Volkswagen likes to distil the essence of the brand down to three simple ideas: Emotion, efficiency and engineering. Those three pillars are meant to underpin every model the company produces, alongside what Volkswagen describes as the fundamentals of being a “true Volkswagen”: clear design with balanced proportions, optimum use of space, high quality, easy handling, innovative technology and an attractive price-to-performance ratio.
Volkswagen’s upcoming ID. Cross is designed to embody all of that in one of the most important and lucrative parts of the electric car market. This new compact SUV is part of the Volkswagen Group’s new Electric Urban Car Family, a range of smaller electric vehicles that will all be built in Spain, with development led by Cupra.
Cupra will introduce the first model from the family with the Cupra Raval, followed by the Volkswagen ID. Polo hatchback and this SUV, the ID. Cross, along with the Skoda Epiq. I drove the Skoda Epiq earlier this year, and it provided an early glimpse of what this platform could deliver.
The ID. Cross I drove was still heavily camouflaged and far from the finished production version, but the prototype already revealed plenty about Volkswagen’s plans for its smallest electric SUV. Even at this early stage, it’s clear Volkswagen is delivering on its claim to be going the extra mile with the ID. Cross – and the result could be a very important car for the brand when it reaches showrooms early in 2027.
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How I tested
I was one of a select few journalists invited to Amsterdam to drive the new Volkswagen ID. Cross in early prototype form – although the cars were the very latest development models and pretty close to production cars, you’ll be able to buy. I drove on the streets in and around Amsterdam, out to the coast, up and down motorways and tested everything that will be important to buyers of these cars. As well as the practicality and boot space, I also got to try some of the new instrument settings to give an early verdict on this important new car that you can trust.
The Volkswagen ID. Cross Concept was revealed at last year’s Munich Motor Show and gives a strong clue to what the production car will look like without the camouflage. (Steve Fowler)
Volkswagen will offer the ID. Cross with two battery sizes and a choice of power outputs. Entry-level versions will use a 37kWh battery paired with either 114bhp or 127bhp electric motors. These models are expected to offer a range of up to 194 miles and support DC rapid charging at up to 90kW.
Volkswagen’s retro dials and infotainment were visible on our prototype ID. Cross drive – they’re fun and easy to use (Volkswagen)
Above that sits a larger 52kWh battery paired with a 208bhp electric motor producing 290Nm of torque and driving the front wheels. This version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles and supports DC charging at up to 105kW.
That charging figure is slightly lower than the 135kW peak seen in some of Volkswagen’s current ID models, but the company says the charging curve has been redesigned so it stays flatter for longer. In practice, that means less drop-off in charging speed as the battery fills, allowing the ID. Cross to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.
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The car weighs less than 1,500kg and features a 55:45 front-to-rear weight distribution, while towing capacity is rated at up to 1,200kg.
The prototype I drove was the 208bhp front-wheel-drive version. There’s no confirmed all-wheel-drive model at this stage, although engineers say the platform could support one if markets demand it. Austria, apparently, is already keen!
On the road, the ID. Cross feels impressively mature for such an early prototype. Volkswagen has defined a specific “Driving Dynamics DNA” for its electric models based around linearity, emotionality, intuitive handling, steering precision and the right balance between comfort and control.
In the ID. Cross that balance leans more towards comfort than the lower-slung ID. Polo hatchback, and that was immediately noticeable from behind the wheel. The ride quality felt significantly more polished than the earlier Skoda Epiq prototype I drove, even though the suspension hardware is mechanically identical. Volkswagen engineers revealed that this was a later iteration of the setup I experienced in the Skoda
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Over rougher roads, the car felt composed and connected without ever becoming uncomfortable. In fact, the ride quality felt remarkably premium for a small electric SUV.
Braking performance is another highlight. Volkswagen has introduced a new one-box braking system designed to deliver a more natural pedal feel than earlier EV systems. On the road, it works very well, with linear response and consistent stopping power without the grabby behaviour or inconsistent feedback that some early electric cars suffered from. Performance from the 208bhp motor feels strong enough to make the car feel lively.
Steering was the one dynamic area that felt less convincing. Around the straight-ahead position, there was slightly too much slack, which made it feel a little vague at times. Switching to Sport mode improved the situation, making the steering feel noticeably more direct.
