Day: August 30, 2020

Remember these retro racing games? This is what they could be worth now

Motoring experts from LeaseCar.uk have researched nine retro racing games from the 80s and 90s and revealed how much they could be worth now.

Many of the games are worth just shy of £100 – with one classic fetching as much as £1,700!

Can you remember these retro racing games?

This is what they could be worth now

Racing fans and gamers have been told to check their attics for retro driving game favourites that could be worth as much as £1700 now.

Motoring experts from LeaseCar.uk   have researched and revealed nine classic racing games from the 80s and 90s that could fetch a pretty penny on the resale market.

Collectors and enthusiasts are willing to pay serious money for copies of their favourite racing games of yesteryear.

From Mario Kart and Stunt Racer to Spy Hunter and Top Gear, nostalgia seekers will shell out hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of pounds to experience a blast from the past.

A spokesperson for  LeaseCar.uk  said: “If you’re around 25 or older, chances are you’ll remember at least a few of these pioneering games of yesteryear.

“And if you’re lucky enough to have a copy tucked away somewhere, you could be sitting on a significant cash cow.

“The prices we’ve listed below relate to pristine, sealed copies, but even used copies can fetch a fair sum.”

Here are nine retro racing games and what they’re worth now:

1. F-Zero on Super Nintendo

(Image credit: https://medium.com/j-king-s-labratory-project/nintendo-should-make-another-f-zero-game-47383d6dba15)

Factory sealed copies of futuristic racing game F-Zero can fetch around £50-£60 on average, which is a good deal more than it would have cost to buy when it was released in 1991.

2. Rock ‘n’ Roll Racing on Gameboy Advance

(Image credit: https://lutris.net/games/rock-n-roll-racing/)

If you happen to have a sealed copy of Rock ‘n’ Roll Racing for Gameboy Advance, you could resell it for about £90-£100.

3. Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart’s Super Off Road on Nintendo NES

(Image credit: https://thegamesdb.net/game.php?id=2794)

In this game, up to three players compete against each other or the computer in racing around several top-view indoor off-road truck tracks of varying difficulty. The resell value can be as much as £60-£70 now.

4. Top Gear on Super Nintendo

(Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_(video_game)#/media/File:SNES_Top_Gear_cover_art.jpg)

In this Super Nintendo classic, players could choose between four cars to face 32 challenging courses in locations around the world. If you’re lucky enough to have a copy stored away, it could be worth as much as £85-£90.

5. Rad Racer on Nintendo NES

(Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rad_Racer#/media/File:Rad_racer_box_front.jpg)

In this game, originally released in Japan as ‘Highway Star’, players drive a Ferrari 328 or a generic Formula One racing machine through a racecourse. It’s one of the most profitable games on the list, worth up to £210-£220 for pristine, sealed copies.

6. Spy Hunter on Nintendo NES

(Image credit: https://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/spy-hunter/cover-art/gameCoverId,120902/)

Drawing inspiration from the James Bond films, the object of Spy Hunter is to drive down roads in the technologically advanced “interceptor” car and destroy various enemy vehicles with a variety of onboard weapons. The potential resale value for this one is massive – up to £370-£380!

7. Stunt Racer 64 on Nintendo 64

(Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stunt_Racer_64#/media/File:Stuntracer64.jpg)

New and sealed copies of this Nintendo classic fetch a whopping £1650-£1750, but even used copies are worth around £600!

8. Mario Kart 64 on Nintendo 64

(Image credit: https://n64today.com/2017/11/26/mario-kart-64-review/)

Another Nintendo 64 family favourite, the original Mario Kart game is now worth as much as £310-£320!

9. Outrun on Sega Genesis

(Image credit: http://segascrutiny.blogspot.com/2011/01/genesis-game-reviews-outrun.html)

Known for its pioneering hardware and graphics, nonlinear gameplay, and selectable soundtrack, sealed copies of Outrun are now worth around £95-£100.

Counting down to Programme for Government

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will publish a Programme for Government next week focused on dealing with the economic, health, and social crisis caused by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Protecting public health will remain the priority, and the Scottish Government will also set out plans to help people, businesses and communities recover from the pandemic by creating new jobs, promoting lifelong health and wellbeing and tackling inequalities.

