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Lavenham in Suffolk is home to over 300 preserved Tudor houses and charming timber-framed buildings – and was used as the filming location for Godric’s Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Tucked away in Suffolk lies a remarkably well-preserved village, famed for its collection of over 300 Tudor houses, instantly recognisable by their timber-framed design.

During England’s Tudor period, this very village was among the country’s most affluent areas, but today it serves as a living museum for history enthusiasts and tourists seeking a glimpse into the past.

Lavenham is the quintessential ‘higgledy-piggledy village’, boasting a variety of architectural styles, but it’s the Tudor buildings that truly set it apart.

So much so, that hundreds of its structures are listed and thus protected to maintain their original appearance, whilst the National Trust owns some of its most significant sites, renowned for their historical importance within the village.

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The area’s grandiose atmosphere is rooted in the village’s wool trade history, as it gained fame for producing high-quality lavender blue broadcloth.

However, when the trade declined in the 17th century, there were no attempts to rebuild; instead, efforts were focused on preserving what already existed.

Historic Buildings

Among these stunning structures stands a 15th-century Tudor building located on Main Street, known as the Crooked House.

This particular spot inspired the well-known nursery rhyme There Was A Crooked Man, and much like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, its upper section exhibits a noticeable tilt.

Dating back to 1395, this stunning edifice, now adorned in a vibrant orange hue, is owned by two ‘crooked men’, husbands Alex and Oli.

Visitors are invited to explore the interior and receive a warm greeting from its owners, complete with a guided tour of its captivating rooms.

In addition, the village is home to the Lavenham Guildhall, currently under the stewardship of the National Trust, and serves as a showcase for local history.

This bewitching structure sits at the very heart of the village and has functioned as a community hub throughout its 500-year existence, assuming new roles and changing hands over time.

A recent guest shared on TripAdvisor: “Was very impressed with our visit to this NT property. Instead of being stuffed with display cases full of historic relics, the approach here is to set up the Guildhall how it would have been used through its history and have minimal information boards and artefacts that support and demonstrate that approach.

“But the real stars here are the volunteer guides, and all three who were working the different rooms at the time we visited had fantastic knowledge that could bring the building to life.”

Harry Potter

Already famous in its own right, Lavenham elevated its status when it featured on the silver screen as the filming location for Godric’s Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

The idyllic setting portrayed the location of Harry’s parents’ graves in the film. In a poignant and memorable scene in the movie, he and Hermione visit the village on Christmas Eve.

De Vere House served as the exterior of the Potters’ ruined home, which was later modified for the screen using computer-generated imagery. The Guildhall was also utilised, depicted as the abandoned house sitting in the backdrop of the village.

The already serene village gained an added sense of tranquillity when it was blanketed by a thin layer of snow as the two characters strolled down its Main Street.

However, it is widely understood that the Hollywood actors themselves did not actually set foot in Lavenham and were instead superimposed onto the village’s backdrop after filming in a studio.

Just like regular consumers at the gas station, airlines refueling in Los Angeles are being forced to adjust to higher prices at the pump.

Jet fuel prices have shot up, and experts say airfares are following suit.

With a busy summer travel season approaching, airlines are starting to pass the costs on to passengers through higher fares and fees.

“Whenever there’s a surge in oil prices, the airlines end up passing that to the consumers immediately,” said Diego Bufquin, director of hospitality management and entrepreneurship at Tulane University. “It doesn’t take a long time.”

Airlines have been struggling around the world since the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran late last month. Flights have to take longer paths around war zones, and higher fuel costs eat into their already razor-thin profit margins.

Jet fuel prices account for about a third of airlines’ operating costs, so they “cannot afford to wait to upcharge their customers,” Bufquin said.

United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby told CNBC that the spike in fuel prices will have a “meaningful” impact on the airline’s financial results.

Some airlines outside the U.S. have already added fuel surcharges to their ticket fees. Air India announced a phased increase in fuel surcharges on domestic and international routes last week. Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific announced it would charge extra on all fares to cover fuel costs starting Wednesday.

