The village was once a rival to London and an important medieval hub. But a series of unfortunate storms meant much of it was lost to the sea and now lies under the water
The village of Dunwich was once the capital of East Anglia but was lost to storms and floods(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A tiny village that was once a medieval port and considered the capital of East Anglia is the perfect day out for history buffs or those who love quiet, windswept beaches.
In Anglo-Saxon times, Dunwich on the Suffolk coast was the heart of what was then called the Kingdom of the East Angles. Its international port was considered a rival to London, and the Domesday Book of 1086 revealed it had a population of over 3,000 people. This was a time when London’s population was just 18,000.
However, the town’s fortunes changed in 1286 when a storm surge hit the area, followed by two large weather fronts the next year. This caused major coastal erosion, which led to large parts of the town being submerged underwater. In 1347, it’s thought that 400 homes were swept into the sea, with most of the remains of the town destroyed in 1362 in Saint Marcellus’s flood. Around 25,000 people across Europe lost their lives in the tragic event.
Because of its unique past, Dunwich is often dubbed the ‘lost city of England’ and draws comparisons to the legendary island of Atlantis, which, according to myths, sank under the sea.
Dunwich Museum is a great way to learn about life before the floods. Researchers have mapped out where the old homes and buildings used to stand before they were lost to the sea, and you can see these maps at the museum. There are also many interesting displays about medieval life and artefacts from the time.
Only a few ruins remain from medieval times. One of the most complete buildings is the Greyfriars monastery. This was built around half a mile inland, after the original monastery closer to the coast was lost. The ruins include the grand entrance to the monastery and part of the refectory where the monks would eat.
National Trust’s Dunwich Heath and Beach is an unspoilt spot with some beautiful walking trails. The Heath is full of rare wildlife and birds, and you may be able to spot red deer and otters on your stroll. Dunwich’s wide shingle beach is a popular spot for fishing and paddling in the sea.
Not all ships en route to Dunwich made it safely, and researchers have worked to uncover a large number of shipwrecks off the coast. According to the East Anglian Daily Times, there could be as many as hundreds of ships in a shipwreck graveyard off the coast, many of which sank during World War I when shipping routes were attacked.
Once you’re finished exploring, visit Flora Tea Rooms, a traditional fish and chip restaurant on the beach that also serves British classics such as afternoon tea. The village has one pub, The Ship at Dunwich, a cosy spot with a beer garden and beautiful countryside views. It also has 16 rooms if you decide to stay and enjoy this peaceful village for longer.
Dunwich is also close to the RSPB Minsmere, a coastal nature reserve that includes areas of woodland, reedbeds, grassland, and heathland. Among the unspoilt landscape, you can spot wildlife, from a vast array of coastal birds to Water Voles.
With temperatures of 25C in September and crystal-blue water, this underrated holiday hotspot is a must-visit for those looking to escape the crowds in September.
(Image: Paolo Graziosi via Getty Images)
Italy is a favourite destination for late-summer and early-autumn beach holidays, thanks to its warm weather and status as one of the world’s most visited countries. Even during the shoulder season, top spots like Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast are teeming with tourists.
However, there’s an under-the-radar region in this southern European country that remains largely untouched by international crowds – but probably not for much longer. This stunning part of Italy boasts sandy beaches so pristine they’re likened to the Maldives and enjoys balmy weather with average highs of 25C in September.
While Italians are well-acquainted with Puglia, it’s not usually the first place that springs to mind when planning a beach holiday in Europe.
Nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas and shaped like the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia has a vast coastline peppered with dreamy coves, limestone cliffs and picture-perfect bays.
Among them is Polignano a Mare, a delightful coastal town perched on cliffs. Its small cove beach, Lama Monachile, is famous for its crystal-clear water and white pebbles, all framed by dramatic, rugged cliffs, reports the Express.
Polignano a Mare is uniquely beautiful(Image: Getty)
Further down south, Santa Maria di Leuca is the southernmost point of the region where two seas converge.
