R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Dirty, Unsafe and Over priced. I survey out saying people are unhappy taking holidays in the UK because of those three things they find uneasy.

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Abroad is always Clean, Safe & Cheap then ? Laughing

iknewdavidjacobsmum · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 336

No, the UK can be great. My best holiday there was the Blackpool Illuminations one year, only spoilt because I knew so many people couldn't stop saying hello. Turned out I was the in the Labour Party convention week.
Loved it despite them

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Elsewhere I refer to my week in Normandy last September. The other week of our holiday was spent mostly in Kent. Lovely, and nowhere near as built-up as I'd feared, having lived there from 1970 to 72. Canterbury Cathedral, Sissinghurst Castle, Margate and the White Cliffs of Dover gave us a super break. Roll on our next visit.

Ian.

firewirefred · Guest

Cherskiy · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:52 am Post subject:

I took my annual holidays in Orkney last year - the islands are clean, the people friendly and welcoming, and the prices cheap enough. Major crime in the newspapers consists of petty vandalism. The air was clean, the beaches free of litter and there were no crowds. Sounds idyllic enough to me - I wouldn't mind retiring to somewhere like that!
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
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dottie-may · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 56

Until the last 3 years, we always holidayed in this country. I can proudly say that there aren't very many parts of England & Wales that we haven't camped in, visited or driven through, plus a few areas of Scotland.

If you're prepared to try somewhere a little different (how many people have spent two weeks camping in Bedford?? Fabulous!) you can find absolute gems. Following our Portugal break, we spent a few days in a gorgeous, luxurious B & B in Skipton for £65 a night and just by getting off the A roads, found wonderful countryside.

I'd retire to Northumberland/Borders area in a heartbeat...if only we could afford it!
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"I'm a firm believer in not having to play the hand you're dealt."

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

I'd retire to Northumberland/Borders area in a heartbeat...if only we could afford it!
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We'd be happy to have you!

Ian.

gfloyd · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject: Re: British Holidays

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:

That they are, but if you're willing to settle for B&B, there are still some amazing bargains to be had. Up in the Highlands last June, my best 'find' was B&B in a hotel where I got a full, well-appointed twin room to myself for four nights, together with the biggest breakfasts I've seen in my life - all for £20 per night. Just turned up on spec, too. Definitely going back there again.... Very Happy

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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Ian Robinson · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

Yeah, there are some great deals to be found if you look around. I've been to Edinburgh for the last 4 years and the worst place I stayed was the Travelodge which was grim, uncomfortable, basic and noisy. Yet for just a couple of pounds more I've since found a B&B that is friendly, comfortable, and with a great breakfast.

My last 6 holidays have been UK-based and they've all been great.

Rachel · Guest

The result of the survey is not my experience. I've been to just about everywhere worth going to on this average sized planet and so far haven't found anywhere as good as this Country. Growing up in North East Northumberland gives everywhere else a pretty tough act to follow but Cornwall, Wales, large parts of Scotland, Suffolk, Sussex( East) and Dorset are just a few that come very close. Even Blackpool I found interesting, if a little "sticky" in places. I saw Chubby Brown there too :- that's not an experience easily forgotten.

The thing with holidays is that in the old days it was a big thing and kind of special to jet off and do or go somewhere different. Now if you're happy to queue for hours with a see thru carrier bag with all your personal belongings on show to fly with your bottom crammed into a child seat you can get to just about anywhere for the price of a decent lunch. Well what's so special about that? Just yesterday I was in the most fantastic place , sitting in the sun, enjoying the scenery, peace and quiet... when I'd had enough and it was time to go home , the journey: all 25 yards of it from my fav spot under our Silver Birch tree, took just a few moments and I was back home. No queuing at airports, no sharing a plane with hoards of "Clubcard" holiday makers, no fingerprinting , searching, no lost luggage or credit card fraud but best of all there was proper tea available on demand all through my mini-break. Travelling out of and back into this Country by air is a joke. The rest of the world are laughing their socks off.

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Even before the latest shambles and round of security precautions, the travelling part of going abroad has always been the biggest deterrent. There were long check-in times and flight delays twenty five years ago, even out of peak season.

For the last fifteen years (until this year) we've been restricted, as good parents, to the main school holiday weeks. Whether abroad or in the UK charges for accommodation are scandalously high, but they're only taking advantage of the demand and charging as much as the market will stand. We opted to stay in the UK and have had without exception lovely holidays; it's easy so long as you avoid the most popular resorts and areas (for example, even in peak season the Lake District is peaceful and sublime, so long as you don't go near the town of Windermere).

As far as cleanliness is concerned the same applies with regard to location; and for accommodation we found that, generally, you get what you pay for, and independent, family-run establishments tend to be cleaner and more welcoming than big hotels, no matter how many stars they've got.

Never had any issues with safety, but then you don't usually, until something untoward happens!
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Ron