Airlines topping up at LAX and other regional airports are already being hit. Jet fuel prices in Los Angeles have jumped more than 40% since the conflict in the Middle East started.

Just like the price of gas for cars, jet fuel often costs considerably more in California than in other states.

California is largely detached from the rest of the fuel distribution system. With limited pipeline connectivity, it relies more on sea delivery from other states and countries. California also has higher taxes on jet fuel than many other states.

National average gas prices reached $3.71 per gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA. In California, the average Tuesday was $5.52 per gallon.

Still, spring and summer demand is likely to remain strong even if prices rise, said Alan Fyall, an associate dean of the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

“Fares are going up, but the demand is still there domestically,” Fyall said. “The only thing that really dampens demand is economic recession.”

Indeed, consumers have been booking earlier than usual to lock in lower prices for their summer travel, airlines said. Delta and American Airlines had some of their strongest-ever single-day sales in March.

“When prices did spike, we saw a spike in demand,” Alaska Airlines Inc. Chief Executive Ben Minicucci said this week, according to Bloomberg. “I think people got this initial, ‘Wow, if this thing is going to go crazy, I better book my fare now before fares go up.’”

Airlines and other industries will face tougher conditions if fuel prices remain high for a prolonged period, he added.

Airfares were already on the rise, according to the Consumer Price Index, which found that the airline fares index rose 1.4% in February compared to last year.

The impact will vary by airline, said Fyall. Many airlines hedge their fuel to negotiate a fixed price, and stock up on fuel while it’s less expensive.

“The airlines that manage their fuel-buying process very well, that hedge very well, tend to be able to offset the price charges quite well,” Fyall said.

Jet fuel prices are even more sensitive to economic forces than auto fuel prices, experts said.

It’s not yet clear if Californians will have to pay significantly higher airfares than their neighbors, but some in-state flight routes could become temporarily unavailable, according to Bufquin. As airlines look to save money, they could cut certain shorter, less profitable routes.

“Budget airlines like Spirit and flights from smaller California hubs like Burbank, San José and Fresno are at risk of being canceled,” Bufquin said.

MORGAN Freeman will become the voice of the London Underground this week.  

The Hollywood legend’s famous tones will ring out at Baker Street tube today and tomorrow.

The event is part of his big money advertising deal with Warburtons bread.

Instead of the announcer’s usual warning to “mind the gap”, Freeman will urge them to “mind the bap”.  

The bakery firm’s CEO, Jonathan Warburton said: “We wanted to share a bit of that fun with Londoners on their daily commute and hopefully raise a few smiles.  

“As you can probably tell, we also love a good bread pun, so Baker Street was a match made in heaven, and hearing a voice as legendary as Morgan Freeman’s booming to travellers on the platform is certainly a recipe for a memorable day.” 

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Freeman joined the likes of Robert De Niro, Olivia Colman and George Clooney when he signed up as the face of Warburtons last month.  

He admitted at the time he had never tried a crumpet before.  

New research by Warburtons reveals that 71 per cent of Brits consider the holey bun a cornerstone of UK culture.  

The firm will also transform signage at Baker Street tube into giant crumpets to celebrate Freeman’s turn on the tannoy. 

THE UK isn’t short of coastal paths but a new 2,700-mile path will become the longest of its kind in the country and even the world.

The King Charles III England Coast Path will give Brits and tourists access to the country’s entire coastline for the first time.

Natural England will celebrate the path’s official opening next week, which has been in the works for 16 years.

Around 80 per cent of the path is already open, with the final sections due to open by spring next year.

When the path is completed, it will be the longest managed coastal path in the world and eventually link with the 870-mile Wales Coast Path and 3,260 miles of the Scottish coast.

The path was named to commemorate King Charles III’s Coronation.

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The new path means that walkers and tourists will be able to see and access hidden coves that were not previously accessible.

For example, new bridges and steps have been introduced in parts of the path.

On the Isle of Wight, new steps to a ‘secret beach’ have been built.

The steps are part of a 2.8-mile route that starts at Gurnard Luck before heading through Lynda’s Woods and reaching the beach dubbed locally as a secret spot.

