Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 8,958 with 980 new fatalities

Britain suffered another grim day in its coronavirus crisis today as officials recorded another 980 deaths in the home nations, taking the UK’s spiralling victim count to 8,958.  A further 5,706 people have been diagnosed with the disease in the past 24 hours, meaning a total of 70,783 have now tested positive. Officials managed a … Read more

Incredible pictures show the world’s most fascinating railways, from Alaska to Wales via Peru

Railways stretch for more than a million kilometres (620,000 miles) around the world. And some of the tracks take in some pretty jaw-dropping scenery – as these incredible pictures show. They feature in new book Rail Journeys, by David Ross, which celebrates with 200 photos the most unusual, romantic and remarkable landscapes in the world … Read more

Wales is the worst-hit country in the UK’s coronavirus crisis

What is the coronavirus?  A coronavirus is a type of virus which can cause illness in animals and people. Viruses break into cells inside their host and use them to reproduce itself and disrupt the body’s normal functions. Coronaviruses are named after the Latin word ‘corona’, which means crown, because they are encased by a … Read more

A guide to boating the UK’s beautiful landscapes from London to Wales, with the help of Jennie Bond

Once a crucial cog in the wheel of British industry, Britain’s 2,200 navigable miles of canals make for a brilliant staycation. Take the tiller on your own narrowboat and plot a mellow course through some of Britain’s most fascinating rural and urban landscapes.  Length? About 50ft, usually. Top speed? A heady 4mph. Pleasures to be … Read more