Park

A POPULAR holiday chain has ditched plans to open a new Wetherspoons pub at one of its sites.

Haven had planned to invest more than £3million to build a new Wetherspoons pub at a North Wales site.

According to a number of sources, the pub – which was set to be the largest of a number of pubs Haven is building at its parks – fell victim to the incoming tourism tax in Wales.

Plans for the JD Wetherspoon pub at the Presthaven holiday park were approved earlier this year by Flintshire County Council.

However, according to North Wales Live, a source stated that Haven is concerned that the tourism tax in Wales will cause more families to head to England than Wales.

Whilst Haven did not discuss the impact of the tourism tax, they did confirm they will not be moving ahead with the plans for Presthaven this winter.

Read more on travel inspo

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

A Haven spokesman said: “Haven is always exploring potential opportunities to further develop our offering with a range of factors influencing which projects go ahead.

“This weekend we were excited to be able to announce that four new JD Wetherspoon pubs will be built this winter at our Hopton, Lakeland, Cala Gran and Riviere Sands parks.”

The Welsh tourist tax, which is also known as the Visitor Levy, is a local charge on overnight visitors.

And it is set to be introduced in April 2027.

Essentially, local councils will decide if they wish to add the tax to their area.

Currently, the proposed rates sit at £1.30 per person per night for accommodation like hotels and 75p for campsites and hostels.

Money raised from the Visitor Levy is set to be used for tourism-related improvements and local projects.

The Welsh Government finance secretary Mark Drakeford said: “The visitor levy represents a small contribution that will make a big difference by helping to maintain and enhance the very attractions that make Wales such a wonderful place to visit and to live.

“This historic legislation gives Wales the same tools used so successfully by destinations all over the world to balance the benefits and pressures of tourism between visitors and residents.”

Earlier in November, the holiday park brand announced that it would be opening four new JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK in spring 2026.

These include new boozers at Cala Gran in Blackpool, Hopton in Norfolk, Lakeland in the Lake District and Riviere Sands in Cornwall.

Currently, there aren’t many details about the new pubs but Haven said that they will be “linked to the proud heritage of the local area our parks are located in”.

In addition, the new £9million pub project is part of a bigger £14million investment plan in Haven’s food and drink options across the parks.

And Haven is also splashing out £10million on a new water park at their Kent Coast site.

In other holiday park news, a UK holiday park operator has gone into administration affecting 11 resorts.

Plus, the price of holiday park breaks could DOUBLE thanks to new Budget ‘tourist tax’.

Lewis Crocker is set to return to Windsor Park for a voluntary defence of his IBF world welterweight title next spring.

The Belfast fighter beat Paddy Donovan by split decision to clinch the vacant belt in front of a sold-out crowd at Northern Ireland’s national football stadium in September.

Crocker and Donovan’s fight – a rematch of their March contest which ended in Donovan’s disqualification – marked boxing’s return to Windsor Park for the first time since Carl Frampton’s victory over Luke Jackson in August 2018.

It is understood a defence is slated for 11 April, with an opponent expected to be confirmed in the next fortnight.

Crocker, who is unbeaten in 22 professional bouts, has been vocal about his desire to fight Conor Benn, who defeated bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr in dominant fashion in their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rematch on 15 November.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI in the build-up to that fight, Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan mentioned Benn and WBC champion Mario Barrios as options for the 28-year-old.

However, Englishman Benn this week told Boxing News, external Crocker “is not really a name that is on my radar”.

With a victory in April, Crocker would be expected to return to the ring in late summer.

THE price of holiday park breaks could almost DOUBLE following the new tourist tax announced in the budget.

Yesterday, Rachel Reeves announced a wave of new rules including the rise of Air Passenger Duty and new tourist tax regulations.

And industry sources have said the shocking tourist tax rise – set to be £2 extra a night – would be ‘scary’  and put prices up for thousands of families.

A senior holiday park executive said: “This tax will destroy holiday dreams, putting a short break at the seaside out of reach for many. 

“Have they put Basil Fawlty in charge of boosting tourism?”

North Yorkshire’s local authorities said they are in favour of introducing the tax – hitting the thousands who holiday in the popular resorts of Scarborough, Whitby and Filey.

Read more on holiday parks

PARKED UP

UK holiday park operator goes into administration affecting 11 resorts

DRINK UP

Four Haven holiday parks to get new Wetherspoons pubs as part of mega £14m upgrade

West Yorkshire councils have also said they would impose the charge – putting holiday parks in the Dales in the firing line.

And families taking the cheapest holiday park breaks face the biggest increases.

Right now, a family of four can enjoy a four-night break at a holiday park for around £49 in low season, made up of a £40.80 charge for the break and VAT at 20 per cent.

But the new tax is imposed on four people at the suggested rate of £2 per night that will add £32 to the cost of the holiday – bringing the total up to £81.

That’s a tax rate of 98.5 per cent – an increase of 65 per cent on what holidaymakers currently pay. 

If a family of six have to pay the £2 tax on the same four-night break it would bring the cost of the tax to £48 – and increase the price of the holiday to £97.

That works out as a tax rate of 138 per cent, an increase of 98 per cent over the current costs.

For a family of five paying £100 – £83.33 cost plus 20 per cent VAT – for a four night break, the tax would add £40 to the bill, an increase of 40 per cent on the price of a holiday and a total tax rate of 69 per cent.

For a seven night stay for a family of four, prices for next year start at popular holiday parks at just £79 – £65.83 cost plus 20 per cent VAT.

With the tourist tax, a family of four would have to pay £56, bringing the total cost of the holiday to £135, an increase of 71 per cent on current costs.

Dermot King, COO of Unity Holidays which owns Skirlington Coast in East Yorkshire, said: “Any tax such as this is clearly regressive as it a tax on hard-working people who choose to spend their money taking holidays in this country.

And the far-reaching impact of the tax will also hit those enjoying cottage breaks.

Sykes Holiday Cottages – one of the UK’s biggest self-catering companies – fear the tax increase could devastate staycations.

Ben Spier, Head of Policy and Regulation at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “This levy won’t just be felt by families already managing rising household costs.

“It threatens to deter people from choosing holidays in the UK which would be a serious blow for the many communities that depend heavily on spending from the overnight visitors who will face this levy.  

“The UK’s tourism and hospitality businesses are already among the most heavily taxed in Europe, facing everything from steep business rates and corporation tax to some of the highest VAT levels in the sector.

“Adding a new tourism levy risks putting more pressure, and more admin, on the many small businesses – from holiday let owners to local pubs, shops and attractions – who rely on a thriving visitor economy.

“And all this, for a relatively small extra return from visitors who still choose to come.

CRITTERS & JITTERS

Vogue & Spencer insist marriage is strong – why do pals think otherwise?

BLAZE HORROR

Hundreds feared dead in Hong Kong inferno as three arrested for manslaughter

“Rather than adding another cost for visitors, disincentivizing them when the aim is to attract more of them, the focus should be on ensuring that the substantial tax income already generated is properly directed to the local communities where it’s generated.”

Eleven holiday parks across the UK went into administration earlier this month – here’s everything you need to know.

Margam Country Park in Wales transforms into a magical winter wonderland in December, with a miniature fairy village, elf workshop and Santa feeding the deer

A magical fairy village is hidden in the picturesque Margam Country Park, a sweeping gothic estate nestled in the old coal lands of Wales.

The park, near Port Talbot, is surrounded by stunning purple rhododendrons during the summer months and transforms into a winter wonderland in December with its enchanting miniature fairy village. This Welsh estate boasts a grand gothic country house, nestled within a vast expanse of land. The 19th-century mansion was crafted by architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot in 1830, using sandstone sourced from the nearby Pyle quarry, according to Margam Country Park. The impressive staircase hall and octagonal tower offer panoramic views over the park, which offers a plethora of activities for the whole family, particularly during the festive season, reports Wales Online.

The Elf workshop provides children with a unique glimpse into Santa’s workshop, where they can participate in craft activities under the guidance of the head elf. Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy a festive winter walk in the gardens and watch Santa feed the deer. The fairy village consists of charming storybook-like buildings, including miniature houses all themed around fairytales, a willow cathedral, and a giant chess and draughts board. The fairy village is encircled by beautiful, award-winning Grade I listed gardens, complete with their own orangery. The Orangery is home to several large Tulip Trees, a Cork Oak and a very large cut-leaved Beech.

Margam Country Park, recognised for having the 2020 tree of the year – a historic fern-leaved beech with an impressive canopy surrounding the remains of one of the country’s first Cistercian abbeys, is also home to around 500 deer and other thriving wildlife hubs.

The park, built on former coal lands, witnessed extensive deforestation as allied forces scrambled for timber during the war. Now, the grass and scrubland is home to foxes, badgers, hares, grey squirrels, voles, moles and shrews, while woodland birds like the nuthatch, jay, blue tit, stonechat and reed bunting also inhabit the park.

