News

Boris Johnson’s support of Covid lab leak theory is significant

Published

2 hours ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Boris Johnson's support of Covid lab leak theory is significant

For once, Johnson may have performed a public service

September 29, 2024 5:57 pm(Updated 5:58 pm)

WUHAN, CHINA - AUGUST 05 2021: People in PPE work in the Huo-Yan (Fire Eye) Laboratory designed for high-capacity 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2) detection in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Thursday, Aug. 05, 2021. (Photo credit should read Feature China/Future Publishing via Getty Images) — People in PPE work in the Huo-Yan laboratory in Wuhan, China in 2021 (Photo: Feature China/Future Publishing/Getty)

Boris Johnson is publishing his memoir, timed to coincide with the Conservative Party conference, in his usual attention-seeking manner and written in his familiar gratingly-florid style.

Political autobiographies tend to be solipsistic attempts to shore up their author’s place in history so most are very dreary. Given Johnson’s shameful record in office, his selfishness and his sorry relationship to the truth, his book would not normally serve as anything more than a sad reminder of his party’s descent into stupidity that led to such brutal rejection by the electorate.

Yet one nugget leaps out: his suggestion the Covid-19 pandemic was sparked by some kind of leak from a laboratory in Wuhan rather than zoonotic transmission from an animal species.

“The awful thing about the whole Covid catastrophe is that it appears to have been entirely man-made, in all its aspects,” he writes. “It now looks overwhelmingly likely that the mutation was the result of some botched experiment in a Chinese lab. Some scientists were clearly splicing bits of virus together like the witches in Macbeth – eye of bat and toe of frog – and oops, the frisky little critter jumped out of the test tube and started replicating all over the world.”

This allegation, reported by The Mail on Sunday, is significant since Johnson was prime minister when a strange new coronavirus erupted in that central Chinese city, spreading death, fear and economic devastation around the planet (and nearly causing his own demise).

The former prime minister becomes the highest profile leader after Donald Trump to state this suspicion in public, although it has become an increasingly widely-held public view in the 55 months since I first began probing China’s cover-up of Covid’s birth.

Like the former United States president, Johnson is a politician with a history of deceit who is detested by many foes. But that does not mean he is always wrong.

It would be good to think we have learned from the daft tribalism that has clouded the debate over Covid’s origins since the outcome is so important to guard against another pandemic.

Johnson’s statement, coming from such a pivotal source, should spark serious exploration of the issues at last in Britain. Politicians, civil servants, key scientists and the intelligence agencies need to be put on the spot and quizzed under oath over their knowledge of the outbreak – especially given all the mounting evidence of an organised attempt at the highest levels to stifle debate over the origins by branding the idea of a laboratory leak as “conspiracy theory”.

Last week, Professor Kevin Fong, former national clinical adviser in emergency preparedness at NHS England, described the pandemic as the “biggest national emergency this country has faced since World War Two” as he spoke movingly – and often tearfully – about the medical response at the Covid hearings.

This inquiry is costing taxpayers £200m. Yet when former cabinet minister Michael Gove – another central player in Britain’s response – said “there is a significant body of judgement that believes that the virus itself was man made”, he was shut down quickly for straying into this “somewhat divisive issue”.

This is unacceptable. There is not enough space to run through the complex debate here, suffice to say there is no definitive proof yet over the origins. Intense efforts to find a host creature that might have led a virus from bats living hundreds of miles away to cross over into humans in Wuhan – with attempts to blame creatures such as pangolins and racoon dogs – have led to suggestions that the virus erupted in a wet market.

This tired theory – which keeps bouncing back like a bad penny – has been firmly rejected by China’s authorities and the world’s top coronavirologist. It does not match evidence on earliest cases, nor much research trying to date first infections.

The alternative case – raised by Johnson – has grown steadily stronger with each crumb of evidence. There was always valid suspicion over a pandemic erupting in the city that is home to the world’s foremost research lab for Sars-like viruses, especially when it was found to have known concerns over safety practices.

