The Monday letters page tries to predict what will be announced on Mario Day, as one reader has some ideas for how Ubisoft could revive Prince Of Persia.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Next gen distraction
Interesting to see the new Xbox boss is going all out already with the Project Helix idea. I realise they haven’t shown anything yet but I don’t see how they can get way from the fact that it’s going to be super expensive. That’s the only detail they’ve given so far and it’s kind of one you can’t get way from.

I’m going to say that right now, considering everything that’s going on in the world, and the certainty that things are only going to get more expensive in the short term, nobody is in the mood for spending hundreds and hundreds of pounds on a next gen Xbox.

If I were them I’d just give up all hope of making consoles and concentrate on being a third party publisher. They’ve got plenty of big names, many of which have not been treated well in recent years, and I actually think being distracted by Project Helix could be a big problem for them.

Microsoft want a comeback for Xbox but I just think it’s too late. They’ve messed up too many times and I think the Xbox One was their last real chance, which the failure of the Xbox Series X – which wasn’t a bad console – kind of proves.
Winston

Resident gamer
RE: Resident Evil Requiem attracting older gamers. I think we’ve known for a while now that the audience for single-player games is skewing older but there’s two alternatives here and one of them is not a bad thing at all. Either only old people like ‘proper’ games and when they die off there is no audience left (which is obviously bad) or people just get into traditional games as they get older, which is fine.

You’re not likely to be too interested in fishing or gardening or loads of other things when you’re a teenager but that doesn’t mean you won’t get into them later. Video games have long ago stopped being a thing that only young kids like and there’s now different types for all kinds of different people, at different points in their life.

Your taste in music changes over the years so maybe your taste in games does too. I know mine has, although when I was a teenager you didn’t have nearly the variety in gaming you do today.
Scooter

Lucky number seven
Nintendo has got to be trolling us with the Directs now. Six in 2026 and not one of them is a proper one or has announced anything of any real interest? I checked the list from last year and there’s already nearly more this year than the whole of 2025, and we’ve only just started March!

Please, Nintendo, just put us all out of our miseries and do something. Or at least don’t call a new trailer for a movie, and two minutes of blather from some Hollywood mouthpieces, a Direct. It’s not a Direct, none of the things you’ve had this year so far have been, as far as I’m concerned. It’s put up or shut up at this point.
Korbie

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Yearly schedule
I’m not sure I remember Nintendo announcing or releasing anything in particular on MAR10 Day before. It’s usually just sales and merch and littler things like that. A Mario Kart World update would be interesting, but that only means Nintendo is getting even more unpredictable.

Even with another not-Direct announced I still think there’s a good chance of the big one this month. Unless… the Switch 2 reveal was in April so maybe they’re going to make that an annual thing? That could be their main time for unveiling things now. It’s only a guess but I think we’ve got to realise that as weird as unpredictable as Nintendo seems to us, to them what they’re doing always makes perfect sense.
Zeiss

Prince’s Creed
The thing I don’t understand about the Prince Of Persia reboot and bringing it back, is how is it supposed to be different to Assassin’s Creed? Assassin’s Creed evolved out of an unreleased Prince Of Persia game and I don’t know how different a new game would be, except probably having no stealth.

It could be done though, if you put the emphasis on sword-fighting and platforming. That would make it more like the original games and also different from Assassin’s Creed. I’d also make it more light-hearted and try and make the characters likeable rather than ‘badass’. This is what people liked about Sands Of Time but I don’t think Ubisoft really understands that, especially after that Metroidvania spin-off, where everyone was angry again for no reason.

But I’ve got to be honest, if I was a money guy at Ubisoft, and I knew the company was on the rocks, it’s not something I’d be pushing for in a hurry. Whatever chance Prince Of Persia had for a revival I think it’s gone now.
Stennar

Out of stock
Pokémon Pokopia wasn’t initially a game that was on my radar. However, I’ve got a few games to trade in and have been tempted after the rave reviews, and it seems to be popping up on my social media feeds.

