attraction

A HISTORIC UK attraction is set to close after more than 60 years.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest in Hampshire will close after six decades.

The museum sits in a purpose built building but has reached the end of its lease, which it has been unable to renew.

The museum, which is home to around 250 heritage vehicles, wanted to extend its lease by 50 years.

The lease expires in 2032, but the museum will move out of the building in 2030.

The Trust has already started looking for a new location to house its collection of vehicles.

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The decision was made due to a number of reasons including rejected National Lottery funding.

A spokesperson for the museum said: “Changes to the organisational structure of the charity will start taking place from later this year as it pivots towards its future direction, and the resource it requires to do so.

“Any changes to the physical collection and the management of that will take place in a carefully managed and gradual way over the next four years.”

The museum welcomes 300,000 visitors each year and opened back in 1972.

Famous cars in the museum’s collection include Mr Bean’s Mini, Del Boy’s Reliant van and the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Overall, the museum is home to 1.9million items.

To enter the museum, you’ll need to get a ticket which covers the museum, Palace House, gardens, Beaulieu Abbey and the monorail.

Tickets cost from £24.80 per adult and £14.57 per child.

TWO earthquakes have rocked Granada, causing destruction across the region and the closure of popular attractions.

With a series of aftershocks also recorded, is it safe to travel to Spain? Here’s everything you need to know.

Where are the earthquakes in Spain?

Granada in Andalusia has been affected by multiple earthquakes in the last five days.

The first earthquake hit the region over the weekend with a magnitude of 5.0 with its epicentre in Alhendín.

On August 15, a state of emergency was declared in the southern city as parts of buildings collapsed, rocks crushed cars and residents and holidaymakers were evacuated.

The tremor was felt across Andalusia and as far as Madrid, with locals reporting shakes in Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, Jaen and Almeria.

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It was then followed by a series of aftershocks.

On August 18 another powerful 4.6-magnitude earthquake hit Granada which left at least three people injured.

At the very centre of the earthquake was the small town of Gojar, a municipality around five miles south of the city of Granada.

Hotels and council buildings open to the public were forced to evacuate following the scare.

In a statement on X, the Granada City Council said: “In response to the latest seismic movements recorded in the province, the Granada City Council has agreed, as a preventive measure, to the temporary closure of all municipal buildings and facilities open to the public.”

One of the attractions that closed was parts of Alhambra, a fortress which is now a popular tourist attraction.

In Calle Navas, which is one of the most popular tourist streets in the city, bars were closed as authorities were concerned about falling debris.

Granada Cathedral remains closed while its exterior is examined.

Two 4 and 4.2-magnitude aftershocks also hit nearby Churriana de la Vega and Alhendín.

Is it safe to travel to Spain right now?

The travel advice for Spain remains unchanged. You can find all general information on the official FCDO website. 

Are flights still going to Spain?

Yes, Granada Federico Garcia Lorca Airport remains open with flights operating as scheduled.

What if I have a holiday to Spain booked?

As the Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Spain, there are no special circumstances in place for holidaymakers to cancel their trip and receive a full refund.

Depending on what travel insurance you have, your policy might include natural disaster cover.

If so, your insurance policy should cover you for when you are unable to reach your holiday destination due to natural disasters, like wildfires and earthquakes.

So it is worth checking your travel insurance policy.

Can I cancel my trip?

If you want to cancel your trip or holiday, it is best to contact your airline and/or holiday provider.

Companies do not have an obligation to refund bookings unless Government advice changes.

A NEW Therme resort is under construction in the UK and is making huge strides towards opening.

Therme Manchester is set to be complete by 2028 and will have everything from huge swimming pools, waterslides and even beaches.

The Therme Group has announced that they have reached their first milestone of 12 tower cranes being built.

It said the progress marked “the start of an exciting new phase of construction for Therme Manchester“.

On social media it continued: “Over the coming months, these cranes will play a key role in bringing our vision to life. Creating an amazing destination where wellbeing, relaxation and fun come together.

“This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we continue to build something extraordinary!”

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One excited person commented: “Wow!!! Can’t wait!! We are watching the process everyday when we pass.”

Another added: “Can’t wait, no more going to Germany to the amazing spa.”

The Therme Group also announced it would be teaming up with Marriott International.

In terms of booking, Marriott Bonvoy members will be offered exclusive travel and lodging packages linked directly to Therme destinations – which when it opens will include Manchester.

The £500m resort will be set across 28 acres making it the “largest water-based wellbeing destination in Europe.”

Inside the resort, visitors can expect a large-scale waterpark with more than 25 waterslides as well as a wave pool.

It will be heated to 33C and will have lots of spa and wellness facilities that will be split into three distinct zones called Play, Relax and Restore.

The Play zone will focus on ‘next-generation’ water fun, as well as a a warm water pool, steam rooms, saunas as well as lounging and family dining experiences.

This zone will also have an outdoor beach.

In the Relax zone – which will be adults-only – there will be a “focus on premium wellbeing experiences” as well as indoor and outdoor pools, waterfall showers, mineral baths, steam rooms, saunas and casual dining.

Finally, in the Restore Zone – the second adults-only area – there will be “industry leading health, nutrition and wellbeing therapies”, “sauna rituals”, experience showers, wellbeing consultations and dining.

Therme Manchester is set to become “UK’s largest paid-for tourist attraction” and see just over three million people each year.

This will be the first Therme site in the UK, joining one in Erding, Germany and one in Bucharest, Romania.

The attraction was an adults-only zone where grown ups could unwind. However, this has now been closed, with customers who’ve booked their spot in advance being contacted for a refund

Butlin’s has confirmed the closure of an attraction in its Bognor Regis park, with customers who had bookings saying they’re “gutted” by the news.

The park was home to Ocean Spa, a part of the resort primarily aimed at the adult market, with 13- to 17-year-olds admitted only if accompanied by an over-18. The spa included a steam room, sauna, heated tiled loungers, a hydrospa, and a sun terrace, allowing for relaxing spa days and a variety of treatments.

The spa, the last of its kind in its parks, is now set to close on August 28. Butlin’s is contacting customers with existing bookings to offer them their money back. Previously, the holiday park operator also operated a spa at its Skegness park, which closed in 2021.

Josh Engleman, communications manager at Butlin’s, said: “We can confirm we’ll be closing our spa at Butlin’s Bognor Regis. We’ve contacted the small number of guests who had booked to visit the spa and they will, of course, receive a full refund.

“The spa has always been a small part of the resort experience. Our focus is on the activities and entertainment that families come to Butlin’s for, including recent additions such as PLAYXPERIENCE, which opened at Bognor Regis last year.”

