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June 21, 2024
00:00
Interview: North Down hopeful Alex Easton on the Protocol, environment, extra bank holidays and his election agent11:06
North coast surfer praised for rescuing two women in difficulty in sea at Portstewart23:59
Gareth Southgate ready to deliver ‘firm leadership’ to England22:45
Declan Rice feels England have ‘put too much pressure on ourselves’ at Euro 202422:00
Andy Murray to have back surgery as injury threatens Wimbledon and Olympic hopes20:09
BBC documentary examines life in Protestant enclave, the Fountain Estate in Londonderry21:05
Toto Wolff urges ‘lunatics’ who think Hamilton is being sabotaged to ‘see a shrink’19:59
Mark McLernon celebrates maiden European quad victory in Poland16:20
Female minister breaks silence on 'outrageous' misogynistic abuse from within church family17:58
British-Irish Council summit: ‘More to do’ to maintain peace and improve Anglo-Irish relations, says taoiseach Simon Harris18:05
NIPSA members in PSNI to go on strike over 'danger money'17:52
Heaton-Harris suggests Casement Park won’t lose out on chance to host Euro 202817:40
Jackie McGregor: The end of primary school days is a step back on the parenting stage17:39
NI comedian Dave Elliott: It's a cliche, but I was always the class clown17:31
Presbyterian Church installs new moderator Rt Rev Dr Richard Murray at service in Belfast00:00
Letter: With the help of migrant voters, soft nationalists and Alliance Party supporters, unionism will win border poll17:11
Travel: This week's offers include a stay at the gorgeous Adtara Country House in the village of Upperlands16:30
PSNI says Fermanagh man jailed for organising dog fights, causing cruelty to cats and badger baiting16:22
RSPB NI: Enjoy a summer of nature spotting16:19
Motorcyclist who died following collision with police vehicle named16:12
Church of Ireland minister accused of swindling money from his church tells jury 'I am not a dishonest person'00:00
Letter: It's important for politicians to see the necessity of looking after our environment rather than appeasing polluters15:31
Why a market town where elephants once roamed is shaping up to be a top destination for families By Joe Sene, PA [STANDFIRST] Joes Sene takes his family and pet dog on a short break to Bishop’s Castle. Tucked into the Shropshire Hills, Bishop’s Castle is the perfect base for a family break where your four-legged friend is sure to be welcome everywhere. But it is four legs of a different kind that have firm roots in the history of the market town which sits in the Clun Valley on the Welsh border. Named as one of ABTA’s destinations to watch this year, Bishop’s Castle was once home to serving politician Robert Clive, better known as Clive of India, who added an Indian elephant to his family coat of arms which is displayed in the market square. During the Second World War many circuses moved their animals and elephants out of the cities to rural places including Bishop’s Castle so they would be safe from the air raids. Today, signs of the town’s affection for their former elephant residents are everywhere with a huge three-storey high orange Banksy-style elephant mural on a wall in the High Street along with metal elephants marching across two ancient houses on the cobbled streets and a dedicated elephant walking trail. We arrive in Bishop’s Castle for a four-day break with two excited children and an even more exuberant young labrador at the luxurious Elephant Gatehouse, an elegant, stone-built Grade 2 listed property built more than 300 years ago as one of the stables for The Castle Hotel. Our cottage is known locally as ‘The Elephant House’ after it was used to home the evacuated elephants. While most of the elephants were collected after the war, in the confusion, one Indian elephant was left behind unclaimed. It continued to live in the Gatehouse and some of the locals still remember seeing the elephant being walked around the town and recall the local school children would help feed it fruit and vegetables. About 40 years ago, the Elephant Gatehouse was converted into a characterful house with many of the original features including the oak beam remaining. Its elephant history is immortalised in the stained-glass windows above the Gatehouse’s azure blue front doors and a small cheery elephant waves out of a painting on the front facade of the cottage in place of a window. I have two spacious, spotless double bedrooms, one with a terrace overlooking the garden with its treehouse and the south Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The second bedroom includes a small mezzanine level which the children immediately start fighting over who will be sleeping there this evening. Dogs are made to feel very welcome and stay free of charge at the Gatehouse and Castle Hotel. Barney, our six-month-old fox-red labrador quickly scoffs down all the treats in the doggie-welcome box and there is a small utility room which is perfect for his bed, although in the winter the rug next to the aga looks a rather inviting place for him to snuggle down. On our first morning it is predictably teeming down with rain, so after a rather wet and soggy dog walk on one of the trails around Bishop’s Castle we head into the bustling, medieval market town of Ludlow, where there is an abundance of independent cafes and tearooms in the town centre in search of cake and a pot of hot tea. In the afternoon the clouds lift and by mid-afternoon the sun is almost out as we arrive at the nearby 13th century Stokesay Castle in Craven Arms, which is managed by English Heritage. Regarded as one of the finest and best-preserved, fortified medieval manor houses in England, it has a fairy-tale tower, stunning views of the Shropshire Hills and 17th century timber-framed gatehouse. Today the 700-year old castle has been carefully restored and the brilliant audio tour provides a glimpse into Stokesay’s past life as a medieval home, as well as keeping the children thoroughly entertained as they poke through the rooms and scale the steps up to the top of the tower. On site is Stokesay Castle’s charming tearoom, which features local and seasonal produce along with recipes inspired by traditional Shropshire food. Thankfully, on day two the weather is sufficiently clear to head over to the family-owned, 120-acre Great Hagley Estate in Hopton Castle. We are met by owner Mark Willis