This lab collected thousands of bat viruses from southern China and south-east Asia, but hid its database. It carried out high-risk “gain-of-function” research to boost infectivity of coronaviruses in low-level security environments, derided as “wild west” even by its funders in Washington.

And we learned that shortly before the pandemic, Wuhan scientists proposed with their partners in the United States to create viruses with the defining feature of Covid’s virus – the “furin cleavage site” that enables more efficient entry into human cells and is not found on similar types of coronavirus. This lab leak theory was shored up by a series of shocking leaks and revelations swirling around some of the most prominent figures pushing the zoonotic case.

Yet this impassioned debate even divides intelligence agencies in the United States – although at least Washington has made some efforts to establish the truth, even if the discussions in Congress have been depressingly partisan.

In Britain there has been only a thudding official silence, despite similar concerns over the role of some leading scientists and institutions – including Sir Patrick Vallance, recently appointed science minister by the Labour Government.

Science relies on openness and the vigorous clash of ideas. Yet the issues at stake here go beyond the core question of what caused Covid-19 and the role of Beijing in covering up the initial outbreak, which inflamed the impact with terrible and tragic consequences.

They raise questions over regulation of risky experiments, the role of Western funding bodies, the behaviour of leading scientists, the failures of global public health bodies, the duplicity of academic journals, the patsy reporting of naive journalists, even the corruption of universities by Chinese cash.

Behind all this lies the stench of elitist arrogance and kowtowing of democratic institutions towards a repulsive dictatorship. For once, Johnson may have performed a public service.

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Travel

Is your favourite top? The UK’s best theme parks revealed – with record-breaking rollercoasters and reimagined rides

Published

38 seconds ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Thorpe Park has been named the best theme park in the country

THORPE Park has been named the country’s best theme park by the Great British public.

The UK Theme Park Awards took place last night, with the Surrey-based park bagging the top spot.

Thorpe Park's Hyperia also bagged the top spot for the best new attraction — Thorpe Park’s Hyperia also bagged the top spot for the best new attractionCredit: Alamy

The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com who publish independent consumer guides.

More than 360,000 votes were cast by the public and combined with scores from expert judges to rank the country’s best theme parks.

Awards were spread across 22 categories, including the Best New Attraction, the Best Theme Park for Families, the Best Seaside Park and the New Park of the Year.

Thorpe Park beat the likes of Alton Towers and Drayton Manor to be named the best in the country for 2024.

The Surrey-based theme park, which first opened to the public in 1979, also took first place for the best new attraction, Hyperia.

Hyperia opened to the public earlier this year, becoming the country’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.

Standing at a whopping 236ft tall, the hypercoaster claims to be the UK’s highest, swiping the crown from Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s The Big One by just a few inches.

It also smashes coaster speed records, reaching break-neck speeds of 81mph.

Hyperia wasn’t the only new addition this year, with American-themed Big Easy Boulevard also opening this year.

The new area replaced the park’s Angry Birds land, which had been in place for ten years.

Inside world’s weirdest theme park with vomiting rats welcoming thrillseekers

Big Easy Boulevard is based on New Orleans and has several rides, as well as a 4D cinema.

Detonator, a drop tower ride that sends people plummeting 100ft, remains in the area from the Angry Birds land – although it has been rebranded to fit in with its new surroundings.

Other rides at the theme park include Stealth, the UK’s fastest launch coaster, and Vortex, a giant pendulum that swings riders through the air.

Drayton Manor’s Gold Rush took second place as the best new attraction at a UK theme park, with Legoland’s Minifigure Speedway coming in at third.

OTHER AWARD WINNERS

Nemesis Reborn

Other winners of the night included Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers, which was named the Best Reimagined Attraction.

Nemesis was first unleashed to the public in March 1994 and has become a favourite among thrill-seekers ever since.

However, it closed in November 2022 for retracking and for other changes to be made to the rollercoaster.

After undergoing the biggest overhaul in its 30-year history, the ride was renamed Nemesis Reborn.

