A MAJOR UK airport has released a first look at its highly anticipated new Wetherspoons.
Opening in September, the pub will be a budget option for travellers looking for a pre-flight drink.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Manchester Airport Terminal 2 is set to get its first ever WetherspoonsCredit: AlamyThe new pub is named the Belle Vue, inspired by a historic entertainment venueCredit: Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport is getting its first ever Wetherspoons this September with a design inspired by sporting culture in the North West.
The 3,000 sq ft pub will have more than 300 covers, becoming the final major food and drink venue to open as part of the refurbishment of Terminal 2.
John Hutson, JD Wetherspoon chief executive, said: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport.
“We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
Terminal 2 has doubled in size since the refurbishment began a decade ago, costing the airport over £1.3billion.
Manchester Airport’s newest pre-flight pub is called the Belle Vue, commemorating the city’s historic entertainment venue that had a pub, greyhound racing and a speedway track.
Shutting in 2020, the Belle Vue offered a step back in time to explore the Manchester’s culture in the Victorian era.
Now, the sporting elements of the Belle Vue will be transformed into the pub’s new decor, with artistic impressions hinting at a clubhouse-style design.
The pub’s interior has a clubhouse-style design with sports memorabilia decorationsCredit: Manchester AirportSpanning 3,000 sq ft, the pub has plenty of room for holidaymakers to enjoy pre-flight pintsCredit: Manchester Airport
Inside, the walls are adorned with sporting memorabilia from the North West, and checkered flag floors.
The Belle Vue joins a host in new hospitality venues arriving at Manchester Airport, including a Fever Tree cocktail and champagne bar, and the Great Northern Market street food hall.
Wetherspoons currently operates 10 pubs across airports, including three in Gatwick and two in Heathrow.
Manchester’s Belle Vue joins the over 800 Wetherspoons pubs across the UK, and the over 30 locations in Greater Manchester.
Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re very excited to be able to reveal more detail about Terminal 2’s new JD Wetherspoon pub The Belle Vue, which will encapsulate the spirit and traditions of sporting entertainment in Manchester.
“This will be the first JD Wetherspoon pub at Manchester Airport and it is fantastic to have yet another household name taking its place among those opening units in the terminal, as part of its £1.3bn transformation.”
AN ENGLISH town that was once considered one of the most important places in the country will get a massive train station upgrade.
This multi-million pound refurbishment is set to improve access for passengers and support businesses.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A historic railway station has been granted government funding for new upgradesCredit: Getty Images – GettyBletchley Station will get a £17million revamp which hopes to improve accessibilityCredit: Alamy
Bletchley Station will receive £17million to support the refurbishment of the eastern access to the station.
This comes after a lot of campaigning from both the Milton Keynes community and MPs to improve the accessibility to the station.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said on the announcement: “Labour is backing Bletchley – this investment will boost jobs and improve connectivity for local businesses and residents, maximising the benefits of East West Rail for the community here.”
Milton Keynes Council is also offering £5million towards the project, that aims to support the ongoing regeneration of Bletchley.
The project hopes to refurbish the eastern entrance of the station, creating a direct gateway between the station and Bletchley’s main high street, Queensway.
At the moment, passengers alighting at the station have a long walk under a bridge to get to the town centre, crossing a busy road.
The new entrance will be built on Saxon Street, on the other side of the station, with the existing entrance set to remain open.
Bletchley Station is located on the first section of the East West Rail line, which hopes to eventually connect Oxford and Cambridge by train.
New station designs will connect commuters leaving the station with the nearby high streetCredit: East West RailBletchley Station was a transport hub for the World War II codebreakersCredit: Living Archive
Historically, Bletchley Station served as a vital transport hub for the World War II codebreakers, who would take the five-minute walk to Bletchley Park.
Now, Bletchley Park is one of Britain’s most vibrant heritage attractions, welcoming over 250,000 tourists a year.
Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham and Bletchley, said: “This is a huge moment for Bletchley as it has never made sense that our station has turned its back on the town centre, making it harder for residents, commuters and visitors to access Queensway.”
David Hughes, chief executive of East West Rail, said: “We are really pleased to see that funding has now been confirmed to allow the construction of the new eastern entrance at Bletchley station.
“This investment underlines our commitment to working with partners to ensure East West Rail delivers lasting benefits for passengers and communities along the route.”
Details on the timeline and construction phases of the project are yet to be announced.
A BUSTLING airport has hit overnight travellers with doubled drop-off rates.
This regional hub is officially pricier than Heathrow, the biggest airport in the UK.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Bournemouth Airport has hiked up parking costs, with some charges doubling for visitorsCredit: GettyHolidaymakers will now have to pay £15 for a short-stay pick-up and drop-offCredit: Alamy
Bournemouth Airport has upped its short-stay pick-up and drop-off charges, with some fares doubled.
From June 1, motorists who use the pick-up and drop-off zone of the car park will now have to pay £8 for up to 30 minutes of parking – an increase of £2 from last year.
Stays between 30 and 60 minutes have doubled in price, now costing £15 to park, compared to £7.50 previously, with one to four-hour parking priced at £20.
Now, Bournemouth is charging more for its short stays than Heathrow Airport, despite being considerably smaller.
