revealed

Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Thorpe Park or even Legoland

The best attractions in England this year have been crowned, and the winners may come as something of a surprise.

Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge or even Legoland.

It’s unlikely that they’ll mention the winner of Visit England’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, which went to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk.

The victory comes off the back of a win at the Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2026 Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards, so Jimmy’s is clearly having a good year.

The wildlife park is owned by TV star and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, who has presented programmes on both Channel 4 and the BBC. He is best known for the show Jimmy’s Farm, which details the operation of the Essex Pig Company that he and his wife Michaela Furney own in Suffolk.

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The park aims to be a centre of excellence for British rare breeds while also housing animals like camels, primates, tapirs and crocodiles. Lions and a tiger were added as recently as October 2025.

The real draw that put the place on the map was the acquisition of polar bears. Jimmy’s Farm built Europe’s largest facility for the species, called “the Lost Lands of the Tundra,” housing rescue polar bears alongside brown bears, Arctic foxes, grey wolves, reindeer and red-breasted geese. The bears are even visible from the train window on the London–Ipswich line.

Getting from London to Ipswich by train takes about an hour from Liverpool Street, but the lack of a bus from Ipswich station to the park is an issue some have confronted. Most visitors end up getting a taxi, which costs around £13 each way. The zoo itself is only part of the site; there are also shops and a restaurant in the farm area, and you can leave and re-enter the zoo with your receipt.

Jimmy’s Farm has 1,800 five star reviews on Tripadvisor, out of 2,400 in total.

“What a great day out, a well thought out place, extremely conducive and focused on giving the animals the best possible environment to flourish and feel comfortable in their habitat,” one happy customer wrote.

“Some beautiful woodland walks, plenty of things to do for children aside from seeing the animals, beautifully situated in the centre of the park, away from the majority of animals. Plenty of choice around the park for eating, whether you want a snack or something more substantial, as well as numerous picnic areas if you bring your own food.”

The winners were announced at the annual event hosted by journalist and broadcaster Sean Fletcher on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol.

Coming in second place in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year rankings was Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, where visitors can learn about the code-breaking geniuses who were instrumental in helping the Allied Forces win WWII.

It is clearly a year for farms. The bronze award was handed to Attwell Farm Park in Worcestershire, a family-run petting farm where Pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks are all ready to nibble some feed from your hand.

Gold, Silver and Bronze were awarded in 17 categories selected from 21 local awards. They ranged from ‘Regenerative Tourism Award’ to ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’ and from ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ to ‘Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year’.

Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “I am delighted to see so many businesses across England being recognised for their outstanding work, helping to make people’s stays as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

“From hotels and pubs to glamping, museums and experiences, these awards are a real testament to those striving to ensure our tourism industry remains outstanding. Our upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy will provide a clear, long-term plan to unlock investment, back businesses and showcase more of our great destinations to the world.”

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes added: “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading.

“From a hands-on, traditional blacksmith’s visitor experience in the Midlands and a castle hotel and spa set in one of our national parks to accessible and inclusive holidays, these awards showcase the exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and innovation that drive our industry.

“I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 winners

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

Gold: Hoe Grange Holidays(opens in a new tab), Peak District, Derbyshire

Silver: Nottingham Playhouse(opens in a new tab), Nottingham

Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

B&B and Guest House of the Year:

Gold: MonkBridge House(opens in a new tab), York

Silver: One Drake Road and Apartments(opens in a new tab), Devon

Bronze: Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast(opens in a new tab), Norfolk

Business Events Venue of the Year:

Gold: Warwick Conferences(opens in a new tab), Warwick

Silver: Nottingham Venues(opens in a new tab), Nottingham

Bronze: The Catalyst(opens in a new tab), Newcastle

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:

Gold: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa(opens in a new tab), Devon

Silver: Bredon View Glamping Retreats(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Bronze: Kaya at Blackhill Farm(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Experience of the Year:

Gold: Blacksmithing Experience Days(opens in a new tab), Oldfield Forge, Herefordshire

Silver: The Wizard Walk of York(opens in a new tab), York

Bronze: Make Your Own Distilled Spirit(opens in a new tab), Shed One Distillery, Cumbria

International Tourism Award:

Gold: The Beatles Story(opens in a new tab), Liverpool

Silver: Castle Howard(opens in a new tab), York

Bronze: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves(opens in a new tab), Devon

