relaxing

A part in South Devon has been named the “most relaxing UK location” to visit in autumn – and it’s easy to see why

Bigbury-on-Sea, a coastal village in South Devon, has been lauded for its ‘stunning’ beach and named one of the top UK spots for autumn getaways. Nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this tranquil haven is a hit with walkers, birdwatchers, watersport enthusiasts, and families seeking a peaceful retreat to a sandy sanctuary.

In fact, it’s so highly regarded that it’s been dubbed the “most relaxing UK location” for a visit during the chillier months. The accolade comes courtesy of Parkdean Resorts, which described the “tranquil village” as the perfect spot for a “calming autumn staycation”.

The holiday firm praised the locale, saying: “This coastal gem offers picturesque views, serene walking trails, and tranquil shores.

“Its peaceful atmosphere, combined with its natural beauty, makes it an ideal escape for those looking to unwind and reconnect with nature this autumn.”

Situated within the South Devon National Landscape, Bigbury-On-Sea is renowned for its wildlife and natural splendour.

Just a stone’s throw from the mainland lies the iconic Burgh Island, accessible via a sandy pathway when the tide is low.

However, when the tide rolls in, the sea engulfs the causeway, leaving island visitors with the option of returning to shore by sea tractor or boat, reports the Express.

The beach also draws in sports lovers, offering prime conditions for windsurfing and paddleboarding. With amenities such as a cafe, public toilets, and parking available, it’s no wonder the beach is a family favourite too.

Canines are permitted on the main stretch of sand from October through to May, whilst they can frolic on the beach west of the causeway throughout the entire year.

For those who fancy a stroll, numerous coastal rambles begin near the shoreline and provide breathtaking vistas of the dramatic cliffs and rugged coastline.

One holidaymaker penned on TripAdvisor : “Bigbury-on-Sea is a bit of a jackpot if you’re after a dog-friendly beach with food and drink options within stumbling distance.”

Another commented: “My happy place. When the sun is shining this is great. Good sand, great views, good surf, good walk options, great beach barista coffee, and weirdly now has a sauna.”

A third visitor posted: “It’s a dog friend beach with amazing walks, stunning views and a fantastic coffee van which is much needed after a session in the wonderful waves for surfing!”.

Someone else shared: “Such an amazing beach, great views, went across onto the island and the views were amazing from the top.A great day out and also good for dogs because of the lovely sandy beach.”

LIMP Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers shared a final glimpse of his life just weeks before his sudden death aged 48.

The late star posted a picture of himself relaxing in the back of a limo during a trip to London.

The August 22 Instagram post, now flooded with tributes, showed the rocker leaning back in the plush seat, looking calm and content as he soaked up the moment in the UK capital.

“I hope everyone is having a great day. In London with my fav and and the LB Fam #limpbizkit #limpbizkitstyle #limpbizkitfamily #nothingbutlove,” Rivers captioned the photo.

The laid-back, joyful snapshot has now taken on heartbreaking new meaning after his death.

The founding member of the rap-rock giants passed away on Saturday, though a cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Read more on entertainment

TRAGIC LOSS

Diane Keaton cremated after dying from pneumonia as final days revealed

ROCK STAR GONE

Limp Bizkit star dies at 48 as band pays emotional tribute to ‘true legend’

His bandmates confirmed the news in an emotional statement to fans.

They wrote: “In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.

“Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound.”

They added: “From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.

“We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.

“He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory. We love you, Sam.

“We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends. — Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal.”

DJ Lethal shared his own heartfelt message, writing: “We love you Sam rivers. Please respect the family’s privacy at this moment. Give Sam his flowers and play Sam rivers basslines all day! We are in shock.

“Rest in power my brother! You will live on through your music and the lives you helped save with your music, charity work and friendships. We are heartbroken enjoy every millisecond of life. It’s not guaranteed.”

Rivers, born in Jacksonville, Florida, co-founded Limp Bizkit in 1994 alongside frontman Fred Durst and drummer John Otto, later joined by guitarist Wes Borland and DJ Lethal.

