Holidays

The pub in Bardsey village near Leeds is believed to be Britain’s oldest pub, with 1,000-year-old stones, reported ghost sightings, and a fascinating history dating back to 905 AD

Nestled on the outskirts of Leeds is a charming village that harbours a wealth of history, often overlooked by those who stop for a pint in what’s claimed to be Britain’s oldest pub.

Bardsey is home to the legendary The Bingley Arms, reputedly Britain’s most ancient inn and pub, with the building’s stone tracing back an impressive 1000 years. Boasting a history that supposedly began as early as 905 AD, the Church Lane pub has a rich and intriguing past, including a former name unfamiliar to its current patrons.

Originally known as The Priests Inn, it reportedly served as a sanctuary for Catholic priests, monks, and others threatened by Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. However, these claims have been met with scepticism by some historians who dispute the medieval origins and trace the history back to the 18th century instead.

Inside, the pub retains much of its historical charm, exuding an authentic pub atmosphere with original oak beams and stone. It also features an inglenook fireplace and a 17th-century Dutch oven in its original location. Today, the site provides ample parking for visitors and boasts a diverse menu offering classic English pub dishes with a modern twist, using locally sourced ingredients. Outside, a spacious beer garden beckons for leisurely summer drinks, and within it stands a yew tree, believed to be older than the pub itself.

Praising what they described as a “five-star welcome”, one diner said: “The atmosphere was delightful, the staff were very warm and welcoming. Also, very, very good food. 10/10 would highly recommend to anyone in the area or passing through. Absolutely bloody lovely.”

Another customer said it was “always worth the visit”, explaining: “We visit The Bingley Arms every couple of months and are never disappointed. From the moment we walk through the door, we’re always welcomed by the lovely Kath, and it truly makes such a difference. Being treated like a friend rather than just another customer is exactly why we keep returning here instead of going elsewhere.”

Contributing to the glowing testimonials, one reviewer wrote: “Oldest Inn in England? They’ve been around long enough to know exactly what they’re doing. Outstanding food and drink! ! !” They described it as their “favourite British pub”. The establishment is believed to have a reputation for paranormal activity and ghostly encounters, which attracts visitors hoping to experience something supernatural. One person: “Warm welcome. Gorgeous food and always so welcome!”.

“In addition, what an amazingly beautiful setting. Oldest pub in England. A couple of secret priest holes and allegedly a few ghosts!”. Those interested in experiencing the historic venue firsthand can make reservations through the pub’s website, where they can secure a table within its ancient thousand year old walls.

Oystercatchers fly off as I step through stalks of storm-racked kelp for an icy dip in the winter-grey sea. Actually, the water feels unexpectedly warm, perhaps in contrast to the freezing wind. But it’s cold enough to do its job: every nerve is singing and I feel euphoric. I’m exploring the Antrim coast, which has some of the UK’s finest beaches, and proves excellent for a sustainable break – even in the stormy depths of winter.

Ballygally Castle is a great place to start and offers a Sea Dips and Hot Sips package that includes dry robes, hot-water bottles and flasks. The affordable castle, celebrating its 400th birthday this year, is perhaps Northern Ireland’s only 17th-century hotel.

The landscape outside is wild and green, but nearby Larne is well connected with a railway station and regular boats from Scotland. Getting here without flying or driving from my home in Essex involves three trains, two underground stops, two buses and a ferry (foot passengers from £38 each way, cabins from £35). It’s a surprisingly enjoyable adventure: a couple of comfortable hours by rail from London to Liverpool (advance tickets from about £20-25 each way), then a short hop to Hamilton Square and the docks. I fall asleep with a moonlit view of the Mersey and wake before sunrise over Belfast Lough, which I watch from the train window. By mid-morning, I’m on the beach with a post-swim buzz.

Inside the glowing castle are hot baths, log fires, slow-cooked Irish beef, hearty bowls of chowder and warm wheaten scones. Breakfasts include a cauldron of porridge with Waggle-Dance honey and Bushmills whiskey to add. The oldest part of the castle was built in 1625 with Scottish baronial-style turrets, pitched roof and thick stone walls pierced by musket holes.

A boggy afternoon hike takes me up windswept Sallagh Braes, a huge basalt amphitheatre crowned with rare mosses, where views stretch north over Antrim’s wooded glens and east across the sea to Scotland. The dramatic cliffs have appeared in Game of Thrones and the 2022 Viking epic The Northman. There are standing stones, crumbling sheepfolds and bronze age barrows. Mewing buzzards circle overhead and longhorns graze the moorland tussocks.

The next morning, I head 15 minutes up the coast on bus 162 to Glenarm Castle. The walled garden reopens in spring and hosts a tulip festival in early May. Ancestral seat of the earls of Antrim, Glenarm is home to the 15th earl and family. Their butler, George Lynn, who originally took the job for a couple of weeks and is still here 25 years later, runs perfectly pitched, book-ahead tours of the castle.

Exploring Glenarm village, there’s a red sandstone arch with an arrow marked Forest. Following it, I soon reach ferny riverside woods, where little waterfalls pour down through mossy banks and ivy-covered pines, while a red squirrel leaps through the leafless canopy. Heading back as a storm hits the coast at high tide, waves break right on to the bus windscreen. I decide to spend what’s left of the day inside, exploring Ballygally Castle. Through an inscribed stone doorway and up a spiral staircase, the highest room in the tallest tower is said to be haunted by Lady Isabella Shaw, imprisoned here after failing to produce a male heir.

Next day, I take the train to Portrush (via Belfast), spotting herons from the window as the train passes Ballycarry station. It’s a 20-minute walk from Ballycarry station to the exhilarating Gobbins cliff path, due to reopen early in 2026 as a newly upgraded circular route. A rainbow arcs over the fields as the Derry railway heads for the north coast.

From Northern Ireland’s oldest hotel, I’m now in one of the newest reopenings. The Portrush Adelphi hotel finished a fancy refurb in April last year. Rooms (from £152 a night) come with hexagonal juniper-laden gin miniatures from the Basalt distillery in homage to the nearby Giant’s Causeway. I stroll round town, have homemade soup and sea views at Babushka, and hop on a bus to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (£7.50/£15 for children/adults). The twice-hourly bus 402 connects Portrush with a series of attractions, including the Giant’s Causeway and the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery at Bushmills. Spectacular views of clifftop castles and long sandy beaches roll past the windows.

Salmon fishers first strung the rope bridge between cliffs, 100 feet above a roiling ocean, near Ballintoy in the mid-18th century. Strong winds mean the bridge itself is closed today and I stroll the mile-long scenic path to the viewpoint feeling secretly relieved. There’s virtually no other company on this wintry afternoon but sheep on the hillside and bright stonechats perched on the brambles.

On my last day, I walk five blustery, dramatic miles of coast path to neighbouring Portstewart, catching a late lilac sunrise over Portrush harbour. Flocks of coral-legged turnstones swirl and scamper; huge gannets plunge into the foaming white waves at 60mph. From Harry’s Shack on Portstewart Strand, it’s a 20-minute bus ride to Louise McLean’s whitewashed cottage, firelit studio and welcoming workshop in a repurposed primary-school portable building.

Louise has been making baskets for 25 years and grows 15 types of willow in her wildlife-rich garden, inspired by the coast with its “undulating curves, waves, and weaves”. A sudden downpour thunders on the metal roof as we twist brown willow strands in the cosy, candle-dotted room and Louise tells me about her new residential workshops. They’re on Rathlin, Northern Ireland’s only year-round inhabited offshore island and one of many reasons to come back. Heading off on the first bus of the journey home, my head is full of wild weather and warm welcomes.

This trip was partly provided by Tourism Ireland with accommodation provided by Ballygally Castle (doubles from £88 room-only; Sea Dips package from £155). More information at ireland.com

Gilly Bachelor has shared her experience and told other passengers to be aware of the rules

A Ryanair passenger has shared her story after getting a fine over her suitcase. Gilly Bachelor said she was heading from Birmingham Airport to Malaga in Spain when her travel plans suddenly became £75 more expensive. The travel agency owner said she was boarding the plan when staff put her cabin bag into the baggage sizer.

The 55 year old claimed it was just her bag’s wheels poking out of the sizer, but alleged she was told it would cost her £75 to bring the bag on board on top of the £125 she had already reportedly paid for priority tickets and two cabin bag options.

She said: “I’ve taken that bag on lots of flights with no problem, just not Ryanair. As we were boarding, a gentleman was checking all the bags.

“They put it in the sizer, and the issue was with the wheels, and that it was slightly too wide. I travel a lot myself, so I’m usually pretty relaxed, and clearly this caught me out this time.”

The Cannock resident described the episode as “stressful”, but claimed she wasn’t the only one facing this issue on her flight. She claimed at least 20 people on her aircraft were pulled aside and fined as a member of staff checked every bag in the sizer as passengers boarded.

She added: “Ryanair is a very low-cost airline, so they operate to tight margins and will generate extra revenue wherever they can.”

Ryanair guidances notes: “Our overhead lockers can only fit 100 bags so we measure bags at the gate to make sure you are bringing the right size bag in order for us to make sure we can get all 100 bags on board.”

Gilly continued: “Ryanair gets a lot of criticism, but the rules are clear and easy to follow.

“I used them outbound because the timing worked, but flew home with easyJet and my bag was fully compliant, as it would have been with Jet2.”

The travel expert urged people to double check the regulations with the specific airline they’re using to avoid finding themselves in a predicament. She said: “My advice is to check the size rules carefully and invest in a compliant bag. It’s much less stressful than being caught at the gate and paying a fine.”

Ryanair has been approached for comment.

A HUGE power outage has caused severe delays and flight diversions at a major UK airport.

Birmingham Airport has had to halt all arrivals and delay flights, effecting many travellers and tourists.

The National Air Traffic Service has apologised for the disruption explaining that poor weather conditions caused the power outage.

This comes after Storm Goretti has brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning from the Met Office for “dangerous, stormy” winds earlier this week.

Engineers are said to be working with the national grid to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.

Only departing planes are allowed to fly from the airport, while inbound flights have been suspended and diverted to other airports.

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Multiple flights have been diverted to East Midlands Airport and Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport.

Twelve lights have been delayed and nine flights either cancelled or diverted with several flights delayed for over four hours.

A spokesperson said: “Due to a technical issue with NATS’ radar that serves Birmingham Airport, only departing flights are currently operating, with some delays.

“All arriving flights are currently suspended.

“We apologise for the delay to customers, and we are working closely with NATS to rectify the issue.”

EXTREME cold has grounded numerous flights and left thousands of tourists stranded in Lapland.

Temperatures have reached a staggering -35C at Finland’s Kittila airport causing flights to London, Bristol, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam to be cancelled.

During winter months, travellers head to northern Finland to enjoy the snowy wonderland and marvel at the aurora.

But following severe sub zero temperatures, tourists have been forced to stay put in the Artic region.

These freezing conditions make it difficult to de-ice planes – an important process to ensure the aircraft is safe to fly.

It can also cause refuelling and maintenance equipment to freeze on the ground prior to taking off.

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Lapland’s weather is expected to get even colder tomorrow with Finland’s meteorological agency predicting temperatures of -39C.

This is a particularly harsh winter for the area which usually experiences an average winter temperature of -14C with only occasional dips to -30C.

For tourists staying in nearby ski resorts, Kittila airport is the nearest commercial air station.

And for those wanting to visit Santa Claus’ home, an inbound flight to Rovaniemi will get you the closest according to local folklore.

Flights were cancelled in and out of Kittila on Friday and Saturday, with one flight out of Rovaniemi cancelled on Sunday.

Finland’s airport operator, Finavia, told Finnish broadcasting company Yle that moisture in the air was exacerbating the situation by creating slippery frost.

