town

Walsall have appointed former Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant as the club’s new head coach.

Grant, 43, has signed a three-year contract at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.

He replaces former Saddlers striker Darren Byfield, who had been given the interim job until the end of the season following the sacking of Mat Sadler in March.

Walsall finished the League Two season in 13th place, 13 points outside the play-offs, having been top of the table at Christmas.

“I’m super delighted and proud to be the new head coach,” said Grant, who was sacked by the Terriers in January after eight months in charge.

“The teams I’ve been involved in have scored lots of goals and there’s been a good development of players and my ideas around that are strong – it’s going to be a busy period for myself and the club but I’m really excited to get going, help the football club progress and I very much look forward to getting to work.”

After three years on the coaching staff at Ipswich Town, former goalkeeper Grant was appointed Huddersfield boss in May 2025, his first senior management job.

But he left just eight months into a three-year deal, despite the club sitting sixth in League One at the time.

I’M in pursuit of the perfect pier – this year’s best boardwalk is a firm favourite for my family and should definitely be on your beach bingo card for 2026.

Great Yarmouth’s Britannia Pier was recently declared ‘Pier of the Year’ and is the perfect spot for a classic British day out at the seaside.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

I’ve been visiting Great Yarmouth ever since my boys were little – the town that is historically the birthplace of the fishfinger, and the hometown of Keith Chapman, the creator of Bob the Builder and PAW Patrol.

Over the years, I’ve seen the hard work that’s gone into breathing new life into the pier at the north end of Great Yarmouth.

With it having just been named pier of the year, it’s the perfect gateway onto the town’s famous Golden Mile, with a little bit of everything you’d expect from a best-of-British day out at the beach.

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Whether you want refreshments, rides, arcade machines, a trip to the theatre or just a spot of sea air, this really is peak pier here.

You can catch the little land train that transports day trippers and holidaymakers along the seafront to arrive at the big pedestrian plaza at the entrance to the pier.

The white frontage and subtle slimline signage are a far cry from the iconic 70s orange lettering that was controversially removed last year.

But the streamlined makeover’s more modern vibe makes you want to step through the doors and check out what else is new.

I really loved the curved ceiling and vibrant red walls of the new amusement arcade, which feels light and airy thanks to a wall of windows and doors down one side.

The sit-down booths in Krispies fish and chip restaurant reminded me of an American diner, while food stalls selling ice cream, sweet treats and seafood line the walkway up to the arcade.

You can certainly see where the new owners Joseph and Cherise Abbott, who took over at the end of 2022, have spent their £2million makeover money and why it wowed the judges looking for the best of the boardwalks to beat off competition from 60 other piers across the UK.

Ever since the pier of the year prize was announced at Easter, more areas have been unveiled, including a fresh look for the Pier Tavern overlooking the plaza and a new casino and sports zone with pool and interactive darts.

Combining modern makeovers with timeless seaside staples like the end-of-the-pier theatre and funfair is certainly one way to hit the jackpot.

The theatre is hosting plenty of big names this summer, including Jason Manford, Gareth Gates and Joe Pasquale, with pantos, tribute acts and variety shows also taking to the stage.

I enjoyed taking a promenade to check out family favourites new and old like the ghost train and the dodgems, while looking out over the wide golden sands to either side of the boardwalk. 

The pier’s new look is just the latest in a series of seafront improvements that are putting the Great back into Yarmouth.

If you turn south onto the Golden Mile and head past Joyland with its popular Super Snails ride, a short stroll will take you to the recently relocated big wheel in between the Marina Leisure Centre and Sealife aquarium.

But my top tip would be to head north along the prom to take a wander through the refurbished Venetian waterways and up to the boating lake, where you can enjoy a pastry at the thatched cafe on an island in the pool while watching passing pedalos.

It’s a little slice of what the coastal resort would have been like a century ago, with its recent multi-million-pound makeover taking it back to its heyday.

What’s lovely is that Britannia Pier feels totally in keeping with both vibes – the ‘olde worlde’ waterside walks to the north and the bright lights and hustle and bustle of beachside attractions to the south.

It’s found a brilliant balance of new and old – like all the symbols lining up on a fruit machine for the first time in a while. 

If you visit and fall in love, you could even lease a beach hut nearby for £12k, after Great Yarmouth Council offered up some of its newly built huts on the Esplanade.

With the picture-perfect pier taking pride of place on the promenade this year, it certainly seems to be taking inspiration from the famous anthem – Britannia Rules the Waves and long may it continue.

Huddersfield Town boss Liam Manning has left the club by mutual consent, two months after taking compassionate leave.

Manning stepped back from his role in March, with the League One side saying in a statement at the time that the decision was made after he “made the club aware of ongoing personal matters relating to the tragic passing of his newborn son Theo in October 2024”.

“I want to pay huge tribute to Liam today,” chairman Kevin Nagle told the club website.

“Stepping away from this role is the correct decision for him and his family, and that comes before absolutely everything else.”

A HEADY scent of garlic butter and grilled seafood is the perfect pairing to my view.

From beyond my mountainous crab platter, I can see dinky, weathered rowing boats bobbing on the winding creek, while the sun beams down on to a rickety jetty where seagulls are poised.

Spain may boast significantly warmer summer days than the UK, but when the sunshine makes an appearance on the south-west coast of England, there is truly no better place in the world to be.

Salcombe has always been on my bucket list.

Before my recent visit, I had heard of the Devon town’s beauty through travel magazines and friends — some of whom were so captivated by its scenery, they chose it as the place where they popped the question.

And I get their thinking.

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Charmingly wonky pubs overlook vibrant blue waters dotted with sailing boats, while narrow streets a little way back from the seafront are lined with candle shops, small boutiques and delicatessens serving fresh cockles.

I was visiting with my family as part of my mum’s 60th birthday celebrations and we were really pushing the boat out — pun intended.

Our ultra-luxurious holiday home, carved into a tall cliff, had views that somehow surpassed those from the main harbour and was kitted out with everything you could ever need for a celebratory getaway — and more.

It may come with a luxurious price tag, but if you do have plans to propose or are celebrating a milestone birthday, this house is the perfect place.

Set a little stroll away from Salcombe’s main hub, just above South Sands Beach, Lilleby is split across several floors, with five immaculately decorated bedrooms, a huge living room complete with pool table, and various levels of outdoor terraces affording sea-view al-fresco dining, a barbecue, hot tub and sunloungers.

