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Yorkshire riverside village among UK best to visit in spring

Published

2 hours ago

6 April 2026

Yorkshire riverside village among UK best to visit in spring

Stamford Bridge, which has the River Derwent running through it (located close to Dunnington), is said to feel “especially vibrant” during this time of year, according to London North Eastern Railway (LNER).

The travel experts shared about its latest seasonal guide: “Spring is the perfect time to explore somewhere new.

“The days are longer, the blossoms are showing off, and suddenly the urge to get away is impossible to ignore.

“So why not swap the usual rush for winding lanes, market squares and views that look like they’ve been freshly painted for the season?

“We’ve rounded up the UK’s best spring villages to visit by train, looking at everything from walking trails and nearby gardens to the variety of flowering plants and how easy it is to reach each village from the nearest train station.

“We also considered how each village comes to life in spring, from bursts of colour to those picture-perfect moments you’ll want to linger in a little longer.”

Why is Stamford Bridge among UK’s best spring villages?

LNER explained: “Just outside York, Stamford Bridge is a laid-back riverside village that feels especially vibrant in spring.

“The River Derwent runs right through it, with wildflowers lining the banks and plenty of spots to slow down and take it all in.

“The Stamford Bridge Nature Walk is a circular route linking the village’s two historic bridges, taking you along a stretch of river protected for its wildlife.

“Keep your eyes peeled, and you might spot kingfishers flashing across the water, swans gliding by or even the occasional otter along the banks.

“And the best bit? It’s an easy hop from York with a direct bus connection, perfect when you fancy swapping city buzz for something a little calmer, even just for an afternoon.”

Stamford Bridge is also home to Dreamery Gardens, which has been described as “the most magical day out”.

In a video on Facebook, Yorkshire-List.com shared: “If you’d like to get lost in the mystical world of forest fairies, then a trip to Dreamery Gardens is a must”.

“Situated just outside of York, you’ll find an enchanted wood home to forest fairies, elves and sprites, a whimsical afternoon tea and the country’s only fairy museum.

“Expanding over 100 acres, discover fairy villages, inhabited bridges and hobgoblin burrows, all set within the beautiful nature reserve home to over 100 species of birds.”

The Yorkshire content creator added: “After exploring the gardens, head to the Dreamery Kitchen, home to the most whimsical afternoon tea – a feast for the eyes and the hungry explorer.

“No matter the season, you’re sure to find magic around every corner at Dreamery Gardens.”

Just some of the other highly rated foodie spots in Stamford Bridge (according to Google Reviews) are The Three Cups, No. 10 Cafe Bar & Bistro and The Square Bakehouse.

Meanwhile, if you wanted to explore the village even further this spring, you might want to check out the Stamford Bridge and the River Derwent Circular.

This easy (and flat) walk rated 4.3/5-stars takes around an hour and a half to complete, and offers a combination of countryside and urban paths with views and historic sites.

Its AllTrails profile continues: “You will have the chance to explore the history of the village, including the site of the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the old rail line, plus a long peaceful stretch alongside the idyllic River Derwent.”

This person wrote in a review: “Nice easy walk with a mix of riverside, village lanes, farmland and woodland.

Expect a ‘long peaceful stretch alongside the idyllic River Derwent’ on this walk (Image: AllTrails/Hannah Kate)

“We were here on a weekday and hardly saw anyone else.”

Another posted: “A lovely walk, easy to find and very relaxing.”

One walker put: “Lovely easy stroll around the characterful viaduct and along the river.

“Free parking and plenty of cafe and pub options in Stamford Bridge. Around half is roadwalking, albeit quiet roads.”

It’s important to note that some of the paths can get muddy and slippery after wet weather, so wear appropriate footwear.

Will you be heading to Stamford Bridge this spring, including Dreamery Gardens? Let us know in the comments below.

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The supplements to take this spring (and the ones to ditch)

Published

7 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The supplements to take this spring (and the ones to ditch)

Just when you thought you’d nailed your supplement routine, we’re here to tell you that you might need to shake things up for spring.

After what feels like the longest winter, the days are finally getting lighter and brighter, and with the change in weather comes the perfect time to kickstart a path to a healthier life. You might already feel like you’re striving to do everything right — racking up your plant points each week, working out consistently, getting your sleep hygiene in place and trying your best to keep a lid on stress, but taking a seasonal approach to wellness can give your efforts an extra boost.

Supplements can play a part in supporting your health, but rather than viewing them as a quick fix, think of streamlining your routine to sync with the seasons. That said, it’s always wise to consult a registered healthcare professional, such as a nutritionist, before introducing new supplements. And remember, supplements should complement (not replace) a balanced diet, since nourishing your body through whole foods should always come first. As winter fades and we welcome spring, certain nutrients may become more important — here’s an overview of what to consider.

The change in seasons naturally brings with it a fluctuations in the microbiome as your diet, environment, and activities change. Longer days often mean more travel, al fresco dining, and shifts in routine, all of which can temporarily disrupt gut balance. A probiotic during these months may help maintain healthy gut flora, support digestion, and keep your immune system strong. It’s always worth choosing formulations that contain multiple well-studied strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to maximise the benefits across your digestive system.

