2021 has undoubtedly been the year of staycations.
But if you're looking for something a little different though, you can't get much better than this world-first hotel.
While ever-changing travel restrictions over the past 18 months have meant that many UK holidaymakers have chosen to stay in country cottages, seaside huts, wooden chalets, or even glamping yurts to escape from reality, others are looking for a more unique experience.
Luckily, flower brand Interflora - in partnership with luxury holiday hideaway business Kip & Nook - has just launched a brand new sunflower hotel, which gives guests the chance to stay in a room that's decorated with bright yellow summer blooms in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside.
With a sunflower-themed interior and more than 1,000 striking sunflower heads covering the cabin from top to bottom, this is the ultimate relaxing getaway for Brits looking for an unusual stay.
More than 1,000 striking sunflower heads cover the North Yorkshire cabin hotel from top to bottom / Credit: Interflora UK & Ireland
Inside the cabin, the open plan living space boasts a log burning hot tub, a fully-fitted kitchen, a cosy lounge area, and a large bedroom complete with a king-size bed that's perfectly positioned for late-night star gazing, followed by a relaxing waterfall shower in the morning.
And tranquility is guaranteed here too, as not only are there the endless fields of the Yorkshire countryside all around, but there's also no phone signal either.
Plus, as a part of the experience, guests will get to spend an hour and a half with one of Interflora’s artisan florists - creating their very own floral design to take home with them at the end of their stay.
Fancy staying at the Sunflower Hotel then? Well, there is a catch - you'll have to win it.
Announcing the competition prize for two lucky people over on Instagram, Interflora UK & Ireland said: "2021 is the year of the staycation, and we’re offering one lucky pair the chance to spend a weekend immersed in Britain’s beautiful countryside at the world’s first sunflower-themed hotel.
"You’ll also get a one on one flower workshop with one of our lovely artisan florists."
To enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning a staycation experience like no other, all you'll need to do is head on over to Interflora's Instagram or Facebook, like the post and tag the person you’d like to get away with.
The competition ends just before midnight on 23 August, so you've still got plenty of time to get your entries in.
Featured Image - Interflora UK & Ireland
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Ilkley crowned the best place to live in the north by The Sunday Times
The beautiful spa town of Ilkley has been crowned the best place to live in the north of England by The Sunday Times.
The results are in, and our very own Ilkley has taken the top spot for the north and north-east category.
The list posted but the Sunday Times every year, features 72 locations across the UK that they deem are the best spots to settle down in.
Judges visited each location to take in the atmosphere, explore the history and chat to the locals to find out what made each place so special.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not the first time the wonderful spa town of Ilkley has been praised, having been the national winner back in 2022 it's no stranger to taking home the trophy.
The judging panel said about Ilkley: “It’s not just the fresh air, fantastic scenery, excellent schools and direct trains to Leeds that make Ilkley this year’s pick of the north and northeast. It’s the get-up and go of a community that tackles every challenge with gusto.”
"It's hard to imagine anywhere with more opportunities for youngsters."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Also getting a mention in the regional category was Horsforth, which was recommended for its transport links, brilliant local schools and thriving social scene.
The guide said: "The city is Yorkshire's economic powerhouse - but for something a bit greener, a bit more family friendly, it's hard to better Horsforth's streets of sandstone houses."
Elsewhere up north, Sheffield got a special shoutout where the judges said: "Burgeoning creative industries and judicious regeneration are igniting interest in previously overlooked postcodes ... Hipsters and happy families alike are celebrating, welcoming, embracing, loving this city-wide vibe."
So if you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city centre, then why not hop on a train and visit the best place to live up north and see for yourselves what the fuss is all about.
Adolescence tops Netflix charts with more than 24 million views in four days
Emily Sergeant
New British series Adolescence has shot right to the top of Netflix’s most-watched TV charts after more than 24 million people tune in.
Hitting the streaming platform just last Thursday, Adolescence is a four-part limited series about a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murdering one of his classmates, with each episode remarkably being filmed in one unflinching and continuous shot.
This truly gripping story unfolds in real time as the main characters search for answers in the wake of a shocking tragedy.
Who is actually responsible? Why did it happen? And could it have been prevented?
Image: Netflix
Co-created and written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, with Graham starring alongside an ensemble cast of accomplished actors such as Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty, as well as screen newcomer Owen Cooper as the young boy Eddie Miller, accused of murder, the show tells the story of how a family’s world is turned upside.
“We could have made a drama about gangs and knife crime, or about a kid whose mother is an alcoholic or whose father is a violent abuser,” Stephen Graham said ahead of the show‘s release.
Image: Netflix
“Instead, we wanted you to look at this family and think, ‘My God, this could be happening to us.’ And what’s happening here is an ordinary family’s worst nightmare.”
Over the course of the four intense one-shot episodes, the show shines a uncomfortable spotlight on and examines key themes such as male rage, the dangers of social media, cyberbullying, incel culture, and more.
The latest viewing figures show that Adolescence undoubtedly has been a runaway hit, with a whopping 24.3 million views amassed in its first four days of availability, making it the streaming platform’s top show for the week of 10-16 March.
Image: Netflix
As the show continues to garner universal acclaim, standing at 98% on notable critic website Rotten Tomatoes, those viewing figures are set to clock up thick and fast as the days go on.
While Adolescence and Jamie’s story isn’t based on a real person or event specifically, Graham, Thorne, and director Philip Barantini have confirmed that the idea for the series did spring from reports that co-creator Graham had heard about on the news of young boys being involved in knife crimes – particularly the shocking 2021 murder of Ava White in Liverpool.
Much of Adolescence was filmed in Pontefract in West Yorkshire, with the casting of Cooper in the role of Jamie ultimately influencing where the show was shot.
“We knew it was going to be set somewhere in the North of England, and we also knew it would be from somewhere around wherever our Jamie was from – in this case near Warrington – because it would have been unfair to make him do an accent,” explained director Philip Barantini.
All four episodes of Adolescence are now available to stream on Netflix.
Emily Sergeant -
17th August 2021 
