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The Sun
30-06-2025
- The Sun
The most picturesque Wetherspoons pub gardens for a cheap pint this week as temperatures soar to 35C
PUNTERS looking to enjoy a cheap pint in the sun should look no further than these picturesque Wetherspoons. As parts of the UK are set to hit 35C this week, many will be on the hunt for the perfect beer garden to relax in after work. 8 And while Spoons is best known for selling affordable tipples, some of its haunts are also home to scenic pub gardens with amazing views. Meaning you don't have to break the bank to enjoy the warm weather. Let's take a look at the best Wetherspoons pub gardens. The Admiral Collingwood - Ilfracombe 8 The Admiral Collingwood in Ilfracombe is a hotspot for those looking to soak up the sun. The Devon-based pub boasts a large rooftop beer garden. And the haunt has received glowing reviews, with many describing it as "classy". They said: "A very modern and classy Wetherspoons! "Nicely situated along the harbour front at Ilfracombe and friendly staff serving you. No complaints." While another customer said: "Really nice place with a lovely rooftop terrace with really nice views." Wetherspoons taste test The Velvet Coaster- Blackpool 8 This Blackpool Spoons was built on the grounds of the former Lucky Star amusement arcade. It first opened in 2015 after a £7million refurbishment. The haunt is set over three floors with the top boasting a large rooftop garden. TripAdvisor customers have raved about the alfresco feature, describing it as a "great place" to see what is going on outside. While another happy punter said: "Top beer garden on the roof with the sun out and great views was fantastic." The Ice Wharf - Camden Lock 8 8 The Ice Wharf in Camden Lock, London is a must for tourist and locals alike looking for a cheap pint. The outdoor seating area is situated on the famous canal offering stunning riverside views. One happy customer said this feature makes it "one of the best" in London. Leaving a glowing Trip Advisor review, they added: "It's beer garden is good for summer time drinking." While another punter said: "Great beer garden with a river view." The Imperial Bar - Exeter This Devon pub has previously been voted the best Spoons in the whole of the UK. It was previously a hotel and sits on its own grounds with a striking glass and steel barrel-vaulted conservatory. But its beer garden, situated on a large lawn, is also a fan favourite with punters. One said: Great beer garden and all the beer we had was on top form." And another added: "The beer garden is situated at the top of a beautiful vista overlooking green hills." While a third said the spot is their "first choice" on a sunny day. They added: "The beer garden is an awesome spot to sit back and knock back a few cold ones." The Royal Victoria Pavilion - Ramsgate 8 8 This Wetherspoons pub in Ramsgate is the largest in Wetherspoons in the country. It was originally a concert hall and assembly room when built in 1903. The massive Spoons can hold over 1,000 customers. And it also boasts a large beer garden, which is a fan favourite amongst punters on a sunny day. One customer said: "Outside seating has beautiful views of the sea." While another said: "There is a very large outdoor area which is clean, inviting and overlooks the beach and marina." How can I save money at Wetherspoons? PUB-GOERS love Wetherspoons for its competitive pricing and low-cost meals - but did you know there are more ways to save money? Senior consumer reporter Olivia Marshall explains how. Free refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The Battle of Trafalgar relic worth stunning sum: Huge flag bearing chilling scars from 1805 naval clash that killed hero Lord Nelson
A unique Union Jack flag which was raised during the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged for sale for £450,000. It was displayed at the front of HMS Royal Sovereign which led one of the columns during the seismic battle on October 21, 1805. Sovereign, commanded by Admiral Collingwood, was first into action against the French and Spanish fleets as Lord Nelson watched on admiringly from HMS Victory. The British naval hero reputedly said: 'See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action.' The 100-gun first rate ship cut the enemy line and engaged the Spanish three decker Santa Ana in a titanic duel. Over the course of the battle Sovereign suffered huge damage, with most of her masts and rigging shot away. The flag, which until it was restored still had wood splinters in it, was salvaged from the 183ft-long vessel when the fighting ended. It has been preserved for 220 years and is now being offered for sale by antique dealers Greens of Cheltenham. They say it is the only surviving Union flag from a command ship at Trafalgar. Charles Aubrey Antram, the master's mate who took the flag, was from a family of sailors and with neither he nor any of his brothers having children it passed to their sister, Rachel Nelson Lloyd. When she died childless the flag passed to her great nephew Owen Dunn. It then passed to his son, Captain William Dunn, a First World War veteran, and he came to believe the flag was from the Battle of the Nile. Before he died he gave it to his friend William Ames, a Second World War veteran. It was sold to a private collector following his death at auctioneers Christie's in London in 2004. Antiques dealer Steve Reynolds, of Greens of Cheltenham, said: 'The flag has been restored as it had wood splinters in it. 'Nelson gave the order for the Union flag to be flown at the front of ships to avoid friendly fire incidents. The flag up close. It has been preserved for more than 200 years 'Royal Sovereign was leading the line so it was a very important ship in the battle. 'This flag is the most exciting re-discovered piece of naval history this century.' Martyn Downer, the renowned Nelson specialist, has researched the history of the Royal Sovereign flag which he describes as a 'remarkable survivor'. He said only three more ships took more damage than Sovereign, which suffered 141 casualties. He said: 'This is a remarkable survivor, especially considering that its true identity was lost. 'It has battle damage from splinters and was flown high from Royal Sovereign's forestay - a rope that supported the foremast. 'Nelson had ordered his ships to fly the White Ensign and the Union Flag because he knew the battle would be chaotic and he felt it crucial that his ships could identify each other to avoid friendly fire. 'The Union Flag was flown high on the forestay above the gun smoke to avoid the risk of damage by shot. 