After feeding that back to Volkswagen engineers during the drive, they later took me to one side to say they agreed with the feedback and said the production car would move the standard steering calibration closer to the Sport setting.
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross is the same size, shape and uses many of the same parts as the new Skoda Epiq (Volkswagen)
Overall, though, the fundamentals feel extremely strong even at this early stage. This is shaping up to be a seriously impressive small SUV, and it will be fascinating to see how it compares with rivals such as the upcoming Kia EV2.
Interior, practicality and boot space
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Rear knee room is a bit tighter than expected in the back of the Volkswagen ID. Cross (Volkswagen)
Inside, the ID. Cross shares much of its interior design with the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo. Because of the SUV body style, the dash will be stretched upwards somewhat, but the overall layout is very similar.
Although our prototype test car had covers over the interior, I know from the Polo that it’s an impressive interior, both in terms of design and perceived quality. Volkswagen has incorporated technology usually found in larger and more expensive cars, including massage seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, a 10-inch driver display and a 13-inch infotainment screen. Our prototype also featured a panoramic glass roof, although it was hidden underneath the camouflage.
The interior makes extensive use of premium-feeling sustainable materials and feels genuinely upmarket for a car expected to start at around £25,000.
Crucially, Volkswagen has also reintroduced physical controls after criticism of overly touch-based systems in earlier models. There’s a proper volume knob on the centre console between the front seats, proper steering wheel buttons (and lots of them – which can be a bit confusing) and separate heating and ventilation controls sitting below the touchscreen, all of which make the car easier to use day to day.
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Volkswagen designers talk about three pillars for the exterior design: stable, likeable and secret sauce. “Stable” refers to the car’s proportions and stance, while “likeable” reflects the friendly face that new Volkswagen models wear.
“Secret sauce” describes small details designed to surprise and delight owners. One example is the retro-style graphics on the digital displays, which echo classic Volkswagen instruments and add real personality to the cabin. Again, I’d seen this system in a production ID. Polo interior, but seeing those retro dials in action is genuinely brilliant.
In terms of dimensions, the ID. Cross measures 4153mm long, 1816mm wide and 1581mm tall, with a 2601mm wheelbase.
Boot space is generous for a compact SUV. The luggage area offers 475 litres of capacity, including an underfloor storage well, expanding to 1,340 litres with the rear seats folded down.
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Rear passenger space isn’t quite as generous. Legroom in the back feels a little tight, and children in forward-facing child seats could end up kicking the backs of the front seats. Personally, I’d happily sacrifice an inch or two of boot space to gain more rear legroom.
Headroom in the back is excellent, though, and the rear doors open wide, which makes access easier.
Visibility is also very good from all seats, with nicely sized door mirrors and a clear view out in every direction.
One disappointment is that some of the clever interior ideas shown on the earlier ID. 2all concept car haven’t made it into this car. Magnetic phone holders on the backs of the front seats, for example, would have been a neat touch. After the brilliance of the retro displays and the impressive cabin design, it feels like there could be a bit more “secret sauce” in terms of practical interior functionality.
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross boot offers an excellent 475 litres of space including a deep underfloor space (Volkswagen)
Technology, stereo and infotainment
Technology is another strong point for the ID. Cross. The car introduces Volkswagen’s new generation of software architecture and connectivity systems.
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This interior picture of the Volkswagen ID. Polo gives a big clue what the dash of the ID. Cross will look like (Volkswagen)
The infotainment system is displayed on a 13in touchscreen, complemented by a 10in digital driver display. The retro-style instrument graphics give the system a distinctive look and help it stand out from more conventional digital dashboards. On the main touchscreen, the navigation is displayed on what mimics an old TV screen, while any music you’re playing gets displayed on what looks like an old cassette tape, complete with rotating spools for added authenticity. It’s all very cool.
Advanced driver assistance comes via Volkswagen’s Connected Travel Assist system. This uses swarm data from other vehicles to help improve the accuracy of the information it uses. The system supports assisted lane changes as well as traffic and stop light detection.
The ID. Cross also introduces vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing the battery to power external devices, as well as vehicle-to-grid capability that could allow energy to be fed back into the electricity grid when connected to suitable infrastructure.
Prices and running costs
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross will be on sale in the UK in early 2027 (Steve Fowler)
European pricing for the ID. Cross has already been announced, starting from €27,995. At current exchange rates, that works out to around £24,150.
