Where can I go on holiday? inews

From next Saturday, anyone will be able to stay overnight in self-contained accommodation in England “as long as shared facilities can be kept clean”. The Prime Minister also advised that “most leisure facilities and tourist attractions will reopen if they can safely do so”, which is good news for galleries, historical sights, museums, nature reserves and gardens that have also been struggling with revenue loss.

The full report includes more guidance such as increased ventilation, mask use and extra cleaning of hand contact services.

Several “Covid-safe” accreditation schemes are already underway; look out for the AA’s Covid Confident assessment scheme, Visit England, Visit Wales and Visit Scotland’s We’re Good to Go self-certification, and the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp.

The recent announcements have unsurprisingly created a rush on holiday bookings.

The Rest Easy Group, which owns companies such as Snaptrip and Big-Cottages.com, has seen a 172 per cent increase in bookings compared to this time last year, and Canopy and Star’s whimsical yurts and treehouses are almost fully booked until September. Sarah de Vere Drummond, co-founder of Kip Hideaways, says, “Traffic to the site is already more than five times higher this month compared to last. While there are still pockets of summer availability, I would advise booking as far ahead as you can to avoid disappointment.”

If you have an existing booking anywhere in the UK, it’s worth checking when you can go; some businesses have delayed opening so they can get the right cleaning protocols in places and ensure staff safety. For those without bookings, there are plenty of options still available.

For self-catering accommodation, bypass the more established booking sites with dwindling availability and turn instead to local, independent agencies. Crabpot Cottages (crabpotcottages.co.uk) have 24 cottages skirting Norfolk’s windswept coast with a “master cancel” policy offering total flexibility on bookings this summer. Dog-friendly Old Bakery Mews is a snug stay for two in the middle of the charming seaside town Sheringham, or two-bed bungalow, Greenshome, is walking distance from Blakeney’s quayside.

Welcoming visitors to the Lake District, Coppermines (coppermines.co.uk) is a locally-run cottage company with availability this summer and a Covid-cleaning promise. The Stables at Knotts Farm is surrounded by rolling countryside above Windemere, and Badger’s Nest is a one-bed bolthole with views across Coniston Water.

Sand & Stone (sandandstoneescapes.com) is a collection of properties throughout Devon, Cornwall and the Cotswolds. Its flagship property, Black Moon in St Ives, with floor to ceiling sea views, is available in August.

Cabins and Castles (cabinsandcastles.co.uk) is a newish site offering pretty rentals around Sussex with flexible booking terms. It still has availability inland including The Farmhouse, with a two-acre garden, close to The Witterings and South Downs Way House (sleeping up to eight) with sweeping views of its namesake.

First published in print July 2020. Read online here.