30C

The UK is a haven for seaside escapes and days out at the beach, but there’s one beautiful town, offering golden sand beaches and turquoise waters, that has been hailed as a ‘must-visit’

The UK is set for a scorcher, so what better time to make the most of the British sunshine than a trip to a coastal town offering unspoilt beaches and a traditional seaside charm?

Some regions across the UK are set for a balmy 30C on Saturday, 23 May and 32C on Sunday – just in time for the May bank holiday. The blistering temperatures are even set to surpass Ibiza’s Mediterranean climate, which will peak at 23C and 24C over the weekend, undoubtedly encouraging Brits to embrace the glorious British weather.

And what better way than a trip to the beach? One particular UK gem that has been hailed as a “must-visit” and an ideal “car-free staycation” is the beautiful town of Lyme Regis.

OPINION

Amy Jones

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Dubbed the ‘Pearl of Dorset’, Lyme Regis is famed for its dramatic golden cliffs along the Jurassic Coast, sprawling beaches, its picturesque harbour and a colourful town brimming with independent businesses. There are plenty of attractions for the kids to enjoy by the sea, including a range of water activities, alongside fossil-hunting beaches, coastal walks, and inviting waters for a refreshing dip!

Ice cream shops are a given in this town, with parlours dotted down the promenade, along with various eateries offering the classic British dish of fish & chips to enjoy by the sea, or a refreshing drink from one of their cafés with seaside vistas. And what’s more, it’s very walkable, so once you’re there, you can really make the most of the British sunshine.

Sharing a local insight into the unsuspecting walkable town of Lyme Regis, owner of Dorset & Devon Holiday Cottages, Gemma Matthews, said: “Lyme Regis is a perfect example of a traditional seaside town, which has the benefit of being walkable, yet it’s often overlooked in favour of bigger destinations like Brighton or Bath, and that’s exactly what makes it special.”

“In Lyme, we’re spoilt by our picturesque beaches, fascinating museums, such as the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, and local tourist attractions like The Town Mill, all located within a five-minute walk of each other. You can easily spend a day exploring on foot, whilst stopping to browse the independent boutiques or grabbing a bite to eat on Broad Street, one of the town’s central roads.”

Offering further recommendations for a day or weekend escape to the charming town, Gemma said: “If you’re happy to stroll a little further, the Marine Parade links the bottom of the town to The Cobb, a harbour wall which is a great spot for taking in the seaside views, especially at sunset.

“But one of Lyme Regis’ must-see attractions can only be accessed on foot – and only at certain times of day. The Ammonite pavement is a one-of-a-kind collection of fossils embedded in a limestone rock ledge, which can only be visited during low tide when you can walk towards it from Monmouth beach. It’s experiences like this that make walkable destinations so special, which you’d completely miss if you were driving.”

For those looking to book an escape along the picture-postcard seaside shores, Dorset & Devon Holiday Cottages offers a variety of accommodation options, where you’ll feel right at home. There are also the likes of Sykes Holiday Cottages and Holidaycottages.co.uk, which offer a range of stays in the region.

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SINGAPORE Airlines is launching more flights from two UK airports to one of ‘world’s best cities.

With increased flights, it’s even easier to visit the destination that’s home to cheap Michelin star meals, trendy cafes and a futuristic nature park.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Singapore is often named one of the world’s best cities, and this year is no different with it coming in sixth place in the ‘World’s Best Cities’ report.

It then came in 23rd in Time Out’s Best Cities 2026 list in March.

Now, it’s even easier for Brits to explore with Singapore Airlines increasing its routes from both Manchester and London Gatwick later in the year.

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From July 13, the Manchester to Singapore services, will increase from five-times weekly to daily.

And from October 25, flights from London Gatwick will increase from 10 times a week to a twice-daily service.

In total this means Singapore Airlines will launch six daily flights in total from London, which includes the four daily services from London Heathrow.

Direct flights to Singapore from the UK take between 13 and 14 hours.

At the moment, and through next week, temperatures in Singapore have highs of 30C, in fact it’s around that temperature year round, so you are guaranteed to get some warmth no matter the month.

Being one of the world’s best cities, there’s plenty to do from exploring its impressive architecture to visiting its futuristic nature park, Gardens by the Bay.

The world-famous attraction is home to the world’s largest glass greenhouse, an indoor waterfall, and a viewing platform up high on its Supertree.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited the city, and here’s what she had to say.

She said: “I didn’t expect to love the city as much as I did, but I loved how safe and clean it felt compared to other major cities.”

“It’s the kind of place where you’ll never struggle to find amazing food, no matter what your budget is.

“Make sure to look up too – most buildings have living walls or rooftop gardens as strict rules mean any new structures must replace greenery they build on.”

Other must-visit spots include the neighbourhood of Joo Chiat that has been named one of the world’s coolest neighborhoods.

It has beautiful pastel-colored Peranakan shophouses, rich Eurasian heritage, and a mix of traditional eateries and trendy cafes.

For incredible views across the skyline, one of the best free spots is at Henderson Wave Bridge, which is the highest footbridge in the city.

