Jumping on a plane to a warm escape from the UK isn’t always the answer necessarily. Stay put in good old Blighty and you can find relaxing hideaways that will leave you just as recharged, as a trip to the Maldives.
Below are our top 5 places to stay for the same price (or cheaper) as a foreign holiday, without all the flying time and pollution, spent travelling there:
Devon
Holidays in Devon offer countryside and coastline, ancient ruins, natural parks and even medieval towns. It’s perfect for families or couples and under 4 hours from London.
To do – Fly a Yarak bird of prey in Cullompton, enjoy year-round Surf in south and North Devon coasts (Woolacombe and Saunton), Visit the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park or even see some unique, yet riveting Sheep Racing at “the Big Sheep” in North Devon.
Cornwall
A holiday in England’s rugged southwestern tip offers wild moorland and hundreds of sandy beaches, culminating at the promontory Land’s End. The south coast, dubbed the Cornish Riviera, is home to picturesque harbour villages such as Fowey and Falmouth. Along the north coast towering cliffs mark the landscape and seaside resorts like Newquay are known around the globe for surfing.
To do – Visit the largest Greenhouses in the world at “the Eden Project” (Cornwall’s most celebrated landmark), Visit the birthplace of King Arthur, sunbathe at the beautiful Whitesand Bay, walk or cycle along Tamar Valley or take in the history of Cornwall at Lanhydrock, an ancient manor below Bodmin.
Norfolk
Located on the mid-east coast of England, in East Anglia, there are over 90 miles of unspoilt coastline, beautiful countryside and the unique Broads National Park. Outside of nature, there is also Norwich, a city with great heritage and a historic royal connection.
To do – Visit Norwich Cathedral in the main city, relax with nature at the Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve (Fakenham), sunbathe (it the weather is good) at Horsey beach and hire a boat on the Norfolk Broads (Britain’s largest protected wetland), where idyllic towns and villages are surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Cambridge
Only 50 miles North of London, the historical university city is known around the world. Cambridge is a small town that is free of traffic in the centre, so great for the keen walker.
To do: Visit historical museums and art galleries, admire the impressive architecture and college buildings, go punting on the River Cam and see where greats like Steven Hawking lived, have a tasty beer in a traditional pub and join a walking tour around the city.
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England where Londoners like to come for weekend or week getaways. Famous for the medieval streets of Rye, the Historical Battle of Hastings and the whole scenic coastline.
To do – Visit Brighton for lively seaside nightlife, take in some fresh air with a walk along Beachy head in Eastbourne, visit Alexandra Park and go to the Ship Wreck museum in Hastings.
For great deals and travel tips you’ve found in these areas, please share.
To find out the best English Heritage attractions to visit, please visit here. Visit the English Heritage (site here). Find a 20% discount code here
