Holidaying at home

Now the summer’s with us, it’s time for us to think about enjoying a break on holiday or fun days out. But rather than venturing abroad – with the time, cost and inconvenience that can entail – why not holiday right here in the UK? 

Take a trip to the seaside.

We are so lucky to live on an island with a coastline that has something for everyone – from sandy beaches to rugged cliffs to beach resorts and everything in between. What’s more, the coast is closer than you think; Lichfield in Staffordshire claims to be the UK’s furthest point from the sea at just 84 miles. A quick online search will tell you the nearest beach to visit, and any accommodation nearby in case you want to stay for a day – or two (or you can see our ideas for different accommodation below). Whether you’re alone, with family, or decide to make it a weekend away with your friends, the beach is a great place to relax, refresh and soak up some of the sun. To top it all off, supporting local coastal communities aids in improving the natural conservation of the climate and animal welfare, meaning you can pat yourself on the back for contributing to the wellbeing of the planet as well as helping the local community. 

Try different accommodation.

Accommodation can be one of the most expensive aspects of a holiday, so why not save money and embrace adventure by trying something a bit different? For example, youth hostels can offer great value and are usually located in some of our most beautiful areas. Being mostly self-catering, you can save money on food, and meet other travellers at a low cost. But it’s not just for solo travellers – there are options for families too. Check out the Youth Hostel Association website. If you fancy a city break that has a university campus, why not see if they hire out student rooms in the summer? The United Students website is a good place to start. If you like animals, you could enjoy free accommodation in return for looking after the pets and properties of people who are on holiday. This option gives you potential accommodation all over the UK – and the world. Pet Sitters & House Sits Worldwide has a lot of positive user reviews.

Get into the garden.

Whether your garden is your pride and joy or you regard it as a problematic patch of grass and weeds, a little imagination can turn it into the perfect place for a fun day out for all the family. You can host all kinds of fun festivities, from water fights and games, to sunbathing and nature watching, to picnics and parties with friends. Why go to all the expense and fuss of going abroad to lie on a sun lounger when you can do it at home? It is the same sun after all. If you find that the familiarity of being at home is stopping you from fully relaxing, promise yourself not to go into the house to do chores and put away your phone. A change is as good as a rest so moving to a different part of the garden can work wonders. If you have children under 11, the National Trust has plenty of inspirational activities for them to try in the garden (and some of them are fun for adults too). 

Visit ‘must see’ places in the UK.

It’s human nature for us to take for granted what is on our doorstep. What do people who visit your local area come to see or do? That could be a good place to start. Have a look at the Visit Britain website for information about our cities, countryside and coast, and some great ideas for making the most of them. Britain really does have something for anyone. If you’re interested in history, we have thousands of years of that. The great outdoors? Try our national parks, breath-takingly beautiful areas preserved for the nation. City break? With 51 cities to choose from, you might not know where to start, so how about reviewing the best cities in the UK as voted for by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller? Are you a foodie? We have a world of cuisine in the UK, from traditional British classics to international flavours, so you can enjoy diverse tastes, culinary innovation, and cultural celebrations. 

Unplug and relax.

In a world of social media, 24/7 advertising, and constant bombardment with information about what your online friends are doing, it is easy to become overwhelmed and start comparing your own life unfavourably to that of others. But stop for a moment to recall the most cherished experiences in your life; no matter where you were or what you were doing, we imagine it involved spending quality time with family and friends. So while it cannot be avoided altogether, make sure that you take some time to unplug, spend time with your loved ones and make some new memories.