pirate

THE MOST we’d usually expect from a hotel is a good night’s sleep – however, at some UK spots, you’re in store for far more.

From Harry Potter to wine, there are numerous themed spots around the country for an overnight stay that you will always remember.

Because, while many hotels are intended primarily as places to rest, there’s no reason they can’t also be the destination in and of themselves.

For a check-in with a difference, book into these stays where it’s all in the detail…

Harry Potter: Georgian House Hotel, London

Fancy stepping inside a truly magical world? Potterheads will feel right at home in London‘s Georgian House Hotel.

It is suitably hidden away in a charming 19th-century Pimlico townhouse that is Grade II listed, where no two rooms are alike.

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Each unique space features details such as stained glass windows, stone walls, archways, tapestries, trunks, wood-burning stoves and cauldrons.

In the suites, the mysteriousness and gothic decor is added to with four-poster beds hung with velvet curtains.

However, it’s not just the dreamy sleep that awaits, but other Harry Potter-themed experiences too.

The hotel hosts a wizarding afternoon tea, held in a ‘Wizard Chamber’, through a portrait-lined and candlelit passageway on the lower ground floor.

You will enjoy a ‘spellbindingly delicious’ three courses of sweet and savoury delights, secret desserts and some ‘fantastical’ treats to take with you.

Accompanying the ‘bewitching’ experience is a ‘wizard potion’ – or a colour-changing gin – for the ultimate ‘feast’.

They hotel also provides a separate ‘potion-making adventure’ in which you can mix and match to create your very own cocktails.

They recommend between 20 to 30 minutes for the experience – so you can be well on your way to enjoy the many other Harry Potter sites to see in the capital.

Wine: The Vineyard, Newbury

If you know your Sauvignon Blanc from your Pinot Grigio, then The Vineyard in Newbury, Berkshire is the place for you.

The five-star hotel and spa is an incredible wine destination, that will allow you to sip on some of the best bottles in fitting surroundings.

Around an hour from London, it is a stunning rural retreat to escape to.

The 2,000-bottle wine cellar is called upon to complement the world-class cuisine served at the on-site restaurant.

Staff are trained to know the perfect pairings to accompany the locally sourced and seasonal dishes.

If you’re feeling like treating yourself, then there’s a £115 tasting menu with an £85 wine pairing of varieties to go with each of the seven courses.

However, it’s not all about the wine – there’s an impressive spa in which to unwind too.

Rejuvenating treatments on the menu include the ‘Sicilian Scrub’ and ‘Muscle Melt Back Treatment’.

After all that drinking and relaxing, you can be certain that you’ll be able to rest up well at night too.

Many of the bedrooms feature stunning views and comfy furnishings that will allow you to truly soak up the atmosphere.

Music: Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton

For the ultimate romantic gift for the music-lover in your life, take them on an immersive getaway to the southcoast.

The Hotel Pelirocco in Brighton welcomes you in with bright pink hallways featuring Britpop album covers.

However the USP is the 19 individually themed rock n’ roll bedrooms to choose from.

They are spread out across two historic Regency townhouses that are situated on the city’s seafront.

The ‘Soul Supreme’ room is Motown inspired, with old vinyl and a record deck.

There’s also the ‘Pressure Sounds’ room – a dub and reggae-themed enclave with Lee “Scratch” Perry wallpaper and Caribbean accents.

In the room ‘Rebel Rebel’, the hotel pays homage to David Bowie with a double spa bath and dressing up rail.

Since opening its doors in 2000, the hotel has played host to a range of events.

As well as a romantic getaway – maybe for an anniversary or birthday – you can also book in for hen parties and wedding receptions.

While you could spend all your stay enjoying the decor, the hotel is minutes from both the i360 observation tower and the Lanes shopping area.

Films: Arthouse Hotel, Liverpool

Check into Liverpool‘s city centre for a stay that will quite literally make you feel like you’re in a movie.

The Arthouse Hotel features clever designs across its 29 individually themed rooms that are intended for groups and sleep four or six people each.

However, forget modern movies, these are inspired by the best Hollywood classics.

They include the Stage Fright room, based off the Hitchcock Film, that comes with a plush double bed and whirlpool bath.

There’s also the My Fair Lady room with elegant decor that reflects the film starring Audrey Hepburn.

Additionally, the Sound Of Music room, inspired by the musical starring Julie Andrews, comes with a large screen TV and a kitchenette.

Given the potential for groups to stay together in one suite, the hotel is the perfect base for a fun getaway.

It helps that it is located a short walk to many of the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Albert Docks, Liver Building and the Tate Liverpool.

Additionally, the bars and clubs are also very close by, so you can make the most of the vibrant nightlife.