On the National Trails’ website, you can see which parts of the path are open near you and also if there are any current issues that mean the path is temporarily inaccessible, for example, due to storm damage.

The site has different pages for different parts of the route, and once you go into a page, you will be able to see a map with the route on it.

You can also use filters to find nearby hotels and B&Bs as well as attractions and places to grab a bite to eat.

For example, looking at the South East coast page and map, you can walk directly along the coast through Dover, and if you want to explore more of the area, then head to Western Heights – an English Heritage fortification site that dates back to the Napoleonic Wars, which is free to visit.

Alternatively, in the South West, head on to part of the South West Coastal Path through Outer Hope, which is near Salcombe.

You could stay at The Cottage Hotel and Restaurant with sea-view rooms and cream teas out on the terrace.

The hotel sits on the cliffs just above the harbour beach in Hope Cove, so you can get to the sand and sea within a few minutes.

The map of the coastal path also highlights holiday parks, ideal for summer camping trips.

For example, in Devon near Exmouth, you can head to Cofton Holidays which has lodges, cottages, caravans and a campsite.

The holiday park runs a number of events and shows and has a high ropes course, an indoor pool and an arcade and games room.

The path ventures through popular seaside towns too, such as St Ives in Cornwall.

Other highlights on the 2,700-mile path include the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.

If you are looking for a day walk that is already fully open, you could venture from Shoreham-by-Sea to Brighton.

Setting off from Shoreham-by-Sea, you will walk next to the River Adur estuary where you can spot birds before heading past the old lighthouse in Shoreham Harbour.

The trail then follows on to Hove Esplanade to Brighton, where you can see the remains of West Pier.

Finally, in Brighton, you can enjoy the beach, pier and bustling town.

Or you could travel up north, to walk to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, which was once a vital port for shipping grain.

You can learn more about the town in the Newbiggin Maritime Centre, and in the town, there are a number of shops and places to grab a bite to eat.

And if you happen to be there in April, make sure to catch the Kite Festival with live music gigs, film showings and of course, lots of colourful kites taking to the skies.

In other UK travel news, these are the beautiful UK hiking trails that have delicious tea rooms and beautiful castles along the way.

Plus, these are the most beautiful walks in the UK.

The 68-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is set. Matchup starting times and broadcast information will be announced later on Sunday.

The men’s First Four begins Tuesday and first-round games begin on Thursday.

First Four

Tuesday-Wednesday (at Dayton, Ohio)
No. 11 Texas (18-14) vs. No. 11 North Carolina State (20-13)
No. 11 Miami (Ohio) (31-1) vs. No. 11 Southern Methodist (20-13)
No. 16 Maryland Baltimore County (24-8) vs. Howard (23-10)
No. 16 Prairie View A&M (18-17) vs. No. 16 Lehigh (18-16)

East Region

FIRST ROUND
Thursday (at Greenville, S.C.)
No. 1 Duke (32-2) vs. No. 16 Siena (23-11)
No. 8, Ohio State (21-12) vs. No. 9 Texas Christian (22-11)
Friday (at San Diego)
No. 5 St. John’s (28-6) vs. No. 12 Northern Iowa (23-12)
No. 4 Kansas (23-10) vs. No. 13 California Baptist (25-8)
Thursday (at Buffalo)
No. 6 Louisville (23-10) vs. No. 11 South Florida (25-8)
No. 3 Michigan State (25-7) vs. No. 14 North Dakota State (27-7)
Friday (at Philadelphia)
No. 7 UCLA (23-11) vs. No. 10 Central Florida (21-11)
No. 2 Connecticut (29-5) vs. No. 15 Furman (22-12)

West Region

FIRST ROUND
Friday (at San Diego)
No. 1 Arizona (32-2) vs. Long Island University (24-10)
No. 8 Villanova (24-8) vs. No. 9 Utah State (25-8)
Thursday (at Portland)
No. 5 Wisconsin (24-10) vs. No. 12 High Point (30-4)
No. 4 Arkansas (26-8) vs. No. 13 Hawaii (24-8)
No. 6 Brigham Young (23-11) No. 11 Texas / North Carolina State
No. 3 Gonzaga (30-3) vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State (21-13)
Friday (at St. Louis)
No. 7 Miami (25-8) vs. No. 10 Missouri (20-12)
No. 2 Purdue (27-8) vs. No. 15 Queens (21-13)

