Travel
UK’s biggest Wetherspoons to close until next month ahead of renovation
THE country’s biggest Wetherspoons is closing for nearly a month – with plans for a big refurbishment.
The Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate is the largest Wetherspoons in the UK.
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Having opened in 2017, the 11,000sqm pub is right on the seaside town’s beach, with space for 1,500 people.
However a sign in the pub has warned punters not to rock up for the next month, as it is set to close for a renovation.
The sign reads: “Wetherspoons refurbishment at Royal Victoria Pavilion.
“This pub will be closed from Monday 11 November, reopening on Saturday 7 December 2024.
Read more on Wetherspoons
“We apologise for any inconvenience.”
Drinkers were told their nearest Wetherspoons during the closure would be The Mechanical Elephant in Margate.
The pub chain has not revealed what to expect from the refurbishment.
Sun Travel has contacted Wetherspoons for comment.
The pub, now a Grade-II listed building, was built in 1903 as a concert and assembly hall.
Over the years, it was turned into both a casino and nightclub and then closed in 2008.
Wetherspoons then spent £4.5million on turning it into a pub.
Set across two floors, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.
If you do find yourself in Ramsgate when the pub is closed, there are other attractions to visit.
This includes the only royal harbour in the UK, as well as Ramsgate Tunnels.
What is it like to visit the UK’s biggest Wetherspoons
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey went down to visit.
“Despite it’s size and even on a Monday afternoon, I struggled to get one by the window as most people sit around the edges to be near one of the many beach views.
“Sadly staff said there was no good or bad time to find a spot, saying they are always the popular seats.
“A local told me they often come to the pub, despite living in the nearby Margate which has its own Wetherspoons.
“If you are a fan of the Spoons pubs, then it is definitely worth a day trip – many of my friends in London were even discussing planning a pilgrimage to it.”
Other pubs include The Belle Vue Tavern as well as the Hovelling Boat Inn, a micro pub.
Otherwise there are some other beautiful Wetherspoons in other seaside towns too.
There is the Samuel Peto in Folkestone which is built in a former church – and we went down to try it out.
The Sir Henry Segrave in Southport is to reopen with a new hotel and ‘tower suite’
Or if you don’t need the beach, here’s what to expect from the new £2.8million The Lion and The Unicorn which opened earlier this year in London Waterloo.
We’ve even rounded up the 10 most beautiful Wetherspoons in the UK.
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The Almaty lounge will operate 24 hours a day and can accommodate up to 100 guests at a time
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Dubai-based carrier flydubai has begun flights to a second destination in Nepal, recently launching direct flights to Bhairahawa. The inaugural flight touched down at Bhairahawa Airport, also known as Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA), on 9 November, 2024
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Hyatt Hotels Corporation and ALDAU Development have opened the Hyatt Centric Cairo West – the first art-centered lifestyle hotel in Cairo, promising to take guests on an immersive journey through Egyptian history reimagined for modern travellers.
Continue reading Art-inspired Hyatt Centric Cairo West opens to guests at Business Traveller.
Travel
Art Deco lido forced to close until the end of the year – despite just re-opening after £11million restoration
ONE of the UK’s most beautiful lidos has been forced to temporarily close – despite just re-opening.
Saltdean Lido, in Brighton reopened this summer after a huge £11million renovation.
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The 14-year project was part of National Lottery funding, which revamped the cafe and pool area.
However, the pool has been forced to close already, due to unexpected damages.
The underground leak – one of several in recent years – means the lido has had to close at short notice.
The lido said on social media: “We have experienced a few underground leaks around the pool in recent years and again earlier this year.
“We now have another leak and it is apparent that we have a problem with the pipework all around the pool.
“Despite our best efforts to keep the pool open during this period, we have been advised that there are structural risks in doing this and the water level should be reduced while excavation takes place.
“This means, very sadly, that it is necessary to close the pool until these essential works are completed.
“There is no good time to do this, but on balance, winter is better than summer.”
The works are estimated to take up to four weeks, meaning the pool could reopen by the end of the year.
Other improvements include replacing some of the roofs and windows.
They added: “We hope you will continue to support us through gym memberships, attending our events and enjoying the café and restaurant and look forward to welcoming you back into the pool soon.”
