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Incredible new advert showcases the biggest blockbusters filmed in Britain – how many do you recognise?
THE UK is home to plenty of blockbusters from the romance of Notting Hill to the thrilling chase scenes of Mission Impossible.
With so many memorable locations to visit, VisitBritain has launched a new campaign, with an incredible advert, to get us there.
London landmarks create the backdrop for some memorable movie moments.
St Paul’s Cathedral became a feature in Mission Impossible when Tom Cruise leapt from the rooftop in the sixth film, Fallout.
The cast were also spotted filming on top of the Tate Modern Gallery, which is free to visit and often has unique and extraordinary exhibits.
The Houses of Parliament appeared in Sherlock Holmes and the Spider-Man saw Tom Holland flying across Tower Bridge.
You can easily visit these either on foot or by taking the open-top bus, like Zendaya did in Spider-Man. The tour bus has a live guide and stops at 36 attractions.
Other ways to see the sights are on a Thames River Boats tour.
Make sure to stop by Portobello Road, the stunning home of Paddington Bear. Minutes away is Notting Hill where the romantic film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant was filmed.
Kenwood House in Hampstead was used as the set for one of Anna’s (played by Julia Roberts) films and the house offers free entry to the public.
Around the rest of England, who can forget the scene in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, where Bridget parachuted out of a plane? That was filmed at the Headcorn Aerodrome in Ashford, Kent.
At the Aerodrome you can catch an air show, or book yourself in for a flying lesson.
For fans of period drama, Bridgerton, head to West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire. The gardens and beautiful stately home will transport you back to the Regency era.
Any fans of Pride and Prejudice will love the stately garden and home visit and afternoon tea at Lyme Park, Cheshire where they filmed Colin Firth’s character, Mr. Darcy, emerging from the lake after a swim
Hopefully there won’t be any dinosaurs around when you take a trip to Cragside in Northumberland where they filmed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Explore the 1,000 acres of gardens, waterfalls and the Victorian home with the National Trust.
If you fancy staying there, we found an the Garden Cottage on the grounds of Cragside. Having an overnight stay gets you free entry into the house and gardens.
Cumbria was the backdrop for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, where Tom Cruise was speed flying over the hillsides, which they passed off as part of the Australian Alps.
Paddington 2 also used Cumbria and headed to Ullswater where you’ll find the second largest lake in England.
For fans of water sports, you can sail or canoe on the lake, otherwise there are pony rides across the fells and even rock climbing.
The stunning Eastnor Castle, in Hertfordshire, was chosen as the wedding venue for Tom and Shiv in season one of HBO hit, Succession.
Eastnor Castle is open to the public and you can explore the sprawling grounds and the stately rooms for £15.50 (adult day rate).
You can also pop in for afternoon tea set in the old castle kitchen or set up camp on the Deer Park Campsite.
In Anglesey, North Wales, you’ll find the beach backdrop for House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones spin-off.
There’s plenty to do from walking beautiful coastal paths to beach hopping to salt bathing.
Fast and Furious 9 was filmed in Edinburgh over 19 days, resulting in 12 minutes of memorable footage.
You can spot the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, St Giles’ Street and the Lawnmarket in the movie – and of course, explore them yourself on a trip to Edinburgh.
Harry Potter was filmed across Loch Shiel in the Scottish Highlands.
Loch Shiel a must-see location for all Potterheads as it was used as a stand-in for the Black Lake, and was the site of the Triwizard Tournament in The Goblet of Fire.
Around Loch Shiel, you can do hiking or fishing, visit the Glenfinnan Station Museum, or take a cruise across the water.
Racing at war as top trainers say they will boycott ITV coverage unless they are paid for interviews
TOP horse trainers have said they will boycott ITV coverage this weekend unless they are paid for interviews.
Racing is at war with a number of handlers – rumoured to include the likes of Nicky Henderson – believing they deserve a financial incentive to speak on camera.
Trainers who are signed up with the Professional Racing Association, such as Dan Skelton, will refuse to talk unless racecourses and media rights companies pay them.
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Stuart Williams, who is with the PRA, said the aim is not to line the pockets of trainers.
They want the money racecourses hold to be shared around and injected into prize money instead.
But trainers such as Hugo Palmer and Kim Bailey have hit out at the plans, with the former telling Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman it is a ‘terrible idea’.