for a two-hour woodland adventure session with The Great Escape. The children, with Barney bounding behind them, all hugely enjoy navigating the 20 eco-friendly activities in the Tiger Challenge Assault Course, with its low ropes, monkey bars, balance beams, tunnel and small zip line. Unfortunately, due to the winds, it is not possible to try out the 520-metre-long Black Hawk Zip Line, which is purported to be one of the longest in the UK. A morning exploring Bishop’s Castle’s High Street and it is bustling towards the end of the week as more of the shops are open, most of which are dog-friendly. There are plenty of independent shops selling art, antiques, vintage dresses, textiles, second-hand books, locally made furniture and crafts. My favourite place is the unique Poetry Pharmacy, set in a Victorian building, which prescribes poems instead of pills to help alleviate a range of emotional ailments. In addition to the poetry bookshop there are poetry workshops, open mic nights and its Dispensary Cafe where you can order a cup of Keats, Rossetti or Wordsworth rather than a regular cappuccino or a flat white. The last stop on our action-packed adventure is traveling back in time to Blists Hill, a reconstructed Victorian town where well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome to visit. Entering the world of 1900, modern money is swapped for shillings in the bank and the children sample what life was like for characters usually only found in Charles Dickens’s novels. The meticulously recreated working town offers authentic food, old fashioned fairground rides, a school, church, steam trains with a host of Victorian performance characters include a policeman and craftspeople. A glimpse inside the shops offer pharmacy remedies, bakery goods, candle making, sweets and traditional printing presses to bring history to life. Stunning Shopshire has certainly set the bar high for a fun filled half-term break with the children and a dog. The only problem is what am I going to do for the summer holidays! How to plan your trip A one-night self-catering stay at The Elephant Gatehouse costs from £238 for up to five sharing. Visit thecastlehotelbishopscastle.co.uk. For more information, go to visitshropshire.co.uk.15:28
An Occasional Tipple: Magnificent Italian wine for lucky birthday boy15:27
New Loughgall recruit ready to embrace Premiership challenge with family connection making move extra special15:25
This week's best bargain flights, short breaks and holidays - from Cape Verde to cruises14:46
Women’s 10K returns to the Titanic Quarter this weekend as 2,000 ladies set to get their running shoes on12:49
Motorists in Northern Ireland warned after scammers target QR codes on parking meters14:29
‘Let’s shout so much louder about our investment proposition’ says new NI Chamber president14:03
Co Antrim horse breeder who was jailed for sex abuse wins right to see his son11:00
TUV manifesto focuses on Irish Sea border as Jim Allister says DUP deal was 'greatest deception attempted' on unionist people13:37
Argos UK: best 2024 Summer Sale deals to save up to 50% on garden furniture, toys, sofas, lawnmowers, and more13:31
From Ormeau Park to Anfield - Meet the former Glentoran youth coach and Irish League midfielder now playing a key role at one of Europe's rising clubs13:19
Man filmed throwing a rock at defenceless seal stranded on beach in Wales00:00
Thought for the week: Don’t wait another moment to be saved by God - there is great urgency to the salvation of your soul12:43
DUP leader Gavin Robinson: 'Stay cool and calm - there is no desire to return to old Twaddell standoff'00:00
We must recognise our place in the wider work that God is doing, says CoI bishop12:41
Delivery drivers wear ‘Happy to Chat about the game’ badges to help tackle loneliness12:33
Belfast Giants: Bo Hanson joins Giants from Danish side Aalborg Pirates12:09
The Traitors Diane Carson teases fans about Celebrity MasterChef after son Ross said her Sunday roasts were 'bad'11:58
Jay Slater: Spanish police release video of Tenerife search with dogs and helicopters for missing Brit teen11:58
Former Northern Ireland international and ex-Leeds United star Stuart Dallas to officially open SuperCupNI 202411:53
Barclays Blue Rewards: bank changes £5 monthly loyalty reward - Rainy Day saver account and cashback explained11:44
Loyalist Communities Council chairman on Twaddell: Time to respect Orange rights for first time in nine years11:46
Books: This is how to speak to the dead, according to Yvette Fielding11:18
Family of County Down man who died after being stung by a wasp in fundraising tribute to service that tried to save him11:12
Northern Ireland's best and worst areas for business success06:00
Article with comments from Pat Cullen praising King Charles disappears from the Royal College of Nursing website05:00
The RCN risks 'tarnishing its reputation' over its silence on the views of its former general secretary Pat Cullen - Allister10:44
Presbyterian church objects to plans to turn former Ann Summers shop into gambling arcade10:33
UK fishing trawler caught fire and sank just months after Northern Irish inspectors deemed it unfit to sail10:20
Action Mental Health chosen as NIFL's new partner as Larne set to meet Cliftonville in Charity Shield final09:55
Ballymena United announce signing of Northern Ireland international while Cliftonville Irish Cup hero secures National League move09:54
Omaze house London: See inside luxury £5m home backed by David Beckham that could be yours in prize draw08:55
Michael Dunlop joins fellow Southern 100 Solo Champions Davey Todd and Dean Harrison for Billown showdown on Isle of Man00:00
Bob McCartney: As a former North Down MP I believe Tim Collins has the public profile and proven talents to serve the people of the constituency00:00
Letter: A disastrous election in the Republic has taught Sinn Fein that the Irish are not ready for 'the great reset'00:00
Letter: Why did Pat Cullen allow her good reputation to be stained by Sinn Fein?08:00
Retro: 18 photographs from the Markethill Horse Fair down through the years08:00
Downton star appears in Steven Moffat’s satire-rich comedy drama Douglas Is Cancelled as it comes to ITV107:00
I Am: Celine Dion director describes singer’s illness: ‘I watched her body go stiff in front of our camera – I feared she wasn’t breathing’17:00
Doctor Who: 'Astonishing climax' awaits fans of iconic BBC show