UK's most 'relaxing' town named - and it has it's own island
The most relaxing UK town has been named by experts and it's a beautiful spot for a relaxing beach break - think white sands and an island you can walk to at low tide
Summer is nearly here in the UK, and for those who don't fancy splashing out on an overseas trip but still crave a holiday, a staycation could be the perfect solution. Thousands of Brits are opting to holiday closer to home this year, with Google searches for local holidays skyrocketing by 3,500% since last year, demonstrating the nation's desire for a hassle-free staycation.
To assist you in choosing your destination, Parkdean Resorts has investigated the most tranquil towns in the UK, considering factors such as cleanliness, quality of green spaces, local safety, population density, and light and noise pollution. Topping the list is the beautiful Devon town of Bigbury-on-Sea.
With a sparse population density of just 484 people per 10km and high-quality green spaces (scoring 73.61), this coastal treasure is the ideal spot for a relaxing staycation.
It's also nestled among three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, not to mention Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.
The crowning glory of this stunning region is Bigbury on Sea beach - a breathtaking stretch of white sand complete with its own island that can be reached on foot at low tide, reports the Express.
The beach's calm, clear waters offer visitors excellent swimming and watersports opportunities, while the gently sloping shoreline makes it safe for families with young children.
During the summer months, lifeguards often patrol the beach, allowing for supervised swimming. The rugged coastline surrounding the beach also serves as the perfect starting point for picturesque coastal walks.
When the tide comes in, the island becomes isolated and can only be reached by boat or the unique sea tractor, affectionately known as the Trundle.
This peculiar vehicle is capable of ferrying guests to and from the island. The tractor features a raised cage that keeps passengers safe from the sea, and it's become an iconic sight on the beach.
Burgh Island is renowned for its art-deco style hotel and its connections to famed mystery author Agatha Christie.
She spent considerable time on the island and even penned two of her novels there, both set on the island. 'Evil Under the Sun' and 'And Then There Were None' are both set on this very island.
If you're looking to walk in her footsteps, there's no better place to stay than the celebrated The Art Deco hotel, with its breathtaking sea views and opulent interiors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'I stayed in a UK Center Parcs dupe and the location was simply unreal'
Louise, a mum-of-two, spent three nights at the retreat with her family and was very impressed with the facilities - as well as the price tag Center Parcs is a renowned UK staycation staple for many Brits, with vast parks in some of the most beautiful, rural settings. With sites in Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Wiltshire and Newark to name a few, getting to one of these locations couldn't be easier for many holidaymakers who don't want the fuss of flying. But, with many activities costing extra once there, the parks are often touted as expensive, and can rack up quite the bill. But one mum has revealed a budget-friendly option. Louise, a mum of two children aged nine and six, has come up with a cost-effective alternative that she claims offers a comparable experience without breaking the bank. "If you're looking for a cheap Center Parcs alternative, then this could be right up your street," she said on her Bored with Kids TikTok video. "We spent three nights here for just under 500 quid, or £40 per person per night." READ MORE: 'I'm a former check-in agent and the worst time to travel is not during summer' She's talking about Sherwood Castle Retreat in Newark, Nottinghamshire, a holiday site around 14-miles from its Center Parcs competitor. In snippets from her video, Louise remarked: "It is heavily influenced by its location near Sherwood Forest and by the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. There are loads of original props from the movie here, including the actual reception.", reports Nottinghamshire Live. The mum took to sharing a video of their delightful woodland lodge, replete with kitchen and dining area, a snug living room complete with TV and children's bunk beds, not forgetting the alluring log burner. She explained: "The woodland lodges have hot tubs, and are pretty similar to the Centre Parcs ones with the layout," further revealing, "We even had a log burner here, which was lovely at night." She expressed additional perks: "Plus you have tennis, bowling, and swimming available before 5 pm. You can actually book out the whole pool for yourselves if you wanted. They even have a little animal farm here too. Although you probably don't wanna be staying too close to it as they have two massive cockerels and these woke us up before 5am everyday." However, the lack of Wi-Fi and underwhelming play park and mini golf offerings were downsides she didn't shy away from noting. Wrapping up her review, Louise added: "However, it is less than half the price of the cheapest Centre Parcs lodge, it's in a beautiful location, and there are loads of lovely places to visit nearby,". Louise's video has since stirred up chatter online, with viewers chiming in with their thoughts, including one who recalled, "We stayed there, it was amazing." Several followers expressed gratitude to Louise for highlighting such a gem, with comments pouring in like, "This place looks great and brilliant price." Nestled in a 40-acre woodland in the legendary Sherwood Forest, the Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest is a serene getaway situated near Rufford, Nottinghamshire, just two miles south of Ollerton and a mere stone's throw, 20 miles north, from Nottingham. Offering an enchanting escape, the retreat boasts seven different styles of cosy detached pine lodges that can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 8 people, with some boasting their own private jacuzzis. Set amongst the rustling trees of this storied forest, guests are greeted every morning by the tranquil sounds of nature. The lodges come complete with modern comforts like en-suites stocked with complimentary toiletries, fitted kitchens for self-catering stays, toasty