The Programme for Government, which will be published on Tuesday, will take steps to ensure that in responding to the pandemic Scotland also delivers on its commitments to tackle child poverty and to reach net-zero by 2045.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the Programme for Government 2020-21, the First Minister said: “COVID-19 – the single greatest public health crisis of our lifetimes – has had a profound impact on our health, economy and society, indeed our whole way of life. These are not normal times, and this will not be a normal Programme for Government.

“Businesses and individuals have made extraordinary sacrifices to tackle this pandemic together. In every community in Scotland people have shown incredible resilience, compassion and skill to provide everything from the most advanced intensive care, to simple acts of kindness. 

“That is why it’s so important for us to continue to keep the virus under control. 

“At the same time we must also look to the future – to think about how we can help people, businesses and communities recover from this pandemic. We cannot, and should not, let this virus define our futures.

“Next week, I will set out radical and wide-ranging policies not only to help Scotland through this crisis but to drive a strong recovery with a renewed focus on what matters to people across the country.

“We have an opportunity, not simply to go back to how things were, but to address many of the deep seated challenges our country faces. The Programme for Government 2020-21 will be based on our determination to recover from this virus and deliver a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland for everyone.”

To be Published on Tuesday 1 September, the Programme for Government 2020-21 will set out the Scottish Government’s priorities through to the end of this Parliament in May 2021.

Retirement around the world

With the Tories seemingly considering changes to the retirement age, how does the UK compare to other countries aroud the world?

Men and women in the Netherlands and South Korea work longer than adults in any other country according to new research.

The team at personal finance experts TheMoneyPig.com have looked at 41 countries around the globe to find the age for retirement.

People in the Netherlands work until they’re 68 with South Koreans working until they’re 68 and 67 for men and women respectively.

Norway, Italy, Israel, Iceland and Greece are close behind with the age of retirement set at 67 years old.

Many countries in Europe retire at around 65 – 66 years old, including the UK, although that age looks set to rise over the coming years.

Others with 65 years as the retirement age include New Zealand, Mexico, Jamaica, Hong Kong, Canada and Brazil. In Asia countries including China, Japan and Thailand retire at 60 years old.

The country with the lowest retirement age is the United Arab Emirates with Emiratis able to retire at just 49 years old. Expats aren’t quite so fortunate, retiring at 65 years.

There is still some discrepancy between the ages men and women can retire. In most countries the retirement age is the same although women are able to retire at a younger age in China, Qatar, Turkey, Russia, the Czech republic, Austria, Brazil, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Poland, Switzerland, Israel and South Korea.

A spokesperson for TheMoneyPig.com said: “Retirement ages differ slightly around the world but not massively. Looking at the data it would be fair to say that mid 60s is around the average age for retirement.

“What is important wherever you live, is to plan for your retirement so you can enjoy it without the financial concerns it can bring.

“It’s important to think about this early and to be realistic on just how much money you need, how much you can afford to pay in now and if there are ways you can boost your pension pot.

Here are TheMoneyPig.com’s tips for planning for retirement:

1. Your retirement income

It’s important to work out your potential retirement income. Factor in your state pension and any private pensions you pay in to and you should come up with an accurate figure. Also factor any savings or investments you have available to use when you retire.

2. Boost your pension pot

Think about paying in more to your pension if you can. This will give you a greater sum when you retire. To boost it further you could set you retirement date later.

3. Day to day spending

Think about what you’ll spend when you retire. Work related costs like commuting, lunch and work clothes will all stop. Do factor in increases elsewhere like leisure and healthcare.

4. Clear your debts

Aim to clear any debts before you retire. If you can get the mortgage paid off, then do. Look at credit cards and any other debts too and pay off those with the highest interest first.

5. Retirement age

Consider what age you want to retire at and be realistic about if you can afford to.

6. Get advice

If you’re not sure, it’s always worth getting some financial advice. A good adviser will be able to talk you through the options to help you work out what’s right for you.