The highlight of the Finest Stays property, however, is undoubtedly the open-plan kitchen, dining and living room, where floor-to-ceiling windows allow for prime views of the sea waves colliding into rocks and the pretty pastel houses that line the sandy shore.

The property’s interior design and furnishing only makes things more dreamy — marshmallow-like sofas, glossy bathrooms kitted out with giant reed diffusers and a sleek kitchen that comes with all the mod-cons and enough utensils for hosting a fancy dinner party or proposal meal.

Mornings were spent wandering to the quiet beach below — a gate at the bottom of the property’s garden offers direct access to the footpath which leads to the sands.

At this time of year, the undisturbed pathway is carpeted in fragrant wild garlic that can be foraged for feasts back at Lilleby.

If you’re not one for cooking, South Sands Beach is home to a glorious cafe, Bo’s Beach, with a wide decking area located right above the sands and furnished with wooden picnic benches facing the ocean.

We gobbled egg and bacon baps with coffee while watching the sea tractor ferry passengers from boats to dry land.

For a proper Devon lunch or dinner, head to Crab Shed, a stunning 45-minute stroll north of here.

This teeny restaurant has won awards for its high-quality and excellently cooked seafood, plucked fresh from local waters.

Try the whole cracked crab, its star dish, served with baguette, crispy fries and a crab cracker so you can scoop the meat from the legs and claws.

Opt for it cold, served with mayonnaise, or hot and doused in garlic butter.

Don’t forget to visit Salcombe Dairy for a scrumptious scoop of ice cream afterwards, and the Salcombe Distilling Company for a gin-tasting experience.

For a proper pint, The Ferry Inn has a great beer garden jutting out over the water.

Keep your eyes peeled for one of the many festivals throughout the year, too.

These include the Town Regatta, taking place from late July to early August.

We’re an energetic family, so much of our time was taken up exploring some of the breathtaking hiking trails nearby.

More serious hikers may even want to make their way to Dartmoor National Park, around a 30-minute drive away, to tread moss-covered hills where wild ponies and deer graze.

Even if you have packed your best camera, this scenery has to be seen to be believed — especially the views from the kitchen of Lilleby.

Just be prepared, you may feel more than a little crabby when you have to leave.

The beautiful city has “wonderful” Roman architecture and stone houses

A new study by Sweepstakes Table examined the UK’s major cities to determine which are the easiest to explore on foot, with the beautiful city of Bath coming out on top. Scoring an impressive 99.04 on the walkability index, Bath was crowned the most pedestrian-friendly destination in the country.

The city’s key attractions are all within 1.3 miles of one another, meaning visitors can stroll between them in just 29 minutes. Highlights include the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and the Royal Crescent. One Reddit user said: “Bath is a wonderful city to walk in. I’ve lived here for two years without a car, and it’s been a pleasure.

“The University is on a hill, so some students don’t like walking up it much and tend to get the bus. The bus can get busy at peak times. You can get a scooter halfway up the hill at the moment.

“If you’re going up five days a week for 9am, it might get annoying. But overall, no, you don’t need a car, and often you’re better off without one.”

A visitor reviewing the city on Tripadvisor said: “Bath is incredibly beautiful. The atmosphere is romantic and good to spend all day getting to know the city.”

Another traveller added: “Unmissable! And if you are in London, you can make a return trip the same day and still get to know Stonehenge. The town is old, of Roman architecture, beautiful, medieval, with stone houses.”

The 10 most walkable cities in the UK

1. Bath
2. Cambridge
3. Reading
4. Portsmouth
5. Dundee
6. London
7. Bristol
8. York
9. Oxford
10. Southampton

Candles flickered on long wooden tables beneath a sprawling mulberry tree as Matt French stepped in front of the doorway of his sleek Pioneertown home, holding a drink aloft. Dressed in fitted jeans and a dark western shirt, he welcomed the roughly 60 guests who had assembled in his front yard for the kickoff event of the High Desert Art Fair that would take over the 19-room Pioneertown Motel he owns with his brother Mike.

“We’re super honored to be hosting this event and hosting tonight,” said Matt, addressing a crowd that included local artists, musicians and well-heeled art world types from L.A. “This is the exact kind of event that we want to have in the desert.”

Although the French brothers were not directly involved in the art fair itself, the evening’s itinerary had their fingerprints all over it. Dinner was held in front of the expansive compound they share, and the food — perfectly grilled tri-tip with chimichurri, sourdough bread with cultured butter, flatbread pizzas — was prepared by the owners of the Old Town Public Market, a yet-to-open organic deli and wine bar that would soon occupy another building the brothers own in nearby Yucca Valley. After dessert, the ringing of an old-fashioned triangle bell alerted guests that it was time to cross the road to the Red Dog Saloon, another French brothers business, where Shepard Fairey was already DJing to a packed crowd that spilled onto the rustic porch, the cacophony of laughter, bass and cigarette smoke wafting down the town’s main drag.

It was just another dreamy, highly curated night in the high desert of Matt and Mike French’s making.

Vintage design details abound at the French brothers’ properties, including the Pioneertown Motel.

Few people have had more influence on the modern aesthetic of the sun-drenched desert near Joshua Tree National Park than the two brothers from Portland whose properties regularly pop up in travel publications, Instagram reels and “best of the desert” lists. Since buying the Pioneertown Motel in 2014, Matt, 42, and Mike, 37, have built a portfolio of businesses that tap into the mythology of the California desert — part cowboy, part Rat Pack, part cosmic traveler. Across historic restoration projects like the motel where Gene Autry once played cards all night, the Red Dog Saloon where 1940s film crews unwound after long days of shooting and the Copper Room, a restaurant and bar at the Yucca Valley airport that was a favorite of Gram Parsons, their properties give tourists and locals alike a taste of the desert’s history and glamour all while making it feel like patrons have just stumbled upon these magical spots themselves.

Now, the brothers, along with Eric Cheong, a designer and the third partner in their company Life & Times, are expanding their unique vision to other parts of the desert with two new projects. In late 2026, they will open Lord Fletcher Inn, a 1960s-era steak house in Rancho Mirage where Frank Sinatra occasionally stepped behind the bar. Miracle Hill, the brothers’ colorful take on a geothermal bath house in Desert Hot Springs, is slated to open at the end of 2027.

The French brothers purchased the 1960s-era restaurant Lord Fletcher’s in Rancho Mirage, where Frank Sinatra occasionally tended bar.

Designer Eric Cheong, left, on the porch of the Red Dog Saloon, with Matt and Mike French.

With these two new businesses, as well as an ambitious expansion of the Pioneertown Motel, including an extension of the Western facade of Mane Street that was approved in December, the brothers say they feel a renewed commitment to the desert community where they have lived and worked for more than a decade. Although they toyed with the idea of doing projects in other parts of the country, they ultimately decided that the world they have created in this dry desert landscape is too valuable to leave.

“The lady at the post office has treats for my dog and knows my dog’s name,” Mike said. “You can’t buy your way into community like that. You have to earn it.”

The French brothers’ story may sound like a desert fairy tale, but they insist it wasn’t always that way.

Although they’d been traveling to Palm Springs for family vacations since they were kids, it wasn’t until 2009 that Matt first drove up the rocky mountain pass to Pioneertown and fell in love with the funky desert community originally built in the 1940s as a working film set. After learning that the rundown motel across the street from Pioneertown’s iconic roadhouse and concert venue Pappy & Harriet’s was for sale, Matt, who was working for a boutique hotel company at the time, convinced Mike to join forces with him and buy it. It took five years of starts, stops, heartbreak and nearly giving up before the deal finally went through in 2014.

“Matt was really the driving force,” Mike said. “I was like, this is nuts, but I’m in.”

Those early days were challenging. One of their first orders of business was to evict the previous owner’s weed dealer who had been living in one of the rooms rent-free. The manager at the time was known to yell people off the property. Skilled workers were hard to find, and the desert’s popularity as a tourist destination had not yet ballooned.

Mike and Matt French are setting the stage for their next venture, Miracle Hill, a geothermal bath house in Desert Hot Springs.

“In retrospect it can look very obvious and very, like, ‘Oh, of course, the hotel’s cool and it’s right next to Pappy’s,’” said Matt. “But that is not what it felt like back then.”

The brothers also had to contend with a notoriously fierce local community that was deeply suspicious of the lanky millennials from out of town.

“We had our claws out and our guns cocked,” said David Miller, 81, a longtime local and the president of Friends of Pioneertown. “But it turned out that they are model citizens.”

For two years, the brothers ran the motel remotely while continuing to work other jobs — Matt for a real estate company that did large-scale development in Portland and Mike for a ticketing and events start-up in L.A. In 2017, they decided they needed a home base in town and bought a rundown house with an even more rundown barn a 10-minute walk from the motel. They have since renovated it into two homes just yards from each other with a shared backyard that includes a pool, sauna, cold plunge, hot tub and custom-built hammock that can hold up to 20 people. In 2018, they moved in full time.

A Pioneertown Motel pick-up truck, spotted outside the kitchen window of Matt French’s home.

Two years later, in August 2020, they opened the Red Dog Saloon, a full-scale renovation of the historic bar of the same name that originally opened in 1946. The brothers say they weren’t necessarily looking to open a new business — they just really wanted another place to eat and drink in town besides Pappy & Harriet’s. Their original plan was to create a 16-seat whiskey bar in a small building across from Pioneertown’s picturesque Post Office, but their partners, restaurateurs Adam Weisblatt of Last Word Hospitality who operates Hermon’s and Found Oyster and Eric Alperin from the Varnish, suggested they look at the much larger Red Dog Saloon instead.

“They were like, ‘You can actually make money that way,’” Mike said about the restaurant and bar that can serve as many 1,000 people a day. “And we were like, ‘Yes, that’s a great point.’”

The same team came together again to open the Copper Room, a higher-end, full-service restaurant at the Yucca Valley Airport that opened in 2022 on the site of a dive bar they used to frequent called Wine & Roses.

In 2020, the brothers opened the Red Dog Saloon, a full-scale renovation of the historic bar of the same name that originally opened in 1946.

“At the time we really weren’t sure if Yucca Valley could support that kind of dining experience,” Mike said. “Now we have a $200 tomahawk steak served tableside on the menu and they sell out. There is no way we could imagine that happening when we opened.”

As they did with the motel and the Red Dog, the brothers and Cheong leaned into the history of the space when designing the Copper Room. They kept the curved bar where Gram Parsons drank his last margarita intact but went with a 1950s vibe in the main dining room, with heavy brocade banquets and floral wallpaper, nodding to the restaurant’s opening in 1957.

Cheong said that across each project, he and the French brothers leaned heavily on the space’s unique history for design inspiration.

The vintage-style entrance into Red Dog Saloon.

“We really base it around story and lore,” Cheong said. “The spaces merge together because there is a similar strategy, but it’s not a style. It’s not a color palate. It’s like a feeling of respect and honor, but it’s also our twist on it.”

The brothers’ three businesses were thriving, but in 2023, they found themselves in a lull. “We were having trouble figuring out what to do next,” Matt said. “ We have a very specific criteria of what we want to do and we were like, maybe we look outside of the desert. Maybe things here are plateauing.”

The brothers already had one property outside of the desert — Captain Whidbey, a historic lodge and resort on Whidbey Island in Washington that was named one of the best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2020 — but ultimately they concluded that the price of leaving Pioneertown to start over somewhere new was too high to pay. They had invested years into building relationships with the high desert’s eclectic community. Somewhere along the way they had also come to feel like chosen family.

The French brothers and Eric Cheong leaned into the history of the space when designing the Copper Room.

“So many things were pulling us in different directions, but life is more personal than business,” Mike said. “So we committed to the desert, which was not just committing to doing business in the desert, but was really committing to living in the desert.”

Since then, more opportunities have opened up. The brothers purchased Lord Fletcher’s in 2025 after a real estate agent happened to mention a 1966-era steak house in Rancho Mirage was for sale. Miracle Hill came about in part because the town of Desert Hot Springs is eager to grow its reputation as a destination for geothermal bathing and offered to help them find a suitable location. For the brothers, it represents the first time they are creating a space from the ground up. Construction has yet to begin, but they have already crafted a story for the space that builds off the community’s early 20th century history and mystical geology.

“The core narrative is that it feels like an eccentric, gregarious host’s home that you are going into,” Mike said. “And the mountain alignment, the sun, the wind, the faults and the geothermal water are the five forces that create a vortex-type energetic field deal. So we’re kind of leaning into that.”

At the same time, Mike revived the community’s historic Pioneertown Gazette, which he originally started printing as an in-room publication but has since expanded to a weekly newsletter that enthusiastically highlights the growing calendar of events happening at several venues across the high desert. And in the next few years, the brothers plan to begin construction on the next phase of the Pioneertown Motel, which will include a swimming pool, restaurant and 47 new rooms.

