AD: Collaboration with Wellbeing Escapes. 

One of my personal goals in 2020 is to bring more attention to my wellbeing. Whether that's by joining a local activity, scheduling in self-care days or taking a moment to reflect; 2020 is the year to do that. What I didn't know would intrigue me and bring attention to it further is Wellbeing Escapes. Wellbeing Escapes are an award-winning holiday service and the UK's most established and largest wellbeing holiday company providing customers with genuinely reviewed, tried and tested wellbeing retreats and holidays throughout the world, but also on our doorstep within the UK too. 

Founded over 11 years ago by Stella Porti, who longed for an opportunity to arise where the break would make her feel better on every level. The Wellbeing Escapes website has a fantastic variety of retreats and holidays available, all suitable to your individual needs. 

The Solo Wellbeing Holidays are a fantastic chance for you to focus on yourself and escape the stress and anxiety that everyday life can pack with it. If you are on a quest to become more sociable there's the singles spa holidays; here you can unwind but also socialise with other fellow solo travellers and enjoy group fitness classes like yoga and walking. Some of the solo wellbeing holidays also include social and sharing tables at meal times too. 

Did you know that there are 38 health benefits of yoga including more protection for your spine, helps you focus and lowers blood sugar? Which is why a Yoga and Meditation escape with Wellbeing Escapes may be up your street! I'm really enjoying my yoga practice in 2020 so this would be right up my street. The Wellbeing Escapes team have a fantastic list of the Top Yoga Holidays in Europe and I'm obsessed with the look of the one in Greece and Slovenia. Book me a ticket already! 

Maybe you want all of your family to engage in their wellbeing in 2020? Wellbeing Escapes also have a fantastic range of Family Wellbeing Holidays too. These wellbeing holidays are a perfect opportunity to bring your family together and introduce elements of wellbeing to your little ones by experiencing of the company's carefully designed 'Flexible Family Connect programmes' that are available at a select number of child-friendly wellness resorts. There is fantastic flexibility and choice at Wellbeing Escapes, with the opportunity to try out new activities as a family whilst benefiting from an included complimentary family activity like family yoga, a family cooking lesson or a creative family experience. With mental health in young people on the rise in the UK, this would be a very beneficial holiday for the entire family to enjoy and experience together. 

Wellbeing Escapes really do have an amazing list of destinations under their belt too - the likes of Sri Lanka, throughout Europe and in the UK. There is really no other selection of wellbeing holidays around the world and within the UK with a team behind it like this. 

You can find out more about Wellbeing Escapes by visiting their website here. 

Camping is one of the best ways for us to experience the British countryside and it's something I look forward to planning every year. But we all know whether it's your first time or your 100th it can be difficult to know what you really should (and shouldn't) bring along with you. To be honest, with the utmost planning I always seem to forget something. With that in mind, I have created a quick handy guide, I have enlisted what you need with help from one of my favourite suppliers for Camping gear, Simply Hike*. As well as that I've shared some top tips and advice to make it a good camping trip! 

Whether you're off camping on your own or on a countryside break with the whole family; you will definitely find this guide useful. 

Tent and Sleeping Equipment

• Tent

Get this out of storage a few days in advance of your trip to air it out and check it hasn't mildewed.

• Tent Repair Kit 

You should bring a tent repair kit along with you to quickly fix any damage that may happen to your tent. Keep this handy piece of kit packed away in your tent and you'll be glad you had it if there's any damage. Include additional tent pegs, tent poles and guy lines into this tent repair kit.

• Sleeping Bag
• Pillow or Cushion
• Groundsheet
• Duvet 

Read more: Robens Tents and Equipment*

Photo Credit: Pexels

Cooking Equipment

• Pots and pans
• Camping kettle
• Cutlery and plates
• Stove/BBQ
• Coal/Gas
• Food and Drink
• Water Container
• Scissors and Tin Opener

Personal Items

• Towels
• Toilet Paper
• Suncream 
• Bin bags
• Washbag stuff!

• Antibacterial wipes
• Waterproof Coat - There is a fantastic range of coats available on Simply Hike!
• Hat and Scarf

If you are a regular reader of my blog you'll know that last January I had a post entitled "8 Places To Visit in the UK in 2018", which acted like my UK travel bucket list for the year. I managed to only visit 2 or 3 places out of the 8, so I'm determined to be more proactive in my travels this year and get booking some weekend adventures to the 14 places on this list.