After some back and forth I thought I’d take the plunge. But I simply cannot find it in stock anywhere. Argos, Smyths, and Currys are all sold out. Likewise, ShopTo and Amazon. Even CeX don’t have any copies.

Recently, I tried and failed to get the Resident Evil Generation Pack and resigned to getting Requiem as a standalone. And getting Assassin’s Creed Shadows also provided slightly tricky.

It seemed an odd choice for a Nintendo exclusive to be a Game Card title to begin with and then to produce seemingly limited physical copies feels like a slightly underhanded and sneaky way of pushing consumers towards digital only.

Personally, I’m loathe to buy any digital-only title at full price, especially when I’m somewhat on the fence already.
matc7884

GC: In this case, it just seems to be unexpected demand, as it’s also sold out in the US in a very similar manner. However, as we type this it is in stock at Argos, Amazon, and ShopTo.

Gamer Boi
I recently game across a great song that I am sure everyone here will like and enjoy having a listen to. I came across this song which was posted and linked by Sarah Wingfield, who is also a gamer and disability advocate who does phenomenal work.

Here’s the link to her video which links the song and song title and I recommend everyone show her their love and support.
gaz be rotten (gamertag)

The motherlode
I’m in the process of moving house, big change as I’ve lived in south west London all my life, but we have decided to relocate to Cornwall (I work from home these days, so not tied to an area other than for family reasons). As a result my wife and I have been clearing stuff from the loft for the last few days.

Thought readers might like to see some of what was up there.

PlayStation 1, 2, and 3, GameCube, N64, Xbox (first one), Wii U, Nintendo DSes, PS Vita, Atari Lynx, Switch 1 and 2, Xbox Series X, Sega Dreamcast, Game & Watch. I have a lightgun for the Dreamcast, multiple controllers for each…. oh, and loads of games. Maybe a couple of hundred (e.g. Shenmue, Power Stone, GoldenEye 007, Grand Turismo, Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, Klax, etc.).

It’s put a massive smile on my face while wading through junk we’ve hoarded for no real reason…. Equally sad that I got rid of things like my imported Japanese Super Famicom a fair while ago (although maybe a family member has that, I’ll have to ask them).

I’ll be taking it all with me of course and might try and set up a gaming space in the new house. Wish me luck.
Birdmanrob

Inbox also-rans
It’s a shame there’s never really be a definitive Star Trek game. There are a bunch of good ones but no great ones, I would say. Bridge Commander is probably my favourite but it was only combat based with not much else.
Kaon

Just want to add another recommendation for Minishoot’ Adventures. Zelda in a spaceship does sum it up pretty well and while that’s an odd idea I’m really enjoying it.
Johnson

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

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MORE: Games Inbox: Is Pokémon Pokopia really worth getting?

MORE: Games Inbox: Will Resident Evil Requiem get a Mercenaries mode?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is it worth buying a PS5 in 2026?

Andrew and Margaret Chesney were the last people to work at the historic location off the Royal Mile, which has been preserved as a popular tourist attraction.

The “hardworking” final residents of a historic Edinburgh alleyway have been honoured with a marker for their graves, almost a century after they died. Andrew and Margaret Chesney were the last people to work on Mary King’s Close, a historic location off the Royal Mile which has been preserved as a popular tourist attraction.

The Chesneys were buried in an unmarked grave, but research has revealed the location of the burial site. Those who run the tourist attraction, The Real Mary King’s Close, have now unveiled a grave marker for them.

Andrew Chesney was a sawmaker who had a family business in the area, operating beneath the Royal Mile for years. The central thoroughfare of Edinburgh is surrounded by very narrow alleyways – known as closes – which were densely populated.

Chesney and Son Sawmakers was one of the last businesses to operate on the close before commercial activity ceased at the start of the 20th century. The Chesneys moved to the south of Edinburgh later in their lives.

Andrew died in 1906 aged 74 and Margaret died in 1918 aged 88. Members of the team at the tourist attraction carried out research to identify where they were buried, tracing them to Morningside Cemetery.

They share a burial plot with nephew Andrew Marshall, who died in 1892 aged 19. Characters portraying the Chesneys feature as part of The Real Mary King’s Close’s tours.

