UK Holiday Secrets: Are You Missing Out on These Hidden Gems?

You don’t need to travel overseas to attain memorable experiences: they’re here, right on your doorstep

When you think of a holiday in the UK you might think of camping, staying in a cosy cottage or tapping into a programme of non-stop entertainment at a holiday park? If that’s what you’re looking for then great – I can arrange all that for you. 

But I can do better than that – far better.

As your Not Just Travel consultant I have got so much more up our sleeves to make your UK holiday just as memorable as one overseas. 

Instead of a hotel, how about staying in a shepherd’s hut? A treehouse? Or on a barge? 

As for tours, how about exploring the UK on two wheels? Joining an organised mountain trek? Or paddle boarding beside the coast? 

And perhaps I can tempt you to dip your toe into the water with a wild swimming holiday? 

I have no end of novel experiences to offer you – ever tried meditating with horses?  Spend a week learning to paint? Tour London by bike? Join a cookery school?

Plus, alongside tailored theatre breaks, I can also get my hands on red hot concert tickets and reserve you a seat to watch some of the UK’s biggest sporting events. 

Here are just a handful of ideas I can offer you to make your UK holiday one you’ll never forget: 

Gliding afloat the waters of the UK’s network of canals and rivers on a colourful barge is as exhilarating as it is tranquil. 

You’ll be navigating the locks en route, drifting through the English countryside or tying up in the heart of a city. 

Each waterway has its own unique character, from the Norfolk Broads to the Avon or Brecon Canals or perhaps even the River Thames – the sites and sounds along every waterway differ. 

Your home for the duration of your adventure will be on a characterful barge, fully equipped for a self-catering holiday. However, if you don’t want to cook dinner, then you simply need to moor up beside one of the many charming pubs that line the banks. 

At night you’ll be rocked gently to sleep in your cosy cabin bed while by day you’ll be sat up on deck being captain of your very own vessel. 

Nestled in a hidden valley, in the heart of the Welsh mountains you’ll find six magical treehouses. 

Here, perched 30-feet above the forest floor, your accommodation awaits allowing you to fully reconnect with nature. 

You’ll climb the whimsical winding staircase of logs to your home in the treetops from where you’ll enjoy beautiful views. Your unique accommodation comes with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a fully-functioning kitchen, a double bed and bunk beds and an en suite bathroom. 

Relax in a treetop hammock, light up the treehouse’s log-burning stove and settle in for a cosy evening in the wilderness. Alternatively, head out to explore the countryside or drive to one of the wild, windswept, but beautiful beaches nearby.

A cosy little pub, a village shop and a tea-room are just a mile walk away through the creaking trees. 

This is a truly enchanting experience.

Imagine opening your vast lounge and bedroom glass doors straight onto a terrace overlooking a lake. Take this image one step further and imagine that your whole accommodation is actually floating on the lake itself!

I have got the keys to the Luxury Cocoons, quirky Lake Pods and Floating Lodges that are all nestled around and on the 17 lakes at Crawford Lakes Resort and Spa in Devon.  

From the Lake Pods you can try your hand at fishing direct from your terrace. Fishing fans can catch up to 11 species of fish across 16 fishing lakes, with carp weighing up to 36lb.

If you’ve never fished before then lessons are available, alongside activities including archery, paddle boarding, kayaking and open water swimming on the Leisure Lake.

Dogs are welcome too, with miles of paths for furry guests to roam. There’s even a dedicated paddling lake for dogs too.

A lakeside infinity pool comes with a steam room and spa, and, new from May 2025 is a 25m, outdoor heated pool complete with three twisting flumes. 

This 98-acre wildlife haven is the perfect spot to unwind and embrace nature.

If watching sport is your passion, then it’s even better when you can watch it LIVE. 

In fact, even if you’re not a die-hard sports fan, you’re bound to enjoy the electric atmosphere and tension of a live event. When the starting gun is fired, the spectators suddenly unite cheering on the players creating an unforgettable sense of community. 

I can get you in on all the action. 

Anyone for tennis? If so, I can get you seats on Centre Court at Wimbledon – the world’s premier Grand Slam tennis tournament.

Or fancy dressing up in top hat and tails for one of the most prestigious horse racing events of the year – Royal Ascot? Everyone has to experience this very British time-honoured tradition just once – not forgetting witnessing the unparalleled horse racing. 

