The government’s Step 2 of its roadmap out of lockdown is due to start on Monday 12 April, and day trips will definitely be possible from then. With the ‘Stay at Home’ order dropped, however, limited day trips in England are on the cards right now.
On Monday 29 March, with the clocks having whizzed forward an hour and the scent of daffodils in the air, there was a subtle shift. Subtle, but very noticeable. The government had changed its advice from ‘Stay At Home’ to ‘Stay Local’, meaning those living in England could leave home for non-essential reasons – not just to buy food or exercise. We are no longer legally obliged to stay in our own towns, villages or city neighbourhoods, although the government is asking that people minimise their number of journeys, continue to work from home if possible and buy food and fuel locally. Those living in Wales are free to travel within its borders, while Scotland’s ‘Stay at Home’ law is lifted on Friday 2 April and in Northern Ireland, 10 miles is currently the furthest you can travel for exercise.
Blickling Estate in Norfolk
Alamy
Other restrictions have been loosened too. We can now pick up a tennis racket or basketball and play sport outside, whether that’s five-a-side football, yoga lessons in the park, a round of golf – try Alexandra Palace’s Pitch and Putt in North London – or jumping in a lido. And the rule of six has returned for outdoor gatherings, although two households can meet up (with a support bubble counting as one household) even if the numbers amount to more than six, allowing the opportunity for family reunions. Inline roller-blading down to Cornwall and back, though, may be frowned upon.
Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire
Alamy
So a day trip without straying too far from home is now possible, though not officially encouraged. That may be a trip to a park in another part of London, for those city-dwellers tired of stomping the same pathways, or to another area of natural beauty, such as Highgate Cemetery. It may be to a pretty town or village near London, or even a beach – making sure you leave no trace of your visit, return home and don’t stay anywhere overnight. Many outdoor landmarks, parks and historic sites are now open: you can visit more than 60 English Heritage sites, including Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire, Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight, Down House in Kent (the family home of Charles Darwin), Eltham Palace in south-east London and Durham’s Barnard Castle of Dominic Cummings fame – with timed tickets to be booked ahead. Many of the National Trust’s heritage locations are also open – although some, being areas of wilderness, never closed – such as Anglesey Abbey Gardens in Cambridge, Ascott in Buckinghamshire, Blickling Estate in Norfolk and Dunham Massey in Cheshire. However, those who feel they should remain cautious may want to wait until Monday 12 April before setting out beyond their immediate horizons.
Highgate Cemetery in London
Alamy
Here’s where some of the Traveller team will be heading:
Becky Lucas, digital editor
‘I’ll be travelling from Crouch End in London to Hertford in Hertfordshire, 17 miles down the road, to have a barbecue in my sister’s garden on her birthday. I’m going to take the train and walk from the station – avoiding sharing a car with anyone, but hopefully making the very most of some sunny spring weather.’
Abigail Malbon, acting audience growth manager
‘After months in my beloved built-up Peckham I’m desperate for some space and greenery, so I’ll be driving the 20 miles to Chartwell. The National Trust property’s gardens are open for visitors and – crucially – so are the loos!’
Sophie Knight, digital picture editor
‘I’ll be getting the train to Eastbourne, to enjoy fish and chips on the beach and a hike along the Seven Sisters coastal path, which stretches for 13 miles all the way to Seaford.’
Rick Jordan, senior editor
‘It’s not quite the road trip you see in the movies, but I’ll be taking my son from North London all the way down to Kew Gardens for its outdoor Beano celebrations in honour of Dennis the Menace’s 70th birthday. I just need to think up some pranks to play on him.’
HOW FAR CAN YOU TRAVEL FROM 29 MARCH?
This is a bit of a grey area. Of course, where to go locally very much depends on where you live. One person’s local is another’s long-haul drive. There are no specific rules on how far you can travel in England in a single day – although as overnight stays anywhere are still off limits, there are obvious boundaries. The government is leaving it to people’s common sense. In January, Boris Johnson cycled his bike around the Olympic Park, seven miles from his home, claiming it wasn’t breaking the lockdown rules. So we think that a short journey for a walk or to meet up with friends and family outdoors is acceptable. But perhaps don’t spend five hours on the motorway getting there. And bear in mind the events of last summer, when many councils warned visitors away from overcrowded destinations such as Margate beach and the Lake District – so be considerate. We’ll have to wait until Monday 12 April to roam further.
Like this? Now read:
When to book what for after UK lockdown: a quick guide
When will we travel? What the latest lockdown rules mean
16 of the best day trips from London