Butlin’s customers have taken to social media to express their disappointment in the news. One posted a copy of the email she received confirming her cancellation, and commented: “We going in October and just got this. Gutted. First year my daughter is old enough.”

Another said: “What a massive mistake! This was one of the only things for adults to relax and have a break from the kids! Such a disappointment.” While another complained: “Why close the spa? We need a place to de-stress!”, accompanied by a string of angry emojis.

While the spa closure has been confirmed, Butlin’s has announced some new facilities in its parks in recent months. It recently added self-service bars to its parks, allowing people on both self-catering and all-inclusive packages to skip the queues and easily pour their own pints, soft drinks, and cocktails.

It also added bookable karaoke pods, where groups of up to 12 can choose from 45,000 chart-topping hits and throwback tunes, with a 55-minute session costing £36. You can even keep the party going by ordering drinks to your pod.

PLAYXPERIENCE was also added to Butlin’s Bognor Regis in autumn 2024, a 50,000 square feet activity centre that offers nine experiences across two floors for kids and adults. These include escape rooms, a virtual reality arcade, laser tag, and hi-tech mini golf courses.

In addition to family holidays, Butlin’s also continues to offer its adult-only Big Weekenders for visitors who’d prefer to enjoy the parks without kids around. These include themed weekends based around music genres and decades.

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AN ICONIC landmark could return to a UK seaside resort after more than a decade.

Councillors will decide next month whether to bring back the staggering 164ft attraction.

The Brighton Wheel could make an appearance back on Brighton‘s seafront, following a council cabinet meeting on September 17.

Brighton and Hove City Council will decide whether to award a 25-year lease to reinstate the iconic landmark back to its original site on Madeira Drive.

Originally opened in 2011, the 164ft attraction operated until May 2016.

Following the expiration of its lease, the wheel was subsequently dismantled to make way for the development of the i360.

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Now, the firm behind the Brighton Zip & Daltons Venue has proposed to re-install the wheel, while maintaining the current zip-line attraction in operation.

If approved, the firm will seek to have the wheel up and running by next summer.

Brighton & Hove City Councillor, David McGregor, said the return of the iconic landmark would “bring new energy” to the seafront.

McGregor said: “Brighton became Brighton because people came here to have fun by the sea.

“That’s part of our identity, and we should be ambitious about what a great seaside city looks like for the next generation.”

During its five-year run, developers of the Brighton Wheel believed more than 250,000 visitors would ride the landmark each year.

BUTLIN’S is closing a popular attraction at one of the holiday parks – and it’s the last one of its kind.

The Bognor Regis resort confirmed the holiday park’s spa will be closing later this month.

The Ocean Spa facility opened back in 2009, as part of a huge £20million opening of the Ocean Hotel.

Inside is a hydrospa, outdoor hot tub, sauna, relaxation pods, a crystal steam room and an outside sun terrace. 

But guests have since received an email saying the facility was to shut its doors permanently on August 28, with refunds given for existing bookings.

The message read: “We’re writing to let you know that the Ocean Spa at Bognor Regis will be closing permanently from 28 August 2026.

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“This means we’re no longer able to provide the spa package you’ve booked.”

Refunds on bookings will be made automatically, and will be returned within 14 working days.

The message added: “We’re sorry for any disappointment this may cause, and we can’t wait to welcome you.”

Lots of families have been left sad by the news, with many saying it was a favourite of many adults wanting some child-free time.

One previous Butlin’s visitor said on Facebook: “This was one of the only things for adults to relax and have a break from the kids! Such a disappointment.”

Another added: “One of the highlights of the Xmas break was the hot tub in the dark bit, gutted.”

A third said: “Butlins used to be a place for all the family, now it feels that all adult things are being phased out.”

And a fourth said: “Gutted to hear that it closed for good, went there and loved it.”

The decision follows the closure of the spa facility at Butlin’s in Skegness in 2021.

The other Butlin’s resort, Minehead, has never operated a spa facility.

Butlin’s said: “We can confirm we’ll be closing our spa at Butlin’s Bognor Regis.

“We’ve contacted the small number of guests who had booked to visit the spa and they will, of course, receive a full refund.

“The spa has always been a small part of the resort experience.

“Our focus is on the activities and entertainment that families come to Butlin’s for, including recent additions such as PLAYXPERIENCE, which opened at Bognor Regis last year.”

It comes after the announcement of new self-serve booze bars being rolled out across the parks.

A GRAND historic castle in the UK is getting a new lease of life, by reopening as a major tourist attraction.

Haverfordwest Castle in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is set to undergo a massive £17.7million project to become a top tourist attraction with Christmas markets, open-air theatre shows, community events and a visitor centre.

There will also be a new cafe at the castle as well as a shop selling locally crafted items and produce.

The castle itself dates back over 800 years and over that time has changed hands several times, seeing numerous wars.

In 1648, Oliver Cromwell even ordered the castle to be destroyed and later in the 18th century part of the castle was turned into a prison.

It then later became a police station and local council offices.

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Today, the castle is mainly in ruin with the remains of some of the castle’s towers still standing.

Regarding the upcoming project, the castle’s website states: “The new flagship heritage attraction will tell Pembrokeshire’s fascinating story in a fun, immersive and interactive exhibition space.

“You will explore how creativity and resourcefulness have shaped local life; feel the spirit of place, myths, legends and natural forces; and explore stories through playful, physical and digital experiences.

“There will be a new café selling locally-sourced food and drink and a 500-seater outdoor event space with shows and live-music expected to be programmed throughout the summer months.”

The castle is then expected to reopen to the public in 2028 and will be free to visit.

Councillor Paul Miller, deputy leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “We are excited to see this ambitious project continue apace and this next stage brings us much closer to what will be a flagship heritage attraction, boosting not only the town’s economy but also the wider area.”

Disney California Adventure is on the verge of a transformation. The 25-year-old next-door neighbor to the Disneyland Resort will be doubling the size of its Avengers Campus in the coming months.

Farther down the road will be the arrival of an “Avatar”-inspired area in the current Hollywood Land corner of the park. Walt Disney Imagineering, the arm of the company dedicated to theme park experiences, revealed a detailed model an “Avatar” water ride destined for the park at its all-things-Disney convention D23.

The miniature shows the ride snaking around the Disneyland Monorail, and reveals a landscape that will fully transform the look and tone of California Adventure. It’s green, it’s lush, it’s a little rustic and it looks as if a mini rainforest will be slotted into the park.

