films

With Christmas cinemas popping up all over the country, The Mirror ventured out to try one that promised some of the most epic views in London – and it didn’t disappoint

I’ve watched Love Actually at least 1,000 times now, but this was a viewing with a difference. Never before have I watched it on the rooftop of a stunning hotel overlooking the imposing beauty of Battersea Power Station.

The iconic buildings lovingly brought back to life in October 2022 and is now a vibrant shopping and entertainment area with the existing architecture adapted to accommodate restaurants, stores and luxury flats.

At night, it is beautifully lit up with its historic chimneys serving as a focal point along the river. And it was that view that I was treated to when I arrived for the JOIA Rooftop Movie Pop-Up.

Situated in floor 14 of the art’otel Battersea Power Station, JOIA restaurant is the first London restaurant by award-winning two Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, and takes its inspiration from his travels on the Portuguese Iberian Peninsula.

On the floor above sits the rooftop with its famed swimming pool and breathtaking views of London’s Grade II listed Battersea Power Station. We enjoyed a three-course set menu in the restaurant first, with a delicious sharing starter of sourdough bread, beef pica pau and grilled leeks.

Main course was a choice between fillet of beef, wild Scottish turbot and roasted cauliflower. My friend and I shared the steak and fish, both were melt-in-the-mouth delicious.

Sides included patatas bravas and greens while dessert was a sharing portion of torrija – a moist, caramelised brioche with almonds, raspberries, all eaten while looking out across the London skyline.

Fortified by a couple of rose wines, it was up to the roof where we were prepared to freeze in the 0 degree temperatures. But we were in for a more than pleasant surprise. Each seat came with its own cosy blanket and faux fur hot water bottle. Hand warmers were provided alongside free popcorn. That, combined with the mulled wine, made for a toasty evening watching Love, Actually under the stars.

The rooftop cinema runs until December 21 with packages starting from £80pp for chairs or £90pp for a sofa to seat two. Different films will be shown including The Holiday, The Santa Clause, It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Elf and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

For more information, visit https://www.joiabattersea.co.uk/whats-on/joia-rooftop-christmas-movies/

EXCLUSIVE: David Michôd is the director of the new film, Christy, which is coming to cinemas on November 28

David Michôd is the creative force behind the upcoming film, Christy, featuring Sydney Sweeney, which arrives in cinemas on November 28 following its domestic box office debut.

The acclaimed Animal Kingdom director has brought to life the extraordinary true story of Christy Martin, a West Virginia native played by Sweeney who emerged as one of boxing’s most pioneering and divisive personalities.

“More than anything I loved the idea of making a movie about a woman with a really ferocious personality,” he told Reach titles.

“I just immediately got a sense that there was something about her that is very charismatic that I really liked, then met her and liked her even more – how beautifully vulnerable and kind and funny she is.”

The director revealed some of his all-time favourite films, including an “unbelievably overlooked masterpiece”.

Apocalypse Now

The epic psychological war drama from 1979 draws loose inspiration from Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella Heart of Darkness.

The picture charts the journey of Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), tasked with a covert assignment to eliminate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a rogue Special Forces commander suspected of murder.

David said: “My favourite movie is Apocalypse Now. That movie made me want to make movies.

“I already loved movies but it was Apocalypse Now that made me want to make them. There was something about the giant, crazy adventure of that film.

“I just think it’s amazing. I was talking to someone about it who was reminding me of the fact it wasn’t universally well-reviewed when it was released, which seems insane to me.”

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

David simply stated: “I just think, unbelievably overlooked masterpiece.”

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a grand Western film from 2007.

Based on Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel of the same name, it features Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

The film explores the relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford, focusing on the events that led up to the notorious killing.

Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a 1976 psychological thriller set in New York City post the Vietnam War.

The film stars Robert De Niro as veteran Marine and taxi driver Travis Bickle, whose mental state deteriorates as he works nights in the city.

David commented: “Taxi Driver is right up there for me, just so raw and visceral.

“But again, a movie about a character who does monstrous things, but whose vulnerability and brokenness are so right there on the surface.

