Latest news with #CatherineLofthouse
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
UK's first swim up bar to launch new DJ sessions to transport you to Ibiza
THE Manor House Hotel and Spa in Cheshire is home to the UK's very first swim-up bar - and they have an exciting new addition this summer. Now, the 6 The Manor House Hotel and Spa in Alsager has the country's first swim-up bar Credit: THE Manor House Hotel and Spa 6 DJ sessions will run between July and August Credit: THE Manor House Hotel and Spa The hotel and spa that opened just three years ago made its mark by creating the UK's very first swim-up bar. The bright and airy on-site The poolside bar means that you don't even need to get out of the water for a refreshing drink. There are lots of to choose from too from , to wine, fizz and hot drinks on the menu to select from. Read More on Best Bars And to make it even better, starting in July, the hotel will be hosting exclusive The DJ will set up in the 'secret' spa garden every Saturday from 5 July to 30 August between 2pm and 7pm to bring a relaxing vibe. You'll feel less like you're in the north of England, and more like being in Ibiza. Also on offer is the 'Ultimate Weekend Spa Day Package' which go hand-in-hand with the DJ sessions. Most read in News Travel You don't have to book a hotel stay to get the package which includes 9-hour spa access (10am-7pm). Also included is a 60-minute treatment, dining options, premium robe and towel service and access to all the spa facilities - from £219 per person. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools 6 You can order cocktails from the heated pool Credit: Supplied 6 There's also a 'secret garden' with private hot tubs Credit: Supplied One Catherine Lofthouse said: "The "Heading indoors, we enjoyed an hour-long sound asleep massage, which was billed as having your body gently realigned and perfectly put back together again with warm orange and fennel oil ." She added: "The swim-up bar spa is a wonderful way to while away a day in the UK if a trip to sunny shores is not on the cards." Other facilities at the hotel include Himalayan salt shed, a Finnish sauna, a salt steam chamber, an aromatherapy steam room and a panoramic laconium. The potting shed herb sauna is infused with lavender for a very calming and relaxing experience. 6 There are pools are surrounded by relaxing countryside Credit: Supplied There are also cold water plunge baths and in the ' If you want to stay at the Manor House Hotel & Spa, it has 52 country-style bedrooms to choose from and a rustic bar and restaurant called The Stables. The Pool House is close to the spa facilities and is the perfect option for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Plus, the Ibiza 'paradise' with And right here in the 6 The Manor House & Spa has a heated pool with a swim-up pool and DJ sets Credit: Supplied
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
UK's first swim up bar to launch new DJ sessions to transport you to Ibiza
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Manor House Hotel and Spa in Cheshire is home to the UK's very first swim-up bar - and they have an exciting new addition this summer. Now, the spa hotel is giving visitors the chance to feel like they're on a party island with evening DJ sets alongside some tasty cocktails. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The Manor House Hotel and Spa in Alsager has the country's first swim-up bar Credit: THE Manor House Hotel and Spa 6 DJ sessions will run between July and August Credit: THE Manor House Hotel and Spa The hotel and spa that opened just three years ago made its mark by creating the UK's very first swim-up bar. The bright and airy on-site swimming pool sits at 38C, so it's always welcoming for a dip, even in the cooler evenings. The poolside bar means that you don't even need to get out of the water for a refreshing drink. There are lots of to choose from too from cocktails, to wine, fizz and hot drinks on the menu to select from. And to make it even better, starting in July, the hotel will be hosting exclusive DJ sessions. The DJ will set up in the 'secret' spa garden every Saturday from 5 July to 30 August between 2pm and 7pm to bring a relaxing vibe. You'll feel less like you're in the north of England, and more like being in Ibiza. Also on offer is the 'Ultimate Weekend Spa Day Package' which go hand-in-hand with the DJ sessions. You don't have to book a hotel stay to get the package which includes 9-hour spa access (10am-7pm). Also included is a 60-minute treatment, dining options, premium robe and towel service and access to all the spa facilities - from £219 per person. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools 6 You can order cocktails from the heated pool Credit: Supplied 6 There's also a 'secret garden' with private hot tubs Credit: Supplied One Sun Travel Writer tried out the UK's first swim-up bar and said it was "just like being on holiday." Catherine Lofthouse said: "The heated outdoor pool, home to the swim-up bar, also had gorgeous views of the greenery, putting paid to any idea that you might be anywhere other than in the heart of the English countryside. "Heading indoors, we enjoyed an hour-long sound asleep massage, which was billed as having your body gently realigned and perfectly put back together again with warm orange and fennel oil." She added: "The swim-up bar spa is a wonderful way to while away a day in the UK if a trip to sunny shores is not on the cards." Other facilities at the hotel include Himalayan salt shed, a Finnish sauna, a salt steam chamber, an aromatherapy steam room and a panoramic laconium. The potting shed herb sauna is infused with lavender for a very calming and relaxing experience. 6 There are pools are surrounded by relaxing countryside Credit: Supplied There are also cold water plunge baths and in the 'secret garden' is a herb garden, greenhouses and private hot tubs. If you want to stay at the Manor House Hotel & Spa, it has 52 country-style bedrooms to choose from and a rustic bar and restaurant called The Stables. The Pool House is close to the spa facilities and is the perfect option for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Plus, the Ibiza 'paradise' with private pool and glamping huts has stays under £95. And right here in the UK are four of Sun Travel team's favourite hotels.
