Margate is getting a huge new skatepark in CliftonvilleCredit: GoogleThe skatepark will transform some of the abandoned gardens overlooking the seaCredit: margateskateboardclub / InstagramIt is expected to cost more than £1millionCredit: Thanet District Council
And an abandoned area on the seafront is set to be transformed into a free-to-use skatepark,
Set to cost around £1.1million, it is being designed by Betongpark Limited who are behind a number of skateparks in the UK, including the converted Victorian bathhouse Manor Place.
Opening on Ethelbert Crescent, it will be free for all skill levels, with plans for workshops and events as well.
Along with the skating area, there will be new seating areas, a kiosk with toilets.
It had hoped to open by this summer, although this hasn’t been confirmed.
Daryl Nobbs, Director of Betongpark, said: “As a team of lifelong skaters, we’re pleased to be building the new park on the site of the former DIY skatepark, working closely alongside a strong local scene.
“Once built, the new concrete skatepark will be one of the UK’s best, set in a beautiful location overlooking the waterfront.
“The concept design includes a range of street and transition-focused elements across a vast site, to provide something for everyone.”
The project is part of the £22.2million Margate Town Deal.
Other plans include improving Walpole Bay, home to one of the UK’s biggest tidal pools.
Both Theatre Royal Margate and the Winter Gardens also hope to reopen.
I lived in Cliftonville for a few years after leaving London, and saw how quickly it was changing for the better.
New locally run restaurants and bars were opening, including wine bar Sete as well as the new pub The Local Light.
Other plans for Margate include transforming Walpole BayCredit: TDCThe Winter Gardens also hopes to reopenCredit: Alamy
Margate House is one of the coolest new hotels with its new Willy’s restaurant serving ‘comfort food dishes’.
It still has a way to go – there are ongoing problems with fly tipping in the area and some of the high street still has shops that have been boarded up for years.
But the community is what makes it, from the weekend farmers markets to the huge number of pop up events.
A LIDO that was set to close for good has backtracked and confirmed that it will reopen for the 2026 summer season.
The outdoor pool in Teignmouth was marked for closure earlier this year, but the decision has since been overturned.
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Teignmouth Lido will reopen for summer despite being marked for closureCredit: Teignmouth LeisureThe lido sits on the beachfront of the Devonshire townCredit: Alamy
In February of this year, Teignbridge Council announced plans to close its beachfront lido in order to save money.
Now, the decision has been reversed by the executive committee of Teignbridge Council.
The council announced the news on social media and said: “Our Executive Committee has today (Tuesday 10 March) voted to open Teignmouth Lido this summer.
“Teignbridge District Council will operate the pool this summer and will work with community groups interested in taking on the Lido to ensure a safe handover.
“Councillors acknowledged the difficulties of balancing the books but agreed that opening the Lido would deliver value over price and enable the community to keep using the pool while Teignbridge works with groups to secure the asset’s long-term future.”
Since the news of the lido’s potential closure broke last month, the local community has been campaigning to reopen the lido.
Over 2,500 people having signed a petition to stop the lido’s closure, according to the Teignmouth Community Lido Trust.
After the executive committee meeting campaigner Catherine Brown said: “This is a brilliant outcome.
“It’s unbelievable that the council has gone from a unanimous decision to close it to a unanimous decision to keep it open!”
The 25-metre outdoor pool first opened in the 1970s and opens seasonally, usually having its debut in May half-term.
It has partial opening hours in June and July and then opens full time during the summerholidays.
The pool is heated and holds various swim sessions, from public to fun sessions, as well as activities like aqua fit and aqua circuits.
The Teignmouth Lido has reopened every year in May half-term to swimmersCredit: Teignmouth Leisure
Four years ago, the pool underwent a refurbishment of £800,000 and then a further £30,000 was spent on repairs, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The Teignmouth Community Lido Trust has expressed its hope to take over the lido site and keep it open for years to come.
Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding who grew up in the area is also a fan of the lido. She said: “Teignmouth Lido is more than just a gem on the South West coast; for me, it’s the backdrop of my childhood.
“For over a decade, my school summer holidays were defined by afternoons spent there with my family – so to hear that the lido could close is heartbreaking.
“With ample patio and sun-drenched patches of grass surrounding the 25-metre crystal clear pool, it was the rare kind of place where parents could relax while kids felt a bit of freedom.”
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Reus, Crete (Chania) and Pula are magical destinations, and we know their appeal, coupled with our award-winning customer experience, will make them much sought-after from Bournemouth and Edinburgh Airports.
