Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has told his players to “enjoy themselves” but to “use common sense” over christmas. His comments follow Pep Guardiola’s admission that Manchester City’s players will be weighed when they return to training to check their fitness has not dropped over the festive period.
BBC One’s new Christmas drama Stuffed has been branded “iconic” by fans
A hidden treasure of a comedy on the BBC, hailed as “brilliant” by viewers, is set to air tonight.
Stuffed, starring Guz Khan and Morgana Robinson, is a comedy-drama that follows a family embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Lapland.
Khan portrays Arslan Farooqi, who, after receiving an unexpected £8,000 Christmas bonus at work, decides to take his multi-faith family on this festive adventure.
Joined by his wife Hannah (played by Robinson), his two daughters, and brother-in-law Jamie, they trade Coventry for the enchantment of Christmas in Lapland.
However, their holiday soon descends into chaos when Arslan discovers that his bonus was given in error and needs to be returned, reports Wales Online.
The BBC’s synopsis teases: “Things go downhill fast when Arslan finds out the bonus was a mistake, and to make matters worse, they have already spent every penny of it.
“What ensues is one man’s quest to salvage a Christmas he doesn’t believe in, while ideally not losing his job, his family, and everything he has ever worked for. And surprise, surprise, it doesn’t go too smoothly.”
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The film can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and will also be broadcast on BBC One tonight at 9pm.
One enthusiastic fan recommended: “If you’ve not watched it yet, try Stuffed on the iPlayer. Brilliant new addition to the Christmas film list. Guz Khan is brilliant.”
Another viewer gushed: “Absolutely loved Stuffed on BBC iPlayer with my fav man @GuzKhanOfficial, him and Morgana are a dream team working together.”
Another viewer chimed in: “Loved it, hope some more will follow!” while a fourth echoed: “We need a regular series for this! Loved it made me laugh throughout.”
One enthusiastic fan declared: “This is iconic on tv I didn’t know what to watch during the Christmas holidays, same old home alone and polar express but this… is perhaps the best drama I’ve seen.”
Guz had previously shared his apprehensions about Stuffed’s release with The Guardian, saying: “You never know when you make something. I never thought we’d ever be in this kind of slot. There’s lots of things that come along with doing a Christmas special.”
He continued: “A lot of the work I get asked to do is like: ‘Come in and do your thing.’ I just did season two of The Gentlemen, and it was such a fun week. There’s no rules. You can go absolutely crazy.
“But this was a little bit different. You have to follow some guidelines. And so it was a really good challenge for me. Where I’d usually express myself with dialogue, I had to try and get the same feeling with an expression.”
Stuffed airs on BBC One tonight at 9pm and is available to watch on iPlayer.
Emmerdale fans have a lot to look forward to on the ITV soap this Christmas – and this is when they can tune in as all the drama unfolds over the festive period
There will be plenty of drama in the Dales over the Yuletide period
Emmerdale fans are looking forward to tuning in on Christmas Day – and it’s looking like quite a dramatic time during the festive time on the farm. Viewers of the long-running ITV soap, which first aired in 1972, would expect nothing less from the programme but it’s already been quite the year for the residents of the Yorkshire-based village.
This Christmas, there’s concern for Robron as a threat looms for newly reunited Aaron Dingle and Robert Sugden. When news of a possible return is shared not everyone is immediately happy about it, sparking a new feud. Ross Barton is blindsided when he finds out Aaron and Robert are planning to bring Robert’s son Seb back into their lives. Ross was Seb’s stepfather and helped raise him, until Seb’s mother Rebecca White sadly passed away.
What’s more, someone will be showing lurking in the shadows with intent and their reign of terror is only just getting started. When the trees outside his flat are set alight, Aaron once again blames Ross, only for Robert to uncover who the real culprit is. Will he be able to stop them? As Christmas Day arrives Aaron is puzzled when Robert heads off on a mystery errand. Soon there’s serious concern when he doesn’t return – so what has happened to Robert?
What time is Emmerdale on Christmas Day? What happens?
But when exactly will fans be able to catch all the Yuletide drama? Traditionally, the soap airs weeknights at 7:30pm in a half-hour slot, often just before Coronation Street. Eager fans can also watch the latest instalment from 7am on the day of broadcast by logging onto ITVX.
