Weekend Content

A nepo baby with two very famous actor parents has bagged herself a role in the new Peaky Blinders movie – can you guess who her mum and dad are?

Ruby, 27, has followed in her parents footsteps as an actor and according to IMDB, she’s set to star as Agnes Shelby in the upcoming film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.

The highly-anticipated project is a direct continuation of the BBC One television series and has an epic cast.

Cillian Murphy is back in the role of Thomas Shelby alongside Stephen Graham, Sophie Rundle, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee and Ian Peck.

Ruby joins other actors who are new to the Peaky Blinders world, including Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Jay Lycurgo and Barry Keoghan.

Her actor and filmmaker father is best known for his motion capture roles working with animation and voice work for computer generated characters.

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He’s starred in massive Hollywood films including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong and the Planet of the Apes reboot series.

His work has garnered him several BAFTA awards, a Daytime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe nomination.

Meanwhile, his wife also has an impressive resume, having appeared in massive shows including The Crown, Bridgerton and Grantchester.

And she most recently entertained fans in the BBC drama Riot Women, written by Happy Valley’s Sally Wainwright.

Have you guessed who Ruby’s famous parents are?

That’s right, it’s none other than Gollum actor Andy Serkis and his wife Lorraine Ashbourne.

As well as the projects previously mentioned, Andy has starred in other big projects including Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Batman and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

The couple got married back in 2002 and live in London with their three children, Ruby, Sonny and Louis.

Ruby Ashbourne Serkis has already starred in some big productions, having bagged small roles in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies thanks to her dad.

She’s since carved out her own career with projects such as drama comedy film La Cha Cha and most recently, Netflix film Steve, alongside Cillian.

Ruby is also set to appear on stage at The Hampstead Theatre in Indian Ink, alongside Felicity Kendal and Gavi Singh Chera.

A synopsis for the play reads: “Satirising the self-importance of both academia and the ruling class, Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink is an evocative meditation on art and love, exploring how creativity can bridge even the most profound cultural barriers.”

Both of Ruby’s brothers, Sonny and Louis, have also bagged the nepo tag and ran with it, and are also acting.

Sonny has appeared in mini series Masters of the Air, The Witcher, The War Below and Young Wallander.

While Louis is best-known for his role as Alex in the 2019 fantasy adventure film The Kid Who Would Be King.

Back in 2017, Andy directed the film Breathe, which is a true story about the love between Robin and Diana Cavendish.

Many fans thought the film was inspired by Andy and Lorraine’s own love story, having been married for 23 years.

However, Andy has clarified the project was inspired by the Cavendish’s story and the power of their love to overcome adversity.

POP princess Sabrina Carpenter has the making of a great queen, says a butler who taught her how to behave like a royal.

Grant Harrold gave the US star etiquette lessons before an awards bash.

He said the Espresso singer “rolled her eyes” at the start but was “very natural”.

Footage unearthed by The Sun shows Sabrina, then 18, learning to serve afternoon tea.

She also balanced books on her head to improve posture.

Grant, who worked for the then-Prince Charles from 2007 to 2011, said the stunt ahead of the 2017 MTV Awards was more “Downton Abbey than Mean Girls”.

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He added: “She’s very chilled, laid-back and didn’t act like a superstar.

“If we could’ve got her into a tiara, she’d have been up for it. She began eye-rolling at the start. She wasn’t too sure.

“Her curtsy was a bit too theatrical. Perfect for one of her shows, not for meeting the King. But she was very natural. I didn’t have to confiscate anything. She was very good about her phone.

“She could pass at the Palace quite easily.

“I can see her getting along with William and Kate, and the King.

“She’s charming, confident, assertive. She’d make a future great queen. A few etiquette lessons and she’d be there.”

Sabrina was joined by US comedians the Dolan twins at a London hotel — perfecting the skills of pauper-turned-socialite Eliza Doolittle — Audrey Hepburn in 1964 film My Fair Lady.

