Britain

June 3 (UPI) — The British government threatened to sue Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to ensure the proceeds from his sale of Chelsea Football Club benefit aid efforts in Ukraine.

The government seeks to direct the $3.4 billion Abramavoch received when he sold the Premier League club in March 2022 to funds to humanitarian aid.

“The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy and British Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in a joint statement.

Abramovich, however, has stated he would like the proceeds to benefit “all victims of the war in Ukraine,” including those in Russia.

He has retained legal control of the funds have remained frozen in a British bank account since the sale as Abramovich was sanctioned in February 2022 following Russia and the government said Tuesday it would take legal action to gain control of where the funds are sent.

“We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr. Abramovich so far,” Lammy and Reeves said. “While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”

Abramovich was granted a special license to sell Chelsea, as long as he could prove he would not benefit financially from the transaction.

He sold the team to an American-led group two months later for over $3.3 billion, and those proceeds have since remained frozen in a British bank. U.K. officials released a statement Monday that said it’s “fully prepared” to take legal action against Abramovich.

This Andalusian village is considered a “mini-Britain”. But while Brits have long lived in harmony with locals in the area, the country’s housing crisis is taking a toll

While crackdowns on properties escalate across Spain, thousands of UK expats continue to call this Andalusian town home.

The Brits that settle in this area have been lauded for their contributions to the local economy but their high purchasing power has been the source of some friction. The small mountain village of Albanchez has been home to couples like Clare Shirley and her husband for over two decades, as reported by The Express. The couple told the publication they had “no problems with integration” when they arrived in the region.

Shirley and her husband are among the more than 92,000 Britons that moved to Andalusia, turning the region into a “mini Britain” which houses more Brits than Bath and Chester. Andalusia in southern Spain has long been a holiday hotspot for Brits, with popular destinations including Seville, Malaga, and the resort haven of the Costa del Sol.

Albanchez sits in the south of the province, between olive groves and gentle hills. The village belongs to the Sierra Magina Natural Park, known for its scenic and diverse landscapes.

READ MORE: Blow to Brits as Spanish city considers ‘tourist ban’ and U-turns on major project

Albanchez is a semi-desert town, a landscape that will look familiar to anyone that’s seen Clint Eastwood’s famous western The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (which was filmed not too far away).

The quiet town is immediately identifiable by its white-washed houses, which stand out in the shade of the surrounding hills. It is also home to a few key architectural landmarks, including the Albanchez de Magina Castle which stands above the town on the first crag in Sierra de los Castillejos Mountains.

The castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century and was declared a site of Cultural Interest in 1985. Another architectural gem is the Torre del Reloj: the 19th-century square tower in the village that was built in 1883. The nearby Canava Pine Wood – comprising Aleppo pines – also adds to the picturesque and tranquil atmosphere that has drawn so many UK citizens to settle in the area.

While Brits like Shirley have enjoyed a relatively peaceful life in Albanchez and been embraced by locals, Andalusians are not immune from the country’s housing crisis. The issue of rising housing costs – due in part to foreigners relocating to Spain – has been a growing sore spot.

‘Total ban’ of property sales to non-Spanish residents

This past April, mass demonstrations overtook 42 cities across Spain as protestors sought to spotlight the housing shortage and soaring rental prices. Following the protests, the Malaga City Council reportedly cancelled plans to build 1,300 tourist homes in the city.

The new Malaga city strategy will reportedly veer away from property sales to non-Spaniards, considering a “total ban” altogether. Malaga City Council has already worked to curb the construction and acquisition of tourist housing after growing animosity from locals in recent years.

But after the most recent protest and the projected plans for a summer of tourist disruption, Malaga’s mayor Francisco de la Torre said “a global moratorium” is under consideration.

June 2 (UPI) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans Monday to inject an additional $20.3 billion into the country’s nuclear weapons program to combat the “threat from Russia” and China and build 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines.

The new spending is part of a major Strategic Defense Review unveiled by Starmer at a military contractor on Clydeside in Scotland, home to the country’s Trident submarine nuclear deterrent, aimed at restoring Britain’s fighting capability and making it “war-ready” within two years for a conflict in Europe and/or the Atlantic.

