Who among us doesn’t want (OK, need) a holiday right now? The frenetic, freefall towards Christmas takes so much out of us, and then we find ourselves under the eternally blank skies of January and February – it’s no wonder we might feel a little flat. Happily, there’s a solution that delivers and doesn’t require using up a week of annual leave.
Enter the daycation, the utterly genius but often overlooked fix that involves taking just one day out of your busy schedule and filling it with enough calm, serenity, and yes, fun, to offer a huge dose of “aaaaand breathe …”.
Even if you live in a big, busy city, there are plenty of places within a short drive or train journey that will plant you deeply in rugged, wild nature so you can have an authentic, outback-style experience without even hopping on a plane. Here’s a selection of the best get-away-from-it-all itineraries from across the UK ….
The Edale valley
From Manchester, head to the Peak District national park
The Peak District is the very definition of “rugged”, what with its deep valleys, dramatic cliffs and expansive moorlands. Challenge yourself with a bracing hike up Kinder Scout, the park’s highest point, at 636-metres above sea level; if that doesn’t clear the cobwebs, nothing will. Take the circular route, which starts at the charming village of Edale (about 45 minutes by train from Manchester), then head on to the sweeping Pennine Way. If you’re lucky, you might spot birdlife such as merlin, red grouse and short-eared owls, or ground-nesters such as curlew and golden plover. As you walk along the River Noe, you’ll see woodland stretching along the ancient clough (a steep valley or ravine), and hear the calls of woodpeckers and willow warblers. Then it’s time for the ascent, up the evocatively named Jacob’s Ladder, a set of stone steps cut into the hillside, which take you on to the Kinder plateau and its views for miles.
The trails here can be mixed terrain, so come equipped with waterproof clothing, good quality boots, and an all-important change of socks. Head back down via picturesque Grindsbrook Clough, then follow the footpath back to Edale.
Red grouse on the Pennine Way; Grindsbrook Clough; the Alchemist, Manchester
Total time: about five hours.
The evening: back in Manchester, start your night in one of its hippest neighbourhoods, Spinningfields, with a creative drink or two at the Alchemist.
Next, dinner at Fenix, a five-minute walk away. At this Instagrammers’ paradise – do snap the faux cherry blossom tree in the middle of the room – tuck into modern Greek dishes with an Asian twist, such as deconstructed moussaka and seabass ceviche.
The Little Ouse river in Thetford
From Cambridge, head to Thetford forest
Thetford is the UK’s largest human-made lowland forest, the vision of 19th-century industrialist Edward Bliss who developed it around his country seat. Here, a 45-minute drive from Cambridge, you’ll find extensive trails through sprawling pine woods and heathland, with plenty of off-the-beaten-path routes.
Start at the High Lodge Forest Centre, then head for Brandon country park, where you’ll find more than 12 hectares (30 acres) of well-preserved parkland and even a supposedly haunted mausoleum, the intriguing final resting place of Bliss’s nephew (the fabulously named Baron Boretto). Continue north, passing towering trees and through open glades, alive with the calls of woodpeckers and the occasional glimpse of deer, to the Lynford arboretum. Enjoy a spot of peaceful contemplation before you head to Grime’s Graves, a prehistoric flint mine set amid the distinctive Breckland gorse-covered heath, then end up back at Brandon.
Make sure you’ve donned sturdy footwear for the varied terrain – consider the likes of R.M.Williams, which has just opened a store in Cambridge – along with a map or GPS, and a camera, essential for capturing the dappled light as it filters through the forest canopy.
Brandon country park; a hawkfinch at the Lynford arboretum; the Cambridge Chop House
Total time: about six hours.
The evening: back in Cambridge, start your night with a well-deserved cocktail in the salubrious surroundings of Parker’s Tavern, a cosy, stylish bar and brasserie that dates from 1834. Then head to the Cambridge Chop House for dinner. This traditional British restaurant is in a historic building overlooking King’s Parade, and serves up locally sourced fare from bubble and squeak rarebit to chateaubriand.
The summit of Ben A’an
From Edinburgh, head to Trossachs national park
Think tranquil lochs, dense woodlands and craggy mountains; the Trossachs is the perfect place for anyone looking for a more remote and wild experience. Approximately 60 miles outside Edinburgh, there are several long-distance routes available, but for a day, keep it shorter, and bring sturdy boots and waterproof layers.
Start at Trossachs pier, beside the shimmering waters of Loch Katrine, then wind your way alongside it, following the narrow road to a backdrop of looming peaks, including Ben A’an. You can’t help but be captivated by the stunning, romantic scenery, which has inspired some of Scotland’s most renowned writers and artists, particularly when mist rises off the loch, or clouds get tangled on the summits. Along the way you’ll pass through Glengyle, a picturesque village which was once home to the infamous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor, and by Brenachoile point, a popular picnic spot that offers great views of Ben Venue (the miniature mountain). En route, you might spot local wildlife, from red squirrels to osprey. Finish at Stronachlachar with a cup of tea at the Pier Cafe, before hitching a ride back to Trossachs pier on one of the local cruise boats.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs; the steamship Sir Walter Scott at Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine; the Witchery, Edinburgh
Total time: about five hours 40 minutes.
The evening: go from outdoor gear to glam with a pre-dinner drink or two at the Dome, a bar housed in a fabulous former bank building. There can only be one place for dinner: the Witchery, by the castle, one of Edinburgh’s best restaurants. It offers fine dining with an emphasis on Scottish ingredients and traditional flavours in a set of opulent, baroque-style rooms.
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