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GOING away with just hand luggage seems easy until you realise all the airlines have different policies on exactly what hand luggage is allowed.

While we all know budget airlines are some of the strictest, other airlines could still catch you out with a hidden fee at the airport.

So we’ve explained everything you need to know about taking a suitcase with some of the UK’s major airlines.

Read on for the current rules for Ryanair, easyJet, TUI, British Airways, Wizz Air Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic.

Easyjet

All easyJet passengers are allowed to bring one small underseat bag per person on board for free, measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm and weighing up to 15kg.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag measuring up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, you’ll need to pay extra for it.

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The price for this depends on demand, the route, your flight date and the time of booking.

Though if you get to the gate and haven’t paid for a cabin bag but have one with you, you will be charged £60.

Wizz Air

Each passenger can bring onboard a small bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm and weighing a maximum of 10kg with Wizz Air.

The bag must fit under the seat in front of you.

However, it does state on the airline’s website that you can also carry onboard a coat or blanket, mobile phone, reading material for the flight, and duty-free items for free.

But a neck pillow is not included in this, and must fit in your cabin baggage allowance.

Currently, if you want a cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23cm, you will need to purchase this through Wizz Priority.

This will set you back between £12.85 and £89.98 during the low season and between £17.14 and £98.55 during the high season.

Ryanair

Each passenger can take a small bag on board that measures a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

It must fit under the seat in front of you and be a handbag, laptop bag or backpack.

If you want a cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 20cm, then you will need to purchase this.

This will cost you between £12 and £36 at the time of booking, or between £20 and £60 when at the airport.

Jet2

All Jet2 passengers are entitled to a 10kg cabin bag, measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm and a small under seat bag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 20cm.

On busy flights, Jet2 may ask to put your cabin bag in hold and if your bag is too big or heavy, you could be charged £45.

TUI

On TUI flights, passengers can each take one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20cm and a handbag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.

If a bag exceeds the weight limit, you will be charged £60 per 15kg bag.

British Airways

With British Airways‘ basic economy fare, each passenger is entitled to one handbag measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 15cm and one cabin bag measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25cm.

Your handbag must fit under the seat in front of you and your cabin bag must not have any valuables, electronics or essential medicines inside it.

If your cabin luggage is too big or heavy, British Airways might put it in the hold.

Though, you will have to pay a fee for this, which is usually £65 per bag, per way.

Virgin Atlantic

With Virgin Atlantic, each passenger in economy light is allowed to have one cabin bag weighing up to 10kg and measuring a maximum of 23 × 36 × 56cm as well as an underseat bag such as a handbag or small rucksack measuring a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.

Your under seat bag must fit under the seat in front of you and any bags that are over the allowance could get a £65 charge as well as being placed in the hold.

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where summer break is over, USC’s preseason camp is underway and we are officially back in your inbox with news, notes and analysis on the Trojans every Monday morning from now through football season and beyond. I hope you had a lovely, peaceful summer. Because this fall, the stakes will have never been higher for Lincoln Riley, who’s entering his fifth and most consequential season yet as USC’s football coach, one that could decide the direction of the Trojan football program for years to come.

We’ve got a lot planned for the Times of Troy this season, including a very exciting announcement to come later this month. But over the next four weeks, before USC kicks off the 2026 season, we’ll take a close look at the team and season ahead.

This week, we start with the Trojans’ offense, which, in four years with Riley as coach, has consistently remained among the best in the sport. Say what you will about Riley as a play-caller or an overall CEO type, but only one team in college football ranks better in average opponent-adjusted efficiency (FEI) on offense over the course of Riley’s tenure (sorry, it’s Oregon). And only once, in four seasons with Riley, has USC fallen out of the top seven nationally in that efficiency rate.

USC finished third in the nation in offensive FEI last season. And there’s a legitimate case to be made that the offense should be even better in 2026. Two cases, really.

The first path is probably obvious and will no doubt be the source of every preseason TV segment about USC. The road to success for Riley has always run through the quarterback. And Jayden Maiava has all the tools necessary to be that guy. He took a huge step forward last offseason, and if he continues that trajectory, he should be one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season.

But Maiava has also been surrounded by seasoned receivers the last two seasons, including one who just got picked in the first round of the NFL draft. His top returning receiver, Tanook Hines, is sitting out with an injury to start camp, while the rest of the pass-catcher two-deep is made up of either freshmen or transfers. We don’t know how long Hines will have to sit out, but any amount of time isn’t ideal. It’ll be on Maiava to build chemistry in the room and make it all work on the fly.

I suspect he’ll do just fine in that regard. But if USC is really going to reach its offensive potential this season, I believe it’ll be the run game that gets them there.

Riley earned his reputation as a passing savant at Oklahoma for good reason. He had two Heisman Trophy-winning passers and one runner-up in his first three seasons with the Sooners, and all three are now starting NFL quarterbacks. There’s no college coach with a resume even close to comparable when it comes to passing. But what’s often lost about those Riley teams is that Oklahoma also had a stellar rushing attack, one that had to be accounted for at all times, and, in turn, made the passing attack all the more explosive.

USC’s run game hasn’t been bad since Riley took over, not by any stretch. In fact, in terms of expected points added per rush play, the Trojans have ranked among the 15 most efficient run games in college football in each of Riley’s four seasons. They just haven’t run the ball nearly as much as that efficiency suggests they would.

This season would be a great time to shift that ratio. Because this is the best backfield Riley has had at USC.

Before he got hurt last season, Waymond Jordan was on his way to being seen as one of the best backs in the Big Ten, if not the country. He averaged 6.55 yards per carry, which ranked 15th among qualifying running backs in the country, but better yet, he picked up more yards on average after contact (5.15) than all but one other running back in the nation.

Assuming he’s fully healed from his ankle injury last October, Jordan should immediately remind everyone that he’s bound for stardom. And his backfield mate may not be that far behind.

King Miller scores on a 41-yard run against UCLA last season.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

King Miller didn’t get regular carries until Week 6 last season, after Jordan went down. But he ended up busting 26 rushes of 10 yards or more anyway. That’s once every six carries. That’s bonkers, even before you consider that Miller is formerly a walk-on.

The pairing of those two backs, plus the threat of Maiava’s legs, gives USC a varied backfield capable of breaking a big play at any moment. Better yet, in the Big Ten, it gives Riley and his offense the ability to extend drives and wear down opposing defenses. That’s too often been missing from USC’s offense since coming to the Big Ten.

But there’s no excuse not to lean more on the run this season. Throw in the fact that USC is deeper and more talented on the offensive line than at any other point in Riley’s tenure, and it’s not hard to envision a Trojan offense dynamic enough to dominate teams on the ground and through the air.

Offense has never been a problem for Riley at USC. But we also haven’t seen Riley’s offense at the full extent of its powers just yet. And if USC is going to make the Playoff for the first time under Riley, that’s going to have to change this season.

Preseason MVP pick (non-QB): Waymond Jordan … Back from injury, I’m betting Jordan is better than ever.

Breakout pick: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, freshman wide receiver … Take your pick of top prospects at the receiver position, but I think Dixon-Wyatt could be the big-play threat USC needs alongside Hines.

Biggest question mark: Wide receiver/tight end … So much talent, but so little of it is proven. Don’t be surprised if someone you’re not expecting breaks out at the position.

Bold prediction: Freshman tight end Mark Bowman leads the team in touchdown catches.

—USC‘s top projected cornerbacks are both cleared ahead of camp. We didn’t see Jontez Williams all spring, and we haven’t really seen Chasen Johnson at all since he was injured almost a year ago. So it’s easy to forget how touted both cornerbacks were coming out of the transfer portal. I’m particularly high on Williams, who was clearly the team’s top target in the portal this offseason. I expect both will start on the outside, unless Marcelles Williams makes a serious push to play there in camp.

—Riley is strongly in favor of the 24-team College Football Playoff. That’s been the official Big Ten Conference stance for months, so it’s no surprise to hear Riley echo those feelings. “This is something that’s not going to diminish the game in any way,” Riley said. “Having more teams in a tournament to determine a champion is not going to make it worse.” Of course, Riley’s concern isn’t the overall health of the game, but rather the fact that more playoff spots mean more chances for him to check that box. I don’t blame any coach for feeling that way. But there’s a reason why they shouldn’t be in charge of these decisions.

—Some weight fluctuations … The biggest change since spring belonged to offensive tackle Elijah Vaikona, who lost 25 pounds to open the fall at 360, while two players, tight end Walter Matthews (now 305) and defensive back Carrington Pierce (now 185) each added 20 pounds to their frames. A couple other notable changes: Veteran defensive lineman Jide Abasiri is down to 280 and could play more on the outside this season, while young edge rusher Jadyn Ramos bulked up to 250, after joining USC at (generously) 220 pounds last spring. Freshman five-star tight end Mark Bowman is also up to 245, which should help keep him on the field.

—Grant Govel spurned the Pittsburgh Pirates to return as USC’s ace. The Trojans were one of the big winners of the MLB draft deadline, as their No. 2 starter will now return to take over the top of the rotation. Govel had a 2.87 ERA and an opponent batting average of .203, which made him one of the better pitchers in the Big Ten. But Mason Edwards’ amazing year overshadowed, in some regard, the success Govel was having. That won’t be the case in 2026-27.

—Bloom Football Performance Center is having its grand opening this week. The football team already moved in a couple weeks ago, but the new state-of-the-art facility will get its close-up later this week. The media will be doing a tour Thursday, so be sure to follow along on social media for photos and videos from inside the facility.

The Best Thing I Watched This Summer

Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland in “The Odyssey.”

(Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures)

It’s not exactly an original take to sing the praises of a movie that’s become a global phenomenon. But “The Odyssey,” more than any blockbuster in recent memory, is worthy of piling on. I caught the film in its intended 70mm IMAX format, and I can confidently say it was the most amazing cinematic experience I’ve ever had.

The sheer scale of the movie is something to behold, even before you consider just how difficult it is to adapt an ancient epic poem into an interesting movie script. And on both counts, Christopher Nolan does not disappoint. The performances are outstanding, the score is beautiful, and the themes that Nolan pulls from the poem somehow manage to give a fresh take on a 3,000-year-old story.

I look forward to watching it again, as soon as I can, in IMAX 70mm. Though, judging by the current ticket situation, that might have to be at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday.

