Latest news with #JennaStevens
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Ditch Cornwall for my seaside county this summer – we get less rain, an earlier sunrise… and we actually want tourists
EVERYONE might be heading to Cornwall this summer for their summer staycation - but my English county is a much better option. Born and raised in Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk, my teenage summers were spent eating chips on the quay and hosting beach parties with my friends. 12 My home county is a much better option that Cornwall Credit: Alamy 12 I remember running down to the beach after school to catch the sunset I've since travelled the world, from Iceland to California, yet nothing compares to the sunsets I've seen from my bedroom window in Norfolk. Not only does it get less rain than Cornwall (which is actually one of the UK's wettest regions) but we get a much earlier sunrise and we want tourists to visit. The vast open space makes our skies clear and full of stars, and I've even caught a glimpse of the From discovering secluded beaches to trying just about every fish and chip shop along the coast, I've put together the perfect guide to my home county to show you why Norfolk is the best place to spend your summer in the UK. READ MORE ON STAYCATIONS The Best of Beaches When it comes to Away from the packed and If you're looking for a slice of private paradise, the beach at Holme is my favourite spot hands-down. As the masses flock to Sheringham and Most read in News Travel Nearby Thornham beach is equally as beautiful, and often even more quiet. The walk down to the shore through the pine forest and into the marshes is long but scenic, perfect for those seeking seclusion. It usually takes about 20 minutes to walk from the main road down to the sea, but you'll soon realise the walk is worth it once you have the whole stretch of sand to yourself! Pretty Norfolk coastline has sea lions and award-winning beaches- 12 The dunes at Holme stretch for miles - and you often have the place to yourself! Credit: Getty 12 The Norfolk Coast Path takes you through 84 miles of scenic sands Credit: Getty 12 The marshes on the way down to Thornham make the walk worthwhile Credit: Getty Another way to take in the views of Norfolk's Smack bang in the middle of the Coast Path you'll find the White Horse in Brancaster-Staithe. You'll spot their Marshside bar from the path, the perfect pit-stop for a pint on your journey. Soak up the Sights It may be named England's 'flattest county', but Norfolk's wide and sandy coastline makes for some of the most For the most breathtaking of views, you'll want to catch the sunset from Hunstanton Cliffs. It's the only spot on the East coast that faces West, so it's the perfect place to park up and watch the sun dipping into the sea. My personal favourite way to watch the sunset is out on the sea in Burnham Overy Staithe. 12 The beach at Old Hunstanton is still one of my favourite spots to show my friends Credit: Jenna Stevens 12 Bring your own, rent one or join a tour - paddleboarding is a great way to see Norfolk on the water Credit: Jenna Stevens Take a stand-up Alternatively, if you watch from Cley or Blakeney point, you might see a If you want to get up close and personal with the local seals, take a trip with Beans Seal Trips from Morston Quay to visit them out on the sandbanks. The trips run every day from April through to October, and cost £20 per adult or £10 per child (pre-booking is essential, they're very popular!) 12 Common seals and grey seals are dotted all along the North Norfolk coastline Credit: Getty Fun for all the Family Not only do we have stunning nature here in Norfolk, but there's plenty of family-friendly attractions to keep the kids happy on your holiday. Our coastline is dotted with picturesque seaside towns from Heacham to Cromer, packed with traditional arcades and endless activities. I grew up bowling at Hunstanton Pier, and endlessly trying to win a giant If you're bringing the kids, visit Hunstanton to explore the aquarium and meet Ernie the green sea turtle, or try your hand at the Aztec-themed crazy golf on the promenade. Crabbing on the quay at next town along, Holkham, for their action-packed ropes course. 12 The coastal charm of ice cream parlours and amusements makes Norfolk the perfect pick for a traditional British holiday Credit: Getty Top Food and Drink In Norfolk you'll be spoilt for choice for the best bites to eat. From award-winning My top pick for traditional There's a historic rivalry between the two quayside chippies, French's and Plattens, but French's takes the cake with its fresh fish and tasty new potatoes. You'll see lines out the door during peak times, so it's best to pop in early to avoid the queues. 