oldest

The oldest road remains a popular National Trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders exploring 5,000 years of history

Britain’s oldest road boasts an incredible 5,000-year history and continues to attract travellers to this day. The Ridgeway is widely acknowledged as the nation’s most ancient route, and even ranks amongst the world’s oldest roads.

Stretching 87 miles from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, this historic elevated pathway has served countless generations, from prehistoric times through Roman, Saxon and medieval periods. Whilst much of The Ridgeway is now off-road, it remains a beloved public trail.

Travellers along the route can discover Neolithic long barrows, Bronze Age round barrows, Iron Age hillforts and admire striking white chalk figures carved into the hillsides.

These days, visitors can tackle the route on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. For those wanting to complete the entire distance, it’s achievable in under a week.

As one of Britain’s shorter National Trails, The Ridgeway frequently serves as an ideal starting point for newcomers to long-distance walking. At a pace of 15 miles daily, walkers can finish it in six days, reports the Express.

Numerous campsites dot the route, alongside B&Bs and lodges for overnight stays.

The trail begins in Avebury and heads in a north-easterly direction.

According to National Trail: “West of the River Thames, The Ridgeway is a broad track passing through the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is often quite a distance from villages or towns.”

They added: “East of the Thames, The Ridgeway travels through the more wooded and intimate hills and valleys of the Chilterns AONB where, as well as further archaeological treasures, there are several nature reserves rich in the wildlife found in chalk grassland habitats.

“In the Chilterns, The Ridgeway goes close to or through several villages and small towns where refreshments and other facilities are easily available.”

Walkers can experience the Ridgeway throughout the year, though spring to autumn offers the finest views, weather and wildlife spotting opportunities.

Those tackling the trail in May are frequently treated to a spectacular bluebell carpet across the Chiltern woodlands.

The railway operates on tracks dating back to 1725 and 1621, making it the world’s oldest. Heritage steam trains run every Sunday along the three-mile route, kept alive by dedicated volunteers

Britain boasts a remarkable industrial heritage, with its railway network standing as a particular point of pride. Through decades of ingenuity and hard graft, tracks were laid across the country, linking villages, towns and cities together.

While many of these lines remain operational today, only one can claim the distinction of being the world’s oldest. Sections of this historic route stretch back to 1725 and continue to operate as a heritage railway.

A passenger service travels along the three-mile stretch every Sunday.

The Tanfield Railway winds its way through Gateshead and County Durham. Its origins began as a horse-drawn colliery wooden waggonway, then evolved into a rope-and-horse railway, and eventually into a rope-and-loco railway.

Preserved industrial steam locomotives still traverse the route between East Tanfield, Durham, and Sunniside, Gateshead. The railway holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest, with track sections dating to 1725 and other portions in service since 1621, reports the Express.

The Tanfield Railway was constructed for transporting coal, not people, to the River Tyne for shipping to London and further afield. It employed cutting-edge technology for its era, with wooden wagons running on wooden rails, hauled by horses.

This predated the arrival of iron rails and steam power on the railway by a century. Today, dedicated volunteers have shouldered the responsibility of maintaining Tanfield Railway’s remarkable heritage.

Last year marked the railway’s 300th anniversary, with celebrations featured in the BBC documentary, The World’s Oldest Railway. Tom Hartley joined as a volunteer in 2004 after being captivated by the North Polar Express train during a childhood trip with his parents.

At 19, Tom and three fellow volunteers set out to restore their own steam engine. They purchased the National Coal Board No. 38 from veteran volunteer Peter Weightman for just £1, working out at 25p each.

The group has invested countless hours and considerable funds into the restoration project, with hopes that the locomotive will soon be operational again.

Peter reflected: “It was frightening to see so many lovely machines that were getting scrapped in the 1960s, and that was my motivation really. Somebody had to do it before we lost our history, our local history.

“It has taken a lifetime to do it all, but I have confidence knowing that the next generation is going to repair it and get it working.”

Around 170 volunteers contribute to Tanfield’s operations, alongside three full-time employees.

General manager David Watchman expressed his pride: “I am really proud of our railway; we have a fantastic bunch of volunteers. Everyone has their own skill set. It is all about the people, and we have volunteers aged 12 through to 92. The railway wouldn’t exist without them.”

FROM the Italian Grand Prix to Fashion Week, the city of Milan is popular with the rich and famous.

Yet it has a much more affordable side, such as three-night easyJet city break packages from £220pp.

Here’s how to easily spend a long weekend in the Italian hotspot . . . 

WHY SHOULD I GO?

Milan is set to be even more popular in 2026 as it is co-hosting the Winter Olympics from February 6-22.

