The lighter mornings and fresh feel to the air can only mean one thing – Spring is just around the corner! Not only will the blue skies and spring bulbs make us want to step out into the garden for a whole lot better start to the day, but with restrictions easing, many of us will want to start experiencing the joys of travel again.

Now is the perfect time to begin looking ahead to some home-based destinations. Recent research shows that over the last 12 months searches for UK holidays increased by more than 500%. It’s easy to see why – the UK has a bountiful source of wonderful locations, filled with history, culture and even unique delicacies to sample.

Below we have curated some of our favourite UK holiday destinations that will provide staycation inspiration and motivate you to start thinking beyond your garden borders again.

Sandbanks, Dorset

There is something about a beautiful beach location that soothes the soul and provides the much-needed relaxation that we need right now. For over 30 years, Sandbanks Beach, a small but perfectly formed sandy peninsula, has been the winner of the prestigious Blue Flag award. With its golden soft sand and watersports activities, Sandbanks and the surrounding beaches of Poole are ideal for young and old alike.

From quayside coffees while admiring the Georgian townhouses and wood-paneled houses that line the seafront, there is plenty of architecture to get lost in. For those that enjoy an active lifestyle, sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding are two popular watersport activities that might catch your attention – especially if it means you are likely to catch a glimpse of the dolphins that play in the swells.

If it’s exercise on dry land you are looking for, Park Yoga organises free yoga sessions across Dorset, from Poole to Swanage, to revitalise the soul and bring further zen to your staycation.

We couldn’t move on without discussing foodie hotspots in Sandbanks. Rick Stein On Sandbanks has a prime location for beachside dining, offering sumptuous seafood menu best enjoyed with a cold glass of white wine in our opinion!

Snowdonia, Wales

Whether it’s a perfect couple’s getaway or the ideal family vacation, Snowdonia most certainly caters for us all.

Wales is the perfect backdrop for escapism, and the landscape around Snowdonia leaves you thoroughly spoilt for choice, offering rolling hills, rugged mountains, tranquil lakes and even sandy beaches. What more is that this region is well known for its myths and legends, which are easily brought to life while exploring awe-inspiring castles and mysterious caverns.

For those that are after a little more action while away, don your walking boots ready for climbing  Wales’ highest mountain. Climbing is a great outdoor activity, building stamina and strengthening almost every muscle group throughout your body. However, for those that simply want to enjoy the view, the peaks can be accessed via the historic Snowdon Mountain Railway which opened in 1896—perfect for kids!

Norfolk Lavender Fields, Norfolk

When exploring the Norfolk Coast and its Instagrammable Lavender fields, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve taken a sojourn to Provence in France. Once you’ve wandered through the heavily scented purple meadows, we recommend sampling (and purchasing!) some of the delicious local lavender-based jams, perfect for a summer breakfast spread.

For cosy evenings, visit one of the many welcoming rural pubs for craft tipples, local ales and fresh food. Dining along the Norfolk coast is renowned, with restaurants that offer both fine dining as well as more relaxed affairs, but almost all boast fresh, locally sourced ingredients cooked to an impeccable standard. Pop into some of the many independent delicatessen shops – a treat to take home with you is a must! Crab, smoked fish, salt-marsh honey and local cheeses should all be on the ‘sampling’ list before you leave the area!

Nearby are the vast sandy beaches of Heacham and Old Hunstanton, the historic forestry of Snettisham and Sandringham County Park.

Like many places now across the UK, Norfolk is also home to some great luxury glamping spots, just look at the options at North Norfolk Glamping if you fancy something a little different and the chance to be at one with nature!

Isle of Mull, Scotland

The breathtaking beach of Lanagmull could easily be mistaken for any of the tropical beaches in the Caribbean. With only 430 searches per month, this best kept secret is the perfect slice of paradise to keep you away from the crowds.

We love the idea of hiring a campervan and truly exploring the breathtaking wild landscape, stopping whenever the occasion arises to soak up and breathe in views of the rugged cliffs, tranquil lochs and rivers, and ancient forests.

For truly getting off the beaten track (and getting some exercise in!) a campervan also means you can take along your bicycles. Cycling around Mull is truly a treasure trove of landscapes of great beauty and an abundance of wildlife. You might even spot a whale, dolphins and sea eagles which make this an even more exciting getaway choice.

For exploration on foot, we recommend heading to the picturesque harbour town on Tobermory. Walk and discover it’s brightly coloured buildings which are reminiscent of Copenhagen,  and once you’ve worked up an appetite settle in at the Hebridean Lodge Restaurant known for its beautiful dishes packed full with local seafood.

The Cotswolds

Who wouldn’t want to retreat to an area full of the dreamiest villages? The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with plenty of scenic walks that take you through rolling hills dotted with pretty ravines and dramatic cliffs – offering lots of picnic spots to enjoy along the way.

Consisting of five counties, The Cotswolds is an inviting region, famed for its picture-perfect honey coloured stone houses. The villages are home to an array of dining spots, combining gatsro-pub eating as well as refined Michelin-starred restaurants. We recommend visiting the well-known Le Champignon Sauvage, or perhaps the cosy setting of the 18^th century stone pub The Wild Rabbit in Kingham.

For a luxurious rural retreat, take a look at Dormy House, a converted 17^th Century farmhouse in the village of Broadway. This exceptional hotel includes a spa, as well as dog friendly rooms, meaning after long walks in the countryside, you can head back to a bit of ‘me’ time.  A pampering session after a long walk sounds like the perfect stay to us!

Do you have a favourite UK holiday destination?

Have we missed your favourite UK bolt hole? Is it by the sea or in deepest rural countryside? Are you all about relaxing and taking a laidback approach to recharge your batteries? Or are you an adrenaline junky or a food fiend, keen to tick off some more activities or eating houses from your wish list?

Holidays mean different things to different people. We’d love to know what floats your holiday boat, especially when you’ve had the whole of lockdown to get thinking and planning. Share your favourite staycation hotspots with us on our social platforms – we can’t wait to see your pictures, especially if there’s ‘breakfast with a view’!