Carmel ThomasonIt’s fair to say travel will be different this summer. Overseas travel is being actively discouraged, leaving many feeling their options for a holiday are limited. Staycations are here to stay – for 2021 at least. So, here’s some inspiration for enjoying a well-earned break here in the UK.
Camping
The joy of camping has always been its relative low cost, flexibility and getting back to nature. The Camping and Caravanning Club has over 100 campsites across the UK and offers advice both to novice and seasoned campers. And if you are worried about roughing it in a tent, you might be surprised at the luxury side of camping these days, from separate tent bedrooms and living areas to glamping in a fixed yurt or tepee, with full access to electricity and all mod-cons.
Motorhomes have been popular for long US road trips for many years. And due to people changing their holiday habits because of the pandemic the convenient, carefree trip that comes with motorhomes is making them increasingly in demand here too for people who want to move around and explore a region without the constraints of returning to a central base. TMD Motorhomes has a range of Adria motorhomes for sale and offers a try before you buy hire scheme.
Cooking and eating outdoors is a large part of the fun of camping. A recent survey of over 100 UK camping and caravan enthusiasts found that 80% make their own food, and how they cook is also important with over 92% consider food wastage and sustainability when camping, showing the green-conscious attitude of campers and the importance of keeping the environment clean.
The survey, by Towergate Insurance, highlighted the importance to campers of making good food with little fuss in limited space. And from the favourite travelling store cupboard ingredients of those surveyed the company has created The Ultimate Caravan Cookbook, full of simple, tasty and filling recipes, which can be downloaded as a free e:book.
City Breaks
New York, Paris, Milan – sadly it’s likely to be some time before we can enjoy our jet-setting city breaks again. Now is the time to fall back in love with our UK cities and to rediscover many of the attractions that led us to more far-flung destinations can be found right on our doorstep. The Northern Quarter in Manchester has been used as a backdrop for old time New York in several blockbuster films, including Alfie and Captain America. Or, for an arty Brooklyn vibe, Camden in north London offers a vibrant mix of culture, shopping, and street food like no other.
If you’re looking for somewhere that is both buzzing and picturesque, both Bristol and Salford Quays have stunning waterside settings. Or for beauty, history and heritage, York or Bath are good choices.
Fun at the Beach
When the summer sun is shining nothing beats time on the beach. And as an island the UK has plenty of beautiful coastline to tempt you. Devon and Cornwall are popular for surfers, while Whitby on the Yorkshire coastline has embraced its connection to Bram Stoker’s Dracula with a Whitby Goth Weekend festival.
If you want to venture further afield, the quieter Northumberland coast offers opportunities for spotting seals, dolphins and a range of sea birds. While Pembrokeshire in the west of Wales is a National Park with a spectacular 186 mile (299 km) coastal path, covering some of the most varied coastal scenery in Britain, stretching across more than 50 beaches, from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south.
Start Hiking
Social distancing has given many of us a yearning to explore the great outdoors. And there are few better ways to get closer to nature than hiking. The brilliant thing about hiking is that you don’t need a lot of kit or skill to get started. If you’ve not hiked before you probably don’t need to buy anything specialised to join a short trail. Starting off on shorter hikes is advisable where you can wear a familiar pair of trainers. And always make sure you carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
The Lake District National Park is a hiker’s paradise, from gentle lakeside strolls to a 4600ft climb to the top of Scafell Pike. Brockhole, developed by the National Park Authority as the chief visitor centre in the Lake District, is an excellent place to collect information on other attractions in the Lakes. The centre is committed to making its facilities accessible to all and if you have difficulty walking or have a hearing impairment, there’s equipment available to help you enjoy the centre and grounds.
Off the Beaten Track
Holidaying at home is an opportunity to explore the UK in a way that we may never have done before. From June to August lavender fields are in full bloom producing a spectacular carpet of purple. Norfolk Lavender is open all year round and entry is free, although you’ll no doubt to tempted to take home a fragrant souvenir from the gift shop.
Taking a longer vacation at home is also a good time to venture further north and visit some of the lesser well-known tourist destinations across the border. The Heart of Argyll in the West Highlands has been called the ‘soul’ of Scotland. The area is steeped in history with bonze age and prehistoric sites including markings believed to have been made more than 4000 years ago.
Sarah Antonie
