Giant's Causeway: Part of iconic site cordoned off after rockfall
In May, the National Trust asked visitors to the site to stop placing coins in the crevices between the rocks because it was causing damage.The charity said: "Although coin removal work was being carried out today, this activity and the incident are not related."The Giant's Causeway became a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 1986.It was formed about 60 million years ago when volcanic eruptions created 40,000 basalt stone columns. As the ancient lava cooled, the stones formed into hexagon-shaped patterns.In Irish mythology, the causeway was created by Finn McCool, an Irish giant, who wanted to prove his strength to Benandonner, a rival Scottish giant from across the sea.Last year, the attraction received about 684,000 visits.The numbers are steadily climbing back to their pre-pandemic levels. There were nearly a million visits in 2019.
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BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Tamworth Castle buildings undergo £142k restoration project
Restoration work has begun to repair water damage and structural deterioration at two Grade II-listed properties in Borough Council is carrying out the repairs at Holloway Lodge and Coach House courtyard at Tamworth said the £142,000 project would repair long-term damage caused by exposure to the elements and should be completed by the end of the Smith, the council's portfolio holder for leisure and heritage, said the work would "preserve two beautiful and important buildings in our town". Holloway Lodge dates back to 1810 and is the gothic-style gateway to the castle council said water had started to enter the lodge through the turrets and old guttering, causing damage both inside and has also started to grow in the stonework, further contributing to its nearby Coach House courtyard will undergo excavation work to repair damage caused by the roots of a nearby added: "This project is part of the council's ongoing commitment to protecting Tamworth's historic sites and investing in the future of its cultural heritage."These repairs will not only make both sites safe but will also help preserve two beautiful and important buildings in our town." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
12 of the best Baltic cruises
From Copenhagen's cobbled streets and canalside cool to the gothic architecture and imposing squares of Tallinn, Baltic cruises visit some of Europe's most beautiful and historic cities. Itineraries include the countries along the Baltic Sea including Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland and Germany, plus the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Some sail straight from British ports for a no-fly option, while others are ideal for adding on a city break before or after you sail. Along the way, you can expect Unesco-listed old towns, sleek Nordic design, lively waterfronts, fantastic museums, fairytale palaces and some of the world's best cafés. These are our favourite Baltic cruises to article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue You'll take in two Baltic capitals — Latvia's Riga and Estonia's Tallinn — as well as the Lithuanian maritime city of Klaipeda on port-intensive sailings aboard the 692-passenger Azamara Onward. This line has a Destination Immersion programme with a bigger than average choice of shore tours to explore local cultures, often from a different perspective. In Gdansk, Poland's largest and oldest seaport, you can kayak along canals in the old town, or venture into rural Lithuania to visit a third generation family-run bee farm. Back onboard, don't forget to pack something for Azamara's signature white night Cunard designed Queen Anne — its first new vessel in 12 years — the brief was to interpret the line's 184-year-history through fresh and modern eyes. The resulting new 3,000-passenger flagship combines the rich seafaring heritage with contemporary design details. Find out for yourself on nine- to 14-night sailings to Scandinavia and northern Europe, which include convenient round-trip voyages from Southampton. In between days at sea with white-glove service and black tie balls, you'll visit destinations such as Skagen, on Denmark's northernmost tip, where the stark beauty and ever-changing light has inspired generations of artists. This is another line with no-fly cruises from Southampton. The 3,647-passenger Britannia was built with UK guests in mind, from the entertainment through to Brodie's bar with the largest collection of British bottled beers at sea. On the 14-night Scandinavia and Baltic itinerary, there are plenty of beer-inspired excursions. In Tallinn there's a trip to sample craft beers at a small rural brewery. On the way you'll pass the 50m Jagala, Estonia's biggest waterfall. Meanwhile, in Kiel, guests can book an excursion to the red brick city of Lubeck, once capital of Germany's medieval Hanseatic League trading time to spare? Then Oceania's 35-night northern Europe sailing visits 29 ports of call, taking in Baltic highlights and lesser-known destinations in the region. They include the Unesco-listed town of Visby, the capital of Sweden's Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic. Sirena, which is sailing in the Baltic in 2024 and 2025, is a great