England

The coolest train-themed UK holiday homes

IF you want a holiday rental with a difference – check out these five rail-inspired stays around the country.

From converted Pullman carriages to upgraded former stations – these cosy stays are perfect for train enthusiasts.

At the Old Railway Station guests can stay in the main house or the carriagesCredit: The Old Railway Station
You can enjoy food on the platform during the summerCredit: The Old Railway Station

The Old Station

In West Sussex is a B&B called The Old Station which has Pullman carriages and the opportunity to dine on a disused platform.

The Old Station is on what was formerly Petworth Railway Station and guests can choose whether to stay in the house or one of the renovated carriages.

Inside the Station House, guests can stay in the Lower Room with an ensuite and large walk in shower and super king size bed.

Up the spiral staircase is the largest bedroom with a super king size bed and an ensuite with room for three guests.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls


SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

Outside are traditional Pullman carriages, and six Standard Classic Pullman Rooms – each is fitted with a double bed with a table and chairs for dining and an ensuite.

The B&B serves up hot breakfast and continental in the Waiting Room, or outside on the platform by the exotic garden in good weather.

With Host Unusual, guests can book from £130 per night.

High Cross Camping Coach and Living Van

Tucked away in the Dorset countryside is this charming Victorian railway carriage called the Camping Coach.

Most read in Best of British

The carriage has been completely transformed with modern touches but has original leather window straps and luggage racks overhead.

The main living area is heated by a wood burner and is fitted out with a small dining table and plush sofa.

It also has a compact kitchen, bathroom and snug bedroom that can sleep up to two people.

Outside is a private garden and the Edwardian Living Van which also sleeps two.

With Host Unusual, up to four guests can stay for £90 per night – which is £22.50 per person.

The Signal Box in Norfolk has countryside views of NorfolkCredit: Google maps

The Signal Box

This Signal Box that once perched at Wymondham Station is now a rural haven in the Norfolk countryside.

The rail retreat is found in Melton Constable and inside it has a kitchen and cosy living on the upper floor – it’s surrounded by windows and incredible views.

Downstairs is the double bedroom with an en-suite shower room.

During the summertime, step outside to enjoy quiet by the pond or even fire up the barbecue.

One holidaygoer left a review and said: “The Signal Box was a wonderfully quirky place to stay, we loved every part of it.

“It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop & the views were amazing, everything you could wish for to have a quiet relaxing holiday.”

The Signal Box sleeps two with a seven-night stay starting from £538.

The Creagan carriage is tucked between Oban and Fort WilliamCredit: Unknown
The carriage has been newly renovated with all modern accessoriesCredit: Google maps

The Carriage at Creagan

This holiday home was once a working train carriage that transported milk along the GWR Line.

Now, it’s tucked between Oban and Fort William at Creagan, an Edwardian station that closed in 1966.

Inside the carriage is a cosy bedroom with wooden panelling, as well as an open kitchen and living space with a squishy sofa, Smart TV, and a warming wood-burning stove.

Outside on the patio is a table and chairs, large gas fire pit and even an outdoor path.

Nearby there’s plenty of activities to do from walking, cycling, watersports and wildlife-watching.

You can book a stay at the Carriage at Creagan from £200 per night.

The Harvey of Hayle even has a train viewing platformCredit: Unknown

Harvey of Hayle

Just a short stop from St Ives is this converted vintage railway coach called Harvey of Hayle.

It’s been described as a ‘time capsule’ with vintage décor and objects from the 1950s like lampshades, luggage racks and signs.

Harvey of Hayle has even appeared on Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo.

Next door is a signal box playhouse – for the kids to exert as much energy as they like, and a wooden deck for watching sunsets.

For the trainspotters in the group, there’s even a viewing platform so you can see more locomotives on the Cornish main line.

St Ives is just one stop away on the train, meanwhile Hayle Town and its beautiful beach is a short walk from the carriage.

The carriage can sleep up to six guests and costs up to £693 (based on a seven-night off-peak stay).

For more on station stays here’s one that is one of Tripadvisor’s best has Pullman carriages and breakfast delivered to your bed.

Plus, five abandoned train stations that are now beautiful hotels with bedroom carriages and huge grand lobbies.

