Reasons to holiday in the UK

[nearlywed21]

Can someone please sell this to me?
Obviously due to the pandemic not even entertaining the thought of an overseas trip but what actual reasons are there to holiday closer to home? I'm looking at accom and nothing seems to be doing it for me. Prices are extortionate compared to abroad, seems especially uncomfortable coughing that up when its possible to visit as a day trip. Also what activities to actually do on a UK based holiday?
We can't decide whether to halfheartedly book somewhere in the UK or just hold out for whenever our next trip abroad is.

Not exactly luxurious but Premier Inns are generally cheap and comfortable enough for a few nights and scattered throughout the U.K. There's so much to see and do everywhere but a lot is weather dependant of course. Booking ahead is essential this year I think.

You can drive there so take what you want without worrying about airports etc
There are some nice places with nice history
But the weather is generally shit unpredictable and the cost of everything a rip off takes into account boosting the local economy so I would wait to go abroad if I wasn't going to visit relatives in a holiday hotspot tbh

Depends what you want from a holiday really. You won't get sunshine all inclusive by the pool but that's not us. When we go abroad the weather is nice but we always go somewhere with something worth exploring not just for a beach.

We often alternate between UK and abroad. We like walking, history, general exploring. We've taken the kids up various hills in the lakes, Scotland and Yorkshire. We've hunted for fossils in Norfolk, explored the Peak District. You can get active, you can spot wildlife, explore English heritage, national trust and privately owned properties. We have great beaches for water sports. This summer we will be doing lots of watersports and we are going to an area known for reptile fossils plus dark sky area for stargazing and national park for wildlife.

The great thing about driving to a UK holiday is you can shove an assortment of wetsuits, telescopes and binoculars in the car and take them with you!

It’s better for the environment to stay in the UK and not travel by aeroplane

Personally I get too hot abroad in the summer holidays. Love being able to drive there.

When I really think about it it's seems odd- that we pay so much for sunshine.

My sister will say "you can go abroad for that" by which she means an all inclusive holiday where you just sit by a pool/ the beach and visit a water park. Likely in a 3 star hotel where you all share one room. (I know some holidays are much better than this but they often cost much much more)

When I look at it like that- holidaying in the UK gives me so much more- I can learn about new areas- try new things which I might not have in my locality and truly relax with my family knowing that should anything happen- we are on home turf and can get home (or to A&E/ a massive Tesco) with relative ease.

Abroad holidays for me are much more about staying off the beaten track, exploring local areas and finding new things out about local traditions and cultures.

Where would you go in the uk? What new things can you try here at home?

I agree re: transport, being able to drive wherever and not wait around for a bus etc does sound advantageous.

It’s not really the sun/water parks that we seek. I suppose I like being in a new environment, new language, new culture, new food etc it feels like a break from reality. Apart from London which seems so different to everywhere else in the UK and has plenty going on, I wouldn’t know where else to visit?

(I’ve grown up in rural coastal Wales, so places like Cornwall do nothing for me)

A lot of UK holidays this year got booked up months ago so you may struggle to get ideal things.

We normally go abroad so can explore new things like rainforest, wildlife, do lots of water based activities like white water rafting, waterparks, kayaking where weather is reliable.

We did UK last year and will do this year but that's as last year our trip to Borneo / Malaysia / Thailand got cancelled and this year it looked more hassle than it was worth esp with one ASD child.

The advantage I guess at the moment is no tests, no quarantine, no risk of traffic light rule changes. I struggle in heat and so am fine with UK temperatures but rain can be a challenge so I always book things with an indoor pool. There are areas of the UK good for boating and watersports - we are going to Devon and Isles of Scilly and both those areas are excellent. We also love wildlife and again both areas are excellent having seals, dolphins, porpoise, puffins (leave July) etc and even a walrus in Isles of Scilly at the moment. Last year we swam with seals in Devon by Lundy and also alpaca walked across Dartmoor as well as gorging, canoeing, swimming, coastal boat trips on which you can see seals and dolphins. This year we will have a similar time and adding Isles of Scilly, getting there by helicopter and back by small plane.

I do hope next year can go abroad though.

I would go to a city at the moment that is normally full of overseas tourists so you can see the sights in peace. Maybe Cambridge, York or Bath if you don't fancy London.

The idea of a wet week on the coast does not appeal to me at all.

Covid restrictions, Covid tests.
All I can think of.

Would you enjoy a barge holiday in the Norfolk broads.

No airports
No ludicrously expensive airport car parks
No check-in queues
No keeping dcs happy for hours in departure lounges
No exchange rates
No spending the holiday watching green country lists in case they turn to amber
No testing
No need for travel insurance
No 40 degree temperatures or earthquakes or hurricanes.

I love travel, did loads before I had ds, but with small children, it's much harder. Less carefree.

Now I pile everything in the car. The motorway won't leave without us. If someone is ill it's easy to come home early. And there's plenty to explore in the U.K..

Ds is 13 now. I'll start taking him on European city breaks next year.

I really enjoy visiting places where there's some history, Portsmouth is fascinating as you can visit the docks etc. Or maybe a city break in Cambridge, you can go punting and have a picnic. Do you have kids, whatever if so?