“People flying in after the Easter holidays were being charged £8 to leave and had no idea what was going on.
“We had told customers it would be £6 – you cannot suddenly charge them more.”
Over a million holidaymakers fly from Bournemouth Airport every year, handling over 10,000 take-offs.
Passengers can fly to over 40 locations from the Mediterranean to North Africa.
Now, those hoping to jet off from Bournemouth this summer have shared their anger at the price hike, with flyers calling it “ridiculously expensive” and “madness”.
Others called it a “rip off” and a “con”, with some criticising that the quality of the car park does not warrant the cost.
A spokesperson for Bournemouth Airport told the Bournemouth Daily Echo: “We understand that no-one welcomes increased charges, but our airport group is facing sharp rises in costs including a tripling of business rates, higher employment costs such as National Insurance and rising energy costs.
“At the same time, we continue to invest millions of pounds in maintaining the airport infrastructure needed to provide an essential public service in our regions.
“We cannot keep absorbing these increased costs without passing some of the additional burden on to our customers.”
THE best 100 beaches in the world have been named – and two can be found in the UK.
Announced by Corona, the 2026 Corona Beach 100 has revealed the best spots around the world from well-known spots to hidden coves.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Two UK beaches have been named as some of the best in the worldCredit: AlamyFistral Beach Newquay made the listCredit: Alamy
Three criteria were analysed – Beachside Culture, Connection to Nature and Scenic Aesthetics.
A new entry on the list this year is Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire.
The first Welsh beach to make the list, it was praised for its “remote and dramatic landscape, as it is “accessible only by clifftop walk through a medieval archway.
It wrote: “Barafundle Bay feels hidden even when people talk about it.
“Reached only by a clifftop walk along the Pembrokeshire coast, this crescent of pale sand sits tucked between limestone cliffs with nothing built around it.
“No road, no cafés, no signal, just seabirds overhead, cold clear water below, and the kind of quiet that makes you slow down without realising it.”
And returning to the list this year was Fistral Beach in Cornwall, praised for being a “social and cultural hotspot” by being the UK’s surfing capital after hosting the first British Surfing Championships in 1966.
It added: “Facing the full force of the Atlantic, it’s where you go to chase sets, drink tea with cold hands, and feel like you’re part of something.
In Europe, Agia Anna on Naxos island in Greece was praisedCredit: GettyOne Croatia beach was listed, which was Zlatni Rat Beach on the island of BolCredit: Getty
“The beach delivers all year, with consistent swell, golden sands, and a surf scene that’s as seasoned as it is welcoming.
“From world-class comps to waist-high rollers, Fistral doesn’t need sunshine to shine — just wind, water, and the right kind of restlessness.”
Europe featured heavily on the list as well.
When it came to Greece, Agia Anna Beach in Naxos and the famous pink Elafonissi Beach in Crete made the cut, as well as Sarakiniko Beach on Milos.
For Spain, there was Aiguablava Beach, as well as Ibiza’s Casa Salada and Majorca’s Cala Mondragó.
Beaches across Italy, France and Croatia were also included, as well as other holiday spots such as Turkey, Morocco and Thailand.
ONE of the world’s most iconic mountain resorts is set to close its airport for months.
Attracting millions of ski enthusiasts and keen hikers every year, it’s a place loved by A-listers, with the likes of Goldie Hawn and Mariah Carey boasting luxury homes in the stunning area.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Aspen is a popular ski resort visited by millions every yearCredit: Lana2011The town’s airport is being given a $575million revamp while it stops flightsCredit: John M. Chase
But those wanting to jet off to Aspen, Colorado, next year are set to have their plans hindered.
Located in the Rocky Mountains, the outdoor haven, frequented by the Kardashians, can ordinarily be reached via flights to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).
However, the travel hub has now confirmed that flights will stop and the airport will close its doors for seven months from next spring.
As of April 4, 2027, the airport will grind to a halt for a staggering 229 days.
The closure will allow for a major airport regeneration to take place, with runway reconstructions planned.
Neither commercial nor private aircrafts will be permitted to use the airport while the project is going on.
Flights will not resume until November 19, 2027, but the works are not expected to be completed fully until 2029.
The airport usually connects major US cities like LA, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver to the ski hotspot.
The renovation project, which is predicted to cost a hefty $575million, will allow the airport’s decades-old terminal building to be modernised.
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport director Diane Jackson said: “Our team is committed to coordinating with federal partners, airlines, general aviation partners, and the broader community as we prepare for this important project and the future of the airport.
“This project is a long-term investment in the safety, reliability, and future of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, and we will continue to engage with our community every step of the way,” her statement continued.
Now, the fee change is being criticised, with passengers and drivers calling it “disgusting” and “mad”.
Meanwhile, taxi operators are being forced to warn customers that the charge will be part of their cab bill when rides are booked.
Mark Streeter, boss of Norwich’s Courtesy Taxis, told Norwich Evening News: “The main annoyance from our side is that we tell customers it’s an extra £5 or so, and now it’s gone up with no warning. So either the customer or the driver has to pay more than expected.”
Norwich Airport has responded to explain that the drop-off fee increase is a result of growing business costs and worsening energy prices.