The more research I do about places to visit in the UK, the more I realise how many incredible places there are to see right on our doorsteps. Every time I leave the comfort of Leicestershire countryside my breath is taken by all of the beautiful cities and towns, islands and countryside, and there's still so much left for me to discover.

Hopefully, my list will inspire your trips around the UK this year and without further ado, here are the 14 Places to Visit in the UK in 2019.


1. Edinburgh

Edinburgh has been on my bucket list for places to visit for YEARS and I'm determined to make 2019 the year I make it up there. Edinburgh is filled to the brim with things to do, sights to see and experiences to be had. It has well over a thousand years of rich cultural history and magical history too for those hardcore Harry Potter fans! I'd love to head up to Edinburgh in the summer for Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

I love the vast variety of things that Edinburgh has to offer and I've taken a lot of inspiration from the blog Hand Luggage Only who have a fantastic post "14 Best Things To See In Edinburgh". Not only would I want to experience all the Harry Potter locations but watching the sunset from Arthur's Seat and enjoy some tasty Scottish food too!

Photo by Szymon Shields

2. Bath

Bath has attracted many visitors over the years and it's no surprise when some of it's most popular attractions are the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the honey-coloured Georgian streets. Bath is also jam-packed with lots of places to eat, independent shops, museums, galleries, and spas. There is something for everyone in this beautiful town in the South-West of England.

I've been drawn to Bath ever since my favourite YouTuber family, The Michalaks moved here. I love seeing snippets of the town in their content and it's made me want to spend a weekend there. I am most definitely certain that I'll love this city when I visit. I'd also love to experience Bath during their award-winning Christmas Market, which looks amazing!

Photo by Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie

3. The Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds is another one of those places that has been on my list for years, in fact, last year we had it all planned to visit one of the villages on my birthday in the summer.  Unfortunately, we were rained off last minute and were unable to make it there. I have already started planning an Easter escape here and loved some inspiration from A Lady in London with her post, The 13 Prettiest Villages to Visit in the Cotswolds.

Every bit about the Cotswolds appeals to me. It contains lots of natural beauty and some of the villages I'd like to visit here are Painswick, Chipping Campden and Castle Combe.

Read more: WOMAD Festival, Charlton Park. 

Photo by Samuel Sweet

Read more: Saint Pauls House Hotel, Birmingham.

Photo by Brian Lewicki on Unsplash

Read more: 24 Hours in London with ibis Hotels* 

Photo by Pixabay

Read more: 24 Hours in Oxford 

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8. Bristol

I've only ever passed through Bristol after another holiday I had years ago so in 2019 I'd like to visit it properly. Bristol is known as one of the UK's most creative and exciting cities right now! In 2017 it was named the best place to live in Britain and by reading more and more about what it has to offer, I can see why! It has an exciting food scene to cultural events for everyone to enjoy. It's the home place of Banksy and drum and bass too! There's rich history cemented in the streets of this city and it's surrounded by the hills of South-West England, giving you the perfect countryside escape without leaving the city. 

Some of the things I'd really like to check out whilst here are the city's street art, Clifton Village and check out Bristol's harbourside. If you want to get some great tips for visiting Bristol, Victoria from Bridges and Balloons is a fantastic local guide for your visit.  

The last time I visited Cornwall was for a family holiday many years ago to Newquay, although I've also remembered a trip to the Eden Project with my ex-boyfriend and his family. Therefore, I need a seaside town fix this year and I'm pretty sure Cornwall is just the ticket! 

Cornwall is located on England's rugged southwestern tip. There's wild moorland and hundreds of sandy beaches to explore! On the south coast, there are some gorgeous picturesque harbour villages such as Fowey and Falmouth. Whilst on the north coast it is lined with towering cliffs and seaside resorts like Newquay, known for surfing. There's so much I want to see in Cornwall and the amount to see is almost overwhelming! So, the tourism board Visit Cornwall is a great help with their site full of tips and blogs to help you plan a fantastic visit to this place! 

If you are new to the blog you won't know that my boyfriend is actually from Northern Ireland and so I have visited Belfast. I'd love to revisit in 2019 and see more of the city. The city has fantastic nightlife, one of my favourite pubs was the Duke of York. This traditional Belfast bar is nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway and crammed with original mirrors and memorabilia. There's a really great vibe in there and there are other bars in that alleyway as well as the surrounding streets. 

One of the things I'd really like to explore nearby the city this year is the Giant's Causeway. North of Belfast, around an hour and 20 minutes is the great wonders of the Giant's Causeway. Around 40,000 hexagonal-shaped basalt columns down by the water are a result of volcanic activity millions of years ago and it looks spectacular. I'd love to check this out for myself!

