A NEW £15million train station is set to open this summer in a pretty English market town, making it easier than ever to reach a stunning national park.
Excitement is already building ahead of its launch, with a brand new billboard unveiled, teasing a summer opening.
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A new station is currently under construction in OkehamptonCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
The new Okehampton Interchange station is currently under construction in Okehampton, right on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Posting online, Devon & Cornwall’s Great Scenic Railways said: “Hurrah! Shiny new billboard in Okehampton to promote the town’s second station, which opens this summer.”
They added the sign will be updated once the official opening date is announced.
Rail bosses say the long-awaited addition will make it far easier for visitors to reach the scenic beauty spot and surrounding countryside.
Thanks to its vicinity to the National Park, the scenic town is the perfect place for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities such as riding, swimming, fishing and golf.
It’s also home to the second oldest Norman Castle in the county. It lies in ruins now but is still a place to marvel at for any history buffs.
The £15million project forms part of wider upgrades to the Dartmoor Line, linking the town with Exeter and beyond.
Once open, the new station is expected to boost tourism by improving access to Dartmoor’s rolling hills, walking trails and outdoor activities.
It will sit close to the A30 and aims to serve the growing eastern side of the town, while easing traffic in the centre.
The interchange will also help reduce pressure on parking at the existing Okehampton station, which will remain open.
Plans for the site include cycle parking, electric vehicle charging points, and better walking and bus links to encourage greener travel.
Construction is well underway, with a footbridge, lift shaft and platform already taking shape.
The new station is expected to boost tourism by improving access to Dartmoor’s rolling hillsCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
THERE’S a town in the UK which is not only beautiful, but is said to have some of the longest living locals in the country.
Lewes, in East Sussex town is known for being a big foodie destination.
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The town of Lewes has been named Britain’s most beautifulCredit: AlamyIt has also been named a place where people live the longest in the countryCredit: Alamy
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The Telegraph declared Lewes to be the country’s ‘prettiest town‘, and it’s also one of the top 10 places in the UK where Brits ‘live the longest’.
According to the publication, the average life expectancy in Lewes is 85.1 years for women, and 80.9 for men.
This is compared to the UK average which is 83 years for women and 79.1 years for men. (The lowest in the UK is in Blackpool with 78.9 years for women and 73.1 for men).
Lewes was described as a ‘hip and historic’ market town with access to the South Downs National Park.
The main feature of the town, however, is its medieval castle which sits on a hilltop looking over it.
Visitors can climb up the steep staircase, and if they do so are rewarded with the best views of Lewes and the hills of the South Downs.
Entry tickets into the castle cost £12 per person.
Heading back into the town centre there are top bakeries, breweries and pubs to explore.
The Flint Owl Bakery was recognised in the top 50 UK bakeries by theGood Food Guide 2025.
It’s well-known for its Lewes-baked organic breads and pastries that are freshly baked each morning.
Lewes has its own local brewery called Harvey’s – which should be a spot that every visitor pops into, especially as it runs its own tours around the factory.
If you don’t fancy a tour, Harvey’s Brewery Shop is in the town too so you can pick up a few bottles of beer and ale to enjoy at home.
Something very unique about it is that its drinks are still delivered to the local pubs by dray horses.
Glyndebourne is a famous opera house with beautiful gardens and groundsCredit: Getty
For more British charm, here are some of our favourite seaside towns…
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Sidmouth, Devon Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
The Swan Inn on the high street is a popular spot to head into for a pint.
It has a unique pub garden too as it sits on the Greenwich Meridian – an invisible border which divides the world into east and west.
Another pretty spot just outside of the town is Glyndebourne, which is an opera house where Pavarotti once performed.
It sits amongst 12-acres of gardens with flowers, ponds and delicately trimmed hedges.
Every summer, it holds a festival where world-class opera singers perform – during the interval, guests can enjoy a fine dining dinner, or have a picnic on the grounds.
For more pretty gardens, head to Southover Grange Gardens, a former private garden built in 1952, which one visitor describes as a ‘gorgeous floral garden’.
It’s organised by six different societies, they each have a festival on the day with a torch-lit procession and of course huge firework displays all over the town.