Table in full:

CountryRetirement age – MENRetirement age – WOMEN
UAE49 for emiratis, 60  – 65 for expats49, 65 expats
China6050 – 55
Japan6060
Qatar6055
South Africa6060
Thailand6060
Turkey6058
India60 – 6560 – 65
Russia60.555.5
Singapore62 – 6562 – 65
France62 – 6762 – 67
USA62 – 6762 – 67
Czech Republic62.858 – 62
Hungary6363
Austria6560
Belgium6565
Brazil6562
Canada6565
Cyprus6565
Denmark6565
Gibraltar6560
Hong Kong6565
Jamaica6560
Mexico6565
New Zealand6565
Poland6560
Sweden6565
Switzerland6564
Spain65.2565.25
Germany65.565.5
United Kingdom65.565.5
Australia6666
Ireland6666
Portugal66.366.3
Greece6767
Iceland6767
Israel6762
Italy6767
Norway6767
Netherlands6868
S.Korea6867

Time for change as new figures show drink-drive related deaths have plateaued for eighth consecutive year

IAM RoadSmart urges: Follow Scotland’s lead

The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, is calling for new initiatives from the Government to drive down the number of drink-drive related deaths on UK roads.

This follows figures released from the Department for Transport earlier today showing yet another year of stagnation in annual drink-drive statistics, highlighting eight years of zero progress.

Final estimates for 2018 in: Reported road casualties in Great Britain: final estimates involving illegal alcohol levels: 2018, revealed 240 people died in crashes where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit.

An estimated 8,680 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, an increase of one per cent from 8,600 in 2017. That means on average more than 23 people a day were killed or injured as a result of drinking and driving, in 2018.

Most worryingly, the total number of crashes where at least one driver was over the alcohol limit rose by three per cent to 5,890 in 2018, an average of around 16 crashes a day.

IAM RoadSmart is calling for a smarter package of measures from Government to reduce the number of drink-drive related incidents, including a further lowering of the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland; wider use of drink-drive rehabilitation courses; longer running high-profile education and enforcement campaigns and also, following the example of Scotland, by seizing the vehicles of repeat offenders.

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Once again progress on reducing the toll of death and injuries from drink-driving has stalled.

“There is no one simple answer to reducing these figures, but at IAM RoadSmart we believe a much smarter package of measures is needed from the Government including a lower drink-drive limit to reinforce good behaviour, fast-track of evidential roadside testing machines to release police resources and tailored approaches to help drivers with alcohol problems.

“Rehabilitation courses work and we believe all those convicted of drink-driving should be sent on one automatically rather than having to opt in. More use of alcohol interlocks – which require the driver to blow into a mouthpiece on the device before starting or continuing to operate the vehicle – and extra penalties such as vehicle forfeiture, as used in Scotland, could all be part of a more joined-up approach to the problem.”

Overall drink-driving accounted for five per cent of collisions in Great Britain. The highest number of casualties, nearly seven per cent, due to drink-driving occurred in Wales, followed by England and Scotland at around five per cent each. Regionally, in England, casualty rates varied from nearly eight per cent in the East Midlands to nearly four per cent in Greater London.

In 2018, 80 per cent of drink-drive related casualties involved male drivers or riders. Almost two thirds of drink-drive casualties (63 per cent) are aged 25 to 59 but around a quarter (24 per cent) involve people aged 16-24. In both age categories, the casualty rate is higher in drink-drive related collisions than other collisions types.

Neil concluded: “Hard-core drink drivers are simply not getting the message, and these figures will not improve until policy changes.”

The full report from DfT can be found here.

Top dog Kuno to receive Dickin Medal

Retired military dog Kuno is to receive the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal for valour – the animal Victoria Cross – after he was wounded in action while heroically saving the lives of British Forces fighting Al Qaeda.


During a dangerous operation in 2019, three-year-old Belgian Shepherd Malinois Kuno and his handler were deployed in support of specialist UK and host nation forces on a compound raid against a well-armed and aggressive enemy when they came under attack.

Pinned down by grenade and machine-gun fire from an insurgent, the assault force was unable to move without taking casualties.

Without hesitation, Kuno charged through a hail of gunfire to tackle the gunman, breaking the deadlock and changing the course of the attack, allowing the mission to be completed successfully.

During the assault Kuno was wounded by bullets in both back legs. He was given life-saving treatment by his handler and by medics in the back of a helicopter.

His injuries were so severe he required several operations before he was stable enough to fly back to the UK. Sadly, part of one of Kuno’s rear paws had to be amputated to prevent life-threatening infection.

