A relaxing getaway in the Welsh countryside awaits (Picture: Brook Aurora)
Picture this. You open your eyes in a cosy bedroom that feels like a ship’s cabin, slowly waking to the gentle sound of a flowing river and the scent of freshly baked bread. The only place you have to be today? The spa.
If this sounds like what you need, read on.
Metro has teamed up with a top-rated Welsh hotel to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a restorative escape in the heart of the British countryside.
We’re giving away a two-night B&B stay at Albion Aberteifi in Cardigan, voted best hotel in Wales by the Times & Sunday Times in 2023.
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You’ll also get cocktails for two at the hotel bar and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at fforest Farm (Welsh spelling, not typo), a short drive or a walk through a nature reserve.
For your chance to win this gorgeous spring getaway, enter your details into the form below before midnight on Sunday, April 19.
And don’t forget to sign up to The Getaway Expert, our seven-day guide to becoming a more confident traveller.
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Housed in an old shipping warehouse, Albion Aberteifi is inspired by the rich maritime heritage of Cardigan, the charming town that sits at the mouth of the River Teifi as it flows into Cardigan Bay in West Wales.
The hotel is full of quirks that tell the story of its seafaring history, from its salvaged timber furniture, 19th-Century graffiti and wrought iron frame that protects the Grade II-listed building’s original masonry, to its ghostly residents, said to be from the brig Albion which set sail for Canada from Cardigan in 1819.
One of the cosy bedrooms at Albion Aberteifi (Picture: Heather Birnie)
But you won’t be disturbed by any bumps in the night, snuggled up in your cosy double bedroom. Each en-suite, wood-lined cabin boasts a stunning river view, Welsh wool blankets, handmade furniture and a super comfortable king-sized bed for a restful stay.
Guests have raved about the ‘fabulous hotel’, praising in particular the ‘thoughtful attention to detail’ in everything, down to the complimentary Aesop toiletries in the bathroom.
Relax with a handcrafted cocktail in the hotel bar (Picture: Heather Birnie)
The breakfast is unique: they serve up a Scandi-style feast, with a buffet of delights including sourdough, smoked salmon and charcuterie to graze on.
In the evening, head to the Albion’s bar for delicious handcrafted cocktails for two.
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Up close and personal with nature
It’s the perfect place to take respite from everyday life. Recent guests have used their time at the hotel to complete a novel, take on the local famous coast path walks, birdwatch in the local nature reserve, or to learn traditional Welsh weaving at local craft workshops.
Just a ramble away on the other side of the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is fforest Farm, a trendy hybrid of Welsh farm and Japanese forest retreat, where you can get up close and personal with nature.
Last year, they opened The Nature Spa, a woodland oasis where you’ll find everything you need for R&R, including individual cedar saunas, wood-fired hot tubs and cold plunge barrels.
Sweat it out in one of fforest farm’s cedar barrel saunas (Picture: Brook Aurora)
Wild swimming is encouraged(Picture: fforest Farm)
There’s also a tranquil spa lounge area, where you can curl up by the fire in the cosy lodge or relax on the sunlit terrace, along with complimentary herbal tea, showers and locker access.
For the more adventurous, wild swimming in the river Teifi or the hidden coves of the nearby West Wales coast is encouraged.
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The area is the gateway to famous clifftop walks along the Ceredigion Coast Path, where you’ll find spectacular views over sandy bays, rugged rock formations and woodland gorges.
An artisan haven
Back in Cardigan, or Aberteifi as it’s called in Welsh, you’ll find one of the coolest up-and-coming towns in West Wales.
Once an old-fashioned merchant town, its colourful streets are now a haven for creatives and artisans, with galleries, theatres and cinemas.
Discover the fascinating history of the region at the recently renovated 900-year-old Cardigan Castle, peruse traditional Welsh crafts and artsy modern pieces in the local boutiques and market stalls, and pop into one of their gorgeous cafes for specialty coffees and indulgent handmade bakes. In the evening, head to the Castle Inn for a cosy pint of locally brewed beer and pizza.
