Latest news with #VisitBritain
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Save almost £40 on a family day out to Chessington World of Adventures this summer holiday
If you're looking for things to do with the kids during the summer holidays, a family day out to Chessington World of Adventures is always a hit – and you can now save £40 As the kids get ready to break up for their summer holiday, it can suddenly feel like you've got an endless amount of time to fill to keep them busy. Booking family days out can end up being expensive, especially if you have more than one child, which is why we've tracked down a great way to save yourself almost £40 on one fun-filled family day out. When you book via Virgin Experience Days, you can nab yourself a visit to Chessington World of Adventures for a family of four with 24% slashed off the usual price. Whilst the experience would usually cost £152, for a limited time you can snap it up for £116 thanks to Virgin Experience Days' summer sale, saving you £36. By booking the experience, you'll get access for a group of four people to the whole theme park – it doesn't matter how many kids or adults make up the four people (although children obviously must be accompanied by a grown up!). Plus, anyone under 90cm will also get free admittance alongside your group, which makes it great if you have younger kids tagging along too. As well as granting you access to all 40 rides and attractions in 10 different themed lands, the Chessington World of Adventures experience will also give you admission into the zoo and the sea life centre with more than 1000 exotic animals, so you can make a whole day of it. The voucher will also be valid until October 2025, although be sure to double check this when you book! An experience day is always a great way to save some money on a family trip, not to mention handy for giving you some ideas on how to keep the kids entertained while they're off school. Other sites worth checking out for ideas include Red Letter Days and Visit Britain, which are both full of great day out ideas in locations across the country. There are also plenty of nationwide activities and experiences to book through Virgin Experience Days, so if you don't fancy making the journey to Surrey for Chessington World of Adventures, you can always find other things to do that are more local to your area. From theme parks and zoos to activities and even historical sites, there's no shortage of ideas on how to spend the six weeks holiday. For more details and ideas, you can visit the Virgin Experience Days website. Join our Shopping & Deals WhatsApp for the best bargains and fashion news WHATSAPP: Get the best deals and exclusive discount codes straight to your phone via our WhatsApp group. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Some of these articles will contain affiliate links where we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from them. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
On this day: Teacher beats cancer, aids pupil with leukaemia
Ryan Collard, 30, was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in June 2017 - the same year his twin brother was diagnosed with the same disease. He underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant and was declared in remission a year later in 2018. So when a student at his school, Callie Ragaven, five, was diagnosed with leukaemia, Mr Collard requested she be put into his class so he could support her. He "went out of his way" to support her - reassuring her and sending her videos of her classmates she wasn't able to meet, and even hand-delivering a party bag. Callie and Ryan (Image: SWNS) Mr Collard even hand-delivered a party bag to her door so she didn't miss out on treats when she wasn't well enough to attend class at Green Ridge Primary Academy, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Without Ryan's knowledge, Callie nominated him for Collection Pot's Teacher of the Year award - which he won. Surprised, Mr Collard said: 'Teachers are all different and everyone has their own idea of what makes a good teacher. "My priority is that the children are happy. If they feel safe and are excited to come to school, that's all I can ask for. "If they are happy and safe, then they will learn. "To be nominated is extremely overwhelming and has made me feel super proud of myself. "After cancer treatment, it can often feel like you may never achieve your full potential anymore, but this has proved me wrong.' After being diagnosed with leukaemia, Callie pushed back her start date for school from the September to the January due to her treatment. Her mum Shalinee was concerned she would miss out and struggle to settle into school. She said: 'He specifically requested to have Callie in his class as he knew how hard cancer treatment can be. "He was so understanding from day one and sent her videos of the kids in the class and even hand-delivered a party bag to our door that one child had brought into school as he didn't want her to miss out.' Talking about why she nominated her teacher, Callie said: 'I started Reception this year having just been diagnosed with leukaemia. "Mr Collard has given me the most incredible start to school life that I could have ever imagined. Ryan welcoming his first child Carter with his wife, Sophie. (Image: SWNS) "Nothing is ever too much for Mr Collard and he does his job with so much love and dedication.' Mr Collard won £250 in a Collection Pot for himself and £1,000 for his school and Callie will receive a £250 Visit Britain Gift Card. After being diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer, the gruelling treatment left Ryan infertile. But recently Ryan and his wife Sophie welcomed a baby boy, Carter, after going through IVF treatment. He said: 'I really struggled coming back to work and seeing all the wonderful kids. "Reception age is my favourite age as they are just so magical and hilarious, so teaching them was a great distraction. "However, sending them off to their parents and seeing how excited they got was heartbreaking as I thought I might never have that experience. 'We were extremely lucky this year to have our little boy Carter who is nine weeks old today. He has genuinely changed my life. "Before him, it was a daily struggle and I would constantly ask myself 'what purpose do I have in life?' "I felt like such a burden. "Luckily, my wife Sophie was my biggest motivator and kept me going at the darkest of times, reminding me that we'd be parents no matter what." This story was first reported on by Emilia Kettle on July 16, 2024.
