Freya Gascoigne explores the length of our stunning island, all done from the comfort of her home. She is sure to make you dream of travelling, even if it’s not quite the long-haul you’ve dreamed off this past year!
With our foreign summer holiday bookings still looking pretty uncertain, enjoying a chapter of a book in the last of the afternoon sun is as close as we’ve been getting to an exotic beach break, or any break. But you need not look further than the UK for the perfect getaway. Whether it’s a family fun adventure or a romantic break. From cycling to yoga, cosy cottages to castles, our top ten picks for a Great British summer holiday have you covered.
1. Romantic Getaway in Robin’s Hood Bay
For couples looking for an intimate escape, Robin’s Hood Bay is a hidden gem on the Yorkshire coastline. This beautiful self-catered cottage is perfect for a cosy retreat away from busy city life. Nestled in the coastline above the fishing town of Whitby, there’s plenty to do during the day. Whitby Abbey is a popular English Heritage site. You can take a walk on the expansive coastline below the property and retreat to one of the bay’s traditional pubs for an evening drink. Equally, you need not leave this home stay at all. The beautiful mezzanine bedroom, chic yet cosy interior, and a large garden with plenty of sunspots give you a feel of the Mediterranean in the UK. You can arrange beauty and massage services, as well as privately cooked dinners by Michelin star chefs. Specially selected wines to be provided to you all from the comfort of your home stay. This offers a truly unique, luxury experience for couples who want to escape the madding crowds.
https://www.uniquehomestays.com/self-catering/uk/yorkshire/whitby/bay-view/
2. Cycling in the Highlands: The North Coast 500
If you want a holiday that will set your heart racing, the North Coast 500 is the perfect option for keen cyclists. Ending at Inverness Castle, the route is 516 miles around the Northern Coast of Scotland, traditionally through the counties of Inverness-shire, Ross, and Cromarty, Sutherland, and Caithness. The trip is usually spaced out between 7-9 days, and membership starts at £15 per person. Unwind in the evening at one of the many cosy guesthouses bedded in the Scottish countryside. Alternatively, if you would rather see the gems of the North Coast at a more leisurely pace, membership also offers itineraries for non-cyclists. This includes a seven-day golf tour and the History, Heritage and Archaeology itinerary stops at a treasure chest of historical landmarks, including the 16th century Ardvreck Castle. Each itinerary offers extensive dining and accommodation options for each leg of the journey, ensuring that you can plan your trip according to your tastes.
https://www.northcoast500.com/
3. Island Hopping in the Hebrides
If you would rather not see Scotland on two wheels, why not see it by boat? A trip around the Hebridean Islands offers tourists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the glorious Scottish Isles. The ferry service allows you to hop from island to island at your leisure. Alternatively, spirit lovers can follow the whiskey trail of the Hebrides’ iconic distilleries by small plane. The Hebrides are a goldmine for wildlife, making this a great option for exploring with the family. Take a day trip to the Shiant Islands with the chance of spotting breeding Puffins, or for an ultimate taste of isolation, visit the famous St Kilda Archipelago and see Europe’s largest colony of gannets. The popular destination of the Isle of Skye certainly won’t disappoint. Why not explore the unknown and visit the fairy pools, or escape to Dunvegan castle and immerse yourself in Scottish history? Finish your visit to the Isle of Skye with some seafood at one of the restaurants in the stunning fishing village of Stein.
4. Go Yurting in Dorset
Camping is the ultimate option for a family fun adventure, and where better than the British countryside to feel at one with nature. If the thought of a sleeping bag and the peril of rain doesn’t appeal, a yurt is the perfect glamping option. This beautiful yurt, bedded in rural Dorset, offers a slice of affordable luxury and can sleep up to 6 people. With a private bathroom and hot tub, as well as cooking facilities, a pizza oven, and even a Nespresso machine. Yes, the Pippin Yurt puts the glamorous into glamping. On the doorstep of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Pippin’s location promises lazy beach days and bracing walks on one of the UK’s most stunning geological landscapes. The charming town of Bridport is only a five-minute drive, with plenty of restaurants if you don’t fancy cooking. A market every Wednesday and Sunday offers everything from antiques and crafts to delicatessen treats.
5. Cruising in the Norfolk Broads
With its playful nickname the Venice of the East, the Norfolk broads make for the perfect destination for holiday goers that want an unconventional means of travel. The Broads have plenty of boat hire facilities, offering sensational cruisers to hire out for a few days or a week, to explore Norfolk’s 125 miles of sensational waterways. Dock up your cruiser and meander into Wroxham, Horning, and Norfolk’s other idyllic, waterside villages for a cream tea or a pub lunch. If you want a culture fix, wander further into Norfolk to visit Norwich Cathedral or trail around Norfolk’s other medieval churches (there’s over 650 of them) for a laid-back cultural afternoon.