12 French's fish and chips - I promise they're worth the wait! Credit: Getty I usually go just before midday - the queue that forms in the early afternoon often runs all the way into the evening. If you can't decide what you fancy, head to Thornham's Drove Orchards. Here you'll find a variety of restaurants and pop-ups, so you can mix and match whatever you please. Stop by Eric's pizza for a traditional margherita in a unique Yurt, or pop into Mim's for a scoop of gelato after a day of lounging in the sun. My favourite part about living in Norfolk is how dog-friendly we are. A large majority of our pubs and cafés welcome dogs, so there's no need to leave your furry friend at home. 12 The Rose and Crown is a classic and cosy British pub serving excellent local food Credit: If you're looking for a solid pub with great food where you can bring your pet along, the Rose and Crown in Snettisham has a dog-friendly bar and restaurant, as well as a cosy, walled beer garden. But perhaps my favourite corner of the coast is Old Hunstanton Beach Café. After letting the But the best part is their dog wall of fame, where you can pin a picture of your four-legged friend to remember your trip together. 12 Alone out on the dunes is still my favourite place to be
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I'm a Brit who went to summer camp in America – it was like living a 1990's Hollywood film and you can do it too
Find out how to sign up for a your own American summer camp adventure STATESIDE SUMMER I'm a Brit who went to summer camp in America – it was like living a 1990's Hollywood film and you can do it too Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STICKY hands from melted s'mores, handmade friendship bracelets stacked up your arms and the California heat beating down on your back as you throw an American football. This was my summer as a Camp Counsellor in the U.S.A. 20 I spent two months looking after kids at camp before road-tripping California Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 My camp was Cloverleaf Ranch in California Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Camp counsellors lead activities for kids spending their summer away from home Credit: Getty For generations, thousands of Americans have spent their childhood summer holidays at a traditional summer camp. Designed to keep kids entertained over the summer vacation (and to give their parents a break) they've become a huge part of American culture. And as a Brit brought up on a diet of American moviews and TV shows, I've always longed to be a part of it too. Thankfully, I could. As summer camps often look for international staff to bring their skills across the pond. Through companies like Camp America, young people from all over the world can get sponsored to go and work in the U.S. You get to live the summer camp dream, make friends from all over the world, plus when it's over you get 30 extra days to travel across the States. But is it actually like The Parent Trap? Is it all singing, dancing and talent shows like in Camp Rock? To be honest? Yes. It was everything you see in the movies and more. Campfire songs, telling ghost stories under torchlight and creating dance routines to Cotton Eye Joe. My days started at 6:30am - going from snoozing my alarm at home, to getting kids' teeth brushed, boots on and out the door before 7am was quite the change from my routine as a 21 year old back in England. Each morning we'd gather on the sports field to raise the American flag, a key part of camp culture us Brits soon had to get used to. After knocking back blueberry pancakes or French toast, and glugging down as much filter coffee as I could manage, the activities for the day began. Ivanka Trump's incredible holiday in California 20 Bonding over the campfire was a key part of summer camp life Credit: Getty 20 A typical summer camp schedule - campfires, dances, and real-life Cluedo! Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 French toast drenched in maple syrup was my favourite way to start the day Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 'Colour War' saw the camp divided into two teams - let's go White Team! Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Team sports are a huge part of summer camp culture Credit: Getty 20 Miniature corn dogs with ranch sauce - does it really get any more American than that? Credit: Jenna Stevens The days were filled with everything from archery to animal care, ziplining to basketball. My group of girls and I would sit under a tree and make friendship bracelets, as they requested song after song by Taylor Swift on my Walmart speaker. Our lunches were traditionally American: sloppy joes (bolognese in a burger bun with cheese), hot dogs and chicken tacos. Afternoons were spent cooling off in the pool followed by chill time in our cabins. Whilst some kids took the time to lay in their bunk and write letters home, others would come and point at my polaroids from home that decorated my bed, asking questions about life in the UK. The kids were super curious about life outside of the States, but didn't seem to know all too much. My Kiwi co-worker convinced our bunk that New Zealand didn't have wi-fi or technology, and feigned amazement as they explained to her what a mobile phone was. The kids were always at the ready to jokingly mock my accent. They particularly loved making us British staff say 'bottle of water', as they tried through stifled laughter to mimic 'bott-ul' and 'wart-ur'. I'll also never forget hosting a camp quiz one night, where a group answered 'What is the capital of England?' with a confident and unified 'Paris!' 