Pubs

IF YOU told me there was a place that had the streets of Paris but in England, I wouldn’t believe you.

But there is, and after years of living in London, New York and Los Angeles, I decided to move back to the storied cosmopolis that is Canterbury.

Canterbury has just been named the best small city in the UK by The Telegraph, and it isn’t hard to see why.

With a wealth of glorious green spaces, museums, ‘traditional meets trendy’ pubs, inviting restaurants and unique shops, the UNESCO World Heritage Site city in The Garden of England leaves me with a grateful heart.

I first fell in love with its cobbled, meandering streets and willowy riverbank walks as a student at the university here in the 1990s, where I met my husband.

When we finally decided it was time to bring our family home to the UK after two decades living in the US, there was only one place on our list.

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And three years after our return, I still get a buzz walking past the hodgepodge of medieval taverns and churches immortalised in the novels of one of the city’s biggest fans, Charles Dickens.

Here’s my insider guide to get the best out of this glorious city, whether you’re coming for the day or a week.

Canterbury technically invented tourism when it started making the most of the martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, who was murdered in the cathedral in 1170, encouraging people to travel to the site for miracles and blessings, and stay for the fine ale and feasts.

Today, the UK’s oldest cathedral and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican community, is still a beautiful place to spend a peaceful few hours.

You can admire the breathtaking stained-glass windows, gawp at the tombs of The Black Prince and Henry IV, or explore the wildflower gardens that surround the Gothic cloisters.

And with the first female archbishop in the cathedral’s 1400-year history being enthroned this month, there’s never been a more meaningful time to visit.

Tickets start from £18 per person and include exhibitions, mini talks and activity trails.

Under 18s can go free when accompanied by one paying adult (max two children per adult).

Social media had recently been alive with comparisons between Canterbury and Paris, thanks to both cities’ abundance of pavement cafes and tree-lined streets.

The cities are only being 177 miles apart and my car even picks up French radio stations.

“For me, Canterbury feels like a tiny English version of a Paris arrondissement… a storybook full of historic wonders,” agreed my friend Marie, a Parisian who has called Canterbury home for the last five years.

“I fell in love with its quirky tea rooms, independent boutiques, traditional
pubs and cathedral bells.

“Plus, this place has really friendly locals, who are way more welcoming and laid-back than the people you will find in most French cities!”

For the best of France right here in England, wander The King’s Mile and pop to local gourmands for sweet treats, including Madame Oiseau Chocolatiers for handmade truffles.

Or head into Café Turquoise for delicately fragrant macaroons, and there’s A. T. Patisserie as well, which has inventive eclairs that make your mouth scream hallelujah.

Our shopping definitely compares in originality to the greatest global metropolises.

From the rare gems waiting to be discovered in the infamously wonky and haunted Crooked House Bookshop (where every penny made goes to support a local charity, Catching Lives), to the made-and-glazed-onsite teapots designed by a husband-and-wife team in Canterbury Pottery.

Another spot worth exploring is The Goods Shed – an indoor farmer’s market which boasts farm-fresh soups and stews.

Thanks to Canterbury having the UK’s biggest student-to-resident ratio, the vintage shops are abundant and full of quirky finds.

Check out the Cathedral Quarter’s Superstore, Retro Remix and Karma too.

You’ll leave with a head full of history and a bag full of pre-loved treasures for much less than you’d pay in a bigger city.

Spring is the perfect time to visit, thanks to its plethora of free parks and gardens.

Toddler’s Cove is an action-packed mecca for the under-eight-year-olds, which is just along from Westgate Gardens, with its award-winning flower displays and views of 12th-century towers – the oldest surviving gateway in the country.

Inside the towers is now a museum, escape room and a kid-friendly restaurant called The Pound (don’t miss the spicy chicken
sandwich).

Entrance to the old gaol (jail) museum is free with every meal.

After people-watching on the patio, walk past the controversial new statue of a drowning Ophelia (Shakespeare was inspired to write her character after being transfixed with a similar local scandal).

It is next to The Guildhall – where a young Mozart performed – which houses a great coffee shop.

You can also jump onboard a chauffeured punt for a dreamy historic tour
along the River Stour.

Back on dry land, head to local boy Orlando Bloom’s favourite restaurant, Café des Amies, which serves the best Tex-Mex I’ve ever tasted (and I lived in Austin for seven years).

If you’re up for more action, rent your own paddleboard or kayak from Canoe Wild for a sunset paddle along the river to gaze upon the resident beavers (from £40 per person).

The brand-new Canterbury Tales Experience is a state-of-the-art interactive, immersive journey through the stories of Geoffrey Chaucer – with holograms and actors, sounds and smells of the 13th century.

The experience ends up in a pub too, where you can meet the Father of English Literature himself.

A family ticket for two adults, three kids costs £60.

Other cultural must-dos include the Roman Museum, which gives a family
friendly insight into life in Roman Britain, built around the remains of an original Roman

Another option is Town House, which is complete with stunning mosaics (Adults, £11; children £5.50) and the free Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, which hosts workshops, art shows and exhibitions for all ages throughout the year.

It is also the home of a few of Canterbury’s most beloved fictional characters, including Rupert the Bear and Bagpuss.

For more cities to explore in the UK, here’s the UK’s smallest city with a pretty high street and 26 nearby beaches.

Plus, our expert picks for UK staycation trips to banish post-summer blues – including free hidden gems for kids & £1.50 meals.

YouTuber Danny from the Honest Places channel visited different boozers in Rhyl in North Wales — a former tourist hotspot now dubbed one of Britain’s worst seaside resorts

A YouTuber who travelled to one of the so-called worst seaside resorts in Britain claimed he felt completely at ease there, where traditional boozers brimming with character were packed with locals enjoying affordable pints.

Danny, who operates the Honest Places channel, was visiting Llandudno and Rhyl in North Wales, with the latter having earned the nickname “Costa Del Dole”.

The resort is littered with abandoned buildings and establishments which have closed down permanently. Despite once being a magnet for holidaymakers, the pier, funfair and shopping centre have long since faded into memory.

The Telegraph listed it amongst the worst seaside resorts in Britain three years ago and described it as “Blackpool after a neutron bomb”. Danny, however, labelled it “Britain’s saddest seaside town” in his YouTube headline before speaking about it affectionately upon arrival.

He commented: “We have come to Rhyl because I felt a bit too out of place (in Llandudno). I feel actually at home in Rhyl.

“This is the front — it is such a contrast to Llandudno. I know people say British seaside towns have gone to s***. But they have been s*** for ages. This is a real British seaside town. Most of them are s*** and that is a real seaside town.

“So Whitby is a seaside town but it’s not a real British seaside town because the real ones are the ones that are like this, like Blackpool.

“But the main reason I came here, I didn’t want to go to another pub in Llandudno because it is just a bit tepid really.”

He continued: “There are some proper tasty pubs I went into last time where the barman and bar staff were just shouting at the customers and stuff like that.”

The first establishment he and a friend visited was Victory Club on Queen Street which has been welcoming drinkers for more than 70 years.

He wasn’t particularly taken with his pint of Caffrey’s Stout but remarked: “The gaff is alright though isn’t it?” His companion responded: “Yeah, tidy and reasonably cheap.”

Yet, if they considered paying £4 a pint reasonable value, they were in for a pleasant shock at their next destination.

They were drawn to The Bodfor and after hearing the booming music from within, Danny chuckled: “It does look good in there, doesn’t it? It reminds me a bit like Benidorm!”

He continued: “People will watch this back and say you should have went in but I’ve got a better boozer for you.”

Danny then headed towards the Imperial Hotel pub and described it as being like stepping into somebody’s front room.

Whilst at the bar, he announced that he had never sampled a pint of Fosters in his life, before deciding to try one.

And staring at his drink, he commented: “That head is beautiful! I don’t think I’ve had better head.”

After taking a gulp, he then remarked it was “fitting” to have a Fosters in Rhyl, before his friend responded: “Absolutely, for what it is, it’s a good pint. You want a fizzy, cold, tasteless pint. That’s what you get.”

Danny then admitted he was enjoying it more than anticipated before he enquired how cheap it was. After discovering the pint was just £2.70, he enthused: “Granted, it’s Fosters. But at that price, you can’t kick off. That’s got to be a 10/10.”

His friend then suggested that one could have a smashing night out in Rhyl with just a tenner and some loose change.

Stepping outside post-pints, Danny remarked: “We got some nice little tasty pubs, we saw Rhyl, it hasn’t changed. I don’t think it will change.”

Last year, reports suggested that Rhyl, which boasts four beaches, would undergo transformation thanks to £200million invested over the past decade, as per Denbighshire County Council.

The town also benefited from a £20million injection from the government’s Levelling Up fund three years ago.

OUR Spotlight On column takes an in-depth look at the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, as well as some lesser known spots.

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Boscastle, a small village buried deep in a valley on the north coast of Cornwall.

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor, recently visited and said: “This charming village was labelled the UKs version of Salem, Massachusetts, by an American travel guide.

“And it’s not just the eerily moody scenery where raucous waves collide with the cliffside that makes this place so spooky.

“Boscastle has strong historical links to the art of witchcraft with witches supposedly selling the wind to sailors by tying knots in ropes – you can learn all about that at the Witchcraft Museum (more on that below).

Here are some of the other top tips of things to do and where to stay.

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The area may seem pristine and peaceful today, but in 2024 severe flash flooding wreaked havoc on Boscastle, tearing through buildings and causing an estimated £50million worth of damage.

It’s not hard to see how the devastation was caused when you take a short stroll to the harbour wall blowhole, otherwise known as The Devil’s Bellows.

The natural phenomenon is best observed an hour either side of low tide from a walking path along the coast, near Penally Point.

The blowhole effect is created when crashing water from a ferocious sea is forced through a small cavernous tunnel, before being spurted out the other end.

BEST VIEW

Walks are plentiful in this part of the world, with many coastal routes passing straight through Boscastle.

Less than a 30-minute stroll from the village centre, you’ll find Pentargon Waterfall.

