To want to go on holiday in the UK this Summer?

[windygag]

Accepted that our Summer holiday in Europe won't be happening but debating about booking something in the UK.

I have 2 young dc & both DH & I have been wfh since March. DH lost his father recently & I think we could all do with a break & a change of scenery.

I'm worried if we don't book anything then everything will be booked or too expensive but equally if we do book we may lose the deposit.

What are others planning to do?

I would hold till last minute. There will be stuff available because so many people have cancelled or seated their holiday.

Life has changed a lot in 2 months, and it can change again in 2 months, by which point we will be near August and hopefully have much better testing and Test and Trace in place - and more things may be open. So even if it’s something simple, there’s a chance. But I think for the sake of your money, you need to hold fire and do a last minute booking if the “coast is clear” so to speak.

I totally get wanting a different wall to look at. Right behind you on that one! Me and my friends had a holiday lodge booked for July which we have moved to next year. Sometimes I think to myself I wouldn’t even care if I couldn’t do much, just a different house and a different place to walk around!

I hadn’t been further than my local park since lockdown began (so as the crow flies less than half a mile) but when I went out for a walk earlier this week I suddenly had this feeling of needing to escape my little corner and went on a ten miles round walk! Countryside mostly so socially distanced to the max. Sat and watched streams go by, saw some sheep and horses in a field.....oh the change of scenery was so refreshing and such a lifter upper! So I completely get where you’re coming from OP! I would just hold on until August itself then you’ll have more clarity (hopefully!)

We cancelled our next year now I start saving in July.

Centre parcs only updated their opening dates in last 24 hrs I think.. I'd read earlier this week they were re opening in June.. Sorry my mistake

I'm really hoping that it is the good thing that will come out if this for me as so far this year has been devastating. I have spent the last few years building up my business only to lose every booking since march. It has been heartbreaking for me and the future looks very scary for everyone in my industry.

Dartmoor chef, I’m so sorry to hear about this. It’s heartbreaking for so many.
My sincere best wishes to everyone working in this industry.
I’m in lakes and there’s so much fear and concern for businesses.
I don’t work in tourism myself but it is still such a part of my life.

Our holidays are slightly different as we have a campervan & wild camp, mainly forests in the middle of nowhere. We take our own food, so no reason to be near people. So we cant wait for camping restrictions to be lifted.

My parents own a self catering holiday home and the company that looks after bookings has just cancelled all of July...

@Nothingbutapickle

Oh no.. Can you tell us what company?
I have booked a house for July...

I'm in the hotels and cottages. We're opening from 4 July. Our industry is is a really bad way. Shearings has just collapsed, with a loss of 2500 jobs. Many many smaller outfits have already gone under, and those that haven't are just hanging on.

The British Institute of Innkeepers is in constant contact with the government and very detailed plans are under discussion on how to open premises safely, protecting customers and staff.

If you take a UK break this year, you will be helping to keep the hospitality industry going, and they will be working their hardest to keep you safe. In this particular scenario it really is a case of use it or lose it. If we are unable to have a summer season we will close our premises and convert them to private houses. We will have no choice.

Most places are taking bookings from 4 July. If bookings have to be cancelled we will be refunding deposits. Check, most places will be doing the same. If they are not, don't book.

We’ve decided we will not be going to Spain for 10 nights in August. Everything apart for the flights (£600 for 4 was refundable). We’ve booked a lodge in Northumberland for 3 nights. It’s refundable if closed due to covid and I’d much prefer to have the certainty of a few nights close to home with familiarity than 10 days in the heat. After the next announcements I think the UK holiday market is going to go a bit mad!

We were supposed to be going down to London for my 30th earlier this month. DH has two weeks off in October and I’d hoped to rebook but it’s probably not a great idea to head to London this year for non-essential travel.

Frankly it’s looking like a week in Turkey is going to be more feasible! However DH and I agree that a week lazing around in the sun is not as appealing after two months of sitting on our arses

We're now accepting that the foreign holiday we'd planned is unlikely to happen. However, we would like a break if at all possible. I've therefore been searching for UK cottages near lots of natural/outdoor stuff. Although bookings are being accepted after 4th July, cancellation policies suggest we'll lose our money if lockdown extended. Therefore, I'm drawing up a shortlist but won't book until I'm certain it's safe to do so, even if last minute. I'm taking the leave I've booked regardless as I'm knackered from working from home, even if I end up pottering at home.

@holidayaddict where are you looking, whilst not a cottage the lodge we’ve booked might be what you’re after...!

Most places are taking bookings from 4 July. If bookings have to be cancelled we will be refunding deposits. Check, most places will be doing the same. If they are not, don't book

Really? Can't see anything on Cottages. com

@fedupofballs been looking mostly at Yorkshire coast/moors. Would consider Northumberland as lovely but been fairly recently.

I have with booking.com as you dont pay until you are there and have until 2 days before to cancel. Have booked 10 days in New Forest at end of August

Not only do I want to be optimistic and have something to look forward to I think the industry will need us to

We use uniquehomestays, deposits are refunded if properties are closed due to lockdown.

I would suggest calling other agencies to confirm. Websites may not be up to date.

Holidayaddict

Cottages.com/Hoseasons are taking bookings from July 4th, but if the restrictions are extended to cover your holiday dates, you’ll qualify for a refund.

We've booked a week camping in July (termtime for the first time ever, but my company are doing a compulsory week off) and the site would refund in full if they can't open, but as they will only be booking up to half their pitches we wanted to get a booking in.
I am going to book a week in August as well.
They've warned they don't know what will happen with shared facilities such as showers, toilets, washing up block etc, so we've just bought a rechargeable shower and a camping loo. We've had a terrible year, so we'll be happy just to be somewhere relaxing, even if that means a porta potti

@UserFriendly14 can't see that on their website?? Need to use them really as have a voucher!

Just go on booking.com and find something with no upfront payment and free cancellation. Honestly there’s loads.

I’ve always fancied taking a camper van holiday, which is basically taking your home environment with you.
The vans would need to be sanitized by the rental company but if you can face using only your own toilet and shower, not the campsite’s, it’s pretty risk free.
Maybe this is the tear I convince DH...

The year...

Holidayaddict

I’m not sure it’ll say explicitly that if it comes to it, it’ll be refunded. But that’s what’s happening for holidays currently affected by the lockdown, so it will apply if lockdown continues.

I have a holiday cottage (Scotland ) and I'm taking bookings for the summer with the caveat if restrictions aren't lifted they get a full refund or they book for next year. I use a third party website so don't get the money till after people have arrived. If you are thinking of booking it is worth emailing the host to ask what the cancellation policy is during the pandemic. I've only recently updated my terms after someone emailed to ask.