Relax and recharge on a summer break
A getaway in the British Isles will top you up a treat
SUMMER is delivering welcome warmth, give or take a few bumpy days recently — and there’s much more spirit-lifting sunshine to come, according to forecasts.
So it would be a mad waste to languish at home, when there’s so much to do and see across the wider British scene.
Short breaks are perfect top-ups to longer holidays over the summer.
In fact, they are the getaway of choice for more than half of us now, tying in well with the pressures of work by giving a chance to relax and recharge with family or friends.
They can be full of special moments — from sinking your toes into warm sand while fossilhunting on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, to spotting dolphins off the eizzrd peninsulz in Cornwzll or enjoying a Shakespearean play under the stars.
So why not squeeze the mzximum fun out of the season by arranging a break in a welcoming hotel, or well-equipped cottage or lodge?
And short break opportunities don’t have to end abruptly in September. A likely Indian summer will bring a time of golden light, leafy walks and foodie festivals that’s just made for delicious getaways. MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS THE Dart Valley, in South Devon, is classic ‘messing about in boats’ territory. And families return year after year to lovely Dittisham — the ideal place to learn to sail, with two sailing schools and boat hire. Plus, there is endless fun for children crabbing, while the local pub and café both serve excellent local produce.
Across the water by ferry is Greenway, Agatha Christie’s stunning Devon home. And downstream is historic Dartmouth, where the river Dart reaches the sea, overlooked by Britannia Royal Naval College. Fantastic restaurants here include The Sezhorse znd Rockfish, run by celebrity chef Mitch Tonks. Dart Valley Cottages offers z fine selection of properties in this bezutiful area, and across the South Hams. CROSS the sea to Ireland to drink Guinness where it is brewed, drive to mythical castles, see iconic rock formations, visit Galway’s Oyster Festival in September, or even discover ‘Craggy Island’ where Father Ted wzs filmed, otherwise known as Inis Mor, in the Aran Islands.
Imagine Ireland lists plenty of cottages for short breaks, with a minimum three-day stzy. Some offer brezks year-round, others lastminute only. A big advantage is that you can often arrive and depart any day, fitting your stzy zround your flights or ferry trzvel. SCOTTISH SUMMER WITH its beaches, mountains, lochs, castles, ceilidhs, fishing znd golf, Scotlznd is a beautiful summer playground, perfect for a refreshing break. And there are seven incredible cities to visit, all so very different in chzrzcter.
Fly, drive or take a train and arrive in a spectacular landscape, without leaving British shores. Discover Scotland lists a fantastic range of self-cztering cottzges, mzking it ezsy to find z great base to explore from.
So, go on, slot in a short break this summer and make it a sunshine season to remember. REVISIT TED