With so many of us still feeling the pinch from the recent
credit crunch, as well as the ever increasing cost of living, it’s no wonder
that ‘staycations’ have become much more popular in recent years. More and more
of us are choosing to holiday in the UK these days just like our grandparents
did before us. We might not have the greatest weather in the UK but our little
island is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Here’s my
pick of 5 of the most beautiful places to holiday in the UK:
Cornwall
As the most south-westerly county in
England, 3 sides of Cornwall are surrounded by coastline. It’s home to some of
the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, and a plethora of quaint fishing
villages. Away from the coast you’ll find deep wooded valleys and
historic market towns. You can choose to stay in a hotel, B&B, traditional
cottage or one of the many camping and caravanning sites, but with so much to
do in Cornwall you won’t be spending much time at your accommodation! I highly recommend
a visit to the Eden Project while you’re in Cornwall. Built in a former quarry,
these amazing biomes are now home to a plethora of plant life, including a full
rainforest biome complete with the heat and humidity of a real rainforest!
Dungeness, Kent
Home to one of the largest shingle landscapes in the world,
this unique area in Kent is littered with wooden houses, power stations,
lighthouses and expansive gravel pits. Dungeness has been designated as a
National Nature Reserve and is home to over 600 species of plant and an
incredibly diverse range of wildlife. It may not sound as beautiful as Cornwall
but it’s amazing what a great architect in Kent can do to make this area
appealing! One of the nicest places to stay in Dungeness is The Shingle House,
a uniquely designed wooden structure that sleeps up to 8 people and is situated
in the heart of Dungeness National Nature Reserve, making it the perfect
holiday retreat for those who love the beauty of nature.
The Lake District
Spanning 885 square miles across
Cumbria, The Lake District is England’s largest National Park. It is home to 16
lakes and England’s 5 tallest mountains, as well as over 400 towns and
villages. But aside from the stunning scenery The Lake District is also packed
full of culture and history. It provided the perfect muse for much of William
Wordsworth’s poetry, and Beatix Potter took inspiration for her books from the
wildlife that can be found in the area. There are plenty of walks and hikes in
The Lake District, as well as cycling and mountain-biking; or make the most of
the lakes and take part in some water-sports. After all of that adventure there
are plenty of lovely little pubs serving local ales and homemade food.
Snowdonia National Park
The home of Snowdon, the second highest
mountain in the UK, and Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales. The
stunning landscape offers a wide range of activities to keep you occupied on
your visit to Snowdonia. With walks, hikes, cycling, mountain biking and
water-sports for everyone depending on your needs. There’s even a train which
will take you to the summit of Snowdon so that you can walk back down or vice
versa! Again there’s a lot of accommodation to choose from in Snowdonia, from
hostels and B&Bs to cottages and hotels so you can tailor your holiday
perfectly to your needs and your budget.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Just 20 miles north of Glasgow lies 720
square miles of tranquillity in the form of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Park. It is made up of mountains, rivers, dense woodland and
ancient lochs, including Loch Lomond, the largest loch in Scotland at over 24
miles long. Trossachs National Park incorporates Loch Lomond; the Trossachs
which are home to wild glens and lochs; Breadalbane which marks the start of
the Scottish Highlands; and Argyll Forest Park, Britain’s first forest park.
Within the Trossachs National Park there’s an activity to suit everyone,
including coastal walks, mountain hikes, cycling, wildlife watching and
water-sports.
With all of this stunning scenery and activity on our
doorstep, why would you want to holiday anywhere else? Why not make 2013 the
year of the staycation and make the most of what our beautiful British Isles
has to offer, you won’t regret it!
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