The best seats on every train and the spots to pick for a quiet journey
BUSY trains are a nightmare for everyone, but there are some tricks to minimise noise and bagging the best seat.
A train conductor for London Northwestern Railway knows all the insider secrets on how to have the most comfortable journey – here they are.
4 A train conductor from London Northwestern Railway has revealed top tips Credit: Alamy
4 Using an online tool 'how busy is my train' can help you avoid crowds Credit: Alamy
Most of the time all anyone wants on a train is to find a quiet spot, sit back and relax, and one hack to help with that is the 'how busy is my train' tool.
All you have to do is enter your departure station, destination, date, and time.
Then you'll be able to find out how busy, or quiet, your train is predicted to be.
The calculations are based on the average demand on a typical day, and are split into 'quiet', 'moderate', 'busy', and 'standing expected' levels.
The tool even highlights the exact parts of the journey that fall under each category.
So when you're struggling to decide on a time to set off, this tool will tell you exactly which slot offers the best chance at finding a seat.
And it's not just London Northwestern Railway, other train companies have it too.
When the train is guaranteed to be busy, it's suggested you head to either end of the platform.
Typically, the middle carriages of a train are always the most popular especially if there are large groups onboard.
Read More Venice without the crowds: the inside story by Tracy Chevalier
If you want to go further down the platform and aim for the end carriages, there's likely to be fewer people and less noise.
New £18m Scots train station near Glasgow set to open next year
4 Try and avoid the four seaters if you're after peace and quiet Credit: Alamy
Once you've picked a carriage, next comes picking your seat.
The advice is to choose a seat away from the toilets or amenities as they are likely to be in use by passengers throughout the journey.
Also try not to sit too near the train doors where people will be getting on and off, or standing up to chat, if you don't want to be distracted.
The four seater arrangement might be tempting because it usually has legroom, but London Northwestern Railway warns solo passengers to steer clear.
The larger seats with tables are a hotspot for larger groups usually of friends or family who will undoubtedly be talking.
So if you're looking for a quiet journey, follow these tips and they should help.
Sun Travel also discovered a major train hack that allows you to hop-on and hop-off a train to see different destinations with just one ticket.
And a little-known trick that could save you hundreds when travelling to Europe by train.
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National Geographic
02-06-2025
- National Geographic
On Japan's Ryukyu Islands, ancient tradition meets tropical paradise
As the legend goes, Japan's Ryukyu Islands were created by the goddess Amamikyo, who is believed to have descended from the heavens and into the sea, just off the southern coast of what is now known as the main island of Okinawa. The Ryukyu Islands, located in the East China Sea, flourished for some 450-years as the semi-independent Ryukyu Kingdom. The islands served as a center of trade between Japan, China, and Southeast Asia until being officially designated a Japanese territory and renamed Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. While the islands have become better known for their beautiful beaches and balmy subtropical weather, the soul and spirit of the former Ryukyu Kingdom can still be found in everything from the islanders intrinsic and spiritual connection to nature to its unique cultural and culinary identity. Scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular activities in Okinawa. Photograph by Karen Kasmauski, Nat Geo Image Collection What to do in the Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Islands are believed to be the birthplace of karate—a martial art that fuses the martial arts of China and Japan. Join a karate sensei at an Okinawan dojo or at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan. Spend some time to exploring the Shikinaen Royal Gardens, which was once the private residence of the Ryukyuan royal family and a beautiful place to spend a leisurely morning or afternoon. Sacred spaces, known as utakis, are tucked within the forests and nestled beneath banyan trees and sugar palms peppered across the archipelago, and while many of the island's utakis are not open to tourists, Sefa Utaki is an easy walk along stone path through the forest and is considered the most spiritual places to visit in the Ryukyu Islands. Shuri Kinjo-cho stone road is a historical cobblestone pathway that winds its way through residential neighborhoods and onto Shuri Castle. The castle is under renovation, but it's still worthwhile to explore the grounds. Ceramics