CHRISTMAS markets are magical places – but one spot feels like the ultimate fairytale with a castle and dancing elves.
Located in the Piemonte Region of Italy, Il Magico Paese di Natale in Asti-Govone, has been named the best fairytale Christmas market in Europe.
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Il Magico Paese di Natale in Asti-Govone, has been named the best fairytale Christmas market in EuropeCredit: Alamy
Awarded by European Best Destinations, the market runs from November 15 to December 21 in the towns of Asti, Govone and San Damiano d’Asti.
The ranking was formed by asking 12,621 international travellers from 108 countries, with participants deciding on their top ‘fairytale Christmas’ spot from 103 markets across Europe.
Spread across the city of Asti and the towns of Govone and San Damiano d’Asti, Il Magico Paese di Natale – which translates to The Magical Christmas Village – features a number of different events and activities.
Asti
In Asti, the Piazza Alfieri is home to 130 wooden chalets selling crafts and food.
Britain’s Prince Andrew was stripped of his official titles on Thursday over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jefferey Epstein. Photo by Juien Warnand/EPA
Oct. 30 (UPI) — England’s Prince Andrew has been stripped of his official title and will leave his royal residence amid fallout from his relationship with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew, the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is alleged to have attended gatherings hosted by Epstein.
“His lease on Royal Lodge has provided him with legal protection to continue in his residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”
Andrew stopped using his Duke of York title and announced in a statement released by the palace that “the continued accusations about me may distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.”
It is the first time that a member of the royal family has been stripped of their title in more than a century, according to the House of Commons.
Andrew will move from the royal residence on the grounds of Windsor Castle to a property on Sandringham, which is the private estate of the King in Norfolk, England, according to ABC News.
Andrew has consistently denied accusations against him regarding his association with Epstein and attacked the credibility of Virginia Giuffre, author of a book centered on Epstein called, “Nobody’s Girl.”
In Feb, 2022, Andrew settled a sexual assault lawsuit filed by Giuffre while not admitting any wrongdoing. Epstein and Giuffre settled a lawsuit for $500,000 in 2009.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former accomplice, was convicted in 2021 on child sex trafficking and other charges connected to her involvement with Epstein.
Maxwell has consistently denied all wrongdoing and is the only Epstein associate who has been charged in connection with his crimes.
An Oscar-winning actress has been revealed as the narrator for a documentary about King Charles III titled Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, which is due for release in early 2026
Jamie Roberts and Hannah Roberts PA Senior Entertainment Reporter
22:53, 30 Oct 2025
King Charles speaks to Kate Winslet (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
A BAFTA-winning actress is set to lend her voice to a Prime Video documentary that explores King Charles‘s dedication to aligning nature and humanity. The documentary, titled ‘Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision’, is slated for release in early 2026.
Narrated by Titanic’s Kate Winslet, it will spotlight the work of The King’s Foundation, a charity established by Charles in 1990. Oscar-winning actress Winslet expressed her excitement about the project, stating: “It is a both pleasure and a privilege to be a part of this film, which is a fascinating insight into the King’s work as an environmentalist.”
She added: “I share His Majesty’s passion for protecting our planet and building sustainable communities, so it’s been really rewarding to work with The King’s Foundation on this exciting project.
“I know audiences will learn, laugh and feel inspired by what’s featured in the film, and I hope the impact of Harmony will be felt in years to come.”
Earlier this year, the Titanic star, who is now 50, became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation. She was also present at the foundation’s awards ceremony at St James’s Palace in June.
Known for her roles in films such as The Holiday (2006), The Reader (2008) and Revolutionary Road (2008), Winslet is also set to appear in the upcoming Avatar sequel, Fire And Ash.
The documentary following the monarch will delve into the King’s “harmony” philosophy, which views everything in nature as interconnected, including ourselves, as per The King’s Foundation. It will reveal how The King’s Foundation, based at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, has championed this philosophy through initiatives centred on community regeneration, sustainable textiles and traditional crafts.
Director Nicolas Brown said: “Working with Kate Winslet on this film has been transformational. She has the perfect blend of intellect and star power to tell this story like no one else could.
“His Majesty King Charles III has lived such an incredible life, striving to bring humankind into harmony with the natural world for over half a century. It’s an epic tale, full of drama, and Kate has turned it into a story that any one of us will relate to. We are so fortunate to have an artist of her calibre on the team.”
Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King’s Foundation, added: “Through the film we hope that viewers will gain a better understanding of His Majesty’s Philosophy of Harmony, which is so central to our work at The King’s Foundation.
“We are thrilled that Kate is a part of this journey with us and look forward to sharing the film with the world next year.”
Produced by Passion Planet, the documentary will stream exclusively on Prime Video across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide early next year. Last year, Amazon released A Very Royal Scandal – a dramatised account of Prince Andrew’s infamous Newsnight interview.
The rare move comes after mounting pressure to act over Andrew’s relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Published On 30 Oct 202530 Oct 2025
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King Charles III has stripped his brother Prince Andrew of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence after weeks of pressure to act over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Buckingham Palace said on Thursday the king “initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew”.
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After the king’s rare move, Andrew will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and not as a prince, and he will move from his Royal Lodge residence into “private accommodation”.
It is almost unprecedented for a British prince or princess to be stripped of that title. It last happened in 1919, when Prince Ernest Augustus, who was a UK royal and also a prince of Hanover, had his British title removed for siding with Germany during World War I.
Demand had been growing on the palace to remove the prince from Royal Lodge after he surrendered his use of the title duke of York earlier this month over new revelations about his friendship with Epstein and renewed sexual abuse allegations by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, whose posthumous memoir hit bookstores last week.
