The 10 best British holidays for people who hate the heat
'The chance of exceeding 40C is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the Sixties,' says Dr Gillian Kay, Met Office senior scientist. 'Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising.'
Perhaps unsurprisingly, as the weather keeps getting hotter, so internet searches for 'coolcations' have also rapidly increased – up 300 per cent year-on-year. Destinations with brisker climes – Canada, Scandinavia, Iceland, the Alps – are trending. But there are ways to avoid the heat at home too. You just need to pick the right activity and the right accommodation in the right place.
If you want to survive your staycation sweat-free, here are a few cool ideas.
1. Shoot the sea breeze on the Shetland Islands
Summers on Britain's most northerly outpost are short, cool and breezy – ideal for the heat-averse, and for exploring the archipelago on foot. A wealth of wildlife likes to over-summer here too, so look for whales and dolphins as you stroll at Sumburgh Head, spot great skuas on the cliffs as you round the Ness of Hillswick, and see puffins up close on the isles of Yell and Unst – as far north as it's possible to go.
Ramble Worldwide (01707 331133; rambleworldwide) offers a seven-night guided Shetland trip from £2,009 per person, half board, including flights from Glasgow; departing July 5, August 9 and September 6 and 20 2025.
2. Take the posh plunge in Shropshire
What's cooler than staying in a stately home? Especially one with its own Georgian plunge pool. Salwey Lodge, near Ludlow, was built in the 1740s and has remained in the Salwey family ever since. Now it welcomes guests. Sleep in one of the four elegant bedrooms, share field-to-fork feasts in the dining room, explore the extensive grounds and dip in the 18th-century baths. There are also wonderful walks from the door, including into Mortimer Forest, a 1,000-hectare green space, perfect for forest bathing in the shade.
Salwey Lodge (07766 545515; thesalweylodge) offers a two-night Ludlow Weekend package from £290 per person, full board.
3. Mix hills, vales and waves in Pembrokeshire
North Pembrokeshire receives fewer visitors than the south, and offers many ways to escape the heat. Head to genteel Newport and stay at Y Sied – the cottage's thick stone walls should keep temperatures down. There are good spots nearby for sea dips: Newport Sands, Aberfforest, Pwllgwaelod. You can also take breezy walks in the Preseli Hills, which rise behind; perhaps seek shade beneath the 5,500-year-old dolmen of Pentre Ifan. Then explore hidden-away, fern-frilled Rosebush Quarry – one of Wales's best wild-swimming spots.
Coastal Cottages (01437 765765; coastalcottages) offers a week at Y Sied, sleeping two, from £719.
The Forest of Bowland may only be eight per cent trees, but it's still a good place to escape the heat. Orchard Glamping, set on a forest-edge farm, is a good-value, nature-immersed base. Head off on moorland and riverside walks into the National Landscape, or head to Wyresdale Park where a huge lake offers paddleboard hire and regular wild swimming sessions (£5.50). For a quirkier kind of cool, go to the Flower Bowl activity centre, home to England's only curling rink (taster session £22; theflowerbowl).
Orchard Glamping (07725 185366; orchardglamping) offers pods, sleeping up to 6, from £200 for two nights.
5. Drink yourself chilled in East Sussex
There's nothing more refreshing on a sweltering day than a chilled glass of something delicious, sipped amid the countryside from which it was made. The new Rother Wine Triangle trail links seven vineyards in the Rother Valley, between Rye, Hastings and Flimwell, all of which offer tours and tastings, and most of which offer accommodation overlooking the grapes (sussexwinelands). Alternatively, disappear into the nearby woods of Glottenham Castle estate: book Rosetti, a glade-tucked cabin with pre-Raphaelite styling, an outdoor shower and a tree growing through its middle.
Canopy & Stars (0117 204 7830; canopyandstars) offers four-night stays at Rosetti, sleeping five, from £435.
6. Cool down on the coast in County Down
Northern Ireland doesn't tend to get that hot. And even if it does, you'll get sea breezes from all sides at St John's Point lighthouse. Stay at one of the two 1830s keepers' cottages that sit beneath the beacon on this wave-surrounded headland, then visit Strangford Lough, the largest sea lough in the British Isles, where you can walk woodland and coastal paths, and explore by kayak or canoe – paddle over to the Boretree Islands to look for basking seals.
Irish Landmark (00353 1 670 4733; irishlandmark) offers two nights at the St John's Point cottages, sleeping four, from £386.
