towns

ON hearing that I was going to Malta, my grandfather insisted I check out a street in Valletta affectionately known as “The Gut”.

A quick Google search revealed that this “historically notorious” alleyway used to be the city’s premier red-light and entertainment district for British and American servicemen.

Given that Grandad was in Malta during his Navy days in the 1950s, I dread to imagine what he had in mind when suggesting I go there above anywhere else in the country.

Nevertheless, I’m glad I followed his advice because, in the 70-odd years since, it has cleaned up its act.

Located at the opening of The Gut at the time of my visit, (but now in St George’s Square) was Fifty Nine Republic, a restaurant that has featured in the Michelin Guide five years in a row.

Its head chef, Maria Sammut, is one of Malta’s greatest culinary assets — named “Best Maltese Chef” in recent years — and serves some of the finest fare in Valletta.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Her prawn tacos perfectly showcase the best of Maltese seafood — giant, juicy prawns fried in a satisfyingly crispy batter, with bright and delicate pickles elevating each mouthful — which you can enjoy in the sun of St George’s Square, opposite the opulence of the Grandmaster’s Palace.

Something I doubt my grandad did too often on his nights in the city.

It was a well-earned meal, too, after a morning spent getting to know Malta’s more adventurous side.

While the stereotypical image of a tourist in Malta may be that of an older person seeking some relaxing winter sun, there is plenty in the way of activities for holidaymakers with a penchant for getting the adrenaline pumping.

I am typically not that type of person, which I realised as I found myself dangling from a cliff face with little more than a bungee cord and a metal hook for safety, doing something called via ferrata.

It involves scrambling along precarious ledges, using fixed steel cables to ensure anyone who falls is just about kept alive.

So, instead of doing the crossword with a cuppa — my normal morning routine — I had to rely on my minimal upper body strength and uncharacteristically delicate footwork to take me from the bottom of a sheer cliff face right to the top.

As a man who struggles with vertigo, this didn’t come easily, but the impressive landscapes — rugged cliff tops and lush greenery stretching out until they met the shimmering blue sea on the horizon — made it more than worthwhile.

What’s more, I was surprised at how quickly I started to enjoy myself.

The combination of warm weather, pushing 20C in February, spectacular scenery and trying something exciting put a spring in my step — ironically, the last thing I needed as I clambered up to the summit.

Delighted to have survived, I tested my resilience further — horse riding through the countryside of Bidnija village.

Yet this turned out to be an altogether more peaceful affair, as my steed — the majestic Romeo — begrudgingly bore me on his back and clip-clopped through some tranquil and verdant scenes.

Aloe plants rose out of the ground, looking like large desert cacti, making me feel like I was in my own John Wayne movie.

I even tipped the brim of my hat to passers-by as I rode towards the sunset, thoroughly enjoying an activity I would never before have thought to try.

The same thing happened on repeat throughout my visit.

Whether it was e-bike riding along the Dingli Cliffs — the highest point on the island, with vistas stretching for miles over sapphire seas — or abseiling on Gozo, the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, my perceptions about what I enjoy doing were constantly being challenged.

That’s not to say I didn’t make the most of a chance to relax in the warmth, while thick grey clouds at home were refusing to let any sunlight through.

Staying at the Marriott Resort & Spa meant I could unwind after my exertions and, come early evening, I could be found on a sunbed by the outdoor pool on the 13th floor, overlooking St Julian’s Bay.

The hotel also has an indoor pool, a gym better equipped than most actual gyms, and a spa offering a range of treatments and massages, including couples’ options.

After a wind-down by the pool, evenings were spent exploring the extensive selection of bars and restaurants.

Although I couldn’t try all the highly recommended eateries, I was particularly impressed by Trattoria AD 1530.

This charming Michelin Guide restaurant is located in the fortified medieval town of Mdina, which Game Of Thrones fans will recognise as King’s Landing from series one.

It perfectly showcases the Italian influence on Maltese cuisine, with its seafood pastas particularly worth a taste.

Then there was Sole by Tarragon, which offers beautiful harbour views, locally-caught seafood and Mediterranean classics.

My advice — order the sea bass, one of their nautical-themed cocktails and the caramel and banana dessert.

I’ll just have to go back and try all the ones I missed another time. I’ll see if my grandad has any more hot tips.

THERE’S no better way to make the most of the sun coming out than heading off on a beach holiday.

2026 is shaping up to be a record year for staycations, with Brits keen to stay close to home and explore the coastal gems across the UK.

Plus with thousands more breaks being added to the Hols from £9.50 website, including dates in the spring and summer, its not too late to bag that last-minute holiday.

Hols from £9.50 are set to be restocked this Tuesday, with thousands of new holidays AND new holiday parks – and you can get priority access with Sun Club.

If you fancy signing up to Sun Club to access the £9.50 Hols deals early, head to thesun.co.uk/club and join for £1.99 a month or £12 for a year.

Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the Hols From £9.50 page.

Read more on £9.50 holidays

BEACHFRONT BLISS

Inside the most popular UK holiday park from £9.50 Hols

HOL YES

40 of us take over a £9.50 Holiday park each year – it’s my kids favourite vacation

Follow the link from the offers page, and you can book your break from midnight on Tuesday, March 31.

If you’re looking for some inspiration on where to book, here’s some of our favourite beach resorts across the UK, plus our pick of £9.50 holiday parks nearby…

Combe Martin, Devon

Combe Martin is a small seaside resort in North Devon, home to Combe Martin Bay.

Combe Martin Bay is split into two main beaches: the sandy beach by the harbour, and the stony Newberry beach. Both are beautiful, with calm shallow waters protected by the cove.

As an Access for All beach, Combe Martin Bay is fully accessible. There’s plenty of parking, loos and even beach wheelchairs to rent with easy access down to the shore if needed.

This village also sits on the edge of Exmoor National Park, where wild horses roam the rolling hills and moorland.

Bring your bikes and cycle one of the many paths, go fishing in the rivers, or rent a canoe at Wimbleball Lake.

In the village itself, take your pick of cosy pubs like The Dolphin and The Pack O’Cards – pub culture is very big here, and you’ll be welcomed in to enjoy a local pint.

Stay at a nearby resort with Hols from £9.50 at Combe Martin Beach or Sandaway Beach.

Looe, Cornwall

If you’re looking for a classic Cornish escape, Looe is the ultimate catch.

This traditional fishing town is split into two by a large arched bridge. The east side full of shops and pubs, and the west has a quieter feel with rockpools and beach walks.

Over in East Looe you can walk the Banjo Pier (named after its shape) and laze out on East Looe Beach, the main and largest beach in the area.

Or for somewhere quieter, head towards Hannafore Point in West Looe.

On the way you will come across a small stretch of sand which is also home to Nelson, the bronze seal statue that overlooks the village.

Popular pubs include The Jolly Sailor Inn and The Fishermans Arms, both of which serve local pints and food with a home-cooked feel.

Stay at a nearby holiday park with Hols from £9.50 at Looe Bay, Tencreek Holiday Park, Trelawne Manor, Polperro or Killigarth Manor.

Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Shanklin in the Isle of Wight is popular for its pretty Old Village with thatched roof houses, as well as picturesque beach with dramatic cliffs.

Shanklin Beach sits on the south east coast of the Isle of Wight, and has a bustling seafront with arcades, fish and chip shops and an ice cream parlour.

Here you can have a go at the colourful Caddyshack 18-hole mini golf, which costs £8.50 per adult, £7.50 per child or £30 for a family of four.

The beach is just as colourful as the village behind it, lined with colourful beach huts and blooming flowers.

