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From Seaside to Studio: Is the UK Entering a New Golden Age of Holidays?

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Nintendo Switch 2: A Bold New Era for UK Gamers

Paul Francis
Apr 7
3 min read

The wait is over—Nintendo has finally unveiled the Switch 2, and it’s not just a refresh. It’s a reinvention. Set to launch in the UK on June 5, 2025, the Switch 2 is Nintendo’s answer to next-gen hybrid gaming. It promises faster load times, a sleeker experience, and a catalogue of games that blend nostalgia with cutting-edge innovation.

Nintendo Switch OLED Mario Kart bundle packaging on a red background, featuring Joy-Con controllers and game graphics.

With a competitive lineup and some major surprises, this could be the most exciting console launch in recent memory.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing and Packages: A Premium Experience

The base Nintendo Switch 2 will retail at £395.99, with a bundle option that includes Mario Kart World coming in at £429.99. Yes, it’s a step up in price, but it reflects the significantly upgraded hardware and software experience.

Game pricing follows suit:

Mario Kart World: £66.99 (digital) / £74.99 (physical)
Donkey Kong Bananza: £58.99 (digital) / £66.99 (physical)

Nintendo fans may feel the pinch, but the value on offer is hard to ignore.

Hardware Highlights: What’s New Under the Hood?

The Nintendo Switch 2 introduces a range of impressive enhancements:

Joy-Con 2 controllers: Magnetic, drift-free, with mouse-like precision for enhanced aiming.
Upgraded visuals: Supports 4K resolution when docked, with HDR and high frame rates (up to 120fps in Performance Mode).
Larger, sharper display: Improved for handheld play, ideal for gaming on the go.
Revamped kickstand: Wider and more stable for tabletop sessions.
Backward compatibility: Most Nintendo Switch games are supported, although some may require additional accessories.

This is not just a visual upgrade—it’s a performance leap.

Close-up of a red gaming controller with black buttons labeled A, B, X, and Y. The background is blurred beige.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Titles: A Lineup Worth Celebrating

Nintendo’s launch catalogue is stacked with both first-party heavy-hitters and unexpected third-party additions. Titles confirmed for release include:

Mario Kart World
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Donkey Kong Bananza
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Remaster
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Doom: The Dark Ages
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
Diablo 4

Yes, you read that right—Halo is making its Nintendo debut. The cross-platform era is here.

Spotlight: Mario Kart World

This isn’t just another lap around Rainbow Road. Mario Kart World takes the franchise into open-world territory, with large interconnected maps, real-time weather, and 24-player multiplayer.

A standout new mode, Knockout Tour, adds a battle royale twist—eliminating racers at checkpoints until only four remain. With over 40 playable characters (including unlockable variations), customisable karts, and split-screen support, it’s the biggest evolution in Mario Kart history.

Spotlight: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond sees Samus Aran return to the spotlight, exploring the mysterious world of Viewros. Nintendo is delivering two graphic settings—4K at 60fps or 1080p at 120fps—and with the Joy-Con 2’s precision aiming, combat and scanning feel more immersive than ever.

This is also a cross-gen release, so players still on the original Switch won’t be left behind, although the Switch 2 version will showcase the full potential of the upgraded hardware.

The Countdown Begins

The Nintendo Switch 2 will officially hit UK shelves on June 5, 2025. Retailers like Currys, Game, and ShopTo are already inviting users to register their interest, with pre-orders expected to go live any day now.

With a powerful new console, beloved franchises boldly reimagined, and a serious expansion of third-party partnerships, Nintendo is making a confident play for the future of hybrid gaming.

Ready to switch things up? This might just be the console that defines the next generation.

From Seaside to Studio: Is the UK Entering a New Golden Age of Holidays?

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17 April 2025

Paul Francis

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With Universal Studios bringing blockbuster magic to Bedfordshire, Britain’s holiday landscape may be on the brink of a transformation. But what does this mean for our beloved seaside resorts - and what’s next for the Great British getaway?

Blackpool Tower silhouette against an orange sunset over the sea, with a pier and Ferris wheel in the background, creating a serene, warm mood.

