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I visited Britain’s ‘worst seaside town’ – the kids love it and it was an absolute bargain | Travel News | Travel
The Lincolnshire coastal town of Skegness is often sneered at for being synonymous with bleak domestic getaways which fail to compete with some of the other popular UK destinations holidaymakers can favour.
Skegness and Clacton-on-Sea, which is further south down England’s east coast in Essex, were ranked bottom of the Which? guide on the best and worst seaside towns in the UK.
Despite Skegness’ reputation, one dad-of-two decided to see whether such a scathing review of the bucket-and-spade resort was fair.
Sam Dimmer took his two boys to Haven’s latest holiday park in Skegness and notwithstanding the town’s poor reviews, he was fairly optimistic about what he would find.
Writing in Nottinghamshire Live he said: “If you set your expectations at the appropriate level then Skegness is a marvellous place to visit, especially if you have young families.
“And Haven has undoubtedly upped its game of late, so I was genuinely excited about heading across Lincolnshire to test things out.”
The new Haven park, which was previously Richmond Holiday Village, has had £11 million speny on it and Sam was thoroughly impressed by the results.
He wrote: “The site has had the full Haven treatment, with an outdoor stage, fake grass and fast-food restaurants galore.
“Inside, the arcade is just like the one down the road at Golden Sands in Mablethorpe and the Richmond Arms restaurant is comfortable and serves decent food that doesn’t cost the earth.”
However the East Midlander said in his eyes the main attraction was the Marina Bar and Stage.
He added: “The crowning glory though is the Marina Bar and Stage, a lovingly put-together entertainment complex that is a great place to spend the evening.
“Its decor is perfectly themed for Skeggy, there are stacks of seats and thanks to the Haven Serve app ordering a drink or food couldn’t be easier.”
Sam was keen to note that his experience of the staff at the new Haven facility was not like any other he had had at similar British seaside resorts.
He added: “Haven has clearly recruited well because every staff member I interacted with genuinely cared and wanted to help and, as a veteran of many caravan holidays, this is not normal.
“It makes such a difference because the park itself still has a little way to go to be where you would assume Haven wants it to be.”
As impressed as Sam undoubtedly was with the Haven park, he did have some reservations about the quality of some of the facilities.
He wrote: “The pool, whilst big, warm, clean and really interesting looking from the inside, has clearly been on the park for a while and has a fair amount of scaffolding surrounding it.
“It’s still great fun though for older kids, but for younger kids that shallow end gets awfully busy.
“And the playground is pretty basic by Haven’s high standards and you would assume that is where park bosses will be next spending some cash. It’s absolutely worth the investment though because this park is already a great place to visit.”
UK village with fairytale castle and wild garlic woodland (Image: Portia Jones)
The unmistakable aroma of wild garlic signals the arrival of spring in Wales, a season marked by the blooming of bluebells, snowdrops and ramson (commonly known as wild garlic). These vibrant green, spear-like leaves blanket the Welsh countryside during spring, adorning shady meadows, dense woodlands, and the banks of winding streams. They can also be delicately hand-picked to add a burst of flavour to your evening meal.
In bustling cities like Cardiff, these tender shoots may be harder to come by. However, just beyond the city’s hustle and bustle, near the quaint village of Taff’s Well, lies a woodland area where the forest floor is gradually coming alive with this culinary gem.
Located beside the fairytale-like Castell Coch, Fforest Fawr is an ancient woodland managed by Forestry Commission Wales (Image: Portia Jones)
Fforest Fawr
Nestled next to the enchanting Castell Coch, Fforest Fawr is an ancient woodland managed by Forestry Commission Wales and ranks among Cardiff’s top forest walks.
Stroll along its leafy paths, and you’ll soon spot the first sprouts of aromatic wild garlic growing amidst vibrant bluebells and wood anemones.
This natural haven boasts several nature conservation designations, including a Special Area of Conservation, and offers numerous walking trails for exploration.
There’s also a charming café nearby – complete with indoor and outdoor seating – accessible via a forest trail and renowned for its mouth-watering toasties!
Found in the dense woodlands surrounding Castle Coch in Wales, wild garlic already started to grow (Image: John Myers)
Foraging for wild garlic in Fforest Fawr
Forage for this aromatic seasoning when it’s fully grown; be aware the timing can vary from year to year. Bring a bag for collecting and scissors to snip the leaves.
If you’re hunting for wild garlic in Fforest Fawr, look for broad, spear-shaped green leaves carpeting the forest floor between March and May. It’s still a little early for foraging, but they should be carpeting the forest floor soon.
When foraging, stick to picking the leaves rather than the bulbs, and be mindful not to take too much. Leaving plenty behind helps the plant thrive for seasons to come.
If you’re unsure if it’s wild garlic you’ve picked, just sniff it. Its mild, garlicky aroma is unmistakable. You can turn your foraged garlic into pesto or sprinkle it liberally on dishes like roast lamb and risotto.
If you want to explore beyond the patches of wild garlic, you’ll find three walking trails in Fforest Faw (Image: John Myers)
Walking in Fforest Fawr
If you want to explore beyond the patches of wild garlic, you’ll find three walking trails in Fforest Fawr, including a family-friendly sculpture trail and another scenic trail that starts from the Castell Coch car park.
As you wander through the woodland, keep an eye out for the mounds and hollows-these are remnants of old iron-mining workings, with their spoil heaps now softened by nature’s reclaiming touch.
The dragon trail around Fforest Fawr behind Castell Coch is ideal for those looking for a walk in nature with some sculptures thrown into the mix.
Explore the forests and encounter an array of wood carvings, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking views over Craig yr Allt and the Garth on a mile-long family-friendly walk that culminates at the enchanting Castell Coch.
