Latest news with #TripadvisorTravellers'ChoiceAwards
Scottish Sun
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Pier in one of the UK's ‘worst seaside towns' named top amusement park in Europe
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CLACTON Pier has been crowned one of the best amusement parks in Europe by Tripadvisor. Despite Clacton-on-Sea being voted one of the country's 'worst seaside towns', its pleasure pier up came up trumps, winning big in the 'Best of the Best Amusement & Water Parks' category. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Clacton Pier came in the top 25 Amusement & Water Parks in Europe Credit: Alamy 6 It was the only pier fairground to make it onto the list Credit: Alamy Clacton Pier was given rave reviews by visitors and beat actual theme and water parks to bag 11th place in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. The pier is the biggest of its kind in all of Europe, being 360 metres long, and has its own amusement park. The pier has 16 rides and attractions including the Looping Star rollercoaster, White Water Log Flume, a big wheel and helter skelter. There's even a go-karting track, as well as a bowling alley, darts and shuffleboard, adventure golf, video arcade, and a soft play centre. Currently, there's an attraction called Jurassic Pier where kids can get up close to life-size dinosaurs. Throughout the summer, the pier is also having free firework displays. When you get hungry, stop in at the Boardwalk Bar and Grill, or the Bay Family Restaurant which has pizzas, wraps, burgers and hot dogs. You can get burgers on the go and stop in Candy Corner for donuts, ice cream, candy floss or seaside rock. If you want to explore the pier yourself, you can buy a 'Big Day Out Band' which is £22.50 if bought online. With this pass you can go on unlimited rides, play a round of adventure golf, explore the new Jurassic Pier attraction, go on the big wheel, play five video games and get 50 arcade prize tickets. I went on holiday to the 'worst' seaside town in the UK – but it's a great family trip and my kids loved it 6 The pier sits on the beach of one of the UK's worst-rated seaside towns Credit: Alamy 6 There's 16 attractions on the pier including a big wheel and helter skelter Credit: Alamy One visitor wrote in their Tripadvisor review: "One of the BEST experiences in the area! Everything from the arcade, rides, soft play, golf and food is great PLUS the workers are super kind so it's definitely worth a visit." Another said: "This is a giant of a pier with acres of fun, rides, bars, food, bowling - you name it they have it." Upon winning the award, the Pier general manager Harry Peek said: "This is amazing and a very prestigious accolade which comes from real visitors with real experiences and real feedback." Despite the pier's success at the Tripadvisor awards, Which? revealed Clacton to be one of the worst seaside towns of 2025 - as voted for by the public. Which? asked holidaymakers to go to and review their favourite and least favourite seaside towns across the UK. The towns were rated across categories like hotel prices, beach quality, seafront and pier, food and drink, accommodation and tourist attractions. 6 Clacton-on-Sea was recently named as one of the 'worst seaside towns' in the UK Credit: Alamy Clacton received a low destination score of just 42 per cent. On the other end was Bamburgh in Northumberland, which had an overall rating of 84 per cent. However, one writer insists that Clacton doesn't deserve its low score as half of its success is because it's "bright, brash and bustling." When she visited the seaside town, not only was the pier a big hit with her family, but she also checked out the Upside Down House in Essex. Find out where Sun Travel's favourite seaside towns are - and they're all less than 90 minutes from London. And check out the UK pier that's home to the world's largest fish and chip shop. Tripadvisor's Winning 'Best of the Best Amusement & Water Parks' Heide Park, Germany Puy du Fou, France The Web Adventure Park, UK Paultons Park, UK Drayton Manor Theme Park, UK LEGOLAND Billund, Denmark The Milky Way Adventure Park, UK Walt Disney Studios Park, France Djurs Sommerland, Denmark Bellewaerde Park, Belgium Clacton Pier, UK Aquafollie, Italy Aqua Dome, Ireland Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, Cyprus Walibi Holland, The Netherlands Avonturenpark Hellendoorn, The Netherlands Aqualand Corfu Water Park, Greece Fraispertuis City, France Prater, Austria Nigoland, France Le PAL - Parc d'Attractions et Animalier, France Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Germany Katmandu Park, Spain Legoland Deutschland Resort, Germany
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish city attraction crowned 'best in UK' beating iconic London experiences
