Staycation

STAYCATION
W h y ta k i n g a s tay c at i o n i s g o o d
for the mind, body and soul

Contents
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Staycation: Why is a staycation not just a
holiday?
Walkers Paradise: Walking routes in North
Devon.
Mental Health & the colour Blue: The Science
behind why the beach is such a calming
place for many people.
Adventure Everywhere: The endless options
of adventure activities along the North Devon
Coast.
Climbers Haven: An interview with Steven
Woodhouse.

Staycation
noun
steɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
INFORMAL
a holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving
day trips to local attractions.
Why is a staycation not just a holiday?
In recent years the phrase staycation has taken
over, it originates from America and was created
during the 2008 financial crisis, most Americans
couldn’t afford to leave the country so began to
explore their local areas, simply put a staycation
is to holiday within the country you permanently
reside. There has been an increase in stigma
around the staycation, some communities look
down on a staycation as if it were less than a
foreign holiday, but many feel that this is not the
case.
During the global Coronavirus pandemic of 2020
staycations became increasing more popular.
Something that was born out of economic crisis
became the only option after most countries
closed their boarders. Although taking a holiday
in your home country may have been the last
choice for some families, other families know no
different.
In 2020 City Suites (2020) surveyed 2,000 adults
to see where and if they were going to travel
that year. 24.9% said they would prefer to stay
in the UK until there was a vaccine. 24.7% said
they would travel abroad as soon as they were
allowed. Whereas 17.76% said regardless of the
Coronavirus pandemic they prefer to only holiday
in the UK. A study by Campanile UK in 2018 also
showed that 93% of Brits would prefer to spend
more time exploring the UK rather than taking
foreign holidays (Sims, 2018).
There is evidence that Brits were falling back in
love with their own beaches’ pre-pandemic, so
the prices of staycations were already on the
rise. The pandemic left Brits with no option but to
holiday at home which furthermore increased the
prices of staycations. In 2021 the average family
holiday in Cornwall costs £5k for a week selfcatered,
whereas the same holiday in Turkey
would cost £2.5k (Aspinall, 2021).
These increasingly unaffordable prices may
soon mean families who would choose to holiday
in the UK may choose to head abroad to save
some cash. This is a huge shame as not only
are staycations great for local businesses they
are also much better for the planet, taking a
staycation rather than a flight will reduce a
family’s carbon footprint massively in aid helping
slow down the rate of global warming. It is our
hope that coming out of the pandemic prices will
level out and more people will choose to explore
their home countries.
Aspinall, G (2021) Can we talk about how ridiculously expensive it is to holiday in the UK. [online] Available from: <https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/travel/holiday-uk-cost/> [Accessed 13 July
2021]
City Suites (2020) Staycation Statistics UK 2020 [online] Available from: <https://www.citysuites.com/en/blog/staycation-statistics-uk-2020/> [Accessed 13 July 2021]
Sims, R (2018) Survey reveals 93% of Brits want to explore more of the UK. [online] Available from: <https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2018/08/29/survey-reveals-93-of-Brits-want-to-exploremore-of-the-uk>
[Accessed 13 July 2021]
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Walkers’
Paradise
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woolacombe
point
baggy
Croyde
bay
saunton sands
The North Devon coastline comes under the Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) title and with that
comes some of the most breath-taking walks in England.
There are walks suitable for all walking capabilities, as
well as many with wheelchair and pushchair access.
The South West Coastal Path runs around the entire coastline
of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset giving walkers great access to
the cliffs and beaches. Many of the walks in North Devon connect
onto the South West Coastal Path at some point. The National Trust own
a lot of the grounds around the coastline so have amazing access and signposting to help you find your
way. The extra perk of the National Trust sites is that there is never a café too far away, whether that
be one owned by the National Trust or a local.
On the map above the purple dotted line shows the route of the South West Coastal Path, it comes
through Woolacombe, Putsborough, around Baggy Point, into Croyde Bay and out through Saunton
Sands towards Barnstaple. Woolacombe to Braunton (the visible purple line) is 15 miles so for the
experienced walker this may be a good option. There are also many shorter walks such as the circular
route around Baggy Point. This is a fan favourite as it’s a hot spot for outdoor adventure sports, while
walking you might be lucky enough to see a coasteering group or even some rock climbers on the cliff
edge. Follow the red line for the Baggy Point Circular.
No matter which direction you choose to walk you will be flooded with natural beauty, wildlife and
