Latest news with #HomeCounties
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Johnny Depp moves to Sussex: Pirates of the Caribbean star snaps up large house after living in the county during Covid in guitarist Jeff Beck's 16th century cottage
EXCLUSIVE Johnny Depp moves to Sussex: Pirates of the Caribbean star snaps up large house after living in the county during Covid in guitarist Jeff Beck's 16th century cottage He cuts the most bohemian of figures. But it can be revealed that Johnny Depp has joined the gin-and-jag set by putting down roots in the Home Counties, snapping up a large house in the Sussex countryside, near the border with Kent. He was chauffeured from there to the premiere of his new film, Modigliani: Three Days On The Wing Of Madness, last week, which is why he reportedly was a little late. Two years ago, there were reports – which proved inaccurate – suggesting the Anglophile actor had moved to Somerset. In fact, he was holed up in London, in a Soho townhouse and art studio, where he lived for a couple of years. The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff reported in July last year and recently-published interviews with Depp were indeed conducted in Soho. However, for reasons of peace, privacy and security he's now decided to move out to the country, just like his late best friend, the guitarist Jeff Beck, it can be revealed today. Johnny Depp has decided to move out to the English countryside, just like his late best friend, the guitarist Jeff Beck Jeff Beck under a wisteria in his beautiful Sussex walled garden. The guitar hero supported the local wildlife rescue charity and would be seen chatting to locals and even pottering around the Co-op supermarket Beck lived in a 16th-century farmhouse in Wadhurst, Sussex; and Depp stayed with him during the Covid pandemic. A friend said Depp said he was 'in the English sticks', which he described as 'very beautiful and wet'. Depp has a huge house in the south of France, where he and ex-partner Vanessa Paradis largely raised their children Lily-Rose and Jack; and a Caribbean island, Little Hall's Pond Cay, where he tied the knot with Amber Heard in February 2015. That relationship unravelled just two years later, and after the divorce came two legal battles over allegations of domestic abuse. Depp lost the libel action which he brought at the UK High Court in 2020, after being called a 'wife beater', but successfully brought a libel action against Heard in a US court in 2022. Depp told the High Court in 2020 he'd lost $650million of the money he made at the peak of his Pirates Of The Caribbean fame, and was left owing $100million in taxes, on account of managers he accused of stealing from him. But friends say, despite unhappy memories of his British court case, Depp feels at home here. Key members of his team, including the CEO of his UK production company, Stephen Deuters, are based here. Depp seems to enjoy East Sussex, and has been spotted at The Middle House pub and hotel in Mayfield. He's also taken a tour of the Folly Wildlife Rescue animal centre in Kent, of which Beck was patron, and was pictured cradling an orphaned badger named Freddie Mercury. Depp was devastated by Beck's sudden death from bacterial meningitis in January 2023. Johnny was reportedly at his bedside. He and the guitarist's widow Sandra gave him a 'green burial' in the grounds of his house in Sussex. And it is perhaps no surprise that Depp is drawn to settling there himself. Johnny may even take a leaf out of his old friend's quieter life as a country gent. Beck supported the local wildlife rescue charity and would be seen chatting to locals and even pottering around the Co-op supermarket - though, of course, villagers said some 'absurdly gorgeous classic car' would be parked wherever he went. Depp gave an interview to Hollywood Authentic where he said: 'There's a couple who very much helped to keep me alive and sane and happy through the weirdness. And that's Jeff and Sandra [Beck's wife]' Beck lived in Wadhurst in East Sussex, which has repeatedly been named as the overall best place to live in the UK. Depp lived there with his friend during the pandemic When he wasn't recording in his home studio, or touring the world and playing his iconic music to thousands of adoring fans, Beck would even write the occasional letter to Wealden Council. Only his friend Johnny Depp would raise eyebrows in the community, with a taxi driver who once picked up the Hollywood star near Beck's place in Wadhurst - where they had been jamming - telling BBC journalist Victoria Valentine that the actor's 'jangly necklaces' were 'a bit unusual in rural Sussex'. The pair first met in 2016 and began recording the album in 2019 while Depp was also playing with Alice Cooper's supergroup Hollywood Vampires. In 2022 Beck released a full length album, titled 18, with Depp and the pair played a number of live gigs together. Depp gave an interview to Hollywood Authentic where he said: 'There's a couple who very much helped to keep me alive and sane and happy through the weirdness. And that's Jeff and Sandra [Beck's wife]'. Beck, regarded as one of rock's greatest ever guitarists, was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time'. His extraordinary career saw him share the stage with some of music's biggest names – and produce an album as well as touring with Depp in 2022.