A model of the forthcoming “Avatar”-inspired area includes a monorail in a lush forest.

(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times )

The “Avatar” model is just one part of expansive booth dedicated to what’s currently in development at Disney’s global parks. The centerpiece of the D23 area is no doubt a model of Piston Peak, a “Cars”-inspired land coming to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, which, in contrast to Anaheim’s Cars Land, takes on the feel of a woody town nestled next to a national park.

Elsewhere, Imagineering has revealed a look at the soon-to-be remodeled Avengers Campus, which is deep in development on two new attractions that will effectively double the size of the area. The two attractions will different drastically in style.

One is a previously announced ride featuring the Avengers in battle across the multiverse with King Thanos. At a media preview on Thursday, Disney didn’t show off much of the attraction, Avengers Infinity Defense, but expect a dark ride that will emphasize 3D screens in a battle across quickly changing locales.

A look at the expanded Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure shown at D23. Two additional rides are currently under construction.

(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times )

The other, Stark Flight Lab, is pitched as a testing of new Avengers technology. It’s an amusement-park-like thrill ride, in which guests will sit in two-person pods and then attach to a mechanical arm that will lift them into the air and attempt to simulate sensations of flight.

“It’s going to be definitely thrilling,” said Emily “Emo” O’Brien, an Imagineer who helps lead creative direction of the Disneyland Resort.

Timetables for the completed Avengers Campus and the “Avatar” expansion were not yet detailed, although the Marvel additions are widely seen as not far off. Disney is expected to reveal more info on both projects, as well as a “Coco”-inspired boat ride coming to the park, at a Saturday evening presentation.

Concept art of an “Avatar”-inspired attraction coming to Disney California Adventure.

(20th Century / Disneyland Resort)

The addition of “Avatar” is especially notable as it veers the park, one that began with a mission to reflect our Golden State, into further realms of fantasy. Cars Land, for instance, could be read, in part, as an exploration of Southern California car culture and an ode to Route 66.

An especially noteworthy aspect of the “Avatar” model was the appearance of the ride to be visible outside of its grand show building, as guests walking through the park will be able to glimpse its boats gliding past them. A model of the ride vehicles appears to show six rows that can accommodate five or six guests per row.

The boats are flanked by cascading waterfalls, and mountains that appear to curve in on themselves. An assortment of mystical critters dot the landscape. Speculation is the attraction will be utilize an updated version of the ride system found in Shanghai Disneyland’s rousing Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

“Over its 25 years it has significantly changed, especially at the time we brought in Cars Land and reimagined Buena Vista Street,” O’Brien said of California Adventure. “I think it’s a park that stands on its own now. It’s grown up.”

Tell us your stories. Ask us your questions.

Have a theme park tale to share? Whether it was a good day or less-than-perfect day, I would love to hear about it. Have a question? A tip? A fun photo from the parks to share? Email me at todd.martens@latimes.com. I may feature your note in an upcoming newsletter.

Ride on,

Todd Martens

P.S.

Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride comes out every Tuesday, but we occasionally publish special editions (like this one!) when we have breaking theme park news. Make sure you’ve signed up to be the first to know.

Boney Island, a much-loved, homemade, skeleton-centric L.A. Halloween attraction for more than 20 years, will now be a ghost.

Creator Rick Polizzi — known to many for his 1996-2009 role as a producer of “The Simpsons” — announced on social media Monday that Boney Island is coming to an end.

The reason: A planned move to Santa Clarita has run into “unforeseen permitting and production challenges.” Polizzi said the county-wide slump in TV and film production is partially to blame.

After a string of venue changes, Polizzi said he was in talks to rent a set of soundstages at Santa Clarita Studios, and a large amount of Boney Island sets, props and other materials had already been moved to Santa Clarita.

But several logistical challenges proved hard to solve, and one element was the studios’ decision to reduce their inventory of soundstages. As a result, Polizzi said, “the rug was kind of pulled out from under us.”

Santa Clarita Studios President Mike DeLorenzo said that this fall, the studio will let go of leases on three of its 35-plus soundstages. Of Boney Island, DeLorenzo said that “we truly wanted this to happen, but it just didn’t make sense financially.” By the tally of FilmLA, on-location production days for film and TV in greater Los Angeles fell by 46% from 2022 to 2025.

With no other remedies in sight, Polizzi and company put out word on Instagram and Facebook, saying that after carefully considering locations, city permitting costs and storage, “we have made the difficult decision to officially bring Boney Island to an end” and sell the collection.

Reaction was quick, sad and peppered with family memories. “Thank you for creating so much magic for my family as well as so many others,” wrote one admirer on Instagram. “My kids and myself will forever walk around in a squeaky voice reciting: “Help meeee…I feeel like a yo-yo.”

Former “Simpsons” producer Rick Polizzi in his Sherman Oaks treehouse, known as “Boney Island,” in 2025.

(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

Boney Island, a playful homage to Coney Island, was born in the late 1990s when Polizzi set out to build a Halloween attraction in his Sherman Oaks front yard for his family and neighbors. He was joined by “Aqua Dazzle” owner Rex Danyluk and friends as they designed an immersive, imaginative experience without a haunted house, a maze or jump scares. Instead it featured cavorting skeletons, magic acts and water shows.

“It’s not all the gore and horror stuff that everything else is,” Polizzi said. “I started it for my daughters.”

Eventually, the yard’s tall treehouse and growing crowds each Halloween led to permit disputes and the prospect of criminal charges.

“We were a victim of our own success, because it got so crowded we had to hire traffic control,” Polizzi told Spectrum News in 2025, adding that “one neighbor across the street always hated it.” Polizzi estimated that he’d spend more than $50,000 trying to get proper city approvals before dismantling the treehouse in 2025.

“I had the cool experience of actually ascending into the treehouse,” said Kim Cooper, co-owner of Esotouric tours and former visitors to the treehouse. “You look at this thing and you think: Wait a minute. That’s possible?”

Polizzi, in 2025, flips through a scrapbook he made about Boney Island.

(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)

Boney Island’s red-tape battles with the city of Los Angeles, Cooper said, show that “there is sadistic, demented element in the city [government] that does not like to see people who have an independent sense of élan and freedom.”

Still, Boney Island seemed likely to live on elsewhere. While the red-tape battles were being fought, the attraction moved from Polizzi’s yard to Griffith Park in 2018, went dark for several years, then resurfaced at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles in 2023 and 2024, drawing tens of thousands of people. But the Exposition Park location proved difficult for many guests, Polizzi said, and the event went dark again last year while organizers searched for a new location, preferably a gated space with at least 70,000 square feet. Polizzi said he explored many options, including the L.A. Zoo, another corner of Griffith Park, Descanso Gardens, the L.A. County Arboretum, but none quite fit. Some of those spots host elaborate holiday light displays that require set-up in late October.

The best option seemed to be the soundstages at Santa Clarita Studios. “It was going to be challenging to have it inside to begin with, but I was looking forward to it,” Polizzi said.

At this point, he added, it would take a last-minute location discovery to change things.

“I would love to keep it going, I just don’t have a place for it,” Polizzi said.

THERE is still a long way to go before kids are back at school and a major attraction is offering free kids visits this month.

Activate is a popular immersive experience and across five London sites it is offering free kids tickets throughout August.

Inside the attractions you will find nine different games including Laser which has laser beams you must dodge and Mega Grid, which tests your speed and reaction time.

There’s also Strike, which makes dodgeball digital with each team having to hit a specific glowing screen on the wall.

To get the offer, every paying adult will be able to bring one child under the age of 16 for free.

Children’s tickets usually cost from £29.50, so for a family of four you could save up to £59.50 on a single visit.

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The offer is available across all peak sessions at Activate venues in London which include The O2, Oxford Street, Vauxhall, Westfield White City and Islington.

According to London TV, Richard Beese, CEO and Founder of We Do Play, which operates Activate in the UK, said: “The summer holidays are all about spending quality time together as a family, and we wanted to make it even easier for people to experience Activate.

“Our Kids Go Free offer gives families the opportunity to enjoy something active, exciting and genuinely different while making their money go further.”

Activate is open to kids over six-years-old and adults must accompany all children between six and 13.

One recent visitor commented: “Activate is a great place for those who like to be active. If you like running around to press buttons, definitely check them out!

“The wrist bands and point collection system was a nice touch too. I had a really fun time!”

A FAMILY day out can easily set you back over £100 for a family of four.

And with it being the summer holidays, just a few days out can quickly add up to the cost of a holiday abroad.

Instead of watching your wallet empty of cash, there are actually a number of ways to get free and cheap attraction tickets.

Here’s our round-up of the best options and what days out you can get for less:

Sun Club promotions

As a Sun Club member, you have access to loads of free and discounted days out across the UK.

Currently, these include free tickets to the races, 50% off Horrible Histories Live, savings on theatre tickets and 2-for-1 tickets to Diggerland theme parks.

Find out more about what’s on offer here.

LatestFreeStuff.co.uk

LatestFreeStuff.co.uk always has different offers on attractions.

Some you might need to snap up quick, while others might have more availability.

Current offers on the website include a free National Trust pass and free bike hire.

Previous offers have included free Eden Project tickets as well as discounts on major UK attractions.

Promotional supermarket packs

If you are in the supermarket, look out for promotional packs.

On items such as Cadbury‘s multi-packs, Kellogg’s cereal, Heinz products, Carex soap and Robinsons squash, you’ll often find offers to attractions in the UK.

For example, Kellogg’s cereal boxes often have 25 per cent off online advance entry tickets for up to two people to Merlin attractions including the London Eye and Legoland.

Cadbury’s, on the other hand, often has instant 2-for-1 vouchers for top UK attractions.

National Rail

If you are heading out on a day out, taking the train could save you both hassle and money, because National Rail offers 2-for-1 deals, a third off savings, and other discounts for attractions when you travel via train.

Attractions include 2-for-1 tickets on City Cruises, 20 per cent off Frameless and 50 per cent off Thinktank at the Birmingham Science Museum.

Tesco Clubcard

Tesco Clubcard members can convert their Clubcard points into Reward Partner vouchers.

These vouchers cover major UK theme parks including Alton Towers and Thorpe Park as well as English Heritage sites and a number of museums.

Octopus Energy

If you are an Octopus customer and are signed up to Octoplus, you can redeem your points for a free National Trust pass.

02 Priority

If you happen to be an O2 customer, make sure you have the O2 Priority app as it is full of offers and giveaways.

Currently through the app, you can get discounted tickets to Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, free kids tickets to Jurassic Oceans at the Natural History Museum (with one adult ticket) and 20 per cent off tickets to Up at The O2.

MoneySuperMarket

If you sign up to a MoneySuperMarket account and allow it to check your credit score, you can get a free days out annual pass worth £180.

The pass includes top attractions such as London Zoo, English Heritage Sites and Go Ape parks – you can redeem one ticket each time you visit an attraction, per account.

Vodafone

Via Vodafone‘s VeryMe Rewards, you can get a Kids Pass which offers between 10 and 56 per cent off entry to attractions across the UK, including Alton Towers and Go Ape.

To get this reward, you’ll need to be a Vodafone Pay Monthly mobile customer or a qualifying Pay As You Go customer.

Vitality Health Insurance

If you get moving, Vitality Health Insurance will reward you with discounts to top Merlin attractions, such as Thorpe Park and Alton Towers.

You are able to redeem four tickets at 30 per cent off each month.

Welcome Break

Welcome Break operates 31 hotels across the UK’s motorway network – such as Days Inn and Ramada hotels – making them ideal stops to split up a journey.

But more than just the hotels, Welcome Break has 62 service stations across the country.

If you stop off at one or stay in one of the hotels, make sure to set up an account when you use their Wi-Fi as you’ll get Road Trip Rewards.

Each time you log in to the Wi-Fi at either a hotel or service station, you’ll gain a point.

These points then go towards entering you into different prize draws.

For every three visits, you’ll go into a draw to bag a Merlin attraction discount, for every five visits a £50 Welcome Break voucher, and with 10 visits a Merlin Gold Pass. For every 15 or more visits, you’ll get a chance to win a family weekend away.

Blue Light Discount

If you work in the NHS, emergency services, or armed forces, you can get a Blue Light Membership, costing £4.99 for two years (so just under £2.50 a year).

This membership can then get you loads of discounts on days out and attractions, including 15 per cent off entry to Alton Towers, 20 per cent off English Heritage sites, and 10 per cent off Eden Project tickets.

There are loads of attractions with discounts as part of the membership, including local and regional attractions.

National Lottery Week

In March each year, the National Lottery hosts The National Lottery Open Week, with loads of free or low-cost days out.

These include castles, museums, sports venues, galleries and theatres across the UK.

Local resident/postcode discounts

It is worth looking up which attractions are in your area, and whether they offer discounted entry for you as a local.

For example, The Eden Project offers a discounted Cornish Residents Pass.