You can read our world-first review of Nemesis Reborn here.

Paultons Park

Paultons Park bagged the top spot for the Best Theme Park for Families and Toddlers.

Paultons Park features more than 70 rides, including roller coasters, family rides, and attractions.

It is also known for being the home of Peppa Pig World, voted the No.1 theme park on TripAdvisor.

Guests will find Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, The Queen’s Flying Coach, Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, and Peppa’s Big Balloon in the Peppa Pig World.

Kids can also enjoy play areas, as well as meet and greets with Peppa Pig and George Pig.

Peppa Pig World isn’t the only attraction at Paultons Park, as there’s also Tornado Spring, a world set in a midwest desert resort town in the 1950s.

Other themed worlds include the Lost Kingdom, Critter Creek, and Little Africa.

Drayton Manor

Drayton Manor topped the list as the UK’s Best Value Theme Park.

The park is already considered to be among the more affordable resorts in the UK, with UK Family Break previously describing it as “the ideal place for an unforgettable cheap family day out”.

Drayton Manor is home to more than 50 attractions, including Stormforce 10 River Rapids, Thor, Accelorator, Thomas and Percy’s Submarine Splash and The Bounty Pirate Ship.

Meanwhile, this new theme park with 25 attractions has opened in Europe – and flights are only £15.

And here are five European theme parks that are alternatives to Disneyland.

The Sun’s review of Hyperia at Thorpe Park

The Sun’s Lee Bell visited Thorpe Park to try the new ride out. Here’s what he thought…

“I was able to ride the steel monster three times, experiencing its exhilarating speeds in the middle of the train, at the front and then, for my last (and best) ride, right at the back.

“First impressions: it’s unlike any other rollercoaster in the UK right now.”Not only for the obvious reason that it’s over double the height, but its focus on flinging riders out of their seats and experiencing ‘weightlessness’.

“It’s no surprise that the first drop is what really steals the show on this rollercoaster.

“While it’s the tallest in the country, it’s unique in that it twists riders 180 degrees while they plummet down a huge vertical drop right before reaching the ground at top speeds of over 80mph.

“The back row is easily the best place to experience this, since you’re catapulted over the crest of the drop at speed, and right into the drop with a free-fall-like feeling.

“It’s an incredible ride that will make you want to ride it again and again.”It’s certainly a coaster that can compete with some of the best in Europe and is easily, in my experience, the best the UK has to offer.”

Paultons Park is the home of Peppa Pig WorldCredit: paultonspark.co.uk

Hyperia (pictured) is the tallest and fastest theme park in the UKCredit: Alamy

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News

Donald Trump’s Latest Speech: Internet Fixates On One Moment

Published

15 mins ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Donald Trump's Latest Speech: Internet Fixates On One Moment

As the border continues to play an important policy role in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, former President and current Republican nominee Donald Trump criticized the government’s immigration process during a campaign speech on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Wisconsin.

He once again called out the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app—a mobile application that hosts a single portal to multiple CBP services, including a space for immigrants to schedule appointments to present themselves at a port of entry and for carriers to request cargo inspections.

“They have a phone app so that people can come into our country… these are smart immigrants, I guess, because most people don’t have any idea what the hell a phone app is,” Trump said at the Prairie Du Chien Area Arts Center in Prairie Du Chien, a city of about 5,500 people along the Mississippi River.

The campaign for Vice President and Democratic nominee for President Kamala Harris posted a video of the moment on X (formerly Twitter), with a caption reciting Trump’s comments.

Many users on X have reacted to Trump’s comment, showing surprise that Trump believes many don’t know what apps are.

“I feel like most people know what a phone app is,” former tennis star Andy Roddick wrote on X. “It’s not 2004 any more. It’s 2024,” another person wrote, pointing out that Trump owns his own social media platform, Truth Social, which has an app component. Meanwhile, one commenter claimed: “How out of touch with reality do you have to be to believe most people don’t know what a phone app is?”

