Where to go after lockdown
For many of us, foreign travel is simply off the cards for the foreseeable future. Those who were planning their summer holidays in Greece or the Italian lakes sipping Mai Thais or tucking into a glass of wine in the hot sun have had to put things on hold indefinitely. Of course, people are anxious to know when life will return to the way it was, and travel enthusiasts the world over are deeply troubled by how expensive air travel is about to become.
But, not all is lost quite yet. Quarantine is going to end, though we don’t know when. And when it does, we’re all going to be stuck in the countries we call home for a long time. But if you happen to live in England, you are in luck, because you have access to a treasure trove of undiscovered secrets, sights, and wonders.
So without further ado, I present to you a top 3 list of the place you might want to visit in the coming months for when you’re out of lockdown but stuck in borders.
The Lake District
What list of iconic places to visit in the UK would be complete without arguably the king of them, the Lake District? I’ve spent many weekends of my life here, tackling some of the tallest mountains in the country, with nothing but a backpack and oversized boots. I once took a friend for the day who thought the lakes were ‘just a ten-minute walk around a pond’. The truth is, it’s an area almost the size of New York and can be a little intimidating to some visitors.
A great place to start would be Windermere, located in the Southern region and home to the largest lake in England. Here you’ll find Lakeland Oasis Park, Wray Castle, and the Lakes Aquarium. If this doesn’t interest you, it also makes for a great experience to sit and gaze at the lake from one of the quaint little cafes or bars, which is especially lovely in the height of summer.
Of course, this isn’t all that’s on offer in the lakes. If you’re looking to push your physical limits, and aren’t content with staying on the ground level, the Lake District is a paradise of foothills and the odd snow-topped peak. I’d recommend starting with one of the smaller offerings like Old Man or one of the scenic flat routes around Ambleside, Ullswater, or Keswick. Regardless of the time of year, you can’t go wrong with any of these, especially if you end it with a rewarding drink and meal at any of the remote pubs littered throughout the Lakes. It may take some time to build up to scaling the infamous Scafell Pike, but when you do, I can tell you from personal experience you feel you’ve conquered a small army, fought a lion, and run a barefoot triathlon.
If you don’t do any of this, then you ought to at least give Grasmere a visit. This has a particular place in my heart, as it’s where I probably spent the most time growing up. It’s a tiny village, but you won’t be short of things to do. The more literary-minded might want to visit the grave of the famous poet William Wordsworth and head into the Sam Read book shop. After trying one of the nearby hiking routes like Rydal Water, you can then head into the Grasmere Gingerbread shop, where you’re bound to find something worth taking back home, whatever your diet.
Edinburgh
Many were disappointed to hear that the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival had been canceled this year. Still, many want to visit this iconic landmark city and for good reason. Edinburgh’s streets are lined with antique shops, craft stores, and every other shop window seems to have a painting of either a beautiful Highland landscape or a kilt-clad piper silhouetted against the sun. What strikes me the most about Edinburgh is that a nice smell follows you almost everywhere, whether it’s from the nearby beer factory or the street food at the Stockbridge Farmers’ Market.
For some of the best local meals, I’d say you should head into the Blue Blazer, The Stockbridge Tap, or The Raeburn. If crafted ales and beer gardens aren’t for you, maybe go to The Gin Palace. I don’t consider myself a big gin drinker, but I was taken aback by the sheer variety of cocktails on offer, each one tastier than the last.
These are all essential for the Edinburgh experience when there’s no fringe, but if you wanted to see the more cultural side of the city, you can’t go wrong with the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle Museum, or the Royal Yacht Britannia Museum. Honestly, there are most museums here than you can shake a stick at, but if none of them catch your fancy, you can always try out the Edinburgh Dungeons, which is basically the same thing as stepping into a Horrible Histories book.
Cornwall
This is the perfect place to spend some time relaxing in a post quarantine UK, but there’s still plenty of adventure to be had. The mile-long beaches are the best for practicing your surfing skills, or just playing fetch with your favorite pooch.
Try out Newquay Zoo if you’re there, or check out St. Eval’s Kart Circuit. You can also spend days on end going walking along the South coast, staring into the ocean, and topping it off at St. Ive’s bakery or the Strand Cafe for one of Cornwall’s famous pasties. There’s a shop selling them for every dietary option in nearly every town, and you won’t be disappointed.
Once lockdown is over, there are plenty more places I still need to explore for myself. Of course, there are the usual places I need to tick off, like Stone Henge and the Cliffs of Dover, but I’ve also got a keen hankering for the Scilly Isles. I think corona has reminded many of us just how much we take travel for granted. But, just remember in the coming months that while you may be stuck in the UK, there’s still plenty to see and explore on this little island.