20 Summer camp was everything I thought it would be from watching teen movies like Camp Rock Credit: Getty 20 The nights spent around the campfire are my most cherished memories Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Days off were often spent chilling by the nearby lake Credit: Jenna Stevens The kids would stay for one or two weeks at a time, but the camp environment made you grow close - so saying goodbye to them was always the hardest part. We'd end the week with a campfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing our favourite memories. I found myself collecting letters and pictures over the summer, and those handwritten messages and drawings are still posted up on my wall today. Although saying bye was tough, what came next was worth it. I'd made friends from all over the world - Australia, New Zealand, Germany as well as with the American staff. After ten weeks of hard work, I spent my earnings exploring California. 20 The hike to the Hollywood sign was tough, but worth it for the photo op! Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Travelling with my new besties from camp made the hard days worth it Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 San Diego was a Californian paradise - it was all surfing, yoga and tacos Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 We stayed in a hippie hostel in the heart of Ocean Beach, San Diego Credit: Jenna Stevens Whilst some hopped over to Hawaii and others jetted off to JFK, my closest friends and I decided to road-trip the Golden State. We drove from Santa Rosa to Lake Tahoe, and spent a week jet-skiing across deep blue waters. We then headed down to San Francisco for a night, before catching the night bus to L.A. After hiking to the Hollywood sign, skating through Venice Beach and visiting Universal Studios, we headed down to sunny San Diego. We ended our trip meeting sea lions at La Jolla beach and cheering on the San Diego Padres at a home baseball game. If you're looking for a summer in the U.S.A., this is definitely the way to do it. You'll come home sunburnt, sleep-deprived, and with a head full of campfire songs. But the summer camp experience is true movie magic, and the chance to tick off your U.S. bucket list afterwards makes it even better. HOW TO WORK IN A US SUMMER CAMP If you fancy spending a summer in the states, there are three major companies that can sponsor your trip: Camp America, Camp Leaders and BUNAC. Once you set up an account with one of these, they handle all of the paperwork, help you get a Visa, and get you matched up with a summer camp in the U.S. If you pay a bit more, they'll organise your flights too. You don't need any previous camp experience - if you've led a sports club or drama group at a school, volunteered or worked with kids in some way, they'll more than likely be able to find you a placement. Once you're placed, you'll spend 8-10 weeks working with kids, and have 30 days left on your Visa to go wherever you want in the USA. 20 Watching the San Diego Padres in Petco Park made me feel like a true Californian Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Camp America helped me make friends from all over the world Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 There are thousands of camps across the states that want international staff Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I'm a Brit who went to summer camp in America – it was like living a 1990's Hollywood film and you can do it too
STICKY hands from melted s'mores, handmade friendship bracelets stacked up your arms and the California heat beating down on your back as you throw an American football. This was my summer as a Camp Counsellor in the U.S.A. 20 I spent two months looking after kids at camp before road-tripping California Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 My camp was Cloverleaf Ranch in California Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Camp counsellors lead activities for kids spending their summer away from home Credit: Getty For generations, thousands of Americans have spent their childhood summer holidays at a traditional Designed to keep kids entertained over the summer vacation (and to give their parents a break) they've become a huge part of American culture. And as a Brit brought up on a diet of American moviews and TV shows, I've always longed to be a part of it too. Thankfully, I could. As summer camps often look for international staff to bring their skills across the pond. Read More On US holidays Through companies like You get to live the summer camp dream, make friends from all over the world, plus when it's over you get 30 extra days to travel across the States. But is it actually like Is it all singing, dancing and talent shows like in Camp Rock ? To be honest? Yes. It was everything you see in the movies and more. Campfire songs, telling ghost stories under torchlight and creating Cotton Eye Joe . Most read in Travel My days started at 6:30am - going from snoozing my alarm at home, to getting kids' teeth brushed, boots on and out the door before 7am was quite the change from my routine as a 21 year old back in England. Each morning we'd gather on the sports field to raise the American flag, a key part of camp culture us Brits soon had to get used to. After knocking back blueberry Ivanka Trump's incredible holiday in California 20 Bonding over the campfire was a key part of summer camp life Credit: Getty 20 A typical summer camp schedule - campfires, dances, and real-life Cluedo! Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 French toast drenched in maple syrup was my favourite way to start the day Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 'Colour War' saw the camp divided into two teams - let's go White Team! Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Team sports are a huge part of summer camp culture Credit: Getty 20 Miniature corn dogs with ranch sauce - does it really get any more American than that? Credit: Jenna Stevens The days were filled with everything from archery to animal care, ziplining to basketball. My group of girls and I would sit under a tree and make friendship bracelets, as they requested song after song by Taylor Swift on my Walmart speaker. Our lunches were traditionally American: sloppy joes (bolognese in a burger bun with cheese), hot dogs and chicken tacos. Afternoons were spent cooling off in the pool followed by chill time in our cabins. Whilst some kids took the time to lay in their bunk and write letters home, others would come and point at my The kids were super curious about life outside of the States, but didn't seem to know all too much. My Kiwi co-worker convinced our bunk that New Zealand didn't have wi-fi or technology, and feigned amazement as they explained to her what a mobile phone was. The kids were always at the ready to jokingly mock my accent. They particularly loved making us British staff say 'bottle of water', as they tried through stifled laughter to mimic 'bott-ul' and 'wart-ur'. I'll also never forget hosting a camp 20 Summer camp was everything I thought it would be from watching teen movies like Camp Rock Credit: Getty 20 The nights spent around the campfire are my most cherished memories Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Days off were often spent chilling by the nearby lake Credit: Jenna Stevens The kids would stay for one or two weeks at a time, but the camp environment made you grow close - so saying goodbye to them was always the hardest part. We'd end the week with a campfire, roasting I found myself collecting letters and pictures over the summer, and those handwritten messages and drawings are still posted up on my wall today. Although saying bye was tough, what came next was worth it. I'd made friends from all over the world - Australia, New Zealand, Germany as well as with the American staff. After ten weeks of hard work, I spent my earnings exploring California. 20 The hike to the Hollywood sign was tough, but worth it for the photo op! Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Travelling with my new besties from camp made the hard days worth it Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 San Diego was a Californian paradise - it was all surfing, yoga and tacos Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 We stayed in a hippie hostel in the heart of Ocean Beach, San Diego Credit: Jenna Stevens Whilst some hopped over to Hawaii and others jetted off to JFK, my closest friends and I decided to road-trip the Golden State. We drove from Santa Rosa to Lake Tahoe, and spent a week jet-skiing across deep blue waters. We then headed down to San Francisco for a night, before catching the night bus to L.A. After hiking to the Hollywood sign, skating through Venice Beach and visiting Universal Studios, we headed down to sunny San Diego. We ended our trip meeting sea lions at La Jolla beach and cheering on the San Diego Padres at a home baseball game. If you're looking for a summer in the U.S.A., this is definitely the way to do it. You'll come home sunburnt, sleep-deprived, and with a head full of campfire songs. But the summer camp experience is true movie magic, and the chance to tick off your HOW TO WORK IN A US SUMMER CAMP If you fancy spending a summer in the states, there are three major companies that can sponsor your trip: Camp America, Camp Leaders and BUNAC. Once you set up an account with one of these, they handle all of the paperwork, help you get a Visa, and get you matched up with a summer camp in the U.S. If you pay a bit more, they'll organise your flights too. You don't need any previous camp experience - if you've led a sports club or drama group at a school, volunteered or worked with kids in some way, they'll more than likely be able to find you a placement. Once you're placed, you'll spend 8-10 weeks working with kids, and have 30 days left on your Visa to go wherever you want in the USA. 20 Watching the San Diego Padres in Petco Park made me feel like a true Californian Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 Camp America helped me make friends from all over the world Credit: Jenna Stevens 20 There are thousands of camps across the states that want international staff Credit: Getty 20 Summer Camp will always be my Californian home away from home! Credit: Jenna Stevens