A spokesperson for Norwich Airport told The Sun: “We understand that no one welcomes increased charges. But our airport group is facing sharp rises in costs, including a tripling of business rates, higher employment costs such as National Insurance and rising energy costs.”
Admitting that there is no choice but to rely on the public to absorb some of the growing costs, the spokesperson added: “At the same time, we continue to invest millions of pounds in maintaining the airport infrastructure needed to provide an essential public service in our regions.
“We cannot keep absorbing these increased costs without passing some of the additional burden on to our customers.”
Norwich’s change in drop-off policy comes alongside Stansted Airport‘s similar changes.
The London airport took its 15-minute express drop-off charge from £7 to £10 in March, with stays of up to 30 minutes now costing £28 instead of £25.
Meanwhile, London Gatwick‘s fee for a 10-minute drop-off now costs £10, up £5 from when it was first introduced in 2021.
THERE’S a landmark right by one of the UK’s biggest airports and we bet you don’t know about it.
Think about the last time you flew from Gatwick Airport in London – you would have been right next to a huge part of the UK’s aviation history.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Near Gatwick Airport, the original terminal still standsCredit: AlamyThe terminal was the first in the world to be circularCredit: Alamy
Gatwick’s original terminal still stands today but it isn’t like any other terminal you will have seen before.
Instead, the terminal was Art Deco and the first circular airport terminal in the world, leading it to be nicknamed The Beehive.
The circular terminal was four floors in total with the main floor having three layers.
The outer part was home to customs as well as storage and toilets, and in the centre of the circle, was the main concourse along with three shops and a post office.
Between these two layers was another layer that was mainly used as office space, but did include a bar and lounge.
The terminal had a control tower in the centre as well, with 360-degree views.
Inside some of the original features remain including the check in desksCredit: Work There
Outside of the terminal, there were four grass landing strips.
Morris Jackaman bought the site back in 1933 for £13,500 – which is around £1.25million now.
According to the BBC, the circular design came about by accident after Morris’ father warned him if he wasn’t careful, “he’d be thinking around in circles” about the design.
The terminal was built between 1935 and 1936 and operated its first flight – which was to Paris – in 1936.
It was also the first airport to link train and air travel into one place – before, travellers would usually have to head to the closest town and then hop on a bus or in a taxi to the airport.
The airport linked the two via underground tunnels and pull-out canopies which meant passengers could walk direct from the train to their plane completely undercover, even if it rained.
The airport was later used as an RAF base during World War IICredit: Alamy
Today, the 130metre tunnel still stands but is sectioned off and mainly used as storage.
When you emerged from the tunnel, you would be in the atrium of the terminal, with three check-in desks in front of you – all of which still stand today.
What are now the fire exit doors, used to be where passengers would step out of the terminal and head to their plane.
When World War II broke out in 1939, operations at the airport stopped as it was then used as a base for the Royal Air Force.
And by the time the war was over, commercial flights had increased in popularity and so the terminal was retired.
It wasn’t until 1958 when it was decided that Gatwick would be London’s second airport, with a much larger building replacing the former terminal, nearby.
Today the terminal is used as officesCredit: horleyhistory.org
In 1996, The Beehive was then Grade II listed and today is used as office spaces – and is sadly closed to the general public.
However, inside the modern terminal you will find The Beehive Wetherspoons pub named after the terminal.
Decor in the pub nods to the old terminal with honeycomb patterns and a curved bar.
A BRAND-NEW train service has been halted just a week after its launch due to a mechanical fault.
The new route promises low prices and faster, direct services to London.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Lumo’s brand-new service from London to Stirling has suspended todayCredit: AlamyThe new, low-cost service launched just a week agoCredit: Alamy
Lumo services between London Euston and Stirling have been cancelled in both directions due to a mechanical fault on the service’s sole train.
The journey was set to depart from Stirling at 8:50am this morning, travelling on the West Coast Main Line to get to London Euston by 3pm.
Passengers have been encouraged to check Lumo’s website for updates, and will face no extra cost for using alternative train services.
In a post on X, Lumo said Stirling and Larbert passengers would receive a taxi or road transport service to Motherwell to join an Avanti West Coast service.
Greenfaulds and Whifflet passengers expected to travel by ScotRail to get there.
Passengers travelling from Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes were told to join either Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern services to get to Euston.
A spokesperson for Lumo said: “Since launch, the vast majority of our services have operated as planned, however, a few services have been cancelled with alternative travel offered to customers.
“We apologise for the inconvenience and are working closely with Alstom who maintain the trains to ensure minimal disruption to customer journeys.”
Only launched last week, the new route offers budget travel routes betwen London and Stirling, costing £29.90.
For some Scottish towns, this service became the first direct rail route to London.
The faulty train is said to be a refurbised Class 222 Meridian train, previously used by East Midlands Railway.
Lumo hopes to increase its schedule to four daily services, plus an additional journey between Euston and Preston, as early as late July using more new trains.
It is unknown what caused the train fault, but rail services on the London Euston to Stirling route are expected to resume on Tuesday.
A STUNNING 25-acre lavender field is opening to the public for summer.