Together they reshaped late-’90s rock with hits like Break Stuff, My Way, Behind Blue Eyes and Take a Look Around, and their albums — including Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water — became era-defining records, with four going platinum or multi-platinum.

The band earned three Grammy nominations and a Billboard Music Award, cementing their status as one of the most influential rock acts of their generation.

Rivers’ journey wasn’t without battles.

SHOP TO IT

Shoppers race to grab kitchen set scanning for just £6 with huge £50 off

MURDER PROBE

‘Murdered’ businessman found dead inside his own home just weeks after wife

He left Limp Bizkit in 2015 after being diagnosed with liver disease caused by excessive drinking, later revealing he underwent a life-saving liver transplant in 2017.

He rejoined the band in 2018 after recovering, continuing to perform with them until his death.

The announcement could not have been more unfortunately timed. On the morning after the Dodgers had been swept by the Angels and fallen out of first place in the National League West for the first time in 108 days, the email to media members started this way: “Ever wonder how a player like Mookie Betts gets in the zone for the MLB Postseason?”

This is not on Betts, not at all. He is simply the front man for a campaign in which Corona Beer and its advertising partners had pre-timed an otherwise harmless press release for 6 a.m. PT Thursday. The headline on the press release: “Corona Teams Up with Mookie Betts to Bring the Beach to the Ballpark Through a First-of-its-Kind Soundtrack for the MLB Postseason.”

One of the keys to Betts’ success: an even keel that sometimes frustrates fans who want every player on their team to be as visibly frustrated as they are. In the aftermath of the Angels’ sweep, this is what Betts said Wednesday night: “It is what it is. Can’t change it right now.”

The promotional photo distributed with the press release shows Betts relaxing on a beach towel, next to home plate, headphones on. The soundtrack “fuses the iconic sounds of the ballpark with the relaxing vibe of the beach.”

Betts helped to pick seven minutes and 54 seconds of “home run blasts, in-stadium crowd waves and announcer calls from his most memorable postseason moments … combined with ambient ocean breezes and crashing waves.”

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts teamed up with Corona for a baseball-themed soundtrack campaign called “Playa Sounds.”

(Corona)

You can hear the soundtrack here. From the press release: “The entire mix is tuned at 432hz — a frequency commonly associated with enhanced clarity.”

“As a player, you need to be in the right head space to show up when the lights are brightest,” Betts said in the press release. “I worked with Corona to make sure this soundtrack accurately captures the energy of the postseason and channels that into something both the guys in the dugout and fans can use to prepare for the season’s biggest upcoming moments.”

In last year’s postseason, Betts batted .290, hitting four home runs and scoring 14 runs in 16 games. After the World Series, on an episode of his podcast, he and several teammates broke down the Dodgers’ championship run, including a discussion of the New York Yankees’ fundamental flaws in the World Series.

Spending lots of time in the garden right now? A Dunelm sun lounger has dropped in price, and it’s great for kicking back on sunny days.

Usually, the lounger would come with a £79 price tag, but the deal cuts it to £55.30.

1

Amsterdam Charcoal Lounger
£55.30 (was £79)

Several weeks of consistent hot weather in the UK means Brits have had the chance to spend more time outdoors soaking up the sun.

If you’re lucky enough to own a garden, that could mean simply stepping outside your back door without having to traipse to a park.

To fully make the most of your space this summer you’ll need some furniture, and a sun lounger is ideal for relaxing.

This Dunelm lounger is a comfortable option if you’re having a drink or reading, but you can also recline it for sunbathing or even to enjoy a mid-afternoon snooze.

The removable head pillow gives some raised support for the neck, making it that extra bit more comfortable, especially if you’ll be spending a couple of hours relaxing in it.

The Amsterdam Charcoal Lounger is great for having in the garden, but it’s also versatile enough to take with you on days out.

Thanks to the lightweight mesh material and foldable design, you could pop the chair in the car to take camping or to the beach.

Dunelm had a home and garden sale that ended this weekend, but the sun lounger is one of multiple items still on sale amongst the full price garden furniture.