But the king went even further to punish him for serious lapses of judgement by removing the title of prince that he had held since birth as a child of a monarch, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him,” the palace said. “Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
Giuffre’s brother declared victory for his sister, who died in April at the age of 41.
“Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” her brother Skye Roberts said in a statement.
Andrew faced a new round of public opprobrium after emails emerged earlier this month showing he had remained in contact with Epstein longer than he previously admitted.
That news was followed by the publication of, Nobody’s Girl, by Giuffre, who alleged she had sex with Andrew when she was 17. The book detailed three alleged sexual encounters with Andrew, who she said acted as if he believed “having sex with me was his birthright”.
Andrew, 65, has long denied Giuffre’s claims, but stepped down from royal duties after a disastrous November 2019 BBC interview in which he attempted to rebut her allegations.
Andrew paid millions in an out-of-court settlement in 2022 after Giuffre filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he did not admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.
The move by the king means Andrew will no longer be a prince or be known as “his royal highness”, “duke of York”, “earl of Inverness” or “baron Killyleagh” – all titles he held until now. Also gone are honours that include Order of the Garter and status as knight grand cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
Andrew is expected to move to a property on the king’s Sandringham estate near the northeast coast and receive private financial support from his brother.
Though rich with detail, the aim of the game is enticingly simple – make your opponent touch the ground with any part of his body which isn’t the sole of his foot, or push him out of the ring, or dohyo, altogether.
Rikishi train intensely from a young age in order to master the precise rituals and 82 different winning techniques, or kimarite, but it was through their adventures outside of the dohyo that they stole the hearts of old and new British fans.
Because the 40 rikishiwho travelled to compete in London crammed plenty of quintessentially British traditions into their visit.
Accustomed to taking on board up to 10,000 calories per day in pursuit of their ultimate competition weight, in London they swapped their usual high-protein chankonabe stew for fish and chips and pints of Guinness in between tours of Harrods and photo opportunities outside the Houses of Parliament.
Wrestlers were seen visiting Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross, made famous by the Harry Potter series, and some even made it as far as Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
Most-loved, though, were the photos snapped of the huge frames of the rikishi getting around the capital in black cabs, red buses – and even by bike., external
The United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew on Friday announced that he would give up the title of the Duke of York days before the publication of a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of raping her after being trafficked by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Effective immediately, Prince Andrew will no longer sign off as the “Duke of York” or append “KG” – denoting Knight of the Garter – after his name. And the other titles will become inactive as well, like the His Royal Highness (HRH) honorific.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of 41, had accused Andrew of forcing her to have sex on three occasions, including when she was underage. Though the disgraced UK prince denied Giuffre’s claims, he paid millions of dollars to settle a civil sexual assault case with her in 2022.
The 65-year-old was stripped of most of his titles and removed from royal duties in 2022 due to his connections to Epstein, who died by suicide in a United States prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His title decision came as he hit the headlines again in the wake of new revelations about his links to Epstein.
So, why has he “given up” his titles? What does it mean for the UK’s Royal Family? And what are his ties with US child sex offender Epstein?
FILE PHOTO: UK’s Prince Andrew speaks with King Charles as they leave Westminster Cathedral at the end of the Requiem Mass, on the day of the funeral of Britain’s Katharine, Duchess of Kent, in London, UK, September 16, 2025 [Toby Melville/Reuters]
What has the disgraced prince said?
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life,” Andrew added in the statement.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” he said, adding that the continued accusations against him “distracted” the royal family.
He also used the statement, released via the Royal Family’s channels, to “vigorously deny the accusations” against him, as he has maintained.
What difference does it make to him?
Andrew had moved back to a largely private life in recent years, even though he remains part of the family, even if ceremonially, as brother of King Charles and uncle to Prince William and Prince Harry.
He has been shunned from using other titles given to him on his wedding day – the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. Theoretically, Andrew will retain the dukedom – that can only be removed by an act of parliament – but he will not use it.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Andrew’s ex-wife, would also not use her title. The titles of their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will remain unaffected.
The couple will continue to live in the 30-room Royal Lodge mansion in Windsor, a Grade II-listed property.
However, the property has been leased from the Crown Estate, meaning he cannot sell it – as he did with Sunninghill Park home in 2007 for 15 million pounds ($20m) to Timor Kulibayev, the son-in-law of the then-president of Kazakhstan.
The 12-bedroom house near Windsor Castle was given to the disgraced prince as a wedding present from Queen Elizabeth.
What to know about Andrew?
Prince Andrew, earlier the Duke of York, is the second son and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip – making him the younger brother of King Charles III.
Born in 1960, he was once one of the more popular members of the British royal family, known for his military service as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the Falklands War in 1982.
But in recent years, Andrew has largely withdrawn from public life following intense scrutiny over frequent scandals. His ties to the convicted sex offender Epstein – which pushed him to step down from his royal duties in 2019 – has resurfaced after the release of new Epstein files in September.
Andrew was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in 2022 after a US judge allowed a civil sexual abuse case against him to move to trial. He was also stripped of his role as the Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British army, by the queen.
Widely believed to be the late queen’s “favourite” child, other titles held by the disgraced royal will be rendered dormant – leaving “prince” as his only remaining title, one that cannot be stripped since he was born the son of a queen.
FILE PHOTO: UK’s Prince Andrew stands next to Prince William and his wife Catherine, princess of Wales, as they leave Westminster Cathedral at the end of the Requiem Mass, on the day of the funeral of Britain’s Katharine, Duchess of Kent, in London, UK, September 16, 2025 [Toby Melville/Reuters]
What are the accusations against Andrew?
