Going on Holiday in the UK - WHY?
Discussion
valiant said:
Dont understand why booking a cottage isn't more popular.
We've booked Devon in July for a week for £1300. We can take pets, have tons of room and a large garden and free parking. No doubt the owners will leave us a 'care package' to welcome us and the cottage is beautifully appointed.
We'll take a cooler of food with us with basics and probably arrange a Tesco delivery if needed when not in the nearby pub or by the beach.
For £1300 what's not to like? Far cheaper than a week in Tenerife for a similar sized villa and no faff with airports, luggage restrictions or getting up at silly o'clock to make the 7am flight.
We like a holiday abroad but if you do it right, a holiday in this country can be just as special.
We used Sykes as well. Was painless booking with low deposits and a massive range to choose from. Wouldnt use Airbnb. Heard too many stories to put me off.
What are your plans when it rains or there’s a perpetual sea mist for 4 days solid (like last time we went to Devon)?We've booked Devon in July for a week for £1300. We can take pets, have tons of room and a large garden and free parking. No doubt the owners will leave us a 'care package' to welcome us and the cottage is beautifully appointed.
We'll take a cooler of food with us with basics and probably arrange a Tesco delivery if needed when not in the nearby pub or by the beach.
For £1300 what's not to like? Far cheaper than a week in Tenerife for a similar sized villa and no faff with airports, luggage restrictions or getting up at silly o'clock to make the 7am flight.
We like a holiday abroad but if you do it right, a holiday in this country can be just as special.
We used Sykes as well. Was painless booking with low deposits and a massive range to choose from. Wouldnt use Airbnb. Heard too many stories to put me off.
littleredrooster said:
ChocolateFrog said:
ferret50 said:
Sounds like Mablethorpe would suit the OP!
That's where we are this half term. Not too far from home and cheap.
Beach is actually really nice, the weather not so much.
Kids enjoy it though.
On the OP's subject though, we have had 50+ years of lovely holidays within the UK & Ireland. Highlights include Northern Scotland many times (long before the NC500 was invented), several tours of Ireland (usually after the Ulster GP or NW200), all places around Wales, and some fabulous trips to Devon and Cornwall. To say that there is nothing interesting to see shows a complete lack of imagination, IMO - it's nonsense.
We’ve had some fantastic holidays in the UK, the vast majority of which were booked last minute after seeing the weather forecast - Accommodation provided via our camper van.
There’s nothing worse than working outside in the wind and rain for 52 weeks a year and turning up to a pre booked UK holiday for it to spend all week pissing down. It’s the definition of crushing disappointment.
Anyone trying to tell you it doesn’t matter if it’s raining because you’ve been to mountain warehouse is either flat out delusional or trying to justify their own poor decision making.
There’s nothing worse than working outside in the wind and rain for 52 weeks a year and turning up to a pre booked UK holiday for it to spend all week pissing down. It’s the definition of crushing disappointment.
Anyone trying to tell you it doesn’t matter if it’s raining because you’ve been to mountain warehouse is either flat out delusional or trying to justify their own poor decision making.
Leptons said:
What are your plans when it rains or there’s a perpetual sea mist for 4 days solid (like last time we went to Devon)?
Have car. Will travel.Agree that weather is always a risk factor but you're not guaranteed abroad either. We've been abroad with s
t weather and in a heatwave (40⁰c heat is absolutely no fun at all).Plus, for us at least, it's the break. There's a pub around the corner and just relaxing knowing there's no jobs around the house to do is relaxing enough for us.
One year we went to the IOW and a storm hit cancelling the ferries home. We quickly booked another night in the hotel whilst everyone else was flapping. One of our best days spent was by an open fire in the pub watching the Rugby on an old chesterfield sofa whilst mother nature gave the island a good smacking. It was glorious.
Just have to be adept at making the best out of a situation.
