Low Impact Holidays

If flying was a country, it would be the 6th biggest emitter in the world, as well as a major contributor of air pollutants.

Until recently, it’s been a fast-growing industry. But consumer power works! Because of concerns over climate change, there has been a significant drop in demand growth across Europe and this is creating a very real challenge for the industry.

Not flying doesn’t mean we have to give up on fun, relaxing holidays. Below are some suggestions for low impact holidays. And please sign this year's Flight-Free Pledge and ask your employer to allow extra holiday if you are taking slow travel.

Please note that although we mention holidays and organisations below, this doesn't imply a recommendation unless we clearly state one.

Low Impact Holidays in the UK
1. Take a Holiday on an Organic Farm
2. UK Activity Holidays
3. UK Nature Holidays
4. UK Volunteering Holidays
5. Specatular and Quiet Destinations in the UK
6. Planning Your Travel in the UK
Low Impact Travel Abroad
1. Low Carbon Travel Options
2. Eco Places To Stay
3. Activity Holidays Abroad
4. Travelling by Freight Ship

1. Low Impact Holidays in the UK

The UK has some of the most beautiful countryside in the world but many of us haven’t seen a lot of it.

Original image cropped by Gralo / Public domain.

"I had always heard that the Scilly Isles were beautiful but choosing not to fly finally prompted me to visit. I booked a 3-roomed ‘Ready Tent’ for two weeks on Saint Mary’s and spent my time walking beautiful, empty coasts around all the different islands. They are spectacular – and the walking is gentle but varied, no huge challenging cliffs as in Dorset or parts of Devon. An absolutely ideal switch-off from the world" - Nikki Jones

1. Take a Holiday on an Organic Farm and Support Small Scale Farming in the UK

Here are a few agencies that may be of help but there are many others.

2. UK Activity Holidays

If you’re looking for an activity holiday, The Guardian has an interesting set of suggestions. There are holidays to cover all interests – painting, cooking, cycling, walking - here are just a few other websites to stimulate ideas:

3. UK Nature Holidays

The Guardian also has some good ideas for nature watching holidays in the UK. Below is a variety of other suggestions and there are more ideas readily available online.

"Having read Isabella Tree’s book, Wilding, I was really keen to see the Knepp Estate. With friends, we booked an afternoon tour which was relatively expensive but worth it. Spent the rest of our time walking the paths, unguided. I’d love to go back and do one of the early morning or evening tours, just to experience more of what can happen when nature is allowed bounce back" - Meg B

4. UK Volunteering Holidays

Wanderlust has some great suggestions; volunteering holidays are also available in Wales (see Visit Wales) and Sense offers opportunities for volunteer holidays helping people with complex disabilities.

5. Spectacular and Quiet Destinations in the UK

If you’re looking for somewhere to just do your own thing there are many websites online. Here are just a few to get you thinking:

"For the last three years I’ve booked different holiday cottages down in the West Country straight after Christmas. It’s much cheaper then, the weather for walking is usually fantastic, I get most places to myself and friends can come and stay with me for a few days at a time. It’s become an annual retreat and I love it" - Nikki Jones

6. Planning Your Travel in the UK

There are many websites to help you plan your travel around the country, such as:

Combining public transport with car hire is now easy to organise online - please see our transport page, which has lots more information about this.

2. Low Impact Travel Abroad

Giving up flying doesn’t mean not travelling abroad.

"We had ten days cycling around Brittany in June 2018. We booked a cabin for an overnight crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff – in my mind I assumed we would have to battle our way out of a Calais-size city but Roscoff is a tiny port and within five minutes we were on the cycle route. We booked places to stay for 3 nights at a time so that we could explore different areas but the tourist offices are wonderful and will find you somewhere if you are more free-wheeling. Even the busiest roads are so much quieter than in the UK, and most of the white-sand beaches were just empty… I think this would make a great last minute get away for just a few days, for cyclists or walkers, as well as for planned holidays" - Paul W

1. Low Carbon Travel Options

If you do want to get further away, it’s perfectly possible to go far by train or coach. Climate Perks has some really interesting facts and figures about just how much carbon you can save by avoiding flying.

If you don’t feel confident booking it yourself, ask an agent, but several websites make it very easy these days. The most often, and well reviewed, sites are Man in Seat 61 and Loco2, now rebranded as RailEurope. All information on train travel is there – Man in Seat 61 is global, rather than just European.

Another option is to travel by coach. Flix claims to have fuel efficient buses and off-sets to make your journey carbon neutral. National Express also serves Europe, and has the advantage of starting your journey in Bristol. Bus passes for Europe are available here.

"In July 2019, I set off by train to an Austrian yoga retreat on the top of a mountain. I decided to make the travel a part of the holiday; stopping with friends in Paris for one night, spending another night discovering Zurich and a further night in Innsbruck before a scary cable car journey up to my retreat.

After an amazing week at my mountain top yoga retreat, for my return leg, I decided to try out the sleeper train from Innsbruck to Cologne. I explored the sights of Cologne, took another train to Bruges to see a friend, then it was then a quick train journey back to Brussels to catch the Eurostar back to the UK. Every train ran to time and there was not a single hitch with my travel plans. In fact, I plan to repeat the travel experience this March when I shall visit the retreat in the snow!" - Katherine Piper, Bedminster Energy Group

2. Eco Places To Stay

With regard to eco places to stay, here are a few suggestions. You will need to do your own research to find out how truly ‘green’ they are.

3. Activity Holidays Abroad

"In July 2019, I set off by train to an Austrian yoga retreat on the top of a mountain. The retreat obviously took sustainability seriously, with all meals being either vegetarian or vegan, locally sourced and organic. It was no surprise that the meals were absolutely delicious and certainly helped us all have full energy for practising yoga once or twice a day, and for other additional activities such as climbing, paragliding, white water rafting, hiking and Chi Qong! Needless to say, I left the retreat feeling in equal measure relaxed AND re-energised, with my heart full from the amazing views and the wonderful friends I had made on my adventure. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different that leaves you feeling wholly nourished!" - Katherine Piper, Bedminster Energy Group

If you’re looking for activity holidays abroad, there are many to choose from. For ski and snowboarding enthusiasts, there is now a Bristol-based company that will get you there by train - SnowCarbon. The list below should stimulate some more ideas:

4. Travelling by Freight Ship

If you want to travel even further, and have the time, it’s possible to book a place on a freight ship. Some helpful links:

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