A MAJOR UK airport has announced the opening of its first Wetherspoons pub as part of a whopping £1.3 billion transformation.

Brits jetting off from Manchester Airport can now enjoy a pint at the airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub next year.

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The new pub is part of a £1.3 billion project that will transform Terminal 2.

The popular pub chain will join major brands like Chanel, Pandora, LEGO, and Greggs, all expected to be added to the terminal.

Bosses have confirmed that the new Wetherspoons will “feature nods to sporting greats of the North in its decor”.

The pub’s name has yet to be announced, but future customers are assured they can look forward to the usual Wetherspoons offerings.

Brits will be able to enjoy discounted cooked breakfasts along with a wide selection of beers, wines, ciders, and spirits.

The highly-anticipated Terminal 2 is set to open in the summer of 2025 and will feature the Great Northern Market.

The new food hall will be able to seat a whopping 472 travellers and will hope to bring the best of Manchester’s street food scene to the airport.

Manchester Airport retail director Richard Jackson said: “We are proud of the world-class facilities on offer in Terminal 2, and a key part of our vision for the finished terminal is to provide an unrivalled experience for passengers shopping and dining before they catch their flight.

“We’re delighted to be bringing such a varied offering to the second phase of our brand-new Terminal 2, with local brands complemented by well-known high street names and options to suit every budget.”

Bosses recently announced a huge change for Brits jetting off from the major airport.

The airport, currently being revamped, has confirmed that 11 airlines will move terminals his fall.

The airlines, including Jet2.com, will move from Terminal 1 and 3 to the brand new Terminal 2 between October and November.

More airlines are expected to follow the move next year.

Several airlines have begun operating from the revamped Terminal 2 – part of which opened in 2021 – which is being doubled in size to cater to 70 per cent of the total flyers using the airport.

Major airlines including Austrian, Lufthansa and Swiss will move to the brand-new terminal in October.

This will be followed by Egyptair, SunExpress, Biman Bangladesh and Jet2.com which will start operating in the new Terminal in November.

Passengers who have already booked parking or launce access near Terminal 1 or 3 can contact the airport to change their bookings, Travel Weekly reports.

However, passengers who have booked parking or lounge access through third-party agents will have to contact the provider.

A huge renovation project at Manchester Airport is nearing completion, with plenty of brand-new facilities that will excite passengers.

The £1.3billion project, which was first announced back in 2015, was split into two phases.

The early stages of the project saw Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 more than double in size before its west side reopened to passengers in July 2021.

Now in its final phase, work is focusing on the east side of Terminal 2, including a second pier with additional boarding gates.

Construction work on the pier began back in June 2023, and it is nearly complete, as reported by Marketing Stockport.

When the brand-new pier opens, it will double the aircraft capacity at Manchester Airport.

INCREDIBLE PLANS

Airbus A380 passenger jets will also be compatible with the new boarding gates.

There are plenty of other features for passengers to get excited about when the expansion opens in 2025, including 27 new restaurants, bars and shops.

Specific shops will be announced later this year but several local brands including Manchester brewers Joseph Holt and Seven Bro7hers are slated to be inside the revamped terminal.

The revamped Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport will feature a “market-style food hall” and there will also be a “boutique shopping area”.

There will also be a champagne bar, artisan cafes and a brasserie.

A new security hall, complete with 3D scanners, will also be added during this phase and a new dual taxiway system designed to improve airfield efficiency.

When the west side of Terminal 2 opens in 2025, it will become the main terminal at Manchester Airport, catering for more than 70 per cent of passengers.

Jill Fraser, Manchester Airport Transformation Programme delivery director, said: “The last 12 months have seen an incredible amount of work and it’s amazing to see the project really taking shape.

“From the creation of more than 500 jobs, to the work to improve the way the airfield works – this is a huge project but one that will have so many benefits for our passengers.

“We’ve already started to see some of the benefits of the programme, with our passengers who have used Terminal 2 giving amazing feedback and the award of the prestigious Prix Versailles.

“And the exciting thing is that we’ve not even finished yet – so we’re looking forward to an epic 18 months ahead. We’re proud to connect the North to the world and are looking forward to passengers seeing everything we deliver.”

A FLIGHT attendant has warned of a dangerous mistake passengers often make with their luggage.

American Airlines crew member Ally Case urged her 850,000 TikTok viewers to not make the critical error, which could cost them dearly.

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She told travellers to “always, always, always flip your information on your luggage card backwards”, saying this was one of her “top travel safety tips”.

She added: “I cannot tell you how many people I see, on a daily basis, with their information displayed for anyone to see.

“I don’t even like strangers to know my name… No chance I’m going to have my phone number and home address on display.”

