medieval

OUR Spotlight On column takes an in-depth look at the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, as well as shining a light on some lesser-known spots.

This week we’re highlighting the best of the Sicilian coastal resort of Cefalu.

The Sun’s Head Of Travel, Lisa Minot said: “The seaside town of Cefalu is perfect for a weekend break.

“You can spend several happy hours wandering along the promenade by the wide, sandy beach and into the old town, passing the many shops and restaurants in the tiny alleyways.

“We couldn’t resist taking our obligatory Instagram shots at medieval sea gate Porta Pescara, before wandering past the quirky Lavatoio Medievale — an ancient wash house fed by a river that falls into the sea.

“The 12th-century cathedral with its soaring twin towers and elaborate Byzantine mosaics is well worth a visit, with a reviving drink in the square below it just as delightful.

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“The Porta Ossuna restaurant and pizzeria is perfect for a lunch on the seafront, we had a table right above the beach for us to enjoy the freshest of salads with burrata and prawns.”

MUST SEE/DO

While its broad, sandy beaches are an obvious draw, the winding cobbled streets of this medieval gem are a major part of its charm.

And all roads lead to the cathedral, the Duomo di Cefalu – a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture.

Don’t miss the 12th century Byzantine mosaics inside but for a real behind-the-scenes look, pre-book the Red Itinerary (£11.30) that includes the chance to climb the Norman towers for a fantastic view over the Piazza del Duomo.

Just off the Via Vittorio Emanuele is a quirky piece of history – a medieval laundry where local women washed clothes for centuries on stepped stones, fed by a natural spring.

HIDDEN GEM

The main beach can get crowded in summer but a little effort – and a 20minute walk east – and the Spiaggia di Kalura is a quieter pebble cove with crystal-clear water and dramatic rock formations, perfect for snorkelling.

For fabulous sunset views of Cefalu itself and its dramatic cliff-face backdrop head to the village of Sant’ Ambrogio which offers a snapshot of Sicilian village life without the crowds.

BEST VIEW

It takes a little effort and is best completed early in the day or later in the afternoon in the summer.

But it’s so worth the climb to the top of La Rocca – a huge limestone cliff that looms 268 metres over the town.

It’s a 45minute hike to the top where you’ll find the Temple of Diana, a megalithic structure from the 9th century BC as well as the ruins of a Norman castle.

It also offers fabulous views over the city and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond.

RATED RESTAURANT

It’s hard to get a bad meal in Cefalu with hundreds to choose from in the winding alleys.

On the seafront, the Porta Ossuna restaurant serves up pizzas, pasta and delicious salads with a terrace directly on the beach.

Also ideal for dining by the sea, Lo Scoglio Ubriaco is perched over the sea and is a must for seafood pastas.

And for stand-out pasta dishes, try Pasta e Pasti, legendary for its handmade offerings – go for the Pasta alla Norma or anything made with local pistachios.

BEST BAR

For sunset sips, head to the Jureka Wine Bar on Via Giudecca. There’s a wide choice of tipples with cocktails starting from £9.50.

And for fabulous views over La Rocca and the whole the town, head to the rooftop bar Dokeio at the Hotel La Giara with its multiple roof terraces and late night music.

For day drinking by the Med waves, head to the Bordomari Sea Lounge Bar with great views and cocktails from £9.

HOTEL PICK

Beach babes will love the 4* Astro Suite Hotel, right on Cefalu’s sands and with panoramic sea views.

It’s just a short walk from the historic centre and features an elevated terrace with pool and loungers as well as rooms with balconies, sea views and kitchenettes.

Six nights’ B&B is from £934 including flights from Stansted. See tui.co.uk.

Nestled in Yorkshire it is one of the most extensive deserted medieval settlements and a fascinating medieval historical site open for the public to freely explore

Visitors flock from all corners of the country to witness what’s considered the UK’s ‘best preserved’ medieval village.

Wharram Percy has stood empty for hundreds of years and now provides a captivating destination for ramblers and heritage lovers.

Tucked away in North Yorkshire, Wharram Percy represents one of Britain’s largest abandoned medieval communities and certainly the most celebrated.

The site is open for the public to explore freely, uncovering the remains of ancient dwellings, a church, and the surviving fragments of a manor house.

Perfectly positioned between sought-after landmarks Scarborough Castle and York’s Clifford’s Tower, it serves as an ideal pit stop for those journeying between these two destinations, reports Yorkshire Live.

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While admission to the village is free, there’s a £2 parking fee.

Throughout an extraordinary six-decade span, archaeologists have repeatedly uncovered fresh insights into Wharram Percy’s past.

Their discoveries have revealed why the location was originally abandoned and how its residents existed in earlier eras.

Situated on the rim of a Yorkshire valley, this extraordinary community was home to settlements for as long as six centuries before being deserted following the 1500s.

Scholars indicate that even now, traces of former habitations remain visible across the terrain, alongside the more significant ruins that draw inquisitive visitors.

The background is intricate, yet specialists believe the initial community stretches back to approximately 50 BC.

The land was later transformed for agricultural purposes, yet remained abandoned throughout the 5th century, before ultimately evolving into a Middle Saxon settlement.

It’s important to mention that accessing the village involves approximately a 3/4 mile trek from the car park to the main site, which is often both steep and muddy.

The location contains uneven ground throughout, which can present difficulties for some guests and is mostly unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “Parking on the Heritage car park off the B1248 prepare for a trek to the village.”

They continued to describe it as a “sharp gravelled decline” and a “daunting” journey that is unsuitable for those with limited mobility, as the route passes through farmland.

After their visit, one excited guest commended their experience, remarking: “Lovely walk from the car park to the site, but people with mobility issues may struggle. It’s a fascinating historical site that has been really well managed.

“Only a few visitors when we visited, which added to the peace and tranquillity of the place. Loved it!”

Another guest commented: “This lovely deserted mediaeval village is truly fascinating! The history is incredible, and it was wonderful to wander around and explore. We really lucked out and had beautiful weather, so we got to sit on the grass by the pond and soak it all in.”

AFTER countless delays and setbacks, an abandoned lido is finally re-opening after a year of regeneration work.

The newly-refurbished splash park in Cambridgeshire has reached its final development stages after construction began last year.

St Neots Splash Park will be located on Huntingdon Road in the medieval Cambridgeshire town, near to the popular Priory Park.

This space will replace the sealed up site of the historic St Neots Lido, which attracted swimmers for over 40 years.

Since its closure back in 2003, the space has been left abandoned, despite its appealing location.

The advancement of the project was triggered by a successful Independent Professional Playground Safety Inspection, and commencement date for the final commissioning schedule.

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This work will be followed by a “soft opening” of the park, which has been confirmed for May 2, just in time for the bank holiday.

Details for the formal opening of the splash park are not confirmed, but are expected to be announced soon.

The park’s construction has been no small feat, costing nearly £800,000 to build and requiring a £600,000 council grant.

Now, the site boasts a range of interactive features, including a leaping water arch, a hydro blast and an aqua tent, which forms a dome of water for children to play underneath.

It is also decorated with an appealing range of bright colours and LED lighting, activated using floor mounted buttons.

A spokesperson for St Neots Aquatic and Leisure said the opening will be “giving local families the first opportunity to enjoy this new inclusive outdoor play space”.