THE UK isn’t short of pretty market towns, but while everyone else is fighting for parking in Cornwall or the Cotswolds, there’s a gorgeous alternative without the massive crowds.
Tavistock in Devon is a historic market town sat on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Tavistock in Devon is a historic market townCredit: AlamyIt sits right on the edge of Dartmoor National ParkCredit: Cyann Fielding
And it has a rather big claim to fame…
The town is where the cream tea was invented, with the earliest recording of the tradition dated to 11th century at Tavistock Abbey.
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And, to put the decades-long debate to an end, the monks that created the cream tea in fact did put the cream first and then the jam.
There are so many spots in the town to grab a cream tea but my personal favourite is Café Liaison, where you can sit with your cream tea overlooking the Churchyard and former Cloisters of the Abbey.
The town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage town, due to the town’s medieval tin mininghistory as well as 19th century copper and metal production.
Wandering around the town, you’ll notice all the buildings are made of dark grey stone.
You might also spot some Dartmoor granite in the buildings as well.
One top building to spot is the Town Hall, which is in the heart of the town
The town is made up of buildings with dark stone that is actually volcanincCredit: AlamyAnd Tavistock is even known to be the birthplace of the cream teaCredit: Alamy
Make sure to visit the ancient Pannier Market too, which was granted its Royal Charter in 1105.
Inside, you will find traders selling all sorts of different items, that change depending on the day of the week.
For example, on Tuesdays you will find antiques and collectables, whereas on Fridays you will find locally produced goods.
Instead, you pitch your tent right next to the River Tavy – which runs through the holiday park and is gentle and shallow.
Just outside the town, you can stay at Harford Bridge Park campsite and caravan parkCredit: Campsites.co.ukMake sure to book a pitch right by the riverCredit: Campsites.co.uk
When I used to visit the campsite as a child along with my family, we would make sure to have a pitch right next to the river.
Then, in the blazing sun, my sister and I would put up our camping chairs directly in the river and sit with our feet in the water.
It is ideal for families who want to explore Dartmoor but want a few more facilities than wild camping.
On the site there is a heated toilet block as well as hot showers and a laundry room.
If you have forgotten anything, there is also a shop onsite, as well as a games, TV and book room, children’s play park with seesaws and climbing frames and a tennis court.
Dogs are welcome too, with a sprawling meadow for them to roam in.
Make sure to book a ‘grass riverside’ pitch, which costs £24 per night for two people without electricity, working out at just £12 per person.
If you are a family of four, the pitch will set you back £44 per night – working out at £11 per person, per night.
EUROPE is full of amazing destinations, but sometimes going to the top spots means battling hoards of crowds and forking out lots of cash.
It doesn’t have to be this way though.
Rough Guides has found some top spots for swapping busier destinationsCredit: Getty
Instead of heading to somewhere everyone else is going, there are some great alternatives where you will be free from throngs of selfie-stick welding tourists and overpriced restaurants.
A direct flight to La Rochelle from the UK takes just over an hour, with flights costing from £16.99 per way.
Swap Prague for Ljubljana
Ljubljana, Slovenia is dubbed “one of Europe’s most relaxed metropolises” by Rough GuidesCredit: Alamy
Dubbed “one of Europe’s most relaxed metropolises” by Rough Guides, Ljubljana is a smaller city to Prague but has no crowds.
Instead of battling shoulder-to-shoulder with other tourists for a glimpse of Charles Bridge in Prague, you can head to Ljubljana’s Triple Bridge before heading to a cosy cafe.
You’ll get the same cobblestones, castle views and cheap beer in Slovenia‘s capital compared to Prague, but with the added benefit of some of Europe’s cleanest air.
It is also a great city for art fans, with a number of museums and street art. It takes about two hours to fly from the UK to Ljubljana, with flights costing from £32 a way.
Swap Munich for Stuttgart
In Stuttgart, you can visit Wilhelma which is Europe’s largest zoological and botanical gardenCredit: Alamy
Those heading to Munich often head to the beer halls.
But just two hours away via train, Stuttgart has lively wine taverns as well as Cannstatter Volksfest – a 17-day annual folk festival considered to be the world’s second largest beer festival after Munich’s Oktoberfest.
And if you feel like you are missing out on the BMW museum in Munich, you can head to not one, but two car museums in Stuttgart – the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums.
Make sure to also visit Wilhelma which is Europe’s largest zoological and botanical garden, with a number of vineyards nearby.
Similar to Munich, the city also has a vibrant central hub called Schlossplatz, where you will find the New Palace as well as loads of shops to explore.
It takes under two hours to fly from the UK to Stuttgart, with flights costing from £44 a way.
