Top UK Holiday Destinations

With ongoing uncertainties about lockdowns and restrictions on travel abroad, 2021 might be the perfect year to rediscover the beauties of the British Isles. Often forsaken for warmer climes, 2021 could see a boom in holidays at home during the summer months. With so much to choose from, where might you go? Here are just a few suggestions for a fabulous UK based family holiday to think about for the perfect summer holiday right on your doorstep.

Cornwall

Replete with innumerable coves and white sands such as Marazion Bay and Whitsand Bay, Cornwall easily casts its spell once visited. From the mythical castle of Tintagel with its atmosphere of Arthurian legends to the olde worlde allure of St Ives, Cornwall has a charm hard to rival. Talking of St Ives, it proves time and again a popular holiday spot coming replete with its very own sandy beach, numerous quaint and quirky shops, cosy pubs, and a wide range of restaurants.

Not too far away is the tiny island of St Michael’s Mount with its historic castle perched atop the summit. Steeped both in legend and folklore, this little island boasts of exquisite and fragrant gardens with equally exquisite views across the sea.

Cornwall has it all, from the dramatic and rugged coastlines of Land’s End and the northern coast between Padstow and Newquay to the wide open spaces and alluring charm of Bodmin Moor, the latter being undoubtedly one of Cornwall’s most outstanding sites of natural beauty. If you do venture out on the moors, you may just find yourself transported into that mysterious atmosphere which provided the setting for Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn with its tales of smuggling and intrigue.

Dorset

The rolling hills of Dorset are a delight, particularly in the summertime, and gently place you back in the era of the county’s most famous wordsmith Thomas Hardy, whose most well known novels such as Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd all play out on this delightful landscape. Whether it be the grandeur of Durdle Door with nearby Lulworth Cove and its pebble beach and Jurassic cliff faces, or the relative hustle and bustle of busy Bournemouth, Dorset is a place loved by foreigners and Britons alike.

The rather mysterious looking Corfe Castle sitting atop a hill overlooking the village with which it shares its name, will takes you back to the time of the English Civil War.

For an unbelievable sunset, head over to Portland. From the summit of the island (connected by a land bridge) you can take in the breathtaking views of Chesil Beach and the nearby Weymouth Harbour. The rugged promontory of Portland Bill replete with its very own lighthouse standing perched atop the rugged and rocky cliffs exposes the visitor to some truly bracing sea air. If you’re feeling fit, climb the lighthouse for some stunning views of mile after mile of Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast famed for its vast treasure trove of prehistoric fossils. Dorset’s variety and accessibility make it well worth considering when thinking of a summer holiday in the UK this year.

Devon

Encompassing the Exmoor and part of the Jurassic Coast, Devon offers a fantastically wide variety in landscape, arguably even more than Dorset. From quiet seaside villages such as Woolacombe and Appledore to the historic city of Plymouth with its memorial to the Mayflower commemorating the departure of the Pilgrims in 1620, Devon has a lot to offer every type of tourist. And boasting more hours of sunshine than any other place on the mainland, Devon is often given the distinction of being nicknamed the ‘British Riviera.’

The chalky cliffs of Beer offer some of the most dramatic coastal walks in the UK, arguably one of the best being the walk from Beer to Seaton. Beer’s pebbly beach is lined with working fishing boats which bring in their catch of mackerel daily. The sight of these little boats with their splashes of blue and red make for fantastic photos set against the backdrop of the pebble beach. Additionally, the nearby quarry caves, a nexus of manmade subterranean tunnels dating back to Roman times, makes for an interesting family day out, too. And last but by no means least, wherever you happen to venture in the county, don’t forget to sample some famous Devonshire cream tea while in this part of the South West. You’ll be glad you did!

Scotland

The Scottish Highlands offer some of the most awesome scenery anywhere on the planet. From the snow-capped mountains of Gelncoe to the wide open moorlands leading into Galloway Forest Park of the South West, Scotland is unquestionably a place of epic landscapes fit for a fantasy story.