High Cross Camping is a Victorian railway carriage in DorsetCredit: Google maps

Source link

Is this the most fun spa resort ever? English retreat with neon cocktail bars, disco balls and giant hot tubs

FORGET everything you thought you knew about spas, this one is unlike any other – it doesn’t have white walls and you don’t have to silently tiptoe from the sauna to the hot tub.

At Ffolkes you can natter as much as you like, indulge in cocktails from the comfort of a giant hot tub all under the glow of neon lights and a disco ball.

Ffolkes spa in Norfolk has a huge hot tub with neon lights and a barCredit: FFOLKES
You can sip on cocktails in a giant hot tub at this spaCredit: FFOLKES

Inside the Norfolk spa are 12 thermal spa experiences across four zones called Ibiza, Sauna, Steam and Cold – and Ffolkes suggests visitors start in ‘Ibiza‘.

The party island-themed zone has a giant hot tub with a bar right beside it, so you can order drinks without leaving the water.

It has everything you could want from beer to wine, bubbles, margaritas, mojitos, winter sangria and non-alcoholic options.

On the outskirts of the tub are heated loungers and foot spas.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls


FALL FOR IT

Why Sun readers love Wales – their favourite waterfalls & TV-famous castles

For those who want the quieter spa experience – head to Soft Play which has double loungers, bean bags, a swing and infrared heaters.

When you want to heat up, check out the three saunas – each with its own mood and scent.

The Global Sauna is the spa’s biggest and is where visitors can try a ritual and guided sessions.

The Salt Sauna is filled with the scent of sea fennel, lavender and lemon. 

And the Herbal Sauna infuses heat with botanical smells.

There’s one Aroma steam room which is infused with essential oils and the other is Eucalyptus, a calming spot where you can really clear your head.

To cool off, head to the cold plunge pool which sits between 10-12C.

Visitors can then chill off even more in the mist shower and the ice fountain.

It has 12 thermal spa experiences, three saunas and two steam roomsCredit: Unknown

A visit to the spa wouldn’t be complete without a treatment and here, there are many options from Indian Head Massage to facials and scrubs.

All that relaxing is hungry work – and Ffolkes offers lots of food from brunch to quirky afternoon tea.

In the mornings, tuck into full English breakfasts, pancakes, fruit salads and cinnamon rolls.

It also offers a unique afternoon tea with chocolate chip scones and homemade chocolate spread, cheeseburger sausage rolls, Korean BBQ bao buns (from £30pp).

There’s a choice of Indian food every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday evening from butter curries to coconut dahl and flatbreads.

If there’s room for dessert, tuck into a s’mores dip sharer, apple pie or even a cookie dough baked cheesecake.

The spa even has a 9-hole crazy golf course with loop-de-loops and a golf ball vortex – all inside shipping containers.

You can book an overnight stay in the luxe is the Spa CabinCredit: FFOLKES

The spa with a difference in King’s Lynn opened in September 2025 and you can book in for a relaxation session.

Spa sessions start from £65 with the three-hour Twilight experience where guests have access to 12 thermal spa experiences.

It includes unlimited tea and coffee and pick ‘n’ Mix nibbles whilst in the spa.

Half-day sessions either in the morning or afternoon start from £95 which has additional post-spa food in the pub.

This is either Afternoon Street Tea (Monday–Saturday) or Pie FEAST (Sundays).

Morning or afternoon half-day spa with treatment start from £150pp which includes a 45-minute treatment.

The spa offers overnight stays for those who want to relax for more than one day which starts from £300 per night.

The brightly decorated rooms have huge beds and some even have outdoor baths in the courtyard.

The most luxe is the Spa Cabin which has a private hot tub, wood burner, sauna and outdoor shower.

For more on spas, this Bridgerton-like countryside hotel has a beautiful spa, gardens and restaurant.

And this dreamy English staycation with infinity pools, pic ‘n’ mix pantries and new spa gardens.

Forget all the white walls and staying quiet at the Ffolkes spa in NorfolkCredit: FFOLKES

Source link

UK railway line to launch new trains with free water refill stations and reclining seats

LNER has revealed its new fleet of trains in first-look images – and they’ve got perks for every customer.

The upgraded carriages will have water refill stations throughout the trains and in First Class even mood lighting and reclining seats.

LNER’s first-look images of its new Class 897 trains – First Class will have reclining seatsCredit: LNER
Throughout all its carriages will be water refill stationsCredit: LNER

LNER, which operates trains across the East Coast Main Line, has revealed what its new fleet of Class 897 trains will look like.

