That does not mean, however, that we all need to put up with rainy weeks on wash-out bucket-and-spade holidays instead of azure, Greek islands, Tuscan olive groves or sparkling French Riviera escapes. There are many ways to travel in the British Isles if you’re looking for high-end holiday experiences. Whether it’s luxury resorts in the UK, UK luxury holiday lodges, or luxury holiday homes in the UK that you’re looking for, there is a myriad of options to explore. We delve into some of the best luxury holidays in the UK for a summer to remember.
UK Holiday Destinations
If you’re trying to plan your staycation, whether to a luxury holiday rental UK or a luxury family holiday resort in the UK, the process may well involve a lot of staring at the map in deliberation. Happily, Country Living has done a lot of the thinking through for us, rounding up some of the most beautiful spots in the country, depending on what you’re looking for – from idyllic and inspiring train journeys to picture-perfect villages to remote Scottish wildernesses and historic cities. The article is great, too, for those who are missing the lure of overseas travel. Pining for European mountains? Why not try Snowdonia? Craving the still, dazzlingly blue waters of the Caribbean? Head straight for the Isles of Scilly forthwith.
Its recommendations are as pleasingly varied as the country itself. You could be inspired to book a break in the Scottish Highlands, of which it says, ‘Scenic, remote and one of the real treasures of Britain, the Scottish Highlands offer a truly wild escape, where you can get lost among mountains, lochs, and beaches.’ There, as it details, you can explore Britain's largest national park, the Cairngorms; scale Ben Nevis; go looking for the Loch Ness Monster, and hop aboard the Jacobite Steam Strain – a dupe for the Hogwarts Express.
Or, by total contrast, you may wish to escape into the flatlands of Norfolk where there is barely a hill in sight, let alone a mountain. There you can swim in the North Sea; rejoice in one of Britain’s best beaches (Holkham); devour crab by the bucketload; and squelch through the stunning salt marshes, all in the shadow of its typical windmills.
Or, for something totally different, you could repair to Windsor to explore the Great Park and Windsor Castle, or to the Pembrokeshire coast for ‘the ancient woodlands of the Gwaun Valley, on a walking trail that takes in the River Gwaun, the medieval Llanychllwydog Pillar Stones, and the ancient St Brynach Church.’
For further details on these, plus more ideas on the likes of Kent, Northamptonshire, and the Hebrides, do visit Country Living.
Ideas For Your Perfect Luxury Holiday In The UK
The way we travel is as individual as the way we dress, eat and interact. Here are some ideas to explore to find your perfect UK-based holiday.
Luxury Holiday Parks UK
For many families or couples, luxury holiday villages in the UK offer the best of all worlds, taking the hassle out of having to do day trips from your base. This way, you simply turn up and all the activities are right there, just waiting for you to discover them. But there are holiday parks and holiday parks – and we’ve come a long way since Butlins was the chief option available. Snaptrip outlines some of the best, as well as the diverse spectrum of what’s on offer. They ask, ‘Are you looking for a holiday park embedded deep in the countryside or located by the rugged cliffs of the coast? Does a long car drive to a remote park sound like a dream, or have you got little ones so would prefer a break closer to home? Located in scenic locations across the UK, wherever you choose, marvel at the surrounding area from the comfort of your holiday home.’
Whatever you plump for, it is certain to be a cheaper and more eco-friendly choice than traveling abroad. We are taken with Sandymouth Holiday Resort in Cornwall, a five-star caravan resort with a sea-view of Sandymouth Bay, all set amid a tranquil landscape. If you’re traveling with kids, check out Go Active’s activity range, including outdoor and indoor play areas, archery, and zorbing, as well as a Pirate Ship play area and the Wicked Wizards workshop.
Gold Sands Rhyl in Denbighshire, Wales, meanwhile, is an award-winning park close to the seaside town of Rhyl and a short drive away from Snowdonia National Park. It offers a richly packed roster of family activities and entertainment, meaning that all members of the family get to relax and have fun.
Finally, Tattershall Lakesl in Lincolnshire is a paradise for holidaymakers, thanks to its mix of beautiful landscapes with adventurous pursuits on offer. There is an 85-acre water ski lake and 45-acre jet ski lake for the active, while for those who prefer their holiday a little less high octane, why not simply enjoy the lakeside hot tub?