A Hollywood Blockbuster Comes to Bedfordshire

There’s a palpable buzz in the air. Universal Studios - famed for its cinematic experiences in Florida, Hollywood, and Japan - is set to open its first-ever theme park in the UK. Landing in Bedfordshire, just an hour north of London, the project will be a game-changer not just for thrill-seekers, but for Britain’s entire domestic tourism economy.

Scheduled to open in 2031, the £multi-billion development promises immersive worlds based on James Bond, Paddington Bear, and possibly Middle-earth itself. While Harry Potter is off the table due to Warner Bros. exclusivity in nearby Leavesden, the resort will feature state-of-the-art attractions, a 500-room hotel, retail and dining districts, and a dedicated train station to ease the expected footfall.

With over 476 acres of space, it’s poised to become the largest theme park in Europe, creating more than 28,000 jobs and injecting an estimated £50 billion into the UK economy by 2055.

This isn’t just another amusement park - it’s the start of a shift in the UK’s holiday culture.

The Staycation Renaissance: A Market in Motion

Brits have always had a love-hate relationship with the staycation. But recent years, fuelled by climate anxiety, Brexit, the pandemic hangover, and now the cost-of-living crisis, have rekindled a nostalgic affection for home-grown holidays. According to ABTA, more than half of UK holidaymakers are opting for domestic trips, citing environmental concerns, affordability, and convenience.

In fact, UK holidaymakers are booking earlier than ever, with a 76% rise in early bookings for 2024. “Slowcations” are also booming - longer, more mindful breaks in places like Cornwall, Norfolk, and the Lake District. Many are even bypassing the peak summer rush and heading away in spring and autumn to find better value and quieter shores.

Seaside Resorts: Old Charm, New Challenges

As Universal’s cranes prepare to rise in Bedfordshire, the UK’s traditional holiday resorts face a fork in the road.

Brighton & Hove continues to thrive, topping Airbnb’s 2024 list for the most desirable UK staycation destinations. It’s a city that has mastered the art of reinvention - equal parts bohemian, beachy, and boutique.

Blackpool, despite years of economic struggle, still pulls in over 20 million annual visitors and contributes £1.7 billion to the local economy. With its piers, tower, and unapologetically retro charm, it holds a special place in the national psyche.

Yet not all resorts are riding the wave. Torquay, once the "Queen of the English Riviera", has struggled with declining footfall, tired infrastructure, and a high number of empty retail units. Others like Rhyl, Skegness, and Morecambe are engaged in long-term regeneration battles, hoping to reawaken their mid-century glory days.

A Tale of Two Futures?

The arrival of Universal Studios may signal a shift from nostalgia-fuelled, heritage-led tourism to blockbuster-based holidaymaking. But does this mean our seaside towns will fade into obscurity?

Not necessarily.

Instead, the smart money may lie in blending nostalgia with innovation. Towns that embrace sustainable tourism, cultural rejuvenation, and experiential travel are finding a new audience. Folkestone, for instance, is enjoying a quiet renaissance thanks to investment in its creative arts scene and the restoration of its grand hotels.

Meanwhile, holidaymakers are increasingly mixing experiences - choosing a week in the countryside or coast followed by a short break at a theme park or city destination. The UK may be small, but it’s never been more varied in what it offers.

What It All Means for the Great British Holiday

The launch of Universal Studios in the UK isn’t a threat to our seaside heritage - it’s a catalyst. This is a reminder that domestic holidays can be aspirational, high-quality, and world-class.

But if Britain is entering a new golden age of holidays, it must be inclusive. That means investment not only in blockbuster destinations like Bedfordshire, but in places like Scarborough, Margate, and Weston-super-Mare. It means creating transport links that connect cities to coasts and supporting independent businesses that give these towns their soul.

Universal may bring the stars - but the heart of the Great British Holiday still beats by the sea.

Sidebar: Top 5 UK Staycation Trends to Watch

Theme Park Tourism – Expect a boom in travel tied to Universal Studios, Legoland, and Warner Bros Studio Tour.
Slowcations & Wellness – Mindful travel to peaceful destinations like the Lake District or Norfolk Broads.
Heritage Seaside Revival – Towns investing in regeneration, arts, and culture to attract new demographics.
Eco-Conscious Travel – Low-carbon holidays, rail-based travel, and locally sourced stays.
Activity Holidays – Sportcations, paddleboarding weekends, and cycling-friendly routes are on the rise.