Perfect locations to enjoy a relaxing break in the UK
Collaborative Post
Enjoying a relaxing break doesn’t have to mean travelling to far-flung exotic locations. It doesn’t even have to mean getting on a plane. The joy of a ‘staycation’ (a holiday in the UK) is that you can hop into the car and arrive at your holiday destination in a matter of hours. There’s no limit on what you can pack, no security checks and no waiting around at airports. Not to mention the money you save on flights leaves you with more to spend on meals out and enjoying yourself.
Lots of us already know the benefits of staycations. Over 60 million holiday trips were taken in Great Britain in 2019, with the over 55s making up 21.5 million of these trips – the highest of any age group. If you need a little inspiration, here’s a pick of the best stay-at-home holiday destinations.
Christchurch, Dorset
A temperate climate, beautiful beaches and iconic cliffs − Dorset has lots to offer as a holiday destination. And Christchurch, with its beautiful natural harbour and Blue Flag beaches, stunning views across the English Channel and a historic priory and castle, offers the perfect blend of relaxation and stimulation. Away from the coast, you can escape inland into the New Forest National Park for spectacular countryside, wildlife and picture-postcard villages.
Brixham, Devon
Known as the English Rivera, this corner of Devon offers a warm climate, stunning scenery and the freshest seafood. Brixham is a beautiful harbourside town with a marina, promenade and an art deco saltwater lido. If you like walking, you can pick up the South West Coast Path and explore cliff tops and woods all the way to Torquay if your legs are up to it. Take a boat across the bay to Paignton or Torquay. Nature lovers might be able to spot dolphins, grey seals and even basking sharks in the surrounding waters.
Morecambe, Lancashire
Home to the iconic art deco Midland hotel, Morecambe has returned to its glory days. Marvel at the views of the Lakeland hills across the bay by day and beautiful sunsets by night. Admire the award-winning sculptures that line the town’s seafront (not forgetting to emulate Eric Morecambe’s classic pose) before popping into Brucciani’s – a local institution for over a century – for an ice cream. Why not hire an electric bike and ride part or all of the Bay Cycle Way, which travels the 130km length of the Furness Peninsula, taking in two nature reserves along the way?
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Home to more than 15 miles of sandy beaches, Great Yarmouth makes for a relaxing getaway. Away from the bustle of the Golden Mile, you can find quieter resorts like Gorleston-on-Sea with its stunning cliff-top views or Winterton-on-Sea, where you can spot tern and seal colonies. You can venture further inland to explore the Broads and the beautiful Norfolk countryside − hire a boat for the day and don’t forget to stop off for a refreshing drink at one of the riverside pubs. If you love history, Great Yarmouth has one of the best-preserved Medieval town walls in England and Roman ruins to explore at Burgh Castle and Caister-on-Sea.
If you want to make a staycation a regular event, why not consider purchasing a holiday home from Park Holidays? With holiday homes throughout the south and in many of these featured destinations, you can have the freedom to enjoy a holiday whenever you want.
Image of Brixton by JohnPDolden from Pixabay.
