Why? Because we’re here to stay this summer, so let’s rebalance (for good?) with fantabulous plane-free hols
FACT
An average UK carbon footprint is 13 tonnes. A flight to Madrid is 1 ton and to Sydney is 8. A big slice of the carbon pie!
Poor old UK, gets a bit of a slamming when it comes to our summer holidays, mostly because of the capricious weather. But with our ‘enforced’ stay at home summer, will we think again?
Fact is (pre-pandemic) aviation was still ferociously on the up. Us Brits took 93 million flights in 2019. With half the UK population accounting for that, it averages 3 flights a year each. So just one staycation instead, could slice our carbon footprint in one local swoop - win for the planet, win for the economy, win for us.
Let’s fall in love again? If you’ve been lucky enough to holiday here in fine sunshine or love our iconic open moors and wild, bracing places, slowing down and travelling through, you’ll know it can be hard to beat. Here are our picks - everything from camping to the lux of lux. Get booking quick as the whole isolation-weary nation is going to be on the romp!
current rules
12 April - UK self-contained accommodation for one household
17 May - hotels and B&Bs open and international travel may resume
SLOW TRAVEL
Byway bucked the travel trend launching their no-fly startup during lockdown, how cool and enterprising! Experience the joy of journeying by train and boat, discovering hidden gems, with personal journey plans and handpicked accommodation sorted for you.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Sawday’s are your fail-safe go-to for brilliant places to stay. They’ve spent 25 years, visiting and choosing their properties, so you can be confident you’re going to get something special that actually looks like the pictures. Self-catering, hotels, b&b’s, inns. All budgets.
nature reserves and rewilding
Steppes have been creating award-winning journeys for 30 years, passionate about how travel can give back to the world. Have a look at some incredible experiences in the UK - from white tailed eagles that frequent Mull’s wild shores, to wild cat breeding in Scotland.
CAMPING
So many lovely places to camp, but the National Trust has some particularly spectacular sites. If you’ve never tried camping before, but fancy pitching up without a big investment, TentShare is a brilliant way to rent a tent and equipment and give it an economic whirl.
GLAMPING
If hammering in tent pegs is not your scene, but you love being up close to the elements, Canopy and Stars might be just for you. Yurts, shepherds huts, treehouses, cabins they’ve got the lot, in lovely locations. Part of Sawday’s and all vetted so you’ll be good to go.
CAMPER VANS (FOR HIRE)
Kind of like an Air Bnb for camper vans, each one of the camper vans to hire is uniquely designed, beautifully crafted and maintained by their passionate owner. Collect directly from the person who knows it best and shows you how everything works. The freedom!
LUX HOMES TO HIRE with ECO cred
Specialists in remarkable private homes, Unique Home Stays selection is pretty impressive. Now they have an eco-friendly collection too: think sustainable design, electric car chargers and eco technology in beautiful natural settings. Not cheap, but definitely a treat.
cycling Holidays
It’s green, it’s healthy and in lock down loads of us have bought bikes - arguably there's no better way to really experience a place. Skedaddle are cycling holiday pros and have been organising trips for 25 years, you’ll be in good hands. All levels, all kinds, family.
“The green, green grass of home...”
Any that you recommend? Let us know!