'Famously, Nelson ordered his ships to form two lines and sail at the single line of French and Spanish ships. 'Until then, naval engagements usually meant both fleets lining up parallel with each other and firing away - and often there was no clear victor. 'At the head of one line of the British ships at Trafalgar was Nelson's Victory and leading the other was Royal Sovereign under Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. 'The Royal Sovereign's hull had recently been coppered and she was quicker than any other vessel and broke the enemy line first. 'When Nelson saw this he exclaimed jealously: "See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action!" 'Only three British ships took more damage than Royal Sovereign, which suffered 141 casualties. 'She lost much of her rigging as well as her mizzen and main masts. 'Despite her foremast being struck several times and left tottering, the Union Flag was still flying when the battle ended. 'The ship was then towed to Gibraltar for repairs before heading to Portsmouth where she arrived on December 18, two months after the battle. 'There is a painting of Royal Sovereign in her opening engagement against the Santa Ana and it shows the Union Flag flying. 'Because it was unusual to fly the flag in battle most depictions don't include it, but the artist John Wilson Carmichael was a stickler for accuracy. 'At some point after the battle Charles Aubrey Antram took the flag as a memento - a common occurrence. 'It passed down his family who came to believe it had been flown at the Battle of the Nile, but the design of the flag shows this can't have been the case. 'It entered private ownership about 20 years ago and I have helped research its history to prove that it is indeed a Trafalgar flag. 'Of the three flags that survive this is arguable the most important because it was flown from the Royal Sovereign, a 100-gun first rate ship of the line that was first into battle.' Nelson, who urged his men to 'do their duty', was shot dead by a French sniper while masterminding his greatest triumph. The Treasure House Fair takes place at Royal Chelsea Hospital in London from June 26 to July 1. Battle of Trafalgar: Epic sea clash that laid foundations for Britain's global power - and claimed the life of Lord Admiral Nelson Fought on October 21, 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar is one of history's most epic sea clashes. Not only did it see Britain eliminate the most serious threat to security in 200 years, but it also saw the death of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson. This was not before his high-risk, but acutely brave strategy won arguably the most decisive victory in the Napoleonic wars. Nelson's triumph gave Britain control of the seas and laid the foundation for Britain's global power for more than a century. Despite signing a peace treaty in 1803, the two nations were at war and fought each other in seas around the world. After Spain allied with France in 1804, the newly-crowned French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had enough ships to challenge Britain. In October 1805, French Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve led a Combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships from the Spanish port of Cadiz to face Nelson and Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. Nelson, fresh from chasing Villeneuve in the Caribbean, led the 27-ship fleet charge in HMS Victory, while Vice Admiral Collingwood sailed in Royal Sovereign. Battles at sea had until then been mainly inconclusive, as to fire upon the opposing ship, each vessel had to pull up along side one another (broadside) which often resulted in equal damage. Nelson bucked this trend by attacking the Combined Fleet line head on - and sailed perpendicular towards the fleet, exposing the British to heavy fire. He attacked in two columns to split the Combined Fleet's line to target the flagship of Admiral Villneuve. 11. 30am Lord Nelson famously declared that 'England expects that every man will do his duty', in reference to the command that the ships were instructed to think for themselves. The captains had been briefed on the battle plan three weeks before, and were trusted to bravely act on their own initiative and adapt to changing circumstances - unlike their opponents who stuck to their command. Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood led the first column and attacked the rear of the line, and broke through. Nelson sailed directly for the head of the Combined Fleet to dissuade them from doubling back to defend the rear. But before he reached them, he changed course to attack the middle of the line - and Villeneuve's flagship. Speeding toward the centre of the line, HMS Victory found no space to break through as Villeneuve's flagship was being tightly followed - forcing Nelson to ram through at close quarters. In the heat of battle, and surrounded on three sides, Nelson was fatally shot in the chest by a well-drilled French musketeer. The Combined Fleet's vanguard finally began to come to the aid of Admiral Villeneuve, but British ships launch a counter-attack. Admiral Villeneuve struck his colours along with many other ships in the Combined Fleet and surrendered. 4.14pm HMS Victory Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy dropped below deck to congratulate Nelson on his victory. 4.30pm With the knowledge he has secured victory, but before the battle had officially concluded, Lord Nelson died. 5.30pm French ship Achille blew up signalling the end of the battle - in all 17 Combined Fleet ships surrendered. ... so did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy' with his dying words? By RICHARD CREASY for the Daily Mail (in an article from 2007) It was Britain's greatest naval victory and for more than 200 years historians have analysed every detail. Now, amazingly, a new eye-witness account of the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged during a house clear-out. It gives not only a first-hand view of proceedings from the lower decks but also a different interpretation of one of history's most enduring arguments - Admiral Lord Nelson's dying words. Robert Hilton was a 21-year-old surgeon's mate on HMS Swiftsure, a 74-gun ship that played its part in the destruction of the French and Spanish fleets and of Napoleon's dream of invading England. It was 13 days later, after Swiftsure had made it through gales to Gibraltar for repairs that Hilton took up his pen and wrote a nine-page letter home on November 3, 1805. In it he says Nelson's last words, relayed to his ship's company from Nelson's flag captain, Captain Hardy, were: 'I have then lived long enough.' Many people believe Nelson said: 'Kiss me Hardy.'
