At last, people in England should be able to spend a night away from home from 12 April, and so the stampede begins to find a different roof over our heads for a holiday.
If you’re desperate for a change of scenery, now you can take advantage of the relaxation of lockdown rules and book a self-catering holiday in England (note that the dates are slightly different for the devolved nations: 27 March in Wales and 26 April in Scotland).
Have a look at these ideas for some springtime inspiration.
Devon
The vast, open landscapes of Dartmoor National Park will be right on your doorstep at Shippon at Oldsbrim, a large stone house that’s less than five miles west of Ashburton. Along with three bedrooms and a secure garden (perfect for dogs), there’s a wonderfully cosy sitting room with exposed stone walls and a wood-burning stove. There’s direct access to the national park where you can follow trails with views as far as Sharp Tor, and laid-back Totnes is only a 15-minute drive away. Classic Cottages has availability in late April: four nights from 26 April costs £470.
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Warwickshire
If lockdown’s slower pace of life appeals, keep it up with a few days on Jack, a traditional narrowboat owned by Waterways Holidays. This 33ft canal boat sleeps two and is small enough for newbies to gain confidence quickly. You’ll pick up the boat at Harborough Magna and, after you’re shown the ropes, you can pootle along the North Oxford Canal in the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire countryside. Four nights’ boat rental from 12 April costs from £655 and includes fuel, bed linen (towels extra), car parking and tuition.
Dorset
Enjoy village life while still being only 15 miles from the Jurassic Coast when you rent Abbas Cottage. Set in the centre of the historic village of Cerne Abbas, the 16th-century cottage has three bedrooms, plenty of original features and an inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove. If the weather behaves, you can use the pizza oven in the garden as a barbecue when you’re not cooking with the electric Aga. Offered by Oliver’s Travels, the cottage costs £983 for four nights from 26 April.
Norfolk
Even when it’s too cold to swim, the beaches of the North Norfolk coast offer some superb walking. If you base yourself in Wells-next-the-Sea, you can pick up some great seafood to go with walks along Holkham Beach, one of the loveliest in the country. Kett Country Cottages has availability in April for Curlew Cottage in Wells, with three bedrooms, countryside views from its enclosed garden and a stylish sitting room with exposed brick. Four nights’ self-catering from 26 April costs £625, plus an extra £20 if you bring your dog.
Wales
Combine romance with a sense of fun by staying in the Showman’s Wagon, a converted 1950s fairground travelling car set in peaceful woodland overlooking the Mawddach estuary. Inside there’s one bedroom, a shower room and warm little sitting room with a wood-burner. The small enclosed garden has lovely views of the estuary, and the long sweep of sandy beaches of Ceredigion Bay are about a 20-minute drive away. You’re also right by the Mawddach Trail, which runs along a disused railway line for nearly 10 miles. Rural Retreats has five nights’ self-catering in the Showman’s Wagon for £571 from 16 April, and dogs are welcome.
Northumberland
Clear the cobwebs with long walks along Northumberland’s coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Northumberland Coast Path runs for 62 miles from Cresswell to Bamburgh, and conveniently runs past Riley’s Retreat. This stylish two-bedroom cottage is just south of Seahouses on the way to Beadnell, and features a wood-burning stove and a spacious conservatory overlooking the garden. Cottages in Northumberland has five nights’ self-catering for £782 from 16 April, and if you want to bring your dog it’s an extra £20.
Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk
