THE longest outdoor tubing slide in the UK has finally opened at an adventure park – and it’s just in time for the summer holidays.
Families can now enjoy the new attraction, which offers visitors the chance to slide down 315ft on a doughnut-shaped inflatable.
Located at Roarr! park in Norfolk, Fossil Falls is even bigger than the 288ft-long Forest Tubing experience, which opened at Heaton Park’s Zip World in May.
The £300,000 ride was officially opened on Saturday by Matty Campbell, better known as Bionic from Gladiators.
He said: “It was amazing to see so many people turn out for the opening of Fossil Falls and the atmosphere has been incredible.
“I’m delighted to have been here to officially open it and see so many families enjoy it.”
Ben Francis, park director at Roarr!, said: “What a way to open Fossil Falls.
“We’ve had thousands of visitors joining us over the weekend and it’s been fantastic to see families enjoying the ride for the very first time.”
Fossil Falls attraction joins other popular features at the 85-acre park.
This includes Dippy’s Splash Zone and Predator High Ropes.
Other attractions at Roarr!, which is billed as the UK’s largest dinosaur theme park, include the Swing-O-Saurus and the Raptor Contraptor.
All attractions are included in the price of entry.
SOMETIMES all you want is a great nights sleep – enter The Akyra Bangkok 11.
Here’s everything you need to know about staying at the new Bangkok hotel (and rooms are as little as £40 a night).
The hotel is in the Nana district of Bangkok on Sukhumvit Soi 11. It is a short drive to the city centre by taxi.
There is also a complimentary shuttle to the BTS Skytrain.
Having only opened earlier this year, it feels extremely fresh and new. It’s simple in design, but still feels like a boutique hotel.
From the outside, it is unassuming – on the inside it is clean designs with a touch of warmth.
Akaryn Hotel Group founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn said: “We designed it as a place where people can connect with each other and with themselves while still enjoying the pulse and possibilities of Bangkok.”
The hotel’s ethos is to offer the best night sleep – with loads of features within the 100 rooms.
This means blackout curtain and even a “sleep butler” night time ritual.
My Deluxe room had a very comfortable king size bed, as well as a Smart TV, hair dryers, dressing gowns and a coffee making station.
Even in the muggy heat of Bangkok, I slept so well thanks to the easy-to-use air conditioning and the quiet location of the hotel.
Rooms start from THB 1870 (£41). See aleenta.com/akyra-bangkok.
Upgrade to Club and get early check in, late check out and a free evening drink and snacks.
The hotel restaurant E/R/N is where you will find everything from breakfast to dinner.
The extensive breakfast menu ranged from unique fantastic coffees to smoothies, as well as acai bowls and egg Florentine.
Dinner is Med inspired – I was seriously impressed by the massive juicy scallops, as well as my fruity house cocktail.
Wellness experiences can be booked for in your room, including massages and relaxing evening rituals.
You can also book experiences with the hotel from street food tours to canal boat trips.
Deals include free IV drips when staying two nights or more, or free signature experiences when staying three nights or more.
Make sure you save time for a dip in the swimming pool too.
The hotel has 18, two-bedroom family rooms with interconnected access.
Yes, there is lift access and accessible rooms with more spacious layouts.
A HUGE new multi-million-pound attraction is set to transform one of London’s trending destinations.
Stratford Junction will become a major events hub when the development is complete.
Over a decade on from the transformation of Stratford for the 2012 Olympics, another transformation is on the cards.
The proposed development will be called Stratford Junction, and will be on the site of a former coach park, which was used during the Olympics.
It is enclosed, surrounded by railway tracks and now, new designs have been revealed by Hallmark Property Group.
The development has taken inspiration from areas like The Barbican and Spitalfields Market in London.
If approved, Stratford Junction will have 1,700sqm of new public space, including green areas and a bustling piazza.
It is set to be home to outdoor exhibitions, art trails, and over 100 public art installations.
Some artists involved include Tamp Two, Captain Kris and Tom Blackford.
On the site will be two performance venues that could accommodate as many as 4,300 people.
There will also be 20,000sqm of space for immersive experiences.
With so much going on and so many visitors, there will also be a hotel with as many as 1,600 rooms.
