Is 2020 The Year Of The Staycation?
Has Covid-19 put paid to all our holiday plans?I am pretty sure if the trip was long haul then it will likely be delayed until next year.Easyjet have today announced that they will be flying to most European destinations by August.BUT the question is, do you fancy flying?More importantly what is the airport experience going to be like?Most likely longer queues to check in and bag drop and security could be interesting.
As some of you know we have a villa in Portugal which we also rent out during the summer.Obviously any bookings that we had have been put on hold, however, Portugal itself and the Algarve in particular, state they are open and ready for business and particularly tourists.So perhaps we will get out there this year after all….
Having said all of that, in the middle of Lockdown I became quite charmed by the idea of holidaying in the UK, exploring new places and seeing what our beautiful country has to offer.Of course we can’t guarantee the weather but if we could have a little more of what the last few weeks have given then I will be very happy.With the added bonus of investing back into our economy.
As a final thought for many there may not be any spare pennies to go on holiday anywhere this year, but if you are one of the lucky ones then here are a few suggestions.
When I started my research into Staycations I lookup the top ten places to holiday in the UK based on a three night stay.In no particular order they are:
St Ives
Isle of Wight
Newquay
Dyfed
Tenby
Anglesey
York
Keswick
Whitby
Skegness.
I was interested to see that Wales has three destinations of the ten.There is a place in Wales called St Davids - it is the smallest City in Wales.Having watched a documentary about it last year I have been yearning to pay it a visit.It has the most beautiful coastline and some amazing wildlife. This has made me more determined than ever to pay it a visit.
So of course it made sense to ask my Instagram followers about places they could recommend and these were some of the top ones.
Salcombe - Devon
Grasmere in the Lakes
Blakeney & Burnham Market - Norfolk
Boating on the Norfolk Broads
Absersoch - North Wales
Crinan on the west coast of Scotland, apparently its great if you make it part of a North Coast 500 mile road trip.
Brighton - West Sussex
Bournemouth - Dorset
Christchurch - Dorset
Hayling Island
The Outer Hebrides
Rock -Cornwall
Minehead -Somerset
Wimborne - Dorset - has the best model village.
So this led to a list of suggested places to actually stay: (in no particular order)
1. Holiday cottages in Camber - www.camberholidaycottages.co.uk
2. Country Houses to rent in the UK. Normally specialising in the Greek Islands they now have a fabulous selections of Country Houses to rent in the UK - www.ionianestates.com
3. Crazy Bear Group of hotles.www.crazybeargroup.co.uk - stylish and unusual hotels around the country, not yet reopened but worth a look.
4. Cabu Cabins - Eco friendly cabin hideaways by the sea in Kent - www.holidays.cabu.co.uk/
5. Old Bidlake Farm - Fancy staying in a Bell Tent, Vintage Caravan or camping by the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. Now taking bookings for 2021 - 10% off - quote MUSHROOM - www.oldbidlake.co.uk/
6. A fabulous boutique hotel in Hurley with fine dining, again currently closed but worth a look for when they reopen - www.hurleyhouse.co.uk/
7.Y ou can stay on a family run organic farm in North Norfolk in fabulous Cabins.Think Glamping not camping. Book directly through the website for 10% off - quote MUSHROOM - www.bagthorpefarm.co.uk/
8. The peace, quiet and inspiration of the beautiful Devon countryside make a stay at Lower Ford Farm a refreshing experience.Bed and Breakfast in this idyllic 15th Century Farmhouse - www.lowerfordfarm-accommodation.co.uk/
9. Looking to self cater in a magical holiday home, set in an idyllic tranquil spot on the Isle of Wight.The look no further than The Long House Padmore - www.thelonghousepadmore.co.uk/
10. Another Place - the Lakes. Set in 18 acres, this upscale hotel in an 18th-century country house overlooking Ullswater - www.another.place
11. Burnville Farm Brentor - Tavistock Devon. Farm accommodation and self catering farm holiday cottages with swimming pool - www.burnville.co.uk