It’s an ideal spot for a sunset cruise or paddleboarding into caves before enjoying dinner at a local trattoria serving fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, and robust Salento wine.
Inland, you’ll find the enchanting town of Alberobello, renowned for its UNESCO-listed trulli – traditional whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. Many have been transformed into luxurious holiday accommodations, offering a truly local experience.
Just a short drive away, the dazzling white town of Ostuni, also known as La Città Bianca, boasts cobbled lanes and panoramic terraces. Nearby Brindisi provides easy access to the region, often with cheaper flights than other Italian hubs.
Alberobello is famed for its UNESCO-listed trulli(Image: Getty)
Puglia also serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the incredibly popular Matera in the neighbouring Basilicata region.
It’s the third-oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, boasting over 10,000 years of history, and is famous for its ancient cave homes and rupestrian churches with hand-painted walls.
Naturally, no visit to Puglia would be complete without delving into its food culture. This is the land of burrata, orecchiette, and full-bodied wines like Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Salice Salentino.
AMD’s $260 billion market cap means it’s just a fraction of the size of its much larger rival.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD -0.14%) and Nvidia (NVDA 0.57%) are rival companies, but the former is well behind the latter when it comes to market cap. While Nvidia’s valuation is north of $4 trillion, AMD’s valuation is closer to $263 billion.
AMD is nowhere near the size of the larger chipmaker, but it does possess some incredible potential because of its association with artificial intelligence (AI). The key test is whether its latest chips will provide formidable competition and be able to take market share from Nvidia.
Is the market mispricing AMD’s stock, and could it be a steal of a deal? Or is Nvidia really worth that much more than its smaller rival?
Image source: Getty Images.
How the stocks compare with respect to earnings
Although Nvidia is the more valuable company overall, it’s also much more profitable than AMD. That’s why comparing stocks based on their respective price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples is a much more effective way to gauge how cheap or expensive one stock is in relation to another. And the chart below shows what their forward P/E multiples are, which are based on analysts’ expectations of their future profits.
While their valuations are significantly different in terms of market cap, based on their forward P/E multiples, they are similarly valued, and AMD is in fact the more expensive stock when looking at this metric.
Why AMD may be a bit underrated
Nvidia is bigger, more profitable, and the safer-looking stock when compared to AMD. But a case can be made for why AMD could still be an underrated investment. It recently rolled out its new Instinct MI400 chip, which will be available next year. And CEO Lisa Su recently told analysts that for its current version, the MI350, “seven of the top 10 model builders and AI companies” already use it.
If the MI350 is already attracting top AI companies, then the more advanced MI400 chip may be able to benefit from that and drive even more growth for the business. AMD’s growth rate has been climbing in recent quarters while Nvidia’s has been going in the opposite direction.
Should these patterns continue, then it may not be difficult to envision a scenario in which analysts hike their forecasts for AMD, which may make it appear to be a cheaper buy down the road. As a bit of a laggard in the AI chip market, AMD hasn’t been nearly as exciting a growth stock as Nvidia, but that could soon change.
Which stock should you buy?
Although these two stocks are similarly valued based on their projected earnings multiples, AMD still looks like it may have more upside in the long run, simply because its results haven’t been as impressive as Nvidia’s thus far. However, if its growth rate continues to improve as Nvidia’s slows down, it may be due for a big rally. So far this year, AMD’s stock is up over 34% while Nvidia’s has risen by 27%, as investors are starting to feel a bit more bullish on AMD.
Nvidia remains the safer stock to go with in the long run, given its dominance in the AI chip market. But if you’re looking for a bit more upside and don’t mind taking on some risk and a bit more uncertainty, then AMD could be the better option at this stage. Even though it may not be a bargain buy and still has to deliver some stronger financials to show that it can offer significant competition to Nvidia, I think it’s on the right path and has the potential to be the better AI stock to buy at this point.
