A classic period drama, one that popularised the genre globally, is still regarded as one of the finest to ever grace our screens. Period drama enthusiasts will be familiar with the show in question — Upstairs, Downstairs.
Upstairs, Downstairs laid the groundwork for Downton Abbey with a story that will be familiar with fans who have only seen the modern sensation. As the definitive period dramas of their era, the parallels between Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey are self-evident.
Both shows portray the personal struggles of an aristocratic family and their servants against a backdrop of social and political upheaval on an overlapping timeline.
Like Downton Abbey, it spans three decades, covering both World Wars and the roaring 20s through to the Great Depression. The classic show chronicled the turbulent lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their servants in the early 1900s.
They diverge in numerous ways, however, and one is immediately apparent.
The seventies programme is less high-end, a quality that can taken as nostalgic or a dealbreaker. Upstairs, Downstairs premiered in 1971 and ran for five years, predating Downton Abbey by a good 50 years.
In fairness, Downton’s setting is inherently more luxurious. The Bellamy family inhabit a London townhouse, a far cry from the Crawley family’s lavish country estate that was a character in its own right.
And while Downton’s visuals proved a triumph, a frequent criticism from audiences is that the programme descended into melodrama. In contrast, Upstairs, Downstairs has been likened to a stage play for its more understated visuals and plotlines.
Fans of both period dramas shared their preferences. One viewer sparked a debate on Reddit, asking: “If you have seen both shows, which show do you think is better?”
“Upstairs Downstairs without question,” replied one viewer decisively. Another agreed: “I like Downton Abbey better, but Upstairs, Downstairs is the better show.
“I have tried watching the Upstairs/Downstairs remake multiple times and I always end stopping after about two episodes,” commented a third. “It just doesn’t grab me like Downton.”
Upstairs, Downstairs is available to watch on ITVX.
The real perk of this hotel is that guests can save on pricey airport parking by booking onto a four, eight or 15 day deal that includes parking at the hotel, one night’s stay and a private transfer to the airport the following morning.
What are the rooms like?
Clean and relatively modern rooms come in a variety of sizes and bed set ups to suit all manner of groups or travellers, including standard rooms, family rooms and triple rooms.
The standout of my standard king room was the marshmallow-like pillows that made for an ultra comfortable snooze ahead of an early morning trip.
What is there to eat and drink?
Unless you want to hitch a ride into Crawley, eating at the hotel is your only option due to its isolated location.
Luckily, the American-style grub here is decent – and there’s a cracking cocktail menu that will help you kick off your holiday in proper style.
Loaded burgers make up a large portion of the food menu, but there are salads, pasta dishes, curries and wings too.
Margarita lovers should wash their dinner down with a Big Bite, one of the hotel’s signature cocktails.
A spicy twist on the classic margarita, this one will blow your socks off.
If you have time for brekkie, there is a good selection of hot and cold options.
Everyone here was accommodating and, above all, cheery, gearing visitors up for their holiday.
Even at 4am, the concierge was whipping up coffees with a smile for me and fellow guests ahead of our weary-eyed taxi rides.
How much is the hotel?
Rooms cost from £89 per night. Park and fly packages vary.
Is the Sandman Signature London Gatwick family friendly?
Extremely. Rooms come in lost of convenient sizes including four-person family rooms, with a double, single and trundle bed.
There’s also triple rooms like double and single beds.
Is there access for guests with disabilities?
Yes. There’s a lift up to bedrooms and accessible rooms come with extra space for wheelchair users, lowered features, wet rooms with pullable cords and a lot of well-thought out facilities.
Even at 4am, the concierge was whipping up coffees with a smileCredit: Sandman signatureThe hotel is basic, clean and modernCredit: Sandman signature
GREGGS sausage rolls are seriously taking off — as easyJet is serving free ones on board for the first time.
The budget airline is dishing out the popular flaky pastries to mark the opening of a base in the heart of Greggs country.
