by You’re probably already familiar with the concept of a fashion or beauty dupe: a piece of clothing or product that’s similar in form and function to the essential item you’re swapping for, but often costs a lot more. less without compromising quality. This trend has swept TikTok (of course), and has now expanded into the realm of travel. The idea is to swap a popular destination with one that has similar qualities but is often overlooked, and less known about.
In this climate of over-tourism, “destination dupes” must be fully encouraged: who wants to fight the crowds to get to a particular sight or restaurant, or even walk down the street? Destination dupes are, therefore, just as valuable as trial dupes, but they’re more likely to be your own – and, ideally, because they’re off the beaten track, they won’t be as expensive. So why not take a chance on somewhere unexpected, where it promises to be just as interesting as where it’s going twice?
Ye olde charm – swap the Cotswolds for Tewkesbury
Boasting medieval market towns, ancient castles and even Roman villas, the Cotswolds, in Oxfordshire, has a legitimate reputation as one of the UK’s prettiest regions. Pretty chocolate box villages come as usual, with the likes of Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Castle Combe attracting visitors with their cricket pitches, duck ponds, tea rooms and antique shops.
Buildings are built of local stone with honeycomb, giving them a golden, blessed glow. But such beauty comes at a cost, which means that these small spaces can become jam-packed with traffic and people at weekends, bank holidays and half-terms, making it impossible to find a parking space. find almost, and queues around the block for cream. tea
Swap these oversubscribed communities for the handsome market town of Tewkesbury, in nearby Gloucestershire. Located where the rivers Severn and Avon meet, you will notice many of the original black and white half-timbered buildings, many of which are listed. You can walk along narrow, winding historic paths, walk along the banks of the river, or board a boat for a cruise along the Avon. There is also a beautiful Norman abbey, from the 12th century, a sprawling nature reserve, and a museum that tells the story of the town’s fascinating history. This includes the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, a decisive part of the Wars of the Roses. Time your visit for July and you’ll catch a glimpse of the town’s internationally renowned Medieval festival, which features a major re-enactment of this famous scuffle, as well as entertainment, food and music.
Where to stay
Hilton Puckrup Hall, set amongst 56 hectares (140 acres) of private grounds, has access to the 18-hole Puckrup Hall Golf Club, as well as an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre. The original Puckrup Hall Manor is on site – a Grade II listed building, with 16 bedrooms and a croquet lawn and is suitable for larger groups and events.
Mountain walks – swap the Pennines for Snowdonia
Often referred to as the “backbone of England”, due to its length and position running down the north of the country, the Pennines range runs from Derbyshire and Staffordshire in the North Midlands, to Northumberland in the north east. It encompasses the Peak District, the south Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales and the north Pennines, giving mountain enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for great walks and walks.
The landscape includes dry stone walls, rocky outcrops, rolling hills and meandering streams, and the landscape leads from deep valleys to ridges. You can even walk the Pennine Way, a challenging but beautiful 268-mile track that runs from Derbyshire to the Scottish border. As you can imagine, all this beauty makes the Pennines very popular, with the Peak District alone estimated to see more than 13 million visitors each year.
Leave the crowds behind and head to Snowdonia, in north-west Wales, instead; in Snowdonia national park there are 15 Welsh mountains in total that are more than 3,000 feet high, including Snowdon – or The Wyddfa – the highest in the country (3,560 feet). The park covers 213,156 hectares (823 sq mi), and is visited by nearly 4 million people each year, giving the impression of more breathing space than in the crowded Pennines. If you’re not planning to scale Snowdon, you can explore 11,000 hectares of native woodland, stroll along 74 miles of coastline, or choose from hundreds of walking and hiking trails that take you through beautiful valleys, sparkling lakes past, or near plunging waterfalls. .
Where to stay
The Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia is close to the historic walled town of Conwy and offers a wide range of activities. Hotel amenities include a fitness and recreation center, and an on-site restaurant is also available. The nearby Zip World offers discounted prices for hotel guests – there’s a soft play area for the younger kids, and, for older family members, the range of adventure offerings from Altitude Climber to Elevation Indoors.
Relaxation by the sea – swap Cornwall for Bournemouth
Cornwall is the definition of a victim of his own success. Over the past few decades, this peninsula in the far west of the UK has evolved from a collection of sleepy fishing villages to a bouji holiday destination and a magnet for second home owners. This means that the roads and villages are congested during the high season, which causes more concern for the locals. It’s not much fun for visitors, either.
Take the road less traveled to an underrated seaside resort in Dorset, on the south coast of England: Bournemouth. It boasts seven miles of sandy beaches, lined with traditional beach huts, as well as attractive parks and gardens and plenty of entertainment.
You can enjoy bracing walks alongside Bournemouth Harbor and take in panoramic views from the top of the cliffs, as well as discover sweeping marshes and wetlands and the diverse wildlife of Hengistbury Head nature reserve. Don’t miss a trip to the fascinating Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, a well-preserved late Victorian family villa with plenty of period features.
If you’re tired of the coast, Bournemouth has the added bonus of being just a short drive from the New Forest. This stunning landscape is home to the most extensive heathland in Europe, as well as iconic ponies from the New Forest and rare birds such as the thrush. Having inspired great works of literature, from Sherlock Holmes to Alice in Wonderland, the New Forest is a place to lose yourself – figuratively and literally.
Where to stay
Take your pick from Hampton by Hilton Bournemouth, a small resort centrally located near the beach, or its big sister, Hilton Bournemouth, near Bournemouth Gardens, which features a rooftop bar with city views and a full-service spa.
Prehistoric caves – swap Cheddar Gorge for Kent Cave
A naturally striking limestone gorge in the middle of the Mendip hills in Somerset, Cheddar Gorge is famous for many things (not least the sharp-tasting hard cheese it gives its name to). Here you will find the Cheddar “cave show”, where the oldest complete skeleton in Britain, estimated to be around 10,000 years old, was found in 1903.
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The caves, carved out over thousands of years by an underground river, contain spectacular stalagmites and stalactites, two of which visitors can explore. Gough’s Cave, named after Richard Cox Gough who discovered it in 1890, contains a variety of chambers and large rock formations, and the area attracts around half a million visitors a year, straining parking spaces and resulting in queues or timed entry to the caves.
So swap Cheddar Gorge for Kents Cavern, an ancient cave system near Torquay in Devon, said to be Britain’s oldest human settlement. A prehistoric jaw fragment discovered here in 1927 was found to be a 44,000-year-old bone. Despite this kind of history, Kents Cavern only attracts around 80,000 visitors a year, so there’s a good chance you might even own the place – with all the stalagmites and stalactites that could ever wanted – for yourself.
Where to stay
Hampton by Hilton Torquay is just a few minutes’ drive from Kents Cavern, and overlooks the English Riviera. Torquay marina, Princess Pier and Torquay beach are nearby, and hotel facilities include a fitness center and meeting spaces.
Discover more dupe destinations in partnership with Hilton
