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FOUR major UK airports have rung in the new year by hiking their drop-off fees.

Nearly all UK airports now charge for kiss and fly parking following Newcastle airport scrapping its free drop-off policy in December.

These include London City Airport, which has introduced a fee for the first time from 2026 – setting an £8 charge for up to five minutes with each additional minute costing £1 until a maximum stay of 10 minutes is reached.

The airport, based in the Royal Docks area of East London, said the measure is intended to maintain efficient access for all users, with Blue Badge holders and black cabs exempt.

Gatwick, the country’s second-busiest airport after Heathrow, became the most expensive for drop-offs by increasing its 10-minute fee from £7 to £10, having only raised it to £7 in May last year.

It attributed the rise to higher costs, including business rates that have more than doubled.

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However, it added that it is not aware of any further increases planned for this year.

Elsewhere, Heathrow lifted its charge from £6 to £7 on New Year’s Day, while also bringing in a new 10-minute rule for drop-off areas.

It warned that drivers who stay longer risk a fine, while also confirming that no additional increases are planned for the rest of the year.

Finally, Bristol increased its fee from £7 to £8.50 for up to 10 minutes.

Stays between 10 and 20 minutes rose from £9 to £10.50.

Blue Badge holders can still use the drop-off car park for an extended 40-minute stay, but that cost has also gone up, from £7 to £8.50.

This comes as the government plans to give councils in England simpler, stronger powers to stop cars parking on pavements across wider areas.

At the moment, councils usually have to use a Traffic Regulation Order – a slow, complicated legal process often limited to one street at a time.

But under the new approach, they will be able to bring in area-wide bans more easily and can also allow sensible exemptions where a bit of pavement parking helps traffic flow on narrow streets.

STORM Goretti is continuing to cause chaos across the UK as further travel disruptions are confirmed.

A number of rail lines have suspended services as the first storm of the year batters Britain.

West Midlands Railway officially cancelled routes this morning, Friday, 9 January.

In an official statement, the rail network said it is “unable to provide services until the afternoon”.

“Due to the significant ongoing transport and infrastructure disruption caused by Storm Goretti, we advise passengers not to travel on West Midlands Railway services on the morning of Friday, January 9,” the operator said.

“Passengers wishing to travel on the afternoon on Friday 9th January should check their journeys before they travel as we work to resume services.”

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No rail replacement road services will be provided due to “uncertain road conditions”.

Network Rail are also experiencing disruption after a “very intense heavy snow” hit the West Midlands/Shropshire and Staffordshire areas on Thursday night.

Efforts are being made to clear rail routes, with some services expected to be affected until Sunday, 11 January.

Meanwhile, Avanti West Coast issued “do not travel” advice to anyone planning to use Midlands routes until 1pm on Friday.

“An amended timetable will operate across all routes from 0700 until 1500, when we currently expect services to return to normal,” the train service operator said.

“We strongly recommend travelling outside these times if possible.”

Storm Goretti has also caused disruptions to air travel, with East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport forced to cease operations after flurries of snow left runways unusable.

Some areas of the country could see as much as 15-25cm of snow fall and settle as the extreme weather continues for a second day, while Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were issued a rare red weather warning.

Gusts of 99mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly while 90mph winds hit Culdrose, Cornwall where gales brought down power lines and trees.

National Highways said the A30 in Cornwall is closed in both directions between the A394 at Longrock and the A3074 at St Erth.

The closure is reportedly “due to a large number of trees that have fallen and are blocking the road”; Devon and Cornwall Police are assisting at the scene.

Specialist crews are working to clear the trees from the carriageway.

The A628 Woodhead Pass connecting Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire also remains closed in both directions between the A616 for Flouch and the A57 for Hollingworth because of snow.

National Highways has urged drivers to check the weather forecast before travelling today, saying: “Consideration of the weather forecast should be taken before commencing journeys, with considerable delays possible.”

THREE brand new locations have been announced by an adult-only bowling franchise.

Known for its boutique bowling lanes, retro arcade games and lengthy cocktail menu, this venue turns into an adult playground after 7pm in most of its locations.

Lane7, which describes itself as an activity bar for adults, has revealed three new branches will open in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Leeds.

In Glasgow, Lane7 will take over a large event space underneath the central station which used to be the site of Platform, previously known as the Arches.

Since 2020, Edinburgh has enjoyed the bowling brand in its St James’ Quarter, making this recently announced site Lane7’s second location in the Scottish city.

But, the new Leeds site will mark the first Lane7 branch the northern city has seen.

