Staycation England: Holiday at Home

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Updated On: November 07, 2023 by   Ciaran ConnollyCiaran Connolly

The Queen, freshly brewed tea, scones with jam and cream. All these are quintessential ideals of Englishness. England is a country with stunning landscapes, great culture, and metropolitan cities. For a great staycation, England offers pastures green and fanciful pastries. A rich history that has created some of the world’s greatest artists, poets, musicians, and actors. The countryside and roaring cities offer plenty for those who want to holiday at home. A holiday in England is the perfect way to relax and unwind. From rolling hills to coastal delights, a staycation England offers is not one to be missed. 

 

English Tea: Yorkshire

Renowned for its quality brew, Yorkshire has been referred to as God’s Own Country. Stunning scenery and friendly locals, Yorkshire is the archetypal English countryside. Yorkshire has a sensational literary history. The Brontë sisters grew up in the Yorkshire moors and most of their literature has been influenced by it – case and point Wuthering Heights. Other famous wordsmith’s who hailed from here include Ted Hughes and W.H. Auden. The perfect place to indulge in a staycation.

York Minster is the most visited building in the country and the city of York is synonymous with the stunning cathedral and its beautiful cobbled streets. Historically significant, The War of the Roses was the battle between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. While the House of Lancaster prevailed and eventually went on to be the Tudor Dynasty, there is a healthy rivalry between the cities of York and Lancaster, with sporting activities being dubbed ‘War of the Roses’. 

With its rich farming land, Yorkshire has developed a phenomenal food and drink culture. The area boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else bar London. Local produce and flavourful ingredients are at the heart of their culinary pursuits and this has attracted tourists from all over the world to enjoy their spoils. Over 40 million visitors now visit Yorkshire per year to enjoy its cultural delights. From the moors and dales to the historic and ancient cities, it’s certainly not an area to miss. Have a holiday in England here. 

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A town in Yorkshire, England. (Source: xorge)

 

Countryside Holiday in England: The Cotswolds

Spanning nearly 800 square miles across the five lush counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, the Cotswolds is a popular destination for a holiday in England. Quaint villages and towns that are honey-coloured are reminiscent of older times. The region, often referred to as the ‘wolds’ is the biggest of the 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales. 

A rice history, the Cotswolds attracts tourists who want to immerse themselves in nature and culture. Open to the public, the tremendous house of Blenheim Palace saw Winston Churchill born there in 1874. T.S. Eliot is said to have been deeply influenced by the Cotswolds having spent a lot of time walking the rolling hills. He even attributes his poem ‘The Country Walk’ to his fear of walking through the Cotswolds and being chased by cows. 

Divine in every season, the Cotswolds has flower-laden summers and cosy winters spent in front of the fires of the local pubs. A magical place to have a staycation in England. 

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Castle Combe is a small Cotswold village in Wiltshire, England. It is renowned for its attractiveness and for fine buildings including the medieval church. More recently it was the setting for the movie “The War Horse”. (Source: Saffron Blaze)

 

By the Sea: Devon 

World-famous for its scones, Devon is an area of spectacular beauty due to its beautiful coastline and warm people. A famous surfing spot, surfers come from all over the world to enjoy the breaks at the Devon coast and the beautiful coves. Passionate about their local produce, Devon has artisan craftsman who produces food items to hand-shaped surfboards. 

Not to be outdone with its vivid coastline, Devon also has sensational stretches of land that are worth a hike around. From Dartmoor to Exmoor, these spaces are a delight for those who enjoy the great outdoors with Fresian cows and meandering rivers. For those who enjoy the sound of the ocean and stunning walks through the countryside, Devon is the perfect holiday at home. 

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Devon Common Lane (Source: Andreas Trepte)

 

Holiday At Home: The Lake District

The Lake District is arguably the most well-known countryside in the land of England. Renowned for its greenery and grand views, it covers an area of just over 885 square miles. The Lake District National Park has been protected since 1951 and its picturesque woodlands, lakes, and valleys make it an incredibly popular destination for those who enjoy hiking and camping. 

The English weather can be incredibly unpredictable but this only serves to emphasise the beauty of the area, with showers highlighting the glorious views. William Wordsworth is famous for writing some of his best-known works here including ‘Daffodils’. Inspired by the woodlands and striking scenes, he penned poetry that has become syllabus today. It is easy to see with its divine landscapes how the Lake District has become a popular destination for those having a staycation in England.

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The village of Glenridding and Ullswater lake in the Lake District. (Source: Dilliff)

 

Staycation England: Norfolk 

For those who enjoy visiting stately homes and wonderful museums, Norfolk is the place for you. An area filled with ruins and churches, and wool towns, East Anglia gets the least rain in any other area of the United Kingdom. Despite being rather cold due to the winds of the North sea blowing over it, Norfolk has plenty of blustery beaches to enjoy serene walks along – a lovely area to have a holiday at home. 

Home to the Broads, one of England’s ten designated National Parks, there are plenty of countrysides walks through gardens, nature reserves, and even steam railways to explore. Norfolk has the highest concentration of medieval churches with over 659 to explore. Burnham Thorpe has an interesting history with Admiral Lord Nelson being born there in 1758. With the city of proud Norwich to the sleepy countryside, Norfolk is a wonderful place to have a holiday in England. 

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A village sign in a pub in Norfolk (Source: David Williams)

 

The Big Smoke: London

It would be remiss to discuss a staycation England could provide without discussing one of the most famous cities in the world and its capital, London. London is home to the Queen, her main residence being Buckingham Palace. Remaining on the Royal theme, the Tower of London was a prison and is now the place where the crown jewels are kept safe. 

One of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, London is a cultural hub. The British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Natural Science Museum all contain some of the most breathtaking artefacts known to man, as well as contributing to historic, global research with their grants and facilities. Its restaurants and music scene are famous and revolutionary, and it is the birthplace of many history shakers. Any staycation England provides must include a stop in London. Enjoy a holiday at home. 

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A view of London (Source: Colin)

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