Midwest Region

FIRST ROUND
Thursday (at Buffalo)
No. 1 Michigan (31-3) vs. No. 16 Maryland Baltimore County / Howard
No. 8 Georgia (22-10) vs. No. 9 Saint Louis (28-5)
Friday (at Tampa)
No. 5 Texas Tech (22-10) vs. No 12 Akron (29-5)
No. 4 Alabama (23-9) vs. No. 13 Hofstra (24-10)
Friday (at Philadelphia)
No. 6 Tennessee (22-11) vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) / Southern Methodist
No. 3 Virginia (29-5) vs. No. 14 Wright State (23-11)
Friday (at St. Louis)
No. 7 Kentucky (21-13) vs. No. 10 Santa Clara (26-8)
No. 2 Iowa State (27-7) vs. No. 15 Tennessee State (23-9)

South Region

FIRST ROUND
Friday (at Tampa)
No. 1 Florida (26-7) vs. No. 16 Prairie View A&M / Lehigh
No. 8 Clemson (24-10) vs. Iowa (21-12)
Thursday (at Oklahoma City)
No. 5 Vanderbilt (26-8) vs. No. 12 McNeese (28-5)
No. 4 Nebraska (26-6) vs. No. 13 Troy (22-11)
Thursday (at Greenville, S.C.)
No. 6 North Carolina (24-8) vs. No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth (27-7)
No. 3 Illinois (24-8) vs. No. 14 Pennsylvania (18-11)
Thursday (at Oklahoma City)
No. 7 Saint Mary’s (27-5) No. 10 Texas A&M (21-11)
No. 2 Houston (28-6) vs. Idaho (21-14)

BBC Sport has contacted the Argentine FA for comment.

Uefa said: “Argentina made a counter suggestion to play the game after the World Cup but, as Spain has no available dates, that option had to be ruled out.”

The Spanish FA said, external it had “worked intensively” to get the game on in any format possible, whether in Spain or at a neutral venue.

It said: “Spain was prepared to play as it has always been stated. They set no conditions.

“Spain, together with Uefa, has offered all possibilities.”

On Saturday the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grands Prix due to be held in April were cancelled.

Formula 1 said it is not safe to stage the races because of the conflict across the region.

The Finalissima, which is staged every four years and is organised by Uefa and the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), was last won by Argentina at Wembley in 2022.

Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders and a 43-day federal government shutdown last fall, the grandeur and serenity of national parks in California remain irresistible to outdoors lovers looking to unwind.

The nine national parks in the Golden State — including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree — attracted nearly 12 million recreational visits in 2025, according to statistics from the National Park Service.

That’s up more than 800,000 visits from 2024 and up more than 300,000 from the previous record set in 2019, according to the data, which stretches back to 1979.

Nationally, visits were high, at 323 million, but down a couple of percentage points from the record set in 2024, according to a park service press release.

“America’s national parks continue to be places where people come to experience our country’s history, landscapes and shared heritage,” said Jessica Bowron, acting director of the NPS.

“We are committed to keeping parks open, accessible and well-managed so visitors can safely enjoy these extraordinary places today and for generations to come,” Bowron added.

President Trump’s critics beg to differ.

Since Trump resumed office in January 2025, his administration has slashed the NPS workforce by nearly a quarter, buying out or laying off hundreds of rangers, maintenance workers, scientists and administrative staff across the country.

And last year, as part of his war on “woke,” Trump instructed the park service to scrub all signs and presentations of language he would deem negative, unpatriotic or smacking of “improper partisan ideology.”

He also ordered administrators to remove any content that “inappropriately disparages Americans” living or dead, and replace it with language that celebrates the nation’s greatness.

That gets tricky at places such as Manzanar National Historic Site in the high desert of eastern California — one of 10 camps where the U.S. government imprisoned more than 120,000 Japanese American civilians during World War II.

