The Water Tower was completed in 1877 to supply fresh water to Sandringham House and the surrounding estate. It was designed by James Mansergh, a British engineer also known for his work on the Elan Valley Reservoirs in Wales. The circular building was constructed in a neo-Byzantine style, which is recognised by rounded forms, arches and decorative brickwork. Its elevated position and distinctive appearance have made it a recognisable part of the Norfolk landscape for almost 150 years.

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At the top of the tower was a cast-iron tank capable of holding 32,000 gallons of water. It supplied Sandringham House and other parts of the estate for more than a century. The building has now exchanged this practical role for a new life as heritage accommodation. Its transformation reflects a wider tourism trend in which former water towers, prisons and other historic structures are given a new purpose as places to stay.

The accommodation is spread across several floors, with each level serving a different purpose. The ground floor contains the kitchen, dining area and bathroom, while the bedroom is located on the first floor. Above it, guests will find a living room with a working fireplace for colder evenings. The upper part of the building provides access to a rooftop terrace with views over Sandringham Estate and the wider Norfolk countryside.

The interior has been designed to preserve the identity of the Victorian building instead of making it look like a conventional hotel suite. Neutral colours and heritage-inspired tones allow the tower’s original features to remain the focus. Reclaimed materials sourced from elsewhere on the estate have also been used alongside carefully selected furniture. Historic photographs of Sandringham and the British Royal Family appear throughout the accommodation, connecting the modern retreat to the estate’s past.

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Sandringham has been owned by the Royal Family since 1862, when it was purchased as a country retreat for the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Today, Sandringham House remains the private Norfolk residence of King Charles III, and the Royal Family traditionally gathers there during the Christmas period. The wider estate covers approximately 20,000 acres and includes farmland, gardens, woodland, a sawmill and an apple juice pressing plant. More than 200 people work across Sandringham, which continues to operate as a working rural estate as well as a royal residence.

The Water Tower joins two other restored holiday properties available on Sandringham Estate. Gardens House is an Edwardian red-brick home once occupied by the estate’s head gardener and can now accommodate up to eight people. The Folly dates from the 19^th century and has previously served as a hunting lodge and an afternoon tearoom. Following a year-long restoration, it now sleeps six guests and retains features including stone hearths, arched entrances and hand-finished floors.

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The three properties are available to book through luxury holiday company Oliver’s Travels. Sandringham is located around 100 miles north of London, putting it within reach of the capital for a longer weekend or short countryside break. Guests can explore nearby Norfolk villages, walk through the surrounding landscape or travel towards the county’s coastline during their stay. The Water Tower offers the smallest and most private option, with accommodation for two and far-reaching views from its rooftop terrace.

L’article King Charles’ Sandringham water tower opens for overnight stays est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Eurostar, controlled by French rail operator SNCF, is only too aware of the problem. This summer, the company launched a campaign to persuade the British authorities to expand the terminal.

In an interview with Le Monde, chief executive Gwendoline Cazenave said that a comprehensive political vision was needed on the British side and complained that the concessionaire, regulator and government were all “working in silos”.

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Eurostar has enjoyed a monopoly on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel until now, but several European rail operators are eyeing the lucrative cross-Channel market.

Virgin is currently the closest to becoming a serious rival. In October 2025, it secured access to the Temple Mills International depot in East London from Britain’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR), and in mid-August it received pre-approval to run up to 20 daily return services from October 2030. Further approvals are still needed before Virgin can launch its planned services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Trenitalia is also preparing to enter the market, having announced an order for new high-speed trains intended for the London-Paris route.

Eurostar is stepping up its response by planning to invest up to €2 billion in 30 new trains, with the option of 20 more. Deliveries are set to begin in 2031. The company hopes to increase annual passenger numbers from 20 million to 30 million within a decade.

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The Channel Tunnel itself is not the problem. Getlink, which operates the tunnel, says traffic could double. The real bottlenecks are at either end, with both London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord operating beyond capacity.

