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North Wales Live
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
I visited seaside town 90 minutes from Wales — living here would be like winning lottery
This quaint seaside town boasting everything you need for a quiet getaway has instantly become one of my favourites. A day trip drive from parts of Wales, it has boutique cafes, top-rated restaurants and two of the country's best fish and chip shops. Lytham is a charming coastal town in Lancashire, celebrated for its community atmosphere, peaceful beach and picturesque park. It's around a 90 minute drive from north-east Wales. Each year it comes alive with Lytham Festival, drawing some of the biggest names in music, with recent headliners including Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Alanis Morrissette (who also played in Cardiff recently) and Kings of Leon. I missed the festival by a matter of days but I wouldn't trade how my visit turned out for the world. The trip left me feeling rested, recharged and contemplating swapping my city lifestyle for a place by the seaside. My partner and I stayed on the water in the Queens Pub and Hotel, a Victorian Grade II listed building with fantastic views over Lytham Green. the centuries old accommodation was the perfect resting place that kept you well-fed on the ground floor or entertained throughout the evening with its lively outdoor beer garden. The decor was timeless, with four poster bed, ornate wood sculpted furniture, and a muted colour palette that made you feel like you were stepping back into a black and white picture. When I wasn't already outside, I was enjoying the view of countless runners and dog walkers from the window. Lytham's town centre is small and you can walk from one end to the other in minutes. What it lacks in distance it more than makes up for in an abundance of charming businesses that prove quality beats quantity any day. The Clifton Walk Shopping Arcade offers visitors a charming back-alley experience for those searching for gifts, cards or street food. It's been years since I've seen an arcade so well kept and full of people, which only solidifies the town's timeless character. The cafes were packed and I found myself at a loss to where to sit. Places like Apricot and Central Beach had brunch fans queuing out the doors but I eventually found a massive chicken and bacon ciabatta in Trevino Lounge to watch the world go by. Lytham also boasts two of the country's best chippies, Whelan's and The Haven, named as such by The Times recently. The centre is filled with flowers, trees, and lush greenery, creating a relaxed atmosphere where no one seemed in a hurry, allowing you take your time and soak it all in. During my visit, there just so happened to be a free ice cream festival taking place in Lowther Gardens, so naturally I went for a nosey. Although small and contained compared to most food and drink events, I spent 30 minutes perusing the craft stalls, enjoying the food fragrances wafting through the air, and simply admiring the scenery. There was plenty for kids to enjoy too, with fun fair rides and entertainment for all ages. Despite a few light showers appearing during my visit, everyone remained in high spirits regardless. I spent most of my time wandering around the town, admiring the scenery and enjoying the little secrets I'd find on my stroll. It was incredibly refreshing to put your phone away and feel like you're part of a little community away from the rest of the world. As evening approached, my partner and I stopped by the Ship and Royal pub, a traditional spot that gave us a taste of the town's lively nightlife. The once-quiet seaside town transforms after dark, with locals spilling out of pubs and beer gardens. I was genuinely surprised by just how vibrant the scene could be. Lytham is great for a drink but, while not the place for a night club crawl, I thoroughly enjoyed the pints and cocktails I put away over the weekend regardless, and I found the locals more than willing to strike up a conversation. We decided to spend the majority of our Saturday evening dining in Lytham's go-to restaurant, Lytham House. With an AA Rosette under its belt, the brasserie boasts stunning interiors across two floors, with a lively cocktail bar taking guests through the night. The menu offers a contemporary twist on British favourites, satisfying even the pickiest of palates. I went for a surf and turf selection featuring oysters, scallops, and spiced duck for the main course but the gluttonous side of me wanted a little bit of everything. From the warm welcome and charming setting to the flawlessly cooked pink duck, the experience lived up to venue's reputation. You'd think a walk home at night would be nothing special but even then there was beauty to behold. Lytham Windmill Museum comes to life in the dark, illuminated in a soft pink glow that captures your attention from miles away on the coast. We made a point to walk past our hotel just to see it up close - and it was worth it. Lytham felt like escaping into a bubble away from the rest of the world. Time felt slower and everything more relaxed as if there wasn't a care to be had. The scenery was gorgeous and there was quite an amount on offer for tourists or general visitors like myself. And don't even get me started on the massive houses that have been saved from a life of modern renovations to become multi-story apartments or BandBs. To own a home facing Lytham Green would be like winning the lottery. The quiet seaside town is one that should be at the top of your list to visit.


Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I visited seaside town with two of UK's best fish and chip shops — living here would be like winning lottery
I left feeling relaxed, refreshed and very full of good food — this town should be at the top of your list to visit It's a quaint seaside town boasting everything you need for a quiet getaway — and it has instantly become one of my very favourite places after one visit. Just a short drive from two of the UK's biggest cities is a quiet destination with boutique cafes, top rated restaurants, boutique cafes and even two of the country's best chippies. Lytham is a charming coastal town in Lancashire, celebrated for its community atmosphere, peaceful beach and picturesque park. Each year it comes alive with Lytham Festival, drawing some of the biggest names in music, with recent headliners including Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Alanis Morrissette, and Kings of Leon. I might have missed this but I wouldn't trade my visit for the world. The trip left me feeling rested, recharged and contemplating swapping my city lifestyle for a place by the seaside. My partner and I stayed on the water in the Queens Pub and Hotel, a Victorian Grade II listed building with fantastic views over Lytham Green. The centuries old accommodation was the perfect resting place though there was also plenty to keep us entertained throughout the evening with its lively outdoor beer garden. The decor was timeless, with four poster bed, ornate wood sculpted furniture and a muted colour palette that made me feel like I was stepping into a black and white picture. When I wasn't outside myself, I was enjoying the view of countless runners and dog walkers from the window. Lytham's town centre is small — you can walk from one end to the other in a few short minutes even at a slow pace. But what it lacks in distance it more than makes up for in an abundance of charm and businesses that prove quality beats quantity every time. The Clifton Walk Shopping Arcade offers visitors a charming back-alley experience for those searching for gifts, cards or street food. It's been years since I've seen an arcade so well kept and full of people, which only solidifies the town's timeless character. The cafes were packed and I found myself at a loss to where to sit. Places like Apricot and Central Beach had brunch fans queuing out the doors but I eventually found a massive chicken and bacon ciabatta in Trevino Lounge to watch the world go by. Lytham also boasts two of the country's best chippies, Whelan's and The Haven, named as such by The Times in a recent list. The centre is filled with flowers, trees, and lush greenery, creating a relaxed atmosphere where no one seemed in a hurry, allowing me to take my time and soak it all in. During my visit, there just so happened to be a free ice cream festival taking place in Lowther Gardens, so naturally I went for a nosey. Although small and contained compared to most food and drink events, I spent 30 minutes perusing the craft stalls, enjoying the food fragrances wafting through the air, and simply admiring the scenery. There was plenty for kids to enjoy too, with fun fair rides and entertainment for all ages. Despite a few light showers appearing during my visit, everyone remained in high spirits regardless. I spent most of my time wandering around the town, admiring the scenery and enjoying the little secrets I'd find on my stroll. It was incredibly refreshing to put your phone away and feel like you're part of a little community away from the rest of the world. As evening approached, my partner and I stopped by the Ship and Royal pub, a traditional spot that gave us a taste of the town's lively nightlife. The once-quiet seaside town transforms after dark, with locals spilling out of pubs and beer gardens. I was genuinely surprised by just how vibrant the scene could be. Lytham is great for a drink but, in a surprise to no one, not the place for a night club crawl, though I still thoroughly enjoyed the pints and cocktails I put away over the weekend regardless, and I found the locals more than willing to strike up a conversation. We decided to spend the majority of our Saturday evening dining in Lytham's go-to restaurant, Lytham House. With an AA Rosette under its belt, the brasserie boasts stunning interiors across two floors, with a lively cocktail bar taking guests through the night. The menu offers a contemporary twist on British favourites, satisfying even the pickiest of palates. I went for a surf and turf selection featuring oysters, scallops, and spiced duck for the main course but the gluttonous side of me wanted a little bit of everything. From the warm welcome and charming setting to the flawlessly cooked pink duck, the experience lived up to venue's reputation. You'd think a walk home at night would be nothing special but even then there was beauty to behold. Lytham Windmill Museum comes to life in the dark, illuminated in a soft pink glow that captures your attention from miles away on the coast. We made a point to walk past our hotel just to see it up close - and it was worth it. Lytham felt like escaping into a bubble away from the rest of the world. Time felt slower and everything more relaxed as if there wasn't a care to be had. The scenery was gorgeous and there was quite an amount on offer for tourists or general visitors like myself. And don't even get me started on the massive houses that have been saved from a life of modern renovations to become multi-story apartments or BandBs. To own a home facing Lytham Green would be like winning the lottery. The quiet seaside town should be at the top of your list to visit.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bruce Springsteen Joins Zach Bryan for Surprise Appearance at New Jersey Concert
