Norwich is a historic city that offers a quieter, yet equally enchanting, winter escape compared to the likes of Bath, London, Oxford, Edinburgh or York
16:20, 04 Nov 2025Updated 16:21, 04 Nov 2025
Norwich’s unique appeal as the only British city located within a national park(Image: Getty)
As the festive season approaches, many Brits’ thoughts turn to staycations in bustling cities like Bath, London, Oxford, Edinburgh or York, all renowned for their Christmas markets and historic charm. But for those seeking a quieter, cosier winter retreat, Norwich is a hidden gem.
The city was even listed among the top UK staycation destinations for 2024 by StressFreeCarRental.com. John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com, said: “As the nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, it’s inevitable that many of us start to feel a little down at this time of year.”
He highlighted Norwich’s unique appeal as the only British city located within a national park.
John explained: “The picturesque Broads National Park has miles and miles of footpaths for visitors to truly feel at one with nature and help to keep active. Norwich is a great city to connect with the outdoors and practice ecotherapy.”
Norwich Cathedral, a medieval architectural marvel, continues to be the city’s main attraction, drawing in countless tourists, reports the Express.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “Norwich Cathedral is a beautiful building, which we had said we would visit. Over the years, we have visited many of the major cathedrals in the UK and some in Europe, but we have never been to our local cathedral. After 75 plus years, that time had come. We had coffee in the very modern cafe, and overall, the afternoon was most enjoyable.”
Another added: “This a brilliant place to go whatever the occasion even if your not religious. Light a candle for a lost loved one, sing a hymn, look at the amazing architecture or pray. There are also family events in the summer holidays to occupy the kids.”
Throughout the festive period, the cathedral hosts Christmas services, concerts and a stunning light display, whilst Norwich’s own ‘Winter Wonderland’ is situated conveniently nearby.
Following a day of sightseeing, popping into one of Norwich’s numerous historic pubs, complete with a crackling fire, provides the ideal way to get cosy.
Whilst it might not feature one enormous Christmas market, Norwich comes alive with a selection of smaller, more personal festive gatherings that showcase local creativity.
Norwich is packed with independent retailers and well-known high street names, providing a range of distinctive gifts, keepsakes, and much more.
The city features a bustling marketplace, multiple Christmas markets, the Norwich Lanes, and thriving shopping centres.
There are also late-night shopping Thursdays in the lead-up to Christmas. The city is buzzing with festive spirit, boasting stunning Christmas lights and seasonal events at historic venues like The Assembly House and The Maids Head Hotel.
Elsewhere in Norwich, there’s a wealth of charming walks and cosy pubs to discover.
Norwich Lanes glisten with festive decorations during the winter months, perfect for a tranquil wander. Embark on a riverside walk from Norwich Rail Station along the River Wensum.
You’ll stumble upon historical treasures including Pull’s Ferry, Cow Tower, and Norwich Cathedral, with chances to nip into traditional pubs like the Compleat Angler and The Red Lion for a drink.
For a walk steeped in history, take on the city’s circular route, which follows the banks of the River Wensum and crosses several ancient bridges.
You’ll spot medieval city walls, the towering castle, and various churches, while Norwich’s oldest pub, The Adam and Eve, conveniently sits along the route.
Many Brits are now looking for a comfortable staycation to take this autumn. The main challenge that many dog owners face when arranging a holiday is considering who will care for their pe. But they needn’t fret any longer if they’re reserving one luxurious collection of cabins
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
12:59, 29 Oct 2025Updated 14:43, 01 Nov 2025
The Nest at The Roost Luxury Cabins(Image: theroostglamping.co.uk)
Plenty of people are currently searching for the ideal spot to enjoy an autumn getaway. The bright summer holidays are behind us and numerous
Brits are now choosing to book a comfortable staycation within the UK instead. The main challenge that many dog owners face when arranging a holiday is considering who will care for their pet. But they needn’t fret any longer if they’re reserving one luxurious collection of cabins situated in The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, which is completely dog-friendly. The Roost Luxury Cabins all feature a private sauna, outdoor bathtub, log burner and fire pit. There’s also all the kitchen kit you’ll require – a kettle, toaster, induction hob, microwave, mini-oven, fridge (with small freezer) and a dishwasher.
Plus pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, washing up liquid, dishcloths, tea towels, cooking condiments, fresh ground coffee plus various teas and fresh milk.
All your bed linen and extra fluffy Egyptian towels are provided too, and there will even be some homemade brownies awaiting you.
Those bringing pets are permitted two small dogs or one medium sized dog.
The venue explains: “We leave a blanket, towel, poo bags, water and food bowel and a treat for each dog.
“If you pooch has got a bit muddy on all those lovely walks, we provide doggy towels and have a dog wash area behind the site office.”
They also provide details on canine-friendly pubs and eateries nearby.
There’s a fee of £30 for one dog (£40 for two dogs) per stay. This must be paid by card to the proprietor before arrival.
Discussing their dog-welcoming approach on their website, The Roost Luxury Cabins state: “Don’t leave your best friend behind! Here at The Roost we love dogs. The cabins are dog friendly with secure garden areas and all your doggy needs are catered for.
