British

A visit to the Fox and Pheasant pub in Fulham left us with a £106 bill for one starter, two mains and five pints – but despite the premium prices, the food was delicious

“They named a ski ride after me in Verbier and turned a phone box into a museum for me in Herefordshire. Your turn.”

That was James Blunt’s witty response to one of the countless mocking tweets and messages the 51-year-old receives weekly, this particular one questioning, ‘What have you ever achieved?’

Since burrowing into the consciousness of every British person with 2005’s hit ‘You’re Beautiful’, the self-described ‘one hit wonder’ has built a thriving reputation for mocking himself. And also, I learned earlier this month in the hospitality trade.

Mr Blunt is among numerous high-profile figures who’ve diversified from their primary profession to venture into the pub industry (my colleague Steffan Rhys recently enjoyed a fantastic afternoon in one of Wales’ rugby icons’ establishments). On the surface, investing in pubs isn’t an entirely logical decision.

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In reality, it’s a dreadful period to be running a pub.

The British Beer and Pub Association calculates that 378 establishments closed in 2025, potentially affecting 5,600 jobs. Before Rachel Reeves reversed her decision on slashing business rate relief for pubs, many faced a 76% increase over the coming three years.

Her reversal has been praised by landlords, though the scope of the tax break remains unclear. As does the outlook for an industry battered from multiple directions, including falling alcohol consumption rates.

Whilst I can’t claim to know the inner workings of the Fox and Pheasant’s balance sheet, I’m reasonably certain this boozer is thriving. On a particularly grim January weekend, right in the heart of dry January, the Fulham establishment was absolutely rammed.

I’d managed to secure the weekend’s final available table on Thursday, with the binding agreement to order at least two mains and cough up £20 if I failed to turn up.

The table itself was squeezed into the corner beside the waiting station, offering far superior views of my fellow punters and the condiment station than it did elbow room. By my rough calculations, the Fox and Pheasant seats around 40 diners.

If everyone spent what we did, then it’s clearly a shrewd investment from Mr Blunt.

My mate and I stumped up £106 for one starter, two mains, and five pints. Perhaps this ought to be anticipated when eating out in one of Britain’s priciest postcodes.

As a visitor to these exclusive parts, the sting of the bill proved difficult to shake off.

“I think £40 less than that feels about fair,” my friend concluded, having clocked up years working in upmarket restaurants throughout central London.

That’s not to suggest the Fox and Pheasant isn’t a cracking pub. That’s beyond question.

The layout proves particularly clever. Stepping in from the gated, private street that Mr Blunt has inhabited for more than 15 years, visitors are greeted by a tastefully presented facade complete with expertly refurbished signage, hanging flower baskets, and emerald wall tiles.

The front portion of the premises houses the double-sided bar and drinking space. It’s a vibrant, intimate spot to take refuge on a bitter winter’s night, especially if you manage to snag a seat beside the crackling fire.

Most of the dining takes place in a spacious room towards the rear – a shrewd decision that maintains the traditional pub atmosphere at the front. The dining space is bright and attractive, topped with a conservatory-style roof and climbing foliage adorning the walls.

Mindful of costs, we opted to share a starter of celeriac tartare accompanied by tomato relish, hazelnut cream, and horseradish. “Is it just me or does this taste like they’ve dunked celeriac bits in a tin of baked beans?” queried my companion, a seasoned baked bean connoisseur.

The main course delivered considerably more impact. I chose a Roquefort and walnut salad with chips, whilst my friend selected a chicken, chorizo, and mushroom pie served with creamed leeks, alongside an impeccable Mr Whippy-style swirl of mashed potatoes.

Ordering a pie from a pub is, as we all know, a risky business. Too often, I’ve found myself delving into the crust only to discover it’s merely a lid.

While I sympathise with the hard-pressed publican, a bit more pastry isn’t going to break the bank. Mr Blunt’s team didn’t skimp on the pastry, but the pie’s lack of depth was truly startling.

At its deepest, it measured a mere 6cm.

That said, the flavours were delightful, the service swift and the atmosphere in the restaurant was pleasant. There’s something rather appealing about dining amongst towering finance men and impeccably attired women.

However, while achieving such stature might require protein-rich meals, the limited vegetarian options beyond salads were somewhat disappointing.

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The absence of the pub’s owner was also a letdown. Online rumours suggest that Mr Blunt frequents the pub and, according to public opinion, he has done well managing the Fox and Pheasant since rescuing it from conversion into flats in 2018.

The only nod to the 23 million album-selling singer was found in the cocktail menu. Had my Reach PLC expense allowance not already been depleted, I would have discovered if the ‘You’re Beautiful’ cocktail is as successful as its namesake.

The Fox and Pheasant is nice but, all things considered, my verdict is simple: too expensive.

Got a travel tale to tell? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

A British man has died in an avalanche in the French Alps.

The man, believed to be in his 50s, was skiing with a group off-piste at La Plagne, a statement from the resort said.