The Irish Sun
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I've found the cheapest annual passes for top attractions across UK – from just £6 a year
FOR 13 weeks a year, parents with school-age kids scramble to find enough activities to fill the endless holiday days... without also breaking the bank. My sons are seven and nine, and I am always on the hunt for ways to occupy them in their time off. Advertisement 15 Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse is a brilliant bargain hunter when it comes to kids' activities Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 15 The Roald Dahl Children's museum in Bucks is fun for kids under 10 Credit: Alamy 15 Bus and train fans love the London Transport Museum Credit: Alamy If you're planning to visit attractions in the UK this summer, it's worth stealing this tip to future-proof your family fun days - and save a lot of money! Sometimes Advertisement As well as some brilliant, Sometimes, that means after just one extra visit, you can go as House of fun I love a bargain and think I might have found the cheapest annual pass for my family, right here on my doorstep. The 1620s House and Gardens near Coalville is a medieval manor house run by Children can get in free with their Advertisement Parking is free, so that's another huge bonus. We love doing the The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park The attraction also hosts outdoor theatre productions and is a glimpse into Jacobean life, with the family who lived here linked to one of the The old barn is now a tearoom, which often offers children's craft activities and Our favourite is dressing up for Pirate Day in August, when families sing sea shanties, learn how to handle a pretend cutlass and finish up with a huge wet sponge fight around a cardboard box pirate ship on the lawn. Advertisement Some activities do cost a bit extra and are not included with your annual ticket, but we never spend very much. This underrated place is such a find and there are places just like this all around the UK. If you don't live 15 Catherine's kids love Pirate Day at the 1620s House and Gardens near Coalville Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 15 Cardiff Castle is right in the middle of the city - and if you live or work nearby, you're entitled to a 'Key to the Castle' Credit: Alamy Advertisement Cardiff Castle This impressive building should be a must-see for anyone spending time in the I was fascinated to find out how hidden tunnels were used to keep locals safe during the If you live or work in the city, you're entitled to a Key to the Castle, which gives you free access for three years. There's a £7.50 admin charge for adults, but it's free for children, so a one-adult family visiting Preston Park, Stockton-on-Tees 15 A children's climbing frame in Preston Park Stockton-on-Tees Credit: Alamy Advertisement At Preston Park, one adult and three children can get admission all year round for £10, so if I took my boys twice a month, it would cost 42p a visit, as it's open all year-round except most Mondays. This is a Head to the skatepark to watch or test your balance, let kids loose in the adventure playground or have a mini adventure on one of the designated There's also a Victorian street where visitors can buy sweets or find out about the lives of ironmongers, printers, grocers, drapers, chemists, police officers and blacksmiths. The museum has galleries about Advertisement SeaCity Museum, Southampton 15 SeaCity Museum in Southampton is a very cool building Credit: Alamy I can highly recommend a visit here. I had almost as much fun as the kids. There is a whole area about about the We all enjoyed the immersive nature of the exhibition about the 'unsinkable' ship, which made its maiden and final voyage from Southampton Docks. An annual pass costs £25.65 when booked online in advance for one adult and three children, so if you visited twice a month, it would cost £1.07 per visit. Advertisement There's also a great cafe downstairs where you can get snacks and drinks and it's lovely to see an old building being repurposed. Scottish Wildlife Trust 15 The Falls of Clyde at New Lanark Credit: Alamy It's easy to overlook the wildlife trusts that we have across the UK, but they can offer great value for money if your annual membership includes car parking on multiple sites. Up in Scotland, wildlife trust family membership is £5 a month and includes access to visitor centres, which is usually £6.50 per adult and free for children. Or, if your child has a Advertisement If you do plump for family membership and use it twice a month, it will cost £2.50 per visit. London Transport Museum 15 The London Transport Museum is inside a former Victorian fruit and vegetable market Credit: Alamy There are loads of great free museums in London, but they can get very busy in the summer months. Instead, opt for one with an annual pass, like the London Transport Museum. My boys love it here and it's packed with Advertisement For young Its location in Adults pay £25 and kids go free, so if you visit twice a month, it will cost you £1.04 each trip. Jewry Wall, Leicester 15 The Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester is built around the