Large Hotel of the Year:

Gold: Bovey Castle(opens in a new tab), Devon

Silver: Watergate Bay Hotel(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Bronze: The Grand Brighton(opens in a new tab), Brighton

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Gold: Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park(opens in a new tab), Suffolk

Silver: Bletchley Park(opens in a new tab), Buckinghamshire

Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

New Tourism Business of the Year:

Gold: One Acre Wood(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Silver: The Story of Emily(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Bronze: Flora and Fauna Exmoor(opens in a new tab), Somerset

Pub of the Year:

Gold: The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Silver: The Tickled Trout, Barlow(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: The Tollemache Arms(opens in a new tab), Northamptonshire

Regenerative Tourism Award:

Gold: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

Silver: Gladwins Farm – Self Catering Holiday Cottages(opens in a new tab), Suffolk

Bronze: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre(opens in a new tab), Birmingham

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:

Gold: Bosinver Farm Cottages(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Silver: Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks(opens in a new tab), Oxfordshire

Bronze: Rowley Farm Holidays(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Small Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Booking.com:

Gold: The Tempus(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Silver: Peak Edge Hotel(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Cumbria

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Gold: Morgan Experience(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Silver: Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Bronze: National Justice Museum(opens in a new tab), Nottinghamshire

Taste of England Award:

Gold: Carriages Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Silver: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

Bronze: Blackfriars Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Newcastle

Unsung Hero Award:

Gold: Jayne Chapman – Tatton Park(opens in a new tab), Cheshire

Silver: Viv Smith – National Stone Centre(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: Andy Black – Horses and Ponies Protection Association(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

THE best 100 beaches in the world have been named – and two can be found in the UK.

Announced by Corona, the 2026 Corona Beach 100 has revealed the best spots around the world from well-known spots to hidden coves.

Three criteria were analysed – Beachside Culture, Connection to Nature and Scenic Aesthetics.

A new entry on the list this year is Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire.

The first Welsh beach to make the list, it was praised for its “remote and dramatic landscape, as it is “accessible only by clifftop walk through a medieval archway.

It wrote: “Barafundle Bay feels hidden even when people talk about it.

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“Reached only by a clifftop walk along the Pembrokeshire coast, this crescent of pale sand sits tucked between limestone cliffs with nothing built around it.

“No road, no cafés, no signal, just seabirds overhead, cold clear water below, and the kind of quiet that makes you slow down without realising it.”

And returning to the list this year was Fistral Beach in Cornwall, praised for being a “social and cultural hotspot” by being the UK’s surfing capital after hosting the first British Surfing Championships in 1966.

It added: “Facing the full force of the Atlantic, it’s where you go to chase sets, drink tea with cold hands, and feel like you’re part of something.

“The beach delivers all year, with consistent swell, golden sands, and a surf scene that’s as seasoned as it is welcoming.

“From world-class comps to waist-high rollers, Fistral doesn’t need sunshine to shine — just wind, water, and the right kind of restlessness.”

Europe featured heavily on the list as well.

When it came to Greece, Agia Anna Beach in Naxos and the famous pink Elafonissi Beach in Crete made the cut, as well as Sarakiniko Beach on Milos.

For Spain, there was Aiguablava Beach, as well as Ibiza’s Casa Salada and Majorca’s Cala Mondragó.

Beaches across Italy, France and Croatia were also included, as well as other holiday spots such as Turkey, Morocco and Thailand.

The 2026 Corona Beach 100 list is part of it’s This Is Living campaign.

