UK Holiday Cottage vs Barbados? Wwyd

[hungryhumpy]

We want a week of relaxation in November. Want to just eat nice food and read our books.

Our friends have said we can use their apartment in Barbados if we pay the electricity we use. Flights are 9 hours and cost £550 each.

I wanted to rent a farm house in the Lake District and relax by the fire for a week. Eat in local pube etc

I find flying long haul tiring. But what would you do? Barbados or UK holiday cottage?

Oh my oh my

Eat in local pubs

If you just want to relax I’d go for the lakes.
my theory is that you don’t know Barbados, you’d have to settle in, explore etc.

Barbados every time, it's a beautiful island. Stay on the West Coast.

I've gone right off international travel at the moment. You'll lose two whole days travelling out of your week. We've just had a week in the lakes. Wasn't great weather but we were doing what you're planning - reading, nice gastropub meals, walks when fancied it etc. I vote UK.

If it was longer than a week, I would choose Barbados. But long haul flights for a week isn't for me, so if it's only a week I would choose the Lake District

I'd definitely go to Barbados - because I love the beach, sea and vibe there.

But it sounds like the uk holiday would suit you better - much less travelling, no jet lag, you can sit and read your book by the fire.

For a week, the Lake District.

Barbados without a doubt

People choosing UK cottage over Barbados 😂

it’s not even a question OP.

Barbados in a moment. It's gorgeous and you can relax there too, with the benefit of sunshine.

Amazing typo 🤣

I’d go to Barbados. The lakes definitely aren’t going anywhere but the amazingly generous offer from your friend might be a one time thing in terms of her offering, the timing working and the flights not being too expensive.

Barbados : for the vitamin d to top you up over winter (I suffer from SAD so I need the sunlight) . Glad you’re not planning on dining on pubes 😁

UK cottage. Barbados may be amazing but it's not going to be the type of relaxing holiday you want.

I love Barbados but I would be wary if there is still hurricane season. Do research.
It's a beautiful and safe island with lots to explore. It would be a shame to just sit at the pool and read.
Also, you loose basically 2 days for travelling. We always did at least 10 days for the Caribbean.

I would go for the Lakes, get a really luxery cottage in a little town with good pubs and tea rooms.

I'd go for the UK cottage but I hate hot weather, I'd much rather be cosied up indoors with a good book by the fire than baking in the sun. I also hate flying, airports and everything associated with air travel.

Barbados no contest for me!

But I think you need to ask yourselves what you personally prefer in holidays. Everyone here will have their opinion, I think it would be madness to stay here but that's my preference - I love travelling and flying, love exploring new places, love the sunny weather and cold makes me miserable. So I never take holidays in the UK. Others on this thread have said that would be their worst nightmare and they'd rather be cosy round the fire etc.

Which appeals to you more? Imagine you won a trip and these were your options with the costs etc removed - which would you pick then?

Chances are your friends will give you the opportunity to do Barbados another time if it's not what you want right now - perhaps when you are in more of an exploring vs relaxing mindset?

Barbados. It's beautiful- especially in November - and you can go to the Lakes any time.

It doesn't matter what anyone else prefers. Your post screams that you want a cosy winter break:

Quote "I wanted to rent a farm house in the Lake District and relax by the fire for a week. Eat in local pubs etc"

You weren't looking for winter sun/long journey/flying etc. I'm sure Barbados is lovely but it isn't the holiday you were looking for. It would be an upgrade if you were looking for winter sun but you weren't.

I think if you go for Barbados any problems e.g. delayed flight and you will be thinking "why am I doing this - I didn't want to do this".

Just thank your friends very much but tell them you had in mind a cosy winter break rather than winter sun.

Just editing to add that you should consider the views of others going particularly if there are children and teens involved who might be more excited by Barbados than a quiet week in the holiday accommodation.

I went to Barbados for a week. Long flight but was so worth it and we had a great time.

Neither, I'd go to the Algarve or Spain personally. Relatively short flight, a chance of some sun, eating out is cheap, cosy evenings and the whole thing should cost you less than your UK plans. But that's me.

I'm assuming your partner is more inclined towards a holiday in Barbados? At the end of the day, Mumsnet can't make that decision for you but I do think that we quite often regret not seizing opportunities so if Barbados is somewhere you'd be interested in visiting and the offer of a free stay in your friend's appartment may not be repeated, I'd grab the opportunity while it's there. I'm still regretting not taking the opportunity to go to the opera in Verona arena many decades ago and each year when Wimbledon comes around I regret not taking up a former work colleagues offer to get tickets via her relative!

In November? Cold, dark and probably wet northern England or a bright, warm, sunny, relaxed island in the West Indies — hmmm.
I’d say take Barbados any day but especially in November — but make your holiday nine days long rather than seven to make up for the flying time.