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**Here's a sneak peek at issue 28's cover stories**

**_When Emma’s mum got ill, one delay after another proved detrimental…_**

When there was  a knock at the door, my kids Amber, seven, and Oliver, four, came running down the stairs.

With my one-year-old Sophie on my hip, I opened the door.  
‘Nanny!’ shouted the kids as they barrelled up to her.  
‘Oh, wow, what a welcome,’ Mum laughed, hugging them.  
‘Hi Mum,’ I chuckled. ‘I’ll  get the dogs and we can go  for a walk.’  
As we wandered around the park, she told me all about her new job.  
She was a beauty therapist and had just landed a role at a new company.  
Mum loved bringing a smile  to people’s faces with massages and Reiki.  
A few months later, she told me she wasn’t feeling well.  
Mum was rarely ill, and even when she was, she would just get on with it.  
‘You should call your GP, Mum,’ I told her.  
‘No, no, I don’t want to waste their time,’ she replied.  
But when she wasn’t getting better, I kept pestering her to call, as did my siblings Brandon, Eleanor and Andrew.  
Eventually she relented, but it took six weeks to get an appointment.  
In the meantime, she’d started vomiting, lost weight and had diarrhoea too.  
‘It’s probably just norovirus,’ she told me. ‘It’s going round  at the moment.’  
Eventually, she went for her GP appointment.  
They’ve told me to go to A&E, she messaged me.  
There, they told her she had gastroenteritis.

I was angry that she’d been given some medications and sent away without having any scans.  
The next day, Mum was still in agony, so she went back to A&E.  
Four hours later, she was back home again.  
She’d had a blood test, but still no scans were done because the hospital insisted that she had gastroenteritis.  
She was crying in pain.  
‘She can’t eat anything because she vomits it back up,’ my stepdad told me.  
‘This isn’t right,’ I said. ‘I’m going to ask the GP to refer her for a private MRI scan.’  
Five days later, I took Mum to her appointment.  
The day after, Mum was back in A&E vomiting green liquid.  
I rushed up to the hospital, and the next day we were given the results of the MRI.  
‘There’s a 40mm blockage in her colon,’ the doctor said. ‘We need to remove it now and then we’ll send it for biopsy.’  
‘I just want the pain to go away,’ Mum said.  
Once they get this blockage out, Mum can get better, I thought.

While she was having surgery, I researched online about colon blockages. One particular word popped up, and I panicked.  
Cancer.  
But I knew I had to try to stay calm until we had some more answers.  
Mum recovered well, and before long she seemed back to normal.  
Six weeks later, I was shocked that she still hadn’t been given the biopsy results.  
Then she received  a letter from the consultant.  
‘The biopsy showed  it’s cancer,’ Mum said, matter-of-factly.  
‘Oh, God!’ I cried.  
The blockage had been a tumour, just as I’d feared.  
Although as much as possible was removed, there were still cancerous lymph nodes in Mum’s body.  
‘They’re offering me chemo  as a preventative measure,’ she said. ‘But the side effects are horrendous and there’s only a small chance of it working, so  I don’t want to do it.’  
It was hard to accept her decision, but I had to respect it.

Because Mum seemed OK,  I assumed she’d still be able to live a normal life for years to come.  
But seven months later, her symptoms were getting worse, so she went to her GP. And it wasn’t good news…  
‘The cancer has spread,’ Mum told me.  
I broke down sobbing as she explained it had spread to her bowel and one of her ovaries.  
Now, Mum felt she had to do the chemo.  
The consultant hoped it would shrink the cancer enough for them to operate.  
Frustratingly, there was a three month wait to start her treatment.  
And then, it was gut-wrenching to see how much chemotherapy changed her.  
Her hair became thinner and she lost so much weight.  
As always, Mum put a brave face on and stayed positive.  
After three rounds of chemo, her consultant asked to  speak with her.  
I went along and we were hopeful for good news.  
‘I’m afraid the chemotherapy hasn’t worked,’ he said. ‘Your only option now is palliative care.’  
I burst into  tears.  
With Mum’s permission, I asked him how long she had left.  
‘Nine to 12 months,’ he said.  
All the way  home, we were  too shocked to  say a word.  
But as was  typical of her, she soon went into action mode, and we found a pioneering treatment in Germany which would involve injecting chemotherapy directly into the tumour.

We fundraised the  £4,000 needed, and  Eleanor and Brandon  flew out with Mum.  
Each round of treatment only took a day, and after  the third one, the doctor  was hopeful.  
A week after Mum got home, my stepdad told me he’d called an ambulance  as she’d been up all night vomiting.  
At hospital, it was discovered she had sepsis.  
And the next day, my stepdad messaged me with devastating news.  
The tumour is growing and there’s nothing they can do,  it read. It’s end of life care now. She has two weeks to live.  
I couldn’t believe it and I broke down.  
But Mum was determined to  defy the prognosis.  
Two weeks  later, she was transferred to Springhill Hospice  in Rochdale. The staff there were incredible, and we took it in turns to visit Mum.  
‘I’m going to keep fighting,’ she told me. ‘I’m not going to die.’  
Some days she was her normal bubbly self, but I knew I had to come to terms with what was happening.  
I tearfully told the kids and then took them to visit her.  
‘Nanny, Mummy says you’re going to be an angel soon,’ Oliver told her.  
I went red with embarrassment but Mum just burst out laughing.  
Two weeks later, she was allowed to go home.  
I was astounded.  
She really is fighting, I thought.  
Shoving her wheelchair and Zimmer frame into my car, I drove her home.  
We stopped for a McDonald’s and had a giggle like old times.  
Later, I helped Mum up to bed before heading home.