For those who can’t get enough of being by the seaside, you can reach Brighton in under half-an-hour by car.
Or if you head to Brighton by train, it takes just 17-minutes from Lewes station.
Check out the other destinations in the UK where people live the longest…
Here is where people live the longest in the UK, according to The Telegraph…
Wokingham
Average life expectancy; Women – 85.6 years. Men 82.8 years
Kensington and Chelsea, London
Average life expectancy; Women – 87.1 years. Men 83.9 years
Windsor
Average life expectancy; Women – 85.1 years. Men 81.3 years
Richmond
Average life expectancy; Women – 86.3 years. Men 82.5 years
Totnes
Average life expectancy; Women – 85.9 years. Men 82 years
Bearsden
Average life expectancy; Women – 83.9 years. Men 80.3 years
Monmouth
Average life expectancy; Women – 85.2 years. Men 80.7 years
Fleet
Average life expectancy; Women – 85.5 years. Men 83.5 years
Lewes
Average life expectancy; Women – 85.1 years. Men 80.9 years
Stroud
Average life expectancy; Women – 84.4 years. Men 80.8 years
THINKING of going abroad this summer and trying to avoid sky-high costs? Your local airport might be adding a hidden cost.
Jetting off from certain airports in the UK can impact the price of your next break by as much as £178 per person in some cases.
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Holiday spots in the likes the Costa Brava coastline can vary depending on departure airportCredit: AlamyHolidays to Spain, Morocco and Bulgaria are low from Manchester AirportCredit: Alamy
TravelSupermarket has discovered where to find the cheapest summer family holiday in every region of the UK for 2026.
And in some cases swapping airports can save over £100…
London
For families flying from London airports like Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend, the best value holiday is on holidays to Costa Brava.
Popular destinations here include the likes of Tossa de Mar, Girona and Cadaqués.
On average, heading to this Spanish coastline from these airports costs an average of £679 per person.
It’s closely followed by the Italian Lakes at £690, with Costa Dorada coming in with holidays from £710.
Another option for those looking for a city break is Marrakech, which has souks and medinas aplenty – from these airports breaks on average coast £737.
North West
In the North West, families heading from the likes of Manchester and Liverpool will get the best value for money if they head also head to the Costa Brava region.
It averages at £636 per person – which is £169 cheaper than if you were to depart from Belfast Airport.
If Spain doesn’t quite do it for you, then consider Agadir in Morocco which has a pretty coastline and highs of around 30C.
The average cost of a holiday here is an average of £638 per person.
Bulgaria’s Varna Area comes in third spot with the average cost of £709 per person.
It’s cheaper to fly to Marrakech in the North West as opposed to London with holidays on average costing £711 per person.
North East
The Costa Brava continues to lead with cheapest family breaks from Newcastle, Leeds Bradford and Humberside airports.
It costs on average £643 per person. Agadir follows at £688, the Canary Island of Lanzarote comes in third position at £734.
Or if the sunny island of Malta is where you envision heading this year, then flying from the North East is a good idea with costs averaging at £765 per person.
Midlands
For families leaving from Birmingham and the East Midlands families will again Costa Brava the most affordable option at £652 per person,.
The Italian Lakes close behind at £661 and Costa Dorada third at £709.
Along Costa Dorada, also called the ‘Golden Coast’ are spots like Tarragona, Salou and Cambrils.
It’s also where you’ll find PortAventura World which is a theme park with over 60 attractions, as well as a waterpark and Ferrari World – which is home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster.
For more great deals, here are our favourite cheap all-inclusive holidays…
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Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura
This Fuerteventura beachfront mega-resort is designed like a charming coastal village. With low-rise buildings nestled among swaying palms and a whopping six swimming pools, it’s a total haven for families seeking a sunny holiday. Fill your days with everything from water polo and rifle shooting to high-energy DJ nights and live sports screenings. If you can tear yourself away from the resort, hop on a catamaran trip for a chance to spot whales in the wild.
