By Owe Carter
Fancy a holiday soon, but need some inspiration? Well, have you considered making the most of what’s on your doorstep this time round? The UK is rich in history, culture and beauty – and yet many of us seldom explore what we have in our own back garden. So here’s a selection of brilliant British destinations that may not otherwise spring readily to mind:
Gwent
Just across the border into Wales, there is some glorious countryside to discover. And Newport is playing host to the Ryder Cup this year, so if golf is your thing, then why not take a tour of the courses before the pros get to. The Celtic Manor Resort is currently offering a Stay and Play deal from £99, which includes a night’s accommodation and eighteen holes on each of their courses – The Montgomerie and Roman Road [offer now expired].
And if golf’s not your thing? Well, there’s plenty more to do. The West Usk Lighthouse south of Newport is a nice, quirky little spot. Guests can take advantage of a floatation tank, a chauffeured Rolls Royce service, and there’s a hot tub and barbecue facilities on the roof. What else could you possibly need to know?
There’s also The Foxhunter in Abergavenny, which has self-catering accommodation, and an amazing restaurant. What sets them apart is that they arrange foraging trips, where you can go and gather your own wild food and have it prepared and served to you! They also arrange fishing, stalking and shooting trips on request.
If you’re planning on visiting this neck of the woods, Llanthony Priory is also well worth a visit. You can enjoy a ploughman’s from a little underground café whilst sat in the ruins; then go for a walk up the hills which surround the priory to enjoy the incredible view.
Dorset
There are lots of interesting and unusual things to do in Dorset. The Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Wareham is an old Confused.com favourite. The park is home to hundreds of primates that have been rescued from smugglers, and neglectful or abusive owners. It’s open from 10am until 5pm, or 6pm during July and August. Check out the latest Monkey World admission prices here.
It’s also worth checking out the iconic Cerne Abbas giant, on a hillside north of Dorchester. Considerations of good taste preclude us from picturing it or describing it in detail here, but suffice to say it’s also known at the ‘Rude giant’. The best viewpoint for this is beside the A352.
On the same road, a few miles south of Cerne Abbas is The Smith’s Arms in Goldmanstone, which is one of the claimants for the title of the smallest pub in Britain. It was originally a blacksmith’s, which was once visited by King Charles II. Legend has it that the smith refused the king a drink of porter, as he had no license to serve alcohol, so the king granted him one on the spot.
Carrick-a-Rede
Not one for those with vertigo, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in County Antrim is suspended over a chasm 20 metres wide and 30 metres deep. It’s a hair-raising crossing, but it leads to an island with absolutely astonishing views, including the islands off the west coast of Scotland. Speaking of which...
Scottish west coast islands
The west coast of Scotland is liberally peppered with picturesque islands. At Confused.com, we’re very taken with Arran, which is outstandingly beautiful. It’s great for walking, cycling, playing golf or just putting your feet up and letting the slow life wash over you. Plus, as most people travelling in the UK will have to go via Glasgow, you can have a quick city break en route. Find out more on the Arran visitors’ website, including how to get there.
Fancy going somewhere properly remote? Well, St Kilda is certainly that. It’s a World Heritage Site 40 miles off the coast of north Uist. After the island dwellers had been living on seabirds (including snacking on puffins) and eggs for 2,000 years, the last inhabitants evacuated to the mainland in 1930. Now all that’s left is a ruined village, and incredible cliffs and wildlife. Getting to the island itself is a proper mission, but check out the St Kilda website to find out about cruises and yacht trips. And read some of the fascinating and bizarre facts about the island’s history while you’re there.
St Kilda's abandoned village
The Peak District
It’s Britain’s first national park, and it’s slap-bang in the middle of the country... But have you been there? Considering it’s considered to be the second most-visited national park on the planet, behind Mount Fuji in Japan, it’s surprising how many people we asked have never been. There’s beautiful countryside to explore, climb on, go caving into, paragliding over... And huge reservoirs to go boating or fishing on. Check out the Peak District National Park Authority website, go and visit, and be bowled over.
Saltaire
Saltaire Village in West Yorkshire is a lovely place to spend a Sunday afternoon. There’s an old disused mill which exhibits paintings by David Hockney, and nice shops, restaurants and pubs. It’s about half an hour on the train from Leeds. And the town’s named after a gentleman called Sir Titus Salt. Splendid.
National Trust - numerous spots
Have you thought of becoming a member of the National Trust? If you visit almost any part of the UK for a week then there will be some National Trust sites within a stone’s throw. There are a variety of places to visit, ranging from castles and stately homes to parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Membership costs between £30 and £50 a year. But this is easily recouped if you’re happy to get out and about, as you don’t need to pay entry fees or car parking at any of the sites in the scheme.
...And there’s plenty more out there
We can’t hope to cover all of the excellent spots in the UK here, but hopefully we’ve given you some ideas. If you want more food for thought, why not read about our top ten beaches, our favourite campsites, and a selection of unusual days out.