David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The programme might have slipped past some viewers’ attention, but it delivers an exceptional viewing experience.
One glowing IMDb review stated: “An immaculate, terrifying alternate history that is accurate down to the buttons. I love period pieces, and this scary projection of a post WW2 hegemony ruled by the Japanese and German empires certainly fits the bill.”
Another viewer gushed: “I’m a TV show lover, but never! ever! has a series made me want to write a review.”
They continued: “The story line is incredible. The acting is great. The emotions that it brought out of me was real and raw. It made me appreciate and think differently about the word/idea/concept that we all throw around ‘FREEDOM [sic].'”
Rufus Sewell starred in the groundbreaking series(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
A third reviewer entitled their assessment: “An amazing adaptation of the novel!”.
They elaborated: “The pilot episode was exceptional. It held my attention and made me believe in such an alternate history.
“I have read the book, and although it is different, it is an incredible adaptation. If the book was turned into a show without any edits, it would be far too complicated and very hard to enjoy (although the book is incredible).
“The acting, story, and visuals are spot on and only intensified what I had imagined when I read the book.”
The alternate history drama has proved captivating(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
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Another viewer gave a glowing 10/10 review, exclaiming: “A must watch, absolutely amazing!” and added: “If you like Hunger Games, GoT, Legends, Vikings or any of these shows, you will like this. I highly recommend watching this, to everyone. Watch it! [sic].”
The Man in the High Castle first aired in 2015 and was Amazon Prime Video’s inaugural original series, spanning four seasons.
The series is an adaptation of renowned science fiction author Philip K. Dick’s 1962 novel bearing the same title.
The plot envisages an alternate history where Adolf Hitler and the Nazis emerged victorious from WW2, with the action set 15 years post-conflict.
A woman holds her hands up with soldiers pointing a gun at her(Image: PRIME VIDEO)
The storyline follows various characters living under the rule of Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany in a divided USA.
The TV adaptation stays true to this premise and centres around Juliana Crain (portrayed by Alexa Davalos), who starts to rebel against the regime after viewing a subversive newsreel titled The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, which portrays a world where the USA and the Allies triumphed in the war.
The Man in the High Castle was Prime Video’s first major original series. The streaming platform kick-started its original programming by producing a series of pilots and inviting its users to vote on which one they wanted to see developed into a full series, with the science fiction alternate history emerging as the winner.
The Man in the High Castle boasts a star-studded cast including Davalos, Rufus Sewell from ITV’s Victoria and The Holidays, Luke Kleintank known for FBI and Bones, DJ Qualls of Z Nation fame, Joel de la Fuente from Hemlock Grove, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, renowned for Pearl Harbor and Netflix’s Lost in Space.
The Man in the High Castle is streaming on Prime Video now
A beach in the UK has been compared to the stunning shores of Majorca and Ibiza, thanks to its breathtaking scenery. One visitor recently described her trip to this much-loved destination.
A woman came across the UK’s ‘best beach’ during her mission to find Britain’s hidden gems (stock photo)(Image: James Osmond via Getty Images)
A woman exploring the UK in search of its most scenic locations recently highlighted a stunning Cornish beach. Cornwall, with its array of beautiful shores and natural landscapes, draws tourists from all over Britain and beyond.
Cornwall is a beloved holiday spot in the UK, famed for its coastline, idyllic beaches, vibrant surfing scene, and attractions like the Eden Project and Tintagel Castle. British holidaymakers flock to the county for seaside escapades with their partners, families, or friends during the summer months, and Cornwall never disappoints. Lizzy Parkin, a travel blogger based in the Cotswolds, took to TikTok to share her latest coastal discovery in Cornwall.
She began by saying: “I’m on a mission to find places across the UK that make people say ‘I can’t believe this is the UK’ because as Brits, me included, we love to be negative about our own home but I’m trying to change that by sharing places that are undeniably beautiful and we’re starting strong with a spot near Penzance in Cornwall.”