“We are moving to war-fighting readiness as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready, and frankly, to show them that we’re ready to deliver peace through strength,” Starmer said.

“I believe the best way to deter conflict is to prepare for it.”

The plan, was Starmer said, “a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger, a battle-ready, bomber-clad nation with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come.”

However, he stressed that it would be a “NATO first” policy, putting the military alliance at the center of everything the United Kingdom did.

In addition to the nuclear warheads program and submarines, which will be built under the AUKUS security pact signed in 2021, other review pledges include six new munitions plants and adding 7,000 new long-range weapons to Britain’s arsenal, a “hybrid” Royal Navy that uses drones alongside warships, submarines and aircraft and invest in improved housing and equipment for members of the armed forces.

While Starmer said he was unable to give assurances that defense spending would reach the government’s goal 3% of GDP by 2034, everything in the defense blueprint was deliverable within the 2.5% figure the government committed to in February, due by Fiscal Year 2027.

Britain’s fiscal year runs April 1 through March 31.

The government has promised $12 billion of the $20 billion will come from economic growth, rather than spending cuts or tax hikes.

The 3% is an “ambition,” and the government’s refusal to set a firm timeline, and again tying it in with economic growth, raised eyebrows.

Starmer rejected suggestions that the failure to commit to a 3.5% minimum by 2032 called for by Secretary-General Mark Rutte and others, demonstrated a lack of commitment to the 32-member-country alliance.

The SDR was slammed by both the opposition Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

“With the prime minister unable to even confirm a date for hitting 3% on defense spending, the SDR really is unravelling. How can they deliver what they’ve promised?” Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartledge wrote on X.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer’s ruling Labour Party of not being able to “even hold a defense policy together for 48 hours.”

“How can they be trusted to defend Britain? In the most dangerous era in a generation, they found BILLIONS for the Chagos surrender — but can’t commit to properly funding our armed forces,” she wrote in a social media post.

Writing on X, Helen Maguire, defense spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, called for all-party negotiations to agree on a path forward to 3% of GDP.

“Whilst the prime minister is totally right to recognize the importance of increasing our defense capabilities — without a clear spending plan — the SDR risks becoming a damp squib,” she said.

Good Morning Britain viewers were left furious after a heated debate was broadcast on Thursday morning

Good Morning Britain viewers issued a complaint as an “excruciating” debate unfolded on the show on Thursday (May 29).

This morning’s broadcast saw presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid tackle the day’s top stories, both domestically and globally, on the popular ITV show.

At one point, they began debating the current doctors’ strike after health secretary Wes Streeting warned that resident doctors would “choke” the NHS by going back on strike.

In a BBC interview, the MP urged resident doctors to “work with the government” and warned strikes risked hampering the progress being made in the NHS.

Last week, it was announced that resident doctors, the new name for junior doctors, would be getting a 5.4% average pay rise this year – more than other doctors, nurses and teachers.

But they have said it’s not enough to make up for below-inflation pay awards since 2008.

GMB hosts Ed and Susanna invited Dr Ross Nieuwoudt from the resident doctors’ committee and Reem Ibrahim from the Institute of Economic Affairs onto the programme to delve into the contentious issue, reports Bristol Live.

“I absolutely believe in markets, but the NHS is not a market, it’s a socialised healthcare system. That is the fundamental point. If doctors want to be paid more, then let’s look at a social healthcare system,” Reem said.

“Let’s look at countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark that have public and private partnerships where there is competition.”

She added: “What I would like to see is the National Health Service as a whole, the spending that we’re using at the moment, being used more efficiently.”

Ross was quick to counter, asserting: “I think that’s a foolish thing to do. A canary in a coal mine is there to alert people of danger, and that’s what the strikes are doing.”

The debate soon escalated as Ed and Susanna joined the conversation, with tempers flaring on all sides.

Viewers tuning into the fiery exchange soon expressed their frustation on X (formerly Twitter), criticising the segment’s confrontational tone.

One viewer questioned: “Why are they shouting??” while another commented: “Why is Ed Balls getting angry here? So unprofessional.”

