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YOU’VE heard of the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell – but you may not have heard of this other magnificent site that’s in the middle of the city.

It has over 600 years of history and is now an incredibly impressive Art Nouveau Site worthy of being just as famous as its grand neighbours.

Sant Pau is a former hospital turned historical attraction found in the Eixample district of Barcelona.

In fact, it’s only 6 minutes away from the famous Sagrada Familia.

The site was previously called the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau – as it was a working hospital up until 2009.

The impressive complex was built between 1901 and 1930 and was designed by Catalan modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

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But its history dates back 1401 when six medieval hospitals in Barcelona merged to form the Hospital de la Santa Creu – was transformed into a modernist complex years later.

The site is made up of 16 pavilions which are connected by underground tunnels and was designed to be a “garden city” for the sick.

Inside are lots of open spaces and natural light as well as pretty gardens which were constructed in the hope of promoting healing.

The layout was revolutionary at the time with Lluís Domènech i Montaner believing that a natural and beautiful environment would help the recovery of patients.

The design of multiple pavilions also helped to stop the spreading of diseases.

The building is the largest Art Nouveau complex in Europe, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 and it’s considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful hospitals.

Due to its role as a hospital, Sant Pau isn’t as well-known as other nearby sites – and it gets approximately 375,000 visitors each year.

In comparison, the Sagrada Familia gets around 4.5 million visitors per year, as does Park Güell.

It wasn’t until 2014 that the site was restored and reopened as a museum and cultural center.

If you’re wondering what happened to the patients when the hospital closed – they were transferred next door into a modern facility.

Inside are beautiful decorations like mosaics, stained glass, and glazed tiles which visitors can marvel at.

Quite often there are events held there too – the site recently held the Sant Pau International Chamber Music Festival.

Over Christmas it’s been lit up with lights, 18 interactive instillations and of course, there’s a huge Christmas tree.

For those who want to explore it at their own pace, you can do so with a self-guided visit and a map for guidance at €11.90 (£10.44).

Guests can also take a guided tour and on Saturdays at 10.30AM tours will be taken in English.

You can buy tickets from €21 (£18.42) or €5 (£4.38) for children between 3-11 years old.

Plus, check out this abandoned Victorian church that has been turned into one of the UK’s most beautiful swimming pools.

And this eerie Victorian-era asylum is being transformed into a luxury 5-star hotel and spa.

This town in Derbyshire is one of the Peak District’s most beloved destinations, boasting the famous desserts in which it shares its name and spectacular walking trails with historic attractions

Arguably the most beloved Peak District village – and rightly so – this spot boasts all the appeal of regional specialities, breathtaking rambles and stately homes.

As part of the Peak District National Park, Bakewell is a destination flocked to by visitors eager to explore its local sights and sample the delectable confections for which it’s renowned. That is, naturally, the ultimate pair, the Bakewell pudding and Bakewell tart, available throughout numerous bakeries in the vicinity, with many boasting they possess the authentic recipe.

Places you can visit and sample the regional delights include The Bakewell Tart Shop and Coffee House, Fountain View Bakery, Cornish Bakery and even The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. A recent patron, who sampled the celebrated puddings at the original establishment, said: “This establishment was a high-priority visit for us whilst we were staying in the Peak District, as my partner loves Bakewell tarts.

“We were so excited to find it and were impressed by how many items were in the store available to buy.” Scrumptious delicacies aside, the village is a sought-after location, for it sits within easy reach of numerous heritage structures and hiking routes.

Most notably, the magnificent Monsal Trail provides stunning vistas of an old abandoned railway viaduct. Indeed, it ranks as the highest-rated attraction in the region, according to TripAdvisor reviews. One visitor who completed the walk said “The views are just incredible with a lovely mix of scenery. You can start off at the pub and enjoy the views of the viaduct.

“Walk down the trail and capture the scenery of the valley from the top of the viaduct. Then follow down into the valley and wander across the trail down towards the weir.”

Beyond this, holidaymakers are enticed to discover the estate of Chatsworth House and, naturally, take a glimpse inside the magnificent structures, brimming with heritage. The grand residence boasts 25 chambers to discover, from impressive galleries to formal apartments and a stunning decorated hall, as you reveal the past of the renowned family that previously resided there.

As one of Derbyshire’s most splendid manor houses, Chatsworth presents countless occasions and pursuits throughout the year that are worth monitoring, including the Chatsworth Christmas Market. A recent delighted visitor penned: “We visited Chatsworth House to see the Christmas experience and were delighted with how magnificent this place is.”

They went on to add: “The house is spectacular, and the Christmas decorations just added to the magic of this beautiful place. The grounds are also incredible. I wish that I had allowed more time and seen more of the garden during the day.”

Bakewell, a tranquil town nestled along the River Wye and approximately 15 miles from Sheffield, is the largest settlement within the National Park. Believed to have been established during the Anglo-Saxon era, it now houses around 3,695 residents, as recorded in 2019.

IF you’ve ever wanted to take part in a gameshow without being on TV – this is your chance.

The world’s first live interactive gameshow experience is coming to London and will launch in spring 2026.

Called Gameshow LIVE! the experience is a world first and has been inspired by classic TV nostalgia – you’ll feel like you’re in the midst of an old-school gameshow.

When contestants arrive they’ll be immersed in the glitz and glamour of Saturday night television.

There will be a huge stage, enormous lights and even a giant Gameshow wheel full of prizes to be won.

It’s a big experience with room for 200 players.

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However, teams will be split across 40 state-of-the-art interactive booths with room for four to six players in each.

Once you’re sat at a booth there will be the chance to play plenty of games within various rounds, so you’re bound to find one to gain points.

Think gameshow-style challenges from trivia and music rounds to buzzer battles.

Teams will battle it out to reach the top of the leaderboard and there are even bonus rounds where players will be invited to get onto the stage by their host.

Over the course of 90-minutes, players will compete for prizes like fondue sets, giant teddy bears, smart TVs, robot vacuums, air fryers – and even a speedboat.

Plus, there’s an outrageous star prize that’s kept strictly under wraps.

You can even get cocktails and snacks delivered to your booth at the press of a button.

The experience has been created by the team behind Swingers Crazy Golf and Outernet – an immersive entertainment district.

Josh Ford, Gameshow LIVE! founder, said: “Gameshow LIVE! takes the magic of the TV gameshows we grew up with and transforms it into a high-tech, high-energy night out.

“The competitive socialising sector has evolved rapidly, and now is the perfect time to introduce something genuinely new.

“I’m confident our combination of nostalgia, spectacle and pure competitive joy will delight guests, from those looking for an unforgettable night out to those secretly turning up purely for the chance to win a speedboat.”

Gameshow LIVE! will open Spring 2026 in Central London. For more information and to sign up for pre-sale access, visit gameshow-live.com.

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Sun Travel headed to the Traitors Live to test out the latest experience…

I played the first-ever Traitors live experience – it was a heart-pounding world of lies and best friend-betrayal…

I’VE been in high-stakes situations before – the kind that quicken your pulse and leave your hands trembling.

But nothing could ever have prepared me for the chilling dread and simultaneous thrill of stepping into London’s very own ‘Scottish castle‘ for the new The Traitors live experience

Little did I know, this was just the start of what was going to be two hours of lies, deception and brilliant gameplay.

Alongside 10 other players, I made my way into the belly of the building. The basement’s chill sent a shiver down my spine – very apt for the live experience of the iconic TV show.

A door was opened and the round table revealed itself – with every detail meticulously recreated. As the door slammed closed, our host revealed himself – smartly dressed and fully in character.

Claudia would have been proud – it was almost as if he were one of her disciples, which I’m guessing felt the same for the other seven rooms full of players in different stages of the experience.

We begin with a message from the queen herself, followed by our first time going into complete darkness by popping on blackout goggles.

Having selected that I didn’t mind, as soon as my goggles covered my eyes regret sank in. My palms became clammy, as I jigged my knee – I was now begging silently to not be chosen as suspenseful music echoed around me.

The music then rose to a crescendo, increasing the fear as it bubbled through my chest. Then it was over – the Traitors had been chosen, and I had remained a Faithful. Thank goodness.

With the experience progressing, players must complete five challenges to earn gold just as they do on the TV show.