remains of a Roman bathhouse Credit: Alamy This museum based around the nine-metre high remains of a city centre bathhouse has been closed since 2017 and will Advertisement History fans can boast they have seen one of the tallest surviving sections of It dates from about AD 160, although younger kids might not appreciate how unique it is. While it's no longer free to visit, the Roman Explorer Pass means you can pay once and visit all year round. A family of four will cost £32, so if we visit twice a month, it will be £1.33 per trip. City of Norwich Aviation Museum If you have a fan of flying in the family, Advertisement This museum in Norwich even has free entry for children aged under eight, so you could save money if your little one is still tiny. There has also been a 'kids for a quid' scheme over the last couple of school holidays, so keep a lookout in case that makes a return The annual pass is only £40 for two adults and three children aged 8-16 years anyway, so if I took my family twice a month, it would be £1.66 per visit. 15 Planes at the Norwich Aviation Museum Credit: Alamy 15 Little bookworms will love it here at the Roald Dahl Museum Credit: Alamy Advertisement Roald Dahl Museum, Bucks Little bookworms who are fans of The centre, which is in Buckinghamshire, has digital games, painting and crafts and children's workshops. Ideal for children under 10. At £42 for one adult and three children for the year, two visits a month would cost £1.75 per trip. British Motor Museum, Coventry With two buildings packed full of motor vehicles, there's plenty to keep everyone happy for hours here - especially kids who love cars. There's a playground next to the car park and extra kids' activities during the school holidays, so you'll definitely want to make a return visit or two if you live close to Norwich. Advertisement At £46 for a family of four or £52 for a family of five, getting an annual pass for my boys and me would work out at £1.92 per trip if we visited twice a month. 15 A classic red mini at the British Motor Museum Credit: Alamy 15 Murton Park farming museum Credit: Alamy Murton Park, York Spread across 14 acres of countryside, you're bound to find something to keep everyone happy, whether you like playgrounds, farm animals, trips on a miniature railway or living history. Just outside York is home to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, the park also hosts immersive reenactment events and a monthly kids' club – all included in the price. Advertisement At £48 for an annual pass for two adults and three children, visiting twice a month would cost £2 per trip. The Story of Emily, Liskeard This one might not seem an obvious choice for family-friendly fun, but if you've got older children interested in history, this could be a good call. The attraction Set in the rectory where she grew up, the museum's recently opened War Rooms give a glimpse into the world she experienced during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. The new family pass is £45 for one adult and two children, with the option to add extra children for £5 each. Advertisement Two trips a month for my three kids and me would be £2.08 per visit. 15 Tram fans can ride on vintage vehicles at Crich Tramway Museum Credit: Alamy Crich Tramway Museum, Derbyshire My boys love riding the There's an indoor play area for kids under 10, as well as an outdoor Tickets for a family of five booked online in advance cost £52, so that would work out at £2.17 per trip if visited twice a month. Advertisement Ironbridge Valley of Invention, Telford This World Heritage Site boasts multiple museums, including Blists Hill Victorian Town and Enginuity, which offers hands-on science and engineering fun. You can buy day tickets or pay to visit the museums separately, but an annual pass covers all the attractions for the whole year. At £61 for one adult and up to four children, it would cost £2.54 per trip to go twice a month. It just goes to show that you don't have to fork out hundreds to get annual memberships to historic houses, museums or nature reserves. While spending more for the likes of Advertisement The Big Summer Theatre Event SUN Club members can enjoy the cheapest tickets in town and save up to 60 per cent on theatre shows with The Big Summer Theatre Event! London Theatre Direct's Big Summer Theatre Event is a must for all theatre fans. The event includes all your favourite West End musicals and plays – including Tina, Back to the Future, Clueless, The Play That Goes Wrong, Stranger Things, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and more. How to book Step 1: To book your London Theatre Direct tickets head to the Step 2: Select the Theatre Tickets tile, click Step 3: Choose your theatre show and look for the dates marked with stars to check out our exclusive sale prices. Prices show the exclusive Sun Club member savings. Step 4: Your exclusive 10 per cent additional discount will be automatically applied. Step 5: Enter your details in the checkout and pay. You will then receive an email with your tickets. Offer is open to UK residents aged 18+ only. Save an additional 10 per cent off tickets. Offer ends at 23:59pm on Monday, July 7, 2025. Full T&Cs apply, see below.
