Why some people will not holiday in the UK

[david51058]

Why is it that some people consider holidaying in the UK' 'not a proper holiday'? I have actually heard that statement many times. They have no idea what the UK has to offer. From Cornwall and Devon where there are some fantastic beaches, right up through to Scotland and all the places in between.
They usually come up with the excuse that 'well, it's just as cheap to go abroad'. So? Does that mean it's better? That is a load of rubbish anyway.

[LoftyLottie]

I prefer Scarborough and Filey to Devon and Cornwall!! And we have lovely beaches here in North Norfolk too believe it or not, and so does Northumberland.

Not a west country fan at all!! Far too crowded!!

[LoftyLottie]

(But then my idea of a holiday isn't a beach holiday and hot sunshine!) I like beaches best out of the summer season.

Have been to the Mediterranian more times than I can remember but have spent very little time on the beaches!!

[ethandron]

scarborough and filey are the pits (sorry lottie). whilst not a particular fan of devon and cornwall, we found the yorkshire coast absolutely dismal - tacky,dirty and cheap - whilst the northumberland coast, and norfolk, are wonderful and totally exceded our expectations. we are exploring the british coast in minute detail and have found some hidden gems, not something you can do if you're limited to a two or three week annual holiday unfortunately.
we go to france out of season when the weather is lovely and warm but not scorching hot, and love the difference in the various departments, there are countless 'countries' within france. we love the weather we can rely on there and totally chill out doing lots of sunbathing and swimming as well as sight seeing, whereas in the uk we do lots of walking and exploring in the cooler climes.
as with everything, it's each to their own but if would never dismiss one part of any country on one bad or iffy experience. we've been all over the world and experienced many cultures but for us, france and the uk offer exactly what we're looking for.

[KARL]

Sorry Lottie, only just came back to this thread and can now tell you, yes, we drove around Monchique, all around the different little valleys in the vicinity, including west past Mamelete. We also were fortunate enough to get amongst local people who showed us around the small Quintas and insisted on plying us with their fruit straight off the trees.

While there are things I like about the UK I have no illusions about it being utopia and I can easily see myself being just as comfortable and happy living in many other countries we have visited - everything depends on how well people mix (you and they). I happen to believe (from considerable experience, I might add) that 90%+ of humanity is basically very nice people - the a-holes are in a distinct minority and can for the most part be bypassed. Thus, at worst one's experience will be indifferent but with a sensible attitude and approach one can have a distinctly positive experience most of the time. Most certainly those who HATE this, that or the other should avoid it, be it sunshine, foreign places and people, change, or whatever - then Britain in the rain is without doubt the most appropriate place to be. However, it rather puzzles me why some people are averse to the stimulus of new surroundings etc. and have no curiosity as to what else there is or how things come about. I am very grateful to have seen orange, mango, avocado, etc. trees produce their crop from blossom to fruit, But as a hopeless chocolate addict my biggest excitement was at seeing a cocoa tree produce its pod of beans - and what a curious flowering regime it is.

Please all, whatever you derive your enjoyment from don't criticise others for theirs - if they don't like your destination then so much the better because you can enjoy it in peace (their loss, is it not ?). Let them continue thinking milk is produced in an enormous factory somewhere by a company that holds the patent (Coca Cola perhaps ?).

[LoftyLottie]

Eth. I can't help but love the Yorkshire Moors and Whitby, although it has tacky bits is really one of my favourite seaside towns. There are quite a few remarkable beaches in Yorkshire towards the borders with Cleveland.

I can't help but agree about Norfolk though. I hope people continue to think that Norfolk is flat and uninteresting, then it will remain quiet and beautiful. Holkham has been named as the best beach in the UK on many occasions!!

KARL. I agree with your sentiments.

[ethandron]

i agree with you about whitby lottie, it was so interesting and unexpected after the joys - NOT - of scarborough. i liked being amongs the goths and all the paraphenalia that goes with them, i love people with a bit of an 'edge', was a complete revelation, and learning about whitby jet too. haven't done much of the yorkshire moors, tend to be drawn to the coast, but never say never..
we're in norfolk for a couple of weeks shortly, think it's going to be one of those places we have to return to every year now that we've discovered it. you're very lucky to live in such a delightful part of the country. if we were ever to move location it would either be norfolk or dorset.

[sara3]

I took 3 weeks off last August and stayed at home. I've never seen so much rain in my life!

I'll be going abroad this year.

[boxtops]

It's largely the weather for us, that makes us go abroad (we like lying in the sun) but also the different cultures and history which we encounter when we go abroad which makes it so interesting for us. We love meeting different people and encountering new experiences, in fact when we go abroad we try to avoid places where "the Brits" go so that we can live at least with holidaymakers from other parts of the world too. The Costas with the Churchill Bulldog pubs and the nightclubs are our idea of holiday hell.

[boxtops]

PS Having said that - we have between us spent many holidays in the UK too, the beaches and cities from Scotland to Cornwall can't be beaten if the weather is good.

[DTCwordfan]

//That is a load of rubbish anyway.// So true David - Cornwall CC has just cut its recycling services to Supermarkets in trying to get them to pick up all the tab. Sainsbury's has had its containers removed, Tesco's are 1/2 the size.....the lanes are full of litter and fly-tipping apart from being full of potholes and, in some cases, almost impassable, for examplke Tresillian to Trispen, near Truro.

Now they want to close the majority of public conveniences.

And this is supposed to be a tourist county. Me thinks not - more like a public trash can. I do not blame folk going overseas when the condition of this place is like a Cairo or Casablancan low-income suburb (yes been there to both) or roads like the West of Ireland had in the late 80s......
re...

[micmak]

Isn't that what it's all about boxy 'if the weather is good'. I have had several UK holidays and the weather has always been bad. I am not a lie in the sun person, I also do not want to get p!ss wet through every time I go out. So it's travel further afield for me.

[boxtops]

Agree with you mikmac - mind you, we were in Spain three weeks ago and it tiddled down there too, high winds - it was miserable.
DT, same here. They are closing nearly all our public conveniences and this is a port town, then they say they want to attract more people here, so they are asking pubs and cafes to let the public use their loos. It's a disgrace.

[seadogg]

I feel sorry for visitors who need a P in our holiday town. The potholes will wreck your car and the council haven't a brain between them but the walks are great and one of our bays has been compared to Naples. Maybe you can guess where we live ethandron lol.

[atalanta]

I for one suffer dreadfully from the cold. It is a condition I was born with, and it means I go numb in feet and hands if not heavily wrapped up in any UK temperature except a heat-wave. I twice tried emigrating, only to be forced back by crime and wars. Now I long for my week or two weeks in warm places when I can go around in simple clothes and stop suffering and shivering