The trend for ‘coolcations’ has seen holidaymakers shun beach resorts in favour of destinations with less tourists this time of year
‘Coolcation’ holidays on the rise as travellers seek cooler summer getaways(Image: Craig Hastings via Getty Images)
As the summer holidays approach, folks are gearing up to flock to sunny coastal resorts or enjoy a UK seaside staycation. But, some are bucking the trend and opting for chillier locales as soon as the British heat kicks in.
The travel scene’s seen a real shake-up recently with ‘coolcation’ destinations gaining steam among Europeans looking to dodge the scorching sun. Google’s been ablaze with a whopping 624% surge in searches for these cooler getaways this year.
Inghams Walking has delved deep, scrutinising almost 100 spots across Europe to reveal where the cool crowd will head come 2025.
Inghams Walking’s Head of rambling, Laura Mason, chimed in: “While countries like Greece and Spain have offered holidaymakers a chance to soak up the sun and get some much-needed Vitamin D, the heatwaves rippling across Europe in the past couple of years have undoubtedly shifted travellers to alternative travel for their summer breaks.
Iceland’s Akureyri has had a massive increase in popularity(Image: Getty)
“Coolcations allow holidaymakers to foster a deeper connection with nature, often prioritising exploring the outdoors and personal wellbeing, and we hope our findings inspire those looking to mix up their typical travel this summer.”
Iceland’s Akureyri, fondly referred to as the ‘Capital of the North’, tops the chart as the most popular ‘coolcation’ hotspot. Inghams experts have revealed a staggering 264.13% surge in interest for Akureyri as travellers seek cooler climes for their summer holidays.
This idyllic city, with its mild summer temperatures of 10-12°C, boasts the northernmost botanical garden in the world, an eye-catching church by the architect of Reykjavik’s famed Hallgrímskirkja, and some of Iceland’s finest whale-watching excursions,” reports the Express.
Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city(Image: Getty)
Tisvilde, known as the ‘Danish Riviera’, is next on the list, offering tourists the perfect mix of urban exploration and relaxed coastal vibes.
Experts at Inghams extol Tisvilde’s virtues: “Tisvilde is rich in culture and has several palaces and castles, charming colourful beach houses, miles of sandy beaches, and restaurants serving fresh catches from the surrounding waters.”
With average summer temperatures ranging from 19 to 21°C, Tisvilde provides a warm yet comfortable beach experience, avoiding the intense heat found in more traditional European destinations.
Tisvilde is another popular ‘coolcation’ spot(Image: Getty)
From seaside towns on Iceland’s ‘Arctic Coast Way’ to unspoilt and rugged landscapes in the Scottish Highlands, there are plenty of choices for those looking for the perfectly cool getaway.
The railroad tunnel in which John Doe #135 was found had spooky graffiti and a dark mystique, the kind of place kids dared each other to walk through at night. People called it the Manson Tunnel — the cult leader and his disciples had lived nearby at the Spahn Movie Ranch — and someone had spray-painted HOLY TERROR over the entrance.
By June 1990, occult-inspired mayhem had become a common theme in the Los Angeles mediasphere. The serial killer known as the Night Stalker, a professed Satanist, had been sentenced to death a year before, and the McMartin Preschool molestation case, with its wild claims of ritual abuse of children, was still slogging through the courts.
So when venturesome local teenagers discovered a young man’s body in the pitch-black tunnel above Chatsworth Park, the LAPD considered the possibility of occult motives. The victim was soon identified as Ronald Baker, a 21-year-old UCLA student majoring in astrophysics. He had been killed on June 21, a day considered holy by occultists, at a site where they were known to congregate.
Ronald Baker in an undated photo.
(Courtesy of Patty Elliott)
Baker was skinny and physically unimposing, with a mop of curly blond hair. He had been to the tunnel before, and was known to meditate in the area. He had 18 stab wounds, and his throat had been slashed. On his necklace: a pentagram pendant. In the bedroom of his Van Nuys apartment: witchcraft books, a pentagram-decorated candle and a flier for Mystic’s Circle, a group devoted to “shamanism” and “magick.”
Headline writers leaned into the angle. “Student killed on solstice may have been sacrificed,” read the Daily News. “Slain man frequently visited site of occultists,” declared The Times.
Baker, detectives learned, had been a sweet-tempered practitioner of Wicca, a form of nature worship that shunned violence. He was shy, introverted and “adamantly against Satanism,” a friend said. But as one detective speculated to reporters, “We don’t know if at some point he graduated from the light to the dark side of that.”
Investigators examine the scene where Ronald Baker’s body was found.
(Los Angeles Police Department )
People said he had no enemies. He loved “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” singalongs, and worked a candle-making booth at Renaissance faires. He had written his sister a birthday card in Elizabethan English.
Had he gone into the hills to meditate and stumbled across practitioners of more malignant magic? He was known as a light drinker, but toxicology results showed he was heavily drunk when he died.
In this series, Christopher Goffard revisits old crimes in Los Angeles and beyond, from the famous to the forgotten, the consequential to the obscure, diving into archives and the memories of those who were there.
Had someone he trusted lured him to the tunnel? How was his death connected to the raspy-voiced man who placed calls to Baker’s father around that time, demanding a $100,000 ransom in exchange for his son’s life?
U.S. Army photo of Nathan Blalock.
(U.S. Army)
Baker’s housemates, Duncan Martinez and Nathan Blalock, both military veterans in their early 20s, had been the last known people to see him alive, and served as each other’s alibis. They said they had dropped him off at a Van Nuys bus stop, and that he had planned to join his Mystic’s Circle friends for the solstice.
There had been no sign of animosity between the roommates, and Baker considered Martinez, an ex-Marine, one of his best friends. They had met working at Sears, years earlier.
Martinez helped to carry Baker’s casket and spoke movingly at his memorial service at Woodland Hills United Methodist Church. His friend was “never real physically strong, like a lot of the guys I know,” Martinez said, but was the “friendliest, sweetest guy.”
His voice filled with emotion. “He would talk to anybody and be there for anybody at the drop of a dime,” Martinez continued. “And I just hope that it’s something I can get over, because I love him. It’s just hard to think of a time without Ron.”
But something about the roommates’ story strained logic. When Baker’s father had alerted them to the ransom calls, the roommates said they had looked for him at Chatsworth Park, knowing it was one of Baker’s favorite haunts. Why would they assume a kidnapper had taken him there?
Duncan Martinez in an LAPD interview room.
(Los Angeles Police Department)
There was another troubling detail: Martinez had cashed a $109 check he said Baker had given him, but a handwriting expert determined that Baker’s signature was forged.
Martinez agreed to a polygraph test, described his friend’s murder as “a pretty unsensible crime” and insisted he had nothing to do with it. “I’ve never known anybody to carry a grudge or even dislike Ron for more than a minute, you know,” Martinez said.
The test showed deception, and he fled the state. He was gone for nearly 18 months.
He turned up in Utah, where he was arrested on a warrant for lying on a passport application. He had been hoping to reinvent himself as “Jonathan Wayne Miller,” an identity he had stolen from a toddler who died after accidentally drinking Drano in 1974, said LAPD Det. Rick Jackson, now retired. Jackson said Martinez sliced the child’s death certificate out of a Massachusetts state archive, hoping to disguise his fraud.
