tropical

AS RAIN starts pouring in the UK and temperatures dip, you might be craving some warmth and somewhere to take the family that feels like a holiday.

But you don’t need to jet off abroad to escape the British weather.

Across the country, high-tech, indoor aqua parks are offering an oasis away from the rain – with tropical 30C climates, record-breaking wave pools and adrenaline-pumping speed slides.

From waterparks with their own VIP hot tubs and thermal spas for adults, to multi-lane racing chutes for kids, these are the ultimate indoor waterparks that guarantee a fun day out while the British weather does its worst.

Alpamare, Scarborough

Alpamare describes itself as “unlike any waterpark you’ve seen before”, and they might just be right.

This alpine-themed water world has four massive waterslides named after ski runs: the Cresta Run, Olympic Run, Black Run and Snowstorm.

Race down these thrilling water rides through twists, turns and even stops to spin around giant funnel bowls.

There’s also a massive wave pool which erupts with waves every 30 minutes. Or for something more chilled, there’s a huge main indoor pool and even a heated outdoor infinity pool for when the weather picks up.

The relaxation doesn’t stop there – this waterpark has its own spa with a ‘Sauna World’, hammam and health bar.

Inside the Sauna World you’ll find a panoramic Finnish sauna, LED ice showers, a reflexology foot bath and even a unique ‘Hay Bath’.

Here you can lay back on a lounger in a wooden relaxation area packed with fresh hay harvested from the fields of North Yorkshire – a unique form of aromatherapy.

Tickets start at £10 per adult, £7.50 per child and £2.50 per toddler. Book ahead online for the best rates.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

One of England’s biggest indoor water worlds, Coral Reef Waterworld is ideal for a family rainy day out with plenty of fun including a giant pirate ship and erupting water volcano.

Indoors, expect tropical temperatures at 30C and a rapid river, bubble pool and children’s splash zone.

The pirate-themed splash area houses a pirate ship called The Coralina, surrounded by water cannons and interactive water features for kids of all ages.

There are also five high-tech waterslides, including The Cannon, which launches riders down a 67 metre-long chute like a cannonball.

Another popular ride is Poseidon’s Peril, where two people are attached to an inflatable raft as it rotates and swirls through colour-changing lights.

Grown-ups can head to the Coral Spa to unwind.

It has heated loungers, three saunas and even a Japanese steam room.

Adult tickets cost £20.55 and children’s cost £14.55. Book tickets ahead online.

Splashdown Waterpark, Poole 

Home to some of the UK’s wildest waterslides, Splashdown Waterpark in Poole is a total paradise for adrenaline junkies.

This action-packed waterpark boasts 13 indoor and outdoor flumes that operate whatever the weather.

Daredevils can conquer The Screamer, which plummets you through a near-vertical 40-meter drop in under five seconds, or dive into the pitch-black Black Thunder.

If you want a party with your plunge, the Infinity waterslide plays funky tunes alongside a flashing laser show as you whirl around a giant bowl.

Little ones aren’t left out either, with the interactive water cannons at Buccaneer Splash keeping younger kids safely entertained.

Admission for three hours costs £23 per person, £9 for 1-4-year-olds and £6 for children under 1.

Child tickets include entry for a companion adult.

Make sure to book tickets online in advance.

Calypso Cove, Barnsley

Inside the Barnsley Metrodome, Calypso Cove is the North’s ultimate indoor waterpark.

It’s designed to look like a tropical island paradise, making it a huge hit for family days out when the British weather misbehaves.

There are some high-energy water rides here to enjoy, like Terror Torrent, one of the UK’s fastest indoor water flumes.

This thrilling slide hurls riders through tight twists and turns before dropping them out into the pool.

There’s also The Eruption, a volcano-themed ride that spins you around a large bowl before dropping you out at the bottom.

Families with younger kids can climb onto the decks of the large pirate ship play area, while parents with babies and toddlers can enjoy the shallow waters and gentle water fountains of Barnacle Bay.

For a bite to eat, head to The Hideout poolside cafe. Here you can break up your swimming session by walking straight out of the water to grab burgers, chips, and drinks in your swimwear before heading straight back to the slides.

Adult tickets cost £16, under 10s tickets cost £13 and under 3s tickets cost £4. All tickets must be booked in advance online.

The Wave, Coventry

The Wave in Coventry is a giant indoor waterpark home to the largest wave pool in the UK.

Jump into the huge pool where the wave machine churns more than 20 million litres of water per day, or drift along in the lazy river.

There are six waterslides for thrill-seekers to brave, including The Riptide, a half-pipe slide that blasts riders in a rubber ring down a near-90-degree drop.

There is also The Cyclone, which spins swimmers around a giant open bowl before dropping you through the middle.

For younger children, The Reef is a vibrant splash pad with its own miniature slides and water fountains safely tucked away from the big flumes.

Meanwhile, grown-ups looking for some me-time can head to the Mana Spa.

There you can swim in a quieter spa pool, unwind in the aromatherapy room and relax in the sauna or steam room.

Tickets cost £15 per adult, £13 for children 11 and under and under ones go free.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, sitting on the South Promenade opposite popular theme park Pleasure Beach.

This water world packs 18 slides and attractions into a tropical 29C environment, making it the ultimate rainy day saviour.

Take your pick from white-knuckle rides like The Master Blaster, the UK’s longest water rollercoaster, or Montazooma, a head-spinning slide of twists and turns.

There’s also Aztec Falls, a water ride that plunges you into darkness before spinning you around a giant bowl.

The Caribbean Storm Treehouse is a hit with kids, featuring a giant climbing frame topped with a huge coconut that unleashes 600 gallons of water on swimmers below.

Little ones can also challenge each other on the multi-lane Treetops Water Chutes or explore the interactive HMS Thunder Splash pirate ship.

When you need a break from the noise, the adult-only Sea Breeze Spa offers a relaxing escape.

A £7 upgrade secures a three-hour session to unwind across the saunas, steam rooms, foot baths, and aromatherapy lounge.

And if you really want to splash out, the park offers premium Tiki Cabanas for adults.

Priced at £60pp, this VIP package bundles full-day waterpark entry and a free meal with your own private area with a hot tub, flatscreen TV and a fridge stocked with cold drinks.

Tickets start from £25.50 for ages 8+ and £16.50 for kids aged 3-7, with under 3s going free. Make sure to book online in advance, as same-day purchases here can cost you extra.

A family of travel enthusiasts were left in awe when they visited what has been hailed the ‘Hawaii of the UK’ that’s the home to white-sand beaches, wild dolphins and seals

Travellers have been left stunned after discovering the ‘Hawaii of UK’, which features breathtaking beaches and countryside, and is even home to wild dolphins and seals. While the UK isn’t know for it’s nice and sunny weather, with most tourists imagining grey skies and constant rain, there are some areas that get better weather than others that can be enjoyed with it’s stunning nature.

While Cornwall alone is packed with stunning beaches and natural beauty that can make visitors feel like they’ve travelled abroad. But if you fancy venturing beyond Cornwall, there are plenty of alternatives for a memorable staycation within the UK, with many taking to social media to reveal their favourite staycation recommendations.

The Wirths, a family of travel lovers who regularly use TikTok to document their adventures, frequently share their preferred family-friendly locations with their 69,900 followers.

In a recent clip, the family travelled to what’s been dubbed the ‘Hawaii of the UK’, boasting spectacular scenery, pristine sandy shores and glorious weather that creates the illusion of a tropical escape.

“We thought getting to this tiny island was cool… we weren’t prepared for it to look like this,” the caption declared at the beginning of the footage.

The clip continued to document their voyage to the destination in question, which involved boarding a compact Skybus aircraft before departure, soaring above dazzling turquoise seas and islands fringed with white sandy beaches prior to touching down at the airport.