“Your pooch will be spoilt with their own handmade truckle bed.”
The establishment shared a video on its TikTok account showcasing the cabins, which rapidly became popular, gathering over 93,000 likes.
A dog was visible outside the lodge as the footage started, before revealing the outdoor bathing facility. The snug sleeping quarters were then displayed, accompanied by glimpses of the charming garden and external sauna.
Text overlay stated: “Call me crazy, but I would choose this with the dog over a fancy hotel.”
One viewer declared: “Oh my God, this looks INSANE!”
Whilst another commented: “Omg love this! Will have to take a look.”
A third remarked: “Looks like my sort of heaven.”
Visitors planning to book should be aware the location requires a minimum 2-night booking and check-in is restricted to Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Rates are generally £499 per two nights but may fluctuate based on the date.
Whilst the establishment welcomes dogs brilliantly, families with children might prefer alternative accommodation as the cabins are exclusively for adults. Guests can select between two distinct cabins – The Nook and The Nest, with further information available on The Roost Luxury Cabins website.
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The accommodation currently boasts a 5-star rating on Tripadvisor, drawing from 112 reviews.
One guest commented: “We have had a really relaxing and enjoyable week in this amazing cabin! Loved the sauna and hot tub and sitting on the swing seat enjoying the peace! A beautiful place in a wonderful location.”
Meanwhile, another visitor remarked: “A perfect place to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. Everything is beautiful and the soak tub and sauna made it super relaxing. We loved explore the local area and will definitely be back.”
What attractions can be found close to the cabins?
Outdoor and nature
Beechenhurst and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail: Explore art installations in a woodland setting.
Go Ape: Enjoy high ropes courses and zip-lines in the trees.
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre: Rent bikes for various woodland trails.
Dean Forest Railway: Ride a steam train through the forest.
Perrygrove Railway: A family attraction with a miniature railway and treehouses.
May Hill: A prominent hill with a distinctive cluster of trees on top, offering great views.
Wye Valley: Explore canoeing, kayaking, and walking opportunities along the river.
History and heritage
Hopewell Colliery: Take an underground tour of this working free mine.
Clearwell Caves: Explore this ancient and unique underground attraction.
Dean Heritage Centre: Learn about the local history of the Forest of Dean.
Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum: Discover the history of the regiment in Gloucester.
Museum of Gloucester: Explore thousands of exhibits on the city’s past.
Jet Age Museum: See aircraft and aviation equipment in Gloucester.
National Waterways Museum: Learn about waterways in Gloucester.
Coleford Great Western Railway Museum: A museum dedicated to the railway.
Other attractions
Gloucester Cathedral: A magnificent cathedral in Gloucester with famous cloisters.
Nature in Art: Explore art exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
Sudeley Castle and Gardens: Visit this historic castle and its extensive gardens.
THE family of a mother found dead in a scalding hot bathtub fear their loved one had been forced to take drugs.
Ana Carolina de Silva was found dead with her partner in a motel bathtub after they had been partying until after midnight following their daughter’s fourth birthday party.
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Ana Carolina de Silva’s family has released a statement, denying their daughter used drugsCredit: newsX
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Parents Ana and Jeferson were found dead in a bathtub after a night outCredit: Newsflash
The pair – who had been found in a tub filled with 50C water – had died from poisoning, causing severe dehydration and heatstroke, leaving their young daughter orphaned.
Both parents had traces of cocaine and very high levels of alcohol in their blood when they died.
Ana’s family said unequivocally she was “not a drug user”, in a statement released to the media.
The family said they had “concerns of possible forced ingestion or poisoning” after the 42-year-old businesswoman was found dead.
“It is with deep indignation that we, the family of Ana Carolina de Silva … repudiate the fake news that has been spread,” the statement opened.
“Although reports indicate the presence of substances in her blood, we affirm with complete certainty that Ana was not a drug user.”
“Given the inconsistencies, we raise serious concerns about possible forced ingestion or poisoning and demand a rigorous, transparent and impartial investigation,” the statement added.
The family said they want to “preserve Ana’s memory and dignity, [and to] ensure that the truth prevails over cruel and unjust speculation”.
“We will not allow her story to be tarnished by unjust assumptions,” the statement said.
“We will continue to seek answers, confident that justice will be served.”
Horror as two teen girls found dead on train roof after ‘subway surfing’
According to the investigation, Ana and her husband, military police officer Jeferson Luiz Sagaz, 37, “[died from] exogenous poisoning”.
Chief medical examiner Andressa Boer Fronza said the deaths were “the process of heatstroke with intense dehydration, thermal collapse, culminating in organ failure and death.”
Investigators say the couple passed out in a bathtub filled with 50C water while a space heater blasted heat into the room.
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Ana’s family said they want to ‘preserve her memory and dignity’Credit: newsX
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The couple had been out celebrating after their daughter’s fourth birthday partyCredit: Newsflash
Toxicology tests revealed very high alcohol levels and traces of cocaine, Globo G1 reported.
As well as the room, officers examined the couple’s car and the motel’s CCTV.
Following the family’s statement, the Civil Police told Brazilian media outlet G1 “it would not be commenting on the investigation”.
