MABLETHORPE, near Skegness, is often slated as a seaside town.

It came bottom of the list for England’s seaside resorts this year in a Which? survey but I find it hard to believe, having visited it both as a child and now as a mum.

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The little coastal gem always delivers all the fun in the sun you’d expect at the Great British seaside.

I grew up going to the Lincolnshire coast every year for my family’s annual trip to the seaside and I still love taking my boys back now. 

One of my earliest holiday memories is riding a tandem in the sunshine with my parents and my brothers and going to watch the Care Bears Movie, around the time that Mablethorpe’s cinema was reopened as the Loewen, which is still going strong.

Mablethorpe’s beach stretches for miles and there’s two little trains that run you along the front if you’re staying further out at one of the holiday parks like Haven Golden Sands and want to get into the centre.

The trains are known as Landy and Sandy as one runs on the road and the other on the beach.

Tickets for Landy are £2 each, while Sandy costs £3 per person return or £1.50 for a one way trip and then you can amble back along the sandy shore, paddling in the sea if the tide is right. Under threes travel free and dogs are welcome aboard.

The trains are just one of the attractions run by Jacksons of Mablethorpe, which also offer a beachfront arcade with a mix of machines to keep all ages amused.

As the company is on the cusp of celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, it must be doing something right and there’s plenty of visitors like my family who keep coming back year after year.

If arcades and bars aren’t your thing, my top tip would be to check out the seal sanctuary at North End Beach over the road from the Haven park if you love wildlife or take a trip down the coast to charming Sutton-on-Sea if you fancy a change of scene. 

Golden Sands is a great place to stay, with indoor and outdoor pools and loads of kids activities like archery, climbing, high ropes and a free soft play.

It’s consistently rated as one of the most popular Haven sites and we’ve had loads of brilliant breaks there, meeting up with friends and having a blast.

My favourite time of year to visit is actually the October half term as I’ve often bagged a bargain as the holiday season comes to an end.

It’s fun checking out who’s decorated their caravan for Halloween and holiday parks can be a great place for traffic-free trick or treating.

And Lincolnshire is perfect for a staycay if you want to keep things cheap as chips as it’s not a big holiday hotspot, other than for Midlanders, so the prices are lower than at other seaside spots.

The irony of Mablethorpe’s surprise rating of just 46 per cent in this year’s Which? survey is that it’s only a year since it was named England‘s best beach in research commissioned by car rental firm Sixt, beating the likes of Cromer in Norfolk.

It was judged on water quality, parking, nearby amenities and whether there’s lifeguards on duty.

I’d be far more inclined to agree with last year’s rating, although if you’re looking at Mablethorpe town centre as a whole, there are bits that do look like they need a bit of TLC, like entertainment complex Spanish City, which was recently spotted on hit TV drama Sherwood.

Last year, it was neighbouring Skegness that came joint bottom of the Which? seaside survey, so it just goes to show that fortunes can change overnight.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Skegvegas, the golden sands are what make Mablethorpe a must-visit in my eyes.

What are the Sun team’s favourite seaside towns?

The Sun’s travel team share some of their favourite English seaside towns

Folkestone, Kent

With views of France (on a very clear day), the main attraction is the Harbour Arm, sitting at the edge of the converted train tracks and selling hand-crafted goods and amazing food.

The multicoloured high street with shops and restaurants can’t be missed, my favourites being Burrito Buoy for some amazing margaritas and The Folkestone Bookshop for some novels.

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You’ll need to pack your beach shoes as it has a stony beach over a sandy beach – but after a few drinks at the much loved pilot bar, you’ll hardly care.

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Mousehole, Cornwall

The small sandy bay has retained it’s chocolate box charm, crammed with weathered fishing boats and backed by pokey cafes and airy art galleries where seaside-inspired works hang from the walls.

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For impeccable views of a wild sea and homemade grub, head to Rock Pool Cafe which sits atop a craggy cliff and order a ‘make it yourself’ hot chocolate.

There are some impressive coastal walks – but be warned it can be hilly.

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire

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Accessible on a spit of sand when the tide is out, this quirky little community art project is made up of driftwood, flags and mementoes from those who have visited to admire the huge swathes of golden sands and sparkling waters.

Sadly the original was destroyed in a fire in 2023 but an enthusiastic band of local volunteers are slowly re-building the landmark.

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

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Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei has accused the UN of imposing a “socialist” agenda on its members and called on countries to sign up to a “freedom agenda”, in a fiery speech that underlined his status as a political provocateur beloved by the alt right.

In his debut address to the UN general assembly in New York on Tuesday, Milei focused on the 42-page “Pact for the Future” adopted by the UN on Sunday, which includes points promoting climate action, gender equality and regulation of artificial intelligence.

“Argentina will not back any policy that implies the restriction of individual freedoms or trade, nor the violation of the natural rights of individuals,” Milei said. “We invite all nations of the free world to join us, not only in opposing this pact, but in the creation of a new agenda for this noble institution: the freedom agenda.”

He added that the UN’s previous 2030 sustainable development agenda was “a supranational programme of a socialist nature” and accused the UN of becoming “multi-tentacled Leviathan that seeks to decide what each nation state should do and how the citizens of the world should live”.

Milei has courted the global spotlight since taking office in December, speaking regularly at multilateral summits and conservative political conferences and forming friendships with prominent figures such as Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, whom Milei met with for the third time on Monday in New York City.

“My companies are actively looking for ways to invest in and support Argentina,” Musk said in a post on his X platform on Tuesday.

Earlier this month in an interview with broadcaster LN+ Milei referred to himself as “one of the most relevant politicians on planet earth. One is Donald Trump and the other is me.”

