european auto film tour

European Outdoor Film Tour

This year, unfortunately, the EOFT is not touring this country. We are open for cooperations, please contact us via the following form.

Wanna be part of the show?

Host a Show

Make the eoft your own event.

Become a tour host and bring our carefully selected program of the best outdoor and adventure sports films to your own crowd.

Outdoor Cinema

Streaming eoft.

Submit your film

For the next eoft, more information about eoft.

About the EOFT

All programmes

21 years of EOFT

Follow the adventure.

Subscribe now to our newsletter and receive news about the EOFT and other films events from Moving Adventures Medien!

Cookies on EOFT

Yes, we also use cookies. If you continue to use this website, you agree to our privacy policy . You can revoke your selection at any time.

We would like to offer you a good experience on our website, which is why we also use website cookies from some third-party providers to analyze the page traffic.

This is real.

What is the european outdoor film tour.

The European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT) is the largest outdoor film festival in Europe and has been touring numerous European countries every fall/winter since 2001 with the best outdoor and adventure films of the year.

With its two-hour program, the EOFT takes viewers on a journey alongside protagonists who are pushing their limits in mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, skiing, snowboarding, and much more. Only the most daring ideas and adventurous expeditions—with world-class sporting action attempted by fascinating characters—make it into the film selection, thereby guaranteeing unrivaled adventure entertainment year after year.

The European Outdoor Film Tour was founded in 2001 by the Munich-based event agency Moving Adventures Medien.

Go to Moving Adventures Medien website

Over 21 years of EOFT

Follow the adventure..

Subscribe now to our newsletter and receive news about European Outdoor Film Tour and other outdoor-events:

Cookies on EOFT

Yes, we also use cookies. If you continue to use this website, you agree to our privacy policy . You can revoke your selection at any time.

We would like to offer you a good experience on our website, which is why we also use website cookies from some third-party providers to analyze the page traffic.

EOFT 19/20: Best of

LE MINIMALISTE

Eliott Schonfeld crosses the Himalayas from west to east with his horse, Robert. While the icy passages become a serious challenge for his four-legged friend, the minimalist adventurer himself suffers through some bitterly cold nights and thinks that perhaps he may have skimped too much on his equipment after all.

RETURN TO EARTH

Living in the moment typically isn't part of a conversation about mountain biking, but these two-wheeled machines can help us get back to a simpler life. In RETURN TO EARTH, the mountain bikers transport viewers to a feeling of flow and illustrate the many ways riding a bike can immerse you in the present moment.

FREEDOM TO ROAM

Sarah McNair-Landry is the winner of the first 21st Century Adventurer Award. Her homeland, Baffin Island, shaped her early life and made her the polar expert she is today. She was the youngest person ever to reach both polar ice caps on her own and has already completed five successful Greenland crossings.

Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison dream of skiing the 8531-meter-high Lhotse. The Lhotse Couloir is an absolute dream line, but because the snow and weather conditions don't allow the Americans much time, they must set out to fulfil their dream at high speed and with minimal equipment.

THE LONGEST HOLE

Adam Rolston and Ron Rutland set out to hit a golf ball across the Mongolian plains. What sounds like a modern version of Sisyphus proves to be a real test for the two men, who could hardly be more different. But then they are joined by a stray dog – could he be the missing link between them?

The exclusive selection consists of 5 films varying from 10 to 25 minutes length. The program is shown in the films’ original languages.

Duration total: 120 mins

Subtitles available in German, English, Dutch, Italian and Slovenian

Suitable without age restrictions (acc. to FSK)

Our Partners

MOORE EOFT FILMS

Eoft 2022: best of.

Eight films: new adventures, powerful stories and extraordinary heros and heroines.

In EOFT 2022 you can accompany ultrarunner Timothy "The Mirage" Olson on his record-breaking run on the Pacific Crest Trail, in "Helix" you can have your head turned by speedflyer Carl Weiseth and in "Elevated" you can learn from climber Sonya Wilson that climbing is more accessible than you think. And some more...

