1. Swim England
Website: www.swimming.org/swimengland
Having recently rebranded from the Amateur Swimming Association, Swim England has taken the plunge with this relaunched website. You can use it to find the nearest pool offering swimming lessons and get info about learning to swim, the various badges and certificates on offer and even the problem that people peeing in the water poses! The site is slickly designed and full of invaluable information, but much of the content deals with the professional side of swimming. To that end, there are bustling sections on teaching swimming and managing clubs, as well as news about Swim England itself.
2. Young Minds
Website: youngminds.org.uk
Prince Harry recently brought metal health issues to the fore so this relaunch is very well timed. It explains the best ways to help young people through difficult times by highlighting typical feelings and symptoms and exploring various conditions. Such information is just a couple of clicks away on what is a well-organised, easily navigable site that extends to assisting parents of affected children and encouraging people to get involved in fundraising or offering assistance. We like the regularly updated blog but we weren't too sure about charging prices for publications that could prove invaluable.
3. WebVR Experiments
Website: webvrexperiments.com
Google wants to make good use of WebVR, the VR standard created to work within a browser. to do so, it has launched this new site packed with 12 quirky experiments you can play on your computer or, preferably through a headset. Each game or demo gets its own page containing a video of the experiment in action, screenshots, and explanation and social media Share buttons. Just click a button to play and enjoy the experience. The site explains how to set everything up, with a link to the browsers and headsets that support WebVR, and a section for the tech savvy to submit their own experiments.
4. Big Train Little Train
Website: bigtrainlittletrain.com
Tiny trains trundle along many narrow-gauge railway lines throughout Wales, but you need a way of getting to them. This easily navigable website suggests taking the big trains and provides details of the various routes you can take, along with useful links, top tips, maps and money saving advice. You can use the site to discover the best walks, views and places to eat, and there are suggestions for more adventurous travellers alongside recommended accommodation and itineraries. If you need more inspiration, browse the wonderful section of traveller's tales. You need to visit the websites of railways themselves for timetable information, though.
5. Carlsberg
Website: carlsberguk.co.uk
If Carlsberg made the best website in the world, it's fair to say this wouldn't be it. It's a more sober approach than the laddish humour you usually associate with the brand, and is clearly aimed at corporate customers, so the blog and news sections deal with the business and of selling drink. On the plus side, the beer section gives a good taste of what to expect and suggests food pairings, while there's also a picture packed look at Carlsberg's history and details of the Carlsberg Foundation. However, other sections are sorely lacking.
Best New Websites 2017 Part 2
1. Kaspersky Earth 2050
Website: 2050.earth
We can never be sure what's around the corner, but some people make a living by predicting the future. This stunning site gathers fascinating forecasts from prominent futurologists about the years 2030, 2040 and 2050. Navigate the globe, choose a city, object or event and read predictions about that expect in them. You can indicate whether you agree, see how many people support your view, leave comments and share the page on social media. Many entries are accompanied by striking 360-degree illustrations and you can rate the artists and the graphics. When more entries are added, it'll be truly out of this world.
2. Dropbox
Website: www.dropbox.com
Although the 2GB free limit remains frustrating, Dropbox's streamlined website at least makes it much easier to work with your documents. When sharing files and keeping track of edits, you're now presented with the most relevant options for the task, so you can view thumbnails of documents and see clearer at a glance information. You can also now search across your files and Dropbox Paper documents, and quickly switch between personal and work accounts for better file management. Of course, none of this is relevant if you prefer to use the Dropbox Desktop and mobile apps but it's certainly great for working with files in your browser.
3. Irish Pubs of the World
Website: blog.expedia.ie/irish-pubs
Fancy some fine hospitality, a good craic and a pint of the black stuff when you're abroad? Travel company Expedia has created a blog packed with 200 of the best Irish pubs in more than 40 destinations. Just select from UK, Europe, Asia, USA and the rest of the world, then choose a city. You'll see a list of pubs and their locations, together with a description of what to expect there. There's not much more to the site than that - no reviews or ratings, and no means of suggesting your own favourites but there are Facebook, Instagram and pub website links.
4. Allergic Living
Website: allergicliving.com
Allergies affect more than one in four of us so any site that provides useful advice is not to be sneezed at. US-based Allergic Living is certainly worth a look, and its redesign includes plenty more news, advice and research. Sections for asthma and coeliac disease have been expanded, and there are new pages for indoor and outdoor allergies, and the newly diagnosed. You can also ask medical experts questions, read interesting features from the accompanying magazine and browse tasty recipes. It's an excellent resource once you get past the US terminology.
5. Eurovision Song Contest
Website: eurovision.tv
With Russia having pulled out, the politics surrounding the Eutovision Song Contest has already begun. But at least there's no chance of the revamped official site getting "nul points". Packed with facts about how the contest works, the countries involved and the route to the final, there's info about past events going way back to 1956. Those looking forward to the final on 13 May will love the galleries, videos and behind the scenes updates, with merchandise to buy and music to download, too. A little more camp would have been apt, though.
Best New Websites 2017 Part 1
