We checked in to this popular central London hotel to see why it’s so popular – with celebrities and ‘regular’ travellers alike – and discovered spacious rooms and amazing views
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Lots of celebrities have stayed at this big central London hotel(Image: London Hilton on Park Lane)
First impressions when you enter London Hilton on Park Lane, on the edge of Hyde Park, are certainly grand ones, with a glitzy lobby filled with velvet sofas and human-sized bouquets of fresh flowers to greet you.
Despite this clearly being a big corporate hotel (there was at least one conference going on when we stayed), the service is super friendly and personal, from the welcome at reception to the cute note from housekeeping on our pillow with the turn down. Lots of guests were obviously repeat visitors, and staff greeted them – and first-timers like us – like old friends. We’re told Academy Award-winning actor Susan Sarandon recently stayed here, as did Maura Higgins to get ready before this year’s TV BAFTAs.
The London Hilton on Park Lane makes a grand first impression(Image: London Hilton on Park Lane)
The rooms at London Hilton on Park Lane
We were lucky enough to be put in the recently refurbished Executive Park Lane Suite, a huge space on the 25th floor featuring a lounge area, separate bedroom and dressing room, and incredible views out over Hyde Park, with the Serpentine twinkling in the middle. We were particularly taken by the window seat and super-comfy bed, and the large marble bathroom with two sinks, separate bath and shower, and Molton Brown toiletries. If your budget stretches to it, it’s a real luxury to have so much space in the city centre, and feels like London’s version of a luxury apartment in New York City, overlooking Central Park.
One big perk for those staying in an Executive Room or any of the 56 suites is access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge, where breakfast is served in the mornings, and drinks and snacks between 5pm-7pm in the evenings – and there’s a wide selection, with no limits on the wines, beers, soft drinks and snacks. You could basically dine out here if you so wished.
We stayed in one of the recently refurbished Executive Park Lane Suites(Image: London Hilton on Park Lane)
The food atLondon Hilton on Park Lane
Instead, however, we headed downstairs for dinner at the hotel’s Park Corner Brasserie, a modern British eatery serving elevated classics. Although not a huge number of options for vegetarians, we loved our cabbage and sweetcorn frittata, and there were loads of grill dishes to choose from. Our personal highlight came at the end of the meal with a trio of creme brulées, each one more delicious than the last.
Park Corner Brasserie serves modern British dishes(Image: London Hilton on Park Lane)
How much does it cost to stay atLondon Hilton on Park Lane?
For a stay that costs a little less, take a look at Citizen M’s four London hotels, which start from £208.80 per night, or browse hundreds of other options on Booking.com.
Antler Discovery backpack
Durable, lightweight and surprisingly spacious, this combines the ease of carrying of a backpack with the capacity of a cabin case.
Another tested-and-tested favourite with our shopping team, this is a good choice if you’re after something a bit softer and less structured. It’s available in a huge number of colours and a handy trolley sleeve if you are travelling with a larger case.
For value, nothing much beats this duffle bag from Amazon, which also looks smart and timeless. Available in 28 colours, it measures 40 x 19 x 25cm and fits perfectly under the plane seats, it complies with Ryanair’s strict travel luggage rules which allows you to take a free cabin bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25cm.
Mirapolis was created to rival Disneyland Paris when it opened in 1987, but within four years, the ambitious project became one of the country’s most infamous failures as it now lies abandoned
Amy Jones Lifestyle & Features Writer and Kris Boratyn
07:00, 21 Jun 2025
The amusement park in France, Mirapolis, was built to rival Disneyland Paris(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
Once heralded as France’s answer to Disneyland Paris, designed to bring French literature to life, Mirapolis now stands as a ghostly and desolate landmark.
Initially celebrated as “France’s first large amusement park,” the site is now eerily deserted. Strategically located less than an hour from Disneyland Paris, Mirapolis opened its doors in 1987 with high hopes of immersing visitors in the wonders of French literary classics.
However, the lofty dreams were short-lived, as within a mere four years, this bold venture turned into one of France’s most notorious flops.
Created by architect Anne Fourcade, Mirapolis was intended as a cultural foil to Disneyland, marrying historical literature with thrill-seeking. Backed financially by Saudi businessman Ghaith Pharaon, the whopping construction cost was $600 million – a figure that would translate to around £1.3 billion today considering inflation, the Express reports.
Mirapolis was located less than an hour from Disneyland Paris(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
Even Jacques Chirac, then Prime Minister of France, graced the park’s opening and kicked off the excitement surrounding its 29 attractions. According to AD magazine, the new amusement park had high hopes of welcoming as many as 600,000 tourists a year.
Yet despite the buzz, problems loomed from day one – relentless rainfall marred its debut season, leading to frequent closures of its open-air rides.
