Living in the UK and desperate for a holiday, but not sure you want to leave the country?
We don’t blame you.
With restrictions changing constantly – not only in the UK, but across the globe – planning a relaxing trip abroad can be a stressful experience.
That’s why the team at Busuu are encouraging UK residents to think ‘local’. Instead of planning (then potentially cancelling) a trip halfway around the world, why not satisfy your wanderlust a little closer to home?
We’ve put together a list of eight UK destinations that have an international lookalike. From the tranquil Kyoto Garden in central London to the vast and luscious Dalby forest in North Yorkshire, the possibilities are endless. Any hotspot on our list will make you feel like you’re abroad. Plus, you’ll be discovering one of the UK’s most picturesque locations!
“There is so much natural beauty in the United Kingdom. You just need to know where to look,” says Busuu’s Senior English Learning Designer, Hannah Morris.
“The similarity between some of these destinations is uncanny – and with all the uncertainty around travel at the moment, there’s no better time to explore our beautiful island.”
St Michael’s Mount shares many similarities to its French counterpart, Mont Saint-Michel, in Normandy. Both fairytale castles sit atop small islands and exude an other-worldly sense of majesty.
The Kyoto Garden, a part of Holland Park, represents Britain’s long standing friendship with Japan. Then the Fukushima Garden, also located in Holland Park, was a gift for Britain’s contribution during Japan’s 2011 climate disaster. Located on the western edge of Central London, these gardens are easily accessible via public transport, and would be a great place to visit on the weekend, or even on an extended lunch break.
Closely resembling the Château de Montbrun, the Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is surrounded by an impressive moat and tall battlements. The fourteenth-century castle is owned by The National Trust, and is free to visit on weekdays.
From a bird’s eye view, Dalby Forest, this extensive collection of Yorkshire trees captured on the left, appears to be the doppelganger of the Black Forest in Germany. With over 8000 acres of woodland, it’s easy to get lost, so it’s best to stick to the trails!
Millions of years ago, lava flow formed these perfect basalt stones in Northern Ireland, giving the appearance of human intervention. This type of formation can be found in many places across the globe, including in Vietnam, where they are the basis for many folk tales.
This beautiful coastline is the spitting image of its Eastern European cousin. Shimmering blue waters, golden beaches and quaint cafes make this an ideal summer destination for those looking for a UK staycation.
Famous for being the exterior backdrop in Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, the extraordinary waterfall Henrhyd Falls is is the tallest in southern Wales – and has an uncanny resemblance to the Madakaripura Waterfall in Indonesia.
The beautifully crafted coastline, Durdle Door, stretches across 95 miles and is famous for its recognisable geological shapes. These naturally formed rock formations are almost identical to those on Camilo Beach in Portugal.
