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Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
The greatest long weekends in the UK
There's nothing like a holiday for releasing energy, filling your creative well or getting some much-needed R&R. But most of us can't be taking two-week jollies every time we feel depleted or stressed. Fortunately, often all you need to recharge your batteries is to step away for a few days – especially if you use those days well. Short breaks don't have to be short on anything but the annual leave they use. Even trips of just three or four nights can be packed with adventure, indulgence and reinvigoration. They're simpler to organise and easier to do spontaneously. They're also a low-risk way of trying new things. And they tend to be cheaper – for instance, you might not be able to afford a castle, but could splash out on being a lord of the manor for a few days. Here are some brilliant British long weekends that will make you feel like you've had a much bigger break. Mini adventures Cycle around the Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight might be England's largest island, but it's small enough to pedal right round in a long weekend. The route is gently undulating rather than terribly taxing, often following quiet, rural inland lanes and trails. Daily distances are relatively short too, allowing plenty of time for exploring sights such as yachtie Cowes, refreshing Freshwater Bay and Queen Victoria's Osborne House. How to do it Walkers Britain (0800 008 7741) offers a four-night self-guided Isle of Wight Cycle from £590pp including accommodation and bike rental; excludes ferry. Pick up paddling in the Highlands Sheltered and spectacular, the waters of Upper Loch Torridon are the ideal place for beginners to try out sea paddling. Join a small group of like-minded newbies, enjoy expert tuition in the shadow of the Torridon Mountains, pull up for lunch on sandy bays, kayak over to seal-slobbed-out islands, refuel on pub dinners and enjoy the camaraderie of a cosy bunkhouse each night. How to do it Wilderness Scotland (01479 420020) offers a five-day guided Introduction to Sea Kayaking trip from £1,165pp including accommodation and most meals; set departures May-August. Take a wee walk in Northern Ireland Amble along Northern Ireland's most iconic stretch of coast on a highlights-packed short walking break. The route runs from Portstewart to Ballintoy; between these two pretty towns lie Royal Portrush golf course (host of the 2025 Open), Bushmills Whiskey Distillery, ruined Dunluce Castle, views to Rathlin Island, cosy inns and the Giant's Causeway – the trail offers views of these Unesco-listed rocks without the crowds. How to do it Away A Wee Walk (078 3770 3643) offers a four-day self-guided Causeway Coast trip from £385pp including B&B accommodation, excluding flights. Canter with the kids in the New Forest The whole brood can live out their cowboy/cowgirl fantasies on a weekend in the New Forest. Here you'll find some of England's finest riding country and a family-friendly stables with something for everyone. Choose between beginner lessons, children's pony fun days and varied hacks across the heathlands that cross streams and encounter wild ponies. Accommodation is at a holiday resort within walking distance, complete with pools, spa, zip-wires and resident alpacas. How to do it Equestrian Escapes (01829 781123) offers a three-night New Forest Family Riding Adventure from £525pp including self-catering accommodation. Big little journeys Ride with the Romans across Cumbria & Northumberland Squeeze 2,000 years of history, 100 miles and a coast-to-coast crossing into just three days on a ride along Hadrian's Cycleway. The route follows country lanes, quiet roads and some traffic-free paths, passing ancient sites (Birdoswald Fort, Walltown Quarry, Vindolanda) and offering views across the rugged North Pennines. It's a moderate-graded route – mostly manageable, with a few cheeky hills; hire an e-bike for an extra boost. How to do it Saddle Skedaddle (0191 265 1110) offers a four-day self-guided Hadrian's Cycleway trip from £585pp including B&B accommodation; excludes bike hire. Take a quick cruise around the Hebrides Sticking to the sheltered waters around Loch Linnhe and the Sound of Mull, Majestic Line's mini-voyages offer a condensed hit of Scottish splendour – a great way to see if you like cruising or not. Majestic's traditional boats sleep up to 12, serve gourmet meals, anchor at scenic spots and float by ruined castles, colourful ports and playful dolphins. How to do it The Majestic Line (01369 707951) offers three-night cruises from £1,300pp including full-board; set departures March-October. Solos: two double cabins are always reserved for singles, with no supplement to pay. Plot a fishy escape in Gwynedd Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences has teamed up with the region's seafood purveyors to create the Gwynedd Seafood Trails, a trio of scenic routes, drivable over a few days, that show where to eat the local catch. For instance, combine Caernarfon's