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Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Most beautiful' UK village filled with charm where tourists pay £9.90 to enter
This ancient fishing village in Devon was relatively unknown to the world before the mid-1800s, but today its draws tourists with seafood festivals and elegant cottages If you're looking to escape the sounds of heavy city traffic, a trip to Devon may be the answer. One car-free haven in particular is being hailed as the 'dreamiest' spot in the country on social media. Clovelly Village in North Devon was highlighted by the TikTok account @storky_adventures, who described it as 'one of the most beautiful spots in the UK'. In a video showing off the cobblestone streets and picturesque cottages of the town, the influencer says being there was like 'stepping back in time'. Anyone that has visited Clovelly can attest to its transformative atmosphere. The fishing village rests atop a 400-foot cliff and offers unbelievable views overlooking the seas, though there is an entrance fee. There has always been a charge to visit Clovelly. The village relies on entrance fees to upkeep the ancient village. The standard admission charge of £9.90 for adults and £5.75 for children 7-16 includes a free return visit within 7 days. You can also purchase a £26 family pass that includes entrance for two adults and two children over 7 - children under 7 and dogs are welcome without charge. As well, if you stay at one of the village's two historic hotels, entrance to Clovelly is included. The ancient village was once owned by the Queen of England and has been privately held since Elizabethan times. Originally the estate was owned by William the Conquero r who gifted it to his wife before it was eventually acquired by the Giffard family in 1242. Until the mid 19th century Clovelly was unknown to the outside world but today it is a well-preserved gem for travellers - with plenty of fishing and architectural points of interest. The village's fishing quay is one of its most popular attractions. To get to the 14th-century harbour you will need to take the iconic 'Up-a-long' or 'Down-a-long' - the village's cobbled streets - given the absence of cars. The car-free atmosphere means that you can enjoy the area without the noise pollution and traffic typical of other UK destinations. Strolling through the village on foot also gives travellers the opportunity to explore hidden passageways and see the notable cottages up close and at leisure. Instead of a flood of cars and trucks, travellers will see donkeys and sledges being used to transport goods. The village even has a donkey adoption program to help keep their beloved mules happy and healthy. Fishing is still a key part of life in Clovelly and the port remains well-known for its lobsters, crabs and mackerel. Seafood lovers will be happy to know that Clovelly's restaurants offer locally sourced food, serving the freshest in-season catch daily. The village is also part of a sustainable fishing partnership to ensure lobsters thrive in the nearby waters for years to come. Consider planning a trip for May to enjoy the Seaweed Festival which celebrates the coast's natural bounty. Another big festival for food-focused travellers to keep an eye out for its the Lobster and Crab Feast that takes place in August. The annual event showcases the village's famous seafood. There's also the Herring Festival in November to honour the village's fishing heritage. If you're wondering where to stay in the village, there are two historic hotels to choose from. The New Inn is a historic gem sitting in the heart of the village. The 400 year-old property has 11 ensuite rooms across two buildings and has stunning views across Bideford Bay. Another great and historically significant accommodation option is The Red Lion. The 18th-century four-star inn is set just along the ancient harbour so it has impressive sea views. It is also home to the reputable Harbour Restaurant and stay at The Red Lion includes entrance to The Clovelly Court Gardens.
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh Government won't ditch gender neutral spaces
Welsh Government won't ditch gender neutral spaces The Welsh Government says the Supreme Court's ruling will not impact gender neutral spaces Julie James MS had a one-word answer when asked a question about gender-neutral spaces in schools (Image: Welsh Government/Matt Horwood ) The Welsh Government has no plans to remove gender neutral places, such as toilets in schools, after a Supreme Court ruling where judges unanimously ruled that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. The result came at the end of a long-running legal battle which could have major implications for how sex-based rights apply across Scotland, England and Wales. During questions at the twice-weekly plenary session in the Senedd on May 13, Julie James, the counsel general, was asked by Conservative MS Tom Giffard what the Welsh Government would do to bring the ruling into place in Wales. She told him she would "not indulge in a culture war" with him, replying: "The Welsh Government believes in the rule of law, and we will consider the judgment carefully and take any steps required to meet our obligations under the Equality Act 2010, as interpreted by the court." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Mr Giffard then said: "You've had a month to consider that ruling, but some of that work has already been done for you. "The Equality and Human Rights Commission provided an interim update on the practical implications of the Supreme Court judgment, which stated that schools in England and Wales must provide separate single-sex toilets for boys and girls over the age of eight, and it is also compulsory for them to provide single-sex changing facilities for boys and girls over the age of 11. "I visited many schools across Wales, and one in particular had installed a brand-new gender-neutral toilet within the last 18 months or so. To comply with that ruling, that will now need to be looked at again. Article continues below "Will you commit to providing funding and further guidance to schools and local authorities to ensure that these gender-neutral spaces are removed?" Ms James said the answer was simply "no". "The Supreme Court judgment very clearly sets out, Tom, as you well know, that trans people are also protected under the Equality Act. "All they're doing is pointing out that, for the purposes of single-sex spaces, the biological sex matters. But the removal of gender-neutral spaces is not specified, and we will not be looking at it," she said. She told Mr Giffard: " I am not going to indulge in the kind of culture war that you clearly want me to. Providing single-sex spaces will be necessary, I'm sure, under the new interpretation of the Equality Act. "That does not require the removal of gender-neutral spaces in any way. If you read the judgment, you will see for yourself that the court goes out of its way to say that this is not a triumph of one group over another. I suggest you take that in the spirit in which it was intended." Article continues below First Minister Eluned Morgan has said that the recent Supreme Court ruling on a woman being defined by biological sex under equalities law will have "significant implications for public services". You can read her comments here. More than 1,000 people took part in a protest in Cardiff after the ruling.
Sky News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Conservatives quit Welsh COVID committee
Two Conservative members of the Senedd have quit its COVID committee over a row about taking the oath. The Wales COVID -19 inquiry special purpose committee was set up by politicians in Cardiff Bay to fill any "gaps" in the UK-wide inquiry's scrutiny of decisions made by the Welsh government. Tom Giffard said he had resigned as co-chair of the committee after Welsh Labour members voted against an amendment which would have allowed witnesses, including ministers, to give evidence under oath. Fellow Conservative Senedd member Sam Rowlands has also stepped down from the committee. In a statement, Mr Giffard said that he had resigned "with a heavy heart" and that the Welsh Conservatives would "no longer engage with the committee". "Families who lost loved ones deserve honest answers, yet Labour's decision to block oaths being taken undermines any chance of getting to the truth," he said. The UK COVID Inquiry has heard evidence from politicians and experts in Wales, including Mark Drakeford, who was first minister during the pandemic. Families of those who died during the pandemic have called for Wales to have its own inquiry, as is the case in Scotland. But the Welsh government has rejected calls for the country to have its own independent inquiry into the COVID response. Mr Giffard said the Welsh Conservatives would continue to call for an independent probe into the pandemic in Wales.