and Ryukyu glass are two traditional crafts that you can find all across the islands. In downtown Naha, Tsuboya pottery district is a great place to shop, or head to Yachimun no Sato, an entire village dedicated to pottery. Naha's Tsuboya pottery district was the birthplace of Tsuboya-yaki, a style of Okinawan pottery. Photograph by Robert Gilhooly, Alamy Awamori (Okinawan sake) is considered to be Japan's oldest and first distilled beverage. Photograph by Chris Willson, Alamy Of course scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular pastimes in Okinawa. For hikers and adventure lovers, Yambaru National Park is not to be missed. Located on the northern end of Okinawa, this national park is designated as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, and offers lush mangrove forests, and an incredible variety of rare, endemic flora and fauna that can't be found anywhere else in the world. (Unlock the secrets of the Blue Zones—how to master the art of living longer) The best time to visit Okinawa Spring: Late March, April, and May brings warm days and breezy nights, making this one of the best times of year to visit. Late spring is ideal for both aquatic activities and on-land adventures; visitors will find an abundance of activities from dragon boat races in May to jungle river-trekking. Summer: June through August are the hottest and busiest months to visit the islands. June is the rainiest month of the year, and is also the start of typhoon season, which stretches into September, so be prepared for inclement weather. Fall: With the humidity at bay and typhoon season a thing of the past, October and November are an ideal time to visit. Every October in Naha, the annual Tug-of-War Festival features two competing teams dressed in traditional Ryukyuan attire. Also in October, the Paantu Festival on Miyako-jima is a spiritual cleaning event; a supernatural spirit smears mud onto willing participants in an effort to bless them and bring them good luck in the year ahead. Winter: The low season falls between December and February when the temperatures drop and the northernly winds blow their way across the islands. December through February can be chilly, especially at night. Yanbaru National Park, on the northern end of Okinawa, is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Photograph by Katsumi Tanaka, The Yomiuri Shimbun/AP Photo Lay of the land There are 160 islands across the Okinawan Prefuncture, 49 of which are inhabited. The Ryukyu Islands are divided into three major island groups: Okinawa Islands, the Miyako Islands, and the Yaeyama Islands. Okinawa Islands: The largest island in the archipelago is Okinawa Island, also known as Okinawa Honto. The prefectural capital, Naha, is located on Okinawa's main island. Smaller islands surrounding Okinawa include the Kerama Islands, which are beloved for their pristine white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and abundance of marine life. This island is also home to Yanbaru National Park. Miyako Islands: The main island of Miyako is covered in sugarcane fields, and the islands here are surrounded by some of Okinawa's most expansive coral reefs. The consistency of the sand is akin to powder, and the water is such a distinct shade, it even has its own name: Miyako blue. These islands are particularly attractive for water sports like diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottom kayaking. Yaeyama Islands: Practically hugging the Tropic of Cancer, the Yaeyama Islands are geographically closer to Taiwan than mainland Japan. The southernmost inhabited islands in the Okinawa archipelago are the Ishigaki, Taketomi, Hateruma, and Iriomote islands. Where to stay Rosewood Miyakojima: Surrounded by sugarcane fields, Rosewood Miyakojima opened on Miyako Island in March 2025. This boutique hotel has taken great care to incorporate the local traditions and Ryukyuan culture into everything from the bar program and the architecture to the healing rituals at its Asaya Spa. Halekulani Okinawa: A sprawling resort along one of Okinawa's best beaches, Halekulani Okinawa offers a wide range of excellent on-site eateries, bars, and a spa. Guests can participate in a variety of activities, from snorkeling and scuba diving to trips to Yambaru National Park that are guided by local naturalists. Treeful Treehouse: On the northern reaches of Nago on the main island of Okinawa, Treeful Treehouse is a small and sustainable treehouse resort. This nature-centric stay offers a waterfall sauna and forest bathing river trekking experiences with one of the hotel guides. Traditional Okinawan cuisine, like agu pork and homemade Okinawan purple yam bread, are served by a bonfire and often accompanied by the hotel's resident goat, Donna. (10 of the best new hotels in Japan, from traditional ryokans to tropical treehouses) Hoshinoya Okinawa: Japanese luxury hotel chain Hoshinoya Okinawa is a seaside Ryukyu-style retreat that offers 100 oceanfront villas spread out among lush landscapes. Ryukyu Karate classes, sanshin guitar by the beach, and meditation sessions are offered daily in the beachfront activity studio. Soki soba noodles is an Okinawan specialty. Photograph by Kyoko Uchida, Alamy What to eat in Okinawa From soba stalls to shikuwasa (a lime-like citrus), Okinawa boasts a wide range of regional dishes, roadside farmers markets, and restaurants bursting with local produce and dishes. Get your bearings at Makishi Public Market in Naha, where you'll find everything from fresh seafood to local delicacies like smoked irabu (snake) and a delicious drinkable peanut-based tofu called jimaji. Within walking distance is Naha Kokusai Dori shopping street, a great place to experience 'senbero,' which is the Japanese equivalent of snacking and bar-hopping. For traditional Ryukyuan cuisine, Touyadokoro Fuan offers authentic dishes like bitter melon (goya champuru) stir-fry and peanut tofu, served on locally made pottery. Sui Dunchi is a traditional Okinawan restaurant and great place to try Agu pork shabu shabu and Okinawan soba. Surrounded by waterfalls, Ufuya is set in a traditional villa and serves authentic hot pot and soba. All across the islands, roadside markets are great places to try locally grown produce and Okinawan delicacies like deep-fried donuts (sata andagi), and shop for local souvenirs, too. It's worth it to also try awamori, known as the "spirit of Okinawa." It dates back to the 15th century, and today there are about 48 distilleries you can visit across the islands. (Why the traditional Okinawa diet is the recipe for a long life) Know before you go Unlike mainland Japan, you'll find the tourism infrastructure in Okinawa is still developing, and outside a few select hotels, you might not find English spoken widely. It's best to make reservations for hotels, restaurants, and tours in advance of your visit. While tipping is not expected on the islands, come prepared with plenty of Japanese yen, as some places do not accept credit cards. Getting around If you're traveling from the U.S. or the U.K., you will fly into Haneda Airport or Narita International Airport, before continuing on to the islands. It's a three-hour flight to Naha, Okinawa, from mainland Japan. While buses and taxis are available on the main island of Okinawa, it's highly advisable to rent a car, or make arrangements for transfer directly through your hotel in advance. Michelle Gross is a Beaufort, South Carolina-based travel journalist and photographer covering the cross-section of sustainable and ethical travel. Passionate about telling stories about interesting people and places around the world, follow her adventures on Instagram or check out her newsletter on Substack.
Business Mayor
25-05-2025
- Business Mayor
20 of the UK's best gardens to visit
In the dash for Cumbria's lakes and fells, the area's other green attractions can get missed. On Knipe Scar, at the edge of the Lake District national park, Lowther's acres sprawl around the shell of a ruined 19th-century castle. Wildflower meadows, bee-friendly tree hives and rambling woodland contrast with a parterre, sculptured hornbeams and a Sleeping Beauty-inspired rose garden designed by Dan Pearson. Bikes and ebikes can be rented for pootling around the estate's trails or perhaps a five-mile cycle to Ullswater. There is a Lost Castle adventure playground and a cafe. Before leaving, visit the west terrace for views across the Lowther valley to distant fells. Open daily, adults £15, children £10, Rousham House, Oxfordshire Photograph: Britain Gardens and Flowers/Alamy While filming his BBC British Gardens series, Monty Don described Rousham as 'one of my favourite gardens of all and one of the truly great gardens of the world'. Rousham is the handiwork of William Kent (1685-1748), whose imaginative use of follies, mysterious 'ta-da' avenues and one of the earliest ha-has blur the line between fantasy and reality. A master of the unbroken view, Kent manipulated the landscape to create a harmonious flow between the garden, the surrounding countryside and Rousham's castellated pile. The estate's 10 hectares (25 acres) include kitchen gardens, a rill, classical statuary, cascades and a seven-arched colonnade overlooking the River Cherwell. The house is still owned by the family who employed Kent to reshape the garden centuries ago. No cafe or children under 15, but picnics are encouraged. House tours on request. Open daily , £ 10 , Parcevall Hall, North Yorkshire Photograph: Alex Knight Laid out in 1927, Parcevall Hall Gardens' 10 hectares surround a Grade II-listed Arts and Crafts-style house set in the Yorkshire Dales national park. The topography and aspect enhance the experience, offering visitors views over the drystone wall-draped contours of Wharfedale to distant limestone crags. Admire plants from around the world, visit the chapel garden, follow a woodland