What do people DO on UK holidays?

[JudgeRindersMinder]

We’re sun worshipers, and go abroad for the sun 2-3 times a year. Except this year!
We have a few days off in September, Thurs-Sun, and wouldn’t mind getting away for at least a couple of nights.

I’ve been looking at nice hotels in various UK locations (ie NOT Premier Inn type places) We aren’t super active people who are into bracing walks in the countryside (both have issues with arthritis 🙄), and if we stay in Scotland, any spas, pools etc are no go.

If you were us, where would you go and would you do?
Budget is fairly healthy, and travel by plane or car isn’t an issue

We always holiday in the UK and hit (in no particular order) pubs with good beer/food; decent restaurants; antique shops; quilt shops; military museums; old churches; local speciality food shops (to stock up for back home) and any zoo in a 20 mile radius of where we're staying ('cos DW can't resist zoos).

Pools not open in Scotland.

The Isle of Eriska hotel is meant to be lovely

Sorry for your loss

How adventurous are you feeling? We have recently had a great holiday in Scotland and swam in a loch. Was surprisingly good for my arthritic pain!

Do you like nature? We loved seeing the red squirrels, red deer and different birds. Probably could have seen ospreys if we had gone out of our way to do so.

Why do posters keep telling the OP to go to Scotland? She lives in Scotland and wants to enjoy the heat that only the southern half of the country has been enjoying.

It hasn't been the hottest summer in years everywhere

We live in Scotland and still like to holiday here!

I'd love a few days in Scotland but in Ireland the advice is not to travel off the island. We were there a few years ago in late April, it was good weather but not a sunshine break.
I'd love a cruise, or a Spanish swimming pool to lounge beside,or a cathedral town...

Nowhere in the UK will give the lying in the sun vibe of abroad

But the OP said in her first post that she craved warmth and sunshine, which she is less likely to find in Scotland at this time of year than on the south coast.

My husband drags me around real ale pubs.

Mine used to, and still does on occasion.

OP mentions staying in Scotland in the OP...

I'd prefer a sun holiday too. But we have UK holidays far more often, baring in mind we have kids with us:

I usually choose a UK destination based on some natural beauty or historical sight I want to see and then research what else is there.

Some of my favourites UK trips have been:

Glastonbury Tor
Stonehenge
Avebury Stones
Cheddar Gorge Caves
Eden Project
Kew Gardens
Zip World Snowdon
Blue Lagoon Pembrokeshire
Tenby
Many scenic beaches in the Gower/Cornwall/Devon
Giants Causeway
Durdle Door
Portmeirion
Lyme Regis fossil hunting and seafood eating
Various waterfalls
Various lakes
Boat trips

Various local:
museums/galleries/architecture/nature reserves/zoos/beaches/harbours/local art/piers/towers/tall buildings/food markets/parks/resrauraunts/bars/cafes? You can base your entire stay on food if you really aren't interested in any of those things.

A UK holiday feels more complete to me with some kind of water activity. Be that swimming indoors, a spa, the sea, a hot tub.

If reading and relaxing is top priority then I'd choose a room with an amazing view and maybe a hot tub? Wether that is a sea view, a city view or a mountain view is down to you.

What do you do when you are abroad? Surely just do similar things in the UK.

With UK weather and at UK prices? I think that’s the issue for me

Basically mooching and eating. Break it up with the odd boat trip or museum or the like. Glass of wine in a picturesque pub. Repeat.

Sounds nice - but no different to anything I can do at the weekend

My question is: What do people DO on sun worshipping holidays? I can't think of anything more excruciatingly dull than lying around sunbathing all day. And if that's all you're going to do, why can't you do it in your back garden or a local park?

Ha ha - back garden (if you have one) I full view of neighbours or local, park with dogs hate and feral teenagers, and with no pool or sea - you have got to be kidding.

And for Sun holidays abroad?

Catch up on sleep and downtime following punishing relentlessly long hours at work. And feeling the sun and warm sand relax the tension in my shoulders.

Swim, swim, swim. Did I mention I love swimming (and in warm seas)? Go snorkelling.

Eat delicious , cheap local food at a fraction of the price in the UK. God I love the food I have on holiday.

Sleep, sleep, sleep. Did I mention I’m short of sleep?

Stay in amazing hotels significantly cheaper than the UK. Enjoy spa treatments.

Visit local village / town - look at different style of buildings and different shops (love having a nosy around overseas supermarkets). People watch while sitting in a cafe.

Break up the beach and cold drinks at the pool with an occasional visit to local churches or historic monuments.

Sighs wistfully

I’m with you, OP

Activity 1: If it doesn't rain for a hour declare how lucky you all are to have such fine weather.

2. Go out and when it rains state that you mustn't complain because you had a rain free hour already.

Ha ha

I like to go to places with museums or aquariums. I'm not much of a Walker, but hate just sitting doing nothing. My favourite place to holiday is Center Parcs, there is so much to do to keep you entertained.

Channel Islands are virtually Covid free. Lovely coast to.visit, beaches, good eateries and flights most days.

Try the Channel Islands. I think you can fly there from most airports or you can drive to Poole and get the ferry. Almost like being abroad and wonderful restaurants and beaches. I've got a soft spot for Guernsey (my mum is from there) but Jersey is wonderful too. I haven't checked but I think you are ok to go at the moment.

I would go there tomorrow if I could - it is just glorious.

Caringcarer you got there before me!!

Chose a city you haven't been to in England there are so many lovely places to see and stay. How exciting I look forward to hearing where you choose. Usually nice weather in September too.

We love going on holiday to North Wales and do so at least every other year. We could never run out of things to do! Beaches, castles, mountains, National Trust properties and gardens, the kids enjoy things like go karting and zip lining, we drive to different towns and villages for pub lunches, honestly we do different things every day and I hardly think we've repeated an activity over the years!

You definitely need somewhere with a view. DH and I always go for an apartment with a balcony and patio doors overlooking a river, or harbour. That way, if it's nice you can sit/lay on the balcony and read, if raining you can sit inside and do the same.

I really like to relax on holiday so a walk to the nearest restaurant is about as much exercise as I want.

If you want some suggestions Dartmouth is lovely, as is Brighton. Also Lymington, Whitby and London for a more colourful night skyline.

Walks, shopping in markets and charity shops, meals out, National Trust, English Heritage properties and Historic Houses. Gardens and local museums. In Yorkshire two years ago we did I a canal boat trip through a tunnel, visited a silk weaving museum and a National Coal Mine Museum where we had a guided tour underground. For example, Liverpool is excellent with the Wallace Gallery, a World Museum, Maritime Museum, a branch of the Tate and a trip on the Mersey. Take the train out to Port Sunlight and tour the village. Above all, relax and have leisurely breakfasts and long lunches.

I LOVE holidaying in the UK, i hate going abroad, so much to see and do. Personally i couldnt think of anything worse than lying around all day.
Im 59 going to Northumberland soon. Beautiful scenery, Lindisfarne castle, Alnwick garden and castle, Holy island, Dunstanburgh castle, Fabulous little villages for cream teas and amazing beaches all along the coast if weathers nice. Late afternoon pub lunch afterwards, Back to holiday home glass wine good book. Cant wait fingers crossed.