holidays

The budget airline has this morning, Sunday, November 1, released an update to passengers flying to and from the UK

Ryanair has issued a warning to passengers flying to and from the UK today. The airline released the notice to passengers as it said some flights could be delayed.

The budget carrier issued the message on its website. And it told people to keep monitoring the app for updates as Britain faces more unsettled weather.

The airline’s message reads: “Due to heavy fog, some flights to and from the UK may be delayed today (Sun 1 Nov). Affected passengers will be contacted directly through the app. Passengers travelling through the UK should monitor the Ryanair app for the latest flight information.”

A yellow weather warning for fog is in place in parts of the UK today. It covers London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull, and stretches from Norwich in the east to Brighton in the south, and from parts of east Wales to Somerset in the south-west.

The Met Office warning says that fog this morning will be sense in places. It says that it will bring some travel delays.

The warning is in force until 10am today but patches could last into the afternoon and the Met Office says warnings can change. Visibility will be less than 100 metres in some places, the Met Office said.

The forecaster’s warning supports what Ryanair is saying. It warns people there is a chance of delays and cancellations of flights. The forecaster says bus and train journeys could also be delayed.

Met Office advice on Sunday, November 1 over dense fog

It advises people to give themselves extra time and check road conditions, and adjust plans where necessary. The Met Office warning says: “Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”

The notice comes as the Met Office advises that fog may be slow to clear in places today. Its latest UK forecast says there will be cloud and rainin some areas of the north.

It says this could gradually spread southwards. Yet it says for other areas, it will be mostly dry with sunny spells.

The advice comes after Britain was hit by two storms in a matter of days. Storm Austen and Storm Boelo led England to have its wettest week in two years.

Despite this, large stretches of the country are still officially in drought. Worse still, there is a severe drought in place across parts of the South West and Sussex.

I STOOD on a dark street as hundreds of ghostly figures dressed all in white walked quietly past me, each with a single flame illuminating their skull-painted face.

For a moment things felt spooky, even sombre — but then came the crackle of a sound system, the pop of a tequila bottle and deafening laughter.

You may be familiar with the Mexican tradition of Day of the Dead from that opening James Bond scene in Spectre, from the kid’s film Coco or from the ‘sugar skull’ makeup craze that became a Halloween trend.

Mexico City draws thousands of tourists annually with its impressive skeleton-themed parades around November 2, but the underrated city of Mérida also comes alive for the celebrations as well.

Set in the Yucatán peninsula — a patch of land more known for hotspots like Cancún and Tulum — Maya heritage is strong in Mérida, and it shows.

Day of the Dead is known here as Hanal Pixan (pronounced han-al pish-an), meaning ‘food for the souls’ in Mayan, and sees families and friends gather to celebrate departed loved ones, honouring them with a home-made altar often covered in pictures and their favourite foods.

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I visited Mérida as its days-long fiesta kicked off with the ‘parade of the souls’.

The candlelit procession from the cemetery into town made for an eerie sight, but this soon changed when they scattered and cleared the way for a huge street party along Calle 64.

This long avenue was decorated with giant skeleton structures and millions of orange marigold flowers while the pavements were lined with shrines set up by different families, each blasting reggaeton or ranchera music from speakers.

It’s a great place to tuck into some authentic Mexican street food, because as well as leaving the deceased’s favourite meal as an offering, the families make it in bulk to sell to passersby.

Try Yucatán’s specialty, cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork), some pan de muerto (a sweet bread made for the event) or a marquesita (if you’ve ever wondered whether Nutella and cheese taste good together).

Even beyond the festivities this city is a foodie’s dream.

You can keep things cheap by eating tacos al pastor on virtually every street corner for as little as MX$10 (40p) each, or lunching at the sensational Taquería De La Unión.

The Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy offers a fancier atmosphere, serving up traditional dishes in a gorgeous courtyard with a jungle-like tree canopy.

And no trip to Mexico is complete without a plate of chilaquiles for breakfast or brunch; Mérida’s best can be found at Marmalade 47.

It’s worth having pesos to hand everywhere in Mérida. Most bars and restaurants will take card, but you’ll need cash for food stands.

On the day of the main parade, people line the streets early to get a good spot.

I was glad we did the same, or we would have only caught sight of the skeleton stilt walkers and missed the ever-changing flow of mariachi bands, traditional dancers and even pets in costume.

The Catrinas — people dressed as elegant, sombrero-wearing skeletal women — were the most stunning aspect of the evening, each donning their own unique outfits and elaborate face paint.

Unlike so many Halloween extravaganzas happening elsewhere in the world, this display was free of gore and jump-scares, making it extremely kid-friendly.

It wasn’t all about the parades, though.

Smaller-scale events were scattered across the city for almost a week surrounding Day of the Dead, from concerts in squares to shamans performing ancient Maya rituals on street corners.

Plus, the end of the fiesta didn’t mean the end of the fun; we tracked down a speakeasy called Malahat tucked away behind one of the plazas, where what looked like a fridge door led to a haven of mezcal-based cocktails. 

Mérida is a picturesque and walkable city that’s easy to explore.

Its grand colonial architecture is splashed with colour as crumbling palatial buildings at every turn are painted pink, yellow or blue, and if you get tired of walking, you have the option of winding through its kaleidoscopic streets in a horse and carriage.

It’s a great base from which to explore the marvels of the Yucatán peninsula, too. 

The region is covered in hundreds of cenotes (natural sinkholes) that make for magical swimming spots, and if you still need your beach fix, the white sands of Puerto Progreso are just 40 minutes away.

Also close by is Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and the site of some of the planet’s most breathtaking Maya ruins.

Its fame too often eclipses Mérida in this part of the world, and the busloads of tourists you’ll meet there are usually heading back to the bustle and beach clubs of Cancún.

But if you linger in Mérida, you’ll find a city with its own pulse — and it beats strongest around during this famous, beautiful event.

AS the air gets chillier and the days get darker, there’s nothing better than cosying up in a warm cinema to watch a brand new movie.

And it’s even better when you get your cinema tickets for free…

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

We’ve teamed up with Cineworld to give away 20,000 FREE tickets, so you can go and catch the latest films on us.

Click here to sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 a month to redeem this exclusive offer and many more.

Let’s be honest – is there any better feeling than sinking into a plush cinema chair, armed with a bucket of popcorn and a fresh fizzy drink, ready to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster?

If you’re looking for something to do to break up the boring, drizzly November nights, a trip to the pictures can make this time of year all the more exciting.

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Sun Club members can redeem two free Cineworld tickets each, so you can enjoy a night at the movies with a friend or partner for zero cost.

With 87 cinemas across the UK to choose from, it’s as simple as redeeming your tickets, finding a Cineworld near you, and booking in whichever film you’d like to see.

Joining Sun Club will give you instant access to the Offers Hub, where you can claim your free Cineworld tickets.

But be quick, as they’re sure to go fast.

The best part is that these tickets can be used on any film showing from November 2 to November 17.

Here’s all the films you can go and see at Cineworld with your two free Sun Club tickets:

How To Rob A Bank

Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz lead an all-star cast in this action-packed thriller about a gang of bank robbers whose viral heists soon attract the attention of the FBI.

Clayface

Tom Rhys Harries stars in DC Studios’ dark and chilling horror-thriller about a rising Hollywood star whose search for fame takes a terrifying turn as he begins to lose both his identity and humanity.

Primetime

Robert Pattinson plays NBC journalist Chris Hansen in this high-stakes psychological thriller about the 2000’s reality television series, To Catch A Predator.

Wild Horse Nine

John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell play CIA partners whose mission to a remote island becomes increasingly complicated by secrets, politics and unexpected encounters.

Godzilla Minus Zero

As Japan rebuilds after the Second World War, a new threat emerges when the legendary Godzilla appears. Packed with action, drama and spectacular visual effects, this is one movie you will not want to miss.

Ebenezer

A fresh take on Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Full of festive cheer, heartwarming moments and family fun, it’s the perfect film to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Prima Facie

Starring Jodie Comer and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, Prima Facie is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that explores justice, truth and the challenges faced by women within the legal system.

Wildwood

Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay and Mahershala Ali star in this enchanting animated adventure about a brave young girl who enters a mysterious forest to rescue her baby brother.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Plus Cineworld is the place to do so, as their cinemas boast the latest film technology with IMAX, 4DX, SCREENX and Superscreen options.

You can also book onto accessible screenings, including viewings with subtitles and audio descriptions, ensuring everyone can enjoy a trip to the movies.

How to get this offer

1. Sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month here.
2. From Saturday, October 31 click the ‘Book’ button on the Cineworld page of the Sun Club Offers Hub.
3. You will receive an email containing a unique code and steps on how to book your two free tickets.

   You must claim and book your tickets by Sunday, November 15 when the booking code will expire.

Tickets are valid for screenings between Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 17,

18+ UK only (exc. NI & IoM & CI). Sun Savers multiple code collect 31/10/26–04/11/26 or digital subscription required. Online access required. Booking opens from 01/11/26. 10,000 pairs of tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Valid for cinema bookings 02/11/26 – 17/11/26. Redeem by 15/11/26. Non-transferable & non refundable. T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club. New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 for your first year, then £19.99 a year thereafter. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

See full Terms and Conditions for the Cineworld offer here.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

Arctic thrills and survival skills in Finnish Lapland

At Ruka, the first skiers of the year slalomed down the slopes on 2 October. Just inside the Arctic Circle, Ruka’s long snow-sure season and cosy village atmosphere make it a popular ski resort with Finnish families. The long polar nights mean there are only a few hours of dim twilight each day, but the slopes here are floodlit, so that never stops play.