Zach Bryan has been called 'Bruce Springsteen's heir' — and on Sunday, the latter surprised fans at Bryan's concert in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Springsteen took the MetLife Stadium stage in his home state to perform his own 'Atlantic City' with Bryan. At the end of the song, the audience could be heard yelling 'BRUUUUUCE' (not booing, as some on social media misheard). More from The Hollywood Reporter Chris Martin Jokes About Kiss-Cam Scandal at First Coldplay Concert Since Video Went Viral Travis Scott's 'JackBoys 2' Tops Chart, Ends Justin Bieber's Six-Album Streak of No. 1 Debuts Billie Eilish Reveals 3D Collaboration With James Cameron Is in the Works It's not the first time they've taken the stage together. Just last August, Springsteen surprised fans at Bryan's Philadelphia concert for a rendition of 'Atlantic City' and 'Sandpaper,' on which the two collaborated. On Sunday, concertgoers got a tease of Springsteen's appearance early in the evening, when 'House of a Thousand Guitars,' from his 2020 album, Letter to You, was heard across the sound system. Later in the set, Bryan brought out Caleb Followill, a member of opening band Kings of Leon, to the stage, introducing him as the 'sweetest man I've ever met.' He then took a beat to bring on 'one of the greatest men to ever exist, a New Jersey native, Mr. Bruce Springsteen.' The band then launched into 'Atlantic City' off Springsteen's 1982 solo album, Nebraska, which Followill also joined in on. That era of Springsteen's music career will hit the big screen in October with the release of the film Deliver Me From Nowhere, starring Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen. Springsteen came out again for the show's encore, Bryan's 'Revival.' Sunday's concert was the last of Bryan's three-night engagement in East Rutherford. The shows also marked Kings of Leon's first live performances since canceling a portion of their European dates due to a heel injury sustained by Followill earlier this summer. Their setlist included past hits as well as new music from their latest release, Can We Please Have Fun. Bryan, whose songwriting is often compared to Springsteen's, is a U.S. Navy veteran from Oklahoma who has helped usher in a new era of country music. His career took off in 2023 with his fourth album, Zach Bryan. He released another hit album, The Great American Bar Scene, in 2024. Springsteen recently wrapped a European tour and has been seen in and around his hometown of Freehold, New Jersey. Bryan also spent much of June in Europe, headlining two nights at London's Hyde Park. Watch the Sunday night performance below. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch Zach Bryan Jam With Bruce Springsteen In New Jersey
Zach Bryan tapped New Jersey rock'n'roll godfather Bruce Springsteen for two guest appearances last night (July 20) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., providing an extra lift to the last of three sold-out shows at the stadium. Bryan brought out Springsteen for a version of the latter's 'Atlantic City,' which they'd previously performed in Philadelphia last summer. The performance also featured Kings of Leon singer Caleb Followill, whose band opened all three MetLife shows. More from Spin: 25 Songs That Still Believe in Peace THE DARK SIDE See Jeremy Allen White As Bruce Springsteen In First Biopic Trailer Springsteen returned to show off his fancy fretwork during the set-closing 'Revival,' a track from Bryan's 2024 album The Great American Bar Scene on which The Boss also guested. Fans greeted the artist with such a loud rendition of the signature 'Bruuuuuuce' chant that some attendees reportedly thought he was actually being booed. 'When I listen to your music, I'm like, 'If you put different production to this, it's a country song,'' Bryan said in a 2024 conversation with Springsteen for Rolling Stone. 'That's why I don't want to be a country musician. I don't want to be a country musician. Everyone calls me it. I want to be a songwriter, and you're quintessentially a songwriter. No one calls Bruce Springsteen a freaking rock musician, which you are one, but you're also an indie musician, you're also a country musician. You're all these things encapsulated in one man. And that's what songwriting is.' Bryan has a handful of major concerts on tap before he plays Sept. 27 at the University of Michigan football stadium in Ann Arbor, Mi. The show, the first ever to be held at the venerable venue, is expected to draw a sellout crowd of 112,000 people. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. Solve the daily Crossword


USA Today
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Bruce Springsteen joins Zach Bryan for surprise 'Atlantic City' performance: Watch
Even Bruce Springsteen isn't too big for a cameo. The Boss joined musicians Zach Bryan and Caleb Followill of the Kings of Leon for a rendition of his 1982 classic "Atlantic City" at Bryan's July 20 MetLife Stadium show in New Jersey. The Kings of Leon and Jersey-based Rock band Front Bottoms were the openers for the concert, while Springsteen, 75, was a surprise guest, joining later for a quick-lick guitar solo on Bryan's track "Revival" during the encore. "Proud to call him my hero, one of the greatest songwriters to ever live," Bryan said before introducing the legendary rocker. "If you guys will have him, this is Bruce Springsteen!" Why Bruce Springsteen changed his set list to end concerts with this song The pair then moved on to play "Atlantic City," a harmonica-heavy ballad off Springsteen's 1982 album "Nebraska." Followill, Bryan and Springsteen stood at side-by-side mics, passing the lyrics back and forth, before embracing at the end of the track as the crowd coo-ed "Bruuuucee!" Bryan, 29, has followed in Springsteen's singer-songwriter footsteps, often folding angst into his scratchy, smoker's vocals and genre-bending music, which features a cocktail of folk, country and soul. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band still rock, quake and shake after 50 years Springsteen joined Bryan on stage last year in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, lending old-school rocker legitimacy to an emerging act. The two also collaborated on the track "Sandpaper" off Bryan's 2024 album, "The Great American Bar Scene." The July 20 show was the third for Bryan this weekend at MetLife, the first time a country artist played three nights in a single stand at the venue. Springsteen is fresh off the release of a previously unheard cache of tracks from years passed. On "Tracks II: The Lost Albums," the Boss treats fans to the musical roads not taken, with mystic, ranchera, and rock music blending on a masterful mix of some 83 songs. Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY