For my final day, I wanted to do something I’d never done before: swim straight out to sea. When I do open water swimming, I swim parallel to shore. This would be different. No markers. No sight line. Just the horizon. The currents. The waves. On top of this, we would be swimming from Bolinas, a quaint fishing town that is famously hostile to visitors and removes its signs to keep them out. This is where the Bolinas Lagoon opens out to the open ocean. Seals gather here, and the sharks supposedly come here to feast on the seals. I didn’t know if this was just a rumor to keep out-of-town surfers away, but the Farallon Islands just 20 miles south of Point Reyes are the winter playground for some of the world’s largest great white sharks. For this endeavor I enlisted the help of my friend, Greg, a local.
We wore wetsuits. He gave me a cozy neoprene hat to wear over my cap and goggles to keep my head warm. He also provided me with a special anti-shark amulet that I wore on my wrist like a watch. Developed in Australia, these wrist magnets repel the sharks, he said, and “feel like a punch in the nose” to the sharks if they get too close. Sounded good to me!
Swimming with the birds made me feel like I, too, was a wild creature — another element in the web of life rather than the apex predator detached from the natural world that I usually am in my everyday urban existence.
The day dawned foggy, but the low blanket of mist that hugged the land the day before had lifted. I was terrified of swimming straight out and losing sight of land. Greg assured me that even in dense fog you know where land is by sensing the direction of the waves. That may be true, but I wasn’t ready to swim by the feel of the currents yet. Greg also wore tiny flippers that looked like duck feet and a neon bubble attached to his waist to carry our valuables and make us visible to boats. We agreed to swim out 15 minutes.
The waves were big. The surfers were already out at a local spot known as the “patch.” We dove through the waves, swimming hard between. The water visibility was nil — just a blur of yellow, brown and eventually black. We wouldn’t be able to see a seal or shark if it swam right beneath us. I didn’t like the feeling.
But my friend was beside me. Finally my shallow, panicked breath slowed, my stroke evened out and I settled in. Out past the waveline we stopped. The early-morning sea was glassy and smooth. It felt viscous, velvety and otherworldly. Pelicans and terns swooped and dove around us. Surprisingly, once we swam out, I could see the land encircled us with long arms. Stinson Beach stretched out to the right, Bolinas to the left. We would not lose our way. We swam farther out. Every few strokes we stopped to take in the view. We were just specks in the ocean, as tiny as a velella or an anchovy, part of a big, watery world.
Out here my perspective changed. I realized we could swim forever and still see the shore. We lay on our backs and let the swells gently lift us, then fall. The words of my father, a second-generation submariner, often recited when I was a child, drifted through my head: “Rocked in the cradle of the deep, I lay me down in peace to sleep.” We swam to where the glassiness ended and the wind rippled the surface, 14 minutes out.
The magic of the open water experience was better shared. No GoPro or camera can capture the vastness of the ocean for someone back on shore. Or what it feels like to ride the slow heaving of the ocean, pulsing like the heartbeat of the world. We came ashore in a big set, swimming frantically in, then turning to face the waves so we didn’t get wiped out. We swam until our feet touched the sandy bottom and crawled out happy but exhausted.
My body carried the rocking of the ocean for the rest of the day. I could close my eyes and be back there, gently rising and falling under the low, gray sky. I held onto that feeling as long as I could.
My friend promised me that by next year, he would have more bodies of water and more secret swims. Already he had come up with new watering holes I never knew existed. But for me, the quest had been a success. Being in water every day helped me regain my equilibrium. Surfers say the ions in salt water make you happy. I don’t know if it’s true, but I’m 60% water and I felt I had moistened my dry skin, lightened the pull of gravity on my aging body and shed some of the heaviness of the first six months of the year.
When I first went to my therapist many years ago, she told me the story of the selkies. At the time I was feeling overwhelmed with work, marriage and motherhood. Much of our work has been my journey back to myself. After my vacation, I told her of my adventure. She said, “You were able to put your pelt back on. You’re spending more time in your seal suit.” Yes. On land and in the water. I am. Sometimes the metaphor is the medicine.
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide if licensed guns owners have a right to carry their weapons at public places, including parks, beaches and stores.
At issue are laws in California, Hawaii and three other states that generally prohibit carrying guns on private or public property.
Three years ago, Supreme Court ruled that law-abiding gun owners had a 2nd Amendment right to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon when they leave home.
But the justices left open the question of whether states and cities could prohibit the carrying of guns in “sensitive locations,” and if so, where.
In response, California enacted a strict law that forbids gun owners from carrying their firearm in most public or private places that are open to the public unless the owner posted a sign permitting such weapons.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down that provision last year as going too far, but it upheld most of a Hawaii law that restricted the carrying of guns at public places and most private businesses that are open to the public.
Gun-rights advocates appealed to the Supreme Court and urged the justices to rule that such restrictions on carrying concealed weapons violate the 2nd Amendment.
The court agreed to hear the case early next year.
Trump administration lawyers urged the justices to strike down the Hawaii law.
It “functions as a near-complete ban on public carry. A person carrying a handgun for self-defense commits a crime by entering a mall, a gas station, a convenience store, a supermarket, a restaurant, a coffee shop, or even a parking lot,” said Solicitor General D. John Sauer.
Gun-control advocates said Hawaii had enacted a “common sense law that prohibits carrying firearms on others’ private property open to the public.”
“The 9th Circuit was absolutely right to say it’s constitutional to prohibit guns on private property unless the owner says they want guns there,” said Janet Carter, managing director of Second Amendment Litigation, at Everytown Law. “This law respects people’s right to be safe on their own property, and we urge the Supreme Court to uphold it.”
Ladram Bay, which is part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and sits on the Jurassic Coast, is made up of dramatic red rocks. Sadly, not everyone can visit
Ladram Bay is known for its dramatic red rock formations (Image: Getty Images)
A secluded cove with dramatic red rocks sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — but not everyone can visit.
Unlike in Mediterranean countries such as Italy, where the vast majority of beaches are privately run and dominated by expensive-to-hire sunloungers, most of the UK coast is open to the public and completely free.
There are, however, a few exceptions — one of which is Ladram Bay, which is part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The South West Coast Path runs directly through the resort, along the Jurassic Coast.
Like the rest of the coastline — known for its dramatic rock formations and fossil-rich terrain — Ladram Bay is a striking spot. The beach itself is guarded at each end by massive red sandstone stacks, offering protection from the sea.
The red cliffs are formed of Otter Sandstone and Mudstone, dating back to the Triassic period, around 230 million years ago. They are part of the 95-mile-long stretch of Jurassic coastline running across Dorset and East Devon.
It’s a popular fishing spot too, either from the shore or from one of the hire boats. At the far end of the beach, there are teeming rock pools to investigate. As charming as this all sounds, a visit to the bay may not be as easy as you’d expect.
The beach is owned by Ladram Bay Holiday Park, and everyone who isn’t staying at the venue is banned from accessing its pebbles. How the beach came to be in the park’s hands is explained on Ladram’s website:
“Back in the 1940s, our park was tenanted farmland that was worked by Frank William Sydenham Carter, or FWS for short. During the summer, he would occasionally let campers pitch up in a field that overlooked the bay, providing fresh milk and eggs as well. Pretty soon, FWS realised that his land could provide extra income in the lean post-World War II years, and so he began to develop a proper campsite.
“With the help of his wife, FWS grew Ladram Bay to incorporate static caravans and a shop. Come the late 1950s, the park was becoming so popular that the workload was overwhelming. To make Ladram Bay a park to be proud of, a manager and extra staff were hired. FWS carried on leading the park until his retirement in 2006, by which time we had become one of the largest privately owned holiday parks in the country.
“With FWS’s son and daughter, Robin and Zoe, now guiding the park, we are more successful than ever, with hundreds of owners and thousands of guests visiting Ladram Bay each year.”
The Mirror’s Johnny Goldsmith visited the holiday park was his family earlier this year and enjoyed having access to the spectacular beach. “The beach was just a few minutes’ walk from our sea-view caravan. Each morning we woke to wonderful views, with our own private decked area – the perfect spot to sit, soak it all in and really unwind,” he wrote.
“On our final morning the weather was clear enough to venture down to the beach once again, and on the way we stopped at the shop and bought an ice cream. Within seconds, a marauding seagull swooped down and tried to snatch one of the kids’ cones. The shop staff advised us to stay under the covered seated area to eat them as the greedy gulls are notorious for trying to steal holidaymakers’ food.
“Ice creams finished, we strode back on to the beach still laughing about our seagull encounter and talking about all the fun we’d managed to fit in over our four days. What a Jurassic lark!”
A HUGE search operation has tragically recovered the body of an 80-year-old man from a popular UK beach.
Police, Coastguard, Lifeboat crews, and South West Ambulance Service responded to Sidmouth beach in Devon yesterday after a person was spotted on the rocks.
A lifeboat was sent to the rocky shore near Jacobs Ladder to save the person and bring them back to the beach.
Sadly, the man was pronounced dead after being recovered by emergency crews.
His family have been informed of the tragedy.
The beach was closed off while emergency services raced to save the man from the rocks.
In a statement, Exmouth Police said: “This morning officers from Exmouth patrol and Rural East Devon patrol supported Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Search & Rescue Teams, Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat, the Coastguard helicopter and South West Ambulance Service, attended an incident at Big Picket Rock under High Peak between Ladram Bay and Jacobs Ladder beach at Sidmouth.
“A person was recovered by Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat’s ‘Speedy Sid’ inshore lifeboat, and was conveyed to Sidmouth beach but unfortunately had passed away.
“The family have been informed and our collective thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“Whilst eventually it finalised in Sidmouth, thank you for your patience and understanding around short closures and emergency vehicle obstructions on Sidmouth seafront as well as the CG helicopter landing on the seafront.”