The adventure can even continue for film fans – with Harry Potter’s Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, The Batman and Captain America using the local striking architecture to shoot.

Chocolate: The Chocolate Box Hotel, Bournemouth

You’re in for a sweet time at this chocolate-obsessed hotel on the southcoast.

The Chocolate Box Hotel, that’s a five minute-walk to both Bournemouth‘s city centre and beach, has taken an authentic approach.

Indeed, the bedrooms have been decorated using hues that are reminiscent of a box of chocolates – including browns and purples.

If it’s a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary, then there are several delicious in-room packages to choose from.

These include the ‘Romantic Night In Package’, featuring a bottle of cava and six chocolate-covered strawberries for £39 each.

Then there’s ‘The Box Romantic Package’, offering a bottle of cava, a bunch of flowers, petals on the bed and a chocolate fountain for £110 each.

However, while the focus may be on chocolate, the hotel ensures it doesn’t scrimp in other areas.

This includes flat screen TVs and all the other tech to be expected in a boutique B&B.

Where possible, king and super king-sized beds have been installed with memory foam toppers.

The location also makes it an excellent base for visiting the best of Dorset, including the coastline and seafood restaurants.

Spooky: The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh

Keen for an overnight stay that may or may not leave you haunted? This hotel in the centre of the Scottish capital is the real deal.

The Witchery by the Castle is housed in a collection of historic buildings dating back to 1595, at the gates of Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile.

Its name comes from the hundreds of women and men burned at the stake as ‘witches’ on adjacent Castlehill during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

It is thought that more witches were put to death at this location during the reign of King James VI than anywhere else in Scotland.

The hotel itself opened its doors five decades ago, and its decor will transport you back to a bygone era.

Despite its spooky credentials, the nine unique bedroom suites are focused on romance – with four-poster beds and roll-top baths intended for two.

Bedrooms come with suitably mysterious names, including The Vestry and The Library.

In the atmospheric dining rooms, an a la carte restaurant menu is served all day.

You can enjoy Glenfeshie Estate red deer or even some haggis, for an authentic taste of Scotland.

Keen to stretch your legs? You’re also close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse which has also seen its fair share of grisly history.

Trains: The Old Railway Station, Petworth

For those with a passion for trains, this hotel in the South Downs area of natural beauty couldn’t be more perfect.

The Old Railway Station hotel is located in the former Petworth Railway Station, built in 1892.

Guests can stay in the lovingly converted Pullman railway carriages or in the main Station House itself. 

They have just ten rooms in total – eight in the former and two in the latter.

All rooms are en-suite, with TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, and come with breakfast. 

You can also dine on delicious food in the 1906 Pullman Carriage called Princess Ena.

They serve legendary afternoon tea in The Waiting Room, where you can tuck into unlimited tea and coffee along with a selection of sandwiches, savouries, scones and cakes.

Periodically, the West Sussex hotel holds special events – including a Murder Mystery Dinner.

While the decor is so comfy that you won’t want to leave, it is well-situated for other points of interest too.

This includes Goodwood for racing, Midhurst for polo at Cowdray Park and the numerous antique shops of Petworth. 

Sherlock: Holmes Hotel, London

Since being created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes has built quite the fanbase.

The Holmes Hotel is housed in restored Georgian buildings dating back to the 1790s.

Located in quaint Marylebone, it is inspired by Baker Street’s most famous fictional local.

Through the decor – including in the 118 guest rooms and luxurious loft suites – the detective’s personality can be spied.

There’s also a cosy lounge and calm library, as well as ten meeting spaces and a gym.

At the hotel, fittingly, it’s all in the detail – with a mix of antiques, curiosities and artefacts on display.

Bedrooms are also stocked with products from the prestigious brands Gilchrist & Soames and Molton Brown.

Just as Sherlock would, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore in this corner of London.

The nearby streets are filled with high-end fashion boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

There is also Selfridges, Regent’s Park and The Wallace Collection within an easy stroll.

Pirate: Legoland Windsor Resort, Berkshire

Have pirate-obsessed little ones to treat? the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel is the ultimate family sleepover destination.

It is located at the heart of LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, in Berkshire, which is one of the UK’s much-loved theme parks.

The fun begins at the dragon-guarded entrance, and there are interactive LEGO features throughout the hotel.

This includes fully-themed bedrooms – including the Premium Pirate Room and Premium Adventure Room.

Your kids can enjoy an in-room treasure hunt, where they can try to find clues for the combination to the safe.

The rooms also have a bucket of LEGO bricks in the room so they can build their own creations.

Additionally, there is a brightly coloured pirate-themed indoor swimming pool.

All stays include a free hot breakfast at the on-site Bricks Family Restaurant so you can all power up for the day ahead.