The post from Kamala HQ mirrors the campaign’s recent strategy of simply posting clips from Trump’s speeches, and letting the Internet’s virality culture do the work. The campaign’s X account posted other clips from Trump’s speech in Wisconsin, including comments Trump made about a fly on stage.

“Oh, there’s a fly. Oh, I wonder where the fly came from,” Trump said. “See, two years ago, I wouldn’t have had a fly up here. But they’re changing rapidly. We can’t take it any longer.”

Trump didn’t elaborate on his comments regarding the insect, which were made during a section of his speech whereby he discussed immigration. Responding to the moment, some social media users called back to the viral instance in 2020 when a fly landed on Mike Pence’s head during the vice-presidential debate against Kamala Harris.

This is not the first time Trump has targeted the CBP One App. Earlier this month, Trump posted about it on his Truth Social account, calling the service the “Kamala phone app for smuggling illegals” and vowing to close it.

According to the CBP website, the CBP One App was launched on Oct. 28, 2020—when Trump was still President. In January 2023, the Biden Administration announced that it would expand use of the app, at which point migrants began requesting appointments using CBP One. The app became particularly prominent once the Biden Administration put in place new asylum rules after the expiration of Title 42.

If a person does not seek asylum in the country they moved through to get to the U.S. or didn’t use the CBP One app, any asylum claim they make in the U.S. will likely be rejected. Yet, there is much criticism from immigration rights advocates that the CBP One App has been unable to keep up with the demand from migrants.

Trump’s Wisconsin speech, and its focus on immigration, follows Harris’ visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. It was Harris’ first appearance there since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. After visiting the border on Friday, she made remarks in Arizona, putting forth a more visible “tough on immigration” image.

“I reject the false choice that suggests we must choose either between securing our border and creating a system that is orderly, safe, and humane,” Harris said. “We can and we must do both.”

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Business

Netanyahu critic joins his coalition in boost for Israeli premier

Published

17 mins ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Benjamin Netanyahu has struck a deal with opposition politician Gideon Sa’ar to bring his right-wing New Hope party into government, in a move that will bolster the Israeli prime minister’s ruling majority.

The agreement comes as polls suggest that support for Netanyahu’s Likud party is recovering from the depths it plumbed after Hamas’s October 7 attack, as Israel has launched aggressive operations in both Lebanon, where it has delivered a series of devastating blows to Hizbollah, and Iran.

Sa’ar, a hawkish lawyer who began his career in Likud before falling out with Netanyahu and becoming one of the prime minister’s most vocal critics, will enter the cabinet as a minister without portfolio.

In a joint press conference on Sunday night, Netanyahu acknowledged the pair’s fractious history — which also included Sa’ar joining and then leaving the emergency government set up after October 7 — but said that the two men had decided to put those differences behind them.

“It’s not a secret that we have had disagreements in the past,” he said. “But since October 7, we have both put all the grudges of the past behind us.”

Sa’ar, who has staked out hawkish positions on the war, including urging a more aggressive approach both against Hizbollah and in Gaza, said he had decided to rejoin the government because he had concluded that “the majority of [the opposition’s] members hold views on the war that are different from mine”.

“This is a time when my duty is to contribute to decision-making,” he said.

The addition of New Hope’s four seats means that Netanyahu’s now six-party coalition with an assortment of rightwing, far-right and ultrareligious parties will control 68 seats in Israel’s 120-seat parliament, weakening the ability of smaller partners to extract concessions.

Since the coalition came to power in 2022, both ultranationalist finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to pull their parties out of government owing to disagreements with Netanyahu. But now neither would on their own be able to topple the government by doing so.

The arrival of Sa’ar could ultimately also pave the way for Netanyahu to replace his defence minister Yoav Gallant, who has been increasingly critical of Netanyahu’s leadership, including over his failure to reach a deal with Hamas to free the Israeli hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza.

Sa’ar announced last weekend that Netanyahu had offered him the position of defence minister, but said he had decided not take up the role at that time, as a change of minister in the middle of an escalation with Hizbollah would be an unnecessary distraction.

