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Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Davinia Taylor wins battle to transform £1.7m mansion – as she cashes in on bio-hacking transformation
The stunning home boasts amazing features, including cornice ceiling and working fireplaces with countryside views TAYLOR-MADE Davinia Taylor wins battle to transform £1.7m mansion – as she cashes in on bio-hacking transformation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ACTRESS Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats. The former Hollyoaks star has splashed out on a Grand Designs-style makeover of her £1.7million rural retreat which boasts a new outdoor swimming pool. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Actress Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats Credit: Dan Charity 9 The star's stunning home is set to get a glow up Credit: Instagram 9 She plans on turning a barn into a gym and health spa at the huge pad Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia Taylor played Jude Cunningham in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from 1996 to 1998 and reprised the role in 2016 Credit: Getty - Contributor Now the weight loss expert wants to convert a crumbling barn at the 19th Century pad into a private gym and health spa with a sauna and two treatment rooms. The former stables will also have a ground floor gym, lobby and staff quarters with an en-suite bedroom for an employee to help run the estate in Lancashire. But a bat survey carried out ahead of the proposed development found common pipistrelle bats - a protected species - flying into the barn. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb them, which means Davinia will have to put up special bat boxes on the barn and nearby trees. In their report, an ecologist said: "Due to the transient nature of bats, their presence can never be entirely ruled out and a precautionary method of working should be adopted. "Therefore if bats are found during any stage of the development, work should stop immediately and a suitably qualified ecologist should be contacted to seek further advice." Davinia, 47, played Jude Cunningham in Hollyoaks and is also a former party girl and member of the Primrose Hill set, having previously been married to David Beckham's pal Dave Gardner. She and husband Matthew Leyden bought their historic country home four years ago after it came onto the market for the first time in years. The 6,723 property boasts original period features including cornice ceiling and working fireplaces with stunning countryside views in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool, and has now applied for a "change of use" of the barn to a residential annexe. Davinia Taylor: My health journey In a design statement, her planning agent said: "The front-facing elevation is in a very poor state of repair and requires complete rebuilding. "The conversion of the barn does not affect the existing domestic residential curtilage and, as such, will not result in undue harm to the visual amenity of the area or character of landscape. "Bats were found to be present and, as such, the relevant protective measures must be adhered to on commencement of any restoration works/alterations." Officials at the local council gave the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours in the designated conservation area. 9 Davinia often posts videos from inside her luxury home Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool Credit: Instagram 9 The star turned her back on acting in favour of becoming a health and fitness guru Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia's partner Matthew Leyden Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Davinia Taylor wins battle to transform £1.7m mansion – as she cashes in on bio-hacking transformation
ACTRESS Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats. The former Hollyoaks star has splashed out on a Grand Designs-style makeover of her £1.7million rural retreat which boasts a new outdoor swimming pool. Advertisement 9 Actress Davinia Taylor has won her battle to turn a barn into a gym and health spa at her historic country home - but will have to make room for bats Credit: Dan Charity 9 The star's stunning home is set to get a glow up Credit: Instagram 9 She plans on turning a barn into a gym and health spa at the huge pad Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia Taylor played Jude Cunningham in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from 1996 to 1998 and reprised the role in 2016 Credit: Getty - Contributor Now the The former stables will also have a ground floor gym, lobby and staff quarters with an en-suite bedroom for an employee to help run the estate in Lancashire. But a bat survey carried out ahead of the proposed development found common pipistrelle bats - a protected species - flying into the barn. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb them, which means Davinia will have to put up special bat boxes on the barn and nearby trees. Advertisement Read More on Davinia Taylor In their report, an ecologist said: "Due to the transient nature of bats, their presence can never be entirely ruled out and a precautionary method of working should be adopted. "Therefore if bats are found during any stage of the development, work should stop immediately and a suitably qualified ecologist should be contacted to seek further advice." Davinia, 47, played Jude Cunningham in Hollyoaks and is also a former party girl and member of the Primrose Hill set, having previously been married to David Beckham's pal Dave Gardner. She and husband Matthew Leyden bought their historic country home four years ago after it came onto the market for the first time in years. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity The 6,723 property boasts original period features including cornice ceiling and working fireplaces with stunning countryside views in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool, and has now applied for a "change of use" of the barn to a residential annexe. Davinia Taylor: My health journey In a design statement, her planning agent said: "The front-facing elevation is in a very poor state of repair and requires complete rebuilding. "The conversion of the barn does not affect the existing domestic residential curtilage and, as such, will not result in undue harm to the visual amenity of the area or character of landscape. Advertisement "Bats were found to be present and, as such, the relevant protective measures must be adhered to on commencement of any restoration works/alterations." Officials at the local council gave the go-ahead after there were no objections from neighbours in the designated conservation area. 9 Davinia often posts videos from inside her luxury home Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia has previously been given the go-ahead for a garden room extension and 26x9ft swimming pool Credit: Instagram Advertisement 9 The star turned her back on acting in favour of becoming a health and fitness guru Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia's partner Matthew Leyden Credit: Instagram 9 Davinia starring in Hollyoaks Credit: Lime Pictures
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Pretty UK city just 5-miles from major city without crowds of tourists
This Somerset village offers a wealth of green spaces, woodlands and hamlets to explore - reachable by foot or bike. It is also a designated part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you're in need of some staycation inspiration, then this Somerset destination should definitely be on your radar. Close enough to Bath that you can enjoy the comforts of the city while remaining distinctly on the outskirts, visitors can enjoy the best of both worlds. Freshford is just five miles from Bath, but its location at the junction of the River Frome and Avon makes it feel like a world away. The village's landscape of stone buildings, fields and woodlands create a distinct serenity to the area that has been unmarred by tourists - mostly because it is relatively under the radar. The civil parish of Freshford dates back to Saxon times and was once home to a mill from 1086 - the remains of which still stand in the village to this day. The mill is a notable site of interest, home to 17th-century buildings made predominantly from natural stone, clay tile, and slate. One of the unique features of Freshford houses is its lack of house numbers, which are replaced instead with names. READ MORE: Magical UK village just as pretty as Bath but without as many tourists Freshford is also home to many sites of historical interest, one of which is the Freshford Manor which dates back to the 18th-century. There are also some religious buildings you can visit, including the 15th-century St Peter's Church which has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. Dating back to the early to mid 16th century, the Freshford Bridge stretches directly over the River Frome and is a truly picture-perfect spot. From Freshford, travellers will be able to see across the Avon valley to the Kennet and Avon Canal. But keep in mind, the nearest crossings are a bit further off at Avoncliff and Limpley Stoke. Surrounded by hills and valleys, the village has plenty for nature-lovers to explore without needing to venture too far. Freshford is known for its rich diversity of flora and fauna and is even part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within the green belt. The village centre is also a conservation area, created during 1975 and extended in 2007. You would also be remiss not to stop by at the nearby hamlets of Friary, Sharpstone, Park Corner, Woodside and Staples Hill. Freshford's jurisdiction includes these hamlets, though they are all separated from the centre of the village by lush open fields. That said, visitors can make a day of exploring the many low-intensity paths to the surrounding hamlets. Popular walks in and around Freshford The Ilford Loop: 2 hours and 4.5 miles long: beginning from the Freshford Galleries, you can head directly to the hamlet of Friary Circular Hike to Dundas Wharf: 2 hours and 5 miles long: This is an intermediate hike with one or two busy roads to cross. It leads from the Freshford Galleries down to Limpley Stoke. Farleigh Hungerford Loop: 2.5 hours and 5 miles long: A great country walk across open fields to the English Heritage site at Farleigh Hungerford Castle. Hike to Avoncliff Aqueduct: 1.15 hours and 2.85 miles long: This is a low-intensity walk from Freshford to Avoncliff along the River Frome and then the River Avon.