7. Find calm on the canal in Staffordshire
The Shropshire Union Canal is a cool corridor of green and blue space, stretching from Chester to the edges of Wolverhampton. It's a rural waterway, fringed by farmland, woodland and quiet countryside, offering an escape from both the heat and the modern world. Hire a boat from the historic market town of Brewood for a gentle journey to Market Drayton and back via deep cuttings, arched bridges, pretty villages, a handful of locks and towpath pubs before mooring up at Gnosall's Boat Inn for a refreshing pint.
Drifters (0344 984 0322; drifters) offers a four-night August break aboard Sir Ulfius, sleeping four, from £1,097.
8. Live it up with the oaks in Devon
For shadiness at its most English, head to Chevithorne Barton estate. This ancient patch, between Exmoor and the Blackdown Hills, is home to the UK's biggest collection of oaks, as well as a walled garden, bright summer borders and other rare trees. Visit on a free open day (July 7 to 13; August 4 to 8 2025) or, better yet, stay on site in the most tasteful of treehouses. Verte is a RIBA award-winning build of wood and glass where you can row on private lakes and live stylishly amid the trees.
Unique Homestays (01637 881183; uniquehomestays) offers a week at Verte, sleeping 10, from £3,795.
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park is an untamed vastness, with miles of rivers, swathes of woodland and 22 lochs. A great way to explore is by hiking the 48km Great Trossachs Path, from Inversnaid to Callander. For the coolest take on the route, join a hike-swim trip that combines walks via waterfalls, RSPB reserves and lofty Munros with refreshing dips – a coach can help with your technique or you can simply float and enjoy the views.
Responsible Travel (01273 823700; responsibletravel) offers a five-day guided Trossachs trip from £995 per person, B&B, including lunches, excluding flights; departing July 17 2025.
10. Embrace the cold in North Yorkshire
Without the Gulf Stream to warm it, Britain's North Sea coast offers a brisker seaside break than the west. For a very cool break, stay at Saltmoore which, opened in 2024, sits on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. Its Sanctuary Spa offers a wealth of wellness, from a Brass Monkey ice bath to a cryotherapy chamber. It's only a 10-minute walk to Sandsend beach, a sweeping strand with views to Whitby Abbey, bracing swimming and good surf – you can hire surf boards, kayaks and paddleboards (whitbysurf).
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‘Eco-hypocrite' Miliband refuses to reveal his number of domestic flights
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From £920 per room (yes, that includes drinks) it's certainly not cheap, but that doesn't preclude it from also representing good value, given a night at many similar Cotswolds country house hotels costs north of £600, room-only, and Foxhill's B&B rate starts at £595. So I set out to discover if the extra outlay is worth it. Foxhill passes the poshness test with flying colours. It's a honey-stoned grade II listed Arts and Crafts manor house ensconced in 500 acres of the Farncombe Estate. Interiors eschew flashiness in favour of quiet quality. Its eight bedrooms are minimalist masterpieces, ranging from enormous to ginormous. Ours has side-by-side bath tubs positioned by the window for maximum bucolic impact. Its diminutive size also helps Foxhill achieve the holy grail of hospitality, a seductive home-from-home informality. There's no reception or formal check-in and no need for the dreaded plastic wristbands typical of all-ins. There are no staff uniforms either. Instead our casually dressed 'host' Matt ushers us into the drawing room, where the stylish furniture comes in the colours of the cognac and cream liqueurs on the elegant sideboard. Completing the cosy vibe, there is a huge stone fireplace with glowing logs and mullion windows filled with beguiling views across the Vale of Evesham to the Malvern Hills. • 25 of the best hotels in the Cotswolds for 2025 Matt has such a contagious jovial manner and easy confidence that we soon feel relaxed. He bounds over to the bottles and asks what we'd like. Apart from a generous array of spirits, there are soft drinks and champagne (Delamotte Brut). I'd be derelict in my duty to decline a glass of bubbly. Likewise, I diligently sample the chocolate cupcakes (delicious) and scones (feather-light). We pass on lunch but Matt emphasises we can change our minds whenever we like and help ourselves to drinks any time. We watch another couple do just that. Chilly after a walk with their dog, they nod a friendly hello, then pour themselves gin and tonics. The ambience is house-party conviviality so we get chatting. The couple stay two or three times a year and are very happy with the conversion to all-inclusive. That reminds us, we're here for food and drink, not idle conversation, so we head off to the pantry. It's piled high with all sorts of snacks that would make Henry Dimbleby break down and cry: liquorice allsorts, jelly beans, lemon bonbons and every flavour of crisps and nuts. You'd have to eat Mr Creosote's body weight in Mr Filbert's Crunchy Corn nibbles to get a return on that room rate, though, so I decide to save myself for dinner. Dining is where Foxhill scores mega bonus points. With a maximum of 16 guests