revealed

PLANS for a brand-new luxury hotel resort located in the European countryside have been unveiled.

The spot is known for its award-winning golf course and has now partnered with a renowned luxury hotel brand for the project.

Nobu Hotels has announced plans for its latest luxury destination which will welcome visitors to Portugal’s Eastern Algarve.

The site will be Portugal’s second Nobu location, with the lifestyle hotel chain previously announcing plans for an expansion in Lisbon on Avenida da Liberdade.

Construction for the Algarve holiday spot is set to begin in 2027, with plans to accommodate guests in 2029.

The hotel will reside within more than 1,000 acres of countryside at the iconic Monte Rei site, known for its Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course.

ROOM FOR MORE

I slept in London’s cheapest underground hotel with £39 windowless rooms

HOT PROPERTY

The ‘best-kept secret’ beach in the UK that’s getting popular

Plans for the new Nobu Hotel include 100 guestrooms and suites, alongside a signature Nobu restaurant and dedicated wellness and lifestyle amenities.

As part of the development, over 226,000 sq ft of land will become villas and branded residences, meaning guests and owners can enjoy Nobu services while living on the Monte Rei site.

According to Nobu Hospitality, in the past two decades, Monte Rei has garnered international reputations owing to “its award-winning golf, high standards of service, residential community and enviable location in one of Portugal’s most characterful resort regions”.

The resort hopes to combine the luxury and hospitality of Nobu with the exceptional privacy offered by the Monte Rei setting.

CEO of Nobu Hospitality, Trevor Horwell, said: “Monte Rei offers a rare combination of natural beauty, privacy and an established reputation for exceptional golf and residential living.

“Together with Norfin, we have the opportunity to create a distinctive Nobu destination that feels deeply connected to the Eastern Algarve while delivering the hospitality, dining, design and service for which the brand is known around the world.”

The project is set to bring together an international design team, including DSA Architects and the Rockwell Group, to develop the architecture and vision of the luxury resort.

CEO of Norfin, Miguel Mateus, has called the new plans an “important milestone” for Monte Rei.

“The resort has long been recognised for the quality of its golf, service and residential environment.

“We are now building on that legacy with a broader ambition for the destination – one that brings together world-class hospitality, exceptional residential living and carefully designed leisure experiences.

WITH the summer holidays in full swing, many Brits are swapping their passports for a classic road trip.

Rising travel costs and endless airport queues have seen more and more Brits opt for a staycation this year.

The UK’s best road trip routes have officially been ranked, as a record number of Brits ditch trips abroad for the UK’s best scenery.

From beautiful coastlines, to tranquil national parks, these 10 scenic routes showcase the highlights of the British countryside.

Lake District Scenic Loop, England

The Lake District’s Scenic Loop, catching the very best of the region’s mountaineous terrain and glacial lakes, ranks as Britain’s favourite road trip.

Driving routes such as the Keswick-Borrowdale-Buttermere loop, or the larger Ambleside-Keswick-Ullswater circuit, are road trip favourites, letting you enjoy the very best of the landscape.

DIG IN

Premier Inn launches new Kids Eat Free deal which includes ALL meals

SAVE IT

Seaside holiday parks that still have VERY cheap summer deals, from £4.34pp a night

North Coast 500, Scotland

Scotland’s famous 516-mile-long North Coast 500 ranks second, praised for its dramatic scenery.

Boasting historic castles and stunning beaches, this sprawling route offers a phenomenal snapshot of the Northern Highlands.

Atlantic Highway, South West England

The Atlantic Highway, the scenic 70-mile stretch from Barnstaple in North Devon, to Newquay in Cornwall, takes third place.

Travellers taking this coastal route can take in the beautiful beaches, spectacular cliffs, and enjoy delicious seafood on the way.

Snowdonia’s Coast Way, Wales

Spanning roughly 49 to 80 miles along the region’s western coastal mountains, Snowdonia’s Coast Way boasts views of sandy beaches and historic mountains.

With frequent sightings of dolphins, porpoises and seals, along with seaside towns to enjoy, this scenic route places fourth.

Yorkshire Dales Scenic Drive, England

A drive through the Yorkshire Dales takes you through an area renowned for its pretty villages and windswept moors.

Placing fifth, the route’s combination of greenery and the inviting valleys of Wensleydale, Swaledale, and Wharfedale, keep Brits coming back year after year.

Jurassic Coast Trip, South Coast of England

Achieving sixth place, the 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast route takes holidaymakers straight through England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This road trip shows off England’s best geological features, stretching between Old Harry Rocks in Dorset and Exmouth in East Devon.

Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland

The Causeway Coastal Route shows off Northern Ireland’s rocky terrain between the cities of Belfast and Derry.

Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, and full of opportunities to explore castles, beaches and historic towns, Ireland’s coastal journey ranks seventh.

Dartmoor Explorer Route, Devon

The open moorland and historic villages of Devon’s Dartmoor National Park is a great way to enjoy the south of England’s gorgeous scenery.

Placed at eighth, a drive through the ancient woodlands takes you to the heart of Devon.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Drive, Wales

Spanning as far as 180 miles, a road trip through Pembrokeshire Coast National Park places ninth.

This route guides you through the best west Wales scenery from rugged sea cliffs, medieval castles, and harbour towns.

Hadrian’s Wall Route, Northumberland

The 73 mile coast-to-coast route, stretching from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Cumbria, is a beautiful way to enjoy this artefact of the Roman Empire.

Ranking tenth on the list, this road trip offers stunning viewpoint hikes and historic market towns.

FREDDY Brazier’s dog Pablo will not be destroyed after it attacked him and his nan Jackiey Budden.

Pals said Freddy, 21, was elated after fearing pocket bully Pablo would be put down after the incidents, which left him needing hospital treatment.

The Sun understands 18-month-old Pablo had a urine infection at the time of the three attacks earlier this month, which vets believe may have affected his behaviour.

Freddy was left with a 3cm hole in his right arm after Pablo attacked him, just hours after the dog wounded Jackiey, 68, for the second time last Wednesday.

Just days prior, on July 16, neighbours had raised the alarm after hearing Jackiey’s screams after she was attacked by the crossbreed.

A friend said: “Freddy had seven days to make a case to save Pablo from death and find him somewhere to stay.

face off

Katie Price and Peter Andre to come face to face for first time in 16 YEARS

HIGH ROAD

Olivia Attwood says why she failed to post screenshots ‘exposing’ ex Brad

“He has done that and he has now been assured that the dog won’t be destroyed.

“What happened was shocking and very sad, but Freddy knows Pablo isn’t a bad dog.

“He was told a urine infection could have altered his behaviour, and he has not been violent before.

“For now, Freddy has arranged to have Pablo taken by a specialist trainer who will care for him and get him back to his best before they work out what to do next.

“Freddy is absolutely elated.”

On Sunday Freddy made an emotional plea in The Sun On Sunday and admitted he was fearing for Pablo’s life after the police seized him after the attack.

The incident happened last week, with Freddy leaving his dad Jeff’s home in Essex to get to Bermondsey to support Jackiey, who had dialled 999 saying Pablo had attacked her.

Freddy went to take the dog away from Jackiey’s but it then turned on him in the street.

Freddy said of the incident: “I’ve taken him out of the house. I’ve calmed him down. I’m going: ‘Sorry boy I know it’s been so long. I love you. I’ve missed you.’

“I’m scratching his back, but then he hooked on to my arm. The dog was hanging off me.

“I couldn’t feel anything in my right arm. But then I saw blood coming out of my tracksuit.”