You can get up to the Old Village from the beach via a giant lift. Here you can wander its famous old-fashioned streets – plus the famous pink thatched-roof cottage which you’ll see on postcards.

The pink cottage is a tearoom called the Old Thatch Teashop, where inside you can sit down to traditional afternoon tea or cream tea starting at £7.95. Plus there’s even a fairy garden inside.

Stay at a nearby resort with Hols from £9.50 at Parkdean Resorts Lower Hyde or Parkdean Resorts Landguard.

Tenby, South Wales

Tenby is a walled Welsh seaside town, famous for its rows of pastel-coloured houses and three soft sand beaches.

There’s several beaches to pick from at Tenby, from the two-mile long golden stretch of the South Beach to the smaller Castle Beach, which is popular for watersports.

There’s lots of family attractions here too, like the Folly Farm Adventure Park with its vintage fairground, and go-karting or bumper boating at Heatherton World of Activities.

For something more relaxing, you can wander the historic harbour, which runs regular boat trips to Caldey Island from April through to October.

It’s well worth taking a day trip to the island, where you’ll find forests with red squirrels and the magnificent Caldey Abbey.

Food and drink in Tenby is both budget-friendly and tasty. Tuck into a Neopolitan pie at Top Joe’s Pizza, or listen to live music with sea views at Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant.

Stay at a nearby resort with Hols from £9.50 at Moreton Farm, Manorbier Bay or Manorbier Country Park.

Dumfries, Scotland

In south west Scotland, Dumfries is a Scottish seaside town with plenty of activities for kids and fascinating history for grown-ups.

Southerness beach is a vast stretch of sand overlooked by a striking white lighthouse, which is one of the oldest in Scotland.

The shallow waters are ideal for paddling or swimming, and at low tide plenty of rockpools are revealed, which make for fun family explorations.

Another option in Sandyhills Bay, a quiet, sheltered cove surrounded by greenery. The giant rock arch here, called the Needle’s Eye, makes for a great photo spot.

For families, Dumfries is a total playground.

Dalscone Farm Fun (admission £10) and (£12) offer soft play and animal feeding, while the nearby Dino Park (adults £6, kids £12) lets kids hunt for fossils among life-sized dinosaurs.

If you want to take in the history of the town, you can wander down the River Nith past the 15th-century Devorgilla Bridge, or explore the Robert Burns House to see where the famous writer penned his last works.

Stay at a nearby resort with Hols from £9.50 at Lighthouse Leisure or Parkdean Resorts Southerness.

Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

Whitley Bay is a traditional North East seaside town, with an unspoilt Blue Flag beach where you can paddle, swim or surf.

The beach is the star of the show here, and runs from the main promenade north to St Mary’s Lighthouse, which sits on a tiny island.

You can visit the lighthouse by walking across a causeway – just make sure to check the tide times so you don’t get stranded!

For a bit of local history, head into Spanish City. Once a fairground, it’s now a beautiful building full of restaurants and tea rooms.

Inside you can grab try award-winning fish and chips at Trenchers, or enjoy an ice cream looking out over the sea.

Families will love the dinosaur-themed Lost World Adventure Golf, which is £5 per adult and £6 for children. There are also plenty of traditional arcades along the seafront to dip into.

If you like a coastal walk, follow the coastal path south to the trendy coastal village of Tynemouth to see the historic Priory and Castle.

Stay at a nearby resort with Hols from £9.50 at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay or Parkdean Resorts Sandy Bay.

BUCKETS and spades, ice creams on the promenade, whizzing around on the dodgems… family trips to the seaside are where the best memories are made.

And seaside staycations are made even better when there’s a thrilling theme park nearby.

With tens of thousands of new dates and breaks being added to Sun Hols from £9.50, you’ll have plenty of cool coastal spots to choose from.

Hols from £9.50 are set to be restocked this Tuesday, with thousands of new holidays AND new holiday parks – and you can get priority access with Sun Club.

If you fancy signing up to Sun Club to access the £9.50 Hols deals early, head to thesun.co.uk/club and join for £1.99 a month or £12 for a year.

Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the Hols From £9.50 page.

Read more on £9.50 holidays

BEACHFRONT BLISS

Inside the most popular UK holiday park from £9.50 Hols

HOL YES

40 of us take over a £9.50 Holiday park each year – it’s my kids favourite vacation

Follow the link from the offers page, and you can book your break from midnight on Tuesday, March 31.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, these are some of our top seaside towns across the UK with theme parks and fairgrounds… plus the nearby holiday parks you can book with Hols from £9.50.

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Great Yarmouth on Norfolk‘s east coast has been welcoming holidaymakers as a seaside resort since 1760.

The town boasts a soft sand beach known as ‘the golden mile’, with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants within a short walking distance.

Smack-bang on the beachfront is Joyland, a historic amusement park with plenty of classic rides that are sure to fill you with nostalgia.

This colourful family theme park is perfect for little ones, home to mini rollercoasters and the award-winning Super Snails. The attraction is free to enter, with ride tokens costing £3 each.

For the older kids, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach is sure to go down a treat with an exciting mix of white-knuckle thrills, child friendly rides and even a 4D cinema.

Undoubtedly the star of the show is a traditional wooden roller coaster, which first opened in 1932 and one of only two still standing in the UK.

You can enter Pleasure Beach with either a wristband or fun card. Wristbands give you unlimited rides, starting at £20 for younger children and £27 for ages 7+.

Fun Cards can be purchased for just £5 per person and come pre-loaded with 5 credits that can be used on rides, food or drinks, and they even come with unlimited park entry for the 2026 season.

Keep the good times rolling with a stroll down Britannia Pier to take in the coastal views from the Victorian promenade, or try your luck in the arcades.

The mix of sun, fresh sea air and entertainment will be sure to leave you feeling delightfully exhausted!

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Cherry Tree, Breydon Water, California Cliffs or Vauxhall.

Skegness, Lincolnshire

The seaside resort of Skegness is a huge hit with families, with a seemingly-endless amount of exciting activities and things to do.

Find the fun of fairground rides and more at Pleasure Beach Skegness, with classic bumper cars all the way up to the swinging heights of Freakout.

Get competitive at the Pebble Beach 9-hole adventure golf course, or make a splash at the Wild River Log Flume.

The theme park is free-to-enter, with rides costing credits. You can purchase an all-day access wristband online (from £17.50) or make the most of the Token Savers scheme if you want to only visit particular rides.

There’s plenty of tickets to be won at the classic amusement arcades on Skegness Pier which can be exchanged for prizes, but the entertainment doesn’t stop there.

With ten pin bowling, Captain Kids Soft Play, escape rooms and Laser Quest, there really is something for everyone in the family. 

And after a busy day, there’s no better place to unwind than Playa at the Pier, a seaside bar that’s perfect for watching the sun go down.

You can even enjoy your drink in one of the bar’s stylish pool pods, perfect for cooling down after a day of sun.

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Southview, The Chase, Golden Anchor or Golden Palm Resort.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

As the largest town on Essex‘s aptly-named Sunshine Coast, Clacton-on-Sea delivers on the classic British seaside holiday experience.

The main attraction at Clacton-on-Sea is Clacton Pier, Europe‘s biggest pleasure pier with its own fairground.

The pier is packed with activities like bowling, mini golf, arcades, a soft play, thrill rides and more – not to mention plenty of cafes and restaurants to retreat into for a sit down once you’ve burned off all of your energy.

When it comes to rides, there’s plenty of crowd-pleasing classics like a helter skelter, dodgems and loop-the-loop coasters.

