makeover

One of Europe’s most beautiful islands is getting a £33million makeover

A EUROPEAN island often compared to the Caribbean is getting a massive multi-million pound makeover.

When it comes to pretty islands, not many beat Sardinia in Italy.

15 villages across Sardinia in Italy will be upgraded in huge £33million plans Credit: Alamy

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And now, 15 villages across the island will be getting upgraded.

The villages include Bosa, Castelsardo, Aggius, Atzara, Carloforte, Galtelli, Gavoi, Laconi, La Maddalena, Lollove, Oliena, Posada, Sadali, Sardara and Tempio Pausania.

Each village will get a €2.5million (£2.2million) makeover to promote tourism and slower living, with experiences including hiking and trying local cuisine.

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The money will be used to restore historic buildings in each village, as well as improve transport links and support local businesses and ease the pressure on coastal areas.

Here are some of the most beautiful villages which will be getting an upgrade.

Bosa

Another is Bosa, which is often considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy Credit: Alamy

Bosa is often considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy and sits on Sardinia’s western coast.

One spot worth visiting is Malaspina Castle, which was built in 1112, as well as a number of pretty churches including the Cathedral of Bosa, which was built in the 19th century over the remains of a Romanesque church.

Castelsardo

Castelsardo is another village that will see investment – it sits on a large limestone hill Credit: Alamy

The pretty coastal town of Castelsardo sits on a rock rising from the water, with a 13th-century castle on top.

It is open to the public and in addition to a few rooms, visitors will find the Museum of Mediterranean Interweaving inside. One of the top beaches to visit in the town is Spiaggia La Marina di Castelsardo, which is ideal for snorkelling.

Aggius

Aggius boasts three museums that visitors can explore Credit: Alamy

The landlocked town of Aggius boasts not one, but three museums to explore. There’s one about criminals from the area, another about Gallura traditions and a third that has contemporary art.

And the landscape is ideal for hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts.

Gavoi

The rural town of Gavoi overlooks Lake Gusana Credit: Alamy

The mountainous village of Gavoi overlooks Lake Gusana and boasts amazing landscapes.

In the centre of the village you can also wander through narrow cobblestone streets. Make sure to visit the main church as well, which features a Gothic style.

Posada

Posada is a great place to go bird watching or try water sports Credit: Alamy

The small village of Posada can be found on top of a limestone hill and is one of the most ancient villages on the island.

On top of the hill in the village is also a castle, which was where aristocracy used to spend their holidays – today most of the castle is in ruins, but the tower still stands and provides the perfect spot to see panoramic views of the village.

La Maddalena

La Maddalena sits on its own island and can be reached via a 15-minute ferry Credit: Alamy

La Maddalena is located off the north of Sardinia on its own island that can be reached by a 15-minute ferry ride.

Visitors can explore the 18th-century town as well as try out local seafood in the many restaurants.

From the island, visitors can also go on a number of boat trips and cross a bridge onto Caprera Island, where there are a number of hiking trails, pretty beaches and even the tomb of the Italian hero, Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Make sure to also stop by Spiaggia di Budelli while on a boat tour – the beach features pink sand but is a protected National Marine Park, so you can only see it from the water.

Recently, Sardinia was named as a Destination of the Year by Expedia Group’s Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel report, which gathered data from millions of visitors and revealed that searches for Sardinia holidays have risen by 63 per cent.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding visited the island last year and said: “Sardinia is full of dreamy beaches and a historic, crowd-free city.

“Whilst it is part of Italy, the island is actually located closer to Africa than mainland Italy and as a result, it boasts warm temperatures and exotic fauna and flora.

“Most travellers head to Olbia in the north of the island, but Cagliari in the south – the capital of the island – is also a great destination to explore.

“The south of the island and around Cagliari is full of quaint villages, rocky hills and breathtaking beaches.”



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UK train station to be completely transformed into ‘world-class hub’ as part of £5billion makeover

NEW plans have revealed the planned makeover for one UK station that sees 14.8million passengers every year.

The busy train station in the North of England is set to undergo a huge overhaul as part of a multi-billion pound project that will transform it into a ‘world-class hub’.