He went on to receive treatment at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.

Freddy said: “I have never seen him as my dog — he’s like my son.”

THE most beautiful buildings in the entire world have been named and one surprising estate from the UK has made the list.

However, if you want to visit the pretty British attraction book to go as soon as possible is set to close for a multi-million pound revamp.

The Barbican in London has taken second place to India‘s grand Taj Mahal as Time Out’s 26 ‘most beautiful buildings’ to see in 2026.

The free-to-visit landmark attracts over a million visitors each year and is set to undergo a huge upgrade to save it falling into disrepair.

At the estimated cost of £231million, The Barbican will upgrade its indoor rainforest in its Conservatory which is home to 1,500 species of plant.

Also included in the plans is to protect Barbican’s brutalist foyers and lakeside terrace.

PARK UP

Epic UK holiday parks with waterparks, theme parks & Spoons pubs from £3pp a night

HOL YES

Cheapest summer for holidays in YEARS – with August breaks still on sale for £188pp

Outside in the courtyard, the pond will be revamped to stop water leaking onto the Metropolitan Line below – there will be new fountains and seating outside too.

The visitor destination is already free to visit, and this will continue once the revamp is complete.

The refurbishment project is set to start in 2028 when it will close until 2029.

The Barbican was pipped to the post by the Taj Mahal, a picture-perfect landmark in India built in the 1600s – it’s not hard to see why it got top spot.

Coming in third place was the Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland which is a church standing at 244 feet.

Not only is it a place of worship, but it has an observation tower where visitors can get incredible city views.

In Europe, other honourable mentions go to the Sagrada Familia in Spain which is very near completion after 140 years.

The outside of Gaudi’s basilica was completed in February, but there is some work still to do before it’s officially finished.

The Twist in Norway came in twelfth position and is a spectacular art gallery that is also used as a bridge.

It’s part of the Kistefos Sculpture Park and sits across the Ranselva River.

Another UK building did make the list coming in at number 21 – and it’s the Maggie’s Centre at St James’s Hospital in London.

The publication described it as having “mushroom-shaped forms grow from the floors to form the tiered roofs, and the stems are deep enough to contain loos and lifts.

“The space is decorated with mostly natural materials – think cork-topped tables, resin floors and cascading potted plants.”

Some more classic monuments and structures on the list include The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Pantheon in Italy and Ad-Dayr in Petra, Jordan.

Colombia‘s impressive Santuario de Las Lajas comes in at number 19.

The enormous basilica sits on a bridge over the Guáitara River – it has been a pilgrimage destination since the eighteenth century and now gets up to 900,000 visitors each year.

Here’s the full list of Time Out’s ‘world’s 26 most beautiful buildings to see in 2026’…

1. Taj Mahal, India
2. The Barbican Estate, UK
3. Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland
4. Sagrada Familia, Spain
5. Museum SAN, South Korea
6. The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
7. Fallingwater, USA
8. Ad-Dayr (The Monastery), Petra, Jordan
9. Fondation Louis Vuitton, France
10. Trinity College Library, Ireland
11. Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali
12. The Twist, Norway
13. Nasir Ol Molk Mosque, Iran
14. Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Bangladesh
15. Pantheon, Italy
16. Palmenhaus at Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
17. Bát Tràng Ceramic Community House, Vietnam
18. Museum at Eldridge Street, USA
19. Santuario de Las Lajas, Colombia
20. Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Australia
21. Maggie’s Centre (St James’s Hospital), UK
22. Baháʼí Temple of South America, Chile
23. Futuna Chapel, New Zealand
24. National Holocaust Monument, Canada
25. Komera Leadership Centre, Rwanda
26. Enryaku-ji, Japan

When BAE Systems unveiled the first rendering of the United Kingdom’s Combat Air Flying Demonstrator last year, it finally gave us a look at the test aircraft that will spearhead development of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), at the center of which is the stealthy Tempest fighter. Now, new images, as well as a scale model, provide more details and a better idea of its scale.

The company has released its clearest official photograph yet of the demonstrator under construction. Seen at the top of this story, it shows the fuselage of the jet being built at the BAE Systems facility in Samlesbury. Meanwhile, the wings and fins are being built at Warton, from where the aircraft is due to fly before the end of 2027.

In aerospace, a demonstrator (or technology demonstrator) is an aircraft built primarily to prove technologies, manufacturing methods, aerodynamic concepts, and systems integration, rather than to become an operational weapon system. As a precursor to a prototype that would more closely represent a final configuration, they are nearly always smaller, simpler designs that leverage off-the-shelf components wherever possible to get them into the air faster and to prove core concepts and/or a package of concepts. The last such known fighter demonstrator in this class built in the United Kingdom was the British Aerospace EAP that first flew in 1986 and proved the concept for the Typhoon that followed it. 

The Combat Air Flying Demonstrator will inform the sixth-generation Tempest fighter, which is being developed for the air forces of the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, for service in the 2040s and beyond. Canada also recently joined the program as an observer, and there are reports that Germany might also be considering coming on board.

A model of the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator presented at the Farnborough International Airshow in England earlier this week:

The new scale model confirms that the twin-engine aircraft has outward-canted twin fins and no horizontal tails. Another major difference that we know about relates to the powerplant. The Combat Air Flying Demonstrator will use the same EJ200 turbofans as the Typhoon. The production Tempest will feature an all-new powerplant that is now under development. Nevertheless, officials have said that the demonstrator will have fighter-style handling, despite its size and lack of thrust compared to the Tempest.

Overall, the demonstrator aircraft has some similarities to the F-35 (except the horizontal tails), including forward-swept intakes that are a DSI design and a prominent ‘chine’ on the forward fuselage. The center fuselage section is notably long and broad, something carried over, but to a lesser degree, from Tempest renderings and models.

The inboard leading edge of the wing is slightly cranked, there is some forward sweep on the trailing edge, and the wingtips are severely cropped. The result is something of a modified cropped-delta wing, very different to the lambda wing that appeared on the very first Tempest concept and closer to the large-area delta that appears on later Tempest concepts. As for the demo jet’s tailfins, these are simpler than those on the latest Tempest mockup, being trapezoidal rather than having five ‘sides’.

The canopy also appears to offer limited rearward visibility. The underside of the fuselage almost has area-ruled, hour-glass-like contours.

The factory-floor photograph includes technicians, assembly tooling, work platforms, and production fixtures that immediately provide useful reference points. Even allowing for perspective effects, the demonstrator’s center fuselage appears broad and deep.

Looking down the spine of the aircraft, the width of the centerbody is especially striking. The absence of skin panels exposes a substantial internal space, which accommodates low-observable serpentine intakes, while the distance between the outer mold line on each side further hints at the generous internal volume available inside the aircraft.

Of course, perspective can exaggerate proportions, and this remains a technology demonstrator rather than the final operational GCAP fighter, let alone a Tempest prototype. The aircraft that eventually enters service in the mid-2030s will undoubtedly differ in various respects.

Air Commodore Martin Lowe, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program director at the U.K. Ministry of Defense, has stressed this exact reality. He highlights that the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is not a Tempest prototype, particularly not “in terms of shape or size.” The final configuration of the Tempest has yet to be settled, but it will surely be bigger and more complex than the demonstrator. A new, full-size mockup of the Tempest was also presented at the Farnborough International Airshow in England this week.

While the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator has a definite F-35 ‘look,’ the latest Tempest mockup owes more to the F-22 Raptor. In fact, in at least one recent render, seen below, it appears like a wider, squatter F-22, suggesting an even more generous internal capacity.