Earlier this year, The Sun reported on another flight attendant warning to avoid taking a much-loved type of suitcase on holiday.

The suitcase is considerably less durable than other types and is more likely to break while in transit in the cargo hold.

Flight attendant of 16 years Emilie said travellers should never take a hardcover suitcase with them on a flight, if they are choosing to check in their luggage.

She told retailer House of Fraser: “Passengers tend to think that hard-shell suitcases are more resistant than fabric ones, but it’s actually the opposite.

“Hardcovers can get easily broken by the pressure of the other bags once they’re all packed together in the hold.”

The flight attendant added: “To avoid damage to your bag, I always recommend choosing a fabric suitcase as these are actually more durable.

“Picking one in a bright colour can help you spot your bag more quickly during baggage delivery. Just avoid white as it won’t stay that colour for long!”

Another common bag mistake people make, according to Emilie, is opting for a four-wheel suitcase.

She said: “These are never as durable or reliable as a two-wheel spinner and I’d always avoid them.”

AUTUMN is here and with it comes an amazing offer to take the family to visit one of the UK’s incredible UK heritage sites for free.

I’ve just bagged a family day pass at a National Trust site, thanks to a little-known offer that often pops up at this time of year.

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And it gets even better because my nearest National Trust estate, Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, is the perfect place to get in the Halloween spirit.

This is because it always decorates its darkest tunnels for the spooky season and also has an impressive pumpkin display in its garden.

If you’re looking for frightful fun for free, you can claim your family pass online, just by popping it in your basket on the National Trust website.

I’ve used the free passes before and it’s always a brilliant way to get a day out for next to nothing.

But you’ll need to be quick to claim as the free passes, which cover two adults and three children, won’t take long to be snapped up by other bargain hunters.

There are a few things you need to look out for if you want to use this offer. 

First of all, there are some sites that are exempt, so you need to check the list of where you can’t use your pass before you set off with the car all loaded up with kids!

There are 200 houses, gardens and even castles included, so you should be able to find something not a million miles away to visit.

The National Trust only operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so if you’re in Scotland, you’ll have to head over the border to use your pass.

Some places also need you to book in advance and you can do this on the National Trust website by selecting the free member ticket option and use the code AUTUMN24.

Just make sure to have your day pass ready to scan when you arrive.

If you happen to miss out on the free online offer, there’s a cheeky little way you can sometimes get around it.

A lot of local newspapers often print a pass inside their pages around the same sort of time, so you can just buy a participating paper for a couple of quid instead.

Or you could ask your local library to save its copy of the local paper once it’s no longer being read and it’s gone on the recycling pile, so you get the pass that way.

The single-use pass covers a family of five, but obviously you can use it as a single adult or a couple as well.

It runs out on October 18, so it won’t be valid over the half-term holidays.

That being said, it’s worth checking out what your selected site is doing in the run-up to Halloween.

Because there may be events running over the weekends beforehand, so you might get some extra activities thrown in free if you time it right.

Last year, my favourite National Trust place to visit was Tattershall Castle in Lincolnshire, which was the perfect backdrop for bats, spiders, pumpkins and lots of spooky props.

It was definitely a top haunt for Halloween and one we’d return to next time we’re in that neck of the woods. 

So if you fancy seeing what the National Trust has to offer near you, why not pick up a pass and head down to get your fix of fresh air, history and family fun?

To download your free autumn pass and for more info on any of the National Trust sites, see nationaltrust.org.uk.

What’s it like to visit a National Trust site?

EARLIER this year, travel writer Hope Brotherton visited Birmingham’s Back to Backs after they were named the country’s number one hidden gem attraction. Here’s what she thought…

“Located on the corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street, the Back to Backs are hidden behind a wooden shop front that houses a tiny reception area where visitors check into their guided tour.

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“My family and I were then led through to a brick courtyard where we were introduced to John, our informative and friendly tour guide.

“For the 90 minutes, John expertly guided our small group through two interconnected houses, which showcased what life would’ve looked like for working-class families in the 1860s and 1930s.

“Each of the eight rooms we explored were tiny, showing visitors just some of the cramped conditions families lived in 150 years ago.

“All of the rooms were decorated with everyday objects, including tins, scales and other artefacts from the past, with John pointing out the most interesting or relevant items, including an old tin of Bird’s Custard, which was produced in the city’s Custard Factory.  

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“According to our tour guide John, some of the former residents even worked in the Back to Backs with their tools on display, including the likes of a locksmith and a jeweller from the Jewellery Quarter.

“Birmingham Back to Backs also houses the only collection of work by a Caribbean tailor in the UK.

