Raise a glass to the winners of the ‘Oscars‘ of the UK hospitality industry.

At a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by the AA at Grosvenor House in London on Monday night, awards were presented in categories including ‘Hotel of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Chefs’ Chef of the Year’.

The 2023 AA Hospitality Awards winners were picked by the AA’s inspectors, who spent the past year feasting their way through the UK’s restaurants and laying their heads in the nation’s hotel rooms in a bid to crown the cream of the crop. Here are their verdicts…

HOTELS

The top hotel in England is Forest Side, a former mansion house that’s been transformed into a hotel – complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant – on the edge of the pretty Lake District village of Grasmere. 

The 2023 AA Hospitality Awards winners have been revealed. Taking the prize for England’s hotel of the year is Forest Side (above), a former mansion house in the Lake District that’s been transformed into a hotel

Penally Abbey Hotel is the top-ranking hotel in Wales. The AA Inspector was impressed by its friendly staff 

‘The bedrooms have stunning views of the hills and countryside beyond,’ reveals the AA’s inspector. 

The number one hotel in London is The Lanesborough, an ‘elegant and luxurious’ hotel that ‘offers nearly 100 rooms, of which almost 50 are suites, with a personal butler service for all guests 24 hours a day’.

Reigning supreme as the best hotel in Wales, meanwhile, is Penally Abbey Hotel in Pembrokeshire. The AA Inspector was impressed by its ‘friendly team’ who show a ‘genuine concern for guest comfort and enjoyment’.

Scotland’s top hotel is Fingal, a former support vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board that’s been converted into a luxury hotel

The number one hotel in London is The Lanesborough, an ‘elegant and luxurious’ hotel that ‘offers nearly 100 rooms, of which almost 50 are suites, with a personal butler service for all guests 24 hours a day’

Moving up the map, Scotland’s hotel of the year is Fingal, a former support vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board that’s been converted into a luxury hotel that’s moored permanently in Edinburgh. 

‘This is a hotel experience unlike any other that Edinburgh can offer,’ says the AA’s Inspector.

And Northern Ireland‘s hotel of the year is Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh, a ‘fairy-tale castle’ set in ‘a 350-acre estate made up of woods and farmlands’.

The prize for ‘spa hotel of the year’ goes to South Lodge in West Sussex. Its spa, complete with a spin studio and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, is ‘set into the natural contours of the land and designed with sustainability in mind’, the AA’s inspector reveals.

For travellers with an affinity for foodie experiences, the awards also breaks down the nation’s top restaurants with rooms, with The New Inn in Hereford taking the top spot in England. 

Originally a 16th-century coaching lodge, the inn has been ‘delightfully refurbished’ and boasts ‘plenty of character’, the AA’s inspector notes.

In Wales, the number one restaurant with rooms is Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, an inn surrounded by mountains to the west of the country. 

Northern Ireland ‘s hotel of the year is Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh, a ‘fairy-tale castle’ set in ‘a 350-acre estate made up of woods and farm lands’

The prize for ‘spa hotel of the year’ goes to South Lodge, West Sussex. Its spa has been ‘designed with sustainability in mind’

The Witchery, a ‘romantic’ inn housed within a 16th-century building in Edinburgh is Scotland’s top restaurant with rooms

Ynyshir’s restaurant serves ‘exceptional’ food that takes diners on a ‘relentless tasting journey that offers hit after hit’, says the AA’s inspector. 

And the gong for Scotland’s best restaurant with rooms goes to The Witchery, an inn housed in a 16th-century property beside Edinburgh Castle.

The AA’s inspector notes that it’s a ‘romantic’ destination, with suites ‘filled with antiques, opulently draped beds, large roll-top baths and a plethora of memorabilia’.

RESTAURANTS

Looking to the top restaurants of the year, in England, it’s the Old Stamp House Restaurant in the Lake District town of Ambleside that takes the crown. 

The AA’s inspector praises the ‘charming little basement’ restaurant for its ‘creatively presented’ tasting menus with ‘plenty of focus on the best of Cumbrian produce’.

London’s restaurant of the year is Chutney Mary, a ‘long-established and super stylish’ Indian restaurant in the St James district. 

‘Expect luxurious ingredients, careful presentation and well-judged spicing in a fabulously glossy dining room,’ says the AA’s Inspector.

The Jackdaw in Conwy is Wales’s top restaurant. This eatery, housed in a former cinema, offers ‘clever modern dishes and a cool Scandi vibe’. 

England’s restaurant of the year is The Old Stamp House Restaurant (above) in Ambleside. The AA’s inspector praises the ‘charming little basement’ restaurant for its ‘creatively presented’ tasting menus 

One of the dishes served at the Old Stamp House Restaurant, where diners tuck into ‘the best of Cumbrian produce’

Scotland’s restaurant of the year, meanwhile, is Cail Bruich, a Glasgow eatery that ‘champions the finest British produce’. 

Here you can expect ‘a unique and relaxed dining experience’ and ‘modern Scottish cooking with lots of luxury ingredients’.

The AA Food Service Award goes to The Strathearn restaurant at Gleneagles in Scotland, where diners enjoy ‘slick’ service and Franco-Scottish cooking with ‘plenty of modern twists’. 

London’s restaurant of the year is Chutney Mary, a ‘long-established and super stylish’ Indian restaurant in the St James district

Scotland’s restaurant of the year is Cail Bruich, a Glasgow restaurant that ‘champions the finest British produce’

The AA Wine Award goes to Askham Hall in Cumbria, where guests are treated to a ‘notable wine list’ that includes a number of ‘vintage French stunners’ 

The AA Food Service Award goes to The Strathearn (above) restaurant at Gleneagles in Scotland, where diners enjoy ‘slick’ service and Franco-Scottish cooking with ‘plenty of modern twists’

The ‘Chef’s Chef of the Year’ goes to Paul Ainsworth, who – as the name suggests – is Chef Patron of Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow 

The AA Wine Award goes to Askham Hall in Cumbria, where guests are treated to a ‘notable wine list’ that includes a number of ‘vintage French stunners’.

CHEF’S CHEF OF THE YEAR

The ‘Chef’s Chef of the Year’ goes to Paul Ainsworth, who – as the name suggests – is Chef Patron of Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow, Cornwall.

The Southampton-born chef studied catering and hospitality at his local college and went on to work with celebrated chefs that include Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing. 

The AA says: ‘After eight years in London, Paul moved to Padstow to work at No 6, and fell in love with Cornwall. Together with his wife Emma, they took over the business, relaunching it as Paul Ainsworth at No 6.’ The AA’s Inspector praises the restaurant as a ‘truly delightful place to eat’, adding that every dish on the menu is ‘underpinned by quality produce and assured technique’. 