However, on Thursday 25th December, the festive special of Emmerdale will air at the significantly earlier time of 6:15pm. Prior to that, the programme will hit screens at 6:55pm on Christmas Eve and once the big day is all over, the soap air again at 6:30pm on Boxing Day.
Emmerdale will then resume its ordinary slot in the days after Christmas, and conclude the festive period with an hour-long special on New Year’s Day.
There’s lots more for fans of Emmerdale to look forward to this Christmas, as evil mother-and-son duo Celia Daniels and Ray Walters are fearing the game is up and they may need to flee, amid their shocking drug schemes being exposed. But with Ray growing closer to Laurel Thomas, could he dare to dream of starting things afresh away from his evil mum?
Kim Tate’s recent near-death experience leaves her pushing people away, and soon Joe Tate is furious by a confession from Lydia Dingle. Joe returns to Home Farm to patch things up with Kim but she sends him packing.
But when she falls and hurts herself, she calls for help only for Lydia to arrive and help her. Kim immediately dismisses her, and she’s soon facing Christmas alone.
Wrapping up Christmas, there’s a public marriage proposal happens, Paddy is missing his father Bear as he remains on Celia’s farm, and Vanessa and Charity are strong-armed into spending Christmas Day together. When Vanessa gets drunk, Charity fears the beans will be spilled as a threat looms.
The entire festive schedule for the ITV soap is as follows: :
Monday December 22 – 7.30pm (30 minutes)Tuesday December 23 -7pm (30 minutes)Wednesday December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 6:55pm (30 minutes)Thursday December 25 (Christmas Day)- 6:15pm (One hour)Friday December 26 (Boxing Day) – 6:30pm (30 minutes) Monday December 29 – 7:30pm Tuesday December 30 – 7:30pmWednesday December 31 – 7:30pmThursday January 1 (New Year’s Day) 7pm (One hour)Friday January 2 – 7:30pm
A GROUP of office workers were left shocked when they learned their colleague is a former child star, and had a role in an iconic festive film.
The actor now keeps a low profile working as a Logistics Manager for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow. But do you recognise him?
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Office workers had the highlight of their week when they realised their colleague is a former child starCredit: tiktok@commonwealthsportJoe Lane was left mortified when his co-workers realised he was in the Nativity! movie back in 2009Credit: tiktok@commonwealthsportJoe portrayed Edward, one of the key characters in the hit film NativityCredit: Lionsgate
He portrayed schoolboy Edward in the film, which is centred around a heartbroken primary school teacher’s journey to make his class’s nativity play reach Hollywood, and win his ex-girlfriend back in the process.
In a TikTok shared by Joe’s colleagues, the former actor was left red-faced when they figured out his famous past.
The clip showed Joe, dressed in a Christmas jumper and a festive headband, as he is shaken by his colleagues.
It then cuts to clips of him in the movie, before his colleagues recreate a hilarious moment by his character Edward.
Joe’s starring moment in the film saw him take to the microphone during the final Nativity performance and impersonate fart sounds with his armpit.
The former child star had his head in his hands when his co-workers cornered him at his desk and re-enacted the funny moment in the TikTok video.
“When you find out your colleague was in the nativity films,” read the video, with the caption adding: “The most exciting office development this week”.
The film was cast by producers holding open calls for local kids in Coventry, with the aim to use non-professional actors for an authentic feel.
After appearing in the first movie, Joe appears to have steered away from continuing an acting career.
He went on to become a semi-professional rugby player, before moving into logistics for sporting events.
Coventry-born Joe is now living in Glasgow after spending time in Australia and London.
It appears he has been keen to keep his famous past under wraps in the workplace.
One TikTok user commented on the video to reveal that they had previously worked with Joe, and had no clue of the connection.
“I worked with Joe at Coventry Rfc and unless I was out of the loop he kept this very well hidden!” they said.
Another commenter joked “So he didn’t become shrek??”, referencing the scene in Nativity! where character Mr. Poppy told Edward, “You could be Shrek”.