Just two miles south of Port Talbot, Margram is easily accessible via the M4 motorway at Junction 38. Most attractions within the park open at 10am and close at 3.30pm, with fishing hours starting from 9.15am and Charlottes Pantry Café opening from 10.30am.

Car parking charges apply and can be paid using the on-site pay and display machines or with MiPermit, costing £8.50 per car, with an option to purchase an annual season parking ticket. Disabled parking is available at the rear of the estate, with additional disabled parking in the Orangery car park.

Fans of this popular theme park, which includes the kid-friendly Peppa Pig World, will be able to enjoy their favourite rides for longer thanks to plans to construct a holiday park for overnight stays.

Paultons Park, known as the home of Peppa Pig World, has unveiled plans to add 122 self-catering holiday homes to its site, meaning theme park fans will be able to enjoy overnight stays.

The family-friendly attraction recently beat competition from the likes of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park to win Theme Park of the Year at the UK Theme Park Awards. Now, with plans to open on-site accommodation, this family-owned and run park is set to offer even more to guests.

At the moment, visitors to Paultons can book a short break through their website with hotel and ticket packages available. However, the accommodation on offer is for hotels close to the park rather than on site, although free parking is included in the cost of the break.

Not much information has been released on the new accommodation plans, although a map reveals the potential layout of the new holiday park. The Sun reports that there will be two, three, and four-bedroom accommodation on offer and that it’ll have a ‘Scandinavian design’. According to their reports, the new accommodation area will include a restaurant and on-site shop offering essentials.

James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, said in a statement: “We are still in the very early stages of our accommodation project. We have recently submitted a Scoping Report to the New Forest National Park Authority, which is required prior to a full planning application.

“The report outlines the results of specialist surveys, such as ecology and heritage, as well as revised unit numbers for the scheme following detailed financial and viability modelling. Our vision is to deliver 122 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 into our attraction, providing a world-class experience for our guests, and planning for the long-term.”

READ MORE: Disneyland Paris confirms Frozen land opening date – and we got a first lookREAD MORE: I found a beautiful UK seaside town packed with independent shops — it’s perfect for winter

Paultons Park first opened in 1983 and has grown to over 140 acres with more than 80 rides and attractions. The park is made up of several themed areas which include the dinosaur attraction Lost Kingdom, and the popular Tornado Springs, which has an American style.

Popular rides include the Storm Chaser, a rollercoaster that spins and swirls, and the Cyclonator, which rotates as it swings guests to heights of over 25 metres.

One of the most popular parts of the park is Peppa Pig World, which is themed around the iconic kids’ show. In addition to exploring Peppa’s House and diving into the Muddy Puddles splash park, guests can enjoy toddler-friendly attractions such as Daddy Pig’s Car Ride and Grandpa Pig’s Boat Trip.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

A UK THEME park has revealed plans to build a new holiday village, marking the first accommodation at the much-loved attraction.

Paultons Park near Romsey is looking to build over 120 holiday homes for just under 600 guests.

Each holiday home will be either two, three or four bedrooms and they will all be self-catering.

Inside, the holiday homes will feature a Scandinavian design, with a more rustic and traditional style.

And there will be accessible units as well.

The plans for the site also include a welcome building and reception known as “a gateway building”, which will provide space for resort guests to be dropped off.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

TAKING OFF

I’ve visited 50 countries & this much-loathed budget airline is the world’s best

There will be a 400sqm restaurant too and a 65sqm shop selling food and essentials.

The existing car park will be changed, with better access for guests to the welcome building and reception.

An entertainment room is planned as well and so is a games room for indoor games and activities.

Originally, the theme park wanted to create accommodation for 700 guests – however, after feedback they revised the proposal.

According to the Hampshire Chronicle, James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, said: “We are still in the very early stages of our accommodation project.

“The report outlines the results of specialist surveys, such as ecology and heritage, as well as revised unit numbers for the scheme following detailed financial and viability modelling.

“Our vision is to deliver 122 units, designed to comfortably accommodate just under 600 guests at full capacity, 100 guests fewer than previously outlined.”

He added that it will be several years before the onsite accommodation will be built, but that Paultons is committed to making it happen.

Paultons Park recently scooped up the award for the Theme Park of the Year at the UK Theme Park Awards 2025.

And ahead of possible accommodation, the attraction will open a new Viking-themed ‘Valgard’ area next year, on May 16.

The new land will feature a number of rides including a rollercoaster called Drakon which will invert, a themed restaurant and a playground.

There will also be a ride called ‘Vild Swing’, which will measure 12 metres high and by the first of its kind in the UK.

And back in May, the park opened Ghostly Manor – an interactive, family-friendly ride where guests have to capture ghosts that have “escaped the house of renowned ghost hunter Dr Kinley”.

NO WEIGH

McDonald’s twice a day saw me reach 25st… I’ve lost 12st & now exes want me back

WASHOUT

I’m A Celeb in chaos as stars are EVACUATED from camp and filming delayed

In other theme park news, Universal’s UK theme park to get its own train station as part of mega £6.6billion project.

Plus, the UK’s biggest live action show reveals plans for new historical theme park.

The resort in Turkey’s Antalya region covers 639,000 square meters and includes a royal-themed hotel with 401 rooms, a theme park right on your doorstep, and even an impressive shopping mall

All-inclusive hotels can be a convenient way to enjoy a family holiday. You don’t need to bring any spending money along, and there’s no need to cook or wash a single plate for the entire stay.

But one drawback can be a lack of things to do. Not everyone enjoys spending every day by the pool or beach, and there’s only so many games you can play with the animation team. But there’s one giant resort in Turkey where you’re almost guaranteed not to run out of activities, as you’ve got a theme park just steps away from your sun lounger.

Land of Legends is located near the city of Antalya, one of the most popular Turkish destinations for British tourists. It’s just minutes away from beautiful sandy beaches and the lively town of Kadriye. It’s possible to get a day pass for Land of Legends, but it’s best explored when staying in the hotel, as there’s just so much to see.

Theme hotel

The Kingdom Hotel has 401 rooms, which have been perfectly designed for family stays. Rooms and suites come with fun features such as TVs with 3D glasses, a PlayStation 4, and a minibar full of soft drinks, which is refilled daily. Each room also features fun, cartoon-style decor and has been designed with thoughtful details, such as rounded edges on the furniture, making it safe for little kids.

You can choose from one-bedroom rooms, interconnected rooms to give you more space and privacy, and a range of different suites. Many rooms also include either a balcony or a terrace where you can soak up some sunshine. There’s even a drying rack for your swimwear when you’re back from the waterpark.

Waterpark and theme park

You’ll likely spend a lot of time in the water if you stay at the Kingdom Hotel. You’ll have access to a range of pools, from the lively to quieter spots. At the activity pool, there’s plenty of space for the kids to splash around, while the infinity pool has warm seawater for a refreshing dip.

Guests have access to Aqua Land, which features a wave pool, rapids, a wild river, and the gigantic Magicone waterslide. Up to four people can ride the Magicone, which leads you through a giant funnel before you drop down below. These rides are open until 7pm in summer, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy them. There’s also the Anjana spa and fitness centre – complete with a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath and whirlpool – so you can relax after a long day at the park.

Of course, if you’re visiting a theme park, you’ll want to know about the rides, especially the rollercoasters. The Hyper Coaster is one of the park’s main attractions, hitting heights of 61 metres and speeds over 70mph. There’s also the Typhoon Coaster, which ends in a drop of 43-metres, straight into the water, so you’ll need to dry off afterwards.

There are also gentler rides, such as the Family Coaster. For little kids, Masha and the Bear: Land of Laughter features rides like the Zippy Zappy Coaster, which even the smallest guests can enjoy. There’s also Bear’s Fun House and kids’ shows in the circus tent.

Food and drink

Depending on who you book with, Land of Legends offers all-in or all-inclusive packages, so make sure you double-check before you confirm your booking. The former includes food, snacks, and soft drinks, but may only cover select local alcoholic drinks, and may be limited to alcohol at meal times. Not all restaurants in the park are included in these packages, so it’s worth checking.

Some popular spots for dining in the park include the Eternia restaurant, a huge buffet with dishes from around the world, and the Nyssa Bar, which is perfect for families with kids, as it has giant screens where they can play Xbox. There are also some 24-hour spots open, such as the Legends Pub.

Shopping Avenue

You won’t even need to leave the resort to buy souvenirs or pick up the essentials. Land of Legends’ Shopping Avenue features over 60 stores, including numerous clothing shops, pharmacies, fast food outlets, cafes, and toy stores. This stylish shopping area also has huge fountains, with colourful fountain shows in the evening, and Venetian-style canals, with regular boat parades. During the summer, many stores open from 10am to midnight, so you can shop at night when it’s cooler.

Find out more about Land of Legends and book a stay or day pass through their official site.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected]

A CHAIN of holiday parks in the UK has gone into administration, affecting 11 resorts across the country.

Cove UK is one of Britain’s biggest caravan park operators, behind Parkdean and Wyldecrest Parks.

Cove UK parks affected by the administration include Solway Holiday Park in Cumbria, which had space for 1,600 pitches, as well as Gwel an Mor Resort in Cornwall.

Eight holiday parks run by Argyll Holidays – with a combined 1,800 pitches – are also affected.

This is due to Argyll Holidays being bought by Cove UK for £100million in 2022.

This includes:

Read more on holiday parks

DRINK UP

Four Haven holiday parks to get new Wetherspoons pubs as part of mega £14m upgrade

PARK UP

One of the UK’s most popular holiday parks reveals mega £50million expansion

• Drimsynie Holiday Village
• Hunters Quay Holiday Village
• Loch Awe Holiday Park
• Loch Eck Caravan Park
• Loch Eck Country Lodges
• Loch Lomond Holiday Park
• St Catherines Caravan Park
• Stratheck Holiday Park

Springwood Holiday Park, not part of Argyll Holidays, has also been affected.

Administrators Alvarez & Marsal Europe have been called in to Cove Communities Holiday Park UK Holdco Limited (HPUK).

This also includes three subsidiaries – Cove Communities Venture 2 Gwel an Mor OpCo Ltd, Cove Communities Venture 2 Solway OpCo Ltd, and Cove Communities Venture 2 Springwood OpCo Ltd.

Of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP, Adam Paxton, Rob Croxen and Ben Cairns have been appointed as joint administrators to Cove Communities Venture 2 Argyle OpCo Ltd, another subsidiary.

However, they have confirmed that holidaymakers will not be affected as the parks are currently closed for the season.

Adam Paxton, managing director, said: “As administrators, our priority is to ensure a smooth transition and maintain stability across the parks.

“We are working to ensure day-to-day operations continue with minimal disruption.

“Owners, residents and holidaymakers should not be impacted, and can contact the site managers with any questions they may have.”

They confirmed they would trade the company under the joint administrator’s supervision whilst “sale options are explored”.

The letter stated: “Please be assured that our priority is to ensure the continued smooth operation of the holiday parks and to keep homeowners and residents informed as matters progress.

“Going forward, all payments for site fees and any other services should no longer be made to the previous bank account.”

Seal Bay Resort in West Sussex is not being affected.

A Cove UK spokesperson told Sun Travel: “We confirm that administrators have been appointed to Cove Communities Holiday Park HoldCo Limited and its subsidiaries, and this affects a number of holiday parks across the UK.

“Seal Bay, our largest resort under the Cove UK group, is not part of the administration process and continues to trade as normal for our guests and owners.

“Our focus remains on serving our customers and executing our long-term strategy. We appreciate the continued support of our employees, owners and customers.”

Many caravan owners have been left gutted by the news, with one calling it an “end of an era”.

Another said: “Really worrying news. Biggest financial mistake we’ve made is buying a caravan there.”

Holiday parks have become popular for more than 100 years, with the first opening in 1894 on the Isle of Man.

However, many have since run into disrepair or been forced to close, following the rise in cheap package holidays abroad.

kell no

Jack Osbourne’s furious sister rips into ‘bully’ Kelly Brook after I’m A Celeb row

MUM PAIN

I was arrested in front of daughter for WhatsApp message, £20k won’t erase trauma

Back in August, Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club site, on Bristol’s harbourside, closed after 47 years.

And back in April Pontins Pakefield Holiday Village closed after 80 years.

THE NEW Universal Studios theme park coming to the UK will get its very own train station.

The train station is set to be built in Stewartby in Bedfordshire to serve the Universal Studios theme park, which is aiming to open in the early 2030s.

The station will become part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, which will connect Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.

The station will be vital for the new attraction, which is set to attract over 8.5million people in its opening year alone.

In a report released by EWR, it states: “We’re now planning to provide a consolidated Stewartby-Kempston Hardwick station which would allow people to travel to the Universal resort without negatively impacting other users.”

Through recent talks with local communities, the proposed number of trains running via the station each hour has been increased from three or four, to five.

Read more on travel inspo

SUN SWAP

I’ve visited Florida 50 times… my holiday costs less than a European all-inclusive

WALT NOW?

I’m a Disney expert – what to expect from new theme park from Fortnite to Frozen

This would mean up to 70 per cent more seating across the route.

The new station would also feature walking and cycling routes.

The report added: “Given Universal’s proposals are still emerging, we’re working with them and other stakeholders to determine the design and exact position of the station.

“We would like to provide reassurance that as we progress this work, we are focused on not just integrating the design for this station with the wider development proposals but also maintaining access to the strategic road network and local destinations.

“Once we have undertaken this work, we will provide further information when we consult in 2026.”

The station will be part of the wider East West Rail line project, which is expected to unlock around £6.7billion of regional economic growth by 2050, with 100,000 new homes.

A spokesperson for Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX) said: “Government’s commitment in furthering multi-modal opportunities to grow the UK’s economy is highly encouraging, as companies like UDX look to place major investments in the UK.

“Other plans include seven new stations, and the use of cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric trains to deliver faster, greener services along the partially electrified route while keeping costs down.”

The spokesperson added that the in addition to the new eastern entrance at Cambridge Central, EWR is also planning to create a new Cambridge East Station.

Other plans included in the EWR project – which is set to cost between £5.7billion and £6.6billion – include establishing new station entrances at Bletchley and Bedford.

And the Marston Vale Line will get four new larger stations to replace nine smaller and tired ones.

Currently, stations on the Marston Vale Line see some of the lowest usage in the country, but the new stations would serve local communities better and ultimately help to serve Universal theme park.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “East West Rail is more than a railway – it’s a catalyst for growth, more jobs and opportunity, and this project will make rail travel faster, greener and more reliable for millions of passengers.”

“By investing in modern infrastructure, we’re laying the foundations for long-term prosperity in one of the UK’s most dynamic regions while ensuring that the UK has a rail network passengers can be proud of.”

SEE CLEARLY

Mechanic reveals ‘secret’ button that will defrost your windows even quicker

waltzing off

La Voix’s statement in full as injured star is forced to pull out of Strictly

In other rail news, a UK train station that looks like a ‘cosmic spaceship’ has become a major landmark.

Plus, two new train routes could be coming to the UK that will connect major cities.

There’s a reason crowds endure yearly price increases and jammed sidewalks at Disneyland each November through early January. It’s the merriest time of the year — and arguably when the resort is at its glistening, glowing best with seasonal food offerings, holiday ride makeovers and unique live entertainment options.

Disneyland, of course, is home to the long-running A Christmas Fantasy Parade, but I’d argue it’s not even the best processional happening this time of year. And this year, even Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, though not part of Disneyland’s holiday programming, is finding new ways to get festive.

Here’s a sample of some of my favorite things to do at the park this holiday season, which runs through Jan. 7. If you’re curious to check it out but looking to save a little on tickets, Disneyland has announced a new California ticket offer that goes on sale Dec. 3 and takes effect Jan. 1. The deal is for a three-day park-hopper ticket, which can be used on non-consecutive visits, and starts at $249 per person, which amounts to $83 per day.

If you go, don’t be shy, and say hi, as it’s the time of the year when I visit most often.

Don’t miss Disneyland’s best street party

The ¡Viva Navidad! street parade is one of Disney California Adventure’s most lively, diverse and dance-focused offerings.

(Disneyland Resort)

There’s one show at the Disneyland Resort that each year, without fail, brings me to tears — tears of joy, but also tears of surprise that something so lively, diverse and dance-focused exists at a Disney park. That show is California Adventure’s ¡Viva Navidad!

A boisterous celebration of Latin art and music from beginning to end, ¡Viva Navidad! uses the characters from Disney’s mid-1940s goodwill film “The Three Caballeros” as a jumping-off point to showcase folklórico dancers, mariachis and 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets (large-scale, papier mâché sculptures that dizzyingly rocket up and down a small portion of California Adventure). The show, which came from the minds of Susana Tubert and her team at Disney Live Entertainment, feels a bit like a Mexican street parade and works because it extends a hand to guests of all walks of life. Though launching with Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” it ends with the always-festive “Feliz Navidad” from José Feliciano.

Running since 2014, ¡Viva Navidad! is a blast. It’s a treasure. The only quibble is the show primarily runs on weekends only.

Embrace a cultural tradition — with stories, candles and thoughtfulness

“A Musical Christmas With Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” is an evening performance at Disneyland that centers on a mariachi band and is inspired by Las Posadas.