Like most places in London, the site will also be getting taller with three towering skyscrapers set to be built.
These will range between 31 to 47 storeys high.
When it comes to visiting, Stratford Junction will have plenty of transport links thanks to being so close to Stratford and Stratford International Station.
Stratford Junction is still in the development stage, with the public being asked to reveal their opinion in drop-in sessions.
YOU don’t need to board a flight for massive waterparks, thrilling rollercoasters and sunset open-air movie nights.
The UK is home to some incredible mega resorts that pack in all the entertainment your family could want.
And the best part is that you can book them with Hols from £9.50.
Hundreds of new £9.50 holidays are set to land over at club950.co.uk this July.
To be among the first to access them, make sure to sign up to Sun Club.
While those collecting codes in the paper can access the hols from July 8, Sun Club members can log on a whole day early on July 7.
Read more on holiday parks
Being able to book an entire day early can make all the difference, as popular parks and dates send to sell out fast. Sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 a month, and you’l be ahead of the booking crowds.
We’ve rounded up some of the biggest and best UK holiday parks with new dates dropping with the July £9.50 Hols top-up.
These include the UK’s biggest holiday park, and a popular beachfront resort with its own on-site theme park and waterpark.
Here’s our selection of the mega UK holiday parks you can book with Hols from £9.50 this July.
Unity Beach in Somerset is a huge award-winning resort with plenty to do for families, plus you’re just steps away from the seven mile stretch of beach at Brean Sands.
This park boasts its own theme park, Brean Theme Park, which the largest in the South West. It has over 40 attractions, including outdoor rollercoasters, classic dodgems and a log flume.
The park also has its own waterpark, Unity Splash, which is reopening this summer with new upgrades. There’s both an indoor and outdoor splash zone, with waterslides and rubber ring rides.
And if that’s not enough, there’s axe throwing, crossbow shooting, a trampoline park, indoor soft play and a nine hole golf course.
Spread across 235 acres of parkland and lakes, Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire is a massive playground for family entertainment.
This newly-upgraded site is packed with unique activities, from a BMX pump track and alpaca feeding to paddleboard hire and its very own miniature railway.
The park puts on plenty of outdoor entertainment like silent discos and outdoor cinema shows, plus you can grab a bite at the on-site burger joint or dessert shop.
Then end your nights by retreating back to a cosy lakeside pod right on the water.
Golden Sands Holiday Park in the traditional seaside town of Rhyl is the ideal base to explore North Wales.
This park puts you within short driving distance of legendary castles such as Gwyrch and Bodelwyddan, plus there’s beautiful nature spots like Dyserth Waterfall on your doorstep.
When you aren’t out exploring, on-site there’s a heated indoor pool, arcades, a sports court, plus a soft play area.
Plus there’s plenty of activities that kids will love such as slime workshops and NERF gun battles.
Grab some dinner from the site’s traditional fish and chip shop before settling down to watch the live entertainment kick off in the evening.
As one of Europe’s largest holiday parks, and the biggest in the UK, it’s no surprise that there’s no shortage of things to do at Trecco Bay.
Explore the sprawling pool with aqua jets that help you twist and turn under the water, or hop in an aqua paddler mini boat or inflatable jet ski and take in the views from up top.
Back on dry land there’s bumper zorbing and an outdoor battlefield for NERF guns, plus pirate-themed golf and a Make a Bear zone where kids can create their own cuddly friend to take home.
When it comes to food and drink, you can pick from well known eateries like Papa Johns pizza, Burger King, Thunderbird Fried Chicken and sip on Costa Coffee.
Plus the town of Porthcawl is right on your doorstep, with multiple Blue Flag beaches, a scenic promenade to stroll and a funfair to enjoy.
Just a stone’s throw away from the local beach and its landmark lighthouse, Lighthouse Leisure is a coastal, family-run park with a warm and friendly feel.
Entertainment here offers all the holiday park classics from kids evening discos to bingo, karaoke and race nights.
The site also has a heated indoor pool perfect for rainy days, plus an outdoor adventure playground that kids love to climb.
From here it’s a 28 minute drive to Dumfries, where you can take the kids to meet the animals at Dalscone Farm Fun or explore the massive ruins of Caerlaverock Castle.