Not only is the view of the waterfall impressive on its own, the surrounding fields are spectacular too. The high position gives you a great vantage point.

HIDDEN GEM

Tucked behind the National Trust Cafe sits a diddy museum entirely dedicated to witchcraft – and although its position in the village is hidden, its story is well known across Cornwall.

Crammed full of bizarre artefacts from jarred pigs heads to voodoo dolls of infamous dictators, the attraction is both extremely bizarre and wildly fascinating,

The museum was first opened in 1960, but has dramatically expanded its collection since then. You’ll retrace the tales of olden day witches and their links to tarot, and unearth spells and potions including charms to make a person more fertile.

RATED RESTAURANT

The Rocket Store is reason enough to visit Boscastle on any Cornwall holiday.

Overlooking the flowing River Valency, it stars in the Michelin Guide – although some are hoping it may earn its first Michelin star soon, so you best get down there before it fills out.

The restaurant is tiny and the menu changes every day according to what seafood has been caught that morning.

Oysters feature regularly, dressed in citrus-y sauces (these cost three for £10 last year). Smaller plates and veggies normally cost £15 and under while larger meatier plates of hake or lamb can cost between £25 to £30.

Think local produce served in an unfussy setting.

BEST BAR

On a sunny day, few spots are better for an ice-cold pint than The Wellington, whose raised outdoor decking area is set just back from the river.

If you’re not much of a booze drinker, head to Boscastle farm shop, instead, which does a cracking cuppa, served alongside glorious views.

HOTEL PICK

The Wellington pub has a small number of boutique and handsomely decorated bedrooms which were renovated only last year.

The place has a cosy, rural atmosphere, thanks to large padded armchairs and tartan bedding with plump cushions scattered about the place.

Possibly the best thing about it is knowing that bed lies only a few paces from the bar.

Rooms cost from £145 per night on a B&B basis. See wellingtonhotelboscastle.com.

A NEW 1,000-plus capacity rooftop destination will open in London this year.

Freight Brixton in South London will open on May 7 as an open-air food, drink and music venue.

And it is set to become the capital’s largest rooftop venue.

There will be chef residencies, cocktail bars, live music, DJ sets, food festivals and major sports screenings, amongst other events.

With the upcoming World Cup, the rooftop will boast a dedicated World Cup Fanzone with screenings of the matches.

Food festivals include Taco Fest and Bite Twice presents Dine Hard.

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And brunch lovers won’t miss out either as there will be Reggae Brunch and Maggi Brunch.

There will be family-friendly daytime sessions in the summer too.

When it comes to grabbing a tipple at the venue, guests will be able to choose from a number of speciality bars.

One bar will be the Casamigos ‘House of Friends’ and another will be Hotel Milano, centred on the much-loved Italian aperitivo concept.

Hotel Milano will also form part of the new Brixton Cocktail Club.

Each Thursday, the venue will host South of the South as well, which is a collaboration with Cross The Tracks Festival and includes jazz, funk and soul music.

The line-up for the opening of the venue will include reggae musician Davis Rodigan on May 9.

Laurence Guy will then perform house music on May 16 and on May 30, Ghosts of Garage will take over the rooftop.

In total, 50 jobs will be created as well and the venue aims to also host grassroots events, youth programmes and charity fundraisers.

Dan Morris, Managing Director of Freight Island, said: “Freight Brixton is an incredible rooftop in the heart of South London and will be a place for locals and the city beyond to come together and enjoy themselves with the best food, drink and music.

“I cannot wait for us to get this open – we have seen what creating these kinds of spaces can do for a community in Manchester, and we are all very excited to build something just as special in Brixton.”

Freight Island already has a destination in Manchester, located near Piccadilly Station.

And another new destination was recently announced for Leeds, inside the Trinity Leeds shopping centre.

In addition to street-style food stalls and independent bars, there will also be an outdoor terrace which will look over City Square.

If you are looking for more rooftop venues to explore in the capital, here’s London’s best rooftop bars including one that feels more like Mykonos.

Plus, Europe’s highest rooftop bar is in the UK and it is like ‘stepping into another world’.

WE’VE officially entered the first month of spring after what feels like a long, cold and wet winter.

And now the sun is starting to come out again and the days stretch longer, you are probably willing to leave the house a little more often.

Well, luckily for those venturing outside, the beginning of spring also brings a lot of new free events across the UK.

This month there are some big dates in the calendar, including St Patrick’s Day, to look out for.

So without further ado, here are some of the top events you can head to this month without spending a penny.

World Book Day, various

World Book Day officially takes place on March 5, but up and down the country destinations are running events over the coming week.

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For example, in London, children aged between two and 15 that are dressed as a book character get a free 30-minute ride on the London Eye, from March 7 to 10.

And over at Battersea Power Station, there is A Station of Stories festival, which will be a year-long celebration.

As part of the event, this World Book Day weekend there will be a number of events.

Visitors can step into the world of Mr Men Little Miss through interactive activities including a treasure hunt, for example.

There will also be other free creative workshops across the weekend and the chance for kids to meet their favourite book characters.

If you are based in or near Manchester, then you can head off on the Manchester Literature Trail which explores multiple venues across the city and informs participants of Manchester’s literary history.

A map for the trail can be downloaded online.

St. Patrick’s Day, various

St Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 this year and across the week there will be events all over the country.

For example, you could head to the parade in Digbeth, where there will be floats, marching bands and of course, a lot of green.

The parade is taking place on March 15 on Digbeth High Street.

One of the world’s largest celebrations outside of Ireland will take place in London with a parade starting from Hyde Park Corner at 12pm on March 15.

There will be a free event at Trafalgar Square too, with live Irish music, dancing and food stalls.

In Manchester Irish Festival Parade, which is the biggest outside of London, there will be 30 floats and marching bands, and it will take place on March 15.

Earth Hour, London

For something a little different, head into central London on March 28.

For one hour, in the evening, London will switch off its lights for the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour to raise awareness about the impacts of global warming.

Households can take part too, but it might be your only chance for a year to see the famous sights of London go dark.

Southend City Day

Southend City Day takes place on March 7 and celebrates Southend getting city status in 2022.

The event will involve a number of performances, workshops and family-friendly activities such as face painting and pig races…

For example, there will be a stage at the top of the high street which will host performances by local dancers and youth music groups.

Fancy seeing something sparkle? In the evening make sure to catch Disco City’s light installations that will stretch across Royal Square and Pier Piazza.

For classic car fans, make your way to City Beach where there will be a lineup of parked classic cars over 25 years old between 11am and 4:30pm.

River Race, London

On March 28, you can head down to the Thames to watch the River Race.

Now this isn’t the Oxford versus Cambridge race (that happens in April), but during this River Race you will see up to 400 teams of eight racing down the river.

Six Nations, various

The rugby isn’t quite over yet which means you still have time to catch a game with your friends.

Lots of pubs up and down the country show the matches on their TVs, or you could head somewhere like The Old Crown in Digbeth, which has large outdoor screens, a heated garden and live DJs.

If you are in the capital, make your way to Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social – which is supposedly the biggest beer hall in the UK spanning across 2,415sqm.

Entry is free, though you will need to pay for a tipple if you want one from one of the 20 taps of beer on offer…

For something a little more unusual, head to Battersea Barge, where each match is being shown on the lower deck via a large projector.

It is free to attend, though if you do pre-purchase a £1 ticket you can grab a free pint of Camden Hells on arrival.

National Lottery Open Week, various

Between March 7 and 15 – so spanning both this weekend and next – hundreds of attractions that you usually have to pay entrance to across the UK, are opening for free or less than the usual admission fee.

If you are based down in Cornwall, or perhaps visiting for Mother’s Day weekend, then head to the Eden Project which is slashing its entrance fee.

For free, you can explore the largest indoor rainforest in the world, measuring 3.9acres.

Or perhaps you’re a history fan? Well, then venture to one of the many English Heritage properties across the UK scrapping entrance fees for the week.

Examples of properties include Audley End House and Gardens and Eltham Palace.

Head to the National Lottery Open Week’s website and enter your postcode to see attractions and destinations near you.

St Piran’s Day Lantern Parade, Cornwall

Have you ever wanted to experience a moment like that scene in Tangled where they are on the lake watching hundreds of lanterns venture into the sky?

Then get down to Helston’s St Piran’s Day Lantern Parade on March 7.

The event begins at 5:30pm with live music at Helston Boating Lake and Coronation Park and then the lantern parade will begin at 6:30pm.

Members of the public including school groups show off their handcrafted lanterns, alongside installations by City of Lights.

On The Line: 100 Years of Solidarity and Strikes, Manchester

Launching this month at the People’s History Museum in Manchester is a new exhibition which takes visitors on a journey through a century of industrial relations.

The exhibition begins with the 1926 General Strike and then addresses key moments throughout the past century of communities facing poor working conditions.

It also delves into the impact strike action has on society and will start on March 21.

For more things to do this spring, here’s a huge list of 100 free family days out in the UK – from concerts to kids festivals.

Plus, the UK tech-free attractions that my kids prefer to theme parks – and spring is the best time to visit.

This hidden gem off the Cumbrian coast boasts a medieval castle, The Ship Inn pub, and a landlord crowned in a centuries-old tradition

Charming and eccentric, this tiny island off the Cumbrian coastline attracts visitors eager to experience its remarkable setting and rich historical heritage.

Resembling something from a storybook, Piel Island boasts a crumbling castle and its own monarch – though not in the traditional sense.

As far as hidden treasures go, this destination epitomises the term, nestled discreetly beyond Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria and accessible only by boat or guided crossing when tidal conditions permit.

Yet the panoramas upon arrival are spectacular, offering vistas across Yorkshire, the Lake District and even as far as Blackpool. It’s possible to spot Blackpool Tower emerging through the waves and, notably, ‘The Big One’ rollercoaster at Pleasure Beach.

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One visitor described it as a secret “paradise”, saying on TripAdvisor : “We love everything about Piel, from the walk over the sands to the warm welcome at the pub and the always exciting exploration of the castle: we’ve seen it many times – always find something new!”

