And How I Can Help You Find the Right Stay
I don’t know about anyone else, but lately the thought of travelling abroad feels slightly less “relaxing getaway” and slightly more “logistical endurance test”.
Flights are expensive.
Airports are chaotic.
Everyone seems permanently one cancelled flight away from a breakdown.
And don’t even get me started on the cost of a coffee and a sad little sandwich at the airport these days.
So honestly? I completely understand why more and more people are deciding to stay closer to home this year.
And do you know what?
I think we’ve forgotten just how brilliant the UK actually is.
Because when the weather behaves itself, like it gloriously has these past few weeks, this country is genuinely stunning. The beaches are packed, pub gardens are thriving, everybody’s suddenly smiling again and the entire nation collectively loses its mind the second temperatures go above 23 degrees.
It’s honestly one of my favourite things about British people.
Give us a bit of sunshine and we become unstoppable.
Suddenly everyone’s in shorts, holding an iced coffee, talking about barbecues and acting like we’ve personally moved to the Mediterranean.
But jokes aside, the UK really is an incredible place to holiday.
We’ve got dramatic coastlines, gorgeous beaches, rolling countryside, cosy villages, beautiful hiking trails, peaceful lakes, charming seaside towns and some of the greenest landscapes you’ll find anywhere.
Whatever kind of holiday you like, there’s probably a perfect corner of the UK for it.
Beach lover? Cornwall, Dorset and Devon are hard to beat.
Love walking and scenery? The Lake District and Scotland are breathtaking.
Fancy cosy pubs, countryside and slower days? The Cotswolds and Wales are full of hidden gems.
The only thing we don’t really have is deserts.
But then again, I’m not entirely convinced many people are sat at home thinking, “You know what sounds relaxing? Mild dehydration and sand in uncomfortable places.”
And the thing is, staycations have changed so much over the years.
This isn’t the old stereotype of squeezing into a tiny damp caravan with suspiciously patterned curtains and one fork between four people.
Some of the holiday cottages and lodges in the UK now are absolutely gorgeous. Think:
- hot tubs under the stars
- sea views
- stylish interiors
- cosy log burners
- woodland cabins
- beach houses
- outdoor terraces perfect for wine and nibbles in the evening
And often for far less money than a stressful trip abroad during peak season.
Especially if you book smart.
At the moment, cottages.com are running some really good offers, including:
- Up to 30% off selected last-minute breaks
- Free extra nights on selected stays
- 4 nights for the price of 3 and 3 nights for the price of 2 offers
- Low deposit and instalment payment options
- Lowest price guarantee on qualifying bookings
Which makes a little getaway feel much more realistic when everyone’s trying to be a bit more careful with money.
And honestly, maybe getting older has changed my idea of what makes a good holiday, but these days the things I remember most aren’t fancy airports or expensive hotels.
It’s:
- fish and chips by the sea
- sandy feet after a beach walk
- laughing over cards or board games in the evening
- sitting outside a cottage with a cup of tea while everyone slowly wakes up
- a pub lunch after a long coastal walk
- watching the sunset wrapped in a blanket because Britain remembers it’s Britain after 7pm
Those are the moments that actually stay with you.
So if you’ve been wondering whether to book a UK break this year, maybe this is your sign.
Because when Britain gets summer right, even for just a few glorious weeks, there’s honestly nowhere quite like it.