Rescuers were alerted to the avalanche at 13:57 (12:57 GMT) on Sunday and went immediately to the area, it added.

The man was discovered under 2.5 metres (8ft) of snow after a 50-minute search.

He had been skiing without an avalanche transceiver or a professional instructor, the resort said.

La Plagne said its thoughts were with the man’s family.

BBC News has asked the Foreign Office for comment.

The rescue team was made up of more than 50 people including medics, ski instructors and a helicopter-deployed dog.

La Plagne’s official website prompts visitors wanting to ski off-piste, also known as backcountry skiing, to make sure they have read the Avalanche Risk Bulletin and to use an avalanche victim detector.

December through to February is peak season for avalanches in the northern hemisphere.

Only last month, five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl and her father, died in an avalanche in Italy’s Dolomite mountains.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L), French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer take part in the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine during the Coalition of the Willing summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday. Facing questions from the British Parliament, Starmer said Wednesday lawmakers would have the ability to vote on such a deployment should a peace deal be signed. Photo courtesy Ukrainian President Office | License Photo

Jan. 7 (UPI) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday Parliament would be able to debate and vote on whether to deploy troops to Ukraine on a peacekeeping mission.

Speaking to members of Parliament, Starmer said any action involving British troops deploying to Ukraine would be “in accordance with our military plans” and require parliamentary approval.

On Tuesday, Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron signed a trilateral agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, opening the door for the two countries to deploy troops to Ukraine after it signs a peace agreement with Russia.

Starmer told members of Parliament that the leaders “made real progress on security guarantees, which are vital for securing a just and lasting peace.”

“We will set out the details in a statement at the earliest opportunity. I will keep the house updated as the situation develops, and were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the house for a vote.”

His comments were in response to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who questioned why Starmer hadn’t made a full statement to the House of Commons on the issue, The Guardian reported. She said she welcomed the prime minister’s efforts on peace in Ukraine, but she found it “astonishing” that he wasn’t making a full statement to lawmakers.

“No prime minister, Labour or Conservative, has failed to make a statement to the house in person after committing to the deployment of British troops,” she said. “His comments about making a statement in due course, quite frankly, are not good enough.”

Starmer responded that he wasn’t required to make a statement to Parliament because the agreement he signed Tuesday fell under previously existing military plans.

He also declined to specify how many British troops would be deployed should a peace deal be reached, the BBC reported.

The Great British Rail Sale is returning for the fourth year, offering millions of discounted tickets with savings of up to 50% and more on popular routes across the UK

A massive sale for rail travel is set to launch this month, offering up to 50% off on thousands of popular routes from nearly every train operator.

The Great British Rail Sale is back to make train journeys more affordable, boasting millions of discounted tickets. The week-long sale, taking place from 6 to 12 January 2026, presents an opportunity to secure bargain fares with over 50% savings on advance and off-peak tickets.

These reduced fares are valid for travel on thousands of routes from 13 January to 25 March 2026. With almost all train operators joining in and routes covering the length and breadth of the UK, it’s the perfect time to book, whether you’re planning a city getaway, commuting, or looking for half-term activities.

Some of the deals include £10 trips from South Coast destinations, such as Portsmouth to London Waterloo, offering a whopping 59% saving. Travellers hopping on the train from Exeter to London Waterloo can also enjoy a staggering 76% discount with tickets slashed from £41.70 to just £10.

In other deals, a 50% reduction will be available on the London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street route, with tickets going for a mere £7. Passengers can also benefit from the discounted journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport, which will be priced at just £1.20, down from £2.90, reports the Express.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in 3 decades to help ease the cost of living. We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half-term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”

This marks the fourth year of the Great British Rail Sale, with travellers saving approximately £8 per trip last year, leading to more than one million tickets being snapped up. The government is understood to be determined to increase the number of people using trains in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and clear road space for emergency vehicles and freight.

Jacqueline Starr, executive chairperson and CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Rail Sale gives people even more reasons to choose rail, whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new places. Rail continues to play a vital role in the lives of millions, supporting local economies and offering a more sustainable way to travel.

“This year’s Rail Sale will offer millions of discounted advance fares across the network from 6 January, giving customers the chance to save on journeys big and small. By making rail travel more accessible, we hope even more people will enjoy the convenience and comfort of travelling by rail.”

Key discounts

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For a family-friendly holiday, Wales has it all.

No matter the age – or the weather – there are attractions to suit, from adrenaline-fuelled water parks to museums that will ignite their passion for science. And the best bit? You don’t need to break the bank. 

If you’re heading to North Wales, you’ve got the epic natural playpark of Snowdonia to explore, as well as thrilling zip wire rides through quarries, such as Zip World Penrhyn Quarry for a treat.

Or how about taking mini marine biologists to spot sea creatures at the Anglesey Sea Zoo?