It’s also hard to dance around disparaging details at Fort Sumter National Monument, where Confederates fired the first shots of the Civil War; Ford’s Theater National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated; and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, which commemorates the assassination of the country’s best known civil rights leader.

“This administration is actively erasing the history, science and culture that our national parks protect,” said Emily Douce, deputy vice president for government affairs for the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Assn.

Douce argued that morale among staff at the parks — a string of 63 federally protected natural wonders often described as “America’s best idea” — has never been lower.

But the fact that employees still showed up, including without pay during last year’s federal government shutdown, demonstrates their commitment to keeping the beloved parks flourishing.

“The enduring popularity of America’s national parks is not surprising,” Douce added. “What’s shocking is this administration’s relentless attacks on these places and their caretakers, which threatens their future.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The National Park Service is routinely ranked among the most admired branches of the large and sprawling federal government. Even Americans who have never watched a minute of C-SPAN, or get a little lost in the alphabet soup of other agencies, will probably never forget standing in Yosemite Valley and admiring a towering waterfall.

There were 4.3 million visits to Yosemite in 2025, 2.9 million to Joshua Tree and 1.3 million to Death Valley, according to the data.

The 323 million visits to America’s national parks in 2025 are more than twice the attendance — 135 million — at professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey games combined.

Of course, it’s a lot cheaper to get into a park. U.S. residents pay between $20 and $35 per vehicle for a day pass, or $80 for an annual pass. The Trump administration recently raised the annual fee to $250 for foreign visitors.

National Park Service officials did not respond to emails requesting comment on California’s 2025 attendance.

A travel expert claims he has saved money by looking for flights at a specific time, and early risers could bag a bargain, but there are also other ways to cut the cost of your flight

A travel expert has claimed that the time you book a flight can be just as important as the day you choose to travel, and that setting your alarm at a very specific time could help you land the best deals.

Jamie Fraser, owner of Wild Packs, claims that the cheapest time to book flights is exactly 2:48am in what could be good news for night owls and insomniacs. He also claims that evening searches between 8pm and 2pm can also be around 5% cheaper than searching during peak morning hours.

Airlines will often raise prices when they see heavy demand for a destination, so if lots of other people are up at the same time looking for the same route and dates, this could potentially put prices up. Jamie says: “Most people search for flights first thing in the morning while they’re having coffee, but that’s exactly when everyone else is doing the same thing.

“When airline systems see that spike in demand, prices can rise quickly. It’s one of the easiest ways travellers overpay. The cheapest time to book is usually in the early hours of the morning, around 2:48 am, when far fewer people are searching, and airline pricing systems have reset overnight.”

He added: “If you’re not willing to set a 2 am alarm, the next best option is late evening. Booking between 8 pm and 10 pm can still save around 5% compared to that busy morning window.”

So does this hack work? In the early years of internet travel booking, airlines and other sites would update their fares manually overnight. This meant that savvy travellers could sometimes pick up middle of the night bargains. However, nowadays, it’s more complex because systems have evolved, so you may still need a bit of luck on your side.

You could also potentially save money by using Jamie’s other suggested hack, which is to set up price alerts rather than checking fares repeatedly. Jamie also reiterated the often given advice that travellers should be flexible with travel plans, looking out for different airlines, dates, or nearby airports.

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If you use sites such as Skyscanner, you can often tick a ‘nearby airports’ box, as an airport a short drive away could end up being cheaper. If you’re flexible on destination, for example you simply want to go somewhere sunny with a beach, then choosing ‘everywhere’ as a destination will show you the cheapest options for your dates.

It’s also worth signing up for emails from specific airlines and looking out for deals such as flash sales or kids fly for free offers, which often have limited availability and need to be snapped up quickly.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

The National People’s Congress signals firm stance against corruption as China’s 15th five-year plan is approved.

China’s annual legislative meeting is wrapping up after setting the country’s lowest economic growth target in nearly 30 years, excluding during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Nearly 3,000 delegates participating in the National People’s Congress (NPC) were due on Thursday to formally approve an economic growth target of “4.5 to 5 percent”, as set out in China’s latest five-year plan.

