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The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I visited the UK's happiest place to live with the country's best pizza and cosy pubs
YOU have probably heard of Sutton Hoo, the Suffolk site where a huge Anglo-Saxon ship was discovered under ancient grassy mounds. Excitement around the medieval treasure trove grew in 2021 when 3 Enjoy Woodbridge harbour with its sail boats Credit: Alamy 3 Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per night Credit: Supplied But it's not just ancient artefacts, old textiles and traditional silverware that make this area so special. The site sits close to Woodbridge, an off-grid market town on the banks of the River Deben that was recently crowned the UK's happiest place to live by Rightmove. Having spent a weekend soaking up its moreish cocktail of history, gorgeous views and cracking food — including one of the best pizzas I've ever had — I'm inclined to agree. It was a short trip for me and my partner across the Essex/Suffolk border, where we checked into one of Woodbridge's best-known hotels, The Crown. Read More on Travel The charming inn features ten comfortable boutique rooms, with enormous beds and grand panelled bathtubs. The property's position, smack bang on the thoroughfare of the town, is perfect for soaking up the best Woodbridge has to offer, within walking distance of a high street scattered with independent shops. Swing by The W Gallery if you get a chance. We were captivated by a huge canvas of an avenue of neon orange trees by artist Samuel Thomas. Most read in Family A few doors down, at Bois Jolie, the owner explained how he went from market researcher to owning his own woodcraft business. Now, rather than staring at spreadsheets and pie charts, he spends his time creating interesting coffee tables and beautifully grained yew lamp stands, topped by his wife's colourful handmade shades. north wales staycation If we weren't convinced before, we certainly were after that: Woodbridge really is a town of happy people — and they love to chat. We had made sure we were well fuelled for our first day of adventure with a huge brekkie of juicy local sausages and perfectly poached eggs at the hotel. Make sure you book in here for dinner one night, too. The Crown's restaurant and bar are buzzing with locals on a Saturday night. If you ever tire of the hotel's jam-packed burgers, fish and chips and flavoursome salads, you won't need to venture far for a decent meal in Woodbridge. I recommend The Woodyard Ltd, where the air was thick with the lip-smacking scent of smoke and garlic. Its wood-fired pizzas are something special and we were grateful for our cold beers after devouring a Vesuvio — all charred dough, spicy nduja sausage and fiery salami. The queue for tables stretched out of the door and, after eating, it was easy to see why. The Anchor proved the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday roast. My plate came piled high with pork, doused in a stock-rich gravy that was so good I would have happily drunk it from a mug. Once we were finished feasting, we walked it off along Woodbridge's River Deben and the marina, where hundreds of colourful boats are moored. 3 The Crown serves cracking food Credit: Supplied Take a peek at the tide mill on your wander. The Grade I listed mill is one of the few remaining in the country and has a history stretching back 800 years. We then made our way towards Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland. This National Trust area is full of wildlife and we spotted a heron motionless at the water's edge while, in the distance, deer darted between the trees. While we didn't get the chance to visit the mounds of Sutton Hoo itself on the other side of the river, its connection to the town is deepening. It's thought the ship and its treasure were hauled three miles up to the burial site from Woodbridge in the 7th Century, and now a community-led project is rebuilding the ancient craft in all its 90ft glory. The locals are brilliantly enthusiastic about the mission, and you can take a look at the impressive work in progress in The Longshed. After a weekend of eating, walking and soaking up the charm of this riverside town and all its history, I reckon Woodbridge is quite possibly the happiest place to live in the UK. And it's just as great to visit. It may even feature frequently on my property searches . . . GO: WOODBRIDGE STAYING THERE: Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per night. See OUT & ABOUT: Sutton Hoo is open daily, with tickets from £17 for adults, £8.50 for children, under fives go free. See
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I visited the UK's happiest place to live with the country's best pizza and cosy pubs
Make your way to stunning Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland HOO KNEW? I visited the UK's happiest place to live with the country's best pizza and cosy pubs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOU have probably heard of Sutton Hoo, the Suffolk site where a huge Anglo-Saxon ship was discovered under ancient grassy mounds. Excitement around the medieval treasure trove grew in 2021 when Carey Mulligan starred in a Netflix movie about the discovery, The Dig. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Enjoy Woodbridge harbour with its sail boats Credit: Alamy 3 Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per night Credit: Supplied But it's not just ancient artefacts, old textiles and traditional silverware that make this area so special. The site sits close to Woodbridge, an off-grid market town on the banks of the River Deben that was recently crowned the UK's happiest place to live by Rightmove. Having spent a weekend soaking up its moreish cocktail of history, gorgeous views and cracking food — including one of the best pizzas I've ever had — I'm inclined to agree. It was a short trip for me and my partner across the Essex/Suffolk border, where we checked into one of Woodbridge's best-known hotels, The Crown. The charming inn features ten comfortable boutique rooms, with enormous beds and grand panelled bathtubs. The property's position, smack bang on the thoroughfare of the town, is perfect for soaking up the best Woodbridge has to offer, within walking distance of a high street scattered with independent shops. Swing by The W Gallery if you get a chance. We were captivated by a huge canvas of an avenue of neon orange trees by artist Samuel Thomas. A few doors down, at Bois Jolie, the owner explained how he went from market researcher to owning his own woodcraft business. Now, rather than staring at spreadsheets and pie charts, he spends his time creating interesting coffee tables and beautifully grained yew lamp stands, topped by his wife's colourful handmade shades. north wales staycation If we weren't convinced before, we certainly were after that: Woodbridge really is a town of happy people — and they love to chat. We had made sure we were well fuelled for our first day of adventure with a huge brekkie of juicy local sausages and perfectly poached eggs at the hotel. Make sure you book in here for dinner one night, too. The Crown's restaurant and bar are buzzing with locals on a Saturday night. If you ever tire of the hotel's jam-packed burgers, fish and chips and flavoursome salads, you won't need to venture far for a decent meal in Woodbridge. I recommend The Woodyard Ltd, where the air was thick with the lip-smacking scent of smoke and garlic. Its wood-fired pizzas are something special and we were grateful for our cold beers after devouring a Vesuvio — all charred dough, spicy nduja sausage and fiery salami. The queue for tables stretched out of the door and, after eating, it was easy to see why. The Anchor proved the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday roast. My plate came piled high with pork, doused in a stock-rich gravy that was so good I would have happily drunk it from a mug. Once we were finished feasting, we walked it off along Woodbridge's River Deben and the marina, where hundreds of colourful boats are moored. 