The Narnia-like setting offers just as much action off the runs as on them, and in December the resort launches Ruka Guides, guided adventures from a dedicated activity centre. Spend the morning e-fatbiking through snowy forests (from €90) or cutting a hole in a frozen lake to catch fish (from €89), before learning Arctic survival skills (from €85) or snowshoeing in the evening darkness on the hunt for the northern lights (from €89).

Other, more offbeat diversions include floating in a thermal suit down the freezing Kiveskoski river in meditative silence (from €135), whizzing down an alpine coaster at up to 25mph (from €11.88) and practising your sun salutation in the forest surrounded by grazing reindeer (from €45).

Dasher and Dancer are a clue to the other reason Ruka is such a hit with children: the main merry man himself. Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and the elves live at Santa’s Cottage, about 30 minutes’ drive from Ruka, where they test how good little helpers are at gingerbread baking and Christmas card making, before those wannabe elves sing Santa’s favourite carol to him in Finnish, post cards at the post office and sledge down the hillside outside (from €105).

All activities at ruka.fi. Rukariutta Superior apartments sleep up to six from €362 a night (rukapalvelu.fi). Lumo Lakeside Lodges sleep up to two adults and two children from €215 (rukasafaris.fi)

Stargazing in the Cairngorms

In the depths of winter, the sun sets just a shade after 3.30pm in the Cairngorms national park and doesn’t rise again until about 8.50 the following morning. Those long hours of darkness combined with low levels of light pollution (the area around Tomintoul and Glenlivet is an International Dark Sky Park) makes it the perfect place for stargazing.

While it’s easy to be dazzled by the Milky Way without even reaching for a telescope, the Discovery Centre in the village of Tomintoul lends out stargazing kits (pre-booking required) to help visitors delve deeper into the cosmos at one of their recommended viewing sites, such as the nearby Tomintoul Field of Hope, with its purpose-built Skyhide pavilion.

The centre is also the meeting point for astronomy events (there is a close-up look at the moon on 18 November and an evening of meteor spotting when the Geminids shower is at its peak around mid-December (suggested donation £7, cairngormsdarkskypark.org).

A short drive away, just north of Aviemore, storyteller Sarah Hobbs leads monthly Stargazing Storywalks. The 1½-mile after-dark amble weaves in Gaelic and Pictish tales of the night sky from thousands of years ago, from warrior queens to one-eyed giants, and ends with a cup of foraged wild tea (£20pp, Oct-March). For something a little more strenuous, Hillgoers organises regular three-mile night walks with certified star rangers, spotting glowing planets and nocturnal wildlife (£40pp, maximum of eight in a group).

The Lazy Duck continues the dark-sky theme with a clutch of off-grid huts among the pines of the Abernethy Forest with stargazing windows above the beds (from £187 a night in December).

There are plenty of winter activities in daylight hours too, from driving the SnowRoads route, which winds along the highest public roads in Britain, to meeting the country’s only free-roaming reindeer herd (guided hill trips run Feb-Dec from £29.40pp, cairngormreindeer.co.uk).

Toboggans and glaciers in Chamonix

At the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is famous among skiers for its gnarly off-piste terrain and intense black runs. But that dramatic landscape makes it prime territory for action off the slopes too. One of Responsible Travel’s new trips this season is a four-night self-guided snowshoeing holiday in the Chamonix valley.

Using the traditional mountain spa town of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains as its base, the itinerary ventures deep into the snow-covered Vallorcine valley, hiking through larch meadows and pine forests, heading up the Flégère gondola to walk along a balcony trail facing Mont Blanc, and taking in the views from the summit of Mont d’Arbois at 1,833 metres.

The Mont Blanc massif is one of the most densely glaciated areas in the Alps, and while the ice is receding due to the climate crisis, taking the dinky red Montenvers cog train up to the Mer de Glace is still an impressive experience. This huge river of ice winds some 5 miles between the mountains, and at the top a cable car followed by around 200 steps descends into the Grotte de Glace, a blue tunnel carved into the glacier (€49.70 for the train, gondola and ice cave visit).

A more intrepid ice-spotting option is Les Contamines-Montjoie circular snowshoeing route, which climbs through pine forests to the Plateau du Truc, with its views of the d’Armancette, Miage and Covagnet glaciers.

Back in Chamonix, the Mont-Blanc Museum opened in July, tracing the valley’s history and Alpine exploits from the ice age to today, showcasing objects that include memorabilia from the first Winter Olympic Games (held in Chamonix in 1924) and the walking stick of Jacques Balmat, half of the two-man team that made the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786. That climb is only for serious mountaineers, but the cable car from Chamonix town centre is a shortcut to Aiguille du Midi’s almost-as-impressive 3,842-metre peak (€43 round trip) – leaving plenty of energy to hit the nearby La Luge toboggan run (€23 for the pedestrian lift pass and one descent; ski-saintgervais.com).

A four-night self-guided snowshoeing trip in Chamonix from £790pp with Responsible Travel, including B&B accommodation, route maps, smartphone navigation app, GPS trackers and 24/7 phone support

Snowshoeing and bear spotting in Transylvania

Hiking along narrow trails in the Piatra raiului national park, you’re more likely to come across bear or wolf tracks than other walkers’ footprints. The Carpathian mountains are one of Europe’s last bastions for large predators – there are thought to be more than 10,000 brown bears and around 2,500 grey wolves in Romania alone.

A week-long guided trip with Exodus makes tracks into Transylvania’s dramatic karst landscape, and is an atmospheric introduction to snowshoes and crampons. Base camp is the family-run Villa Hermani guesthouse, over 1,000 metres above sea level in the village of Magura, where there’s always a warming glass of homemade pălincă (fruit brandy) waiting.

Hikes climb up to the high ridge of Dealul Măgurice or to the plateau between the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi mountains, where the only thing that might break the silence is the howling of a wolf. One of the most spectacular walks heads along the Zărnești Gorge, its vertical limestone walls rising 200 metres above the icy canyon floor.

When not snowshoeing through Christmas-card scenes, take in medieval churches, the cobbled old town of Brașov and the Libearty bear sanctuary, which has rescued over 120 brown bears from the cruelty of captivity. And while Bram Stoker never set foot in Romania, let alone Bran Castle (often said to be the inspiration for Dracula’s lair), you can. With its frosty turrets and towers set against the Carpathians, it looks more gothic than ever, and even better without the bloodthirsty summer crowds.

Exodus’s seven-night Transylvania winter walk and snowshoe trip from £1,459pp, including all accommodation, meals, transport and activities, tour guide, snowshoes and poles

Igloos and Christmas markets in Innsbruck

Innsbruck is ringed by the Austrian Alps, meaning wherever you wander in the city – among the medieval alleys of the Altstadt or past the colourful houses along the River Inn – snow-covered mountains are the constant backdrop. Those jagged peaks are home to 12 ski areas within 15 to 75 minutes of the city by public transport, and some are worth the trip for the snow-plough-averse too.

Zaha Hadid’s swooping, modernist Bergisel ski jump is a dominant sight above the town and the vertiginous view is even better from its observation deck. The architect also designed four of the Nordpark Cable Railway stations that feature fluid glass canopies mimicking natural ice formations and glaciers. They take skiers and non-skiers up to the Nordkette mountains for a bird’s eye view of the Tirolean capital.

There’s plenty more to get pulses racing without clipping on a pair of skis, from bobsleighing down the 1,399-metre Olympic track at Igls at speeds of up to 115km/h (from €45 for bobrafting, €119 for piloted race bobsleighing) to night sledding at Rangger Köpfl (€25). For more icy fun, there are igloos to spend the night in at Iglu-Dorf in Kühtai, Austria’s highest ski resort (from €537 for up to three people, including cheese fondue, community sauna and breakfast).

Back down in Innsbruck, Christmas market season kicks off in November, and there are seven dotted around the streets and squares, from the historic old town market to the lofty Hungerburg – be sure to try kiachl, a doughnut-like pastry served either savoury with hot sauerkraut, or sweet topped with wild cranberry jam.

New skating experience Ice Magic also launches this winter, with illuminated ice paths connecting different parts of the city, alongside light installations and projections, ice disco nights and DJs (from €8).

Nordic ice-skating in Sweden

While Scandinavians started using animal bones to make primitive ice skates thousands of years ago, wild, or Nordic, skating as we know it (long-distance skating outdoors on natural ice for sport rather than utility) evolved in Sweden in the 1900s. Stockholm’s Skridskoseglarklubb (“Skate Sailing Club”) was formed in 1901 and today has more than 10,000 members, who share the latest ice information online to find the ideal skating locations.

Nordic skates have long blades attached only at the front of the boot, used to make long, rhythmic glides; other specialist safety kit includes long, pointy poles to assess ice thickness and a backpack that doubles as a flotation device.