Then at midnight, Eleanor messaged to say Mum was screaming in pain and vomiting.  
I rushed over and nurses soon followed.  
‘Mum, I’m here,’ I said, taking her hand.  
Minutes later, an ambulance arrived.  
Paramedics found her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low.  
‘If we take her to hospital she could die in transit,’ one said.  
This is it, I thought.  
We quickly got Andrew to come over, but sadly Brandon was too far away.  
With us by her bedside, Mum closed her eyes  and took her last breath aged 55.  
It felt surreal.  
The day before, she’d been her chirpy self and now she was gone.

The grief was overwhelming.  
As the weeks went on, I kept thinking back to those first two A&E visits.  
If a scan had been done then, Mum’s tumour could have been spotted much earlier.  
Maybe she’d still be here.  
It’s been four months, and I’m still angry that she was fobbed off for so long.  
That’s why I’m fighting her corner now and sharing her  story to raise awareness.  
Mum always put a brave face on things, and never gave up hope.  
She was a true warrior  and that’s how I’ll always remember her.

**_Emma Revell, 32, Greater Manchester_**

RACE against TIME: Mum’s tummy bug turned out to be cancer

**_When Tracey-Ann met her niece’s boyfriend he seemed well-mannered. But she had no idea of what he was capable of…_**

Sending my mum Dolet upstairs for a shower,  I started hatching my secret plan.

‘See you in a bit,’ I said, before scurrying into the garden.  
I gathered all the party decorations I’d hidden and brought them inside.  
‘I’m so glad we pulled this off,’ my sister Tanysha, 45, said.  
As Mum was the one who always organised family events, we decided that this time we’d throw her a surprise party for her 64th birthday.  
We quickly put up the banners, then I laid out her gifts and her favourite fruit cake I’d made.  
Her partner Denton, 58, was in on the whole thing.  
‘This looks great,’ he said, as he walked in.  
Tanysha and I were living in the family home to support Mum, while she underwent cancer treatment.  
Sometimes I’d pop home, but  I loved it when we were all under one roof.  
Suddenly we heard the shower turn off and Mum’s footsteps down the stairs.  
When she saw our handiwork, she smiled.  
‘I knew something was going on,’ she said.  
Soon, our friends and family came over, and Mum’s face lit up.  
We had a blast, laughing and dancing the night away.  
A month later, I went over to Mum’s to cook everyone dinner.  
As usual Mum, Denton and Tanysha were there, as was Tanysha’s daughter Samantha, 27, who was with a man I didn’t recognise.

‘Hi, baby,’ I said, as I gave her a hug.  
‘Auntie Tracey, this is my boyfriend,’ she replied.  
I was surprised, as no one had mentioned she’d met someone.  
‘Hi, I’m Joshua,’ he smiled.  
‘Would you like some dinner?’  I asked.  
‘Unfortunately, I have to go in a minute,’ he said.  
As I started rustling up a meal, I gave him a snack so he wouldn’t go hungry.  
‘Thank you,’ he said.  
After eating it, he said his goodbyes to everyone.  
Then I plated up dinner and Samantha told me she and Joshua had been together for  six weeks.  
‘Maybe you’ll finally have that baby we’ve been asking you for,’ I said, cheekily.  
‘Who knows, Auntie,’ she laughed.  
When it was time for her to go, I gave her a big hug.  
‘Bye, baby, I love you,’ I said.  
‘Love you too, Auntie Tracey,’ she replied.

I decided to go home and a few days later, I called Mum on my way to work as usual.  
Mum and I texted and spoke on the phone every day, and she always answered my calls.  
But on this occasion, she didn’t answer.  
That’s odd, I thought.  
I tried Tanysha and Denton, but they didn’t pick up either.  
Suddenly my phone rang. It was Tanysha’s husband.  
‘She’s not answering my calls,’ he said, worriedly.  
‘I’ll go home and check on them,’ I said.  
I got on the bus and he rang me back on the way.  
‘The police are looking for Samantha,’ he said, anxiously.  
‘Why?’ I asked.  
‘I don’t know,’ he said.  
Something’s not right, I thought.

Minutes later, my cousin  called me.  
‘Something’s happened. There’s been a stabbing in our area,’ she said.  
‘OK, don’t panic, it’s probably a neighbour,’ I said, trying not to think the worst.  
But when I got close to our family home, I saw the police barricades.  
My heart dropped.  
With all the officers on the scene, I knew something terrible must have happened to  my family.  
When I asked what was going on, I was told to wait in one of the police cars.  
‘Are they dead?’ I asked him.  
‘I’ll get an officer to take you to the station,’ he replied.  
I needed answers, so searched online and found an article about four members of one family who had been stabbed.  
It could be Mum, Tanysha, Samantha and Denton, I thought in horror.  
But the officer refused to confirm. Then at the station, they sat me down.  
‘There’s no easy way to say this. Your family who were in the house… they’re all dead,’ he said.  
I went into shock.  
Somehow, I called family members to come to the station, and they took me home.  
Later, it was confirmed that Joshua had been arrested and was in custody.  
Time went by in a blur.