Meanwhile, South Wales is home to the capital – you could head to Bute Park for a picnic (tip: grab some traditional Welsh cakes from Bakestones) or see the Norwegian Church where children’s author Roald Dahl was christened (free to visit). 

The Cardiff Bay area also has free things to do on a day out, like scooting the Barrage embankment to the skate park and taking a selfie at the Enormous Crocodile bench. 

But don’t just take our word for it. We’ve chatted to Wales experts and Sun readers who have taken £9.50 Holidays in Wales for their favourite best family attractions located near our £9.50 Holiday parks.

Here’s what they said… 

Fun on the farm

Chantelle Hawkins, Guest Experience Manager at Trecco Bay, recommends Wiggleys Fun Farm for families.

She said: “It’s about 15 minutes away from our park and is a really good day out. They’ve got indoor and outdoor play areas as well as animal paddocks, sit-on tractors and a cafe.”

Open every day except Christmas and Boxing Day, the park is great value, costing from £4 for kids and from £2 for adults. 

Big thrills at the Aqua Park

Steph Powell, a parent blogger from South Wales, recommends taking older water babies to let off steam at the Aqua Park in Cardiff Bay (suitable from age eight upwards) with its inflatable slides, towers and “flip stations”.

There are plenty of wallet-friendly activities nearby for a family day out too.

Steph said: “In the summer holidays, Cardiff Bay Beach is free to enter, with rides and attractions for the whole family. We like the Bay and its surroundings, so usually we grab a coffee and stroll across Cardiff Bay Barrage.

“We enjoy the sea air, and taking in the views as we go.

There’s a sandy play park and skate park along the route, too. These days can be as cheap or expensive as you like. We often take a picnic so it only means covering parking, petrol and coffees/ice creams.”

Spark their imaginations

Chantelle Hawkins recommends Techniquest, a science attraction in Cardiff, around half an hour from Trecco Bay.

Kids of all ages can dive into science, technology and engineering via over 100 hands-on exhibits and live shows.

A good all-weather option, highlights include a planetarium, sensory garden and a Mini Metro Play Zone for under-sevens.

Chantelle said: “It’s really fun for all ages and isn’t expensive.” Tickets cost £11.81 for adults and £10 for children; free for under-threes.

Hit the market…and fairground at Tir Prince

Nicola Jones, 36, from Worsley, Manchester, has been visiting Lyons Robin Hood, on the coast of Rhyl in North Wales, since she was a child.

She said: “It’s somewhere where we’ve always gone. We usually go to Tir Prince Market because there’s loads of parking and a fairground next to it, which the kids love.”

The fairground has everything from rollercoasters for thrill seekers, to bumper cars and caterpillar rides for little ones.

The market is also a great place to pick up a bargain, with Pound shops and hundreds of stalls and a car boot area selling things like fresh food and second-hand household goods.  

Go wild at the zoo 

With stunning panoramic views of Colwyn Bay, the Welsh Mountain Zoo is within easy reach of Lyons Robin Hood, just a half-hour drive along the coast.

Nicola Jones said: “It’s a great option for children. They have some more unusual animals there, like tigers, camels and snow leopards.

“The site is mostly outdoors, so bring warm clothes and prepare for steps and narrow paths.”

Tip: if you’re taking a buggy, pick up a free map at the entrance showing pram-friendly routes. Tickets from £12.98pp for a family of four; free for under-threes.

Dec. 29 (UPI) — Anthony Joshua, a British heavyweight boxing champion, sustained injuries Monday in a car crash that killed two others in Nigeria, local authorities said.

Babaseyi Boluwatife, an Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, told CNN that Joshua incurred “minor bruises” in the crash around 11 a.m. (5 a.m. EST) on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The highway connects Ogun State to the city of Lagos.

Nigerian media outlet Punch Newspapers reported the vehicle Joshua was in collided with a truck.

“The vehicle conveying Anthony Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated,” Oluseyi Babaseyi, a spokesperson for Lagos police, told CBS News.

“He was seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and (is) receiving medical attention.”

Boluwatife said two other occupants in the same vehicle as Joshua — both foreign nationals — died, including the driver.

Joshua, who was born to Nigerian parents, frequently visits the West African nation.

Joshua is a former two-time heavyweight boxing champion and most recently garnered attention for knocking out YouTube personality Jake Paul in a bout in Miami earlier this month.

THE turkey leftovers are nearly finished and the Christmas tree might be looking past its best.

While we have still got all the fun of New Year’s Eve this week, our thoughts will no doubt be turning to something we can look forward to in 2026.

And, of course, that has to be a holiday.

Travel companies are going all out this year to encourage us to get planning and there are some great deals to be had in their New Year sales.

Lisa Minot takes a look at some of the bargains to be bagged before Big Ben’s chimes usher in 2026.

British Airways

BRITISH Airways and BA Holidays’ January sale offers savings on trips to some of its most-searched holiday destinations in 2025, including New York, Orlando, Dubai, the Maldives and Barbados.