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easyJet is serving free Greggs on board flights for the first timeCredit: PAThe collaboration celebrates the launch of easyJet’s new hub at Newcastle International AirportCredit: PA
And passengers can dip them in a range of new sauces inspired by destinations around the world, including kebab.
The collaboration celebrates the launch of easyJet’s new hub at Newcastle International Airport — 75 years after Greggs’ first shop was opened in the city.
Holidaymakers flying from there yesterday were treated to a free sausage roll, and all week punters can scoff one from a special easyJet service landing in the city centre.
They will also be offered limited-edition dips, such as Turkish-style kebab, with aromatic choices of lemon, vinegar and smoky paprika.
There is also Tunisian– inspired harissa ketchup, or Italy’s silky affogato flavour, with hints of deep-roasted coffee, cocoa and vanilla.
Flyers tucked into their favourites yesterday.
Easyjet’s new Tyneside base is the airline’s 11th in the UK, and will offer more than 80 flights a week to 22 destinations.
It will also support around 1,200 jobs, including 140 direct roles for pilots and cabin crew.
Garry Wilson, CEO for its holidays business, said: “This is a major milestone for us, so partnering with Greggs, a true Geordie icon and one of the city’s most famous exports, felt like the perfect way to celebrate our arrival.”
Greggs director Hannah Squirrell added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the local community, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a sausage roll.”
John Gregg founded the bakery in Newcastle in 1939, and its first outlet opened in the city’s Gosforth in 1951.
There will also be limited-edition dips, such as Turkish-style kebab, servedCredit: PA
ONE of the UK’s biggest free museums has been named the most popular attraction in the UK.
The Natural History Museum in London has knocked off the British Museum from the top spot of most guests, with the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) revealing 7.1million people visited last year.
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The Natural History Museum is the UK’s most popular attractionCredit: Alamy
This marked the best year in terms of visitors for the free attraction, with a 13 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
The attraction happens to be one of Travel Reporter Alice Penwill’s favourite free attractions in London.
She said: “Having been to the Natural History Museum recently, I’m not surprised it’s the UK’s most popular tourist attraction.
“Other London attractions are impressive, but you won’t ever forget walking in to see the skeleton of an 82-foot Blue Whale in the entryway.
“There’s something for everyone, whether you’re interested in fossils, reptiles and birds.
“My favourite part is The Vault where there are some of the most valuable treasures like diamonds, amethyst and gold crystals.
“There’s lots of green spaces outside too, and I saw lots of children enjoying the Evolution Garden with dinosaurs like a bronze Diplodocus that was installed a few years ago.”
Over the next couple of years, the Natural History Museum is also working on new openings.
A new Human Nature pop-up display will open in September 2026, inside a gallery that has been closed for 80 years.
Inside, visitors will be able to discover stories about human history and the natural world, with a number of specimens and historical objects on display that haven’t been seen before.
There will also be a prototype of one of the Crystal Palacedinosaurs, a monk seal called Jenny ‘the talking fish’ and a handaxe that was discovered alongside the remains of a woolly mammoth in 1859.
Later in 2027, there will be a new permanent gallery specifically for young children.
It will be designed for four to seven-year-olds with lots of hands-on interactive experiences about the natural world.
London, UK – February 15 2025: Visitors admire Dippy the iconic dinosaur skeleton situated in front of the grand Romanesque Revival architecture of the Natural History Museum in LondonCredit: Getty
Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: “We are thrilled to be the UK’s most popular visitor attraction, smashing all previous records for the sector!”
London has a load of free attractions as well, including some right by the Natural History Museum.
One of Sun Travel’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey’s favourite free attractions in the city is just down the road.
She said: “Having started my career in fashion, it’s no surprise that the museum I’ve been to the most in London is the V&A.
“The museum itself is fantastic – not only for being free to visit, but because it’s the largest museum on arts and design in the world.