In between the challenges, there are ‘nights’ where players put on their goggles again and someone is murdered.

There are also round tables, where you get to discuss players and ultimately vote to banish someone.

Read more on the experience – and discover who was a Traitor here.

For more immersive experiences, here’s another one that takes you all around London.

Plus, here’s another immersive attraction to open in the UK with indoor racing track and ‘top secret’ games.

On the second floor of a cultural center at Christ Cathedral in Orange County, an AI-rendered depiction of Jesus, calm and smiling, fills one side of the room. Breaking a piece of flatbread in two, he passes it to the 12 similarly enlarged men projected on all four walls around him. On the ground are images of heaping plates of food — roast lamb, vegetables, olives and dips.

“Take and eat,” the AI Jesus says. “This is my body.”

In the center of the room, real-life visitors arrayed on 26 swivel chairs turn their heads back and forth to take in the supersized Last Supper occurring all around them. Already, they have been plunged into the sea of Galilee watching as Jesus walked on water and witnessed his transfiguration on a mountain top. It was all part of what’s being touted as “a museum unlike any other, where faith and forensics meet.”

Visitors watch a 360-degree, AI-rendered video depicting the life of Jesus as told in the Gospels at the opening of the Shroud of Turin Experience at Christ Cathedral.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Located five miles from Disneyland on the campus that once housed televangelist Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral Ministries, the Shroud of Turin Experience is Orange County’s newest tourist attraction with a Christian twist. The 10,000-square-foot exhibit, which opened to the public last week, uses digital projection, artificial intelligence and special effects to introduce visitors to the life of Jesus as depicted in the Gospels with a focus on the mysterious linen burial cloth that believers say wrapped his body after the crucifixion.

“It’s a little Disney-esque, but we really want you to feel like you are in these scenes,” said Pat Powers, a financial adviser who helped raise money for the exhibit. “We want the whole experience to be visually overwhelming.”

Powered by technological advances and a consumer desire for in-person connection, immersive experiences are reinvigorating the way businesses and organizations connect with new audiences and the Catholic Church has taken note. From the viral success of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience which arrived in L.A. in 2021 to the 360-degree entertainment at the Sphere in Las Vegas, young people in particular are seeking new and dynamic ways of interacting with their entertainment. Now, as the Catholic Church seeks to connect with a new generation of Christians who may be unfamiliar with the Biblical Jesus and the mystery of the shroud, religious and lay leaders are exploring digitally enhanced ways of bringing people to faith.

An interactive screen at the Shroud of Turin Experience allows guests to zoom in on details of the shroud of Turin, a mysterious linen cloth which some believe covered Jesus after his death.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“We want to speak to people the way they are used to being spoken to today and in a way they can absorb,” Powers said.

Organizers said the desire to outfit the exhibit with digital bells and whistles came directly from the top. The Diocese of Orange only agreed to sign off on the privately funded project after organizers promised it would offer interactive elements beyond text and images.

“I said no static pictures, too boring,” said Bishop Timothy Freyer, auxiliary bishop of the diocese. “Posters on the walls wasn’t going to do it.”

Now, signs around the 34-acre Christ Cathedral campus where the Diocese of Orange is located advertise “The Shroud of Turin Experience” as if it were a summer blockbuster: “Discover the blood. Uncover the mystery. Encounter the light.”

Roughly 14 feet long and three feet wide, the shroud of Turin is one of the most scientifically studied and contested religious objects in the world — a holy relic to some and a medieval forgery to others. Scarred by burn marks and water stains, the narrow sheet of linen features hundreds of blood stains consistent with the wounds Jesus suffered at the time of his death. Even more mysteriously, it bares the faint image of a bearded man that some Christians believe provides physical evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. The Catholic Church has not taken an official position on the shroud’s veracity, but the exhibit’s organizers find the evidence for its divine provenance convincing and hope others will too.

A bronze statue of Jesus lies in front of an enlarged photo negative image of the face detail on the shroud of Turin.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“Our position is that the shroud offers evidence of the resurrection, but not proof,” said Nora Creech, a shroud scholar who helped organize the exhibit. “The goal is to lead people in and let them go on their own journey.”

Visitors will not be able to see the actual shroud of Turin. It hasn’t left its long time home of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Turin, Italy, for centuries. However, with the bishop of Turin’s blessing, organizers were able to procure a high-resolution, full-sized replica. Docents at the exhibit will show visitors how to change their iPhone camera settings to create what looks like a photo negative, making it easier to see the shadowy figure on the cloth.

“Kids always think that’s cool,” said Creech.

The exhibit costs $20 for adults, and organizers say visitors should budget at least 90 minutes to make their way through it. In the first of three immersive rooms, a dizzying 360-degree video introduces guests to the story of Jesus’ life from his baptism to the crucifixion — including that jumbo last supper. At the end of the 20-minute film, a projected rock rolls away from a door leading into a second room designed to look like Jesus’ tomb, complete with a prone figure lying on a stone altar, draped in a white cloth. There guests watch an 18-minute documentary detailing the scientific research on the shroud before moving on to a third “chapel” room where a video animated by AI shares stories from the Bible of sightings of Jesus after his death.

Patrons view a supersized image of Christ on the cross.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The second half of the exhibit is more traditional. Guests can examine several instruments of torture that were reportedly used to inflict pain on Jesus, including replicas of the nails used for crucifixion, the crown of thorns that adorned his head, and the double-edged blade of a Roman lance that pierced his side. Interactive features include a kiosk that digitally separates each level of the shroud so visitors can examine just the blood stains, just the burn marks or just the shadowy image. Those who want a really deep dive on the shroud can interact with a virtual Father Spitzer, president of the Magis Center on Reason and Faith and a local expert on the shroud, to hear pre-recorded answers to questions like “What evidence suggests a supernatural cause was necessary for the image formulation on the shroud” and “How do neutrons explain the shroud’s exceptional resistance to aging and solvents?”

The final room of the exhibit is designed for reflection and includes a life-sized bronze statue of Jesus created by Italian artist Luigi Enzo Matte, according to the dimensions of the image on the shroud.

Although there is a clear religious bent to the entire experience, Creech said the exhibit, expected to remain at Christ Cathedral through at least 2030, is designed to share information on the life of Jesus and the shroud, but not necessarily to convert anyone.

“I think we can convince people that the shroud is the shroud that wrapped the physical body of Jesus,” she said. “But Jesus stresses the importance of belief. To proclaim that Jesus is our lord and savior is an act of faith that everyone has to take on their own.”

A HUGE new attraction is set for the UK with water, snow and dry land fun all in one place.

The £300million attraction, set to be in the Welsh Valleys, would feature a water park and the UK’s longest ski slope.

Known as the Rhydycar West Development, the new attraction will be located just off the A470 dual carriageway and 10 minutes from the Brecon Beacons National Park.

According to the Rhydycar West, it will be a world class leisure resort, open all year round.

Last week, the Welsh Government agreed not to call in the planning application following Merthyr Tydfil Council’s decision to back the planning application in March and as a result, have given the application the green light.

Now, the Local Planning Authority will move forward to grant planning permission.

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At the site there will be a number of different features including a waterpark with a tropical theme, set to be one of the largest waterparks in the UK.

Inside the waterpark, guests will find artificial beaches, swimming and bathing areas for all ages and abilities, waterslides and a number of other water-based attractions.

Then the 39,200sqm indoor snow centre would take over Chill Factore in Manchester – which is 180 metres long – to house the longest ski slope in the UK, measuring over 400 metres long.

The centre will also match the standards of the International Ski Federation (FIS).

And it will use special equipment to ensure the slope can remain open all year.

The site will be the home and national training headquarters for the Welsh and UK national, Olympic and Paralympic teams as well.

In addition to the snow centre, there will be an indoor and outdoor adventure centre.

Known as the Adventure Park, there will be a ‘mountain coaster’, clip ‘n’ climb, zip wires and other adrenaline-based activities and attractions.

Of course, the destination is also planning on creating accommodation.

When it comes to the 418-bedroom hotel, there would be three different wings.

The Resort Wing will feature conferencing and co-working spaces, whereas the Luxury Spa Wing will have leisure facilities such as a fully equipped spa.

Finally, in the Sport and Value Wing, visitors will find a more casual and relaxed feel.