El Pueblo Tamlelt is a Moroccan paradise resort set in 11 acres of tropical gardens, just steps from the beach. Located only 15 minutes from the airport, you’ll be on a lounger in no time. Every modern room comes with a private balcony or terrace, and the all-inclusive deal keeps you fueled with buffet meals and poolside snacks like pizza and burgers. When you’re ready to explore, Agadir’s vibrant center is just a 10-minute drive away. Wander the palm-lined promenade or head to the Agadir Oufella Ruins for spectacular mountaintop views over the city.
For a relaxing Turkish getaway with serene mountain scenery, the 4* Aes Club Hotel in Ovacik is a top-tier pick. Nestled at the foot of Mount Babadağ, this hotel offers a tranquil atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustling resorts, yet close to the heart of the action. While you’re tucked away in the hills, the Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz is just a quick (and free) shuttle ride away for when you crave a dip in those famous turquoise waters.
Clipper Affiliated by FERGUS, Lloret de Mar, Spain
The ideal Costa Brava base, this hotel puts the very best of Lloret de Mar on your doorstep. You’re just a nine-minute stroll from the iconic Lloret de Mar beach, plus a two-minute walk lands you in the historic Old Town. Going all-inclusive here is a total win for your wallet; you can fill up on buffet classics like burgers, chips, and fresh salads, leaving you with plenty of extra euros to splash in the local boutiques. It’s the ultimate stress-free setup for a classic Spanish summer.
Families departing from Bristol, Cardiff or Exeter airports will find Costa Dorada the cheapest option at £659 per person.
In comparison to departing from Belfast Airport, this is a saving of £178 per person.
This is closely followed by Costa Blanca at £739 and the Algarve at £762.
The Italian island of Sicily is a fairly affordable option too from these three airports with prices averaging out at £783 per person.
Northern Ireland
Sadly for those in Belfast, families face the highest baseline prices of any UK region.
The cheapest is still a holiday to Costa Brava at £805 per person.
Not far behind are the other Spanish regions; Costa del Sol at £810 and Costa Blanca at £827.
Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Where you fly from has a bigger impact on what you pay than most families realise.
“Costa Brava keeps coming up as the value pick across much of the UK — it’s got the beaches, the climate and the price point that makes it hard to beat for a week away in summer.
“But for families in Scotland or the North West, Agadir is right up there and absolutely worth a look if you haven’t considered it before.”
Thick grey-green mud squidges through my toes as I step into the icy, irresistible water. I’m on the descent from the Britannia Hut at the foot of the Allalinhorn in the Valais canton of the Swiss Alps, and this turquoise pool of glacial meltwater has been on the horizon tempting me for an hour. I peel off all five layers of clothing and plunge into the murky water. After a night in a shared dorm without showers it’s bliss.
In winter, the jagged ridges of the Valais are the domain of expert skiers and ice climbers, but in summer the lower slopes become accessible to hikers, with the added bonus of the ski lift infrastructure. You can be surrounded by dramatic peaks with the security of well-marked trails ranging from gentle strolls to serious alpine routes. I’m here to hike to mountain huts, test my nerves on via ferrata routes, and fill my city-dweller lungs with clean Alpine air.
I begin my trip in Saas-Fee, a car-free high altitude village in the south-west of Switzerland, where I spend the night at the Walliserhof Grand-Hotel, famous for hosting Wham! when they filmed the Last Christmas music video here. From my balcony with a cold beer, I spend the evening drinking in views of church spires, geranium-covered balconies and the towering wall of mountains beyond.
Between Saas-Fee and the village of Saas-Grund lies a deep gorge – the Sass-Fee Alpine Canyon – which can only be tackled with a guide. A via ferrata system of ladders, metal rungs and cables allows climbers to access high-level routes while clipped into a safety cable. I’m lucky to be assigned Aldo Lomatter as my guide the next morning – he built this canyon route and knows it better than anyone. We criss-cross the gorge on wobbly bridges, climb ladders up and down the rock face, and disappear into gulleys on ziplines.
The intensity of the challenges build as the route progresses: crossing high above the river a vertiginous ladder bridge abruptly stops, and it’s a 40-metre abseil to the riverbed. We finish with a zipline, which ends deep in a dark cave: it’s a leap of faith, but also the only way down – and a thrilling finale. Climbing out of the cave on a shaky ladder, I emerge blinking into the sunlit hamlet of Saas-Grund and take the free minibus back to Saas-Fee for a fondue lunch.
