train

ONE of Europe’s most underrated cities will soon get a metro system after decades of planning.

Belgrade in Serbia – one of the oldest city’s is Europe – is also Europe‘s biggest capital city without a subway, but soon that will change.

As part of a contract between Chinese and French construction companies, Belgrade’s first subway line is expected to open in 2030 costing around €4.4billion (£3.8billion).

A second line will follow in the early 2030s and a third line has also been planned.

Designs for the new metro network in the city could include driverless trains that would be operated from a single hub and doors separating the platforms from the track.

Digging of the tunnels will start next spring, with each tunnel set to be around 100 metres long and cost around €20million (£17.5million).

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According to Bloomberg, Andreja Mladenovic, who runs JKP Belgrade Metro and Train, who is overseeing the project, said: “Belgrade has grown far too big not to have a subway.

“It’s an absolute game changer.”

He added: “It costs more at first when you build it, but cuts costs later.

“It’ll be state-of-the-art, and worth it.”

Plans for a subway network in the city were first considered in the 1930s when the capital was growing in population.

However, World War II stopped these plans going ahead.

In the 1960s, Belgrade’s economy was expanding again and new plans were drawn up in the 70s, however these went nowhere.

In the early 80s, a debt crisis meant all hopes were lost for a metro network, and over the following decade, Yugoslavia disintegrated.

It wasn’t until 1999 that Belgrade could rebuild itself.

Today, the often-overlooked city is home to floating nightclubs and secluded beaches.

As a result of sitting on two rivers, Belgrade has a number of floating restaurants, bars and nightclubs referred to as ‘Splavs’.

Along the Sava River, Splavs often play pop music, whereas the Splavs that are found on the banks of the Danube River have more of a rock vibe.

And drinks onboard are super cheap, with a beer setting you back around £3.40 or a cocktail setting you back around £4.75.

But Belgrade doesn’t just have floating bars and restaurants, there are also a number of historical locations to explore.

For example, you could head to the Belgrade Fortress, which was built back in the third century to protect the city from invaders.

The fortress, of course, has a number of panoramic viewpoints, but visitors can also participate in a number of activities and attractions, as well as explore museums.

You could also visit the Church of Saint Sava, which is a large Orthodox church.

Or explore the Nikola Tesla Museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the famous inventor.

The museum contains many of his personal belongings as well as his inventions.

Return flights from London Luton Airport to Belgrade cost around £36 in January and the flight takes around three hours.

In other rail news, a world-famous English city is getting a new train station in huge £6.7billion plans.

Plus, a brand new crime-themed train experience is coming to UK city… but you don’t actually go anywhere.

WHO doesn’t love a Christmas film? They’re cosy, uplifting and of course, full of festivities.

If you want to take your viewing a step further, Trainline has given us the lowdown on journeys to make this season from chocolate-box style village to spots in the capital where famous faces created some of your favourite festive movies.

Love Actually

Telling epic, and sometimes brutal, love stories is the Christmas classic, Love Actually.

Most fans will know that lots of this film starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Keira Knightley was shot largely in London.

Some iconic spots from the film include Borough Market, and finding the spot where Liam Neeson’s character Daniel has a heart-to-heart with his son Sam (played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster).

The bench is at at Queen’s Walk on Gabriel’s Wharf which looks over the Thames and has independent boutiques, galleries, street food, and restaurants.

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City Hall is where Bill Nighy’s record label was founded, and don’t forget to visit Somerset House.

If you head to Oxford Street you’ll spy Selfridges – the department store where Harry attempts to buy Mia a necklace only to be thwarted by Rowan Atkinson.

You only get a glimpse of it during the film, but it’s a fab festive visit.

At the moment, visitors can step onto the ice with Virgin Skate with tickets from £27.50.

How to get there: Take a train into Waterloo or Blackfriars station and Gabriel’s Wharf is a 10-minute walk.

For City Hall, head to London Bridge station and from there it’s a 10-minute walk. Somerset House is about 15 minutes’ walk from Waterloo station. 

Nativity!

Back in 2009 Nativity! was released and the cast and crew made a big impact in Coventry.

Most notably, the grand finale of the film takes place in the huge Coventry Cathedral.

You can visit the old Coventry Cathedral for free – although they do ask for donations for the upkeep of the historical site.

Also in the city you can visit the Blitz Museum, New Cathedral and incredible Tower Climb up 180 steps.

How to get there: Take a train direct to Coventry station where the ruins are just 15 minutes’ walk away.

The Snowman

It might be an illustrated film, but The Snowman is a classic and there’s some obvious locations throughout the film – particularly in the south.

James and The Snowman fly over the very recognisable Royal Pavilion and Palace Pier.

As most Brits know, Brighton is absolutely thriving with restaurants, cafes, independent shops and plenty to do like visiting Sea Life, LaserZone and the Upside Down House.

How to get tehre: Nearest station: Brighton which has direct trains from London Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge.

The Palace Pier is just over 15 minutes’ walk (or a short bus ride) and the Royal Pavilion is just 11 minutes’ walk.

The Holiday

Kate Winslet’s cosy English cottage is a Christmas dream staycation for most of us – but sadly, it doesn’t exist.

However, there are places in the film that you can actually visit if you head to Shere, a village in Surrey.

The picture perfect spot has one church, two pubs, a café – with The White Horse pub which was where Graham (played by Jude Law) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) had their cosy date.

Guests have raved about the pub, praising both the staff and the food.

One person called it a “quaint old pub full of character” another said they had their “best meal all year”.

You’ll feel the inspiration of Iris’ cottage in the chocolate-box village too and there are plenty of cute places to stop in like the Dabbling Duck tearoom, and sweetshop called Shere Delights.

You can also stop by the town of Godalming which has pretty cobbled lanes and narrow road where Amanda attempts to drive around.

How to get there: The nearest station for Shere is Gomshall, and from there it’s a 15 minute walk to Shere village.

Strolling back to Gomshall, you can take another train onwards to Godalming, which is connected on the London Waterloo line.

Jingle, Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Called a ‘Christmas underdog’ Jingle, Jangle: A Christmas Journey only came out five years ago – but has some great spots to visit in the UK.

The musical adventure follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle and many of the key scenes were shot in Norwich.

The fictional town of Cobbleton had the backdrop of Elm Hill – a historic, cobbled street known for its medieval half-timbered buildings.

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For a double whammy, and fans of the 2007 film Stardust should known that this film was also filmed in Elm Hill.

How to get there: Take a train to Norwich station, and the picturesque street of Elm Hill is just 14 minutes’ walk away.

A brand new direct train line will be connecting three capital cities of Europe for the first time next spring, and there is no cooler trio than these top cities

For the first time next spring, a brand new direct train line will connect three of Europe’s most vibrant capital cities – Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen. These fantastic destinations, known for their rich culture, history, delectable cuisine, local beers and lively nightlife, have always been a hit with British tourists.

This exciting venture is a joint project between Czech Railways (D), Deutsche Bahn (DB), and Danish State Railways (DSB), supported by the European Commission, which is eager to promote cross-border rail travel among both tourists and locals.

The trains used on this route will be D’s ComfortJet trains, capable of speeds up to 230km per hour (140mph) and seating 555 passengers. A seasonal night train will also be introduced to maximise the use of this new route.

Set to open on 1 May 2026, just in time for the summer season, the new route promises to offer British visitors an easy and convenient way to explore these three amazing capitals.