Joe as Edward, centre, in the Christmas smashCredit: LionsgateJoe was less than impressed when his colleagues reenacted his famous screen momentCredit: tiktok@commonwealthsport
Cadi Mullane, who played Crystal – one of the main children in the film – previously detailed what filming was like in a TikTok video.
She said: “I was part of an agency called Stagecoach, they were looking for kids who were really chatty, who could dance a little bit and sing a little bit. Apparently that was me.
“There was about seven auditions. But I’m from Wales so I had to keep travelling up to London which was a bit annoying, but it was OK because I really wanted to be in a film.
“They looked at how well we could sing and how well we got on with the other kids, cause that was important, obviously.”
Cadi went on to recall how the movie filmed throughout the summer, with no scripts for the children.
She said: “It was filmed in Coventry but obviously I’m not from Coventry so we all stayed in a hotel together. It was like The Suite Life Of Zach and Cody, honestly.
“There was no scripts. Everything was improvised, except from some bits. We basically just spoke loads of rubbish, and then we were asked to say it again on camera.”
The film is centred around a Coventry school’s nativity show and their feat to take it to HollywoodCredit: AlamyThe film was fronted by award winning actor Martin FreemanCredit: AlamyA number of local children took part in the film, with producers hiring non-professionals for an “authentic feel”Credit: Alamy
ONE small village around an hour from Nice transforms into an open-air Christmas scene in the wintertime.
It has the most amount of nativity scenes in France with a dedicated trail to see them all – and it draws in thousands of visitors from around the world.
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The village of Lucéram is 40 minutes north of Nice and transforms into a Christmas sceneCredit: AFPYou can see the nativity scenes until the beginning of JanuaryCredit: YouTube/Travel Enjoy
The medieval village is called Lucéram which is just 15 miles from the coast, but sits up on a rocky hilltop in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region – and it has a reputation for Christmas decorations.
Every year the locals set up around 500 nativity scenes, or as they’re known in French, crèches – this is the most of any place in the country.
Across the village are model replicas of the nativity set around the cobbled streets, at churches, schools, barns and even in the village bread oven.
They can range from miniature scenes on window ledges to life-size displays.
The traditional nativity trail is called Circuit des Crèches, it has been running for nearly two decades and is completely free.
The trail is open every day from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm, with afternoon-only opening on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
This year Lucéram even has a nighttime candlelit trail on Friday 19 December.
And there are two Christmas markets on two Sundays – December 14 and 21.
If you want a glimpse of the decorations then you’ll want to head out soon as the trail concludes on January 4, 2026.
The village sits on a hilltop and isn’t just pretty thanks to its Christmas scenes.
This year there are special nighttime candlelit trails to see the decorationsCredit: AFPLocals decorate their window ledges with tiny crèchesCredit: AFP
Lucéram has retained it’s medieval charm with stone houses that have terracotta-tiled roofs and vaulted passageways.
Also in the village are two chapels with impressive wall murals and anold olive oil mill.
Another popular activity is hiking to the nearby Vallée des Merveilles.
Brits can get to Lucéram by flying to Nice, a route which is offered by airlines like British Airways and easyJet.
From there, Lucéram can be reached in under 40 minutes by car or just over an hour on public transport.
This tiny European town is what people describe as a real-life Disney village…
With brightly coloured timber houses and window boxes full of flowers, Riquewihr inFrancehas been compared to villages fromDisneyfilms.
Riquewihr is a village in the Alsace region known for having a blend of French and German culture resulting in picture perfect communes.
These have half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and vineyards.
Unlike surrounding towns like Colmar, Riquewihr is much quieter when it comes to high season.
While it doesn’t have the canals that Colmar does, the town of Riquewihr has been called just as beautiful by visitors.
One visitors wrote on Tripadvisor: “This town is so cute you’ll think it was made for a Disney movie. we were here at Christmas and it gets EVEN CUTER with the decorations. you won’t believe it. i think it’s the cutest of all the Alsatian towns.”
Another added: “Picturesque would be an understatement. It’s a fairy tale village that doesn’t seem real.”
You’ll find the town between the Vosges mountains and the Alsatian vineyards, which only adds to its beauty.
Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has opened up on returning to the BBC drama for the Christmas special
Death in Paradise star Don Gilet(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Philippe Virapin)
Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has expressed his delight at reprising his role, admitting “It was great to come back”.