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The man was recovered by a lifeboat crew but tragically pronounced dead shortly afterCredit: Getty
The wide Exe estuary glides past the window. Leaning back in my seat, I watch birds on the mudflats: swans, gulls, oystercatchers and scampering red-legged turnstones. Worn down by a busy, admin-heavy summer, I’m taking the train through Devon for a peaceful break that hasn’t needed too much planning.
Exmouth is a compact, walkable seaside town, easily reached by train on the scenic Avocet Line from Exeter. No need for stressful motorway driving and, once you’re there, everything is on tap: beaches, hotels, pubs, shops and cafes, alongside gentle green spaces and ever-changing seascapes.
Exmouth’s art deco-style seafront Premier Inn is 10 minutes’ stroll from the station, through flower-filled squares and gardens, and will store bags if you turn up early. A decade of sea air has battered the building’s exterior, but the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows mean breakfast comes with a view of the sea and dune-backed estuary. The open-top 95 bus to Sandy Bay stops almost outside.
I drop my luggage and wander the few steps down to Exmouth beach. The soft tawny sand is crisscrossed with gull footprints. It’s a warm day and I get in the water straight away. The temperature is perfect, though I feel a strong current. I keep close to shore, looking out at the neogothic tower of Holy Trinity church and the seafront’s big wheel.
Lunch at the River Exe Café. Photograph: Ed Schofield/The Observer
Afterwards, a walk around town morphs into a cafe crawl. Lured by the smell of baking scones, I start with a mug of tea outside Bumble and Bee in Manor Gardens, with its begonia baskets. Nearby, along a wide path with a waterwheel, lily pond and magnolias, a baby T rex and protoceratops are hatching out of reptilian eggs.
They are part of Exmouth’s Dinosaur Safari, featuring 17 life-sized models that were unveiled in 2016. The town’s striking fossil-rich red sandstone cliffs are part of the Jurassic Coast, which has been feted by palaeontologists for centuries.
The smell of fresh bread wafts from several bakeries and bacon is being fried at the butcher and deli Lloyd Maunder. In a former stables and cottage nearby, the volunteer-run Exmouth Museum is one of those packed and atmospheric troves of musty local stuff: clay pipes, Edwardian capes, butter pats, bramble scythes.
Near the marina, the fishmonger is shelling whelks outside Fish on the Quay. “Best whelks in town. We cook them ourselves,” he tells me.
“Only whelks in town,” laughs his colleague. I chew some by the water’s edge before heading to Land and Sea for grilled mackerel with pickled samphire.
Just being here is a tonic, slowly exploring the flower-hung gardens and two-mile long beach. I stop for a while at a free afternoon concert outside Exmouth Pavilion and doze off in a deckchair among palms and pale Michaelmas daisies. I wake sufficiently rested to visit the National Trust’s A la Ronde, a 16-sided house on the edge of the town, designed by cousins Jane and Mary Parminter in the mid-1790s. The 57 bus takes just a few minutes to drop me at Courtlands Cross, close to the house with its oak-framed views of the Exe.
A la Ronde is an 18th-century, 16-sided cottage full of souvenirs and decorative fantasies. Photograph: Hugh Williamson/Alamy
A la Ronde is stuffed with souvenirs and decorative fantasies: a seashell-covered gallery that took 10 years to create, an ornate frieze made from feathers, walls full of sketches and silhouettes. There is a secondhand bookshop and the gardens offer playful diversions: croquet on the lawn, shell-themed board games on the orchard tables and a sign that says “Lie down. Look up at the clouds”.
I decide to walk the couple of miles back to town. A signed path leads down through meadows to the Exe Estuary Trail, a popular cycle ride with tunnels of butterfly-magnet buddleia and a maritime smell of stranded seaweed. “Tea garden open” says a chalkboard by the path at Lower Halsdon Farm. The scones are warm and come with clotted cream from Langage Farm near Plymouth. I notice how quiet it is. Four times an hour, trains hoot and hurtle past on the waterside railway. Otherwise, there’s little sound save the plaintive cries of seabirds on the sandbanks and susurrating poplars overhead.
Next morning starts with a radiant early dip in gold-lit water and a short seaward stroll to buzzing Heydays and the neighbouring Hangtime beach cafe, which serves bowls of granola heaped with berries and bananas, and bagels full of rocket, chilli jam and halloumi. A few steps inland, I cross the Maer nature reserve. It’s a big, sandy, grassy area, sprouting clumps of silvery sea holly and yellow cups of evening primrose. There’s a long-necked brachiosaurus on the far side of the field (that dino safari again). I sit nearby, in the low branches of an evergreen holm oak, and listen to a chiffchaff singing overhead. Heading through parks and well-signed leafy pathways, there are flowers everywhere, from clifftop agapanthus to a bank of pink cyclamen under a sycamore.
The ride to south Devon is highly scenic. Here, a train crosses the River Clyst at Topsham
For a long, relaxing lunch I head to the River Exe Café, a floating restaurant in the middle of the estuary, reachable only by boat (I take the bespoke hourly ferry from Exmouth Marina). Surrounded by gently rocking waves, I eat sea bream with capers and buttery new potatoes. The cafe is only open from April until the end of September and there’s a waiting list for reservations, but you can get lucky – as I did – with occasional cancellations.
Cormorants stand guard on a wrecked boat nearby. Local poet Jennifer Keevill compares them to “menacing dinner guests, all in black”. Her poems evoke Exmouth’s waterscapes: seabirds, sunsets, crumbling cliffs, kite surfers, Christmas Day swimmers. I head back to the beach for an evening dip and supper in the Premier Inn’s own restaurant. I’d usually look for somewhere more distinctive, but I’m tired and it’s right here. The hotel’s seafront terrace, with tubs of lavender and French marigolds, turns out to be a good place to watch the sun set over the sea and eat plates of inexpensive pub-style grub.
Next day, inspired by Keevill’s poem Ferry to the Other Side, I take the seasonal boat across to Starcross (April-end of October) and walk a circuit past the brackeny deer park at Powderham Castle, up through groves of sweet chestnuts and down past marshes full of water mint and warblers. From the ferry, there are distant views of Exmouth and its “landmark buildings / a clock tower, a cafe, a row of old houses”. Back on the east bank, I stop at Land and Sea for a valedictory half of malty Otter Ale and then a crisp beer from Teignworthy brewery on the glass-walled balcony of The Grove. Looking out across the sunlit water, I feel any trace of tension slip away.
It’s my last evening and I’m loath to leave. Local resident Geoff Crawford is enthusiastic about Exmouth: “I’ve lived here 14 years. Travelled the world all my life … and I love this place more than anywhere else.” He suggests more eateries to sample: “hidden gem” La Mar, a bistro above the Beach pub, and tiny backstreet Loluli’s Fire and Fish, “a take away cooked-over-coals fish shop”.
An easy escape and seafood-lover’s paradise, Exmouth is a restful place to decompress beside the water. There are walks, boats and buses on the doorstep if you need them, but it’s also ideal for just being. Sit back, relax and watch the sun set.
This trip was supported by GWRand Premier Inn (rooms from about £50 a night). More information from Visit Exmouth
STACEY Solomon and her family are such big fans of the Regnum Carya hotel in Turkey, she’s gone as far to call it her ‘second home’.
And this year the star visited the Regnum The Crown – its sister hotel which opened its doors back in July.
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Stacey Solomon and her family recently took a trip to TurkeyCredit: Instagram / staceysolomon
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There are eight swimming pools and a waterpark called Regnum AquatlantisCredit: EasyJet
The hotel is in the Turkish seaside city of Antalya and it has got some very impressive facilities.
Beating the heat in Turkey can be solved by splashing about in the pool, and this resort has eight.
The resort has your regular outdoor pools as well as a salt-water pool, kids pools, and indoor ones too.
For kids, there’s a waterpark called Regnum Aquatlantis with flumes, slides, attractions like tipping buckets, a lazy river and wave pool.
For even more entertainment, there’s a cinema and playroom, and for the teens, there’s a tech lounge with gaming pods.
The hotel is ideally not that far from The Land of Legends theme park also known as “the Turkish Disneyland” either, in fact, it’s an 8 minute drive away.
There, visitors will find thrilling rollercoasters, a watercoaster and entertainment shows.
Back at the hotel, there’s a luxurious private Blue Flag beach with incredibly clear waters.
Along the white stretch of sand are four beach clubs, each scattered with sun umbrellas and loungers.
As for activities on the beach, guests can play volleyball, take part in yoga sessions, minifootball and even sound healing.
Inside Stacey Solomon’s £3k a week Turkey hotel with waterpark, swim up bar and private beach
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Around the hotel are suites and villas for guestsCredit: Regnum The Crown
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There are lots of dining options tooCredit: EasyJet
The fussiest of eaters won’t have a problem at the hotel either because there are plenty of dining options from the classic buffet to tapas.
There’s also Pan-Asian, Arabic, and Slavic restaurants too, and lots of snacks and meals at the beach clubs.
There’s an on-site spa too where guests can book massages, and relax in the sauna, steam room and even an ice fountain.
Another place for adults to relax is the rooftop which has an infinity pool, restaurant, bar, fitness club and private dining.
When it comes to rooms, there are plenty of options from spacious suites to family-rooms and even private villas – some of which even have personal butler service.
And while summer in the UK might be coming to a close, there is still plenty of time to lap up the sun in Turkey.
During October, there are highs of 26C, and even in December temperatures average out at around 16C.
It was a particularly busy Thursday morning for the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach.
The area, which is home to an array of independently owned businesses and small restaurants, both of which boast unique facades from storefront to storefront, saw hundreds of eager fans start lining up outside its doors as early as 8 a.m.
Many crowded around one store in particular: Fingerprints Music, which only recently began to call Bixby Knolls its home — in April — after a roughly 15-year residency in downtown Long Beach. As crowd control barricades began springing up and artist security personnel lingered outside the famed vinyl record shop, passersby and neighbors alike began to ponder what could be going on.
