Home or Away – Your UK & Netherlands Travel Guide

We want to continue the Stena Line at home segment for those who are not quite ready to set sail while giving those who are ready for a sailing onboard our superferries fun travel inspirations! Be inspired and explore safe new ways of travelling between the UK and Netherlands…  UK break or a Dutch getaway?

If you’re not ready yet, there’s always next year, check out 2022 fares >

City breaks are still on the agenda!

Though it may seem like city breaks are off the cards for a while yet, whether you plan a staycation or sail away, there are still really great and safe ways you can enjoy a city break. So don’t delay your plans…

Home? Oxford is an ideal city destination; the Netherlands is not the only place to enjoy sightseeing on a bicycle! Oxford gives you the feeling of being in a charming idyllic distant getaway without the typical hustle and bustle of big cities and towns. Enjoy cycling and taking in all the charm Oxford has to offer, take a tour around the historical sites such as the university, the botanic gardens, and the canals for an afternoon of punting.

What’s great is finding accommodation is straight forward as Oxford offers great self-catered accommodation, charming houses, and cottages to rent out if avoiding hotels for a more personal experience with loved ones.

Away? Haarlem is a small city that neighbours Amsterdam, get the Amsterdam-like experience in a far smaller, more intimate and picturesque location. Haarlem boasts beautiful cobblestoned lanes, gothic cathedrals and a popular square – Grote Markt, located right next to Bavo Cathedral has a whole host of terraces, bars, restaurants and more with outdoor space for a socially distanced day out.

Enjoy a windmill tour, one of the Netherlands most famous windmills – Molen De Adriaan is located in the heart Haarlem perfect for a tour, along with a trip to some of the local museums. The added bonus is if you are itching to do the popular day out in Amsterdam well that is still possible from Haarlem. Get the best of both worlds!

Beach breaks along the North Sea.

The great thing about choosing between England and the Netherlands is that you get to enjoy some of the same things like beautiful beaches facing the North Sea, only thing to choose between is Fish and Chips or Bitterballen!

The Isle of Thanet, in Kent, comprises the three resorts Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. The popular seaside destination offers 26 miles of beautiful coastline facing out across the North Sea. Enjoy walks along the iconic chalk cliffs, home to bird wildlife ideal for long walks, bike rides and water sports. Plus, for a proper retreat Kent offers great wellness centres for spa days, hotels, shopping and restaurants.

Another top pick for a North Sea beach break is Scheveningen, it is one of the most popular beaches located in The Hague, the third largest Dutch City with a fantastic view of the sea off the Scheveningen Pier. When people think beach holidays in European, the Mediterranean jumps to mind but why not avoid the crowded beaches for an alternative beach break that offers so much. As well as beaches Scheveningen offers museums, sculpture gardens, shopping, cafes and restaurants, this location is versatile and is ideal for couples, groups and families.

Nature escape with family and friends.

If familiar with the Netherlands and want to take a break while visiting friends and family to see some beautiful landscapes for a true local experience, visit Hoge Veluwe! This national park offers 5,400-hectare region of woodland, dunes and heathland. Located in the Gelderland province, this park is a must-see, the natural variety is perfect for hiking, cycling and more, the site even offers free white bikes that you can use to take in all the scenery!

As well as taking in its natural beauty, visitors can also try to get a look in at Helene Kröller-Müller art collection which includes the second-largest collection of Van Gogh’s artworks in the world!

After all that exploring and adventure, Veluwe also has some great evening spots to visit like Michelin restaurants and finally to rest your head, relax and unwind, there’s a choice of chalets, large and small campsites, Bread & Breakfast accommodation and hotels.

For holidaying in the UK, everyone focuses on Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Snowdonia, but we want to shine the spotlight on South Downs National Park. South Downs is easy to access via all modes of transport, whether it be train, car or caravan.

The South Downs National Park stretches from the seaside resort of Eastbourne to the city of Winchester which dates back to Roman times (perfect picturesque stop off point for a little urban excursion).

The South Downs are often referred to as the lungs of south-east England; enjoy the rippling chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, one of the benefits of this chalky soil of the Sussex Downs is its similar in composition to the Champagne region in France, meaning that the south of England produces some of the best sparkling wines in the country. Walking by day dinner and local wine by night, there’s so much more to uncover in the South Downs for a quick getaway.

Whether you choose home or away, Stena Line’s here for all your journeys. Click here for more>