New plans for Liverpool Central Station have been revealed Credit: LCR
The station is set to be revamped at the cost of £5billion Credit: Liverpool City Council

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The council has revealed ambitious plans to upgrade Liverpool Central Station which first opened in 1874.

Its makeover will be part of a wider regeneration – London-based architecture firm Hawkins\Brown taking charge of the vision across the 86-acre site.

New renders reveal a brand-new look for Central Station with a completely different front, as well as a bright inside with lots of windows and a glass roof to let in natural light.

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Other images show what the central plaza could look like in the evening with open spaces, greenery and purple lighting.

The hope is that Liverpool Central will link with nearby Liverpool Lime Street with Merseyrail services connecting with National Rail services.

It would then be easy to reach Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, its waterfront and Queen Square, which is home to bars, cafes and restaurants.

This will be much like King’s Cross and London St Pancras, which are two separate stations, but used as one hub within the city.

This included the possibility of an underground tunnel between the stations too.

The project to overhaul not only the station, but central Liverpool area, is predicted to cost £5billion with the council hoping it will “create a world-class hub.”

The new central plaza outside Liverpool Central railway station could look very different Credit: Liverpool City Council

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Liverpool Central is one of the busiest and most important transport gateways in the country – and the area around it should match the ambition of the city it serves.

He continued: “This is a chance for us to think bigger about the future of one of the key front doors to Liverpool – creating a greener, safer and better-connected gateway that works for residents, businesses and the millions of people who pass through it every year.”

Last year, details emerged for more plans to better connect the city centre.

As part of the wider regeneration of Liverpool, new homes, shops and public spaces will be also created.



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Victorian seaside resort DOUBLES size of beach using a million tonnes of shingle in £185m promenade makeover

A VICTORIAN seaside spot has doubled in size thanks to a £185 million promenade makeover.

The beachfront has now reopened to visitors after six months of work.

Illustration of a proposed beach and pier development with a road and cars next to it.
A Victorian seaside resort has doubled the size of its beach in the past year Credit: Portsmouth Council
A dredger, tugboat, and pipeline in the ocean near a beach with a city and memorial in the background.
The popular seafront is undergoing a huge £185 million makeover to improve the areas flood defences Credit: Portsmouth Council

Southsea beach in Portsmouth is undergoing a huge redevelopment as work continues to increase the beach’s size and improve the promenade flood defences.

The Southsea Coastal Scheme is a £185 million project that was introduced to help reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and local businesses.

Its planned defences will stretch along a 2.7 mile section of the seafront and is the UK’s biggest local authority-led coastal defences project.

The beach widening work, which covered the stretch between the Pyramid Centre and the Coffee Cup café began in October last year and was completed by March 2026.

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Increasing the beach’s width was achieved using shingle dredged from a nearby strait close to the Isle of Wight, with one million tonnes of shingle deposited on the beach using a pipeline from the dredger.

Widening the beach improves the area’s flood defences as the larger beach can now absorb more wave energy and will better defend the coastline.

While this process was underway, access to the beach was limited for safety reasons and certain sections were closed to the public, reopening section-by-section as work was completed.

Speaking on the decision to expand the beach, Southsea Coastal Scheme project executive, Marc Bryan, said: “We’ve chosen to build a larger shingle beach in this area because they’re great at absorbing wave energy which in turn helps reduce erosion and protects homes and businesses from coastal flooding.

“The new beach will adapt to rising seas and our changing climate while still providing the required standard of protection.

“It will be easily maintained and can be topped up if needed in the future.”

Other work that forms part of the scheme has already been completed including the demolition and creation of a new seawall around Long Curtain Moat.

Two new bridges were also built nearby and the promenade was made higher and wider with additional seating.

Rocks were imported to create new sea defences around Southsea Castle and improvements have been made to part of the promenade between Pyramids and Speaker’s corner, including new terraces, seating and play areas.

Currently, construction work is underway between South Parade Pier and Speaker’s Corner creating a new-look promenade and improving the defences.