The team, who were supported by local historian Robbie MacRae, hope the new grave marker will restore a sense of dignity and remembrance to their final resting place.

Paul Nixon, general manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “The Chesneys were hardworking Edinburgh residents whose lives are woven into the story we share with visitors every day.

“Recognising their final resting place felt important. It connects our historical interpretation with the real people behind it and ensures they are honoured not only at the close, but also within the wider story of the city.

“We take great pride in preserving Edinburgh’s social history, and placing this marker was a respectful and meaningful way to continue that work.”

Ashleigh More, one of the researchers involved, said: “We talk about the Chesneys every day on our tours and it didn’t sit right with me that they were in an unmarked grave.

“It’s nice to know I’ve been part of keeping their memory alive. A quiet little family that were everyday members of the close, but no less a part of our history.”

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York Magistrate’s Court’s £300 fines handed down to each offender compared to penalties of £600 and £1,000 from York Council were among cases highlighted by the Local Government Association (LGA).

Cllr Arooj Shah, the LGA’s Neighbourhoods Committee chair, said they and others showed the current system was failing to deter offenders, with changes needed to make punishments fit the crime.

City of York Council’s communities lead Pauline Stuchfield said people who did not pay penalties would be prosecuted, named, get a criminal record and face costs and surcharges on top of fines.

A Government spokesperson said they were giving councils the tools to tackle waste crime, closing legal loopholes exploited by offenders and bringing in tougher powers to enforce laws.

It comes as the LGA called for a sentencing guidelines review after figures showing court fines handed to offenders were often less than penalties given out by councils.

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LGA analysis of the latest data showed the average court fine of £539 was £87 lower than the £626 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) councils were issuing for the same offence.

Councils can issue FPNs of up to £1,000 to offenders which are discounted to £500 if paid off early.

Cases highlighted by the LGA included 28-year-old Jake Calam who was fined earlier this year after pleading guilty to dumping waste on a footpath from July 2024 to July 2025.

Lianne Hodkinson, 43, admitted to paying an unlicensed waste remover she found online who took her rubbish and dumped it on land off Clifton Road Park, in Rawcliffe.

York Magistrates Court fined both offenders £300 each and ordered Calam, of Foxwood Lane, to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £750 in prosecution costs.

Hodkinson, formerly of Riverside Gardens, Nether Poppleton, was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £600 in costs.

The LGA said court sentences were now out of step with the real impact fly-tipping is having on communities.

The Local Government Association has called for tougher penalties to tackle fly-tipping (Image: Contributed)

The body, which represents local authorities, added it was undermining deterrence, weakening enforcement and leaving councils out of pocket for pursuing time-consuming and costly prosecutions.

Cases taken to court often require lengthy investigations and have to meet high evidence thresholds which takes up a large amount of time for council staff.

Fly-tipping costs councils more than £19.3 million-a-year to clean up, with 1.26 million cases recorded in England in the year up to March 2025.

The LGA’s Neighbourhood Committee Chair Cllr Shah said changes were needed so penalties reflect the harm caused by fly-tipping and enforcement work.

Cllr Shah said: “Fly-tipping is criminal activity that blights communities and costs taxpayers millions of pounds every year.

“Sentencing guidelines must be reviewed so that the punishment fits the crime.”

York Council’s Communities Director Ms Stuchfield said Calam and Hodskinson had to pay £1,170 and £1,020 respectively after being prosecuted.

The director said: “As these cases show, we will take action against people who illegally dump waste.

“Our average FPN is £1,000 and is reduced to £500 if paid within 10 days.

“When it is paid, the matter is closed, when it is not paid, the person risks being taken to court.

“We encourage people to pay any fines as soon as they are incurred and to dispose of waste legally.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said their new guidance including on-the-spot littering fines of up to £500 would help councils tackle waste crime.

The spokesperson said: “We are giving authorities the tools they need to fight back against waste crime.

“Digital waste tracking will close the loopholes criminals exploit, drones are catching offenders in the act, and councils have the power to crush their vans, making it more and more difficult for criminals to hide.”