Currently, Paris-Nord can handle a maximum of 2,000 travellers per hour and London 3,000. Eurostar wants to see these figures increase to 3,000 and 5,000 respectively.

“Without investment in the stations, we risk having to share the current capacity with new competitors,” Cazenave warned.

In June 2025, Eurostar and London St Pancras Highspeed announced plans to more than double the capacity of the London terminal. One proposal would see arriving passengers leave directly from the platform, freeing up space below for departing passengers and security and border checks. However, Paris has no such option, although Cazenave said that talks with the French authorities are progressing.

However, a separate hurdle looms in London: the concession held by London St Pancras Highspeed expires in 2040 – before Eurostar’s new trains are even due to arrive – leaving little incentive to fund works that the company may never benefit from. One potential solution would allow London St Pancras Highspeed to continue collecting toll fees on its investment after the contract ends.

Eurostar is also presenting an economic argument, citing a commissioned report which shows that the Paris-London route has generated £2 billion (€2.35 billion) in economic activity and 23,000 jobs since 1994. The company claims that this figure could increase by a further 40% by 2035, provided that the stations maintain their current level of service.

It already has proof of concept. Its London-Amsterdam service now runs five times a day, following work on the station in the Dutch capital, and Eurostar claims to hold around a third of the market between the two cities. As demand is set to triple by 2040, the company plans to expand in a similar way to Cologne, Geneva and Frankfurt.

However, with competitors preparing to launch their own services, finding space for all those passengers is becoming as important as finding trains to carry them.

L’article Eurostar warns of St Pancras overcrowding as competition looms est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

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The area attracts the rich and famous.

The area also attracts millions of tourists and day trippers, including domestic day trippers from the Midlands and international visitors looking for a day out in the country from London. The Cotswolds are recognised as ‘one of England’s long-established and world-renowned “attract” brands’, and in 2014 recorded 100% visitor satisfaction. With visitors arriving by car, coach and rail, many of them day trippers or visiting friends and relatives (VFR), it is difficult to obtain reliable estimates of visitor numbers across a landscape surrounded by cities and composed of villages and small towns.

The best data available are from 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cotswolds Tourism Destination Management Plan 2022–25 reports 2.4 million domestic tourists spending at least one night, while overseas visitors spent approximately €221 million (£189 million) on 371,500 trips, alongside 23 million day trips. Despite the high visibility of visitors in the honeypots, tourism in the Cotswolds supported only 31,000 jobs, representing 8% of the total.

Villagers may have Parish Councils, but these bodies have limited powers to address overtourism and generally have toseek action from higher authorities.

Bibury, with 600 residents, attracts up to 50 coaches daily and 20,000 weekend visitors. Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) significantly increased parking enforcement in the village, which has been experiencing a “nightmare”, issuing 651 penalty charge notices in 2025, a sharp rise from 28 in 2019. The fines generated approximately €53,000 (£45,570), not enough to cover the approximately €4,700 (£4,000) monthly cost of enforcement. Pay and display parking will be introduced for 24 on-street spaces, projected to generate up to approximately €256,000 (£218,880) annually. The fines accrue to GCC and may or may not be invested in managing overtourism in Bibury. GCC is developing a broader traffic management scheme.

Local government can cease marketing villages suffering from overtourism, but influencers on social media are now driving much of the demand.

Bourton-on-the-Water’s beautiful river attracts millions of tourists in the hot weather (Charlotte Joynes)

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Residents describe Bourton-on-the-Water, population 4,000, as “Blackpool-on-the-Water” due to the sheer volume of visitors, estimated at 5,000–10,000 daily. Day trippers bring their own picnics, although they may purchase ice cream. Residents’ concerns include tourists using hedges as toilets, leaving litter, damaging property, and coaches illegally parking in residential areas. In a recent survey of 202 residents, 94.6% said they felt visitor numbers were excessive. Charlotte Joynes, chair of Bourton Residents Voice, explains: “We would like enforcement,” says Joynes. “The coaches coming in are doing it illegally because of traffic regulations. But we don’t have police to stop them. We want people to visit but respect where they’re coming to.”

