Places to visit where we might be welcome?

[WowLucky]

The West Country, The Lakes, Wales all seem to be making it clear tourists won't be welcome back, even once they're open. I don't want to go on holiday and find the locals are campaigning to have me gone, even if it's only a minority.

So, what are your best recommendations for less high profile places that might be glad to have us back?

I fancy the Northumberland coast, which I understand is beautiful and much quieter than your average holiday spot, although I've never been.

Where are you? Are there not any local beauty spots you could visit?

Go where you like, the locals don't own the area in which they live.

Northumberland is beautiful - come up here if you’ve never been before!

Yes Agnes, my plan for this summer is to really explore the area an hour or so from home, which actually is quite an exciting prospect.

I thought it would be interesting to gather some ideas for wider UK travel.....and to dream a bit.

Northumberland is beautiful. We stayed in Amble, a little town by the sea. It’s nice because it’s not particularly touristy, but is pleasant to walk around, fairly near to the main places to visit and good for walks by the sea.
I’ve just booked a cottage in Aldeburgh, in Suffolk. Again, it’s a not-too-busy seaside town. Cheaper and less crowded than Southwold. Like you, we’re avoiding places that don’t want tourists.

But I would actually save Northumberland until a time you can visit in May, when you can see the seabirds in the Farne Islands (puffins, etc.). They’ve all gone by the time the summer holidays come around.

Ooh, useful tip. Really excited for May HT now

Northumberland is a fabulous place, can't wait to go again.
As it is I've booked a week in Devon and I'll be going as long as I'm not breaking any laws. I'm not basing my decisions on what some randomer on Mumsnet says about locals not wanting visitors.

I love Northumberland. We've been every August bank hol for years now.

Annoyingly this year we were invited to a wedding down south over that weekend, booked accommodation and then they cancelled the wedding because of covid.

I think this is one of the sad aspects of Covid that people hadn’t really thought through- being so horrible about people visiting when you live in a community that relies on tourism. It makes people not want to go back at all ever if people are so hostile!

We live in South Norfolk, we have some beautiful beaches and countryside here. Southwold is lovely. Winterton beach is vast and desolate and beautiful. Norwich and the North Norfolk towns are lovely to browse round. Generally speaking we love visitors, I think once things pick up a bit we will love to see people come back!

Great idea for a thread OP. I will be avoiding all the places where people have been so hostile.

Lots of places that are touristy and beautiful are rural with health services that barely cope with the local populous.

When COVID first hit the residents of these places were terrified of people bringing COVID into these communities and visitors ending up as patients taking hospital beds.

Those who work in the tourist industries in these places are in the main keen for tourists to return. My DP works in hotels and we live in an AONB. This is the only way the local businesses will survive. But, since lockdown has been lifted slightly we have had an influx of day visitors showing little to no regard for social distancing or mask wearing. Given that the 3 nearest hospitals are near to or over an hour away and are underfunded and oversubscribed another influx of COVID in the area is scary in terms of both the loss of life and the decimation to the local economy.

That's fine KillingOksana and the reason to try some different places for a while. They can't have it both ways.

Wow! That’s a sweeping statement about Wales! I’m so sad to hear you’ve been made to feel that way. We are so excited to get open and welcome people back. Where has your view point come from?

I did say a minority but a vocal minority. There's been plenty of it on here, in the press, on the FB groups for the places I usually go, SM posts from friends of friends who live in these areas. I'm sure they don't represent the majority (who do indeed need the cash) but they're vocal enough that I don't feel ready to return and risk having a holiday spoiled by unpleasantness.

Maybe change your sources of information. Of late, those with negative voices seem to be shouting very loudly. I’ve found that on here and SM too.

You would very much be welcomed. Not just by ‘those who need cash’ but by all who are proud to share our beautiful beaches with everyone. Don’t let the few spoil it for you. We fully intend on visiting family in England and we booked a cottage this morning as soon as the new came out that we could travel in July. Why should you not do the same? You don’t need any more permission. If you come across one negative cottage owner, move on to the next as I promise there will be many who will welcome you and your family.

Yes, there will always be those who would prefer to not share. Those who are vocal about their concerns. In fact, we have experienced it ourselves when visiting a neighbouring village last week. But those people have always held those negative views; they just now have a ‘reason’ to not want any visitors.

But please please do not broad brush Wales as sharing the views of the negative vocal. I hope you find somewhere to visit

Well the lunchtime news stated that the lakes were re opening some of their hotels ,and trying to drum up business for the Summer Season .The attitude of lots of locals in the last few months ,both here and in the west country has been unwelcoming to say the least!

Of course but it's those "shouting very loudly" who have the most potential to spoil the holiday. Those who quietly get on with things aren't going to over-ride the discomfort of seeing go home placards or being told you're not welcome in a cafe.

It might not happen, but when you've saved all year and it's your one opportunity to get away, it's not a risk I'm prepared to take, especially when there are other places I can go. Others will feel differently, which is fine.