Large precast concrete blocks have been installed onto 75 units on the sea frontage, cleverly disguised as tiered planters and seating.

The promenade level is also in the process of being raised using a mix of crushed stone and crushed concrete from the previous promenade.

When complete, the new promenade area will match the existing seafront paving.

Construction is expected to continue till May 2027, and while the work is underway, certain areas of the beachfront will be closed, however many local businesses will remain open.

The entire coastal defence scheme is expected to be completed by 2029.

The beach, made up of a mix of shingle and sand, has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century and is located just a mile south of Portsmouth city centre.

Named after the nearby Southsea Castle, the beach first welcomed its South Parade Pier in 1879, originally the site of a passenger steamer service for travellers heading to the Isle of Wight.

The seafront has been described by visitors as “a little gem” on the South East coast, with a “wonderful” promenade full of shops and cafes.

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Little-known European theme park’s £43million makeover has ‘island’ lands and new rides

YOU’VE heard of PortAventura, Efteling and Europa-Park, but there’s another European theme park that has just completed a 10-year makeover.

The little-known Walibi Rhône-Alpes attraction is just outside of the city of Lyon in France and has just reopened for the season with new attractions.

Walibi Rhone Alpes theme park has just completed a €50million makeover Credit: Walibi Rhone Alpes
The newest 4×4 ride can be found in its Exotic Island area Credit: Walibi Rhone Alpes

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The paradise-looking Exotic Island based on the Pacific Islands like Fiji and Papua New Guinea has had a €4.5million (£3.8million) upgrade, installing a family ride, adventure trail and botanical maze.

Its new family attraction is called RépaR’ Ta Kar and is said to be the ‘first-of-its-kind in Europe‘.

The attraction will be themed around a 4×4’s and be between the high-speed Mahuka rollercoaster and the park’s Tiki Village.

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The ride is described as having “off-road vehicles that bounce, rotate, and spin in a chaotic mechanical frenzy.”

Also ready to be explored this year are new walkthrough experiences at Exotic Island.

L’Expédition Perdue (which translated is The Lost Expedition) is a multi-level adventure trail with bridges, slides and climbing challenges.

Le Passage Oublié (The Forgotten Passage) is a sensory maze with underground tunnels.

This upgrade has been part of an overhaul that has been taking place since 2016 at the cost of €50million (£43.2million) – which has been marked by the completion of Exotic Island.

The French theme park has 36 attractions, shows, rollercoasters like Mahuka, Mystic, and Timber – and is divided into three themed zones.

These include Explorer Adventure which is themed around North America with a swinging ship and lazy river ride.

The Festival City zone is New Orleans-themed where visitors enter the ‘party world’.

Here are the likes of a traditional carousel, train and a swing ride.

The park that first opened in 1979 has attractions for children from age three and up, with family-friendly rides and some for the thrill-seekers.

Some of the biggest include the Mystic rollercoaster which has a 31metre vertical climb and top speed of 52.8mph.

The theme park is split into three different lands based on locations around the world Credit: Walibi Rhone Alpes
It’s suitable for children age three and up – but does have big rollercoasters too Credit: Walibi Rhone Alpes

Another is Mahuka which is a rollercoaster themed around escaping an abandoned temple.

Then there’s Le Totem, a high-impact drop tower which can be found in Festival City.

It has 12 food and drinks spots as well as shops throughout the park.

The shows include Les Plongeurs de l’Extrême where divers perform daring stunts and jump off platforms as high as 27metres.

At another show, the park’s mascot, Walibi, makes an appearance with meet and greet opportunities for children.

Visitors often leave happy reviews on Tripadvisor, one wrote: “A great park that improves year after year!”

Another described it as “a great park for the whole family.”

Theme park tickets start from €29 (£25.06) – if booked up to five days before the visit.

With Wizz Air, Brits can fly from London Luton Airport to Lyon from £16 in June.

From there, the theme park is around a one-hour drive away.



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I stayed in England’s most easterly town that’s had a huge makeover

IF your Great British getaway needs a glow-up, look no further than England’s most easterly town.

Lowestoft in Suffolk has had a mega refresh, with millions of pounds poured into its seafront, caravan site and theme park.