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What you need to know
How to get there: Although there’s no train station in Cardigan, it is easily accessible via car or bus from Carmarthen, Fishguard or Aberystwyth.
A CHANCE TO WIN A TWO-NIGHT STAY PLUS NATURE SPA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO IN WEST WALES
Conditions of entry
This prize draw (the ”Promotion“) is only open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland). Any employees or agents of either the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator and/or any company connected with the production or distribution of this Promotion, as well as any members of their immediate family (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling) and persons living in the same household as them, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter this Promotion. All bookings at Albion Aberteifi and Fforest Farm, including redemption of the Prize and the winner’s stay, are subject to the Promoter’s standard terms and conditions and rules of stay.
Entrants must be aged 18 years or over at the time of entry. Proof of eligibility must be provided upon request. By entering the Promotion, you are deemed to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.
Enter between 00:01 GMT 6th April 2026 to 23:59 GMT 19th April 2026 inclusive (the “Promotion Period”).
The Promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required.
To enter, entrants must visit this page and submit their full name, email address, phone number, date of birth and postcode into the form on the page
Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person.
Winner
There will be one (1) winner of the Prize. The winner will win a two-night bed and breakfast stay in one (1) double bedroom at Albion Aberteifi (the “Hotel”) for two (2) adults, cocktails (max one cocktail (1) per person) for two (2) adults at the Hotel bar, and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at Fforest Farm, Cwm Plysgog, Cardigan, Cilgerran SA43 2TB for two (2) adults (“Prize”).
The Prize must be redeemed by 31st May 2026 and is subject to availability. No pets are allowed.
The winner will be selected in a random draw, conducted by a computer process that produces verifiably random results, from all eligible entries, held on 20th April 2026.
Excludes travel and transfers to (and from) the Hotel and Fforest farm. All extras (e.g., mini-bar items) taken are to be paid for by the prize winner on departure. Preferred dates subject to availability.
The Albion Aberteifi will contact the winner directly to book their stay, which must be taken by the 31st May 2026. Once the winner has booked their stay directly with Albion Aberteifi or Fforest Farm, any cancellation of that booking by the winner will result in the Prize being forfeited.
The winner will be notified by the Prize Administrator by email within one (1) week of this date and will be given details of how to accept their Prize. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the provisional winners, but it is each winner’s responsibility to monitor their email address (including spam folder). Failure by the winner to accept the Prize in the manner specified within fourteen (14) days of the Prize Administrator’s email will make any claim invalid and the Promoter will then select another winner using the same random process.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prize does not include travel/transportation, accommodation, food, beverages, souvenirs, gratuities, car parking charges, or any other costs of a personal nature (including spending money) that are not explicitly set out in these Terms and Conditions and neither the Promoter nor the Prize Administrator nor any provider of any part of the Prize will be responsible for any such costs.
Gifts, prizes and other promotional items can only be redeemed once, are not transferable nor exchangeable for cash, may not be re-sold and are subject to availability.
Once the winner has booked their stay directly with Albion Aberteifi, any cancellation of that booking by the winner will result in the Prize being forfeited.
The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion to substitute any such gift, prize or item with a gift, prize or item of equal or greater value.
By entering the Promotion, each entrant acknowledges that in the event of a win, their surname and county of residence may be disclosed to persons enquiring, where permitted by law. Provided no objection is received from the winners, a winners list will be made available by the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator four (4) weeks after the end of the Promotion Period, for a period of eight (8) weeks. To request the winners list, please email competitions@mailnewspaper.co.uk. Without prejudice, the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator will provide winner information to the Advertising Standards Authority when requested by them.