In February 1992, after being assured his statement could not be used against him, Martinez finally talked. He said it had been Blalock’s idea. They had been watching an old episode of “Dragnet” about a botched kidnapping. Martinez was an ex-Marine, and Blalock was ex-Army. With their military know-how, they believed they could do a better job.
They lured Baker to the park with a case of beer and the promise of meeting girls, and Blalock stabbed him with a Marine Corps Ka-Bar knife Martinez had lent him. Baker begged Martinez for help, and Martinez responded by telling his knife-wielding friend to finish the job.
“I told him to make sure that it was over, because I didn’t want Ron to suffer,” Martinez said. “I believe Nathan slit his throat a couple of times.” He admitted to disguising his voice while making ransom calls to Baker’s father.
But he never provided a location to deliver the ransom money. The scheme seemed as harebrained as it was cruel, and Martinez offered little to lend clarity. He sounded as clueless as anyone else, or pretended to be. “You know, it doesn’t completely click with me either,” he said.
“They ruined their lives, and all of the families’ lives, with the stupidest crime,” Patty Baker Elliott, the victim’s elder sister, told The Times in a recent interview.
Ronald and Patty Baker at her college graduation in the 1980s.
(Courtesy of Baker family)
In the end, the occult trappings were a red herring, apparently intended to throw police off the scent of the real culprits and the real motive.
The killers “set this thing up for the summer solstice, because they knew he wanted to be out, hopefully celebrating the solstice,” Jackson said in a recent interview. “What are the chances, of all the days, this is the one they choose to do it on?”
Jackson, one of the two chief detectives on the case, recounts the investigation in his book “Black Tunnel White Magic: A Murder, a Detective’s Obsession, and ‘90s Los Angeles at the Brink,” which he wrote with author and journalist Matthew McGough.
Blalock was charged with murder. To the frustration of detectives, who believed him equally guilty, Martinez remained free. His statements, given under a grant of immunity, could not be used against him.
Det. Rick Jackson in the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division squad room.
(Los Angeles Police Department )
“I almost blame Duncan more, because he was in the position, as Ron’s best friend, to stop this whole thing and say, ‘Wait a minute, Nathan, what the hell are we talking about here?’” Jackson said. “He didn’t, and he let it go through, and what happened, happened.”
Martinez might have escaped justice, but he blundered. Arrested for burglarizing a Utah sporting goods store, he claimed a man had coerced him into stealing a mountain bike by threatening to expose his role in the California murder.
As a Salt Lake City detective recorded him, Martinez put himself at the scene of his roommate’s death while downplaying his guilt — an admission made with no promise of immunity, and therefore enough to charge him.
“That’s the first time we could legally put him in the tunnel,” Jackson said.
Jurors found both men guilty of first-degree murder, and they were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
In June 2020, Baker’s sister was startled to come across a news site reporting that Gov. Gavin Newsom had intervened to commute Martinez’s sentence, making him eligible for parole. No one had told her. The governor’s office said at the time that Martinez had “committed himself to self-improvement” during his quarter-century in prison.
The news was no less a shock to Jackson, who thought the language of the commutation minimized Martinez’s role in concocting the kidnapping plan that led to the murder. He said he regarded Martinez as a “pathological liar,” and one of the most manipulative people he’d met in his long career.
Martinez had not only failed to help Baker, but had urged Blalock to “finish him off” and then posed as a consoling friend to the grieving family. The victim’s sister remembers how skillfully Martinez counterfeited compassion.
“He hugged everybody and talked to everybody at the service,” she said. “He cried. He got choked up and cried during his eulogy.”
A prosecutor intended to argue against Martinez’s release at the parole hearing, but then-newly elected L.A. Dist. Atty. George Gascon instituted a policy forbidding his office from sending advocates. The victim’s sister spoke of her loss. Jackson spoke of Martinez’s gift for deception.
“It was like spitting into the wind,” Jackson said.
The parole board sided with Martinez, and he left prison in April 2021. Blalock remains behind bars.
Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough, authors of “Black Tunnel White Magic.”
(JJ Geiger)
For 35 years now, the retired detective has been reflecting on the case, and the senselessness at its core. Jackson came to think of it as a “folie à deux” murder, a term that means “madness of two” and refers to criminal duos whose members probably would not have done it solo. He regarded it as “my blue-collar Leopold and Loeb case,” comparing it to the wealthy Chicago teenagers who murdered a boy in 1924 with the motive of committing the perfect crime.
An old cop show about a kidnapping had provoked the two young vets to start bouncing ideas off each other, until a plan took shape to try it themselves. They weighed possible targets. The student they shared an apartment with, the Wiccan pacifist without enemies, somehow seemed a convenient one.
“You have to understand their personalities, especially together,” Jackson said. “It’s kind of like, ‘I’m gonna one-up you, and make it even better.’ One of them would say, ‘Yeah, we could do this instead.’ And, ‘Yeah, that sounds cool, but I think we should do this, too.’”
A remote archipelago situated some 110 miles off the UK mainland was once home to a skilful community that lived off the land. However, 94 years ago – all residents asked to be evacuated, except one
The stunning island is under threat once again(Image: Getty Images)
A breath-taking UK archipelago stranded in the North Atlantic Ocean is under threat – almost 100 years after it was abandoned by humans.
Situated some 110 miles off the west coast of mainland Scotland, forming part of the Outer Hebrides, lies the ‘rare beauty and drama’ of St Kilda. Often touted as the ‘islands at the edge of the world’ due to its remote location, the archipelago consists of five unique islands: Hirta, Dùn, Soay, Boreray and Levenish, alongside a number of towering sea stacks and islets.
For around 4,000 years, the cluster was home to a community that lived off the land – isolated from the rest of the world but described as ‘much happier than the generality of mankind’. Due to the treacherous waters, fishing on the island wasn’t very feasible.
Instead, islanders survived on the ‘dense colonies’ of gannets, fulmars, and puffins – catching them for good, oil, feathers, and bones. However, over time, life became much harder on the island – and the population started to decline.
The human population on St Kilda started to decline, as young islanders went abroad(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It is believed the islands’ contact with the outside world started to increase in the 19th and 20th centuries, tempting younger locals to immigrate to the likes of Australia and Canada for a better life. This, combined with bouts of disease that wiped out many residents, meant few able-bodied people remained on the island.
Towards the end of the 1920s, the crops failed several times – meaning many islanders faced starving to death during the upcoming barren winter. However, on August 29, 1930, the last 36 residents voluntarily evacuated the island – hopping on board a ship that would sail them away to their new homes.
The last 36 residents left the island in 1930(Image: Getty Images)
According to the BBC, the only person who opposed the evacuation was Neil Ferguson, who lived at number five. “He was the only one to dig his croft ready for planting for a summer harvest, and was the last to leave his house, delaying for as long as he could the boat that would take them away,” the publication states.
After the island was abandoned, it took on a new breath of life – becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a haven for almost one million seabirds, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins. Now run by the National Trust for Scotland, the archipelago is a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Tourists can still see remnants of the community that lived here(Image: Getty Images)
“If you do explore the islands directly, you’ll have a rare experience of walking through a landscape abandoned by the entire community in 1930,” hailed Visit Scotland. “You’ll also visit preserved archaeological sites and relics, which reveal the close relationship the islanders had with their unique natural environment, and how they adapted to outside influences. You can see this up close in the remnants of houses, enclosures and cleits – drystone storage structures – remnants of World War I guns and communications.”