If the weather is good, the UK can be a great place to holiday. Not cheap though. Family and friends with holiday cottages in Cornwall (where I grew up) are seeing bookings down this year. Factor in tax changes which will no doubt filter through to (even) higher prices, and it’s getting pretty silly in some places, to point that people will go elsewhere. I was sailing in Greece a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it’s more expensive than it was, but still way cheaper than the UK when it comes to bars and restaurants etc. Pay your money, take your choice.
borcy said:
I wonder why people aren't booking. I'm guessing two main reasons; they haven't the money or at least wary of spending it, or they think that type of accommodation is too expensive?
too much supply simply, there are bookings the market is saturated.loads lumped on lets during and after covid thinking it people would 'discover' the uk when forced on staycations and the demand would remain. it did for a bit but recent terrible summer weather has dented it and now thankfully a lot of the JCL's cant afford it any more and are getting out of the market ASAP as they have overstretched, especially with mortgage rates being high, so those of us who were their before or can weather the strom should be fine. Bar whatever the labour gov decide to do to punish those who have worked hard and done modestly well.
the market should correct itself next year as they increasingly sell, and those who remain should get back to 'normal' levels. we are booked solid till September, which wasn't the case last year or the year before.
simons123 said:
Carried on from another thread, where I seemed to get a negative reaction to a comment i made about the UK. Thought id start a new thread.
The idea of going away in the UK depresses me so I always aim to go abroad. Other than bits of Cornwall (which is a 5-6 hour drive) and hardly warrants a full week, it's all pretty much meh (IMO).
Overpriced hotels, crap weather, nothing really interesting to see or do All very depressing. I like the Cotswolds but not really a holiday place. Horses for courses and all that but I'd rather stay at home then waste money in the UK.
Been all over India, China, Cambodia, etc so like doing more then generally sitting around a pool. Just think the UK is one big expensive, depressing dump and I work to get away from the UK as much as possible (it's still my home though so no plans of leaving). But if I'm stuck in 1 place for a week then at least you want is nice weather, good food, good hotels, nice beaches (none of which can be found here). Cant even go in the sea in the UK as it's filthy...for the life of me cant understand why anyone would choose to holiday in the UK, except those with young kids or the elderly.
Is it just me and few others who think this way?
I echo 100% everything you have mentioned.The idea of going away in the UK depresses me so I always aim to go abroad. Other than bits of Cornwall (which is a 5-6 hour drive) and hardly warrants a full week, it's all pretty much meh (IMO).
Overpriced hotels, crap weather, nothing really interesting to see or do All very depressing. I like the Cotswolds but not really a holiday place. Horses for courses and all that but I'd rather stay at home then waste money in the UK.
Been all over India, China, Cambodia, etc so like doing more then generally sitting around a pool. Just think the UK is one big expensive, depressing dump and I work to get away from the UK as much as possible (it's still my home though so no plans of leaving). But if I'm stuck in 1 place for a week then at least you want is nice weather, good food, good hotels, nice beaches (none of which can be found here). Cant even go in the sea in the UK as it's filthy...for the life of me cant understand why anyone would choose to holiday in the UK, except those with young kids or the elderly.
Is it just me and few others who think this way?
For us, with a new little lad, we stick to Europe, mostly Spain, Spanish islands, and Greek islands.
Some utterly amazing places we have been to in China, in so much, we head back there for 3 weeks this September.
I kind of see where the OP is coming from, yes the weather can be st, also it can be glorious. Certain parts of the country have their own unofficial tax and prices for eating out etc are higher. I particularly love The Lake District, after only discovering it last year having been on this planet for 50 years. I've been the USA, Europe, Egypt and The Canaries and met some wonderful people and sadly some right dheads (sadly most of them were Brits, why are we as a nation when abroad like that?) I suppose its horses for courses really.
t, also it can be glorious. Certain parts of the country have their own unofficial tax and prices for eating out etc are higher. I particularly love The Lake District, after only discovering it last year having been on this planet for 50 years. I've been the USA, Europe, Egypt and The Canaries and met some wonderful people and sadly some right dheads (sadly most of them were Brits, why are we as a nation when abroad like that?) I suppose its horses for courses really.Leptons said:
valiant said:
Dont understand why booking a cottage isn't more popular.