In 2021, Giuffre, one of the most prominent accusers of Epstein, filed a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew in a US court, alleging that he had sexually abused her on multiple occasions, including when she was 17 years old – a minor under US law.
She claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite, and forced to have sex with the prince in London, New York, and the US Virgin Islands.
Prince Andrew has denied all allegations – even insisting that a now-infamous photograph that appeared to show them together was doctored.
The case was settled out of court in early 2022, with Andrew reportedly paying about 12 million pounds ($16m) – then causing widespread backlash over whether UK taxpayers’ money was used for the payout.
In April this year, Giuffre was found dead at her home near Perth, Australia. Her family confirmed the death as a suicide, attributing it to the emotional toll of her past abuse and ongoing personal struggles.
Last Friday, the US House Oversight Committee also released documents from Epstein’s estate showing “Prince Andrew” listed as a passenger on the convicted sex offender’s private jet, the Lolita Express, from Luton to Edinburgh in 2006.
What does Giuffre’s posthumous memoir say?
On Tuesday, Giuffre’s posthumous memoir goes on sale, where she details her time with the prince and Epstein. In the excerpts published by several media organisations, Giuffre wrote that Andrew believed sex with her was his “birthright”.
In the book, Nobody’s Girl, Giuffre describes her meetings with the prince – and also recounts what unfolded in London during their meet-up.
“Back at the house, [Ghislaine] Maxwell and Epstein said goodnight and headed upstairs, signalling it was time that I take care of the prince. In the years since, I’ve thought a lot about how he behaved. He was friendly enough, but still entitled – as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright.
“He seemed in a rush to have intercourse. Afterward, he said thank you in his clipped British accent. In my memory, the whole thing lasted less than half an hour,” she writes in her memoir.
“The next morning, Maxwell told me: ‘You did well. The prince had fun.’ Epstein would give me $15,000 for servicing the man the tabloids called ‘Randy Andy’.”
Giuffre’s family has lauded the decision of Andrew being forced to relinquish his titles as “vindication for Virginia”.
“We, the family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, believe that Prince Andrew’s decision to give up his titles is vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere,” they said in a statement.
“Further, we believe it is appropriate for King Charles to remove the title of Prince.”
From L: Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000 (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)
What were Andrew’s ties with US sex offender Epstein?
Prince Andrew is reported to have had a longstanding association with Epstein, a convicted child sex offender and financier from the US.
The relationship reportedly began in the 1990s, with Andrew socialising with Epstein in elite social circles in both the UK and the US. He is reported to have stayed at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, his private Caribbean island, and flown on Epstein’s private jet on multiple occasions. Andrew was also listed on another flight to West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.
Epstein’s close associate, British socialite Maxwell, facilitated introductions between Andrew and other prominent figures, drawing him further into Epstein’s network. Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.
The association came to public scrutiny after Giuffre in 2021 accused Andrew of sexual abuse.
In an infamous 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, Andrew said he broke off his friendship with Epstein in December 2010.
But the release of new documents last month shows Andrew reportedly sent a mail three months after the interview. In the email, Andrew appeared to tell Epstein “we are in this together” after the two men were photographed together strolling in New York.
In 2008, Epstein had pleaded guilty to charges of solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor, for which he served 13 months in jail.
Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019, awaiting a trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
Has the prince been part of other scandals?
Andrew has been mired in a number of other scandals, including an instance of his “close confidant” being banned from the UK over allegations he was a Chinese spy.
Andrew reportedly held meetings in 2018 and 2019 with Cai Qi, a member of China’s ruling political bureau.
Cai was suspected by the UK government of being the recipient of sensitive information allegedly passed to China by two British nationals accused of spying for Beijing.
Sarah Ferguson (L) and Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, react as they leave St George’s Chapel, in Windsor Castle, after attending the Easter Mattins Service, on March 31, 2024 (Photo by Hollie Adams / POOL / AFP)
1 of 2 | Prince Andrew attends a commemorative ceremony of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Bruges, in Brugge, Belgium, on Sept. 7, 2019. On Friday, the prince gave up his royal titles. File Photo by Julien Warnand/EPA
Oct. 17 (UPI) —Prince Andrew, facing scrutiny of his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, on Friday said he will relinquish his royal titles, including Duke of York, and end his membership of the Order of Garter.
Andrew, who made the announcement after meeting with his brother, King Charles III, will only retain the title of prince, which is required because he was born the son of a queen, Elizabeth II.
Andrew, 65, remains eighth in line to the throne. His other siblings are Princess Anne and Prince Edward.
The last time a duke title was taken away was more than 100 years ago, historian Anthony Seldon told BBC News TV. In 1919, Prince Charles Edward, who was one of Queen Victoria‘s grandsons, lost the title of Duke of Albany for fighting on the German side during World War I.
“In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace. “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.”
In 2019, he was stripped of his military titles and positions on several charities.
Andrew has denied accusations against him by Virginia Giuffre in a 2015 lawsuit, and has never been arrested in connection with the abuse allegations. They reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement in 2022.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me,” Andrew said on Friday. “As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
Other members of the royal family were consulted during the discussions, including William, the Prince of Wales, and son of Charles, CNN reported.
“Things are simply not going away,” Robert Hardman, who has written a biography of KingCharles, told the BBC.
“Nothing really has changed constitutionally. What has changed is that he’s not going to use these titles.”
Andrew’s former wife, Sarah, the Duchess of York, will be known as “Sarah Ferguson.”
Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will not be affected by the decision.
Andrew will no longer attend any royal family’s Christmas events, a source told CNN, but will continue to reside at the Royal Lodge in Windsor in a private tenancy agreement.
Giuffre, who died on April 25 by suicide at 41, alleged Epstein trafficked her and forced her to have sex with friends in 2001, including Andrew. She said Andrew was aware she was underage at 17.
Giuffre also said Andrew sexually abused her on Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, his mansion in Manhattan and at his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell’s home in London.
The Guardian this week published extracts from the memoir of Giuffre. She claimed the prince “believed that having sex with me was his birthright.”
Andrew also faced scrutiny of his links to an alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo.
A tribunal hearing in December upheld an earlier decision to bar Yang from the British. It was revealed Yang was authorized to act on Andrew’s behalf during business meetings with potential Chinese investors in Britain.
Prince William has revealed his strict parenting rules when it comes to his kids – Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte – and mobile phones
Kate and William have strict rules for their kids(Image: PA)
Prince William has revealed his stern parenting when it comes to his kids and mobile phones. The future King revealed Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte are banned from owning a device by himself and his wife, Princess Kate.
He made the revelation while speaking with Eugene Levy, shortly after Kate had confirmed the pair try to limit their children’s screen time. And he also admitted they regularly sit down for dinner together no matter how busy his schedule gets, labelling their chats “really important’.
“None of our children have phones, which we’re very strict about,” he confessed before revealing the kids’ other obsessions. “Louis loves the trampoline,” he admitted. “He’s obsessed. And Charlotte loves it too.
“As far as I can tell they just end up jumping up and down, beating each other up, most of the time. Apparently, there is an art to it.”
As well as enjoying the trampoline, William, 43, says daughter Charlotte, 10, takes part in netball and ballet. William claimed both he and Kate think it’s really important to ensure their kids are involved in sports and outdoor activities.
As for 12-year-old George, William says his eldest is a staunch football fan, like himself. He said he is also keen on hockey.
William also opened up on the pain he felt as he watched both his father, King Charles III, and his wife be diagnosed with cancer. The Royal Family were left devastated by the double cancer diagnosis last year. They came just months apart.
Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that the King had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer following a prostate exam. Then in March, the Princess of Wales confirmed she too had been diagnosed with cancer following tests that were conducted after major abdominal surgery in January.
Speaking to Eugene for his The Reluctant Traveler series, William described having his father and wife sick at the same time was like “having the rug pulled from underneath you”.
He candidly admitted: “We’ve been very lucky, we hadn’t had many illnesses in the family for a very long time. My grandparents lived until they were in the high 90s.
“So, they were the vision of fitness, and stoicism, and resilience if you like. So we’ve been very lucky as a family.” He then went on to reference his father King Charles ‘ cancer diagnosis and his wife Kate’s diagnosis.
“But I think, when you suddenly realise that the rug if you were, the metaphorical rug can be pulled from under your feet quite quick at any point. You maybe think to yourself ‘It won’t happen to us, we’ll be okay.’
“Because I think everyone has a positive outlook, you’ve got to be positive. But when it does happen to you, then it takes you into some pretty not great places.”
Clovelly is a village in Devon that has been largely untouched by time, and has a very surprising royal connection
Devon is a hiding a picturesque little village that feels like it’s been trapped in time(Image: Getty)
There’s a unique charm to some of the British coastal towns and villages that seem as though they’ve been preserved in time.
These are places where cobbled lanes have been trodden for centuries, life moves at a leisurely pace, and you’re not constantly jostled on the tube.
Such spots are rare, and many of these charming villages were discovered long ago, becoming the unwitting targets of busloads of tourists.
Travel writers often wax lyrical about “hidden gems,” but this is something else. Its cliff-side location and winding, narrow streets appear to have shielded it from throngs of holidaymakers who can’t navigate its tight lanes.
With motor vehicles banned from many of its roads, just like in the olden days, donkeys do much of the heavy lifting, helping locals transport their goods and even offering traditional beach rides, reports the Express.
This village is Clovelly, a picture-perfect spot on the north Devon coast. With its whitewashed cottages, flower-adorned balconies, and panoramic sea views, it has long been a favourite among those fortunate enough to know of its existence.
But beyond its unique mode of transport, Clovelly boasts an impressive claim to fame, having once been owned by a Queen – not our current monarch, but England’s first ever crowned Queen, Matilda of Flanders.
Initially, the estate belonged to William the Conqueror, who presented it to his wife, where it remained a private Royal settlement for centuries, until the Giffard family took ownership and it stayed relatively obscure for the following 800 years.
Currently it is owned by the Hon. John Rous, whose mother shared blood ties with the late Queen Elizabeth II, providing the village with a Royal connection that’s both surprising and remarkable.
The scenic Devon location has also sparked some of the finest creative masterpieces of its era. J. M. W. Turner captured the village’s shoreline on canvas, whilst Charles Dickens featured it in his 1860 short tale “A Message from the Sea.”
One delighted visitor sharing feedback on TripAdvisor said: “Clovelly is a beautiful village to visit, and I have been visiting with my family for the last 30 years. Yes, you pay to enter (like most historical landmarks), and yes, it’s steep! Both of which are well-advertised on the website before visiting.
“There really is no other village quite like it in the UK. The beauty of Clovelly is how it remains unchanged and hopefully will remain this way for many years to come.”
Meanwhile another added: “We were very lucky that when we first arrived at the car park it was lunch time and it was raining cats and dogs (mid-July) so we decided to have our packed lunch in the car.”
