5 destination alternatives for your next British break
We all have our favourite holiday destinations, but sometimes it’s worth trying somewhere new. If you love these destinations, try these alternatives for your next UK trip.
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We’ve all got our staycation favourites but sometimes it’s worth taking a punt on somewhere new. Here’s our guide on the destinations you might want to try based on the places you already know and love.
If you like Cornwall, you’ll love Pembrokeshire
White sandy beaches, coastal castles and some of the best surf off the British Isles. It may sound like Cornwall, but you’ll find a similar scene in Pembrokeshire too.
While South West England has Tintagel, West Wales has Manorbier Castle, a Norman fortress complete with fairytale turrets, a grand Great Hall and beautifully landscaped gardens. The dog-friendly grounds are ideal for a scenic walk and when you want to take the weight off your feet, the tea rooms offer the perfect slice of old school respite.
If you prefer a traditional day beside the seaside, you’re spoilt for choice in this part of the world. From Tenby’s North Beach, the most photographed in the UK, to Barafundle Bay, a pristine stretch of sand nestled between limestone cliffs. And if you want to catch a few waves, Newgale Beach hosts a surf school and is patrolled by lifeguards in the summer, making it the ideal spot for beginners.
If you like London, you’ll love Manchester
Broadway may have its glittering lights but you don’t have to sit for six hours on a plane to find world-class theatre. At least once (if not more times) all true theatregoers should make a pilgrimage to the home of the bard, William Shakespeare himself.
Do you love the hustle and bustle of London? If you ever find yourself craving the capital but long for something new, why not give Manchester a go?
The Northern Quarter gives the likes of Shoreditch and Soho a run for its money thanks to its bohemian appeal and buzzing nightlife. And as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the city has plenty of historical interest, with the Manchester Cathedral, and People’s History Museum being popular attractions among architecture and history buffs.
Shopaholics will also get a kick out of the vibrant shopping scene. Foodies are spoiled for choice too with cuisine options from Thailand, Spain, Mexico and more – not to mention access to the UK’s largest China Town.
If you like the Cotswolds, you’ll love the South Downs
The quaint Cotswolds is a popular location with those who want to escape the city. But if you’ve already explored the Area of Natural Beauty, you might want to look elsewhere for your next dose of bucolic Britain. It might be time to take a trip to the South Downs.
The UK’s newest national park covers 600 square miles of beaches, heathland, and ancient woodland but it’s real claim to fame is the wildlife. It’s the only place in the country where you’ll find all of the UK’s native amphibian and reptile species. Aspiring Attenboroughs should keep an eye out for barbastelle bats too, the pug-faced mammals are a rare find with a few breeding sites in the area.
For a photogenic day head to the chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters, or Cisbury Ring, the most historic hill on the South Downs offers views as far as the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
If you like the Bath, you’ll love Cheltenham
Spa retreats have been a popular pastime for centuries, just ask a Bathonian, or person from Bath to you and me. But if another drive on the M4 doesn’t inspire you, why not try the M5 instead and head to Cheltenham?
The town is less than 60 miles from Bath and shares a similar spa heritage. Georgian terraces, grand fountains, even a lookalike curving Royal Crescent, Cheltenham has them all, minus the crowds.
The self-proclaimed Festival Town hosts the world’s oldest literature festival and world-class science and jazz festivals but really comes to life during Cheltenham Festival. Just don’t forget to pack your best race-day clobber.
If you like the Lake District, you’ll love Cumbria
With its stunning lakes and mountains, it’s easy to see why the Lake District steals nature lovers’ hearts from around the globe. The national park draws in crowds from all over Britain and beyond but one destination that deserves equal amounts of attention is Howgill Fells.
Cumbria’s best kept secret is filled with waterfalls, sweeping valleys and impressive summits that some of the keenest hikers are yet to scale.
Top hikes include the Nine Standards Rigg rock formations, Wild Boar Fell and the Calf and Cautley Spout. So be sure to take your hiking boots and poles along for some energetic days out.
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