“Also the second largest in the UK (behind the British Museum), my favourite area is the Asian corridor, with insanely detailed artwork and sculptures.
The V&A museum is also in South Kensington and is free to visitCredit: GettyThe Science Museum is also close to the Natural History MuseumCredit: Getty
“There’s loads of free events coming right now, including one on Women Printmakers and one on iconic American Photographs.
“Make sure to save time for the cafe too. It’s also the oldest of its kind in the world and is a stunner.”
And Sun Travel’s Head of Travel (digital) Caroline McGuire also loves the Science Museum nearby.
She said: “The Science Museum in South Kensington is perfect for kids of all ages, I’ve been taking my child there since he was a one-year-old, as the interactive ‘Garden’ in the basement is perfect for toddlers and pre-schoolers.
“There are plenty of excellent free exhibitions around the museum – one of our favourites being the Space section – but the most popular (and deservedly so) is the paying Wonderlab, an interactive gallery featuring numerous experiments that will fascinate children aged 3-14.
Caroline shared: “Until I visited the Outernet, I thought it was all hype.
“Now, my son and I will make a 25-minute detour to spend even 20 minutes there, when we’re in central London.
“The huge multi-screened space on Tottenham Court Road screens artist-made short films throughout the day, and you can walk in from the street and spend as little or as much time there as you want.
“With screens covering the sides and ceiling, you really do feel like you are inside the films.”
The Southbank Centre has lots of free activities each school holidaysCredit: Getty
“We’ve done free kids raves, free doodling workshops, free crafts sessions and free DIY sessions where my six-year-old was given a hammer and saw and encouraged to help build a Moomin House overlooking the River Thames.
“Oh, and the free Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms fountains are one of the best places to take a kid for a splash around during a summer heatwave.”
Or you could head to a number of galleries including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain or National Portrait Gallery.
Alice said: “When I head to London, I make a beeline for the galleries.
“Getting to see walls upon walls lined with famous artwork for absolutely nothing is something we take for granted – and there are plenty to see in the city.
“There’s the Tate Modern and Tate Britain, The National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery where you can see one of my favourite portraits, The Ugly Duchess.
“Not to mention lots of these venues have pretty cafes and even bars if you fancy taking a weight off your feet after exploring.”
Here are some other spots to visit across London that are free to visit.
London also has a number of free galleries including the Tate ModernCredit: GettyMinaLima features different items that are in the Harry Potter filmsCredit: Alamy
MinaLima
Elsewhere in London, you could head to one of Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding’s favourite spots – MinaLima.
Found in Soho, MinaLima is a shop and attraction that features the graphic designs from the Harry Potter films.
Named after Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, who are responsible for most of the designs you see in the films including the Daily Prophet, the Advanced Potion Making textbook and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, the destination features themed items for sale as well as prints of their designs.
Make sure to spend time exploring as there are also items from the films, and speak to the staff, who really know their stuff.
London parks
There are also a number of amazing outdoor places to visit in London including Kara’s favourite, the commons in south west London.
She said: “I spent the best part of a decade living in south London, with two years of that in and out of the Covid lockdowns.
“To stop myself from going insane, this meant lots of walking around my local parks.
“And from Balham you can easily walk three of the best in one day.
“I recommend starting at Clapham Common, one of the more open parks of the three with ponds and a Victorian bandstand that often has live concerts.
Clapham Common has ponds and a Victorian bandstandCredit: Getty
“Go down to Wandsworth Common, and you can walk along the train tracks or across the pond.
“Then nip through Balham (with a coffee at The Apple Blue Patisserie or Insta-famous Milk) and end in Tooting Bec Common, with a much more leafier and interesting park to explore.
“Need to cool down? Finish with a swim at Tooting Bec Lido as well, the biggest freshwater lido in the UK (£9.40 for adults or free for locals).”
Travel Reporter Jenna Steven’s favourite free spots also make good walks.