Historical background

Dominating the landscape stands a 14th-century fortification, referred to by some as Fouldry Castle, constructed by the Abbot of Furness with the purpose of protecting Barrow-in-Furness.

The structure served to defend against marauding pirates or Scottish invaders on the surrounding waters. Notably, it sheltered Lambert Simnel, a challenger to Henry VII’s crown, who arrived on the island in 1487.

Whilst naturally the castle in its complete form couldn’t survive such an extended period, its remains stay remarkably preserved, revealing the principal structure that once stood there.

Guests can observe the keep, both the inner and outer baileys and the towered curtain walls, which possess an unsettling atmosphere.

The Ship Inn

The origins of The Ship Inn are somewhat unclear, though it’s thought to date back more than 300 years. Whilst there is minimal evidence, accounts indicate the location was converted from a former ship chandlery at some point during the 17th century.

Over the years, numerous travellers started using the pub as a boozy refuge, which led to several issues out at sea. Indeed, following a series of boating incidents and suspected fatalities in the 19th century, a coroner is believed to have issued a statement to the pub’s landlord.

The Ship Inn’s website states that it read: “The landlord of the Ship Inn should not supply drink so as to make incapable men who may have to take charge of a boat.”

Today, the pub continues to operate as a traditional community hub from March to September, offering an extensive selection of beers from local breweries, alongside wines, spirits and even better – food. The menu features beloved pub grub favourites including pies, wraps and jacket potatoes.

One Google review states: “Absolute gem of a place. We spent a half day on the island – took the ferry across (seven quid return for adults), had delicious burger and chips from the BARBECUE at the pub before a walk round the entire island, a wander round the castle ruins and time on the beach. Everyone was super friendly. We’d definitely consider going back to camp.”

Further cementing its unique charm, the pub’s landlord, Aaron Sanderson, who has held the role since 2022, was officially – or unofficially – crowned as the king of Piel in a traditional ceremony. This is a title bestowed upon every landlord of the pub, with the inaugural version of this ritual believed to have occurred in 1856.

In an interview with the BBC, Andersen said: “It’s definitely a unique role and difficult to do, but enjoyable at the same time. ” He also proudly declared that his pub boasts “probably one of the best beer gardens in the world.”

Getting there

Adding to the allure and mystery, the island is almost exclusively accessible via a single boat, which can only accommodate up to 12 passengers. The ferry departs from Roa Island in Barrow daily throughout the summer season, running from 11am right up until 4:30pm.

Reviews indicate that the journey costs around £7, and for those not quite ready to depart, camping is available from as little as £5. The cost is per tent and there’s no need for a pre-booking system; simply arrive and pitch up by the pub.

When the tide is low, there’s an opportunity to embark on a guided walk over to the island, but only when it’s safe to do so. As for driving, only three individuals have been granted permission to drive on the land, one of them being the king, naturally, and it’s no simple task.

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FANCY a pint? This new heritage pub is set to become a popular spot for a post or pre-train journey tipple.

The boozer has just opened as part of an enormous multi-million pound refurb at Carlisle Station.

Called The Scott & Brassey, the new pub officially opened on 25 February inside Carlisle Station at Platform 4.

It was formerly used as a First Class waiting room and at one stage even welcomed Queen Victoria.

The Grade-II listed space has been used as various different outlets over the years and was a cafe for decades – but has just opened as a pretty pub operated by Lancaster Brewery.

It has undergone a £400,000 renovation delivered by Network Rail, backed by Avanti West Coast and the Railway Heritage Trust.

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Its name ‘The Scott & Brassey’ comes from novelist Sir Walter Scott and Victorian railway pioneer Thomas Brassey.

Inside, the pub has period features like a large fireplace, and vaulted beam ceilings.

The walls are a mix of deep blue and bright yellow, in the corner are cosy booths with low lampshades.

Upstairs on the mezzanine level is additional seating at smaller tables.

The bar area is sleek and modern with a wooden top and dark grey tiled front along with lots of greenery on shelves and of course, drinks offerings.

It will have seven cask ales on hand pull, five from Lancaster Brewery and two from local cask brewers, and one cask cider – there will also be eight keg lines.

The pub said it aims to spotlight ‘regional and national producers with one of the largest selections in Cumbria‘.

On Facebook reviews, one visitor to the new pub wrote: “Had a great afternoon with my mum and sister today! lovely staff and a fabulous asset to Carlisle.”

Another said: “What a fab job you’ve done. Stunning renovation and fantastic atmosphere.”

The pub is open every day from 11am until 10pm Sunday-Thursday and 11pm Friday-Saturday.

It’s dog-friendly too.

The new pub is inside Carlisle Station which is around 179 years old, and is in the middle of a huge overhaul.

Carlisle Station cost just £53,000 to build at the time, which in today’s money is around £4.6million.

It now welcomes around two million passengers a year with trains to London and Manchester as well as Edinburgh, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Cumberland Council previously announced it would be spending £28million on redesigning Carlisle Station.

The new designs include the creation of a new forecourt entrance to the north of the station.

The north side will have improved links to the city centre, and parking outside the already standing Griffin pub.

It will also see a new piazza space, called George Square created to the south of the station.

This will mean improved access for passengers, and secure cycle parking, as well as plenty of green spaces.

The work is set to be fully complete in early 2027.

For more on train station’s, this is one of the UK’s busiest that’s set to undergo a huge transformation.

And the seven new train stations are coming to UK under £14billion plans.

EY up . . .  Heathcliff is not the only mysterious, brooding beast in Yorkshire.

The scenery provides just as much drama as the Wuthering Heights character.

With the recent film adaptation of Emily Bronte’s novel — starring ­Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi — the Yorkshire Dales is once again teeming with yearning Cathys and brooding young Heathcliffs.

And there I was too, like a budget Cathy, if she wore Gore-Tex and hiking boots rather than a generous bustle.

Largely shot on location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park — amid the landcapes of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale valleys and the peaceful village of Low Row — the movie shines a well-deserved spotlight on this glorious corner of England.

With its scarred limestone hills, scattered with rocks, and rolling green pastures, criss-crossed with drystone walls and peppered with honeyed-stone villages, this region is the picture of a period drama.

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While the rain barely lets up in the movie, Yorkshire welcomes me with beautiful blue skies, sunshine and even a light dusting of snow on the hills.

I’m almost disappointed.

I’ve brought along my own Heathcliff, my partner Toby, and my dog, Miss Babs, who loves a good romp across the moors.

We’re staying in Settle, a cute little market town in the heart of Bronte Country near the southern entrance of the National Park.

After the long journey, we hunker down with the first of many pints of local Thwaites ale in The Golden Lion – a coaching inn in the centre of town and our base for the weekend.

Rooms are cosy and comfy with a modern country feel.

Settle is a popular base for walkers.

Nearby is Ribblesdale, probably the best known walking area in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, not least for those conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks — Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent.

As keen but fair-weather walkers, we opt for an easy route along the River Ribble, which still offers some spectacular views across the Dales.

Unlike in the 18th century, there’s no need to ride a bumpy old stagecoach around these parts.

Settle is the starting point of England’s most scenic railway journey.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the Settle–Carlisle Railway soars over viaducts and through heather-filled moorlands.

There are numerous stops on the 72-mile route, including the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct, which has 24 arches.

It’s a bargain at £4.60 for a single journey.

We stayed on until Dent, the highest railway station in England, and walked part of the Dales Way, which runs from Ilkley to Lake Windermere, stopping for a pint (OK, three) at the Sportsman Inn before wobbling back for the train.

Back at the The Golden Lion, it’s time for dinner.

Choices include fat steaks (from £18.50), beer-battered fish and chips (£18.50) and Settle pudding, a traditional suet pudding oozing with steak and ale, which Toby gazes at with the lustful look of Heathcliff.

On Sunday morning, the weather turns moody.

After a hearty Yorkshire breakfast, we drive five miles to Malham, a fine village with several easy-to-access walks.

We take a muddy trudge up to Malham Cove – a natural limestone amphitheatre – and then to Gordale Scar, a towering limestone gorge with a gushing waterfall, which featured in Netflix drama, The Witcher.

Dark, damp and deliciously Gothic, it’s a fitting end to our Wuthering Heights weekend.

Cliff is sitting in his farm truck scanning the hillsides with powerful binoculars. “It’s the rams,” he says. “They can stray at this time of year.” I follow his direction of gaze, down a golden hillside covered in bracken and boulders to a dark patch in the valley bottom. “Hopefully not down there,” he adds. “That’s the quaking bog.”

Sometimes a chance encounter can transform your appreciation of an area, and that is about to happen for me. I’m heading up Craig y Garn mountain to catch the sunrise over the Llŷn peninsula and the first rays are already stealing over the tops of distant Cadair Idris, rousing giant shadows from under the trees. Cliff, who also happens to be my landlord for the week, points to the house on a hill above the bog: “Where you’re staying was my great-grandmother’s house – or at least what is now the living room. She kept one pig, one sheep and one cow, and made buttermilk where the conservatory is.”

Below the house, mostly out of sight, is the local village. “There used to be a pub and a shop. The school had 150 in it when I was there 70 years ago.” He grins. “I didn’t speak a word of English till I was seven.”

The tale of decline in rural amenities is a common one, but I am here to investigate an area that is pushing back hard. The Llŷn is leading the way in opening community pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops, facilities that, combined with the Wales Coast Path, make it a great area to explore.

For Cliff, the rural decline was a family lived experience. “Great uncle Bob left on a ship from Caernarfon in 1900 and joined the Klondike goldrush. Lots of people here were slate miners so could get jobs in North America.”

In fact, throughout the late 19th century, parts of Wales were gripped by emigration fever. Posters went up advertising passage on “fine fast-sailing barques”, usually with a “ballast of slates”. After many adventures, great uncle Bob settled in Whitehorse, in Canada’s Yukon, and is buried in its Pioneer Cemetery.