The actor, 58, joined the BBC drama as DI Mervin Wilson last year, following in the footsteps of previous stars such as Ben Miller and Ralf Little.
Now, he’s eagerly awaiting the 2025 Christmas special and shared his feelings about returning to the role, confessing it was “slightly daunting”.
“It felt good. Slightly daunting, but in a positive sense because you want to do the same again, if not better,” he revealed in a BBC interview ahead of his return. “I jokingly describe it as the second album, the first album went really well, but you can’t rest on your laurels and be complacent, there’s still more audience out there to win over.”
He continued: “So, I went out to Guadeloupe with a renewed appetite. It was great to come back and reconnect with the characters and the actors,” reports the Express.
Discussing what fans can expect from the festive special, Don promised “plenty of humour, but even more heart”.
He elaborated: “It pushes and pulls emotionally and comedically in equal measure. Mervin faces far more antagonism, and things are a lot more challenging for him, especially now he knows there’s a half-brother out there to find.
“But you can still get cosy, sip your Baileys and enjoy another great Death in Paradise Christmas special,” he added.
The forthcoming special presents one of the team’s most perplexing cases yet, as a victim is found dead in a swimming pool on Saint Marie, whilst the murder weapon was locked away in a drawer back in England at the time of the killing, leaving detectives completely stumped.
This comes as Don recently spoke candidly about the “pressure” of filling the boots of previous stars as the latest detective on the show.
During his stint on BBC The One Show on Monday (December 16) evening, he confessed to Alex and co-host Roman Kemp: “I feel the pressure doing this. I’ve said this before, it feels like the second album, you know the first one went well, I was the replacement like a replacement Doctor Who and people have their favourites prior to that.
“So there’s always this sense of ‘well is he going to be as good as…’ are people going to switch off, but luckily no one has switched off yet but you’ve got to come back and do it again and better so I’m not resting on my laurels.
“I do feel a bit pressure but it’s an enjoyable pressure. I love coming back and doing more of the same but with something a bit extra.”
Death In Paradise Christmas special airs on BBC One on Sunday, December 28 at 8.30pm.
FROM snowy countrysides to festive city spots, Christmas movies have taken inspiration from a variety of UK locations.
And while the North Pole may be far out of the way, you can get into the spirit by visiting these iconic film spots a little closer to home.
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Some of your favourite Christmas flicks have been filmed at these sites across the UK (stock image)Credit: Getty
Before you snuggle up to watch your go-to Christmas classics, why not go one step further and visit the exact spot where it was filmed this festive season?
A variety of festive favourites were shot on-site here in the UK, from the star-studded Love Actually to Christmas comedy Nativity!
If you find yourself near any of these famous film locations, celebrate the Christmas season by stepping into the shoes of your favourite festive characters.
Shere, Surrey
Shere Village in Surrey features heavily in the Christmas classic The Holiday (stock image)Credit: Getty
This picturesque village hit the big screen when it was featured in The Holiday back in 2006.
The quaint area consists of historic timber-framed buildings and medieval charm, nestled in the idyllic Tillingbourne Valley.
It played home to Kate Winslet’s Iris who famously swaps homes with Los Angeles resident Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz.
Shere provides the romantic backdrop for Diaz as she finds love with Jude Law during her festive getaway.
And the village also featured in the Bridget Jones franchise, which is often considered another Christmas classic for Brits.
Snowshill, Cotswolds
The Cotswold village of Snowshill in Gloucestershire provides the backdrop for the opening scene of Bridget Jones’ Diary (stock image)Credit: Getty
The quintessential Cotswolds village also featured in Bridget Jones Diary, the first installment of the hit series.
In fact, the film and the entire franchise opens with with Bridget turning up at her parent’s house in Snowshill on a wintry New Year’s Day.
And it is in the same town where the quirky protagonist has her first on-screen encounter with her eventual husband Mark Darcy.
Due to the film’s success and the idyllic scenery, many people now stop for a photo outside the village church or one of the quaint houses that appear in the film.
As a result, Snowshill has established itself as one of Britain’s most popular Christmas film locations.