The tensions in Bourton-on-the-Water also raise a broader question: to what extent should residents of popular destinations be able to demand restrictions on visitors? The debate is particularly sensitive in picturesque villages where high property prices and second-home ownership can create perceptions that measures against overtourism are designed to protect privileged residents rather than local communities.

That argument emerged strongly among readers responding to The Independent’s coverage of the situation in Bourton-on-the-Water. One reader, Isthatso, questioned whether people who choose to live in one of the country’s most beautiful and expensive villages should expect protection from large numbers of visitors:

“Sorry, if you choose, and can afford, to live in one of the most beautiful villages in the country then you must expect a lot of tourists. What do these privileged residents want – government intervention to protect their peaceful lifestyle from interference by the common herd? If they don’t like it they can move, like anyone else who doesn’t like where they live. With prices in that village, they’ll have choices if they sell up. It’s no different to people who buy a house next to a long-established pub then complain about the noise. I’m sick of wealthy, privileged people complaining that they need exclusive access to everything that is good.”

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Another reader, Nigel Fromage, similarly argued that popular beauty spots should not become accessible primarily to those wealthy enough to live there:

“Sheer unadulterated snobbery. Firstly, what is wrong with Blackpool? It’s a brilliant destination suitable for all families, especially if you’re on a limited budget. Secondly, how many of the ‘residents’ in Bourton are genuine locals? Many of them are rich newcomers who buy up the expensive, picturesque cottages, forcing young people and locals out of the area – and then have the audacity to complain about the crowds spoiling their personal space. I’ve been visiting Bourton since I was a child, and yes, it has become more crowded in recent years, but why should the beautiful places in Britain become the domain of the rich?”

These reactions highlight one of the difficulties of tackling overtourism in villages: measures intended to protect residents and local infrastructure can also be perceived as attempts to restrict public access to places that belong to everyone.

Managing day trippers is particularly challenging, and exceptionally so where there is attractive public space for picnicking beside a stream, as there is in Bourton-on-the-Water. Enforcement is expensive. Restricting vehicle access and providing parking some distance from the village may therefore be among the only effective ways of reducing the pressures of overtourism.

L’article Overtourism is a bigger problem in villages est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Exmoor National Park spans parts of Devon and Somerset in the southwest of England. It boasts sea cliffs, moorlands, streams, and deep valleys, which host rare temperate Atlantic Rainforest habitats. Park Authority (ENPA) data reports roughly 1.6 million tourism visits annually.

Now, “to reward users of the National Park for taking care of this special landscape,” the park has announced it is working with partners under Exmoor’s Good Tourism Plan and national “regenerative tourism” goals to “manage tourism in a way that benefits our communities, landscape, visitors, and businesses.”

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The “Pay with Exmoor Care” scheme rewards visitors who undertake “simple positive actions that support the care of Exmoor.” Started on 1 July and ongoing until 30 September, the concept offers participants a 20% discount on eligible purchases at participating Exmoor National Park Centres.

To qualify, participants must complete at least one recognised “Exmoor Care” action during their visit and provide “reasonable evidence” of it (such as photos, app submissions, or social media posts) at the point of purchase. The 20% discount is valid for a single transaction and is non-cumulative and non-transferable, with no cash alternative

The park authority says it was inspired by Copenhagen’s “very successful” CopenPay scheme, and has developed a similar promotion “more suitable” for a rural National Park. The Exmoor edition sees visitors earning their 20% for either: a two-minute litter pick; recording three plant or animal species they’ve found in Exmoor on the iNaturalist app; sharing “love and appreciation for Exmoor National Park” on social media using the @ExmoorNP tag; or journeying to the park’s centres by bike or public transport instead of a car.

According to the National Park authority (ENPA), the scheme brings to life the ambitions of Exmoor’s Good Tourism Plan, “supporting tourism that is regenerative, productive and resilient, ensuring that visitors, businesses, communities and landscapes all benefit.”