This has also made roads dangerous with Fintraffic, the country’s traffic control service, warning of icy conditions in the region.

A bus full of Ukrainian passengers crashed into a ditch this morning, but thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.

The uncharacteristically cold weather is a result of a storm that’s passing over norther Europe, which has caused temperatures to drop and travel disruptions in France, Germany, and the UK.

Brits are dealing with the dire effects of storm Goretti, with fallen trees crushing houses and cars, and road vehicles facing treacherous conditions.

Police said a man in his 50s was found dead in a caravan after a tree fell on to the vehicle in Helston, Cornwall.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday evening and work took place on Friday to remove the tree.

The Met Office have issued an amber warning for more snow, adding there is a risk of heavy rain, strong winds and flooding.

It comes after the storm brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning for “dangerous, stormy” winds in the South West was issued by forecasters earlier this week.

Millions of people take advantage of Ryanair’s low-cost flights every year, with many falling foul of the airline’s baggage policies

A Ryanair passenger has claimed she’s been hit with a £75 after the wheels of her suitcase poked out of the airline’s bag sizer despite having paid extra to bring it on board.

The incident occurred when Gilly Bachelor was flying from Birmingham Airport to Malaga in Spain and was halted at the boarding gate.

The 55-year-old expressed that she was informed she couldn’t carry the bag onboard even though she had paid for both priority and two cabin bags options. Gilly alleges that she was charged an additional £75 to bring the bag onboard, over and above the £125 flight cost, during this “stressful” encounter.

“I’ve taken that bag on lots of flights with no problem, just not Ryanair,” Gilly, hailing from Brewood, near Cannock, Staffs, shared with Luxury Travel Daily.

“As we were boarding, a gentleman was checking all the bags. They put it in the sizer, and the issue was with the wheels, and that it was slightly too wide. I travel a lot myself, so I’m usually pretty relaxed, and clearly this caught me out this time.”

Gilly, who owns a travel agency, alleges that a staff member was inspecting every bag as passengers boarded the plane, with at least 20 being singled out and fined. She added: “Ryanair is a very low-cost airline, so they operate to tight margins and will generate extra revenue wherever they can.

“I also heard that Ryanair staff receive an incentive for every bag they flag as oversized.

“I checked, and it’s true, but it’s only a small portion of the fine.

“Even so, it’s clearly enough to keep staff vigilant and enforce the rules strictly.

“At least 20 people were caught out.

“Ryanair gets a lot of criticism, but the rules are clear and easy to follow.

“I used them outbound because the timing worked, but flew home with easyJet and my bag was fully compliant, as it would have been with Jet2.”

Gilly offered some advice: “My advice is to check the size rules carefully and invest in a compliant bag. It’s much less stressful than being caught at the gate and paying a fine.”

Ryanair has been contacted by The Mirror for a statement.

Tom Parker Bowles tests the budget hotel chain that just beat Premier Inn in Which? rankings, finding ‘astonishing value’ at £58 per night despite some surprising flaws

Queen Camilla’s son has experienced some of Britain’s most swanky hotels, but now he’s put a Wetherspoon establishment to the test.

The budget pub chain has been a firm favourite among millions of Brits for years, and has recently broadened its offering to include 56 hotels dotted around the UK.

Wetherspoon has just overtaken Premier Inn in a Which? survey of chain hotels, with the consumer watchdog now hailing it as offering “great value” accommodation.

Following such high praise, food writer Tom Parker Bowles – one of Queen Camilla’s two children – decided to experience a Wetherspoon hotel first-hand during a stay at The Hatchet Inn in Newbury, Berkshire, reports the Express.

Despite confessing he’s usually a “five star bore”, Tom admitted he was genuinely impressed by what £58 per night delivered.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, he praised numerous aspects of his accommodation, highlighting a “sparkling clean” bathroom, generously-sized towels, a shower boasting excellent water pressure, and reliable Wi-Fi.

He notes: “I’ve stayed in far worse places, for three times the price.”

However, it wasn’t entirely plain sailing for Tom. He pointed out that the bed, which could be larger, is positioned directly above the pub’s entrance, meaning he attempted to drift off whilst the venue ejected customers at approximately 1am.

A few hours later, he was rudely awakened by the noise of an extremely early marketing meeting taking place nearby. He also noted that the shower floods if you linger too long, and the extractor fan roars like an “angry chainsaw”.

Despite these niggles, he concluded: “But for £58, it feels churlish to complain. Astonishing value, of course, made better by its proximity to the pub.”

The overwhelming majority of these hotels are located directly above existing pubs run by Britain’s largest pub operator.

Tom observed how drinkers in the pubs were enjoying Worthington’s for just £2 a pint and jugs of Pornstar Martini cocktails for under a tenner. He noted: “Say what you like about Wetherspoons, you can’t beat those prices.

“God, I love a Wetherspoon’s, not in some trite, archly ironic way – rather for providing cheap beer, bottomless coffee, warmth and no-nonsense succour to great swathes of the British public.”

This comes after a couple revealed their experience staying at a Wetherspoon hotel, where they instantly spotted something peculiar.

YouTube content creators Ash and Kels, who’ve travelled to 65 countries worldwide, had never before checked into one of the budget pub chain’s accommodation offerings. In fact, Ash confessed that until recently, they had no idea Wetherspoon even ran hotels across the country.

This discovery led them to book a room at their closest branch, The Wyndham Arms in Bridgend, Wales. Upon arrival at the venue, they observed the pub was “really busy” before picking up their keycard for the room upstairs.

Stepping away from the bustling pub environment, the pair were pleasantly taken aback by what they found. Ash observed: “Straight away the noise of the pub has gone.”

FOR A holiday that will create amazing memories – while still being kind to your bank balance – you can’t go wrong with camping.

While the thought of snoozing in a tent may conjure up memories of soggy, nondescript fields, it’s all about location.

Around the UK – from Wales to Cornwall – there are some truly stunning camping spots with breathtaking views.

Set up at one of these and you’ll be grateful you never bothered stepping on a plane…

Porth Iago Campsite, Wales

This idyllic ocean-front camping spot nestled in north Wales is the dream.

The site overlooks Port Iago’s white sand beach and blue seas, which sits on the Llŷn Peninsula.

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Further still, this has been declared Wales’ ‘best wild camping beach’ by Lonely Planet.

Guests can either pre-book their spot at the campsite in advance, or you can pay on arrival with cash or card.

However, be warned that numbers are capped in order to prevent it becoming too overcrowded.

From its clifftop position, you can enjoy an evening picnic with a front row view of dramatic west-facing sunsets.

For an active holiday, there’s plenty of opportunity to swim and paddleboard down by the sea.

The beach then makes the perfect place to relax, with its cove-like shape providing shelter from the wind.

Better still? It’s sometimes possible to see dolphins swimming in the sea surrounding the bay.

It also isn’t far from the popular seaside village of Abersoch, which is on hand for shops, restaurants and watersports.

Pitches start from £20 a night, with day passes for £5.

Delamont Country Park Campsite, Belfast

This campsite is in Northern Ireland‘s County Down, within an hour’s drive of Belfast.

It is located in a beautiful country park, covering 200 acres, with stunning views from Strangford Lough to the Mourne Mountains.

The campsite has an electricity supply to pitches, on-site showers and wifi access.

It is possible to pay for your spot with card, and it’s best to try book in advance if you can.

Its USP is the incredible country walks that begin just metres away from the doors of your tent.

Ranging from 1km to 7km in distance, you can stroll along the shores of Strangford Lough and take in the nearby woodland’s wildlife.

Tired of walking? It is also possible to go horse riding through the country park or cycle around on two wheels.

You can bring your dogs with you into the country park, but they’ll need to stay on the lead.

Don’t miss the Strangford Stone, which is the tallest megalith in Northern Ireland. 

Pitches start from £11 per night.

Higher Pentreath Campsite, Cornwall

The family-run Cornish camping spot has been happily hosting visitors since the 1950s.

It is located slightly inland, on a farm in the south of Cornwall, but is very close to the south coast.

Indeed, the site is a short walk from Praa Sands, a popular surfing beach in the county.

It is a spot with some of the longest hours of sunshine to be found in the UK.

What’s more, is all well positioned for exploring the likes of Helston, the Lizard Peninsula, Porthleven, Marazion and Penzance.

The price of an electric pitch – for up to four people – is £35.99, while it’s £25.99 for a non-electric pitch.

They welcome families, couples and groups for the same cost all year round, with no hikes during peak season.

From the campsite, it is possible to access the coastal footpath and enjoy the picturesque rugged scenery.

Additionally, you’ll find an abundance of wildflowers and birds as you wander.

Pitches start from £25.99 per night.

Top of the Woods Campsite, Pembrokeshire

For a more luxurious camping experience with a view, head to this eco-camping spot by the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Its 27 acres are surrounded by ancient Welsh woodlands, cascading waterfalls and wild beaches.

You can stay in spacious meadow pitches, or if you’d rather upgrade your experience then there are several more homely options.

These include ‘Safari Lodges’, ‘Nature Domes’ or ‘Pioneer Camps’ for star-gazing with a difference.

The ‘glamping‘ options come with self-catering amenities, cosy wood burners, BBQ as well as fire pits and comfy bedding.

The all-inclusive isn’t just for Spain – the campsite’s ‘holiday packages’ include river treks or electric bike explorations with delicious food too.

You can also order wood-fired pizza and on-site activities, including watching a film in the ‘Barn Cinema’.

However, further afield, it’s within the vicinity of Newgale Beach – offering easy access to stunning coastlines and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

You can also drive to St Davids Cathedral, situated in Britain’s smallest city near the most westerly point of Wales.

It is likwise close to the charming village of Solva, which has a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Pitches start from £36 per night.

Fidden Farm Campsite, Scotland

This rural spot, on the Isle of Mull – which lies off the west coast of Scotland – offers breathtaking views of the Inner Hebrides. 

It’s just a short walk from Fidden Bay, a beautiful sandy beach ideal for swimming and relaxing. 

The area is packed with wildlife – including eagles, otters, seals and dolphins – making it perfect for nature lovers. 

Need to unwind? The campsite provides a peaceful, secluded atmosphere that’s perfect for those seeking a tranquil escape. 

It’s also a great base for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and cycling – with many scenic trails nearby.

The waters around Mull are also great for kayaking or paddleboarding if you’re into watersports.

Similarly, it’s an excellent spot for stargazing due to its clear skies and lack of light pollution.

In fact, you can even see the Milky Way from your tent on a clear night.

You can likewise easily explore other parts of Mull – including Duart Castle and Tobermory – or take ferry trips to nearby islands. 

The site, of course, offers essential amenities like toilets, showers and a small shop for necessities.

Pitches start from £12pp a night.

GLIMMERS of light are much needed in gloomy January.

But to feel brighter in the bleakest months, the Lanterns Of The Wild light trail at Twycross Zoo, in Leicestershire, will bring a little sparkle to your day

Dazzling until February 22, more than 2,000 lanterns have been strung along a mile-long walking trail.

Keen to check out this slice of winter magic, I visited with my husband Simon and sons Wilf, eight, and Jasper, six.

We were blown away by the epic-scale of the attraction, where every step is a jolt of joy.

As someone who has dragged their little ones to illuminations around the country: this is the best.

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You start at a gathering of cosy food and drink stalls, stocked with churros, mulled wine and chips with jumbo pigs in blankets.

Beginning the walk, through a canopy of trees lit with sparkling lights, we were instantly surrounded by jewel hued lantern animals and fauna.

The scope of the attraction is no mean feat, as there are over 500 species of animals and plants depicted.