Entrants agree to provide reasonable cooperation to allow the Promoter and the Prize Administrator to use the name and/or likeness of the winner for advertising and publicity purposes in connection with this Promotion including but not limited to publication of the winner’s name and photograph on the Prize Administrator’s and the Promoter’s websites. In addition, by submitting an entry and in consideration of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator granting a right to enter the Promotion, entrants agree to grant the Promoter and the Prize Administrator a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable right and licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute and exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to any materials contained in the entry (including but not limited to text, images or video materials) (the “Materials”) worldwide and/or to incorporate the Materials in other works in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in the Materials. By submitting Materials to the competition, an entrant:
warrants that the Materials are its own original work and that it has the right to make them available for all the purposes specified above; that it does not infringe any law; that it is not obscene or libellous; and that it does not violate the rights of any third party;
agrees to indemnify the Promoter and the Prize Administrator against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred as a result of a breach of the above warranty; and
agrees to waive any moral rights in the Materials for the purposes of its submission to, and publication by, the Promoter and the Prize Administrator and the purposes specified above.
Personal information
Any personal information provided to us during the entry process (including but not limited to your name, e-mail address, telephone number and date of birth) must be correct. We accept no responsibility for any incorrect personal information provided to us.
The Prize Administrator will hold your personal information in accordance with these terms and conditions and its privacy policy (available here).
The Prize Administrator will only share your personal information with the Promoter where you are the winner of the Promotion or where you have opted in to receive direct marketing from the Promoter (if relevant). The Promoter will hold your personal information as a separate controller in accordance with its privacy policy (available here) and shall implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational security measures in compliance with the GDPR and any other applicable law.
General
The determination and decision of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator on all matters shall be final and no promotional correspondence or discussion will be entered into.
The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion:
to disqualify any claimant, competitor or nominee whose conduct is contrary to the spirit of the rules or the intention of the promotion and to declare as void any or all of their claims or entries based on such conduct;
to declare as void any claims or entries resulting from any printing, production and/or distribution errors (including but not limited to any error(s) on any website of the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator, any game cards and/or other printed materials) or where there has been error(s) in any aspect of the preparation for or conduct of the promotion materially affecting the result of the promotion or the number of claimants or the value of claims;
to add to or to waive any rules on reasonable notice; and/or,
to cancel the promotion or any part of it at any stage in the event of circumstances beyond the Promoter’s and/or the Prize Administrator’s reasonable control.
No entries will be accepted in bulk, from agents or third parties.
To the fullest extent permitted by law (and subject to paragraph 27 below), the Promoter and the Prize Administrator hereby exclude all warranties, representations, covenants and liabilities (whether express or implied) relating to this Promotion and/or the Prize.
The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with any social media platform or any other third party. All third-party trademarks and other intellectual property rights are hereby acknowledged. Use of and entry to promotions via social media platforms is always subject to the rules, terms and policies of those platforms. By participating in the Promotion, entrants are providing information to the Promoter and the Prize Administrator, not to any relevant social media platform. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the relevant social media platforms shall have no liability to any person in connection with or arising out of the Promotion howsoever caused, including for any costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities.
Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude the Promoter’s or the Prize Administrator’s liability for:
death or personal injury as a result of its negligence;
fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
any liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law.
The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right, in their discretion, to modify, suspend or cancel the Promotion should virus, bugs, tampering, fraud or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter or the Prize Administrator corrupt or hinder the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion.
If any of the provisions of these terms and conditions are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part that part shall be severed from the remainder of the provisions and the validity of the other provisions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected.
These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except that residents of Scotland may also bring proceedings in the Scottish courts.
Promoter
The Promoter is Albion Aberteifi, Cardigan Quays Limited, Bridge Warehouse, Cardigan, SA43 3AA (company number 03855973) (“Promoter”).
The Prize Administrator is Associated Newspapers Limited, Northcliffe House, 9 Derry Street, London, United Kingdom, W8 5HY, (company number 00084121) (“Prize Administrator”).
There is a large gathering taking place on a mountain in Rhondda Cynon Taf
People are being turned away from an illegal rave which is taking place on a Welsh mountain across the weekend.