Another exasperated viewer remarked: “This is excruciating,” and one more asked: “Can you explain please why Ed Balls’s questioning and response to the young lady was more aggressive than to the BMA representative. Seems to forget he’s now supposed to be balanced as an interviewer and his political bias as a labour minister put on the back burner.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am

Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid shared an update after a car ploughed into crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade

Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid delivered “horrific” breaking news on Tuesday (May 27).

At the top of the programme, Susanna reported that four children were among those injured at yesterday’s Liverpool FC parade.

A man, aged 53, has been taken into custody following an incident where a car struck several pedestrians in Liverpool city centre during the Premier League victory parade.

Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media depict the vehicle ploughing through a crowd, causing people to flee the scene.

The police have stated that the incident is not being treated as terror-related and appears to be an isolated event, reports Bristol Live.

“Our breaking news this morning is that we now know that four children were among the dozens injured yesterday as a people carrier was driven into crowds celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League victory parade,” Susanna began.

“Firefighters had to lift up the vehicle to rescue a child, who was among four people trapped underneath it.”

Ed Balls chimed in: “The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the city’s unity, saying Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.”

Chief correspondent Richard Gaisford was reporting live from Liverpool, while Nitya Rajan was stationed outside Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Before airing a pre-recorded segment, Richard issued a cautionary note to viewers. Following this, Nitya provided details about the injuries sustained in the incident.

“One child out of the four that were injured has sustained serious injuries,” she confirmed.

Back in the studio, Susanna Reid and Ed Balls discussed the heart-wrenching impact of the incident on the community.

“Devastating scenes there. Of course, everyone thought that they were celebrating something joyful,” Susanna said.

“This parade was miles long, and initially people would not have realised what happened in Water Street if they had already drifted off in other directions.

“Obviously, your heart goes out to everyone injured, those who saw what happened, people would have been really devastated witnessing that, but everyone else in the parade thinking it was one of the best days of their life, and all that’s come over that now is just awful.”

Ed added: “It’s so particularly upsetting for this to happen in Liverpool. They were denied a parade during the pandemic when they won the league. Liverpool has faced such terrible football hardship over the years.

“For this to happen again and on the day when they’re celebrating such a dramatically brilliant win in the Premier League is really unfair. It’s terrible.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am

A SERIAL thief has been barred from every Greggs in England and Wales after repeatedly targeting the same bakery in a shameless crime spree.

Patrick Verry, 33, is now forbidden from entering any of the high street baker’s hundreds of branches following a court order brought by the Met Police.

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He was caught in the act last week by officers inside a Greggs shop in Wood Green, North London, after striking the location seven times.

Verry was arrested on the spot and brought before Highbury Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted to six counts of theft from the same Greggs store.

Police described him as one of the capital’s “most prolific shoplifters” — and now he’s banned from every Greggs outlet across the country in a move to protect staff and customers.

The order comes as part of a new Met Police blitz on retail crime amid soaring shoplifting rates nationwide.

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s retail crime lead, said: “The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Verry.

“They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.”

He continued: “We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”

The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streets.

Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylight, with some stores experiencing a theft every 20 minutes.

At one busy location in South London, a thief was seen stuffing doughnuts and drinks into his pockets before barging past staff and walking out unfazed.

In another shocking clip filmed in Tooting, a brave female Greggs manager tried to stop a thief who was carrying several bottles of Coca-Cola.

She shouted: “You’re not having all of that,” as the crook tried to leave.

He coolly replied: “Yeah I’m walking out with them, watch me.”

Customers looked on in silence, too scared to step in. A witness said: “There were two grown men just stood by the tills.

“Everyone was just silent.

“No one said a word. People are just afraid now.”

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The Met later confirmed it was not alerted to the Tooting incident, which happened in August, highlighting just how many shoplifting cases go unreported.

Our reporters saw similar scenes play out in branches from Newcastle to Brighton, with thieves helping themselves to hot food, drinks and sandwiches without even trying to hide it.

In Stockwell, South London, one man was caught on camera filling his coat with products before grabbing two boxes of jam doughnuts worth £3 each and fleeing during the lunchtime rush.

In Worthing, West Sussex, two men repeatedly walked in and out of Greggs helping themselves to hot food from the display cabinets.