But if you’re not a fan of hotels, there will be around 30 Woodland Lodges as well.

These will be in the heart of nature, located in the woodland, with value and premium options available.

Plans for the attraction were first announced back in 2017 and once open, it hopes to create 842 jobs and contribute £38.1million to the local economy.

Details including when the attraction will open are still unclear.

Many people have taken to social media to show their excitement for the project.

One person said: “Awesome news. Most importantly, are you planning an ice climbing wall?”

Another said: “That is awesome news and another milestone reached for what will be an amazing asset to GB Skiers.”

A third person added: “This will be transformational for the town, our economy and as importantly help and change how Merthyr Tydfil is often unfairly talked about!”

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Northumberland is home to a charming seaside village that’s a popular spot for tourists and locals alike – and it’s not hard to see why with its stunning views and fresh fish and chips

Drawing in visitors from across the Northeast, this charming seaside village boasts stunning natural beauty, positioned just a stone’s throw from the Scottish border.

Families and international tourists alike flock to the picturesque seaside village of Seahouses, using it as a convenient base for their adventures. With Northumberland National Park and the Farne Islands within easy reach, the village serves as an ideal stopping point for sightseers exploring the region.

Seahouses sits within the Northumberland Coast National Landscape, a protected area celebrated for its outstanding natural beauty and diverse wildlife. This prime location provides the village with breathtaking vistas, excellent walking trails and outdoor pursuits that let visitors truly connect with nature.

One visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “The beaches are so spacious, sandy and peaceful – even in peak season you can find space to enjoy the tranquillity. Head out for an early morning walk and you can have the whole beach to yourself. Stunning sunrises and sunsets.”

The village also attracts food lovers eager to sample its renowned fish and chips whilst taking in the coastal scenery, as Seahouses maintains an active fishing harbour. This working port helps support the tourism industry whilst delivering an authentic taste of British seaside cuisine, complemented by spectacular views.

Famed for serving kippers, the village boasts a rich heritage steeped in fishing and preparing this particular fish using age-old techniques dating back to 1843. This means Seahouses is recognised as the birthplace of the modern kipper, where it’s believed to have been created.

A standout destination for this is the renowned Swallowfish, an essential stop for food enthusiasts in the region. One visitor commented: “This is the real thing with regard to smoked fish; can’t be compared to supermarket kippers with artificial colouring and flavours.”

Meanwhile, nestled directly across from Seahouses lie the Farne Islands, popular with holidaymakers who frequently catch a boat from the village harbour to discover up to 20 of the small islands. During their excursion, many visitors head over to view the Longstone Lighthouse, constructed way back in 1926, as they journey across to the islands.

One review states: “We saw this lighthouse en route to the Farne Islands, and it was given the wow factor. It’s not every day you see a traditional lighthouse in this condition.”

Another commented: “Caught an organised boat trip from Seahouses. Golden Gate that includes landing and a visit inside the Lighthouse. Taking dogs is no problem. Some breathtaking views, seals, birds, and waves. Perhaps not for the faint-hearted in October, but well worth it.”

Whether you’re drawn to the stunning vistas, the scrumptious grub or using it as a pit stop between Northumberland’s islands, Seahouses has more to offer than what first meets the eye. Nestled just about 12 miles north of Alnwick and a tad over an hour from Newcastle’s bustling city centre, it’s ideally situated for you to discover its allure.

ONE destination in the Midlands known as the ‘City of Kings’ thanks to its links to the Crown.

It’s had connections to royalty throughout history, both fictional and in real-life – plus for visitors, it has some great attractions.

The city of Leicester is the final resting place of King Richard III and the birthplace of the Shakespeare’s mythical King Leir.

Leicester Cathedral is where the remains of King Richard III can be found – after they were excavated from a car park in Leicester in 2012.

Other attractions include the King Richard III Visitors Centre, and the King Power Stadium.

Another popular attraction is Jewry Wall Museum, which immerses visitors in the stories of Roman Leicester – and it reopened after renovations earlier this year.

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It’s where you can see Jewry Wall which was once part of a public bathhouse and it’s one of the largest surviving Roman masonry structures in Britain.

Inside the museum are plenty of Roman artefacts from soldiers’ helmet pieces to brooches and rings.

Tickets for adults are £12.50, those for children between 5-15 are £6.25 – families can get group tickets for £32.

The city in the Midlands is known for many things – but one must-see is the National Space Centre.

The museum is the number one attraction in Leicester followed by Tropical Birdland and the Retro Computer Museum.

The National Space Centre is not just top in Leicester, it’s the UK’s leading visitor attractions dedicated to space science and astronomy.

It has interactive exhibits throughout the year and the UK’s largest planetarium.

Heading into the city, you’ll be able to spot it thanks to Rocket Tower – which is 42 metres high.

It has Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets, as well as the Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock.

For those who want even more, stay for Space Lates — exclusive evenings of talks, activities, and galleries.

Entry for adults starts from £20.95, tickets for children between 5-16 are £18.95.

For anyone who fancies a night out on the town after day of wandering about the local attractions, Leicester is a great place to do it.

The city in the east midlands was also previously named the country’s nightlife capital thanks to its nightclubs and pubs.

Mosh is a three-storey nightclub house inside a Gaudi-inspired building in the city and an underground club called the Basement.

There’s also the Fanclub, which has been open since 1985, and it’s well-known for its retro-themed club nights.

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This much-mocked UK city is set to be huge next year – according to National Geographic…

According to National Geographic, one of ‘best places in the world to travel to in 2026’ is Hull – all thanks to its lively bar scene, award-winning aquarium, and completion of a huge project costing millions.

Hull, is a port city in East Yorkshire that sits on the north bank of the river Humber.

National Geographic has named it as one of the best places in the entire world to visit next year, but it’s not always been so up and coming. For example in Hull took top spot in the book Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK back in 2003.

However, it’s set to become more popular in 2026, and National Geographic mentioned that one of the reasons why is Hull’s investment into conserving its rich maritime history.

Hull was a very important trade route during the 13th and 14th centuries. Thanks to this, you can see Dutch-influenced architecture buildings that line the streets of the quaint Old Town. 

Since 2020, the Maritime Museum has been undergoing a huge revamp worth £11million, but it will finally reopen to the public next year. This has been part of a wider £27.5 million project to promote Hull’s maritime history which has gone into restoring the museum and ships.

Another reason is the city’s new leisure spots that have transformed warehouses and the old waterside Fruit Market to become bars, restaurants, and art galleries.

The publication added: “There’s also a spectacular performance amphitheater, called Stage@TheDok, overlooking River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary.

“And a former shipyard has for over 20 years been the base for The Deep, one of the United Kingdom’s most highly respected aquariums and marine conservation centers.”

Hear from one writer who lives in one of the UK’s coolest cities – five lesser-known neighbourhoods tourists forget about and are much more fun.

Plus, one writer opens up on his home city which is Lonely Planet’s coolest UK destination for 2026 – here’s why it trumps London and Manchester.

WITH rain and snow battering the UK, trying to keep the kids busy can be tricky.

Thankfully there are some amazing indoor play attractions to go to – including one that claims to be one of the biggest in Europe.

The Playhive is found at Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire, which is one of the biggest indoor playgrounds.

Having opened in 2022 after a multi-million pound project, it has since won a number of awards including being named the best in the country.

Earlier this year it has won an Association of Indoor Play award for the second year running.

The website states it is a “journey through four interconnected worlds of space, air, the jungle, and sea”.

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Inside is everything from massive spaceships – with rocket walkways, ladders and nets – to planes and submarines.

Jungle-themed climbing walls and under-the-sea play areas are also part of the attraction.

There are even toddler-friendly areas too although parents must leave buggies outside.

The attraction is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Ticket allow a 90-minute session start from £13.50, or pay £23.50 to allow access to the full Adventure Park.

There is also the Playhive Pizzeria for when kids get hungry, serving hot snacks and drinks.

Previous parents have raved about the attraction.

One said: “Playhive is a magical indoor play area, unlike anywhere we have visited before. Not a usual softplay.”

Another said: “The indoor Playhive is out of this world, and truly outstanding. The outdoor areas and the beautiful Enchanted Forest are a really wonderful and magical experience for little ones.”