Scientific police said “all forensic examinations carried out followed strict scientific protocols and were conducted by official experts and specialised technical teams”, repeating the sentiments of the finalised reports.
In a press conference where details of the investigation were revealed to the public, chief inspector Felipe Simao said the couple “had a busy social life but did not have a drug habit”.
“The big issue raised in the statements we took, talking to people involved in this, is that they did not have the habit of using cocaine,” he said.
The couple had spent the day of their deaths celebrating their daughter’s birthday at a food park, drinking before heading to a night club.
They then checked into the Dallas Motel in São José, Santa Catarina state, just after midnight on August 11.
But Jeferson and Ana Carolina never returned to collect their child the next morning at Jeferson’s sister’s home.
Worried relatives reported them missing, and police later found the pair lifeless in the bathroom.
Police said there was no history of violence.
Ana owned a nail salon and had been with Jeferson for nearly 20 years.
The couple’s daughter, just four years old, is now in the care of relatives after the tragic birthday celebration turned fatal.
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Her family has called for a new and ‘independent’ investigation into her deathCredit: newsX
Ever dreamt of stepping foot inside some of the incredible houses won through the Omaze prize draws? Well, now you can, as a couple of them are available to book
16:14, 18 Sep 2025Updated 16:42, 18 Sep 2025
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You can now stay in an Omaze winner’s house(Image: Sykes Cottages)
Winning one of the stunning Omaze houses in the competition’s monthly prize draws might be a dream for many, but now you can get a taste of what it’s like to live in some of them, as two Omaze mansions are now available for holidaymakers to book via Sykes Cottages.
As, if you’re the lucky Omaze winner, the house is yours to do with as you please, whether that’s live in it, sell it or rent it out, we assume that the winners of these two properties chose to do the latter.
One in the Lake District and one just outside Bath, these two properties allows you to get a taste of how the other half lives, even if just for a week or long weekend. And they’re perfectly properties for a luxury stay with family of friends – and they’re clearly proving popular, as available dates are going fast.
Deer Close has stunning views over the waters(Image: Sykes Cottages)
Deer Close is a modern build on the shores of Conisiton Water in the Lake District that sleeps 10, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, balconies with beautiful views over the lake, and even its own wellness suite.
The next available dates to book are in January, when a three-night stay costs £2,500 – split between 10 people, that’s £83 per person per night.
In completely contrasting style, Batheaston House, a few miles from Bath, looks like something straight out of Bridgerton, a Georgian country pile that retains plenty of period features and considered decor. With six bedrooms and four bathrooms, Batheaston House sleeps 12 people and pets are allowed.
Batheaton House is a grand building(Image: Sykes Cottages)
With beautiful period features(Image: Sykes Cottages)
There aren’t really any bookable dates left at this property in September so you’d need to be looking at October onwards; a three-night stay from 17-20 October is currently discounted from £6,060 to £2,798, working out at, if you fill each bed, around £77 per person per night.
Of course, these are at the grander end of the many holiday cottages that Sykes offers. For something smaller (and cheaper) in the Lake District, we like the look of the historic Courtyard cottage in Cumbria, whereas this four-floor townhouse in Bath gets our vote too (but there’s loads to choose from on the website).
Other sites to browse for similar UK self-catering holiday lets include Holiday Cottages (this Cartmel cottage looks very cute), and Rural Retreats, which has over 900 countryside cottages across the country.
Gavin and Stacey star Sheridan Smith brings Ann Ming’s relentless fight for justice to screens in I Fought The Law. The actress explains why the series was particularly daunting.
I Fought The Law looks back on the murder of Julie Hogg and Ann Ming’s subsequent fight for justice(Image: ITV)
Sheridan Smith portrays Ann Ming, charting her extraordinary fight for justice in ITV‘s newest drama I Fought The Law – but the role was nothing short of daunting.
“It’s what Ann came up against,” Sheridan Smith says, “It was one thing after another. It was relentless. I don’t know the strength it took for Ann to keep fighting. I’m absolutely in awe of her.”
Julie Hogg was 22 years old when she vanished from her Billingham home in November 1989, leaving behind her toddler son Kevin. Her mother, Ann, immediately knew something was wrong.
“I was convinced something had happened to my daughter from day one,” Ann says. But police believed otherwise. “They thought she could have gone to London to start a new life,” Ann says, “It really was frustrating.”
Three months later, Ann’s maternal instincts were tragically vindicated. She discovered Julie’s body herself, hidden under the bath at her home.
The investigation soon identified a suspect: William “Billy” Dunlop. He stood trial for Julie’s murder twice, but juries failed to convict on both occasions.
Then, while serving a prison sentence for unrelated violent offences, Dunlop confessed to Julie’s killing. But there was a twist: under the centuries-old double jeopardy rule, he couldn’t be tried again for the same crime.
But for Ann, giving up wasn’t an option. She petitioned politicians for more than a decade, lobbied the media and refused to let Julie’s case fade from memory with unwavering support of her husband Charlie, played by Daniel York Loh in the crime drama.
This relentless fight – both devastatingly personal and profoundly public – is the backbone of I Fought The Law. For Sheridan Smith, stepping into Ann’s shoes was a privilege and an emotional burden.
