Many people are panicking over having enough money for holidays next year; with all the talk about mortgages and petrol prices many of us think that taking a week or two to relax next year just isn’t financially possible.  The fact is that many of us overlook the beauty and possibilities of the British countryside and can have plenty of excellent holidays without getting an airplane to somewhere else.

The Cotswolds is a perfect example of this. Situated in Gloucestershire it is known as the very definition of the true English countryside.  There are small market towns and bed and breakfasts dotted all over and many museums, historic houses and wildlife parks.  This all serves to back up this claim and above all it provides a stark contrast to the modern concrete high-rise metropolis that many of us now associate with our country.

The lure of countryside walks, taking in the fresh air and returning home to a welcoming country pub for a refreshing drink is what used to attract thousands of tourists and in areas such as this.  We can indulge ourselves in the natural beauty of our countryside, all the while saving the money which would have been spent on flights and hotels abroad.

But many younger or more active tourists may not find the peaceful country life to be their cup of tea. If this is the case and you prefer a more active holiday then there’s a wealth of activities in the region. With a quick glance at the council’s website they list clay pigeon shooting, wakeboarding and even steam train driving and paintballing as activities you can enquire about.

One that stands out is hot air balloon rides, quite possibly the best way to get a view of the picturesque surroundings. Many flights can be timed perfectly to catch the sun rising or setting for the ultimate experience.

The benefit of these locations is that they are popular all year round, whether you want a bit of sun in the summer months or fancy a weekend away in the snow covered winter months.  The prices are going to be the same since you’ll be driving there yourself in all likeliness, so you won’t be subject to ramped up summer prices that flights typically are.

With this and other domestic attractions the Cotswolds may well see an increase in tourists as more people are looking to spend less but don’t want to compromise on their holidays and time away from the office.



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