Britains

If traditional British cuisine is your thing, you might want to head to this pretty village in the north east

Tucked away in the northeast of England lies one of Britain’s most picturesque villages.

Sitting high above the North Yorkshire Moors, the seaside treasure of Staithes was formerly a thriving fishing harbour in the North East.

Rich in heritage, Staithes is also home to one of the area’s best Sunday roasts, dished up at The Captain Cook Inn.

The Captain Cook Inn boasts an enviable location, set amongst the clifftops with sweeping views across the charming cobbled lanes and peaceful shoreline beneath.

Customers have flocked to Tripadvisor to sing the praises of the pub’s roast dinners, reports the Express.

One delighted customer declared: “Had a fabulous Sunday Roast, plenty of it and the beef was so tender and very moreish!”.

Sharing this view, another guest commented: “The meal was absolutely delicious. The meat was so tender and the vegetables were al dente. Just how we like them. Big fluffy Yorkshire and rich gravy. Could have eaten a whole plate of their roast potatoes.”

Alongside the celebrated roast, the establishment serves traditional favourites including steak pie, scampi and chips, and golden whitebait for starters.

Ale lovers can enjoy a range of brews, including the signature tipple, Northern Navigator, produced specially for the inn by the North Yorkshire Brewery, just 15 miles down the road.

Little wonder that The Captain Cook Inn received Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award. Visitors to the village can delve into its rich history, which is dominated by its most famous historical figure – Captain James Cook.

The Staithes Heritage Centre and Captain Cook Museum offer a trip back in time, recreating the shop where the famed explorer once worked as a grocer’s apprentice.

This delightful centre is filled with a collection that includes books, letters, and medals, transporting visitors back to the era of Captain Cook.

Staithes, also known for its vibrant artistic heritage, was once home to a significant group of artists known as the “Staithes group” or the “Northern Impressionists”.

Today, the pride of the village, the Staithes Gallery, showcases an impressive range of contemporary artwork, including paintings, photographs, and sculptures, all inspired by the charming village and its scenic surroundings.

For those interested in prehistoric discoveries, Staithes sits on the renowned Dinosaur Coast, offering plenty of opportunities for uncovering the past.

Tucked away within the village’s harbour is the sheltered Staithes Beach; when the tide goes out, it reveals a captivating world of rockpools filled with fossils and tiny sea creatures, providing endless fascination for any keen fossil hunter.

Further escapades await along the Cleveland Way National Trail, a 109-mile stretch that offers breathtaking views, from dramatic moorlands to historic coastal castles and quaint fishing villages, running from Filey to Helmsley.

After your adventures, relax at the quayside at the Cod and Lobster pub, renowned for its extensive seafood menu including its signature dish: a delicious pan-fried Cod Fillet served with a rich Lobster Bisque, homemade Potato Rosti and spinach, topped with a juicy Lobster tail or Claw.

Not to be overlooked, the Cod and Lobster also serve up mouth-watering hot and cold sandwiches alongside traditional pub favourites.

Finally, end your day with a visit to Dotty’s Vintage Tearoom, where you can enjoy a taste of yesteryear with their delightful homemade cheese or fruit scones, hearty toasties, and a comforting brew.

Staithes, while being acknowledged as one of the most picturesque villages, also boasts a rich history, exciting adventures, and first-rate cuisine.

THE UK’s oldest lido could never reopen despite years of renovation works, costing millions.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, which was built in 1815 and is the country’s oldest, may never reopen to the public again.

It was open for just four months in 2023 after receiving £9.3 million for a revamp. But it hasn’t reopened since, and it might never do so.

The trustees of the restored lido revealed in a report that it “might not be possible” to reopen the pool, according to the BBC.

The report stated: “The risk that the cost to repair the pools and the plantroom will be substantial and beyond the resources available to the trust.

“There is therefore a risk that the pools cannot be repaired and reopened.

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“To mitigate against this risk the trust is exploring all potential avenues that would allow the pools to be repaired and reopened, including but not limited to legal recourse and external funding.”

The next steps for the trustees is to finalise the cost of repairs and work with the council and National Lottery Fund to secure money needed for the restoration.

Cleveland Pools is a Grade II listed lido, and is considered the oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK.

It opened in the early 1800s and closed in 1984. It then took a huge campaign by the public, and almost £10million to reopen the lido in September 2023.

The money was raised by trustees from local donors, Bath and North East Somerset Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

When it opened its doors for the very first time, tickets for the Sunday free swim were so popular that the system crashed.

The lido looked like it would have a very popular season, but it was forced to close months later due to flood damage.

Heavy rainfall during Storm Henk caused a huge amount of damage to the plantroom – where all the equipment to operate the lido is kept.

At the time, Cleveland Pools Trust apologised and Paul Simons, chair of the trust, said: “Once the river level has dropped the pools will be pumped out, jet washed down, re-filled and then the treatment circulation will recommence.

He added that the time frame for that “should take a number of days, not weeks.”

However, two years on, the lido remains closed and has fallen into disrepair.

