Latest news with #Travellers'ChoiceAward
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
England's 'most beautiful' village loved by film crews with quaint but grim past
It's often named as one of the best places to live in the UK but this postcard-worthy village - used by Tim Burton for the Jonny Depp horror film Sleepy Hollow - has a chilling secret befitting of one of the movies it's been used in It is a charming, quintessential English village that often gets the nod by experts as being one of the prettiest and best places to live in the country. Hambleden, nestled in a valley in Buckinghamshire, has attracted film crews time and time again thanks to its stunning scenery and Olde English allure. The Telegraph has ranked it among England's 30 most beautiful villages, most recently as 2022. The stunning landscapes at Culden Faw Estate help its character, spanning a vast 3,500 acres of mature beech woods, parkland, and sweeping chalk valleys. The estate incorporates the village within its picturesque panorama, reports Surrey Live. Another place you can step inside is the quirky British village where Liam Gallagher and Tom Cruise have been spotted. For those who appreciate the finer things in life, the Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery awaits, a proud recipient of the Travellers ' Choice Award. Embark on an enchanting tour through the vineyards and seize the opportunity to sample a burgeoning array of wines. Over at nearby Cliveden House, step into a world once inhabited by the elite and influential. Famed for its high-profile guests and notorious for centuries of salacious rumours and lavish celebrations, Cliveden has been a fixture since 1666. What would a quaint country village be without its chic dining establishments frequented by celebrities? Nestled at the core of Hambleden lies The Stag and Huntsman, not your average gastropub but one that prides itself on "killer wallpaper" and also operates as a charming boutique hotel. Hambleden, understandably, has been home to some big names. Deep Purple co-founder Jon Lord lived and died here, while 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Phil Vickery also spent some time as an inhabitant. All that considered, it's no wonder that sometimes visiting feels like stepping into a Midsomer Murders episode. The idyllic village has been used in a number of big productions for both television and cinema. It has featured as the backdrop for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Into the Woods and Nanny McPhee Returns, and in TV series like Agatha Christie's Poirot, and Amazon's mini-series Good Omens with David Tennant. Most recently, Greys Anatomy stars Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams were seen in the village during the shooting of Disney's Enchanted sequel, Disenchanted, which was released in 2022. Among the big-name directors who picked it out as a potential filming location, Tim Burton is arguably the biggest. He chose Hambleden as the place to shoot Johnny Depp horror film Sleepy Hollow. But this tiny village has a dark, dark secret that fits the tone of Burton's creepy classic. Back in 1912, archaeologists discovered the skeletal remains of 97 newborn infants at the historical Yewden Villa. The bones were rediscovered stored in cigarette tins within a storage room at Chiltern Archaeology in 2008, triggering debate over the cause of their deaths. In 2010, a researcher proposed that the ancient Roman villa might have operated as a brothel where residents and workers committed infanticide across a 50-year span. Alternative theories suggest it housed a cult that carried out horrific and brutal operations on the infants. Whatever the truth of this awful discovery, Hambleden remains an ideal place for a day out in the countryside packed with intrigue, history and fairytale charm.
Scotsman
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Award-winning Comedy Walking Tours prove that Scottish history can be hysterical
Comedian Daniel Downie not only makes audiences laugh on stages at comedy clubs across Scotland, but he's also bringing laughter to the streets of Edinburgh with his hysterical and historical Comedy Walking Tours. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For many people history is all about dates, battles, and kings and queens. But historian, comedian, and founder of Edinburgh's Mountebank Tours, Daniel Downie is determined to help people explore a more relatable, hysterical, and riotously funny side of history, with his award-winning Comedy Walking Tours of Edinburgh. Daniel believes that – just like modern life – Scottish history is packed with its fair share of weird and wonderful facts, events, and people, and he's dedicated to sharing those stories alongside talking about famous figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Susan Boyle'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'People are either incredibly passionate about history, or it's something they've not really thought about since school' says Daniel. 