Staycation: Devon & Cornwall

Now is the perfect time to be planning your very own staycation. Read on to find out what it is, why we should be ‘staycating’, the benefits, and where’s recommended!

With all the uncertainty right now the world is facing with holiday bookings and flights, why not take the stress out of the equation and take the opportunity to plan your very own staycation in Devon and Cornwall without having to board a plane.ith all the uncertainty right now the world is facing with holiday bookings and flights, why not take the stress out of the equation and take the opportunity to plan your very own staycation in Devon and Cornwall without having to board a plane.

WHAT IS IT?

We are sure most of you know what a staycation is, but for those who don’t a staycation is a holiday spent in your home country rather than abroad which would involve a day or overnight trips within your local area. It is also a type of sustainable tourism and a term that derived from ecological awareness!

Maybe you are thinking why should I “staycate” but now wouldn’t be a better time to do so keeping in mind of current events and Covid-19 guidelines.

There are also plenty of benefits and reasons to stay in the UK too.

WHY ‘STAYCATE’?

Devon has been named the UK’s second favourite holiday destination with Cornwall coming just above that.

The top 4 counties for a staycation
1. Cornwall
2. Devon
3. Cumbria
4. Dorset

Both counties are renowned for being the most popular destination spots for staycations and we couldn’t agree more! Thurlstone, Bantham and Wembury are among some of the most popular beaches to visit in Devon.

Needless to say, Cornwall also has fantastic beaches to go and see, including St.Ives, Bude and Perranporth. The county even has the longest coastline in the UK! (1086km to be exact). Why wouldn’t you want to visit?

BENEFITS OF ‘STAYCATING’

When it comes to the benefits of staycations, there are numerous reasons why we should all be enjoying ourselves and developing a greater appreciation for our own home turf.

Here are 8 reasons why:

1. Save money – A staycation can save a family hundreds or even thousands of pounds from travel expenses.

2. Reduce your carbon footprint – Worldwide, flights produced 915 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019 which is the leading contributor to global warming.

3. Bring revenue to the economy –
Support your local businesses by spending your money on the restaurants, shops and hotels in your local area.

4. More time to relax – Many vacations require a great deal of travelling, but that is cut right down not waiting for flights and taxiing to hotels.

5. Easier to plan & organise – Seeing as you already live in the area you are staying in, you are going to be more familiar with what your county has to offer!

6. Be a tourist in your own county –
Why not learn more about your counties history and heritage. It will prove to be a true eye-opener.

7. There’s plenty of things to do –
Holidays in Devon and Cornwall offer countryside and coastline to suit all interests and budgets.

8. Find your new favourite place you can revisit with ease – There’s nothing better than being able to revisit a newfound favourite restaurant near you!

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS

At a time like this, it is incredibly important to be doing our part in helping the economy recover during what seems to be a truly uncertain time.

To help the economy with its recovery period the Editor of OM has recommended several staycation destinations definitely worth the visit within Devon and Cornwall.

Devon destinations:

• Dartmoor Zoo – Within Dartmoor National Park, the zoo boasts a wonderful 33 acres of woodland, celebrating a wide range of exotic and native animals.

• South West Coastal Path – England’s longest National Trail footpath, perfect for cycling and walking.

• Berry Pomeroy Castle – A Tudor mansion built in the late 15th century by the Pomeroy family. A fascinating visit to say the least!

• Pennywell Farm – Award-winning Farm Activity Park, the biggest in the South West which was founded in 1989!

Cornwall destinations:

• Land’s End Landmark – One of Britain’s best-loved landmarks, famous for its unique location and beautiful scenery.

• Tintagel Castle – Learn the history behind the medieval fortification situated high on North Cornwall’s rugged north coast.

• Bodmin Moor – A remote granite moorland 208 square kilometres in size. Encompassed with grazing ponies and cattle.

• Eden Project – One of the most popular attractions in Cornwall with over 3000 species of plant!

MOTORHOME FRIENDLY CAMPSITES

Since lockdown restrictions have been eased, the demand for motorhomes has increased considerably. As they are self-contained vehicles with a range of on-board facilities, they make a great option for social distancing.

Motorhome Campsites:

• Woodovis Holiday Park

• Parkland Caravan and Camping Site

• Bude Camping & Caravanning Club Site

• Padstow Touring Park

These are some of the amazing campsites out there for you to go visit and having a motorhome gives you the freedom to go off and have a staycation without worrying about accommodation!

GLAMPING

Glamping is a form of accommodation where the words ‘glamourous’ and ‘camping’ have been merged into one. It allows us to experience nature without having to pack all of your camping gear.

Coolcamping.com is a great website to use if you are ever stuck on finding your desired glamping site.

We recommend:

• Coastal Cabins – Bideford
Luxury wooden cabins in the stunning North Devon countryside

• Cheglinch Farm Glamping – Ilfracombe
Small-scale, eco-friendly glamping on a working Devon farm and the West Country coast nearby

• Cotna Eco Retreat – St.Austell
A comfortable eco-accommodation in yurts, a shepherd’s hut and a strawbale barn.

• East Thorne Glamping – Bude
Stress-free family yurt and roundhouse glamping, just a 10-minute drive from the wild coastline.

Whatever you fancy, whether it be a cabin or a tipi there is something for everyone. The great thing about glamping sites is that they have on-site toilets, so no need to worry about that.

However, some don’t always allow dogs so it is best to check before booking if you are thinking about taking your furry friends with you!

OTHER ACTIVITY IDEAS

1. Visit a museum – The Timehouse in Totnes and Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro are great all rounders for family and friends.

2. Plan a picnic – Gather your friends, buy your favourite food and settle down at Hembury Woods picnic area, Dartmoor or Spitchwick

3. Visit your local market – There are plenty of food, clothing and homeware markets around. Teignmouth & Plymouth markets are definitely a must see.

4. Book a hotel – No matter what the weather you can always create a change of scenery by booking a hotel and even order room service.

5. Find a new favourite restaurant –
With the restaurant being close by you can always re-visit whenever you like which is great!

Hopefully, this editorial has persuaded you to plan a staycation this year in Devon and Cornwall. There’s nothing better than exploring your home county!

So, what are you waiting for? There are plenty of options for a staycation, so put on your walking shoes, pack your bags and get exploring!