Rounding the corner we are in the first of ten zones: The Gruffalo Wood and see lanterns inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved book.

Seeing the wonder on the boys’ faces was up there as one of my top parenting moments.

The lanterns are a work of art, they took 99,000 hours to create and use 25,000 bulbs.

They were crafted on site and hand-painted by more than 30 Chinese craftsmen from Zigong, the lantern capital of China.

My husband wasn’t convinced walking around “some lights” on a night where the thermometer didn’t hit 5C was a great idea.

But he was a quick convert to the magic, especially a field of Van Gogh-inspired sunflowers crafted from lanterns.

From here we head into The North American Wilds followed by Polar Realms zones, filled with lit-up installations of wolves, bears and a gigantic Mount Rushmore installation.

We warmed back up with hot drinks at the festive warmers tent half way through the walk then continued to more themed zones, which were increasingly spectacular.

We all agreed the best was the Tropical Reef, where the path wound round mesmerising jellyfish suspended in boughs of trees and a stunning shoal of fish, seemingly hovering in thin air while turtles and their babies flank you on all sides.

As we crossed the last zone, African Savannah – teeming with lit up crocs and other beasts, my hard-to-impress eight-year-old turned to me with eyes shining and proclaimed the evening had been a ten out of ten.

If you’re looking for a beacon of happiness in the coldest months, Lanterns Of The Wild is the place to get yourself illuminated.

Great Yarmouth was among the lowest-scoring seaside towns in Which? Travel’s 2025 rankings – but some believe there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the Norfolk resort

If you’re considering investing in UK property, you might think your best bet is a swanky London pad or a home in a leafy commuter belt suburb. However, Great Yarmouth could unexpectedly be the next big thing for property seekers – despite locals lamenting that its high street is “dead” and crying out for investment.

The renowned East Anglian seaside resort ranked low in Which? Travel’s 2025 seaside town ratings. And locals have expressed their disappointment at how the town has “gone downhill” after shops closed and once-thriving attractions dwindled.

“No one wants to come to Yarmouth,” 39-year-old Nicky Harwood, who runs The Market Cobbler, admits. “What does Yarmouth offer now?”. However, some are optimistic about a potential revival – and one business leader believes there’s a “huge opportunity” for prospective homeowners to snap up affordable properties now, the Express reports.

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Critiques of Yarmouth begin even before sun-seeking tourists reach its sandy shores. The main access route is the dreaded A47 Acle Straight – a lengthy single-carriageway road notorious for its horrendous traffic jams, particularly during the peak summer season. Asa Morrison, chief executive of Visit Great Yarmouth, said: “Historically, it used to be quite hard to get into Yarmouth in the summer months, and even worse, it would take them a long time to get out.”

The £121million Herring Bridge, which opened its gates in February 2024, has provided some relief from the maddening traffic jams. However, Martin Bayfield, 43, who was visiting Yarmouth with his mother Bonnie, 70, from Lowestoft, remarked: “The bridge is fantastic but 20 years too late. A lot of industry could’ve been saved if it had been done 20 years ago.”

The town’s downturn in recent decades is deeply felt by residents, with Yarmouth weathering several economic storms. Ian Handley, publican of The Coachmakers Arms on the corner of Market Place, explained: “The market used to come down to this corner. It used to be packed with stalls. People used to go up here at 1-2am, waiting for an empty pitch. It was a proper market town. It’s just like every market town, died a death.”

And Susan Colville, landlady at the Coachmakers, lamented: “There’s not a lot of trade here any more. We’ve lost all our shops.” The finger of blame is often pointed at out-of-town shopping developments, particularly the Gapton Hall Shopping Centre on Yarmouth’s fringes.

Rene Iliff, 70, a Great Yarmouth local, observed: “This town has gone downhill, certainly in the last 10 years. One of the main issues is that all of the main shops are out of the town centre. It has killed the town centre.”

Paul Hodgson, who runs Tombstone Brewery and Saloon Bar, insisted the high street “needs a major investment”. He continued: “It needs to bring businesses back into town. The town centre is dead. You can walk up to the town centre at night, there won’t be anyone about apart from groups of young men.

“They’ve moved everything out of town. So people just follow the big shops and places out of town. They’ve got to reinvigorate the high streets. I don’t think they’ll do that unless they get big businesses coming back to the high streets, so people will go there to visit those stores.”

And Yarmouth resident Patricia Beutler added: “Although they’ve improved it quite a bit, when we go to other seaside towns, which have also been rundown in the past, we notice that they’ve come on leaps and bounds. I say to them every time, Yarmouth could learn a lesson or two.”

Her husband Konrad Beutler, vice-chairman of East Norfolk Campaign for Real Ale, reckons the town is “crying out for a Primark”. He added: “Yarmouth hasn’t got the footfall for retail. The retail is not here any more.” Yet whilst Yarmouth needs investment, he insists it “deserves more” and that locals should champion the town.

“I think anywhere that’s got deprivation does need lifting up,” he argued. “Whether this current Government will find the funds to do it is another matter. There is an element of deprivation, but that’s no different to where I was brought up in Surbiton or even affluent parts of London. There are elements of deprivation there as well. It’s possibly a bit more visible here, because it’s a small area.” Discussing plans to improve Yarmouth, he said: “The community, the people themselves, have to share in it. They have to buy into that.”

Hopes are high that the £16.3million transformation of Great Yarmouth’s historic Winter Gardens – the UK’s last surviving Victorian seaside glasshouse, shuttered for 18 years – will breathe new life into the area near the famous Pleasure Beach. Crucially, it will provide visitors with shelter when the weather turns, making Yarmouth an attractive destination even in poor conditions.

“It’s the regeneration of what will be a beautiful building, restored back to its former glory on the seafront,” said Mr Morrison. “It’s a pretty Victorian building in its own right. It gives us a significant additional wet weather coverage, which is always good for the seafront. On the East Coast, when it’s cold, wet and windy, it’s really cold, wet and windy.”

However, the greatest economic boost for struggling Yarmouth may not come from new retail outlets or a revitalised town centre, but from miles offshore, deep in the North Sea. The East Coast is emerging as a major hub for offshore renewable energy, with numerous wind turbines now visible from the beach.

This is generating thousands of highly skilled, technical, well-paid positions – and Jack Weaver, chief operating officer for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, believes it makes Yarmouth an excellent place to purchase property. “The amount of investment in offshore renewables and the energy transition in the North Sea coastline, whether it’s the Humber down to Essex, is colossal,” he explained.

“And I think what’s really exciting about communities like Great Yarmouth is how that starts to kind of wash out into the community – and we haven’t quite seen it yet. If I had the money to invest in property, I’d probably be buying stuff on the coast in those communities right now, somewhere like Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft or Gorleston. I would be buying property in those places, because I think that’s a huge opportunity. The challenge is, the starting point is more deprived than everywhere else.”

It would certainly need a significant transformation in Yarmouth’s economic landscape. Much of its trade is seasonal, with workers grafting around the clock to serve holidaymakers in summer but left jobless come winter. Alex Capon, a lifelong Great Yarmouth resident, reckons that coastal living surrounded by nature beats city life hands down. “It’s just quite a nice pace of life, not too hectic,” he said. However, he believes Yarmouth “needs investment in infrastructure”, adding: “That’s been the main problem for years. It’s hard because the economy is not great here.”

Yet the town’s resilience despite economic struggles proves that Yarmouth perhaps possesses the most crucial thing of all – a spirit and stubborn determination that few can rival. Ricky Jeffs, 47, a property landlord living in Yarmouth, describes the atmosphere: “In the afternoons, it’s a bit like Benidorm. It’s nice. There are a lot of retired people here, and many of them enjoy a drink in the afternoon. They also play bingo and sing karaoke. It is retired people generally or people who are roofers who’ve worked since 6am and enjoy coming out.”

Mr Morrison promotes Yarmouth as a “wonderful mix” of attractions and accommodation. “Yarmouth doesn’t pretend to be anything, but it is a seaside resort, with lots and lots to do, particularly in the summer months,” he explained. He highlighted the “significant loyalty” amongst visitors, with multiple generations from the same families making the annual pilgrimage to Yarmouth’s seafront.

Should the green energy revolution truly gather momentum, the town could transform into more than just a holiday destination for thousands – breathing new life into its prospects once again.

IF you’re going to forget to pack something as basic as a T-shirt, it helps to do it on a trip where you will be spending most of your day in a spa robe.

I’m rolling my eyes at my other half as he stares haplessly into his suitcase but I do understand — the stress of parenting four kids, with another on the way, means both of us are fairly frazzled after a busy festive season.

So what better way to get some January wellness than at a Tuscan retreat where we can snatch a precious few moments to ourselves to relax.

The luxury Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa & Golf Resort in Manciano is so dedicated to relaxation that they ask you to stay wearing the hotel’s dressing gown and sliders all day and only smarten up for dinner.

It is one of the country’s top wellness destinations but any fears it would be all quinoa and minuscule bites of raw food were short lived.

This is a spa for busy people who want to chill out quickly, as most only stay for three days.

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So whatever you want, goes.

Fancy a steak? Done. A few beers? No problem. Five courses instead of three? You’ve got it, whether that’s tender meat or bread dipped in local olive oil.

But the main event is the natural hot-spring pool at the heart of the complex, which is honestly magnificent.

Water flows into it from an underground thermal spring at 500 litres per second, and a steady 37.5C.

Think of a steaming hot-tub half the size of a football pitch and you won’t be far off.

The pool is about four metres deep — so while a few industrious types do lengths, most guests grab a noodle and float in the mineral-rich water.

Then they get out when they feel too warm . . . and repeat.

All day.

But you can mix things up, too. There’s an 18-hole golf course, electric bike hire and tennis courts.

There are also programmes for detoxing or mindfulness, where you get a set series of activities and food, if you want a more structured approach.

Our jam was more the spa, which has a magnificent menu of high-end treatments to choose from.

I had an anti-ageing facial and found 80 minutes of being massaged, doused in serum and buzzed with suction machines helped me look a lot less knackered.

Dan had a detox mud treatment on his legs which was just as good — the spa treats the thermal mud itself, using plankton from the spring.

This is supposed to ease inflammation and, as Dan is a builder who suffers a lot of aches and pains, it was ideal.

But if you don’t fancy a spa treatment, the minerals in the water give your skin a glow and will zap any dryness anyway.

For a change of pace, is also worth taking a five-minute walk outside the resort to the Cascate del Mulino, a series of waterfalls that are over 3,000 years old and free to visit.

The cascades might already be on your bucket list — the beautiful blue pools have been all over my Instagram feed — but I had no idea they would be on our doorstep, until we stumbled across them.

Flocks of flamingos

Back at the resort, it’s all about five-star luxury — and so, of course, the rooms are stunning.

Our suite, with luxury bathroom, bedroom and living area even featured our own courtyard.

Whether it was the hot spring or how quiet and dark the room was, I had the best sleep I’d managed in months.

The spa also prides itself on its food. There are three restaurants — including the fabulous 1919, which serves up fine dining meat and fish.

This restaurant is the one to pick if you want a romantic date because it overlooks the pool. There, we had the best ravioli we’ve ever tasted.

The Golf Club also has a restaurant, with a smaller menu — think dishes such as grilled meat and soup.

But the real selling point here is the view — you can see for miles over the rolling Tuscan countryside.

There is also a pizzeria which is relatively new and offers the Italian staples — but sadly no pasta, I was slightly disappointed to find.

Terme di Saturnia is nestled deep in Tuscany, so getting to it feels like an adventure.

We flew to Rome and got a series of trains — feeling quite smug that we didn’t get lost — then a car for the final leg.

We tried a couple of different routes but found driving to Orbetello, around 45 minutes away, the easiest.