However, by the time the car reaches UK showrooms in early 2027, it’s likely that the entry price will sit a little above £25,000. From there, prices are expected to rise into the low-to-mid £30,000 range depending on battery size, power output and equipment levels. Production versions of the car should be ready for driving towards the end of this year.
Volkswagen clearly has high expectations for the ID. Cross. In fact, the company believes it could outsell the ID. Polo hatchback – which says a lot about how strong demand for small electric SUVs is expected to be.
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The verdict: Volkswagen ID. Cross
Even in early prototype form, the ID. Cross is hugely impressive. The ride quality feels genuinely premium for a small electric SUV, the interior quality is excellent, and the technology package looks strong.
There are still a few rough edges to polish before production begins – particularly around steering feel – but it’s unlikely anything can be done to boost rear passenger space. However, the fundamentals are extremely convincing.
If Volkswagen can deliver the expected price point and refine those small issues before launch, the ID. Cross could become one of the most compelling compact electric SUVs on sale in the UK.
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Volkswagen ID. Cross rivals
FAQs
How long does it take to charge?
The larger 52kWh battery version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles, while the smaller 37kWh battery version provides up to around 194 miles. The larger battery version supports DC rapid charging at up to 105kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.
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How much does it cost – is it worth it?
With a starting price expected to be just over £25,000 in the UK, the ID. Cross aims to offer strong value in the compact electric SUV market, combining useful range with modern technology and a premium-feeling interior.
Does Volkswagen replace batteries for free?
Volkswagen is expected to offer its standard three-year new car warranty alongside an eight-year battery warranty covering the high-voltage battery for up to 100,000 miles while guaranteeing a minimum level of battery capacity.
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Why trust us
Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic.
With more than 30 years of experience, Steve Fowler is one of the UK’s best-known automotive journalists. Steve has interviewed key industry figures, from Tesla’s Elon Musk to Ford’s Jim Farley, and is a judge for both Germany’s and India’s Car of the Year Awards, as well as being a director of World Car of the Year. When it comes to electric vehicles, Steve reviews all the latest models for The Independent as they launch, from Abarth to Zeekr, and he uses his expert knowledge of car buyers’ needs to provide a comprehensive verdict.
The Masters is almost upon us as the golfing elite prepare to descend upon Augusta this coming week for the first major of the year
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
17:01, 05 Apr 2026
The Masters is just around the corner as golf’s finest prepare to make their way to Augusta this week. The opening major of the season is always amongst the most eagerly awaited events in the sporting calendar, but 2026 looks set to be especially memorable.
Rory McIlroy will arrive in Georgia as defending champion, hoping to claim consecutive titles. The Northern Irishman finally achieved the career Grand Slam by securing his maiden Green Jacket last year, though his build-up to this year’s tournament has been far from straightforward.
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A back problem has limited the champion’s recent appearances, meaning McIlroy hasn’t competed as frequently as he would have liked. However, a lighter schedule may prove beneficial given the recent weather disruption at the Valero Texas Open.
There had been speculation that Tiger Woods might make his comeback at what is arguably his most legendary venue. However, that will not materialise, while one golfing icon has shared his thoughts on Woods’ recent arrest in the latest headlines from the sport.
Weather Chaos Hits Texas Open
Despite some questions over McIlroy’s reduced activity ahead of the Masters, his choice to bypass this weekend’s Texas Open has proved wise. Severe weather in the Lone Star State forced organisers to halt the tournament on Saturday. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre held a two-shot lead over Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg when the third round was suspended on Saturday. Play had already been delayed for six hours on Saturday before officials eventually decided to abandon the day’s proceedings.
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The concern now centres on the possibility of play extending into Monday. MacIntyre and Aberg had completed just six holes of their third round when play was halted, leaving a substantial amount of golf still to be played before a champion is crowned.
This justifies the choice made by the likes of McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and other Masters contenders to bypass the tournament. Rather than waiting around for play to restart, they can focus on their Augusta preparations in a more productive way while their competitors endure a challenging weekend, though they forfeit the opportunity to compete for their share of the £7.4million prize fund.
Nicklaus addresses Woods arrest
Jack Nicklaus has expressed his support for Woods following the golf legend’s recent arrest for driving under the influence. Woods was apprehended after crashing his vehicle in Jupiter, Florida, with footage subsequently emerging of him appearing agitated during his arrest and while in the rear of a police vehicle.