EOFT 2021: Best of

In seven films, the EOFT 21 program takes you to hidden worlds, offers a glimpse into the cinematic future of outdoor sports, and introduces you to athletes who have dedicated their lives entirely to the spirit of discovery. Whether deep in the jungle, at icy heights, or en route around the world, our heroines and heroes represent how much inspiration is out there in the world and inside each of us!

Cookies on outdoor-cinema.net

Yes, we also use cookies. If you continue to use this website, you agree to our privacy policy . You can revoke your selection at any time.

We would like to offer you a good experience on our website, which is why we also use website cookies from some third-party providers to analyze the page traffic.

European Outdoor Film Tour

The best outdoor and adventure films of the year.

Highlights & audience feedback

New tour this fall

Adventure Buddies quiz

How well do Michi and Lukas know each other?

Sophie Planque

3 questions for Sophie

EOFT TALK: The Nine Wheels

Interview with director Santiago

Early Bird Tickets EOFT 2024

Next events, please enable javascript to use the date search., our programme delighted hundreds of thousands.

A two-hour adventure journey across the globe. Six films show six unique paths through the world and life - in line with our motto for this year's programme: " Find your line ".

"Stories that touch the heart"

"incredible shots", "a big stage for even bigger dreams", follow the adventure..

Subscribe now to our newsletter and receive news about the EOFT and other films events from Moving Adventures Medien!

DEFENDER & EOFT proudly present

21st century adventurer award.

Simone Moro

Nasim Eshqi

Boris Herrmann

Outdoor Cinema

Streaming eoft, browse & discover.

United by Summits

Call for Entries

EOFT Trail Team

Be part of the EOFT!

Since 1948 until now

75 years of Defender

The face of EOFT 2023

Sophie Planque | Film The Great Traverse

DEFENDER & EOFT present

Winner 2023 | 21st Century Adventurer

About the EOFT

All programmes

21 years of EOFT

Learn more about our partners

Adidas terrex.

Adventure is calling!

Endless discovery.

Wikinger Reisen

Urlaub, der bewegt.

Cookies on EOFT

Yes, we also use cookies. If you continue to use this website, you agree to our privacy policy . You can revoke your selection at any time.

We would like to offer you a good experience on our website, which is why we also use website cookies from some third-party providers to analyze the page traffic.

Navigate to myswitzerland.com

Destinations

Your swiss holiday time.

Holiday destinations

• Summer holiday destinations
• Winter sports & ski resorts
• Family destinations

Attractions

• Top attractions
• UNESCO World Heritage sites / biospheres
• Travel by train, bus or boat
• Top museums
• Swiss Parks
• Scenic nature

Experiences

Additional content about subnavigation experiences.

• Family excursions
• Food & Wine
• Group excursions
• Guided tours

Summer & Autumn

• Bicycle & Mountain bike
• Adventure & Sports Summer
• Zoo & animal experiences
• Ski and snowboard
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoe and winter hiking
• Tobogganing
• Winter excursions
• Christmas in Switzerland

Cities & culture

• Parks, Gardens and Squares
• Architecture

Experience Tour

• Car, motorcycle - Grand Tour
• Train, bus, boat – Grand Train Tour
• Mountain excursions

Accommodation

• Typically Swiss Hotels
• Wellness & Spa
• Family Hotels
• Bike Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Inspiring Meeting Hotels
• Swiss Historic Hotels
• Luxury hotels
• Winter sports hotels

Other types of accommodation

• On the farm
• Bed and Breakfast
• Mountains huts
• Group accommodation

Transport & Stay

• Travel to Switzerland
• Barrier-free travel
• Tickets public transport
• Service & support
• Money and shopping

About Switzerland

• General facts
• Custom and tradition
• History of Switzerland
• The Swiss Art and Culture Scene
• Health Travel
• Sustainability

Weather & Climate

• Climate in Switzerland
• Snow Report
• Water and pool temperatures
• City offers
• Touring offers
• Wellness offers
• Nature and outdoor offers
• Offers for families

Where are you from?