trail, the camellia walk or a cliff trail – or simply listen to the birds and bleating sheep. There are views from the cafe's terrace to the outcrop Simon's Seat, part of the adjoining Bolton Abbey estate. Open April-Oct, adults £10, seniors £9, under-12s free , Plas Cadnant, Anglesey Photograph: Val Corbett On Ynys Môn (Anglesey) with views to Eryri national park (Snowdonia), Plas Cadnant feels like a portal to another world. As 70 years' worth of undergrowth was peeled away, the present owner discovered enchanting spaces, including a walled garden that dips in a graceful catenary curve and a woodland garden containing the remains of a 19th-century folly. Steps lead down to an enchanting 'valley garden' where four waterfalls splosh into the River Cadnant. Some of the outbuildings and a gardener's cottage have been converted into holiday accommodation, and guests have full access to the gardens and parkland. Open April-Oct, adults £11.50, concs £2.50-£10.50, . T he Coach House, from £720 for three nights for up to seven people Cambo Country House, Fife Photograph: Jim Monk/Alamy This Georgian walled garden has the national snowdrop collection. Woodland walks lead to the sea, and from February to mid-March there are showstopping carpets of yellow aconites, snowdrops (and possibly snowflakes). In April, blossom and the scent of wild garlic fill the air, followed by the rich collection of alliums. In June, it is the turn of Cambo's historic roses. There are imaginative spaces for children to explore (think secret doors and fairies) and golden beaches. The Stables Cafe serves vegetarian and vegan food. If you'd like to stay longer, there are cabins to rent, including a bothy with views towards the Fife coast. Open daily, adults £7.95, under-16s free , . The Bothy, sleeps four, from £550 for two nights in June Dilston Physic Garden, Northumberland Photograph: David Taylor Photography/Alamy Set in rolling countryside close to the Devil's Water river, Dilston is a garden that whispers 'slow down'. Over three decades, a hectare of agricultural land has been transformed into a flourishing wildlife garden filled with more than 700 flowers, herbs, vegetables and trees planted with biodiversity and natural healing in mind. A rewilding and wetland area has encouraged native flora, such as the Northumbrian bloody cranesbill, to thrive. Visit the 'spirit henge', breathe in the fragrant camomile lawn, wander the labyrinth and buy products made with ingredients from the garden in the shop (proceeds to the registered charity). Dilston is on the Corbridge Heritage Trail, and a scenic 20-minute walk along the Tyne from Corbridge station. Open Wed-Sun, April-Oct , Fri-Sun, Nov-March, adults £8, concs £4, Leonardslee Lakes, West Sussex Photograph: Stephen Tattersall/Alamy This tranquil, Grade I-listed garden is home to redwoods, giant oaks and the renowned Loderi rhododendron hybrids. Paths meander around lakes and through sculpture-studded parkland, lawns and forests, and visitors can join daffodil, bluebell and acer walks. In the autumn, the garden is ablaze with oranges, golds and delicate pinks, while winter brings spectacular illuminations. Children will love the wallaby enclosure (introduced in 1889), doll's house museum and the new play park. You can stay overnight at Leonardslee House, where the Michelin-starred restaurant showcases garden-foraged ingredients. Open daily, adults £15.50, children £8.50 , Doubles at Leonardslee House from £240 B&B Ventnor Botanic Garden, Isle of Wight Photograph: Katherine Da Silva/Alamy Ventnor Botanic Gardens' 9 hectares luxuriate in an enviable microclimate at Ventnor Undercliff. Gardeners here use the Ventnor Method, which allows plants to grow where they sow. A vast collection of rare and subtropical species includes the national collection of half-hardy and hardy puya, the giant viper's bugloss and a renowned collection of red-hot pokers. Follow the Champion Tree Trail and head off the beaten track to find secluded seating areas and clifftop meadows with sea views. Hops grow on the clifftop to the south of the garden. Partnering with a local brewer, VBC produces a Botanic Ale, a Botanic Pale Ale and a Botanic Lager. Book an overnight stay to enjoy free access to the garden and evening walks along the coastal path; take your pick from two Victorian cottages and three cabins dotted around the grounds. Open daily, adults £11.50, children £7, Doubles at the dog-friendly Cabin from £80 (min two nights) East Ruston Old Vicarage, Norfolk Photograph: Ellen Rooney/Alamy Armed with a 19th-century Ordnance Survey map and a black-and-white photo, the owners of the Old Vicarage picked up their shovels and set about restoring the acres around their house on the north Norfolk coast. The result, 40 years on, is a practical and creative triumph featuring beautiful gardens, an enfilade of lawns and an 'apple walk'. Some of the traditional – and windproof – wildlife habitat