Manchester Evening News: Stunning staycation destinations that rival a trip to Portugal

Fri 11 June 2021

The Government has put Portugal on the amber travel list, which means many people will have their holiday plans cancelled.

If your suitcase is already packed and waiting, then don't feel downhearted just yet.

There are some stunning locations in Britain that you visited instead, and some of them really are so breathtaking that you'll forget that you're still in the UK.

The team over at Chill has put together a list of places to visit.

Visit the crystal-clear waters of Cornwall

If stretches of sandy beach, crystal-clear waters and secluded coves are what you’re after, it’s not surprising that you were considering Portugal. It’s famous for its beautiful beaches.

You just can’t beat a holiday by the sea with days spent relaxing on the sand. And while we cannot guarantee the weather, we do have some beautiful beaches of our own.

There are some you just wouldn’t believe were actually in this country, like Porthcurno in Cornwall.

There’s soft white sand and turquoise waters and you’ve even got the Minack Theatre - a cliff-edge, open-air theatre with spectacular views over sea.

Swap Lagos for Newquay for surfing

With the likes of Lagos in the Algarve, and Peniche in Oeste, providing a setting for those who like to catch a few waves, we’ve got some destinations here in the UK that are also extremely popular with surfers.

Of course, the obvious choice would be Cornwall with surfing hotspots including Fistral Beach Newquay and Polzeath Beach in Padstow, but the South West is not the only part of our country with some impressive waves.

Wales is well worth a visit with Llangennith, Newgale and Porth Neigwl being just some of the popular surfing beaches.

A stay at The Belfry for golfers

For those who like to spend their holidays on the golf course, Portugal has always been a popular destination, and it’s not hard to see why, it’s previously been rated highly in the World Golf Awards.

But so have many places right here in the UK. In fact, the World’s Best Golf Hotel for 2020 was actually The Belfry near Birmingham. The luxurious hotel has hosted the Ryder Cup four times – more than any other venue in the world.

And it doesn't just have one course...it has three!

Visit the Cotswolds for wine tasting

Port is one of Portugal’s finest culinary exports, along with piri piri chicken.

The country boasts some beautiful cities littered with port houses.

Porto is a coastal city in the northwest of the country famous for its long heritage of port production, but you don’t need to hop on a plane to sample some delicious wine. We’ve got some fantastic vineyards in this country.

Award-winning British wine has been making a name for itself over the last few years.

One of England’s oldest and largest vineyards is the Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucester. Located in the Cotswolds, the 75-year-old winery is open all year round and offers tours and tastings, as well as having its own accommodations and brasserie.

Swap Lisbon for Bath for some history

There’s no denying that Lisbon is an absolutely beautiful city - its rich history and its ornate architecture is displayed on every turn.

You know where I’m going with this . . .

We have history, architecture and cobblestone streets here too.

A city break to Bath could be just what you’re looking for. The largest city in the county of Somerset, Bath is steeped in history, including its iconic Roman baths.

Visit the shops, cafes and restaurants inside Pulteney Bridge, take a boat ride on the River Avon or walk around the Royal Crescent.

You can even learn about this great city with a trip to one of its many museums, including the Museum of Bath Architectures.