Similarly, Kew Gardens offers a reduced entry fee for local residents and young people, and Tower Bridge offers £1 entry to Southwark residents.

The best way to find this out is to search ‘attractions near me with resident offer’ online, and Google should pick up your location and find the attractions near you providing a discount.

Groupon and Wowcher

Groupon and Wowcher are both great sites for getting cheaper days out for the family.

You can search for things near you to do, and depending on your location, these can include things like the Ninja Warrior UK experience, bus tours and circus shows.

Some current offers on Groupon include a session at The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead for £20.49 instead of £37 per person.

Or with Wowcher, you could head to the UK’s biggest inflatable obstacle course for £20, instead of £27.82 per person.

Universal Credit

Lots of UK attractions will offer heavily discounted tickets – usually £1 or £2 each – for people and families receiving Universal Credit.

For example, you could head to Royal Palaces such as Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace for just £1.

A MAJOR American-style attraction, with 13 venues across the globe, is moving to the UK for its first ‘flagship’ site.

The venue is set to span over 26,000 sq ft, and is based at the heart of a renowned tourist destination.

London is getting its very first Time Out Market, as the acclaimed city guides brand expands to the UK.

Based in the heart of London’s West End, the market is set to take over 55 Regent Street, a three-floor building overlooking Piccadilly Circus.

Inside, the market will span over 26,000 sq ft, featuring a curated selection of London’s best food and drinks.

Time Out has previously found success with its markets across the globe, with its 13 destinations welcoming over 12million annual visitors.

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First opening in Lisbon in 2014, the concept now features in New York, Dubai, Cape Town, Osaka, Budapest and more.

The London site is expected to have approximately 15 restaurants, bars, and food businesses, paired with a live entertainment programme.

Development of 55 Regent Street is part of a wider regeneration scheme of 10 Piccadilly, overseen by the Crown Estate.

The Grade II listed building, based in the heart of Piccadilly for over a century, is being modernised into a 65,000 sq ft contemporary workspace.

Time Out was founded as a print magazine in London back in 1968, moving to be entirely digital in 2022.

This is not the first time Time Out has looked for a market location in its origin location, initially proposing a site in Waterloo in 2021 and Spitalfields that were both later scrapped.

Chris Ohlund, chief of Time Out Group plc, said: “Securing this partnership with The Crown Estate to create our global flagship in the heart of Piccadilly Circus is one of the most significant milestones in Time Out’s nearly 60-year history.

“Bringing the globally recognised Time Out Market concept home to London is both a celebration of where we began and a statement of where we are going.

“London is one of the world’s greatest cities for food and culture, and there is no better location than Piccadilly Circus to showcase everything that makes it extraordinary.”

Time Out Market in Piccadilly is set to open in 2028, with the company also planning new venues in Delhi, Abu Dhabi, Sao Paulo, Prague, and Riyadh.

THEY say you should never meet your heroes . . . but I can heartily recommend meeting your villains.

At the Night With The Knights special event near Belfast, a crowd of Game Of Thrones fans joined a Q&A session with actors Ian Beattie (sadistic Kingsguard Ser Meryn Trant), Dominic Carter (weaselly Ser Janos Slynt) and Ian McElhinney (noble Ser Barristan Selmy).

Beattie stole the show with hilarious, sweary anecdotes about his time on the HBO fantasy series, with Ed Sheeran the target of some choice barbs.

But all three were amusing and gracious, posing for photos, signing autographs and coming round to chat during our dinner.

It was my first time at the GoT Studio Tour — which is planning more events with stars — and, as a megafan, I was not disappointed with all the costumes, weapons and sets.

Highlights were being able to scan my mug into the Hall of Faces, which Arya Stark’s assassins used to disguise themselves, posing with the giant Wun Wun and, of course, sitting on the coveted Iron Throne.

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Our evening was just one stop on a five-day tour of film and TV locations in Northern Ireland.

We’d started in Londonderry, home to Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls, spotting a giant mural featuring the five hellraising teens and visiting an exhibition showcasing a few sets and props.

From there, we travelled east around the coast, and in fair weather there are few places that can rival the scenery.

It’s easy to see why Northern Ireland is so attractive for filmmakers.

The route was packed with superb locations for memorable Thrones scenes, including:

• Downhill Beach — the clifftop temple where Red Priestess Melisandre burned heretics.
• Portstewart — where Jaime Lannister and Bronn encounter the Sand Snakes in Dorne.
• Dunluce Castle — Greyjoys’ home Pyke, with help from CGI.
• Ballintoy Harbour — where Theon Greyjoy meets sister Yara, and the neighbouring bay, where he is baptised for the Drowned God.
• Carnlough Harbour steps — where Arya Stark crawls to safety after her battle with the Waif.
• Hidden Village of Galboly — which doubles as the Vale of Arryn.
• Cairncastle’s hills — where Ned Stark beheads a deserter in the first episode.

The film scenery isn’t restricted to GoT, as the clifftop ruins at Dunseverick Castle were used for the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon.

At the centre of Glenarm Castle’s walled gardens, you can see areas used to film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, and Thrones spin-off A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms.

Nearby, in Glenarm village, is Steensons jewellers, which made many of the pieces used in GoT, then it was on to Carrickfergus Castle, a key location for Dungeons & Dragons.

I’d recommend having a guide — not just to get to the right places, but because locals love a good chinwag.

You’ll probably hear stories about the cast and crew (occasionally indiscreet, such as the actress despised by fellow thesps, or which actor appeared naked in a hotel lobby), and they are proud to show off their country.

Next stop Belfast, with locations for some of my other favourite non-fantasy TV series including Line Of Duty, which was shooting its seventh season while we were there, the Botanic Gardens where The Fall’s sexy serial killer, played by Jamie Dornan, stalks his victims, and Crumlin Road Gaol, now used for tours and filming.

We stayed in a different hotel every night and not a dud among them, but highlights were Harbourview in Carnlough, a destination whiskey property, and Slieve Donard in Newcastle, with an opulent pool.

South of Belfast we were back into the wild at Castle Ward, which served as the Starks’ seat of Winterfell and features the courtyard where Ned Stark taught his children archery, the stable where Tyrion Lannister romped with brothel beauties, and the window from which Jaime Lannister pushed Bran Stark.

Further around Strangford Lough is Audley’s Castle, a 15th-century tower that doubled (literally, as CGI was used to create two) as The Twins, treacherous Walder Frey’s stronghold.

Finally, at mystical Tollymore Forest, GoT scenes here include the creek where the direwolf pups are found, and where Arya hides from the Gold Cloaks.

