Newport included in author's quest to find hidden gems
His book focused on such locations, titled Sh*tty Breaks, was written "not to take the mickey, or to stick the boot in, but to seek out the good stuff, to uncover the gems, to have a nice time."
His adventure took him skiing in Sunderland, to the football in Wrexham, and saw him fall in love with Dunfermline.
Sh*tty Breaks includes Newport (Image: Supplied) Each expedition aimed to shed light on the "underdog" towns and cities that often fly under the radar of avid explorers.
According to Ben, there is "no such thing as a sh*tty break," and he promotes the idea of a less expensive and more sustainable brand of travel which "spreads its affection beyond the usual suspects".
He champions the importance of shifting attention from overdone and overpriced travel hotspots to underappreciated destinations.
His book has been described as an antidote to the "smug travelogues" of popular places, as Ben makes his way around the less celebrated cities of the British Isles.
Author Ben Aitken (Image: Supplied)
Kate Wickers, author of Shape of a Boy, said: "New York?
"Pah!
"After reading this, I'm off to Newport instead to see what's occurring.
"With Aitken's trademark gentle humour and astute observation, this is a book about finding treasure in the most underrated places, and I absolutely loved it."
While the author does not visit Newport in the book, setting aside only a few sentences to include the Isle of Wight, it is possible that more content could be included in the actual book.
To celebrate his book launch, Ben chose to host an event in the city.
Readers will get the chance to ask questions, interact, and get their book signed at Waterstones on Commercial Street on Tuesday, May 27, at 6.30pm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- The Guardian
The moment I knew: moving so far and so fast wasn't in my character but it just felt right
In December 2024 I arrived in Sydney ready for an adventure. A friend was getting married in Australia and I had originally booked the trip with my ex, but when he dropped out after our breakup I decided to go ahead. I was considering quitting my job and moving back to the Netherlands so, even though I didn't know what my future would look like, I was ready for a holiday. I planned a week with friends in Sydney and Newcastle, a week with a friend travelling up the east coast and a final week on my own. On New Year's Eve I'd been at an all-day boat party on Sydney Harbour when a friend said she was off to meet an old flame of hers at a fireworks event in Bondi. I remember her telling me he had a nice single brother called Ben and showing me a photo: he had a moustache, was wearing a tank top and didn't look like my type at all. I told her I wasn't interested. I just wanted to stay with friends. When my friend's taxi arrived she pulled me in with her – and thank goodness she did because, when I met Ben in person, he looked completely different to the guy in the photos – tall and handsome with a big smile. He immediately made me laugh. We kissed within 10 minutes of saying hello, which was about half an hour before midnight. Ben had been ill with food poisoning and hadn't been in particularly high spirits until we arrived but said he immediately forgot about all of that. There was just this instant connection and we both felt as though we had nothing to lose. We lived too far apart to ever see each other again. The following day Ben and his brother invited my friend and me to a music festival. We worried it would be awkward at first but Ben and I picked up where we'd left off. We were like little kids running between stages. The next morning I had to leave for the wedding in Newcastle. I remember kissing Ben goodbye at the ferry terminal in Manly, wondering if I'd ever see this man again but knowing I definitely wanted to. We started texting straight away and I was so distracted I ended up missing my connecting train. Later in the trip I got an ear infection just before a five-day scuba diving expedition on the Great Barrier Reef. I cancelled – and something inside me was happy to, knowing that it would give me five days without a plan. Ben was competing in a triathlon in Nelson Bay and he asked if I wanted to come watch him drown, which felt like a fun way to hang out. It turned out to be an indirect invitation to stay with his aunt and uncle for the weekend. I booked a flight immediately. At this point I saw the whole thing as a bit of fun – a holiday romance, nothing serious. Being so far from home gave me a kind of 'why not' mentality. We both knew long-distance between London and Sydney would never work so we just decided to enjoy each other's company for as long as we had it. Over the next couple of days we spent time with his aunt and uncle, slept in a tent on the beach and competed in a mini-triathlon together. I remember travelling back to Sydney with Ben holding my hand the whole way back. He didn't want to let me go and I felt the same way. He booked flights to Melbourne with me for the Australian Open that week, and I ended up delaying my return flight so we could have an extra day together. Leaving each other at Melbourne airport was when we decided to see if maybe we could make long-distance work after all. We agreed to meet in Scotland six weeks later, calling each other every day in the meantime. I met all of Ben's family and friends on that trip to Scotland and, after four days, he asked me to be his girlfriend. This time when we went our separate ways it wasn't just goodbye until the next trip; it was goodbye until we moved in together. It wasn't in my character to do things like this but it just felt right and my friends and family could see that. They told me to take a leap of faith and see what happened. Ben and I reunited eight weeks later at Sydney airport and this time I was holding more than just a holiday bag. It turns out that my first impressions of Ben were right; we talked non-stop that New Year's Eve and, to be honest, we've never really stopped. He is still that fun and charismatic guy who makes me feel comfortable. For now Australia is our home but we plan to move back to Europe together in the longer term. Whether that's England, Scotland or the Netherlands remains to be seen – that's for figuring out later down the line. All I know is that we will find our home together. Do you have a romantic realisation you'd like to share? From quiet domestic scenes to dramatic revelations, Guardian Australia wants to hear about the moment you knew you were in love. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Daily Record