Milei’s domestic agenda has largely focused on fixing Argentina’s worst economic crisis in two decades, mainly by rolling out a severe austerity package designed to bring down triple-digit inflation.

But the libertarian economist, who has denied the existence of human-caused climate change and is a staunch opponent of Argentina’s legalisation of elective abortion, has also pledged to wage a “cultural battle” against Argentina’s left.

He has dissolved Argentina’s women’s and environment ministries and shut down its anti-discrimination institute.

“I’m here to warn you that we are at the end of a cycle,” Milei said at the UN on Tuesday. “The collectivism and moral posturing of the woke agenda have collided with reality.”

SHOPPERS are rushing to buy a “fab” snack dupe scanning at tills for £1.20 less than the popular original.

Iceland is currently selling Toast’Em Pop-Ups for just £1.50.

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The product is a dupe for Kellogg’s Pop Tarts range.

Prices for the original do vary, according to supermarket price comparison site Trolley.co.uk.

Frosted Chocotastic Toaster Pastries cost £2.25 at B&M, while the Strawberry Sensation flavour and the Chocotastic Breakfast Pastry Snack both cost £3 each at Sainsbury’s.

Most Pop Tart flavours though are available for £2.69 including “Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae” and “S’mores Choco & Marshmallow” flavours.

Taking to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook they wrote: “£1.50 in Iceland stores. Opinions?”

They also added a photo of their haul, showing the flavours Frosted S’mores and Frosted Cookies and Crème.

Other members of the group were suitably impressed with the breakfast treats.

One wrote: “My kids love the smore ones they are a firm favourite.”

Another added: “Cookies and creme ones are to die for in my opinion, better than any pop tarts I’ve had. Haven’t tried the smores.”

A third fan said: “My kids prefer these to the original.”

A fourth person chipped in with: “Just like the American pop tarts! Amazing for the money!!”

While one mum posted: “My boys said a bit doughy but good. A fab cheaper alternative.”

There are plenty of comparison websites out there that’ll check prices for you – so don’t be left paying more than you have to.

Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.

Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web.

Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.

The news comes after the supermarket chain launched four different stonebaked pizzas for just £2.50 each.

The pizza’s aren’t the cheapest ones that Iceland sells.

The frozen food giant also has a range of thin crust pizzas which cost £1 each.

Iceland also recently announced that its classic drink Um Bongo is back on the shelves years after it was discontinued in 2003.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

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ALDI shoppers have been left overjoyed after the supermarket’s iconic Toblerone dupe returned to shelves.

Fans of the bargain retailer have been pleading for the Specially Selected Swiss chocolate bar to make a comeback, with Aldi finally giving in.

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The blonde bar is seen as a family favourite with happy customers describing it as “lush” as they race into stores to grab one.

Each 100g pack cost is now priced at £1.69.

Each bar is packed with delicious ingredients from white chocolate, honey, almond, nougat and salted caramel pieces.

An actual bar of normal Toblerone will set you back a hefty amount with the smallest offering being a 200g bar for £4 at Tesco.

However if you want the white chocolate version like Aldi’s alternative then it will cost you a whopping £6 for a 360g bar.

The bars were last seen in November 2023 but seemingly vanished after winter leaving shoppers gutted to believe they were a Christmas treat only.

But with it being restocked already sweet toothed fans are raving about its return.

A picture of the bar back on shelves was shared to social media with one happy shopper saying: “This looks amazing!!!”

As another simply wrote: “That looks lush!”

Another said: “How yummy does this look.”

A four replied: “Oh yesssssss, you need to find me one.”

Before a fifth commenter added: “Oh these are the business. Really yummy.”

The product is still unavailable online at Aldi meaning those who want to get their hands on it will need to go their local store to check.

Bargain specialists Aldi are known as the kings of great deals.

They are selling an incredible dog-friendly product perfect for the chilly autumn weather.

The reversible puffer jacket item is being sold as part of the supermarket’s Specialbuy range later this week with it prices set to start from just £7.99.

Aldi Specialbuys are a unique and fantastic offering from the supermarket.

For a full run down of the best they have to offer check out this article.

It comes as Aldi bargain hunters were also rushing out to get their hands on a dupe for a popular Cadbury’s dessert.

Dairyfine Pots of Choc, Aldi’s version of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Pots of Joy, are described as a “smooth and creamy dessert”.

Other shoppers were going wild for a middle-aisle find that’s scanning at tills for as little as 99p.

The Kids Camping Chair – shaped like a fox – was already massively reduced at just £4.99 but one lucky shopper managed to bag one up for under a pound.

You can find your nearest Aldi store by using the retailer’s store locator tool on its website.

Remember it is always best to shop around to try and spot which shop has the best deal on any particular product.

As UK chancellor Rachel Reeves was giving her “growth” speech at the Labour party conference in Liverpool (Report, September 24), by coincidence my second-year students and I were discussing the issue of confidence in the UK economy among international investors.

Reeves could test the confidence of global investors by changing the government’s fiscal rules (as your piece suggests). Alternatively, she could signal her government’s full commitment to investing in the country by issuing bonds linked to GDP, with a maturity of, say, 10 years since the Labour party has argued it needs a second term to “fix” the economy.

Investors would arguably be keen to hold these bonds. This is because they will be rewarded more handsomely as their return increases in line with the economy growing stronger. GDP-linked bonds act like an insurance policy in the sense that the government pays less (more) if GDP growth is weak (strong).

This suggests a GDP risk premium added to the cost of debt which is likely to be extremely low if investors have faith in Reeves and her policies. Will Reeves be bold enough to back her growth speech with such action?

Professor Costas Milas
Management School, University of Liverpool
Lancashire, UK