Good morning, hope you’ve had a lovely weekend. By the time this post goes out, I will be at the doctor with my daughter who is unfortunately still no better where her mobility and talking are concerned due to her ME/CFS relapse, so fingers crossed they can do something to help her, hopefully get her an MRI to make sure it’s nothing Brain related. Before I start today’s post, I want to say a huge congratulations to Lindsay Lohan who gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy named Luai. There’s no greater feeling than when you become a parent, it’s one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever experience, and for me that happened thanks to my firstborn Kim who was born on this day 33 years ago, no matter how old she is, she will always be my baby girl and even though I can’t be with her today, I’m wishing her the biggest Happy Birthday, I hope she has fun but relaxing day (which might be hard to do with a toddler and a baby on the way) but as soon as I’m able to, I will see her with some luck very soon. You are always in my thoughts and my heart, but today I get to reminisce about the day you were born. The day you changed my life, until then I never knew how much one person can love another, that was until I had you. Happy Birthday baby girl!
With the popularity of staycations set to boom over the next few years, more people than ever are turning to places they can explore close to their doorstep. There are so many places to see in the UK. While plenty of Brits are set on exploring places overseas, we can see some epic places without crossing any borders! With summer bringing gorgeous, sunny days, now is the ideal time to browse for staycations in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Here are some ideas for 2023…
The Lake District
This part of the U.K. is so breathtaking and is just full of natural beauty it even has some amazing cosy cottages for you to stay in. The Lake District is full of captivating beauty with its stunning backdrop scenery, no wonder it has inspired so many people over the years to write be it authors, and poets alike, or the views just call to the artist and photographers in you with its artistic views. Travellers come all over to this marvel, with its many lakes, national parks and wildlife which is protected by fauna and flora? It is a great place to visit with your family, as it has many activities to keep you all entertained which include Windermere, which is the largest natural lake in England surrounded by the mountainous backdrop. You should pay a visit to one of the Lake District’s top attractions, National Trust – Hill Top a 17th-century house that is known as the Beatrix Potter house, where you can get lost in the World of Beatrix Potter and languish in her stories the way she had written them. This is one of the favourite things that kids love to do. There are also wildlife parks, castles, a waterfall at Aira Force, and so much more to see.
Beautiful Villages and Towns in The Lake District
Bowness-on-Windermere Village
Windermere
Hawkshead
Ambleside
Grasmere
Coniston
Cartmel
Keswick
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is one of the most truly stunning areas of the U.K. and is a favourite amongst family staycations. This is the largest area of land that offers pure natural beauty, with its picturesque scenery that is absolutely breathtaking everywhere you look, that encompasses an amazing 787 square miles across six counties. Besides offering you its stunning views, it offers plenty of things to see and do, like the many different museums, a model village, wildlife parks – that have some of the most exotic animals, there’s also water sports, rock climbing, horse riding, Blenheim Palace, castles and cathedrals, or pay a visit to the city of Gloucester, there is so much more for you to experience. Why not take a look below at some of the other places to visit.
Beautiful Cities, Villages and Towns in The Cotswolds
Bourton-on-the-Water
Stow-on-the-Wold
Lower Slaughter
Castle Combe
Broadwater
Kingham
Oxford
Stroud
Bibury
Bath
Devon
Devon is a picturesque part of the country, with its stunning countryside, and gorgeous sandy beaches. Visitors always arrive in their droves to see this captivating part of the Uk. Devon has so much to offer you whether its places to see or things for you to do, like going to the zoos, play watersports, theme parks, model village, aquariums or relaxing on the beach, you are so spoilt for choice on what to do and see, but it doesn’t end there as there is still plenty more places to visit, that will keep all ages, young and old entertained for hours, which makes it an ideal destination for the perfect staycation for you and your whole family. Below is a list of other staycations for you to explore.