On Brighton’s Queen’s Road, one crook walked off with two trays of wedges in front of a stunned staff member. “Average day,” the employee said when asked about it.

Minutes later, another thief ran out with two trays of wedges and a sandwich, while yet another masked man sprinted off carrying food as helpless staff shouted after him.

In Southampton, a man entered just after midday, grabbed four hot food items and said: “Sorry guys, I’m homeless, I need to eat,” before walking straight out the door.

In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasons.

One insider told us: “They’ve been told not to chase anyone, not to engage. It’s heartbreaking for the team.”

Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six months.

Of those, only 111 received immediate or suspended jail time — and most had long criminal records.

Greggs has started introducing extra security measures in stores hit hardest by crime.

That includes removing self-serve fridges, placing chilled food behind the till, and trialling bouncers in some branches.

One staff member said: “It’s like we’re on the front line. You’re trying to sell sausage rolls but you’re looking over your shoulder constantly.”

Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to police.

“We’ve now got a system where we can take photos of people committing theft on the shop floor and that then instantly goes to the police,” she told The Sun.

The bakery chain is also investing in body cameras for workers and running trials with a 24-hour shoplifting helpline.

A Greggs spokeswoman said: “Shoplifting is an industry-wide issue and we take it extremely seriously.

The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority.”

Politicians have backed The Sun’s investigation.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is an important and timely investigation from The Sun, exposing just how bad the shoplifting epidemic has become.

“There has to be consequences for this appalling criminality.”

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson added: “Retail workers should never feel unsafe at work. That is why we’re taking robust action to tackle shop theft and protect workers.”

She confirmed new laws are coming under the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will create a specific offence for assaulting shop staff and scrap the £200 threshold that previously gave low-level shoplifters “effective immunity.”

Meanwhile, the Met has released dramatic new footage showing suspects sprinting from stores clutching bottles, sandwiches and snacks as part of a wider crackdown on repeat retail offenders.

And police chiefs say they’re not stopping with Verry, more bans could be coming for other prolific shoplifters as efforts ramp up to restore order on Britain’s battered high streets.

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Good Morning Britain sparked reaction online from ITV viewers after showbiz editor Richard Arnold shared ‘special’ baby news live on air about Peppa Pig’s mother

Good Morning Britain fans were left scratching their heads after Richard Arnold dropped some ‘special’ baby news on the show.

On Monday’s (May 20) episode of ITV’s popular morning programme, presenters Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid were joined by the showbiz guru, who hinted at having ‘special oinking news’ to share.

Richard announced: “I have some baby news for you, what a beautiful day it is today. Now, as you know, I’ve interviewed Hollywood stars, music icons, sporting legends but the nation has been gripped by my biggest ever exclusive chat with Mummy Pig, when she announced, if you remember, her pregnancy back in February.”

He added: “Over 60 million of you on TikTok have been following Mummy Pig and the rest of the pig family while they get ready to welcome their new addition. This was the interview where it all started.”

Revealing the big news, he said: “Since then, Mummy, Daddy and Baby Pig painted Battersea Power Station pink as they revealed the gender of their baby. Peppa and George will be welcoming a little sister and now, it brings me great joy to announce that she’s here!”, reports Bristol Live.

Susanna quickly chimed in with her congratulations, saying: “Aww, congratulations.”

Richard gushed: “It’s a beautiful thing, like I said, Daddy Pig has just shared these pictures with me of Peppa’s brand new baby sister Evie named after Mummy Pig’s Aunt Evie, she was born at 5:34am this morning, thankfully, just in time to watch her first ever Good Morning Britain.

“She’s certainly receiving the royal treatment so far with the town crier announcing her birth and a special plaque, how very royal, all the birthing details unveiled. Beautiful pictures here too, as you can see of the happy family.”

He continued: “Understandably, Mummy Pig is resting but Daddy Pig has let me know he will be free to catch up next week for his first ever TV interview and another glimpse of the new baby. You can find out when Peppa meets the baby this autumn.”

Susanna queried: “Do you know the weight?” To which Richard responded: “I don’t know the weight, I thought it might be a little bit invasive to ask at this stage.”

