Mega

UK’s longest mega tube slide reopens for summer with double-rider 200ft flumes

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A long, colorful double slide with blue and red stripes stretching up a grassy hill under a blue sky with white clouds, Image 2 shows Overhead view of an adventure park with people on a colorful bouncy pad and families playing mini-golf, Image 3 shows A young girl feeds a sheep through a fence, while other children watch from behind a wooden rail

IF you want a family day out with big thrills consider a visit to the ‘Mega Slide Mountain’.

Claiming to be the the longest of its kind in the UK, the 200ft slide will let you hit top speeds of 12mph.

The National Forest Adventure Farm is a play haven for children Credit: National Forest Adventure Farm
The National Forest Adventure Farm as a 200ft mega slide Credit: National Forest Adventure Farm

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Found at National Forest Adventure Farm, the enormous slide is up a 30ft hill and has two slides next to each other – so riders can race to the bottom.

To enjoy the Mega Slide Mountain, it’s £1 per go or if that isn’t enough, it’s £5 for an unlimited ride wristband.

Anyone going down the slide must be over 107cm.

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It is currently the longest outdoor tube slide in the UK at 200ft, but will soon be overtaken by one at Heaton Park’s Zip World on May 22, which will be 288ft.

There’s plenty more to enjoy at National Forest Adventure Farm like the 9 hole outdoor crazy golf course with water, bridges and milk churns.

Also outside are two huge jumping pillows – with one especially designed for those under eight years old.

Other activities include pedal go-karts, hopping on JCB diggers, navigating a musical maze, the assault course and fossil sand play.

The adventure playground has JBCs to play on and sandpits Credit: National Forest Adventure Farm

There’s a chance to take a tour of the farm and spot some sheep in the Tractor & Trailer Ride and sit in the bumpy Barrel Stampede Ride.

When it comes to animals, children can explore the farm barn meeting and feeding resident cows, sheep and goats.

When the weather doesn’t play ball, there is an indoor play barn with drop slides, soft play and a dedicated zone for children under five.

There’s a Farmhouse Kitchen for food which serves up seasonal lunches as well as ‘street food’ inspired food and drink.

Children can meet and feet some of the resident farm animals too Credit: National Forest Adventure Farm

During the summer there’s a ‘Farmarama’ event which ‘brings the beach to Burton‘ with five huge paddling pools and over 250 tonnes of sand.

General Farm Entry days, which includes entry to the indoor soft play, outdoor adventure zones, and animal barn start from £12.50 (if booked in advance) – under two’s go free.

During May half-term entry starts from £15.95.



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Greece’s last ‘secret’ island with no mega resorts

CHOOSING which island to visit in Greece can be hard – so why not head to Greece’s last ‘secret’ island no crowds?

Koufonisia is a pair of islands – Ano Koufonisi, which is inhabited, and Kato Koufonisi, which isn’t inhabited and is more rugged.

Koufonisia is a pair of islands in Greece – one of which is inhabited and the other which is not Credit: Getty
On Ano Koufonissi there are very few cars and most people get around via water taxis Credit: Getty

If you head to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll still only find a few hundred locals and most people get around via water taxis or walk along the scenic paths that crisscross over the island.

According to Greeka.com, the two-square-mile Koufonisi boasts “unreal turquoise waters, glittering sand, a laid-back atmosphere” and has even been compared to the “Greek Maldives”.

The most popular beach is Ammos, which sits at the edge of the main town – or Chora, as it is known in Greece.

If you want something more romantic though, make sure to visit Natural Pool, which sits between Platia Poundra and Pori.

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One recent visitor said: “It’s like nature’s own infinity pool, perfect for a refreshing dip.”

You can also head to The Devil’s Eye, which is a small, low-roofed cave with a hole in the rock floor where currents in the water will suck the sea in and out, often creating a loud noise.

A third spot near Pori is Gala Beach, which translates to ‘milk’ in Greek and where you will see the water turned to white as it hits against the limestone cave walls.

The beach is hidden away in a collapsed sea cave, and to get to it, you have to walk through a rocky passage.

In the main town, which has the same name as the island, you will find lots of places to stay, but mainly guesthouses.

For example, you could stay at Apollon Studios, which looks like it has been ripped out of the Mamma Mia films.

But you can also head to The Devil’s Eye, which is a small, low-roofed cave with a hole in the rock floor Credit: Getty
To get to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll need to fly to Santorini and then hop on a ferry to the island, which takes less than two hours Credit: Getty

You can catch a ferry from the main town to other islands as well, such as Amorgos or Donousa.

You can make a day trip to the wilder twin, Kato Koufonisi, and in fact, the entire island has one taverna called Venetsanos where you can try fish and goat stews.