While many of the seabirds were hunted for food, they’ve been able to live a more peaceful life since residents were evacuated. However, they now face a much greater threat: climate change.
With rising sea temperatures, warm waters mean food sources the seabirds rely on – like eels and plankton – are shifting north, meaning they’re too far away for many seabirds to fly to. As a result, the colonies are dying out, with the Atlantic puffin ‘creeping dangerously near to the endangered list’.
Seabirds on the island are declining due to climate change(Image: Getty Images)
“Seabirds are part of life on St Kilda” says Susan Bain, Property Manager of St Kilda. “They’re bound up in its archaeology and history, and with them, that’s disappearing. If it were a building, or a monument under threat, we wouldn’t let that happen. The loss of the seabirds will have impacts that we don’t even know until they take place – they are pieces of a unique and fragile ecosystem.”
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DIVE in to scrumptious staycays in England’s eastern counties.
From beautiful beaches in North Norfolk to stunning sustenance in Suffolk, we have it covered.
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The quaint beach huts in Wells-next-the-Sea in NorfolkCredit: Shutterstock
The Nest Farmhouse, King’s Lynn
Beauty Writer Mia Lyndon and boyfriend Jamie found vineyards and seafood feasts in Norfolk.
THE PAD
Tucked away in the rolling fields of North Norfolk, guests are greeted with fizz from neighbouring Cobble Hill Winery at this former barn.
Rooms are bang-on theme with farmhouse-chic decor – ours had a vintage tub, dried flowers, distressed furniture and a spacious balcony from which green vistas extend as far as the eye can see.
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Flock to The Nest FarmhouseCredit: Neeve Photography
Fragrant home-made negronis made from a concoction of aged local spirits and spices, £14, are literally on tap from a miniature barrel in the homely bar.
Then tuck into rich bone marrow and crunchy focaccia, £12, followed by tender local Old Spot pork chop, £28, and barbecued cabbage smothered in a tangy, buttery anchovy dressing, £5.
Fluffy doughnuts dunked in toffee sauce, £10, are the perfect pud, and we splashed out on a bottle of local Cobble Hill Bacchus Reserve, £55.
Birdsong will wake you for an alfresco brekkie of local cheese, cured meats and trout, while you watch ducks bob about in the pond.
EXPLORE
Spy deer in the lush 667 acres of the palatial 18th-century Holkham Estate, before ogling rich tapestries, marble sculptures and the lavish guest rooms where Queen Victoria once slept.
Entry costs from £24 per person (Holkham.co.uk). Later, spot seals frolicking in the surf from the sweeping sand dunes of Holkham Beach.
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Look out for deer in the woods of Holkham Park in North Norfolk
The neighbouring town of Wells-next-the-Sea is postcard-pretty – duck into The Old Station for whimsical ceramics that are made on-site, before sipping on local Crisp Eastern Gold, £2.55 for a half pint, on the rooftop deck at The Globe Inn (Theglobeatwells.co.uk).
Pretty Norfolk coastline has sea lions and award-winning beaches-
REFUEL
Norfolk is renowned for crab, so tuck into a platter at family-run Wells Crab House and feast on creamy dressed crab, crayfish, oak-smoked salmon, juicy prawns, tangy cockles and rollmops, plus indulgent potato salad – £44 for two people.
Start your day with fluffy French toastCredit: Neeve Photography
Meanwhile, in cobble-stoned King’s Lynn, devour giant slabs of buttery ginger cake, £2.50, from indie cafe Norbury’s (Instagram.com/norburysfinefoods).
Then plump for dinner by candlelight at Grade-II-listed The Bank House, a stylish eatery on the banks of the River Ouse.
Order Pineapple Fogs, a blend of honey-lime juice, pineapple and tonic, £5, and savour flaky cod and seafood chowder with mussels, squid and prawn, £22.50 (Thebankhouse.co.uk).
DON’T MISS
Knowledgeable David at Burn Valley Vineyard (which has near-identical soil to the Champagne region), is the perfect host for wine-tasting, £25 a person.
You’ll get to swig six wines – our fave was sweet, acidic Solaris 2023 – before wandering around the vineyard to see where they’re grown (Burnvalleyvineyard.co.uk).
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Mia Lyndon in Norfolk with partner JamieCredit: Mia Lyndon
Writer Sasha Cunningham and husband Grant checked into a foodie haven on Suffolk’s coast.
THE PAD
Nestled in the sleepy town of Orford, you’ll find 21 newly refurbished rooms and an intimate two-AA-Rosette restaurant.
Our bright and spacious deluxe sea-view room had amazing glimpses of Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, plus a large bath, rainfall shower, Temple Spa toiletries and cosy armchairs.
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Experience the charm of The Crown and CastleCredit: Matt Finch
Grab an Aperol Spritz, £9, or a pint of Mosaic lager, £5, before digging into dishes such as the spectacular soy-cured monkfish with glass noodles and sesame, £28.
Mains such as beef blade and fillet on a bed of spelt, celeriac and mushrooms, £32, won’t disappoint, either.
EXPLORE
You’re just over the road from 12th-century Orford Castle, which is well worth a visit for both the views from its tower and its captivating audio guide, £8.10 per adult (English-heritage.org.uk).
Or take a wander down to the River Ore – pick the distance and difficulty of your walk by scanning the hotel’s handy QR codes.
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Brighten up your day at the Orford Ness Lighthouse
Be sure to book your visit to the nature reserve in advance, from £4.50 per adult (Nationaltrust.org.uk).
Once used during WW2 for atomic bomb testing, it’s now home to many species of birds and a colony of 200 grey seals.
REFUEL
Share the griddled fish selection of prawns, squid, sardines and mussels brushed with garlic oil, from £19.50, at Butley Orford Oysterage, a short stroll from your bed (Pinneysoforford.co.uk).
Or hunt out Two Magpies Bakery in the nearby pastel-coloured seaside town of Aldeburgh for rich hot chocolate, £3.45 – it’s the perfect drink for a walk by the beach, where you can snap the giant scallop sculpture (Twomagpiesbakery.co.uk).
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Tuck into fresh oysters with a squeeze of lemon
Later, join a tour of Fishers Gin Distillery for tastings with a sea view, £35 for a 90-minute tour (Fishersgin.com).
DON’T MISS
Stop by Orford’s Pump Street Bakery for bear-claw almond frangipane pastries, £4.50 – just go early before they sell out (Pumpstreetchocolate.com).
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Sasha Cunningham and husband GrantCredit: Supplied by Sasha Cunningham
Fashion Assistant Emily Regan, boyfriend Harry and dog Ragnar enjoyed history and booze in Suffolk’s charming market town.
THE PAD
This central Georgian hotel – once a favourite of Charles Dickens – blends vintage furnishings with modern touches.
Book a Copper Room for a king-size bed, free-standing copper bath and a picturesque view of Abbey Gate.
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Have a heavenly stay at The AngelCredit: Supplied
Then dig into mouth-watering Surrey Farm 10oz sirloin with peppercorn sauce, £34, in the hotel’s lively Eaterie.
Finish with chocolate crémeux, honeycomb and brownie ice cream, £8.50, and a pornstar martini, £14.
Come breakfast, a full English, plus sausage bites for Ragnar, were winners, and there are plenty of other doggy treats and toys on hand, too.
EXPLORE
A five-minute stroll away you’ll find St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Stedscathedral.org) and St Mary’s Church, with its hammer-beam angel roof (Stmaryschurchbse.org).
