31/12/2020
๐ฌ๐ง SOME OF THE BEST PLACES FOR A STAYCATION IN 2021 ๐ฌ๐ง
From the Cotswolds to the Isles of Scilly, these are the best UK holiday destinations to visit next year ! ๐คฉ
When it comes to escaping the daily grind, UK holiday destinations offer some incredible sites you just won't find abroad. From our amazing railways taking in breathtaking countryside to our quaint villages and historic cities, there's so much to explore right here at home ๐ฌ๐ง
Being stuck at home during lockdown is providing us with plenty of time to start planning our staycations for 2021 and when we're allowed to explore the UK again, we'll be ready to visit the most beautiful places on our doorstep ๐ฟ
There are the Scottish Highlands offering wild, remote beauty and the Cotswolds leaving you utterly mesmerised by its quintessential English gardens ๐ฌ๐ง
Snowdonia is a terrific place to experience captivating views, while the Isles of Scilly are perfect for experiencing Caribbean-like beaches without the carbon footprint. The opportunities to see the charms of the UK are endless ๐ฌ๐ง
SOCIAL DISTANCING IS EASY when you escape for seclusion in the country, but there are always crowd-free spots to be found in cities, from Edinburgh to Bath ๐คฉ
Whichever time of year you're travelling, be it winter, spring, summer or autumn, these are the UK holiday destinations to consider for a 2021 trip on British soil ๐ฌ๐ง
ISLES OF SCILLY
Sitting 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, these idyllic islands are the UK's answer to the Caribbean. The heavenly white sands, turquoise waters and slightly milder climate make the Isles of Scilly a UK holiday destination everyone should have on their bucket list. Five of the 140 isles are inhabited (St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, Bryher and St Agnes) and boast some of Britain's most outstanding attractions, including Tresco Abbey Garden ๐คฉ
There are dark skies for stargazing, wildlife that thrives (including puffins and Atlantic grey seals), plus the laidback lifestyle that's high on most island holiday wish lists.
Visit the Isles of Scilly with the archipelago's top guide Will Wagstaff, who will show you parts of the islands that many tourists miss, take you on a boat ride to spot seabirds and show you round Tresco Abbey Garden ๐ก
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Scenic, remote and one of the real treasures of Britain, the Scottish Highlands offer a truly wild escape, where you can get lost among mountains, lochs and beaches. Aside from Britain's largest national park, the Cairngorms, the legendary Loch Ness, mighty Ben Nevis and Eilean Donan Castle, the Highlands are home to the amazing Jacobite steam train, aka the Hogwarts Express ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Taking you over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, just like Harry Potter and his friends, and close to Ben Nevis, Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, the Jacobite is an absolute must-do. Try it on a four-day Scottish adventure, where you'll also take in Loch Katrine and the Falkirk Wheel ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
ISLE OF WIGHT
It was a favourite UK holiday destination of Queen Victoria and is the location of her Italian-style summer home Osborne House - and the Isle of Wight is a must-see. It's not all beaches and dinosaur history here, either. There's a warm climate for those after an island escape with a little more sunshine and Osborne House has an impressive garden filled with beautiful fountains, historic creeping plants and gorgeous blooms to see ๐ฆ
The unique isle's landscapes go beyond the chalk cliffs and golden sands. You'll want to venture to Shanklin Chine, the breathtaking gorge with more than 150 varieties of wild plants and waterfalls. Then there's Ventnor Botanic Garden which showcases the amazing microclimate of the Isle of Wight's south coast and is where you'll find rare and exotic plants.
