UK Staycations - 3 picturesque mini breaks to take in the North West
Staycations have quickly become the new way to get away for anyone missing their regular dose of wanderlust. Thanks to the ever evolving rules of travel due to Covid-19, more and more of us are turning to holidays a little closer to home to avoid cancellations and quarantine restrictions.
Thankfully, in the UK we are lucky enough to have a vast amount of wonderful destinations to choose from that make fantastic weekend breaks or even longer adventures. Whilst the South Coast or London may be the obvious choices for a picturesque staycation, there are plenty of beautiful spots and charming towns in the North West of England that are waiting to welcome you. Keep reading to find some of the most beautiful spots for a wonderful UK staycation in the North West of England.
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What is a staycation?
A staycation, in case you’ve been living under a rock (and let’s be real – it certainly feels for a lot of us this year like we have) is essentially holidaying close to home, or at least staying in your home country. There have been countless travel blogs and Instagram posts popping up throughout the summer showing some of the best that Britain has to offer, but just because the summer is coming to an end it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cosy cottage or road trip as the leaves turn golden for autumn. The best known UK staycation destinations include Devon and Cornwall, the Cotswolds, the Lake District and Scottish Highlands, but I’m here to convince you that the North West has plenty to shout about too..
Is it safe to go on a UK staycation during the coronavirus pandemic?
It’s understandable to be a little apprehensive about booking a UK staycation with all of the restrictions in place which are frequently being changed and reviewed as we navigate the pandemic, but there is still plenty to see, do and enjoy safely in the UK. For example in tiers 1 and 2, many hotels remain open at reduced capacity and with health and safety measures in place such as table-service-only dining, social distancing and face coverings becoming mandatory indoors. Shops, Cafe’s and restaurants can remain open in tiers 1 and 2 also, although it’s best to check ahead to see if you need to make a reservation to dine in. It is advised that you don’t travel to or from tier 3 or 4 areas, but if you are planning on staycationing in your own town, many restaurants are still offering take out services.
Furthermore, one of the best places to socially distance is the great outdoors, which remains open for all. With plenty of beautiful walks along rivers and peaks, not even the great British weather can ruin your staycation. Besides, a nice cup of tea after a brisk walk is all the more rewarding!
Unfortunately, the current situation in the UK means that rules and restrictions for different areas are changing all the time. It’s always best to check the local rules and restrictions before setting out on any journey.
Why visit the North West for a staycation?
The North West is a fantastic part of the UK to visit for a staycation, quite simply because there is SO much to see and do there. There really is something for everyone. It is worth noting that the North West is where I happen to call home, so there may be a little bias here, but at the same time It does also make me kind of an expert on the subject too right?
Get away to the city: North West city breaks
Do you love city breaks? How about 3?! In the North West you can visit three wonderful cities all within one hour of one another and each with something unique to offer. If you like old city walls, cobbled streets and old wooden beams, Chester makes for a wonderful stay. If art and culture are more your thing, Liverpool is absolutely oozing creativity, character and of course is a mecca for music overs interested in one of the best known bands of all time – The Beatles. Further in land you’ll find the metropolitan hustle and bustle of Manchester. The industrial powerhouse that inspired the works of L.S. Lowry is now a buzzing hub for media, business and newly regenerated areas with hip eateries, bars and cafe, and of course football fans won’t want to miss out Old Trafford.
Find peace and tranquility: Countryside staycations in the North West
Of course, city breaks aren’t for everyone, but the North West is also home to some of the most beautiful areas of natural beauty in the UK, with rolling hills, quaint villages and beautiful drives. If hikes with breathtaking views followed by afternoon tea sounds like a perfect staycation to you then keep reading to find out 3 of the most picturesque places to stay.
Top 3 picturesque staycations in the North West
1 Bakewell - Derbyshire
Just like it’s namesake cake, Bakewell really is the cherry on top when it comes to picturesque towns. Nestled in the Peak District National Park, Bakewell is perfectly situated as a base for beautiful walks and hikes around the Derbyshire Dales. Even if you’re not a huge fan of hiking you’ll find plenty in Bakewell to enjoy.
The River Wye runs through the small market town of Bakewell, with rows of park benches dotted across the riverside. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic in the summer, or a nice hot drink wrapped in a scarf in Autumn or Winter. Simply sit back and watch the swans gliding across the water and enjoy a few moments of blissful tranquility – I can feel the stress of 6 months working from home slipping away already!
On Mondays there is a bustling market where you can find local produce, handmade craft items and more. There are plenty of cafe’s to enjoy an afternoon tea, and of course you can’t visit without trying an authentic Bakewell tart from one of the local bakeries. You are also close to plenty of other beauty spots and quiet little villages in the Peak District, making Bakewell a perfect road trip stop in the North West.
2 Castleton - Peak District
A favourite with hikers – Castleton is perfectly situated to explore some of the best sights that the Peak District has to offer. The walk from Castleton to Mam Tor, the highest of the peaks in the Peak District National Park, will reward you with breathtaking views over the winding roads and rolling hills of the Peak District. A visit at sunrise or sunset is a must for any photographers too. In the colder months Mam Tor is capped with snow (see my photo below), making for an even more beautiful view. Of course, if the 6 1/2 mile walk doesn’t fill you with excitement you can drive to the National Trust car park for Mam Tor and do a much shorter walk to the top, just remember to bring a bit of change for the parking meter.
Another great day trip that you can find inside the town is to take a tour of Peak Cavern – wonderfully known as the Devil’s Arse! If the name alone isn’t enough to entice you to visit, you can take my word for it that you’ll really enjoy the tour. The cavern has a long and fascinating history of rope making, and the fully guided tour will take you deep into the cavern, which is scarily dark in places but also beautiful and fascinating.
Castleton itself is a lovely place to stay, nestled into the peaks and filled with old stone buildings. You can find loads of places to stay from youth hostels to cosy B&Bs and there are plenty of hikers pubs, cafe’s and bakeries to spend a lazy afternoon after a morning doing the local trails.
3 Chester - Cheshire
Chester may be a bit of a wildcard destination in comparison to Bakewell and Castleton, which are very much rural, quaint villages, however it is well deserving of a spot on the list of picturesque staycations in the North West.
History
Situated on the border of England and North Wales, Chester has a long history and a lot to offer to travellers. Chester dates back all the way to the 1st century A.D. when it was established as a Roman fortress. The city’s Roman walls still stand today and make for a fantastic walk with views over the city and the River Dee. The walls aren’t the only part of the city’s Roman history that remain. If you’re interested in archaeological sites, you can also visit the Roman gardens and amphitheater ruins.
Steeped in even more history, the Rows in Chester’s city centre are timber framed galleries which house two rows of shops and cafes. Some of the buildings are original structures dating all the way back to medieval times, and the style of buildings here can’t be found anywhere else in the world!
Shopping
Between sightseeing you might want to take a bit of a shopping break, and Chester is the perfect place to indulge in some well earned retail therapy. Not only will you find all the usual high street shops, but also lots of local craft, fashion and art shops. Not only can you find unique gifts to remember your visit in these shops, but you’ll also be supporting local businesses and creatives!
If you love a designer bargain, I’d recommend taking a short drive out of the city (or catching the bus) to Cheshire Oaks, which is a designer outlet shopping village. Most of the complex is outdoors, but covered, making distancing a little easier but also making it easy enough to escape the rain.
Food and Drink
Chester has a fantastic cafe scene! Whether it’s a simple flat white or a sparkling afternoon tea, there are some fabulous little eateries to go in. The only difficulty is choosing which ones to visit in the time you have there! For Afternoon tea on a budget I’d thoroughly recommend the Crypt Cafe in the Debenhams – Brown’s of Chester store. The afternoon tea is generous and tasty and you can enjoy it from one of the bare brick crypts in Chester’s famous Tudor row highstreet. For a more quirky affair you can’t go wrong with Mad Hatter’s Alice in Wonderland themed tea room!
What else is there to do in Chester?
As well as ruins, retail therapy and copious amounts of coffee and cake, Chester is also a great place to enjoy a cruise along the picturesque River Dee. If you’re a fan of the races, a visit to Chester Racecourse is a must (although most events are currently cancelled). If you are looking to splash out a little on your staycation book a room at the Abode Chester, which has a spectacular view over Chester Racecourse and a fabulous rooftop cocktail bar.
Why you should absolutely visit the North West for a staycation
Quite simply because there is so much variety and everything is so close together! If you are driving, you can probably fit all three of the places I’ve suggested in this article into a long weekend, meaning you can enjoy an active break, a city break, and a cute village break all in one – now that is bang for your buck!
Even if you don’t drive, Chester is well connected by rail to the other nearby towns and cities in the North West as well as North Wales (which has some really beautiful spots all of it’s own!). So for your next staycation look no further than the North West!
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