With 2026 marking the centenary of America’s Route 66 and the World Cup kicking off, there are return flights from £411 to Los Angeles, £427 to San Francisco and £439 to Miami.

Flights to Dubai start from £449 and Cancun from £482.

British Airways Holidays has seven-night packages to European destinations including Malaga, the Algarve, Malta and Majorca from £299pp.

And for a cheeky city break, there are deals in hot spots including Barcelona, Nice and Venice from £199pp.

There are also discounted holidays to the US, with Florida and Los Angeles from £599pp.

Deals include seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Pestana Alvor Beach Villas in Alvor, Portugal, from £299pp including Gatwick flights on dates in March and 23kg luggage.

Or seven nights’ room-only at 3.5H The STRAT Hotel, Casino and Tower in Las Vegas from £649pp including Heathrow flights on select dates in November.

To book, go to ba.com/sale.

Virgin Atlantic

THERE are savings of up to £120 per couple and £210 for a family of four on Virgin Holidays packages to the Caribbean, Orlando and Tampa with a low deposit of just £75pp.

Deals include 14 nights’ room-only at the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando from £908pp including Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow on March 4, 2026.

There are also holidays to new route Cancun in Mexico, with seven nights’ B&B at The Fives Downtown Hotel from £1,086pp including Virgin flights from Heathrow on September 19, 2026.

In Virgin Atlantic’s sale there are return flights to New York from £373 on select dates in February 2026, as well as return fares to Phuket in Thailand from £648pp on selected departure dates in October 2026.

You can also get return flights to Cape Town, South Africa, from £729pp on selected dates in January and February 2026.

See virginatlantic.com.

TUI

TOUR giant TUI is touting its biggest sale ever with up to £500 off holidays, zero deposits with direct debits to spread the cost and thousands of free kids’ places in the school holidays.

There are flexible departures from more than 20 local airports and hundreds of free room upgrades.

The sale offers savings of ten per cent with the code SALE up to a maximum saving of £500 as long as you download the TUI app and create an account.

As well as land-based holidays, there is up to £300 off TUI River Cruises when you spend over £3,500, or £200 off if you spend over £2,500 on sailings departing between March 2026 and the end of October 2027.

The deal is valid on sailings of five nights or longer on Europe’s River Rhine, Douro or Danube and River Nile in Egypt.

Or you can head long- haul to the Caribbean with seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Riu Negril in Jamaica.

It costs from £1,420pp including flights from Gatwick on June 16, 20kg hold luggage and transfers.

To book, go to tui.co.uk.

Jet 2

THE UK’s largest tour operator is sharing the love with £100 off ALL holidays booked in its sale, with a low deposit of just £25 needed to lock in a great deal.

The sale, running until January 12, also includes 20 per cent off all flight-only bookings on jet2.com, including on one-way flights.

All package holiday deals include 22kg luggage, 10kg hand luggage, under-seat bag, return transfers, plus ABTA and ATOL protection.

There are millions of free child places, as well as pay monthly plans to spread the cost.

Deals are available on more than 75 destinations across Europe, the Med, North Africa and the Canary Islands.

Offers include seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 3H Club Mac Alcudia Resort and Waterpark in Majorca from £579pp with flights from Leeds Bradford on April 18.

And seven nights’ B&B at the 3H Hotel La Barracuda, Costa del Sol, from £389pp including flights from Stansted on February 27.

See jet2holidays.com.

easyJet

THE Big Orange Sale from easyJet holidays is promising up to £400 off city breaks and beach escapes.

Holidaymakers can get £50 off a minimum spend of £500, £100 off an £800 minimum, £150 off a minimum of £1,500, £300 off a £3,000 minimum spend and £400 off a £4,000 spend with the code BIGSALE.

The deal is valid on 8,000 hand-picked hotels in more than 100 destinations in Europe and North Africa, from popular cities including Amsterdam and Prague, and beach spots from the Canaries to Cape Verde.

All holidays include flights and hotels, and beach packages also come with a 23kg luggage allowance and transfers.

Deals include four nights’ room-only at the 3H Espresso City Centre in Amsterdam from £227pp including flights from Southend on February 1.

And seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Valeria Dar Atlas Resort in Marrakech from £435pp including flights from Liverpool on February 5, with 23kg luggage and transfers.

Book with a £60 deposit at easyjet.com/en/holidays.

Dec. 26 (UPI) — A federal judge has blocked the deportation of a British man targeted by President Donald Trump.

Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, was one of five people placed on a visa ban after the government accused him of censorship.

Ahmed filed suit against Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi to prevent “the imminent prospect of unconstitutional arrest.”

The suit said the case comes from “the federal government’s latest attempt to abuse the immigration system to punish and punitively detain noncitizens for protected speech and silence viewpoints with which it disagrees.”

Ahmed is a legal permanent resident of the United States, where he lives with his American wife and child. He praised the judge’s decision.