Two weeks later, I had to identify their bodies.  
Seeing them broke me, but organising their funerals gave me a focus.  
I bought decorations in all their favourite colours — yellow for Mum, lilac for Samantha, and blue for Tanysha and Denton.  
Hundreds of people came to pay their respects.  
They were loved by so many,  I thought.  
Joshua was charged with four counts of murder. He denied them, and instead admitted to manslaughter on mental health grounds.

The case went to trial.  
I attended, along with some of my family.  
I looked across at Joshua, and his face was emotionless.  
It filled me with rage.  
He doesn’t care at all, I thought.  
The jury were told that Joshua had recently increased his use of cannabis. He claimed it was a contributing factor to carrying out the killings, because he wasn’t in the right mental state.  
As the jury were told details of that day, I was hearing them for the first time too.  
Neighbours had called police after hearing a commotion.  
When officers arrived, they found Denton’s body at the bottom of the stairs, while  the others were in the kitchen.  
Joshua was found lying on the floor of the upstairs bathroom naked, screaming and asking God for forgiveness.  
‘I ain’t even in the wrong, I did them for sacrifice,’ he said later in hospital.  
Then, he gave a chilling warning.  
‘I will do something stupid again,’ he’d said.  
It was believed the murders weren’t pre-meditated, but that was of no comfort to me.  
After a three-week trial, Joshua Jacques, 29, was found guilty on four counts of murder at the Old Bailey.  
He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 46 years.  
But it doesn’t feel like justice, because my life is forever changed.  
Joshua’s lawyer read out a statement on his behalf.

‘I would like to say to the family of the deceased, I am truly and sincerely sorry for all of the anguish, pain and heartache I have caused,’ he said. ‘I have discussed it with myself, and I cannot believe that  I am the cause of this monstrosity.’  
It meant nothing to me.  
After the trial, a watchdog discovered failings in the way Joshua’s case was handled.  
He’d been on probation at the time of the murders for possessing and supplying drugs.  
Just five months after he was released on licence, he killed  my family.  
The Probation Service admitted they had concerns that Joshua wasn’t complying with bail conditions, but they missed opportunities to put him back behind bars.

Joshua had even been using cannabis while on bail, and had been sectioned for mental health issues four years earlier.  
He’d admitted to bouts of aggression and was deemed a high risk to the public.  
But despite that, he was released.  
It was gut-wrenching to know that, had the right actions been taken, my family would still be alive.  
I received an apology, but my faith in the system was completely shot.  
Nothing would bring my beloved family back.  
The day before she was killed, Mum had had her last radiotherapy session.  
She was about to embark on her cancer-free life, but she never got the chance.  
I miss them all so much.  
I try not to think about how they died, but instead remember all the wonderful times we had together.

**_Tracey-Ann Henry, 49, Bermondsey, London_**

I found a SERIAL KILLER inside my HOUSE – His DISGUISE fooled me, until I saw the BODIES

**_Melanie’s vibrant daughter was just 21 when a stumble landed her in hospital, and they were plunged into a nightmare…_**

While I was making dinner and talking to my eldest daughter, one of her favourite songs came on the radio.

Suddenly, Eve, 20, started jumping around to the music.  
‘Let’s dance, Mam,’ she giggled, twirling me around.  
I’d had her at 18, and we’d grown up together.  
Eve wasn’t just my daughter, she was my best friend.  
Everyone loved her, from her colleagues at the shoe shop she managed, to her four younger sisters and brother.   
Growing up, she’d been like a little mum to them.  
One evening, a year later, her dad Barry and I had gone to collect Eve after she’d spent the day with her boyfriend.  
I watched the pair approaching.  
Only, as Eve went to cross the road, she slipped and fell.  
I thought she would soon get to her feet.  
But when she didn’t move, Barry and I ran over.  
‘I can’t get up, Mam,’ Eve cried.  
Her foot was bruised, and we feared something was broken.  
We took her straight to A&E, where a nurse examined her leg.  
Afterwards, we were told she’d be admitted and assessed by a doctor.

‘Stay in touch, love,’ I said, kissing Eve goodbye as we returned home to our other children.  
We were in constant text contact with Eve, who said she’d had a CT scan and X-ray, and expected she would be back home later that night.  
Only, the next morning, she still wasn’t.  
Barry and I made our way to the hospital, and were shocked by what we saw.  
The corridors were crammed full of patients lying on trolleys.  
Among all the sick people, we spotted Eve.  
‘This isn’t a good place for her,’ I whispered to Barry.  
‘It’s like bedlam in here,’ he agreed.  
Someone had used a nearby sink as a toilet and the stench hung in the air.  
Eve’s leg also appeared to have got more swollen — and I was worried.  
She was in pain, and clingy, which was unlike her.  
‘Can you lie down with me a while, Mam?’ Eve said. ‘You won’t leave me on my own,  will you?’  
As I climbed in beside her, I rubbed her head.

I wanted to stay with her, but  I felt torn.  
It was my youngest girl’s 12th birthday, and I needed to sort out her party.  
‘I’ll be as quick as I can,’ I said to Eve.

But not long after I’d walked through the front door, Eve called, wanting to come home.  
I rushed back to be with her, and kept asking the doctors what was wrong.  
But no one seemed to know.  
Even while she was in pain, Eve was thinking of her sister.  
‘I’ve ruined her birthday,’ she fretted.  
After 17 hours on a trolley, Eve was moved on to a ward.  
Four hours later, a doctor said her scans were fine, and said she could go home.  
‘Are you sure?’  Eve asked. ‘My leg’s still swollen and sore.’  
But he just told her to rest it and take anti-inflammatories.  
Back home, Eve sat on the couch with her leg propped up.

She was very tired, but seemed to have perked up.  
Later that night, she asked her brother to fetch her something.  
‘You’re always there for me,’ she said, handing me a small box with a love-knot ring inside.  
It was for my birthday in 10 days’ time.  
‘I wanted to give you your present early, but we’ll go out  for lunch when I feel better,’ she said.  
At around 11.15pm, she went to bed, helped up the stairs by her boyfriend.  
Only, half an hour later, I heard him scream my name.  
My stomach lurched when I saw Eve.  
Her face was grey and her lips had turned blue.  
Suddenly, she collapsed.  
Barry called for an ambulance.  
Then, he handed me the phone as he tried to resuscitate his  own daughter.  
I realised with horror that she must have had a heart attack.  
Minutes later, the paramedics arrived and took over.

By then, most of the children had woken up and were distraught to see their big sister so poorly.  
I kneeled by Eve.  
Her eyes, usually a stunning ice-blue, were black.  
‘You’re the best girl, you changed my life. Please don’t leave me,’ I pleaded.  
Suddenly, Eve pulled down her oxygen mask, and her delicate hands held my face.  
‘I’m so sorry, Mam,’  she said.  
Only, just as she started to speak again, she had a second cardiac arrest.  
Eve was rushed to A&E, and we followed in another ambulance.

Because she was so young — just 21 — they tried for 90 minutes to  save her.  
But when I heard her  ribs crack, I asked them  to stop.  
I knew then that my precious girl was never coming home.  
Afterwards, my world crashed.  
Barry and I couldn’t understand how our daughter had suddenly gone, after a simple fall.  
Telling the other children was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do.  
Days later, it was Eve’s autopsy.  
We learnt she had died  of a blood clot that had travelled from her leg to  her lung.  
On the day of Eve’s funeral, a woman from the hospital rang, wanting to set up a meeting to discuss her care.  
‘We’re not ready, we need time to grieve,’ I said, adding she hadn’t received proper care.  
On my 40th birthday, Barry and I sat down with the hospital to try and find out what had happened to our daughter.  
The hospital agreed to an internal investigation, but the outcome left us with many unanswered questions.  
Two years later, her inquest returned a verdict of medical misadventure.  
It was heard that Eve wasn’t assessed for blood clots, despite presenting with several risk factors and having a family history.  
The hospital was operating on a skeleton staff, and no one was available to operate the hospital’s ultrasound equipment, which along with a blood test, were the two main methods of diagnosing blood clots, it was heard.  
Despite being in severe pain and unable to walk, Eve was discharged and died three  hours later.  
Afterwards, we felt our daughter’s death could have been prevented and that she had been failed by the people who should have cared for her.

As a family, we decided to take legal action against the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) over Eve’s death.  
It was never about money.  
It was about accountability and an apology.  
‘It’s the only way we’re going to get justice for Eve,’ I said to Barry.  
Three years later, the day of the High Court case arrived.  
Our medical expert claimed that if Eve had received a blood clot VTE risk assessment, and been given an anti-coagulant, it would have prevented her developing the blood clot, and ultimately, her death.  
The HSE accepted a formal risk assessment in relation to blood clots was not done, but denied all other claims.  
Three gruelling weeks of cross-examination and giving evidence took its toll, but finally, we reached a settlement.  
It was over.  
As part of the settlement, the HSE and hospital expressed ‘sincere condolences and deep regret’ on the ‘untimely death’  of Eve.  
The High Court heard that the settlement was without an admission of liability.  
The hospital said it was introducing a rolling audit programme on recognising, reducing and managing VTE,  or blood clots in the veins, in Eve’s memory.  
We didn’t get the apology we were hoping for.  
But we hope that Eve is proud of us, and her legacy will help save lives.

● Melanie is donating her fee to Thrombosis Ireland.