“I remember when I was writing Animal Kingdom, I showed the script to people, and some of those people would say ‘Your central character isn’t likeable enough’.

“And I’d go ‘Have you seen Taxi Driver? That guy is kind of grotesque but you can feel him and that’s all you need to be able to do.”

Christy will be hitting cinemas in the UK and Ireland on November 28.

Perfect for a winter staycation this English rural village has featured in a number of high-profile films including War Horse, Doctor Dolittle, Stardust and The Wolf Man.

A village tucked away in the stunning Cotswolds has been dubbed as “idylic” and hailed as the “most beautiful village in England”.

Tucked away in a leafy valley in the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is frequently dubbed the “prettiest village in England” and it’s not hard to see why.

For winter it offers the perfect getaway for an enchanting and festive vacation, stepped in medieval history and architecture.

With history dating all the way back until the 12th century, Castle Combe dates back to the Middle Ages and is steeped in history and folklore.

According to a visitors guide from The Crown Inn pub in the village, and reported by The Express, the charming village has become a firm favourite for people from far and wide.

Not only does Castle Combe have a rich and full history, it’s a popular filming spot for films and TV dramas including War Horse, Doctor Dolittle, Stardust and The Wolf Man.

Often providing the backdrop for period dramas and historical films, Castle Combe has honey-coloured cottages built from local stone – and these ancient buildings are still one of the village’s most distinctive features today.

Remarkably, Castle Combe was particularly known for producing a red and white cloth called “Castlecombe”, which was highly sought after in the markets of Bristol, Cirencester, London and even overseas.

In the 15th century, King Henry VI granted Castle Combe the right to hold a weekly market, and the unmistakable Market Cross monument still stands tall today.

Now as a historical village, it’s not surprising that Castle Combe is fiercely protective of its aesthetic. This includes putting a strict ban on modern attachments such as TV dishes and external wires on the exteriors of its houses, with these restrictions playing a key role in preserving the historic village’s authentic appearance.

The church also houses a faceless clock which is said to be one of the oldest working clocks in the country.

For those less interested in history, the village also has plenty to offer. Visiting Castle Combe in winter offers an enchanting experience with its picturesque, frozen scenery, crisp air, and inviting atmosphere.

You can enjoy winter walks, explore quaint shops, and warm up in pubs and tea rooms with hearty meals. It’s the perfect place for a cosy getaway over the winter months and for celebrating the New Year in style.

ICONIC Hollywood actor Udi Kier has tragically died aged 81.

The veteran German star, who appeared in popular movies like Ace Ventura and Blade, passed away just weeks after his birthday.

Delbert McBride, Kier’s partner, revealed that the legendary actor passed away on Sunday. He did not reveal the cause of death.

Photographer Michael Childers, who was a friend of Kier’s, has revealed on Facebook that he died in a hospital in Palm Springs, California.

Kier rose to fame after playing villains and monsters across Hollywood and European films, including popular collaborations with Andy Warhol.

Throughout his career, which spanned more than six decades, Kier acted in more than 200 movies.

But his breakout collaborations with Warhol are among his most celebrated.

He starred in the titular roles in both 1973’s Flesh for Frankenstein and 1974’s Blood for Dracula – both produced by Warhol.

Kier once told The Guardian: “I like horror films, because if you play small or guest parts in movies, it is better to be evil and scare people than be the guy who works in the post office and goes home to his wife and children. Audiences will remember you more.”

In 1991, the German actor went on to debut his US role in My Own Private Idaho, which also starred Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix.

His successful Hollywood career included films like End of Days, Blade, Johnny Mnemonic, Armageddon and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

The actor’s final role was 2025 historical political thriller The Secret Agent, in which he played Jewish Holocaust survivor Hans, who gets mistaken for a Nazi fugitive.

Kier was born on 14 October 1944 in Cologne, towards the end of World War II.

His hospital was bombed during the war, and he and his mother were reportedly dug out from rubble.

Kier moved to London at the age of 18 to learn English before starting his successful movie career.

He moved to Palm Springs, California, in 1991.

It comes just days after actor Spencer Lofranco died at the age of 33.

The Canadian film star was best known for playing the lead role of James Burns in 2014 crime drama Jamesy Boy.

