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Times
20 hours ago
- Times
A spectacular seven-mile walk over the Lakes' soaring Scout Scar
A t the Lake District's southeastern corner, the limestone escarpment of Scout Scar rises abruptly above the Lyth Valley, a line of white cliffs that's stark against the softly green pasture and woodland. Alongside neighbouring Cunswick Scar, it is one of Alfred Wainwright's Outlying Fells, with a quiet drama distinct from Cumbria's more famous summits. From Underbarrow Road a neat path climbed through scrubby hawthorn and young ash. Higher up, a break in the trees revealed a surprise view over wooded Whitbarrow to the Furness Fells, Windermere hidden in the folds of the hills. At the top, the full length of the precipitous scarp stretched ahead, Morecambe Bay shimmering in the distance. We made our way along the edge, detouring up to the Mushroom shelter, a local landmark built in 1912 for the coronation of George V. Away from sun or rain, it's a delightful spot to pause and take in the views: west to the jagged tops of Coniston and Langdale; north to the rolling Sleddale and Bannisdale fells — more of Wainwright's outliers; east to the Howgills.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Our seaside town has been labelled the worst in Britain - but here's why all the critics calling it 'tacky' and 'run-down' are wrong
Proud seasiders in a coastal town which has been branded the worst in Britain have been hitting back against taunts about it being 'tacky' and 'run-down'. A poll by consumer group Which? has put Bognor Regis in West Sussex at the bottom of 118 UK resorts when it comes to visitors' experiences. The coastal town, first developed in the late 18th century and famed for attractions such as a Butlin's holiday camp founded in 1960, has become to some a byword for either genteel or shabby English seaside fustiness. The late George V - great-grandfather of present King Charles - is famed to have allegedly said before dying in 1936: 'Bugger Bognor.' That was supposed to be in response to aides suggested where he might go to recuperate, according to explanations on the town's Love Bognor Regis website. An alternative suggestion is that he actually uttered the words in 1928 instead, when given a petition calling on him to add the word 'Regis' to the town's official title. Bognor tends to be among England's sunniest spots, yet landed itself last in Which?'s poll of the 118 UK seaside towns - based on responses from 3,800 people. The resort earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including 'Food and drink', 'Value for money' and 'Scenery'. The West Sussex resort was described by one visitor as 'a run-down seaside town' and received a destination score of just 36 per cent. Just ahead of Bognor was Bangor in Gwynedd – up one spot from its own bottom place result in last year's corresponding survey. Clacton-on-Sea in Essex was also poorly received by holidaymakers - provided with only one star for its tourist attractions as well as food, drink and scenery. Many of the UK's best-known seaside towns performed poorly in the new poll. Skegness and Blackpool earned 54 per cent and 48 per cent destination ratings respectively, while winning only one star apiece for their scenery. Even more 'fashionable' seaside hotspots failed to win the hearts of the British public, with artsy Margate scoring 56 per cent and upmarket Brighton 61 per cent It was better news further north of the country, however, where Bamburgh in Northumberland retained its place as the nation's favourite coastal destination - coming top for the fifth consecutive year. Bamburgh scored an overall destination score of 84 per cent and was awarded five stars for its seafront and scenery. Paul Wells, who runs haberdashery firm Knit and Sew in the town centre, has described Bognor Regis as having 'a personality of its own' One visitor declared Bamburgh a 'gem', praising its 'sandy, clean beaches'. The town was also rewarded for its good value for money - according to an average night's stay in Bamburgh costs £130. Yet the Which? thumbs-down for Bognor has come as a disappointment to loyal locals there, who have now spoken up in the South Coast seaside town's defence. They pointed to the 'genuine' sense of community and the quality of life which was high in the traditional seaside town. The resort, which has a population of about 25,000, is said to be undergoing a renaissance with inward investment and building projects aimed at making it look more up-to-date. On the seafront, the Alexandra Theatre is getting a £15million rebuild, while a Victorian shopping precinct called The Arcade is about to see an £8m revamp and a new £13m Premier Inn is being built. The town's seafront promenade has also undergone a major facelift, including a walking area alongside Bognor's pebble and sand beach. Jane Steventon, 52, a Bafta-winning TV producer, moved to Bognor after a career which has seen her work in London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Wales. But when talking about Bognor, she told MailOnline: 'I love it here. It's an exciting time to be in Bognor. There's a lot of investment and opportunity here and there's a real buzz around town and a sense of excitement about what's to come. 'There's a real sense of belonging here also, a proper community vibe. 'I really don't understand where Which? has got its figures from, because it's also popular among visitors.' Ms Steventon, now a lecturer at Portsmouth University where she teaches screen writing and film production, added: 'Traditional seaside towns have seen new money coming into them in recent years. 