Money
The Pound Sterling (£, GBP) is the currency across all six destinations. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small cafes and National Trust sites, though it’s worth carrying a little cash for car parks and rural honesty boxes. Tipping is appreciated but optional — around 10–12.5% in restaurants if service isn’t already added to the bill, and rounding up is normal for taxis and cafes.
When to go
Late spring through early autumn (May–September) is the sweet spot for all six destinations — the most reliable weather, longest daylight, and the best conditions for the water-based spots (Salcombe, Falmouth, Sandbanks) and Kielder’s stargazing season, which actually favours the longer, darker nights of autumn and winter. School holidays (particularly late July through August) bring the biggest crowds and highest prices in the coastal towns, so late spring or early autumn tend to offer the best balance of good weather and fewer visitors.
Weather & what to pack
British weather is famously changeable, even in summer — pack layers and a waterproof regardless of season or forecast. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is worth it for Brimham Rocks, Kielder Forest and Cannock Chase, where paths can be uneven or muddy. Coastal spots like Salcombe, Falmouth and Sandbanks are milder but windier — a warm layer for the water is always useful even on a sunny day.
Getting around
Driving is on the left. Rural roads around Salcombe, Falmouth, Kielder and Brimham Rocks can be narrow and winding, so allow more time than a map suggests. Sat nav postcodes are the easiest way to navigate to all six destinations — we include one on each destination page. If you’re visiting several National Trust or Forestry England sites (Brimham Rocks is National Trust; Kielder Forest and Cannock Chase are Forestry England), a short-term membership or day pass can work out cheaper than paying separately for parking and entry at each.
Practical basics
- Electricity: 230V, Type G (three-pin) plugs.
- Language: English throughout.
- Mobile coverage: generally reliable in the towns (Salcombe, Falmouth), but patchy in remote spots like Kielder Forest and parts of Cannock Chase — download offline maps before you set off.
- Dogs are welcome on most of the walking trails and beaches covered here, though some beaches (including parts of Sandbanks) restrict dogs during summer months — check locally before you travel.