It was simple: Cardi B.
The “Bodak Yellow” singer managed to squeeze in a meet-and-greet event at the store to commemorate last week’s release of her sophomore album, “Am I the Drama?” A link to tickets dropped on Fingerprints Music’s website on Sept. 9, which fans barely gave a chance to breathe.
“I follow her on Instagram — I have hard notifications on every platform — so, as soon as the video went up, I rushed to the website and bought it,” said Gerardo Torres of Gardena. “I was probably one of the first few [to buy tickets], less than five minutes after she announced it I already had mine.”
Arlene Heaton, left, of Kern County and Gerardo Torres of Gardena hold a Cardi B flag.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Torres stood near the front of the line, which he joined around 10:30 a.m. Next to him was Arlene Heaton of Rosamond, who had just driven three hours from the Kern County community to arrive at the same time. The two met in line and quickly became friends — she donning a rhinestone-studded ensemble and he draping a flag depicting Cardi B around his shoulders.
“If she would’ve been three hours away, I would have been there as well!” Torres added.
“It took about 10 minutes [to sell out],” Heaton said. “I love the album and I just had to get the CD… I wanted to support her and I came all the way from Rosamond to see this happen — history, this is history.”
Though the event was scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, it wasn’t until 2:30 that Cardi arrived on the scene. A few fans trickled out from behind the store, rejoicing that they’d seen her arrive.
Moments later, security formed a human barrier around the entrance, and Cardi stepped out of the store with a megaphone. Whatever she said was rendered unintelligible among the thunderous cheers of fans who surged forward, putting her entourage to the test.
“I do music myself, I’m not a fan of many, but her? Oh, my God, there was no way. I got up at like 8 in the morning; I set my alarm for 6:30,” said Curshawn Watts, who called herself the “Queen of Compton.” “I was out here! I didn’t care how early I had to be here — I had to be here!” Watts said.
Curshawn Watts, a rapper who calls herself the “Queen of Compton,” holds a CD of Cardi B’s “Am I the Drama?” at Thursday’s meet-and-greet in Long Beach.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
She’d been waiting since 10 a.m. and said the heat didn’t bother her: “It’s worth it all, baby!” she declared.
As fans made their way into the store, they were greeted by the sound of tracks from Cardi’s new album playing on the store speakers. “Am I the Drama?” vinyl records and CDs filled out the shelves, and portraits of Cardi stood above them.
Nestled in the back corner behind a black curtain sat the woman herself, visibly pregnant, in brown snakeskin heels, denim shorts, and adorning various gold statement pieces. She had confirmed in a CBS interview last week that she and NFL star Stefon Diggs were expecting a child.
An estimated 1,200 fans arrived on the blistering day in Long Beach, though only 800 were able to secure a guest list spot to see the 32-year-old hip-hop artist. Others assembled nearby, hoping for a chance to merely lay eyes on her or, perhaps, to get lucky enough to join the meet-and-greet.
Indeed, Fingerprints Music and Cardi B accommodated around 200 to 300 more people toward the tail end of the event from among those who didn’t make the list. The event lasted until well after 5 p.m.
By that time, the somewhat chaotic nature of the meet-and-greet’s afternoon heights had settled down. Street vendors no longer camped outside, artists wrapped up their pieces for sale, and the weather began to cool.
Cardi B prepares to take a photo with a fan at the meet-and-greet.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
“We don’t usually do that, but everyone seemed pretty chill,” said Rand Foster, owner of Fingerprints Music. “For somebody at that caliber to be that open was really refreshing.”
Cardi B even stayed overtime to do a surprise signing of an exclusive alternate cover of her album. Four photos from a courtroom appearance she made in August embellish that variant.
Foster said he considered Thursday’s event, the largest the store has held since moving to its new location, to be a resounding success. He noted that when the store was downtown, the store once hosted an Ozzy Osbourne meet-and-greet that had a roughly 2,300-person turnout.
At its location in Bixby Knolls, the store is still feeling out its neighborhood. Foster said not only did the event bring extra traffic to other businesses, but he “didn’t hear any neighbors put out by it.”
Cardi B could have easily opted for a location more central to Los Angeles, such as Amoeba Music, so many fans were surprised and happy to see Long Beach get some love.
One man, who called himself Mr. Boug’e and sported a uniquely curled beard, said it came down to Long Beach being “dope.”
Mr. Boug’e holds up two vinyl record variants of Cardi B’s latest album, “Am I the Drama?”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“I call it Strong Beach,” he joked. “She got love everywhere — it don’t matter. It can be in an alley… or Alaska; they gon’ love her.”
Foster, whose shop has a long-standing relationship with its Hollywood peers at Amoeba, said the decision by Cardi B’s team to hold her meet-and-greet in Long Beach probably also came down to logistics.
“Anybody who is doing this kind of event and doing it with an eye towards longevity has to be respectful to the neighbors,” he explained. “Our line got about six blocks long; I think that would be tough on Hollywood Boulevard.”
British tourists on the two holiday islands of Ibiza and Mallorca have been issued the alert for breaks between now and the end of October, with lifeguards who look after some of the most popular beaches in the Balearics going on strike
Lifeguards have warned some beaches are not safe(Image: Getty Images)
Holidaymakers in Mallorca and Ibiza have been warned that “beaches are unsafe” as lifeguards go on strike.
British tourists on the two holiday islands have been issued the alert for breaks between now and the end of October. The warning comes from lifeguards who look after some of the most popular beaches in the Balearics.
They have called a strike over pay and conditions, saying salaries are so low that some of them have to sleep on the beach as they cannot afford to rent. And they have accused local councils of putting lives at risk by failing to come to an agreement which would have avoided walk-outs.
“Safety on the beaches is not guaranteed,” a spokesperson for the lifeguards warned. A last-ditch attempt was made today to reach an agreement, but without success.
The lifeguards from the Balearic Islands have therefore called for a strike on Sunday, September 25.
They are telling the public that the “security on the beaches is not guaranteed”, despite the imposition of minimum services of 100% of the workforce, which the group considers “a violation of the workers’ right to strike.”
The strike will affect all the beaches of the municipalities of Palm and Calvià on Mallorca, as well as the sandy beaches of Ibiza, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Sant Joan de Labritja, SantJosep de sa Talaia and Santa Eulària des Riu. It will start at 8.30am on the beach of Can Pere Antoni, in Palma, with an assembly of workers.
The strike will then be repeated with Sunday strikes until the end of the season, which ends on October 31, in the sandbanks of Palma.
Cristian Ezequiel Melogno, spokesperson for the Balearic Islands Rescue Union, said the strike is over staffing, infrastructure and also wages.
“The lifeguard service is the first to intervene in an emergency on the beaches but the staffing is minimal,” he said. “The concessionaire companies receive the municipal award because they present the cheapest offer.”
“A lifeguard receives a monthly salary of 1,410 euros gross, insufficient to live in the Balearic Islands in a dignified way, with a contract marked by temporality, because we do not work every month,” say the lifeguarsa. “The situation is so undignified that in Ibiza there are colleagues who are forced to live on the beach because they cannot access housing.”
Although the strike occurs at the end of the summer, the beaches continue to receive visitors and the lack of surveillance could put the safety of bathers at risk, the lifeguards have warned.
The lifeguards are demanding improvements in their working conditions, job stability, strict compliance with regulations and greater public investment in beach safety. They point out that reducing surveillance on beaches is comparable to closing a hospital, as the safety of citizens must be a priority.
This summer, concerns were heightened after four drownings on Palma’s beaches in just 45 days. The deaths, all in bathing areas without active lifeguard coverage at the time, triggered renewed debate over beach safety during peak tourist season.
The incidents occurred between late June and August at Playa de Palma, Ciudad Jardín and El Molinar. The victims, aged between 65 and 84, suffered collapses or drownings at times when no lifeguards were on duty, before shifts began, after they ended, or in areas without surveillance. In all four cases, the emergency response came too late and resuscitation attempts failed.
Lifeguard professionals warn that regional regulations in place since 2015 are being poorly enforced. The Balearics are estimated to be short of more than 300 lifeguards, while current shift patterns fail to cover peak bathing hours. In many coastal areas, there is no standby staff outside standard service times, leaving long stretches of beach effectively unprotected.
The beautiful beach has been described as the ‘perfect beach for families’ – and it’s not hard to see why
Porth Beach is tucked away on the stunning Cornish coast(Image: Antclausen via Getty Images)
A “breathtaking” UK beach has left visitors so awestruck that they’re urging others to add it to their “bucket list.” The award-winning Porth Beach, tucked away on the Cornish coast between the bustling tourist hotspots of Newquay and Watergate Bay, is a must-see.
Praised as the “ideal beach for families”, Porth Beach also draws in walkers, swimmers, and paddleboarders. For locals, this is old news – but for those living further inland, Porth Beach could be just the ticket for a day trip.
The sandy beach is cosily nestled between headlands, and to the north, there’s a quaint footbridge leading to Porth Island. TikTok user @cornwall_lover posted a video showcasing the ‘breathtaking’ beach, reports the Express.
The caption read: “If you’ve not yet visited Porth beach in Newquay, get it on the bucket list. Perfect for paddleboarding at high tide, families who want to play in shallow streams and for those that love exploring, walk the coast path and step over the bridge to Porth Island, currently adorned with vibrant sea pink flowers”.
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In the video, the blogger gushed: “The dreamiest beach in Cornwall with a bridge to its very own island.” The post quickly racked up comments from viewers.
One person said at the time of the post: “So beautiful. I’m hoping to visit it this summer.” Another added: “Ooh this looks delightful.”
A local reminisced: “I grew up just up the road from here. Many happy memories of this beach.” Yet another said: “Porth Beach, my local & favourite place to be.”
Porth Beach is a hit on Tripadvisor, where it’s ranked as the top attraction in Newquay. One reviewer praised: “Beautiful, clean beach and cliffside. We had a nice walk along the cliff side and the views were beautiful.
