overlooked

DID you know the world’s ‘diamond capital’ is just a train ride away from the UK?

The unlikely city of Antwerp is becoming the new capital of cool and not just because of its gemstone claim to fame.

Often overlooked by its Belgium counterparts of Brussels and Bruge, Antwerp has more than 500 years for diamond trading history.

Currently handling around 80 per cent of the world’s rough diamonds, the diamond district itself has become a popular tourist spot with cafes and bars.

Yet the city is fast becoming the hot new weekend break destination.

Last year, Time Out named the neighbourhood of Borgerhout the second the coolest in the world.

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For attractions, there is Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA), with live DJs and cocktail bars in summer, or the MoMu Fashion Museum.

Want to catch a show? The Quartier Latin is nicknamed the Theatre neighbourhood due to the sheer number of theatres and opera houses there are.

Make sure to get some famous frites as well as the famous Bolleke beer.

Or, go a bit higher class to one of the 16 Michelin-starred restaurants scattered throughout the city.

In the summer, head to Sint-Anneke beach on the river.

For one of the most unique stays, there is the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, in a former monastery and the city’s first five tar hotel.

Or there is August, just as beautiful and built in a former convent.

There are currently no direct flights from the UK to Antwerp – but instead can take the Eurostar via Brussels, taking just over three hours.

It’s worth the journey simply to go to Antwerp Centraal Station, which dates back to 1873.

The Sun’s Harry Corton recently visited the city.

He said: “Antwerp is a culture slap in the face with all the trappings of Amsterdam (yes, even a red light district!) but none of the tourist-trampled thoroughfares.

“A visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady, is essential. Take in the enormous marble turrets, ancient clock faces and magnificent stained-glass windows.

“Belgian beer culture is recognised by UNESCO as one of the great human wonders of the world and there are tons of places to sample the dizzying local delights.

“The best is Bier Central (De Keyserlei 25), where the 120-page ‘Beer Cyclodpedia’ offers over 100 different concoctions.”

Here are some of the cheapest places to fly to this year.

And here is how to spend the weekend in Europe’s cheapest city.

This charming village in the South Pennines near the Peak District is ideal for walkers and cyclists to explore stunning landscapes and historic tunnel

Nestled beside the River Colne in the South Pennines, right on the edge of the Peak District, sits this delightful town – an ideal getaway for ramblers and cycling enthusiasts.

Visitors heading to the Yorkshire Moors or Peak District frequently bypass the village of Marsden, yet it serves as an excellent base for exploration. Boasting scenic countryside walks and numerous spots to take a breather or enjoy a refreshing pint, it occupies a prime position, with fascinating landmarks practically on the doorstep.

Among the attractions drawing travellers is the stunning Marsden Moor, which stretches across more than 5,000 acres of National Trust-protected countryside. A local shared their thoughts about regular visits to the moor on TripAdvisor.

They said: “I’m lucky enough to live in Marsden, so I’m on the moors pretty much every week with the dogs or the local running club I run for.

“There are stunning walks, trails, waterfalls and plenty of reservoirs, and plenty of tracks to walk and run on. It’s never really busy, as it’s such a big area.”

Another walker shared: “Walk on the wild side. This is a beautiful and very lonely part of the countryside not far from our home. We regularly walk the dog and enjoy some quiet time up here.

“Winderness, well not quite, but you might not meet many people up here. Beautiful.”

Numerous walkers opt for the stunning Stanza Stones Trail, a 47-mile long-distance path connecting Marsden to Ilkley whilst weaving local landmarks throughout the journey.

The trek features six poems carved into stone, all penned by the locally acclaimed Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

Yet what truly remains a precious jewel of this village is the Standedge Tunnel, which dates from 1794.

It stands magnificently as Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel – a remarkable example of Georgian engineering prowess. The complete construction of this exceptional structure required 17 years in total and reached completion in 1811.

