manor

WE all know that Universal is building its very first European theme park right here in the UK.

While it’s setting up base in Bedford, it could have been somewhere else completely – and it happens to be the ‘coolest’ city in Britain.

Planning documents revealed that Universal had previously considered building its upcoming theme park on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.

But when certain “terms could not be agreed”, a site in Bedford was picked instead.

Milton Keynes is just a half an hour drive away from Bedford but is completely different being a city, and in Buckinghamshire.

Last year, Milton Keynes was named one of the top ten destinations for Brits to visit in 2025 behind the likes of Milan, Rome and Tokyo.

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The city was even declared one of the ‘coolest’ places to live last year by The Times.

There’s plenty of activities to do in Milton Keynes – most of which you’ll find at Xscape.

Inside there’s everything from indoor skydiving to bowling, arcades, climbing walls, trampolines, escape rooms – even indoor ski slopes.

For restaurants, there are high-end spots on 12th Street and plenty of bars too.

Milton Keynes has its own theatre too with plays and touring West End musicals on throughout the year.

Nearby is Willen Lake which is popular for watersports like paddleboarding, kayaking, aqua parcs and open water swimming.

There’s also Woburn Safari Park and Woburn Abbey which has a 3,000-acre deer park.

Bletchley Park which was once the top-secret home of Britain’s World War Two Codebreakers sits just outside of the city centre.

Visitors can spend the day at the attraction which celebrates the place where Alan Turing helped to crack Enigma and save millions of lives.

Tickets for adults start from £25.87, for children (between 12-17) entry starts from £13.50, for children aged 8-11 tickets cost £6.75.

The new Universal theme park will be constructed in Bedford and it has recently announced that it will be officially called ‘Universal United Kingdom Resort’.

The park was given the green light last year with work on the site starting in early 2026.

Once open, it will be the first Universal theme park in Europe, and it’s scheduled to open in 2031.

As for what kind of themed lands and rides would open at the UK Universal, very little is known.

But there are rumours suggesting that some could be based on James Bond, Paddington, Lord of the Rings, Minions, Jurassic World, and Back to the Future.

There’s also expected to be hotels on-site as well as a new train station.

SUN Club members can bag tickets to Drayton Manor Resort for the cheapest rate available anywhere – guaranteed.

Full-price tickets start at £29.50 online and can cost up to £45 at the gate.

However Sun Club members can bag their tickets for £20 each.

To claim them, simply sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month.

Once you’re signed up, head to the Sun Club Offers Hub where you can claim up to four tickets.

Drayton Manor sits just 25 minutes’ drive from Birmingham, and has rides and activities for all ages – from tiny tots to thrill-seeking teenagers.

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The theme park is home to over 50 rides and attractions, plus its very own on-site zoo.

We spoke to Ollie Carr, General Manager of Drayton Manor, for his ultimate insider tips on how to make the most of your trip.

He said: “Drayton Manor is unique compared to other parks because we have five bespoke lands that are all completely different.

“We have Thomas Land (Europe’s only Thomas the Tank Engine-themed land), plus we have Vikings land which is great for the braver folk.

“Then there’s Frontier Falls, our Wild West-themed zone with one of our newest attractions, Gold Rush.

“Plus Adventure Cove which is nautical-themed and the Main Park. All of that, plus a 15-acre zoo as well! There really is something for everyone”.

The theme park is an ideal day trip for mixed-age families, with rides that cater to all ages – some of which guests can go on from just 0.9m in height.

Ollie said “For young children, head to Thomas Land. Even if they’re not specifically Thomas The Tank Engine fans, we have lots of different rides for younger kids.

“The rides there are really gentle and we have a huge amount with very low height limits, which is different to other theme parks.

“We have a carousel, Submarine Splash which is a mini flume, and kids can drive their own Terence the Tractor.

“We also have an indoor soft play called Emily’s, which families with little ones really like.

“For slightly older kids, I’d recommend Accelerator, right in the middle of the park.