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This development follows the completion of renovations on the Berlin to Hamburg line, and according to Railway News, stops in both these cities will be included in the route, reports the Express.

So, what’s the scoop on this service? Time Out reports that it will likely operate twice daily, taking seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen, and 11 hours from the Danish capital to Prague. A seasonal night train between Hamburg and Copenhagen will be extended to utilise the new route.

The trains themselves will accommodate 555 passengers, with 99 of those in first-class. Onboard, travellers will have access to a dining car, cinema area, and even adjustable seating.

Prices for 2026 haven’t been announced yet, but the journey from Copenhagen to Berlin currently costs around £43, and the shorter trip between Berlin and Prague starts from as little as £13.87, totalling £57.44.

The three cities are almost directly aligned, with Prague being the southernmost, then up to Berlin and onto Copenhagen in Scandinavia. All three are renowned for their cool vibes.

Prague is often hailed as a “cool” city to visit due to its breathtaking architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. It offers an incredible atmosphere with mystical vistas, medieval castles and bridges, and a combination of classical and modern scenes, from grand palaces to unique street art.

Many Brits love the affordable prices, particularly the cheap beer, efficient public transport, and exciting nightlife alongside its historical and architectural designs.

Berlin is famed for its vibrant energy, diverse populace, and striking differences between historic landmarks and modern architecture. The city’s nightlife is globally recognised, boasting renowned clubs and a variety of late-night venues, making it a prime spot for clubbers.

The city also boasts a thriving art scene, with a significant portion of the Berlin Wall adorned with graffiti art, serving as a poignant reminder of the city’s war-ravaged past.

Lastly, there’s Copenhagen. With its mix of old-world allure and contemporary Scandinavian design, a lively food culture, commitment to sustainability, and high living standards, it’s a must-visit destination for 2026.

Known for its clean, canals, cycling culture, imaginative architecture, and focus on creativity and community, it’s the perfect conclusion to a three-city break that takes in some of Europe’s amazing capitals in one go.

Launching on 1 May, the new service will enable passengers to travel between the three capitals without needing to change trains, with further stops planned in key cities including Dresden and Hamburg.

The connection will provide two daily return services. Journey times are anticipated to be roughly seven hours between Berlin and Copenhagen, and approximately eleven hours between Prague and Copenhagen, according to Railway News.

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin said: “Deutsche Bahn’s new direct connection connects three European capitals – Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen. This strengthens Berlin as a hub in Europe. At the same time, the new direct rail connection is an important contribution to a sustainable transport transition; even more people can now travel to and from Berlin in an environmentally and climate-friendly way.”

Postolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism added: “The expansion of high-speed rail, especially cross-border rail, is our top priority. This new connection between the Czech Republic, Germany, and Denmark is a strong example of progress on this path. And I am particularly proud that it is the first of ten European Commission pilot projects to support the realisation of new cross-border rail connections.”

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Leading tech companies are in a race to release and improve artificial intelligence (AI) products, leaving users in the United States to puzzle out how much of their personal data could be extracted to train AI tools.

Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp), Google and LinkedIn have all rolled out AI app features that have the capacity to draw on users’ public profiles or emails. Google and LinkedIn offer users ways to opt out of the AI features, while Meta’s AI tool provides no means for its users to say “no, thanks.”

“Gmail just flipped a dangerous switch on October 10, 2025 and 99% of Gmail users have no idea,” a November 8 Instagram post said.

Posts warned that the platforms’ AI tool rollouts make most private information available for tech company harvesting. “Every conversation, every photo, every voice message, fed into AI and used for profit,” a November 9 X video about Meta said.

Starting December 16th, Meta will start feeding all your data to AI. This video is an instructional on how to turn these settings off. pic.twitter.com/BUJagaMr5b

— David Wolfe (@DavidWolfe) November 9, 2025

Technology companies are rarely fully transparent when it comes to the user data they collect and what they use it for, Krystyna Sikora, a research analyst for the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund, told PolitiFact.

“Unsurprisingly, this lack of transparency can create significant confusion that in turn can lead to fear mongering and the spread of false information about what is and is not permissible,” Sikora said.

The best – if tedious – way for people to know and protect their privacy rights is to read the terms and conditions, since it often explicitly outlines how the data will be used and whether it will be shared with third parties, Sikora said. The US doesn’t have any comprehensive federal laws on data privacy for technology companies.

Here’s what we learned about how each platform’s AI is handling your data:

Social media claim: “Starting December 16th Meta will start reading your DMs, every conversation, every photo, every voice message fed into AI and used for profit.” – November 9 X post with 1.6 million views as of November 19.

The facts: Meta announced a new policy to take effect December 16, but that policy alone does not result in your direct messages, photos and voice messages being fed into its AI tool. The policy involves how Meta will customise users’ content and advertisements based on how they interact with Meta AI.

For example, if a user interacts with Meta’s AI chatbot about hiking, Meta might start showing that person recommendations for hiking groups or hiking boots.

But that doesn’t mean your data isn’t being used for AI purposes. Although Meta doesn’t use people’s private messages in Instagram, WhatsApp or Messenger to train its AI, it does collect user content that is set to “public” mode. This can include photos, posts, comments and reels. If the user’s Meta AI conversations involve religious views, sexual orientation and racial or ethnic origin, Meta says the system is designed to avoid parlaying these interactions into ads. If users ask questions of Meta AI using its voice feature, Meta says the AI tool will use the microphone only when users give permission.

There is a caveat: The tech company says its AI might use information about people who don’t have Meta product accounts if their information appears in other users’ public posts. For example, if a Meta user mentions a non-user in a public image caption, that photo and caption could be used to train Meta AI.

Can you opt out? No. If you are using Meta platforms in these ways – making some of your posts public and using the chatbot – your data could be used by Meta AI. There is no way to deactivate Meta AI in Instagram, Facebook or Threads. WhatsApp users can deactivate the option to talk with Meta AI in their chats, but this option is available only per chat, meaning that you must deactivate the option in each chat’s advanced privacy settings.

The X post inaccurately advised people to submit this form to opt out. But the form is simply a way for users to report when Meta’s AI supplies an answer that contains someone’s personal information.

David Evan Harris, who teaches AI ethics at the University of California, Berkeley, told PolitiFact that because the US has no federal regulations about privacy and AI training, people have no standardised legal right to opt out of AI training in the way that people in countries such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom and South Korea do.

Even when social media platforms provide opt-out options for US customers, it’s often difficult to find the settings to do so, Harris said.

Deleting your Meta accounts does not eliminate the possibility of Meta AI using your past public data, Meta’s spokesperson said.

Google

Social media claim: “Did you know Google just gave its AI access to read every email in your Gmail – even your attachments?”  – November 8 Instagram post with more than 146,000 likes as of November 19.

The facts: Google has a host of products that interact with private data in different ways. Google announced on November 5 that its AI product, Gemini Deep Research, can connect to users’ other Google products, including Gmail, Drive and Chat. But, as Forbes reported, users must first give permission to employ the tool.

Users who want to allow Gemini Deep Research to have access to private information across products can choose what data sources to employ, including Google search, Gmail, Drive and Google Chat.

There are other ways Google collects people’s data:

• Through searches and prompts in Gemini apps, including its mobile app, Gemini in Chrome or Gemini in another web browser
• Any video or photo uploads that the user entered into Gemini
• Through interactions with apps such as YouTube and Spotify, if users give permission
• Through message and phone calls apps, including call logs and message logs, if users give permission.

