Wiltshire in Pictures: Bees, parks and Longleat's mazes
Blooming marvellous: A historic Wiltshire park has been recognised for its exceptional management and environmental standards. Swindon's Town Gardens has received a Green Flag Award for 2025-26, which has recognised its well-maintained Victorian features and active community engagement programmes.
A-maze-ing: A team of 12 gardeners have completed a weeklong hedge cut on the gigantic Longleat maze. The maze, which is made up of more than 16,000 English yew trees, is one of the largest in the world and needs regular attention, but can only be trimmed at certain times of the year.
Game, set and stroll: More than 90 people laced up their trainers and joined the fun at a Walking Sports Festival held at Melksham Community Campus on Sunday. The free event gave people of all ages and abilities the chance to try out walking versions of tennis, rugby, football, netball and badminton.
County roads, take me home: With the county's fields at their golden peak, Weather Watcher Chully was able to capture this shot of a pristine Calne morning earlier in the week.
Over the ridge: Another of our Weather Watchers has been busy in the south of the county, with Broad Chalke's majestic hillsides captured by Lupin.
True colours: With the wetter weather at the start of the week, observant photographers had the opportunity to capture a number of fleeting rainbows, such as this one in Malmesbury.
Stellar support: 16 companies across Wiltshire have been recognised by Wiltshire Council for their outstanding support in offering workplace opportunities to young people with Send.Wiltshire Council's Send Employer Champion Scheme celebrated its one-year anniversary with companies from across the county being acknowledged.
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The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Everyone who is eligible for free bus pass in England as Labour confirms major rule change – and those who will miss out
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Time Out Dubai
16 hours ago
- Time Out Dubai
Where to watch the UEFA Women's Euro final in Dubai: England vs Spain
After 29 matches, 104 goals and more than a few nervous moments, we now know our two finalists. The UEFA Women's Euro final of 2025 will see the reigning world champions Spain take on the defending European champions England. If England's matches so far in the Euros are anything to go by then we're in for yet another dramatic evening on Sunday July 27. The two giants of the game will kick-off at 8pm Gulf Standard Time at the St. Jakob Park in the Swiss city of Basel. England have needed super-subs Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly to come to the rescue with late goals against Sweden and Italy in the knock-out rounds, giving manager Sarina Wiegman a headache as she aims to win her third successive Women's Euros. Spain's route to the final has been, typically, more controlled with the only tricky obstacle so far being the extra-time victory in the semi-final against Germany. Otherwise, Spain have comfortably beaten Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland on their way to the final with Alexia Putellas, Patri Gujarro and Aitana Bonmatí particularly standing out. Where to watch the UEFA Women's European Championship final in Dubai Barasti Head to Barasti to watch the UEFA Women's Euro final in Dubai (Credit: Barasti) Barasti is a fail-safe option if you're looking for a lively spot to watch the match. High tables and lounging areas face the humongous screen that sits up front and centre outside, while smaller screens are dotted around inside if you can't find space. Open daily 9am-3am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, (04 318 1313). Bedrock Bedrock is a modern sports bar with a fun twist. You'll be able to watch the Women's Euro final on their 20 TV screens across the bar. Happy days. What's more, you'll also find darts boards and a golf simulator to blow off some steam should your team lose. Win-win. Open daily noon-2am. Pier 7 in Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina, reception@ (04 578 1668). Belgian Café (Credit: Belgian Cafe) Celebrate all things from Belgian here with special drinks and bites offers available throughout the season. Giant screens will show all the action and you can expect a lively atmosphere. No minimum spend. Grand Millennium Dubai, Barsha Heights, (04 423 4100). Brighton Rock This lively spot in JBR offers classic British fare. Usually broadcasts a wide variety of sports with the Women's Euros taking prime spot this Sunday. Special deals include a daily happy hour until 8pm and daily two-for-one deals. Hilton Dubai The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residences (058 552 7017). CLAW BBQ (Credit: Supplied) With a seven-hour happy hour, both CLAW locations in Dubai (JBR and the Palm) have become havens for football fans. For those who want a break from the action, there's pinball, air hockey, pool, a Bucking Bronco and more. Open Mon-Thu, noon-2am, Fri noon-3am, Sat 8am-3am, Sun 8am-2am. Pavilion at the Beach, Dubai Marina (04 577 4357). Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah (04 230 0054). Fibber Magee's Screens are dotted everywhere around this much-loved Irish pub, making it a perfect venue to watch the Women's Euros final. If you're expecting to be able to enjoy the football in a quiet setting look elsewhere – because Fibbers seems to be a perennial home to a lively, Irish atmosphere. You'll find a six-hour happy hour between 2pm and 8pm with drinks starting from Dhs25, a Sunday to Friday happy hour between 1pm and 7pm as well as a Sunday roast from Dhs99. Open daily 8am-3am. Saeed Tower One, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 2400). Open Mun-Thu 9am-2am, Fri-Sat 9am-3am. Social Hotel, Barsha Heights. (04 332 2400) garden on 8 With loads of screens (and two huge ones) dotted around the terrace area, you needn't look further for a top place to watch the Women's Euro final in Dubai. The food menu offers classic pub fare – think burgers, pizzas, and some of the best chips about. Count us in. Open noon-2am. Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City (04 427 1000). Goose Island Tap House Goose Island is not just a sports bar for those who like to watch sport, it's also a popular choice for fans who want some friendly competition of their own as they eagerly await kick off. There are now two Goose Island venues in Dubai and they're both well worth checking out. Happy hour is between noon and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, extending until 8pm on weekdays at both venues. Open Sun-Wed noon-2am, Thu-Sat noon-3am. FIVE Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Village Circle, (04 455 9989). Open Mon – Thu noon – 2am, Fri – Sat 10am – 3am, Sun 10am – 2am. FIVE LUXE, JBR, (04 275 9999). McCafferty's No matter which location of McCafferty's Irish bar you visit (they have one in JVC and another in Al Furjan) you can watch the Women's Euros final on the giant LED screens on the terraces. Note that if the final clashes with the All-Ireland Final then there will be a delay in showing the football. Whether moving about the venue or staying inside, HD TVs streaming the games are dotted throughout so you won't miss a thing. Craving Irish comfort food? Pick one of the belly-busting items on the menu. Open daily 10 am-2am. Circle Mall, JVC. (058 599 3623). Open Sun-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-2am. Jebel Ali Village, Al Furjan. (04 422 1491). Open Mon-Thu 11am-1am, Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 9am-2am. Pyramids Wafi, Oud Metha. (058 507 3623). McGettigan's There aren't many better places to watch sport in Dubai than at one of the city's McGettigan's branches. With screens dotted around every bar, these staple Irish pubs will be showing the Women's Euros final. You'll find a happy hour offering between Sunday and Friday at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the Factory on The Palm until 8pm. Open Mon – Thu noon – 2am, Fri noon – 3am, Sat – Sun 10am-3am. Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster J, JLT (04 356 0470). Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Dubai World Trade Centre (04 262 0407). Open Mon-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sun noon-2am. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah (04 230 0062). Open Mon-Thu noon-2am, Fri 12pm-3am, Sat 10am-3am, Sun 10am-2am. Souk Madinat Jumeirah (04 447 0219). Open Mon-Fri 12.30pm-3am, Fri-Sat 10am-3am. The Walk, JBR (04 318 2580). Open Mon – Wed 4pm – 1am, Thu and Sun noon-1am, Fri-Sat noon – 2am. Dubai Science Park, Al Barsha South. (04 567 1400) Mr Toad's This Premier Inn pub chain is quickly establishing itself as a Dubai institution – and Mr Toad's should be on your list of venues if you're looking for somewhere to watch the Champions League this year. There's a daily all-day happy hour and you can watch the matches on a big screen. Football with affordable food and drink? Now that's a winning combination. Open daily noon-1am. Premier Inn Hotel, Al Jaddaf (056 411 4602). Open daily noon-1am. Premier Inn Barsha Heights Hotel, Al Khareef 2 Street (050 143 8751). Open daily noon-1am. Premier Inn Dubai Investments Park, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (04 885 1899). Open daily 3pm-midnight. Premier Inn Dubai Ibn Battuta Hotel (04 278 2222). Open daily