Wales Online
30-04-2025
- Wales Online
Welsh beach named amongst top 50 in the world
Welsh beach named amongst top 50 in the world Three Cliffs Bay in the Gower has been named as one of the best beaches in Europe by over 1,000 travel professionals. The truly stunning Three Cliffs Bay is within walking distance of cottage and a very special neighbour to enjoy, whatever the weather. (Image: The Greenroom, Mumbles ) A beach in Wales has been named in the list of the Best Beaches in Europe, 2025, amongst iconic places such as Diamond Beach in Iceland, and the Blue Lagoon in Malta. Three Cliffs Bay, located on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, Wales, is renowned for its dramatic natural beauty, featuring three distinctive limestone sea stacks, expansive sand dunes, salt marshes, and the Pennard Pill stream that meanders through the beach. Three Cliffs Bay at the Gower, Swansea. (Image: Beth Gavaghan ) It's beauty is now recognised across the world as The World's 50 Best Beaches crowned the Welsh beauty spot as the 50th best beach in all of superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . The much-loved beach has also been labelled as one of the UK's most photographed beaches and a favourite among nature enthusiasts and photographers. The World's 50 Best Beaches is an annual ranking compiled by 1,000 travel professionals, which include journalists, influencers, and beach experts. Article continues below The 2025 edition highlights some of the most breath-taking coastal destinations worldwide, evaluated based on criteria such as natural beauty, tranquillity, accessibility, and other unique features. Another UK beach featured include Kynance Cove, in Cornwall - praised for its "turquoise waters and serpentine rock formations." Three Cliffs Bay is located on the Gower Peninsula, which is a beautiful and historic region that was the first area in the UK to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1956. The Gower is not only famous for Three Cliffs Bay, but for other beautiful beaches such as Rhossili Bay, Swansea Bay, and Oxwich Bay. Many of these beaches have fine golden sands, towering cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, making them perfect for walking, picnicking, and relaxing when the sun's out. Beaches like Rhossili are regularly listed among the best in the UK - but now we can say the Welsh coast is known as one of the best world-wide. Article continues below More on Wales' beaches Whether it's a summer day out, an autumn stroll or a seasonal dip there's so many beaches to choose from and we've hand-picked the best for you to visit this year. From Pembrokeshire's stunning coves and bays to the Llyn Peninsula, it's not easy deciding which area you should head for. Here are some of the public's favourites to check out, too and for all our latest beach content, click here.
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Lidl to open new 'modern, expansive' NI store after nine-year plan
Paralympic Gold Medalist Bethany Firth will cut the ribbon at the grand opening on Thursday, June 19 to welcome new and existing customers to the new concept store. The new unit at Shan Slieve Drive and Bryansford Road at the foot of the hills will see the existing store at Railway Street in Newcastle town centre relocate after almost 25 years. Occupying a site of 12,236 square metres, with sales floor space of 1,338 square metres, the site will also provide the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team the space it needs to develop a new facility. Commenting on the first store opening in the region since taking up his new role as Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland Gordon Cruikshanks said: "We have been serving the Newcastle community for the last 25 years from our former premises in Railway Street and our project to develop this brand-new store for the local area has been in planning for the last nine years. "Newcastle is a thriving community and bustling seaside town attracting visitors from across the island of Ireland. With growing customer numbers in the area and more shoppers choosing to 'Go Full Lidl', we had long outgrown our original store so it's fantastic to now confirm a June opening for the new store. 'Shoppers will be able to enjoy a fully modern, expansive and spacious store, built with sustainability and longevity at the fore, with a few customisations making this a unique store in our portfolio. 'Beyond providing shoppers with the best customer experience in the town, we're looking forward to completing construction of the site to enable the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team to construct an upgraded new base for their services which are invaluable in this community.' The new Lidl store will incorporate energy efficient features, including LED lighting, heat pumps and PV solar panels, thereby reducing carbon emissions. Unique for the site is the retailer's first store with a 'living roof' - designed to 'blend seamlessly' with the store's backdrop set within the Mourne Mountains Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Parking for 147 vehicles as well as two electric vehicle charging points also feature in the build. The £6.3m investment will see 15 new jobs added, bringing the total team employed at Lidl's Newcastle store to 37. The project also saw over 200 jobs created as part of the planning and construction process. The Newcastle store is the latest investment by Lidl Northern Ireland in the region, complementing new store opening in recent years in Boucher Road, Stewartstown, Carryduff and Coleraine.