'Margate and Hastings are just two examples and I think we're seeing the same interest in Bognor.' The Butlin's holiday camp in the town has been praised for updating its traditional image, attracting not only families but also younger crowds for Big Weekender live music events at the seaside site. One visitor said: 'It's got so much going for it. The Big Music Weekenders are brilliant and we come down with friends for those In the new Which? survey, Bognor Regis earned a paltry one-star rating in most categories, including 'Food and drink', 'Value for money' and 'Scenery' Supporters have insisted the coastal town can boast 'a real sense of belonging here' and 'a proper community vibe' 'I also love the shops which are quirky and not mainstream.' Paul Wells, who runs haberdashery firm Knit and Sew in the town centre, said: 'We have so much to offer and the Which? report doesn't reflect the reality here. 'Bognor has a personality of its own as it has loads and loads of independent shops and visitors flock here to take advantage of those. 'We also have the highest recorded levels of sunshine levels in the UK which bring day trippers in their droves.' Mr Wells, who has run his shop for 25 years, added: 'The seafront is being massively renovated at the moment, but once it's finished it will enhance the already wonderful beach and promenade area. 'It's also very friendly here and there's a good sense of community with people looking out for each other. 'It's also in a great location for jumping off into the South Downs or other coastal destinations and a lot of people stay here if they're visiting Goodwood or Pagham Harbour.' Mr Wells described how such seaside towns had all 'suffered since Covid', while plenty of retail sales are being diverted online - but insisted: 'I think Bognor offers a unique experience.' Bognor Regis mayor Gill Yeates (pictured), who has lived there all her life, said: 'There's a huge amount of regeneration going on in Bognor at the moment' Alison Terry, a retired maths teacher who moved to Bognor from Tunbridge Wells in Kent 30 years ago, has since raised two children in the town alongside her husband Mike - and says the sense of community there is 'second to none'. She said: 'The pace of life is much slower here - people are more reflective and able to contribute more to their communities. There's also so much going on here. 'My two children both learned to sail here and embraced that life and there are so many opportunities. 'It might be an old-fashioned seaside resort in many respects but it has evolved organically so new developments echo the old. 'The town centre has a unique charm that I haven't found anywhere else.' Ms Terry added: 'More than anything, the people are very genuine and loyal to the town and its fellow citizens. I love it here.' Bognor Regis mayor Gill Yeates, who has lived there all her life, said: 'There's a huge amount of regeneration going on in Bognor at the moment and that means there has been a lot of disruption. 'When that is complete, it will be a huge boost to the town. Bognor mayor Gill Yeates says town centre regeneration work will be a 'huge boost to the town' 'The seafront is the jewel in the crown for us and it really is a gem but Bognor offers all this at a very affordable price. It is much cheaper here than at many places down the coast.' Many of the projects are destined for completion by next year - and residents are hopeful the town could capitalise on existing popularity among those fans it does have, despite the Which? consumer poll backlash. Stuart Gray, who runs Sweet Flamingo ice creams on the seafront, said: 'Resorts are dependent on the weather and Bognor gets record-breaking sunshine. 'When it's busy here, it's very busy. I don't really understand what Which? is talking about.' THE LOWDOWN ON THE UK'S BEST AND WORST SEASIDE TOWNS By Jo Tweedy THE BEST Bamburgh, Northumberland Small but mighty, Bamburgh village, nudged up to a particularly beautiful stretch of the Northumberland coast only has around 400 residents - but, according to Which?'s latest poll the prettiest sands in the land. The downside? It attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year because of it, with locals swamped by tourists in the summer months - and parking spaces rare as hen's teeth. Its imposing castle is regarded as one of the world's most important Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites. Zoopla average property price: £464,500 Beer, Devon Another tiny village with a divine crescent of beach, this time shingle, Beer lies in Devon's East and is flanked by limestone cliffs. Once a smuggler's haven, this fishing village's closest town is Seaton, with the South West Coast Path accessible for walkers. Zoopla average property price: £454,000 So inspired was Noel Coward when he visited the folly village of Portmeirion that he wrote his play, Blithe Spirit, in just six days. This Italianate village sits against a rocky headland in North Wales and is so well preserved you have to pay to get in - £20.00 for adults, £13 for children. The beach? It's full of white sand, plus hidden caves and views out across the Dwyryd Estuary. Zoopla average property price: £171,969 St David's, Pembrokeshire St David's main beach, known as Whitesands Bay, is made up of fine, alabaster sand that merges into a rockier portion of coast, which reaches a crescendo at the craggy headland that is St David's Head. Walkers love it, as do surfers. St David's is famously the UK's smallest city with a population of around 1,750 people. Zoopla average property price: £326,108 Sidmouth, Devon At the mouth of the River Sid, 14 miles from Exeter, Sidmouth was a fishing village until the fashion for coastal resorts grew in the Regency period from 1811 to 1820. Edward VII checked into the Royal York Hotel in 1856, and when the Devon town was connected