Welcome back to another Oscar season!

I’m Matt Brennan, editor in chief of The Envelope, and each Wednesday from now until Jan. 7, I’ll be sending you a (digital) editor’s letter with some highlights from our Phase I issues.

Our first issue of the 2025-2026 campaign features stories on documentaries, films about the Palestinian experience and “Marty Supreme’s” Odessa A’zion.

A Deeper Dive: Documentaries

(Illustration by Daniel Stolle / For The Times)

I won’t pretend to be Nostradamus when it comes to Hollywood’s top awards — my Gold Derby Emmys ballot didn’t even crack the top 1,000 — but most anyone who ran into me at this year’s Sundance Film Festival heard at least one bold prediction that turned out to be correct: 2025 has been a sterling year for documentaries.

With journalists under attack in the U.S., Ukraine, Gaza and beyond, the form’s close connection to reportage has never felt more urgent, at least not to me. In the contraband prison images of “The Alabama Solution,” the body camera footage of “The Perfect Neighbor,” the conflict coverage of “2000 Meters to Andriivka” and “Love + War,” the portraiture of “Cover-Up” and much more besides, the year’s finest documentaries — no, the year’s finest films — manage to unearth new ways of seeing our society’s most pressing issues, often with more precision and subtlety than scripted films much longer (and costlier) in the making.

To that end, this week Steve Dollar asks the filmmakers behind five of the year’s many worthy nonfiction films — “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” “Folktales,” “Predators,” “Seeds” and “The Tale of Silyan” — to share what images became the keystone of their latest projects.

Digital Cover: Odessa A’zion

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

I can confirm Tim Grierson’s reporting that Odessa A’zion is a hugger: I received several myself from the “Marty Supreme” and “I Love L.A.” performer when she stopped by The Times newsroom recently for an Envelope digital cover shoot, her own 16mm still camera in hand.

As Grierson notes of the actor, A’zion “doesn’t behave like a rising star” — and she’s not particularly comfortable with the label, either.

“A’zion has heard those predictions before, so she’s wary about being anointed the next big thing,” he writes. “After all, she remembers all the auditions that went nowhere. She remembers being behind on her rent. She remembers almost being evicted. She remembers getting fired from gigs. Simply being cast in a Josh Safdie film doesn’t make those old wounds disappear. ‘To all of a sudden be like, “OK, I’m done [worrying about my career]!” — I don’t see that feeling coming anytime soon.’”

A trio of Palestinian films in the international feature race

A scene from “All That’s Left of You.”

(Watermelon Pictures)

Palestinian stories are no stranger to awards season. But this year, as Gregory Ellwood writes, a trio of films from female directors — each submitted by a different country and each set in a different time period — make for a particularly remarkable confluence.

“In a way, the movie lived what most Palestinians live: war, exile, fleeing,” “All That’s Left of You” filmmaker Cherien Dabis told Ellwood of her film having to shift production after the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war. “All of the uncertainty, the financial and logistical crisis of it all. I think that what really grounded me during that time was just knowing that the movie was more relevant than ever, and that it had to get done.”

Read more on “All That’s Left of You,” “Palestine 36” and “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”

Additional highlights from our Nov. 20 issue

The Palestinian experience has been a mainstay of global cinema for decades. Despite countless obstacles, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture has submitted 18 titles for the international feature Oscar since 2003, earning nominations in 2006 and 2014. But this year, at a pivotal moment in its history, three films from acclaimed female filmmakers, each set in war-torn Gaza, are up for Oscar consideration: Annemarie Jacir’s Palestinian entry, “Palestine 36,” Cherien Dabis’ “All That’s Left of You,” representing Jordan, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” selected by Tunisia. It’s a remarkable field, one that Jacir believes is more a coincidence than a reflection of the political climate.

“I think that there’s so many Palestinian filmmakers and people have been doing a lot of work for a long time,” Jacir says. “I remember when I made my last film, there were three films shooting at the same time.”