“The locals are very friendly and we had a nice chat with some of them. There’s a holiday park in front of the beach, we didn’t stay here but seems like an ideal location if you want to be close to the beach!”.
Another visitor said: “Lovely clean beach with stunning views. Depending on the tide it can be a short walk to the sea. The beach can be very busy on hot days between 10am-5pm. The water is clean and clear.”
A third added: “Fantastic beach and amenities as always. We have been coming here for the last 12 years and have never been disappointed on our visit.”
Visit Cornwall states: “Porth Beach is an award-winning Newquay beach, and a popular narrow stretch of golden sand and turquoise water situated between the town of Newquay and Watergate Bay. Flanked and sheltered by two vast headlands, the spectacular beach welcomes visitors, locals, and surfers year-round.
“As of 2024, Porth Beach has been awarded the Seaside Award which celebrates the commitment to environment, water quality, and safety of the beach.”
Porth Beach, located in Newquay, Cornwall with the postcode TR7 3NH, is a mere 30-minute stroll from the nearest train station, Newquay Train Station. For those opting to drive, there’s also paid parking conveniently located near the beach.
The quaint fishing harbour is located in a very famous part of the UK, but is a lot less popular than its surrounding area.
Nicola Roy Spare Time writer and Rebecca Robinson
12:50, 23 Sep 2025
Seaton in Devon is loved by locals (Image: Leon Woods via Getty Images)
If you’re looking for the perfect seaside spot to visit this autumn that isn’t flooded with tourists, then there’s one place that ticks every box. Residents of a UK coastal town that’s frequently overshadowed by its more famous neighbours have celebrated its strong community spirit and passion for independent shops and eateries.
Seaton is a charming fishing harbour situated along East Devon’s Jurassic Coast – a World Heritage Site that draws approximately five million visitors annually. Although boasting year-round attractions including the tramway, museum, and beach, visitors often choose nearby Lyme Regis over Seaton.
One standout feature of the coastal community is its dedication to independent businesses, with local shop owners describing it as “the best place” to establish a company.
Amy Bonser helped launch Seaton Chamber Independent Market last year, which has since expanded to feature products from more than 60 traders, reports the Express.
She explained Seaton was the ideal location to create the market owing to its breathtaking local surroundings and established network of flourishing independent enterprises.
Amy told the Express: “Seaton was the best place to start a market. We have an amazing coastline on the Jurassic Coast, amazing gardens, which we use one for our market, and some amazing shops.
“As we mainly have independent businesses, this makes it an amazing place for local small traders to show off their independent business without the threat of the big companies.”
This view was shared by Carly Dean-Tribble, who runs Pebbles Coffee House and the Hideaway – two beloved cafés in the town. While admitting that running two independent cafes is “super hard work” due to people having less disposable income, she feels “very well supported by the local community and tourists alike”.
Carly confessed she hadn’t heard of Seaton before deciding to open her businesses there, but quickly realised it was the ideal location.
She said: “Seaton has a particular charm to it. I made my mind up that Seaton would be our home before we even viewed the business. It’s full of independent traders, which is a unicorn for sure. No big names here.
“Having independent businesses on our high street is a huge plus point. You simply don’t get that level of service and dedication from bigger corporations. People put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
Angela Mendham, another independent cafe owner who has run Passiflora for four years, echoed Carly’s sentiments. Despite facing challenges as more chain coffee shops emerge, she said Seaton locals have continued to show their support.
She expressed: “I do have a lot of locals who are very loyal, and I’m very grateful for their support. My locals have been as supportive as they can, but I’ve noticed that they are not spending as much so it’s hard, but I am very grateful.”
Looking ahead, Angela believes Seaton could benefit from increased funding that would only help its independent shops to flourish further.
She added: “I think Seaton needs more money from councils. Compared to Sidmouth, we really are the poor relative. But as the community goes, we are right on top.”
According to the source, Anton found the offer to feature on this particular reality TV show “too good an offer to turn down”, especially since it involved “all expenses paid fun in the sun, with a bit of drama thrown in to boot.”
Though the TV personality, 31, will now be gearing up for his next appearance on-screen, he’s recently fallen out of favour with the public.
Anton became under-fire after making a post to Instagram where his followers accused him of using Ricky Hatton‘s death to boost his Instagram views.
Read Celeb Ex On The Beach
In a post mentioning the passing of the late boxer, Anton appeared to plug his services as a personal trainer and online coach.
Many commenters found this to be disrespectful and distasteful.
One commenter even said Anton needs to have a “word with himself” and reflect on his actions.
Featuring on Celeb Ex On The Beach will be another way for Anton to promote his company: another reason cited by the source for Anton’s decision to go on the programme.
“While Anton is focused on his personal training company, being on TV now and then always helps boost the business and keep those clients coming in.”
Anton featured on series five of Love Island back in 2019 before going all-in on his love for fitness.
Love Island’s Anton Danyluk reveals staggering 19lbs weight loss in just six weeks
Following his exit from the show, be became a bodybuilder and even fronted a BBC documentary called Anton Danyluk on Body Shame in 2023.
It is not yet confirmed exactly when Celeb Ex On The Beach’s fourth series is going to air, but a show source revealed “it’s in the very early stages but should film towards the end of the year.”
The show’s cast will consist of well-known faces from other reality shows including Love Island and MAFS, as well as Netflix stars.
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Anton got close to Georgia Harrison on Love Island: All StarsCredit: Rex
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He vowed it would be the last time he featured on a reality TV programmeCredit: MTV
Long Beach resident Ashley Likins was pages away from finishing “Onyx Storm,” the third installment in Rebecca Yarros’ fantasy book series, when a long-haired black kitten hopped into her lap.
Given the foster name Soup Enhancements, the cat was one of the rescues boarding at Cool Cat Collective, a cat-themed boutique at the eastern end of Long Beach’s Fourth Street Corridor. The store, which offers all manner of cat-themed merchandise from kitty treats to cat-printed coasters, doubles as a shelter for cats rescued by TippedEars, a local trap-neuter-return, or TNR, nonprofit.
These resident kittens at Cool Cat Collective spend most of their time in a luxury “catio” in the back corner of the boutique, but twice a month, they are released to roam about during after-hours fundraising events. A popular silent reading party, co-hosted by reading club LB Bookworms, mimics a cat cafe, and according to the book club’s founder, Martha Esquivias, the event has sold out nearly every month since its debut last November.
Deb Escobar reads a book as foster kitten Poolboy creeps around her during a silent reading night at Cool Cat Collective.
It was during the silent reading event in early August that Likins sat, second-guessing the decision she’d made a few days prior to adopt Soup Enhancements. She adored the cat; still, she worried she’d been impulsive and wasn’t truly ready for the responsibility of pet ownership.
But as she watched the kitten nod off in her lap, she glimpsed the future in which the pair would do this routine a thousand times over with Likins devouring a book and the cat sleeping soundly below.
“I’m not just in a kitten craze,” Likins recalled thinking to herself. “This is my cat.”
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It’s that kind of moment Jena Carr, 39, had dreamed of when she and her husband, Matt, 40, opened Cool Cat Collective last year.
Former Washington, D.C., restaurateurs, the Carrs moved to Long Beach in 2022 to be closer to Jena Carr’s family. Once they settled in, Carr threw herself into kitten rescue, a longtime interest. She started as a foster owner and kitten rescue volunteer before assisting TippedEars with its work tracking and capturing cats in Compton.
“Once you start realizing the extent of the cat overpopulation problem, you quickly realize that we can’t foster or adopt our way out of it,” Carr said, calling TNR “the solution that gets to the root of the problem.”
One day during peak kitten season, Carr was out with TippedEars co-founder Renae Woith when she was struck by the number of sick and injured cats on the streets and the challenges of understaffed rescues working to home them.
“It kind of got her wheels working, like, ‘What can I do as a business?’” Woith said.
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1.Foster kittens Bisque, Poolboy and Chauffeur play together during a silent reading night.2.Foster kitten Sesame walks around a display in the store.
Almost a year later, Cool Cat Collective was born.
It was still warm outside on an early September evening as the last of the daytime visitors left the cat boutique. Once they were gone, Carr made her final touches for the night’s silent reading party: laying cushions in store corners and scattering toy mice across the floor.
In the catio, Poolboy, a domestic shorthair, licked a Churu treat from a visiting reader’s hand. When he and his siblings — all named after blue-collar jobs — arrived in late July, they were timid. But at this silent reading party, they bounded about the room, crawling on attendees’ laps between wrestling matches.
“It makes me so happy when the shy ones become social,” Carr said.
A sign hanging outside the catio tallied good news: 93 adoptions since July 2024. TippedEars co-founder Vita Manzoli said that’s about double the numbers the rescue used to see before the boutique opened.
TippedEars’ partnership with Cool Cat Collective has been a boon for the nonprofit, which receives 100% of the proceeds from the cat boutique’s “First Thursday” silent reading parties and “Third Thursday” doodle nights, which both cost $15 to attend. But it’s not only the financial support that has made a difference for TippedEars cats.
“We’ve gotten volunteers from them — donors, adopters, obviously, but the byproduct of that is really just educating people about the cat overpopulation crisis, what TNR is and how they can help,” Woith said.
Placing rescues at Cool Cat Collective, where they are comfortable and their personalities are on full display, has also allowed TippedEars to give them a better chance at being adopted.
“The cat they may not have looked twice at online, they now are the one [adopters are] taking home, because they actually got to meet them,” Woith said.
“This is a beautiful marrying of my interests,” silent reading party attendee Regan Rudman said of the event. “It also provides a great third space that we’re really missing nowadays.”
Carr has a spreadsheet of potential resident kittens always on her mind, so she’s eager to facilitate adoptions. But everyone is welcome at Cool Cat Collective, whether they’re looking to adopt or not.