“We look forward to taking holidaymakers to these new summer hotspots.”
Travellers heading to Reus can expect Modernist architecture across the city, including the Pere Mata Institute – a grand building home to a psychiatric hospital.
In fact, famous architect Antoni Gaudi – who designed the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona – was born in the city.
You can even go to the Gaudi Centre in the city, which is dedicated to the architect.
Make sure to also visit Casa Navas, which is a preserved Modernist building that is often thought to be one of the best examples of Art Nouveau in Europe.
It was built between 1901 and 1908 and inside, everything is original including the furniture, stained glass and mosaics.
For amazing views of the city and beyond, head up the 62metre Prioral Sant Pere Bell Tower.
Then for a bit of retail therapy, there is the shopping district which offers both brand names and more independent boutiques.
Over in Pula, Croatia, visitors can explore the coastal city which is well-known for its preserved Roman ruins.
One of the routes will be from Bournemouth to Reus in SpainCredit: GettyAnother of the routes will be from Edinburgh to Pula in CroatiaCredit: GettyAnd the third route will be from Edinburgh to Crete in GreeceCredit: Getty
These include Pula Arena – a large Roman amphitheatre that hosts concerts and festivals.
Make sure to not miss the old town as well, with the eight-metre high Triumphal Arch of Sergii and the 2,000-year-old Temple of Augustus which was dedicated to the first Roman emperor, of the same name.
Of course, thanks to the city being on the coast there are also a number of beaches.
For example, you could head to Beach Valovine which is about 15 minutes from Pula and you’ll find crystal clear waters.
One recent visitor said: “The views and scenery here were unrivaled – loved walking over the rocks at the ocean’s edge.”
And last but not least, if you choose to head to Chania, Crete in Greece, you can explore a stunning 14th century Venetian harbour and vibrant old town.
Pula is known for having many well-preserved Roman ruinsCredit: GettyAnd in Crete, you can head to one of the beaches often named among the most beautiful in the worldCredit: Getty
In the old harbour, which is in the heart of the city, you can explore streets lined with Venetian-era buildings and a 16th century lighthouse.
Then in the old town, you will find a variety of Venetian, Ottoman and Greek architecture with cosy cafes such as Cvajner Gallery, which is found in former bank.
Crete is full of stunning beaches and close to Chania town you can relax at Chrissi Akti, also known as the ‘Golden Beach’.
From the town it is about a 40 minute walk or a short bus ride.
The beach has golden sand as its nickname suggests and visitors can hire sunbeds and umbrellas.
There’s even a small playground for little ones.
Perhaps one of the most famous beaches to visit though, is Elafonissi Beach which is known for its pink sand.
In other flight route news, the best airlines in the UK have been revealed – with the number one carrier having the fewest flight cancellations and free luggage for passengers.
“TONY ‘the Slugger’ Rizzo, boss of New York’s Castelli crime family, wiped the blood off the baseball bat with the dead guy’s toupee…”
“Grandad!”
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Skiathos Town is filled with boutique shops, bars and restaurantsCredit: GettyThe Princess Resort makes multi-generational holidays a breeze — even for grandparents learning the toddler ropesCredit: SuppliedFor a meal without nippers, try the Princess Resort’s sister hotel, the boutique adults-only Aegean Suites Hotel, just outside townCredit: Supplied
“ . . . He jabbed a finger at his late accountant and shouted: ‘See what happens when you double-cross me, you muthaf . . . ’ ”
“Grandad!!”
“ ‘. . . and you gone and got your blood all over my freakin’ money. So now I gotta waste my day laundering it!’ . . . ”
I am lying on a beautiful Greek beach, a good book in my hand and a cold Mythos beer on the table beside me.
It’s holiday perfection, but someone keeps interrupting.
Two-year-olds . . . it’s all about them, isn’t it?
My wife and I are in Skiathos with our daughter and her husband and our granddaughter Flo.
We’re on one of those multi-generational breaks — or as we grandparents call it, a working holiday.
(“Just off to the spa. Can you look after Flo?” “Can Flo stay with you while we go into town?” “We thought we might have dinner on our own tonight. Just the two of us . . . ”)
Luckily, we are at the Princess Resort, a wonderful hotel just 20 minutes from the island’s airport that knows how to help families relax — especially grandparents who have forgotten what holidaying with a toddler entails.