Wild is the operative word here, and it is prudent as a beginner to skate with a pro. Stockholm-based Ice Guide runs a number of trips, from one-day introductions to multi-day tours, which head out on to Lake Mälaren or the Baltic Sea in the Stockholm archipelago (from £143 including all gear, transport and lunch). Hellasgården, less than half an hour outside Stockholm, is another popular skate spot with ploughed tracks on Lake Källtorpssjön, and there are holes cut in the ice for the bravest swimmers (and a sauna for after).

While in the city centre, get your frozen kicks at the ice rink at Kungsträdgården (skate rental about £7.50 an hour) or by joining the boisterous crowd at a Djurgården IF ice hockey match at the Hovet stadium.

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A foodie walk in the Dolomites, northern Italy

Hearty Tirolean food is made for winter: Knödel dumplings smothered in melted butter and parmesan, the ricotta- and spinach-filled pasta pockets of Schlutzkrapfen, the cast-iron skillet hash of Bauerngröstl. Hiking through the slopes and valleys of the Dolomites’ Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks) nature park on a week-long trip with self-guided walking holiday specialists Inntravel is a good way to work up an appetite.

From the charmingly traditional Hotel Drei Zinnen in the village of Sesto near the Austrian border, a network of 100km of well-groomed, partially cleared paths (meaning no snowshoes required) branches out through the Fischleintal valley and beyond into the nature park.

Mountain huts (rifugios) are dotted along routes for a warming lunch: Talschlusshütte serves mountain pine and porcini mushroom risotto and classic comforting Gerstensuppe (barley soup) along the Fischleintal valley walk; while the 100-year-old Dreischusterhütte among the fir trees in the nearby Innerfeldtel valley is much loved for its Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) and homemade Apfelkiachl (fried apple rings).

Other routes start with a cable car ride and cut across the snowglobe landscapes of the Kreuzbergpass (stopping for a drink on the terrace at the Klammbach hut, of course) or loop around the banks of the frozen Lake Toblach.

Hotel Drei Zinnen has welcomed a fair few winter explorers through its doors since it opened in 1930. One regular guest – the mountaineer and author of Seven Years in Tibet Heinrich Harrer – inspired the hotel’s original owner Hans Watschinger to transform the establishment and the village of Sesto (Sexten in German) into a winter destination. It’s still run by the Watschinger family, and today there’s daily afternoon cake and a Finnish sauna to ease walk-weary muscles, and four-course nightly feasts of Italian favourites and local South Tirolean specialities to fuel up for another day in the mountains.

A seven-night Italian Dolomites Winter Walking trip from £1,076, including half-board accommodation, local bus pass and transfers (inntravel.co.uk)

Husky sledding, reindeer and the northern lights in Norway

For as long as the lights of the aurora borealis have danced across the sky, the people living beneath them have told stories explaining the mysterious, spectral glow – are they omens or gods, communication from spirits or threat of war? For some Sámi communities in northern Scandinavia, they were the souls of the dead, souls that were not to be disturbed by looking, talking, waving or pointing at them, in case the ghostly veil snatched you into the sky or cut off your head.

At 217 miles (350km) above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is the ideal destination for northern lights chasers and learning about the indigenous Sámi people – many of whom still herd reindeer across the vast wilderness.

The Oskal family have lived a way of life shaped by reindeer for generations, and their herd spends winter around the camp near Tromsø and summer roaming free in the mountains. The family now share that traditional way of life through Tromsø Arctic Reindeer, opening up their camp to visitors to sled ride, feed the herd and join the family around the fire in the lavvu (tent), for joik (traditional Sámi song) and perhaps glimpses of the aurora overhead (experiences start at 990 kroner/£75 for reindeer feeding).

At the gateway to Norway’s frozen far north, Tromsø is the launchpad for numerous activities – ice fishing and fjord cruising, husky sledding and snowmobile safaris – and the lively university town is interesting in itself. It was once the departure point for expeditions to the north pole – a history captured at the Polar Museum on the harbour front – and today also draws cultural travellers for concerts in the angular Arctic Cathedral and the international film festival in January.

Three-night trip to Tromsø from £767pp, including B&B and an aurora-chasing trip, with Discover the World

SOMETIMES you just want a break from the hum-drum of daily life, without having to spend too much money.

After all, what’s better than a beautiful hotel room where you can wake up at your leisure, or a cosy cottage with all your family?

So as the team of travel experts at the Sun, we’ve looked at all of our favourite places across the UK where we’ve stayed which DON’T break the bank.

And you certainly don’t have to splash the cash on expensive five star stays to enjoy a luxurious and restful break.

Not only have we searched the entire UK, from Edinburgh and the Lake District to Oxford and Kent, but all of these stays are less than £100, so £50 each an night.

Some are even a bargain £3 each, per night. You’re welcome.

Searles Hunstanton, Norfolk

A cheap and cheerful holiday park break can really jazz up an otherwise boring and drizzly November.

Growing up in north Norfolk, I spent my fair share of days at Searles Leisure Resort. I even worked on the mini golf course, so I have plenty of recommendations!

Visiting in the autumn is super affordable. Use of the pool, sauna, jacuzzi and £1m kids splash zone is completely free (as long as you book direct) – so no need to buy an expensive add-on swim pass.

If visiting over a weekend, make sure to tuck into their impressive Sunday carvery. While the main restaurant can get busy, I recommend eating in the Sports Bar which overlooks the golf course.

While on-site entertainment is limited in autumn, there’s plenty of indoor, kid-friendly attractions nearby such as Farmer Fred’s soft play in Heacham and shows at Hunstanton Princess Theatre.

The site practically backs onto Hunstanton promenade, so you can be on the seafront in only a few steps. On dry days, make sure to walk all the way along to Old Hunstanton’s stripey chalk cliffs for a stunning view.

Grab a pack of hot, sugary cinnamon doughnuts from Kay’s, then head to Hunstanton Pier amusements to spend your spare 2ps. You won’t miss the massive building right on the green with a bowling alley overlooking the sea.

With a November Super Savers break, you can bag a four-night stay for £119. If you stay as a group of six, that works out to £4.96pp per night. – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Maldron Hotel, Newcastle

If you’re looking for a fantastically central hotel to enjoy a night out in the party city of Newcastle while still getting a good night’s sleep, you can’t go wrong with the Maldron Hotel on Newgate Street.

This modern, fresh hotel delivers 4* quality at great prices.

There’s free wifi, smart TVs, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities and a choice of deluxe rooms, executive suites and family rooms.

There’s hearty breakfasts and all-day dining at the Grain and Grill bar and restaurant as well as options that can be delivered to your room.

But its main attraction is its central location. Opposite the Eldon Square shopping centre and close to The Gate leisure complex, it’s just a three-minute walk from Newcastle’s Central Station and close to local metro stations.

Footie fans will love the fact they can walk to St James’ Park and the Quayside is with its famous bridges, modern art galleries, lively bars and famous Sunday market is also just a 10minute stroll away.

Rooms from from just £68 a night for a double room, or £34 each. See maldronhotels.com. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Cefn Nannau, Wales

An off-grid cottage staycation, deep in rural countryside just can’t be beaten – especially at this time of year when the autumn chill is finally starting to hit.

There’s room for the whole family (and more) in the gorgeous 12-person Cefn Nannau, buried among rolling fields in Corwen, North Wales.

It features two cosy living rooms with roaring log burners and board games so you can hunker down on those dark evenings, plus there’s an outdoor hot tub overlooking farming fields where sheep graze freely.

Rooms are cosy and come with glorious green views (and many feature en suite bathrooms, too) while the spacious kitchen, with a rugged Aga, is great for whipping up group feasts.

The property’s charm comes from its history as a former barn and character comes in the form of wonky beams and traditional terracotta floor tiles.

Its location is second to none, too.

Wales‘ largest freshwater lake, Bala Lake, is a short drive away,stretching 3.5miles in length. There’s also Snowdonia National Park right on your doorstep.

Cefn Nannau cottage costs from around £21 per person per night, based on full occupancy and a stay of seven nights. See sykescottages.co.uk. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

London & Paris Hotel, Folkestone

Sea views, check. Cosy rooms, check. Fantastic pub grub, check. With all the boxes ticked, the London & Paris Hotel in Folkestone I think is one of Kent‘s best, affordable places to stay.

The seaside town is short of boutique hotels, with the majority of options being B&Bs or pub stays.

But the London & Paris reopened back in 2023 after years of renovations restoring the historic building.

Now, every room has sea views, and each is designed in elevated beach chic, so kooky patterned interiors and blue striped walls.

It no longer has its own restaurant, but the downstairs Harbour Inn pub is one of the finest in town with fantastic fresh seafood and Sunday Roasts.

Even better, Folkestone is less than an hour from London so makes for a great weekend trip from the capital.

Rooms start from £90 a night, so £45 each – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Butlins, UK locations

Earlier this year, I made my first pilgrimage to Butlin’s at their Skegness resort, and was so overwhelmed that I drew up an hour-by-hour activities spreadsheet to make sure that we made the most of every opportunity.

In just three days, we saw six shows, swam in the pool, played mini golf and laser quest, explored the soft play, spent far too many pound coins in the arcade, enjoyed arts and crafts and went to the fun fair.