Nero Beach can also be found on Kato Koufonisi, which compared to the beaches on Ano Koufonisi’s beaches is more rugged and natural.

To get to Ano Koufonisi, you’ll need to fly to Santorini and then hop on a ferry to the island, which takes less than two hours.

For more places to explore in Greece, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches as Emily in Paris heads to Greece.

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Iconic lido in UK seaside town is reopening TODAY after completing mega £7.6m revamp

A HISTORIC UK lido is reopening today after undergoing a major £7.6million revamp.

Swimmers in the seaside town will be able to take a dip in the outdoor pool for the first time in four years.

Hilsea Lido will reopen to the public from today (May 2) Credit: Solent
The seaside lido has been closed for four years as it undergoes a major revamp Credit: Portsmouth City Council

Closed since 2022, Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, has been renovated for public use by local council, with funding from the government.

The refurbishment, which started in 2024, was prompted by health and safety risks of the 90-year-old structure.

The grand reopening will take place today (Saturday, May 2), with an ice cream parlour and food van now based on site.

Works also include the reinforcement of its base and walls, the replacement of old pool equipment, and the restoration of the original shallow lagoons.

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Iconic English lido is reopening this week after four years – and a £7m upgrade

The lido was formerly used as a Team GB Olympic training pool Credit: Solent
The refurbished lido also has a sauna on site Credit: Solent

New showers and toilets, including a Changing Places toilet, and a sauna were added as part of the upgrades.

Formerly a saltwater pool, the 220-foot lido will now feature unheated chlorinated fresh water.

A long-term sustainable heating solution is part of future plans for the lido.

Hilsea Lido will be run by Sea Lanes Brighton, a group of local businesses and open-water swimming enthusiasts, alongside South Downs Leisure.

The multi-million pound development was further financed by a Levelling Up fund, meaning any outdated equipment and facilities have been replaced, such as the pool base and walls.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Judit Kollat, the lido’s general manager, told the BBC: “As Hilsea Lido celebrates its 90th birthday, we are proud to be leading the next chapter in its history.

“It is more than a pool, it’s a place with history and heart.

“We aim to create a vibrant hub for the local community, a centre for both mental and physical wellbeing. The lido will offer something for everyone.”

Harry Smith, director of Sea Lanes, the new operators of the lido, said: “We’re excited to open the doors, welcome everyone back, and start a brand‑new chapter for Hilsea Lido.”

Duncan Anderson, CEO of South Downs Leisure, which assisted the project, added: “It’s hugely exciting and a new chapter for the whole of the Portsmouth. 

“When you talk to people in the local area, they’ve all got memories of Hilsea Lido and I think they can’t wait to get back and splash in this pool again.”

The lido served as a training centre for the Team GB diving team ahead of the 1936 and 1952 Olympics, and it also featured as a filming location for The Who’s 1975 film Tommy.

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Huge new £11million indoor ‘mega city’ to open in the UK with everything from arcades and laser tag to bowling & karaoke

A NEW £11million attraction is opening in the UK next month, designed for every type of person.

Brits can expect all sorts of fun at the new Mega City, which will open in Slough on May 30.

Mega City will open in May with several different activities inside Credit: Mega City
The £11million attraction will include bowling, arcades and laser tag Credit: Mega City

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Across three floors, visitors can have a go at different games and tech-based activities.

For those who love arcades, there will be over 130 machines to explore.

And ideal for families, there will be 10 bowling lanes to get competitive on.

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Don’t mind building up a sweat? The venue will also have a huge laser tag arena, where up to 24 players can play at one time.

It isn’t the only laser activity at the attraction though, as there will also be a laser raid and laser maze challenges.

Visitors wanting to try out their different sport skills will be able to have a go in batting cages as well as try augmented reality (AR) clay pigeon shooting and AR darts.

Gamers will be happy to hear there are also going to be virtual reality arenas.

If you prefer a traditional night out, the attraction has you covered with private party rooms, karaoke and pool tables.

In addition to all of this, there will be Flashpads – colourful interactive tiles on the floor where you carry out a number of games or challenges.

There will be a number of activities that use the latest tech too, such as AR and VR Credit: Mega City
And of course, if you get hungry there is a restaurant to grab food from Credit: Mega City

There will also be the Total Football video game and a Digital Box Room for immersive gaming experiences.

The best thing is that the entire venue is indoors, so you won’t have to worry about the UK’s unpredictable weather.

Of course, the interior design matches the excitement of the activities, with neon lighting and a central atrium which connects each floor.

And after all the fun running around and getting competitive, visitors can eat in the restaurant, where the main focus is on comfort food – think loaded fries and huge chicken burgers.

Adults can also enjoy a tipple from the bar, which will serve everything from classic cocktails and beers to shakes and soft drinks.

