In the UK, despite the weather this summer, enjoying a traditional holiday on our home turf is still very popular. The UK has a huge variety of getaways that all the family can enjoy without the expense of flying abroad and with the Olympics just weeks away, tourism in the UK is about to soar.
Come rain or shine Brits love exploring the UK
Rather than getting down about the weather let’s explore some of the treasures us Brits are famous for.
Rural England
The UK has an abundance of stunning landscapes and areas of extraordinary natural beauty. Here are a few examples of places well worth visiting this summer…
Peak District
The Peak District is Britain’s first national park and is an area of huge diversity. It covers an area of central and northern England, primarily in north Derbyshire and covering parts of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, and South and West Yorkshire.
The Peak District is a must visit for those who love the outdoors. Explore the picturesque landscapes and moorland on foot or cycling. For those more daring and experience in extreme sports, it is the perfect location for paragliding, ballooning, hang-gliding and rock climbing.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful areas in Britain. If you want a taste of the ‘true’ British country side then the Cotswolds is for you.
Unique stone-built heritage, rolling hills, broad valleys and secluded villages are at the heart of the Cotswolds. Discover market towns, charming villages, country pubs, museums, gardens and wildlife parks. It is the perfect retreat for couples and families.
City Breaks
Art, culture, heritage are just some of the things you can hope to enjoy when visiting cities around Britain. You just need to decide which city to visit; all of them boast something new and unique for visitors. Here are some of our best picks…
Fast-paced spots for culture, shopping and nightlife: Leeds
Leeds is a bustling city with a thriving arts scene, rich sporting heritage and great shopping and nightlife. It mixes classic Victorian architecture with urban developments.
For arts and culture see what’s on at the Leeds Grand Theatre, visit work by artists including Rodin at the Leeds Gallery or art lovers should keep their eyes open for Art in Unusual Places, a project that transforms urban spaces into exhibition sites for visual art and installations
Knightsbridge for the North – Shopping in Leeds
There are many places to shop in Leeds, head to the Corn Exchange for boutiques, browse vintage stores nearby, visit the Victoria Quarter for designer shops including Vivian Westwood or the White Rose shopping centre for a huge range of stores.
Key events for summer in Leeds
Leeds Festival is held every summer and is a huge music festival with bands performing from around the world. The West Indian Carnival which takes place over the August Bank Holiday is a great place to take the family.
Bristol
Bristol is at the heart of the West Country and brings together rich maritime heritage with cutting-edge culture. Famous for Brunel, Banksy and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, visiting Bristol offers something the family can enjoy. Brunel’s SS Great Britain marked the beginnings of international passenger travel and is said to be one of the UK’s finest visitor attractions (Mail on Sunday). The ship is a must see when visiting Bristol. Discover Banksy’s original art work whilst walking through Bristol, additionally you can take a free tour to really get under the skin of the city’s favourite graffiti artist-cum-fine artist.
Suspended above the Avon Gorge is the spectacular 500-metre Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s the symbol of Bristol, and is worth visiting or walking across to take in breath-taking views. Along with the sights you’ll find restaurants, shops, bars and a bustling city centre.
Fun for all the family
The list is endless for things to do for the kids as well as adults this summer holiday…
Theme parks
Theme parks are a great place to take the kids and adults have a great time too. There are a number based around the UK from the bigger parks such as Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Chessington, to the smaller adventure parks including Go Ape, Drayton Manor and Legoland Windsor.
For a rainy day…
The kids always need to be kept entertained, even when it’s raining and there are so many things you can enjoy in the UK despite the bad weather! Visit the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London for those budding scientists, one of the many aquariums across the UK, or for those aspiring astronauts the National Space Centre in Leicester. If you’re looking to enjoy a holiday in the UK or just want to make the most of Britain this summer, there are so many things you can do to keep your kids and other half entertained!
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