Englands

TAMWORTH may not be top of many tourists’ to-do lists, but it boasts the best boozer, a kids-go-free castle and even a chance to ski on real snow, all within staggering distance of each other. 

I’m lucky that this Midlands marvel is only half an hour from me, so I headed over to check out all the things that make the town a perfect day trip destination this year.

It’s been ages since I last visited Tamworth Castle, a landmark feature in the centre of town, still standing tall on its original motte.

It’s just announced that it’s the latest visitor attraction to join the Blue Peter scheme, which means that kids who’ve earned a badge from the beloved TV show can get in free.

We were absolutely amazed by all the different eras of history showcased at the castle, a fascinating snapshot of its own journey through time.

What I really loved though was the recreated Saxon mead hall with fount-of-knowledge volunteer guide Ralph on hand to bring history to life and chat to us about the Staffordshire Hoard, a huge stash of Saxon riches discovered by a metal detectorist on a farmer’s field in 2009.

Read More On UK Travel Inspo

PARK UP

Holiday park expert reveals her top UK resorts and how to get cheap stays

BEACH BARGAINS

Our fave beautiful British seaside towns with their own £9.50 Holiday parks

The hoard was split between three Midlands museums and Tamworth makes the most of the sparkling specimens it received in its Battle and Tribute exhibition.

We love a castle and have visited many of the biggest and best, like Warwick and Windsor, but Tamworth gives them a run for their money in terms of immersive experiences for children and offering up history in easy-to-understand bite-size chunks. 

One thing that Tamworth really has going for it is the greenery of the Castle Grounds right in its centre.

This open-to-all public space has a fab castle-themed playground, a skate park, tennis courts and a cafe.

It is bordered by indoor attractions like Namco Funscape, which includes bowling, softplay and adventure golf, and the SnowDome, where visitors can ski, skate, climb and swim.

My boys love taking to the slopes and a firm family favourite here is the snow fun park, where you can play in the white stuff all year round.

The pool offers flumes and floats sessions for families.

If you have a Blue Light Card, you can often get money off and it’s always worth checking out the deals section of the SnowDome website, as you can bag a bargain at quieter times of the year.

We rounded up our visit with a trip to the Tamworth Tap, which has just been named pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for the third time.

It’s the first pub to win this award three times, so it was no surprise to find it already bustling with barely a table to spare within half an hour of its opening on a Friday afternoon.

You won’t be able to bring the kids in here, as it’s over-18s only, but if you’re visiting with older kids who are happy to enjoy the skate park, which is only a two-minute walk away, you can sneak in for a cheeky pint and a portion of £4 frickles – pickles fried in breadcrumbs. 

If you’re here in the warmer months, the pub’s beer garden certainly has one of the best views in the town, overlooked by its castle neighbour.

April is a great time to visit the town, with a dragon egg hunt around the castle over the school holidays and then a free medieval festival to mark St George’s Day in the park on April 18, with jousting, archery, games and fairground rides.

Just outside Tamworth, there’s plenty of family-friendly visitor attractions a short drive away where you can easily while away a day if you’re making a weekend of it. 

My top picks would be Twycross Zoo (20-minute drive), Statfold Country Park (10 minutes) and Drayton Manor (7 minutes).

As well as visiting the animals, Twycross also has the Gruffalo Discovery Land, which is great for little ones, while both Drayton Manor and Statfold are perfect for train fans and anyone who loves fairground and theme park rides.

Drayton, which hosts Thomas Land, has just celebrated its 75th anniversary by installing a lake lights show, while Statfold recently opened the National Fairground Museum, so visitors can now enjoy vintage fairground rides as well as steam and diesel trains.

With a hoard of hidden gems of its own, this Staffordshire treasure has a wealth of wonders just waiting to be discovered.

Brook was fined and given a final warning over his conduct following the incident. But that only came to light more than two months later, after the final Test against Australia in Sydney.

In January, 27-year-old Brook said supporters have “every right to be annoyed” with his behaviour as he issued a public apology.

But he also stated he was on his own when the bouncer “clocked ” him and only later admitted other players had been present. He explained he had lied about that because he had been trying to protect his team-mates from further scrutiny.

It also emerged the Cricket Regulator was looking into the matter.

