Palace

Jorgen Strand Larsen: Norway striker steps up after difficult start at Crystal Palace

On their impressive European run, Palace have shown they are not just about individuals, but a team stepping up when it matters.

Japan midfielder Kamada had not scored since October 2024 before his composed finish on Thursday restored Palace’s lead just as Shakhtar looked to be taking control following their equaliser at 1-1.

Palace fans were in great spirits before the match in Krakow, and there’s a feeling that all connected with the club are pulling in the same direction.

There could be an air of sadness for the remainder of the campaign with boss Glasner, who led Palace to a fairytale FA Cup victory last season, just two games away from European glory before he departs this summer.

But spirits instead seem high as the club work together to achieve the goal of winning more silverware.

“It’s an amazing group of people, of men, of characters,” said Glasner, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.

“There is such a big spirit and great togetherness and we always believe in ourselves.

“There is no button we can press to switch it on. It is something we have created over months and years – that we know we can always come back and score a goal.”

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The huge Indian palace in the middle of the Cotswolds

A TINY village in the Cotswolds is home to a huge Indian-style palace – and you can easily visit it.

Sezincote House, which calls itself “India in the Cotswolds,” is a 200-year-old estate in the village of Sezincote near Moreton-on-Marsh.

There’s an Indian-style house right in the middle of the Cotswolds that most people don’t know exists Credit: Alamy
Sezincote House is near Moreton in Marsh and dates back more than 200 years Credit: Alamy

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Said to have been inspired by the Taj Mahal, it was created by Colonel John Cockerell who returned to the UK with money from the East India Company.

The house, designed with Hindu and Muslin architecture seen in Rajasthan, was created by his brother Samuel who was an architect.

Works started in 1805 and completed two years later, before being restored again after World War II.

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It was even to have then inspired another famous Indian building – the Brighton Pavilion – after The Prince Regent visited in 1807.

It is now thought to be the only surviving building of its kind in Western Europe.

The house is still family run, who also run the nearby farm as well.

Across the 3,500 acres is the Mogul palace, as well as temples, gardens and pools.

You can also have some tea and cake at the Orangery Tearoom.

Just make sure to keep your phone in your pocket when exploring inside the house – still being privately owned, photos are not allwoed inside.

Previous tourists have praised its unique designs, with one saying: “The setting is absolutely stunning – from the moment you arrive, the house and grounds feel like stepping into another world.”

There are set opening times for the house throughout the year, usually from May to September, and only from Wednesday to Friday (along with some bank holidays).

Visits to the house need to be booked ahead, costing £15 for adults and £9 for kids.

This also includes access to the garden, but if you only want to visit that part, you don’t need to prebook and it is instead open from March to October.

Tickets are also cheaper, being £9 for adults and £3 for kids.

For something even more special, they even host a limited number of weddings every summer.

Other UK hotels we love

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The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

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The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

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You can also stay in Sezincote with some converted farmhouses and cottages nearby.

Also in the UK is Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, or the Neasden Hindu Temple, in London.

Said to be the largest Hindu temple outside of India, some have even called it one of London’s seven man-made wonders.

Want to see India for yourself? We went on an Intrepid tour of four famous cities in India – here’s what we thought.

You can’t take pictures inside but you can of the gardens Credit: Alamy
You can visit the house from May to September although you need to prebook Credit: Alamy



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Historic palace used to film Bridgerton that’s perfect for family day trips from Magic Garden playground to Beano trails

HAMPTON Court Palace has everything families need for a fun day out and it’s all within the grounds of an enormous former royal home.

From seeing inside the historic building itself to the pretty gardens, a kids’ playground and there’s even a comic-book themed takeover this summer.

The playground and trail is on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace Credit: Alamy
During the summer kids will be able to have a go at the Beano trail Credit: Hampton Court Palace

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When you’re at a loss with how to keep the kids entertained over the weekend, or the next warm day during the week – head to Hampton Court Palace in London.

Kids in particular will love its enormous playground called the Magic Garden.

It’s aimed at children under 12 and has so much to keep them entertained from climbing up the huge towers to even facing a ‘dragon’.

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There’s a secret grotto with hidden pathways, plenty of slides and a sandpit, while a nearby cafe is the best spot to stop for hot drinks and snacks.

Another popular spot is the maze – which is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the country.

It covers a third of an acre on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace with plenty of twists and turns throughout.

And this summer, a new Beano-themed trail is set to launch.

From July 25 to August 23, kids will be able to see some of their favourite characters like Dennis the Menace and Gnasher.

More information about the trail says “Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher were late for their Bash Street School trip to Henry VIII’s palace.

“To save the day, Dennis has turned his go-kart into a time machine with Rubi’s flux capacitor – but “whoops”! it has malfunctioned and crash-landed in Hampton Court Palace.

“Now the timeline’s in a right royal muddle and Henry VIII is not amused. It’s utter chaos! It’s up to YOU to help the Beano friends fix their busted time machine.