Susanna retorted: “People always ask the weight.” Richard quipped: “I was nearly ten pounds, you can imagine, it was all head because I’ve always had a smurf like body.”

Wrapping up the segment, Richard announced: “Great news and we will catch up with Daddy Pig next week.”

Confused viewers at home took to social media to express their surprise at the announcement. One viewer tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Animated pigs ? OMG! This programme gets worse Seek professional help @GMB #GMB.”

One perplexed viewer remarked: “What the f**k is going on? Feel like I’m on drugs #GMB.”

Another posted: “Am I having a fever dream? A whole segment about a cartoon pig? Is this what we’ve become? ! ! #Gmb.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV and ITVX

Britain and Iran have summoned each others envoys after three Iranians were charged with spying in the UK.

The IRNA news agency said the British charge d’affaire was asked on Sunday to give an explanation for what it said was “unjustified” and “politically motivated” arrests.

On Monday, the Foreign Office responded by summoning Tehran’s ambassador to the UK following the charges.

Three Iranian men were arrested on 3 May and appeared in court in London on Saturday charged with spying for the Islamic republic.

It said the government “is clear that protecting national security remains our top priority and Iran must be held accountable for its actions”.

“The summons follows this weekend’s announcement which stated that three Iranian nationals had been charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service,” it added.

The alleged spying took place from August 2024 to February 2025, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Police identified them as Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55, all living in London.

A fourth man was arrested on 9 May as part of the investigation, but has been released without charge, the Met said.

The three men, who arrived in the UK between 2016 and 2022, were granted temporary leave to remain after claiming asylum.

It is alleged they carried out surveillance with a view to locating journalists associated with Iran International.

Iran International produces coverage that is critical of the current regime in Iran and has been proscribed in Iran as a terrorist organisation.

“Iran must be held to account for its actions,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement following Saturday’s charges.

“We must also strengthen our powers to protect our national security as we will not tolerate growing state threats on our soil,” she added.

It comes as five other Iranian men were arrested on the same day in London, Swindon, Stockport, Rochdale and Manchester as part of a separate counter-terrorism investigation.

Four of the men – who had been held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act – had been released from custody, although the investigation “remains active and is ongoing”, police said.

The fifth man was earlier bailed to an unspecified date in May.

A GANGSTER jailed for plotting to blow up a football stadium has lost his bid to stay in Britain — but is still here.

Maksim Cela, 59, claimed returning to Albania would put him at risk from rivals.

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His claims were thrown out by a judge on Friday after a two-year fight costing taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds.

But the crook, who arrived in 2023, five days after serving a sentence for murder and terrorism in Albania, has not left and launched yet another appeal.

Cela argued sending him home breached European human rights laws.

But Judge Jeremy Rintoul of the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber said: “I do not accept that the appellant has told the truth about the nature of the threats.

“I find that the appellant’s refusal to acknowledge guilt weighs heavily against him.”

Cela was jailed in Albania for masterminding the murder of a crime-busting police officer and plotting to bomb a football stadium.

In his legal battle, he claimed the elderly mum of the dead officer might seek revenge.

He was named as the mafia boss in the case only after The Sun fought for 23 months to overturn an anonymity order.

Sources last night confirmed Cela was still in the UK and had lodged another legal appeal.

The Home Office said: “Foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes should be in no doubt we will do everything to make sure they are not free on Britain’s streets.”

It remained unclear last night where Cela was living — but he can remain here while his appeal is being prepared.

ITV’s Good Morning Britain has been on the air since 2014 and has boosted the profiles of the likes of Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan – but the long-running series could be getting a major overhaul

There are fears of a “mutiny” at ITV over plans to revamp breakfast news show Good Morning Britain. The topical news show has been on the air since 2014 and features Susanna Reid, Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway as regular hosts.

However, things are tipped to change at the Television Centre in London, where the ITV show is filmed—and there will be a major “shake-up” over the way the show is filmed. It has been suggested that the overall aesthetic of the show could be changed to be more hard-hitting and in line with ITV’s news reports, which are produced by ITN.

