Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

What are your opinions on taking a UK holiday right now?

60 replies

Missanneshirley · 02/10/2020 20:14

We are supposed to be going on a week's holiday quite soon. Approx 30 miles from home, car and ferry travel. In Scotland but not too or from a local lockdown area. Family of 4, self contained SC accommodation.
Would you? Should we?! Wildly different opinions being expressed amongst friends and family right now!

OP posts:
LizzieMacQueen · 02/10/2020 22:33

I thought NicolaSturgeon had said we shouldn't travel on holiday at the moment. I'm sure that was part of the BIG message last week

EasterIssland · 02/10/2020 22:36

Yes I’d.
I went to Scotland in August (went to restaurants ) and going to Cornwall next weekend and will be visiting restaurants as well (covid has barely been in Cornwall )
Booked a trip to Edinburgh in Xmas.

I think as long as you can cancel things last minute it should be fine. If you manage to stay apart of people then the risk is small, lower than If you were back at home visiting friends and family

Etinox · 02/10/2020 22:41

@LilyPond2

The one aspect of that holiday that would give me cause for concern would be the ferry. Will it be possible to socially distance or will you be stuck indoors close to other people?
Our ferry was fully booked. All 6 vehicles. We stayed in the car most of the time and when up on the deck it was very blowy. It would have been be very hard to contract CV from the other 20 passengers.
PurplePansy05 · 02/10/2020 22:55

Go for it. I went away, it was amazing and much needed. Just be cautious and sensible.

user1487194234 · 02/10/2020 23:23

We have 2 UK holidays arranged for next month and are looking forward to both
If the rules change we won't go
but as it stands it is bad enough sticking with the rules without putting further voluntary restrictions on oneself

Original poster
Missanneshirley · 02/10/2020 23:43

The ferry is running at around 30% passenger capacity as i understand it, and we would sit outside for the whole journey (c1hr) before going back to our car.

Eeek I just don't know. I must look back on Nicola Sturgeon's speech, I didn't see it live as was at work

OP posts:
starfish4 · 03/10/2020 08:23

As long as you're following the guidelines and restrictions, then go and enjoy.

We haven't booked yet, but have a four slot for a break coming up. We in an area with low numbers, so will go to another similar area. We had considered going over the border to Wales, but maybe that's for another time

Frazzled2207 · 03/10/2020 08:27

If not breaking any laws then yeah I‘d go.
We went a few weeks ago and I was terrified that we wouldn’t be allowed. Was desperate for a change in scenery. Was great- got food delivered and went on lots of nice walks. Kids really needed it too. Managed to pretty much avoid contact with all others other than quick dashes to the village shop.

Mental health is important in these times. I’ve been struggling since this all started and it was the right call.

Friendsoftheearth · 03/10/2020 08:32

Of course you should go!

It is just a short drive away if for whatever you reason you need to come home. Go and have a wonderful time, we have a long winter ahead and need to enjoy what we can when we can.

Not sure why anyone would advise you to do anything else, it is sc, close to home and and as safe as you are ever going to be.

Aragog · 03/10/2020 08:33

We are she to go to Scotland over half term, if it's allowed at that point, to drive round he NC500. Was supposed to go to the Caribbean but we cancelled then in the chance of quarantine. I teach so can't self isolate for 14 days for a holiday.

We are flying there though currently the plane is almost empty, plus they're only using 2/3 of the seats.

We are staying in some hotels but have chosen them carefully, plus have some private self contained places too. We will stay within our household of 2, won't be mixing, will chose restaurants and cafes carefully and will wear masks, sanitise and SD throughout.

Aragog · 03/10/2020 08:34

Im clinically vulnerable too so take extra care as a result.

I don't think it's irresponsible to go away and, let's face it, the travel and tourism and the hospitality businesses really need the money too.

Lindy2 · 03/10/2020 08:40

If you can social distance and keep to the rules then it should be fine to go.

We have a UK break coming up where we'll be staying in a remote cottage in the countryside. I'll do a local click and collect for our food and we'll spend our time walking and relaxing in the cottage. A break is good for your mental health if you can feel safe doing it.

EasterIssland you need to check the current position for Cornwall. Cases were very low but there are some problem areas now that you should probably be aware of.

BatSegundo · 03/10/2020 08:45

I think this is fine OP I'm someone who feels that we all need to follow the rules etc but nothing you're suggesting sounds risky or against the guidelines. Living as well as possible whilst minimising the risk to others is what we should all be doing over the next 6 months and your plans seem entirely in keeping with that.

Standrewsschool · 03/10/2020 08:46

I think you should go as well. We travelled 150 miles last weekend (to visit elderly relative in hospital) and had no qualms about it,

annabel85 · 03/10/2020 08:47

I can see half term causing another spike if loads are going away.

CountFosco · 03/10/2020 08:49

I'm from an island in Scotland and all family members who don't live on the island haven't gone back this year because we don't want to risk infecting an island where there is not appropriate healthcare facilities if someone were to get seriously ill.

Having said that you're not travelling far and it's a short journey so if you are just going from one island to another and there are low or no cases on either then go ahead. But Glasgow to Lewis? Just don't do it.

MaxNormal · 03/10/2020 09:04

Yes why not? We just did the NC500, was really busy, all the campsites were totally full.

ACautionaryTale · 03/10/2020 09:14

We just finished the NC500 (plus more) - live in the south west so can't even claim its local

Stayed in a different hotel every night
ate in a different restaurant every night
Visited a couple of islands

Was a good break and much needed. Would have been gutted if cancelled so I'd go

OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer · 03/10/2020 09:15

There's nothing remotely dubious about going on a break that's permitted by law. Go, be sensible and spend what you can in the local economy.

ACautionaryTale · 03/10/2020 09:15

We also stayed at DH's family in Scotland at exactly the time wee jimmy decided to impose more restrictions on household mixing - finished our holiday but didn't cut it short as we'd already mixed

Itisasecret · 03/10/2020 09:17

I’d say go. I am hoping to go away, no lectures about the health of the nation will stop me. No one cared about my health when they threw me into a class of 30 with no PPE. As it is, I can’t see family under the rule of 6, I am not giving up my holiday unless it’s law. I gave up enough of those over Easter and half term because I was in school.

Toastycornflakes · 03/10/2020 09:24

I definitely would. We were meant to go to centreparks but our county just got put in local lockdown and we aren’t allowed to leave it so had to cancel. If we weren’t in lockdown we would have gone.

AnyFucker · 03/10/2020 09:28

Just go

Original poster
Missanneshirley · 03/10/2020 09:29

Countfosco I'm very mindful of the island population thats one of the the things that's making me pause for thought! They've had a low number of cases throughout. But they also have day trippers and people commuting for work so not like it's been closed off.
We are not coming from a local lockdown area, cases still quite low here too.

OP posts:
2pinkginsplease · 03/10/2020 09:29

Unless a travel ban isn’t placed on Scotland by Nicola sturgeon we will still be going our break away.

We are going to a wee cottage in a fishing village up north, I’m a bit worried about how the locals will react to us being there however we don’t eat out or mix with other while there apart from getting a food shop and we aren’t breaking the law.

Looking forward to finally getting away.