Dan James, enterprise and communications manager for ENPA, said: “‘Pay with Exmoor Care’ is a simple but powerful idea – rewarding small positive actions with real benefits. These simple actions positively contribute to Exmoor’s natural environment and communities; they help turn care into a visible, shared currency that benefits visitors, businesses and the landscape alike.”

This year’s scheme is a pilot, but the park has already expressed the intention to expand the good deeds discount by involving other providers, organisations, and business partners in the future. Find out about other destinations that offer sustainability perks here.

L’article Visitors to UK’s Exmoor National Park to receive discounts for environmental good deeds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Farmers, landowners, firefighters, and cross-party lawmakers are supporting moves towards a ban on sales of disposable barbecue equipment as a way to reduce the chances of wildfires being ignited by sparks, discarded charcoal, and matches.

Please don't bring BBQs into our parks!

Disposable and portable BBQs can:

Cause grass fires
Damage parkland and wildlife habitats
Leave dangerous hot surfaces behind

A single spark can spread quickly during hot, dry weather.

Help us protect Birmingham's green… pic.twitter.com/c593V6Xvlq

— Birmingham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) August 2, 2026

The landowners’ Country Land and Business Association (CLA), is backing a barbecue ban but wants to reintroduce “controlled burning” which it says would help to manage the vegetation that can feed fires but has been prohibited in England under wildlife and carbon emissions laws.

National Farmers Union deputy chief, Paul Tompkins, has pointed to the additional risk that unintentional fires pose to harvests and farmers’ livelihoods, coming on top of poor yields, saying: “A stray match or single spark, and months of hard work can be wiped out in just minutes; crops destroyed and harvest ruined, vital machinery and infrastructure damaged and livestock put at serious risk.”

56% of Britons would support a ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, amid wildfires across the UK triggering renewed calls for supermarkets to stop selling them during summer months

Support: 56%
Oppose: 25% pic.twitter.com/tKrkoMJLOb

— YouGov (@YouGov) August 4, 2026

Tompkins also highlighted the potential lasting impact of wildfires for the sector: “Beyond the immediate losses, there could be long-term consequences for soil health, grassland productivity and confidence of farm businesses already facing significant pressures,” he said.

He is urging shops to stop sales of disposable barbecues, and, going further, wants local authorities to head off public demand by bringing in rules against lighting barbecues, campfires, and camping stoves. The Liberal Democrat party and some Labour MPs are supporting that campaign, alongside a range of big retailers who have already ceased selling such items in line with guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

Asda has paused disposable barbecue sales nationwide, Co-op and Morrison’s have introduced temporary bans, Sainsbury’s has pulled all single-use barbecues, and Tesco has also stopped sales. Meanwhile, retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose already prohibit such products.

Some smaller retailers, DIY stores, and online sellers, however, are still offering them for purchase.

From Welsh valleys and national parks to Scottish and Northern Irish mountains and coastal Suffolk, where all eyes were on a blaze near Sizewell B nuclear facility, wildfires have occurred throughout the UK in 2026, with 393 responses from English and Welsh fire crews in July alone.

While the government has so far resisted an outright ban on barbecues, for UK residents and leisure visitors who want to avoid being the cause of wildfire catastrophes, both the NFCC guidance and the reduced availability of equipment on sale mean adjusting outdoor eating plans to take a prepared picnic instead, or eat at a nearby establishment, rather than lighting up cooking equipment in the wild.

High Peak MP Jon Pearce said: “This isn’t about stopping people enjoying the outdoors. It’s about protecting our countryside, supporting our firefighters and preventing avoidable fires before they start.”

L’article Wildfire risk raises pressure to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The funding will support research and development projects focused on both electric aircraft and hydrogen-powered planes. Up to £3.2 million (€3.7 million) will go to projects involving BETA Technologies and Vertical Aerospace, which will demonstrate how next-generation aircraft could be integrated into commercial airport operations. The remaining funding will contribute to a wider £43 million (€50 million) package dedicated to future aviation technologies. This package also includes work on the safe handling of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.