Mirapolis did find a silver lining in its theatre, which hosted a popular children’s musical with grand puppetry, but insufficient foot traffic persisted. Seemingly lacklustre market research and overzealous financial predictions meant that the park was destined for closure, sealing its fate in 1991 without ever turning a profit.
It is said to have been sensationally labelled one of the biggest financial failures in France.
It was only open for four years (Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
By 1993, the demolition process had started, with most of its structures being removed or sold off. The park’s iconic centrepiece, a towering statue of Gargantua from French folklore, stood firm against dismantling until 1995, when its head was finally destroyed with dynamite.
Nowadays, all that’s left of Mirapolis is some entrance fences, pathways leading to former attractions and a park featuring a small lake. Over time, various plans to breathe new life into the site have been proposed and then abandoned.
Many residents of France still remember the amusement park today, with various comments emerging on X, formerly Twitter, over the years. One former visitor wrote: “This is the France we love”, while a second added: “With Gargantua as the figurehead. I went there once with my school. It was pretty awesome. And the ruins remained for years.”
Some visitors noted the characters that are said to have ‘scared children’(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
A third noted: “I remember this park offering wins on TV shows like The Price Is Right and others. It was a dream come true…” Another penned: “Apparently the characters scared children and that’s understandable.”
In response, someone added: “It was awesome, I went mainly for the ‘gravitron.’ I don’t remember being scared of the characters, but they probably terrified others.”
Fuengirola Beach in Fuengirola, south west of Malaga, Spain was the scene of an unpleasant cat-sized-rat situation earlier this week, with the hefty rodents filmed scampering across the sand
William McGee and Milo Boyd Digital Travel Reporter
12:30, 18 Jun 2025Updated 12:31, 18 Jun 2025
The rats have arrived (Image: Jam Press/@fuengirolasequeja)
One of the huge rodents was seen scurrying across the sand of Fuengirola Beach in Fuengirola, south west of Malaga, Spain. An onlooker filmed the hefty rodent on their mobile phone and could be heard shrieking in fright as a second giant rat darted out from underneath a walkway.
The startling scenes unfolded on Tuesday. Local woman Susan claimed that the rats were not a new feature of the beach resort, and can often be seen moving between shops.
“Yes, it’s incredible how many there are – and not just on the beach at night, where I see loads of them. During the day, they stroll from shop to shop right in the town centre,” she said.
Equally perturbed, local Joha added: “And those ones are small – at dawn, some come out that are way bigger. That’s nothing compared to the ones I’ve seen.”
This is far from the only rat related beach incident to befall Spain in recent weeks. Sunseekers were left horrified when dozens of dead rats ended up floating in the sea in May.
Following a heavy downpour, the bloated rodents began to bob off a beach in Spain’s Costa Blanca. The overburdened local sewage system has been blamed for the disgusting scenes facing beachgoers near Alicante’s Coco and Urbanova beaches.
Rats were pictured lying dead on the sand at Urbanova beach, three miles south of Alicante City Centre. Others were filmed floating lifeless in the water. Dead rats were also spotted near the sailing school at Alicante’s Real Club de Regatas.
The ugly scenes provoked the anger of an opposition councillor for the popular holiday resort, who worries that mixing tourists and dead rats is not a good idea. Trini Amoros, deputy spokesperson for Alicante City Council’s socialist group, said: “Alicante cannot allow rats floating off our beaches.”
A few days later, the sea off another popular Costa del Sol holiday resort turned an alarming brown colour, leaving tourists aghast.
A Spanish-speaking tourist watching from a beachfront balcony was seen pointing out the bubbles emerging from the centre of the discoloured water to a companion.
Council chiefs confirmed overnight that yellow warning flags had been raised when the sea started turning brown, attributing the discolouration to a broken water pipe and assuring the public that there was no danger to public health.
KIM Kardashian stripped off topless while writing on a bed in a very glamorous new photoshoot – but some fans were quick to share their concerns.
The SKIMS founder, 44, took to Instagram this weekend to share a racy video and series of snaps of herself in some risque lingerie before stripping off.
9
Kim Kardashian left her 356 million Instagram followers stunned with a topless shootCredit: instagram
9
She stripped off in a racy new offeringCredit: instagram
9
She went naked apart from some boots and a leather coat covering her modestyCredit: instagram
9
She also posed in some racy lingerieCredit: Instagram.com/KimKardashian
9
Fans slammed Kim for her use of crossesCredit: Instagram.com/KimKardashian
9
Fans were quick to share their complaintsCredit: Instagram.com/KimKardashian
Kim could be seen looking sensational as she laid on a bed in some raunchy lingerie before stripping off for a topless display that left little to the imagination.
