AUTUMN is here and with it comes an amazing offer to take the family to visit one of the UK’s incredible UK heritage sites for free.

I’ve just bagged a family day pass at a National Trust site, thanks to a little-known offer that often pops up at this time of year.

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And it gets even better because my nearest National Trust estate, Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, is the perfect place to get in the Halloween spirit.

This is because it always decorates its darkest tunnels for the spooky season and also has an impressive pumpkin display in its garden.

If you’re looking for frightful fun for free, you can claim your family pass online, just by popping it in your basket on the National Trust website.

I’ve used the free passes before and it’s always a brilliant way to get a day out for next to nothing.

But you’ll need to be quick to claim as the free passes, which cover two adults and three children, won’t take long to be snapped up by other bargain hunters.

There are a few things you need to look out for if you want to use this offer. 

First of all, there are some sites that are exempt, so you need to check the list of where you can’t use your pass before you set off with the car all loaded up with kids!

There are 200 houses, gardens and even castles included, so you should be able to find something not a million miles away to visit.

The National Trust only operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so if you’re in Scotland, you’ll have to head over the border to use your pass.

Some places also need you to book in advance and you can do this on the National Trust website by selecting the free member ticket option and use the code AUTUMN24.

Just make sure to have your day pass ready to scan when you arrive.

If you happen to miss out on the free online offer, there’s a cheeky little way you can sometimes get around it.

A lot of local newspapers often print a pass inside their pages around the same sort of time, so you can just buy a participating paper for a couple of quid instead.

Or you could ask your local library to save its copy of the local paper once it’s no longer being read and it’s gone on the recycling pile, so you get the pass that way.

The single-use pass covers a family of five, but obviously you can use it as a single adult or a couple as well.

It runs out on October 18, so it won’t be valid over the half-term holidays.

That being said, it’s worth checking out what your selected site is doing in the run-up to Halloween.

Because there may be events running over the weekends beforehand, so you might get some extra activities thrown in free if you time it right.

Last year, my favourite National Trust place to visit was Tattershall Castle in Lincolnshire, which was the perfect backdrop for bats, spiders, pumpkins and lots of spooky props.

It was definitely a top haunt for Halloween and one we’d return to next time we’re in that neck of the woods. 

So if you fancy seeing what the National Trust has to offer near you, why not pick up a pass and head down to get your fix of fresh air, history and family fun?

To download your free autumn pass and for more info on any of the National Trust sites, see nationaltrust.org.uk.

What’s it like to visit a National Trust site?

EARLIER this year, travel writer Hope Brotherton visited Birmingham’s Back to Backs after they were named the country’s number one hidden gem attraction. Here’s what she thought…

“Located on the corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street, the Back to Backs are hidden behind a wooden shop front that houses a tiny reception area where visitors check into their guided tour.

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“My family and I were then led through to a brick courtyard where we were introduced to John, our informative and friendly tour guide.

“For the 90 minutes, John expertly guided our small group through two interconnected houses, which showcased what life would’ve looked like for working-class families in the 1860s and 1930s.

“Each of the eight rooms we explored were tiny, showing visitors just some of the cramped conditions families lived in 150 years ago.

“All of the rooms were decorated with everyday objects, including tins, scales and other artefacts from the past, with John pointing out the most interesting or relevant items, including an old tin of Bird’s Custard, which was produced in the city’s Custard Factory.  

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“According to our tour guide John, some of the former residents even worked in the Back to Backs with their tools on display, including the likes of a locksmith and a jeweller from the Jewellery Quarter.

“Birmingham Back to Backs also houses the only collection of work by a Caribbean tailor in the UK.

“George Saunders operated a successful tailor’s shop from the Back to Backs for many years, even leaving some of his items to the National Trust to preserve this last living link to the houses.

“At the end of the tour, we were led back to the brick courtyard where we were shown how the laundry rooms operated and given the chance to take photos.”

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Meanwhile, these are the best UK attractions with free annual pass upgrades.

And these are the best free days out in the country.

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WHILE it may be tempting to bring one seemingly common item back to the UK from your holidays, it could land you in serious trouble.

Conch shells are large, pinkish, spiral-shaped shells – and packing them in your luggage could get stopped in UK and international airports.

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The shells are famous for making a noise similar to the ocean when you put your ear to them – and can be found in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Florida and the US Virgin Islands.

The conch themselves are similar in taste to clams and often sold in markets and shops for tourists and locals to enjoy.

However, many people may be unaware that conch are in fact an endangered species.

As a result, you would need a permit to import a conch shell into the UK – or risk being stopped at customs.

There are further regulations abroad to stop conch – and their shells – being removed from their country of origin.

In Florida, for example, it is illegal to possess a conch shell with a living conch inside.

It is also illegal to possess one if it has an off-centre hole larger than a sixteenth of an inch in diameter through its spire – as this indicates a conch has been killed, mutilated or removed from its shell.

Failure to comply with these rules could result in jail time.

In the Caribbean, a permit is required to export any conch shell – even if it is part of a souvenir such as an item of jewellery.

In December 2021, Caribbean authorities seized five conch shells from a pair of travellers – among 500 other illegally exported items.

Conch are endangered because they have been overfished for many years, due to their status as a delicacy.

Many conch are also harvested while they are still too young to have reproduced.

The animal is now protected under an international treaty called CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

This protects endangered species against over-exploitation by regulating international trade.

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.

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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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. 

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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.

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.

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“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.

AN UNUSUAL water attraction in the UK has been likened to a theme park ride by visitors – and it’s the only one of its kind in the world.

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that carries barges and boats between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.

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Located in Falkirk, Scotland, it is the only one of its kind in the world, making it a tourist attraction in its own right.