sites with lunch at Llofft and dinner at harbourside Morfarch. Take a walk from Borth-y-Gest before tucking into Bae Borth Deli Bar's seafood chowder. And graze around the lovely Llŷn Peninsula. How to do it Caernarfon's Llety Arall (07721 497283) has doubles from £115pn room-only. See Catch some great little trains in Norfolk Embark on a small-scale, great-value county-roaming rail odyssey, exploring Norfolk via its most charming trains. Ride the steam-hauled Mid-Norfolk and Bure Valley Railways, board the rural Bittern Line from Norwich to Sheringham and pootle along the coast aboard the heritage Poppy Line. There's also time for a Mississippi Paddle Boat cruise on the reed-fringed Broads and a visit to Sandringham, the opulent country retreat of the royals. How to do it Great Rail Journeys (01904 521936) offers a five-day guided Norwich & Norfolk trip from £549pp including half-board accommodation; set departures August-October. A touch of class Seek off-season style in Cornwall The height of Cornish cool, Polzeath was once dubbed 'Britain's Saint-Tropez'. There are certainly some glitzy places to stay, including Chyanna. Right opposite the enormous sandy beach, it's almost entirely fronted by windows and comes complete with cocktail bar, sky hammock and outdoor kitchen on the balcony. For glamour at a lower-cost, come off-season: from September to April it can be booked for short breaks, and costs a quarter of high-summer prices. How to do it Latitude 50 (01208 869090) offers three nights at Chyanna (sleeping 8) from £1,600. Meet literary royalty in Aberdeenshire For the ultimate quick shot of inspiration, head to Braemar. Robert Louis Stevenson penned some of Treasure Island in the Cairngorms village, while Braemar's Fife Arms has suitably creativity-fuelling rooms – try the boho-opulent Artist's Studio. Or come for the Braemar Literary Festival (September 26-28, 2025; when big-hitters like Stephen Fry will be on stage; hotel guests can get priority seats. How to do it Hang with the cool crowd (for less) in Oxfordshire A Cotswolds weekend, staying at one's own Chipping Norton retreat? Yes please. Beechnut is a romantic stone cottage with a Mediterranean-chic vibe on Heath Farm. It has a serene 70-acre estate with meadows and woodland to waft through, a games lawn on which to play croquet and a springwater lake for boating, fishing and wild swimming. You have to share it with five other cottages, but that means it doesn't cost Chipping Norton set prices. How to do it Cotswolds Hideaways (01451 887766) offers three nights at Beechnut (sleeping 2) from £559. Combine class and culture in Pembrokeshire Manor Town House, a Georgian pile in the heart of Fishguard, makes for a stylish Pembrokeshire escape year-round. But it's also hooked up with VIP Wales to offer a couple of special small-group trips. These combine expert-guided tours of St David's and Strumblehead, walks on Carnigli Mountain and dips (for the brave) at secret coves with treats such as four-course breakfasts and Welsh high teas. How to do it Manor Town House (01348 873260) offers B&B from £150per night, three-night VIP packages from £660pp including B&B accommodation and tours; set departures October. Historic stays Live it up, Cheshire Built in 1868, Liongate Lodge once housed the gardener of Bolesworth Castle. In summer 2025, it opened as a luxurious self-catering retreat – complete with decadent furnishings, hidden bar, hot-tub patio and lake and castle views – allowing couples privileged access to the grand Cheshire estate for the first time. It's also virtually on the 34-mile Sandstone Trail, one of the country's finest short long-distance trails, making it perfect for a two- or three-day adventure. How to do it Bolesworth Estate (01829 782210) offers three-night stays at Liongate Lodge (sleeps 2) from £1,250. Indulge in Austen, Bath How better to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen in 2025 than with a long weekend in beautiful Bath, the city that still looks like one of her novels. Of course, she didn't actually like it much – a theme explored at the No 1 Royal Crescent Museum's The Most Tiresome Place in the World exhibition, which looks at Austen's time in the city (until November 2, 2025). Stay just a few doors down at the elegant Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. How to do it The Royal Crescent Hotel (01225 823333) offers four nights B&B from £1,735, including one afternoon tea and unlimited use of the spa. Wellness weekends Take a private plunge in Warwickshire The benefits of dipping in cold water have long been known – certainly since 1748, when the Bath House was built. This remarkable Georgian folly, tucked in the countryside near Stratford-upon-Avon, has just two octagonal rooms: a grand living space, festooned with stucco icicles and shells, and a basement plunge pool, with gates that fling open to the fields beyond. Spend all weekend indulging in private wellness, 18th-century style. How to do it The Landmark Trust (01628 825925) offers the Bath House (sleeps 2) for three nights from £642. Retreat on the cheap