My Top Ten Countryside Staycations

Staycations are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the uncertainty that is coming with Summer 2021. Choosing to holiday in the UK can offer just as much beauty and scope for adventure as travelling abroad – you just need to know where to go. 

I grew up on staycations, and it’s a tradition I’ve carried forward with my kids as our family grew.  With a business based around families spending time together outside, over the years I’ve built a little black book of secrets and insights for staycationing in the UK, and if there was ever a time to share it – I think now is it.

The Lake District

Famous for its lakes, forests and mountains, the Lake District is England’s largest national park and another great staycation spot to head to this summer! With loads of hiking routes, including dragging the kids up Scafell Pike (the highest mountain in England), walking the Helvellyn Ridge or the classic Fairfield Horseshoe route.

If your family is anything like mine then you’ll be constantly hunting out ice cream stalls or country pubs for a stop off point and the gorgeous market towns of Ambleside, Keswick and Kendal are full of exactly this.  They are the perfect base for exploring this stunner of a national park.

Yorkshire

You might know that my wonderful mum is a cycling queen and has cycled hundreds of miles for charity.  Well, I’ve also dabbled with the pedals and once cycled from one side of England to the other on the Way of Roses cycle route which crosses through the most beautiful villages in the Yorkshire Dales where there were some incredible campsites!

If you’re an active family, how about trading your sailing holiday in the mediterranean this summer for a UK cycling break.  The Way of Roses is a 170 mile long route, and with some touring packs you could carry all your camping gear with you through the beautiful countryside.  But if the full cycle isn’t for you then there’s plenty more to keep you busy, offering a great escape from day to day life and a nice slower pace of life than what we are used to.

The New Forest

The New Forest has been a popular staycation spot for years and years and it is not hard to see why! My family quickly fell in love with the gorgeous villages, ancient woodland, open moors and of course, all of the free roaming ponies, horses and deer!

Things to do for the whole family including:

• Enjoying award winning gardens at Exbury
• Cycling over 100 miles of cycle routes through woodland or around the coast
• Exploring 140 miles of footpaths on foot
• Visiting the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. 

There is also tons of different accommodation to suit everyone’s needs and budget from wild camping to luxury hotels, AirBnB is of course the go-to for finding the perfect place. 

Snowdonia

Snowdonia is a pretty long drive from our little corner of the South East but this region of North Wales literally ticked everyone’s boxes for our family break a few years ago.  Mr TIN loves dragging us all out for adventures and challenges so you’re up for a hiking challenge then I encourage you to test out the 6 different routes, 1085 meters up, to the top of Wales’s highest peak, Mount Snowdon. If you’re anything like me and love the feeling of sand between your toes then there are over 200 miles of gorgeous, sandy coastline to enjoy. And if you have kids that whinge the moment they get a hungry rumble you’ll find the finest locally produced food and drink from local ales to delicious cheeses!  

I recommend a trip to the seaside resort of Abersoch, also known as the Welsh-Riviera, and visiting the British surf-mecca of Hell’s Mouth.

Scottish Highlands

Mr TIN and I both studied in Edinburgh, and my in-laws are all very Scottish which is wonderful and means the kids have been lucky to spend lots of time growing up visiting the Scottish capital and extended countryside.  As part of our exploration of wider Scotland the Highlands is the ultimate must-see.  The scenery even just driving through is so epic that if you blur your eyes just a squidge you might almost have traveled to New Zealand. 

Activities in Scotland to explore:

• Climbing the UK’s highest mountain Ben Nevis
• Searching for the Loch Ness monster
• Living your Harry Potter dream touring the Highlands on the Jacobite Steam Train
• Head to the Battlefield of Culloden and live your Outlander dream

However you choose to spend your time I’m sure you and your family will make amazing memories here, just like we have!

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is England’s largest area of outstanding natural beauty, famous for adorable market towns and rolling hills – the perfect spot for keen walkers with miles of walking and cycling paths through the gorgeous countryside.  We’ve done plenty of race days, beautiful picnics and outdoor theatre nights in the Cotswolds. For me, there is nothing better than opening a chilled bottle of Rosé, on a picnic rug, laying out a charcuterie board of fresh ingredients and sitting back to chat with a couple of other families while the kids cause chaos around us. 

But if you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds and would like a little more culture perhaps soak up some of the history by visiting one of seven stunning castles. If you are holidaying with little ones then why not take a trip to spot the wildlife at the wildlife park.

Somerset

There is so much to explore in Somerset from lovely sandy beaches, lush green countryside to dense woodland with rivers and lakes. But, I think, because it is most famous for it’s cheddar cheese it is only right to enjoy a day out at Cheddar Gorge and the caves, once you have sampled all of the fabulous cheeses what not burn that off with a walk around the gorge and enjoy the dramatic landscape! For another great day out that the kids will LOVE check out Wookey Hole. There is so much to do here such as: relaxing in the fairy garden, enjoying a live circus show, exploring the caves, playing in the wizards play castle and laughing at yourselves in the magical mirror maze. Or, for older children (or just yourselves) enjoy an afternoon caving and abseiling through in the UK’s largest cave complex at Wild Wookey.

If anyone in your family has a passion for astronomy why not spend an evening stargazing? Because Somerset is so rural it gives you excellent, uninterrupted views of the night sky.

The Isle of Wight 

Since I was a baby I have spent my summers in the Isle of Wight and we have carried that tradition on with our own children and have loved all of our holidays there! My favourite walk is around the west tip around the needles; this is a National Trust walk on Tennyson Down. It is a beautiful walk along the sheer chalk cliffs with gorgeous views out to sea, there are also great places to stop en route for a bite to eat such as the Needles Battery Cafe which is a National Trust cafe with a 1940’s vibe and beautiful sea views or try a pub lunch after your walk at The Highdown Inn. 

Devon

Devon is home to three areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty meaning the gorgeous landscape is unspoilt so you can enjoy lovely hikes through the countryside with stunning views for miles. We have enjoyed many walks through Dartmoor, which has to be the prettiest National Park, with cute villages dotted around along the way there is always somewhere to stop and enjoy a cream tea or a cheeky cocktail. 

Sussex

There’s no-one better to chat to about an upcoming staycation than a local, so if you’re heading to Sussex this Summer then you are reading the right article. There are so many fabulous places to visit in Sussex, it makes me so grateful that we live here. 

Places I would recommend visiting:

• The South Downs is the UK’s newest National Park and a great place to dust away the cobwebs, we often enjoy days out walking around the Seven Sisters or canoeing down the Cuckmere river enjoying the beautiful rolling hills and the views out to sea. 
• Arundel is a gorgeous town in West Sussex with the perfect balance of history, that you can experience at Arundel Castle, and contemporary, with tons of shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars. The town is surrounded by the South Downs and Arundels website has a whole host of different walks to follow, some follow the river Arun which is beautiful!
• Ashdown Forest is an ancient area of open healthland in East Sussex and is famous for being the setting for Winnie the Pooh. There are two walks through the forest that take in the real life places from the books including Pooh Bridge; I have fond memories of playing Pooh Sticks with my children when they were little. There is also a shop in Hartfield dedicated to the books called Pooh Corner.

Our ventures around this beautiful country have given our family and our customer’s hundreds of well-booted, and other footwear, memories as families and with our friends.  I can’t wait to hear ALL about your memories from this summer and look forward to helping you treasure them with a keepsake gift.