We didn’t have time for the bowling, go-karting, pottery, climbing and aerial adventure courses.

What’s particularly incredible is that so many of these activities are included in the price of your stay, even if you go for the cheapest accommodation.

Their base rates start from £49 for four nights for a family of four during school holidays, which is an astonishing £12.25pp per holiday (working out to around £3 each a night).

It doesn’t matter where you book – the cheapest or priciest rooms – the activities included in the price are the same.

The quality of the entertainment is top notch too – and much cheaper when you could easily be spending £40 each for tickets to the West End, while Butlin’s shows are included and the same standard.

If we’re conservative, that’s £120pp for three nights of quality shows already. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Pinewoods Holiday Park, Norfolk

In my mind, holiday parks are rowdy places filled with screeching children and soft play fun barns, so imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the peaceful Pinewoods Holiday Park in Norfolk.

Saltmash Lodge in Wells-next-the-Sea has ample room for six people – and a dog too. 

Inside, the master bedroom is impressively large with a kingsize bed, spacious en-suite and plush dressing area. The other two had twin beds and a separate bathroom.

My favourite part though, is the open-plan dining, kitchen and living area surrounded by large windows and a skylight.

Outside there’s a wraparound deck with a barbecue. But during the autumn, evenings are best spent settled on the sofas in front of the coal-effect fire.

Pinewoods is in a top location too, an equal walk into the town of Wells which has pretty quayside pubs and boutiques. Walk the other way to get to Wells beach with lots of golden sand and backed with brightly decorated beach huts and, beyond that, a pine forest.

Lodge prices start from £747 for a three-night stay, sleeping six people in three bedrooms which works out to £41.50pp per night.– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Mollies Motel, Oxford

Mollie’s opened its first ever motel in Oxfordshire in 2019 – a quirky concept inspired by roadside stays in the US, except more lavish.

And best of all, it’s super cheap.

In fact, I challenge you to find a more chic and handsomely-decorated bedroom for the same low price as this (less than £40pp a night).

The hotel started as the budget-friendly little sister to swanky members club Soho House and although it is now a separate entity, it still maintains a close relationship with the brand.

That means uber stylish furniture from Soho Home and Scandi-style decor. Think wooden panelling, earthy tones and funky lighting.

If you love American grub, then you’ll love the hotel’s diner which sticks to the American theme with huge burgers, dirty fries and hard shakes loaded with whipped cream.

Rooms cost from £37per person per night, on a room-only basis, with other hotels including Mollies Bristol and Mollies Manchester. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Kickass Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Now hear me out: don’t knock a hostel until you try it. 

Kick Ass Grassmarket sits in the centre of Edinburgh, just a few minutes’ walk from all the major attractions and is a welcoming and secure hostel. 

Now, when you think of a hostel you probably picture dorms full of bunk beds and strangers, but at Kick Ass you can actually get a private room making it a great budget option. 

Plus you’ll get the benefit of social spaces and a fully-equipped kitchen. 

A double or twin room costs from just £70 per night, and has enough space for your luggage. 

Rooms have plenty of sockets, a full-length mirror and reading lights by the bed. And if you are lucky, you might even get a castle view – not bad for £35pp, eh?

Edinburgh is stunning all year and you don’t have to spend much to have a good time in the city, with hiking the famous Arthur‘s Seat is a top free activity. 

The National Museum of Scotland is also well worth exploring; its airy central atrium lets light flood the museum.– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

The Alan, Manchester

One of my favourite cities in the UK is Manchester, as it has all the elements of London – fantastic food scene, beautiful architecture and history – just with friendlier locals.

Oh and much cheaper hotels that are just as beautiful.

I love The Alan, built into the a former Victorian cotton warehouse.

The rooms feel elevated, so pink plaster rooms, marble tables and orange glass mugs, as well as brass bathroom fittings and fancy toiletries.

They have all the modcons, from flat screen TVs to Bluetooth speakers as well while the bar below is where you should be meeting your mates for a glass of wine and some nibbles.

Rooms start from £62 a night, or £31 each. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

THERE is nothing sinister about Tenerife or the capital of romance Paris. Or is there? With Halloween finally here, we uncover the spooky sides of European destinations.

From a cursed canalside palace in Venice to headless ghosts in Malta, Lisa Minot and Sophie Swietochowski share their pick of surprisingly scary holiday hotspots.

PARIS

THE French capital is reportedly home to the world’s largest underground ossuary — where the remains of six million people are buried beneath the streets.

Thrillseekers can stroll the network of underground tunnels, which are embedded with human skulls and bones.

You may see the City of Love in a whole other light after this.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 3H Explorers Hotel is from £459pp including flights from Leeds Bradford on November 9.

MORE PENNE

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PLACE IN THE SUN

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Includes a 22kg baggage allowance. Approximately £28 in tourist tax is payable at the property. See jet2holidays.com.

ROME

DESCEND into the Capuchin Crypt beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the bustling Via Veneto and you’re greeted with a stunningly creepy sight — the bones of nearly 4,000 friars decorate five subterranean chapels.

The bones are laid out in intricate patterns across walls and archways and have even been turned into chandeliers.

GO: Two nights’ B&B at the 5H Villa Agrippina is from £399pp including flights from Heathrow on select dates in December. Price includes 23kg luggage. See britishairways.com/rome.

PRAGUE

IT may be famous for its pretty cobbled squares and fairytale spires but its medieval past has some chilling folklore.

The 14th-century Charles Bridge is said to be haunted by headless ghosts of executed nobles.

And the Old Town is famous for the legend of the Headless Templar Knight — a ghost who rides a white horse through the streets after midnight.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3H Comfort Hotel Prague City East is from £419pp including flights from Bristol on November 27 and 22kg luggage. See jet2holidays.com.

TENERIFE

ANCIENT spirits lurk in one of Tenerife’s oldest buildings, the Palacio de Lercaro.

This is the former home of Catalina Lercaro, the daughter of a wealthy businessman who was forced into a loveless marriage.

Catalina tragically took her own life by throwing herself down a well, and rumour has it that she still walks the building today. Holidaymakers can explore the building, with a traditional stone staircase, before venturing into the gorgeous old town for a bit of light respite.

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering at the 3H Coral Compostela Beach Golf & Siam Park Waterpark is from £429pp based on four sharing and including flights from Manchester on November 1. Includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers. See jet2holidays.com.

DUBROVNIK

JUST 600 metres off the shore of Dubrovnik lies the isle of Lokrum.

It may look like a lush paradise but local folklore has it that Benedictine monks placed a curse on anyone who tries to take control of the island, after they were forced out by French forces in the late 18th century.

A string of former owners suffered mysterious deaths and tragedies, and today you can visit the eerie ruins of the abandoned monastery.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the Hotel Porto is from £338pp with flights from Gatwick on November 14. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

MALTA

LISTEN out for whispers when you stroll in fortified medieval hilltop city Mdina — the headless ghost of Katrina still wanders the narrow lanes, calling to passers-by.

Traditional folklore claims she was sentenced to death for killing a knight in self-defence.

She was granted one final wish — to marry her true love — before being marched to her death immediately after the ceremony.

Mdina, known as the Silent City, is a spooky place to explore and many have claimed to see a woman in a bridal gown disappearing into the walls.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 3+H Mayflower Hotel is from £519pp including flights from London Stansted on November 6, plus 22kg baggage and return transfers.

Approximately £18 in tourist tax is payable at the property for this holiday. See jet2holidays.com.

VENICE

IF you visit Venice, you may want to steer clear of the 15th-century Ca’ Dario that borders the Grand Canal. Many believe the palace is cursed, after seven owners and visitors have met tragic ends since the 1980s.

People became so suspicious that the property remained empty for many years until 2026 . . . when it was listed for sale.

GO: Three nights’ B&B at the 3H Il Mercante di Venezia is from £182pp including flights from London Stansted on December 13 and hand luggage. See tui.co.uk.

CRETE

GREECE is full of gory history so it’s no surprise that one of its fortresses is said to be crawling with an army of ghosts.

Head to Frangokastello, on the island of Crete, and you’ll find a restored Venetian castle overlooking a sandy beach.

At first glance, it may look peaceful but visit in the morning in May and you might be able to spot shadowy figures emerging from the misty waters.

They are said to be the ghosts of fighters who died in an horrific battle in 1828.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Creta Palm Resort is from £799pp including flights from from East Midlands on May 4 next year. Includes 22kg baggage and return transfers.

Approximately £58 in tourist tax is payable at the property. See jet2holidays.com.

Need to know

Rachel was on holiday with her husband when everything went terribly wrong

A 42-year-old Brit mum died suddenly in Spain while on holiday – what you need to know

• A British mum collapsed and died on holiday in Spain despite the best efforts of paramedics to save her life.
• Rachel Weston, 42, from Bury, Greater Manchester, had been to see a pharmacist about what she thought was just a cold, but her condition later worsened significantly – and she suddenly collapsed in her hotel room in Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
• Local reports said she suffered a cardiac arrest, although no underlying cause has been confirmed. Hotel staff and paramedics tried to save her but tragically she couldn’t be saved.
• Her husband, Mark, said: “My world was completely turned upside down with the sudden and heartbreaking loss of my gorgeous wife, Rachel.” Rachel was a loving stepmum to his three children and he described her as “the absolute heart of our home”.
• Mark has launched a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and has asked mourners to wear purple, Rachel’s favourite colour, at her funeral on November 6.