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Johnny Depp moves to Sussex: Pirates of the Caribbean star snaps up large house after living in the county during Covid in guitarist Jeff Beck's 16th century cottage
He cuts the most bohemian of figures. But it can be revealed that Johnny Depp has joined the gin-and-jag set by putting down roots in the Home Counties, snapping up a large house in the Sussex countryside, near the border with Kent. He was chauffeured from there to the premiere of his new film, Modigliani: Three Days On The Wing Of Madness, last week, which is why he reportedly was a little late. Two years ago, there were reports – which proved inaccurate – suggesting the Anglophile actor had moved to Somerset. In fact, he was holed up in London, in a Soho townhouse and art studio, where he lived for a couple of years. The Daily Mail's Alison Boshoff reported in July last year and recently-published interviews with Depp were indeed conducted in Soho. However, for reasons of peace, privacy and security he's now decided to move out to the country, just like his late best friend, the guitarist Jeff Beck, it can be revealed today. Beck lived in a 16th-century farmhouse in Wadhurst, Sussex; and Depp stayed with him during the Covid pandemic. A friend said Depp said he was 'in the English sticks', which he described as 'very beautiful and wet'. Depp has a huge house in the south of France, where he and ex-partner Vanessa Paradis largely raised their children Lily-Rose and Jack; and a Caribbean island, Little Hall's Pond Cay, where he tied the knot with Amber Heard in February 2015. That relationship unravelled just two years later, and after the divorce came two legal battles over allegations of domestic abuse. Depp lost the libel action which he brought at the UK High Court in 2020, after being called a 'wife beater', but successfully brought a libel action against Heard in a US court in 2022. Depp told the High Court in 2020 he'd lost $650million of the money he made at the peak of his Pirates Of The Caribbean fame, and was left owing $100million in taxes, on account of managers he accused of stealing from him. But friends say, despite unhappy memories of his British court case, Depp feels at home here. Key members of his team, including the CEO of his UK production company, Stephen Deuters, are based here. Depp seems to enjoy East Sussex, and has been spotted at The Middle House pub and hotel in Mayfield. He's also taken a tour of the Folly Wildlife Rescue animal centre in Kent, of which Beck was patron, and was pictured cradling an orphaned badger named Freddie Mercury. Depp was devastated by Beck's sudden death from bacterial meningitis in January 2023. Johnny was reportedly at his bedside. He and the guitarist's widow Sandra gave him a 'green burial' in the grounds of his house in Sussex. And it is perhaps no surprise that Depp is drawn to settling there himself. Johnny may even take a leaf out of his old friend's quieter life as a country gent. Beck supported the local wildlife rescue charity and would be seen chatting to locals and even pottering around the Co-op supermarket - though, of course, villagers said some 'absurdly gorgeous classic car' would be parked wherever he went. When he wasn't recording in his home studio, or touring the world and playing his iconic music to thousands of adoring fans, Beck would even write the occasional letter to Wealden Council. Only his friend Johnny Depp would raise eyebrows in the community, with a taxi driver who once picked up the Hollywood star near Beck's place in Wadhurst - where they had been jamming - telling BBC journalist Victoria Valentine that the actor's 'jangly necklaces' were 'a bit unusual in rural Sussex'. The pair first met in 2016 and began recording the album in 2019 while Depp was also playing with Alice Cooper's supergroup Hollywood Vampires. In 2022 Beck released a full length album, titled 18, with Depp and the pair played a number of live gigs together. Depp gave an interview to Hollywood Authentic where he said: 'There's a couple who very much helped to keep me alive and sane and happy through the weirdness. And that's Jeff and Sandra [Beck's wife]'. Beck, regarded as one of rock's greatest ever guitarists, was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time'. His extraordinary career saw him share the stage with some of music's biggest names – and produce an album as well as touring with Depp in 2022.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Households told to put fans in one place in their home this weekend
SUN-loving Brits are set to enjoy scorching temperatures of up to 34°C today. But as the mercury rises, keeping cool indoors is proving tricky for many. 1 The Met Office has confirmed that large parts of the UK have officially met heatwave criteria. A heatwave is declared when a location experiences three consecutive days of temperatures meeting or exceeding 25°C in the north and west, and 28°C in Greater London and the Home Counties. Energy expert Les Roberts from Bionic has shared a simple trick to beat the heat, using fans and natural ventilation. He said: "Open opposite windows or doors to create airflow. " Place a fan facing outward at one opening to push hot air out, and another fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air in. "This creates a strong cross-breeze." He says this works best in the evening, overnight or early morning, when outdoor temperatures are cooler than indoors. Les added: "The temperature difference enhances airflow, helping fans push hot air out and pull cooler air in. "It's a simple trick that can make a big difference, especially at night when temperatures drop." This cooling hack has already gone viral on TikTok, with user Zilovesscience racking up thousands of views for her demonstration. Six items every UK driver should remove from cars this weekend In the clip, Zilovesscience shows her fan pointing outward at an open window, saying: "The key is air circulation. "A fan pointing outward pushes warm, stale air out while pulling cooler air in from shaded areas or other parts of the house." One viewer commented: "Life-saving tip." Before using an old fan during the heatwave, make sure it's clean and functioning properly. Dust on the blades can reduce efficiency and blow particles around, potentially causing congestion if left running overnight. A quick clean will improve performance and help keep your space fresh. For the best cooling results, opt for an oscillating fan, which moves from side to side to circulate air evenly throughout the room. Most fans, even budget options, come with this feature, so check for it when buying a new one. How to stay safe in hot weather The UK Health Security Agency advised you follow these tips to reduce your risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity like exercising or walking the dog, plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you go outside, cover up with light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and slather on sun cream Drink plenty of fluids but limit booze Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Source: UKHSA Other ways to keep cool in the heat Want to keep cool without breaking the bank? Try out these free hacks... Mop the floor Clean the house and keep cool at the same time by mopping the floor. The hack boils down to simple science. The water will absorb heat from the floor when it evaporates - and hey presto, your floor is cooler. It's just like you sweat when it's hot - it's your body's way of keeping your skin cool. TV presenter Kevin McCloud is reportedly a fan of this little-known hack. He told the Radio Times in 2022 that he learned the tip from "little old Italian men" who mopped their stone floors during hot temperatures. Defrost the freezer It may not be top of your list of fun things to do this weekend, but defrosting the freezer is a great way of cooling down. The cold air from the freezer will be a welcome relief, and will circulate around the room, helping to bring down the temperature. Experts estimate that not defrosting your freezer regularly could be costing households as much as £150 a year. So it's a win for your temperature and a win for your wallet too. Closing curtains will stop sunlight streaming through into your property and warming up the inside. The best time to do it is during the hottest parts of the day, between 10am and 4pm. Use this fan trick You can create a DIY "ice fan" by putting a container or bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan. This will make sees the air passing over the ice cooler. This hack isn't the most effective for larger rooms, but can work in smaller rooms like your bedroom. Little-known new build home rule If you live in a new build home, the good news is that it may have been designed to keep below a certain temperature. Building regulations state that bedrooms in new build homes must not exceed temperatures above 26C overnight. That means window and door openings will be designed to close if temperatures start to soar. Unfortunately, you won't benefit if you're not in one of these new builds - but there are other ways to keep cool. For example, you can close the curtains during the day, which will help to keep your home cool into the night.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- The Sun
