Everywhere, people are currently much more home-based, spending more time with those they live with, watching nature and observing the seasons more closely as they change. Many of us are volunteering within our own communities and getting out into the garden where we can. Even those of us who are busier than ever, implementing special measures at this time, are looking at more local ways to relax in our down-time. From our home offices, we at the Big Journey Company have been compiling a list of our favourite local places to visit, giving us something to look forward to when lockdown is over. Here is it- a Top 10 Places to Visit Later in the UK, as voted by Big Journey Company staff members;

10. National Wallace Monument, Stirling Scotland (Jackie)
The National Wallace Monument is a tower paid for by public fundraising, which has stood on the shoulder of Abbey Craig overlooking Stirling for 150 years. It overlooks the scene of Scotland’s victory at the Battle of Stirling bridge, evoking thoughts of William Wallace: patriot, martyr and guardian of Scotland.

9. Borough Market, London (Karen)
Borough Market is by London Bridge in Southwark. It is the oldest market in London, dating back to the 12th Century. You can enjoy a great day out to visit and taste the wonderful food they sell here: speciality veg and fruit and also meat and fish. You can buy anything from a pork pie to oysters. Borough Market is near Southwalk Cathedral, Tate modern art gallery and the London Eye which are all worth a visit on a nice sunny day on the River Thames.

8. Welsh Coastline of Snowdonia National Park, Wales (SamO)
Snowdonia National Park is the biggest national park in Wales, with Wales’ largest lake and highest mountain as well as long, golden quiet stretches of beach. The combination of mountains meeting the sea is SamO’s favourite. The coastline of Snowdonia National Park is very quiet and relatively unspoilt. Log family days spent on the shore with kayaks, buckets and spades, ghillie kettles and windbreaks are the best days.

7. The Cotswolds, England (Mark)
The rolling hills of the Cotswolds in south-central area of England are a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. are one of them. The area is dotted with very pretty villages full of character. Burton on the water is really the most well-known town, but Stow on the Wold on market day is very interesting.

6. Old Trafford Football Ground, Manchester (Fran)
Old Trafford is a place that everyone knows. Wherever in the world the English travel, people ask about English football teams and their grounds. When Fran says she is from Manchester, United/ Beckham/ Giggs/ Charlton/ Ronaldo are the next things that anyone says (age-dependant of course, haha). Thousands usually flock to visit Old Trafford every day and take a tour. It is a dream of many to watch a match there. To see the name glowing red at the top of the stand as you drive out of town feels like home. When you walk down Sir Matt Busby Way with thousands of other people, heading to the ground on match night you cannot fail to be impressed.

5. The Isle of Man (Kathryn)
The Isle of Man sits in the Irish sea between England and Ireland. It is a British Crown Dependency- this means it is self-governing. In fact, the Isle of Man has the oldest continuous parliament in the world, which has been standing since 979. It even has its own coins and notes. It has its own Manx-Gaelic language and a strong local pride in its history and culture. The island is roughly 32 miles long by 14 miles wide. There are beautiful beaches to explore, mountains to climb, castles to visit and wildlife to spot as well as lots of delicious food to eat. The Isle of Man is also the motorcycling capital of the world, with the TT races here famed as the most prestigious in the world. Fun fact- The BeeGees are from The Isle of Man.

4. Heversham Head, Cumbria (SamS)
Any walk that begins with the instructions ‘Head through the churchyard, over the style and up onto the lane’ in this area s going to have amazing views. Heversham Head is very quiet, really only walked by locals It is a beautiful place to get away from the business of home, blow the cobwebs away and enjoy the views across the English Lake District to the North west and across Morecambe Bay and towards the isle of Man to the south and west. beautiful.

3. Thornbury Castle Hotel, (Mark)
Thornbury Castle was built in 1511 and converted much more recently into a luxury hotel. What could be more wonderful than a few nights here feeling as though you are a guest in a royal retinue. Stroll the walled gardens, gazing up at the turrets and towers. Savour a vintage whisky while firelight plays on the wood panels. Dine on exquisite dishes made with fresh, local produce, before climbing the stone spiral stairs to your bedchamber.

2. Bluebells across Rannerdale, England (So)
As winter gives way to spring and the sun hangs high in the cloud-free skies, nowhere are the bluebells more spectacular than in Rannerdale Knotts, The English Lake District. The bluebell fields here come with their own local legend-
The area around Buttermere does not appear on the Domesday Book. This is because it resisted the Norman invasion for decades after 1066. When the Norman Army finally arrived, local warriors commanded by the Earl Boether drew the Norman army into the valley on the west side of Rannerdale Knott. Here the Normans were ambushed from the side and from above. Local folklore says a bluebell sprouted from the blood of each fallen soldier.
Mixed with the lush greens and bright yellow of the Gorse, the area now resembles a Monet painting rather than a battlefield. It is a fabulous place to walk- Rannerdale Knotts has everything you could want from a Lakeland fell. Even when the bluebells are not showing there is some amazing ice cream on sale!!

1. Corryvreckan Whirlpool, Isle of Jura, Scotland (Jackie)
The Whirlpool is the third largest in the world, created by tidal currents in Corrywreckan straits between Jura and Scarba islands to the north of the Scottish mainland. The speed of current reaches 16 km/h. This rises waves up to 9 m high and the roar of whirlpool is heard even 16 km far away. Obviously, don’t go right in when you visit this spot... The whisky is excellent here, too, for warming up afterwards.

If you have compiled your own home-based top 10, we would love to see your list.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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