Ive

Netflix’s American Primeval launched in January 2025, but BBC’s 2022 western series The English starring Emily Blunt is being hailed as the superior show

Three recent TV western series tower above the rest. The latest arrival is American Primeval, which landed on Netflix at the start of this year. The series delivers an unflinchingly realistic and brutal portrayal of existence on Utah’s lawless frontier, following a mother and child fighting for survival.

Their trek brings them face-to-face with settlers living by their own code, indigenous peoples protecting their territories, and Brigham Young’s Mormon militia. The unrelenting brutality stands in sharp opposition to the sanitised portrayals of the Wild West seen in 1990s pictures such as Tombstone and Dances With Wolves.

Yet it isn’t simply violence for its own sake. It features outstanding performances and centres its narrative on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a grotesque and shameful chapter in American history that was probably unfamiliar to most viewers before this series.

Audiences have hailed the programme as “absolutely phenomenal” and “raw and unflinching”, whilst Empire magazine characterised it as “a raw, bloody odyssey that will pierce your skull like a hatchet flung face-first”, noting: “Nostalgia has been stripped away completely, scalped in favour of a grimy, far more authentic journey that takes us back to how the so-called land of the free really came to be.”

The Guardian offered a more critical view, branding it a “samey western that’s far less clever than it thinks it is”. I dispute that verdict.

Godless

If you were gripped by American Primeval, there’s another Western miniseries that many reckon is even better. Godless, a Netflix original released in 2017, shares the Old West setting and intense violence of American Primeval, but offers a unique twist. Godless spins a classic tale of revenge. Jeff Daniels portrays crime boss Frank Griffin, who, along with his band of outlaws, is on the hunt for Roy Goode, a former member who betrayed them.

As Roy flees from his past, he ends up in a secluded New Mexico mining town predominantly inhabited by women. His arrival lures Griffin’s deadly gang to the town, forcing the residents to stand their ground.

The series was lauded as a “work of confident artistry”, an “unrelentingly brilliant” and “clandestinely old-fashioned mash-up of all the great Westerns you ever knew and loved”. It also bagged three Primetime Emmy Awards.

The English

But there’s another modern western TV series that trumps them both. The English, a BBC production that flew somewhat under the radar upon its 2022 release, stars Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, and Rafe Spall. Set in 1890, it follows Lady Cornelia Locke (Blunt) who journeys from England to the American west seeking vengeance against the man she holds responsible for her son’s death.

Whilst it rivals both American Primeval and Godless in terms of its grim portrayal of the Old West, the series also shines a light on another disturbing element of 19th-century existence that seldom appears on our screens: syphilis and the devastating toll it takes on the body. The show also presents one of the most chilling figures in recent memory: Black-Eyed Mog, a bonnet-clad, spectacle-wearing Welsh matriarch who presides over a brutal clan controlling the plains from their fortified stronghold.

Critics awarded it five stars, praising a script “as gorgeous as the landscape”, which “evokes the pitilessness of the old west” and poses the question of “how many of us would remain sane, and morally sound, in a lawless land where – for hundreds of miles at a time – no one could hear you, or anyone who got in your way, scream”.

After travelling to nine Spanish cities over several years, two stole my heart with their ancient culture, stunning architecture and unique atmosphere – and you can explore them both by train

Over the years, Spain has become one of my favourite places to visit. Mallorca was the first foreign place I visited as a young adult in the 1990s – and I’ve returned there numerous times since. Mallorca’s capital city, Palma is a splendid destination for a winter break, but there are two lesser-known Spanish cities that have truly left an impression on me.

In total, I’ve journeyed to nine Spanish cities over several years, each one special and distinct in its own way. From inland Madrid to vibrant Seville or the coastal southern province of Cádiz, every location has been memorable and unique, reports the Express.

I’ve visited Barcelona a couple of times, even spending several months there once, and while it’s a fantastic city, it was two other Spanish cities that truly captured my heart. The first city that enchanted me is described by Lonely Planet as “truly one of Spain’s most magnificent cities” – and I wholeheartedly agree. It’s an ancient city not far from Madrid named Toledo.

I visited this historic place alone several years ago, outside of the busy season, so there were hardly any tourists. However, like many other places, Toledo can sometimes draw too many visitors these days.

This atmospheric place is an old walled city with a haunting aura of past lives; you can almost feel the layers of history that have unfolded in Toledo. This ancient city is perched on a hill, encircled by the Tagus River (El Rio Tajo in Spanish).

When I stepped off the train from Madrid, the sight of Toledo genuinely took my breath away – at first glance I mistook the river for a moat, though I’ve since learnt that it winds naturally around the hill upon which this city sits. Lonely Planet noted that Toledo “was known as the ‘city of three cultures’ in the Middle Ages” where “Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted”.

Yet even today, it’s that sense of diverse culture that feels compelling and somehow magical, as if it’s been absorbed into the walls of the ancient buildings here. There are mosques, synagogues and one of Spain’s “finest Gothic cathedrals” within this city.

Historically, Toledo is said to have been named by the Romans before later becoming an Arabic fortress. The old town area is brimming with history, featuring sights such as the “Puerta de Valmardon” – the oldest city gate within the walls.