• België (Nederlands)
• Belgique (Français)
• Deutschland
• Netherlands
• Russia (Россия)
• Schweiz (Deutsch)
• Suisse (Français)
• Svizzera (Italiano)
• Switzerland (English)
• United Kingdom
• Canada (English)
• Canada (Français)
• China 中文简体
• China 中文繁体
• Gulf countries العربية
• Japan 日本
• Korea 한국어
• United Arab Emirates
• New Zealand
• International

Language, region and important links

• Slovenština

Service Navigation

• Help & Contact

European Outdoor Film Tour 2023

Hotel Terrace Terracestrasse 33 6390 Engelberg Phone  +41 (0)41 639 66 00 terrace.ch

The European Outdoor Film Tour is coming to Engelberg again this year! Tickets can be purchased directly in Engelberg at the box office, or online: Arena Sport Dorfstrasse 39 6390 Engelberg

The European Outdoor Film Tour is coming to Engelberg again this year!

Tickets can be purchased directly in Engelberg at the box office, or online:

Arena Sport

Dorfstrasse 39

6390 Engelberg

+41 41 620 55 77

www.arenasport.ch

Klicke hier für den Online Shop

The European Outdoor Film Tour will take place at Hotel Terrace:

Belle Epoque Room - Hotel Terrace

Terrace Street 33

Switzerland

For further information please click here.

* Committed

Event information

Discover the surroundings.

Hotel Terrace Terracestrasse 33 6390  Engelberg Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)41 639 66 00 Fax +41 (0)41 639 66 99 [email protected] terrace.ch

Advertisement

Current offers, jugendstil-hotel paxmontana, flüeli-ranft creative work in a mighty setting.

Without overnight stay valid: 25.04.2024 - 30.04.2024

Discover Engelberg

European Outdoor Film Tour

The best outdoor and adventure films of the year.

Highlights & audience feedback

Adventure Buddies quiz

How well do Michi and Lukas know each other?

Sophie Planque

3 questions for Sophie

EOFT TALK: The Nine Wheels

Interview with director Santiago

Tickets EOFT

Next events, please enable javascript to use the date search., our programme delighted hundreds of thousands.

A two-hour adventure journey across the globe. Six films show six unique paths through the world and life - in line with our motto for this year's programme: " Find your line ".

"Stories that touch the heart"

"incredible shots", "a big stage for even bigger dreams", follow the adventure..

Subscribe now to our newsletter and receive news about the EOFT and other films events from Moving Adventures Medien!

DEFENDER & EOFT proudly present

21st century adventurer award.

Simone Moro

Nasim Eshqi

Boris Herrmann

Outdoor Cinema

Streaming eoft, browse & discover.

United by Summits

Call for Entries

EOFT Trail Team

Be part of the EOFT!

Since 1948 until now

75 years of Defender

The face of EOFT 2023

Sophie Planque | Film The Great Traverse

DEFENDER & EOFT present

Winner 2023 | 21st Century Adventurer

About the EOFT

All programmes

21 years of EOFT

Learn more about our partners

Adidas terrex.

Adventure is calling!

Endless discovery.

Wikinger Reisen

Urlaub, der bewegt.

Cookies on EOFT

Yes, we also use cookies. If you continue to use this website, you agree to our privacy policy . You can revoke your selection at any time.

We would like to offer you a good experience on our website, which is why we also use website cookies from some third-party providers to analyze the page traffic.

• Hip Hop Snacks
• Temple of Metal
• DO YOU CLUB?
• Gift Voucher

Sun 23 Oct 2022 - 19:30

EUROPEAN OUTDOOR FILM TOUR 2022

Practical info.

You may also like

The Centre de Musique Amplifiées is under the patronage of and operates with the financial support of

Rockhal is member of

Rockhal is proud to partner with.