colourful woodland. The North Devon Coastline is great for birdwatchers and those looking to explore
new and vast coastlines.
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Mental Health
& The Colour
Blue
The Science behind why the beach is
such a calming place for many people
For most people the thought of a day at the
beach releases an overwhelming sense of
calm throughout their body. Some may say
this is due to happy memories of family
holidays at the seaside but is there a deeper
psychology behind this sense of joy.
Marine biologist Dr Wallace J. Nichols
author of Blue Mind (2014) wrote: “we
are beginning to learn that our brains are
hardwired to react positively to water and
that being near it can calm and connect us,
increase innovation and insight, and even
heal what’s broken. is book Blue ind
dives deeper into how the ocean and water
can have positive effects on both your metal
and physical health.
Cognitive Psychologist ailey van Braam
(2021) has conducted research into the
meaning and symbolism of colours and
has found that the colour blue can be
linked to feelings of calmness and serenity,
which can increase idea generation and
productivity furthermore adding a feeling of
enlightenment.
So, when you feel like you may be stuck in
a rut or in need of a break from your day
to day activates, a trip to the beach could
significantly boost your mood. our brain
will be flooded with the colour blue along
with the calming white noise of the ocean
allowing you to totally refresh your mind and
revitalise your day.
If you are feeling even more adventurous
take a dip in the ocean! Cold water swimming
has been proven to improve circulation,
boost your immune system and reduce
stress. After a nice cold water swim people
report to have a natural high (IPRS 2021).
Dr Wallace J. Nichols (2014) How the colour blue can help our mental wellbeing. [Online] Available from:<https://www.remotemission.com/blog/how-the-colour-blue-can-help-ourmental-wellbeing>
[Accessed 12 July 2021]
Hailey van Braam (2021) Colour Blue: Psychology, meaning, symbolism and more. [online] Available from:<https://www.colorpsychology.org/blue/> [Accessed 12 July 2021]
IPRIS (2021) 8 Benefits of Cold Water Swimming. [online] Available from:<https://www.iprshealth.com/news/8-benefits-of-cold-water-swimming/> [Accessed 12 July 2021]
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Adventure
Everywhere
The North Devon beaches
are a hub for adventure
sports and attract visitors
from all over the country for
that reason. Whether you
are a first-time adventurist or
have been doing it all your life
you’ll feel right at home here.
Surfing
Surf Lessons start from £35
per person for a half day of
group tuition with multiple
companies running lessons
across all beaches. You can
also book private lessons
with some companies at a
higher price.
Coasteering
Baggy Point is a very popular
spot for coasteering. We
always suggest you do this
with a guide who knows the
area so that you are jumping
in the safest places. Guided
sessions from Coastline
Sports start from £38 per
person with all equipment
supplied.
Climbing
North Devon attracts climbers
from all over the country for its
vast cliff edges and beautiful
views. You have a guide join
you in Baggy Point or Valley
of the rocks starting from £65
per person for a group of
two and above. You need no
previous experience for this
excursion.
Other available activates include:
Stand up Paddle boards,
Kayaking, Kitesurfing,
Watersking and Wakeboarding.
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“ ”
Croyde has alwyas been my favourite beach, I
love how at one with nature I feel when I am
there. The freedom of the water on my feet,
sand between my toes and sun on my face.
- Dom Jones, walker
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Climbers
Haven
What originally attracted you to climbing?
Originally I was attracted through indoor climbing,
basically a way of introducing a bit of risk and
excitement into my life on an everyday basis. It
also allowed me to spend quailty time with friends.
How do you feel climbing benefits your mental
& physical health?
It’s a great mental test, particularly when you get
into a situation that seems severe and dangerous.
It puts everything into perspective... everyday
anxieties suddenly seem pretty trivial. Physically
it’s great for core strength, although I am very much
an amateur so not the best example of a physical
specimen. It can also have negative impacts too,
I quite often get tendinitis from climbing too much.
An interview with steven woodhouse
What do you like the most about North Devon?
I love Devon in general, but the sea cliffs, flora and
fauna all make for a magical experience and the
wildlife is probably the most important aspect for
me.
What would you say to someone who wanted
to begin climbing but didn’t knwo where to
start?
I would say 100% go with it! I began at my local
indoor climbing gym where I was surrounded by
people of all different skill levels. Climbing has
an amazing community where everyone helps
you progress. It wasn’t until I was confident in the
climbing gym, and that I had met more experienced
climbers that I ventured into outdoor climbing.
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“ ”
When I surf I feel so at one with
nature, it refreshes my body.
- Amir Kenbar, surfer
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