A Google spokesperson told PolitiFact the company doesn’t use this information to train AI when registered users are under age 13.

Google can also access people’s data when they have smart features activated in their Gmail and Google Workplace settings (that are automatically on in the US), which gives Google consent to draw on email content and user activity data to help users compose emails or suggest Google Calendar events. With optional paid subscriptions, users can access additional AI features, including in-app Gemini summaries.

Turning off Gmail’s smart features can stop Google’s AI from accessing Gmail, but it doesn’t stop Google’s access to the Gemini app, which users can either download or access in a browser.

A California lawsuit accuses Gemini of spying on users’ private communications. The lawsuit says an October policy change gives Gemini default access to private content such as emails and attachments in people’s Gmail, Chat and Meet. Before October, users had to manually allow Gemini to access the private content; now, users must go into their privacy settings to disable it. The lawsuit claims the Google policy update violates California’s 1967 Invasion of Privacy Act, a law that prohibits unauthorised wiretapping and recording confidential communications without consent.

Can you opt out? If people don’t want their conversations used to train Google AI, they can use “temporary” chats or chat without signing into their Gemini accounts. Doing that means Gemini can’t save a person’s chat history, a Google spokesperson said. Otherwise, opting out of having Google’s AI in Gmail, Drive and Meet requires turning off smart features in settings.

LinkedIn

Social media claim: Starting November 3, “LinkedIn will begin using your data to train AI.” – November 2 Instagram post with more than 18,000 likes as of November 19.

The facts: LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, announced on its website that starting November 3, it will use some US members’ data to train content-generating AI models.

The data the AI collects includes details from people’s profiles and public content that users post.

The training does not draw on information from people’s private messages, LinkedIn said.

LinkedIn also said, aside from the AI data access, that Microsoft started receiving information about LinkedIn members – such as profile information, feed activity and ad engagement – as of November 3 in order to target users with personalised ads.

Can you opt out? Yes. Autumn Cobb, a LinkedIn spokesperson, confirmed to PolitiFact that members can opt out if they don’t want their content used for AI training purposes. They can also opt out of receiving targeted, personalised ads.

To remove your data from being used for training purposes, go to data privacy, click on the option that says “Data for Generative AI Improvement” and then turn off the feature that says “use my data for training content creation AI models.”

And to opt out of personalised ads, go to advertising data in settings, and turn off ads on LinkedIn and the option that says “data sharing with our affiliates and select partners”.

A BUSY UK train station’s ultra-modern looking walkways and vast network of tunnels and escalators have left many people comparing it to something far creepier.

Canary Wharf tube station in London is known for its sprawling size underneath the capital’s major financial district.

And the station’ s striking futuristic design boats shiny silver metal, that looks as if it could have been stripped off a cyborg.

The Observer even wrote: “Stepping into Canary Wharf is an almost religious experience.

“At 300 metres long, the tower it shares its name with could be laid flat inside with room to spare.

“It’s like a cross between Canterbury cathedral and the set of Aliens.”

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In fact, it isn’t just The Observer that has noticed the destination’s other-worldly look.

Back in 2016, the station was used as a set in the Star Wars spin-off film Rogue One, stepping in for a “totalitarian state somewhere in the future“.

The film used the Jubilee line platforms and concourse to represent a research facility on the planet Scarif.

The station is so striking that it has appeared in a number of films including 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007).

In the two sci-fi zombie thrillers, the station appeared as a safe haven and part of an abandoned London.

Then in A Quiet Place: Day One (2024), the streets surrounding the station were used to represent an alien-ravaged New York.

One person said on Reddit: “Canary Wharf being windy here and I remembered my visit to the place, and how weird it was.

“Honestly the structure of that place is so.. alienlike.”

Another added: “I’m convinced they re-arrange all the corridors in the underground mall overnight to confuse us all.”

A third person said: “Stay away at all costs or risk being turned into a office zombie.”

The station was designed by famous architect Norman Foster, the same person who designed the Gherkin in Central London.

The station then opened in 1999 as part of the Jubilee Line Extension.

Unlike older tube stations with lots of cream coloured walls and pale yellow floor tiles, Canary Wharf features a variety of greys and chrome.

It also features vast ceilings, that reach up to 30 metres high.

Concrete is a key material throughout and glass panels feel like a nod to the buildings that surround the station.

There are also seven columns which run the length of the structure and half-egg-shaped glass dome lights littered across the station.

For those heading out of the station into Canary Wharf, the futuristic look continues.

Unlike the pretty mews and Victorian terraced houses found elsewhere in London, the financial district is full of towering skyscrapers, including the famous One Canada Square building which used to be the tallest in London before the Shard was built in London Bridge.

Most of these buildings are filled with offices of top firms like JP Morgan and Chase Bank.

But there are still a number of things for tourists to see and do in the area.

For example, you could head to the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, which is full of tropical plants and is free to visit.

In the warmer months and up until October, you can enjoy a dip in the water with Love Open Water.

Prefer to stay on the water, rather than in it? Then choose to go on a Skuna Boat ride, which “transforms Canary Wharf into a floating playground”.

Different options include a BBQ boat, hot tub boat and igloo boat.

There is also a waterside sauna where you collect the boats from.

If you prefer to stay on dry land then Canary Wharf also has a number of activity bars, such as Fairgame – which is like an adult’s playground with retro fairground games – and Electric Shuffle – a modern spin on Shuffleboard.

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The operation begins in the subway tunnel, at Jungfernheide station, in the west of Berlin. Around 30 soldiers storm down the staircase, onto the platform, then jump onto the tracks. A machine-gunner sets up his weapon on the platform and puts his sights on the stationary subway train. The platoon leader signals his soldiers to approach the train. There are screams from the rear compartment, and suddenly the tunnel is filled with smoke. The sound of automatic gunfire rings out from inside the train.

Residents of the German capital making their way home using the subway network this week may have had a surprise. For three nights, Berlin-based soldiers from the German Army were conducting drills in the tunnels, practicing how to fight saboteurs and other urban warfare contingencies. These included training for urban and house-to-house fighting, as well as the protection of critical infrastructure.

On the one hand, the maneuvers were a throwback to the Cold War days of the then-divided city, when NATO special operations forces regularly prepared to face off a Warsaw Pact invasion. On the other hand, they reflect changing priorities for the German military, which is increasingly orienting itself toward a potential future conflict with Russia.

For three nights this week, between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., around 250 soldiers from the 2nd and 3rd Companies of the German Army’s Wachbataillon (Guard Battalion), trained to fight in the city. As well as at Jungfernheide subway station, maneuvers took place at a decommissioned chemical plant in Rüdersdorf, and at Ruhleben “Fighting City,” which was a NATO training area in the Cold War, but is now used by the German police.

The scenarios involved in the Bollwerk Bärlin III exercise focused on combating saboteurs in the German capital. As well as eliminating hostile elements, the soldiers practiced securing and evacuating the wounded, which would include members of the city’s population of roughly 3.9 million.

While the Guard Battalion is best known for its ceremonial duties, including providing an honor guard for the visits of foreign dignitaries, it’s part of the German Armed Forces’ Joint Service Support Command and has an infantry combat role. For this mission, the soldiers swap out their 1930s-era Karabiner 98k bolt-action rifles for Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifles.

“We are training here because Berlin is our area of operation,” Lt. Col. Maik Teichgräber, commander of the Guard Battalion, told Die Welt newspaper. “In the event of tension or conflict, we protect the facilities of the federal government. And this is where they are located.”