Meanwhile, another lido that hopes to open is in Tynemouth. It opened in the 1920s but has been closed since the 90s.

However, Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool have been attempting to find funding partners to restore the lido.

The outdoor pool at Sharpness Point beach was once a gem for swimmers and in its debut weekend in 1925, saw thousands of people visit.

Originally it was a salt water tidal pool, and regularly hosted relaxed swim sessions as well as galas and competitions.

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With it not being lido weather, check out UK’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark where it’s always 30C – and you can stay all day.

Plus, here’s a hidden Grecian swimming pool that’s one of the grandest in the UK.

Great Britain’s Patrick Dever came an impressive fourth on his marathon debut in the men’s race in New York as Benson Kipruto beat Alexander Mutiso in a dramatic photo finish to claim victory.

Preston Harrier Dever, who finished in a time of two hours eight minutes and 58 seconds, was part of a four-man group before Kipruto and Mutiso broke clear in the latter stages.

Mutiso nearly overtook his fellow Kenyan on the line but Kipruto held him off to win as both were given a time of 2:08.09. Their compatriot Albert Korir was third in 2:08.57.

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, who could have run his last marathon at elite level,, external was 17th in 2:14.36.

Hellen Obiri set a course record to win the women’s race in New York as the 35-year-old Kenyan claimed victory in 2:19.51.

The previous record of 2:22.31 had been set by Margaret Okaya in 2003.

Sharon Lokedi was second in 2:20.07 and fellow Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui was third in 2:20.24, while Great Britain’s Jessica Warner-Judd was seventh on her debut over the distance in 2:24.45.

Great Britain’s David Weir came second (1:34.09) behind Switzerland’s Marcel Hug (1:30.16) in the men’s wheelchair race.

Briton Eden Rainbow-Cooper (1:59.30) was seventh in the women’s wheelchair race, which was won by American Susannah Scaroni (1:42.10).

THE UK is full of pretty towns and villages – but this one is home to one of the best pubs in the country.

According to the Good Food Guide this restaurant is a place where you’ll get some of the tastiest food in the country – and the village has lots to see too.

Dedham is in Essex, right on the border with Suffolk and it sits on the River Stour which passes through the north tip of the village.

It’s filled with tearooms, restaurants and a pub called The Sun Inn which has an award-winning wine list and two AA rosette awards.

Speaking about The Sun Inn, the Good Food Guide said: “As slices of English heritage go, Piers Baker’s 15th-century yellow-washed coaching inn right in the heart of Dedham is nigh-on perfect.

“There’s a sense of seasonality too in menus that offer a winning mix of updated pub classics and more inventive, Italian-accented dishes built around prime seasonal ingredients.

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“White the Sun is an emphatically laid-back place, there’s no corner-cutting.”

On Sundays the pub serves roast dinners including beef, port and celeriac all with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables Yorkshire puddings and gravy.

They also serve up breakfast, kids meals as well as a Christmas menu.

You can stay at the pub too in one of the seven rooms – which for bed and breakfast starts at £185 (based on two people sharing).

Some of the rooms are dog-friendly, and all have big beds and ensuite bathrooms.

The River Stour, which begins west of Great Bradley in Cambridgeshire, and ends in the North Sea at Harwich passes through the village.

It’s often used for canoeing and kayaking with picnickers setting up along the bank during the summer months.

Dedham is a village on the outskirts of Colchester, which was once the country’s ‘oldest town’.

Colchester was given city status just two years ago as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

It was one of the very first Roman cities, and it’s history stretches back thousands of years.

Here’s more from on Sun Writer who swapped the Cotswolds for a less-crowded but equally quaint weekend in Essex’s most perfect market town.

Plus, here’s England’s smallest town which has riverfront pubs, man-made beach and its own train station.

Quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers

Harrogate, North Yorkshire – Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter
For the last few years, my annual trip to Harrogate has been an immovable fixture in my calendar. The Victorian spa town is the perfect place for a little bit of R&R thanks to its history of spa tourism, which is very much alive. Head to The Harrogate Spa at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel if you’d like a pamper, which is a personal favourite of mine. Make sure to overindulge at Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms where a glass of pink champagne and a huge scone are almost compulsory.

Lavenham, Suffolk – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
One of my favourite villages I’ve ever visited in England is Lavenham, which is beautiful in autumn. Said to be the best preserved medieval village in the UK, it is known for two buildings – the 600-year-old Crooked House and the De Vere House, which featured in the Harry Potter films. Warm up at The Swan Hotel, which has its cosy Weavers Spa onsite.

Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Perched atop a craggy cliff, overlooking a dinky shore, Robin Hood’s Bay seems like something from a fiction tale or a North Yorkshire postcard. In summer, you’ll find dogs sprinting along the sands, while owners tuck into fresh crab sandwiches from the beachside hut and little ones fish for treasures in the rock pools. I prefer the village in winter, though, when the weather takes a turn and nature comes alive with the grassy dunes dancing in the wind and moody waves thrashing on the rocks.