As it’s not part of a timed sale, it’s not clear how long the £23.50 saving will last, but as with many Dunelm deals, there is always a risk of selling out.

With a 4.7 star rating, shoppers are full of praise for the garden bargain.

One shopper wrote: ‘’Another superb garden chair.’’

‘’Comfortable, adjustable – no assembly needed and a hugely satisfying price.’’

Another was impressed with the practical features, commenting: ‘’Very comfortable reclining lounger, well constructed, with an all weather covering.’’

 ‘’Perfect for relaxing in garden – tempted to buy a second one.’’

A third felt the chair was good value, saying: ‘’Better, smarter and cheaper than the expensive ones at the garden centre.’’

However, they did note the size of the chair, describing it as: ‘’very wide so takes up more space.’’

Amsterdam Charcoal Lounger
£55.30 (was £79)

As much as Brits love the sun, a heatwave can be uncomfortable, and if the current weather’s got you searching for a quick fix, it might be worth taking a look at the best portable air conditioners.

The heat can make sleep difficult too, and investing in one of the best cooling pillows could really help with getting a solid night’s rest.

There’s also a great deal on a popular fan right now – the Shark Flexbreeze fan is now under £100, and has a handy cordless option.

The experts at International Living have included one town on France’s Cote d’Azur on their list of the top eight best European towns for “adventurous expats”.

If you are considering a move to the EU to either save money or escape the city crowds, this little-known spot in France might be your best bet.

International Living has published its Hidden Places Initiative report which reveals eight of Europe’s best towns for adventurous expats, including one on the French Riviera. “Everybody talks about places like Barcelona, Lisbon and Florence. But the best overseas destinations aren’t always the ones you’ve heard of,” says Jennifer Stevens, executive editor at International Living. Enter Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a stunning town located between Nice and Monaco on France’s Cote d’Azur. The town offers expats a quieter perspective on the glitzy French Riviera and International Living calls it “a mash-up of wildly elegant, flower-flowing villas and earthy, burnt-pastel homes stacked haphazardly along the Mediterranean”.

That said, Villefranche-sur-Mer still maintains the iconic Riviera glamour of its neighbours like Nice. In fact, part of the James Bond classic Never Say Never Gain was filmed nearby.

READ MORE: ‘I ditched London to live in underrated UK seaside town just one hour away’

The hilly landscape allows for heightened views of the bay below, while stairs take residents up to the steeper parts of the town, including its historic centre. Describing Villefranche, International Living says: “It’s as if Positano and Florence, Italy, did an 1800s collaboration with a palette of muted orange, yellow, and deep turquoise.”

Two of the biggest draws of the town are its horseshoe-shaped bay and its impressive architecture – including a smattering of pastel-coloured French villas and cafes and medieval alleyways. But those picture-perfect villas and apartment buildings don’t come cheap.

According to International Living: “A couple can expect to spend at least £2,233 a month, with rent starting around £2,527”. Thus, Villefranche is not for every budget, but it is ideal for expats with a love of French art and culture.

As confirmed by International Living “music is a big deal in town, as is art”. Villefranche residents enjoy open-air cinemas throughout the summer and impressive art shows at the town’s Citadel. Other favourite events including classic car races, the Naval Flower Battle, jazz concerts, and open-air plays performed in the historic centre.

If you want to improve your French while living in town, you can also take lessons at the Institut de Français. The school offers courses ranging from two weeks to one month and also organises excursions and homestays.

Given the higher cost of living compared to other European destinations, Villefranche-sur-Mer is best-suited for digital nomads and retirees craving serenity, cultural enrichment and a touch of glam.

Full list of International Living’s Hidden Places destinations

• Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
• Toulon, France
• Litochoro, Greece
• Kavala, Greece
• Ioannina, Greece
• Esposende, Portugal
• Rayong, Thailand
• Guimarães, Portugal
• San Pancho, Mexico
• Cádiz, Spain
• Palermo, Italy
• Amed, Bali
• Ascoli Piceno, Italy
• Isla Holbox, Mexico