“You don’t even have to be shopping,” Carr said. “That was part of our goal: to create a space with a really low barrier to access for people who are cat-curious or just need a little moment of cat joy in their day.”
Regan Rudman, a recent Long Beach transplant, can’t have a cat of her own for health reasons. Still, she visits Cool Cat Collective every month. She tried for three months to snag a ticket to the store’s silent reading night before she secured a spot for the September event.
“Getting to actually interact with cats in an environment that they feel comfortable in just makes my heart so happy,” Rudman said.
Rudman, who works at a publishing company, made an effort to focus on her book during the silent reading hour, but she also hoped her ruffled leg warmers would entice a curious kitten to come over.
“I think everyone is a little distracted by the cats,” said silent reading party attendee Mathilde Hernandez, who befriended foster cat Gumball.
Other attendees, lounging on cushions throughout the boutique, gazed down at their e-readers but peeked as cats bounced around like pinballs in their periphery.
Poolboy and sibling Chauffer, who would find their forever home together that weekend, were particularly rowdy. On the other hand, Bisque — from a litter Carr called “the Soups” — hid in a cardboard house for an hour before she finally stretched a paw out, like a jazz hand through the “front door.”
“There’s always some antic happening,” Carr said. “People are reading, but they also have one eye on the cats as they’re reading. I’d be curious asking people, like, how far into their book they actually get.”
Attendee Lien Nguyen, whose love for the kittens overrode her cat allergy, admitted she’d drop her book the second a cat came into her vicinity. But no matter how hard they tried, scarcely an attendee could successfully attract a kitten. The cats chose their company, not the other way around.
“Part of our goal was to create a space with a really low barrier to access for people who are cat-curious or, you know, just need a little moment of cat joy in their day,” said Jena Carr, co-founder of Cool Cat Collective.
“It was like rejection therapy whenever they went away,” Nguyen said.
That’s why Likins was so touched when Soup Enhancements found her at the August silent reading party. She nearly burst into tears, she said.
Later that evening, she was moved even more when her boyfriend, Max Mineer, bonded with his feline soulmate, Handyman. Happily, Handyman happened to be the only cat Soup Enhancements tolerated.
Now, the two cats live together in Likins and Mineer’s Long Beach apartment. They sleep together, clean each other and, despite being from different litters, generally behave like siblings.
The day Likins brought the cats home, staffers at Cool Cat Collective and TippedEars gave her every resource imaginable, including a 20% off coupon for Chewy products and scratch post recommendations. And there was an easy out: If anything went wrong, the couple could bring the cats back, no questions asked.
“It really made me trust them more to know that they were thinking to the future about these cats,” Likins said. “It wasn’t just a process of making sure that a cat got a home. It was making sure that a cat got a life.”
A man and his partner decided to visit the best beach in the world, according to Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 list, and were left stunned by one thing about the sand
Alice Sjoberg Social News Reporter
15:16, 17 Sep 2025
The Australian beach has been named the best in the world (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
Have you ever fancied a trip to a beach with pristine white sand and crystal-clear blue waters? One man decided to do just that, visiting one of the world’s top-rated beaches.
Despite being an island nation with plenty of coastlines, most UK beaches are pebbly rather than sandy, and our seas are often darker and murkier compared to the vibrant blue waters found in more tropical climates. Of course, there are exceptions like some of the beaches in Cornwall, but they often lack the tropical heat and sunshine for the full beach experience. So what makes a beach truly perfect?
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 list shed some light on this, crowning a beach in Queensland, Australia, as the world’s best. Keen to see if it lived up to the hype, a couple named Dan and Janie jetted off to Whitehaven Beach to discover why it had earned the ‘world’s best’ title.
“Look at this,” Dan exclaimed in his TikTok video, moving the camera around to capture an overview of the idyllic beach. “Ranked in the top five in the world apparently.”
The beach was indeed picture-perfect, boasting a white sandy shore, bright blue waters, and glorious sunshine under a clear blue sky. But there was one aspect of the beach that truly left him gobsmacked.
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As he shifted the camera downwards to reveal the sand, he instructed his audience to listen carefully while he strolled across it. With each footstep he took on the sand, a distinctive squeaking noise could be heard.
Further into the clip, he was also captured playing about with the noisy sand, moving his hand backwards and forwards through it, producing squeaks with every motion.
Despite the video racking up more than 1.3 million views on TikTok, the majority of watchers expressed their fascination with the squeaky sand.
“Why does the sand squeak?!” questioned one viewer, with hundreds of others echoing the same bewilderment.
This curious occurrence goes by numerous names, though it’s most commonly referred to as ‘singing sand’ or whistling sand, and remains something of a scientific mystery.
The sound occurs due to friction between uniform, almost perfectly round, pristine, and dry quartz sand particles, which causes them to oscillate and scrape against one another at a particular frequency, producing the noise.
Given that the requirements for squeaking sand are so precise, it’s an uncommon spectacle found exclusively on select beaches with the correct sand type and environmental conditions.
Nevertheless, not all were charmed by this discovery, with one viewer remarking: “I’m sorry but I’m too sensory triggered to even stand on that sand. Beautiful yes! Squeakiness no chance!”
Eight football transfer students from Long Beach Millikan have been declared ineligible in the latest crackdown by the Southern Section, according to the section’s transfer portal.
Last week, Bishop Montgomery had 19 players declared ineligible. Several of those players have moved to Arizona to try to get eligible. The Millikan players received a two-year suspension for violating CIF bylaw 202, which involves providing false information.
Millikan previously announced it had forfeited two games for use of ineligible players. The team is 0-4.
In 2022, Millikan had to forfeit four games for an ineligible player and coach Romeo Pellum was briefly suspended by the school.
The Southern Section has been paying closer attention to transfer students for the last two years since requirements for paperwork went from two items to six, allowing for greater scrutiny.
The outdoor enthusiasts at Millets have compiled a list of the UK’s best free hidden gems, based on ratings on TripAdvisor and Google, and the results are in
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This beach has been named England’s top free hidden gem(Image: Getty)
England is brimming with hidden treasures, from quaint, untouched coves in Cornwall to breathtaking woodland strolls in Lancashire. Embleton Bay, a beach tucked away in the north of England, has been crowned the country’s top free hidden gem.
This pristine and dramatic beach in Northumberland has won the hearts of visitors from far and wide. The outdoor experts at Millets have curated a list of England’s top free hidden gems, based on TripAdvisor and Google ratings, with this stunning beach clinching the top spot.
The top pick of Embleton Bay is an unspoilt stretch of coastline, flanked by low dunes and overseen by the imposing ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. It’s also a stone’s throw away from the historic town of Embleton, which boasts the UK’s largest village hall.
The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle can be seen from the beach(Image: Getty)
Dunstanburgh Castle, whose remnants are visible from the beach, was erected in the 1300s by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, a cousin and adversary of Edward II. By the late 1800s, the castle had deteriorated into ruins, and the remains of Dunstanburgh became a favourite subject for artists and poets.
And it’s not just the outdoor specialists at Millets who rave about Embleton. One visitor took to TripAdvisor to write: “Beautiful, quiet dog friendly beach with great views. A castle at one end of the bay and a pub at the far end up at Low Newton By The Sea.
“Embleton Beach is pretty amazing. We were lucky enough to be staying in a cottage overlooking the bay and walked the dog on the sands every morning, often with nobody else in sight!”.
Meanwhile, another visitor gushed: “Embleton bay is a hidden gem on the Northumberland coast. The beach is powdery white sand and the sea is clear and safe for bathing. Dunstanburgh castle makes a dramatic backdrop and it is a pleasant walk along the coast to Craster.”
Embleton offers a peaceful escape from the crowds drawn to other beaches(Image: Getty)
A third raved: “Beautiful beach and coastline. Water very clear, and looked clean. Great views of Dunstanburgh Castle, sandy and rocks, great for dogs and children.”
One more holidaymaker remarked: “This is a delightful and peaceful beach with wonderful views of the nearby castle. Wonderful to watch the birdlife. It is very peaceful and calming, but unfortunately that depends on how many dogs are around at the time.”
Revealing the findings of their study into England’s finest free hidden treasures, Millets blog writer Sam Chadwick explained: “The UK is full of beautiful locations, and in recent years, more people have discovered the benefits of spending time outdoors. We have collated our ultimate hidden gems list, revealing the highest rated hidden gems that are completely free to enjoy.”
Inside the rise of ‘bookcations’, as literary retreats to fantastical villages, paradise beaches and cosy old libraries bring in millions of views on social media
The summer has left the water deliciously warm. We paddle into sea caves as stunning as cathedrals
The huge Pizzomunno rock, in the Puglian town of Vieste, feels warm from the September sun as I gaze southwards, watching Castello beach shrug off the weight of high summer. There are a few people in the water or lying on the sand, but the sunbeds and umbrellas have started disappearing, and this two-mile stretch of pale sand is getting back to its unspoilt self.
The 25-metre Pizzomunno sea stack was once, according to legend, a handsome fisherman of the same name, who would meet his sweetheart Cristalda on this spot. Unfortunately, the local mermaids fancied the pants off him too, and in their jealousy dragged Cristalda to a watery death, leaving Pizzomunno petrified by grief.
The ill-fated pair are said to come alive again once every 100 years on 15 August, but if they do so any summer soon, they’ll struggle to find a quiet spot for their tryst. For two or three weeks every August, Vieste – with its old town on a high promontory, its narrow streets and archways, and its newly restored romanesque cathedral – is a magnet for (mainly Italian) holidaymakers. The town receives 80% of its annual two million visits in the space of less than a month. By the time of the Settimana dell’Olio olive oil festival in late August, Vieste is noticeably quieter, and in September peace returns.
Mattinatella beach, near Vieste. Photograph: Cherry Blossom/Alamy
We’re staying 25 miles to the south in the small town of Mattinata. Here, about a mile from the coast, it’s “tranquil even in August”, a local tells us. Agriturismo Giorgio (doubles from €59 B&B in low season – 16 September to 31 October) stands on its western edge, walking distance from great restaurants such as Locanda del Maniscalco.
Temperatures climb to 28C most days, and the summer’s heat has left the sea deliciously warm. On our first full day, we drive 10 minutes to Mattinatella beach, where we’ve rented a transparent canoe from local operator Dove Andiamo Sul Gargano (full day €60). We are aiming for Baia delle Zagare (Citrus Blossom Bay), a couple of miles up the coast, but it takes us half the day to get there because we stop to paddle into sea caves as stunning as cathedrals, and picnic on an otherwise inaccessible little beach. The bay itself is famous for its sea stacks, one called “the scissors” for its curious shape, eroded by sea and wind.
This south side of the peninsula is sheltered from any northerly winds, so perfect in autumn. Another day, we swim out from Baia di San Felice to admire the natural sea arch that guards it, and particularly enjoy a trip on hired ebikes (half-day €30) to view these white beaches from the clifftop Sentiero dell’Amore.
The other advantage of early autumn in the Gargano is that it is, paradoxically, a livelier period. The hard graft of summer done, locals prepare to party. Every September Vieste in Love expands on the tale of Pizzomunno and Cristalda, hosting free shows, concerts and children’s events across the historic centre. Mattinata celebrates its patron saint in mid-September with so many parades, concerts, magic shows and fireworks we catch just a fraction of what’s on. And that’s before it goes really mad with its October olive harvest festival.
September is also busy in Unesco-listed Monte Sant’Angelo, whose Archangel Michael festival on 29 September attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The fun bit is a torchlit reenactment the Sunday before, with splendidly costumed angels, archers, bishops and even God himself giving their all in the main square.
Later in the autumn there’s leaf-peeping in the Foresta Umbra a few miles inland. Fast forward to spring in the Gargano and you’ll be rewarded with one of Europe’s highest concentrations of wild orchids, plus more festivals – one celebrating rosé wine in Vieste, for example. Which makes it all the more strange that everyone crowds here in August. Liz Boulter
Alentejo, Portugal
Praia de Odeceixe. Photograph: Pawel Niemczyk/Alamy
It’s hard to beat as a base for catching late-summer sun – you may have a pristine beach to yourself
The “queen of fado”, Amália Rodrigues, said Portugal’s melancholic, passionate ballads “came from the sea, the vast sea in front of us”. No surprise, then, in the 1960s, that Amália chose an Alentejo clifftop overlooking the Atlantic to build a creative retreat.
Small waves of artists and sun-seekers arrived in the 70s and 80s, and this south-western coastline continues to attract those looking for a different life; incomers who live side-by-side with locals whose families have been there for centuries, united by the rhythm of the land and the sea. The peaceful, slow ways of rural Portuguese life contrast with the raw natural landscape, and the best part is that it is still blissfully undeveloped.
Take a look at a map and you’ll notice an absence of cities or large towns in this corner of Portugal. The main motorway south from Lisbon heads deep inland, before continuing down to Faro. Even the national roads steer away from the coast. There’s no fast way to reach Alentejo, and when you do, you’ll find time slows down.
Odeceixe (pronounced “oh-deh-shay-sh”) is hard to beat as a base for soaking up late-summer sun. On its beach, black cliffs rise on both sides, the Algarve to the south, the Alentejo to the north. The large, golden beach is a tale of two halves, with the clear, shallow waters of the river ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking, and the sea offering consistently good waves for all surfing levels. Water Element offers surf classes year round, plus hire of surfboards, bodyboards, canoes, kayaks, as well as umbrellas, sunloungers and a massage area.
Those in the know return to Bar da Praia, year after year, in a hidden-away spot (tip: follow the blue umbrellas) perched above the beach at Odeceixe with fabulous views. For 12 years it has been delivering a menu of classics such as Amêijoas á bulhão Pato (clams in garlic, coriander, white wine and lemon).
The village of Odeceixe is two miles from the beach and has a life of its own. Social life moves to the village square after the sun goes down and its bakeries and cafes open early. The village is made up of small houses painted white with coloured borders around the windows and doors. There’s a working Iberian windmill, painted in white and Alentejo blue, with views of the River Seixe snaking through a flat valley to the Atlantic.
With the intense summer heat subsiding, the temperature is ideal for daily walks on the Rota Vicentina – a network of trails taking in nature and historical villages, with inland and coastal routes. Once used only by locals to access secluded beaches and fishing spots, the single-track Fisherman’s Trail is now a well-marked route. There are also 24 circular routes covering more than 155 miles, and some shorter out-and-back stretches ideal for combining with an afternoon on the beach. In late summer, it’s not unusual to have a pristine beach to yourself.
A section of the Rota Vicentina hiking trail passes through Odeceixe. Photograph: Hemis/Alamy
For those looking to pick up the pace, Adventure Riding offers horseback tours for all levels along clifftops and through the countryside (as of 2025, beach rides are no longer permitted in the nature park), including at sunset and in the moonlight.
Tucked away are special places celebrating a simpler way of life, far from big cities and mass tourism. The pair behind Casa Ateliê, Samer Haidar and Lisa Müller, offer pottery workshops and Lebanese food at their bed and breakfast in a village setting to the north of Odeceixe – well positioned for exploring Zambujeira do Mar, Vila Nova de Milfontes and Almograve.
Italian Filippo Pozzi arrived in the area with classical winemaking experience in south-west France and California’s Napa Valley. He set out to restore neglected parcels of land and is producing “unconventional” single vineyard wines. On top of a small hill, surrounded by olive trees, vineyards and cork oaks, Atlas Land quinta (from €100 a night, room-only) is bathed in sunlight from dawn to dusk. There are two double rooms and wine-tasting sessions can be arranged. The nearest town is Aljezur, with ruins of a 10th-century castle and a Moorish village.
Inland from Odeceixe is Monte West Coast (from €104 B&B, two-night minimum), a collection of restored rustic buildings on a farm, with a saltwater pool, kitchen gardens, orchards, and tables and chairs dotted about the wild grass meadows. Emma Balch
Corsica
Bonifacio is perched on limestone cliffs. Photograph: Pascal Poggi/Getty Images
I wander deeper into the maze of alleyways where restaurants spill out and diners clink glasses
It’s not just summer that clings on in southern Corsica, so too does the precipitous citadel that hangs on the cliff edge in Bonifacio. It’s a wonder that the walls haven’t tumbled into the Mediterranean in the intervening millennium, but this jumble of terracotta-roofed homes and shops stands proud atop 70-metre-tall white limestone cliffs, on a narrow promontory, to create one of Corsica’s most impressive sights.
It’s a hot Saturday afternoon when I arrive and the narrow, shaded streets within the old town offer a welcome relief. After checking into the Hotel Le Royal (doubles from €76 room-only), a bright, modern hotel, I wander deeper into the maze of alleys where restaurant terraces spill out on to the street and cheerful diners clink glasses. It isn’t long before I’ve reached what feels like the summit, but to get a better view I need to climb up the steps on the citadel walls.
From the corner of Rue des Bocche, the view is spectacular: the inner harbour below and a jagged coast that zigzags into the distance, framed by a hazy backdrop of mountains. A few steps away on Rue du Palais, an enticing bar, L’Assaghju, is serving aperitifs, including the owner’s homemade chestnut liqueur, a sweet and moreish tipple I sip from a stool in the cool stone arches of the bar. She tells me about other liqueurs she’s created from the island’s many signature products, such as clementines. “Have you tried the local wine?” she asks, pouring me a glass of the muscat pétillant, a delicately sweet and gentle sparkling white.
Bonifacio’s port and citadel. Photograph: Nito/Alamy
I make my way back to the hotel’s restaurant feeling a little tipsy, gazing at the towering palm trees in the Place Carrega and peering into the ladder-like stairways of the imposing buildings, so steep I wonder how they get any furniture into the apartments.
The next morning, I venture west to the Plage de la Tonnara, 20 minutes’ drive along the coast, to enjoy a different side of Corsica. The surrounding landscape is rocky and arid, but the beach is a crescent of blond sand that descends into a shallow bay of crystalline water warm enough for swimming in October. I spend an hour paddling, reading and people-watching.
Lunch is booked a further 50 minutes around the coast and inland towards the perched town of Sartène, where the landscape changes again. Steep mountains lie ahead and I stop at La Bergerie d’Acciola, a laid-back bar-restaurant serving barbecued dishes under a rustic, timber-framed roof, with a terrace offering views of the surrounding peaks. I order a platter of cheese and charcuterie, including a prisuttu ham, with fat that melts in the mouth like butter; the goat and sheep cheeses are salty and moreish. I banish the thought that my journey will end soon and savour the flavours of the island, clinging on to the joy of its many faces for as long as possible. Carolyn Boyd
Essaouira, Morocco
A bedroom in the Salut Maroc hotel in Essaouira
Camel rides, kayaking, surfing and horse riding are all on offer on the long, sandy beach
Visitors beware. I went to Essaouira for a day trip and ended up living there for a year. I had driven down from Marrakech (it’s just three hours by road), where the temperature was in the high 30s. I swept round the final roundabout and on to the corniche. The sea was a deep, glittering blue framed by imposing maritime pines, and the sand was sprinkled with coloured umbrellas. A cool breeze wafted in through the window – such a welcome change from the furnace of Marrakech. At that moment, I decided to move and set up home there.
In the summer, the city is rammed with Moroccans on their holidays, but by late September and October it’s much quieter with temperatures down to about 24C.
Essaouira has two distinct parts: the medina, enclosed within high walls, and the new town, which has grown up around it. The medina is small and much more navigable than the Marrakech equivalent, but still with that heady African/Arab mix. Two main streets lead off Place Moulay Hassan, the main square by the port. Avenue Sidi Ben Mohamed Abdellah is known as “tourist street” and parallel is Avenue de L’Istiqlal, “market street”. I like to stroll along market street around 5pm, when all the Souiris (locals) are out shopping for dinner, and fat dates, spicy olives and fresh fruit from surrounding farms are out waiting to be tasted.