Beautiful Cities, Villages and Towns in Devon
Lynton and Lynmouth
Teignmouth
Kingsbridge
Dartmouth
Salcombe
Dittisham
Exmouth
Torquay
Clovelly
Exeter
Cornwall
Cornwall as so much to offer a person, it literally has everything, this is a destination which is just perfect for families, and just one visit is never enough, as you’re left wanting so much more time to explore this treasure trove piece of the U.K. and to see all the attractions it as to offer. Cornwall is known for its exceptional coastline, rugged cliff tops, and beautiful walks along the sandy beaches. But there is so much more to see like the world-famous Eden Project, where you can wander through its tropical habitat which the kids all seem to love. Land Ahoy! Watch out for pirates as there’s a shipwreck treasure museum and we all know what they are like, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trebah Garden, Tintagel Castle, Newquay Zoo, Museums and so much for you and your family to see.
Beautiful Cities, Villages and Towns in Cornwall
Charlestown
Megavissey
Mousehole
Port Isaac
Lands End
Polperro
St Ives
Fowey
Looe
The Peak District
This is one of the oldest national parks, but if you like open spaces, then this place is perfect for you and for families that want to get some fresh air and go out into the great outdoors. The most famous thing the Peak District is known for is, its beautiful scenery and for you to be able to fully appreciate it you need to see it in a different way than on foot, like if you are the more adventurous type, it would probably be something high up like a cable car ride, which takes you across the Derwent Valley. There are also a lot of family-friendly walks around from taking a stroll around the reservoirs, or you can soak in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding countryside. Other attractions that would surely entice you is spending the day at Alton Towers where you can let your hair down and have some fun with the whole family, also there’s Caverns, Gulliver’s Kingdom, Castles, Wildlife Park and historical landmarks, to name but a few. The list is endless as there is so much for you to see and do.
Beautiful Villages and Towns in The Peak District
Ashford-in-the-Water
Over Haddon
Alstonefield
Tissington
Castleton
Bakewell
Buxton
Edale
Scotland
Scotland is full of beauty, and the Scottish highlands is amongst the most famous for their exquisite scenery, stunning mountain ranges, exceptional beaches, and quaint little towns. Visiting here in Scotland is an absolute must for any traveller. Photographers love places like this as they just want to capture the essence of its beauty on camera. What better way to see Scotland at its best than by jumping in the car and going on a road trip, that way you get to soak up more of its mesmerising beauty. Attractions to do is either go hiking, visit a Scottish Castle, go to one of the nearby Islands, National Parks, Wildlife Parks, Museums, Art Galleries, the Chocolatarium, Botanical Gardens, City Landmarks and so much more…
Beautiful Cities, Villages and Towns in Scotland
Kirkcudbright
Fort William
Tobermory
Edinburgh
Aberdeen
Badachro
Inveraray
Plockton
Braemar
Portree
Wales
The U.K. has so many amazing places that are superb for family holidays, but if you are after a staycation that encapsulates the very essence of the surrounding beauty of its stunning scenery, perfectly kept beaches that have been unspoilt, numerous historic castles, and topped off with loads of adventure then North Wales is the place to be for just that. Whether it’s you or a family member, that is a history buff this is an excellent place for you to tour the surrounding area, and visit some of the most amazing castles that are now in ruins, and fortresses, this will surely fill your mind as it’s full of rich history. There are many things for you and your family to do like St. Fagan’s National Museum of History as well as many more different types of Museums to visit, Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, National Park, Showcaves, Botanical Gardens, Zip World, Zoos, Waterfalls and so much more for you to discover…
Beautiful Cities, Villages and Towns in Wales
Betws-y-Coed
Porthdinllaen
Portmeirion
Saint Asaph
Snowdonia
Beddgelert
Llangollen
Abersoch
Swansea
Cardiff
Conwy
Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight is a perfect place for a U.K. staycation, as it is a beautiful island that has plenty to offer, starting with its magnificent views, and luscious sandy beaches, It is relatively easy to get to the Island, as there are numerous ferry routes leading to the Isle of Wight ferry. The biggest cruise ports in the U.K. is the Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. If you’re not taking any vehicle then there’s always the choice of a hovercraft that will get you there too. Try to avoid sailing during peak times though, as the prices can become over expensive. Early mornings are best for a much cheaper price. Once you’re on the Isle of Wight there are many attractions for you to discover like historical Castles, Museums, Botanical Garden, Model Village, a Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, a Monkey Haven Primate Rescue Centre, the most famous Historical attraction The Needles Landmark, and there is even so much more for you and your family to do.