• Did You Know? Archive
• Beyond Basel
• Sports & Recreation
• Life in Basel
• Culture & Traditions
• Advertising
• Partnerships
• Sponsors & Donations

European Outdoor Film Tour 2023

The European Outdoor Film Tour presents a selection of the best and most extraordinary outdoor and adventure films. This year’s program, which will be shown at the Volkshaus Basel, consists of six short films and documentaries (in English) entitled “Find Your Line.” This year’s films are: • “The Great Traverse,” where Sophie Planque and Jérémy Vaugeois cycle from Alaska to Patagonia; • ”Triple Edge,” which records how two mountain guides and alpinists aim to make the first ascent of the three ridges of the Salbitschijen in winter, a lofty adventure at an altitude of almost 3000 meters; • “972 Breakdowns,” illustrating how five friends aim to motorcycle overland from Germany to New York; • “The Nine Wheels,” showing how a mountain biking family overcomes obstacles; • “Summits in the Sky,” a film on paragliders who explore the airspace between the mighty eight- and seven-thousand-meter peaks, where oxygen is scarce and paragliding altitude records are made; • “Shifting,” which follows Swiss snowboarder Camille Armand as he rides powder in Norway's Lyngen Alps, with a riding style that is big-screen worthy. You can go to their website to view a trailer of the short films of the EOFT 2023 program. Tickets are CHF 27 for adults and CHF 23 for kids and students.

Website ch.eoft.eu/en/programme/2023

Where Volkshaus Basel Rebgasse 12-14 4058 Basel

Map Google maps

Advertisement

• TripAdvisor

• Testimonials
• Travel Tips

Moscow Metro

About Me in Short

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

See you in Moscow!

• View full size
• Owner: Moscow Guide & Driver
• Date: June 3, 2012 06:12:00 am EDT
• File name: ALP-2012-0603-146-Entering-Moscow-Metro-Station-Komsomolskaya.jpg
• Tags: Russia , Moscow Metro , Komsomolskaya , Moscow Highlights , escalators , Moscow Famous Landmarks , underground palace , Moscow

GPS Location of the Photo

Google maps.

• GPS Map of this album
• GPS Map of Moscow Guide & Driver's pictures

Random image

Illuminated Gates of Gorky Park & Christmas Trees in Winter Morning

Early morning view of illuminated new year decorations at the main entrance into the Gorky Park, the light installations on the gates and Christmas trees, during winter holidays. Gorky Park Gates was built in 1955 by the project of architects G. Shuko and A Spasov.

Featured Tags

• 273 photos are tagged with architecture
• 199 photos are tagged with cathedrals
• 305 photos are tagged with churches
• 294 photos are tagged with Dear Clients
• 260 photos are tagged with lights
• 1875 photos are tagged with Moscow
• 306 photos are tagged with Moscow by Night
• 194 photos are tagged with Moscow cityscapes
• 264 photos are tagged with Moscow Kremlin
• 326 photos are tagged with night moscow
• 426 photos are tagged with Orthodox Churches
• 226 photos are tagged with Red Square
• 2538 photos are tagged with Russia
• 209 photos are tagged with twilights
• 350 photos are tagged with Winter

Take one of these exciting tours:

• Moscow Highlights
• Discovering the Golden Ring of Russia
• Arts & Culture Tours
• Moscow by Night tour

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

• Discount Codes

Taylor Swift shares ‘Eras Tour’ rehearsals video – could ‘Tortured Poets’ be added to the setlist?

"A fortnight til Paris"

Taylor Swift has shared a video from rehearsals for the ‘Eras Tour’ , with fans speculating that her new album could be added to the setlist. Watch below.

• READ MORE:  Taylor Swift – ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ review: a rare misstep

The pop star is due to begin the European and UK/Ireland leg of her huge career-spanning tour in Paris on May 9. Since wrapping up the previous run of shows in early March, Swift has released her 11th studio record ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ .

So far, the singer has largely stuck to the same 45-track set – separated into her many eras and albums, and including an acoustic ‘surprise songs’ segment .