A game of horseshoes at Pioneertown Motel.

Signage pointing to the Red Dog Saloon.

Pioneertown’s history buffs, and there are many of them, will tell you that the picturesque community has a long history of newcomers showing up with dollar signs in their eyes, hoping to make it big in the desert. But few, if any, have been as successful as the French brothers at making those businesses come to life. It helps that they have a good sense of design and an intuitive understanding of what people want. It also helps that they’ve attracted like-minded people like Jeffrey Baker, the warm and personable general manager at the Copper Room and future general manager of Lord Fletcher’s who excels at management (a self-described weak point for Matt and Mike) and makes everyone he meets feel like an instant friend.

But their true secret sauce might be that aside from the motel, their businesses are designed to cater to the local community at least as much as to tourists.

“People here love these restaurants,” Matt said. “They love the Red Dog, they love the Copper Room, they love the Gazette. So we felt that vibe shift of people being supportive and excited about what we’re doing.”

It also helps that over the last few years, some bad actors have demonstrated what the alternative might look like, with new management at Pappy’s that alienated locals from their longtime watering hole and a wannabe developer who floated much-maligned plans to build a concert venue and a massive glamping complex in Pioneertown. (Both parties have since left the area.)

“I think that has given some people some perspective that having locals do it right, and seeing that we are committed, has really made a difference,” Matt said.

Mike and Matt French walk down Pioneertown’s Mane Street.

It’s been a winning business formula, but if you believe the brothers, there’s more to it than that. Creating spaces where everyone from foreign tourists to drunken bachelorettes to crusty locals to families with young kids feels comfortable and welcomed is all part of the desert ideal they’ve been curating for more than a decade.

Mike said that there’s nothing like seeing Pioneertown old-timers drinking with their buddies at the Red Dog.

“It’s so good,” he said. “And then you find other people who get lit up by the same silly thing, and it’s like, maybe it’s not so silly. Maybe it’s the whole point.”

A FAMOUS seaside town is getting a £50million rail link as part of a major upgrade.

Described as the “best service since the steam days”, the change will make it easier for tourists to visit “Britain’s Magaluf”.

New and improved rail services will launch in Newquay on May 17, enhancing travel links for the Cornish coastal town.

Locals have hailed this project as “the best service since the steam days”, making rail transport a genuine option for commuting around the area.

The Mid Cornwall Metro, operated by Great Western Rail, has transformed every aspect of their service.

This comes after they received a £56.8million investment from the government, Cornwall Council and the rail sector.

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Now, an hourly train will run between Newquay and Par, locations which are over 20 miles apart.

The journey will also extend to popular destinations such as St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth.

A convenient “tap in, tap out” system has been extended to cover the whole of Cornwall, letting passengers use a pay as you go scheme.

Trains will run seven days a week and all year round, with Mid Cornwall Metro hoping to offer 700,000 seats each way for passengers travelling between Newquay and Par.

The improvements have come in multiple forms, such as building new passing loops, replacing metres of tracks and installing new signal boxes.

Back in November, a second platform opened at Newquay station for the first time in 40 years, having shut due to a signal box closure in 1987.

As part of the £50million investment, the station was transformed with a completely rebuilt platform and brand-new track.

Now, commuters will be able to travel all around Cornwall in just over a week’s time.

MINNEAPOLIS — A man who sprayed vinegar at Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis pleaded guilty to assault Thursday in federal court after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, is awaiting sentencing.

Kazmierczak, dressed in bright orange jail clothing, gave only a fragmentary explanation Thursday of the Jan. 27 assault, which came as the city was already on edge after the fatal shootings of two people by federal agents during a White House crackdown that brought thousands of immigration officers to Minnesota.

After being asked what he remembered of the assault, he told U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen: “It’s fuzzy.”

Kazmierczak, who was in the audience during Omar’s January town hall, leaped up when the representative called for the ouster of then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He sprayed liquid from a syringe as court documents say he shouted that Noem would not resign and that Omar was “splitting Minnesota apart.”

Security officers tackled Kazmierczak, who told them the liquid was vinegar.

“I didn’t want anybody to think she was in danger,” he said Thursday.

Omar, who was not injured, continued with the town hall after the arrest.

Authorities later determined he’d sprayed her with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. He was charged with assaulting a U.S. officer.

Court documents say Kazmierczak, a critic of Omar who has made online posts supportive of President Trump, told a close associate several years ago that “somebody should kill” her.

Omar, a refugee from Somalia, has long been a target of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. After she was elected seven years ago, Trump said she should “go back” to her home country. He has described her as “garbage” and said she should be investigated.

Trump has also accused Omar of staging the attack, telling ABC News, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

On Thursday, Kazmierczak told Ericksen that he was being treated for Parkinson’s disease, and that he’d been diagnosed with ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and a form of post-traumatic stress.

After his arrest, his then-attorney said that he did not have access to the medications he needed for Parkinson’s and other serious conditions.

Minnesota court records show that Kazmierczak, who was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations. There are also indications he has had significant financial problems, including two bankruptcy filings.

In social media posts, Kazmierczak had criticized former President Biden and referred to Democrats as “angry and liars.” Trump wants the U.S. to be “stronger and more prosperous,” he wrote.

Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters before dipping slightly, only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Capitol Police.

Sullivan writes for the Associated Press.

A UK seaside town is set to receive a new direct train service to London.

The “underrated” seafront spot is often overlooked by tourists for more popular Welsh beaches.

Welsh Labour has pledged to create a direct rail service that will link Milford Haven, in Pembrokeshire, to London.

Passengers will be able to travel straight from the seaside town to the capital with the new route, which promises to bolster economic and tourism growth in the surrounding area.

Alongside the speedy service to London, the upgrade would also include an hourly service and safety improvements to the station’s level crossing.

The new route will build upon the current £50 million investment into Milford Haven’s transport links.

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Refurbishments on the town’s railway service are already underway, aiming to develop Milford Haven into a modern transport hub.

Plans for the renovation include new modern facilities, a relocated train platform, improved walking and cycling routes, a new taxi rank and better parking.

The investment is being delivered in partnership by the Welsh Labour Government and Pembrokeshire County Council.

The First Minister of Wales and leader of Welsh Labour, Eluned Morgan, said: “This pledge sits alongside a record commitment to rail in Wales – up to £14 billion of investment, new stations and a transformed Metro.”

“But this is about more than just a rail line.