The latest upgrades include “improved seating” across all classes with enhanced seat pads, side bolsters and wider head cushions .

One huge perk for all customers, especially those on a long journey, is that they’ll will be able to stay hydrated for free, thanks to the introduction of five water bottle refill stations throughout the train.

Travellers won’t have to pop to the cafe to buy a bottle of water – instead, just top up as you go.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls


SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

The only other train line that offers complimentary water with refill stations is Avanti West Coast on its Pendolino and Evero trains.

Also onboard the new LNER trains will be new digital screens in each carriage so customers can keep an eye on their journey and the upcoming stops.

Each seat will have its own plug socket and USB-C ports too for phone charging.

For Standard Class customers, there will be a new and improved Café Bar.

Here, you can pick up snacks and drinks and can see what’s available in real-time on digital menu screens.

Those sitting in First Class can fully relax in seats that actually recline.

There will also be softer lighting, including mood and table lighting in First Class – so the lights won’t be too bright for those travelling during early mornings and evenings.

Other changes include the redesign of bike storage areas and toilets.

A digital menu will be outside the cafe so customers can see what’s actually availableCredit: LNER
There will be larger spaces for suitcases and bikesCredit: LNER

For wheelchair users, tables have been redesigned to make more room with seat legs moved and additional space created for assistance dogs.

The 10-carriage trains called ‘Serenza’, will each have a total of 569 seats across Standard and First Class, alongside wheelchair spaces.

No date for introduction of the Class 897s has been announced yet.

But the new fleet is set to replace LNER’s InterCity 225 fleet, which focuses on services between London King’s Cross and destinations like Leeds, York, Bradford Forster Square, and Skipton.

For more on rail upgrades, UK’s busiest train station faces ‘decade of chaos’ ahead of multi-million pound renovation.

And here’s the UK’s ‘best rural train station’ – next to the seaside-themed town that is MILES from the coast.

LNER have revealed what its new fleet of trains will look likeCredit: LNER

Source link

Louis Rees-Zammit: ‘No bigger game’ than Wales v England, says full-back

As a poster boy of world rugby, Rees-Zammit’s return to the Six Nations is not only a boost for Wales, but for fans and media alike.

“I try to not focus on that,” Rees-Zammit said.

“Everything that I’ve had off the field has come from my skills in rugby, and obviously going to America brought a new audience, but it’s all about performance.

“You’ve got Henry Pollock going through the same thing, he’s burst on to the scene and is playing unbelievably.”

And while England’s Pollock ruffles a few feathers, Rees-Zammit believes it is for the good of the game.

“You’ve got to try and bring your personality out when it comes to rugby, because a lot of it gets shut down,” he added.

“Henry is doing a great job of bringing his personality to the game and we need more people like that, it’ll just grow the sport.

“He obviously gets stick for it, and I got stick for it when I was younger, but you just go through it.”

You can watch Sarra Elgan’s Six Nations 2026 Preview at 19:00 on Wednesday, 4 February on BBC One Wales and iPlayer.

Source link

England cricket: Tourists sweep series against Sri Lanka in low-scoring thriller

England successfully defended a target of 129 to win by 12 runs against Sri Lanka in an enthralling contest, completing a 3-0 T20 series sweep and entering the World Cup with momentum.

Sam Curran hit a career-best 58 after a top-order collapse as England finished on 128-9, before the tourists’ spinners took nine wickets to pull off an unlikely victory.

Will Jacks took 3-14, while Jacob Bethell secured the last four Sri Lankan wickets, including three in one over, to finish with 4-11 as the hosts were bowled out for 116.

Having chosen to bat, opener Ben Duckett was dismissed lbw for a golden duck, while Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton and Harry Brook were all removed for single figures prior to Curran taking his side to a score that still looked challenging to defend.

Having already lost the series with defeat in the first two games, Sri Lanka bowled superbly, with seamer Dushmantha Chameera taking 5-24, including the wicket of Curran with the penultimate ball of the innings.

Luke Wood and Liam Dawson took early wickets on a worn pitch, before Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake fell to consecutive deliveries from Adil Rashid and Jacks.

Sri Lanka were still favourites and reached 90-4 before Jacks struck again, removing Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage in consecutive overs.

Part-time spinner Jacob Bethell then took control, dismissing Dunith Wellalage, Chameera and Dasun Shanaka in the 18th over.

