Win a copy of Somewhere Only We Know by Cathy Bramley in this week's Fabulous book competition
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SIX months after the death of her daughter, Maggie is struggling.
So when she discovers Bronte's travel journal, she decides to honour her by taking the trip she never got to go on.
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10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition
Armed with memories of her own blissful summer in Bali years ago, Maggie sets out on the adventure of a lifetime.
The perfect uplifting read.
10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition.
To win a copy, enter using the form below by 11:59pm on August 9, 2025.
For full terms and conditions, click here.
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Scottish Sun
3 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Four of the UK's coolest afternoon teas from Mexican snacks to flower-themed cakes
Our round-up also includes the perfect spot to enjoy your tea with stunning countryside views MEX IT UP Four of the UK's coolest afternoon teas from Mexican snacks to flower-themed cakes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NATIONAL Afternoon Tea Week starts tomorrow and hotels across the country have been warming their baking ovens and prepping their finger-sandwich fillings for the occasion. From floral pastries in botanical gardens, to Mexican-inspired scones in quirky hotels, Sophie Swietochowski picks out the best afternoon teas to celebrate. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Mex it up and taste a strawburrito at Virgin Credit: Supplied 2 The Retreat's tea has a botanical theme Credit: Supplied The Crown Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorks Harrogate's charming Crown has been serving afternoon tea since the 1880s – so they've certainly had time to master the ritual. Their summer tea is an absolute steal at £26 per head and includes all the best sandwich fillings such as egg mayo and smoked salmon, plus scones and various sweet treats. Make sure to try the chocolate, rum and pistachio delice. GO: Summer Afternoon Tea costs £26pp or £32 with a glass of fizz or Pimm's. See Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch You'll have to be quick to bag a table at this fun-packed tea that's fuelled by tipples, as it's available for the next two weeks only. To celebrate the launch of Virgin Atlantic's new route to Mexico, special afternoon tea-quila (see what they've done there?) experiences will be taking place throughout the week at this glorious East London hotel. Expect Mexican twists on classic treats – including a strawburrito, crammed with grilled strawberries and mexi-scones, flavoured with Cheddar and jalapeno. Better still, diners will have the chance to bag up to 65 per cent off a Mexican holiday to Cancun. GO: The experience costs £49.50pp, and guests can upgrade to a cocktail pairing menu, featuring three tequila-inspired concoctions for an additional £35pp. Underrated towns you need to visit See Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort, Glasgow If you take your tea with a spoonful of countryside views, then there's no better place to sip it than at Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort, in rugged Port Glasgow. Scoff down finger sandwiches stuffed with pastrami ham and delicate Victoria sponge cakes, before strolling the grounds. Be sure to check out the 18-hole golf course with greens that are guaranteed to impress any keen player. GO: Afternoon tea costs from £35pp. See The Retreat at Elcot Park, West Berks Sophisticated folk will be flocking here, where the petit fours are as elegant as the manicured gardens. A botanical-themed tea incorporates classic British flavours into dainty pastries and nibbles, including cucumber-and- cream cheese open sandwiches, Cheddar custard tarts topped with marigold petals and lemon-and-poppy seed scones. GO: Botanical afternoon tea costs £42pp, including a glass of AIX rosé. Botanical-themed cocktails cost an additional £12 each. See Bovey Castle, Devon What could be more grand than tea in a castle? With the rolling hills of Dartmoor National Park on its doorstep, five-star Bovey Castle is crawling with history, having transformed from a manor house into a hospital during World War One, before becoming the golf hotel it is today. It may never have operated as a castle, but it's still a lovely place to spend an afternoon while tucking into salt beef sarnies, pork and apple sausage rolls and choux buns oozing with meringue filling. Little ones can tuck into a mini version too. GO: A traditional Afternoon Tea at Bovey Castle, Devon is from £45pp or £60 with champagne. A Children's Afternoon Tea is £15. See
Scottish Sun
3 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
I went on a spooky tour of Ireland inspired by Netflix's Wednesday with haunted castles and huge waterfalls
