Celeb staycation hotspots

Need ideas for your next holiday? Laura Millar follows the stars who love to take a break right here in the UK

follow the stars who love a Uk break

The B word has dominated our lives for the past three years, but it seems there may be a Brexit bonanza, as more and more Brits are holidaying in the UK. Bookings are up by a third on 2018, and half of Brits plan to spend their main holiday at home this year*.

Uncertainty over queues at European passport control and the weak pound have undoubtedly affected our holiday plans, but another, happier, factor has had an influence – last summer’s very welcome consistently warm weather.

So get out and enjoy what’s on your doorstep, like these canny celebrities – you won’t regret it.

JUDY MURRAY’S SCOTTISH HIDEAWAY Isle of Eriska

Why The beauty of the western Scottish coast captivates Brits and visitors alike, including tennis champion Andy Murray’s mother, Judy. ‘I love the Isle of

Eriska, a tiny island in Argyllshire, about 12 miles north of [the small port town] Oban,’ she says. ‘It’s so isolated that there’s no mobile phone signal; all you can hear are birds and the water.’

Must see Wildlife is abundant in the area; you can spot sea eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and buzzards. Take a whale-watching boat trip (sealife adventures.com) – you might also see porpoises, basking sharks, otters and seals. Must do Climb Oban’s Pulpit Hill for spectacular views over the harbour, then get a sense of local history at nearby Dunstaffnage Castle, which dates from the 13th century, and McCaig’s Tower, which looks like a miniature Colosseum. Whisky fans should tour the Oban Distillery (obanwhisky.com).

Must eat Ee-Usk (eeusk.com) – it’s the Gaelic word for fish – describes itself as ‘the seafood capital of Oban’, and for years has been dishing up the freshest langoustine, oysters and scallops. Stay The luxurious Perle Oban offers views both of the harbour and surrounding Highlands. Rooms from £119 per night, perleoban.com

EMILIA FOX’S FAVOURITE CORNISH RETREAT Fowey

Why This small port town sits at the mouth of the river, which gives it its name in South Cornwall, on the scenic Polperro Heritage Coast. Emilia Fox got to know it when filming the drama Delicious, and now says, ‘I absolutely love the beach, the space, the community – and the ice cream!’ Must see Stroll up the South West Coast Path to see the ruins of the 16th-century St Catherine’s Castle, which will bag you a beautiful view over the harbour at the same time.

Must do Sunbathe in the shelter of pretty Ready money Cove.

Must eat The Ship Inn is Fowey’s oldest pub, and the place to go for fish and chips (shipfowey.co.uk). Stay Retreat to Fowey offers four stylish self-catering apartments, most with sea views, and all with access to the spa at Fowey Hall Hotel. Prices on enquiry, retreattofowey.co.uk >>

AMANDA HOLDEN’S COUNTRY BOLTHOLE The Cotswolds

Why If there’s anywhere that illustrates the phrase ‘chocolate-box beauty’, it’s the Cotswolds. No wonder it’s where TV personality Amanda Holden chose to buy a second home; she is reported to love the rural way of life.

Must see The Cotswolds is Shakespeare country – Stratford-upon-Avon is where you’ll find his birthplace.

Must do Tick off some lovely villages on the Glyme Valley Way walk, a 16-mile hike from Chipping Norton to Woodstock. Must eat The new Ox Barn restaurant at Thyme is wowing visitors with its modern British menu; thyme.co.uk

Stay Dormy House is a 17th-century farmhouse-turned-boutique hotel. Rooms from £269 per night, dormyhouse.co.uk

ANGELA RIPPON’S DEVONSHIRE DELIGHT Tavistock

Why This charming county in the southwest of England boasts both sandy beaches and national parks. It’s also nearby to where presenter Angela Rippon was born and where she frequently returns to. ‘Tavistock is my spiritual bolthole,’ she says. ‘It has the most wonderful market every other Saturday, beautiful architecture, a stunning old parish church, and is somewhere you can visit all year round. Lastly, it’s right on the edge of Dartmoor, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which is just made for walking.’

Must see Exeter Cathedral is a striking Gothic edifice you can tour around (exeter-cathedral.org.uk), while if you’re an Agatha Christie addict, don’t miss a trip to Greenway, her holiday home by the River Dart near Galmpton (nationaltrust.org.uk). Must do Hike around the ancient woodland of Dartmoor National Park or get stuck into some mountain biking in Exmoor National Park.

Must eat Treat yourself to the best local produce the county has to offer at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Kitchen and Deli in Axminster (rivercottage.net).

Stay Wake up by the sea at the lovely Cary Arms hotel in Babbacombe Bay, Torbay. Rooms from £215 per night, caryarms.co.uk

BEVERLEY KNIGHT’S STATELY ESCAPE Peak District

Why The sprawling landscapes of the Peak District are some of the most picturesque in the UK. No wonder singer Beverley Knight headed here for a break last year with her husband, saying, ‘We need to appreciate the beauty on our doorstep here in Britain.’

Must see There are plenty of attractions in the area, including several stately and historic homes, such as Chatsworth House (chatsworth.org) and Bolsover Castle (english-heritage.org.uk).

Must do There are hiking and cycling trails aplenty, but if you want something a little more adventurous, you can also go rock climbing, or explore the ancient limestone caves of Poole’s Cavern (poolescavern.co.uk). Must eat You have to stop off at the quaint market town of Bakewell for one of its famous almond and cherry tarts. Stay The Coach House, Derby, is a contemporary gem around half an hour from the National Park, with rooms from £75 per night, coachhousederby.com

TWIGGY’S POETIC LOVE AFFAIR The Lake District

Why Forests, mountains, and, of course, lakes, make this part of North West England spectacular. One of its greatest fans is model Twiggy, who first visited 30 years ago as Ken Russell, the director of one of her films, had a house there. ‘We’d visit him and go for hikes in the hills,’ she says. ‘You can see why some of Britain’s greatest poets, such as Wordsworth, loved it so much.’

Must see Immerse yourself in The World of Beatrix Potter (hop-skip-jump. com), perfect for all the family.

Must do The hardy can scale Scafell Pike and be rewarded with stunning views. Alternatively, take a gentle lake cruise on Derwentwater.

Must eat lenclume (lenclume.co.uk) is Simon Rogan’s gourmet haven in Cartmel.

Stay On the shores of Derwentwater sits the luxurious Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa. Rooms from £190 per night, lake district hotels.net/lodorefalls w & h