From the outbreak of the Arab revolt in 1936 to the generational trauma of the capture of Jaffa during the Arab-Israeli 1948 war to the current Israel-Hamas war, each film has a distinct and important story to tell. Notably, both “Palestine 36” and “All That’s Left of You” were scheduled to begin production in Palestine just days after Israel began an aerial assault in October 2023 in response to the Hamas-led attack Oct. 7.

After struggling just to get the movie off the ground, Jacir says the real-time events made it difficult to “keep going emotionally, mentally, financially.”

“Nothing was clear,” she says. “We just didn’t know if we would really be able to shoot, if we would be able to start something, if we would be able to finish … We were just making it up as we went along and hoping for the best. It’s sort of a mix of, I would say, stubbornness and perhaps stupidity.”

Saleh Bakri and Cherien Dabis in “All That’s Left of You.”

(Watermelon Pictures)

Concurrently, Dabis had been prepping with a Palestinian crew for five months with the intention of shooting the entire project there, only to be forced to make the “devastating” decision to shift production to Jordan, Greece and Cyprus. (Hopes of eventually returning were dashed.)

“In a way, the movie lived what most Palestinians live: war, exile, fleeing,” she says. “All of the uncertainty, the financial and logistical crisis of it all. I think that what really grounded me during that time was just knowing that the movie was more relevant than ever, and that it had to get done.”

The stark reality of the civilians under constant fire, and in a much worse position than Jacir, motivated her team to continue with “Palestine 36.” She bluntly observes, “We had no right not to, you know what I mean? It’s like we are the privileged ones, actually. We’re not in Gaza. It didn’t feel like it was an option for any of us to stop because they weren’t stopping and it was like, ‘Well, we do it for them too.’”

Depicting the humanity of the Palestinian people, who have suffered mightily under the current occupation, is one reason why Ben Hania felt such urgency in bringing the harrowing final hours of 6-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab to the screen less than a year and a half after her death under Israeli fire.

Dhafer L’Abidine and Yasmine Al Massri in “Palestine 36.”

(Watermelon Pictures)

“There was something about silencing their voices [that] was completely abhorrent for me, and I know that cinema is the place for empathy and the place where you can put face and raise the voice,” Ben Hania says. “So, for me it was part of saying, ‘Stop this dehumanization of Palestinian victims.’ You see the pain in this movie, you can feel the sense of what is happening.”

Despite critical accolades and, in the case of “Voice,” a record standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, none of these submissions were able to secure major distributors in the U.S. “Voice of Hind Rajab” is being released by relatively new player Willa, while both “Palestine 36” and “All That’s Left of You” are set for release by Watermelon Pictures, traditionally a production entity. (Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land” was self-released in cinemas and, last month, on streaming platforms.) Ben Hania says that is nothing new: Films about Palestine simply don’t reach U.S. audiences.

“I’m frustrated because as a filmmaker, when you do a movie, you want everybody to see it, especially this one,” Ben Hania says. “So, I mean, yeah, it’s a huge frustration, but I can’t put a gun [to a] distributor and tell them, ‘Distribute my movie.’ When you do movies, you have several obstacles, and this is one of them.”

Despite the hurdles, Jacir says she has never had so many people want to know the historical background behind one of her movies.

“People are curious,” Jacir says. “Before people used to say, ‘Oh, it’s very complicated and let’s leave it. I don’t want to know because it’s too complicated.’ I don’t think people are like that anymore. I don’t think the new generation is like that anymore. I think people really want to know, and they want to see these stories and they’ll make their own judgments and thoughts, and they’ll have their own feelings about it.”

The biographical crime drama starring Hollywood heavyweights Johnny Depp and Christian Bale is airing on Film4 tonight where fans can watch the thrilling true-story unfold.

Fans of crime dramas are in for a massive treat tonight as a star-studded gangster film is set to air on Film4.

The 2009 biographical crime drama, directed by Michael Mann and starring Hollywood heavyweights Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, will transport viewers back to the American Depression-era with a thrilling story based on true events. Public Enemies will be broadcast tonight, November 10, at 10:50pm on Film4. The film’s screenplay was co-written by Ann Biderman and Ronan Bennett, adapted from Bryan Burrough’s 2004 non-fiction book titled Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34.

