Parkdean Resorts have revealed some of the UK’s best holiday destinations and the top spot goes to a resort that’s full of beautiful beaches, independent shops and more
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Porthcawl sunsets are a sight to behold(Image: Getty Images)
As Brits search for something fun to look forward to amongst the damp and drizzly that has defined the start of this year, a recent study has revealed over two-fifths (44%) are planning a UK holiday this year.
With staycations proving increasingly popular with people, Parkdean Resorts has named the seaside resort of Porthcawl in Bridgend, Wales as the best holiday destination for 2026.
Known for its excellent water quality, range of activities – including the world’s largest Elvis festival – and variety of cafés, restaurants and independent shops, this nostalgic and friendly town offers the quintessential seaside stay.
Porthcawl has seven distinctive beaches ranging from popular sandy spots to rocky coves. Rest Bay and Trecco Bay are Blue Flag beaches and popular with surfers and water sport enthusiasts. Pink Bay has unique marbled pink rocks and for a more secluded, sandy option Sker beach is the one for you.
The town has something for everyone with adventure offerings at its new Watersports Centre and its renowned Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, typical seaside activities including funfair rides and ice cream on its seafront Esplande or quiet sunsets at its seafront cafes.
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On the harbour is the RNLI station and Wales’ oldest listed bonded warehouse, the Jennings Building, which is now a bustling waterside spot with cafes and restaurants.
And for those with a little more spring in their step and shake in their hips, Porthcawl also hosts the annual Porthcawl Elvis Festival which is widely recognised as the world’s largest Elvis festival and brings tens of thousands of fans of The King and hundreds of tribute acts to the town for a weekend of competitions, shows and celebrations.
One reviewer of the festival said: “Elvis Festival Porthcawl was exactly what it said on the tin – a glorious, chaotic, slightly aft, love-in for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The town went full Elvis, the fans bought the fire and the tributes acts delivered from start to finish.”
Andy Edge, Chief Marketing Officer at Parkdean Resorts, which has a holiday park in Porthcawl, said that nostalgia is playing a major part in the holiday decision making of families this year.
He said: “Nostalgia has been a key theme for 2026 already and our data suggests travel is reflecting this too. This year we’re seeing a real resurgence in some of Britain’s most loved coastal and countryside locations with travellers gravitating towards places like Porthcawl, Cayton Bay and Poole. These towns offer the perfect balance of traditional seaside charm, beautiful surroundings and easy accessibility – all key factors for people planning a staycation this year.”
He added: “For families, the best holidays are all about balance, somewhere with plenty of entertainment to keep everyone busy but relaxing enough for all to recharge. Popular seaside destinations such as Newquay, Torquay, and Porthcawl continue to be firm favourites thanks to their beaches, attractions and family-friendly activities. These locations are ideal for making memories together, whether that’s beach days, coastal walks or classic arcade fun.”
Earlier this week, the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) laid out broad requirements for what it referred to as a Containerized Autonomous Drone Delivery System (CADDS). DIU’s central focus is on leveraging new and improved commercial-off-the-shelf technologies to help meet U.S. military needs.
“The Department of War (DoW) faces a robotic mass challenge: current methods for deploying and sustaining unmanned aerial systems (UAS) rely on direct human interaction to launch, recover, and refit each system,” the CADDS notice explains. “This 1:1 operator-to-aircraft model limits deployment speed and scale while exposing operators to unnecessary risks.”
A sniper assigned to the Washington National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team prepares to launch a quadcopter-type drone. US Army/Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon
The “problem” to solve then is that “the DoW requires the ability to deploy large quantities of UAS rapidly, while minimizing the risk and burden to human operators executing kinetic and non-kinetic UAS operations in contested environments,” it adds.
To that end, “DOW seeks innovative solutions that enable the storage, rapid deployment, and management of multi-agent systems to provide either persistent UAS coverage over extended periods or massed effects within a single geographic region and time,” per DIU. It needs to be “employable from land and maritime platforms, in both day and night conditions, and during inclement weather.”