She said: “London has over 3,000 parks to explore, but St James’s Park is one of my favourites.
“This is mainly because I’m a big fan of the unique Duck Island, an aptly-named nature reserve on the east of St James’s Park Lake.
“The island has its own cottage, which is surrounded by vibrant greenery and blooming flowers in the springtime, looking like something out of a fairy-tale story book.
“Plus there’s scenic picnic spots by the bandstand, and several kiosks serving cold drinks and sandwiches to enjoy when the sun comes out – save those crusts for the birds!”
Or head to Lisa Minot’s favourite – Primrose Hill.
She said: “For fabulous FREE views across the whole of London, head to Primrose Hill in North London.
“First opened in 1842 as an open space for Londoners, it was originally part of Henry VIII’s hunting grounds.
“Today it offers fantastic panoramic views of the capital and is popular at sunrise and sunsets.
“It is one of six protected viewpoints in London, its highest point more than 63 metres above tree level.
“Trees are also kept low so as not to obscure the view.”
Covent Garden Piazza
If you fancy something a little more urban, venture to Covent Garden Piazza.
Jenna added: “There’s plenty of both branded and independent shops to browse, traditional cafes and bars, plus there’s always a pop-up giving away tasty treats of some kind.
“Here you’ll hear live music rising from the lower level that makes your stroll through the building even more beautiful.”
In the city centre, head to Covent Garden Piazza where you can browse shops including well-known brands and independent shopsCredit: GettyBorough Market is also a great spot to explore, though you will need to spend a bit of money if you want some foodCredit: Getty
She said: “From the viral strawberries in melted chocolate to endless street food options, traders have been operating from London’s Borough Market for more than 1,000 years.
“Today’s unique Victorian arcades, built in 1850, are home to stands offering premium quality speciality foods as well as plenty of grab-and-go options from oysters and paella to burgers and fish and chips.
“While you don’t have to pay to wander the busy pathways of Borough Market, the tempting foods on offer will mean you will not be able to resist parting with some of your cash!”
In other attraction news, there’s a new UK attraction which has been named among the best places to visit in the world – but it’s not for everyone.
March 20 (UPI) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favor of allowing a so-called street preacher in Mississippi to challenge a law prohibiting where he can protest.
The high court said Gabriel Olivier can file a civil suit in response to a law in Brandon, Miss., that prevents public protests outside of designated areas. He said the law violates the 1st Amendment’s free speech protection.
Police in Brandon, Miss., arrested Olivier in 2021 as he and a group of protesters shouted slurs and insults at concertgoers as they entered an amphitheater. Some members of the group also held up graphic signs showing aborted fetuses.
He was convicted of violating the city’s laws banning protesters from coming within about 265 feet away of the amphitheater and from using loudspeakers that can be heard from more than 100 feet away, CNN reported.
Olivier pleaded no contest to the charges and was ordered to pay a fine and serve a year of unsupervised probation. Following his sentence, he sued the city, saying its law violated his free speech rights.
A 1994 Supreme Court ruling — Heck v. Humphrey — though says that a defendant convicted of a crime can’t then sue over the legality of their conviction. Otherwise, he and other defendants could be cleared of their convictions outside of the normal criminal appeals process, The Washington Post reported.
Olivier’s lawyers said his case should be allowed to proceed because success wouldn’t affect the result of his conviction, for which he wasn’t imprisoned. The Supreme Court agreed with a unanimous vote.
The ruling did not pass judgment on the constitutionality of the city of Brandon’s laws, only that Olivier is allowed to challenge them.
President Donald Trump presents the Commander in Chief’s Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Friday. The award is presented annually to the winner of the football competition between the Navy, Air Force and Army. Navy has won the trophy back to back years and 13 times over the last 23 years. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Argentina’s spunkiest duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso have checked themselves into a wellness center for their latest album, “Free Spirits.”