Commenting on the awards, Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said: ‘It’s a delight to be back at Grosvenor House as we mark the greatest hospitality celebration across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The last year has been tough on the hospitality industry as we’ve felt, like many others, the challenges facing businesses. Yet I’m so proud of the resilience, innovation and quality shown by the UK hospitality industry in response. We would like to extend a massive congratulations [to] all the winners and shortlisted establishments for their hard work, passion, and dedication.’

For more information on the winners, visit ratedtrips.com. 

Genetics, healthy eating or just plain luck are among the factors thought to be behind living to see your 100th birthday.

But despite the uncertainty around how to reach this milestone, there are a record number of centenarians living in England and Wales, data for the Office for National Statistics revealed this week.

In 2021, nearly 14,000 people lived to 100 in England and Wales — up by more than  a quarter in just a decade.

Here, longevity experts and Britain’s centenarian’s share the secrets to living a long and healthy life. 

Learning a new skill, eating well, staying active and living by the sea are just some of the characteristics shared by centenarians, experts and centenarians tell us why

Some 13,924 people in England and Wales had reached age 100 by the time of the 2021 census, a staggering increase from just 110 when the survey was conducted in 1921.

Staying active

Keeping fit and active has long been highlighted by experts as a way of keeping your muscles, joints and mind healthy.

But it could also be a way of boosting your life expectancy. 

‘Evidence shows that being more physically active can lower the risk of depression and dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s and some cancers’, Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, told MailOnline. 

But it’s not just about lifting weights and running marathons.

Simply moving more, taking the stairs or carrying shopping counts. 

Ms Abrahams said: ‘It’s simply about moving more each day, in whatever way works, within our own capabilities.

‘Outdoors exercising is said to have more benefits, so you could try joining walking groups, a walk in the country or just walk to the shops instead of driving, any kind of activity is better than no activity at all.’

‘It’s never too late to get active, so try to boost your daily physical activity’, says Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

It not only improves blood pressure, it also lowers cholesterol, keeps weight under control and gives your mental health a boost, all ways of warding off diseases.

Staying fit and active could be the key to a longer life expectancy. Experts say just walking more, carrying the shopping or taking the stairs can help

If you find an activity you enjoy, you are more likely to stick with it, advises Ms Goss.

Health chiefs recommend completing 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, such as a brisk walk, swimming or cycling.

But our ability to keep up this amount of exercise can get trickier as we age. 

‘Where I live, I have plenty of stairs so even if I don’t go out, I’m active’, says Lauretta Boston, from London, who celebrated her 100th birthday in October 2022. 

Ms Boston, who told the ONS about her life and experience of being a centenarian, said: ‘There are things I find difficult to do because I am lumbered with a body that won’t do what I want it to do.’

But still driven to stay well and active Lauretta visits the shops. 

She said: ‘I have a little shopping trolley I can take to the shops and it’s nice to pick out what I want and go to the till.’

Living by the sea

Everyone enjoys the beach but moving to the sea-side could set you up to live to you’re 100th birthday, data suggests. 

Coastal areas have the highest proportion of centenarians, according to ONS data with a high proportion living on the south coast. 

But experts are not 100 per cent sure why.

It could be because centenarians living by the sea are ‘already healthy and wealthy people’ and choose to retire in coastal areas, a spokesperson the International Longevity Centre told MailOnline. 

Coastal areas have the highest proportion of centenarians, according to ONS data with a high proportion living on the south coast

It added that once in these areas, older people ‘are able to have a relatively high standard of living, heat their homes, have a good diet, exercise and have plenty of family and friends’.

Coastal environments are not only better for helping people get outside and be more active, but they also help to reduce stress, experts say. 

Spending time outside in nature can also improve your mood, reduce stress, improve physical health and improve self-esteem, according to mental health charity Mind. 

Getting enough sleep 

It’s not a mystery that getting enough shut-eye each night can improve your mood the next day. 

But good quality sleep could also add years to your life. 

Sleep is essential to helping memory and processing information, as well as removing waste products from brain cells, regulating your metabolism and maintaining the immune system.

Adults should be getting between six and eight hours a night, according to the NHS.

However, as we get older it can be hard to get enough sleep. 

The ONS spoke to Lauretta Boston, who turned 100 in October 2022, about her view on aging – and she said ‘making myself look good’ was one way she dealt with the process

‘Sleep patterns change as we get older and lack of sleep can directly affect the way we feel’, says Ms Abrahams.

She added: ‘If you’re having difficulty sleeping, try cutting back on daytime naps and reduce the amount of caffeine you drink. 

‘Try to make time to relax and unwind each evening, perhaps by reading a book, listening to the radio, or having a bath.’

Learning a new skill 

Keeping your mind sharp by learning a new skill could boost your brain power in old age. 

Whether it is learning to play an instrument or a new language, exercising your brain by stimulating the learning process can help improve your overall health. 

Knowledge has been shown to pay off in a 2014 study which found that learning two or more languages in adulthood can slow down age-related cognitive decline.  

‘Being positive and open, willing to try new things, and engaged with what’s going on around us have been shown to be important in sustaining our wellbeing as we get older’, says Ms Abrahams. 

She suggests learning something new or joining a new club can help you to ‘retain a sense of purpose’.

She said: ‘Volunteering to help others, joining a local group of some kind or learning a new skill like a language or musical instrument are just a few examples of things worth considering if you’re looking at how to retain a sense of purpose and get the most out of life.’

Staying social

Just like learning a new skill, staying social can also keep your mind active. 

It’s been shown that older people who socialise daily, weekly or monthly have a significantly greater chance of a longer life than those who socialised the least or not at all.

The long-term study by researchers from Sichuan University West China Hospital looked at data for 28,563 Chinese people who were asked about their socialising habits.

Experts say this could be because spending time with friends and family can relive stress and anxiety.

It also encourages people to get outside and be more physically active. 

Ms Abrahams said: ‘Spending time with others can help you feel more connected and less anxious. 

It’s been shown that older people who socialise daily, weekly or monthly had a significantly greater chance of a longer life than those who socialised the least or not at all

‘Spending time with family or friends can remind you of happy memories, while meeting new people gives you the chance to share different experiences, thoughts and ideas.’

Age UK encourages people to join clubs, volunteer in the community or even connect with others safely online. 

Ms Boston also puts her long life down to having plenty of friends and family around.

She said: ‘I live alone, but I never get lonely. I never seem to have enough time, because everything is a big effort and I’m so slow. It takes me time to do everything, so the days seem short. I also have my music and my family and friends.

‘My sister is 94 and I have had friends who also lived a long time. Two of them lived to 90 and one to 102, but unfortunately they have passed on. That’s what happens. 

‘Friends I have made more recently don’t know me as well as friends I knew when I was young. They can be very good friends but can only really see you as you are now.’

Eating well and stay hydrated  

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is a known way of slashing your risk of cancers and circulatory diseases.

More than 6million deaths globally could be avoided just by reducing the intake of processed foods, trans and saturated fats and added salt and sugar, according to Dr Xinyao Liu, from the Central South University, 

Dr Liu, who was the study author on research published in the European Heart Journal – Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes, also told Diabetes UK that these heart-related disease deaths could also be reduced if people increased their intake of fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and wholegrains.  