Most bone-chilling, though, was the glade where Thrones’ opening scene was shot, where Night’s Watch rangers encounter a pit containing dismembered corpses that are not as dead as they appear.

So our tour’s end had brought us to the start, which just made me want to binge-watch it all again.

To paraphrase Jaime Lannister, the things we do for love of TV . . . 

A MULTI-MILLION pound attraction is set to open in the UK – taking over an abandoned ski resort.

Around a mile from the city centre, Sheffield Ski Village closed over a decade ago and has been left abandoned since.

Now, under new plans the ski village will be transformed into a £20million attraction with a luge ride, a family playground and future plans for a zip line and surfing experience.

Located at Parkwood Springs, the first phase would include building a gravity-fed downhill karting attraction, also known as a luge.

This phase would also include a playground, a spot to grab a drink or bite to eat and an indoor attraction called ‘Beat the Storm’ – though details about what this is are yet to be revealed.

Later phases would then focus on opening a zipline and a surfing experience, as well as potentially reopening the dry slopes.

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Skyline Enterprises – the New Zealand-based adventure tourism company behind the attraction – state on a website dedicated to the project that it would be “one of the city’s most exciting new leisure destinations”.

It adds: “Whether you want to ride down the hillside, explore the trails, grab a bite to eat, or simply see your city from a brand-new angle, Skyline Sheffield will have something for everyone.”

The ski village opened back in 1998 and used to be a training base for British Winter Olympians.

However, it has been closed since 2012 after a fire destroyed most of the village.

And over the years there have been plans to transform it into an outdoor activity centre.

However, this never materialised and the current plans to open it as an attraction have been discussed over the past decade.

A planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.

Geoff McDonald, CEO of Skyline Enterprises, said: “We know that Parkwood Springs has been a challenging site to bring forward over the years, but with strong support from Sheffield City Council and an experienced project team on board, the pieces are now in place to deliver something truly special for the city.”

Councillor Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Our plans to transform Parkwood Springs into a vibrant and thriving area of the city are continuing to move forward, and Skyline’s plans for the old Ski Village site remain a focal point of the work we are doing.

“The site has had many false starts over the years, but I am now delighted to see the latest proposed details for their facility.”

EUROPE’S highest free public viewing gallery has announced it is closed until further notice.

Horizon 22 is inside one of London‘s tallest buildings, 833 feet above ground level with sweeping views across the city.

However, anyone with tickets will have to look elsewhere as yesterday Horizon 22 announced its closure on social media.

It said: “Unfortunately, Horizon 22 will be closed until further notice. All ticket holders have been contacted.”

It continued: “Please check your email for more details. We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you to Horizon 22 soon.”

It updated customers today with the news that it remains “closed until further notice”.

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And that it will “share our reopening date as soon as we can.”

Talking to Sun Travel, a spokesperson for 22 Bishopsgate explained the issue is a water leak.

The spokesperson said: “Having experienced significant water leakage in certain parts of the building, we have made the decision to close 22 Bishopsgate until we are able to fully operate all our life safety systems.

“We have informed all our occupiers and are working to rectify the issue and to reopen the building as soon as possible. 

“We understand the inconvenience and disappointment this will cause our occupiers and visitors and would like to take this opportunity to offer our apologies.”

Horizon 22 first opened in 2023 and has been extremely popular with visitors as it’s completely free.

Tickets need to be booked in advance and are released every Monday at 10am for the next 14 days.

From the viewing platform, visitors can see London landmarks including St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the Gherkin.

In the meantime, other viewing platforms in the city include The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate and the Sky Garden.

Both are completely free but need to be booked in advance to guarantee entry.

A SMALL but much-loved holiday resort in the UK is set to get a load of new attractions.

Ribby Hall Village near Kirkham, Preston, has announced plans for a new high ropes course, netted play area and outdoor activity zone.

The new attractions would be at the Wildlife Discovery area in the five-star holiday park and also feature a go-kart track.

A new entertainment centre is already approved for the holiday resort as well.

Ribby Hall Village has a range of accommodation including self-catering cottages and an adults-only spa hotel.

Guests also get unlimited access to a family pool with waterslides and an adult pool.

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And much like Center Parcs, you can book onto a number of different activities including heading to the indoor soft play as well as an onsite zoo and wildlife centre.

For more entertainment, there are also a number of daytime and evening shows.

Across the village, guests can head into a number of family restaurants, bars and cafes.

Summer breaks cost as little as £32 per person per night.

One recent visitor said: “Not our first visit to Ribby hall but as usual had a fabulous break with the family – we have chosen Ribby hall over our former choice of Center Parcs as Ribby represents so much better value for money.”

Another visitor added: “Loved it here, obvious comparison is with Center Parcs and I would pick Ribby Hall.”

Fylde Council has not yet announced when they will make a decision on the application.

AN AWARD-WINNING visitor attraction in the UK is at risk of closing.

The Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire – home to the UK’s largest telescope and several attractions for the last 70 years – could soon close.

According to the BBC, the attraction has lost its funding, which could mean that the attraction is forced to close, which scientists describe as “heartbreaking”.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site observatory features a number of telescopes that have been used to study galaxies and to train astronomers.

There are four pavilions in total to explore, including one that features a science exhibition.

Outside, visitors can then also venture around 35 acres of gardens including an arboretum, as well as picnic areas, ponds and a playground.

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The attraction has a number of cafes and a gift shop too.

General tickets cost £15 per adult and £10.50 per child.

In addition to this, there are a number of events that run at the observatory including shows such as The Great Solar System Adventure, where young space explorers can see the journey and life of stars.

Most shows cost from nothing to around £5 per person to watch.

And the site isn’t just used for science – it has also made an appearance in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as well as Doctor Who.

Unless funding can be found for the attraction, all scientific investigations are expected to stop at the observatory on April 1, 2028.

The observatory was first launched in 1945 and played a key role in the Cold War to monitor Soviet missiles.

The BBC added that the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency is expected to make a statement regarding the loss of the observatory’s annual £2.8million budget.

One recent visitor said: “We had a really lovely experience at Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement. It’s a fantastic place to visit with children.

“There is an indoor museum, activity room as well as playgrounds, so it works well even if the weather isn’t great.

“The Dome cinema was a real highlight — the film was excellent and very engaging.”

Leonard R. Garner Jr. loves roller coasters. And the mostly-retired television director and actor has a place in his heart for Universal Studios Hollywood, the theme park atop the studio where he spent many days behind a camera.

