A PRETTY English seaside town could soon get a massive upgrade.
Gorleston in Norfolk is home to Gorleston-on-Sea Beach which was recently named one of Europe’s best beaches in Tripadvisor’s Travellers‘ Choice Awards.
Gorleston in Norfolk could be getting a new waterfront attraction with a soft play area and wellness centre
And now the seaside destination could be getting even better with a new waterfront attraction.
The Ocean Room used to be a thriving nightclub with bands like Blur and Pink Floyd performing there.
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Now, the council has sold the building for £500,000 with future plans looking to replace the building with a soft play area, indoor games space, a coffee shop and a wellness centre with a spa.
The surrounding area would be redeveloped too with connections to the nearby Gorleston Pavilion Theatre and the bandstand.
If The Ocean Room was to be saved, the local council has estimated it would cost £1million to repair the building.
According to the BBC, the developer said: “The Ocean Room holds a special place in the hearts of many and the team recognises the building’s removal will be a source of genuine disappointment for the community.
“However, it should be noted that the council itself identified significant structural concerns with the building before the site was sold.”
While formal plans have not been submitted to the council yet, the round, Art Deco building could be facing its last days.
It would be built where the current Ocean Room is
The Ocean Room originally opened back in 1939 and used to host dinner dances, boxing events, nightclub evenings and concerts.
It then closed in 2024 after its tenants went into administration and the building has remained empty since.
Britain’s Sonay Kartal won on her return to the WTA Tour after almost six months out with injury as she beat Andrea Lazaro Garcia at the China Open.
The 24-year-old injured her lower back at Indian Wells in March and only made her return to tennis at the Billie Jean King Cup on 22 September.
Kartal, who narrowly lost to Czech world number 26 Marie Bouzkova on that return last week, produced a confident performance in Beijing to beat Spain’s Lazaro Garcia 6-2 6-3.
The Briton broke the qualifier’s serve five times – helped by four double faults from her opponent – and landed 69% of her first serves.
World number 129 Kartal will face Chinese 31st seed Wang Xinyu next as she bids to work her way back up the world rankings.
Fellow Briton Cameron Norrie lost 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to US Open champion and world number two Alexander Zverev, while Harriet Dart is in action later on Thursday.
Elsewhere, British number one Arthur Fery fell 6-4 3-6 6-4 to Portuguese lucky loser Jaime Faria in the Japan Open first round.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz claimed a rusty 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 6-1 win over Alex Michelsen as he made his return to the ATP Tour.
Spanish world number three Alcaraz was sidelined for just over five months with a wrist injury before returning at the US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals.
Alcaraz struggled on serve against Michelsen, committing five double faults to five aces.
However, he saved five of the 13 break points he faced to advance and set up a second-round meeting with Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
Denmark’s Holger Rune also lost on his first ATP Tour appearance for almost a year.
Former world number four Rune tore his Achilles tendon in October 2025 and has since dropped out of the top 100.
He was beaten 6-3 6-1 by France’s Kyrian Jacquet in Tokyo.
James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, said: “Our vision is to deliver 129 units, designed to comfortably accommodate just under 600 guests at full capacity, 100 guests fewer than previously outlined.
“We anticipate it will be several years before our vision for on-site accommodation is brought to fruition; however, we are committed to continually reinvesting in our attraction, providing a world-class experience for our guests, and planning for the long-term.”
It isn’t the only addition Paultons Park is planning either.
Set to open in 2027 is a new water coaster called Serpent’s Curse, with twists, a hill and a final lake plunge.
Next year, the theme park is adding a new water coaster as wellCredit: Paultons Park
Overall, the water coaster will be 471-metres long and reach speeds of up to 44mph.
Talking about the new ride, Paultons has said it will be one of the ‘biggest rides ever built’ at the park.
The theme park was also recently named the Theme Park of the Year at the UK Theme Park Awards.
The park is home to more than 70 rides and attractions, including the recently opened Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, with Paultons Park’s first inverting coaster, Drakon.
The 39-year-old will step back onto the court for a competitive match on Wednesday for the first time since the US Open.
Published On 29 Sep 202629 Sep 2026
Novak Djokovic says he is encouraged by the way his body has responded before the China Open as the 24-time tennis Grand Slam champion looks to regain momentum at a happy hunting ground after recent fitness concerns.
“Yeah, feeling good so far,” Djokovic, a six-time China Open champion, said on Monday.
Djokovic will return to action for the first time since his shock opening-round defeat by Mariano Navone at the US Open on August 30 when the 39-year-old struggled with shoulder and back problems and vomited midway through the match.
The world number 11 will look to put those problems behind him when he takes on Portugal’s Nuno Borges in the first round in Beijing this week.
“Obviously it’s completely different when you’re playing an official match compared to practice sets or practice sessions,” he said before his opening game on Wednesday.