Boasting historic streets, iconic donkeys, and breathtaking views, Clovelly is a hidden gem in England that’s worth visiting on a trip to Devon – even if it does set you back £9.50.
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A Cotswolds town has been described as a ‘hidden gem’ and is a must-visit location for anyone looking for a peaceful getaway with plenty of charm
Pretty UK town is a ‘hidden gem’ and perfect for an autumn escape(Image: Getty Images / Loop Images )
A ‘wonderful’ quintessential English market town, brimming with history and charm, is a must-visit destination with its ancient buildings, historic streets and unique timber inns.
This ‘hidden gem’ also boasts over 60 delightful independent shops that attract locals and tourists alike throughout the year.
The Cotswolds town may not be as well-known as other tourist spots, but it’s described as a ‘fabulous’ location with numerous picturesque walks in the surrounding area.
Perched above the River Isbourne in Gloucestershire, the town is conveniently located near the scenic Cotswold Way in the Tewkesbury Borough.
Here, you’ll find centuries-old buildings dating back to medieval times, including several 15th-century coaching inns now serving as restaurants, all set amidst stunning countryside that extends for miles around the town, reports the Express.
Winchcombe offers a fantastic autumn getaway with breathtaking views, charming stone cottages and historical black and white half-timbered buildings. It’s hailed as the ‘hidden jewel in the Cotswold crown’ and provides a perfect escape from city life.
The official Cotswolds website describes the town: “As well as the town centre, must see places are Sudeley Castle with its 1,000 years of royal history and stunning gardens at any time of year.
“The church which is home to an altar cloth made by Catherine of Aragon and 40 grotesques (which are shaped to look like the local characters of the 1460’s).
“Winchcombe is a delight for visitors, with a good range of shops including a wonderful deli, traditional retailers, boutique clothing, interior design and antique shops to browse.
“The town also boasts a wealth of historic pubs, some with a modern twist, several tea rooms and galleries to while away the afternoon.”
Winchcombe takes pride in its ‘Walkers are Welcome’ motto – with numerous footpaths leading through stunning countryside alongside plenty of fascinating sights en route.
There’s a Roman villa nestled in secluded terrain plus an ancient Neolithic burial ground, or visitors can trek to the summit of the Cotswold Scarp, a dramatic cliff face of the Cotswold Hills, for spectacular panoramas.
The Experience Winchcombe website described a visit to this destination as encountering a Cotswold town at its absolute best.
The website said: “Relax in our timbered inns, savour our fresh local produce and browse and buy in our independent, quality shops.
“Soak up the scenery with a walk or cycle around this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or a stroll alongside the River Isbourne.
“Discover the fascinating history and centuries-old architecture of this charming Cotswold town, or simply unwind in our breath-taking countryside.”
Winchcombe is a market town within the Borough of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, this picturesque location sits seven miles from Cheltenham – housing approximately 5000 inhabitants.
Drag Race UK is returning to our screens with a new group of talented icons, but one specific star has links to the royal family
Drag Race UK star Paige Three’s royal links revealed as beloved show returns
Drag Race UK is returning to our screens tonight, and one of the stars might be very familiar to a few viewers. Drag queen Paige Three, who hails from Surrey, is one of the many gorgeous queens taking part in the UK’s version of RuPaul’s beloved series – which airs on BBC.
Speaking about her iconic name, she said: “Paige Three, if you don’t know, is a play on words referencing the glamorous women who posed on page three of a tabloid newspaper. My take on that is to exude glamour, body and serve up a performance that everybody’s talking about!”
Other queens taking part are Catrin Feelings, Tayris Mongardi, Sally TM, Silllexa Diction, Pasty, Nyongbella, Elle Vosque, Viola, Chai T Grande, Bonnie Ann Clyde, Bones.
Paige might be ready to lip sync for her life but she’s used to working under pressure as she once performed for Queen Elizabeth II at her 90th birthday as a dancer with Beverly Knight.
Speaking of her career, Paige Three said: “I’ve done all sorts of random stuff in my drag career. You might have seen me at brunches all around London, sometimes I run a bingo, I have performed with Kimberly Wyatt from The Pussycat Dolls.
“I’ve worked really hard to get where I am, but I feel that I’ve reached a wall and I want to break through it and see what else I can do!”
Meanwhile, a huge pop star is joining the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK panel and fans are convinced they know what lip sync will be played.
Mama Ru will be back alongside Drag Race veterans Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Michelle Visage as they hunt for the next UK superstar.
They will be joined by a series of celebrity guest judges, who will be on hand of offer up their honest opinions. To the delight of fans, Girls Aloud icon and singer Nadine Coyle will be among those making a VIP appearance.
She said: “Having been a guest for season three’s Snatch Game (and impersonated by the one and only Charra Tea on season six’s Snatch Game!), it’s such a dream come true to be a guest judge on this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK!
“What an incredible experience to see the immense talent and creativity from the queens, and it was a joy to sit on the judges panel with Michelle, Graham, and the spellbinding RuPaul! You’re all in for a treat!”
Fans loved the announcement and are certain they know what to expect when she appears. One said: “For the love of God, Go To Work has GOT to be a lip sync song.”
Another added: “Already know that ‘Go To Work’ lip sync is going to be one of most iconic lip syncs ever!!” Someone else commented: “MOTHER HAS ARRIVED.”