Hay On Wye, Wales – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel – Digital
When I first set foot in Hay-On-Wye, I couldn’t believe I’d left it until my late thirties to visit – what a waste of a few decades. The small town on the Welsh borders that sits on the River Wye is probably best known for hosting the annual Hay literary festival, and it’s definitely a book-lovers paradise – with more than 20 book stores to explore. They sit among the many antiques shops, which sell everything from fabulous Welsh rugs to toy soldiers, trinkets and beautiful furniture.  There are so many things to browse that I could probably waste a whole week on second-hand shopping alone. 

Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
This quintessential little village may seem very familiar to some. It’s tiny – with just 150 houses, a village green, a pond and a lovely pub, The Three Horseshoes. But with Elstree Studios just up the road, it has been used as a set in countless films, in particular the 1960s British horror movie, Village of the Damned. Its close proximity to London – just half an hour away on a train from nearby Radlett or Elstree and Borehamwood station – means it’s easy to get to.

WHEN Corfe Castle was besieged during the English Civil War, little else surrounded it bar rolling countryside and a narrow river below.

Today the rocky ruins of the 11th century fortress, perched high on a hill, watch over a jumble of wonky brick buildings housing antique stores crammed with dainty ornaments and cafes selling cakes piled high with whipped cream.

With such a chocolate-box look to it, I’m not surprised that this teeny Dorset gem, just a 25-minute drive south of Poole, is so frequently-named the prettiest village in the UK.

Autumn is a spectacular time to visit Corfe Castle village. In the coming months, the ivy that clings to the thatched cottages will have turned a fiery shade of red and the beginnings of the wintry chill can be soothed with a pint in front of a roaring log burner at the local pub.

Aptly named after the old fortress itself, this village is one of the many highlights of a post-summer visit to this area.

I return to this neck of the woods every autumn, in part because of the unspoilt beaches, which look just as beautiful in blustery season as they do in pure sunshine, and also for the cliff-top hiking trails that give way to jaw-dropping views over the rolling ocean.

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Secluded English cottage where your garden is the BEACH that ‘doesn’t look real’

From the top of the South West Coast Path with nothing but ocean on the horizon, it can feel like you’re standing at the very edge of earth.

This time I am staying at a Dorset Hideaways property, the rather grand Grove Lodge in Osmington, close to Ringstead Bay.

Sleeping up to 11, this holiday home is completely geared up for large groups and families, with five contemporary country-style bedrooms.

As well as a spacious sitting room with a cosy fireplace, there’s a smart country kitchen, dining room, snug and a small annex, which comes with its own double bed and a mini kitchenette.

The standout feature of the property, however, has to be its cracking location, less than a 20-minute drive from family-friendly Weymouth beach and half an hour from Corfe Castle.

In summertime, Weymouth comes alive with holidaymakers chomping on candy floss, pushing pennies through the arcade’s slot machines and settling on the sands for a Punch and Judy puppet show.

But some may say it’s even better in autumn when beaches are empty and dogs almost outnumber humans, splashing about in the frothing waves (pooches are banned from the main section of the beach in summer months).

Staggering views

Those visiting without kids, on the other hand, should head to Lulworth Cove, just a 20-minute drive in the opposite direction from Grove Lodge, where the deep blue sea is framed by a horseshoe of pebbles.

The walk from here to the famous Durdle Door — named after a natural limestone arch protruding from the ocean — is a popular one, mainly because of the staggering views.

Just come prepared for a steep climb, and make sure you’re well-fuelled for it. In my opinion, there’s no better way to do that than with a top-notch Sunday roast.

One of the best portions of fish and chips you’ll ever eat will set you back £20, while a fresh crab brioche roll served with chips costs £16

Head to the nearby Weld Arms, where plates of pillowy Yorkshire puddings accompany slices of rare roast beef doused in meaty gravy. Or for a lighter bite, the Boat Shed Cafe, right on Lulworth Cove, dishes up fish finger sandwiches, jacket spuds and home-made soups, all for around a tenner.

If you’re after something really special, nothing beats The Anchor Inn in Seatown, which sits at the edge of a relatively isolated pebble beach, further west of Lulworth.

Fresh and local is the order of the day here and the fish-focused menu is one that keeps foodies coming back. I devoured a big bowl of bouillabaisse (French fish stew) which was packed with prawns the size of my fists and flaky salmon, served with a hunk of sourdough.

One of the best portions of fish and chips you’ll ever eat will set you back £20, while a fresh crab brioche roll served with chips costs £16.

And for dessert? Tea and cake is best consumed in Corfe Castle. The cafe serves generous wedges of raspberry cake and caramel shortbread coated in a thick layer of chocolate.

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This is the place to pick up holiday souvenirs, too. Trinkets are aplenty in the little shops that line the main street, from home-made soaps to coffee table books, detailing the best UK surfing spots, many of which are in the surrounding areas.

Well . . .  when in Rome.