Lowestoft’s seafront and the Claremont Pier Credit: Supplied
The colourful seafront beach huts Credit: Supplied

When I headed there with my family of five, the town’s revival was apparent from the moment we rolled into Park Holidays’ Pakefield caravan park.

It is tucked away in a quiet patch south of the main town centre where it overlooks the sea and is surrounded by open fields.

And it has had more than just a lick of paint.

A £6million cash injection has seen the addition of a heated indoor pool, toddler splash zone, playground, arcade and bar/restaurant.

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Wandering around the park, one notices an upmarket vibe.

The lobby has a high-spec finish and the attention to detail here is fantastic.

The luxe feel then continues in the new caravans, with large beds and master en-suites.

If your goal is to unwind, then you won’t be disappointed.

The park is less about pumping out late-night music than delivering holiday-site staples — pool, arcade, bar and karts — to a high standard.

The Coastal Bar and Restaurant hosts Saturday night entertainment for the whole family — which includes furry friends, with dog beds dotted around the terrace.

The spongy floor of the new pool felt lovely underfoot and made the splash area very safe for little ones, while the changing rooms were the cleanest I’ve ever encountered.

If you fancy heading out for the day, the lovely seaside village of Pakefield, near Lowestoft, is well worth a visit.

You can walk straight out of the caravan park on to the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Keep your eyes peeled for Salty Sauna, a mini wood-fired sauna that can be booked for public or private sessions.

The upmarket vibe high street has sculpture Credit: Supplied
The town has a rich maritime history Credit: Supplied

If you wander along the beach up to Lowestoft, you’ll come to the Jubilee Parade pavilion, which is on the cusp of completion.

The two-storey restaurant-and-cafe complex includes a lift connecting the upper esplanade to the lower promenade, making access easier.

It’s set next to the futuristic Eastern Edge beach huts, which can be hired for the day.

Another spot that comes highly recommended by locals is the overhauled East Point Pavilion, an ornate glass Victorian-inspired venue that overlooks the sea and hosts concerts and makers’ markets.

And new art gallery Messums East is just about to open at the site of the old Post Office.

If you’re looking for more thrills, head to the Pleasurewood Hills theme park which sits on the coast between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Brothers Freddy, Spencer and Davis Stokes took over the site at the end of last year and have already installed three new rides, with a spinning coaster on the cards for later this year.

The park has something for everyone.

Furry friends enjoy beach Credit: Supplied
The overhauled East Point Pavilion, an ornate glass Victorian-inspired venue that overlooks the sea and hosts concerts and makers’ markets Credit: Alamy

We stayed for most of the day and still didn’t make it round all the rides, despite there being next to no queues.

The chairlift that carries you from one side of the park to the other was a throwback to my childhood holidays, while my boys loved the adrenaline rides, including the 30 metre-high Riptide and huge, looping coaster, Wipeout.

As the easternmost point of England, Lowestoft celebrates welcoming the earliest sunrise to our shores, with its First Light beach festival in June.

Likewise, there is definitely a new dawn afoot for this coastal town.

GO: LOWESTOFT

STAYING THERE: Four nights’ self-catering at Park Holidays Pakefield is from £129 in total for a six-person Gold Caravan, for arrival on May 18.

See parkholidays.com.

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Stunning UK lido ‘that feels like the seaside’ to get £12.5million makeover including new spa and saltwater pool

ONE of the oldest lidos in the UK is set to undergo a huge expansion with a new spa and children’s water play area.

Droitwich Spa Lido near Birmingham originally opened in 1935 and is one of the few remaining open-air, saltwater pools in the UK and now, it will get a £12.5million facelift.

Outdoor swimming pool with fountain.
Droitwich Spa Lido is one of the only remaining open air saltwater lidos in the country Credit: Alamy

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There will be several new features at the lido including a spa experience, a new brine pool, a new reception and a new water play area for little ones.

Other parts of the attraction will be updated, including reintroducing Art Deco features, enhancing the cafe and refurbishing the changing rooms.