you really can eat and drink any time, any place, anywhere you like around the property. The drawing room or garden often win out over the pretty restaurant, as does the bay window on the landing (surprisingly intimate and with excellent views). You can also eat anything you like. Fillet steak? It's yours. Not even a hankering for foie gras followed by lobster thermidor will faze the chef. • 13 of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world The reason Foxhill's menu has a flexibility to rival the online yoga sensation Adriene is because the manor shares the glorious estate with its award-winning sister properties, Dormy House and the Fish, which have seven restaurants between them. That's a lot of larders for Foxhill's team to raid to meet awkward guests' demands. The managing director, Tom Aspey, explains, 'Foxhill should feel like home. You eat when and what you want. We accept there will be win and lose days if someone visits the bar repeatedly, but most people stay two nights, settle in and take their time.' Callum, the laid-back general manager, leads us to the kitchen to meet the chef James Sleep to discuss our perfect dinner. When anything is possible my mind tends to go blank, even if I haven't visited the bar repeatedly, so fortunately there's a chalkboard with suggested dishes to customise and seasonal ingredients for inspiration. Many people disregard both and opt for classics such as beef wellington, spotted dick and rum baba. I see Wiltshire truffle on the fresh-in list, which I ask to be served as a starter with some pasta and lots of parmesan. I'm intrigued by the chalkboard recommendation of cod kiev, so that's my main course sorted. My husband chooses hand-dived scallops followed by wild sea bass with crab tortellini and we ask for lots of greens. 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We take our time, working through fruits, pastries, granola, yoghurt, green juices and avocado, and smoked salmon and eggs on sourdough. Newlyweds celebrating their nuptials sip champagne. Everyone else sticks to coffee. As fellow guests tell us repeatedly, knowing the cost upfront and being free to order what they like makes the experience feel more indulgent while, they argue, no more expensive. They are also enthusiastic about Broadway. Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain were fans of the town, which now sports a high street of independent shops, as well as having classic Cotswolds country walks and interesting places such as the National Trust's Snowshill Manor on the doorstep. Going all-inclusive is a bold move by Foxhill Manor but one that may well outfox the d'Arcy was a guest of Foxhill Manor, which has all-inclusive doubles from £920, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, unlimited drinks and wine with meals, spa access, use of ebikes and chauffeur service to Broadway ( Would you book an all-inclusive in the UK? Share your thoughts in the comments
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15 of the best safaris in Africa
The African continent offers endless options when it comes to safari breaks. For first timers, South Africa might be the obvious choice. You're guaranteed to spot at least one of the big five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — and there's accommodation to suit all budgets. For more of an off-the-beaten-track experience, try Zambia, where walking safaris completely immerse you in the wild. Or there's Rwanda and Mozambique, both of which have become known for their conservation efforts in recent years. Every destination is different though, and it's worth speaking to your travel operator about what to expect before you book. Meanwhile, here are some of the best safari spots to start your research. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue On the border of Rwanda and Tanzania, Akagera National Park is something of a conservation success story. Since 2010, the area has been restored from its previously degraded state and thousands of animals now inhabit the park, including reintroduced lions and black rhinos. Akagera is a patchwork of wetlands, lakes, savannas and woodlands — a geographically beautiful park that's full of fascinating wildlife, including the very rare shoebill stork. The 60-room Mantis Akagera Game Lodge is a four-star, mid-range hotel in the national park, overlooking Lake Ihema. In the centre of Mozambique, Gorongosa National Park — once a safari destination favoured by the rich and famous — fell off the tourism radar during the country's civil war, which ended in 1992. A 20-year-old conservation and community development project has reintroduced tourism alongside a slew of other endeavours, from multiple scientific research studies to other income generators such as coffee farming. Visiting Gorongosa is a very cool opportunity to discover a safari destination in development (rehabituating animals, for example), see how a place can recover, and explore the breadth of possibilities within a national park. Muzimu Lodge is a new addition to the park, a tented camp (not suitable for under 12s) on the banks of the Mussicadzi River. • Read our full guide to the world's best adventure holidays This inactive, ancient caldera is — at 2,000 feet deep and spanning 100 square miles in area — one of the world's most dramatic landscapes for viewing wildlife. There are elephants, critically endangered black rhinos, lions and flocks of flamingos. It's not just safaris that you can do in and around the crater, but also hikes and visits to nearby Masai villages. The crater does get crowded, especially at the peak of the dry season from June to September. Wetter weather during the low season means smaller crowds and better rates, though of course conditions are not as favourable. Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is a smart, comfortable hotel with 20 private log cabins, a pool and a spa — and it's just minutes away from the entrance gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. • Best safari camps and lodges in TanzaniaIn the southwest of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is made up of savannas, forests and lakes, and it holds a diverse range of wildlife from elephants to chimpanzees. It's perhaps best known for its lions that have an unusual penchant for climbing trees, but it's also a great place for boat trips and birding. Given its proximity to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it's an excellent safari partner to mountain gorilla trekking (though you'll need to sort a permit for that well in advance). Buffalo Safari Lodge, with beautiful views and a close location to the park entrance, is a great option for Queen Elizabeth visitors. South Luangwa's wildlife viewing is among the best in Africa, particularly for big cats and elephants. You can spot rare subspecies unique to the area, such as Thornicroft's giraffes, too. The park — and Zambia generally — is renowned for walking safaris. So, if you're keen to explore the bush on foot, whether just for the day or on an epic fly-camping adventure, this is the place for you. The Luangwa River attracts large numbers of animals during the dry season, the most popular time to visit. Be aware that many lodges close for the wettest months, between December and March. A popular little spot just outside South Luangwa National Park, Flatdogs Camp used to be a backpackers' base and retains a relaxed, friendly vibe. In southern Tanzania, Nyerere is the country's largest national park — and one of its newest. It was formerly the northern section of the massive Selous Game Reserve, until 2019 when the area was designated a national park. The best wildlife viewing is around the Rufiji River — leisurely boat safaris are a highlight — and the park has populations of lions, elephants, hippos, critically endangered black rhinos and wild dogs. As an added bonus, Nyerere — and the south of Tanzania generally — receives a mere fraction of the tourists who visit the northern parks. Serena Mivumo River Lodge sits on the banks of the Rufiji, with 12 elevated chalets overlooking the the far northeast of South Africa, the Kruger is the most popular safari destination of them all. In addition to the wildlife viewing being superb — especially for leopards, which tend to be extraordinarily nonchalant around vehicles — it's got great tourism infrastructure, including good roads for self-driving safaris. There are basic self-catering facilities or super-luxury lodges in the Kruger's private reserves, so something for most budgets. It can be very busy, but travelling in shoulder or low seasons will help, as might venturing to the less-visited north of the park, where there are great walking trails, big baobabs, and fever tree forests. Among the sleekest luxury lodges on the continent, Singita Lebombo is for the stylish safari-goer. There are 15 suites overlooking the bush or river. The food and wine offerings are excellent, too. • Where should I go in South Africa?• Best safaris in South Africa While the density of its wildlife is much lower than other parts of Africa, Namibia makes up for it with its breathtaking desert landscapes. In the north of the country, Etosha National Park is its most popular safari destination. The best time to visit is during the dry months when animals gather at the water: there are lots of elephants, plus giraffes and lions — and it's possible to see black rhinos, too. The Etosha Pan, the focal point of the park, is a salt pan where mammals and birds such as flamingos gather. You can drive up from the capital Windhoek, or take a scenic light aircraft flight — either option reveals some of Namibia's huge, open landscapes. On the edge of Etosha National Park, Ongava Tented Camp is in a private reserve, where you can go on bush walks and after-dark game vast plains of the Serengeti, in northern Tanzania, star in nature documentaries for good reason. Not only is it a striking landscape, but it's home to incredible wildlife, most of which is extremely habituated to tourists. Watch cheetahs scan for prey from atop a termite mound, or park up next to a leopard chowing its kill in a tree. The Great Migration wildebeest herds stop to graze and give birth to their young in the south of the park from around January to March; from June, you can see them crossing the river as they move between the Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara on their cyclical journey. In the south of the park, Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp has glorious views across the plains. The 12 tents each have private decks and side panels that can be rolled up to take in the central Kenya, the Laikipia plateau is a less-visited alternative to the Masai Mara, with a