To be in the centre of the action, base yourself in the medina at Dar Adul (doubles £59 B&B), a typical riad; or Salut Maroc (doubles from €200), a riot of pattern and colour with rooftop bar and restaurant.
The city has always been a trading port, the transit point for gold, cloth, leather and ostrich feathers coming out of the Sahara and going on to Europe, and there are many treasures to be found, including the distinctive Saharan throws and blankets dyed a deep blue or patterned in sand and black. Halfway up tourist street, traditional and fusion music plays from a shop whose knowledgable owner can introduce you to the rhythms of gnaoua (also gnawa), the music brought to Morocco from west Africa. Dozens of small galleries sell work by local artists, and on Sundays many artists open their studios to visitors in the joutiya flea market in the new town.
Essaouira is also a vibrant fishing hub, and at lunchtime stalls at the port sell a variety of seafood (the sardines are often freshest and cheapest – head to the less touristy stalls farthest away), which you then take to be cooked over charcoal for a few dirhams. Eat your catch with homemade bread and sweet tea, watching the seagulls and cats fight for the scraps.
But it’s the long, sandy beach that attracts most visitors. There’s plenty for the active: kite surfing, surfing, kayaking, quad biking, camel rides and horse riding are all on offer. It is also a great beach for kids and swimming, as the waves and tides are not strong.
Surfers on the beach at Sidi Kaouki, along the coast from Essaouira. Photograph: RnDmS/Alamy
My favourite thing to do is to walk along the beach to the town of Sidi Kaouki. It’s about 16 miles (25km) and will take most of the day (or jump in a taxi) but you’ll see horses galloping past and pass locals fishing for octopus perching patiently over the rock pools. Sidi Kaouki is becoming known for wellness as well as surfing. Little boutique hotels such as Kasbah d’Eau (doubles from €340 B&B for two nights), which has just opened, offer lots of sea- and land-based activities.
Every day in Essaouira has to be a sundowner day. You are in Morocco’s most westerly city and the sunsets are glorious. Sipping a chilled glass of wine at one of the beach restaurants, like Ocean Vagabond, while watching the camelteers take their animals home is the perfect prelude to dinner.
There are some great small restaurants in the medina and new town, offering tagine, couscous and grilled sardines, but I love the beef wellington at Umia and the grilled fish of the day at La Coupole. If you’re up for some fun, try the fire show and magicians at Caravane Cafe.
Essaouira has lots to offer but it doesn’t foist itself on you. The people are relaxed, the weather is mild and you get to enjoy Morocco at a slower pace. Writing this has made me realise that it is high time for another visit. Alice Morrison
Axarquía, Spain
The view from the village of Comares. Photograph: Barry Mason/Alamy
This is the highest of Andalucía’s pueblos blancos, in a land of caves, valleys and ancient trails
There’s something delightful – and practical – about planning your next few days’ activities just by looking out from the terrace of your hotel. At the Hotel Rural Olivia Verde (doubles from €90 room-only) in the village of Comares, you can do just that. Comares, an hour’s drive north-east of Málaga, is the highest of the pueblos blancos, the white villages that dot the Andalucian landscape. It’s in the heart of the Axarquía, a land of valleys, caves, limestone outcrops, white villages and ancient – Roman, Arabic and possibly Phoenician – trails that crisscross them.
Thanks to the village’s many vantage points, including the terrace, you get a 360-degree view of your forthcoming activities.
The hotel (also home to the best restaurant around) is a converted olive mill. From its terrace, there’s a steep 100-metre drop to a dusty road below and to the south is the glittering Mediterranean. But if you’ve made it up the winding road from the plain to Comares, then you’re likely here for the mountains, the walks and the adventure.
Let your gaze drop down and turn inland along that dusty road. Round the bend, you will join up with one of the well-signposted paths that hem the village. Close to the aquifer that has sustained the village for centuries, you’ll probably see climbers scaling a rock face. The village also has its own zip wire.
Now walkers can really get excited. Heading inland, the route called La Teja passes another huge outcrop. In about an hour you will reach the remains of an Arab settlement at Masmullar.
Drop into a cafe in the hamlet of Los Ventorros, or head back to Comares up the track for rest and refreshments at the excellent Mirador de la Axarquía restaurant on the village outskirts. That should be enough for day one.
Hiking on La Maroma mountain. Photograph: David Sonder/Alamy
Lots of people know that the Costa del Sol is barricaded by mountains, but most tourists don’t venture further than crowded places like Ronda. That is a huge shame because the Axarquía needs visitors – no overtourism here – and because a lot of people who appreciate clean air and empty, epic country are missing out.
If you have a bike, head into the campo (countryside) and explore the villages of Cutar and Benarmagosa. If your tyres can take it, bump along the riverbed of the Riogordo towards Colmenar. It will almost certainly be dry, but if the rains do come, beware – the river and the villages that lie along its banks is flash-flood territory.
The majestic peak of La Maroma, the local mountain, is walkable, but at over 2,000m, it’s best to get a guide. The quiet village of Canillas de Aceituno is a good base camp.
To venture beyond, you will probably need a car. The main village on La Maroma’s southern flank is Cómpeta, which is good fun and bustling. I’ve always enjoyed a visit to the long-established El Pilón restaurant.
But most villages have a bustle about them once the summer heat has passed: gone is the ghost-town atmosphere of the remotepueblos blancos, where everyone stays indoors with the blinds down in the hot weather.While many of the annual village ferias (fairs) take place in summer, Nerja’s is mid-October, Comares has its Night of the Candles in early September, while Cutar offers the Moorish-themed Fiesta del Monfi in October.
And the season is lengthening. In late November I was still in my shorts. November used to be when the rains came. Mark Jones
Konitsa, Greece
The Konitsa bridge and Aoos River in autumn. Photograph: Vasilis Ververidis/Alamy
The river, fed by mountain springs, holds the most luminous blue when I open my eyes under water
A small bell still hangs beneath the Konitsa bridge to warn those crossing the cobbles of strong winds. Built in 1870 and curving 20 metres above the translucent green waters of the Aoos River, this astonishing stone bridge is thought to be one of the highest single-arched spans in the Balkans. I look upstream from it into the Aoos gorge as the sun rises over the towering mountains.
The summer heat of Greece has mellowed to a warm September glow – and soon autumn will begin to yellow and bronze the leaves of the canyon trees. It’s my favourite time of year to be in this land of mountains, water and stone.
About 40 miles north of the city of Ioannina in north-west Greece, the historic town of Konitsa spreads like an amphitheatre over the lower slopes of Mount Trapezitsa. A zigzagging road from the river leads to its leafy squares and evocative upper town with Ottoman-era mansions and Orthodox churches. I’m staying at the wonderful, family-run Konitsa Mountain Hotel (doubles from €90 room-only), and each afternoon I savour wild mountain tea on the terrace with a panoramic view of the Albanian mountains and the Aoos winding across the plain towards the border.
As part of Unesco’s Vikos-Aoos Geopark, Konitsa is the perfect base for exploring the wider region. The next morning, I drive 15 minutes south to the Voidomatis River. There I follow a marked path along the riverbank upwards from another elegant stone bridge near the village of Kleidonia through a beautiful gallery forest of plane trees that bend low over the water. In the canyon walls above the trail are rock shelters once used by Palaeolithic hunters; below, fish fin slowly against the swift currents in the shadows of the trees. I always succumb to a swim in this river. Fed by deep mountain springs, it’s freezing whether high summer or late autumn, but holds the most luminous blue when I open my eyes underwater.
The Vikos canyon. Photograph: Traumlichtfabrik/Getty Images
After a riverside lunch of grilled trout and fresh Greek salad at O Voidomatis taverna (open daytime only) I drive up into the Zagori region. The stunning stone houses and plane-shaded squares of Papingo and Mikro Papigko sit beneath the limestone mass of Mount Tyymfi, but my destination is the village of Vikos, on the edge of the Vikos Gorge – one of the deepest and most extraordinary geological forms in the world. The cooler temperatures of late September and October make walking the path down to the gorge’s turquoise springs far easier than in summer, and the reward after the ascent is a cold drink at the welcoming Viewpoint Garden cafe, set on a natural balcony above the chasm.
During the years I’ve been coming to Konitsa I’ve visited the atmospheric monastery of Molyvdoskepastos near the border with Albania and explored the beautiful villages of Monodendri, Kipoi and Vitsa at the southern end of Zagori. I’ve watched river-rafters on the Voidomatis, swum in the rock pools of Papingo, and listened to long-distance hikers talk about the alpine lakes and mountain refuge on Mount Tymfi. But I always return to the remarkable bridge over the Aoos before leaving.
I stop for coffee and traditional walnut cake at the cafe of the Gefyri Hotel by the bridge, and then walk the path towards the Panagia Stomiou monastery perched on a promontory by the narrowest point of the gorge. Pale boulders break the green-blue torrents while still pools by the banks reflect the craggy cliffs. Kingfishers fizz upriver and dippers dive into the flow, as the immense geological drama of the canyon and its current unfolds. This is a place where the ancient contours of earth and water are close enough to touch. Julian Hoffman For information about conservation work on the Aoos River, visit med-ina.org.
The accommodation prices quoted are for October 2025 and were correct at the time of publication
Nestled in the southwest of Wales is a true hidden gem of a beach with beautiful and picturesque views – and it was once home to criminal smugglers hiding their loot in the caves
Nestled in the south west is this picturesque beach with beautiful views(Image: Google maps)
This idyllic beach in New Quay, Wales, is the perfect scenic beach stop – but it was once home to criminals taking advantage of the picturesque location.
