Electric lines are also going up, paving the way for greener, quicker services in the years ahead.
The Ravensthorpe triangle, one of the largest civil engineering sites in the nation, is currently the subject of extensive work.
As part of the road and track realignment work, notable projects to date include the placement of piers for the new Baker Viaduct, the installation of concrete beams to form the new Calder Road bridge, and utility diversions on Thornhill Road.
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said: “The work to upgrade Ravensthorpe railway station will support the efforts that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is doing to deliver a fully accessible railway that is fit for the 21st century.
“When Ravensthorpe station closes, from Sunday 14 December until the May timetable change in 2026, Northern will be running a rail replacement service between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury, connecting to services for a number of destinations, to ensure our customers can continue to travel with as little impact to their journeys as possible.
“We recognise that the work taking place will lead to extended journey times for customers travelling from Ravensthorpe and thank them for their continued patience.”
Many Brits are unaware of certain specific rules to do with carrying phones and laptops on planes that could get caught you out at the airport if you are not careful
Many people don’t know this hand baggage rule(Image: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
All airlines have their own restrictions, such as the size of hand luggage you can take onboard or whether you can pack your own food and drink. But one little-known security rule in particular can still catch out even seasoned travellers, and it concerns electronic items.
The rule applies to all airlines, so whether you’re jetting off with TUI, British Airways, Ryanair, or easyJet, it’s important to follow these guidelines.
All airlines allow certain electronic items in hand luggage, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, and chances are, you’ll be taking at least one of these on board to keep you entertained.
However, if any of these items have a flat battery, you could find yourself facing a difficult decision. Electrical items need to be charged, as security may ask you to switch these items on. If you can’t, they can refuse to let you through security, putting a stop to your travels.
The UK government’s official website, which has a wide variety of travel advice and updates, states: “Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.”
If you do make the mistake of leaving an uncharged item in your bag, your options will depend on the country you’re departing from and the airline you’re flying with. One option is to put it in your checked luggage if it hasn’t been checked in yet.
British Airways
British Airways offers this advice on its website: “Please ensure that any items in your hand baggage are fully charged and switched on before you arrive at the airport. If your device is not charged, please place it in your checked baggage.
“If you are connecting, make sure that you do not deplete power in your devices during the first part of your journey as charging points at airports might be very limited and you may need an adapter.”
If you find yourself unable to get through security, British Airways advises passengers at London Heathrow Airport to consider rebooking onto a later flight, giving them time to charge their device.
However, the airline’s advice continues: “A fee might apply for changing your booking, subject to your ticket type”, meaning a flat battery could be a costly mistake.
BA also suggests leaving your goods at “Bagport, who operate the lost property office in London Heathrow.” They will then get a reference number and need to contact them once they’ve arrived at their destination to arrange retrieval of the item.
TUI’s advice states: “If you’re carrying any electronic devices in your hand luggage that are capable of holding a charge, you’ll need to make sure they’re fully charged when you go through airport security. This is part of new security measures that have been introduced by airports in the UK and abroad.
“We recommend you keep things like mobile phones switched on until you board the plane, as there might be more checks at the departure gate.”
Ryanair
Ryanair doesn’t provide any additional guidance on its site. Under the FAQ ‘What happens if my smartphone or tablet dies before airport security?’, it states: “If you have already checked in online and your smartphone or tablet dies, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.” However, it is not mentioned what your options would be if security refuses to let you through.
WHEN it comes to daytrips, you should ditch the classic Oxford, Cambridge and London for this city in the West Midlands.
You definitely won’t be bored with artist trails, award-winning museums and a huge waterpark with one of the country’s biggest wave pools to explore.
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The city of Coventry has seen a huge increase in touristsCredit: AlamyFor families, check out the huge waterpark called The WaveCredit: thewavecoventry.com
Often dubbed as an ‘underrated’ city, by the likes of TimeOut, Coventry is putting itself on the map, especially when it comes to weekend breaks.
The city is experiencing a huge boost with tourism reaching record levels; last year, it saw a total of 11.8 million visitors – up 3.6 per cent from 2023.
Overnight stays increased by 14 per cent, and day trips made up 88 per cent of all trips to the city.
To be fair, it’s not really a secret that Coventry is making a name for itself as being a great place to explore, two years ago, Coventry made the list of the 100 best cities in Europe.
And in 2021, Coventry was also honoured with the title of UK City of Culture.
Coventry has a blend of everything from historical sites, like Coventry Cathedral to St Mary’s Guildhall, known for its connection to Mary Queen of Scots.
But there are plenty of modern touches, like its art trail which heads along the canal for five and a half miles where you’ll find over 30 sculptures, mosaics and murals.
Not only that, but it has six water slides, one being The Crestar, which has two giant spheres with lighting effects.
The museum has a huge record display by 2 Tone Records – a Coventry based record label
The Cascade is another ride at the waterpark, as is The Torrent, which is arguably the scariest ride because the floor drops from beneath to plunge riders at speed.
The Rapids, which has been described as the “Big Dipper on water”, is the park’s water coaster, where powerful jets hurl riders uphill before dropping them down through tight corners and tunnels.