However there’s plenty for the little ones too, like the gentle Wild Mouse Coaster and Dumbo ride.

Rides cost between 2-7 credits, which you can load onto a fun card from a ticket box or online. £1 = 1 credit.

Just next door you’ll find Clacton Pavillion and Fun Park where another 20 rides await, including a swinging pirate ship, high ropes course and even a waterpark.

An unlimited-ride wristband here costs £15 and includes a ticket to the soft play – not too shabby for a full day out!

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Highfield Grange, Valley Farm or St Osyth Beach.

Scarborough, North Yorkshire

With its sweeping golden beaches, spectacular castle ruins plus your pick of family attractions, Scarborough is a top seaside holiday destination.

The seafront is dotted with colourful beach huts, sweet shops selling rock and ice cream, and plenty of coastal walking paths.

There are two main bays, North and South, both of which have wide beaches with flat sands and calm waters that are perfect for paddling.

You could easily spend a day walking along the seafront, stopping to build sandcastles and dipping into the arcades, but there’s also amusement parks and rides for the thrill-seekers.

Luna Park is an amusement park with plenty for kids of all ages. There’s traditional activities like a carousel and hook-a-duck, plus more thrilling rides like the twisting Cyclone and jump ride King Frog.

Rides are paid for in credits, which are loaded onto fun cards with 1 credit costing £1. Fun cards are purchased on-site.

There’s also waterpark Alpamare Scarborough, with four adrenaline-fuelling waterslides and its own spa.

And if you don’t mind a 30-40 minute drive, Flamingo Land is renowned for its 33 rides and attractions.

There’s plenty for the whole family here, from a CBeebies Peter Rabbit experience to the terrifying cliff hanger ride Pterodactyl. Admission starts at £29 online, with under 3’s going free.

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Cayton Bay

Lowestoft, Suffolk

Lowestoft is a seaside town on the coast of East Suffolk, with its beaches such as South Beach winning awards for its cleanliness, safety and beauty.

South Beach is also an RNLI lifeguarded beach, and has its own Children’s Corner with activities such as crazy golf, making it the perfect pick for families.

The North Beach sits between Claremont and South Pier, with a bustling seafront with plenty of snack kiosks and souvenir shops.

Lowestoft’s family theme park, Pleasurewood Hills, is home to the biggest roller coaster in East Anglia: Wipeout.

Plus there’s plenty of other thrill rides, like the ultra-fast Cannonball Express and seaside-themed Jolly Roger.

There’s also a miniature train called the Pleasurewood Hills Express, and you may want to bring a change of clothes for water rides like the Wavebreaker.

Admission tickets to Pleasurewood Hills start from £18.75 online, which includes access to all of the rides.

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Broadland Sands.

Towyn, North Wales

Towyn in Conwy is a seaside resort with plenty of activities to keep families entertained, plus plenty of spectacular scenery for nature lovers.

The secluded shores of Towyn Beach are backed by sloping green cliffs, and you can even see the mountains of Snowdonia on the horizon.

Further along the seafront, Knightly’s Fun Park is a free-to-enter amusement park with day-to-night entertainment including kids discos, bingo and karaoke.

There’s also 20 rides and attractions at the funfair, including Waltzers, go karts and a fun house.

Rides cost credits, and if you stock up on ride credits online you can get up to 120 extra .

There’s plenty of jaw-dropping sights a short drive away, too. The Grade-II llisted Gwyrch Castle is a 12-minute drive away, and looks like something straight out of a fairytale.

History lovers will enjoy strolling through its Gothic ruins with sea views, which looks especially fantastic at sunset. Plus you can enter the castle for £11.50 per adult and £7 per child.

Eight minutes away in Rhyl you’ll find Britain’s oldest miniature railway line, which first opened in 1911. The railway fare is £4 per adult and £3 per child.

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Winkups.

Brean, Somerset

Home to a seven-mile stretch of sand, Brean in Somerset is an ideal seaside holiday spot for families.

When you’re not taking your bucket and spade down to the beach, there’s plenty of things to see and do.

Brean Down is a free-to-visit National Trust site described as a “natural pier”, with dramatic limestone cliffs jutting out over the sea.

Plus there’s Brean Golf Club, Brean Splash Waterpark and even a traditional cider farm that are each worth a day’s visit.

If the weather turns, head to Brean Play, an indoor soft play and climbing centre with activities for kids up to age 11.

As for rides and amusements, Brean Theme Park is the largest free-admission theme park in the UK.

Here you’ll find rides that range from bumper boats and fun houses up to adrenaline-fuelling coasters.

Take younger kids onto the spinning teacups and trampolines whilst teens and thrill-seekers brave the Bulldog Coaster and Sky Diver.

You can schedule your visit online ahead of time, and fun cards can be purchased online or in person, with 1 credit costing £1.

Stay with Hols from £9.50 at Unity Beach.

THE must-visit destinations across the UK have been revealed and North Yorkshire has made the list.

With sweeping beaches, beautiful towns and movie backdrops – it’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveller as one of the ‘Best Places to Go in the UK in 2026’ – and here are some of our favourite spots to go in the county.

Knaresborough

Along the River Nidd is this beautiful town which is often described as being ‘postcard perfect’, or looking like a ‘fairytale’.

It’s a few miles away from Harrogate and is known for having a huge viaduct as well as pretty riverside restaurants and cafes.

Sun Writer Katrina Turrill grew up in Knaresborough, and here’s what she suggests visitors do during their visit like popping into its many pubs.

“There are a lot of pubs in Knaresborough – so many, I always lose count. I found 15 online, but I’m sure there’s more.  There are traditional pubs with rich history, such as Blind Jack’s in the market square. 

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

“One of my favourite pubs is Carriages, with its cosy atmosphere and tasty food.  The outdoor area is great in summer, with views of pretty Knaresborough train station.”

Some of her other favourite things to do is heading up to Knaresborough Castle which is where you’ll get the best view of the viaduct.

Get onto the river itself in a row boat and get a bite to eat from Marigolds and an ice cream.

One popular attraction is Mother Shipton’s Cave which is named after the Yorkshire prophetess.

Whitby

The charming seaside town of Whitby has red-roofed houses, winding streets as well as huge cliffs.

Of course the nearby Gothic Whitby Abbey was Bram Stoker’s inspiration for his book, Dracula.

If you want to feel like you’re in the novel, walk up the 199 steps from the Old Town to St Mary’s Church and the Abbey ruins.

Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens who visited Whitby said: “In my trip to the North Yorkshire town, I ticked off all the staple activities. A Mr Whippy enjoyed by the harbour, spare change spent in Funland’s Amusements, and fish and chips for tea.

“Plus my stroll along the sands, backed by spectacular moss-green cliffs, was an ideal way to soak up those breath-taking views of the rugged Yorkshire coast.

One of the things that makes Whitby stand out amongst other seaside spots is its connection to a famous explorer, Captain Cook and the ‘House on the Harbour’ museum is a must-visit.”

Another must-visit in Whitby is Trenchers – which is the best fish and chip shop in the UK.

Trenchers of Whitby secured the Restaurant of the Year title at the National Fish and Chips Awards 2026 – which is considered the ‘Oscars‘ of the fish and chip industry.

A takeaway cod and chips will set you back £13.50.

Robin Hood’s Bay

This tiny fishing village sits on a clifftop overlooking the bay and it’s considered one of the most beautiful seaside spots in the country.

It has winding roads, hilly streets and pokey little shops selling the likes of books and souvenirs.

Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski described the village as “something from a fiction tale or a North Yorkshire postcard.”