READ THE FULL STORY: ‘My gorgeous wife died suddenly in Lanzarote – it’s heartbreaking’

A MAJOR European airport is closing for an entire month with the last flights taking off today.

Naples Capodichino Airport is one of the busiest airports in Italy behind Milan and Rome.

Not only that, but lots of low-cost airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air operate from the airport.

Yet from tomorrow (November 1), all flights will be suspended until next month.

This is due to a huge €30million (£25.1million) runway refurbishment, as part of a larger €250million (£209.2million).

Currently, around 13million passengers use the airport, with plans for this to increase to 17.3million by 2035.

GROUNDED

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TERMINAL CASE

Major European airport to CLOSE for entire month with all flights suspended

The airport states on the website: “Naples Airport will be closed in November 2026 for extensive and planned runway upgrades, in compliance with stringent industry regulations and in line with GESAC’s priority commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards.”

The decision to close in November was due to this being the quietest month for the airport.

EasyJet currently operates flights to Naples from London Gatwick, while Ryanair has flights from Manchester, London Stansted and Edinburgh.

Passengers heading to Naples will instead fly to Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport.

A shuttle bus will then operate from the airport instead, costing €12 (£10).

Otherwise the train from Salerno to Naples Central is a cheaper option for £5 each way.

Naples Airport will reopen by November 30.

“THIS pub is considered one of the most haunted in the UK.”

My guide points to the first floor of the Ten Bells in East London’s Whitechapel – one of many stops on my unique small group Jack the Ripper walking tour.

Several of the Rippers’ victims were thought to have drunk here before being brutally murdered in 1888 and, despite almost 140 years having passed, the morbid fascination lives on.

Why such intrigue? It’s because the killer was never caught, making this one of the biggest unsolved whodunnits of all time.

So popular has this two-hour experience become that its operator, Empire Tours, has recently announced that it’s their No. 1 attraction.

It’s also the fastest-growing tour for foreign visitors, second only to Buckingham Palace’s Changing of the Guard.

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Who could have predicted the Ripper giving the royals a run for their money?

Be warned, though, this tour is not for the faint-hearted. The notorious serial killer is believed to have struck five times, butchering his victims’ bodies on nearly each occasion – and you’ll learn all the gory details.

Storytelling brings everything to life, discussing the who’s, how’s and where’s of each murder as we visit the crime scenes.

There are seven of us in total (group sizes are kept small), and when the guide shows images of the Ripper’s mutilated bodies, we gasp and gawp at the graphic horror.

It’s an important reminder that, while much of this story is now cloaked in lore, these shocking murders were horrifyingly real. As we walk from Brick Lane to Spitalfields and the Square Mile, we also get a glimpse into Victorian society.

There were no equal rights for women back then and the Ripper’s victims were all female sex workers, alcoholics and vulnerable.

How did he get away with it? He dragged them all into dark alleys with no street lighting. No witnesses; nothing ever seen.

Newspapers at the time published what were likely hoax ‘Catch Me If You Can’ letters, written in blood and signed by someone purporting to be ‘Jack the Ripper’ – that’s how the name caught on. And more than a century later we’re still talking about him.

Aanand Mohapatra, from Empire Tours, says: “It’s a story that everyone has heard of and its sense of mystique makes people want to dive deeper.”

It’s not all blood and gore, however. Go on a Sunday and you’ll find Petticoat Lane’s market (open since the 1600s) in full swing.

You’ll see a less touristy side of the capital, too.

Where Whitechapel was once the poorest part of town, it’s now multicultural, vibey and trending.

For proper, spooky feels, however, this experience is best enjoyed in the dark.

And if ghosts and ghouls are your thing, then Halloween is the ideal time.

As well as seeing some of the UK’s most haunted pubs, you can try solving one of the world’s most enduring mysteries. If you dare . . . 

WHEN two brothers open a Mississippi blues bar in horror film Sinners, it starts out like a great party.

That is, until someone welcomes in a very troublesome vampire — and all hell breaks loose.

Which is much like my visit to the Sinners haunted house at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

As I walk arm-in-arm with my best mate, we laugh, scream and cling to each other for dear life as the same terrifying story plays out in front of our eyes.

The Halloween event in Florida has been running for 35 years and film fans can’t get enough of its fully immersive horror houses.

Each year, ten elaborate sound stages are erected to shock, frighten and entertain.

WAIL OF A TIME

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Horror is now the fastest-growing film genre, so it’s easy to see why the Halloween Horror Nights have grown to the scale they are at today.

What started in 1991 as a single haunted house, open to visitors for just three days, is now a two-month Spooktacular that is virtually sold out every night.

Whether you are a big movie buff or not, it’s a unique experience that isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Some of the biggest movies are played out in such intricate detail that, once inside the dark passageways, it’s all too easy to believe you are part of the movie itself.

As well as 2025 box office hit Sinners, Universal has teamed up with other killer movie thrillers.

They include Evil Dead Burn and Hellraiser — a franchise that Lora Sauls, the theme park’s assistant director of creative development, says has taken a decade to secure the rights to.

And the wait was worth it, as Hellraiser delivered the most jump-scares of the night.

The films’ Cenobites and other ghouls burst out of every dark corner, mysterious curtain and doorway, accompanied by strobe lights, wild screaming and flumes of fog.

Other houses this year include Netflix’s Stranger Things 5 — which also has an energetic light and water show inspired by it on the lagoon — while a very cool Ozzy Osbourne: Prince Of Darkness house features music and gothic moments from the late rocker’s back catalogue.

One original theme house is Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, which stars the much-loved characters who have dominated the event over the last three decades and have sealed their place in Halloween Horror Nights lore.

The remaining five houses cover aliens, cannibals, classic Universal monsters and futuristic cyber baddies, all offering plenty of scares as well as a few giggles.

The Halloween Horror Nights event is on a separate ticket to the regular theme park 14-day passes — and the fear continues outside the haunted houses, too.

Universal Studios Florida gets a complete and creepy makeover as the sun goes down.

Those who re-enter for the night get to enjoy a huge Halloween street party, stretching the length and breadth of the park.

There are dedicated bars and food pop-ups, with drinks and bites themed for the attractions, such as the Meat Grinder Red Velvet Cake and Hellraiser Spicy Meatballs.

Navigating the event is no walk in the park, with five scare zones set up to keep the jumps jumpin’.

One of them, the neon playground based on video game Fortnite, is a fresh and unique take on the event’s street scares.

During the night, you will also pass through Club Horror and The Sideshow Of Decay, which is swarming with zombies.

And the Infernal Carnival Of Nightmares has creepy fairground games and a manic cast of characters.

Perhaps the most terrifying can be found at Downtown Clowntown, which is pretty self-explanatory.

If jesters give you the jitters, I recommend a different route.

Halloween Horror Nights are recommended for guests over 11 — but by day, more wholesome and family-friendly movies take centre stage.

DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios celebrates movies including Trolls, Shrek and Kung Fu Panda.

While over at Epic Universe, you can enjoy rides and attractions based on How To Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo and the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Universal’s Islands Of Adventure has you hopping between Hogwarts, Jurassic Park and Worlds Of Marvel, with high-speed coasters such as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and VelociCoaster providing the thrills.

The Universal All-Parks Ticket gets you in to all the theme parks, as well as Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay.

That guarantees plenty of excitement and not a clown in sight.

For anyone visiting Florida next September and October, Halloween Horror Nights are a fun way to shake up your holiday.

The event I went to carried on until 2am, so there was still time after midnight to go back through the Sinners house, much to my friend’s despair.

But with entertainment on such a grand scale, a soothing blues soundtrack and the opportunity to laugh at her screaming round every corner, how could I resist?

OUR Spotlight On column suggests what to do and see in the top holiday spots as well as lesser known regions in the UK and farther afield.

This week, in honour of Halloween, we’re taking a look at Nottingham – one of the spookiest destinations in the UK, regardless of the time of year you visit.

MUST SEE/DO

If you’re into your spooks, the National Justice Museum should be top of your list.

The former court and prison dates back to 1375 and it has seen some terrifying things in those years.

Criminals were brought to justice here and held in the dungeons ahead of public hangings and executions.

Paranormal sightings are frequently reported, with some ghost hunters recording cold spots in the basements and hearing distant screams.

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If that’s not thrilling enough, book onto the Original Nottingham Ghost Walk, one of the oldest of its kind in the UK.

The two-hour experience ticks off some creepy locations within the city’s historic Castle Quarter – it will have your hairs standing on end.

HIDDEN GEM

Did you know that Nottingham is home to an underground labyrinth of caves?

Locals first began constructing the City of caves over a thousand years ago, during the Anglo-Saxon Era.

Nottingham’s unique geology and soft rock meant that workers were able to easily carve out spaces and homes that were protected from harsh weather and the natural elements.

Generations continued to carve out more spaces to use as cellars and then as bomb shelters during WWII.

Having seen so much history, it’s no wonder people have reported hearing mysterious noises down there.

Family tickets cost from £62 for two adults and two children.