3 The Crown serves cracking food Credit: Supplied Take a peek at the tide mill on your wander. The Grade I listed mill is one of the few remaining in the country and has a history stretching back 800 years. We then made our way towards Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland. This National Trust area is full of wildlife and we spotted a heron motionless at the water's edge while, in the distance, deer darted between the trees. While we didn't get the chance to visit the mounds of Sutton Hoo itself on the other side of the river, its connection to the town is deepening. It's thought the ship and its treasure were hauled three miles up to the burial site from Woodbridge in the 7th Century, and now a community-led project is rebuilding the ancient craft in all its 90ft glory. The locals are brilliantly enthusiastic about the mission, and you can take a look at the impressive work in progress in The Longshed. After a weekend of eating, walking and soaking up the charm of this riverside town and all its history, I reckon Woodbridge is quite possibly the happiest place to live in the UK. And it's just as great to visit. It may even feature frequently on my property searches . . .
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
End of an era for Hazleton pizzeria
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's the end of an era for a beloved local restaurant that's been around for decades. The business closed on Saturday after 50 years of serving its community. Vesuvio's Pizza in Hazleton said its goodbyes: A bittersweet night for owners, staff, and customers alike. There have been roughly 2,600 Saturdays that Vesuvio's Pizza has served customers in Hazleton. But this one is different. It is the last Saturday for the business that opened in 1975, the product of Italian immigrants, fresh off the boat. 'My grandparents' legacy isn't just a building. It's us as their grandkids and what we're still doing in the community,' Vesuvio's Pizzeria & Ristorante Co-Owner Donald Sabatino said. The three-generation restaurant managed to stay in the same family, quickly becoming a staple of downtown Hazleton, and in more recent years expanding to locations in Wilkes-Barre and Drums. Glitz on display for annual fundraiser to help abused children Vesuvio's co-owner, Donald Sabatino, says letting his grandparents' shop go isn't easy. He recalls memories from his own childhood, working in the kitchen with his grandparents and helping to make Vesuvio's what it is today. 'Spending time with the family. It was almost like, this is what we did, we didn't know anything else. We would go to work in the morning, we'd be here all day, and that's all we did,' Sabatino explained. He says the shop saw generations of school children stopping by for lunch or a snack after Friday night football, something one long-time customer remembers well. 'In the years past, it was really very popular, especially after high school games,' Hazleton resident Andrea Preputnick said. Another customer was one of those kids. He says he's been coming to Vesuvios for pizza since junior high, making one final visit Saturday afternoon. 'A lot of good Friday nights here after football games at the stadium and stuff, and coming down and spending some time with the family. They've become friends over the years and, you know, just happy to be able to support them here one last time,' Matt Balliet from Drums said. But the Vesuvio's legacy runs deeper than just this building, something Sabatino says influenced the decision by him and his two siblings to sell. While they still have their two other locations, what was created here in Hazleton is irreplaceable. 'Just the memories that were here. We built a lot of friendships, a lot of memories that came out of this place. Yeah,' Sabatino added. Sabatino says the Hazleton building already has a buyer, and he says the sentimental photos at the shop will be displayed at the Vesuvio's restaurant in Drums. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Barack Obama reportedly spotted in North Beach Thursday night
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Former President Barack Obama was spotted in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood Thursday night. The former commander in chief was on the West Coast this week. On Wednesday, he made an appearance at Inglewood's Intuit Dome where he took in the Los Angeles Clippers vs Detroit Pistons game in the company of Clippers owner, Steve Balmer. The 44th president's West Coast jaunt also apparently included a stopover in the City by the Bay. According to users on Reddit, Obama was seen near North Beach mainstay, Vesuvio. Tony! Toni! Tone! guitarist D'Wayne Wiggins dies 'There was a crowd gathered around Vesuvio as I approached it last night, lots of cops blocking traffic,' a user posted. 'I thought maybe there was some sort of violent crime or something happening, but as I approached the crowd of onlookers, I heard what everyone was muttering about. Apparently Barack Obama was there, flanked by Secret Service and everything. Was anybody else there? Can anyone confirm it?' 'Can confirm we saw him,' another user posted. 'We noticed heavy security way beyond what even Pelosi rolls with, so we stopped to watch and he quickly ducked out of an adjacent doorway into a black SUV and they sped off.' So was the former president grabbing a beer at Vesuvio, the decades-old North Beach bar, famous as a hangout for Jack Kerouac and the beatniks? It doesn't seem like it. Apparently, there is a private dining space located above the bar called Officina, owned by the Quince & Co. restaurant group. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, former President Obama was dining there on Thursday. Users on Reddit corroborated the Chronicle's report. 'There is a low key dinner spot upstairs that does private service for high profile people,' a user posted. 'If he stopped into Vesuvio, it's probably because he was having dinner upstairs.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