Another ride is called The Cyclone, which is one of the fastest slides at the waterpark.
There are other attractions at the waterpark too, including The Reef, which is a splash zone.
Standard tickets during peak times are £18.70 (for adults ages 12 and over), for juniors (ages 11 and under) tickets are £14.
As for some of the other top-rated things to do in Coventry, heading to its two museums, one of which was the UK’s best-rated on Tripadvisor.
Coventry is home to the transport museum which has a huge collection of British vehiclesCredit: Alamy
Found on Walsgrave Road in Coventry, the museum has an art gallery, music records archive and an interactive media studio telling the history of local music.
The museum is also home to the entire output of 2 Tone Records – a record label that opened in Coventry in 1979. They signed the likes of the Selector, Madness and The Beat.
Entry fees are £6 for adults and £3 for concessions – make sure to bring notes and change as it’s cash only.
Another popular museum is the Coventry Transport Museum, which houses the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world.
It has interactive galleries, immersive exhibitions, and of course, lots of vehicles to look at from vintage cars to motorbikes.
Entry to the museum is £15pp.
As for where to eat, Coventry has some great finds, VisitEngland recommends trying East Korean barbecue at Jinseon Korean BBQ where you can grill your own food on a charcoal fire at your table.
Another suggestion is Cogs Bar and Kitchen which offer up tasty breakfasts from eggs benedict to American-style pancakes.
FarGo Village is also worth exploring, it’s an industrial space home to coffee shops and even a microbrewery.
On 500 acres of renowned beauty, this historic hotel is in Coventry situated in Coombe Abbey’s Country Park, just off the M6.
What is it like?
Next time somebody wants to send you to Coventry, stay at this complex, which dates back to 1150 and has links to royalty, the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII and the Gunpowder plot. Enjoy a view of the moat, the lake and the courtyard to the Capability Brown designed gardens, depending on where you are in the hotel.
What is there to do at the hotel?
The corridors and communal rooms are packed with artefacts, art, history and heritage, that are well worth exploring as you wander from bar to room to restaurant, while the scenic lake, gardens and grounds are perfect for a stroll.
Enjoy one of the many choices of afternoon tea, from Abbot’s Afternoon Tea to Sparkling Afternoon Tea as a post-walk treat. For kids, you can discover Go Ape in the woodlands.
What is there to eat and drink?
Unless you want to drive, you’d better eat here as it’s about a ten-minute walk to the edge of the grounds and some way beyond that to any restaurants. That being said, you really do want to eat here. The ambience is classy, the food is great, and the breakfast really sets you up for the day.
The dinner menu features meaty dishes of beef shin with fondant potato and confit duck leg with spiced braised cabbage, as well as vegan, vegetarian and fish options.
What are the rooms like?
The minimum standard in basic rooms is real quality and comfort, while the decor and design in the feature heritage rooms are charming and characterful. Rooms start from £149 a night based on two sharing.
A picturesque market town has become one of the most desirable places to live in England, but locals say it’s a victim of its own success.
Not everyone is happy with tourism in the pretty market town(Image: petejeff via Getty Images)
Winding cobbled lanes snake past vibrant shop fronts, ancient stone homes perch on steep slopes, and the River Calder sparkles beneath graceful canal arches.
This former industrial mill settlement has transformed into one of northern England’s most coveted residential destinations, consistently featuring on rankings of Britain’s most scenic, tight-knit communities.
However, conversations with locals reveal a different narrative: one of fondness mixed with weariness. Despite its undeniable charm, Hebden Bridge’s appeal creates significant challenges, reports the Express.
Residents complain of excessive visitor numbers, insufficient car parking facilities, and a growing concern that the equilibrium between locals and day-trippers is tilting dangerously.
Even during a mundane Thursday afternoon, well beyond the peak summer influx, finding a parking spot proves elusive.
Motorists patrol the town centre, scanning adjacent roads desperately for an available bay. As one local quipped: “You can spend longer finding somewhere to park than enjoying your coffee.”
Ben Oliver, 39, who relocated from Sunderland in March 2020, shared similar sentiments.
“It’s a beautiful place with a strong community, and you can see the moors from here,” he said. “But town parking can get difficult, and because of the tourists it attracts, prices go up.
“Weekends are the worst. Sometimes you just give up trying to park and walk in from the edge of town.
“It’s great that people visit because it brings life and money in, but it also means locals get squeezed a bit.
“You notice it most when you’re trying to rent or buy. Prices shoot up because everyone wants a piece of it.
“In summer the streets are packed, and you end up avoiding the centre altogether until things quieten down.”
Yet despite these difficulties, it’s simple to understand why countless visitors are enchanted by this location.
Unique independent shops line Market Street, whilst artisan bakeries fill the streets with the aroma of cinnamon, and the surrounding wooded hills transform into brilliant gold during autumn.
Hebden Bridge boasts a remarkable legacy of determination and transformation, evolving from its Victorian textile roots to becoming a sanctuary for creatives, musicians and eco-campaigners.