But to really learn more about the town’s history, join a walking tour around Abbey Gardens and the ruins of an 11th-century monastery, £10 per person for 90 minutes (Burystedmundstourguides.org).
Gift hunters should head to The Parsley Pot with its cute ceramics (Theparsleypot.com), while dogs will love scampering through the scenic woodlands of Nowton Park (Westsuffolk.gov.uk).
REFUEL
For mid-morning pick-me-ups, No.5 Angel Hill has excellent home-made sausage rolls, £4.95, and iced lattes, £3.90 (Fiveangelhill.co.uk).
Discover the town’s hop history on Greene King’s brewery tour – or just lunch on beef and ale pie for under a tenner at its Beer Cafe.
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The Swan at Lavenham serves up cracking food, £28 for two coursesCredit: The Swan/ Instagram
An image obtained by The Sun shows Dan locked in conversation with the stunning brunette, who he chatted to for 15 minutes after the pair were “drawn to each other” in the departure queue.
A source told The Sun: “We saw Dan Edgar chatting away to a woman who was on a hen do on our flight – the plane was full of the entire Towie cast.
“One of the girls from the hen do, he took a liking to. He was with her for quite a fair bit of the flight and his cast members didn’t seem too happy.
“You could tell it was a flirty exchange – they were laughing and touching. There were definitely sparks flying.
“Sat near where they were talking was Sammy Root, Elma and Ella Wise. Ella was giving death stares – it looked like she was fuming. It was a very entertaining flight.
“We noticed they were drawn to each other – we could see them eyeing each other in the departure queue.
“It looked like socials were exchanged so it seems their conversation went really well.”
Dan’s potential new romance comes as the Towie cast jetted off to Portugal to kick off filming for the long-running ITV reality series’ 15th anniversary.
Towie star sparks concern in worrying new video after horrendous trolling as fans ‘ask are you ok?’
He had been dating CBB star Ella in the run-up to her stint on the show in April.
While the last series saw Ella and Dan become “official” ahead of her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, it was revealed on the show that the two had split “amicably”.
The pair now face the first reunion since their split as the cast film scenes in the Algarve for the latest season, out later this year.
Sophie Kasaei, boyfriend Jordan Brook, Junaid Ahmed and boyfriend Joe Blackman also join them in Portugal.
Towie has been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, Matilda Draper and Jodie Wells have been soaking up the sun at the luxury resort’s pool.
Elma Pazar, Harry Derbridge, Amber Turner and Dani Imbert, AMY Childs and Lauren Goodger are also on the trip.
Dan is also set to face off with another of his exes – 31-year-old Amber Turner, who has since moved on from the Dancing On Ice star with Kent-based hunk Archie Chandler.
The pair have been together since May last year, with sources reporting that Amber has finally found “the one”.
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Dan seen on Towie last yearCredit: Lime Pictures
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Ella recently revealed their split on Celebrity Big BrotherCredit: instagram/ellaraewisex
The Lake District National Park is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and charming villages, drawing visitors from across the globe — but this spot is a hidden gem
Skelwith Bridge is described on TikTok as having ‘stunning views’(Image: Getty)
Renowned globally for its awe-inspiring landscapes and quaint hamlets, the Lake District National Park lures international visitors aplenty. Though hotspots like Ambleside and Windermere typically steal the limelight, contemporary trends have wanderers hunting down more isolated retreats.
Scour through social media and you’ll find a plethora of posts praising ‘hidden gems’, as the thrill of unearthing an unsullied sanctuary is undeniably alluring.
A savvy travel expert has decided to throw the spotlight on a real hidden treasure that lies tucked away amidst frequented spots yet provides a hushed, more genuine slice of this iconic British vista.
It serves as a serene haven for explorers, situated just slightly apart from the worn pathways, offering a delightful ‘tranquil’ getaway.
Merely a stone’s throw at seven minutes by car from bustling Ambleside and a brief seventeen minutes from Grasmere stands this humble paradise.
This low-key gem, Skelwith Bridge, has generated buzz on TikTok for its “stunning views”, with even images and footage online underscoring its charm, reports the Express.
Local sage Jerry Rebbeck from Wheelwrights Holiday Cottages offered insights: “The village of Skelwith Bridge is smaller and quieter than neighbouring villages, home to only 150 people.”
This low-key gem, Skelwith Bridge, has generated buzz on TikTok(Image: Getty)
This little enclave offers an idyllic spot “a tranquil place to stay as a base for exploring the national park; with access to the fells, river walks and lakes beyond, or great to visit when staying elsewhere.”
The village’s allure is not limited to its quaint architecture but also encompasses the picturesque environment.
The travel expert revealed, “it gets its name — unsurprisingly — from a stone bridge which makes its way across the River Brathway, which is lovely for walks of all kinds, filled with the best of British wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, grey herons and various species of fish.”
Just a four-minute stroll along the riverbanks takes you to Skelwith Force, a charming sixteen-foot waterfall. Jerry points out that while it’s “lesser known than the other more dramatic waterfalls in the area… it’s a small but charming natural beauty, and adds to Skelwith Bridge’s status as a UK hidden gem.”
Venture further upstream and you’ll find Elter Water Lake, boasting an “easy, scenic walk with well-maintained paths” around its tranquil shores.
For those with a passion for history, Cathedral Cave offers a glimpse into the region’s industrial heritage. This complex of interlinked caverns forms part of a hikeable 4.7 km loop close to Coniston, Cumbria.
Jerry summed up: “It’s off the beaten track and yet close to an abundance of landmarks and beautiful scenery, giving you the best of both worlds for resting and exploring the Lakes.”
But prior to Saturday’s action, Trump indicated his working relationship with Musk was irreparable.
“I’m too busy doing other things. I won an election in a landslide,” he said.
“I gave [Musk] a lot of breaks, long before this happened.
“I gave him breaks in my first administration, and saved his life in my first administration, I have no intention of speaking to him.”
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Elon Musk (right) accompanied Trump to his last UFC event in AprilCredit: AFP
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s complicated relationship
Former president Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship started rocky, but the pair have since reconciled, with Musk fully endorsing Trump and interviewing him on X Spaces on August 12.
In 2022, Elon Musk and Donald Trump publicly feuded on X, then still known as Twitter.
Trump called Musk a liar and “bulls**t artist” during a rally in Alaska.
“Elon is not going to buy Twitter,” Trump said at the time.
“You know, he said the other day, ‘I’ve never voted for a Republican.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know that – you told me you voted for me. So he’s another bulls**t artist, but he’s not going to be buying it.”
In response to Trump’s critiques, the SpaceX founder clapped back.
“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset,” Musk posted.
Musk also went on to buy X months later.
The X owner said he had previously voted mostly for Democrats since becoming a United States citizen in 2002.
Musk initially backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee.
“My preference for the 2024 presidency is someone sensible and centrist,” Musk wrote on X in 2022.
“I had hoped that would [be] the case for the Biden administration, but have been disappointed so far.”
His shift in political parties might be attributed to his plummeting relationship with President Joe Biden who didn’t invite Musk to the 2021 White House electric vehicle summit.
Despite their past issues, Trump and Musk’s relationship took a turn in March after they met at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump was also previously against electric vehicles but has since changed his stance.
“I’m for electric cars,” he said at a rally earlier this month.
“I have to be, because Elon endorsed me very strongly. So I have no choice.”
