travel

If you’re looking to do some exploring in the north of England, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the wealth of options open to you here. There are so many great places to visit and lots of varied landscapes to appreciate. The north is home to some of the most beautiful natural vistas you’ll find anywhere in the UK or anywhere in the world for that matter. Here are five examples that really stand out for all the right reasons.

Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne is a very small island that you can get to by car. But the first thing to say is that you need to be very careful when attempting to cross to the island. There are safe crossing times and unsafe crossing times. If you’re not careful, your car could get swept away by the tide that washes over the road. But once you clear that hurdle, you’ll find a beautiful island with old ruins and beautiful views over the coast and sea. Lindisfarne Castle is the highlight here.

Whitby

Whitby is one of the oldest fishing villages in the UK and it’s also home to some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes. It’s found in the north east of England and has some of the best beaches you’ll find in the region; a lot of people go there to surf but they’re just as good for a long stroll. The streets of the village are full of quaint shops and cafes that you’ll definitely want to explore.

Durham

If you’re looking for a city that also has all of the charm and beauty of the countryside locations we’ve discussed as part of this guide, you’ll definitely want to visit Durham. It’s easy to get to and a joy to explore. The highlight for most visitors is Durham Cathedral, which stands as one of the most majestic examples of Romanesque architecture in all of Europe.

The Yorkshire Dales

There are few countryside landscapes in the UK more breathtaking and peaceful than the Yorkshire Dales. There are rolling hills but also beaches nearby too. There’s such a variety and so much to see and explore. You’ll be near Leeds if you want to visit a city, but the peace and quiet of the countryside is why many people retreat to holiday homes in the Yorkshire Dales each year.

The Lake District

The Lake District is home to some of the highest peaks and most beautiful lakes anywhere in the UK, as you might expect from the name. The beauty of the landscapes won’t let you down and there are lots of lovely small towns and villages dotted through the Lake District as well. The image below will tell you everything you need to know about the beauty of the lakes.

There are so many naturally stunning places to visit in the north of England, and if you haven’t yet visited any of the places discussed above, they definitely need to be added to your list. And the places we’ve discussed here are just the tip of the iceberg; the north has so much else to offer too.

Is there really anything better than going to the beach? Well, we’ve got one thing: going to the beach on a winter holiday. There are plenty of people out there who hate the cold, seek the sun and are desperate to head out on a break to find that sunshine – and rightly so. There’s nothing quite like being on the beach when the weather is beautiful, and there are some places in the world that you can find all year around. 

The thing is, when the season is an off season, you need to think about whether you can get all of the activities that you want to do during your break. There might be a surf school open, but you might not be able to snorkel or go scuba diving. Either way, it’s not a reason to avoid going to the beach in the winter. What else can you do at the beach? Let’s take a look at five fun things that you can do while you’re there.

1. Play games. The beach isn’t just for water sports, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Cornhole is one of the beach favorites that people play and when you pair that with an epic game of frisbee, you get the chance to run around like a wild thing! The beach is a great place to enjoy sports with friends and family, and it is the place where you can make exciting memories.
2. Water play. Whether you want to relax on the water by paddleboarding, or you want to attend that local surf school and you rent a board and wetsuit, you should consider how you can have fun on the water during the off season. You could even learn to body surf, which is a fun way to spend time in the water.
3. Collect sea glass. Not every beach day has to involve sitting or swimming. You could walk up and down the beach collecting seashells and sea glass, and these can be collected to make the coolest necklaces and crafty bracelets. There are so many options out there, and if you find the right amount of sea glass, you’ll have an entire ornament in no time at all.
4. Have a picnic. You might want to stick to the sand dunes for this one, especially if you go to the beach on a windy day. There’s sandwiches and then there are sand-filled rolls, and we want to avoid the latter. You could bring along a lot of things like chips and dips as well as fresh fruits to enjoy while you’re at the beach. You’ll save money on beachside restaurants and cafes when you do this, and you can find a ton of recipes online that will cater to your beachside picnic.
5. Go and see a bonfire. Is there anything better than a bonfire party at the beach? Toasting marshmallows and making s’mores is just  a fun part of ending the beach day out.