(Joshua Sudock / Disneyland Resort
)

Introduced last year, California Adventure’s “A Musical Christmas With Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” features the star of Disney/Pixar film “Coco” but, like ¡Viva Navidad!, is rooted in cultural traditions. Specifically Las Posadas. Think a festive procession that travels among the community, Las Posadas are traditionally staged in Mexico between Dec. 16 and 24. In their purest form, Las Posadas depict the biblical story of Joseph and Mary and the search for shelter at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The Disney performance, which typically runs on weekdays, deviates from the religious overtunes. But some of the key touchstones — a mix of music and stories, a centering of children with candles — are present. It begins with a trot to the center of California Adventure to the tune of “El Burrito de Belén” and throughout the course of the show it will touch on such staples as “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” albeit in bilingual renditions.

The show’s narrator and singer regales guests with tales of how different Latin countries present stories of Santa Claus, or, say, the joy of unwrapping a tamale. The climax instead of the street performance is a candlelit rendition of “Silent Night,” with audience participation. What a moment ago was festive theme park fare becomes something more reflective, all while slightly nodding to the holiday’s more spiritual underpinnings.

Participate in a fantastical holiday at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Life Day is a fictional holiday exclusive to the “Star Wars” universe.

(Disneyland Resort)

OK, so this is a bit of a curve ball. It should be noted that what happens in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is not part of Disneyland’s traditional holiday programming, as Life Day is not an actual holiday, unless, perhaps, your religion is “Star Wars.” It’s also lighthearted good fun. Life Day has its roots in the beloved but campy and culturally questionable “Star Wars Holiday Special” as an event that originated on the Wookie home planet of Kashyyyk.

When Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, fans wondered if during the holiday season the land would get in on the Life Day action. Initially, fans started showing up on Nov. 17, the day the television special aired, for impromptu celebrations of their own. Credit Disneyland for embracing the guest-driven activity, so much so that the park started developing Life Day ornaments and shirts as well as offering limited time food specials.

This year, a red-robed Chewbacca holding a glowing orb — the official symbol of Life Day — will for the first time wander Galaxy’s Edge to meet with visitors. Disney hasn’t said for exactly how long this festive version of Chewbacca will be present in the land, but here’s hoping Life Day is celebrated at least until the end of Disneyland’s more conventional holiday proceedings.

After all, I enjoyed my morning paying respects to the fictional holiday, as I indulged in a limited-run anise-spiked sangria at Oga’s Cantina (the Joh Blastoh Sangria Gocola, $19.50) along with a large, fluffy slice of cinnamon toast topped with a richly sweet, cheesecake-inspired frosting and ornamental lychee pearls (Millaflower Toast, $13). The latter meant I essentially had dessert for breakfast, and while it was too sugary to finish — definitely share it — I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that Disneyland has embraced one of the silliest aspects of the space fantasy the land is dedicated to.

You’ll love the gingerbread (and other tasty delights)

The Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure is serving up two types of mac and cheese this year. On the left is the al pastor mac and cheese and on the right is the savory kugel mac and cheese.

(David Nguyen / Disneyland Resort)

I stopped in the lobby of the Grand Californian on my way out of the park for some Mickey-shaped gingerbread cookies and balked at a line that some guests said they had spent 40 minutes standing in. But having had it in year’s past, as well as a Halloween version of the cookie just a couple weeks ago, I can vouch for the fact that it is quality, soft gingerbread. Worth the wait? Your mileage may vary, but know that the best gingerbread cookie in Disneyland is actually inside the park at the Harbor Galley, where the cookies are smaller and rounder but also spicier and chewier. And 13 of them cost just $13.79, making them one of the more budget-friendly snacks in the resort. They’re a must.

Yet there’s much to sample across Disneyland’s two parks, its shopping district and hotels, so much so that I spent much more time on Sunday eating than going on rides. The bulk of my afternoon was devoted to the food booths of Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays, where most items run between $6 and $9 (or buy a passport to try six items for $49). The highlight was an al pastor mac and cheese where I slathered the cubes of pork in the finest theme park cheese slop. Don’t miss some returning favorites, such as the barbacoa tamal de res, in which the beef is pleasantly tender, or the braised pork belly adobo, one of the heartier dishes at the festival. Just know that throughout the day booths may periodically run out of items, so be prepared to pivot.

Elsewhere, I sampled the creamy, rum-forward horchata with whipped cream ($18) at Downtown Disney’s Centrico, a frosty, mid-afternoon cinnamon-focused dessert drink, and made a note to come back for the seasonal, mole tamales. It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little eggnog, so I made it over to the Disneyland Hotel’s Broken Spell Lounge for its $19 cognac and rum-spiked rendition. It’s heavily alcohol forward, so next time I may simply stick to the space’s spirit-less house-made eggnog at $9. While there, don’t miss the French dip, which, albeit pricey at $34, is an ample, filling sandwich that debuted during last year’s holidays and became so popular with guests it stuck around.

Still on my must-try list: a gingerbread-cranberry cheesecake trifle at Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and the gingerbread pancakes at River Belle Terrace.

And of course, don’t miss the holiday ride makeovers, including Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World

The Haunted Mansion is currently themed to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” a charming, Christmas-focused makeover.

(Disneyland Resort / Christian Thompson)

In a way, Disneyland has been celebrating Christmas since August. That’s when its Haunted Mansion was remade into its “Nightmare Before Christmas” form and became a ride that largely cheers the Dec. 25 holiday.

While Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion is the one after my heart, the overlay has its charms, namely the demented gingerbread house in the ballroom scene. This year’s rendition is filled with murderous red-eyed ravens up to no good, and in true Haunted Mansion fashion it has a pun for a name. The 13-foot gingerbread house is titled “A Murder So Fowl.” Pay close attention as you glide by, as not all these ravens and crows appear to survive a visit to the gingerbread mansion.

And while Disneyland’s early evening tree lighting tends to draw a crowd, you’ll want to make your way to Fantasyland at 5 p.m. for the nighttime illumination of the It’s a Small World facade. Here, tens of thousands of lights instantly flip on for arguably Southern California’s most memorable Christmas light display. It’s so bright, that nearby walkways will glow red and green and twinkle along with the playful piece of mid-’60s architecture.

The attraction itself remains a joy. The ride’s namesake song plays give and take with “Jingle Bells” and seasonal adornments adorably enliven the leisurely boat ride with even more cheer. The regular version is my favorite ride at Disneyland, and during the holidays it’s like riding through a giant, wintry music box.

The holidays may be one of the busier times to visit the Disneyland Resort, but it’s also a time when the theme parks are at their best.

(Christian Thompson / Disneyland Resort
)

Theme parks may seem like a modern invention. but there is a surprisingly long history behind the attractions. The first theme park in the UK is over 180 years old and still delighting visitors

From thrilling rollercoasters to interactive games, theme parks are always inventing new and more exciting ways to keep people entertained. But the concept of a theme park, or amusement park, actually dates back as far as the Middle Ages, when travelling fairs would bring markets and live entertainment to towns and villages.

In Victorian times, pleasure gardens kept people entertained, with music and theatre, social events, street entertainment, and al fresco dining. At the same time, Victorians were also growing more interested in improving their health. They’d often escape the grimy city streets to enjoy seaside resorts, believing the fresh air and sea water were good for curing any ailments. The Isle of Wight became a particularly desirable destination among well-heeled Victorians, and this gave a local businessman an idea for a new venture.

Blackgang Chine was originally conceived as a kind of pleasure garden by founder Alexander Dabell, opening its doors in 1843. Since then, the park has remarkably not only stayed open, but also stayed within the family, with Alexander’s descendants still running Blackgang Chine to this day.

READ MORE: I’ve travelled to every part Italy – I keep returning to one overlooked cityREAD MORE: Beautiful English village with countryside walks and a modern shopping outlet

The site was initially a general purpose park with some curiosities to amuse Victorian guests, such as a large whale skeleton, which is still on display today. Rumours and legends about smugglers around the island gave the park its theme, and one of its most iconic sights is the giant fibreglass smuggler at the entrance. There are also lots of local stories about the ghosts of smugglers haunting the park at night.

After going through many changes throughout the years, the park has 40-acres of gardens with several themed lands to explore. There are thrill rides such as Extinction, which make the most of the park’s clifftop position to offer an adrenaline fuelled experience. This swing rotates 360-degrees and hangs off the edge of a cliff, with nothing but the sea beneath your feet. There’s also Evolution, a tower drop ride which gives riders amazing views of the Jurassic Coast before plummeting 400 metres in seconds.

There are many pirate and smuggler-themed rides including the Jolly Robin, a pirate ship ride, and the spinning Shipwrecked. The park is also home to Waterforce, the Isle of Wight’s biggest waterslide, and the Crooked House, which is fun for all ages to explore.

There’s also fun stuff for younger kids such as The Blackgang Beach, a giant water pillow you can walk and bounce across, and the classic twirling Pirate Barrels, which both adults and children will love.

Blackgang Chine has many fans, having delighted visitors for decades, and among them is a celebrity. In 2010, former child star Rupert Grint, known for his role in the Harry Potter films, expressed his love for the Isle of Wight and said his favourite attraction was Blackgang Chine.

Find out more about Blackgang Chine on its official website. The park opens from late March to early November with 2026 dates to be confirmed.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

A BRAND new indoor water park is set to come to the UK – complete with a sauna, slides and a splash zone.

The venue will replace the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Woolwich which has been a pillar of the community since it was erected in 1988.

The latter has seen better days, with some locals alleging black mould has been seen while some water slides have been closed to the public indefinitely.

However, residents will be happy to hear that a fresh alternative will soon be available to visit.

Woolwich Waves, situated opposite General Gordon Square, will boast two pools, slides, a two-floor gym, sports halls, squash courts, soft play and a sauna and will wave in punters next month.

The leisure centre has costed a whopping £115million to build.

ROUND UP

British tube driver becomes first person to fly around world in economy in 3 days

TAP OUT

Two major UK airports to be easier to travel to – after thousands fined £100

As for the future of the crumbling Waterfront Leisure Centre, a decision is expected to be made on November 19 during a penned council meeting.

Berkeley Homes, which already built flats on water park’s old car park, has been earmarked to inhabit the space after the centre has been razed to the ground.

Greenwich Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, said: “The regeneration of Woolwich remains a key priority for the council and Woolwich Waves sits at the heart of that.

Cllr Rahman added: “The closure of the existing Waterfront Leisure Centre has always been part of the long-term plan of the delivery of Woolwich Waves.

“Subject to approval by Cabinet, it is recommended that the old Waterfront Leisure Centre building is demolished, when it becomes vacant, to avoid anti-social behaviour and associated security costs – challenges that come with a building sitting vacant. 

“Then steps would be taken to repurpose the site for future sale that would be subject to a transparent and competitive process, ensuring best value for the borough. 

“The repurposing of the Waterfront site would pave the way for more much-needed housing and contribute to the council’s and the Mayor of London’s affordable housing targets.”

Earlier this year, two popular public leisure centres in the UK suddenly closed down.

The City of Lincolnshire Council confirmed that their Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres would close effective immediately on Wednesday night.

The Yarborough Leisure Centre provided a gym, swimming pool, running track and studios for classes, while the Birchwood facility included a gym, spin studio and 3G pitches.

Active Nation’s statement referenced “the ongoing utility crisis and challenges it has created” as the reason for the sudden closures.

It claims to have tried to find another company to take over the services whilst working with the council, but to no success.

A Yarborough Leisure Centre instructor, Carla, told the BBC: “We didn’t know anything about it, the place was buzzing and it was busy but then we got the news”, after just having taught a class in the morning.

SEE CLEARLY

Mechanic reveals ‘secret’ button that will defrost your windows even quicker

waltzing off

La Voix’s statement in full as injured star is forced to pull out of Strictly

A number of staff expressed their concerns employment, and cited the tough trading conditions they worked through to try keep the venues running.

Customers of the leisure centres, Mauva Jessel, Nina Hill and Elise Rothwell, have also shared with the BBC they are worried about the fees already paid to be made members.

“South Park” is known for pushing the envelope, but the latest episode has been described by fans online as “nightmare fuel.”

In what is arguably one of the most disturbing episodes of the year, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone explore just how easy it is to create artificial intelligence-generated videos — and how easy it is for some people to fall for them, or to be convinced that real videos are fake.

The conversation about Wednesday’s episode has largely revolved around President Trump and Vice President JD Vance being depicted having sex. They tell reporters the leaked video of their affair was a fake, created with Sora 2, the latest version of OpenAI’s video generator.

In the same episode, titled “Sora Not Sorry,” the children of South Park generate revenge-porn videos using Sora as a means of getting back at each other. Butters creates an explicit video of Red with Santa Claus, and then she creates a similarly explicit video featuring Butters and Totoro, of the Studio Ghibli classic “My Neighbor Totoro.”

Chaos then ensues as the children make a frenzy of AI-generated videos featuring well-known (and copyright-protected) animated characters. The South Park police force is dumbfounded by the videos, believing they are real.

Droopy Dog, Rocky, Bullwinkle, Popeye and even the beloved preschool character Bluey are mentioned or make appearances in the episode. Representatives for Studio Ghibli also appear, offering a voice of reason in the madness, saying, “You cannot just do whatever you want with someone else’s IP.”

It echoes the real response Studio Ghibli had when Sora 2 emerged, arguing that OpenAI likely used its content and other Japanese art as machine learning data. The Content Overseas Distribution Assn., an anti-piracy organization representing Japanese IP holders, released a letter in late October saying the organization believes OpenAI’s actions “may constitute copyright infringement.” CODA demanded that OpenAI stop using Japanese content for machine learning and requested that the company respond to claims of copyright infringement “sincerely.”

The latest update to Sora, released at the end of September, is “more physically accurate, realistic, and more controllable than prior systems,” according to OpenAI, and it also features synchronized dialogue and sound effects.

The company sparked swift backlash as it rolled out the new version because it was operating under a system where intellectual property owners had to opt out of the app, which meant users could create videos featuring popular actors, characters, voices and likenesses until the rights holders made the opt-out request.

Unauthorized deepfakes of celebrities, dead figures and copyrighted characters began circulating quickly, including videos of Robin Williams, Michael Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr. in what the company called “disrespectful depictions of Dr. King’s image.” OpenAI and King’s estate released a joint statement in October saying the app would block the ability to create generations featuring King as the company “strengthens guardrails for historical figures.”

After a slew of Hollywood studios and agencies expressed their frustration with this policy, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman wrote in a blog post that the AI company will be giving rights holders “more granular control over generation of characters, similar to the opt-in model for likeness but with additional controls.”

Some studios have expressed interest in the user-generated content space, with Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger saying on a recent earnings call that the company was having “productive conversations” with unnamed AI companies in an effort to reach an agreement that would also “reflect our need to protect the IP.”

Back at South Park Elementary, as the battle of disturbing AI-generated videos heats up, Kyle questions how creating that kind of content, especially with copyrighted characters, is legal. “Nothing is sacred, Kyle,” Butters tells him. “All you can do is fight fire with fire.”

The episode seems to address Parker and Stone’s own frustrations with their work being replicated, as evidenced by a line from billionaire Peter Thiel, who also appears in the episode: “With Sora 2, I can make the South Park kid do just about anything.”

I stood atop a lookout point in the heart of Los Angeles County watching the sunset paint downtown L.A. a deep orange.

I was amazed to be alone in the outdoors just before 5 p.m. in America’s second-largest city. I took in more of the panoramic view before me. I could see Mt. Baldy turning a hazy pink as the sun coated the rest of the San Gabriel Mountains in a scarlet hue. I spotted thick clouds moving in over the South Bay. It’d be foggy later.

I’d usually need to travel to Griffith Park or Debs Park for similar views, but that evening’s location was the lesser-known Elephant Hill Open Space, a rolling landscape in El Sereno that local activists hope becomes L.A.’s next great park. But that’s only if they can save it in time.

Mt. Baldy is visible in the distance from a hiking trail in Elephant Hill Open Space in El Sereno.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Elephant Hill Open Space is a 110-acre plot of undeveloped land in El Sereno that residents have advocated, for more than 20 years, to be developed into a public park like nearby Debs Park or Ascot Hills with hiking trails, benches and overlook points.

For years, local activists have beat back developers who wanted to build luxury homes, tried to curb illegal dumping and attempted to persuade off-road enthusiasts who have (illegally) carved deep scars into the hillsides to recreate elsewhere.

Their final challenge, though, if the entire 110 acres is to be saved from development, is persuading about 200 different land owners to sell their parcels of Elephant Hill to a public agency — and at fair market rate.

Newly installed steps near the Elephant Hill test plot lead hikers toward panoramic views of L.A. County.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

About 25 acres are owned by government agencies. Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, a local government agency focused on protecting open spaces, manages 8.37 acres at Elephant Hill and is in the process of buying another 2.4 acres. The city of L.A. owns about 15 acres after buying around 20 acres in a 2009 settlement with a developer who wanted to build luxury homes on the hillsides. (The city later sold five acres to MRCA.)

In recent years, MRCA has received about $4.2 million, including $2 million last month from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, to research and buy more land, build a 0.75-mile trail to bring in more hikers, and install gates and boulders to prevent illegal off-roading.

Sarah Kevorkian, deputy chief of wildfire resilience at MRCA, said her agency is required by law to buy land at fair market rate, making it hard to compete in a “cutthroat” market with private developers who can offer landowners more money.

“The number of individual landowners is an added layer of complexity, and I don’t think that exists in other places, not like this,” Kevorkian said.

A view looking east from Elephant Hill’s new hiking trail.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Still, she remains optimistic, regularly checking land sales websites to see whether any Elephant Hill owners have posted their properties. Community members are quick to call her if they see a “for sale” sign go up.