As TWZ previously reported, the future combat aircraft is being designed around “really extreme range” and a payload approximately double that of the F-35A. Just in terms of internal and external ordnance, for the F-35A, this equates to more than 18,000 pounds, according to the manufacturer. This would suggest the Tempest’s internal payload will be around 10,000 pounds compared to the F-35A’s 5,000 pounds.

Those requirements point toward a substantially larger aircraft with dramatically greater internal volume than today’s fighters. They also reflect similar concerns that have driven the development of the U.S. Air Force’s Boeing F-47 under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Range is heavily dictated by fuel load, which the Tempest will carry internally to preserve its stealth qualities. At the same time, carrying significantly more — and larger — internal weapons than current fighters demands larger weapons bays. Sixth-generation aircraft are also expected to require unprecedented electrical power generation and cooling capacity to support advanced sensors, electronic warfare suites, communications systems, onboard computing, and potentially future capabilities such as directed-energy weapons.

Previous renderings gave us an idea of the shape of Britain’s future stealth fighter demonstrator. However, the new model and photos from the production line provide useful new detail of the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, including a better appreciation of its scale. Ultimately, once the Tempest appears, it will likely be an even bigger and more impressive aircraft.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the prominent Republican from South Carolina who served in the Senate for more than two decades, died after suffering an aortic dissection, his office said Sunday.

Graham died unexpectedly Saturday night, his office announced, shortly after he had returned to Washington after a trip to Ukraine.

In a statement, his spokesperson said a preliminary report from the medical examiner for the District of Columbia found that the 71-year-old senator died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. With aortic dissection, a tear occurs in the wall of the aorta.

According to the Mayo Clinic, aortic dissection is not very common, and its symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to other health conditions. It usually affects men in their 60s and 70s. If the blood from the dissection travels outside the artery, the condition is often fatal.

A former military lawyer who reached the rank of colonel in the Air Force, Graham ran for the Republican nomination for president in 2016. Initially a cutting, vocal critic of then-candidate Donald Trump during the election, Graham became one of the president’s staunchest allies after Trump’s election.

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth, on Sunday. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot.”

Graham was known as a C student in high school, and was the first member of his family to attend college. His mother died while he attended the University of South Carolina, and his father died of a heart attack during Graham’s first semester of law school.

He served as a judge advocate in the Air Force, eventually becoming the chief prosecutor for the Air Force in Europe.

He was first elected to serve as senator for South Carolina in November 2002.

In a social media post on X, Vice President JD Vance described Graham as one of the most powerful lawmakers, and recalled an incident where he and Graham got into a shouting match over a funding bill for the war in Ukraine.

Later the same day, he wrote in the post, Graham was advocating for rail legislation that Vance supported.

“That was Lindsey Graham,” he wrote. “He fought like hell for the things he believed in, and he was just as willing to go to bat for you when it counted.”

Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday to discuss his trip to Ukraine. Instead, President Trump appeared in his stead, where he said the senator had been “like a member of the family.”

Trump called into several Sunday news programs to discuss Graham’s death, and said he had spoken to Graham on Saturday evening.

Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the South Carolina senator had said he was “tired.”

RICKY Gervais banked £16.2million from his sell-out 80-date live Mortality tour, accounts show.

The Brit comedy legend, 65, raked in £311,500 a week for the stint.

It meant the 2025-26 financial year was his best earner to date.

His firm, Red Lion 99, has £17.9million in assets and he has another £33.9million in his TV and film firms listed on Companies House.

Gervais will earn even more from a new nationwide tour, Legend, which starts this autumn.

Yet the Reading-born star is known to be disinterested in wealth.

READ MORE ON RICKY GERVAIS

OFFICE POLITICS

Inside The Office rift as Ricky Gervais snubs BBC on show’s 25th birthday

SHAKE-UP

Woke Bafta hosts could be axed after Ricky Gervais offers to turn it into roast

He once said: “People ask me why I dress like a tramp.

“And I say, ‘My clothes are clean and comfortable.

“Who am I trying to impress?’

“I don’t wear £50,000 watches. I don’t collect cars. I can’t drive.”

“Nothing gives me more of a buzz than to help an animal. I don’t get excited about things.

“I’m not a hippie or communist, I think money’s for the safety of your family and friends, and you can’t take it with you.”

Coronation Street’s Ross Wilkes showed his true colours with Cassie Plummer on Friday ahead of her exit from the ITV soap, which is linked to Tyrone’s dad’s arrival

Ross in Coronation Street made his true feelings known on Friday as he blackmailed Cassie Plummer.

The new character, played by actor Ian Burfield, debuted on the ITV soap this week. He’s the long-lost father of Tyrone Dobbs, Cassie’s son.

Cassie failed to recognise Ross when she met him in the hotel bar, and drunkenly began flirting with him. It was Friday’s episode, after Cassie had recognised Ross’ name on his bar receipt, that we saw them come face-to-face again.

This time, it was the moment Ross met Tyrone, and Tyrone realised the newcomer was his father. Later in the episode, Tyrone had told Ross where to go as he did not need a father after 40 plus years without one.

Ross was gutted about this, but instead of trying harder, he turned nasty with Cassie. Bumping into her in the shop, Ross blackmailed her over their moment in the bar.

Threatening to tell Cassie’s partner Steve McDonald and Tyrone about Cassie making a pass at him, Ross told Cassie she needed to help him. He wanted Cassie to basically change Tyrone’s mind about not seeing him.

Obviously wanting a relationship with his son, instead of trying to get Tyrone onside he decided to force Cassie to convince Tyrone instead. Cassie was alarmed, and there’s possibly some stuff about Cassie and Ross’ past that we don’t know.

So with Cassie set to leave the soap this year, and it revealed Ross is linked to the exit, could be turn Tyrone against her? That’s not clear just yet, but what is clear is that Cassie is right to worry about Ross.

She was so rattled by him that she left the room when she and Tyrone were left alone with him. She couldn’t face it, and now on top of that she’s fearful Ross is going to expose her to Steve over the bar incident.

The way that Ross turned on her in the shop, threatening her, proves he’s not to be messed with. Spoilers for next week reveal that Cassie tries to warn people about Ross, saying he isn’t what he seems.

When Ross gets told about this, he takes action. Once again threatening her, it’s not long before Cassie has a decision to make as the blackmailing continues. So will Cassie confess to Steve, and will she be rejected by Tyrone if Ross continues to play games?

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

AFTER their star-studded wedding in New York last week, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s secret honeymoon location has finally been revealed.

Fans have of course been desperate to know where the newlyweds will be taking their post-wedding vacation.

The couple’s wedding was kept well under wraps and it seems the honeymoon has been no different.

In a bid to keep the location locked down, it’s been revealed that Taylor and Travis took different planes and airports to reach their destination.

NFL star Travis and pop queen Taylor are keen to enjoy their “newlywed bubble,” a source told the Mail.

They claim the A-listers hunkered for a few nights together before jetting off on their lavish getaway.

Read more on Taylor Swift

FEARLESS

New details on Taylor Swift’s wedding dress revealed – including ’25ft train’

Taylor and Travis were spotted at the ultra-exclusive Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana, in the days following their nuptials at Madison Square Garden, according to the Mail’s source.

The smitten couple have been seen in the resort before and it’s quickly become somewhat of a quiet and private place for them to spend time.

Over the July 4 weekend, Taylor’s jet was loaned to family friends, who were spotted at her bougie $30 million holiday home in Rhode Island.