Lizzy enthused: “This gem of a beach looks straight out of Majorca or Ibiza if you ask me, though the water is a little colder.”
She also mentioned that it’s “located on the most beautiful coastal path” but cautioned that the walk down isn’t the easiest, involving a “short scramble” to reach the beach, so she advised potential visitors to tread carefully when heading to this location.
The travel fan called the scenery on the way down to the beach “absolutely unreal” and revealed that it is Pedn Vounder Beach, found near the village of Treen in Cornwall.
Nestled among the cliffs of Treryn Dinas, Pedn Vounder boasts crystal clear turquoise waters and white sands.
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Cornwall Beaches recognises it as West Cornwall’s most famous spot for naturism, but Lizzy noted in her TikTok post’s comments that the beach was mostly full of visitors wearing swimsuits and a sign indicates it’s not entirely a nudist beach.
Cornwall Beaches explains that Pedn Vounder lies at the eastern end of Porthcurno cove, with the renowned Logan Rock perched atop the headland to the east, a massive granite boulder delicately balanced on the cliff tops of Treen.
Lizzy’s TikTok footage showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Pedn Vounder Beach has racked up 412,000 views, 45,000 likes, and over 200 comments so far.
One user raved: “Pedn Vounder is the best beach in the UK. Took my breath away when I first saw it recently. As good as any beach anywhere in the world!”
Another commented: “Just got back from Thailand and Pedn Vounder was as beautiful as.”
A third was astounded: “I can’t believe this is the UK!!! Wow.” And a fourth echoed: “Okay but I can’t believe this is the UK.”
SEOUL, June 20 (UPI) — South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Friday that its defense spending as a share of gross domestic product is already “very high” compared to other U.S. allies, as Washington calls for NATO members and Asian countries to increase their military budgets.
“Among major U.S. allies of the United States, South Korea has a very high ratio of defense spending to GDP,” the ministry said in a message to reporters. “We have continuously increased our defense budget in consideration of the serious security situation, including North Korea‘s nuclear and missile threats.”
“South Korea will continue to make efforts to secure the capabilities and posture necessary for the defense of the Korean Peninsula and peace and stability in the region,” the ministry added.
In 2024, South Korea spent $47.6 billion, or 2.6% of GDP, on defense, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. That share is higher than Britain’s 2.3%, France’s 2.1%, Germany’s 1.9% and Japan’s 1.4%.
Seoul’s statement suggested concerns over remarks by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this week calling for a “new standard” for allies in NATO and Asia to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
“We expect NATO allies to commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense or defense-related investment,” Hegseth said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday.
“We now have a new standard for ally defense spending that all of our allies around the world, including in Asia, should move to,” Hegseth said. “It’s only fair that our allies and partners do their part. We cannot want their security more than they do.”
Hegseth also called for Asian countries to increase their spending in remarks at a defense forum in Singapore last month.
“It doesn’t make sense for countries in Europe to [spend 5% of GDP] while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat, not to mention North Korea,” he said at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
The defense spending issue looks to be a potentially contentious topic at next week’s NATO Summit in The Hague. NATO countries committed to a goal of 2% of GDP in 2014, which two-thirds have reached, but U.S. President Donald Trump has long called for an increase and has been demanding the 5% figure since his reelection.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said last week he expected the allies to agree to the 5% target.
“It will be a NATO-wide commitment and a defining moment for the alliance,” he said in a speech at Chatham House in London.
However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pushed back on the proposal, which must be agreed to unanimously, in a letter to Rutte this week.
“For Spain, committing to a 5% target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive,” Sanchez wrote Thursday, according to El Pais. “It would move Spain away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU’s efforts to strengthen its security and defense ecosystem.”
South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae Myung has not confirmed whether he will attend the NATO Summit, which will be held on June 24-25. His office had anticipated a meeting with Trump on the sidelines of last week’s Group of Seven meeting to discuss tariffs and defense cost-sharing issues, but the U.S. president departed early.