An ancient cemetery and haunted castle were high on the agenda — both of which feature heavily in the new series WICKED WEDNESDAY I went on a spooky tour of Ireland inspired by Netflix's Wednesday with haunted castles and huge waterfalls Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN I think of a holiday in Ireland I think, Guinness, Guinness and, yep, you guessed it, more Guinness. But my two-day mini-break to Wicklow, just 30 minutes south of Dublin, was anything but that. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The enchanting Wicklow mountains in Ireland Credit: Getty 4 Grave expectations for Ortega as Wednesday Credit: JONATHAN HESSION/NETFLIX In fact, it opened my eyes to this region's idyllic and dramatic rolling countryside as well as its complex history, steeped in mythology and folklore. And if I needed any more reason to visit, Ireland is now being billed as the new home of Halloween thanks not just to its long-standing roots to the pagan festival but the hit Netflix series Wednesday. The Addams family spin-off moved its filming location from Romania to Ireland's County Wicklow last year. And viewers can now admire the region in the second series — the first part of which aired, appropriately enough, this Wednesday. With all this in mind, it's fair to say my itinerary was positively gloomy, in a good way. An ancient cemetery and haunted castle were high on the agenda — both of which feature heavily in the new series. Secret tunnel Charleville Castle in County Offaly in the Midland region of Ireland, is the new home of Nevermore School — where Wednesday is shipped off to by her parents. As I wandered the halls and grand rooms of the 1800s Gothic castle, it wasn't hard to see why Wednesday's legendary director, Tim Burton, fell in love with the building's dark charm and character. Despite it being a protected structure, he and Netflix were able to persuade the castle's heritage trust to get a master carpenter to painstakingly remove one of the giant windows at the back. It was replaced with sugar-glass panels in order to film a werewolf smashing through the window and into Nevermore's music room, sparking chaos and fear among the pupils. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival Luckily for me, the werewolf was nowhere to be seen on my visit. Even luckier for the trust, and visitors, Netflix left its giant, nine-orbed chandelier in place hanging dramatically in the entrance hall. Almost like something out of Scooby Doo, the castle's library features a false bookcase which opens up to a secret tunnel. It was originally built to allow the Freemason owners to sneak guests in and out of their meetings undetected. Visitors, meanwhile, have to use the main door located at the foot of a jaw-dropping winding, open staircase which is said to have been the site of a tragic death. Trust member Bridget Vance explained to me how a young girl named Harriet, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Charleville, fell to her death from the fourth floor. 4 Joanna Lumley as Grandmama in Wednesday Credit: OWEN BEHAN/NETFLIX 4 The Sun's Jack Hardwick Credit: Syupplied She is said to haunt the castle walls and can be heard singing from the nursery. Bridget, who has lived in the property since 2013, says her young son once went missing — only for her to find him at the top of the stairs. He supposedly told her he was OK as 'the little girl held my hand'. If I wasn't spooked enough already, I sure would be at Powerscourt Estate an hour's drive away from Charleville Castle. Netflix bosses have used extensive areas of this 47-acre estate to help recreate the magical world of Nevermore. Tucked away in the Wicklow Valley, the Powerscourt waterfall — Ireland's highest at 121 metres — will be instantly recognisable to fans of the show as summer camp Jericho. Away from the Wednesday film locations, the heritage town of Trim in County Meath is also worth a visit — especially at Halloween Powerscourt House itself, with sprawling manicured gardens that would put Buckingham Palace to shame, also features in the hit series. The building and grounds serve as the home of Joanna Lumley's character Hester, who is Wednesday's Grandma. I'm told bosses splashed out on more than 30 assistant directors to try and stop members of the public from filming and leaking scenes after they were unable to close the grounds during filming. To their credit, next to nothing found its way online prior to release. Away from the Wednesday film locations, the heritage town of Trim in County Meath is also worth a visit — especially at Halloween. Trim hosts the four-day Púca festival, which focuses on Ireland's mythological traditions of the spirit world coming to life instead of the commercialised American trick-or-treat version we all know today. Over four days the town transforms into a Halloween mecca with music, comedy, fire displays and a parade celebrating creatures from Celtic mythology called shapeshifters, which come out the shadows to take over the area. Rather than using pumpkins, locals carve out turnips as Jack-O-Lanterns. The turnips are a nod to the Irish folklore tale about a man called Jack who made a deal with the devil, which led to him being rejected from Heaven and Hell. He was destined to wander the countryside for ever, with only a lantern to guide him. While I can't say I've ever had a ghostly experience, in Ireland or otherwise, I leave the country fascinated by tales of yesteryear. But I'm also glad none of them have happened to me . . . yet.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Celebrity chef closes upmarket Mayfair restaurant after four years in business
