Us Brits love a good holiday. UK travellers take around four holidays a year on average, with £43 billion spent on holidays annually. But in recent times, travel has become a much more costly affair – with expensive PCR testing and the potential for an extended hotel quarantine after your trip. All you really want is somewhere new, somewhere that you can take your family, kick back with a beer in your hand and relax a little while. And while it might not seem as exotic as a week in the Algarve, the UK can offer just that: relaxing, exotic locations on your doorstep for a fraction of the price of international travel. The following list is just four of those places:
The Isles of Scilly
You would be forgiven for thinking that you had arrived on the shores of the Caribbean, if you found yourself on one of the five Isles of Scilly in the UK’s peak summertime. These islands off the coast of Cornwall boast ivory beaches and clear seas, making for an excellent choice if you’re after a week of sun and sea. The islands also boast a rich history, with an abundance of Stone Age settlements, Bronze Age artefacts, and shipwrecks to boot. For a small archipelago, there is much to see – and much opportunity for a lazy holiday.
St. Michael’s Mount
Also in Cornwall, St. Michael’s Mount is a famed tidal island, with a storied history and a distinctly European feel. It is a twin of a similar tidal island off the coast of France, Mont-St-Michel; both are only accessible on foot at low tide, both carry medieval castles, and both exist as fascinating geological phenomena. St. Michael’s Mount is so named for its place in history, where legends tell of St Michael appearing to visiting boats and guiding them from peril.
Tongwynlais
This unassuming village in the south of Wales may seem like an odd choice for a holiday, but Wales’ climate can surprise in the summertime, and its wildlife is unparalleled. Tongwynlais also hides a well-kept secret, in the form of Castell Coch, in imposing castle to the north which rises out of the beech woods and reminds strongly of the Transylvanian countryside. Just a short drive from Cardiff, you can find stunning Gothic architecture and rare woodland, with the climate of Southern Europe if you time it right.
Lake District
Last but certainly not least, the Lake District is an absolute must-visit for families. Lake Windermere is breath-taking from all sides, and the region is home to England’s highest peak in Scafell Pike. Visit in the winter and you could just as easily be visiting Alaska! There is no end to the number of walks, treks and hikes you can attempt, just as there is no end to the number of lake-side pubs you can ensconce yourself in after a hard day’s holiday.