And there are loads of other exciting Christmas attractions in the rest of Stockeld Park.

This includes ice skating and light trails, both ticketed events.

Or there is the huge The Christmas Adventure, where kids can meet Santa and watch live theatre shows.

There are also onsite food and drink areas, such as the Woodland Cafe and Gretel’s Cabin.

When the weather is better, there are also mazes and huge outdoor playgrounds to explore.

The nearest cities to Stockeld Park are Leeds and York, both around a 40 minute drive.

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In the mean time, here are some other indoor attractions to explore in the UK.

And here is one of the newest indoor attractions in the UK.

In ten years of parenting, this is the most epic, and extravagant, Christmas attraction I’ve ever been to, writes Dianne Bourne

Parents were sent into a frenzy when Lapland UK announced it was opening a second location. The original Ascot site has been visited by thousands of families over 19 years and I’ve seen the rave reviews and photos year after year from those lucky enough to get a ticket.

When tickets went on sale for the new Manchester site earlier this year they swiftly all sold out even with the eye-watering price tag of £65-£155 per person, with both adults and children paying the same price.

Since opening last week in the grounds of Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield, Cheshire, it’s been a bit of a baptism of fire for organisers. On the first preview days some slightly negative reviews started to appear on Lapland Manchester fan groups then on Friday Storm Claudia hit and the event had to be stopped, with families evacuated from the site. So it was with a bit of trepidation that I headed along on Sunday on a pre-planned press visit with my two children, 10 and 5, wondering quite what was in store for us.

Thankfully the storm had passed and it was a lovely tranquil, if rather cold, morning when we headed to the attraction. One of the main differences of the Cheshire site to Ascot is that it is all under cover rather than with open woodland areas, but the first thing I’d say is you still definitely need your winter coats on.

We found it really chilly on both the walk over and through a lot of the walkways inside, where I think the temperature is purposefully set to be cold to give the ambiance of a real-life snowy Lapland. But the benefit of being inside is no need to worry about rain or mud.

Once inside though, you cannot fail to be swept away by the festive magic that unfolds.

And many signs on the way encourage you to leave any grouchiness at the door with the “Strictly No Grump-a-Lumps” signs that amused us all on the way in. From the moment we checked in at the departure lounge, collecting the kids’ “Elven Passports”, it really is like being transported to another world.

It feels like a traditional Christmas show at the start of the day as you are introduced into the Lapland world by the colourful cast of Elves, with children (and parents) encouraged to use the “cheery-hi” greeting of fingers waggling on your nose – this will come in handy to greet any of the Elven folk throughout the adventure.

It’s then through to a vast magical woodland that will take your breath away. If you don’t want any spoilers about what happens next, then I’d probably look away now. From this point, the families in your time slot will then split into two groups, to head to the more interactive elements of the day.

We all gazed in wonder as we entered the huge Toy Factory, a spectacular space complete with magic wishing jars and festooned with toys.

Here, children get to help the elves make some toys – an adorable polar bear that they then get to take over to a conveyor belt to help Father Christmas out, which was a truly enchanting experience.

It’s then on to Mother Christmas’ kitchen where kids get to decorate their own gingerbread house, again an activity that my two boys absolutely loved.

What follows is an adventure into the vast Elven Village, where you have 90 minutes to spend between ice skating, writing a letter to Father Christmas, a range of hot food and drinks and browsing the assorted Lapland shops.

The finale of the day is walking through the Reindeer Lodge before the big one – a meeting with Father Christmas. Here at Lapland the bearded one seems to know an awful lot about your kids (if you know you know), checks if they’re on the Good List and is happy to pose for loads of photos.

You can choose one souvenir photo to take away from the day included in the price – or you can opt to pay for more of these on your way out if you wish. There’s really no doubting this is the most epic, and extravagant, Christmas attraction I’ve ever been to in terms of scale and attention to detail.

And that’s from a mum who has spent ten years trudging around all sorts of festive events, lights, grottos, Christmas farms and Santa adventures with my kids.

The Lapland Manchester experience takes 4.5 hours in total, so you also need to be prepared for a full-on festive day out. As this was our first time there are some things I’d wished I’d done a bit differently, so below are some of our tips and advice from navigating it all.

But remember, most importantly of all, if you are one of those lucky enough to have secured a ticket, you’re in for one heck of a festive time.

Get there early

On your booking confirmation it recommends arriving 45 minutes early. By that, we thought that meant to arrive in the car park 45 minutes early.

Realistically though you want to be at the entrance itself 45 minutes before your allocated time slot, so we didn’t factor in the ten minute walk from the car park to the magical entrance itself, so I’d suggest arriving at the car park an hour early.

It’s a lovely walk though through woodland and past the splendid Capesthorne Hall though, so especially if it’s a nice day, you might want to take your time.

But what it all meant was, due to queuing to the departure desks at the start, we had barely five minutes in the marketplace (not enough time to get a coffee much to my despair) before we were called in to start at 11.20am. Nor did we have time to look in the first shop.

In hindsight, we could have actually stayed in the coffee queue for a bit longer, as the main show didn’t really start until 11.25am, but we didn’t want to miss our slot so went straight in.

Be prepared for the walking

This is a HUGE attraction spread out across acres and acres of the Capesthorne Estate. And that means there is a lot of walking involved. Sparkly, tree-lined tunnels connect all the different areas which we found fun to walk through, but that’s because my two kids are now fully mobile and able to run off without my assistance.

I know that if you’re still parenting in the toddler stage it may become more of an issue walking with lots of bags and prams etc over the distances involved. Don’t worry about mud though – inside the venue is all undercover, and outside the car park itself is all completely boarded and the path to the entrance is all wood-chipped so it’s a really good route.

Be prepared for lots of questions from your kids

As the whole thing is billed as LaplandUK, and with the intricacy of the invites and Elven Passports etc, I know that many parents treat this experience as if you’re really going through a magical portal to Lapland itself. Some folk even freeze the invites to present to their kids on the day of the event.

But if you’re going to this level of planning, then prepare to have inquisitive kids batter you with a barrage of questions – and what to answer them with. From my two kids I had the likes of “Is this indoors or outdoors?” “Why is there a roof on?” “Are they real elves?” “Are they real reindeer?” “Is this real Lapland?” “What’s in that bag, is it for me?”

Oh and the piece de resistance at the end of it all: “Mum, why is it light outside when it was dark in there? Which is real?”

The number of people in your session

I didn’t know what to expect on this front, although seeing other Facebook posts did prepare me a bit. I thought we’d be in fairly small groups, but in our time session of 11.30am I counted around 200 people. That is split into two groups, so you’re either Team Husky or Team Little Rudi.

For the start you are all together, but then each group splits so you have around 100 people in each themed interactive area, like the Gingerbread making. It sounds like a lot of people, but actually it’s so well organised, it’s not like you’re fighting over seats or anything – there are enough for everybody. But what it does mean is that inevitably you will have to queue for a little bit going in and out of each zone.

If you’re not a fan of a queue, my advice as a parent would be to eye up where the next doorway is when you enter a zone, and then find the seats closest to it. This helps in getting into the next zone more quickly if you don’t feel you want to be queuing.

The biggest queue we saw on the day was for the ice skating rink – although we managed to avoid this by heading straight to this area when we first entered the Elven Village.

When we eventually slid off the rink around a half an hour later into our session, the queue was quite long we noticed.

If there’s more than one adult in your group, my advice would be to get one to queue for skating while the rest of the group go and do other activities so as not to squander time in this area.

The food and drink

I’ve seen many people on Facebook groups saying they prefer not to eat and drink while inside the event to try and save on time (and money), and now that I’ve been for myself I can understand what they mean.

If I did the experience again, I would definitely take food and drink in with me for the kids to eat – especially as our time slot ran straight over lunchtime starting at 11.30am.

We didn’t get through to the Elven Village, where the main food and drink area is, until 1.30pm, by which point the kids were really hungry.

But this is also where we wanted to do the most activities, so it ended up being a bit of a hectic run-around with the kids staying with their dad to do the letter to Santa, while I ran over to the food stations to order food for everybody.

The other thing, of course, is the prices. We ended up spending £80 on hot food and drink in this section.

I made the mistake of buying two of the colourful marshmallow lollies for the kids without asking their price first, and couldn’t quite believe it when I checked the receipt afterwards and found they were £6 each. Even worse, we dropped one, so that was £6 straight down the drain.