We lived next to England's deadliest mass shooter – he murdered 16… his first victim was a mum on a picnic with her kids
WITH it's shimmering canals draped by lush green trees, the picturesque town of Hungerford glistens in the July sunshine. But behind the picture-perfect facade, a sinister feeling lingers in the warm summer's air. 34 34 34 34 For it was here, in this quaint British town, that one of the worst mass shootings in British history occurred - something that seems impossible to fathom as we walk through the sleepy streets 36 years on. In August 1987, Hungerford became a household name across the country - not for its rolling hills or canal-side shops - but for a tragedy that unfolded on its streets, claiming 16 innocent lives. Mystery still surrounds what exactly prompted crazed gunman Michael Ryan to take to the streets of his hometown and embark on the murderous spree. Since that fateful summer's afternoon, the name of the historic village in the Home Counties is rarely mentioned without referencing the massacre. The horrific crime sent shock waves across the country and led to major changes in UK gun ownership laws. Physical reminders of the rampage have been tactfully erased from everyday life in the village. A block of flats now sits at the site of the crazed killer's former home, while house numbers at addresses of some of the 27-year-old's victims have been removed, seemingly out of respect. Those killed included unarmed officer PC Roger Brereton and Ryan's own mother, Dorothy - both of whom were murdered in cold blood outside his home in South View as they tried to stop him. Defiant locals have made concerted efforts to reclaim their own term for the notorious mass shooting - simply referring to it as 'The Tragedy'. But they have made it abundantly clear that the horrific event continues to cast a long, dark shadow over this tight-knit community. Speaking to The Sun, Linda Ryan, who lives in one of the flats where the killer's house once stood, told how the area still feels the effects almost forty years on. The 51-year-old said: 'It's a bit of a dark cloud. I came face to face with Southport killer in dance studio during massacre - and carried victims out 'I think the town still feels the effects. I think it does, especially in this area. 'This is where it started in the town and where he killed his mother. People do still talk about it, you know. 'I wasn't here - I've only lived here four years - but I've read all the articles. "What I would say is that the community is very tight, very, very close-knit. 'I think it's hard for the older residents on this road, some of them were here at the time. "But everybody gets on with their day to day life. I'm the same myself." Mum killed having picnic with her kids The sickening killing spree started at 12.30pm on August 19 in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire, roughly seven miles west of Hungerford. Ryan's first victim, Susan Godfrey, had been enjoying a picnic with her two children when Ryan approached them. He forced the nurse to put her daughter Hannah, four, and her son James, two, in her car, before he lead her back into the forest at gunpoint. Susan was then shot 13 times - until Ryan ran out of ammunition - with a Beretta pistol. 34 34 34 Walker Myra Rose later discovered the two children, who informed her that a 'man in black has shot our mummy". After killing Susan, Ryan headed back to Hungerford in his Vauxhall Astra GTE. On his way back to his hometown, Ryan stopped at the Golden Arrow service station in Froxfield, where he attempted his second murder at around 12.35pm. He was a regular customer at the petrol station and knew the cashier Kakoub Dean very well. After filling up his car, he waited for motorcyclist Ian George to leave before he started shooting at Mrs Dean from the forecourt. Ryan then entered the shop and attempted to shoot the worker at close range, but his gun is understood to have jammed - prompting him to quickly flee and continue his journey back home. Less than ten minutes later, he arrived back at his house. The horror that ensued would stick with the residents of Hungerford for the rest of their lives. Setting house on fire One South View resident explained that he felt fortunate to have been away on the day of the attack, adding that the years after were incredibly "raw". He said: 'I was living here then, yeah. It gets dragged up particularly on anniversaries. 