Last updated: Wednesday 6th December 2020 at 4:30PM
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With all the new rules have you found yourself asking where can I go on holiday?
Me too.
That’s why, I’ve scoured all the government websites and newspaper articles to create explainer guides to share where we can visit in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
And for good measure, I’ll throw in what that means for travelling abroad too.
In this article, we’re doing a deep dive on England but if you’re living elsewhere in the UK, my guide will be available to you soon so check back!
England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Important to remember
This article is about to give you a quick overview but as things can change fast, always check with the relevant government’s websites for details before either booking or travelling. I will endeavour to keep this updated but I can’t be held responsible, or quoted to show a reason for purchase or travel.
England
On Saturday 31st October 2020, the government confirmed that England would be going under a national lockdown between Thursday 5th November and Wednesday 2nd December 2020. This means that there is a travel ban on non-essential travel into, around and out of the country, irrespective of what tier you live in.
You can find more details on the restrictions here.
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020, the restrictions will be lifted and guidance against travel will once again be advisory. Overnights stays will be allowed in tiers 1 and 2 whilst hotels in tier 3 will be asked to close to leisure travellers.
You can find more details on the new national restrictions here.
Tier 1
Medium
Tier 2
High
Tier 3
Very High
Not sure which tier you live in?
Use the government’s handy postcode tool here.
Where can I go on holiday if I live in tier 1?
England’s second lockdown ended on Wednesday 2nd December 2020 meaning that some travel is possible again for those living in tier 1. You can read about the new restrictions here.
TRAVELLING IN ENGLAND
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
- You CAN travel and stay over anywhere in England that’s also in Tier 1
- You can do this with people from other households in private accommodation but you must remain in groups of six or under, unless your household or support bubble is more than six people
- You must also remain socially distant from anyone outside of your household or support bubble
- You can stay in a hotel or B&B with another household but you cannot share rooms with people outside of your household or support bubble
- You should not share a vehicle with those outside your household or support bubble
- You CAN travel and stay over anywhere in England that’s in Tier 2
- Whilst the government says that people in tier 2 should aim to “reduce the number of journeys we make where possible”, they have also put in guidance should we decide to travel there – it’s a bit of a grey area
- You cannot share accommodation with people outside of your household or support bubble
- If you book into the same hotel or B&B as someone outside of your household, please note that you would not be able to socialise with them in any indoor setting – even in a hotel’s bar or restaurant – and you would need to keep socially distant even when outdoors. You must also keep to the rule of six when outdoors too.
- You should follow the local Covid rules
- You CANNOT travel and stay anywhere in England that’s in Tier 3
- There are no exceptions if you are travelling for leisure
- Hotels will be closed to customers travelling for leisure
TRAVELLING TO WALES
As of Friday 4th December 2020:
- You CAN travel and stay in Wales
- However the Welsh government do ask people to think carefully about non essential travel
- You can read the Welsh guidance here
TRAVELLING TO SCOTLAND
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
You CANNOT travel and stay in Scotland
- Whilst the English government have lifted their ban on travel, the Scottish government have enacted new rules that ban cross-border travel to England, Wales or Northern Ireland for all non essential travel
- You can read the English guidance here
- And the Scottish guidance here
TRAVELLING TO NORTHERN IRELAND
As of Friday 11th December 2020:
- You CAN travel and stay in Northern Ireland
- Hotels and overnight accommodation options are now open to guests in Northern Ireland
- However, as England’s government states ‘it is also important that you respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and do not travel to different parts of the UK where your intended activities there would be prohibited by legislation passed by the relevant devolved administration’
- You can read England’s guidance for tier 1 travel here
- And you can read Northern Ireland’s latest guidance here
TRAVELLING ABROAD
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
- You CAN travel abroad for leisure reasons
- However, you will need to check the FCDO to see where you are able to travel to and the restrictions for the country you aim to travel to
- You may find my ‘no quarantine travel list‘ helpful
Where can I go on holiday if I live in tier 2?
