fave

WHEN it comes to picking a holiday, the temptation to go abroad can be huge – but the UK has many spots that look and feel like you are in a different country.

If you want to avoid the chaos of long airport queues and delayed flights, we’ve named some of our favourite places across Britain that will transport you to being hundreds of miles away instead.

Swap Champagne in France for Balfour

Balfour Winery has mushroomed in size since it opened as a tiny winery
in 2002, in the Kent village of Staplehurst.

You can now enjoy an excellent bottle of wine on their gorgeous
verandah, accompanied by exceptional sharing platters or flatbreads
and more recently, hot meals, instead of heading all the way to the Champagne region in France.

It even rivals some of Kent’s better-known vineyards, such as Chapel Down.

But it has also kept a nice local touch – they have no problem with
guests taking a walk around the vineyard or the neighbouring woods on
the estate, in fact it’s encouraged.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

SKY-HIGH

Travel expert reveals how to avoid classic rip-off trap when flying… and save cash

They mingle with the fabulously-dressed, down-from-Londoners, there
for a full day out in their floor-length dresses.

And if you squint on a sunny summer’s day after a rose or two, the
view from the restaurant could quite feasibly be somewhere more exotic
on the continent. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Swap New Zealand for North Wales

New Zealand should be on everyone’s bucket list. But it’s a long and pricey journey from the UK, so how about just pocketing that cash and visiting North Wales instead?

The wild scenery is very similar – trust me, I’ve spent a decent amount of time in both destinations.

Both are known for their rugged, snow-capped mountains; untouched, rural landscape; and vast lakes that are so still they paint a perfect reflection of the skyline.

They are also both big on adventure – craggy hiking trails are in abundance in North Wales and adrenaline junkies will love whizzing along the fastest zip line in the world at Zip World Penrhyn Quarry.

I had buckets of fun white water rafting in Rotorua during my New Zealand trip – and you can do that in North Wales, too.

National White Water Centre has a whole host of options starting from £45. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Swap the French Riviera for the English Riviera

The English Riviera can be found in Devon and earned its name from feeling like the French Riviera with palm trees, big beaches and its very own microclimate.

The region is made up of three towns – Torquay, Paignton and Brixham – each of which has its own unique character.

In Brixham, you can spot fishing boats bobbing on the water with seals often swimming around them.

In Paignton, you can venture along the pier, testing out the different penny slot machines before heading to one of the many beaches with an ice cream in hand.

And last but not least is the queen of the English Riviera, Torquay.

It has a bustling town centre, picturesque harbour and a large beach ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Swap Thailand for Eilean Shona, Scotland

Scotland is home to hundreds of islands and most are vastly different from each other – but there is one tiny tidal island that’s so special because it feels like you’ve stepped foot in Thailand.

Eilean Shona is a tidal island in the Inner Hebrides with pristine beaches and crystal clear waters that can only be reached by boat.

In fact, the island is even more exclusive as you have to stay at the accommodation on the island to visit it.

While the temperature is chillier, the magic of the island makes up for it – having even inspired J.M. Barrie’s Neverland in Peter Pan. – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Swap the Caribbean for Jersey

If I told you there’s an island an hour’s flight from the UK, with a
Caribbean-like coastline, that gets summer quicker than England and
you don’t need a passport – you’d think I was pulling your leg.

But such a unicorn does exist in the English Channel: Jersey.

When my family and I visited, every beach was outstanding, the weather
glorious, the food a fantastic hybrid of French and English tastes.

Jersey calls itself “curiously Brit . . . (ish)” and it sums up this
island, 14 miles from the coast of France, perfectly.

One of our best (of many best days) on our week away, was on a
wildlife RIB trip with Jersey Seafaris.

The company takes you to the stunning Les Minquiers sandbanks and
reef, which is often likened to the Maldives.

There was plenty of time for pure relaxation too, St Brelade’s Bay is
often billed as a rival to the Caribbean on a sunny day, thanks to its
palm tree-lined beach and clear turquoise waters.

