UK's oldest ‘new town' home to award-winning free attraction and is just 20 minutes from London
THE first wave of 'new towns' in the UK started back in the 1940s - and those who want to visit the oldest should head to Stevenage.
The New Town was founded in 1946 to house Londoners after World War II and relief the over-crowding and shortages of homes in the city.
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Stevenage is split into a New and Old Town
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The newer town is home to a big shopping centre
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The goal set by the government was to provide housing, employment, and a healthier environment for families relocating from London.
The Old Town side of Stevenage has retained its historical charm with a small high street and Grade I listed buildings.
The award-winning attraction, Fairlands Valley Park is in part of the New Town of Stevenage.
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Fairlands Valley Park is also award-winning having been recognised with several Green Flag Awards, celebrating its high standards as a green space.
It won a Green Flag Award for 10 consecutive years between 2010 and 2020.
It was also once voted as one of the UK's leading free visitor attractions.
Inside the park is a completely free play park suitable for children with swings, climbing frames and tunnels.
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Fairlands Valley Park is also home to a
The splash park is completely free and there you'll find fountains, interactive water features as well as a food kiosk.
The historic UK town with the largest Japanese cherry tree orchard in the world
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Fairlands Valley Park has a splash park that's completely free
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An inflatable course is set up on one of the four the lakes during the summer
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The park itself is set across 120 acres in the heart of Stevenage, and 11 acres of that is a sailing lake.
The
On the lake, you can do
On land, the centre runs classes like orienteering, power kiting, grass sledging and there's also a new ropes course and climbing wall.
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In total though there are four lakes in the park.
The others are the Millennium Lake which is used for boating, the Environment Lake is where you'll find wildlife from amphibians, squirrels and foxes.
There's also the Balancing Pond which is at the Fairlands Farm End and only turns into a lake during heavy rainfall.
Also during the summer, a huge Aqua Parcs inflatable assault course is set out on the main lake with multiple slides and obstacles.
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Throughout the year, inside the park is hosted events like markets, festivals, car shows and boot sales as well as Christmas light switch-on.
Anyone wanting to head to Fairlands Valley Park from London will be pleased to know that a journey can take as little as 20 minutes from
Plus, our
And a
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Fairlands Valley Park is set across 250 acres
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Six-drink limit, sandcastles ban & ID check – Little-known Spain hol rules that could cost YOU €3k amid protest chaos
BOOZING on the beach, participating in pub crawl's and strolling shirtless through the streets are popular activities amongst Irish tourists jetting off to relax or party in Spain. But as 6 Building sandcastles may get you in some trouble in some areas Credit: Getty Images 6 Irish tourists have been urged to stay clear of any protests Credit: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti 6 Walking around without a shirt on could leave you facing a €600 fine (Stock Picture) Credit: Alamy The sunshine spot has been And locals claiming their homes have been turned into playgrounds for tourists has put pressure on the government to set strict rules in place that put a stop to unruly tourist behaviour. The new regulations could affect some of the nearly three million or so Irish punters expected to visit the hotspot this year. And any rule breakers could be hit with whopping fines of up to €3,000. Irish tourists heading to popular Spanish sunshine spots will now need to be more cautious about how and where they drink. Public drinking in Llucmajor, Palma, and Magaluf, along with Sant Antoni in Ibiza, is banned - unless it takes place in clearly designated areas approved by authorities. And the rule extends out to sea, covering party boats operating within one nautical mile of those towns. Those who don't follow the law could be hit with a steep fine, which starts at €500 for minor offences but rolls all the way up to €3,000. Tourists have also been warned that alcohol cannot be bought in shops from 9.30pm to 8am in Spain - but bars and clubs can continue selling. Anti-tourist mob attacks holidaymakers with water guns as they vow Spain faces 'long hot summer' of protest carnage Those opting to relax at an all-inclusive resort can continue to expect sea and sunshine but have been warned that alcohol rules will apply there too. All-inclusive guests are subject to a The drinks must also be spaced throughout the day - three in the day and three in the evening. The four main spots affected by these restrictions are , and , Playa de Palma and El Arenal in Here's where you can visit without the six drink restriction: Alcudia, Majorca Cala D'Or, Majorca Cala Bona, Majorca Cala Millor, Majorca Santa Eulalia, Ibiza Es Cana, Ibiza Playa Den Bossa, Ibiza Port Des Torrent, Ibiza Big fines are being imposed on those who try to quaff more than six drinks across the day. People could be fined between €750 and €1,500 if their drinking "disrupts coexistence, involves crowds or deteriorates the tranquillity of the environment". If the offence is considered serious, the fine could range from an eye-watering €1,500 to €3,000. ID PLEASE All tourists and Spanish citizens must carry a state-issued photo ID on their person "at all times". Failure to produce an ID on the spot when asked by the Civil Guard, National, Regional or Local And Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish tourists abroad that ignoring direct requests or challenging a police officer may be viewed as "disobedience", which is a criminal offence. The DFA warned that those arrested can't always jet right back home. A spokesperson said: " If you're arrested by the Spanish police at any stage, please ensure that