For more freedom to explore, hiring a car from Rome’s airports would cut down the journey time.

The area is home to one of the few natural flocks of flamingos in Italy — and were lucky enough to see one flying right by the train on the way down.

Hopefully we’ll spot another when we go back — which is the plan.

THE MOST we’d usually expect from a hotel is a good night’s sleep – however, at some UK spots, you’re in store for far more.

From Harry Potter to wine, there are numerous themed spots around the country for an overnight stay that you will always remember.

Because, while many hotels are intended primarily as places to rest, there’s no reason they can’t also be the destination in and of themselves.

For a check-in with a difference, book into these stays where it’s all in the detail…

Harry Potter: Georgian House Hotel, London

Fancy stepping inside a truly magical world? Potterheads will feel right at home in London‘s Georgian House Hotel.

It is suitably hidden away in a charming 19th-century Pimlico townhouse that is Grade II listed, where no two rooms are alike.

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Each unique space features details such as stained glass windows, stone walls, archways, tapestries, trunks, wood-burning stoves and cauldrons.

In the suites, the mysteriousness and gothic decor is added to with four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains.

However, it’s not just the dreamy sleep that awaits, but other Harry Potter-themed experiences too.

The hotel hosts a wizarding afternoon tea, held in a ‘Wizard Chamber’, through a portrait-lined and candlelit passageway on the lower ground floor.

You will enjoy a ‘spellbindingly delicious’ three courses of sweet and savoury delights, secret desserts and some ‘fantastical’ treats to take with you.

Accompanying the ‘bewitching’ experience is a ‘wizard potion’ – or a colour-changing gin – for the ultimate ‘feast’.

They hotel also provides a separate ‘potion-making adventure’ in which you can mix and match to create your very own cocktails.

They recommend between 20 to 30 minutes for the experience – so you can be well on your way to enjoy the many other Harry Potter sites to see in the capital.

Wine: The Vineyard, Newbury

If you know your Sauvignon Blanc from your Pinot Grigio, then The Vineyard in Newbury, Berkshire is the place for you.

The five-star hotel and spa is an incredible wine destination, that will allow you to sip on some of the best bottles in fitting surroundings.

Around an hour from London, it is a stunning rural retreat to escape to.

The 2,000-bottle wine cellar is called upon to complement the world-class cuisine served at the on-site restaurant.

Staff are trained to know the perfect pairings to accompany the locally sourced and seasonal dishes.

If you’re feeling like treating yourself, then there’s a £115 tasting menu with an £85 wine pairing of varieties to go with each of the seven courses.

However, it’s not all about the wine – there’s an impressive spa in which to unwind too.

Rejuvenating treatments on the menu include the ‘Sicilian Scrub’ and ‘Muscle Melt Back Treatment’.

After all that drinking and relaxing, you can be certain that you’ll be able to rest up well at night too.

Many of the bedrooms feature stunning views and comfy furnishings that will allow you to truly soak up the atmosphere.

Music: Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton

For the ultimate romantic gift for the music-lover in your life, take them on an immersive getaway to the southcoast.

The Hotel Pelirocco in Brighton welcomes you in with bright pink hallways featuring Britpop album covers.

However the USP is the 19 individually themed rock n’ roll bedrooms to choose from.

They are spread out across two historic Regency townhouses that are situated on the city’s seafront.

The ‘Soul Supreme’ room is Motown inspired, with old vinyl and a record deck.

There’s also the ‘Pressure Sounds’ room – a dub and reggae-themed enclave with Lee “Scratch” Perry wallpaper and Caribbean accents.

In the room ‘Rebel Rebel’, the hotel pays homage to David Bowie with a double spa bath and dressing up rail.

Since opening its doors in 2000, the hotel has played host to a range of events.

As well as a romantic getaway – maybe for an anniversary or birthday – you can also book in for hen parties and wedding receptions.

While you could spend all your stay enjoying the decor, the hotel is minutes from both the i360 observation tower and the Lanes shopping area.

Films: Arthouse Hotel, Liverpool

Check into Liverpool‘s city centre for a stay that will quite literally make you feel like you’re in a movie.

The Arthouse Hotel features clever designs across its 29 individually themed rooms that are intended for groups and sleep four or six people each.

However, forget modern movies, these are inspired by the best Hollywood classics.

They include the Stage Fright room, based off the Hitchcock Film, that comes with a plush double bed and whirlpool bath.

There’s also the My Fair Lady room with elegant decor that reflects the film starring Audrey Hepburn.

Additionally, the Sound Of Music room, inspired by the musical starring Julie Andrews, comes with a large screen TV and a kitchenette.

Given the potential for groups to stay together in one suite, the hotel is the perfect base for a fun getaway.

It helps that it is located a short walk to many of the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Albert Docks, Liver Building and the Tate Liverpool.

Additionally, the bars and clubs are also very close by, so you can make the most of the vibrant nightlife.

The adventure can even continue for film fans – with Harry Potter’s Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, The Batman and Captain America using the local striking architecture to shoot.

Chocolate: The Chocolate Box Hotel, Bournemouth

You’re in for a sweet time at this chocolate-obsessed hotel on the southcoast.

The Chocolate Box Hotel, that’s a five minute-walk to both Bournemouth‘s city centre and beach, has taken an authentic approach.

Indeed, the bedrooms have been decorated using hues that are reminiscent of a box of chocolates – including browns and purples.

If it’s a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary, then there are several delicious in-room packages to choose from.

These include the ‘Romantic Night In Package’, featuring a bottle of cava and six chocolate-covered strawberries for £39 each.

Then there’s ‘The Box Romantic Package’, offering a bottle of cava, a bunch of flowers, petals on the bed and a chocolate fountain for £110 each.

However, while the focus may be on chocolate, the hotel ensures it doesn’t scrimp in other areas.

This includes flat screen TVs and all the other tech to be expected in a boutique B&B.

Where possible, king and super king-sized beds have been installed with memory foam toppers.

The location also makes it an excellent base for visiting the best of Dorset, including the coastline and seafood restaurants.

Spooky: The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh

Keen for an overnight stay that may or may not leave you haunted? This hotel in the centre of the Scottish capital is the real deal.

The Witchery by the Castle is housed in a collection of historic buildings dating back to 1595, at the gates of Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile.

Its name comes from the hundreds of women and men burned at the stake as ‘witches’ on adjacent Castlehill during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

It is thought that more witches were put to death at this location during the reign of King James VI than anywhere else in Scotland.

The hotel itself opened its doors five decades ago, and its decor will transport you back to a bygone era.

Despite its spooky credentials, the nine unique bedroom suites are focused on romance – with four-poster beds and roll-top baths intended for two.

Bedrooms come with suitably mysterious names, including The Vestry and The Library.

In the atmospheric dining rooms, an a la carte restaurant menu is served all day.

You can enjoy Glenfeshie Estate red deer or even some haggis, for an authentic taste of Scotland.

Keen to stretch your legs? You’re also close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse which has also seen its fair share of grisly history.

Trains: The Old Railway Station, Petworth

For those with a passion for trains, this hotel in the South Downs area of natural beauty couldn’t be more perfect.

The Old Railway Station hotel is located in the former Petworth Railway Station, built in 1892.

Guests can stay in the lovingly converted Pullman railway carriages or in the main Station House itself. 

They have just ten rooms in total – eight in the former and two in the latter.

All rooms are en-suite, with TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, and come with breakfast. 

You can also dine on delicious food in the 1906 Pullman Carriage called Princess Ena.

They serve legendary afternoon tea in The Waiting Room, where you can tuck into unlimited tea and coffee along with a selection of sandwiches, savouries, scones and cakes.

Periodically, the West Sussex hotel holds special events – including a Murder Mystery Dinner.

While the decor is so comfy that you won’t want to leave, it is well-situated for other points of interest too.

This includes Goodwood for racing, Midhurst for polo at Cowdray Park and the numerous antique shops of Petworth. 

Sherlock: Holmes Hotel, London

Since being created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes has built quite the fanbase.

The Holmes Hotel is housed in restored Georgian buildings dating back to the 1790s.

Located in quaint Marylebone, it is inspired by Baker Street’s most famous fictional local.

Through the decor – including in the 118 guest rooms and luxurious loft suites – the detective’s personality can be spied.

There’s also a cosy lounge and calm library, as well as ten meeting spaces and a gym.

At the hotel, fittingly, it’s all in the detail – with a mix of antiques, curiosities and artefacts on display.

Bedrooms are also stocked with products from the prestigious brands Gilchrist & Soames and Molton Brown.

Just as Sherlock would, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore in this corner of London.

The nearby streets are filled with high-end fashion boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

There is also Selfridges, Regent’s Park and The Wallace Collection within an easy stroll.

Pirate: Legoland Windsor Resort, Berkshire

Have pirate-obsessed little ones to treat? the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel is the ultimate family sleepover destination.

It is located at the heart of LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, in Berkshire, which is one of the UK’s much-loved theme parks.

The fun begins at the dragon-guarded entrance, and there are interactive LEGO features throughout the hotel.

This includes fully-themed bedrooms – including the Premium Pirate Room and Premium Adventure Room.

Your kids can enjoy an in-room treasure hunt, where they can try to find clues for the combination to the safe.

The rooms also have a bucket of LEGO bricks in the room so they can build their own creations.

Additionally, there is a brightly coloured pirate-themed indoor swimming pool.

All stays include a free hot breakfast at the on-site Bricks Family Restaurant so you can all power up for the day ahead.

The best bit? Guests staying on an official LEGOLAND ‘short break’ get their theme park tickets included.

Additionally, you can get access to exclusive early ride times in the theme park from 9.30am.

WHOEVER suggested hibernating in winter hasn’t spent whole days inside with young kids, but as it happens, January and February can be a great time of year to treat the family to a budget day out.

Drizzly winter weather often means lower prices at top attractions, and there are plenty of exciting deals from now until spring. To prove rainy days don’t have to drain your bank account – we’ve hunted down the best bargain days out for families to enjoy in the wetter weather.

Plus, with February half term just around the corner, it’s best to plan ahead and pre-book your family days out – and secure these bargains whilst you can.

Read on for our pick of the best winter days out…

Theme parks and attractions

1. 50 per cent off Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland Windsor Resort are offering some great deals ahead of the February half term, with half price tickets available when you book online.

Tickets can cost as little as £32 pp when booked in advance, saving you 50% on the walk up price.

Add on the adventure golf package for an extra £2 to save £42 pp on your trip to Legoland.

If you’ve got little ones under 90cm in height, they can enter for free.

The attraction is also offering “Brick Days” deals from 14 – 23 February.

These are days throughout the February half term packed with extra activities, specific weather-proof rides and meet and greets.

You can book a Brick Days deal online from £32pp, saving 53% when booked ahead.

2. Gulliver’s Kingdom family deal

Over at Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park in Matlock Bath, a family of four (with children aged 2-13) can visit for £39.

The deal comes courtesy of Wowcher, where families can save 61% off the original price of £99.

The family ticket is sold as a voucher, with flexible booking dates including 2026 school holiday availability.

There are also family vouchers for four available for £49 at the Warrington and Rother Valley locations.

3. Two thirds off at Chessington World of Adventures

Similarly, day tickets to Chessington World of Adventures have been slashed by two thirds during the February half term.

When prebooking online, tickets are available from just £22pp instead of £66pp.

A day ticket to Chessington includes entry to the theme park, zoo and SEA LIFE aquarium – that’s three attractions for just over twenty quid.

The same rule applies with those under 90cm being allowed in for free.

There’s even a short break deal from £32pp, meaning that you can stay overnight for the price of a regular day ticket.

And if it does get a bit chilly outside, Chessington has plenty of indoor attractions for you to explore.

