Fears for playful dolphin who DANCED with family in incredible video at popular UK beach after it's ‘hit by a boat'
Lynda MacDonald, 50, and her partner, son and his girlfriend, set out for their 6am morning swim at Lyme Bay, Dorset on August 3 when they encountered the friendly dolphin.
4
4
4
Just moments after leaping into the chilly water the family encountered a curios bottlenose dolphin.
The playful dolphin dances across the water towards the astonished family before swimming on its back and asking for belly rubs.
Sadly, the dolphin seen in the footage has since been found injured by a boat in the Lyme Bay area.
Wildlife experts have warned swimmers to avoid the creatures and fear for other dolphins around the UK's coast.
Lynda, who works in advertising, said about her encounter: "Out of nowhere, the dolphin immediately approached us and wanted to join in on the action.
"It was friendly and playful. It even started guiding members of our group along the water with its beak.
"It was not distressed by our presence and was very confident around us.
"I've seen a dolphin before, but this is something I'll remember forever."
Lynda described the encounter as "magical" adding how glad she was to have caught it on camera.
Dolphins appear in UK waters fairly regularly, according to the Dorset Wildlife Trust there are 28 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises in British coastal waters.
Dolphins surround kayakers off coast of Scots beauty spot
The creatures are curios and playful and will approach boats and even sometimes come close to swimmers.
But marine experts have asked tourists to stay away from the playful animals, raising concerns for the safety of the sea creatures.
Touching the animals can leave them vulnerable to predators according to experts.
Swimmers have also been warned away from feeding dolphins any animal food, which may kill them.
Lynda said about her encounter: "You can hear the footage audio that the dolphin was happy to interact with us.
"But we were mindful; we played for five minutes and then let it go on its way."
The UK is thought to have a population of around 700 coastal bottlenose dolphins.
The species is renowned for being sociable and playful, often interacting with vessels.
They are regularly seen off the coast of the UK and spend a large amount of time in coastal waters.
Bottlenose dolphins are commonly seen in Moray Firth, Scotland, Cardigan Bay, Wales, and off the coasts of Cornwall and Northumberland.
Playing with dolphins could stress the animals and disrupt their behaviour, migration and feeding.
Dolphins, along with whales and other porpoises, are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Approaching or disturbing a dolphin can result in up to six months in prison as well as an unlimited fine.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘Eco-hypocrite' Miliband refuses to reveal his number of domestic flights
Ed Miliband has been branded an eco 'hypocrite' after refusing to reveal how many domestic flights he has taken. Ministers insisted the Energy Secretary would not disclose any details about his air travel within the UK since he entered office last July. Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, said the refusal represented 'one rule for him and another for everyone else' given that the Left-wing frontbencher has been a vociferous opponent of domestic air travel. Labour has also forced through significant increases to air passenger duty that have added hundreds of pounds to some family holidays. The accusation came after a Conservative MP challenged the Energy Secretary to publish details of the internal UK flights he has taken since the last election. Answering on Mr Miliband's behalf, Michael Shanks, the energy minister, replied: 'Details of internal domestic flights are not published.' Claire Coutinho, the Tory shadow energy secretary, said: 'As Ed Miliband sticks a holiday tax of up to £400 on a family of four, it does seem the height of hypocrisy that he won't reveal his own flights, which are funded by the taxpayer. 'People expect transparency and fairness from their politicians, but when it comes to the most stringent net zero costs, it's one rule for him and another for everyone else.' Mr Miliband's stance is in line with other Whitehall departments, which also do not release details of ministers' domestic flights. The Government said it was 'the practice of successive administrations', including Tory ones, not to 'publish granular information' about their movements. Mr Miliband, who is in charge of net zero policies, has previously said Britons should cut down on such flights 'as much as we possibly can'. But he was embarrassed earlier this year when it emerged his department is spending more on internal flights under his watch than the Tories. Figures released in April revealed it spent £44,000 on domestic flights for ministers and officials between July and December last year. That was more than the £40,000 spent in the first half of 2024 by the Tories, when Ms Coutinho was in charge of the net zero ministry. Mr Miliband has previously suggested that the Government should encourage ordinary voters to take trains and buses rather than flying. Asked when he was shadow business secretary whether domestic flights should be banned, he said: 'Not completely, but as much as we possibly can.' Speaking to the BBC in 2021, he added: 'Fairness and giving people alternatives is an absolutely key part of making this transition happen.' Labour repeatedly criticised the Conservatives for taking flights and pledged before the election to clamp down on ministers' use of jets. But since taking office, Mr Miliband has been heavily criticised for jet-setting, which has seen him spend 10 times more on foreign trips than Ms Coutinho. The Energy Secretary spent £62,712 on overseas travel in his first six months in office, according to Taxpayers' Alliance analysis, In contrast, his Tory predecessor spent just £6,155 during her first half-year in the role.