“It’s about opening Pembrokeshire up – bringing more people to one of the most beautiful parts of Wales, strengthening our tourism sector, and creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow.

“This is how we build a stronger future for west Wales – with better connections, more opportunity and an economy that works with our environment, not against it.”

Milford Haven, located on the Pembrokeshire coast, is an “underrated” seafront town, according to Wales Online, often overlooked for the more popular seaside spot of Tenby.

Less crowded than its competitor, visitors to Milford Haven will find charming shops, restaurants and sandy beaches.

The harbour town is also home to Wales’s largest fishing port.

The proposed direct rail service will aim to develop tourism in the town and surrounding Pembrokeshire area, and support the local economy.

Marc Tierney, Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “A direct train to London from Milford would be a game changer for our communities – boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and making it easier for people to live and work here.

“The work underway to transform Milford Haven station into a modern transport hub, alongside plans for an hourly service, shows what Welsh Labour can deliver when we work in partnership with local authorities – investing in the infrastructure our communities deserve.

“With new funding from the UK Labour Government and a strong partnership in place, we can now go further.”

It has been a beloved seaside landmark for over 200 years, where families can explore its rich history and enjoy a ride on its historic train for just a few pounds

For just a few pounds per person, families can explore the world’s longest pleasure pier right here in the UK – complete with its own railway whisking you off to a day on the waterfront.

Southend Pier isn’t your average seaside attraction but a major landmark sitting proudly in the heart of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, holding the title of the world’s longest pleasure pier. It extends an impressive 2.14km, or 1.33 miles, into the water.

Jutting out into the Thames Estuary, the pier was originally built in 1829, before welcoming the public in 1889.

Through the decades it has evolved and been reimagined into the pier that visitors and residents recognise today, having survived several catastrophic blazes.

Throughout the 1970s, the cherished pier fell into disrepair, prompting the council to announce plans to shut it down in 1980. But it wasn’t long before residents rallied together with passionate protests to save their treasured landmark, and by 1983, restoration work was approved.

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A revitalised pier, featuring a modernised railway system, welcomed visitors once more in 1986, though troubles for the structure weren’t quite over.

Fires in both 1995 and 2005 wreaked havoc on the pier’s timber planking and decking, necessitating multiple rounds of reconstruction.

There’s also a museum situated along the pier offering deeper insight into Southend Pier’s 200-year story, covering everything from the calamities to the entertainment and its wartime contribution.

Featuring original artefacts from the early days, old penny slot machines and a simulated train driver experience, there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained.

Families can now revel in this remarkable slice of British seaside heritage, enjoying rides, stalls, food and drink while taking a leisurely stroll out towards the sea.

For those who’d rather not walk, they can jump aboard the train, which runs along the pier every half hour.

One visitor took to TripAdvisor to share: “We were lazy and took the train instead of walking. Stepping on to the train is like stepping back in time. The train was from a different era, which was interesting.

“It didn’t go too fast, but we just didn’t feel like walking. It was cute to watch children who were walking with their parents try to race the train. The pier is very pleasant even on a cold day.”

Visiting

Perhaps the biggest draw of a trip to Southend Pier is just how affordable it is. Entry currently costs adults £3.10, while children and concessions pay £2.10.

For a little extra, families can combine pier entry with unlimited train journeys for as little as £19.50 with a full family ticket.

Those looking to swap the amusements for a peaceful day by the water might want to consider a fishing pass. Locals can turn up with all their gear and enjoy a full day’s fishing, provided they stick to the pier’s guidelines.

One visitor shared: “We decided to walk the pier, and the driver of the train waved each time he passed. Ice cream was lovely and views amazing. Worth the 1.3 miles there and back.”

Another happy visitor added: “Visited here recently with friends. A lovely long pier that’s perfect for a nice walk from the coast or a train ride if you prefer!

“It’s ticketed and does cost a few pounds to enter, but it was worth it personally, as I’ve never seen or experienced such a long pier before!”

The pier welcomes visitors daily between 10:15am and 5pm, with last entry permitted one hour before closing time.

Fabio Wardley tells BBC Sport how he went from playing football for Ipswich Town’s academy to stepping into the ring in white collar boxing.

The Ipswich-born fighter, now WBO world champion, will defend his title for the first time when he faces Daniel Dubois in Manchester on Saturday.

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In the heart of the countryside and conveniently located just an hour from London, is a frozen-in-time town with a sprawling vineyard that offers an idyllic day out

Just outside London is a picturesque market town with independent businesses, rolling hill vistas and a vineyard with its very own wine train.

Nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and just an hour’s train journey from London, is the charming market town of Dorking. While it’s a commuter town, often cited as a laid-back alternative to its neighbours, Guildford and Reigate, Dorking offers a scenic day out against its picturesque backdrop.

The historic town is said to have a ‘nostalgic’ feel, thanks to its timber-framed buildings, traditional coaching inns, and narrow alleys in a nod to its deep medieval roots. Travellers are said to have traditionally used Dorking as a stop between the South Coast and London, while its Victorian-era tales still run through the town.

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Its frozen-in-time setting is only enhanced by its renowned antique quarter on West Street, the town’s oldest street, with hidden gems, vintage items and ancient treasures. Dorking is also renowned for its independent scene of boutiques, coffee houses and eateries, alongside popular branded stores on the High Street.

When it comes to food, there are a few notable spots to point out, including the Michelin-starred restaurant Sorrel, offering modern fine dining from à la carte and tasting menus, to really savour the flavours. Elsewhere, there’s the steakhouse, Heaven’s Kitchen, a pizzeria, Monte Forte, Mediterranean dishes at Arto Restaurant, and, on the outskirts of the town, The Hillroom Restaurant, which offers a delightful afternoon.

Yet it’s well worth exploring beyond the main streets, as cosy squares are tucked among the picturesque town, including Old Kings Courtyard, Allen Court and St Martin’s Walk. That’s in addition to the Dorking Halls, where visitors can catch a theatre performance, watch live music, or sit down for a film.

A walk around the town is enough to warrant a visit, whether it’s to browse its independent retailers or explore its narrow lanes and stunning medieval architecture. But its selection of walking routes and famed Box Hill zig-zag cycle trail are another highlight in the area, offering the chance to really take in the picture-postcard scenes of the rolling Surrey countryside.

And a little further afield, an 8-minute car journey or 20-minute bus ride to be precise, is where you’ll find the vineyard with its very own wine train. The Denbies Wine Estate is England’s largest single-estate vineyard, spanning 265 acres, with its very own hotel and restaurant on-site.