Having been handed the final over, he wrapped up the match with the dismissal of Maheesh Theekshana, helping England set a record for the lowest total they have ever successfully defended in T20s.

England start their World Cup campaign against Nepal on Sunday, 8 February (09:30 GMT).

Source link

Lewis Hamilton already has the seal of approval from Kim’s sister Kylie’s boyfriend Timothee Chalamet

LEWIS Hamilton already has the seal of approval from the Kardashian family amid his new romance with Kim.

The Sun exclusively revealed how the pair had enjoyed a secret date with one another at a luxury Cotswolds manor house.

Kim Kardashian’s new suitor Lewis Hamilton already has her famous family’s seal of approvalCredit: Shutterstock
Kris Jenner has long been a fan and supporter of LewisCredit: Getty
Kylie’s boyfriend Timothee ranked Lewis in his five greatest Britst just months agoCredit: Getty

Kim jetted into the UK to spend time with the F1 ace amid the throes of their new romance.

Kim’s new suitor Lewis is already well-liked among her extended family and has got the seal of approval from mum Kris Jenner as well as Kylie’s boyfriend, Timothee Chalamet.

Just two months ago, actor Timothee listed Lewis among his list of the five greatest Brits.

Whilst promoting his movie Marty Supreme, Timothee revealed that Lewis was among his British idols alongside David and Victoria Beckham, Susan Boyle and hip-hop artisit, Fakemink.

SECRET ROMANCE

How Kim Kardashian kept trip to see Lewis Hamiton secret for a MONTH


INVISIBLE STRING

Secret link between Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton revealed

Timothee has been dating Kylie since April 2023 with the pair enjoying a dinner thrown by Kim in Malibu just last month with the reality star dishing all on the pair staying for hours during her recent appearance on Khloe in Wonder Land.

Elsewhere, mum Kris has long been a fan of racing driver Lewis.

Back in October 2015, she took to Instagram to dedicate a whole post to Lewis’ F1 win.

Kris said at the time: “Congratulations @lewishamilton !!!! We are soooo proud of you!!!!!!

Interestingly, Kris went on to add “#family,” onto her Instagram caption.

Furthermore, insiders claimed back in 2015 that Kris saw Lewis as “perfect” and a “good influence” and reportedly sang his praises as a potential partner to her daughters – 11 years before his new romance with Kim.

Kim and Lewis have known each other for a number of yearsCredit: Alamy
He has always gotten along with her familyCredit: Getty
The star jetted into the UK for their secret dateCredit: Getty

The Sun revealed the world exclusive that Kim and Lewis had spent time together this weekend after she flew into the country on her £100million private jet from LA.

The mum-of-four and Brit seven-time F1 world champ enjoyed an ­intimate dinner and a couple’s massage as part of a romantic weekend getaway in the country.

She arrived with a mountain of luggage for her brief stay at the exclusive Estelle Manor in the Cotswolds, with three bodyguards protecting the couple.

Insiders said they were granted exclusive use of the posh spa at the country club in Witney, Oxfordshire, before ­having a meal in a private room.

A source told The Sun: “It all appeared to be very romantic. Kim and Lewis made use of all the facilities on offer.

“She had two bodyguards with her and Lewis had a close protection officer but they remained in the background.

“Two of the three stood guard outside the door to their room, so no one could disturb them.”

Seven-times world champion Lewis has known Kim for years, and was close to her ­rapper ex Kanye West.

However the pair have never been romantically linked.

Mum-of-four Kim touched down on Saturday afternoon at Oxford Airport, where two cars — one for her luggage — were waiting to make the nine-minute journey to Estelle Manor.

An hour later, Lewis, who drives for Italian team Ferrari, arrived at the Grade II-listed property by helicopter, chartered from London’s Battersea Heliport.

Lewis spent time with Kim in a luxury Oxfordshire manor houseCredit: Getty
They are said to be in the throes of a new romanceCredit: Getty

Source link

Sri Lanka v England: Tom Banton’s unbeaten half-century secures victory by six wickets in DLS chase in second T20 international in Pallekele

Encouragingly for England on the eve of a subcontinental T20 World Cup, their spin department is holding up well.

A combined 12 overs yielded three wickets for 81 runs at an economy rate of 6.75, a return that underlined their growing control and reliability.

Rashid remains the ace in the pack, capable of stifling momentum and producing breakthroughs at key moments.