These have to be “designs [that] can be transported by military or commercial vehicles (land, sea, air)” and that “can be quickly positioned and made operational with minimal handling or setup.” They also have to be able to provide “automated functions for drone storage, launching, recovering, and refitting within the containerized platform; the intent is for the system to exist in a dormant state for a period of time and launch UAS upon command.”
DIU does not name any particular drones that the CADDS has to be able to accommodate or say how many UASs a single launcher should be able to hold. The notice does say the system will need to support “homogeneous and heterogeneous mixes of Government-directed UAS.”
The launch system also has to be capable of being set up and broken back down in a time frame measured in minutes and have a small operational footprint. “Ideally, the system should require a crew of no more than 2 personnel,” per DIU.
Another example of the “1:1 operator-to-aircraft model” that DIU says it wants to help get away from using CADDS. US Army
When it comes to the “autonomous” element of the launch system, DIU says it needs to support “both operator-on-the-loop and operator-in-the-loop decision-making processes.”
The market space for containerized launchers for various payloads, and for use on land and at sea, has been steadily growing globally in recent years. There has already been a further trend in the development of such systems for launching loitering munitions and other uncrewed aerial systems, or the adaptation of existing designs to be able to do so.
As one example, in the past year or so, Northrop Grumman has begun touting the ability of what it is currently calling the Modular Payload System (MPS) to launch drones, as seen in the computer-generated video below. TWZ was first to report on the development of that system all the way back in 2018, when it was being presented solely as a way to surface-launch variants of the AGM-88 anti-radiation missile. MPS is also now being pitched as a launcher for the Advanced Reactive Strike Missile (AReS), a surface-to-surface missile derived from the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) and its Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) cousin.
Modular Payload System: Launching from Land or Sea
Last year, another concept for a containerized launcher capable of holding up to 48 drones at once also emerged from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. Back in 2024, Germany’s Rheinmetall and UVision in Israel had also unveiled two very similar designs, specifically for launching members of the latter company’s Hero series of loitering munitions.
A rendering of UVision’s containerized launch system loaded on a truck. UVision
However, many of these systems are focused squarely on the launch aspect and lack the recovery and refit capabilities that DIU has outlined for CADDS. Chinese drone firm DJI and others in the commercial space are increasingly offering container-like ‘docks,’ but which are often designed to accommodate just one uncrewed aerial system at a time.
What is particularly interesting here is how many of the stated CADDS requirements actually sound very similar, at least in very broad strokes, to a containerized system capable of launching, recovering, and recharging thousands of small, electrically-powered quadcopter-type drones at the touch of a button that the Chinese company DAMODA rolled out last year. That launcher, dubbed the Automated Drone Swarm Container System, is for drone light shows for entertainment purposes rather than military use.
Behind the Scenes of DAMODA Automated Drone Swarm Container System.✨
China just dropped a new level of drone swarm tech | One-click auto-deploy of thousands | by DAMODA
It is worth reiterating that DAMODA’s Automated Drone Swarm Container System, at least as it exists now, is clearly designed for entertainment industry use first and foremost. Though the company’s drone light show routines are certainly visually impressive and often go viral on social media, they are pre-scripted and conducted in a very localized fashion. What the company is offering is not a drone swarm capable of performing various military-minded tasks in a highly autonomous manner at appreciable ranges from its launch point.
At the same time, large-scale drone light shows put on by DAMODA (and a growing number of other companies), do highlight, on a broad level, the already highly problematic threats posed by swarms. The new Automated Drone Swarm Container System underscores the additional danger of these same threats hiding in plain sight. The steady proliferation of advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, especially when it comes to dynamic targeting, will only create additional challenges, as TWZ has explored in detail in this past feature.
Even in an overt operational context, readily deployable containerized systems capable of acting as hubs for drone operations across a broad area with limited manpower requirements could offer a major boost in capability and capacity. Ships, trucks, and aircraft, which could themselves be uncrewed, could be used to bring them to and from forward locations, even in remote areas. If they can support a “heterogeneous mix” of uncrewed aerial systems, a single container could be used to support a wide array of mission requirements, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, kinetic strikes, and/or communications signal relay.