She continued: “In summer, you’ll find dogs sprinting along the sands, while owners tuck into fresh crab sandwiches from the beachside hut and little ones fish for treasures in the rock pools.

“I prefer the village in winter, though, when visitors can stroll the rows of higgledy-piggledy boutiques and cafes dishing up wedges of homemade cakes piled high with buttercream.

“What’s more, there’s a restriction on visitor vehicles and cars are even banned from the harbour area, making it a great place for a car-free

Scarborough

Scarborough, which is known as England‘s first seaside resort, is split into two bays – the South and North Bay.

Each is worth exploring with the South Bay having most of the shops, restaurants and amusement arcades.

Meanwhile, the North Bay is much quieter and is a great place to simply enjoy the beach or go for a surf.

Senior Feature Writer for Fab Daily, Alex Lloyd went on a family staycation to Scarborough in summer last year.

She described it as the “perfect family day out” where you spend “hardly any money.”

You can rent out a beach chalet from £50 a day and have a go on the cliff-railway for £2.50.

If you’re lucky enough, and bring a pair of binoculars you might spot bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and minke whales.

There is plenty of entertainment too and Alex explored the South Cliff Gardens, a hillside adventure playground and the arcades at Olympia Leisure.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

The Dales are known for glorious views and dramatic scenery and it is seeing a boom in popularity thanks to its appearance in Wuthering Heights.

The new film starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi certainly had Brits talking when it came to cinemas last month.

Travel Writer Tracey Davies explored the gothic region and said: “Heathcliff is not the only mysterious, brooding beast in Yorkshire. The scenery provides just as much drama as the Wuthering Heights character.”

She added: “Largely shot on location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park — amid the landcapes of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale valleys and the peaceful village of Low Row — the movie shines a well-deserved spotlight on this glorious corner of England.

“With its scarred limestone hills, scattered with rocks, and rolling green pastures, criss-crossed with drystone walls and peppered with honeyed-stone villages, this region is the picture of a period drama.”

For more on Yorkshire – here’s a ‘world famous ice cream and a hidden beach that’s paradise‘.

And here’s one quaint English village that everyone should visit – says one man who walked 10,000 miles through British countryside.

IF you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds, one of the most popular areas is the ‘Golden Triangle’.

Not to be confused with the Indian Golden Triangle (covering New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) the Golden Triangle of the Cotswolds covers three of the most popular towns.

In between these towns are the famous fancy attractions such as Soho Farmhouse and Daylesford organic farm shop.

The first town is Chipping Norton, which is where a number of famous celebs live.

Nicknamed the Chipping Norton set, this includes the Beckhams, Jeremy Clarkson and Kate Moss.

This is also where you will find Clarkson’s farm Diddly Squat although pop into The Chequers pub and you might pop into David Beckham.

LIVE IT UP

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ROYAL WELCOME

I stayed at the cosy Cotswolds hotel right by ‘Britain’s greatest palace’

Otherwise the town has the Chipping Norton lido, with two heated outdoor pools, as well as the National Trust owned Chastleton house.

The second location in the Cotswolds Golden Triangle is Stow-on-the-Wold.

Not only is it said to be one of the UK’s prettiest towns but it also claims to have the most photographed door.

A door of St Edward’s Church is rumoured to have inspired Lord of The Rings author J.R.R Tolkien’s book Doors Of Durin.

Stow-on-the-Wold is also home to The Porch House, one of the oldest inns in the country.

Dating back to 947AD, it is now a five star hotel.

And finally, the third place that makes up the Golden Triangle is Burford.

The small town’s main shops are found on one long hill, and they’re mainly independent sellers.

Try the Burford Sweet Shop for some sweet treats or Huffkins for some afternoon tea.

Otherwise the other celeb-heavy spot is Burford Garden Centre, often said to be one of the fancies garden centres in the UK.

Beyonce and Jay Z were rumoured to have been spotted there before.

While not in the Golden Triangle, the nearby town of Witney is home to one of the world’s best hotels called Estelle Manor.

Here’s another place called the “capital of the Cotswolds”.

And we spoke to a Cotswolds expert to get her top tips on how to visit on a budget.

THE EASTER school holidays are just around the corner and with the kids off school, you might want to head on a staycation to fill some of their time.

There are loads of seaside towns across the UK, but Sun Travel has picked out some of the cheapest spots across England – all of which are great for family breaks this Easter.

Blackpool, Lancashire

Blackpool is often thought to be one of the cheapest seaside destinations in the UK, with arcades and a long-stretching beach.

For a one-night break over the Easter holidays, you could stay at The Merlin Hotel for £56 a night for two adults and two children (or £14 per person).

The hotel is in the city centre and is an eight minute walk from Blackpool Central Beach.

You can also head to Blackpool Winter Gardens Theatre just 400 metres away and Coral Island, 500 metres away.

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Coral Island is free to visit, so you can spend as much or little as you like with pay-as-you-go arcade games costing as little as 2p.

Kids also eat free at Coral Island when with a full-paying adult.

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

Great Yarmouth features a ‘golden mile’ beach and lots of cosy cafes and arcades to explore.

A one-night stay at The Dolphin Hotel over the Easter holidays will set back a family of four £86.

The hotel is just a three minute walk from Great Yarmouth Pier Beach as well.

When it comes to activities, you can head to Joyland – one of the oldest theme parks in the UK – and it is completely free to visit.

Rides are then priced separately so you can spend as little or as much as you like.

For example, the Super Snails ride costs £2.50 a turn.

Travel writer, Helen Wright, recently visited and for food suggests heading to Grelly’s, where you’ll be able to grab a hot sausage roll and chips for only £3.60.

Hartlepool, County Durham

Hartlepool is often considered one of the cheapest seaside destinations in the UK with traditional seaside attractions.

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay, you could head to Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park from April 10 to 13 for £228 for four people (or £19 per person per night).

The holiday park is just a short walk to Crimdon Dene Beach, which offers amazing views of the north east coastline.

There is also a restaurant and bar on site in case you want to grab a bite to eat.

If you head into Hartlepool town, the Museum has free entry as well.

Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset

Found in Somerset, Weston-Super-Mare was a popular 19th-century Victorian seaside resort and is still loved today for its long beach and Grand Pier.

Stay at the Savoy Hotel from £99 a night for four people over the Easter holidays.

Weston-Super-Mare Beach is then just a 17-minute walk away.

If you don’t mind being a little out of Weston-Super-Mare, in the next town along – Brean – you could stay at Unity Beach holiday park for three nights from April 10 to 13 for £189 for a family of four (£15.75 per person per night).

Visiting the Grand Pier will set you back £2 per person and an unlimited all-day ride wristband costs £15 per toddler and £20 per child.

Attractions on the pier include a mirror maze, Helter Skelter and soft play.

There are a number of eating spots on the pier as well where you can grab fish and chips for £12, sausage and chips for £7.50 and a range of kids meals for £6.

Penzance, Cornwall

Despite many thinking Cornwall is one of the more expensive places to head on a staycation, if you are heading to the county then visit Penzance, which is one of the more affordable spots.

For example, you could head to Seaview Holiday Park, costing around £60 a night for a family of four over the Easter holidays.

The accommodation has a kitchenette as well, so you can cut even more costs by cooking for yourself.

And there’s also an outdoor swimming pool, indoor play area and games room.

The beach is then about a 25-minute walk away.

Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear

According to Which?, Whitley Bay’s average room rates cost just £69 -which makes it the second cheapest UK seaside town after Southport (£66).

Over Easter though, prices are obviously a little more expensive – but there are still some affordable options.

