The outdoors can be seen as an overlooked resource as a form of relaxation and escape from everyday life. Too many people are looking towards modern destinations rather than appreciating what is easily accessible to them. A simple way to take a respite from reality would be to take advantage of that roof box lying dormant on the roof of your car and pack up some basic holiday essentials before setting off to an unknown location. While the majority of people book flights out of the country when summer comes around, they fail to realise that there are plenty of holiday options available right here in the UK. Not only are they easier to travel to, so you won’t need to suffer from any jet lag or plane sickness, they’re cheaper too. Camping can be seen as the ultimate escape from everyday life. You are literally living outdoors, away from everyone you know back home. Guaranteed you will return home refreshed and clear headed.
1. Camping
There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors; camping is the most obvious one. It is said that there is no simpler way to truly experience the outdoors then to spend your nights sleeping there. The different ways to sleep outdoors are by the regular standard issue tents, deluxe family tents that create more space and the less known truck tent. A truck tent is naturally a tent attached to the tail end of your truck- or large vehicle. A convenient way to travel and settle down for the night all in one. If your not sure where to stay, there are many camping sites available all you need to do is look online and the information is there. A popular location for campers is of course, Cornwall. With its coastal beaches, fishing villages and nature trails it is the ideal place to visit for a relaxing holiday. It is worth a mention that roof boxes are a useful resource for not only initial storage when preparing for your stay, but also for extra space when collecting souvenirs. You won’t need to stress about how much room you have left in the car when tempted to bring home a reminder of your stay.
2. Glamping
Going one step further from camping is the aptly named; glamping. Basically this is known as living in luxury, only with the amendment of it being located ‘outside’. It is debatable that glamping can be categorised within camping as an area, yet it is popular with those less willing to be that close with nature. Naturally, there are many different glamping options for those interested in the illusion of staying outdoors. Glampotal Dundas Castle in Edinburgh, provides its visitors with large luxury tents in which they will spend their time in peace and comfort experiencing the outdoors. Although, luxury tents resting on a platform deck foundation is a far cry from the usual two person tent.
3. Campervan
Upon further research, there is a whole community of people living full time in campervans or simply spending their summers travelling in one. They have created their own way of experiencing the outdoors with comfort and travel. Many of these people have been known to rent their converted campervan to others for certain amounts of time. Why not search for these travelling campers on instagram, there are plenty to find. Experience camping on wheels and explore parts of the country you never knew were there. No need to worry about limiting what belongings you bring, your roof box can easily be transferred onto the roof of a campervan and this will free up more space. Spend your summer living in an instagram worthy campervan and experience life on the road while making memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re interested, there are plenty of campervan parks available or you can get in contact with the campervan community to gain inside details on the best places to go and see.
4. Caravan
At the other end of the spectrum, is your basic caravan holiday. If you already have access to one, hook it up to the back of your car and travel to a campsite or book a stay in a static caravan. Summer is the perfect time to do so. While you can decide where to stay in a basic caravan, static caravans contain more space. Plus, there are many people who own a lot of the static caravans on the lot which generates a community atmosphere. Many caravan sites can be found in the UK, generally these are located in the countryside, beach, small towns etc.
5. Pod Cabins
An alternative way to experience the outdoors- but a popular one, is a pod cabin. These are as the name states, a small pod where you spend the night and enjoy the outdoors- as there isn’t much space inside to do anything else! Located mainly in fields, next to lakes or near forests, these cabins are the perfect location to appreciate nature without literally sleeping outdoors. Popular mostly with couples, due to their romantic nature of staying in close quarters with no distractions, some even have a jacuzzi outside for added appeal.
6. Festivals
One word, festivals. Everyone knows of them and has probably already experienced one- or a few. What better way to experience the outdoors then having your tent pushed up next to hundreds of other people? Don’t worry, there are plenty of other options available for anyone who wishes to enjoy a festival atmosphere without all the hassle that comes with the big contenders like Glastonbury and V Fest. A favorite lesser known festival you could try is Truck Festival, held on Hill Farm in Oxfordshire. This is an independent, family friendly music festival perfect for everybody. If you have rented a campervan as I suggested earlier, then this is the perfect way to experience a festival. Your transportation and sleeping arrangements are conveniently wherever you are. Same goes regarding truck tents, how easy would it be to enjoy your day without having to worry about what time to leave and how your were getting home? Or having to pay for accomodation that is naturally twice as much as it would be any other time of the year.
As you can see, there are an abundance of ways in which you can experience the outdoors, you just need to find the right one for you. The perks of staying in the UK during the summer are boundless. All you need is to know what form of accommodation you will be using, the destination, packing essentials and a willingness to spend time outdoors. Whatever you decide, it is bound to be a new experience that will take you away from everyday life, at least for a short while. But make sure to do your research before you go so you don’t waste time while you’re there when you could be enjoying your stay. Have a look at the options mentioned and see if any interest you- they could be a new, cheap and easy way to spend the summer!