Our writer discovered that there’s plenty to do at this spectacular Bahamas resort, a destination that’s been visited by celebrities and royalty alike
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The Prince and Princess of Wales have stayed at this luxury resort(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
If you’re a James Bond fan, Paradise Island in the Bahamas should definitely be on your travel wish list — it was a location in 1965’s Thunderball starring Sean Connery and Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale, where he famously emerged from the sea in his swimming trunks. It’s also home to the ocean-themed Atlantis resort, a stunning waterscape, casino and hotel that has been visited by the likes of Beyoncé, Cameron Diaz and Taylor Swift, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have also stayed here(Image: VILLANOPHOTO LLC)
The rooms at Atlantis Paradise Island
After landing at Lynden Pindling International Airport, it’s a 30-minute drive along the coast of New Providence island to the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge that takes you to Paradise Island.
Atlantis Paradise Island has more than 3,800 rooms spread over five hotels, each of which offers a different experience. The Cove, where Prince William and Kate stayed in the penthouse suite in 2022, is an all-suite, ultra- modern and achingly chic five-star tower that has a separate pool and beach for its residents.
There’s also The Reef, Harborside Resort and family-oriented The Coral, but we stayed at The Royal, the iconic pink-coloured pair of buildings closest to the casino, pools, water park and the restaurant and shopping area known as Marina Village. Our 15th-floor room was an oasis of calm, with a balcony and a view of the sea, palm trees and pools.
One of the rooms at The Royal(Image: VILLANOPHOTO LLC)
Atlantis’s Aquaventure water park
The jewel in the Atlantis crown has to be the Aquaventure water park and the surrounding marine life exhibits. We spent hours wandering through the caverns of the Dig, a themed aquarium featuring coral, jellyfish and tropical fish, and watching the sharks swimming above the Predator Tunnel. There’s also a dolphin habitat and a turtle hatching programme, part of Atlantis’s Blue Project to protect marine life.
Thrill-seekers will love the eight slides at the water park, entry to which is free for hotel guests. The Rapids River ride was a blast as we navigated the waters around the tropical gardens while trying not to fall out of inflatable tubes, while the Serpent Slide sent me on a corkscrew descent in the dark before taking me through a lagoon as bemused sharks swam past.
Those feeling extra brave can try out slides with names like The Abyss and The Surge, and there are also gentler options for younger kids, as well as 14 swimming pools.
Atlantis’ Aquaventure water park is a real highlight(Image: Atlantis Paradise Island)
The grounds include walking paths, a rope bridge and six beaches, where we dipped our toes in the clear warm water and watched the sun set behind a lone pine tree on the sand – the location for many a marriage proposal.
The food at Atlantis Paradise Island
There’s something for everyone at Atlantis, from foodies to fussy kids, but eating here isn’t cheap. The resort features celebrity chef restaurants including Fish by José Andrés, Nobu (William and Kate had sushi delivered to their suite from here) and Paranza by Michael White, but there are some cheaper options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
As Atlantis is extremely popular with Americans (it’s less than an hour’s flight from Miami), the portions are American-sized at all of the 40-plus snack bars, cafés and restaurants dotted around the resort.
Most days we skipped lunch as we were still full from our breakfast from grab-and-go café Plato’s. In the evening, we enjoyed jerk chicken with fried plantains at Bahamian restaurant Bimini Road, indulged in delicious rib eye steaks at Seafire Steakhouse, and visited the prettiest Shake Shack you’ll ever see, with windows looking into the aquarium so you can watch the fish go by while you eat your cheeseburgers and fries.
Best of all, however, was Carmine’s, a budget-friendly Italian restaurant that serves food ‘family size’, with each dish suitable for three to four people to share. The friendly staff reassure newcomers that one plate of spaghetti bolognese really will feed their whole party (trust me, it will).
William and Kate reportedly enjoyed sushi from Nobu(Image: Atlantis Paradise Island)
What to do in the Bahamas
If you can drag yourself away from Atlantis, it’s worth taking a quick trip by taxi over the bridge from Paradise Island to Nassau. Here, there’s plenty to explore, including 18th-century Fort Fincastle, which was built to protect the town from pirates and can be accessed from Queen’s Staircase, a walkway of 66 limestone steps named after Queen Victoria.
You’ll also find Ardastra Gardens – a small zoo and conservation centre that’s home to the national bird of the Bahamas, the flamingo. Then, head to the busy straw market and port, where you can sit and marvel at the huge cruise ships that dock for the day or take your own boat trip to Rose Island, where you can swim with the pigs.
How much does it cost to stay at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas?
Rooms at Atlantis Paradise Island’s The Coral start from approx £190 per night for a room that sleeps up to four adults. A luxury suite in The Cove costs from approx £340 per night. Prices vary depending on the time of year – November to March is the most expensive; June to late October tends to be cheaper. Follow Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas on social media for the latest offers.
For other hotels on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, check out Expedia and Booking.com’s selections.
A LITTLE-known resort with white sands, a Unesco-listed old town and beer for less than £2 tops a new listing of most affordable autumn beach breaks in Europe this year.
Nessebar, on a peninsula in Bulgaria, is No1 in budget airline easyJet’s Cheap Beach Index, thanks to its affordable hospitality and dependable deals on flights and hotels.
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The scenic Iglesia de Las Salinas beach, Costa de AlmeriaCredit: Getty
The research analysed areas within easy reach of airports that offer affordable direct routes from the UK, and the costs of a typical holiday “basket” of essentials including beer, ice cream and family meals out.
The Budva Riviera in Montenegro came second, followed by Spain’s Costa de Almeria then Costa Dorada.
Lisa Minot describes what makes these autumn breaks winners, and offers some great deals . . .
NESSEBAR, BULGARIA
THIS little gem offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old Town with its Roman and Ottoman architecture, 19th-century wooden houses and cobbled streets.
