UK Getaway - Where To Go And Stay

Cornwall is a county of contradictions. There’s myth and mystery, misty clifftops and sharp, rugged rocks rising out of restless waves, as well as peaceful coves, sleepy towns and vitamin D-soaked beaches packed out with surfers. Go in search of King Arthur at Tintagel’s romantic, clifftop ruin, watch a play with the Atlantic as the backdrop at the Minack Theatre (both currently require you to book in advance) or have a freshly cooked alfresco feast under the stars at The Hidden Hut, which has just reopened for the season. This otherworldly part of the country makes a compelling case to stay in the UK this and every year.

The South Downs, which runs from historic Winchester to Eastbourne’s chalk cliffs via green hills, ancient woodland and sea views, is London’s closest National Park and has been one for ten years. Take a celebratory hike. 

There are always countless good reasons to visit the stunning Lake District. Swing by this year to spot rocky reflections in still lakes, attempt rhyming couplets in poet William Wordsworth’s 250th anniversary year, or step out high over Honister slate mine’s new Bridge Challenge, which opened this year. 

Channel your inner Gillian Anderson (everyone has one) and explore this lush corner of the country where Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’ is filmed. The stunning landscape straddles the border between England and Wales, and is ideally located for gentle boat trips, challenging hikes or jaunts in peaceful forests. 

If the aim is to feel indescribably far from London, this string of stunning Scottish islands will undoubtedly do the trick. Head to Barra and the Uists to find ancient relics, Barbados-worthy white sands and delicious silence. There’s OOO and then there’s this.

For more space than you’ll know what to do with, head to Holkham beach. It has deservedly starred in many a film and pop video, including All Saints’ ‘Pure Shores’. An enormous sandy stretch is backed by a verdant nature reserve with a warren of well-signposted walking trails within it. Trek through the pinewoods and saltmarshes to see orchids, sea lavender and rare birds. Afterwards head along the coast, via nature reserves, salt flats and pretty coastal villages. 

Head to pretty Alfriston in East Sussex as the National Trust turns 125. The olde-worlde village is where you’ll find Alfriston Clergy House, a medieval, timber-framed hall, which was the very first building to be saved by the NT. Check whether the house has reopened here before you travel. 

2020 marked 75 years since VE Day. We got a special bank holiday in May, but, thanks to lockdown, you probably didn’t notice. You can still mark the anniversary by visiting this timewarp Channel Island, which was occupied by German forces during WWII. It’s littered with abandonded forts and bunkers, which you can wander around. One of them, Fort Clonque, is now a holiday home which gets cut off from the island at high tide.