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There were reports on Sunday morning that large crowds had gathered on Rhigos Mountain north of Treherbert in Rhondda Cynon Taf. People commented that there was a lot of “police activity” in the area as rumours circulated that a rave was ongoing.
Police have now confirmed that an “unlicensed rave” is taking place near Rhigos Mountain Road.
Officers are at the scene and will remain in attendance to ensure the safety of those at the rave and other members of the general public. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “Officers are in attendance at Rhigos Mountain Road, Rhigos, Rhondda Cynon Taff following a report of an unlicensed rave.
“A policing presence will remain in the area to ensure the safety of those participating and the wider public. This incident is ongoing.”
A picture from the scene shows police blocking off access to Rhigos Road from the top of Abertonllwyd Street in Treherbert.
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“Eugene passed away just before Christmas, and it has been very hard for all of us. He was so well known in the community, a real legend to those who knew him, and someone who was always there to help others.”
A Derry chef is giving back to Foyle Hospice in a deeply personal way, after the care shown to his family during two of the hardest times in their lives.
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Leigh Thurston, Head Chef at the Ebrington Hotel, has organised a special fundraising prize draw in memory of his father-in-law, Eugene O’Donnell, and Rose Nelis, the mother of his sister-in-law, after both families experienced first-hand the compassion and support of Foyle Hospice.
With more than £5,000 worth of prizes donated by businesses across the hospitality sector, the prize draw is not only a major community fundraiser, but a tribute rooted in love, gratitude and remembrance.
Leigh said the idea came from a desire to do something meaningful after seeing the care his father-in-law received during his final days.
Leigh Thurston said:“I didn’t really know what Foyle Hospice was all about until my family needed it. When my father-in-law Eugene was admitted, the care he received from the moment he arrived until the day he passed away was just incredible.
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“From the reception staff to those caring for him day and night, washing him, feeding him and looking after every need, we could not have asked for better.
“That meant so much to us as a family, and that is why I wanted to do my part… to raise money, to raise awareness, and to let other families know that Foyle Hospice is there when it is needed most.
“Eugene passed away just before Christmas and it has been very hard for all of us. He was so well known in the community, a real legend to those who knew him, and someone who was always there to help others.
“This fundraiser is a way of honouring him, remembering Rose as well, and showing our appreciation for the care that meant so much to our family.
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“I have been overwhelmed by the support from the local hospitality industry. So many people have come together to donate prizes and back this effort, and I am very grateful to every one of them.”
The prize draw features a wide range of donated prizes, including hotel stays, dining experiences, golf breaks, afternoon teas and vouchers from businesses across the North West and further afield.
Among the top prizes are an eight-course tasting menu for 10 people plus an overnight stay for two at the Ebrington Hotel, golf and dining packages from Ballyliffin Golf Club and Enniscrone Golf Club, and a number of additional hotel, restaurant and experience vouchers.
Kathleen Bradley, Fundraiser at Foyle Hospice, who liaised with Leigh on the fundraiser, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Leigh for choosing to support Foyle Hospice in such a heartfelt and generous way. This fundraiser has come from a place of deep personal loss, but also from gratitude, love and a real desire to help other families.
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“It has been a privilege to work with Leigh on this wonderful draw, and to see the level of support it has received from across the hospitality sector has been truly moving. Every entry will help Foyle Hospice continue providing specialist palliative care and support to local patients and families at the moments they need it most.”
The fundraiser is now open, with online entry and a free postal entry route available. Tickets cost £10, and the draw will take place on Friday May 1 2026.
Every entry will help raise vital funds for Foyle Hospice, supporting specialist palliative care and wraparound support for patients and families across our community.
The fire was reported on Great Moor Street heading towards the Bradshawgate at a building that is currently undergoing works at just after 8.25pm.
No injuries were reported and firefighters found that two pallets at the top of the roof appeared to be alight.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At just after 8.25pm last night, Saturday April 25, fire crews were called to reports of a fire at a building on Bradshawgate, Bolton.