The "best things to do" in Scotland have been named. The best attractions and experiences in Scotland have been named at the annual Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. One Scottish city attraction was also crowned the best in the UK. On Tuesday, July 22, Tripadvisor announced the winners of the 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do. The awards highlight the highest rated attractions and experiences based on Tripadvisor reviews. According to Tripadvisor, attractions cover everything from natural wonders to man-made marvels and museums. Topping the list for the UK this year, beating out iconic destinations such as The British Museum and Tower Bridge in London, is the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. The Royal Yacht Britannia is a five-star and award-winning visitor attraction and hospitality venue permanently berthed in Leith. It was previously the royal yacht of the British monarchy, and was in service between 1954 and 1997. After retiring from royal service, the vessel opened as a tourist attraction. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of royalty as they step aboard to explore the Royal Yacht Britannia for themselves. Highlights of the vessel's five decks include the Engine Room, the Crew's Quarters, and the Sun Lounge—the latter being Queen Elizabeth II 's favourite room. The attraction is also home to the Royal Deck Tearoom, where visitors can enjoy a range of sandwiches, soups, scones, and cakes. Elsewhere, Edinburgh Castle comes in at number five on the UK-wide list of the best attractions. Situated in the heart of the Scottish capital, the castle has dominated the city's skyline for hundreds of years. Highlights of Edinburgh Castle include its Great Hall, St Margaret's Chapel, and the One o'clock Gun. Among the other standouts are the Prisons of War and The Queen's Embroideries. Following behind at number 10 on the list of the top 10 attractions in the UK is the National Museum of Scotland. Also located in Edinburgh, the museum is one of the most visited attractions in the nation. The National Museum of Scotland features thousands of objects across a number of galleries all under one roof. From science and technology to art and design, the attraction offers a world of discovery. Meanwhile, Scottish experiences also feature on Tripadvisor's list of the top 10 experiences in the UK. The highest placing is the Guided Walking Tour at Edinburgh Castle. Visitors will follow their guide through the grounds of Edinburgh Castle and hear tales of the its royal residents, including Mary Queen of Scots. After the tour ends, there is free time to explore the castle's interior and the rest of the grounds. Following behind at number five on the list is the Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh. The tour will take sightseers across the Scottish capital to see locations that inspired the iconic series and served as filming locations for the movies based on them. Elsewhere, The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh places at number eight on Tripadvisor's list of the top 10 experiences in the UK. The unique chocolate-making experience allows visitors to make their own Scottish-themed chocolate, before heading to a tasting room to sample a wide range of chocolates from both Scottish and international chocolatiers. The final Scottish experience to be named among the top 10 in the UK is the Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands from Edinburgh experience. The coach tour sets off from Edinburgh, before taking in iconic beauty spots such as Glencoe, Callander, Pitlochry, Loch Ness, and more. Tripadvisor President Kristen Dalton commented: "With such a huge selection of travel activities and excursions available on the platform, Tripadvisor helps travelers find the experiences that turn a trip into a lifelong memory. "Whether you crave adrenaline or prefer to take things slow, 'The Best of the Best Things to Do' showcases the world's top-rated experiences." See below for the full list of the best attractions and experiences in the UK. More information can be found on the Tripadvisor website. Top 10 attractions in the UK Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Bodleian Library, Oxford Highgate Cemetery, London The British Museum, London Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Tower Bridge, London The Roman Baths, Bath National Maritime Museum, London Natural History Museum, London National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Top 10 experiences in the UK London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, London Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket, Edinburgh The Manchester City Stadium Tour, Manchester Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen, Froncysyllte, Wales Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour, Edinburgh St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour, Bristol Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from London, London The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum, London
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
The world's tallest hotel is opening in a popular holiday hotspot this year – with rooftop infinity pool and 1,000 rooms
THE WORLD'S tallest hotel is opening in a popular holiday hotspot this year featuring 1,000 rooms and a rooftop infinity pool. This architectural phenomenon offers a one-of-a-kind stay with stunning features and measures at 365m tall. 5 The world's tallest hotel is opening in a popular holiday hotspot this year Credit: IHG Vignette Collection 5 It features over 1,000 rooms and measures at 365m tall Credit: IHG Vignette Collection 5 All rooms have luxurious modern interiors Credit: IHG Vignette Collection The flashy Ciel Tower in Dubai has a whopping 82 floors and 1,000 rooms, all offering floor to ceiling windows and luxurious interiors. Pool with a view It will be home to what will be be the "world's highest infinity pool" on its 76th floor too. Head up to the 81st floor and you'll find a 360 degree observation deck where guests can enjoy iconic views of the city. The new luxury hotel will also have start-of-the-art gym facilities, lounges with incredible views and a dedicated kids pool. Read more Travel News On the 16th floor, the NEST Executive Lounge offers "quiet sophistication with skyline views". 10 bars and restaurants There's no lack of options when it comes to dining either with 10 bars and restaurants spread across the hotel. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass windows, capturing the vibrant city below and curated modern interiors. Out of the hotel's 1000 rooms, just under 150 will be suites offering the height of luxury in Dubai. Most read in News Travel The Ciel Tower is located in Dubai Marina which means you can easily access the area's restaurants and beaches. It's also a hub for watersports and a popular location for luxury yachts. Strictly star reveals she's quitting UK to live in Dubai without boyfriend who grew up there Property developer, The First Group, said: "Reaching a remarkable height of 365 metres, Ciel in Dubai Marina is a stunning development that will set a new benchmark as the world's tallest hotel upon completion. "Designed by award-winning London-based architect NORR Group, Ciel features a striking design, contemporary interiors and a remarkable glass observation deck, which will offer incredible 360-degree vistas across Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf. "As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' prestigious Vignette Collection, Ciel joins a family of one-of-a-kind properties in sought-after locations, where guests can indulge in stays that are authentic, experiential, and considerate. "Designed for luxury travellers" "Designed for the next generation of luxury travellers, the Vignette Collection weaves responsibility, community, and locality into every aspect of the guest experience." The Ciel has also garnered international acclaim, receiving a range of hotel and architectural awards. The record-breaking hotel is due to open to guests later this year. The Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards recently named Dubai as the third most popular holiday destination in the world. The travel company said of the city: "Dubai is a destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment. "Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see downtown from atop the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souks. "If you're looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah." 5 The record-breaking hotel is due to open to guests later this year Credit: IHG Vignette Collection 5 Dubai was recently named as third most popular holiday destination in the world Credit: IHG Vignette Collection
Scotsman
04-07-2025
- Scotsman
The amazing Scottish beach with ‘miles of white sand' that's been crowned best in UK
Scottish beaches take top three spots in best UK rankings. Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. 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... A Scottish beach with white sands and blue-green waters has been crowned as the UK's best. It comes as a new study conducted by QR Code Generator, based on Tripadvisor reviews, set out to discover the finest coastal locations to visit this summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Beaches rated four stars or higher were ranked based on the percentage of five-star reviews compared to the total number of reviews. No fewer than four Scottish beaches made the top 10 – and the top three spots were all in this country. Luskentyre Beach topped the list, with 93.79 per cent of reviews (1,072 out of 1,143) rating it five stars. Found on the west coast of South Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, this stunning beach boasts white sands, blue-green waters, and was named one of the UK's best beaches in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. On the west coast of South Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, you will find the white sands of Luskentyre Beach. | Anneke - In second spot was Scarista Beach, which is situated less than six miles from Luskentyre Beach in South Harris. Another white sandy beach, it has 90.50 per cent of reviews (200 out of 221) rating it five stars. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Camusdarach Beach in Morar, placed third with 88.54 per cent of reviews (309 out of 349) rating it five stars. This beautiful beach has views of the Isle of Skye, and featured in the film Local Hero. The fourth Scottish beach to feature in the top 10 was Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, on the far north-west coast of mainland Scotland. It ranked in fifth with 88 per cent of Tripadvisor reviews awarding it five stars. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: 'These beaches are more remote than usual seaside towns during the summer months. They offer visitors a quieter, more picturesque experience.' The UK's 10 top-rated beaches 1 - Luskentyre Beach - Isle of Harris, 1,143 (93.79%) 2 - Scarista Beach - Isle of Harris, 221 (90.50%) 3 - Camusdarach Beach - Mallaig, 349 (88.54%) 4 - Marloes Sands Beach - Wales, 261 (88.51%) 5 - Sandwood Bay Beach - Sutherland, 210 (88.10%) 6 - Embleton Bay - England, 318 (88.05%) 7 - Ross Back Sands Beach - England, 243 (87.65%) 8 - St Aidan Beach - England, 529 (86.77%) 9 - Rhossili Bay - Wales, 1,961 (86.69%)
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scots beaches that are exotic dupes of Caribbean resorts take TOP THREE spots in best UK rankings