He also adores the tranquility of his home. As a resident of Toluca Lake, the tiny neighborhood nestled below the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and other park staples, Garner watched with curiosity as Universal Studios began erecting Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, its new outdoor, high-speed thrill ride. He continued to track the construction over the next three or four years while out on afternoon walks.

At last, when Universal Studios began testing the ride this spring, Garner breathed a sigh of relief. “I was amazed at how quiet it was,” he said. “I could not hear it at all.”

But he wasn’t considering one detail: There were no people on it.

Everything changed, Garner and numerous other Toluca Lake residents said, the summer day when Universal Studios began running the coaster with a full slate of riders. There were screams. They were loud — piercing even double-paned windows. And they were constant.

“Disturbing,” said one resident, Dr. Christopher Zito.

“You think something is happening,” said Patrick Nazari, another resident. “Like someone is getting murdered out there.”

Garner said he stopped in his tracks. “I heard it, and I thought to myself, ‘There are going to be problems with this.’”

Universal’s new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster can be seen (and heard) from Toluca Lake.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Headaches at least, both for the residents of Toluca Lake and for Universal Studios Hollywood in the days before the ride’s opening this summer. For residents, there’s panic as to what, if any, recourse they may have at this late stage, with one man joking he may forever have to blast loud music all day to mask rider screams. For Universal Studios Hollywood, the complaints, first reported on social media and quickly picked up by media outlets, have added a sudden jolt of negative publicity around what was intended to be the North American ride of 2026.

Longtime Toluca Lake residents have had to get used to its high-powered neighbor making changes over the past few decades. Through the last 10 years in particular, Universal Studios Hollywood has accelerated in growth, evolving from a behind-the-movie-magic showcase to a park that’s increasingly ride-centered, each addition bringing with it new worries of disruptions to the community. None, say residents, have been more tone-altering than this one.

Karen Rogers has lived in Toluca Lake for more than 20 years. “It was a never a roller coaster kind of park,” she said. “When a lot of residents moved in, it was about the history of film, and everything was inside the park. This is different because it’s hanging over a neighborhood. It’s just disappointing.”

Rob Cerny remembers the moment he heard the screams. He had just exited the Metro B Line across the street from the studio.

“Every minute you hear this big scream,” he said. “When I got home, my wife was upset. It’s made our backyard unusable. It’s extremely prominent, the noise. I really don’t think this is going to be tenable.”

Around the issue of noise, Universal Studios Hollywood has been proactive with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, devoting a website to just how silent and unobtrusive its groundbreaking coaster would be. Multiple noise mitigation efforts were undertaken — sound walls, scream shields and even pea gravel in the coaster’s tracks.

And those were all welcome, say Garner, Cerny and other residents. All are eager to speak out, but they’re also cautious. They’re aware that some of those who have gone to the press have been attacked on social media, with many a non-Toluca Lake resident appearing unsympathetic to their cause, comparing them to not-in-my-backyard complainers.

Toluca Lake residents are fearful Universal’s Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be constant noise.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

If you live next to a theme park, goes the primary argument, what did you expect?

“That’s a good point,” said Cerny, who has resided next to Universal Studios for 30 years, around the time the park was opening what is now known as Jurassic World: The Ride, but long before additions such as the “Harry Potter” franchise or Nintendo.

“This was not Magic Mountain,” Cerny continued. “I grew up here. It was a studio tour place. Now it’s a major thrill theme park. That’s a different deal.”

And it’s not, he said, background noise, such as the barely audible soundtrack from Wizarding World. “It’s screams,” he said. “Screaming is a disturbing noise. It’s not a lullaby.”

Universal says it’s listening.

“We appreciate hearing from the community, and that feedback is an important part of the process,” reads a statement from Universal Studios Hollywood. “The coaster is currently in its testing and commissioning phase, which is designed to evaluate the attraction over time and under a variety of operating conditions. As part of that process, we are actively reviewing sound levels to ensure the coaster is operating in compliance.”

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has been about a decade in the making. It’s a feat of engineering, situated on a hill between the park’s upper and lower lots, extending out toward Lankershim Boulevard. Universal has its own interest in limiting noise from the ride, beyond being a polite neighbor, as it is still a working studio.

The theme park has made outreach into the neighborhood over the years in an attempt to assuage concerns, be it distributing fliers or attending community meetings. And many a Toluca Lake resident enjoys some theme park perks courtesy of Universal, such as free parking, and invites to pre-opening events at the park. Garner still speaks fondly of getting on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge before the bulk of the public.

“We all went to meetings about it,” Rogers said of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. “Universal says they want to be a good neighbor. They made a big deal about making it the quietest coaster ever. Well, that’s nice, but you can’t put tape over people’s mouths.”

While residents say the screaming is crushingly loud, there’s no indication as of yet the ride violates any county standards. The path for the coaster was cleared with 2013’s Universal Studios Specific Plan. Presented to and approved by the County of Los Angeles, the documents outline studio, theme park and hotel expansion plans, detailing requirements such as as height, noise and more. While nothing in the papers explicitly previewed any potential ride specifics, such as a 72 mph coaster with 360 degree rotating cars, county officials note there was also nothing in the pitch for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift that would violate terms of the plan.

Thus, say county officials, there was no requirement for Universal to hold public hearings to be granted approval to build the coaster. That’s left some residents feeling slighted, saying they were unaware of the attraction until ground was moved.

Universal Studio Hollywood’s Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will reach speeds of 72 mph and take riders on multiple inversions.

(Todd Martens / Los Angeles Times)

It should be noted, however, that before construction began, Universal Studios did place speakers on its old special effects and stunt buildings to see how noise traveled down the hill. And as per the documents, Universal Studios Hollywood must track noise at six designated monitoring sites outside and around the park. At least three are in the heart of Toluca Lake, situated on or near Valley Springs Lane.

Residents are also given a number to call for complaints such as a noise. Zito has been in touch with park technicians near his home, noting they are sitting with microphones and equipment to capture sonic readings. “I always go up to them and say, ‘You’re not here when it’s really noisy,’” he said. Another resident spoke of downloading a smartphone app to track decibel levels throughout the day, intending to document the noise of the coaster screams and report any violations.

Allowable decibel levels in the neighborhood vary depending on the time of day, as well as the type of noise. Operational sound, such as those from an attraction, are classified differently than “impulsive noise,” such as a gunshot from a film production. A scream, said county officials, is considered operational noise, and decibel levels should hover somewhere around 50 dBa during peak hours.