A Sentencing Council spokesperson said they would be happy to consider any evidence regarding the effective operation of its guidelines.

Mr Swinney also said: “I think the SNP government responded to the concerns of members of the public by the establishment of a public inquiry which was preceded also by individual case reviews of the circumstances and the treatment of individuals and then in the here and now, where issues arise, where there are problems, the Scottish government, through NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is addressing those issues.”

Demolition works are continuing to progress after one of the site’s main buildings was recently knocked down

Works to transform Wales’ last coal fired power station has taken a major step forward. Aberthaw Power Station in the Vale of Glamorgan is currently being demolished to make way for a renewable energy park.

Cardiff Capital Region Energy (CCR Energy), the company leading the project, recently announced a progress update on works and said that they had finished demolishing the turbine hall and deaerator bays at the huge site. The turbine hall was one of the largest and most complex remaining structures on the Aberthaw site, measuring more than 230m in length.

Constructed from reinforced concrete and structural steel, the building historically housed the main turbine and auxiliary plant used in electricity generation. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

CCR Energy said the scale and density of the building required extensive analysis and months of preparatory works before it could be demolished.

The demolition marks a significant step in the future of the Aberthaw site, which first started operating in the 1960s and closed in 2020.

Plans for a renewable energy park were revealed years ago and Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) committed itself to purchasing Aberthaw Power Station from previous owner RWE in 2022 for £8m.

However, it still isn’t clear yet exactly what kind of renewable energy production will eventually take place on site.

In their most recent update on demolition works, CCR Energy said the scale and location of Aberthaw by the coast provide “opportunities to support a range of innovative sustainable energy, industrial, advanced manufacturing and innovation-led uses”.

The firm went on to add that this would be “subject to technical feasibility, market demand and planning considerations”.

CCR Energy’s demolition contractor for the current phase of the project is Erith Contractors.

An investigation into the the handling of the procurement process that led to CCR Energy awarding a £30m contract to demolish Aberthaw Power Station recently highlighted a number of failings.

After receiving several bids, the contract for the demolition works was awarded to Erith in 2023. However, the demolition firm’s bid arrived minutes after the April 28, 2023 deadline.

Losing bidder Brown and Mason launched legal action, raising concerns about how the procurement process was overseen.

The legal action eventually led to CCR abandoning its defence and agreeing to pay a settlement of about £5.25m to Brown and Mason.

In total, the financial hit added up to about £6.5m after legal costs of more than £900,000 and the independent investigation report carried out by professional advisory firm Deloitte.

Their report concluded that there was no deliberate wrongdoing or misconduct on the part of those involved, but it did identify errors in the procurement process.

Chair of CCR and leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Mary Ann Brocklesby, said at the time of the report’s findings that CCR commissioned an independent review into the procurement process to maintain transparency.

She added: “Plainly, there are many lessons to be learned, and I am confident that every effort will be made to fully implement the recommendations of the review.”

On the current demolition works, CCR Energy said they have been carried out “safely and precisely” by Erith and explosive engineering specialists Precision Demolition Company (PDC).

Chair of CCR Energy Board, Paul Matthews, said the recent demolition work “represents a major milestone in the transformation of Aberthaw”.

He added: “The turbine hall was a significant industrial structure, and safely delivering its controlled demolition required extensive planning, technical expertise and close collaboration across specialist teams.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Aberthaw as we continue to prepare the site for a future focused on renewable energy, environmental resilience and long-term community benefit.”

Following the successful demolition of the turbine hall, works at Aberthaw will continue to focus on completion of the wider demolition programme, ongoing site remediation, planning, and engagement with potential future partners.

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Millers Fish and Chips in Haxby is celebrating being recognised as amongst the best in the industry at the National Fish and Chip Awards – a ceremony held on Wednesday, February 25, which aims to celebrate fish friers across the nation.

At the event, owner David Miller was presented with the Outstanding Contribution prize and fish fryer Abigail Barker was highly commended – a category created just for her – as Young Fish Fryer of the Year.