Now 26, Anglophile Sabrina recorded much of new album Man’s Best Friend in the Cotswolds.

And she posed with a sparkly Union Jack on her tour in March.

Do you have a similar story? Email [email protected]

VICTORIA Beckham is embracing her Spice Girls past more than ever – leaving many convinced she’s sewing the seeds for an announcement that will send fans into meltdown. 

For years Victoria, 51, has been The Grinch of the Spice Girls, refusing to join Mel B, Emma Bunton, Melanie C and Geri Horner on tour in 2019 and making several comments about how she’s moved on from the group. 

But the fashion designer has dropped many hints in recent months that Posh Spice is coming out of retirement. 

The biggest clue yet came when she uploaded a clip of her make-up free and singing a live acoustic version of one of their biggest hits, despite being open about insecurities surrounding her voice. 

Next year marks three decades since Spice Girls took over the world with debut single Wannabe and – with Scary, Baby, Sporty and Ginger keen to mark the occasion in a big way – here’s all the clues Victoria will finally perform with them again. 

Stadium temptation

For music fans, this summer was dominated by the historic Oasis reunion tour which saw brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher perform together for the first time in 16 years. 

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Demand for tickets was so high that thousands of people were left gutted to miss out – but Victoria wasn’t one of them.

She attended one of the Wembley Stadium gigs with husband David, 50, and their children and the iconic show clearly had her feeling nostalgic.

Victoria shared a clip of David enjoying himself at the concert and tagged all of her former bandmates, adding: “Tempting…”

During their 2019 reunion tour, Spice Girls sold out 13 stadium dates – including three nights at Wembley – which grossed an estimated £55million.

So you can’t blame Posh for wanting a slice of it this time around…

Posh residency

Since launching her eponymous luxury fashion brand in 2008, Victoria has made it clear it’s her priority professionally.

Discussing her decision not to join Mel B, 50, Emma, 49, Melanie C, 51, and 53-year-old Geri on tour in 2019, she told Vogue Germany: “It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again.

“But to be the one who says, ‘You know, I’m not doing it because things feel different now than they used to’.”

She added: “I’d rather concentrate on my family and my company. I’m 45 now and very happy to be the woman I am…”

But, while touring all over the world may be out of the question for Victoria and her business, she recently confessed the idea of a Vegas residency is one that appeals to her.

Speaking to Andy Cohen on Sirius XM, she said: “It would be tempting.

“But could I take on a world tour? No I can’t. I have a job…

“How good would the Spice Girls be at the Sphere! I love the idea of it. I mean I don’t know if I could even still sing, I mean I was never that great!”

The 20,000-capacity concert hall features wraparound screens and has hosted residencies from U2, The Eagles and Backstreet Boys, with No Doubt set to reunite there for 12 dates next May.

Spice Girls forever

Right from the start, Victoria was labelled as the ‘Posh one who doesn’t sing’.

And it was all because – due to a prior family commitment – she missed the final recording session for Wannabe, meaning she was the only member without a solo.

Writing in her 2001 autobiography Learning To Fly, Victoria recalled trying to write the track over the phone with the girls – calling missing the session one of her biggest regrets.

She wrote at the time: “It did make a difference, because by the time it came to recording, performing and singing it, all the parts had been divided up between the rest of them.

“And every time we performed it I just felt like a gooseberry standing at the back not doing anything. 

“And I used to say to my mum, ‘God, they’ll say I’m the one who doesn’t sing’. And she’d say, ‘Don’t worry, Victoria, no one will notice’.

“But they did notice. And to this day it’s what always gets thrown at me: Posh Spice, the one who doesn’t sing.”

Victoria has always been ahead of the joke about her vocals and recently quipped: “[My voice] wasn’t off-key, but it was small. Sometimes, they just turned my mic off.”

But she almost broke the internet when she sat down for a stripped back acoustic performance of Viva Forever with son Cruz, 20.