The experienced leg-spinner’s googly may have been well studied by opposition batters, but it remains a potent weapon, as Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka discovered when he was trapped lbw slogging to leg.

Dawson’s left-arm spin provided much-needed control through the middle overs, slowing down his speeds to left vs right handers, while Jacks continues to mature as a bowling option, and used his angles well.

Brook has plenty of options to turn to even when the pitch does not spin big.

A slight concern for England, with just under a week to go before a major tournament, was that their seam bowling did not quite hit the mark.

That caveat comes with the acknowledgement that the surface at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was a used one, offering little margin for error.

Nevertheless Jamie Overton struggled with his length, while Curran, fresh from an expensive hat-trick in the opening T20, surprisingly lacked conviction after conceding 14 from his first over.

Archer fared slightly better, picking up two wickets despite being targeted early on, with Nissanka launching him out of the ground in his opening over.

Archer, however, recovered well to bowl effectively at the death as Sri Lanka pushed for a total in excess of 200.

More to follow.

Source link

Sam Curran: England seamer takes hat-trick as tourists win first T20

Sam Curran took England’s second ever hat-trick in T20 internationals as they beat Sri Lanka by 11 runs (DLS) in Pallekele.

The left-arm seamer dismissed home captain Dasun Shanaka and lower-order batters Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 133.

The hosts had already lost five wickets for 22 runs after spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson tore through their line-up, taking 3-19 and 2-31 respectively.

Curran had been expensive earlier in the innings, conceding 36 runs from his first two overs, but returned in force before Jamie Overton wrapped up the innings, which had been shortened to 17 overs after rain earlier in the day.

Having won the preceding ODI series 2-1, England were looking to take their form into the shortest format as they build up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.

They looked comfortable in their reply, with Phil Salt hitting 46 from 35 balls at the top of the order.

Jos Buttler was bowled by Eshan Malinga in the third over after hitting the seamer for four successive fours, and the same bowler removed Jacob Bethell for nine.

Tom Banton hit back-to-back sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga, but was caught superbly in the covers by Charith Asalanka off Parithana, while Salt chipped Shanaka to long-on with the finish in sight.

The rain returned two balls later with England needing nine from 12 deliveries and the umpires swiftly drew a conclusion to proceedings.

England go 1-0 up in the three-match series, with the next game at the same ground on Sunday.

Source link

The once-naff UK seaside town that’s now so cool even MADONNA says it’s her ‘idea of heaven’

YOU’D have to be living under a rock to have not heard of Margate, often cited as one of the UK’s trendiest seaside towns.

But it became the coolest seaside town in the WORLD after singing legend Madonna recently visited – and raved about it.

Margate has been described as Madonna’s ‘heaven’Credit: Alamy
The star was recently spotted thereCredit: Bizarre
Lily Allen also visited Margate for a Sky Atlantic showCredit: �Sky UK Limited.

It’s the second time the Vogue singer has been spotted in Margate, having visited back in October after being introduced by artist Tracy Emin, who lives in the town.

Having previously visited the Freedman Gallery and TKE Studios, she was spotted again this week at an Off Season event, a grassroots initiative.

Talking about Margate, she said: “This is my idea of heaven. Whenever I go there, I feel like I’ve entered a dream.”

She also cited the town as being “inhabited and energised by creativity”.

Read more on seaside towns

MAKEOVER

UK’s first seaside town reveals £14m transformation of historic train station


SHELL OUT

Pretty English beach that gets the least rain is near two popular seaside towns

As someone who used to live in the town, it comes as no surprise that Margate continues to attract world-famous stars.

The town was previously used as a filming location for the Sam Mendes film Empire of Light, which saw huge stars including Olivia Colman visit during filming.

Lily Allen filmed her Sky Atlantic series Dreamland in Margate, while Oscar winner Rami Malek was previously spotted with his former girlfriend actor Emma Corrin, set to star in the new Pride and Prejudice remake.

And Pedro Pascal was spotted visiting at an art gallery in recent months.

Most read in Best of British

Margate was one of the original Victorian seaside resorts but, like many in the UK, lost favour in the 1960s and fell into disrepair.

However in the last decade it has seen a boom in popularity.

Even during my few years living there – having left London for the town during Covid – I saw how it has grown in popularity.