“I will not be bullied away from my life’s work of fighting to keep children safe from social media’s harm and stopping antisemitism online,” Ahmed said.

The speed of the judge’s decision was telling, said his lawyer Roberta Kaplan.

“The federal government can’t deport a green card holder like Imran Ahmed, with a wife and young child who are American, simply because it doesn’t like what he has to say,” the BBC reported she said.

Rubio said in a statement Tuesday that the five had “led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize and suppress” the views of Americans with whom they disagreed.

“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” Rubio said. He described the five as “agents of the global censorship-industrial complex.”

The others included in the ban are former European Union technology commissioner Thierry Breton; Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of Berlin-based non-profit HateAid; Clare Melford, co-founder of Global Disinformation Index.

Ahmed told The Guardian that it was another attempt to deflect accountability and transparency.

“This has never been about politics,” he said. “What it has been about is companies that simply do not want to be held accountable and, because of the influence of big money in Washington, are corrupting the system and trying to bend it to their will, and their will is to be unable to be held accountable. There is no other industry that acts with such arrogance, indifference and a lack of humility and sociopathic greed at the expense of people.”

Ahmed said he had not formally received any notification from the government.

“I’m very confident that our first amendment rights will be upheld by the court,” he told The Guardian.

He is expected to be in court Monday, when the protective order will be confirmed.

In 2023, Elon Musk‘s company X sued the CCDH after it reported on a rise in hate speech on the platform since Musk’s takeover. The case was dismissed but X appealed the decision.

BELIEVE it or not, some of Britain’s beaches are best enjoyed in the winter.

Beautiful coastal paths make for the best crisp winter walks – and the waters might not be as cold as you’d think.

Plus, with less tourists at this time of year, you’ll often have these beaches to yourself!

Whether you’re the type to brave an ocean dip, or are looking for a new stretch of sand to walk the dogs – here’s our top 5 beaches to visit this winter.

Camber Sands, East Sussex

Best for: Wide golden sands, sea swims

This five-mile stretch of sand has continuously been named one of the best beaches to visit in winter.

The East Sussex beach is known for its hilly dunes which overlook miles of soft golden sands.

And with its mild temperatures, it makes for one of the best beaches to take a winter sea dip.

Camber Sands averages temperatures of 9.5°C in winter, and its waters can even reach highs of 11.5°C.

Beaches in the South East of England tend to have the highest amount of sunlight hours.

And Clacton is no exception – seeing two to three times the typical daily amount of winter sunshine hours in the UK.

The iconic beach is even popular in films and amongst celebs.

Camber Sands famously stars in the 1958 film Dunkirk, and even featured as the Sahara Desert in 1967 in a Carry On film.

Plus, celebs such as Lisa Faulkner, as well as Tom and Giovanna Fletcher have been spotted here.

Camber Sands is just two hours’ drive from London, making for a great day trip from the UK capital.

Brancaster, Norfolk

Best for: Wildlife, quiet coastal walks

Brancaster in Norfolk is a fantastic place to spend a winter’s day.

Brancaster Estate is a National Trust destination, home to a meadow come-Roman fort and a picturesque harbour.

Down the road in Brancaster Staithe you’ll find the Mussel Pod – a food truck serving up fresh local mussels.

And if you keep walking along the shore, you’ll make your way along the Norfolk Coast Path through towns and villages like Thornham, Holkham and Burnham-Overy-Staithe.

Plus, the North Norfolk coast is the excellent for wildlife spotting.

Nearby Titchwell Marsh is popular with twitchers, and spotting common seals is a regular occurrence.

Seal trips by boat can even be taken at nearby Hunstanton or Cley.

With Norfolk’s clear and starry skies, the Northern lights can even be seen over the beach.

And temperatures here aren’t too bad either – averaging about
9°C throughout the winter.

Kynance Cove, Cornwall

Best for: Dramatic scenery, warmest temperatures

Kynance Cove tops the list as the warmest beach in the UK in research undertaken by Parkdean Resorts – and it’s also one of the most beautiful.

Winter temperatures average at around 11°C, and water temperatures can even reach 13°C.

It even made last year’s list of the 50 Best Beaches in the world, chosen by 1,000+ travel influencers and experts.

It sits on Cornwall‘s Lizard Peninsula, one of the most rugged and dramatic-looking coastlines in the UK.

In the height of summer under the blazing sun, this beach looks almost tropical.

But in the winter, it transforms into a peaceful coastal escape – perfect for breezy clifftop walks, and soaking up sea views without the summer crowds.

When the tide is low, you can wander between sea caves and rocky islands.

And when the tide turns high, you can watch over the bay as it transforms into a swirl of wild foaming waves.

And after a windswept walk, nothing beats warming up with a hot drink at the Kynance Cove Cafe – perched above the bay with unbelievable views.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Best for: Traditional seaside town, family days out

Essex‘s Clacton-on-Sea is a popular seaside resort that makes the perfect family trip this winter.