But the PRA, headed by former British racing boss Peter Savill, are determined to plough on with their powder-keg plans.
A statement posted on Monday read: “The PRA board met today and reiterated its call for racecourses, RMG and Sky Racing to show that they value the contribution that trainers make to the show, and also to explain why they have so far been willing to pay the jockeys but not the trainers.
“This money will not be going to trainers personally but to the benefit of the sport, including, among other good causes, the NTF Benevolent Fund and Racing Welfare.
“This is yet another example of racecourses taking horsemen for granted as they have for far too long.
“To say that trainers should be grateful for the exposure is both insulting and symptomatic of the imbalance of the distribution of racecourses’ revenues into prize-money which the PRA has been investigating for the past year and which it has found in many instances to be unacceptable.”
More to follow.
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Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Come Dine with Me fans ‘switch off’ 20th anniversary series within minutes over ‘attention-seeking whoppers’
COME Dine With Me viewers have already ‘switched off’ from the new series, as the latest dining hosts failed to impress.
The latest series of Come Dine With Me on Channel 4 marks its 20th anniversary, with a new episode bringing together budding chefs to see if they can score highest and walk away with the prize money.
The TV show has seen its fair share of drama in the past, with huge fallouts and culinary disasters but this time viewers didn’t even get as far as the starters before switching off.
The new series failed to impress with Channel 4 viewers branding the latest four contestants as ‘attention seekers’ and ‘layabouts’.
The episode took viewers to Cambridge where they met with first host Rebecca, who then welcomed TikToker Josh mushroom farm owner Mark, wellness retreat guru Nikki and employee benefit collector Kate.
Rebecca served up braised beef cheeks and dauphinoise potatoes, bagging her 32 out of 40 but viewers at home were less than impressed with the show.
The new lineup in particular sparked comments on social media, with many viewers failing to warm to TikTok star Josh in particular.
One person wrote on X: “Josh is a liability.”
“A f*****g TikToker. Not a promising start,” said another.
Others branded the whole line up as poor, as they said: “It is going to be a long week with that lot of attention seekers.”
“Giving this a go even though I haven’t liked it in ages. Too many attention-seeking whoppers,” posted another viewer.
Contestant Kate also came under fire after making a comment about trying to find a rich husband, as one viewer slammed her by posting: “So party girl is basically on the constant hunt for a money man?”
Others claimed they were done with the Channel 4 show, as one posted: “What an awful show this has become. I’m out.”
Come Dine With Me can be streamed on Channel 4.
Arsenal ‘working out shock transfer move for Aston Villa star Jhon Duran’ but Alexander Isak remains ‘dream target’
ARSENAL are reportedly exploring a shock move for Aston Villa star Jhon Duran – even though Alexander Isak remains their “dream target.”
The Gunners are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements after several injury blows.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are both long-term absentees.
And Mikel Arteta is keen to add an out-and-out striker to his squad of title hopefuls.
The Londoners are known to be big fans of Newcastle superstar Isak, who has 19 goals in 25 games this season.
While RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has 14 in 27, has also been linked.
But now, Fabrizio Romano reckons that Villa ace Duran has emerged as a likely target before deadline day.
The Colombian has netted 12 goals in 29 games so far this term.
Duran, who recently signed a new long-term contract, was the subject of a failed £57million bid from West Ham earlier this month.
Villa are thought to want £80m to sell their young asset.
And Arsenal are now showing a strong interest in Duran, with “dream target” Isak deemed too expensive right now.
Romano told Give Me Sport: “What I’m told is Arsenal made a call in recent weeks to understand the situation of Duran.
“At the moment, there’s no green light from Leipzig for Sesko.
“Also Isak, the dream target of Arsenal, he’s super expensive. It’s almost very complicated, nothing in football is impossible but it’s very complicated.
“And so in recent weeks, Arsenal called to understand Duran’s situation, but there’s been no direct negotiations with Villa.”
I was TRAPPED inside Manchester Airport’s drop-off by grinning worker who blocked me in… I had to pay a fine to leave
A FURIOUS dad has slammed Manchester Airport after he was blocked from leaving the drop-off zone and told he had to pay a £100 fine to escape.
