When it comes to Britain’s finest landscapes, we might think of places like the Lake District, the Jurassic Coast or the Cotswolds. But here at Tingdene Lifestyle, we want to celebrate some other wonderful landscapes around the English countryside and coast that you may not have thought about.
Broads. Wolds. Moors
Three words that sum up the scope of some of our favourite places are Broads, Wolds & Moors. These three words sum up why a UK holiday home in East Anglia, Lincolnshire or Yorkshire is a wonderful idea. And it pays to look beyond the broad brush strokes to see some of the finer things they offer.
So settle in, and discover 20 great places to explore around the Broads National Park, the Lincolnshire Wolds and the North Yorkshire Moors.
Norfolk & Suffolk The Broads National Park
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, or more recently the Broads National Park, are a truly unique UK landscape. They were thought to be a natural phenomenon until the 1950s when it was confirmed that they are in fact medieval peat diggings that flooded when the sea levels rose. Today, with their low horizons, and big skies punctuated with windmills and boat sails, they are of huge significance as natural wetlands - and hugely popular with holidaymakers.
Broadland is an understandably popular place to have a holiday home too. Tingdene Broadlands Park and Marina is perfectly placed to explore the area. Tingdene Caldecott Hall Country Park is another very popular holiday home spot. And, on the edge of Norfolk, there’s also Tingdene Waveney River Centre.
1. Museum of the Broads
The Broads are steeped in history - Lord Nelson learned to sail on a Norfolk Broad - and a really great place to learn more is The Museum of the Broads at Stalham. This, as they say, brings the stories of the Broads alive. Stalham itself is worth a wander around as a real Broads village.
2. How Hill
How Hill is a joy. With its thatched roof Edwardian house, and acres of marsh, reedbeds and wooded landscape, this place is an important study centre. But it’s fun too. Take a boat trip through the reeds, stroll around the nature trails and visit the secret garden. There’s also a period cottage - Toad Hole - where you can learn how the Marshmen once lived in Broadland.
If you’re up for a longer stroll you can walk from How Hill to St Benets Abbey.
3. St Benets Abbey
St Benets Abbey was the only monastery in England not to be closed by Henry VIII. Today the ruins of this 1000 year old place are an important spot in the history, and the landscape, of The Broads. And if you hear any noises late at night, they are nothing to worry about. It’s just Essric the ghost, one of many myths and legends of the Broads National Park…
4. Wroxham and Hoveton
Wroxham and Hoveton are essential places to visit on the Broads. Wroxham is sometimes called the Capital of the Broads. You have to visit Roys of Wroxham - founded in 1895, Roys is a Norfolk legend.
Around here there are lots of places to visit, and to eat and drink, and some great spots to simply sit and watch the Broads go by. Hire a boat, go fishing …..Wroxham and Hoveton are the sort of places that define the Broads.
5. Tingdene Broadlands Park & Marina
Tingdene Broadlands Park and Marina is the perfect location for exploring the world famous Broads. A holiday home here gives you so much. Close enough to the Suffolk coast for you to enjoy places like wonderful Southwold, Broadlands Park and Marina is also a gateway to the magical waterways of the Broads.
With fantastic facilities including a swimming pool and Moss & Co Broadlands bar and restaurant, this is a holiday village with an added bonus - you have a marina on your doorstep.
6. Tingdene Marinas
It’s the ideal combination. Owning your own holiday home and a small day boat. Is there any better way to explore the Broads? At Broadlands Park & Marina, you can! And there’s more; with a Tingdene berth you get 28 nights, free of charge, at other Tingdene Marinas across the Broads.
There’s Brundall Bay Marina with the popular East Hills Cafe and Bistro, as well as Waveney Marina on the borders of Norfolk and Suffolk.
7. Waveney River Centre
On the very edge of Norfolk, Waveney River Centre is another superb location with a truly authentic atmosphere of Broads and boats. Explore that combination of holiday home and boat to explore these wonderful waterways. And definitely visit the Waveney Inn bar and restaurant with views over the Marshes.
8. Caldecott Hall Country Park
Check out Caldecott Hall Country Park - If golf is your thing then you can take advantage of Caldecott Hall Golf Club. It’s full of other superb facilities too like Barn 1 Restaurant and a swimming pool and steam room. Or there’s a new Disc Golf course, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and more! Caravans for sale, pitches available, and lodges or barn cottages mean holiday homes to suit every style and budget are available here.
Richard Croft, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lincolnshire The Lincolnshire Wolds
Lincolnshire has a wealth of landscapes to explore. The coast takes in miles of golden sandy tranquility, as well as all the fun of traditional resorts like Skegness. The countryside gives you the Lincolnshire Wold; this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is somewhere you’ll grow to love.
Rolling hills and quiet valleys cover countryside from the Humber Estuary to the edge of the Fens. They are ancient and magnificent and they are there for you to discover. Go cycling, go walking, watch the wildlife and the birds. Just be there and be yourself.
If you’re thinking about - and you really should be - having your own UK holiday home, the world of the Wolds should be high on your list of possible locations.
When somewhere is officially designated as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you get a pretty good clue to how lovely a landscape it is.
It’s certainly, just like the Norfolk Broads, a landscape that’s worth a closer look. And, just like Norfolk, it has a reputation for being flat but, on closer examination, it isn’t!
Those Lincolnshire Wolds views stretch out to the horizon and their history reaches back to the Vikings. The Wolds are big, open spaces and once you’ve done walking them the market towns on the edges are delightful.