Swap Santorini for Aland Islands
The Aland Islands in Finland are made up of 6,700 islandsCredit: Alamy
Santorini is a dream destination for many of us, but with so many people heading to the destination each year, it feels a little more like another spot overwhelmed with tourists.
Instead, head to the sunniest spot in Northern Europe – the Aland Islands.
While technically part of Finland , the region is made up of 6,700 autonomous islands.
With white sand beaches just like you’d expect on Greek islands, the islands offer the ideal holiday for getting away from crowds but still getting beach days and scenic spots – but also with a cheaper price tag.
To make it even better, there are saunas and steam rooms across the islands to venture into.
And if you like to keep active, there are a ton of activities to explore including kayaking, hiking and climbing.
The capital of the islands is Mariehamn, which has wooden houses as well as the moated Kastelholm Castle.
To get to the islands, you’ll need to book a stopover flight to Mariehamn, which from the UK costs from £92 per way.
Swap the Algarve for Comporta
Comporta is dubbed the ‘Hamptons of Portugal’Credit: Alamy
If you want the golden beaches of the Algarve but want to miss the bustling resorts, head to the ‘Hamptons of Portugal‘ – Comporta – which is a village on Alentejo’s Sado estuary.
Comporta is made up of seven small villages, mostly full of small fishermen’s cabanas.
Beaches are backed by pine forests and cosy tavernas where you can pick up a beer for as little as €1.50 (£1.29).
It is also a protected nature reserve with sand dunes and rice paddy fields home to flamingos and wild dolphins.
But unlike the Algarve, the pace of life is slower here and you won’t find bars full of rowdy people.
To get to Comporta, you’ll need to fly to Lisbon which costs from as little as £18 per way and then you’ll need to drive around an hour and 20 minutes to Comporta.
Swap Corfu for Ksamil
Ksamil is only 1.2-miles from CorfuCredit: Alamy
Corfu might immediately come to mind when you think of glistening turquoise waters and pristine sand beaches, but you’ll also get this in Ksamil.
Known as the Albanian Riviera, Ksamil has an abundance of pretty beaches that lack the crowds found in Corfu.
Just 1.2 miles from Corfu, you’ll get similar weather as well as a number of small islands that you can even swim to.
The destination also has history to discover including public baths that date back further than the ancient Greek period.
Ksamil also lacks the bustling clubs of Corfu, so ideal for a more relaxing break – plus it is as much as 50 per cent cheaper than a holiday in Corfu.
The best way to get to Ksamil is by flying into Corfu which costs from £15 per way, and then it’s a two-hour drive to Ksamil.
Swap Capri for Procida
Procida is often dubbed Capri’s smaller and quieter cousinCredit: Alamy
Often considered Capri’s smaller and quieter cousin, the tiny island of Procida sits off the coast of Naples and can easily be explored in its entirety without the crowds of Capri.
On the island’s cliffs you’ll find hidden medieval towns and fishing villages, such as Marina di Corricella, which is completely car free and has brightly coloured houses.
Another spot to visit in Procida is Terra Murata, which is the oldest walled village in the region and sits on the island’s highest point.
And don’t worry, you won’t miss out on beaches either with dark volcanic sand spots with crystal clear waters.
There are rules in place that also stop Procida from becoming overdeveloped, so instead of expensive, flashy hotels you can stay in a fisherman’s cottage.
The best way to get to Procida is by flying to Naples costing from £16 per way, and then hopping on a ferry for an hour.
Swap Stockholm for Malmo
In Malmo, the food scene is thriving and there are a number of craft breweriesCredit: Alamy
Instead of heading to Stockholm when in Sweden, visit the country’s third-largest city – Malmo – where you’ll find hidden squares and pretty beaches.
The city is much-loved for its food including meatballs, falafel and ramen.
You can also head to a number of coffee spots and craft breweries.
Much like Stockholm, the food scene is thriving – but you’ll get cheaper prices and less crowds.
You can also tie it in with a visit to Copenhagen in Denmark, which you can easily reach with a 30-minute train ride.
Flights to Malmo take under two hours and cost as little as £21 per way.
Swap Mykonos for Pelion Peninsula
The Pelion Peninsula is fill of hidden villages with stone mansionsCredit: Alamy
Sitting east from the Greek mainland, you’ll find the Pelion Peninsula – a vibrant region with an abundance of nature and hiking spots.
Instead of ferry loads of people heading to the beach, you’ll find quiet coves devoid of sunbeds.
You could even head to Damouchari, which was where Mamma Mia! was filmed.
Key villages to visit on the Peninsula include Makrinista with amazing views of the region, the mountainous village of Tsagarada and Millies, a traditional settlement.
And for a fraction of the cost of a Mykonos villa, you can stay in a historic stone mansion in some of these villages.