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Electric aircraft use batteries to power their engines, while hydrogen aircraft use hydrogen as an alternative energy source. Both technologies are being explored as possible solutions to reduce aviation emissions. However, introducing these aircraft requires more than just developing the planes themselves. Airports will also need new infrastructure, including charging facilities and systems to safely manage new types of aircraft.

“The next generation of flight is taking off in the UK,” said Heidi Alexander, the UK Secretary of State for Transport. She added that electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft could bring passengers closer to the flights of the future while creating skilled jobs and supporting businesses. According to the government, cooperation between companies, airports and regulators will be essential to develop cleaner aviation.

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Flying taxis are one of the technologies receiving increasing attention in the UK. These aircraft, also known as electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), can take off and land vertically without needing a traditional runway. This makes them suitable for short-distance connections between airports, cities and nearby regions. Research from the University of Birmingham found that flying taxis could improve connectivity, support economic growth and contribute to cleaner transport.

Several companies are already preparing for a future where air taxis become part of everyday travel. During the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026, Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation signed an agreement to bring electric air taxi services to the UK. The partnership focuses on launching services in London and Manchester, with Virgin Atlantic planning to offer bookings through its digital platforms.

Under the agreement, Joby Aviation will remain responsible for operating the aircraft, managing routes and obtaining approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The company’s aircraft are designed to carry one pilot and up to four passengers. They use six tilting propellers, allowing them to take off vertically and fly with less noise than traditional helicopters.

The potential travel benefits are mainly focused on short connections. A future air taxi route between Heathrow and central London could take around eight minutes, compared with more than an hour by car. A connection between Manchester Airport and Leeds could also be reduced to around 15 minutes. The technology is not expected to replace traditional flights but could offer a new option for reaching airports and travelling between nearby cities.

Before passengers can use these services, companies still need to complete testing and receive regulatory approval. The UK Civil Aviation Authority is working towards certifying passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft from the end of 2028. Vertical Aerospace, one of the companies involved in the government-backed projects, expects passenger services to begin from 2029.

The investment is part of the UK’s wider strategy to reduce emissions from aviation. In May, the government announced a £46.5 million (€54 million) investment supporting flying taxis and drones for applications such as medical deliveries and police operations. The UK is also investing £2.3 billion (€2.7 billion) over the next decade through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme to support the development of new aviation technologies.

Airlines, airports and technology companies are increasingly working together to prepare for a different aviation landscape. Discussions at the Farnborough International Airshow focused on how innovations such as electric aircraft, hydrogen technology and artificial intelligence could help reduce emissions. With new aircraft designs being tested and regulations being developed, the UK is preparing the infrastructure needed for the next generation of air travel.

L’article UK invests £7.3 million in electric aircraft as flying taxis move closer to reality est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown dependency and low-tax haven, boasts a rugged coastline, medieval castles, and Celtic and Viking heritage. Its sea vistas and the mountainous landscape at its heart make its annual cross-country motorcycle race a beloved fixture in the racing calendar.

@courtsraee if you're looking to book a trip, be sure to consider the isle of man! i was blown away with how beautiful this island is, it's so clean, safe and full of gorgeous beaches! there's so much to do with the kids and to explore the outdoors. we can't wait to go back! hopefully for the TT one day #isleofman #isleofmantt #mustvisit #iom #beaches #placestovisit ♬ Beach – Andy Ms

But over the last decade, a broader customer base is building for the island than tax exiles and motocross fans. New data from the island’s tourism board reveals 352,301 visitors went there in 2025, seven percent more year-on-year, generating a visitor spend of a whopping £107 million, up on 2024. The Manx visitor economy is now valued at £433 million (over €505 million), having grown 95% since 2018.

The success of Man’s visitor economy could be a case study for other destinations that are seeking to grow visitor spending rather than numbers alone. Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, said: “What is particularly encouraging is that we are not simply growing visitor numbers; we are growing value.” She also highlighted that the “average visitor spend has already exceeded the target originally set for 2032, accounting for inflation; visitor satisfaction has reached 99.2 per cent, essentially a 10 out of 10 in Net Promoter Score terms.” According to Heather, all these measures are “indicators” that the island’s “long-term approach is creating lasting benefits for residents, businesses, communities and visitors alike.”