'My aim is to bring Scottish history to life, make it memorable, and – above all – make it fun and funny. That's why I describe my tours as hysterical and historical, they're all about finding the interesting and entertaining side of things, alongside the big events and famous figures that people want to learn more about'. Dram good fun! Mountebank Tours also offer Whisky Tasting events. Daniel set up Mountebank Tours, which offers whisky tastings and daily comedy walking tours of Edinburgh, in 2018. Billed as Edinburgh's hysterical and historical (and completely original) comedy walking tour, Daniel guides visitors through the ridiculous side of Scotland's history. The two-hour tour allows participants to explore some of the Old Town's most iconic (and Instagram-able) streets and landmarks, led by Daniel and his trusty canine companion Brahan, aka The Bonnie Prince. Mountebank Tours has won the Travellers' Choice Award for seven consecutive years (2019 to 2025) and was recently included in TripAdvisor's Top Ten Experiences in the UK (it was one of only two Scottish experiences to be listed). 'It's a little bit different to the usual tours that are offered in Edinburgh' says Daniel. 'There's obvious a lot of information in there – as a historian my biggest problem in Edinburgh is deciding what to leave out of the tour – but I wanted to make the it fun as well as informative, you don't need to know much about Scottish history to take the tour, it's my job to share that side of things with people, but I wanted to the stories to be entertaining and funny – I think that makes things more memorable' he adds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Finding the funny comes naturally to Daniel; alongside founding and running Mountebank Tours, the former teacher is also a familiar face on the Scottish Comedy scene – often weaving jokes about history and Scotland into his sets. Daniel will be also be performing at the Fringe 'For years I'd done jokes about history and famous historical figures, so it seemed like a logical move to combine my love of history and comedy experience and create something a little bit different to the usual history tours, which is basically how Mountebank came to be' says Daniel. Whilst Scottish history has always been at the heart of Daniel's comedy and his tours of Edinburgh, he's now an official historian; in November last year Daniel was awarded his master's degree in Scottish History from the University of Dundee. 'It was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed it and I'm incredibly proud to have earned my masters. I even celebrated handing in my dissertation by getting a tattoo of Mary Queen of Scots!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Like many comedians, Daniel will be appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August, with his solo comedy show, Daniel Downie: Is Scottish, in which he takes a humorous trip through Scottish history and identity to explore the origins of some well-known Scottish stereotypes. Edinburgh-based Mountebank Tours was founded in 2018 by comedian, historian, and former teacher Daniel Downie. 'It's a very Scottish show, by a very Scottish comedian' says Daniel. 'Audiences can expect a lot of laughs, but also to learn a few things about the history of Scotland and the stereotypes that people associate with Scots and Scotland'. In addition to his solo stand-up show, Daniel will also be leading the Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh throughout the Fringe. Daniel Downie: Is Scottish? takes place 1 to 24 August at 14:45 at Beehive 2 (The Attic), 18 – 20 Grassmarket, the show is part of the Scottish Comedy Festival's Fringe programme. The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh takes place 1 to 24 August at 10:30am, the tour departs from Monkey Barrel Comedy on Blair Street.
Scotsman
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh tourist attraction Camera Obscura wins TripAdvisor award after more than 11,000 5-star reviews
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions has been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award for 2025, after receiving more than 11,000 five-star reviews. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Travellers' Choice award celebrates businesses that have received great reviews from visitors around the globe over the last 12 months. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions stood out by consistently delivering positive experiences, and to reach 11,000 five-star reviews alongside the award is a huge achievement. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh Andrew Johnson, general manager at the Castlehill attraction, said: 'We're absolutely delighted to receive a Travellers' Choice Award. Every single review on TripAdvisor is read and responded to and our visitors' feedback really matters to us. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We regularly adapt what we do based on these comments, and we believe that's a big part of why more than 11,000 of our guests have rated us a five-star attraction. 'It's a brilliant reflection of the fun, interactive, and memorable experiences we strive to deliver every day.' Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a 5-star VisitScotland rated visitor attraction in the heart of Edinburgh at the top of the Royal Mile in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle, and last year it was the eighth most visited paid attraction in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Housed in an historic building, it offers visitors the chance to get hands-on with over 100 interactive illusion exhibits and see a demonstration of the 172-year-old Camera Obscura and outstanding panoramic views of the city from the rooftop terrace.
