Whether it’s a walking holiday in the Welsh countryside, a Downton Abbey-inspired day trip or a West End show, make the most of the late May Bank Holiday and take some time for yourself this half-term. Here’s our pick of escapes for grown-ups (if you’re looking for family ideas, see our rundown of things to do with kids.
Stride out in Snowdonia
May is National Walking Month, and if you haven’t pulled on your hiking boots yet, might we suggest a visit to Snowdonia? Wales’ premier adventure region offers a host of magnificent paths, from the iconic 1,085m-high Mt Snowdon to a plethora of easy-going leisure walks.
If pootling round a garden is more your thing, the second North Wales Festival of Gardens runs from 27th May to 11th June, and features world-class gardens from Portmeirion to Ffestiniog.
Book your stay at Warner Leisure Hotels Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, just a short drive from Snowdonia and a stone’s throw from the coast.
Escape the crowds on the Suffolk coast
For many, the May Bank Holiday means a bolt for the seaside – but if you want some peace and quiet, it pays to head for a quieter stretch of coastline. Motorway-free Suffolk’s heritage coast is ideal for a last-minute getaway, with big skies, pretty towns and fascinating heritage.
In Southwold, you’ll find fine seafood and quirky backstreets. In Aldeburgh – which is celebrating 50 years of its renowned arts festival this June – you can visit Benjamin Britten’s former hometown before it fills with tourists. And in between, drop into RSPB Minsmere, a stunning coastal nature reserve that’s home to a variety of wildlife and the filming location for BBC Springwatch.
Need a place to stay? Check-in to Warner Leisure Hotels’ Corton Coastal Village.
Enjoy a West End weekend
Fancy a bit of razzle-dazzle in your life? Nowhere beats London’s West End for showbiz panache, and there are a host of great shows – from musicals to straight drama – vying for your attention in May and June.
Winner of every major Best Musical award, Kinky Boots tells the story of an unlikely partnership between struggling shoe factory owner, Charlie, and drag queen and cabaret performer, Lola, as they work together to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business. Prefer something, ahem, straighter? Try Imelda Staunton in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf or Star Wars’ John Boyega in Woyzeck.
Escape into the Edwardian era
Fuel your passion for Downton Abbey with a trip to one of the oldest filming locations featured in the series. Boundless is offering members a guided service for two of Downton Abbey film locations. This includes a visit to the historical London sites and pretty Oxfordshire villages used to create the magical world of Downton, and a guided tour and Cotswold lunch platter at Yew Tree Farm, the home of Mr Drewe.
Or experience what it was like to live and work in Edwardian England at Beamish: Living Museum of the North. Have a pint at the traditional pub, enjoy a freshly-baked treat from traditional Edwardian recipes at the bakery, and browse the collection of cars, motorcycles and bikes at the replica 1900s garage. Or spend an evening dining on a five-course meal fit for a Countess in the first-class car of a steam locomotive, as the Leicestershire countryside slips past your window.
…and relax
Air pollution has reached an all-time high, with London breaching its annual limit just five days into 2017. So, if you fancy a breath of fresh air, get out of the city and head to a country spa. Why not get a massage and unwind in a sauna while you’re at it?
Bannatyne spas provide the ideal place to escape the noise and relax. Boundless members can enjoy the Deluxe Spa Choice for two at the Somerset, Bedfordshire, Essex or Suffolk spas, which includes a day’s use of the facilities and your choice of treatment.
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