BRITAIN has just opened a brand-new train station in a 100-year first – marking a major milestone for rail travel in the UK.

Beaulieu Park Station saw its first passengers roll out at 7:20am on Sunday morning – marking the first new stop on Essex’s main rail line.

The shiny new £175million station, operated by Greater Anglia, welcomed the Colchester 6.56am train to London Liverpool Street, pulling in at 8.12am.

The long-awaited stop promises to slash journey times, with commuters reaching the capital in just 40 minutes.

It was funded by a £175million pot, including £141million from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, £12million from the South-East Local Enterprise Partnership and £22million from developers Countryside (now part of Vistry) and L&Q.

The station is set to ease pressure on Chelmsford’s busy main station and cut car trips into the city centre.

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Part of the new Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods, the state-of-the-art hub will boost access to jobs, drive investment and fuel growth in the north of Chelmsford.

The new Beaulieu Parkway relief road links directly to the station from the A12, and a future North-East bypass will connect travellers from Braintree and surrounding villages.

Features and amenities

The new Beaulieu Park Station comes packed with modern features designed to make travel smoother for everyone.

There’s step-free access to all platforms via two lifts, alongside ticket vending machines, a staffed gate line and fully accessible toilets with baby changing facilities.

Passengers can also take advantage of a comfortable waiting area and space for retail or catering outlets.

For drivers, there’s parking for 705 vehicles spread across two car parks – including 38 free Blue Badge bays, 10 electric vehicle charging points, and dedicated areas for staff, emergency services and motorcycles.

Public transport links have also been upgraded, with local bus routes C11, C9, C8 and 73 now stopping directly at the station.

A handy pick-up and drop-off zone includes dedicated taxi bays, while the transport interchange offers bus stands for local services.

Cyclists haven’t been forgotten either – there are 500 spaces for free covered bike storage and paid secure storage options too.

To top it off, local walking and cycling routes have been improved, with several new paths created to make the station more accessible to nearby communities.

Ticket prices

An off-peak day return from Beaulieu Park Station to London Liverpool Street is priced at £28.20, while seven-day season tickets will cost £134.60.

A day return to London Liverpool Street during peak hours will cost travellers £42.60.

For those travelling to and from Stratford, the costs are £22.60 for an off-peak ticket, £19.70 for a standard day single and £35.30 for a standard day return.

The new service will also service Southend Airport, with tickets costing £16.90 for a standard day single, £24.10 for a standard day return, and £21.30 for a child day return. 

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Residents of other cities such as Ipswich and Norwich will also benefit from Beaulieu Park Station.

The full list of fares and services is available from operator Greater Anglia.

There’s a new train operator in town

They hope to challenge Eurostar with trips across the Channel…

A brand-new train operator is hoping to launch services between the UK and Europe, offering ‘competitive fares’ for passengers.

Currently, Eurostar is the only rail operator that connects the UK to destinations across Europe, including cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

This could all change as a new train operating company, Gemini,has announced its plans to launch services between the UK and Europe.

The new train operator, which is currently being established, hopes to begin its rail journey by launching services from London to Paris and Brussels.

Once services between London and Paris/Brussels have launched, Gemini hopes to further its list of European destinations.

The new rail operator plans to introduce ‘new cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing’ on services between the UK and Europe.

THE south of England has some incredibly popular beaches, and one is getting even bigger in time for next summer.

From next month, work is starting on the beach in Brighton and Hove to protect it from erosion and that’s great news for holidaymakers – because let’s face it… size matters.

Brighton and Hove is a one of the busiest spots in the UK with 11 million people visiting every year.

Worries about flooding and erosion across the busy Brighton and Hove seafront have led to new plans involving adding new groynes and extending the shingle beach.

Starting in late November or early December, a new groyne field will be built on the beach between the King Alfred Leisure Centre and Second Avenue in Hove.

The new timber groynes will be supported by filling the bays between each one with thousands of tonnes of shingle – which has been dredged from a site in the English Channel.

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Effectively, this will slow the movement of shingle along the coastline, helping to protect the area from flooding and erosion.

It will also reduce the amount of shingle which washes up onto the promenade during storms and high tides.

What’s probably more interesting for tourists is that the plans will see the beach extended by approximately 25 metres out to sea.

Not only does this mean the beach will be better protected, but it will create more room for tourists during busy seasons.

There’s a public engagement event taking place today (23 October) so locals can learn more about this phase of the scheme.

The work is scheduled to finish next year so by summer.

Following that, the next phase of the plan is the rebuilding of sea defences on Southwick beach which is set to be complete in 2027.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and public realm, said: “This scheme is vital for the city, to safeguard homes and businesses from coastal flooding and protect our local economy for decades to come. By taking action now, we will help make our city more climate resilient and able to adapt to increasing storms, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels.

“We are committed to value for money to deliver the best for our city. £4.5 million is a substantial sum but our local visitor economy alone is worth £5 billion.”

That’s not the only work that has been taking place in Hove – the Kingsway to the Sea project, also known as Hove Beach Park has been underway since around 2023.