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
How I pay just £10pp on theme park days out for a family-of-five – my savvy tricks for saving hundreds
We also explain how you could end up saving hundreds of pounds on your trips by doing a bit of research ALONG FOR THE RIDE How I pay just £10pp on theme park days out for a family-of-five – my savvy tricks for saving hundreds THEME park season is here and we all know how quickly costs can add up if you're not careful. My boys love riding the rollercoasters but I don't want to be forking out hundreds just for one day of fun. Advertisement 12 Catherine Lofthouse reveals her top tips to keep costs down on theme park trips 12 Her boys love riding the rollercoasters, pictured above at Gulliver's 12 Catherine aims to spend less than £100 for a family of five for entry, parking and food 12 The massive ball pit at Gulliver's is every kid's dream Instead I've got my tried and tested tips that keep costs down - I aim to spend less than £100 for our family of five for entry, parking and food. Advertisement Sometimes I even do it for less than £50! Free entry parks 12 Anyone aged over 14 rides free at Southend Adventure Island when accompanying a paying guest under 120cm While most theme parks now charge for entry at the gate, there are still a few dotted around the country that let visitors in free, with wristbands or tokens to pay for the rides. That means if you're going with grandparents who don't want to go on many attractions, they can have a wander and spend time with their family without having to pay for the privilege. Our favourite is Wicksteed Park in Kettering, which is open access to all. Advertisement You pay for parking and rides, but there are playgrounds around the site and lovely nature walks that don't cost a penny. Another great free-entry option is Southend Adventure Island, where anyone aged over 14 rides free when accompanying a paying guest under 120cm. Bring your own grub 12 Pull together a bargain picnic and take it with you to save some cash With ice creams costing around £3 or £4 each nowadays, eating and drinking on your day out can soon add up, especially if you've got a horde of hungry boys like me. I'd rather chuck together a homemade picnic and take it with us to save some cash. Then I don't mind splashing out for treats during the day. Advertisement I also don't want to waste time queuing at food stalls, so bringing our own lunch means more time on rides as we can eat wherever and whenever we want. Experience the Best of British thrills by exploring the top theme parks across the UK I usually manage to spend less than a tenner to feed us all, including sandwiches, crisps, fruit and sweets. We bring refillable water bottles too so that we can keep hydrated without having to buy fizzy drinks. I've even been known to keep a flask full of hot water in the car so I can get everyone fed before we head home if we've got a bit of a journey. It's easy to warm up a few hot dog sausages and pop them in a bun, just don't forget the ketchup! Advertisement 12 Keep a flask full of hot water in the car to warm up a few hot dog sausages and pop them in a bun Little theme parks, lower fees 12 Gulliver's, which has sites in Milton Keynes, Matlock Bath, Warrington and Rotherham, often has tickets for £15 each Smaller parks tend to have fewer rides but also lower fees, so they can be perfect if you're out and about with little ones who aren't fussed about going upside down or getting soaked on a log flume. We always have a great time at Gulliver's, which has sites in Milton Keynes, Matlock Bath, Warrington and Rotherham, and often has tickets for £15 each. We've also got a couple of smaller parks aimed at primary-aged children near us, including Wheelgates in Nottinghamshire and Twinlakes in South Leicestershire, which are on my list to check out with my littlest boy this summer as tickets are only £17 each. Advertisement Check out overnight stays 12 If you're planning on visiting Legoland, make sure to check out overnight stays 12 Catherine's stay at the Legoland Hotel was £149 for four and included breakfast, toys in the room, evening entertainment and early access to the park If you're going to the big-name parks like Alton Towers, you can save if you book car parking in advance as it's usually cheaper than on the day. It's also worth taking a look at an overnight stay to see if the perks add up for you. We visited Legoland at the end of the school holidays one summer as we had an extra inset day when everyone else had headed back to school. Advertisement Booking last minute, our overnight stay in the Legoland Hotel, which included parking, breakfast, Lego toys in the room, use of the indoor pool, evening entertainment and early access to the park through a dedicated hotel entrance closer to the rides, was £149 for four of us. Bargain! Don't pay on-the-gate prices 12 At Drayton Manor near Tamworth, entry for an adult and a child aged four and under costs just £27.50 It's worth taking time to research the best deal for your party, depending on who is coming along. We used to love toddler and adult deals, which often keep costs low if you're visiting midweek with a little one. Advertisement At Drayton Manor near Tamworth, entry for an adult and a child aged four and under costs just £27.50, while Legoland's adult and preschooler ticket is £29. Some places like Alton Towers and Warwick Castle even run this deal up to the age of five, so it's worth checking. There's loads of other ways to save too, whether it's grabbing a free pair of Sun Club tickets, getting discount codes from packs of groceries, converting Tesco Clubcard points into days out vouchers or using membership schemes like Kids Pass or Blue Light Card. I don't think I've ever paid the full price for a theme park day out as there's so many early accessible discounts around. Do a bit of research and you could end up saving hundreds of pounds if you find the right deal for your family. Advertisement 12 The boys having fun at Thomasland