“Ultimately, we have to think from the worst-case scenario,” Teichgräber continued. “It’s about being ready for whatever could happen in the worst-case scenario. Nothing is simulated down here. The terrain is as it is.”

By closing down part of the subway for the exercise, the Guard Battalion was able to practice in an entirely realistic environment, with confined spaces, poor visibility, and changing light.

In the scenario outlined at the start of this story, the battalion’s rapid response unit was called in once it was clear that enemy forces were on the subway train. The unit stormed the train, the carriages were secured, the enemy neutralized, and casualties among the friendly forces were evacuated. Throughout, the station was protected by additional forces positioned outside, including snipers.

Preparing to fight in the confines of subway stations and tunnels is a new development for the German Guard Battalion, but other nations are increasingly conducting similar maneuvers.

Earlier this year, TWZ reported on how Taiwanese forces use the Taipei subway to maneuver around the city of Taipei as part of a major annual exercise, named Han Kuang. In that particular case, the Taipei Metro could provide an inherently hardened means of moving troops and supplies around in the event of an invasion from the mainland, wherein key facilities above ground would be heavily targeted. Taiwan’s military already regularly trains for urban warfare, which would be a central feature of any future conflict with the People’s Republic of China, especially in Taipei.

Like in Germany, Taiwan’s military is putting a new emphasis on whole-of-society defense readiness, rather than just that of the armed forces.

Elsewhere, too, the challenges of fighting underground are becoming a more relevant topic.

The U.S. military has put a premium on this kind of warfare, especially for its special operations forces, not only due to the kinds of fortified structures that potential enemies have built, but also the fact that future wars will most likely be fought in megacities.

At the same time, the advent of large numbers of drones on the battlefield, and especially the introduction of autonomy, are further factors that will likely push conventional forces to move underground, if possible, on future battlefields.

During the Cold War, the NATO forces in West Berlin — American, British, and French — regularly trained in urban warfare, to be ready to try and slow down any Warsaw Pact move against the city, isolated 200 miles deep in East German territory. During this time, there was no West German military presence permitted in the city. Given the difficulty of reinforcing West Berlin and the overwhelming numbers of Warsaw Pact forces surrounding it, holding the city for any length of time was never a realistic proposition.

Instead, NATO would have relied primarily on special forces units, like the U.S. Army’s secretive Detachment “A,” the existence of which wasn’t formally disclosed until 2014. Trained in unconventional warfare, clandestine operations, sabotage, and more, it would have sent small teams across the city and deeper into Warsaw Pact-held territory to cause havoc should hostilities break out. It ceased operations in 1984.

Starting with the Battle of Berlin in 1945, during which the Soviets took the German capital from the Nazis, including via house-to-house fighting, the city was characterized by its military presence and strategic status. Flashpoints during the Cold War included the Berlin Airlift, when Stalin attempted to force the Western allies to give up their portions of the city, and the 1961 Berlin Crisis, when Soviet and U.S. tanks stood off at Checkpoint Charlie, leading to the partition of the city and the construction of the Berlin Wall.

It’s worth noting, too, that during the Cold War, certain stations within the West Berlin subway network were constructed specifically with civil defense in mind. The stations at Pankstraße and Siemensdamm (on the same U7 line as Jungfernheide) were prepared as so-called Multi-Purpose Facilities, with blast doors, a filtered ventilation system, and emergency supplies. In case of nuclear attack, each could serve as a fallout shelter for more than 3,000 people over a two-week period. Today, the Pankstraße facility is protected as a historic monument, but Germany, overall, is increasingly looking at reactivating Cold War-era civil defense infrastructure.

By 1994, however, the Cold War was over, and the last military occupying forces had left the city.

The fact that the German military is once again training to fight in the city is a measure of how much the security situation has changed.

By 2029, Germany is expected to spend €153 billion (around $176 billion) a year on defense, equivalent to around 3.5 percent of GDP. This amounts to the biggest military expansion since reunification, putting it ahead of France in terms of defense spending.

Speaking at a Berlin security conference earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said it was America’s “aspirational goal” that Germany take over command of NATO forces in Europe, given the country’s defense spending plans. That would be an unprecedented move, since the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) has always been held by a U.S. four-star general.

By most measures, Germany is probably far from being ready to assume command of the alliance, but, in the meantime, it is starting to prepare its military for new kinds of contingencies.

“What is happening 900 kilometers [560 miles] east of us is reality,” said Teichgräber, speaking at the Bollwerk Bärlin III exercise, and reflecting on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “No one can say whether this will eventually affect Germany. But we must be prepared.”

Contact the author: [email protected]

TRAIN passengers hoping to travel across Britain as Christmas closes in are facing uncertainty after a trade union announced strike action on four consecutive Saturdays.

Workers at rail operator CrossCountry will stage a slew of strikes in December in a dispute over pay.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union [RMT] members will walk out on December 6, 13, 20 and 27 – sparking chaos for Brits.

The move is likely affect thousands of Brits who are heading home to family and relatives for Christmas and New Year.

Engineering works on the West Coast Main Line on December 27 mean some passengers would have been hoping to use CrossCountry trains as an alternative.

CrossCountry operates a nationwide network centred on Birmingham New Street, running long-distance services that link Scotland, the North East and North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands, Wales, the South West, the South Coast and the East of England – including through-services such as the Cardiff–Edinburgh “Three Nations” route.

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“We are disappointed for our customers that the RMT has announced further industrial action,” Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry told The Sun.

“We’ve worked hard to make a fair and reasonable offer that addresses the key points raised in this dispute, and we’ve made meaningful progress in negotiations.

“Our priority remains reaching an agreement that avoids disruption for passengers in the busy Christmas period, and we are ready to continue talks at any time.”

CrossCountry has not yet confirmed how the strike will impact services, but it is likely that most will be cancelled and they will only operate a  limited timetable at best.  

Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the RMT – Britain’s biggest rail workers’ union – said today: “CrossCountry has not dealt with the core issues in this dispute and has come back with a proposal that is worse than what was already on the table.

“Our members are still facing unresolved staffing shortages, unfair pay outcomes and broken commitments. RMT members have been left with no choice but to take strike action.

“The company must return with a serious offer that meets the commitments it has already made and treats our members with the fairness and respect they deserve.”

The Sun Online has reached out to CrossCountry for comment.

It comes as Network Rail warned passengers to expect delays around Christmas and the New Year ahead of major £130 million works.

The disruption is set to last for a total of a month over Christmas, while crucial work is carried out.

Announcing a raft of festive network upgrades, Network Rail boss Helen Hamlin said: “The period between Christmas and New Year is the quietest on the railway and it’s the best time for us to do the major projects that will take longer than a night or a weekend to complete.

“That’s especially the case this year as we have some very big plans for improving the railway that will mean people may have to travel home on different routes after Christmas than the way they travelled out. 

“Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding and for planning ahead.”

A MAJOR train company has unveiled its plans for a new station, taking passengers from one world-famous city to another.

It comes as the rail company decided a far bigger station would be needed, with more than 80 alterations being made to the original idea so far.

East West Rail’s Oxford-Cambridge route is set to take passengers from one popular city to another, with stops in places including Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Winslow in between.

The nearly £7bn scheme is aiming to construct fresh stations, new entrances and a completely reworked service pattern.

It’s no small overhaul – it’s an incredible challenge to all involved, both strategically as well as in terms of design.

In preparation for the new train line, Cambridge will be getting a revamp, with a brand-new Cambridge East station near the city airport.