The 15th iteration of the five-year plan, an economic roadmap for 2026 to 2030, also set targets for inflation, the fiscal deficit ratio and urban unemployment.

China has set the longterm goal of becoming a “moderately developed” country by 2035 and raising gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to $20,000. The figure was $13,303 in 2024, according to the World Bank.

Planners in Beijing also continue to grapple with deep economic problems driven by the collapse of the property sector, low consumer confidence and a prolonged period of deflation.

China’s targets for the next five years include industrial self-reliance and increased state support for industries such as AI, aerospace, aviation, biomedicine and integrated circuits, as well as the development of “future energy, quantum technology, embodied artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and 6G technology”, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency.

Beijing also aims to expand the use of the digital yuan, known as the e-CNY, to improve cross-border payments, according to the Reuters news agency. The digital currency is currently under development by the People’s Bank of China, the country’s central bank.

Among the most closely watched elements of the NPC over the past week has been the release of government “work reports” from China’s many government ministries, which give insight into China’s progress in meeting its goals and the direction of its future policy.

The NPC’s Standing Committee released a work report indicating that China will soon pass a law on combatting cross-border corruption, Xinhua said.

The measure is seen as an extension of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s long-running anticorruption drive across the Chinese state, military and private sector.

The campaign appears to be gaining momentum as the Supreme People’s Court, China’s highest court, reported a 22.4 percent increase in corruption cases last year involving 36,000 individuals, according to Xinhua.

The state also recovered 18.14 billion yuan ($2.63bn) as part of its anticorruption crackdown in 2025, Xinhua said.

China’s military also identified combatting corruption as an important target in its annual work report, as well as ensuring political loyalty to Xi and the Chinese Communist Party.

The NPC typically runs for a week, and it is held alongside the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body.

The meetings are known as the “Two Sessions”, and they bring thousands of delegates to Beijing to approve short- and mid-term policy measures.

WHEN you look at the London skyline, you probably think of the London Eye, Big Ben, the Shard and the Gherkin – but for decades another iconic landmark as been part of that set.

While the BT Tower has been closed to the public for decades it could be turned into a hotel by as soon as 2030.

The Grade-II listed building opened in 1965, measuring 177metres tall and was originally known as the Post Office Tower.

Inside, the building was used to carry phone and TV signals, but also had a revolving restaurant – Top of the Tower – and viewing platforms.

The viewing platform closed to the public in 1971 after a bomb exploded but the restaurant remained open until the end of its lease in 1980.

To date, American hotel chain MCR – who bought the concrete structure clad in glass from BT for £275million – has revealed little plans about what the hotel will look like.

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However, recent reports have revealed that a Shoreditch-based architecture firm and the same team behind the immersive attraction Outernet on Tottenham Court Road, Orms, have been appointed to transform the landmark into a boutique hotel.

The initial ideas and plans for the needle-like building are expected to be revealed at the first public consultation, which is due to be held in May.

But to get a taste of Orms’ style, other projects the firm has worked on include the transformation of Camden Council’s brutalist headquarters into the famous Standard hotel back in 2019.

They are also the firm behind The Ribbon, which is a new nine-storey venue on Oxford Street, recently announced as the location of London’s flagship Harry Potter store – which will be one of five across the planet.

Previous reports also suggest that the rotating restaurant will reopen for the first time since 1980.

The restaurant, that was run by Butlin’s with Sir Billy Butlin himself opening the site, used to seat about 120 diners on an three metre-wide track, with the restaurant rotating a full 360 degrees once every 22 minutes.

Famous diners included The Beatles and Muhammed Ali.

Thanks to the building’s height and nothing in the surrounding area obstructing it (this was to not interrupt communication signals from the tower) it has amazing panoramic views of London.

It is hoped when MCR reopen the building, the viewing platforms will feature as a major part of the hotel, with potentially the best views of the city.

In 2024, tycoon Tyler Morse – the man behind the purchase of the landmark – spoke to The Times about what the hotel will be like and said: “It’s about telephony. It’s about the telegraph era. But with all the modern amenities.”

He added that the “billions of miles of telephone wire” would be woven into the hotel wallpaper and an infinity pool would be built to look over the city.