BEST VIEW

You’ll have to venture a little out of the city centre for the best views, but you certainly won’t regret a visit to Wollaton Hall & Deer Park.

Spread across 500 acres, this glorious green space looks particularly magnificent at this time of year, when the autumn leaves are shedding.

For some chills and thrills, pop into the main manor house, once the home of Lady Middleton.

She suffered a stroke after falling from her horse back in the 18th century, but rumour has it that her ghost still wanders the halls today, dressed in a white gown.

RATED RESTAURANT

The tacos at city-centre restaurant Taquero are scarily good.

Favourites include the pork brisket which comes topped with pickled red cabbage and apple salsa and the baja with fried fish, chipotle aioli and coriander.

The Mexican restaurant has just updated its menus for autumn, too.

BEST BAR

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be Britain’s oldest inn, having been pouring brews since 1189.

According to legend, the Knights Templar and crusaders ventured here to down ale before setting off for the holy land.

It’s much cosier today and with a much better drinks selection, too!

Think local ales, modern beers, wines and classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned. Its rooms are small and pokey, which adds to its charm.

HOTEL PICK

If the aim of the game is to be spooked then you may want to check into the Bestwood Lodge Hotel, a 25-minute drive from the city centre.

Once a Victorian hunting lodge surrounded by 700 acres of parkland, the now-hotel is supposedly haunted by the spirit of Nell Gwynn (the mistress of King Charles II).

You may notice strange happenings like lights flickering on and off and the noise of footsteps.

In general, the hotel is atmospheric with roaring fireplaces and dark wooden features. Rooms cost from £75 per night.

“IS there anybody there?” I whisper into the darkness, silently praying I don’t hear a response.

It’s a Friday night and I’m sitting in the dark in Cornwall’s Bodmin Jail in a bid to make contact with the spirits that apparently roam this former prison.

My husband Paul and I are sampling a thrilling experience, My Haunted Jail — Paranormal Investigation, which runs twice a week.

Upon arrival, visitors are split into pairs and taken to separate parts of the prison before being left to their own devices to see if they can conjure up any ghouls from the past.

Folklore is etched into the facility’s walls.

Built by prisoners of war in 1779, it became Cornwall’s county prison for more than 150 years and 55 public executions took place here.

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No wonder people think it’s haunted . . . 

One of the most infamous inmates, I learn, was Matthew Weeks, hanged in 1844 for the murder of Charlotte Dymond.

Both spirits have supposedly been spotted on different occasions, with Matthew wandering around pleading his innocence.

Another notable figure is Selina Wadge, who was hanged for the murder of her disabled son in 1878 and whose spirit preys on youngsters visiting the jail.

The only prisoner ever to escape Bodmin was an inmate named Henry.

He allegedly vanished into thin air in 1897 and some believe his spirit still walks the corridors today, trying to find a way out.

We begin our paranormal experience in the naval wing, home to a museum that highlights the original cells and stories of those caged here.

There was a definite ghoulish atmosphere — no surprise when in a cold prison after dark.

While we didn’t experience any chills or things that go bump in the night, many people have reported feeling their clothes being tugged, or claimed to hear children screaming and keys rattling, as well as heavy footsteps.

Every part of the jail has been fitted out with cameras, so any paranormal activity can be caught on film and potentially used on the next My Haunted Project TV show.

Paul was the first to try the Bloody Mary challenge — a trend that’s been doing the rounds for a few years now.

It involves participants trying to summon the ghostly spirit of Bloody Mary by speaking her name three times into a mirror in a dark room.

There have been reports of a shadow appearing or people being pushed and hearing whispers, but much to my relief, nothing materialised. May­be the ghouls sensed my apprehension?

After trying and failing to summon Bloody Mary, each pair of visitors were given 40 minutes in each section of the jail before being moved on by walkie-talkie in the dark.

Silently, we made our way through the jail, creeping into the administration block and then the courtroom.

It was very hard not to be moved by the stories of the people who were once housed in the prison as we wandered the eerie corridors.

It wasn’t just evil murderers who were locked up there, though — many people were jailed for petty crimes such as theft, as well as for being mentally ill.

In times gone by, there was no segregation, with men and women being caged together — and sometimes kids even accompanied their imprisoned mothers.

Our evening finished at 2.30am and although we didn’t experience any ghostly jumps, I was relieved to escape the damp cells and head to the comfort of a warm hotel room.

Following a £50million makeover in 2021, Bodmin Jail opened 70 lavish bedrooms — all of which are significantly more glamorous than the damp and dingy rooms we’d just been exploring.

Created from three former cells, each room retains original features but has modern-day upgrades and homely touches — thank goodness.

The next day, I learned that our now lovely looking room once housed 17-year-old apprentice, James Grenfell Trewhella.

He was jailed in 1848 for ­setting fire to a workshop and a carriage owned by his wealthy boss, Penzance coachbuilder John James.

At least he wasn’t convicted of murder, I suppose . . . 

Ryanair passengers checking in luggage will have less time to reach the airport desk under a new deadline

Anyone travelling with Ryanair who leave their airport journey until the last minute could risk missing their flight when a new rule takes effect. From Tuesday, November 10, airport check-in and bag-drop desks will close 60 minutes before departure, instead of the current 40 minutes.

The change means travellers checking in a suitcase will need to get their bags accepted earlier than they may be used to, even if they have already checked in online. For a flight scheduled to leave at 10am, the deadline will move from 9.20am to 9am. Ryanair carried 206.5 million passengers in the 2025 calendar year.

Travel expert Arber Abdullahu, from TripSIM, has urged holidaymakers to check their airport arrangements before setting off, particularly if they have booked a transfer. He warned that having a boarding pass on a phone does not mean a checked bag has been accepted or that passengers can arrive at the desk whenever they like.

“Checking in online can make you feel that everything is sorted. But if you’re taking a suitcase that needs to go in the hold, you still have a separate deadline to meet at the airport,” he said.

Getting to the airport and reaching the correct desk are not necessarily the same thing, as travellers may need to park, take a shuttle, find their terminal and queue. Anyone relying on a transfer that arrives shortly before the cut-off should review the timings rather than treating the deadline as their target arrival time.

The change could also catch people out on their return journey if they are away when the new rule begins. Someone flying out before November 10 but returning on or after that date should check the deadline for both legs and make sure their hotel pick-up leaves enough time to reach the airport.

“Don’t assume the routine that worked on your outbound flight will work for your return. Check your hotel pick-up time and tell the transfer provider which flight you are taking,” Mr Abdullahu said.

Ryanair says the earlier cut-off is intended to give passengers more time to get through airport security and passport-control queues before reaching their departure gate. The airline says around 20 per cent of its passengers check in a bag, while those who check in online and travel without checked luggage will be unaffected by the bag-drop change.

Passengers should remember that online check-in has a separate deadline and remains open until two hours before departure. Anyone using airport check-in or bag drop should check the latest instructions for their flight and allow enough time to complete each stage of the journey.

West Sussex’s haunted folly

A derelict, 24-metre tall redbrick and flint folly outside Chichester, Racton Monument (known locally as Racton Ruin) is said to be one of the most haunted places in Sussex and has been the site of many paranormal investigations. George Montagu Dunk, the second Earl of Halifax, commissioned the folly, but there is no conclusive account as to why he had it built. Some say it was as a summerhouse, others a viewing point to watch ships come in from the Solent. A ghostly woman walking in the grounds and eerie sounds such as sudden manic laughter are among reported spooky happenings. Now completely gutted and roofless, it’s on private land and unsafe to enter, but still easily seen from nearby footpaths.

‘The event horizon of a black hole’ in Bannau Brycheiniog

Completed in 1927, the Pontsticill reservoir in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) national park supplies water for much of south Wales, holding up to 15.5 billion litres (3,400 million gallons). Like other reservoirs of its time, such as Ladybower in Derbyshire, Pontsticill was built with a bell-mouth spillway, which looks like an eerie giant plughole – or the event horizon of a black hole. Created by flooding a valley, ghostly remains of the submerged village, including a 15th-century church, can resurface during droughts when water levels drop. Richard Ayoade used its terrifying presence with great effect in his 2010 film, Submarine.

Shipwrecks in the Kent marshes

With place names such as Deadman’s Island, Slaughterhouse Point and Bedlam’s Bottom, Chetney Marshes needs no introduction. This forgotten, marshy outpost on the fringes of north Kent, with a limited palette of greens and greys, is home to a collection of slowly decaying, old barges and boats. Such is their level of deterioration, it can be hard to distinguish between the rotten hulks and the marsh itself. Information on the wrecked vessels is hard to come by and contradictory, with Historic England claiming they are former Thames barges. Yet on older maps, they are marked as the more tantalising Victorian prisoner transport ships. An atmospheric place for an otherworldly wander.

A nuclear bunker in Essex

Growing up on terrifying visions of nuclear war, such as 1980s films Threads and Where the Wind Blows, bunkers have always held a certain macabre mystique. Kelvedon Hatch was one such bunker, built in the early 1950s to house up to 600 military personnel and civilians, as well as the prime minister. In this worst-case scenario, it would have become the seat of power in a post-apocalyptic Britain. Above the surface, it looks like an unremarkable bungalow, but, like a Bond villain’s lair, this leads to a three-storey underground shelter equivalent in size to 25 average British homes. Today, the bunker is home to one of the world’s largest cold war museums.