Netanyahu previously attempted to fire Gallant in March 2023 after Gallant warned that the polarisation sparked by a controversial judicial overhaul being pushed by Netanyahu’s coalition was undermining Israeli security, only to back down in the face of mass protests.

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Hurricane Helene leaves ‘biblical devastation’ in North Carolina

Published

37 mins ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Hurricane Helene leaves 'biblical devastation' in North Carolina

Homes were entirely destroyed in North Carolina, where residents are surveying the damage

Reuters Meta Gatschenberger surveys the remains of her collapsed and destroyed house in North Carolina — Homes were entirely destroyed in North Carolina, where residents are surveying the damage

Hurricane Helene has left “biblical devastation” in parts of North Carolina, officials say, after it tore across five south-eastern US states and left more than 60 people dead.

A clearer image of the destruction in hard-hit North Carolina emerged on Sunday, where, after barrelling through Florida and Georgia, Helene brought torrential rain and swamped towns with flooding and mudslides.

More than 400 roads are closed in the state, where 11 people have died. Homes have been destroyed, towns have been cut-off, water systems are down and hundreds of thousands are without power.

“This storm has brought catastrophic devastation… of historic proportions,” Governor Roy Cooper said.

The American Red Cross has opened more than 140 shelters for those in south-eastern states who evacuated their homes. More than 2,000 people are in the shelters, the organisation said on Sunday.

In North Carolina’s Buncombe County, Sheriff Quentin Miller said around 1,000 people were still unaccounted for.

“We have biblical devastation through the county,” said Ryan Cole, an emergency official for the county, which contains the mountain city of Asheville. “This is the most significant natural disaster that any one of us has ever seen.”

Asheville, which is home to about 94,000 people and is a popular tourist destination, was largely cut off by flooding on Saturday after Helene ripped through the region as a tropical storm.

Hundreds of roads remain closed across North Carolina, with some open only to the emergency services

Reuters Workers survey a large section of Highway 105 that washed away because of flood waters during Tropical Storm Helene — Hundreds of roads remain closed across North Carolina, with some open only to the emergency services

Erin Quevedo, the owner of a flooded salon in the city, spoke to The Asheville Citizen Times while ankle-deep in mud.

“The salon was completely destroyed. It looks like the water came up to about five feet inside,” she said. “Right now, all we’re doing is we’re trying to salvage what we can.”

Rescue operations are ongoing in North Carolina and supplies, including food and water, are being delivered by air to affected areas that cannot be reached due to closed roads.

“People are desperate for help and we are pushing to get it to them – [it is] a massive effort,” Governor Cooper said.

The North Carolina National Guard has rescued more than 119 people – including one infant, according to Major General Todd Hunt. He said the largest rescue was of 41 people north of Asheville.

Many petrol stations are closed throughout North Carolina with long queues of cars at those that are still open. Meanwhile, the few open supermarkets have been crowded by customers attempting to buy bottled water.

More than 300,000 North Carolinians were without power as of Sunday morning, officials said. This, combined with mobile service outages, has complicated efforts to reach those who are calling the emergency services.

Another challenge has been navigating downed trees and debris, and officials in the worst-hit area of western North Carolina said all roads there were closed.

Helene began as a hurricane – the most powerful on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend, and moved north into Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee after making landfall overnight on Thursday.

The damage is estimated at between $95bn and $110bn (£71bn-£82bn). The scale of the destruction will become clearer in the coming days.

Dramatic flooding and rescues as Hurricane Helene hits Florida

The search for survivors is ongoing and federal emergencies have been declared in six states, including Florida and Georgia.

As of Sunday morning 63 people were confirmed to have died across five states, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS, but that toll is expected to rise as search efforts uncover more victims.

The highest death toll in an individual state was South Carolina, where 24 people have been killed. Seventeen people died in Georgia and 11 were killed in Florida, according to the governors of the two states.

“The devastation we’re witnessing in Hurricane Helene’s wake has been overwhelming,” President Joe Biden said on Saturday.