Ms Goss, of the BHF, also urges people to eat theses foods to help protect their heart and reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke.

She told MailOnline: ‘Time and again the Mediterranean diet comes out on top, with studies linking it to longer life expectancy. 

‘This includes fish as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils with fat from unsaturated sources.’

The centenarians had outlived their anticipated lifespans by three or four decades, and experienced momentous events including women getting the vote, the Second World War, the introduction of the NHS and advent of television

Experts say what we eat and drink gets even more important as we get older. 

Ms Abrahams said: ‘It’s good to remember that one person’s nutritional needs can be very different from another’s. Finding a balance that’s enjoyable, varied, manageable and sustainable for you is important.’

She added: ‘Sometimes we may find that we lose our appetite as we get older, unintentional weight loss can be harmful so it’s important that we continue to eat, something is better than nothing.

‘It’s important to drink enough to avoid dehydration and make sure our bodies function as they should. The official recommendations are to drink 6-8 cups of fluid a day – that’s about 1.5 litres or 2.5 pints. All hot and cold drinks count towards hydration.’

Have regular check ups 

Staying on top of eye tests, hearing check ups and dental appointments can help catch diseases and infections early on. 

As we age, our eyesight and hearing changes which can cause a loss of balance and affect quality of life. 

Ms Abrahams said: ‘Eyesight changes as we age and can lead to a trip or loss of balance. Get your eyes and glasses checked regularly, at least every two years to detect any vision problems early.

‘Problems with your ears can severely affect your balance, and the risk of hearing loss increases with age. Talk with your GP if you notice hearing changes are affecting your day-to-day living or social life.’

But these check ups will also flag early signs of cancer. 

Whether you have a full set of teeth or dentures its still important to go for regular check-ups at the dentist. 

‘Your dentist will help make sure there are no problems developing and help prevent future problems. At the dentist, you can also get checked for signs of mouth and neck cancer’, says Ms Abrahams. 

Ms Goss also stresses the importance of knowing your numbers and keeping on top of your blood pressure and cholesterol, if you want to live into old age. 

The nurse said: ‘Prioritising your heart health at every age is one of the best ways to increase your chances of living a long and healthy life. 

‘If you smoke, consider quitting as this is one of the best steps you can take for your overall health, and the earlier you quit the bigger the benefit. 

‘Knowing your numbers – blood pressure and cholesterol – can also help you to spot the early warning signs and take steps to ward off future problems including heart attacks and strokes.’

WHO WAS JEANNE CALMENT?

Jeanne Louise Calment holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person ever.

Born on February 21, 1875, she is reported to have lived to the age of 122 years and 164 days.

Jeanne Calment, pictured with her Guinness World Record

She passed away in a nursing home in Arles, in the south of France, on August 4, 1997.

Her unparalleled longevity has been the subject of numerous studies, both before and after her death.

She stunned doctors by continuing to smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol every day.

Jeanne enjoyed good health for the majority of her life, having even taken up fencing as a hobby at the age of 85.

Ms Calment also claimed to have met the artist Vincent van Gogh, to whom she sold painting canvasses in her father’s shop as a teenager.

‘He was ugly as sin, had a vile temper and smelled of booze,’ she said. 

Married at First Sight UK’s Laura confronts groom Arthur over internet vows – and fans are all saying the same thing

By Codie Bullen For Mailonline

Published: 19:08 EDT, 20 September 2023 | Updated: 20:59 EDT, 20 September 2023

Married at First Sight UK viewers slammed Laura after she confronted her groom Arthur during Wednesday’s episode.

Arthur left Laura and her friends cringing when he told her he loved her at the end of his vows despite having met Laura just minutes earlier.

After the ceremony, Arthur’s friends revealed that he had found his vows on the internet, leaving Laura unimpressed. 

Deciding to address her feelings head-on, Laura asked her husband how he felt about his vows before revealing she knew he hadn’t written them.

Arthur admitted: ‘That’s the perfect example of me trying to be someone I’m not.’

Brutal: Married at First Sight UK viewers slammed Laura after she confronted her groom Arthur during Wednesday’s episode

Arthur admitted: ‘That’s the perfect example of me trying to be someone I’m not.’

Viewers were left fuming with Laura, with one penning on Twitter: ‘I really do NOT like Laura’

Another said: ‘Arthur and Laura… this is a train wreck waiting to happen’

A third added: ‘Laura is just looking for an excuse not to like Arthur’

Later in the episode, Arthur rewrote his vows to prove his commitment to Laura during their honeymoon in Mexico.

She said: ‘I can see that Arthur has genuinely put his heart and soul into this. He’s made it clear that his priority is our marriage.’ 

The finance manager, 34, made no secret of the fact she likes ‘the finer things in life’, admitting she spends most of her weekends in the upmarket bars of London’s Chelsea.

Laura, who describes herself as a ‘boss b**tch’, insisted she was ready to throw herself into the experiment after her former marriage ended after 10 months, however she felt let down when she was matched with tennis coach Arthur, 34.

Viewers were left fuming with Laura, with one penning on Twitter: ‘I really do NOT like Laura’

Sweet: Later in the episode, Arthur rewrote his vows to prove his commitment to Laura during their honeymoon in Mexico

Polish-born Arthur came to the UK when he was 16 and decided to pull his vows directly from the internet, claiming his English was not up to scratch for him to write them himself.

After Laura set eyes on Arthur, she insisted her ‘very firm criteria has not been met’, while she later said in a piece to camera that Arthur is not as ‘posh’ as her usual type.

She explained: ‘He is definitely an attractive guy for sure. But he doesn’t look like a Chelsea boy.

‘I love a posh accent. Very firm criteria has not been met.’

And show fans were left unimpressed by Laura’s vows, in which she told Arthur: ‘I promise to appreciate you as much as I appreciate my first oat milk latter of the morning.

‘Please don’t talk to me before I’ve had it.’

Elsewhere during the episode, Nathanial Valentino and Ella Morgan’s relationship hit the rocks in Wednesday’s episode, after he dropped a bombshell during a furious row.

Explosive! Married At First Sight UK’s Nathanial Valentino and Ella Morgan’s relationship hit the rocks during Wednesday’s episode, as he dropped a bombshell during a furious row

While the pair’s romance had started well at their wedding, with Nathanial openly accepting his wife was transgender , things turned sour in Wednesday’s episode mere hours after arriving for their honeymoon in Mexico .

Nathanial claimed that Ella was keeping a secret from producers that she’d confessed to him behind closed doors, before claiming to the cameras that he was refusing to show any intimacy.

He then revealed that Ella used to work as a stripper, which she insisted she ‘wasn’t ashamed of.’

Could this spark one of the earliest splits in the show’s history?

Married at First Sight UK continues on Thursday at 9pm on E4.