Councillor Richard Morris said: “The Droitwich Lido is seen as one of the best in the country and when the public were consulted about the Town Prospectus the residents in Droitwich rated it the area they were most proud of after fighting for it to be reopened in 2007.”

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He added that the final design might evolve, but that the lido is expected to open in the first half of 2028.

Currently, the destination already includes a heated saltwater pool, children’s wet play area, sun terrace and a cafe.

The 40metre lido also sits on vast deposits of salt, which have been extracted from the ground for centuries.

In fact, the natural brine in the town is 10 times stronger than sea water and when the lido first opened, diluted brine was pumped from the local streams into the pool to keep it aseptic.

It was then heated to the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea and marketed as the ‘seaside of Droitwich Spa’, without actually being on the seaside.

The lido previously closed in 2000, but remained a popular attraction with many travelling to just see the once busy open air pool.

Top 10 lidos and outdoor pools in the UK

  1. Jubilee Pool, Penzance, Cornwall
  2. Tinside Lido, Plymouth, Devon
  3. Brockwell Lido, London
  4. Hathersage Swimming Pool, Peak District, Derbyshire
  5. Saltdean Lido, Brighton, East Sussex
  6. Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
  7. Bristol Lido, Clifton, Bristol
  8. Ilkley Lido, West Yorkshire
  9. Gourock Outdoor Pool, Inverclyde, Scotland
  10. Nantwich Outdoor Brine Pool, Cheshire

Then in 2007, the lido reopened having been completely refurbished, with the water still using a natural brine feed.

Previously, the pool was even named the fifth best in the country by The Times.

The pool is already open for the 2026 season and is heated to between 22C and 26C.

General swim sessions costing from £7.20 per adult for an hour or £9.40 for two hours and £7.20 per child per session.



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Major 186-year-old train station is getting big makeover this summer

A HISTORIC railway station will finally receive a long-awaited upgrade that’s been six years in the making.

Plans were first announced in 2020 but construction is only expected to go ahead in the coming months.

Illustration of a modern train station entrance with a large sloped roof and ticket machines.
The plans will see the construction of a new ticket hall Credit: Waltham Forest Gov.uk
Illustration of a train station platform featuring a modern timber and steel canopy with screens displaying train information and tickets, and blurred figures of people.
The upgrade works are expected to begin this summer and last into 2027 Credit: Waltham Forest Gov.uk

East London‘s Lea Bridge station is set to get a major upgrade to its ticket hall and entrance, following a campaign by locals.

The historic building was originally constructed in 1840 but closed in 1985 following the closure of the railway route.

It was re-built and re-opened in 2016, however despite being along a busy commuter route, the station features only a small un-gated side street entrance with no ticket office.

After calls from residents to upgrade the facilities, the station will now receive a modernised ticket hall.

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This includes a fully staffed ticket office and automatic entrance gates.

The plans also involve a retail unit and a new cycle hub, which will provide secure parking for up to 130 bikes.

A larger entrance on the main road will also be built, intended to make the station bigger, safer and more accessible for travellers.

Construction will begin this summer, and is expected to last into 2027.

This comes as the area undergoes a period of major regeneration, with 387 homes planned for the site around the station.

Lea Bridge operates between Stratford and Tottenham Hale on the Lea Valley Lines, and serves a daily average of 2,500 passengers.

It offers a 20-minute route into London Liverpool Street and a direct line to Stratford and Meridian Water.

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Victorian seaside town lido reopens after £1.3million makeover

A LIDO that sits just inland of the Bristol Channel has reopened its doors after a huge makeover.

Portishead Open Air Pool was closed for the season last year while it underwent huge upgrades – but it is back open for business.

Portishead Open Air Pool has opened after a £1.3million refurbishment Credit: TripAdvisor
The café at the swimming pool in Portishead has a new look too Credit: Portishead Open Air Pool

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On its website, organisers announced: “Our pool refurbishment is complete and we are open for the heated season.

“The Café has re-opened following refurbishment and is now open Monday to Sunday – please come and visit us!”

Portishead Open Air Pool has been open for 64 years, but closed briefly in 2025 to undergo improvement works with its £1.3million grant.