Stripping completely naked, Kim covered her modesty with just a leather jacket as she lay on the bed with some high heeled boots on.
“2am nyc time,” she penned in the caption.
She then shared a very sexy video on social media from the same shoot.
Kim failed to add a caption but put the track Crazy by Aerosmith to the montage of clips.
At the start of the video, Kim could be seen sitting on the edge of a bed as the camera zoomed into her chest.
Wearing a black triangle string bikini-style bra, which had crosses on the front, the stunning reality star also rocked several cross necklaces around her neck.
Kim was then seen writhing on the bed as she moved around.
Fans were divided in the comments section, with some besotted with the clip, and others slamming her for the raunchy video and snaps.
Jessica Simpsom commented on the racy display writing: “So good oh myyyyy.”
Kim Kardashian strengthens security for her kids after Kanye West’s unhinged threats as children’s ‘safety is priority’
While one fan wrote: “So hot.”
A second then said: “Kim as we know her! Gorge!”
“Love this look,” penned a third.
While a fourth added: “The most beautiful woman in the entire world.”
A Quick Look at Kim’s Business Empire
SKIMS is just one part of Kim Kardashian’s multi-million dollar business empire. The reality TV star makes money from a multitude of jobs.
The Kardashians on Hulu – 2022 to present
SKIMS – an underwear, loungewear and shapewear brand founded in June 2019
SKKN – skincare and makeup line
Kim has also acted on American Horror Story, received endorsements from numerous companies, and more making her net worth a little above $1 billion
But several others slammed Kim for her “using faith as a fashion symbol”.
“Please don’t use crosses as a symbol for ‘fashion’. It takes away from its meaning,” said one.
“Take off that cross,” demanded another.
A third then said: “Disrespect to the cross.”
While some others said that Kim’s four children would grow up to see the video and be stunned.
“Omg can you imagine this being your mother. Those babies are going to see all of this one day,” said one.
While another reminded her that she is a mother to four kids.
This comes as, at the time of publishing, Kim is still yet to publicly wish her daughter North West a “happy birthday” on social media.
9
Kim left fans dividedCredit: instagram
9
She looked amazing in the racy shootCredit: instagram
9
Kim covered her modesty with one piece of fabricCredit: instagram
Suspended in the air, dangling up to 29ft in certain parts of the journey, this upside down railway truly is an incredible feat of engineering – and has been running for more than a century
This floating train is just a couple of hours from the UK(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
This spectacular upside-down railway may look like a fairground ride – but has actually been transporting commuters and tourists for more than 100 years.
Suspended in the air, dangling up to 29ft above the ground at certain parts of the journey, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn is an incredible feat of engineering. Construction of the upside-down railway began in the summer of 1898 and the first test drive took place in the winter, but it wasn’t until 1901 that a section of the track was opened to the public.
Classed as the world’s oldest suspended railway, this enchanting train, located in the hip town of Wuppertal in Germany, cost a whopping 16 million German marks, which would have converted to around £7.79 million. Factoring in inflation, this would have cost a staggering £82.5 million today.
The railway is still going strong some 125 years later(Image: Getty Images)
“My fascination with the Schwebebahn lies in the way it was constructed over 100 years ago,” Cologne-based architect Christian Busch told CNN Travel back in 2022. “To realise such a project without computer-aided systems would be unthinkable today. A ride in the Schwebebahn allows the passenger an extraordinary insight into the life of the local residents and really looks like a fairground attraction from days gone by.”
Over the past century, the railway has undergone several major refurbs – with sleek new carriages replacing the original ones. However, you can still privately hire the first 1901 carriage, named Kaiserwagan after Kaiser Wilhelm II took a test ride on it.
A circus elephant once rode on the train – but it didn’t end well(Image: Getty Images)
In 1950, the Schwebebahn transported Tuffi the circus elephant above the ground. However, the racket from fellow passengers and journalists was too much for the animal, who ended up trampling a row of seats before jumping through a window into the river below.
Luckily, Tuffi wasn’t badly injured by the incident – and now the train is reserved exclusively for humans. A small statue of the elephant was however constructed on the river where Tuffi landed, which has become a popular tourist sight for holidaymakers.
The Wuppertal Schwebebahn attracts 80,000 people every single day(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Now, the Wuppertal Schwebebahn (which is technically classed as a suspension monorail) consists of 20 stops and attracts more than 80,000 people every day. “It is therefore an everyday means of transport for the inhabitants of the city, but also a popular tourist attraction,” the train’s official website states.
“Many sights can easily be reached on foot from the 20 suspension railway stations. Since August 1, 2019, only the new ‘Generation 15’ railcars have been in service.”