The noise around collagen has been loud for a while now, and with good reason. This protein (which is the most abundant protein in the body) supports skin elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. During spring and summer, increased sun exposure and higher temperatures (they don’t have to be that high to cause an effect) can accelerate moisture loss and the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Supplementing with collagen (especially hydrolysed collagen peptides) may help maintain skin hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support natural repair processes. Combining collagen with vitamin C-rich foods can further enhance collagen synthesis and help protect skin from seasonal environmental stressors. Most collagen supplements contain animal derivatives, however, there are vegan alternatives available, meaning you can easily find an option that works for you.

You don’t have to be an athlete or even a seasoned gym-goer to benefit from including electrolytes in your routine. Crucial for maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signalling, these minerals are lost through sweat. Even modest increases in temperature can leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish, or prone to cramps — which is when the benefits of electrolytes shines.

While UK summers aren’t exactly Dubai-esque, the Met Office predicts 2026 will be among the four warmest years on record, with March already experiencing unusually high temperatures. Replenishing electrolytes through hydration on these hotter than usual days with mineral-rich foods, or targeted supplements can help sustain energy levels, support workout performance, and keep your body functioning at its best during the warmer weather. Electrolytes usually come in powder sachets or dissolvable tabs, making them easy to add to water to stay hydrated on the go.

Magnesium is an ‘all rounder’ mineral that supports everything from stress to sleep, so generally speaking, it’s one of those supplements that you could probably do with topping up. Magnesium is utilised by the body to support hundred of day-to-day processes and it’s readily available in foods like dark green leafy veg, nuts, seeds and legumes. Yet even with a balanced diet, many people don’t get enough, especially during periods of stress when the body uses more. Certain medications such as some antibiotics, and acid reflux proton pump inhibitors can lower absorption rates, and even taking GLP-1 medications can also lower levels due to reduced appetite. Magnesium bisglycinate or citrate are two of the highly absorbable forms to choose when it comes to supplementing.

In the spring and summer months Vitamin C can be obtained from eating well

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The supplements you might no longer need

The nutrients that may be less essential during spring…

We need vitamin D for brain health and bone health, and unlike most other vitamins, which are readily absorbed from our diets, our main source of vitamin D comes from sunlight. From March to September, the sun’s UVB rays are high enough in the sky to penetrate through our skin, so unless you fall into a category of people that might need to supplement all year round (such as people with darker skin, shift workers and the elderly), you are probably ok to ditch the bottle over the spring and summer months.

In winter, vitamin C supplements are often used as a buffer against colds and infections. By spring, exposure to sunlight, more activity, and fewer circulating viruses reduce that pressure. That’s not to say vitamin C isn’t important, but you’ll be able to obtain it from seasonal fruits and vegetables like strawberries, citrus, spinach, and peppers which the body is generally able to absorb well.

Energy levels often slump in winter, which is why CoQ10, a compound that facilitates cellular energy production is a popular supplement to take during the darker, colder months when fatigue can feel more pronounced. In summer, however, your energy naturally benefits from longer daylight hours, increased physical activity, and given that your body usually produces enough on its own when you’re active and eating well, you might be able to sidestep supplementing with an energy-boosting supplement such as CoQ10 and include lots of CoQ10 foods such as oily fish including salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, chicken and spinach in your diet.

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Former North Yorkshire foster child praises Harrogate family

Published

13 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Former North Yorkshire foster child praises Harrogate family

Ashley Smith, 23, spent 13 years in care from age eight, alongside his twin brother Nathan, for nine of those years.

Mr Smith is one of four siblings and lived with three different foster families during his time in care.

He said: “I would ask more local families to think about fostering and offering a safe and loving home to a child who needs one, and I would especially ask for brothers and sisters to be kept together whenever possible.”

He credits his progress to his final foster carers, Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate.

Ashley with his final foster parents Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate (Image: North Yorkshire Council)

He added: “They offered a warm and loving home where I felt I belonged.

“Diane and Stuart have done a lot for me emotionally and financially too.

“Truly caring and treating a young person as part of the family makes all the difference.”

Ashley now lives in York and is studying children, young people, and society at university, where he then hopes to become a social worker.

Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive member for children and families at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley and everything he has achieved.”

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NewsBeat

The healing power of a multi-generational stay at Lakes by Yoo

Published

25 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The healing power of a multi-generational stay at Lakes by Yoo

Hotel rooms, cabins and apartments are all available for rent and included in the price are the endless lakes, woodlands and meadows to romp in. It would be impossible to get bored here, with paddleboarding, fresh-water wild swimming, cycling, kayaking, zip wire, archery, bushcraft and tennis all on the menu.

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York Green Party activist recognised for Ukraine work

Published

40 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

York Green Party activist recognised for Ukraine work

Mike Kearney, a National Education Union (NEU) representative, received the award at the NEU’s national conference in Brighton for his solidarity work supporting teachers in Ukraine.

Daniel Kebede, president of the union, said: “Congratulations to Michael for his exemplary international solidarity work.

“Michael’s commitments to Ukraine’s teachers and pupils have been unwavering.”

Mr Kearney is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network (Image: York Green Party)

Mr Kearney was honoured for his ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian teachers and students, and is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network.

On April 2, he set off from Brighton in a van delivering aid to Ukraine.

The van included educational materials donated by York schools, along with Easter eggs for children and families.

He will leave the van in Ukraine to assist with ongoing aid delivery.

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