The hot food we had though was pretty delicious. We had a smash burger on a pretzel bun that was massive (£13) a tasty pepperoni pizza (£13) and a hot dog and chips from the Small Folk Menu (£10 which includes drink and side).

Oh and the Lapland Hot Chocolate is worth every penny of the £6 – trust me on that one.

As you might be able to tell, there was not much in the way of healthy options, aside from apple slices which you can order as a side for kids.

However, what I would say is that everything was served up very quickly and there was loads of seating for families.

What do you get for your money?

On the date we went, the tickets were £105 each (that’s for adults and children alike). So there’s no getting away from the fact that for a family of four, you’re looking at shelling out a lot of money for this attraction.

For me, I was keen to see what you get for that kind of money and whether it represents value for money. What I would say is that when you break down everything you experience during the day, and how much you would usually spend for things like skating for a family on a day out, you can start to see why the price tag is what it is.

Essentially you get a Christmas show, skating, gingerbread making, meeting Santa, a cuddly toy for the kids and an extra surprise that parents get to take home at the end too (no spoilers) as well as one free souvenir photo in a presentation booklet.

Sadly, parents don’t get to partake of activities like toy-making or getting a toy from santa, but you do get to watch the joy on your child’s face so it depends what kind of price tag you put on that.

Ultimately, it’s an experience you either buy into or you don’t. In for a penny, in for a pound and all that.

What else can you buy?

Apart from food and drinks, there are lots of shops dotted around the Lapland Manchester experience – at the start, in the Elven Village, and one you can’t avoid that you walk through at the end to get out.

You can buy “Jingles” which are gold coins in a pouch for your kids at the start which they can then use to buy treats in the shops, but we didn’t have time to do this.

But basically 1 Jingle equals 1 pound and you can buy everything on cards throughout the day if you don’t have the Jingles.

You can buy everything from Christmas baubles (from around £5) to cuddly toys (from around £10) and outfits for the husky every child gets (from £15).

You get one official photo free, and then you have to buy any extras – we ended up buying the all-inclusive photo package for £40 which meant we got all 10 photos taken during the day as prints, as well as the full digital package.

This was the only thing I purchased on the day aside from food and drink, as I kept telling the kids “you’ve already got your present from Father Christmas” and miraculously this seemed to work.

The kid verdict

My ten-year-old and five-year-old as you might imagine were pretty impressed with it all.

It was my youngest child’s first time ice skating which he absolutely adored, and both kids were made up with their presents from Father Christmas.

“I want to go back”, summed up the eldest. He might want to start saving up now is my thought!

A TROPICAL garden in Cornwall has been named a top attraction in the UK.

The history of the gardens spans at least 700 years although only opened to the public in the 1980s.

South of Falmouth is Trebah Garden which has won the Large Visitor Attraction category at the 24th Cornwall Tourism Awards.

While Trebah Garden opened to the public in 1987, the earliest records of it dates back to the the early 1300s.

Trebah Garden itself was established by Charles Fox back in 1831 – that’s when he bought the estate and began creating the garden.

Now, the gardens are popular with Brits seeking a day out and inside the garden you’ll find the likes of ‘Bamboozle’ – a maze of paths made from 50 species of black, brown, yellow and green bamboo.

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There’s also the water garden which is built over a natural spring and is surrounded by lush plants and flowers like brightly coloured lilies.

Alice’s Seat is an open-fronted summer house which was built for Alice Hext who owned Trebah Garden with her husband Charles from 1907 to 1939.

Other pretty spaces include the Hydrangea and Rhododendron Valley, Mallard Pond, the Chilean Coomb and the Koi Pool which is home to around 10 koi carp.

One beautiful spot that you can’t see at the entrance is Polgwidden Cove – the hidden beach.

The sheltered pebbled cove is at the bottom of the garden and is a great place to relax in the summertime, or take a brisk walk in winter.

On the shore is the Boathouse beach café which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and Roskilly’s ice cream, although it’s only open from spring to autumn.

Visitors can take their own picnic too, and take a dip in the sea.

One wrote on Tripadvisor: “Gorgeous views, greenery, a small amphitheatre and blooms on our way down to the beach.

“Small sparkling beach with a cafe which sold the most tasty vegan ice-cream I’ve ever eaten.”

Another called it “the best garden I have EVER visited”.

Trebah Garden is open daily throughout the year and also hosts events, exhibitions, and even festive workshops.

Its next major event is Stories with Santa where, in the lead up to Christmas, families can listen to a festive story, write to Santa, and get a gift.

Otherwise, you can head there to enjoy yoga at Trebah House, go to a Christmas Decoration Casting Workshop and Wooden Wreath Painting.

They also hold musical performances, watercolour painting classes and nature spotting sessions in the gardens.

There’s an amphitheatre in the gardens too which holds live events from theatre to music, comedy, even puppetry and dance shows.

As for food, Trebah Kitchen serves up roast dinners, Fish & Chip Fridays and seasonal Christmas lunch and New Year’s Day Brunch.

Admission prices for entry start from £16.50 for adults, £8.25 for children between 5-15. Children under five go free.

Any especially keen holidaymakers can even stay on site in Trebah Lodge, the pretty stone cottage, and guests can wander through the gardens after hours.

The lodge has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and sleeps up to four – you can bring your pet pooch inside too.

The lodge is almost booked out for the whole of 2026 with a few dates remaining in November and December.

A five-night stay in the lodge from December 14-19 in 2026 starts from £855 – which is £171 per night.

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Ventnor Botanic Garden, Isle of Wight

Overlooked by tall cliffs to the north – and the English channel to the south, thanks to it’s unique microclimate this garden in the Isle of Wight has an average of 5°C higher all year round. It’s a truly mild climate – with only 29 inches of average rainfall. We visited in January and you could actually feel the warmer air once you got into the gardens.

Outdoor Jungle, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall

In the Outdoor Jungle you can wander along winding paths through bamboo and banana plantations marvelling at the exotic plants.

Bought back from across the world since Victorian times – it also features one of the longest Burmese Rope Bridges in Britain, stretching 100 feet above ancient tree ferns.

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Dorset

Home to tree frogs, and an unusual rough tree fern, Cyathea australis, exotic plants thrive in Abbotsbury’s sheltered coastal microclimate.

It boasts of brimming with exotic trees and perennials from the Mediterranean, New Zealand, South Africa, the Himalayas, and more. Found on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast – the subtropical gardens boast over 6000 species – and is open seven days a week all year round.

RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire

There’s a touch of the exotic in their Sub-Tropicana Garden.

It’s packed full of plants with a tropical nature – like hardy palms, soft tree ferns, and several bamboos providing a permanent framework – plus a heated glasshouse home to the most tender plants. 

Yewbarrow House, Grange over Sands, Cumbria

Its warm microclimate and valley-location allows exotic and rare species to flourish here. Plus, there’s a Japanese-style infinity pool, orangery, restored Victorian kitchen garden, and views over Morecambe Bay.

Overbecks Garden, Salcombe, Devon

A subtropical National Trust garden, it’s bursting with colour and filled with exotic and rare plants. Not to mention, it has beautiful views over Salcombe estuary.

Discover the pretty ‘secret’ garden in England that is more like going to China and Egypt.

Plus, here’s an exotic indoor garden in the middle of a UK city with free books and its very own amphitheatre.

MANCHESTER has a well- deserved reputation as one of the UK’s sportiest cities.

It has enjoyed decades of football dominance thanks to Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as giving us the boxing talents of Tyson Fury, Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton.

Then there is the huge Team GB Olympics success from the likes of cyclist Jason Kenny.

Golf hasn’t really featured on the long list of successes yet – but that could be about to change thanks to a new venue in the city centre.

Pitch, an indoor golf venue and sports bar, is the chain’s first venue in the north of England and the fifth in the UK.

Fresh from Europe’s latest Ryder Cup victory in New York against America, I teed up a couple of mates and we spent an enjoyable afternoon whacking a ball around a virtual golf course.

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Buoyed by the success of Rory McIlroy and some premium lager, we took on the New York Bethpage Black course.

Our performance over the next two hours suggested we are unlikely to make the Europe team for 2027.