Guided by huge iron arches, the railway track whizzes over cars, shops, and pedestrians, before offering stunning aerial views of the serpentine river. 24-hour tickets cost €8.80 per person, or €4.40 for any additional passengers. Children under six go free, while elephants are asked to find alternative methods of transport.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
The loved-up couple shocked fans when they called time on their romance despite appearing to be happier than ever just months ago.
But Helen appeared as though she didn’t have a care in the world as she danced and partied atWayne Lineker‘s famed O BeachIbizaclub.
She could be seen cuddled up to the venue’s owner Wayne as she thanked him for his hospitality in hosting her and her friends at the venue.
read more on helen flanagan
Wayne could be seen planting a kiss on Helen’s head as she proudly held up one of the club’s signature orange cups as she wrote on Instagram: “Best day @obeachibiza always the most fun day x.”
Helen flaunted her incredible figure in the plunging bikini top as she soaked up the sun.
With her wavy blonde locks in a chic bob cut, Helen looked every inch the glam goddess with her minimal makeup and rosy pink lip.
However, the day after, the star took to her Instagram stories to describe her hangover from hell.
She captioned the video: “I never ever have hangovers as I am the worst on a hangover.”
And told her followers: “I am really hungover like a lizard. I am literally so hangover.
Helen Flanagan looks incredible as she poses in a bikini after split from boyfriend Robbie Talbot
“I won’t be drinking for like a long time. I’ve got the school run tomorrow. Oh my god. I literally got in at six in the morning.”
Helen held her head in her hands and she took deep breaths.
She then enjoyed a relaxing spa day at the TRS Ibiza Hotel where she “finally found some zen.”
What do we know about Helen Flanagan’s new boyfriend Robbie Talbot?
HELEN Flanagan has revealed that she is in a new relationship.
While appearing on Celebs Go Dating, she confessed that she was already taken – here’s everything we know about her boyfriend Robbie Talbot.
Helen has opened up about her relationship with former footballer Robbie Talbot.
He is a decade older than the actress.
Robbie was born in Liverpool on October 31, 1979 which is how he earned his nickname Halloween Hitman in football.
He has played for a series of non-league teams such as Burton Albion, Burscough and Morcambe.
He then became a coach at Ashton in 2010.
Robbie is retired from football.
He left his role as Assistant Manager at Ashton due to family and work commitments in 2011.
It’s unknown what he has done for work since leaving football.
Helen admitted that she was dating Robbie while appearing on Celebs Go Dating.
In a first for the show, it has been revealed that her relationship had to be written into the series due to requirements that those taking part have to be single.
The pair went public at her birthday party on August 10, 2024.
The Celebs Go Dating star had claimed she wanted children with the ex-non-league footie star.
But friends say the mum of three instead now wants to concentrate on her career and family.
A source said: “They want different things in life. She has just landed a new acting job and is trying to juggle work projects with the kids.
“She sat him down two weeks ago and said, ‘This isn’t working’. It was a grown-up chat.
“She just wants to be on her own for a while although she still has feelings for him.”
5
Helen experienced the worst hangover the morning afterCredit: Instagram
5
She found that the hotel spa was the best hangover cureCredit: Instagram
5
Helen shocked fans when she called time on her romance with Robbie despite appearing to be happier than ever just months agoCredit: instagram/helenflanagan
His arms must feel so heavy after virtually four-and-a-half hours on court but Alcaraz shows superb touch with the nifty drop shot – and Sinner does not run for it.
Literally a carbon copy in the second point. Again Sinner does not chase it down – that is very, very telling.
He has been running those down for the whole match until now.
Have his legs gone?
He is really struggling to move and it is Alcaraz that is deciding which way the points go – winners, errors or forcing Sinner into mistakes.
After going down 40-30, Sinner lets out some emotion towards his team – that is the first sign of any frustration he has allowed out.
But fast forward a couple of minutes and Sinner has a break point… surely he can’t can he?
Alcaraz kicks in a second serve and brushes the winner away.
Oh my word – how has he pulled that drop shot off? That is staggering from Alcaraz as he cuts a forehand just over the net and though Sinner chases it down, it is simply too good.
But back comes the Italian to deuce before two serves clip the net and go out – not the time for a double fault!
Huge from Alcaraz to go on the offensive and save it in style.
Sinner mishits a return and has a small outburst of anger – and he will be seething inside as Alcaraz eventually holds after nearly ten minutes with a forehand winner.
Cruise lines have their own private islands for guests to enjoy – take a look at four seriously bucket list-worthy destinations you’ll want on your radar
06:00, 01 Jun 2025Updated 12:38, 01 Jun 2025
Some cruise lines have their own private islands (Image: David Roark, photographer)
The appeal of cruise holidays has traditionally focused on visiting a wide variety of places. But an increasing number of firms are choosing to drop anchor at exclusive destinations in idyllic locations.