12 Hillfield Village - Dartmouth. A wide selection of holiday cottages to rent in Dartmouth - www.hillfieldvillage.co.uk
13. Mudeford Beach Huts. Soak up life on the Spit in Dorset, where you are often caught in a microclimate of sunshine.Glorious beaches and water activities - https://www.beach-huts.com/beach-huts-for-rent-town-mudeford.php
14. Wisteria Cottage, East Sussex. Fancy staying in a beautiful, newly refurbished Victorian Cottage in Ticehurst.The village has an award winning pub and the south coast, Royal Tunbridge Wells and London are all within easy reach . 10% off - quote MUSHROOM - https://abnb.me/DbdmUtPqv6
15. Luxury Highland Lodge in Aberdeenshire.Experience uninterrupted views in this stunning farmhouse decorated in Scandi Chic style. Situated on the edge of the Dinnet Estate, there are wonderful walks and of course Royal Deeside to explore - https://abnb.me/XuCoAsBqv6
16. Torpins - Looking for a peaceful break away from it all, then look no further.A luxury Farm Cottage situated in Aberdeenshire, you can enjoy walking, biking, horse riding, gliding, sailing or take a whiskey or castle tour - https://abnb.me/XGVQhZCqv6
17. Yarmouth, look no further if you would like to be part of this bustling environment. This 100 year old cottage is in the heart of stylish Yarmouth with its great eateries and shops. Looking for peace, quiet and inspiration, then this is arguably the best spot on the island - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/14393419?
18. Fancy staying in a quirky 18th Century Fishermans Cottage in the heart of Whitby, or Sandsend. Perfect for exploring the East Coast in Luxury. 10% off from 1st November to 20th December, quote MUSHROOM - www.holidaycottagesinwhitby.co.uk/cottages/skylark
19. Riverbank House is in the Scottish Highlands, a few miles from Ben Nevis and the heart of the Highlands. Well equipped and modern it's the perfect place to escape and relax. If you are a key worker you can claim a discount of 25% - please contact the owner directly through Instagram @riverbankhouserb, quote MUSHROOM You can view the property here: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Fort-William-Isle-of-Skye-The-Western-Isles-Achaderry/Riverbank-House-982488.html
Think outside the box, walking, cycling, boating, canal boating, Spa holidays.A holiday on the coast with surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding.There is so much out there to choose from.
Do you like the idea of Centerparcs, once they reopen? They have 5 parks in the UK also known as villages:
Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire; Elveden Forest in Suffolk; Longleat Forest in Wiltshire; Whinfell Forest in Cumbria and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire.
Looking to the future I looked up the top suggested spots to travel to in 2021.
Japan - the land of the Rising Sun and having had to postpone the Olympics to 2021, people will be desperate to visit.
Warsaw - Nobu have picked the Polish capital as the place for its newest opening.
Montenegro - Stirking scenery and cheaper prices than in neighbouring Croatia.It is one of Europe’s undiscovered gems.
Scarlet Lady - if I was to spend a night sleeping on a boat, this might just persuade me, although I may well be the oldest person onboard!!The brainchildof Richard Branson - its cool cruising,aimed at the younger traveller, no buffett, no formal wear.Rock Star suites by Tom Dixon (ok you’ve go me!!) and the final icing on the cake a tattoo studio ( see they don’t use the word parlour)Mr B it’s knows as a Tattoo Parlour!!!
Victoria Falls Safari Spa.You won’t be travelling all the way to Zimbabwe to sit in a hot tub, but it will be an ideal place to unwind at the end of a day on Safari.
And on my Bucket List and I am all about the Bucket list:
The Galapagos Islands.No words needed here, it speaks for itself.
Happy holiday planning! Tina x
Disclaimer:
Please bear in mind this list is not exhaustive and I am not personally recommending these places as I have not been to stay in any of them.Please make sure you do your own research and are happy with what you are getting before you book.