The project has seen the construction of a skate and pump track, padel tennis courts, and a new tennis pavilion which opened last year.

The project has focused on creating landscaped gardens and making new pathways at a cost of £13.7million.

There will be an official opening in spring 2025 when the majority of the project will be complete.

Brighton and Hove isn;t just about the beach though.

It’s also famous for shopping in The Lanes, Brighton Palace Pier, beachfront, and the Royal Pavilion.

There’s lots of nightlife, and plenty of pubs – in fact, Brighton & Hove has the most pubs in the UK per person.

Sun Travel‘s favourites include The Station Inn, The Tempest Inn and Hove Place , which has a beautiful Italian-inspired garden.

Brighton is also home to Volk’s Electric Railway, which is the world’s oldest operating electric railway – and it’s right on the front of Brighton Beach.

It’s been operating since 1883 which makes it over 140 years old and is still going today.

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One Sun Writer recommends a visit to this beach club in Hove whatever the weather…

HOVE is the vibey neighbour of the popular Brighton – and my top choice for a weekend break.

It’s more relaxed, still with a pretty pebble coastline and blue waters, but much quieter. On Friday afternoon, just under two hours from my home in Hertfordshire, I hit Brighton.

The seaside town that everyone knows and loves for its sea lanes, pop-up market stalls, quirky creatives and music scene.

It was immediately quieter with a notable absence of Brighton’s squawking seagulls. Hove still retains its beach charm, and in fact, it’s recently been named one of the best seaside towns to live in.

Almost as soon as I hit Hove, I discovered a gem of a beach club called Rockwater.

Rustic-looking on the outside, Rockwater completely blends in with its surroundings with wooden slatted exterior, huge glass windows, and the inside is spectacular.

It has plush chairs, a beautiful bar and a holiday-like atmosphere – imagine the sun shining through open windows, the clinking of glasses and happy tourist chatter.

You might think beach bars are just for summer, but this one has lots of activities all year round from relaxing yoga to book socials, sip and paint – and of course, plenty of Christmas fun.

In Brighton you’ll find one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns has California-like beach bar named one of the best in the country.

Plus, one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns is set to get new train station revamp in huge ‘spruce up’.

With spooky season upon us, John Ellis settled down for a night with the ghosts and ghouls at Chillingham Castle

As I switched off the light and climbed into bed, I trembled with fear. I was spending the night with the ghosts and ghouls at Britain’s most haunted castle – Chillingham, in Northumberland. I’ve loved all things spine-chilling for as long as I can remember. Horror films, ghost tours – I can’t get enough. That said, I have to say, lying in the dark in a place where people experience the paranormal on a daily basis, I did begin to wonder what I’d got myself into. Would there be a bump in the night? Only time would tell. But with Halloween just around the corner and spooky season in full swing, there was never a better time to find out.

Chillingham Castle dates back to the 13th century, although there’s been evidence of occupation on the site for 4000 years. It used to be a stronghold which protected England from Scotland and has therefore seen its fair share of violence. And it’s grim and grisly past lives on to this day with regular reported visits from beyond the grave.

“Chillingham has had many turbulent times and a fair amount of Scottish prisoners met their end here,” Richard Craig, Chillingam’s ghost hunt guide, tells me. “Then, when the castle moved into domestic matters and became more of a gentleman’s manor, there were a lot of staff coming in and out, along with all the aggravations of the time. They have embedded themselves in the walls of the place too. Along with nearby burial sites, there seem to be lines of energy at Chillingham which make it a meeting place for the moved on.”

Richard sees spooks all the time. “We’ve had some pretty curious occurrences. I could sit and talk to you all week. Yes, I’ve seen ghosts. It goes on day and night. On Wednesday I observed three different apparitions. One of them, it was raining at 4.30pm in the afternoon, on the south lawn. It lasted about five seconds and then it was gone. They like stairways too, areas of passage.”

Not all supernatural encounters are visual, he says. “Some you see, some you don’t. You might simply sense their presence. You might get a funny feeling, or one of sadness. There could be a strange smell. Lady Mary for example smells of roses, while the ghost of Crawling Key smells of rotten cabbage.”

Some are friendly, some are not. “Some have a sense of humour,” says Richard. “Simon the stone mason, he’s a shoulder tapper. He likes to mess about with men with tufty hair at the back. Crawling Key however goes for ladies’ ankles.”

Some of Chillingham’s ghosts lived there, some worked there. “One came through on a ghost listening app and told me his name – Booey – and I then found his name in one of the old books on site. He held quite a high position on the estate.”

On my arrival through the grand castle gates I had an uneasy feeling immediately. You could almost feel the history weighing on you in the courtyard. Chatting to Richard, it seemed I was not alone – in every sense of the saying. “The courtyard is haunted by the executioner… and a man named John,” he tells me. “If you go out after dark, chances are you’ll meet him – and the rest of our resident ghosts.”

Beside me, I could feel the regret radiating from my friend Glen for agreeing to come with me on my trip to Chillingham. “Why did I agree to this?” he muttered on a frequent basis throughout. But – sorry Glen! – it was too late to back out now. Richard advised us to download a couple of apps to enhance our paranormal experience. I know, right? Very high tech for a ghoul. But Ghost Talker Lite and Spirit Box, Richard said, would help us to communicate with any of the deceased who wished to make our acquaintance.

And later, ghost John did indeed come through. “John. Danger. Weapon…” the words popped up on the app. My twin, Stu, who had also come along for the ride, bristled at the encounter. Did he mean I – John – was in danger? Or he – also John – was in danger? I couldn’t be sure, but for one of us was impending peril. It sent a shiver down my spine knowing a ghost was so nearby.

Feeling spooked, we decided to walk around the castle grounds for some mental respite. However, we found none, instead chancing upon the castle’s Hanging Trees, a tangled mess of tumbled-over yews, the branches on which intruders and prisoners were once – as the name suggests – hung, until their flesh fell off their bones. How lovely. A clear night, the moon was out. A gentle breeze through the trees made an eerie creaking sound. Chilled to my core, I couldn’t get away fast enough.

So… do most people make it through their night at Chillingham Castle? I have to say it wasn’t looking good for the three of us. “The amount of runners I’ve had is unbelievable, lots of people chicken out,” laughs Richard. “One group of seven, we’d only been going 90 minutes and they couldn’t take any more. One of them kept getting poked in the ribs by a ghost and another was being pushed around. Even the tea room is haunted.”

I tell Richard where we’re staying in the castle – The Tower Apartment. “Ah yes, that is haunted,” he says. Glen nearly passes out. Stu turns pale. Richard continues: “In 2022, I stayed over, went to the bathroom, I was just about to turn the tap on, and a girl’s voice said ‘hello’. I had a good look around – no one.” So far, so terrifying.

And indeed, it was a fitful night’s sleep to say the least. Glen slept with the light on. Stu was unbothered and snored his way til morning. And me? Every sound I heard, every bang or bump, I wondered if it was a paranormal pest… or simply the castle’s ancient plumbing playing up. Dawn seemed to take an age to come, and when it did arrive I was grateful. We rose wearily, looked about the room, and began to pack our things. I had survived my night in Britain’s most haunted castle – just.

*Apartments at Chillingham Castle start from £139 for two people for one night

Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl triumphed in the women’s B individual pursuit to claim a third gold for Britain on day two of the Para-Cycling World Championships.

The duo, who set a new world record in qualifying, paced their effort superbly to overcome a two-second deficit and beat New Zealand’s Emma Foy and Jessie Hodges, rounding off a fine day for the British team in Rio de Janeiro.

Earlier in the evening Jody Cundy claimed his second gold in as many days by winning the inaugural men’s C4 sprint title, while James Ball and Steffan Lloyd claimed gold in the men’s B 1km time trial.

Cundy, 47, led from start to finish as he held off Belgium’s Jarno Thierens and Australia’s Michael Shipley to win his 23rd world track gold medal.

Ball and his pilot Lloyd were equally as impressive as they finished over a second clear of Australia’s Kane Perris and Luke Zaccaria, with Italy’s Stefano Meroni and Francesco Ceci in third.

Kadeena Cox collected a silver in the women’s C4 kilo behind Australia’s Tara Neyland after being unable to maintain her blistering start.

Fin Graham secured his second medal of the week with a bronze in the men’s C3 1km time trial and Lizzi Jordan and pilot Dannielle Khan caught Poland’s Karolina Karasiewicz and Dominika Putrya to earn a bronze in the women’s B individual pursuit.

However, there was disappointment for Blaine Hunt, who crashed out in the men’s C5 elimination race.

The British team now has four golds, three silver medals and five bronze medals overall.

ANYONE seeking Christmas luxury can add a trip on this incredible train to your festive wish list.

For the seasonal period, the Northern Belle has launched three new offerings from exploring Edinburgh to wandering around Christmas markets, and indulging in dinner with all the twimmings.

From November 15 until December 20, the Northern Belle, is going all out for Christmas.

One of the experiences is for the ‘Christmas Lunch’ where guests are welcomed in style as a red carpet is laid across the platform.

Onboard there’s welcome Champagne and tasty canapés, once guests are settled into a comfortable armchair, they will be served a seven-course festive feast.

The sample menu includes a Scottish salmon roulade starter, roasted white onion potage and a turkey dinner.

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There’s a choice of three desserts; spiced apple and cranberry tart, dark chocolate and hazelnut delice, and a mandarin and gingerbread panna cotta.

To finish off the meal will be a seasonal dessert, cheeseboard and glass of Port.

Throughout the meal, live musicians will play festive tunes, and there’s even an onboard conjuror to entertain.

After the meal, passengers can relax with a Fortnum & Mason cup of tea and petite fours.

The Northern Belle is heading all over the country for the festive treat, and is heading to cities like Newcastle and York.