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David said: “We went to London for the awards and it was just really just to support Abby, because she’s got through to the finals again for the second year – which is really good going, especially because she’d only been with us six months when she went for it last time.

“The award for Young Fish Fryer is really in depth – there’s written programmes, then they go through online interviews with all technical questions. After that, they’re in the shop with the judges for about six hours – they show them around, then they’ve got to cook five lots of fish and chips and each one has to be exactly the same.

“There’s a lot of pressure there for somebody who’s under 25, so we wanted to be there to support her. It’s the award before the takeaway of the year, which is the big one, so there’s a lot of tension building in the room.  It’s just as important in my opinion as it celebrates the new talent coming through.”

David explained that, as well as going for the award, the family had decided to make Abby back of house manager at 21 – a role which she had thrived in so far.

He said: “She’s an absolute grafter. She’s taken this role by the scruff of the neck and really made it her own – she’s taken her own course, made training plans for the staff, as well as going for this award.

“Her review came back for the fish fryer of the year and you could see she’s only just missed out – most of the stuff she got 100% on – and that’s why they decided to do a runner up. She’s going to go for it again next year too and she’ll be hot favourite.”

In the tradition of Beat Saber comes a new PSVR2 game that turns first person combat into a fitness regime, as you fight the bulge with swords and maces.

The intersection between virtual reality and fitness comes with its own contradictions. On one hand, the fact that VR’s good at making you feel physically transported into a different space, with your arm and head movements tracked and reproduced in-game, immediately makes it a more kinetic medium than conventional gaming, where you normally slump on a sofa or office chair, your thumbs the only part of you getting even a modest workout.

On the other hand, VR has you wearing a bulky display on your head, which encases your face in plastic. Even without having to move around, that invites a degree of stickiness. Games designed with fitness in mind then go out of their way to encourage rapid, vigorous motion. It’s no doubt something that will improve as headset design gets slimmer and lighter but, as it stands, games like Rager are a recipe for sweat.

Like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip before it, Rager’s a VR rhythm combat game, which has you smashing digital attackers using various weapons in time to pounding music. Standing in a circular, neon lit arena, muscular looking humanoid robots walk, then run, towards you, unleashing flying kicks, punches, and melee weapons, their blows and your ripostes timed to coincide with the big beats of its EDM soundtrack.

Separated into three zones, each comprising three levels and a boss battle, you’re introduced to the game’s weaponry, which includes swords, maces, claws, and longer two-handed weapons, all of which crackle with electricity, their haptic feedback registering blocks and blows to enemies, as well as moments when your weapons touch each other or scrape the floor. It really is a feast for the senses.

As robotic assailants leap at you, symbols appear in front of them telling you what angle you need to parry or attack them, and which weapon you need to use. In many levels you dual wield, so you need to use combinations of melee weapons to attack and defend yourself, having to adapt to each combatant’s assaults and vulnerabilities as they come at you.

Originally released on the wireless Meta Quest, you’ll find enemies charging at you from all directions, and to prevent yourself getting tangled up in the PlayStation VR2’s cable, when fighting those coming from behind you, you can use an analogue stick to flick your viewpoint around to meet those attacks, rather than physically pivoting in their direction. Although for some reason the angle you turn seems to vary, rendering it oddly unreliable. You can, of course, simply turn around but if you do you’ll invariably end up with the cable wrapped around your legs at the end of each level.

An additional logistical challenge is that you’ll be swinging both arms wildly in every direction. It would be inadvisable to stand anywhere near your TV, and you’ll also need to be aware of low-hanging light fixtures. We managed to graze a knuckle savagely pummelling a lampshade, resulting in light bruising and a swift tactical relocation of the play area before resuming hostilities.

It is a good workout though, from using both arms to slash, punch and block, to ducking out of the way of forcefields that glide towards you from both sides or above. It only takes one area and a boss fight to find yourself starting to feel as though you’d just warmed up for an aerobics class. Rager’s a game that demands to be played standing up, its physicality fundamentally unsuited to seated play.