In case you missed it

New facility, new receivers give Lincoln Riley new hope as USC opens fall camp

Lincoln Riley says Trojans are ‘well-equipped’ to win consistently

Big Ten commissioner pushes back on talk of breaking away from NCAA with SEC

Long frustrated donor Brian Kennedy sues USC over practice field naming rights

‘Athlete of the century’ LeBron James pays tribute to USC staff members who saved Bronny three years ago

USC and Nike agree to extend apparel deal for 10 years

Until next time …

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at ryan.kartje@latimes.com, and follow me on X at @Ryan_Kartje. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

EXCLUSIVE: Sadie King’s return to Emmerdale is almost here, and now actress Patsy Kensit has told the Mirror her ‘terror’ over her ITV soap comeback after 20 years

There’s not long to wait until Sadie King returns to Emmerdale, after 20 years away.

But while fans are excited, actress Patsy Kensit, 58, confessed she was utterly terrified reprising her iconic role. “I was shaking like a leaf,” she told the Mirror. “It’s been a long time. I’ve done so much work in between, but this… I phoned up Mark Charnock actually, who plays Marlon Dingle.

“I told him, ‘I’m really scared,’ and he said it would be weird if I wasn’t, and that it’s only because I care. But I’m in the swing of things now, and I’m definitely settling in.”

Emmerdale are keeping quiet, for now, on what triggers Sadie’s shocking return, and when the scenes will air. What we can reveal is that she brings trouble to the village in classic Sadie fashion, and there’s some big secrets waiting to be discovered too.

She shared: “We will find out what’s happened to her and it’s interesting. It’s not just a one-note portrayal. Things have happened to her over the last 20 years, and we get older, but I can’t say too much.”

Patsy revealed her role isn’t a full-time return to the Dales. She’s only there for six months, with her set to wrap up filming in December. There’s plenty of drama on the way though before she leaves again, with village residents left reeling over her out-of-the-blue return.

It’s hardly surprising, after her devious antics during her two-year stint on the show between 2004 and 2006. From teaming up with Cain Dingle to con her own family, to her involvement in the deadly show home collapse that left three characters dead, she’s earned her status as one of the soap’s most ruthless characters ever.

But the big question is, has Sadie King changed? “Well, obviously it’s been 20 years,” Patsy told us. “We would hope she’s evolved slightly.

“It was quite easy to slip back into Sadie’s shoes, and it’s really interesting the way that it’s been written. She sort of comes in and causes trouble. People will be unsure if she’s a different person now.”

Patsy was thrilled to be asked back by bosses, first confiding the news in her two sons, James, 32, whose father is Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr, and Lennon, 26, who she shares with ex-husband, Oasis star, Liam Gallagher.

Patsy beamed: “They were really happy. They thought it would be a really great thing for me to do, and they have been really supportive.”

While Sadie isn’t expected to get a warm welcome when she steps back into the village, the same cannot be said for Patsy who was welcomed back with open arms.

“It’s been exceptionally nice,” she told us. “It’s a wonderful place to work. The pastoral care here is incredible, the cast, crew, everyone, every department. They really, really put their arms around me and looked after me.”

Patsy loves playing Sadie, so she jumped at the chance to be her again. But she admitted Sadie isn’t someone she’d be keen to know in the real world.

“Oh gosh, no, she’s awful,” laughed Patsy. “But, no, I do love her. You can’t play a character, really, that you hate.

“I think you’ve got to find something in there. Her sheer capability… I’m pathologically polite, and she will say and do things that I would never do in a million years, and get away with, so I can kind of live vicariously through her at times.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

DO you need more ideas on how to keep the kids entertained over the summer holidays but want to keep it cheap?

Check out this full list of every single museum in England that offers free entry – from Victorian homes that are like stepping back in time, to boarding world-famous locomotives.

North East

Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh 

Home to personal letters and family portraits of Grace Darling, who saved nine people from the wrecked SS Forfarshire in 1838.

Elsecar Heritage Centre, Barnsley 

A former hotspot for joiners, carpenters, blacksmiths, and repair shops in 1850, with insight into the history and culture of the village. 

Worsbrough Mill Museum, Barnsley

Learn about the milling industry in the region.

Oakwell Hall Country Park, Batley 

Step back to the 1690s and discover different Elizabethan period rooms and what life was like for the Batt family. 

Bolling Hall Museum, Bradford 

Learn about the lives of the families that lived in Bolling Hall over different time periods. 

Bradford Industrial Museum, Bradford 

Home to a range of exhibits related to textile machinery, engineering innovations and motor vehicles.

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford 

Witness a range of artworks from Old Masters to 20th-century British paintings.

National Science and Media Museum, Bradford 

The most popular museum outside of London with seven floors of galleries and three cinemas including the UK’s first IMAX. 

The Bayle Museum, Bridlington 

Learn about Bridlington’s history through archaeological artefacts.

Killhope Lead Mining Museum, Cowshill 

Get a unique insight into a 19th-century lead mine. 

The Moors National Park Centre, Danby 

Learn about the people, places, and wildlife through an interesting collection put together by a group of artists.

Cusworth Hall Museum and Park, Doncaster 

A Grade I-listed building with insight into local lives from the 18th-century to the present day. 

Danum Gallery Library and Museum, Doncaster 

Learn about the city’s past as a Roman settlement and Doncaster’s status as an industrial powerhouse. 

Durham Cathedral, Durham 

Uncover the relics of St. Cuthbert, saint of the early Northumbrian church, such as his cross and coffin, manuscripts, and a colourful crucifix.

Bankfield Museum, Halifax 

A diverse range of displays including the Havercake regiment and a textiles gallery. 

Heugh Battery Museum, Hartlepool

Learn about British military history at this museum, home to the UK’s only First World War Battlefield.

Byland Abbey, Helmsley 

One of England’s biggest monasteries, with early gothic architecture which inspired the famous York Minster rose window. 

Tolson Museum, Huddersfield

See displays on natural sciences, technology, and archaeological artefacts dating back to prehistoric times. 

Arctic Corsair, Hull 

Dive into Hull’s deep-sea fishing industry at this museum that includes a historic deep-sea trawler built in 1960.

Ferens Art Gallery, Hull 

A fine art collection with everything from Viking swords and Roman mosaics to a full-sized Wooly Mammoth.

The Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology, Hull

Artefacts dating back 235 million years of ancient civilisations and natural history.

Streetlife Museum of Transport, Hull 

Explore this collection of horse-drawn carriages and vintage cars, or hop on Britain’s oldest tramcar.

Wilberforce House Museum, Hull 

The private collection of William Wilberforce, a British politician who helped to abolish the slave trade.

Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley 

Home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield.

Royal Armouries, Leeds 

Historic weaponry and armour, from Japanese samurai swords to modern warfare including Henry VIII’s armour.

Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough

Discover the town’s history with dinosaur installations and a slice of meteorite from space.

Discovery Museum, Newcastle 

Collection of scientific and technical materials, including Joseph Swan’s lightbulb and the world’s first ship powered by steam turbines. 

Great North Museum Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Learn about natural history and archaeology with 800 objects from the Ancient Greeks, Roman Empire and Anglo-Saxons. 

Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne

Home to a collection of art and sculptures including Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces.

OuseBurn Farm, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Working city farm that includes a sensory trail. 

Pontefract Castle and Visitors Centre, Pontefract 

Medieval fortress built around 1086 where you can dress up as a lord, lady or soldier.

Zetland Lifeboat Museum and Redcar Heritage Centre, Redcar 

Home to the world’s oldest surviving lifeboat with maritime history dating back to the 1800s. 

Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Sheffield 

Discover steelworks dating back to the 1700s and learn what it was like to live and work onsite. 

Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield 

Learn about life in Victorian-era Sheffield, with artefacts including a 1760’s chocolate pot and Metrovick milk float.

Millennium Gallery, Sheffield 

All things art and design in Sheffield, including one of the finest collections of metalwork in the world. 

Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield 

Grade II-listed botanical gardens with 18 areas, including a warm Mediterranean Climate Garden and the Asia Garden.

Weston Park Museum, Sheffield 

Home to archaeological artefacts, zoological specimens and works of art.

Locomotion Museum, Shildon 

Hop aboard the Flying Scotsman and experience the power of steam travel. 

South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, South Shields 

Discover the history of South Tyneside inside this historic building with a Victorian tea room, served by costumed staff.

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Sunderland 

Home to 108,000 objects dating back to 1810, as well as more than 2,000 plants and trees.

National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield

Discover the history of the British coal mining industry with guided underground tours.

Sandal Castle, Wakefield 

Wander through the grounds and learn about the Battle of Wakefield and the castle’s ties to Richard III. 

RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Museum, Whitby 

Custom-built double boathouse where you can learn about the lifeboat history in Whitby.

Robin Hood’s Bay Museum, Whitby 

Range of displays on Whitby’s shipwrecks, the last lifeboat stationed in Bay, and its smuggling history.

National Railway Museum, York 

Collection of iconic British railway vehicles, significant artefacts and historical locomotives in York.

North West

The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness

Built over a 19th-century dry dock with displays on decorative and applied art, archeology, textiles, and fine art, plus a unique collection of ship models. 

Birkenhead Priory and St Mary’s Tower, Birkenhead 

Merseyside’s oldest building, with the remains of St Mary’s church.

Lady Lever Art Gallery, Birkenhead

30 rooms of paintings, sculptures and decorative art, from tapestries to vintage furniture and Chinese porcelain.

Wirral Transport Museum, Birkenhead 

Museum delving into the history of transport in Birkenhead.

Witton Country Park and Visitor Centre, Blackburn 

480 acres of mixed woodland and parkland with a collection of natural sciences and land transport.

Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Burnley 

Former home of Towneley family for over 600 years, with collections of fine art, local history, and ancient civilisations. 

Grosvenor Museum, Chester 

Museum housing everything from Roman tombstones to 400 years of Chester hallmarked silver, and prehistoric urns. 

Queen Victoria Monument, Liverpool 

Monument to Queen Victoria built in 1906 on the former site of Liverpool Castle.

Sudley House, Liverpool 

Former home of Victorian merchant George Holt.

Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, Liverpool 

Currently operating at a smaller location in Liverpool due to a refurbishment, this museum has two galleries exploring contemporary art. 

Victoria Gallery and Museum, Liverpool 

Uncover artworks across different eras, dig into archaeological items, and spot oceanography displays. 

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

National gallery of the North, with paintings and sculptures from Rembrandt, David Hockney and Rodin.

Lytham Windmill Museum, Lytham 

Five floors of exhibitions on milling processes, the importance of lifeboats, and the history of Grade II-listed buildings. 

Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester 

Learn about the history of policing with photographs and records pre-dating 1974.

Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester 

Browse artists and designers such as William Ratcliffe, Bernado Daddi and Coco Chanel.

