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Original poster

Holidaying within the UK

30 replies

esveee · 19/07/2020 00:03

I know hotels are open again, but what are people's thoughts on going on holiday currently? Too soon or ok? I'd like a few days away somewhere by train. Somewhere beachy or with countryside. I don't plan to hang out for hours on the beach or sit in restaurants for ages, just mostly wander around outside and have some walks etc.
After 4 months stuck in a town centre apartment I'm going a bit loopy.

OP posts:
Splitsunrise · 19/07/2020 00:04

Also following this!

purpleme12 · 19/07/2020 00:10

I don't think I'm planning on staying over yet I guess I don't feel confident enough with everything that's happened
But I want to go on trains/buses for days out and I've not built the courage up yet neither do I know whether I should or not??

Original poster
esveee · 19/07/2020 00:21

I thought of a few days out first, but then its the travel that's the risky bit. I'm pretty confident I can avoid people once I'm there so staying over makes sense.... but I don't know. I also don't want to piss people off in tourist towns lol if they don't want people visiting.

OP posts:
BlatheringOn · 19/07/2020 00:22

Last weekend we went to a holiday cottage. Sat on a pebble beach (much less busy than the sandy ones) with a picnic of sandwiches from the Co-op. Went cycling, and visited an English Heritage property (needed to book). Had an Indian takeaway - first since lockdown. It was easy to socially distance and I desperately needed the break!

blue25 · 19/07/2020 00:23

I’m not comfortable on public transport yet, so would only go in the car.

purpleme12 · 19/07/2020 00:23

What do people think about going on buses and trains?

GeordieLass01 · 19/07/2020 00:26

I’d go away now in the uk but DH won’t. We are away in December in the uk, holiday cottage, so social distanced. I’m already planning on taking sanitiser to clean once we arrive. Just seeing someone else’s four walls and different views will be enough!

Original poster
esveee · 19/07/2020 00:27

@purpleme12 masks are mandatory on public transport so if they're being used mostly correctly transmission should be low imo. I'd rather stand than sit next to someone but as long as they're not packed I think they should be fine.

OP posts:
PammieDooveOrangeJoof · 19/07/2020 00:28

Just come back from a week long uk break. It was glorious. We drove and the services we stopped at were v v quiet. Hand sanitizer as you go in, social distancing throughout.
Went for a few socially distanced dinners which were lovely. Tables spaced out, staff wearing visors or masks and ordering food and drinks via apps whilst sitting at tables. Beaches were well kept and again, lots of space so could keep distanced. Toilets were closed though so made sure we went before and only stayed a few hours before the short drive home to the cottage.
So so glad we went. Felt like being back to ‘normal’ even though everyone kept their distance. Absolutely rejuvenating.

purpleme12 · 19/07/2020 00:31

@esveee ok that's interesting I'm never sure what to believe
I would have to use bus/train to go anywhere

Just need to get over the mask thing...

Skinandbones · 19/07/2020 00:31

We had a week that had to be cancelled as it was in Wales. Managed to get a caravan in Noefolk, a favourite place. In one way it was nice to get away But some of the usual quiet places were heaving and there were no social distancing. So we kept away from the town and shops there, and visited some foodie shops, walked on the beach and had a decent nights sleep.

OpheliasCrayon · 19/07/2020 04:20

We are going and staying with a friend.

I looked at a few options but I was put off with things like camp sites because of all the rules in place. Whilst I accept they're probably just taking reasonable precautions and following the guidelines it just didn't seem like it was going to be a relaxing experience so I decided not this year.

I didn't want to book anything that involved a third party because I was worried about it being cancelled if there were local lockdowns etc and although I would have been happy to stay in a cottage I just didn't want to risk it not going ahead.

So I thought staying with friends would be the easiest and nicest stress free option.

We drive, so I don't need to think about public transport but I would go on a plane to go abroad etc with no worries. I've just not opted for an abroad holiday because again I don't want to risk being caught in any second lockdowns and being quarantined in hotel rooms with two children, or being required to quarantine when we got back. That risk just seemed like a rather hellish situation I'd like to avoid !