“So far so good. I was looking forward to coming to China, as I always have. My record speaks for itself on Chinese soil. Knowing that, it also brings this dimension of confidence that I really need.
“Overall, it’s been really good so far with the body, the way I’m feeling and playing.”
‘Beijing was on the priority list’
The former world number one is a massive draw in Beijing, where he won the title in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and holds a 29-0 win-loss record at the ATP 500 tournament.
The pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title remains one of the few major targets left for Djokovic, who has become increasingly selective about his tournament schedule in recent years.
“At this stage of my career, it’s really also about the tournaments where I enjoy to play, where I’ve had the success in the past, where I feel like I’m also welcomed by the fans in a positive light, in a positive way,” Djokovic said.
“The history of my results on Chinese soil has been incredible. I haven’t played here in 11 years. I was trying to make it work in the past years with the schedule, but it worked in such a way where I played only Shanghai.
Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, world number one Zhao Xintong and defending champion Mark Williams were knocked out on the opening day of the Shenzhen Open.
China’s Jiang Jun, who is 64th in the world rankings, took the opening two frames before England’s O’Sullivan levelled with breaks of 92 and 52.
Jiang reeled off the next three frames, sealing a famous 5-2 second-round win with a superb break of 108 to set up a meeting with Englishman Zak Surety.
Scott Donaldson stunned 2025 world champion Zhao by winning a final-frame decider.
Scotland’s Donaldson, who is 65 places below Zhao in the rankings, compiled breaks of 77, 105, 50 and 62 as he came from 3-2 down.
Donaldson will take on China’s Pang Junxu in round three.
Welshman Williams lost 5-4 to China’s Fan Zhengyi after fouling on the final pink.
England’s Judd Trump cruised to a 5-0 win over China’s Huang Jiahao and goes into the last 16 after Anthony McGill, his scheduled third-round opponent, withdrew on medical grounds.
In Monday’s other second-round encounters, Australia’s Neil Robertson beat China’s Liu Hongyu 5-2, England’s Chris Wakelin claimed a 5-3 win over Welshman Liam Davies and China’s Si Jiahui swept to a 5-1 success against England’s Oliver Lines.
Belgium’s Ben Mertens also progressed as Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen withdrew for personal reasons.
Wales’ Jamie Clarke, England’s Andrew Higginson, Hong Kong’s Marco Fu and England’s Sam Craigie progressed in the first-round matches that took place on Monday.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick secured his fourth title of the season with a three-shot win at the French Open in Paris.
Fitzpatrick carded a one-under-par 70 to hold off the challenge of Spain’s Angel Hidalgo at Le Golf National.
The 32-year-old has already won the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage titles on the PGA Tour this year, as well as the Zurich Classic team event in New Orleans alongside younger brother Alex.
He led by five shots going into the final day, but a run of 12 successive pars allowed the chasing pack to cut that advantage to two.
However, crucial birdies on the 13th and 15th pushed Fitzpatrick further clear and even a bogey at the last could not deny him an 11th European Tour title.
“Delighted to get it over the line, it was definitely a battle today,” he said.
“I didn’t have my best stuff for the first 12 holes and then managed to find some of my best stuff.
“In a way I was quite lucky – I left myself in some nice spots where you can still get up and down from, but I fully took advantage of that and did really well.”
Matthieu Pavon shot the best round of the day, with a seven-under 64 ensuring he finished tied for fourth alongside French compatriot Tom Vaillant, Spain’s Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan.
HAVEN has just bought its 40th holiday park – and it’s already one of the most popular in the country.
The park found in West Sussex has 2,500 pitches, is right next to its own private beach and you can book a stay from less than £10per night.
Seal Bay Resort in West Sussex has 2,500 pitches and has been bought by HavenCredit: TripAdvisor It’s one of the most popular with families with outdoor pools and lots of activitiesCredit: TripAdvisor
It has thousands of pitches, there’s plenty of entertainment for the whole family and it’s minutes away from the beach, what’s not to love?
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Seal Bay sits on the coast in Selsey and when it comes to picking a place to stay, visitors can choose from seaside caravans to beachfront pods or glamping options.
All stays come with kitted-out kitchens, bed linen, as well as access to the swimming pools and entertainment.
The simplest option is camping, with a choice of grass, electric or serviced pitches – each has a parking space and access to hot shower facilities.
Caravans range from comfy Bronze bases which sleeps up to eight guests, all the way to Platinum caravans that feel more like a homely cottage.
Lodges are larger with their own decks – and some luxury ones even come with a private hot tub.
Beachfront pods are a great choice for those wanting a cosy hideaway facing the sea – they have mezzanines and fold-out double beds, as well as private decking to enjoy that sea breeze.
For those visiting as a large group, you can even book an entire self-catering house.
As for entertainment and play there’s plenty for all ages – some of the highlights are its arcades, bowling, and soft play zones.