'It was raw for a long time, especially in the immediate years after. 34 34 34 'Actually, it's still quite raw when it comes to the anniversary. 'When you used to tell people you were from Hungerford, everyone knew exactly where it was for that reason. "You don't want to be known for that, do you? 'And it was a one-off. It's very friendly around here. It's an idyllic place, it's lovely. 'I was working in Thatcham, a nearby town when it happened and I couldn't get home. 'There were no mobile phones so you couldn't get in touch with anyone. You couldn't find out anything. 'You couldn't get any info, you didn't know who had been shot. 'I just felt fortunate that I had been working elsewhere at the time. 'I think the town does enough to remember those who died. But I don't like it being raked up." After arriving back in Hungerford, Ryan set his home on fire - destroying three neighbouring houses - and shot his two dogs. Neighbours reported seeing Ryan looking agitated and distressed as he walked between his car and his home. He was spotted leaving his address with survival equipment including ammunition and a flak jacket. It is believed his Astra would not start, so he retrieved his Beretta pistol, M1 carbine rifle and Type 56 semi-automatic rifle from the car. 34 34 Now heavily armed, Ryan headed towards Hungerford Common, shooting neighbours Roland and Sheila Mason in their back garden en route. Sheila was shot once in the head and her husband six times in the back. Lisa Mindell, 14, was badly injured after Ryan shot her in both legs as she stood outside her home. He also wounded Marjorie Jackson as she watched the horror from her living room window. Continuing towards the Common, he encountered Kenneth Clements on a dog walk with his family. The 51-year-old was gunned down as he held onto his pet's lead, despite signalling his surrender to Ryan. By this time - approximately 12.50pm - the first police patrol car had arrived and the officers were unarmed. PC Roger Brereton was shot in the chest with the Beretta as he turned into the road, forcing him to crash into a telephone pole. He died as he radioed to his colleagues that he had been shot. Ryan then peppered 11 bullets at Linda Chapman and her teenage daughter, Alison, as they drove up the road in their Volvo. Linda managed to reverse away and the pair escaped after taking bullets to their shoulder and thigh. 34 34 34 He then opened fire on Linda Bright and Hazel Haslett, but they escaped serious injury. His next victim was George White, who was driving Marjorie Jackson's husband, Ivor, home. Ryan opened fire with his Type 56, leaving George dead and Ivor severely injured. After the Toyota crashed into the rear of PC Brereton's police car, Ivor feigned death in the hope that Ryan would leave him be. Ryan then moved to neighbouring Fairview Road, killing 84-year-old Abdul Khan while he mowed his lawn and injuring the pensioner's next door neighbour. His mother, Dorothy, then drove into South View and was confronted with the sight of her house on fire. She pleaded with her son to stop his rampage, but he immediately killed her, shooting her four times as she raised her arms. From there, Michael Ryan's bloody path led him onto Hungerford Common. He mowed down dad-of-two Francis Butler, 26, as he walked his dog near the War Memorial Recreation Grounds. Local cabbie Marcus Barnard had been diverted towards the Common by a police diversion. He was shot and killed by Ryan as he slowed down to let the killer cross on Bulpit Lane. Locals told how Marcus' death had been especially tragic as his wife had given birth just weeks before. 34 34 They said: 'It's difficult to talk about it after all this time. 'I would not even know where to begin with it. 'A friend rang me and told me someone had been shot, we got the radio on and listened. "When we got to Hungerford we couldn't get home. 