A wailing, windswept tree on the Lancashire moors

On a Pennine hill overlooking Burnley, the Singing Ringing Tree is an eerie sound sculpture created by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu. It is three metres tall and designed to look like a brutalist windswept tree. The sculpture comprises a series of galvanised steel pipes tuned to various pitches over a range of different octaves. On a gusty day, as the wind blows through the pipes, it creates a weird, somewhat discordant harmonic. The artwork is one of four Panopticons, but rather than embodying the original concept – a circular prison with a single guard at its centre – they are far more benign, designed to be seen by many rather than as a symbol of oppressive surveillance.

The Lake District’s ‘skull cave’

Tucked away in the Tilberthwaite valley, between Coniston and Langdale, Hodge Close is an abandoned slate quarry on National Trust land. In the right conditions, its cave tunnel openings and dark pool resemble a skull, which fans of the hit Netflix series The Witcher will recognise – though it’s much harder to see in real life than in the scenes starring Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia) and Kim Bodnia (Vesemir). Abandoned in the 1960s, industrial remains litter the site, giving it an edgy, post-civilisation feel.

London’s paupers’ graveyard

Crossbones graveyard, just south of the River Thames near Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and the Shard, was once outside the city’s boundaries (and laws) in an area known as “The Liberty of the Clink”. A pauper’s graveyard, it was the final resting place of medieval sex workers and souls not deemed suitable for Christian burial. More than 15,000 people are estimated to have been unceremoniously buried here. Today, it’s been reclaimed as a garden of remembrance, both mystical and macabre with its own special beauty, and is open to the public at certain times for guided walks and talks.

A smugglers’ cave in Northumberland

Hundreds of years ago, Cateran Hole was used by bandits to hide smuggled contraband. Found in the middle of Bewick Moor, about four miles north of Eglingham, it feels as far away from civilisation as you can get, and the steps leading down to its 35 metre-long, dark underground chamber are notoriously difficult to find – making it all the more thrilling when you finally do. You can walk into increasing darkness if you’re brave enough, before the tunnel tapers to a narrow point, but be cautious: there are no safety barriers, lighting or warning signs.

Stony stares from a drystone wall in Dumfries and Galloway

We all know that strange feeling of being watched – then turning round to find nobody there. If you wander just off the Old Edinburgh Road in a beautiful, isolated corner of the Galloway Hills, not far from Newton Stewart, you’ll find a whole bunch of faces staring out at you from the confines of a drystone wall. Artist Matt Baker carved Quorum – the Stone Faces in 1997 as part of a residency in the Galloway Forest. The heads have since become part of the landscape and have even formed new eyebrows out of lichen. The artwork is a stone’s throw away from another impressive piece called The Eye, a 10-metre tall cone sculpture on the banks of Black Loch.

The church ‘floating’ on Rutland Water

Arrive on a cold morning as the mist shrouds St Matthew’s church in Normanton, and it appears as if it is rising up from the depths of a lake. Normanton Church, as it is also known, stands on a small, boulder-strewn promontory on the vast expanse of Rutland Water. Built in the 1820s on the site of a medieval chapel, the church was scheduled for demolition when the man-made lake/reservoir was built in the 1970s. Thankfully, a last-minute public campaign saved it from this watery fate. Easy to view from the shoreline, it is open on scheduled days and for private events.

Dave Hamilton is the author of Weird Guide and Wild Ruins, published by Wild Things Publishing

The stunning lakeside town just under an hour from Geneva, making it an ideal autumn day trip whether you’re based in Switzerland or travelling from the UK

With its meandering canals, pastel-hued buildings and mountainous backdrop, Annecy resembles something plucked straight from a storybook. What makes it even more enticing is that this stunning French town is remarkably accessible from Geneva, where I was visiting for a city break.

While staying at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, I decided to venture across the border into France to discover what makes Annecy such a sought-after destination.

Situated just under an hour away by road, it offers a completely contrasting atmosphere to the refined Swiss city, with cobblestone streets, waterfront promenades, and numerous spots to pause for a crêpe. If you’re organising a European city break and fancy cramming two countries into one journey, Annecy is definitely worth including on your itinerary.

One of the finest aspects of basing yourself in Geneva is how effortlessly you can venture beyond Switzerland itself. While the city possesses its own charm, from its picturesque location to its chocolate boutiques, an excursion to Annecy offers a change of pace without requiring an overnight stay.

Positioned in south-eastern France, Annecy is renowned for its waterways, historic Old Town and spectacular location beside Lake Annecy, with the French Alps offering a dramatic backdrop. It possesses a markedly different character from Geneva, with a more traditional, romantic ambience.

I travelled by FlixBus from Geneva to Annecy, which took approximately 45 minutes. While travel times vary with traffic, the trip was incredibly straightforward.

The Old Town is the ideal starting point for sightseeing, with cobbled streets brimming with independent shops, cafés and eateries. It’s easy to while away an entire afternoon strolling about, browsing for souvenirs and grabbing a bite along the way.

One of the most recognisable landmarks is the Palais de l’île, a historic stone building set on a small island in the Thiou canal. Its distinctive shape and remarkable position in the water make it one of Annecy’s most photographed landmarks.

The town is also pleasingly compact, meaning you can take in most of the key attractions on foot. Even with just a couple of hours to spare, there’s ample time to meander through the streets.

No trip to France would feel quite right without sampling some local cuisine, and Annecy boasts plenty of spots to stop for something to eat.

Crêpes are an obvious go-to for a swift treat, with numerous options readily available throughout the area. You’ll also discover hearty regional dishes inspired by the surrounding Alpine landscape, including tartiflette, a warming combination of potatoes, cheese, onions and bacon.

Beyond the canals and the historic centre, Lake Annecy is yet another reason this town is so extraordinary. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and stunning Alpine backdrop, the lake offers a spectacular contrast to the narrow lanes of the Old Town.

If the sun is shining, head towards the waterfront to soak up the views across the water and towards the mountains. Boat trips and various other activities are also on offer throughout the warmer months.

For my visit, I was based at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, which provided a comfortable and opulent starting point for discovering the local region.

Geneva itself offers enough to fill a weekend break, from wandering through the Old Town and seeing its renowned Flower Clock to perusing chocolate boutiques and sampling authentic Swiss fondue.

For those contemplating a comparable getaway, remaining in Geneva and making a day trip to Annecy is a delightful way to enjoy two locations without the inconvenience of switching accommodation.

IF YOU are looking for your next countryside escape then look no further than this holiday park set to open next year.

A new Landal holiday park in Malvern Hills is set to open in spring next year.

Landal Malvern Hills will be set in a woodland with 40 timber lodges complete with terrace hot tubs.

The lodges can each host between two and six people.

Inside, the interiors will have a modern design, with light woods throughout.

The entire park will be dog friendly too so your four-legged friend doesn’t need to be left behind.

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There’s parking on site, as well as electric car charging points and WiFi across the entire park.

The park sits on the edge of Malvern Hills National Landscape AONB where you can head off on hikes.

A four-night stay for up to four people costs from £516 in March 2027, working out at £32.25 per person, per night.

Or a four-night stay for up to six people costs from £716 in March 2027, working out at £29.83 per person, per night.

As for things to do in the local area, you aren’t far from the pretty town of Broadway as well as attractions such as the 19th-century Eastnor Castle.

The city of Worcester is also only a short drive away where you can visit the historic cathedral and discover the ruins of Witley Court.

IT’S now easier than ever to get to the world’s largest non-continental island.

Greenland has opened a new airport in Ilulissat – the country’s third largest town.

The country is one of the least visited in the world, only welcoming 180,000 tourists a year (for comparison, the US welcomes that many tourists per day, on average).

The airport aims to connect Greenland to the rest of the world, costing an estimated 1.77billion DKK (£197million).

It is the third new airport to open in the country since 2024 as part of a huge project costing around £700million.

The new airport has a 2,200 metre runway which can host larger aircraft, allowing for international flights and as a result, making Greenland easier to get to.

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There’s also a passenger terminal that sprawls across 5,000 square metres for departures and arrivals.

One of the airlines that operates at the airport is Air Greenland, with domestic flights between Ilulissat Airport and destinations including Nuuk, Aasiaat, Qaarsut and Upernavik.

Air Greenland also launched a direct route between Ilulissat and Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen this week, which takes around six hours.

And Icelandair will operate a seasonal service between Keflavík and Ilulissat from June 3 to October 16, 2027.

The airport is currently ramping up its operations gradually but is set to be fully operation by summer 2027.

Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports said: “The opening is a historic milestone for Ilulissat, for North Greenland, and for all of Greenland.

“The three new airports in Ilulissat, Nuuk, and Qaqortoq fundamentally change how the country is connected internally and how Greenland is connected to the rest of the world.”

Near to the airport is the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can see enormous icebergs as well as the local wildlife.

You could even head off on a whale watching excursion.

To get to Ilulissat from the UK, you will need to fly to Copenhagen, taking less than two hours, and then fly onto Iluissat.

The owner of the Villa Vie Odyssey ‘never-ending cruise’ has broken his silence after passengers claimed they were ‘dumped’ in Cambodia. The round-the-world voyage came to a halt this week, with the ship now docked at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville.