Manchester Museum, Manchester 

After reopening in 2023, this was named Europe’s Museum of the Year, and has 4.5 million items across four floors.

Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester

Home to 250 years of innovations across science and technology, as well as UK’s oldest surviving train station.

Ordsall Hall Museum, Manchester 

Salford’s oldest building dating back to 1177, with over 10,000 artefacts.

People’s History Museum, Manchester 

Learn about the history of the working class in the UK, with displays on the Peterloo Massacre and the women’s suffrage movement. 

Portland Basin Museum, Manchester

A restored 19th-century warehouse showcasing local history, industry, and trade.

Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester 

A reconstructed Victorian street with original shop fronts and a large collection of Pilkington Ceramics.

Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester 

A collection of over 60,000 artworks including works from Turner, Picasso, and Peter Blake. 

Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich 

One of the UK’s only two working boat lifts. 

Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston 

Discover art, culture, and history, with displays on printed textiles, the remains of an elk, and glassblown scent bottles. 

The Whitaker, Rawtenstall 

A diverse collection of history, fine art and textiles, with displays on the Haslingden Coat of Arms and prisoner of war poems.

Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury 

A stately home dating back to 1185 with cafe and shepherd huts and UK’s first wafflery.

Imperial War Museum North, Stretford 

A museum offering perspective on how war and conflict changes everyday lives.

The World of Glass, St Helens

Learn about the history of the glass industry with live glass blowing demonstrations. 

Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Warrington 

Grade II-listed building with an art collection dating back to 1857.

East Midlands

Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Buxton 

Marvel at archaeological and geological wonders of the Peak District.

Cromford Mills, Cromford 

A UNESCO site displaying how Sir Richard Arkwright changed the modern factory system and textile industry.

Canons Ashby, Daventry 

Grade I-listed Canons Ashby House, with a collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean artistry.

Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby 

An impressive collection of works by artist Joseph Wright as well as archaeological items, ceramics, decorative art, and objects from all over the world. 

Pickford’s House, Derby 

Georgian townhouse and gardens showcasing domestic life from the 18th to 20th centuries.

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester 

Displays include a 15-metre Rutland Dinosaur and stories about Leicester’s achievements and obstacles.

Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester 

Built in 1511, with exhibits on the Leicestershire Regiment and Tudor objects.

University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Leicester 

A beautiful garden spanning 16 acres, featuring an arboretum and tropical plants.

Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery, Lincolnshire 

Displays everything from artefacts from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, to works by Turner, as well as forensic processes of the Anglo Saxons. 

Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincolnshire 

Home to 250,000 items dating back to 1750, including a World War I tank, as well as a museum trail and playground for kids.

Charnwood Museum, Loughborough 

Collection centered around geology, archaeology and local history, including one of the world’s oldest fossils.

Green’s Mill and Science Centre, Nottingham 

Former home of mathematical physicist George Green with displays related to science, technology, and social history.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton 

Impressive collection of 15,000 pairs of shoes, alongside history and art of shoemaking.

The Harley Foundation, Worksop, Northamptonshire

Includes artworks from Van Dyke, Michelangelo and Sir Thomas Lawrence. 

Wellingborough Museum, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

Diverse display from pre-historic eras to the present day, including coins, medals and costumes.

Oakham Castle, Oakham 

Huge collection of horseshoes, alongside displays on Norman history and architecture. 

Rufford Abbey and Country Park, Ollerton 

Collection exploring architecture, decorative and applied art, and religion, as well as the Runnford Abbey Ruins. 

Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, Spalding 

15th-century, Grade I-listed building with five acres of public gardens and a war memorial. 

Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne

Grade II-listed corn mill that tells the stories of the people who worked on Britain’s waterways. 

West Midlands

National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas 

British site of national remembrance with over 400 memorials and 25,000 trees. 

Bewdley Museum, Bewdley 

A riverside museum exploring the town’s local history.

Aston Hall, Birmingham 

Grade I-listed Jacobean house with a beautiful public park, as well as collections from the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. 

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

Collection of art and design from Pre-Raphaelite artists, including oil paintings, tapestries and ceramics.

Ikon Gallery, Birmingham 

Diverse media collection with displays on sound, photography, and paintings. 

Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford 

Learn about the heroes of the RAF and famous aircraft dating back to 1918. 

Himley Hall and Park, Himley 

Explore 180 acres of landscaped parkland with three galleries.

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield 

Learn about the first lexicographer Samuel Johnson, who created A Dictionary of the English Language.

Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Award-winning museum where you can learn about 2,000 years of the local town.

Ancient High House, Stafford

The biggest timber-framed house in England open to the public

Stafford Castle, Stafford 

Step back to 1100 AD with archaeological artefacts and learn about the history of the castle.

Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent 

Tour around the last working Victorian potbank in a Grade II-listed building. 

Walsall Leather Museum, Walsall 

Learn about Walsall’s leather trade in a renovated Victorian factory building.

Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton 

Step back into the Edwardian period and discover local history in Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton 

Home to contemporary art from the likes of David Hockney and Andy Warhol.

East of England

The Higgins Bedford, Bedford 

Collection of watercolour, prints and decorative art – with displays on the works of William Burges and Edward Bawden.

Bury St Edmunds Abbey, Bury St Edmunds 

The wealthiest Benedictine monastery in medieval England includes the shrine of St Edmund and the 14th-century Great Gate. 

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Huge collection of artworks and objects formerly owned by Cambridge alumni Richard Fitzwilliam, from ancient Egyptian coffins to Renaissance masterpieces. 

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge

Collection of archaeology and anthropological items including Roman pottery and objects from predynastic Egypt. 

The Polar Museum, Cambridge 

Learn about the history and science of polar exploration, Arctic art and culture.

Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science, Cambridge 

Dig deeper into a collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils dating back two million years.

Peterborough Museum, Cambridgeshire 

Home to 227,000 items from the city’s history and artistic heritage, including ceramics from the Roman empire and Jurassic fossil remains.

Hollytrees Museum, Colchester 

Glimpse into life for both the rich and the poor in 18th-century Colchester, and get the chance to dress up as a servant. 

Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer 

Discover the life of hero Henry Blogg, who helped 387 rescues at sea and created a hull shape for a new lifeboat. 

Hylands House and Estate, Essex 

The Neo-Classical Hylands House is surrounded by 574 acres of parkland, and the popular Go Ape attraction.

Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon 

Collection of artefacts, paintings, and material relating to Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate. 

Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich 

Tudor brick mansion featuring collection of items from the Tudor period including clothing, children’s toys, and musical instruments. 

Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton 

Learn about Luton’s local history and see Europe’s biggest collection of horse-drawn carriages.

Bhaktivedanta Manor, Radlett

78 acres of land featuring an organic farm, monastery, and Hare Krishna temple in Hertfordshire.

Great London & Outer London

Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield 

Former home and gardens of the horticulturist, Edward Bowles. 

Bank of England Museum, London 

Deep dive into 1,500 years of monetary history with a famous 13kg gold bar you can hold, worth £380,000.

British Museum, London

The UK’s biggest museum, with the world’s largest collection of works – eight million pieces exploring human history, art, and culture. 

Geffrye Museum of the Home, London 

Step back into British homelife, from 1600 to the present day, with a series of period room displays. 

Grant Museum of Zoology, London 

One of the oldest natural history collections, dating back to 1828, including 68,000 zoological specimens.

Guildhall Art Gallery & London’s Roman Amphitheatre, London 

Home to City of London’s art collection dating back to the 1600s, as well as a famous Roman amphitheatre. 

Horniman Museum and Gardens, London

Collection with over 350,000 anthropological and historical items as well as musical instruments and taxidermied animals.

Kenwood House, London 

A 17th-century house in Hampstead Heath, used to film Notting Hill, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park.

Museum of London Docklands, London

A 200-year-old warehouse featuring the history of trade and how pirates transformed the capital in the 1600s. 

Museum of the Order of St John, London 

Learn about the history of St John Ambulance dating back 900 years.

National Army Museum, London . 

Wander through warfare across the ages, from English Civil War and Seven Years War to present day.

National Gallery, London 

2,600 pieces of art, from the Renaissance, Impressionism and Gothic periods.

National Portrait Gallery, London 

The world’s biggest portrait collection, with artworks of some of the most important and iconic British people. 

Natural History Museum, London 

One of the UK’s most popular museums with 80 million items, including the famous blue whale skeleton.

Petrie Museum, London 

One of the world’s biggest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology.

Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, London

UK’s oldest church, founded in 1123, and still a place of worship.

Royal Air Force Museum, London

Discover the history of aviation and the RAF with famous aircraft including the WWII bomber, Avro Lancaster.

Royal Hospital Chelsea, London

British Army soldier retirement home exploring the history of the residents and the building. 

Science Museum, London

Family-friendly museum where you can discover famous inventions from rockets and computers, to aviation and trains, across 50 exhibits and regular pop-up events.

Sir John Soane’s Museum, London

Former home of the English architect most famous for designing the Bank of England.

Tate Britain, London

Biggest collection of British art in the world, dating back to 1897.

Tate Modern, London

Britain’s national collection of contemporary and modern art, including Picasso and Matisse.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London 

World’s biggest museum of arts and design, with more than 2.8 million objects.

The Wallace Collection, London 

Former townhouse of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford, with collection of fine and decorative arts.

William Morris Gallery, London 

Step inside the famous textile designer’s former home and learn about his influence on the design industry.

South East

Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury 

Grade II-listed building with works from David Hockney, as well as an ancient Egyptian mummified cat, and the original Bagpuss. 

The Novium, Chichester 

Former Roman bathhouse exploring 500,000 years of Chichester.

Dover Museum, Dover 

Learn why Dover is England’s ‘Lock and Key’ having survived invasions from Julius Caesar, William the Conqueror and Napoleon. 

The White Cliffs of Dover, Dover 

Visit deep shelters built for soldiers in World War II.

Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne 

Extensive collection of modern British and contemporary international artworks. 

Royal Holloway Art Collection, Egham 

Collection of paintings, drawings, and prints by artists including John Everett Millais, Edward Burne-Jones, and John Nash. 

Hastings Fisherman’s Museum, Hastings 

Dive into the fishing industry and maritime history of Hastings. 

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Hastings 

Collection of over 90,000 objects on everything from natural sciences and decorative arts, to world cultures and a dinosaur gallery. 

Shipwreck Museum, Hastings 

Learn about maritime disasters, and see shipwrecks including from the English Channel.

The New Forest Centre, Lyndhurst 

An independent charity dedicated to showcasing traditions, origins, and wildlife of the New Forest.

