BRAND ADVICE

Time for a staycation!

With the pound close to an all time low and people watching the pennies more than ever, it’s no surprise that more and more of us are choosing to stay in the UK for our summer holidays. Here are a few of our favourite places for UK hotel breaks.

Hit the beach in Newquay

For perfect sandy beaches, Newquay on the north coast of Cornwall is hard to beat. Whether you’re looking for hidden coves to explore, sheltered stretches of sand for a sandcastle competition or rolling waves for some of the UK’s best surfing – it’s all here within easy reach of the busy town centre. A gaggle of fishing boats still huddles within the protective walls of the pretty stone harbour and a stroll along them in the summer sunshine, ice cream in hand, is the perfect way to while away an afternoon. The bustling high street is perfect for a browse and shop too with high street favourites jostling for position with interesting art galleries and cafes. Newquay hotels also make a great base for exploring more of the north Cornwall coastline. The historic cathedral town of Truro with its graceful Georgian crescents and towering cathedral are within easy reach for a day trip. Other nearby Cornish delights include atmospheric old fishing villages like St Mawes and Portreath’s Treasure Park which houses the largest collection of precious gems and jewellery in the South West.

Get artistic in St Ives

The West Country off-shoot of the Tate Museum has turned St Ives into Cornwall’s epi-centre for all things artistic. Sculpture, pottery, silverware and all sorts of contemporary canvases are on show to browse and buy in the various workspaces and galleries dotted about the town. And then there’s the Tate. The building itself is an artistic statement – a remarkable mixture or curves and angles built on the site of a former gas works and overlooking Porthmeor Beach. The views are stunning. Exhibitions change regularly and feature creations by world famous and virtually unknown artists alike. St Ives also makes a good place for seeing more of Cornwall. Book into a hotel in St Ives and you’re within easy reach of the remarkable biodomes at the Eden project. Here natural artistry of the living world is on show in a sequence of space age domes that house tropical shrubs, trees and more.

Take a lakeside break in Windermere

The stunning scenery of the Lake District moved Wordsworth to write some of his most famous and emotive poems and it’s not hard to see why. If you’re a walker you’ll find fantastic walks just a moment from your hotel. Windermere offers walking for all levels too – from hardcore hikes to gentle strolls. There are a number of flat, easy Miles Without Stiles walks perfect for baby buggies and wheelchairs. Or how about hitting the water? You can hire a row boat and pootle around the UK’s largest lake or, if you’re feeling less energetic, sit back and relax in style on an old vintage steamer. Windermere makes a great base for seeing more of the Lake District. The pretty villages of Coniston, Hawkshead and Grasmere with their patchworks of old cottages and cobbled streets are quintessential England – as is a ride on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite steam railway.

Have a historic break in Wales

The pretty harbour town of Tenby boasts three blue flag beaches and is one of Wales’ most attractive seaside resorts. But there’s far more to this ancient settlement perched on a peninsula than just sand and sea. The town is steeped in history, surrounded by huge ancient medieval old walls with the five arches Barbican Gate still standing proud against would be attackers even today. Many Tenby hotels are situated in the old town among the pretty winding streets. Culture buffs will find a trove of interesting sites to explore right on the doorstep, including 15th-century St Mary’s Church and the National Trust-owned Tudor Merchant's House. Features of the house include a fine 'Flemish' round chimney and the original scarfed roof-trusses. There’s also an interesting museum with art gallery too and more historic attractions just a short drive away, including the ancient market town of Haverfordwest with its craggy castle and nearby St David’s cathedral.

Visit www.shearings.com for more great value UK breaks and coach holidays.