Firefighters on the scene (Image: Public)
“Fire engines from Bolton North, Farnworth and Atherton quickly attended the incident.
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“Firefighters arrived to find signs of fire on the roof of a five-storey building under construction.
“Crews gained access to the roof, where two pallets were alight.
An area was taped off (Image: Public)
“The fire was quickly contained, and there were no reports of any injuries.
“Crews remained on scene for a short time and worked with Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service to ensure the area was safe.”
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Members of the public gathered outside on Bradshawgate and Great Moor Street on Saturday evening.
The fire broke out on Saturday evening (Image: Public)
An eye witness reported seeing four fire engines, two marked police cars, two unmarked police cars and two ambulance cars on the scene.
Members of the public have been advised to always call 999 in the event of an emergency.
ITV has announced a new six-part series starring Ashley Walters and Andrea Riseborough
ITV has announced a new space drama about a woman who vanishes during a lunar expedition.
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The six-episode thriller First Woman – which is being filmed in Belfast – features Adolescence actor Ashley Walters. He plays Ben Reith, who awakens one morning to discover that his wife Claire (Andrea Riseborough) has disappeared, reports the Mirror.
This marks the beginning of an international media story “because Claire is an astronaut crewing the UK’s first moonbase and she’s disappeared into the long lunar night”, according to a synopsis from the broadcaster.
It adds: “Claire is the first woman to set foot on the moon. A biologist taking part in a groundbreaking research project, her disappearance throws suspicion on her fellow astronauts and China’s rival base.
“With hundreds of thousands of miles between them, can Ben uncover the truth behind his wife’s disappearance?”
As the narrative shifts between Mission Control in the UK and the moon’s surface, this becomes a countdown “like no other”, with Ben hoping to be reunited with Claire while the remaining crew members face mounting pressure.
Ashley, who portrayed Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in Adolescence, commented: “What an honour to be a part of such a bold and propulsive drama with a team of people that I have dreamt of working with. I always want to be a part of projects that make us converse and think outside the box. This one does just that.”
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Co-star Andrea remarked: “As a kid, I dreamed, perhaps more than anything, of space. Of emptiness and stars, and the vastness of all that those ‘grounded’ reflected on in verse.”
“This will be endlessly compelling – I hope – for all who want to journey with us,” she continued. “I cannot wait.”
First Woman will be jointly produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, Alcon Television Group and ZDF Germany.
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ITV’s director of drama Polly Hill stated: “I wanted ITV to make this the moment I read it. The team that has come on board on and off screen is incredible, and a testament to the wonderful and original scripts.” She noted that audiences would be transported on “an incredible journey”.
Creator Lydia Yeoman commented: “Set in the exciting (and as-yet-unexplored) world of private space travel, First Woman is a thriller unlike anything else we’ve seen.
“This is the story of a marriage put through the ultimate test. It’s rare that you get given the opportunity to tell a story with such ambition and scope, and we’re eternally grateful to Polly at ITV and Alcon for allowing us to do that.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has phoned Donald Trump after the shooting (Picture: via REUTERS)
Sir Keir Starmer has phoned Donald Trump to express his relief that the US President and the first lady are safe ‘after shocking scenes’ at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
A Secret Service officer was injured in the shooting that saw the President evacuated to safety chaotic scenes last night.
The Prime Minister extended his best wishes following the ‘shocking scenes at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner’, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
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The PM expressed his relief that they were safe, and wished a speedy recovery to the officer injured in the incident, the spokesperson adds.
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The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the ‘urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy’.
The Tories are pressing for a vote on whether to refer Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee over whether he misled Parliament over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador
14:41, 26 Apr 2026Updated 14:41, 26 Apr 2026
Attempts to refer Keir Starmer to a sleaze inquiry over the Peter Mandelson vetting row have been dismissed as “political games”.
The Tories are pressing Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to give MPs a vote on whether to refer the Prime Minister to the powerful Privileges Committee over whether he misled Parliament over the peer’s appointment as US ambassador.