Lee Mellor, 54, was picking up his daughter from Terminal 3 on Saturday after she returned from a ski trip.
After spotting his daughter waiting with her gear, he pulled into the drop-off area for just “20 seconds” to collect her.
But as he tried to leave, an airport worker in an orange vest stopped him with a “grin on his face” and demanded £100 for using the zone to pick someone up.
The drop-off zone is only for “dropping passengers off”, according to an airport spokesman, with hapless motorists risking huge fines if they act otherwise.
Lee, from Bolton, told Manchester Evening News: “He had a real smile on his face which really got to me.”
“I was shaking. I was so angry. It was the look on his face that really angered me. It was almost like, ‘we caught a fish'”.
The dad-of-one was driving his white Tesla when he pressed the call button at the barrier to speak to an operator.
After a heated back and forth, the fine was reduced to £60 which he reluctantly paid.
Manchester Airport has introduced these fines to prevent congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow.
Airport bosses want to keep the drop-off area free from loitering drivers waiting longer for passengers to appear.
The designated pick-up zones charge £6.20 for up to 15 minutes, with an £8 charge for a slightly longer 30 minutes.
While drivers using the drop-off zones pay £5 for up to five minutes or £25 for over 10 minutes.
The costs go up in increments after that, depending on how long you stay, up to a maximum of an hour.
The idea is to stop people from hanging around too long and clogging up the area.
It’s all about keeping traffic flowing and making sure there’s enough space for everyone.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “Our drop-off areas are reserved for drivers who are dropping passengers off.
“Picking passengers up from them is not permitted under any circumstances because the dwell time when picking passengers up is longer and it would mean the drop-off areas would become congested and unavailable to those who need them.
“Passengers being picked up after a flight should use our designated pick-up areas.
“These are positioned close to the arrivals areas in all three terminals and have greater capacity than the drop-off areas to allow for the longer dwell times involved when collecting passengers.”
Manchester Airport's pick-up and drop-off information
Free drop-off area: All passengers can use a free drop-off area, where a shuttle bus takes them to the terminal at no cost, with journey times of 5-7 minutes. The service is 24/7, with marshals available to assist.
Paid drop-off: Drivers can drop off directly outside the terminals and train station. This system uses ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) and a barrier system. Payment is taken at the barrier by card.
Pick-up information: Free drop-off area with shuttle buses to terminals and a paid drop-off zone directly outside terminals using ANPR and barrier systems for payment, only affect drop-offs. Picking up passengers remains the same-use the arrivals car parks, multi storey, or short stay car parks.
Multi Storey car parks passengers: Drivers who’ve booked to park in T1 Multi Storey will need to drive through the forecourt to access the car park. There’s no charge for using the forecourt to enter but will need to follow the signs.
If you’ve booked T1 Multi storey, you’ll drive through the forecourt to enter. There’s no charge for accessing the forecourt to enter the car park.
Major bank with nearly 2million customers to HIKE credit card interest rates in weeks despite borrowing costs falling
A MAJOR bank with nearly two million customers is hiking credit card fees in weeks.
First Direct, the branchless subsidiary of HSBC, will increase the interest rates offered on credit card purchases, balance transfers and cash withdrawals on April 15.
The annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases will jump from 19.9% to 24.9%, adding an extra £0.35 per month for every £100 owed.
The same increases will apply to balance transfers and money transfers.
Cash transactions will see a slightly larger increase.
The APR charged for those making cash or cash-related payments including withdrawals will rise from 24.7% to 29.7%, costing an additional £0.33 per month for every £100.
If you consistently pay your balance in full each month, this change won’t affect you.
Customers can continue to enjoy up to 56 days of interest-free credit on purchases.
Existing promotional rates will also remain unaffected until their expiry date, provided minimum payments are met.
However, if you carry a balance, these increases will lead to higher interest charges.
Customers unhappy with the changes can close their accounts without penalty before April 11 and repay their existing balance at the current rate.
After this date, the new rates will apply.
Alastair Douglas, chief executive of TotallyMoney said: “Although interest rates are expected to come down this year, as the government pushes the Bank of England to help grow the economy, there’s a good chance that we might not see like-for-like benefits being passed on to consumers.
“It’s also likely that as people continue to struggle with the increased cost of living, and three in five adults expect their finances to get worse this year, that we might see an increase in late payments and defaults on credit agreements.”
Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, added: “Lenders traditionally reassess the rates they charge on debts as a reflection of their attitude to risk, as when the risk of defaults is elevated, the cost to borrow would usually rise.”
First Direct won’t be the only bank to have hiked its credit card rates in recent weeks.
How to shift your credit card debt quickly
By James Flanders, Consumer Reporter
UK Finance reports that we spend a whopping £2 billion a month using our credit cards.
While that little strip of plastic makes everyday spending easy peasy, it comes at a huge cost.
According to The Money Charity, the average credit card debt sits at £2,485 per household or £1,312 per adult.
And if you’re stuck on a credit card with a high APR and only making the minimum repayments, you could be forking out hundreds of pounds extra in interest charges.
For example, if you owe £1,312 on your credit card and are charged 24.8% APR.
If you don’t make any more transactions and pay £100 a month in repayments, you will pay off the card by September 2025 but at £207 in interest.
However, by hunting around for a better deal elsewhere and switching to a balance transfer credit card with a lengthy interest-free period, you can save yourself £162.
If the same person was accepted for a 28-month-long zero-interest credit card with a 3.4% balance transfer fee and made the same £100 repayments each month.
They would pay off the debt sooner, in July 2025, and only fork out £45 towards the 3.4% balance transfer fee.
Before taking out a new credit card or increasing the amount you borrow, it’s vital to consider the consequences.
You should only borrow money if you can afford to pay it back.
It’s always vital to ask yourself if you need to borrow before committing to a new credit card, personal loan or overdraft.
If you use a credit card, I’d recommend that you always pay off your balance in full at the end of each statement period.
Lenders have a responsibility to help customers who are in debt.
If you’re in a debt crisis, your first point of call should be your lender.
They might help you out by offering you a reduced interest rate or a temporary payment holiday – so check in with your lender if you’re struggling.
OTHER BANK CHANGES
Vanquis Bank made several changes to its credit card portfolio on January 24.
For example, the Balance Transfer Credit Card’s standard purchase APR has risen from 33.5% to 40.9%.
Santander also made adjustments to its credit card offerings on January 22.
The Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card has seen its standard purchase APR increase slightly from 23.9% to 24.9%.
However, on January 15, American Express reduced both its standard purchase and cash rates across a range of its credit cards including the Rewards Credit Card, British Airways Credit Card, Cashback Everyday Credit Card and British Airways Premium Plus Card.
The standard purchase APR dropped from 30.7% to 30.4%, while the standard cash rate decreased from 38.0% to 37.7%.
All banks were contacted for comment.
There’s several steps you can take to cut your credit card debt without paying interest.
CUT YOUR CREDIT CARD DEBT
Credit card customers can put an end to paying interest for up to 31 months for a small processing fee of between 2-4% by shifting their debt to a balance transfer card.
Alastair Douglas said: “What’s important is that if you’re one of the 50% of people paying interest on their credit card every month, that you check to see if you’re eligible for a balance transfer.
“There are currently three banks offering up to 31 months interest-free if you move your debt to them, meaning you could stop paying interest until August 2027.”
These cards make your debt easier to pay off because money saved on interest can be entirely put towards what you owe.
However, it’s important to note that you can’t transfer a balance between cards from the same bank.
You should always use an eligibility calculator before applying for a balance transfer card because every credit card application leaves a mark on your credit file and can affect your credit score.
The best cards currently available include one from MBNA which is offering a 31 month long 0% deal with a 3.49% fee.
Barclays is also offering up to 31 months at 0% with a fee of 3.45%.
To assess all the available cards, visit price comparison websites like MoneySavingExpert’s Cheap Credit Club or Compare the Market.
Once you run your details through an eligibility calculator and you’ve been shown that you’re likely to be accepted, make a formal application.
To do this, you will need to provide your name, address and email address as well as details of your income so a provider can assess your eligibility.
You will also need to provide details of how much money you want to transfer to the new card, but you can often do this after you have been accepted.
How to get free debt help
There are several groups which can help you with your problem debts for free.
- Citizens Advice – 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
- StepChange – 0800138 1111
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Debt Advice Foundation – 0800 043 4050
You can also find information about Debt Management Plans (DMP) and Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVA) by visiting MoneyHelper.org.uk or Gov.UK.