“I can only imagine and think if it was my child, but it was emotionally taxing,” she says. “It was just nine weeks and by the end of it, I was a shaking mess.”
Sheridan Smith plays Ann Ming in I Fought the Law – her most daunting role yet(Image: ITV)
The actress fully immersed herself in Ann’s world, devouring documentaries about the case and Ann’s book. Sheridan says: “I get mad at myself if I don’t feel the actual pain and trauma. I wanted to make Ann proud and get her story justice.”
Ann was also present as a consultant on the set, while filming took place in North East England. “She was a huge support and very crucial to the production the whole way through,” series director Erik Richter Strand says. “Sheridan is in every scene. She doesn’t get many breaks. We had to make that set safe, practical and comfortable for Sheridan.”
The transformation was physical as well as emotional. Sheridan swapped her trademark brunette for Ann’s blonde locks. But she dreaded one scene above all: the bathroom scene, where Ann finds Julie’s body. “I knew I had that coming, I wanted to get that scene out, it was a bit scary,” she says. “I knew it’d be torturous.”
“It was my first role as a mum,” she says. “It’s your worst fear, isn’t it? No one should have to go through that. I was emotionally attached to the whole thing.”
There was another, more personal note to Sheridan’s role. “When I did Mrs Biggs, I tried to think of my mum who lost her son, my brother,” she says.
“This time, there was a different layer. Just thinking how I would have felt in that moment, if it was my little one. This was much more powerful, that’s probably why it was a bit difficult.”
The British Pullman Belmond Train journey, which departs from London Victoria, allows guests to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day and be transported back to the 1920s through its art deco carriages
Alexandra Bullard and Liam Ryder Digital Production Editor
19:59, 25 Aug 2025Updated 19:59, 25 Aug 2025
A Belmond British Pullman train (Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)
One American traveller has given her verdict of a luxury steam train trip to Bath, however there was one thing about the experience that had her online following stunned – the price of it.
Influencer Eryn Krouse took a trip on a British steam train adventure via the Belmond British Pullman service. The luxury vintage train carries passengers all over the country, including on a special day trip to ‘Historic Bath’. However, her fans have been left slack-jawed at the cost of a trip aboard the historic train.
The British Pullman is so fancy, it requires its own dress code that passengers must adhere to while enjoying four-course meals and bottomless brunches.
The train doesn’t just carry travellers to their destination, but whisks them back through the decades. This magnificent train provides sumptuous journeys throughout the nation, including visits to grand historical properties like Highclere Castle and Burghley House.
Excursions depart from London Victoria and sweep guests through Britain’s glorious countryside, showcasing varied terrain and breathtaking panoramas.
The compartments are absolutely remarkable, with travellers relishing every element, especially the Cygnus, designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson. Food lovers are treated to a feast as every train package features mouth-watering cuisine, from a five-course meal accompanied by champagne to delicate pastries and fragrant teas.
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Passengers must follow a rigorous dress code, and can participate in various special activities on the train including a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea or a Murder Mystery Lunch. The service also ventures to the West Country on a distinctive ‘Historic Bath’ expedition, which is where one social media star travelled on the 1920s-style locomotive.
Content creator Eryn Krouse, originally from Southern California, filmed her journey on the British Pullman during a day trip to Bath. The social media personality revealed the excursion had “been on my bucket list for a while”.
Eryn and her friend were treated to a “beautifully set up” table and a brunch that kicked off with a Bellini, which she said was “kept full” by the attentive staff. The journey to Bath offered stunning views of “lots of lush, green countryside with beautiful flowers, quaint farmhouses and tons of cows and sheep”.
After savouring a “yummy” main course of smoked Scottish salmon with caviar, an English muffin and a poached egg, she took time to explore the cabin cars – including the one designed by Wes Anderson. Eryn noted that “even the bathroom is stunning” before she and her friend ventured out to explore Bath.
They had around two-and-a-half hours to wander around the city, visiting the Roman Bath Museum and Jane Austen Museum before returning to London. Once back on the train, she found her table prepared for an early dinner service featuring a lavish four-course meal.
She shared: “Our four-course meal started off with yet another champagne toast and a bottle of rose. This fried haddock ball was probably the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.
“The bread was warm and fresh and I definitely helped myself to seconds. The main course was this lamb, beautifully presented. I’m not the biggest fan of lamb, but I enjoyed it anyway.
“Then a cheese selection followed by a rhubarb pie was served and we got back to London full and very sleepy. It was an incredible experience and worth every penny.”
However, social media users were left gobsmacked by the hefty price tag of £620 per passenger. One user gasped: “Gosh that’s super expensive!”
Not all trips come with such a steep price, with a solo table starting at £560 for a trip to Bath in April 2026.
The thrilling murder mystery lunch begins at £485, while some journeys can rocket up to a staggering £1,280 per passenger for a private compartment for two.
A “MASTER MANIPULATOR” has been convicted of murdering his fiancée after her body was found in an overflowing bath.
Clifford Cowen, 59, told a 999 dispatcher he had concerns for 70-year-old partner Rita Fleming – claiming he’d spotted her feet sticking out the end of her bed after peering through the letterbox.