Originally, when MCR bought the tower, Heatherwick Studio in Camden were going to oversee the redevelopment – the same firm behind Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross.

However, this week a spokesperson told Architect’s Journal: “Heatherwick Studio and MCR had been working together on the development of the BT Tower.

“We are no longer involved and wish MCR every success for the future of the project.”

Architect’s Journal added that Historic England are happy with the initial plans for the 177metre-tall building, with Tom Foxall, region director at Historic England commenting: “The emerging scheme will reinforce the significance of the Grade II-listed tower’s extraordinary architecture, ensuring its iconic presence remains on the London skyline, while also reconfiguring its internal spaces in ways that will bring both public enjoyment and economic growth.”

In other landmark news, an iconic London landmark is set to undergo a major change next month with an incredible upgrade.

Plus, here are Britain’s most iconic seaside landmarks mapped from historic theme park rollercoasters to Art Deco lidos.

Coronation Street’s Megan Walsh will finally be exposed in upcoming scenes on the ITV soap, leaving Eva Price and her entire family shaken when they discover what she has been doing

Coronation Street‘s Megan Walsh will finally be exposed in upcoming scenes on the ITV soap. The teacher, played by Beth Nixon, has been carrying out an illicit affair with her student Will Driscoll as part of a controversial storyline on the ITV soap.

Will arrived with his family last October to move into the Rovers Return, and it was quickly established that Megan was his athletics coach but there was a lot more to it than just that. Megan eventually moved to Weatherfield, got a job at the local secondary school and has even started up a relationship with Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) as a cover-up.

But spoilers have now revealed that Megan’s “past will come back to haunt her,” leaving Will’s stepmum Eva Price (Cathertine Tyldesley) to discover the truth about what she has been doing.

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Megan’s flatmate Leanne also looks set to weigh in on the harrowing situation, as her own stespon Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) has worked out what his going on between Will and Megan, and has received multiple threats from the villainous teacher. After the bombshell scenes, this will also leave Daniel wondering where he stands as he potentially comes to realise that his entire relationship was a lie.

Just weeks ago, Corrie aired a flashforward episode that revealed that Megan is one of five potential murder victims, along with fellow villains Jodie Ramsey, Carl Webster, Maggie Driscoll, and Theo Silverton. So will this all lead to the ultimate downfall for Megan or will the teacher actually face prison time for her crimes?

Coronation Street boss Kate Brookes recently explained that she the story was a “very important” one to tell. She said: “It’s a very important story to tell and we want to be as truthful as possible. As part of that story Sam will end up getting embroiled in it all.

“Sam is semi-related to the pub family and he potentially gets wind that something’s amiss. We will see the lengths that Megan will go to manipulate Sam into keeping quiet. It’ll be massively detrimental to Sam’s wellbeing.”

Meanwhile, for actress Beth Nixon, Coronation Street marks her television debut but she had actually auditioned for other parts on the soap before landing the role of Megan. Speaking to York College, Beth shared that the casting team had seen Beth in several shows at her drama school: the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, so she was “kind of on their radar.”

Revealing her past audition history, Beth explained: “But I’d auditioned for Corrie twice before – as a baddie both times of course – including for the role of Lauren.” Actress Cait Fitton ended up being cast as Lauren, making her debut in 2022, and has remained on the show since.

Beth added: “Then, earlier this year, my agent sent me a casting brief and explained it was for a paedophile, which is a bit crazy to play because they’re obviously not a redeemable character, so they can push it pretty far.” After sending a self-tape Beth attended a chemistry test with other actors who were being considered to play Will. She then performed a scene on the set at The Bistro – and it turned out the bosses were rather impressed with her.

Beth – who was working as a skin clinic manager before joining Corrie – said: “I was at work when my agent called me. I was upstairs as my colleague watched the desk and, when he told me I’d got it, everybody in the clinic could hear me screaming my head off and then I cried, because it’s been four years since I graduated and this is my first TV role.

“It’s been a hard time and I was really close to quitting, having a normal job and pursuing a different career, so this just came at exactly the right time and when I needed it.”

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 .