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The restaurant posted a statement on its website after the final shift on Wednesday. They announced: "After four incredible years, Jeru Mayfair will be closing its doors, with our final service on 6 August 2025. "To all our guests, friends and staff, thank you for every meal shared, every celebration, and every memory created. You've made these years truly unforgettable." Popular dishes included the signature chocolate-fed Wagyu ribeye steak and the wood-fired oven with potato bread with chickpea miso butter. Jeru was a hugely loved spot with the restaurant boasting over 20,000 followers on Instagram. Celeb fans include former Big Brother star Mark Byron and Good Morning Britain personality and Times Radio fan favourite presenter, Lord Ed Vaizey. Earlier this year, former Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother star Chris Hughes even spent an afternoon cooking in Jeru alongside chef Ner. Hughes described the swanky establishment as a "special spot" on social media afterwards. Chef Ner is a globally renowned as a cook who specialises in innovative cooking techniques. Award-winning UK restaurant chain shuts ALL its sites as it goes bust after nearly a decade in business Born in Israel, he established his career in Sydney where he became famous for his signature take on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. This includes his special flavour combinations which he uses in his grilling, roasting aging approaches and long bread fermentations. He co-founded the famous Nour Restaurant in Sydney before he moved to the US. The star later partnered with well established chefs, Tim Hollingsworth (French Laundry) and Chard Robinson (Tartine Bakery). Culture platform Loti reports that many restaurants have faced problems due to increased VAT and National Insurance contributions. This has apparently led to staffing issues on top of existing rising rent and energy costs for small businesses. It comes as an iconic UK department store is set to axe three celebrity chef restaurants at the end of the month. Harrods will shutter Masayoshi Takayama's Sushi by Masa, Tom Kerridge's Fish and Chips and Calum Franklin's The Georgian by the beginning of September. The swanky central London store also announced the end of its partnership with Gordon Ramsay Burger. However, the latter will continue waving in punters until January 11, 2026. Harrods said the switch up was triggered by a change in industry trends, including a spike in punters eating earlier in the evening. Restaurant, food chain, and pub job losses A NUMBER of high-profile restaurant, pub, and food chains have announced job cuts following the coronavirus crisis. Zizzi owner Azzurri Group announced in July 2020 that it would permanently shut 75 branches, putting 1,200 jobs at risk announced in July 2020 that it would permanently shut 75 branches, putting 1,200 jobs at risk Frankie & Benny's owner The Restaurant Group has proposed closing 125 branches, with 3,000 jobs on the line has proposed closing 125 branches, with 3,000 jobs on the line Byron Burger is shutting 31 restaurants, around half of its UK sites, with 600 jobs at risk is shutting 31 restaurants, around half of its UK sites, with 600 jobs at risk Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge have announced the closure of 91 restaurants, with 1,900 jobs to go have announced the closure of 91 restaurants, with 1,900 jobs to go Carluccio's is cutting 1,000 jobs with 40 restaurants to shut is cutting 1,000 jobs with 40 restaurants to shut Costa Coffee is axing 1,650 jobs - it hasn't announced any store closures at this stage is axing 1,650 jobs - it hasn't announced any store closures at this stage GBK is closing 26 restaurants and making 362 workers redundant is closing 26 restaurants and making 362 workers redundant Greene King has shut 26 sites permanently, while a further 53 will temporarily close with their future remaining in the balance. Around 800 staff across the 79 sites are at risk of losing their jobs. has shut 26 sites permanently, while a further 53 will temporarily close with their future remaining in the balance. Around 800 staff across the 79 sites are at risk of losing their jobs. Marston's pub chain says 2,150 staff are at risk of being made redundant or facing significantly fewer hours pub chain says 2,150 staff are at risk of being made redundant or facing significantly fewer hours Pizza Express has confirmed it'll be closing 73 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk has confirmed it'll be closing 73 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk Pret a Manger is cutting 2,800 jobs with 30 stores to close is cutting 2,800 jobs with 30 stores to close Revolution Bars is planning to close six sites putting 130 jobs at risk is planning to close six sites putting 130 jobs at risk Upper Crust plans to make 5,000 out of its 9,000-strong workforce redundant plans to make 5,000 out of its 9,000-strong workforce redundant Wetherspoons is planning to cut 450 jobs from six pubs, as well as 130 head office roles. is planning to cut 450 jobs from six pubs, as well as 130 head office roles. Whitbread (which owns Brewers Fayre, Premier Inn and Beefeater) is planning to cut 6,000 jobs as hotel demand slumps. (which owns Brewers Fayre, Premier Inn and Beefeater) is planning to cut 6,000 jobs as hotel demand slumps. Young's is making 500 out of 4,200 staff redundant. 6 TV star Chris Hughes described Jeru as a 'special spot' earlier this year Credit: Instagram 6 The dark-lit restaurant served its final customers on Wednesday Credit: Instagram