Flight paths show her plane then return through Nashville before it finally landed at Bozeman International Airport in Montana – a stones throw away from the Yellowstone Club.

To be granted a membership at the club, guests must own property on the site and pay the initial eye-popping membership fee of approximately $500,000, plus the yearly cost of $78,000.

Yellowstone Club features jaw-dropping mountain views, multiple pools including an infinity, rustic yet modern interiors and 15,200 acres of land.

Travis and 14-time Grammy Award winner Taylor have been to the luxury hideaway multiple times over the past few years with no snaps of the pair inside the gates ever surfacing online.

Last July, there was chatter they spent Independence Day weekend at the retreat and it was later confirmed by Travis himself as he donned a Yellowstone Club t-shirt in an episode of his podcast.

The resort is so exclusive that no one can enter without an invite.

Bill Gates, Tom Brady and Mark Zuckerberg are known members of the club.

Travis and Taylor tied the knot in front of 1000 of their closest family and celebrity pals on Friday July 3.

It was announced to the world at 7:30pm as the words “JUST&T MARRIED” flashed up on screens around MSG.

READY to book your staycation for the school summer holidays?

Then, you might want to check out this list of the best and worst seaside towns across the UK.

In the new survey revealed by Which?, Bamburgh, in Northumberland, came out on top, for the sixth year running.

The towns were voted on by more than 5,300 people focusing on a range of criteria including the quality of the beaches, scenery, food and drink, accommodation, tourist attractions, shopping and value for money.

Bamburgh scored 84 per cent overall, achieving five stars for its beaches and “spectacular coastal scenery”.

Coming in second is Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, scoring 82 per cent – with five stars for its seafront, pier and food and drink.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

CHEAP BREAKS

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

Meanwhile, up in Scotland, Fife secured two places in the top 10 with St Andrews in third place, scoring 81 per cent and Crail in joint fourth place, scoring 80 per cent.

Crail tied with Aldeburgh in Suffolk also scoring 80 per cent and then rounding out the top five is Southwold, scoring 78 per cent.

On the other hand, there were a number of towns that failed to impress including Clacton-on-Sea, scoring 48 per cent.

A number of more popular seaside towns also didn’t get great scores, such as Margate (53 per cent) and Newquay (55 per cent).

Both gained only one star for peace and quiet and two stars for value for money.

When speaking of Margate, one visitor commented how the town centre is “run down”.

Another added: “Margate is quirky and not overly commercialised. It’s got some great events and places to eat and shop. It’s still a bit rough around the edges but it knows it.”

On the other hand, down in Newquay, people commented how hen and stag parties had taken over, with another person commenting: “Newquay is a brash and overly busy seaside town.

“There are better beaches and towns nearby which are quieter.”

Famous for featuring in the TV sitcom series Gavin & Stacey, Barry Island also didn’t score well, scoring around 54 per cent.

One visitor said: “Unless you are a big Gavin and Stacey fan I’d give it a miss.”

The lowest score though went to Bognor Regis, scoring 41 per cent with visitors commenting that it was “tired” and needed “major rejuvenation”.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: “The North East has emerged as this year’s favourite seaside spot, a reflection of its outstanding beaches and the fact that holidays here can be fantastic value for money.

“It also shows that there are special seaside towns in every corner of the UK.

“From Swanage to Plockton, Southwold to Conwy, you’ll have a great time in many of the country’s lesser-known destinations, and should save some money too.

“Whether you’re returning to a much-loved seaside town or discovering a hidden gem, there’s something for everyone.”

IT’S no secret that the UK is becoming a nation of outdoor swimmers – especially when the weather heats up.

Now, the AA has revealed the very best of Britain’s lidos and outdoor pools from across the country.

161 outdoor pools, lidos and tidal pools were ranked on factors like Google search popularity, review scores, social media engagement, local sunshine and temperature data for July.

Taking the number one spot was Brockwell Lido found in Herne Hill which earlier this year was saved from closure.

The lido which has an on-site gym and café received a score of 72.58 out of 100.

The AA said: “Taking the number one spot for another year, Brockwell Lido remains one of the country’s most beloved swimming destinations.

SEA VIEW

UK’s top £9.50 holiday park has waterpark & private beach with dolphins offshore

ISLE GO

Why Maldives holidays are cheaper than EVER – with crazy bargains from £1,437pp

“The iconic Art Deco pool, set within Brockwell Park, combines heritage charm with modern facilities and a lively atmosphere.

“Popular with families, fitness enthusiasts and sunseekers alike, it continues to stand out for its strong reviews, huge social media presence and year-round appeal.”

Coming in second place with a score of 67.18 is Stoney Cove in Leicestershire.

Rather than being your average outdoor swimming pool, Stoney Cove is a flooded quarry – it’s a popular spot for scuba diving and open-water swimming.

The AA added: “Stoney Cove has jumped from seventh place last year to second place and is one of Britain’s most distinctive outdoor swimming destinations.

“Best known as a world-class inland diving and watersports venue, the former quarry is spring-fed and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

“Its crystal-clear waters spanning 13 acres, excellent facilities and picturesque setting make it one of the UK‘s standout locations for adventurous swimmers.”

In third place was another London lido – Tooting Bec.

It’s the UK’s largest freshwater outdoor pool, lined by colourful changing rooms and it has a café and picnic area too.

Other London pools that made the list were London Fields Lido, Greenland Dock, Hampton Pool and Hampstead Mixed Pond.

Further south, two swim spots in Cornwall made the list – the Bude Sea Pool which is a semi-natural tidal pool and Jubilee Pool which is the largest seawater pool.

Swimming pools and lidos on the Channel Islands also made the top 20 – these are Havre des Pas Bathing Pool and La Vallette Bathing Pools.

Other popular spots included Sale Water Park in Greater Manchester, Tollesbury Woodup Pool in Essex and Lido Ponty in Wales.

Here’s the full list of the AA’s lovesliest lidos and pools…

1. Brockwell Lido, London – 72.58
2. Stoney Cove, Leicestershire – 67.18
3. Tooting Bec, London – 65.55
4. London Fields Lido – 64.77
5. Clevedon Marine Lake, Somerset – 64.61
6. Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall – 63.59
7. Sale Water Park, Greater Manchester – 62.70
8. Dancing Ledge, Dorset – 59.81
9. Greenland Dock, London – 57.66
10. Tollesbury Woodup Pool, Essex – 56.70
11. Hampton Pool, Greater London – 56.50
12. Havre des Pas Bathing Pool, Jersey – 56.15
13. Cheltenham Lido, Gloucestershire – 56.06
14. Hampstead Mixed Pond, London – 55.86
15. Viking Bay Tidal Pool, Kent – 55.61
16. Guildford Lido, Surrey – 55.60
17. Jubilee Pool, Cornwall – 55.45
18. La Vallette Bathing Pools, Guernsey – 54.73
19. Saltdean Lido, East Sussex – 54.49
20. Lido Ponty, Wales – 54.45

IF YOU are looking for your next European city break, then look no further as the best spots on the continent have been announced.

From popular Spanish spots to Italian hidden gems, the best 15 cities in Europe have been named – though it is bad news for the UK that didn’t feature on the list at all.

Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards are decided by readers’ votes and this year over 661,000 people took part.

Coming out on top is Florence in Italy, scoring 89.48 out of 100.

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey, who has previously visited the city, said: “There is no better place to go for art lovers, with Florence being home to famous works from Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.

“You can also dine like a king, with slices of pizza for €1.50 (£1.29) and pasta dishes from €5 (£4.29).