6. Besiege Yourself in a Castle
Instead of the usual rental home holiday, a Landmark Trust Castle property is a glorious option for a thrilling family adventure. Astley Castle in Nuneaton, Warwickshire is a totally unique take on the holiday rental. Winning the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture 2013, the interior is a pastiche of the original castle walls and arches, rustic wood furniture, sleek modern light fittings, and naturally, a moated entrance. Having been owned by three queens of England, a stay at Astley is a truly special experience. The home accommodates up to 8 guests, so it is perfect for a big family or group of friends. Although not far from Warwick or Coventry, there’s plenty to do in Nuneaton. The bluebell littered fields of the Hartshill Hayes Country Park are idyllic for picnicking and dog walking. The Hoar Park Craft Village and Children’s Farm is the perfect place for a family day trip, with an interactive petting zoo and a great little café for brunch.
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/astley-castle-4806/#Overview
7. Master your culinary skills at River Cottage
If you’re keen to learn some new skills this summer, this is a cookery course with plenty of additional extras. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage offers full-immersive culinary experiences, from a one day visit to an intensive four-day course. River Cottage’s Farm is buried in the Axe Valley in Devon’s peaceful countryside, providing a tranquil haven as the backdrop to your learning. Four days at River Cottage is more than just picking up a few new dishes. It aims to offer its guests a whole new philosophy on food and cooking. Each day has a different focus, making seasonal recipes with fresh, local produce and learning a portfolio of new skills, from smoking meats to baking the perfect focaccia. While you might be busy during the day, there’s plenty of downtime to explore your surroundings, relax in the famous farmhouse, and to enjoy your creations, of course. Receiving four awards for culinary and travel excellence, this is the ultimate foodie experience not to be missed.
https://www.rivercottage.net/courses/classic-cookery/four-days-at-river-cottage
8. Find your Zen in Anglesey
If after working from home, you’re dying to stretch your muscles, a yoga retreat is a great option. The Zest Life Retreats run in June, July, and September and offer a combination of yoga classes and wild swimming sessions. Located in the Isle of Anglesey, the retreat takes place at the Plas Cadnant country house, boasting a cosy fire-lit sitting room and a selection of luxury bedrooms to accommodate up to eleven guests. An oak-beamed yoga space, tucked behind a walled garden, provides the perfect sanctuary for both beginners and experienced yogis. The retreat provides in-house holistic treatments, making this a great option if you want a slice of spa break luxury. Food is integral to the retreat’s ethos of feeding body, mind, and soul, and you’re sure not to go hungry with the extensive plant-based vegetarian menu.
9. Explore Cornwall by VW Camper Van
With festivals with friends now out of the question, why not hire a vintage Volkswagen Camper van to re-invent the traditional Cornwall beach holiday. Travelling in a Camper van means you can pitch up home where you fancy, in Cornwall’s many rustic campsites. Each van has a kitchenette, meaning you can enjoy your breakfast overlooking St Levan beach in Penzance. The open-air Minack Theatre in Porthcurno is a must for a cultural fix. Carved into the cliffs, it beautifully reflects the Cornish passion for song and theatre, with regular performances from theatre groups, musicians, and dancers. It’s a curious treasure quite literally buried in the coastline.
http://www.cornishcampers.co.uk/
10. The Glorious Beaches of the Gower Peninsula
It’s not surprising that the Gower Peninsula is a holiday spot for Catherine Zeta-Jones. Boasting breathtaking natural beauty with a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a real Welsh gem for British getaways. Sitting between Lanikai beach in Hawaii and Playa Norte in Mexico on TripAdvisor’s list of the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches. Rhossili is a top pick if you’re looking for the ultimate beach break. Take a boat out to Burry Holms, the island at the end of the bay, for crabbing and fishing at low tide. Blue Pool Bay is a must for an active beach day. Go plunging in the famous natural rockpool or surf in high tide, finishing your day off with an evening drink at The King’s Head in Llangennith. Although the Gower is a popular destination for campers, Langland is a 30-minute drive from Rhossili and has a host of boutique rental cottages. You can happily wind down in a little piece of affordable luxury. With coastline comparable to some of the world’s most exotic destinations, the Gower Peninsula is a hotspot not to be missed.