Visitors can book a wine tasting or tour, enjoy one of their events, or book a stay at the vineyard hotel. But one of its most notable experiences is the outdoor vineyard train tour.

Guests can enjoy the train journey around the vineyard underneath the British sunshine while stopping for their next tipple of vino and soaking up the vistas of the Denbies Estate and the North Downs. With tickets starting from just £12.50 per person for the 50-minute tour, it might just be the best way to enjoy the spring weather.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

IF you want a break by the sea, then now is the best time to visit The Ship after a huge makeover last year.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is The Ship hotel?

Starting life as a fisherman’s pub, The Ship has stood at the foot of the hill in Leigh-on-Sea since the 18th century.

What is the hotel like?

However, the building was given a stylish makeover in 2025 and is now a cosy, coastal retreat with sea views and spacious, modern rooms.

What are the rooms like?

This boutique hotel has 15 rooms and a very welcoming and homely feel.

Check-in at the bar is relaxed and you also have the option to digitally check-in in advance, which is very convenient.

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I was impressed with the guest rooms, which hit the perfect note in combining comfort and design.

The Endeavour Suite feels extra special.

For a small price upgrade, you get a loft-style room with a sofa and living area, sea views from a large window and a terrace overlooking the water.

Newly decorated, a lot of effort has gone into making these rooms a sanctuary for guests. Be warned if you have an early start, though.

Fluffy duvets and pillows, along with the snug mattresses make it very difficult to leave.

Rooms start from £102 including breakfast. Visit theshiphotel.co.uk or call 01702 413452 for 15% off by booking directly with the hotel.

What is there to eat and drink?

Definitely eat at the hotel, which has excellent food.

Being so close to the coast the main menu leans toward seafood dishes, with vegetables and meat from local Essex farms.

They also serve fantastic Sunday roasts.

The beef-dripping Yorkshire puddings with Malden sea salt are worth making a reservation for, even if you’re not staying overnight at the hotel.

As well as the laid-back restaurant, there is also a small, but excellent bar.

More fitting of a swanky London cocktail club, the creative menu includes smoke-infused martinis and very spicy margaritas.

If you are staying a few days, I highly recommend getting a reservation at GABS too, which is a cute, bohemian restaurant across the road.

They also serve creative cocktails and have a sophisticated menu. I suggest going for a choice of ‘picky bits’. The whipped feta with honey, figs and pistachio, served with sourdough is frankly superb.  

What else is there to do nearby?

Some rooms include parking in the private car park outside is a great find and absolutely perfect for a weekend away in Essex.

They also offer in-room massages, meaning with a great restaurant and cocktails on your very own roof terrace, you might decide you don’t even need to leave the hotel.

Otherwise the Ship Hotel is perfectly positioned to explore the surprisingly adorable town of Leigh-on-Sea.

You can easily reach Leigh Old Town, on the water’s edge, which I also happened to have a perfect view of from my room.

There are lots of pubs, bars and seafood shacks, many with seating on an outdoor terrace, idyllic in summer.

You can also walk up the hill to New Leigh and the charming high street, which is packed with cool coffee shops, quirky boutiques and trendy bars that are very popular over the weekend.

The grand finale was a view of the spectacular sunset from my room – not always guaranteed, but stunning if you get lucky.

Is the hotel family friendly?

There are family and interconnecting rooms, as well as cots and highchairs on request.

is it accessible?

The hotel has wheelchair access and a lift to all floors, along with accessible rooms that have adapted bathrooms.

Travel writer Emma Cooke has recommended a perfect day trip, a charming East Sussex seaside town with a cliff Railway, pretty cherry blossoms, and seafront brunch with no queues

With summer just around the corner, you might be thinking about a day out by the sea, or even a longer seaside holiday. One travel influencer has the ideal recommendation for a destination with a lot to offer, from relaxing on the beach, to travelling on a cliff railway.

London travel writer Emma Cooke shared footage of an East Sussex coastal town, highlighting the cliff railway, charming beach huts, spectacular hilltop panoramas, and beautiful cherry blossoms.

She explained: “POV: You got on a £15 train out of London and less than two hours later found a crowd-free seaside town full of cherry blossom. There’s an old town packed with bookshops and bakeries, £1.70 clifftop tea, seafront brunch with no queues, perfect beach sunsets, and almost every sight is free or under £5.”

The destination in question is the south coast resort town of Hastings, in East Sussex. Tourism website 1066 Country says: “To soak up Hastings’ history, wander the preserved Old Town’s winding streets and tiny twittens, crammed with Tudor houses and flower-bedecked cottages, and inhale the hard-working fishing quarter with its towering net huts and ramshackle huts on the beach.”

A ‘twitten’ is a Sussex term for a narrow passageway or alley nestled between two buildings, typically leading to courtyards, streets, or open spaces beyond, reports MyLondon.

The site goes on: “Heading west, the alternative vibe continues as you arrive in St Leonards. Purpose-built in the 1800s by James and Decimus Burton as a genteel seaside resort for the aristocracy, its architecture provides a striking backdrop for art galleries, antique shops, chic boutiques and a thriving café culture.”

It further states: “Hastings Old Town lies in a valley between the East and West Hills, each with their own funicular railway.

“Take the East Hill Lift from the fishing beach up to Hastings Country Park, where on clear days you can see from Beachy Head to Dungeness and as far as Folkestone and the coast of France.

“Take the West Hill Lift from George Street, up through a tunnel of rock to emerge into the tranquil light of another world.

“Explore Smugglers Adventures at a labyrinth of caverns hidden deep within the West Hill, packed with the thrilling history of smugglers, bootleggers and warring bloodthirsty gangs.”

Commenters were brimming with praise for the town. One declared: “I live here and it’s amazing.”

Another posted: “Hastings is wonderful.” And someone else said: Gorgeous place and lovely people. I recommend Hastings.””

A different person responded: “Never expected to see my hometown in one of your travel reels. Where is the £1.70 tea from?!”

Emma replied: “The little tea van up on top of west hill lift! Think it’s just called ‘kiosk’.”

IF your Great British getaway needs a glow-up, look no further than England’s most easterly town.

Lowestoft in Suffolk has had a mega refresh, with millions of pounds poured into its seafront, caravan site and theme park.

When I headed there with my family of five, the town’s revival was apparent from the moment we rolled into Park Holidays’ Pakefield caravan park.