JUSTICE for EVE: A simple injury cost my daughter her life

Closing date for issue 27 is midnight 21 July 2025. Only one entry per person


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            <label for="postcode" required >Address: Postcode <sub>(UK: Please include space. ROI: Please enter Eire)</sub></label>
            <input type="text" id="postcode" name="postcode" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required pattern="([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4} [a-zA-Z0-9]{3,4}|[eE][iI][rR][eE]) ?" autocomplete="shipping postal-code"/>
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        <fieldset class="competition-form-answers">
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            <legend>Page 3</legend>
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              <label for="108317">10 x £20 4-Squared</label>
              <input type="text" id="108317" name="108317" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 5</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108307">10 x £20 Mega Snap</label>
              <input type="text" id="108307" name="108307" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 12</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108287">£1000 Big Bonanza</label>
              <input type="text" id="108287" name="108287" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 14</legend>
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              <label for="108207">2 x £100 And Then Sum</label>
              <input type="text" id="108207" name="108207" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 14</legend>
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              <label for="108247">2 x £100 Now 4 Something Different</label>
              <input type="text" id="108247" name="108247" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 20</legend>
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              <label for="108227">2 x £100 Find The Money!</label>
              <input type="text" id="108227" name="108227" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 22</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108257">£1500 Big Relax</label>
              <input type="text" id="108257" name="108257" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 28</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108237">2 x £100 Code Breaker</label>
              <input type="text" id="108237" name="108237" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 38</legend>
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              <label for="108217">2 x £100 Question Time</label>
              <input type="text" id="108217" name="108217" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 43</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108277">£1500 cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108277" name="108277" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 44</legend>
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              <label for="108327">2 x £100 Picture Pointer</label>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 46</legend>
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              <label for="108267">10 x £20 Starscope</label>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 47</legend>
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              <label for="108337">2 x £200 Supermarket Spree</label>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 50</legend>
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              <label for="108297">£6000 Big Cash Stash</label>
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Closing date for issue 26 is midnight 14 July 2025. Only one entry per person


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              <label for="108306">10 x £20 Mega Snap</label>
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            </div>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 12</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108286">£1000 Big Bonanza</label>
              <input type="text" id="108286" name="108286" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 14</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108206">2 x £100 And Then Sum</label>
              <input type="text" id="108206" name="108206" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 14</legend>
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              <label for="108246">2 x £100 Now 4 Something Different</label>
              <input type="text" id="108246" name="108246" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 20</legend>
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              <label for="108226">2 x £100 Find The Money!</label>
              <input type="text" id="108226" name="108226" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 22</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108256">£1500 Big Relax</label>
              <input type="text" id="108256" name="108256" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 28</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108236">2 x £100 Code Breaker</label>
              <input type="text" id="108236" name="108236" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 38</legend>
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              <label for="108216">2 x £100 Question Time</label>
              <input type="text" id="108216" name="108216" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 43</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108276">£1500 cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108276" name="108276" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
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            <legend>Page 44</legend>
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              <label for="108326">2 x £100 Picture Pointer</label>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 46</legend>
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              <label for="108266">10 x £20 Starscope</label>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 47</legend>
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              <label for="108336">2 x £200 Supermarket Spree</label>
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          <fieldset>
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              <label for="108296">£5500 Big Cash Stash</label>
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Based on the beloved French comic book series Asterix, this theme park, located 40 minutes from Paris, will appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike. Asterix tells the story of a Gaulish village which, thanks to a magic potion that enhances strength, resists the forces of Julius Caesar's Roman Republic Army. The story has been revived for a modern audience with a new animated series on Netflix, but you don't need to be a fan (I knew nothing about Asterix prior to my visit) to enjoy this charming theme park, which opened in 1989. Spanning 83 acres, it is home to some of Europe's best rollercoasters, including the record-breaking Toutatis, and boasts unique accommodation options. If you're looking for a theme-park experience that has something to offer all ages and allows you to sample a taste of French culture, then Parc Astérix is the place for you.

I visited with my two young sons, Odhran, 9, and Reuben, 6, for a two-night break over the May half term holidays. We visited with a group that included a toddler and teens. Parc Astérix typically opens in early April and closes early January. Opening hours vary depending on the season. Typical opening hours are 10am-6pm or 7pm, but from 12th July until the end of August, the theme park is open 10am to 10pm. But there's more on offer than long summer evenings of thrills. During the Halloween season, from 4th October - 11th November 2025, the park will be transformed into a show around monsters and terrifying creatures, as part of its Fear on the Park event, with scary late nights running from 7pm to 1am. And from 20th December to 4th January, the park hosts a festive event, inviting you to discover a Gallic Christmas. So it's always a good time to visit.

There are 50 attractions and shows on offer, and the park is divided into six areas, inviting you to journey back in time to the cartoon worlds of Asterix, his best friend Obelix, and their fellow Gauls. The areas include - Gaul, The Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, Egypt, the Vikings, and Through Time. If you're visiting with little ones, there are plenty of rides and activities for kids under five to enjoy. Take a short trip among the centuries old oak trees on a little train ride, ride the mini carousel, take flight on the mini plane ride, or get splashed on a little water ride.

I had Reuben measured when we entered the park, and he was given a wristband to show that he was scraping in at 1.2m - this saved him having to get his height checked at each ride. Reaching this milestone, he was ecstatic to be able to go on more thrill rides than he's ever been on at a theme park. A little thrill-seeker, he's always looked longingly at chair swings that go high into the air. At other attractions, we've found the height restrictions on these to be a bit arbitrary. So Reuben was delighted to find that he could ride on Les Chaises Volantes - chair swings that whipped round at speed and lifted him high into the air.