The beautiful city of Edinburgh is a delight during every season of the year with its distinguished castle and enchanting narrow streets and olde worlde alleyways. Don’t forget, too, that you can ski in Scotland. No need to go all the way to the Alps with some of the best skiing terrain in the world right on your doorstep!

Experience the mystical nature of the Isle of Skye with its crystal clear Fairy Pools of Glenbrittle, which attract visitors from all over the world. Or perhaps you’ll visit the haunting charm of Lochan Urr of Glen Etive with its glistening lochs reflecting nearby mountains and enchanted woodlands close by. This particular area was chosen as the filming location for James Bond’s childhood home in Skyfall. Wherever you wander in Scotland, you’re sure to be near some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere on Earth. And the best thing is, it’s right on your doorstep!

Oxford

From its world famous university halls and cloisters to its cosy little old English pubs, Oxford is a city of undeniable old school charm that has paid host to such distinguished literati as J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. As you stroll around you might just spot some sights from popular TV shows, too, such as Inspector Morse and, of course, Harry Potter.

Stroll around the 400 year old Oxford Botanic Garden, the oldest of its kind in Britain and one of the oldest in the world. It began life as a garden for growing plants used for medical research and today is home to more than 5,000 species.

If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 99 steps of the Carfax Tower, the tallest point in central Oxford, to enjoy a panoramic view of this fairy-tale city, the sight of which will undoubtedly reveal why it has earned the nickname “the city of dreaming spires.” The tower is all that remains of the original 13th century St Martin’s Church.

For the ultimate unwind, try punting down the romantic River Cherwell on a summer’s afternoon and you’ll feel you’ve been transported straight into yesteryear. Either have a go yourself or hire someone to do the hard work for you while sit back and watch the willow trees roll by. Book in advance during the summer months if wanting someone to punt for you. Either way you will be doing something that is quintessentially part of the spirit of Oxford.

Yorkshire

The county town of York, with its Gothic cathedral, mediaeval Clifford’s Tower and JORVIK Viking Centre, is undoubtedly a town dripping in history. Leaving behind the city, its cobbled streets and Tudor buildings, scenes of outstanding natural beauty await, not least of which are the 20 Yorkshire Dales all exhibiting a character and beauty all their own.

Wild heather moorland, valleys and hay meadows delight the eye in the Northern Dales, while those of the south, while somewhat less remote, still offer a wild beauty to satisfy the soul. The rugged and brooding moors easily transport the visitor into the moody scenes of Emily Brontë’s world famous Wuthering Heights. Speaking of which, fans of the Brontë sisters may wish to visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum in the delightful village of Haworth, West Yorkshire with its main street of cobbled stone and nearby rolling moorlands.

Cotswolds

Stretching from just a little north of London right the way to the outskirts of Warwickshire, the Cotswolds present photo opportunities at every turn. The charming villages are the very epitome of old England and practically every one of them is picture postcard material.

Bourton on the Water with its quaint stone bridges spanning the gentle River Windrush flanked by cherry and chestnut trees is a delight by day or night with old style yellow street lamps shimmering across the water. While here, be sure to visit the model village built to a one-ninth scale back in 1937 from genuine Cotswold Stone.

Not far away is one of the most delightful villages you could ever wish to visit, namely, Burford. Its sweeping high street is lined with charming historic buildings offering the visitor an effortless step back into a bygone era preserved in Cotswold stone. Stepping even further back in time is inevitable if you continue to the village towards Chipping Norton where you encounter the ancient Rollright Stones. A stone circle from prehistoric times somewhat less well known than Stonehenge and its fewer visitors make for a less intrusive visit into mysterious distant past. Wherever you go in the Cotswolds, make sure to have plenty of space on your device for endless photo opportunities.

Of course there are plenty more opportunities to enjoy the perfect holiday in the British Isles. Wherever you go, 2021 could be the year to rediscover what Shakespeare called in his inimitable style ‘this precious stone set in the silver sea.’ Where will you go?