My sitcom-worthy walking holiday
It was a packaged tour organised by HF Holidays, a co-operative set up as the Holiday Fellowship in 1913 by Thomas Arthur Leonard, a non-conformist social reformer. He wanted to save factory workers from the fleshpots of Blackpool by encouraging them to take walking holidays instead. A great believer in the improving effects of the great outdoors, he was a strong supporter of the National Trust and was also involved in setting up the Youth Hostel Association and the Ramblers' Association – a bit like Robert Baden-Powell, except without the links to African colonialism or Hitler Youth. Leonard was also a supporter of the Independent Labour party, a staunch pacifist and, towards the end of his life, a member of the Society of Friends.
Not my cup of tea, then, but HF Holidays is now a broad enough church to accommodate sybaritic non-believers. Well, up to a point. I asked my mother-in-law if I could bring some wine, but was told this wouldn't be in keeping with the slightly frugal, ascetic atmosphere. We were staying in an hotel in Alnmouth owned by the company, and meals were communal, with the 60 or so guests sharing tables and expected to chat to each other while selecting from a limited menu.
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Reuters
16 hours ago
- Reuters
Luxury tourism in Africa often fails to benefit locals, new research shows
LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Efforts by some African nations to attract luxury tourism have yielded limited benefits for local communities, with new research by the University of Manchester saying on Tuesday that it often causes more harm than good. Rising business and leisure travel on the continent has made it increasingly attractive for multinational companies. Airlines have also increased their African capacity, and in some nations that momentum is translating into economic impact. Many African governments are targeting luxury tourism development, describing it as "high-value, low-impact," but the research - published in African Studies Review - has found that is not always the case. All-inclusive resorts are often cut off from local life, hire few local workers, and keep tourists from spending in nearby communities by providing everything on-site, it said. The research added the most profitable eco-lodges were foreign-owned, with much of the tourist spending flowing to overseas travel agencies, food imports or profits repatriated abroad. It also argued luxury tourism deepens inequality, with profits concentrated among foreign operators or a small local elite while wages for most tourism jobs remain low. The issue is fuelling tensions on the ground. Just last week, a local activist filed a lawsuit seeking to block the opening of a new Ritz-Carlton(MAR.O), opens new tab luxury safari lodge, which boasts plunge pools and personalised butler service, in Kenya's Maasai Mara reserve. The dispute is the latest flashpoint in East Africa's grasslands between luxury tourism and Maasai herders who say the sector's development is harming their habitats and ways of life. In Kenya, locals have complained about what they say are land grabs by wealthy investors. In Tanzania, protests against the eviction of tens of thousands of Maasai to make way for hunting lodges have led to deadly clashes with police.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Remote beach with golden sands, clear waters, and wildlife is hard to reach but worth the trek
Remote beach with golden sands, clear waters, and wildlife is hard to reach but worth the trek This lovely dog-friendly beach is rarely very busy This secluded beach is located on a remote stretch of coast towards the southern end of the Llŷn Peninsula and offers a crowd-free day by the sea if you can find it. (Image: Chris Andrew/Wiki) We all love a beach day here in Wales and we are truly blessed to have so many sandy shores and isolated bays to choose from. If you've already ticked off the classics like Barafundle Bay, Rhossili Bay, and Harlech Beach, you might be itching to find somewhere new to plonk down your towel. Great news! We've discovered a huge sandy beach that few people know about. Porth Ceiriad is located on a remote stretch of coast towards the southern end of the Llŷn Peninsula and offers a crowd-free day by the sea – if you can find it. It's an absolute gem of a beach owned by the National Trust and tucked away beneath towering cliffs. You'll get sweeping views over Cardigan Bay all the way to the mountains of the Eryri National Park. It's also less than three miles from the popular seaside village resort of Abersoch where you'll find plenty of cafes, shops, and facilities. This lovely dog-friendly beach is rarely very busy – largely because it's a fair stomp from the nearest parking and is reached by walking across fields and ascending a steep flight of steps. Even in the middle of the school holidays it never feels rammed so it's a brilliant spot if you're after peace and big ocean views. This beach lies on a remote stretch of coastline on the Llŷn Peninsula (Image: Google) What makes this almost secret beach tricky to visit is that mobile signal can be very spotty here so good luck trying to navigate with Google Maps. Article continues below Finding the isolated spot is part of the challenge for intrepid explorers. Many Tripadvisor reviewers posted about their joy at finding the beach when the satnav couldn't. One poster remarked: "It's an adventure to get there on single-track country roads. Good luck with the tractors." Online it's even dubbed the "Porth Ceiriad Mystery Tour" because of the curious case of disappearing tourists led astray by unreliable satellite navigation directions and confounding maps. To get there you'll need to go through the former Nant Y Big campsite. From there it's just a short trek across a couple of fields before you reach a steep set of steps carved right into the cliff. It's a bit of a thigh burner but totally worth it once you see the golden sands and crashing waves. While it's a perfectly lovely sandy stretch this is where you come for a spot of solitude to walk the dog or have a bracing sea dip. There are no facilities here including toilets, cafes, or lifeguards so if you're plodding down here you'll need to bring everything with you. It's a proper wild seashore free from seaside resort tat shops, whirring arcades, and beachside fish and chip shops. If you bring a big beach picnic be aware that there are no bins here so you'll need to take all your rubbish home to keep this scenic spot beautiful and litter-free. The Beach Guide notes that, along with a beautiful sandy shore and geologically-significant cliffs, the surf at Porth Ceiriad is about the best on the Llŷn Peninsula. If you're a pro surfer there are large powerful waves that are more suited to experienced surfers (Image: Mirrorpix) If you're a pro surfer there are large powerful waves here that are more suited to experienced surfers than those at neighbouring Hell's Mouth. They add that while generally quite sheltered the surf at this south-facing beach comes into its own during the winter months. If you're new to surfing this might not be the best spot to give it a whirl. The waves can pack a punch here and the rip currents can be downright feisty. There's also no lifeguard here and the nearest loos and facilities are a few miles away. Porth Ceiriad is also popular with other watersports and in the summer, you might spot a range of crafts including kayaks, paddleboards, and even yachts. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. If you're lucky you may also see pods of dolphins here with their distinctive dorsal fins carving through the choppy waves. You might spot a dolphin here (Image: Getty Images/EyeEm) How to get there To get there from Abersoch, head out along Lon Sarn Bach and keep going straight over the crossroads at Sarn Bach. About 0.7 miles on take a left onto Lon Groes – you'll spot it by the green electricity substation so keep your eyes peeled. Soon after you'll come to a contactless payment barrier at what used to be the Nant Y Big campsite. From there a path leads you straight towards the beach. 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The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Beach made famous by Poldark no longer accessible
Access to Pedn Vounder beach in Cornwall, a popular beauty spot, has been temporarily closed by the National Trust due to health and safety concerns. The decision was made because the cliff access path has eroded, becoming unstable with steep drops and a difficult final descent to the beach. The National Trust also cited dangerous rip currents at the beach, which have led to frequent emergency service incidents. The closure of the beach, known for its scenic beauty and as an unofficial nudist spot, has caused disappointment among locals and tourists during a late summer heatwave. The National Trust, which consulted with local authorities and emergency services, has advised visitors to use the nearby Porthcurno beach instead.