For more on the best holiday parks in the UK and the best caravan sites in the UK, check out Snaptrip’s full article here.
Luxury Holiday Rentals In The UK
While holiday parks can be the perfect solution for some, others will, naturally, gravitate towards having more of their own space on holiday, adventuring or relaxing in delicious solitude. If you’re after luxury holiday home rentals in the UK, Luxury Cottages is a brilliant place to look. Search by location, inspiration, or holiday type to find your dream escape.
We are rather taken with this house in the Highlands, for a spot of grandeur amid the Ross Shire countryside. It sleeps fourteen, features oak-paneled rooms, and has a superb garden, making it ideal for a large family gathering. Georgian splendor, period details, proximity to a whiskey distillery: this would tick every box for every family member.
For something rather less grand but every bit as spectacular, we have our eyes on this nautically-styled house in St Ives. Within ambling distance of the area’s sandy beaches, it is on a cul-de-sac, ensuring that it is also idyllically quiet. Sleeps four.
Or, for something completely different, why not restore your equilibrium from a beautiful log cabin in Cumbria? Perfect as a romantic retreat for a couple, it sleeps two, has a hot tub, and offers stunning fell views. Perfection.
To explore the myriad options for luxury holiday accommodation UK – including luxury holidays in the UK with dogs and luxury holiday apartments in the UK – do explore all the options, tailored to your own specifications over on Luxury Cottages.
Luxury Holiday Lodges In The UK
‘The country’s accommodation offering has come a long way since the days when a cabin stay meant roughing it in a spidery bothy or barn, or pretending someone’s garden shed was akin to a Wild West pioneer pad. Now our cabins are just as stylish as those in Scandinavia or the US, and come in a huge range of varieties and styles, with high-tech touches, luxurious interiors, and indulgences such as outdoor showers, wood burners, and wood-fired hot tubs,’ writes Gemma Bowes in The Times.
Indeed. We are smitten with Little Peak Cabin in Anglesey, thanks to its fresh Scandi interior vibes and its perfect setting, overlooking fields and hills beyond in the distance. As Bowes says, ‘It’s super family-friendly too, with a grassy playground enclosed by dry-stone walls, plus a contemporary bunk room.’ Sleeps four.
For an exceptionally cozy and cossetting getaway, try Offa’s Dyke Escape in North Wales. Featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces TV show, the hikes on the doorstep are to die for, while the hot tub is its crowning glory.
Have you holidayed in a Shepherd’s Hut yet? If not, why not? Lympstone Manor Hotel in Devon has some of the most luxe examples going, plus they overlook the hotel’s very own vineyard. You couldn’t wish for more – except, that is, for the delicious breakfasts that are delivered to the door daily.
For more lodge ideas, do check out the full articles in The Times.
Luxury Holiday Resorts UK
What could be nicer than simply turning up and abandoning all care at the doorstep? That is the beauty of the holiday resort, as outlined by this article in Planetware, which points out that some ‘even boast specialized programs like a cooking school, gardening school, and boxing classes.’
The Headland in Newquay tops our list, its English Riviera position instantly raising the glamour stakes. Perched on a clifftop, the landscape is dramatic and the credentials serious; dating to the 19th century, it has long been a firm favorite with royals, from King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Prince Charles. As they say, ‘There are 95 chic rooms, a gym, luxe holiday cottages, a spa, and two phenomenal restaurants: the Samphire and Terrace,’ plus there are six swimming pools and an incredible wellness center.
Or why not make the trip north of the border to the legendary Gleneagles, which is steeped in giving guests the best of both worlds: outdoor adventure and indoor luxury? Old-world charm is in the resort’s DNA, but it also meets the last word in modern comfort too; the ideal balance in our books.
As they say, ‘While you're here, take advantage of the endless activities for which this holiday resort is best known. Whether you want to try your hand at archery, head off on a cycling adventure, learn more about falconry, take a wildlife photography class, ride horses, fish for salmon, play tennis, drive off-road, set off on a guided hill walking adventure, or zoom along a zip wire, the options for fun are seemingly endless.’ There is also an incredible spa, as well as two indoor pools, an outdoor thermal pool, and an 850-acre playground.
August 2022
Read more
Small But Perfectly Formed: 8 Of The Best Boutique Hotels In Britain
Time To Hit The Road
9 Great Glamping Buys