4 Places In The UK That You NEED To Visit In Celebration Of English Tourism Week
In celebration of English Tourism Week I'm sharing my top four UK destinations for staycations!
This post is in celebration for English Tourism Week (the 17th-25th of March FYI), and everything that comes with this wonderful place that I'm so, so lucky to call home! The aim of English Tourism Week is to showcase the diverse activities, destinations and cities that England has to offer! From the British Ballet in Birmingham, shop til you drop in Manchesters city centre or head to Manchester's gin festival! You can see the full list of events HERE (and find out what's going on near you; so you can also celebrate English Tourism Week!).
Okay, so it’s absolutely NO secret that I LOVE a good staycation in the UK! From a romantic weekend in Bath, to a family break on the Cornish cost, hibernating in a log cabin in Dorset or an epic city break to Leeds! The UK really is so, incredibly diverse and has so much to offer when it comes to city breaks, nights away and staycations!
I've always been so proud of living in such a beautiful country; but truth be told I hadn't explored *that much of the UK until last year. I studied at university near Brighton and had taken the odd trip to Bath or Oxford for weekends away, and as much as I'd loved every trip, life just kind of got in the way and I didn't explore much past that.
I kept promising myself that I'd take time to explore more of the UK and last year was the year that I felt I really made it happen! To celebrate English Tourism Week I wanted to share my top four destinations in the UK that I would highly recommend a trip to; and five destinations that I personally have on my bucket list! Let's kick off with destination number 1 - Cornwall!...
DESTINATION #1: CORNWALL
Ohhhhh Cornwall, where do I start?! I booked a trip to Cornwall last summer to celebrate my dad and step mums 60th birthday, I wanted to do something special with them and create some memories I knew that I'd cherish a for a lifetime.. and that's exactly what we did!
We booked a beautiful house via Boutique Retreats, set in a quaint Cornish village and spent a magical long weekend exploring the cost. From beach strolls at trebarwith strand (most incredible beach and featured on Poldark!) to drinking cider in pub gardens, trying the 'best Cornish pasty' in the land and afternoon walks around Port Isaac (where the infamous Doc Martin is filmed!).
We were graced with a heat wave that weekend and the weather couldn't have been any dreamier to be honest! I've already booked to take my parents back this summer - as I'm getting older, I really do cherish quality time with my parents much more and can't wait to return to this picturesque part of the UK!
READ THE POST HERE: A Digital Detox in Cornwall With Boutique Retreats
DESTINATION #2: BATH
Before last summer I'd previously visited Bath once and had absolutely loved it on first impressions so was super excited to head back with Ben and explore a little more! We stayed at Grove Lodge; a luxury b&b that we absolutely adored (I've been raving about it to all of my friends since we returned - it's so homely and the owners will go above and beyond to make your trip memorable!).
We spent the weekend exploring the Roman Baths, taking a walk to the Royal Cresent, paying a trip to the infamous Sally Luns and enjoying the views from the rooftop pool at the Thermae Baths! Bath is one of those places that you can't help but fall in love with straight away - a must visit if you haven't already!
READ THE POST HERE: The ULTIMATE Guide To Bath: A Country Escape You Need To Embark On ASAP
DESTINATION #3: LEEDS
Oh Leeds, where do I start?! My favourite UK city (alongside Manchester and London), I first visited last October and fell in love straight away, from energetic vive in the city, to the luxe bars, cobbled streets and gourmet restaurants. This city for me was buzzing with amazing energy and creative and I instantly knew I'd return one day (I decided there and then that I could happily live in Leeds - it has everything you need, and more!).
We spent two nights at the stunning new Dakota Deluxe hotel and checked out some of the cities most hip restaurants, bars and shopping centres during our stay. I honestly couldn't recommend Leeds anymore if you're looking for a UK city break (especially with the girls - Leeds is the one for you!).
READ THE POST HERE: The ULTIMATE Guide To Leeds: How To Spend 48 Hours In My Favourite UK City
DESTINATION #4: DORSET
Our trip to Dorset will always hold a special place in my heart, I instantly felt relaxed the second we arrived - it was the ultimate digital detox than neither of us realised we needed until we pulled up to our log cabin. We stayed in the most beautiful, quaint cabin at Loose Reins (it was SO picturesque and cosy!), we piled the bed with warm blankets and pillows and relaxed by the stove fire, reading books and drinking wine - it was bliss!
During the days we took some long walks in the countryside, explored cobbled streets and cosy pubs - it was the perfect 'quintessentially British' trip ever, it was my first trip to Dorset and it was everything I expected, hoped for and so much more! If you haven't been, make plans ASAP.. I promise you'll love it!
READ THE POST HERE: The ULTIMATE UK Relaxation Staycation: Spending 48 Hours In Dorset
What are your favourite destinations for staycations in the UK? Are you planning something exciting to celebrate English Tourism Week? Any UK destinations I need to add to my bucket list?! - It's constantly ever-growing!
*This post was in collaboration with Visit England, all opinions and images as always are my own.