Speak to one of these organisations – don’t be tempted to use a claims management firm.
They say they can write off lots of your debt in return for a large upfront fee.
But there are other options where you don’t need to pay.
Watch shock moment All Stars Luca took second savage swipe at Scott just hours after villa fight – did you spot it?
LOVE Island’s Luca Bish took another swipe at rival Scott Thomas on Monday night’s show following their huge row.
The former pals got into a huge bust-up on Sunday night when Luca revealed Scott had told him doubts of his romance with Tina Stinnes.
The light-hearted game quickly descended into chaos with the pair being pulled apart by their fellow islanders as they squared up to each other.
While Scott went on to explain what he meant to Tina, Luca was talked down by the boys – but stood by what he said.
As they got ready for bed, Luca couldn’t resist taking yet another swipe at Scott, insisting he was asking for trouble.
Speaking on the bed, Luca said: “He goes on about being mature, whatever. Yeah, you’re 36 years old, and he was trying to prod me in that game.
“I don’t care what anyone says, he was prodding.”
The comment came after he doubled down on his actions to boys Ronnie, Ron and Curtis, with Ronnie trying to explain to him why Scott reacted the way he is.
“I feel like the thing that’s gone massive against him is he’s come to me, you and and Casey and told us something that he wanted to keep with a boy code, and that is why he has done like that,” he said.
“Yeah, I get it,” said Luca, before adding: “But boy code goes out the window with me when you get in my face.”
However, he did express regret that Tina was caught in the crossfire in his takedown of Scott, saying she ‘did nothing wrong’.
The row came after Scott confided in the boys about how he was really feeling about Tina – who he is coupled up with.
He said: “I dunno where I am… something’s stressing me out a little bit… when she’s in the garden I’m not wanting to rush over… this girl is so good for me and the fact I’m not buzzing p****s me off.”
The gang decided to keep their conversation quiet, with Scott saying Tina should ‘hear it from him’ rather than through gossip.
But during a game that evening, Luca deliberately let it slip after Scott made a jab about wanting to ask Grace Jackson something.
Tensions rose during the game when Scott said he’s had a truth he would ask Grace, but wouldn’t.
Luca instantly became annoyed and said: “Say it. If you want to go there, go there?” .
Scott insisted:“Bro I’m being respectful to you.”
Love Island All Stars 2025 official line-up
Love Island All Stars is back on TV for season 2.
Here we take you through the line-up of all the Islanders who are in the villa so far.
- Scott Thomas – season 2 (2016).
- Marcel Somerville – season 3 (2017) – OUT
- India Reynolds – season 2 (2017) – OUT
- Gabby Allen – season 3 (2017).
- Elma Pazar – season 5 (2019) – born in 1993.
- Curtis Pritchard – season 5 (2019).
- Kaz Crossley – season 5 (2019).
- Olivia Hawkins – season 10 (2023) – OUT
- Nas Majeed – season 6 (2020).
- Luca Bish – season 8 (2022).
- Catherine Agbaje – season 10 (2023).
- Ronnie Vint – season 11 (2024).
Bombshells
Each series brings with it a string of hot single bombshells making their epic entrance into the villa.
Here’s who has joined the villa so far:
- Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu – season 8 (2022).
- Casey O’Gorman – season 9 (2023) and All Stars (2024).
- Ron Hall – season 9 (2023).
- Tina Stinnes – season 2 (2016).
- Grace Jackson – season 11 (2024).
- Harriet Blackmore – season 11 (2024).
- Montel McKenzie – season 10 (2024).
The group tried to continue playing after the first row, but things take a turn for the worst when Luca was dared to kiss who is in here for fame.
He kissed Scott on the cheek and said he thinks he wants to get far in the villa, adding “that’s why you’re with Tina and you’re not feeling it now”.
Tina looked horrified and asked for someone to explain – as she learnt the truth she walked away crying.
Furious, Scott squared up to Luca for the second time and asked: “This guy, who are you bro? Wow?”
The girls were quick to jump in and look after Tina, with Scott later saying he had a brief moment of hesitation and worry before realising he had a good thing going, which is why he hadn’t told her anything.
Love Island All Stars continues at 9pm on ITV2.