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
This hotel is the UK's first luxury all-inclusive — is it any good?
In the 1990s Manchester United won every football trophy going, Pot Noodle was the UK's favourite food, only five-year-old girls thought Kylie Minogue was cool, and you wouldn't wish an all-inclusive holiday on your worst enemy. Times change. These days luxury all-inclusives are more popular than ever, with demand up 125 per cent since 2019, according to Expedia. While top resorts worldwide have embraced the all-in concept, one destination has remained a notable exception: the UK. Although we have some great mid-market options, our luxury hoteliers have resisted this style of holiday, until now. Foxhill Manor in the upmarket village of Broadway, Worcestershire, quietly introduced the 'Full Fox' last year, becoming the first luxury hotel with all-inclusive rates. From £920 per room (yes, that includes drinks) it's certainly not cheap, but that doesn't preclude it from also representing good value, given a night at many similar Cotswolds country house hotels costs north of £600, room-only, and Foxhill's B&B rate starts at £595. So I set out to discover if the extra outlay is worth it. Foxhill passes the poshness test with flying colours. It's a honey-stoned grade II listed Arts and Crafts manor house ensconced in 500 acres of the Farncombe Estate. Interiors eschew flashiness in favour of quiet quality. Its eight bedrooms are minimalist masterpieces, ranging from enormous to ginormous. Ours has side-by-side bath tubs positioned by the window for maximum bucolic impact. Its diminutive size also helps Foxhill achieve the holy grail of hospitality, a seductive home-from-home informality. There's no reception or formal check-in and no need for the dreaded plastic wristbands typical of all-ins. There are no staff uniforms either. Instead our casually dressed 'host' Matt ushers us into the drawing room, where the stylish furniture comes in the colours of the cognac and cream liqueurs on the elegant sideboard. Completing the cosy vibe, there is a huge stone fireplace with glowing logs and mullion windows filled with beguiling views across the Vale of Evesham to the Malvern Hills. • 25 of the best hotels in the Cotswolds for 2025 Matt has such a contagious jovial manner and easy confidence that we soon feel relaxed. He bounds over to the bottles and asks what we'd like. Apart from a generous array of spirits, there are soft drinks and champagne (Delamotte Brut). I'd be derelict in my duty to decline a glass of bubbly. Likewise, I diligently sample the chocolate cupcakes (delicious) and scones (feather-light). We pass on lunch but Matt emphasises we can change our minds whenever we like and help ourselves to drinks any time. We watch another couple do just that. Chilly after a walk with their dog, they nod a friendly hello, then pour themselves gin and tonics. The ambience is house-party conviviality so we get chatting. The couple stay two or three times a year and are very happy with the conversion to all-inclusive. That reminds us, we're here for food and drink, not idle conversation, so we head off to the pantry. It's piled high with all sorts of snacks that would make Henry Dimbleby break down and cry: liquorice allsorts, jelly beans, lemon bonbons and every flavour of crisps and nuts. You'd have to eat Mr Creosote's body weight in Mr Filbert's Crunchy Corn nibbles to get a return on that room rate, though, so I decide to save myself for dinner. Dining is where Foxhill scores mega bonus points. With a maximum of 16 guests you really can eat and drink any time, any place, anywhere you like around the property. The drawing room or garden often win out over the pretty restaurant, as does the bay window on the landing (surprisingly intimate and with excellent views). You can also eat anything you like. Fillet steak? It's yours. Not even a hankering for foie gras followed by lobster thermidor will faze the chef. • 13 of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world The reason Foxhill's menu has a flexibility to rival the online yoga sensation Adriene is because the manor shares the glorious estate with its award-winning sister properties, Dormy House and the Fish, which have seven restaurants between them. That's a lot of larders for Foxhill's team to raid to meet awkward guests' demands. The managing director, Tom Aspey, explains, 'Foxhill should feel like home. You eat when and what you want. We accept there will be win and lose days if someone visits the bar repeatedly, but most people stay two nights, settle in and take their time.' Callum, the laid-back general manager, leads us to the kitchen to meet the chef James Sleep to discuss our perfect dinner. When anything is possible my mind tends to go blank, even if I haven't visited the bar repeatedly, so fortunately there's a chalkboard with suggested dishes to customise and seasonal ingredients for inspiration. Many people disregard both and opt for classics such as beef wellington, spotted dick and rum baba. I see Wiltshire truffle on the fresh-in list, which I ask to be served as a starter with