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SKY HIGH

British Airways i360 (britishairwaysi360.com), in Brighton, the world’s tallest moving observation tower, right, opens on Thursday. The gleaming, metallic seafront icon takes visitors gliding up to 450ft in a circular glass pod for views over the coast and the sweep of the South Downs. ‘Flights’ are 20 minutes by day, 30 minutes after 6pm, when the pod transforms into the Nyetimber Sky Bar serving sparkling wine from the local vineyard along with other Sussex specialities. The Belle Vue restaurant at the base, opening shortly, will serve ingredients reared, grown, caught and brewed within the 26-mile area visible from the top. Tickets from £13.50 for adults, £6.75 age 4-16.

COUNTRY AIR

Stoke Park (01753 717171/ stokepark.com), the Buckinghamshire country club, spa and hotel, has opened its new Spa Gardens. A hot tub, Scandinavian sauna, day beds, double loungers and a Manu Nest chair, left, hanging from a yew tree, overlook 300 acres of parkland, lakes and historic gardens. The Spa Atrium, from where guests can appreciate the great outdoors, has also been refurbished.

FAMILY ROOMS

Just like policemen, hotel inspectors are getting younger. Premier Inn entrusted seven children aged five to nine with testing its family offering. Premier Inn London Bank (Tower), near the Tower of London, TripAdvisor’s top UK family hotel, was scrutinised by magnifying glass-wielding youngsters for everything from breakfast to bed bounciness. See their verdict at premierinn. com/juniorhotelinspectors

MAKE A SPLASH

Time’s running out to enter Swim Serpentine, the two-day event from the people behind the London Marathon. At the lake in London’s Hyde Park on September 24-25, 6,000 people will get to swim one mile. Most places are taken, with 1,500 late spots to be filled by August 25, first-come, first-served. Entry £34 (£29 for Amateur Swimming Association members). swimserpentine.co.uk

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