Seal Bay Resort is steps away from a private beach in SelseyCredit: TripAdvisor
There’s also a swimming pool with a splash zone for toddlers, wave simulator, inflatable obstacle course, lazy river and waterslides.
Families with young children can get crafting at the create-your-own teddy bear factory, sand art sessions and try out mini archery which is for those between two and five-years-old.
Older kids should head to the Dockyard which has a large climbing wall and adventure golf.
There’s plenty for adults and couples too, like live music, comedy nights, and Big Red Button Bingo.
When it comes to eating, there’s the Above the Bay Bar & Kitchen which opened earlier this year, along with Smokey’s BBQ Kitchen and the Cafe Lido.
From the park, holidaymakers have direct access down to Seal Bay Beach – and almost one mile of it is reserved for guests only.
The indoor pool has waterslides and tipping bucketsCredit: TripAdvisorInside the Dockyard are activities like climbing walls and adventure golfCredit: TripAdvisor
Mid-week breaks can be booked for under £250.
A family of up to six can book a four-night stay in May 2027 from £244 in a Classic 2 Bed Holiday Caravan – or £10.16pppn.
If you fancy a break in the next few weeks, a four-night stay in a Classic Caravan from 12-16 October can be booked out from £196 – or £8.16pppn.
Seal Bay will continue to trade under its current name for the remainder of 2026, before changings its name to the Haven brand for 2027.
It’s not the first holiday park that has been taken on by Haven in the last few years – it previously acquired the Richmond Holiday Centre which has now been named Haven Skegness Holiday Park.
Simon Palethorpe, CEO, Haven said: “I’m delighted that we are welcoming Seal Bay to the Haven family. It’s a fantastic park in the most stunning location and will sit brilliantly alongside our 39 other parks.
“Haven’s mission is all about making memories that last a lifetime and we can’t wait to start working with the Seal Bay team to deliver this for thousands of holiday makers and owners in the years to come.”
Holidaymakers can still book holidays on the current Seal Bay resort website – including for breaks in 2027.
THE enormous new Eden Project being built in the seaside town of Morecambe is officially underway.
Work started last month on the £100million project and the public will be able to visit part of it as soon as next year with a full opening expected in 2028.
The Eden Project in Morecambe will sit right on the beach frontCredit: Eden Project ‘The Elder Tree’ attraction is the most expensive at £4.5millionCredit: Eden Project
The first part to open will be the Bring Me Sunshine Garden, it will have tall Austrian pine trees, a natural flower meadow and a solar-powered, shell-shaped outdoor pavilion and classroom that harvests rainwater.
The garden was shown off at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and will open as a permanent part of the Eden Project in Morecambe in spring 2027 – it will be completely free to visit.
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The rest of the Eden Project Morecambe is scheduled to fully open in winter 2028.
The biggest part that has been unveiled so far is called ‘The Elder Tree‘ – it will be 65 feet tall and will guide visitors on a journey from its roots to the trunk hollows.
It is set to show people how to “reconnect” with and “restore nature”.
There will be two very different experiences called The Realm of the Sun and The Realm of the Moon.
The Realm of the Sun has been described as “a bright, lush landscape of the near future — a place where humanity has rediscovered how to repair and re-engage with the broken rhythms of the natural world”.
The Realm of the Moon is as an immersive but “darker” space with a hyper-real rockpool which will have sped-up cycles of tides.
The two realms, will be linked by an area called Metronome, where visitors will buy their entry tickets.
It was revealed today that the Pears Foundation has gifted the attraction £2.5million towards the Eden Project’s habitations zone.
The Realm of the Moon will be a ‘darker space’ with a hyper-real rockpoolCredit: Eden Project
This area of the attraction has been described as Eden Project Morecambe’s “signature experience”.
Inside will be four theatrical spaces, named High Street, Market, Farm and Town Square with immersive activities in each.
Eden Project Morecambe said the activities will “reflect people’s daily lives, sharing how local place-based adaptation and world-wide innovation can collide to help us adopt approaches that can positively impact our planet”.
There will be a 750-capacity Tidal Theatre, a 300-capacity restaurant and a shop at the attraction as well.
Inside the biome will be paths around exotic plants and even waterfallsCredit: UnknownAt the very top is expected to be a restaurant with a large outdoor terraceCredit: Eden Project
Other details that have been previously mentioned include hangingplants,mini gardens, a multi-sensory area, and awaterfall.
There’s plenty to around Morecambe too like the Happy Mount Park, the Eric Morecambe Statue and The Smugglers Den pub all rated highly on TripAdvisor.
Morecambe has a pretty five-mile English beach too which in 2024 was named one of UK’s most beautiful in a list of 37 by Time Out.
Filming locations include SunderlandPoint, a village of 30 houses at the end of a tidal causeway and the Stone Jetty which is all that remains of the original Victorian harbour.