“I immediately will call,” Kevorkian said. “I called this one person, and they said, ‘Yeah, we have an offer, we’re going with it.’ … I said, ‘If anything changes, call me back.’ They didn’t, but I just had a feeling.”

The land was next to the hiking trail that MRCA was installing. It’d be such a perfect parcel to snag.

Kevorkian called the property owner back a few weeks later, and they told her the deal had fallen through. “It was such an awesome win,” she said.

Mt. Wilson is visible from the Elephant Hill Open Space in El Sereno.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

And anyone who visits can easily see why.

I first visited Elephant Hill a few weeks ago with Elva Yañez and Hugo Garcia, co-founders of Save Elephant Hill. They started their efforts in late 2003 to try to fight off private developers. Both live within walking distance of the open space.

We started our hike on the western side of Elephant Hill, with an aim of seeing the beginnings of Elephant Hill’s first official hiking trail, which MRCA expects to complete next year with way-finding signage, boulders and more.

We headed up the steep terrain, quickly passing the latest disputed development — a truck garden that’s drawn the ire of Save Elephant Hill and other conservation groups for its owner’s choice to chop down protected native trees, as reported by L.A. Taco.

A tree canopy provides shade over the hiking trail in Elephant Hill Open Space in El Sereno.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

We took the trail’s switchbacks and then paused to catch our breaths in the shade of hollyleaf cherry, black walnuts and other trees creating a dense canopy. There, the hills blocked the noise from the roads and city. It’d be the perfect place for a picnic table, bench or both.

Next, we walked down newly installed steps to reach the Elephant Hill test plot, a lush experimental restoration garden where volunteers have planted hundreds of native flowers and shrubs and close to 100 trees. The land looks grateful.

Bees buzzed around the sugar bush and coyote brush. Unlike other parts of the park that remain overwhelmed with invasive mustard, trees of heaven and castor bean, this area is thriving with drought-tolerant and, in some cases, fire-resistant native plants.

A native sunflower in the test plot garden, from left, a shaded path in Elephant Hill, and a white-crowned sparrow perched in the test plot garden.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Yañez said during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and Garcia realized they needed to expand their list of allies for Elephant Hill. “We’re not naturalists. We’re not traditional environmentalists. We’re not native plant people,” she said. “We realized at a certain point that we have to activate this space. We have to get people on it to start building that support.”

Joey Farewell, an estate planner who lives nearby and manages the test plot, said, with Yañez and MRCA’s blessing, the test plot volunteers installed the garden in fall 2022 and have seen it thrive, largely without watering outside of what’s needed to first establish new growth.

The test plot started as 3,000 square feet and has expanded to 10,000 square feet of native plant, said Jennifer Toy, director of nonprofit Test Plot, which has 16 experimental gardens around L.A. At Elephant Hill, volunteers have cleared about 20,000 square feet of invasive species, she said.

“It’s not a huge area, but each year we think about” what they can do next, Toy said. “It’s a work in progress.”

And it’s a powerful proof of concept of what Elephant Hill could look like with investment.

Farewell, who is the conservation co-chair of the L.A. and Santa Monica Mountains chapter of the California Native Plants Society, said most people don’t realize what a dynamic landscape Elephant Hill is, including its water features.

“My kids would play by the brook” after heavy rains, Farewell said. “You could reach your hand into one of the springs that fed the stream and feel the water bubbling out of the ground.”

The view of downtown L.A. from a high point at the Elephant Hill Open Space in El Sereno.

(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)

Yañez wants more local children to have similar experiences. Elephant Hill sits among a neighborhood plagued by environmental racism, she said. Green space isn’t readily available, but with the development of Elephant Hill into a park, it could be.

Yañez said she understands the need for more housing in L.A., but Elephant Hill has repeatedly proven an unsafe option. In the late 1980s, townhouses in a nearby development started falling into the ground, causing major structural damage. Around 2006, a developer was using a backhoe to build a fence around his property when the heavy machinery fell deep into a spring. Neighbors referred to it as a “sinkhole.”

“When you look at the big picture of climate change and lack of access to park space in communities like El Sereno, it’s kind of a no-brainer — and it’s very difficult to build here. In fact, it’s not safe,” Yañez said. “All the factors come together and make a pretty strong case on their own for conservation. Plus, I think the community deserves access to open space on these hillsides.”

3 things to do

Volunteers repair habitat in the Bolsa Chica Conservancy in Huntington Beach.

(Erika Moe / Amigos de Bolsa Chica)

1. Address messy nests in Huntington Beach
Amigos de Bolsa Chica needs volunteers from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday to restore nest habitat for the threatened western snowy plover and endangered California least tern. Participants will remove invasive and overgrown plants in an area of the reserve off-limits to the public. Register at amigosdebolsachica.org.

2. Craft s’mores ’round the campfire in Culver City
The Nature Nexus Institute will host a fall harvest event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook featuring a campfire and drum circle. Guests can also take guided nature strolls, listen to storytelling and make s’mores around a campfire. Register at docs.google.com.

3. Nurture native plants in the Hollywood Hills
The Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife needs volunteers from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday for a habitat restoration project in the Hollywood Hills. Participants will weed and water young native wildflowers, trees and shrubs, and install humane protection from deer and gophers. Register at clawonline.org.

The must-read

A sign stands in the middle of the fire-ravaged remains of the ranch house at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The park reopened Saturday.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Hikers rejoice! Will Rogers State Historic Park reopened Saturday after being closed for 10 months following the devastating Palisades fire in January. Times staff writer Hailey Branson-Potts reported that 4.2 miles of the park’s trails are now open while 4.8 miles remain closed. Unfortunately, the segment of the Backbone Trail — a 67-mile trek from Point Mugu State Park to Will Rogers — that runs through the park will remain closed because the fire destroyed the Chicken Ridge Bridge. The Rivas Canyon Trail and Rustic Canyon Trail will also remain closed. The looping trail to Inspiration Point will be partially open, although parks officials might sometimes close it for trail work.

I am glad, slowly but surely, we’re getting to return to some of our favorite places closed by fire.

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s — no, it’s a bird! It appears that a bald eagle was spotted flying over the Audubon Center at Debs Park last Thursday. “Could it be?!” the Audobon Center posted on Instagram. The answer is yes, it really could have been! On the citizen science app iNaturalist, users have reported almost 1,000 bald eagle observations in L.A. County, including one over Debs Park in 2017 and others in nearby Glassell Park and Pasadena. Perhaps the Steve Miller Band was correct about our national bird’s flight pattern: “I want to fly like an eagle / To the sea.” May your spirit carry you through this week, friends!

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

THE UK’S best budget campsite has been named and it has tonnes of amazing features as well as a great price.

Named in the Campsites.co.uk Camping and Glamping Awards, Caldbeck Camping in Cumbria can be found in the Northern Lake District, not too far from the northerly fells of High Pike and Carrock Fell.

In total, the campsite features 13 grass pitches, three of which have electric hook-ups.

But if putting up a tent isn’t your thing, then you can always opt for the cosy bell tent that is on site as well.

Inside the adult-only bell tent, visitors will find a cosy double bed, electrical supply, tea and coffee making facilities and a table and chairs.

Outside the tent there is also a private garden with a fire pit, seating and a sheltered bench area.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

Those staying in the bell tent also have access to a private toilet.

The campsite, which also featured on Campsites.co.uk 2025 Outstanding Sites list, is directly on the Cumbrian Way footpath, making it the ideal spot for keen hikers.

Barbecues are allowed at the site, as long as they are raised from the ground – an ideal summer evening activity.

Alternatively, there are fire pits which are available to hire.

And your four-legged friend is welcome too.

One recent visitor said: “Beautiful lake running through camp, space for wild swimming at bottom.

“Fire pits on each pitch, pitches are of a very good size!

“The site was very peaceful with little to no noise in the evenings.

“Host was lovely and friendly. Would definitely return.”

If you want a tipple before settling down for the night, The Oddfellow Arms pub is just a five-minute walk away.

And there are plenty of things to do nearby including Aira Force Waterfall which is just 30 minutes away.

The staggering 20 metre waterfall is located in an 18th century pleasure ground and there are a number of woodland trails to explore.

You might even catch a glimpse of rare red squirrel.

And Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens is 30 minutes away too.

Here, you can explore a pretty Grade I listed country house that features a mix of medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture.

The gardens are also award-winning.

Spread across five acres, visitors can explore a number of plants and flowers and the gardens are known for whimsical features, so keep an eye out for a dragon and a sleeping earth giant.

Pitches at the campsite for adults cost from £9 per night and kids, £5 per night.

If you wish to have a pitch with an electrical hookup, it is an additional £6 per night.

For the bell tent, it costs from £65 per night for stays between Sunday and Thursday or £75 per night for stays between Friday and Saturday.