Married At First Sight UK: Meet the series seven contestants

Name: Arthur 

Age: 23

From: London

Occupation: Tennis coach 

Why: ‘I’m ready to find the love of my life’ 

Name: Ella

Age: 29

From: Weston-Super-Mare

Occupation: Clinic Consultant

Why: ‘This experiment is so much more than just me getting married. I see this as a big deal for someone who has transitioned’

Name: Brad 

Age: 27

From: Grimsby

Occupation: Model

Why: ‘I trust the experts with all my heart that they have matched me well’

Name: Jay

Age: 31

From: Lancashire 

Occupation: Sales manager 

Why: Hopefully, they’ve found someone who is right for me and I do have faith that everything happens for a reason’

Name: Georges

Age: 30

From: Surrey

Occupation: Sports Rehabilitator 

Why: ‘I said to the Experts that I will give 120%. I trust them and I’m going to trust the process’

Name: Laura

Age: 34

From: Hampshire

Occupation: Finance Manager

Why: ‘I have my fingers firmly crossed for a positive outcome – I don’t want another divorce’

Name: Luke

Age: 30

From: Clacton

Occupation: Sales executive

Why: ‘I’m really open so I know I can make things work and build, I’m just hoping she has the same attitude’

Name: Peggy

Age: 32

From: Kent

Occupation: Technology risk partner

Why: ‘I want that lover and someone who can also be my best friend’

Name: Nathanial

Age: 36

From: Manchester

Occupation: Events marketing manager 

Why: ‘I don’t trust anyone but myself, but I hope they’ve done a good job that’s all I can say’

Name: Porscha 

Age: 36

From: London

Occupation: Executive assistant 

Why: ‘I’m trying not to think too much about the fact that I’m marrying a total stranger because I’ll probably psych myself out’

Name: Paul

Age: 26

From: Chesham

Occupation: Account manager

Why: ‘I hope the experts literally hand delivered my best friend and life partner’

Name: Rosaline

Age: 28

From: Crewe

Occupation: Florist

Why: ‘I’m excited, but I’m also feeling quite nervous. It doesn’t feel real1’

Name: Terence 

Age: 40

From: Reading

Occupation: Youth Worker/DJ

Why: ‘I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited. The only bit I’m worried about is whether she’ll like me’

Name: Shona

Age: 31

From: Nottingham

Occupation: Performing arts teacher

Why: ‘My happily ever after would be for him and I to go through the experiment and really try and grow together’

Name: Thomas

Age: 27

From: Wiltshire

Occupation: Investment communications

Why: ‘I’m excited to meet this person and see what we could do together’

Name: Tasha

Age: 25

From: Leeds

Occupation: Childcare assistant 

Why: ‘I have faith in the experts that I could find the love of my life – the Ant to my Dec!’

A woman who was born without a uterus has shared how the UK’s first womb transplant has given her a ‘glimmer of hope’ that she can one day carry her own child.

Hannah Vaughan, who lives in Cheshire, found out that she had Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome when she was 16 — a condition that means she doesn’t have a womb so is unable to become pregnant.

The 24-year-old said the diagnosis left her feeling ‘quite isolated’ and ‘very different’.

However, surgeons in the UK yesterday revealed that they had performed the nation’s first womb transplant in a 34-year-old woman with MRKH.

The social care worker said she is ‘unbelievably happy’ that the groundbreaking procedure went well and that she would ‘not even think twice’ about undergoing the same op.

Hannah Vaughan (right), who lives in Cheshire, found out that she had Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome when she was 16 — a condition that means she was doesn’t have a womb and is unable to have periods

Miss Vaughan and her partner, Luke Seddon-Rimmer (right), whom she has been with for nearly three years, are in the process of starting their in vitro fertilisation (IVF) journey after initial tests found that she had a ‘quite low ovarian reserve’, which means that she has a lower number of eggs in the ovaries than expected for her age

Miss Vaughan said that receiving her diagnosis of MRKH was ‘a nice feeling at that age because I was still becoming me and have always wanted to have children’.

Miss Vaughan said: ‘Even though I had lots of people around me, I still felt isolated.

‘At that age, I thought I could put it to the back of my mind a little bit because I’m not ready just yet, but at the same time — it still affected me every day and I had counselling at the time.’

The condition affects about one in every 5,000 women.

It means a woman has been born with an underdeveloped womb or without a womb, cervix and upper vagina. Their ovaries and external genitalia appear normal. 

The first sign of MRKH is usually that a girl does not start having periods. Sex may also be difficult because the vagina may be short. 

Until now, the only way sufferers could have a biological child was by taking eggs from their ovaries, fertilising them and implanting them in another woman. But this option isn’t available to all woman with MRKH.

But a 34-year-old with MRKH with this week revealed as the first person in the UK to receive a womb transplant, from her sister, at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, which is part of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

Miss Vaughan said news of the transplant was ‘amazing’ to hear as she was told about it early on in her diagnosis, but thought it was ‘unlikely’ to have happened by the time she was ready to start planning to have children.

‘When I found out I had MRKH, I was like that’s not going to be ready when I’m ready’, she said.

‘I’m just so unbelievably happy for that woman — bless her.

‘It just gives you that glimmer of hope that if that opportunity is there and I am able to do that safely and successfully, I would not even think twice about doing that.’

She added that she found solace in the fact that the receiver of the womb transplant also has MRKH and to see that the procedure ‘is going well for her’.

Miss Vaughan has researched the womb transplant procedure, but said she is aware of the potential risks, which include organ rejection, and said she would monitor the outcome of future womb transplants.

Before receiving her new womb, the unidentified recipient had two rounds of fertility stimulation to produce eggs, followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to create embryos.

In order to qualify for a womb transplant, Miss Vaughan said: ‘I believe I would need to have frozen my embryos (which I am in the process of doing) and there are lots of health tests in order to progress through the treatment.’

Miss Vaughan and her partner, Luke Seddon-Rimmer, whom she has been with for nearly three years, are in the process of starting their in vitro fertilisation (IVF) journey after initial tests found that she had a ‘quite low ovarian reserve’, which means that she has a lower number of eggs in the ovaries than expected for her age.

She said she would ‘love’ to have a child with Mr Seddon-Rimmer, whom she said reacted to her condition ‘very well’.

‘Having a child of my own and carrying my own child would be the most incredible thing in the whole world for me’, she said.

‘Unless you have MRKH or have an experience with something which may reduce your chances of having your own children, it is hard to understand what it is like.’

Butlin’s new SkyPark, a playground so amped up it feels as if it’s landed from the future, has plunged me right back into a forgotten parenting phase.

Under an arching, almost blue Skegness sky, I am a human coat-stand on the periphery of the fun, being served shady terms on a ‘Just one more go, please Mum’ deal.