The Victorian pier, promenade and painted beach huts give this beach a traditionally British feel.

Clacton-on-Sea has winter sunlight hours above the national annual average, so you can make the most of a long day at the beach.

Plus in December, the pier hosts seasonal events that are perfect for kids, such as a magical Santa’s Grotto experience.

You’ll also find bowling and a family-friendly restaurant inside the Pavilion.

Plus there’s no better feeling than heading for a winter walk along the shores, before popping into a cosy seafront cafe for a warming hot chocolate.

And it’s good news for swimmers – the sea here is often noted as the fastest to warm up in the Spring.

It’s even recorded the highest temperature waters of any beach in England and Wales, at a toasty 18.2°C.

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Best for: Crystal waters and softest sands

Nestled in the Pembrokeshire coastline, Barafundle Bay is a Welsh jewel that is well worth the walk to get to.

This bay was once awarded the Best Beach in Britain – and it’s easy to see why.

The isolated location has a rugged shoreline, soft, flat sands and some of the UK’s best sunsets.

With cliffs shielding the bay from cold winds, winter temperatures here can reach a comfortable 11°C.

It sits within the National Trust’s Stackpole Estate – an area rich in history with stone landmarks dating back to the Bronze Age.

Note that the nearest car park in Stackpole is half a mile’s walk away – but the views are absolutely worth it.

A US judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from detaining British activist Imran Ahmed after he sued officials over an entry ban for alleged online censorship.

The founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate is among five people denied US visas after the state department accused them of seeking to “coerce” tech platforms into censoring free speech.

The move brought a backlash from European leaders defending the work of organisations monitoring online content.

Mr Ahmed, a US permanent resident, had warned that being detained and possibly deported would tear him away from his American wife and child.

Praising the judge’s decision, he told BBC News he would not be “bullied”.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said online that the individuals were blocked over concerns that they had organised efforts to pressure US platforms to censor and “punish American viewpoints they oppose“.

Mr Ahmed filed a legal complaint on Wednesday against officials including Rubio and US Attorney General Pamela Bondi over the decision to have him sanctioned.

In court documents seen by the BBC, US District Judge Vernon S Broderick said on Thursday he had granted Mr Ahmed’s request for a temporary restraining order.

The judge also temporarily blocked the officials from detaining Mr Ahmed without the chance for his case to be heard.

The BBC has contacted the state department and White House for comment.

When approached by AFP news agency, a state department spokesperson was quoted as saying: “The Supreme Court and Congress have repeatedly made clear: the United States is under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country or reside here.”

Mr Ahmed said: “I will not be bullied away from my life’s work of fighting to keep children safe from social media’s harm and stopping antisemitism online.”

His lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, said the speed of the judge’s decision was telling.

“The federal government can’t deport a green card holder like Imran Ahmed, with a wife and young child who are American, simply because it doesn’t like what he has to say,” she said.

In 2023, Mr Ahmed’s centre was sued by Elon Musk’s social media company after it reported on a rise in hate speech on the platform since the billionaire’s takeover of the firm, now called X.

The case was dismissed but an appeal is pending.

Police arrest three people outside insurer of Israeli arms maker Elbit, including Thunberg for holding placard.

British police have arrested Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and two other people at a pro-Palestine protest in central London, according to campaign group Defend Our Juries.

The group said Thunberg was arrested on Tuesday at the Prisoners for Palestine protest held in the heart of London’s Square Mile financial district outside the offices of Aspen Insurance, which provides coverage for Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems.

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The group said Thunberg had arrived after the protest began, and it shared video footage of the activist holding a sign reading, “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.” Thunberg has called Israel’s war in Gaza a genocide and has twice joined flotilla campaigns to try to break Israel’s siege of Gaza.

The City of London Police, which polices the financial district, confirmed that a 22-year-old woman, a description corresponding to Thunberg, was arrested for displaying a placard “in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000”.

This is the latest protest in solidarity with activists from the Palestine Action group, six of whom are currently on hunger strike in British prisons with two now hospitalised. The direct action group has been proscribed as a “terrorist organisation” by the United Kingdom’s government.

Defend Our Juries said Tuesday’s protest was held to draw attention to Aspen Insurance’s “complicity in genocide” and to express solidarity with prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action.

Two others, a man and a woman, were also arrested at the protest although they had “glued themselves nearby”, according to the City of London Police, which described damage with “hammers and red paint” to “a building on Fenchurch Street”, where the offices of Aspen Insurance are located.

Defend Our Juries confirmed the damage, saying in a news release that two activists “covered the front of the building with symbolic blood-red paint, using re-purposed fire extinguishers” before attaching themselves to the front of the building in the aim of “drawing attention to Aspen’s complicity in Genocide, disrupting their business, and closing down the building”.

The group said Aspen Insurance, a global insurer and reinsurer, was targeted because of its affiliation with Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, which is Israel’s largest arms producer. It describes its drones as “the backbone” of the Israeli military.