England’s players were widely criticised for their off-field behaviour during the Ashes, including claims of excessive drinking during a mid-series break in the coastal resort of Noosa.

Tongue, 28, told BBC Sport earlier this week he had learned from what had happened in the New Zealand capital and is “just trying to focus on the cricket now”.

During a meeting at Lord’s to discuss the findings of a review of the tour last week, England’s managing director Rob Key said there is not an “easy fix” to cricket’s relationship with alcohol.

NEWLY reopened in the UK last year, The Hide Hotel is one for the families who love the great outdoors.

Here is everything you need to know

Where is The Hide Hotel?

Right up in the hills on the edge of Chatsworth Estate in Chesterfield lies this The Hide Hotel.

You’ll most likely need a car to get there although there is a bus stop outside that connects to Chatsworth and Bakewell.

What is the hotel like?

The thick stone-walled hotel is complete with dog and boot washing facilities, a roaring log fire in its restaurant and a tasty local pint for walkers to reward themselves with after a ramble in the Peaks.

The views across the moorland are breathtaking, and while the building is 200 years old, it was given a complete refurb last year, so all the furnishings look shiny and new.

INN AND OUT

The Holiday Inn, Cambridge hotel review

READY JET GO

Ibis Styles London Heathrow, hotel review

What are the rooms like?

All neutral tones with cosy throws strewn over the beds, rooms at The Hide Hotel are comfortable and inviting.

You can choose from double, triple, quad, or like us a bunk room, where a family of four could happily stay in the king size beds and very cute cabins.

Rooms cost from £79 per night including breakfast. See here.

What is there to eat and drink at the hotel?

There’s a great restaurant focusing on big plates of ribs, brisket, burgers and more.

They also offer a terrific range of stone baked pizzas and the cooked breakfasts are worth waking up for.

For something more refined, The Beeley Inn, also owned by the Chatsworth Estate, is well worth a visit.

Here we enjoyed whipped goats cheese with balsamic beetroot, and local lamb saddle with hispi cabbage.

What else is there to do there?

There’s a footpath out of the back door that leads directly to Chatsworth House (albeit via a 9km walk), where guests can book multi-entry tickets for their stay.

The Hide is also right at the entrance to The Peak District National Park which has amazing rambles for all abilities.

You’ll find a handy walking guide in every bedroom, and the staff are super knowledgeable and inspired us to climb the nearby snow topped Mam Tor, an unforgettable experience.

Is the hotel family friendly?

Yes, there are four-person rooms with bunk beds and king beds, so perfect for families, although kids re an extra £15 a night.

They also have everything else from high chairs to cots, and a play area in the restaurant with toys and games.

The hotel team are also on hand to recommend family-friendly activities.

is it accessible?

The hotel has accessible rooms, with wide entry bathrooms as well.

England take on Uruguay in a friendly on Friday and to mark the match we’re looking back to the last time the two played each other at the 2014 World Cup.

Luis Suarez starred in the Group D encounter, helping Uruguay to a 2-1 win which, after other results went against England, essentially knocked Roy Hodgson’s side out of the tournament.

It’s not a game England fans remember too fondly, but can you pick out the players who started the match? We’ve given you their positions and clubs at the time as a clue.

Key was also a guest on the the TMS programme and he said England will make changes in the way they approach selection.

There had been a perception that the England Test team felt like a ‘closed shop’, particularly to players in county cricket who did not fit the aggressive Bazball style.

Key said the introduction of a “county insight group” to offer input into selection will attempt to formally rebuild relations with stakeholders, including directors of cricket, in the domestic game.

The 46-year-old former Kent captain also said England’s selection policy will become more cut-throat compared to the past when certain players have almost appeared undroppable.

“We’ve overvalued loyalty and overvalued having a settled team,” Key said.

“We thought what we wanted to do is make sure we have a team that is settled out there [in Australia], that we go out there and we’re not giving debuts to opening batters [during the Ashes] and stuff like that.

“But what that does is it creates an environment where there’s not enough consequence. We need to be more ruthless with our selection.”

McCullum is due to return to work towards the end of May as England gear up for a Test series against his native New Zealand which starts at Lord’s on 4 June.

However, Vaughan felt it would have been worthwhile McCullum spending time on the circuit during the early rounds of the County Championship – for good PR if nothing else.