It’s not a toddler I’m negotiating with though, it’s a tween. Belle, 11, is already a little too gangly and definitely too cool to be in any other sort of playground, but this £2.5 million extravaganza is so sparky she can’t resist. Bar a brief return for a slug of water, I haven’t seen her sister, Cleo, nine, for an hour.

Unveiled this spring, SkyPark is an inventive, creative and inclusive take on a centuries-old blueprint, introduced at its entrance by giant Hollywood-esque letters.

From a trio of soaring rocket towers — with gleaming light-up-inside metal tube slides — to the UK’s longest seesaw (at 24 metres!), it’s all deeply hypnotic to the under-12 age group.

Joanna Tweedy and her family visit SkyPark, the ‘amped up’ new playground at Butlin’s Skegness

The playground is home to a trio of soaring rocket towers with gleaming light-up-inside metal tube slides

The attraction is introduced at its entrance by ‘giant Hollywood-esque letters’, Joanna notes 

Many UK attractions for children are still frustratingly ableist, but SkyPark comes with calmer zones, clever sensory elements and wheelchair-friendly access.

After dark — it’s open until 10pm in the school holidays — SkyPark is flooded with colourful light; streams of neon fire around the attractions, blending in perfectly with Lincolnshire’s mini-Vegas seaside skyline just beyond it.

Butlin’s three UK sites, Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis, now firmly rival Center Parcs for the UK holiday park dollar, thanks to investment in recent years, keeping founder Sir Billy Butlin’s original vision buoyant in the 21st century.

In 2019, a new £40 million Art Deco-style Splash pool complex opened in Bognor, and household names including ITV’s Stephen Mulhern are on the bill this summer and next.

‘Many UK attractions for children are still frustratingly ableist, but SkyPark comes with calmer zones, clever sensory elements and wheelchair-friendly access,’ writes Joanna 

Joanna describes Skegness (above) as ‘Lincolnshire’s mini-Vegas’. The town’s Butlin’s opened in 1936 

A three-night stay for four people in a two-bedroom Silver Room (above) at Butlin’s Skegness costs £104 per person 

Butlin’s Skegness, opened in 1936 and our modern-day accommodation, a two-bed, self-catering apartment, tips its hat to vintage kiss-me-quick humour and the weekend passes in a whirl of activity. We hurtle down Vortex, a 60ft winding slide in the 3,000 sq metre Splash Waterworld that lands you in a giant bowl.

The kids grab their way up the climbing wall, paint pottery, part with hundreds (of 2p pieces) in the arcades and we’re all hooked on the traditional fairground with its pretty carousel, dodgems and, new for this summer, 15m-high drop ride, Orbiter.

A happy exhaustion descends as the drive home looms — Butlin’s does many things but relaxation really isn’t one of them.

UK’s biggest pension fund loses £16bn in LDI debacle

• Universities Superannuation Scheme handles pensions of higher education staff
• It is one of the few final salary schemes that is still open to new joiners
• It invested heavily in controversial liability-driven investments despite warnings

By Patrick Tooher

Updated: 06:56 EDT, 30 July 2023

Britain’s biggest private sector pension fund has lost £16 billion after an ‘unnecessary’ debt-driven investment strategy unravelled.

The Universities Superannuation Scheme looks after the nest eggs of 528,000 past and present higher education staff. 

It is one of the few defined benefit schemes still open to new joiners that offers a pension based on a member’s final salary.

USS invested heavily in controversial liability-driven investments (LDIs) – despite warnings from sponsoring employers at Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London. 

On the edge: USS invested heavily in controversial liability-driven investments – despite warnings

LDIs are meant to help ensure schemes can fulfil their promise to pay future pensions. But they came unstuck after last year’s mini-Budget sent the pensions market into meltdown.

The rout, which revealed huge borrowing hidden in the pensions system, was only halted by a £19 billion Bank of England bailout.

USS, led by former pensions regulator Bill Galvin, insisted it was not a big user of leveraged LDIs. But accounts just published show the scheme’s assets plunged from £89 billion to £73 billion last year.

‘These accounts show a terrible picture of unnecessary losses,’ said pensions expert Henry Tapper.

Galvin, who is due to retire this year, was an architect of LDI strategies as industry regulator. He was paid £790,000 in his last year at USS, including a £262,000 bonus.

Despite the fact that its investments include a 20 per cent stake in troubled Thames Water, the scheme’s overall funding position improved due to higher gilt – or Government bond – yields reducing its liabilities.

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SOCIETY

How to Survive a Crisis: Lessons in Resilience and Avoiding Disaster 

by David Omand (Viking £20, 368pp) 

On Friday May 12, 2017, a young anaesthetist at the Royal London Hospital finished his lunch of curry and chips in the cafeteria and tried to log on to his emails. He found he could not do so.

Soon computers all over the hospital showed only a red screen with an image of a padlock and a message beginning: ‘Oops, your files have been encrypted.’ 

This was the start of the devastating cyberattack on the NHS known as WannaCry. By late afternoon, more than 80 hospital trusts and 600 GP practices and clinics had been affected.

This was a disaster that hit out of the blue, but it was also the result of what David Omand, in this revelatory book, calls a ‘slow-burn’ crisis. The NHS had long been vulnerable to this type of cyberattack.

As Omand remarks in his introduction, with something close to understatement: ‘There is no shortage of material for writing about modern crises.’

One of the most terrifying possibilities David Omand highlights is nuclear meltdown. As he points out, there have been dangerous incidents since the nuclear industry’s earliest days

In addition to cyberattacks, we also have an ongoing war in Europe, escalating environmental problems caused by climate change, not to mention the ever-present possibility of terrorist atrocities.

Crisis is a word that may be overused in the headlines, but the potential for disaster is always there. 

And, in our increasingly connected world, ‘disruptions can quickly arrive from anywhere on the globe’. The swiftness of the worldwide spread of coronavirus is proof of that.

Few people are better qualified to examine the nature of modern crises and the ways to respond to them than Omand.

In a distinguished career in public service, he has been director of GCHQ and was the first UK Security And Intelligence Coordinator.

His book is full of insights into the reasons why emergencies so often escalate into crises.

He says people cling to the rule book when they should be prepared to tear it up if necessary. 

‘Surviving a crisis,’ Omand writes in a surprising analogy, ‘is a form of spontaneous performance art in which the cast follow an outline script . . . but then improvise the details.’

At Chernobyl (pictured), the Soviet government’s secrecy and refusal to admit the magnitude of the problem resulted in unnecessary deaths

The book covers a remarkable range of material from the failures of first France and then the U.S. in Vietnam, to the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower disaster in West London.

One of the most terrifying possibilities he highlights is nuclear meltdown. As he points out, there have been dangerous incidents since the nuclear industry’s earliest days.

In 1952, a supervisor at the Chalk River reactor in Ottawa, Canada nearly caused a serious problem, as red warning lights flashed, when he asked his assistant to press buttons four and three instead of buttons four and one.

Five years later, Windscale in Cumbria was the scene of the worst nuclear accident in the UK’s history.

Such accidents are measured on a scale of one to seven. Windscale was a five. There have only ever been two Level 7 incidents — the disasters at Chernobyl in Ukraine in 1986 and Fukushima in Janpan in 2011.

At Chernobyl, the Soviet government’s secrecy and refusal to admit the magnitude of the problem resulted in unnecessary deaths.

The Japanese were more open about the catastrophe at Fukushima — but they were still criticised for the lack of preparedness.

As Omand makes clear, in facing any kind of potential crisis, being prepared is all.

The Japanese were more open about the catastrophe at Fukushima (pictured) — but they were still criticised for the lack of preparedness

The security operation surrounding the London Olympics in 2012, for example, was an undoubted success. 

When it was initially announced that the capital city would be bidding to hold the Games, many senior civil servants were alarmed at the prospect. 

‘Bid if you must,’ one is rumoured to have said, ‘but for God’s sake don’t win.’

The thought of protecting 15,000 athletes, more than 100 visiting heads of state and ten million-plus spectators, all in front of a TV audience of nearly half the world’s population, was just too scary.

In the event, years of the most careful preparation resulted in a triumph. MI5 reported the gist of overheard conversations in jihadist circles: 

‘The Brits have gone crazy, over the top. We are all being watched. Brothers, keep your heads down.’ There were no terrorist incidents that summer.

In its clear-sighted analysis of problems, How To Survive A Crisis can be an alarming read.

On his first page, Omand states that ‘we must expect a greater potential for disaster in the future’.

And it is hard to argue with his later comment that ‘UK governments find it hard to plan, think and act beyond the immediate needs of the moment’.

However, as his title suggests, he remains an optimist. It is possible to build up a nation’s resilience in the face of crises, whether they are sudden in their impact or ‘slow-burn’.

There is always a route to survival. WannaCry, which might have irretrievably damaged the NHS, was eventually defeated by a 22-year-old named Marcus Hutchins, a former hacker turned cybersecurity expert.

He found a ‘kill switch’ in the WannaCry code which stopped it from spreading.

Hop to it!

It’s that time of year when everybody starts scrambling to find the perfect beer garden with good drinks on tap, hearty pub grub and gorgeous views as a bonus. 

To get you there quicker, here we reveal England’s top 25 best beer gardens, as ranked by travel website Big 7 Travel.

To make the list pubs had to impress with their ambience, scenery and food and drink selection, with the final selection generated by analysing customer and critic reviews as well as editorial opinions, online presence, consistency, service, value for money, presentation, location and accessibility. 

10. THE FERRY INN – SALCOMBE, DEVON 

The Ferry Inn, set in Salcombe in Devon, has a terrace ‘so close to the waterfront you can practically touch the waves’

Built in 1739, The Ferry Inn is the oldest and most famous pub in Salcombe, says Big 7 Travel. 

It notes: ‘The historic pub boasts a pretty stone terrace that is so close to the waterfront you can practically touch the waves. There are at least a dozen or so large picnic tables outside with umbrellas for sunny days and fairy lights for when the sun goes down.’ 

Offering views of Salcombe’s estuary, beaches and undulating countryside, it is a ‘prime spot’ for people-watching too, Big 7 Travel reveals. 

9. THE CANAL HOUSE – BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS

The Canal House in Birmingham is described as ‘the perfect place to soak in the sunshine with a drink’

Of this pub-restaurant, which claimed the title of Best Pub in the Midlands at The National Pub & Bar Awards, Big 7 Travel says: ‘While it’s easy to see why customers rave about its hearty Sunday Roasts and live music, it’s the beer garden we’re interested in. 

‘Boasting brilliant views of the canal basin, with plenty of seating on the outdoor terrace, it’s the perfect place to soak in the sunshine with a drink.’

The website adds that ‘with over 60 beers in the ale inventory, an extensive cocktail menu and a wide range of soft drinks on offer, you won’t be stuck for choice either’.

8. THE SHIP INN – MUNDESLEY, NORFOLK

Sip on an ‘excellent range of local beers’ – and drink in ‘dazzling’ views of the North Sea – at Mundesley’s Ship Inn

Overlooking the ‘golden sands’ of Mundesley Beach, The Ship Inn is described as ‘an idyllic seaside escape’. 

Big 7 Travel says: ‘The 300-year-old pub is beloved by locals and visitors for its tasty and unpretentious food and an excellent range of local beers.

‘The large beer garden is located at the back of the red-brick pub and offers dazzling views of the North Sea.’ 

7. THE WHEATSHEAF – COMBE HAY, BATH, SOMERSET 

The Wheatsheaf in Somerset features sprawling terraced gardens overlooking the surrounding countryside

‘Bath has its fair share of historic pubs, but not all of them boast views like those at The Wheatsheaf.’ 

So says Big 7 Travel of this pub, a ‘whitewashed farmhouse-turned pub’ that lies an ‘easy 15-minute drive from Bath’s city centre’. 

Pictures show the sprawling terraced gardens overlooking the ‘bucolic’ countryside and ‘some of the region’s prettiest villages’. Big 7 Travel notes: ‘The drinks list is excellent but the food is even better. Keep an eye on the calendar as there’s always something going on, from steak nights to summer parties.’ 

Reviewer ‘Jason M’ on Tripadvisor describes it as a ‘country pub of the highest quality’ and a ‘beautiful pub in a glorious location’. 

6. THE GARDENERS REST, SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE

The Gardeners Rest in Yorkshire boasts a beer garden that’s said to be ‘one of the quirkiest in the country’

The Gardeners Rest is described as ‘a proper pub with a difference’, as it is Sheffield’s first community-owned pub. 

Punters can enjoy a drink overlooking the River Don in its beer garden, which is ‘one of the quirkiest in the country’, according to Big 7 Travel. 

Features include a flower-filled labyrinth of picnic tables, sculptures, vegetables, quirky sculptures and fireplaces, Big 7 Travel reveals. Writing on Tripadvisor, ‘Dawn G’ said: ‘A very interesting beer garden awaits you at the back of this pub. It is full of curiosities and a lovely flower garden with tomatoes growing along with quirky sculptures and fireplaces embedded into the fabric of the walls.’ 

5. THE DRUNKEN DUCK INN – AMBLESIDE, CUMBRIA

The Drunken Duck Inn, set in the Lake District, is a popular spot with walkers

This Lake District gem is ‘set in a huge 400-year-old building in 60 private acres of rambling countryside’, offering ‘glorious fell views that stretch out for miles’, Big 7 Travel reveals. 

It says: ‘It’s a popular spot with walkers who hotfoot here after tackling the local peaks for brilliant beers brewed from the award-winning on-site microbrewery and a delicious daily changing menu. If you can’t face the walk home, there are 13 individually designed bedrooms to settle down into too.’ 

Writing on Tripadvisor, reviewer ‘CLP3210’ said that the pub lies ‘in a beautiful location’ and serves ‘excellent’ food. 

