Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Would you book to go away in the UK now?

91 replies

Thorilicious · 01/08/2020 19:35

DH has just managed to book some time off towards the end of August.
As much as we would like to go away for a week to recharge the batteries, we are aware of the R rate rising in places, and local lockdowns maybe being possible.
Are we being over cautious to consider not booking anywhere this year? Sad

OP posts:
Twinkletwinklechocbar · 01/08/2020 20:41

We've just returned from a week in a seaside tourist hotspot.

The accommodation we booked would have transferred the date if it had to be cancelled so no worries there.

We knew that it would be a different holiday.

I'll be totally honest, there was hardly any social distancing going on on the beaches and in the streets. No one seemed to give a damn, we avoided a lot of things we might normally do, but we were happy to do that to get a break.

We had a flat overlooking the harbour and we saw all sorts of behaviour.

We were very careful, no eating out or going in pubs, avoided shops for all but essentials.

We headed to beaches first thing before the crowds arrived and had our few hours there before it got busy, then went back to our apartment for lunch. We went on coastal walks or to national trust beaches more off the beaten track, we went on evening walks to quiet places.

It was a marvellous break and did us the world of good. But people's behaviour did shock me. I live in a city where on the whole everything is Covid secure. The holiday didn't feel safe unless you avoided most things,

starfishmummy · 01/08/2020 20:56

We cancelled our holiday. Part of me regrets it but then I have seen how the village we go to was overrun yesterday . And then there's the thought that everywhere we go will be - at best - difficult with social distancing; and young adult ds has SN and loves people so keeping him away will be a nightmare. Hes just "out" of shielding so we are still being cautious

starrynight19 · 01/08/2020 20:59

Interesting about city breaks , we have one of those booked. Hopefully that will go ahead and be easier than the overcrowding of beaches we have seen.

Aragog · 01/08/2020 21:24

That's interesting Twinkle...
Our holiday was French cities, a German theme park and then London (a last minute change as we got concerned on Thursday they might put France off the exempt list plus Paris was going to be 40c!) - so no seasides resorts. All though there were still tourists around (it seems a lot of Europe are holidaying right now) it was all with SD, masks and protective measures. London was much much quieter, even convent garden on Friday night wasn't too busy and it was really easy to social distancing and most people were using masks indoors.

felineflutter · 01/08/2020 21:56

I agree if you stay away from the coast, niace cities/towns are pretty quiet. I am in a lovely hotel with grounds by Capability Brown and I am literally the only person walking around! The restaurants are quiet it has been lovely and relaxing.

mum2jakie · 01/08/2020 22:19

We're on holiday in Cornwall as booked pre lockdown. Town and beaches are busy but don't feel particularly at risk. Have ordered food for delivery so able to avoid supermarket shopping and will be eating in mainly.

beatrixpotterspencil · 01/08/2020 22:29

I live in Ambleside Lake District.
if you are looking for peace and quiet you won't find it hereabouts.

and the people stating in the uk right now, many of them are usually overseas, magaluff territory, it is a very different atmosphere, lots of anger, etc. weird feeling all around.

im moving next week so don't have a horse in the tourist race, but things are just not what they were....

HairyFloppins · 01/08/2020 22:32

No the thought of it just depresses me.

Abracadabra12345 · 01/08/2020 22:32

@123456abcd

Yes, absolutely! Go on a UK city break (am currently on holiday in a UK city), they are much quieter than coastal towns and desperate for tourists to return.
That is really interesting, and just made me think! Like everyone else I’ve been thinking of places I can mainly be outside i.e. in nature. I hadn’t even thought about a city break. Real food for thought!

To answer OP’s question, I took a chance and booked a couple of places a few months ago, hoping that they would be open at the start of the school summer holidays, and this has proved the case. We stayed close to the South Downs for a few days last week, and it was absolutely fantastic. The shops etc. in the small town nearby were closely following all government guidelines, and people were too. It was such a wonderful relaxing break. You will feel so much better for it!

RubyWow · 01/08/2020 22:33

If you can find somewhere nice that’s available and not massively overpriced, go for it! I’d probably avoid places like Devon and Cornwall and the South coast at the moment but there are still miles of practically empty beautiful beaches up in Northumberland. I’m away in North Yorkshire at the moment and it’s not really busy at all. A far cry from the scenes in the papers from Bournemouth, Brighton etc. Rates in the North East are currently really low, if things are going to get worse then I’d rather go now before it all goes to shit again.

