If you’re feeling the pang of wanderlust pull you towards your nearest airport, don’t worry. Until you can get away, there are plenty of things to see in Britain that could rival abroad options. Have a visit to some of the options below and dupe yourself into thinking you’re in another world.
1. Mont-St-Michel, France vs. St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Cornwall is the closest thing Britain has to tropics. A trip to this southern town will offer a wealth of experiences that will have you thinking that you are destination hopping across the Mediterranean.
Two destinations to similar they even have basically the same name with an accent are St Michael’s Mount and Mont-St-Michel. A glorious hill covered tiny isle with a castle at its peak makes for a beautiful sight. The Cornwall version is over a thousand years old and can be accessed by boat or by an old pilgrim at low tide.
The Isles of Scilly are the southernmost point of Britain, giving it a more tropical climate and creating beaches of fine white sand and turquoise water, rather than the murky brown everything most British beaches offer. And if you jump back into the mainland and head to St Ives you can enjoy a coffee in coastal architecture that will have you thinking you’re in the Mediterranean or visit the open-air Minack Theatre that looks like something straight from the Ancient Romans.
2. Provence, France vs. Hitchin Lavender Field
Roam a vast sea of purple in the fields outside Hitchin for the most relaxing holiday destination possible. Theresa May needs to take a visit to upgrade from wheat fields.
If reaching France is out of the question right now, you can visit this colourful field for a picnic and some cake in the vast purple glow and calming scent.
The best part is that you can take as much lavender that you can harvest yourself. Add it to soap, candles, bathwater, and many other options to improve your sleep or give a thoughtful gift.
3. Rata Forest, New Zealand vs. The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
Visiting New Zealand might be difficult with country safety levels fluctuating all the time and New Zealand just putting itself back into lockdown, but when you can visit you could save money on an annual policy to make sure you feel safe – and your first visit should be to the Rata Forest.
If New Zealand is truly out of the question, you can visit The Dark Hedges of Northern Ireland. These looming, twisting, beech trees will have you thinking you are travelling with Treebeard through Middle Earth, never mind the Rata Forest of New Zealand. The eerie, gothic mythology ambience will have you seeing faeries and nymphs. If you start to think you’ll see The Three-Eyed Raven somewhere amongst the trees, that would be because their mysterious environment was featured in the second season of Game of Thrones.
4. Transylvania vs. Castell Coch, Wales
A pointy castle peaking out over the tops of trees on a hillside like it’s hiding a dark secret, that’s Transylvania, right? No. Well, yes, but also Castell Coch is a Welsh fortress that shares a gothic style with Dracula’s home turf. Built in the 19th century, Castell Coch is a beautiful example of Welsh architecture and overlooks Fforest Fawr and is open to the public to nosey around at the rich furnishings of past royalty.
5. Iceland vs. Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides
Head to the Isle of Skye for a colder climate that is just as beautiful. The cliffs with their rushing waterfalls will have you thinking you’re exploring the hills of Iceland.
The Isle of Skye is also steeped in mythology, with the Fairy Pools being a popular swimming option, and the Old Man of Storr said to mark the grave of a fallen giant.