9. The Viking Way
Try this walk for a start! Covering 149 miles through not only Lincolnshire, but Leicestershire and Rutland, there are shorter trails that run through the Lincolnshire Wolds from Donington on Bain to Horncastle. Head up to Wolds Top, or Normanby Hill, you’re at the highest point in Lincolnshire. The views are fantastic.
10. Alford
Alford is an adorable little market town, full of history and mentioned way back in the Domesday Book of 1086. One stunning place to visit dating from 1611 is Alford Manor House, one of England’s largest thatched manor houses. You can also explore the Museum of Rural Life, and “experience a glimpse of daily domestic life from a bygone era”.
11. Joseph Banks Centre, Horncastle
Horncastle is equally charming and it’s very close to Lincoln with its magnificent Castle and Cathedral. It’s close to Mablethorpe too, and Tingdene Mablethorpe Park. Joseph Banks Centre is worth checking out to learn more about Linclonshire’s famous explorer.
12. Caistor Arts & Heritage Centre
Caistor is over to the west of the Wolds and is really well placed as a base for exploring. It’s a good point to link up with The Viking Way. Caistor Arts & Heritage Centre is a mine of information, as well as a popular café, library and gallery.
13. Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
Lincolnshire’s only full sized steam railway, you can head to Ludborough Station to explore the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. These “meticulously restored vintage trains” operate on select dates for Steam Running Days or Dining Specials throughout the year.
14. Tingdene Mablethorpe Chalet & Caravan Park
Just a few miles out to the coast from the Lincolnshire Wolds lies Tingdene Mablethorpe Park, offering an exciting mix of traditional cedar chalets and modern caravans. As a location for your UK holiday home it also offers a stunning backdrop of coastline and countryside.
North Yorkshire The North York Moors
Another of our outstanding National Parks, The North York Moors are famous for many things. This is one of the country’s largest expanses of heather moorland, and it is truly majestic. Ruggedly beautiful, yet friendly and welcoming, this is what the great outdoors is all about. And with a holiday home at Redcar Beach Caravan Park, you can explore the majesty of the moors whenever you like.
15. Sutton Bank
Sutton Bank will give you views over Mowbray and the Vale of York, dubbed “the finest in England” by famous local author and vet James Herriot - speaking of which, you can head to nearby Thirsk for the award winning World of James Herriot museum.
Also in Sutton Bank, you’ll find the National Park Centre, which is a great start when looking to explore the North York Moors.
And from Sutton Bank you can easily stroll to the Kilburn White Horse.
16. Kilburn White Horse
At over 300 feet long, the Kilburn White Horse which is cut into the hillside is thought to be the largest hill figure in England. And it’s right there in the the North York Moors landscape!
Ø 7 great places to explore in North Yorkshire
17. Farndale
Farndale is a sight to behold in Spring. It’s one of Yorkshire’s most famous daffodil spots, flowering over 7 miles of the River Dove. You can follow a 3.5 mile linear route along the River to explore this stunning Daffodil Trail. Supposedly, the first daffodil bulbs were planted here by the medieval monks from nearby Rievaulx Abbey, another must see while you’re in North Yorkshire.
18. Rosedale Abbey
Definitely check out Rosedale Abbey. It’s a great opportunity to see the natural beauty of the area as well as its mining heritage. Their community website lists so many things to explore, from the idyllic Sycamores Spa experience, to stunning walks to Northdale Rigg.
19. Saltburn-by-the-Sea
A little further north of the North York Moors, you can find Saltburn - no, not that Saltburn! Home to a Victorian cliff tramway, the oldest operating water balanced tramway in Britain, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is popular with visitors, especially surfers! This stunning coastline simply cannot be missed on a trip to North Yorkshire. It is just a few miles from Tingdene Redcar Beach Caravan Park, and home to Tingdene Hazelgrove Residential Park too!
20. Tingdene Redcar Beach Caravan Park
Tingdene Redcar Beach is one of the country’s best locations for having your own UK caravan holiday home. With easy access to the moors, and facing one of the country’s loveliest beaches, it’s also within easy reach of Redcar itself.
Redcar is famous for its beach and well worth a visit. It’s another great location for a holiday home, with Tingdene Redcar Beach now very popular for uk caravan holiday homes.
You’re also close to delightful towns like Whitby and Staithes. There’s charming Saltburn too and you’re near to a great golf course . All of this and you’re on the edge of the moors. Having some of the UK’s most wonderful landscapes as a beautiful backdrop to your own holiday home; sounds like a plan worth pursuing.
There they are. Three of our best loved landscapes in a bit more detail. For the broad brush strokes first, and then all the detail you need about holiday homes in these landscapes.
Holiday homes in the UK
Having your own UK holiday home is a plan lots of people are pursuing now because it’s never made more sense. It’s never been more attractive.
Financially it’s increasingly viable as an option. Your savings, and your pension pot, need serious consideration as we face an ever more uncertain future. A holiday home is a sound investment.
It’s an investment in your future in more than the purely financial sense. Recent times have taught us so much about the importance of family and friends. Having a holiday home you can go to, when you want and with who you want, is a wonderful thing. Spend time together, make memories. Make sense of life.
Making fewer international journeys, typically by flying, is a way of being greener. A holiday home in the UK has a way of helping the planet. Air travel does not look set to be any less stressful anytime soon and it’s never going to get less harmful to the environment.
So, spending your holidays in your own UK holiday home helps you, and it helps the planet. It helps us keep alive the miracles of our landscape. Miracles like the Broads, the Wolds and the Moors.