We've booked Devon in July for a week for £1300. We can take pets, have tons of room and a large garden and free parking. No doubt the owners will leave us a 'care package' to welcome us and the cottage is beautifully appointed.
We'll take a cooler of food with us with basics and probably arrange a Tesco delivery if needed when not in the nearby pub or by the beach.
For £1300 what's not to like? Far cheaper than a week in Tenerife for a similar sized villa and no faff with airports, luggage restrictions or getting up at silly o'clock to make the 7am flight.
We like a holiday abroad but if you do it right, a holiday in this country can be just as special.
We used Sykes as well. Was painless booking with low deposits and a massive range to choose from. Wouldnt use Airbnb. Heard too many stories to put me off.
What are your plans when it rains or there’s a perpetual sea mist for 4 days solid (like last time we went to Devon)?We've booked Devon in July for a week for £1300. We can take pets, have tons of room and a large garden and free parking. No doubt the owners will leave us a 'care package' to welcome us and the cottage is beautifully appointed.
We'll take a cooler of food with us with basics and probably arrange a Tesco delivery if needed when not in the nearby pub or by the beach.
For £1300 what's not to like? Far cheaper than a week in Tenerife for a similar sized villa and no faff with airports, luggage restrictions or getting up at silly o'clock to make the 7am flight.
We like a holiday abroad but if you do it right, a holiday in this country can be just as special.
We used Sykes as well. Was painless booking with low deposits and a massive range to choose from. Wouldnt use Airbnb. Heard too many stories to put me off.
Antony Moxey said:
That's certainly not a given by any stretch. I think it's an absolute nonsense that you can't get decent food in this country, and at a reasonable price too.
It’s much more the given than finding good reasonably priced stuff in the UK. You can get decent food everywhere, but it’s not cheap in the U.K. it’s cheap compared to America but it’s criminal vs much of Europe.
okgo said:
Antony Moxey said:
That's certainly not a given by any stretch. I think it's an absolute nonsense that you can't get decent food in this country, and at a reasonable price too.
It’s much more the given than finding good reasonably priced stuff in the UK. You can get decent food everywhere, but it’s not cheap in the U.K. it’s cheap compared to America but it’s criminal vs much of Europe.
I go on long weekends away to national parks in the UK all the time. However, I rarely do long holidays as I like to be outside and the weather is too unpredictable. I enjoy long trips to Scotland but it's cheaper to go to the Alps and the weather is often far better. My UK long weekend trips to national parks are usually booked a few hours before I leave and that's purely because of weather.
Antony Moxey said:
It isn't. Besides, you stated it as a fact: 'eat better food'. That's clearly not the case and simply a tired cliche that just isn't true.
It is. I’ve literally just been to Spain twice in the last 6 weeks. Both times were laughably cheap. I don’t think I ever broke €50 a head. You get to near that with 2 courses and a drink in f
king Nando’s in the UK, or Pizza Express. The UK is fine if you want to overpay and run the risk of crap weather. The very fact so many go abroad shows I’m not alone.
You can do as you please of course but I’ll continue not to bother doing holidays here if that’s ok.
valiant said:
Dont understand why booking a cottage isn't more popular.
We've booked Devon in July for a week for £1300. We can take pets, have tons of room and a large garden and free parking. No doubt the owners will leave us a 'care package' to welcome us and the cottage is beautifully appointed.
We'll take a cooler of food with us with basics and probably arrange a Tesco delivery if needed when not in the nearby pub or by the beach.
For £1300 what's not to like? Far cheaper than a week in Tenerife for a similar sized villa and no faff with airports, luggage restrictions or getting up at silly o'clock to make the 7am flight.