From this weekend, visitors will be able to visit a sprawling purple paradise for the ultimate picturesque walk.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Mayfield Lavender Farm is opening its gates once againCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe purple fields are a short journey from LondonCredit: Oliver Dixon – http://www.olliedixon.co
Mayfield Lavender Farm offers expansive floral fields, perfect for frolicking, and welcomes visitors during the warmer months every year.
With the lavender plants blooming once again, the Surrey farm is open for days out from Saturday, June 6.
Opening hours are from 9am to 6pm every day, with last entries at 5:15pm.
With 25-acres of sensationally scented land to explore, the area is located in Banstead, just 15 miles from central London.
It also provides the perfect backdrop for some striking photography or a serene summer stroll.
The Surrey attraction is open from June 6Credit: Getty ImagesTickets are affordable and guests can enjoy a tractor ride around the fields
With the farm’s gates set to remain open until August 23, flower fans can expect the plants to offer the best blooms in mid July.
There’s even a contrasting red phone box nestled amongst the violet buds that provides a rather aesthetically pleasing Instagram photo opportunity.
Entry to Mayfield is affordable with ticket prices for adults and children over 11 starting from £7.40. Tickets for little ones aged between four and 11 start at £2.50, while under fours get in for free.
General admission tickets allow entry to the fields with access to the on-site cafe and shop.
There’s also the option to pay a little more for the likes of a tractor ride around the fields, the opportunity to adopt a lavender plant and get access to the farm’s potting station.
Tickets can be purchased upon arrival, but it’s recommended to grab them online before you go during busier periods like weekends and school holidays.
There is free parking on site, too, although it is limited.
Visitors can also make their way to the lavender farm via train from London Bridge Station to Woodmansterne, with services taking as little as 40 minutes.
AN English busway, hailed as the longest in the world, is on track to get a £150million upgrade.
Building work on the busway is set to begin in January 2027, with construction hoping to improve travel times and reliability for commuters.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A connection between Cambourne and Cambridge is set to join the buswayCredit: AlamyThe busway currently spans 25km, making it the longest in the worldCredit: Alamy
Cambourne and Cambridge are set to become connected by the busway, as Cambridgeshire County Council announces they are searching for contractors.
Named the Cambourne to Cambridge busway, or the C2C, the service will span the 13.6km distance between the locations.
The journey becomes part of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, a rapid transit service that connects Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives.
It is currently the longest busway in the world at 25km long, beating the O-Bahn Busway in Adelaide, South Australia.
Commuters will also get access to a new park and ride schemeCredit: AlamyThose interested have until the beginning of July to submit participation requestsCredit: Alamy
Plans will see a segregated guided busway with adjoining emergency and maintenance access tracks, including public transport stops between Cambourne and Cambridge.
A brand new Travel Hub, with a park and ride service, will also be constructed, providing spaces 2,000 spaces for cars, bikes, and coaches as part of the “turn up and go” scheme.
Constructing this busway aims to improve journey times and reliability of public transport, also creating jobs and more housing in the area.
The council estimates work to complete this upgrade will cost around £180million including VAT, and £150million without.
Now, interested contractors have until noon on July 2, 2026, to submit requests to participate in the construction, with the award decision date set for December.
It is hoped that construction will begin as early as January 4, 2027, and be completed in December 2030.
A SPAWLING new bowling venue is set to open in a major UK city next week.
The 23,000 sq ft entertainment hub promises a range of late-night activities as well as a bar.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The premium bowling brand is set to open a brand new entertainment hub in the city centreCredit: Lane 7The sprawling venue will host bowling alongside darts, pool and other activitiesCredit: Lane 7
Lane7, a boutique bowling brand, will open the doors to its brand new venue in Trinity Leeds on June 2.
The sprawling entertainment hub will feature 12 bowling lanes, alongside a range of late-night gaming options.
This will include darts, pool tables, beer pong, shuffleboard and a retro gaming arcade, as well as a mini-golf area.
An on-site bar will also serve a range of cocktails, craft beers and casual food options.
Open until 1am on Friday and Saturday, and 12am the rest of the week, the games hub can also host late-night outings, corporate events and group celebrations.
Gavin Hughes, managing director at Lane7, said: “There’s been so much excitement about our arrival since we announced we were coming to Trinity Leeds – it feels like the city has already embraced us.
“Leeds is known for its incredible nightlife and we’re sure the arrival of Lane7 will be a big boost for the city’s leisure scene.”
The brand, first launched in 2013, is known as a premium, adult-focused activity bar that aimed to “reinvent” traditional bowling alleys.
Lane7 now has 18 venues across the UK, with another three set to open alongside Leeds, in Belfast, Glasgow and York.
Bowling starts from £10.50 per game, with the option to select a multi-games package from £13.
THE world’s largest upside-down house is set to open in a major UK seaside resort.
This marks the 11th site of its kind and the biggest one yet.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The largest site yet is opening in Blackpool todayCredit: upsidedownhouse.co.ukFamilies can visit 13 uniquely themed upside-down roomsCredit: upside down house
Upside Down House UK will open its largest attraction yet on Blackpool‘s Promenade, opening to visitors from today (May 29).