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Discussing the incident ahead of the Masters, Nicklaus said his longtime friend “needs help” after this latest incident. Woods had been anticipated to make some form of appearance at the Masters but has since announced he’ll be taking time away from golf to concentrate on his wellbeing. Nicklaus shared with the Palm Beach Post: “Sometimes you get, you know, too far down the line and you just need somebody to help you. I think he probably needs some help.
“We all want to help him. We’re all on his side. Obviously, I feel bad for Tiger. I like Tiger. I don’t just like him, I like him a lot.”
Rose’s caddie’s admission
Justin Rose’s caddie has revealed the British star can be demanding at times. Rose, aged 45, has experienced a revival in recent years and garnered considerable fan support following second-place finishes at both the Masters and The Open over the past two seasons.
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He’s also played a crucial role in Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup campaigns in 2023 and 2025. Yet caddie Mark Fulcher acknowledged that such success requires those around him to maintain peak performance levels.
In conversation with Beyond The Clubhouse, Fulcher commented: “He’s tough, at times, but he’s also very fair. He puts in 100% effort, and all he expects of his team members is to put in the same, so if we all do that, then nothing can be said at the end of the week.
“We’re talking about what he needs at a certain time, and energy conservation is really important. He’s 45, incredibly fit, amazingly fit for his age, but we all have to understand that, you know, Father Time is catching up.
“We have to be aware of the boundaries. I think we’re all pretty good at controlling them.”
The two men on-board, aged in their 30s, had sustained serious injury. Both men remain in hospital at this time, in a critical but stable condition. A PSNI spokesperson said: “We would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or the manner of driving leading up to it, to contact us. We would be particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant dashcam footage. The number to call is 101, quoting reference 994 of 04/04/26.”Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Walker Smith, 54, said he was ‘crying inside’ when he was dismissed
A Waitrose worker has been fired after trying to stop a shoplifter from stealing luxury Easter eggs, it has been reported.
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Walker Smith, 54, was a Waitrose employee for 17 years before being sacked. He revealed he was “crying inside” when bosses showed him the exit.
Mr Smith was a shop assistant at a Waitrose branch in Clapham Junction, south London. He says he was carrying out his usual role when a shopper told him that someone had filled up a bag with eggs.
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The usual protocol is to avoid approaching shoplifters, and to report it to a manager, according to The Mirror. But after seeing repeated thefts over the years, Mr Smith decided to act, he said.
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He was said to have confronted the thief and snatched their bag. There was reportedly a brief struggle, before the bag ripped and several Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs fell onto the floor. The shoplifter made a run for the exit, but Mr Smith picked up a piece of broken Easter egg and “threw it out of frustration” toward some trollies. He insists these were not thrown toward the thief.
He was reprimanded by his boss at the time but a few weeks later, he was hauled into a meeting with store managers. Mr Smith said he made a final plea for forgiveness, but was told he was being sacked.
Bosses said they were unable to “discuss an individual case” but that Mr Smith’s claims were ‘not the full facts of the situation’.
‘Demoralised’
But Mr Smith told the Guardian: “I tried to stay strong and I didn’t say a word but inside I was crying. They led me out the back door by the bins. I just felt demoralised.
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“Waitrose is like my family. My friends are there. I was there for 17 years, I must have been doing something right. I’m not a bad or violent or aggressive person. I just got frustrated seeing this day in and day out and not seeing Waitrose do much about it.”
Mr Smith later thanked supporters on his personal Facebook page. He said his priority for now is to find a new job.
He wrote: “Thank you everyone for getting in touch with kind messages and support, I really appreciate it. I didn’t think it would blow up like this but now it has my priority is getting a job.
“I’m based in Clapham Junction so if you or anyone you know is looking for a reliable, conscientious employee please reach out. I was at Waitrose for 17 years so warehousing, customer service – except dealing with shoplifters(!), or similar would be amazing.”
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What Waitrose has said
Waitrose, meanwhile, said the safety of its staff was very important, which is why it had policies for responding to shoplifters. Staff had previously been injured when confronting thieves.
A Waitrose statement read: “The safety and security of our Partners and customers couldn’t be more important to us, and we have policies in place to protect both. We’ve had incidents where our partners have been hospitalised when challenging shoplifters. Luckily, they have always recovered, but that might not always be the case.
“There is a serious danger to life in tackling shoplifters. We refuse to put anyone’s life at risk and that’s why we have policies in place that are very clearly understood and must be strictly followed.
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“As a responsible employer, we never want to be in a position where we are notifying families of a tragedy because someone tried to stop a theft. Nothing we sell is worth risking lives for.
“The reporting on this does not cover the full facts of the situation. While we would never be able to discuss an individual case, we can assure you the correct process is being followed, which includes a standard appeals procedure.
“We have campaigned for some time for more to be done to protect shop workers from offenders, including retail crime being made into a specific stand alone offence.”
Balint Pasztor, president of the Vojvodina Hungarian Association, and another key Orban ally, posted on Facebook: “If the investigation proves that we were not the primary target after all, but rather Hungary’s supply lines, then this makes it even clearer: the terrorist attack was planned with the aim of bringing down Viktor Orban.”
Shoppers can buy The Curing Barn’s British Bresaola at Tesco for £4.50.
Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced the recall and shared a risk assessment for the product, explaining: “Symptoms caused by Listeria monocytogenes can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
“However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.
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“Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.”
The FSA added: “If you have bought the above product, do not eat it.
“Instead, return it to where you bought it from for a full refund.”
The Curing Barn explained that customers who have bought the item with the affected batch codes don’t need a receipt to return it.
What is a food recall?
The FSA explains what a food recall is: “If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).
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“The FSA issues Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.
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“In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued.
“This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.”
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Have you bought The Curing Barn’s British Bresaola recently? Let us know in the comments below.
One of the gardens is easy to reach from Cambridgeshire and might be worth a visit in 2026.
A historic garden near Cambridgeshire has been shortlisted to be garden of the year for 2026. The Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award for 2026 will see six gardens across the UK compared to each other to be named the best.
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Burghley House, in Stamford, has been shortlisted as one of the places that could see its garden named the best of the year through a public vote. The shortlist has been created by selecting from hundreds of gardens that are publicly accessible member properties of Historic Houses.
Ben Cowell, Director General at Historic Houses, said: “Now that spring is finally here, we are thrilled to offer a truly exceptional shortlist for our annual Garden of the Year competition.
“Each of these six gardens is reflective of the horticultural excellence that can be seen across our member properties at Historic Houses. We look forward to seeing which emerges with the most votes by the end of a busy summer of garden tourism.”
The other gardens up for the award are Coughton Court in Warwickshire, Kelmarsh Hall in Northampton, Monteviot House on the Scottish Borders, Plas Cadnant in Anglesey, and Slemere House in East Yorkshire. The public has until the end of August to vote for their favourite garden.
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Ursula Cholmeley, Chair of the Historic Houses Gardens and Parklands Committee, said: “We are grateful to historic house members for a strong list of entries this year and the shortlist features six small and large gardens all open to the public and all worth visiting before you cast your vote.
“There are two awards available to the gardens that entered this year including The Judges’ Choice Award that represents a lifetime’s work. Both awards acknowledge the dedication that owners and gardening teams put into making historic gardens some of the best in the world.”
The Burghley Estate has a few different gardens to explore, including the Garden of Surprises, which was inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology, astronomy, and classical civilisations. The garden features water fountains and a mirrored maze to explore.
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For those who love art, the Sculpture Garden has artwork from a “diverse collection of artists” as well as views across the great lake and pathways to follow around the area. The South Gardens are only open on certain days but are worth a visit thanks to the ‘spectacular’ trees and rose garden packed with modern varieties of rose.
You can also take a walk through the deer park if you want to see the herd that lives in the grounds. The deer park was “the vision” of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown who worked with the 9th Earl of Exeter to remodel the parkland in the 18th century.
The Hide and Secrets adventure play area is ideal for children to let off some steam with climbing walls, walkways, and lookout nests for children to run around. The Hidden Towers covers multiple levels with two slides and a rope bridge that takes children to the lookout platform.
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Younger children can explore the toddler and pre-schooler area that has a mini slide and things to do that are closer to the ground. The free Spymaster’s Guide activity booklet should keep children occupied for at least a few hours at the house.
If you are in need of something eat while visiting Burghley House, there are a few spots to choose from. At the Garden Café, you can enjoy a hot drink alongside a light lunch, homemade cake, or pick up a children’s lunch box for the day.
