How to holiday locally this summer

Until recently, every holiday began with one simple question: ‘Where shall we go?’ This summer, however, our once globe-spinning options have shrunk to talk of air bridges and travel corridors. And for most of us, an escape might not transport us many miles from our own front door. But it only takes a small shift in mindset to realise that distance doesn’t make the destination, that the crucial things we’re often looking for from a trip – the thrill of exploration, a mental switch-off and lung-fulls of fresh air – can be found without travelling very far at all.

The silver lining of staying home and slowing down has been the fresh discoveries made on our doorsteps, from a secret pocket of urban woodland to swathes of untapped local wilderness. The health benefits of getting outside are proven, with scientists showing that spending time in green spaces can lower stress, blood pressure and heart rate, while outdoor physical activity boosts mood and mental wellbeing. Many wellness trends in recent years, from Japanese shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, to the more quirky mountain-goat yoga, have been rooted in the healing power of nature. Few companies kit the outdoor lifestyle better than Victorinox, the Swiss brand built on good living and known for its famous Swiss Army knives, outdoor-ready watches and top-notch kitchen knives for picnic prowess or slicing into a DIY-smoked catch-of-the-day.

Thus, with the experts in tow, here’s our guide on how to holiday locally this summer with five ways to make every weekend a passport to new experiences.