The 23ft tall site features 13 themed rooms, including a circus-themed playroom, an interactive games room and a reading nook.
Each room is flipped entirely upside-down, allowing visitors to experience the ultimate “topsy-turvy adventure” as they travel from room to room.
Families are able to spend time taking photos and making the most of the inverted atmosphere, although those with motion sickness might need to watch out due to the attraction’s slant.
Families can go from room to room exploring the different themesCredit: Upside down houseThis site is the largest one yet in the worldCredit: upside down house
This marks the 11th site in the UK since the first house opened in Bournemouth in 2018.
Other locations include Cardiff, Bristol, Westfield London and Liverpool as well as international sites in France and Australia.
The associate director at Upside Down House UK, Alex Barbary, said: “We’re going bigger and better than ever. This is our largest Upside Down House to date, and the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Blackpool Promenade is the perfect stage, a place built on entertainment, culture and experiences.”
Councillor Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for built environment and economy, added: “We’ve worked with The Upside Down House to repurpose the land in order to bring more jobs, tourists and visitors to South Shore.”
Tickets are just £35 for a family of four, and those with little ones under the age of three can enter at no charge.
The attraction will be open from 10am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.
A TRAIN station said to be one of the prettiest in the country is in the midst of a huge makeover.
Huddersfield Railway Station in West Yorkshire is used by more than 3.1million passengers a year.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Huddersfield Railway Station is undergoing a £70million makeoverCredit: Alamy
And it is undergoing a £70million transformation which will include reconstructing the inside of the Grade-I listed station as well as extending three platforms.
The station – which was named last year by Lonely Planet as the third best in the country – opened in 1850 and was praised as being “the most splendid in England” by the former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman.
Inside, historical features such as the station’s historic tearoom are being renovated.
In fact, all 8,000 pieces of the tearoom are being restored and then brought back to the station to rebuild the tearoom in time for the station’s reopening next year.
The station will get a new footbridge too and rail infrastructure to help boost power for the rail lines – with the 70mile stretch between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York expected to be fully electric by 2030.
Work on the station started back in November 2023, with an opening date set for February 2 next year.
Before then, the station will close a couple of times to allow works to be completed.
The station is currently closed until June 27 impacting services between Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Leeds and then a second closure will take place between Christmas Eve and February 1, 2027.
In addition to recognising the station’s period features and modern amenities, Lonely Planet stated: “Huddersfield also does something most towns don’t: it puts a great pub right inside the station.
“The Head of Steam serves Yorkshire ales in surroundings full of character.
“The station has some equally beautiful neighbors, including the Grade II-listed Britannia Buildings, designed by Sir William Tite.”
The station was even famously home to a cat, Felix, who even had a Sunday Times bestselling biography before passing away in 2023.
A BRAND new aquapark is coming to a UK town just in time for the summer holidays.
Featuring slides, climbing walls and a splash zone, the inflatable waterpark will be open until the autumn.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A brand new aquapark will be opening in Cambridgeshire this summerCredit: OneleisureThe inflatable water attraction will be open in time for the summer holidays and be in place till SeptemberCredit: Oneleisure
Located at Hinchingbrooke Country Park in Cambridgeshire, the brand new aquapark will be open to the public from July 18.
The inflatable park promises a day out of full of water-based fun, including slides, balance beams, climbing walls and splash zones.
Aimed at visitors aged six and over, the temporary water attraction will be open in time for the summer holidays and remain in place until September.
Visitors are able to pre-book online now, and the park expects demand to be high throughout the summer.
Tickets cost £19 per person and include a buoyancy aid, helmet and wetsuit hire.
From mid-July, the aquapark will be open from 10am to 5pm, with each session lasting an hour.
The new inflatable is part of a larger ongoing investment into Hinchingbrooke Country Park, improving its leisure activities and encouraging more visitors to the park’s large natural surroundings.
Executive member for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene, Cllr Julie Kerr, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing this exciting new attraction to Hinchingbrooke Country Park.
“It’s a fantastic addition for residents and visitors alike, and part of our ongoing commitment to improving and evolving the park to enhance leisure and outdoor opportunities for users now and in the future.”
Hinchingbrooke Country Park even wants the community to get involved in an important aspect of the opening of the park.
In a post on Facebook, the park called upon residents to submit ideas for a new name for the aquapark, with the winner receiving a free visit for the entire family.
“Think adventurous, fun, family-friendly or inspired by Hinchingbrooke and the local area – we can’t wait to see your ideas,” read the post.
Entries for the competition close on Friday, June 5, and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
Some concerns were raised on the Hinchingbrooke Facebook post regarding the local wildlife of the area, but the park revealed they had worked “closely with an independent ecologist to understand how this could impact the wider park”.
An Ecological Impact Assessment was conducted and the park confirmed that their project team is now “working closely” with park rangers to “ensure all recommendations and any appropriate ecological mitigation is completed”.
The park will also be designating specific lake zones purely to wildlife and “adding an additional tern raft”.
The nearby car park is also currently undergoing works, but the park has confirmed this is expected to be complete by the time the aquapark opens.
A UK train line will be closed for three days this weekend as the station undergoes major works.