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOUR Scottish beaches with crystal clear waters and white Caribbean sands have been named among the best across the UK. Scotland is home to a series of wonderful beaches - so it's no wonder that many receive nationwide attention for their beauty. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris came in high on the list Credit: Getty 5 Scarista beach, also on the Isle of Harris, was praised by visitors Credit: Alamy And now new research has revealed that four stunning beaches across the country have been ranked among the best coastal locations to visit across Britain. Experts at QR Code Generator compiled the list by looking at the highest-rated beaches on Tripadvisor. Beaches that received four stars or higher were ranked based on the percentage of five-star reviews compared to the total number of reviews. And it found that four out of the top five beaches were all found in Scotland - sealing all of the top three spots. Some of which are so stunning that they are exotic dupes of Caribbean resorts. And experts say that they could actually be even better because they're lesser-known hidden gems, which are not as overrun with tourists as some hotspot areas are. Scottish beaches can often be overlooked for southern destinations, but these reviews show how extraordinary these locations really are Marc Porcar Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: "Scotland dominates the list of best UK beaches, claiming four out of the top five spots. "Scottish beaches can often be overlooked for southern destinations, but these reviews show how extraordinary these locations really are. 'These beaches are more remote than usual seaside towns that are overrun during the summer months. "They offer visitors a quieter, more picturesque experience that is truly breathtaking.' Scotland's number one secret beach revealed Luskentyre Beach Located on the Isle of Harris, Luskentyre Beach came in at number one in the rankings. And it is no surprise, as it features miles of white sand and beautiful green-blue water, with impressive sand dunes and views of the island of Taransay. Further adding to Luskentyre's appeal – for such a beautiful beach visitors might expect to have to share the beauty spot with crowds of other travellers but on the contrary. So it's often possible to take a stroll along this beach without seeing another soul, making it the ideal secluded retreat. The study found that 93.79 per cent of reviews (1,072 out of 1,143) rated it five stars. And it was named one of the UK's best beaches in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Scarista Beach Another beach on the Isle of Harris that made the list is Scarista Beach. Coming in at second place, experts found that 90.50 per cent of reviews (200 out of 221) rated it five stars. Less than six miles from Luskentyre Beach, it is popular among visitors for its rows of dunes that are left behind by large waves nearly every day. And it's because of these massive waves and high gusts of wind that it's been named as one of the best surfing beaches in Scotland. The white sandy beach is speckled with seashells and since it lies on the southwestern coast, it has picturesque views over the Atlantic Ocean. 5 Camusdarach Beach is an arc of white, glistening sand and clear water Credit: Alamy Camusdarach Beach Camusdarach Beach was the third Scottish beach on the list and also rounded out the top three spots. It is an arc of white, glistening sand and clear water just south of the estuary of River Morar, near the village of Morar, which is three miles south of Mallaig. And visitors loved its spectacular views across the crags of the Cuillin mountain range, on the Isle of Skye. Branded breathtaking, the spot is perfect for swimming, if you can brave the chilly waters, as well as rock pooling and walking. And Camusdarach found fame in the 1983 cult film Local Hero, known in the flick as Ben's beach. The experts found that a total of 88.54 per cent of reviews (309 out of 349) rated it five stars. 5 Marloes Sands Beach was the only non-Scottish beach in the top five rankings Credit: Getty Marloes Sands Beach Marloes Sands Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was the only non-Scottish beach that made the top five across the UK. The remote bay provided the backdrop for 2011 film Snow White And The Huntsman starring Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and the Twilight movies' Kristen Stewart. Oscar-winning Hollywood legends Katharine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole and Sir Anthony Hopkins also filmed there for 1968's The Lion In Winter, which won three Academy Awards. Travellers can approach the beach via the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path loop walk – taking in an iron-age fort, a deer park, and potential sights of wildlife including seabirds, seals and porpoises. And a total of 88.51 per cent of reviews (231 out of 261) rated it five stars. Full list of top 10 beaches across the UK Rank. Beach - Location, Total Tripadvisor Reviews (Percentage of 5-Star Reviews) Luskentyre Beach - Isle of Harris, 1,143 (93.79%) Scarista Beach - Isle of Harris, 221 (90.50%) Camusdarach Beach - Mallaig, 349 (88.54%) Marloes Sands Beach - Wales, 261 (88.51%) Sandwood Bay Beach - Sutherland, 210 (88.10%) Embleton Bay - England, 318 (88.05%) Ross Back Sands Beach - England, 243 (87.65%) St Aidan Beach - England, 529 (86.77%) Rhossili Bay - Wales, 1,961 (86.69%) Steve's Beach - England, 221 (86.43%) Sandwood Bay Sandwood Bay in Sutherland came in at a fantastic number four on the list with an impressive 88.10 per cent of reviews (185 out of 210) rating it five stars. It is a mile of golden sand forming a sweeping natural horseshoe bay on the far north-west coast of land belonging to the John Muir Trust, a charity that protects wild places. The bay is backed by dunes and Sandwood Loch and framed by high cliffs. From the beach, the massive sea stack, Am Buachaille, can be seen at the southern end of the sands. It's also a great place for spotting dolphins. And many visitors flocked to the popular review site to say they were impressed with its natural bay.
