2021 has undoubtedly been the year of staycations.
But if you're looking for something a little different though, you can't get much better than this world-first hotel.
While ever-changing travel restrictions over the past 18 months have meant that many UK holidaymakers have chosen to stay in country cottages, seaside huts, wooden chalets, or even glamping yurts to escape from reality, others are looking for a more unique experience.
Luckily, flower brand Interflora - in partnership with luxury holiday hideaway business Kip & Nook - has just launched a brand new sunflower hotel, which gives guests the chance to stay in a room that's decorated with bright yellow summer blooms in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside.
With a sunflower-themed interior and more than 1,000 striking sunflower heads covering the cabin from top to bottom, this is the ultimate relaxing getaway for Brits looking for an unusual stay.
More than 1,000 striking sunflower heads cover the North Yorkshire cabin hotel from top to bottom / Credit: Interflora UK & Ireland
Inside the cabin, the open plan living space boasts a log burning hot tub, a fully-fitted kitchen, a cosy lounge area, and a large bedroom complete with a king-size bed that's perfectly positioned for late-night star gazing, followed by a relaxing waterfall shower in the morning.
And tranquility is guaranteed here too, as not only are there the endless fields of the Yorkshire countryside all around, but there's also no phone signal either.
Plus, as a part of the experience, guests will get to spend an hour and a half with one of Interflora’s artisan florists - creating their very own floral design to take home with them at the end of their stay.
Fancy staying at the Sunflower Hotel then? Well, there is a catch - you'll have to win it.
Announcing the competition prize for two lucky people over on Instagram, Interflora UK & Ireland said: "2021 is the year of the staycation, and we’re offering one lucky pair the chance to spend a weekend immersed in Britain’s beautiful countryside at the world’s first sunflower-themed hotel.
"You’ll also get a one on one flower workshop with one of our lovely artisan florists."
To enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning a staycation experience like no other, all you'll need to do is head on over to Interflora's Instagram or Facebook, like the post and tag the person you’d like to get away with.
The competition ends just before midnight on 23 August, so you've still got plenty of time to get your entries in.
Featured Image - Interflora UK & Ireland
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1,500 miles of roadworks lifted to help ease traffic this bank holiday weekend
1,500 miles of roadworks have now been lifted across the UK.
With half term well underway already, and now millions of drivers set to hit the road over the next five days as Easter bank holiday weekend arrives, giving Brits two extra days off, National Highways has now confirmed that, as of today (Thursday 2 April), around 1,500 miles of roadworks have been lifted nationwide.
Roads are expected to be ‘especially’ busy tomorrow in particular (Good Friday), National Highways predicts, as this is the day people are most likely to head on a spring getaway.
So, in a bid to help ease congestion for drivers up and down the motorways, roadworks have been removed up until Bank Holiday Monday (6 April).
“By keeping 98% of routes clear, we’re supporting the wider economy where it matters most to tourism, freight, and local businesses,” National Highways said in a statement.
1,500 miles of roadworks have been lifted to help ease congestion for drivers this bank holiday weekend / Credit: pxfuel
The decision to lift the roadworks comes as a new national survey revealed a total of 71,254 breakdowns were recorded in spring (March–May) last year, compared with 56,702 in 2022.
It also showed that more than one in two (53%) UK drivers have broken down on a motorway or major A-road in their lifetime, highlighting how common the experience is for both drivers and passengers, and why it’s important to take relevant safety precautions from all sides.
29% of drivers think their breakdown could have been prevented with simple vehicle safety checks, but 17% admit to rarely or never conducting these.
National Highways echoes the statement that most of these incidents could be avoided through ‘quick and basic’ checks, and is urging drivers heading away this bank holiday weekend to familiarise themselves with how to do these before hitting the roads, so they can reach their destinations safely, saving costs and reducing delays for all road users in the process.
“Millions of people will be hitting the roads over Easter, and we want everyone to have a safe and smooth journey,” commented Colin Stevenson, who is the Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways.
“A few simple checks can help to prevent many of the breakdowns we see each year and help drivers avoid unexpected delays, cost and stress.
“Our teams work around the clock to keep motorways and major A-roads moving and these small steps from drivers can make a big difference.”
Millions of UK workers to receive pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Emily Sergeant -
17th August 2021 