Within the first six months of 2025 I have visited Center Parcs’ Longleat Forest and Butlin’s Minehead parks – and the contrasts couldn’t be more stark
Center Parcs is completely different to Butlin’s but they both compete in one area – for British holidaymakers to book them up every year(Image: Getty)
Two of the leading UK holiday brands have a lot to offer, but it’s exactly what they serve up to unassuming holidaymakers that makes them worlds apart.
When I told my husband I wanted to compare Center Parcs with Butlin’s, he told me it was impossible to compare apples with pears. In other words, their concepts are very different.
But after a long-weekend at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in March, and then an additional four days at Butlin’s in Minehead, there’s a lot to be said for both and what they bring to the table in terms of staycations.
Butlin’s serves the British seaside culture, whereas Center Parcs plunges its guests into the middle of the countryside where urban life feels a million miles away. So yes, of course, they are going to be different and have their own appeals. And they don’t promise to be like each other, either.
Rocking up at Center Parcs in March, the wooden-clad lodges, towering trees, and abundant cyclists told me that this park is for the adventuring family. The ones who like to explore, walk, cycle and stay as active as possible. Let’s be honest, you often need a holiday to recover from an action-packed stay at Center Parcs.
Then, in the height of spring arriving at Minehead’s Butlin’s, the sea breeze, the far-away buzz of fairground rides and loud laughter of children told me this break was all about the simple concept of making children feel as included and entertained as possible. It’s kids first and adults a close second.
For anyone who hasn’t yet been to either and could be looking to book a break to Butlin’s or Center Parcs, I’ve done all the hard comparisons for you.
(Image: Publicity Picture)
Center Parcs vs. Butlins: Budgets
The first obvious thing to mention is Center Parcs is way more expensive than Butlin’s. Not only have I been to Longleat, but also to its Elveden Forest branch in Suffolk where the branding and concept is identical.
You’d easily spend well over £600 for a basic family lodge at any of its locations, whereas Butlin’s could set you back just over £100 for a basic apartment at either Minehead, Skegness or Bognor Regis.
Butlin’s offers smaller apartments, hotel-like rooms or self-catering complexes which all vary in cost. Center Parcs also has some variety but its price point starts much higher, with some of its luxurious lodges coming with hot-tubs, saunas and enclosed gardens. It also has designated lodges for people with dogs, which comes at an additional cost.
But it’s not just the price of staying over you’d need to be aware of. At Butlin’s shows are free, as are the indoor and outdoor fairgrounds, something I found incredibly good value for money. We paid an additional £15 per person for VIP wristbands which enabled us to queue jump and get seated first for the performances. Swimming is also free and the indoor and outdoor pools can be used as often as you’d like.
At Center Parcs swimming is also free, but any other activity such as quad biking, pottery painting, seeing owls, and hiring bikes come at an extra cost. But you are not pressured into buying into any of this – you can visit a Center Parcs site and bring your own bikes, explore the on-site parks and walking trails and not spend much money at all. If you are wanting to immerse yourself in the full CP experience, it is going to cost you.
So to conclude – a budget-friendly break is far simpler to complete at Butlin’s than it is at Center Parcs, but it’s not impossible at either.
Center Parcs vs. Butlins: Entertainment day and night
One striking similarity at both parks is, by around 10pm, most of the noise and buzz dies down. After-all these are family-orientated complexes. Butlin’s does, however, offer big weekenders for adults and these types of events go on well into the night.
Guests are reminded of others who are in bed much earlier, and are asked to keep the noise down as they filter back to their accommodation. There’s no doubt entertainment is Butlin’s middle name, with organised shows, character meet-and-greets and fairground attractions taking centre stage.