'But I did lose a mate. Marcus Barnard, the cabbie. "He was about 30 and he'd just had a six week old son. It was really sad. Tragic really." Ryan then moved unchallenged towards the heart of the town, which had descended into chaos. Douglas Wainwright was killed as he and his wife, Kathleen, were driving to visit their son - PC Wainwright - on Priory Avenue. The couple were just 300 yards from the officer's home when Douglas was fatally shot in the head and Kathleen was hit in her chest and hand. Further up Priory Avenue, 51-year-old Eric Vardy drove his van into Ryan's path while travelling to a job. His windscreen shattered after being sprayed with bullets, many of which struck him in the neck and upper torso. He crashed his van into a wall and later died from his injuries. At 1:30pm, after walking to Priory Road, Ryan fired a single shot at a passing red Renault, killing the driver, 22-year-old Sandra Hill. 34 He then used his rifle to shoot his way into the home of Myrtle and Victor Gibbs, before opening fire at the pair. Mr Gibbs died instantly as he tried to protect his wife, who died several days later in hospital. Ryan's 16th and final victim, Ian Playle, was struck by a single shot as he drove around a bend on Priory Road. The 34-year-old died at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford two days later. After shooting Ian, Ryan headed towards John O'Gaunt School, entering the building at around 1.52pm. Shots were heard near the school, where cops eventually discovered Ryan holed up in a classroom on the second floor. He started shooting through the window at police helicopters. Armed officers entered the playground at 16.45pm and cornered the killer. According to reports, Ryan chilling shouted: "Hungerford must be a bit of a mess. "It's funny, I've killed all those people but I don't have the guts to blow my own brains out." Just seven minutes later, Ryan turned his gun on himself, marking the end of his horrifying rampage. The official death toll stood at 16, marking the worst mass shooting in British history at the time. 34 34 34 There is still no clear motive behind Ryan's appalling killing spree. But criminal psychologists believe he was a sexually repressed loner and fantasist who may also have been influenced by a mass killing in Australia just days earlier when 10 people were murdered by ex-soldier Julian Knight. Britain was stunned by the scale and brutality of the attack, with tributes pouring in for the victims. Flags across the country flew at half-mast and media outlets dedicated front pages to Hungerford. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited the town the following day to meet with survivors and first responders. Public anger then turned toward the country's lax gun laws. At the time, Ryan legally owned an arsenal of high-powered firearms - many of which had been used in the massacre. His actions directly led to one of the most sweeping reforms in UK gun legislation. The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 was passed following a report that had been commissioned by Home Secretary Douglas Hurd. This act banned: Semi-automatic and pump action riles Weapons which fire explosive ammunition Short shotguns with magazines Elevated pump-action and self-loading rifles It also meant that shotguns had to be registered and kept in secure storage. PC Brereton was posthumously awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Today, Hungerford continues to carry the weight of that day, even as it attempts to move forward. 34 34 34 The town often has to deal with 'tourists' who travel to the area in the hopes of retracing the killer's steps. One South View resident said: 'It is very difficult sometimes. We didn't live up this particular road when it happened. "It's just one of those things that people don't like to talk about too much. "It's hard sometimes, because we did have a woman come up here a couple of weeks ago. 'She wanted to know where he lived. Where he lived is where those flats are now. "So yeah, we don't really talk about it. It's tough." A plaque near the town's library bears the names of those lost, though no large public monument exists. Summing up the strong community spirit that is still so prevalent in the village, one local said: "You're talking about one thing in general that happened here. 'Well, it's just one thing we will never forget. 'It's still a very nice, close-knit community with very caring people. '[The tragedy] is mentioned now and again, but less and less and less with the years. 'I think that's good. I don't think you can go on forever living like it. 'For an old person to say they're very well looked after within the community is something which I am. 'People here are so good. I know, if I need someone to help, someone comes. 'The community here is still very strong.' 34 34 34 34 34 34
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Our ultimate guide to keeping cool as temperatures soar – from the cost of running a fan and air con to wet floor hack
