Replica Spanish galleon arrives on Yorkshire coast
A replica of a 16th Century Spanish galleon has sailed into port on the Yorkshire coast and will welcome visitors for the next two weeks.The original Nao Victoria became the first ship to circumnavigate the globe more than 500 years ago, and the replica now operates as a living museum. Lupo Bathke, logistics manager for the vessel, said the crew were "constantly reminded of what an amazing piece of history we get to live on every day by people who come to visit".The ship is berthed at North Wharf Quay in Scarborough and will be open daily to the public from 27 June to 6 July.
After tide times delayed the ship's arrival, its mast and Spanish flag were eventually visible on the outside of the harbour wall, to the delight of a gathered crowd. Lisa, from Whitby, said she'd been waiting since the morning to spot the Nao Victoria, and described it as looking "like a pirate ship"."I'm very excited to see it - it's gorgeous, absolutely stunning. I'm actually going on it tomorrow," she said.For Julie and Andy, from Shipley, the sight of the galleon was a pleasant surprise. "We just got set up here because we like looking at the boats, and then we heard people talking and it's just a coincidence this boat is coming in," Julie said."We've got the perfect position, sat comfortably - brilliant."
The Nao Victoria - whose name translates as "Victory" - was the only one of five ships that returned from a voyage to Indonesia, but later sank in 1570. The replica was completed in 1991 and made a round-the-world trip between 2004 - 2006 in homage to the one taken by the original.According to Mr Bathke, the vessel travels "80% of the time under sail" but has two auxiliary engines which are mainly used for navigating in and out of ports.He previously spent a year on board with the crew and called it a "once-in-a-lifetime experience" that even poor weather couldn't spoil."When it gets into heavy waves, it can be a lot of fun for those who enjoy it and very never-wracking if you don't enjoy it that much," he said."I'm lucky enough to have never been seasick so I thoroughly enjoy it but I have seen some people who don't have that good a time."
The Nao Victoria now only stops sailing for one month a year, and mainly travels around northern Europe. Prior to arriving in Scarborough, the ship journeyed up the English coast, stopping at Torquay and Eastbourne. Visitors will be able to board the Nao Victoria between 10:00 – 20:00 BST every day, to find out more about the history of the original vessel.
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
TV host Holly Willoughby is latest celebrity to take helicopter to 'green' Glastonbury as locals complain it's 'antisocial' and 'against the spirit' of the festival
She has been dubbed the Queen of Glastonbury Festival, having partied there every summer for a decade. And in true royal fashion, Holly Willoughby touched down on the Worthy Farm site by helicopter yesterday to join more than 200,000 music fans. But residents of neighbouring Pilton in Somerset are furious at the number of choppers ferrying A-listers over their farms, as one told the Mail: 'We've never seen this many coming into the festival – it's insane. 'On Thursday there was a cluster of five, one after the other. 'It's getting ridiculous now and quite frankly the organisers need to get a handle on it – it's so anti-social and not in the spirit of Glasto.' Setting off from London's Battersea heliport yesterday, the 44-year-old flew for 50 minutes and was at the festival by 1.30pm. Helicopter firm Air Charter – which sells return tickets for £13,950 – reckons it saves its celebrity customers up to eight hours per journey compared with driving. Beaming in the festival's VIP section, the former This Morning host sported a £365 pair of tan Grenson boots from her own line and a £158 blouse from Free People over a white dress and belt, with a Stetson hat. Ms Willoughby has previously stayed at the five-star Babington House hotel while attending the event, which is a half-hour drive from the site, and gets a taxi in each day. Meanwhile, nearby luxury campsite Camp Kerala, which costs £8,000 for five days, shared a picture on social media showing a line of helicopters and Rolls-Royces awaiting VIPs. With ticket prices at a minimum of £385, the 45-year-old festival has faced growing criticism that it has abandoned its hedonistic roots, and this year was dubbed 'Butlin's for the British middle class'. The Mail approached festival bosses for a comment. Other celebs spotted at the event so far include Barbie star Margot Robbie, 34, with her producer husband Tom Ackerley, eight months after giving birth to their first child. Yesterday, moustachioed Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, 48, read out letters from around the world in the Greenpeace area in a feature called 'Letters Live'. Meanwhile, thousands of unsuspecting fans were treated to surprise performances from Lewis Capaldi and Lorde yesterday. Capaldi choked back tears as he declared 'I'm back baby' during an emotional return to Glastonbury's iconic Pyramid Stage. The Scottish singer, 28, was greeted by cheers, two years after his Tourette's condition left him unable to finish his set and led to a career hiatus. He told the crowd: 'Two years ago I wasn't sure if I'd ever do this again, but I'm back baby!' And Lorde, also 28, sent fans into a frenzy with a surprise slot on the Woodsies stage, which saw her whip off her top in temperatures of 27C (81F).