The incredible video sent fans wild, with one writing: “My fave song ever. Goosebumps listening it on your beautiful voice!”

And another said: “This gave me goosebumps… so iconic.”

But it was Melanie C’s comment that set tongues wagging, as she wrote: “Love this. Getting a head start on rehearsals.”

Mum guilt

Despite her reservations about singing with the girls again, Victoria has always been proud of their legacy.

Speaking in her recent Netflix documentary she admitted she “wouldn’t have been who I am now if it wasn’t for the Spice Girls, 100 per cent”.

Victoria added: “People love the Spice Girls. I love the Spice Girls. I’m so proud of that.”

And the mum-of-five joked David “mum-guilted” her into joining the group for their 2007 world tour.

In the series, he said: “Our kids weren’t around to see their mum be a Spice Girl!”

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And Victoria quipped: “He mum-guilted me!”

And, given Cruz’s recent duet with his former pop star mum, there’s no doubt David and the kids will be encouraging Victoria to dust off her little Gucci dress at least one more time.

THIS former Disney Channel star had her first taste of stardom back in 2016 appearing in hit teen drama Backstage.

But it was her dazzling vocal talent that really piqued people’s attention with her most popular hit, the viral Princesses Don’t Cry, going on to rack up over 250 million streams.

But despite her notable accolades, child star Aviva Chiara Mongillo, who released music under the name ‘CARYS’, is now back living at her parent’s house.

The now 27-year-old, who played Alya Kendrick in Backstage, shared a candid moment about her current living situation with fans online.

Aviva took to TikTok to share a meme about the complete U-turn her life seems to have taken, while simultaneously expressing gratitude for the way her life is today.

“When you were on Disney channel, signed to a major label and had a viral song before the age of 20 and now you’re 27 living with your parents,” the actress-turned-musician quipped, smiling at the camera in a red jumper.

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She quipped: “To be honest, I don’t know what happened but we need a re-do”.

There didn’t seem to be any real ill feeling towards her current lifestyle though, as Aviva thoughtfully captioned the post to say she “wouldn’t change a thing”.

“for real though… I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m grateful that this is my life.”

The post has currently been liked around 90,000 times, with fans flooding the comments section with praises.

“Aviva Mongillo you will always be famous to me,” gushed one user in a comment Aviva has hearted.

“Backstage is one of my favourite disney shows ever!!!,” exclaimed another.

Though one of the most common comments was people shocked to learn that Aviva was the voice behind Princesses Don’t Cry, as she wasn’t recognisable.

“YOU’RE THE ONE WHO MADE PRINCESSES DONT CRY???,” said one of the post’s top comments with over 4,200 “likes”.

The star simply responded with “YOU BETCHA”.

Princesses Don’t Cry came out in 2019 and immediately gained popularity through TikTok and other social media platforms.

Sung under the artist name CARYS, the song subverts traditional fairy tales by asserting that princesses are strong and independent, not “crying over boys with pretty eyes”.

Meanwhile, Aviva’s stint on Backstage saw her star in sixty episodes where she frequently sung and played guitar.

Initially, Aviva was discovered by a music producer who was looking to craft music to feature on Backstage.

But later on she was encouraged to audition for a role instead, eventually landing the part of Alya Kendrick.

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Aviva ultimately left backstage in season two to go on tour with the cast of La Boheme.

After her Disney days, Aviva went on to star in comedy-drama Workin’ Moms as the recurring character Juniper.

SHE was the blonde beauty that was catapulted into the spotlight after a starring role in this iconic 1989 movie.

The beloved Disney film was a box office success that would go on to span another two spin-offs, with fans lapping up the characters’ pint-sized adventures.

Now all grown up, aged 54, the star recently took to Instagram and wowed with with some fun swimsuit photos while celebrating the film decades later.

Amy O’Neill was just 19 when she played the role of Amy Szalinski in the hit film Honey, I Shrunk The Kids – but her new pics show she seemingly hasn’t aged at all.

