Eating a pub lunch in the Cotswolds has been voted the nation’s ultimate “happy place”, according to a new study.
New research of Britons looked into the places in the UK which evoke special memories and ultimately make us “happy” – and found hiking in the Lake District came a close second, followed by eating an ice-cream on Brighton Beach.
Enjoying fish and chips in Padstow harbour and admiring the white sandy beaches of the Hebrides completed the top five happy spots.
Researchers from SACO, The Serviced Apartment Company, polled UK holidaymakers and revealed one in four Brits believe there is “no place like home” when it comes to holidays.
Out of 1,500 adults polled, nearly two thirds said some of their fondest memories of being a child are holidaying in Britain – and 57 percent are trying to replicate those memories for their own children.
Cornwall was by the far the most popular UK holiday destination, followed by the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and Devon.
Two thirds claimed if you could always guarantee the weather, they would never go abroad, choosing Cornwall as their preferred location to holiday in the UK and a further 37 per cent said that some of their best holidays have been in Britain.
A spokesperson for SACO said: “Britain really does have it all – whether that’s food and drink, leisure, accommodation and entertainment, or the great outdoors and sprawling beaches.
“In terms of culture, history and picturesque scenery, many popular European resorts could not compete.
“There’s no better time to visit a memorable location that makes you feel happy and content. Many parents are choosing to relive their childhood memories by visiting places of interest with their own children.”
Nearly half of those polled said the biggest benefit of holidaying in the UK was the fact you could travel at a time of day to suit you and a quarter love the fact you don’t need to take out expensive travel insurance.
Being able to travel by car, avoiding sweltering heat and being able to take the family dog along were also listed as benefits of the staycation – as was, it being more affordable.
Must-do things on a traditional British summer break including paddling, skimming stones and building sand castles.
And many activities revolved around food with eating fish and chips, cream teas, pasties and sampling a traditional pub lunch all on the holiday checklist.
A more honest 27 percent said it was a must to get blown about on a windy beach and 24 percent said you haven’t experienced a true British holiday until you have been caught in torrential rain.
Interestingly, the research showed that a typical 7-day break in the UK would set you back £743, compared to £1,555 if you went abroad.
ULTIMATE BRITISH “HAPPY PLACES”
Pub lunch in the Cotswolds
Walking / hiking in the Lake District
Eating ice-cream on Brighton Beach
Eating fish and chips in Padstow
Admiring the white sandy beaches of the Hebrides
Walking in the Peak District
Enjoying a cream tea in the Isles of Scilly
Enjoying a pasty in St Ives
Visiting the Roman Baths
Open top bus ride in London
Picking fossils on the Jurassic Coast
Swimming in Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall
Boating on the Norfolk broads
Eating candy floss at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Walking the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
Walking the dog on Holkham Bay, Norfolk
Searching for Nessie at Loch Ness
Playing arcade games on Weston Super Mare Grand Pier
Building sand castles on Blackpool Sands beach
Climbing St Michaels Mount
Winning a toy for the children in Barry Island
Rock Pooling in Polzeath Beach
Exploring Exmoor
Playing rounders on Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Strolling over the Clifton Suspension Bridge
Riding donkeys on Great Yarmouth Beach
Surfing on Fistral Beach
Crabbing in Looe
Punting on The River Cam
Sailing in Salcombe
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES ON A BRITISH HOLIDAY
Eating fish and chips
A pub lunch
Eating a cream tea
Building sand castles
Paddling
Playing arcade games
Getting blown about on a beach
Skimming stones in the sea
Relaxing in a deck chair
Getting rained on
Playing in rock pools
Eating a pasty
Playing cards
Crabbing.
