Wiltshire in pictures: Magical murals, tiny foxes and a donkey
The perfect blue skies may have faded away but everyone seemed to be feeling the joy of spring ahead of the Easter weekend.As the county bursts into bloom, Swindon is getting in on the action with a brand new mural from graffiti artist HazardOne on the side of the old Debenhams building.Her vibrant yellow and orange blooms are part of work to rejuvenate the town centre.Elsewhere, Longleat has welcomed three new north African Fennec fox cubs, while staff at the stately home have embarked on an enormous spring clean of the building's 128 rooms.
Palm Sunday: A donkey from the rescue charity Kelly's Donkeys joined the procession from Salisbury Cathedral on 13 April.Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week in Western Christianity and falls on the Sunday before Easter.
Spring to life: Stonehenge may be ancient but the stones are still a haven of life, with spring flowers blooming at their base.
Bundles of joy: These three Fennec fox kits - the world's smallest fox species - were born at Longleat, and were they only litter of their species born in the UK this year.They are now being hand-reared by keepers because their mother, Zuri, does not produce enough milk to feed all of them.
Elbow grease: Longleat's conservation team are undertaking a thorough deep clean of the stately home's rooms and artefacts - delving into the nooks and crannies that can harbour pests such as clothes, moths and silverfish.Staff have the task of cleaning more than 300 windows, hundreds of ceramic pieces, glass and silverware, as well as 44,000 books and a 300-year-old chandelier.
Cosmic sparkles: The Northern Lights graced the skies of the West Country once again this week, putting on a spectacular display. This image was captured over homes in Salisbury.
Easter revival: The congregation of All Saints Church in Lydiard Millicent returned to the 11th-century church on Palm Sunday nine months after it closed for renovations including works to its roof, flooring and organ and installation of a new kitchen.The service was led by Rt Revd Neil Warwick, the Bishop of Swindon, and after blessing the church, he gathered the congregation to give thanks for the new church pond.
Throwback snap: While the rest of the county was enjoying the warmer weather, Salisbury Cathedral shared a stunning photograph of the building at sunrise taken on a crisp winter morning.The cathedral's famous silhouette is perfectly mirrored in the water at the bottom of the shot.
Swindon Croc returns: A taxidermy gharial, also known as gavial or fish-eating crocodile, gifted to Swindon Borough Council in the 1930s, is soon to be on display at Museum and Art Swindon after much vital restoration work, alongside information about the threats facing the species.Councillor Marina Strinkovsky said the critically endangered animal had "a special place in the hearts of Swindonians", but added that "also has a complex history, and we want to depict its place in the natural world and the British past".
Farmer fury: Farmers parked their tractors in Salisbury town centre in protest at changes to inheritance tax law around farming land.Organised by campaign group Farmers to Action, it says the changes will spell the end of many family farms already struggling to survive.
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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Small European island 3 hours from the UK 'overrun' with 10,000 tourists a day
The small island located a 20-minute ferry ride from the Maltese mainland is being swamped by tourists visiting the famous Blue Lagoon With its idyllic Mediterranean climate, rich history spanning more than 7,000 years, and stunning beaches, it's little wonder that this picturesque European island has become a holiday haven. Situated between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta welcomed nearly 3.6 million tourists in 2024 and is expecting even more this year. Just a 20-minute journey from the mainland lies the island of Comino, famous for its breathtaking Blue Lagoon - a natural 1.4 square-mile pool that has become a magnet for tourists. What was once a tranquil destination is now overrun with 10,000 visitors daily, according to Metro, leaving locals increasingly frustrated with the industry that brings "unsustainable" numbers to the area during peak season. In February, Malta's Tourism Minister, Ian Borg, vowed to "clean up" Comino by introducing a capacity cap to prevent commercial boat operators from overwhelming the area. "During July and August, 10,000 people descend on Comino's Blue Lagoon every day, and that's too many," the minister stated, according to The Times of Malta. He noted that the island could not "keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space," adding that the "plan is to reduce the number of passengers by half". Comino, with its mere two permanent residents, is not just a picturesque getaway but also a Natura 2000 marine protected area and an Important Bird Area (IBA), crucial for the 50 to 80 breeding pairs of yelkouan shearwaters it supports. Tourism experts have expressed concerns about the impact of overtourism on Comino and proposed potential solutions. Eammon Turley, CEO of MPV Rentals, expressed his full backing for Minister Borg's capacity cap to the Express: "It's a good move if Malta wants to preserve Comino for future generations and maintain its charm as a destination [in] nature." He warned about the often-overlooked impact of mass tourism: "Most tourists forget that huge crowds have tangible environmental effects- like destroying bird habitats, rodents from the garbage