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The stunning city already has two prominent stations – Cambridge North and Cambridge Central located in the CB1 area.

The central station will also be receiving a long-awaited eastern entrance to ease foot traffic during rush hour.

All of these plans for Cambridge have been written into the scope of the plan, though elements of it are dependent on whether external funding is received.

Whereas in Oxford one of its old running lines – the Cowley Branch Line – will be reinstated to better suit the travel timetable once Oxford-Cambridge becomes available for travellers.

According to a press release by East West Rail, “millions of people across the Oxford to Cambridge corridor are set to benefit” from the project.

David Hughes, CEO of EWR, said: “These updates reflect our commitment to listening to communities while designing a railway that delivers long-term benefits for the region.

“Our latest proposals better reflect what matters most to people and will deliver better outcomes for passengers, local communities and the environment.”

Though one of the biggest challenges the construction team are going to be facing during construction is rethinking what to do with the Marston Vale Line that transverses central Bedfordshire.

The current plan is to switch out the nine existing rather tired-looking stations on its line for four larger contemporary ones.

A TRAIN journey across the UK can be a magical experience depending on the views – but a new train is launching that doesn’t actually go anywhere.

The Unseen Experience is set to open in London next month and unlike a normal train journey where you purchase a ticket, get on board and travel from A to B, this service stays in the same spot.

Visitors will ‘board’ in complete darkness, being blindfolded throughout their ‘journey’.

Then, each ‘passenger’ will be “transported through time aboard a mysterious train as 3D audio surrounds you from every direction”, according to the event’s creators, Fever.

The experience involves two stories on one train and is said to be “perfect for fans of mystery, crime and psychological thrillers” – so perhaps not one for people who are expecting the Orient Express.

The site for the experience explains: “You’re pulled into two worlds separated by time, where danger, tension, and unexpected turns reveal themselves only through sound.

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“Whispers move behind you, footsteps close in from different angles, and voices emerge so close they feel real, all powered by cutting-edge 3D audio that lets your imagination build every scene.

“In this intimate, fully dark space, reality blurs and every sound becomes a clue, a sensation, a moment you can’t predict.”

According to Secret London, in the first world, you are a deserter on the run in 1980, during the Cold War.

Then, in the second world, you are a survivor on the same train, but this time it is around 100 years later in a post-apocalyptic world.

Your fate is decided by the fellow passengers.

The journey lasts for 35 minutes in total and each passenger must be over the age of 14 years old.

The experience is currently selling tickets for sessions between December 11 to December 21.

And currently, there is a Black Friday offer on tickets.

Instead of £14, some time slots are £11.20 per person as part of the deal.

This isn’t the first blindfolded experience to come to the capital – there is also a restaurant experience called ‘Dans le Noir?’.

The one-of-a-kind restaurant is completely in the dark, meaning that each diner does not know what they are eating.

The restaurant, which opened back in 2006, instead of focusing on sight and the presentation of dishes, uses high-quality ingredients to take diners on a taste journey, whereby flavours, textures and smells become stronger as your vision is taken away.

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In fact, the capital is home to a plethora of different experiences, such as the first-ever Traitors live experience – it was a heart-pounding world of lies and best friend-betrayal.

Or perhaps for something a little more kid friendly, there is the Paddington immersive experience with ‘train rides’ and street parties.

THE NEW Universal Studios theme park coming to the UK will get its very own train station.

The train station is set to be built in Stewartby in Bedfordshire to serve the Universal Studios theme park, which is aiming to open in the early 2030s.

The station will become part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, which will connect Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.

The station will be vital for the new attraction, which is set to attract over 8.5million people in its opening year alone.

In a report released by EWR, it states: “We’re now planning to provide a consolidated Stewartby-Kempston Hardwick station which would allow people to travel to the Universal resort without negatively impacting other users.”

Through recent talks with local communities, the proposed number of trains running via the station each hour has been increased from three or four, to five.

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This would mean up to 70 per cent more seating across the route.

The new station would also feature walking and cycling routes.

The report added: “Given Universal’s proposals are still emerging, we’re working with them and other stakeholders to determine the design and exact position of the station.

“We would like to provide reassurance that as we progress this work, we are focused on not just integrating the design for this station with the wider development proposals but also maintaining access to the strategic road network and local destinations.

“Once we have undertaken this work, we will provide further information when we consult in 2026.”

The station will be part of the wider East West Rail line project, which is expected to unlock around £6.7billion of regional economic growth by 2050, with 100,000 new homes.

A spokesperson for Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDX) said: “Government’s commitment in furthering multi-modal opportunities to grow the UK’s economy is highly encouraging, as companies like UDX look to place major investments in the UK.

“Other plans include seven new stations, and the use of cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric trains to deliver faster, greener services along the partially electrified route while keeping costs down.”

The spokesperson added that the in addition to the new eastern entrance at Cambridge Central, EWR is also planning to create a new Cambridge East Station.

Other plans included in the EWR project – which is set to cost between £5.7billion and £6.6billion – include establishing new station entrances at Bletchley and Bedford.

And the Marston Vale Line will get four new larger stations to replace nine smaller and tired ones.

Currently, stations on the Marston Vale Line see some of the lowest usage in the country, but the new stations would serve local communities better and ultimately help to serve Universal theme park.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “East West Rail is more than a railway – it’s a catalyst for growth, more jobs and opportunity, and this project will make rail travel faster, greener and more reliable for millions of passengers.”

“By investing in modern infrastructure, we’re laying the foundations for long-term prosperity in one of the UK’s most dynamic regions while ensuring that the UK has a rail network passengers can be proud of.”

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In other rail news, a UK train station that looks like a ‘cosmic spaceship’ has become a major landmark.

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Nov. 19 (UPI) — A British man awaiting trial on charges of attempting to murder 10 people on board a high-speed train was due in court again on Wednesday after being charged with two further attempted murder counts.

Anthony Williams, 32, will appear before Peterborough magistrates to face charges he attempted to murder a man and a 14-year-old boy and attempted to seriously wound a third man in separate incidents in the city on Oct. 31.

West Midlands Chief Crown Prosecutor Siobhan Blake said she had also authorized a theft charge against Williams in relation to knives taken from a supermarket in Hertfordshire, a charge of carrying a knife and a charge of affray following an incident at a Peterborough barber shop on Oct. 31.

Williams would also be charged with assault following an alleged attack on a train en route to Peterborough from Herfordshire on Nov. 1, she said.

Blake said the decision to file the charges followed an extensive investigation by British Transport Police into incidents leading up to a stamping rampage aboard a London and North Eastern Railway train as it sped toward London on the evening of Nov. 1 in which 10 people were injured.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings,” she added.

BTP Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said the train stabbings incident “had also focused on other offenses previously reported to police, or identified by our investigation.”

“We have worked closely with our colleagues in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police, alongside the Crown Prosecution Service, to bring these charges,” said Cundy.

Williams was arrested at Huntingdon station Nov. 1 after the train switched off the high-speed line onto a local district line to divert to the town, a move authorities believe prevented the attack from being much worse.

He is being held on remand pending his next court appearance in relation to the LNER train attack at Cambridge Crown Court on Dec. 1, where in addition to the 10 attempted murder counts he also faces an eleventh charge of attempting to murder a man at a Docklands Light Rail station in London and possessing a knife.

The Crown Prosecution Service said it would seek to tie all the cases together on a single docket at the hearing in Cambridge.