But he was beside himself with excitement when he discovered that he was the right height requirement to ascend 40 metres into the air on La Tour De Numérobis - you're in for a blustery ride on this chair swing, which offers a view over the whole park. I had to take my glasses off for fear they'd blow off my face. Reuben also loved the thrill of Discobélix - where you whirl around on a giant disk that swings back and forth towards a cauldron that releases a flame so hot you can feel the heat on your face as you're hurled up towards it.

Meanwhile, Odhran was getting his thrills on Tonnerre 2 Zeus, but I found this wooden rollercoaster too rickety for a second ride - my head rattled enough first time round. Le Cheval de Troie, which spins you 12m above ground on a magic carpet ride, was another of Odhran's favourites. He ran towards Oziris, one of the park's biggest thrill rides, but changed his mind at the last minute. I hopped on, and enjoyed the loops, twists and hairpin turns of this exhilarating ride.

There are also lots of fun shows at Asterix that are not to be missed. We particularly enjoyed Les Plongeons De L'Olympe. In honour of Zeus, four Roman and Greek athletes compete in a diving competition. I won't give too much away, but it's a hair-raising spectacle.

We felt smug in our wise decision to ride on Menhir Express at the end the day. During the summer months, you might appreciate the opportunity to get a cool soak on this fun log flume ride, but no amount of time in one of the coin-operated heated booths afterwards was going to get us comfortably dry. Ponchos at the ready for this ride! Or, like us, you can leave the water rides until the end of the day and then make your way straight back to the nearby hotel to change.

There were other low-key enjoyable moments, such as sipping on a refreshing beer, while the kids chased each other round one of the playgrounds. We loved visiting the Asterix village, the meet and greets with characters, and the daily parade.

We had two days to fully explore Parc Astérix, and it's a park that is wonderfully themed and really is suitable for all ages.

We'll go so far as to say this was our favourite attraction at Parc Astérix, as kids only need to be 100cm to ride with an adult, so it's a great thrill rollercoaster for families. We rode on Pegasus Express four times during our visit to Parc Astérix. We loved the theatre of coming face to face with Medusa before being flung backwards along the track. It's replaced The Dragon rollercoaster at :a[Legoland]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/legoland-family-break/' } and Runaway Mine Train at :a[Alton Towers]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/alton-towers-theme-park-review-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-visit/' } (which we love!) as our new favourite family-friendly coaster.

Reaching a height of 51 metres, and a speed of more than 66mph, Toutatis is the fastest multi-launch coaster in France. It boasts a world record of 23 instances of airtime - where riders experience a floating sensation as their bodies momentarily lift from their seats. This steel coaster attracts thrill-seekers from around the world. I loved the high powered launch, the steep climbs and the sensation of suddenly being propelled backwards. Mostly, I appreciated being able to enjoy the thrill without getting rattled around, as this is a nice smooth experience. It's also a decent ride time, which makes it worth the queue. You can purchase various fast track options at Parc Astérix, but on the day of our visit, the wait for Toutatis at around midday was only 15 minutes. At busiest times, you might be queuing for 45 minutes. But even that is significantly shorter than the queue times reached for thrill rides at other theme parks, such as :a[Alton Towers]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/alton-towers-hotel-review/' }. Visitors must be at least 1.3m to ride on Toutatis.

Odhran and Reuben held their arms out like they were flying, on this chair ride that lifted them 10m above the ground. While they also loved the 40m high chair ride, we're choosing Les Chaises Volantes as one of our top three rides at Parc Asterix for the fact that it's the first high chair ride Reuben has been tall enough to go on, and the boys enjoyed it so much, they went on it four or five times during our two day visit to the park.

There are three hotels to choose from for a :a[family short break]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/butlins-bognor-regis-review-its-launched-all-inclusive-breaks-and-opened-a-huge-new-15m-attraction-we-visited-and-here-are-our-thoughts/' } - Les Trois Hiboux, La Cité Suspendue, and Les Quais De Lutèce. They are all a short walking distance to the park, and guests can enjoy 30 minutes early access.

Designed to resemble the ancient city of Lutetia (a Gallo-Roman town and predecessor of modern-day Paris) on the banks of the Seine, Les Quais De Lutèce is a magical setting. It's like walking on to a movie set, and the boys loved chasing each other across the wooden bridges and along the little river that runs through this charming recreation of a Roman town.

Alternatively, guests can enjoy an enchanted :a[woodland stay]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/center-parcs-adventure-nets/' } at La Cité Suspendue - The Hanging City. We nested at Les Trois Hiboux - The Three Owls, where we enjoyed the elegant theming. Our room had a cosy cabin feel, and a little balcony, looking out on to trees for a sense of peace and tranquility. The boys enjoyed their separate bunk bed area.

There was plenty of wardrobe space for unpacking bags, and free wifi. But there was no mini-fridge or kettle in the room, and there was no air-conditioning - it's only in hindsight that I realised this, as it wasn't too hot during our stay so we didn't need it. But there was a big powerful fan in the wardrobe, as I used this to try and dry clothes after the water rides. My bed was super comfy and it might sound like a small thing, but I really appreciated the heavy curtains that allowed for a good night's sleep without the light creeping into the room in the early hours of the morning.