There’s colourful soft play in the Dragon’s Playhouse, a walk-through tunnel in the indoor aquarium, and the Savannah Splash Pool.

4. After-school Legoland Adventure Golf

When it comes to crazy golf, Legoland Windsor Resort is a pretty unbeatable location.

Choose between three courses with space themes, pirates, or the impressive LEGO City.

The after school deal costs just £6pp instead of the £10pp walk up price.

This includes a round on one nine-hole course, and runs between 2 – 6pm from Monday through Thursday.

Make sure to prebook online at least a day in advance.

5. Merlin five attraction pass deal

This Merlin five attraction deal can save you up to 70% on family days out.

With this offer, you can visit five different Merlin Entertainments attractions over the course of 90 days for just £59pp.

This works out at £11.80pp per attraction, and is a great way of seeing some of London’s must-visits for families.

Choose between Shrek’s Adventure London, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds London, the London Dungeon and the Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour.

6. London Dungeon discounted day out

The London Dungeon is a thrilling indoor activity for older kids – and you can save extra if you book online in advance.

Inside there’s everything from the terrifying Drop Dead ride to a creepy escape room set in Guy Fawkes’ cell.

Attraction tickets on the day cost £35 per adult, but you can save up to an extra £8 by booking your tickets online ahead of time.

Adventure and weather-proof activities

7. Forest coaster with a free kids meal

Adventure centre Zip World are offering some major discounts, locals’ loyalty and after-school deals across locations in England and Wales.

On Thursday and Friday evenings in January, kids can enjoy a free hot meal and a drink when visiting the forest coaster at Betws-y-Coed.

From 3pm onwards, kids can enjoy a thrilling 1km ride through the forest before sitting down to a choice of free tomato pasta, bean or beef chilli.

Forest coaster bookings start at £25 for three rides, and if you’re a local resident you get an extra 30% off from Monday – Friday.

8. Cave trampolining with a free meal and unlimited squash

Over at Zip World’s Llechwedd location, kids can enjoy an hour of cave trampolining with a free meal and unlimited squash for £15.

The Bounce Below deal runs from 5 – 31 January on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm.

You can also enjoy an extra 30% locals’ discount at Zip World attractions if you’re a resident of London, Manchester, Windermere, North Wales or South Wales.

The locals loyalty offer runs from 5 January – 13 February.

9. Ninja Warrior obstacle course

There’s some great deals running across Ninja Warrior UK courses – and this fully indoor attraction is perfect for any weather.

Here you make your way past a series of challenging inflatable obstacles, and end by facing the giant Ninja Warrior wall.

Early Bird and off-peak sessions cost £9.95pp, and a Ninja Toddlers session costs just £2.

There’s 17 locations to choose from, including Bristol, Cardiff, Sheffield, Wigan and more.

10. Indoor high ropes

Another great indoor option for burning off steam is the Gravity High Ropes experience in Birmingham.

At 31% off for just £10.95pp, adventurers can take on an action-packed course of climbing challenges, rope bridges and more.

You can save up to 41% if you book as a group, too, as the deal costs just £37.95 for a high ropes course for four.

11. Snow tubing deal

Elsewhere in Birmingham, take the kids to this unique snow tubing experience.

Those aged eight and over can grab themselves a doughnut tube and slide down a dry slope at Ackers Adventure Centre.

Taking place within a snow sports centre, this activity can be done in any weather.

The deal for two comes out to £8 per person if booked for two, which includes 30 minutes of tubing and is valid seven days a week.

12. Paintball for £2pp

For fans of outdoor adventure, Unreal Paintball in Madeley, Cheshire, is currently offering paintball group deals for 92% off.

A family-of-five can enjoy a paintballing day with 100 paintballs included for £10 – meaning the day out costs £2pp.

The Manor Farm location boasts nearly 40 acres of land including woodland, trenches, a castle and more to hide in.

The offer runs on weekends from 9am – 4pm for new Unreal Paintball customers.

13. 60% off Family Laser Quest

Over in Milton Keynes, the whole family can enjoy up to 60% off Laser Quest.

The deal includes two games for six players, costing just £6.50 per person – and there’s deals available for smaller groups, too.

This top-rated Laser Quest centre is decked out with misty fog, mazes, neon lights and pumping music.

The deal is available from Mondays – Fridays, from 4pm – 9pm during school time or 10am – 9pm during school holidays.

14. Bowling with dinner included

Bowling is another classic rainy weather activity for the whole family.

Hollywood Bowl has over 90 bowling centres, and they’re currently running a January Sales kids’ eat, drink and bowl deal from £8.50pp.

This includes one game of bowling, a choice between a burger or hotdog with fries, and drinks – which includes an alcoholic drinks for adults.

More offers include “Double the Fun Fridays”, where you can get a second game of bowling for free when you bowl after 9pm in January, using code JAN262G50 at online checkout.

15. 2-for-1 Ice skating and disco party

Planet Ice have skating rinks across the UK in cities like Peterborough, Leeds and Coventry – and they’ve got some great deals to book in time for February.

You can enjoy a 2-for-1 Valentines Day skating offer on February 13, which is suitable for all ages.

The offer is available online only – so make sure to snap up your plac by booking ahead on their website.

There’s also a half term disco skate taking place on February 13 and 20 across multiple locations.

16. Splash World waterpark

An indoor waterpark is always a safe bet on a drizzly day – and this offer for Splash World in Southport gets you 51% off full price.

This waterpark includes toddler splash zones, flume rides and a lazy river.

An £8 ticket (all ages) grants you a two hour session, with the offer ending in February.

17. Inflatable pool disco and obstacle course

Sticking with the waterpark theme, the London Aquatics Centre are running inflatable pool discos and obstacle courses on select dates until May.

For the Atlantis Obstacle Course, the Olympic-sized 50m pool becomes covered in a giant inflatable course with slides and climbing walls.

The obstacle course costs £12.60 per adult and £9.45 per junior.

The inflatable disco session, on the other hand, is suitable for ages five and above – and includes a fun inflatable run and massive floats.

The inflatable disco is priced at £10.50 for adults and £7.35 for juniors.

18. Cheap waterpark day in Derby

Moorways Sports Village and Waterpark in Derby is running Waterpark Wednesdays, giving families a cheaper option to visit during term time.

On Wednesdays from 4pm – 7pm during term time, adult tickets cost just £6.99, three to five-year-olds can visit for just £1 and under two’s go for free.

The waterpark is home to an aqua tube fast slide, a body slide, wave rider and rider slide – and a great choice whatever the weather.

19. Trampolining with giant inflatables and free pizza

Jump Inc have loads of indoor trampolining centres across the UK, including places like Blackpool, Birmingham, Chelmsford, Bristol and Aberdeen.

What makes this place unique is its great discounts and offers for families.

The After School Antics offer gives you two jump passes and a margherita pizza for dinner.

There’s also the unlimited jumps offer, where you pay for just one hour but can stay and bounce away up until closing.

The offer is valid from 3pm – 6pm from Mondays to Thursdays during term time. Offers vary by location.

20. Medieval mini golf

Knights Realm Adventure Golf in Basingstoke, Hampshire is home to an epic 18-hole themed golf course overlooked by a dragon.

Make your way around a medieval course dotted with armoured knights and historical scrolls teaching you all about the Middle Ages.

Plus you can save up to 31% off by booking through Groupon, and snap up a two adult ticket for £16 and child’s ticket for just £6.

21. 5D Cinema experience for £2.95

You can visit a 5D cinema for a unique movie experience for just £2.95 this winter.

There’s a choice of original films to pick from, including a thrilling rollercoaster journey named Amazon and a creepy horror called Blood Magic.

And if you’re bringing the whole family, you can get four tickets for just £8.95 – giving you something unique to try for a change of routine.

The 5D cinema is located within Laser Quest Bromley, so there’s another family-friendly activity to try out afterwards on your doorstep.

Museums and free exhibitions

Gone are the days where museums were for do-not-touch antiques and corridors of glass cabinets.

Now, there’s loads of unique museums across the UK that are both free to visit and full of exciting experiences made just for kids.

22. Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum is free to enter, and full of exciting galleries like Living Worlds, Nature’s Library and a live vivarium.

And for families with dinosaur fans, the Manchester Museum has a brilliant Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, and is home to a popular T. Rex called Stan.

23. Triceratops Exhibition

The dinosaur fun doesn’t stop there – there’s also a triceratops exhibition running at the Manchester Museum until February 22nd.

The exhibition features hands-on elements for kids like a fossil digging zone, and and is suitable for all ages.

Both entry to the museum and the triceratops exhibition are free, however you should book your slot for the exhibition online.

24. The National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland is another fantastic place to spend the day with kids indoors.

The colourful Imagine gallery has plenty of sensory and interactive options including dress-up, a musical floor, and a storybook reading corner.

Up on level five of the museum, Adventure Planet caters to older children.

Here, kids can use interactive touch screens to do everything from design their own fish to dig for dinosaur bones and fossils.

25. Giants exhibition

The Giants exhibition is set to open at the National Museum of Scotland on the 31 January.

The exhibition showcases amazing 3D sculptures, from life-sized elephants to the megalodon shark.

26. The National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum in London’s Greenwich is both free to enter and packed with things for kids to do.

There’s The Cove playground, a sea-themed area with a giant shark, pirate ship and huge kraken with rope tentacles to swing from.

There’s also the AHOY! children’s gallery for kids aged 0-7, which has activities ranging from sensory play for babies to interactive pirate cannons.

Not to mention the storytelling characters who visit on Saturdays, and the under-5’s play group which runs every Tuesday at £4 per session.

27. The National Railway Museum, York

The National Railway Museum in York is another fantastic free-entry choice for a rainy day.

Here you can come face to face with a Japanese Bullet Train, or even take a ride on the museum’s miniature railway.

And for an additional £9.90pp, the Wonderlab is well worth getting stuck into.

Here kids can become mini-engineers, learning about the science behind locomotives with daily shows and demonstrations.

Kids can even have a go in a human wind tunnel and try out some hands-on science experiments.

28. House of Marbles, Devon

The House of Marbles in Devon is home to four unique museums and is free to visit.

There’s loads of unique marble runs to take part in, including a massive snooker ball-sized contraption as well as a games garden.

Their free games museum can be enjoyed by kids and parents alike, as you learn about the history that inspired Pac-Man and Space Invaders.

29. Newcastle Discovery Museum

Newcastle Discovery Museum is another great free option.

It’s home to Turbinia: a huge ship powered by steam turbines.

Their play space Tiny Tyneside is full of replica transport inventions to play with, and is open daily.

30. The Great North Museum: Hancock

The Great North Museum: Hancock is worth visiting for its unique Mouse House area.

It’s full of interactive surprises and runs free events such as Museum Mice, where kids can explore and handle museum objects – just make sure to prebook online.

31. Upside Down House

The Upside Down House is a unique indoor attraction that does what it says on the tin – everything inside the house has been turned completely upside-down.

Wandering through the house with kids makes for a unique indoor activity, plus some funny photos to look back on.

There are locations in Liverpool, Brighton, Bristol and London – the cheapest to visit being Liverpool at £6.45pp.

32. Discover Story Centre

The Discover Story Centre in London is a giant immersive space for kids with an exciting and colourful story world and garden.

Escape from the drizzly outdoors into a bright and colourful space with trails, singalongs and screenings.

The best part is that you’re able to build your day exactly how you’d like.

You can choose from a list of constantly updated activities and events like the Monster Funfair and Gabby’s Dollhouse movie screening (January 24).

Each event typically costs £2 – £5, with a Discover entry ticket costing £10 for adults, £5 for 1 year-olds and under 1’s go free.