But now he is thriving after becoming the first UK military working dog to be fitted with custom made prosthetic limbs.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Without Kuno, the course of this operation could have been very different, and it’s clear he saved the lives of British personnel that day. This particular raid was one of the most significant achievements against Al Qaeda in several years.

“Kuno’s story reminds us not only of the dedicated service of our soldiers and military dogs, but also the great care that the UK Armed Forces provide to the animals that serve alongside them.”

Kuno underwent extensive rehabilitation under the watchful eye of Army vets and is fitted with prosthetics that allow his to run and play
Kuno underwent extensive rehabilitation under the watchful eye of Army vets and is fitted with prosthetics that allow him to run and play

Kuno returned home aboard an RAF plane, receiving in-flight care from a Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) team. Back in the UK he was transferred to the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray where he underwent extensive reconstructive surgery, overseen by Professor Dick White, one of the world’s leading specialists in canine surgery.

Under the painstaking care of Army vets, veterinary nurses and canine physiotherapists, assisted by staff from the University of Nottingham, Kuno then embarked upon an innovative and lengthy programme of rehabilitation to restore function to his nerves and muscles, just like injured service personnel.

Kuno was a friendly and enthusiastic patient throughout, he loves human interaction and especially enjoyed his sessions on the hydrotherapy treadmill.

Within months, he was strong enough to be fitted with a pioneering custom-made prosthesis to replace his missing paw, alongside an orthotic brace to support his injured limb.

Kuno, who was on his second deployment when he was injured, is the first UK military dog to be fitted with such devices. Lightweight and fully bespoke, they enable him to run and jump as he wishes, securing a great quality of life for many years to come.

Colonel Neil Smith QHVS, the Chief Veterinary and Remount Officer, said: “It is important that Military Working Dogs receive a high level of care if they are unfortunately injured, and Defence has military vets and vet nurses to ensure animals receive the care and rehabilitation they deserve.

“Kuno is an amazing dog in many ways, and we are delighted that the PDSA have decided to award him their Dickin Medal.”

Now retired and rehomed, Kuno will receive the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest animal honour in existence for military animal valour, which will be formally presented by PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity who run the world’s most prestigious animal awards programme, in a virtual ceremony in November.

PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: Kuno’s heroic actions undoubtedly changed the course of the mission and saved lives. He took on the enemy without fear or hesitation, never faltering from his duty despite being seriously injured.

“For his bravery and devotion to duty, he is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal and we look forward to formally presenting his award later this year.”

The world-renowned PDSA Dickin Medal was introduced by PDSA’s founder, Maria Dickin CBE, in 1943. It is the highest award any animal can achieve while serving in military conflict. Kuno will become the 72nd recipient of the PDSA Dickin Medal; previous recipients include 34 dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, four horses and one cat.

Kuno has now been rehomed and is living happily with a new family
Kuno has now been rehomed and is living happily with a new family

Police Scotland call for BME recruits

Online Police Recruitment

Aimed at our increasingly diverse BME population

Police Scotland is acutely aware that the diversity of our communities is increasing all the time. We recognise the importance of our communities being able to relate to our police officers and we are therefore actively reaching out to our BME communities and encouraging you to consider a career in policing in Scotland.

During the 90 minute online recruitment event, users will learn about the recruitment process, the training, the role of a police officer and the endless opportunities which are available to you once you embark on this exciting career path.

The date of the event is: Thursday 24th September 2020 6.30pm – 8pm

In order to participate in the event, Microsoft Teams will be required.

For more information and to reserve a space please email:-

recruitmentpositiveactionteam@scotland.pnn.police.uk

providing your name, contact number and what event you would like to attend.

Please also send a request to join our closed Facebook page at:
‘Police Scotland Positive Action’

Same Again?

Sober Scots’ drinking habits since lockdown

Scots are the most likely in the UK to be drinking same or less since before lockdown was imposed

Lockdown was predicted to cause a sharp rise in alcohol consumption and binge-drinking but most UK drinkers (65%) actually drank the same, less or stopped drinking altogether during lockdown compared to previously.

In the weeks following the reopening of the hospitality sector, this trend has continued. Brits are continuing to drink in moderation, but more and more are choosing to do so at the pub.

