Jordan Pickford: A history-making night for the keeper as he broke the record he shared with Gordon Banks for the number of consecutive clean sheets, which now stands at eight. Made a smart save to deny David Brooks, but didn’t have much more to trouble him. 6
Ezri Konsa: The Aston Villa defender was moved to right-back as John Stones came into the centre and the absence of the injured Reece James. Konsa looked solid as he has done in the past when playing in that position for England and offered an attacking outlet. Not tested defensively. 6
John Stones: His first match under Thomas Tuchel since he became England manager. Stones stepped into midfield to start attacks and it was an extremely comfortable return to international football after his injury troubles. 6
Marc Guehi: The Crystal Palace defender was his usual composed self at centre-back. Produced a great piece of play to keep the ball in and set up Morgan Rogers for his opening goal. Guehi must be a first-choice defender for England. 7
Djed Spence: Not anything of note to deal with defensively on his first start for England. A good outlet in attack and continues to be a versatile asset. 6
Declan Rice: Captain for the night and lived up to the honour. Bossed the midfield with his running power and dictated the game with his passing. His corners and free-kicks were always quality. 8
Elliot Anderson: Continues to make the number six position his own. Plays with maturity but still only 22. Has a real chance to become a key part of the England team. 7
Morgan Rogers: A favourite of Tuchel and one of the big options as a number 10. A great moment for him to score his first England goal and his powerful running caused Wales problems throughout the match. 8
Bukayo Saka: The Arsenal winger was a constant threat on the right wing – just as he is for his club. He scored the goal of the match with a real moment of quality when he cut in on his left foot and curled a shot into the top corner. 8
Anthony Gordon: Started the match on the left wing and was then moved to striker after Ollie Watkins was withdrawn. He played with his usual energy and pace and contributed to a solid win. 7
Ollie Watkins: A goal for Watkins. He hasn’t played much under Tuchel but the Villa front man took his chance when it came and is the clear backup for captain Harry Kane. But missed another good opportunity and a collision with a post led to injury and a half-time withdrawal. 7
UK seaside towns are usually a hit with tourists for their beautiful beaches, cosy pubs and fish and chip shops, but one town has become famous for a Sainsbury’s car park
The car park has a cult following (Image: SWNS)
When planning a seaside staycation, most people will look at a town’s proximity to beautiful beaches, the choice of pubs and chippies on offer, and whether there are many attractions to keep the whole family busy.
While Bude in Cornwall may be right by some gorgeous coastal walks and offer plenty of seaside charm, there’s a quirky reason why Brits are flocking to the town to snap photos.
In what is an example of British humour at its best, a Sainsbury’s car park has become the town’s top-rated attraction on Tripadvisor, with a rating of 4.7 stars.
It’s not entirely clear when it started, but UK tourists started leaving hilariously generous reviews of the Bude Tunnel, describing it as “magnificent” and “magical”, and comparing it to the likes of Lapland or London.
It’s gained such a cult following that Tripadvisor reportedly briefly switched off comments at one point because the reviews weren’t truthfully reflecting what it actually is; a perspex tunnel, in a car park.
“A life-changing stroll through plastic grandeur – loses half a star because our epic trek lacked a soundtrack,” one jokester wrote on the review site. “Maybe it would’ve been better at night when it’s lit up.”
The Bude Tunnel is infamous (Image: SWNS)
Another added: “Forget Harry Potter. If you want a magical experience, this is it. This is our second visit to the tunnel in as many years. You will NOT be disappointed.”
It could also turn out to be quite the romantic hotspot. One holidaymaker and their partner survived what must have been a rough time for them both as they wrote: “Doesn’t disappoint, it brought me and my partner closer together after a disagreement over Sainsbury’s opening times. Stronger than ever, thank you Bude tunnel.”
It gets decorated come Christmas time(Image: TripAdviser )
Locals have also been getting in on the joke, with one resident saying that “this South Western Wonder is a wonderful landmark which we are all sure to be proud to have in Cornwall”, quipping that they felt “so inspired and motivated” while they walked through the tunnel. Meanwhile Sainsbury’s has embraced the attention, and has even decorated the tunnel with some Christmas lights during festive seasons.
Luckily for tourists (and to be honest, locals), there’s a lot more that Bude has to offer. Other highly-rated attractions on Tripadvisor include the town’s natural sea pool, as well as some of the picturesque beaches such as Summerleaze Beach with its pirate ship model and Sandy Mouth Beach. Water sports fans won’t be disappointed either with a host of offerings from kayaking and bodyboarding to surfing. Meanwhile back on land, hikers can lace up their boots and take on a stretch of the South West Coast Path.
An expert braved a mini tour of the UK’s ‘worst hotel chain’ properties and reportedly found a tissue in a kettle, scum in a pool, a view of an overflowing skip and mismatched, tired furniture were among the delights waiting to greet him
The Grand Burstin Hotel is a prime spot at the edge of the harbour in Folkestone, Kent(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
After a hotel chain was named the worst in Britain for the 11th consecutive year, a curious expert decided to investigate to see if things were really that bad at their numerous properties across the country in prime locations.
