School’s out: Where families are headed for their summer holidays
The summer holidays are here, and families will be looking for ways to keep their kids entertained over August. There’ll be those who want to leave the car at home, or just need a ride back after a busy day out, so this should mean more opportunities to earn.
The situation on international travel is changing all the time, so more families may have chosen to stay local this summer or enjoy a UK holiday instead.
Uber and private hire drivers may also see a boost in passengers as tourists start to make a return, now that fully vaccinated travellers from the US and Europe (excluding France) don’t have to isolate when arriving in the UK.
To help you find the best rider hotspots, we’ve put together some suggestions on where families are likely to be headed this summer. Where relevant, we’ve also included details of nearby train stations and pick-up spots.
The following information is correct at the time of writing on 2 August 2021. Before you head out, check the latest restrictions where you are from official government sources.
London and South-East England
Families may be keen to make the most of some lesser-known attractions, especially if the more obvious days out have already been booked up.
These include things like the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street, London (open daily 9.30am-6pm, close to Paddington station), Butser Ancient Farm in the South Downs National Park (open daily 10am-4pm, Petersfield station) and Hobbledown Farm (open daily 8.30am-6.30pm, Epsom station).
For those who have pre-booked, there’s also likely to be riders at Victoria and Green Park for Buckingham Palace, and further afield Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside for visitors to Legoland Windsor, Windsor Castle and Windsor itself.
South-West England
Cornwall and Devon have always been major holiday hotspots, and probably more so this year in the wake of the pandemic. Popular places with families include the Lost Gardens of Heligan (open 10am-6pm, St Austell station), Tintagel Castle (open 10am-6pm, Bodmin Parkway) and Woodlands Park theme park (open 9.30am-6pm, Totnes).
Midlands and East England
Among the attractions here include Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Norfolk (open 10am-5.30pm, driving distance from Fakenham, Norwich, Cromer and Great Yarmouth), Mountfitchet Castle, a Norman village and open-air museum in Essex (open 10am-5pm) and the Riverside Hub in Northampton.
North-East and North-West England
There’s a lot of places to choose from here for local families and those on the summer holiday.
Try BeWILDerwood, a woodland play area in Cheshire (open 10am-5pm, driving distance from Whitchurch, Nantwich and Chester), The Forbidden Corner in the Yorkshire Dales (close to Northallerton and Darlington stations), and of course, Blackpool Pleasure Beach (open 10am-7pm, parking at North Car Park Balmoral Road, East Car Park Bond Street, Arena Car Park Watson Road, West Car Park Ocean Boulevard and Railway Station Bond Street).
Wales
If you’re based in Wales, you’ll know there’s plenty of castles, woodlands and gardens for families to take advantage of in these summer holidays.
National Trust recommends a host of outdoor family favourites, including Bodnant Garden in Conwy (open 9.30am-5pm, especially busy at weekends) Powis Castle in Welshpool (castle open 12pm-4pm, shop 10am-5pm) and Colby Woodland Garden in Pembrokeshire (open 10am-5pm, Kilgetty train station).
Scotland
Following the Scottish government’s announcement that almost all Covid-related restrictions are being lifted from 9 August, more families may be making plans to go out.
Potential rider hotspots include the World of Illusions close to Edinburgh Castle (open daily 8am-10pm), Landmark Forest Adventure Park (open 10am-6pm, Carrbridge and Aviemore stations) and the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition in Inverness (open 10am-5pm). After flooding damage, the exhibition is due to reopen later this month.
At INSHUR, we’re always looking for ways to help our drivers. To get your private hire insurance sorted quickly, check out our coverage options today.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52544307
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/best-family-days-out-uk-things-do-kids-july-2021-summer/
https://www.great-days-out.co.uk/family-attractions/
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/summer-family-activities-for-every-adventurer
https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/attractions/family-days-out-ideas/
