The coronavirus pandemic has hit the travel industry hard, causing thousands of holidays to be cancelled.

While some countries have opened their borders for UK tourists, travelling abroad is still so uncertain and your trip could be cancelled if coronavirus cases spike again.

However, have you ever considered holidaying in the UK? There are a lot of great places to visit near Bradford if you wanted a week or long weekend away from it all.

If you’re not going on a summer holiday this year, there here are some ways you can recreate your foreign holiday without straying far from home:

Go to the beach

Gaddings Dam (Photo: Google Maps, William Tyler)

Relaxing on the beach, with a book in hand, is an essential part of many people’s holiday.

However, you don’t need to travel abroad in order to get to the beach- while you aren’t guaranteed to have Spanish sunshine, you can visit some great beaches.

Central beach in Lytham is one of the closest beaches to Bradford and is around a 1.5 hour drive away.

However, if you are looking for a more secluded beach that is a little closer to home, then you should visit Gaddings Dam.

This ‘secret’ beach is about an hour away in Todmorden. It’s known as ‘England’s highest beach’ as it’s over 700ft above sea level.

However, It’s not a very large beach so keep this in mind while social distancing measures are in place.

Eat at an exotic restaurant 

Eating out and trying some exotic food is a huge part of the holiday experience- and you can replicate it in Bradford.

For a taste of Spain, make sure to visit Tapas Tree in Shipley.

This Mediterranean restaurant received 4/5 stars on Trip Advisor with people praising the food and atmosphere.

One happy commenter wrote: “Brilliant service, lovely food, really nice atmosphere- whats not to like!?”

Go sightseeing

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Keighley Moor reservoir (Photo: Geograph, David Spencer)

Some people use their holiday to explore the culture and monuments in the area- you can do the same in Bradford.

There might be hidden gem locations and unexplored areas right on your doorstep.

If you are looking for history and culture, then Bolton Abbey and Bradford Industrial Museum are the obvious places to visit on your local holiday.

If you are planning a hiking holiday, then there are some great routes near Bradford.

Keighley Moor is a nine mile loop in West Yorkshire- there is also a lake on the walking route.
 

Book some unique accommodation

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

(Facebook/ Clarion Lodge Campsite & Wigwams)

You may be close to home but you can still book some unique accommodation to stay in near Bradford.

There are some great camping and glamping hotspots right on your doorstep. 

Clarion Lodge Campsite & Wigwams in located in Ilkley and just one amazing site near Bradford- they have recently been awarded the Corporatelivewire award for Campsite of the Year for Leeds & West Yorkshire.

The Wigwams can sleep up to five people- but you will need to bring your own bedding.

Prices start from £48.00 per night (based on two people sharing).

Enjoy a drink…or two

You might not be able to enjoy a beer abroad, but there are still some excellent pubs in Bradford to visit.

You can visit some charming pubs in with a lot of character and history.

The Duchess of Kent is one of the oldest pubs in Bradford and the building itself dates back to the 1800s- if you love historic buildings, you should make sure to visit if you haven’t already.

If cocktails are your drink of choice on holiday, then Al’s Dime Bar in North Parade is worth a visit.

It’s an American style cocktail bar, serving handmade cocktails and specialising in American beers (or brewskies).