A press release from the Royal Bath shows a part of its grand interior(Image: Free Picture)
Travel writer Gavin Haines wanted to see if the reports and findings were accurate and if things were really that bad on site. He stayed at three different hotels belonging to Britannia and it’s safe to say what he experienced certainly backed the research and reviews.
He had contacted Which? editor Rory Boland about the “abysmal” overall customer satisfaction ratings and was advised not to even bother visiting. “With over a decade of dismal reviews, our results suggest that Britannia should be avoided at all costs,” he was told.
Despite this he braved a stay at the Royal Bath in the traditional coastal town of Bournemouth. The grand hotel has a rich history – it was opened in 1838 on Queen Victoria’s Coronation Day and was the first hotel in the town.
The Bournemouth hotel has stunning views of the sea – from certain areas(Image: Free Picture)
It is set in its own landscaped grounds with spectacular views out to sea, which, its dedicated wedding website claims, makes it the perfect spot for your special day.
However Gavin found the venue’s interior special in a very different way. “The mismatched furniture looks like it was sourced in haste from a house clearance shop and makes me feel homesick,” he writes in the Telegraph.
“While the views make me want to call the Samaritans (if we can reasonably describe a rusty air conditioning unit, some broken guttering and fag ends on an enclosed flat roof as views).”
He couldn’t even bring himself to make a brew to improve his experience because the kettle had tissue inside it, “for reasons I’d rather not speculate on”.
A travel writer said the Royal Bath’s spa needed a ‘good jet wash’(Image: Free Picture)
One of the Royal Bath’s selling points is its spa with a heated indoor pool, steam room and gym. Unfortunately this also let the side down with a reported “line of scum” clinging to the tiles in the pool.
On Tripadvisor, where the hotel has a 2.6 score out of 5, one recent review backed his slimy discovery. In July this year, one visitor was looking forward to a spa day with high tea that had been booked by a friend but was incredibly “disappointed” by what they encountered.
“The Spa and pool was shabby, dated with missing tiles and broken lockers,” they revealed. “Nobody was at the desk so we had to wait to be allowed in. The crescent shaped pool was full of kids and toddlers, a tiny jacuzzi and sauna which were full and there were not enough loungers to accommodate everyone and hardly creating a peaceful luxurious experience!”
Large chunks of the rendering fell off injuring people below(Image: Steve Wood)
The high tea was more of a low point as well with, “sweaty cheese and curling bread”. When it came to Gavin’s dining experience, he did note that there probably wasn’t anywhere else in the popular town where you could get a three course meal for £15 in such grand surroundings, but you “get what you pay for”.
In his case it was a rock hard bread roll, overcooked and undercooked (quite a feat) carrots in the beef stew and a glow in the dark dessert.
Unfortunately his nights at other properties in the group were on par. The “ironically named” Palace Hotel in Buxton (3 out of 5 on TripAdvisor), like the Royal Bath, is a beautiful old building in a classical style set in five acres of gardens.
Sadly he didn’t get to admire these out of the window of his room that was “so cold I didn’t want to get out of bed”. Instead he was met with the choice view of an overflowing skip and old furniture dumped in a grotty car park.
While other visitors were similarly disappointed with the hotel, with many on Tripadvisor complaining of dirty rooms with poor facilities, there were those who appreciated its faded grandeur: “This hotel has lots of character & charm, yes parts are dated but that adds to its beauty,” shared one.
Another agreed: “For me the grandness of the building and the aspect looking out of the town was wonderful. Room didn’t have a window – as a result I had the best night’s sleep – didn’t know what time it was! I’d visit again – can put up with a bit of outdatedness for the charm and style of the place.”
Pictures from a family’s ‘nightmare’ stay at the Burstin with rubbish in hallways(Image: Daniel Brown WS)
There was no handle on the family’s door at the Burstin(Image: Daniel Brown WS)
So Gavin probably arrived with some understandable fear and trepidation, which would have been entirely justified but here he was treated to rose petals in his room.
However it seemed these weren’t a romantic welcome token from a thoughtful housekeeper and instead, “had presumably featured in a recent low-budget dirty weekend”. The spa facilities here were described as “scuzzy” and evoked “verruca socks”.
With plenty of Tripadvisor reviews of the various properties calling out their tired appearance, there are also those that highlight improvements that have been made, especially at the Royal Bath.
Britannia has invested £1million there recently but it seems, as with a lot of its premises, it’s pot luck what room you are allocated. One horrified guest says they were given a “cheap, nasty and dinky” room without a window in the “stinking” East Wing. While on the flip side, another was reportedly allocated a “spacious” room with a sea view, despite not paying extra for it.
It’s a similar pattern at the Burstin. While the reviewer wasn’t at all impressed with his room, others had a very different experience. One returning guest was perfectly happy with their allocation in August this year. They wrote on Tripadvisor: “Another superb stay here. But this time an even better room with an even better perfect sea view. Room was lovely clean and comfortable Well done Grand Burstin.”
Another who was wary of what to expect after reading poor reviews shared: “I was pleasantly surprised by the hotel. Its not the Ritz or something flash and modern, it is what you pay for – a budget hotel.”
The Mirror has contacted Britannia Hotels for comment.