Travellers are advised to plan their journeys in advance as there will be no trains running on the busy West Midlands line.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A major UK train line between Birmingham and Lichfield will be closed this weekendCredit: AlamyPassengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance while the major works take placeCredit: Alamy
Between May 29 and May 31, there will be no trains running between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley Station.
Network Rail has announced that the closures will be in place to allow for the installation of a new viaduct.
The planned work will take place over the weekend and services are expected to return to normal on Monday, June 1.
For those travelling southbound on the Cross City line, services will be continuing as normal between Birmingham New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove.
The “complex” installation work will also affect services between Birmingham New Street and Tame Bridge Parkway, to ensure all works are carried out safely.
Passengers affected by the disruption will be able to travel on rail replacement buses, running from Birmingham New Street to both Lichfield Trent Valley and Tame Bridge Parkway
For those travelling to Rugeley Trent Valley, the services will be diverted and journeys are expected to take longer than usual, so passengers are advised to allow extra time for possible delays.
The major works comprise of the installation of a 150-metre-long viaduct, located near the new Curzon Street Station, that will transport HS2 trains over an existing Victorian viaduct between Duddeston and New Street.
Director for On Network Works at Network Rail and HS2, Patrick Crawley, said: “We’re reminding passengers to plan ahead for a three-day closure on the Cross City line between Birmingham and Lichfield to enable the safe installation of a new HS2 viaduct over the existing railway.
“This is a significant milestone in the delivery of HS2 at Curzon Street, and while there will be some disruption, we’ve worked closely with partners to keep people moving and minimise the impact as much as possible.”
Customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, Jonny Wiseman, added: “We want to thank passengers for their patience while this major piece of engineering work is carried out and the northern section of the Cross City Line is closed.
“Rail replacement buses will be running during the closure, and passengers are encouraged to check their travel before setting out.”
A POPULAR aquapark is reopening for the summer – and it’s coming with a brand new attraction.
Families will be able to enjoy the thrill-seeking ride alongside other water activities
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The six-meter super slide is the latest addition to the aqua parkCredit: At The Lake Distributing Inc.The adventure park has officially reopened for the summerCredit: At The Lake Distributing Inc.
Hangloose Adventure Bluewater, based at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, has reopened for the summer season with a new towering attraction – a six-meter mega slide.
Named ‘El Jefe’ – the boss in Spanish- the super slide marks the latest addition to the park’s floating inflatable course.
Families can now navigate over 15 obstacles, climb balance beams, and complete the course on ‘El Jefe’, which will see them soar into the water below.
Described as an ‘exhilarating experience’ by the park, children as young as seven will be able to take part – as long as they reach the minimum height requirement of 1.2 meters.
Alongside the relaunch of the aqua park, Hangloose Adventure is also introducing a Thursday-only zipline offer.
Those who book a zipline ride will be able to have a second ride for free on the same day, with the promotion running until June 25.
The water park operates for seven days a week during the summer season, from 10am to 5pm.
Located in The Domes, Greenhithe, the park has been highly rated online.
The area also features a host of big attractions, including England’s longest zipline, Europe’s biggest swing, and the UK’s only outdoor indoor skydive tunnel.
For your chance to try out ‘El Jefe’ in person, a day out at the waterpark costs just £67 for a family of four.
A BUDGET train operator has launched a brand new rail service.
From this week, travellers can take a cross-border train journeys for under £30.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Lumo is now offering budget-friendly train tickets between London Euston and StirlingCredit: AlamyThe journey creates a direct connection between London Euston, Stirling, and west coast townsCredit: Lumo
Lumo’s new low-cost journeys between London and Scotland have launched this week, connecting travellers between London Euston and Stirling.
Customers can travel on this 300 mile train route for only £29.90 per person, with journeys scheduled multiple times a day.
Stirling council leader, Cllr Susan McGill, said: “The sight of the first blue Lumo train in Stirling is an exciting moment, and we will continue to work closely with Lumo to ensure the new service is a success and delivers lasting benefits for everyone across the region.”
The new route also includes a handy connection between London and Preston, Lancashire, for just £23.90, and between Preston and Stirling for £14.90.
Four direct return journeys will take place between Stirling and London Euston every day, with a fifth service running between Preston and London.
Lumo already runs a budget-friendly passenger train along the East Coast Main Line, connecting travellers between London King’s Cross, the North East of England and Edinburgh.
This new west coast route will call at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.
For Scottish towns Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert, this is the first ever direct rail connection to London.
Graeme Cook, rail director for Transport Scotland, said: “Lumo’s new Stirling to London route is a very welcome addition to cross-border services which will provide wider economic and connectivity benefits to Scotland.
“The new services will not only boost tourism and hospitality for Stirling and the Forth Valley, but also increase connectivity by now providing customers from Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert with direct access to rail connections on the West Coast Main Line and London.”
The train service will run from Monday, May 25, with the full timetable set to be available in July.
AN abandoned English train station has been revamped with a £50,000 upgrade.
After years of disrepair, the 19th century station has now transformed into a luxury retreat that is opento the public.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Rowden Mill Station in North Herefordshire has been transformed in a £50,000 renovationCredit: SWNSOwners Cecilia Chavez-Brandon and Paul Kirwan have kept the authentic 1950s feelCredit: SWNS
Rowden Mill Station in North Herefordshire has been renovated into a vintage-inspired hotel, offering the perfect retreat for keen trainspotters.