Full list of the 2026 Corona Beach 100

• Agia Anna Beach, Naxos
• Aiguablava Beach, Spain
• Alegria Beach, Philippines
• Anakena Beach, Chile
• Bahía Bustamante, Argentina
• Bahia do Sancho, Brazil
• Bahia de las Aguilas, Dominican Republic
• Baia Verde, Italy
• Banzai Pipeline, Hawaii
• Barafundle Bay, UK
• Boheme Beach, Turkey
• Boulders Beach, South Africa
• Cala Domestica, Sardinia
• Cala Mondragó, Majorca
• Cala Salada, Ibiza
• Calanque d’En-Vau, France
• Caleta Cóndor, Chile
• Camps Bay, South Africa
• Chepes Beach, Honduras
• Cloud 9 Beach, Philippines
• Copacabana, Brazil
• Corona Island, Columbia
• Cox Bay, Canada
• Crash Boat Beach, Puerto Rico
• Dune du Pilat, France
• Elafonissi Beach, Crete
• Fistral Beach, Cornwall
• Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
• Grandes Playas de Corralejo, Fuertuventura
• Gulangyu Beach, China
• Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka
• Huanchaco Beach, Peru
• Ilha do Amor, Brazil
• Isla Perro, Panama
• Jōdogahama Beach, Japan
• Koh Mak Island, Thailand
• Kraalbaai Beach, South Africa
• La Mina Pisco, Peru
• La Pelosa, Sardinia
• Legzira Beach, Morocco
• Little Corn Island, Nicaragua 
• Little Cove Beach, Canada
• Lucky Bay, Australia
• Madeiro Beach, Brazil
• Mancora, Peru
• Manu Bay, New Zealand
• McBean Lagoon, Colombia
• Nacpan Beach, Philippines 
• Nosy Iranja, Madagascar
• One Foot Island, Cook Islands
• Padar, Indonesia
• Palomino Beach, Colombia
• Pilar Beach, Cuba
• Pink Beach, Indonesia 
• Pipe Creek Sandbar, Bahamas
• Placencia Beach, Belize
• Plage de la Dune du Sud, Canada
• Playa Balandra, Mexico
• Playa Carrizalillo, Mexico
• Playa Cocles, Costa Rica
• Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
• Playa del Cabo, Colombia 
• Playa El Tunco, El Salvador
• Playa Ermitano, Dominican Republic
• Playa Escondida, Mexico
• Playa Los Barriles, Mexico
• Playa Mangos, Nicaragua 
• Playa Mansa, Uruguay
• Playa Ses Illetes, Majorca
• Playa Sur (Cabo Polonio), Uruguay
• Playa Uvita, Costa Rica
• Playa Venao, Panama
• Pori Beach, Greece
• Praia da Comporta, Portugal
• Praia da Engenhoca, Brazil
• Praia de Atins, Brazil
• Praia do Bonete, Brazil
• Praia do Rosa, Brazil
• Punta de Lobos, Chile
• Railway Beach, Thailand
• Riyue Beach, China
• Saco do Mamanguá, Brazil
• San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
• São Miguel dos Milagres, Brazil
• Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
• Sea Me Beach, Turkey
• Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
• Shroud Cay, Bahamas
• Soi Sim Beach, Vietnam
• Taipu de Fora, Brazil
• Tavarua Island, Fiji
• Tofo, Mozambique 
• Tortuga Bay, Ecuador
• Tulum Beach, Mexico
• Villa Tacul Beach, Argentina
• Warwick Long Bay, Bermuda
• Whitehaven Beach, Australia
• Wilderness Beach, South Africa
• Zlatni Rat, Croatia

CONVICTED murderer Mackenzie Shirilla showed tell-tale signs she was trying to force emotion during her arrest and in her bombshell Netflix interview, a body language expert has claimed.

Shirilla, 21, has been languishing behind bars in Ohio after being found guilty of murdering her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davion Flanagan.

Her case has sent true crime fans into a tailspin after the success of the Netflix documentary, The Crash, in which she broke her silence and maintained her innocence.

Shirilla’s TikToks and Instagram posts have resurfaced, showing her regularly posing in the mirror, showing off designer clothing, and even smoking weed in her car.

Text messages revealed by police showed her toxic relationship with Dominic, her boyfriend of four years, whose family claims had tried more than once to break up with her.

She reportedly threatened to harm him during arguments before purposefully plowing into a brick wall while driving her Toyota Camry on July 31, 2022.

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Renowned body language expert Logan Portenier, host and creator of the popular YouTube channel Observe, spent hours breaking down her movements in dozens of social media clips and footage.

Here he gives The U.S. Sun his biggest takeaways from the case.

TikTok star

Shirilla was a social media-obsessed teen before the crash and shared daily posts on TikTok of her and Dom, both at home and out and about, as she was often the center of attention.

Reviewing one clip of them in the car together, Logan said, “He doesn’t seem to be as stoked for this video that she’s filming as she does.

“It didn’t seem as though they were quite on the same page emotionally.