The entire experience is cashless too, so visitors will either need to purchase credit at the site which is loaded onto a card that you then scan each time you go on a machine or into a laser experience.

There’s also a bar with cocktails and beers Credit: Mega City
The attraction will open on May 30 Credit: Mega City

The card will track your points from the games and challenges, which can then be redeemed for prizes – kind of like the tokens at traditional seaside piers.

Alternatively, visitors can book experiences and group games such as the bowling, laser tag, VR and AR activities online, where they will get a QR code that they scan when at the venue to activate their session.

Jeet, co-founder of Mega City said: “At its heart, Mega City is about bringing people together.

“We wanted to create a place where different generations can enjoy shared experiences, feel welcome and make real memories.”

The new attraction will be just an eight-minute walk from Slough Station which sits on the Elizabeth Line and is only 40 minutes from central London.



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Club Med launches MEGA Summer Flash Sale – save up to £600pp on all-inclusive holidays where kids under 6 go FREE

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Save on a holiday to Cefalù Bay in Italy, where the outdoor pool comes with spectacular views Credit: Club Med

IF you haven’t booked your summer holiday abroad yet, now’s the perfect time — you can bag yourself a HUGE bargain in this holiday sale.

Club Med has launched its massive Flash Summer Sale, where you can save up to a whopping £600 per person on all-inclusive summer holidays.

Club Med has launched a massive Summer Flash Sale where you can save up to £600pp Credit: Club Med

Save up to £600 per person in the Club Med Summer Sale

Not only can you bag massive savings, but if you’re going away as a family, you’ll be glad to know that kids under 6 stay free!

These holiday deals include your accommodation, meals, drinks activities and kids clubs all packaged neatly into one price, with no hidden costs.

These are some seriously premium holidays for bargain prices, with modern resorts in trendy destinations, gourmet dining and childcare all taken care of.

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There’s a range of sun-soaked destinations to choose from, including long haul and short haul options, with travel dates stretching until November 2026.

But make sure to act fast – the flash sale ends on May 13.

Here’s a selection of top all-inclusive holiday deals you can snap up in the Club Med Summer Flash Sale.

Marbella, Spain

You could save big on a holiday to Marbella with Club Med Credit: Club Med

One option is the Club Med Magna Marbella, a Spanish sunshine resort set in twelve acres of lush green gardens.

This hidden slice of luxury sits at the base of a beautiful mountain, overlooking the sea and just a stone’s throw from the historic Old Town and glitzy Marbella.

This resort has its own lagoon pool with a beach club feel, plus grown-ups can enjoy the adults-only Zen Zone pool and juice bar whilst children up to age 17 are in the kids club.

Da Balaia, The Algarve, Portugal

Da Balaia in The Algarve has gorgeous beaches and vibrant golfing greens Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

This family-friendly resort is surrounded by gorgeous beaches and outstanding golf courses.

Adults can unwind at the eco-pool, whilst kids can take part in adventurous activities ranging from mini golf to a flying trapeze.

Unwind in the evenings with some fresh seafood at one of the resort’s sea view restaurants.

Cefalù, Sicily, Italy

Save on a holiday to Cefalù Bay in Italy, where the outdoor pool comes with spectacular views Credit: Club Med

What better than a luxury all-inclusive resort overlooking Cefalù Bay in Italy?

Lay back on a lounger to soak up the sea and mountain views and summer heat, or head out on excursions including paddle-boarding or beachfront yoga.

In the evenings, dine on a Sicilian menu of gourmet meals and sip local wine under the sun.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is a slice of Caribbean paradise Credit: Club Med

This colourful resort in the Dominican Republic sits on the beach where crystal-clear waters meet fine white sands backed by coconut groves.

Whether it’s a couple’s retreat or a family getaway, you can fill your days with relaxing spa treatments or thrilling activities like water sports, sailing and tennis.

For something truly memorable, go horse riding along the beach at sunset.

Marrakech, Morocco

Save on a stay at Club Med Marrakech in Morocco Credit: Club Med

Club Med Marrakech is a luxurious Moroccan stay with colourful courtyards and relaxing gardens to wander, with the vibrant souks of the city close by.

Practice your swing at the driving range or get stuck into a good book by the palm tree-dotted poolside, plus there’s childcare for children ranging from infants to teens.

Tuck into tajine, grilled meats and mezze at the traditional restaurant, and enjoy a Moroccan mint tea or something stronger at the rooftop bar.

There’s plenty more holiday destinations to browse in the sale, such as luxurious all-inclusive resorts on the Turkish Riviera, quiet Greek islands and coastal retreats in France.

There’s even savings for dreamy long-haul destinations like Cancun, Mauritius, the Maldives and Seychelles.

Just make sure to act fast and bag your bargain break before the sale ends on May 13.

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