Cecilia Chavez-Brandon and husband Paul Kirwan took on this dream renovation project in 2017, paying £395,000 for the 2.7 acre site that had been abandoned since the 1950s.
The site was primarily used for moving injured soldiers to field hospitals during the war and transporting livestock, losing its appeal as cars became more popular in the 1950s.
Inside were original buildings and a set of train tracks, which they have modernised into an experience that transports visitors back to the 1950s and 1960s.
To add to the vintage feel, they bought an 18ft inspection saloon coach, coated with British Railway livery for historic railway fans.
Cecilia told SWNS: “It was not until the 1980s that the former owners found the station and bought it from the farmers.
“They built the rail track back. We arrived after they had been here 32 years and helped modernise it.
“They restored the station building and the parcel office and converted it into accommodation rather than a station.
“The booking office is now the kitchen, the waiting room is now the lounge. The gentleman’s toilet is now a full bathroom.
“The parcel office is a separate building and we converted it and put central heating in and new carpets. We turned that into a full studio with an ensuite.”
A steady stream of visitors can look around the renovated station, which has transformed ladies’ waiting areas into main bedrooms and carriages into accommodations.
Tourists can pay £260 per night to enjoy a luxurious stay overlooking the countryside in their renovated coaches fitted with an en suite and heating.
Visitors can pay £260 per night to stay in renovated train coachesCredit: SWNSThe location is an ideal spot for trainspotting enthusiasts who enjoy a countryside retreatCredit: SWNS
The main station building also has accommodation at £430 for two nights, or the Parcel Office studio at £220 for two nights.
Cecilia said: “We have a parcel office with a studio for two on the main platform. For anyone staying here, it’s like waking up in a railway station from the 1950s and 60s.”
The couple also bought an original 20-tonne brake van back in 2018 to create another luxury accommodation for the site.
Maintaining this beloved location has become a career for the couple: “We didn’t really start out as railway buffs but you obviously become one. It’s like going down a rabbit hole.
“You end up being a whole network of railway people and it’s really something amazing.
“The very first guest arrived in September 2017 and they came with books and were clear railway buffs and knew more about the branch line than we did at the time.
“In terms of guests we obviously have the railway buffs, even children with technical knowledge. We have station masters and train drivers – we get quite a range of fans.
“The whole site is great. It’s so peaceful, with gorgeous views and our other passion is nature. We’ve got our own meadows, hedgerows and wildlife ponds.”
AN enormous indoor adventure park, fitted with inflatable obstacle courses and thrilling activities, has shut down with immediate effect.
The family-friendly attraction has been a hit with the community for over six years, welcoming 400,000 visitors during that time.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Ultimate Warriors adventure park in Gloucester has plunged into administrationCredit: Ultimate WarriorsThe site, fitted with obstacle courses, was enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitorsCredit: Ultimate Warriors
Ultimate Warriors, formerly Ninja Warrior UK, in Gloucester, shut down earlier this month.
This comes after the adventure park was plunged into administration, only a year after leaving the national Ninja Warrior group.
Ultimate Warriors hoped to sell the business, exploring every option to remain open.
Following a sale falling through last minute, they had no option but to close, nearly seven years after it opened in October 2019.
Only recently, Ultimate Warriors had refreshed its equipment and activities, running independently as a family-run business.
Ultimate Warriors Gloucester said on Facebook: “After six and a half wonderful years, it is with great sadness that we announce Ultimate Warriors has entered administration and has closed its doors.
“We explored every possible option to keep our much-loved venue open. Unfortunately, despite strong interest, we are devastated to have a sale fall through at the last minute.
“As a small business, we simply do not have the financial reserves to continue operating in such uncertain economic conditions, even with the incredible support and feedback we have received from our guests over the years.”
Ultimate Warriors was formerly part of the Ninja Warrior UK franchise, which owns 16 adventure parks across the UK, all based on the hit ITV show.
Similar to the Ninja Warrior UK set up, Ultimate Warriors in Gloucester had a variety of activities, including monkey bars, slides and climbing walls.
Now, the Ultimate Warriors team is supporting its staff get new jobs, including reaching out to Airhop Gloucester to possibly accommodate them.
Ultimate Warriors Gloucester said: “To everyone who visited us, celebrated with us, worked with us, or supported us along the way – thank you. Your support, loyalty, and memories will stay with us forever.”
A POPULAR UK coastal path is set to close for months this summer.
It’s been confirmed that the scenic walking route will be out of use while essential repairs are made.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A popular UK walking route will be closed this summerCredit: GettyHampshire’s Langstone Coastal Path is being repairedCredit: HelenWalkerz65
The Langstone Coastal Path, located behind Farlington Marshes near Portsmouth, is a beloved walking and cycling trail that passes through natural beauty spots and coastal towns.
But the public will not have access to the Hampshire footpath this summer while coastal erosion repairs are underway.
The nature-packed hiking trail, which boasts a 23km route that loops around the Langstone Harbour, will be closed over the summer months from May 26 until September.