all judicial matters against you are resolved before you leave Spain and that you have paid any fines. " Otherwise, you may be detained when you come back to Spain and you may incur further fines or even a prison sentence ." Sarah Slattery, a former travel agent based in Ireland, also advises Irish sunseekers to prepare ahead by photocopying their ID and passport in case they're stolen while abroad. She said: "It is not something we like to think about, but is it possible that you could be a victim of a crime on holidays, or you could simply loose your passport or other documents. "I suggest photocopying or uploading images of your passport, tickets and insurance policy to the cloud before you travel. "This is an important part of your holiday checklist, and once you have uploaded images of your passport once, they will be there for your next trip." SHIRTLESS STROLL In specific areas of Spain tourists may face a fine for wearing swimwear outside of pool or areas. Going shirtless or donning a bikini while walking in specific public locations is a major no-no in some parts of Spain. And those who take the chance could be stopped by police in the street and slapped with a fine of up to €600. Barcelona, Malaga and Benidorm are known as the spots tourists breaking this rule get caught out the most. BAD BEACH BEHAVIOUR The swimwear rule is not the only new regulation to have been implemented across certain sunshine destination in Spain. In some seaside towns, entering the beach between midnight and 7am can see tourists landed with a fine worth between €750 and €1,200. Swimming when the red flag is flying can cost €1,000. Sleeping or camping on the beach can result in a sickening €1,200 bill while placing a parasol or towel to reserve a space comes with the risk of a possible €150 fine. WHY IS SPAIN CLAMPING DOWN ON TOURISTS? MANY of Spain's most popular tourist destinations have been introducing tighter regulations for tourists as we approach the summer. It's a response to a fierce anti-tourism backlash in Spain. Locals blame tourists for crowded streets, traffic jams, a proliferation of souvenir stalls and generic coffee shops and restaurants and spiralling cost-of-living prices. Anger is also growing over the impact tourism is having on housing, with short-term tourist accommodation driving up the cost of rental properties. The new measures aim to mitigate the issues caused by overtourism and ensure a more sustainable tourism model. Smoking on the beach has a fine of up to €2,000 and alcohol is strictly banned - even when illegal beach vendors are offering it up at cheap prices. And urinating in the sea can get you a fine of €150. In parts of Benidorm and Tenerife, However, according to 'Frank The Stag Man', a travel agent who runs stag and hen dos in Benidorm, the fine does not include children's sandcastles and is aimed towards larger "sand architects ". ALCOHOL & DRUG CONSUMPTION The Irish government has issued warnings to Irish holidaymakers heading off to Spain to party. It said: "Alcoholic spirits are usually sold in significantly larger measures in bars and restaurants in Spain than in Ireland. "Consumption of alcohol in public places, except licensed bars and restaurants, is generally not permitted and may result in a fine. "There have been fatalities involving Irish citizens who have consumed illegal drugs in Spain. "The Spanish authorities take the possession of illegal drugs in any quantity extremely seriously and such activity may result in imprisonment. "The authorities in Mallorca and Ibiza are particularly active in anti-drug law enforcement, and are likely to prosecute in cases of use or possession of drugs." 'STAY CLEAR' OF PROTESTS Multiple cities across Spain are expected to be brought to a standstill on June 15 when locals take to the streets to protest against mass tourism. Representatives of 60 groups in are among those who vowed that the date would mark their biggest protest yet. The demonstration in Palma, Majorca will be held simultaneously with similar marches in Some cities in And the Irish government has warned tourists abroad to "stay clear" of any protest action, amid fears that growing anger over mass tourism could make demonstrators more hateful. The Department of Foreign Affairs said: "Public gatherings and demonstrations can at times take place with little or no warning. "We recommend that you stay clear of demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities. "Protests may cause disruption to transport and other services. Be prepared to adjust your travel plans at short notice if necessary, and allow yourself extra time for your journey. "You should also check for travel updates or transport delays before and during your trip to Spain." YOU'RE GETTING TAXED A NUMBER of popular Spanish tourist destinations have a tourist tax in place. Popular regions like Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencia are among those who charge tourists a tax often added to their accomodation bill. However, some hotspots have confirmed that the tax on tourists will be upped this year. In the Balearic Islands, overnight charges may rise depending on the quality of the accommodation. The Balearic Islands include holiday hotspots such as Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza. Cruise ship passengers visiting the popular region will be hit with a 200 per cent increase in tax. In Barcelona, the tourist tax is set to double per person per night. But children under 16 are exempt in both cases. CAP ON CARS & CARAVANS Ibiza has this month introduced a limit on the number of tourists cars and caravans that can visit the hugely popular holiday island. From June 1 until September 30, the number of vehicles used by non-residents will be capped at 20,168. Only 16,000 of these vehicles will be allowed to be rental cars and the other 4,108 will be for tourists who want to disembark with their cars in Ibiza from the ports of Barcelona, Denia, Valencia, or Palma. And Irish tourists planning on taking a drive to the sunshine spots have been warned vehicles must obtain prior online authorisation first. Those making the journey in caravans must present a confirmed reservation at an authorised campsite on the island to make it through. I biza Island Council President Vicent Marí insisted the island is "not closing the door the door to tourists". He said: We're introducing this limit to guarantee the sustainability of Ibiza. The island cannot withstand uncontrolled tourism flows. "This measure is about protecting the quality of life for residents and the environment. "We are not closing the door to tourists. We are simply inviting them to enjoy our island in a way that is respectful, measured, and future-focused." 6 Irish tourists heading to popular Spanish sunshine spots will now need to be more cautious about how and where they drink (Stock Picture) Credit: Getty Images 6 Thousands took to the streets of Tenerife to protest about mass tourism last month Credit: Getty Images 6 Irish tourists must have a valid ID on their person 'at all times' in Spain Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brits are swapping busy Spain for these three quiet Greek hotspots with £1 pints and secret beaches