After first opening in 2002, it has become one of Scotland’s busiest tourist attractions, with 500,000 visitors every year.

Travel website Secret Scotland described it as an “exceptional” example of engineering, writing: “The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is an exceptional feat of modern engineering that connects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Canals described the Union Canal as “a route to remember” on their website.

They added: “From the iconic Falkirk Wheel to the historic heart of Scotland‘s capital city, discover boat trips, inspiring trails and amazing heritage.”

The rotating wheel takes around five minutes to lift boats from one canal onto the other.

Barges can be hired and taken down both canals, with Edinburgh at the end of one and Glasgow at the end of the other.

Although visitors won’t need to hire a barge to give the Falkirk Wheel a go, with tours onboard two boats from the Scottish Canals Trust are also in operation.

The Original Tour lasts 50 minutes and includes two turns on the Falkirk Wheel.

Visitors will depart from the Falkirk Wheel Basin where they’ll enter the lower gondola of the wheel before sailing through the sky to join the Union Canal 35 metres above the basin.

Boat tours will then continue along the aqueduct, heading through Roughcastle Tunnel before reaching the mouth of the Union Canal where boats will turn back to the start.

Tours last 50 minutes, with tickets costing £17.40 for a full-paying adult and £9.60 for children.

The Falkirk Wheel has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5/5 star rating from over 4,000 reviews.

One person wrote: “The area has been turned into a children’s theme park ride”.

While a third person wrote: “It’s more like a theme park attraction than a boat lift”.

There are plenty of other attractions at the Falkirk Wheel, including a splash zone with a huge stone map and mini canal lock gates.

A fleet of little paddle boats lets younger visitors experience the water in the boating pond.

Older children can take to the water on bumper boats, each of which come equipped with a squirt gun.

Other activities include paddle boarding and water zorbing and canoeing on the water trail.

Nearby, there’s also Helix Park where a huge set of two Kelpie statues can be found.

Kelpies are mythical shape-shifting horse spirits that were said to drag humans to their deaths in the water.

The statues were designed by Andy Scott, and they’re the largest equine statues in the world.

Spanning more than 350 hectares, there are plenty of other features inside the huge park, including an adventure zone and splash play area for kids, with fountains spraying from the ground and huge climbing structures.

Meanwhile walking and cycling routes “meander through lush greenery and enchanting woodlands” according to the park’s website.

The paths in and around the park connect 16 communities via 26 kilometres worth of trail, all of which can be explored.

Entry to Helix Park is free, making it ideal for families.

Five new water attractions opening in the UK

1. Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
2. Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
3. Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
4. The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
5. The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.

Meanwhile, Dundee has been named Scotland’s most underrated city thanks to its ties to the Beano and the Dandy.

And we’ve recently revealed our favourite spots for a September break.

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BRIT holidaymakers probably won’t have heard of Sivota, a tiny harbour village in Greece.

Sivota is often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbour Corfu; however, it has all the trappings of a seaside holiday.

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Located in Epirus Region in Greece, Sivota sits near other well-established beach towns like Praga.

While the tiny village isn’t on the main tourist trail in Greece, it is a popular stop on sailing holidays in Ionian.

This is largely thanks to its pretty beaches, lush coastline and crystal-clear waters.

Travel blog Travels & Wandering described Sivota as a “hidden gem” in northwestern Greece.

The fishing village is surrounded by several small islets, including Mavro Oros and Agios Nikolaos.

There are plenty of beaches within walking distance of Sivota, including Bella Vraka Beach.

Beach-goers will need to walk through shallow waters to reach the tiny beach, which is actually on the tiny island of Mourtemeno.

Other beaches in the area include Mega Ammos Beach, which is known for its snorkeling, Zavia Beach and Gallikos Molos Beach.

Gallikos Molos Beach is the closest beach to Sivota, it also has the most facilities of any of the neighbouring beaches with a beach bar.

Renting sunloungers and parasols at the beach cost just €5 (£4.20) per person, making it more affordable compared to the likes of Mykonos and Santorini, as reported by the Independent.

Three little-known Greek islands to visit

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THERE are plenty of Greek islands to visit, including several little-known spots that are free from the crowds.

1. Located in the Dodecanese Sea, Symi is a fairytale-like island home to traditional Greek villages and harbour-front bars and cafes. Reaching the tiny island became a lot more accessible after Jet2 announced the launch of a new route from the UK.
2. Despite being twice the size of Mykonos, Tinos is often overlooked by most holidaymakers. But holiday demand for the island is predicted to grow thanks local food and sandy beaches.
3. Meanwhile, the island of Paros has a wave of chic new hotels opening. The island has its own airport – making it much easier to visit than some other smaller islands in Greece that can only be accessed by ferry.

Visitors can also book onto boat trips where they’ll be able to explore some of the smaller islands, hidden coves and the Blue Lagoon.

Because of its coastal location, Sivota is known for its amazing seafood, with several restaurants only serving fish.

Spiridoula taverna has been named as Sivota’s number one seafood restaurant on TripAdvisor.

Other top-rated restaurants include 12 gods, which has views overlooking the harbour, and Odyssey Taverna.

There are a number of affordable hotels in Sivota, including LANGO LUXURY LIVING Sivota, which has £60 stays.

Direct flights operate from the UK to Preveza, the closest airport to Sivota.

EasyJet operates direct flights between London Gatwick and Preveza, with one-way fares from £33 in October.

Preveza Airport is a 90-minute drive from Sivota.

Alternatively, holidaymakers can fly from the UK to Corfu International Airport where they’ll be able to board a ferry from Corfu to Sivota.

If you don’t want to go this far, then a beautiful UK seaside town has been compared to a Greek island.

And another seaside town in the UK is also home to dolphins, whales and puffins, as well as amazing castles.

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