“It’s our boomerang coaster. It goes really high which is fun, but it’s not too intense.

“And if you’ve got teenagers or some real thrill-seekers in the group, there’s lots for them to.

“We’ve got Stormforce 10, which is a water ride with three drops. Then of course The Wave, a thrilling family coaster with a loop and inversions.

“We’ve also got Maelstrom which is a gyro swing ride, as well as Thor and Loki in Vikings.

“One thing that people might not know about is that one of our newest attractions, Gold Rush, has two settings.

“That means if you ride it in the morning you’ll get one type of experience, and if you come back and ride in the afternoon, it’ll be totally different.

“On one setting it launches you forwards, and on the other one you go backwards. It’s a whole different sensation. It’s like going on two totally different rides“.

Knowing the resort inside-out as General Manager, Ollie shared his other little-known tricks and secrets about Drayton Manor.

“If you want a good way to take in the views of the park, you should ride the Polperro Express.

“It’s a miniature railway which takes you all the way around our lake and through Adventure Cove and Thomas Land.

“It’s a gentle ride that you can do all together as a family, and it gets you really familiar with the park.

“The theme park has been around for 76 years, so it also has a lot of history.

“A lot of people don’t know about the Discover Thomas and Friends Exhibition.

“It’s a model railway with the original models used in the filming of the TV series decades ago. You can see the original engines going around on the set that they used to record the show.

“There’s lots of nice areas outside, too. We have an outdoor play area called Spencer’s down by the zoo, which is a really nice area to sit down with a picnic.

“The zoo has been around for years, and it’s like its own attraction.

“We’ve just had baby meerkats born, and new animals have moved in like Babirusa, which are like giant pigs.

“Another thing that people might not know that our mascots, Rory and Laurie, put on daily shows and meet and greets around the park.

Ollie also shared his top tips for making the most of a family day out at Drayton Manor Resort.

“The gates open at 10:30. My advice to guests would be to arrive 30 minutes early, and that way you’ll be there for the opening show with Rory and Laurie, which is held at the main entrance.

“Then head straight to the attractions that you know you want to go on, just in case they get busy. There are also fast passes if you want to guarantee a quicker queuing experience.

“We have some fun events coming up, too.

“In July we have our Rock ‘n’ Rumble event with live wrestling and a Shania Twain tribute act, which will take over the whole park and takes place on the first two weekends of July.

“In October we’ll be running our first ever Blazing Halloween event, which tickets are available for now. There’ll be a Trick or Treat trail and fireworks shows”.

IF you fancy a stay right by one of the UK’s most historic cities without breaking the bank, you’re in luck.

Here’s everything you need to know about staying at the Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House.

Where is the Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House?

The hotel is just two miles from the city of Oxford, so it is a great stay outside of the bustling centre.

What is the hotel like?

We loved the character and comfort of this property in village suburb Iffley.

Two of its three buildings are converted 19th-century manor houses and Arctic explorer Frank Bickerton was born in one, The Elm House.

It’s a nice balance of contemporary amenities and a retro ambience, with easy access to the city.

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What are the rooms like?

We immediately felt at home in our Privilege double, with decor nodding to Oxford-style vintage fashion.

Our upgrade from a Classic came with complimentary soft drinks, a Nespresso machine, robes and slippers.

All rooms have free fast wifi, bottled water, a mini fridge, hairdryer, tea/coffee facilities and a rainfall shower.

Classic rooms start from £116 a night. See all.accor.com.

What is there to eat and drink?

The breakfast in Frank’s was excellent, with both continental and full English options and a great juice station.

However, we found Frank’s a bit disappointing for for dinner, with an unimaginative menu offering British fare such as fish and chips and pie of the day. I had the sirloin steak (£35).

The Terrace bar is nice for light bites or afternoon tea (£25pp) with an outdoor area for warmer days.

Hawkwell House was refurbished in 2021 and its vintage fashion design includes quirky details such as the story of the Oxford brogue, which I found fascinating.

