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UK's huge new £1million aquarium opens with shipwreck, sharks and eels

UK's huge new £1million aquarium opens with shipwreck, sharks and eels

Daily Mirror6 days ago

Brits hoping to see the likes of sharks, eels and angelfish may want to check out a huge new £1million aquarium display that's just opened in the UK
Brits looking for fun days out with the kids on those gloomy rainy days may want to head down to a huge new aquarium in the UK complete with a shipwreck model and sharks.
That's because SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth recently opened the doors to a brand new £1million aquarium display, and it's pretty impressive. For a start, it's home to over 30 marine species including blacktip reef sharks, moray eels, tangs, and angelfish. One major highlight is the 250,000-litre Ocean Tank and Tunnel where you can walk right under the fish and sea creatures, or get up close thanks to the specially created immersive viewing windows.
Oh, and keep an eye out for the impressive shipwreck habitat where all sorts of marine life is hiding in the nooks and crannies. The whole shipwreck was inspired by HMS Gloucester, a royal warship which sank off the Norfolk coast in 1682. The shipwreck itself was discovered by two divers in 2007, but it wasn't until 2021 that the full public reveal was announced.
Other highlights also include an immersive interactive experience where you can see and hear crashing waves, with the aim of leaving you feeling like you're completely submerged in the ocean's depths.
There's plenty more to explore across the attraction too, with SEA LIFE playing host to animals such as penguins, crocodiles, rays and green sea turtles. Ticket prices for SEA LIFE start from £16 per adult when booked online up to two days in advance - you can find out more at visitsealife.com.
Of course on a sunnier day, you may also want to leave time on the itinerary for a trip to Great Yarmouth beach. With miles of golden sands, a bustling promenade lined with restaurants and shops, and swim-friendly waters, it's a firm favourite with sunseekers in the summer, but also makes for a lovely scenic stroll on those days where it's a little too chilly to get into the sea!
It's worth noting that it can get quite busy during the peak holiday seasons, so if you're not tied to school holiday dates, it might be worth planning a trip when it's slightly quieter. One happy holidaymaker did just that and shared their experience on Tripadvisor, writing: "What a wonderful walk on the beach in the sunshine. Such a clean beach. Out of season was ideal for us. We parked at the end of the road near the Premier Inn and walked down the beach to the shops. Such a lovely day and beach."
This summer, there will be heaps of fun for families too including a Wheels Festival across June 21-22, the annual free fireworks on the Golden Mile from July 24 to August 27, and fireworks displays every Tuesday near Hemsby Beach from July 23. You can find out more at visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk.

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Hidden gem Scottish loch once witnessed brutal battle for country's independence
Hidden gem Scottish loch once witnessed brutal battle for country's independence

Daily Record

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  • Daily Record

Hidden gem Scottish loch once witnessed brutal battle for country's independence

The hidden gem is a small but stunning Lowlands loch hidden in the Galloway Hills Tucked away in the heart of the Galloway Hills, Loch Trool might not have the fame of its Highland cousins, but it's every bit as breathtaking. This narrow stretch of water in Dumfries and Galloway is a hidden gem of the Lowlands, and for those in the know, it's one of Scotland's best-kept secrets. Just eight miles from Newton Stewart, the loch sits in the Southern Uplands, flanked by rugged hills and thick forest. At only 400 metres wide and 1.5 miles long, it may be modest in size, but its appeal is anything but small, Scottish Daily Express reports. ‌ Visitors can enjoy a 5.5-mile circular walk that takes around three hours to complete, winding through ancient woodland, along hillside tracks, and beside peaceful shores. The route is part of the Southern Upland Way and offers picture-perfect views from start to finish. ‌ Online reviews paint the loch as a peaceful haven. One walker on TripAdvisor described it as an 'amazing place to go for a walk or to camp out. Beautiful views, free car park, relaxing time, good sleep in wild.' Others have called the scenery 'stunning' and 'breathtaking'. But Loch Trool isn't just a treat for the eyes, it's also a stargazer's dream. Set within Galloway Forest Park, a designated Dark Sky Park, the loch is said to lie in the darkest area of the UK, according to Wikipedia. It's a magnet for astronomy enthusiasts, so if you do plan a visit after sunset, bring a powerful torch to help you find your way. The loch's atmosphere is made all the more striking by its historical significance. It was here, on the banks of Loch Trool, that Robert the Bruce staged a daring ambush against English forces during the First War of Scottish Independence. ‌ In April 1307, Bruce and his band of 300 men took on 1,500 English cavalry under the command of the Earl of Pembroke. Using the narrow path along the water's edge, Bruce's forces dealt heavy damage. It was a turning point in Bruce's campaign and a prelude to his first major victory at the Battle of Loudon Hill just weeks later. ‌ Today, the events are commemorated with Bruce's Stone, a massive granite boulder perched on a hill overlooking the north shore. It marks not only a moment of triumph, but a place where history and nature meet in spectacular fashion. How to get there: From Newton Stewart, take the A714 heading north towards Girvan. At Bargrennan, turn right for Glentrool village and follow signs to the Glen Trool visitor centre. Continue past the centre for about 3km and take the first tarred road on your right. This leads to a car park just before a small bridge, your starting point for the walk. ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Route highlights: Begin at the car park and follow green waymarkers leading onto the Southern Upland Way. You'll pass Caldons House and remnants of the ancient woodlands that once filled Glen Trool. The trail then climbs through dense conifers on the loch's steep southern side. At the loch's head, cross a bridge and leave the Southern Upland Way to follow the quieter northern shore, meandering through Buchan and Glenhead woods. A short detour will take you to Bruce's Stone before the route loops back to your starting point, making for a rewarding and memorable day out.

Airbnb names picturesque village near Scots loch among best summer destinations
Airbnb names picturesque village near Scots loch among best summer destinations

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Airbnb names picturesque village near Scots loch among best summer destinations

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10 medical conditions that must be declared to insurers when going on holiday
10 medical conditions that must be declared to insurers when going on holiday

Daily Record

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Record

10 medical conditions that must be declared to insurers when going on holiday

Holidaymakers must be up front about all diagnoses when buying their travel insurance Travel insurance is a crucial part of booking a holiday in case the worst happens and you need medical help while abroad. And experts have warned that when taking out cover, there are a list of medical conditions you must declare or risk a hefty bill. With the cost of medical repatriation estimated at £100,000 or more, Admiral Travel Insurance said that it pays to make sure your provider is aware of all medical diagnosis. Although many Brits may have a GHIC or EHIC card, these only provide limited cover and therefore shouldn't be seen as a replacement for travel insurance. ‌ Cosmin Sarbu, Admiral's Head of Travel Insurance, said: "For peace of mind and to ensure you are covered, it's always best to declare all medical conditions when taking out a travel insurance policy, before you travel. ‌ "Although the chances of having to make a medical claim are slim, illness or injuries can be both very distressing and expensive to resolve. "If you haven't declared all medical conditions, you won't have insurance in place to cover all of the costs, this can mean you are responsible for paying tens of thousands to be treated and returned home safely should you try to make a claim," reports Lancs Live. Medical repariation is not covered by a GHIC or EHIC card. Cosmin said: "Generally, we need to know about all medical conditions someone currently has. With some conditions, such as heart problems, we need to know if someone has ever been diagnosed with them, even if they've now recovered and are no longer being treated for these. "At Admiral, we ask about these when someone gets a travel insurance quote. It's always best to include all medical conditions you've had or check with your insurer before you take out cover, if you're not sure. "We prompt customers when they go through a quote with us to remind them what medical conditions they need to tell us about. Travellers need to tell us about what even might seem like a minor visit to a doctor or GP for advice, treatment or prescriptions, any ongoing investigation into their health or if they're waiting for a diagnosis. "They also need to declare if they're on a waiting list for inpatient treatment. If you're not sure what condition you were seen for, check with your doctor to ensure you include an accurate description when you buy your policy." Admiral's data found that the top ten most common conditions declared on travel insurance policies between May 2024 and March 2025 were: Ranking ‌ 1 High Blood Pressure ‌ 2 High Cholesterol 3 ‌ Anxiety and/or Depression 4 Asthma ‌ 5 Diabetes 6 ‌ Osteoarthritis 7 Underactive Thyroid ‌ 8 Coronary Angioplasty 9 ‌ Hypertension 10 Heart Attack ‌ Cosmin said: "Although insurance costs vary depending on the type of condition, how much a medical condition affects your premium also depends on other factors, like the number of people travelling on a policy, how long you're going for and the travel destination. "While it's not possible to say specifically how particular medical conditions can impact on premiums, Admiral has provided some examples to indicate how much a premium could increase by when adding some common conditions." Currently, Admiral provides cover for over 3,100 different medical conditions. There are some conditions that can't be covered, but Admiral said it's always worth running these past your insurer first, as it does vary case-by-case. ‌ Admiral will recommend specialist travel insurance alternatives through the MoneyHelper directory if they're not able to cover a medical condition. Cosmin said: 'We ask our travel insurance customers to declare all medical conditions, including any ongoing treatment, when taking out a policy. This is to ensure we can provide cover at an appropriate price for the customer based on their medical needs. Not doing so could leave someone underinsured if they make a claim or could invalidate their insurance entirely. ‌ 'If a customer requires medical treatment while abroad which is related to medical conditions that haven't been declared to us, we may decline their claim. Or if someone has failed to declare medical conditions which would have resulted in a higher premium, we may pay the claim on a proportional basis. "This means we will only cover the claim up to the percentage of the premium they have paid, and the customer will be responsible for any costs over and above the proportional settlement. 'We never take the decision to refuse or proportionally settle a claim lightly and we will always work with the customer to ensure they receive adequate support in these cases. ‌ "However, they could end up having to pay medical treatment fees themselves and these can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds.' Cosmin continued: 'We completely understand that some travellers might be worried about declaring medical conditions because they think it will increase the cost of their insurance. Declaring a medical condition doesn't always result in a higher premium and even if it does, the additional cost will ensure they are protected should the worst happen while they are away. 'Some travellers might not be aware of what they need to declare. So, the best advice is to check with your travel insurer and to let them know about any medical conditions you have. ‌ 'We always want to look out for our customers and encourage you to reach out if there's anything you're unsure of in the process of buying travel insurance.' And there is one thing you don't have to declare. Cosmin said: "We don't consider menopause, whether requiring HRT or not, to be a medical condition and don't require customers to declare it."

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