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One of the new additions to the pool includes solar panels which means it’s “fit for the future” according to Chair of the Portishead Pool Community Trust, Claudia Amos.

She added that this means Portishead is actually warmer than some indoor pools and sits around 28C between April and September.

Other improvement works include that to the café and changing rooms.

The pool itself is 33 metres long, and there’s a toddler pool alongside it for little ones.

For those who want to head in for a swim, a session in the lanes costs £7 per person.

Family and general swims are £6.50 for adults and £5 for children (those age two and under go free).

There are also Twilight Swim sessions from £7.25 and a Full Moon swim is £8per person.

During the winter, the lido welcomes brave cold water swimmers from 9am until midday – and for those who are new to the trend, it does have ‘introduction to Cold Water’ sessions too.

The on-site café, which also underwent a makeover is open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and weekends 9am – 4pm.

After a swim, you can pick up homemade cakes, sausage rolls, soup, paninis, teacakes and ice cream.

Portishead Open Air Pool has recently reopened after a huge makeover Credit: Alamy

Here are of our favourite UK holiday parks (and some even have swimming pools)…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue.

Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire

This holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort, just steps from Tunstall Beach. Entertainment is what this resort does best, with costume character performances, Link-up Bingo and cabaret shows. Accommodation ranges from fully-equipped Gold Caravans to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.

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St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall

This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing. Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.

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Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton

This holiday park has loads of unique activities on offer, including TikTok dance classes, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway. Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself an action-packed park.

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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex
This beachfront resort is a classic family favourite. If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races. Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.

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During the summer season, the outdoor pool can see up to 250 swimmers through its doors every day.

Lots couldn’t wait to get back into the water – one frequent visitor wrote on social media “can’t wait for this and the warmer weather.”

Another commented with “very impressive makeover.”

Historically, the lido had once earmarked for closure.

Back in 2008, the outdoor pool came under threat, but a community trust then took it over and has been running it since.

Here’s one English lido that was forced to close after 50 years, set to finally reopen next year.

And here’s where you can find all the lidos in the UK mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even FREE to enter.

Portishead Open Air Pool reopened in April after a £1.3million refurbishment Credit: Portishead Open Air Pool



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One of Europe’s barely visited countries reveals plans for huge £871million airport makeover

A SMALL European country without the crowds has revealed huge plans to overhaul its airport.

Luxembourg Airport is getting a huge £871million makeover that will eventually accommodate 10million passengers a year.

Luxembourg Airport has revealed plans for a £871million upgrade Credit: lux-Airport
Terminal A will be expanded and Terminal B will be rebuilt Credit: lux-Airport

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Works at Terminal A will focus on extending the current terminal to the airport’s tram stop and creating a new, modern security area with the latest technology by 2028.

There will also be an improved check-in area and bag drop-off area by 2028, to help passengers to move through the airport quicker.

By 2032, the disused underground station at the airport will be transformed into a baggage sorting area too.

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On the other hand, Terminal B will be completely redeveloped.

It will be transformed into a two-storey building with six new boarding gates, which passengers will have to hop on shuttle buses to get to.

The airport as a whole will get a number of other upgrades as well, such as the air traffic control tower as well as a new business aviation centre and VIP lounge set to open in 2029.

Aircraft parking across the airport will also increase from 27 spaces to 53, with additional boarding bridges too.

The airport hopes that the development will help the airport to handle up to double the amount of passengers it currently does (5.2million) to 10million passengers a year, by 2050.

A huge project is also going on around the airport that will see over 44 acres transformed into new offices, shops, restaurants and even a VIP terminal.

Dubbed the ‘Airport City’, travellers will be able to shop and dine at places including Starbucks and Oberweis restaurant in an area with a “unique metropolitan feel”.

The Airport City will even have a new hotel with the Skypark Business Centre North Hotel having over 200 rooms.

Then at Skypark Business Centre South, there will be a shopping centre and direct access to the terminal.

There is also another project at the airport to create an ‘Airport City’ with shops and restaurants Credit: lux-Airport

Luxembourg is surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany and tends to be a lesser-visited country in Europe.

