1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on England’s ‘newest town’ is crowned BEST place to buy a home in UK with its own baseball arena – does yours make list?
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ENGLAND’s newest town has been crowned the best place to buy a home in the UK — complete with its own baseball arena and bold plans for the future.
An incredible new development is being built in the town and it’s already being tipped as one of the smartest places to invest in 2025.
InstagramNamed in The Times’ list of 20 property hotspots “on the up,”[/caption]
InstagramStudios start at £420,000, while the average home in Brent Cross Town is priced around £732,00[/caption]
InstagramBrent Cross Town is now home to the UK’s first indoor baseball and softball arena, already up and running[/caption]
Named in The Times’ list of 20 property hotspots “on the up,” Brent Cross Town is quickly gaining attention for its slick design, eco credentials, and surprisingly strong sense of community, even before it’s finished.
The 180-acre site, wedged between Cricklewood and the North Circular, is being totally reimagined as a next-gen “15-minute neighbourhood.”
That means everything residents need schools, cafés, parks, sports centres, and shops is planned within walking distance.
There’s already a new Thameslink station, getting you to St Pancras in under 15 minutes, and by 2030, the area is set to be carbon neutral, powered by a state-of-the-art heat network.
Baseball isn’t just for the US anymore, England’s newest town is swinging big with the country’s first indoor arena.
Brent Cross Town is now home to the UK’s first indoor baseball and softball arena, already up and running.
New shops and venues are popping up fast.
There’s a coffee roaster, a sourdough bakery, a pizza joint, and an ice cream parlour already drawing crowds.
A 44-acre public park with everything from tennis courts to BMX tracks, plus a “neighbourhood square” for outdoor dining and community events.
Early buyers say the area feels like a hidden gem, but not for long.
Designer Stacy Chan, one of the first residents, told The Times: “There’s already a strong sense of community, and it’s so peaceful with all the green space. I’m thinking of getting a dog!”
Studios start at £420,000, while the average home in Brent Cross Town is priced around £732,000
That may sound steep, but compared to nearby Hampstead or West Hampstead, it’s still seen as good value.
And with huge infrastructure and lifestyle perks planned between now and 2050, buyers are betting early on what could become one of London’s most desirable addresses.
Full list of top 20 here:
Brent Cross Town, London
Macclesfield, Cheshire
Eltham,London
Liverpool: Fabric District
Warrenpoint, Co Down
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Montrose, Angus
Chester,Cheshire
Baildon,West Yorkshire
Bayswater, London
Derby,Derbyshire
Oswestry, Shopshire
Holbeck Urban Village, Leeds
Plymouth, Devon
Bow, London
Stoke-one-Trent, Straffordshire
Saintfield, Co Down
Govan, Glasgow
Other hotspots on the list include Macclesfield, loved for its mix of countryside charm and Manchester connections, and Swansea, where a revamped market and coastal lifestyle are drawing fresh interest.
Eltham in south-east London offers family-sized homes for less than £1m, while Liverpool’s Fabric District is booming with creativity and affordable flats.
Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland is tipped to soar thanks to a new cross-border bridge, and Portsmouth is riding a wave of seaside regeneration.
From Montrose in Scotland to Plymouth, Bow, Chester and Saundersfoot, the list is packed with places on the rise, offering buyers everything from beach views to big-city buzz.
InstagramThe 180-acre site, wedged between Cricklewood and the North Circular, is being totally reimagined as a next-gen “15-minute neighbourhood[/caption]
AlamyBuyers are betting early on what could become one of London’s most desirable addresses[/caption]
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Everyone can see the field – but you have 20/20 vision & eyes of a hawk if you can spot hidden bird in just 7 seconds
ONLY the sharpest minds can crack this optical illusion in record time.
A new optical illusion has left people baffled online, as they have just seven seconds to spot a woodland creature hidden in plain sight.