Guests at each of the three hotels can enjoy :a[character meet-and-greets]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/drayton-manor-review/' } before breakfast, and Reuben was quick to jump in line. Another highlight of our stay was the games room at Les Trois Hiboux. I think these might be classic French games, as we'd never come across them before. One involved tossing small metal disks into holes on a wooden table to try and get the highest score, with bonus points if you got it through the mouth of a metal frog, sat on the board. Another game involved carefully manoeuvring two pieces of string to guide a small wooden ball along a wiggly path to the top of the board, without dropping it. This was harder than it looked! The boys also enjoyed playing table tennis outside. You have to give your room number at the reception desk in order to get a loan of the equipment to play these games.

Meanwhile, the lounge at the back of the hotel lobby was a lovely place to relax with a chilled wine or a tasty cocktail at the end of a day in the park.

Whether you're after yoghurt and cereal, pastries and pancakes, or a hearty cooked breakfast, the buffet at Les Trois Hiboux had plenty on offer to fill hungry tummies before hitting the park. I was pleased to see self-service juice and hot drinks machines with a variety of tea bags on offer, as I can't start my day without at least two cups of English Breakfast tea. Odhran and Reuben loved stacking up pancakes and smothering them in Nutella. Breakfast is including in the price of the stay.

We also enjoyed the dinner buffet at Les Trois Hiboux, where there was a variety of fish, meat, pasta, vegetables and salads on offer. The boys loved the novelty of a buffet and being able to come and go and try a little of this and a little of that. The mini doughnuts and the self-serve ice-cream machine, with a choice of sweet toppings, were a hit! For a family of two adults and two kids (aged 3-11) the dinner buffet will cost around £85 in total.

During our visit, we also enjoyed an evening all-you-can-eat buffet meal at Les Berges De Seine at Les Quais De Lutèce, where there was a huge selection of food on offer. There was lots of seafood, a massive cheese station, and a large dessert counter. There were even snails, which the boys weren't brave enough to sample, but enjoyed hiding on each other's plate.

During our stay we also visited Le Cirque, within the theme park grounds for lunch. This is an all-you-can-eat buffet in the unique setting of a circus big top. This costs around £30 for an adult, and close to £11 for a child. The boys got value for money at the sweetie counter alone, where their eyes nearly popped out of their heads when they saw the giant jars filled with marshmallows and jellies. Odhran piled his plate so high with sweets that I had to wrap a couple of handfuls in a napkin for later! They also enjoyed the variety of fresh fruit on offer.

As a vegetarian, who doesn't eat fish, I found myself filling my plate with a somewhat odd combination of dauphinoise potatoes and green beans, alongside a slice of pizza, pasta salad and corn on the cob. But the food was tasty and I enjoy sampling of different flavours.

Whether you're after a buffet, a sandwich, or a fast food burgers and chips option, there are lots of food outlets within the theme park to suit all tastes and budgets. When it comes to snacks, you're looking at a cost of around £3 for a small bottle of water, around £3.50 for a soft drink and around £3.70 for an ice-lolly.

Budget airlines easyJet and Jet2 fly direct to Paris from the UK. But we travelled by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord. From here, a taxi will take about 30 minutes, and cost around £55 to £70. The best way to get to Parc Astérix by public transport is to take the RER B from Gare du Nord, and get off at the stop Aéroport Charles De Gaulle 1.

At the airport, the park operates a shuttle that runs every 30 minutes every day the park is open. Staff at bus information will be able to guide you. A single ticket costs under a tenner. Free for under 3s.

Find out more about your options in how to get to the park :a[here]{href='https://www.parcasterix.fr/en/infos-pratiques/getting-park' }

One night, plus theme park entry tickets, costs from £57 per person for a stay at Les Trois Hiboux, based on two adults and two children sharing. Buffet breakfast is included. Book :a[here]{href='https://www.parcasterix.fr/en/offres/sejours' }

Parc Astérix has such a unique identity and we loved the theming of this park - the attention to detail and the character meet-and-greets and parade. The accommodation does that rare thing for a theme park, of catering not only for kids but also considering the comfort of parents. It steers away from garish decoration and instead offers an experience that feels tranquil and relaxing. The bar at our hotel was a cosy setting that offered a selection of lovely wines and cocktails. It was a place to sit back and chill out, and the games room and outside table tennis helped to bring the sense of a :a[family break]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/we-went-on-our-first-haven-holiday-if-youre-thinking-of-booking-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/' } designed for everyone to unwind. When it came to the food offerings at Parc Astérix, it was refreshing to see more than the standard offerings of nuggets and chips, pizza and tomato pasta on the menu for kids. The boys enjoyed a varied selection of fish, meats and veg during our stay.

The theme park is easy to navigate and really does have plenty to offer all ages. It has world class rides and Pegasus Express and Toutatis are two of the best theme park rides we've experienced. Another thing we loved about this theme park is that we never lost the sense of being in :a[France]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/enjoy-a-family-holiday-on-the-french-riviera-for-less-than-the-cost-of-a-week-in-centre-parcs/' }. It maintains a French identity and the boys were throwing out any French words they'd learnt at school and asking me to check phrases on Google Translate. Parc Astérix is easily accessible with a shuttle bus service. So, keep an eye for low-cost flights or a deal on the Eurostar, as this world class theme park is a family break away the kids won't forget in a hurry.