He was briefed by Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who he directed to speed up support to storm survivors, including deployment of extra teams to North Carolina.

Although Helene has weakened significantly, forecasters warn that high winds, flooding and the threat of tornadoes could continue.

There could be as many as 25 named storms in 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned earlier this year.

Between eight and 13 of those storms could develop into hurricanes and a handful already have including Helene. More storms could be on the horizon, officials warned, as the official end of hurricane season is not until 30 November.

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News

Boy, 8, dies after suffering shot to head at Warcop farm

Published

58 mins ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Boy, 8, dies after suffering shot to head at Warcop farm

Emergency services were called to the farm in the Warcop area

Frank Chalmers Four police vehicles at the scene near Warcop in Cumbria — Emergency services were called to the farm in the Warcop area

An eight-year-old boy has died after being shot in the head and face at a farm.

A man aged in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault at the scene in Warcop, Cumbria. He remains in custody and was later held on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, police said.

Cumbria Police said they were called to reports of the boy being injured by a firearm on Saturday at about 14:50 BST.

The child was taken to hospital by air ambulance but he died overnight.

A Cumbria police spokesman said the firearm “was secured at the scene”.

Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the boy’s death.

Frank Chalmers A police car and two officers on a field near Warcop in Cumbria where the child was injured — The boy died overnight in hospital

A resident of the nearby village of Brough told the PA news agency he was driving by the scene, near the A66 dual carriageway, during Saturday afternoon when he saw medics, police vans and a helicopter.

Frank Chalmers said: “I passed the farm at around about 3pm. I saw the helicopter with its rotors stopped, and medics marching up the hill, a lot of police, maybe five police vans. One car was parked in the middle of an empty field.

“It all looked very serious. They don’t usually turn out in that kind of force.”

The 73-year-old retiree said the area where the incident happened in the Eden Valley is “very, very rural”.

‘Dreadful’

David Wood, who lives in the Brookside area of Warcop, said it was “so sad and shocking” and “a real tragedy”.

He said: “I feel shocked, but its difficult to describe. A life taken far too early.

“We don’t know the family but an awareness that the life of a little boy has gone is bound to affect people.”

An elderly woman told the BBC it was “an absolutely dreadful thing to have happened”.

A man who lives nearby added: “As a grandfather you think the world of your grandkids don’t you, and you cannot replace them. So it is just awful for the family.

“I don’t know who it is but their whole family will be devastated.”

More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria

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Travel

Floating glampsite where guests get their own rowing boat crowned one of the best in the UK

Published

1 hour ago

September 29, 2024

NewsAdmin

Hippersons Boaryard is a winner of this year's Visit Britain ROSE Awards

A UNIQUE holiday destination in Suffolk has just been named one of the friendliest accommodation providers in the UK.

Hippersons Boatyard in Beccles has been announced as one of this year’s winners at the Visit Britain’s ROSE Awards.

There are six houseboats to choose from, including the Wild Cat Island Floating PodCredit: instagram/@hippersonsboatyard

The awards recognise the accommodation providers across England who provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes.

But Hippersons is very different from your usual holiday park or self-catered apartment.

Guests can stay in in one of six quirky houseboats which are nestled on the River Waveney in The Broads National Park.

The boatyard is self catering, offering fun for families or a romantic getaway for couples.

Each accommodation has a private rowing boat for exploring the river, and there are a wide range of other water-based experiences on offer.

Canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and a pedal boat are all available for hire.

There are also self drive boats you can take out for the day to explore the wider Broads.

Among the houseboats to choose from are ‘Secret Water’ – a luxury floating glamping pod with a large deck at the front to watch the sunrise and sunset from, a double room and a bunk room, small kitchenette, and a wet room with underfloor heating.

Local cafe Relish can make food hampers if you’re in need of supplies, or if you need some time out from cooking, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby.

Nearby attractions include the Beccles Lido, where you can book a slot and swim in the outdoor pool.