Following the assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in July, Musk announced his support for the former president.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X after the shooting.
During a recent press conference, Trump spoke highly of Musk.
“I respect Elon a lot. He respects me,” he said.
“Elon, more than almost anybody I know, he loves this country. He loves the concept of this country, but like me, he says this country is in big trouble, it’s in tremendous danger.”
Musk has been pictured at events at Mar-a-Lago and the UFC, buddying up with Trump.
Trump selected Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency – a taskforce aimed at cutting bureaucracy.
In the Octagon, it was a night to remember for Dvalishvili, who proved too strong for O’Malley in their main event rematch.
The reigning bantamweight champion secured his first-ever UFC submission following a brutal choke-out.
And he celebrated by vaulting out of the Octagon for a handshake and words with Trump.
The President also shook hands with a devastated O’Malley, who was able to leave the Octagon under his own steam after the choke.
“He was well trained, he was well prepared, and I knew that he was going to make changes,” Dvalishvili told reporters after the third round win.
“Every time I lost I made big changes and I learned from it.
“But I’m getting better and better. I wasn’t showing this technique [before] and I have more tools in my pocket I’m still working on, and then little by little I will show.
“Now it’s my time.”
Elsewhere on the main card, there were also wins for Kayla Harrison, Joe Pyfer, Holland, and Mario Bautista.
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Trump was given a hero’s welcome by the crowdCredit: Getty
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Kevin Holland shook hands with Trump after beating Vicente LuqueCredit: Reuters
DYSON fans are rushing to QVC to get their hands on one of the brand’s coveted vacuums for a bargain price.
The cost of the V12 Detect Slim Absolute has been slashed by £150 and it’s now just £399.
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Dyson’s pet-friendly V12 cordless vacuum is now £150 cheaper on the QVC website
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Absolute, £399 (was £549)
This Dyson deal at QVC sees a neat 27% hoovered off the usual price of £549.
What’s more, you can get an extra £5 off your first order if you enter the promo code FIVE4U.
Dyson discounts aren’t that frequent, so this is definitely a deal to look at if you’re in the market for a new vacuum – especially if you’ve got pets.
The V12 is designed for homes with animals, so it makes short work of that pesky, ever-present dog and cat hair.
You can use the Motorbar head to deep-clean debris and hair from carpets (it detangles as it goes, so the brush doesn’t end up clogged).
Alternately, there’s the Fluffy Optic head for hard floors and a handy (if strange-looking) hair screw tool for ground-in pet hair and debris.
This cordless wonder gives up to 60 minutes of cleaning on a full charge, and offers spin speeds up to 125,000rpm.
What’s more, the vacuum automatically adjusts suction depending on what it’s picking up, and increases power where it’s needed.
And the filtration system seals in up to 99.99% of allergens and microscopic particles: perfect if you’re suffering from hay fever this summer.
This little-known beauty spot with its ’emerald sea’ is well worth a visit – and it’s right on the doorstep of a popular seaside town
An abandoned shipwreck stranded on the rocks adds to the allure of this hidden gem beach(Image: Getty Images)
If you’re seeking a bit of adventure in your seaside walks this summer, one overlooked beach is a must-visit. Nestled near to the bustling town of Whitby in North Yorkshire, this lesser-known beach boasts natural beauty and even offers the chance to spot some fossils.
Just a stone’s throw from its more crowded neighbour Whitby, the hidden gem, Saltwick Bay, has plenty to explore. With towering cliffs and remnants of a sunken ship, it’s an ideal spot for history enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
This much less visited rugged bay overlooks the North Sea coast and is just a quick 10-minute drive from Whitby. However, what you’ll discover at Saltwick Bay is a unique charm, fewer crowds, and some truly stunning sights – and visitors of all ages will be captivated by its offerings.
For instance, it’s renowned for its reptile fossils, which can be spotted in the cliff face about one metre above the beach level. Don’t miss a stroll along the foreshore, where you’re most likely to stumble upon ammonites – these coiled-shelled cephalopods are truly intriguing to observe, reports the Express.
It’s important to note, however, that Saltwick Bay is a site of special scientific interest, so hammering the bedrock is strictly prohibited.
The gothic ruin of Whitby Abbey is on the circular walk around Saltwick Bay(Image: Peter Harbour – North Yorkshire Live)
Adding to its allure, Saltwick Bay also houses a hauntingly abandoned shipwreck on its shores. The remains of the Admiral Von Tromp lie on the shore, shrouded in mystery as to what actually happened to it.
The ship was believed to have left Scarborough Harbour, aiming for Barnacle Bay in 1976, yet it tragically never made it, instead ending up stranded on the rocks at Saltwick Bay.
The striking relic only shows itself during low tide, so those keen to see the wreck should plan their visit with the tidal schedule in mind.
Beach enthusiasts haven’t held back in expressing their admiration on Tripadvisor, with a slew of five-star reviews applauding the beach’s charms.
One delighted visitor wrote: “A stunning beach, reached by a beautiful cliff top walk from Whitby. Some steep steps down but absolutely worth it. As advised by others we stayed away from the bottom of the cliffs but the bay was wonderful to explore.”
Another enthusiast praised: “A beautiful place, quiet, emerald sea, you almost think you’re on a Greek island. A steady walk from Whitby Abbey along the escarpment, approximately 30 minutes, a steep descent and wow, it’s idyllic.”
The Caribbean may be out of your budget this year, but if you want a beach break that’s a little closer to home, you might want to consider this stunning UK destination
Would you visit this beach? (stock image)(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
If you’re looking for a beach getaway on a budget, you might want to consider this UK destination that ‘looks like the Caribbean’ thanks to its white sand beaches and vibrant blue water.
Located on the Isle of Harris in Scotland‘s Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach is hailed as one of Europe’s most beautiful shorelines. It is one of Harris’ largest stretches of coast and also one of the most jaw-dropping shorelines, even earning it a spot among the UK’s top beaches as per the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. People who live on this remote island are proud to call it home, especially when they can enjoy the beach year-round – often without crowds of tourists.
A woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off the beach’s beauty in a video, leaving viewers wondering if they’re looking at Scotland or a much sunnier destination.
“Scotland? Or the Caribbean?” Caz wrote on the video before sharing clips of her and her friends enjoying a day at the beach.
The video included shots of them all diving into the crystal-clear water and playing football on the shore.
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The Isle of Harris has been basking in a spell of good weather, boasting sun-soaked days with warmer temperatures in the run-up to summer.
This welcome change has allowed residents to spend time on their beach ahead of the busy tourist season in the peak of summer.
The video capturing these sunny scenes garnered over 2.5million views in just three days, prompting some viewers to fantasise about enjoying the beach themselves.
However, some remained sceptical about the location of the beach, as they couldn’t quite believe it was right on their doorstep.
“This is not Scotland,” one person said, while another asked: “Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland.”
Nevertheless, the doubts were quickly put to rest by several people who had visited Luskentyre themselves. These visitors were quick to share their own experiences of the beautiful beach.
“Luv Luskentyre beach it’s gorgeous xx,” declared one fan, while another added: “Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!”
“Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you’re not careful,” said another. Meanwhile someone else chimed in with, “Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it.”
According to Hidden Scotland, late spring and summer are the best times to pay a visit to Luskentyre beach. At this time of year you will get the warmest weather, vital for any successful beach day. The ‘lingering light’ at this time of year also creates beautiful views of the surrounding landscape that are hard to beat.