From England to France, the Caribbean to the Maldives on one tiny
island that takes two hours to drive from top to bottom? That’s one
hell of a day out. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Swap Spain for Hove

It’s not often I go to the English coast and feel like I’m in Europe.

But when I hopped down to Hove for a weekend trip last summer, I did feel like I was on holiday in the Mediterranean.

Given, it was during the July heatwave, so I did have the glorious weather on my side.

But still, on a beautiful summer’s day, I was at Rockwater sipping on an Aperol Spritz by a huge open window staring out at the promenade and glittering water feeling like I was in Italy or Spain.

The food is another thing that has a Mediterranean seaside vibe, especially if you dine on fish dishes like mussels, crab linguine or catch of the day.

But to really make the most of the sun, the crown of Rockwater is the rooftop bar which has sun umbrellas, and it’s enclosed with a glass balcony to lessen the sea breeze. – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Swap Provence for Heacham, Norfolk

You don’t have to fly all the way to Provence, France, to stroll through rolling fields of bright purple lavender.

Norfolk Lavender in Heacham, north-west Norfolk has 100 acres of fragrant lavender fields that stretch as far as the eye can see.

There’s even an on-site restaurant where you can sip a lavender-infused tea, or sip something a little stronger and watch the sun set over the fields – no passport needed.

A visit to the site also makes for a fantastic family day out – there’s a farm where kids can meet alpacas, chickens and goats, as well as popular soft play barn Farmer Fred‘s.

To make the most of your trip, try a slice of lavender cake in the cafe, or treat yourself to some handmade lavender balms and creams in the gift shop.

As well as the fields, there’s manicured gardens with a bridge over a gentle stream, a peaceful gazebo and the historic Heacham Watermill building – which look like something out of a French countryside estate. – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Swap Spanish Islands for Margate

An Aperol Spritz, lo-fi music and uninterrupted views of the ocean – you’d think I was on some beautiful Spanish island.

But no, it’s a rooftop bar in Margate that transported me abroad, found on top of No42 by GuestHouse hotel.

When the sun is shining and the music is playing, you’ll forget you’re on the Kent coastline.

The chic interiors rival even some of London’s top bars – just with a golden sand beach just steps away. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Swap the Norwegian fjords for Boscastle Harbour

Boscastle, a small and quaint village located on the north coast of Cornwall, can feel a bit more like the Norwegian fjords thanks to its dramatic, rocky landscape.

The town’s harbour sits between a large valley and a number of local shops and even The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic – home to the world’s largest collection of witchcraft items.

The beauty of Boscastle is often forgotten beneath its history, with blue waters and dark, that really do make you feel as if you are in the rugged landscapes of the Norwegian fjords.

I love Boscastle harbour because it is embellished by nothing but the nature that surrounds it, as well as being a quiet and picturesque escape without the hustle and bustle of larger beaches. – Katy Bright, Travel Writer

Swap Bondi Icebergs Pool in Sydney for Tinside Lido, Plymouth

I’ve always been jealous of people who have made it to Australia, chilling on the beach and the famous Bondi Icebergs Pool in Sydney.

But there is one in the UK that I think rivals it – enter Tinside Lido.

The Plymouth pool is one of the most beautiful Art Deco lidos in the UK, jutting out over the ocean where visiting on a hot day and relaxing on the side of the water will make you feel like you are thousands of miles away.

You can even grab a glass of Australian Chardonnay or Shiraz to enjoy after your tanning sesh from the sun terrace. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Swap the French Riviera for Salcombe

I instantly felt attached to Salcombe on my first visit. It stirred up a feeling of nostalgia, reminding me of childhood holidays to France and the French Riviera.

Back then, days were spent building sand castles on peaceful shores and wandering through flower-filled villages to gather up a dinnertime feast from the local fishmonger.

And that’s pretty much how my Devon visit went, too.

I’m probably a little too old for sandcastles, now aged 33, but Salcombe’s North Sands beach would be the perfect place to build one.

