I've lived in France for years and explored every corner of the country. This is why it's time to ditch overrated Paris... and the incredible places you should visit instead
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The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
I love this fairytale-esque beach town that ISN'T on the sea – it's one of UK's prettiest but tourists always forget it
TUCKED away from Devon's coastline is one of the county's most beautiful towns, with wonky old buildings, quaint streets and fortified castles. Forget the tourists, it's even a day trip for the locals - as a born and bred Devonian, a day out in Dartmouth was always a treat for me, despite only living 30 minutes from the waterfront town. 6 6 But despite its beauty and charm, Dartmouth is often overlooked by neighbouring seaside towns and resorts like Torquay or Salcombe each summer. That's a mistake, it's just as good and considerably quieter in peak season, and even though the town isn't technically on the sea it still has its own beach. The town oozes warm, fairytale charm - it's picture perfect, with no graffiti and a warren of winding lanes and cobbled streets, lined with multi-coloured higgledy-piggledy cottages. Sat on the banks of the River Dart, its estuary position makes it a great spot for boat trips, such as The Fizz Boat that cruises on the river for 90 minutes with fizz constantly flowing for guests. And you can still take a bucket and spade to either Castle Cove or Sugary Cove. Castle Cove is a small sand and shingle beach that can only be accessed at low tide. The spot boasts stunning views of Dartmouth Castle, that towers above the beach and where visitors can also find the Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms for a tapas board, locally-caught crab sandwich or traditional Devonshire cream tea. Over at Sugary Cove - a favoured spot among locals - the shingle beach is edged by rugged cliffs and thick greenery. You have to head down some pretty steep steps to reach the shoreline, which is why it usually uncrowded and the ideal place to spot some of the local wildlife such as seals and if you're lucky, dolphins. Across the town there are number of historic spots to explore, including Dartmouth Castle, which has stood guarding the town for over 600 years. The Trelawney Hotel in Torquay, Devon is among the chepeates places to stay in the UK, as rated by Tripadvisor Inside, for £10 visitors can find a Gun Tower and winding passages that give a glimpse at what life was like in the castle during the Hundred Years War, where it was used to protect the entrance to the River Dart from French invasion. The castle links to the town's naval history as well, which remains crucial to the destination today. At the other end of Dartmouth is the Britannia Royal Naval College where Royal Navy officers are still trained. Visitors can opt to go on a two-hour guided tour with a resident naval officer to learn about its 150-year history including a visit to the elegant chapel and even the Gun Room. The destination was recently awarded a TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award 2025, with one visitor recently commenting that it is "a must see for anyone visiting Dartmouth". Tours of the only remaining Naval College in the entire country can be booked online and cost £20 per adult and £12.50 per child. In the town centre itself, I have fond memories of the many amazing markets including Dartmouth Old Market, which takes place each Friday with local produce and independent makers. 6 The market was originally built as a 'pannier' market in 1828 - a type of indoor market originating in Devon and involved 'panniers', or baskets, to transport goods such as meats and cheeses. Every second Saturday of the month there is also the Dartmouth Good Food and Artisan Market, selling specialist produce like Dartmoor honey and locally-baked sourdough bread. Away from the markets, make sure to head to the town's independent shops and galleries, especially on Duke Street, famous for the Butterwalk building that has a sloping appearance and intricate black and white facade. It is opposite this building that you will find one of the most popular dining spots in the town - Embankment Bistro. The bistro is ideally located with views of the harbour on one side and the estuary on the other and sells some rather fancy fish and chips for £19 a portion. Though, if you want a cheaper option and happen to be in the town on a Tuesday, head slightly further along the promenade and you will reach a personal favourite of mine called Rockfish, where you can grab a portion of fish and chips for 50 per cent off. For a sweet treat, you will find numerous ice cream spots and places to grab a traditional Devonshire jam and cream scone, but one of the best is Dudley's - a cafe that serves cream teas along the promenade. The bistro and Rockfish are also conveniently located next to where visitors can catch the passenger ferry across to Kingswear, a picturesque village with pastel houses, a steam railway and Agatha Christie's holiday home, Greenway House. 