England batter Zak Crawley has signed a one-year contract extension with Kent to keep him at the county next summer.
The 28-year-old has agreed the new deal three days after his central contract was not renewed when the England and Wales Cricket Board released its updated list.
Crawley has not featured in a Test since the final game of last winter’s Ashes tour in Sydney and last appeared for England in a one-day international in Sri Lanka in January.
He played in 12 County Championship matches for Kent this season as they won promotion back to Division One, making 608 runs with a top score of 89 among four half-centuries.
“It’s an exciting time as we head back into Division One of the County Championship and I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing for Kent this coming summer,” said Crawley.
“It’s great to see so many young players coming through the system here, similar to my journey into first-team cricket, and I’m excited to help them settle into the first team and further their development for the long term.”
The opener has made more than 180 appearances in all competitions for his home county since his debut in 2017.
WHEN there’s a chill in the air but you still fancy a trip to the seaside, you have to visit this one destination – it’s the warmest in the UK and HAS the least rain.
Not to mention it has some incredible beaches and the world’s biggest Wetherspoons – so it’s the perfect place for a break on the coast this September.
Kent is the warmest spot along the UK coastline in autumn – you can head to BroadstairsCredit: AlamyOr visit Margate which is also home to the world’s largest WetherspoonsCredit: Alamy
Away Resorts has found the best UK seaside spots by analysing average daytime temperature, sea water temperature, rainfall and in top spot, is Kent.
Kate Watts from Away Resorts said: “September can be a brilliant time to enjoy everything the UK has to offer.”
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She continued: “Our research highlights that you don’t need to go abroad to catch the last of the sun.
“From the Kent Coast to the Isle of Wight, Pembrokeshire to Cornwall, there are plenty of destinations around the UK where Brits can make the most of the coast before autumn arrives.”
Thanks to it being the warmest destination with temperatures of 19C and only 11 days of rain – Kent is the best place to visit in autumn.
And luckily, there are plenty of coastal spots within the county to choose from.
If you’re after a traditional seaside experience, head to Broadstairs.
It has seven sandy beaches and bays including Viking Bay – lots have traditional beach huts and stripy deck chairs.
One must-do is to pop into Morelli’s Gelato, a retro ice cream parlour, for some mega sweet treats – it first opened in 1932.
As for what else you can do there, Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey who hails from Kent tells us her favourite spots in Broadstairs.
Away Resorts has found the warmest spots along the UK coastlineCredit: Away Resorts
She said: “Bar Ingo is my favourite restaurant in Kent, offering Basque small plates with some of the friendliest staff (and in this year’s OpenTable Top 100), and I can never leave Arrowsmiths without picking up a few gifts for myself.
“You can also explore its history via Charles Dickens, exploring his home and namesake pub after he spent some time there.
“But come for Viking Bay, a rare sandy beach in Kent, with some fish and chips from The Mermaid or even a surf lesson or two and embrace the seaside town life.
“Make sure to stay at Smith’s Townhouse – having only opened last year, its one of the coolest in town without the price tag (with some of the best coffee in town too).”
Ramsgate is where you’ll find a soft sandy beach backed by the world’s biggest Wetherspoons.
Called the Victoria Pavilion, arguably the best views are up the top on the enormous rooftop terrace which looks over the coast.
The Old Neptune is right on the beach front in WhitstableCredit: AlamyDon’t miss the Folkestone Mermaid by the beach frontCredit: Alamy
Whitstable is another popular seaside town where you’ll find oyster shops, posh charity shops and art galleries.
One of the most beautiful beach pubs is there, called The Old Neptune; punters love it as they can enjoy a pint right on the sand.
Margate has been nicknamed Shoreditch on Sea thanks to its fancy wine bars, cafes and fine dining restaurants.
Or if you want a bit of nostalgia, head into the Dreamland theme park that visitors say is like ‘stepping back in time’ thanks to its vintage fairground rides.
Don’t miss Folkestone either which was voted Time Out’s best UK place to visit last year.
It has trendy shops and coffee spots on its brightly coloured high street and heading down to the beach don’t miss the Folkestone Mermaid – like they have in Copenhagen.
THERE’S lots of exciting things happening in 2027 across England, with plenty to interest all ages.
From the opening of the world’s first Minecraft land to a beautiful resort in Oxfordshire and the reopening of a funicular cliff lift in Kent – these spots should be on your radar.
A new resort in Oxfordshire will open in 2027Credit: CABÜChessington World of Adventures is opening its new Minecraft WorldCredit: chessington
Chessington, Surrey
If you’re a fan of the Minecraft video game, head to Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey for the opening of an immersive new land.
Minecraft World will cost £50million and will also have the first ever Minecraft coaster.
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There will be other interactive features too like “epic block built playscapes” along with themed food and drink stores and a gift shop.”
It’s easy to make a day of it too by checking out the other 40 rides and attractions at the theme park.
Paultons Park will open a new water coaster as part of Valgard: Realm of the VikingsCredit: Paultons ParkIt will be one of the biggest rides ever built in the theme parkCredit: Paultons Park
Over at Paultons Park in Hampshire, the theme park will be opening its very first water coaster.
Called Serpent’s Curse, it will be an exciting new additionValgard: Realm of the Vikingsand it will be one of the biggest rides ever built in the theme park.
The watercoaster will be 471-metres long, with top speeds of 44mph and will open next spring.
For ride enthusiasts the details say that it will have ‘a lift hill, fast-flowing twists and curves, and a dramatic plunge into a final splashdown.’
The exact date of the opening of the ride is yet to be confirmed.
