UKs

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.

ISLE GO

Why the UK’s most isolated island celebrates New Year’s today… 12 days late

FESTIVE GREETINGS

UK island where locals celebrate Xmas & New Year on the wrong days

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.

Christmas Day

Felixstowe, Suffolk
A proper community affair, with hundreds of participants resplendent in festive finery racing into the North Sea at 10am sharp while much of the town gathers along the promenade to watch. The event raises funds for St Elizabeth Hospice, and every year brings new tales of heroics and even romance (there’s been the odd mid-plunge proposal). The atmosphere is as heartwarming as the water is not. Afterwards warm up with a stroll around town, with its four-mile promenade and seafront gardens.
10am, £16, stelizabethhospice.org.uk

Penarth and Porthcawl

The Dawnstalkers meet daily to greet the sunrise with a swim beside Penarth pier, three miles south of Cardiff city centre – and Christmas morning is no exception. Anyone can join this inclusive sea-swimming collective. A wood-fired barrel sauna will be parked on the prom from 21–29 December, offering a toasty post-dip reward. The Christmas swim at Porthcawl (25 miles west along the coast) began in 1965, when local swimming legend Arlon Owens, dressed as a clown, was pushed off the pier by another dipper dressed as Father Christmas. More than a thousand swimmers – many still in fancy dress – take the plunge, raising thousands for local charities.
Penarth: 8am, free, dawnstalkers.com. Porthcawl: 11.15am (enter water at 11.45am), suggested donation £10, christmasswim.org

Peter Pan Cup, the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

One of the UK’s oldest festive swims, the Serpentine Swimming Club’s Christmas Day race has been held in Hyde Park every Christmas morning since 1864. The event was later named for JM Barrie, who donated the first trophy in 1904. This short but speedy 100-yard race is open only to members, but spectators are encouraged to gather along the lakeside to cheer on the swimmers.
9am, serpentineswimmingclub.com

Weymouth, Dorset

Started in 1948, when pub landlord Dill Laker and taxi driver Reggie Bugler made a boozy bet to swim the harbour after Christmas Eve drinks, Weymouth has grown into one of the UK’s biggest and best-loved festive plunges. Hundreds of swimmers splash 70 metres across the harbour, cheered on by thousands of spectators, raising funds for a local disability charity. The harbour itself is pretty, but make time to stroll the huge sandy beach too, backed by colourful beach huts.
From 9.30am, £15, love-weymouth.co.uk

Hunstanton, Norfolk
One of Norfolk’s largest festive events, the swim has been running for more than 60 years. Taking place just off the town’s central promenade, it’s organised by the Hunstanton and District Round Table and supports local charities. Lots of prizes and free hot soup to warm up after.
11am (register from 10am), free, hunstantonroundtable.com

Bude, Cornwall

This legendary swim has been organised by the Bude Surf Life Saving Club at Crooklets beach for over half a century. Thousands gather to watch as swimmers – many in Santa suits – dash into the Atlantic for a short but spirited dip. It’s all for a good cause, raising funds for the life-saving club that keeps the local beaches safe year-round.
10.45am, free (donations welcome), visitbude.info

Boxing Day

Folkestone, Kent
This event brings hundreds of swimmers to Sunny Sands, cheered on by a boisterous crowd. Organised by the Folkestone, Hythe & District Lions Club, it raises funds for the Lions and other local charities. There are prizes for fancy dress and the youngest and oldest dippers.
11.30am (register from 9.30am), £10, free with sponsorship, folkestonelions.org.uk

Seaton Carew, County Durham
The North Sea isn’t exactly a welcoming proposition for a swimmer at this time of year, but that doesn’t deter hundreds from joining Hartlepool Round Table’s Boxing Day Dip. A parade sets off from the Marine Hotel on the seafront at Seaton Crew, just outside Hartlepool, before the plunge. Bacon butties and beer are available back at base afterwards.
11.30am, £5, hartlepoolroundtable.co.uk

Paignton, Devon

A Boxing Day classic, with hundreds of swimmers, many in fancy dress, gathering on Paignton Sands for the local Lions Club’s Walk into the Sea. There’s a fancy-dress competition at 11.45am before the mass dip at noon. A great way to shake off Christmas Day indulgence in this lively English Riviera town.
12pm, £10, englishriviera.co.uk

St Ives, Cornwall

Blow away the Christmas Day cobwebs with this relaxed dip on golden Porthminster beach. Wetsuits are allowed, fancy dress is encouraged and even dogs can join in. Porthminster Café keeps post-swim spirits high with hot chocolates and bacon butties. St Ives is particularly pretty in winter and the narrow cobbled streets make for pleasant festive wandering.
12pm, free, £1 donation suggested, no website

Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Once a smugglers’ haunt, Ventnor Bay now welcomes hundreds of swimmers dressed in pyjamas, tutus and rubber rings for this swim on the Esplanade. The event raises funds for local cancer charities and for Ventnor Carnival. Post swim, mulled wine and doorstop sandwiches await brave bathers at the Spyglass Inn.
12pm, free, donation suggested, on Facebook

Fraserburgh Harbour, Aberdeenshire
Few causes are closer to sea swimmers’ hearts than the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Association). The 17th annual 52-metre harbour swim will raise funds for Fraserburgh lifeboat station, with participants diving in from the side of a lifeboat and swimming across the icy water, cheered on by the whole town.
1pm, free, donation suggested, rnli.org

New Year’s Day

Salford Quays, Manchester

No seaside? No problem. Manchester swimmers can head to Dock 9 at MediaCity, a 2002 Commonwealth Games venue that hosts a New Year’s dip in 7C waters. This “big, bold and mighty cold” event, run by Uswim, raises lots of cash for local charities. With the Lowry theatre as a backdrop, three waves of swimmers enter the water at 15-minute intervals. A best-dressed hat competition adds to the fun.
11am, £25, uswimopenwater.com

Keswick, Lake District
Cumbria’s hardiest wild swimmers take to Derwentwater in fancy dress to raise funds for the Calvert Trust, which helps people with disabilities experience the outdoors. Afterwards there will be lakeside hot chocolate and cake.
11am, free, £5 donation suggested, calvertlakes.org.uk

Bangor, County Down
Swimmers plunge into Bangor’s Ballyholme Bay in fancy dress to raise funds for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. There are prizes to be won, hot drinks and proper facilities – but no guarantee of feeling your toes afterwards. Ballyholme Yacht Club also organises a Boxing Day swim in aid of the RNLI (£5 entry) if you fancy a double whammy.
12pm, £15, cancerfocusni.org

Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
This is one of the UK’s larger New Year’s Day swims – there were 2,535 registrations on 1 January 2025. It turns 40 in 2026, with a ruby theme promising a sea of vermilion-clad dippers and plenty of sparkle in the sea.
12.30pm, £5 (£3 under-16s), saundersfootnyds.co.uk

Lyme Regis, Dorset

The Rotary Club’s Lyme Lunge fills sandy Cobb beach with wigs, wings and inflatable flamingos. Fancy dress is encouraged, fundraising optional, desire to run like a loon into the sea obligatory (though just a quick paddle will suffice). Thousands of spectators flock to the beach and gardens above it to watch the mayhem.
1pm, free, donations welcome

Loony Dook, nr Edinburgh
What began as a “hangover cure” for a few friends in 1986 is now a beloved slice of post-Hogmanay madness. The Loony Dook (dook is Scots for dip) sees hundreds of dressed-up swimmers parade through South Queensferry before plunging into the Firth of Forth.
1.30pm, free

Looking for a cosy UK weekend getaway this winter? This award-winning country pub ticks all the boxes, our writer Sam Kistamah found out on a recent stay there

Approaching The Gunton Arms, we quickly realised it’s not your average local. It is a pub, but one set in a 1,000-acre deer park near Cromer in rural Norfolk, kitted out in furnishings to rival posh department store Liberty and with walls covered in art by the likes of Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. And there’s a restaurant that’s in the Michelin Guide too. The deer park surrounds the 18th-century Gunton Hall, and The Gunton Arms was originally a farm that became the second house to Gunton Hall.

After careful restoration by art dealer Ivor Braka (hence the amazing collection), The Gunton Arms opened as a pub with bedrooms in 2011, and earlier this year was listed in the top 20 of The Good Food Guide’s best British pubs.

The food at The Gunton Arms

The Elk Room restaurant is dominated by a giant Irish elk skull, which hangs over an open fire. That’s where chef Stuart Tattersall cooks local fare, including venison from the deer park and beef from the Blickling Estate. Being four miles from the coast, The Gunton Arms also offers seafood, including a popular Cromer crab pasta dish.

We began with fried cod cheeks with caper and bronze fennel mayonnaise, and mixed beets with pickled walnuts and Binham blue. We loved the tender nuggets of cod with their zingy sauce, and the sweet beets were beautifully contrasted by creamy blue cheese and tangy slivers of walnut.

For mains, we devoured the sirloin steak, which had been perfectly cooked on the fire, and came with roast potatoes and a jug of Béarnaise sauce, and the roasted halibut special, accompanied by a buttery spinach and chive sauce and tasty Portland cockles. As keen dessert fans, we inhaled the Norfolk treacle tart with clotted cream and buttermilk pudding with honeyed fig.

The next day, we had lunch at The Gunton Arms’ sister pub The Suffield Arms, which serves outstanding Mediterranean tapas. Highlights included the corn ribs with mojito mayonnaise, and the white Andalusian prawns with garlic and chilli.

The rooms at The Gunton Arms

There are 16 rooms and we stayed in the stunning Rocksavage suite, which gave us some major inspiration for our own home renovation with its muted tones and carefully chosen pieces of art and dark wood furniture. Everything, from the marble bathroom with its roll-top tub to the sumptuous bed, oozed elegance. While the suite was traditionally decorated, we appreciated the Nespresso machine and Roberts radio, and the Norfolk Natural Living toiletries were a nice touch too.

What is there to do around The Gunton Arms?

You can explore the deer park but we were told not to approach the herd as it was rutting season when we visited – we loved watching them from the pub garden while enjoying a glass of chilled Gavi. The pretty seaside town of Cromer is a 10-minute drive away, and the pub is an ideal base for visiting the beautiful North Norfolk coast. With its towering sand dunes, Holkham Beach is a must-see spot that’s loved by the royals as it’s close to Sandringham.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gunton Arms?

Rooms at The Gunton Arms start from £145 per night.

