The Great British Escape

The economic squeeze has changed the way in which people are holidaying, with two new groups of travellers emerging; Sabbat-packers and Staycationers. This is the verdict of David Else, the Coordinating Author of Lonely Planet’s new Great Britain guidebook:

The Sabbat-pack is made up of professionals who have been laid-off and used it as an opportunity to flee the country and see the world. David says, “This flip-side of the recession is epitomized by city-types who have spent their 20s working hard and climbing the career ladder then found themselves redundant or given the alluring option of a sabbatical. This savvy bunch is using their time wisely and going abroad to learn new skills and languages, volunteer or to see far-flung destinations which they might not have had the chance to visit before.”

The other emerging trend is strikingly different, with soaring numbers of Brits planning an escape within the UK. David explains, “These Staycationers can’t afford all the costs associated with holidaying abroad, especially in light of the Eurozone being so expensive, and have realized that they can find better value at home. Many are also keen to avoid security queues and delays at airports or are interested in keeping their carbon foorptint down by avoiding flying. The fantastic summer weather forecast has been an extra incentive for Brits to stay at home and explore more of their own country.”

David is keen to encourage Staycationers to check out somewhere that they wouldn’t typically think of visiting; “The Midlands is commonly an area that people pass through rather than a destination in its own right, but people shouldn’t overlook the gems that the region offers. Cities like Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham have become vibrant and cosmopolitan places with lots to offer. The stunning Peak District and historic Lincoln are two other must-sees.”

David is part of a team of authors who spent months travelling around the country observing the British way of life and finding the best cities, towns, sights, places to eat and accommodation in the country to include in the 8th edition of the Great Britain guide.

Travel isn’t the only means of escape for Brits. Sport for one is cited as integral to the British psyche, according to the guide: ”The mood of the nation is more closely aligned to the success of its international teams in major competition than to budget announcements from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or even the weather.” (page 67)

Aspirational TV programmes such as “property porn” (programmes about buying or doing up homes) and shows with celebrity chefs at their helm are also much loved distractions, however: “behind the scenes the Brits still have an odd attitude to eating at home. They love to sit on the sofa and watch TV food shows, but in reality the recipe for dinner is more likely to be something like this: open freezer, take out package, bung in microwave, ping, eat.” (page 89)

However some British habits and methods of escapism aren’t as positive: “Time to celebrate? Oh yes – with a big drink. Across the country, alcohol consumption is on the rise, with the relatively new phenomenon of ‘binge drinking’ among young people a major concern for doctors, police and politicians.” (page 64)

Despite the tough time that the country is going through David believes, “British folk are extremely resilient, the recession isn’t going to dampen their spirits.”

On the subject of British traits the guide states: “Calmness in the face of adversity, a laconic sense of humour, a sense of decency and fair play, and mastery of understatement are all fundamental facets of the British character – at least, as seen by the British themselves. Ask the French, for example, and you might get a rather different list of attributes that includes stand-offishness, anti-intellectualism, public drunkenness and being crap at cooking.” (page 63)

Great Britain barometer

GOING UP - Midlands Cities:

Birmingham: “vibrant, cultural hot spot”

Lincoln: “An undervisited delight.”

Leicester: “a socially and environmentally progressive melting pot”

Nottingham: “a dynamic mix of medieval and modern... its nightlife, culture and shopping are booming.”

GOING DOWN - Over-priced tourist attractions:

Alton Towers: “Entry prices are almost as steep as the rides”

Balmoral Castle: “In truth, the somewhat hefty entrance fee is mainly for the grounds, as visitors are only allowed into one room of the castle – a ballroom stocked with rather uninteresting memorabilia.”

Madame Tussauds: “With so much fabulous free stuff to do in London, it’s a wonder that people still join lengthy queues to visit pricey Madame Tussauds but in a celebrity-obsessed, camera-happy world, the opportunity to pose beside Posh and Becks is not short on appeal.”

What Great Britain says about...

ALTON TOWERS: a great option for thrill-seekers. Entry prices are almost as steep as the rides.(page 493)

BOURNEMOUTH: In Bournemouth, four worlds collide: old folks, families and corporate delegates meet club-loads of boozers out on a bender. Sometimes the edges rub – painfully. On weekend evenings parts of town transform into a massive frenzy of stag and hen parties, full of angels with L plates and blokes in frocks, blond wigs and slingbacks. (page 298)

BATH: If you only explore one English city outside London, make it Bath. (page 330)

BIRMINGHAM: Once the butt of many a joke, England’s second-largest city – nicknamed ‘Brum’ – has spectacularly redefined its image from aesthetically challenged urban basket case to vibrant, cultural hot spot...there are more glamorous shops, swanky bars and hectic nightclubs than you can shake a bargepole at. (page 474)

BRISTOL: Boom-town Bristol may not be as pretty as her older sister Bath (and really, she isn’t) but she’s just as interesting. (Page 320)

EDINBURGH: Not only is Edinburgh one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it also enjoys one of Europe’s most beautiful settings. (page 779)

GLASGOW: a loud, witty and wise-cracking contrast to the more staid attractions of Edinburgh. (page 807)

HARROGATE: The quintessential Victorian spa town, prim, pretty Harrogate has long been associated with a certain kind of old-fashioned Englishness, the kind that seems to be the preserve of retired army chaps and formidable dowagers who, inevitably, will always vote Tory. (page 555)

LEEDS: One of the fastest growing cities in the UK, Leeds is the glitzy, glamorous embodiment of newly rediscovered northern self-confidence. (Page 521) The tremendous Leeds club scene attracts people from miles around. In true northern tradition people brave the cold wearing next to nothing, even in winter, which is a spectacle in itself. (526)

LEICESTER: Filled with the sense of excitement that comes from a mix of cultures and ethnicities, Leicester may not be beautiful but it has a lot going on. (Page 442) ... a socially and environmentally progressive melting pot. (page 443)

LINCOLN: An undervisited delight. (page 446)

LONDON: There is no place on earth that is more multicultural; any given street yields a rich harvest of languages. With endless reserves of cool, London is one of the world’s great cities, if not the greatest. (page 130)

MANCHESTER: Need a substitute for London? Manchester’s ready, willing and very able. (page 572)

NEWCASTLE: Hip, happening Newcastle will surprise the first-time visitor, especially if you’ve come armed with notions about hard-bitten lads and lasses going all hell-for-leather in sub-zero temperatures in a sooty, industrial landscape. (page 641)

NOTTINGHAM: a dynamic mix of medieval and modern... its nightlife, culture and shopping are booming... while the clubs and bars are some of the liveliest in the country. (page 453)

PLYMOUTH: If parts of Devon are costume dramas or nature programs, Plymouth is a healthy dose of reality TV. Gritty, and certainly not always pretty, its centre has been subjected to buildings even the architect’s mother might question. But despite often being dismissed for its partying, poverty and urban problems, this is a city of huge spirit and great assets. (page 361)

SURREY: Surrey is the heart of commuterville, chosen by well-off Londoners when they spawn, move out of the city and buy a country pad. For the most part, though, it’s made up of uninspiring towns and dull, sprawling suburbs. (page 234)

NOTE TO EDITORS

• Review copies of the 8th edition of Great Britain are available.

• If you want to know about a particular place or attraction we can email you the pages from the guide.

• Coordinating author David Else is available for interviews.

David has authored more than 20 guidebooks including the last 4 editions of the Great Britain guide. David has worked as a Lonely Planet author since 1993.

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