to a railway (no longer running) in 1874, well-heeled Victorians flocked there. The esplanade is lined with Grade II-listed hotels, with the 240-million-year-old Jurassic Coast just beyond it. Zoopla average property price: £489,333 AND THE WORST... Bognor Regis, West Sussex Bognor Regis is one of the UK's best-known bucket and spade seaside towns today - but it started life as a small fishing village. The town's popularity soared in the late 1800s after a railway station was built in 1864 that made the seaside hotspot much more accessible. In recent years, the resort has been known for cheap and cheerful UK breaks, with Butlins the beach's most famous place to stay. Zoopla average property price: £356,463 Bangor, North Wales The historic Welsh resort of Bangor took the unwanted number one spot in the Which? survey of worst seaside town in Britain back in May. Bangor has fallen since its heyday, with historic photos showing hundreds of people gathered to watch the opening of the pier during the Victorian period in 1896. Even as recently as 30 years ago, the area was still a beloved hub for tourists and holidaymakers, and even featured in a popular song by folk group Fiddler's Dream in 1979 named Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time). Away from the beach, Bangor has the longest high street in Wales, and is also the oldest Welsh city. Zoopla average property price: £204,661 Clacton-on-Sea, Essex Another resort that's a shadow of its former self, Clacton-on-Sea was once one of Britain's thriving seaside towns - popular with Londoners who would flock to the Essex coastline for a day at the beach and fun on the pier. A decline has seen the town battling spiralling unemployment, drug use and crime - with shops on the beachfront and in the town centre closed. Zoopla average property price: £251,103 Southend-on-Sea, Essex One travel guide described this Essex coastal resort as 'Pugnacious and brash', saying 'Unless you're after tacky arcades, flash amusement rides or sleazy nightspots, there's not much to do'. There's no getting away from the fact it's still very popular though: Essex's largest town, with a population of some 175,500, hosts nearly three million visitors each year. Zoopla average property price: £339,634 Fleetwood, Lancashire Just 25 minutes from Blackpool, Fleetwood has long attracted holidaymakers with its low prices - including hotel stays that average around £73 a night - and old-school seaside charm. And while it's fared badly in Which?'s latest poll, it is in line for a £16million upgrade, including a major overhaul of the town's iconic Art Deco Marine Hall and the local leisure centre.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside UK's BIGGEST red phone box graveyard full of 70 rusting kiosks abandoned next to train line – and why it exists
There are three models of phone booth in the graveyard and one model is very famous RUNG OUT TO DRY Inside UK's BIGGEST red phone box graveyard full of 70 rusting kiosks abandoned next to train line – and why it exists Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EERIE snaps from the UK's biggest red phone box graveyard reveal rows of rusting kiosks. The chilling snaps show the 70 rotting booths stood next to the abandoned train line, but the graveyard hides a heartwarming secret. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 There are 70 rusting phone booths in the huge graveyard Credit: Unicorn restorations 6 The phone booths are being repaired for a very special reason (stock) Credit: Alamy 6 Many of the boxes were first designed back in 1935 Credit: Alamy When mobile phones became popular, phone booths fell out of fashion and many fell into disrepair. Left to decay, the 70 kiosks in Merstham, Surrey, are a sinister sight. However, the kiosks are actually part of a massive restoration project. Unicorn Restorations use the site to bring the boxes - which are a beloved national symbol - back to their former glory. The site's hardworking staff spend 30 hours on each box, stripping them down and repainting them in the General Post Office's iconic red. New glass is installed in the phone booths' doors to finish off the restoration. There are also three different models of red telephone booths, including the original K2, the famous K6 and the modern K8. The K6 boxes were designed in 1935 to mark King George V's silver jubilee and, at one point, 60,000 of the boxes were in use across Britain. Often the boxes are used in films to create quintessentially British sets. Film franchises including Harry Potter, Paddington and Disney's Christopher Robin are just a few famous productions to use Unicorn Restorations. I got drunk and bought a double decker bus online - now I've transformed it into the workshop of my dreams in the garden The booths are available to buy too and are priced from £4000 to £20,000. Nicolas Ritter, a professional photographer, recalled visiting the yard back in 2012. He said: 'Being at the telephone graveyard was a great experience for me. It felt like a journey back into the history of the country as the phone boxes are such a unique symbol of British culture. 'Viewing this museal location now after the beginning of a new age of communication the phone graveyard bears a mystic vibe of a past era.' The news comes as plans are made for an iconic steam train to return to the nation's rails. The 60163 Tornado will travel from London Waterloo towards Woking and Basingstoke from August 16. It will follow the route of the classic ACE trains which travelled along the South West coast. Kelly Osborne, managing director of The Railway Touring Company, said: "We are delighted to be working with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to provide opportunities for people from Woking and Basingstoke to travel with Tornado and for many more to see the locomotive in action. "It is very exciting that Tornado will be back on the national rail network." 6 The phone booths are being restored to be used on film sets (stock) Credit: Alamy 6 The phone booths have been featured in Paddington and Harry Potter Credit: Caters News Agency