“George Saunders operated a successful tailor’s shop from the Back to Backs for many years, even leaving some of his items to the National Trust to preserve this last living link to the houses.

“At the end of the tour, we were led back to the brick courtyard where we were shown how the laundry rooms operated and given the chance to take photos.”

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Meanwhile, these are the best UK attractions with free annual pass upgrades.

And these are the best free days out in the country.

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AN Autumn break can be a good choice for holidaymakers looking to chase the sun, with many destinations offering warmer weather, fewer crowds, and cheaper prices. 

One city has been found to offer the best bargain holiday deal for this time of year, and that’s Marrakech. 

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The fourth largest city in Morrocco has become increasingly popular with tourists over the years. 

And it’s now been crowned Most Budget Friendly Autumn Getaway 2024 by DiscoverCars.com.

In the car rental company’s latest report cities were scored on a number of factors: 

• Average cost of a week-long hotel stay

• Average cost of car rental for a week

• Number of affordable restaurants

• Average rainfall in millimetres

• Average temperature in September, October and November

• Average daylight hours during these months. 

Marrakech scored best for average rainfall, with just 25mm during September, October and November. 

It also came up top for the longest daylight hours, with an average of nine hours during Autumn. 

While the average flight cost to Marrakech Airport is on the pricier side (£253), the average cost of a week-long hotel stay was just £168. 

Its average temperature was one of the highest at 19C. 

Here are some of the cheapest things you can get up to in the city. 

Visit Bahia Palace for its stunning Moroccan architecture 

Nestled in the heart of Marrakech is Bahia Palace – a 19th century building decorated with stunning paintings and mosaics. 

The palace was set up by Si Moussa, grand vizir of the sultan, for his personal use, and named after one of his wives. 

Its gardens are particularly popular, with orange and banana trees, cypress trees, hibiscus plants and jasmine shading the walkways. 

Entry to the palace is free. 

Grab a cheap bite to eat at Jemaa el-Fnaa

Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square and market place in Marrakech’s medina quarter. 

There are plenty of restaurants dotted around the square serving local delicacies like tagine, brochettes (skewered kebabs), fried fish and couscous.  

Prices are very cheap – you can have a hearty meal for just £9-13.

Explore the iconic El Badi Palace 

El Badi Palace is a ruined palace commissioned by the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty a few months after his accession in 1578. 

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The palace features intricate mosaics, marble columns, gold-topped ceilings, and onyx, and its rooftop terrace offers views of the skyline, Atlas Mountains, and resident storks. 

Entry for adults is 100 MAD (£7.75), and for children 30 MAD (£3.02).

THORPE Park has been named the country’s best theme park by the Great British public.

The UK Theme Park Awards took place last night, with the Surrey-based park bagging the top spot.

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The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com who publish independent consumer guides.

More than 360,000 votes were cast by the public and combined with scores from expert judges to rank the country’s best theme parks.

Awards were spread across 22 categories, including the Best New Attraction, the Best Theme Park for Families, the Best Seaside Park and the New Park of the Year.

Thorpe Park beat the likes of Alton Towers and Drayton Manor to be named the best in the country for 2024.

The Surrey-based theme park, which first opened to the public in 1979, also took first place for the best new attraction, Hyperia.

Hyperia opened to the public earlier this year, becoming the country’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.

Standing at a whopping 236ft tall, the hypercoaster claims to be the UK’s highest, swiping the crown from Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s The Big One by just a few inches.

It also smashes coaster speed records, reaching break-neck speeds of 81mph.

Hyperia wasn’t the only new addition this year, with American-themed Big Easy Boulevard also opening this year.

The new area replaced the park’s Angry Birds land, which had been in place for ten years.

Big Easy Boulevard is based on New Orleans and has several rides, as well as a 4D cinema.

Detonator, a drop tower ride that sends people plummeting 100ft, remains in the area from the Angry Birds land – although it has been rebranded to fit in with its new surroundings.

Other rides at the theme park include Stealth, the UK’s fastest launch coaster, and Vortex, a giant pendulum that swings riders through the air.

Drayton Manor’s Gold Rush took second place as the best new attraction at a UK theme park, with Legoland’s Minifigure Speedway coming in at third.

OTHER AWARD WINNERS

Nemesis Reborn

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Other winners of the night included Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers, which was named the Best Reimagined Attraction.

Nemesis was first unleashed to the public in March 1994 and has become a favourite among thrill-seekers ever since.

However, it closed in November 2022 for retracking and for other changes to be made to the rollercoaster.

After undergoing the biggest overhaul in its 30-year history, the ride was renamed Nemesis Reborn.