Beautiful Cities, Villages and Towns on The Isle of Wight
Brightstone
Freshwater
Yarmouth
Whitwell
Osborne
Shanklin
Godshill
Cowes
Ryde
County Antrim in Northern Ireland
County Antrim in Northern Ireland has a wide range of attractions and activities that is packed with fun things for you and your family to do. To start with there’s Belfast the capital of Ireland which is partially located in County Antrim, the other part is in County Down. One of Belfast’s most favourable attractions is the Titanic Museum which is full of history that you can learn about, it also has interactive exhibits which the kids absolutely love. But if you are after a more relaxed approach to your holiday there are miles and miles of sandy beaches, for you to either walk along or lie on a towel or lounger whatever your preference, while the younger kids are building sandcastles or having fun burying you or a family member in the sand. There is plenty of things to entertain you like the Giant’s Causeway, Castles, Ballintoy Harbour, walk through Glenariff Forest, Museums, Carnfunrock Country Park, Marina, RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, luscious Botanical Gardens, Belfast Zoo, Kintra Boat Tours, and many more things still to discover.
Beautiful Villages and Towns in County Antrim
Carrickfergus
Cushendun
Ballybogey
Ballycastle
Glenarm
Portrush
Lisburn
Belfast
Larne
Channel Islands
Jersey and Guernsey sound so alike in the names, but which one is best to visit, the answer is purely it depends on what you want out of them. Jersey is the bigger Island of the two of them, but what makes them different? Jersey has a wide selection of accommodations and attractions such as the Jersey Zoo, Castles, Museums, Galleries, Botanic Gardens, Parks and so much more to entice you. Guernsey is a picturesque capital of St. Peter’s Port, which has become a popular place for tourists to visit, as it does have the added allure of visiting nearby neighbour islands Sark and Herm. Take a look at other Islands that are worth visiting.
Beautiful Islands Around the U.K.
Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides
Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides
Brownsea Island, Dorset
Isle of Portland, Dorset
Isles of Scilly, Cornwall
Isle of Gigha, Scotland
Isle of Tiree, Scotland
Isle of Islay, Scotland
Iona, Inner Hebrides
Tresco, Isle of Scilly
Orkney, Scotland
Anglesey, Wales
Jura, Scotland
Other Staycation Destination Places to Visit:
London
Kingston upon Thames
Wendens Ambo
Old Amersham
Camden Town
Eynsfordis
Cookham
Aylesford
Alfriston
Shere
Rye
Kent
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Maidstone
Canterbury
Appledore
Tonbridge
Ramsgate
Penshurst
Rochester
Ulcombe
Dover
Yorkshire
Robin Hood’s Bay
Thornton-le-Dale
Knaresborough
Hutton-le-Hole
Grassington
Middleham
Harrogate
Richmond
Kettlewell
Staithes
Whitby
Ripon
York
Suffolk
Bury St Edmunds
East Bergholt
Stowmarket
Cavendish
Lavenham
Lowestoft
Bildeston
Ipswich
Norfolk
Downham Market
Great Yarmouth
Wymondham
King’s Lynn
Thetford
Cromer
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, Have an amazing week and where ever you go away whether it’s a staycation or far away, firstly I hope you have an awesome time, stay safe, enjoy and have fun and I see you back here next week!
Arias Writing Journal 