Read more on travel inspo

TRAVEL TIP

The £2.99 SIM hack that can save Brits HUNDREDS abroad

STAYCAY

Our travel experts’ best-kept-secret UK holiday spots for summer – from £37 a night

“All of the major attractions are a short walk from each other although if you really need a break, you can book an electric golf-buggy eco-tour that traverses the narrow roads.

“Something unusual to keep an eye out for is Florence’s wine windows – ordering a glass of vino through a tiny hole in the wall was created as a way to socially distance during the plague in the 17th century.”

Then in second place is Prague, in the Czech Republic – nicknamed ‘jewel in the crown of Europe’ – scoring 88.89 out of 100.

One Sun reporter who previously visited the city said: “Prague may be best known for its beer, but hillside winery Vini ní Altan is a great option.

“There are great views from inside the intricately carved wooden gazebo, and children can burn off some energy in the vine-strewn park below.

“Prague boasts the largest castle in the world — effectively a small town on top of a hill.

Rounding out the top three is Salzburg in Austria, scoring 88.31 out of 100.

The Sun’s Laura Purkess said: “Salzburg, the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music, sits in Austria’s beautiful Eastern Alps.

“While most of us associate the Alps with snow- caps and skiing, this city makes an ideal summer holiday destination — and it’s affordable.

“If you’re a keen hiker, it’s relatively easy to get from the city centre into the mountains which are filled with stunning, tree-lined trails that take anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours to complete.

“Hardcore fans of The Sound of Music should swap the free walking tour for a proper guided one of the film sets that takes you to locations beyond the city centre, including Church Mondsee, where Maria wed the Baron.”

Porto, Portugal and Ljubljana, Slovenia – nicknamed the ‘green jewel of Europe’ – then followed to round out the top five.

Two spots in Spain featured on the list with Seville in 10th and Madrid in 13th.

Seville is the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region and is known for its Moorish architecture as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

As for the Spanish capital, Madrid, you can head to a number of museums and Royal Palaces.

Two spots in Italy also featured on this list with Rome in seventh, and for a lesser-known Italian spot, head to Siena which featured in 14th.

The medieval city found in Tuscany, boasts a UNESCO-listed historic centre, where you can head to Piazza del Campo – the main square – and Duomo di Siena – a cathedral with black-and-white marble.

And places like Funchal – nicknamed the Hawaii of Europe – snuck into the top 20.

A 100-MILE network of floating walkways could soon debut in one of the UK’s largest cities.

Plans for the £100million project include boat jetties, cycle lanes and new signage.

A proposal to create a 100-mile floating network of pathways in Manchester has now made “significant” progress forward.

The concept – drawn up by CyanLines – was created with the aim “to connect Greater Manchester’s blue and green spaces into a high quality network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes” for residents and visitors.

The cyan-coloured walkways have been designed to snake along either side of the River Irwell, complete with jetties for rowing boats and cycle lanes.

The £100million scheme was first announced in September 2025 and was expected to be developed over the next 10 years.

SPLASH OUT

First look at UK city’s new £22m complex with lido, aquarium & beachfront cafes

SPEEDO TICKET

European village cracks down on tourists with strict swimwear ban

Now, the project is now well within the first phase of co-design and agreement – including drawing up an investment case – according to co-founder, Tom Bloxham.

Backed by Manchester City Council, Labour leader Bev Craig also told Manchester Evening News that the plans are making ‘significant’ steps forward.

The project, also supported by the National Trust, is said to bring a host of benefits to the city, including better access to green spaces, more opportunities for businesses and healthier residents.

Four CyanLines pilot loops are currently being ‘proof-tested’ by the public, with more than 15 miles of paths plotted.

These routes include a trail from St Peter’s Square to Whitworth Park and the Irwell & Castlefield Loop.

Pete Swift, CyanLines project co-founder, said: “The routes will be the starting point, or spring board, for a whole plethora of CyanLines projects which will bring new opportunities for nature to thrive and to be enjoyed.”

ALL over the planet are incredible islands – but these ones have been declared the best in the world.

Travel + Leisure has found the very top destinations from Asia to Africa and Australia – not to mention one spot went to the UK.

The best islands were declared from reader votes of which there were hundreds of thousands.

In top spot was the Thai island of Koh Samui which got a top score of 95.64 out of 100.

The publication said: “This first-time winner in the Gulf of Thailand—with an array of elevated accommodations, luscious jungles, and roaring waterfalls—has become a leading destination for self-care.”

It was also praised for its beaches, vibrant culture and waterfalls.

SEA VIEW

UK’s top £9.50 holiday park has waterpark & private beach with dolphins offshore

CHEAP AS CHIPS

The best British seaside resorts for a £9.50 holiday – picked by our expert

The island is south of Bangkok, known for its pretty beaches, not to mention bargain cocktails and tasty street food.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill who went last year said: “The island has luxury resorts and picture-perfect beaches

“But the real Thailand is in the busy beach bars flogging happy-hour deals, tiny restaurants with garish tablecloths, and the constant thump of Thai boxing promotions from crackling loudspeakers.“

In second place was the beautiful Maldives followed by the Galapagos Islands and Bali.

But in 13th place is the first and only UK island to make the list – Skye and the Hebrides.

The wild Scottish archipelago is known for mountainous landscapes, rugged coastlines and rare white-sand beaches.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding, who visited Eilean Shona – part of the Inner Hebrides – described it as a “real-life Neverland”.

She said: “Whilst there isn’t much to do on the island, it is the perfect retreat away from the modern world and the stresses of day to day life.

“The island has an endless amount of walks you can take, and a couple of mine included heading to the summit and to the opposite side of the island where I found Shoe Bay, with a white sand beach and crystal clear waters.

“And whilst exploring the island, make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as birds of prey often circle overhead.

“In less than 24 hours I had completely fallen in love with the island.”

Other top islands close to the UK include Malta which is dubbed one of the ‘jewels of the Mediterranean’.

Its capital, Valletta, is one of the sunniest cities in all of Europe – it gets on average 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily which are a short flight away for Brits also got high marks.

In Greece, Milos and Crete placed in the top 25 – as did Paros, which was last year’s winner, some of which are set to be the next big Greek island holiday destinations.

One writer visited Paros last year and loved the island for its “beautiful beaches, traditional villages and a buzzing nightlife.”

She added: “One thing I loved about the island is that it has everything you want out of a holiday.

“Whether that’s a quiet spot on a sandy beach to relax, head off on a wild boat party, or eat authentic Greek food on a candlelit table.”

Here’s the full list of the ‘best islands in the world’…

Here are Travel + Leisure’s best islands in the world – and their scores out of 100…

1. Koh Samui – 95.64
2. Maldives – 95.38
3. Galapagos Islands – 94.99
4. Bali – 93.20
5. Phuket – 93.18
6. Seychelles – 92.95
7. Fiji – 92.71
8. Sri Lanka – 92.67
9. Dominica – 91.87
10. Zanzibar – 91.83
11. Golden Isles – 91.59
12. Sardinia – 91.57
13. Skye and the Hebrides – 91.17
14. Malta – 91.00
15. Grenada – 90.36
16. Madeira – 90.33
17. Azores – 90.18
18. Maui – 89.70
19. Sicily – 89.53
20. Milos – 89.50
21. Virgin Gorda – 89.43
22. Crete – 89.39
23. Vieques – 89.38
24. Paros – 89.33
25. Kauai – 89.16

ROCKERS Oasis will be back on stage next year — including a 12-date residency at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

They are also set to do a record-breaking run of six concerts at Knebworth.