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According to a Lane7 spokesperson, Leeds has been “a long-held target city” for for one of their branches.

Lane7 is sure that “guests will be thrilled with the new 23,000sq ft location in the heart of the City Centre”.

Currently there are 24 locations across the country offering adults a variety of drinks, food and games such as arcade machines, darts, mini golf, curling, and beer pong.

Reviews from customers in other locations rave about the “awesome” gaming facilities and “buzzing” atmosphere suggesting these new hubs are much anticipated.

Construction for the three new branches is expected to begin at the end of March.

Lane7’s managing director Gavin Hughes hinted at the bowling giant potentially more locations later in the year.

He said: “We’ll be starting development of three new sites by the close of the first quarter, taking in some new locations and expanding further in others.

“We know 2026 is going to be another transformational year for the group.”

ALMOST 200 flights have been cancelled and delayed across the UK today as seven weather warnings remain in place.

A total of 41 flights have been grounded today as a result of the snow and ice, with a further 152 routes experiencing delays.

Nine major airports across the UK have grounded flights due to the current weather conditions.

On Monday, Liverpool John Lennon Airport was forced to close due to a snow-covered runway.

While the Liverpool Airport has since re-opened, cancellations and disruptions continue to plague passengers across the UK after temperatures plummeted as low as minus 12.5C overnight.

Yesterday’s severe weather also led to cancellations and disruptions to flights out of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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Scots airline Loganair cancelled two flights from Aberdeen, with routes to Kirkwall and Norwich scrapped as an amber warning was issued for heavy snow across north-east and northern Scotland until 7pm.

Meanwhile, air passengers across England are also experiencing disruptions, with London Heathrow currently experiencing departure delays an average of 39 minutes.

The airport has also topped today’s list of cancellations at eight, with a further 87 delays, according to FlightAware.

Aberdeen and London City follow with six cancellations each, and five and two flight delays respectively.

And its not just outbound flights that have been affected, with Edinburgh reporting arrival delays for airborne aircraft at an average of 28 minutes.

These wait times are expected to increase as the Arctic Blast continues into the evening.

Anyone planning to travel is advised to check with their flight’s status with their airline before heading to the airport.

With certain areas of England hit with heavy snow, disruptions have not been limited to air travel.

Rail passengers are also experiencing chaos as National Rail confirmed that disruptions are expected on the Wirral and Northern line services, as well as to trains across Scotland.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen – Dundee railway has partially reopened following closure yesterday due to heavy snow.

Those travelling between Edinburgh and Aberdeen have been issued a “Do Not Travel” warning until at least 2pm today.

The Glasgow subway was also closed this morning due to harsh weather conditions.

Select rail services across England have also been suspended due to snow, with passengers advised to verify their route is still operating before arriving at their station.

And motorists can also expect delays as breakdown companies including the AA and RAC are experiencing high demand.

A spokesman for the Met Office said milder temperatures are expected towards the end of the week, though further snow is possible on Sunday as the warmer air meets cold air.

THE price for passenger drop-offs at London’s second busiest airport has jumped 40 percent.

That’s a £3 increase from previous charge of £7 and will apply to all drivers entering the drop off zone, excluding Blue Badge holders.

From today London Gatwick will have the highest drop-off fees in the country thanks to the new £10 charge.

The price has steadily increased over the years since it was first introduced in 2021 and was only £5.

It jumped to £6 in 2024 before being increased to £7 just a year later in May 2025.

“Poor old passengers and drivers are getting another blow to the pocket,” complained travel writer Andy Mossack in an interview with BBC Radio Surrey.

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“It is disgraceful.”

London Gatwick, which is the busiest single runway airport in Europe, said it was “not a decision they took lightly”.

However, it cited reasons such as the “doubling of business rates” as one of the reasons for the increase in cost.

A spokesperson for Gatwick suggested passengers could use the free shuttle bus if they are dropped of in the long stay car park.

They added: “We also have excellent public transport connectivity at the airport, with passengers able to connect directly with more than 120 train stations.

“Many local bus routes serve the airport 24  hours a day, seven days a week.”

Drop off fees have also increased at London Heathrow with its drop off fee increasing from £6 to £7 on January 1.

It is also introducing a strict 10-minute drop off time, with drivers charged £80 if they go over.

And London City, the last of the London airports to allow free drop offs, will be introducing a new charge in 2026 as well.

MULTIPLE flights from a major UK airport have been cancelled after a blanket of snow covered the tarmac.

Holidaymakers have been left devastated after the runway at Liverpool John Lennon Airport was closed off this morning.

