Summer is our favourite time of the year in the UK. The sun shines, wildflowers are abloom, the beer gardens are full, people are happier and of course there are summer holidays! You don’t need to go abroad for the perfect summer holiday as there are a wealth of destinations close to home that will ensure the perfect summer getaway! From hiking on the Jurassic coast, to lazing on the beach in Cornwall, whisky tasting in the Scottish Highlands, treating yourself at boutique hotels in the charming Cotswolds and boating on the Norfolk Broads, here are 8 of our recommendations for the perfect summer holiday.
IRISH ROADTRIP
The Emerald Isle is the perfect place to take in everything that’s great about Irish scenery, from mountains to lakes to the wild Atlantic ocean. Our pick is to fly into, experience and stay in a Dublin hotel before you head across the country to the Wild Atlantic Way! The Wild Atlantic way is one of the world’s longest coastal touring routes being 2,500km long! From rugged cliffs to sandy beaches, ancient sites to colourful villages and crumbling castles, the Wild Atlantic Way is an incredible summer roadtrip and a great way to experience what Ireland has to offer!
The Cornish stretch of coastline is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and the best beaches in the UK! Cornwall’s villages are bursting with history, majestic ruins, scenic walks, sandy beaches, inviting blue water, incredible local cuisine and quaint seaside holiday cottages. Each town and village has their own unique character, beauty and reasons to stay, and it is the perfect destination for a seaside holiday this summer!
In addition, Wales also has a gorgeous coastline, with almost 200 miles of national park coastline boasting charming villages, rugged cliffs, golden sandy beaches, wildlife and amazing walks! You would certainly not be disappointed with a summer holiday in Wales, and your hardest decision will be choosing which of the 150+ beaches to visit!
CANAL BOATING ON THE NORFOLK BROADS
Norfolk is most famous for the man-made Broads, a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable lock-free waterways set in beautiful countryside that boasts charming and picturesque towns and villages. The best way to discover the broads is on a boat and it’s the perfect way to relax and explore this beautiful part of the UK in Summer!
Scotland is a country of natural beauty, endless freshwater lochs, magical glens, charming castles with extensive histories and evergreen forests with soaring snow-capped (year-round) mountains in every direction. The Scottish Highlands have some of the most majestic scenery in Britain. It is the perfect place to put on your walking shoes and explore the deep lochs, dramatic mountain ranges, wild coastlines and endless photogenic spots! Summer is a great time to also take a train trip through Scotland and there plenty distilleries to stop at and try locally made whisky on your summer adventures![spacer height=”10px”]
The Cotswolds would have to be one of the most charming places in England, so much so that it was declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and is only two hours by car from London! This rural region is home to rolling green hills, sweeping meadows, picture perfect villages, dreamy cottages, historical towns, bustling markets and some of the most quintessential British pubs around. The Cotswolds has some of the most unspoilt, historic towns and villages in England. There’s so many villages to chose from, each with their own unique charm and characteristics and the whole region is the perfect summer holiday destination![spacer height=”10px”]
A HIKING ADVENTURE IN THE PEAK DISTRICT
The Peak District National Park is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in England. It’s an area of contrasting natural beauty, with its moors and dales, rivers, springs and caverns, as well as steep limestone valleys and dramatic ridges. These beautiful natural landscapes make the Peak District one of the finest areas in England for walking. In addition to its natural beauty, the Peak District also has charming market towns and villages, historic houses and plenty of attractions to keep you busy on your summer hiking getaway! Nearby, there are plenty of hotels in Manchester if you feel like some shopping or a city break![spacer height=”10px”]
Stretching from Dorset to Devon, the Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been voted one of the Greatest Natural Wonders in Britain. It gets its name from the millions of years of history that can be found in the towering cliffs along the coastline. This beautiful part of the UK has stunning, picturesque beaches, cute pubs, charming villages and is ideal for a summer walking holiday! You may even find some amazing pre-historic fossils as you wander along the beautiful beaches![spacer height=”10px”]
The Isle of Wight is a small island off the South of England, just a short ferry ride from Portsmouth. The island has stunning beaches, forests, vineyards and castles. The Isle of Wight has such lovely beaches & natural beauty that you’ll literally feel that you could have be in the Mediterranean! The island has the best of both worlds with beautiful beaches and stunning countryside and farmlands. The island has a very laid back, relaxed feel and is perfect for a summer getaway.[spacer height=”10px”]
Where are your favourite places in the UK for summer holidays?
