A recent poll has named some of our favourite local tourist destinations among the most relaxing places in the UK and you'll get absolutely no arguments from us.
In amongst the likes of the Lake District and the Peak District, the Dales have made the top 10 and since you can get to both all of them a little over a hour or even less by car, they'll make the perfect place to enjoy a weekend break or a few days off this year, reports The Manc.
The survey carried out by Sykes Holiday Cottages took data from 2,000 British holidaymakers, 29% of which believe that UK trips are less stressful than abroad due to the shorter travel distances and being able to use English pounds rather than exchanging currency, among various other reasons.
While 22% said that they find foreign holidays more relaxing, six in ten said they prefer places that speak the same language and we all know you don't need to spend a fortune jetting off somewhere exotic to enjoy a good holiday.
The beautiful LakesThe equally pretty PeaksCredit: James Armes/Minku Kang (via Unsplash)
The top 10 most relaxing places in the UK
It's no secret that the Yorkshire Dales are absolutely stunning, and whether you're heading to Malham or Bolton Abbey - there's picturesque views for miles.
Simultaneously Cumbria's quaintest and most popular tourist destination, if you've spent even a little bit of time there you'll know exactly why the Lake District was always going to be on this list.
The same goes for the Peak District as well, as although much of it lies in Derbyshire, the portions that stretch into Cheshire and nearby Greater Manchester — such as the high reaches of Alderley Edge and Saddleworth — are some of the most picturesque places in the country.
Here's the list in full:
Cornwall
Lake District
Scottish Highlands
Yorkshire Dales
Dorset
Norfolk
Cotswolds
Isle of Wight
Peak District
Snowdonia
With three of Britain's most popular walks also being named within these nearby relaxing staycation spots and just down the road from Leeds, it's all the more reason to enjoy these scenic spots when you need a break from the every day of city living or suburban life.
Graham Donoghue, chief exec of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: "Holidays are a time to reset and take some much-needed respite from our day-to-day pressures.
"With shorter travel times, avoiding airport check-in queues, and no language barriers to contend with, it is no surprise that our research has found staycations to be more relaxing than a holiday abroad.
"There is such an abundance of fantastic locations to explore across the UK, staycationers can enjoy a wealth of stress-free holiday experiences to relax and recharge." You know what, you're right, Graham — we're off to book a few days for ourselves.
A bunch of the top bookshops in Sheffield are banding together this weekend for a huge book festival.
The Sheffield Independent Book Festival (or SIBFest) will be a weekend designed for book lovers, with author talks, signings, workshops, reading rooms and more.
There'll even be a bookshop crawl encouraging people to visit Sheffield's many brilliant bookshops.
Different bookshops will be hosting their own fringe events on the first day of the festival, before loads of local businesses come together at Kelham Island for a full day of book-themed events.
SIBFest has been created by booksellers, for book lovers, with an aim to 'celebrate stories, and the shops and publishers who keep them alive'.
It's been created by the people behind local businesses like Novel (which is temporarily closed because of an issue where staff have been being harassed by a member of the public); and La Biblioteka at Leah's Yard.
Hillsborough Bookshop, a neighbourhood children's bookshop, and Juno Books, a queer independent bookshop, have also organised the event.
It will all be taking place at bookshops across the city, plus at The Victoria and The Mowbray at Kelham Island.
There'll be events at La Biblioteka at Leah's Yard for SIBFestNovel is also taking part in the Sheffield Independent Book Festival
Here, you'll find a marketplace for local bookshops and indie makers inside The Mowbray, while The Victoria will host all sorts of talks, workshops and signings.
There'll also be a Graphic Novel Reading Room, where you can relax with a good graphic novel upstairs at the Lodge at The Victoria.
And you can grab delicious food, cocktails and coffee throughout the day in both venues.
SIBFest (Sheffield Independent Book Festival) lineup
Confirmed speakers include:
Bethan Woollvin (These Are My Rocks, Robin Hood, Little Red, I Can Catch a Monster)
Steve Webb (Peng and Spanners, Spangles McNasty, Cow's Go Boo, Tanka Tanka Skunk)
Luke Barley (Ancient)
Hazel Sheffield (Frontierland)
Manya Wilkinson (Lublin, & Other Stories)
Michelle Tea (Valencia, Black Wave, Against Memoir, Little F with Cipher Press)
Kavitha Rao (Lady Doctors, Jacaranda Press)
Witches and Folklore author panel with Anna Caig (The Wise Witch of Orkney)
Molly Aitken (The Island Child and Bright, I Burn)
Sally O’Reilly (Hagtale)
SIBFest will be taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April across Sheffield - see the full line-up and book tickets HERE.
Yorkshire house hunters wanted as UK’s biggest property show returns for new series
Emily Sergeant
Looking to move house? Finding the house hunting process a lot harder than you thought it would be though?
Well, this could be the helping hand you need.
The UK's biggest property show, Location, Location, Location - which has been a fixture in Channel 4’s schedule for more than 20 years at this point - is looking for house hunters from across Yorkshire for the new series.Â
First airing all the way back in 2000, if you've never seen Location, Location, Location, it's fronted by presenters and property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer who head all across the UK to help buyers in search for their dream home.
Despite being on our TV screens for 26 years at this point, Kirstie and Phil have never tired in their efforts to match the nation’s hopeful house hunters with their perfect home.
For its next series being filmed this May, Channel 4 are now looking for individuals, families, and couples from across Yorkshire - Leeds and Sheffield in particular - who need Kirstie and Phil's expertise to find their next home.
The UK's biggest property show is coming to Manchester and needs house hunters for its new series / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, first timer buyers, or looking for a forever home, Channel 4 wants to hear from you.
"We are casting for the new series, and we are interested in hearing from chain free (or SSTC) house hunters who would be ready to buy in May this year," a spokesperson for Channel 4 said as the casting call was announced.
"Applications are now open and we're looking for individuals, families and couples who need Kirstie and Phil's expertise to buy their dream home."
Anyone interested in appearing on Location, Location, Location can apply on the Channel 4 website here.
Applications will be received by a member of IWC Media and they will contact you directly if they wish to take your it any further.
The Hoot -
15th August 2023 