Amy stepped out for the Disney+ ‘Dive in Theatre’ screening of the original movie in a blue and pink racer swimsuit, ready to soak up the attractions on offer.

The former child star looked incredibly youthful and svelte in her swimwear, which she complemented with a wide wicker hat and a patterned blue beach skirt.

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In her Instagram caption, shared alongside the pictures, Amy enthused that the experience “transported us back to a different time and size”.

In one photo Amy is seen posing with a giant spoon and some giant ‘cheerios’ in a swimming pool, in what was a cheeky nod to her shrunken sized character.

The star later lounged poolside with her fellow movie-goers to rewatch the beloved movie and was snapped standing next to an old-school film screening sign bearing “Honey I Shrunk the Kids 1989 Now Showing”.

Talking to ABC’s On the Red carpet, Amy said: “This whole thing, when I saw the concept and got the invite I thought it was super cool.

“It’s been 36 years since Honey, I Shrunk the Kids came out.

“It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve done fan events and I’ve gotten the chance to reconnect with fans and see how vibrant the movie still is in their lives and how meaningful it is to so many people.

Amy was also joined by co-star Thomas Wilson Brown, 51, who played Little Russ in the film, the neighbour’s offspring.

On her Instagram post, fans flocked to the comments, with one asking, “How was it reuniting with Thomas?”

Replying to her follower, Amy explained, “Wonderful as always. He brought his grandson to the screening- so adorable!”

While another said, “Just amazing! A shame the other child actors are absent!”

Amy replied, “I wish they’d been there also- but I wish all of you had been there too!”

A third fan penned, “Wow, that Thomas guy grew up to be a hottie!!”

Another added, “Another of my favourite classic comedy of 80s, everything looks great.”

“Nice pictures Amy O’Neill and Thomas Wilson Brown and you’re looking well by being grown up,” said a fifth in the comments.

Someone concluded, “Very cool. Still one of the best movies of the 80s.”

The award-winning classic movie, starring Rick Moranis and Marcia Strassman, celebrated its 36th anniversary this year.

Amy played Moranis’ daughter in the movie, which produced two sequels, Honey, I Blew Up The Kid in 1992 and Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997.

The original followed the chaos that ensued when scientist Wayne Szalinksi (Moranis) accidentally minimised his children and the neighbour’s kids.

Ghostbusters star Moranis went on to star in Parenthood, The Flintstones and the two sequels to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

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As for O’Neill, she had TV roles in Murder, She Wrote and The Young and Restless before Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

She also appeared in the 1989 Christian Slater film Desperate for Love.

OUR Spotlight On column rounds up the best things to see and do in top holiday destinations – and shines a light on some lesser-known spots too.

This week we’re spotlighting Belfast – the Northern Irish capital bursting with charm, heritage and plenty of good craic!

Travel Writer Jenna Stevens recently spent a weekend in the city centre, and is wondering why she didn’t visit sooner.

She said: “Belfast wasn’t on my bucket list, but after going I can’t believe I overlooked it. I’m convinced it’ll be the next go-to city for weekend breaks.

“Flights only cost £15 with Ryanair, and they’re so quick you barely have time to have a drink and stretch your legs before you’re landing again.

“The city’s got some amazing architecture, like the grand city hall and cathedral that watches over the city with its signature spire poking out.

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“The food scene in Belfast is criminally underrated too – local pubs served up some of the best seafood I’ve ever had.

“The Afternoon Tea at the Grand Central Hotel was miles better than The Shard.

“It had loads of unique tea flavours such as lemon smoothie, and plenty of well-stuffed sandwiches to go round.

“Plus, the Causeway Coast is breath-taking and under an hour’s drive from Belfast.

“It’s worth extending your trip, hiring a car and driving up the entire coast to see dramatic cliffs and Game of Thrones filming locations – not just a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway.