What else is there to do there?

The pet-friendly hotel – popular for weddings – has three acres of gardens for walkies, with or without your mutt (£20pn).

Is it family friendly?

The hotel has family rooms that sleep up to four people.

There is also the Family Fun Package from £149 which lets kids eat free as well as includes cuddle toys for kids.

Is it accessible?

There are accessible rooms on the ground floor as well as step free access across the hotel.

As seen on screen in Disney’s hit show Rivals, this country home is just as beautiful in real life now that fans of the show can see it up close and personal

Rivals is back on our screens once again, and with it comes a growing intrigue into the beautiful setting, based predominantly in the UK’s Cotswolds, including this stunning manor.

Playing a huge part in the Disney Plus series is its countryside setting, with beautiful backdrops and unbelievable luxury homes all set within the fictional county of Rutshire.

One of those very settings is The Priory, the home belonging to Declan O’Hara in the show, a highly regarded Irish TV presenter and journalist. Although, in real life, it’s privately owned by an entirely different family and known as Chavenage House.

Set back within Tetbury, the home was up until recently under the helm of the chatelaine and matriarch for 67 years, Rona Lowsley-Williams. Rona sadly passed away in July 2025 and is much to thank for transforming the estate from a fading Edwardian household to a visitor attraction.

It stands proudly as an Elizabethan house, a Grade I listed building, built in 1576 by a man named Edward Stephens. Over time it has transformed with extensions done in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries, looking rather different from its more humble beginnings but keeping with the original style and materials.

Filming

The house has been used as a prime filming location for a number of film and TV productions, not just for Rivals. Famous faces have graced its grounds over the last few decades, including the likes of Eddie Redmayne, Jamie Dornan and Aidan Turner.

A big example of this is the BBC’s Poldark, where Chavenage portrays the fictional house of Trenwith in the series. It also featured as Candleford Manor in the BBC’s Lark Rise to Candleford from 2008 while also appearing in The House of Eliott, Casualty and Dracula, to name a few.

Now, outside of its scheduled filming, the wonderful home is open for the public to see and explore a real-life set of their favourite show.

Visiting

According to its website, the opportunity to tour the house is limited and so allows for guests to make reservations prior to turning up, subject to availability, as it is a privately owned residence after all.

The cost of this unique attraction is £12 a head for adults with a minimum group size of 21 and £6 for children. If group tours aren’t available and an individual visit is wanted, the bespoke private tour will begin at £250.

A recent visitor claimed it’s unmissable, writing on TripAdvisor: “This privately owned manor is full of history and artefacts, and the owners are lovely people. What a treat to have a personal tour of this incredibly special place, built in the Elizabethan period. If you have seen Poldark, you will recognise many of the scenes filmed in this historic home.”

Another shared: “Wow. After visiting many beautiful estates and castles (Buscot and Highclere), I didn’t expect to be blown away. However beautiful they were, I enjoyed Chavenage House so much more.

“Primarily, because the host was personally invested – he is part of the Lowsley-Williams family that has been at home here since 1891 and takes great pride in personally giving the tour. This truly makes a difference; the personal stories, pride and detail makes it very intimate.”

You can find out more on chavenage.com.

DRAYTON Manor Resort is my family’s happy place. 

We go almost every school holiday as we are lucky enough to live just a 15-minute drive away, and there is always something different to explore. 

So Wilf, nine, and Jasper, six, were mega-excited to visit the theme park to have a go on their favourite rides and see what is new for summer. 

This visit marked an exciting milestone for Jasper as he is now tall enough to go on all the rides, except two. 

We have been coming to the resort since our eldest was just a baby, as regardless of a child’s height, there is loads to do at Drayton Manor. 

When the boys were tots and loved Thomas the Tank Engine, their minds were blown as the theme park has the only area in Europe dedicated to the little blue train. 

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And for kids who like a break from the rides, the playgrounds at Drayton Manor are top notch and give parents a great excuse to sit down and enjoy a coffee from one of the many cafes. 