33. National Football Museum

The National Football Museum in Manchester is a fantastic choice for a sports fanatic day indoors.

Inside, you can find the world’s first international football shirt and the oldest surviving FA cup trophy.

Tickets cost £15 for adults and £9 for kids – but the best part is that once you’ve bought your ticket, you can keep returning for free for an entire year.

There’s also a family saver ticket for four costing £39 – not bad for a whole year’s worth of visits.

34. Underwater exhibition and Octonauts trail

The Horniman Museum in London is opening up a “Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures” exhibition from 13 February.

Here you board the ‘Nautilus’ submarine and discover everything from weird and wonderful sea creatures, to crawling through shipwrecks and decoding the secrets of Atlantis.

Plus, there’s an Octonauts “Adventure at the Horniman” Trail packed with activities.

Adult tickets cost £9.80 and kids tickets £7, with discounted rates for families of three (£20.20) or four (£27).

And if you’re on Universal Credit, the tickets are discounted to £2 – make sure to book in advance.

35. Free story festival

The young V&A in Bethnal Green, London is hosting a Story Festival in January 2026.

The festival will take place across the museum, and is completely free.

This includes singing and dancing performances, puppets and storytelling.

Drop-in storytelling activities take place on a first come first serve basis.

36. Free arts drawing sessions at London Southbank

At London’s Southbank Centre, families can drop in to relaxed drawing sessions over weekends.

Led by artist Erdem Kuslu, families can take part in drawing exercises and group games – entirely for free.

The experience is bookable from 16 January – just make sure you book a slot online in advance.

37. Wonderlab hands-on kids gallery

The Science Museum in London’s Kensington is home to a ticketed interactive kids gallery called Wonderlab.

Built for ages 7 – 14, this hands-on experience turns kids into budding scientists.

Wonderlab reopens on 16 January, and is open daily from 10am – 5pm.

Day passes cost £17 for ages 4+, with a family day pass based on 2 adults and 2 children giving you £3 off.

You can also save several pounds extra by booking your tickets in advance and at specific timeslots listed on the Wonderlab site.

Farms and outdoors

When the days are bright and dry, a family day out at the farm can be one of the best ways to get outdoors.

And we’ve found a range of open farms across the UK with free or cheap entry.

38. Bath City Farm

Bath City Farm is free to visit – and it’s easy to spend an entire day their exploring its woodland trails, children’s playground, seeing the animals and visiting the farm shop and cafe.

The farm is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am – 4pm, and on Sundays from 9.30am – 4pm.

39. Stonebridge City Farm

Another free option is Stonebridge City Farm in Nottingham.

This unique working farm in the middle of the city has amazing grounds, with a well-kept wildlife pond and even Japanese gardens.

They also run cheap events for kids, such as Rainbow Stripes on Tuesdays which is an interactive live music workshop.

40. Bucks Goat Centre

The Bucks Goat Centre in Aylesbury is offering a deal with just £4.55 entry for adults and £3.90 for children – or a family of four can visit for £15.40.

Here you can meet the friendly goats, chickens and alpacas, then sit down to enjoy hot chocolates and milkshakes in the Grazing Goat Cafe.

There’s also weekend events to look forward to like Bunny Brunch on Saturdays at 10:30, and Ferret Fun on Sundays at 11:30.

41. HAPPA Horse haven

For fans of horses and ponies, the HAPPA horse haven in Burnley is open to visitors.

Here you can meet rescue horses, donkeys and ponies, and take part in kids events like Pony Squad.

Visiting HAPPA costs £6 per adult and just £1 per child.

Make sure to book your slot online before visiting.

42. Mudchute Park and Farm

Mudchute Park and Farm in East London is another working farm that is free to visit – and has a massive 32 acres of land to explore.

Their courtyard and small animals area has just re-opened for the year, where you can visit guinea pigs and rabbits.

Here you can also meet cows, sheep, goats, and more.

43. Challenge Woods adventure playground

Outdoor activity centres like Bewilderwood can be quite expensive, especially by the time you’ve bought tickets for the whole family.

Challenge Woods in Norwich is miles cheaper than the nearby attraction, at just £4 entry for ages 4-17 with ages 0-3 going free.

Whilst it’s not quite high ropes, here kids can take part in zip lines, slides, wooden climbing structures and more, backed by Norfolk woodland.

44. Alpaca experience at Pennybridge Farm

Pennybridge Farm in Hampshire has gone fluffing mad with this discounted alpaca experience.

For just £7pp, you can meet and greet a herd of adorable alpacas at this open farm.

You even get to take part in feeding the animals, and learn all about the unique mammals.

The farm is open daily, and this bargain experience is a great way to spend a bright winter’s morning outdoors.

Soft play and younger children

There’s plenty of cheap and easy ways to keep little ones entertained over the winter months.

45. £1.75 Soft play with a drink

This soft play deal in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire is offering 50% off for two hours of play and a soft drink – costing just £1.75 per child.

Sqoshis Play Centre has plenty of climbing areas and slides, and it also has a laser and Nerf centre to entertain the older kids, too.

46. Slime making with kids meal and a hot drink

Colourful slime always goes down well with younger children, and this slime-making experience at Tilly Pots in Ravenshead makes for a creative afternoon out.

The deal includes a children’s meal and a hot drink for parents, costing just £6.95 for an adult and child together.

And for a family of four with two adults and two children, you can visit for just £11.95 – which is 46% off the usual price.

47. Little Diggers giant sandpit

Over in Leicester, mini-builders can put on their hard hat and visit a giant sandpit full of mini bulldozers, diggers and tractors – and play to their heart’s content.

The Little Diggers experience is currently 37% off, costing just £9.50 per child.

The experience takes place in Jump Giants Leicester, where there’s also trampolines and obstacle courses to enjoy.

48. Warwick Castle parent and toddler offer

Warwick Castle is currently running a parent and toddler offer for £20.

The deal includes access to the Zog Playland, the Horrible Histories maze, the UK’s largest birds of prey show and more.

The castle has more than 64 acres of grounds to explore with princess tower and dungeon experiences – plenty to keep the family entertained for an entire day.

49. Gruffalo Clubhouse term time deal

The Gruffalo Clubhouse in Blackpool is a great themed immersive indoor option.

Inside, there’s the Deep Dark Woods to explore, as well as soft play, a toddler play zone, a sensory room and the exciting Zog’s Dragon School Challenge.

Booking an adult and toddler ticket online costs £9 (saving you £10), and can be used from Monday – Friday during school term times.

50. Indoor play offer

A parent and child can visit Oasis Play in Surrey or London for a session of ball pits, slides and more for just £5.50 with this offer.

Oasis Play is a soft play centre with a sea-themed area, glowing neon lights – and it’s even rumoured that Bluey likes to visit.

This deal grants you 75-minute access on either weekdays or weekends, so your little ones can jump, climb and crawl to their heart’s content.

There’s further discounted offers available on Groupon, including a two adult one child ticket for £6.50 and a two adults two children ticket for just £10.50.

Emma Truscott has opened up on her unique lifestyle and the savings that come with it

For the past three years, Emma Truscott has been travelling the UK and Europe as a full-time traveller, living for the most part entirely rent-free. The 38 year old has revealed the one travel hack that has saved her £12,000 each year, which she’s able to splurge on experiences and luxury pursuits during her travels instead.

Originally from Cornwall, Emma dabbled in house-sitting for strangers during a trip to London in July 2022. It was then that she realised becoming a full-time house-sitter could allow her to stay in other people’s homes at no cost while she globe-trotted.

The role does come with its share of duties. House-sitters are expected to look after the home while the owners are away, including tasks like bin duty, watering the plants, and pet care, all in return for free lodging. As a freelance writer and virtual assistant, Emma can work from strangers’ homes too, making her full-time travelling lifestyle financially viable as she earns money without shelling out for accommodation.

She said: “The biggest perks are being able to live like a local in neighbourhoods around the world, see places I didn’t know existed, and pay nothing for accommodation. To me, there are no cons, and I’ve had nothing but positive experiences so far. I understand it won’t be for everyone, but I love living like this.

“It’s not exhausting like backpacking – you’re in a comfortable home, you can do a big grocery shop and unpack. Sure, there’s usually a day or two of travel every month, but that’s a small sacrifice to pay.”

Emma has no intention of ending her house-sitting lifestyle anytime soon, saying she feels like she’s “really living” and can’t see any advantage to settling in one location whilst spending the bulk of her earnings on household expenses.

She continued: “Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to make it to 70 years old and still be house sitting – what a life I would have had!”

Nevertheless, she’s hoping to put the £12,000 she’s banked from last year’s bill savings towards holidays that don’t involve house-sitting duties. She revealed: “I’d love to spend a month in Sri Lanka, and perhaps think about rescheduling an adventure through South America that I had to cancel in 2020 because of the pandemic.”

Emma relies on an application to find properties for her full-time arrangement, with most of her earnings going towards “fun rather than overheads”.

She explained: “Without the pressure of big monthly bills, I’m also able to pursue work I genuinely enjoy, take more risks in my freelance business and work fewer hours overall.”

For 2025, Emma worked out she’ll spend roughly £22 on utilities, including her mobile contract, and £195 on work-related costs. Meanwhile, temporary lodging for occasional breaks between house-sits sets her back £86 monthly.

Her other outgoings include roughly £188 on high-end groceries, £63 on experiences such as festivals and an average of £78 per month shopping for non-essentials.

Emma’s travel expenses are among her most costly necessities. Significant flights cost around £148 per month and daily transport sets her back £14 per month.

The incredible tunnel is expected to be completed by 2029

The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is an immersed tunnel set to link the Danish island of Lolland with Germany’s Fehmarn island. This remarkable tunnel beneath the Baltic Sea, expected to become one of the world’s longest underwater structures, is due for completion by 2029.

Spanning 18 kilometres (11 miles), the Fehmarnbelt tunnel will drastically reduce journey times between Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Femern described the tunnel as “Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel and rail link”.

The project carries an estimated price tag of DKK 55.1billion (£6.4billion), with the European Union providing approximately 1.3billion euros (£1.1billion) in funding.

Femern outlined that an immersed tunnel represents a “safe, tested and efficient way of building an underwater tunnel”.

“The technology is Danish-developed and builds on experiences from, among others, the Øresund Tunnel. Once completed, the tunnel will not pose any obstacle to vessel traffic in the Fehmarnbelt. Marine safety is also a top priority during the construction phase.

“The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be just as safe as a corresponding section of motorway above ground. The tunnel is equipped with continuous hard shoulders and emergency exits along its entire length.”

The Institution of Civil Engineers highlighted that the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will rest atop the seabed, marking it as “a remarkable engineering feat”. “Weighing in at 73,500 tonnes apiece, these colossal structures are a testament to modern engineering. Once a tunnel element is ready to be shipped, waterproof bulkheads (barriers) are installed at both ends, and the segment is carefully towed into position by tugboats.

“In total, 89 elements will be connected sequentially – much like assembling giant Lego pieces – to form the complete tunnel.”

WITH my floating breakfast and infinity pool overlooking the ocean, I feel like I’m in the Maldives.

Yet I’m barely four hours from the UK, on the Greek island of Crete, where temperatures reach into the low 20s — and it’s only January.

My hotel, the Royal Senses Resort & Spa, is a masterclass in elegance — with the towering resort built into the mountainside.

Its main attractions are the two swimming pools, stretching 80m across the front of the resort.

And it is safe to say my attempts to get some laps in before breakfast were quickly left wanting.

Instead, I hopped into the heated pool just behind, which is popular with the younger guests if they’re not at the on-site splash park.

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Live saxophonist

If you want some peace and quiet, tucked away on the other side of the resort is the adults-only luxury infinity pool, complete with mini hot tubs and curtained cabanas.

