British travellers share their fondest memories of holidays closer to home

A group of writers share personal accounts of their most memorable holidays within the UK, showing that nearby trips can be just as rewarding as expensive journeys abroad.

A week on the Thames

In June 2013, Marcel Theroux and two friends hired a 130-year-old mahogany skiff and rowed roughly 80 miles from Oxford to London. Despite rough weather and challenges mooring the boat and navigating locks, the journey became an unforgettable adventure filled with riverside pubs, quiet islands and historic landmarks along the way.

A birthday in the Trossachs

Kirsten Henton and her partner Gary celebrated his birthday in the village of Aberfoyle, known for its gravel biking trails. Staying in a glamping pod on the Cardross Estate, the couple spent three days cycling scenic routes, hiking to Bracklinn Falls, and enjoying locally sourced food.

The edge of north Wales

Andy Pietrasik describes repeated visits to Ynys Môn (Anglesey) in Wales, including walks through Newborough Forest, the tidal island of Ynys Llanddwyn, and the coastal path near Rhoscolyn, discovering the island's quieter, more remote corners.

A Yorkshire tradition

Twelve years ago, one family invited friends to join them in North Yorkshire, sparking an annual June tradition that grew to include up to 42 people until it was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The group's activities included a countryside walk through the North York Moors and a ride on a steam train to Whitby.