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's most romantic staycation destinations named as one region singled out
The top 'BAE-cations' spots in Scotland have been revealed. Scotland's most romantic staycation destinations have been named, with one region in particular singled out. VisitBritain recently shared a roundup of "Scotland's best 'BAE-cations'" for a romantic getaway. In particular, the tourism board praised Aberdeenshire. Situated on Scotland's northeast coast and comprised of the area around the city of Aberdeen, it is known for its many castles and its rugged coastal scenery. According to VisitBritain, the best place to start a romantic Aberdeenshire staycation is Dunnottar Castle. Situated atop a cliff looking out over the North Sea, the ruined medieval fortress dates back hundreds of years. Dunnottar Castle is known for being used in scenes from the 1990 film Hamlet, while it also served as inspiration for the Pixar movie Brave. The castle was described as a "romance wrapped in drama" by VisitBritain, who recommended walking up to the castle at sunset. Elsewhere, the tourism board named the Aberdeen Art Gallery as a top attraction for two. The main visual arts exhibition space in Aberdeen, its collection spans seven centuries and features work from both local and international artists. The experts also praised the gallery for its rooftop viewpoint. According to VisitBritain, it is a place where "one can sip coffee with sweeping views over the city's rooftops". Another Aberdeenshire attraction included on VisitBritain's 'BAE-cation' roundup is Castle Fraser. Situated near the village of Kemnay, the Z-plan castle is located within 300 acres of landscaped grounds, woods, and farmland. Castle Fraser was applauded by the tourism board for its walled gardens, which it stated are "made for romantic walks and picnics". Meanwhile, inside the historic tower house, there is an extensive portrait collection to admire. Meanwhile, in terms of food and drink, the experts named the Royal Whisky and Cheese Tour from Bothies and Bannocks as a highlight. The private and guided tour will take couples through small distilleries and artisan cheesemakers, and will also feature whisky pairings. Two accommodation options in Aberdeenshire were named by the experts as being perfect for a 'BAE-cation'. The first is Down on the Farm, which is an off-grid glamping site located near the small town of Rosehearty. Down on the Farm features hand-built cabins, with highlights singled out by the experts including a "restored railway carriage" and a shepherd's hut. VisitBritain also praised the accommodation for benefitting from occasional dolphin sightings. On the other hand, The Fife Arms in Braemar is a five-star boutique hotel that features 46 uniquely decorated rooms and suites. It earned praise for its unique blend of Victorian design and contemporary Scottish flourishes. VisitBritain wrote: "Aberdeenshire serves up wild beauty, rich history, and just the right touch of Highland magic. This corner of Scotland is where drama meets romance—where ruined castles perch above roaring seas, and luxury lodges rub shoulders with off-grid hideaways. "Whether visitors are after windswept walks, culture with a view, or a cheese and whisky pairing straight from the Highlands, Aberdeenshire delivers a love story that writes itself."