It is tucked away in a quiet patch south of the main town centre where it overlooks the sea and is surrounded by open fields.

And it has had more than just a lick of paint.

A £6million cash injection has seen the addition of a heated indoor pool, toddler splash zone, playground, arcade and bar/restaurant.

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Wandering around the park, one notices an upmarket vibe.

The lobby has a high-spec finish and the attention to detail here is fantastic.

The luxe feel then continues in the new caravans, with large beds and master en-suites.

If your goal is to unwind, then you won’t be disappointed.

The park is less about pumping out late-night music than delivering holiday-site staples — pool, arcade, bar and karts — to a high standard.

The Coastal Bar and Restaurant hosts Saturday night entertainment for the whole family — which includes furry friends, with dog beds dotted around the terrace.

The spongy floor of the new pool felt lovely underfoot and made the splash area very safe for little ones, while the changing rooms were the cleanest I’ve ever encountered.

If you fancy heading out for the day, the lovely seaside village of Pakefield, near Lowestoft, is well worth a visit.

You can walk straight out of the caravan park on to the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Keep your eyes peeled for Salty Sauna, a mini wood-fired sauna that can be booked for public or private sessions.

If you wander along the beach up to Lowestoft, you’ll come to the Jubilee Parade pavilion, which is on the cusp of completion.

The two-storey restaurant-and-cafe complex includes a lift connecting the upper esplanade to the lower promenade, making access easier.

It’s set next to the futuristic Eastern Edge beach huts, which can be hired for the day.

Another spot that comes highly recommended by locals is the overhauled East Point Pavilion, an ornate glass Victorian-inspired venue that overlooks the sea and hosts concerts and makers’ markets.

And new art gallery Messums East is just about to open at the site of the old Post Office.

If you’re looking for more thrills, head to the Pleasurewood Hills theme park which sits on the coast between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

Brothers Freddy, Spencer and Davis Stokes took over the site at the end of last year and have already installed three new rides, with a spinning coaster on the cards for later this year.

The park has something for everyone.

We stayed for most of the day and still didn’t make it round all the rides, despite there being next to no queues.

The chairlift that carries you from one side of the park to the other was a throwback to my childhood holidays, while my boys loved the adrenaline rides, including the 30 metre-high Riptide and huge, looping coaster, Wipeout.

As the easternmost point of England, Lowestoft celebrates welcoming the earliest sunrise to our shores, with its First Light beach festival in June.

Likewise, there is definitely a new dawn afoot for this coastal town.

A HISTORIC UK lido is reopening today after undergoing a major £7.6million revamp.

Swimmers in the seaside town will be able to take a dip in the outdoor pool for the first time in four years.

Closed since 2022, Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, has been renovated for public use by local council, with funding from the government.

The refurbishment, which started in 2024, was prompted by health and safety risks of the 90-year-old structure.

The grand reopening will take place today (Saturday, May 2), with an ice cream parlour and food van now based on site.

Works also include the reinforcement of its base and walls, the replacement of old pool equipment, and the restoration of the original shallow lagoons.

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New showers and toilets, including a Changing Places toilet, and a sauna were added as part of the upgrades.

Formerly a saltwater pool, the 220-foot lido will now feature unheated chlorinated fresh water.

A long-term sustainable heating solution is part of future plans for the lido.

Hilsea Lido will be run by Sea Lanes Brighton, a group of local businesses and open-water swimming enthusiasts, alongside South Downs Leisure.

The multi-million pound development was further financed by a Levelling Up fund, meaning any outdated equipment and facilities have been replaced, such as the pool base and walls.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Judit Kollat, the lido’s general manager, told the BBC: “As Hilsea Lido celebrates its 90th birthday, we are proud to be leading the next chapter in its history.

“It is more than a pool, it’s a place with history and heart.

“We aim to create a vibrant hub for the local community, a centre for both mental and physical wellbeing. The lido will offer something for everyone.”

Harry Smith, director of Sea Lanes, the new operators of the lido, said: “We’re excited to open the doors, welcome everyone back, and start a brand‑new chapter for Hilsea Lido.”

Duncan Anderson, CEO of South Downs Leisure, which assisted the project, added: “It’s hugely exciting and a new chapter for the whole of the Portsmouth. 

“When you talk to people in the local area, they’ve all got memories of Hilsea Lido and I think they can’t wait to get back and splash in this pool again.”

The lido served as a training centre for the Team GB diving team ahead of the 1936 and 1952 Olympics, and it also featured as a filming location for The Who’s 1975 film Tommy.

Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists continue their attacks against Mali’s military government.

Al-Qaeda-linked rebel fighters have reportedly set up checkpoints around Mali’s capital, Bamako, and seized the town of Tessalit in the north.

Reuters reported on Friday that Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has called on Malians to rise up to “bring down the junta”, and adopt Islamic law.

The latest developments come days after a series of attacks by JNIM and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) resulted in the killing of the country’s defence minister, Sadio Camara.

Videos shared on social media by local accounts on Friday show armed fighters inside the Amachach base in Tessalit, with several military vehicles seen driving around.

Video verified by Reuters shows fighters driving through the town and raising the FLA flag.

Media outlets close to the Azawad armed movement, which seeks the independence of northern Mali, said the scenes show fighters in control of the base following the withdrawal of elements of the army and Russia’s African Corps, according to their description.

Russia is the principal foreign backer of Mali’s military-run government.

JNIM said on Thursday that it had captured the base of Hombori in central Mali and taken over two checkpoints near Bamako, after earlier threatening to completely besiege the city.

Russia’s African Corps said in a statement that the JNIM statement about the abandonment of the Hombori base was “not true”.

It said that its helicopters delivered ammunition and other items to Malian military personnel at a base in Hombori on Thursday, “after which soldiers of the Malian Armed Forces injured in battles with terrorists were evacuated”.

It noted that JNIM and AFL “continue to regroup, conduct reconnaissance of the bases of the units of the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces and the Malian Army, and propaganda work is actively underway aimed at reducing the morale of the Malian Army”.

Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Dakar in Senegal, reports that the absence of a response from the Malian military to the rebel advances is surprising, and that four major military camps in the north of the country are now in the hands of armed groups.

“That’s a big development,” Haque said. “It seems that Malian forces are not even putting up a fight up north.”

Mali’s military leaders seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, with a brief period of civilian rule in between. Official authorities are yet to issue a statement on the latest reports at the time of writing.

IF you fancy a stay right by the beach but with a bit of style, you’ll want to head to Suffolk.