A new 16,000-seat multi-use arena has been built in the Santa Giulia district to host the ice hockey, and Mariah Carey will entertain at the opening ceremony in the San Siro Stadium, home of Inter Milan.

But whatever time of year, it is one of the most affordable destinations to jet to from the UK, with flights often found for less than £17.

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Foodies can rejoice too — it’s hard to find somewhere bad to eat, especially with its famous dishes such as Milanese risotto and panettone.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

With its blend of Gothic architecture and modern, cosmopolitan design, the city is one of Europe’s most walkable and the streets are worth a relaxed stroll even with no aim in sight.

The cobblestone ones of the Brera neighbourhood are particularly charming.

Of course, if you want to get around there are trams as well as a vast metro system.

Skip the taxis as you can expect to pay high costs for short journeys.

Instead, hop on one of the many bikes and scooters you can rent, found on most corners — if you’re brave enough to join the road with Italian drivers.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?

Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world’s oldest shopping centres.

Dating back to 1877, the stunning piece of history is now lined with designer stores and well worth walking through.

If you want some good luck, legend has it you should find the bull on the floor and spin around on it three times.

Just outside is the Gothic masterpiece, Duomo di Milano, one of the world’s largest Catholic churches.

Built of white-pink marble, it features 135 spires and more than 4,000 statues.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

Despite being the home of the Milanese saffron risotto, you can barely walk for pizza joints.

Head to Pizza AM for crazy artwork and massive spicy pizzas that come with a free prosecco.

You’ll have to squeeze in as it’s loved by both families and groups of friends, but the bustle just makes it all that more of a vibe.

For something fun to go, try Ghe Sem Monti right by the main train station.

With a fusion of Asian dim sum and classic Italian flavours, I couldn’t pick my favourite from the cacio e pepe dumplings to the ­carbonara buns.

I FANCY A DRINK!

One of the best, local-loved bars is on a side street off the Navigli canal, a popular neighbourhood for dining.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside you’ll find mismatching pieces of artwork along with bottles of alcohol towering up the walls and a rude lucky cat.

The staff are happy to help you choose a wine with tasters, from reds and whites to rosés and oranges from all across Spain.

Interior fans should try Bar Luce, designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson.

Grab a glass of Prosecco while taking in the pastel pink and blue interiors, before a game on one of the retro pinball machines.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

A short tram ride from the city centre, Hotel Nasco feels pure Italian: Faux ­marble bathrooms, tiny lifts to the top floor and complimentary Aperol in the room.

Its location in relation to both the attractions and the train station makes it a great base.

Breakfast, in the basement of the building, is a simple affair, but has all of the hot and cold classics, from pastries and fruit to a selection of English Breakfast options.

Just remember to bring ear plugs — like lots of Italian buildings, the walls are slightly thin.

THE oldest rollercoaster in the UK is officially closing down after more than 100 years – and as an ex-local, I’m gutted.

The Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate first opened back in 1920.

However, it was forced to shut back in 2024 due to damage to the famous wooden track, with parts of it breaking off.

Not only that, but due to its age and design, it was advised that it would need a daily inspection.

With these estimated to take around five hours, it has since been deemed not viable to stay open.

The theme park has said that it will remain at the park as a feature, but will no longer be open.

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Thanet Council called the news “disappointing” for the park which has undergone a major revamp in the past decade.

In a statement, the theme park said: “The Scenic Railway has completed its journey as a roller coaster and will now take well-earned retirement from operation as a ride.

“This is not the end but a new beginning.

“We are committed to developing a new long-term vision that will not only showcase this remarkable Grade II listed structure, but reimagine its purpose so it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations in a fresh and meaningful way.

“This summer we will be hosting a pop-up exhibit celebrating the history of The Scenic Railway.

“In the longer term, it will be re-invented for people to enjoy in a different way.”

The ride has certainly had a difficult history, being destroyed by a fire in both 1948 and 2008.

Another fire in 2014 also broke out on the ride although this caused less damage.

As someone who used to live in Margate, visiting the theme park was always one of my favourite things to do.

Free to visit, it means you can just wander around and take in the atmosphere without paying a penny.

But the thrill of the Scenic Railway – which still had a rather terrifying manual brake operated by a person – still beats other rollercoasters in my eyes.

Where else can you be thrown about a rickety track, with a few life-fearing drops before coming up to views of the ocean?

Thankfully there are other rides at the theme park that will still be open this summer.

This includes the Pirate Ship, Big Wheel and Rock ‘N Rollercoaster.

New last year was a water flume ride, which left the park back in 2016 only to have been rebuilt.

And Dreamland also attracts huge live music acts every year, with this year’s line up including Tom Grennan, Kesha, Fatboy Slim and Nile Rodgers.