You can read our world-first review of Nemesis Reborn here.

Paultons Park

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Paultons Park bagged the top spot for the Best Theme Park for Families and Toddlers.

Paultons Park features more than 70 rides, including roller coasters, family rides, and attractions.

It is also known for being the home of Peppa Pig World, voted the No.1 theme park on TripAdvisor.

Guests will find Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, The Queen’s Flying Coach, Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, and Peppa’s Big Balloon in the Peppa Pig World.

Kids can also enjoy play areas, as well as meet and greets with Peppa Pig and George Pig.

Peppa Pig World isn’t the only attraction at Paultons Park, as there’s also Tornado Spring, a world set in a midwest desert resort town in the 1950s.

Other themed worlds include the Lost Kingdom, Critter Creek, and Little Africa.

Drayton Manor

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Drayton Manor topped the list as the UK’s Best Value Theme Park.

The park is already considered to be among the more affordable resorts in the UK, with UK Family Break previously describing it as “the ideal place for an unforgettable cheap family day out”.

Drayton Manor is home to more than 50 attractions, including Stormforce 10 River Rapids, Thor, Accelorator, Thomas and Percy’s Submarine Splash and The Bounty Pirate Ship.

Meanwhile, this new theme park with 25 attractions has opened in Europe – and flights are only £15.

And here are five European theme parks that are alternatives to Disneyland.

The Sun’s review of Hyperia at Thorpe Park

The Sun’s Lee Bell visited Thorpe Park to try the new ride out. Here’s what he thought…

“I was able to ride the steel monster three times, experiencing its exhilarating speeds in the middle of the train, at the front and then, for my last (and best) ride, right at the back.

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“First impressions: it’s unlike any other rollercoaster in the UK right now.”Not only for the obvious reason that it’s over double the height, but its focus on flinging riders out of their seats and experiencing ‘weightlessness’.

“It’s no surprise that the first drop is what really steals the show on this rollercoaster.

“While it’s the tallest in the country, it’s unique in that it twists riders 180 degrees while they plummet down a huge vertical drop right before reaching the ground at top speeds of over 80mph.

“The back row is easily the best place to experience this, since you’re catapulted over the crest of the drop at speed, and right into the drop with a free-fall-like feeling.

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“It’s an incredible ride that will make you want to ride it again and again.”It’s certainly a coaster that can compete with some of the best in Europe and is easily, in my experience, the best the UK has to offer.”

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A UNIQUE holiday destination in Suffolk has just been named one of the friendliest accommodation providers in the UK. 

Hippersons Boatyard in Beccles has been announced as one of this year’s winners at the Visit Britain’s ROSE Awards. 

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The awards recognise the accommodation providers across England who provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes.

But Hippersons is very different from your usual holiday park or self-catered apartment. 

Guests can stay in in one of six quirky houseboats which are nestled on the River Waveney in The Broads National Park.

The boatyard is self catering, offering fun for families or a romantic getaway for couples. 

Each accommodation has a private rowing boat for exploring the river, and there are a wide range of other water-based experiences on offer. 

Canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and a pedal boat are all available for hire. 

There are also self drive boats you can take out for the day to explore the wider Broads. 

Among the houseboats to choose from are ‘Secret Water’ – a luxury floating glamping pod with a large deck at the front to watch the sunrise and sunset from, a double room and a bunk room, small kitchenette, and a wet room with underfloor heating. 

Local cafe Relish can make food hampers if you’re in need of supplies, or if you need some time out from cooking, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby. 

Nearby attractions include the Beccles Lido, where you can book a slot and swim in the outdoor pool.

There’s also Beccles Museum with displays on local industries and crafts.

A 30 minute drive away is Secret Sauna, a wood-fired sauna cabin in a secluded location, perched on the banks of the River Waveney.

And if it’s speed you’re after, you can book a turn at Beccles Go Kart race circuit.

One Hippersons Boatyard guest, who visited in August this year, described their stay on Tripadvisor.

They wrote: “The accommodation was well finished with a beautiful view out of the boatyard towards the river. My kids (and I) loved watching the fish swim past as we ate out on the water. We were welcomed by very hospitable staff and found a welcome hamper on arrival. The boathouse came with a dingy and life jackets, which we could use at our leisure.

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“The boatyard is really well placed a short walk from the historic centre of Beccles (but no road or town noise!). My kids loved visiting the headed lido and we enjoyed a meal out at the Royal Oak. Both Norfolk and Suffolk attractions were accessible from Beccles. Just a brilliant stay, I really can’t recommend enough. We’ll be back!”

Prices start from £315 for a three night stay. To book, visit the Hippersons Boatyard website.