England, Scotland and Wales have set different dates this spring for when domestic holidays restart and when you can cross borders.
In England and Wales, domestic holidays are now allowed with members of your own household while at The earliest vacation rental in Scotland will reopen on April 26th.
Planning a vacation to England and Wales (assuming you live there) is less risky now that the property is open, but booking a vacation to Scotland is still risky. April 26th is a target date, so it makes sense to wait for confirmation before booking a trip.
There are still some risks involved in booking a vacation, including domestic travel. While the government hopes that easing the lockdown will be irreversible, there is always the possibility of an about-face. Additionally, there are no guarantees that you will be able to mix with other households indoors.
If you do decide to book, it is important that you do so with a vacation home or accommodation provider who will reimburse you – and with a company with a good, flexible booking policy. If the rules change, you should have more financial protection.
Read on for everything to consider before booking a UK vacation this summer.
For more unbiased travel information and advice, please contact Which? travel
When does a vacation rental in Wales open?
The vacation rental in Wales is already open. Stays are only permitted in self-catering accommodations or in hotels that offer room service. Places where guests have to use shared facilities are not allowed to be opened.
When will vacation rentals in England open?
Self-catering holiday rentals in England such as cottages and campsites are now open. This includes stand-alone apartments and lodges on the hotel grounds. Regular hotels and B & Bs will reopen on May 17th at the earliest.
A single household is not allowed to spend the night at home.
When will vacation rentals in Scotland open?
Hopefully the vacation rentals will reopen on April 26th. This relaxation of restrictions will be based on timely scientific data. While travel to and from various areas in Scotland is now permitted, it is not yet possible to stay overnight and visit Scotland from other parts of the UK.
When can I cross the border and vacation elsewhere in the UK?
The England and Wales border is now open so you can vacation with members of your own household. However, you are still unable to travel to and from Scotland to other parts of the UK and the vacation rentals in Scotland are not yet open.
Should I book a vacation in the UK?
If you live in England or Wales, bank holidays are now allowed so booking in either country is less risky. However, remember that if there is an increase in coronavirus cases in both countries, travel costs may be reduced again. So be sure to book with a flexible self-catering vacation company. However, it is advisable not to book through the Scottish border yet. Wait for the trip to be allowed.
If you live in Scotland it is best to wait until the holidays are allowed again before booking.
Some vacation rental providers withheld reimbursements during the 2020 lockdown pending competition and market regulators over complaints from Which? Intervention.
It is important that you avoid these providers, which ones? has heard reports that some customers are still tracking refunds. Instead, book with a trustworthy company. Which? has researched the refund policies and customer experiences of all major vacation rental providers to help you make a choice.
The possibility of local restrictions at the tier and level level
The rules can change overnight and there is no way of predicting whether local restrictions will be in place at the time of travel to England.
At the moment the government has stated that it does not intend for tiered restrictions to return in England, but you cannot rule out the possibility if there are sudden spikes in infections in certain areas.
Values still exist in Scotland so it’s worth keeping an eye on infection rates in your area.
If the area your holiday home is located in is subject to level 4 restrictions (which prevent it from opening) in Scotland, you should receive a full refund. However, it is a gray area if you live in a place that is subject to these rules.
To guarantee a refund, choose a vacation rental company with flexible booking policies.
Contract or be asked to isolate COVID-19
You must consider the option of catching COVID-19 or being isolated by the NHS Test and Trace app at the time of your vacation. Many holiday home providers will not give you a refund in these cases. Instead, you need insurance.
Something Reputable cottage providers offer changes or refunds if COVID-19 restrictions mean you cannot travel. However, others have more difficult terms and conditions and you may be able to change your booking, but only to bring the date forward. Others will try to accommodate requests to move your date but say there are no guarantees.
Make sure you are insured before booking. If you need insurance, make sure your policy covers you in this case.
Restrictions for guests in holiday homes
Hopefully groups of six people and two households will be able to meet in England on May 17th.
From June 21st, the UK government is hoping things will be restored to normal, which could mean you can go on vacation with multiple households.
Wales has proposed May 10th when two households can mingle indoors while Scotland is hoping up to 4 people from up to 2 households can mingle by May 17th.
Note, however, that all data is target data.
Choose a vacation rental company that will cut your costs or refund if you’ve opted for a large vacation home and can only travel in one rule of six or with a different household at the time of your trip.