Spring Break is a big thing for students in the USA, but Europeans don’t really have an equivalent in their culture. Still, that needn’t stop students from venturing further afield and enjoying their own tailor-made Spring Break in Europe anyway – so here are a few ideas for just that in Merry Olde England…
There are few places on the planet where the spring is more beautiful than the English countryside. And this is a countryside that’s really well-served for National Parks and wonderful walks which aren’t going to cost you a penny.
One of the most quintessentially English “chocolate box” perfect areas is the Cotswolds region in the south-west of the country. There are lots of things to see and do there and surely there’s no better time of the year to be seeing and doing!
Source: Party Rock Travel via Facebook
For those of us who love horses, for example, there’s the world’s premier National Hunt meeting (that’s jumps and hurdle races for the uninitiated). This is held in the largest town in the area – Cheltenham – for four days each March. Cheltenham 2018 Betfair and other sites detail all the runners and riders each year and if you’re on a budget, there are beautiful walks around the area each year that are, of course, free and give you a great vantage point to witness the whole spectacle. Each year, around 200,000 racegoers (mainly from the UK and Ireland) make their way to the racecourse for the four-day Cheltenham Festival – it really is a sight to behold.
But if horses or country walking aren’t your thing – then there’s plenty going on in the nation’s capital each spring. Spring is probably the best time to see London. This is because the weather should be perfect for sightseeing (unless you get really unlucky) but the city isn’t as busy as it gets during peak season – though Fall is also a good time to visit. The famous great parks are packed with people from all around the world – and simply walking around central London is the best way to see the place for those with enough time and when the sun is shining. Most of the traditional top sites and “must-see” attractions are far closer together than most people think, so this is quite do-able and, again it’s completely free.
Source: La Dolce Vita via Facebook
What’s more, the biggest and best museums and galleries are free to enter so if you bring a packed lunch, you can literally spend great days in and around the capital without spending a dime. Obviously, accommodation is expensive, so it’s great if you can stay with friends or find something affordable on Airbnb etc., and this is realistic for most people.
If venturing further afield in the UK, do your research in advance and plan accordingly. “Visit England” is the official English tourist office and organisation and is a great starting point. If you’re heading north of the border then the Scottish equivalent is, you’ve guessed it, “Visit Scotland” whilst “Visit Wales” completes the mainland trio.
Spring is the perfect time to visit the UK and it really shouldn’t cost as much as you may think.