food, and wearing out the very shores and water tourists travelled miles to see in the first place." Turleyalso highlighted the importance of balancing tourism income with sustainability: "Something to consider here, too, is achieving balance between tourism revenue and long-term sustainability," adding that reducing visitor numbers doesn't put off tourists but rather enhances their experience. He added: "Cutting back on numbers doesn't deter tourists-it makes it smarter. I always tell tourists to get out and visit more than the biggest attractions first." Turleyencouraged visitors to explore beyond the well-trodden paths: "Malta has got so many other lovely things, like little coves, promenades, and culture that can give a fuller and calmer experience. Comino's not just about the Blue Lagoon - it's about the whole island. A more even distribution of visitors across different areas and times would be a great help in decongesting the areas." Travel expert Alexandra Dubakova, CMO at Free Walking Tours, echoed: "Even with the 10,000 tourists per day, most areas of the island are under-visited. Zejtun, for example, is one of Malta's oldest towns. Yet it is ignored because it is inland and not on cruise routes. "Last month, one of our Maltese guides cancelled a walking tour in Valletta because the streets were too congested. The guide couldn't show our clients around well enough to give them a meaningful experience without interference. The overstrain is slowly starting to collapse cultural experiences, beating the point of tourism. "I believe the solution should be better flow management. Nudge travellers to the ignored locations so tourists spread out and stay longer. Capping daily numbers without diversifying visitors' experience might turn Malta into a gated attraction." Meanwhile, Roisin Miller, who runs the travel blog roabouttown, recounted her visit to Malta from three years past and described the Blue Lagoon as "so busy we couldn't find a place to sit and could barely find somewhere to bob in the water". She expressed her lack of surprise at Minister Borg's measures, saying: "It will be sad for some tourists, but the rocks and area need protecting. Plus it was not actually enjoyable as a tourist [...] I do think more needs to be done to stop overtourism." Kanika Puri, Chief Customer Officer at Fast Cover Travel Insurance, cast a spotlight on the contentious approval of a substantial hotel set to be constructed on the island in the coming years. "Not only [is] the construction is highly disputed but it also doesn't solve the issue of curbing mass tourism in the meantime," she remarked. Heading towards luxury and exclusivity, the brand-new Six Senses Comino is set to welcome its first guests in 2027. Developed by HV Hospitality, under the wing of Hili Ventures, and to be overseen by the opulent hotel brand Six Senses—as stated by European Spa Magazine—the retreat promises to sprawl across two island bays, boasting 71 suites, 19 retreats, and an indulgent spa. Maltese-American Liz Delia of Zest for Latitudes reflected on the island's tourist density, observing that while Malta on the whole hasn't seemed more packed than other Mediterranean hotspots, Comino remains a "clear exception", with environmental concerns around the iconic Blue Lagoon looming large. "When we were there in 2023, we actually skipped Comino altogether and spent time instead exploring quieter bays and coves on Gozo and the main island. Comino is undeniably stunning, but it's hard to enjoy when it's packed with people. "That's also what I suggest to my readers: if they're set on going, try to visit in the shoulder season - May, September, or even October. Otherwise, there are plenty of equally gorgeous (and more peaceful) alternatives."
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Sue and Noel Radford shamed by animal lovers for ‘cruel' photo opportunity on latest family holiday
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JUST one month after parents-of-22 Sue and Noel Radford flew to Florida for Sue's £50,000 bumper 50th birthday trip, and another Disney getaway - the family is back in Orlando once more. The Morecambe-based brood has shared an insight into their holiday, and this time they went all out at a National Park. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Some people thought the photo opportunity looked chaotic Credit: youtube/@theradfordfamily 3 Even Noel got in on the action and held one of the alligators Credit: youtube/@theradfordfamily 3 The family took pictures as the animals were passed around Credit: youtube/@theradfordfamily In the family's viral video, they showed themselves wandering around the sprawling park, even taking in the sights on a boat tour. But it was the meet and greet with baby alligators that caused a stir with viewers on YouTube. In the video, some of the kids can be seen posing with the animals, as well as Noel. "You're in your element aren't you," Sue said to daughter, Phoebe, as she proudly held onto the animal. But the chaotic clip, which also showed other youngsters clinging onto the alligators in a crowded space left a bad taste in some people's mouths. One person commented: "Poor bloody alligators with mouths taped up so humans can get photos. Cruel and sad." "That is so so cruel holding them while mouths are taped they are wild animals," a second agreed. "That's so cruel the way their mouths are taped up so they can be passed about and photographed. Don't agree with that crap," another commented on the video. And someone else chimed in: "Looks utter chaos when they're all holding the alligators. Crowded! "Better organisation is needed, poor gators and