But it will also visit some market towns too. For example the journey from Norwich will also pick up passengers at Ipswich.

Heading up to Newcastle, the train will make two stops at Darlington and Durham.

On the journey to Preston, the train will make three initial stops at Chester, Liverpool and Wigan – but wherever you get on, the Northern Belle does a round-trip to each destination.

Tickets for Christmas lunch on the Northern Belle start at £395 and are available to book now.

The Northern Belle is known for its luxury experiences and was voted as being one of the best train trips in the world at the Conde Nast Traveller 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Northern Belle came in fifth place between the Glacier Express at number four and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at number six.

Other trips onboard the Northern Belle include Historic Edinburgh at Christmas.

The journey begins in Hull at 7.25AM where passengers can enjoy a three-course brunch with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary cocktail.

Passengers will journey up to Edinburgh where they will have five hours to explore the city.

On returning to the train, guests can indulge in a champagne reception that awaits before enjoying a six-course dinner with fine wine – the price for this starts at £495 per passenger.

The other Christmas offering is exploring York’s festive markets for passengers who hop on in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The journey involves the same cocktail and three-course brunch offering as the Edinburgh exploration and then free time will be exploring York and the markets.

On the return journey guests will again get to enjoy a six-course dinner – tickets start at £495pp.

Next year, the train is offering Mother’s Day Lunches onboard, Afternoon Tea, as well as trips to Cheltenham, Chatsworth House, the Sandringham Flower Show, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Torquay.

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See if the Northern Belle will be making a stop at your local city or town for Christmas lunch…

Glasgow-Edinburgh: November 29

Liverpool-Crewe-Chester: December 4

Swansea-Cardiff: December 5

Norwich-Ipswich: December 12

London Victoria: December 13

Coventry-Birmingham: December 14

York-Doncaster-Sheffield: December 17

Darlington-Durham-Newcastle: December 18

Glasgow-Edinburgh: December 19

Manchester-Huddersfield-Leeds: December 20

Plus, check out what Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski made of her journey on the Belmond British Pullman.

And Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding took a journey up to Scotland on the Caledonian Sleeper – here’s everything she got up to along the way.

Oct. 13 (UPI) — Europe’s years-long “dieselgate” scandal is set to begin court proceedings Monday in Britain’s high court that potentially could impact over one million car owners and a handful of manufacturers.

The landmark trial described as the largest class action lawsuit in English and Welsh history is the culmination in a decade-long legal battle over allegations at least five major car manufacturers utilized software that allowed new cars to reduce its emissions under testing conditions.

It pointed to Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot/Citroen, Renault and Nissan as its named defendants. But the global car producers proclaim innocence.

“A decade after the ‘dieselgate’ scandal first came to light, 1.6 million (British) motorists now get their chance to establish at trial whether their vehicles contained technology designed to cheat emissions tests,” attorney Martyn Day, part of 22 law firms representing drivers, told the BBC and the Independent.

Scores of other car makers — including Opel, Hyundai/Kia, Porsche, Volkswagon, BMW, Suzuki, Toyota, Volvo, Mazda and Jaguar Land Rover — may face similar action depending on outcome.

The “dieselgate” emissions scandal was exposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2015 following the revelation that a number of diesel-powered VW models contained deceptive emissions-monitoring devices.

On Monday, Day said if the court ruled on the side of consumers that it would “demonstrate one of the most egregious breaches of corporate trust in modern times.”

“It would also mean that people across (Britain) have been breathing in far more harmful emissions from these vehicles than they were told about, potentially putting the health of millions at risk,” Day added.

However, the companies have attempted to push back against allegations of wrongdoing.

A Mercedes spokesperson said its test mechanisms were “justifiable from a technical and legal standpoint,” while Ford stated the claims had “no merit.”

According to Nissan, it was “committed to compliance in all markets in which we operate.”

In May, a German court convicted four ex-Volkswagen officials of fraud years after “Dieselgate” got exposed.

Australia’s high court in 2019 fined Volkswagen a record $86 million in the emissions scandal.

It arrived as the British commonwealth nation preps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035 along with more than 100 other nations that agreed to reduce maritime emissions in opposition to U.S President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, a judgment in Britain’s “dieselgate” case is not expected until sometime mid-next year. A later hearing to determine compensation could follow if Britain rules against the carmakers.

BRITAIN’S Got Talent star, Dave Betton, who was praised by Simon Cowell after performing with his son has died, aged 82.

Betton had appeared on the show alongside his son Dean in 2020, reaching its latter stages after impressing the judges.

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The father-son duo had left them stunned throughout and at one point received a standing ovation for rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life”.

Simon Cowell said at the time: “There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate – and you were a mug of hot chocolate!

“You made me feel good, I needed that.”

Betton, from Chesterfield, worked as a club singer after moving to Blackpool in 1981 with his wife after she bought the Dorchester Hotel.

Throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s he performed at clubs up and down the coast on the local circuit.

He went on to perform on tour in Australia and South Africa and even had a stint in Las Vegas, achieving a personal ambition of his.