But we had a great time, and it’s a lot more enjoyable tucking into food and drinks while the computer locates our ball instead of walking around the rough for hours.

Each of the bays start at £30 per hour during off-peak times, can seat up to ten guests and features cutting-edge Trackman technology, which allows golf fans to play pretty much any course in the world.

Each bay has a set of clubs to allow anyone to pitch up and play.

The vibe of the place is relaxing, with a quality Asian-inspired menu along with a good selection of drinks.

Anyone bored of golf can play shuffleboard or watch sports on the big screens.

The body did begin to ache from all the swinging, so afterwards we headed ten minutes down the road to the Good Sauna just off Manchester’s Deansgate, which boasts two cold plunge baths (£15 for a 50-minute session).

I successfully tackled the 8C bath for about 30 seconds before fleeing into the wood sauna to warm up.

But weirdly, I fancied another go – and apparently that is the best way to do it.

So back and forth I went four times, reaching a dizzy one minute and 12 seconds in the 8C bath.

Stripped off

I was proud of myself, until another guy casually wandered in, stripped off and submerged himself up to his ears in the the 4C bath for a couple of minutes.

Despite being freezing, we felt energised and quickly warmed up in Freight Island – a food and drink venue close to our Marriott hotel, a stone’s throw from Manchester’s Piccadilly station.

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We headed into its sports bar to watch a Premier League game and enjoyed a couple of pints.

It was either the effects of the cold plunge or the cold pints, but my bed was calling by 10pm and I had a brilliant night’s sleep after a full day of sporting experiences.

THERE are some pretty unusual tourist attractions in the UK, most of which have ended up popular spots by pure accident – including a door in the Cotswolds.

Often thought to be the most photographed door in the UK, it can be found at the north porch of St. Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold.

The wooden door looks like it has been ripped directly from the pages of a fairytale and many believe that it inspired J.R.R Tolkein’s Doors of Durin, west gate of Moria.

It is made from a dark wood and has studded panels, with an old oil lamp hanging above.

The door is relatively small as well, and is bookended by two tree trunks.

Tolkien often visited the area during his time at Oxford University, but the claims that the door inspired him have never been verified.

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The porch where the door is found was built around 300 years ago, and thanks to the rumour it inspired Tolkien and its two yew trees that have essentially become part of the porch, it is one of the most photographed doors in the UK.

But the rest of Stow-on-the-Wold is definitely worth exploring as well, having been named one of the prettiest towns in the country by travel experts SnapTrip.

As you wander around the village, you will see many honey-coloured stone houses and shops that the Cotswolds is famous for.

In the heart of the village is Market Square, which has been hosting markets since 1107.

In fact, when Stow was popular for its wool trade, over 20,000 sheep changed hands here.

If you happen to visit on the second Thursday of the month, you will find the Stow Farmers’ Market here, with fresh produce including breads, meats and cheeses.

The Market Square is then surrounded by a number of independent shops.

For example, you could pick up some new paintbrushes and sketchpads in Cotswold Art Supplies or pick up something to read from Borzoi Bookshop, which has been in Stow for over 40 years.

From the village, visitors can head off on a number of walks into the Cotswolds countryside or to other villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water.

Another option is to head off on the Heart of England Way Stow Circular, which is a 3.7 mile circular walking route that takes around 90 minutes to walk.

Once you’re peckish, head to Lucy’s Tearoom for a Stow afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, cream and jam, cake, and either tea or coffee, costing £18.50 per person.

Or for a pint, head to The Queen‘s Head, which sits in the village square and serves a good range of ales.

There’s also The Porch House, which claims to be England‘s oldest inn and has been authenticated by the Guinness Book of Records.

It dates back to 947 AD and features stones with ‘witch marks’ to protect against evil.

Mains at the inn include mushroom and chestnut pie for £18.95 or wagyu burger for £19.95.

You can also stay in one of 13 bedrooms at The Porch House, costing from £110 per night.

Alternatively, you could head to The Old Stocks Inn, which is located inside a 17th century coaching inn next to the village green.

The inn is formed of three terraced houses which have been combined, and inside the interiors feature a Scandinavian style.

It costs from £150 per night to stay at.

It’s no surprise that this pretty village is also popular with celebrities.

In 2015, the Beckhams planned to buy a house in the area; however, they chose a different property in Great Tew, which is about a 20-minute drive away.

Actress Kate Winslet is also believed to own a cottage near Stow-on-the-Wold.

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For more Cotswolds travel inspiration, there is a stunning Cotswolds village with its own sandy beach and lagoon – miles from the English seaside.

Plus, the pretty English town called the ‘capital of the Cotswolds’ has 918-year-old castle and historic lido.

A MUSEUM based in south-east London that is loved by families will be getting even more attractions next year.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill – named London‘s best family attraction in 2024 by Muddy Stilettos – will open a new play park next year.

Dubbed the ‘Nature + Love’ project, the park is one of several new experiences launching as part of the museum’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

The free-to-visit play area will have a nature theme and also feature a cafe.

Called the Kusuma Nature Play, it will include a number of different features designed to “encourage learning and wellbeing through nature and play”.

There will also be an augmented reality trail (AR) opening in the Gardens.

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It will be free to visitors and feature a cast of animated animals for visitors to meet and interact with.

The trail will also include a number of challenges and mini games for visitors to play.

In addition, The Horniman’s Nature Trail will offer step-free access for the first time.

The Gardens Nursery will be transformed as well and will include new glasshouses, a public boardwalk route and a workshop space – all free to visit as well.

Later in early 2027, the Horniman’s natural history gallery will reopen to the public having been fully refurbished.

Inside, visitors will be able to once again see many of the museum’s favourite items as well as new objects.

To mark its 125th birthday, the museum will also be hosting a number of events between June 27 and 29, 2026.

Michael Salter-Church MBE, Chair of the Horniman, said: “Opening in the Horniman’s 125th year, these new features in the Gardens will help visitors learn about the natural world and provide new welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy for years to come.

“They embody the Horniman’s ethos and purpose and will help us celebrate our birthday!”

Gordon Seabright, chief executive at the Horniman, said: “We are delighted to reveal a first glimpse of what’s to come at the Horniman as part of our Nature + Love project.

“The Gardens are a beloved and integral part of the Horniman, and we hope the new attractions opening in 2026 will provide new and familiar visitors with fun and enriching encounters with the precious natural world we all share.”

Most of the Horniman is free to visit, including the library, animal walk, World Gallery and gardens.

And according to The Guardian, the destination “feels as if it was created for kids”.

There is also an aquarium that visitors can go to, though this is ticketed costing £6.50 per adult and £3.25 per child.

Inside, visitors can explore 15 exhibits showcasing different water environments from around the world, such as pond life and coral reefs.

There is also a butterfly house, which is also ticketed, costing £9.75 per adult and £6.50 per child.

The tropical indoor garden features free-flying butterflies of different colours and sizes.

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If you are looking for other things to do in the Big Smoke, these are the city’s best free indoor attractions for families.

Plus, a popular family attraction to return to UK capital – 8 years after it was scrapped.

A NEW attraction will soon be returning to London – with guests able to explore both the land and water in one trip.

Duck Tours is set to relaunch on the River Thames in London, eight years after it was scrapped.

The attraction, run by London Amphibious Tours Limited (LAT), will take off from Lack’s Dock slipway next to the MI6 building.

Duck Tours in other destinations usually involve some time on the road driving past historic and interesting sights, before heading onto the water for a river cruise, seeing more sights.

The new tours will be in partnership with Big Bus Tours and will feature new all-electric vehicles, which will be able to reach up to eight knots on the water and 30mph on land.

Each vehicle is expected to seat up to 36 people.

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The vehicles have been created by LAT’s sister company, Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles, after 10 years of research and development.

The company already has tours in Windsor, Liverpool and Cape Town.

Tours previously operated in London until 2017 when the company lost access to the Albert Embankment slipway.

Many fans of the tours have already taken to social media to express their excitement for the return of tours to the Big Smoke.

One person commented: “Fantastic news.”

Another added: “I look forward to taking a trip on one when they’re back.”

A date for the official return of the amphibious tours is yet to be announced.

Graham Lumley, executive chair of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are immensely proud to have secured a long-term lease at this prestigious site, for which we thank the Duchy of Cornwall.