Brighton Pier
Brighton Pier can be spotted during the famous Walking In The Air sequence from The Snowman (stock image)Credit: Getty
While the iconic seaside attraction may be associated with summer fun, it also has ties to the festive season.
Fans of the animated film The Snowman may recognise the historic pier from the famous Walking In The Air scene.
The main characters can be seen flying over the historic pier as they make their way to the North Pole.
While the sequence may be brief, it is perhaps one of the most famous associated with the beloved classic.
Hogwarts Great Hall
Harry Potter fans can visit the Great Hall this festive season at the Warner Brother Studios in Stratford (stock image)Credit: Getty
Another children’s classic is of course Harry Potter, a film series often associated with and watched around Christmas.
And while witches and wizards may be akin Halloween characters, the cosy grounds of Hogwarts are perhaps the most enticing when they are decked out for the festive season.
Now fans of the film can step into the magic by visiting the Warner Brothers Studio in Watford.
A quick trip from London, this studio tour offers a stunningly detailed look into the making of the movies, and what better time to visit than in the lead up to Christmas when the Great Hall set is adorned with decorations?
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is featured predominantly in the rom-com Last Christmas (stock image)Credit: Alamy
And in the heart of London is of course the famous Covent Garden, which many argue is the home to the city’s best Christmas tree.
While it is already on most tourist lists, the festive season marks the best time to visit this popular spot.
With a famous Christmas market and choir performances, there’s plenty to get you in the spirit at this time of year.
And fans of the 2019 rom-com Last Christmas are sure to spot many filming spots inside this famous square, which feature heavily in the film.
Emilia Clarke’s Kate works as an Elf in a fictional year-round Christmas shop at this location, while the famous karaoke scene was shot at nearby pub The Harp.
St Luke’s Mews, Notting Hill
The iconic pink house in St Luke Mews, Notting Hill featured in the Christmas classic Love Actually (stock image)Credit: Getty
And if you’re a fan of Christmas rom-coms, you’ll want to pop over to Notting Hill too.
The beautiful cobbled street of St Luke’s Mews plays the backdrop to arguably the most famous scene from the festive flick Love Actually.
Whether you lap up Mark’s (Andrew Lincoln) cue card love confession to his friend’s new wife, played by Kiera Knightly, or cringe at the iconic scene, you’re sure to recognise this famous street.
While this street it located just off Portobello Road, home to the world’s largest antique market, it is still a residential area so remember to be respectful when visiting.
Coventry Cathedral Ruins
The nativity play in Nativity! is performed at the ruins of the Cathedral Church of St Michael in Coventry (stock image)Credit: Getty
Another British Christmas classic is of course Nativity!, which primary school teacher Mr Maddens, played by Martin Freeman, as he attempts to stage a production of the Nativity.
After telling a white lie to impress his ex, Maddens soon finds himself in the midst of a media storm surrounding the school play.
The mayor even allows the class to perform the highly-anticipated show at the historic ruins of Coventry cathedral in an atmospheric climax to the film.
Paddington Station
Paddington Station provides a pivotal setting for an iconic scene from the movie Paddington (stock image)Credit: Getty
And who can talk about beloved British festive flicks without mentioning Paddington?
The iconic bear famously made his way from Peru to the Paddington area of London, after which he was named.
Visitors can visit a statue of the bear at his namesake station, which provided the backdrop for one of the most important scenes in the 2014 film.
Elm Hill, Norwich
Elm Hill in Norwich is used as the background for Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (stock image)Credit: Getty
The picturesque area of Elm Hill in Norwich features heavily in Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
Snowy scenery provides a backdrop for the adventure of an old toy maker and his granddaughter.
The cobbled streets, multi-coloured houses, and quaint shops of the town provide the perfect setting for movie magic.
And they also ensure the perfect shot on Instagram, whether you’re a fan of the film or not.
Birdsall House
Birdsall Hall is a prominent filming location for the 2021 film Father Christmas Is Back, starring Kelsey Grammer and Elizabeth Hurley (stock image)Credit: Alamy
And finally, this Malton mansion plays home to the Christmas family in 2021’s Father Christmas Is Back.
Kelsey Grammer plays James, the father of Joanna, played by Elizabeth Hurley, who he abandoned years ago.