ship if you prefer to sail with fewer than 700 passengers. The atmosphere is stylish and unpretentious, and Sirena serves excellent cuisine for all tastes from the grand dining room with a chef's tasting menu to the Asian-inspired Red Ginger restaurant and Italian steak and seafood restaurant. Opened in 1895, the Kiel Canal, which connects the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, is the world's busiest artificial waterway. You can get a close-up view of one of the Holtenau locks at the mouth of the canal from a viewing platform overlooking it. It's among the multitude of options offered by luxury small ship line Regent Seven Seas Cruises on Baltic sailings, where all excursions are included. Foodies can opt for a tour of Denmark's Bornholm Island to try wine from Europe's northernmost wine-growing region, artisan sausages and the smoked herring that's a mainstay in Scandinavian and Baltic countries. • Best budget cruises in the Mediterranean• Best Rhine river cruisesWith its Scandinavian heritage — the line's owner Torstein Hagen is Norwegian — Viking knows a thing or two about the region. The longest voyage is a 28-night journey combining the Viking Homelands and Into the Midnight Sun itineraries. With a focus on cultural immersion, you can join the executive chef for a shopping trip around Gdansk food market followed by a cooking lesson back onboard. Or hear Viking tales straight from the horse's mouth on a riding tour against the backdrop of dramatic jagged peaks on Gimsoya island in the Lofoten archipelago. If you enjoy being active, Silversea has plenty of excursions to get your heart pumping. Visits to Nuuksio National Park outside Helsinki include hiking and a cooling dip in the lake, cycling or stand up paddleboarding. If that sounds like hard work, how about a leisurely food and drink tour in the Finnish capital to try delicacies ranging from deer meat to crunchy seasonal currants, beer and even chocolate? You'll continue to eat well back onboard the 596-guest Silver Dawn where the S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) restaurant serves Baltic might not expect to find a beach resort in Norway, but Kristiansand — the country's southernmost city — is one of many surprises on this itinerary. There's also the 19th-century Ravnedalen Park, home to exotic imported plants and some of Norway's largest native spruce trees. Sailing on to Stavanger, another unlikely attraction is the Petroleum Museum charting the city's lucrative path to becoming the oil capital of Norway and with some fun interactive exhibits. Relax back onboard the 458-passenger Seabourn Quest where room service includes dinner from the restaurant served course by course, rather than all at once. Celebrity's stylish Edge-class ships are among the vessels sailing in this region. Keep an eye out for special dinners held in the Magic Carpet — the glass-sided room suspended on the side of the ship — held once or twice per cruise. They showcase local ingredients and are only announced at the last minute, when the chef knows there's enough to create a mouth-watering menu. In Copenhagen, excursions include walking tours that take in the fairytale heritage of storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, who lived next to the Nyhavn canal; and charming Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks. Alternatively, enjoy a bird's eye view of the city on the tour featuring a meal at the restaurant in the tower of the Danish parliament building. French line Ponant is known for its gourmet cuisine. In Gdansk, shore tours include the opportunity to sip Goldwasser, the strong herbal liquor that's been produced in the city since 1598 and contains real flakes of gold. Foodies can book a Latvian cookery class in Riga with a visit to Europe's largest indoor market to get ingredients. You'll get a real taste for the Baltics in every sense as in addition to Riga this seven-night cruise visits four other capitals; Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki and on Holland America Line's 2,668-passenger Rotterdam, which sets out from its namesake port on a two-week voyage to Baltic and Scandinavian capitals. One of the first stops is Oslo, with time to visit the Maritime Museum with its 9th-century Viking boat. And there's a visit to Stockholm too, where you can stroll around the city's dozens of islands linked by bridges and join locals for a traditional snack of meatballs or herring with a cold Zeebrugge, Copenhagen and Latvia's captial Riga — with its Unesco-listed historic centre — are just some of the ports of call on Norwegian Cruise Line's 12-night Baltic itinerary. Discover more history by adding an overnight stay to your final stop in Stockholm, where the Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage, is the world's only preserved 17th-century ship. You'll be sailing on the Norwegian Dawn, with a capacity of 2,290 guests — a happy medium if you want a ship that's not too big but with plenty of entertainment. • Best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines• Best Danube cruises for your next European sailing Additional reporting by Siobhan Grogan
Wales Online
9 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh castle has an incredible ‘floating' footbridge and epic sea views you cannot beat