The Muddy Mole is also available and set right next to the adventure play area. It has plenty of picnic benches to relax on.
Tickets for access to the gardens and adventure play area cost £11 for adults and £8.50 for children aged between three and 15 with a family ticket available for £35. Tickets can be booked on the Burghley House website.
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The gardens are open from 10am until 5pm. Burghley House is only a 26-minute drive away from Peterborough and just over an hour away from Cambridge via the A14. Parking is free for all visitors.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a call Sunday to lay down arms and seek peace to global conflicts through dialogue, but he departed from a tradition of listing the world’s woes by name in the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, emphasized Easter’s message of hope as a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection after being crucified.
“Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!” the pope implored.
With the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Leo acknowledged a sense of indifference “to the deaths of thousands of people … to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow … to the economic and social consequences they produce.’’
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Without mentioning the wars by name, Leo quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, who during his last public appearance from the same loggia last Easter reminded the faithful of the “great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.’’
Francis, weakened by a long illness, died the next day on Easter Monday.
The Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for “to the city and the world,’’ has traditionally included a litany of the world’s woes. Leo followed that formula during his Christmas blessing. There was no immediate explanation for the shift.
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Earlier, Leo addressed some 50,000 faithful from an open-air altar in St. Peter’s Square flanked with white roses, while the steps leading down to the piazza where the faithful gathered were filled with spring perennials, symbolically resonating with the pope’s words.
He implored the faithful in his homily to keep their hope in the face of death, which lurks “in the abuses that crush the weakest among us, because of the idolatry of profit that plunders the earth’s resources, because of the violence of war that kills and destroys.’’
Speaking from the loggia, the pope announced a prayer vigil for peace April 11 in the basilica.
Small shifts in traditions
Leo greeted the global faithful in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Latin, reviving a practice that his predecessor Pope Francis had let lapse.
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Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia’s shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below. He later greeted people in the piazza from the popemobile that took him all the way down Via della Conciliazione toward the Tiber River and back.
During the marathon that is Holy Week, Leo also reclaimed the tradition of washing priests’ feet on Holy Thursday, a gesture of encouragement toward clergy, after Francis had chosen a more inclusive path, traveling to prisons and homes for the disabled to wash the feet of women, non-Christians and prisoners.
The 70-year-old pontiff also became the first pope in decades to carry the light wooden cross for the entire 14 stations during the Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
Christians in the Holy Land mark a subdued Easter
Traditional ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered by Christians as the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, were scaled back under an agreement with Israeli police. Authorities have put limits on the sizes of public gatherings due to ongoing missile attacks.
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The restrictions also dampened the recent Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday, as well as the current weeklong Jewish festival of Passover. On Sunday, the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall — normally attended by tens of thousands — was limited to just 50 people.
The restrictions have strained relations between Israeli authorities and Christian leaders. Police last week prevented two of the church’s top religious leaders, including Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Gaza’s tiny Palestinian Christian community celebrates first Easter since ceasefire
At the Holy Family church in Gaza City, Catholics young and old gathered for a traditional Easter Mass. Singing, they formed a queue in the aisle, waiting for their chance to kiss a sketch of Jesus held by a member of the clergy who wiped the glass frame between turns.
“There is great joy, especially after the ceasefire and after nearly three years of suffering and being unable to celebrate all the holy holidays,” said George Anton from Gaza City. “People are somewhat relieved and more stable.”
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Armenian Christians try to show normalcy by celebrating in Iran
Armenian Christians observed Easter at a church in Iran’s capital on Sunday, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy five weeks into the war.
Families embraced and children exchanged painted eggs at the St. Sarkis Cathedral in central Tehran. Iran’s capital has been targeted by daily airstrikes since the United States and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.
“Whether we like it or not, we have young children who do not understand what’s going on,” said Juanita Arakel, 40, an English language teacher. “They just need to feel normal.”
The Islamic Republic, with a population of around 90 million, is home to some 300,000 Christians, mostly Armenians, and three seats in parliament are reserved for Christians.
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“Our calls and prayers are that we will be able to end this war,” said Sepuh Sargsyan, the archbishop of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran. “Our calls and prayers are that we will be able to end this war.”
____
Barry reported from Milan. Associated Press journalists Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Bassem Mroue in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
Frankie, the “tiny noodle-shaped extrovert”, surprised officers when he “ambushed” them, jumping straight into a North Yorkshire Police van while officers were out on patrol in Barkston Ash, near Selby, on Friday (April 3).