BARBECUES are sizzling, pub gardens are packed and ice cream vans are out in force - but how do you keep cool for less this summer? Here's our ultimate guide to keeping cool on a budget as the mercury is set to reach the high 20s and low 30s this weekend. 7 Plenty of us will be enjoying the 28C heat today — and more sunshine is on its way. Households are in for hot weather this weekend, with temperatures set to soar to a whopping 34C by Monday. An official heatwave is declared when an area hits specific temperature thresholds for three days in a row . That threshold is 25°C for the north and west of the UK, and 28°C for Greater London and the Home Counties. While the Met Office has issued no weather warnings, experts have urged households to keep cool and check in on friends, family and neighbours, especially if they are vulnerable. So how can you cool off for less? We explain how much it costs to run the most popular gadgets to keep you cool - and other ways to ward off high temperatures. Running fan - up to 84p a week Fans are a great way of keeping cool for less. They're cheaper alternatives to pricier methods like air con. How much they cost to run depends on various factors like the model, how much energy they use, and how long you have it on for. A 60W pedestal fan costs 1.5p an hour to run. If you ran it for eight hours overnight, that would cost 12p, which racks up to 84p for a week. A 35W desktop fan costs 0.9p an hour to run. Running it overnight would cost 7.2p, which would cost 50.4p for a week. Want to keep cool on the move? A handheld fan costs 0.08p to run an hour, so having it switched on for six hours over the day would cost 0.48p. Cost of air con - £14.42 a week 7 It may be tempting to reach for your air conditioning unit during balmy weather. But it could be more expensive to run than you think. A portable air con unit which runs on 1kW of power costs 25.73p to run per hour. If you used it for eight hours overnight, that costs £2.06, which totals £14.42 a week. If you're looking for an alternative that won't cost a penny, why not try a cold hot water bottle? Instead of filling your hot water bottle up with boiling water, fill it up with cold water instead. This will help you keep cool during the evening. You could even stick it in the freezer to get it even colder. Paddling pool - £14 7 Paddling pools usually fly off the shelves as temperatures sizzle, and are a fun way for the family to keep cool. Some pools on the high street are selling for under £10, but while that seems a bargain, costs can rack up when you come to filling it up. It costs £14 each time to fill up a 6ft wide paddling pool, according to estimates from the comparison site Uswitch. If you filled up your paddling pool with new water every weekend in July and August, which are the remaining summer months, that would cost you a whopping £126. To cut down on the number of times you're filling up your pool, buy sterilising fluid or use a filter. Sterilising fluid can be picked up for as little as £4.20 for a litre, from Sainsbury's and will help stop the growth of bacteria and algae. Or you could get a filter that you place into your pool - when we checked prices online at Amazon, we found the cheapest ones would cost around £13.00. Cover the pool - you could use bin bags - to protect the water when you're not using it. Other ways to keep cool for free Want to keep cool without breaking the bank? Try out these free hacks Mop the floor 7 Clean the house and keep cool at the same time by mopping the floor. The hack boils down to simple science. The water will absorb heat from the floor when it evaporates - and hey presto, your floor is cooler. It's just like you sweat when it's hot - it's your body's way of keeping your skin cool. TV presenter Kevin McCloud is reportedly a fan of this little-known hack. He told the Radio Times in 2022 that he learned the tip from "little old Italian men" who mopped their stone floors during hot temperatures. Defrost the freezer 7 It may not be top of your list of fun things to do this weekend, but defrosting the freezer is a great way of cooling down. The cold air from the freezer will be a welcome relief, and will circulate around the room, helping to bring down the temperature. Experts estimate that not defrosting your freezer regularly could be costing households as much as £150 a year. So it's a win for your temperature and a win for your wallet too. Little-known new build home rule 7 If you live in a new build home, the good news is that it may have been designed to keep below a certain temperature. Building regulations state that bedrooms in new build homes must not exceed temperatures above 26C overnight. That means window and door openings will be designed to close if temperatures start to soar. Unfortunately, you won't benefit if you're not in one of these new builds - but there are other ways to keep cool. For example, you can close the curtains during the day, which will help to keep your home cool into the night.
