UK Staycations Are The Way Forward
It’s increasingly attractive to consider the benefits of a holiday in the UK. Not having to wait at the airport, or queue up for ferry boats is a real bonus when precious holiday time is short. When you want an uncomplicated break, there’s plenty of choice available; each region of the mainland has unique attractions and a wide range of accommodation styles such as leisure parks, hotels, cottages, and lodges. UK Holidays are ideal for people with young children, older people who have seen and done it all, or those who just want a quick break from the daily routine. Mainland Britain has so many quirky, hidden and interesting places to visit – wherever you are based, there will be a list of things to do – here’s just a few little known gems to temp to you to explore the mainland.
Central England – Secret Wiltshire
Box Tunnel, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel is found in Box Village. An engineering marvel, it was one of the longest railway tunnels in the world for many years. Each year, on his birthday, 15th April, the sun shines all the way through the tunnel. Bath stone was found during excavations and huge mines were excavated leaving giant caverns behind and during WW II, a subterranean city was created, housing communication centres, ammunition stores, and safety bunkers for the government, and the Royal family. Christopher Wren was born in the village of Knoyle. Silbury Hill is the largest man made mound in Europe and was constructed about 4,000 years ago! The worlds oldest photograph was taken at Lacock Abbey in 1835. The site is now owned by The National Trust and young people will enjoy a visit to Lacock Abbey since the cloisters were used as schoolrooms in the Harry Potter films!
East England – Norfolk
Norfolk is known for being very flat – so cycling and walking is easy! Norfolk is the home of Colman’s Mustard, where they have a specialist shop in Norwich. In the 16th century, immigrant weavers settled into the area, and brought specialist skills with them, and Canary birds. Norfolk canary birds were well known for their colour and song and the local football team is still known locally as The Canaries. Edith Cavell, the nurse who helped hundreds of allied soldiers escape from Belgium during WWI, was born and buried in Norfolk and Viscount Nelson, Englands greatest naval hero was born in Burnham Thorpe. Beautiful Houghton Hall, near to Kings Lynn is open to the public. It has peacocks and white deer, and the biggest collection of model soldiers in the world, is still housed in the stables.
North England – Northumberland
People in Northumberland are known as Geordies, because it’s main town, was the only place to support King George I against Jacobite rebels during the 1644 civil war. The worlds first electric light bulb was demonstrated in Newcastle and the first electric lightbulb company in the world was set up in Benwell, Newcastle. The Black Gate in Newcastle also houses a museum for Bagpipes – something of a rarity! Bamburgh Castle is a mighty fortress, great for exploring. Alnwick Castle is the third largest inhabited castle in England. The Battle of Flodden took place in Branxton, and the area is thought to be haunted, so it has a pull for ghost hunters. Newcastle is a full of life, so you can sample every type of restaurant and entertainment going – but the countryside and gorgeous coast line are easy to access too, so you can have a really varied holiday in this part of the world.