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The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Several days of strikes' at Irish fave Spain tourist destination as thousands of workers threaten fresh holiday blow
IRISH holiday makers have been warned "several days" of fresh strike action on the Canary Islands could ruin holiday plans. It comes amid new walk out plans by hospitality workers as part of an ongoing 4 Between anti-tourism action and hotel strikes, the Canary Islands has seen constant demonstrations Credit: Almay 4 New action could see weekly protests Credit: Alamy 4 Hotel workers are not impressed by hotel bosses' offerings Credit: Alamy Spanish hotel chiefs have offered workers whopping wage rises - but got the knock-back from unions who are threatening further strikes this summer. Union bosses in the Balearic Islands are promising 'several days of strikes' in July and worker demos from the end of this month unless their pay demands are met. And in Tenerife and three of the other Overnight the possibility of walkouts in both popular holiday destinations moved a step closer as employers upped their pay offers but got short shrift from union chiefs who labelled the proposed rises 'crumbs.' READ MORE IN TRAVEL Balearic Islands' hotel chiefs increased a wage rise proposal that was already on the table to 9.5 per cent over three years - but were warned to expect a 'no' from worker representatives set to demand more than double that at a key meeting this afternoon. UGT union spokesman Jose Garcia Relucio described the offer ahead of the meeting as 'more crumbs' and claimed hotel bosses wanted their workers to survive on tips. Referencing a demo five days ago by around 300 union members outside the Palma HQ of the Majorca Hotel Federation, he told local press: 'It sounds like hotel owners are clueless about what happened last Friday.' Further south, the likelihood of strike action this summer also looks more likely after hotel association Ashotel's offer of a 13.5 per cent pay rise over three years received a lukewarm response from unions. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Ashotel revealed its new wage rise proposals late yesterday, saying they would affect more than 33,000 workers in Tenerife and the islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks It said in a statement: 'This increase is broken down as follows: seven per cent in the first year from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, 3.25 per cent from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and the remaining 3.25 per cent from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028.' A spokesman for the hotel association added, describing a previous Easter hotel strike in the area as 'unfair': They said: 'Ashotel has always been open to negotiate, even with a collective agreement in force until 2026 and with a strike held at Easter, which it considers was unfair. 'But these negotiations must take place within the framework of the collective bargaining table, which is the body with which the business and trade union parties have been legally equipped to reach agreements. 'The proposal put forward by the hotel employers' association focuses on wage increases, given the specific interest of the trade unions. 'Ashotel has never refused a wage increase, as shown by the increases year after year, even in the tough EXCACT TIMEFRAME Union sources responded by claiming the Ashotel proposal had 'small print' and would lead to the loss of working rights. Union members are set to vote on possible strike action next Monday in Tenerife and the western Canary Islands. If they end up going ahead, the first strike would take place on July 4 before a repeat of industrial action every Friday thereafter for the rest of that month and August. Unions are also expected to launch protests outside the doors of hotels. 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' Just last month some 23,000 Crowds held banners with messages such as :"Mass tourism is killing our economy and culture". Similar movements have been seen across Spain with protestors blocking tour buses and blocking access to popular landmarks. Demonstrators were heard shouting "Canarias No Se Vende", meaning "The Canary Islands Are Not For Sale," and "Enough is Enough" as they proudly held Canary Island flags in the sky during the protest. Some banners called for a stop to excessive tourism whilst others said: "There's not enough beds for so many foreigners." Activists were also heard blowing whistles, banging on drums and blowing through huge shells to make a loud horn-like noise. 'STAY CLEAR' OF PROTESTS IRISH tourists should make sure to stay up to date with their hotel details and pay attention to local developments The Department of Foreign Affairs do detail some general advice for They state: "Public gatherings and demonstrations can at times take place with little or no warning. "We recommend that you stay clear of demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities. "Protests may cause disruption to transport and other services. Be prepared to adjust your travel plans at short notice if necessary, and allow yourself extra time for your journey. "You should also check for travel updates or transport delays before and during your trip to Spain." And the New action promised for July is just the Workers staged a disruptive action during the busy Easter period in April. Action took place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife over April 17 and 18. The strikes followed the rejection of a proposal from the employers' associations. These included a six per cent pay increase, implementation of adjustable beds, and the establishment of a negotiation table before the end of the month to address other concerns. The strikes have involved approximately 80,000 hotel industry employees in Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. 4 Mainland Spain has seen similar disruption Credit: Alamy