Shop worker Jess Wild, who relocated here two years ago, explained it’s precisely that artistic, neighbourhood atmosphere that attracted her: “It’s an aesthetically beautiful place, and the shops have a strong sense of community.
“Everyone knows each other, and there’s real warmth here. But there’s not too much diversity in the type of shops, as there are too many eating places catering to tourists. Still, it’s a lovely place to live.”
This delicate equilibrium between appeal and tourism is frequently raised by residents. The proliferation of cafés and eateries has maintained the town’s energy, though some believe this progress has its drawbacks.
“You used to see more quirky little stores,” Jess added. “Now it’s coffee shops and brunch spots. It’s what visitors want, but it changes the feel of the place.
“You can’t blame people for wanting to come, but it changes the atmosphere. When you’ve got crowds lining the canal and queues outside every café, it stops feeling like a small town and more like a weekend attraction. It’s lovely, but it can be a bit much.”
For Paul Anyon, 57, who operates Paul’s Fresh Fish from his market truck every Thursday, transformation has been ongoing: “I’ve been coming here for 24 years, took over from my father who did the same before me,” he said, skillfully wrapping up a piece of haddock for a punter.
“It’s a busy stall in a quiet town, at least it used to be. Over the years, I’ve noticed a lot of southerners moving in. Prices have gone up, but people are paying more to buy from local businesses, and that’s great to see.”
Standing close by, loyal customer John Smith, 65, waits calmly with his glass Tupperware container in hand.
“Paul always tells me what’s good this week,” he said. “You just couldn’t get fish like this from a supermarket.”
His remark captures what makes Hebden Bridge distinctive: a community economy that continues to flourish on individual relationships and confidence. Not everyone here calls it home.
Numerous people, like Michelle and Tim Holroyd, travel in from surrounding areas to experience what Hebden Bridge provides.
“We come about once a month from Halifax,” said Michelle. “We always go to the Old Gate pub; the food’s fantastic. There are great charity shops and antique shops, too.”
Her other half, Tim, chimed in: “We’re both ex-Scouts, so we love walking in the countryside around here. When there are big events on, we take the train instead of driving – it’s easier.”
It’s the surrounding landscape that lends Hebden Bridge its enchanting charm. The moors rise abruptly from the valley, blanketed in heather and intersected by stone paths. It’s no surprise that writer Ted Hughes, who was born nearby, found a wealth of inspiration in these hills.
The town is also celebrated for its alternative spirit, a robust LGBTQ+ community, thriving arts scene, and a reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking small towns.
For 72-year-old David Moody, it’s this blend of natural beauty and neighbourly connection that makes Hebden Bridge unbeatable, even if it sometimes feels too popular for its own good.
“It’s a walker’s paradise,” he said, leaning against a table as he chatted with passers-by about kindness and community.
“The countryside’s beautiful, but there are too many tourists, especially in summer. It gets too busy, and parking is hard to find anywhere.
“Still, I love it here. I’d only ever move south if I won the lottery, and that’d just be for the weather.”
And despite the frustrations, that seems to be the prevailing sentiment, a kind of affectionate exasperation.
Hebden Bridge may have its shortcomings, but its community spirit, natural splendour, and sense of belonging keep residents firmly planted here. Even on a crisp afternoon, the market bustles with animated conversation, cafés are alive with chatter, and the canal towpath is peppered with ramblers and cyclists.
At Little H Café, where sunshine poured through the windows on a surprisingly luminous October day, barista Ellie Sim beamed as she passed over a toasted panini.
“People always think the north is dreary, but it’s been gorgeous all day. Everyone’s in a good mood when the sun comes out,” she said.
Hebden Bridge stands as a tribute to small-town Britain, where stunning countryside meets a fiercely independent character. Even the grumbles about parking, tourists, or an abundance of cafés serve as evidence that people are deeply passionate about the place they call home.
Yet some might not even be able to take off if they are scheduled to land later than planned.
Chief communications officer at Edinburgh airport, Gordon Robertson, said: “If they (aircraft) are very late, they’re either not flying or going to Glasgow“.
He added to The Herald that airlines have had “lots of time to prepare”.
He said: “They will just have to manage, and there is a risk that we do have a lower overall demand.
“There is a risk we could lose some destinations or see significant reductions, but all we can do is give people lots of notice.”
Work on the runway is expected to take around five monthsCredit: Getty
Gordon Dewar, the interim COO, said: “This investment will completely resurface the runway, install new technology, and future proof the asset ahead of planned continued growth.
“It’s a significant investment in the airport infrastructure and is part of a record capital plan.”
Resurfacing the runway is part of Edinburgh Airport’s five-year expansion plan.
According to The Scotsman, the airport will add new aircraft stands and flight departure gates, as well as extending the terminal’s south-east pier.
And so far, spending on the project has increased from £52million last year to £80million.
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Stepping into some hotels, old houses or historic buildings converted into a place to stay can feel like stepping back in time. Perhaps it was a Tudor manor house, a grand chateau or a 1970s-themed B&B with authentic decor and ambience. We’d love to hear about accommodation in Europe, including the UK, that really brought history alive and made your stay particularly special.
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