4. THE JOLLY FISHERMAN – CRASTER, NORTHUMBERLAND  

The beer garden of The Jolly Fisherman in Northumberland offers views out to sea

‘This award-winning pub pairs stunning sea views with fantastic food and good company,’ says Big 7 Travel.

When the weather gets hot, it recommends bagging one of the tables outside, ‘where the views extend past Dunstanburgh Castle and out to sea’. 

The website reveals: ‘There’s a good range of drinks to choose from but we recommend arriving hungry. What could be better than kipper scotch eggs, Shetland mussels and famous Craster crabs served with a sparkling sea view?’ 

3. THE PEOPLE’S PARK TAVERN – LONDON

The ‘trendy’ People’s Park Tavern is nestled in the heart of London’s Victoria Park

Praising this watering hole, Big 7 Travel says: ‘The chaotic capital isn’t short on excellent beer gardens, but the People’s Park Tavern comes up trumps.’

It continues: ‘Overlooking East London’s beloved Victoria Park, the beer garden is one of the largest in London, with an indoor-outdoor greenhouse, seasonal barbecue kitchen, pop-up cocktail bar and tap wall.’ 

What’s more, the website notes that the pub boasts its own on-site microbrewery and has more than 70 beers on tap. 

2. THE RISING SUN – PENSFORD, SOMERSET

Punters can enjoy a ‘lovely, laid-back atmosphere’ at The Rising Sun in Somerset 

‘The Rising Sun is a mere 15 minutes away from Bristol’s city centre, but it feels worlds away thanks to its idyllic countryside location,’ Big 7 Travel declares. 

It continues: ‘Nestled at the foot of Pensford Viaduct by the River Chew, the large beer garden boasts stunning views and a lovely, laid-back atmosphere.’ 

Big 7 Travel notes that the Cornish brewery St Austell owns the pub, so there’s an ‘excellent’ selection of beers on tap. Plus, it describes the food menu as ‘fantastic and very reasonably priced’. 

1. THE WATERING HOLE – PERRANPORTH, CORNWALL

Tuck into a good range of beach-friendly grub at The Watering Hole in Cornwall, which ranks first 

Describing The Watering Hole, the number-one-ranked pub, Big 7 Travel says: ‘The bar, restaurant and live music venue sit smack-bang in the middle of Perranporth’s golden sands, making it the UK’s only bar on the beach.’ 

The website continues: ‘Open all year round, it serves real ales from local breweries, cocktails and a wide variety of soft and hot drinks, including a dreamy hot chocolate. There’s a good range of beach-friendly grub on offer too.’ 

Not only that, but the venue ‘has become famous for its various live music events featuring lineups’, Big 7 Travel reveals, with Sam Ryder expected to perform this summer. 

The heat is on. And here’s how to cool off in the best possible way.

SpaSeekers has unveiled the UK’s 10 ‘best’ outdoor spa pools for the ultimate relief from sweltering weather.

The pools in the list are set amid beautiful gardens, historical buildings and offer spellbinding countryside views. And there’s a ‘refreshing’ natural pond for when the mercury soars to truly uncomfortable levels. 

Scroll down to see all 10 pools – which one makes the biggest splash for you? 

ELLENBOROUGH PARK – CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Ellenborough Park is ‘the kind of place where you can spend the entire day just lounging about, soaking up the sun, and completely lose track of time’, says SpaSeekers

This pick is full of ‘history, charm, and class’ but it is the outdoor heated pool that makes Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham the ‘perfect’ place to visit during summer, according to SpaSeekers.

‘There’s nothing quite like a refreshing swim on a hot day, the clear water lapping around you, with the stunning views of the hotel and spa in the background,’ the specialist spa site says.

‘It’s the kind of place where you can spend the entire day just lounging about, soaking up the sun, and completely lose track of time.’

UTOPIA RETREAT AT GREAT FOSTERS – EGHAM, SURREY 

Utopia Retreat at Great Fosters has a pool set amid ‘beautifully landscaped’ gardens and enclosed by an Elizabethan-era wall decorated with wisteria

The pool at Utopia Retreat at Great Fosters is an ‘exceptional’ feature that provides a ‘peaceful’ retreat for guests.

Set amid ‘beautifully landscaped’ gardens and enclosed by an Elizabethan-era wall decorated with wisteria, the pool area ‘exudes an atmosphere of timelessness and tranquillity’, says SpaSeekers.

‘Guests can enjoy a refreshing dip in the water or simply relax on the comfortable poolside loungers, taking in the serene ambience and the surrounding greenery,’ it adds.

If you’re feeling a bit peckish after all that relaxation, the cream tea is said to be ‘famously’ good.

OCKENDEN MANOR – CUCKFIELD, SUSSEX

Ockenden Manor boasts a connecting indoor and outdoor pool 

Nestled within the grounds of a historic manor house, Ockenden Manor is a contemporary spa with views of the nine surrounding acres of grounds and gardens. 

Its indoor pool connects to an outdoor pool, so feeling the sun on your skin as you take a dip is an enticing option in the summer.

‘With sun loungers dotted alongside the pool, once you’re done with your swim you can dry off and order a cocktail or two,’ SpaSeekers suggests.

MODDERSHALL OAKS COUNTRY SPA RETREAT – STAFFORDSHIRE

The characterful patioed area at Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat, which features a huge hydrotherapy pool 

Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat‘s courtyard is an inviting place for a spot of al fresco unwinding.

It features a characterful patioed area and a huge, heated hydrotherapy pool with its very own outdoor fire.

‘With poolside attendants on site to make sure you have everything you need, you can take a refreshing dip before kicking back on one of the loungers with a glass of something fizzy,’ SpaSeekers recommends.

COTTONMILL SPA AT SOPWELL HOUSE – ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE

This expansive outdoor pool is a standout feature at Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House, according to SpaSeekers

Cottonmill Spa at Sopwell House offers a ‘wonderful spa experience’ with a ‘serene’ setting and ‘sophisticated design’.

Its expansive outdoor pool is a standout feature according to SpaSeekers, which says it serves ‘as a haven of tranquillity in the heart of St Albans’.

The site adds: ‘Nestled amidst beautifully manicured gardens, the pool provides a luxurious respite from the world, ideal for sun-soaked relaxation or invigorating swims. With both shaded and sunlit areas, you can pick whether you fancy topping up your tan or just reading a book in the shade.’

THE SPA AT LACEBY MANOR – GRIMSBY, LINCOLNSHIRE

The Spa at Laceby Manor boasts a natural swimming pond (above) as well as an indoor and outdoor pool with tension-releasing jets and ‘gorgeous’ views, says SpaSeekers

When the mercury soars, sometimes rapid relief is in order. Cue the unheated natural swimming pond at The Spa at Laceby Manor.

‘It’s the perfect remedy if you’re sweltering during a heatwave,’ SpaSeekers says.