Most decibel charts consider that moderate noise, somewhere between steady rainfall and a dishwasher. Over the years Universal has been required to make alterations to its attractions, such as replacing some live special effects in its “Waterworld” show with prerecorded digital tracks.

The office of county supervisor Kathryn Barger is aware of the complaints of Toluca Lake residents. Her staff has been facilitating a conversation with people at Universal Studios and has found them to be “very willing partners,” said Helen Chavez Garcia, Barger’s communications director. “They are very interested in finding common ground to address the community concerns, while also meeting their bigger objectives of bringing a new attraction to keep their theme park thriving. They’ve been good partners at the table and this is going to be a continued work in progress.”

With the coaster slated to open in the coming days or weeks, residents aren’t optimistic for change or the sudden construction of more noise buffers. Rogers, for instance, said her and husband have begun shopping for water fountains, wondering if installing them in their backyard will mask the screams. Coaster fan Garner, however, said the only recourse may be to find a way to live with — and enjoy — the ride.

“I’m dying to get on it,” he said. “I’m sure it’s going to be something to experience and I’m sure it’s going to be great.”

Then he pauses for a moment. “But I don’t want to have to listen to it all day and into the night.”

FAMILIES were left disappointed as the main attraction at a seaside town was forced to close significantly sooner than expected.

A lengthy farewell message was issued to the community, thanking locals for their support.

Eastbourne beach has said goodbye to the popular Sky Club Wheel following the announcement it was closing for good.

The attraction was only opened to the public in April 2025 and following the announcement of its closure, it was intended to be operational until September 6.

However, the ride’s final day has already passed, July 20, almost seven weeks earlier than intended.

Eastbourne Council has previously confirmed the attraction was closing due to “commercial considerations.”

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A spokesperson for Sky Club Wheel said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Sky Club Eastbourne has now closed permanently.

“We’d like to sincerely apologise to everyone that was hoping to visit us again before the end of the season. Unfortunately, we had to close earlier than expected.

“To everyone who has visited us over the years – thank you. Whether you rode with family, friends, or simply came to enjoy the incredible views, you’ve helped create so many special memories, and we’re honoured to have been a part of them.

“The support we’ve received from local residents, visitors, businesses and our amazing team has meant more than words can say.

“We are incredibly grateful for every ticket purchased, every recommendation and every smile shared with us.

“Although this chapter has come to an end, the memories we’ve made in Eastbourne will stay with us forever.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all your support over the years. We wish the wonderful town of Eastbourne all the very best for the future.”

A NEW attraction is opening in the capital in less than two months and it will feel like you are stepping into a very famous video game.

Arcade Arena London will open in September with immersive gaming experiences including Mario Kart-style racing.

Known as Chaos Karts, visitors will be able to race through futuristic landscapes where they will have to steer around obstacles as well as collect weapons.

It’s more than just racing around a track in a go-kart – the walls and floors will feature an immersive world and teams compete to get the highest score.

In addition to Chaos Karts, there will be two other immersive experiences.

Alien Invasion will be exclusive to the London venue (with the other venue in Manchester).

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In this game, you will join the Cosmic Cadets and head on a mission to save Earth while keeping an eye out for alien druids.

And there will also be Pac Man Live Experience, where visitors play as Pac Man themselves in a giant glowing maze.

As you venture around the maze, you’ll have to collect power pellets and try and escape the ghosts.

Between the different games, players will also be able to grab a bite to eat and a drink in the bar area.

Tickets for each experience cost from £30 per person, or you can do all three experiences from £65 per person.

If you don’t want to wait until September, you could head to their venue in Manchester where Pac Man Live Experience and Chaos Karts cost £27 each, per person – thanks to the Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Or you can get family tickets, where you must purchase at least one adult and one child – costing £21.50 and £18 respectively.

POKÉMON fans better listen up as there is about to be a shedload of attractions across the UK for you.

This summer, National Trust‘s Summer of Play will feature at 142 locations across the UK, with 27 featuring Pokemon Play Zones.

In each Pokémon Play Zone, visitors can take part in Pokémon challenges, as well as Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution (where a Pokémon can become more powerful) trails at 15 locations.

If you have Pokémon Go, there are also specific National Trust Pokéstops and Gyms to find.

At a select number of locations, families will be able to book Pikachu meet and greets too.

At all of the National Trust’s 142 Summer of Play locations, families will be able to pick up a Pokémon x National Trust sticker book too.

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The experiences are all included with your admission and there is no need to pre-book.

At Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, for example, visitors can enter the Pokémon Play Zone, where they will find a straw bale maze arena to practise their training moves before taking on five themed challenges.

Clumber Park will also have football, cricket, sensory play and creative sessions.

Or at Dunham Massey in Cheshire, there are giant deckchairs to chill out on as well as lawn games and circus skills workshops.

You can try out different Mega Evolution Pokémon activities including striking your best Pokémon pose and attempting ‘the floor is lava’.

Other activities that are part of the Summer of Play include bug hunting, den building and team races.

Carl Greenman, the National Trust’s Programming and Production Manager, said: “There’s such a natural fit between Pokémon and Summer of Play — both are about encouraging families to have fun together and explore the world around them.

“By bringing a globally loved brand, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, into the places we care for, we’re helping more families discover them as spaces for play, adventure and shared experiences.”

A HUGE new multi-million-pound attraction is set to transform one of London’s trending destinations.

Stratford Junction will become a major events hub when the development is complete.

Over a decade on from the transformation of Stratford for the 2012 Olympics, another transformation is on the cards.

The proposed development will be called Stratford Junction, and will be on the site of a former coach park, which was used during the Olympics.

It is enclosed, surrounded by railway tracks and now, new designs have been revealed by Hallmark Property Group.

The development has taken inspiration from areas like The Barbican and Spitalfields Market in London.

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If approved, Stratford Junction will have 1,700sqm of new public space, including green areas and a bustling piazza.

It is set to be home to outdoor exhibitions, art trails, and over 100 public art installations.

Some artists involved include Tamp Two, Captain Kris and Tom Blackford.

On the site will be two performance venues that could accommodate as many as 4,300 people.

There will also be 20,000sqm of space for immersive experiences.

With so much going on and so many visitors, there will also be a hotel with as many as 1,600 rooms.

Like most places in London, the site will also be getting taller with three towering skyscrapers set to be built.

These will range between 31 to 47 storeys high.

When it comes to visiting, Stratford Junction will have plenty of transport links thanks to being so close to Stratford and Stratford International Station.

Stratford Junction is still in the development stage, with the public being asked to reveal their opinion in drop-in sessions.