I leave Cliff and run up to the summit. The shadow giants have all disappeared, but the view is still dazzling, a reminder that the Llŷn is an extraordinary place. To the east, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is white with ice. Looking west, I can see the Irish Sea on both sides and on the north coast a trio of conical mountains, like volcanic plugs. The tallest, Garn Ganol (561m), is an extraordinary granite intrusion that was once a busy mining area, one of only two sources in the world for curling stones. Nearby is one of the first-ever community pubs in Britain, the Tafarn y Fic, established in 1988, where I aim to finish my first walk.

I start right under Garn Ganol peak, heading down a steep and spectacular valley towards a shingle beach and the village of Nant Gwrtheyrn. The settlement was abandoned when the mines closed, but local doctor Carl Clowes set about reviving it as a cultural centre in 1978, with courses in the Welsh language. (The doctor’s cultural impact didn’t stop there: two of his sons played in the rock band Super Furry Animals, a big part of the Welsh musical renaissance of the 1990s.)

From the beach, the path winds up over a headland to St Beuno’s chapel near the hamlet of Pistyll. This simple church is more like an ancient sacred cave with its bare stone walls and straw-covered floor. From here, I loop back over the hill to Tafarn y Fic in Llithfaen.

Back in the 1980s, this village was in decline, but its relative isolation proved a vital factor in triggering community action. With alternative pubs and shops a long drive away, the defunct Victoria Hotel (the “Vic”, which transliterates as Fic in Welsh) was bought out by locals and reopened. When I drop in for a pint, there are teenagers playing pool and darts while a couple of locals are working on their laptops by the fire. Across the road is a community shop.

The pioneering Tafarn y Fic proved an inspiration to other villages in the area. My next walk is along the south coast from the village of Llanystumdwy, where Tafarn y Plu (The Feathers) stands. Here, they have a fun little honesty shop outside and a stage for concerts. “It got so busy last summer that we ran out of beer,” the barmaid tells me. “Luckily, all the other community pubs sent barrels over.”

Llanystumdwy is famous for its most successful son: David Lloyd George. The great political orator grew up here, deeply immersed in Welsh nonconformist liberalism, factors that are arguably still at play in the strong tradition of collective action. Not that community spirit is necessarily benevolent: when Lloyd George came back to speak here in 1912 as chancellor of the exchequer, suffragette hecklers were beaten unconscious by locals.

I walk through the village, past the lovely stone bridge and the great man’s grave in the woods. There is a museum, too, closed for winter at the time of my visit. Back on the coastal path, I reach Criccieth, a lovely town with an impressive castle, still much as it was when sketched by JMW Turner back in 1798, having been left in ruins by Owain Glyndwr’s forces in 1404.

Just beyond, on the town beach, is a lovely art deco building, now Dylan’s restaurant. Designed by Clough Williams Ellis, known for nearby Portmeirion, it was not actually built until the 1950s and now makes a rather stylish lunch stop on the walk.

The coastal path here follows the long, broad beaches with stunning views of Harlech Castle, the Rhinogs and Cadair Idris mountains across the bay. No wonder Turner loved the area: there is always something going on with the light. The sea is suddenly snarling with whitecaps or else washed with an orange blush. As the bay narrows into the estuary, a steam train puffs out across the causeway and a squadron of curlews lands on one of many sandbanks.

I was hoping to catch the northern branch of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Line to Caernarfon and pick up the coastal path again, but that plan is foiled by a landslip. In summer, however, this would be a great option. The two heritage lines, one up to Caernarfon and one to Blaenau Ffestiniog, are fine examples of community effort too, having been rescued from oblivion by volunteers and enthusiasts who even built four new kilometres of track after the Electricity Board unhelpfully flooded part of the line in 1954. Together with the mainline to Pwllheli, they are a convenient means to starting or finishing non-circular walks.

Once I reach Caernarfon, I find a lovely ancient town with a newly redeveloped old slate-loading quay, Cei Llechi, right under the famous castle walls. The coastal path here follows the Menai Strait, circling around Foryd Bay bird reserve, then the long beach at Dinas Dinlle. Just back from the beach in the village of Llandwrog is the latest addition to the roster of community ventures: the Ty’n Llan community pub, restaurant and hotel. This vibrant and extensive project is testament to the growing confidence and capability of the community-ownership movement. It’s also a great spot to start learning Welsh, as it’s the main language of the public bar. So, iechyd da – cheers!

The trip was provided by the Wales Coast Path which follows the Llŷn peninsula for 96 miles. Pen y Braich Uchaf cottage sleeps six and is bookable through Sykes Cottages from £714 a week. Tafarn y Plu will reopen in autumn 2026 after a £2m upgrade

HAVEN is adding four brand-new Wetherspoons pubs to some of its parks across the country – and has revealed their names.

The holiday park has invested £9million into its venues that will open later this year.

Haven revealed last year that even more of the popular British boozers would be coming to its holiday parks, taking its total up to nine.

The first pub to open will be The Alfred Wainwright at Haven’s Lakeland holiday park in Cumbria. 

It has been named after Alfred Wainwright, the British fellwalker who wrote about the 214 fells in his seven-volume guide to the Lake District.

Over in Blackpool, the Haven’s Cala Gran holiday park will open The Springfield.

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The pub is named after Springfield House which stood on what is now the main entrance to the park in the 1960s. 

The Cornwall-based holiday park called Riviere Sands will open up The Bluff.

Its name refers to the steep bank or cliff edge where the pub is located.

However the pub site isn’t actually new as it will takeover the existing pub site – also called The Bluff.

The last of the new Wetherspoons pubs will be at Haven’s Hopton in Great Yarmouth.

It’s name is The White Clover – named after the flower grown across the county representing good luck. 

Simon Palethorpe, Haven’s CEO, said: “Our partnership with J D Wetherspoon continues to grow. With a record 4 million holidaymakers and owners due to take a Haven holiday in 2026, the UK coastal holiday shows no signs of slowing down.  

“The naming of the J D Wetherspoon pubs is highly anticipated and always reveals an interesting historical, geographical or cultural reference to the area.  

“We look forward to more guests enjoying a pint whilst taking in some of the most beautiful views of our UK coastline.”

The four new Wetherspoons brings the total at Haven up to nine.

The very first of the pubs to open at the holiday park was the Five Stones at Primrose Valley in Yorkshire.

This was followed by The Red Rocks at Devon Cliffs, The Humber Stone at Cleethorpes Beach, The London Stone at Kent Coast and The Sir Thomas Haggerston at Haggerston Castle in Northumberland.

Since 2021, Haven has invested £660 million upgrading the guest experience and facilities.  

The holiday park is also set to renovate the Show Bar at Marton Mere in Blackpool and build a new supermarket at Kent Coast. 

One writer went for a drink at the UK’s first on-site Wetherspoons at Haven…

Writer Christine Challand visited Haven’s very first Wetherspoons called The Five Stones – and chatted to visitors who love it…

“It’s a grey and blustery morning on the North Yorkshire coast but guests at Haven’s Primrose Valley holiday park in Filey are still in high spirits

“It might have something to do with the company’s first and only Wetherspoons pub, The Five Stones, which is set to make the resort even more popular with holidaymakers.

“Hilary, 65, has visited 829 Wetherspoons pubs and says the couple are always happy to travel to compare menus and bar lay-out.

“She said: ‘People might think it’s a bit strange that we go all over the UK to do this, but it’s a lot of fun,’ she added. ‘There’s a nice inclusive atmosphere here in Filey.’

“For Andy and Gill Bishop, a £2.80 pint of Ruddles and a cheeky £5.26 glass of Sauvignon Blanc make a perfect mid-morning start to the day at The Five Stones.

“The couple, who live in Harrogate and run their own holiday apartments in Filey, have been caravan owners at Haven’s Primrose Valley site for 14 years and think the Wetherspoons opening will be a major draw for holidaymakers.

” Gill said: ‘This is just a warm-up for celebrating my 61st birthday tomorrow. It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like, Filey was recently voted one of the ten best beaches in the world so we’d never go anywhere else.’”

For more on Wetherspoons, one Sun Travel writer went to the first ever foreign pub with mini beers and a huge queue of Brits.

And Sun Travel visited the world’s smallest Wetherspoons that’s built on the remains of a 2000-year-old palace.

A BRITISH indie rocker has left pub punters feeling shocked as he performed in a cover band – but would you have recognised him?

The global songwriter, 31, was spotted singing at a local pub in his home town Shields alongside his dad and brother.

Sam Fender has had three Brit Awards and his albums Hypersonic Missiles and Seventeen Going Under also topped UK charts.

But the Geordie star took to covering other people’s songs as he got together with his family in a social club.

A fan took to TikTok and posted a video of the star performing and captioned it: “Rare .. Sam Fender playing and singing with his dad and brother on keyboard.

“All for a good cause #teamjanine raising awareness for MND . Real canny lads!”

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The award-winning singer took part in the event to raise funds for MND in memory of the late Janine Turnbull, joining his dad and brother on stage as part of band The Pirates.

In another video shared of the same event, fans rushed to the comments section to praise the star: “The vocals are absolutely insane, fair play.”

A second said: “They’re a talented bunch those Fenders.”

While a third wrote: “I love how humble Sam is and doing this.”

A fourth stated: “Was great that he was able to do that and just be Sam local lad again.”

A fifth added: “Unreal scenes.”

Sam is allegedly a multi-millionaire after years and years of hard graft combined with his natural musical talent.

He’s built formidable music connections from a collaboration with rising US star Noah Kahan to supporting Bruce Springsteen and The Killers and hanging out with the late guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck. and Johnny Depp when the actor was in the North East with his Hollywood Vampires band.

The singer-songwriter, nabbed the Mercury trophy and £25,000 cash at the 2025 ceremony in his native Newcastle – the first time the awards had been held outside London.

He won with his third album ahead of a star-studded pack of 12 nominees, including Pulp, Wolf Alice, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress and Pa Salieu.

Sam was not fancied by the bookies, so his victory was something of a shock, and the crowd went ballistic at his name.

The Geordie name-checked fellow nominees during his acceptance speech and thanked an ecstatic crowd.

He said: “We did not expect this at all. I want to say thank you,” before declaring: “This region is the best region in the country.”