“I’m a bit disappointed that he’s not coming a bit earlier,” Vaughan said.

“I think at this stage, when you’re trying to win back the fans, trying to win back a little bit of the game, if I was Brendon McCullum, I’d come a few weeks earlier, get seen around the counties.

“I’d go and talk to a few coaches, go and speak to a few umpires, get seen out and about just for the optics. Because at this stage he needs the fans, and he needs the game to kind of get behind his philosophy a little bit more.”

You can watch the full TMS debate over the post-Ashes review on BBC iPlayer or download it as a podcast.

Fine margins are often the difference between a title-winning side and one still building towards it.

Thomas Ramos’ last-gasp penalty to win the championship for France came after a handful of moments England will replay in their minds for a while.

Henry Pollock did brilliantly to steal the ball late on but, instead of taking contact and securing it, he tried to move it and possession was lost.

Ollie Chessum might also look back and think he could have edged a little closer to the posts to make the kick easier for Fin Smith, who himself will be frustrated at leaving points out there.

Those are the moments you write down and burn into your memory, because when they come around again – and they always do in Test rugby – you want the instinct to be automatic.

The best teams make winning those moments a habit.

Just look at South Africa at the 2023 World Cup – three knockout wins by a single point.

That is not luck. That is a team that understand exactly how to manage pressure.

England had been through a sticky spell and this performance gives them something real to build on heading into the summer.

When this squad meet up again for the tour to South Africa, there should be a real sense of belief.

They have shown they can challenge the very best teams in the world. Now it is about learning how to close out those pressure moments when they come.

Another area that will need attention is opposition analysis.

France exposed England a couple of times in the first half with tries straight from set-piece starter plays.

At this level, that is inexcusable. Louis Bielle-Biarrey chasing on to kicks through is something France have done all championship.

Those details matter. Fix them, combine that with the intensity England showed in Paris, and suddenly you have a team not just competing with the best, but capable of beating the best.

The UK’s most beautiful places have been ranked and one English spot has particularly impressed thanks to its enchanting scenery and quaint villages

A beautiful region full of rolling green hills, lakes with azure waters and charming villages that are the stuff of fairytales has been named England’s most beautiful place for 2026.

The Lake District has long been attracting visitors from around the world, often featuring on rankings of the more scenic spots and picturesque landmarks across Britain. Now, it’s been named one of the UK’s most beautiful places, taking the silver medal in new rankings from Big 7 Travel.

“England’s largest national park, the Lake District, is surely one of the UK’s most beautiful areas,” the team behind the research explained. “Whether it’s grass-covered fells, England’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), beautiful lakes such as Ullswater and Windermere or quaint towns like Grasmere and Keswick, the Lake District has it all. Perfect for everyone from hikers to swimmers, photographers to artists and more, the Lake District is easily one of the most beautiful places in the UK.”

While it’s hardly a hidden gem, it’s not difficult to see why the Lake District is so popular with tourists. There are plenty of breathtaking lakes to explore in the region – 16 in fact – with popular highlights including the likes of Lake Windemere, Derwentwater and Ullswater which boast a host of water sports facilities and attractions. (Families may particularly want to bookmark the World of Beatrix Potter which brings the stories of Peter Rabbit and his friends to life).

Then of course that lush green landscape is packed with everything from scenic strolls to epic hiking trails, depending on how far you want to cover in your hiking boots. Oh, and the region is renowned for the many, many brilliant pubs where you can warm up by a fire, tuck into a hearty roast and enjoy a well-deserved drink after a busy day of exploring.

As for where to stay, there’s a plethora of accommodation to choose from, with the likes of Sykes Holiday Cottages and Holidaycottages.co.uk both offering up some brilliant options that look like the stuff of storybooks, or if you fancy treating yourself to a hotel stay, TripAdvisor has a handy guide to some of the best cheap Lake District hotels you’ll want on your radar.

Meanwhile, if you’re after more staycation inspiration then you could of course head to the UK’s most beautiful destination in the rankings. That accolade went to the Queen’s View in the Scottish Highlands, a picturesque viewing point that overlooks Loch Tummel. One of its most famous visitors, Queen Victoria, arrived at the site in 1866 and reportedly assumed that the location was named after her. (In reality, It is thought that it was named after Isabella, Robert the Bruce’s first wife, who lived more than 500 years before Victoria’s visit).