This will allow for refurbishments to be done to areas of the sea wall damaged by coastal erosion, in order for the area and its wildlife to remain protected.
The National Highways project means that a diversion will be put in place while the works are in progress. This will run along Eastern Road and Havant Road.
Katarina Saradinova, head of scheme delivery for the South East region, told The Portsmouth News: “This is a beautiful location, and our work will help protect the coastline, wildlife and surrounding environment for future generations.
“We understand the diversion route will lead visitors away from the scenicnature reserve, but these closures are essential to allow repairs to the sea wall, damaged by coastal erosion, to be carried out safely. Unauthorised access could also disrupt the construction schedule,” she added.
Efforts have also been made to ensure that the timing of the works disrupts wildlife habitats as little as possible.
The summer project has been planned in order to avoid disturbing the nesting period of overwintering birds in the area.
While access will still be available from the western entrance of Farlington Marshes, the path between Farlington Marshes car park and Chalk Dock Lake car park will be off limits.
THE UK’S tallest spinning pendulum ride has officially launched at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and I was lucky enough to climb aboard before it opened to the public.
Called Aviktas, the £9million attraction made its debut on 21 May after more than a year under construction.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the resort town from AviktasCredit: suppliedEnter if you dare and get ready to rideCredit: supplied
Spinning riders 138ft in the air, it is the biggest gyro-swing in the UK — nearly double the height of the previous record-holder, Maelstrom at Drayton Manor, Staffs, which tops out at 74ft.
The ride has been built on the former site of the Bowladrome, a popular arcade and bowling spot that had been part of the Blackpool seafront since the 1960s before closing last year.
Now that space is home to four enormous legs, each weighing 16 tons, which anchor Aviktas’s towering structure.
At the end of a swinging arm sits a circular gondola, where 40 riders are strapped into outward-facing seats.
From there, the pendulum swings up to 120 degrees over the Blackpool coastline.
So what did it actually feel like to ride?
Aviktas was far more intense than I was expecting.
As you are strapped in, a thumping soundtrack composed especially for the ride pumps out from all directions, helping to build the suspense.
But what sets Aviktas apart is the lack of over-the-shoulder restraints — the only thing holding you in here is a lap bar, which really ramps up the fear factor.
Before you know it, the floor below you drops to leave your feet dangling, and the swinging begins.
It is gentle at first, but as each swing climbs higher than the last, so does the G-force — with the rush of air pushing your cheeks back as you plummet between arcs.
But the best bit comes right at the top.
The ride is terrifying but exhilarating — made worthwhile by the viewsCredit: SuppliedFor a few seconds at the peak of each swing, you feel weightless, as if floating in mid-air, while the crowds stare up at you from belowCredit: supplied
For a few seconds at the peak of each swing, you feel weightless, as if floating in mid-air, while the crowds stare up at you from below.
Then you whoosh back down and do it all again on the other side.
It is terrifying but exhilarating — made worthwhile by the views, which offer glimpses for miles down the coast, right down the promenade to Blackpool Tower and beyond.
This is a proper stomach-churner but, if you are anything like me, you will be eagerly queueing up to ride it again before your feet hit the ground.
It is surely the best ride of its type in the UK right now — but it is also just one of many reasons to head to the Lancashire coast this summer.
The new ride arrives during a big year for Pleasure Beach, which celebrates its 130th anniversary as the UK’s oldest amusement park, having first welcomed visitors in 1896.
It has remained family-owned ever since.
Earlier this year, it was named one of the world’s best theme parks by Tripadvisor, the only UK park to make the top ten.
Last season saw the revamp of Launch Pad (formerly Ice Blast), and River Caves is also on the list for an overhaul soon.
What is more, the Pleasure Beach is one of the cheaper big theme-park days out in the country, with standard prices starting from £28 for kids and £30 adults.
For those who like to keep their feet on the ground, there is a new ticket type called Flex Pass.
Costing £18, it is aimed at non-riders and includes park entry, a ride on the Pleasure Beach Express, and the option to buy individual ride tickets as you go.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a major magnet for thrill seekersCredit: SuppliedThe thrilling Aviktas in actionCredit: supplied
Looking for somewhere good to stay nearby?
The award-winning Boulevard Hotel sits right under the massive drop of the Big One coaster.
Just a one-minute walk from the park, it boasts rooms with sea or park views.
They start from £85 a night and even include free Pleasure Beach tickets.
With overseas travel looking a bit less certain this summer than it has in recent years, more of us are looking for staycation fun at the British seaside.
Trains from London run to Blackpool in just over three hours.
From Manchester, it is barely more than an hour.
There is also the Sandcastle, the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, which celebrated its 40th birthday earlier this year with a £500,000 refresh.
Inside are a dizzying 18 slides and a huge wave pool, kept at an inviting 30C no matter what the weather is doing outside.
Tickets start from £24.95.
Throw in Blackpool’s Tower, the Illuminations, and fish-and-chips for good measure, and you have a budget break for the family that can more than match any excitement abroad.
GO: BLACKPOOL
PLAYING THERE: Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s All You Can Ride e-Ticket costs from £30, a Flex Pass for non-riders is from £18.