Sam then grabbed his guitar and launched into a rendition of his album’s titular track, People Watching.

He also paid tribute to the late actress Annie Orwin, the inspiration behind the song, who he described as like a “surrogate mother”.

Sam added that his win on home turf was “really, really important” because the music scene in Newcastle had “always been in an isolated bubble”.

Last year, Sam hoped to toast his global success with his own range of booze.

The star had been granted permission by the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to use his name to sell a range of goods.

The documents revealed he could market “Beers, Alcoholic beverages, and Non-alcoholic beverages; Retail services connected to the sale of Beers, Alcoholic beverages, Non-alcoholic beverages, Mineral and aerated waters, Fruit beverages and fruit juices.”

The application stays in place for ten years now that it has been rubber-stamped.

It’s a foodie hotspot in Cumbria, with Michelin-starred restaurants boasting a ‘farm to table’ philosophy and famous sticky toffee pudding, ideal for a UK holiday

Despite its modest size, this Cumbrian gem wields considerable sway over travellers heading to the Lake District in need of excellent food and somewhere to lay their heads.

Cartmel has earned quite a name for itself amongst walkers, cyclists and visitors to the region as a culinary hotspot. Whilst the village boasts a rich heritage centred around Cartmel Priory and its agricultural roots, it has since carved out an entirely fresh identity.

Situated less than 20 minutes’ drive from the Lake District National Park, there’s no shortage of attractions on the village’s doorstep.

With Greendale National Forest nearby and the River Eea within easy reach, it’s an idyllic spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a base from which to venture forth.

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Michelin Restaurants

For those demanding nothing less than exceptional cuisine following a day’s rambling or sightseeing, the village boasts a prestigious Michelin-starred establishment, L’Enclume.

Led by chef Simon Rogan, the restaurant features a constantly evolving menu that shifts with the seasons – embodying the chef’s ‘farm to table’ ethos.

Also holding Michelin star status is Rogan and Co, a neighbourhood eatery situated in the village centre, likewise operated by the celebrated chef.

They provide a set lunch menu priced at £49 for three courses, offered Wednesday through Saturday, alongside evening dining options.

After dining at L’Enclume, which specialises in French and European fare, one visitor hailed it as the “best dining experience ever” in a TripAdvisor review.

They said: “We went for our wedding anniversary for a special experience. It delivered. Every one of the many dishes was made with the best quality ingredients and put together with great imagination and cooked perfectly.”

Similarly, diners are unanimous in their praise for the food and service at its sister establishment, Rogan and Co. One review states: “Rogan and Co gives you a more traditional à la carte (choose your meal) three-course deal.

“But that isn’t to say this is basic dining. You are still getting snacks, interludes, great drink pairings and, much like L’Enclume, absolutely top-drawer service.”

Pubs

Beyond the Michelin-starred offerings, the culinary delights continue. True to form for a quintessentially English village, Cartmel boasts several traditional, welcoming pubs.

Indeed, several feature amongst the village’s TripAdvisor top 10 dining destinations – quite an achievement given the stiff competition. All within easy walking distance, visitors can devise their own pub crawl following a day of exploration, or simply settle into one favourite spot.

The Pig and Whistle proves particularly appealing during summer months, thanks to its expansive beer garden offering picturesque vistas across the village and the surrounding Cumbrian fells.

Inside, the establishment has been given something of a revamp, including its menu which offers pub classics with a distinctive ‘twist’.

Numerous patrons sing the praises of their Sunday roast, with some describing it as “divine” and others deeming it “excellent”.

Alongside it are The Royal Oak, The Kings Arms and the Cavendish Arms, which prides itself on making considerable efforts to source exclusively from local producers and suppliers. This commitment shines through in its glowing reviews, with one declaring: “This place is truly on top of its game.

“Amazing varied exquisite food from all over the word but definitely with a French twist. Lovely cosy setting with candles on each table and quality wines. Could not ask for more.”

Shops

The village boasts numerous shops selling local produce, with the Cartmel Village Shop standing out as one of the most notable – renowned for its sticky toffee pudding. The family-run shop sells homemade toffee and the beloved Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Cartmel’s “superb little shop” draws food fans from far and wide, all seeking a treat to satisfy their sweet cravings. One satisfied customer said: “Famous as the home of sticky toffee pudding, this delightful little shop is in the centre of this lovely village.

“As well as foodstuffs, they stock a good selection of deli produce and gifts. They also prepare a good selection of hot and cold sandwiches to take away, and we enjoyed some excellent, generously filled baps. The prices were most reasonable, and the service was charming.”

Another local gem is the Cartmel Food Shed, offering a delightful array of homemade soups, sandwiches, sausage rolls and sweet treats for takeaway or to enjoy in their welcoming dining space. Like many establishments dotted around the village, it’s very much a family-run operation with homemade produce at its core.

One thrilled customer raved in a review: “Delicious sandwiches, delicious cakes, scotch eggs. Possibly the best steak and ale pie I’ve ever had.”

They added: “Sandwiches are packed to the brim with quality produce. Everything is made with care and love. You can tell the owner takes pride in everything she makes.”

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Fallow deer are grazing under ruined brick walls in the house where Lady Jane Grey was born. It’s a moody spring day at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire and there are few visitors. Instead, there are fieldfares in the hedges and skylarks singing in the mist. I’m walking, through bracken and craggy outcrops, towards Old John Tower, a folly that looks like a giant beer mug on the hill ahead.

It sometimes feels as though England’s much-photographed beauty spots get more booked up and overpriced every day. But there are scenic corners of the country that still fly under the insta-radar and Charnwood, around Loughborough, is one of these. The largest borough in Leicestershire, Charnwood is the area between Leicester and the Nottinghamshire border. Its gentle wooded hills and well-kept villages offer country walks to gourmet pubs and cafes. It’s like a cheaper, quieter Cotswolds with better transport links.

An hour and a quarter by train from London or 50 minutes from Sheffield, Loughborough is easy to reach. The town makes a good base for a Charnwood holiday, with several immersive, weatherproof experiences and easy rural connections by bus, rail and steam train.

The atmospheric landscapes around popular Bradgate Park are just a few miles south of Loughborough. Bus 154 winds past thatched and half-timbered cottages, rugged granite chimneys and drifts of garden snowdrops. Outside the Badger’s Sett pub, near Cropston Reservoir, you can hop off the bus into Causeway Lane, a quiet stony track leading to Bradgate Park with wide views over the water.

Next morning’s mist turns to rain and I head to the UK’s last remaining bellfoundry for a tour. Fifteen minutes’ stroll from the cafe-lined lanes around the market, the museum was relaunched in 2024. Inside the foundry, there are showers of sparks from a metalworker’s bench, a smell of wood shavings in the bell-wheel workshop, and an 18ft-deep sandpit for cooling casts.

Loughborough Bellfoundry has made bells for cathedrals around the world, from York Minster to Sydney’s St Andrew’s, including Britain’s biggest church bell, Great Paul, for St Paul’s Cathedral. Shiny new and refurbished bells are destined for churches in Truro, Paisley, Betws-y-Coed, Stow-on-the-Wold. Guide Lianne Brooks is a keen bellringer, ringing in four church towers each week. “One pull on a rope and I was hooked,” she laughs. As she demonstrates on the foundry’s bells, the metal vibrates with a low seismic hum. The bellfoundry’s museum has a £5 entry fee for adults, and tours are available from £20.

The 1950s-style heritage Great Central Railway (GCR) station, a couple of minutes away, includes another packed museum and a Brief Encounter-esque refreshment room. With a whistle and whoosh of steam, we’re off, past banks where badgers live, to 1940s-themed Quorn and Woodhouse station. There’s a Naafi-style cafe, with a blazing log fire and radio playing wartime songs, in an old air-raid shelter under the railway bridge.

More than 700 volunteers work on GCR, doing everything from shovelling coal to serving tea. “Dig for Victory” says a sign above trackside gardens, where pink-and-lime-green rhubarb unfurls in pale spring sunshine. Drivers are training new recruits. “If one of us old buggers suddenly collapses, we’d need someone to take over,” says chief fire inspector Ken Scriven, a long-term volunteer driver and former mainline fireman.

GCR has ambitious schemes, with planning permission granted in 2025, to link the railway through to Nottingham, one of Europe’s biggest heritage rail projects. The photogenic stations feature regularly in TV series, from The Crown to Happy Valley. Much of the recent Netflix drama Seven Dials takes place on board one of GCR’s steam trains. Rolling on towards Leicester, we cross the bullrush-framed Swithland Reservoir, where dining cars pause to watch swans glide over sunset waters (GCR day tickets £24/£13 for adults/kids).

I’m staying at Burleigh Court on Loughborough’s crocus-carpeted university campus on the edge of town (doubles from £75, room only). At night I can hear tawny owls hooting from nearby bluebell woods. The Sprint Bus links the campus with the town centre and railway station every 10 minutes. There’s art on the walls by Loughborough students, carpets made from recycled bottles, and a spa with a decent-sized pool. A £4.5m refurb in autumn 2024 introduced the stylish new Fifty Restaurant, where half the meals are plant-based, and a bar, named after Lionesses Carney and Scott, both Loughborough alumnae. Cocktails include sustainable drinks using leftover veg. I sip a chocolatey purple Beet the Waste while a fellow-drinker braves the Cauliflower Colada.

Leicestershire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant is John’s House, a beamed, brick building on a working farm in the village of Mountsorrel, 20 minutes from Loughborough on bus 127 the next day. “It’s a good job he can cook,” jokes John’s brother Tom Duffin; “he was bugger-all use on the farm.” Nearby, the sheep are loudly hungry. “I hear that noise in my nightmares,” grins a young farmworker, lugging a bag of feed. The farm’s hogget, with locally foraged hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, features in today’s lunch (three courses, £49). Fresh venison arrives from Bradgate Park. The evening’s tasting menu (from £100) includes fallow deer with walnut wine as well as Tom’s potatoes with smoked eel, crispy chicken skin and lovage. Stonehurst Farm itself has a nostalgic smell of baking and wet straw. Tom’s daughter, soil scientist Zoe, shows us round pens of rare curly-headed Leicester Longwool sheep and gingery Tamworth pigs, destined for summer hog roasts. Tiny orange piglets are climbing over a spotted sow. There are Easter lambs on the way and a new indoor play barn.

At drier times of year, it’s a pleasant two-mile walk from Mountsorrel along the river to the pub-rich village of Barrow upon Soar. Today, the Soar has spilled onto the floodplains, leaving a duck-dotted lake where the path should be. Luckily, it’s not much further by road, taking a path known as The Slabs. Stepping out of icy drizzle into the fire-warmed Blacksmith’s Arms feels miraculous. An elegant mushroom wellington with deeply savoury mash goes well with golden beers from Charnwood Brewery. Trains from Barrow-upon-Soar station are hourly and take only five minutes to get back to Loughborough. Outside the window are boats on willow-hemmed waterways and flocks of wintering geese.

This trip was provided by Discover Charnwood

The historic market town earned five stars for food quality in a Which? Travel survey and has been celebrated as the ‘food and drink capital of the Marches’

Long hailed by poet John Betjeman as “the loveliest town in England,” Ludlow has also earned global recognition as a culinary and beverage hotspot. Boasting over 500 listed buildings and a skyline crowned by a Norman castle, Ludlow blends historic fairy-tale character with contemporary allure.

Winding cobbled lanes guide visitors to delicatessens, artisan bakeries, welcoming pubs, and celebrated eateries. Frequently dubbed the ‘ food and drink capital of the Marches’, Ludlow’s hospitality sector flourishes thanks to its abundant locally-sourced offerings.

A Which? Travel poll of over 9,000 participants asked respondents to evaluate the culinary credentials of their preferred inland destinations.

Ludlow emerged victorious as the country’s top-rated food and drink location. It stood alone as the sole inland town achieving a perfect five-star rating for cuisine, reports the Express.

As Which? Travel observed, “Instead of a handful of high-end eateries, there’s a culture of local produce as well as numerous pubs and cafes, served by people who care about the food.”

This philosophy translates directly onto diners’ plates, emphasising fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and seasonally-rotating menus.

TripAdvisor presently places Old Downton Lodge at the summit of Ludlow’s restaurant rankings. Waterside favourite CSONS represents another cherished destination for laid-back, high-quality dining, alongside Kin Kitchen and Baker’s of Tower Street for casual cafe-style fare.

Pub enthusiasts face an embarrassment of riches with The Queens and The Boot Inn, both receiving strong ratings on TripAdvisor. Experts from Ludlow Distillery highlight that the town’s gastronomic reputation rests upon a robust network of food and beverage producers, encompassing everything from artisan cheese and bread makers to craft breweries and distilleries.

They explained: “The strength of this offering is best seen (and tasted) by a visit to the Local to Ludlow Market in the Castle Square (where growers and makers based within 30 miles of the town sell a range of high-quality and carefully selected produce), and the award-winning Broad Bean fine food delicatessen on Broad Street.”

Ludlow has embraced the ‘Slow Food’ philosophy, a worldwide grassroots initiative with thousands of supporters globally that connects culinary enjoyment with community engagement.

In recent years, the Ludlow branch of this movement has flourished considerably. Slow Food Ludlow Marches provides year-round activities, featuring site visits, presentations, cookery demonstrations, dining experiences and Taste Workshops during the Ludlow Food Festival each September.

The Ludlow Food Festival stands as one of the town’s premier annual occasions, consistently attracting approximately 15,000 people to Ludlow Castle across a three-day period.

Plan your trip for either the second or fourth Thursday of each month to explore the Ludlow Local Produce Market, which celebrates food and beverages crafted within a 30-mile radius.

Vendors prioritise sustainability and seasonal offerings, transforming an ordinary shopping trip into a delightful culinary experience.

Looking beyond Shropshire, Wells secured the runner-up position for inland dining according to Which? Travel.

Additional accolades went to Lavenham in Suffolk, Llangollen in Denbighshire, Stamford in Lincolnshire and Cartmel in Cumbria, with each destination providing its own distinctive gastronomic getaway.

PLENTY of sunshine and highs of 17C – the UK is finally set to bask in some long-awaited warmth.

After weeks of rain and dingy skies, tomorrow the capital city is set to bask in high temperatures that make it on par with Barcelona.

So if you’re stuck with what to do – here are some of our top suggestions for all ages…

Beer gardens

When the sun shines, why not do what us Brits do best? Head over to a beer garden.

London has plenty so you’re really spoiled for choice, but one of the most popular is The Duke of Edinburgh over in Brixton.

Last year it was named London’s best beer garden by Barratt London who ranked them on reviews, price, and the amount of sun each one gets.

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It also happens to be the favourite of former radio presenter, Roman Kemp.

Talking to Sun Travel, he said: “I’ve had so many amazing times in the Duke of Edinburgh in Brixton.

“And it’s got the best pub garden, I haven’t seen a better one in London, it’s absolutely massive and it’s the perfect place to be in the summer.

“When I go there to watch the football, there’s a particular table that I have to sit at.”

Here you can get a glass of wine for as little as £4.70 and cocktails from £11.

Other popular spots around the city include The Pear Tree Cafe – there’s one at Battersea Park, another in Clapham Common and Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Or head to The Terrace at Alexandra Palace which is open all year round – and you don’t get many views as good as this one.

At the beer garden you can order stone-fired pizzas by Fuoco’s and drinks from the Phoenix Bar.

Parks

If you want to spend time outdoors, just without the lively beer banter, then head to one of the city’s many parks.

The eight Royal Parks of London have beautiful spaces, lots with ponds and plenty of greenery.

The biggest is Richmond Park which lends itself well to a relaxing stroll or bike ride.

For a sit down to bask in the rare February sun, head to the likes of Greenwich Park or St James’s.

In Regent’s Park, make sure to head over to Japanese Island which has a waterfall and is accessed on a wisteria-covered footbridge.

When it comes to families, tomorrow will be a great day to let kids loose in the great outdoors.

Playgrounds

And London has lots of playgrounds ready to be explored.

Paddington Recreation Ground has recently been revamped and has a ship playframe with rope ladders and slides.

It even has its own mini Paddington Rec Station with a wooden train, and swings too.

There’s also an adventure play section with a wooden play structure, rope bridges and a zip line.

In central London, head to the National Maritime Museum to explore The Cove – it has a play ship, Kraken, and even its own shark – it’s also free entry.

Exploring the world’s largest botanical garden is something that is better when it’s hot.

Attractions

Kew Gardens holds the Guinness World Record for its massive living plant collection, which includes over 50,000 plants.

Of course many of the exhibits are indoors and climate-controlled, but outside there are lots of trails and even more plants to see.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding went along late last year and said: “The gardens appear to sprawl on for miles and miles, with numerous different attractions and features to be explored.

“Another spot that is great for kids, is Kew Gardens’ new Carbon Garden. Having only opened in summer of this year, it is a great new spot to explore for returning visitors and children alike.

“The garden shows the essential role plants and fungi play in tackling climate change and in the centre is a pavilion that was created using low-carbon, natural materials.

“Elsewhere in the gardens, visitors will find the Treetop Walkway, which allows you to walk level with the tree canopy and even see London‘s skyline.”

Peak tickets cost from £24 online or £27 at the gate for adults.

Restaurants

In the evening, you can enjoy the last of the sun (for a little while at least) while tucking in to a riverside meal.

Time Out has revealed their top riverside restaurants in London – and here are best ones that you can go to tomorrow.

Ombra sits on the banks of the Regent’s Canal and is the perfect spot to sip on a spritz and indulge in some pasta.

The bright pop art Darcie Green barge actually sits on the water on Regent’s Canal and brings a taste of Australia to the city.

You can enjoy a ‘Bondi Brunch’ in mid-morning, or tuck into a tasty lunch of tuna steak, chicken parmigiana or sirloin steak.

It also has an extensive cocktail list – with an Aussie twist of course.

For more fun slightly further out from the city, here are our favourite cheap days out that are under an hour from London – from trendy seaside towns to historic cities.

And here are the Sun Travel team’s 30 best experiences around the world that everyone should do this year.

A QUAINT village on the outskirts of Oxford has become a town – nearly 40 years after first applying.

Kidlington, which is one of the largest villages in England and sits close to the Cotswolds, first attempted to change into a town in 1988, although this was voted against at the time.

According to the BBC, the recent decision behind the status update comes after the government made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Policing Guarantee last year.

As a result of those changes, towns can get extra protections, especially when it comes to both planning and policing.

Now as a town, Kidlington is also looking to build new houses that could see it rise from 13,600 residents to between 30,00 and 40,000.

The new town weirdly became a tourist attraction back in 2016, when floods of Chinese tourists flocked there.

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Baz Daniels, a resident for more than 20 years, said at the time: “Kidlington is apparently being marketed by Chinese tourist agencies as a beautiful English village on the way to Bicester Village shopping centre.

“Many of the visitors live in cities and love to see things like the hanging baskets and little flowers in people’s gardens.”

When it comes to visiting nowadays, the quaint village-now-town boasts a 13th century church with a 220-foot spire and a number of pubs, such as The Black Horse, The Jolly Boatman and The Turnpike.

In one pub, The Black Bull, you can grab two cocktails for a tenner or head to monthly bingo events.

One visitor said: “The Black Bull is the best pub in Kidlington by far.

“Always such a good atmosphere – if you’ve not visited yet I would highly recommend you do.”

The Oxford Canal, which was completed in 1790, also runs through the village.

From south Kidlington to the canal’s end in Oxford, it runs alongside the River Cherwell making it a scenic walk in the village.

In in the surrounding area, just a nine-minute drive away, you will find Blenheim Palace as well, which is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.

The palace is surrounded by 2,000 acres of gardens to explore and inside the palace itself, visitors can explore the State Rooms and a Churchill exhibition.

Tickets cost £43.50 per person to visit Blenheim Palace.

Of course, the picturesque university city of Oxford is just down the road too, where you can explore historic buildings such as the Bodleian Library or head to the thriving Covered Market.