in Devon A weekend of coastal wellness doesn't have to cost a sickening amount. Look to hostels, which don't bump their prices in summer. These work brilliantly for groups and are usually in prime locations for accessing the great outdoors. Ilfracombe's Ocean Backpackers in Devon has smart shared and private rooms and also offers a bargain Ocean Mix & Match break that includes Pilates, yoga, surfing and beach meditation. How to do it Independent Hostels (01629 580427) offers dorm beds at Ocean Backpackers from £25pp per night; a two-night Ocean Mix & Match costs £120pp including accommodation and four activities. Do it yourself in the Brecon Beacons Wern-y-Cwm Farm, on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), has mountain views and the perfect set-up for creating bespoke retreats. There's a handful of cottages (and, from September, a vintage camper for two) plus wildflower meadows, art installations, pick-your-own plots and a natural swimming pool. Join scheduled retreats – art, yoga, executive resets – or put together your own: enlist the in-house masseur, book the sauna, or add on classes in foraging, weaving and more. How to do it Soothe your soul on a pilgrimage from Scotland to Northumberland A trip focusing on the best bits of St Cuthbert's Way means even the time poor can make a satisfying spiritual journey. Follow parts of the saint's route from Melrose Abbey to Lindisfarne, crossing from the Scottish Borders into Northumberland, ending with a barefoot walk (if you like) across to Holy Island where you'll spend two nights soaking up its special atmosphere. How to do it Macs Adventure (0141 530 5452) offers a five-day self-guided Highlights of St Cuthbert's Way trip from £570pp including B&B accommodation. Get back to nature Delve into the Yorkshire Dales Get intimate with the ravines, cliffs and caves of the Yorkshire Dales on an action-packed stay at How Stean Gorge. Glamp in the cabins (which have wood burners and hot tubs) then throw yourself into nature: activities include ghyll scrambling, abseiling, canoeing, spelunking (exploring caves) and via ferrata-ing (climbing a route of fixed anchors, ladders and cables). The indecisive could book the 'Big 5', which crams five escapades into one day. Fabulous for families. How to do it How Stean Gorge (01423 755666) offers three nights in a lodge (sleeps 4-10) from £525; camping from £12.50/9pp per night adult/child. Big 5 from £149pp. Hide away in Northamptonshire Lark Rise sits between a handful of cities but feels like the perfect rural idyll. The cabin is surrounded by pasture and woodland (the owners have planted 50,000 trees over the past 30 years) and is a place to do a weekend of nothing in nature: swing in the hammock, soak in the outdoor bath, stare through the stargazing window, book the sauna or take a dip in the swimming lake. An on-site expert leads birding sessions too. How to do it Canopy & Stars (0117 204 7830) offers three nights at Lark Rise (sleeps 2) from £545
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jennifer Lopez, 55, sizzles in a string bikini in unfiltered photos that reveal bruises on her legs
Jennifer Lopez jetted off to Spain after her 4th of July party to enjoy some R&R. The Maid In Manhattan star, 55, looked gorgeous in a black-and-white bikini with bottoms that tied at her hips in new images shared to Instagram. JLo wore a white blouse tied at her waist as she sat with her legs spread on either side of the lounge chair. Several bruises dotted her thighs and knees she and looked at the camera with aviator sunglasses donning her face as she had on a gold JENNIFER necklace. The Jenny From the Block singer's lounge chair sat in the grass a bit of a way away from the pool. The ex-wife of Ben Affleck, 52, looked happy as she paid attention to her phone. The Spain sighting comes after Jennifer shared a cheeky video and photos to her Instagram from her 4th of July celebration. 'Happy 4th of July,' she began while barely holding back her laughter. 'Want a cupcake?' she said while holding two in front of her breasts and shaking her torso from side to side. The superstar went on to joke: 'This is what happens when you hang out with the gays.' The video then cut to a clip of Jennifer Coolidge in season two of White Lotus saying 'the gays.' She proceeded to share the cupcake selfies in an Instagram post and captioned it, 'Happy Fourth of July everybody. ✨ Here are the cupcake selfies LOL.' Her fans overwhelmingly shared love and Happy 4th of July wishes to their idol. Many said that the last photo in the Wedding Planner star's carousel – the one with two cupcakes over her breasts – was their favorite. One fan offered JLo singer some sage advice. 'I'll take a cupcake??! Happy Fourth Jennifer!! ❤️P.S. Hang out with the fabulous gays more often please, and thank you.' Another fan thanked Lopez for all she does to bring happiness to her life. 