For example, a one-night stay at The Windsor Hotel costs £77 for a family of four.

The hotel is on South Parade and within sight of the sea, with the beach just 270 metres away.

Alternatively, you could head to Hoseasons Whitley Bay holiday park for three nights between April 10 and 13 for £254 for up to six people.

That works out at just £14.12 per person, per night.

Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Bognor Regis on the south coast of England is known for its award-winning Butlin’s resort.

A three-night break at Butlin’s Bognor Regis from April 10 to 13 costs from £316 – that’s around £26.34 per person per night.

And for that price, you get all the entertainment, the indoor waterpark and fairground rides – but it doesn’t include food.

If you do want to include food, this would cost an extra £186.54 (around £15.55 per person per day) for the family food court dining plan which includes a buffet experience.

Ramsgate, Kent

Ramsgate is well known for having the UK’s only Royal Harbour, as well as sandy beaches and over 450 listed buildings.

And for Easter, there are still some affordable breaks.

You could head to Dog and Duck Holiday Park for three nights from April 10 to 13 for £234 for four people (or £19.50 per person per night).

You’d stay in a static caravan with an open plan lounge and kitchen area.

The holiday park has a pub onsite where you can grab a pizza for as little as £12, as well as an outdoor play area.

Ramsgate is also home the UK’s largest Wetherspoons as well, where you can grab a pint of Ruddles ale for just £1.99.

Or grab a pint of Worthington’s Creamflow ale for £1.99.

Paignton, Devon

When it comes to finding a place to stay in Paignton, you won’t be short for choice.

The bustling seaside town has a great mix of campsites, holiday parks, hotels and B&Bs.

For example you could stay at Devon Hills Holiday Park in a caravan with a hot tub for three nights from April 10-13 for £199 for four people (or £16.59 per person per night).

The holiday park features an 18metre pool, gym, sauna and steam room and play area.

And if you are wanting a bite to eat, there is an onsite cafe too where you can grab two pizzas, fries and garlic bread for £29.95.

The beach is a bit further away (three miles), but once there you’ll be in the bustling resort town of Paignton with red sand beaches and a pier full of different attractions including penny slot machines.

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Over in Essex, you could head to Clacton-on-Sea, which is full of souvenir shops and ice cream spots.

You could stay at Haven’s Orchards Holiday Village for £129 for three nights for a family of four – that’s just £10.75 per person, per night.

This is for a break between April 10 and 13, and includes access to the restaurants, takeaways and arcades but not to the swimming pools, activities and entertainment venues.

In Clacton-on-Sea, you can head to the pier which has a variety of amusement arcades and rides, such as a Helter Skelter costing just £1 a turn.

And if you are looking for a cheap spot for lunch Flags Cafe has a variety of dishes including curry, vegan options and cakes or a toastie and drink for a fiver.

For more budget stays here are the UK’s best 100 cheap stays – including our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks, B&Bs and pubs from just £22 a night.

And if you’re heading abroad – here are the most popular hotels in the loveholidays sale with rooftop pools and beautiful beaches… and holidays from £149.

The violence comes as Israel continues its push to expand control over Palestinian territories in violation of international law.

At least nine Palestinians have been injured as Israeli settlers rampaged through towns and villages in the occupied West Bank for a second night in a row.

A 45-year-old man was shot in the foot late on Sunday during a confrontation with Israeli settlers in Deir al-Hatab, east of Nablus, the Wafa news agency reported.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a 47-year-old Palestinian man was attacked by settlers in Jabal al-Arma in Beita, while others were beaten.

Earlier, Israeli settlers set fire to homes and cars in two areas south of Jenin and vandalised property across the occupied West Bank.

Simultaneous attacks took place on Saturday night in at least six communities, including the villages of Silat al Dahr and Fandaqumiya, both near Jenin; in Jalud and Salfit, both south of Nablus; and in the agricultural regions Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley.

The Palestinian news agency reported that homes and cars were set ablaze, Palestinians were pepper-sprayed and at least five people were wounded in the assaults, which took place during the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Sunday night’s attacks came after Israeli settlers in the settlement of Elon Moreh held a funeral for 18-year-old Yehuda Sherman, who was killed in a collision with a Palestinian vehicle in an area north of the villages attacked.

Israeli police said they were investigating the settlers’ claims that the collision was deliberate.

Israel’s government is pressing ahead with new settlements in the occupied West Bank as attention shifts to the Iran war.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers so far this year.

Israel’s security cabinet last month ratified a series of decisions pushed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, enabling Israel to claim large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” if Palestinians cannot prove ownership.

The Palestinian presidency condemned the decision in a statement, calling it a “grave escalation and a flagrant violation of international law” that amounts to “de facto annexation”.

Amnesty International said the expansion of illegal settlements and state-backed settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories were “a direct indictment of the international community’s catastrophic failure to take decisive action.”

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2024 that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and should come to an end “as rapidly as possible”.

The judges pointed to a wide list of policies – including the building and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, use of the area’s natural resources, the annexation and imposition of permanent control over lands and discriminatory policies against Palestinians – all of which it said violated international law.

TWO towns are back on the railway map for the first time in 60 years after new stations finally opened.

New stops have welcomed passengers again following a massive £185million project to restore long-lost rail links across the West Midlands.

Willenhall and Darlaston stations now sit on the line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street via Wolverhampton — giving locals a direct route into the city.

The first train pulled in early on Thursday morning, marking the end of decades without rail services.

Both stations were shut in 1965 during the infamous Beeching cuts, when more than 2,000 stations across the UK were shut down.

Services will now run roughly every hour on weekdays and Saturdays, with no trains stopping there on Sundays.

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Commuters can expect to pay around £8.90 for a peak return from Willenhall to Birmingham, or £6.40 off-peak, while Darlaston passengers will pay slightly less.

From Darlaston, a peak return costs £8 and an off-peak ticket is £5.90.

The stations come with lifts, shelters, ticket machines and cycle racks, plus parking for 300 cars at Darlaston and 33 at Willenhall.

Pat McFadden, the MP for Wolverhampton South East which covers Willenhall, used the new trains recently, describing them as “clean, modern and easy to use”.

He added: “This is going to save people a massive amount of time. It’s going to enable people to take up jobs they probably couldn’t have taken up.

“It’s a transport boost, it’s a morale boost and it’s an economic boost to both towns.”

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said the openings are “a major milestone for communities and a real boost for the borough’s future”.

An Iranian missile has struck the southern Israeli cities of Dimona, home to the country’s main nuclear facility, and nearby Arad, wounding dozens of people and causing significant damage, in one of the most dramatic escalations since the US-Israel war on Iran began.

Iranian state television quickly reframed Saturday’s strikes as a “response” to what it said was a strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment complex earlier in the day, marking a stark new phase of tit-for-tat targeting in the conflict, now in its fourth week.

Nearly 100 people were wounded in the attacks, according to Israel’s emergency services, including a 10-year-old boy who paramedics said was in critical condition with multiple shrapnel wounds. Seven others are also in critical condition.

An Israeli military spokesman said Israel’s air defence systems activated during the attacks, but failed to intercept some of the missiles, even though they were not “special or unfamiliar”.

The country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the attacks which wounded nearly 100 people, called it a “difficult” evening for Israel, and again vowed to continue attacking Iran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had received no indication of damage to the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center at Dimona itself, and that no abnormal radiation levels had been detected in the area.

The nuclear watchdog said it was closely monitoring the situation, with Director General Rafael Grossi urging that “maximum military restraint should be observed, in particular in the vicinity of nuclear facilities”.

Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, said that three separate impact sites had been identified across Dimona, with one three-storey building having completely collapsed and several fires breaking out.

Witness footage verified by Al Jazeera, which is banned from operating inside Israel, showed a missile striking the city, followed by a large explosion.

Arad, another town near the nuclear facility, was also directly attacked, Israel’s firefighting service said in a statement, with extensive damage reported in the city centre.

“In both Dimona and Arad, interceptors were launched that failed to hit the threats, resulting in two direct hits by ballistic missiles with warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms”, firefighters said.

School in the surrounding Ramat Negev Regional Council was cancelled for the following day.

Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military announced it had struck a research and development facility at Tehran’s Malek Ashtar University, which it said had been used to develop components for nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

The military said it “will not allow the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons”.

Iran said that the US and Israel had targeted its Natanz enrichment complex that morning, though it reported no radioactive leakage.

An unnamed Israeli official, quoted by the Associated Press news agency, denied that Israel was responsible for the Natanz strike, but the Israeli army has not released a full statement on the matter.

Dimona has been at the heart of Israel’s nuclear programme since its research centre, built in secret with French assistance, opened there in 1958.

Eye-for-an-eye approach

Israel is believed to have developed nuclear weapons by the late 1960s. Its policy of deliberate ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying their existence, was part of a deal quietly struck with Washington, which judged that an open declaration would risk triggering a regional arms race.

Abas Aslani, a senior fellow at the Centre for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, told Al Jazeera that Iran has been pursuing an eye-for-an-eye approach designed to re-establish deterrence.

“Tehran wants to reduce the gap between words and actions,” he said, adding that Iran’s goal was to make its threats credible enough to underpin a new long-term security arrangement, not to simply force a ceasefire, but establish deterrence.

The attacks came as the broader war grinds through its fourth week.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Iran since the US and Israeli strikes began on February 28, including more than 200 children.

Iran has retaliated across the region, launching what it described as its 70th wave of attacks on Saturday, targeting Israeli and US military positions, as millions of Iranians marked the Persian New Year, Newroz, and Eid al-Fitr under the shadow of war.

The medieval town boasts cobbled streets, Tudor architecture and rich history – including the reportedly ‘haunted’ Inn that dates all the way back to 1420

Preserved precisely as it was during mediaeval times, this picture-perfect town boasts a rich history, which is vividly displayed through its stunning architecture.

Nestled in East Sussex, Rye is a hilltop town featuring cobbled streets, charming buildings and a deeply-rooted history. Many buildings remain untouched to preserve their original character, serving as key attractions for the town’s tourism and heritage.

Just two hours from London, this scenic destination isn’t quite a seaside location, but it’s near enough to provide the perfect stopping point between your journeys to the coast.

Indeed, over the years the town has shifted further inland, due to changing coastlines, and whilst no longer on the waterfront, it was once home to a bustling port, now reclaimed by nature.

During mediaeval times, when the town was firmly established with its layout and architecture, it served as a major seaport and ‘cinque port’, which helped to protect against French invasions.

Today it provides the ideal day trip with independent shops, boutique hotels, delicious food spots, and historical landmarks.

Mermaid Street

This charming high street in Rye is frequently described as one of the most attractive in the entire country, with beautifully constructed buildings positioned along a delightful cobbled lane.

One visitor said on TripAdvisor: “A very quaint cobblestone street from the early mediaeval times; some of the buildings were outstanding and well worth a visit and walk up the hill.”

Another visitor commented: “Mermaid Street was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Rye, and I recommend you set aside at least half an hour to explore this stunning street and take some great photos.”

This charming lane features timber-framed houses from centuries past, many of which enjoy protected status to preserve their historical significance.

Several of the properties, for instance, display plaques bearing distinctive names, including The House with Two Front Doors and The House Opposite, and tourists frequently stop to take photographs outside them.

Whilst it remains a picturesque, Instagram-worthy spot today, it was previously quite the opposite, regarded as one of the town’s most deprived areas. An 1891 census showed it had a notorious reputation as a rat-infested street where more than 70 children crammed into cramped homes, generating a chaotic environment in the locale.

Situated at the very centre of the road, and believed to have given the street its name, is the Mermaid Inn, a hotel that’s been described as one of Britain’s most haunted.

Haunted Hotel

Spanning more than 600 years, this establishment, which offers bed and breakfast accommodation, is a genuine historical treasure, complete with spine-chilling tales to match.

The Mermaid Inn boasts cellars originating from 1156, whilst the structure itself dates to 1420, providing an authentic step back in time for guests and day-trippers alike.

With its sloping ceilings, creaking floorboards and labyrinth of staircases, the building is brimming with character and has been modernised to accommodate an excellent restaurant and two bars, alongside a spacious patio.

For visitors not planning an overnight stay, exploring indoors remains an option. Fortunately, on the final Sunday of each month the proprietor provides a guided tour through the historic rooms as you journey back through the centuries.

After visiting the hotel, one guest said: “We have stayed at the Mermaid Inn a few times before and have never been disappointed. If you go to Rye, you really have to stay at The Mermaid.

“As soon as you walk into this place, you feel the atmosphere of its history, a real step back in time, a time to leave the fast pace of life behind as you enjoy this wonderful place, a feeling of privilege of actually staying there.”

Yet it has a reputation of another kind entirely, thanks to its considerable age, having witnessed countless visitors pass through its doors, while others seemingly refuse to depart, as their spirits linger on.

Multiple rooms are believed to harbour various ghosts, each with their own unique tales, and some guests actively request these particular rooms for precisely that reason.

Take Room 19, the Hawkhurst room, where a guest once reported encountering a gentleman perched on her bed, dressed in period attire. Meanwhile, Room 1 is haunted by a lady in white, or grey, who prefers to sit in a chair beside the fireplace – her favoured haunting location.

In fact, their website catalogues every spectre said to inhabit its premises and the tales that have evolved over time as guests continue to report eerie encounters during their stay. One such instance is tied to room 10, with Fleur De Lys.

The website reveals: “Several years ago, a bank manager and his wife were awakened to find a man walking through their bathroom wall and across the centre of the room. They were so frightened that they spent the rest of the night downstairs in one of the lounges and made the porter bring all their luggage downstairs, plus their clothes.”

The Norfolk holiday park has won the coveted AA award, with sandy beach access and an indoor pool among the many reasons to check out this charming and affordable place

The country’s top holiday park for 2026 has been revealed, and it sits along a breathtaking stretch of the Norfolk coast near two beloved seaside destinations.

Haven’s Hopton Holiday Village is situated between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, just shy of the Suffolk border. The AA granted it five stars within its rating framework, with inspectors highlighting it provided: “Excellent leisure and entertainment facilities for all ages.”

The AA Caravan and Camping Awards for 2025-26 examined parks across the UK, spanning multiple award categories, from Small Campsite of the Year to Glamping Site of the Year. Hopton clinched the prestigious AA Holiday Park of the Year award, with inspectors commending its magnificent seaside setting, attractive countryside backdrop, and outstanding range of on-site facilities.

The park, which features 775 static caravans, is located in the village of Hopton, renowned for its sweeping sandy beach, which becomes especially busy during the summer season. Visitors enjoy direct beach access, enabling them to relax on the golden sands or wander along the tranquil grassy clifftops.

The village itself boasts a traditional seaside character, with fish-and-chip shops, lively amusements, and numerous handy shops. It’s merely a ten-minute journey to the more bustling and vibrant Great Yarmouth, where families can enjoy the rides at the Pleasure Beach, explore the SEA LIFE Centre, or sample seaside entertainment on the pier, reports the Express.