The Parish Council had previously tried to get town status in 1988, but residents voted for it to stay a village.

But this time round, Councillor Melanie Moorhouse asserted the decision “doesn’t mean that anyone has to start calling it a town – people can still say they’re going to the village”.

She added: “Our hope is very much that it will not change our community – it will in fact secure our very much community identity.”

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council added: “Our proposal aims to better tailor services to meet the needs of local residents, and empowering town and parish councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire is an important part of that.”

Despite this, some locals are still not happy about the change.

One person commented on Facebook: “To me as an oldie and lived here all my life it will always be a village.”

Another added: “I will never call it a town!”

In other UK village news, here are five pretty English villages that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.

Plus, the picturesque UK village named the world’s most beautiful – but locals are not happy.

A HISTORIC UK pub has reopened after a £1.8million renovation.

The Hoop and Grapes pub in Farringdon, London has reopened after a huge refurb – and all the buildings around it are modern skyscrapers.

The Grade-II listed pub has been closed since 2019 as the surrounding area was redeveloped.

Restored by Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame, the refurbished pub still celebrates its history, whilst also adding vibrant and modern elements.

The pub was originally built in 1721 on land that used to be a part of St Bride’s Church burial ground and is thought to have been a wine merchant’s home.

And the boozer is well known for being the site of illicit ‘Fleet Marriages’.

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These were weddings that took place illegally in the late 17th century and often involved couples wanting to marry fast, for example when a woman was pregnant.

To bring the story to life, the pub has added a swing sign which depicts an 18th-century wedding scene.

There are also hand-painted signs on the outside of the pub that add to the historic front facade.

The boozer also once held a special license to operate from 2am to 5am for printers and market workers.

Across five floors, the building offers three different experiences.

On the ground floor is where visitors will find a traditional London pub with a courtyard garden.

On the first floor, there is then a comfortable seating area.

And the top floor is a more intimate piano room, ideal for private events.

The menu features dishes with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce.

There are buffet feast boards as well, such as a beef burger sliders platter for £50 or a pork and sage Scotch eggs board for £45.

When it comes to having a tipple, the pub boasts Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Kentish ales and lagers, English wines and cocktails.

According to the pub’s website, “the name ‘Hoop & Grapes’ likely refers to the metal hoops used to hold barrels together, and the grape-derived wines that will have been the daily business of this 18th century building even before it became a public house.

“However, a possible alternative reading of the name is that ‘Hoop’ could be a corruption of the word ‘Hops’ and the name might simply refer to the availability of both beers and wines within.”

One visitor said: “Best pub in the ‘City’ in my opinion.”

Another simply said: “Beautiful pub.”

In other pub news, here’s a very extensive list of London’s 35 best pubs – by the locals who drink in them.

Plus, the best pubs across the UK – including indoor slides, huge beer gardens and pints cheaper than Wetherspoons.

A group of pub reviewers ‘one of the oldest pubs in England’ and they were blown away by its history – the Grade II-listed building claims to date back to 1189

Pub fans have shared their verdict on “one of the best pubs in England“, and were absolutely staggered by its history. Known under the handle @thosepubguys on social media, the group travel the country , sampling pubs and rating them online.

In a latest clip, they descended upon Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham, prompting them to wonder: “Is this the oldest pub in England?” Their Instagram caption declared: “This pub ranks 2nd in our list of best pubs in the country, and you can see why! There is so so so much history. It is literally built into the side of a cliff with secret tunnels to Nottingham Castle above it!”

During the footage, they guide viewers through the establishment and its passageways, recounting legends and historical tales.

The Grade II-listed premises is believed to trace back to 1189, though certain records indicate it might have been founded several centuries afterwards.

According to History Hit: “The pub’s name derives from King Richard the Lionheart and his men gathering there before journeying to Jerusalem in 1189 AD.”

“It was also said to be a local hideout for the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood. Indeed, the word ‘trip’ in the name is thought to refer to a stop in a journey, rather than the journey itself, marking out the pub as somewhere people would stop at on a long pilgrimage, for instance.”

This distinctive watering hole features a compact cave network within, hewn from the sandstone rock. Connected to Nottingham Castle, the tunnel network has served as a clandestine route in and out of the fortress for hundreds of years.

The statement continues: “In one of the pub’s upstairs buildings is a small model of a wooden ship, known as the cursed galleon.

“It is said that a number of people who cleaned the ship all met untimely and unexplained deaths, so landlords have since refused to let anyone clean it, and have instead put the ship into a glass cabinet.

“Elsewhere, the pub houses the ‘pregnancy chair’, an old chair which was said to increase a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant when she sat in it.”

Reacting to their video, one viewer commented: “Always wanted to visit this pub.”

Someone else added: “My favourite city pub until I moved away.”

A third person said: “I’ve only just realised I’ve never been to Nottingham! Need to fix that, looks amazing.”

Another viewer added: “That’s really interesting, steeped in history.”

A TRIP to Devon isn’t complete without visiting a pub and luckily, the county has plenty.

Whether you prefer a pub garden or being by a cosy fireplace or have a dog with you, Devon is full of great pubs.

Though, it can be overwhelming to choose a spot, so here are some of the best pubs in the county from someone who has tried and tested them as a local…

Church House Inn, Marldon

The Church House Inn in the village of Marldon, South Devon is a gem not many stumble across.

The pub is out of the way from the main tourist spots in the area, but if you have a car it is well-worth the drive too.

Inside you will find traditional beams and exposed stone walls, as well as a large open roaring fire.

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In the summer, the garden is a tranquil spot to enjoy a spritz, with nothing but the hum of birds nearby and the church watching over the garden.

The Drum Inn, Cockington

Nestled in the unique village of Cockington, you will find The Drum Inn.

I have been caught in here on both scorching hot days and snowy winter storms, making it the ideal pub for all seasons.

It is a large pub but still has a cosy vibe and it is the perfect retreat after exploring the thatched cottages and fields of Cockington.

The Old Rydon Inn, Kingsteignton

Run by a couple of 20 years, The Old Rydon Inn in Kingsteignton is a very pretty pub.

It’s a Grade-II listed farmhouse, which used to be part of Lord Clifford’s Manor way back during the reign of Henry II.

The pub even still has the original elm screens dating to the early 16th century.

In the sunny weather, try and sit outside – plants crawl all over the building and it is very peaceful.

Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell

The Court Farm Inn used to be a farmhouse and was built in the 16th century.

Today, beams still feature inside and so do exposed stone walls.

The ciders served here are always cold and crisp and don’t forget to try desert if eating, they are unfussy but the ultimate comfort.

Steam Packet Inn, Kingswear

Just before you get the ferry across to Dartmouth town, make sure to stop off in the Steam Packet Inn.

Inside, this spot has a more modern feel with chic striped benches and blue tones throughout.

Perhaps though, the best thing about this pub is that it overlooks Darthaven Marina and the railway, where you will often see the steam train chugging past.

Masons Arms, Branscombe

The Masons Arms in Branscombe dates back to the 14th century and sits in a picturesque village.

The pub itself has a thatched roof, and then on the inside the decor includes pine cladding, low ceiling beams and of course, a roaring log fireplace.

During the day, this spot is ideal for coffee but of course, the ales are great too.

The St Austell Burger for £18 is a delicious feat, with Mena Dhu stout onion marmalade, Monterey Jack cheese, beef tomato, gherkin, pickled red slaw, and skin-on fries.

The Thatch, Croyde

There’s a reason why The Thatch has over 2,000 four and five-star reviews…

Though the food isn’t cheap, it is super flavoursome and a lot of the dishes put a sophisticated twist on pub classics.

Croyde Bay is right on the pub’s doorstep as well, making it the ideal spot post beach walks or surfing sessions.

Fairway Buoy, Bideford

Sat on the promenade in Bideford, Fairway Buoy overlooks the sprawling, golden sands beach.

It’s pet friendly and has a large outdoor seating area which is the ideal spot for watching the sunset.

The food is more modern too, with pizzas often on the menu.

Definitely try their hot chocolate as well on cold beach days – it was bigger than my head.

Samuel Jones, Exeter

Sat on the edge of Exeter Quay, you will find the stylish pub Samuel Jones.

Inside, the decor features a more industrial style fitting in with the rest of the Quay.

In addition to serving their award-winning ales, the venue also broadcasts live sports.

Victoria Inn, Salcombe

Salcombe is loved for many reasons, drawing in hoards of tourists each year, but the Victoria Inn is another reason to love it.

Just a short walk from the banks of the Kingsbridge Estuary, the Victoria Inn is full of cosy corners and a log fire.

On Sundays the pub hosts bingo, which is always a laugh.

And when it comes to the menu, sharing boards are a great option for a lunchtime sit down after exploring the town.

The Waterman’s Arms, Totnes

The Waterman’s Arms in Totnes feels like being in a fairytale storybook.

The pub sits right at the riverside, by Bow Bridge.

In the evenings, the 17th century watering hole often hosts candlelit dinners but if you are there in the day and it happens to be sunny, do not miss the garden terrace.

Kids also eat free during half-term!

Old Fire House, Exeter

The Old Fire House in Exeter is a super popular spot and with good reason.

The boozer is inside an old 19th century firehouse with a vaulted wooden-beamed ceiling and exposed stone walls.

This spot is especially loved for its late-night events with a good atmosphere and oversized 14-inch square pizzas.

You dog is allowed to come too…

Tinpickle And Rhum, Dartmoor

Tinpickle and Rhum is a gastropub located at the The Moorland Hotel by Haytor, on Dartmoor.

Inside the interiors feel a little luxury with rustic wooden cladding on the walls which match the tables and giant modern chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Don’t miss their All Three Roasts for £23.95 with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cheddar cauliflower cheese, season’s best vegetables and red wine gravy.

Head to the pub after a walk up to Haytor Rock, which is one of the most popular spots on the Moors for its breathtaking views and unique rock formations.

The Highwayman Inn, Sourton

Despite not having visited yet, I couldn’t miss out the quirky Highwayman Inn near Sourton.