Scotland is no exception to this trend and, though Scottish pubs only recently reopened their doors, close to a third (30%) of Scots have returned to the pub at least once.

Scots continue to drink in moderation despite the reopening of pubs

The latest YouGov survey commissioned by the Portman Group (2,296 UK adults, 12-13 August) shows that the moderate majority continues to prevail in the UK, even with the much-celebrated reopening of pubs. 

In fact, of those who drink alcohol, even more people are drinking the same, less, or have cut out alcohol altogether, than during lockdown. These figures have now increased from 65% in May 2020 to 88% in August. This shows an ongoing trend of people drinking less during this unprecedented time and supports data by Nielsen which showed that in the 17-week period covering lockdown to 11 July 2020 Brits consumed almost 1.3bn litres of alcohol during the UK’s lockdown period, almost half the 2bn litres consumed in the same period last year.

The survey data for Scotland shows that:

  • 92% of Scottish drinkers are drinking the same (59%), less (27.5%) or have cut alcohol out altogether (6%) since the hospitality sector reopened compared to before lockdown.
  • Scots are the most likely in the UK to be drinking the same, less or have stopped compared to drinkers in England (85%), Wales (88%) and Northern Ireland (89%).
  • Concerningly 5% of Scottish drinkers said they were drinking more since the hospitality sector reopened than before lockdown. We encourage anyone concerned about their own, or another persons’, drinking to visit Drinkaware or the NHS online for free advice and guidance.
  • The moderate majority of Scottish drinkers (69%) continue to drink responsibly, within the Chief Medical Officer guidelines of 14 units per week. Weekly intakes remain similar to before lockdown.
  • Scottish drinkers are also slightly more moderate than their English (66%) and Welsh (68%) counterparts in terms of remaining within the guidelines.

More than a quarter of Scottish pubgoers return to their local

While many of us continue to drink at home, a great number of Scots have resumed much loved habits of gathering at their local pub. Pubs have put in place diligent social distancing measures to ensure that communities can revisit pubs while feeling safe and secure. Scots are responding well to the ‘new normal’ with almost three quarters (76%) saying social distancing has not deterred them from a return to the pub.

It’s not just drinkers who have been making the most of the pubs reopening; pubs have long been a happy and inclusive environment for all members of the community.

The recent period has seen Scots making a cautious return to many much-loved venues outside of just hospitality, including shops and beauty salons, and it seems that, despite one in eight (12%) feeling the pinch after months of furlough or even job losses, we are still setting aside time and money to return to our favourite institutions, something that has been made clear with the popularity of August’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Pubs in Scotland opened their doors once again on 15 July. Despite this, close to a third (30%) of Scottish adults have made their way back to the pub, slightly higher than Northern Ireland (26%) but lower than Wales (37%) and England (42%).

Speaking about the results of the survey, John Timothy, CEO of the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, commented: “During the course of the COVID-19 crisis there has been a fear that many people would turn to alcohol and that misuse would increase.

“Yet Scots are showing continued moderation both at home and, happily, now back at the pub. It’s great to see people supporting their community pubs while drinking sensibly and maintaining social distancing.”

Commenting on the results in Scotland, Douglas Meikle, Head of Alcohol Policy at the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership, said: “It’s encouraging that so many Scots continue to drink within the CMOs’ guidelines of 14 units a week, in spite of the unprecedented nature of lockdown, with many deciding to drink less.

“As things get back to being more normal it will be important to continue that trend and encourage those who want to go back to our pubs and bars that they can do so safely”.

Glasgow’s Miles Cheaper!

The UK holiday destination swaps that will save you hundreds

UK holidaymakers can save hundreds of pounds on hotel costs over the course of a holiday by swapping their location for similar destinations just a few miles away, Which? Travel has found.

With international travel restrictions in place around the world and the UK government warning against travel to a growing number of popular holiday destinations across Europe, many UK holidaymakers are continuing to book staycations to see out the end of the summer.

Which? Travel compared the average hotel room rates in towns in 10 of the UK’s most popular destinations, including Cornwall and the Cotswolds, before comparing these to other similar nearby resorts, to see how much people could save on their holiday by travelling just a few miles further.

