Holidays near home

Spending your summer break in the UK doesn’t have to mean shivering on rain-battered piers and pebble beaches. There are some fab destinations right here in the UK – we’ve looked at some of the best

Banish thoughts of scoffing soggy fish and chips behind a windbreak with a cardigan over your swimsuit. These days, there’s far more to holidaying in the UK than beach huts and bad weather. In fact, taking your break in Britain is the next big thing in these times of recession and climate concern. More than one million Britons stayed at home last summer instead of taking a holiday abroad, according to the Office for National Statistics – and the trend for ‘stay-cations’ is likely to continue this year.

Stress less
You don’t have to trek to the Far East or Thailand to find spiritual enlightenment and relaxation. There are centres all over the UK that offer different retreats for you to cast off your stresses, deepen your mind and reinvigorate yourself. The Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre in Yorkshire is home to the Mahayana Buddhist community and offers a range of classes and retreats. You can also go there on a working retreat, and exchange your skills for free meals, accommodation and course or class attendance.
More info Call 01759 304832 or visit www.madhyamaka.org

Fun on the farm
Escape the noise and grime of towns and cities and enjoy a stay at a real working farm. Feather Down Farms provides luxurious tents on farms throughout Britain, from Scotland to Cornwall. The tents (more like cloth-covered cottages) have no electricity so a wood-burning stove is provided for cooking and heating, but they do have a comfy double bed and single bunk. Each farm has a shop and many have hen houses for you to collect fresh eggs from each morning. There’s also livestock, so you get the full farm experience.
More info Call 01420 80804 or visit www.featherdown.co.uk

Save the planet
If you want to give a helping hand while on holiday, sign up for a week as a volunteer with The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. It runs research trips off Scotland’s west coast, on board an all-inclusive yacht, between April and October. Volunteers research the marine environment, including dolphins, whales and porpoises, as well as help out with cooking and cleaning. All training is provided.
More info Call 01688 302620 or visit www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk

Fun for the family
Butlins and Pontins offer a good value alternative to holidaying abroad, and are great for keeping the kids entertained.If you’re looking for a bit more peace and quiet, Centreparcs has four sites set in woodland, with stylish accommodation and plenty of activities.
More info Call 0845 070 4734 or visit www.butlins.com; call 0844 576 5943 or visit www.pontins.com; call 08448 267723 or visit www.centerparcs.co.uk

Go wild
If you’re keen to put some distance between you and life’s mod cons, opt for a wilderness-style break. Islay Bushcraft offers courses based on the Hebridean island of Islay. You’ll learn how to make a fire without matches, cook a simple meal and construct a shelter, as well as discover the animals and birds that inhabit the island. Day, one-night and five-night trips, as well as child-friendly options, are available.
More info Call 01496 850010 or visit www.islaybushcraft.co.uk

Work up a sweat
Swimming outdoors is a great way to get fit and see the countryside. Swimtrek organises trips throughout the UK, ranging from a six-day jaunt on the Isles of Scilly to a weekend break in the spectacular Lake District. It caters for all levels of swimmers and, don’t worry, wetsuits are provided if you need one! If boot-camps are more your style, there are plenty of UK-based trips to choose from. The Running Inn offers fitness courses in East Sussex for runners of every level, from beginners to aspiring Paula Radcliffes. You can also benefit from nutritional advice, Pilates, massage and holistic treatments during your stay.
More info Call 01273 739713 or visit www.swimtrek.com; call 01323 720640 or visit www.therunninginn.co.uk

For accommodation with a twist, stay in a…
Treehouse
Love the idea of waking up among the trees? Try a treehouse holiday. There’s no need to worry about splinters or shaky branches, as these treehouses are built to a high standard and have all the mod cons you could need.
More info Call 01823 431622 or visit www.treehouseholidays.com; call 01798 865001 or visit www.castlecottage.info/thetreehouse.html

Castle
For those who aspire to grandeur (if only for a week or two), treat yourself to a stay in a castle. Augill Castle in Cumbria is a beautiful B&B with 11 bedrooms, in a prime location for walks in the Lake District.
More info Call 01768 341937 or visit www.stayinacastle.com

Windmill
Surrounded by fluttering reed marshes, Cley Windmill in Norfolk is a unique place to stay in a beautiful area of East Anglia. The nearby salt marshes are a haven for wildlife and popular with bird enthusiasts.
More info Call 01263 740209 or visit www.cleymill.co.uk

Lighthouse
One for those who like holidaying on the edge (literally). Many lighthouses are now decommissioned because of modern navigational methods. However, they make for interesting and romantic holiday locations, particularly for those who like to get away from it all.
More info Call 01779 470476 or visit www.buchannesslighthouseholidays.co.uk; call 01492 876819 or visit www.lighthouse-llandudno.co.uk

Showman’s caravan
If you’ve always fancied staying in a gypsy-style caravan, head on down to Goongillings holiday cottages in Cornwall, where you can hire out your own ornate caravan. Decorated in the traditional Romany style, it’s the perfect base for your own Bohemian holiday in the south-west.
More info Call 01326 340630 or visit www.goongillings.co.uk

Other useful information sources
- Visit www.youstayuk.com; www.visitbritain.co.uk.
- Read Body & Soul Escapes: Britain & Ireland by Caroline Sylger Jones (Footprint Handbooks, £14.99).
Words: Hannah Fox