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Rita Fleming was found drowned in her overflowing bathCredit: Central News
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Clifford Cowen is due to be sentenced next monthCredit: Unpixs
However, when cops arrived at the property in Golborne Road in Kensal Town, west London, on June 23 last year they found her fully clothed in a nightdress in the bath, having suffered multiple injuries.
Officers at the scene became suspicious of Cowen as he repeatedly told them to check CCTV to prove he hadn’t been at Rita’s address – and he was arrested.
In interview, Cowen tried to claim that he was in a loving relationship with Rita, however officers found multiple messages and voice notes indicating that he would regularly get drunk and verbally abuse her.
He was charged with murder on July 5 2024 and following a four-week trial at the Old Bailey he was found guilty on Thursday.
The killer will appear at Kingston Crown Court on September 1 for sentencing.
DCI Alison Foxwell said: “As our investigation into Rita’s death developed, it became clear that Clifford Cowen was a controlling and abusive partner.
“Clifford called 999 that day and attempted to make Rita’s death look like an accident, as though she had drowned in the bath.
“Thanks to the information given by key witnesses and the work of our Specialist Crime Team, we have been able to show the court what a cowardly individual Cowen is.
“Cowen is a master manipulator who tried to portray his relationship with Rita as a loving one.
“He attempted to cover up his actions with an elaborate alibi, however officers were able to unpick this along with evidence of his controlling and manipulative behaviour.
“Rita was much loved by her family and friends and I hope that Cowen’s conviction gives them an element of closure.
“We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel.
“We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies.”
Aug. 8 (UPI) — Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, beloved home goods store Bed Bath & Beyond opened its first new store in Nashville Friday with a new name.
“We’re proud to reintroduce one of retail’s most iconic names with the launch of Bed Bath & Beyond Home, beautifully reimagined for how families gather at home today,” said Amy Sullivan, CEO of parent company Brand Collective, in a news release.
“With Bed Bath & Beyond Home we’re delivering on our mission to offer great brands, for any budget, in every room. It’s a powerful addition to our portfolio and a meaningful step forward in our transformation.”
If shoppers have kept their old Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, they can use them in the new store.
“We encourage guests to bring in their legacy Bed Bath & Beyond coupons which we will gladly honor,” the company said in a news release. “The coupon we all know and love is back and for those who need one, a fresh version will be waiting at the door.”
When the company went bankrupt in 2023, it struggled to find a buyer and liquidated. It sold off the business in parts. Overstock.com bought the intellectual property and rebranded itself as Beyond Inc. It launched an online-only Bed Bath & Beyond.
Beyond bought an ownership stake in Kirkland’s, a home decor chain, and licensed it to develop and create Bed Bath & Beyond Home stores and Buy Buy Baby stores. Kirkland’s became the Brand House Collective and will convert some Kirkland’s stores to Bed Bath & Beyond stores.
Not all Bed Bath & Beyond products were available on the online store. In 2024, the brand secured a partnership with The Container Store to sell its goods. Beyond Inc. also committed to a $40 million investment in The Container Store, The Tennessean reported.
The Nashville opening is one of six planned for the market. Beyond said if the stores do well, it intends to convert 75 stores in 2026.
It helped seal Bath’s first league title since 1996 and their third trophy of the season, having won the Premiership Rugby Cup and Challenge Cup.
Scotland international Russell was influential in the victory, kicking 13 points and intercepting Handre Pollard’s pass to race towards the line before flinging the ball inside for Ojomoh to finish under the posts in the 50th minute at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Asked why he gave that pass rather than scoring himself, Russell told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He’s a kid from Bath that grew up watching his dad [Steve] lifting this trophy. Giving him a little bit of limelight in the final was nice.”
Ojomoh, 24, joined Bath Rugby when he was six years old before moving to Chippenham RFC aged nine. He then joined the Bath Rugby Academy at 14, with his senior debut coming in 2019.
His father Steve, 58, won 10 trophies with Bath in the 1990s, including five league titles, before joining Gloucester in 1998.
He won 12 England caps and played four times at the 1995 World Cup.
It was Russell’s first league title since the Pro 12 success with Glasgow Warriors in 2015, with the 32-year-old joining Bath in 2023.
“It’s not sunk in yet,” Russell added.
“Winning the Challenge Cup was brilliant but at the start of the year the goal was to win the Premiership. It’s 10 years since I won it at Glasgow in my second season there, and now I’ve won it here in my second season.”
Spencer joined Bath in 2020 after nine years with Saracens where he won seven major trophies – including four Premiership titles – through the London club’s era of dominance.
The 32-year-old was made captain in 2022-23 as head of rugby Johann van Graan’s tenure at Bath began, just months after the club had finished bottom of the league the season before.
“The amount of hard work this has taken to turn the ship around… we were bottom three years ago,” added Spencer.
“I can’t credit [Van Graan] enough, he’s been absolutely brilliant. If we [understand] there’s always an opportunity to get better then I’m really excited for the next couple of years.”
Bath narrowly lost to Northampton in the Twickenham showpiece last June but were overwhelming favourites this time around.
They ended the regular league campaign 11 points clear at the top of the table and wrapped up top spot and a home semi-final in the play-offs with three rounds of games still to play.