Palestine Action protesters had targeted one of the UK subsidiary’s operations in Bristol last year. Among their five key demands, the group’s hunger strikers want the manufacturer, which has several UK factories, to be shut down.

Defend Our Juries said in its news release that Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister David Lammy has “refused to speak to legal representatives of the hunger-strikers, or their families”.

A few days earlier, Thunberg had voiced solidarity with the hunger strikers on Instagram, saying: “It is up to the state to intervene, and put an end to this by meeting these reasonable demands that pave the way for the freedom of all those who choose to use their rights trying to stop a genocide, something the British state has failed to do themselves.”

A Palestine Action spokesperson said in relation to her arrest that it was not clear whether police had “made another one of their mistakes in interpreting the crazy ban on Palestine Action” or whether they had “turned anyone expressing support for prisoners locked up beyond the legal time limit for taking action to stop a genocide into alleged terrorists”.

A different type of British invasion had EDM fans in a trance at the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

Armed with turntables, social media-star-turned-professional-party-starter Fish56Octagon made his U.S. festival debut Nov. 21 and 22 at Insomniac’s Dreamstate SoCal, where he performed alongside some of the world’s most preeminent electronic artists, including Tiësto, Paul Oakenfold, Gareth Emery, Ferry Corsten and Chicane.

Fish, as he’s called, is a 46-year-old from the London suburbs who joined TikTok on a drunken whim after being introduced to the app by friends in 2021. Now boasting over a million followers across platforms, he’s seen his life flip because of that choice — quitting a full-time marketing career to become a DJ, produce music and play sets at some of the world’s biggest music festivals in the four years since he uploaded his first video.

Though his initial post was about his watch collection, the self-described “petrol head” quickly went deep into creating content about cars and made a successful side hustle within a couple years. Crossover between auto enthusiasts and the music lovers in his audience meant the dance songs he used to soundtrack his car videos and sporadic vinyl-haul unboxings spawned passionate discussion in the comments about the classic rave songs Fish was sharing with the world.

He also benefited from an accidental, scroll-stopping visual hook repeated across videos born from his employer asking him to ensure it didn’t look like he was posting during business hours: middle-aged, thin and bald, dropping dad moves in front of his sprawling Technics decks and pumping his fists to the beat between bites of Weetabix biscuits, all while wearing a red and black dressing gown (what Americans would call a robe), gifted to Fish’s wife by his mother.

“That gown is elegant,” wrote a fan in the comments.

“It was legit my mum’s but she found it too hot,” Fish responded.

“You the same build as your mum” another person wrote back, punctuating the comment with a sweating smiley face emoji.

Fish also began to livestream on TikTok late into the night, playing his own mixes for the first time in 20 years.

“I remember seeing people commenting on the Live going, ‘Mate, we were watching you before we went out. We’ve just gone on a whole night out in our city, come back and you’re still here playing,’” Fish said. “I just love it. Sharing and being able to get out those obscure records. Sometimes it’s the big anthems everyone knows and sometimes it’s a tune that was an anthem to me.”

He’s had a decades-long education in electronic music. Fish was introduced to the genre on the cusp of his teen years through an episode of the British detective show “Inspector Morse.” One episode took place in the illegal rave scene and he thought it looked like fun to party in an old warehouse.

Fish’s taste quickly developed by listening to pirate radio and vinyl. He pieced together his first setup with two hi-fi record players his dad had in the attic. Only one had pitch control. He learned to beatmatch by plugging a player into each side of his amplifier and using the balance knob to fade between them. He was given Soundlab DLP-1 belt-driven turntables for his birthday and his obsession accelerated over the next several years.

“By then I was just spending every penny that I had on vinyl building my record collection up. It was all rave music, early old school, hardcore jungle, and then happy hardcore, drum and bass around that sort of time, early to mid-’90s,” he said. “I played quite a few house parties.”

He became a de-facto resident DJ in college, spinning vinyl in the student union, and dabbled in music production at the same time. He eventually sold his analog kit and synthesizers when he switched to Ableton. He downsized his record collection as he converted them to MP3s.

The demands of his post-college marketing career meant the DJ dream disappeared for many years. That was until his TikTok Live sets gave him a second chance as club promoters reached out in the hope of booking him. Fish admits a lack of confidence caused him to stay on the sidelines. It was an offer in February 2024 to play a solo show at Hidden in Manchester — about the same time he switched his channel over entirely to music — that got him out of his house and onto a stage.

“Even if I wasn’t sure that people would come, I knew that anyone that did come would be coming to see me,” he said. “ … I ended up putting a night on where I played for five hours straight, just me from the start to the end. When the tickets went on sale, it sold out a good couple of months before the event.”

Fish wondered if it was a one-off event or the beginning of a life-changing run. Then the offers came in from other big U.K. cities — FishTales in Newcastle; acid techno at Beaverworks in Leeds; raves in Liverpool and Birmingham. He hired an agent. Dropped some merch.