“We have been passionate about expanding the duck tour concept for many years, and today’s announcement underscores Seahorse’s continued evolution as a global leader.”

Ed Lumley, managing director of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Big Bus Tours, the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing experiences.

“There is no partner better suited to work with us on this exciting opportunity, and we look forward to collaborating with Pat Waterman and the Big Bus team.”

Pat Waterman, executive chair of Big Bus Tours, added: “These tours will become an iconic part of the London tourism scene, adding new layers of opportunity to our hop-on hop-off operations.

“We look forward to our recently announced Big Duck Tours brand becoming synonymous with ‘must do’ tourism activities in London.”

According to the company’s website, they are also soon launching tours in Singapore.

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What are Duck Tours like?

STANDING before me was the giant car-boat hybrid, looking as if it was from the future.

I was heading on a Duck Tour in Windsor – a tour that starts on the road before heading onto the water.

Once onboard the vehicle, it was hard to imagine how it could enter the water as it whizzed past Windsor Castle surrounded by cars.

After a few twists and turns down lanes, our entryway onto the Thames emerged.

And the vehicle slowly rolled down a slope and into the water.

What I thought might be a bit of a bumpy ride was actually smoother than a plane landing.

Then there is was…

The impressive Windsor Castle from a completely new angle – it felt so close I could almost touch it.

Our guide shared with us key information about the historic site, and of course the role of the River Thames that runs next to it.

The whole experience felt more like an adventure than a tour, and was a great way to see sights from a different perspective.

Tickets cost from £30 per adult and £20 per child.

In other attraction news, a new Pixar attraction is set to open in UK – with film sets you can step into including Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Up.

Plus, first look at the £12million Viking land opening at the UK’s ‘best theme park’ with inverting rollercoaster and feasting hall.

FANS of Lightning McQueen and Buzz Lightyear will soon be able to get up close to the characters in real life thanks to a new immersive experience.

A Pixar Animation immersive experience will open in London in 2026.

Mundo Pixar Experience, which is the world’s largest celebration of Pixar Animation Studios, will open at Wembley Park on February 13, 2026.

Visitors will be able to step inside 14 of Pixar’s most famous worlds, such as Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Coco, Inside Out and Up.

In total, the experience will sprawl across 3,500sqm and it will feature more than 25 life-sized sculptures.

Sets from the movies will also be recreated, with soundscapes, lighting and even smells from the films.

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Fans will be able to shrink down to the size of a toy in Andy’s Room, then explore the Scare Floor with Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc.

From Cars, there will be Flo’s Café where visitors can meet Lightning McQueen and you can then even head into the Headquarters of Riley’s emotions from Inside Out 2.

Visitors can even venture on a journey from Coco’s Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead.

And if it wasn’t enough to explore the sets and meet the characters, then there will also be a Pixar Ball Treasure Hunt, where visitors are challenged to spot the famous yellow star ball hidden throughout the experience.

The opening in London follows record-breaking runs of the experience in Brazil, Mexico, Belgium and Spain – where it attracted more than 3.2million visitors.

The experience will also be fully accessible for visitors with motor, hearing, visual and neurodivergent disabilities.

The experience lasts around 45 to 55 minutes, but if you want to spend longer exploring you can.

The venue will have a selection of exclusive merch available to buy too.

Tickets go on sale from November 21, 2025 and though prices haven’t been revealed yet, the experience cost from €14 (£12.33) when it was in Barcelona.

One person who visited the experience in Spain said: “Absolutely one to do at least once.

“There are so many super immersive rooms where you can get lost in details, take pictures with your favorite characters and become children again.

“I loved the rooms dedicated to Coco and Up.”

Another person, who visited the experience in Brussels said: “We had an amazing time visiting Mundo Pixar in Brussels – it truly felt like stepping into the heart of the Pixar universe!

“From the moment we entered, we were surrounded by vibrant, immersive sets that brought to life so many beloved characters and movie moments.

“The attention to detail was fantastic, with each room thoughtfully designed to reflect the magic of films like Toy Story, Up, Cars, Finding Nemo, and Coco.

“Our four-year-old was completely enchanted, and honestly, so were we – it felt like reliving our childhood.”

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There are a number of other immersive experiences across London, including a new immersive Titanic attraction.

And ideal for little kids, there is a Paddington immersive experience with ‘train rides’ and street parties.

A FAMOUS UK castle is being turned into a ‘world-class tourist attraction’ with a major £10million development.

The Scottish palace with over 1,000 years of royal history is getting a dramatic facelift, and it’s set to become an exciting new tourist destination.

The spectacular Scone Palace is a listed historic house near the village of Scone in Scotland, which is close to the city of Perth in Perthshire.

The palace, where kings including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce were crowned, is set for a massive transformation after plans for a “world-class visitor attraction” were approved this week.

The stunning redevelopment will see the fomrer stables turned into a modern visitor centre complete with a restaurant, shop and ticket office, as well as a huge adventure play park and solar meadow with 2,000 panels.

There will also be new walking and cycling routes from Stormontfield Road.

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The £10million project has been a decade in the making, with local councillors finally giving it the green light on Wednesday after years of debate.

The revamp comes just in time for the palace’s 60th anniversary of opening to the public next year, marking a new chapter in the site’s long royal story.

Although the plans were given the go-ahead, councillors insisted on a few tweaks.

Most notably, the proposal to finish the stables in shiny copper cladding was scrapped, with Perth and Kinross Council’s Conservation team saying this look was “not appropriate” for such a historic building.

Viscount William Stormont, whose family has owned Scone Palace for generations, said the upgrade would help the famous site “punch high” in Scotland’s increasingly competitive tourism scene.

He said: “We – and indeed Perth Museum – need to compete with the likes of the V&A and Stirling Castle to draw people to visit and stay in Perth.

“Visitor expectations have increased.  Visitors demand special and memorable experiences. Our unique heritage in the stories we tell meet expectations.

Our interpretation and facilities do not. This is why the stables project is so important to Perth, Scone and the region.”

He added: “Next year is a special year, our 60th anniversary of opening to the public – a bold decision my great grandparents made and committed huge resource to.

“It is our hope that the stables project will allow Scone to prosper anew for the next 60 years.”

Convener Councillor Ian Massie said: “This proposal is not only ambitious in scope but deeply respectful of our heritage.

“The development at Scone Palace represents a rare opportunity to enhance one of Scotland’s most historically significant landmarks, while securing its future as a sustainable, inclusive and economically vibrant destination.”

It’s one of the largest surviving examples from the Roman occupation of Britain, and —hiding in plain sight — it is completely free to visit all year round.

History buffs are in for a treat as a massive Roman amphitheatre is hiding in plain sight right here in the UK.

Nestled next to Cirencester — the largest town in the Cotswolds — lie the earthwork remains of a gigantic amphitheatre, which at its height, was one of the biggest Roman amphitheatres in Britain.

History of the amphitheatre

Constructed in the early 2nd century AD – when Cirencester was known as the Roman city of Corinium and was second only to London in size and population – this amphitheatre could accommodate up to 8,000 spectators. The Cirencester Amphitheatre began life as a simple quarry, with the majority of the stone used to build the town believed to have come from it.

By the time most of the town had been built, its layout already closely resembled that of an amphitheatre, complete with tiered seating.

In modern-day Britain, the Cirencester Amphitheatre is considered one of the largest surviving examples from the Roman occupation of the island. After the Roman army departed Britain in AD 408, life in Cirencester quickly declined without their pay, which was a key support for the local economy and helped maintain order.

With no central authority to take the reins, the town’s urban heart was left lifeless. Private benefactors who had promised to fund public games were conspicuously absent. This led to the amphitheatre being abandoned as a place of entertainment, and in a brave bid to keep their community alive, the town leaders transformed the renowned structure into a fortress.

A trench was carved along the southern side of the building, and its entrances were made narrower. However, these efforts seemed futile, as by AD 577, a stronghold thought to be Cirencester was reported to have succumbed to the advancing Saxons. The amphitheatre then lay deserted for several centuries.

Archaeologists have since unearthed remnants of timber buildings from the 5th century at the once-celebrated site. During the Middle Ages, it is said that the Abbot of Cirencester enclosed the area to use it as a rabbit warren. Its local moniker, ‘the Bull Ring’, suggests that it may have later been used for bull-baiting – a potential nod to its original Roman-era purpose.