Out Thursday, the LP pushes the limits of the duo’s experimentation, combining unpredictable blends of trap, rock and pop while still maintaining their raunchy sense of humor and musicianship. The 12-track project features collaborations with British musicians Sting and Fred Again, as well as California’s very own Anderson .Paak and Jack Black.
It’s been a busy year for the avant-garde pair, who won their first Grammy in February for their nine-track EP, “Papota.”
At the ceremony, they hinted at a rebrand for the upcoming album; both appearing on the red carpet wearing matching tan robes — a look far less flashy than the custom Versace outfits they wore at the Latin Grammys in November.
“We are trying to heal that velocity that we had in the past year. If you go so fast, you’re going to crash,” Paco Amoroso told Billboard in February. “We are healing ourselves now.”
Following their Tiny Desk performance in Oct. 2024 — which has reached over 27 million views to date — the Buenos Aires singers have etched an unpredictable, kooky path in the crazed music industry, often by criticizing it.
First, their 2025 EP “Papota” humorized their rapid ascent to stardom and poked fun at how artists must dilute their image to fit the mainstream.
Now through their LP “Free Spirits,” they continue to comment on the trope of the burned-out, exhausted artist who through a soul-stripping retreat can find renewal once again.
That purported healing is taking place at “Free Spirits Wellness Center,” a mock-up clinic led by Sting dedicated to advance physiological and cognitive expansion for people working under intense pressure.
In a music video released Wednesday, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso checked themselves in after taking home five gramophone trophies at the 26th Latin Grammys.
Among the 12-step treatments are skin-changing artotherapy, where patients endure a painful micro-needling session combined with a non-goal-oriented painting session; cryo cerebral rebirth, where the brain regresses to its early developmental stages; and temperature contrast celibation, where they receive an ice bath combined with sexual arousal restrain.
None of these treatments make clear sense — mainly because they aren’t real — but that’s exactly Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso’s point: Fame is all make-believe pandemonium and there is no real recovery from it.
Afroman testified Tuesday in a civil lawsuit brought by seven members of an Ohio sheriff’s office who allege he used their likenesses without permission in music videos and on merchandise and spread lies about them after they raided his home in August 2022.
The 51-year-old, whose real name is Joseph Edgar Foreman, said on the stand Tuesday that he was in the right, according to local station WCPO Channel 9 in Cincinnati.
“The whole raid was a mistake. All of this is their fault,” Foreman testified, taking the stand wearing sunglasses with American flag lenses and a red, white and blue suit and matching tie made of fabric recalling the American flag. “If they hadn’t wrongly raided my house, there would be no lawsuit, I would not know their names, they wouldn’t be on my home surveillance system, and there would be no songs, nothing.”
Officers were acting in 2022 on a warrant showing probable cause that drugs and drug paraphernalia would be found on the property. The warrant also alleged that trafficking and kidnapping had happened there. No evidence of a crime was found, and no charges were filed. Foreman wasn’t home during the raid but was able to see at least part of it via a video recorded by his ex-wife and footage captured on his home security system before law enforcement turned off those cameras.
It was that footage that was used in the various videos the rapper subsequently posted, including a music video for the song “Lemon Pound Cake,” which he wrote about the raid.
Officers tore down his door, he said, and damaged his house, taking money, vape pens and a small amount of marijuana. There was a discrepancy about the amount of money taken and returned to the rapper, which seemed to be a point of contention linked to whether he was misrepresenting what the deputies did during the raid.
“After they left, I had the right to kick the can and to do what I had to do to repair the damage they brought to my house. Yes, I did,” Foreman said. “I have freedom of speech. I’m a rapper. I entertain.”
His testimony came on the second day of the trial, after the deputies took the stand the first day and testified that though the raid wasn’t perfect, Foreman had been spreading lies about them for years since it occurred. Deputy Lisa Phillips, whose gender identity had been called into question in Foreman’s videos and social media posts, cried on the stand as some of those videos were played for the court.