There are six ways to book our Holidays From £9.50 – however Sun Club members gain access an entire day early
WHILE the UK does have waterparks, some in Europe are just bigger and better – and one of them is cheaper to fly to than a Domino’s pizza.
Rulantica waterpark in Rust, Germany, can be found at Europa-Park Resort and is spread across 32,600sqm.
The waterpark is both indoor and outdoor, with over 50 attractions across 10 themed areas.
And there’s even a new pool at the attraction called Svømmepøl.
The Nordic-inspired pool has spraying geysers, a grotto and even a swim-up bar in the middle of the water.
Pine trees and giant rocks then surround the pool and there is also direct access from the main attraction.
Read more on travel inspo
Major attractions at the park include Vikingløp which is Europe’s largest speed slide, where up to eight people can race in parallel mat slides.
As for other areas across the water park, there is Lumafals with a huge pool with waves as well as a shop selling swimming gear.
There’s Rangnakor, which is a ‘city on stilts’, with big slides as well as sofa areas for relaxing.
Kids who love adventure and pirates shouldn’t miss Skip Strand, where there is a huge pirate ship hovering above the water to explore.
The ship even has three slides off of it and into the water.
Families can head on Snorri’s Saga too, where each visitor sits in a rubber ring and bobs on a river that travels through caves and past shipwrecks.
Ideal for smaller children, there is the Trølldal area – a water playground ideal for those just learning to play in the water.
If you want to relax a bit, then head to the Skog Lagune area, where there are trees and pools with gentle bubbles.
In this area you can also grab a drink from the Skogbar, which sits in the middle of the water.
One recent visitor said: “Exceeded all expectations! Rulantica is beautiful, clean, and incredibly well-run.
“Both the indoor and outdoor zones are phenomenal, and every single pool and slide is heated.
“A flawless, stress-free family day out. We’ll absolutely be returning!”
You can also stay at a hotel right by the waterpark, at the four-star Krønasår Hotel.
The hotel is themed like a history museum with rooms costing from €88.50 (£76.75) per person, per night.
A ticket to the waterpark costs from £32.93 per child and £35.53 per adult.
The best way to get to the waterpark is by flying to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport.
This takes about an hour and a half and costs less than a Domino’s pizza at £13 each way in July.
Activists have used thermal cameras to show the extreme temperatures outdoor workers are facing during Europe’s summer heatwaves, with one construction worker shown enduring surface temperatures above 65°C.
Published On 26 Jun 202626 Jun 2026
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THE longest outdoor tubing slide in the UK is due to open at an adventure park this summer.
Families will be able to enjoy the new attraction just as the school holidays kick off.
Spanning 315ft, Fossil Falls in Norfolk is even bigger than the 288ft-long Forest Tubing experience, which opened at Heaton Park’s Zip World in May.
Fossil Falls will be officially opened by Matty Campbell, better known as TV Gladiator Bionic.
Matty will cut the ribbon to the ride at ROARR! Dinosaur Park in Lenwade on July 18.
The launch of the mega ride will kick off the summer holidays with an action-packed day for families, who will also have the chance to meet the star.
Ben Francis, park director at ROARR!, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Matty here to open Fossil Falls.
“Having a real-life Gladiator launch our longest ever ride feels like the perfect fit – both are all about excitement, energy, and family fun.
“At 107 metres, Fossil Falls is the longest outdoor tubing slide in the UK and we can’t wait for families to experience it.”
The ride is part of a £250,000 investment in the park, which already features attractions such as Dippy’s Splash Zone.
Other attractions include Predator High Ropes, and Dinomite, billed as Norfolk’s largest indoor play area.
All attractions are included in the price of entry.
10:01, 19 Jun 2026Updated 10:01, 19 Jun 2026
Outdoor swimming venues include the stunning Jubilee Pool in Penzance(Image: Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images)
While the weather is looking pretty damp and miserable across the UK right now, the Met Office has predicted a return to summer very soon.
By the end of this week, it’s forecast that parts of the country will be seeing 30C temperatures again, and the UK is set to be hotter than Ibiza on Father’s Day. So, you might be wondering where you can go to enjoy a cooling dip in a safe environment, and luckily, there are lots of incredible outdoor pools and lidos that’ll give you holiday vibes right on your doorstep.