Maidstone Museum, Maidstone

Collection of more than 600,000 artefacts and specimens, exploring fine art, human history, and textiles.

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford 

UK’s oldest public museum, exploring the works of artists and archaeologists dating back to 8,000 BC.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford

Home to the world’s best collection of early scientist instruments.

Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford

Houses the Oxford University’s collection of over 500,000 archeological and anthropological objects.

Dorchester Abbey Museum, Oxfordshire 

Displays dating back 6,000 years, with artefacts such as prehistoric stone tools, Roman fortified settlements, and an Iron Age village. 

Hook Norton Brewer Museum, Oxfordshire 

Victorian brewery with guided tours and free beer samples.

The Oxfordshire Museum, Oxfordshire 

Learn the story of Oxfordshire, from the Jurassic period through to the Victorian era and modern day.

Boathouse 4, Portsmouth 

Discover the history of maritime craftsmanship including the development of boatbuilding.

Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, Portsmouth

Look into the local history and heritage of the city including special moments from Portsmouth FC.

Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson, Portsmouth 

A Victorian fortress, home to the national collection of artillery and historic cannon.

Southsea Castle, Portsmouth

An important landmark built by King Henry VIII, where he watched the sinking of The Mary Rose in 1545. 

The Museum of English Rural Life, Reading

Discover the traditions and daily routines of rural life dating back to 1750 in Reading.

Winchester City Mill, Winchester 

View the waterwheel and machinery of an ancient water-powered corn mill.

The Lightbox, Woking 

A museum housing contemporary art including the works of Elisabeth Frink, Eduardo Paolozzi, and Barbara Hepworth.

Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, Worthing

One of the UK’s biggest displays of costume and textiles. 

South West

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, Barnstaple 

Learn about North Devon’s local history across 12 galleries with annual events and a tearoom.

Avon Valley Railway, Bristol 

See tracks, locomotives, and carriages from the Avon Valley Railway, dating back to 1869.

Blaise Castle House Museum, Bristol 

Learn about Bristol homelife across the last 300 years with a costume collection of 10,000 items.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol 

Three floors of of art, costume and textiles, ceramics, archaeology and religion.

Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum, Bristol

Discover how and why the famous bridge was built.

The Georgian House Museum, Bristol 

An 18th-century townhouse that shows what life for the wealthy was like in Bristol.

M Shed, Bristol

Collection of 3,000 artefacts as well as a Banksy built into a 1950s transit shed by the docks.

The Red Lodge Museum, Bristol

Learn about 400 years of the historic house, once a party place for royals and a Victorian reform school.

Brixham Heritage Museum, Brixham 

Former police station that explores the town’s history with 10,000 objects.

Castle Bude, Bude 

Built into the sand, the 1830 castle is now home to a local museum, art gallery and cafe.

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth 

Learn how to collect fossils with guided walks and rockpooling.

The Wilson, Cheltenham 

A collection of arts and crafts from World War I, and Chinese ceramics.

Red House Museum and Gardens, Christchurch 

A former Georgian workhouse turned into a museum displaying the local town’s history dating back to the Ice Age.

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Dorchester 

Find out about a group of farm workers who became martyrs for forming a trade union, influencing modern day unions.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter 

Home to an impressive collection exploring zoology, anthropology, fine art, archeology and geology.

Gloucester Folk Museum, Gloucester

One of Gloucester’s oldest buildings with music and theatre events.

Museum of Cornish Life, Helston

One of the largest social and cultural history collections in South West Britain.

Otterton Mill Centre and Working Museum, Otterton 

See a historic water mill along with a gallery of arts and crafts.

Poole Museum, Poole 

Learn about Poole’s history from Ice Age to present day.

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, St Ives

Learn about the sculptor’s life and explore her studio and gardens.

The Museum in the Park, Stroud 

Unique 4,000-strong collection of items, from dinosaur bones to the world’s first lawnmower.

Durlston Castle, Swanage

Learn about the Victorian history of the folly with cafe and rooftop views

The Museum of Somerset, Taunton 

Explore 400 million years of Taunton’s history. 

Cockington Court, Torquay 

Watch artisans, like chocolate makers, painters and glassblowers, at work with seasonal gallery shows.

Longleat House, Warminster 

Explore an Elizabethan manor house with 900 acres of parkland.

In a small mountain town you may stumble across hundreds of half-built., abandoned homes that resemble castles. While this development had big dreams, the plans never came into fruition

Imagine living in your very own miniature château, a three-storey villa that had gothic-inspired architecture with turrets and balustrades that made it resemble Cinderella’s castle at Disney World.

One housing developer had this dream, and it was set to build 732 of these unusual homes in a small town not far from Istanbul. But sadly, despite many homebuyers looking to buy into this unique community, it now lies abandoned 12 years after construction began.

While the houses looked straight out of a Disney film, they were actually inspired by Istanbul landmarks including the medieval Galata Tower and the Maiden’s Tower from Istanbul. The name of the development, Burj Al Babas, translates as ‘tower of Babas’ in Arabic, and came from the nearby Babas thermal springs. Each castle was set to have its own pipeline to the waters to create luxurious indoor swimming pools.

But the plans didn’t stop at rows and rows of castles. If completed, lucky residents would have had access to a huge domed complex with a shopping centre, mosque, cinema, and hammam, creating an entire community in the mountains. The relatively cool weather in the area was also seen as a selling point, allowing people from nearby Middle East countries to escape the worst of the summer heat.

The castles were listed in a glossy brochure, with prices ranging from $370,000 to $530,000, about £278,500 and £400,000, a modest sum to live in your own château. But despite half the castles being sold in advance, mostly to buyers from the Gulf states, not a single moving van made it to the complex.

As soon as construction began in 2014, with the aim of finishing in four years, it started to hit several snags. Firstly, contractors complained that the disposal of rubble had breached environmental laws, and a year later, workers protested that they hadn’t been paid. Contractors soon pulled out and started the long legal process of trying to reclaim their lost wages.

Add a failed military coup and bad luck with weather, and the construction soon fell behind schedule. Sales stalled too, due to the country’s instability at the time, and the lack of cash flow soon put the developer into bankruptcy.

Not a single castle was completed as of 2022, and there are 587 half-built castles on the plot, with the exposure to the elements likely causing water damage in many of them as time goes on.

As recently as 2024, there was renewed interest in the development with the Emir of Kuwait visiting President Erdoğan, and it was reported that Burj Al Babas was discussed. The Guardian were also given a tour of the site in the same year by Adem Tekgöz, a representative of developers the Sarot Group, who claimed: “It gets cold in the winter, so we stopped construction. We’re preparing to restart next summer”.

However, as of 2026 there appears to be no trace of the Sarot Group online and still no word as to whether the project will ever be restarted, leaving a ghost town rather than a fairytale village.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

SEVERAL UK airports have scrapped the 100ml liquid rule, just as the summer holiday rush gets underway.

The policy change comes in as airports prepare for their busiest time of the year.

Until this year, liquids in hand luggage were restricted to 100ml, with all bottles required to be removed to go through security.

However, seven UK airports are removing the 100ml liquid hand luggage rule in a major change to security measures.

Due to technology developments, a number of airports will accept containers of up to two litres in hand luggage.

This includes Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast International, and Belfast City.

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Heathrow Airport has confirmed that containers of up to two litres can be taken in hand luggage in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5, but metal or insulated bottles must be emptied first.

Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Bristol similarly require metal, or double-walled containers, to be completely emptied before security checks.

Birmingham and Belfast City allow liquids, as well as gels and pastes of up to two litres to stay in cabin bags.

17 major airports, however, have reported to retain the 100ml liquid limit throughout the summer period.

Airports not introducing the rule have made some changes, with Manchester, London Luton, London City, and Teeside allowing 100ml liquids to remain inside hand luggage, and not be put in plastic bags.

Passengers, however, have been urged to check the rules at overseas airports, as many may not operate on the same regulations as the UK.

Items that are commonly treated as liquids include drinks, creams and lotions, mascara, lipgloss, toothpaste, hair gel, shaving foam, and liquid-filled toys.

Before travelling, it is important to check the exact rules of your departure airport before packing any restricted items.

Wadi Dawan, Yemen – From above, Wadi Dawan looks untouched – a ribbon of date palms winding through towering cliffs, divided by a white wadi bed. Scattered mud‑brick homes cling to the rocky slopes, overlooking one of Yemen’s most celebrated agricultural valleys, renowned for its palm dates and quality honey.

But continuing down into the valley, a starkly different picture emerges: plastic waste litters the flood channels, while the smell of burning rubbish hangs in the air, triggering coughs and polluting the valley’s once‑clean atmosphere.

“By God, this is a very serious problem,” said Yousef Abdullah, a 65‑year‑old farmer and orchard owner, speaking angrily to Al Jazeera. “If it remains unresolved, it will cause a disaster.”

Yousef stood beneath the shade of date palms, surrounded by a blanket of plastic bags, bottles, and food wrappers.

Throughout Wadi Dawan, home to thousands of people across dozens of scattered villages in Yemen’s eastern Hadramout province, plastic bags, bottles, and other household waste litter roadsides and palm groves.

Piles of rubbish – including dead animals – are dumped into flood channels that irrigate the valley’s farms. Household waste is mixed with sewage discharged into the wadi bed, while mounds of rubbish are dumped along roadsides just metres from people’s homes.

Yousef said that floods flowing through the valley pick up the waste, blocking irrigation channels, and depriving some farms of the vital waters they need. That has forced farmers to rush to the channels whenever the floods arrive, clearing the waste that has accumulated before the water recedes.

“We move from one irrigation channel to another leading to our farms, removing plastic bags, construction debris, and trees,” Yousef said. “We have to do it carefully because broken glass hidden in the rubbish can easily cut us.”

And then, after the floodwater recedes, Yousef and other farmers return to their fields and collect the plastic bottles and bags before they can sow their seeds.

Waste awareness initiative

Residents, environmental advocates, and local officials say the growing problem is driven by the lack of a proper waste collection system and limited public awareness of the environmental and health risks of indiscriminate dumping.

Large parts of the valley have no waste collection points at all. In the places that do, green rubbish bins can be seen along the roads, but are often overflowing. Garbage trucks are supposed to collect waste from the bins once a week, but the service is often disrupted because of a lack of funding and poor vehicle maintenance.

With almost no funding or resources, Salem Raji, who heads the Ministry of Agriculture’s office in Wadi Dawan and is also an agricultural researcher, launched an initiative to draw attention to the growing problem of waste dumping in his home valley. He has met with local officials, spoken to local media and used social media to warn residents about the environmental consequences of dumping rubbish into the valley’s flood channels.