Looking back over the long-term, it is hard not to attribute some of that growth to the island gaining UNESCO Biosphere status in 2016, becoming the first entire “nation” to do so. The recognition brought wider world attention for the island’s beaches, nature reserves, Manx National Heritage land, ancient monuments, uplands, glens, and trees.

Surging travel interest in “authentic” and “off-the-beaten-path” destinations has also no doubt been drawing people to the island, where UNESCO notes the Manx Gaelic language has undergone a “healthy resurgence” and traditional folk events such as the spring fire festival Oie Voaldyn still happen yearly.

The Isle of Man tapped into these trends back in 2024 with a promotional campaign for their “Extraordinary Isle” that showcased the island’s year-round offering and shone a light on local “stories and folklore” and “landscape and people,” helping to differentiate the island from other destinations, “unearthing its distinct and unique Manx identity, heritage, culture, language and community,” a press release at the time said. The latest figures appear to show it’s a strategy that has worked.

L’article Isle of Man tourism economy hits record €505 million as visitor spending soars est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Brombil Reservoir, near Port Talbot, originated as a colliery basin in the 18^th century, but first went viral on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been nicknamed the Welsh “blue lagoon” for its striking colour. Since then, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of social media tags and seen an influx of visitors, as well as being sold in 2024 to Leisure Estate Investments Ltd for the bargain sum of £20,000 (around €23,600).

Ironically, the reservoir’s notable blue colour is reported to be caused by blue-green algae, which produces toxins that are harmful for both humans and dogs, leading to skin rashes, eye irritation, nausea, and vomiting. It’s a mismatch between perception and use that is being played out in other aspects of the site’s destiny too.

Though the reservoir is accessible via a 900-metre-long footpath, the way is steep and has become littered with rubbish. The owners have now installed barriers on the reservoir’s dam face, and a £2 entry fee has been imposed, as well as a ban on a range of “unauthorized” activities.

Swimming, hiking, motorcycling, filming, and camping are all now prohibited without prior consent from the management team, according to the company’s social media pages. Leisure Estate Investments stated: “Our long-term goal is to safely open this site for community health and well-being. However, the reservoir is currently a high-risk infrastructure site and remains private property.”

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The firm went on: “For your own safety, we strictly discourage public access at this time, and all entry is entirely at your own risk. Managing this site requires significant private funding for environmental protection and flood maintenance. If you choose to visit, please support our conservation efforts by paying our £2 site maintenance fee.”

The “maintenance fee” will help raise funds for removing rubbish and managing vegetation, cleaning flood channels, promoting local biodiversity, and repairing structural damage, the statement said.

Online commenters on platforms such as Reddit have complained that the owners did not sufficiently research the implications of owning a reservoir before purchasing it, although it seems for now the intention remains to turn the location into a leisure facility, with the area described on the reservoir website as “perfect for nature enthusiasts, adventurers, filming and those with a keen interest for ecology.”

L’article Tourists warned to stay away or pay to visit Welsh “blue lagoon” reservoir est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Gatwick Airport Robotic Parking is due to be available at the South Terminal, where a drop-off zone is provided. The concept sees passengers leave their cars behind, but keep their keys, while robots resembling forklift technology will lift the vehicles by their wheels, removing them to an “access-restricted” parking area.

The partnership with Stanley Robotics has been hailed by Oli Bedford, head of airport access, marketing and commercial products at London Gatwick, as “a real game-changer for our passengers. It’s quick, easy and completely hassle-free – and you even get to keep your keys, giving extra peace of mind while you’re enjoying your holiday.”

The system creates a digital, real-time image of the parking compound, communicating with the robots to tell them which cars to pick up and where to park them. It also optimises vehicle flows so that cars are picked up and delivered where and when they are needed.