Must see and do

Head to McConnell’s Whiskey Distillery for a tour that blends history, culture and some fantastic local flavours.

Housed in the former Crumlin Road Gaol, the £25 experience begins with a welcome drink and a guided tasting of three spirits.

You’ll get to walk over the eerie markings of old prison cells, whilst seeing how whiskey is crafted from grain to glass.

The most memorable part of my visit, however, was the black cab tour.

Our cab driver, Billy, gave us a comprehensive overview of the city’s history, and drove us through a series of murals and past the Peace Walls.

It’s an excellent way to learn more about the city through the eyes of a local.

Else, take a stroll through the Cathedral Quarter, where cobbled streets buzz with street art and live music.

Hidden gem

Belfast lies partly in County Antrim, home to the stunning Causeway Coast.

In an hour’s drive you can discover the breath-taking coastline: from the dramatic rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede to the sweeping sands of White Park Bay.

Head to Glenariff Forest Park for panoramic landscapes and an enchanting waterfall walk.

You can even book a tour with a forest guide, who will tell you all about the area and its wildlife.

And if hiking’s not your thing, you can simply sit in the park’s cafe with a cup of tea to soak up the emerald green landscape.

Best view

For a striking view that makes you think, visit Titanic Belfast.

From here, you can look out over the historic slipways and docks where the liner was built and launched – a backdrop that transports you back in time.

After taking in the sheer scale of the ship from the slipway markings, the attraction itself becomes even more meaningful.

Here you can even step aboard the SS Nomadic – the White Star Line ship that ferried passengers to the Titanic itself.

The walk through takes a couple of hours, and is fascinating, immersive and deeply moving.

Rated restaurant

Mourne Seafood Bar is renowned for its ultra-fresh, locally sourced fish.

From seafood casserole to creamy mussels with crusty bread, the menu champions seasonal flavours.

Casual, welcoming and full of maritime charm, it’s the go-to spot for seafood lovers in Belfast.

If seafood’s not your thing, I recommend heading to Amelia Hall for delicious and generous portions of creamy pasta and freshly made pizza.

Best bar

Ask anyone in Belfast and they’ll say it’s hard to find a bad pint – and they’re right.

But the name that continually crops up the most amongst locals is Kelly’s Cellars.

One of the oldest pubs in Belfast, the low-beamed interior is warm and welcoming, alive with chatter and perfectly-poured pints.

Hotel pick

The Grand Central is Belfast’s showstopper hotel.

Once hosting icons from Churchill to the Beatles, today it continues to impress the modern guest with sleek rooms and city views.

Head to The Observatory, Ireland’s tallest bar, for cocktails or afternoon tea with the skyline shimmering below.

Classic Rooms at the Grand Central start from £220 per night, including breakfast. See www.hastingshotels.com/grand-central.

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Northern Ireland is part of the common travel area, meaning there are no travel restrictions for British travellers.

For more information visit: Ireland.com/northernireland.

CROATIA is full of islands, in fact it has over one thousand of them, but there’s one that was the favourite hotspot for royalty many years ago.

It’s not hard to see why either as the island is covered in lush olive groves and ruins of those grand former summer residences.

Šipan Island is the largest of the Elaphiti archipelago and is around 11 miles away from Dubrovnik.

On the island there are just two hotels, so you can opt for an overnight stay at either Hotel Šipan in Šipanska Luka and Hotel Božica in Suđurađ.

Both are expensive, although Hotel Božica offers a more relaxed retreat than what you’ll find on mainland Croatia.

It’s small with around 30 rooms, and guests can make use of the outdoor pool, a private beach, a restaurant and a lounge bar.

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In peak summer it can be as much as £380 per night.

If you want to simply explore, then jump on a ferry and take a daytrip from Dubrovnik.

To get to Šipan, holidaymakers need to take the ferry from Dubrovnik.

There’s one ferry a day, and the trip takes around 45 minutes with a one-way ticket costing £3.63pp.