We first came here about 15 years ago, when my daughter and her brother and sister were young, and had one of our best ever family holidays. I didn’t get much reading done then either . . .
The hotel may be the most famous on the island thanks to Mamma Mia!.
The cast stayed here during filming and Colin Firth loved it so much, he came back the next year.
You can see why. It is located in beautiful, manicured gardens in the sheltered bay of Agia Paraskevi.
Rooms are in a two-storey building in a semi-circle which means everyone gets a view of the beach.
And what a beach! A long stretch of immaculate golden sand with shallow, warm water gently lapping up against it. It’s the perfect setting for one of the big ambitions of our holiday: Operation Get Flo Swimming.
Flo loves going to the pool at home in Brighton and is just learning, but what would she make of the sea?
After some initial reluctance caused by the feel of the sand between her toes and several swallows of salty water, she soon takes to it.
And, naturally, it’s grandad she wants to keep going in with her for a splash about.
The beach’s sun loungers and tiki umbrellas are all reserved for guests and free but you can shell out on a cabana.
OK, this isn’t cheap at €90 a day but it is definitely worth it, especially with a baby or toddler. We were in Skiathos in June and, God, it was hot.
With a cabana you have a proper base on the beach in the shade where you can snooze, eat and read (yeah, right).
It’s vital when you are trying to keep a little one from getting sunburned.
The Princess Resort is great for children. There’s a complimentary kids’ club, the Little Seals Club, a superb outdoor play area and a €15-a-night babysitting service. (Now they tell me.)
Plus, a lot of the equipment you need — from high chairs and potties to car seats and even prams — is available from reception.
(Don’t even bother asking about the fuss we had packing for a holiday with a toddler.)
But, adults need a break, too, you know, and the hotel offers scuba diving, horse riding, water sports and fishing and sailing trips. Or you can just kick back and take advantage of the massages and beauty treatments in the spa.
The Princess Resort is B&B, which means you are not tied to the hotel for dinner.
But make sure you eat at Ammos, the hotel’s taverna on the beach, which specialises in fresh seafood.
It’s not cheap but the location and grub is definitely worth it. And they love kids.
As do the staff at the superb Platanias Taverna & Bar over the road from the hotel.
It’s a good value family-run restaurant serving traditional food, where children can run free while indulgent staff manoeuvre around them without complaint.
It would be Jan Leeming’s restaurant nightmare.
The of Mamma Mia! cast stayed at the Princess Resort during filming and Colin Firth loved it so much, he came back the next yearCredit: SuppliedHiring a cabana for €90 a day is not cheap – but it’s well worth itCredit: Supplied
For an upmarket, foodie experience head to the waterfront Baracoa about ten minutes away from the hotel by taxi.
It’s expensive, but the setting and menu have made it one of the must-visit places to eat on Skiathos.
Oh, and for a meal WITHOUT nippers, try the Princess Resort’s sister hotel, the boutique adults-only Aegean Suites Hotel, just outside town. Amazing food and terrific views over the old marina.
One of the great things about Skiathos is that you don’t need a car.
There’s a bus stop right outside the Princess Resort and the fare into town is just €2.
Or splash out €40 and get a boat ride from the jetty along from the hotel and arrive in town in style.
A word of warning, though — taxis can be thin on the ground in Skiathos Town in the evening. So if you are planning a late return, get a cab into town and arrange a return pick-up with the driver.
There are plenty of upmarket boutiques, bars and restaurants to discover in this beautiful whitewashed island capital.
It’s great to sit on the waterfront with a beer and watch the boats come and go.
And not much beats wandering around the narrow alleyways and coming across some enticing looking bar or a cafe serving delicious Greek treats.
Watch out for the scooters, though.
Since Mamma Mia! was filmed in the Sporades islands, Skiathos Town has definitely moved upmarket and it is a lot busier — even though most of the movie locations are on Skopelos and Alonissos.
But it retains a friendly, down-to-earth vibe you simply don’t get in the A-list hangouts of Santorini and Mykonos.
Anyway, after a long, tiring day of exploring in Skiathos Town, Flo’s finally in bed — so at last I can get some serious reading done.
Here we go: “It was Peppa Pig’s birthday and Daddy Pig had a great idea . . . ”
GO: SKIATHOS
STAYING THERE: Seven nights at the Princess Resort, Skiathos, starts from £675pp (based on two adults sharing), staying in a family room with private garden on a B&B basis.
Price includes flights from Gatwick based on a May 2, 2026, departure.