Caters.Can you spot the bird in this picture?[/caption]
The picture, shared by Piyush Tiwari on X (formerly Twitter), shows what looks like a simple countryside field.
But somewhere in the grass is a bird so well camouflaged that most people scroll past it without ever spotting it.
Think you’ve got 20/20 vision? This brain teaser might just put that to the test.
The image is a vibrant mix of colours — lush green grass up front, fading into golden and reddish-brown plants further back.
All you need to do is spot the hidden bird in under seven seconds.
Thousands have already tried, with many giving up and squinting for clues.
Only those with the sharpest observation skills are managing to find it.
Ready for the answer?
Take a peek at the centre of the image and then head right.
Hidden in the grass, you’ll see the familiar eye of a bird.
How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me?
Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions.
Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility.
Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function.
Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes.
Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus.
Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief.
Optical illusions like this one have a way of stopping people in their tracks.
They’re fun, fast, and they test more than just your eyesight — they challenge how your brain processes detail and contrast.
It’s not just a game either. Studies show that solving visual puzzles can actually help boost focus and cognitive function over time.
So if you manage to find the bird in record time, you’re not just eagle-eyed, you’re a brainy bird too.
CatersThousands have already tried, with many giving up and squinting for clues[/caption]
suppliedCan you spot the ‘S’ hidden among the sea of 25s?[/caption]
F. HindsCan you spot the ring hidden in this scene?[/caption]
suppliedYou are said to have 20/20 vision if you spotted the ‘S’ in seven seconds[/caption]
F. HindsCan you spot the ring hidden in this scene?[/caption]
Noah's ark scanScientists claim to have discovered the location of the famous Noah’s Ark in Turkey[/caption]
AlamyAn artist’s impression of what Noah’s Ark may have looked like with two of every animal getting on board[/caption]
Noah's ark scanThe legendary Durupinar formation is a 538ft geological structure which closely resembles the exact dimensions of the ark[/caption]
Researchers believe the great ark is located in Turkey – just 30 kilometres south of the summit of Mount Ararat.
Experts are yet to officially confirm the ark’s existence but many have speculated around the spot due to the legendary Durupinar formation.
A 538ft geological structure made of limonite can be seen lying by the mountain which closely resembles the exact dimensions of the ark, according to the Bible.
Noah’s Ark Scans told The Sun they are confident of uncovering the truth in the coming years and have already laid out their excavation plans.
Operations at what they label the “boat site” haven’t started yet with dozens of geophysical surveys, core drilling, and careful planning still to take place.
Top researcher Andrew Jones said: “The location lies in an active earth flow with harsh winters, so protecting the area is our top priority.
“Over the next few years, our Turkish university partners will conduct non-destructive tests like soil sampling, radar scans, and other methods to determine if the structures we’ve detected are truly man-made or simply natural formations.
“Only after we gather enough evidence and have a proper preservation plan in place will we consider excavating.”
The team have already had several positive results back from testing the land which has only increased their excitement over a match.
Turkish geologist Doctor Memet Salih Bayraktutan collected 22 soil samples from inside and just outside of the “boat shape” last year.
These were shipped off to be analysed at Ataturk University in Erzurum and came back with some remarkable results.
The main takeaways found that there was a lower pH inside the suspected ark structure as well as having a higher organic matter.
More potassium was also clearly see inside compared to outside.
“These changes are consistent with rotting wood,” the research team say.
Another key takeaway the research team discovered was that the grass inside actually turns lighter and more yellow in the autumn.
This has made them believe that the structure is an ancient creation made by man rather than an ecological change to the landscape overtime.
In October 2019, a full ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scan was also carried out at the site using two antenna frequencies.
The goal was to explore different depths through the radar pulses from the machinery which go on to create images of what’s beneath the ground without digging.