The best way to get to the Pelion Peninsula is by flying to Thessaloniki costing from £26 a way, and then driving three hours to the Peninsula.
Swap Copenhagen for Aarhus
Aarhus – which is Denmark’s second city – is dubbed the ‘City of Smiles’Credit: Alamy
When people think of heading to Denmark, the first choice is often Copenhagen but the country’s second city is on the up.
Aarhus – also dubbed the ‘City of Smiles’ – is known for its cobblestone streets and medieval feel.
Throughout the city you can see half-timbered houses as well as head to the Old Town Museum, which is the world’s first open-air museum dedicated to urban history and culture.
Crowned European Museum of the Year 2026, you can explore 75 historic buildings that have been relocated from 20 different Danish towns.
For more history, head to Denmark’s largest cathedral dating back to the 12th century and home to the largest collection of medieval frescoes in the country.
Accommodation and food in the city will set you back less than in Copenhagen while direct flights to Aarhus take under two hours and cost from £16 per way.
IF you’re yet to book your holiday this summer, then there are a bunch of islands that are set to be the next big thing.
Expedia has launched its 2026 Island Hot List list – not based on their temperatures, but the ones that are trending right now.
St Lucia has seen an of 125 per cent in interest by holidaymakersCredit: Getty
Expedia created its Island Hot List from the spots around the world that have seen the biggest increase in traveller interest between September 2025 and March of this year.
At the very top of that list, is beautiful St Lucia in the Caribbean.
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Over the past year, the island has seen a huge 125 per cent increase in searches.
It’s no surprise really, as St Lucia is a tropical paradise with stunning scenery from jungles to volcanoes and its mix of white and black sand beaches.
One Sun Writer who visited a few years ago hiked through its rainforests and sunbathed on the golden sands of Reduit Beach.
He added: “With beautiful scenery, indulgent food and plenty of adventure, it’s not hard to see why St Lucia has stolen the hearts of the young and old as well as families and honeymooners.”
For anyone who wants to visit, the best time to visit is between February to May – and there are some affordable winter packages.
It’s not just far-flung islands that topped the list – plenty in Europe did well too.
Second on the list is Porto Santo, a small Portuguese island in Madeira.
Expedia said it’s “a quieter alternative to Funchal and mainland Europe’s busiest beach destinations, known for its golden sands and relaxed pace.”
Syros in Greece came fourth on Expedia’s Island Hot ListCredit: AlamyThe Lofoten Islands in Norway are said to have inspired Disney’s FrozenCredit: Alamy
It’s been called a ‘golden oasis‘ by Visit Madeira and has enormous sandy beaches – despite being the smallest inhabited island on the archipelago.
It also has sea coves and the waters are great for diving and snorkelling.
To get to Porto Santo, Brits will have to fly directly to Funchal and then it’s a quick 25-minute flight to the neighbouring island.
Also in the top 10 is Syros, a Greek island that’s much lesser-known than its neighbour, Mykonos.
There’s lots to do there from exploring its main town of Ermoupoli, to the village of Kini, which is known for its seafood restaurants.
Of course there are plenty of beautiful beaches too.
The Lofoten Islands still have beautiful beaches – and the sun doesn’t set for three monthsCredit: Expedia Porto Santo in Madeira also made the listCredit: Expedia
It might not be the hot escape that’s usually associated with islands around the world, but the Lofoten Islands are a trip worth considering.
The main islands include Austvågøya, Gimsøya, Vestvågøya, Flakstadøya, and Moskenesøya.
In fact the Lofoten Islands are so beautiful that with its frozen backdrop, colourful fishing villages, and craggy mountains that it’s said to have inspired the landscape for Disney‘s film Frozen.
From mid-May to the end of July, the sun doesn’t set there – it’s called Midnight Sun, when the sun doesn’t drop below the horizon.
Other islands soaring in demand include Praslin which is the second-largest island in the Seychelles.
Here, interest has increased by a whopping 80 per cent.
Here’s the full list of Expedia’s ‘Island Hot List 2026’…
THE UK is set to hit highs of 25C next week, according to the BBC – so you can expect the beaches to be busy at the weekend.
So we’ve rounded up some of the best alternative bays and coves that are quieter than their busy neighbours – and some local top tips.
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Swap Margate for…. Kingsgate Bay
Expect crowds in Margate in the summerCredit: AlamyBut Kingsgate Bay is much quieter and just as prettyCredit: Alamy
The golden sands of Margate’s Main Beach can be pretty crowded come summer – but just down the road is the much quieter Kingsgate Bay.
The tiny patch of sand is overlooked by Kingsgate Castle and the Captain Digby pub, and it known for it’s rocky arch formation which you can walk through when the tide is out.