Despite the gym calling me after my failed swimming session, I headed to the hotel spa for a sleep-inducing massage, followed by a trip to the steam room and sauna.

The spa pool is worth a visit too. Half inside, half outside, it has muted pink tiles I want in my own bathroom.

When it comes to time to eat, there is a buffet — complete with a live saxophonist at breakfast — grill restaurants Mitato and the Michelin chef-run Cretamos.

After goat milk ice creams at the Platia pop-up restaurant and cocktails at the Euphoria pool bar, I very much needed the walk back up to my room.

The two-room suite, with sea views, had me feeling like I had stepped on to the set of Netflix’s Selling Sunset.

For an additional charge, you can request your own floating breakfast — something I couldn’t resist — and it came loaded with pastries, fruits, meats and cheeses.

Many of the smaller suites have their own pools as well.

The only thing the hotel is missing is the beach — but that’s where sister hotel The Royal Blue Resort comes in, which is just a short shuttle ride down to the coastline.

The best rooms in the house are the Blue Residence villas, which opened last year and are ideal for larger families.

Made up of a sprawling lounge and kitchenette, along with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, they have private balconies that wrap the length of the villa.

Of course they have their own swimming pools for a quick dip, but the only spot I wanted to be was the hotel’s secluded beach. No beaches on Crete are private, but this certainly felt like it was.

This resort is the smaller of the two but has plenty of dining options to keep you full. Symposium is where you can find breakfast and dinner, with similar options to its sister resort.

Seafood lovers can try the a-la-carte Asterias — serving everything from sea bream ceviche to grilled octopus — or the Mediterranean Elia (I’m still dreaming of the creamy duck risotto).

If you’re feeling pruney from all the pool and sea sessions, and want a touch of culture, then there are some great day trips to choose from.

A short taxi ride away is Margarites — a small village known for its ceramics — or Rethimno, a coastal city with Venetian architecture and trendy cafes.

But being in paradise with your feet in the pool and champagne in hand?

That’s worth the pruney toes.

DISCOVER the best destinations for every month of the year whether you’re looking for a fly and flop, in search of wildlife or beautiful views.

It’s all thanks to Travelbag which has created a planner on where’s best to go on holiday for 2026 from Australia the Netherlands and Portugal‘s Azores.

January

While northern Europe is shivering during the first month of the year, there are plenty of places around the world that aren’t.

In fact, Australia is basking in sunshine, if you want to head to the other side of the world then read more from Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski who took a road trip around Sydney.

Or find out more about Melbourne which has family attractions, historic architecture as well as a buzzing theatre and music scene.

Another January spot for anyone seeking out heat is Southeast Asia.

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Thailand at the beginning of the year has temperatures as high as 32C so you’d really be banishing those winter blues.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill recently went on a trip to Koh Samui where she discovered what island life is all about – cheap cocktails, affordable luxury and incredible beaches.

Other popular destinations in Southeast Asia include Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines.

If you’re not actually after heat, it’s also a prime time to head to Norway to see the northern lights as there are plenty of sightings at this time of year.

February

It’s still bleak in the UK during February, whereas India is dry and sunny throughout.

The country comes to life with vibrant cultural events and festivals – like Goa Carnival.

Or head the other way to the Caribbean for daily sunshine and lots of activities during Carnival Season.

There are major celebrations in St Kitts which Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited last year.

She sought an adventure break with ziplining, horse riding and hiking up the live volcano Mount Liamuiga.

March

For nature lovers, head to South Africa for bird-watching season as its wet season draws to a close.

You could also head to the Galapagos in Ecuador for adventure – it’s also a great place for nature spotting.

Here you’ll find giant tortoises, marine iguanas and Darwin’s finches which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

And over in New Zealand, temperatures will cool down as autumn approaches.

But you can still enjoy its incredible beaches and go swimming or surfing in the water.

April

For those who are desperate to explore Japan, April is a great month to go as it’s cherry blossom season.

Throughout the country, blossom trees with bloom showing off bright pink flowers.

Japan literally turns into a flowery haven as it has over a million cherry blossom trees – it’s even celebrated with festivals.

One travel writer who visited the country saw the blossoms in full bloom in Kyoto at the World Heritage site Ninna-ji, which is a temple founded in 888 AD.

There are flowers all around as in Netherlands too, April is one of the best months to see the millions of colourful tulips.

One key viewing spot here is the Keukenhof Gardens which shows off a variety of 800 different tulips.

The nearest airport is Amsterdam which is just just over one hour from the UK.

May

May marks the end of the rainy season in Peru, so it’s the ideal time to visit Machu Picchu and hike through the Amazon rainforest.

One travel writer who visited Lima discovered a Paddington Bear statue and ventured to the historic Machu Picchu.

Or if you’re seeking of a relaxed break, you could enjoy time in the Caribbean before the summer rush.

Another spot that becomes busy in later months is Mexico – so a May break will be much quieter.

June

For anyone heading to the states, June is the month to see America’s National Parks.

From Yellowstone, to Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon National Park and Glacier National Park in Montana.

They’re bursting with wildlife not to mention the warm and sunny weather makes it a great time to walk the trails.

And if you fancy heading further out, there are plenty of coastlines to explore too.

One travel writer took a road trip through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks finding crystal clear lakes and surrounding prairie lands.

July

If Iceland has been on your bucket list, but going during the winter and enduring freezing temperatures puts you off, then go during the summer.

During July, the sun never sets which the Sun’s Brittany Vonow discovered when she took part in a midnight race.

She also went whale watching spotting humpbacks and minkes, along with pretty puffins.

Another country that lends itself to whale watching in July is Canada, and while you’re there, make sure to get a glimpse of Niagara Falls too.

Another option is Tanzania which has plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting and hiking.

It’s also one of Africa’s cheapest island destinations and has new TUI hotels.

August

If looking for wildlife is what you want from a holiday, then head to the likes of Kenya during August.

There’s also the Azores, which are remote Portuguese islands, where you’ll find the weather is much milder.

Across the Azores are 26 active volcanoes spread across the islands and there are black sand shores too.

Temperatures in Sri Lanka during this month sit around 28C but can be cooler at night.

The destination is one of the trending ones for 2026 which is a cheaper alternative to Thailand.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “One of the main draws of Sri Lanka are the 6,000 elephants on the island, many of which are free-roaming.

“I was left in awe during a private safari tour when we stumbled across a huge herd of them, relaxing in the fields.

“Don’t worry about forgoing your morning cuppa – popular on the island is tea with huge plantations scattered throughout.”

September

This month is Indonesia‘s dry season, and there’s plenty to do there too from surfing to hiking, and seeing its culture.

Indonesia is now home to the world’s biggest city, Jakarta, which is found on the island of Java.

Nearby is an island that Brits will be more familiar with, Bali, which is known for its relaxed vibe, beautiful beaches and temples.

October

Take in Cape Town’s spring blooms and a safari like Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire did.

Caroline said: “My favourite wildlife spots had to be a herd of elephants and pride of lions, and both came within a few metres of our safari truck. 

We had so many encounters, from giraffes and hippos to Cape buffalo, zebras, springboks and hyenas, that we felt truly spoilt.”

Or, head to Dubai for luxury accommodation, a lively city break, a desert adventure, or a relaxing beachside stay.

November

In November, head onto the Nile for a cruise with mild daytime temperatures.

Hop off to explore Egypt with fewer crowds than during the summer – and you can sight-see without extreme heat or cold during.

December

Winter sun destinations are back in full swing and at the top of the list is Thailand, along with Goa and Bali.

There’s also the Maldives which has clear wares, winter highs of 30C – so a stark difference to the gloomy UK.

However if you want to indulge in the chilly weather, head to festive markets in Europe.

Or really get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to Lapland or the European Alps.

For more places to visit in 2026, these are the top 10 holiday destinations set to be big from European beach cities to African capitals.

And here are the ten cheap holiday spots about to go BIG in 2026 that you’ve probably never heard of – with a week away from £189.

This tiny village has been dubbed as one of the UK’s most beautiful because of its medieval abbey stones and fairy-tale charm.

A picturesque village that appears to be frozen in time has been hailed as one of the UK’s “prettiest villages” by renowned travel bloggers.

World travellers Jonny and Hannah, founders of the popular travel website Finding our Adventure, have crowned this hidden gem in Northumberland as the UK’s prettiest village, adding it to their extensive list of must-visit spots.

Upon arrival, visitors are immediately struck by the strong French influences in this charming village nestled within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Encircled by stunning moorland fells, the quaint village of Blanchland seems as though it’s leapt straight from the pages of a fairytale.

This enchanting village, established in 1165, was built using stones from the Blanchland Abbey, and it appears as though little has changed since then. The village’s captivating history keeps tourists enthralled, while its picture-perfect honey-stone buildings are simply stunning.

Brimming with cobbled streets, hanging baskets, winding lanes, and beautiful stonework, Blanchland is notable for not having a single modern-day chain store within its borders, giving visitors the sensation of stepping back in time, reports Chronicle Live.

Tucked away beside the River Derwent, this charming hamlet sits within the forested stretch of the Derwent valley and could well be the most picturesque community in the entire North Pennines. Despite having just 135 residents, according to the latest 2011 parish census, Blanchland astonishingly attracts tourists from far and wide.

The settlement boasts only a select few key attractions, including Blanchland Abbey, the White Monk Tea Room – formerly the village school – a quirky local store with a distinctive white postbox, and what might be England’s most renowned pub-hotel combination, the Lord Crewe Arms Hotel.

Blanchland’s rich history

The village’s name stems from the French monks who resided and laboured at Blanchland Abbey, recognisable by their white robes. “Blanche” translates to white in French, giving birth to the name Blanchland – or so the story goes.

Walter de Bolbec established Blanchland Abbey in 1165, and Edward III reportedly stopped at this historically important hidden treasure whilst preparing for conflict with the Scots in 1327. The Scots, Vikings, Romans, and border Reivers are all believed to have battled for dominance over this breathtaking corner of the world.

Blanchland Abbey met its end under King Henry VIII in 1539, with substantial portions of the complex demolished, dismantled, or stripped away. The remaining structures and abbey grounds were reportedly either bestowed upon the King’s allies or sold to private buyers

The abbey’s lodge was subsequently converted into a manor house whilst its gatehouse and additional structures formed what became the village square.

In 1704, Lord Crewe purchased the Blanchland estate, and following his death in 1721, he bequeathed the property to The Lord Crewe Charity Trust. The trust proceeded to enhance the village buildings and assisted in restoring sections of the abbey church.

These efforts aimed to create a “model village” for Blanchland’s residents, who were predominantly mining families during that era.

Famous links

The celebrated Lord Crewe Arms Hotel ranks amongst Britain’s most ancient inns, with origins stretching back to the 12th century. It boasts traditional timber beams, stone-walled interiors, and a crackling open hearth, creating an ideal retreat for visitors seeking refreshment and sustenance or those wishing to spend the night on the premises.

The grand fireplace of the hotel is said to have been a hiding spot for General Tom Forster during the Jacobite uprising of 1715. The esteemed poet WH Auden spent Easter of 1930 within its historic confines and later declared that no other place held more cherished memories for him than the Lord Crewe Arms Hotel. Writer Emily Elizabeth Shaw Beavan also resided and penned her works within the hotel while her husband was employed at the Derwent Mines.

Blanchland is thought to have inspired the village portrayed in the opening and closing scenes of the 1935 play The Dog Beneath the Skin, written by Auden and Christopher Isherwood. Another celebrated poet, Philip Larkin, is rumoured to have been a frequent diner at the Lord Crewe Arms Hotel. A number of other notable figures are also believed to have visited the hotel.