“She’s doing her different poses and expressions for the sake of the video and for his side of things, he seems much more reserved and subdued.

“Because he’s not performing as much for the camera as she is, we’re seeing a fair bit of synchronization across the upper half of his face and the lower half of his face, which lets us know that anything that we’re kind of seeing on that is probably going to be forced. It’s performative.

“And he does, a little lackluster kind of asymmetrical smile on the bottom half of his face.”

Uncomfortable posing

In another clip from Shirilla’s TikTok, the couple is at home, and she is trying to get him to pose in a full-length mirror as he is seen hiding behind her.

“Mackenzie is doing a lot of the posing,” Logan said. “She’s hitting her different looks that she wants to do during this.

“In the background, you could see initially Dom’s nonverbal communication.

“He’s doing a self hug. You can see him holding both of his arms there.

“That is misconstrued in a lot of areas as exclusively defensive,” but Logan feels this is more about comfort.

“What I do find more interesting is that he does shift later on to holding both hands in front.

“So both of those clusters there, he has one in front and then he has his hands clasped in front like that. Both of those signal a level of discomfort.”

Logan added, “We’re seeing again this dichotomy between the two of them.

“He’s kind of there and he’s being present, albeit uncomfortable, reserved, and needing to do a little bit of self-soothing to be able to make it through.”

Distracted driving

Shirilla, who made no secret of being image-conscious before her arrest, frequently posed for TikTok videos — even when she should have been concentrating on the road.

In hindsight, clips showing her filming herself while driving are especially unsettling, given that two young men would later lose their lives in a crash while riding in a car with her behind the wheel.

“It’s very focused on the phone and what she appears like on it, hitting her specific facial expressions as well,” Logan said.

“And on those facial expressions, this helps us understand how she will behave and appear when she’s performing.

“There might be some of that lip pursing that we kind of see in there.

“There are some head tilts in there as well as she’s trying to be perceived in a very specific way, so that performative non-verbal communication comes in handy in future situations, because then you can keep an eye out for some of those patterns that may or may not show up in the future.”

Cuffed and anxious

Shirilla survived the crash and police launched an investigation, as evidence slowly proved it was not an accident and she recovered from multiple surgeries.

Fast-forward to November 2022, and Shirilla’s life blows up in smoke as she’s finally arrested and later charged with murder.

“I don’t know that she’s aware that there’s a camera pointed at her, that she’s going to be perceived in this area, and so what we’re going to be able to see is more of her unfiltered nonverbal communication,” Logan pointed out.

“And with this, she is feeling what would be considered in that vein of the universal emotion of sadness.

“There’s grief, there’s panic, and stress, everything that can go into that.

“What really gives it away is the action in her forehead area.

“What we’re seeing predominantly is unit one activation, which is the middle portion of your eyebrows when they go upward during genuine sadness and grief.

“You can see that happening symmetrically, but if it’s more performed, a lot of people will end up having light asymmetrical activation because it’s not genuine.”

Frozen with fear

In further footage of Shirilla in the back of a police car after her arrest, Logan said she appears frozen with fear despite not shedding a tear as she heads to the station.

“She has fairly relaxed eye positioning in general when she’s not panicked,” he said.

“And so this widening of her eyes, it indicates, genuinely, that she’s feeling anxious. This would be considered fear.”

Logan added that while Shirilla “might not be terrified, it would at least trigger as fear to the anxiety levels” as she rides in the police car.

“So we’re seeing both the combination of the grief across the upper half of her forehead and her eyes are showing the fear as well,” Logan said.

“Then when we get down to the rest of her face, some things that show more physiology rather than just physical movements, is a lot of the inflammation around her nose and upper lip,” which Logan claims “[lets] us know that this is coming from an authentic place.”

Putting on an act

Logan explained that emotional states have a profile, and things can usually shift after around four and a half seconds.

During the journey, Shirilla seems to relax, despite the situation that she’s in, and is seen rolling her head back and looking bored.

But as they approach the station, Logan feels she starts to perform as she realizes she should be more upset than she is if she’s not guilty of murder.

“When you’re watching somebody who’s performing, you’ll see a lot of crashes in between,” he told The U.S. Sun.

“So they’ll be emoting a specific way and then it’s almost like they remember like, ‘Oh, I should be sad right now.’ And then they’ll crash into sadness, something like that.