It’s not all culture, though – the resort has plenty to keep visitors happy with lots of bars and restaurants and a lively nightlife.
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Nessebar, Bulgaria offers the best of both worlds with golden sands on South Beach and plenty of charm in the Old TownCredit: Getty
The report found beers would cost on average £1.60, while a three-course meal will set you back around £22 for a couple.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Festa Panorama, Nessebar is from £477pp including flights from Manchester departing on September 30, 23kg luggage and transfers.
FOR a more authentic Spanish experience, distinct from the more crowded Costas, the Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdrop.
Highlight is the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, a protected area with volcanic geology, hidden coves like Monsul and vast, unspoiled beaches for you to set aside the pressures of life.
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The Costa de Almeria is Europe’s only desert landscape, providing a dramatic backdropCredit: Getty
Roquetas de Mar is a perfect beachfront town with lots of shops, bars and restaurants close by.
The report found beers will cost just £3 and a meal for two £36.
GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the Best Roquetas Hotel, Costa de Almeria is from £372pp including flights from Southend on September 27, 23kg luggage and transfers.
ALWAYS among the best value of the Costas, this area is known as the Golden Coast – perfect for families with its long, gently shelving golden sand beaches.
The artwork was quickly covered up by large sheets of plastic and metal barriers. Court officials told the BBC the work would be removed.
The Metropolitan police said it had received a report of criminal damage and that enquiries would continue.
A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals said that the Royal Courts of Justice was a listed building and that it was “obliged to maintain its original character”.
The spot Banksy chose was on an external wall of the Queen’s Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex, on the usually quiet Carey Street. On Monday it was busy with onlookers taking pictures of the recently hidden patch of wall.
One of two security officers outside the building said they did not know how much longer they would be required to stand guard, adding, “At least it’s not raining.”
The Bristol-based street artist shared a photo of the wall art on Instagram, which is Banksy’s usual method of claiming a work as authentic. The artist captioned the picture: “Royal Courts Of Justice. London.”
Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman said she believed the work was a “protest about the law” without specifying which legislation she meant.
“Parliament makes the law, and the judges simply interpret the law,” she added. “I don’t think there’s any evidence, in terms of the right to protest, that judges have been clamping down on protests beyond what Parliament intended.”
Banksy’s stencilled graffiti is often critical of government policy, war and capitalism.
Last summer, the artist began an animal-themed campaign in the capital of nine works, which concluded with a gorilla appearing to lift up a shutter on the entrance to London Zoo.
Other notable works included piranhas swimming on a police sentry box in the City of London, and a howling wolf on a satellite dish, which was taken off the roof of a shop in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after it was unveiled.
Banksy has in the past also been known for his work in the West Bank.
We have been holidaying in the UK for the past few years, and recently returned for a break in Norfolk – which is a brilliant spot for family holidays, especially when you go to the free kids play park
Dianne Bourne and Shania King-Soyza
15:28, 08 Sep 2025
Spectacular sandy beaches in Norfolk stretch for miles(Image: MEN)
“My kids are running with glee into a huge woodland playpark, with castle-like forts, giant sand pit, zip lines and water tower offering a dizzying choice of things to play on, as far as the eye can see,” shared Lifestyle editor Dianne Bourne, who visited a “magical spot” with her family this summer – and the best part of all, it’s completely FREE.
This isn’t your average playground either; it boasts a Royal endorsement. Nestled within King Charles III’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, this Woodland Playground is part of the rural retreat that the Royal Family have used as their holiday home for the past 150 years, reports the Manchester Evening News.
You’d typically expect to pay an entrance fee for a playground of this size, but here, you only need to cover the cost of parking. Additionally, there’s access to lovely woodland walks and bike rides across the estate’s 20,000 acres, which are open and free to the public all year round.
Dianne wrote, “It makes it one of the special things about this part of the world which makes it a brilliant spot for family holidays, as I have found with my two young boys over the past few years. We returned to Norfolk for our holidays this year, and struck gold with the weather in the ongoing heatwave.
The free woodland children’s play area in the grounds of Sandringham, the King’s rural retreat in Norfolk(Image: MEN)
“The base for our stay was a lovely holiday cottage booked with Norfolk Hideaways close to the Sandringham Estate, in the village of Tattersett. It made for the perfect location for exploring brilliant family attractions both inland and by the sea in North Norfolk.
“Sandringham made for a great day out during our stay, with the kids running off lots of energy in the Woodland Playground, and then a lovely stop off at the Sandringham coffee shop for snacks and ice cream.”
The free play area is open for as long as you wish. It features main equipment like wooden play forts, slides, and obstacle courses, suitable for five—to 12-year-olds. There’s also a dedicated woodland play spot suitable for younger children, along with a sandpit that toddlers particularly adore.
Kids love the Woodland Playground at Sandringham(Image: MEN)
For those intrigued by the site’s Royal history, you can also pay to explore the Royal house and gardens on selected dates throughout the year.
Other activities for kids
What’s brilliant about this part of the world is the sheer number of things you can do with young children, many of which are free. Not least the fact that there is just one stunning beach after another along the North Norfolk coast, and here are some of our favourites.
Kids love the sandpits too(Image: MEN)
Dianne went on to say, “We love Hunstanton as the more traditional seaside resort with funfair, chippies and ice cream, while neighbouring Old Hunstanton has a stunning stretch of sand and lots of starfish and crabs to find in the sea.