After exploring the woodlands, head to Castell Coch (Image: Portia Jones)
Discover the fairytale wonder of Castell Coch
Step out of the woodlands and into the pages of a storybook at Castell Coch. This 19th-century Gothic Revival gem is tucked within the ancient beech trees, enchanting visitors with its majestic appearance.
Rising from the remnants of a medieval fortress once dubbed “castrum rubeum” or “the red castle”, Castell Coch was resurrected from ruin by the exceptional vision of the Third Marquess of Bute and his architect William Burges.
Fusing medieval remnants with Victorian innovation, historian Charles Kightly hailed this architectural masterpiece as the epitome of Britain’s Gothic Revival.
Presently, tourists are invited to traverse time within the lavishly adorned interiors of the castle.
Worked up an appetite after all that exploring? Make your way to the dog-friendly Forest Tea Rooms (Image: Portia Jones)
Replenish at the Forest Tea Rooms
After partaking in the array of activities, stop by the dog-friendly Forest Tea Rooms for a scrumptious and affordable bite.
This unique forest retreat offers a warm ambience, complete with mismatched furniture, a toasty fireplace, outdoor seating, and even some majestic resident peacocks echoing across the woodland.
Just a stone’s throw away from the entrance of Castell Coch, this quaint café offers a delightful array of hot and cold nibbles. If you happen to drop by on a Sunday, prepare yourself for a hearty roast dinner reminiscent of your grandmother’s cooking.
Choose a snug corner by the fireplace or opt for an outdoor seat amidst verdant foliage and local fauna.
The tea room is accessible via Heol-Y-Fforest, a brief walk uphill from Castell Coch, or simply follow the convenient signs scattered along the woodland paths.
As the holiday season approaches and travel plans come together, it’s a great time to invest in new luggage. Before the busy period of school holidays and annual leave, you can find great deals on family-friendly suitcases.
A fantastic option is the Set of 3 Montreal 4 Wheel Soft Suitcases from Marks and Spencer, which includes small, medium, and large cases for £150. The matching set adds a stylish, professional touch to your travels. With the smaller case meeting size restrictions for Jet2, easyJet, and British Airways, it’s no wonder the set has earned a 4.6 out of 5 rating from travellers.
The Montreal Set includes three soft-shell suitcases designed for practicality and convenience. Each case has four double wheels for smooth movement and a pull-up trolley handle for easy airport navigation.
Grab handles on the top and sides make lifting effortless, while external zipped pockets offer quick access to travel essentials.
Inside, the suitcases provide ample storage with sectioned pouches for better organization. Additionally, all three cases are expandable, offering extra packing space when needed.
The luggage set includes:
- Cabin size: Measures 54cm (H) x 34cm (W) x 25cm (D), with a 40L capacity and weighing 2.45kg.
- Medium size: Measures 66cm (H) x 39cm (W) x 29cm (D), offering a 64L capacity and weighing 3kg.
- Large size: Measures 77cm (H) x 45cm (W) x 33cm (D), providing a 103L capacity and weighing 3.65kg.
The soft sided design helps the case to feel lightweight and easy to pull even when full. If these aren’t quite what you are looking for, Amazon is selling the Showkoo 3-Piece Suitcase Set for £149. Available in choice of colours, the suitcase bundle has over 5000 reviews.
Alternatively, Antler is offering 20% off the Lightest Soft Stripe Luggage Set – an investment piece loved by frequent flyers, the set is on sale for £496.
Customers who have already purchased the three-piece suitcase set from Marks and Spencer have left glowing reviews on M&S.com. One said: “Perfect set. Good quality and size. I’m very satisfied with this purchase”
Another added: “I took my time looking for replacement cases and these fit the bill. With good sizes and having four wheels and a long guarantee this is a great buy.”
One M&S shopper was a little less enthusiastic, however, raising concerns about the manoeuvrability of the cases. “They feel quite awkward to pull on 4 wheels. A bit like a shopping trolley with a mind of its own,” they said.
Most shoppers loved them though, with another exclaiming: “I’m delighted with this set of suitcases. They look strong and have adequate spaces inside for shoes and clothes. A good buy!”
You can explore the Marks and Spencer luggage range here. Always check the luggage restrictions on your ticket before you fly.
A woman has taken to social media to share what she thinks is one of the worst airport habits people have while waiting for a flight. Posting to TikTok, the woman who goes by the name of nicoletravelandlife, said the most annoying thing people do is to queue to get on the plane as soon as it’s ready to board.
She said there are two types of people at an airport, those who wait until the last minute to get on and those who form a huge queue immediately even though the gate isn’t actually open yet. The woman shared her thoughts while waiting for a Ryanair flight to Romania.
There are many common airport habits which often cause issues when people are waiting for their flights.
A commenter said people often try to get on first to ensure luggage space.
The person said: “Also to your first point – people queue to get on first for luggage space nowadays as it’s so tight.”
Another said: “This is why you should always pay for your specific seat.”
One person added: “Does it matter if people queue or not, can people do what they want at an airport please, there is enough stress with flying.”
Another bug-bear for many travellers is when people try to rush to the front of the security line and push in to get through first.
Some people may not be considerate when you are seated next to them on the plane. For example, they may be loud or messy or take up too much space.
Other passengers may fail to properly prepare for security screening, holding up the line by fumbling with their bags and shoes.
And there are those who ignore overhead storage rules, taking up more space than needed and forcing others to scramble to find room for their carry-ons.
To make sure you’re not going to be an annoying passenger, you should be aware of your surroundings when flying.
Make sure to prepare your items for security in advance can help speed up the process and avoid holding up others.
Keep your conversations quiet and avoiding phone calls in shared spaces can make the flight experience more pleasant for everyone.
The woman urged people to be aware of their surroundings to ensure all passengers are happy and comfortable when flying.
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