The plot centres around the charismatic Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger, who becomes a folk hero to much of America’s downtrodden public, but also a major headache for J. Edgar vacuum and the fledgling FBI. In a desperate bid to capture the elusive outlaw, vacuum makes Dillinger his first Public Enemy Number One and assigns his top agent, Melvin Purvis, the task of bringing him in dead or alive.

Joining Depp and Bale in the stellar cast are Marion Cotillard, Carey Mulligan, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Lang, and Giovanni Ribisi, among others, reports the Express.

Discussing his role as Melvin Purvis in a 2009 Collider interview, Bale revealed: “I recognize of course that it’s very much a supporting role in this movie, but I just couldn’t help but become really fascinated with the character and became very affectionate and fond of him. I just wanted to know as much as I could and it’s all out there as well. He was somebody who was unique.”

Public Enemies arrived in cinemas on July 1, 2009, and subsequently earned $214million worldwide at the box office. Boasting a 68 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Public Enemies garnered largely favourable reviews from both critics and moviegoers.

One reviewer described it as: “A thinking man’s gangster film, less about thrills than the mechanics of Dillinger’s heists and Purvis’ investigation, which [director Michael Mann] executes with his usual precision.” While another critic wrote: “Mann depicts the giddy excesses and fearsome violence of Dillinger’s raids with his customary savage grace.”

A third reviewer deemed it “easily one of 2009’s most satisfying action dramas for adults”, whilst another critic declared: “The lush sets and gorgeous costumes coupled with the grainy cinematography make for a totally immersive experience, pulling a modern audience into a bygone era of fast cars, tommy guns and femme fatales.”

One fan of the film said: “Wonderful film – great performances from all lead actors and remarkably true to what really happened.” While another added: “One of the best gangster movies about depression-era criminals and crimes. Brilliant performances from Depp, Bale, and Cotillard. Micheal Mann makes really good crime films. I loved it.”

Public Enemies is set to air tonight, November 10, at 10:50pm on Film4.

SPICE Girl Mel C has cranked up the heat and put her rock hard abs on display during a shoot for her new music video – Sweat.

The toned 51-year-old star gave fans a glimpse at work behind-the-scenes of her latest musical offering.

She told followers alongside the footage: “Little SWEAT shoot BTS clip now live on YouTube.”

Jumping around on an exercise bike, the sports-lover showed off her enviable muscles in a variety of show-stopping outfits and shades.

She looked pumped in a selection of wardrobe changes including a string-tied bra top and cut-out bikini-style cover up with black trousers.

Proving she still lives up to her Sporty Spice persona, the singer looked incredibly toned, while exuding girl power in her ab-flashing workout gear.

SPICING UP

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TOO MUCH CHAT

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The mum-of-one’s new track Sweat is an electro-house single that samples Diana Ross’s iconic hit Work That Body.

It’s set to feature on Mel’s upcoming ninth studio album due to drop on May 1, 2026.

Speaking of her dance single Sweat, she wrote: “I’m so happy this track is finally all yours. Dance to it. Run to it. Lift to it. SWEAT to it.”

Although the singer missed her fellow bandmate’s wedding in July, Mel C issued a sweet message to her friend Mel B.

The popstar was absent from Mel’s happy day at St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday, which saw Emma Bunton, 49, the sole other girl group member in attendance.

The Sun revealed earlier in the year how the Spice Girls are planning a massive tour in 2026 to celebrate 30 years since debut single Wannabe was released.

Sporty Spice had her say, revealing certain members needed more “convincing” than others, with Victoria Beckham currently not set to take part.

She is expected to keep out of it just like she did with their sell-out 2019 reunion tour, while Geri Halliwell-Horner may also need some persuading.

The Liverpudlian previously appeared on the No Filter with Kate Langbroek podcast and Mel said: “Next year is a big year for us and we have to acknowledge it in some way.

“So we are talking about what that’s going to look like and for me, Melanie, I know for sure, and Emma [Bunton], we’d be back on stage. But sometimes other people need a little bit more convincing.”

On the prospect of all five members being back on stage together for the first time since 2012, she said: “It would be the best thing ever, ever, ever. And sometimes it feels like a duty to the world.