'So cute! I just love you Jen, thank you for being so wonderful just the way you are, thank you for having a huge heart and for always (even when you're busy) always thinking about your JLovers, never change the way you are! ' They continued: 'Thank you to the universe for my heart choosing to be a fan of someone like you.' The Marry Me star's post comes after she took a swipe at her ex-husband Ben Affleck, 52, in a new song. The Gigli star debuted six new songs at an exclusive listening party for 30 lucky fans in Los Angeles last week - and dropped a hint about her recent personal turmoil. The collapse of their marriage was the culmination of months of rumors that the couple's relationship was heading towards implosion. Lopez appears to have taken a swipe at Ben in her music, in the lyrics to a song called Wreckage of You that she played at the listening party. One of the guests, Edgardo Luis Rivera, shared that JLo 'kept thinking of the word "wreck" because it means destruction, but she wasn't destroyed. 'In fact, the lyrics of the song are: "I'm stronger after the wreckage of you,"' via Us Weekly. 'She mentioned how last year was a very difficult time for her both personally and professionally. She had to cancel her tour and really focus on herself,' he noted.
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
PLUS shuts southbound Serdang R&R to heavy vehicles for upgrading until July 31
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — The Serdang Rest and Service Area (R&R) (Southbound) at KM308.20 of the North-South Expressway will be temporarily closed in phases to all heavy vehicles for 25 days starting today to facilitate concrete resurfacing maintenance works. In a statement, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) said the heavy vehicles access route into the R&R area will be closed in stages from 8am today until midnight on July 31, 2025, to make way for upgrading works for the comfort of highway users. 'As such, heavy vehicle drivers are advised to use the nearest available parking facilities as an alternative during the maintenance period. 'However, other facilities and parking for Class 1 vehicles at the R&R will continue to operate as usual,' the statement read. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys using the PLUS App for up-to-date traffic information and to follow all traffic signs and instructions from PLUS personnel when passing through the affected area. The latest traffic updates can be obtained via the PUTRI Virtual Assistant, X@plustrafik App, and electronic signboards at selected locations, or by contacting the PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000 for emergency assistance. — Bernama
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Scotsman
Expert psychologist reveals top tips for a relaxing holiday
The great British summer getaway is officially on, but we aren't truly switching off once we get to our destination. According to new research from Ring, three quarters of Brits (75%) admit they struggle to relax on holiday, with nearly two thirds (64%) worrying about things back home. 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... Over half (54%) of respondents pointed to home security as their biggest concern, with parcel deliveries (34%) and car security (31%) also top of mind for holiday goers. Outside of home security, two in five (41%) worry about pets, 1 in 5 (20%) worry about their garden, and 19% are thinking about work. For one in five Brits, the stress starts the moment they step out the door - and with good reason. Over a third (35%) have experienced home issues while away, from break-ins and car damage to missed deliveries, turning dream holidays into nightmares. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Knowing these issues could arise, over half (53%) of Brits will ask a friend, neighbour or family member to check on their home, over a third (35%) are taking preventive measures such as closing curtains or blinds, and a quarter (25%) leave lights on to make their home look occupied. Amazon Ring UK Holidaymakers aren't leaving the security of their homes to chance when they're away. Brits are relying on tech – with over a third (35%) trusting smart home devices or security cameras, and 32% checking in on their property remotely. In fact, 68% say they'd find it easier to relax on holiday if they could monitor their home virtually – something Ring devices provide, with features including Live View, Two-Way Talk and Motion Detection. To help Brits alleviate stress directly from the sun lounger, the Ring & Relax (R&R) Guide has been unveiled today – packed with simple psychology-backedtips to help holidaymakers make the most of their well-deserved break. "Our research shows that home security is the number one worry stopping Brits from truly unwinding on holiday," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU and International at Ring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "With a quick tap on your phone, you can literally see that everything's fine back home. It's like having eyes on your property while you're soaking up the sun - giving you one less thing to stress about on your well-deserved break." Amazon Ring UK The R&R guide, developed with award-winning psychologist and author, Dr. Lalitaa, will help calm nerves about taking a trip away from your home, featuring expert techniques; from digitally detoxing to grounding exercises and affirmations. The R&R guide:
Indian Express
02-07-2025
- Indian Express
Search for parents uncovers plot to disrupt Noida airport's land acquisition process
Just 5 km away from the Noida International Airport, coming up at Jewar, stands a rehab and rehabilitation (R&R) site, an exposed brick house with a lock hanging on its brown iron gate. The house in Rohi village, according to villagers, was allocated to 75-year-old Hansraj — a farmer who had allegedly refused to give up land for the airport project — and his family by the local administration. Last Friday, the Greater Noida Police had rescued Hansraj, along with his wife Kamlesh Devi and elder son Saurabh, from outside Dayanatpur village in Jewar. Five persons, including a pilot working with a commercial airline, were arrested on Saturday for allegedly orchestrating the abduction as part of a plot to disrupt the airport's land acquisition process and reap illegal financial rewards. The police identified the accused as Captain Puttan Singh and his wife Sarojbala, residents of Noida's Sector 135; Pawan Chaudhary and Pramod, residents of Dayanatpur village; and Ramadevi, a resident of Maidan Garhi in Delhi. The police said the involvement of the five accused came to light when the farmer's younger son, Sonu, moved the Allahabad High Court on June 2, accusing the police and administrative officials of kidnapping his family. The court went on to order the police to present Hansraj and his family before it. The matter will now be heard on July 7. Earlier, Greater Noida DCP Saad Miya Khan had told mediapersons that Hansraj and his family were among the residents of the six villages that were rehabilitated during the first stage of the airport's development. 'However, Hansraj, Kamlesh Devi, Saurabh, and Sonu objected to the shift to the R&R site and had been staying at their house in Rohi for the last three years. On May 29, they were moved by the Jewar sub-district magistrate to the R&R site.' Their ordeal allegedly began soon after. When The Indian Express visited Rohi on Monday, the house allocated to Hansraj was found empty. Inside the house, lay a pile of clothes, three cots, and several plastic fruit baskets. The neighbours said they have no idea of the family's whereabouts. 'Around 4 pm on May 29, two vehicles – a small truck and a tractor – loaded with household items arrived… They dumped the items inside the house and left,' a neighbour said. Two hours later, as he does every day, Saurabh came to his aunt's house to hand over milk. 'He was accompanied by a policeman… When I asked him about his parents, he said that Hansraj had to be admitted to Kailash Hospital after he suffered an asthmatic attack while they were being shifted to the R&R site.' 'By 7 pm, we reached the hospital but were stopped at the gate by the police. They told us that no one is supposed to meet the family… We then came back,' said Saurabh's cousin. Following this, on June 2, Sonu moved HC, filing a Habeas Corpus petition against the police and administrative officers. He alleged they had illegally detained his father, mother, and brother. On June 4, Hansraj was allegedly discharged from the hospital, said his brother. Hansraj, along with his wife and Saurabh, came to stay at his house in Rohi, he added. While the police have said that Hansraj had taken compensation for the project, his brother claimed that Hansraj had not given up his land. 'In 2018, when we were asked to vacate our land, while we gave in, Hansraj decided not to give up his land. He was under the influence of some farmers and did not vacate the land. He neither took any compensation,' he told The Indian Express. 'Around the end of 2020, we were given compensation for our land… In 2021, we started building our house, while staying on rent in Ranhera village and shifted in October,' he added. 'When Hansraj was discharged from the hospital on June 4, he was unwell. He complained of diarrhoea, stomach ache, and his left foot was swollen. We were concerned and asked him to stay with us,' he further said. He added that on June 6, around 10.35 pm, when Hansraj's condition deteriorated, Saurabh took him and his mother away. 'He said he was taking his father to the hospital… They never returned.' According to DCP Khan, the pilot, who is the mastermind in the case, abducted the three on June 6 on the pretext of taking them to another hospital for better treatment and held them hostage in a secluded enclosure outside Dayanatpur. Last Friday, Hansraj's brother said they received a call from the police, informing them that the three had been found. The police, in a statement, have said that on June 9, Sonu's petition was accepted by the HC, which directed the police to present the three before it by June 11. 'When we failed to do so, the HC shifted the hearing to July 7. We set up seven teams and found that the accused had illegally confined the family. On June 27, we recovered them from Pawan's house,' said DCP Khan.