Scrum-half Spencer said he mainly felt “relief” at the final whistle because of the prolonged build-up.
“To get the mindset right when you qualify early as we did is quite tough,” he said.
“I played that semi-final in my head hundreds of times. Day in, day out it was, ‘who are we going to get?’ It’s a hard place to be mentally.
“It’s relief for me, the players, staff and fans.”
Blake Robert has arrived in the UK with no money in his wallet and a unique challenge – and he has been documenting his experience on his social media channel for all to enjoy
He’s only made £5 profit so far (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
An American has flown to the UK for a unique challenge – and he literally cannot return home until it’s completed. Blake Robert, who is known on social media as @theblakerobert, landed in the UK with just a suitcase and his guitar.
Without a penny in his pocket, he aims to earn enough money busking on the streets of the UK to not only support himself while he’s in the country but to also fund his plane ticket home. He has been documenting his challenge on his TikTok channel, sharing exactly how much money he made in Bath on day three of his challenge.
In his video, he said: “I flew to the UK with no money and now I’ll have to survive off the money I make playing my guitar.”
After attending an open-mic night in Bath, he met up with a group of buskers to decide when and where he can play his music in the town centre.
He says the meet every morning to determine who get what spot to give each artist an opportunity to show off their talents while earning money for their performances.
The meeting concluded with him playing in three locations around that – with the first being right outside Bath Abbey.
At this location, he made £24, $5 (£3.70) and was also gifted a punnet of green grapes.
Just 15 minutes later, he was on to his next location slightly around the corner in Abbey Churchyard.
He says he only made £1 because it started to rain during his second set as everyone dodged the downpour in nearby shops, cafes and restaurants.
Finally, set up on Stall Street, he made £18 and pulled in a small crowd who supported his music with praise and a dance.
Hungry and tried, he ended up spending £15.25 on a steak and ale pie before booking himself into a £22 hotel, leaving him with only a £5.75 profit for the day providing he didn’t buy anything else and excluding his $5.
Commenting on his video, one user said: “Very bold move coming to the UK with no money but basically I’m really enjoying the content so keep it coming.”
Another user added: “If you are trying to save money there are much cheaper places you could go – Greggs, Weatherspoon’s, a local café. Pubs are pricey unless they are Weatherspoon’s. What other cities are you going to?”
A third user said: “I’m so invested in your journey! Bath is very expensive though!”
One more user added: “You are very near Bristol, you should go there!”
This Andalusian village is considered a “mini-Britain”. But while Brits have long lived in harmony with locals in the area, the country’s housing crisis is taking a toll
Albanchez de Magina (Albanchez) is a semi-desert town that is part of the Sierra Magina Natural Park(Image: Getty Images)
The Brits that settle in this area have been lauded for their contributions to the local economy but their high purchasing power has been the source of some friction. The small mountain village of Albanchez has been home to couples like Clare Shirley and her husband for over two decades, as reported by The Express. The couple told the publication they had “no problems with integration” when they arrived in the region.
Shirley and her husband are among the more than 92,000 Britons that moved to Andalusia, turning the region into a “mini Britain” which houses more Brits than Bath and Chester. Andalusia in southern Spain has long been a holiday hotspot for Brits, with popular destinations including Seville, Malaga, and the resort haven of the Costa del Sol.
Albanchez is known for its white-washed houses(Image: Getty Images)
Albanchez sits in the south of the province, between olive groves and gentle hills. The village belongs to the Sierra Magina Natural Park, known for its scenic and diverse landscapes.
Albanchez is a semi-desert town, a landscape that will look familiar to anyone that’s seen Clint Eastwood’s famous western The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (which was filmed not too far away).
The quiet town is immediately identifiable by its white-washed houses, which stand out in the shade of the surrounding hills. It is also home to a few key architectural landmarks, including the Albanchez de Magina Castle which stands above the town on the first crag in Sierra de los Castillejos Mountains.
Albanchez is home to a 14th century castle(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century and was declared a site of Cultural Interest in 1985. Another architectural gem is the Torre del Reloj: the 19th-century square tower in the village that was built in 1883. The nearby Canava Pine Wood – comprising Aleppo pines – also adds to the picturesque and tranquil atmosphere that has drawn so many UK citizens to settle in the area.
While Brits like Shirley have enjoyed a relatively peaceful life in Albanchez and been embraced by locals, Andalusians are not immune from the country’s housing crisis. The issue of rising housing costs – due in part to foreigners relocating to Spain – has been a growing sore spot.
‘Total ban’ of property sales to non-Spanish residents
This past April, mass demonstrations overtook 42 cities across Spain as protestors sought to spotlight the housing shortage and soaring rental prices. Following the protests, the Malaga City Council reportedly cancelled plans to build 1,300 tourist homes in the city.
The new Malaga city strategy will reportedly veer away from property sales to non-Spaniards, considering a “total ban” altogether. Malaga City Council has already worked to curb the construction and acquisition of tourist housing after growing animosity from locals in recent years.
But after the most recent protest and the projected plans for a summer of tourist disruption, Malaga’s mayor Francisco de la Torre said “a global moratorium” is under consideration.
Cokanasiga will start on the wing against French Top 14 side Lyon on Friday night (20:00 BST) as Premiership leaders Bath look to clinch their second trophy of the season in the European Challenge Cup final, having also been part of the squad that won the Premiership Rugby Cup in February.
He scored a scintillating try last weekend as they thrashed Leicester 43-15 in the league, running from deep in his own half after Max Ojomoh’s interception.
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said Cokanasiga has become a “more rounded player” during his tenure at the club.
“He’s by far the biggest winger that I’ve coached but Joe’s got this amazing ability to finish tries, he’s got this hunger to get better,” he said.
“We’ve ID’d certain bits of his game he needs to get better and he’s become a much more all-round player.”
Cokanasiga agreed his consistency across the pitch has come with the more experienced he has become.
“As I’ve gotten older my priorities have changed of how I need to perform in the game,” he said.
“Then we’ve got people like [Bath attack coach] Lee Blackett that has a different view of the game than I do and that’s helped me improve massively.
“Johann’s someone I can go and speak to about anything and let everything out, he can be honest with me, I can be honest with him, same with Lee and JP [Ferreira, defence coach].
“They give you a lot of confidence and that’s massive in players.”
Before our appointment at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, a peaceful retreat off the Bodega Highway in West Sonoma county, a friend and I popped into a nearby gift shop. We told the owner that we were destined to try Osmosis’ storied treatment — a so-called “cedar enzyme bath” — and her eyes widened with excitement.
“You’ll feel like you’re a plant being composted,” she said, adding that the spa’s recycled bath materials lined the path of a neighboring garden.
When we were eventually led into Osmosis’ tidy changing rooms to disrobe, I smelled what she meant before I saw it. A dank, earthy odor hung in the air, as if mounds of fresh pencil shavings had been scattered over a newly excavated farm plot.
FREESTONE, CA — MARCH 29, 2025: A Koi pond at Kyoto-style Meditation Garden. Wellness Editor Alyssa Bereznak in an enzyme cedar bath at the Osmosis Day Spa in Freestone, California on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Andri Tambunan / For The Times)
It’s the signature scent of a spa whose marquee treatment involves being blanketed up to your neck in a box of steaming compost. Known in Japan as an ion bath, it combines many spa treatments in one: a heated, weighted feeling to relax and soothe the body and a calming aromatherapy to pique the senses. Much like the mud baths of Calistoga, the experience is just as much about a novel brush with natural elements as it is an opportunity for release.
“I like to say that what’s going on in there is a fundamental impulse in biology,” Osmosis owner Michael Stusser said. “All these microorganisms get a chance to talk to each other. They all have infinite wisdom. They all communicate. So there’s this energy going on. There’s a whole flow.”
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Stusser estimates that Osmosis has slung compost onto half a million guests in its 40 years of business. For much of that time, it was the only place in North America where you could consistently book a cedar enzyme bath, currently priced at $155 a person or $127.50 per person for a shared two-person vat. (In May 2023, Tahoe Forest Baths opened in Lake Tahoe and began offering them in partnership with the Japanese company Ohtaka Enzyme Co. Though Santa Monica’s Willow Spa once gave cedar enzyme baths, it has discontinued that service.) Now the creekside 5-acre spa is expanding its offerings, which include sound therapy sessions in zero-gravity loungers, meditation workshops and all-day retreats.
Healdsburg resident Simone Wilson and Wellness Editor Alyssa Bereznak in an enzyme cedar bath at Osmosis Day Spa. The warm, fragrant treatment originated in Japan.
(Andri Tambunan / For The Times)
The smell that permeates Osmosis’ halls is the byproduct of a very intentional process, said Stusser. The enzyme bath concoction is a mix of fragrant Douglas fir and Port Orford cedar (a tree that the native Karok people of northwest California once used to construct sweat lodges) and rice bran, which activates the composting process.
“There’s literally billions of organisms in there feeding on nitrogen and generating heat with their bodies, breaking down carbon,” Stusser said. “That’s what they do.”
The spa’s staff is responsible for keeping the mixture from becoming hygienically dubious both by replacing it and churning it multiple times a day, thus ensuring there’s enough oxygen to keep that activity moving. We observed the process before our personal meeting with the mulch. Our spa attendant for the day, Samundra Sutcliffe, lodged a large pitchfork into the vat shavings and turned it over on top of itself as steam emanated from the pile.
Attendant Samundra Sutcliffe churns the cedar enzyme shavings at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.
(Andri Tambunan / For The Times)
“If it doesn’t get fluffed enough, the material starts to compact and it starts to break down, what’s called anaerobically, which is without oxygen,” said the spa’s general manager, Heather Bishop. “Sometimes we’ll end up with less appealing smells.”
Stusser, 78, has a deep education in biodynamic gardening. He studied Agroecology at University of Santa Cruz under organic gardening and farming pioneer Alan Chadwick, who founded the school’s “French-intensive” garden in 1967. (Stusser went on to film a 1971 documentary, “The Garden,” about the project.) As Stusser got more into the bio-intensive gardening scene, he became enamored with compost.
“I saw the alchemical power of compost to transform not only the soil, but everything that was put into it,” he said. “And I had a secret wish that I never was willing to admit to anyone, which was to be buried in a compost pile.”
Osmosis serves a special enzyme-infused tea before guiding guests to its signature cedar enzyme bath.
(Andri Tambunan / For The Times)
After living on and tending to the land at the Farallones Institute Rural Center (now the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center in Sonoma County), Stusser traveled to Japan in 1981 to become a landscape gardening apprentice. The program, a seven-days-a-week dawn-til-dusk grind, proved to be far too intense, so he quit and went to live in a Zen temple in Obama-shi. There Stusser developed a serious case of sciatica and went on a quest to heal himself. He ended up on the island of Kyushu, where he stumbled upon an enzyme bath center where people of different ages and ailments had come to heal.
“As soon as I saw what was happening, I realized this is actually the same dynamic that exists in compost,” Stusser said. “I said, I’m going to finally get my wish.”
A farmer in southwestern Hokkaido named Noboru Ohtaka came up with the idea for a so-called “ion bath” after stepping on a sawdust enzyme fertilizer he’d developed and noticing it felt pleasant. His company, Ohtaka Enzyme Co. opened its first ion house in Sapporo City in 1964, said company President Seiichi Imai. Seven years later, when the city hosted the Winter Olympics, organizers built enzyme baths for athletes to use in the Olympic village.
“As the facility was continuously featured in newspapers and on television, the concept of the enzyme bath spread across Japan,” Imai shared in an email.
The enzyme bath Stusser tried was consistent with the original practice. It involved undergoing the treatment two times a day for a week, during which he fasted save for an enzyme drink, and received ashiatsu massages (in which a practitioner walks on your back). He said the treatment resolved his sciatica. He also had a spiritual experience.
“I was in the enzyme bath and as part of that experience, like in a millisecond of this vast experience, I saw the whole creation of Osmosis unfold before my mind’s eye in an instant, crystal clear, undeniable, and I knew it was my calling to do this,” he said.
He returned to the U.S. and got to work. On May 21, 1985, he opened Osmosis. At first, he said, it was hard to persuade people to live out the same wish of being composted that he’d held for so many years.
“I could barely give it away in the beginning,” he said. “But once they did it and discovered how much better it made them feel, we have had a lot of people coming for decades.”
As my friend and I sat robe-clad in a tea room staring out at a glass door that opened to a private Zen garden and sipping a hot enzyme herbal tonic with yarrow, red clover and peppermint, I contemplated my imminent encounter with the compost. I’m an avid gardener who has dusted my plants with compost and brewed her own kombucha. But even I felt a trickle of hesitation at being smothered in a bacteria-laden mulch.
Before I could give it a second thought, our attendant, Samundra, led us into a separate room with what looked like an adult sandbox. Two human-sized seats had been carved into the enzyme cedar mix to ensure we had sufficient support as we gazed out onto another private zen garden. We were left alone briefly to settle in and cover ourselves in the mix. When she reentered, she began shoveling it on to both of us until only our heads were visible.
“If you do get too hot, you can always pull out your arms, and I’ll just be coming out to check on you,” she said.
Up close and personal, the musk of the odor dissipated, and I breathed in the grounding spice of the cedar and the energizing citrus notes of the Douglas fir. It felt as though my body was wrapped in a hot compress. I tend to overheat easily in jacuzzis and hot springs but the enzyme bath felt breathable. (I later learned that this is because wood has a lower thermal conductivity than water, and the cedar enzyme mix allows for more aeration.)
As my friend and I began to sweat, Samundra arrived with cold compresses and draped them across our necks. With our arms still buried under the compost, she brought ice-cold waters with straws up to our mouths so we could hydrate — a truly luxurious part of the service.
The allotted 20 minutes went quickly. And when our time was up, she dug us out enough for us to break free. We used special grated mittens to wipe the mixture off of our bodies in the private zen garden, then rinsed off in the shower. My body was warmed from within, my typically tight-and-achy lower back and shoulders, slack and painless. After a trip to a spa I can sometimes feel like I’m on the verge of a nap, but in this case I felt invigorated and present, ready to tour the gardens that awaited outside.
When I later relayed my journey of skepticism to convert to Stusser, he said it was a common one.
“You can’t really explain it to somebody until you’ve done it,” Stusser said. “A lot of people will be very inquisitive on the phone. They go, ‘Well, can you tell me something more about what is it really doing?’ Then they get here and they look at it, and they’re not even sure they want to go in. And then they get in and get a big smile. ‘Oh, this is what it is like.’”
It was true. I had been composted like a plant — and I liked it.
Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will become the first female to take charge of a European Professional Club Rugby final when she officiates Bath v Lyon in the Challenge Cup final at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on 23 May.
Davidson has been part of on-pitch officiating teams in the past two Six Nations championships and the 2024 Rugby Championship.
She will also be the first Scot to referee an EPCR final since Jim Fleming in 1998, which Bath won against Brive in Bordeaux.
And in July, Davidson will take charge of South Africa v Italy in Pretoria.
“European rugby is the pinnacle of the professional game, and to be named as the Challenge Cup final referee is something that I never thought was possible when I was starting out,” Davidson told Scottish Rugby.
“It has been a long time since a Scot has done a final, so I am just absolutely over the moon to be named as the referee for such a big game.”