Following the death of his wife, he had retired 15 years ago.

His son, Dean, had also carved out a career as a Robbie Williams tribute act and it was his idea that they should go on Britain’s Got Talent where they were billed as Dave and Dean.

“I always looked up to my Dad and he inspired me to take up singing, quite late in the game,” Dean said.

“He was definitely a local legend in his time – he would pack out clubs.”

Dave sadly passed away last month from sepsis after a short illness and was surrounded by his family.

His funeral will take place on Monday, October 27 at Carleton Crematorium.

He leaves two sons, five grandchildren, five great grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step great granddaughter.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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Britain’s Kat Matthews claimed silver at the World Ironman Championship, but compatriot Lucy Charles-Barclay was forced to pull out while leading as competitors battled sweltering conditions in Kona, Hawaiʻi.

Matthews benefited from the late withdrawals of Charles-Barclay and American Taylor Knibb to finish second behind Norway’s Solveig Lovseth, who claimed her first Ironman world title.

Charles-Barclay was leading after 10 miles of the marathon but visibly began to struggle as temperatures pushed 28C with 70% humidity.

She eventually pulled out with about nine miles remaining after consulting with her husband at the side of the road.

That seemingly left the path clear for Knibb to take the title, but the 27-year-old withdrew with four miles left, sitting down on the tarmac as Lovseth and Matthews ran past her.

Matthews finished strongly and completed the marathon in a course record two hours, 47 minutes, but it was not enough to reel in Lovseth.

The Norwegian crossed the line in a time of eight hours, 28 minutes and 27 seconds, with Matthews just 35 seconds behind for her third Ironman silver medal. Germany’s Laura Philipp was more than eight minutes further back in third.

“I worked really hard and I’m very proud of my finish,” said Matthews. “I’m happy for Solveig, she was incredible to watch. I had a very up and down day.”

The Ironman course consists of a 2.4-mile (3.8 km) swim, 112 miles (180 km) cycling and the final marathon, which is 26.2 miles (42.2 km), for a total distance of 140.6 miles.

Meanwhile, the men’s and women’s World Championships will reunify in 2026 after three years as separate events.

The Championships were split in 2023 to ease entry back-logs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Contestants that missed out on the chance to audition for Britain’s Got Talent over the past week may soon have their moment on the stage as bosses are planning to film the lost episode

Britain’s Got Talent has been thrown into chaos after show boss Simon Cowell suffered an injury – with a scramble now on to make up for lost time. The long-running ITV reality show is currently filming the 19th season – having launched all the way back in 2007.

But the latest season got off to a bad start over the past week – as auditions planned for Thursday had to be abandoned after Simon, 65, suffered a bash to the head. Hopefuls that were expecting to be judged in Birmingham were left disappointed when an entire day of filming was scrapped.

And now show bosses are scrambling to recover the episode so that the auditionees can have their moment on the stage. The process is said to be a strain due to the last minute nature of organising filming that would normally take weeks of planning.

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A source told The Sun: “It looks like they will hold the supplementary session on Friday, then continue with the scheduled days of auditions continuing for a further week. They feel so bad for all the people left disappointed by what happened last week and want to do what they can to make things right – even though it’s going to take a lot of last-minute organising.”

The Mirror has contacted representatives of Britain’s Got Talent for comment. The update comes days after Simon was spotted with a graze on his forehead, and it was revealed he had injured himself. A source previously told The Sun: “Simon had a terrible headache and migraine – caused by an accidental bump on the head.

“He’s fighting fit now, though – and was revelling in being in Birmingham and back in his judge seat.” The Mirror has contacted Simon’s spokesperson for comment.

The man himself has addressed the drama, sharing a video of himself on social media which made light of his injury. He declared in a video shared via Instagram: “It’s Simon, I’m alive and I’m in Birmingham, I just want to say thank you for all your get well messages.”

He then focused the camera on his grazed forehead, but then produced a happy smile. As he was forced to drop out of filming at the end of last week, former X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon was parachuted in to fill the vacant judges’ seat during auditions on Friday.

The mum-of-five, 35, took to her Instagram stories to post a picture of the iconic BGT stage with her name in lights on the iconic stage. Alongside the picture, Stacey wrote: “What in the alternative universe is going on. A dream.”

Simon has previously opened up about the debilitating migraines he occasionally suffers, which interfere with his work.

He previously explained that he often wears red-tinted glasses to help counter the effects of studio and stage lighting.

The star, who turns 66 on Tuesday, has suffered a string of injuries in recent years. In 2020, he broke his back after falling off an electric bike at his Los Angeles home – an accident that required surgery and months of recovery.

Cowell, who is engaged to Lauren Silverman and father to 11-year-old Eric, described the injury as a harsh reminder of his vulnerability at the time.

In 2017, he also suffered a serious head injury after falling down the stairs at his London residence. At the time, he said: “Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible, and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock.

“They think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out. After all I am a dad and have more responsibility than ever,” he told his fans at the time.

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