Cwmtydu Beach, also known as “Seals Bay,” is a small cove in the southwest, surrounded by cliffs and caves. It’s known for its views There are small caves cut into the cliffs, where French brandy and precious salt were hidden until they could safely be taken inland on horseback after being smuggled in.
The cliffs are also topped by a National Trust trail which is a great place for a walk taking in the views across Cardigan Bay, and the beach is dog friendly all year round. The beach is made up of soft pebbles and you will also find a great collection of rock pools. Fishing is also a popular activity with species such as flounder, plaice, dogfish, bass and gurnard in the waters.
The remote beach was once used to smuggle goods from France(Image: Google maps)
The nickname Seals Bay comes from the resident seals that live in the waters, with a population of around 5,000 in the west part of Wales. You may also spot a bottlenose dolphin if you are lucky, that are sometimes found in the waters of Cardigan Bay.
There is also an old lime kiln on the beach that has been restored, and was originally used to burn limestone, brought by boat from Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, for use by farmers as fertiliser for crops grown in the area.
North of Cwmtydu also lies Castell Bach with the remains of a third century BC iron age fort. A spokesperson for Visit Ceredigion said: “Cwmtydu is a small cove that was once a harbour used as a traditional smugglers’ hideaway.
“Surrounded by cliffs and caves that were once used to hide French brandy and precious salt until they could safely be taken inland on horseback. The caves and rocks are known locally for being a favourite haunt of seals.”
Wales is home to a number of hidden gem beaches, including this sandy paradise that’s hailed as “one of Ceredigion’s best-kept secrets.” Penbryn Beach stretches for a mile through a picturesque cove, accessible via woodland paths through a fern-covered valley under National Trust stewardship, reports Wales Online.
This pristine coastline sits nestled between dune systems and dramatic clifftops, positioned between the more celebrated destinations of Llangrannog and Tresaith. Whilst it may lack the recognition of busier beaches, Penbryn has previously earned acclaim as amongst Britain’s finest.
The Telegraph featured this stunning location in their compilation of the nation’s 20 ‘greatest beaches’, with charming Penbryn securing a coveted spot.
A LITTLE-known resort with white sands, a Unesco-listed old town and beer for less than £2 tops a new listing of most affordable autumn beach breaks in Europe this year.
Nessebar, on a peninsula in Bulgaria, is No1 in budget airline easyJet’s Cheap Beach Index, thanks to its affordable hospitality and dependable deals on flights and hotels.
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The scenic Iglesia de Las Salinas beach, Costa de AlmeriaCredit: Getty
The research analysed areas within easy reach of airports that offer affordable direct routes from the UK, and the costs of a typical holiday “basket” of essentials including beer, ice cream and family meals out.
The Budva Riviera in Montenegro came second, followed by Spain’s Costa de Almeria then Costa Dorada.
Lisa Minot describes what makes these autumn breaks winners, and offers some great deals . . .
NESSEBAR, BULGARIA
THIS little gem offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old Town with its Roman and Ottoman architecture, 19th-century wooden houses and cobbled streets.
It’s not all culture, though – the resort has plenty to keep visitors happy with lots of bars and restaurants and a lively nightlife.
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Nessebar, Bulgaria offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old TownCredit: Getty
The report found beers would cost on average £1.60, while a three-course meal will set you back around £22 for a couple.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Festa Panorama, Nessebar is from £477pp including flights from Manchester departing on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.
FOR a more authentic Spanish experience, distinct from the more crowded Costas, the Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop.
Highlight is the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, a protected area with volcanic geology, hidden coves like Monsul and vast, unspoiled beaches for you to set aside the pressures of life.
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The Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdropCredit: Getty
Roquetas de Mar is a perfect beachfront town with lots of shops, bars and restaurants close by.
The report found beers will cost just £3 and a meal for two £36.
GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the Best Roquetas Hotel, Costa de Almeria is from £372pp including flights from Southend on September 27, 23kg luggage and transfers.
ALWAYS among the best value of the Costas, this area is known as the Golden Coast – perfect for families with its long, gently shelving golden sand beaches.
We have been holidaying in the UK for the past few years, and recently returned for a break in Norfolk – which is a brilliant spot for family holidays, especially when you go to the free kids play park
Dianne Bourne and Shania King-Soyza
15:28, 08 Sep 2025
Spectacular sandy beaches in Norfolk stretch for miles(Image: MEN)
“My kids are running with glee into a huge woodland playpark, with castle-like forts, giant sand pit, zip lines and water tower offering a dizzying choice of things to play on, as far as the eye can see,” shared Lifestyle editor Dianne Bourne, who visited a “magical spot” with her family this summer – and the best part of all, it’s completely FREE.
This isn’t your average playground either; it boasts a Royal endorsement. Nestled within King Charles III’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, this Woodland Playground is part of the rural retreat that the Royal Family have used as their holiday home for the past 150 years, reports the Manchester Evening News.
You’d typically expect to pay an entrance fee for a playground of this size, but here, you only need to cover the cost of parking. Additionally, there’s access to lovely woodland walks and bike rides across the estate’s 20,000 acres, which are open and free to the public all year round.
Dianne wrote, “It makes it one of the special things about this part of the world which makes it a brilliant spot for family holidays, as I have found with my two young boys over the past few years. We returned to Norfolk for our holidays this year, and struck gold with the weather in the ongoing heatwave.
The free woodland children’s play area in the grounds of Sandringham, the King’s rural retreat in Norfolk(Image: MEN)
“The base for our stay was a lovely holiday cottage booked with Norfolk Hideaways close to the Sandringham Estate, in the village of Tattersett. It made for the perfect location for exploring brilliant family attractions both inland and by the sea in North Norfolk.
“Sandringham made for a great day out during our stay, with the kids running off lots of energy in the Woodland Playground, and then a lovely stop off at the Sandringham coffee shop for snacks and ice cream.”
The free play area is open for as long as you wish. It features main equipment like wooden play forts, slides, and obstacle courses, suitable for five—to 12-year-olds. There’s also a dedicated woodland play spot suitable for younger children, along with a sandpit that toddlers particularly adore.
Kids love the Woodland Playground at Sandringham(Image: MEN)
For those intrigued by the site’s Royal history, you can also pay to explore the Royal house and gardens on selected dates throughout the year.
Other activities for kids
What’s brilliant about this part of the world is the sheer number of things you can do with young children, many of which are free. Not least the fact that there is just one stunning beach after another along the North Norfolk coast, and here are some of our favourites.
Kids love the sandpits too(Image: MEN)
Dianne went on to say, “We love Hunstanton as the more traditional seaside resort with funfair, chippies and ice cream, while neighbouring Old Hunstanton has a stunning stretch of sand and lots of starfish and crabs to find in the sea.
“Brancaster is another beautiful stretch of sand, owned by the National Trust, with a car park right next to the beach, which is handy for those not keen or able to walk all that far. Holkham is the most spectacular and epic beach you’re ever likely to see, but be prepared for the half an hour walk down to it, which in itself I personally find to be a really special experience.”
This is the beach adored by the Royal Family, likely due to its vast expanse and abundant sand dunes, giving you the feeling of having your own private beach even in the peak of summer. Cromer is another quintessential seaside resort, this one boasting a pier made famous in the Alan Partridge film.
She added, “We loved wandering along there where many people are crabbing. The beach is impressive, although does get very busy, and there’s also some pretty fabulous ice creams to be had, with a Mr Whippy shop right by the pier selling multi-coloured and even chocolate-dipped creations.
Kids enjoying the sand dunes at Holkham (Image: MEN)
“Away from beach activities, we also discovered close to where we stayed an absolutely brilliant garden attraction called Pensthorpe at Fakenham. You have to pay for entry, but once inside, there’s a huge outdoor play area for kids, as well as an indoor playbarn that you can book a timeslot for on arrival.
“The gardens themselves were utterly stunning, with a rather comical ‘poo trail’ during the school holidays for kids to find, which, as you can imagine, the youngsters found hilarious.”
Where we stayed
Having previously lodged in a self-catering cottage in Norfolk, Dianne found this option more favourable when travelling with young children – it provides ample space for play and everyday living during a week-long getaway, complete with your own kitchen and washing machine.
Stunning gardens at Pensthorpe (Image: MEN)
Her family were guests of Norfolk Hideaways, which boasts over 550 properties scattered across Norfolk, ranging from cosy cottages for couples to larger accommodations suitable for big groups and multi-generational families.
For Dianne’s holiday this year, her family chose Mallard Cottage in the quaint village of Tattersett. It was an ideal location, featuring bunk beds that the kids adored upstairs, as well as a comfortable living area downstairs equipped with a lounge and dining area, plus a kitchen.
Short breaks can be booked from £453, or seven nights from £551, although our four-night stay in August, during peak school holiday time, cost us £772.
Mallard Cottages was booked through Norfolk Hideaways(Image: Norfolk Hideaways)
For those requiring more room and who favour being closer to the beach, last year they also stayed with Norfolk Hideaways at The Little House in Brancaster. This property can accommodate six or eight guests, with prices starting from £1,672 for a short stay, or £2,075 for seven nights based on eight people staying.
Getting there
“The only bad thing I have to say about Norfolk is the fact the journey there is not the easiet, as it is one of the only counties in England with no motorway,” said Dianne.
She went onto explain: “The fastest route from the north west in terms of miles (and usually time) is via the A50 through Stoke, Derby and then Nottingham, and then across Lincolnshire towards Kings Lynn in Norfolk and then on to the coast.
Stunning beaches are worth the trip to Norfolk(Image: MEN)
“You’re looking at a drive of around three and half to four hours from Manchester to North Norfolk depending on the day and time you go, and depending on what sort of vehicle you get stuck behind on the single lane roads.
“In terms of public transport, there’s a mainline train station in Kings Lynn, although from Manchester you’re looking at a four-hour trip with a change at Ely. But there is a decent Coastliner bus (the 36) that stops in all of the villages mentioned during our stay above.”
