Local is Lekker

This year, travelling has looked a lot different for us with many plans cancelled to help stop the spread of Covid-19.  As countries are beginning to cautiously open, and the weather becomes better, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, we are finding ourselves tempted by the good deals being put on by airlinesto lure us back to the skies. 

However, not all of us are ready to get on a plane and visit a new country. In fact, at the moment it’s a little unrealistic as you have to be in quarantine for at least a fortnight, which for many of us, is a lot of time to spend in a hotel not exploring.

In addition, the pandemic has hard hit many hotels, restaurants and bars and it’s up to us, to help them all recover and for us to re-explore home like never before. I believe that this will make us, more appreciative of where we live and when we do have that moment to take to the skies and head to an exotic place, we will enjoy it even more. After all, charity begins at home. 

With that, I thought to compile this short guide, of some fantastic places to travel to in the UK which are their gems and some of them might make you wonder, why you explored other areas in the first place. 

My first recommendation is for all the beach bums out there. I have seen some pretty amazing beaches and the UK has it’s own share of them. Cornwall is always top of the list for many people and with good reason. It’s beautiful. There is a lot to do from kite surfing, to glassmaking and having a war with seagulls over your fish and chips (they always win) what I love about Cornwall as well as the vast artistic presence which is here. If you can get as far as St Ives, you can visit the Tate Modern which houses some art collections from local artists and also gives you access to the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden which is a must-visit. 

Close to Cornwall is Dorset with the famous Durdle Door. I love the beach here a lot more, but make sure to take some suitable shoes as some of the areas are more stoney than sandy. 
You can read more about that adventure here.

Next on the list is Wales, specifically Gower. Now don’t roll your eyes and think really. I was pleasantly surprised by the beach that we found here. There’s also a famous shipwreck close by which if you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of during low tide. 

If you fancy a trip on the train, with a little bit of a difference, then the Great Western Railway Pullman Dining service from London to Plymouth is undoubtedly a journey to take once its back up and running. It was one of the first dates that J took me on and four years later, we’re still together, maybe that might be the trick that you need. (Joking) . When you do get to Plymouth, you should take a dip in their version of an infinity pool. 

For those of you that like to get lost in new cities, I got your back. Cambridge is probably the most picturesque city I have been to. I’ve been there twice, and I wouldn’t mind going again. There is a lot of history, and with it being a College City (the University of Cambridge is home here), there are many scholarly references. If you find the “apple tree” I’m sorry to say, it’s not the original tree from Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity. That one, you’ll find in Woolthorpe. 

Bristol is full of engineering excellence. The bridge, which is the main point of attraction, is definitely a must-see, but prepared for a little walk there from town- or you could take the bus as well. In August, they host a hot air balloon fiesta which is an excellent opportunity for all the hot air balloon fanatics to come and visit the city and perhaps go on one. If you do fancy a hot air balloon ride, many companies offer this in Bristol so you’ll be in good company. 

Chester was a surprising gem when we popped in for a quick visit. They have a park and ride service, which I highly recommend you take advantage of as finding parking here might be a little bit tricky. I loved Chester because of its historical look, so if quaint is your style, then explore your heart away. 

These are just a few of the places that the Blue Trainers have taken me to. I invite you to explore some of these places, or perhaps if you know of other sites to share in the comments :)