The festive family flick follows them as they attempt to navigate Christmas together, with many scenes set at the stunning Birdsall House.
This beautiful country house is surrounded by glorious Yorkshire countryside and is a popular wedding venue, with private guided tours of the property are available.
FOR these streets across the UK, it’s Christmas all-year round.
From mentions of Santa’s reindeer to the festive day itself, Sun Travel has found some of the most Christmassy road names from all over the UK.
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All over the UK – like in Surrey – are streets with very Christmassy namesCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Christmas Pie Avenue, Guildford
This one takes the biscuit (or pie), really. You can’t get more festive than Christmas Pie Avenue.
Found in the village of Normandy in Surrey, the residential street, Christmas Pie Avenue, sits in the south of the village close to Wanborough Station.
The little village has a shop, café and there’s plenty of countryside too, with the closest towns being Farnborough and Guildford.
Talking to SurreyLive, Jack Kinder, vice chairman of the Normandy Historians, said: “The name comes from the family of Christmas who were prominent landowners in the 17th and 18th century.
“The Pie part comes from the Saxon word pightle – meaning a field. There was, up until the houses were built around in the 1950s, a field called Pie Field – a triangle field near the crossroads.”
Rudolph Street, Bolton
Seven minutes from the town of Bolton is Rudolph Street.
It’s residential with around 15 addresses, so apart from houses, there’s not much going on here.
Of course, just minutes away is a whole other story with plenty to do in Bolton, from exploring the Jumbles Country Park to Smithills Open Farm.
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There are also plenty of museums, like the Bolton Steam Museum, the art gallery and huge market on Ashburner Street.
There are lots of pubs too, like Pine Tree Farm, Red Lion and Elephant and Castle, which are some of the highest-rated on Tripadvisor.
Some are even named after Santa’s reindeerCredit: Google Maps
Dasher Gardens, Ardrossan
Another reindeer-inspired street name is found in Ardrossan, a town on the North Ayrshire coast of Scotland.
Santa of course has nine reindeer, but this one is named after Dasher.
The little cul-de-sac sits just off Dalry Road and is minutes from the coast, where you’ll find the historical landmark of Ardrossan Castle – or rather, what’s left of it.
The little island has mountains, rolling hills and sandy beaches.
There’s a new sauna on the island too, called Stonethrow, which is right on the sand and is great for having a steam before plunging into the chilly water.
Tinsel Lane, Nuneaton
Just outside of the market town of Nuneaton, Warwickshire is a street called Tinsel Lane.
Despite its festive name, there won’t be many lights on this one, as it’s a country lane surrounded by rolling green fields.
Nonetheless, if you’re ticking off spots with Christmassy names in the UK, you really can’t leave this one off the list.
As for what to do in the town, popular attractions, Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery, historic Arbury Hall, and Hartshill Hayes Country Park.
Just minutes away from Durham’s city centre is Mistletoe StreetCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoMistletoe and Holly Street sit just one road away from one anotherCredit: Google maps
Mistletoe Street, Durham
Heating up the romance at Christmas is the mistletoe, and this road is named after it.
Found in Durham, Mistletoe Street is minutes away from the city centre and is filled with red-brick houses.
To make it even more festive, the street right behind it is named Holly Street, so it makes for two Christmassy corners.
Durham itself is known for its top university, huge cathedral, historic cobbled streets and the River Wear.
There’s also an open-air museum called Beamish, which was a hit with Countryfile presenter Matt Baker.
“Basically what they do is take down buildings in the North East and put them back up at Beamish, and go around on all old trams, there’s old villages, farms – you can even stay there now and have a historic stay over at Beamish.
“It’s like Disney World for history buffs – that’s the only way I can describe it. You get transported back in time, it’s a proper immersive experience.”
Just outside of Ware is a hamlet called ‘Cold Christmas’Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Cold Christmas Lane, Hertfordshire
In Hertfordshire is Cold Christmas Lane, which leads to a hamlet called Cold Christmas in Thundridge.
While the name is very festive, there isn’t much Christmas cheer about it.
In fact quiet bleakly, the name ‘Cold Christmas’ refers to a period of high child mortality during harsh winters.