Parc Astérix: This charming gem of a theme park near Paris offers a thrilling but relaxing alternative to Disney…

Closing date for issue 28 is midnight 28th July 2025. Only one entry per person


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          <fieldset>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 22</legend>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 28</legend>
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              <label for="108238">2 x £100 Code Breaker</label>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 38</legend>
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          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 42</legend>
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**Take a Break** has teamed up with **Win Happy** to bring you their iconic ‘MAKE ME A WINNER’ competition!

This week you have the chance to win an incredible **£542,000 cash prize**! It’s tax-free cash, and there’s a guaranteed winner every Friday!

Whether you want to clear your mortgage, take the holiday of a lifetime, or set yourself up for the rest of 2025 and beyond, this is your chance to make it happen.  
Entry is quick and easy, using the form below – and every entry has an equal chance of winning.

There's no special phrase or amount to remember, and you don't even have to pick up within five rings.

Simply answer your phone if Gemma Atkinson calls after the competition closes at 5pm on Friday, 11th July, and you will instantly win £542,000, paid directly to your bank account before the end of the day!

This competition closes on Friday, the 11th of July at 5pm. Good luck!

All the terms for this network competition can be found :a[here]{href='https://winhappy.com/campaign/MAKEMEAWINNER?utm_campaign=T&amp;C-page&amp;utm_source=TVC&amp;utm_medium=website' }

Looking for a fun and rewarding way to relax this summer while keeping your mind active? Look no further than our range of **:a[Puzzle Magazines]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/subscriptions/puzzle-magazines?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }**. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying a peaceful moment in your garden, or simply taking a quiet break with a cup of tea, these magazines are the ideal companions for your summer downtime.

### :a[Take a Puzzle]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/take-a-puzzle-magazine?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }

Take a Puzzle offers an exciting mix of puzzles to suit every mood and skill level. From number puzzles, sudoku to word searches to logic challenges and codebreakers, there’s something for everyone. Whether you have just a few minutes or a leisurely hour to spare, you’ll always find the perfect puzzle waiting for you.

### :a[Take a Crossword]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/take-a-crossword-magazine?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }

If crosswords are your favourite, Take a Crossword delivers a fantastic range of puzzles that will keep you hooked. From quick, light-hearted crosswords to more challenging cryptics, each issue is packed with clever clues and satisfying solves. It’s the perfect way to give your brain a workout without feeling pressured - just pure puzzle enjoyment.

### :a[Mega Monthly Wordsearch]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/mega-monthly-wordsearch-magazine?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }

Each issue is packed with Over 150 wordsearches, featuring a wide range of fun, seasonal themes. Wordsearches are more than just a fun pastime - they can help improve focus, boost memory, and give you a break from screens. It’s that perfect mix of mental stimulation and satisfaction, ideal for quiet mornings, sunny afternoons, or laid-back evenings.

### :a[Arrowwords]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/arrowwords-magazine?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }

Each issue is filled with clever arrowword puzzles that blend wordplay, trivia, and logical thinking. With a variety of difficulty levels - from quick wins to trickier challenges - Arrowwords offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just starting out, you’ll find plenty to enjoy with every puzzle. Designed to fit seamlessly into your day, Arrowwords makes the perfect screen-free break.

### :a[Picture Arrowwords]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/picture-arrowwords-magazine?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }

Each issue is full of arrowwords with a visual twist, using picture clues to keep things fresh and interesting from start to finish. And there’s more than just a good challenge waiting. Every issue gives you the chance to win a share of £3000 in cash prizes, so you could end up with more than just a completed grid.

There's a chance to win **CASH prizes** in every issue of our Puzzle Magazines! Plus, get **FREE UK delivery** straight to your door. Enjoy our summer offer and receive **3 issues for just £6** today!

## :a[Click here to see more]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/subscriptions/puzzle-magazines?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=summer_all&amp;utm_content=article' }

Your summer puzzle companions are here!

**_Here's a sneak peek at issue 27's cover stories_**

Closing date for issue 7 is midnight 7th August 2025. Only one entry per person.


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            <legend>Page 15</legend>
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Bounce, balance, leap and climb, as family adventures are taken to new heights at Center Parcs.

An exciting :a[treetop experience]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/we-visited-the-world-famous-gardens-where-you-can-take-a-walk-through-the-trees-59-feet-off-the-ground/' } has opened today (1 July) among the redwood canopy of the Longleat holiday park.

Adventure Nets features a series of treehouses connected by a network of suspended nets, seven metres in the air.

Fun-seekers, who love an :a[adventure playground]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/blenheim-palace-review-everything-you-need-to-know-when-visiting-this-unesco-world-heritage-site-with-kids/' } can navigate their way through tunnels, rope bridges, and a trampoline area.

The course also includes TAG Active technology, which allows guests to ‘tag’ beacons around the course and play TAG games such as treasure hunts during their hour-long session.

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