“You can see it start to kind of creep through the cracks of her rather reserved expression beforehand.”

This is where Logan returns to Shirilla’s “eyebrow activation.”

He claims Shirilla’s outer and inner eyebrows are working together at this point to show sadness, stress and anxiety.

Again, the corners of her nose are also activated, not in disgust, but trying to show she is upset, something he says he doesn’t often see.

Oscar-worthy performance

She is later seen sobbing during her trial before being locked up for 15 years to life on murder charges.

Shirilla starts to mix with people from different walks of life, and it’s years later when we see her sit down with film producers for her bombshell interview.

She is seen walking into the frame and sitting down at a table wearing her prison scrubs, her hair tied up in a large bun.

“The fact that she’s sitting down, crossing her arms, immediately lets us know that she’s probably feeling uncomfortable about what’s about to happen there and needs to block off and self-soothing a little bit,” Logan said.

Shirilla then activated her glabella – the smooth area of skin on her forehead located directly between the eyebrows and just above the bridge of her nose, Logan said.

He claims this was to give the impression she is empathetic, but instead of it being symmetrical, she delivered asymmetrical activation.

“Her right eyebrow does not have the same activation as her left eyebrow.

“Her left eyebrow is doing the exact same expression that we saw in the cruiser. Her right eyebrow is not.

“It’s an asymmetrical expression which lets us know this isn’t authentic empathy.

“This isn’t authentic pain or fear or grief that she’s feeling here. It’s forced.”

Logan said this was also visible further down the vein on the bottom half of her face.

She also began pursing her lips – something she would do in her performative TikTok videos, where she wanted to control how she was being perceived.

He said she is trying to convince the audience she is upset about the situation she is in, and victims’ deaths, but “her body is betraying her.”

“And then when we get to this specific interview she’s talking at a lower register, she has a little bit more husky to her voice,” he said.

“Some of the verbal tics that she uses as well have shifted. And my immediate thought was, this has to be something about the performance that she’s obviously performing.

“She wants people to feel a certain way. And so she shifted her tone, her speaking differently as well to perhaps support that.”

He feels not only her voice will have changed in prison, but her body language as she mixes with other inmates.

“I have no doubt in my mind that she’ll be adjusting her overall nonverbal behavior as well to better fit in and get to where she wants to be in that social circle as well,” he said.

To see the full interview with Logan, and other exclusive videos on Mackenzie Shirilla, visit our YouTube channel.

Universal’s highly-anticipated UK theme park will include themed lands, new rides and plenty more surprises – and the Universal United Kingdom Resort just celebrated a big milestone

Theme park fans, rejoice; we’re one step closer to Universal opening its new resort in the UK.

For a start, we now officially have a name for the highly-anticipated attraction in Bedfordshire; Universal United Kingdom Resort. Meanwhile, today a series of government officials including Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves attended a milestone moment for the resort, breaking ground to pave the way for construction to begin.

When it does open its doors, it’s sure to be a huge hit for thrill-seekers. Concept imagery of the new attraction shows at least six themed lands and three huge rollercoasters, although Universal has remained tight-lipped about exactly what those lands will include.

The theme park is expected to bring in millions of visitors each year, including over a million from overseas.

We take a look at everything we know so far…

The lands and rides

Universal hasn’t given much away about exactly what the lands and rides will entail, but has previously promised that the theme park will be “unlike anything that exists in the UK”. Its USA-based theme parks in Florida and California both boast theming around the likes of Jurassic World, Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, the Minions and more, so there will no doubt be plenty to play around with for us Brits too. Whatever will be on offer, the resort is set to offer “immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and hospitality”.

Concept imagery for the resort was released last year and already had theme park fans excited, as it looks like there’s going to be huge rollercoasters too. In fact on the artist’s rendering at least three mega-coasters are visible, as well as plenty of other rides and attractions.

It seems that the entrance will lead you into a large plaza area similar to the ‘CityWalk’ area of Universal Orlando. The plaza and venues will be open to the general public even if they haven’t bought a ticket to the park itself.

For those who do pay for a ticket, once they’re through a large archway, they’ll walk through a long promenade-style street – no doubt also offering a variety of shops and restaurants – before heading into the themed lands with “adrenaline-pumping coaster”, “mind-blowing spectaculars” and “incredible creatures, heroes and villains”.