An insider said: “Oasis’ schedule is booked.

“It’s 12 nights at the Etihad over six weeks starting in June.

“They will then play Knebworth six times over a three-week period in September.

“Dates could be added but for now that’s the master plan.”

DOC ‘N’ ROLL

First look at explosive Oasis doc about feuding Gallagher brothers’ reunion

DOMINIC MOHAN

90s are back with Oasis & TFI Friday – but are we ready for Blair’s return?

Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher put their long-running feud behind them to re-form the band for the 41-date Oasis Live ’25 tour last year.

The band had split up in 2009 amid rows.

A source said: “Noel and Liam always planned for the tour to have a second run.

“There were discussions about announcing [it] during the World Cup because of the connection between Wonderwall and the Three Lions in this tournament.

“But they’ve settled on August.

“It’ll give the country something to shout about — whether we’re celebrating or commiserating.”

The Etihad is the home of Manchester City, the team the brothers support.

Oasis’ gigs at Knebworth will break the record for the most times an act has played there.

Over their six gigs the band are set to play to 750,000 people.

They performed two shows there in 1996 to 250,000 fans.

A source said: “Knebworth is a special place for Noel and Liam.

“The shows in 1996 broke records as 2.6million people applied for tickets.

“It was the largest demand for tickets in British music history.

“They broke that with Oasis Live ’25.

“Now they’re going to become the only act to have played Knebworth six times.”

The shows would take the band’s tally to eight and Liam’s to ten — as he did two solo shows at the Hertfordshire venue in 2022.

Demand for the new Oasis gigs will be astronomical.

Noel, 59, and Liam, 53, are set to stick with the same line-up as their shows last year — including guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, 61, who had to take time off from the tour after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

There is speculation there will also be shows outside England, including in Rome and Celtic Park in Glasgow.

The Sun has campaigned for the band’s 1995 anthem Wonderwall to become the soundtrack to England’s World Cup campaign.

THERE’S nothing quite like a day at the seaside – and just in time for the school summer holidays the best beaches across the UK have been named.

The UK’s 50 best beaches by The Times for 2026 have been revealed, including lesser known spots and family favourites – here’s the lowdown of the best spots in each region.

Summerleaze Beach, Cornwall

Not only did Summerleaze Beach in Bude, Cornwall win for the South West region but it was also named the best beach overall.

The Blue Flag-awarded beach is a popular spot for surfing but is also home to lots of facilities that make for a great family day out.

There’s the Bude Sea Pool for example, which is an outdoor swimming pool and you can also head to the harbour with boats bobbing up and down on the water.

Direct from the beach you can also rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

CHEAP BREAKS

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

Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Shanklin Beach on the Isle of Wight won the title for the south.

Just an hour on the ferry from Southampton, the beach is in an old fishing village and still has the charm, with striped deckchairs sitting on the sand.

The golden sand beach stretches for over a mile and is loved by families for its calm waters.

Surrounding the beach are also a number of sandstone cliffs and you can also head along the Esplanade, where you will find ice cream parlours, cosy cafes and gift shops.

In addition to the deckchairs available for hire, you can have a go at paddleboarding and kayaking as well.

Cromer, Norfolk

Cromer in Norfolk won the title for the east of England.

The white sand beach is backed by cliffs dotted with Victorian buildings and is a great spot for a beach day or even having a surfing session.

Make sure to head to one of the nearby cafes too to have a taste of local, fresh seafood.

Along the beach you will also find Cromer Pier which is over a century old and is Grade II listed.

The pier will soon undergo a £2.4million revamp too, which could include refurbishing the theatre.

Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens, who has visited the town said: “Cromer mixes old-school seaside town tradition with trendy places to eat and shop, meaning this is a staycation spot that will please the whole family.”

“Perched at the end of the pier is the Pavilion Theatre, which puts on shows from Beatles tribute acts to Mamma Mia-themed parties.

“Plus it’s well worth a visit to catch the Cromer Pier Show with dazzling guests with high-production singing, dancing and comedy.

“And in the lanes behind the seafront, Cromer has recently seen a wave of new vintage shops, cool cafes and quirky art galleries arrive.

“Pop into Grey Seal Coffee for a smooth flat white in a beachy, boho setting, or have a nosey in Cromer Artspace to admire local artists’ landscapes.”

Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland

In the north of England, Low Newton-by-the-Sea won.

Low Newton-by-the-Sea is a small fishing village that is almost entirely owned by the National Trust and is home to quaint cottages as well as its curving beach.

The beach is a popular spot for walks and investigating rock pools.

Though, it is also a great place for windsurfing if you are feeling a little more adventurous.

And don’t forget to check out the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, which sit at the end of the beach.

When exploring the ruins, you’ll see amazing panoramic views of the coast as well.

Horgabost, Outer Hebrides

The winner in Scotland is Horgabost Beach, which stretches for two miles across Losgaintir Bay.

And if you want to enjoy the beach for longer, you can stay at Horgabost Campsite which is at the far end of the beach, sitting right above the beach.

The beach itself also boasts fine white sand, making it the perfect spot for a walk.

One recent visitor said: “Horgabost Beach is a serene slice of paradise on the Isle of Harris.

“The beach is just a short walk from the nearby campsite, making it super easy to reach.

“Once you arrive, you’re greeted by soft sands, clear waters, and a peaceful atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding.

“Whether you’re strolling along the shore or just soaking in the views, it’s a beautiful spot that feels wonderfully remote yet welcoming.”

Others have described it as looking like the Maldives, thanks to the white sand.

Tyrella, Co Down

When it comes to Northern Ireland, Tyrella Beach in Co Down won.

The beach is a dune conservation area, meaning its natural beauty remains largely untouched.

Stretching more than a mile long, the Blue Flag spot has clean waters as well as a flat beach ideal for picnics.

You can stay nearby as well, with a number of B&Bs and caravans looking straight onto the beach.

One recent visitor said: “One of the best beaches in the country.

“And there are nice walks through the dunes.

“The sea is great especially if it’s a bit windy. Then you get big waves coming in… great for jumping or diving through.”

Broad Haven South Beach, Pembrokeshire

And finally in Wales, Broad Haven South was named the best beach.

At the beach you can expect clear water as well as rock pools full of sea life ideal for little ones to explore.

On most sunny days you’ll also see an ice cream van parked at the top of the cliff.

The low tide also makes it the ideal spot for little ones who like to paddle in the water.

At the western end of the beach you’ll also be able to discover caves and even an ‘island’.

One recent visitor said: “Lovely beach, National Trust car park costs £4 for three hours or £8 for all day and for National Trust members, it is free.

“Nice flat beach with rocks at either end.”

DETAILS from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s elaborate wedding have been revealed, including the custom dress the singer wore and who stood beside them on their big day.

The couple exchanged vows on Friday at Madison Square Garden in New York City in an extravagant ceremony.

The U.S. Sun obtained a press release from Taylor’s rep shortly after the nuptials, which revealed some specifics about the special occasion.

Both the bride’s and groom’s looks were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture, designed by Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior Women’s, Men’s, and Haute Couture Collections, in close collaboration with the newlyweds.

Their shoes were custom-made by Christian Louboutin, and Taylor wore Cartier jewelry, per the release.

Some fans had already suspected that Taylor would wear a Christian Dior gown after she appeared to drop an Easter egg during an outing in April.

