As England tentatively steps out of lockdown, permission has been granted for a spring and summer of trips around the UK to go ahead. With Scene Therapy’s Pretty Places series as a guide, we’re taking a look at some of the best social-distancing-worthy day trip ideas in England:
Buxton, Derbyshire
Closest train station: Buxton
Tourist information: Visit Buxton
Local Covid rules & restrictions: Know Before You Go
Buxton’s 18th-century heritage is the focal point of the town, with architectural sights including the Opera House and the grade-listed Crescent, a “richly decorated” Georgian construction which housed a hotel, assembly rooms, lodging houses and an arcade of shops. After a long renovation, the Crescent is now open for business and is directly opposite the free-to-use Saint Anne’s Well, which pipes through the ever-flowing geothermal spring that is known nationally as Buxton Water.
For a leisurely visit, the Pavillon Gardens, which sit in the centre of the town, has plenty to offer for a socially-distanced day out including playgrounds, bandstand, miniature train, boating lake, ice cream parlour, streams and ponds fed by the River Wye and a Victorian pavilion consisting of cafes, shops and a function hall, all within 23 acres of well-maintained gardens. Read more about Buxton, in this previous post.
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Closest train station: Harrogate
Tourist information: Visit Harrogate
Local Covid rules & restrictions: Visiting Harrogate During Covid
Just like Buxton, Harrogate is a historic spa town that also benefits from a lush public garden: Valley Gardens, which includes paddling pool, mini golf, play area, bowling green and tennis courts along with sculptures and an array of flower beds – making it the perfect spot for some socially-distanced fun and picnic. The town also has beautiful architecture that dates to, roughly, the early 19th-century and includes most of the town’s attractions including the Grade-listed Royal Hall Theatre, which annual host the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, Cambridge street’s shopping arcade, Harrogate town hall, the up-market Montpellier Quarter housing establishments such as the Mercer Art Gallery and the famed Betty’s Tea Rooms, and the Royal Pump Room, which holds Europe’s strongest sulphur well and acts as a museum about the town’s spa history. Nearby, there is also the Royal Horticultural Society’s Harlow Carr Garden, as well as the Nidderdale AONB and the Yorkshire Dales, for those looking to take in some fresh air and hiking. See more of Harrogate in this previous post.
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Closest train station: Ely
Tourist information: Visit Ely
Local Covid rules & restrictions: Visit England’s Know Before You Go
Though technically a cathedral city, Ely is the size of a quaint town with plenty of history evident in its gorgeous architecture, such as the Romanesque cathedral at the centre of the diocese and can be seen from most vantage points in the city, from the trendy alfresco bars and cafes at the marine to Oliver Cromwell’s house, which is conveniently also the city’s tourist information centre. The heart of the city can be found around Jubilee Gardens, which hosts a bandstand, playground and plenty of benches, and connects Ely Marina with Cherry Hill Park – a large lush area with stunning views of the majestic cathedral and the historic buildings of King’s School and the late 15th-century Bishop’s palace. Ely is surrounded by countryside and is a short drive to Thetford Forest Park (also accessible by train). See more of Ely in this previous post.
Whalley, Lancashire
Closest train station: Whalley (Lancs)
Tourist information: Visit Whalley
Local Covid rules & restrictions: Visit England’s Know Before You Go
Surrounded by the Forest of Bowland and located in the picturesque Ribble Valley, Whalley is an idyllic English village with a host of attractive and historic points of interest. Pretty little independent shops and cafes line the main street, interspersed with quaint award-wining floral gardens leading past several grade-listed buildings and monuments such as the parish church of Saint Mary and All Saints. Whalley Abbey is the main attraction in the village, not only for its 13th-century abbey ruins and historic gatehouses, but for its beautiful public gardens and views of the functioning Victorian viaduct that stands over the village. The area that makes up the Whalley Abbey ruins is a sizeable lush landscape of carefully tendered gardens, cottages, paths and, of course, the abbey ruins themselves, which visitors are free to roam around and make for an excellent location to visit for a socially-distance day trip. See more of Whalley in this previous post.
Of course, there are many pretty places across the UK that make great destinations for day trips, take a look at all the places we’re covered [so far] under the ‘Pretty Places‘ tag or stay tuned for more pretty places in upcoming posts.