The committee previously found Boris Johnson misled Parliament over Partygate and handed him a 90-day suspension. The ex-PM quit as an MP in a fury before the punishment could be imposed.
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The Speaker is expected to give a statement to MPs as soon as Monday. While a vote would be unlikely to pass due to Labour’s huge majority, it would pile further pressure on the PM. His judgement has been called into question after the former Labour grandee was sent to Washington despite vetting officials flagging concerns about his vetting.
Dominic Grieve, a former Tory attorney general, said: “Seeing that this appointment is being explored during these processes and all the evidence is not yet considered, it is impossible to see how starting a reference to the Privileges Committee is either useful or indeed ‘due process’.
“Ensuring that ministers do not mislead Parliament is of great importance but it should not just be turned into political games.”
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Harriet Harman, who led the Privileges Committee investigation into Mr Johnson, also advised against the idea. She told LBC: “I don’t… It would be complete duplication. At the moment, there is an investigation going on by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, so I think it would be a duplication.
“I would say, leave them to sort this out. And of course, we’ve got further tranches of documents to come out into the public domain, because that’s the motion of the House of Commons that’s been passed.”
Baroness Harman said the PM was right to apologise for appointing Lord Mandelson – and said Mr Starmer’s decision to sack Foreign Office boss Sir Olly Robbins had made things worse. “He should just stay with ‘it’s a bad decision’,” she said.
Cabinet Minister Darren Jones said “there is no case to answer” for the PM as Sir Olly had been clear that he did not tell Mr Starmer about concerns over Lord Mandelson’s vetting before he was sent to Washington.
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He said: “You have to remember, what are these privileges committees about? The last time it was used was when Boris Johnson told the House of Commons there were no parties in Downing Street.
“It was then shown he was at five of them and got a fine from the police. That’s what these processes are in place for, so the Opposition are just using tactics to try to distract from the fact that the Government is doing good work in this pre-election period.”
A No10 source said: “The Tories are trying to pull off a ridiculous and baseless political stunt the week before the May elections – because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.”
The PM’s nightmare over Lord Mandelson’s vetting will continue this week as MPs prepare to grill Morgan McSweeney, the former No10 chief of staff, and ex-Foreign Office boss Sir Philip Barton on Tuesday.
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As questions mount over his leadership, Mr Starmer insisted the “vast majority” of Labour MPs support him and want him to continue as PM. In an interview with the Sunday Times, he said: “What you never hear from are all the people who are supportive, loyal and just want to get on with the job. And that is the vast majority of people in the Parliamentary Labour Party.”
He added: “They’re pleased to be in power. They’ve waited a long time to be in power. And they just want to get on with their job. They don’t make a lot of noise about it. They don’t talk to journalists about it. It’s really important that is reflected in these debates.”
The gardens are just over an hour’s drive from Cambridge
Spring is in full bloom and with the sun shining, it’s the perfect time to explore some scenic sights. There are many places that offer some pretty places to walk in the warmer weather.
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One glorious place to visit for a delightful walk is Kathy Brown’s Garden in Stevington, Bedfordshire, which is just over an hour’s drive from Cambridge. The gardens are said to be “overflowing with bulbs and blossoms”, at this time of the year.
It is made up of four and a half acres, and has been over 30 years in the making. It was first created by Simon and Kathy Brown in 1991. The couple planned their garden out, firstly by planting a cottage-styled garden at the back of their home. It started with the planting of hostas, ferns and foxgloves in shady places, followed by flowering clematis and roses.
