oldest

SCARBOROUGH Spa Cliff Lift was closed with immediate effect last month – with fears it might never reopen.

The funicular is the oldest of its kind in the country and has been described as a ‘landmark’ for the town.

The Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift closed to visitors on August 21 due to safety fears.

Later today, the lift’s closure and its future will be discussed at a council meeting.

What is set to be spoken about is the funicular’s closure as well as its repair requirements and predicted timescale for the lift’s reopening.

However, the North Yorkshire Council has yet to announce an opening date and is still reviewing the findings of a specialist report.

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Another assessment that examined the tracks and carriages said that the lift operates in a “challenging coastal environment, where salt-laden air, high winds and severe weather can accelerate wear and corrosion”.

The cliff lift is the oldest of its kind in the country, first opening in 1875.

Originally, it was used to transport passengers between the hotels on the Esplanade and the spa.

It was powered by water and gas engines until the 1950s when it was converted to run on electricity.

Council leader Carl Les, said: “The lift is an important part of Scarborough’s history and identity, and we recognise the affection people have for this landmark attraction.”

Last year when the attraction turned 150-years-old, live performances and exhibitions were held in the town to celebrate its anniversary.

There are roughly 12 funicular’s left in the UK with fewer that still function.

The Saltburn Tramway, which shut back in January 2026, reopened earlier this month.

And another one that’s set to open next year after a 10-year-closure is Folkestone’s Leas Lift which was forced to close in 2017.

BRITAIN’S oldest Lido has vowed to “definitely reopen” after being left to rot.

The historic swimming facility has been closed for over two years, despite receiving a £9.3million makeover.

Cleveland Baths, first opened in 1815 and is the oldest of its kind to exist in the UK, but closed in 1984.

A huge campaign and a mulit-million pound refurbishment saw it reopen for just four months in 2023 before it was forced to close again due to flood damage.

But now trustees have promised to reopen the 200-year old pool, telling the BBC it is “moving as quickly and responsibly” as possible

It’s definitely going to happen,” Peter Askew, chair of Cleveland Pools Trust, told the outlet.

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The trust has set out a timetable that includes a consultation and more fundraising, with repair works restarting in 2028.

In January 2024, the River Avon burst its banks and destroyed the facility.

A subsequent investigation revealed mechanical and structural damage.

“The first is that floodwater entered the door of the plant room.

“And then, secondly, in the process of emptying the pool of floodwater, the groundwater level wasn’t properly managed, and that led to further damage,” Peter explained.

It comes as just a few weeks back, the lido welcomed visitors to the grounds to take a rake peak at pool.

At the time, visitors were able to meet the trustees and volunteers to hear about their vision for the site, but could not swim.

YOU’VE probably strolled past the Tower of London at least once – but did you know it’s the city’s oldest tourist attraction?

Parts of it have been open to the public since 1661, and it’s just started a new tour to meet eight of its feathery residents.

Called the Ravens Experience, the new early morning tour gives visitors a chance to meet all eight permanent residents, and early access to the tower itself.

The ravens are very important to the Tower of London as the legend is that if the birds ever leave, the country will fall to ruin.

Dubbed a ‘truly unique early mornings experience’, the new tour starts at 8.15am.

It begins with a 45-minute talk from a Yeoman Warder (a guardian of the Tower of London) about the ravens – before the cage is opened.

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Visitors can learn more about the ravens named Harris, Jubilee, Poppy, Edgar, Georgie, Chaos, Henry and Poe.

There’s a chance to take pictures and see them being released into the tower too.

The ticket also includes early entry to the Tower which means you skip the admission queue and are first in line as the Crown Jewels exhibition opens

And ticket holders get access to all public areas of the Tower of London.

Tickets for adults are £90, children between 5-16 are £50.00, concession tickets are £70 and under 5s go free – you have to book the tour in advance.

Building work first started work in 1078, so the historical attraction has been standing for almost 950 years.

Parts of it were first accessible since 1661 when the Crown Jewels were first put on display.

Other events at the Tower of London include Halloween special when the past will ‘creep back to life’.

There will be special visits from the ghostly past residents including a poet, pirate a queen, an astronomer – even a bear.

The Halloween trail is more family-friendly than scary and will take place between October 24 and November 1.

For those on Universal Credit, general admission tickets cost £1 each.

It was recently announced that the Tower of London will undergo a £70million project as it opens community spaces and learning centres.

BRITAIN’S oldest lido is set to open to the public this weekend for the first time in years.

The historic swimming facility will be open for just one day, giving fans the chance to get a rare peek at 200-year old pool.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, is set to reopen this Sunday for the first time in over three years.

It was first built in 1815 and is the oldest of its kind to exist in the UK, but closed in 1984.

A huge campaign and a £10million refurbishment saw it reopen for just four months in 2023 before it was forced to close again due to flood damage.

The public have not had a chance to visit the Grade II listed lido up until now, with Cleveland Pools Trust running an open day for the public.

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It is important to note that the pools are not currently open for swimming.

So while this is not a chance to have a swim, you will have a chance to hear talks on the future of the site.

Visitors will be able to meet the trustees and volunteers to hear about their vision for the site.

The free event will also have children’s activities and heritage walks around the site.

“This Open Day is an opportunity to shape the future of the pools as we explore a viable and appropriate route to re-opening,” a note on the trustee website explains.

It is running from 10:30am to 4pm, on Sunday, September 13 at Cleveland Pools, Hampton Row, Bath, BA2 6QS.

THE UK’s most famous observatory will soon close for two years for a massive renovation project.

Royal Greenwich Observatory in London dates back 350 years and will close for two years on November 2 to undergo a £77million upgrade.

The project, dubbed ‘First Light’, “will bring the story of this historic site to life”, according to the Observatory, as well as “give everyone the chance to experience the wonders of space and time for themselves”.

The Observatory will be home to new galleries, refreshed displays, innovative architecture, as well as improved access for visitors.

As part of the project, there will be a new visitor centre which will be “the jewel in the crown of Greenwich’s UNESCO World Heritage Site”.

Inside the pavilion, there will be a gateway to the rest of the site, which will also have improved access overall, including full accessibility to the Great Equatorial Telescope for the first time.

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There will be new galleries too, in which visitors can explore observation and scientific work that took place at the Observatory.

And there will be new, interactive astronomer galleries, ideal for kids who want to become scientists themselves.

They will explore the fundamentals of astronomy: Light, Matter and Motion.

Many of the existing displays at the attraction will get a refresh including John Harrison’s timekeepers and instruments used for the Prime Meridian line itself.

Visitors can meet astronomers and scientists as well, in the ‘Astronomers’ Court’, with events including live science shows.

Outside the Observatory, Greenwich Park will get new landscaping as well as plants.

The First Light project already began in autumn last year and it is set to be complete by spring 2028

The Royal Observatory will close on November 2, 2026 but parts of the attraction such as the Meridian Courtyard, are expected to reopen in summer 2027.