Read More on Taylor Swift

TAY’S DAY

Taylor Swift announces she’s married on MSG signs after Adam Sandler officiated

GREAT GOWNS

A-listers dazzle at Taylor’s wedding with shock ex-BFF appearance after ‘feud’

Taylor stepped out with a buttercup yellow Dior bag from Anderson’s debut show in the spring, leading many to speculate that she’d chosen him as the designer for her wedding dress.

The “royal wedding” is the designer’s first couture wedding dress for a world-renowned celebrity.

The lovebirds also did not have the traditional bridesmaids or groomsmen; instead, Taylor’s brother, Austin Swift, served as her Man of Honor, and Travis‘ brother, Jason Kelce, served as his Best Man.

It was a day to remember for the pair and their guests, as comedian and friend Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony.

Screens outside The Garden flashed signs that read, “JUST&T MARRIED!” about an hour after the ceremony began.

Fans showed their love for the beloved couple, gathering outside the venue and singing Taylor’s hit song, Love Story.

The reception is currently underway, continuing the three-day wedding festivities with 1,000 guests in attendance.

Rumors previously circulated that Taylor and Travis had already tied the knot in a private ceremony in Tennessee.

However, The U.S. Sun exclusively spoke to a relative of Taylor’s before the ceremony, who assured that the NYC bash would be the couple’s first wedding.

It was previously believed that Taylor’s BFFs, Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid, were a part of the songstress’s bridal party.

It was also thought that Taylor’s childhood best friend, Abigail Anderson, would serve as her Maid of Honor.

Abigail made a major faux pas with her wedding ensemble when she was seen wearing the exact same $800 Sau Lee dress as Laura Kruk, the fiancée of New York Giants wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster.

Hundreds of other celebrity guests stunned in their “black tie” ensembles, including Ed Sheeran, Karlie Kloss, Bradley Cooper, Dakota Johnson, and Ellie Goulding.

Many of Travis’ NFL buddies and their wives also attended the big event.

The high-profile affair prompted a massive police presence, street closures, and parking restrictions around the venue.

The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that some NYPD cops expressed their frustrations over the large-scale event taking place during a near record-setting heat wave and the July 4 holiday.

Police have also posted up outside of Taylor’s $50 million Tribeca compound, which served as the headquarters for the wedding day.

It doesn’t appear the chaos will die down anytime soon, as the festivities are expected to continue into the weekend.

No other public events have been booked at the venue until next week.

THE best islands in the world have been revealed and there is one in the UK that snuck into the top 50.

The 50 Best Islands in the World was revealed by Big 7, having run for seven years.

The study looks at everything from popularity on social media and travel trends to insights from the editorial team.

And coming in no.1 was Sri Lanka which was praised for “having it all”.

It said: “Whiling away blissful days beach-hopping along the 833-mile coastline is part of the charm, but Sri Lanka offers much more beyond the shore.

“Itineraries fill up quickly here, between the timeworn temples, colonial towns, misty mountains, and wildlife safaris in Yala National Park, home to tigers and elephants.”

ISLE GO

I’ve booked trips to a Spanish island for a decade – here’s the best hidden spots

SOCIABLE BREAK

I explored Portugal on a solo travel holiday and made friends along the way

The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski recently visited and said: “It was the off-grid excursions that gave me a real sense of what this region was truly about – a half-day cooking experience was just my cup of tea.

“And one night, an elephant stepped out from some undergrowth and plods slowly into the oncoming traffic, where drivers pulled to a casual halt until the lumbering giant disappeared.”

However, the only UK island to make the list was the Isle of Mull in Scotland, coming in 23rd place.

Making the list for its “rugged coastline and unexpectedly white sand,” it added: ” It’s an island of contrasts – where highland cows bathe in the calm, crystal-clear sea, and foamy waters crash into basalt columns.”

The island has everything from the coloured houses of Tobermory, as well as dolphin and seal watching – and even fluffy highlands cows on the beach.

While Mull was the only UK island to make the list, the nearby Achill Island in Ireland came in 8th.

It made the top 10 for its “soft pink sunrises and turquoise seas to moss-green hills and fiery sunsets.”

Europe fared well too, with many in the top 20 including Madeira (4th), Milos (10th), Ischia (15th), Ibiza (17th) and Corsica (18th).

Popular islands Brits will know such as Jamaica was in 19th, while Bali was in 20th and Mauritius was 24th.

Sardinia, Hvar and Key West all just made it into the top 50.

World’s 50 Best Islands

1. Sri Lanka
2. Mo’orea, French Polynesia
3. Socotra, Yemen
4. Madeira
5. The Galapagos, Ecuador
6. Great Exuma, Bahamas
7. Seychelles
8. Achill Island, Ireland
9. Koh Lipe, Thailand
10. Milos, Greece
11. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia
12. Madagascar
13. Ilha Grande, Brazil
14. Kangaroo Island, Australia
15. Ischia, Italy
16. Dominica
17. Ibiza
18. Corsica
19. Jamaica
20. Bali, Indonesia
21. Koh Rong, Cambodia
22. Yasawas, Fiji
23. Mull, Scotland
24. Mauritius
25. Salt Spring Island, Canada
26. Yoron Island, Japan
27. Munroe Island, India
28. Unguja (Zanzibar Island), Tanzania
29. Haida Gwaii, Canada
30. Sal, Cape Verde
31. Cocos Island, Costa Rica
32. Cuba
33. San Juan Islands, USA
34. Sardinia, Italy
35. Jeju Island, South Korea
36. Siargao, Philippines
37. Greenland
38. Caye Caulker, Belize
39. La Gomera, Spain
40. Hvar, Croatia
41. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
42. Waiheke Island, New Zealand
43. Benguerra Island, Mozambique
44. Hydra, Greece
45. Bozcaada, Turkey
46. Key West, Florida, USA
47. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
48. Barbados
49. Eysturoy Island, Faroe Islands
50. Bissagos Islands, Guinea

THE MOST liveable cities in the world have been named – but the UK didn’t make the cut.

Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey has been running for nearly 20 years, looking at a number of factors into what makes a city loved by its locals.

This includes everything from safety and connectivity to green spaces and late night openings.

New this year is ” excitement, urban ambition and security,” when it comes to making a city great.

Sadly, none in the UK made the top 20, with the study citing London missing out as it doesn’t have the “security of certain mature markets“.

What did come out on top was the city of Tokyo in Japan.

TOP SPOT

I visited UK’s ‘best city to see in 2026,’ it felt like Britain’s cowboy capital

TAKING OFF

Budget airline to launch more UK flights to one of the world’s best cities

It was praised for both its stability and security, citing its “old-fashioned sense of security”.

It explained: “Young children walk to school unaccompanied by their parents, huge events take place every week without major disorder, and crime rates are consistently low.

“Tokyo should celebrate being such a well-mannered metropolis but its exemplary conduct is never taken for granted.”

However, a number of European cities made the top 20 list.

In second place was Copenhagen, citing its “booming restaurant and sauna scene” as well as its low crime rate and urban cycling schemes.

This was followed by Lisbon in third place, for it’s great public transport and local communities.

Lisbon has even become one of the top expat destinations in the world.

Coming in fourth was Vienna, followed by Sydney in 5th.

Other European entries to make the top 10 include Zurich (6th), Madrid (7th), Paris (8th), Munich (9th) and Oslo (10th).

Stockholm, Barcelona, Milan, Amsterdam and Helsinki all snuck into the top 20.

Check out the full list below – and here on Campsites.co.uk.