It has that laissez-faire, village vibe to it, too – positioned a 30-minute walk away from the central hub and with a cute cafe that’s popular with locals.

The setting feels similar to that in southern France, too – old stone houses facing a shimmering sea and a busy town with a delicatessen whose foodie window displays draw you in.

Local catches are dished up in the seafront restaurants, just like they are in the French Riviera.

Swing by The Crab Shed which serves a limited menu of fishy delights – the star dish is its whole cracked crab. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

SUN RAYS warming your cheeks, there’s the gentle smell of a barbecue and kids all around have smiles on their faces, but what could make it more perfect? A lido.

With temperatures soaring to 30C across the UK this bank holiday weekend, a lido seems like the perfect day out and for years on end, it was where I would beeline to in the warm weather.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

But I wouldn’t just head to any old lido; my preferred spot is Teignmouth Lido in Devon.

Recently saved by the local community from closure, Teignmouth Lido to most will seem like a regular open air pool.

And while I may be biased as the destination is home to many fond childhood memories with my family (including my dad doing handstands in the water and begging to get ice cream from the counter), the lido does have a lot to boast about.

Read more on travel inspo

DEEP DIVE

All the lidos in the UK mapped – with FREE entry, water slides and cocktail bars

STAYCAY

Our travel experts’ best-kept-secret UK holiday spots for summer – from £37 a night

The pool measures 25-metres-long, between May and September there are usually a whole host of events on and is surrounded by a grassy bank ideal for sunbathing.

If you just fancy a dip, then a two hour block costs £8.40 per adult and £5.40 per child – though you can also get a full-day swim pass costing £15.10 per adult and £9.70 per child.

Just want to watch your kids? You can do that too and pay a smaller spectator fee of £4.40 for two hours, or £7 all day.

Sessions tend to be split between general swims, lane swims and fun sessions but there are also Aqua Fit and ‘Fit for Sea’ sessions.

Following the risk of closure earlier this year, the lido has been saved by an outraged local community (including myself) and will be run by Teignbridge District Council this summer before hopefully being sold to the local community.

And really, the lido couldn’t be closer to the seafront – only separated by a wall.

Teignmouth Seafront Beach is huge and features unique red sand you find across Devon.

What makes the beach particularly special is the amount you can do there, such as heading along the South West Coast Path and watching trains whizz by at Teignmouth Railway View.

Halfway down the beach you’ll also find Teignmouth Pier.

Standing since 1867, the pier is just one of two pleasure piers left in the South West of the country.

Inside you can find all you would expect of a traditional seaside pier, such as penny arcade machines and even modern video games.

You can also grab a bite to eat and ice cream on the pier.

At the other end of the beach, there is then Jurassic Adventure Golf – ideal for a bit of competitive family fun – and the play park.

If all of this wasn’t enough, the promenade along the entirety of the seafront is flat and wide, making it the ideal spot for rollerblading or testing out skateboarding before dropping into the skate park.

The final stop at the far end of the beach is the lighthouse, which is relatively small but built from grey stone and is definitely worth checking out for its unique look.

If you don’t mind walking slightly further, you’ll reach The Point – a narrow split of sand at the mouth of the Teign Estuary where the river meets the sea.

And if you are lucky enough as I have been on a few occasions, you might spot a seal or dolphin.

It is a great spot to explore and see the neighbouring village of Shaldon on the opposite side of the river, though just don’t enter the water here as the currents can be quite strong.

Shaldon is pretty to explore as well, with pastel coloured houses and a handful of cosy cafes and pubs.

If you want to explore Shaldon, you can hop on a short ferry ride across the estuary from The Point.

Back in Teignmouth town centre there is more to see, including Teignmouth Museum and a number of independent shops, cafes and pubs.

The lack of big brand, high street chains really makes it feel like a traditional, vintage seaside town.

The very best thing about Teignmouth? All of this is within a short walk of the town’s train station and whichever direction you travel to the station in, you will get fantastic views of red ancient desert sandstone cliffs, beautiful beaches, nature reserves and sprawling estuary.