Bebbanburger · 19/07/2020 06:41

I live in a touristy place and it is very busy now. Personally I don't feel ready for an.overnight stay yet. I want to. I really would love to go to the beach and the kids want to go to theme parks and I keep thinking about doing it then talking myself out of it.

ifonly4 · 19/07/2020 07:07

We're booked to stay in a hotel somewhere quiet with headland walks. I was happy until friends asked if we'd be taking our own quilt and pillowsConfused

Nquartz · 19/07/2020 07:12

We've got an air bnb booked for the end of August, I will clean a bit on arrival, we're planning bike rides, beach, zoo & walking. Nothing indoors and any eating out will be takeaways.

I.wouldn't fancy staying in a hotel but self contained feels safer. We just want a change of scenery!

Nquartz · 19/07/2020 07:14

@ifonly4 i hadnt even considered taking out own pillows & duvets but thinking about it, I think we'll take pillows, all that dribbling by previous occupants is gross to think about in normal times Envy not envy!

Normalmumandwife · 19/07/2020 07:26

Just had a week away and fine. Flying abroad soon and read they had tested 2500 British tourists on arrival and all negative.

mrssmiling · 19/07/2020 07:36

Would not go anywhere touristy - concerned about distancing and like a previous poster, don’t want to add pressure on those living there.
Have booked a remote cottage for a few days in beautiful countryside not too far away...plan walks and just looking at a different view! Grin Will take food with us, and perhaps get takeaways.
The rental company were reassuring about cleaning and stressed that they are stripping cottages of surplus items, including ornaments, cushions, throws etc. Sounds very sensible.

yearinyearout · 19/07/2020 07:52

I've already been and I'm going again in three weeks. The economy needs you to be going on holiday and spending money in areas that rely on tourism.

In all honesty I was worried we wouldn't get a warm welcome when we went away after reading some of the comments on here, but the locals couldn't have been more friendly.

AnnaMariaDreams · 19/07/2020 08:26

Just come back, it was lovely. We stayed in a self catering static with a hot tub. We did 2 EH places, one NT place, and lots of beaches. Ate out once and had a takeaway.

Scarby9 · 19/07/2020 08:35

Going in a fortnight to a cottage I booked on New Years Eve. Sleeps 6, but only 3 of us going, in 2 cars, and we will do the journey in one go, without stopping, then will socially distance between us while we are there. I have booked one outing (outside) so far, and will book National Trust when they are released.
Why are we going? Change of scene, chance to socialise, feel we have done something with the summer etc. 3 x single households, two of which are bubbling for the journey and the guidance on mixing indoors.

girlicorne · 19/07/2020 10:41

We have been to theme parks the last three weekends and stayed in their hotels. It’s been fine, temperature checking, no buffet breakfast, spaced out tables in the bars. Other than wearing masks on the rides it all seems reasonably normal, limited numbers in the parks. We were meant to be going camping to a haven in a couple of weeks but with having to prebook everything, queuing for the showers and not being able to just pop into the bar for a drink it all just seems too much hassle so we are cancelling in favour of some more shorter hotel and theme park breaks through the summer instead.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 19/07/2020 10:47

Were away now on a campsite in Devon, but staying in one of their static vans as it's a bit further away from the neighbouring van than the tents are (and I hate camping!). We are the first people in here this season and I cleaned the place down when we arrived.

We are fully enclosed and don't need to use the shared facilities. And it's a family run site that hugely needs the business after a very difficult year for them. We were due to stay there in May but it had to be cancelled.

The roads here were relatively quiet. We will see later what the local supermarket is like and will walk down to the local town tomorrow but don't need to actually go in anywhere if it looks too busy.

It feels much more normal than I thought it would and I'm glad we've come.

ilovebagpuss · 19/07/2020 12:14

We are going to Wales camping next weekend for 4 nights. It’s a campsite we know well and they are just allowed to open the communal toilet block that day. The owner said she is halving her spaces so it should we quite civilised.
Close to a beach and local small town to visit just change of scenery. We will weigh up the beach and leave if it looks unreasonably busy but a short drive away from the main town there are miles of beach so should be able to find some to walk and paddle.

Yellowbutterfly1 · 19/07/2020 14:11

I’m in a holiday cottage booked last year. The owners have not removed anything but have been getting it professionally cleaned, aired and ‘fogged’ between bookings.

The fogging machine is said to fully disinfect and kill all bacteria and viruses. They also now do contactless Check-In and check-out via a key safe outside.