“BRB, mentally relocating to Tresco Island,” they wrote in the caption. “Can you believe this is the UK? Welcome to the Isles of Scilly – a tranquil, subtropical archipelago located just 28 miles off the Cornish coast!”

Nestled 28 miles off the Cornish coastline, the Isles of Scilly are an unspoilt, subtropical archipelago that remains one of Britain’s best-kept secrets. Celebrated for their immaculate white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and remarkably temperate climate, the islands are frequently dubbed the ‘Hawaii of UK’. Just five of the landmasses are inhabited — St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher, and St. Agnes.

Tresco itself is a private, car-free island, renowned for its subtropical climate, stunning beaches and the world-famous Abbey Garden. It provides a serene, upmarket retreat complete with fine dining, a spa and an abundance of coastal wildlife.

Although the islands are entirely car-free, getting there is straightforward — hop aboard a Skybus plane and you’ll arrive in just 20 minutes, or take the much-loved Scillonian ferry for a scenic voyage where dolphin sightings are not uncommon.

The family went on to share their personal highlights, including cycling through the island’s traffic-free sandy lanes, spending leisurely days on the beach hunting for shells and spotting seals, exploring ancient castles, and unwinding at the Tresco Spa and its swimming pool.

The family also ventured to Tresco Abbey Gardens, which houses plants from every Mediterranean climate zone. Established in the 19th century, it has become a haven for more than 2,000 exotic species from the southern hemisphere and subtropics — spanning from Brazil to New Zealand, Myanmar to South Africa. The family revealed there’s also an entertaining scavenger hunt available for children.

Regarding the balmy conditions, the Isles of Scilly enjoy an almost tropical feel courtesy of the Gulf Stream, enabling tourists to experience the sensation of an overseas getaway without ever leaving British shores.

Viewers quickly flooded the comments section with their reactions, with many expressing astonishment that such a place existed in the UK.

“I WANNA BE A LOCAL SO BAD,” one individual declared, while another commented: “literally found these islands scrolling on Google maps bored at work once… obsessed ever since.

“I need to visit a Tesco in Tresco just because I’m sad like that,” a third person remarked.

PUSSYCAT Doll Ashley Roberts has an eye on the Maldives after her time in the South African bush.

The singer, 44, is on a luxury break on the paradise islands and posted snaps in a tropical pink bikini, as well as relaxing on the sand and cooling down after a shower.

It comes ahead of a big week on I’m A Celebrity’s all-stars series, which she filmed at the end of last year.

Hosts Ant and Dec have hinted contestant Ashley takes centre stage in tonight’s drama.

She seemed to win a solitary biscuit after her triumph in Friday’s Balance of Power trial.

But Ant said: “That’s not the end of it!”

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Dec added: “That’s not all she has won.”

Over the years I’m A Celebrity South Africa star Ashley Roberts has made a number of wild sex confessions.

From a steamy dream about romping with Harry Styles, to revealing her turn-ons in the I’m A Celeb Jungle, the Pussycat Dolls star, 44, is known for not holding back.

It’s fair to say Ashley has made a career out of being sexy.

The star oozes sex appeal, thanks to being in the sizzling girlband the Pussycat Dolls.

Since her rise to fame in the early noughties, Ashley, who thrilled fans when she was first to strip off for the I’m A Celebrity South Africa shower, has revealed some sexy details about her life.

The singer and dancer has made a number of racy confessions that would make anybody listening blush.

SUNDAY may be a day of rest in Europe, but that’s not the case for Puerto Rico. 

The shops were shut, but the city of Ponce was very much awake.  

As I wandered the streets, locals cruised past in their vintage cars, music blasted from lively bars and groups of youngsters burst into spontaneous dance on the streets. 

In the main square, families strolled past colourful murals and beautiful yet crumbling Art Deco buildings, while old men put the world to rights over a leisurely game of dominoes in the main square. 

Ponce (pronounced Pon-say) was the last stop on my Tropical Isles cruise onboard the recently refurbished Marella Discovery. 

