Make the most of YOUR time with a LONG WEEKEND

We all live for the weekend, when we can spend time with friends and family, but never more so than in the summer. So why not make the most of this fabulous time of year by adding a day or two on to the weekend and going away?

TIME spent with loved ones is precious, and it somehow feels better still when you manage to get away from the strains of everyday life. A recent survey commissioned by Halfords showed that 51 per cent of UK families said they felt they didn’t spend enough time together, with 70 per cent saying they wanted to spend more time outdoors with their children.

That’s where a short break can really make a difference, allowing you to wind down and relax in picturesque surroundings, far from the concerns of the daily grind. Fresh air, exercise, and beautiful scenery are just what you need to recharge body and soul, and reconnect with those you love. And you don’t need long - a long weekend is enough to catch your breath and enjoy a restorative break.

But where’s best to go? Britain is stuffed full of beautiful places - the only problem is choosing where!

And that’s where Halfords comes in with their brilliant interactive staycation map (halfords.com/ staycation-map) listing hundreds of ideas for days out, cycle rides, and even campsites to help you make the most of your time off.

Have a browse of the map - you can search by region or activity - and pick the perfect break for you, whether you want a campsite in the Peak District, a family-friendly cycle trail in North Norfolk, or a fabulous dramatic drive through rugged Welsh countryside.

Then all you need is to make sure you’ve got everything you need, from sat navs to roof boxes, tents to cycles, and picnic baskets, a wide selection of which is available at your nearest Halfords store, and you’re ready to head off.

With help from Halfords, you can turn that long weekend into something really special, a well-earned break that both perks you up and winds you down, and that you’ll remember long after you’ve returned to the humdrum routine of your daily life. A few days cycling, camping or just bowling along on an open road with the wind blowing the cobwebs away can completely alter your state of mind and give you time off to think.

And a long weekend doesn’t require weeks of organisation in advance. No jabs, no passports, no stress.

Wherever you live, no one’s more than a handful of miles away from a complete change of pace.

The kids will love it and, with Halfords on board, it couldn’t be easier to get some fresh air and time together while you can!

ON YOUR BIKE

CYCLING is big right now and no wonder – it’s good for you, it offers cardio exercise without stressing your joints like running does, and it helps you get fresh air, while allowing you to switch off from the pressures of modern life. The UK is ideal for every type of cyclist to enjoy, and with thousands of miles of dedicated cycleways, a climate suited to gentle exercise and scenery that’s staggeringly varied, there is something for everyone.

The Halfords staycation map is interactive and lets you choose where to ride by region. How about the Lake District, the South Coast, or even the Cwmcarn Forest in South Wales, where an old mining area has been transformed into trails ideal for walking or cycling?

The Antrim Loop in Northern Ireland is an easy-peasy five-mile ride for you and the kids, through a nature reserve and past Lough Neagh.

Or head to Scotland and cycle the Spey Valley, home to some of the country’s most famous whisky distilleries, through cool forests and close to Ballindalloch Castle, aka ‘the pearl of the north’. The map also tells you how far you are from your nearest Halfords, which is handy if you realise you’ve left something back at the ranch. Whichever part of the country you choose, there’s one bonus of cycling: you’re burning so many calories you can stop for as many cream teas as you like. Before you go, you need to make sure your bike is up to it. That’s where a free bike check from Halfords is invaluable: not only that, it can

be repaired for you, have any necessary parts fitted. And if it’s time for a new bike, Halfords has a wide range with 20 per cent off, including the Carrera Subway, below (now £240, was

£300), which comes in both men’s and women’s versions and has a lightweight aluminium frame and 24 gears to cope with any hill. Also on offer are bikes for youngsters like this Pendleton Littleton Junior, above (now £128, was £160),which is a great kids’ bike at an even better price.

THE CAR’S THE STAR

IF YOU live in any of the country’s built-up areas, it’s easy to believe that the great days of motoring are history, but that’s so wrong. There are still countless miles of almost empty roads just waiting to be driven, many in areas of outstanding natural beauty. And while you enjoy the view, why not make the most of the trip by listening to your favourite tunes with digital stereos, available from Halfords from £82, and letting the children enjoy cartoons on a Nextbase DVD player, above right (£62 from Halfords)? Meanwhile,

installing a dash cam (Nextbase dashcam, from £39, from

Halfords) will give you peace of mind, and a Bluetooth hands-free kit from Halfords means you can keep in touch with loved ones safely.

Once you’re sorted for kit, have a look at the Halfords staycation map to pick a route – there are plenty. Scotland is probably at the top of many people’s list, with any number of sensational and relaxing routes to choose from.

Just one example is the North Coast 500: beginning in the Highland capital of Inverness, 500 miles of scenic touring which then winds up the west coast, along the northern edge of Britain, before snaking down through John O’Groats and back to Inverness. Or the Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion in Northern Ireland, a stunning drive through volcanic landscapes which inspired CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. It’s simply breathtaking, and just over an hour from Belfast. But head out of any of the big conurbations and there are exhilarating and enjoyable roads waiting to be driven. The Peak District, Exmoor, the Fens and the Yorkshire Moors are some of the best known areas, but swing off most A roads or motorways, and you’ll find a quieter and much less hassled world. And unlike the old days, with a satnav from Halfords it’s actually impossible to get lost. Whether you pack a flask and a tartan rug is entirely up to you.

TAKE A TENT

AT ITS simplest, all camping requires is a tent, sleeping bag and a few other bits and bobs (all available at Halfords). But there’s no need to rough it if you don’t want to – camping can also be as luxurious and indulgent as you fancy. Halfords has everything you need to make your family camping break perfect, from the 2-Man Dome Tent with Porch, below (now £18, was £36) to the 4-Man Vis a Vis Tent (£60), which fits all the family. And don’t forget the kids! They will love to sit in the star kids’ folding chair (now £8, was £12).

Halfords is constantly adding great campsites to the staycation map, such as the one at Ravenglass in Cumbria, where the Roman fort and remains of a bathhouse are just a jump from Hadrian’s Wall cycle path.

Or get right out there on Bryher, the smallest of the five Isles of Scilly, where white-sand beaches like Popplestones offer the sort of views that you’ll be posting on Facebook or Instagram (#jealousmuch?).