Looking for a cosy UK weekend getaway this winter? This award-winning country pub ticks all the boxes, our writer Sam Kistamah found out on a recent stay there

Approaching The Gunton Arms, we quickly realised it’s not your average local. It is a pub, but one set in a 1,000-acre deer park near Cromer in rural Norfolk, kitted out in furnishings to rival posh department store Liberty and with walls covered in art by the likes of Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. And there’s a restaurant that’s in the Michelin Guide too. The deer park surrounds the 18th-century Gunton Hall, and The Gunton Arms was originally a farm that became the second house to Gunton Hall.

After careful restoration by art dealer Ivor Braka (hence the amazing collection), The Gunton Arms opened as a pub with bedrooms in 2011, and earlier this year was listed in the top 20 of The Good Food Guide’s best British pubs.

The food at The Gunton Arms

The Elk Room restaurant is dominated by a giant Irish elk skull, which hangs over an open fire. That’s where chef Stuart Tattersall cooks local fare, including venison from the deer park and beef from the Blickling Estate. Being four miles from the coast, The Gunton Arms also offers seafood, including a popular Cromer crab pasta dish.

We began with fried cod cheeks with caper and bronze fennel mayonnaise, and mixed beets with pickled walnuts and Binham blue. We loved the tender nuggets of cod with their zingy sauce, and the sweet beets were beautifully contrasted by creamy blue cheese and tangy slivers of walnut.

For mains, we devoured the sirloin steak, which had been perfectly cooked on the fire, and came with roast potatoes and a jug of Béarnaise sauce, and the roasted halibut special, accompanied by a buttery spinach and chive sauce and tasty Portland cockles. As keen dessert fans, we inhaled the Norfolk treacle tart with clotted cream and buttermilk pudding with honeyed fig.

The next day, we had lunch at The Gunton Arms’ sister pub The Suffield Arms, which serves outstanding Mediterranean tapas. Highlights included the corn ribs with mojito mayonnaise, and the white Andalusian prawns with garlic and chilli.

The rooms at The Gunton Arms

There are 16 rooms and we stayed in the stunning Rocksavage suite, which gave us some major inspiration for our own home renovation with its muted tones and carefully chosen pieces of art and dark wood furniture. Everything, from the marble bathroom with its roll-top tub to the sumptuous bed, oozed elegance. While the suite was traditionally decorated, we appreciated the Nespresso machine and Roberts radio, and the Norfolk Natural Living toiletries were a nice touch too.

What is there to do around The Gunton Arms?

You can explore the deer park but we were told not to approach the herd as it was rutting season when we visited – we loved watching them from the pub garden while enjoying a glass of chilled Gavi. The pretty seaside town of Cromer is a 10-minute drive away, and the pub is an ideal base for visiting the beautiful North Norfolk coast. With its towering sand dunes, Holkham Beach is a must-see spot that’s loved by the royals as it’s close to Sandringham.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gunton Arms?

Rooms at The Gunton Arms start from £145 per night.

New research has revealed the most sought-after postcodes in the UK, with homes in Wiltshire, South Glasgow and Wales typically selling in under a week, over 30 days faster than the average.

Scattered across the UK are numerous delightful locations, but there are 10 that have been named the nation’s most coveted postcodes. The areas are so desirable that properties are snapped up almost instantly.

To determine Britain’s most desirable postcodes, researchers examined housing competition, security and crime statistics, education standards, and job prospects to compile a comprehensive desirability ranking. The study, carried out by Origin, identified the top 10 postcodes that demonstrated well-rounded performance across all assessed criteria.

The findings revealed that SP9 in Tidworth, Wiltshire, emerged as the most desirable postcode throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The picturesque town, featuring an attractive high street, sits amid rolling countryside, with Salisbury Plain and the River Bourne close by, offering that classic English charm.

Homes in Tidworth are typically on the market for a fleeting 2.5 days before being snapped up, selling at a rate 15 times quicker than the national average of 38 days. It also prides itself on a low crime rate, with only 35.1 incidents per 1,000 inhabitants, and is home to first-rate local schools, with an impressive 89% achieving a “Good” or “Outstanding” rating.

The second most popular location was GU46 in Yateley, Hampshire, with properties in the town typically staying on the market for just 3.5 days before a “sold” sign is fixed on the lawn. The area boasts a low crime rate, 32.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, an array of top-notch schools, and convenient commuter links to London and other major cities.

Coming in third is G44 in South Glasgow, where properties are typically sold in under five days. The area boasts a strong job market, a low crime rate, excellent schools, and vast green spaces, including Queen’s Park and Pollok Country Park, making it an attractive destination for families, professionals, and students alike.

The CA27 North West village of St Bees is another postcode in high demand, with homes selling in an average of 2.8 days. With a crime rate more than 50% lower than the national average, it’s also one of the safest areas in the UK.

St Bees’ education standards are also above par, with 92% of schools achieving a “Good” or “Outstanding” rating. Its countryside setting has an allure that suits those seeking a quieter way of life, particularly for those who work remotely.

Elsewhere on the list, Origin found that properties in LL78, in the Isle of Anglesey, typically sell within a week, which is over 30 days faster than the UK average. This postcode shares the same low crime rate as St Bees, 30.2 incidents per 1,000 residents, and excels in education.

Moreover, its dramatic landscapes, idyllic beaches, and the historic UNESCO site of Caernarfon Castle, just a stone’s throw away, make this postcode the most sought-after in Wales.

Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, commented: “At its heart, a home is an investment in quality of life, and there are so many factors that contribute to making a property desirable, from the local community to the quality of the schools.