noon-1am. Premier Inn Dubai Silicon Oasis Hotel, E311 (04 336 3184). Nell Gwynne If you're after affordable pints and a chilled-out spot to watch football, Nell Gwynne could be the place for you. In Dubai Marina, it's a prime location with a price list that's not overbearing. There are deals on hops buckets costing Dhs139 daily until 3am and a happy hour from noon until 8pm every day. Open Mon-Fri 11am-3am, Sat-Sun 9am-3am. Marina Byblos Hotel, Al Hubob Sreet, Dubai Marina (04 448 8222). Offside Want to see kick-off on a 200-inch screen? Check out Offside in Dubai Marina. There is an additional eight screens and it's good for groups with lots of long tables and plenty of things to do before the games begin. Open noon-3am. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR. (056 522 0219). Phileas Fogg Happy hour anyone? Credit: Phileas Fogg's At Phileas Fogg you can watch the Women's Euro final with a gorgeous golf course as your backdrop. If you want company, head over to the 33,000 sq ft space complete with a restaurant, pub, garden and a covered amphitheatre that can host up to 1000 people. You will not be short of an atmosphere. Open Mon-Thu 11am-2am Fri-Sun 8am-3am. Montgomerie Golf Academy, Emirates Hills, (04 572 4477). The Irish Village (Credit: The Irish Village) A favourite among sports-lovers in Dubai, this popular Irish pub is a cracking place to watch football. Having operated at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium for more than 20 years, it's a Dubai institution – and its Studio City venue is just as good. Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud (04 282 4750). Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am, Fri-Sat 11am-2am. Studio One, Dubai Studio City (04 241 8444). Other things to do in Dubai Dubai's 10 best sports bars, with great beverages and banging food Catch all the big games at these brilliant sports bars in Dubai Dubai happy hours: Best bar deals, offers and discounts Cheap drinks every night of the week? You've come to the right place Dubai ladies' night list: absolutely brilliant deals, offers and discounts Grab your girls for a fabulous Friday night
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
The two UK towns getting new train stations for the first time in over 60 years for £45million
YOU'LL soon be able to visit two idyllic Westcountry towns by rail thanks to a £45million plan to bring back their train stations. Both Cullompton in Devon and Wellington in Somerset lost their stations in the 1960s, but they are set to reopen as early as next year. 5 5 The two countryside towns in south west England did once have train stations that were built in the 1880s. But as a result of the Beeching cuts, which saw huge changes to train services as a result of the nationalisation of the railway, they were both closed in 1964. However, there are now fresh plans to revive both stations with services expected to start running as early as 2026. Both will reopen at an estimated cost of £45million. The stations will connect to Exeter, a major transport hub with direct services to London Paddington, Plymouth, Bristol and the Cornish mainline too. Details are yet to be confirmed, but it's likely that when the railway stations reopen, they will join the Great Western Main Line that runs from London Paddington to Penzance. Cullompton sits on the doorstep of the Blackdown Hills on the Somerset-Devon border. For any families heading south, the town is right next to Diggerland Devon where children can operate diggers and hunt for buried treasure. You'll also find local farm shops and many pubs like The Weary Traveller, Merry Harriers, The Ashill Inn and Half Moon Inn. Over the border in Somerset is the town of Wellington. Visit Diggerland UK to enjoy an exciting staycation in the beautiful Devonshire countryside 5 5 Wellington has become known as a "food town" thanks to its reputation for quality food and drink. Top restaurants and pubs on Tripadvisor include The Martlet Inn which specialises in game and fish dishes. Another popular food spot is Valla Verde Italian Restaurant where you can sample delightful pasta dishes and antipasti. For keen explorers, it's a route to the Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park. From there, it's a short trip up to the larger town of Taunton known for cider production and having its own castle. Cullompton and Wellington are just a 24 minute drive away from one another. But using public transport, the neighbouring towns can only reach each other by bus. Here's another direct train line that's set to connect the UK to a European city for the first time. And the 7 stunning European cities that Brits could take direct trains to as London station plans huge expansion. 5