Important features include the system’s high vehicle compatibility rates, allowing it to work with “around 95% of vehicle models.” Passengers whose cars have “unusual dimensions or features” are advised to check whether the service is suitable.

We're excited to launch the UK's first robotic airport parking service at London Gatwick, in partnership with Stanley Robotics!

Designed to make the start of journeys smoother, passengers can simply drive into a dedicated drop-off cabin, park their car, keep their keys and… pic.twitter.com/4IqGWB1ubD

— London Gatwick LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) July 23, 2026

The on-airport parking location used by the service features 24-hour security patrols, allows no public access, boasts ANPR-controlled entry and exit, and is a floodlit site with perimeter fencing and Park Mark Safer Parking approval, according to PR materials. The service is also claimed to be “fully accessible and compliant with the Equality Act 2010.”

Users can either travel by foot between the airport terminals and the parking drop-off and pick-up areas, or use a shuttle bus—which is also “fully accessible,” the service website says.

The move comes as Gatwick continues to work on major capacity-boosting projects, including the Northern Runway and a Pier 6 Extension to add eight new aircraft stands for higher gate throughput by summer 2027.

Stanley Robotics has previously worked on similar airport parking solutions for Basel Mulhouse Airport and Lyon Airport, both in France. Clément Boussard, Chief Executive Officer of Stanley Robotics, said in a statement that the firm is “thrilled to partner with London Gatwick, a global leader in aviation, to deploy our solution and address their critical parking capacity challenges as they prepare for significant growth.”

L’article London Gatwick becomes first UK airport to offer robot parking service est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

In 2025, Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic first announced they planned on working together to launch an air taxi service in the UK. The collaboration did not come as a surprise, given the earlier partnership between Joby and Delta Airlines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. On 22 July 2026, a formal agreement was signed between the two companies.

“This agreement marks an exciting next chapter in our partnership with Joby and a significant step towards bringing electric air taxi services to the UK. Together, we’ll create more seamless journeys for our customers, making it easier than ever to travel between towns, cities and our airports. Innovation has always been part of Virgin Atlantic’s DNA, and we’re proud to partner with Joby to help shape the future of travel while delivering the premium customer experience we’re known for,” said Corneel Koster, CEO of Virgin Atlantic.

The agreement clearly stipulates the roles of both partners. On the one hand, Virgin Atlantic will offer Joby’s air taxi service through its booking platforms, including its mobile app and website. This will allow travellers in the UK to book a seamless air taxi connection alongside their long-haul flights. The airline will also support infrastructure integration and customer acquisition at both hubs.

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On the other hand, Joby will retain sole responsibility for aircraft operations, route management, and securing UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulatory approvals. The company plans to launch the air taxi service at Virgin Atlantic’s hubs in London and Manchester.

“Virgin Atlantic’s dedication to a world-class customer experience makes them the right partner to represent Joby in the UK, and this agreement reflects the next step in that relationship. The UK is one of the most exciting markets for this technology, and this partnership could drive significant opportunities for Joby as we bring air taxi service to some of the country’s busiest cities,” stated JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation.

Joby’s aircraft uses six tilting propellers, allowing it to take off and land vertically with a fraction of the noise produced by today’s helicopters. The aircraft are designed to carry one pilot and up to four passengers at maximum speeds of 200 mph (322 km/h). The taxis are optimised for back-to-back flights and can be expected to be deployed on routes of up to 100 miles (161 kilometres).

With that in mind, the Manchester Airport to Leeds route would take approximately 15 minutes and Heathrow to Central London about 8 minutes, while both journeys take over an hour by car. In a comment to news outlet Business Insider, Bonny Simi, Joby’s president of operations, said prices would be comparable to those of Uber Black, amounting to approximately $130 to $160 (£100-120) for a trip between Heathrow and Central London.

A timeline for the launch of the service has not yet been announced, but the Civil Aviation Authority of the UK is looking to certify passenger-carrying commercial eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) from the end of 2028.

L’article Virgin Atlantic and Joby Aviation sign deal to bring electric air taxis to UK est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.