Airport staff are currently trying to clear the area of snow and ice.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the airport said flights are subject to delay and there have been some cancellations due to the “wintry weather conditions”.

They added: “If you are traveling today please check with your airline for the latest information.”

The airport added that a further update would be provided at 10am.

TRAVELERS visiting America’s famed national parks are going to face an extra $100 entry fee this week.

It comes as the National Park Service announced a new initiative, called the “America-first entry fee policy”.

Under the policy from January 1 2026, citizens of the US will be prioritized for free entry, while international visitors will now face higher entry fees overall.

This will bring the cost of annual passes for non-residents to $250, while US residents will continue to pay $80.

The parks will no longer offer free admission at all on select days of celebration including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on the third Monday of January, or Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19.

Though Flag Day (June 14), the anniversary of the NPS (August 25), Constitution Day (September 17), and President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (October 27), will be acknowledged as fee-free days.

So if you’re planning a trip as a US citizen, these are the best days to aim for.

Eleven national parks will be affected, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In total, there will be eight free-entry days in 2026, up from six in 2025, but only for American citizens and residents. 

Fees and increases will continue to vary by park, so it’s always best to check online before you book or travel.

The changes will make sure US taxpayers “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum posted on X.

The increased fees come months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to increase entry fees for foreign tourists.

ONE of the UK’s most iconic piers is up for sale, and new owners could be in place as early as the summer.

The 126-year-old structure is on the market following “difficult” years caused by bad weather, rising costs and falling footfall.

Brighton’s Grade II* listed Palace Pier has been put up for sale by the Brighton Pier Group, who said the decision to sell was taken to secure the best possible value for shareholders.

A Grade II* listed building designation means the property is a “particularly important building of more than special interest”, elevating its status above that of a standard Grade II listing.

The company previously described 2023 and 2024 as “difficult” years for business, citing bad weather, a fall in visitor numbers to Brighton, and overall costs rising by “about 50 per cent”.

The group’s CEO Anne Ackord said: “The pier is an integral part of Brighton and I know the local council and residents appreciate that.”

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She added: “Of course there is an element of sadness. It has been a difficult decision but we have shareholders and we have decided that our duty is to them.

“It’s not just a national treasure, but a Brighton treasure as well. You are buying a piece of history.”

Ms Ackord also remarked that any buyer “would want to be in situ by the summer”, indicating that the sale could be finalised before the busy holiday season starts.

While the price has not been publicly disclosed, she said interested buyers would need “many millions” to purchase the pier.

In 2016, the Brighton Pier Group purchased the landmark, which opened in May 1989, for £18million.

But in November 2025, the group confirmed it was considering selling the 1,772ft (540m) pier after like-for-like sales fell by four per cent in 2024, in comparison to 2023.

In response to declining revenue, an admission fee of £1 for non-residents was introduced in 2024, before being doubled to £2 in March of the same year.

THE Government is launching a week long sale on train tickets that could save you up to 70 per cent on transport.

Running from 6-12 January millions of train tickets will be discounted to help make half term activities, weekend getaways and commuting more affordable.

The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026.

The routes span the length and breadth of Britain as nearly all train operators are taking part.

Make the most of the £10 fares from south coast destinations such as Portsmouth to London Waterloo by booking a big day out or catch up with a city friend.

If you’re planning a holiday abroad you could maximise your savings by booking it between January and March as journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90. 

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This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale and last year over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry. 

Passengers last time saved an average of £8 per journey.

The sale marks another of the Government’s attempts to ease the cost of living by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years. 

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. 

“It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.” 

A TOWN frozen in time since World War II will open to the public for a limited time.

The abandoned ghost village stays cut off from the world for most of the year, with visits only permitted this week.

History buffs and nature lovers alike swarm to the area, where 150 people once lived until 1943.

Since then, the abandoned village of Imber in Wiltshire, only sees visitors for 12 days out of the year.

During the second World War, residents of the area were given 47 days to evacuate their homes so the village could be turned into a military training area for troops.

While they were promised they would be able to return after the war, the village is still occupied by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to this day.

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And now it has invited the public to visit, with roads opening through Imber this week, until 8am on Friday, January 2.

Public access has been granted to the village as well as the Grade I-listed St Giles Church, which will be open from 11am to 4pm daily.

The original surviving building is free to visit during open days with any donations going towards the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) for maintenance and restoration.

Along with an old pub, the church is one of the few remaining original structures in the village.

Most of the larger stone buildings were damaged during military training, and were subsequently demolished.

