Latest news with #RutlandWater
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
UK's best and biggest inflatable water parks to beat the heatwave as a family
YOU can beat the heat and have an incredible time at these inflatable waterparks around the UK. With slides, inflatable blast bags, family-friendly obstacle courses and the huge free fall slides from just £20 entry too. 8 8 Cliff Lakes Aqualand, Staffordshire Go big or go home at Cliff Lakes Aqualand in Staffordshire, which is the biggest aqua park in the UK. Across the lake are six separate courses with various challenges such as climbing walls, tunnels, trampolines, and high ropes. The general admission price is £24 per person for an 80-minute session. The price includes a shortie wetsuit (3mm or 5mm) and a buoyancy aid. One happy visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "Great day out! So much fun with all the different courses, quite a workout but so worth it. "Would recommend to anyone, best time to go is in summer as you do jump into the lake." Aqua Park Group, Rutland Water Aqua Park Group has three sites across the UK and features the largest collection of bespoke, high-impact water obstacles. The biggest inflatable is at its water park in Rutland Water and it's called the Rutland Mammoth. The giant slide has a 5.5 metre free-fall drop - and is the tallest of its kind in the UK. Across the waterpark is also Tornado Tower, a 3.5 metre inflatable that you can jump off into the lake water below. TUI resort next door to giant waterpark 8 8 There are blast bags, slides, trampolines and inflatable climbing frames. Visitors must book online before going to Rutland Water and a one hour session costs £21, or, you can book two hours for £31. Other Aqua Parks across the UK include Aqua Park Lakeside and Cosmeston Lake. Aqua Action, Essex Aqua Action is a floating aqua park in Ilford, Essex which you can get to via the Elizabeth Line which goes between Shenfield and London Paddington. It's open until September 28, 2025 and on the lake is a 3.5 metre climbing tower and the two metre high balance beam. There's the highly anticipated and hilarious blast bag, the jumping platforms, and thrilling drop slides and entry is £20 for a one hour session. For the younger ones aged one to eight, there's a puddle park too called Aqua Tots. Kids can jump on the giant turtle, hop on the inflatable swans, and have a good old splash about. Entry to Aqua Tots for children cost £12 and an extra £2 for their accompanying adult. 8 Thorpe Lakes, Surrey Thorpe Lakes is known as London's Ultimate Watersports Resort, and is set across 150 acres of lakes - and it has a huge inflatable too. It has wobbly balance beams, towering slides, bouncy trampolines, and climbing walls. The only downside to this inflatable waterpark is that it's only open on weekends. Entry cost £20 for 55 minutes of fun, and you get a life jacket included with the option to hire a wetsuit. WHAT IS A HEATWAVE? Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6C, recorded on June 28 1976. A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds. Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C. 8 8 Bewl Water Aqua Park, Tunbridge Wells Bewl Water Aqua Park just outside Tunbridge Wells has an enormous Witbit inflatable. It has a floating obstacle course with room for jumping, sliding and balancing. Individual tickets cost £25 each for children (between 6-12 years old), teenagers and adults - for 50 minutes. Also on the lake are pedalos for hire, paddleboarding and canoeing are also options. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "The Aqua Park was AMAZING! The kids loved it and my partner loved it even more. Swimming in the reservoir was just lovely, it was warm and the cool water was so refreshing." Here are the lidos in the UK mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even FREE to enter. Three of the UK's biggest indoor waterparks with tropical climates and heated infinity pools. 8
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bank of England founder's 10-bed mansion on the market for £2.5m
The former house of a Bank of England co-founder is on the market for £2,500,000. The Old Hall, near Rutland Water, was built for Sir Gilbert Heathcote, who developed the property for members of his family to reside in until the late 1880s. Later on, Caroline Beresford, the Duchess of Montrose, an eccentric aristocrat, socialite and racehorse breeder, lived in the property. The Duchess of Montrose used the pseudonym of Mr Manton in Newmarket records to circumvent rules at the races. At the time, cottages surrounding The Old Hall were used for grooms' quarters and the now converted stables for the horses. During the post-war years, an author and Master of the Cottesmore Hunt, Lieutenant Colonel Cyril Heber-Percy, resided in The Old Hall. The current owners of the estate have lived in it for 20 years. The Old Hall, which is located in the village of Manton, close to the southern shores of Rutland Water, is Grade-II listed and Georgian and Jacobean in style. The three-storey stone property has 10 bedroom, four bathrooms and eight reception rooms. Internally, there is a large entrance hall, a drawing room with original panelling, a dining room with mahogany pannelling fitted 18 years ago by Members of the Guild of Craftsman, a snug, a large fitted kitchen and a garden room. Elsewhere downstairs, there is a library, print room, games room, an orangery and a study, with the latter benefiting from almost an entire wall of glazing overlooking the garden. Some of the rooms on the second floor are currently used for storage, but could be turned into further bedrooms by the new buyer. Throughout the property, there are high ceilings and large windows, ensuring light fills each room. The interior is packed full of designer wallpapers, bespoke curtains, blinds and swags, plus high-end fittings, all from Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour. So relaxing: The Old Hall has an orangery and serene outdoor space At the back, privacy is maintained by a collection of mature trees. The property comes with a summerhouse and heated outdoor swimming pool. A pergola in the garden is laden with climbers and leads to a tiered fountain at the end of the garden. A shower and sauna are situated near the pool area. The property also comes with various outbuildings. Including the cellar, The Old Hall spans 7,921 sq. ft. It is located close to the A1 and has decent train links. A selection of highly-rated private schools are also nearby. Ildi Toth, a manager at Fine & Country, told This is Money: 'The Old Hall is a rare gem indeed - a Grade II listed Georgian and Jacobean residence that seamlessly blends historic grandeur with modern luxury. 'This exceptional home will appeal to discerning buyers seeking a unique combination of architectural heritage, refined interiors and a peaceful countryside setting. 'For example, The Old Hall offers London buyers the perfect escape - a grand and historic home with all the luxury of city living, set within the peaceful surroundings of Rutland's most desirable village. 'With 10 bedrooms, elegant entertaining spaces and beautiful walled gardens, it's ideal for those seeking a slower pace without compromising on style, space or connectivity. 'For multi-generational families, this exceptional property offers the ideal set-up, with ten beautifully appointed bedrooms, generous reception rooms and separate spaces that allow privacy and independence. 'Whilst for buyers seeking a lifestyle or hospitality business The Old Hall presents a rare opportunity to combine elegant living with income potential. It's perfectly suited for use as a boutique guesthouse or luxury retreat. 'This is also an ideal location for families who are looking for quality education for their children as Uppingham School, Oakham School and Stamford School are all within easy reach.' How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rutland Water's first osprey chick of 2025 hatches
The first osprey chick of the year to hatch at Rutland Water Nature Reserve this year has been spotted on a egg - one of four laid by a bird called Maya in a nest at Manton Bay - hatched at about 20:55 BST on has nested at the site since 2015 with a male osprey, with the pair raising 20 chicks and Rutland Wildlife Trust are said to be "very excited" by the new arrival. Elizabeth Hare, information assistant, said: "The first few days will be really important when the chick is getting a good feed and starting to grow." Ms Hare added Maya has had clutches of four eggs in previous years, but three-egg clutches are more often spend the winter in West African countries such as Senegal and The Gambia before returning to the UK in usually takes between 35 and 42 days between an egg being laid and it chick hatched 37 days after Maya laid her first egg. Maya's breeding partner will stay with the pair during the fledging process and has been seen bringing fish back to the nest for Maya and their offspring. The wildlife trust has a webcam aimed at the nest which is providing a live feed of footage to its YouTube channel.