The opening date

Construction is expected to begin soon on the huge project, with an opening date planned for May 2031. Comcast NBCUniversal has committed to invest over £5bn in the entertainment resort complex during the expected 5 years of construction, as well as an additional £1bn in capital investment over the first 10 years. According to the UK government, this represents “one of the largest ever investments in the UK tourism sector”.

The location

Universal United Kingdom Resort will be located in Bedfordshire. It’s believed that approximately 80% of employees will come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding regions. The Department for Transport is also going ahead with plans to upgrade the surrounding road and rail network, on the A421 and at Wixams station, to make travel to the resort easier.

Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: “Today marks a significant milestone on our journey to bring Universal United Kingdom Resort, featuring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK. This new theme park and resort will create so many new opportunities for the people of Bedford and beyond and allow us to share our distinct experiences with guests from around the world.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This landmark investment in the heart of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor will unlock nearly £50 billion of economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs across Bedfordshire in construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors.

“Our own investment in transport and infrastructure means that local people will benefit — improving connectivity, backing our creative industries, and bringing millions of visitors to the UK from across the world. We have the right economic plan — working with global investors and local leaders so we can deliver jobs, opportunity and long‑term prosperity for Britain.”

What do you think is currently the best theme park in the UK? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

BRITAIN’S best staycations for 2026 have been revealed, with Cornwall’s St Ives once again taking the top spot and the Northumberland village of Bamburgh in second place as a new entrant.

The annual staycation report, based on a survey of 2,000 adults, revealed Bourton-on-the-Water and Salcombe have risen in popularity while other seaside destinations also saw shifts in the rankings.

Brighton overtook Lyme Regis after climbing to sixth place, ahead of the Dorset town, which has moved from fifth last year to seventh.

Almost a third of adults (28 per cent) are more likely to take a holiday on home soil this year than in 2025.

The research, commissioned by Sykes Holiday Cottages, also found 38 per cent plan to take their main holiday in the UK this year, rising to 53 per cent among Gen Z.

This compares with 34 per cent of adults who said the same last year, while Gen Z’s interest in UK holidays has risen from 45 per cent in 2025.

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James Shaw, chief commercial officer at the holiday brand which launched the annual Staycation Index Report, said: “The continued popularity of UK breaks demonstrates that staycations remain a key part of how Brits holiday.

“More people are choosing to stay at home and prioritising value, flexibility and reassurance when planning time away, particularly amid ongoing uncertainty around overseas travel.

“What’s especially notable this year is the growing influence of younger travellers, Gen Z is increasingly embracing UK holidays, with more people opting for experience-led trips that combine scenery, food, culture and the chance to explore multiple destinations in one break.

“From seaside towns and national parks to countryside retreats, the UK continues to offer an enormous variety of holiday experiences, and that’s reflected in the strength and diversity of destinations featured in this year’s rankings.”

The research also found when it comes to budgeting, staycation goers expect to spend an average of £1,171 in total on accommodation, food, travel and spending money.

It also emerged 64 per cent are planning to – or have considered – a multi-destination road trip, stopping off at an average of three locations.

Coastal spots (65 per cent) are the most sought after, followed by rural areas (56 per cent) and national parks (38 per cent).

Tourist attractions (48 per cent) were big influences when deciding where to visit, alongside locations with fond memories (38 per cent) and good reviews and ratings (35 per cent).

Of the 78 per cent hoping for a UK break this year, 67 per cent say they enjoy the country’s scenery and nature, while 48 per cent claim it’s simply the time they have to switch off and relax.

The research, carried out via OnePoll, found 14 per cent have been influenced by a film or TV show, with Peaky Blinders the most influential following its film release this year (11 per cent), set in Birmingham.

Similarly, Northern Island, home of the Game of Thrones prequel, and Northumberland, which was a location for Jurassic World, were also popular (both 10 per cent).

James Shaw, added: “For many people, holidays remain one of the most important opportunities in the year to properly switch off and spend quality time together, even as budgets remain under pressure.

“What this research highlights is that UK travel continues to appeal because it offers both convenience and variety – whether that’s a coastal escape, a countryside road trip or revisiting places that hold personal memories.

“We’re also seeing more travellers embrace flexible, multi-stop breaks, with people increasingly keen to experience more of what the UK has to offer in a single trip.”