Swift has now posted some behind-the-scenes footage of herself in rehearsals for her next ‘Eras Tour’ leg, captioning it: “A fortnight til Paris”. The clip is soundtracked by ‘Fortnight’ , her collaborative single with Post Malone .

This has fuelled ongoing rumours that a setlist change could be in the works to incorporate the current ‘Tortured Poets’ era.

“TTPD in the setlist??? I have never been more happy that the Canadian dates were added to the tour late,” wrote one fan on Reddit in response to the video. Another said: “I just KNEW there was no way she wouldn’t add TPD to the setlist!!”

Recommended

Another Swiftie said they were “so surprised” that the singer appeared to be adding her new songs: “I don’t know why, she loves to do exciting unexpected stuff like this. I just figured it would be too difficult to add it in this far into the tour.”

Others have expressed their concerns over which tracks could potentially be cut.

“I think the songs she cut from the ‘Eras Tour’ movie are what she’s going to cut to put TTPD in,” a Swiftie theorised. “So ‘Cardigan’, ‘The Archer’, ‘Wildest Dreams’…”

Someone else wrote: “Do we think she’ll remove anything to make room for it? It’s already suuuch a long show, surely a whole new set would add 10-15 extra minutes minimum.”

You can watch the video above.

This summer will see Swift bring her massive ‘Eras Tour’ to Wembley Stadium in London, where she’ll play eight sold-out concerts  with  Paramore .

In a new interview, Florence Welch – who features on the ‘Tortured Poets’ song ‘Florida!!!’ – hinted that she could make a surprise appearance on stage in the capital.

• READ MORE: Taylor Swift: every single album ranked and rated

It is widely believed that The 1975 frontman Matty Healy is the subject of several songs on Swift’s new album, namely its title track and ‘The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived’ among others.

In a three-star review of ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ , NME wrote: “Swift seems to be in tireless pursuit for superstardom, yet the negative public opinion it can come with irks her, and it’s a tired theme now plaguing her discography and leaving little room for the poignant lyrical observations she excels at.

“It’s why the pitfalls that mire her 11th studio album are all the more disappointing — she’s proven time and time again she can do better.”

Shortly after the album’s release, Swift surprise-dropped an extended ‘Anthology’ edition of the record .

• Related Topics
• Taylor Swift

You May Also Like

Good neighbours live in london: tiktok stars spin obvious influences into heartfelt anthems, the party never sleeps: fat dog unleashed in america, st. vincent – ‘all born screaming’ review: life, death and dave grohl on drums, ‘sand land’ review: a charming adaptation of akira toriyama’s legendary manga, pet shop boys: “this is our queer album”, more stories, normani’s debut album finally has a release date, hybe hits back at ador ceo min hee-jin: “there is so much that is far from the truth”, bibi and jackson wang drop sultry music video for ‘feeling lucky’, eminem announces new album, ‘the death of slim shady (coup de grâce)’, watch slipknot perform first gig with new drummer.

Moscow Metro Tour

• Page active

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

Money latest: The 'German classic' that's a healthier and cheaper alternative to crisps

Crisps are on the menu as we see where you can make healthier choices for the best value. Elsewhere, the boss of Sainsbury's has insisted customers like self-checkouts - do you agree? Leave your thoughts in the box below.

Friday 26 April 2024 19:45, UK

• New research reveals cost of having children
• Sainsbury's boss insists customers like self-checkouts
• FTSE 100 hits another record high
• Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards

Essential reads

• Do smart meters actually save you money?
• How to buy the least unhealthy crisps
• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?
• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
• Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
• Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

Ask a question or make a comment

The family home where Captain Sir Tom Moore walked 100 laps to raise nearly £40m for the NHS during the first COVID lockdown is up for sale for £2.25m.

The Grade II-listed Old Rectory is described as a "magnificent seven-bedroom property" by estate agents Fine & Country.

In a video tour of the house, a sculpture of Captain Tom with his walking frame can be seen in the hallway, while a photo of the fundraising hero being knighted by the Queen is on a wall in the separate coach house building.