An inherent benefit of a drone swarm, in general, is that each individual component does not have to be configured to perform all of the desired tasks. This creates additional flexibility and resilience to threats, since the loss of any particular drone does not necessarily preclude the swarm from continuing its assigned missions. There are tangential design and cost benefits for the drones themselves, since they can be configured to carry only the systems required for their particular mission demands.
Army Aviation Launches Autonomous Pack Hunters
TWZpreviously laid out a detailed case for the many benefits that could come along with loading containers packed with swarms of drones onto U.S. Navy ships. Many of those arguments are just as relevant when talking about systems designed to be employed on land. Containerized systems are often readily adaptable to both ground-based and maritime applications, to begin with.
Drone swarms are only set to become more capable as advancements in autonomy, especially automated target recognition, continue to progress, driven by parallel developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, as you can read more about here. Future highly autonomous swarms will be able to execute various mission sets even more efficiently and in ways that compound challenges for defenders. Massed drone attacks with limited autonomy already have an inherent capacity to just overwhelm enemy defenses. In turn, electronic warfare systems and high-power microwave directed energy weapons have steadily emerged as some of the most capable options available to tackle swarms, but have their own limitations. Even powerful microwave systems have very short ranges and are directional in nature, and electronic warfare systems may simply not work at all against autonomous drones.
In terms of what DIU is now looking at for CADDS, the stated requirements are broad. It remains to be seen what options might be submitted, let alone considered for actual operational U.S. military use.
Still, DIU has laid out a real emerging capability gap amid the current push to field various tiers of drones to a degree never before seen across America’s armed forces, which counterinsurgency launch systems look well-positioned to fill.
This charming Lancashire village in the Forest of Bowland with no mobile reception is the ideal weekend getaway
It’s a tranquil haven for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle(Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)
Nestled within the moorland wilderness of the Forest of Bowland – designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in 1964 – lies a captivating, lesser-known village that seems virtually frozen in time.
Boasting magnificent stone buildings, this charming Lancashire village is considered the perfect retreat for anyone seeking to escape the frenetic pace of urban living and disconnect for a while.
Situated at the heart of the Trough of Bowland, this picturesque hamlet offers practically no mobile phone signal, adding to its timeless character, but makes up for its lack of connectivity with plentiful charm, offering visitors countless activities as they discover the locale.
The peaceful village of Slaidburn has plenty to offer and makes an ideal starting point for walkers and cyclists, owing to its closeness to the varied landscape and breathtaking rural views that encircle it, reports Lancs Live.
Must-see 15th-century church
Among the key attractions in Slaidburn is the village’s Grade I Listed church located at its centre.
A functioning Anglican church, St Andrew’s Church is built from sandstone and originates from the 15th century, making it a superb afternoon stop for visitors, particularly history enthusiasts.
Constructed in the Gothic architectural tradition, the church was established in 1450, though it experienced several modifications during the 18th Century. The eastern wall of the church was completely reconstructed in 1866.
This historic building, steeped in a rich past and heritage, boasts unique pews, an uncommon three-tier pulpit, and a striking chancel screen. It’s also noted for its ‘quantity of good early woodwork’.
Venturing outside, the churchyard houses a sandstone cross shaft with Grade II Listed status, likely dating back to the 16th century, adorned with carved detailing on its upper part.
The churchyard is also the final resting place of a Duke of Wellington’s Regiment soldier who lost his life during World War I.
Why this delightful village is worth a visit
Slaidburn is a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts and history aficionados.
A poignant war memorial takes centre stage in the village – a solitary soldier with a bowed head atop a hexagonal plinth – and visitors often remark on the touching tribute to the fallen.
Visitors to Slaidburn can unwind with a brew and a piece of freshly baked cake at the quaint Riverbank tearoom, an ideal pit-stop for cyclists and walkers needing a break.
Indeed, it’s fair to say that Slaidburn is one of those villages where the charm lies in the small details of life.
Nestled among the Forest of Bowland fells, Slaidburn is reached via a narrow, winding mountain pass.