However, just around the corner is the Hertfordshire town of Ware, which is all dressed up for Christmas, and there you’ll find plenty of pubs, like the Waterside Inn by the river.
There are also independent coffee spots, shops, and florists.
Angel Lane is in the Cotswolds town of Chipping CampdenCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Angel Lane, Chipping Campden
The Cotswolds are known for their beauty, so it’s not too much of a surprise that you’ll find one of the prettiest street names there – Angel Lane.
Houses on Angel Lane are just as you’d imagine, made from the classic Cotswold stone and have plenty of countryside character.
If you fancy a plot on Angel Lane then you’ll have to pay a premium as the average property price is over £600,000.
Of course, the village itself is worth a gander too, with a preserved High Street from the 14th to 17th century.
Here there are gift shops like Dandelion as well as The Bantam Tea Rooms & Guest House and the Bromley’s of Cotswolds coffee shop.
MOLLY-MAE Hague and Tommy Fury looked all loved up as they cuddled up on a festive day out with daughter Bambi.
The influencer and businesswoman, 26, hailed the moment “everything” as they posed for a selection of snaps.
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Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury looked all loved-up in sweet family snaps from their festive day out with BambiCredit: InstagramThey were joined by the tot’s pal StorieCredit: InstagramThey enjoyed a fairground ride with Molly-Mae’s BFF, TaylaCredit: InstagramThe little family snuggled up in the snowCredit: Instagram
They headed to a winter themed event where their two-year-old daughter looked delighted as she pulled on a helmet and some chunky winter snow boots.
Doting dad Tommy, 26, wearing a black puffer jacket held Bambi tight as she hovered above the snow while Molly-Mae beamed at his other side.
She donned a long-line black coat and matching scarf as she wrapped up against the elements.
The Maebe brand founder styled her hair in a chic bun and opted for natural make-up.
The bunch then posed for a super sweet selfie before following up with another playful snap which Molly-Mae captioned with a series of white love heart Emoji icons.
She then captured a glimpse of Bambi on a roundabout with the star’s pal Tayla-Blue Watts and Tommy, as well as Tayla’s daughter Storie.
The little girls were then treated to a visit from Santa.
Molly-Mae uploaded a snap of their very special visit and wrote: “Went and found Santa going around the houses.
“Pjs and dressing gowns.”
Tommy also captured Santa’s visit on his Instagram Stories with the words: “Ending the day with finding Santa and making sure he knows we’ve been good this year.”
He also shared snaps of the family playing in the snow and put: “Another special weekend with my family.
They have since gotten back on track and are in the process of renovating their new family home and preparing to have their first Christmas together since reuniting.
However, things haven’t been smooth sailing when it comes to parenting Bambi, as the couple admit she’s a handful.
The first-time mum, who previously confessed parenting so far has been an “emotional rollercoaster”, said last week that Bambi is like having a “teenager”.
“The way Bambi acts it’s like she’s a teenager in a two year old’s body. She knows exactly how to work both me and Tommy.”
Tommy and Bambi also enjoyed a daddy daughter date night over the weekendCredit: instagramThe businesswoman recently opened up on difficulties parenting their firstbornCredit: Youtube/Amazon Prime VideoThe pair reignited their romance earlier this yearCredit: Instagram/MollyMae
MODEL Emily Ratajkowski looks fab-yule-ous as she poses in a red dress for a festive event.
The 34-year-old wore the minidress, tights and heels at the event for hair brand Kérastase in New York on Thursday evening.
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Model Emily Ratajkowski posed in a festive red dress at an event for a hair brandCredit: GettyEmily was in attendance for Kérastase in New York, wearing a minidress, tights and heelsCredit: Getty
Emily finalized her divorce with the film producer, who faced a slew of sexual misconduct allegations, in July, after filing for divorce in September 2022.
A Christmas market in a seaside city features unique gifts, delicious food stalls and live music with traders from across the UK and Ireland. It’s a great place to find presents
The magical Christmas market is in a city surrounded by tourist attractions(Image: Katie Oborn)
A festive market is buzzing just a short stroll from where I am. I’ve already made a few visits to this Christmas spectacle and the atmosphere is truly enchanting. There’s an extensive array of stocking fillers, unique clothing at fantastic prices, and a delicious assortment of food and drink.
The city of Plymouth is aglow with twinkling lights and brimming with festive cheer. Live music fills the Piazza, featuring Christmas carols as well as rock, pop, soul and more — and traders have travelled from all corners to showcase their specialities here this December.
Market vendors have expressed their love for the “vibrant” locale, with many sellers making their first trip to the coastal city. Having frequented the Plymouth Christmas Market for a decade, I can confidently say that this December, it’s radiating a particularly sparkling energy.
Nestled between the breathtaking scenery of Dartmoor National Park, which also offers a stunning winter backdrop, and the beautiful county of Cornwall to its west, Plymouth is ideally situated, reports the Express.
Local traders Adam and Nicola Webb, who run Nicky’s Glow Beads & Gifts in the nearby Cornish town of Saltash, have set up a fantastic stall at this year’s Plymouth Christmas Market, offering top-quality Italian jumpers for sale.
I snagged a cosy red jumper for £18 from this market stall, and I’m smitten with it. But it’s not just about jumpers in every colour of the rainbow, they also offer glow bead bracelets — a charming gift that comes in various hues and glows in the dark.
Sparkling festive brooches are up for grabs at this stall for a mere £5, along with some rather unique and appealing aroma diffusers. I reckon most shoppers could unearth a thrilling gift here.
The business has been flourishing since 2014 under the care of the husband-and-wife team of Adam and Nicky, who claim that quitting their jobs to start the venture was the “best thing” they’ve ever done.
Adam and Nicky craft all the beadware, including the glow bracelets, and also peddle clothing, accessories and gifts. I’ll certainly be making a return visit to this stall before the market wraps up on December 21.
But the next stall I dropped by was equally enchanting — and the gin on offer really caught my eye. Stall holder Hamish Thoburn of Garden Libations, a Plymouth first-timer, described the city as “very vibrant” and said he’d met “lots of lovely people” at the Christmas market while trading.
He journeyed down from Wales to sell his distinctive beverages. Speaking about his gin, Hamish revealed: “Stinging nettle gin is our biggest seller, a little tart at the beginning and it goes well with sparkling water, a slice of lime and a sprig of mint to make a nettle mojito.”
Naturally, I had to sample the nettle gin. It was remarkable and unique — it would make a fantastic gift, making this stall a must-visit.
Also trading at Plymouth’s festive market for the first time is Karl Toyne, who journeyed down from Lincolnshire. His business, Aunt Annie’s Fudge, has been around since 1966, offering intriguing flavours like lemon meringue, banana swirl and Ferrero Rocher — and it’s “award winning”.
Karl revealed: “I like the city, I’ve never been this far south before, it’s my first time ever in Plymouth and it’s a nice place. I’ve been running this family business for 15 years, but Aunt Annie’s Fudge has been going for a long time.”
I also had a chat with Damien Morgan from Tam Events. He travelled from Ireland to serve hungry customers delicious bratwurst, adding a continental flair to the Christmas market.
Damien shared: “I’ve been doing this since I was 18 years old. I’m now 33, travelling around the UK doing the markets and doing these Christmas markets.
“This is our first year in Plymouth, the crowds here are exciting, we’ve seen good reviews on it and the people are just lovely — it’s a lovely seaside city too, very beautiful.”
Local lady Mary Freeman has been a trader at Plymouth Christmas Market for 12 years. Her business, M & N Freemans, serves up a scrumptious festive feast encased in a massive Yorkshire pudding, which I’ve sampled and can attest that it’s utterly heavenly, plus it’s very Christmassy.
Mary shared why she loves to trade here: “I’m local, I was born and bred in Plymouth, every year we come in and get a unit, it’s my hometown. I love the atmosphere, especially when it’s lively. This year, there’s a lot of new traders, different food and different things, so hopefully it’s the busiest yet.”
Plymouth Christmas Market is on for several more days, with the final day being Sunday, December 21, when the Armed Forces Choir from Theatre Royal Plymouth will perform from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
If you pop by, don’t forget to check out the Snow Globe, surrounded by “swirling snow and sparkling lights”. It’s an absolutely perfect spot to snap a festive photo with your family or mates.