Welsh castle has an incredible 'floating' footbridge and epic sea views you cannot beat This well-preserved medieval fortress sits atop a rocky crag overlooking the dunes and sea. Halech's classic 'walls within walls' design makes the most of daunting natural defences that were tested in siege after siege in some of Wales' most epic battles (Image: Getty) Wales is known as the "land of castles" and has over 600 to choose from for a historic day out. One particular castle you should add to your bucket list is coastal stronghold Harlech. This well-preserved medieval fortress sits atop a rocky crag overlooking the dunes and sea. The rugged peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) rise as a dramatic backdrop, making Harlech one of the most picturesque castles in Wales. Built between 1282 and 1289, it is grouped with King Edward I's other imposing castles at Conwy, Beaumaris, and Harlech as a World Heritage Site, recognised for its exceptional example of late 13th and early 14th-century military architecture. The Unesco listing notes that "Beaumaris and Harlech represent a unique achievement in that they combine the double-wall concentric structure characteristic of late 13th-century military architecture with a highly concerted central plan, and in terms of the beauty of their proportions and masonry. These are masterpieces of James of St George, who, in addition to being the king's chief architect, was constable of Harlech from 1290 to 1293." Its classic 'walls within walls' design makes the most of daunting natural defences that were tested in siege after siege in some of Wales' most epic battles. Harlech Castle (Image: Tom Parry & Co, Harlech) Even when completely cut off by the rebellion of Madog ap Llewelyn, the castle held out, thanks to the 'Way from the Sea'. This daunting path of 108 steps traversing the rock face allowed the besieged defenders to be fed and watered by ship. King Edward I's chief architect built the castle during Edward's invasion of Wales between 1282 and 1289 at the substantial cost of £8,190. The huge fortification is built of local stone and concentric in design, featuring a massive gatehouse that probably once provided high-status accommodation for the castle constable and visiting dignitaries Its thick walls and gatehouse withstood the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn between 1294 and 95 but fell to Owain Glyndŵr in 1404. This iconic Welsh leader, soldier, and military commander in the late Middle Ages led a bloody 15-year revolt to end English rule in Wales. After capturing Harlech, the castle became Glyndŵr's residence and military headquarters for the remainder of the uprising until being recaptured by English forces in 1409 after the troops of Harry of Monmouth besieged it. Its thick walls and gatehouse withstood the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn between 1294 and 95 but fell to Owain Glyndŵr in 1404. (Image: North Wales Live) During the 15th-century Wars of the Roses, Harlech was held by the Lancastrians for seven years before Yorkist troops forced its surrender in 1468, a siege memorialised in the song Men of Harlech, Welsh: Rhyfelgyrch Gwŷr Harlec. This famous song was featured in the film Zulu, which starred Welshman Stanley Baker alongside Michael Caine. Today, you'll commonly hear just the tune to this classic anthem chanted at Wales football and rugby matches. According to Cadw, there was a final siege here. From the spring of 1644, Harlech was defended for the king by its constable, Colonel William Owen. It was the very last royalist stronghold to fall. By the time its surviving garrison of 16 officers, gentlemen and invalids finally surrendered in 1647, it marked the end of the English Civil War. Today, its dramatic ruins continue to attract visitors (Image: Peter Groenendijk / Getty ) Today, it's managed by Cadw, and you can visit this impressive castle via a unique 'floating bridge' that connects the terrace area directly to the castle's gatehouse at the World Heritage Site. Family tickets cost £33.60 in peak season, and a charging car park is available. There's an On-site exhibition within the castle and a Gift shop offering a range of gifts and guidebooks. Cadw holiday accommodation is available to hire close to this site, and for other cottages, glamping, or hotels, try or Airbnb. Nearby, you'll find Harlech Beach, one of the dreamiest beach locations in North Wales. It's four miles of gorgeous golden sand are backed by grassy dunes, and it sits before a backdrop of the jagged Eryri mountain range. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Nearby, you'll find Harlech Beach, one of the dreamiest beach locations in North Wales. (Image: Getty Images) According to the UK Beach Guide, Harlech Beach is also a designated National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its unique dune system. If nature is your thing, then you're going to love Harlech Beach during the summer when leatherback turtles migrate to this part of the coast to feed on jellyfish. Article continues below In 1988, a record-breaking 916kg leatherback sadly washed up here after becoming tangled in fishing equipment. Popular with families and dog walkers, this beach doesn't get too busy, so it is ideal for a chilled day of relaxing by the sea and admiring the castle views.