lost to modern farming methods is now restored. The Arizona-inspired Desert Wash garden is planted with drought-tolerant plants such as South American bromeliads, agaves and aloe. The cornfield has self-seeding poppies, corn marigolds and corn camomile, and there are shelterbelts of Monterey pine, Italian alders, holm oak and eucalyptus. A meditative space contains 16 Indian bean trees. Open Wed-Sun and bank holidays, March-Oct, adults £14.50, children £2, The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Clackmannanshire Photograph: Iain Masterton/Alamy From swept gravel and teahouses, to stone lanterns and zigzag bridges, every aspect of a Japanese garden holds meaning. At Cowden you can unpick the symbolism or simply enjoy the garden in its purest sense – as a tranquil space where everything is in its place. Cowden was inspired by the travels of a wealthy adventurer, Ella Christie, who commissioned Japanese horticulturist Taki Handa to design a garden in the boggy grounds of her home, Cowden Castle. A 10-year restoration, completed in 2023, was overseen by Chelsea flower show gold and best in show winner Prof Masao Fukuhara. The gardens undulate through woodland and over gentle hills dotted with cherry blossom, maples and acers. On the Christie Walk, you might spot Indian rhubarb, the heart-shaped leaves of the katsura tree and the petals of the Himalayan blue poppy fluttering in the breeze. Workshops include cyanotype printing and kintsugi (the art of repairing pottery). Open daily except Tue, adults £9.85, seniors £8.75, children £5.75 , Vann, Surrey Photograph: Vicki Flynn You may have seen this 16th-century, English Heritage-listed house and its garden 'rooms' on screen in Disney's Christopher Robin, ITV's Agatha Christie's Poirot or the BBC's 2017 adaptation of EM Forster's Howards End. A Gertrude Jekyll-designed water garden is a highlight of the 2 hectares. Crossed by bridges and stone paths, the water garden contains 1,500 plants nurtured at Jekyll's Munstead Wood nursery. Traditional rose varieties bloom in the Old Garden, and an orchard leads to a yew walk where pears fruit on a crinkle crankle wall and ferns sprout from Bargate stone – the medieval quarries that provided it can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Open April to the first week in July , £10 (cash only), . On National Garden Scheme days, tickets must be booked in advance skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Stockton Bury, Herefordshire Photograph: Alex Ramsay/Alamy Stockton Bury is part of a working farm that once belonged to Leominster Priory. Gardens sprawl around medieval buildings including a pigeon house, hop kiln and tithe barn (now a cafe). There is also a glasshouse, water garden and cider orchard. May brings drifts of the rare, goblet-shape Sprenger's tulip, and the delicate tea rose blooms from early summer into autumn. Garden-grown damsons, plums, apples and raspberries make their way on to the cafe's menu, and the 'secret garden' rewards explorers with views to the Black Mountains across the Welsh border. Gardener Tamsin Westhorpe runs bespoke tours, and there are botanical painting workshops during the summer. Open Wed-Sun, April-Sept, adults £9, children £5, Logan Botanic Garden, Dumfries and Galloway Photograph: SW1/Alamy At Logan, on Scotland's south-western tip, Gulf Stream currents nurture exotics from five continents. Giant palms, eucalyptus and luxuriant tree ferns tower over Brazilian gunneras and other non-natives, such as angel's fishing rods, which dangle their bell-like heads over the pond. Sit here with your phone switched off and watch damselflies skit (Logan has subscribed to the Silent Space scheme). The conservatory, which houses South African tree heathers and a pelargonium collection, was the first public glasshouse in the UK to be heated entirely by green energy sources. Look out for guided walks and have a peep down a microscope in the Discovery Centre. There's a cafe on site. Open March-Oct, adults £9 , concs £7.80, under-16s free, Felley Priory, Nottinghamshire Photograph: Lee Beel/Alamy A visit to Felley Priory could be one of the best motorway breaks you make. Set in rolling countryside a mile from the M1, this all-season garden delights with fiery autumn colours, flower-draped pergolas, traditional roses and 60 varieties of snowdrops. Spring brings woodland bluebells and a daffodil soup of yellows, apricots, oranges and whites, as rare daff varieties light up the orchard. Take advantage of the plant nursery and tearoom, which has gluten-free menu options. The 12th-century house is private. Open Tue-Fri, plus the first and third Sun of each month from March-Sept, adults £8.50, seniors £7.50, under-16s free, Rivington Terraced Gardens, Lancashire Photograph: Martin Birchall/Alamy Donated to the public by the soap magnate Lord Leverhulme in 1902, Rivington sits within Lever Park on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Leverhulme went all out by commissioning an unusual seven-arched bridge based on one he had seen in Nigeria, a sitting room at the top of a four-storey pigeon tower, five summer houses set on lawns and a replica of Liverpool Castle. In all, there are 11 Grade-II listed structures to explore (suffragette Edith Rigby burned down Lever's original house) along with rock gardens and grottoes, a wide variety of fungi, a Japanese garden and an Italian lake, where Leverhulme took daily dips. Open daily, free entry, Trelissick, Cornwall Photograph: travelbild/Alamy With its small beach, ancient Cornish orchard and pontoon on the River Fal, the National Trust's Trelissick isn't your average garden. Paths wind through Brobdingnagian sub-tropical gardens, and dawn-till-dusk woodland walks bring snapshots of the river. Spring delivers magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and fountains of wisteria; later in the year, it's the turn of ginger lilies, dahlias and bananas. The King Harry Ferry departs from Trelissick to St Mawes and Falmouth, and there is a lovely walk around Restronguet Creek to the thatched-roofed Pandora Inn (allow three hours for the walk) for a creekside afternoon tea. The orchard's restored screw-turn apple press will be in action over Apple Weekend in October. Stay the night in Trelissick Tower, or the restored Trelissick Engine House, and enjoy access to the garden. Open daily, adults £17, children £8.50 , Two nights at the Trelissick Engine House, sleeps three, from £ 439 Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire Photograph: Matthew Taylor/Alamy Former US president Franklin D Roosevelt visited Easton with his wife, Eleanor, in 1905, as part of their honeymoon, and described the gardens, now 464 years old, as 'A dream of Nirvana … almost too good to be true'. Gardener Ursula Cholmeley began a large-scale restoration in 2001. Now the gardens brim with snowdrops, flower-filled meadows and David Austin roses. In season, 50 varieties of sweet pea flourish. Look out for 'purple pimpernel', 'clotted cream', 'watermelon' and 'Albutt Blue'. There is a pub on the estate, with real fires and a suntrap garden, and guests staying at Easton's lodge or loft apartments have free access to the gardens. There are EV charge points, too. Open Wed-Sun and bank holiday Mon, 12 Feb -21 Dec , adults £ 12 (half price Nov and Dec), children £5, Loft apartments from £160 a night Hillsborough Castle, County Down Photograph: Christopher Hill Photographic/ The restored 18th-century walled garden at Hillsborough is a gem. Walking around the beds you will see heritage varieties such as golden beetroot mixed with modern ones such as par-cel (which looks like parsley but tastes like celery). Visit the cafe for garden-to-plate 'walled garden scallion potato bread' and an afternoon tea featuring a 'garden beetroot brownie' and 'walled garden raspberry posset with thyme shortbread'. The rest of the garden is full of interest. The lake is fed by a stream which meanders through the gardens, and a pinetum contains a stand of giant sequoias planted in the 1870s. In the grotto, a statue of the Irish warrior poet Ossian and an accompanying bench and stones tell his story and explain the castle's links to the romantic movement and the Gaelic revival. Open daily, gardens £10.30, children £5.20, castle and garden adults £ 20.80, children £10.40 , The Manor House, Upton Grey, Hampshire Photograph: Alamy The Arts and Crafts Manor House at Upton Grey is striking in its own right, but laid around it is a garden with a rare boast: it is believed to be the most complete and authentic existing example of a Gertrude Jekyll-designed garden. When owners John and Rosamund Wallinger purchased the 2‑hectare site in 1984, it was nearly derelict, but after they discovered the eminent garden designer's original plans for the garden, they embarked upon a remarkable journey of faithful restoration. Situated east of Basingstoke, Upton Grey features wild, kitchen and rose gardens, the nuttery, and a yew-hedged formal garden filled with the hallmarks of Jekyll planting design: lofty hollyhocks and azure delphiniums, billowing phlox, poppies and campanulas. Open Mon-Fri, May-July, entry £7, Iford Manor, Wiltshire Photograph: Peter/Alamy One of Britain's premier romantic gardens, Iford Manor meets formality with enrapturing naturalism: euphorbia and catmint soften the stone terraces, roses clamber up the columns; a 200-year-old wisteria romps in unbridled profusion. Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, beside the River Frome in Wiltshire, Iford was the home in the early 20th century of influential architect and garden designer Harold Peto, who augmented its Georgian roots with Italianate flare and finesse. There are intimate cloisters and grand steps, a tranquil Japanese garden, and masterfully positioned statues and architectural fragments, while more modern additions include an award-winning restaurant and bakery. For the last half-century, Iford has been under the stewardship of the Cartwright-Hignett family who, with current head gardener Steve Lannin, are continuing the garden's expressive legacy. Book in advance to ensure entry. Open Wed-Sun, 2 April-Sept , adults £10, children £9, under-10 s not permitted , Additional reporting by Matt Collins