The boss of a ‘never-ending cruise’ has said he feels awful after passengers claimed they were ‘dumped’ in Cambodia when their round-the-world voyage came to a halt. The Villa Vie Odyssey remains moored at Sihanoukville, on the Gulf of Thailand, with no departure date confirmed by its operator.

Passengers claim they were given just seven hours’ notice to leave the ship on Tuesday and received no assistance with making alternative arrangements. Randy Cassingham, one of those on board, alleged they had been “dumped” in Cambodia. Mikael Petterson, founder and executive chairman of Villa Vie Residences, spoke to reporters the following day.

“I feel awful,” he said when contacted by phone on Wednesday, Business Insider reported. “I’m the villain in the story, but I’m doing everything I can to support the residents on a solution.” Mr Petterson described disappointing passengers as “incredibly deflating”.

He added: “Nobody that’s tried residential cruising has succeeded, and we’ve gone further than anyone else. But I think we would have been absolutely fine – and we would have seen this through – if there was no Iran war.”

On Thursday, Captain Emanuele Giudice spoke to reporters on the dock, telling them that passengers were asked to leave because the fuel situation was “critical”.

The Odyssey was promoted as a way to combine long-term living at sea with travel across all seven continents. Its operator offered to “make the Odyssey your permanent home,” with cabins available to buy for the lifetime of the vessel from around $230,000 (roughly £171,000).

According to Cambodian authorities, the ship was carrying 203 passengers, most of them American, and 156 crew members. It has room for 650 passengers. In a statement on Tuesday, Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel costs had soared following the US and Israel invasion of Iran. The company said costs per cabin, previously averaging $1,800 (£1,340), had risen to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in some parts of Asia.

The operator tried to reduce fuel use by cutting back its itinerary and spending longer in port, but said those measures had not been enough to offset the rising costs. Mr Petterson told CBS News the company would “likely file for Chapter 11 here any day, right, which will put a stay on that while we go through the restructure process”.

CBS also reported claims from insiders that crew members had to buy food from local supermarkets after an unpaid supplier stopped making deliveries. A Villa Vie source told the Express that staff had occasionally used a corporate credit card to buy supplies, but said all employees had since received their wages.

For some passengers, the voyage had been intended to last for years. Paul and Lynn Montoya, a retired couple from Wyoming, told AP News they had bought a window cabin and joined the ship in Panama 17 months ago. Mr Montoya said itinerary changes, unreliable internet access and declining food standards had prompted many residents to leave in recent months.

Sisters Carol Larson, 69, and Crystal Lavering, 72, from California, had lived in separate cabins for 18 months. They described the suspension as heartbreaking but remained hopeful the cruise could resume. “I hope there is a movement for the residents to buy the ship and I am hoping that goes through because it’s a dream to live on the ship and I don’t want it to end,” Larson said.

The ship arrived in Sihanoukville last Friday and had been due to leave on Wednesday, according to Long Dimanche, deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk province. He said it was now expected to refuel and depart Cambodia on Saturday, although the operator has not publicly confirmed that date.

Built in 1993, the Odyssey sailed under several names for different cruise lines before being grounded during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Villa Vie Residences bought it in 2023. Its current voyage began in October 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, following refurbishment. The journey was originally scheduled to last three and a half years, with a second cruise provisionally due to finish in August 2030.

Steak au poivre is a bistro classic that’s as timeless as French fries or a certain Gruyère-topped onion soup. Its intense, savory flavors strike a balance of richness and heat — the ideal comforting and hearty bite on a crisp fall evening. But across Los Angeles, the peppery dish is getting a second life and its bold flavors are spicing up everything from burgers to ice cream and cocktails. And, of course, its signature sauce is still being poured over plenty of steaks too.

“Au poivre is a flavor people already know and love. It feels classic and a little indulgent, and right now people want food that’s comforting and familiar,” says chef Patrick Costa, who recently added an au poivre cheeseburger at his new restaurant Sous Sous in Silver Lake. “It’s the steakhouse nostalgia people are craving, but approachable, with no white tablecloth required.”

At Compass Rose, a cafe and bar in West Adams, beverage director Danny Rubenstein crafted a cocktail that celebrates France with au poivre flavors. “I found it a fun challenge to try to turn a creamy au poivre sauce into a cocktail,” he says. “The pepper infusion plays nicely with all the flavors, and it’s an unexpected pairing that doesn’t clash. We also sneak a little bit of lactic acid into the cocktail to mimic a creamier, rounder mouthfeel.”

While steak au poivre likely originated in 19th-century late-night bistros in Normandy, France, various Parisian restaurants have laid claim to its invention dating back to the 1920s. The classic recipe was introduced to American audiences in 1961, when Julia Child featured it in her “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” cookbook, and the dish quickly became standard on steakhouse menus. Hand-crushed peppercorns are pressed directly into a cut of boneless beef to form a flavorful crust, and then the dish is finished with a silky, rich sauce made with more peppercorns, a reduction of cognac, heavy cream, beef stock, Dijon mustard and various aromatics like shallots or thyme. It’s spicy, savory, creamy and comforting all at once.

Around L.A. lately, French bistros happen to be exploding. Over the past year, we’ve seen revamps of classics like the 40-year-old Mistral in Sherman Oaks and a menu update at Pasjoli in Santa Monica, plus debuts like Mar Vista’s Electric Bleu, Sous Sous in Silver Lake and Pico-Robertson’s Marée, all of which play around with traditional French techniques and flavors while pulling local and global influences.

Here are 12 of the most notable au poivre dishes around L.A. right now, including a few creative, non-steak items:

WHEN it comes to value for money, not much beats Premier Inn for a cheap stay.

And now it is even better value for money with a free breakfast offer for EVERYONE in your group.

The budget hotel chain has launched a new offer that lets even adults have everything from Full English to cereal without having to pay for it.

All you need to do is book a standard rate stay by November 9 and use the code ‘FREEBREAKFAST’.

Your stay will need to be between November 13 and February 28, 2027.

Then enter the code into the ‘Promo code’ box before paying.

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Premier Inn breakfasts usually cost between £10 and £14 per person, depending on the location you are staying at.

Up to two children aged 15-years-old and under eat for free per paying adult guest.

Breakfast items typically include full cooked items such as bacon, sausages, eggs, hash browns and baked beans as well as a continental section with pastries and cereals.

There is also unlimited Costa coffee and juices.

The breakfast usually runs at each Premier Inn hotel between 6:30am and 10:30am on weekdays and then between 7am and 11am at weekends.

A standard Premier Inn room can cost as little as £35 per night.

You don’t even have to be a staying guest to enjoy a Premier Inn breakfast – all you need to do is book in advance.

However, you will have to pay for it, if you are a non-guest.

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Fans of BBC’s The Traitors might want to add the underrated town onto their list as it’s right by plenty of the beautiful locations you see on the hit show – and the castle itself

BBC’s The Traitors has us gripped with the tense roundtables, secret turret meetings, murders in plain sight and tense missions. However, it’s not just the drama that catches our attention; those beautiful backdrops make it very tempting to open up your laptop and book a Highlands getaway immediately.

Filmed in the Scottish Highlands, the series offers sneak peeks of lochs with sparkling waters, dense forests, and breathtaking scenery that is the stuff of storybooks. For fans who want a taste, the good news is that there are budget-friendly places to stay in the area, a stone’s throw from plenty of the filming locations.

In fact, one town has recently been crowned as the ‘best for fans’ in the area. Dingwall may not be famed for being particularly beautiful or full of places to visit, but the underrated town is worth having on your radar whether you’re a Faithful or Traitor. A study from SMC Coach Hire named it the ‘best place for fans’ of the hit show, thanks to its location less than half an hour’s drive to plenty of The Traitors’ filming locations, not to mention the town boasts around 32 places to eat and drink as well as 11 places to stay.

There are also a few main attractions in the town including the Dingwall Museum, or the GlenWyvis Distillery which is approximately a 10-minute drive away. Meanwhile the Tulloch Castle Hotel is a firm favourite with visitors, while Lastminute.com offers stays at Dingwall hotels from £41 a night.

For Traitors fans, Dingwall is actually just a 24-minute drive from the actual Traitors Castle where the series takes place. Its real name is Ardross Castle but sadly it’s not a real hotel, nor is it a castle that’s open to the public. The 19th century castle boasts beautiful formal gardens and 100 acres of parkland you will no doubt recognise from the show, but if you want to visit there are only a few options; either you need to be filming a TV show or film and have permission there, or you can book out the entire venue for a wedding (although it’s worth noting that it will look very different when it’s not decked out with its Traitors decor).

Still, the missions in the show are filmed on the estate as well as around Alness, Inverness and local spots such as Loch Glass, Cairngorms National Park, and the Rothiemurchus Estate, all of which are open to the public, and less than a half hour’s drive from Dingwall.

If you do want to experience a hint of where the Faithfuls and Traitors stay, then you may want to consider a trip to the Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport. Despite the show offering scenes of the cast staying in lavish rooms in the castle, they actually stay at this airport hotel during filming! (If you’re in Inverness and want a budget stay, there are other options too including Travelodge and Premier Inn hotels in the city centre).