Read more: A Visit to Northern Ireland 

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12. Isle of Skye

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13. Jurassic Coast

I'd really like to head to Southern England in 2019 and one particular place I want to explore is the Jurassic Coast. The coast itself stretches an incredible 96 miles from East Devon to Dorset. The Jurassic Coast is named as one of the natural wonders of the world and the entire coastline offers you incredible views of dramatic landscape and rock formations. There's a lot for you to see along the coastline including the Durdle Door, a famous natural limestone arch in Dorset. Also on my list is The Fossil Forest, Golden Cap and Charmouth Beach which was recently nominated as one of the UK's five best beaches in 2017.

I'd love to escape here and thanks to Journey with Chloe she's shared the Top 21 Sights Along Jurassic Coast, although I'm sure there are loads more!

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Walking is a fantastic way to keep fit. Walking has a vast variety of benefits for your body. Some of these benefits include an increased cardiovascular fitness, improves balance, reduces body fat, increases muscle strength, and reduces stress and anxiety levels. It’s no surprise then that walking is Britain’s most popular outdoor recreation by far and why there has been a rise in people booking walking holidays.

One of the specialists in offering slow holidays are Inntravel. Inntravel have been offering self-guided holidays throughout Europe and beyond since 1984. Inntravel have a range of carefully crafted trips that has something for everyone - even the most occasional walker or cyclist. You’re free to explore the wonderful landscapes at your own pace, following the detailed route notes set out by Inntravel taking you from one welcoming hotel to the next. You don’t need to worry about your luggage as it’ll be transported ahead, leaving you with little to worry about during your trip.

Photo Source: Pexels.

I’m taking part in this campaign to talk about Inntravel because I’m always looking for new adventures that will get me outdoors. Inntravel truly encompasses the great outdoors and encourage us to have that time to experience the best of British countryside and quaint areas. Also, it’s incredible for my mental health and time to move away from a screen. If it’s a walking holiday in the UK you are after, then Inntravel has tons to offer you over on their website.

Within the UK, Inntravel provides a great selection of holidays that are during the late Spring - late Autumn months across 4-6 nights.

If you’re a big foodie like me but also enjoy combining that with the great outdoors then you’ll love Inntravel’s “Yorkshire Gastronomic Trail” holiday.

North York Moors National Park. Source: Unknown

This 4-night adventure ends in the Yorkshire Food Capital of Malton. They have a Malton Food Lovers Festival that takes place on the 26th and 27th of May, the perfect for your holiday. Here are some reasons why I think the Yorkshire Gastronomic Trail is a fantastic trip for you to enjoy,

I love how this trip offers the opportunity to take on some great foodie experiences but I would also enjoy the opportunity to work it all off with some self-guided walking. My inner foodie would absolutely love this experience. Yorkshire is a really beautiful area of Britain and Inntravel will capture everything you need for a short break.

Obviously the Yorkshire Gastronomic Trail is not the only walking holiday that Inntravel has to offer, A Cotswold Treat and The Hardy Way are just two of the others I loved the look of.

*In collaboration with Inntravel. All words are my own.

If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy some other great UK Travel inspiration with 8 Places To Visit in the UK in 2018.

We're going on our first road trip this year and I'm super excited! We're very fortunate to be working with Bumble Campers who have kindly allowed us to hire one of their 2 seater 2 sleeper camper van for a week. We'll be traveling around Wales or heading to the Peak District (all depends on the weather, British weather is super unpredictable as we all know) but I'm really excited to take in some epic views and do something I've never done before. Plus it's something on my bucket list so I can't wait to tick it off. 

Of course with a road trip comes a lot of preparation and I am no fan of packing whatsoever. I always write myself a list of things I need to take but still manage to miss something. I'm going to try so hard to be well organised this time. 

Without much further ado, here are The 10 Essentials You'll Need For A Road Trip. 

02. First Aid Kit

03. Food and Drinks. 

2018 will be the year I travel more of the UK, I am pretty sure of it. I love exploring the UK and using my time planning some great escapes. I have a couple of things already planned for the year until around July but there's still time to squeeze in more! 