England’s second lockdown ended on Wednesday 2nd December 2020 meaning that some travel is possible again for those living in tier 1. You can read about the new restrictions here.
TRAVELLING IN ENGLAND
As of Wednesday 2nd November 2020:
- You CAN travel and stay over anywhere in England that’s in Tier 1
- Whilst the government says that people in tier 2 should aim to “reduce the number of journeys we make where possible”, they have also put in guidance should we decide to travel there – it’s a bit of a grey area
- However, unlike those travelling from Tier 1, you cannot share private accommodation with people from other households or stay with other households in hotels & B&Bs
- You must only travel within your household or support bubble
- You CAN travel and stay over anywhere in England that’s in Tier 2
- Whilst the government says that people in tier 2 should aim to “reduce the number of journeys we make where possible”, they have also put in guidance should we decide to travel there – it’s a bit of a grey area
- Again, you cannot share accommodation with people outside of your household or support bubble
- If you book into the same hotel or B&B as someone outside of your household, please note that you would not be able to socialise with them in any indoor setting – even in a hotel’s bar or restaurant – and you would need to keep socially distant even when outdoors. You must also keep to the rule of six when outdoors too.
- You should also follow the local Covid rules
- You CANNOT travel and stay anywhere in England that’s in Tier 3
- There are no exceptions if you are travelling for leisure
- Hotels will be closed to customers travelling for leisure
TRAVELLING TO WALES
As of Friday 4th December 2020
- You CAN travel and stay in Wales
- However the Welsh government do ask people to think carefully about non essential travel
- You can read the Welsh guidance here
TRAVELLING TO SCOTLAND
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
You CANNOT travel and stay in Scotland
TRAVELLING TO NORTHERN IRELAND
As of Friday 11th December 2020:
- You CAN travel and stay in Northern Ireland
- Hotels and overnight accommodation options are now open to guests in Northern Ireland
- However, as England’s government states ‘it is also important that you respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and do not travel to different parts of the UK where your intended activities there would be prohibited by legislation passed by the relevant devolved administration’
- You can read England’s guidance for tier 2 travel here
- And you can read Northern Ireland’s latest guidance here
TRAVELLING ABROAD
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
- You CAN travel abroad for leisure reasons
- Whilst the government says that people in tier 2 should aim to “reduce the number of journeys we make where possible”, they have also put in guidance should we decide to travel there – it’s a bit of a grey area
- You will also need to check the FCDO to see where you are able to travel to and the restrictions for the country you aim to travel to
- You may find my ‘no quarantine travel list‘ helpful
Where can I go on holiday if I live in tier 3?
Whilst England’s second lockdown ended on Wednesday 2nd December 2020, tier 3 is still not possible due to restrictions that advise against non essential travel. You can read about the new restrictions here.
TRAVELLING IN ENGLAND
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
- You CANNOT travel and stay anywhere in England
- The government states that you should ‘avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities’
- You can read read more on this guidance here
TRAVELLING TO WALES, SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
- You CANNOT travel and stay anywhere in the UK
- The government states that you should ‘avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities’
- You can read read more on this guidance here
TRAVELLING ABROAD
As of Wednesday 2nd December 2020:
- You SHOULD NOT travel abroad for leisure reasons… HOWEVER
- The guidance states that you should not leave your area, which implies no overseas travel however, since this is advisory and not a law, getting your money back on a pre-existing trip could be difficult
- When asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Transport Minister, Grant Shapps, said that holidays would be allowed abroad – “if you’re going straight to an airport”.
You can read up more on this here
If you do still choose to travel, you would also need to check whether your destination is still accepting travellers from your area
You can find advice on foreign travel on the FCDO‘s website, or by looking at my ‘no quarantine’ travel list
- You SHOULD NOT travel abroad for leisure reasons… HOWEVER
Where can I go on holiday if I live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
I’ll have all my explainer guides up shortly – this England one was a bit of a beast so I’ve split them up! Check back soon and click through the relevant page for you.
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Did that help?
I hope so! And do make sure to let me know where you’ve booked so I can holiday vicariously though you.
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