Private island stops are becoming a highlight of itineraries, with big players investing heavily in castaway cays reserved for their guests. Holland America Line, part of the Carnival Group, recently revealed a revamp of their popular Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
A new pier will allow more ships to dock at the destination – soon to be named RelaxAway island, hinting at the investment planned for more laid back leisure facilities.
Other lines have equally big ideas. Expanding beyond The Bahamas – where most island escapes have been based to date – Royal Caribbean is hoping to develop a new Perfect Day project in Mexico (due to open in 2027), while MSC has announced plans for an Abu Dhabi private island experience in the Middle East. And why not? – discovering a secret island is, after all, the stuff of childhood dreams.
Here are some of the fantasy islands where it’s already possible to set sail.
Great Stirrup Cay, The Bahamas
Great Stirrup Cay is a 268-acre oasis(Image: Alamy/PA)
In 1977, this was the first island to be bought by a company solely for their guests. Norwegian Cruise Line has built a resort with bars and restaurants over the years and there are still more developments to come in the 268-acre tropical oasis.
You can book guided snorkelling tours around a marine sanctuary, or rent equipment for parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and jet skiing. For families, there’s an aqua park with inflatable water obstacles.
Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean has invested in a private patch of a peninsula on the northern coast of Cuba’s neighbour, Haiti. Set against plunging coastal cliffs, a choice of beaches ranges from the peaceful Columbus Cove to the livelier Adrenaline Beach.
For thrill-seekers, there’s a chance to jump on a roller coaster or try the world’s longest overwater zip line. Unlike many private locations, interactions with local communities are possible at an artisan market and a cultural programme highlighting Haitian history and traditions is in the works.
Despite its popularity, the edgy destination is marred by unrest. Recently, stops were temporarily suspended due to “an abundance of caution” although it’s hoped they will resume in the future.
Castaway Cay, The Bahamas
Disney’s Castaway Cay is a dream destination(Image: PR HANDOUT)
Around 30 miles north of NCL’s private paradise is Disney’s answer to a magical far-flung tropical kingdom. Although there are currently no Pirates of the Caribbean in this Atlantic cay, secluded coves were once used by the likes of Blackbeard in the 18th century.
During the US Prohibition, the island served as a smuggling base and in the 1970s its airstrips were used by drug runners. A £18.5million investment transformed it in the mid-1990s, including a channel allowing ships to dock. Expect themed environments and areas dedicated to different age groups, including the adults-only Serenity Bay.
Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
Carnival Corporation invested £63million to develop this site near Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast. Princess Cruises and Holland America guests can visit, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus who landed here in 1492. Extending from a hillside, zip lines traverse the port complex and there’s a 25,000 square-foot pool area with a swim-up bar, water slides, and private cabanas. The island is part of the mainland, but the private area has a big advantage over island escapes when it comes to exploring and interacting with communities.
Thomas Hitzelsperger and Nicky Bandini praise the work-rate of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who acts as the “first line of defence” for Paris Saint-Germain as the French champions beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
A stunning Spanish town that 1,000 residents once called home was completely abandoned and left to rot more than five decades ago – all because of a flood that never even happened
This tiny town was abandoned by mistake back in the 1960s(Image: Getty Images)
A tiny but beautiful town looking out onto emerald waters used to home 1,000 residents has been slowly rotting away for more than five decades.
Boasting rows of colourful houses, a 15th century castle, and wrap-around fortress walls that still stand strong, Granadilla looks like something straight out of a travel brochure. But, if you take a closer look, you’ll realise it’s missing one important feature: people.
Founded in the 9th Century, the town (which is located in Spain’s western Extremadura community) was a strategic region for trade and travel. However, in the 1950s dictator Francisco Franco unveiled his ambitious plans to boost the country’s economy by constructing a series of huge dams – the largest of which was the Gabriel y Galán reservoir, which surrounded Granadilla.
The ghost town has remained empty for more than 50 years(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Over the following decade, the politician forcibly demanded every single resident move out of the town, many of which chose to settle in nearby villages – hopeful that they could one day return. The eviction was blamed on rising water levels, which threatened to flood the peninsula.
However, some 55 years later and the town has never flooded, not even once. Still, residents haven’t been permitted to re-enter – leaving the whole region a complete ghost town. “They kicked us out, claiming that the dam would flood the town, which was impossible because the town is higher than the dam,” Eugenio Jiménez, president of the Association Sons of Granadilla told the BBC back in 2022.
Granadilla now welcomes swathes of tourists(Image: Getty Images)
“But those were times of dictatorship, and we had no rights. But what truly frustrates me is that during democratic times, I’ve been struggling for the recovery of Granadilla with the former children’s association, and no government has listened to us.”