We like a holiday abroad but if you do it right, a holiday in this country can be just as special.
We used Sykes as well. Was painless booking with low deposits and a massive range to choose from. Wouldnt use Airbnb. Heard too many stories to put me off.
Because im guessing the cottage is miles from anywhere...need to drive to get to anywhere decent (then hope you are lucky you can find a parking spot that will probably cost you about £6 for the day), you will have no swimming pool like you would in tenerife so literally what would you do in the cottage other then watch TV like you would do at home?!...also ordering food in from tesco to cook, doesn't sound like a holiday to me........rather save my £1300 and stay at home then do thatWe've booked Devon in July for a week for £1300. We can take pets, have tons of room and a large garden and free parking. No doubt the owners will leave us a 'care package' to welcome us and the cottage is beautifully appointed.
We'll take a cooler of food with us with basics and probably arrange a Tesco delivery if needed when not in the nearby pub or by the beach.
For £1300 what's not to like? Far cheaper than a week in Tenerife for a similar sized villa and no faff with airports, luggage restrictions or getting up at silly o'clock to make the 7am flight.
We like a holiday abroad but if you do it right, a holiday in this country can be just as special.
We used Sykes as well. Was painless booking with low deposits and a massive range to choose from. Wouldnt use Airbnb. Heard too many stories to put me off.
Antony Moxey said:
okgo said:
eat better (and probably vastly cheaper) food.
That's certainly not a given by any stretch. I think it's an absolute nonsense that you can't get decent food in this country, and at a reasonable price too.blueg33 said:
Not enough of these are booking cottages at the moment.
Our bookings in AONB in North Devon are well down and my wife works for a large holiday cottage company and they see bookings are down across the board.
It's weird this year. Mine's been all but full since it finally got going in April. But of that, one short break rather than the usual 50% and not much booking ahead. (Sussex).Our bookings in AONB in North Devon are well down and my wife works for a large holiday cottage company and they see bookings are down across the board.
Re the OP, there are as many reasons to holiday in the UK as there are types of holiday - rural retreat, remote islands, city breaks, history tours, old towns, seaside, walking etc etc.
Food's pretty good local to me but I wouldn't say cheap.
simons123 said:
That's nonsense though isnt it....where can you get decent food in the UK for a reasonable price? Minimum for a pub meal now is around £17 and that's usually just reheated, frozen crap.....in Spain you could eat fresh fish or Paella for the nearly half the price you would in the UK......not to mention a beer here is around £5-6 a pint....in Spain you would pay half that.
Exactly right. My wife and I both had a dish at a place the other week in Southern Spain, beachside, turbot and prawns with potatoes etc it was £18 each.
You’d do amazingly to find turbot here for anywhere near that. And as you say, a beer was half that of the UK.
The UK has some fantastic holiday options. Yes the weather can go against you sometimes but I have done the following in the UK and would absolutely recomend them to you OP:
Surfing in Cornwall in September. A group of us went down to have a go at surfing, totally recomend it.
Climbing and walking in The Peak District - the off to country pubs for dinner. Some of the best times!
Scrambling in Snowdonia - beautiful country. Excellent climbing.
City break in Oxford - lovely place.
Walking on the South Downs for a long weekend - a nice place to be.
Boating on the Norfolk Broads - peaceful and pretty.
Surfing in Cornwall in September. A group of us went down to have a go at surfing, totally recomend it.
Climbing and walking in The Peak District - the off to country pubs for dinner. Some of the best times!
Scrambling in Snowdonia - beautiful country. Excellent climbing.
City break in Oxford - lovely place.
Walking on the South Downs for a long weekend - a nice place to be.
Boating on the Norfolk Broads - peaceful and pretty.
simons123 said:
Antony Moxey said:
okgo said:
eat better (and probably vastly cheaper) food.
That's certainly not a given by any stretch. I think it's an absolute nonsense that you can't get decent food in this country, and at a reasonable price too.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff