5 UK Swaps for Your Dream Holiday – No Passport Required
With picturesque coasts, historic architecture, and serene countryside views, there are many reasons to opt for a break on home soil rather than jetting abroad this summer.
Sykes Holiday Cottages’ latest Staycation Index report reveals that over a third (38%) of Brits believe staycations are easier than trips overseas, with reduced stress and cost savings some of the top reasons for choosing a UK break*.
To help those looking for the ease of UK travel combined with the vibes of a holiday abroad, Sykes has rounded up its favourite destination dupes to explore this season. From Norfolk’s lavender fields being akin to those in Provence to the whitewashed charm of St Ives parallelling Mykonos, there’s something for everyone.
To book a summer break, visit www.sykescottages.co.uk, call 01244 617 683 or download the Sykes Holiday Cottages app.
Instead of Provence in France, wander the lavender fields of Norfolk
Malthouse Farm – Heacham, Norfolk
Sleeps: Nine
Price: Seven nights from £1,712
Nestled on the quiet outskirts of Heacham on the North Norfolk Coast, Malthouse Farm is a stunning holiday home with wisteria-clad walls and honeyed brickwork echoing French countryside charm.
Inside, visitors can expect light filled rooms with oak floors, a cosy snug with an open fire, an AGA kitchen and private garden with a hot tub and fire pit, merging rustic allure and modern comfort.
Just a short distance from Hunstanton’s sandy beach and iconic chalk cliffs, guests can also wander the fragrant Norfolk lavender fields – much like those found in France’s Provence region – and visit grand Sandringham or explore quaint villages, costal paths and artisan shops.
Rather than Lake Bled, head to Loch Lomond in Scotland
The Old Farmhouse – Ballach, West Dunbartonshire
Sleeps: Six
Price: Seven nights from £953
Set on the edge of the Garadhban Forest near Balloch, The Old Farmhouse’s façade mirrors Slovenia’s Alpine charm with its stone walls and pitched roof.
And the similarities don’t stop there, with impressive views of Loch Lomond – which is reminiscent of Lake Bled – from the property, guests can take in the area’s natural beauty and diverse wildlife all without heading abroad.
With a well-equipped kitchen, cosy living area, and patio seating, travellers can unwind after a day of exploring the Garadhban Forest’s walking trails. Alternatively, Loch Lomond’s shores offer boating, fishing and cruise opportunities.
Missing Mykonos? Try St Ives in Cornwall
Louies Loft – St Ives, Cornwall
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £965
Perched above Cornwall’s St Ives harbour, Louies Loft is a contemporary first floor apartment with bright whitewashed walls and minimalist décor reminiscent of Mykonos in Greece.
The modern, open plan living area includes a kitchen with a gas double oven, a dining nook, and a smart TV opening onto a balcony with panoramic sea views.
Steps from Porthmeor Beach’s golden sands, guests can explore Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, savour fresh seafood at harbour front restaurants, or wander coastal paths to coves and fishing villages. This stay is perfect for small groups of families that enjoy seafront sightseeing.
Bye bye Bruges, hello Edinburgh
6 Coltbridge Gardens – Edinburgh, Scotland
Sleeps: Five
Price: Seven nights from £1,237
Located on a quiet road in Edinburgh, 6 Coltbridge Gardens blends elements of Georgian architecture with sandstone facades, echoing Bruges’ canal-side townhouses.
Inside, a sitting room with an electric fire, sunroom, and a fully equipped kitchen-diner open onto an enclosed terrace garden, combining period charm with modern amenities.
Just a short walk leads to the Water of Leith River walkway and Murrayfield Stadium, or guests can head into the city centre to indulge in its vibrant cultural and food scene.
Swap Venice for Cambridge
Woodpecker – Bottisham, Cambridgeshire
Sleep: Four
Price: Seven nights from £423
Set in the rolling Cambridgeshire fields near Bottisham, Woodpecker is a single-storey studio lodge sitting in communal gardens.
Inside, the open-plan layout includes a kitchenette with a breakfast bar and bright living area across from a double bed and foldaway bunks. Guests share a games room, which includes a pool table, and can relax in the private hot tub beneath the stars with a glass of bubbly.
With close proximity to village pubs and local shops, the property is also near to the historic town of Cambridge where guests can try their hand at river punting as though they were traversing the canals of Venice. Holidaymakers can also visit Newmarket’s racecourses, cycle riverside paths, or wander the nearby woodlands.
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