Center Parcs holds things like quiz nights and has a bustling sports bar at each site which is where adults are seen spending much time. But its concept is less-imposing, and with the site way more sprawled out, I’ve never heard noise after-dark. If you’re looking for an upbeat break where bed-times don’t matter, Butlin’s should be your first choice. If you want to shut the noise away on your terms, it’s Center Parcs all the way.
Center Parcs vs Butlin’s: Things to do
Both holiday parks have more than enough to do – but I’d say Center Parcs has more of a variety than Butlin’s. This is because there’s a lot of activities for families and adults.
Butlin’s is very child-orientated if you are there for a standard week’s holiday. By the end of our fourth day I was more than ready to come home and felt as though we had done everything the park had to offer.
With Center Parcs, unless you have an unlimited bank account and an infinite amount of time, you’ll never get around all the activities in a single stay. This means you can keep returning and there will always be something new to do next time. But much of the activities are outdoors based, so if you’ve picked an unfortunate week weather wise, wellies and waterproofs are essential.
Plus, the sites are varied. At Longleat there’s a little road train which takes guests across the park due to its sheer size, but there’s nothing like this at Elveden as it’s much smaller and not so hilly. Some of CP’s sites also house some incredible spas, which are so sought after that people living nearby visit these alone. Of course, treatments and visiting all costs.
(Image: Press Association Images)
Butlin’s main event tents are dominated by arcade machines, which obviously require cash to operate. They also have a bowling alley and other small scale games for the family to participate in. At Center Parcs, they also have designated areas with arcade-like entertainment, pre-booked smaller scale activities such as teddy bear designing, hair braiding and face painting along with 10-pin bowling.
Both sites have great outdoor parks for children, with Butlin’s recently spending millions on a new interactive playground, with lights and sounds, for kids at Minehead. Center Parcs has wooden, rustic playgrounds – equally as fun – with around the same amount of facilities.
Center Parcs vs. Butlin’s: Eating arrangements
At Butlin’s you can pay for a half-board eating plan which requires you to go to one or two of its on-site restaurants and pick from a buffet-style choice.
This obviously means you can fill up at breakfast time, have a light snack at lunch and be ready for dinner. It’s by far the cheapest option on site, with food court dining priced at £24.95 per adult, per day, and under £7 per child, per day.
Premium dining is only a fraction more expensive at £32.95 per day for an adult and just under £10 for a child. There’s also fish and chips and Costa coffee outlets for anyone wanting to eat on-the-go. There are a number of restaurants scattered around the park for anyone wanting to eat-out and experience table service.
We brought some of our own food, and our apartment was set up with a microwave and oven if we wanted to cook our own, but we didn’t need to bother.
Center Parcs offers no such dining plans. We nearly always do a food shop before arriving and cook our own dinners in the apartment. Center Parcs houses big name restaurants such as Bella Italia, Pret-a-Manger and Las Iguanas to name a few. It also allows you to pre-book takeaways from their on-site restaurants delivered directly to your lodge.
Centre Parcs at Longleat Wiltshire(Image: Center Parcs Limited)
My verdict
My husband was right – directly comparing both parks is no easy feat. They both have their pros and cons, but ultimately, for me, Center Parcs wins my vote. I found the parks more modern, clean, and varied. And I came away with the ability to have stayed longer had the option been there. My four-year-old also fell in love with the pools, which had various flumes and areas designated for children.
We never go over-board when it comes to shelling out on endless activities, and I like the fact you don’t need to feel obliged to do so. Center Parcs had way more for adults to do, with kids in mind too.
Butlin’s was without a doubt a great break for my little one who was buzzing at the shows, the fairground rides and the arcade amusements. She loved the football ground, and the swimming. But as the pool’s flumes were too big for her to go on, she wasn’t itching to go back. I was also more than ready to go on our last day.
If you’re looking for a budget break by the sea, Butlin’s is where it’s at. But if you’re into the countryside and could walk and cycle for hours away from civilisation, Center Parcs is the holiday for you.