If you’re looking for a staycation idea, we’ve found a charming two-bedroom apartment near Whitby in North Yorkshire with loads of five star reviews and availability in summer
12:07, 23 May 2025Updated 13:04, 23 May 2025
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We found a charming apartment near Whitby(Image: Getty)
British breaks are always a popular type of holiday, and if you’re considering visiting the Yorkshire coast on your UK staycation this summer, we’ve found a beautiful two-person holiday apartment available to rent that comes highly recommended by previous guests.
Brambles Apartment, available to book via Sykes Cottages, is a cosy and comfy first-floor holiday rental in Sneatonthorpe near Ruswarp in the North York Moors National Park, around 10 minutes from the popular seaside town of Whitby. With light and airy ‘country chic’ decor, it features an open-plan kitchen and living space, a smart TV and a small shared garden, with one previous guest calling it “a great base for exploring Whitby and the surrounding area”.
In fact, Brambles Apartment only has five star reviews on the Sykes website, with visitors praising the hosts, the high standard of the property, and the “excellent views”:
“First class apartment, clean, comfortable lovely views from the windows and in a peaceful location,” one of the reviews is titled. “A very enjoyable week, would definitely recommend Brambles apartment,” the writer adds.
“Lovely stay in a great and comfortable apartment with beautiful views,” another guest agrees.
“So cosy, peaceful, clean and comfy, and a great base for exploring Whitby and the surrounding area,” a third review reads. “One of the nicest we’ve stayed in, and we would not hesitate to book again next time we visit! A definite recommend!”
Guests compliment the lovely hosts and views(Image: Sykes Cottages)
The description on the Sykes website explains that Whitby Abbey, Whitby Harbour and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum are all within easy reach, as are Whitby Beach and Robin’s Hood Bay Beach, as well as the picturesque North York Moors National Park.
If you’re tempted, you’ll be happy to hear that Brambles Apartment still has lots of availability over the coming months, including during the school holidays. According to the Sykes website, a seven-night stay from 18-25 July costs from £677 (down from £981), while a long weekend in August, from 15-18, also costs from £677, down from £1,114).
It’s worth noting that Brambles Apartment doesn’t accept pets, so if you’re looking for somewhere to stay with a dog, you might want to check out other nearby Sykes Cottages properties such as Lythe Cottage or Jet Cottage.
Holiday Cottages is another site to browse for inspiration, which features charming Whitby properties including Sandy Shores, Lavender House and Dean Cottage.
Holidaymakers can stay in Whitby Lighthouse via Rural Retreats(Image: Rural Retreats)
And if you fancy something a little different, how about staying in Whitby Lighthouse? Guests can book one of two rental properties in the lighthouse – Galatea and Vanguard – through Rural Retreats.
Don’t want to drive to your holiday hotspot this summer? Find the cheapest train tickets through Trainline, where customers can save 61% on average when they book them in advance.
ACTRESS Madeline Brewer makes a splash — in a dress made from a Sun front page.
Redhead Madeline, 33, star of Netflix hit You, wore it for Behind the Blinds magazine.
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Madeline alongside actor Penn Badgley in popular Netflix series YouCredit: PA
It features a January 1986 edition of The Sun — the first printed at Wapping.
The style resembles the John Galliano newspaper dress worn by Sex and The City star Sarah Jessica Parker in the popular series.
Madeline starred alongside actor Penn Badgley in popular series You.
In the fifth and final series, which is now streaming, viewers will see Joe embarking on an affair with a young woman named Bronte, played by Madeline.
They meet after she gains employment at his bookstore but it soon becomes clear that she has an ulterior motive after she developed suspicions that Joe was responsible for the death of her close friend.
Penn has led the show since its inception on the streaming service but has shied away from getting down and dirty on-camera for the past two series.
However, he has since decided that in order to give the show a “proper conclusion,” he needs to head back to the bedroom to spice things up for the final series.
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Madeline Brewer posed in a dress made from a Sun front page from 1986Credit: @foxhunter for Behind The Blinds Magazine
@behindtheblinds. Madeline is wearing @vetements_official on the cover. She’s captured by @foxhunter & styled by @orettac. Shot for Behind The Blinds Magazine.
A HUGE pleasure lake an hour from London features stunning art-deco diving boards – but they are not actually allowed to be used as swimming is banned.
Coate Water Country Park, in Swindon, features a diving platform that towers into the sky.
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The diving platform was added to the lake in 1935Credit: Alamy
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It then received a listed status in 2013Credit: Alamy
Originally built in 1935, the structure now stands in the unused lake.
The park dates back to the 1820s, when it was first created as a feeder reservoir for the Wilts and Berks Canal.
However it didn’t take long before members of the local community saw it as a potential leisure retreat where they could enjoy fishing, boating and ice skating in the winter.
In the 1930s, the Borough Council transformed the park, adding new facilities including an art-deco style swimmingpool and the diving platform.
But by 1958, swimming at Coate Water was deemed unsafe due to health and safety concerns and the diving platform was abandoned.
Over the decades the landmark fell into disrepair and the steps were blocked off to deter vandals and thrill-seekers.
Then in 2013, the platform received a Grade II status as one of only four surviving interwar concrete diving platforms in the UK, and the only one in a lake.
Elsewhere in the park there is some opportunity for water play though, thanks to a large splash park.
It that has recently undergone a £475,000 upgrade and is expected to reopen on May 23, with a sign at the site stating “get your bathing suits ready”.
The splash park has a sloped design to also accommodate wheelchair users.
A famous UK seaside resort grappling with anti-social behaviour and constant smells of drugs has seen its high-acclaimed beach lose out on a prestigious award this year
The three-mile beach has lost its Blue Flag status(Image: Getty Images)
The faultless reputation of one of the UK’s most iconic seaside resorts has taken a tumble after its three-mile beach was stripped of a prestigious award. Situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by lush Dorset countryside – Weymouth attracts a staggering two million day trippers every single year.
Steeped in history and boasting a charming town centre, the resort’s pièce de résistance has often been its golden sand beach.
“Weymouth’s sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiasts idyllic and safe conditions to suit every taste,” hailed Visit Dorset, the area’s official tourist board. “The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy.”
Weymouth Central Beach, which has often been regarded as one of the best slices of coast in Europe, was even frequented by King George III in the late 1700s. But, after its water quality was downgraded from ‘excellent’ to ‘good’ by the Environment Agency at the end of 2024, Weymouth has waved goodbye to its Blue Flag status.
Weymouth says it is working to restore its water quality back to ‘excellent’(Image: Getty Images)
Earlier this year, Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council’s Environment and Services Committee, described the review as ‘disappointing’. The council is reportedly working with agencies to tackle its dip in water quality to ‘improve the situation’.
Despite being robbed of the accolade, Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award – which aims to recognise ‘quality and diversity’ and focuses more on well-managed, clean beaches as opposed to factors like water quality. “We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents,” Weymouth Town Council’s Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said, according to the BBC.
However, losing its Blue Flag gong isn’t the only problem plaguing the region. As previously reported, swathes of business owners and residents claim their home is being ruined by ‘moronic’ anti-social behaviour, and the constant stink of drugs.
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Lee Waugh says the town is in a catch-22 problem(Image: William Dax / SWNS)
“It’s definitely got worse,” argues Lee Waugh, 57, a military veteran who has lived in Weymouth since his teenage years. “The levels of the problems seem to be higher. For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It’s a catch 22. It’s a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem.”
Lee also spoke of the issue of smell, saying that the drugs in the area are now extremely obvious and off-putting due to the infamous smell once lit. “There’s a lot of weed – you can smell it,” he added. “People don’t even hide it through town, they’re walking up and down the street with it.”
Janet and David Dye also think the town has gone down hill(Image: William Dax / SWNS)
Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, are from Basildon, Essex, but frequently visit their son who lives in the town. They too have noticed a decline in the town’s reputation, and argue weed is the ‘main problem’. “If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that’s supposed to be the law,” David said. “But a lot of the time they won’t, until someone complains that they’re drunk.”
The Mirror contacted Dorset Police back in April this year to ask what was being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth. It pointed to its Safer Street Partnership, an initiative backed by several organisations including Dorset Council Community Safety Team, which tries to not only identify those causing disruption on the streets, but to help rehabilitate them.
“Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40 per cent,” stated Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team. “The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success.
“Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions. They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made.”
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
WASHINGTON — In a massive setback, House Republicans failed Friday to push their big package of tax breaks and spending cuts through the Budget Committee, as a handful of conservatives joined all Democrats in a stunning vote against it.
The hard-right lawmakers are insisting on steeper spending cuts to Medicaid and the Biden-era green energy tax breaks, among other changes, before they will give their support to President Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” They warn the tax cuts alone would pile onto the nation’s $36-trillion debt.
The failed vote, 16-21, stalls, for now, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s push to have the package approved next week. But the holdout lawmakers vowed to stay all weekend to negotiate changes as the president is returning to Washington from the Middle East.
“Something needs to change or you’re not going to get my support,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas).
Tallying a whopping 1,116 pages, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, named with a nod to Trump, is teetering at a critical moment. Conservatives are holding out for steeper cuts to Medicaid and other programs to help offset the costs of the tax breaks. But at the same time, lawmakers from high-tax states including New York and California are demanding a deeper tax deduction, known as SALT, for their constituents.
Johnson has insisted Republicans are on track to pass the bill, which he believes will inject a dose of stability into a wavering economy.
Democrats slammed the package, but they will be powerless to stop it if Republicans are united. They emphasized that millions of people would lose their health coverage if the bill passes while the wealthiest Americans would reap enormous tax cuts. They also said it would increase future deficits.
“That is bad economics. It is unconscionable,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the top Democratic lawmaker on the panel.
The Budget panel is one of the final stops before the package is sent to the full House floor for a vote, which is expected as soon as next week. Typically, the job of the Budget Committee is more administrative as it compiles the work of 11 committees that drew up various parts of the big bill.
But Friday’s meeting proved momentous. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House and have just a few votes to spare to advance the measure, including on the Budget Committee.
Four Republican conservatives initially voted against the package — Roy and Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Andrew Clyde of Georgia. Then one, Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania, switched his vote to no.
The conservative holdouts from the Freedom Caucus are insisting on deeper cuts — particularly to Medicaid. They want new work requirements for aid recipients to start immediately, rather than on Jan. 1, 2029, as the package proposes.
Roy complained that the legislation front-loads new tax cuts and spending while back-loading the savings.
“We are writing checks we cannot cash, and our children are going to pay the price,” Roy said.
“Sadly,” added Norman, “I’m a hard no until we get this ironed out.”
At the same time, the New Yorkers have been unrelenting in their demand for a much larger SALT deduction than what is proposed in the bill, which could send the overall cost of the package skyrocketing.
As it stands, the bill proposes tripling what’s currently a $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction, increasing it to $30,000 for joint filers with incomes up to $400,000 a year.
Rep. Nick LaLota, one of the New York lawmakers leading the SALT effort, said they have proposed a deduction of $62,000 for single filers and $124,000 for joint filers.
The conservatives and the New Yorkers are at odds, each jockeying for their priorities as Johnson labors to keep the package on track to pass the House by Memorial Day and then onto the Senate.
“This is always what happens when you have a big bill like this,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). “There’s always final details to work out all the way up until the last minute. So we’re going to keep working. There’s a lot of work to be done.”
At its core, the sprawling package extends the existing income tax cuts that were approved during Trump’s first term, in 2017, and adds new ones that the president campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, overtime pay and some auto loans.
It increases some tax breaks for middle-income earners, including a bolstered standard deduction of $32,000 for joint filers and a temporary $500 boost to the child tax credit, bringing it to $2,500.
It also provides an infusion of $350 billion for Trump’s deportation agenda and to bolster the Pentagon.
To offset more than $5 million in lost revenue, the package proposes rolling back other tax breaks, namely the green energy tax credits approved as part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Some conservatives want those to end immediately.
The package also seeks to cover the costs by slashing more than $1 trillion from healthcare and food assistance programs over the course of a decade, in part by imposing work requirements on able-bodied adults.
Certain Medicaid recipients would need to engage in 80 hours a month of work or other community options to receive healthcare. Older Americans receiving food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, would also see the program’s current work requirement for able-bodied participants without dependents extended to include those ages 55-64. States would also be required to shoulder a greater share of the program’s cost.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates at least 7.6 million fewer people with health insurance and about 3 million a month fewer SNAP recipients with the changes.
Mocking the name of the bill, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) called it “one big, beautiful betrayal.”
“To pay for it,” Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey said, “kids in Kentucky will go hungry, nursing homes and hospitals will close, and millions of Americans will be kicked off their health insurance. It’s wrong.”
Mascaro and Freking write for the Associated Press. AP writer Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.
If you’re looking to book a UK self-catering getaway this year, we’ve found a charming holiday cottage in Anglesey, Wales, that has travellers coming back again and again
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We’ve found a cottage with stunning coastal views(Image: Sykes Cottages)
With staycations on the rise – especially when the weather’s as nice as it is at the moment – we’ve been searching out some of the best UK holiday rentals homes and cottages to inspire you’re next British break – and we think we’ve found a gem with this charming Anglesey escape.
This four-bedroom, eight-person Sykes Cottages holiday home in on the coast of Anglesey, Wales, stood out to us for its stunning sea views, outdoor hot tub and high quality decor, not to mention the perfect customer score of five out of five stars. Even better, there’s still availability in June through to August, including during the school summer holidays.
Yr Hen Feudy house in Anglesey(Image: Sykes Cottages)
The single-story Yr Hen Feudy house is available to book via Sykes Cottages’ website, and is located on the beautiful east coast of the Welsh Isle of Anglesey in the seaside village of Moelfre. Here you’ll find a picturesque port, a shingle beach and stunning views, perhaps even spotting seals or dolphins out at sea.
The house itself features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an outdoor hot tub and an electric vehicle charging port, making it the perfect base for groups of friends or family holidays.
What especially impressed us were the glowing reviews from previous visitors, many who clearly have booked this place year after year. “We returned to this stunning cottage and it was as lovely as in previous visits,” one five star review reads. “The cottage is spotlessly clean and is finished to a very high standard. The views are fantastic. Good food at the local pub too. The owners are wonderful. We will be back again.”
Yr Hen Feudy house sleeps up to eight people(Image: Sykes Cottages)
“The views were amazing and the house was so clean and comfortable, definitely a home from home!” another person wrote. “We loved our stay, and we look forward to going again!”