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Scottish brothers on world record bid now closer to astronauts than humans on earth
Scottish brothers who are attempting a world-record-breaking row across the Pacific Ocean are now officially closer to astronauts on board the International Space Station than they are people on Earth. Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean are 40 days into their 9,000 mile journey from Lima in Peru to Sydney, Australia and are bidding to become the fastest team to row the Pacific and raise £1 million for clean water projects in Madagascar via their charity, The Maclean Foundation. Right now, they are approximately 2,700 nautical miles from Lima and the nearest inhabited land to them is Marquesas Island in French Polynesia, 1,150NM away. It means the International Space Station, which orbits around 400km above sea level, is currently closer to them than any human on Earth. The brothers are at third of the way through their journey and have reached a major milestone, day 35. That is how long it took them to complete their row of the Atlantic in 2020, which earned them three world records. 'We've officially reached the middle of nowhere,' said Ewan, a former Dyson engineer who's spent much of the trip wrestling with a broken auto helm. READ MORE: Atlantic-conquering brothers take to The Minch ahead of Pacific row Scots brothers' record-breaking Pacific row back on track after customs delay Scottish knitting expert to take on world's toughest row for charity 'It's been a grind to get here — this row has been much tougher than any of us anticipated. And if the auto helm issues don't sort themselves, we might be out here for another 150 days. Breaking it into tiny milestones has been important psychologically. 'We knew it would be monotonous. But there have definitely been stretches that felt like a never-ending purgatory: rowing in the same beam-on conditions, day after day. 'That being said, we're incredibly lucky to be doing this, just so fortunate to have this incredible once in a lifetime opportunity. It's type two fun, but that's still fun. The messages we've received from home have kept us going through our hardest points and morale is very high right now. We're doing it.' The brothers, from Edinburgh, are doing the row on their 28-foot carbon fibre boat named after their late sister Rose Emily. They take it in shifts around the clock and are fighting 30-foot waves and temperatures above 30 degree Celcius. With no engine, no sail and no support crew, they are surviving on rehydrated meals, desalinated water and the occasional square of chocolate. 'We're not great at being uncomfortable,' said Lachlan, 26, who will celebrate his birthday on June 9. 'We're just naive enough to start and stubborn enough to finish. The brothers are attempting to row across the pacific (Image: MacLean Foundation) 'We've had dolphins surfing off the bow, whales breaching metres from the boat, and waves soaking everything just as we get dry. It's brutal, brilliant, and bizarre in equal measure. Sometimes the lows are unavoidable, but they always pass. Looking for the positives goes a long way out here. 'Would I get off the boat tomorrow if I could? Genuinely, I don't think I would. Even though it's been achingly hard, we're drawn to what lies in the uncharted waters beyond 35 days at sea.' Despite the discomfort — including salt sores, mental fog, and rowing blisters on top of blisters — they've found moments of joy. From impromptu jam sessions to tending a mini lettuce garden planted in a repurposed Tupperware box, morale remains afloat. Jamie, who is also nursing a burn from cooking on board, said: 'It's the little things. At times it's tough. Same weather. Same food. Same crap rowing. Same crap company. Terrible sleep. Then do it again. And again. And again, I've found solace inside my Tupperware box. I've always enjoyed the process of planting things. I remember being immensely proud of my carrot patch at Steiners – the fantastic and somewhat alternative school I attended for most of my childhood. 'I draw so much hope from planting seeds. The potential of what those little things can become never ceases to amaze me. Time will tell if we see any life from this odd-looking lunch box, but it's been a welcome distraction to the afternoon slump. Fishing has been another highlight and I daydream of tuna steaks and a crisp, fresh side salad.' The brothers expect to be at sea for another 70 to 80 days. Supporters can track their progress and donate to their £1 million fundraising target at