It’s a new port for Marella so, like ­Christopher Columbus — who discovered the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico back in 1493 — I was excited to be one of the first people to explore. 

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Week-long sailings start and finish in La Romana, in the Dominican Republic, calling at the nearby nature reserve of Isla Catalina, the Puerto Rican capital of San Juan and the US Virgin Islands of St Thomas and St Croix. 

Now I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Caribbean a few times before, but I was still surprised by how green these islands were.  

And while this itinerary gave me plenty of opportunity to sunbathe on white-sand beaches and sample local rum (I recommend Ron del Barrilito), I was still able to go hiking in the rainforest and kayak through beautiful coves. 

Staying active is something I would definitely recommend on a Marella cruise — not just because you’ll miss out on amazing experiences if you don’t, but because you’ll need to burn off all the extra calories you’re bound to consume on board. 

With nine restaurants and seven bars spread over 11 decks, you certainly won’t go hungry or thirsty — especially as Marella cruises are all-inclusive as standard.  

This means your flights, cabin, transfers to and from the ship, drinks, food and entertainment are all included in the price. 

Even your bags go straight from your home airport to your cabin door so you don’t have to worry about collecting them from a carousel or lugging them around. 

Compared to other cruise ships, Marella Discovery is quite small, accommodating up to 1,800 passengers.  

It’s really set up for British tourists, though, with Yorkshire Tea on tap and dishes such as steak and ale pie readily available in the excellent Islands buffet. 

Entertainment-wise, passengers can find their way out of an escape room, play a round of mini-golf or enjoy a musical afternoon tea. Plus there are West End-style shows, quizzes and gameshows galore. 

For better-quality booze and speciality ­coffees, you can upgrade to a Premium All Inclusive package, while speciality restaurants, including the Surf & Turf Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, come at an extra charge. 

But be sure to leave room for some traditional Caribbean delicacies when you leave the ship. At Café Manolin, in San Juan, I joined locals queuing to tuck into giant plates of mofongo, a much-loved Puerto Rican dish of fried green plantain stuffed with meat or veggies. 

Coffee is also big business here — and almost as popular as rapper Bad Bunny, who hails from the island.  

Many coffee plantations welcome visitors to sample their wares but I got my caffeine fix at Hacienda Jacana, in the mountainous region of Adjuntas, where owner Jonathan and his ex-cop father proudly showed off their farm while explaining details of the coffee-making process. 

I was buzzing after a few cups of their delicious Latitude 18° coffee — but it couldn’t possibly compare to the buzz I got in St Thomas after snorkelling with a group of green turtles in the crystal-clear water of Magens Bay. 

Granted, I had to keep reminding myself that I wouldn’t die if I tried to breathe ­normally underwater, but I forgot all about breathing when a metre-long turtle paddled right past my face. Just wow. 

As an animal lover, and a keen traveller missing my two dogs back home, I was also thrilled to stumble across the Ruff Night — Hair Of The Dog Bar in St Croix (pronounced Croy), just steps from where Marella Discovery docked in Frederiksted.

The lively bar, in the courtyard of the Victoria House Inn, is run by volunteers from the Ruff Start STX animal charity who love nothing more than mixing super-strong cocktails and bringing in puppies for punters to cuddle.  

And if that’s not reason enough to visit, all money raised from the bar goes directly to local dogs in need, so go armed with plenty of cash in your pocket! 

I’d certainly worked up a thirst after a morning kayaking in the nearby Salt River Bay, and I enjoyed getting back to nature there almost as much as I did at El Yunque National Forest — the jewel in the crown of Puerto Rico. 

The 28,000-acre site is the only tropical rainforest in the US and it has more than 100 miles of walking trails just waiting to be explored. With enormous trees providing canopies of greenery and exotic birds and frogs creating a cacophony of noise, it was just how I imagined a rainforest to be. 

While mosquitoes are rife here after dark, I managed to avoid being savaged by the pesky wee beasties during the daytime. 

One thing was for sure, though — I had definitely been bitten by the Caribbean cruise bug.