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside UK's BIGGEST red phone box graveyard full of 70 rusting kiosks abandoned next to train line – and why it exists
EERIE snaps from the UK's biggest red phone box graveyard reveal rows of rusting kiosks. The chilling snaps show the 70 rotting booths stood next to the abandoned Advertisement 6 There are 70 rusting phone booths in the huge graveyard Credit: Unicorn restorations 6 The phone booths are being repaired for a very special reason (stock) Credit: Alamy 6 Many of the boxes were first designed back in 1935 Credit: Alamy When mobile phones became popular, phone booths fell out of fashion and many fell into disrepair. Left to decay, the 70 kiosks in Merstham, Surrey, are a sinister sight. However, the kiosks are actually part of a massive restoration project. Unicorn Restorations use the site to bring the boxes - which are a beloved national symbol - back to their former glory. Advertisement Read More on Restorations The site's hardworking staff spend 30 hours on each box, stripping them down and repainting them in the General Post Office's New glass is installed in the phone booths' doors to finish off the restoration. There are also three different models of red telephone booths, including the original K2, the famous K6 and the modern K8. The K6 boxes were designed in 1935 to mark King George V's silver jubilee and, at one point, 60,000 of the boxes were in use across Britain. Advertisement Most read in Tech Latest Often the boxes are used in films to create quintessentially British sets. Film franchises including Harry Potter, I got drunk and bought a double decker bus online - now I've transformed it into the workshop of my dreams in the garden The booths are available to buy too and are priced from £4000 to £20,000. Nicolas Ritter, a professional photographer, recalled visiting the yard back in 2012. Advertisement He said: 'Being at the telephone graveyard was a great experience for me. It felt like a journey back into the history of the country as the phone boxes are such a unique symbol of British culture. 'Viewing this museal location now after the beginning of a new age of communication the phone graveyard bears a mystic vibe of a past era.' The news comes as plans are made for an The 60163 Tornado will travel from Advertisement It will follow the route of the classic ACE trains which travelled along the South West coast. Kelly Osborne, managing director of The Railway Touring Company, said: "We are delighted to be working with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to provide opportunities for people from Woking and Basingstoke to travel with Tornado and for many more to see the locomotive in action. "It is very exciting that Tornado will be back on the national rail network." 6 The phone booths are being restored to be used on film sets (stock) Credit: Alamy Advertisement 6 The phone booths have been featured in Paddington and Harry Potter Credit: Caters News Agency 6 Phone booths are an iconic sight on Britain's streets (stock) Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Two 'old' UK pennies worth over £100,000 - how to spot them
Both of these coins are extremely rare making them highly sought-after An expert has urged Brits to keep an eye out for two coins that combined could be worth a life-changing amount. These pre-decimal pennies, dated 1919 and 1933, might fetch more than £101,000 to collectors. In both cases it is their rarity that makes these pieces so sought after. And while they are no longer in circulation, there is still a chance they could show up in an attic or old coin jar. Speaking in a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, an expert known online as the Coin Collecting Wizard explained what to look for. He said: 'Who remembers these predecimal pennies? Check out these rare ones.' Firstly he described what is known as the 1919 KN penny. The expert said: 'The 1919 KN penny is a rare and highly sought after coin among collectors and one to definitely keep an eye out for.' Unlike most other penny coins of the era it features the initials 'KN' on its reverse side (tails side). This is because it was produced by the King's Norton Mint rather than the Royal Mint. He continued: 'Struck at the King's Norton Mint, hence the KN Mint Mark below the date, it was part of a limited batch produced when the Royal Mint outsourced some coin production after World War One. While not all 1919 pennies are rare, the KN variety is much harder to find, especially in high grades.' If you find this coin in great condition you could be able to sell it for more than £1,000. He said: 'In mint or uncirculated condition this penny can fetch well over £1,000 making it a valuable piece of British numismatic history. 'Its scarcity, historical context and distinctive mint mark all add to its appeal for collectors.' Next, he spoke about the infamous 1933 penny. It is highly unlikely that you would find one in your change as it is thought only seven were ever made. This occurred because there was no requirement for new pennies in that year. The coin features Britannia on its reverse and a depiction of George V on the obverse (head side). It could be worth an impressive £100,000 due to its rarity. He said: 'The 1933 penny, yeah you are not going to find this one as only seven are known to exist but if you did then you are looking at over £100,000.'