For those looking for something a little more traditional, there is an indoor and outdoor pool that feature tension-releasing jets and ‘gorgeous’ views.

NADARRA SPA – SKIPTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE

A sweeping view of the Yorkshire countryside is on offer at Nadarra Spa, where ‘nature and luxury meet’

 ‘As you stroll towards the outdoor infinity pool at Nadarra Spa,’ says SpaSeekers, ‘a sense of calm washes over you.’

And no wonder. The picture here shows how a sweeping view of the Yorkshire countryside is on offer at a spot ‘where nature and luxury meet’.

SpaSeekers adds: ‘On a summer’s day, the warm sun and the gentle rustling of leaves create an ambience of peace and rejuvenation.’

 MACDONALD BERYSTEDE HOTEL & SPA – BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE

At Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa guests can avail themselves of an outdoor pool that offers ‘a refreshing retreat’ amid ‘meticulously maintained gardens’

Located a few minutes from Ascot Racecourse, Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa ‘mixes modern luxury with historic touches and landscaped gardens’, says SpaSeekers.

It continues: ‘When the summer weather starts to be at its best, the outdoor pool really comes into its own and offers guests a refreshing retreat.

‘Surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens, the pool provides a space of tranquillity, allowing visitors to soak in the serenity while enjoying a leisurely swim or simply relaxing poolside. The seamless blend of the pool’s modern design with the traditional architecture of the hotel creates a unique atmosphere of timeless elegance.’

THE SPA AT BREEDON PRIORY – DERBYSHIRE

The outdoor pool at The Spa at Breedon Priory is surrounded by ‘stunning rolling countryside’

Tucked away in the serene Derbyshire countryside, The Spa at Breedon Priory provides a ‘unique’ spa experience with its ‘blend of tranquillity and charm’.

The outdoor pool is a prominent feature, offering ‘an enticing oasis for relaxation and rejuvenation’, SpaSeekers says.

As a bonus there are ‘stunning vistas of rolling countryside’.

TAPLOW HOUSE HOTEL & SPA – MAIDENHEAD 

The outdoor pool at Taplow House Hotel & Spa is a key attraction according to SpaSeekers

The outdoor pool at Taplow House Hotel & Spa is a key attraction according to SpaSeekers, describing it as ‘a splendid retreat for guests yearning for tranquillity and refreshment’.

Bordered by ‘elegant’ gardens, the pool creates an atmosphere of ‘serenity and relaxation’ with a panoramic view of its surroundings.

SpaSeekers adds: ‘If you’re looking for an extra layer of relaxation then you could take advantage of the Temple Spa treatments available, such as body wraps and massages.’ 

Britain is in the midst of the first spell of unbearably hot weather for the year but it could be just a taster of what’s to come in a few decades. 

Scientists predict that temperatures across the UK in 2080 will be high enough to trigger ‘wide-scale mortality’, much like the European heatwave of 2003. 

In a single summer week in 2080, temperatures will hit 41C (105F) in London while weekly averages will be 28C (82F) in large parts of southern England. 

This compares to London’s peak summertime temperatures of 31C (87F) and southern England’s weekly averages of 20C (68°F) in the 1970s.

Manchester, meanwhile, will push past 38C (100F) at least once a week during a 2080s summer, and Plymouth and Glasgow will likely hit 35C (95F) weekly.  

The study predicts peak summertime temperatures of 41C in London, and weekly averages of 28C in large parts of southern England. This compares to 31C and 20C in the 1970s. Image shows daily maximum temperatures in the UK for the 1970s (left) and projections for the 2080s (right)

Temperature projections for London, Plymouth, Manchester and Glasgow during an ‘example extreme week’ in 2080, likely a heatwave in the summer. Temperatures for 2080 are indicated by the red line in each graph, as well as other decades both past and present in other colours

Last year, the UK set a new temperature record of 40.3C (104.5F) – but multiple regions will push past this on a weekly basis by 2080, the predictions show. 

Temperatures in the biggest cities, namely London, tend to be hotter than the rest of the UK – and will continue to be so in the 2080s – due to densely-packed buildings and more concrete and tarmac that absorb heat more quickly. 

The study was led by Professor David Coley at the University of Bath’s Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, who stresses that it is in the extremes of weather, not the mean climate, where much climate change risk lies. 

‘Climate change is normally discussed in terms of seasonal averages, as this is what is meant by the word climate,’ said Professor Coley. 

‘I believe this a possible mistake, as few of us naturally grasp how even small differences in climate imply hugely different worlds.’ 

The team cite the European heatwave of 2003, which killed 14,000 people in Paris alone, showing the dangers of extreme temperatures rather than average temperatures. 

In the last 20 years alone there has been a 54 per cent increase in heat-related mortality in people older than 65, with a total of 296,000 deaths in 2018. 

‘It’s such heatwaves and cold snaps, and a lack of preparation for them, that will increasingly kill people,’ said Professor Coley. 

‘We need to think about climate change in terms of changing weather.’

Scientists predict that temperatures across the UK in 2080 will be high enough to trigger ‘wide-scale mortality’, much like the European heatwave of 2003  

Britain is going through the first spell of unbearably hot weather for the year, following record-breaking temperatures set in 2022

For their study, Professor Coley and colleagues produced a series of detailed weather projections for 11,326 UK locations at 3-mile-square intervals for the year 2080. 

Using weather generator software and a newly developed algorithm, the team built upon Met Office climate predictions to create the projections.

After inputting the climate prediction data into the software, the weather generator produced 3,000 examples of possible weather forecasts for 2080. 

By then looking for heatwaves and examining how they changed over time, they discovered that there will be heatwaves of similar form as the 2003 Paris event.

However, these will be ‘with even higher temperatures’, suggesting the likelihood of ‘largescale mortality’. 

The authors say climate change has the potential to undermine many of the gains in public health over the past 50 years, which will ‘exacerbate existing inequities’.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions, will be disproportionally affected. 

‘Exposure to high temperatures impact individuals via various routes from heat stress and heatstroke to exacerbations of respiratory and cardiovascular disease,’ they write. 

Photo from the 2003 heatwave in Paris, which the researchers say killed 14,000 people in the city

Hundreds of people enjoy the sun on Brighton beach during the European heatwave of 2003

Graphical abstract from the study. Heatwaves for the 2080s in London ‘indicated life-threatening risk’

What’s more, the UK is badly prepared for temperature increases as buildings and infrastructure are not heat-resistant enough. 

‘No temperature record exists of the internal conditions within the buildings in which the 14,000 deaths occurred in Paris in 2003,’ the team say. 

‘The predicted situation in London is similar to that found in Paris, but with the peak temperature being higher in London and the night-time temperature in London being considerably higher. 

‘It would therefore not be unreasonable to conclude that in the future the UK can expect events with moralities of similar number as Paris suffered.’ 

Weather files containing the extreme weeks for 11,326 locations have been prepared by the academics and made available online, while the study has been published in the journal Building and Environment.