6 One of the best free things to do in the town - especially with kids - is to walk along the water's edge. The water is always crystal clear and many times I would catch glimpse of silver fish skirting about close to the wall. As you walk along away from the harbour, you will reach English Heritage 's Tudor fort called Bayard's Cove Fort, built between 1522 and 1536. The fort used to house many heavy guns to protect the harbour from attack, but today stands as a ruin, free to visit. The thick stone walls and 11 gunports looking out over the water always provided the perfect spot for my imagination to run wild as a child. Between August 23 and 30, the 180th Dartmouth Royal Regatta takes place with sailing and rowing races, a 'Family Fun' weekend with a dog show and live music, a fire walk across burning coals and a fireworks display. Also on August 30, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Waverly - the world's last seagoing paddle steamer. Eventgoers can explore the 1946 steamer, including visiting the engine room and watching the paddles twist and turn through portholes, or take afternoon tea in the Dining Saloon. 6 If you fancy staying in the town, there are plenty for self-catered holiday cottages, such as Dart Valley Cottages that offer a range of water view homes. There are a few ways of reaching Dartmouth. You could hop on the train to Kingswear, before catching a passenger ferry for £5 return across the estuary to Dartmouth. Or if you are driving, you can head directly into the town or catch the car ferry from Kingswear for £14 return, which tends to be quicker. And if you do opt to stay in the town, but wish to explore the surrounding area, 10 minutes down the road is Blackpool Sands - an expansive Blue Flag beach on the South West Coastal Path. These are also the 1 0 stunning UK beaches nearby that star in a new Hollywood movie – from little-known coves to underground tunnels. Plus, one woman who lives in a much-loved Devon seaside resort has shared the hidden gem beaches and pubs that few people know about. 6
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
Guernsey Information Centre has 7,225 visits in July
More than 7,000 people visited Guernsey's Visitor Information Centre in July, as the team marked a busy first summer in its new home in St Peter centre in the Market Buildings was officially opened on 9 May, Liberation Day, by HRH The Princess Royal, after moving from its previous site at the North Plantation. Signs were installed around the town and at the harbour this past week to help guide visitors to its new location.A spokesperson for the centre said staff had also spent time in town and at the port greeting this year's influx of French tourists, offering help and directions on their arrival.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Higher airfares and hotel prices predicted to push up UK inflation in July
Prices in the UK are set to have risen faster last month as school holidays boosted travel costs and grocery bills remain elevated, economists said. Some experts said an ' Oasis bump' could have contributed to higher accommodation prices in July. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will publish the latest inflation dataset on Wednesday. The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation is widely expected to have increased to 3.7% in July, from the 3.6% recorded in June. The school summer holidays are likely to have seen airfares rise considerably, with airlines typically bumping up prices in July amid stronger demand from families. Analysts for Pantheon Macroeconomics forecast that airfares could surge by 17.1% between June and July. Rail costs and package holidays are also set to have jumped amid the spike in summer travel. July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation will also be announced on Wednesday. The Government has not confirmed how it will determine the cap on regulated train fare rises in England in 2026, but this year's 4.6% hike was one percentage point above RPI in July 2024. Banking group Investec has forecast this year's July RPI figure will be 4.5%, which means fares could jump by 5.5%. Pressure group Railfuture told the PA news agency 'it would be outrageous' if fares rose by that much. Meanwhile, economists have pointed to a possible spike in hotel prices helping drive up CPI inflation in July. Sanjay Raja, senior economist for Deutsche Bank, said this could partly be attributed to British band Oasis kicking off their reunion tour in July. The concerts brought in hordes of fans to arenas in Cardiff, Manchester, London and Edinburgh, which could have driven greater demand for hotel rooms. Accommodation prices could rise by as much as 9% in July, compared with June, 'with the Oasis concerts having a strong impact on Manchester prices alone', the economist said. Mr Raja is predicting headline UK inflation will have risen to 3.8% in July. Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets for Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The Oasis tour, which saw high demand for hospitality around the gig dates, has the potential to push up inflation in the sector during July. 'We are unlikely to see the Gallagher effect show up in quite the same way as Taylor Swift's bump to prices in June 2024. 'But demand for hotel rooms, beer, bucket hats and Nineties-style gear could be one of the factors that keep inflation heading higher.' Food prices have also been rising in recent months – partly driven by higher ingredients, labour and regulatory costs. Annual food price inflation increased for the third month in a row in June, hitting the highest rate since February 2024. Victoria Scholar, head of investment for Interactive Investor, said there were 'particular worries about domestic food price inflation as well as uncertainty around how (US President Donald) Trump's tariffs could push up prices'. The Bank of England is forecasting that inflation will increase further this year and peak at about 4% in September, before easing throughout the next two years. The central bank said accelerating food and energy prices have been key drivers in the uptick in inflation.