Instead of allowing residents to go back to their homes, Granadilla has turned into a tourist attraction – and was officially declared as a Historic-Artistic site in 1980. Funds generated from holidaymakers have gone into preserving the town and its hilltop castle. According to reports, twice a year – on the Day of the Assumption of Mary in August, and All Saints’ Day in November – the former residents of Granadilla and their descendants come together in the ancient village.
“Enter through the narrow Puerta de Villa, overlooked by the sturdy 15th-century castle, which you can climb for brilliant panoramas,” hailed experts over at Lonely Planet. “From the Puerta de Villa, the cobblestone Calle Mayor climbs up to the delightfully rustic Plaza Mayor, surrounded by vibrant buildings. On the right stands the beautiful Casa de las Conchas, its peach-coloured exterior studded with white ceramic shells.
Residents in the fortress town were evicted due to a flood that never even happened(Image: Getty Images)
“Some buildings function as craft workshops or exhibition centres in summer. Don’t miss a stroll along the top of the 1km-long Almohad walls, with evocative views of the village, lake, eucalyptuses and pinewoods.”
Granadilla remains somewhat out of the UK tourist limelight as it is situated pretty far from most Spanish airports. For example, it is over three hours from Madrid, and almost four hours from Seville. Salamanca is technically the nearest airport – but no UK airports fly here directly.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
As a victim of ‘Babes in the Wood’ killer Russell Bishop describes how the monster has cast a dark shadow over her life, we speak to the Detective Inspector responsible for putting him behind bars
Rachael has spent decades looking after her shoulder after the horrific attack
Malcolm Bacon’s first major inquiry as a Detective Inspector was more than 30 years ago but he can remember the details as if it were yesterday. Rachael Watts was just seven years old when she was kidnapped in broad daylight before being sexually assaulted and strangled.
The schoolgirl survived against the odds and helped to convict evil Russell Bishop, who had been wrongfully acquitted of murdering Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway a few years before in the infamous ‘Babes in the Wood‘ case. Now 42, Rachael is the subject of a new Sky documentary about the impact of the monster’s attack on her life.
Retired police officer Malcolm appears in the two-part programme and is convinced Bishop would have struck again if he hadn’t been caught. “He was a psychopath, a really dangerous person who would absolutely have killed again,” he told The Mirror. “I’m fully convinced he thought he had killed Rachael. He thought he could get away with it but she turned into an incredible witness.”
Retired detective inspector Malcolm Bacon said Bishop ‘wasn’t very bright’(Image: Sky UK)
Rachael became a victim of predator Bishop in 1990, soon after moving to the Brighton area of East Sussex with her family. She had planned to roller skate to a friend’s house but bumped her head, returned home and was given a pound by her father to buy sweets from the local shop.
The schoolgirl took a wrong turn on her way home and asked a man for directions. It was Bishop, who was tinkering with his red Ford Cortina. Without saying a word in reply to her, he threw her in the boot of his car and drove his victim to a well-known beauty spot in the South Downs.
“When the information came in that a girl had been discovered at Devil’s Dyke, the main thing was to preserve the scenes,” said Malcolm. “The first ‘scene’ was Rachael herself and the second was the Dyke, which was a huge area. There were only a few roads in and out, so once we sealed them off, we were fairly happy we had a sterile area.”
When the predator reached Devil’s Dyke, he put Rachael on the back seat of his car and removed her clothing before sexually assaulting and strangling her. He then discarded her underneath some gorse bushes.
“He disposed of me like he was flytipping,” said the survivor, fighting back tears in the documentary. “Just like I was an old mattress or something, just thrown into a bush somewhere. He left me thinking I was dead.”
The terrified schoolgirl came around in the dark, and as she stumbled out of the bushes, a nearby couple who had been enjoying the sunset wrapped her in a blanket and sought help. Heartbreakingly, she asked them: “You two aren’t kidnappers, are you?”.
Rachael took off her roller skates and offered her attacker money in a bid to escape(Image: Sky UK)
The former DI is convinced Bishop thought he had killed his victim, saying: “She was strangled and suffocated to the point what’s known as petechial haemorrhages took place (tiny pinpoint spots of bleeding under the skin caused by straining for a long time) which are quite indicative of a strangle injury. Usually, they only come out at the point of death, really. That’s how close to death she was.”
The young girl’s memory of her ordeal until she was strangled unconscious would prove vital. “Rachael was a fabulous witness,” said the retired cop. “She was able to explain everything she saw, the man in the red car with a moustache. In the boot of the car, she saw a can of WD40, the same that her dad used. She found a hammer too and started banging on the boot lid.”
Incredibly, Rachael had the presence of mind to take off her roller skates in the boot of the car, to aid any chance of escape once the boot was opened. “She formulated an escape plan,” said Malcolm. “She offered Bishop the pound she had been given if he would let her go.”