Meanwhile, other houses in the village are either hollowed-out shells or have been converted into modern windowless buildings createdto simulate urban environments for military training.

While those who once lived in the village have the right to be buried on the church grounds, the only living residents now are an abundance of undisturbed wildlife, including owls, badgers, birds, and foxes.

Imber also holds open days during Easter weekend and a single day in summer, with all visitors required to adhere to the public rights of way and designated areas, and comply with signposting.

THE busiest railway in Britain is temporarily shutting down for demolition in a matter of hours.

This isn’t good news for anyone who was planning to travel for New Year’s Day, though the project was far from a snap decision.

In fact, engineers have spent 12 months preparing and perfecting the enormous steel structure of a new bridge set to carry trains on the West Coast Main Line over the M6.

The previous bridge in place that’s being demolished – Clifton Bridge – is now nearly 60 years old and can only carry one train at a time due to weight restrictions.

Replacing this with a brand-new bridge will smooth out services and prevent delays – beneficial to safety as well as customer satisfaction.

The new bridge will be installed by Network Rail in partnership with Skanska during a two-week period at the beginning of 2026.

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As a result the M6 will be shutting down for two consecutive weekends, including:

• 8pm on Friday January 2 and 5am on Monday January 5 2026
• 8pm on Friday January 9 and 5am Monday January 12 2026

During this time frame, the motorway will close in both directions between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith as well.

Further to the weekend closures, parts of the West Coast Main Line won’t be operating in the North West, so it’s necessary to check your upcoming travels:

• January 1-4 2026, the line will be closed through Preston, between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie
• January 5-6 2026, the line through Preston will be open. The railway between Oxenholme and Carlisle, and Carlisle to Dumfries and Lockerbie, will remain closed for work.
• January 7-14 2026, the line north of Carlisle will be open. The railway between Oxenholme and Carlisle will be closed as the work to replace Clifton bridge continues until the early hours of 15 January.

Speaking on the importance of the project Network Rail’s project manager William Brandon says: “This is a vital project which will improve journeys for passengers for decades to come. 

“While we close the railway to replace the M6 bridge we’ll also be renewing more than 80 kilometres of overhead lines and continuing our major modernisation of signalling systems.

“We appreciate passengers’ patience while this work is completed, and I would urge anyone planning to travel in this period to check National Rail Enquiries in advance.”

RAIL passengers can expect travel chaos as the UK’s busiest train station closes until the new year.

Commuters will have to take alternative routes as a number of services are impacted by the closure.

With less people commuting to and from work, the festive period has become a popular time for rail companies planning major engineering works.

However, closures at this time of year still cause a fair amount of bother for those that are still forced to rely on these services.

From those working through the festivities to people planning a visit to friends and family, there are still a lot of passengers hoping to take their train as normal.

However, anyone planning to travel through Liverpool Street Station between now and the new year will want to rethink their route.

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Planned works

Network Rail has revealed Liverpool Street will remain closed until Friday, January 2.

The closure will impact services like the Weaver line and Stansted Express, as well as routes operated by Greater Anglia and c2c.

Liverpool Street previously shut for eight days between Christmas and the New Year in 2024.

According to London transport expert IanVisits, the engineering works being carried out at the UK’s busiest train station will strengthen the Bishopsgate tunnel.

The station itself will see panelling replaced above the concourse over platforms 1-10.

And the drainage system at Liverpool Street will also be improved as part of the works.

Greater Anglia lines, including the Stansted Express as well as Great Eastern and West Anglia mainline services will be rerouted as a result of the closure.

From now until January 2, the routes will run from Stratford.

Meanwhile, c2c services will run from London Fenchurch Street via West Ham.

And Weaver line trains will run from London Fields to Chingford, Enfield Town, and Cheshunt.

London Underground impact

Underground services operating from Liverpool Street will also be affected by the closure.

The Elizabeth Line will have no service between Liverpool Street and Stratford from December 27 to January 1.

Meanwhile, the Central Line will still run between Liverpool Street and Stratford, but a ticket acceptance arrangement will be in place.

This means you can use your ticket on the Central Line to get between the two stations.

And other parts of the Tube network, including the Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Victoria lines, will operate normally with some closures.

Tube passengers are advised to check the TfL Journey Planner for specific details. 

THE future of a historic pier and its record-holding railway remain in doubt as repairs and ownership questions drag out.

Hythe Pier in Hampshire is the UK’s seventh-longest of its kind but has been shut for more than a year, and has kept essential ferry services out of reach.

Located in Hampshire, the pier is a crucial stopping point for the Hythe Ferry, which ran regular services to Southampton before the closure.

The pier is also home to a historic ferry train which having opened in 1922 makes it the world’s oldest, a feat recognised by Guinness World Records.

Concerned residents have been searching for answers about when the pier would open and ferry services resume given that repair and electrical works seem to have concluded.

Services were suspended in August last year over health and safety concerns when damage was found underneath the landing pontoon.

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But the ferry service never resumed, and the pier was once again closed in autumn this year to carry out electrical work.

“Essential works to support the pier and ferry operations are progressing,” a spokesperson for the ferry company told the BBC.

When contacted by The Sun, the ferry’s spokesperson said algae on the pier needed to be cleared out before services could resume. However, cleaning could only occur once the weather had dried up for a period of time, so the algae was likely to be removed in spring.

This is a blow for locals who have waited months for answers about when they could expect the ferry to be up and running again.

What has made the situation more complicated is a change in ownership of the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company.

Investment firm Njord Partners has taken over Red Funnel, which owned the ferry company, but it has not been made clear how this would impact services.

“We simply don’t know anything about whether the Hythe Ferry was included in the takeover, and as the tenant of the pier, it’s their responsibility to determine when it can reopen again – we’ve asked them and had no answer,” vice-chair of the parish council, Mark Clark, told the BBC.

A PR firm representing Red Funnel issued a statement on the matter saying there was work being done to find solutions for a “sustainable future.”

“We’re pleased to confirm that the owners of Hythe Pier recently completed critical electrical repairs,” read the statement to the BBC.

“This is an important step forwards but there is still work to be done.

“The ferry is a historic and much-loved service, and we are working hard behind the scenes, together with local partners, to find the right solution and secure a sustainable future”.

The pier is owned by local councillor Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan who said it was closed by the tenant – Southampton and Hythe Ferry Company – and she was considering getting the pier registered as a charity.

“Decisions about access, operation and reopening sit with the Hythe Ferry,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

“As the pier owner, I continue to engage with the tenant and have been working to resolve electrical issues affecting the pier and associated community facilities.”

Mutimear-MacMillan said her idea of switching the pier business to a charity was because “the only income to the pier is rental income, and the full annual income has already been spent on essential electrical works.”

“There are no further funds available at this time through the private limited company, which is why longer-term funding options are being considered,” she wrote.

A SUPERMODEL was reportedly paid an astonishing amount to appear in one of the world’s most famous Christmas films.

Claudia Schiffer appears in the perennial festive favourite Love Actually for one minute  – and earned the equivalent of the average UK salary in just EIGHT seconds.

Richard Curtis, the film’s director, cast the supermodel in brief – but memorable – scenes alongside Liam Neeson’s character Daniel.

On several occasions in the 2003 film, Daniel, recently widowed, tells his love-sick step-son, Sam, played by Thomas Brodie Sangster, that the path of true love rarely runs smooth.

Daniel tells Sam that he need only look to his step-dad for proof after telling him several times he wants to date supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

The pay-off in the film – when it finally arrives – works a treat.

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In one memorable scene, Daniel hits it off with one of Sam’s classmates – played by the supermodel.

The pair then appear on screen loved-up near the end of the film.

Although her appearance is brief, her paycheck for the role in the film proves it was well worth turning up.

As reported by Vogue, in his book ‘How Much?!: The $1000 Omelette … and 1100 Other Astonishing Money Moments’, author Andrew Holmes revealed Schiffer was paid $350,000 for the role.

That works out at £275,000 for the entire screen time – or £4,500 per second.

In contrast, two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, who plays Alan Rickman’s long-suffering wife Karen in the film, has stated she felt she was underpaid for her role.

Thompson’s fee has not been disclosed.

While on Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Tutti Frutti actress said she no longer rewatches Love Actually,

THE UK’s most isolated island celebrates Christmas on January 6 – despite the rest of Britain packing away the decorations weeks earlier.

Foula, a tiny Scottish island 20 miles off the west coast of Shetland, follows its own festive timetable.

The unusual timing is down to the calendar the island follows.

While the rest of the UK adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, Foula’s residents chose to keep using the older Julian calendar.

That decision means key dates slowly drifted, and after a leap year change in 1900, Christmas and New Year ended up falling 12 days later than elsewhere.

Home to just 35 people, Foula is often described as one of the most remote places in the country.

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With no pubs, shops, bars, Wi-Fi or National Grid connection, supplies arrive only by boat or small plane, weather permitting, yet despite its isolation the island still offers plenty to see.