“Grab your special Hampton Court Palace Beano comic strip story on arrival, packed with clues to track down the missing pieces scattered around the palace.”

There will even be some historic residents like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I dressed in the classic Beano red and black stripes.

During May half-term kids can enjoy The Big Bahooey which has cabaret performances, world-class street theatre and circus workshops.

To step back in time, head back in July to watch knights take on a jousting tournament – families can pick a favourite and cheer them on until the winner is crowned.

The jousting is on during on the weekends of July 11-12 and July 18-19.

The palace has pruned gardens with pretty flower beds and ponds Credit: Getty

For more family fun, check out our favourite UK holiday parks…

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Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire

This holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort, just steps from Tunstall Beach. Entertainment is what this resort does best, with costume character performances, Link-up Bingo and cabaret shows. Accommodation ranges from fully-equipped Gold Caravans to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.

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St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall

This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing. Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.

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Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton

This holiday park has loads of unique activities on offer, including TikTok dance classes, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway. Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself an action-packed park.

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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex
This beachfront resort is a classic family favourite. If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races. Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.

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If you want to steer clear of chaotic cartoons, head to the Hampton Court Gardens for a more relaxing stroll.

The formal gardens are pruned to perfection with neat hedges, immaculate lawns, ponds and pretty flower beds – especially in the Rose Garden.

During particular days of the year, the gardens are open free of charge with no pre-booking required.

This year these are May 9-10, September 12-13, October 10-11, November 21-22, December 26 (Wilderness garden only).

Then of course there’s the palace itself, which was famously the home of Henry VIII and his six wives.

The former royal residence has appeared most recently on Bridgerton Credit: Getty

For those who want to learn even more about Hampton Court Palace, a free audio guide is included in the price of admission.

The tour explores the highlights when it was lived in by Henry VIII and even how the palace has appeared on the back-drop of TV and film since the 1920s.

More recently it was used in Bridgerton as the home of Queen Charlotte, and the gardens are frequently used when characters are strolling around London.

It’s also appeared in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, My Lady Jane, The Favourite starring Olivia Coleman, and Lily James‘ Cinderella.

For more on family days out, this adventure attraction is inside the UK’s biggest park huge playground and ‘roller slide’.

And this huge new wooden play attraction is set to open at historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.

The Magic Garden playground is at Hampton Court Palace in London Credit: Alamy



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I stayed at the cosy Cotswolds hotel right by ‘Britain’s greatest palace’

Interior of The Feathers Hotel Woodstock with a large orange couch, amber chandelier, and checkered rug.

IF you fancy a stay in the Cotswolds, then there are few places as quaint as the Woodstock.

Here is everything you need to know about staying at The Feathers hotel.

The hotel is in the Cotswolds village of WoodstockCredit: © Jake Eastham
Here’s everything you need to know about staying at FeathersCredit: © Jake Eastham
Grab something to eat at The AviaryCredit: John Blackwell

Where is The Feathers hotel?

The stunning boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Oxfordshire village with more than a hint of Cotswolds charm.

Woodstock is also near Blenheim Palace, although its nearest train station is Hanborough Station which is around an hour to London.

What is the hotel like?

The hotel says it has both “modern comfort and historic charm” with a cozy lounge area by the bar.

Last year it underwent a huge six month refurbishment which saw an upgraded bar and terrace area.

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What are the rooms like?

The 18 rooms and five suites combine original features with extravagant modern touches to make for a luxurious stay.

Our dog-friendly Cotswold Room had exposed wooden beams complemented by sleek interior design, including air con and a massive TV.

The bed was enormous and beyond comfortable, while the marble-effect bathroom had a belter of a shower.

There was also a doggy welcome pack, which included treats, toys and a plush sleeping pad.

It was the most wonderful stay in an idyllic village setting. Relaxing, even with our nutter of a cockapoo.

Rooms start at £250 including breakfast. Dogs charged at £30 per stay. See feathers.co.uk.

What is there to eat and drink there?

If the sun’s out, head to the hotel’s cute courtyard at The Aviary and get that Aperol spritz ordered.

For dinner, move inside to The Nest for fine dining with a flourish. Every item was off the scale but the star of the show was the lamb main.

For the lamb dish alone I would walk from my home in South West London.

Make sure to return for lunch as they serve a beautiful afternoon tea.

What else is there to do?

Woodstock is perfect for a genteel traipse, and a visit to nearby Blenheim Palace is a no-brainer.

The signs boast this is “Britain’s Greatest Palace” – and the beauty of the undulating grounds coupled with the striking palace itself definitely put it in there with a good shout.

Is it family friendly?

Two of the suites have sofa beds at an additional cost, for families staying with kids.

Cots can also be rented for £10 a night.

Is the hotel accessible?

The hotel has an accessible room on the ground floor.

Rooms at the hotel start from £250Credit: © Jake Eastham

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