Classic British food
Beautiful countryside and a fantastic coast, history, art, culture and shopping - we’ve got it all ! What’s more, home grown tourism’s great for the UK economy and that helps everyone, supports millions of jobs and thousands of businesses. The combination of the London Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and events to mark the 200th anniversary of Dickens’s birth means there’ll be even more to see this year.
Isles of choice
Whether you’ve got tickets for the Olympics, are planning to watch the Thames Diamond Jubilee river pageant, relishing the genius of Charles Dickens or are going to escape to the Lake District, there’s somewhere on this island that’ll fit the bill. The peace and tranquillity of cruising a canal, being thoroughly pampered at a country spa, surfing in Cornwall or relishing the hustle and bustle of the Edinburgh Festival, there’s something for everyone.
Food for thought
No longer known for overcooked cabbage and tired sandwiches , British pubs, tea shops, restaurants and cafes boast fine, local food and home cooking. Hotels and B&Bs have raised their game too and in fact UK B&Bs take the top eight places in the list of the best guest houses in the world.
While there’s no need to wonder if you’ve left the passport behind, and you certainly won’t be facing the queues and hassle of airports, delays, cancellations, accidents and other hiccups can still happen on home soil so it’s common sense to be prepared.
Cancellations and lost luggage
Many people don’t even think about travel insurance unless they’re going abroad but it could be worth considering. Of course you wouldn’t face the huge foreign medical expenses as a result of illness or an accident in the UK but some policies will cover the cost of extra accommodation or travel home if you or someone you’re travelling with is taken ill or hospitalised. It’s always a good idea to check the cancellation policies of hotels, guest houses or self- catering accommodation so that you don’t lose money as well as your holiday if something untoward happens. Luggage can still got lost, personal belongings damaged or stolen just as easily in the UK as when travelling abroad so it’s worth checking your cover; home or motoring insurance policies generally cover items up to a certain value but if you’re planning on taking everything but the kitchen sink to a self catering cottage, make sure you’re properly covered – it’s amazing how gadgets and gizmos quickly add up if they had to be replaced.
Edible souvenirs
Obviously, make sure your home’s secure while you’re away – burglars and burst pipes don’t care whether you’re in Bath or Bermuda! And, of course, the really brilliant thing about travel in the UK is that you can bring as much local produce back home as you like. Specialty cheeses, honey, jam, smoked fish, cakes, biscuits, black pudding, fudge ….. why go anywhere else ?