And if you like things fast, then how about a few rounds on Silverstone, one of the world’s fastest Formula 1 circuits. I'll ensure you’ve got unobscured trackside seats to watch the high-octane action while enjoying VIP hospitality. 

We all know the sights and sounds of London. Or do we? 

I have got a whole host of tours and experiences in London that you might not have thought of. 

I have hooked up with some local city guides to take you off the beaten track. In a three-and-a-half hour bike tour you’ll pedal your way past some of the capital’s alternative attractions. You’ll discover sites related to Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper, Banksy and many more. And by the time you’ve finished you’ll have heard the stories of the double decker bus leap of faith and the Liberty Bell.

If you’re a music fan then jump into a chauffeur-driven Mini Cooper in which you’ll be taken on a two-hour sightseeing tour that showcases legendary London musicians. See where The Beatles lived and worked and where other great Rock legends made history, such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Queen and Oasis.

But if you want to watch some live entertainment, leave it to me. I can get you tickets to some of the West End’s biggest hit musicals. What’s more, I can tie it all up neatly with dinner and hotel accommodation too. 

‘Self care’ is the byword of the moment and wild swimming is the subsequent solution. Combine invigorating cold-water dips with restorative yoga and you’ve got the winning formula for this break on the Isle of Anglesey. 

You’ll be staying in a country house just a 10-minute stroll from Menai Bridge with expansive views overlooking the mountains of Snowdonia National Park.

Your three days will be taken up with daily yoga sessions, guided walks and wild swims. You’ll be dipping into the waters that kiss the coast of the island; immersing yourself in the lakes of  Snowdonia or making a splash beneath some of the most stunning waterfalls Wales has to offer. Either way, you’ll feel invigorated and empowered as you connect back to nature.

This is not your everyday kinda hotel - this is a Scottish castle. 

You’ll be blown away by the beauty at Buittle Castle. This historical stone landmark dates back 850 years and is now in its 30th generation of family ownership. The current Baron of Buittle is sympathetically restoring and revitalising this fortalice to its rightful glory. 

You’ll be staying in the exquisite Munches Room, with breakfast served in your room – the eggs come straight from the castle’s hens. It’s the perfect base from which to explore Scotland – and I can help with that too. I have got a few quirky options to offer you, including a Royal Whisky and Cheese tour or Market Day Cookery classes. 

The UK has a hidden gem that so many of us miss out on. It’s a secret you can only discover for yourself if, rather than being on it, you go around it. 

I mean the UK’s gloriously rugged and dramatic coastline is only really appreciated when we look back towards the coast from the deck of a boat or cruise ship. 

The big cruise liners are not just found in the waters of the Med and Caribbean, they ply the waters right here off our very own shore. 

I have been big fans of the likes of P&O Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises and even the mammoth ships of Royal Caribbean, all of which explore the British Isles. 

Among the various itineraries you might fancy hugging the south coast, taking in the Cornish coves and disembarking to explore the beautiful Scilly Isles, have a Cornish cream tea in Falmouth or wander through the tropical gardens of the Eden Project. 

Alternatively, head north to take in the historic drama of the Scottish castles and Gaelic culture as you tour the rugged islands of the Hebrides. 

Or why not have a craic when you circle the coast of the Emerald Isle? 

Now this is something really different.

They say that horses can read our emotions. Apparently the 'energy fields' of man and this beast interact allowing the hearts of human and horse to align. Since horses have a very stable heart rhythm, humans frequently feel calmer when they are around these animals.

That’s the premise of this very enchanting two-hour experience in the heart of the Lake District. We can introduce you to a real-life horse whisperer who will immerse you fully in nature and connect you, mind, body and soul, with her gentle horses. 

It’s a truly therapeutic and grounding activity perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Yes I have got the keys to thousands of cosy cottages and hotel rooms in the UK, but I have also got the keys to a very quirky shepherd’s hut in Shropshire.

Set amid sprawling countryside, this characterful hut comes with a double bed and kitchenette, shower, toilet and its very own hot tub – perfect for soaking in after a day of rambling and exploring the area.

Nearby is the grandiose Powys Castle and the National Trust Attingham Park estate.   

So you see, I really are Not Just Travel! I do experiences and tours too. You can turn to me to organise your overseas travel, but I'll be here for your holidays at home as well.

I can help you transform a weekend at home into a WOW weekend at home. And the best bit? My help won’t cost you a penny – my suppliers pay me.

So give me a call and let me inject that dose of difference into your UK getaway.