There is also a two night minimum stay in the bell tent.

PEATY FEUD TWIST

Adam Peaty’s brother arrested over stag do threats sent to Olympian

CHOC HORROR

‘Disgusting’ price of 750g Quality Street tins are slammed by Tesco shoppers

For more camping inspiration, there are a number of stunning campsites in Britain from £10 a night – including a posh estate with a brewery next to woodland theme park.

Plus, Kent’s best campsite has its own private beach and 3,000 acres that feels like the savannah.

A MASSIVE new £37m waterfront park with a skateboard site and tightrope has been unveiled just minutes from a town centre.

Tourists and residents will be able to walk across a 55-metre bridge from the High Street to the revamped riverside, which will also feature a huge amphitheatre for live events.

In Stockton, the local authority is overseeing one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in Europe as it buys up swathes of land in the struggling town centre. 

The amphitheatre – with 402 granite steps – will gaze down on the River Tees, home to the Teesside Princess pleasure boat, the North-east town’s iconic tourist attraction, which hosts everything from Taylor Swift-themed boat parties to birthday celebrations, weddings and wakes.

The huge site – three times larger than London’s Trafalgar Square – will also include 10m watchtowers, an oval lawn and a land bridge.

“That’s going to mean people can mean people can walk from the High Street to the riverside, which is quite exciting,” councillor Paul Rowling, deputy council leader and cabinet member for resources and transport at Stockton Borough Council, told Teesside Live.

DANCE OFF

Huge UK music festival attracting 30,000 a year is AXED due to spiralling costs

‘Absolutely disgusting’

Sunderland fans blasted for state of Trafalgar Square after party

Activities for children will also include a toddler trail, swings, climbing nets, trampolines and “exhilarating” slides connecting the amphitheatre to the riverside.

On its website, Stockton Council says “significant work has also progressed” on changes to Riverside Road, which will pass under the land bridge, reduced to a single carriageway each way.

Stockton Council says it has worked with members of the Stockton Parent Carers Forum to ensure that the park features meet the needs of as many families as possible. 

The final design has been shaped to incorporate their advice and feedback.

The site is set to open in spring 2026.

It includes tactile and sensory experiences, motion, sounds with musical instruments, social interaction and quiet spaces.

Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Stockton Council, said: “We know how popular our play areas are with families and that’s why we’ve ensured Stockton Waterfront will be a unique space like no other in the region for residents and visitors to spend quality time outdoors.

“The park’s feature elements, two huge play towers, will take children to new heights and we are looking forward to welcoming families when it opens.

“The play areas will complement the numerous exciting additions in the urban park, which is set to transform the town centre. 

“It’s part of our commitment to make the borough a great place to live, work and visit, providing an environment where all generations can thrive.”

The waterfront park is the latest regeneration project for Stockton – which straddles two English counties and six separate towns.

Work to refurbish the Globe Theatre in the town began nearly 15 years ago and was completed in 2021 at a cost of nearly £30m.

moving fast

MAFS couple PREGNANT days after they get married as strangers on show

WEDDING RIFT

Adam Peaty’s family feud escalates as he BANS mum from wedding to Holly Ramsay

With a capacity of 3,000 it is the largest live entertainment venue between Newcastle and Leeds.

Acts to have played the venue recently include Paloma Faith, The Waterboys and Fontaines DC.

A MUCH-LOVED family attraction is set to reopen with a major revamp thanks to new owners.

Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft, Suffolk, has new owners that are promising to return the theme park to its “former glory”, as well as add new rides.

The attraction’s new owners, Premier Attractions, plan to invest in at least three rides when the park reopens next spring, according to Great Yarmouth Mercury.

Run by three brothers, Freddy, Spencer and Davis Stokes, Premier Attractions is hoping to restore some of the rides, such as Cannonball Express – a figure of eight-style rollercoaster that was built back in 1983.

Freddy Stokes Jnr, 42, the eldest of the three brothers said: “We promise there will be more rides next year – three big rides, possibly four.

“Some people love the Cannonball, others hate it.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

TAKING OFF

I’ve visited 50 countries & this much-loathed budget airline is the world’s best

“It’s an iconic ride at the park, but I need to get it to where I’m happy to operate it.”

He added that the ride needs more trains and to move from its current location to “stand proud” in the centre of the park.

He added: “It definitely has life left in it, but it’s how and what we do with it.”

Other changes at the park will also be seen in the car park, which currently charges visitors a fee of £3 a day.

Premier Attractions has inherited the contract from Pleasurewood Hills’ previous owners and it is owned by the park but operated by a third party.

Freddy added: “We’re not going to fix everything overnight, but we promise we will improve the park.

“But without people coming back, it’s all for nothing, so we need their support.”

Pleasurewood Hills expects to reopen on March 28, 2026.

And it will be the first theme park owned by Premier Attractions after purchasing the attraction from French operator Looping Group last month.

The company usually operates rides at events and fairs across the UK and has been based in Manchester since 2011.

Currently, nine of the company’s rides are at Kuwait’s Winter Wonderland and another seven are on the way to Hong Kong’s AIA Carnival, where they will be based for 66 days before heading back to the UK.

Premier Attractions has also operated rides at some of the UK’s biggest events and fairs, such as Winter Wonderland, Edinburgh‘s Hogmanay Festival, Leeds and Download music festivals, Hull Fair and the Hoppings in Newcastle.

At Pleasurewood Hills, there are currently over 35 rides, shows and attractions for all ages including the region’s largest rollercoaster, a large drop tower and a log flume.

Day entry would cost from £27 per person, but it is not clear whether this price will be the same when the attraction reopens.

The theme park then closed for the season on November 2.

moving fast

MAFS couple PREGNANT days after they get married as strangers on show

WEDDING RIFT

Adam Peaty’s family feud escalates as he BANS mum from wedding to Holly Ramsay

In other attraction news, the UK’s best value theme park to open all major rides this winter for the first time.

Plus, the ‘world-first’ £5billion theme park set to open – after plans for UK version were axed.

A THEME park in the UK has announced it will open all of its major rides throughout the festive season – for the first time.

In previous years, the only open rides were in one just section of the park but now there are Christmas thrills all over.

Drayton Manor in Tamworth has announced all of its major rides will remain open throughout the festive period for the very first time.

Throughout December weekends, Christmas week and Twixmas (the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), Drayton Manor will operate its major rides and attractions.

In previous years, it’s only been a selection of rides in Thomas Land that have been open rather than the bigger coasters.

This year rides that will stay open include Gold Rush, a rollercoaster in the new Wild West area, The Wave and Maelstrom.

STREET SMARTS

I visit New York 6 times a year – my expert budget guide including £1 pizzas

SNOW WAY

All the best Xmas days out under £10 including FREE ice skating & Santa’s grotto

There will also be plenty of Christmas experiences between November 22 and December 31.

For the festive season, Drayton Manor has launched its new Elves Behavin’ Badly | Elftoria experience.

Here there’s a Christmas Tree Maze, Snowball Fight Arena, Live Pranking Workshop and Show, Elf Meet and Greet, and elf slide.

There’s festive food and drink too like a pink peppermint milkshake, roast potatoes topped with hot gravy and bacon bits, plus the Christmas classic, pigs in blankets.

There’s even a Yorkshire pudding wrap with chicken, stuffing, roast potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Elves Behavin’ Badly | Elftoria will be open on selected dates up to December 24 between 4pm to 6pm.

There will also be a Christmas Grotto, the Twinkle Express light trail, and pantomime performance of Cinderella.

Plus, at the end of the day, there will be a new festive show that’s the largest of its kind in the UK – which is included in the price of a park ticket.

Called ‘Drayton Manor’s Christmas Miracle’, it transforms the onsite lake into a stunning visual spectacle.

The new show features a 30-metre water screen, with more than 65 choreographed water jets, dramatic fire effects, vibrant lighting and festive animations.

Earlier this year, Drayton Manor picked up the top prize when it came to the ‘Best Value Theme Park’.

The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com, and winners were announced after a series of votes made by 330,000 members of British public along with scores from expert judges.

There were 22 categories including Best New Attraction, Best Theme Park for Families, for Toddlers and for Thrills, the Best Seaside Park and Theme Park of the Year.

Best Value Theme Park wasn’t the only award Drayton Manor won, it also came in second place for Best (Large) Theme Park for Families, and for Best Theme Park for Toddlers.

Drayton Manor came in first place for Best New Accessibility Initiative, and third for Best Use of IP in an Attraction.

It also came second for its 75th Anniversary Fireworks which won Best New Event.

Park entry tickets are £25 for visitors aged between four and 66. Anyone over the age of 66 can grab a ticket for £19.90.

The festive experiences can be bought on top of the park fee. The Elves Behavin’ Badly l Elftoria experience starts from £20.