Fashion Network
23-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK retail spend by tourists to remain subdued
We've heard a lot about how tourist spending remains subdued in the UK following the withdrawal of the VAT-free perk post- Brexit, but that muted spending isn't about to change any time soon it seems. A new study shows that inflation and the strong pound will also dampen down tourist spending growth in Britain up to 2030. A study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), initially reported by The Times, showed that real spending per tourist will lag behind the overall expected growth rate of Britain's economy over the next half-decade. It seems that while tourist numbers remain strong, the amount they're spending isn't that impressive. The report said the weak growth will be just half of the growth in the wider economy. It comes as the UK's inflation continues to be higher than that of other major tourists destinations such as the EU, the US and China. Even as inflation drops from its highs of a few years ago, overall prices in the UK have risen by 26.6% in the past six years. That means prices of the products tourists might buy, as well as other spending areas such as accommodation, dining and travel are proportionately higher than in those other destinations. And that's without taking the impact of the strong pound into account, which means tourists get fewer pounds for their dollars, euros, yen or renminbi. But of course, the ending of the 20% VAT refund perk for tourists is the big factor deterring high-spending visitors. That perk stopped in January 2021 with numerous reports showing that London's key shopping districts, in particular, have suffered as tourists have gone to other shopping cities such as Paris and Milan. The CEBR also said new electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) for European visitors and the air passenger duty rise has added both cost and complexity to visiting the UK. Based on figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and tourism board VisitBritain, it added that 'tourists are expected to spend less per visit in real terms in 2025 than in any other year over the past decade, with the exception of 2020'. As for that projection that tourist spend will lag the growth of the UK's economy, the report said VisitBritain believes there will be 43.4 million tourists visiting Britain this year. They're expected to spend £33.7 billion in 2025. By 2030, the government wants to increase international visitors to the UK to 50 million. But the CEBR said that 'current spending patterns suggest that meeting this ambitious target would result in only a 6.5% increase in real-terms expenditure compared with pre-pandemic levels'. It added that if real spending per visitor rose back to its 2019 level, tourist spend would be up a healthy 22.4%. The point about all this is that higher volumes of tourists aren't enough, it's boosting 'the value of each visit [that's] key to unlocking tourism's full economic potential'.
Fashion Network
23-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
UK retail spend by tourists to remain subdued
We've heard a lot about how tourist spending remains subdued in the UK following the withdrawal of the VAT-free perk post- Brexit, but that muted spending isn't about to change any time soon it seems. A new study shows that inflation and the strong pound will also dampen down tourist spending growth in Britain up to 2030. A study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), initially reported by The Times, showed that real spending per tourist will lag behind the overall expected growth rate of Britain's economy over the next half-decade. It seems that while tourist numbers remain strong, the amount they're spending isn't that impressive. The report said the weak growth will be just half of the growth in the wider economy. It comes as the UK's inflation continues to be higher than that of other major tourists destinations such as the EU, the US and China. Even as inflation drops from its highs of a few years ago, overall prices in the UK have risen by 26.6% in the past six years. That means prices of the products tourists might buy, as well as other spending areas such as accommodation, dining and travel are proportionately higher than in those other destinations. And that's without taking the impact of the strong pound into account, which means tourists get fewer pounds for their dollars, euros, yen or renminbi. But of course, the ending of the 20% VAT refund perk for tourists is the big factor deterring high-spending visitors. That perk stopped in January 2021 with numerous reports showing that London's key shopping districts, in particular, have suffered as tourists have gone to other shopping cities such as Paris and Milan. The CEBR also said new electronic travel authorisations (ETAs) for European visitors and the air passenger duty rise has added both cost and complexity to visiting the UK. Based on figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and tourism board VisitBritain, it added that 'tourists are expected to spend less per visit in real terms in 2025 than in any other year over the past decade, with the exception of 2020'. As for that projection that tourist spend will lag the growth of the UK's economy, the report said VisitBritain believes there will be 43.4 million tourists visiting Britain this year. They're expected to spend £33.7 billion in 2025. By 2030, the government wants to increase international visitors to the UK to 50 million. But the CEBR said that 'current spending patterns suggest that meeting this ambitious target would result in only a 6.5% increase in real-terms expenditure compared with pre-pandemic levels'. It added that if real spending per visitor rose back to its 2019 level, tourist spend would be up a healthy 22.4%. The point about all this is that higher volumes of tourists aren't enough, it's boosting 'the value of each visit [that's] key to unlocking tourism's full economic potential'.