different appeal. The landscape is open and rolling, with views of Mount Kenya's jagged peaks. The various reserves in this area are home to the big five — including many black rhinos and the last two northern white rhinos, which live in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The region also has wild dogs and rare subspecies such as the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra. A mid-range option in Ol Pejeta, Sweetwaters Serena Camp is a solid choice for travellers looking for comfort without blowing the bank. • The best Kenyan safaris Close to the border with Botswana, Madikwe is a scenic reserve, with rolling hills and rust-orange sand. It's home to the big five and other animals, such as wild dogs. Madikwe is a great option for families, as it's malaria-free and many of the properties are geared to hosting children, with fun activities and private villas. You can also drive from Johannesburg, which cuts down on the expense of light aircraft flights. Madikwe Safari Lodge is a luxury option in the reserve, with 20 suites (including some family suites with bunkbeds) and a three-bedroom National Park is one of Zimbabwe's best and most popular safari destinations, with a diverse range of wildlife. Animals you might spot here include lions, wild dogs, leopards and cheetahs; Hwange is also home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations. In private concessions, you can take walking safaris in addition to game drives. And the park benefits from Zimbabwe's famously excellent guides (due to a rigorous qualification programme). Hwange is easily combined with Victoria Falls, which is only around two to three hours away by road. In a private concession, the simple but comfy nine-tent Wilderness Davison's camp is set by a waterhole often visited by On the banks of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools feels wilder and quieter than most safari destinations in Southern Africa. The name means 'four' in Shona, referring to the four main pools that make up the park. As well as lions and wild dogs, Mana Pools is known for elephants that have learned to stand on their hindlegs to reach higher branches. Explore the river by canoe, or take a bush walk during the dry season (in the wettest months, December to March, parts of the park are inaccessible and lots of properties close). With ten tented suites, set in a private reserve, Wilderness Ruckomechi gives guests a sense of exclusivity and remoteness. Don't miss the opportunity to sleep under the stars. The Masai Mara in southwest Kenya is famous for the beauty of its rolling savanna grasslands, the density of its wildlife populations, and, between July and October, the great wildebeest herds that thunder across the Mara River. Big cats — lions, cheetahs and leopards — are prolific. Wildlife is habituated and easy to find. The key to enjoying your time in the Mara is avoiding the crowds — that means finding a great guide or paying a little extra to stay in one of the private community-run conservancies around the edges of the national park. The high-end Cottar's 1920s Camp is in a private conservancy — great for uncrowded wildlife sightings — and is a long-established camp in the Mara. • The best time to visit Kenya The Okavango Delta is one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich areas in Africa. Located in northern Botswana, it is fed by floodwaters from Angola between May and October. This is the time when visitors can explore the reed-lined waterways by mokoro — a traditional canoe — which is a particularly special experience. There are a number of reserves in the delta and tourism is controlled so it feels wild and remote; it's also the most expensive place to go on safari. But the wildlife viewing is exceptional: think buffalo-hunting lions, wild dogs sprinting through the bush, hippos cooling off in the water, elephants browsing acacias. And it's a great birding destination. Vumbura Plains is one of the fanciest camps in the delta and in a really good spot for wildlife sightings, particularly big cats. • Best safari camps and lodges in Botswana In most of southern and eastern Africa, the dry season runs from June to October. The advantage of the dry season is that wildlife tends to congregate around waterholes and the foliage is sparser, making animals easier to see. This is typically considered the best time to travel. But the rainy season can be better for landscape photography and birding (as migratory birds are in the south), as well as it being a quieter and generally cheaper time to travel. Pack comfortable clothes in relatively neutral shades (very bright colours can frighten animals) and layers — mornings and evenings can be chilly enough for a hat and gloves, but by 10am, it'll be T-shirt weather. Bring sturdy, closed-toe footwear if you'll be walking, a hat, sunglasses and suncream. Photographers will want their longest lenses, but plenty of people do fine with their smartphones. Binoculars are very useful, although guides often have pairs to share. A good guide will definitely enhance your safari experience — and in many places, you need them. Places like Kruger are great for self-driving (even without a 4×4) and the wildlife is prolific enough to find without a professional. But for walking or night driving, you will always need a qualified guide. Additional reporting by Qin Xie