“Having helped homeowners elevate their properties for over 20 years, we also know that a beautiful home with a high-quality finish is equally as important to buyers. All the areas in the list boast a host of incredible properties, from idyllic country residences to ultra-modern luxury apartments, making them the perfect locations for those seeking their dream home.”

Top 10 most desirable postcodes:

1. SP9 – Tidworth, Wiltshire
2. GU46 – Yateley, Hampshire
3. G44 – Southside, South Glasgow
4. CA27 – St Bees, West Cumbria
5. LL78 – Isle of Anglesey, Wales
6. CF44 – Aberdare, Wales
7. SE2 – Abbey Wood, South East London
8. SW6 – Fulham, Greater London
9. S10 – Broomhill and Crookes, South Yorkshire
10. NE6 – Walker and Byker, Tyne and Wear

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The most sought-after postcode in the UK has been revealed, with properties selling in this desirable town 15 times faster than the national average of 38 days

There are some charming areas nestled across the UK, but there’s one that has been crowned as the most desirable postcode. To such an extent that buyers looking to relocate to the destination must be quick, as homes sell almost immediately due to the high demand.

To reveal the UK’s most desirable postcodes, housing competition, security and crime rates, education quality, and employment opportunities were all analysed to create a desirability guide. The research, conducted by Origin, highlighted the top 10 postcodes that achieved balanced results across all evaluated factors.

This disclosed that the most sought-after postcode across England, Scotland and Wales was SP9 in Tidworth, Wiltshire. The quaint town, with its charming high street, is set within the sprawling countryside, with the Salisbury Plain and the River Bourne nearby, for that quintessential English allure.

One notable landmark includes St Mary’s Mortuary Chapel, which one visitor noted on TripAdvisor: “A lovely little church not far from Tedworth House. The building is beautiful, and you can look inside. I often take a look when walking in the area. There is a guest book you can sign, and it’s also really interesting to see where visitors have come from!”

There are plenty of sporting events and activities to enjoy in this small town, with the Tidworth Garrison Golf Club, Tidworth Polo Club and Saddle Club. It also boasts the 19th-century Tedworth House and a variety of shops catering to all necessities.

Moreover, it’s nestled among a stunning array of historical landmarks, such as Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Avebury Stone Circle, Old Sarum Castle and Sidbury Hill, further enhancing its appeal to potential buyers. Properties in this area typically spend an average of just a mere 2.5 days on the market before being snapped up, selling 15 times faster than the national average of 38 days.

Tidworth also boasts a low crime rate of 35.1 incidents per 1,000 residents and is home to top-notch local schools, with an impressive 89% achieving a ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ rating. Additionally, the robust local job market is a magnet for professionals, especially those in the defence sector, with security hubs like Porton Down and Boscombe Down providing ample job prospects.

Top 10 most desirable postcodes:

1. SP9 – Tidworth, Wiltshire
2. GU46 – Yateley, Hampshire
3. G44 – Southside, South Glasgow
4. CA27 – St Bees, West Cumbria
5. LL78 – Isle of Anglesey, Wales
6. CF44 – Aberdare, Wales
7. SE2 – Abbey Wood, South East London
8. SW6 – Fulham, Greater London
9. S10 – Broomhill and Crookes, South Yorkshire
10. NE6 – Walker and Byker, Tyne and Wear

Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, commented: “At its heart, a home is an investment in quality of life, and there are so many factors that contribute to making a property desirable, from the local community to the quality of the schools.

“Having helped homeowners elevate their properties for over 20 years, we also know that a beautiful home with a high-quality finish is equally as important to buyers. All the areas in the list boast a host of incredible properties, from idyllic country residences to ultra-modern luxury apartments, making them the perfect locations for those seeking their dream home.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

If you’re looking for a completely unique weekend away, there’s a hotel with colourful themed rooms and lots of fun surprises, and it’s set in the UK’s coolest city with plenty to do nearby.

While staying in a hotel for the weekend can be nice, one criticism you can level at them is that so many hotel rooms look the same. They may be comfy, but it’s easy to get bored of the same beige style you get in every hotel room.

However, whatever words you use to describe Hotel Pelirocco, “boring” is not one of them. This boutique hotel has 19 rooms, each one with a different theme, and each room is its own colourful little world.

Set on a quiet square in Brighton, the hotel is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to enjoy the UK’s coolest city. Brighton recently beat competition from cities such as Edinburgh and Manchester to cinch the title, thanks to its independent shops, unique restaurants, and lively music scene.

The hotel is just a 15-minute stroll from the North Laines, famous for its colourful shops including vintage stores, bookshops, record shops, and quirky cafes. There’s also The Lanes area, which has a more historic vibe with narrow cobbled streets full of pretty jewellery stores and designer shops.

Historic Brighton Pier is also just a short walk away, with old-fashioned rides, amusements, and stalls. And of course, there’s the iconic Brighton Beach, a long stretch of shingle that has a promenade full of clubs and bars, and becomes a lively area for nightlife as the sun goes down.

Hotel Pelirocco is set inside two converted Regency townhouses, with its historic façade blending in with the other buildings in a pretty square. However, once you step inside, it’s a maximalist’s dream with colourful walls covered in vintage art and posters. Downstairs it has a bar that hosts live music and events, and opens until the small hours for guests returning from nights out.

However, it’s the rooms that the hotel has become famous for, and themes range from David Bowie to pin-up girls and local artists. The Mod-themed room is perfect for visitors to Brighton who are there to see the city’s filming locations for Quadrophenia, while Do Knit Disturb is a room dedicated to knitting and crochet, with accessories including a knitted telephone.