Introducing the property, an estate agent says in the tour video: "I'm sure you'll recognise this iconic and very famous driveway behind me as it was home to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore who walked 100 laps of his garden, raising over £37m for NHS charities."

It comes less than three months after the demolition of an unauthorised spa pool block in the grounds of the property in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Speaking at an appeal hearing over that spa, Scott Stemp, representing Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, said the foundation named after the fundraising hero "is to be closed down" following a Charity Commission probe launched amid concerns about its management.

For the full story, click here ...

"Status symbol" pets are being given up by owners who get scared as they grow up, an animal charity has said, with the cost of living possibly paying a part in a rise in separations.

The Exotic Pet Refuge, which homes parrots, monkeys, snakes and alligators among others, says it receives referrals across the country, including from zoos and the RSPCA.

"They're a status symbol. People will say, 'OK, I'll have an alligator or a 10ft boa constrictor'," co-owner Pam Mansfield told the BBC.

"But when the animal gets big, they will get too frightened to handle them, and then the pet has to go."

She added people who want to get rid of the pets sometimes call zoos for help, which then call on her charity.

In some cases, owners don't have licences to own dangerous animals, she says, blaming a "lack of understanding" for what she says is a rise in the number of exotic animals needing to be rehomed.

She says people "just don't have the space" for some snakes, for example, with some growing to as much as 12ft and needing their own room.

The cost of living crisis has also forced owners to give their pets away, she says.

Her charity has also been affected by those increased costs, with the electricity bill rising to £10,000 a month at their highest, to fund things like heated pools for alligators.

Private car parks are accused of "confusing drivers" after introducing a new code of conduct - despite "doing all they can" to prevent an official government version.

The code of practice launched by two industry bodies - British Parking Association and the International Parking Community - includes a ten-minute grace period for motorists to leave a car park after the parking period they paid for ends.

It also features requirements for consistent signage, a single set of rules for operators on private land and an "appeals charter".

Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

That comes after a government-backed code of conduct was withdrawn in June 2022, after a legal challenges by parking companies.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "We're flabbergasted that the BPA and the IPC have suddenly announced plans to introduce their own private parking code after doing all they can over the last five years to prevent the official government code created by an act of Parliament coming into force.

"While there are clearly some positive elements to what the private parking industry is proposing, it conveniently avoids some of the biggest issues around caps on penalty charges and debt recovery fees which badly need to be addressed to prevent drivers being taken advantage of."

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: "This is a crucial milestone as we work closely with government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists."

IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: "The single code will benefit all compliant motorists and will present clear consequences for those who decide to break the rules."

Sky News has learnt the owner of Superdry's flagship store is weighing up a legal challenge to a rescue plan launched by the struggling fashion retailer.

M&G, the London-listed asset manager, has engaged lawyers from Hogan Lovells to scrutinise the restructuring plan.

The move by M&G, which owns the fashion retailer's 32,000 square foot Oxford Street store, will not necessarily result in a formal legal challenge - but sources say it's possible.

Read City editor Mark Kleinman 's story here...

NatWest says its mortgage lending nearly halved at the start of the year as it retreated from parts of the market when competition among lenders stepped up.

New mortgage lending totalled £5.2bn in the first three months of 2024, the banking group has revealed, down from £9.9bn the previous year.

The group, which includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Coutts, also reported an operating pre-tax profit of £1.3bn for the first quarter, down 27% from £1.8bn the previous year.

An unexplained flow of British luxury cars into states neighbouring Russia continued into February, new data shows.

About £26m worth of British cars were exported to Azerbaijan, making the former Soviet country the 17th biggest destination for UK cars - bigger than long-established export markets such as Ireland, Portugal and Qatar.

Azerbaijan's ascent has coincided almost to the month with the imposition of sanctions on the export of cars to Russia.

Read the rest of economics and data editor Ed Conway 's analysis here...

Rishi Sunak has hailed the arrival of pay day with a reminder his government's additional National Insurance tax cut kicks in this month for the first time.

At last month's budget, the chancellor announced NI will be cut by a further 2p - so some workers will pay 8% of their earnings instead of the 12% if was before autumn.

The prime minister has repeated his claim this will be worth £900 for someone on the average UK salary.

While this additional cut - on top of the previous 2p cut in January - does equate to £900 for those on average full-time earnings of £35,000, there are two key issues with Mr Sunak's claim:

• Once the effect of all income tax changes since 2021 are taken into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports an average earner will benefit from a tax cut of £340 - far less than £900;
• Moreover, anyone earning less than £26,000 or between £55,000-£131,000 will ultimately be worse off.

In short, this is because NI cuts are more than offset by other tax rises.

We explain below how this is the case...

Tax thresholds

This is partly down to tax thresholds - the amount you are allowed to earn before you start paying tax (and national insurance) and before you start paying the higher rate of tax - will remain frozen. 

This means people end up paying more tax than they otherwise would, when their pay rises with inflation but the thresholds don't keep up. 

This phenomenon is known as "fiscal drag" and it's often called a stealth tax because it's not as noticeable immediately in your pay packet.

That low threshold of £12,570 has been in place since April 2021. 

The Office for Budget Responsibility says if it had increased with inflation it would be set at £15,220 for 2024/25.

If that were the case, workers could earn an extra £2,650 tax-free each year.

Less give, more take

Sky News analysis shows someone on £16,000 a year will pay £607 more in total - equivalent to more than three months of average household spending on food. 

Their income level means national insurance savings are limited but they are paying 20% in income tax on an additional £2,650 of earnings.

In its analysis , the IFS states: "In aggregate the NICs cuts just serve to give back a portion of the money that is being taken away through other income tax and NICs changes - in particular, multi-year freezes to tax thresholds at a time of high inflation."

Overall, according to the institute, for every £1 given back to workers by the National Insurance cuts, £1.30 will have been taken away due to threshold changes between 2021 and 2024.

This rises to £1.90 in 2027.

The UK could face a shortage of cava due to a drought in the sparkling wine's Spanish heartlands.

The Penedes area of Catalonia is dealing with its worst drought on record, with vineyards across the region so parched the roots of 30-year-old vines have died.

It's left shrivelled red and green grapes languishing under intense sun, fuelled by fossil-fuel driven climate change.

Cava is an increasingly popular drink in the UK, with 17.8 million bottles sold in 2023 - an increase of 5% from the previous year, when Britons stocked up on 16.8 million bottles, according to the Cava Regulatory Board.

That makes the UK the fourth-biggest buyer, behind only the US, Belgium and Germany.

Workforce slashed

The problems have been compounded after Catalonia-based cava producer Freixenet announced it will temporarily lay off 615 workers, almost 80% of its workforce.

Under Spanish law, companies facing exceptional circumstances can lay off staff or reduce working hours.

This measure is expected to take effect from May and it is not known how long it will last.

Price rises

One industry source told retail publication The Grocer  that cava shortages would push up prices "certainly for next year" if there isn't enough supply.

This could last for years if the drought persists, they added.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney told MailOnline the staff cuts at Freixenet can only mean one thing - price rises.

However, she added, supermarkets say they are not experiencing any issues right now.

Parents are being hammered by rising childcare costs, according to a new study that suggests they may spend more than £160,000 raising their child to the age of 18.

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown has found that parents with children pay £6,969 a year more than couples without.

Over 18 years and assuming an annual inflation rate of 3%, that amounts to a whopping £163,175, the investment platform said.

Its study also found that parents were less likely to have money left at the end of the month.

Single parents carry the biggest burden, with the research suggesting they have just £85 left on average compared to £365 for couples with children.

Hargreaves Lansdown also found just 23% of single parents reported having enough emergency savings to cover at least three months' worth of essential expenses, compared to 63% of couples with children.

Parents are also at a slight disadvantage when it comes to pensions, the research found, with only 43% of couples with children on track for a moderate retirement income, compared to 47% without. Only 17% of single parents have a decent projected pension fund.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the firm, said "having children is one of the most expensive decisions a person can make".

She adds that as a result of having a child, "financial resilience suffers across the board", and added: "For single parents, life is even tougher, and they face far lower resilience on almost every measure.

"It means we need all the help we can get."

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

One of the top stories shaking up the markets this morning is that UK-based mining company Anglo American has rejected a major $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover bid.

Details of the attempted buyout by Australian rival BHP emerged yesterday  - sending Anglo American shares soaring.

The deal would have created the world's biggest copper mining company - with the news coming as the price of the metal hit record highs this week.

However, Anglo American has now dismissed the proposal as "opportunistic" and said BHP had undervalued the company.

Anglo's shares are slightly down by 0.8% this morning - suggesting investors may not have given up hopes that a deal could eventually be agreed.

However, overall the FTSE 100 is up around 0.4% this morning, buoyed by strong reported earnings from US tech giants Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet.

It's helped the index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, hit yet another intraday (during the day) record of 8,136 points this morning.

The winning streak comes after a week of all-time highs on the index - including a record close of 8,078 points yesterday. The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Among the companies doing well this morning is NatWest - despite the bank reporting a fall in pre-tax profits of nearly 28% for the first quarter of the year.

Shares in the lender are up more than 3% after its results were better than expected by analysts.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, almost on a par with yesterday.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil has crept up slightly to $89 (£71).

Self-checkouts - they're like marmite, people seem to either love them or hate them.

But the boss of Sainsbury's has claimed that his customers do  enjoy using self-checkouts, despite criticism that that machines don't always provide the convenience promised.

Simon Roberts told The Telegraph that there are more of them in Sainsbury's stores "than a number of years ago" as shoppers like the "speedy checkout".

But despite this, he said there won't be a time when they'll replace cashiers completely.

"Over the last year, where we've put more self-checkouts in, we're always making sure that the traditional kind of belted checkout is there," he said.

His comments come after northern supermarket Booths ditched self-checkouts at all but two of its sites after customer feedback. 

Walmart and Costco in the US have also scaled back on the systems.

Let us know in the comments - do you love or hate self-checkouts?

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Smart meters save you money'

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Dr Steve Buckley, also known as the Energy Doctor and head of data science at Loop...

So do smart meters help you save? 

"The short answer is both yes and no," Steve says.

"Installing a smart meter by itself won't magically reduce your energy consumption. But, by giving you easy access to your energy usage data, smart meters pave the way for savings that you couldn't achieve otherwise."

Before smart meters, most households only found out how much energy they had used when the bill arrived. 

By that stage it's too late to address wasteful usage, leading to what's known as "bill shock". 

"With a smart meter, you can see your usage and costs in real-time through an in-home display or an app provided by your supplier," Steve says. 

"This immediate feedback encourages you to use less energy. If you measure it, you can control it."

In 2022, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero found that homes with smart meters used about 3.4% less electricity and 3% less gas. 

"This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a saving of over £50 per household annually," Steve says.  

If all homes in the UK made similar cuts, that would amount to savings of around £1.5bn and a potential reduction in CO2 emissions by about 2.7m tonnes each year. 

"Good for individual households but also great for the planet," Steve says. 

Smart meters are often installed at no extra cost to the consumer - it's effectively free data for households. 

Limitations

Smart meters are more or less what you make of them - a simple, free tool that allows you to see headline figures. 

However, "without detailed analysis, it's tough to identify and eliminate" where you could be wasting money, Steve says. 

Apps like Utrack, Loop and Hugo Energy can help you work out where you might be losing money by offering a more detailed breakdown if connected to your smart meter. 

Those tools are often free, but you may need to register your card details as proof of address. 

The tools give a number of useful insights, including looking at consumption in other households of similar size or monitoring where chunks of your money are going, such as to a faulty boiler or the "phantom load" (energy wasted by devices left on unnecessarily).

Myth or must?

Although smart meters alone don't reduce energy bills, they are a vital tool to help energy efficiency and cost savings. 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free