“Brancaster is another beautiful stretch of sand, owned by the National Trust, with a car park right next to the beach, which is handy for those not keen or able to walk all that far. Holkham is the most spectacular and epic beach you’re ever likely to see, but be prepared for the half an hour walk down to it, which in itself I personally find to be a really special experience.”
This is the beach adored by the Royal Family, likely due to its vast expanse and abundant sand dunes, giving you the feeling of having your own private beach even in the peak of summer. Cromer is another quintessential seaside resort, this one boasting a pier made famous in the Alan Partridge film.
She added, “We loved wandering along there where many people are crabbing. The beach is impressive, although does get very busy, and there’s also some pretty fabulous ice creams to be had, with a Mr Whippy shop right by the pier selling multi-coloured and even chocolate-dipped creations.
Kids enjoying the sand dunes at Holkham (Image: MEN)
“Away from beach activities, we also discovered close to where we stayed an absolutely brilliant garden attraction called Pensthorpe at Fakenham. You have to pay for entry, but once inside, there’s a huge outdoor play area for kids, as well as an indoor playbarn that you can book a timeslot for on arrival.
“The gardens themselves were utterly stunning, with a rather comical ‘poo trail’ during the school holidays for kids to find, which, as you can imagine, the youngsters found hilarious.”
Where we stayed
Having previously lodged in a self-catering cottage in Norfolk, Dianne found this option more favourable when travelling with young children – it provides ample space for play and everyday living during a week-long getaway, complete with your own kitchen and washing machine.
Stunning gardens at Pensthorpe (Image: MEN)
Her family were guests of Norfolk Hideaways, which boasts over 550 properties scattered across Norfolk, ranging from cosy cottages for couples to larger accommodations suitable for big groups and multi-generational families.
For Dianne’s holiday this year, her family chose Mallard Cottage in the quaint village of Tattersett. It was an ideal location, featuring bunk beds that the kids adored upstairs, as well as a comfortable living area downstairs equipped with a lounge and dining area, plus a kitchen.
Short breaks can be booked from £453, or seven nights from £551, although our four-night stay in August, during peak school holiday time, cost us £772.
Mallard Cottages was booked through Norfolk Hideaways(Image: Norfolk Hideaways)
For those requiring more room and who favour being closer to the beach, last year they also stayed with Norfolk Hideaways at The Little House in Brancaster. This property can accommodate six or eight guests, with prices starting from £1,672 for a short stay, or £2,075 for seven nights based on eight people staying.
Getting there
“The only bad thing I have to say about Norfolk is the fact the journey there is not the easiet, as it is one of the only counties in England with no motorway,” said Dianne.
She went onto explain: “The fastest route from the north west in terms of miles (and usually time) is via the A50 through Stoke, Derby and then Nottingham, and then across Lincolnshire towards Kings Lynn in Norfolk and then on to the coast.
Stunning beaches are worth the trip to Norfolk(Image: MEN)
“You’re looking at a drive of around three and half to four hours from Manchester to North Norfolk depending on the day and time you go, and depending on what sort of vehicle you get stuck behind on the single lane roads.
“In terms of public transport, there’s a mainline train station in Kings Lynn, although from Manchester you’re looking at a four-hour trip with a change at Ely. But there is a decent Coastliner bus (the 36) that stops in all of the villages mentioned during our stay above.”
Sept. 4 (UPI) — Virginia-based Leidos is expanding the Royal Navy’s autonomous fleet with a medium-sized craft to support the rapid tactical deployment of commando forces.
Leidos announced it has designed and produced 24 autonomous medium surface-insertion craft that can deploy commando strike teams, light tactical-mobility platforms, offboard systems and medium combat loads from long range.
“Sea Dagger represents a pivotal step in equipping the U.K.Commando Force with the capability to operate with greater agility, survivability and intent in a complex and congested maritime environment,” said Adam Clarke, Leidos U.K. & Europe senior vice president and chief executive officer, in a news release.
“The Leidos design reflects our commitment to delivering resilient, future-ready platforms that can adapt to the complexities of modern warfare, ensuring capability, availability and operational advantage from day one,” Clarke said.
The Sea Dagger can exceed 40 knots and is the first craft of its size to combine speed, range, vehicle delivery and adaptable modular mission systems in a single autonomous craft, according to Leidos.
Leidos developed the Sea Dagger as part of the U.K. Commando Force program, which is a fully enclosed craft that can operate in coastal and shallow-water areas.
The Sea Dagger is a fully enclosed, medium-sized vessel that is equipped with a bow-mounted ramp for the rapid loading and unloading of commando troops and equipment during military operations.
Its design incorporates artificial intelligence, high-tech sensors, weapons and command-and-control capabilities to create an autonomous fastcraft that is the culmination of 30 years of fast-craft development.
The Sea Dagger “helps ensure the [U.K. Commando Force] can respond quickly with the tools, training and systems needed to face the evolving threats and demands of modern conflict,” according to Leidos.
The autonomous maritime platform is similar to those that U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle recently said the U.S. Navy needs to modernize its fleets and address national defense needs.
Caudle told the Senate Armed Services Committee such craft are needed to modernize the Navy during a July 24 confirmation hearing ahead of the admiral being elevated to the nation’s chief of naval operations.
Retired politician and billionaire businessman was accused of violating Thailand’s strict laws on insults to Thai royalty.
A court in Thailand has dismissed a high-profile case against the country’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over allegations he violated the country’s strict laws on royal insults, the Reuters news agency reports.
Thaksin’s lawyer told Reuters that the court dropped the case on Friday and cleared his client of violating Thailand’s lese-majeste laws that criminalise almost all criticism of the country’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
The court has yet to publicly announce its decision.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow shortly.