Once you get to the island, you’ll find a mass of olive groves – as it holds a Guinness World Record for the highest density of olive trees per square meter.

This is also why it’s called ‘golden island’, thanks to its rich land which produces quality olive oil.

It is inhabited by around 480 residents who live between the two main villages, Šipanska Luka on the western side and Suđurađ on the southeastern tip.

You’ll also spot some ruins that used to be Roman villas and summer residences of Dubrovnik nobility.

Thanks to its proximity to the city, Šipan Island used to be the holiday spot for rich and noble Croatian families from Dubrovnik.

One of those is Vice Stjepović-Skočibuha in the village of Suđurađ, the most famous one among them.

Of the 13 Elaphiti Islands, only three are inhabited; Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan.

Koločep is the island nearest to Dubrovnik, and it has two villages, plenty of hiking trails, and the Modra šilja, known as The Blue Cave.

On Lopud, visitors will find the very pretty Šunj beach and a historic monastery.

Much further up the coast, nearer to Zagreb, Krk is Croatia’s largest island, and unlike Šipan, it can be accessed via a bridge, so there’s no need to take the ferry.

As it’s one of the larger Croatian islands, which has a number of resorts, hotels, holiday homes and campsites.

There are over 68 towns and villages on the island, and a popular spot is Beach Kozica, also known as the silent beach, which has been described as “dream bay” by visitors thanks to its clear waters.

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Plus, here’s more on the Croatian town that Brits always skip, which is named one of the cheapest beach resorts in Europe.

And check out the tiny European coastal town that used to be its own island named top 2024 hidden gem.

WOULD you believe it that one village in Suffolk used to be as big as London, and just as important?

On the east coast of England is a village that years ago used to be one of the country’s biggest trade hubs, but due to coastal erosion has been lost to the sea.

Dunwich in Suffolk sits 13 miles down the coast from Lowestoft, and in recent history has been called the ‘Lost City of England‘ or even Suffolk’s answer to Atlantis.

During the medieval period, Dunwich had a main port which was a huge hub for international trade in what was the Kingdom of East Anglia.

Dunwich was even the capital of the Kingdom of the East Angles in the Anglo-Saxon period.

At that time, Dunwich was home to around 3,000 people – the same number that were in London.

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It would trade goods like wool, grain and fish, but problems began in the 14th century after a number of huge storms.

Significant storms in 1286, 1328 and 1362 caused a huge amount of damage, destroying buildings.

It washed the port and a large amount of the town into the sea, including around 400 houses and eight churches.

Sonar images have even revealed a number of old buildings and streets sitting 30 feet below the sea.

After this, the medieval port was lost and so Dunwich became what it’s known as now, a coastal village.

There’s very little of the original Dunwich left now, but one ruin that’s still on land is the Greyfriars Monastery.

This isn’t the original though as that was also destroyed by a storm in 1286, the ruins visible today are from the “new” friary that was rebuilt in the late 13th century.

These are reportedly haunted with some visitors saying they spotted mysterious lights, and even ghosts at the friary.

If you want to learn more about Dunwich’s rich history, there’s even a museum dedicated to telling the history of the village from Roman times to the present day.

But today, most people visit Dunwich to spend time on its stretching beach which in 2021 was named as one of the UK’s best-kept secrets.

Just down the coast is Dunwich Heath, known for its wildlife like Dartford warblers, woodlarks, adders and antlions.

The beach and surrounding countryside are owned by the National Trust, which runs a beachside tearoom called Coastguard Cottages where you can pick up hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals.

There’s also a children’s play area on the beach, and cafes and pubs in the nearby village.

Favourites on Tripadvisor include The Ship Inn Restaurant, Flora Tea Rooms and The 12 Lost Churches.

For more exploration, further up the coast is the pretty seaside town of Southwold, or travel south to Leiston and Aldeburgh.