Top 5 Campsites from Pitchup.com Review Awards 2023

There’s also Beccles Museum with displays on local industries and crafts.

A 30 minute drive away is Secret Sauna, a wood-fired sauna cabin in a secluded location, perched on the banks of the River Waveney.

And if it’s speed you’re after, you can book a turn at Beccles Go Kart race circuit.

One Hippersons Boatyard guest, who visited in August this year, described their stay on Tripadvisor.

They wrote: “The accommodation was well finished with a beautiful view out of the boatyard towards the river. My kids (and I) loved watching the fish swim past as we ate out on the water. We were welcomed by very hospitable staff and found a welcome hamper on arrival. The boathouse came with a dingy and life jackets, which we could use at our leisure.

VisitEngland Awards For Excellence 2024

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

GOLD: Sleepy Owl, Bideford, Devon
SILVER: My Cottages in St Ives, Cornwall
BRONZE: Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays, Hertfordshire

Pub of the Year

GOLD: The Peterville Inn, St Agnes, Cornwall
SILVER: The Acorn Inn, Dorset
BRONZE: The Red Fox, Wirral

Bed & Breakfast and Guesthouse of the Year

GOLD: The Bosham Boathouse B&B, Bosham, West Sussex
SILVER: MonkBridge House, North Yorkshire
BRONZE: Bossington Hall, Somerset

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

GOLD: The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
SILVER: Kits Coty Glamping, Kent
BRONZE: Darwin Forest Lodges, Derbyshire

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

GOLD: Hoe Grange Holidays, Matlock, Derbyshire
SILVER: ROARR!, Norfolk
BRONZE: Colchester Castle, Essex

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

GOLD: Mill Farm Eco Barns, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
SILVER: Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent
BRONZE: The Yan at Broadrayne, Cumbria

Experience of the Year

GOLD: Grey Seal and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Seahouses, Northumberland
SILVER: York Ghost Walk, The Deathly Dark Tours, North Yorkshire
BRONZE: Mountain Bike Taster Day, Pure Outdoor, Derbyshire

Large Hotel of the Year

GOLD: The Grand, York, Yorkshire
SILVER: Hope Street Hotel, Merseyside
BRONZE: Rockliffe Hall Hotel, County Durham

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

GOLD: WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bowditch, Gloucestershire
SILVER: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire
BRONZE: ROARR!, Norfolk

New Tourism Business of the Year

GOLD: The Wizard Walk of York, North Yorkshire
SILVER: Sleepy Owl, Devon
BRONZE: Boys Hall, Kent

Small Hotel of the Year

GOLD: The Gallivant, Camber, East Sussex
SILVER: Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire
BRONZE: THE PIG at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

GOLD: Nothe Fort (operated by Weymouth Civic Society), Weymouth, Dorset
SILVER: Cotswolds Distillery, Warwickshire
BRONZE: The Battle of Britain Memorial, Kent

Taste of England Award

GOLD: Allium at Askham Hall, Penrith, Cumbria
SILVER: Blackfriars Restaurant, Tyne & Wear
BRONZE: La Locanda, Lancashire

Unsung Hero

GOLD: Katie Calder, V-ATE Automotive Smokehouse and Bowl, Boston, Lincolnshire
SILVER: Duncan Wise, Northumberland National Park Authority, Hexham, Northumberland
BRONZE: Brett Hawkes, Crowhurst Park, East Sussex

Each houseboat comes with its own rowing boat for guests to explore the river at their own leisureCredit: instagram/@hippersonsboatyard

Pizzas are available to order from Oakfired and then enjoyed alfresco on the houseboat decksCredit: instagram/@hippersonsboatyard

“The boatyard is really well placed a short walk from the historic centre of Beccles (but no road or town noise!). My kids loved visiting the headed lido and we enjoyed a meal out at the Royal Oak. Both Norfolk and Suffolk attractions were accessible from Beccles. Just a brilliant stay, I really can’t recommend enough. We’ll be back!”

Prices start from £315 for a three night stay. To book, visit the Hippersons Boatyard website.

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