LoveBeingAMum555 · 01/08/2020 22:51

I live in a popular tourist area in Yorkshire and its as busy here as it usually would be in July. We have booked a cottage in another remote part of Yorkshire in October, we will walk and cycle and take our own food. If we have to cancel we can re-book another time.

girlicorne · 01/08/2020 22:56

We are going to Cornwall in the morning, not sure if we ll get sent home before our week is up!! We have a theme park break the week after and then a break on the Lincolnshire coast the week after that, if they don’t happen they don’t happen we have cancelled multiple holidays this year already so we are used to it. I would go but maybe not get too excited until the day before!

SomeWateryTart · 01/08/2020 22:57

We are thinking of booking, but something where we can cancel right up till immediately before, without incurring fees tbh. Still unsure though...

Twiningalldaylong · 01/08/2020 23:01

We live in the Lake District. It's heaving. Everyone's hating it. I don't want to go away anywhere else because I don't want to inflict it on others. We are just staying put this year

rosie1959 · 01/08/2020 23:01

Nice 4* hotel booked for a break will be good to get away didnt pay more than their usual tariff even got a discount
Reasonably large seaside resort in Devon we go to quite frequently plenty of open space

frustrationcentral · 01/08/2020 23:05

We've booked a fairly last minute long weekend away, in a very small holiday park with no communal facilities. It's cost much more than usual, but we've missed out on a big holiday this year so it feels worth it

uniglowooljumper · 01/08/2020 23:10

Yes if I were driving there.

Hyperfish101 · 01/08/2020 23:11

We’re staying in a relatives caravan in the Scottish Borders. Pretty remote. Will spend time walking and driving to remote beaches. Just nice to have a change of scene. Avoiding the big Southern tourist hotspots as they are full of lager louts.

peppermintteadrinker · 01/08/2020 23:18

I have a cottage booked end of August. I got twitchy about local lockdown so checked the rules in those places and it looked fine for holidays

Titsywoo · 01/08/2020 23:24

We're going to London for a few days - much quieter than anywhere else! We live on the outskirts anyway so have been going up for days out but thought a proper change of scenery with a hotel etc would be good for us all. I wouldn't fancy Cornwall or anywhere similar as they are probably rammed.

SomeWateryTart · 01/08/2020 23:28

@Titsywoo

We're going to London for a few days - much quieter than anywhere else! We live on the outskirts anyway so have been going up for days out but thought a proper change of scenery with a hotel etc would be good for us all. I wouldn't fancy Cornwall or anywhere similar as they are probably rammed.
We were thinking similar; not London, as we live near there too, so it wouldn't be that much of a change of scene really... But definitely not going to the big beauty spots or beachey places, as I imagine they will be heaving. I do feel so sorry for the people who live there Sad. I honestly would feel like moving. We do see tourists here, but they don't all land on the (hypothetical) beach where I walk my (hypothetical) dog for example and sit on top of one another and we don't only have one ITU in the county either!
ilovebagpuss · 01/08/2020 23:36

We have a week end of Aug in Devon. We did do a bit of camping in Wales but were unlucky with the weather.
We Went for a town flat in the end and will drive to find an out of the way beach ( if such a thing is possible) not going to head to the main areas.
We were going to France but just decided not to bother this year in case of having to quarantine suddenly.

AliMonkey · 01/08/2020 23:48

We're off on UK holiday next weekend. Week in cottage then week in hotel, all booked before lockdown. But have just realised that new guidance says masks to be worn in all public areas of hotels and am beginning to think about cancelling that week as (a) It won't be at all relaxing and (b) DS13 won't wear one (anxiety and sensory issues but not convinced they are bad enough that we can really say he can't) and DD15 really doesn't want to. Not that we'll be wondering round the hotel much but thought of having to wear one just to get to our room and to the restaurant makes me think it may not be worth it.

But definitely still going to cottage - just hoping weather OK as we are basically planning outdoor things (walks, cycles, visit to ruined castle, eat in garden of pub) but will have to go prepared with lots of games, books etc plus waterproofs!

disorganisedsecretsquirrel · 01/08/2020 23:59

Yes . I booked a week in an Airbnb in the countryside near Penzance today for DH and I . We leave a week Monday. Can't wait. This booking allows a full refund if the Govt stops us travelling.

C33P0 · 02/08/2020 00:23

I have booked a week in the UK at the end of August. I booked it about 2 weeks ago and was lucky to get anything - the area I was looking in was pretty much sold out.

I am slightly panicking that we might end up having to cancel if we get caught by track and trace though.