2020 has been described as the year of the “Great British summer staycation”.
Right across the country, Brits are choosing to explore what’s right on their doorstep this year, in favour of jetting off for holidays overseas.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have brought with it a lot of doom and gloom – especially as flights have been grounded, holidays cancelled and stricter quarantine measures introduced – but it’s certainly gifted us with the unique opportunity to get out and see the beauty that our country has on offer, right?
Now, in order to help Brits decide on where next to pitch up this summer, HomeToGo – the world’s largest holiday rental search engine – has researched the UK’s Best Outdoor Destinations aimed at “cooped-up holidaymakers dreaming of spending some time out in nature”.
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If you’re looking to get some fresh air and explore the most scenic areas of the country this summer, then the top 14 destinations in the UK have now been carefully selected and revealed.
HomeToGo’s data and insights on 14 of the most searched National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in the UK is based on the following factors:
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Affordability – Average nightly price of a holiday home.
Availability – Booking rates for August and September 2020.
Weather – Average daily hours of sunshine for the month of August.
Walking Trails – Number of walking trails nearby.
Met Office climate data was used to calculate the average hours of sunshine for the month of August, HomeToGo used its own metasearch data to forecast the average price and booking rate for places to stay in each area, crowd-sourced data was collected from a leading trail map and navigation website for walking trail information, and then each of the factors were weighted and given a score out of 10.
So, what are the Top 5 Best Outdoor Destinations in the UK for 2020 then?
Best Place for Sun-Seekers? Dorset – Average days with rain 7.5, average daily sun.
Most Affordable Staycation? Suffolk – Average accommodation £116.48 per night.
Best for Last-minute Travellers? Peak District – Forecasted Availability 66%.
Best Spot for Active Travellers? Lake District – Over 380 walking trails.
Other interesting survey findings showed that since the beginning of June, over 60% of all domestic UK holiday bookings have been for trips within 300 miles from the origin, and more than 78% of bookings over July and August are in listings in rural areas, such as the Lake District or North Yorkshire.
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Speaking on the survey findings, Mike Pearce – a spokesperson for HomeToGo – said: “We’re seeing an increase in demand for countryside getaways as more individuals and families are trying to make the most of their summer holidays,”
“We hope everyone has a chance to find a little more space this summer and spend some time outdoors, safely and responsibly”.
Want to check out the rest of the top 14 destinations? Head on over to the HomeTGo website here.
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Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
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KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.