East Crinnis Holiday Park – East Crinnis, Par, Cornwall

Park Cliffe Windermere Camping and Caravan Park – Windermere, Cumbria

Lee Meadow Farm – Lee, Woolacombe, Devon

Wooda Farm Holiday Park – Bude, Cornwall

Hill Cottage Farm Camping and Caravan Park – Alderholt, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Highlands End Holiday Park – Bridport, Dorset

Harford Bridge Park – Tavistock, Devon

Barn Farm Campsite – Matlock, Derbyshire

Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park – Fort William, Highlands

Bank House Farm – Hartington, Buxton, Derbyshire

Lakeside Caravan Park – Brecon, Powys

Trwyn yr Wylfa Camping Site – Penmaenmawr, Conwy

Treloy Touring Park – Newquay, Cornwall

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park – Ambleside, Cumbria

Plas Gwyn Caravan and Camping Park – Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Wallace Lane Farm – Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria

Oaklea Camping and Glamping Park – Narberth, Pembrokeshire

Twll Y Clawdd Touring and Camping Park – Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Cheddar Bridge Touring Park – Cheddar, Somerset

Thornbrook Barn – Ingleton, North Yorkshire

Tollgate Farm Caravan and Camping Park – Perranporth, Cornwall

Lynmouth Holiday Retreat – Barbrook, Lynton, Devon

Pen y Bont Touring Park – Bala, Gwynedd

Back of Beyond Touring Park – St Leonards, Ringwood, Dorset

Cummins Farm – Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset

Glyncoch Isaf Farm – Llangrannog, Ceredigion

Tehidy Holiday Park – Portreath, Illogan, Cornwall

Burton Springs Holidays – Burton, Bridgwater, Somerset

Llys Derwen Caravan and Campsite – Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Parkgate Farm Holidays – Irton, Holmrook, Cumbria

Shieldaig Camping and Cabins – Shieldaig, Strathcarron, Highlands

Tregarton Park – Mevagissey, Cornwall

Laneside Caravan Park – Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire

Ty Cochyn Caravan and Campsite – Holyhead, Anglesey

Presaddfed – Druids’ Rest – Holyhead, Anglesey

Cwmdu Campsite – Crickhowell, Powys

Greenacres Campsite – Coleford, Gloucestershire

Gatton Waters Caravan Park – Hillington, King’s Lynn, Norfolk

Silver Sands Holiday Park – Lizard, Helston, Cornwall

Mena Farm – Bodmin, Cornwall

Manor Caravan Park – Happisburgh, Norfolk

Howgill Lodge – Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire

Little Acre Holiday Park – Crooklands, Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Brynawelon Caravan and Camping Park – Llandysul, Ceredigion
Catgill Farm Camping and Glamping – Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire
Thorpe Hall Caravan and Camping Site – Driffield, East Yorkshire
Waterrow Touring Park – Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset
Cardinney Caravan and Camping Park – St Buryan, Penzance, Cornwall
Bonnie Park – Bonchester Bridge, Scottish Borders
Low Greenside Farm Campsite – Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
The Hen’s Dens at Orchard Organic Farm – Stokeinteignhead, Newton Abbot, Devon
Sherwood Pines Campsite – Edwinstowe, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Treveague Campsite – Gorran, St Austell, Cornwall
Somers Wood Caravan Park – Meriden, Coventry, Warwickshire

Westgate Carr Farm Caravan and Motorhome Touring Park – Pickering, North Yorkshire

Pomeroy Caravan Park – Pomeroy, Buxton, Derbyshire

Bryn Ednyfed Caravan Site – Holyhead, Anglesey

Bryndu Caravan and Camping – Llandefalle, Brecon, Powys

Coxhill Camping – Shepherdswell, Dover, Kent

Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park – Gower, Swansea

Bryn Ffanigl Ganol Caravan and Camping Park – Abergele, Conwy

Riverside Caravan Park – Bentham, North Yorkshire

Cobleland Campsite – Gartmore, Stirling and Forth Valley

Linwater Caravan Park – Newbridge, Edinburgh, Edinburgh and the Lothians

Woodovis Park – Tavistock, Devon

Old Oaks Touring Park – Wick, Glastonbury, Somerset

Plassey Holiday Park – Wrexham, Wrexham

Porthtowan Tourist Park – Porthtowan, Cornwall

Higher Trevaskis Caravan and Camping Park – Connor Downs, Hayle, Cornwall

Hallsdown Farm Touring Park – Barnstaple, Devon

Hartington Hills – Hartington, Buxton, Derbyshire

Haw Wood Farm Caravans and Camping – Saxmundham, Suffolk

Ael y Garnedd – Star, Gaerwen, Anglesey

Wildings Holidays – Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

Eden Valley Holiday Park – Bodmin, Cornwall

Hale Farm Campsite – Chiddingly, East Sussex

Abbey Farm Rhuddlan – Rhuddlan, Denbighshire

Brick Kiln Farm Campsite – Campsea Ashe, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Balloch O Dee – Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway

Machrihanish Holiday Park – Machrihanish, Campbeltown, Argyll

Rydal Hall Campsite – Ambleside, Cumbria

Dwell On The Moor – Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, York, East Yorkshire

Wallsend Guest House and Glamping Pods – Wigton, Cumbria

Ravensdale Glamping Retreats – York, North Yorkshire

Cliff Farm Holidays – Pickering, North Yorkshire

Quarry Park Camping – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

The Galloway Steading – Newton Stewart, Glenluce, Dumfries and Galloway

Folly Farm Holiday Park – Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire

Pods Pwll Coch – Amlwch, Anglesey

Little Kelk Glamping – Driffield, East Yorkshire

Wold Meadow – Wold Newton, East Yorkshire

Gaerhyfryd Caravan Site – Corwen, Denbighshire

Eden Valley Glamping – Armathwaite, Carlisle, Cumbria

Balloch O Dee – Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway

Carrock Glamping Pods – Hesket Newmarket, Wigton, Cumbria

Cragg Farm Camping Pods – Cockermouth, Cumbria

Gambledown Farm – Sherfield English, Romsey, Hampshire

Newbourne Woodland Campsite – Newbourne, Woodbridge, Suffolk

East Thorne – Bude, Cornwall

High Oaks Grange – Pickering, North Yorkshire

Cwmllwyd Getaways – Carno, Powys

The Inside Soap Awards are back and they have announced a major change to this years’ event to mark the 30th anniversary

The Inside Soap Awards are back – and are making the move up North for the first time ever.

This year’s event will take place in Manchester and will be the only soap awards ceremony held this year.

Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks will all go head to head whilst Australian soap Home and Away has also been nominated as well as dramas like Casualty and Waterloo Road.

Up for nomination this year is the epic Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover episode – Corriedale – as well as Nigel’s sad death in EastEnders, amongst other dramatic and heartbreaking scenes.

“The Inside Soap Awards are still going strong after 30 years, and we’re proud to be championing all the wonderful work the soaps produce day in, day out. Our readers are just as passionate and loyal now as they were back in 1996, with over 90,000 of them voting each year – and the Inside Soap Awards remain the only accolades of their kind to be voted for entirely by the true experts, the soap fans themselves,” Inside Soap magazine editor Sarah Ellis said.

To mark the awards’ 30th anniversary, there will be their very own Hall of Fame and the first inductee will be announced during the ceremony. She added: “The soap star who receives this prestigious accolade will be someone who’s been closely associated with the Inside Soap Awards since they began in 1996.

“In addition, fans will also be able to nominate their Soap Superstar of 2026, a person they feel has gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to providing entertainment.”

Voting opens midday on Tuesday 30 June, and the winners will be revealed in Manchester in September.

The full list of nominations are as follows:

Best Actress