A third person called it “such a gem“, writing: “This was our second visit to this property” and added, “Great location with amazing views from the comfort of the sofa. Facilities are just as you would expect. The house is kept in immaculate condition too. Can’t wait for our next visit.”
In fact, the only negative comment listed appears to be about some confusion about the number of guests staying – however the commentor does say that “the place is beautiful and well-maintained, and we had a very pleasant stay.”
At the time of writing, Yr Hen Feudy cottage still had availability on dates including 2-5 June, 25-28 July and 4-8 August, however is these dates don’t work for you or get booked up, there are plenty of other lovely Anglesey options on Sykes Cottages, including Chapel House, Swyn Llyr and Sea La Vie.
The Greek island of Symi is filled with pretty houses, epic beaches, and crystal-clear waters, but it has not seen the same visitor numbers as the likes of Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu
Symi isn’t as popular as some neighbouring islands(Image: Lisa Mei Photography via Getty Images)
Greece is home to dozens of beautiful islands that attract millions of tourists annually. Among the most frequented are Santorini, Crete, Naxos, Mykonos and Corfu. However, while some enjoy immense popularity, there are others that despite their own charm, haven’t seen the same vast numbers of visitors.
Symi, located off the west coast of Greece and east of Tilos, is one of the most picturesque in the region. Part of the Dodecanese island group, it’s best known for its charming houses, stunning beaches and close proximity to the popular and significantly larger Greek island of Rhodes located to its south east.
According to Visit Greece, the main town shares its name with the island it resides on. Interestingly, the town of Symi is reportedly divided into two parts, Gialos and Chorio.
Gialos is the section of the town nearest to the harbour and Chorio, meaning village, sprawls across the closest hillside, reports the Express.
Despite its small size, there’s a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors to engage with. These include visiting the local clock tower known as the Roloi, the statue of fisher boy Michalaki, the town hall, and the Naval Museum. Moreover, thousands of visitors make the journey to the Agios Ioannis, which serves as the main church of the town.
Symi town is located right on the coast(Image: Jennika Argent via Getty Images)
Access to Symi is only possible by boats and ferries after landing in mainland Greece. Travel website Greeka stated that it’s possible to reach the island via Athens and its Piraeus port.
Symi, like many other Greek islands, can get scorching hot during the summer months, with temperatures averaging around 26C in June and 28C in July and August.
These sweltering temperatures make it ideal weather for lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun’s rays and cooling off in the sea. As a result, spots like Saint George Bay and Nanou Beach have garnered rave reviews on TripAdvisor.
On Saint George Bay, Stavros L raved: “A must if you visit Symi. Amazing blue water and the surrounding cliffs create a unique atmosphere, quite crowded during July/August but worth it.”
Port Yialos on Symi(Image: Franz Marc Frei via Getty Images)
Fellow user Hills A was equally impressed with Nanou Beach, saying: “Arrived at Nanou beach via our hired boat from Symi Coral Rent a Boat in Pedi Beach…our favourite bay in Symi.
“Crystal clear water, turquoise blue, perfect for snorkelling! The taverna there has delicious and fresh cuisine, plus friendly goats! Definitely going back soon!”
On Monday, she released an emotional statement on her retirement.
In it, she said: “My days of being a jockey have come to an end.
“I feel the time is right. I’m sad but I’m also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years.
Emotional Rachael Blackmore reveals family tragedy days before Cheltenham Fesival as she dedicates win to cousin
“I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible.
“It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had.
“To have been in the right place at the right time with the right people, and to have gotten on the right horses – because it doesn’t matter how good you are without them.
“They have given me the best days of my life and to them I am most grateful.”
All your Strictly Come Dancing winners
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Rachael would follow in the footsteps of fellow jockey Richard Dunwoody if she scooped the Strictly gig, after his stint in sequins in 2009.
He previously told how he earned £9K in nine minutes when winning the Grand National – yet bagged a bigger pay cheque on the BBC One series.
Recently, The Sun reported how the Queen Camilla Parker Bowles’ son,Tom, is said to be in talks to compete on theBBC dancing competition.
Tom, 50, is a food writer and restaurant critic and has made regular appearances on MasterChef as a judge.
A source said: “Top of their wishlist is MasterChef star Tom. His name was also sounded-out last year but never materialised. Bosses hope they’ll have better luck this year.
“It would be a coup to sign someone with such a strong royal link. Maybe we could see Camilla and Charles in the audience?”
Made In Chelsea star and I’m A Celebrity winner Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo is also on the dance show’s radar.
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The Grand National winner would follow in the footsteps of fellow jockey Richard Dunwoody if she signed upCredit: AP
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The Queen’s son Tom Parker Bowles is also a name in the frameCredit: PA
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Comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell scooped the trophy in 2024Credit: PA
Following a record-breaking 38 million overnight stays, one EU country – renowned for its beautiful scenery – is consulting on a bill that could add three per cent to tourists’ accommodation costs
14:28, 12 May 2025Updated 14:48, 12 May 2025
The EU country is becoming increasingly popular with tourists(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Yet another EU country is mulling over a tourist tax, in what could be a huge blow to Brits. Once a lowkey destination, reserved only for series globetrotters and hiking enthusiasts – Norway has slowly slipped under the tourist spotlight.
Luring British holidaymakers with its ‘stunning’ mountains, glassy lakes, and chocolate box cabins – Norway’s popularity has surged astronomically in the last few years. In fact, last year it garnered a record-breaking 38 million overnight stays – a four per cent spike from 2023.
Direct flights to Norway from major UK airports such as London Stansted, Gatwick, and Manchester have made the country even more accessible – and affordable, with return flights in June priced as low as £28*. It means trekking up to the majestic fjords for a weekend of walks, saunas, and wildlife spotting no longer guarantees you’ll be on your own.
Brits can travel to Norway for less than £30 this summer(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
While the country’s government says the tourism boost is ‘great’, it also acknowledges the strain holidaymakers can put on popular regions. As a result, it has proposed a ‘visitor contribution’ that municipalities can ‘voluntarily introduce’.
Following a round of consultation, the new bill has given municipalities the power to charge tourists three per cent on all forms of paid accommodation, including hotels, campsites, and rentals through platforms like Airbnb. For example, if you spend £100 on a hotel – you may be asked to pay £3 in tourist tax.
The government says tourism must happen ‘within sustainable frameworks’(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
This is a two per cent reduction from the five per cent levy that was first proposed – to ‘reduce the burden on the accommodation industry’. The voluntary tax can also be adjusted based on the season. So, municipalities may choose to implement the levy during peak travelling times, and remove it during off-peak months.
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In a government press release, that has been translated into English, Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth warned: “If the tourism industry is to continue to grow, this must happen within sustainable frameworks. We must address the challenges. Visitor contributions have been introduced in many countries in Europe. Payment in connection with accommodation is the most common form of visitor contribution in those countries that have chosen to introduce this.”
Municipalities can choose whether they implement the tourist tax(Image: Getty Images)
Profits from the tourist tax cannot be used to ‘balance municipal budgets’ and should be strictly for financing tourism-related public goods. This include the installation of toilets, waste disposal, and information activities.
“In the long term, a moderate visitor contribution can help make travel destinations more attractive to tourists and reduce the inconvenience to local residents,” the government added. “This contributes to better trust between the industry, visitors and local residents.”
*Prices based on Skyscanner listings at the time of writing.
Would a tourist tax put you off from visiting Norway? Have your say in the comments section below