Four years earlier, a double child murder had taken place in Brighton’s Wild Park, which became known as the ‘Babes in the Wood’ murders in the press after the children’s tale of the same name. Nicola and Karen were nine-year-old schoolgirls when they went out to play and never came home.
Their bodies were found in the park close to their homes the next day. They had known Rachael’s future attacker, Bishop, then 20 and a local labourer and petty criminal, and he was charged with killing them.
But the monster’s then-girlfriend, Jennifer Johnston, changed her story in the witness box after previously saying a blue sweatshirt found close to the scene had been his. And to the horror of police and psychologists involved in the case, Bishop was found not guilty by a jury at Lewes Crown Court in December 1987.
Bishop had brain cancer and died behind bars in 2022 (Image: PA)
With the predator free to roam the streets once more, the experts’ worst fears came true. Rachael was his next victim, with retired DI Malcolm describing her as an “articulate, intelligent seven-year-old girl who met a monster”. This time, Bishop wouldn’t be able to evade justice thanks in large part to the bravery of his victim, who picked him out of an identity parade and testified against him in court.
“Her first account got us all going,” said Malcolm. “The red car was mentioned in a first briefing, and an intelligence report had come through days before saying Bishop had been seen in a red car.
“He went on to admit to driving it and put himself at the point of the abduction at the relevant time. I arrested him on suspicion of kidnapping and indecent assault, and we got his car, opened up the boot and in there was WD40 and a hammer with chip marks on the boot, corresponding to what Rachael had said.”
“He tried to become chatty with us,” added the former police officer. “‘What’s going on? You trying to fit me up? Of course, it’s not me. He was a psychopath; his whole entity was to look after himself. He would try and manipulate things, but he wasn’t very bright.”
Bishop was later jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years for attempted murder, kidnapping and indecent assault.
Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows’ families waited a long time for justice(Image: PA)
“He was prowling, we suspect he had been following other little girls around,” said Malcolm. “We did get another report from another girl who was followed by a man in a red car. If the circumstances were correct, she might have been another victim.”
Dubbed ‘Britain’s bravest girl’ for stopping a paedophile killer from striking again, Rachael’s life was irreparably blighted by Bishop, suffering from crippling depression, agoraphobia and complex post-traumatic stress along the way.
As a teenager, she had frequent nightmares where the predator would climb through her window and kill her. The survivor had four children and, in the course of her adult life, moved around a lot and changed her name a couple of times in a bid to remain anonymous.
But in 2022, Rachael told her children the secret she was “going to take to my grave” after Bishop died from brain cancer. Today, she’s speaking out in public to rid herself of the “boulder” of a secret that has cast a dark shadow over her life.
As for the families of the ‘Babes in the Wood’, they finally achieved some form of justice in 2018, after the 2005 scrapping of the ‘double jeopardy’ rule combined with advances in forensic technology meant evil Bishop was able to be tried for a second time. This time, he was rightfully convicted for his abhorrent crimes, receiving two life sentences and ordered to serve a minimum of 36 years behind bars.
In April last year, Nicola and Karen’s families received apologies from Sussex Police for failures in the original investigation into their murders. And in 2022, Bishop’s ex-girlfriend, Johnson, who had changed her evidence at his original trial to devastating effect, was jailed for six years for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
Watch The Girl Who Caught a Killer on Sky and streaming service NOW
This southern Italian village was completely abandoned after landslides and earthquakes forced residents to leave, but the crumbling town is increasingly intriguing to travellers
Craco was completely abandoned by 1980 after a series of devastating natural disasters(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
As ghost towns go, this one leans more stunning than spooky. Its dramatic setting on a hill in southern Italy gives this abandoned medieval town a distinct appeal for travellers, though it became too dangerous for former residents to remain.
Craco is surely one of the most picturesque ghost towns in Europe, if not in the world. It sits on a clifftop between the valleys of the Agri and Salandrella-Cavone rivers. Before its ruin, the village had a prosperous past supposedly linked to the Templars. Craco was abandoned somewhat recently after an unfortunate series of natural disasters forced residents to pick up and move on.
Almost all of the town’s less than 2,000 inhabitants were moved to a settlement in a nearby valley after a landslide in 1963 – the last in a series of landslides that began at the end of the 19th century. Some contend that the landslides leading up to the 1963 disaster were caused by faulty pipework and excavations in the decades prior.
Even the few inhabitants who chose to remain after the landslides were forced to leave when the village was devastated in 1972 by a flood. And when earthquakes hit the town in 1980, the remaining stragglers moved on, leaving it totally abandoned.