The biggest saving was in Devon. An average of £59 a night could be saved by swapping one coastal destination for another just 20 miles away. The average cost of a hotel room in Salcombe was £209 a night. However, further down the coast in Dartmouth, holidaymakers could slash hotel costs by nearly 30 per cent, with a hotel room costing on average £150 a night. Over the course of a week, this works out as a saving of over £400.

Dartmouth received the second highest ranking in Which?’s recent survey of seaside towns and villages, achieving a customer score of 84 per cent and scoring highly for its scenery and tourist attractions. It also out-ranked Salcombe, which received a score of 71 per cent.

The shortest distance that Which? found people would have to travel to make a saving was just three miles – from Saundersfoot to Tenby. While a night in Saundersfoot could set you back an average of £155, a room just three miles south in Tenby costs an average of £112, saving £43 a night, or £301 over the course of a week. Tenby also fared well in Which?’s seaside survey, receiving a customer score of 79 per cent, while Saundersfoot received 71 per cent.

Some swaps meant travelling a bit further to make a saving. For example, holidaymakers looking for a Scottish city break could save an average of £25 a night if they travelled the 47 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow.

Glasgow ranked highly in Which?’s recent survey of the UK’s best cities, scoring 82 per cent – just two percentage points behind Edinburgh (84%). It received excellent scores for culture, sights and attractions, as well as food and drink. 

Additionally, with a return train ticket between the two cities costing less than £14 and the journey taking less than 90 minutes, the savings made by staying in Glasgow would cover the cost of a day trip to the capital with change to spare, meaning holidaymakers can enjoy the best of both cities.

Further savings could be made on a trip to the Cotswolds by staying in Gloucester rather than Cheltenham (average saving of £46 a night), a beach break in East Sussex by swapping Brighton for Eastbourne (average saving of £56 a night), and on a break in Somerset through booking in Wells instead of Bath (average saving of £53 a night).

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “These destination swaps aren’t just a chance to save money – travellers can expect to find fewer crowds and more space to breathe, with holidaymakers ranking many of the cheaper destinations as not only better value, but a better overall stay than their pricier and more popular counterparts.”

“As we come towards the end of a holiday season like no other, holidaymakers will be pleased to learn they can still squeeze the last out of the summer without sacrificing beautiful scenery or great attractions by just travelling a few extra miles along the road.”

Britannia tops survey of UK’s favourite historic attractions

The Royal Yacht Britannia has been rated the UK’s favourite historical attraction, according to a new Which? survey.

The Queen’s former yacht, permanently moored on the waters of Leith in Edinburgh, came out on top when over 4,000 Which? members were asked to rate the UK’s 50 most visited attractions on criteria including facilities, entertainment and lack of crowds. 

The Royal Yacht Britannia, which visited 144 countries during its 44 years in royal service, topped the table with a customer score of 90 per cent. Visitors gave it a five-star rating for food and drink, information, and value for money.

Visitors told Which? it was an “outstanding attraction”, “immaculately kept” and that staff were “very kind and helpful”. One respondent told Which?, “I thought we would spend about two hours there and in the end were practically the last to leave”.

It was followed by Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden in Yorkshire, the country’s largest monastic ruins, with a customer score of 89 per cent. Those who rated it highly described the setting as “magical” and “suited to a slow pace and contemplation”. 

The Abbey also scored well for information and value for money with both receiving five stars. It also achieved a further five stars for lack of crowds and queues, meaning visitors can enjoy the ruins and the Water Garden with plenty of space to roam between the two.

Stourhead House and Gardens received the third highest customer score (88%), followed by the Tower of London (87%), the most expensive of the 50 attractions. Entry to the popular London attraction costs £30.30 a head for adult non-members, but visitors gave it four out of five stars for value for money, with a wide range of exhibitions to enjoy as part of the ticket price.

Durham Cathedral was the highest scoring free attraction, with a customer score of 85 per cent – putting it joint seventh out of the 50 attractions (alongside Dover Castle, Culzean Castle, Titanic Belfast and Tyntesfield). Visitors gave it five stars for lack of crowds and value for money. 