Back in February, I headed to London with ibis Hotels for the weekend. I really enjoy the idea of whisking somewhere in our car and getting in lots of activities within the space of 48 hours. It definitely inspired me to do more of that. If you want inspiration yourself then a lot of that has definitely come from spending hours on Pinterest (trust me that site for travel inspiration is the one!). If you are looking into how you can plan the perfect trip then I have an exclusive 25% off code with Bradt Travel Guides at the bottom of this blog post. If you have a local trip in the pipeline and want some inspiration for what to do when you are there, Bradt some of the best Travel Guides I've read.

With that in mind here are the 8 Places To Visit in the UK in 2018.

York Minister. Photo Credit: Cups of Charlotte

YORK

The last time we went to York was when we visited York Dungeons in 2016 or when we've passed through heading to somewhere else. It's such a beautiful place in Northeast England. York holds over 1900 years' of history and is such a lovely place for a short getaway. The York Minster is quite something alone but I absolutely love The Shambles in York too, the cobbled streets and small shops are great to explore. Amanda from Rhyme and Ribbons has some stunning photos of York over on her Instagram account that makes me excited to be heading here in July for my birthday and with #visityork. 

EDINBURGH

Edinburgh has been on my list of places to visit for YEARS. I am completely obsessed with this place.It doesn't help that I am constantly lusting over Georgina's Instagram feed which is always full of stunning Edinburgh photos. I'm not fussy but I'd love to visit Edinburgh before Christmas, all of Zoella's vlogs of her visits are to thank for this. I'd love to head up there in August for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I'd love to jump on a bus tour in Edinburgh and basically explore it as much as possible, of course throwing in some Harry Potter spots! So, better get pestering the boyfriend to book our trip ;).

Liverpool. Photo Credit: Sophie Rosie

Lake District. Photo Credit: Stratford Fringe.

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool is up there as one of my favourite cities in the UK, I just absolutely love it. The last time I visited here was for a treat when I graduated from university with my friend. The city offered us so much to celebrate the end of university. Liverpool is known for its music history so oh course on my next visit I'd love to do The Beatles Tour (I did this on a previous visit but I don't remember the experience). I always head to the Albert Docks where I always enjoy a cold glass of wine and a delicious meal whilst overlooking the sunset in the distance. Oh, I would recommend that you head over to the Cavern Club too, particularly if you want the whole Beatles experience or just enjoy some great live music. Helene in Between has a fantastic blog post with tons of tips for 48 Hours in Liverpool that I've purposely bookmarked for a future trip! 

LAKE DISTRICT 

I love the great outdoors and everything associated with nature, so England's largest National Park, Lake District is definitely up there for my UK Travel Bucket List in 2018. I'll be heading here in April for a small weekend break near Lake Windermere, I cannot tell you how excited I am for a weekend of fresh air (and hopefully when I can encourage myself to blackout and have no social media for the weekend!). The lakes offer some great activities, probably most known for its walking tours and there are loads of information about these and more on the Lake District website.

The Cotswolds. Photo Credit: Rosehill Travel

Leeds. Photo Credit: Sophie Cliff

THE COTSWOLDS

LEEDS

So many bloggers are based in Leeds that you expect I've been to visit them and their city, I haven't unfortunately but hopefully in 2018 I'll be heading there. The Visit Leeds website has a great post entitled '18 Things to Try in Leeds in 2018' which has lots of inspiration if you plan on taking an adventure up there. I'm a massive foodie so the new Kirkgate Market which offers street food dining sounds my kind of thing for sure! Leeds offers a lot of Culture too with some fantastic venues for the theatre and art. I love Sophie Cliff's post 24 Hours in Leeds which gives great inspiration for a day in the city. 

Bristol. Photo Credit: Mama Travels Earth.

Isle of Wight. Photo Credit: Visit Isle of Wight website.

BRISTOL

Bristol is a beautiful area in South West England and the biggest city in this area of the UK. It's not far from Bath Spa (another place I would love to visit soon too!). If you love the coloured houses of London's Notting Hill you will find an absolute delight because Bristol has some too! Yay for great Instagram photos! Well known graffiti artist Banksy is from here and you can still see some of his work dotted around the city. Bristol is known for hosting Europe's largest hot air balloon fiesta every August, which looks delightful. I can imagine walking around the city, eating an ice cream and enjoying all of the culture, food, and history Bristol has to offer its visitors. I've been scrolling through the Visit Bristol Instagram feed regularly just hoping that I can book a visit here soon!

ISLE OF WIGHT

What's on your list of places to visit in the UK in 2018? 

If you are looking for some travel inspiration that's on the global side then you may enjoy 7 Destinations For The 2018 Bucket List.