The Brittania mountain hut near Sass-Fee. Photograph: Ailsa Sheldon
Suitably refuelled, it’s time for my next adventure: a gondola and cable car take me to Morenia, the top gondola station, for the walk to the Britannia Hut at 3,030 metres. Only reachable by foot or helicopter, it’s a gentle two-hour hike over Egginerjoch but, even in mid-summer, much of that is over snow – though thankfully no crampons are needed.
The hut was built in 1912 as a gift from British members of the Swiss Alpine Club to thank the Swiss for their hospitality in the mountains. From the deckchairs outside, the views over the Allalin glacier and the Mattmark area are jaw-dropping.
Accommodation is simple but practical. Hikers share dormitories with wide wooden bunks, ours sleeps eight. There are communal plastic clogs to give tired feet a break from walking boots, otherwise guests pad around in thermals and big jumpers. The tap water isn’t drinkable and there are no showers. Supplies are brought up by helicopter, and water is as expensive as beer. Dinner is one sitting at 7pm, served family style with all guests eating the same meal. It’s hearty mountain food: cream of vegetable soup, saffron risotto, roast beef, vegetables and a fruit pudding. Hiking tales and weather forecasts are swapped jovially in many languages around the table. I sleep soundly, though I’m grateful for my earplugs and eye mask. Many guests here are preparing for long days and distant summits, so breakfast is served at 3am, 5am or 7am, and by the time I turn up for the last sitting the hut has mostly emptied.
Via ferrata and rope bridges featured heavily. Photograph: Ailsa Sheldon
I retrace my route to Morenia, stopping to cool off in meltwater on the way, and take the gondola back down to Saas-Fee where a second dip awaits at the WellnessHostel 4000, a youth hostel with its own spa. Below the cafeteria and dormitories, there are a 25-metre swimming pool and elegant wood-panelled, adults-only spa overlooking the gorge I traversed days before. I buy a day pass (CHF34.40) and spend a leisurely few hours in the pool, saunas and steam rooms, gazing out at the trees and river below. After a day in the mountains it’s a wonderful way to stretch tired muscles.
Keen to explore the area further, I take the free PostBus down the mountain to Visp and catch a train to Champéry at the other end of the canton. I spend a night at traditional family-run Hôtel Suisse, and eat at Café du Nord sitting outside under a fairy-light canopy. The next morning I meet Lloyd Wiltshire from Experience Champéry to be fitted with a harness for my next vertiginous challenge, Champéry’s Tière via ferrata, which takes climbers up steep cliffs high above the valley and is reached by a winding uphill walk through woods dripping with lichen. The most challenging point is a tricky climb in the spray of a thundering waterfall, followed by a single wire crossing above the River Tière – not for the faint-hearted.
Ailsa Sheldon in Switzerland.
After lunch I take the Croix de Culet cable car from Champéry to 1,962 metres. Covered in lush grass and alpine flowers, it’s hard to imagine that this is a popular ski area in winter. I walk through farmland, stopping to buy freshly made cheese and cakes from simple cafes and honesty boxes. My summit today is the Col de Cou mountain pass, where I stand with a foot either side of the French-Swiss border looking over the Terres Maudites and the Manche valley in France, and the Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches ridges in Switzerland.
Descending to the tranquil Barme plateau with tired legs, I find rest and refuge at Cantine de Barmaz, a rural restaurant with rooms. On the menu, the house special is choléra, a deliciously hearty leek, potato and cheese pie, ideal post-hike fortification with a glass of cold Swiss wine. I watch as the last light of the day illuminates the jagged spikes of the Dents du Midi in shades of glorious umber and gold. I then cosy into my dormitory bed in the eaves, lulled to sleep by the deep breathing of tired hikers and the rhythmic clang of distant cowbells.
The trip was provided by Saas-Fee Saastal, Région Dents du Midi and Visit Switzerland. For more information on the region see valais.ch. Half-board at Britannia Hut costs CHF98 (£92) a night for non-SAC members (CHF84 for members). Half-board at Auberge de montagne Cantine de Barmaz costs CHF68 a night in a dorm or CHF75 in a private room