Brighton has long been a destination for couples’ weekends, and the hotel has a cheekier side to it too. The Botanica suite, for example, comes with a dancing pole and a mirrored ceiling, among other surprises, and there are rooms such as Taboo with more romantic vibes.

The hotel also offers a range of extras that are perfect for couples celebrating a special occasion, from Champagne to boudoir photography in your bedroom. And if you want to really surprise your other half, you can arrange for a hamper from independent store Lust!, which includes an array of toys for couples for a fun start to your break.

Find out more about the Hotel Pelirocco or book a room on their official website.

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

KEW Gardens is renowned as a place you can unplug among the bustle of London.

But from November until January the world-famous botanic garden becomes electrified – quite literally – in a fantastic extravaganza of multicoloured lights.

Kew’s annual light trail offers visitors the chance to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site in an entirely new way.

In recent years, many other outdoor attractions have copied Kew’s Light Trail concept but this really is the original and arguably the best.

Christmas at Kew is always a hot ticket – having gone on sale back in January – but there is still time to get tickets as the trail goes on until January 2026 so is an ideal activity for ‘Twixmas week.

It is a great family outing for all ages which will bewitch all ages-from grandparents to kids.

Read more on Light Trails

SPARKLE & SHINE

The 12 most magical Christmas light shows in 2025 that you can still book

CHRISTMAS DARE

I tried the UK’s only in-air Christmas light trail you explore by zipline

I took my two children aged 12 and 8 and they easily coped with the 3km loop.

This year’s trail starts at the Palm House and is perhaps the most spectacular yet  and begins by taking visitors across a stunning new bridge from which they can admire 100 giant illuminated water lilies.

The botanic garden’s famous Chinese Pagoda is lit for the first time ever this year and stands like a shining beacon.

The ever-popular cathedral-like arch of lights is a photo opportunity not to miss. 

And kids will also love bobbing and weaving through dangling tendrils of lights in another section.

Other fun surprises new to the route include a full dancefloor complete with giant light-up headphones offering a brilliant Instagrammable opportunity.

Elsewhere, fun-fair horses that pop up among the garden’s atmospherically lit trees in hues of purple and silver.

And keep an eye out for a very special Christmas visitor who pops up towards the end of the route.

The finale of the trail is as stunning as ever with an awe-inspiring music and light show projected onto the Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. 

A musical mix from Mariah Carey to Coldplay bring to life this greenhouse which brims with some of the world’s rarest plants.

Christmas at Kew offers a feast for the eyes-but also the tummy, much to the delight of my two mini-trailers.

There are multiple festive food and drink stalls available along the way in wooden cabins, offering everything from gourmet burgers, Asian food, to Souvlaki wraps and mulled wine for me!

One delicious pitstop even offers marshmallow toasting over a fire pit.

My boys happily polished off giant hot dogs and mini waffle bites on the way round.

A trip to Kew after nightfall this wintertime will guarantee to see faces lit up as brightly as the gardens.

Christmas at Kew runs on selected dates until Sunday January 4, 2026.

Prices start at £18 for kids and £27.50 for adults.

For more on light trails, here’s how to find the cheapest one in the UK.

And here’s the 27 free festive experiences across the UK for families including light trails and Santa’s grotto.

GINGERBREAD has become a staple of Christmas – and there is a town in the UK that is considered the home of it.

Ormskirk is a market town in Lancashire sitting around 13 miles from Liverpool.

The town has its very own gingerbread history which dates back to the early 1700s when “Gingerbread Ladies” would sell their homemade spiced goods from baskets.

These were especially popular with travellers at coaching inns and later railway passengers.

Ormskirk gingerbread was even rumored to be enjoyed by King Edward VII.

While the gingerbread we buy in shops usually has a distinct taste and snap, Ormskirk Gingerbread is very different.

GET STEAMY

Brilliant budget spa days from just £9.50 – including top A-list celeb haunt

JOLLY DAY

Our expert picks for unmissable UK staycation trips to banish post-summer blues

In texture, it’s dense, chewy and cakey, and has a speckled appearance because it’s made from treacle and candied peel.

If you fancy a taste, the gingerbread is still sold in Ormskirk today in places like Mr Thompsons Bakery which is at the bi-weekly food market.

Every year, the town even holds its very own gingerbread festival to celebrate the biscuit history of Ormskirk.

Usually it takes place in summer with the last being held on July 13, 2025.

There are lots of free family activities, and stalls selling handmade treats and gifts – all of which is themed around gingerbread.

Of course having a bite of gingerbread isn’t the only reason to visit Ormskirk in the wintertime, there’s plenty of other places to see.

If wrapping up for country walks is what you prefer to do in winter, then head to Rufford Old Hall.

The National Trust Tudor and Jacobean house that’s around 500 years old sits on the outskirts of Ormskirk.

Here are period rooms to explore along with a cosy Victorian tearoom which serves afternoon tea, cakes, scones and tray bakes.

There’s also a secondhand bookshop, garden and woodland, and the site has a two mile circular walk too from the hall along the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Ormskirk holds a market every Thursday and Saturday that’s one of the oldest in the country.

It’s one of the UK’s oldest and most traditional markets having been open for almost 700 years.

There you’ll find around 100 stalls selling baked goods to clothing and gifts.