Noah's Ark ScansA 3D scan of the unique rock formation[/caption]
A 3D scan of the unique rock formation
Researchers believe the great ark is located in Turkey – just 30 kilometres south of the summit of Mount Ararat[/caption]
Noah's ark scanA full ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scan was also carried out at the site[/caption]
Noah's ark scanA picture of the site back in 1961[/caption]
It sends electromagnetic waves into the soil which when hit objects – potentially buried artefacts, walls, or graves – they bounce back to a receiver.
Jones described the GPR as “a non-invasive peek into the past”.
It is mainly used to save time, reduces costs, and preserve dig sites.
Initial scans of the site showed rectangular shapes were sat around 22ft down within the boat-shaped formation.
Another American geophysicist re-examined the data and claimed to find a long hallway which opened up into a large central space.
This has led researchers to believe there are still open cavities inside the formation which Noah’s Ark Scans hope to soon drill into.
Why is locating Noah's Ark important?
FOR those involved in the research, the importance of the discovery is not just limited to its religious implications.
While Noah’s Ark is a key element in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, the story also speaks to larger human questions about survival, faith, and the fragility of life in the face of natural disasters.
The team’s findings, particularly the materials embedded in the formation’s soil, suggest that the area may have been submerged in a vast body of water at some point.
Could this be evidence of the Great Flood?
While the theory remains highly speculative, the notion that ancient humans witnessed and survived such a cataclysm has captivated scholars and theologians alike for centuries.
For scientists and archaeologists alike, the potential to link these scientific findings with one of history’s most famous legends is as daunting as it is crucial.
The story is also a key part of the Abrahamic religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and is often interpreted as a message of faith, obedience, and God’s promise to never destroy the Earth with a flood again.
According to the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 to 9, God decided to flood the Earth because of humanity’s widespread wickedness.
But he chose to spare Noah because of his righteousness and tasked him with building a large ark to save himself, his family, and a pair of every animal.
The team are looking to create a gap and use a camera to see inside without damaging the site.
Jones said: “We also plan to take core samples from across the formation, which should help us confirm whether the right angles and geometric patterns we see on the GPR scans are man-made structures or just natural formations.
“So far, our results support our theories.
“The soil tests suggest this formation isn’t simply part of the surrounding mud flow – it’s a distinct object.”
It comes as startling new archaeological evidence could finally solve another religious mystery.
New clues ate emerging from the dust of one of the world’s most historic sites which could finally settle a long-standing debate over the death of Jesus and where he was buried.
Noah's ark scanThe team have found a number of elements which they believe links the Turkish structure to Noah’s Ark[/caption]
Noah's Ark ScansThe site which was first found by a Kurdish farmer in 1948[/caption]
GettyA rendering of what Noah’s Ark could have looked like[/caption]
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gyokeres ‘available at cut price’, Williams linked with summer move, Isak development
ARSENAL are looking ahead to what is expected to be a HUGE summer transfer window.
A new striker is at the very top of the transfer wishlist, with some huge names linked with a move to North London.
Sporting would reportedly be willing to lower their £85million asking price for superstar striker Viktor Gyokeres to around £59m.
Elsewhere, new sporting director Andrea Berta met with Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams’ agent earlier this week to discuss a summer move.
In other news, the Gunners are no longer interested in Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, who is set to be offered a new deal at St James’ Park, according to reports.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Mandurah fatal: Friends pay tribute to 17yo boy killed after his motorcycle collided with another motorbike
Grieving mates of a teenage crash victim have paid tribute to their friend who was considered a ‘big brother’ to many, leaving flowers at the site where the 17-year-old was killed on Saturday.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Rory Lobb: Western Bulldog again hears boos from Fremantle Dockers fans in return to WA with bold hairstyle
Two-and-a-half years on from his Fremantle exit, Rory Lobb can still attract boos from Dockers fans like no other - and on Sunday, he made it particularly easy for supporters to spot him.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on Peter Dutton’s first week on election campaign skipped hard questions and the public
The main headline from the first week of Peter Dutton’s campaign for the May 3 election came from a misguided kick of the Sherrin in Darwin, not policy.