Over the years, the gardens grew and they have become a popular attraction to visit. The gardens are open to the public, but are only open for a limited time. The gardens are open on the following dates over the next few months:
May
May 2
May 4 (Bank Holiday Monday)
May 5, 12, 19 and 26
May 23
May 25
June
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Tuesdays)
June 20 (Charity open day for Guide Dogs)
June 21 (Father’s Day)
June 27 (Evening, bring your own picnic)
July
July 7, 21 (Tuesdays)
July 16 (Special event)
July 18
August
August 4, 11,18, 25 (Tuesdays)
August 15
August 20 (Special event)
August 22
August 31 (Bank Holiday Monday)
September
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Tuesdays)
September 10 (Special event)
September 12
Tea, coffee, squash, apple juice and Kathy’s homemade cakes are available to purchase on visits to the gardens. There is also a shop that sells gifts and books to inspire gardeners.
Free parking is available for visitors. The gardens cost £11 for adults to visit, £5.50 for children aged between four and 17 and entry is free for children under three years old.
“Although the specimens are over two centuries old, they’ve been preserved with great care, and you can still see the detail in the plants as well as the handwritten notes recorded alongside them, showing how carefully each plant was observed and documented.”
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The Herbarium is one of the largest and most complete collections of its kind in Britain outside London, featuring carefully preserved plant specimens from the 18th century.
Interior view of the exhibition (Image: Burton Constable Foundation)
It also highlights a period of growing botanical interest when specimens were shared and studied through national and international networks.
Curator with Herbarium Volume (Image: Burton Constable Foundation)
The exhibition is part of the Yorkshire Country House Partnership’s 2026 theme, Plants, Trees and the Country House.
As part of the project, the Herbarium has been fully digitised to ensure long-term preservation and wider access.
A little over four years ago, Yulia Davydenko was running her own online business, an independent tea shop she marketed on social media.
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With a young son, she was smart and ambitious, with high hopes for the future. Then war broke out.
Based in Kyiv, Ukraine, when the Russian invasion began in February 2022, Yulia fled for the Romanian border with her son, before securing a visa and making her way to Northern Ireland.
“At first we stayed with the family of a friend, before I found an apartment to rent,” recalls the 39-year-old. “I didn’t expect to be here for long. I thought it would be a month or two, and then we’d go back home.”
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But as the months rolled on, Yulia took steps to improve her set-up in Northern Ireland.
“When I arrived, my English was very basic,” she says. “I put a lot of effort into learning the language, and enrolled in some courses, hoping I could find a pathway back to a career I loved.”
Then last year, after signing up for the Belfast Digital Skills and Employability Programme, an initiative run through Belfast Met, that longed-for pathway opened up for Yulia.
Launched in 2023 with sponsorship from Bank of America, the programme runs a series of Digital Skills Academies designed to open doors to further training and fulfilling careers for underrepresented groups.
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So far, 18 of 30 planned courses have been completed, covering areas from digital marketing and data analytics to media production and software development, giving expert training and support to participants from a range of backgrounds including women returning to work, neurodiverse learners, new arrivals to the city and people not currently in education or training.
Yulia completed a Digital Marketing course in September 2025, one delivered in partnership with Women in Business.
“Before I started the course, I was feeling quite stuck,” she says. “I thought I might never find a job here that I really loved, and after enjoying what I did so much in Ukraine, that was disheartening.
“But I met so many incredible women through the Digital Skills Academy, all of them with amazing stories to tell, and I came away not just with a qualification as a Digital Marketing Specialist, but very inspired and much more confident for the future.
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“As well as the essential digital skills we were trained in, they taught us how to present our CVs, how to prepare ourselves for interview, and how to back ourselves enough to really put ourselves out there.”
After an eight-week course, where Yulia made a long list of connections from classmates to industry insiders, she secured a job earlier this year with Belfast-based creative digital marketing agency Yellow Zest.
“My boss has actually been involved in the programme, although we didn’t cross paths directly during my course,” says Yulia. “It’s great because she obviously understands the value of the programme, and what its learners have to offer.
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“Sometimes it can feel difficult to break into a network when you’re a little bit on the outside, whether that’s because you’re not originally from the place where you live, you’re a woman who’s been away from the workplace for a while, or any other reason.
“What the programme gave me was a sense of connection with women from all sorts of backgrounds. We’re able to share experiences, advise one another and access this big community. As lonely as it can feel sometimes, it’s comforting to know others have been in the same boat.
“The impact has been great for me and my son – who strangely, for me, speaks with a Northern Irish accent! It’s put opportunities in front of me and given me the confidence to pursue them. Having employment and all these connections has helped me so much, and I really appreciate this opportunity to build my career here.”
Juliana Germinio, Founder at Yellow Zest, said: “Yulia has been a fantastic addition to the team, and we’re delighted to have her. I’ve been involved directly with the Belfast Digital Skills and Employability Programme and not only is it playing an important role in opening doors and creating opportunities for its learners, from an employer’s perspective, it’s supporting a pipeline of new talent.
“People are coming out with a solid grounding in the digital skills which businesses are crying out for, as well as a strong industry contacts, confidence and a drive to progress.”
Diana Atchison, Belfast Met’s CDIT Project Manager, added: “We love to hear about the success of our alumni, and Yulia is a wonderful example of how the programme can make an impact – supporting progress and opening doors to further opportunities for our learners.”
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Motability users are facing a range of changes that could affect how they can use their vehicles
Samantha Leathers Senior Money & Lifestyle writer
13:36, 26 Apr 2026
Motability ‘black box’ rule starting this week
The Motability Scheme is set to introduce substantial changes this July which could potentially impact how users operate their vehicles. However, four key provisions will remain unchanged during the overhaul.
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The rule modifications have been prompted by a VAT and Insurance Premium Tax adjustment that will be implemented for new leases from 1 July 2026. To offset the additional costs this will place on the scheme, the organisation stated it must introduce significant alterations to “keep the scheme sustainable”. This will impact mileage charges, tyre replacements and EU breakdown cover.
The Motability Scheme has confirmed which provisions won’t be affected by the July restructure, stating: “We stay committed to offering an all-inclusive package that gives you confidence and peace of mind.”
People who currently hold a lease with the Motability Scheme will also remain unaffected by the rule modifications. The changes will only be applicable to new applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026.
Motability users who receive their allowance from Social Security Scotland may also experience different impacts compared to users in England or Wales.
People leasing vehicles after 1 July will encounter new provisions regarding their driving limits and the protection available in the event of breakdowns.
Mileage
Currently, Motability users can accumulate 20,000 miles before an excess charge of 5p per mile is applied. The updated regulations will cut this to an average yearly mileage allowance of 10,000 before incurring a charge of 25p per mile including standard rate VAT.
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For those on a three-year lease, this means they will have 30,000 miles before the charge is triggered, while Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles will receive a total allowance of 50,000 miles across their five-year lease.
Customers will be required to pay for any additional miles driven beyond their allowance at the conclusion of their lease.
Overseas travel and breakdown
Those travelling abroad with their Motability vehicle will now require a VE103 certificate prior to heading overseas, confirming permission to take the vehicle outside of the UK.
The certificate will set customers back £22 for new orders placed on or after 1 July and remains valid for 12 months, covering all trips within that period.
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Motability also highlighted that fewer than 1% of customers made use of breakdown cover abroad in 2025.
Tyre replacement
Those placing orders on or after 1 July will find that the number of tyres that can be replaced through the Scheme has been reduced. The official guidance states: “Tyre replacement is still included as part of your lease, as long as it’s within fair use.”
Under the revised rules, a customer on a three-year lease will be entitled to replace up to six tyres, with up to four of these permitted for damage-related replacements. Those with a five-year lease will be entitled to replace up to 10 tyres, six of which can be for damage.
This amendment is designed to reflect users’ requirements, as the typical Motability customer replaces just two tyres per lease during a three-year period. The decreased mileage allowances may also potentially lessen the need for additional tyre replacements.
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Andrew Miller, CEO of Motability Operations, said: “The scheme is not just about fixing the here and now, it’s about fixing and maintaining us for many, many years to come.
“We totally understand and recognise these are quite impactful changes for some of you.”
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