“When we did the shows in 2019, it brought so much joy to so many people. Not everybody likes the Spice Girls but loads of people do.

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“We’re living in this weird world right now. There’s so much negativity and mad s**t going on. Let’s all spice up our lives.”

And talking about Mel B, she added, ironically: “We’ve decided now we’re not going to tell Mel anything because she can’t keep her mouth shut.

A charming UK market town has become the backdrop for a new Christmas movie starring Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson, and it’s not the first time the town has been used for a festive film

If you’ve ever watched a Christmas film and fantasised about strolling through a charming, festive village with a steaming hot chocolate in hand like one of the characters, this could be your opportunity.

Earlier this year, locals in the stunning Yorkshire town of Knaresborough delighted in celebrity spotting as film crews invaded the area. Sky Original Christmas film Tinsel Town is scheduled to debut on November 28 and will feature Hollywood A-listers Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson, alongside an outstanding supporting ensemble including Derek Jacobi and Danny Dyer.

According to YorkshireLive, the production process meant residents could savour their seasonal decorations throughout the town for an extended period, with local shopkeeper Di Watson, from Knitting Pretty, commenting: “The town is buzzing with excitement. Knaresborough is a unique, beautiful, friendly town and we’re delighted to be part of this.”

READ MORE: Gorgeous ‘frozen in time’ town with cobblestone streets is oldest in the country

However, this isn’t the first occasion Knaresborough has been selected as the setting for a seasonal film. Television movie A Very British Christmas, which is available to hire on Amazon Prime, was also mainly filmed throughout the town.

Therefore, if you fancy having your own festive escapade, Knaresborough might be the ideal setting. An excellent starting point is the stone-paved Market Square, which is encircled by independent boutiques and welcoming pubs.

The regular market operates on Wednesdays, and on December 6 and 7, there will be a Christmas market featuring seasonal food vendors, handcrafted goods, and much more. Nearby, the Green Dragon Yard, a recent filming location, will be adorned with festive decorations.

This charming historic square boasts a vintage shop and an eccentric tearoom. The crew were also seen along Castlegate, a winding, narrow street brimming with independent shops, cafes, and other unique spots.

READ MORE: I ditched the UK for the ‘friendliest city in Europe’ once known for its grumpiness

As its name implies, Castlegate leads to the entrance of Knaresborough Castle, once the residence of medieval kings and a courthouse and prison. Although the castle now lies in ruins, a keep still stands, housing a courthouse museum filled with original furniture pieces.

It’s also one of the prime locations to view the town’s most iconic sight, Knaresborough Viaduct, where trains can be seen chugging to and from Harrogate. The viaduct was initially slated for completion in 1848, but it collapsed just before it was finished.

Historical records recount that the sound of falling masonry lasted nearly five minutes.

The viaduct’s collapse sparked local outrage, blamed on substandard materials and workmanship, coupled with two months of heavy rainfall causing the river to swell. Thousands of fish perished due to the high limestone content in the water.

However, the resilient town decided to rebuild the viaduct, and the existing structure has stood since 1851, constructed from robust stone sourced from a nearby quarry.

If you’re on the hunt for a snug spot for a pre-Christmas weekend getaway, look no further than Knaresborough Inn. Perched above the River Nidd and surrounded by landscaped gardens, this inn offers a slightly quirky yet warm atmosphere.

With tastefully decorated rooms and a dining room serving hearty British classics, rooms start from £95 per night for two in November.

Just a stone’s throw away from the train station is The Mitre, a pub renowned for its craft beers and cocktails, and an intriguing menu inspired by Asian street food. It boasts four rooms, including an apartment that can accommodate up to four guests.

A stay in a double room starts at £110 per night in November.

So, if you’re yearning for a retreat that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas film, grab your cosiest scarf and make your way to Knaresborough this winter. Just a two-and-a-half-hour train ride from London, with a changeover in York, it promises to be the ideal festive setting.

However, we can’t promise you’ll fall head over heels for a charming local shop owner during your visit.

Got a travel story to share? Drop us an email at webtravel@reachplc. com.