Our interactive map, based on data from the swimming enthusiasts from allthelidos.co.uk, shows a huge variety of places where you can get some lane swimming in, or just go for a splash around with the kids.
Before you set off, make sure you check the official website of the pool facility you’re visiting. While most outdoor pools are now open for the summer, some have reduced opening hours until the peak times of July and August.
Included on the map are lidos such as the Sea Lanes in Brighton, an outdoor pool opened in 2023 which offers views of the seaside town’s shingle beaches while you swim. The complex also includes a wellness hub and a selection of food and drink outlets.
If you’re in the south east, an option that’ll make you feel like you’re on holiday is the Strand Lido in Gillingham, Kent. It has drawn comparisons with pools in the Mediterranean thanks to its bright white colour scheme and fun waterslides.
Over in Cornwall, the Jubilee Pool in Penzance makes for an unforgettable swim. This classic Art Deco-style lido first opened in 1935, and it’s the UK’s largest seawater pool. Naturally heated by the ocean, it’s usually a couple of degrees warmer than taking a dip on the beach, and there’s also a Geothermal Pool that can reach 28 to 30C.
Inverclyde Leisure Gourock Outdoor Pool has the distinction of being Scotland’s oldest outdoor heated pool, and indie music fans may recognise it from the cover of Blur’s 2023 album The Ballad of Darren. The pool uses heated water from the Firth of Clyde, which is filtered and kept at a temperature of around 29C. The facility also has a kids’ pool and gym.
Many UK lidos have fallen into disrepair in the past few years, only to be brought back to life with investments from local councils that have turned them into major community hubs.
One such success story is Hilsea Lido near Portsmouth, which closed its doors to swimmers in 2022 before getting a £7.75 million renovation. In addition to its pool., the centre built a new sauna for post-swim sessions, new changing rooms and toilets, plus an ice cream parlour and food van. The pool’s operator told the BBC: “We want it to feel like a holiday at home for the local community.”
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Europe’s highest outdoor lift is used by 40,000 people a year
Some of the world’s most jaw-dropping lifts can be found in luxury hotels, including the highest outdoor lift in Europe, nestled in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Bürgenstock Resort is home to the remarkable Hammetschwand lift, offering stunning views of Lake Lucerne.
The Hammetschwand lift was built between 1900 and 1905 by pioneering hotelier Franz Josef Bucher, at a cost of 500,000 Swiss francs (around £470,000). It remains the quickest route up to the viewpoint, climbing 153 metres (502 feet) in under a minute.
Those planning a visit should bear in mind that to reach the foot of the lift, you’ll need to walk the breathtaking Felsenweg cliff path.
It is estimated that over 40,000 people use the Hammetschwand lift annually, and around 200 to 250 riders per day.
On Tripadvisor, one visitor advised choosing “the perfect sunny day to enjoy the view.” They went on to say: “This is a fantastic view, the elevator is just too quick, but still worth a visit.”
Another said: “You do the Burgenstock track to the lift and it is already by itself stunning!!! Nobody talks about it. It’s a hidden gem in Switzerland!
“Then you arrive at that special spit where the lakes of the four cantons connect, and it’s breathtaking. A bit ahead, there’s the lift and the adventure to one of the most beautiful views ever. It’s easy, it’s accessible, it’s unbelievably beautiful. I will do it again.”
Among other remarkable examples is the Hotel Santa Caterina’s lift in Amalfi, Italy, which boasts breathtaking views. Carved into the rugged cliffside, the glass-fronted elevator takes guests down to the exclusive Beach Club and the hotel’s Italian seafood restaurant.
In Greece, the Corfu Holiday Palace features a stunning lift that transports guests down the cliffside to the beach in just moments, treating them to gorgeous views across the bay while providing far easier access to the white sands below.
The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, United States, is home to one of the most iconic lifts on the planet. Given the hotel’s striking pyramid shape, the lifts travel between floors at a diagonal 39-degree angle, treating guests to a spectacular outlook over the atrium as they make their way to one of the hotel’s 4,407 rooms.