It has been suggested that a new studio could be constructed to house the morning show, sparking alarm among staff that this could affect roles behind the scenes. Changes are said to be in consideration in the hope that the ITV show can overtake BBC Breakfast, which regularly pulls in over one million viewers each morning, compared to around 700,000 for GMB.

The suggestion of changes comes months after former ITV News boss Andrew Dagnell was appointed director of news and current affairs at ITV. While Unions reportedly expressed “concern” in a memo to staff.

READ MORE: Nutritionist says special coffee ‘elevates energy’ and ‘manages stress’ without crash

The Daily Mail reported the rumours of changes with a source telling the outlet: “Obviously any talk of major change starts panic – lots of the staff were immediately worried about the security of their jobs.

“This is about streamlining ITV’s news output across the whole day, and having separate teams doubling up just doesn’t make sense. So it may well be that some correspondents end up appearing across the whole day’s schedule, rather than being specifically attached to GMB or ITV News.

“There could be a new set and a new feel, and a more continuous feel to ITV’s news bulletins throughout the whole day as a result. But people are very much likely to lose their jobs, so there is a lot of upset, anger and in some cases, mutiny.”

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.

One of Good Morning Britain’s biggest stars was Piers Morgan who served as an anchor on the show from 2015 until 2021 and was known for his outspoken opinions. His inclusion on the show helped GMB reach some of its biggest ratings in it’s 11 years history.

However, he sensationally walked away from the show four years ago after hitting out at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after they gave an interview with Oprah Winfrey. Piers sparked a backlash when he criticised Meghan Markle after she opened up about past mental health struggles during her interview.

Quitting the show, he later wrote on X: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on.”

Piers has struggled to find steady work since leaving the ITV show, however, as he joined News UK’s TalkTV channel – only for the network to be wound down. He now broadcasts a show on YouTube.

Piers has enjoyed viral success, however – particularly with an interview with Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, who is suing Netflix as she claims she was defamed by their hit show Baby Reindeer.

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Long overshadowed by its historic neighbour, this seaside town in East Sussex has become a coveted hub thanks to its booming culinary scene and convenient commute to the capital

A seaside town in East Sussex has been dubbed one of the best places to live in Britain according to a new ranking. Long in the shadow of its historic neighbour, Hastings, this UK destination has taken the title of ‘cool cousin’ for its emerging arts scene, chic restaurants and beautiful landscape.

The award-winning lifestyle platform, Muddy Stilettos, has shared its list of the best places to live in the UK. While the top 10 Sussex destinations ranged from quaint country villages to sleepy hamlets, St. Leonards-On-Sea was a standout.

St. Leonards – known colloquially as Lennies – is known for its distinct combination of elegance and edge. The town sits in the shadow of neighbouring Hastings which is well-loved for its impressive historic Old Town, but St. Leonards has been gaining wider attention for its seaside charm.

READ MORE: Incredible city with cobbled streets and ‘chilled vibe’ in Europe’s safest country

According to Muddy Stilettos, St. Leonards showcases the best of its neighbours of Bexhill and Hastings. The town offers access to “raw but beautiful Regency and Art Deco architecture” as well as a “quiet and long beach” with proximity to the greenery of Hasting Country Park.

One of the reasons St. Leonards is growing in popularity as a place for Britons to settle down has to do with its proximity to the capital. St. Leonards locals are within commutable distance to London, with trains to London Bridge taking approximately 90 – 100minutes and trains to London Victoria taking about 110 mins.

St. Leonards is also a convenient distance to other major cities. Brighton is only a 30-minute direct train ride away from St. Leonards’ Warrior Square Station and there are great links to Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks in Kent.

In addition to its ranking on Muddy Stilettos’ list of the top places to live in Sussex, St. Leonards was included in the The Times’ list of the best places to live by the sea in 2024. According to The Times, the growing popularity of the town has a lot to do with its impressive culinary scene.

The publication confirmed that the opening of a new farm-to-table restaurant Bayte confirmed the town’s status as a “top-table place for sophisticated seaside escapes”. Bayte has a family connection to the Richmond staple, Petersham Nurseries, and promises the same exceptional gastronomic experience.

Food-focused travellers will also be impressed with the many delights to be found on St. Leonards’ Kings Road. Natural wines and small plate restaurants are rife throughout the high street, with some local favourites including the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, The Royal, and the seafood-centric Galleria.