I managed to dry THREE loads of uniform in a flash & only used £1 of electric thanks to a B&M bargain I bought
WITH the cold weather continuing to affect homes across the UK and energy bills remaining high, many people are looking for ways to keep on top of their laundry without spending a fortune.
Now that we’re a few months into the colder season, many homeowners have figured out what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to drying their clothes while keeping costs low.
One woman, known as ‘holisticbliss_byjulie’, has shared her clever solution.
She revealed that she managed to dry three loads of school uniforms for just £1 in electricity costs – all thanks to a bargain buy from B&M.
The mum claims that the Addis Swift Dry Heated Airer Pod is her savour when it comes to the kids washing.
The device, which says it uses less electricity than a tumble dryer, was on sale for £30 reduced from £40.
Talking to her followers, she says: “I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of having clothes all over the house trying to dry them.
“So I saw this Heated air up in B&Ms 30 quid.
“I thought I would give it a try. It was really easy to put together. It took me probably five minutes. Doesn’t take up much space.
“I’ve got it in my kitchen where I would normally put my airer which I haven’t used.
“I haven’t used my old airer since I’ve had this and there’s it all put together.
“It holds 24 hangers of clothes. I didn’t put that many in but I could fit my three boys uniforms in and oh my god, it just worked so well.”
She also explained an added bonus by saying: “It also heats my kitchen up a little bit as well, which is fabulous. It took an hour and cost me a pound.”
The video was captioned: “If you are sick of having wet clothes hanging around or constantly using the tumble. Try this! It’s fantastic!
“It costs me £1 in electricity to dry three lots of uniforms.”
Her video gained a lot of attention with many rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “There brilliant I got Air buddy.”
Another asked where she got it from, to which Julie replied with: “B&M it’s with the iron boards and washing baskets. £30 down from £40. It’s really good for that money.”
More winter laundry tips
Tackling laundry in the winter can be a challenge, but these handy tips can help you stay on top of it:
- Use a Dehumidifier: Place a dehumidifier in your drying area to speed up the drying process and prevent dampness.
- Spin Cycle Boost: Run an extra spin cycle on your washing machine to remove excess water from clothes, reducing drying time.
- Indoor Drying Rack: Invest in a good-quality indoor drying rack and position it near a radiator or in a well-ventilated room.
- Tumble Dryer Balls: Add tumble dryer balls to your dryer to help clothes dry faster and reduce static cling.
- Space-Saving Hangers: Use space-saving hangers or a retractable washing line to maximise indoor drying space.
- Microfibre Towels: Lay microfibre towels over your drying rack to absorb extra moisture from hanging clothes.
- Partially Dry Outside: On dry days, hang clothes outside for a short period before bringing them in to finish drying.
These hacks can help you keep your laundry routine efficient and your clothes fresh, even during the colder months.
Julie also explained in the comments section that she has a dehumidifier in her son’s bedroom.
She wrote: “We do have one of those too but I keep it in my son’s room as that room gets a lot of condensation on the windows.”
I quit my £34k job as a primary school teacher as I was too stressed – now I earn DOUBLE working just 2 hours a day
AN EX-TEACHER sick of feeling burnt out has revealed how she quit her job and now makes double her income.
Ella Weston, from South London began teaching in 2021 after graduating but quickly realised the £34,000 a year job wasn’t for her.
The 26-year-old found the long hours “unrelenting” and wanted to find a way of continuing her passion for imparting wisdom to children – without sacrificing her own personal time.
She took the plunge in March 2024, quitting her job to launch her own tutoring business two months later, and Ella hasn’t looked back since.
She now earns double her original income and estimates she works as little as two hours a day from a makeshift space in her conservatory.
“The biggest pro of this career shift is how much freedom and time I’ve gained,” Ella, based in South London, told Absolutely Business.
“My mornings are a lot slower now, no longer fuelled by pure adrenaline or the rush to get out the door.
“I typically start the day with a couple of home-educated students who I support during the daytime.
“In the early evenings, I run two small group sessions with four children in each group.
“Preparing for these sessions is something I genuinely enjoy, as I love creating personalised, tailored lessons that connect to the children’s interests and make learning fun.
“This takes time to prepare for but I am not governed by strict, rigid schemes which strip all of the creativity from learning.”
The strict nature of her previous work had been a key part in pushing Ella to leave.
She explained: “Towards the end of my time in teaching, I was incredibly burnt out and felt like I was craving something more from life.
“It wasn’t any one school or experience in particular, but rather the cumulative demands of the system that left me struggling.
“The long hours were unrelenting, and I often found myself sacrificing personal time and energy to meet the ever-growing expectations of the role.
“From spending my own money to create a welcoming classroom environment to tackling mounting piles of administrative tasks that often felt disconnected from actual teaching, it became difficult to maintain a sense of balance.
Signs of burnout
Burnout is defined by the World Health Organization as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”.
In other words, the stress you are experiencing at work is not being managed, causing you to feel:
- energy depletion or exhaustion;
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
- reduced professional efficacy.
How might this look in every day life, including burnout caused by other factors other than work?
Posting to TikTok, Dr Julie Smith said the first sign, is that you have become disconnected from the people around you.
She explained: “You might be arguing more with your partner or your friends.
“Number two is that you’re procrastinating more than ever and putting off even the smallest of tasks because they now feel overwhelming.”
Dr Smith said the third sign is that your self-care routine has gone out of the window.
The fourth red flag, Dr Smith added, is that you are physically and emotionally exhausted.
“You feel tired, but wired, and you can’t sleep at night,” she added.
“Over time, the weight of it all began to take a toll on my health.
“I wasn’t sleeping well, my anxiety was worsening, and eventually, my doctor signed me off due to high blood pressure and the need for rest.
“Stepping away from the profession wasn’t an easy decision, but it was clear that I needed to prioritise my wellbeing.
“Education has always been my passion, and I knew I wanted to stay in the field. However, I also wanted to focus on the part I truly loved – the teaching itself.
“Starting my own business allowed me to do that while also being my own boss and creating a healthier work-life balance.
“Teaching in the classroom often required sacrificing so much, including my health, and I knew I needed a change.”
Ella decided to take months off, when she started her own business tutoring children.
She said: “It didn’t take long for my tutoring business to take off – within a few months, my small group slots were nearly full, with only a couple of spaces left, and now I even have a waiting list.
“It was definitely a scary jump to leave a stable income and job, but the demand in my area was huge.
“I think this highlights some of the challenges within the education system – so many children are struggling to keep up with the pace of the curriculum, and the gaps in their understanding are growing.
“Parents are looking for additional support to help their children succeed, and I’m grateful to be in a position to provide that.
“It’s been rewarding to see how quickly the business has grown and how much of a difference tailored, fun, focused teaching can make for these students.
“Tutoring has given me the opportunity to continue helping students succeed while working fewer hours and maintaining a lifestyle that feels sustainable and fulfilling.
The financial gain is great, but honestly, the freedom and flexibility I have now are even more valuable.
Ella Weston
“It was the right step for me to continue doing what I love in a way that also prioritises my wellbeing.”
Now, less than a year on, she estimates her earnings to be more than double her annual salary as a primary school teacher.
Ella added: “Doubling my income has obviously been amazing, but it’s also come with responsibilities I didn’t have to think about when I was teaching, like managing a private pension and covering business expenses.
“That said, I’ve become much smarter with money – saving and investing have become priorities for me.
“The financial gain is great, but honestly, the freedom and flexibility I have now are even more valuable.
“I would have been willing to sacrifice some income for the lifestyle I have, so to be in a position where I’ve increased my earnings and have more control over my time feels like the best of both worlds.”
As well as tutoring, Ella has now created a guide to help other teachers transition from teaching to tutoring.
She added: “It’s such a fulfilling aspect of what I do, and I’m passionate about continuing to grow this area.
“There are so many incredible professionals who are on the brink of burnout, looking for a slower, more balanced, and fulfilling future – and it’s amazing to help them reclaim their lives.
“I have so much respect for educators and the vital role they play, but I think my experience is reflective of the broader challenges within the education system.
“Teachers deserve to feel valued, supported, and able to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
“I hope that in the future, we can create an environment where that’s the norm rather than the exception.
“These days, my life bandwidth feels so much bigger, and my job doesn’t consume me the way it once did.
“I now work with over 40 students every week, and I’m lucky to have the loveliest families who couldn’t be more supportive.
“It’s truly an amazing and rewarding career, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”