Wales on UK Bucket List of experiences this summer

Puffin spotting in Anglesey, a boat trip to see the Bass Rock gannets, camping in the Lake District and even taking a bath in Bath – as summer gets into full swing in the UK, new research reveals the bucket list experiences for the ultimate holiday on home turf, according to the nation

With summer holidays just around the corner, new research has revealed the very best experiences to have as part of a British staycation, with indulging in fish and chips in iconic Padstow, Cornwall (51 percent) taking the number one spot, closely followed by enjoying a cream tea in Devon (48 percent).

Fish and chip shops first appeared in the UK in the 1860’s and proved so popular that by 1910, there were over 25,000 across the UK serving the iconic battered fish, chunky chips, mushy peas, a wedge of lemon and a splash of malt vinegar.

Experiences across Wales make two appearances on the 35-strong list, with puffin spotting in Anglesey placing 9^th with 37 percent of the vote, and climbing Snowdon in 21^st (29 percent).

Also on the list of the best UK staycation experiences is hopping along the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland (46 percent) and looking for fossils along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset and Devon (40 percent).

Walking along Hadrian’s Wall (37 percent) also makes an appearance in the top 35 list, along with feeling the sand between your toes on Exmouth Beach in Devon (35 percent) and walking through the picture-perfect streets of the Cotswolds’ villages and towns (33 percent).

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, which conducted the research said: “With over 500 branches nationwide, webuyanycar luckily finds itself in some of the most beautiful places our country has to offer. It’s amazing to see just how enthusiastic Brits are about the many incredible experiences to discover across the UK, no matter where you are or where you’re going, so it’s great to see from the research how many people are planning to take advantage of what we have on our doorsteps this summer.

Making sure the journey is part of the staycation can get your holiday off to a great start, so it’s important to be prepared, from checking oil levels to planning the journey to avoid road works. Using our tips for travelling guide, drivers can ensure they’re ready to get from A to B safely, avoiding the hassle of traffic jams so you can better enjoy the views along the way..”

The research also found that a WHOPPING nine in ten Brits (91 percent) believe that the UK has some wonderful places for a holiday on home turf, with 39 percent insisting it is one of the best places in the world for a well-deserved break.

Almost half (45 percent) go a step further and say the sheer beauty of Britain regularly takes their breath away, while 69 percent admit they forget just how beautiful the UK really is.

It’s no surprise that seven in ten (70 percent) are planning to do a UK based holiday this year, with 38 percent planning on doing more than one – two is the average.

In fact, nearly half (47 percent) say they are holidaying in the UK more now compared to three years ago, with 53 percent of those saying it is so much easier than trying to plan a successful holiday abroad. A third (31 percent) find it less stressful holidaying on home turf, while 42 percent simply say they can’t get enough of exploring our home island.

Over half (53 percent) say the real beauty of a staycation is in finding new places to enjoy, so much so that 39 percent love being able to jump in the car last minute and drive somewhere new.

In fact, an impulsive fifth (21 percent) have jumped in the car and driven away on a last-minute holiday, with a further 36 percent daring to go off grid, all in the name of discovering somewhere new.

On average, Brits are happy to put the pedal to the metal for 306 miles to find the perfect UK based destination, with half (50 percent) considering the drive to their staycation part of the overall holiday experience.

TOP 35 SUMMER STAYCATION EXPERIENCES, ACCORDING TO BRITS:

1. Eat fish and chips in Padstow, Cornwall – 51%
2. Have a cream tea in Devon – 48%
3. Hop along the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Island – 46%
4. Admire the stars in the Yorkshire Dales – 42%
5. Walk along and search for fossils on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset – 40%
6. Visit the Scilly Isles, England – 39%
7. Explore the Isle of Skye, Scotland – 38%
8. Visit the Eden Project in Cornwall – 38%
9. Spot the puffins on Puffin Island in Anglesey -37%
10. Walk along Hadrian’s Wall near Bowness-on-Solway – 37%
11. Spot Puffins in Northumberland and Yorkshire – 36%
12. Feel the sand between your toes at Exmouth Beach, Devon – 35%
13. Walk the streets of the Cotswolds – 33%
14. Take a boat trip to see the Bass Rock gannets near North Berwick, Scotland – 33%
15. Climb Ben Nevis, Fort William in Scotland – 32%
16. Go camping in the Lake District -31%
17. Drive the epic NC500, Scotland – 31%
18. See a show in the West End, London – 30%
19. Take a bath in Bath – 29%
20. Try and spot Nessie in Loch Ness – 29%
21. Climb Mount Snowdon, Wales – 29%
22. Afternoon Tea at the Savoy – 29%
23. Take a picture at Lulworth Cove, Dorset – 28%
24. Visit Stonehenge in Salisbury – 28%
25. Hike in the Peak District – 27%
26. Eat your way around the food markets of London – 27%
27. Take a perch on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh – 26%
28. Whisky tasting in Scotland – 25%
29. Swim with seals at The Farne Islands off the coast near Bamburgh – 23%
30. Discover Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon – 20%
31. Do a ghost tour in York – 20%
32. Punt on the River Cam in Cambridge – 20%
33. Explore the lanes of Brighton, England – 19%
34. A surf lesson in Newquay – 19%
35. Watch live music at the Cavern Club in Liverpool – 19%

Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, shares his top tips for a stress-free road trip this summer:

1. PLAN YOUR JOURNEY AND STOPS: A lack of planning when it comes to a road trip can lead to delays, missing out on things along the way and, more seriously, safety risks. Plan your route before hitting the road and make sure you include plenty of stops to give you time away from the wheel, stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat.
2. TOP UP AND CHECK OVER THE MOTOR: It’s likely that you’ll be travelling further than your usual day-to-day journeys, so prepping your engine for a longer run is critical. Start by checking the oil level using the dipstick. Your car will break down if the engine doesn’t get enough lubrication, so make sure it is between the minimum and maximum markers. Also check that the coolant is topped up enough, as on a hot day, it will remove excessive heat from your engine – essential if you’re stuck in traffic. Finally, it’s important to keep your front and rear screens clean so that you can keep an eye on any hazards on your trip. If washer fluid levels are low, make sure you top them up before setting off.
3. CHECK YOUR TYRES: Test your tyre pressure and keep a tyre pump on board to top it up when necessary. Most vehicles have a sticker (inside of the fuel filler or drivers’ door jamb) which indicates minimum tyre pressures. In addition, check your tread depth by inserting a 20p coin into the tread grooves on the tyre – if you can’t see the outer band of the coin face, your tyres are above the legal limit (1.6mm).
4. GET THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ROAD TRIP READY: Whilst you might want to be prepared for every eventuality, throwing everything but the kitchen sink into your car can be counterproductive, plus carrying all the extra weight around will hurt your fuel economy so prioritise according to your needs. For instance, if you regularly make long trips to the remote countryside, pack extra food supplies or if you navigate with your smartphone, a charger and holder are both essentials.
5. SNACKS, DRINKS AND ENTERTAINMENT: Consider the journey as part of the holiday so have a few games and some music up your sleeve for everyone to enjoy. Also take some drinks to stay hydrated and snacks to give everyone a boost if they start to flag – fruit, nuts and granola bars are good options.