Footage with a song called “Licc’em Low Lisa” showed Foreman saying he thought he would “crack some musical jokes” in the wake of the raid, then going to comfort a crying actor who resembled Phillips. “I didn’t know they hurt you that bad. … I was just having fun with a bad situation.” The same video showed the actor engaging in sexual activity with another woman.
In their lawsuit, WCPO said, the deputies said the posts and videos caused them “humiliation, ridicule, mental distress, embarrassment and loss of reputation” and made it difficult to do their law enforcement work.
In an amicus brief, however, the ACLU argued that the deputies’ lawsuit was a “classic entry into the SLAPP suit genre,” referring to a type of lawsuit that seeks to discourage criticism of public officials.
IF you want a cheaper alternative theme park in Europe, then there’s one letting kids go free until summer.
Parc Astérix is a theme park in Plailly, France, based on the famous comic book series.
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Parc Asterix in France is offering free entry for kids until this summerCredit: AlamyTickets for children usually cost €53 (£45.81) each, so for a family of four it would be a saving of €106 (£91.62)Credit: AlamyThe theme park is based on a comic book series and has over 50 attractions across six worldCredit: Alamy
The theme park has over 50 attractions across six themed worlds like the Roman Empire, Greece and the Vikings.
And until May 7, the park is offering free admission to children under 12 years old.
The offer is valid from Monday to Friday for online bookings and must be booked with a dated adult ticket.
Tickets for children usually cost €53 (£45.81) each, so for a family of four it would be a saving of €106 (£91.62).
Adult tickets cost €56 (£48.40) each, when booked seven days in advance.
The park is open from 10am to 7pm each day, so it includes nine hours of fun.
But save your visit until next month if you want to see the new reinvented Egypt zone, which opens on April 4.
The zone is themed around Cleopatra and the Egyptian gods, with visitors able to immerse themselves in an Egyptian world.
The former Oxygénarium water raft ride has become The Descent of the Nile, with new theming to seem like you are cruising down the River Nile.
The Flying Chairs ride has now become The Flight of Ibis, where visitors swoop over the water garden, 10metres above the ground.
The ride also features water jets, greenery and themed decor.
The Egyptian zone is also home to the new dining experience, Les Fastes du Nil, which is a fast-food restaurant.
A new buffet restaurant called Épidemaïs’ Counter, with a range of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, which will also open in June.
On April 4, the park will also open a reinvented Egypt zoneCredit: Parc Astérix
And launching this spring, there will be a new show called Cleopatra’s Gift – where she and her courtesans bring the OzIris esplanade to life with dance, music and guests interactions.
The refreshed zone is just part of Parc Astérix’ £218million makeover, due to be completed by 2030.
In 2028, the park will open a new British-themed land called Londinium.
In the land there will be an immersive roller coaster, an interactive family dark ride, a vertical playground, a pub and shops.
The park will open its fourth hotel as well, called The Odyssée Hotel which will feature 300 rooms and open in 2027.
There are currently three hotels at the park including Les Quais de Lutèce with 150 rooms in Gaul-inspired buildings.
There’s then La Cité Suspendue, which is Celtic-themed and made up of three ‘hamlets’ – potters, artists and druids.
In the zone, two rides have been completely rethemed including one that makes you feel as if you are floating on the River NileCredit: Parc Astérix
And finally, the Les Trois Hiboux hotel is located in the forest.
Guests staying in the hotels get exclusive access to the attractions 30 minutes before they open to the public.
Also in 2027, the park will open a renovated Greek zone with two new family attractions, a playground and a restaurant.
The theme park is just 21 miles from Paris and whilst it is smaller than Disneyland Paris, it is cheaper to visit with Disneyland Paris tickets for this month costing from £80 per person.
Previous guests have raved about it too, with one writing: “I say it from the start: better than Disneyland!”
