A free country…
“The traditional six weeks of summer holidays pit dreams of golden adventures further afield against the harder reality of trying to find somewhere to visit at a time when everyone with children is doing the same. Add in a steep rise in the cost of living and the fun of the summer break can vanish.
One of the great joys of the British countryside is that walking, watching nature, swimming in the sea and even wild camping in some places are open to all and largely free. Ben Lerwill beautifully illustrates this in his magnificent Somerset stroll in the footsteps of poet ST Coleridge. These simple pleasures are immensely rewarding.
But what about transport and accommodation? Is there any way to keep such costs down and still have a great time? We asked two intrepid travel writers to share their best tips for country breaks that don’t cost the Earth.
A similarly optimistic tone imbues the whole magazine this month. I was warmed by the story of the Beaumonts, a Lake District couple who have revolutionised their farm by embracing nature. Their approach has regenerated their land and income. Then there’s the uplifting tale of botanist Leif Bersweden, cycling the country to catalogue our wildflowers and working to revive them. We need these beautiful plants to survive, he says. So let’s kick the idea of neatness in nature into the long grass and give the strimmer a summer break, too.
Don’t miss our nature and countryside Plodcast – available on all podcast providers
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THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Ben Lerwill
“The 51-mile Coleridge Way begins in the Quantock Hills before undulating gently – and occasionally steeply – across Exmoor to the coast.”
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys
“Trail running takes me to places inaccessible by car, train or bus. To the top of hills where, at the break of dawn, I feel gratitude for the body I have.”
Leif Bersweden
“Hopping off my bike to explore small roadside copses and meadows provided some of the best and most unexpected finds of the year.”