Blackpool, Lancashire
The River Caves at Blackpool Pleasure Beach are set to reopen next yearCredit: AlamyThe ride first opened in 1905 and closed in 2024Credit: Theme Park Guide
The classic water ride first opened in 1905 before closing in 2024 due to technical complications – it will reopen next year after a period of “reimagination”.
It’s one of the oldest operating dark rides in the world and takes visitors through Ancient Egypt and lost jungles past dinosaurs and temples on a boat.
Amanda Jean Thompson OBE, the managing director of Pleasure Beach Resort teased some details, she said: “What I can tell you is what will remain – the Egyptian scene will remain but it and the Angkor Wat scene, which is so integral to Aviktas will remain, but rethemed and redone.”
She added: “I think the Blue Grotto may stay because I particularly like that area. The rest will be new and remains top secret for now, because I keep changing my mind.”
For anyone heading to Blackpool, another must-do is head to Sandcastle Waterpark which was recently voted the best waterpark in the country.
It’s kept at a toasty 29C and has more than 18 waterslides and attractions including a spa.
Don’t forget to pop into the seafront Wetherspoons either – called Velvet Coaster, it sits right on the front with views across the pleasure beach.
It’s across three floors, there’s a beer garden on the ground floor, a balcony on the first floor, and a roof garden on the pub’s highest level.
Morecambe, Lancashire
The new Eden Project in Morecambe is currently in developmentCredit: Lancashire County CouncilThe Bring Me Sunshine Garden will open next year as part of the first phaseCredit: Unknown
Work has officially started on the £100 million Eden Project in Morecambe and the majority will open in 2028.
But part of it will actually open next year – and it will be completely free to enter.
Called the Bring Me Sunshine Garden, it will have tall Austrian pine trees, grasses, a natural flower meadow as well as a solar-powered, shell-shaped outdoor pavilion and classroom that harvests rainwater.
The garden was shown off at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and will open as a permanent part of the Eden Project in Morecambe in spring 2027.
The rest of the Eden Project Morecambe is scheduled to fully open in winter 2028.
There’s plenty to see in Morecambe like the Happy Mount Park, the Eric Morecambe Statue and The Smugglers Den pub all rated highly on TripAdvisor.
Folkestone, Kent
Head to Folkestone Kent to try out the reopened funicular lift next yearCredit: AlamyIt will reopen along with the cafe, waiting room and outdoor terraceCredit: Folkestone Leas Lift
If you love the Kent coast, Folkestone might be the seaside town to visit next year as its funicular lift is set to open after being closed for 10 years.
Folkestone’s Leas Lift first opened in 1885 and was forced to close back in 2017.
But a long campaign has finally seen restoration works start – and it’s set to reopen in 2027.
The £6.6million works will restore the main systems, which connect the top of the cliff to the beach.
The cafe is also being restored, along with the waiting room and addition of an outdoor terrace.
It remains one of the oldest in the UK, and one of just three of its kind left, being a water-balance funicular.
Along with its beach, the town has its own art trail, including a 2014 Banksy, as well as the Antony Gormley cast iron statues and ‘Folkestone Mermaid,’ similar to the one in Copenhagen.
Pop by its Artist’s Quarter to see local artwork and coffee shops.
Oxfordshire
CABÜ is currently building their third resort in OxfordshireCredit: CABÜIt will have 51 cabins, two swimming pools and a natural spaCredit: CABÜ
If a bit of R&R is part of your 2027 plans then perhaps a trip to Oxfordshire is on the cards.
CABÜ is set to open a new resort just outside of the Cotswolds – and it will be the third of its kind in the UK.
It will have beautiful luxury cabins, a relaxing nature spa as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
There will be a new range of 51 “ultra- cool timber cabins” which will have either one, two or three bedrooms.
Guests will be able to use all of the facilities which include a nature spa, hot tubs, saunas and plunge bucket.
There will be an indoor swimming pool too surrounded by loungers and huge windows which will let in lots of natural light.
During the warmer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor pool – also on site will be a shop, restaurant, two bars and a studio events space.
Skipsea Sands is undergoing a £5million makeoverCredit: Trip Advisor/ Skipsea Sands ManagementThorness Bay will add new facilities to its holiday park tooCredit: Unknown
If you’re looking for a holiday park break next year, then two Parkdean Resorts are getting major makeovers for spring 2027.
Added to the site will be the new Hat-Tricks Sports Bar with pool and darts.
Joe’s American Grill is its new dining and there will be Minigolf & Adventure Activities which include high ropes, low ropes and climbing wall.
The second resort undergoing an upgrade is Skipsea Sands in East Riding of Yorkshire.
As part of a £5million makeover, it has recently added a Clip & Climb wall, Bear Grylls Escape Rooms and Fairground Golf.
Paignton, Devon
The enormous Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton will reopen in summer 2027Credit: AlamyIt’s getting a revamp including a new restaurant and barCredit: Twelve Architects
If you fancy a trip to the seaside this summer, one of the biggest hotels in Paignton is getting a huge refurb.
The Redcliffe Hotel is set to open in early 2027 and when it does, it will have been closed for a full year for the refurbishment.
The hotel has Indian-style architecture and sits right next to Paignton Beach and Preston Sands.
During the refurb, the 67-room hotel will be reduced to 55 rooms and the ground floor function room will be converted into guest rooms.
There will be a new restaurant and bar, and enhanced spa facilities.
Outside, there will be a restaurant patio with seating pods, planters and benches, terraced terraced gardens, guest patios and a refurbished outdoor pool area as well.
If you want to find a slice of Greece in Devon, then head to Elberry Cove which sits on the South West Coast Path between Paignton and Brixham and has crystal clear waters.