'I bought a damp caravan for £500 on Facebook Marketplace to turn into my dream home'
Hayley and her partner Ben spent three months transforming the rundown caravan into their perfect holiday home A woman has transformed a damp caravan she bought on Facebook Marketplace for £500 into her "dream" holiday home. Hayley Rubery, 35, renovated the entire caravan on a small budget and said she's "absolutely chuffed to bits" with how it turned out. Hayley and her partner Ben, 41, bought a 1989 Van Royce two-berth caravan, which she has dubbed Joyce, online and has since been hard at work renovating it. After three months of graft, the thrifty 35-year-old has given it a complete overhaul, spending £498 on making it a modern and stylish mobile home. They managed to bag the caravan for a third of the asking price of £1,500, and then set to work transforming it with a £500 budget. The mobile home was full of damp and required a full "gutting and refit" plus a cosmetic overhaul – something Hayley and Ben did throughout the week and on weekends, whenever they had a few hours spare alongside their full-time jobs. Hayley, who is a content creator based in Norfolk, told What's The Jam: "We spent months gutting, cleaning, sealing, painting and designing our caravan. It needed some TLC but we saw the potential. "First we cleaned and stripped everything down – goodbye to years of grime and hello to a fresh start. We tackled the essentials, fixed what was broken, sanded and painted what we could – all walls and kitchen cupboards and cabinets. "We removed the cushions in the seating area as they were damp and put a mattress in there so we'd have a permanent bed. I spray painted the outside using Valspar direct to metal paint and a spray gun." She added: "We added a slat wall feature in the entryway using 50p lengths of wood from the timber yard and stick-on tiles for a strong visual effect in the kitchen. I upcycled and kept everything I could to keep the costs down. "From repurposed furniture to second hand finds, we stretched every pound. It's amazing what you can do when you get creative." Hayley and Ben painted the caravan's exterior for £100, as well as inside, and also spent money on wood, sealant, stick-on tiles, lino flooring, lighting, and fixtures including the taps and door handles. Decor came in at just £44.67, with Hayley sourcing much of it from charity shops and online. Hayley added: "Joyce has a lot of green, natural wood textures and plants. My style it very much 'cottage country' vibes. I love it. Who says you need a big budget to make big changes? It's amazing what you can do with £500!"
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Best Airbnb in England' located on private lake has 'one important factor'
After a two-night stay, solo traveller, Ben Murphy believes he may have stumbled upon the 'best Airbnb in England', which offers unique private lake views and is 'super cosy' If you're looking to go on a 'staycation' this year, one British holidaymaker believes he discovered arguably "the best in England" owing to its stunning views and facilities. Ben Murphy, who is a hotel consultant and specialising in short-term rental accommodation, took to TikTok to detail the property. "Welcome to the Island Lodge," he began in a video as he arrived for his own stay. "It's set on a private lake in the Cotswolds, just out Cirencester and it's an incredibly unique property and exactly what I was looking for." Ben proceeded to showcase the home's interior, decked out with grey and yellow furnishings. It was the Airbnb's exterior that was of particular interest to Ben, however, who revealed it boasts three outdoor decks which are "great for relaxing on" as well as sun-loungers and a table and chairs overlooking the water while you eat. Elsewhere on the decking is a hot tub, something Ben described as a "nice touch" where he relaxed lakeside. Back inside, he continued: "It's a fully equipped kitchen with all the pots and pans and bits and bobs. And there's a working log fire that's 'super cosy'." Ben headed upstairs to the bedroom, again overlooking the lake where he added: "Views of the water from three sides offers lots of natural light." Following his first of two nights, he went for a swim in the lake in the morning. "Because, why not? You're staying on a lake after all," he joked. Ben closed by revealing the "most important" aspect of the Airbnb. "Peace and quiet," he praised. "I fully enjoyed my two nights here and I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a peaceful UK stay." Writing in response, one TikTok user who has stayed at Island Lodge himself, hailed: "Was the best place I've stayed in a while. Lots to do about." A second added: "This looks so wholesome and amazing." While a third person agreed: "Island Lodge looks divine." Marketed on Cotswold Water Park Retreats, the property is described as: "Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Little Horseshoe Lake, Island is a sleek, glass-fronted stay with its own hot tub, kayaks and multiple sun-drenched decks." The site adds: "Perfect for couples or solo escapes, this lodge gives you space to fully switch off – with trails to wander, wild water to swim in, and not a neighbour in sight." The Airbnb also benefits from Underfloor heating throughout, fishing opportunities and "sunsets that deserve your attention" over the "crystal-clear" water. "Just you, the water, and that exhale you didn't know you needed," the description closes.
