Oh, we had epic hopes for our holidays this year – we’d spend weeks traipsing round sun-soaked Italian vineyards, maybe head off on that bucket list outback Australian adventure. But with our long-haul plans being hurled (mostly) out of the window, focus has shifted instead to our own fair shores.

But actually, this is a really fantastic thing, because there’s a veritable glut of brilliant places – from butter-gold beaches to staggering mountain highlands – in which to holiday at home. However, with beautiful spots come the big crowds (of course), and no one want to spend their holidays fidgeting in a queue or fighting for a lunch table with a sea view.

So instead of opting for the old favourites (think Cornwall, the Cotswolds and the Lakes) how about we consider the more hidden-away escapes, too? The places where you’ll actually find a seat at that brilliant restaurant that’s a hit with in-the-know locals; where landscapes are generally free of people and ripe for exploring all nooks and crannies. Because, from cool glampsites to mini food revolutions, there’s a whole lot going on in these lesser-known spots too.

It’s important, of course, to travel responsibly – be aware of local lockdowns and respectful of those places where residents may be more at risk – but there’s no reason why we can’t make our UK breaks better than they’ve ever been.

Here’s our pick of under-the-radar places to start.

UK travel: the best alternative staycation spots including Aberystwyth, Isle of Wight and Deal