The 4 best UK day trips for your May Bank Holiday

One of the very few good things to come out of 2020 was that with foreign travel heavily restricted, millions of us began to rediscover how much there is to do - and see - right here on our own doorsteps in the UK. Now that the government has announced an official roadmap out of lockdown, and attractions, events and venues in the UK are starting to plan for opening back up to the public, you might be already be thinking about things to do and places to go for your May Bank Holiday on the 3rd of the month.

That’s where we can help here at Intack Self Drive. Not only can we provide the best price on daily car hire to get you where you’re going, but we’ve also got one or two suggestions for places to go, too! Here are some of our top picks…

Admire the view from Arthur’s Seat

Here’s something you may not have known about Edinburgh - the city is actually home to an ancient volcano. (It’s extinct, in case you’re wondering!) It’s a grassy and rugged peak that sits 351m above sea level, looming over the city of Edinburgh, and referred to as Arthur’s Seat. Nobody quite knows where it got the name - it’s rumoured to have something to do with King Arthur, but that was never quite substantiated. 

Whatever the reason for its name, Arthur’s Seat is visible from almost anywhere in Edinburgh, which makes it a great place to get some beautiful views of the historic city. It’s a short trip up too, not far from the Royal Mile in the city centre. You can begin that trip in Holyrood Park, and a short while later you’ll be drinking in the views of Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, and beyond. 

Begin your adventures in Snowdonia

The national park of North Wales is famed for its mountains and sea views, with many of its craggy peaks gazing across the ocean all the way to Ireland. If you fancy tackling the famous Mount Snowdon, you can champion the climb on foot, or if you’d like you can hop on the quaint little train that runs all the way up to its surface. Snowdonia is sometimes referred to as ‘the UK’s adventure capital’ and it certainly lives up to that reputation - you can zoom down ziplines or trundle down its many mountain bike trails. If the mood strikes you, you can even catch a break at an inland surfing lagoon. If you want to get the family a little more active this summer, Snowdonia is a solid bet. 

Delve into history at Warwick Castle

Fancy taking in a little history? Why not take a wander round Warwick Castle? The well-preserved fortification is now almost 1000 years old, and packed full of towers, rooms and gardens to explore. And it’s not just stuff for the adults, either - kids will be enchanted by the Horrible Histories maze, or fascinated by a peek into the castle dungeon or Princess Tower. Or you can be amazed by the Bird of Prey display, and learn the techniques of medieval warriors in the castle’s Knight School. 

There’s so much to see and do that you might want to stay more than a day. Warwick Castle can accommodate that too, allowing you to spend the night in one of its many lodges or suites. Now we should say that obviously, that aspect is a bit up in the air given the Covid-19 restrictions, so if it’s something you fancy doing then it’s worth checking just before you go! At the time of writing, Warwick Castle is due to reopen on April 12, 2021. 

Meet exotic animals at Chester Zoo

This one is perfect for any animals lovers out there! Chester Zoo is home to more than 15,000 endangered or exotic creatures, encompassing 500 species and 125 acres of islands and habitats. The orangutans and Sumatran tigers are particular visitor favourites, but you can also come face-to-face with painted dogs, parrots and rainforest creatures, and Visayan warty pigs, as you explore the zoo’s variety of simulated ecosystems. 

Notably, the zoo is a registered conservation charity so it does excellent work towards wider animal welfare. You can get to grips with some of this work first hand in the zoo’s Junior Rangers training camp, where you can team up with its qualified rangers and find out more about how they protect and care for animals. It’s just one of the zoo’s multiple daily talks and hands-on experiences you can enjoy, with other activities including a monorail ride, a skipping lane, and even a lazy boat trip. We know that fun for all the family has become a bit of a cliched phrase, so we won’t end this sentence by using it - we’ll just very heavily imply it instead. 

These are just a few of our ideas, of course - you might well have some of your own! Whatever you decide, you can count on us here at Intack Self Drive to help you get there, with the best prices when you come to hire a car or van. If you’re thinking about going anywhere for slightly longer on the other hand, our Flexi Hire services are designed to give you the very best value on long-term hire. If you’ve got any questions or need anything clarified, our friendly team is only a phone call away - feel free to give us a ring on 01254 57811!