When it comes to cosy pubs, there are plenty in Ormskirk like The Kicking Donkey which is another great winter spot as it has an open fire and hearty meals.

On Sundays the classic country pub serves up roast dinners from beef brisket to gammon and turkey, to pork belly and chicken from £16.75.

One visitor said: “Lovely traditional pub, real fires and candles, amazing food and service and fabulous negroni.”

Other popular spots include Tiny Tavern Ormskirk, The Cricketers, Lost and Found and The Buck I’th Vine.

Here’s UK’s longest seaside village that’s surrounded by countryside & is the best for winter walks…

Sat on Devon‘s Jurassic Coast, Branscombe stretches around 3.5 miles long and is known for its pebble beach, thatched cottages and historic buildings.

The village features a mile-long high street running through its centre and it is surrounded by rolling hills with grazing sheep.

Alex Gwillim, local travel expert at Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays, said: “Branscombe is one of Devon’s most picturesque villages, and its cosy aesthetic paired with wellness-inspired activities makes it ideal for those looking for a staycation that prioritises self-care.”

And she isn’t wrong; Branscombe boasts amazing coastal walks like the South West Coast Path.

“Situated along the South West Coast Path, Branscombe makes the perfect starting point for a winter walk through woodland, beaches, and clifftops.

“From here, you can explore the Beer head loop or venture further along the coast to Sidmouth.”

And of course, Branscombe’s beach is a top spot to explore, with pebbles and often quieter during the autumn and winter months.

Alex added: “The mile long beach is ideal for a dog walk or simply clearing your head.”

Visitors can also get a glimpse of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast at the beach, with dramatic cliffs.

For little ones, there are plenty of rock pools to explore and fossils to find, including early reptiles, plants and marine life.

After exploring the beach, make sure to visit The Old Bakery and The Forge, both of which are National Trust sites.

For more on staycation breaks during winter, check out one Sun writer’s favourite seaside town in winter which is overlooked by a famous neighbour.

Plus, here’s one of the UK’s best seaside destinations to visit in winter – with beachfront pubs and stargazing nights.

UNIVERSAL has finally been given the green light to open a theme park in the UK.

The famous film studios has been given planning permission to start building the theme park.

A Special Development Order (SDO) has been granted by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which allows the theme park to skip local planning procedures.

This means it will allow it to be built in the suggested location near Bedford.

Expected to start works in January 2026, the park could open as soon as 2031.

It will be the first Universal theme park for both the UK and Europe, with current resorts only across the US and Asia.

BUILDING BLOCKS

The unofficial ‘eighth Wonder of the World’ could get a new theme park

RIDE ON

I went to the European theme park named the best in the world with 100 attractions

Local Labour MP Mohammad Yasin praised the “landmark moment,” adding: “The confirmation of planning permission for the Universal Destinations & Experiences Entertainment Resort Complex is transformational and will be felt for decades to come.”

Estimated to cost £6.6billion to build, it could attract as many as eight million visitors a year.

Little is currently known about what kind of themed lands and rides would open at the UK Universal.

Rumours suggest James Bond, Paddington and Lord of the Rings, Minions, Jurassic World, and Back to the Future.

It is unlikely to include Harry Potter due to licensing rules and the nearby Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction in the nearby Leavesden.

Set across 662 acres, there will be four ‘zones’; the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone.

The Core Zone is likely to be the entrance area, as well as where the theme park and waterpark will be.

Plans also include a 500-room hotel.

More accommodation and business hotels will be at the Lake Zone, as well as an entertainment complex ans convention centre.

Then both the West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone will be where guests arrive by train and car, with restaurants and hotels.

This is also like to be where the Entry Plaza area will be, as well as the parking and a 500-room hotel.

The park is expected to stay open all year round, unlike other UK theme parks like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park which only open on select dates like Christmas and New Year.

Not only that but it would have much longer opening hours, suggested to be 7am to 11pm.

It will also have a free-to-visit area where guests won’t need a ticket to enter.

Also included in the theme park plans are a new train station to cope with demand.

The new station would be part of the East West Rail (EWR) line, with train links to Oxford to Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford.

In the mean time The Sun’s  Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski visited Universal’s huge new £7bn theme park this summer.

In the winter, you can enjoy the seafront paths without the crowds, and enjoy views of snow-capped mountains on the coldest days.

A coastal path in Wales has been hailed as the UK’s top Christmas walk, thanks to its breathtaking mountain vistas and close proximity to snug pubs. The ranking, compiled by GO Outdoors, utilised TripAdvisor reviews and data on average December snowfall, along with festive factors such as nearby watering holes.

Using this information, the outdoor retailer curated a list of the top ten spots for a brisk December amble or a post-Christmas dinner saunter. Barmouth Beach, nestled on the fringes of Eyri National Park (Snowdonia), clinched the number one position. The area is enveloped by natural splendour, offering panoramic views across Cardigan Bay and the Mawddach Estuary.

During the summer months, this sandy expanse has a classic seaside atmosphere. A land train chugs along the promenade, children enjoy donkey rides on the sand, and the shallow waters are perfect for a paddle.

However, winter also presents an ideal opportunity for exploration, allowing visitors to savour the seafront paths without the throngs of people and admire views of snow-dusted mountains on the chilliest days, reports the Express.

While a tranquil stroll along the promenade is always an option, there’s also a more demanding route for those wishing to soak up some of the surrounding landscape.

The four-mile-long Panorama Walk commences at the beach and meanders through dense woodland and winding country lanes along the Mawddach Estuary.

However, it’s recommended for seasoned walkers, as it can be hilly and tricky to navigate, particularly in cold, damp conditions.

After exploring the coast, venture inland to find a cosy pub for some warmth. Just 500 metres from the beach, The Royal is a traditional stone-clad pub that’s a welcome sight after a chilly walk.

Settle into a leather chair and soak up the old-world charm while sipping on a pint and savouring classic pub grub, from roasts to a Welsh cheeseboard.

If you’d rather warm up with a hot brew, Davy Jones Locker is worth a visit. This harbourside café serves everything from hearty breakfasts to fish and chips.

Enjoy the sunshine at an outdoor table or head inside to appreciate the quirky, nautical-themed décor.

Although it only operates seasonally, usually from April to October, consider booking a ticket on the ferry departing from Barmouth Harbour. At just £4 per adult, it offers breathtaking views of the Afon Mawddach estuary.

The ferry also links with Fairbourne Railway, a vintage train service running along the mid-Wales coast.

Passengers can take in the coastal scenery as they journey along, with day passes available for those who wish to hop on and off at their leisure.

Stroll into town to discover a handful of independent shops, alongside numerous hotels and restaurants in the centre.

If you’re planning a festive getaway, The Sandbanks Hotel is a great choice, boasting direct beach access, rooms with sea views, and Christmas-themed entertainment.

A LAND of lochs, monumental mountains and breathtaking beaches, Scotland is an unforgettable holiday destination. 

Whether you’re keen to relax by the sea, trek through glens, take the family to a country park or savour this nation’s brilliant cuisine, there’s something for everyone. 

So the hardest question on your upcoming £9.50 Holiday will be: where to visit first?

Families wanting to explore the local area will have stacks of choice. 

You could start with a gentle steam train ride through the countryside, with the likes of Strathspey Steam Railway sure to put a smile on your child’s face.

Need to up the ante? Older kids can test their courage with adrenaline-pumping activities like the Highland Fling bungee jump in Killiecrankie or burn off steam at Pirate Pete’s adventure play park in Ayr.

Taking your brood to a country park like Eglinton is another great way of letting them run off excess energy – and it has the added bonus of being completely free to visit.

Other top-rated free things to do in Scotland include hiking up Arthur’s Seat and visiting the National Museum of Scotland, both in Edinburgh, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

If you want a deeper dive into nature, you could head to one of the country’s two National Parks – at Loch Lomond and Cairngorms – which are packed with nature trails. 

For a route that’s loaded with history, try the outdoor “museum without walls” Cateran Ecomuseum.

It features ancient Pictish stones and the Cateran Trail, which you can explore by foot, bike or car. 

Alternatively, try and catch a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness Monster at Loch Ness – the world’s largest lake by volume.

Prefer to bask by the beach (weather permitting)? Then you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

With over 11,000 miles of coastline including its islands, Scotland has some of the UK’s best beaches, with Camusdarach Beach on the west coast and Gullane Bents, East Lothian, among those highly rated. 

Sun readers also have their own favourite Scottish beaches, from the near-deserted shores of Embo Beach in the Highlands to the family-friendly sands at Silver Sands near Lossiemouth. 

And with so many beautiful lochs, you also have freshwater beaches including the UK’s highest beach at Loch Morlich (318m). 

Beach days can be filled with buckets and spades, sea swimming or trying a raft of activities such as paddleboarding (do it off the coast of Nairn, and you could spot the resident pod of dolphins).

A swim in nature doesn’t have to be by the sea – with wild swimming spots that include river pools in the Highlands and “Rob Roy’s Bathtub”, a massive plunge pool fed by the Falls of Falloch.

You can also explore Scotland’s incredible lochs by kayak or paddleboard, with Priory Island on Loch Tay a fantastic option for an adventure without any crowds. 

When it’s time to refuel, Scotland has everything from sea view restaurants to cheap and cheerful cafes, like Doon the Beach, a community cafe just behind Stevenson Beach, and Milk Bar in Inverness. 

Keen to sample local flavours? Get your fill of everything from hearty haggis to Cullen Sink – a soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions – at somewhere like Garden Cafe Pitlochry.

And no trip to Scotland would be complete without a wee dram. 

There are traditional pubs aplenty, like The Auld Smiddy Inn in Pitlochry, as well as distilleries like the Blair Athol Distillery where you can learn more about the process of making the tipple on an organised tour.

centre:MK shopping centre in Milton Keynes hosts the UK’s ‘biggest’ indoor Christmas grotto, featuring Santa visits, Peter Rabbit characters, festive rides and magical light displays for families

There’s something rather apt about Milton Keynes, the host of the UK’s ‘largest’ indoor Christmas grotto.

The new town – officially recognised as a city from 2022 – has its fair share of critics, but the reality of MK is that it’s not all as it seems. What initially strikes you as a concrete jungle upon arrival in Central Milton Keynes is actually a lush, vibrant and expansive city teeming with vast green spaces and waterways.

So, those visiting the city’s premier shopping centre – centre:MK, once the longest undercover mall in Europe – might find the location of the Christmas grotto a bit peculiar. But we locals know the real deal – and it’s enchanting.

A visit to the grotto is an absolute must for our little clan. It’s my three-year-old’s third visit, while our youngest is experiencing Christmas for the first time.