Here is everything you need to know about staying at Brudenell Hotel.

Where is the Brudenell Hotel?

The hotel is perched right on the beach and promenade of the sophisticated seaside town of Aldeburgh.

And the four-star boutique hotel – a local Victorian landmark – has had a makeover bringing it right into the 21st Century.

What are the rooms like?

The 44 rooms vary from standard double rooms overlooking the town through to superior deluxe seaview rooms with unparalleled views across the long pebble beach.

The beds are super comfortable and everywhere is decorated in soft, neutral tones with the occasional nautical and coastal reference here and there – like pieces of driftwood or porthole shaped windows.

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There is nothing more restorative and relaxing than sitting in your room watching, and listening, to the waves crash on the beach and seagulls crying overhead.

The illuminated seafoam washing up out of the darkness of the North Sea is a hypnotic experience.

Double rooms from £164 per night, including breakfast. See here.

What is there to eat and drink?

The hotel has a terrific seafood & grill restaurant with views over the beach and offers all-day dining with a two course lunch from £20.

There are plenty of other options in Aldeburgh from the best fish and chips imaginable to pizzas and even a terrific Indian, Sea Spice, at the nearby White Lion Hotel.

What else is there to do nearby?

You have to walk the length of the beach and take in the stunning Suffolk countryside flanking the nearby winding and sprawling River Alde.

But also check out the town centre with its myriad of shops, galleries and museums. Aldeburgh is a real gem of a coastal destination.

Is the hotel family friendly?

Some of the Superior rooms and Deluxe rooms can sleep two kids, and cots are available on request.

is it accessible?

There is lift access as well as two accessible rooms.

Blue bay parking is available.

ONE of the longest piers in the UK has taken the next steps to reopen.

Southport Pier was forced to close back in 2022 due to safety concerns over the stability of it.

However it was announced last year that £20million was being put into its reopening, and works have now started.

Local website Stand Up for Southport confirmed that contractors are now doing pre-construction work, with the full restoration expected to take up to 16 months.

This includes replacing the decking, as well as adding new gates and CCTV, while fixing the steelworks as well.

Sefton Council said: “The first task contractors will have is to assess the current condition of the existing paintwork on the structure’s columns. We want to ascertain if there has been any deterioration since previous assessments were undertaken.

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“If the condition is good it can be left as is, however if not we will also need to repaint the whole structure as part of the repair works.

“This pre-construction work will take at least five days to complete. Following this we’ll shortly be moving onto the ground investigation stage within the coming weeks, which checks the stability of the ground underneath and around the Pier for materials like scaffolding.”

Southport Pier is the oldest iron pier in the UK, dating back to 1860, and is the second longest (only behind Southend Pier).

However, the original pavilion was destroyed in 1897 by a fire, with another fire in 1959 damaging the decking.

It was later given Grade II listing in 1975. with a new £7million tram in 2002.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, previously said: “The Pier is a symbol of Southport’s identity, history, and now, thanks to the Council and Central Government, secured for the town’s future too.”

And it’s not just the pier that was at risk, but Southport’s beach as well.

New studies have found that the increase in sand will lead to increased vegetation – essentially turning the coastline into mud.

A NEW Ferris wheel has popped up along a famous seafront – and it’s set to open just in time for summer.

The new feature marks the second wheel in four years to be positioned on Great Yarmouth’s skyline.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council have officially installed the giant wheel on the seaside town’s beachfront, with visitors set to ride the attraction this summer.

The council wrote in a Facebook post: “We’ve secured a brand new Big Wheel for the seafront, opening just in time for the summer season.

“Get ready to experience stunning new views across the coastline and town from above – a fresh perspective you won’t want to miss.”

Locals have reacted to the news positively, with one commenting: “Lovely, I will have to take the grandchildren on it. Looks great.”

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Another said: “This time the views can only be improved!”

The wheel is said to appear to be a similar size and shape to the former one.

The original 50m-tall (164ft) attraction was installed on the Norfolk coastline in May 2022.

The wheel, around one third of the size of the London Eye, was set to remain at the seafront until February 2027.

Last month, the attraction was granted planning permission to move 50m north to South Beach Garden and was subsequently dismantled.

It is uncertain whether this structure will be rebuilt in light of the new wheel being completed.

The town has a variety of independent shops and places to eat.

From Cotswolds villages to seaside towns, the UK is home to a variety of stunning towns. I love exploring them but to live in one for a substantial amount of time it really has to tick my boxes. After living in Windsor for several years, I was sceptical about moving to a new place. But this hidden gem town just outside London is much quieter and more peaceful.

About 28 miles from London, Marlow is on a scenic stretch of the River Thames and surrounded by the rolling countryside of the Chiltern Hills. Its historic high street and picturesque setting attract visitors from all over the country, yet it still remains fairly quiet, compared to nearby towns like Henley-on-Thames. The town was recorded in the Domesday book as an established settlement, valued for its fertile land and river access.

It then developed as a river crossing and trading point before becoming known for malting and brewing. In the 19th century, the construction of the bridge began to improve connections across the Thames, and the arrival of the railway later in the century further boosted accessibility and growth.

Now, it’s an affluent residential and leisure destination known for its riverside setting, bustling high street and outstanding food scene. It’s regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.

There’s a lot to do and see in the town, including hiring a rowing boat, visiting Higginson Park for a picnic, and visiting the market.

The picturesque high street is full of independent boutiques and eateries, including The Cheese Shed, The Marlow Bookshop and The Dresser. I’m also a huge fan of Laurent’s, an Italian cafe and deli serving delicious sandwiches and coffee. Marlow also hosts regular markets where visitors can find local produce, including delicious homemade gelato by Agosti Gelato and juices from Marlow Juices. The town is well-regarded for its food scene, including award-winning pubs and Michelin-starred dining.

The Hand and Flowers is perhaps the town’s most celebrated restaurant, as it was the first pub in the country to be awarded two Michelin stars, a distinction it still holds today. It’s owned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge and elevates classic British dishes with refined techniques and bold flavours. However, dining here doesn’t come cheap, with prices for a set Sunday lunch around £195.

Housing and living costs tend to be above the national average, reflecting its desirability and commuter-friendly location. According to Rightmove, the average price of a house in Marlow over the last year was just shy of £700,000. This is more than double the UK’s current average of £290,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The town is also close to towns and villages like Bourne End, Cookham, and Bray, and exploring Cliveden, a National Trust property, is my favourite weekend destination.