August, 2021
A three-minute read sharing top tips for your New Forest staycation.
This summer, the question mark over foreign holidays is as agonising as Ross and Rachel’s will-they-or-wont-they story.
Some have taken the stress out of the decision and opted to book holidays in and around the UK. But for many, rising prices and limited availability has resulted in staycations at home being the preferred choice.
Here’s a roundup of our favourite tips to make the most of your New Forest staycation.
Turn the tech off
Remember the good old days when a break was actually a break? For some, working from home has led to a seemingly constant availability. Work has crept into evenings and weekends and the line has most definitely blurred. Turn your phone off, put your out of office on and recharge your batteries.
Cull the chores
Holidays mean leisure, not labour. Put an embargo on laundry, cleaning, shopping, even cooking (unless that forms part of your R&R). Indulge in some guilty pleasures: sleep in, read some feel-good fiction, binge on Netflix, eat pancakes and syrup every day.
Satisfy ALL the senses
If a holiday means havaianas, Harvey Wallbangers and halloumi – have it. Use a coconut scented body lotion or sunscreen (if we’re lucky enough to see the sun…). Get out your fluffiest bath towels to turn your bathroom into a luxury hotel spa. Hang some fairy lights, splurge on some holiday-scented candles and spin some Café del Mar tunes for a holiday oasis.
Get outdoors
There’s bound to be somewhere in The New Forest that you have yet to discover. Search the net for recommended woodland dog walks, hiking trails, or picnic spots. If you have the space, borrow a tent from a friend and set up camp in the garden. Toast some marshmallows, put on a little festival music, and lie out under the stars. (A chemical toilet is optional.) If rain stops play, set up camp inside. You can even listen to cicadas or a crackling fire on YouTube.
Parklife
Get your mates together for some football, rugby, or rounders in the park or the forest. Get everyone involved and throw some bangers on the barbie for a post-game jolly.
Try something new
You’re never too old to learn something new. Try your hand at a new sport (a dining table and a table tennis bat and ball can provide hours of fun) or have a go at painting, yoga, or perfect your mum’s pavlova.
Whether you’re vacationing or staycationing, from all of us here at BrightWater, have fun and stay safe.