He was understandably puzzled by the parade that marches through centre:MK to officially usher in the festive season. But his older brother particularly loved the ‘big people’ – elves on stilts – that accompanied Santa’s sleigh.

This visit was also our eldest’s inaugural encounter with Santa in a grotto setting. And it’s safe to say, he was absolutely thrilled.

Middleton Hall – a spacious, typically open area within the centre – often undergoes transformations depending on the season. In the summer, it morphs into a beachside retreat, for instance.

But come the festive season, it truly comes to life. This year, it has been reimagined as ‘Starlight Square’, where festive sights and sounds can be enjoyed free of charge until January.

There are numerous standalone light displays to marvel at, including a massive mushroom you can stroll through, a charming water fountain with a pair of singing reindeer my son is obsessed with every year, and more Christmas trees than you could possibly count. The centre’s glass walls create an illusion of infinite lights, adding to the enchantment.

Then there are the rides – featuring a rather delightful little train that takes you around some of the illuminated installations. A nostalgic Victorian-style carousel, costing £3 per ride, is a lovely nod to the past, while a VR sleigh ride brings you right back to the present with plenty of family fun for £6 per person.

All these elements combined to create a special, unforgettable day for our family. My Christmas-obsessed toddler thoroughly enjoyed the train ride – which, at £2.50 per person, could have been a bit longer – and the helter skelter will be one to look forward to in the future at £2 per slide or £3 for two slides.

But there’s so much to see and savour while wandering around the lights that it makes it more than worthwhile. That was the recurring theme from our time at Starlight Square.

The main attraction, however, was Santa’s Grotto itself. We were greeted at the entrance by lively elves who really helped make the experience magical for the children.

After being ushered inside a quaint display home, we took our seats to hear tales of missing Christmas gifts from Peter Rabbit’s mother. Shortly afterwards, a secret passageway was unveiled – much to my son’s delight, as he crawled through with great enthusiasm.

Characters from Peter’s tales came alive alongside the elves as we crafted and decorated gingerbread biscuits to present to Santa. As that session concluded, we were graced with a visit from Peter Rabbit himself, who was a delight for all the excited children.

Then came the moment we’d all been eagerly anticipating. After strolling through a brightly illuminated corridor to heighten the suspense, we entered Santa’s Chamber and met Father Christmas himself.

A cosy living room setting greeted us, and Santa was warm and inviting – particularly towards our usually talkative son, who had momentarily become a bit bashful. Once he mustered the courage to wish Merry Christmas and thank Santa for a gift – I won’t ruin the surprise, but it was apt for our experience – we took a photo and headed back to Starlight Square.

Having attended this festive event every year since relocating to MK in 2018, I felt somewhat overqualified to critique it. So instead, I’ll let the sparkle in my son’s eyes narrate the tale.

Some of the prices are a tad high – a family of four would have to shell out £24 just for the virtual sleigh ride, which is hard to justify considering the often long queues. Meeting Santa would set the same family back at least £30, depending on the age of your youngest member.

But, without wanting to sound overly sentimental, it’s easy to be swept up in the festive spirit. Seeing the joy on your little ones’ faces as they explore this enchanting indoor wonderland is nearly priceless.

A NEW play attraction has been approved for one of the UK’s best remote beaches.

The new £600,000 inclusive playground at Shoebury’s East Beach in Southend will have themed zones inspired by the sea.

There will be a sandpit, climbing areas and a submarine structure in the middle of the playground.

The playground will be open to all age groups and abilities and include wheelchair-accessible swings, roundabouts and sensory features.

Reports from September also revealed that the playground will feature sit-on seals and colourful fish.

There will also be a sensory boardwalk lined with new trees being planted.

Read more on travel inspo

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

TRIP TIPS

I’ve visited Disney 55 times… mistakes parents make that ruin trips & waste money

According to the Echo, Tricia Cowdrey, Green Party candidate for Shoebury, said: “One of the attractions of this playground is that it is close to a beach.

“The steps and ramps nearby have suffered extreme wear and tear, and temporary flimsy fencing is a huge safeguarding concern.

“We ask that secure fencing be erected before the playground opens and that plans for accessible beach access be expedited.”

Work is currently underway to improve access to the beach, however it might not be finished in time for the opening of the playground.

Steven Wakefield, independent councillor for Shoebury Ward, also commented on the project, claiming that it is in the “perfect place, right next to the cafés.

He added that the project will mean that East Beach is no longer a “forgotten area of Shoeburyness”.

Works on the playground could begin in spring 2026.

Initial plans for a new playground were first introduced over three years ago.

And back in the summer, Beach House Cafe opened next door to the East Beach Cafe and marked the completion of a £2million regeneration project.

A recent visitor at the Beach House said: “Love it here! Come for brunch every weekend, drive up from London. Lovely beach setting, food is fresh, tasty & lush!

Over the summer, The Telegraph also named Shoeburyness as one of the top 20 destinations in Britain for the best secret and remote beaches.

The Telegraph stated: “Just three miles from the mayhem that is Southend in summer, Shoeburyness has two Blue Flag beaches that are far less well known.

“Its East Beach is the nicest and is popular with local paddleboarders and kitesurfers, thanks to its long strand of sand.”

In other coastal news, a popular UK seaside town scraps trains to London.

Plus, Victorian seaside town ranked ‘best for short break’ gets green light for £20m revamp in 10-year upgrade.