The playgrounds are really exciting and not — the dreaded word — “babyish”. 

Tidal Towers is the lads’ favourite, as the climbing frames are high enough to make it exciting and far from run-of-the-mill. 

Alongside more than 50 exhilarating rides and attractions at the Staffordshire park, in the heart of the country, there is also a zoo you can visit. 

This is included with your entry ticket and is home to more than 100 animals in a 15-acre section of the grounds. 

We always love visiting the cheeky and talkative cockatoos. 

Drayton Manor is the perfect place to take primary-aged kids who feel too grown up for “baby parks”. 

Brilliant family bonding time was achieved as we got to blast around the River Rapids, chill out on the retro Carousel and bash each other about on the Dodgems Ahoy bumper cars. 

As we belted along the tracks of ride The Wave, which reaches speeds of 53mph, Jasper declared it was the highlight of the trip and couldn’t wait to tell his mates he’d been on a proper rollercoaster. 

The Vikings area is also a huge people-pleaser with my lot, as the four rides in that section look enormous and terrifying, but everyone can ride them. 

We ended our visit spinning at high speed along the tracks of the (to be perfectly honest, terrifying) Thor ride, where you are spun in a giant wheel across a track and are left feeling weightless. 

This was the highlight of Wilf’s day . . . he said he will never stop laughing at how much I screamed. 

ALL aboard for a summer of family fun at Drayton Manor Resort, where Sun readers can grab up to four tickets to the UK’s best-value theme park and zoo.

There are 10,000 FREE tickets up for grabs, plus another 90,000 tickets for just £20 — that is the lowest price you will anywhere, and that’s guaranteed!

With over 50 thrilling rides and attractions, plus a 15-acre zoo all in one destination. It is the perfect place for unforgettable family adventures and shared experiences. 

Join Sun Club for just £1.99 a month — don’t miss out.

From adrenaline-filled rollercoasters to family rides designed for all ages, there’s excitement around every corner, including guests under 90cm tall.

Younger guests can explore the magical world of Thomas Land™, Europe’s only Thomas & Friends™ themed area, featuring 25 rides and attractions inspired by the beloved characters from the Island of Sodor.

Families can also explore Drayton Manor’s zoo, home to animals from around the world, where they can swap rollercoasters for unforgettable animal experiences without ever leaving the park, making it both fun and educational.

Whether you are planning a big family day out, celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable adventure, Drayton Manor Theme Park & Zoo offers epic family fun.

How to get four tickets to Drayton Manor Resort

To secure your seats, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Download the Sun Savers app or sign up at sunsavers.co.uk

Step 2: Go to the Offers section on the app or website and click Start Collecting on the Drayton Manor Resort page.

Step 3: Once you have FOUR out of 12 Sun Savers codes. We will print one daily from Saturday, May 23 to Wednesday, June 3.

Step 4: Once you have collected FOUR Sun Savers codes, enter them on Sun Savers to unclock booking from 11am Tuesday, May 26. Click the Redeem code button and get your unique code, then book tickets on the Drayton Manor website by midnight Tuesday, June 23.

Or join Sun Club at thesun.co.uk/club for just £1.99 a month. Head to the Drayton Manor Resort page on Sun Club hub. Click the Redeem code button and get your unique code, then book tickets on the Drayton Manor Resort website by midnight Tuesday, July 21.

Tickets are available from the start of June until the end of September, excluding August.

18+ UK only (exc. IoM & CI). Sun Savers multiple code collect 23/05/26-03/06/26 or subscription to Sun Club or Digital Newspaper required. Booking closes 23/06/26 (Sun Savers/Digital Newspaper) and 21/07/26 (Sun Club). Tickets available from 01/06/23 – 30/09/26 excluding August, 2026. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Subject to availability, daily allocation limits apply. Limit of 4 tickets per person (maximum 2 free tickets). New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 per year unless you cancel at least seven days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club.

Join Sun Club for just £1.99 a month — don’t miss out.