You can see the top 10 rankings below…

The UK’s top 10 most beautiful places

1. Queen’s View – Perthshire, Scotland
2. The Lake District – Cumbria, England
3. The Forest of Dean – Gloucestershire, England
4. Fairy Pools – Isle of Skye, Scotland
5. Rathlin Island – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
6. Berwyn Mountains – Powys, Wales
7. Heights of Abraham – Derbyshire, England
8. Holkham Beach – Norfolk, England
9. Eilean Donan Castle – Highlands, Scotland
10. Knaresborough – North Yorkshire, England

You can find out more on enjoytravel.com.

Is there a destination you think deserved to be in the top 10 rankings? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

YouTuber Wendall flew to the Isles of Scilly off Cornwall and found stunning golden sandy beaches that he compared to the Caribbean, with experts also praising the remote islands as a UK paradise

A traveller who journeyed to some of England’s most isolated islands has insisted certain beaches rival those found in the Caribbean.

YouTuber Wendall, who shares content on the video platform through his eponymous channel, travelled to the Isles of Scilly. The Isles of Scilly comprise five inhabited islands including St Mary’s, Tresco, St Martin’s, Bryher, and St Agnes.

The Isles of Scilly are a compact archipelago situated just off the Cornish coast and have been recognised for generations as a location of significant interest and cultural value to the United Kingdom, reports the Express.

Whilst touring the region by boat, Wendall questioned the vessel’s operator about the standard of the beaches. He observed: “I’ve heard St Martin’s has got the nicest beaches.”

The boat operator responded: “It does have nice, golden, sandy beaches, yes. Nice golden sandy beaches.”

Wendall then remarked: “Caribbean-esque.”

Wendall isn’t alone in highlighting the Isles of Scilly’s beaches, with those at Tresco’s Pentle Bay also garnering considerable acclaim.

Specialists from GO Outdoors recently named Pentle Bay among the finest beaches to explore this spring, thanks to temperatures hovering around 10C and approximately 7.2 hours of daily sunshine.

This reputation is echoed in numerous Google Reviews. One visitor described it as “one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen,” while another called it a “mini paradise” and a “private gem.”

Discussing the subject, Calum Jones, author at GO Outdoors, commented: “As the days get longer and the weather warms up, spring is the perfect time to explore the stunning coastlines across the UK. From Druridge Bay Beach in the North East to Immeridge Bay in the South West, there are breathtaking beaches to discover all around the country.”

Beaches in this region are not the only ones to attract attention; Cornwall’s shores have also earned widespread acclaim, including Kynance Cove.

Located just a short drive from Falmouth, Kynance Cove has drawn comparisons to beaches on the opposite side of the globe in New South Wales, Australia.

Research conducted by Parkdean Resorts found that Kynance Cove boasts the whitest sand in the UK.

They stated: “Topping the list as the UK’s whitest beach is Kynance Cove in Cornwall. This Cornish cove boasts powder-soft sands made primarily of quartz, giving the beach its bright, white appearance. This breathtaking spot gives even Australia’s iconic coastline a run for its money.”

“I respect there’s lots of discussion around our tactical plans – when you look at the end point, look at the result and you the number of tries scored, that’s completely understandable,” said Borthwick

“I think it’s more about improving that incisiveness with our attack and getting over the try line rather than necessarily any major overhaul.

“You have an overview, a structure of ‘this is how we want to approach the different aspects of the game’, and then talk about the players bringing their points of difference.”

The day after defeat by Italy in Rome on Saturday, Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney released a statement backing Borthwick, saying he was confident that the coach and his staff would “do everything they can to deliver”.

Borthwick says that he speaks with Sweeney “at least once or twice a week” and Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s director of performance rugby, “pretty much on a daily basis”.

“Ever since I started this role back in late 2022, we have always worked very, very closely together,” Borthwick added.

“I think that I’ve always been very clear on the vision of the team, initially going very quickly into that 2023 Rugby World Cup which was just around the corner, and ever since then building through each of these competition windows since.

“We are all disappointed and frustrated.

“We came to this tournament with really high aspirations, as did the players, and we’ve been unable to meet those targets we set for ourselves.”