My three-bed flat cost £210,000, although you could easily find one bedroom ones for £120,000. Now the average house price is nearly £300,000, according to Rightmove.

Before I moved to the town, it was in short supply of hotels to stay in, mainly with run down seaside B&Bs or home rentals being the only option.

Since then, openings have included the trendy boutique Fort Road Hotel, as well as the latest Guesthouse hotel, after success in Bath and Brighton.

When it comes to the food scene, Michelin named Margate in its ‘10 best seaside towns for food lovers in the UK & Ireland‘ last year.

Mexican restaurant High Dive was praised by the Good Food Guide, while the Italian Sargasso was name one of the UK’s best restaurants by the Times.

Dreamland is the town’s famous retro theme parkCredit: Alamy

Sadly, Madonna didn’t reveal where she ate, but wrote: “I get to eat at my favorite Italian restaurant which I’m not giving anyone the name of because then everyone’s going to go there and it only has one table.”

It is thought that it was Bottega Caruso, in the middle of town known for its huge slabs of tiramisu.

Even when it comes to bars, there is the often lauded Sete, a tiny Parisian-esque drinking spot, as well as Guesthouse’s rooftop bar which opens in summer, and is one of the few rooftop bars in Kent.

Of course you can’t best a good pub, and both George & Heart and Rose in June are some of the coolest in town.

It is even home to one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, with Cliftonville named the UK’s best by Time Out.

It’s here you’ll find the historic Walpole Lido, one of the UK’s largest that is also free to visit, as well as the nearby pop up Sea Scrub sauna.

But when it comes to seaside towns, it needs fish and chips – Peter’s Fish Factory is often praised as the UK’s best – as well as arcades, which can be found lining the seafront.

And with one of Kent‘s only sandy beaches, and being home to the famous retro Dreamland theme park? I’m ready to back it taking the mantle of world’s coolest.

In the mean time, here are some other seaside towns that are booming.

And we’ve rounded up our favourite seaside towns that are less than 90 minutes from London.

Margate has boomed in popularityCredit: Getty

Source link

Shock as top UK beach turns from pebbles to sand OVERNIGHT

Aerial view of the white cliffs of Birling Gap with a narrow sandy beach and foamy ocean waves, with green hills and a lighthouse in the background.

IF you prefer the soft sand under your feet on a beach then you’re in luck as there is a new one in the UK.

Birling Gap beach, near Eastbourne, has turned from a pebble beach into a sandy beach overnight.

Birling Gap has changed from a pebble to a sandy beachCredit: Alamy
The beach is now full of sand after the UK stormsCredit: EDDIE MITCHELL.

The extreme weather caused by the winter storms sweeping the UK is thought to be behind the unusual change.

Along with sand being pulled in my the storms, it was believed the rocks on the beach were then pulled out to sea.

The National Trust explained: “The action of strong waves during storms and high tides can reveal sandy patches on the beach, which are usually covered by flint pebbles at other times of the year.

“This year has seen a higher than usual amount of sand appearing.

BOOK IN

Most popular hotels in loveholidays sale with rooftop pools, beaches & £149 deals


SEA YOU

The English seaside village that’s better to visit in winter with seal beaches

Locals have raved about their ‘new’ beach.

Local Mary Sievwright told the BBC the beach was now “beautiful”.

She added: “It would have been great fun when I was a kid because we all had to scramble over pebbles the whole time.

“Whereas 1769660425 you’ve got loads of nice places to put your towel down and sit with your family.”

Another local said; “I’ve never seen sand there – and I have lived here for nearly 29 years!”

However, don’t expect it to be for good as it was “not a regular occurrence”.

A National Trust spokesperson said which the beach was “known for seasonal changes,” this is unlikely to last so people should “enjoy it while they can”.

Beachgoers are currently advised to stay away from the beach after two families were rescued, following access steps were damage to the steps caused by a cliff gall.

The National Trust currently states: “There is no beach access until further notice.”

A number of beaches in the UK face being lost for good due to erosion.

Blackpool is investing £30milllion across their coastline in beach defences in a bid to preserve the sands.

Holderness Coast in East Riding of Yorkshire, is currently reporting some of the highest rates of erosion in Europe, losing up to 12 metres a year.

And here is a secluded beach in the UK you can now only get to by boat.

The beach is temporarily closed due to damage to the stepsCredit: Alamy

Source link

Cap for ground rent in England and Wales due to be announced

The government will announce a cap on ground rents paid by leaseholders in England and Wales on Tuesday morning, the BBC understands.

