Golden beach an hour from London starred in famous film but is miles from the sea
Just a stone's throw from London lies an idyllic sandy beach that has featured on the big screen – but interestingly, it lies nowhere near the sea. It's easy to forget that you don't need to travel all the way to the coast to enjoy a brilliant beach day – especially as the weather continues to heat up. Instead, you can make your way to Frensham Great Pond in Surrey. The Green Flag award-winning site boasts excellent water quality and soft yellow sands.
Located between Farnham and Hindhead, Frensham Great Pond is just an hour and a half drive away from London. This makes it the perfect daytrip spot for anyone around the area.
While the pond is a popular spot for families during bouts of warm weather, there are times when the pond quiets down and you can enjoy a much more peaceful swim.
As reported by The Sun, one swimmer wrote on Facebook: "Cracking swim at the famous Frensham Ponds in Surrey. Had the whole place to ourselves, bliss!" Another described it as a "lovely place for a stroll.' They also said that the pond was 'ideal for families' going for a swim.
The pond is part of the larger Frensham Common, which is about a thousand acres, and which includes Frensham Little Pond. It is owned and managed by the National Trust and Waverley Borough Council.
Both ponds were built in the Middle Ages under the direction of the Bishop of Winchester William de Raleigh, in order to provide fish for his visits to Farnham Castle.
Frensham Little Pond was also used as a tank training ground during World War II, after it was drained. The pond was then acquired by Mr Atherton in 1949, who had it refilled, before giving it to the National Trust 1974.
It's also a hotspot for wildlife lovers. Frensham Common is one of only two sites in Surrey where you can find all six of the UK's native reptiles: the smooth snake, grass snake, adder, sand lizard, common lizard and the slow-worm.
Occasionally, Blue-Green Algae can be found during summer months. In this case, a sign will go up to warn swimmers about entering the pond.
Frensham Pond also has an extensive star-studded legacy. One of its most notable appearances was in the 1999 film, The Mummy, for a Nile scene.
The pond also stole the limelight in Snow White and the Huntsman when it was used to depict a fishing village. The cast included Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth.
It's also been used as a backdrop in several TV series, including the 1960s Carry On Jack. The popular series, The Witcher, starring Henry Caville, also includes Frensham. Meanwhile, Frensham Little Pond made an appearance in the Netflix series, Cursed. There, it was used to portray Nimue's home village.
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brainy new Google ‘AI Mode' that finds you cheap hols & saves you money launches in UK as boss brands it ‘magical'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of Brits now have access to a supercharged version of Google called AI Mode. A new button is now appearing on UK phones and computers that makes Google more 'powerful' than ever – and insiders told The Sun it could save you time, money and even bag you bargain holidays. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Google has added a new AI Mode button to its search bar Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 13 You'll be able to ask far more complicated queries Credit: Google AI Mode is powered by Google's brainy bots and launched in the US earlier in the year. Now the new version of Google has made it to the UK, and will appear for all Brits by the end of the week. It lets you make 'previously impossible' searches, like complicated questions about planning your big summer holiday. 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Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
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Inside Brooklyn Beckham's ‘financial flex' in feud with dad David as his £85m superyacht dwarfs family's £16m vessel
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BROOKLYN Beckham is trying to outdo his estranged dad David — by going on holiday on his billionaire in-laws' massive yacht. The 26-year-old sailed into Saint-Tropez in an £85million, 80-metre (260ft) vessel called Project X. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 10 Brooklyn Beckham with wife Nicola on holiday on her billionaire parents' massive yacht Credit: Instagram 10 David and Victoria arrived in the same French dock in a £16million, 40-metre (130ft) yacht named Seven Credit: INSTAGRAM/VICTORIA BECKHAM 10 10 It is rented by his wife Nicola's parents Nelson and Claudia Peltz at a cost of £1.2million a week. Two days later, Brooklyn's dad David, 50, and mum Victoria, 51, arrived in the same French dock in a £16million, 40-metre (130ft) yacht named Seven. A source said: 'Brooklyn's yacht dwarfs the one owned by David and Victoria. It's a financial flex. 'Their relationship is beyond soured now but Brooklyn has really landed on his feet. Nicola and her parents, Nelson and Claudia, are his family now. And he's clearly enjoying the spoils.' Brooklyn's vessel, with a master suite, a VIP cabin, five double rooms and two twin cabins, has a crew of 28. It also boasts a 25ft by 9ft glass-sided swimming pool, a wellness suite, a spa and a 360-degree sundeck. David's yacht is half the size, with five cabins that sleep ten people, and up to seven crew members on board. The boat, which he bought in 2022, also features a spa bath on the upper deck as well as a 65ft garage, which is packed with water toys including a tender and a jet ski. David and Victoria bought Seven — so-called because of their daughter Harper's middle name — in an upgrade from a smaller £5million vessel. They are in Saint-Tropez with Harper, 14, and their other sons Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 20. David and Victoria Beckham's agony as family feud explodes into WW3 and pals say 'Brooklyn has totally cut them off' Brooklyn, along with his wife Nicola, 30, no longer speak to his family following a much-publicised feud earlier this year, which The Sun understands was sparked by money. We first revealed the rift in May. But it worsened earlier this month after brothers Romeo and Cruz appeared to block Brooklyn and Nicola on social media. Those close to Brooklyn said a reconciliation with his family was off the table, adding: 'There's too much water under the bridge.' Brooklyn and Nicola have posted pictures from their break on social media — including one of her naked in one of the yacht's baths. Aspiring cook, photographer and model Brooklyn also posted a snap of himself drinking a bottle of beer next to billionaire businessman Nelson. 10 Brooklyn taking a dip in St. Tropez, where he is staying with his wife Credit: BackGrid 10 Brooklyn shared snaps following his luxury boat trip on Instagram Credit: Instagram 10 Brooklyn hangs out on the mega-expensive vessel Credit: Instagram Brooklyn and Nicola have also been seen out shopping in posh boutiques in and around Saint-Tropez. He also met his godfather, singer Sir Elton John, last week in Cannes. Sir Elton is said to have tried to be a peacemaker in Brooklyn's feud — but is not taking sides. An insider said: 'Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland. He's utterly neutral in this row. He just wants everyone to be happy. 'He wants to look after them in his role as 'spiritual adviser' as a godfather. It's a role he takes seriously.' 10 Brooklyn and Nicola no longer speak to his family following a much-publicised feud Credit: Instagram 10 Brooklyn and Nicola have posted pictures from their break on social media Credit: Instagram
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
PIP households can get 10 free and cheap days out this summer holiday – see the full list
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