I visited the best seaside town in the UK during a heatwave – with a beach bar that feels like it's in the Mediterranean
It's a tad more relaxed, still with a pretty pebble coastline and blue waters, but much quieter.
7
Rockwater is literally on the seafront in Hove - and where I spent my weekend
Credit: Alice Penwill
7
The beach of Hove is still has the pebbly shoreline and bright blue waters
Credit: Alice Penwill
On Friday afternoon, just under two hours from my home in
The seaside town that everyone knows and loves for its sea lanes, pop-up market stalls, quirky creatives and music scene.
But shortly after arriving, I left and decided to head over to
Just a mile's stroll down the front, which is delightful on a bright summer day, and I was there.
Read More on UK Breaks
It was immediately quieter with a notable absence of Brighton's squawking seagulls.
Hove still retains its beach charm, and in fact, it's recently been named one of the best seaside towns to live in.
"Here you'll find a more relaxed lifestyle that is heavy on yoga, wellbeing and barista-made flat whites."
Most read in Beach holidays
Almost as soon as I hit Hove, I discovered a gem of a beach bar called
Rustic-looking on the outside, Rockwater completely blends in with its surroundings with wooden slatted exterior, huge glass windows. and the inside is spectacular.
The UK's best beach bar – with DJ sets, sunset views and signature cocktails
7
The rooftop bar is a popular spot with incredible views over Hove beach
Credit: Alice Penwill
7
Alcoholic drinks at Rockwater start from £7 and there's a huge list of cocktails
Credit: Supplied
It has plush chairs, a beautiful bar and a holiday-like atmosphere - imagine the sun shining through open windows, the clinking of glasses and happy tourist chatter.
Just like me, visitors have been so impressed by Rockwater that they feel like it's transported them to another country entirely.
One wrote on
The popular beach bar that's open from dawn until dusk has various areas to relax in, from the dining area to cosy nooks and even a corner filled with books and magazines.
But, the jewel of Rockwater is the
I opted for a table downstairs
next
to the huge open windows which look out directly onto the
I'm nosy, and love nothing better than sipping on a cocktail and people-watching at the beach.
Rockwater has an extensive drinks menu from classic
I opted for an Aperol Spritz for £12, while the food options varied from salads to lobster and crayfish mac'n' cheese, burgers, steak, a variety of pizzas and of course,
It's not just for adults either, there's a kids menu with the likes of sausage and chips, pasta and desserts from chocolate brownies to
7
The downstairs looks right onto the promenade - and is great for people watching
Credit: Alice Penwill
7
Inside are places to eat but also relax on squishy sofas and stools
Credit: Rockwater
If you come to the seaside with your dog, Rockwater is dog-friendly, so they are welcome inside - the only rule is that they're not allowed on the roof terrace after 8PM.
Around the back of the beach club are
Unlike other beach bars, Rockwater hosts all sorts of activities, too, including early morning
The summer evenings are dedicated to Rockwater's Sunset Sessions x Cafe del Mar where a
There's also silent yoga discos, book club socials, sound bath sessions and the fad that I had to get involved in - puppy yoga.
The
There's also a second venue on the promenade at Branksome in Poole.