ONE tube station has just been awarded Grade II listed status just 25 years after opening.

The station has been described as “one of the most memorable and theatrical spaces on the London Underground network” – and has become a landmark in its own right.

On November 20, 1999, Southwark Underground Station opened to the public, and it’s now been added to the National Heritage List.

The underground station was one of six new stations built for the Jubilee Line Extension and was designed by engineers in 1994.

As regular commuters and London tourists will know, the underground station has a circular ticket hall, a towering blue glass screen and steel-panelled tunnel in the lower concourse.

During its design, the six stations were set to have their own unique identities with different looks but be linked by materials like steel and polished concrete.

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A building usually has to be over 30 years old to be considered for listing.

But Southwark Underground Station became eligible for listing last year as the age of the building is calculated ‘from the point at which the ground was first broken’.

There are 72 London Underground stations on the National Heritage list – and Southwark Underground Station is the youngest.

Announcing the tube station’s listing was heritage minister Fiona Twycross, who said the station is a ‘stunning example’ of late 20th-century architecture.

She added: “I’m thrilled to celebrate and help protect this bold design, with its striking play on natural and artificial light.

“Used by thousands every day, this station is a great reminder of the extraordinary breadth of our country’s architectural heritage.”

Both locals and tourists are just as impressed with the train station.

One called it a “cosmic cruiseship” while another said it was a “space aged looking station”.

A third simply wrote: “This place is what I think the future looks like.”

Southwark was one of six new stations built for the Jubilee Line Extension in the 1990s, overseen by the architect Roland Paoletti.

The other stations built alongside it are Bermondsey, Canada Water, Canary Wharf, North Greenwich and Canning Town.

According to the C20 Society, the new stations on the Jubilee Line Extension were said to be the biggest architectural sensation of their kind since the Moscow Underground back in 1999.

Now, millions pass through Southwark Underground Station every day, with the most recent figure from 2023 recording 8.51 million passengers.

There’s another underground station in the UK that doesn’t have listed status but thanks to its design looks like it could be in Moscow.

Gants Hill sits on a roundabout in Zone 4 and from the outside, doesn’t look like anything special.

The interiors were designed by modernist Charles Holden, known for creating most of the London Underground system.

It was inspired by the Moscow Metro system, after Holden returned from the Russian city during WWII having been there as a consultant.

The barrel vault ceilings are similar to Elektrozavodskaya metro station in Moscow.

The central concourse even has the nickname “Moscow Hall”, and while it’s not a listed station, some believe it should be.

Joshua Abbott, author of the Modernism in Metroland blog, told local media that the underground “should be listed.”

He added: “It is unique among Holden’s stations due to the Moscow Metro influenced platform design and lack of surface buildings – Gants Hill should be very proud of its most secret building.”

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I can’t name a single song by the Jonas Brothers, but I can tell you their names — Joe, Kevin and Nick — and that they made a sitcom, “Jonas” (second season titled “Jonas L.A.”), back in 2009 that I liked a lot. The memory of that show was enough to get me kind of excited for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” premiering Friday on Disney+ — which, as it happens, I also like. The humor is self-deprecating, the setting international, the weather wintry, the company good.

The plot, which is basically “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” minus Steve Martin, John Candy and Thanksgiving, plus the Jonas Brothers, Christmas and magic, finds the boys — are they boys or are they men, it’s a point of discussion — in London, a few days before Christmas on the last night of a six-month tour. While they are good at being the capital-B Jonas Brothers onstage facing screaming thousands, they are less adept at being the small-b brothers after the curtain comes down. Their relationship seems pretty normal to me, but to each his own necessity.

Here they delineate their characters.

Joe (to Nick): You’re the uptight responsible one.

Kevin (to Joe): You’re the relatable tramp. I’m the relatable —

Nick: — human cardboard.

Joe: — forgettable Curly.

Nick: — the world’s most unlikely rock star.

Joe: Not Nick or Joe.

Kevin: I was going to say “handsome, relatable everyman,” but fine.

Anyway! The tour is over and the relatable tramp wants to go out and party, suggesting it could be epic. “We are three extremely exhausted dads in our 30s,” replies the uptight one, “how epic could it be?” And so, while his siblings FaceTime with their IRL families, Joe finds himself on a British barstool — a pubstool — beside a bearded stranger in a red leather jacket. You will recognize the actor as Jesse Tyler Ferguson and the character as St. Nick, barely disguised. Touched by Joe’s story of sibling alienation — “Our Christmas plans are to get the hell away from each other” — Santa works his wonders to keep them together until they get their brotherly magic back. For a start, he sends lightning to blow up the plane they’re scheduled to fly home on. (No one was aboard, we assume.)

“We should be able to function in the real world,” says Nick to Joe, who is about to phone their manager (Randall Park) to fix things.

“That would be ideal,” replies Joe, “but we’ve been famous since we were little kids, so it is what it is.”

Further supernatural complications ensue, allowing Joe to have a “Before Sunrise” episode with childhood friend Lucy (Chloe Bennet), cute-met on a train that should be going to Paris but is headed to Amsterdam, and Nick to hate-duet with frenemy Ethan (Andrew Barth Feldman), whose father he played in a fictional version of “Home Alone: The Musical” (“Being home alone / It’s like being with no / With no people”). Other talents swelling the ranks: Laverne Cox as their agent; Billie Lourd as travel agent Cassidy; Will Ferrell as Will Ferrell, No.1 Jonas fan; and Andrea Martin as a rideshare driver.

The songs feel mechanical — easy on the auto-tune, fellas, I’ve seen your Tiny Desk concert and you don’t need it — though the accompanying production numbers are fun. (You knew there would be production numbers.) But like the Beatles and Monkees before them, the brothers are natural, genuine actors; it’s my own Christmas wish that they find more to do in this line. A little breeze would blow the plot away, but keep the windows shut and you’ll be fine.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is known around the world for its impressive length, but many don’t know that they can go further and enter one of the most dangerous countries on Earth

The world’s longest direct train journey takes eight days to reach its destination – and crosses into one of the world’s most secretive countries. Since June, direct passenger trains have been running from the Russian capital of Moscow all the way to North Korea’s Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un’s hermit kingdom remains one of the most secretive – and feared – nations on Earth, with the tyrant’s iron fist seeing residents executed for the simple act of watching foreign TV.

That’s a staggering journey of 6,213 miles and makes it by far the longest train journey on Earth, according to the Guinness World Records.

A large portion of the trip uses the Trans-Siberian Railway, that runs across Russia from the capital Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the east. Spanning a total of 9,288 kilometres (5,772 miles), that in itself is the longest single track in the entire world.

Passengers travelling from Russia to North Korea will travel in a specially-made carriage that is attached to the regular Trans-Siberian Railway service. Once arriving in Vladivostok, the carriage is then reattached to another train and carries on to Pyongyang.

These services were quite infrequent to begin with before being forced to grind to a total halt following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, however, the hermit kingdom has been trying to patch up its relationship with Russia, going as far as to send North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

Very few Westerners have dared to travel the full way from Moscow to Pyongyang. One group documented their trip back in 2018 and shared what the conditions on board have been like. As they boarded the train in Moscow, they explained that the dedicated Korean carriage was clear to see.

They claimed it was clear to see the train has not been kept in the best condition. “It was cold inside our compartment — no heating, maybe 10 degrees,” the travellers explained, adding that heating would not be turned on for several hours. “If it’s cold outside this period, the cars are individually heated with a coal stove, which is located in every car.