Another said: “We were counting and we did 35 rides each every day. If you are a theme park junkie then I would recommend it wholeheartedly.”
A third commented: “This park was a real discovery for me and my grown-up children who have been used to Disneyland for years.
“A warm atmosphere, sets worthy of movie studios, varied shows of high quality and attentive staff.”
In other theme park news, there’s a futuristic theme park just two hours from the UK that has been named one of the best in Europe – with an ‘Avatar-like’ waterpark.
That’s the only way to describe what San Juan Hills players, coaches and fans were feeling on Saturday at Golden 1 Center when Alex Osterloh made two of three free throws with 0.3 seconds left to give Atherton Sacred Heart Prep a 47-45 victory in the Division IV state boys’ basketball championship game.
Osterloh was fouled at the top of the key by Kellen Owens with the scored tied.
“I’m pretty sure I was fouled,” Osterloh said.
San Juan Hills had earlier lost the ball on a turnover, its 19th of the game, surrendering its chance to take the lead.
“It was a tough ending,” San Juan Hills coach Jason Efstathiou said. “We turned over the ball too much. Nineteen is insane. Ultimately we didn’t do a good enough job handling pressure.”
San Juan Hills (22-14) came back from a 12-point deficit in the second quarter to take a four-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Garrett Brehmer finished with 17 points while Rocco Jensen had 10 points and eight rebounds for San Juan Hills. Osterloh scored 15 points and Pat Bala had 13.
“There’s a little distaste,” Efstathiou said, “but at the same time we got to be here.”
AS SPRING emerges, your Instagram feed will soon look like a sea of pink as people head off to find cherry trees blossoming – and the UK has some great free spots to see them.
Known as ‘hanami’, the tradition of seeing cherry blossoms is a centuries-old Japanese custom.
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There are a number of places you can see blossom trees for free across the UKCredit: AFP
Taking place in the spring, the tradition celebrates the blossoms which symbolise new beginnings, mortality and the beauty of life.
While the UK doesn’t have anywhere near as many blossom trees as Japan does, there are several locations across the UK where you can catch them blooming for free – here’s some of the best.
Battersea Park, London
In South West London, head to Battersea Park and you will find a long run of cherry blossom trees on Cherry Tree Avenue.
If heading to the park, make sure to enjoy a wander next to the River Thames whilst seeing the 40 blossom trees.
The Meadows is a large public park south of Edinburgh‘s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town.
The park is even protected by an Act of Parliament, that was created in 1827.
During the spring, there are avenues of cherry trees.
They are known to bloom a little later than other places, usually starting to bloom in April.
In Edinburgh, The Meadows has an avenue of cherry treesCredit: Getty
Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline
Up in Dunfermline, Scotland, head to Pittencrieff Park and walk along the path near the main entrance to enjoy a row of cherry trees that line the path.
The cherry trees usually blossom here in late April and whilst you are exploring the park, make sure to look out for its resident peacocks and the Andrew Carnegie statue.
Nearby, you can also visit Dunfermline Abbey and Palace.
Castle Park, Bristol
Castle Park in Bristol is an open space between the city’s Shopping Quarter and the Floating Harbour.
In addition to ruins in the park, visitors will be able to find different cherry trees.
One spot is the cherry avenue, with 21 trees.
And the other spot is a singular, white Japanese Cherry Tree that was planted in 2014 to mark the 70th anniversary of Hiroshima.
This type of cherry tree had actually died out completely in Japan, but was saved when a single specimen of the tree was found in England in 1923.
Paid-for spots to see cherry blossom in the UK
Kew Gardens, London – has a dedicated cherry walk and Sounds of Blossom festival
Alnwick Garden, Northumberland – home to the world’s largest orchard of Taihaku (Great White) cherry trees
Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds – over 120 Japanese flowering cherry trees
RHS Wisley Garden, Surrey – an avenue of 140 Yoshino cherry trees
