It’s not everyone that wants to jump on a flight or cruise ship to take time away from home and let’s face it, the UK isn’t a bad place to explore if you just want to get away from it all for a few days. There are great benefits to remaining in the UK so if you are looking for somewhere to go as a couple, family or on your own, why not give the following destinations a try:
1. Devon & Cornwall
So, no big surprise that both of these were going to feature somewhere on the list and although they cover a massive area, I felt that it would be difficult to split them in half. Cornwall is perched on the southwestern end of Great Britain and is surrounded by beautiful coastlines which can only mean one thing – stunning beaches! It has always been a favourite holiday destination with many memories of family holidays to be told – my own included! St Ives and Falmouth are both full of picturesque harbours and sandy beaches and Land’s End is a must while in the area as it sits on the most south-westerly point in the UK. If you are looking for a great beach then Marazion Beach offers you miles of sand that you can either sunbath or walk on and don’t forget to cross the causeway to the famous St Michael’s Mount. Just next door is the equally lovely Devon with beautiful beaches and seaside resorts, ancient castles, and historic houses. Throw in rugged cliffs, the quaint towns and cobbled villages of Appledore, Bideford, Instow, and Ilfracombe and you will see why this is a must visit when in the southwest of the UK. If you love your water sports then head to Woolacombe where the waves roll in off the Atlantic and make it a perfect spot for surfers alike.
2. Cotswolds
Covering Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire, you will be hard pushed not to find a picturesque village or pretty holiday cottage in the Cotswolds. It’s also great for young families as well with water parks where you can splash in the shallows, sail in kayaks, or try your hand at wakeboarding. If the children love to see wild animals, then Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens is home to lions, giraffes and rhinos that roam the grounds. If you prefer to explore your surroundings on foot, then there are plenty of scenic walking routes for you to hike.
3. Norfolk
This massively underrated area of the UK has so much to offer for all. From beautiful beaches at Holkham, to sailing on the Norfolk broads in a self-contained canal boat. Take a trip to Blakeney’s seal colony to watch the wildlife as they relax on the beach. Bird watching is also popular in the area with reserves at Titchwell, Cley, Holkham, Blakeney, Snettisham and Welney. For the kids, young and old, there is BeWILDerwood Adventure Park to explore or taking a trip on the Wells Harbour Railway is a unique way to reach Wells Beach. In this area you are spoilt for choice for beaches with Cromer, Mundesley and Sheringham all in this coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
4. Pembrokeshire, Wales
Pembrokeshire is packed with wide stretches of beaches, quaint seaside villages and is considered to be one of the most beautiful corners of Wales. With lots of walking routes along the coastal paths, over 50 beaches and the glorious Preseli mountains, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The whole area is steeped in rich Celtic and Anglo-Saxon history and is a great place to visit if you are a foodie with fresh seafood available daily. For the children there are adventure parks, castles, boat trips and family festivals to enjoy.
5. Perth and Kinross
If you want to see the best of Scotland, then Perth and Kinross will be the place to head. It is home to the magnificent loch of Munros and has many beautiful old towns and villages to explore and stay. For the children it is a great area to get out and explore in the open air with the Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre a great place to meet exotic wildlife and farm animals or take a tractor on the racing circuit. If you are more of an action holiday person then this area is great for white water rafting, whilst rounding off your day at a local distillery is a must. Once your day is over from exploring museums, castles, galleries, and distilleries this is the perfect location to settle down in a cosy warm cottage to enjoy your evenings.
The UK is very accessible, whether travelling by car, train, or bus. There are many types of accommodation that can be booked or why not try something a little different and hire a campervan and visit lots of different places around the UK all in one holiday. If you need any help planning your next get away then do not hesitate to contact me on 07903 737959 or email me louisepeddelty@gocruiseandtravel.co.uk and I will be happy to help you.