People were left gutted by the news.
One wrote: “What a great pity after all of your efforts.”
Another agreed: “So sorry to hear this … how very sad.”
Saltdean Lido has a 40 metre outdoor heated pool, meaning it remains open even during the winter months.
A kid’s splash pool and grassy area make it a popular spot in the summer months.
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There are even three food eateries, along with co-working spaces and gym classes.
The Art Deco lido was built in 1938, and was seen as such an innovative design of its time.
However, it closed just two years later due to the war.
It was even nearly bought by Butlins in 1958 when it was derelict although this was scrapped.
Last summer, a new Brighton lido opened right on the beach.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”
Sea Lanes Brighton has a 50 metre, six-lane heated pool, with sea views too.
And here’s another lido hoping to reopen in the UK.
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EASYJET is launching a new route between Newcastle Airport and Lyon, with services to start operating in January.
Earlier this year, the low-cost airline announced 33 routes launching from 11 UK airports, including a brand-new service from Newcastle.
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Direct services will start operating between the two cities from January 4, 2025.
The weekly service will operate every Saturday.
Flights will leave Lyon at 10.15am before touching down in the UK at 11.25am.
Services from Newcastle Airport will then depart from the UK at 12.05pm, landing in the French city at 3.05pm local time.
Flights between the two cities will take roughly two hours.
Tickets are already on sale, with one-way fares starting from £26.99.
Lyon is the third largest city in France, which means there’s plenty of attractions and activities to keep holidaymakers entertained.
One of those is Parc de la Tête d’Or – the largest urban park in France.
Holidaymakers should also explore Croix-Rousse, a bohemian district that was once home to the city’s silk manufacturers.
The area is packed with indie bars, restaurants, galleries and shops.
Lyon is also known for its ties to the cinema with the Lumière brothers living in the French city.
The Lumière brothers are often credited as being the inventors of cinema, with the Institut Lumière, their former home, now housing a museum that traces the history of cinema.
Earlier this year, Newcastle Airport was named one of the best in the world at an award ceremony in Bahrain.
The regional English airport was crowned the ‘Overall Winner’ at the Routes World Awards 2024.
It also retained its title of ‘Airport of the Year‘ in the under 5 million passengers category for the second year running.
In the last few months, Newcastle Airport has added several new routes, with the 16 airlines flying to 80 destinations.
Sun Express, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish airlines, will launch a new service from Newcastle to Dalaman, Turkey.
Direct services will start operating on May 4, with additional flights to Antalya also being added to the airport’s roster next year.
Tour operator Jet2 has also added another route from Newcastle International Airport to its summer 2026 programme.
Flights from Newcastle to Preveza, Greece, will begin operating on May 26, 2026.
What is it like to visit Lyon?
THE Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot visited Lyon, here’s what she thought about the French city…
Lyon is the gastronomic capital of a country obsessed with food.
But there’s so much more than eating to explore in its evocative old town. It has more than 2,000 years of history to discover as well as fantastic shopping and quirky museums.
From the cobblestones of its historic old town to the sweeping panoramic views from Fourvière hill across its two rivers, France’s third largest city is a striking and surprising destination for any first-time visitor.
With its incredible gastronomy, ancient Roman ruins and vibrant nightlife, it’s an ideal weekend getaway.
And as the Cote d’Azur is less than two hours away by train, it’s also the perfect stop-off for those planning a trip to the south.
With two majestic rivers piercing the city centre — the grand Rhône and the smaller Saône — Lyon is a particularly scenic place to see on foot.
The cobbled paths and mysterious passageways of Vieux Lyon, above right, or old Lyon, are often busy with tourists but are also unique and perfect for photo opportunities.
Head to the vast Parc de la Tête d’Or for a tranquil stroll. Spanning almost 300 acres, France’s largest urban park is an oasis of calm that also contains a boating lake, botanical gardens and even a zoo.
While the quirky hillside neighbourhood of Croix-Rousse will give your legs a good workout, its charming cafes, winding streets and colourful public art make it worth the walk.
A Ryanair route to Marrakech will launch in October, just in time for the winter season.
Earlier this year, Jet2 also added five extra routes from Newcastle.
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