The best bit? Guests staying on an official LEGOLAND ‘short break’ get their theme park tickets included.

Additionally, you can get access to exclusive early ride times in the theme park from 9.30am.

WITH its vast skies, golden sand and rippling dunes, the Lincolnshire coastline is brimming with brilliant beaches.

Of course, you’ve got traditional seaside towns with piers, promenades and bucket-and-spade fun, such as Skegness, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes.

These are also often the best-rated options thanks to their family-friendly touches and scenic beauty – but there’s plenty more to explore. 

If you’re looking to escape the crowds, do some birdwatching or walk your dog, there’s a beach with your name on it.

You’ll also find beachside pubs, nature reserves and quirky art installations along Lincolnshire’s more than 50-mile stretch of coast.

So the hardest question on your next £9.50 Holiday will be: which beach should you visit first? 

We’ve spoken to local experts and Sun readers who have already enjoyed a £9.50 Holiday near the Lincolnshire coastline to get their recommendations for the best beaches to visit.

We’ve also selected some of the county’s top-rated options and suggested our own pick of where not to miss.

So grab your buckets and spades, binoculars or swimsuit and head to one of these… 

Best for families

With its traditional English seaside feel, Mablethorpe Beach is a beautiful, Blue Flag award-winning beach.

Its soft golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see, offering endless sandcastle-building potential.

You’ve also got donkey rides on the sand, plus a fairground nearby and beachfront cafes like the highly-rated Snack Shack selling everything from fish and chips to ice cream.

There’s even a little land train that takes you up and down the coast for £2.

Sun reader Linda McDonnell, 71, from Lincoln, says Mablethorpe is an “unbelievable” beach, especially on a sunny day, adding that it is “nice and safe” for families.

She also says not to miss the Time and Tide Bell – a sculpture on the sand with bells that are rung by the waves at high tide. “It’s great if you’re into quirky things,” she added.

Best for wave watching – or wave riding 

Alex Trembath, creator of the Lincoln and Beyond blog, says: “The Lincolnshire coastline is one of the UK’s most underrated beach destinations.

“Skegness used to have a reputation for being a tacky resort town, but these days it has clean, Blue Flag beaches and you can always find a quieter spot if you want.

“My personal favourite beach is Huttoft (south of Mablethorpe). It’s quieter than Skegness and Mablethorpe and is great for surfing and swimming.

“It also has a large car terrace for wave watching whatever the weather.”

There have been an increasing number of wave riders in Lincolnshire since the seventies, with Sutton on Sea, Sandilands and Huttoft, being popular surf spots, especially in winter. 

Best hidden beaches

Daniel Start is the author of Hidden Beaches Britain by Wild Things Publishing (£16.99), which features over 500 hidden coastal locations.

He recommends Anderby Creek, around ten miles north of Skegness, describing it as “a perfect hidden beach with endless golden sands backed with dunes and with very few people.”

While there, you can even check out Britain’s first official cloud-spotting station, complete with parabolic mirrors, roof-top loungers and a “cloud bar” menu. 

Best for nature lovers

Nature lovers can take their pick of beaches packed with wildlife and natural attractions in Lincolnshire.

A few miles south of Skegness, Gibraltar Point is a nature reserve right on the seafront – with more wildlife than human visitors.

Daniel Start says: “There are dunes and wildflower meadows galore at the exotically-named Gibraltar Point.

“Flocks of migrating birds also gather here – up to 10,000 dunlins at a time may break from their migration, descending from the clouds.

“The sea here is shallow but when you run out through the breakers – the huge expanse of the Wash to the south, dunes and meadows behind – you’re reminded of the immensity of nature and the vast tracts of open space still left in Britain.”

Travel north for around 40 minutes up the coast, and you’ll enter the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, a five-mile stretch of coastline from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards.

Sandilands is a good place to start, with coastal birds to spot, weekly walks to join and a National Trust cafe to refuel in. 

Best beach with a pub

You can’t get much closer to the beach than the Admiral Benbow, which is a quirky pub right on the sand at Chapel St Leonards.

Named after the inn in the book Treasure Island, it has a fun, nautical pirate theme that extends to the outdoor seating area – located inside a wooden boat on the beach.

Sun reader John Ellis, 72, from Sheffield, has visited, and said: “It has a fun atmosphere”.

Meanwhile, head north up the coast to Sutton on Sea, where the highly-rated Beach Bar has great sea views and serves good value food, like seafood and beef wellington. 

Best for dogs

Sarah Al-Aidi, General Manager at Southview Holiday Park, said: “There’s a dog-friendly stretch of beach with free council parking that not many people know about.