Travellers visiting Craco will need to wear hardhats to explore the crumbling buildings and ruins(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Since then, Craco has remained relatively untouched and fuelled many mysterious legends. The town’s fame became international when it was used as a location for the 2008 James Bond film James Bond, Quantum of Solace, and it continues to attract curious travellers.
Craco has served as a filming location for many notable works, in fact. It was also chosen as the location for Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” and Francesco Rosi’s “Cristo si è fermato a Eboli”.
Today, Craco is a collection of ruins though they highlight the rich ancient history of the area. Travellers will come upon ancient churches, such as the Mother Church of San Nicola and the Madonna della Stella church, and noble palaces, from palazzo Carbone to palazzo Grossi.
The village has increasingly grown into disrepair as weekends sprout within the churches and balconies and weather-damaged properties continue to rust and disintegrate. That said, Craco has been included on a list of sites that are priorities of the World Monuments Fund.
Craco was home to multiple stunning churches and palaces(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The town can only now be visited as part of guided tours, due to the instability of the buildings. Visitors are required to wear hard hats for their safety.
Italy is home to quite a few abandoned towns, though Craco is arguably the most beautiful. Fossa is another Italian village that was left abandoned after natural disasters cause significant damage.
When Matt Nadin travelled to Italy to explore the village of Fossa in the L’Aquila region of the country, he found many items had been left behind by families, including a mummified cat. Fossa had been inhabited for around 900 years until an earthquake struck in 2009.
The quake caused severe damage to the village’s buildings and left 308 people dead. Today the empty streets and abandoned buildings give the village the feeling of a ghost town.
Another abandoned town that is gaining attention for the morbidly curious is Varosha. The once-thriving resort town was left abandoned after the Turkish army invaded the northern region of Cyprus on July 20, 1974.
While the town remained closed to visitors for many years, in October 2020, a decision was made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the then prime minister of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, to reopen the area to tourists. More than 1.8 million tourists have visited the ghost town in the last four years – according to statistics released in 2024.
Scarborough, a charming seaside town located in North Yorkshire, has been named one of the top destinations in the UK to visit and is known for its stunning coastline and rich history
Scarborough Beach is one of the town’s main attractions(Image: Getty Images)
With summer on the horizon, holidaymakers are busy planning their getaways, and for those favouring a staycation, there’s no need to look further than a delightful beach escape right on your doorstep. Scarborough, a charming coastal gem in North Yorkshire, is famed for its breathtaking shoreline that offers spectacular views of the North Sea.
The area is a haven for nature lovers, boasting proximity to the North York Moors National Park, dramatic cliffs, shimmering sandy beaches, and the majestic Scarborough Castle perched high above the sea. The town has been lauded as one of the top UK destinations to visit by Time Out magazine in 2023, and CN Traveller hailed it as the “most beautiful seaside resort in England” for its historical charm.
They remarked: “The dramatic castle occupies the headland which separates the two main bays steep cliffs stretching away in both directions. The old town ascends the slope to the castle in a maze of crooked streets, with buildings dating back to Tudor times.”
Scarborough’s allure is heightened by the promise of a fresh adventure with each visit.
A perfect start to any trip could be the colourful Scarborough Fair Collection, home to Europe’s most extensive collection of classic fairground rides and historic vehicles.
This museum provides a unique historical lens, complete with bumper cars, penny arcades, a merry-go-round and the opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea whilst watching a stage show.
Scarborough is popular with holidaymakers and daytrippers as the town has many attractions(Image: Getty Images)
Another must-visit is the Scarborough Rotunda Museum, a Jurassic geology museum that delves into 65 million years of history, showcasing thousands of fossils, dinosaur footprints and even a Speeton Plesiosaur skeleton.
Entry is free for under 18s, and adults can explore the Rotunda Museum for just £5, which also includes admission to the Scarborough Art Gallery.
But no seaside getaway would be complete without a trip to the beach, and Scarborough boasts two stunning beaches: North and South Bay.
South Bay Beach is ideal for a family day out, having been a hit during the Victorian era, it still offers similar attractions like donkey rides and a lively promenade brimming with activities.
North Bay Beach, on the other hand, is much quieter and the perfect spot for relaxation or a leisurely stroll with a camera in hand. With numerous rock pools and charming vintage beach huts set against a backdrop of stunning hills and cliffs, there’s plenty to explore.
The two beaches are divided by the remnants of the grand Scarborough Castle, a 12th-century fortress that has withstood Viking invasions and served as a significant royalist stronghold during the Civil War.
After a day of sightseeing, it’s essential to visit the Scarborough Castle Great Tea Room, which offers stunning views of both beaches and an array of homemade cakes, jams, and other comforting treats.
No matter your itinerary, Scarborough is the perfect spot for a peaceful beach getaway, offering magnificent views, a rich history, and a host of entertaining attractions at one of England’s most beautiful seaside resorts.