As for eateries and bars, some of Kara’s favourites include Keng Eng Kee which has been family-run for more than 50 years.

Or at the indoor market food hall called Hawker Chan, you can get Michelin meals for less than £5.

MOST Brits will stick to Western Europe for a summer holiday heading to the likes of France or Spain.

But in doing so are missing out on beautiful and not to mention cheaper alternatives in the east, like Lithuania.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Lithuania hasn’t typically been a holiday location for Brits, but it’s seeing a rise in tourists.

Last year, Lithuania was Europe‘s fastest-growing destination with international arrivals up 21 per cent – and it’s emerging as a compelling alternative for 2026.

Having visited Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, late last year, I can vouch that it makes for a great city break.

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And it will be even more pleasant in spring and summer when temperatures can reach highs of 30C.

While it was a little colder (and even snowed) when I visited in December 2025, I still got a feel for the city where I found bargain drinks and cute markets.

In the heart of the capital city is its beautiful Old Town which has cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and plenty of bars.

If you look up, beautiful churches dominate the skyline – the Old Town has around 40 alone.

Meanwhile, the streets are winding and with shops, cafes and restaurants. I discovered one bar called Vynomanai, which was selling coffee for €2 (£1.74) and beer for €3 (£2.62).

One snack you have to try as it’s a local delicacy called ‘kepta duona’ – and once you have a taste, you won’t be able to stop.

Essentially it’s fried bread in garlic – which is like the UK’s version of pork scratchings. But, if you want something slightly fancier, Vilnius has four Michelin-star restaurants with tasting menus.

In huge contrast is the modern city of Vilnius which is filled with green parks, museums, art galleries and shopping centres.

For something more quirky, head to Lukiskiu Kalejimas prison to take a tour around the cells – unbelievably it was used up until 2019.

After its closure, the site was used for filming prison scenes in Season 4 of Stranger Things.

Now it’s used as a cultural centre and is open to the public for tours.

I’d say, to get a feel of the city, head out into the Old Town early on Sunday morning, you can hear the church bells chime and the streets were practically deserted when I went for a wander.

If you’re booking your next getaway – here are some of our favourite family holidays…

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Selenium Hotel, Antalya, Turkey

This hotel is a top pick for families who want to do a bit of everything. If you love the water, the nearby beach is packed with fun activities like banana boats, jet-skiing, and diving, while the hotel’s pool is perfect for a more relaxing dip. For a change of pace, the hotel can help you organise horse riding or bike rides along the pretty coastal paths, and there’s even a golf course just 20 minutes away for the grown-ups.

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Blue Sea Interpalace, Tenerife

With a massive outdoor pool, mini-golf, and a dedicated kids club, there’s plenty here to keep kids of all ages entertained. Each of the 234 rooms comes with the essentials like air-con and a minibar, and the all-inclusive buffet means everyone stays fueled for a day on the beach or battling on the sports courts. When you’re ready to explore, Puerto de la Cruz is right on your doorstep, where you can wander past an 18th-century fort, explore the pretty harbour, or play on the island’s famous volcanic black-sand beaches.

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Rodos Star, Rhodes, Greece

Rodos Star is perched on a hilltop with stunning views over the Aegean Sea. It’s a great choice for a relaxed Greek getaway, featuring a main pool for the grown-ups and a dedicated splash pool for the kids. With evening entertainment like Greek dancing and live music three times a week, there’s plenty of fun for everyone. You’re just a five-minute stroll from Afandou, a traditional village packed with shops and authentic tavernas. Plus the generous all-inclusive package will keep everybody fed and happy.

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Archipel Monastir, Tunisia

This glamorous Tunisian retreat sits directly on a golden beach, putting the Mediterranean Sea right at your doorstep. Families will love the spacious rooms that sleep up to four, along with a fun-filled sports schedule featuring tennis, volleyball, and archery. While the kids are busy, you can slip away to the hotel’s luxurious spa and traditional hammam for some serious relaxation. When you’re ready to explore, the city of Monastir is packed with local history including ancient fortresses.

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For those who like to relax, Lithuania is a great place to do so as it has a high density of spas.

Last year, Lithuania was even crowned the best spot in the world for health and wellness by ITB Health Tourism.

In dedicated wellness towns like Druskininkai, you’ll find lots more, here is home to Dineika Wellness Park.

The small resort has an open-air gym, public sauna by the river, lots of parklands to explore.

Entry to the park is actually free and treatments start from as little €12 (£10.43).

Guests can take mud baths, bubble baths and opt for massages which start from €20 (£17.39).

Lithuania has a relatively short coastline which stretches around 57 miles, but it does have some beaches.

Popular spots with white sands include Neringa, Palanga, and Smiltynė.

Or with the coastline being short, lots opt to swim in its freshwater lakes instead, like Green Lakes and Balžis.

Flights to Vilnius are cheap too, in April you can get one-way flights from London Luton from as little as £16 with Ryanair and be there in under three hours.

For more on holidays, one of Europe’s cheapest city break destinations with £2 beers and massive waterpark has new UK flights.

And this spot in ‘Eastern European Riviera’ with white sand beaches that you can fly to for £13 from the UK.