“Not sure how this happened! But I’m here for it and hope you are too,” he wrote online.

A 20-date summer tour featured three different sets at the famed Glastonbury Festival, and appearances at Reading and Creamfields. He also traveled to Ireland, Scotland and Malta, marking his first time playing professionally outside of England.

He quit his day job in August 2024 to DJ and focus on music production full time with the support of his wife, children and parents.

“They support me even though it comes at a cost that I can’t always spend as much time with them, but they understand that I’m following my dream, following my passion, and doing something positive,” he said.

He’s gained an appreciation as a historian of the genre. Fish’s followers have grown to include Skrillex, David Guetta, Disclosure, Bicep and more of the artists he has admired and now counts among his peers.

“For about the first year, I often would wake up in the morning — I’m gonna get a little bit emotional just talking about this — but I’d wake up in the morning and just think, ‘Wow, that was all a dream, wasn’t it?” he said. “Then I look at my phone. I can see that actually it was real.”

Fish attributes his success to social media, though he said it’s a mistake to think just having social media followers guarantees bookings and the upward trajectory of one’s career.

“They’re actually a function of each other. It’s because I was making content that proved to be popular about music that I managed to build up a following and have those opportunities come my way,” he said. “I’ve now played, getting on for, 200 professional gigs at various clubs, festivals, events, raves, all around the world.”

Fish waited until November 2025 to make his first trek to North America with an 11-date run featuring his first U.S. festival booking. He chose Dreamstate because he’s always had a special place in his heart for trance and the emotional connection people have with the music.

“I love all dance music, but trance is the one that can kind of tug at your heartstrings a bit with those melodies, and the chord progression, and the way that the beats can be so crisp when they come in, and the way the bass hits,” he said.

Fish performed Friday night on “The Vision.” It’s the same stage played by legends Chicane and Paul Oakenfold this year and Darude last. He also co-headlined an hour-long B2B with Night 1 Dreamstate headliner Gareth Emery early Sunday morning, as the top-billed act for the festival’s afterparty in the Grand Salon of the iconic Queen Mary.

He made his way to LAX after stepping off stage at 3 a.m. to fly to New York and play the last three hours of a 24-hour rave.

Fish has tour dates in New Zealand and Australia toward the end of the year, plus the largest show of his career March 28 at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. He’s also releasing music for himself and others under his record label Octagon Discs.

As his audience multiplies, Fish’s earliest followers remain enthralled by his seemingly infinite rise.

“How did the dude who recommends second-hand cars get to this. So happy for you dude,” one fan wrote in the comments of his Dreamstate recap video post.

“Music was my number 1 passion but i thought I was too old. Thanks for the support bro,” Fish replied.

“Amazing,” another chimed in. “But I would not recognize u in the wild without the bathrobe.”

BRITISH Airways Holidays has revealed what travel will look like in 2026 – from new destinations to trending trips.

Teaming up with Globetrender, it has released its 2026 Travel Trends Report.

They have named eight of their “rising stars” which have seen a surge in searches for 2026 compared to 2025.

The biggest jump is Bermuda, which has seen a 38 per cent increase in searches.

This was followed by St Kitts (31 per cent), Turks & Caicos (22 per cent) and Grenada (20 per cent).

Yet some of Europe made the list, with searches to Crete up 18 per cent.

Otherwise Costa Rica (15 per cent), Nashville (13 per cent) and Antigua (8 per cent) are on the up too.

The most popular search destinations are some of the more well-known destinations, set to remain big in 2026:

1. New York
2. Orlando
3. Dubai
4. Maldives
5. Barbados
6. Las Vegas
7. Cancun
8. St Lucia
9. Dominican Republic
10. Antigua

Along with destinations, they also looked at some of the trend when it comes to what kinds of holidays people are booking.

This includes Stream Parks (theme parks combining physical attractions with AR) and Neurosurfing (more wellness based holidays).

Andrew Flintham, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said: “I always look forward to what our annual Travel Trends Report will reveal.

“It’s clear the prevailing interest in wellness culture is continuing to impact the way we holiday, with many of our trends leaning into this overarching movement.

“I wasn’t too surprised to learn of The Valueverse, and the ever-increasing demand for new ways to collect and spend points. We’re excited to make these trends a reality for our customers.”

Globetrender founder Jenny Southan added: “In a world shaped by economic pressure, digital saturation and rising social fragmentation,
holidays are becoming spaces of transformation – opportunities for people to test new identities, restore mental balance and discover forms of joy that everyday routines suppress.

“This shift marks a profound redefinition of what a holiday is for: not just escape, but expansion.

“The findings in this report show a British traveller who is more experimental.”

Here are 10 other destinations set to be big next year, according to Skyscanner.

We’ve also revealed how to take six holidays in 2026 for under £1,000, all in.

And there are some places to avoid for a holiday next year – here’s the full list.

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Reuters