Labour’s 2024 election manifesto promised to “tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges”.

However, there had been suggestions the government could retreat from its pledge due to concern about the potential impact on pension funds.

The government has not yet confirmed where it will set the cap, but campaigners have said they believe £250 a year is likely.

Earlier this month, former Housing Secretary Angela Rayner had urged the government to stick to its manifesto pledge on ground rents.

There are around five million leasehold homes in England and Wales, where people own the right to occupy a property via a lease for a limited number of years from a freeholder.

Leaseholds is the default tenure for privately-owned flats, and the Land Registry estimates that 99% of flat sales in 2024 in England were leasehold.

Ground rents were abolished for most new residential leasehold properties in England and Wales in 2022, but remain for existing leasehold homes.

The English Housing Survey has estimated that in 2023/24, leasehold owner-occupiers reported paying a median annual ground rent of £120 a year.

In 2024, when Labour were in opposition, the current Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said his preference was for ground rents to be capped at effectively zero.

Recent reports have suggested that the Treasury and the housing department have been at loggerheads over the issue, with concerns over how a cap would impact pension funds which own freeholds.

Last week, former Labour minister Justin Madders told the BBC that the prime minister could face a “mass rebellion” if the government abandoned its pledge on a ground rent cap.

He said setting the limit at a peppercorn rate would be his preferred choice but that he could accept a £250 cap due to the “risk of elongated legal challenge”.

A spokesperson for the Residential Freehold Association has previously said that capping ground rents “would be an unprecedented and unjustified interference with existing property rights, which would seriously damage investor confidence in the UK housing market”.

Harry Scoffin, founder of the Free Leaseholders campaign group, has said: “At the election, Labour promised to end the feudal leasehold system and if they backtrack on reducing ground rates to a peppercorn or zero financial value they’re not ending the leasehold scam.”

Source link

Are these the caravans of the future? New ‘capsules’ that are more like a luxury hotel could launch across the UK

FORGET everything you know about holiday parks – as a new age of caravans could change them entirely.

Caravan holidays have been a popular, and low cost, alternative to holidays abroad, for the last 100 years.

The new caravan designs last decades longer than standard designsCredit: WNS
He said they feel more like luxury hotel roomsCredit: WNS
They are also more insulated so can be stayed in all year roundCredit: WNS

Yet new designs could change the design of them, with many having not changed in decades.

Welsh designer Craig Ledwards has revealed his own creations, likening to them a luxury hotel room instead.

He told local media: “Caravans haven’t changed over the past 70 years.

“They’re exactly the same style as they’ve always been – no insulation so there’s always condensation in it, smell damp, and the layout is the same.

VANTASTIC

We ditched a house for a caravan, we don’t pay rent & do 6 holidays a year


HOL YEAH

Queen of 9.50 Holidays shares her fave caravan parks, travel hacks and attractions

“But this is totally different, it’s open-plan living. It feels like you’re entering a luxury hotel room.”

Like hotels, guests can access them using key cards which are then slotted in for the electricity.

Inside are marble bathrooms and projectors in the ceiling, as well as full glass walls.

Small balconies are also part of the outdoor space, as well as a rooftop window for stargazing while inside.

He has already introduced them to north Wales last year.

He added: “It’s as far away from a static caravan as you can get – the only thing that’s the same is the size, we’ve designed it to be the same size so it can replace an old one without having to change the footprint or service connections.”

Each one, costing around £35,000 to build, is fully insulated so they can be stayed in all year round.

Not only that, but he says they have a lifespan of 50 years – much longer than standard caravans which is between 15 and 20 years.

They have been met with some skepticism, however.

Some have said that the all-glass models may not retain heat during the colder months, even if well insulated.

And a National Caravan Council spokesperson said: “New designs such as ones imported from China may appeal to a niche audience, drawn to contemporary styling and different layouts,” they said.

“But widespread appeal will depend on how well they meet the expectations of the UK holiday park market, the access to spare parts, the availability of reliable and timely after-sales service and those who are responsible for licensing their use.”

Here’s what it’s like inside the world’s most expensive caravan.

And here’s another futuristic caravan with self-driving tech.

Some expert have raised concerns over the glass windows and insulationCredit: WNS
They pods could become the new norm of caravan parksCredit: WNS

Source link