Its importance also lies in the fact it was created entirely through hand-blasting methods, cutting through solid rock without any towpath. It sits 683 feet below ground level, positioned 196 metres above sea level, and continues to hold British records in 2026.

Following your stroll, you can return to the village heart, where numerous pubs await your arrival. TripAdvisor visitors have rated Riverhead Brewery Tap as the locality’s premier dining and drinking establishment, with one patron describing their experience as “simply superb”.

Another commented: “Outstanding pub the service and beer were exceptional. Anyone coming to Marsden needs to go to the Riverhead; their choice of beer is amazing, and it’s brewed on site as well.”

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HAMNET, the new Shakespearean film starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal is thrusting this lesser-known UK county into the spotlight.

Herefordshire stood in for Stratford-upon-Avon in the new film and it’s predicted that people will soon be visiting its pretty villages over that of its popular neighbour.

The Independent called Herefordshire the ‘quiet corner of England’ and explained that the county hoping for more tourists with what they’re calling the ‘Hamnet effect’.

In 2024, cast and crew descended on a small Herefordshire village to transform it into looking like Shakespeare’s Stratford.

The hope is that the county will become popular like its neighbour – the Cotswolds which is just 25 miles down the road.

As we all know the Cotswolds is known for its charming villages with cottages built from limestone brick that sit along cobbled streets around winding rivers.

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Well, you can still get such charm in Herefordshire, and it sees much fewer visitors – around six million each year compared to the Cotswolds’ 25million.

One of Herefordshire’s villages that appeared heavily in Hamnet was Weobley, which is nicknamed a ‘black and white’ village thanks to its many half-timbered houses.

The Hollywood production transformed the village into one from the 1500s, which was done fairly easily thanks to its old buildings.

While you won’t find many shops in Weobley, there are a few places to have a bite to eat like The Green Beach Cafe, or the local Indian restaurant, Lal Bagh which has a Tripadvisor Travellers‘ Choice Award and 375 five-star reviews.

Weobley also has two pubs, Ye Old Salutation Inn and The New Unicorn Inn.

But fans of Hamnet should head into The Wobbly Badger cafe which took centre stage for the exterior of Shakespeare’s family home in the film.

There are lots of other villages that are part of Herefordshire’s ‘black and white villages’ – and there’s even a dedicated tour route to see them.

One of the other villages in the trail is Pembridge, or Eardisland, which sits on the banks of the River Arrow – and looks similar to Bourton-on-the-Water.

Even smaller villages include Eardisley, Dilswyn, Leominster and Kingsland.

It’s not just Hamnet that was filmed in Herefordshire, as one very famous Netflix series also made its home there.

Sex Education starring Asa Butterfield and Gillian Anderson was filmed in Symonds Yat East, which sits in the counties of Herefordshire.

The recognisable red and white chalet where Otis and Jean live sits high above the River Wye.

It’s the UK’s fifth longest river and has an incredible backdrop of rolling green hills – and getting onto the water is one of the best ways to see it.

There are plenty of companies offering kayaking, canoeing or stand up paddleboard sessions for around £60 per person along the river.

Herefordshire is also well regarded for its cider production thanks to its acres of orchards that cover the countryside – it’s been made there since the 17th century.

Scattered around the county are orchards and breweries that you’re welcome to pop into.

VisitHerefordshire even has ‘Cider Circuits’ with dedicated cycling loops to see as many as possible.

If you head to Westons Cider Mill in Ledbury, you can sample the latest flavours – tours of the cider mill cost just £15 for adults.

If you go there with the family, there’s an outdoor play park with slides and tyre trails to entertain the kids.

If you need a place to stay, Gwatkin even has its own campsite with pitches from £9pppn.

Just outside Lyonshall village is the White Heron Estate where they make their own signature blackberry liqueur – British Cassis and British Framboise.

Taking a walking tour and tasting is £25pp (for groups of 10+).

For more on British villages, check out this destination with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs.

And for another Cotswolds alternative, this one is under one hour from London and is set to be a world-famous destination.