2020 has been described as the year of the “Great British summer staycation”.
Right across the country, Brits are choosing to explore what’s right on their doorstep this year, in favour of jetting off for holidays overseas.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have brought with it a lot of doom and gloom – especially as flights have been grounded, holidays cancelled and stricter quarantine measures introduced – but it’s certainly gifted us with the unique opportunity to get out and see the beauty that our country has on offer, right?
Now, in order to help Brits decide on where next to pitch up this summer, HomeToGo – the world’s largest holiday rental search engine – has researched the UK’s Best Outdoor Destinations aimed at “cooped-up holidaymakers dreaming of spending some time out in nature”.
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If you’re looking to get some fresh air and explore the most scenic areas of the country this summer, then the top 14 destinations in the UK have now been carefully selected and revealed.
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HomeToGo’s data and insights on 14 of the most searched National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in the UK is based on the following factors:
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Affordability – Average nightly price of a holiday home.
Availability – Booking rates for August and September 2020.
Weather – Average daily hours of sunshine for the month of August.
Walking Trails – Number of walking trails nearby.
Met Office climate data was used to calculate the average hours of sunshine for the month of August, HomeToGo used its own metasearch data to forecast the average price and booking rate for places to stay in each area, crowd-sourced data was collected from a leading trail map and navigation website for walking trail information, and then each of the factors were weighted and given a score out of 10.
So, what are the Top 5 Best Outdoor Destinations in the UK for 2020 then?
Best Place for Sun-Seekers? Dorset – Average days with rain 7.5, average daily sun.
Most Affordable Staycation? Suffolk – Average accommodation £116.48 per night.
Best for Last-minute Travellers? Peak District – Forecasted Availability 66%.
Best Spot for Active Travellers? Lake District – Over 380 walking trails.
Wikipedia
Other interesting survey findings showed that since the beginning of June, over 60% of all domestic UK holiday bookings have been for trips within 300 miles from the origin, and more than 78% of bookings over July and August are in listings in rural areas, such as the Lake District or North Yorkshire.
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Speaking on the survey findings, Mike Pearce – a spokesperson for HomeToGo – said: “We’re seeing an increase in demand for countryside getaways as more individuals and families are trying to make the most of their summer holidays,”
“We hope everyone has a chance to find a little more space this summer and spend some time outdoors, safely and responsibly”.
Want to check out the rest of the top 14 destinations? Head on over to the HomeTGo website here.
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Peaky Blinders confirm title and release date of upcoming film
Danny Jones
After what feels like an age since it was first announced, Peaky Blinders and Netflix have finally confirmed the title and release date of the upcoming feature-length film.
It was revealed that the global streaming giant secured exclusive rights to the movie last year, and it has now been revealed that it will also be released in selected theatres before it hits the platform.
With production on the long-talked-about project getting underway in September 2024, we’ve heard little else from creator Steven Knight, who has also been booked to deliver the Oasis reunion documentary chronicling their Live ’25 world tour.
However, we now know not only the official title of the film, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, and that it will be dropping early next year. They’ve even shared the first poster.
Clearly referring to the series’ most famous lead character, Thomas Shelby – played by now fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister Cillian Murphy since 2013 – the teaser shows him sat astride a horse, not to mention covered in a fair amount of dirt and/or blood.
Alongside the suit and the trademark newsboy cap with blades inserted in the brim (the calling card of both the fictional and the real ‘Peaky Blinders’), it’s quite a classic look of Tommy’s.
Scheduled to release in limited cinemas on 6 March before arriving on Netflix on 20/3/2026, this will not only be the first film in the wider franchise but the first to air separately from the BBC.
While its parent network is still involved as collaborators on the flick, this is the first instalment in the IP to be distributed directly by Netflix after they bought the rights to release the show in the US.
Another look at a seemingly older Tommy Shelby (Credit: Publicity picture via Netflix)
As for The Immortal Man, both new and returning members of the cast include:
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, 28 Days Later)
Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Silo)
Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, The Hateful Eight)
Sophie Rundle (After the Flood, Gentleman Jack)
Ned Dennehy (Culprits, The Peripheral)
Packy Lee (Blue Lights)
Ian Peck (His Dark Materials, Robin Hood)
Jay Lycurgo (Steve, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself)
Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin)
Stephen Graham (Adolescence, A Thousand Blows)
Speaking in a full press release, Murphy said: “It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me. It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.”
Returning four years after the end of the mainline series, but catching up with Tommy at the outset of WWII in terms of the actual timelines, Netflix say that the Shelby patriarch “is driven back from a self-imposed exile to face his most destructive reckoning yet.”
Safe to say we cannot wait to be back in the world.
In the meantime, you can find out more about the next season(s) of Peaky Blinders coming to the BBC very soon down below.
Paul Scholes blasts Ruben Amorim for ‘bull****’ response to Kobbie Mainoo question
Danny Jones
Club legend Paul Scholes has called out Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for what he dubbed a “bull****” reaction to a question from a journalist regarding Kobbie Mainoo on Thursday.
The Portuguese coach saw his Premier League win rate clock in at just under 44% (the lowest of any Man United manager for, let’s just say, some time) after the 1-1 home draw against West Ham.
Conceding a late goal against the Irons, who are currently sat in the relegation zone, the Red Devils ultimately dropped another two points against a side that they should be beating, both based on present form and if they have any hopes of competing for the top spots.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was pressed on why he didn’t make a more offensive substitution to try and claw back the victory, to which he then asked what looked to be a somewhat loaded question and gave this reaction after the response:
The laughter, in particular, hasn’t gone down well with everyone, especially the Class of ’92 graduate and retired midfielder.
Jumping on social media after the quotes from the Amorim press conference were out, Scholes posted on his Instagram story: Bull****. This kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football.”
He went on to add: “Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now – enough is enough.”
First off, Reds – do you agree?
It isn’t the first time Scholes has levelled criticism at Amorim, his tactics, management and overall coaching style, having said this of their previous appointment at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes on Ruben Amorim's tactics against 10-man Everton which frustrated him 😬 pic.twitter.com/AgsESuH83h
Safe to say he isn’t his biggest supporter at the moment.
Fellow former teammate and England international turned pundit, Gary Neville, was also left not just confused but frustrated by the performance, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview that he noted the camera picking up “real dejection” on the faces of the fans after the full-time whistle.
With an away trip against Wolves, a home match against Bournemouth, as well as travelling to face high-flying European place competitors, Aston Villa, before hosting Newcastle on Boxing Day, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the results will pan out.
You can see the highlights from Man United vs West Ham down below.
How many points do you see them picking up over the next four fixtures?
Emily Sergeant -
30th July 2020 