fireplaces, and televisions. Several units also offer a mix of double and bunk bedrooms, catering perfectly to family holidays. Facilities and activities Visitors looking to immerse themselves in the Robin Hood legend will find no shortage of activities, including: Movie buffs of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" will delight at props from the movie, thoughtfully displayed throughout the park, enhancing the magical ambiance connected to the Lore of Robin Hood and providing a truly distinctive experience right in the cradle of English history. How to get there Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest is situated on Rufford Lane. To avoid a wet crossing, it's advised that visitors use the entrance from Wellow side of Rufford Lane, staying clear of the ford (stream). Journeying by Train from London: Hop on an LNER service departing from London King's Cross to Newark North Gate (a swift travel time of 1 hour 27 minutes), followed by a short taxi or bus jaunt that will whisk you to the tranquillity of Sherwood Forest, close to Ollerton. By Car from London: Head north on the M25 to A1(M), continue on the A1 past Peterborough, take the A614 exit towards Ollerton/Rufford, then follow Rufford Lane from the Wellow end - total journey approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, covering 120-130 miles from London. Where to book The retreat can be booked on various sites, including their own website, where a stay begins at £92 per day at the time of writing. You can also secure your spot at the retreat on and TripAdvisor.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Impressive 425-miles UK train line with 11 stops branded 'Eurostar of Scotland'
Brits will soon be able to hop on board and travel more than 400 miles from London to the historic city of Stirling, thanks to a new railway expansion slated to launch in 2026 A huge railway expansion touted as the 'Eurostar of Scotland' is slated to launch next year - spanning a whopping 425 miles from London. Rail operator Lumo recently announced it had successfully secured five Class 222 six-car trains to link London Euston directly to Stirling - a historic city in central Scotland. The new route, which aims to be up and running as early as Spring 2026, will also stop at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. Lumo says the move will 'enhance travel choice and connectivity' for passengers along the central belt of Scotland, and that its new route will run five times a day each way. This particular route is already shared by Avanti West Coast, LNER and TransPennine Express - but Lumo will reportedly be the first provider not subsidised by the government. Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, told the Metro that this will likely make tickets must 'cheaper'. "The service enhancement will significantly improve the passenger experience, especially compared to air travel," she added. "Air travel requires an initial transit to one of London's airports, followed by a two-hour wait for the flight, then a two-hour flight time. In contrast, rail travel involves just a quick journey to Euston station, followed by a five-hour train journey with WiFi, refreshments, and enhanced onboard services." At the time of writing, direct trains from London to Stirling cost as much as £206.80 for an 'Anytime Single' ticket. However, they can be bought for as little as £81.80 if you're flexible with dates. Purchasing a railcard can also help lower the cost of train fares. However, these tend to only offer discounts on Off-Peak times, weekends, and bank holidays - which doesn't help out commuters reliant on the network. In an online statement, Martijn Gilbert of Lumo said: "Today's announcement underscores Lumo's commitment to growing Scotland's rail network, providing passengers with more affordable, fast, and convenient travel options. Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services." Sue Webber MSP, a Conservative Transport spokesperson, also hailed the announcement - arguing it will bring a staggering £740m in economic benefits by 2032. "Crucially, this is being delivered not by government mandate, but through private sector innovation and open access investment," she added. "That's why I believe this model is one we should be championing. Lumo is not replacing existing services – it's adding capacity, increasing choice, and growing the market for everyone." *Prices based on LNER listings for Tuesday, July 1.
Time Out
3 hours ago
- Time Out
These U.S. cities offer the cheapest five-star hotel stays, per Hotels.com
If you're looking for luxury when you're traveling, then you're likely booking yourself a five-star hotel. There, you'll surely find a spacious guest room, a gorgeous lobby, attentive staff and excellent amenities like spa-soft robes for after your shower. Such venues often have fantastic restaurants and spa services on site and curate optional experiences for guests. Overall, these hotels are more than just a place to plunk down your luggage; they can actually be the destination itself. However, according to 's 2025 Hotel Price Index, five-star hotels here in the U.S. are, on average, 27-percent more expensive than they are abroad. And, shhhh, the index shares the information that four-star hotels actually provide a better value. They're significantly nicer than three-star hotels, and you only pay, on average, 38-percent more to move up that level. However, moving from four-star to five-star involves a 118-percent cost increase. But if you are still intent on staying at a five-star property, Portland, Oregon is the cheapest city in the U.S. to book one, according to the index. There, you can find a five-star property for an average of $287 a night. That's a pretty great price for an exceptional experience. For example, with a quick Google search, we came up with The Nines, a five-star Portland property for $246 a night. It's lodged in a historic building but remade with contemporary stylings, and its name pays homage to the idea of being dressed to the nines. The next most affordable city is San Antonio, Texas, where a five-star hotel experience can run $340 a night; followed by Las Vegas, where you can get a hyper-luxe stay for $341 a night (that extra dollar is a killer, but you can surely make it up at the craps table). 1. Portland, Oregon: $287 a night 2. San Antonio, Texas: $340 a night 3. Las Vegas, Nevada: $341 a night 4. Atlanta, Georgia: $361 a night 5. Miami, Florida: $386 a night