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He was taken to the police station before being transported to Wicstun Veterinary Hospital in Market Weighton.
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Staff at the vets kindly agreed to look after Frankie, who police named, until his owner could be found.
Speaking on Sunday (April 5), North Yorkshire Police said: “Frankie the ferret, who asked for police assistance in locating his owners, has now been successfully reunited with them.
“Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word.
EXCLUSIVE: Beyond Paradise could see the exit of more than one beloved character
Abbie Bray Deputy Editor for Screen Time
16:54, 05 Apr 2026Updated 16:56, 05 Apr 2026
Beyond Paradise star Zahra Ahmadi, who portrays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams, has expressed her admiration for co-star Kris Marshall, who plays Detective Humphrey Goodman.
The latest instalment of the Death in Paradise spin-off has returned to television, following Humphrey and Esther alongside their police colleagues as they investigate a series of crimes in Shipton Abbott.
In an exclusive conversation with Express.co.uk, the actress behind Esther offered viewers a glimpse into what series four holds and revealed what collaborating with Kris Marshall is genuinely like.
Zahra explained, “He takes his work very seriously, because he wouldn’t be as successful as he is if he didn’t. But what I really admire about Kris is his energy. It’s relentless,” reports the Express.
She added, “And that’s a huge responsibility when you’re at the helm of a show like that, and you’re leading the cast and crew.
“And you know, often, I might come in and feel slightly tired, or, you know, stressed or whatever, and you only need to look at Kris and go, ‘No, actually, I need to take Kris’ lead on things’. And that’s the thing I admire most.
“He’s got such great energy, he’s got such a positive attitude, he’s so warm, he’s up for a good time, he’s always finding the light-heartedness in things.
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“And I mean, it’s a real privilege to work with someone like that, because sometimes you need that, sometimes you need someone to gear you up, and he’s really great at that.”
Esther will shortly bid farewell to her daughter, Zoe Williams (portrayed by Melina Sinadinou), who revealed her wish to leave Shipton Abbott and travel overseas in Friday’s episode.
While chatting with her employer, Martha Goodman (Sally Bretton), Zoe confided that she felt restless in her life and yearned for more.
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She inadvertently mentioned she was considering relocating to Australia after encountering PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn). In a subtle reference to the Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise, Zoe revealed she was considering Dolphin Cove, the series’ setting.
Discussing her on-screen daughter and their dynamic and Zoe’s plans to leave, Zahra remarked, “I think this is the point. I don’t know how to say this without sounding really dramatic and probably overly dramatic.
“This is the point of no return, and I think all parents and children go through it, you know, the point where someone steps fully into adulthood, and both they and the parent realise that, and there’s a shift. There’s a massive shift.
“And I think that’s what we’re seeing here in series four, and that isn’t easy for either of them, particularly for Esther, and it throws up all sorts of issues.
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“We see that at play, and we see the cogs kind of turning, and what we do see is, with that kind of reaching a point of no return, that kind of shift, we see what a good parent Esther is, because we see how well she’s raised her daughter, and we see what a wonderful human Zoe is.”
Beyond Paradise is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The loss of Martin was seismic, with residents gathering in Harry’s Barn to celebrate his life, mourning the death of a beloved EastEnders legend.
The loss of Martin was catastrophic (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Speaking at the time of his alter-ego’s death, James said: ‘Saying goodbye is not easy, but after 10 years at EastEnders and on the night of the show’s epic 40th anniversary – the time felt right.
‘It’s an honour to leave on a story of this magnitude. A huge thank you to all the fans of the show – EastEnders wouldn’t be what it is without you – and to the BBC and EastEnders team for trusting me with this role for so many years.
‘This fruit and veg man will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s time to look forward, and I’m incredibly excited for what the future holds. RIP Martin Fowler.’
Ross and Harvey have big plans for the shed (Picture: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Both previously formed a foursome alongside Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) who vowed to provide a safe space to talk and now, Ross and Harvey plan to make that space tangible, but they need the key from Jean Slater (Gillian Wright).
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When Ross and Harvey tell Zack Hudson (James Farrar) of their plan, he’s initially reticent, believing that it’s disrespectful to Martin’s memory.
When he talks to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman), though, his son helps him to realise that Martin himself would’ve been fully behind the idea.
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