“It’s at the end of Skegness – about a good five-mile stretch all the way past Ingoldmells and up to Chapel St Leonards, which is all dog-friendly all year long.

“The rest of the beaches are all restricted for dogs in the summer.”

Joanne Green, General Manager at Sunnydale Holiday Park also has a lesser-known dog-walking route to suggest.

She said: “As you come out of our park, turn left and you’re on the salt marshes, which are brilliant for walking dogs.

“People don’t tend to go there because they get to the top of the ramp and they see just salt marshes.

“But if they walk for ten minutes towards the water, there’s a stunning beach with white sand called Saltfleet.

“There are usually not many people there and you can walk all the way to Mablethorpe along the beach from here if you want.”

IF you’re off on a £9.50 Holiday with the family to Sussex, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s plenty to keep your whole crew entertained.

Of course, you can easily spend your time on the beaches, which don’t cost a penny to visit.

West Wittering, Brighton Beach and Camber Sands are among the top-rated beaches for families.

But if the weather doesn’t play ball, or if you’ve already had your fill of sandcastle building, then there’s a whole raft of family-friendly activities near your holiday park by the coast.

Maybe the arcades and fun fair rides of Brighton Palace Pier are calling you, or perhaps it’s the animals and all-ages play areas at the top-rated Drusillas Park. 

We’ve chatted to local experts and Sun readers who have already enjoyed a £9.50 Holiday in Sussex to get their top tips on the family attractions that are worth visiting. 

From thrilling water parks to pirate festivals, here’s what they recommend… 

Make a splash

If you have older kids in tow, why not let them burn off steam with something that will really get their adrenaline pumping?

Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park recommends Rye Water Sports.

She said: “It’s an action water park that’s really close to us. They have a variety of water sports, like sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.”

The location will also put parents’ minds at ease – lessons take place on a safe inland lake between Rye and Camber Sands.

The centre runs everything from board hire (from £20) to holiday clubs for children aged eight to 15 (one day from £85 including sailing, windsurfing and paddle boarding).

Meanwhile, in West Sussex, Chichester Watersports has an aqua park, complete with inflatable slides and jumps in the water. Suitable from age seven, a 50-minute session costs £20. 

Get on your bike

For something that will burn energy without burning a hole in your pocket, head to one of the brilliant cycle paths in Sussex.

If you have your own bike, they are also completely free to explore, and the traffic-free terrain also works well for families with prams.

The South Coast East route takes you along the seafront – you could start at Worthing and extend it to Shoreham, Lancing or Brighton depending on how far you want to go.

Alternatively, start at Shoreham-by-Sea and head inland past woods, streams and rivers on the Downs Link.

For a quick trip, you can hire a Donkey Bike via the app (from £1.80 for 30 minutes), or try Riverside South Downs who rent bikes from £20 for two hours.

Meet pirates in Hastings 

Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, from Hounslow, recommends visiting Hastings during the annual Pirate Festival.

She said: “Hastings is brilliant for live music, with lots of events on the seafront like the pirate festival.

“It’s very popular, and you can pop into one of the nice pubs along the front – the best are located in the Old Town like The Crown and Ye Old Pumphouse.

“Some of the pirate events happen in these pubs like live music and themed roast dinners.”

Hastings Pirate Weekend is packed with family-friendly activities, like a treasure hunt, free kids’ tattoos and craft workshops.

To learn more about pirates, head to The Shipwreck Museum. It’s free to enter and kids will love touching artefacts from many ships wrecked in the English Channel.

Spark their curiosity

Museums don’t have to be boring – especially if they have children’s activities on tap. Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham recommends The Novium Museum for families.

Built on top of the remains of a Roman bathhouse in Chichester, it’s free to enter (though donations are welcome) and has oodles to make learning fun, such as hands-on workshops about everything from the Stone Ages to the Saxons.

Kids can try on costumes, handle real artefacts and even join in organised sleepovers at the museums, complete with torchlit treasure hunts and bedtime stories.

Sue said: “There are also brilliant children’s activities at the Aldingbourne Country Centre and Pallant House Gallery.”

Ride the railways

There’s nothing like a train ride to keep the kids entertained.

And there’s a whole host of options near your £9.50 Holiday in Sussex.

Sue Mercer recommends taking the kids to Hotham Park in Bognor Regis, which has a miniature railway, plus a boating lake, crazy golf and Alice in Wonderland wooden sculptures.

Meanwhile, in East Sussex, take the family for a ride on a railway that’s been in use for over 100 years, the Kent and East Sussex Railway (£53 for a family of four).

Motorcyclists wearing pirate costumes rode through Caracas in a protest against US President Donald Trump, after Washington ordered the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers under a blockade targeting vessels linked to sanctions.