The most ancient monument still standing in Toledo is believed to be the Cristo de la Luz Mosque, constructed in the year 999, though throughout this sprawling city, you’ll discover so much of interest spanning numerous eras.

Now onto my next most memorable Spanish city, perhaps even less well-known than Toledo – and you can actually catch a train from Toledo to get to this next beautiful destination: Córdoba. I’ve explored much of Spain via rail journeys – and I’d thoroughly recommend it.

You get to see so much of the countryside when you travel by train abroad. The Spanish city of Córdoba, nestled in the Andalusia province in the south of Spain, is a city I had the pleasure of visiting a few years ago – and it’s another very memorable place.

After spending two days in Seville, having initially flown into Malaga, Córdoba was less than an hour’s train ride away from Seville – and what a captivating place it turned out to be.

Set on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, which flows from Seville to Cádiz, Córdoba is brimming with nature and wildlife. The Sierra Morena Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to Córdoba.

I visited Córdoba in October when it was still quite hot, with daytime temperatures reaching 40C. While I would recommend visiting at a cooler time of year, the city was incredibly atmospheric.

Known as the ‘city of flowers’, Córdoba is adorned with floral decorations in its streets, on monuments and balconies. One particularly vibrant street is the Calleja de las Flores.

One of the city’s most awe-inspiring features is the Roman Bridge of Córdoba. Featured in series 5 of Game of Thrones as the “Long Bridge of Volantis”, it offers exceptional views and tranquil riverside walks.

The city itself is bustling, and at its heart lies the Mezquita Cathedral de Córdoba. This unique mosque-cathedral is an incredible structure that was once under Moorish rule centuries ago before being converted into a Catholic cathedral.

Córdoba, set amidst ancient surroundings, exudes a lively atmosphere. Every glance reveals something intriguing, from the whitewashed or vibrantly coloured homes to the unspoilt cobbled streets.

It’s an unforgettable destination, offering a blend of culture and delectable cuisine, such as the Córdoban Salmorejo soup – a delightful concoction of garlic, tomato and olive oil, even served at breakfast.

My journey through this city was part of a larger adventure that included visits to Malaga, Seville, Córdoba and the coastal city of Cádiz. Each of these places had its own unique charm.

Fringed by the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no surprise that Cádiz is renowned for its fried seafood selection – incredibly fresh and delicious.

The city’s central market (Mercado Central) is a treasure trove of stalls including local fish and irresistibly sweet churros. The market has a truly local feel; while tourists do visit, they’re not as prevalent as in other Spanish seaside locations.

In this city, which gazes out across the ocean towards Morocco and beyond, the daily and frequent tolling of bells from the Cádiz Cathedral adds to the continental ambiance.

A stroll along the coast here is simply beautiful, with sandy beaches lining the way. Although the sea was rough during my October visit, preventing me from swimming, the water temperature remained pleasantly warm.

Touring the cities of Andalusia was a fantastic way to experience this region of Spain and it’s something I’d certainly do again. In my view, it’s incredibly rewarding to see several different places in one exploratory holiday.

There’s another city worth mentioning at the opposite end of the country in north-eastern Spain, which I visited on a separate occasion – Girona.

Girona is less than an hour by train from Barcelona. I made the journey there from the beach resort of Lloret de Mar while on holiday – it’s another captivating city with a remarkable old town.

While in Girona’s old town, I explored the Passeig de la Muralla, which has numerous steps leading to high points offering stunning views of the surrounding province. Although this city is inland, there are several beach areas just a short drive or train ride away.

Girona is a blend of ancient structures and vibrant new buildings. Spain’s official tourism website describes this city as being “of Roman origin with medieval, Romanesque, Gothic and modernist architecture”.

This city also served as another Spanish filming location for Game of Thrones.

KEW Gardens is renowned as a place you can unplug among the bustle of London.

But from November until January the world-famous botanic garden becomes electrified – quite literally – in a fantastic extravaganza of multicoloured lights.

Kew’s annual light trail offers visitors the chance to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site in an entirely new way.

In recent years, many other outdoor attractions have copied Kew’s Light Trail concept but this really is the original and arguably the best.

Christmas at Kew is always a hot ticket – having gone on sale back in January – but there is still time to get tickets as the trail goes on until January 2026 so is an ideal activity for ‘Twixmas week.

It is a great family outing for all ages which will bewitch all ages-from grandparents to kids.

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I took my two children aged 12 and 8 and they easily coped with the 3km loop.

This year’s trail starts at the Palm House and is perhaps the most spectacular yet  and begins by taking visitors across a stunning new bridge from which they can admire 100 giant illuminated water lilies.

The botanic garden’s famous Chinese Pagoda is lit for the first time ever this year and stands like a shining beacon.

The ever-popular cathedral-like arch of lights is a photo opportunity not to miss. 

And kids will also love bobbing and weaving through dangling tendrils of lights in another section.

Other fun surprises new to the route include a full dancefloor complete with giant light-up headphones offering a brilliant Instagrammable opportunity.