Architecture and Structure

Unlike the circular designs of the amphitheatres at Silchester and Dorchester, the Cirencester Amphitheatre was oval-shaped, with an entrance at each end of the structure’s longer axis.

The vast earth banks, the only remnants of the once towering structure, held rows of wooden seats built on terraced drystone walls. It’s thought that there was also a standing area for spectators within the building, reports Gloucestershire Live. The amphitheatre’s seating area alone could accommodate around 8,000 people — a figure not far off from the entire population of Corinium at the time (approximately 10,000).

A wall separated the audience from the arena, which was covered with sand and fine gravel. During a later renovation, two small chambers were built on either side of the entrance’s inner end. Indications suggest that one of them was dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess often honoured in amphitheatres from the Roman Empire.

Getting there

Cirencester Amphitheatre is free to explore as it’s not a ticketed site. However, visitors should be aware that some parts of the site are uneven, making them unsuitable for wheelchair users. There’s also a small flight of stairs at the entrance of the structure which may pose an accessibility challenge.

Dog owners are welcome to bring their pets to Cirencester Amphitheatre, provided they are kept on leads. Free parking is available in the car park at the eastern end of Cotswold Avenue, and shops, toilets, and food outlets can be found in the nearby Cirencester town centre.

While the UK has many iconic attractions from the London Eye to Edinburgh Castle, the one that comes out on top with the most five-star reviews on TripAdvisor is one you’ve likely never heard of

The UK has a wealth of places to visit, and if you’re planning a staycation, you certainly won’t be short of ideas. When it comes to visiting a new place, many of us use TripAdvisor to look at reviews and work out what the top attractions are locally.

Now, research from Iglu Cruises has used TripAdvisor data to determine the ultimate day out across 108 countries. Using this information, the cruise line identified which attractions had the highest number of five-star reviews, and a surprising winner emerged at the top.

With 98.1% of reviews giving it five stars, the top spot went to Ascent Aviation, based in the west central lowlands of Scotland. If you know someone interested in planes, this could be the ultimate day out for them, as it hosts a flight simulator and pilot training centre. Visitors can experience flying to over 26,000 airports on a 220-degree wrap-around, which makes you feel like you’re right in the cockpit.

Both children and adults can fly the simulator, although those under 14 will need an adult with them and may require assistance with some of the controls.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “I bought this experience for myself and a friend who loves all things aircraft and our experience could not have been better. Our pilot, Chris, was excellent and made us feel instantly comfortable and answered all our (many) questions patiently. A fascinating experience that was really good fun!”

Another commented: “Booked as a present for my son’s 12th birthday, he had an amazing time. The Pilot provided the tuition, treated him as an adult, and provided excellent instruction and patiently answered all his questions. Highly recommend for all flying enthusiasts out there.”

And in a double victory for Scotland, number two on the list is Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian. 91.1% of its reviews gave a glowing five stars to the iconic distillery, which is renowned for producing the Edinburgh Malt.

Whiskey fans can tour the distillery and learn how their single malt is made, before visiting the bar for a tasting, and picking up a bottle to take home with them. One visitor said: “Willie gave us the tour and did an amazing job. He told everything with passion, humor and involved everybody in the tour. It’s the best whisky experience near Edinburgh.”

In third place, the Victoria Tunnel in Tyne and Wear boasts 90.5% five-star reviews. This historic underground wagonway was built in the 1840s and originally transported coal, before being used in World War II as an air raid shelter. Guests can take a private tour of the tunnel and learn about its fascinating history and what it was like for the people sheltering there.

Wales gets its first mention in fourth place for the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Torfaen, for which 89.8% of reviews were five-star. This one has an experience that’s best avoided by the claustrophobic; you can go 300 feet underground on a guided tour which is led by a miner. Deep underground, you’ll see the original mine workings and machinery from its days as a working mine.

If you prefer to stay in daylight, there are also surface tours, which take you around various colliery buildings and allow you to learn about the rich history of the mine.

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A HISTORIC Victorian bathhouse is getting a new lease of life after closing nearly 50 years ago.

Manor Place Baths in South London is a 19th century bathhouse that was once a huge swimming pool complex.

It later became a boxing venue before closing in the 1970s.

However, a new attraction is set to open inside the bathhouse, as part of a collaboration with Nike and Palace Skateboards.

Inside will be a thee ‘zones’ –  The Park and The Cage, The Front Room, and The Residency. 

A free to use skatepark is in the area where the men’s swimming pool use to be (having since been paved over).

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The ‘world-class’ skatepark will be made of concrete, with ramps, ledges and benches.

There will also be an underground football cage which can be used for three-a-side.

The Front Room will be an art venue with workshops and pop ups, as well as having Nike clothing on sale.

And The Residency will be creative studio spaces, which will be on rotation every nine months.

Events will include “skate jams,” women-only sessions and a number of others.

Opening from November 11, it will be free to visit and open six days a week.

Palace co-founder Lev Tanju said: “We had an idea of creating a large space for the community that would be about skateboarding and sport, and a space you could generally hang out in.”

Gareth Skewis, also co-founder of Palace, said: “I want Manor Place to be somewhere safe and friendly where people can skate, play football and discover new things.”

It has even been backed by English footballer Lenna Gunning-Williams.

She said: “Manor Place is important for the next generation because it’s so accessible.

“It’s going to be a place where people can connect — and it’s not just for footballers, it’s for skaters and creatives too.” 

Another Victorian bathhouse in the UK is being turned into a new attraction as well.

Kings Hall in Clapton, previously called Hackney Public Bath is undergoing a £71million upgrade.

With a new swimming pool and sauna, it hopes to reopen by 2028.

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A SEASIDE train station dating back nearly 180 years has been returned to its former glory.

The train station in North Yorkshire has undergone a massive £3.6 million restoration project – and it’s just minutes away from the traditional seaside towns of Scarborough and Bridlington.

Sitting on the North Yorkshire coast, the town has been one of the most popular seaside destinations in England for decades.

In the 60s and 70s, it welcomed thousands of tourists every year to Billy Butlin’s campsite, one of the earliest holiday camps in the UK. 

Nestled between Scarborough and Bridlington, in its heyday Filey pulled in more than 150,000 guests every year.

Holidaymakers at the hugely popular resort enjoyed swimming, sunbathing, dancing and amusement arcades.

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In the evening, if they hadn’t retired to their chalets, they were treated to entertainment from the famous Red Coats.

The Butlin’s campsite was so popular that it had its own branch and station on the north east railway.

Despite its popularity, it was no match for the boom in affordable trips to the Spanish Costas in the 1970s.

It was shut in 1983 and by 2001 it resembled a ghost town with the shells of abandoned cabins and drained swimming pools filled with rubbish.

While the once-thriving Butlin’s resort has now been transformed into a £25 million coastal holiday village with pools, saunas, an arcade, and spa, there are still signs of nostalgia in the town for the casual visitor – none more so than at the recently revamped train station.

Main features such as the lantern roof at the station have been reinstated to what they would have looked like when it first opened in 1846.

This includes extensive glazing and tile work and adding safe walkways for easier maintenance.

The huge restoration project, which was backed by the Railway Heritage Trust, also includes improvements to the café, toilets, drainage, and in the train shed – including two ornate cast iron windows.

Network Rail has worked with partners on the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed building.

Jake Walton, Network Rail senior asset engineer, said: “Seaside stations like Filey hold a special place in the hearts of people from much further afield than their towns – being closely linked to generations of memories of days out.

“We’re delighted to have completed a wide-ranging suite of improvements here at Filey which protect the building as a piece of railway heritage while making the station fit for modern passenger use, and for generations to come.”

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said it was “great to see a building with such heritage be looked after to make sure that families and friends can come together on our beautiful coastline for another 180 years”.

The Railway Heritage Trust backed the project with contributions totalling £53,000 for restoration of the train shed windows and roofs of the ancillary buildings.

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Tim Hedley-Jones, Railway Heritage Trust executive director, said the station, built by renowned North-Eastern railway architect GT Andrews, “is still fulfilling the role for which it was built”.

He added: “It retains its original character as a railway station from the first half of the 19th century.”