Kings Road also promises optimal shopping and cultural experiences, for both tourists and locals. Art galleries, boutique clothing and home goods stores offer a mix of high-quality and hand-made wares. The spirit of community is also one of the main attractions of the area. Cultural festivals like St. Leonards Fest and the frequent indoor vintage markets help encourage and cultivate community in the seaside town.

According to Muddy Stilletos, the pandemic saw house prices increase in the area, rising to an average of £330,000 and going as high as £900,000 for a townhouse. This is partially attributed to the strong schools in the area, with state primaries and secondaries rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Full list of Top 10 best places to live in Sussex

• Alfriston
• Amberley
• Cuckfield
• Hove
• Kingston-near-Lewes
• Petworth
• Rye
• St. Leonards-On-Sea
• Ticehurst
• Worthing

One seaside town has been ranked the best in the country, receiving five-star ratings for its impressive views of the Northumberland coastline and serene atmosphere.

One Northumberland village has been named the best seaside town in the UK four years in a row. The UK’s top consumer champion, Which?, conducted its annual seaside survey of over 120 UK towns and villages across the UK and the results reveal a clear winner.

Bamburgh is the landslide victor, retaining its title as the most beloved seaside town among travellers. According to the results of Which’s survey, Bamburgh received five-star ratings across the board for its beach, seafront, scenery, tourist attraction and its tranquil atmosphere.

The village achieved an 86% overall destination score in the recent survey, which was the consumer group’s biggest seaside survey to date. The results reflect the opinions of 5,000 Which members, many of whom cited the spectacular views of Bamburgh Castle in their reviews.

READ MORE: Charming UK market town with no tourists ‘perfect for a staycation’

Bamburgh is situated within the Northumberland countryside, at the midway point between Berwick upon Tweed and Alnwick. Part of the reason it’s so popular among British holidaymakers is due to its close proximity to Newcastle airport and the Chathill train station (only a 30-minute train ride).

The most famous fixture of Bamburgh is, naturally, its namesake landmark: Bamburgh Castle. Even if you haven’t visited the castle in-person, you may have seen the iconic fortress in television shows or films like The Last Kingdom, Transformer: The Last Knight, or Frontier.

The award-winning castle is hailed as “the real Last Kingdom of Bebbanburg”. Today, the Anglo-Saxon citadel is owned by the Armstrong family, and their love of pets is the reason the grounds are now dog-friendly.

The Castle has become a huge attraction for the area, hosting a range of activities including Dragon Hunts, Ghost Tours and Outdoor Cinema Screenings. Fans of the Netflix series The Last Kingdom can also partake in the Uhtred of Babbenburgh Tour which runs between February and November to learn about the castle’s history.

Bamburgh Castle has become a distinguishing feature of the Northumberland coast and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Not only is the fortress filled with 3,000 years of history and tales of Vikings and The Last Kingdom, but it also offers stunning views of the sea beyond.

Bamburgh Beach sits just beyond Bamburgh Castle and is notable both for its sand dunes and sea views. The beach has also become a huge draw for surfers, considered one of the most consistent spots along the coast. For those interested in learning, there are multiple surf schools operating on the north end of the beach from spring until autumn.

Travellers venturing north along the beach will come across the famous ‘Stag’ Rocks. This coastal landmark gets its name from the white stag painted on the rocks. While the origin of the painting is unknown – some locals say it appeared after a stag jumped into the sea – today, the rocks are regularly painted to keep up the local history.

Stag Rocks have also become a popular vantage point for birdwatching. This portion of the coast also offers unique views of the protected Farne Islands – a small group of islands a few miles off the coast of the Northumberland between Bamburgh and Seahouses.

If you’re in the area, a visit to the nearby fishing village of Seahouses is certainly a must. Regular boat tours leave from Seahouses’ harbour to the Farne Islands where travellers can see puffins and a large colony of grey seals.

Travellers can even walk straight from Seahouses harbour to Bamburgh Castle to enjoy a stunning stretch of the Northumberland coastline. The roughly three-mile walk is predominantly on golden sand.