Foula covers around five square miles and is dominated by five dramatic peaks, including Da Kame, which is believed to be one of the highest sheer sea cliffs in Britain.

The island is also one of the best places in the UK to spot the Northern Lights.

Known locally as the Mirrie Dancers, they are most often seen between mid-October and mid-March, depending on conditions.

Wildlife is another major draw. Foula is famous for its native sheep, which are unique.

Foula is also popular with scuba divers due to several shipwrecks around its shores, notably the RMS Oceanic, launched in 1899, later used during the First World War, and wrecked just three miles east of the island.

Those who prefer to stay on dry land can join guided walks run by the Foula Ranger Service, or explore independently using maps provided by Foula Heritage.

The island can be reached by ferry or flight from the Shetland Mainland, with ferries running three times a week and taking about two hours, while visitors stay in self-catering accommodation and must bring all supplies.

Two other little-known islands to visit in the UK

HERE are two other little-known islands to visit in the UK.

The Isle of Erraid, Scotland

The tiny Inner Hebridean Isle of Erraid is a tidal island, just off the tip of the Ross of Mull.

For an hour or two either side of low tide, the Isle of Erraid is linked to the mainland by a broad expanse of sand that you can cross.

But Erraid’s major claim to fame is its inspiration for the famous novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Erraid is one of the driest and sunniest places in Scotland, with less than 1,000 millimetres of rain and 1,350 hours of sunshine annually, so you’re virtually guaranteed great days out on the beach.

Unst, Scotland

Unst is roughly 178 miles away from the Scottish mainland.

There are thought to be just 600 people living on the tiny island, making it the most northerly inhabited place in the UK.

Unst has just one pub, one hotel, one school, three shops and a lone bus route.

Skaw Beach, the most northerly in the UK, is packed with golden sand, and it’s backed by a meadow that’s home to an array of wild flowers in the spring and summer.

Because of its shape, the beach is fairly sheltered from the winds.

There are limited facilities at the beach, so holidaymakers should aim to pack everything they need before visiting.

Despite its remote location, around 100 people have reviewed the beach on Google, with one person writing: “Wild and wooly, with nobody around. The water was freezing, as you would expect.”

It’s also a haven for birds including corncrake, lapwing, peregrine, hen harriers and sandpipers and you’ll also see plenty of deer, hedgehogs and Black Face sheep.

BUSY trains are being axed over a driver shortage, causing Christmas chaos.

Passengers planning to travel on Cross Country trains are today facing major disruption over the dwindling staff numbers – amid warnings from the operator.

A number of services between Manchester and Birmingham were cancelled on Sunday afternoon, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

It comes after a series of planned strikes by railway workers on CrossCountry Trains were called off.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were due to walk out for the next four Saturdays in a dispute over pay and staffing issues.

The train operator had warned of significant disruption on all its routes if the strikes had gone ahead.

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However, the union has announced that the dispute has been resolved.

An RMT spokesperson said: “We have resolved the dispute with the employer and no strike action will now take place.”

RMT members previously walked out on December 6 and 13.

Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry previously told The Sun, prior to the U-turn they were “disappointed for our customers” over the initial decision to strike.

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

The disruption is set to last for a total of a month over the festive period, 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.”

Dover delays

Meanwhile, families getting away for Christmas yesterday were hit with long delays as a massive IT glitch continued to cause chaos at Dover.

The technical issue at the French border control resulted in motorists being trapped in their cars for hours and missing their ferries.

The delays continued today, with ferry passengers grinding to a halt on the approach to the Kent port this morning as nearly 30,000 cars were estimated to embark on outbound sailings during the festive period.

Peak traffic at the port will be between 6am and 1pm, when P&O Ferries, which operates some sailings from the port, urged customers to allow extra time for their journey.

Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “To help ensure a smooth departure, we kindly ask all customers travelling with our ferry partners not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled sailing, just as you would if departing from a UK airport, and greatly appreciate everyone’s patience should there be any additional waiting time due to the high volumes of traffic.”

Sunday was forecast to be quieter than Saturday on the roads, but motorists were still facing delays on the M25 clockwise from Junction 15 to Junction 19 this morning.

A total of 3.5 million car journeys are expected on Sunday, according to RAC research, but motorists planning last-minute travel could face heavy traffic as 4.2 million getaways are predicted on Christmas Eve, which would make it the single busiest day over the period.

Drivers are being warned the worst hold-ups on December 24 will be between 11am and 7pm.