Scotsman
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
London superyacht hotel deal – stay from £119 for two with breakfast
The 4-star Sunborn London Yacht Hotel is moored at Royal Victoria Dock and offers a luxury stay with river views and serious wow factor. | Wowcher This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. This jaw-dropping deal gets you a night on a luxury yacht hotel in central London – for less than the price of dinner and drinks Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Fancy waking up on a superyacht without the superyacht price tag? This London hotel deal might be the closest you'll ever get to living like the rich and famous – and it's going for a bargain. Right now on Wowcher, you can snap up a luxury overnight stay for two people on board a 4-star yacht hotel in London from just £119 total – and yes, that's the full price for both of you, not per person. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Moored at Royal Victoria Dock, the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel gives you the kind of stay that turns heads – king-size bed, riverside views, full English brekkie, and interiors that look like they've come straight off a Bond set. You can upgrade to an executive room with a private balcony if you want the full 'billionaire in the marina' effect – but even the standard rooms are plush, with big windows, flatscreen TVs and posh en-suites. So, what's the deal? Inside the Sunborn: the grand staircase and chandelier set the tone for a stay that feels more Monaco than London. | Wowcher One or two nights on the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel Full English breakfast included each morning Classic or Executive rooms (with optional balcony upgrade) King-size beds, stylish bathrooms, tea and coffee, Wi-Fi and more Top location just minutes from the O2, Greenwich and Canary Wharf This isn't just a gimmick stay – it's an actual award-winning hotel that's scooped Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Award for 2024. And it's docked in one of London's best bits for sightseeing and skyline snapping. What can you do nearby? Hop on the Emirates cable car right outside the dock for an unreal view of the capital, hit the shops at Westfield Stratford, catch a show at the ABBA Arena or explore the museums and planetarium in Greenwich. Then saunter back to your floating hotel for a nightcap in the bar. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Let's face it – it's different. It's flash. And it's usually pricey, which is why this deal (saving up to 72%) is such a no-brainer. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries or just giving someone a night to remember – but don't hang about. Deals like this disappear faster than you can say 'Is that our yacht?' ⛱️ How to get airport lounge access from just £11 – without flying business class ✈️ You don't need a premium ticket to enjoy a quieter, more comfortable airport experience. Lounge access is available to all travellers – and you can now pre-book passes from just £11. Holiday Extras offers discounted lounge access at 22 UK airports with complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi and up to 60% off. 🌍 Flying further afield? Lounge Pass gives you entry to over 800 VIP lounges worldwide – perfect for international or return trips. And for one-off getaways or group travel, this Wowcher lounge voucher is just £2 and gives up to 25% off for you and up to six others. Most lounges include drinks, snacks and flight info screens – a simple travel upgrade that makes early check-ins a lot more enjoyable. 🍷
Scotsman
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
London superyacht hotel deal – stay from £119 for two with breakfast
The 4-star Sunborn London Yacht Hotel is moored at Royal Victoria Dock and offers a luxury stay with river views and serious wow factor. | Wowcher This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. This jaw-dropping deal gets you a night on a luxury yacht hotel in central London – for less than the price of dinner and drinks Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Fancy waking up on a superyacht without the superyacht price tag? This London hotel deal might be the closest you'll ever get to living like the rich and famous – and it's going for a bargain. Right now on Wowcher, you can snap up a luxury overnight stay for two people on board a 4-star yacht hotel in London from just £119 total – and yes, that's the full price for both of you, not per person. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Moored at Royal Victoria Dock, the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel gives you the kind of stay that turns heads – king-size bed, riverside views, full English brekkie, and interiors that look like they've come straight off a Bond set. You can upgrade to an executive room with a private balcony if you want the full 'billionaire in the marina' effect – but even the standard rooms are plush, with big windows, flatscreen TVs and posh en-suites. So, what's the deal? Inside the Sunborn: the grand staircase and chandelier set the tone for a stay that feels more Monaco than London. | Wowcher One or two nights on the Sunborn London Yacht Hotel Full English breakfast included each morning Classic or Executive rooms (with optional balcony upgrade) King-size beds, stylish bathrooms, tea and coffee, Wi-Fi and more Top location just minutes from the O2, Greenwich and Canary Wharf This isn't just a gimmick stay – it's an actual award-winning hotel that's scooped Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Award for 2024. And it's docked in one of London's best bits for sightseeing and skyline snapping. What can you do nearby? Hop on the Emirates cable car right outside the dock for an unreal view of the capital, hit the shops at Westfield Stratford, catch a show at the ABBA Arena or explore the museums and planetarium in Greenwich. Then saunter back to your floating hotel for a nightcap in the bar. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Let's face it – it's different. It's flash. And it's usually pricey, which is why this deal (saving up to 72%) is such a no-brainer. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries or just giving someone a night to remember – but don't hang about. Deals like this disappear faster than you can say 'Is that our yacht?' ⛱️ How to get airport lounge access from just £11 – without flying business class ✈️ You don't need a premium ticket to enjoy a quieter, more comfortable airport experience. Lounge access is available to all travellers – and you can now pre-book passes from just £11. Holiday Extras offers discounted lounge access at 22 UK airports with complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi and up to 60% off.
