It’s hard to believe that it’s fast approaching May already but it means something blooming fabulous for us folks in the UK, two bank holiday weekends. Once again I’ve left things till the last minute and at this stage aren’t venturing onto a plane however I refuse to do gardening on a bank holiday again and have made a mental note of 10 Staycation Ideas for the Upcoming Bank Holiday Weekend.
Bluebells
There is nothing that screams spring in England more than the pretty Bluebells and fingers crossed there will be beautiful blue carpets of Bluebells on the first bank holiday in May so you can skip, dance or take a sensible photo or two between them. Here is a listing of National Trust properties with Bluebell Woods. ( I think it’s safe to say I get the crazy genes from mum’s side of the family!)
Theatre
A few years ago, G and I had a week long staycation (I wasn’t impressed by having a week off work to stay in England) however we had a fabulous time including heading into London to watch Les Mis which I rather enjoyed. Buy a cheap matinee ticket and buy the biggest bag of maltesers you can find! Check out the last minute website for cheap tickets.
Day Trips
If you live in London then you have a lot of options open to you with the great train network (that probably won’t be working over the bank holiday weekend due to engineering works, check before leaving home) but here is a list of 10 Day Trip Ideas from London by Train if the trains are working.
Rent a Car for a Tiki Tour
Since buying a car I’ve gone on so many Tiki Tours but if you don’t own a car then look at hiring a car for a day and just see where you find yourself, look for the brown signs that indicate a heritage site. Trust me you will find endless amounts of things to visit on a Tiki Tour. Maybe check out Zipcar if you’re based in London and only want a car for a few hours.
Go snooping inside some castles
Get yourself a Heritage Pass and go snooping; I’m still totally digging my new Historic Houses Association Membership where I just need to visit one more Stately Home and I’ve recouped my costs. More houses will be open over the bank holidays so get snooping!
Stay in a Castle
Can you tell I’m slightly obsessed with castles, well you can stay in them and there are plenty of them dotted around the English countryside. One of my favourites is Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire, trust me rent a room with a four poster bed so you can be a princess for a night.
Open Top Bus Tour
As corny as it sounds, it’s so much fun jumping on an Open Top Bus Tour for two reasons; you get to see all the fabulous sights in your home town plus you get to people watch, I love seeing tourists getting excited about seeing London for the very first time and it does make you fall in love with the city all over again.
Hire a Canal Boat
This is still on my very long to do list – I want to hire a Canal Boat and with the weather looking pretty sunny outside (yep it’s probably going to rain for 40 days now…) it seems the perfect way to spend a staycation – pirate costumes aren’t optional!
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Book yourself a little early morning Hot Air Balloon Ride to get a birds eye view over the English countryside. Even though I’m petrified of heights, I completely love Hot Air Balloons and seeing the world from above.
Take a Luxurious Train Trip
Take a ride of the British Pullman and experience the most luxurious train journey you will ever have in England; this experience isn’t cheap but honestly a Murder Mystery Lunch on board a posh train…how very Agatha Christie!
What’s on your staycation list for the May Bank Holidays?
xx
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