some pasta and lots of parmesan. I'm intrigued by the chalkboard recommendation of cod kiev, so that's my main course sorted. My husband chooses hand-dived scallops followed by wild sea bass with crab tortellini and we ask for lots of greens. Next stop the wine cellar, where we select an organic Rhône white from Domaine des Hauts Chassis, which would probably sell for about £75 in a restaurant. • Read our full guide to the Cotswolds All that food-planning means we do finally succumb to those pantry nibbles. We could use the complimentary ebikes to work up an appetite. Instead we get a lift to the Dormy House spa (usually £110 for a non-resident day pass) and have a swim, sauna and snow shower. Matt encourages us to have a cocktail before dinner, of course. In the restaurant we spot a couple tucking into burgers and beer. Admittedly they are Jenga-stacked with fillings, but such modestly priced choices reminds me of the F Scott Fitzgerald quote that the very rich are different. We continue to get our money's worth, squeezing in a wickedly sticky toffee pudding and nightcaps. Breakfast is another no-judgement spread of generosity. We take our time, working through fruits, pastries, granola, yoghurt, green juices and avocado, and smoked salmon and eggs on sourdough. Newlyweds celebrating their nuptials sip champagne. Everyone else sticks to coffee. As fellow guests tell us repeatedly, knowing the cost upfront and being free to order what they like makes the experience feel more indulgent while, they argue, no more expensive. They are also enthusiastic about Broadway. Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain were fans of the town, which now sports a high street of independent shops, as well as having classic Cotswolds country walks and interesting places such as the National Trust's Snowshill Manor on the doorstep. Going all-inclusive is a bold move by Foxhill Manor but one that may well outfox the d'Arcy was a guest of Foxhill Manor, which has all-inclusive doubles from £920, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, unlimited drinks and wine with meals, spa access, use of ebikes and chauffeur service to Broadway ( Would you book an all-inclusive in the UK? Share your thoughts in the comments
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
15 of the best safaris in Africa
The African continent offers endless options when it comes to safari breaks. For first timers, South Africa might be the obvious choice. You're guaranteed to spot at least one of the big five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — and there's accommodation to suit all budgets. For more of an off-the-beaten-track experience, try Zambia, where walking safaris completely immerse you in the wild. Or there's Rwanda and Mozambique, both of which have become known for their conservation efforts in recent years. Every destination is different though, and it's worth speaking to your travel operator about what to expect before you book. Meanwhile, here are some of the best safari spots to start your research. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue On the border of Rwanda and Tanzania, Akagera National Park is something of a conservation success story. Since 2010, the area has been restored from its previously degraded state and thousands of animals now inhabit the park, including reintroduced lions and black rhinos. Akagera is a patchwork of wetlands, lakes, savannas and woodlands — a geographically beautiful park that's full of fascinating wildlife, including the very rare shoebill stork. The 60-room Mantis Akagera Game Lodge is a four-star, mid-range hotel in the national park, overlooking Lake Ihema. In the centre of Mozambique, Gorongosa National Park — once a safari destination favoured by the rich and famous — fell off the tourism radar during the country's civil war, which ended in 1992. A 20-year-old conservation and community development project has reintroduced tourism alongside a slew of other endeavours, from multiple scientific research studies to other income generators such as coffee farming. Visiting Gorongosa is a very cool opportunity to discover a safari destination in development (rehabituating animals, for example), see how a place can recover, and explore the breadth of possibilities within a national park. Muzimu Lodge is a new addition to the park, a tented camp (not suitable for under 12s) on the banks of the Mussicadzi River. • Read our full guide to the world's best adventure holidays This inactive, ancient caldera is — at 2,000 feet deep and spanning 100 square miles in area — one of the world's most dramatic landscapes for viewing wildlife. There are elephants, critically endangered black rhinos, lions and flocks of flamingos. It's not just safaris that you can do in and around the crater, but also hikes and visits to nearby Masai villages. The crater does get crowded, especially at the peak of the dry season from June to September. Wetter weather during the low season means smaller crowds and better rates, though of course conditions are not as favourable. Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is a smart, comfortable hotel with 20 private log cabins, a pool and a spa — and it's just minutes away from the entrance gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. • Best safari camps and lodges in TanzaniaIn the southwest of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is made up of savannas, forests and lakes, and it holds a diverse range of wildlife from elephants to chimpanzees. It's perhaps best known for its lions that have an unusual penchant for climbing trees, but it's also a great place for boat trips and birding. Given its proximity to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it's an excellent safari partner to mountain gorilla trekking (though you'll need to sort a permit for that well in advance). Buffalo Safari Lodge, with beautiful views and a close location to the park entrance, is a great option for Queen Elizabeth visitors. South Luangwa's wildlife viewing is among the best in Africa, particularly for big cats and elephants. You can spot rare subspecies unique to the area, such as Thornicroft's giraffes, too. The park — and Zambia generally — is renowned for walking safaris. So, if you're keen to explore the bush on foot, whether just for the day or on an epic fly-camping adventure, this is the place for you. The Luangwa River attracts large numbers of animals during the dry season, the most popular time to visit. Be aware that many lodges close for the wettest months, between December and March. A popular little spot just outside South Luangwa National Park, Flatdogs Camp used to be a backpackers' base and retains a relaxed, friendly vibe. In southern Tanzania, Nyerere is the country's largest national park — and one of its newest. It was formerly the northern section of the massive Selous Game Reserve, until 2019 when the area was designated a national park. The best wildlife viewing is around the Rufiji River — leisurely boat safaris are a highlight — and the park has populations of lions, elephants, hippos, critically endangered black rhinos and wild dogs. As an added bonus, Nyerere — and the south of Tanzania generally — receives a mere fraction of the tourists who visit the northern parks. Serena Mivumo River Lodge sits on the banks of the Rufiji, with 12 elevated chalets overlooking the the far northeast of South Africa, the Kruger is the most popular safari destination of them all. In addition to the wildlife viewing being superb — especially for leopards, which tend to be extraordinarily nonchalant around vehicles — it's got great tourism infrastructure, including good roads for self-driving safaris. There are basic self-catering facilities or super-luxury lodges in the Kruger's private reserves, so something for most budgets. It can be very busy, but travelling in shoulder or low seasons will help, as might venturing to the less-visited north of the park, where there are great walking trails, big baobabs, and fever tree forests. Among the sleekest luxury lodges on the continent, Singita Lebombo is for the stylish safari-goer. There are 15 suites overlooking the bush or river. The food and wine offerings are excellent, too. • Where should I go in South Africa?• Best safaris in South Africa While the density of its wildlife is much lower than other parts of Africa, Namibia makes up for it with its breathtaking desert landscapes. In the north of the country, Etosha National Park is its most popular safari destination. The best time to visit is during the dry months when animals gather at the water: there are lots of elephants, plus giraffes and lions — and it's possible to see black rhinos, too. The Etosha Pan, the focal point of the park, is a salt pan where mammals and birds such as flamingos gather. You can drive up from the capital Windhoek, or take a scenic light aircraft flight — either option reveals some of Namibia's huge, open landscapes. On the edge of Etosha National Park, Ongava Tented Camp is in a private reserve, where you can go on bush walks and after-dark game vast plains of the Serengeti, in northern Tanzania, star in nature documentaries for good reason. Not only is it a striking landscape, but it's home to incredible wildlife, most of which is extremely habituated to tourists. Watch cheetahs scan for prey from atop a termite mound, or park up next to a leopard chowing its kill in a tree. The Great Migration wildebeest herds stop to graze and give birth to their young in the south of the park from around January to March; from June, you can see them crossing the river as they move between the Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara on their cyclical journey. In the south of the park, Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp has glorious views across the plains. The 12 tents each have private decks and side panels that can be rolled up to take in the central Kenya, the Laikipia plateau is a less-visited alternative to the Masai Mara, with a different appeal. The landscape is open and rolling, with views of Mount Kenya's jagged peaks. The various reserves in this area are home to the big five — including many black rhinos and the last two northern white rhinos, which live in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The region also has wild dogs and rare subspecies such as the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra. A mid-range option in Ol Pejeta, Sweetwaters Serena Camp is a solid choice for travellers looking for comfort without blowing the bank. • The best Kenyan safaris Close to the border with Botswana, Madikwe is a scenic reserve, with rolling hills and rust-orange sand. It's home to the big five and other animals, such as wild dogs. Madikwe is a great option for families, as it's malaria-free and many of the properties are geared to hosting children, with fun activities and private villas. You can also drive from Johannesburg, which cuts down on the expense of light aircraft flights. Madikwe Safari Lodge is a luxury option in the reserve, with 20 suites (including some family suites with bunkbeds) and a three-bedroom National Park is one of Zimbabwe's best and most popular safari destinations, with a diverse range of wildlife. Animals you might spot here include lions, wild dogs, leopards and cheetahs; Hwange is also home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations. In private concessions, you can take walking safaris in addition to game drives. And the park benefits from Zimbabwe's famously excellent guides (due to a rigorous qualification programme). Hwange is easily combined with Victoria Falls, which is only around two to three hours away by road. In a private concession, the simple but comfy nine-tent Wilderness Davison's camp is set by a waterhole often visited by On the banks of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools feels wilder and quieter than most safari destinations in Southern Africa. The name means 'four' in Shona, referring to the four main pools that make up the park. As well as lions and wild dogs, Mana Pools is known for elephants that have learned to stand on their hindlegs to reach higher branches. Explore the river by canoe, or take a bush walk during the dry season (in the wettest months, December to March, parts of the park are inaccessible and lots of properties close). With ten tented suites, set in a private reserve, Wilderness Ruckomechi gives guests a sense of exclusivity and remoteness. Don't miss the opportunity to sleep under the stars. The Masai Mara in southwest Kenya is famous for the beauty of its rolling savanna grasslands, the density of its wildlife populations, and, between July and October, the great wildebeest herds that thunder across the Mara River. Big cats — lions, cheetahs and leopards — are prolific. Wildlife is habituated and easy to find. The key to enjoying your time in the Mara is avoiding the crowds — that means finding a great guide or paying a little extra to stay in one of the private community-run conservancies around the edges of the national park. The high-end Cottar's 1920s Camp is in a private conservancy — great for uncrowded wildlife sightings — and is a long-established camp in the Mara. • The best time to visit Kenya The Okavango Delta is one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich areas in Africa. Located in northern Botswana, it is fed by floodwaters from Angola between May and October. This is the time when visitors can explore the reed-lined waterways by mokoro — a traditional canoe — which is a particularly special experience. There are a number of reserves in the delta and tourism is controlled so it feels wild and remote; it's also the most expensive place to go on safari. But the wildlife viewing is exceptional: think buffalo-hunting lions, wild dogs sprinting through the bush, hippos cooling off in the water, elephants browsing acacias. And it's a great birding destination. Vumbura Plains is one of the fanciest camps in the delta and in a really good spot for wildlife sightings, particularly big cats. • Best safari camps and lodges in Botswana In most of southern and eastern Africa, the dry season runs from June to October. The advantage of the dry season is that wildlife tends to congregate around waterholes and the foliage is sparser, making animals easier to see. This is typically considered the best time to travel. But the rainy season can be better for landscape photography and birding (as migratory birds are in the south), as well as it being a quieter and generally cheaper time to travel. Pack comfortable clothes in relatively neutral shades (very bright colours can frighten animals) and layers — mornings and evenings can be chilly enough for a hat and gloves, but by 10am, it'll be T-shirt weather. Bring sturdy, closed-toe footwear if you'll be walking, a hat, sunglasses and suncream. Photographers will want their longest lenses, but plenty of people do fine with their smartphones. Binoculars are very useful, although guides often have pairs to share. A good guide will definitely enhance your safari experience — and in many places, you need them. Places like Kruger are great for self-driving (even without a 4×4) and the wildlife is prolific enough to find without a professional. But for walking or night driving, you will always need a qualified guide. Additional reporting by Qin Xie