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad
Spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner PURE BLISS Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I HAVE been on more spa breaks than I care to admit – and I may have found a new favourite. Moddershall Oaks, a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland, was just a ten-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Moddershall Oaks is a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland 2 I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package But as we pulled up to this leafy, quiet spot, I knew the boutique size would mean fewer people and more peace, all for me. Family-owned, this spa hotel has just ten rooms in the main building, as well as 14 newly-added, luxury woodland pods dotted around the site. When staying in an overnight spa suite, you're greeted with a welcome drink on arrival and have access to facilities from 3pm until 4.30pm on your day of departure. First things first, we settle in our room, which has a patio looking out onto the stunning hills – and, lucky us, brilliant sunshine, too. My treatment is booked for 4pm and I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package. For 25 minutes, my skin is blessed with scrubs, a wild honey mask and calming oils, as well as a gentle head and shoulder massage, all to wash away life's stresses. I then rejoin my partner in the main spa area, where there is a hydrotherapy pool with heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths, a 10m pool and a steam room. The hydrotherapy pool certainly packs a punch, which makes a change from other spas I've been to where the pressure can be quite weak. What I love most is that it's not busy at all. I finish the indoor experience off with the toasty relaxation room where phones are not allowed, which I wholeheartedly welcome, so I'm forced to switch off. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools But there's lots more to explore outside, including a more bustling spa pool, access to a Kelo sauna and a gym. What made this retreat extra-special was the private outdoor heated spa pool. You get a 30-minute slot to yourselves, and there's even a button to request service. It's blissfully refreshing to sink into the warm bubbles as the spring air hits your freshly-treated face, with the evening sun slowly setting behind the distant trees. For a moment, I don't feel like I'm in the UK at all. The spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner – and it's not like any old set menu either. There's a huge selection of familiar favourites like beer battered fish and chips, but I've gone for the slow braised Staffordshire beef – the meat is so succulent and you can't go wrong with a massive Yorkshire pudding. We retire to our suite and the treats continue. Rooms feature plush furnishings with king-size or twin beds, a separate lounge or seating area and a private deck or patio so you can soak up the woodland and gardens. And the unique, hobbit-style woodland pods feature a circular design and round windows, with eco-friendly bubble spa showers and freestanding roll-top baths. After the best kip I've had in ages on the comfy bed, it's off to the restaurant for a hearty cooked breakfast. I've gone for eggs Benedict, which were done to perfection, while the other half stuck with a trusty full English, which didn't disappoint. Moddershall proved just the right combination of boutique luxury and peaceful retreat.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad
I HAVE been on more spa breaks than I care to admit – and I may have found a new favourite. Moddershall Oaks, a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland, was just a ten-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent. 2 But as we pulled up to this leafy, quiet spot, I knew the boutique size would mean fewer people and more peace, all for me. Family-owned, this spa hotel has just ten rooms in the main building, as well as 14 newly-added, luxury woodland pods dotted around the site. When staying in an overnight spa suite, you're greeted with a welcome drink on arrival and have access to facilities from 3pm until 4.30pm on your day of departure. First things first, we settle in our room, which has a patio looking out onto the stunning hills – and, lucky us, brilliant sunshine, too. My treatment is booked for 4pm and I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package. For 25 minutes, my skin is blessed with scrubs, a wild honey mask and calming oils, as well as a gentle head and shoulder massage, all to wash away life's stresses. I then rejoin my partner in the main spa area, where there is a hydrotherapy pool with heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths, a 10m pool and a steam room. The hydrotherapy pool certainly packs a punch, which makes a change from other spas I've been to where the pressure can be quite weak. What I love most is that it's not busy at all. I finish the indoor experience off with the toasty relaxation room where phones are not allowed, which I wholeheartedly welcome, so I'm forced to switch off. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools But there's lots more to explore outside, including a more bustling spa pool, access to a Kelo sauna and a gym. What made this retreat extra-special was the private outdoor heated spa pool. You get a 30-minute slot to yourselves, and there's even a button to request service. It's blissfully refreshing to sink into the warm bubbles as the spring air hits your freshly-treated face, with the evening sun slowly setting behind the distant trees. For a moment, I don't feel like I'm in the UK at all. The spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner – and it's not like any old set menu either. There's a huge selection of familiar favourites like beer battered fish and chips, but I've gone for the slow braised Staffordshire beef – the meat is so succulent and you can't go wrong with a massive Yorkshire pudding. We retire to our suite and the treats continue. Rooms feature plush furnishings with king-size or twin beds, a separate lounge or seating area and a private deck or patio so you can soak up the woodland and gardens. And the unique, hobbit-style woodland pods feature a circular design and round windows, with eco-friendly bubble spa showers and freestanding roll-top baths. After the best kip I've had in ages on the comfy bed, it's off to the restaurant for a hearty cooked breakfast. I've gone for eggs Benedict, which were done to perfection, while the other half stuck with a trusty full English, which didn't disappoint. Moddershall proved just the right combination of boutique luxury and peaceful retreat.
