When it comes to planning a getaway, you don’t always need to board a plane to feel like you’ve escaped.

In fact, more and more Brits are discovering that some of the most stunning destinations are right on our doorstep.

From rolling countryside to picture-postcard market towns, the UK is brimming with hidden gems which can rival even the most idyllic European breaks, and save you some big money in the process.

Staycations have surged in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Head out to the countryside and you’ll find winding lanes, cosy tea rooms, and views with hills as far as the eye can see.

Add in welcoming locals, historic high streets and the joy of skipping airport queues, and it becomes clear why so many are choosing to keep their holidays closer to home.

One region booming more than ever before in the resurgence of UK tourism is the Cotswolds.

With its trademark stone cottages, rolling wolds and winding streams, the region has long been a favourite with anyone looking for some peace and quiet and maybe a walk to blow away the cobwebs. Its timeless charm means it appeals just as much to day-trippers as it does to those planning a longer break.

One region that never fails to capture the imagination is the Cotswolds. From the famous Bourton-on-the-Water to Castle Combe, each village has its own unique character, while some are much busier than others. Some bustle with visitors all year round, while others feel like they have been frozen in time, offering the perfect escape for those seeking tranquillity.

With boutique shops and increasingly fantastic restaurants, more and more Brits are choosing to holiday at home.

You can spend your morning browsing independent stores, your afternoon exploring country trails, and your evening enjoying locally sourced food in a cosy pub – all without leaving the UK.

Tucked away among these chocolate-box villages lies one particularly picturesque spot. With a peaceful stream running through its heart, golden bridges arching over the water and an ancient church towering over the landscape, the village of Blockley feels as though time has stood still.

Sitting in the middle of Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh, Blockley is one of the Cotswolds’ larger villages but has been largely unspoilt in its 300-year history.

Despite being less well-known than some of its neighbours, its charm lies in the slower pace of life and the picture-perfect scenery that greets you at every turn.

The village was actually the heart of the Cotswolds’ silk industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, with the silk mills being powered from the stream that runs straight through the heart of the village. Traces of this industrial past can still be seen today, adding another layer of history to its already fascinating story.

But for many, Blockley will be most recognisable as the backdrop of one of the nation’s best-loved whodunits, Father Brown. The crime-solving priest is set in the fictional Cotswolds village of Kembleford, but Blockley’s late Norman church, St Peter and St Paul’s, was actually used as Father Brown’s church and vicarage.

Fans of the series often make the trip, especially to see the familiar locations from the show.

For anyone looking to quench their thirst after a day walking around the surrounding hills, the village is home to two cosy pubs, The Great Western Arms and the Crown Hotel.

Both serve hearty food and local ales, perfect for rounding off a day in the countryside. Or, if it’s before 5 o’clock, the Blockley Café will keep you caffeinated along with some sweet treats, making it the ideal pit stop for walkers and sightseers alike.