Sun Travel also visited the
Plus, the three
7
I enjoyed a drink in a beach club that looked like it was on the Mediterranean
Credit: Alice Penwill
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I tried the new UK indoor playground where children are banned – it was like being back in primary school
Plus , there is currently the opportunity to grab cheaper tickets SCHOOLS OUT I tried the new UK indoor playground where children are banned – it was like being back in primary school EVER wished you could still enjoy the fun of the playground now you're a grown up? Well you can, at an adults-only fairground that has just opened up in our capital city. Fairgame City has opened its doors in the heart of London, with traditional kids' favourites alongside 18-plus items like cocktails and beer - calling itself "the best place to play." Advertisement 8 Fairgame City features 12 different carnival games for adults Credit: Cyann Fielding 8 You get 90 minutes of play, and two turns on each game Credit: Cyann Fielding Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here With such a statement, I knew I needed to bring out my inner child and test it for myself. Upon entering, you head down a glowing staircase to be greeted by a giant hall-like room with bar tables, neon lights and fun features - think, teddy bears hanging from the ceiling. The ultimate feast for the eyes though, was toward the back of the room where I found the carnival-like games. Advertisement Read more on travel inspo ON THE UP I'm a travel editor - the flight, train & ferry upgrades really worth the money It was as if I had stepped into The Rydell High Carnival from Grease, transporting me to an American carnival full of thrilling games for competitive play. And that is just what I did... left the day job behind and started counting points, not pennies. There are 12 games in total and each group (so yourself and your friends) gets 90 minutes of play. But beware, this may seem like a while but it really isn't, as each player gets two rounds of each game, so you have 24 activities to get through in a short space of time. Advertisement No two games are remotely similar, so there is a lot of fun to be had. And the classics feature as well, like shooting for a hoop with a basketball and whack-a-mole. I went to the new Grease experience Maybe it is because I don't have the same stamina levels that I did as a kid, but the sit-down games were much appreciated. Out of all of them I would say there was one on the slightly more frustrating side. Advertisement Essentially, players have to put their hands into a box, where balls are then blown around. You then have to catch the balls and put them in a hole. It sounds great in theory, but for me and fellow travel reporter Alice Penwill who are both only 5'1', it was near impossible to reach any of the balls as they dropped. 8 Many are inspired by classic carnival games including shooting a basketball into a hoop Credit: Cyann Fielding Advertisement 8 And each requires a different skillset Credit: Cyann Fielding 8 The games allow you to win different prizes too... if you get the right score Credit: Cyann Fielding Apart from this game, the rest were great and I find it hard to pick a favourite - it truly felt like enjoying all the fun and games back at primary school. I loved the subtle nods to childhood with a Milk Bottle Toss game switched up to feature alcoholic bottles to knock over. Advertisement In each game, a prize would be available too, with bucket hats and a Fairgame's mascot up for grabs. The fun then doesn't have to end there - as there are three different food vendors to choose from and an extensive drinks menu. I tried the 'Small Duck Energy' - a fruit and white chocolate cocktail, complete with an edible duck, and the 'Social Spicy Margarita', a non-alcoholic cocktail using Three Spirit, which mimics the effects of alcohol. For a destination that isn't focused on alcohol as its main attraction, the drinks compared with some of the top bars I have been to in the capital. Advertisement 8 There is also a bar with a range of different cocktail choices themed to the attraction Credit: Cyann Fielding 8 And there are three food vendors as well Credit: Cyann Fielding I also opted for a pizza, and coming in at just under £30 I thought it was pretty steep until it came out... it was so big I could hardly carry it, more like something you would expect from a New York pizza joint. Definitely make sure to enjoy the food and bar before you head off, as this adds to the experience, proving that grown-ups deserve a playground break too. Advertisement London's most playful destination will open fully on August 21. Off-peak games, which are available Tuesday to Thursday between 11:30am and 3pm cost from £22 per person. To play at prime-time, which is from 3:15pm on Tuesday to Thursday and all day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday it will cost you from £25 per person. Though, if you want to go during its soft launch, tickets are just £10 per person. Advertisement If you are looking for more things to do, I also recently headed to the Grease Immersive Movie Musical - it feels like being in the film. And last month, I headed to the UK's new immersive Titanic attraction – I gasped as the iceberg hit but there was another 'wow' moment.
The Irish Sun
01-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
I ditched New York City for upstate and found hundreds of vineyards, NASCAR racing experiences & world famous waterfalls
STANDING on Hurricane Deck with water whipping around me and Niagara Falls thundering behind, I'm experiencing a different side of New York. Most visitors cram into Manhattan, but New York City takes up just 0.56 per cent of the entire state. 6 With water whipping around me and Niagara Falls thundering behind, I'm experiencing a different side of New York Credit: New York State Department of Economic Development (NYSDED) 6 Watkins Glen is a charming village that also hides a legendary race track where Formula 1 once raced - and I took a thrilling ride in the pace car Credit: Alice Penwill 6 Buffalo is the gateway to Niagara Falls, just a short drive away Credit: Getty Beyond the concrete jungle of America's most populated city lie vineyards, breweries, lakes, a whole lot of classic US charm and, of course, those famous falls. Upstate New York, despite its high-end reputation, is also much kinder on your wallet. The cost of two days in the city is equivalent to about six days outside when it comes to accommodation, dining and activities. My journey began in Syracuse, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region — a lush green area known for its scenic beauty and more than 1,600 vineyards. READ MORE TRAVEL GUIDES Without much persuasion, I stopped at a few to sample the local produce — I had a tipple at Anyela's vineyard and the Beak & Skiff brewery, which had very tasty ciders. A half-hour drive away is Skaneateles (pronounced skinny atlas), one of the region's most exclusive spots. Lake Skaneateles is said to be the cleanest in the world, but what really stands out is the shorefront, which is full of sprawling manors with sweeping lawns, guest houses and boat garages. It's a popular place for celebs, with former President Most read in News Travel Just south of Syracuse lies Watkins Glen, which looks like a Hallmark movie set until you hear the roar of engines. The charming village is home to the Watkins Glen International track, where Formula 1 raced for 20 consecutive years from 1961 to 1980 before Nascar took over. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival I had a ride in the back of a pace car for a speedy lap (in motorsport, a pace car leads the racers in warm-up laps). And I saw a bright yellow American school bus — full of grinning students — tear around, too. Turns out that anyone can give it a try. You can even take your own car, or bus, for a spin. Rochester, a mid-sized city on the southern shore of These days, it's better known for the Strong National Museum of Play, a huge, hands-on museum dedicated to toys, games and childhood. Here, I attempted (and failed) to beat other players at From there, I headed west to my final, and favourite, stop: Buffalo. Sitting where the Buffalo River meets Lake Erie, it proved that the state's 61 cities beyond NYC are also well worth exploring. Screams of delight I followed the riverfront past guided missile cruiser USS Little Rock, through Veterans Memorial Park, and on past the restored 1920s carousel at Canalside, where families queued for a ride. The standout spot, though, was RiverWorks — a creative reinvention of old grain silos, now home to ziplines, climbing walls, a big wheel, kayaking and lively bars. Buffalo is also the gateway to I arrived at night to see the illuminations, a spectacle in itself. 6 Naval history fans will love taking a look at the guided missile cruiser USS Little Rock Credit: Getty 6 Strong National Museum of Play, a huge, hands-on museum dedicated to toys, games and childhood Credit: New York State Department of Economic Development (NYSDED) 6 The Sun's Alice Penwill gets a close-up view of the Niagara Fall Credit: Alice Penwill But at that point I didn't quite grasp the full power of the famous waterfalls. The next day, I saw them in all their glory. Looking like a blue penguin in my oversized anorak, I boarded the Maid Of The Mist tourist boat to get closer to the thundering cascade. At first, the boat bobs along at a glacial pace. Then, after a light spray of water, the full force of the falls hits. Picture screams of delight, anoraks flapping and thousands of gallons of water crashing into the river below. If you want to feel it properly, head to the top deck. Prefer to stay dry? Stick to the lower level. The boat tour is a must — and so is the Cave Of The Winds. This attraction is a series of wooden walkways leading right to the base of Niagara's Bridal Veil Falls and up to the Hurricane Deck, where the water spray slams sideways and where standing still is a feat in itself. I managed to hold my pose just long enough for a photo, before stumbling away, soaked and buzzing with adrenaline. The Big Apple is a bucket-list must, of course, but don't forget to take a bite out of the rest of New York State, too. GO: NEW YORK STATE STAYING/GETTING THERE: An 11-night fly-drive tour of New York State costs from £2,770pp based on two sharing, including car hire, Top Of The Rock Observation Deck in NYC, Niagara Falls Tour and return flights departing Heathrow on April 27 2026. See OUT & ABOUT: For Watkins Glen International see The Strong National Museum of Play costs $25 (£18.45). See Maid of the Mist tickets are $30.25 (£22.33) and the Cave of the Winds costs $23 (£17.12) at MORE INFO: For New York State see
The Irish Sun
26-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break
CRACKING nightlife and great culture, too – this Italian city makes for the perfect girls' mini-break, says Senior Writer Donna Smiley. Cycling along the 15km seafront promenade, my friends and I all turn our heads at the same time to take in the view of the bronzed men playing volleyball on the beach. 5 Italian city Rimini is adored for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture 5 Donna found Rimini to be the perfect city for a girls' mini-break It's 8pm on a Friday in The sun is still shining and the seafront is packed with people of all ages and from all walks of life, while bodyboarders catch the last waves. After locking up our bikes, we head to the pier for one of It's buzzing, and while the outside bar pumps out loud house music to a younger crowd, I feast on delicious amberjack tortellini on asparagus cream, with a tomato confit and toasted almond flakes, £15, paired with a bottle of white Sartori Lugana wine, £19, in the elegant but relaxed interior ( On the way back to our hotel, the i-Suite, we stop for a nightcap at Barrumba, a pizza restaurant and live-music venue next door. At 1am, it's heaving and blasting out dance anthems – no one is in any rush for the night to end ( Revellers are relaxing in i-Suite's 24-hour pool, too, and we're tempted to join them – but for our early start to explore the city in a few hours' time. B&B for three people costs from £83 per person ( Most read in City breaks PIAZZA THE ACTION I'm in need of coffee and sugar come sunrise, and the friendly hotel waiter brings me a smooth cappuccino within minutes. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE We hire bikes for the day, £16 per person, and head to the historic old town, a 15-minute cycle away ( It's charming, with cobbled streets, ancient Roman landmarks, stunning medieval monuments and lively piazzas. Our first stop is the atmospheric Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to Italian film director and screenwriter Museum entry costs £8.50 ( Next, we head to Nud e Crud for a piada. It's the I opt for the PidGreek with grilled chicken, salad and tzatziki, £8.50 – so tasty I could easily eat another – and sip a very reasonably priced Aperol Spritz, £5 ( That evening, we take a short train, £3, to Cesenatico – a small and pretty town in the heart of the Riviera Romagnola – to enjoy seafood at Osteria Bartolini, a cute trattoria with alfresco tables overlooking the canal. 5 You'll be happy as a clam at Osteria Bartolini We share a bottle of crisp Pignoletto Frizzante, £19.50, baby cuttlefish with artichokes, £18, potato and cod croquettes, £14, and boneless and fried sardines with aromatic tomato, £14 – all of which are fresh and tasty ( We skip dessert and head back to cute Gelateria Pellicano, behind our hotel, for creamy salted caramel gelato, £3.50 ( The next day, we wander through the lush greenery of Parco Cervi, which takes us from the beach through grand giant arch Arco di Augusto, where shops are brimming with designer and high-street fashion, art galleries and souvenirs, such as leather goods, ceramics and local wine. I can't resist picking up some delicious olive oil. TIRAMIS-SO GOOD! We decide to spend the afternoon sunbathing at the most popular free beach, Marina Centro at Piazzale Boscovich in the harbour area, before heading back to our hotel to change for a cycle over to dinner at The Grand Hotel Rimini. This five-star hotel has always been considered the symbol of 'la dolce vita' on the 5 Rock Island is a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine It has hosted many celebrities in its time, including Princess Diana and actress Sharon Stone. Its ancient ballrooms are the beautiful setting for the (aptly titled) La Dolce Vita gourmet restaurant, where prices are surprisingly reasonable. The traditional risotto with carnaroli rice and grape and golden apple sauce, £19, is light and flavoursome, and for dessert, we all agree the tiramisu, £10.50, is to die for ( On another night, we treat ourselves to dinner at San Marino's fanciest restaurant, La Terrazza, which has breathtaking panoramic views. I start with the cheese and cold cuts selection with local mustards and honey from San Marino, £14 – the best I've ever had – before digging into handmade tagliolini pasta served with julienned crispy serrano ham and black truffle, £14, which also tastes amazing. A bottle of sparkling Pievalta Perlugo, £21.50, goes down rather nicely, too ( We head back to Rimini train station on our last day to catch a bus to San Marino – the world's smallest republic state – located on a mountain top. After the 50-minute journey, £5, we hop on a cable car to the top of Monte Titano and walk among picturesque townhouses and cobbled streets, where three old castles and towers are linked by strong walls and fortifications. Wandering along the Passo delle Streghe, a fortified pathway between two of the towers, we learn its name means 'steps of the witches'. Ancient legend has it that witches could sometimes be seen dancing on the rocks of Monte Titano at night! Read more on the Irish Sun Whether that's true or not, Rimini has proved to be one magical mini-break. 5 Experience the magic of Passo delle Streghe Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