In total, around one million people visit the country each year, whereas around 19million visit Belgium, over 100million visit France and over 37million visit Germany.

If heading to the capital, Luxembourg City, you will find a UNESCO listed medieval old town sat at the edge of steep cliffs.

The country as a whole is a great destination for keen hikers too with over 3,000 miles of trails through Ardennes forests and vineyards.

A major plus of visiting the country is that public transport is free across Luxembourg for everyone.

Luxembourg was also named one of the best places in the world for quality of life, last year.

Despite being home to just under 700,000 people, the Numbeo Quality of Life index placed the country top across a number of categories including the cost of living and house price to income ratio.

The country was also named among the happiest countries in the world last year, according to the World Happiness Report 2025.

The report recognised the country’s strong economy, as well as its social support network, with residents claiming that they have a good personal freedom.

You can fly direct to Luxembourg from the UK from London City, London Heathrow and London Stansted airports.

A one-way flight from these airports in May costs from £15 per person and only takes an hour.

In other airport news, Ryanair threatens to axe all flights to European country due to ‘massive passport queues’.

Plus, flights are now costing families hundreds extra due to ongoing Iran war – with even more airlines hiking prices.

Projects are set to finish between 2028 and 2032 Credit: lux-Airport



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English holiday cottage in the ‘Cotswolds of Venice’ that was visited by a Kardashian gets a £50k makeover

THE Cotswolds are a sought out holiday spot for lots of celebrities – with even the likes of Kourtney Kardashian visiting.

One of the most beautiful is Bourton-on-the-Water, considered the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ thanks to its riverside restaurants and little stone bridges across the water.

This cottage in Bourton-on-the-Water has had a £50k makeover Credit: Alamy
Kourtney Kardashian visited the Cotswolds in July last year Credit: Instagram

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With it being one of the prettiest villages in the UK, it’s no wonder that celebs like Kourtney Kardashian are drawn to it.

The TV personality known for Keeping Up With the Kardashians revealed her stay on social media.

Posting pictures of a three-bedroom cottage, she said: “Dreamy storybook fairytale enchantment.”

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£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls


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Called Stepping Stones, the cottage has now undergone a £50,000 makeover – as part of a £100,000 refurbishment project of properties owned by Cotswold Cottages.

Stepping Stones sits right next to the River Windrush which flows through the village.

The three bedrooms sleep five with a private patio where guests can enjoy dinners outside.

Inside, there’s a modern kitchen, cosy lounge area with a fireplace, and bedrooms with new furnishings.

Cotswold Cottages announced that work on Stepping Stones was completed this week.

It was part of a wider project, of which the first stage focused on the four neighbouring one-bedroom cottages; Kestrel, Robin, Swallow and Skylark Cottage.

These were completely overhauled with new kitchens and bathrooms along with new furniture as well.

The three-bedroom Stepping Stones cottage has been refurbished Credit: Boundless

For more hotels to stay in around the UK – here are some of our favourites…

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Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

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The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

BOOK HERE

The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

BOOK HERE

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

BOOK HERE

Inside are new furnishings too Credit: Boundless

Bourton-on-the-Water has lots of spots that draws in celebrity visitors, like its perfumery which was established in 1966.

It’s set inside a 300-year-old building and is known for creating bespoke scents – even the late Queen Elizabeth II was a former client.

It also operates a one-day perfume-making course which starts from £325.

The village has a Model Village too which is the only one of its kind in the country.

The Grade-II listed model village was built in the 1930s by the former owner of The New Inn pub.

When it comes to eating and drinking, the village is home to several riverside pubs and restaurants, including the Kingsbridge, which overlooks the River Windrush.

Other spots that make most of the riverside locations are the Green & Pleasant Tearooms and the Bourton Riverside Cafe.

For more on the Cotswolds, here’s one town with old-school sweet shops and riverside games that one Sun Writer loves.

And for more places where you might bump into a celebrity – check out the Cotswolds ‘Golden Triangle’.

Bourton-on-the-Water is considered the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ Credit: Alamy



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