The Enchanted Santa’s Grotto costs £10 to enter. The Twinkle Express and Cinderella Pantomime are £5 each.

moving fast

MAFS couple PREGNANT days after they get married as strangers on show

WEDDING RIFT

Adam Peaty’s family feud escalates as he BANS mum from wedding to Holly Ramsay

For more theme parks, hear from one writer who went to one of Europe’s biggest theme parks with more than 40 attractions and record-breaking rollercoasters.

Plus, Head of Sun Travel (Digital), went on a day out at the UK’s best theme park and there were no queues for the rides.

Here’s how to visit Drayton Manor on a budget…

One writer reveals her top tips on how to do Drayton Manor on a budget…

Tesco Vouchers

If you’ve got a Tesco Clubcard, you can double up your Clubcard vouchers and use them to pay for entrance on the gate.

You can’t book in advance online or use the vouchers towards car parking or season passes though, so it’s worth comparing to some of the other offers out there to see which is best for your family.

Blue Light Card

Using a discount scheme like Blue Light Card for public sector workers or Kids Pass can offer savings all year round and also access to special member days, when the park is not open to the public and parking is included in the entry price.

The Blue Light Card member day at Drayton Manor in March offered tickets for £26 per person, with toddlers aged 2 and 3 costing £15 and babies under 2 free.

Black Friday Offers

It’s worth keeping an eye out over Black Friday to see what offers pop up – last November, you could buy four tickets for £75 and they were valid until the end of May this year, which covered Easter and half-term holidays.

TODAY is Armistice Day, which marks the signing of the agreement to end the fighting of World War One. It came into force at 11am on November 11, 1918. 

Along with Remembrance Sunday, the day honours those who have died in conflicts, with the nation falling silent at 11am. 

This weekend the King led commemorations at the Cenotaph in tribute to the servicemen and women who defended our shores. 

But there are plenty of other ways to learn more about our wartime history on the home front. Lisa Minot highlights some amazing places to visit. 

REMEMBRANCE & COMMAND 

ALL eyes were on the capital on Remembrance Sunday as the Cenotaph parade saw more than 10,000 veterans march past. 

But you can pay tribute to the fallen year-round at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.  

SPLASH OUT

English Victorian bathhouse to reopen after 50 years as new free attraction

CAMP OUT

The UK’s best campsite has been named with adult-only zones and £24 pitches

Set in 150 acres of woodland, there are more than 400 memorials honouring those killed on duty or by terrorism since World War Two. Entry is free. See thenma.org.uk.

A visit to the Imperial War Museum’s Churchill War Rooms is a chilling yet powerful experience. 

Hidden beneath Westminster, the underground bunker was where the Prime Minister and his government directed the war effort. The Map Room is exactly as it was in 1945.  

Tickets are best booked in advance and cost from £33 per adult and £16.50 for children five to 15. See iwm.org.uk.

Also not to be missed is HMS Belfast, now moored on the Thames near London Bridge.  

Explore the nine decks of the ship that fired some of the first shots on D-Day, supporting the landings at Gold and Juno beaches in Normandy.

Tickets cost from £29 for adults and £14.50 for children, including a donation. See iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast. 

THE SECRET WAR 

AWAY from the traditional battlefield, explore the impact World War Two had on the homefront and the secret work of those who changed the conflict’s course. 

Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes, Bucks, was where Alan Turing, inset, and his team of codebreakers cracked the Enigma and Lorenz ciphers.  

Tour the historic country house and the rambling huts and discover the achievements of these brilliant minds through immersive films, interactive displays and faithfully recreated rooms.

Tickets cost from £28 for adults and £19.50 for children age 12 to 17. Under-12s go free. See bletchleypark.org.uk.  

The Blitz brought the war to the lives of civilians living in our biggest cities.

Tour the eerie ruins of Coventry Cathedral, destroyed by Nazi bombs.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the devastating night that left the city in rubble.  

Visit the modern cathedral built in its place.

Entry is free but there is a £5 fee to climb the gothic tower. See coventrycathedral.org.uk. 

DEFENDING OUR ISLANDS 

THE south coast of Britain was the UK’s front line in World War Two and the staging ground in 1944 for the liberation of Europe. 

Medieval Dover Castle sits above a network of secret wartime tunnels where the 1940 evacuation of Dunkirk was masterminded and later served as a command centre and hospital.

You can join a guided tour of the tunnels before exploring the castle’s rooms and grounds. 

Book castle tickets online in advance and save 15 per cent – from £27.20 for adults and £17.20 for children. 

There’s also a Dover Bunker escape room that can be booked separately with prices from £30. See english-heritage.org.uk. 

The D-Day Story in Portsmouth is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Normandy landings.

The city was the main embarkation point and the attraction tells the story through personal accounts of those who were there.

It also features the incredible 83-metre Overlord Embroidery and a restored Landing Craft Tank. 

Book online for savings, with tickets from £15.95 per adult and £8 per child. See theddaystory.com. 

BATTLE BY SEA AND AIR 

LEARN the critical role played by the Royal Air Force at IWM Duxford, Cambs – the former RAF base is now Britain’s largest aviation museum. 

Its hangars and airfield played a key role in the Battle of Britain, and the base now houses a vast collection of aircraft, from Spitfires to Lancaster bombers, and tells the story of those who flew them.  

Tickets cost from £26.80 for adults and £13.40 for children aged five to 15. See iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford. 

In Lincoln, the International Bomber Command Centre is a striking memorial to those who lost their lives in the skies.  

Its 102ft spire – the height of a Lancaster bomber’s wingspan – is inscribed with the names of the 55,573 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives. 

For a World War One focus, Scapa Flow on Orkney is the vast natural harbour that was the Royal Navy’s main base and is most famous for the scuttling of the interned German High Seas fleet in 1919.  

‘MY TRUTH’

TikTok star Brittany Miller breaks silence in tearful video after faking cancer

STREET SMART

The high street job which pays £120k a year – with £1.5k worth of discounts

In the World War Two it was the site of the sinking of HMS Royal Oak.

The wrecks are now popular dive sites. See scapaflowwrecks.com. 

ONE London spot well-known for its historic dinosaur sculptures is set to get a new playpark entirely themed on the prehistoric beasts.

Crystal Palace is well known for many things including its football team and giant transmitting tower, but its much-loved park is set to get a new children’s play area.

The new playground will be inspired by the Crystal Palace Park’s famous dinosaur sculptures.

When the park first opened in 1856, they were the world’s first attempt to depict the prehistoric creatures based on fossils found by Victorian palaeontologists.

In the park, children will be able to find elements of dinosaurs everywhere to spark their imagination – think claw marks carved into the slides and a skeleton-like structure to venture through and climb on.

There will also be a play trail formed from a curving dinosaur’s tail and a sandpit in the giant footprint of a dinosaur.

Read more on travel inspo

SHOW BOAT 

I tried new Omaze-style draw for superyacht holidays & lived like a billionaire

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

Other elements of the playpark include jumping discs, a log scramble and swings for younger children.

For spectating parents, there is a picnic area too.

A lot of the park will be accessible as well, with a wheelchair accessible roundabout, accessible swing and slide, tactile games and there will be accessible access to the sand pit as well.

Many of the features of the park have been shaped by ideas from children that live close to the park.

This included the Megalosaurus, Hylaeosaurus, and Iguanodon being found the most popular dinosaurs and as a result, there will be reference to them across the park.

And it will replace the old playground, which will remain open until the new one is finished.

It will be located near the main park toilets, the new visitor centre, the cafe and en route to the dinosaur sculptures.

A number of people have already expressed their excitement for the attraction, with one person commenting on Facebook: “Cannot wait to take my grandsons when it is ready.”

Another added: “The best news. Thanks to everyone who is involved in making this happen. Happy days!”

The new playpark forms part of the regeneration project of the park.

There are around 30 statues of dinosaurs at the park – but they are a little different to how we know dinosaurs to look today as the Victorians created them from the scientific information they had at the time.

It is completely free to see the sculptures, which are littered on islands in the park’s lakes.

The statues are all Grade I listed and currently undergoing restoration.

Another part of the project is the creation of a new visitor centre.

Inside, visitors will be able to discover the 170-year-old history of the park.

The new single-storey building will replace the existing information centre and provide space for an activity room, with displays, historic objects and information panels.

The Grand Centre Walk is being restored as well, with more space for events.

The path will become wider and there will be a new entrance at Penge Gate too.

And the park’s Italian terraces are being repaired, after being placed on Historic England‘s At Risk Register.

The parks entire makeover is costing around £52million.

‘MY TRUTH’

TikTok star Brittany Miller breaks silence in tearful video after faking cancer

STREET SMART

The high street job which pays £120k a year – with £1.5k worth of discounts

If you are looking for something to do with kids now, then you could head to a huge indoor playground that only opened in the UK last year – it has oak tree slides and castle play fort.

Plus, one of England’s most popular children’s playgrounds is about to get much better.