“It’s on the King Charles III England Coast Path so you’ll likely only be joined by hikers and dogwalkers.
“But the steep steps down also keep it nice and secluded – I often take a book for some peace and quiet there.” Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor.
Hunstanton is well loved – meaning crowds of familiesCredit: AlamyThornham has no arcades, so far fewer crowdsCredit: Alamy
Hunstanton in north westNorfolk gets pretty rammed with tourists in the summer – where the roads get clogged with holidaymakers rushing to its promenade, and it’s easy to waste half of your day sitting in traffic to get there,.
If you head just 10 minutes east along the coast, you’ll find Thornham Beach.
“Park up in a quiet spot on the side of the road and walk through the pretty pinewoods to reach a massive beach that is much less chaotic.
“You’ll find dog-walkers and the odd family with a picnic, but no flashy amusement lights and blaring music – just a gorgeous stretch of sand.” Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter.
Swap Paignton for… Fairy Cove
Everyone knows Paignton’s beach gets busy in the summerCredit: AlamyFairy Cove is small, but so peaceful and quietCredit: Alamy
Paignton is one of Devon‘s busiest seaside towns, especially in the summer.
But just behind the harbour is Fairy Cove, and is a much quieter alternative.
“With a mix of sand and pebbles, this beach is ideal for getting away from crowds of people for either a quiet swim or gently walk.
“The cove is only accessible via steps at the corner of the harbour, but it does mean there are range of facilities nearby as well as the town within walking distance.” Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Swap Clacton-on-Sea for… Frinton-on-Sea
Clacton-on-Sea is a well-established and built up beach so it’s no surprise it gets busyCredit: AlamyFrinton-on-Sea is down the road and lined with pretty beach huts – but with far fewer people to fight for space on the sand withCredit: Alamy
When heading to the Essex coast, you’re likely to be drawn in by the big names like Clacton-on-Sea – but it’s so busy, it’s usually hard to even find a spot to lay your towel on the beach.
But if you want a trip to Essex without the frills and thrills, try driving 20-minutes north to Frinton-on-Sea.
“It has a sweeping golden beach with multi-coloured beach huts and is generally much less busy than its neighbout to the south.
“And there’s usually much more breathing space to explore its independent shops, not to mention the town’s only pub, The Lock and Barrel.” Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Swap Folkestone for…. Sandgate
Folkestone’s small stretch of sandy beach can quickly get gnarled up in the summerCredit: Jack Hill/The Times, The Sunday Times.Locals know to go to Sandgate instead for some peace and quiet.Credit: Alamy
There is so much to do on the main Folkestone beach, so that means you can expect crowds too.
But walk along the promenade and you’ll find Sandgate, a similar pebble beach but filled with locals rather than tourists.
“It still has all the pubs, wine bars and cafes you want after a day at the beach, but has a much more peaceful vibe.
“I recommend getting an ice cream at the beach hut and watching the rowers and paddle boardings practising.” Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Swap Newquay for… Mawgan Porth
A typical summer day at Fistral Beach in Newquay often means huge crowdsCredit: AlamyMawgan Porth is still loved by surfers but is much quieterCredit: Alamy
Newquay’s Fistral Beach is popular for a reason – it’s home to next level waves that surfers continuously rave about and it’s got everything from cute shops, board rental shops and cafes. So when the sun shines it tends to get extremely busy.
At the opposite end of Newquay, however, and less than seven miles away is Mawgan Porth.
“This beach is just as impressive visually – sparse softs sands backed by craggy cliffs – but tends to be far emptier thanks to its wide expanse of sand that stretches very far back, meaning you’ll always find a spot for your picnic blanket or lounger.
“It’s dog-friendly year round and my Frenchie Dora loves the vast space just as much as I do – chasing frothing waves along the shoreline.” Sophie Swietochowsi, Assistant Travel Editor
Swap Polzeath for… Hawkers Cove
Polzeath is the nicknamed UK’s St Tropez – hence the crowdsCredit: AlamyHawkers Cove is far enough away that people can’t be bothered to visitCredit: Alamy
Cornwall’s Polzeath is often referred to as the St Tropez of Britain because of the high-end crowd it attracts and the rather lavish dining spots on its doorstep. It is, however, crowded from dawn until dusk on a hot day, with some of its bars open ’til very late.
Almost opposite this beach, across the mouth of the Camel river, you’ll find Hawker’s Cove which is far enough away from the main bay that many visitors can’t be bothered to venture here.
“If you do manage to make the walk from the main car parks, however, you’ll be rewarded with a small(ish) patch of sand and pretty much complete isolation.
“There’s not much nearby, but that’s why I love it: just you, sweeping dunes and one teeny tea shop selling scones, light bites and smoothies.” Sophie Swietochowsi, Assistant Travel Editor