I like the flexibility of having a car, no baggage allowance, no queuing at airports, generally more space that what we would have abroad. No problem getting home if anyone tests positive.

We do at least a couple of uk holidays every year though as well as one overseas in a non-pandemic year. Generally we self cater more in the UK with a few meals out and takeaways whereas overseas we book self catering but eat out. Our UK holidays are generally quite budget, cheap accommodation, cheap days out (beach, walks etc) with the odd castle or visitor attraction as the holiday abroad is our priority.

I'm am honestly amazed at how much some people spend on UK breaks. We have paid more than usual this last 18 months but the most is £470 for a week in a cottage with a sea view in the summer holidays. DH thought it was expensive when I booked it as it's about £150 more than I usually spend. I do spend a lot of time searching for the best deal though.

We are off today for 11 nights over 3 locations. We will be eating seafood from lobster shacks and having fish and chips by the harbour, walking coastal paths, rockpooling on the beaches, visiting castle, doing a city or two for the day, quaint villages, walking over bridges for a view point, possibly a boat trip. If it rains we will put our hoods up. Can't wait!

Ceecee your holiday sounds perfect, especially the lobster shack! Where are you going ?

@SpeckledyHen

Ceecee your holiday sounds perfect, especially the lobster shack! Where are you going ?

East Neuk of Fife in Scotland

Well that's the lobster bit anyway, we will stop in East Lothian, Edinburgh, the whole East Neuk, St Andrew's, Dundee, Aberdeenshire, back via South Queensferry and anywhere else that intrigues us along the way!

Thank you - Have a brilliant time!

Thanks @SpeckledyHen

We usually holiday abroad but aren’t this year. It’s not something I’d be able to sustain for the rest of my life but I basically find three interesting things to do in whatever area/city we’re visiting and gee everyone else up massively about them. DD is only a preschooler, which obviously helps. So Broadstairs was - Look, an amusement arcade! Really old ice cream parlour! Mini golf! Liverpool was - Beatles stuff! Statues on beach! Great restaurants! Etc. It wouldn’t work every year but I can foster enthusiasm about most places as a one-off. Contemplating the northumberland coast next.

I have to say OP, rural Wales was the most difficult for me The sprog did like llama trekking though.

Last year we managed to get away for a couple of nights to Norfolk with the bikes. My mum watched the kids so it was just DH and I for two blissful nights.

We waited for the weather forecast and booked the hottest few days - it was glorious. I would book v last minute and stay in the nicest place you can get/afford for just a few nights.

We cycled for miles through forest and along the coast. Driving and having the bikes meant we could get to less accessible parts of beaches etc which was brilliant.

We did say tho if the weather was shit we just wouldn't bother going as it makes such a massive difference.

In the UK you have some of the most varied and beautiful scenery in the world. If all you want is constant sunshine, heat and beaches, then yes, go to the costas.

I like the fact you can get there easily, you can set off when you’re ready and take your home comforts.

We stay in a nice holiday cottage so it’s good to be somewhere luxurious and clutter-free. I’ve seen a few threads about doing housework etc and we find if we were to stay at home and do day trips we’d end up doing housework or DIY.

I like the country pubs, I’ve never found anywhere comparable abroad. And sad as it seems, having a kids menu on offer is a selling point.

Generally museums are free or cheaper than those abroad, I’ve found.

If you go for a coffee you can relax in a cosy chair with a long drink rather than an expresso stood up at a bar or in a piazza where the staff take ages to serve you.

I love eating abroad, but over here I’d have fish and chips, a roast dinner, a cream tea and a good cheeseboard. Also there would be a nice curry house.

I get a supermarket delivery full of easy to prepare goodies and ice creams/lollies. I usually identify about 3-4 things to do (and book into now) in advance. Some of these are free, some are expensive but having paid for them before makes it not feel as expensive.

Study the weather forecast obsessively, including wind direction. Identify the dry part of the day and go out then, even for a bit. Write off the washout days and play games, read books and watch TV.

If it’s nice weather then it just feels nicer and positive in the UK, as it’s such a bonus. I like how if it’s sunny here you can generally always sit out in it without having to seek shade.
I realise the things I’ve said are things that I could do from home but it just wouldn’t feel like a holiday to me. I have young children so I’m happy with the idea of a change of scenery for a week, and I do prefer the British landscape to most arid Mediterranean areas.

I like a UK holiday, as I hate the stress of the airport, hanging around, the limitations of what you can pack. Inconvenient flight times etc. Expensive car parking. Not to mention the testing, quarantine rules etc that change very regularly. Way too much hassle.

UK pack up the car, leave whatever time you want, no rush. Same currency/language. So many beautiful places to visit. If you have a dog, they can come too, without the need for a pet passport. Easier to get back home if you want to go home earlier. Much less hassle.

Also what activities to actually do on a UK based holiday?

I'm always amazed that people say this. There are so many interesting things to see and do in our country.

On a recent holiday we visited a safari park, visited a historic city, walked along a canal, visited some historic sites, shopped in a lovely market town, lunched out every day, and stayed in a gorgeous airbnb that was so well equipped, in a converted mill.

IMO, good accommodation is key when staying in the UK.