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Further north, roughly a 40-minute journey from Hopton, travellers can discover Horsey Gap, a beach famous for its substantial grey seal colony. Pupping season, which runs from late October through to February, is the ideal time to witness them, and visitors can use the viewing platforms to catch a glimpse of the delightful seals without disturbing them.

Another classic day out is Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, approximately 15 miles from the park. This beloved theme park features attractions for all ages, from a Kiddie Zone for younger visitors to thrilling rollercoasters. In 2026, the park has plans to expand and add four new rides.

It also has wildlife areas where visitors can observe colourful birds and sea lions, plus a soft play area included in the admission price. If you’d prefer not to venture too far, there’s plenty to do on Hopton Holiday Village’s site. There’s an indoor pool with flumes, alongside a covered outdoor pool that opens during the warmer months.

Families can enjoy a round of six-hole golf or play tennis, hire bikes or karts, or enjoy the inflatable arena during the summer months. At a Haven park, many activities are available for booking, such as a climbing wall, archery, and arts and crafts.

The park boasts a substantial entertainment complex, housing a fish and chip shop, amusements, fast food outlets, and The Marina Bar and Stage, where Haven’s entertainment team perform shows. Evening entertainment kicks off with The Seaside Squad, featuring games to keep youngsters amused, followed by attractions such as bingo and family-friendly performances.

Early April will also introduce a fresh food and drink option to the park. It’ll become the latest Haven park to welcome its own JD Wetherspoon pub, meaning families can savour their ‘Spoons favourites even whilst on holiday.

Breaks at Hopton Holiday Village start from £49 for a three-night family of four sharing a saver caravan. View prices and book your getaway on the Haven website.

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

EACH year around 1.4million Brits head to Portugal’s Algarve – so why not explore a quieter Portuguese gem that is cheaper?

Portugal’s Silver Coast – also known as Costa de Prata – stretches for 155 miles from central to western Portugal.

And it offers several different holiday types.

Think dramatic landscapes to be explored, beaches to sunbathe on and historic towns to investigate.

Spanning from north of Lisbon to near Porto, the Silver Coast tends to be less crowded than the Algarve.

One spot you can head to is Nazare, known for having the world’s biggest surfable waves.

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The old fishing town features a long, crescent shaped beach with white sand and crystal clear water.

And this is one of the spots in the town where you will find surfers tackling huge waves.

In fact, it is the Nazaré Canyon that is the largest underwater canyon in Europe, that produces the town’s colossal waves.

Away from the water, the town also has a lot of narrow streets to explore with cosy restaurants serving fresh seafood.

For example, you could head to Restaurante Maria do Mar, which is the best-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor in the area, serving ‘Maria do Mar’ fish stew for just €9.50 (£8.20).

Surfers should also head to Ericeira, which is another popular surf town.

It is widely known as the ‘surfing capital of Europe‘ and is home to one of only two World Surfing Reserves in Europe.

If you are not a surfer, then simply enjoy the town’s beautiful beaches such as Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach) or Praia do Norte.

There’s also Obidos, which has a charming, medieval walled town.

In the picturesque town you can walk through Moorish gates and see colourful houses covered in bright pink flowers in summer.

The medieval walls encircle the entire village, which you can explore.

There’s even a spot that is dubbed the ‘Venice of Portugal’ – Aveiro.

The nickname comes from the colourful boats that sail down canals in the town.

Originally, the boats – called moliceiros – were used to carry seaweed that had been harvested, but now they offer tours to visitors along the canals and past Art Nouveau buildings.

In the Old Town, you’ll find cobblestone streets with small fish and coastal images embedded into the cobbles.

Make sure to visit Ponte dos Laços de Amizade (Bridge of Friendship Ties) where couples tie ribbons on to the bridge.

And definitely grab some Ovos Moles which are sweets from the area.

They are egg yolk and sugar mixed together and then moulded into different shapes, like seashells.

Drop by Confeitaria Peixinho, the oldest Ovos Moles shop in Aveiro, which has been running since 1856 – each Ovos Mole costs about €1.60 (£1.38).

Nearby Aveiro there is another spot worth visiting called Costa Nova.

Here you will find rows upon rows of colourful striped beach cottages.

Elsewhere along the Silver Coast, you can visit the coastal village of Foz do Arelho and two beaches created by a saltwater lagoon.

Both feature white sand and are the ideal places to go paddleboarding.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the promenade.

Several of the pubs and bars along the Silver Coast sell beers for €1.25 (£1.08), like at Marcianus 3.0 in Foz do Arelho, where you can pick up a bottle of Imperial beer for this price.

Depending on where you wish to go on the Silver Coast, you can fly into either Lisbon or Porto Airports.

One-way flights from the UK to Lisbon or Porto cost as little as £15 per person in April.

Also, depending on where you want to visit, there are a number of different accommodation options.

The average cost for a night in a four-star hotel in the region costs between £65 and £80.

For more places to explore in Portugal, there’s a secret side to the country that has just been crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit this year.

Plus, the pretty city that was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal that is set to be big this year.

A LIDO that was set to close for good has backtracked and confirmed that it will reopen for the 2026 summer season.

The outdoor pool in Teignmouth was marked for closure earlier this year, but the decision has since been overturned.

In February of this year, Teignbridge Council announced plans to close its beachfront lido in order to save money.

Officials said that not reopening Teignmouth Lido could save £74,000 in 2026.

Now, the decision has been reversed by the executive committee of Teignbridge Council.

The council announced the news on social media and said: “Our Executive Committee has today (Tuesday 10 March) voted to open Teignmouth Lido this summer.

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“Teignbridge District Council will operate the pool this summer and will work with community groups interested in taking on the Lido to ensure a safe handover.

“Councillors acknowledged the difficulties of balancing the books but agreed that opening the Lido would deliver value over price and enable the community to keep using the pool while Teignbridge works with groups to secure the asset’s long-term future.”

Since the news of the lido’s potential closure broke last month, the local community has been campaigning to reopen the lido.

Over 2,500 people having signed a petition to stop the lido’s closure, according to the Teignmouth Community Lido Trust.

After the executive committee meeting campaigner Catherine Brown said: “This is a brilliant outcome.

“It’s unbelievable that the council has gone from a unanimous decision to close it to a unanimous decision to keep it open!”

The 25-metre outdoor pool first opened in the 1970s and opens seasonally, usually having its debut in May half-term.

It has partial opening hours in June and July and then opens full time during the summer holidays.

The pool is heated and holds various swim sessions, from public to fun sessions, as well as activities like aqua fit and aqua circuits.

Four years ago, the pool underwent a refurbishment of £800,000 and then a further £30,000 was spent on repairs, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Teignmouth Community Lido Trust has expressed its hope to take over the lido site and keep it open for years to come.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding who grew up in the area is also a fan of the lido. She said: “Teignmouth Lido is more than just a gem on the South West coast; for me, it’s the backdrop of my childhood.

“For over a decade, my school summer holidays were defined by afternoons spent there with my family – so to hear that the lido could close is heartbreaking.

“With ample patio and sun-drenched patches of grass surrounding the 25-metre crystal clear pool, it was the rare kind of place where parents could relax while kids felt a bit of freedom.”

For more on swimming, here are all the lidos in the UK mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even FREE to enter.

Plus this new ‘floating park’ with sauna and lido is set to open in popular a London district as part of a huge £5billion upgrade.

As we inch closer to spring, the best UK destinations for a day out have been revealed, thanks to their sprawling gardens, historic landmarks and charming riverside walks

The UK boasts stunning cities that provide a perfect day out, especially as we edge closer to spring, with the prospect of brighter days and milder weather.

Organising a day out, whether it’s with your partner, family, or on your own, can occasionally feel daunting. Some destinations are just around the corner, others require a road trip, and many can be reached by train, which only enhances their appeal as we get to relax before arriving.

In an effort to help Brits make the most of the sunnier weather and the magnificent locations the UK has to offer, LNER has revealed the ‘UK’s best spring days out’ that can be reached by train, reports the Express.

To identify the best UK destination for a day out during spring, the train operator examined historical weather data, the proportion of green and blue spaces, land and woodland, and the number of walking trails available in each area. From Norwich, Colchester and Plymouth, here are the UK destinations that could be the ideal getaway during spring.

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Dundee

Recognised as one of the sunniest cities in Scotland, Dundee tops the LNER list. One of its standout attractions is the University of Dundee Botanic Garden, featuring beautiful gardens that flourish in spring, along with water gardens and glasshouses brimming with tropical plants.

There’s also the Dundee Law landmark that offers a steady climb where you’ll be rewarded with views across Dundee and the River Tay, and the over 400-acre park, Camperdown Country Park – perfect for a picnic! Or perhaps a trip to the V&A Dundee is more your cup of tea to explore Scotland’s design museum.

Maidstone

Kent’s largest town, Maidstone, is, somewhat surprisingly, among the destinations LNER suggests visiting. This is largely thanks to its Mote Park, which boasts expansive green spaces and a peaceful lake. It provides waterside walks, pedal boat hire, plus climbing walls and high ropes – perfect for keeping youngsters occupied.

Telford

This delightful Shropshire town truly comes into its own during springtime when over 170,000 daffodils burst into bloom at Telford Town Park, which also features 450 acres of green space, gardens, and lakes. LNER highlighted that guests can pick up a coffee and enjoy a leisurely walk whilst taking in the vibrant colours that transform the park.

Aberdeen

This Scottish port city has plenty to discover on a day trip, from its seaside panoramas and period architecture to the Cruickshank Botanic Garden in Old Aberdeen. The park covers 4.5 hectares and includes rose gardens, water features, and tree-lined pathways.

There’s also one of Scotland’s most cherished gardens, Duthie Park, to explore, alongside the impressive St Machar’s Cathedral. However, a visit to Aberdeen wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its breathtaking coastlines at Greyhope Bay, where bottlenose dolphins can occasionally be seen.

Edinburgh

It comes as no shock that the beloved capital of Edinburgh has secured its place on the LNER list, given its wealth of attractions and beautiful landscapes that come alive with colour throughout spring. There’s the famous Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat offering sweeping views across the city, the Royal Botanic Garden and Princes Street Gardens.

For those wanting to delve deeper into its past, there are the Georgian House and Lauriston Castle. The Union Canal is also an ideal location to discover the tucked-away corners of the city, whether strolling along the waterfront or cycling along the dedicated path.

Lincoln

The East Midlands city boasts plenty to discover during a spring day out, from Lincoln Castle and Hartsholme Country Park to the Whisby Nature Park. However, Lincoln Arboretum is unquestionably a highlight, with its refurbished gardens, fountains, duck pond and play area, all paying tribute to its Victorian heritage.

Norwich

The vibrant city of Norwich is another destination absolutely worth visiting, whether for a day trip or weekend getaway. The Cathedral Close has been praised as ‘one of the best places to spend your spring day out’ with its magnolia trees, daffodils and verdant lawns coming into bloom beneath the city’s medieval skyline.

There’s also the opportunity to take in panoramic views across the city and explore the hilltop landscapes surrounding the Norman keep.

Colchester

The UK city is distinctive for its Roman Walls, described as the ‘longest and best-preserved town walls in Britain’. There is a circular route stretching back almost 2,000 years, providing a picturesque spring walk amongst the ancient stonework, with Castle Park the ideal spot to stop for a picnic.

Ipswich

Characterised by LNER as ‘slow and scenic’, the Suffolk town boasts low rainfall and the ‘highest spring sunshine hours’. It’s home to a waterfront that sparkles in the sunshine, where there are cafés and bars to savour a drink or lunch outdoors, or to simply observe the activity of the harbour.

Plymouth

Last but not least is the Devon port city, with The Hoe overlooking Plymouth Sound as its most recognisable landmark. This makes an excellent starting point for a day in Plymouth, with its expansive lawns and seafront promenade providing the ideal spring walk, before treating yourself to an ice cream or scaling Smeaton’s Tower.

For further information or to book your spring day trip, you can visit the LNER website.

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WHILE prices for the most popular Mediterranean resorts keep ­rising, you can get the same ­turquoise seas, mountain drives and warm hospitality in Albania – for a fraction of the cost.

Visit in the shoulder season and you’ll enjoy golden light and near-empty beaches at an unhurried pace.

Flying in to capital Tirana makes a good start for a road trip to explore the country.

Pick up a hire car at the airport and within minutes you’re twisting through mountain passes, gliding along coastal bays and pulling over in centuries-old towns.

Highways are good, but off the main roads expect to be swerving around goats and making stunning switchback turns. It’s all part of the adventure.

Your first major stop is the Unesco World Heritage town of Berat.

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White Ottoman houses stack up the hillside like sugar cubes, their wooden shutters glinting in the sun, giving it the nickname “city of a thousand windows”.

You can stay inside the Berat castle walls, living among ancient ramparts while children play football in cobbled lanes and grandmothers sell olive oil at their doorsteps.

It feels like stepping into another century.

Just outside Berat lies Alpeta Winery, run by the Fiska family.

The vineyards grow local grape varieties and the owner, Peter, walks among the tables at dinner, greeting guests and sharing his stories of the vines.

The wine-tasting tour takes you through reds, whites and fruit brandy rakia, ­partnered with local cheeses and olive oil.

This is Albania’s farm-to-table story in full swing.

After this, most tourists seeking sun and sea will race to Saranda, but Vlora makes a brilliant, less crowded alternative.

From here, you’re just a short drive from the Green Coast, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Albania.

Turquoise coves framed by pine-covered hills and crystal-clear shallows rival anywhere in the Med.

Back in the capital, Tirana surprises with its creative energy, street art and cafes.

Park in the vibrant Blloku district.

Once reserved for the elite, it’s now buzzing with nightlife, bars and restaurants.

The city is dotted with thousands of Cold War-era bunkers which have been cleverly repurposed into museums, cafes and art spaces.

Don’t miss Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2, immersive museums that give a striking insight into Albania’s communist past.

And be sure to climb the Pyramid of ­Tirana, a former communist landmark now converted into a lookout offering panoramic city views.

After dark, the city comes alive.

I went to Albania Night, and it is hands down one of the maddest immersive cultural shows I’ve experienced.

Guests can dress up in traditional ­Albanian outfits, dance until their feet nearly give out and become part of the ­performance.

Albania is evolving fast.

Live music, laughter and street-side festivities turn ­Tirana into a playground of culture and energy.

There are new coastal roads, boutique hotels are appearing in heritage towns — and word is starting to spread.

But key to its appeal is that it still feels under the radar.

Albania isn’t the “new Croatia” or the “next Greece”.

It’s got its own story — ­rugged, authentic and full of surprises.

From fortress towns perched on hillsides to empty coves by the sea, and from vineyard dinners to city nights that refuse to quit, you can have the kind of road trip that really stays with you.

If you’re chasing adventure, authenticity and excellent value for money, Albania is waiting, keys in the ignition.