“However, individual heating requires that coal is available – and this was not the case in our North Korean sleeping car, but no problem, we had warm clothes.

“However, the water-boiler was working, so preparing tea, coffee and instant-noodles was possible.”

North Korea’s feared reputation is not without reason. The government is known to monitor all forms of communication by residents, to ensure there is no contact with the outside world. Thousands have been detained in “political prison camps” for “crimes” such as trying to flee the country or practising their religion.

Food is often withheld from the wider population, instead prioritising the elite and military. According to the UN, 10.7million, ore more than 40% of the entire population, are undernourished.

A NEW sleeper train will soon connect four of Europe’s popular cities.

PKP Intercity, the state rail operator in Poland, is launching a new overnight train service.

Starting from Przemyśl in southeast Poland, it will leave around 5:51pm, local media reports.

It will then travel to Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest before ending in Munich at 10:24am.

The return journey will leave Munich at 6:45pm and arrive back in Poland at 10:10am.

Taking around 16 hours, tickets start from around £50.

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Passengers can book a sleeper compartment, sleeping between 1-3 people.

Or there are couchettes which are seats that fold out to beds for up to six people.

Don’t worry about not being able to sleep, as lights are turned off from 10pm to 6am.

And then a conductor will wake you up at least 30 minutes before you arrive at your destination station.

Toilets and shower are onboard, with passengers getting soap and clothes.

Deluxe cabin passengers are given towels, slippers, shower gel and a dental kit, as well as snacks and hot drinks.

The first departure takes off next month on December 14.

People have already started raving about the new train routes.

One person said: “Great initiative! We need more night train connections in Europe.

“And in affordable prices so that trains can compete with budget airlines.”

Another said: “Excellent and much needed….well done!”

Earlier this year, PKP Intercity revealed another train route where tickets were under £50.

Starting from Warsaw, the 745 mile journey travels through Poland, Austria and Slovenia before ending in Rijekka, a city in Croatia.

Sadly it is just a summer route, so runs four times a week from June to August.

Here’s another new sleeper train that looks more like a boutique hotel on wheels.

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THERE is a beautiful train journey that claims to go to the “end of the world” and has some stunning views along the way.

Officially called El Tren del Fin de Mundo (The End of the World Train), the train is a historic steam railway that takes passengers on a journey through Tierra del Fuego National Park in Argentina.

In fact, the railway is considered the southernmost one in the world.

And the rather morbid name comes from the it’s original purpose as a prison train.

It was built back in the early 20th century and used to transport inmates to collect timber and a number of other building materials from the forest.

They would then take these materials to construct a prison and settlement.

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But by 1947 the railway closed as a result of the prison closing.

Then in 1994, a four mile section of the track was rebuilt and opened as a tourist attraction.

Today, visitors can now ride along the railway as a sightseeing experience of Patagonia, as well as learn about the history of the train line.

The ‘End of the World Station’ is located around five miles from Ushuaia, which is where the journey begins.

Then, on the journey, passengers can see the Pipo River, the Macarena Waterfall and the ‘tree cemetery’ – an area that features a number of the stumps that were left behind by the prison inmates.

When the train crosses the Pipo River, it goes over Puente Quemado (Burned Bridge), which features the wooden remains of the old bridge beneath the newer tracks.

It then stops at La Macarena Station, where passengers can get off the train to look at the cascading waterfall and learn about the local people called Yamana.

The train journey then ends at the National Park Station, where passengers can get off and venture into Tierra del Feugo National Park.

The park entrance fee is separate to the price of the train journey, and it costs around £20.11 to enter.

On board the train, there are a number of different classes, including ‘Tourist’.

In these carriages, there are comfortable seats and large windows and audio commentary is available in multiple languages for passengers to learn about the history of the region, as well as the train.

In Premium Service, passengers get priority boarding, heated cars, food and even exclusive train souvenirs.

Passengers in this class can also asked for a private tour of the railway workshops, where they will learn about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the train running.

If on the train at 9:30am, there is a breakfast menu with bread, croissants, yoghurt and mixed nuts.

At midday and 3pm, there is a lunch menu with dishes including lamb casserole, chicken casserole, spinach and ricotta cannelloni, pizza and empanadas.

A children’s menu is also available.

For something really special, there is a VIP service as well, where passengers receive a three-course menu and an exclusive access experience.

One recent visitor said: “This was really cool, we’d seen some of the best scenery in the world and now we were riding a miniature train to the End of the World – and I lived to tell the tale!

“There was a stop at a pretty waterfall and some funny antics by the local convicts who clearly had been left behind by the penal colony.

“I thought this was a cool thing to do, really enjoyed it.”

Another added: “A magical experience like straight out of a Christmas story, we went [when] everything was snowy beautiful [and] met wild horses on the visit.

Tickets cost around £34.63 per adult and £17.32 per child between four and 12-years-old.

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A grotto visit can offer so much more than just meeting the man in red. Many Santa’s grottos now include a range of activities and experiences in the ticket price, giving you a full day of festive family fun

Meeting Father Christmas is essential in the lead-up to the festive period. However, many families want a grotto visit that offers far more than simply handing over their Christmas list.

Many Santa experiences now feature a variety of activities included in the admission cost, providing families with an entire day of seasonal entertainment.

Countless grottos and Christmas attractions have emerged in recent years, offering distinctive and unforgettable experiences. Here’s a summary of some of the most exciting ways to meet Santa, whether aboard a festive train or within a grotto in a historic castle.

The Polar Express Train Ride

Millennial mums and dads who remember watching the 2004 film The Polar Express will undoubtedly love this immersive seasonal experience as much as their kids. Don your Christmas pyjamas and climb aboard the themed train where you’ll be welcomed by staff dressed as characters from the film, such as the Conductor.

As the train, adorned with Christmas decorations, departs the platform, there will be interactive performances, festive treats, and more to savour onboard. And just like in the picture, Santa will stop by each youngster on the train to present them with a silver bell, showing that they still believe.

The Polar Express proved enormously successful in 2024, with one reviewer who experienced the London Euston service commenting: “We had the best experience from start to finish last year, the show was so interactive and there was never a dull moment”.

Locations: London Euston, South Devon Railway, Spa Valley Railway, Kent and Wensleydale Railway, Yorkshire

Prices: From £59.95 per person

Lapland UK

Lapland UK is a ‘fully-immersive’ Christmas experience that takes families on a magical four-hour journey through an enchanted forest. Along the way, you’ll encounter numerous elves and partake in activities ranging from a visit to the Lapland Toy Factory to Little Rudi’s Stables, where you can meet the reindeer.

A white Christmas is always guaranteed at Lapland UK, courtesy of its snow machines, offering an experience as close as possible to a trip to the North Pole without boarding a flight. There’s ice skating, festive shows, and much more to explore, and naturally, your adventure concludes with a visit to Father Christmas and a cherished keepsake photo.

Since 2007, Lapland UK has been based in Ascot, and this year it’s also launching in Manchester, spreading the festive cheer to even more people.

Locations: Whitmoor Forest, Ascot, and Capesthorne Hall, Manchester

Prices: From £75 per person

Hamleys

Hamleys, self-described as the world’s largest and oldest toy shop, is the ideal place to meet Santa and gather some inspiration for your Christmas shopping. The Regent Street store is adorned with Christmas lights for the festive season, going all out with glittering decorations, and features six floors of toys to peruse.

Once your children have compiled their Christmas list, they can visit Santa in his Hamleys grotto and will receive a special gift bag to take home.

Location: Hamleys, Regent Street, London

Prices: Starting from £65 for a group of three (one adult and two children, or two adults and one child)

Christmas at Warwick Castle

The historic Warwick Castle is set to host Christmas at the Castle. Here, youngsters will not only get to meet Santa but also enjoy a cosy storytime session with him.

The castle will be adorned with festive decorations and lights. Besides meeting Santa, families can enjoy an ice rink, a festive food and drink village, and a brand-new Christmas light trail within the grounds.

There are also Santa Sleepover packages on offer where you can stay at the castle and enjoy an elf wake-up call, evening entertainment, and more.

Location: Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Prices: Daytime entry plus stories with Santa starting from £29 per person, ice skating from £8pp, light trail from £17pp

Eden Project

The Eden Project’s Biomes will be illuminated for the festive season, with Father Christmas making a visit to the Cornwall-based attraction. Visitors to the unique botanical gardens will be treated to an immersive experience, culminating in a visit to Santa and a special keepsake to take home.

On selected dates, the park will extend its opening hours, allowing visitors to witness its transformation into a twinkling winter wonderland. Each Biome will offer its own festive experience; for instance, the Mediterranean Biome will feature a light show and festive music.

Additionally, there will be a Christmassy undercover ice rink, and festive food available for purchase in the cafes.

Location: Par, Cornwall

Prices: Visits to Father Christmas start from £16 per person, light trail from £5.50pp, ice skating from £11 per adult. Entry to the Eden Project for adults starts from £38, children from £12, under-fives go free

Father Christmas at London Zoo

Why not mix a trip to Santa’s grotto with a day at the zoo for the ultimate Christmas-themed family day out?

London Zoo offers a variety of packages for those wanting to meet Santa. Little ones can simply enjoy some Christmas crafts before their meet, or you can upgrade to a deluxe package which includes an immersive quest in the attraction’s new ZooTown play area.

You can also opt for the Meet Santa VIP Breakfast, which allows you to enter the zoo at 8am before normal opening, with a special tour before the crowds arrive.

Location: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London

Prices: Starting from £18.50 per child

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A MASSIVE UK train station is set to shut for 9 days for a “once-in-a-lifetime overhaul”.

Network Rail are investing £8million in the upgrade in order to reduce future disruptions on train services.

Manchester Piccadilly train station is set to receive track and signalling upgrades in February next year.

The southern approach to station was built in the 1980s and upgrades to its critical stretch of track has been due for some time.

Network Rail explained that issues with its outdated infrastructure can disrupt all trains running in and out of Manchester.

This amounts to around 400,000 trains into the station every year.

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In a prior warning to passengers, they have advised that no trains from the south and east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly.

This will last for nine days over February half term (Saturday 14 – Sunday 22).

Some trains from across the north will also be impacted as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.

Services normally running to and from Manchester Piccadilly will terminate at other stations, including Stockport.

Platforms 1-12 will be closed but the concourse will remain open to the public.

There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14.

More detailed information about alternate travel plans are to follow in due course.

Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail’s North West & Central deputy regional managing director, said: “We’re investing £7.9m in renewing the Piccadilly corridor, a stretch of track critical to the journeys of around 400,000 trains into Manchester every year.

“This work is going to significantly reduce disruption for the many passengers who regularly use this route.

“Once the job is done, we will have a better, more reliable railway. 

“The major overhaul over six railway lines can only take place during a full railway closure and we are working closely with train operators, TfGM and Manchester City Council on alternative travel plans to keep people on the move.

“The full details on which will be published in mid-November.” 

A LONG-LOST rail link could soon return as part of a major rail investment that promises new jobs and better connections across the country.

The service, which runs between Swindon and Birmingham, is expected to be reinstated through the £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub project.

The project aims to transform journeys across the Midlands, the South West, and South Wales.

The forgotten train line last operated in the early 2000s, more than 20 years ago.

The town and city, which are located around 80 miles from each other, have been without a direct connection ever since.

Swindon, with a population of over 180,000, is the biggest town in Wiltshire, and is located on the edge of the Cotswolds.

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While Birmingham is an important industrial and cultural centre, and the UK’s second-largest city with a population of around 1.2 million.

The proposed plans are on track to deliver up to 130 extra train services each week, which would provide around two million additional passenger seats a year.

Andy Clark, rail programme lead at Midlands Connect, said: “This would be a real boost for passengers.”

The first phase of the scheme is also expected to create nearly 13,000 jobs nationwide.

Swindon North MP Will Stone welcomed the development, saying it would boost the local economy and reconnect communities that have long relied on slower, indirect services.

Currently, there are no direct services between Swindon and Birmingham, meaning passengers must change at Cheltenham, Gloucester, or Reading stations.

The revived route would re-establish a direct connection between the two cities.

Mr Stone said: “It’s fantastic that Swindon could be benefiting from the Midlands Rail hub expansion.

“We’re a town built on connection via the railways, and so it’s great to see Swindon getting an hourly service between a fellow industrial town like Birmingham.”

Once home to the Great Western Railway works, Swindon has a proud railway heritage that shaped the town’s identity.

The project has secured government backing following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review and forms part of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy.

Mr Stone added: “Innovative projects like the Midlands Rail hub prove that investments in our railways, fully funded by the Chancellor, are transformative for communities, bringing new jobs and skills to areas across the country.”

Claudia Winkleman, praised recently for her work on The Celebrity Traitors, was supposed to start filming The Piano at King’s Cross Station in London last weekend

The Christmas special of The Piano has reportedly had to be canned because of the stabbing attack on a London-bound train last weekend.

Filming for the festive episode was supposed to start this week at London King’s Cross Station, where the ill-fated service was due to terminate on Saturday night. Claudia Winkleman and her crew had to halt their plans, though, as heightened security created problems for access in the station.

And it was decided to abandon the one-off, hour-long Christmas special this year, it is understood. The team, it is believed, behind The Piano felt it was inappropriate to make the cosy show in the neighbouring St Pancras Station while the horrors affected passengers on the train from Peterborough to the capital.

Claudia, who also presents The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors, was due to be joined by The Piano mentors Jon Baptiste and Mika on the train concourses, which are regularly filled with amateurs tinkling on the ivories.

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The Piano has enjoyed three seasons since it started in February 2023. Last year, the festive special aired on Christmas Day itself on Channel 4, but it was unclear when 2025’s episode was due to air.

But, according to The Sun, a full series of The Piano, hosted by Claudia once more, will return in 2026 with a fourth series, which will start filming in the spring and air later in the year.

During last Christmas’ episode, Claudia and her team reunited with some of the stand-out players from series two, performing seasonal favourites including Walking in the Air, O Holy Night and Joni Mitchell’s River. Brad Kella, who won Series two, puts on a moving performance of his first single. Mika and Lang Lang performed a duet of a Beatles classic too.

And, during the third series in the spring, Claudia, 53, wept during performances at other locations, including Heathrow Airport. She had said: “The people who make the show make it beautifully. There are no lights. There is no tripod. They’re just in the station and they’re documentary makers at heart. It’s not like any other TV show. The people who make it are the stars.”

More than 12 million people typically tuned in for The Celebrity Traitors each episode this year, a show also hosted by mother-of-three Claudia. Audiences for the first four episodes of the tense BBC One game show averaged 12.6 million, according to official seven-day consolidated figures published by the research body Barb.

The ultimate game of deception and trust draws to a close tonight on BBC One.