Elsewhere, fun-fair horses that pop up among the garden’s atmospherically lit trees in hues of purple and silver.

And keep an eye out for a very special Christmas visitor who pops up towards the end of the route.

The finale of the trail is as stunning as ever with an awe-inspiring music and light show projected onto the Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. 

A musical mix from Mariah Carey to Coldplay bring to life this greenhouse which brims with some of the world’s rarest plants.

Christmas at Kew offers a feast for the eyes-but also the tummy, much to the delight of my two mini-trailers.

There are multiple festive food and drink stalls available along the way in wooden cabins, offering everything from gourmet burgers, Asian food, to Souvlaki wraps and mulled wine for me!

One delicious pitstop even offers marshmallow toasting over a fire pit.

My boys happily polished off giant hot dogs and mini waffle bites on the way round.

A trip to Kew after nightfall this wintertime will guarantee to see faces lit up as brightly as the gardens.

Christmas at Kew runs on selected dates until Sunday January 4, 2026.

Prices start at £18 for kids and £27.50 for adults.

For more on light trails, here’s how to find the cheapest one in the UK.

And here’s the 27 free festive experiences across the UK for families including light trails and Santa’s grotto.

I’VE found the best holiday park to spend the Christmas holidays at – and we’re returning as a family again this year.

My family of five has visited Haven, Butlin’s, Center Parcs and Away Resorts for a seasonal staycay in recent times, but we always end up back at our favourite.

Park Holidays‘ Broadland Sands near Great Yarmouth, is our fail-safe every year, even when none of the park facilities like the pool or the climbing wall are open in December.

But for a cosy Christmas getaway, it’s all about the accommodation for us.

With a big open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, there’s enough space (and crockery) to host a sit-down meal for a dozen people, so its ideal for hosting larger families.

It’s so much easier than trying to gather everyone together at home, hunting for extra chairs, working out how we can all fit around the table and cleaning the house before guests arrive.

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Instead it feels like a real treat to be staying in a spotless space where everyone can chip in with the cooking without treading on anyone’s toes.

My top tip would be to bring a slow cooker or an air fryer so you’ve got a back-up plan if you can’t fit everything in the oven, especially if you’ve got a lot of mouths to feed. 

The lodges at Broadland Sands are tucked away at one end of the park and it really does feel like you’re a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of normal life, waking up to the sun glistening through frosty trees outside.

Next door is St Bartholomew’s, a semi-ruined church that still hosts some Sunday services.

And just up the lane is the Lodge at Woburn Farm, which offers music nights and food, so you can enjoy a party atmosphere if the mood takes you.

I like to bring a stash of cosy treats, like fluffy socks, matching PJs and hot chocolate with marshmallows so we can really make the most of our comfortable accommodation and take a bit of time to get some R&R during the festivities.

While we love our quiet Christmas away, there’s also something to be said for heading to Haven or Butlin’s for full-on family fun.

Last year we spent Twixmas at Haven’s Seashore park and had a great time, splashing in the pool and watching the panto in the entertainment venue.

But the best bit of the break was wandering along a deserted beach in the late December sunshine and cosying up in our caravan for a family film night.

The festive season is already so busy with nights out, children’s parties and end-of-term activities that we all just want a bit of peace and quiet by the time we go on our Yuletide getaway. 

That’s why going to a luxury lodge on a closed park proves perfect most years.

Happily it also tends to be the most cost-effective option.

We spent around £250 for the weekend, compared to the steep £1,400 at Center Parcs Elveden Forest or £1,060 for a seaview lodge at Haven Seashore.

Having said that, we do also enjoy an occasional seasonal staycay elsewhere, especially now so many more UK parks have opened up until the New Year.

We quite often make a cheeky midweek visit to Butlin’s, which is usually a bargain £50 for four nights.

One year, there was even a free ice-skating rink at Skegness, so it really did give my family that festive feel for next to nothing.

Now’s the perfect time to bag a bargain break to end 2025 with a bang, so get booking!

While Rohl did not dig out his defenders, former Rangers striker and coach Billy Dodds wasn’t as generous.

“The Rangers defence, that was as bad as I’ve seen it this season,” he said on TNT Sports.

Given some of the goals Rangers have coughed up under Rohl and his predecessor Russell Martin this season, that is quite the statement.

Rohl’s assessment was that those two defensive mistakes cost Rangers, but in reality, the margin of victory could have been greater for Ferencvaros.

“For the second game in the row in this competition, I see a team who is competitive and a team in a forward process, but I see a team, especially in this competition, destroy the hard work in two, three situations,” Rohl said.

The home side had 13 shots in the Rangers box, four of which were squandered by striker Bamidele Yusuf, who could have had a first-half hat-trick.

In attack, Miovski’s fine finish was the one moment of quality for a Rangers side who struggled to create. Indeed, their seven shots was the lowest they have registered in a Europa League match this season.

Keane – assisted by former Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass – was asked if he was surprised by the Rangers team he came up against, but chose to focus on his own high-flying outfit.

“I knew they were going to play three at the back,” he said.

“I can’t speak too much about them because I’m not bothered about them. I knew we’ll always score. We were brilliant tonight, everybody to a man.”