“The agricultural sector is particularly affected by plastic waste, which contaminates the soil and leads to poor or even failed crop yields,” Raji said. “Waste causes numerous problems in the main irrigation canals, blocking water flow, damaging canal walls and preventing floodwater from reaching farmland. As a result, some farmers lose an entire harvest season because their fields receive no irrigation.”

The problem has worsened over the past decade as Yemen has been engulfed in a war between the Iran-backed Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government. The conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions, and devastated state institutions, leaving local authorities, including municipalities and agricultural offices, with little funding or capacity to provide basic services.

“The problem has worsened in recent years because of the war, which has led to administrative instability and a lack of funding for local authorities,” Raji said.

Raji appeared frustrated that his efforts had yet to bear fruit and that his warnings had largely fallen on deaf ears, with residents continuing to dump waste across the valley. He called for an increase in his office’s monthly budget, currently just 8,000 Yemeni riyals, or about $5, so that staff could conduct field visits, reach more residents, and help remove rubbish from farms and flood channels.

Despite Raji’s best efforts, he has had little success with his attempts to raise awareness. “Our office’s [limited] budget leaves us unable to carry out regular field visits to educate the public or remove waste from flood channels.”

Expanding problem

The crisis extends far beyond Wadi Dawan. Across Yemen, years of war, collapsing public services and inadequate waste management have turned rubbish dumping into a growing environmental and public health problem.

In cities such as Taiz, waste has polluted farmland, contaminated drinking wells and dams, and increased the risk of waterborne diseases, according to local officials and health experts.

Dr Yassin Abdul Malik al-Shuraihi, who heads disease surveillance in central Yemen’s Taiz governorate, told Al Jazeera by telephone that the province, home to millions of people, suffers from a severe shortage of rubbish bins and chronic delays in waste collection.

As a result, many residents have resorted to dumping rubbish into flood channels that run through agricultural areas.

“Sewage, household waste and construction debris are now being dumped directly into these channels,” al-Shuraihi said. “We record a large number of diarrhoea cases throughout the year because sewage contaminates some drinking wells, making the water unsafe.”

Environmental experts are now calling for urgent action, warning of the particular dangers the waste poses to Yemen’s rural areas and farmland.

Khaled Saleh Bawahidi, a professor and director of the Environmental Studies and Water Resources Centre at Hadramout University, said indiscriminate waste dumping poses serious long-term environmental and public health risks.

“Accumulated waste is degrading natural habitats and polluting the soil around the palms, threatening tree growth and long‑term productivity,” Bawahidi said. “Bee health is also at risk as grazing areas deteriorate and the quality of natural resources declines. This could lead to a drop in the quality of dates and honey.”

And ultimately, it will be local Yemenis who face the consequences.

“Waste dumped in valleys contaminates soil and surface water,” Bawahidi added, “and creates breeding grounds for insects and rodents that can transmit diseases to humans and livestock.”

The cost to drop friends and family off at the airport this summer has increased by a third at most airports across the UK – with some short stays costing a whopping £10

Dropping off family and friends at the airport this summer will cost you even more as new research has found that fees have increased by a third over the last year.

It was found that 16 out of 20 airports analysed had increased or introduced so-called “kiss and fly” fees since last summer, according to the RAC.

Some airports are now charging as much as £10 just to stop outside the terminal for a few minutes.

The most costly airports are still Gatwick and Stansted, with terminal drop-offs costing £10 at both.

The bigger shock comes as the only major airport that offered free terminal drop-offs, London City, now has one of the costliest fees charged on a per-minute basis.

Drivers dropping off relatives at London City are now charged £8 for five minutes, making it the highest charge per minute among airports included in the research.

The next most expensive drop off zones are outside of England’s capital.

One is in Scotland, as Edinburgh charges £8.50 for up to 10 minutes. Bristol also charges the same fees.

The RAC noted the average cost of airport drop-off fees has increased by around a third over the past year, despite many of the world’s busiest airports continuing to offer free terminal drop-offs.

The organisation highlighted that none of the busiest airports in the European Union charge drivers for dropping passengers off outside terminals.

In some of the world’s busiest hubs, including Dubai, these fees also do not exist.

Most UK airports do have alternative options that are free, however these are usually located in mid or long-stay car parks, with passengers needing to catch a shuttle bus to the terminal.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “It’s disappointing to see so many airports charging so much for what many regard as a simple act of kindness in dropping off family and friends.

“Having a captive audience should be no excuse for these farewell fees, especially when they’re completely at odds with how major airports around the world operate.

“Of course, airports need to manage the limited space they have carefully, but if free, convenient drop-off zones work at many other international airports, then why not here?”

Mr Dennis also warned drivers to take extra care when using airports with “park now, pay later” systems without barriers.

He said: “Those that drop off but miss the signage or forget to pay soon afterwards can face a parking charge notice as high as £100 – a fee that feels distinctly disproportionate to the contravention.”

There were only four airports in the study that had not increased their costs. Liverpool John Lennon, East Midlands, Belfast City and Southampton.

Most expensive airport drop-off charges:

• £10: Gatwick and Stansted
• £8.50: Bristol and Edinburgh
• £8: Bournemouth, Leeds Bradford and London City
• £7: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Glasgow, Heathrow, Luton and Southampton
• £6: Liverpool John Lennon and Newcastle
• £5.50: Manchester
• £5: Belfast International and East Midlands
• £4.50: Cardiff
• £4: Belfast City

Sun and citrus in the south of France

The town of Menton on the French Riviera is beautiful at any time of the year but becomes even more of a treat during the annual Lemon festival (Fête du Citron, 10-28 February 2027). Its microclimate, courtesy of the Alps to the north blocking colder winds, gives Menton lemons a distinct fragrance, flavour and quality that set them apart. For me, the event transformed a damp cold UK winter into a fortnight of colour, taste and light. There were food tastings, salads made with lemons, tarts, cakes and pies all full of zesty colour and flavour at stalls and markets in the town. There are sculptures made from citrus fruit, parades and exhibitions in the Golden Garden of Light (Jardins Biovès). More than a food festival, it’s a celebration of what nature can give to the world.
April

Veneto’s Tiramisù World Cup

Last autumn, I discovered there is an annual Tiramisù World Cup. I was staying in Treviso (the lovely town near Venice where the dessert originated) during the three-day event featuring tastings, demonstrations from local chefs and a judging contest involving the public. There’s also folk music in the streets, and restaurants offer promotional prices on set meals from about €20 for two courses. In fact, sitting in a mini gondola, prosecco in one hand, bowl of tiramisu in the other, gliding along a canal past ornate houses while the distant snow-capped mountains of the Dolomites sparkled in the sunshine, certainly aided my appetite for food and life.
Peter

A cheeky celebration in Tuscany

The Gota Cotta festival in Tuscany (4 October) is a celebration of local meat – pork cheeks. It was a niche product, falling out of favour, but a group of local butchers created the festival to celebrate the local delicacy. It takes over the medieval hilltop town of Colle di Val d’Elsa in Siena province with stalls selling everything from pasta to gelato – all made with pork cheek. There’s also excellent wine and craft beers … all in the most beautiful setting.
Rebecca Nicholl

Switzerland knows its onions

I stumbled across Zibelemärit, Bern’s annual onion fair, on a chilly November morning. The old town was packed with farmers selling beautifully braided onions, garlic and seasonal produce. The streets were filled with tempting aromas from stalls frying onion tarts and serving steaming bowls of onion soup and cafes selling sweet onion-shaped pastries. A mug of warming glühwein was the perfect accompaniment. It was a wonderfully local event and chatting to growers about their harvest made me feel part of a genuine celebration of Swiss farming traditions. Zibelemärit takes place on the fourth Monday in November.
Susanna

The Italian town devoted to leeks

You have to admire the town of Cervere in Piedmont, south of Turin, which is so devoted to its leeks that it has erected a permanent pavilion called the Palaporro (porro is Italian for leek) for its annual festival, called Fiera del Porro Cervere (7-22 November). Book ahead for the sit-down tasting menu, or buy leeky treats such as gratin and risotto to take away, as we did. During the sagra, the town centre is packed with stalls, many heaving with the distinctive bunches of extra-long local leeks. Our favourite part was taking a shuttle bus down to the sandy leek fields in the valley, where enthusiasts explained the traditional cultivation techniques.
Martha

Farmers and brass bands in North Yorkshire

Malton is a little village in North Yorkshire that punches way above its size when it comes to food festivals. The annual festival is worth a visit in late spring (29-30 May 2027), but so are the monthly farmers’ markets that bring together incredible local suppliers and makers. Plus, there’s a good chance of hearing a top-class brass band while you mooch and taste. Bloomin’ marvellous!
Beth

Newcastle’s battle of the food vendors

Wylam Brewery’s street vendor food battles in Newcastle upon Tyne showcase local independent eateries serving their bestselling dishes to win a chance at being crowned the culinary King of Newcastle at the final Battle Royale (28 & 29 August). The competitions are wittily titled, for example Lord of the Wings for the chicken wings competition (23 & 24 October) and Argie Bhaji (27 & 28 November) for Indian street food. The concept is simple: each event offers different cuisines from pizza to pan-Asian to plant-based. The winner of each event is the vendor with the most pre-paid tokens. Set in the idyllic Exhibition Park, with DJs playing into the night, locals know not to miss these summer festivals.
Carly Bamborough

‘A proper northern’ affair in Bolton

Bolton food & drink festival (28-31 August) is brilliant because it feels properly northern: busy streets, good smells, live music and families everywhere. It is not trying to be too polished, which is why it works. You can wander from stall to stall, try something different, grab something sweet for the kids and still feel like you are part of the town. The best bit is the atmosphere. Chefs, local businesses, music and people all come together in one place. It is simple, affordable and full of energy. For a family day out, it is hard to beat.
Nicholas Pearce

The pride of Plymouth

Plymouth Flavour Fest, at the end of May each year, ranks among the finest food gatherings I’ve experienced anywhere. Boutique delicatessens form neat rows, with smartly dressed stallholders presenting produce with infectious pride. Pies, salamis, chillies, confectionery, preserves, hot food – all the good stuff laid out irresistibly. Take a cool bag and budget for things you never knew you needed. Plymouth’s Armada Way is perfect for the event, never claustrophobic when busy. A short stroll takes you to the Hoe, perfect for munching on a treat overlooking one of the finest harbours in the world. Good food brings out the best in people and, for a few hours at least, the world is put to rights.
Grant Wyness

‘Ireland’s culinary playground’

Every October, the charming fishing town of Dingle transforms into Ireland’s ultimate culinary playground. The Dingle food festival (2-4 October) brings more than 60 venues to life for the famous Taste Trail, where pubs, galleries and shopfronts serve up local seafood, artisan cheeses and much more. Add bustling market stalls, cookery masterclasses and workshops, live street music and a strong zero-waste ethos, and you’ve got a weekend that celebrates the best of Irish food, drink and hospitality, all with Irish small-town warmth.
John O’Kelly

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) said Monday she’s running for a full term to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat.

