One of the joys of owning your own UK holiday home is that it gives you the time to focus on the simple things. And, as is so often the case in life, it’s the simple things that matter most.
When airports, with their queues and cancellations, and hotels with their rules and regulations are causing people more stress than rest, you can set your own pace in your own holiday home.
Step back.
Slow down.
Let’s pare it all right back to some very simple things to enjoy, like with these 5 simple pleasures to make holiday time your time.
1. Reading can be done practically anywhere, but reading in your own holiday home is special
Sounds not just simple but obvious right? Well perhaps it does, but ask yourself honestly, do you actually read enough? Have you said, within the last few months ‘ I used to read a lot but somehow I never have the time nowadays’?
Being at your own UK holiday home gives you that time. Newsflash: it is not illegal for you sit down with a book for a couple of hours. Neither is it ‘old school’ or out of touch with modern life. In fact, despite all the ways in which we can access entertainment across an ever growing choice of platforms, actual reading is still massively popular.
One of those ways is of course with a kindle or tablet, with a plethora of books at your fingertips or even to listen to on apps like Audible.
You can of course keep it traditional and stock up on holiday reads in a local book shop. Biographies? Romance? Thrillers? Or why not find out more about the area around your holiday home with local history books. Exploring the local town and it’s quirky little shops is one of the biggest joys of being on holiday!
And horror! Have you ever read the classic Dracula? A holiday home in the Redcar Beach area puts you close to Whitby. A lovely town with a long standing link to the Count. If crime is your favourite genre have a look at the newly reissued Uncle Paul by Celia Fremlin. There are dark deeds going on - in holiday homes and caravan parks! But full disclosure, it’s fiction. You’re safe!
There are great crime novels set in just about all the best holiday home locations. From Elly Griffiths who’s books are set on the Norfolk coast and in East Anglia, to Barbara Vine’s stories set in Suffolk - but with Teesside and North Yorkshire connections, to classics from P. D. James with their Essex backdrop , you’ll find fictional goings on, on your holiday home doorstep.
And if a pile of books isn’t your thing, you could sit down with a magazine or a proper, old school, newspaper. Even now in our digital world there’s a real affection for a ‘publication’. Try it.
2. Cycle from your uk holiday home
Cycling is one of those activities that has, shall we say, different levels. You can ride around country lanes in T Shirt and shorts or go the full Lycra cycling look. It depends on your priorities.
If you really want to engage with serious cycling then having your own holiday home is a great way to set up a ‘base camp’ for a week or two at a time. It makes a big difference being away from the day to day. But, if just pottering around, and taking maybe just a little more exercise than usual, is what you’re planning then having a cycle ride or two around your holiday home location is a really satisfying way of spending down time.
Cycle paths and cycle friendly coastal paths are becoming much more the norm. From Suffolk, to Essex, from Lincolnshire to Yorkshire and up to Teeside it’s becoming easier and safer to cycle as part of your holiday home holiday.
It’s pretty easy to store your bike at your holiday home. You might want to explore a lock box for added security. And you really should make sure you have a helmet.
Then it’s down to planning your route. You can just set off and ‘follow your nose’ but it’s fun to look at the local area. (Why not try an actual printed map? Yes. Really). Set yourself a sensible distance, and of course a nice spot for lunch, and set off.
3. Eating, DRINKING or Cooking all OF your favourites
Obviously you’re going to eat! But there’s a difference when you’re at your holiday home. All year round you’re juggling the timescales, fitting in meals - and be honest sometimes skipping them - just to keep everything on track. On holiday in your holiday home you have more time.
So, you can eat out. Researching places to eat in the area around your holiday home has never been easier. There are websites and online guides everywhere.
But, when you’re on holiday you can have more fun with your food without going out. Everybody loves a barbecue for instance. So do it. But - and this is where the fun comes in - just keep it simple. Some fish with a dash of lemon for instance. The simpler the better and simple means more time to savour the conversation (and ok - a glass of something).
Or, and yes, you’re on holiday, but why not prepare something simple in your holiday home kitchen? Try local ingredients to get the full flavour of your holiday home area.
4. Visiting your favourite Places
No, not the relatives, nor those nice people you met on holiday three years ago and promised to stay in touch with. You can do those of course but there are other places to go.
The UK is blessed with countless attractions ranging from the thrills of theme park rides to the heritage of historic buildings. There are parks, gardens, museums and galleries. There are resorts with all the fun of the fair, candy floss and arcades as well as quieter seaside towns with their own secluded charm.
Let’s not forget the shops though. Who doesn’t like a bit of retail therapy on holiday?
Just like the cycling trails, it’s never been easier to plan a visit. Frankly the problem, if there is one, is the sheer amount of choice. Put a couple of hours research in before you set off for your holiday home. It’s worth it.
Waveney River Centre is the perfect place for a walk with the family
5. Walking
And finally, the simplest, easiest and (let’s be honest) cheapest of all the simple pleasures - going for a walk.
Yes, you can spend a bit on boots and clothing if you want to go hiking as opposed to strolling, but it’s not essential. Yes, you can glue yourself to whatever device counts your steps so that you can enhance your sense of achievement, but it’s not obligatory. The key thing is you set off and wander wherever the fancy takes you.
It’s sensible to take some water with you, and of course you need to be aware of where you’re walking; look out for rights of way and footpaths, and avoid busy roads. But there’s a world of difference between walking around, going as far, or not, as you please, and taking in the local scenery, attractions and wildlife, and the day to day run for the bus or train.
And when you’re at your own UK holiday home the opportunity to just set off and stroll really is one of life’s great, and simple, pleasures.
Owning your own UK holiday home is something more and more people are thinking about. It makes financial sense, it gives you and your family somewhere to go to, whenever you want and it reduces your air miles and stress levels at the same time.
We have a superb selection of lodges, caravans and chalets for sale across the UK. It’s one simple step that could open the door to life’s simple pleasures. Easy.
If you’re not quite ready for your own holiday home but still want to try the staycation lifestyle then we got you covered with Holidays for AllSeasons.
Discover self-catering options at Tingdene Broadlands Park & Marina, with stunning views of the Broads in Oulton Broad. Or, explore hotel rooms, lodges, and pitches at Waveney River Centre in Norfolk's picturesque Waveney Valley.
Whether you are looking for a weekend away with the kids, a romantic retreat or a business stay, we’ve got the holiday home or hotel room for you.