Its battles are hugely satisfying, the act of shattering aggressive attackers with elegantly timed slashes and parries, in time to loud dance music feels cool, even if you won’t necessarily look that way to neutral observers. It’s a dichotomy all too familiar to VR players, and at least in this case you can console yourself with the fact that you’re also getting slightly fitter, to help patch up any wounded dignity.

On easy mode Rager’s nine levels and three boss battles will slip by in an hour, although there are leaderboards to compete in, and two higher difficulty levels to take on. There’s also significant replay value just because it’s fun to play, although it remains a slim volume of content for its price, and there’s certainly way less to get your teeth into here than in Beat Saber, even before all its many DLC packs.

Rager is largely bug free though, our only crash occurring after the PlayStation 5 went into power saving mode after one of the game’s training sessions, when we briefly had to take care of stuff in the real world. It’s also come in for criticism online for using an AI voiceover. In its defence, the AI is voicing the character of an AI in the game, its gravelly robotic tones and peculiar intonation suiting its role as a rogue computer, even if it does mispronounce bass – as in the lower frequencies of its musical accompaniment – as if it were talking about sea bass.

There may not be much to it, and if you have a pathological hatred of dance music this won’t be for you, but its engaging rhythm action violence and dedication to getting you moving are a winning combination.

Formats: PlayStation VR2 (reviewed), PC VR, and Meta Quest
Price: £13.99
Publisher: Impact Inked
Developer: Insane Prey
Release Date: 5th March 2026
Age Rating: 7

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The man’s body was discovered in Claerwen Reservoir, Powys, in 2024, and extensive investigations have been carried out in a bid to identify him – but now police have released a digital reconstruction to help solve the case

Police have unveiled a digital reconstruction of a man whose remains were discovered in a Welsh reservoir 16 months ago, with only his wetsuit offering any clues to his identity.

The body was recovered by a walker at Claerwen Reservoir, Powys, on October 17, 2024, and his identity has remained an enigma ever since. Officers believe he had been submerged for up to 12 weeks prior to being found.

Apart from the wetsuit he was wearing, no other garments, jewellery or forms of transport were located in the vicinity, and he bore no identifying features such as scars or tattoos. Now, Dyfed-Powys Police is banking on cutting-edge technology to finally crack the case.

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Detective Inspector Anthea Ponting, who has spearheaded the investigation, explained: “In the absence of any personal belongings other than the wetsuit he was wearing, no identification documents or vehicles nearby, we began by working with neighbouring police forces to conduct checks for missing or wanted people who had not been traced.

“When this was unsuccessful, we extended our enquiries to contact all UK forces, ran searches through the Police National Database, and issued bulletins to police overseas through Interpol. We have also searched DNA, fingerprint and dental records for potential matches, and issued public and media appeals for information.”, reports Wales Online.

In-depth investigations have determined that the man was between 30 and 60 years old, approximately 6ft (1.83m) tall, weighed between 202lbs and 220lbs (91.5kg – 99.5kg), and was of white European heritage.

With the enigma yet to be cracked, Dyfed-Powys Police has collaborated with Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University to create a facial reconstruction of the man, in hopes it will finally lead to his identification.

Face Lab utilised photographs, a post-mortem report, a forensic dental report, and a CT scan of the deceased to generate the image. The picture has also been circulated to the Police National Computer and Interpol for potential matches.

DI Ponting stated: “Until now, the only item available to progress our investigation was the wetsuit the man was wearing, which provided us with limited information around his height and weight.

“I implore anyone who believes they might recognise him to step forward. This is someone’s family member – someone’s loved one – and I would like nothing more than to return him to his loved ones who might be missing him.”

Professor Caroline Wilkinson, Director of Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University, added: “Face Lab collaborates with police forces from around the globe and facial depiction from human remains can serve as a tool for recognition, providing new lines of investigation in relation to identity.

“Hopefully, someone who knew this man will now recognise his face and our facial depiction can assist the police in finally identifying him.”

Dyfed-Powys Police have appealed to anyone who visited the reservoir between July and October 18, 2024, and might be able to assist with enquiries, or knew of somebody who hadn’t been seen for a whilst and fitted the description provided, to come forward.