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The English seaside town with no arcades or rides but named the best in the UK…

Aldeburgh in Suffolk doesn’t have any arcades, but instead is littered with pastel-coloured holiday villas and fisherman’s huts selling the daily catch.

Today, the town still celebrates its rich history and has a literary festival each year.

Locals also boast about the town’s fish and chips, with The Suffolk recommended by Michelin.

Along the high street, instead of arcades you will find clothes boutiques, antiques shops and independent book stores.

One stop to head to is O&C Butcher – a 130-year-old clothes store selling top brands including Barbour and Gant. The town is also known for being the home of famous composer, Benjamin Britten.

Today, during the summer months, visitors can head to his home, The Red House. Britten shared the home with Peter Pears and it is nestled in a five acre garden, with a farmhouse, gallery space, shop and cafe. And there is a historic cinema in the town too.

It doesn’t look like your average cinema from the outside, as it features timber framing.

The beach itself boasts both shingle and sand and backs onto the town, making it the ideal spot for adventuring to after exploring the town.

On the beach you will also find The Scallop – a sculpture that is a tribute to Benjamin Britten.

The Times recently named the seaside town the best in the UK.

For a place to stay in Dunwich, discover what one writer made of the Smugglers Inn.

And hear more from Jimmy Doherty who lives in Suffolk or as he called it, the ‘undiscovered gem of England’.

WITH a bright blue flowing river, mountains and a huge canyon, you might think this spot is in America at first glance.

But no, this beautiful place is not in Arizona, instead it’s in one of the prettiest French regions, and Brits rarely travel to it.

You’ll find this spot in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, which is one of the six departments in the Provence region.

The department is home to ‘Europe‘s Grand Canyon’ called Gorges du Verdon in France, which is a huge limestone gorge carved by the very blue Verdon River.

The Gorges du Verdon is 15 miles long, up to 700 meters deep, and between 6 and 100 meters wide at the bottom.

While it’s a great place to get pictures, there’s even more you can do there, from hiking to climbing, and watersports.

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The river begins near the town of Castellane, and ends at the Lake of Esparron.

To see more of the natural beauty, and particularly wildlife, head to the Verdon National Park where there are vultures, eagles and falcons.

There are also wolves, chamois (a type of goat-antelope), roe deer, wild boar, and ibex, as well as reptiles, bats, fish and scorpions.

The Sun’s Brittany Vonow explored France in a campervan earlier this year where she discovered the incredible canyon along the way.

She said: “One highlight was a visit to the Verdon Gorge, a river canyon close to the region of Quinson, filled with deep turquoise water.

“We filled up on a quick lunch from our gas stove — two minute noodles with some tinned veg mixed in — before hiking the stunning mountains bordering the water.”

Brittany continued: “Our “cooee” calls echo around the rock faces and at that moment, it feels like we are the only people left in the world. A short drive west of here took us to Sainte Croix Verdon, home to a huge lake with waters as turquoise as the Verdon Gorge.

“With each turn, southern France shows off its jaw-dropping vistas, from rolling lavender fields to gorgeous gorges that make way for towering snow-capped mountains and picturesque French towns nestled in between.”

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence also has mountains with ski resorts in the north, with many in the Verdon valley.

The department is also famous for its lavender fields, especially the Plateau de Valensole – to see them in bloom, visit from late June to mid-July.

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France has no main airport and so it’s not as visited as some of its neighbours nearer the coast like Marseille and Nice.

These cities are the ones that Brits will have to fly to, and then drive into the department from.

Both Marseille and Nice are around two and a half hours away from the Verdon Gorge by car.

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For more in France, here’s an underrated city that has a ‘bit of everything’ with picturesque beaches and new cheap hotels.

Also in France is the world’s most beautiful village – with classic car tours & fairytale lavender fields.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A children’s menu is also available.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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In other rail news, one of the UK’s most beautiful train journeys runs right across the beach and it costs less than £20.

Plus, these are 12 of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys are in Britain – with Victorian carriages and stargazing.