A prehistoric megalithic monument on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire
English Heritage is running a August draw offering a few visitors the chance to stand inside Stonehenge’s inner circle for 20 minutes of solitude, a move aimed at boosting unique experiences for August visitors. Winners will be notified 24 hours in advance and will gain access from 9:00 to 9:30 each day.
A record summer of heat, drought and wildfires has prompted an emergency Cobra meeting and voluntary retailer suspensions of disposable-barbecue sales. Green groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to call the crisis 'climate change' and stop new North Sea drilling; Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has questioned net zero and urged adaptation and celebration of warmer weather.
UK theme parks and Halloween events are rolling out discounts for advance bookings as a new wave of attractions launches. Thorpe Park marks 25 years of Fright Nights with a brand‑new scare maze and reimagined shows, while Universal Studios adds a daytime behind‑the‑scenes tour. Other family deals cover travel, memberships and multi‑attraction passes.
England and Wales face ongoing drought conditions as reservoir levels stay low despite a wetter winter. Officials warn that continuing heat and low rainfall threaten water supplies, with hosepipe bans in effect and calls for infrastructure action.
Micro-dramas—short, mobile-first series—are expanding from China to the US, with revenue projections reaching billions. Platforms like Peacock and TikTok are experimenting, while Hollywood talent enters the space, signaling a broader shift in how audiences pay for and consume portable entertainment.
A series of full Moons around harvest time has drawn public interest as this month’s Harvest Moon peaks over the UK while the autumnal equinox marks astronomical autumn in the northern hemisphere. Forecasters say clearer conditions will prevail in parts of southern England, with unsettled weather possible elsewhere.