In the popular television series Wolfblood, the scenes set in the fictional town of Stoneybridge were reportedly filmed in Blanchland. The village has also made numerous appearances on ITV’s Vera. Over the years, Blanchland has consistently been a top choice for filming period dramas.

This enchanting East Yorkshire village boasts a Michelin-starred pub, historic attractions and scenic walks for the perfect day out

A charming village in East Yorkshire is drawing crowds as it’s home to what many consider the best pub in Yorkshire.

The village also houses a beautiful family-owned estate and offers several delightful walks – all of which can be rounded off with a tipple and a bite at the local Michelin-starred pub. Located 10 kilometres north-east of Market Weighton and eight kilometres north-west of Beverley, the idyllic hamlet of South Dalton is tucked away amidst acres of verdant fields and woodlands, offering a tranquil retreat for those seeking respite from the daily grind.

First mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Delton’, by 1260 this village was officially recorded as ‘Suthdalton’. The village boasts a selection of renowned attractions that make for an ideal day trip – notably, St Mary’s Church, Dalton Hall which forms part of the larger Dalton Estate, and the crème de la crème of Yorkshire, the Michelin-starred Pipe and Glass pub, reports Yorkshire Live.

Dalton Hall is a standout feature within the village, majestically positioned within the Dalton Estate on slightly elevated ground, enveloped by nature. Regrettably, the Dalton Estate itself is privately owned, so visitors are unable to roam within its gates or grounds, but the stroll around the attraction is a rewarding experience in itself.

The village forms part of the Dalton Estate, a property owned and managed by the Hotham family who have held the land for generations. The estate is steeped in history, with the 18th-century Dalton Hall serving as the residence of Lord Hotham. In 2007, the Eighth Baron Lord Hotham vacated the house, making way for his eldest son William and his family to move in.

Currently, the Dalton Estate is overseen by a land agent, and its residential and commercial properties are occasionally available for rent – making it a popular choice for weddings and large private events. Despite being famously private, the estate welcomes travellers and keen walkers to explore the public highway that winds through its stunning grounds, offering a gentle yet delightful stroll.

Another key attraction of the village is St Mary’s Church, a Grade I Listed building since 1968. Now, brimming with years of history and culture, it’s listed in the National Heritage List for England. The church’s spire soars over 200 feet high (61 meters), marking the building as a significant local landmark. Designed by JL Pearson – also known for constructing Truro Cathedral – St Mary’s Church houses several graves of the Hotham family within its grounds.

Inside the church stands a black-and-white marble monument, erected in memory of Sir John Hotham, 2nd Baronet. Next on the agenda for ‘the perfect day out in South Dalton’ is the historic 15th-century Pipe and Glass pub, run by James and Kate Mackenzie. Having secured a Michelin star back in 2010, which it still proudly holds today, the Pipe and Glass is an essential stop. The establishment takes pride in being a traditional bar serving real ales whilst also providing luxury boutique rooms and an exclusive private dining suite.

Whether you’re after a simple sandwich or the full Michelin-starred experience, this pub caters for all tastes. Showcasing local ingredients and an ever-changing selection of daily specials, the Pipe and Glass has firmly established itself as a beloved fixture in South Dalton and across the wider Yorkshire region.

With an impressive 4.6 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor, one guest reflected on their experience: “We had the most unforgettable evening at the Pipe and Glass! The food was absolutely amazing, every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. The staff were super friendly and attentive throughout our entire visit, making us feel truly welcome. While the location is a little out of the way, it adds to the charm as it’s very quaint and worth every minute of the journey. We can’t wait to return!”

Another individual, in a rave review, wrote: “From start to finish the whole experience was fabulous from the wonderful greeting on arrival to some delicious food the ambiance and excellent service was five stars. The food was well presented and generous Yorkshire portions. If you’re lucky enough to stay here as we were, the rooms are gorgeous with lots of treats and high end features, we ordered breakfast on our terrace and it came right on time. It was delicious. We are already booking again, go you’ll love it.”

The beautiful market town in Buckinghamshire is one of the most expensive places to live in the county, with celebrity residents and historic charm

Beaconsfield, a market town in Buckinghamshire, is conveniently located near the M40 and approximately 23 miles from central London. It boasts an old town high street brimming with charming, independent businesses, alongside a vibrant new town high street featuring well-known brands.

The town’s first documented reference dates back to 1185, believed to be of Saxon origin, and it also bears traces of two Roman roads.

The town is steeped in history, with many original structures, such as churches and rectories, still standing. It’s not only a fantastic place to reside but also one of the priciest in Buckinghamshire.

Having lived in and around Beaconsfield my whole life, I can easily understand its appeal to celebrities and tourists alike.

Famous residents include Vernon Kay and Tess Daly, as well as former residents like Ricky Gervais and James Corden, according to the Express.

The high street is home to a wide array of independent shops, restaurants, and pubs, including Melody Mint Cafe, Royal Saracens Head, and The Old Tea House, to name just a few.

Brasserie Blanc by Raymond Blanc ranks among my favourite eateries in the old town, along with Giggling Squid and homePizza.

The town also houses the Crazy Bear Hotel, one of the oldest recorded buildings in Beaconsfield, originally a 15th-century coaching inn.

Today, this stunning hotel is lavishly adorned, providing a luxurious setting and serving delectable food.

In the new town, particular favourites of mine include Fego, known for its scrumptious breakfast, as well as The Beech House and Prime Steak House.

A stone’s throw away is the Royal Standard of England, a historic pub boasting the title of Britain’s oldest.

Its charm lies in its carved oak panels, weathered flagstones, twisted timbers and a mouth-watering menu.

The town has also served as a cinematic canvas for numerous films and TV series, including The Theory of Everything, Hot Fuzz and Midsomer Murders.

Nearby picturesque towns such as Amersham, Gerrards Cross, and Marlow add to Buckinghamshire’s allure as a desirable residential location.

However, living here comes with a hefty price tag, with the average property price over the past year hitting a staggering £1,039,083, according to Rightmove.

While there’s no shortage of properties on the market in the town, very few fall below the £500,000 threshold, making it a tough market for first-time buyers.

At present, there are 208 homes up for grabs in the town, with the priciest one fetching a cool £6,750,000.

The seaside spot is perfect for a wintery day trip or weekend away, and even in the freezing weather, it’s so charming

We’re already a week into January, and while the start of a new year can be invigorating, it’s tough to kick-start your routine after the celebrations. You’re likely feeling drained after returning to work, eagerly awaiting a weekend of rest.

However, exploring a new town or village can do wonders for your mood, which is exactly what I did last weekend. Bracing the frosty breeze, I embarked on a half-hour train journey from Glasgow to Troon, a seaside town bustling in summer but much quieter in winter.

It was an almost perfect day trip, with one minor hiccup threatening to ruin the trip – but don’t let that deter you.

Nestled on Scotland’s west coast with views over the Firth of Clyde, Troon is the perfect coastal retreat from city life. Admittedly, my last visit was around age 15 and I had never been during winter, but craving some outdoor time before returning to work, this seemed ideal.

Upon getting off the train, we made our way to the waterfront, which was freezing yet beautiful. The sun was shining, and although the sea would have been unbearably cold for a dip, it looked stunning, reports the Express.

Depressingly, the sun had begun to set as early as 1pm during our visit, but it provided a lovely backdrop for photos. We walked along the huge beach for around an hour, climbing on top of a paved hill at the end to really take in the panoramic views of the town below.

For kids, there’s a huge play area that was bustling even in the biting cold, so I can only imagine how busy it’ll be in summertime.

When the chill became almost unbearable, it was time to seek out some food. Troon boasts an array of great places to eat and drink, from the stylish Scotts restaurant by the marina to numerous fish and chip shops dotting the high street.

One of the main reasons for this trip was to try out The Wee Hurrie, a seafood shack near the water that had been highly praised by relatives and friends. With TripAdvisor users hailing it as the ‘best chippie in Scotland’, we couldn’t wait.

After braving the icy beach walk, our hunger was intense, so imagine our dismay when we found The Wee Hurrie shuttered. This was our fault, and we should have checked ahead, but the combination of freezing temperatures and hunger nearly brought me to tears.

The closure was due to the Scottish fishing fleet being docked for Christmas, which is entirely understandable. As of Friday (January 9), it’s back in business, and you can bet I’ll be running back as soon as I can for some beachfront fish and chips.

By 3pm, we were still on the hunt for lunch, so we started our journey back to the town centre. As if to rub salt in the wound, it began to snow – but luckily, it was just a brief flurry that ended as quickly as it had started.

I wasn’t expecting much activity on the high street at this time on a Sunday in early January, but I was pleasantly surprised to see plenty of people bustling about, popping in and out of eateries and shops.

Still craving seafood, we stopped into Tempura and ordered a serving of battered prawns and chips each. It hit the spot perfectly, and spotting a tempura Mars bar on the menu made me laugh. You cannot escape the deep-fried life in Scotland.

Despite the slight hiccup with our initial food plans, it was still a great day out – albeit a bit chilly for my liking. But rest assured, as soon as that first hint of warmth graces us in March, I’ll be heading straight back there.

Customers say Primark is ‘the best’ after seeing ‘stunning’ new travel item

With months of cold weather ahead, many Brits are dreaming of a winter getaway. Others will be excitedly planning their summer holidays. Whatever your travel plans for 2026, Primark fans are predicting that everyone will be loving the retailer’s new £35 suitcase for this year’s holidays.

The retailer has launched a new polka-dot luggage range for its customers. There is a small IT Luggage Hard Shell Polka Dot Suitcase available for £35, and a larger IT Luggage Hard Shell Polka Dot Suitcase for £45.

Described as ‘a hard-shell suitcase with a polka-dot design and metallic handles’, the new luggage range is a hit on social media. One fan suggests ‘everyone’s gonna have them this summer’.

The trendy luggage caught attention when shopper @Aimeelynch11 showcased the cases in a TikTok video. Filming the two sizes, Aimée wrote: “New polka dot suitcases in Primark,” and the post quickly went viral. It has racked up thousands of views and likes from excited shoppers.

Praising the new suitcases in the comment section, one fan wrote: “Omg your Primark is legit the best.” Another enthusiastic social media user said: “Omg need.” Someone else thought: “Very nice,” and a similar reply read: “These are gorgg.”

A different shopper said the cases looked ‘adorable’, and another fan praised the ‘cute’ style. Someone went so far as to suggest the cases are ‘perfect’. They wrote: “Ahhh so perfect.” There was more positive feedback when a commenter claimed: “Omg these are SO cute, everyone’s gonna have them this summer!”

Shoppers interested in the suitcases can use Primark’s website to check in-store availability or order the suitcases via click and collect. Primark also sells a £20 IT Luggage Hard-Shell Polka Dot Vanity, which is offered in a matching polka dot design. It’s described as ‘a vanity suitcase with a hard shell, polka dot design, zip-up sections and carry handles.’

Alternatively, holidaymakers might prefer Primark’s IT Luggage Hard Shell Suitcase, which starts from £20; the Ribbed Four-Wheel Hard Shell Suitcase, which starts from £28; or the Hard Shell Trunk Suitcase, which starts from £40. The retailer offers a wide range of suitcases on its website.

Among the other travel items listed online, there’s also a £20 Essential Travel Backpack. The Essential Travel Backpack is offered in light pink or black. The product description states: “This light pink backpack is perfect for keeping your essentials organised on the go.

“With multiple zip compartments and adjustable shoulder straps, it makes carrying your daily must-haves comfortable and convenient. Whether you’re heading to work, the gym or jetting off on holiday, this backpack works with any outfit – pair it with a tee and joggers for errand runs or team it with your favourite blazer and skirt combo for an office-ready look.”