A stroll through this charming village reveals a historic water fountain and a display of Victorian footwear, featuring clogs and ice-skating boots. Another significant structure in Slaidburn is the Ellerbeck Hall.
The Hark to Bounty Inn, a 16th-century pub and Grade II Listed building, stands at the village’s centre, featuring oak-beamed ceilings, a spacious bar area and an adjoining snug room ideal for gatherings.
The pub, a cherished cornerstone of the community, is presently shut, according to the final update from its former landlords of more than 25 years in October 2024.
Slaidburn’s charm stems from its capacity to offer both tranquil unwinding and adventure – all within its picturesque confines, establishing it as a perfect countryside retreat.
Best Lancashire holiday cottage deals
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Lancashire is known for its wide open skies, stunning landscapes and lively coastal resorts. Sykes Cottages has a wide range of self catering accommodation across the county from £42 a night.
West Yorkshire’s Colne Valley is one of the region’s best-kept secrets for tourists and locals alike, with its scenic canal, artisan shops and traditional British pubs making it a real hidden gem to explore
08:00, 30 Jan 2026Updated 08:29, 30 Jan 2026
The Sunday Times named it the best place to live in the North (Image: Huddersfield Examiner)
Nestled in West Yorkshire’s Colne Valley, this delightful village boasts a well-deserved reputation for its scenic artisan boutiques, coffee shops, bars and selection of classic British pubs.
The canal-side mill village of Slaithwaite, locally pronounced as Slawit, is regarded as one of Yorkshire’s best-kept secrets – a genuine hidden treasure that largely remains undiscovered.
Despite being relatively unknown, it’s far from quiet; indeed, independent businesses flourish in this tight-knit community.
Originally established on the foundations of the textiles trade, a strong sense of craftsmanship still lies at the village’s core.
Thanks to its strategic position alongside the River Colne and Huddersfield Narrow Canal, it experienced significant growth during the nation’s 19th-century industrial revolution, with particular emphasis on wool and cotton manufacturing.
What attracts visitors to this quaint village is its diverse collection of unique shops and dining establishments.
The vibrant high street features Cobweb Antiques shop alongside an antiques warehouse and charming independent boutiques including Otso Clothing, Acorn and Pip, Every Cloud and SOS Interior and Gifts – providing an unparalleled shopping experience.
When you’ve had your fill of browsing, there are numerous spots to take a break and grab something to eat – you’ll be spoilt for choice in the village centre.
Whether it’s independent eateries such as Nom, Ruddi’s and the Cookhouse or classic boozers like the Old Mill and the Rose and Crown, visitors could easily while away an entire day sampling the culinary delights of Slaithwaite.
Based on TripAdvisor feedback, Vanilla Bean should top your list – a charming little café dishing up homemade sandwiches, quality coffees and artisan ice cream. One satisfied customer said: “I love Vanilla Bean. The staff are welcoming, friendly and helpful.
“The food is excellent, and the prices are affordable. The menu has plenty of choice, all of which is superb. “Really, one is spoilt for choice.”
The Black Bull, meanwhile, attracts locals and visitors alike with its traditional charm and inviting ambience.
A visitor said: “Called in for a bite to eat and at the outset, received a very warm and friendly welcome. This was entirely matched by the quality of the hand-pulled beers on offer, demonstrating that someone knew how to keep a good cellar. The delight continued when the meals arrived.”
Once a crucial artery of the Industrial Revolution, the village’s canal served to transport goods between the mills.
Today it provides the perfect backdrop for a leisurely summer walk as it winds gently through the village, whilst the historic mills stand as lasting reminders of its prosperous past.
The Spa Mill on New Street remains a striking landmark, towering over the area since 1907, whilst Globe Mills on Bridge Street stands as an abandoned but intact mill complex.
Swaithwaite boasts several other listed structures, including a church dating back to the 13th century and an array of fascinating stone-built farmhouses and cottages scattered throughout the village.
Save on the best holiday cottages in Yorkshire
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Famous for its dramatic landscapes, historic cities, hearty food, and rich cultural heritage Yorkshire is just waiting to be explored. Sykes Cottages has a large number of properties to choose from with prices from £31 per night.