“I’ve made a decision,” Graham told Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, according to a clip released of an interview set to air Monday. “I’m in.”

The entrance of Graham — sworn in last week to fulfill the remaining months of her late brother’s term, which expires in January — into the Republican scramble to select a new Senate nominee further complicates an already rushed process after Lindsey Graham ‘s death this month.

A weeklong filing period opens Tuesday for the special Republican primary, which will be Aug. 11. On Friday, President Trump said that Darline Graham had his “Complete and Total Endorsement” to seek the nomination, adding, “RUN, DARLINE, RUN!”

Last week, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham to serve the remainder of her brother’s term.

In his announcement, McMaster made no reference to Graham as a placeholder or symbolic appointment, although a person familiar with McMaster’s thinking but unauthorized to speak publicly said the governor had never contemplated that she would run for the seat herself.

Before the emergence of Graham — and their Oval Office meeting after she was sworn in — Trump had suggested he could back a potential candidacy from Republican Rep. Russell Fry, who said Monday he would officially enter the special primary.

Funeral services for Lindsey Graham are scheduled to be held next week in Washington and South Carolina.

The millions in Graham’s campaign account aren’t funds that Darline Graham could directly access in a run of her own, said Bradley A. Smith, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission.

Under federal rules, Lindsey Graham’s campaign would be limited to transferring just $2,000 to a potential Darline Graham candidacy.

However, Smith said there is no limit on how much it could transfer to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which could — thanks to a Supreme Court decision last month — “spend an unlimited amount in coordination with Darline’s campaign.”

Kinnard writes for the Associated Press.

Former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham gave his first speech as prime minister outside No 10 today, after he replaced Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour party.

In his speech he promised to give the public “more breathing room”, and said he would set out a new 10-year plan for Britain by the end of this year.

He also announced that his first instruction as prime minister would be to end rough sleeping, which was met with cheers from his supporters who’d gathered outside Downing Street.

His predecessor Starmer gave a farewell speech in the same spot this morning, before formally offering his resignation to the King.

More on this story.

PASSENGERS heading abroad this summer may want to double-check their liquid allowance or risk having their items confiscated.

Despite restrictions relaxing in certain locations, 17 major UK airports still enforce the old 100ml luggage rules after a huge U-turn.

A number of UK airports have recently introduced new rules when it comes to airport security.

Some travellers can now bring containers of up to two litres on their flight, meaning no more last minute scrambles for a clear plastic bag or the fear of having your favourite fragrance confiscated.

The changes have come with the introduction of new CT scanners that have begun to be rolled out at major airports.

However, despite rules relaxing at certain locations, many others still enforce the old rules around liquid limits.

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Full list of 16 airports where Ryanair is warning of long queues this summer

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The Europe airports where you risk bigger queues and missed flights this summer

A number of UK airports still require containers to be 100ml or less for liquids, gels, pastes, sprays and aerosols.

The rules apply to the liquid limit of the container, meaning a 200ml bottle that is half-empty would not be allowed.

It’s still worth double-checking the liquid regulations from the airport you’re travelling from.

The list has changed multiple times over the past few years, with some airports temporarily relaxing the limits at points.

Passengers heading out from a certain group of airports can carry two-litre containers through security.

These include Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast International and Belfast City.

However, anyone planning on bringing large containers back from their holiday should double- check with regulations at their return airport.

Many holiday destinations will still enforce the 100ml rule, so while you may have been able to bring a full-size bottle in hand luggage on the way out, you’ll need to make sure it’s in checked luggage for the return.

When referring to liquid limits, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t just apply to toiletries.

According to the government website, liquids include “drinks, soup, jam, honey, syrups, creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara, sprays, aerosols, gels, pastes, toothpaste and contact lens solution”.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) has privately expressed interest in running for a full U.S. Senate term after getting appointed as a temporary replacement for her late brother, Lindsey Graham, according to three people familiar with the deliberations.

The people, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said she has started having conversations about a potential campaign.

Plans for Lindsey Graham’s funeral were also announced Friday. There will be a service in Washington on July 28 and more in South Carolina on July 29.

Darline Graham’s eventual decision could dramatically shake up the scramble to fill her late brother’s seat after he died last weekend. The filing period for a special primary runs from July 21-28, and the primary is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Several other noteworthy politicians — including Reps. Russell Fry, Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette — have been eyeing a run.

Darline Graham’s conversations were first reported by Semafor.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother’s term, which ends in January.

The first woman to represent the state in the Senate, Darline Graham called it “such an honor,” as dozens of her brother’s staffers and campaign advisors stood behind her, some with eyes glassy from welling tears.

“Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him,” she said.

Lindsey Graham died on Saturday at age 71. A preliminary report from the medical examiner said he suffered a tear in his aorta.

He never married or had a family of his own, but his sister was often by his side for the political touch points of his career, speaking at events and appearing in some of his campaign ads.

In his announcement on Monday, McMaster made no reference to her as a placeholder or symbolic appointment.

However, a person familiar with McMaster’s thinking but unauthorized to speak publicly said the governor, in selecting Darline Graham, had never contemplated that she would run for the seat herself.

Sen. Tim Scott, another South Carolina Republican, said he would not endorse any candidate in the primary because he also serves as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

But, he said, “as Tim Scott, the voter of South Carolina, I might indeed wade into the water at some point.”

“I think the truth of the matter is that Darline has so far been off to a remarkable start,” Scott told reporters, asking about her as a possible special primary contender. “ ‘Why not her?’ would be my question.”

When he died, Lindsey Graham had millions in his campaign account and was expected to raise much more heading into the general election. But those aren’t funds that Darline Graham could directly access, if she were to run, according to Bradley A. Smith, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission.

Under federal rules, Lindsey Graham’s campaign would be limited to transferring just $2,000 to a potential Darline Graham candidacy. However, Smith said there is no limit on how much it could transfer to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which could — thanks to a Supreme Court decision last month — “spend an unlimited amount in coordination with Darline’s campaign.”

“It can’t be earmarked for Darline’s campaign, but in those circumstances I’m sure that the party will make sure she’s not short of cash,” said Smith, now serving as a professor at Capital University Law School in Ohio.

Kinnard and Kim write for the Associated Press. Kim reported from Washington.

Research highlights the vast difference between the same holiday items – from a cup of coffee to a meal out – between summer destinations popular with UK families

Families after a bargain break this summer should head to the Algarve, research found.

Portugal’s ever popular hotspot emerged as cheapest once holidaymakers get to their destination.

The research by Post Office Travel Money looked at 10 things tourist typically shell out on, including a three course family meal, lunch for two, through to suncream, a cup of coffee, and insect repellent. The results revealed a near £130 difference between the cheapest and the most expensive amount 22 destinations included, which could really stack up for a typical family over the course of a week or longer.

The Algarve came out top, with the 10 items costing £139.65, and 2.7% less than a year ago.

Next cheapest was Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, where the same came to £142.16, with the Canary Islands, Menorca and Spain’s Costa Brava making up the remainder of the top five where travellers’ money will go the furthest.

At the other of the scale, the most expensive among the 22 destinations included was Sorrento in Italy, with the 10 purchases costing £268. Families should expect to shell out a whopping £150 for a meal, compared with £88 on the Algarve.

The Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Report was published in the week that many schools in England break up for the summer holiday

Echoing past years, prices varied by as much as 92% across the 22 destinations surveyed. There are also big differences between resorts in the same country.

In Greece, for example, the barometer totals ranged from £181 in Kos to £222 in Crete.

And while a cup of coffee in Sorrento can typically set tourists back £4.37, four hours across the country in Puglia it is £1.14, according to the report.

Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, which accounts for one-in-four UK currency

transactions, said: “We found big variations in costs between the European resorts surveyed, which means it is more important than ever to do some research before heading off on your holiday to inform how much holiday cash you’ll need for meals, drinks and other tourist staples. For those families who haven’t already booked and are looking for a late deal, the low resort prices in Portugal and Spain make these countries great value for money, while Bulgaria’s Black Sea resorts are strong contenders too.”

1. Algarve, Portugal £139.65

2. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria £142.16

3. Canary Islands £147.42

4. Menorca £151.28

5. Costa Brava, Spain £155.02

6. Canary Islands £158.31

7. Marmaris, Turkey £158.33

8. Costa del Sol, Spain £163.17

9. Costa Blanca £173.41

10. Paphos, Cyprus £177.18

11. Sliema, Malta £181.21

12. Kos, Greece £181.38

13. Rhodes, Greece £186.10

14. Porec, Croatia £199.68

15. Puglia, Italy £203.05

16. Corfu, Greece £204.34

17. Zadar, Croatia £211.90

18. Ibiza £211.90

19. Majorca £219.65

20. Crete, Greece £211.57

21. Funchal, Madeira £260

22. Sorrento, Italy £268.23

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday unleashed a new wave of strikes on Iranian targets. The attacks, on Iran’s Greater Tunb Island, came as the newly restored blockade on Iranian ports entered its first full day and the command began ordering ships headed to Iran to turn around. Meanwhile, Iran claims it damaged several U.S. military facilities in new rounds of missile and drone attacks in the region.

“CENTCOM launched precision munitions against coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island during the 90-minute wave,” the command stated on X. “The strikes further degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” The island, located at the western mouth of the Strait, sits about 30 miles south of the Iranian coast and about 50 miles northwest of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which also lays claim to it, along with the Abu Musa and Lesser Tunb islands that Iran seized in 1971.

Greater Tunb Island was a frequent target during Operation Epic Fury. A little more than two miles across at its widest point, it hosts a “vast network of underground bunkers,” created by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to the Israeli Alma Research and Education Center think tank. “These underground facilities are believed to be storing anti-ship missiles and other weapons threatening freedom of navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.”

In a subsequent X post, CENTCOM stated that since “restarting the naval blockade against Iranian ports 17 hours ago, U.S. forces have redirected 2 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade. The U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance.”

In its announcement on Tuesday that the blockade had been reimposed, CENTCOM stated that there are “currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”

Control over the Strait has been at the center of most of the flare-ups of violence that have taken place after a shaky ceasefire was agreed to by the U.S. and Iran on April 8. They’ve often involved Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait followed by U.S. kinetic responses. However, these kinetic encounters have been intensifying over the past five days, leading President Donald Trump to order the resumption of the naval blockade on Iranian ports. It went into effect at 11:30 PM local time on Tuesday.

As we have frequently noted, the blockade was lifted on June 17 when the U.S. and Iran signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU provided a 60-day extension of the ceasefire to iron out an agreement to end fighting throughout the region, including Lebanon, prevent Iran from seeking nuclear weapons, end U.S. sanctions and resume the flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, among other points.

Iran, as we noted earlier in this story, said it carried out a number of retaliatory strikes on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan as it has over the past five days. All three nations host an array of U.S. military facilities.

The Iranian Army’s public relations office said it “launched a seventh wave of drone strikes on U.S. bases in the region on Wednesday, targeting F-18 facilities and support infrastructure at al-Azraq in Jordan,” Iran’s official Mehr news outlet stated on Wednesday. The strikes “were part of ‘Operation Thunderbolt’ and followed six earlier waves of drone attacks on U.S. positions since the American violation of the ceasefire and the start of ‘brutal attacks’ on Iranian territory.”

TWZ cannot independently confirm Iran’s claims and CENTCOM declined comment.

“Jordan’s military intercepted three Iranian missiles,” The New York Times reported, citing a statement carried by the official Petra news agency. “The Kuwait Army said earlier that its air defenses were intercepting hostile targets, while Bahrain’s interior ministry said warning sirens had been activated. None of the countries have reported damage or casualties from strikes on Wednesday.”

However, images and videos have emerged online purporting to show damage at several installations in the wake of Iranian attacks over the past several days.

The following post on X uses satellite imagery from Iranian state media to claim damage to an anti-drone radar system at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan; however, its low resolution makes it hard to confirm that claim.

RYANAIR has warned that holidaymakers flying to airports in 16 popular destinations should expect lengthy queues.

New entry rules have caused difficulty for passengers, with some missing flights and waiting hours in passport queues.

Millions of Brits heading on holiday this summer should expect huge queues in some of Europe‘s most popular airports.

Since the introduction of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) in April, passengers have had to wait hours in passport queues, struggle with broken machines, and even miss flights.

Months later, no self-service kiosks have been installed, meaning border staff have hit capacity and are unable to process high numbers of passengers.

EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU holidaymakers travelling for a short stay, requiring checks each time they cross the border of Schengen region destinations.

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The move aimed to make border checks more efficient than when standard passport stamps are used, making border crossing easier and faster

Now, however, Europe‘s most popular airline, Ryanair, has asked for EES flexibility to be extended until 2028 to let airports operate efficiently before the full rollout begins.

Chief operations officer at Ryanair, Neal McMahon, said: “We support calls from EU Member States to urgently extend the EES flexibilities.

“This will give airports and border authorities the time to improve the infrastructure, fix the broken devices and hire more staff so that families can travel through Europe without disruption.”

The major airline has pointed out 16 airports that it calls “recurring EES hotspots”, which have consistently flagged excessive delays due to slow processing.

Locations, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Alicante and Malaga, are all popular destinations for Brits in peak summer holiday season.

Major city break airports, such as Madrid, Krakow, Budapest, Berlin, and Paris Beavouis, have equally been impacted by the changes.

The listed destinations are not the only places impacted by queues – 150 passengers reportedly missed flights from Toulouse, France due to queues of up to 500 people, as well as 50 in a similar case from Athens.

Ryanair bosses have advised travellers to allow extra time on their journey and be prepared for extended waits when EES checks require passport scanning, fingerprint capture and facial image verification.

McMahon continued: “Families heading away for a well-earned summer holiday should be thinking about suitcases, suncream and sangria, not standing in passport queues for hours.

“The reality is that the EES system isn’t working properly and families are paying the price for a system that does not work months after launch. 

“Passengers should not be the testing ground for unfished border infrastructure.”

The full line-up for Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4 has been released, with stars from Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders, Love Island and more battling the Hunters.

Celebrity Hunted is officially returning to our screens, with a fresh batch of stars going on the run to help raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

More than a decade after the first series of Hunted aired on Channel 4, the hit show will be returning to our screens very soon – as a string of famous faces will become fugitives in August.

EastEnders icon Brian Conley will be competing with his daughter Lucy, while Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu are also hoping to go unnoticed by Ray Howard and his “elite team of Hunters”.

Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran will be taking part, beside JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan, and presenters and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas. Comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smythe also make up the line-up.

The celebrity pairs will have to “vanish into mainland Britain, cutting themselves off from the lives – and the fame – they’ve always relied upon. For 14 relentless days they must stay hidden, think fast and trust no one because the moment they leave a trail, the hunt is on.

“In a world where almost every movement leaves a footprint, can these celebrity fugitives escape the glare of the spotlight and remain under the radar, or will the Hunters bring every fugitive into custody before the 14 days are up?”

While Hunted first aired in 2015, the celebrity version began two years later – The Wanted singers Jay McGuinness and Siva Kaneswaran outwitted the Hunters to take home the crown in 2017.

The most recent season aired at the beginning of last year, with Christine McGuinness and Duncan James defeating the Hunters.

Shedding light on the upcoming season of Celebrity Hunted, which will begin filming next month, Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Ian Dunkley said: ”When celebrities go on the run and are forced to engage the help of us mere mortals, chaos and comedy inevitably ensue.

“Hunted down by a motivated team of police and security professionals, this series reveals what it takes to remain hidden when everybody knows what you look like.’’

Matt Bennett, Director of Programmes for Shine TV, added: “Celebrity Hunted is the only TV series – alongside its cousin, Hunted – which continues to remind us of the powers of the state in an entertaining and engaging way.

“This is our most ambitious series yet, beginning with a breathtaking aerial launch amongst the skyscrapers of London, then a daring escape at the end of the run for any who evade capture… with a great deal of entertaining mischief in between.”

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The Which? survey has uncovered plenty of hidden gems to explore this summer, as well as revealing some surprises at the bottom of the rankings including some stylish seaside towns that failed to impress

Nothing beats a day at the seaside. A combination of heatwaves and the school summer holidays means the resorts are likely to be packed over the coming weeks.

That’s why consumer magazine Which? has run a survey on the best and worst seaside destinations, surveying over 5,300 people about their experiences in the past year. It quizzed visitors on everything from the quality of beaches and scenery, to the food and drink on offer, accommodation, tourist attractions, and value for money.

The results have yielded a number of surprises, but the town taking the top spot has remained the same for the sixth year in a row.

Bamburgh in Northumberland, famous for its vast coastline and beach featuring a castle, yet again came number one with an overall score of 84%. One visitor said: “It’s just gorgeous and is as good now as it was years ago; it’s not been spoiled by commercialisation. What made it successful then has been retained.”

The North East had a strong showing in the rankings, with Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear coming in second at 82%, making it a close competitor for Bamburgh. Its score included five stars for its seafront and food and drink including “wonderful fish and chips” according to one reviewer. Another said: “Tynemouth has a fantastic high street with a range of cafés, restaurants and shops complemented by historic buildings and a fabulous beach.”

Coming in third was St Andrews in Scotland with 81%, and Fife also scored another top ten place with Crail at number five. Known as the home of golf, St Andrews was praised for being a “lovely town with plenty of amenities. It does not feel overcrowded despite having many tourists.”

Many classic seaside towns in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Sussex came in at the bottom of the list, and there were some surprisingly low scores for the gentrified towns of Margate and Newquay, which failed to impress. Margate scored just 53%, its overall percentage brought down by getting one star for peace and quiet, while Newquay in Cornwall scored 55% and got only two stars for value for money.

One visitor said: “Newquay feels like it has seen better days. Apart from the beaches and pubs, it has relatively little to offer a tourist. It perhaps serves better as a base to experience other parts of Cornwall.” Another explained: “There are lovely bits and unlovely bits of Newquay. The beaches are wonderful but the town is a bit shabby and run down.” Its beaches still managed to score four stars in the survey.

Close to the bottom were Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, with 46%, and nearby Lowestoft in Suffolk, with the same score. However, the dubious honour of worst seaside town went to Bognor Regis in West Sussex on the south coast.

Scoring just 41% overall, Bognor got one star for most categories. One visitor said it was: “Lacking investment, slow to supply tourists what they need.”, and another wrote: “The place is run down and feels neglected.”

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: “The North East has emerged as this year’s favourite seaside spot, a reflection of its outstanding beaches and the fact that holidays here can be fantastic value for money.

“It also shows that there are special seaside towns in every corner of the UK. From Swanage to Plockton, Southwold to Conwy, you’ll have a great time in many of the country’s lesser-known destinations, and should save some money too.”

Top 30 seaside towns and villages

• Bamburgh — 84%
• Tynemouth — 82%
• St Andrews — 81%
• Aldeburgh — 80%
• Crail — 80%
• Frinton-on-Sea — 80%
• Portmeirion — 80%
• St Davids — 79%
• Bude — 78%
• Southwold — 78%
• North Berwick — 77%
• Plockton — 77%
• St Ives — 77%
• Swanage — 77%
• Lyme Regis — 76%
• Lytham St Annes — 76%
• Portstewart — 76%
• Conwy — 75%
• Dornoch — 75%
• Filey — 75%
• Lynmouth — 75%
• Sidmouth — 75%
• St Mawes — 75%
• Tenby — 75%
• Tobermory — 75%
• Wells-next-the-Sea — 75%
• Whitley Bay — 75%
• Broadstairs — 74%
• Falmouth — 74%
• Llandudno — 74%

Bottom 30 seaside towns and villages

• Ilfracombe — 57%
• Minehead — 57%
• Bridlington — 56%
• Cleethorpes — 56%
• Fishguard — 56%
• Seaton — 56%
• Torquay — 56%
• Abersoch — 55%
• Colwyn Bay — 55%
• Morecambe — 55%
• Newquay — 55%
• Barry Island — 54%
• Skegness — 54%
• Mablethorpe — 53%
• Margate — 53%
• Paignton — 53%
• Southport — 53%
• Herne Bay — 52%
• Littlehampton — 51%
• New Brighton — 51%
• Weston-super-Mare — 50%
• Burnham-on-Sea — 48%
• Clacton-on-Sea — 48%
• Southend-on-Sea — 47%
• Bangor — 46%
• Blackpool — 46%
• Fleetwood — 46%
• Great Yarmouth — 46%
• Lowestoft — 46%
• Bognor Regis — 41%

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Set to make travel easier for thousands of families, a new rule has been launched across 13 airports today (Wednesday, 8 July) – and in perfect time ahead of the summer holidays

Families going on holiday with children this summer can benefit from a new travel rule that has been launched across UK airports.

From today (Wednesday, 8 July), children aged eight or over will be able to use the eGates at 13 UK airports, offering a smoother journey home for families. Previously, the eGates were only available to travellers aged 10 and over, and those with younger children would need to join the family queue, which can take considerably longer.

Reducing the age limit is estimated to allow around 1.5 million additional children to pass through the electronic gates and other re-entry points far more quickly. While children can now be aged eight or over to use the eGates, they must also be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall, so they can be easily detected by the biometric scanners.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “Today’s change will make journeys easier for families with small children and reduce the hassle of travelling home after a holiday. It will also free up more time for tourists to enjoy our fantastic country this summer and in the years ahead.”

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, also said it was a “welcome development”.

She commented: “It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many. Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK’s front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience.”

In perfect time ahead of the summer holidays, the change will affect 13 major UK airports. This includes:

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• East Midlands
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• London City
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Newcastle

The eGates at airports, which form part of the government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), scan passengers’ passports and are designed to streamline the entry process. Residents in Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the US will also benefit from the airport change.

Travel Insurance Expert at Confused.com, Tom Vaughan, commented on the eGates rule change for children. He said: “The minimum age for UK airport e-gates drops from ten to eight today, meaning up to 1.5 million more children could clear the border automatically instead of queuing at a staffed desk. This is great news for families travelling with young children. Anyone who’s queued at border control with tired kids will know it could mean shorter waits and a smoother end to the journey home.

“It’s also a sign of where things are heading. As facial recognition technology becomes more established, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the age threshold lowered further in the coming years. But whether or not your child can use an e-gate, the basics still apply: everyone in the family needs a valid, biometric passport to travel. It’s easy to overlook this among the excitement of planning a trip.“Our research shows that confusion around passport validity is still common, with less than half (43%) of holidaymakers aware that passports for EU travel must be issued within 10 years of departure. That’s a significant number of people who could turn up at the airport only to discover their passport isn’t valid, regardless of which gate they’re heading for. With summer getaways in full swing, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check every family member’s passport now. Our passport checker can help you spot any issues early, so the only thing slowing you down at the border is the length of the queue.”

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This town’s market is over 900 years old and has a breath-taking high street filled with historic buildings, family-run businesses and lots of independent shops you cannot get anywhere else.

While many people splash out on pricey holidays this summer, you can have an equally magical experience right here in the UK. With a wealth of stunning destinations to discover, there are countless charming towns ideal for a short break but this gem, nestled in the West Midlands, deserves to be at the very top of your list.

This historic market town is brimming with character and as you stroll through its centre you’ll uncover a breath-taking blend of medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture. It has been named by The Guardian among Britain’s 10 “best independent high streets”, not for its looks alone, but for being “full of cool independents rather than the usual chains”.

They said: “Ludlow has long been known as a gastro-hub, with specialist producers dotted along the high street and market place. Visit the Mousetrap Cheese Shop, Harp Lane Deli and the Chocolate Gourmet for festive eats, or browse around Bodenhams, which sells clothes in a quirky, 600-year-old building.”

Why visit Ludlow?

There are so many one-of-a-kind businesses to explore when you arrive in Ludlow, but your first port of call should be the traditional marketplace sitting right at the heart of the town square.

Having been trading for over 900 years, it boasts all manner of stalls ranging from flea markets to artisan crafts, ensuring there is something to suit every pocket.

Ludlow Market is a treasure trove of finds, and is also well regarded for its monthly specialist events, including the Food and Craft Market, the Local to Ludlow Producers’ Market, and an Antique Market.

Once you’ve had a good rummage through the local shops, your suitcase will be packed to the brim with gifts to take home, thanks to a wealth of family-run businesses such as Bensons, which stocks jewellery, and Florabunda, a florist.

If you work up an appetite, head to the Ludlow Farmshop, selling locally sourced meats, cheeses, baked goods and other regional delicacies you won’t find anywhere else.

What else is there to do in Ludlow?

Ludlow has built a reputation for championing independent businesses, but should you tire of shopping and eating, there is plenty more to discover. Perhaps the most unmissable attraction is Ludlow Castle, a stunning 11th-century ruin built by the Normans that boasts breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside.

It is also well worth taking a leisurely stroll along the River Teme to admire Ludford Bridge, which not only looks spectacular but also dates back to medieval times.

Just a short drive away lies Mortimer Forest, offering miles of gorgeous scenery, whether you fancy a gentle woodland walk or fancy tackling the climb up to High Vinnalls, the loftiest point within the forest.

Ludlow ticks every box for those seeking a quintessential English town getaway, boasting historic streets, charming independent shops, mouth-watering local cuisine and stunning countryside right on its doorstep — making it an ideal destination for anyone in search of a laid-back summer staycation.

‘We are over 100 businesses strong’

Jodie Deakin, who owns local independent business, Eclectica, and is chair of Ludlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which members pay £50 a year to join, told a visiting journalist earlier this year: “We are over 100 businesses strong and have everything from retail businesses like mine to professional services like solicitors.”

Of the market, she said: “These are permanent market stores, so they’re here seven days a week. It’s owned by our town council, so it’s the revenue stream for them and they run the market most days, but also lease it. Ludlow Local Produce Market is one of the leased markets. To be a vendor, you have to produce everything within a 30-mile radius.”

Manager Tish Dockerty said of Ludlow Local Produce Market at the same time: “Everything that’s sold is either made by the person on the stall or the person that’s selling it, so they can tell you how it’s made.”

Just 35 minutes from London’s Victoria station lies a charming neighbourhood bursting with independent shops.

When Brits picture stunning and historic spots across the UK, places like the Cotswolds, Edinburgh, Somerset, and York typically spring to mind, renowned for their enduring appeal, charming streets, and centuries-old buildings.

Yet despite boasting a wealth of heritage, London’s neighbourhoods rarely feature in discussions about the nation’s most enchanting locations. Our capital is enormous and brimming with hidden treasures.

As a native South Londoner, I hardly venture up North, but just 35 minutes from Victoria station sits a charming neighbourhood nestled between Finsbury Park and Wood Green that feels like travelling back through the decades, complete with cobbled lanes, vintage and independent retailers, and an impressive 19th-century clock tower.

Here’s why Crouch End deserves a spot on your must-visit list.

What sets Crouch End apart?

My favourite part of exploring this neighbourhood was discovering all the independent retailers, which have remained bustling thanks to the local community. From organic health shops that have traded since 1986 to a florist, garden centre, and pet emporium open seven days a week, there’s a varied selection of outlets on every street.

According to Hornsey Town Hall, “Crouch End is a captivating neighbourhood that exudes a bohemian charm unlike any other in London. With its quirky character, artistic flair, and vibrant community, living in Crouch End offers a unique and enriching experience.”

They added: “Crouch End is often affectionately referred to as ‘a village within the city,’ and for good reason. Despite being only a few miles away from the bustling heart of London, this neighbourhood feels worlds apart.”

I particularly enjoyed browsing fashion boutiques such as Rhoda, which displays original creations from local and international designers and stocks trinkets, mugs, jewellery, ceramics, and more. The shop has been trading since 1998 and was established by three sisters.

A statement on its website read: “Our store is a labour of love and a testament to the power of meaningful connections. Our passion for curating unique fashion and heartfelt gifts led to the establishment of our shop, and we’ve been spreading the joy ever since.”

The neighbourhood is also renowned for its dining and leisure scene. Just a brief stroll through the suburb reveals bakeries, pubs, restaurants, and cafés – you’re truly spoilt for choice in Crouch End.

I’d suggest popping into Sourdough Sophia for a delectable sweet indulgence in a stunningly decorated setting. I sampled a scrumptious Baileys-filled croissant and a decadent hot chocolate.

Crouch End boasts a vibrant creative energy, drawing artists, writers, musicians, and actors for generations. The ArtHouse Crouch End, situated in a former Salvation Army Hall, serves as a local cultural centre, while pubs and venues throughout the area host a dynamic blend of up-and-coming and established live music.

During a visit in early June, I stumbled upon Crouch End’s annual festival, reportedly one of the UK’s largest independent community festivals, taking place at Hornsey Town Hall in the neighbourhood’s centre.

It was established to unite local creatives and celebrate the community and the arts. I have never witnessed a neighbourhood come together so harmoniously and happily to champion and recognise their area.

A brief history of Crouch End

Crouch End began life as a modest rural settlement at the crossroads of ancient pathways, deriving its name from a wooden cross that once stood where the Clock Tower now sits.

It remained predominantly agricultural for centuries until the railway arrived in late 1867, triggering swift expansion. New housing, retail outlets and enterprises transformed the district into a flourishing Victorian suburb and, by the close of the 19th century, Hornsey’s commercial centre.

The iconic Clock Tower, still standing today, was erected in 1895 to commemorate local reformer Henry Reader Williams, symbolising Crouch End’s evolution. More than 130 years on, it remains the neighbourhood’s most recognisable landmark and the focal point of the local community.

Why is the area so hidden?

Crouch End no longer has a railway station, with no underground tube or overground trains serving it. The nearest stations are Finsbury Park, Archway, Hornsey, and Crouch Hill.

According to Ham High, “The line never quite achieved its potential in terms of passenger numbers.” They added: “In the mid-1930s, a plan was devised to incorporate the track and stations into London Underground’s Northern Line.

“Work on electrification was started but then halted early in the Second World War and subsequently abandoned. A peak-hours-only service was maintained using locomotives and rolling stock almost as old as the stations – but that simply staved off the inevitable, and Crouch End and the handful of other stations on the line closed to passenger traffic in July 1954.”

Crouch End may not be on the typical tourist trail, but those who stumble upon it tend to fall head over heels for it. American travel blogger, A Lady in London, paid the area a visit and shared: “Crouch End is one of my favourite under-the-radar London neighbourhoods.

“It has lots of independent shops and restaurants, vibrant streets, and great views of London. East of Highgate and south of the Alexandra Palace, it stays incognito partly because it’s not really on the tube.”

Yet beyond its delightful, characterful appeal, locals cherish the area for its close-knit, welcoming community spirit that looks out for one another — a quality that’s genuinely hard to come by in the capital.

Speaking to long-term resident Judith Abbs, who has called the area home for a number of years, she said: “We thought we knew Crouch End quite well before we moved here five years ago. But one wonderful surprise has been how many friendly people we meet.

“My husband is disabled, and a passing stranger often stops to ask if they can help. It really has a strong community feel.”