RAC figures suggest it could be the busiest Christmas getaway on record, with a total of 37.5 million leisure trips between Wednesday and Christmas Eve – the most in the week before Christmas Day since the company began recording the data in 2013.

A POPULAR safari park and celeb hotspot got the green light to build accommodation overlooking its lion enclosure.

Construction of the 12 all-weather luxury “Lion Lookout” pods at the much-loved menagerie could begin as early as next year.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) has approved the plans for the Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, near Hythe, Kent, which will offer guests a safari-style overnight experience.

Port Lympne already features the £1,800-a-night Lion Lodge, known for hosting stars including Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Kelly Brook.

Guests will enjoy uninterrupted views of the big cats including daddy lion Hunter and mummy lion Oudrika, as well as their five cute cubs.

Managing director of Howletts and Port Lympne Estates, Tony Kelly, said: “I’m incredibly pleased we have been granted planning permission for our Lion Lookout plans.

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“Nestled alongside the largest lion enclosure in Europe and our pride of seven lions, this unique offer will extend our accommodation offering to our guests with uninterrupted close-up views of these magnificent animals.

“The accommodation will be aimed at a family audience and add to our already award-winning offerings.

“Whilst planning has been granted, there are several pre-commencement conditions to fulfil, but we would hope to start the project in late 2026.”

The site will be connected by a newly built timber walkway and designed to keep environmental impact to a minimum.

Each tent will will stand on a raised platform, including a veranda and private viewing area, carefully positioned among the trees so the landscape remains largely unchanged.

Bosses say the new development will complement Port Lympne’s existing luxury overnight stays, which attracted 82,000 visitors last year.

Other famous faces who visited the wildlife park include Emily Atack, Westlife’s Mark Feehily and Rio Ferdinand.

A UK Safari Park is set to open eight new lodges where guests can sleep amongst the giraffes, following “overwhelming demand.”

Riding high on the success of its current lodges, the Safari Park near Bewdley in Worcestershire is set to raise the bar with four new Giraffe Lodges, and four brand-new Rhino Lodges.

The expansion will let guests wake up nose-to-nose with some of their favourite animals, a stay that’s truly un-herd of.

Guests can peer out of their lodges at West Midlands Safari Park to views of the animals.

The site currently features four lodges with views of the giraffes and four of the rhinos, with more being added to meet growing demand.

The new Giraffe Lodges will sleep six people, allowing animal lovers to come eye-to-eye with the eight giraffes from the balcony on the upper floor.

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Keen-eyed guests may even be able to spot zebras, antelope and buffalo from their lodgings.

The new two-storey Rhino Lodges will be set in a brand-new area of the park, giving guests a fresh perspective and a closer look at the park’s white rhinos.

Visitors can unwind on private balconies as the animals roam just beyond their windows.

Each lodge boasts modern comfort with a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience, with elegant interiors, spacious living areas, and panoramic views.

One guest raved about the experience on TripAdvisor: “Couldn’t fault it at the Giraffe Lodge.  

“We were so close we could even hear the giraffes humming after the park closed and it was quieter.”

Stays also include a three-course dinner and breakfast, along with exclusive after-hours access to select areas of the West Midlands site.

The park also offers lodges overlooking the cheetahs, elephants, red pandas, tigers, lions, hippos and white lions.

Work is already underway to expand the venue’s award-winning luxury accommodation, increasing the total number of lodges to 38.

Safari Lodges manager, Nolan Armstrong, said: “Our Giraffe Safari Lodges have been incredibly popular since they opened, so we’re thrilled to be adding four more to meet demand.

“They are definitely a guest favourite and continue to sell out.

“We’re equally excited to introduce our new Rhino Safari Lodges in a brand-new area, giving guests another incredible opportunity to get up close to these magnificent African animals.”

The new Giraffe Lodges are expected to open in Spring, while the Rhino Lodges will be available later in the year, with bookings already open.

Giraffe Lodges are available from £509 per night for two guests, and the Rhino Lodges start at £449.

FROM snowy countrysides to festive city spots, Christmas movies have taken inspiration from a variety of UK locations.

And while the North Pole may be far out of the way, you can get into the spirit by visiting these iconic film spots a little closer to home.

Before you snuggle up to watch your go-to Christmas classics, why not go one step further and visit the exact spot where it was filmed this festive season?

A variety of festive favourites were shot on-site here in the UK, from the star-studded Love Actually to Christmas comedy Nativity!

If you find yourself near any of these famous film locations, celebrate the Christmas season by stepping into the shoes of your favourite festive characters.

Shere, Surrey

This picturesque village hit the big screen when it was featured in The Holiday back in 2006.