While visitors recommended the guided tours and attending a service to enjoy music from the choir, the Cathedral has since temporarily suspended singing and choral music as a result of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

At the other end of the table was Southend Pier, the world’s longest pleasure pier, with a respectable customer score of 63 per cent. Although it features at the bottom of the list, it scored four stars for accessibility and lack of crowds. Visitors praised the walk along the pier as a way to blow away the cobwebs and liked the option of taking a train from one end to the other to enjoy the views.

However, it scored just one star for entertainment and engagement, facilities, and food and drink. Some visitors complained that the pier was “run down” and “not the most exciting place in the world”.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “With so many of us holidaying in the UK this year, we’re all looking for new places to explore and these results provide plenty of inspiration, with some excellent lesser-known attractions alongside the favourites we already know and love.  

“Our findings show that visitors value learning something new from the historical attractions they visit, while providing value for money is another common feature of those near the top of the table. What’s clear though is that whatever your budget, whether you’re looking for a stroll down a pier or a saunter through a palace, the UK is blessed with fantastic locations for great days out.”

Which? reveals the UK’s top 50 historic attractions

Universities must not become the care homes of a Covid second wave, says UCU

Universities must scrap plans to reopen campuses next month in order to prevent a major public health crisis, the University and College Union said yesterday.

The union fears that the migration of over a million students across the UK risks doing untold damage to people’s health and exacerbating the worst health crisis of our lifetimes.

UCU said that the prospect of mass student migration was already challenging enough, but the A-levels fiasco and the removal of the cap on the number of students universities can recruitrisked overwhelming some institutions and turning universities into the care homes of a second wave.

UCU said that demanding over a million young people move around the UK to attend university made no sense. The union highlighted there is no functioning track and trace system in place, nor any UK-wide plans to regularly test students or staff. UCU said the push to get students back on campus was being driven by a dangerous desire to get back to business as usual, before it was safe to do so.

UCU said that, rather than allowing universities to reopen precipitously, the government had to step in and underwrite any lost funding for the higher education sector. The union said universities that rely on tuition and accommodation fees feared lost income and the government had to make it clear now that they will not suffer financially for doing the right thing in terms of public health.

The union accepted that there would be challenges switching from blended learning to online, but that the move outweighed the health risks for students and the wider population. UCU added that it was highly likely that reopening campuses would result in local lockdowns and courses being moved online. The union said it was best to make that call now instead of a U-turn that would be too late even by this government’s standards.

In the US more universities are moving back to online only after seeing increases in Covid cases. There are also examples across the Atlantic of students being blamed for increases in cases and lockdowns – something UCU said it wanted to avoid being repeated in the UK.

The union said that if campuses reopen and cases rise then blaming students, instead of doing everything to mitigate against it happening, would be a denial of responsibility by government and universities.

The union said it backed recommendations in last week’s report from the Independent Sage committee that called for online learning to become universities’ default position.

The union said that although recorded cases were on the rise, the government has not provided systems for testing and tracing that could cope with campuses reopening and universities have failed to step into the breach.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Moving a million plus students around the country is a recipe for disaster and risks leaving ill-prepared universities as the care homes of a second wave.

“The recent fiasco over exam results and their fallout has left universities under even greater pressure. It is time for the government to finally take some decisive and responsible action in this crisis and tell universities to abandon plans for face-to-face teaching.

‘Refusing to act now will only store up problems further down the line as courses are forced to move online and students forced into lockdown. It is no good blaming students later on for a problem that could have been avoided by government action. We need to move all teaching online for the first term of the new academic year, as recommended by Independent Sage, and the government needs to underwrite any lost funding for the sector.

‘The limited, piecemeal funding measures announced by the government so far are nothing compared with the security and the stimulus that would be provided by a comprehensive funding guarantee. Students will also need financial support to ensure that they can participate fully in online learning .’

The union has issued new guidance that also calls for greater testing on campus and better and more cleaning.

UCU said it wanted colleges and universities to work with the union on risk assessments to ensure staff and students could be confident their health and welfare was institutions’ number one concern. Earlier this week, the union called for face coverings to be worn in colleges and universities.

At 4pm on Tuesday Jo Grady will be joined by guests including Independent Sage members Professor Ann Phoenix and Professor Elizabeth Stokoe, and president of the National Union of Students Larissa Kennedy to consider how campuses could reopen safely. The event will be live on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

 Full details are available here.