You can do so using the public portal, calling 101, or emailing 101@dyfed-powys. police.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org..

It was remarked for its live music, bespoke tastings and pretty renovated rooms

A Co Antrim hotel has been named Northern Ireland’s ‘Best Place to Stay’ for 2026.

The Times and The Sunday Times has revealed their “definitive list of the 50 Best Places to Stay” from across the UK.

Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough has been crowned the best place to stay in Northern Ireland this year.

Located outside Ballymena, the judges praised Ireland’s first whisky hotel for its “live music, bespoke tastings and pretty renovated rooms”.

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The guide says guests can expect to enjoy “refurbished rooms”, and can immerse in “200 whiskeys, an on-site whiskey shop, bespoke tastings, and a whiskey-fuelled food menu.”

The guide is split into ten region and there are also winners in five different categories: Foodie, Family-friendly, Great value, Grown-up getaway, and Pubs with rooms.

The guide focuses on the “things that really matter”, hotels with the essentials of comfort, great service and value, as well as personality and warmth.

Claire Irvin, Head of Travel of The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “The highly anticipated unveiling of this year’s Best Places To Stay awards arrives like a breath of much-needed fresh air.

“It lands amid the tremors of global uncertainty and a winter that has felt uniquely, relentlessly grey.

“This list is as celebratory as the judging was uncompromising; our criteria remain fixed, even as our readers’ focus on genuine value sharpens.

“And while what constitutes ‘affordable’ and ‘worth it’ is subjective, in a world of rising costs, we know that every break must do more than simply tempt you – it must unequivocally earn its place on your calendar. But it helps that 22 out of the 50 come in at or under £200.

“Our readers are fortunate enough to enjoy multiple escapes a year, yet they are savvy enough to know that UK hospitality is becoming an increasingly expensive indulgence.

“When,even in turbulent times, international destinations are so easily reached, home-grown hotels have to fight harder for your attention. Fortunately, they are meeting that challenge with creativity, ingenuity, passion and brilliance. While the rates vary, every entry shares a singular commitment to the excellence that your time – and your investment – demands.”

You can find the full Best Places to Stay list here

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The UK has seen it all over the past few days with the warmest day of the year (so far), hill snow, and Saharan dust and ‘blood rain’.

The start of this week is set to be a mixture of wet and windy weather, with some sunny spells right across the UK, according to the Met Office.

Will we see any spring sunshine this week?

Find out all the weather details for the week ahead below 👇 pic.twitter.com/xlaxjCBu6V

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 8, 2026

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Met Office forecasts more snow for parts of the UK

Looking further ahead, the Met Office‘s long-range weather forecast for March 13 to 22 has predicted more snow.

The forecast reads: “Changeable through much of this period, as Atlantic frontal systems pass close to or across the UK at times.

“These will bring some occasional spells of rain or showers, most frequent in the west and northwest, and perhaps accompanied by strong winds.

“However, there should also be some drier interludes under transient ridges of high pressure, with longer dry periods most likely in the south and east, though even here some wet weather is likely at times.

“Temperatures will be near-average for the period as a whole, but with some shorter-duration colder interludes at times when frost and hill snow will be possible.

“Later in the period there may be a transition to more blocked or slower evolving weather patterns, though confidence in the detail of this is rather low.”

Weather maps reveal exactly where and when to see snow this week

Snow could arrive in the UK as early as Thursday (March 12), according to WX Charts.

The weather maps (at the time of writing) show snow in the Scottish Highlands and just north of Glasgow on Thursday.

Snow (pictured in purple) is set to hit parts of the UK this week, including Wales, Scotland, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales. (Image: WX Charts)

Snow will continue to come and go in patches mainly over the west coast of Scotland throughout the weekend, before clearing on Monday (March 16).

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Meanwhile, parts of Wales, along with the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, are predicted to see snow on Friday (March 13), while it may move further south to around Oxford and Watford later in the day.

It will clear over the weekend before another downpour (of snow) in the Midlands, around the likes of Birmingham, Derby, and Nottingham, is expected on Monday (March 16).

Have you had any snow near you in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.