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
The £1 passes that make a family trip to Butlin's cheaper than a swim at my local leisure centre
Plus, how to pay £1 for your kids' meals at Butlin's The £1 passes that make a family trip to Butlin's cheaper than a swim at my local leisure centre My family loves a Butlin's trip and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the latest day pass deal of just £1 for children. That actually makes it cheaper for me to take my three boys for a swim at Butlin's than at my local leisure centre, where I have to pay more than a fiver per person. Advertisement 6 Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse with her family at Butlin's Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 6 Butlin's is offering day passes from £1 for kids, with water park, funfair rides and shows in the Skyline Pavilion all included Credit: Butlin's Instead of spending £20 for an hour in the pool, I could spend £15 for an adult day pass and then £3 for the boys and enjoy a full day out at the seaside resort, with swimming, funfair rides and shows in the Skyline Pavilion all included. With the incredible Skyparks at Skegness and Minehead and the brand-new soft play at Bognor, now's a good time to head to your nearest site for a day to try out the latest family-friendly facilities, particularly if you have a school inset day in May, like we do. This deal is only available term-time midweek until May halfterm, so you need to be quick if you're going to take advantage. Prices for day passes in halfterm rise to as much as £33 for adults and £23 for children depending on the resort, so it could be a huge saving to go midweek in May. Advertisement Plus it'll be much quieter when everyone else is at school, so you can make the most of your family fun without battling crowds of holidaymakers. If you've always wondered whether a Butlin's break is for you, this could be the perfect way to give it a go with minimal investment in time or money, before you decide whether you'd like to book a longer stay. And it's a great deal if you've got little ones who aren't school age yet, as they will love all the shows in the Skyline such as Peppa Pig or the Skyline Gang, which tend to be geared towards their age group. In fact, for some of the day pass dates, you'll need to have a tot in tow as you can't get onto site during the weeks aimed at young families without someone aged 14 or under in your party. Advertisement As always, you need to factor in the age of those you're taking to work out if you might actually be better off going on a May weekend, when day passes are £15 for adults and £5 for children. For example, if you have grandparents in your party, they only cost £5 at weekends, but £11 during the week. 6 This deal is only available term-time midweek until May halfterm, so you need to be quick if you're going to take advantage Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 6 Prices for day passes in half term rise to as much as £33 for adults and £23 for children depending on the resort Credit: Butlin's Advertisement Day visitors won't be able to see the shows in venues like Studio 36, Reds or Centre Stage, so if you're hoping to catch a headline act like Justin Fletcher aka Mr Tumble during a Showtime Tots week, that won't be possible. And your ticket doesn't include parking, so you need to factor that in to your budget for the day as well. The best value is at Skegness, where parking is available on resort, with a charge of £1 per day to be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Parking for Bognor Regis day visitors is at the council pay and display car park opposite the day visit entrance on Gloucester Road and costs £13.90 for more than six hours. Advertisement At Minehead, day visitors can use Warren Road Upper car park, which costs £7.30 for the day. While on site, you'll be able to take advantage of the 'kids eat for a quid' deal, that runs at the resort restaurants from midday to 3pm. 6 Catherine's son poses at the brand-new soft play at the Bognor Regis park Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 6 For some of the day pass dates, you'll need to have a tot in tow as you can't get onto site during the weeks aimed at young families without someone aged 14 or under Credit: Supplied Advertisement For each adult meal purchased at Papa John's, Firehouse Grill, the Diner or the Beachcomber Inn, you can add a £1 child's meal. Day visitors at Bognor can book Playxperience activities if there is availability, but they do need an existing day visit booking to do so in advance.