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The quaint area consists of historic timber-framed buildings and medieval charm, nestled in the idyllic Tillingbourne Valley.

It played home to Kate Winslet’s Iris who famously swaps homes with Los Angeles resident Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz.

Shere provides the romantic backdrop for Diaz as she finds love with Jude Law during her festive getaway.

And the village also featured in the Bridget Jones franchise, which is often considered another Christmas classic for Brits.

Snowshill, Cotswolds

The quintessential Cotswolds village also featured in Bridget Jones Diary, the first installment of the hit series.

In fact, the film and the entire franchise opens with with Bridget turning up at her parent’s house in Snowshill on a wintry New Year’s Day.

And it is in the same town where the quirky protagonist has her first on-screen encounter with her eventual husband Mark Darcy.

Due to the film’s success and the idyllic scenery, many people now stop for a photo outside the village church or one of the quaint houses that appear in the film.

As a result, Snowshill has established itself as one of Britain’s most popular Christmas film locations.

Brighton Pier

While the iconic seaside attraction may be associated with summer fun, it also has ties to the festive season.

Fans of the animated film The Snowman may recognise the historic pier from the famous Walking In The Air scene.

The main characters can be seen flying over the historic pier as they make their way to the North Pole.

While the sequence may be brief, it is perhaps one of the most famous associated with the beloved classic.

Hogwarts Great Hall

Another children’s classic is of course Harry Potter, a film series often associated with and watched around Christmas.

And while witches and wizards may be akin Halloween characters, the cosy grounds of Hogwarts are perhaps the most enticing when they are decked out for the festive season.

Now fans of the film can step into the magic by visiting the Warner Brothers Studio in Watford.

A quick trip from London, this studio tour offers a stunningly detailed look into the making of the movies, and what better time to visit than in the lead up to Christmas when the Great Hall set is adorned with decorations?

Covent Garden

And in the heart of London is of course the famous Covent Garden, which many argue is the home to the city’s best Christmas tree.

While it is already on most tourist lists, the festive season marks the best time to visit this popular spot.

With a famous Christmas market and choir performances, there’s plenty to get you in the spirit at this time of year.

And fans of the 2019 rom-com Last Christmas are sure to spot many filming spots inside this famous square, which feature heavily in the film.

Emilia Clarke’s Kate works as an Elf in a fictional year-round Christmas shop at this location, while the famous karaoke scene was shot at nearby pub The Harp.

St Luke’s Mews, Notting Hill

And if you’re a fan of Christmas rom-coms, you’ll want to pop over to Notting Hill too.

The beautiful cobbled street of St Luke’s Mews plays the backdrop to arguably the most famous scene from the festive flick Love Actually.

Whether you lap up Mark’s (Andrew Lincoln) cue card love confession to his friend’s new wife, played by Kiera Knightly, or cringe at the iconic scene, you’re sure to recognise this famous street.

While this street it located just off Portobello Road, home to the world’s largest antique market, it is still a residential area so remember to be respectful when visiting.

Coventry Cathedral Ruins

Another British Christmas classic is of course Nativity!, which primary school teacher Mr Maddens, played by Martin Freeman, as he attempts to stage a production of the Nativity.

After telling a white lie to impress his ex, Maddens soon finds himself in the midst of a media storm surrounding the school play.

The mayor even allows the class to perform the highly-anticipated show at the historic ruins of Coventry cathedral in an atmospheric climax to the film.

Paddington Station

And who can talk about beloved British festive flicks without mentioning Paddington?

The iconic bear famously made his way from Peru to the Paddington area of London, after which he was named.

Visitors can visit a statue of the bear at his namesake station, which provided the backdrop for one of the most important scenes in the 2014 film.

Elm Hill, Norwich

The picturesque area of Elm Hill in Norwich features heavily in Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.

Snowy scenery provides a backdrop for the adventure of an old toy maker and his granddaughter.

The cobbled streets, multi-coloured houses, and quaint shops of the town provide the perfect setting for movie magic.

And they also ensure the perfect shot on Instagram, whether you’re a fan of the film or not.

Birdsall House

And finally, this Malton mansion plays home to the Christmas family in 2021’s Father Christmas Is Back.

Kelsey Grammer plays James, the father of Joanna, played by Elizabeth Hurley, who he abandoned years ago.

The festive family flick follows them as they attempt to navigate Christmas together, with many scenes set at the stunning Birdsall House.

This beautiful country house is surrounded by glorious Yorkshire countryside and is a popular wedding venue, with private guided tours of the property are available.