their mouths are taped. All for tourism and entertainment." Sophie Radford puts split behind her on day out with Millie, but it comes to a shocking end amid Liverpool parade panic The Radford family haven't responded to any of the comments on the video calling them out. But this isn't the first time the bumper brood has come under fire. £26,000 flights Sue and her husband Noel not only took their own children to Florida in April, but all of their grandchildren with them too - making the most of the Easter break from school. Sue, 50, and Noel, 54, are parents to Chris, 36, Sophie, 31, Chloe, 29, Jack, 28, Daniel, 26, Luke, 24, Millie, 23, Katie, 22, James, 21, Ellie, 20, Aimee, 19, Josh, 17, Max, 16, Tillie, 15, Oscar, 13, Casper, 12, Haillie, 10, Phoebe, 8, Archie, 7, Bonnie, 6, and Heidie, 5. Sadly the couple's 17th child Alfie was still born on July 6, 2014. All in, the family are thought to have sent a jaw-dropping £26,228 on flights - and that's before the excess charges or any extra baggage. It's not known if the whole family is back out for their second visit. £20k park tickets Based on the cost of a seven-day Disney visit, which would require each guest to hold a 7-Day Magic Ticket for entrance, Sue and Noel could have forked out £20,065 for each of their Florida trips this year. Luckily for Sue and Noel, children under the age of three go free. So some of the children on the trip won't cost a penny to get into the park. The tickets include access to the park and water parks with the eligibility to enter multiple parks per day. Holders will also have the 'memory maker' package which includes unlimited Disney photopass downloads - pictures taken by photographers around the park, on rides and in restaurants. £6k accommodation Sue and Noel have spoken about their approach to holiday accommodation previously, while appearing on the This Morning show - they revealed they usually opt for a villa to save costs and ensure the bunch can bunk close together. Last September, they shared an Orlando Villa Tour on their Facebook page to their 944,000 followers. One eagle-eyed viewer recognised the accommodation as similar to a property listed on rental site, Vrbo. The glam Vrbo house sleeps 15, so Sue and Noel will need to book 3 to comfortably house all 39 travellers.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Scottish holidaymakers swap summer for autumn as extreme heat reshapes holiday habits
Seventy-six per cent of UK holidaymakers say European holiday hotspots will become too hot to visit. 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... With the UK having endured its hottest week on record, many Scottish travellers are already changing their holiday plans – swapping southern Europe for cooler climes, shifting travel dates from summer to spring, or rethinking where they'll go altogether. New research from InsureandGo reveals that the prospect of another summer of extreme heat is now directly beginning to shape overseas travel choices. InsureandGo asked a representative sample of 2,000 adults how rising temperatures during the summer had impacted their planning for their main annual holiday – and which holiday hotspots they thought would become too hot to visit in the next five years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While 27% of Scots said they will stick with holidaying abroad during the peak summer period - and will take steps to be prepared for hot weather – the majority of respondents are considering changes to their holiday plans: Garry Nelson · 45% of Scots said they are looking to shift their main holiday a month or two to spring or autumn - those with children making fuller use of Easter and half-term holidays. Scots were the people most likely in the UK to look to move their main holiday of the year. · 24% of Scots say they're still planning a summer getaway but will actively seek out cooler countries. · 4% cent of respondents in the region say they're now more likely to take a winter break instead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The consideration given to changing holiday plans is a direct result of growing public concern over extreme heat and wildfires during the summer months, a regular feature of recent years. This summer, 76% of adults think one or more popular holiday destinations will be too hot to visit within the next five years – an increase on 70% in 2022. Spain remains the country most commonly seen as becoming too hot for a summer break in the years ahead (40%), followed by Greece (39%), Turkey (36%), Cyprus (30%) and Italy (22%). This is no longer just an overseas holiday worry. Given the record temperatures of recent summers at home, one in ten people believe even the UK could be too hot to enjoy a staycation holiday within the next five years, suggesting extreme heat could pose a significant risk to the domestic tourism industry. Responding to the issue of extreme heat, some people are also rethinking where they go on holiday altogether. Countries like Iceland (22%), Canada (21%) and Sweden (18%) are climbing the list of preferred destinations for cooler summer holidays, along with Ireland (17%) and Finland (16%). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo comments: 'People in Scotland aren't just chasing the sun anymore – they're thinking about how to cope with it. For some, that means skipping July and August altogether. For others, it means ditching southern Europe in favour of cooler destinations. Even the unthinkable is on the cards, as some staycationers become overseas holidaymakers to escape the summer heat in the UK – a country that is not really geared to cope comfortably with extreme heat.'