Experience the Isle of Wight with TV's Christine Walkden in May 2021, where you'll get to know the glorious gardens of Osborne House and more โบ๏ธ
COTSWOLDS
One of the most picturesque pockets you'll find in all of Britain, the Cotswolds are where you'll fall in love with chocolate box villages, miles of rolling countryside and grand stately homes. Covering 800 square miles of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, you can only imagine how much there is to explore - from 'England's prettiest village' Castle Combe to the gardens of Prince Charles' private residence Highgrove House ๐ฟ
NORTHAMPTIONSHIRE
With its sprawling estates, historic houses and manor gardens, Northamptonshire is the underrated UK holiday destination to add to your 2021 bucket list. It's home to Althorp House, the home of Earl Spencer, which is one of the highlights of the county. The magnificent 13,500-acre estate features a 90-room Grade I-listed stately home filled with art, furniture and ceramics ๐ดโโ๏ธ
Northamptonshire makes for a perfect day trip from London too, where you can ride the glamorous Belmond British Pullman from London Victoria to Northampton. The stylish train journey takes you through superb countryside while you drink and dine in an elegant Art Deco carriage ๐
HEBRIDES
The wildlife, white sand beaches and ample walking opportunities, Scotland's Inner and Outer Hebrides are an utter delight. The more than 50 inhabited islands off the west coast of the country offer island hopping at its finest - because who needs Greece and Croatia when the islands of islands, like Islay, Mull, Harris and Lewis await ! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
It's here that you can truly immerse yourself in Britain's natural beauty by spotting puffins, eagles and deer. There are enchanting castles to discover too, such as Duart Castle on Mull and Dunvegan Castle on Skye, plus there's whisky to try and dark skies for stargazing. Try island hopping around the Hebrides on Country Living's spring cruise.๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
PEAK DISTRICT
We can't think of a better place for an isolation-inspired break than the Peak District, where you can make the most of the great open spaces and soak up the views of England's wild beauty. It's also a fabulous spot to marvel at sprawling stately homes and do some antiques shopping, with Chatsworth House and Chesterfield Flea Market being two of the top places you'll want to visit ๐ฒ
NORFOLK
With its royal attractions, wonderful wildlife and stunning natural scenery, Norfolk is a marvellous destination for your UK bucket list. Marvel at its windmills, watch the seals and their pups, and be amazed by the unspoilt countryside. There's no better way to explore Norfolk's charms than by train, with the Bittern Line, Poppy Line, Bure Valley Railway and the Mid-Norfolk Railway providing relaxing rides ๐
For something truly special, you can also join royal correspondent Jennie Bond on a visit to Sandringham and ask her all your questions about the royals in Norfolk, cruise the Norfolk Broads and ride historic railways ๐
SUSSEX
Downton Abbey fans, this one's for you. Let Sussex be the next TV location you visit as you ride the delightful Bluebell Railway, running for 11 miles from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead and stopping at the 1930s-themed Horsted Keynes Station, which featured in Downton ๐ก
NORTH WALES
This impressive part of Wales is where you'll find some of the most attractive UK holiday destinations. The Snowdonia National Park is the biggest draw and this walkers' paradise offers amazing views from Mount Snowdon. You can take a ride up on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which climbs to 1,085 metres above sea level and provides you with a panoramic view, which was voted the best in Britain ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
Other curiosities in North Wales include Portmeirion, the Italian-style village with colourful buildings. If you love nature, you must check out the cute village of Betws-y-coed, too. It's a joy to walk around and the nearby Swallow Falls are remarkable ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
BELFAST
Arguably Britain's most underrated capital city, Belfast is compact but packed with delights, from its Botanical Gardens, which are free for everyone to visit, to its maritime history, which you can get to know at the architecturally-stunning Titanic Belfast. For more history, you'll want to stroll in front of City Hall and stop for a pint at one of the most beautiful British pubs around, the National Trust-owned Crown Liquor Saloon ๐คฉ
The best thing about Belfast? It's a city that nature-loving active travellers will appreciate. Due to its size and location, you're just a few minutes from beaches and scenic Strangford Lough. This is the place to get up close to wildlife by kayaking the calm waters (try an experience with Mobile Team Adventure), where you'll spot seals and make your way to the lough's deserted isles.
You can spend a day in Belfast during a cruise on a beautiful ship that's powered by nature for an eco-friendly holiday like no other.
There'll be visits to various parts of Britain as you take in remote islands and enjoy a few luxuries along the way ๐ฌ๐ง
KENT
A haven for gardeners, Kent is a superb county for seeing England at its very best. Here, you can stroll through writer Vita Sackville-West's Sissinghurst Castle Garden, take in impossibly pretty manor house Ightham Mote and sip delicious wine at Chapel Down ๐
There's plenty to explore in Kent, from gorgeous gardens to vineyards and castles. A great place for a couples' escape, there's romance all around and if you're after a quintessential British country getaway, there's miles of it to discover on two feet - or two wheels! ๐ฒ
JURASSIC COAST
A place so beautiful it often features on posters for British tourism, the Jurassic Coast is a UK holiday destination everyone should visit at least once. It was England's first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and if you like beaches, you'll find a whopping 95 miles of dramatic coastline to discover ๐
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door are its most iconic spots, while the pretty seaside towns of Swanage, Lyme Regis and West Bay are worth adding to your list. This spectacular region in Dorset has plenty of history, too - we're talking dinosaur history! Famous around the world as one of the richest heritage sites for prehistoric remains, the Jurassic Coast is the place to join a fossil hunting walk.
While here, you'll also want to see some countryside and there's nowhere better to do this than at River Cottage in Axminster, on the Devon border. You can meet TV's Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall here while soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of the estate with Country Living. During our exclusive tour, you'll explore the Jurassic Coast and visit Somerset ๐คฉ
CONTACT ME AND I'LL HELP YOU PLAN YOUR UK ESCAPE ! ๐ฌ๐ง
andrewbunyan.inteletravel.uk/booktravel.cfm
๐คฉ๐คฉ๐คฉ