Often dubbed Britain’s most unusual pub, The Highwayman Inn features its own minotaur and has a layout that is more like a maze.

The boozer dates back to the 13th century and inside it is full of unusual objects to feast your eyes on.

The Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island

Dating back to the 14th century, The Pilchard Inn offers amazing views of the sea and crashing waves.

It is actually one of England‘s oldest pubs, according to its website.

And to get to the pub you can either walk across at low tide, taking around 10 minutes or at high tide, hop on the sea tractor costing between £2 and £3 a way.

In other pub news, here are 10 of the UK’s cosiest pubs with bed and breakfast from £99.

Plus, Britain’s smallest town named one of the coolest spots in the country with cosy pubs and coastal walks.

A PICTURESQUE riverside town in Essex has been named one of the coolest destinations in the country.

Manningtree in Essex is known for being the smallest town in Britain, but this gem of a spot has a lot packed within it.

According to The Sunday Times, Manningtree is best “for the Essex girl 2.0″ with “understated charm, overwhelmingly indie high street and stellar sunsets”.

The town, which is sat on the River Stour, is believed to get its name from ‘many trees’ and is within a short distance of the Dedham Area of Natural Beauty making it an ideal base for walks and cycling.

In the town itself there are lots of Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Matching its tiny size, the town also has a tiny beach – Manningtree Beach.

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One recent visitor said: “Beautiful area for both sunrise and sunsets.

“Plenty of free easy parking right by the river side.

“Walk into town grab some food and then sit on one of the many benches and watch the sun go down.”

The town is also ideal for a coastal walk, and if you want to grab a bite to eat, head to Italian restaurant Lucca, which serves wood-fired pizzas and classic pasta dishes.

Just outside of Manningtree you will find Mistley Towers, which were designed by Robert Adams.

The towers were originally a parish church that was built in the 18th century in a Georgian style, but today only the two towers remain.

The town has a number of independent shops to explore as well.

And then there’s Manningtree’s oldest pub – The Red Lion – which has a cosy atmosphere inside with a roaring fireplace.

Customers can even bring their own food to the pub, whether that be fish and chips, Indian, Chinese or even pizza and then cutlery is provided free of charge.

All you need to do is order a tipple.

Many of the local takeaways will even deliver directly to the pub.

The pub also hosts an array of events including open mic nights, comedy shows, craft sessions and Six Nations nights.

One recent visitor said: “I adore The Red Lion, it’s my go to place if I want a cheeky beer/cider or what have you – with friends or on my own.

“Always a lovely welcoming and friendly atmosphere.”

If you fancy something a little different, Visit Essex has a self-guided tour that you can follow inspired by the 17th century East Anglian witch trials.

During this period, around 300 people were tried for witchcraft and 100 were executed as they were believed to be ‘witches’.

There are a couple of places to stay too including The Crown Pub and Hotel.

Inside, guests will find four rooms, each with its own elegant style.

The rooms are also dog-friendly and cost from around £110 per night.

The city of Colchester is just a 23-minute drive away as well, where you can explore Colchester Castle or head off on a historic walking tour.

For more on places to visit across the UK, here are 17 of the UK’s best hidden gems to visit in 2025, according to our travel experts.

Plus, here are five top hidden gem attractions in the UK according to experts from Venetian palaces to hidden gold mines.

The Mirror’s data team has crunched the numbers and found where in the country has the highest concentration of pubs – see if your hometown has made the cut in our rankings

The pub capital of the UK has been crowned, and it’s a beautiful part of the country with cosy inns and rolling hills.

It’s been a rough year for the pub trade. Many are facing increasingly tricky futures. A report by UK Hospitality has warned that six venues will close every day this year without support – a total of more than 2,000. That far outstrips the 378 that closed in 2025, according to the Institute for Licensing. The British Beer and Pub Association worries pubs will need to sell an extra 1.3 billion pints of beer a year to offset surging taxes.

However, as gloomy as the overall picture is, there are still thousands of incredible pubs across the country, and areas where the trade is, if not booming, then thriving in a relative sense.

The Mirror’s data team has crunched the numbers and found that the drinkers in the Derbyshire Dales are more well stocked with pubs than anywhere else in England and Wales. The rural council has a total of 152 pubs and bars within its borders, according to our analysis of government data.

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That works out as the equivalent of 25 for every 10,000 adults living there.

That’s the highest rate for any local authority in England and Wales, excluding two areas where extremely low population numbers skew the figures – the City of London (188 pubs and bars, equivalent to 132 per 10,000 adults) and the Isles of Scilly (six pubs, equivalent to 29 per 10,000).

Westminster has the next highest number of pubs relative to its drinking-age population. The London borough’s 407 boozers works out as 23 for every 10,000 resident adults.

Powys also has 23 per 10,000 adults with a total of 259 pubs.

That’s followed by Pembrokeshire with 21 per 10,000 adults, then four council areas with 18 pubs for every 10,000 adults – Westmorland and Furness, North Yorkshire, Gwynedd and Ceredigion.

You can see how many pubs there are for every 10,000 adults in each council area in the country by using our interactive map.

London councils fill the top 10 list of areas with the most pubs relative to their geographic size.The City of London’s 188 pubs and bars works out as the equivalent of 169 for every square mile (with the area famously known as “the Square Mile” being slightly larger than a square mile).

Westminster’s 407 pubs is equivalent to 49 every square mile. In Islington, there are 40 pubs every square mile, while in both Camden there are 29, in Hackney 22 and in both Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham there are 20 every square mile.

Liverpool has the highest density of pubs outside of London. The city’s 502 boozers works out as nearly 12 for every square mile, the 11th highest ratio in England and Wales.

Manchester’s 432 pubs work out at nearly 10 per square mile. Portsmouth’s 139 pubs are nine per square mile, Blackpool’s 114 pubs are also nine per square mile, Norwich’s 127 are eight per square mile, as are Brighton’s 244 pubs and Bristol’s 321.

Wales and England’s 25 pub capitals

1. Derbyshire Dales
2. Westminster
3. Powys
4. Pembrokeshire
5. North Yorkshire
6. Westmorland and Furness
7. Gwynedd
8. Ceredigion
9. Carmarthenshire
10. Staffordshire Moorlands
11. South Hams
12. Denbighshire
13. Monmouthshire
14. North Devon
15. Cotswold
16. East Lindsey
17. West Devon
18. High Peak
19. Malvern Hills
20. Herefordshire, County of
21. Shropshire
22. Isle of Anglesey
23. Calderdale
24. Great Yarmouth
25. Amber Valley

A Cotswolds local has shared her five favourite spots to go for a bite to eat when you’ve completed your long country walk and need something hearty and delicious

Who can resist a hearty pub lunch after a refreshing walk, soaking up the stunning natural beauty around them? It’s simply an unbeatable experience.

It feels like a well-earned treat, and there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes after a good bout of exercise. That’s why a local woman from the Cotswolds has shared her top picks for a pub lunch if you’re visiting the area, but she warns that you “must” book in advance to avoid disappointment. Ali listed five of her favourite local eateries, all of which sound absolutely delightful and are worth checking out sooner rather than later.

1. The Kingham Plough, Kingham

Ali enthused: “My all-time favourite pub in the Cotswolds. Incredible roasts, consistently great food, faultless service and one of the prettiest villages around.”

A recent Tripadvisor review reads: “We had a lovely dinner with family and friends. The food, especially the more sophisticated dishes, was very good, the ambience pleasant, and the service enjoyable.”

2. The Lamb, Shipton-under-Wychwood

“Outstanding food and such good value evenings (think chicken night, curry night, etc). They also own a few other brilliant Cotswolds pubs that are just as good,” Ali noted.

A recent Tripadvisor review reads: “Roast Chicken – best I’ve ever had (obviously apart from my wife’s and mother’s). It’s really very exceptional. I would go as far as saying I would travel to the Lamb just to eat the roast chicken. Fabulous deal on Thursdays – an entire roast chicken plus trimmings for £30.”

3. The Fox at Oddington, Oddington

Ali praised it, writing: “A Daylesford-owned pub and a local favourite – especially on Thursday nights. Amazing pizza, beautiful interiors and a great atmosphere.”

One glowing Tripadvisor review gushed: “Wow! What a pub… the vibes are on point as soon as you walk in the door. We went on a busy Friday evening without a booking, and after having a drink in the bar, we were seated at a table by James, who was an outstanding host!”

“The food was absolutely superb, we had steak tartare, and the nduja scotch egg for starters, both amazing, then had the Fox double burger and beef bourguignon.

“Hands down the best burger I have ever tasted, and the beef was amazing, both were generous portions, great value for money. The service was great the whole time. Shout out to James, who was great to chat with and looked after us!”

4. The Bull, Charlbury

Ali described it as: “Recently named one of the best pubs in the UK. The menu might look a little intimidating, but trust me – the food is fantastic. Pie night every Thursday.”

One Tripadvisor reviewer shared: “We had a great lunch at The Bull! It is somewhat full of Londoners in rust-coloured corduroy, but that didn’t spoil what was a lovely lunch!”

“You do need to book as it’s extremely popular. Be prepared that it is incredibly dark with only candles for lighting, but all in all, we had a lovely meal – the plates are small, but deceivingly filling! The staff are really nice, and the atmosphere is cosy, lighthearted and easy.

“One word of caution – if you order a Bloody Mary, it may blow your head off!”

5. The Chequers, Churchill

Ali said: “Clarkson’s local and currently undergoing a refurbishment. Reopening mid-March in a stunning village location – one to watch for great food and atmosphere.”

A recent Tripadvisor review reads: “We had a lovely meal at The Chequers. The food was genuinely excellent – fresh, well-cooked, and full of flavour, with a great menu choice. What really stood out, though, was the staff. They were incredibly attentive without being overbearing, friendly, and made us feel very welcome throughout our visit.

“Everything came out promptly, and nothing was too much trouble. It’s clear they really care about the quality of both the food and the customer experience. We’ll definitely be returning and would happily recommend The Chequers to others.”

Which pub would you fancy visiting if you found yourself in the Cotswolds? Share your thoughts in the comments below…