Ok, hands up who relied heavily on Bridgerton to see them through the last few weeks? If you’ve gleefully binge-watched your way through the smash hit Netflix drama, why not use it as inspiration for your next UK break?

Viewers have been captivated by the series’ depiction of Regency life, set against the backdrop of cobbled streets and elegant architecture. So, as we wait for Series 2 and our thoughts turn to the prospect of a little getaway here in the UK, here are just some of our very own Bridgerton-inspired escapes.

Show some enthusiasm for Exeter

If it’s quaint little shops and cobbled streets you’re dreaming of, then head to Exeter in beautiful Devon. The bustling city of Exeter is bursting at the seams with historic charm and has character aplenty. Discover the historic cathedral with its famous choir or wander the cobbled quayside and watch the canoes glide by. You’ll find some of the South West’s oldest pubs, including the Ship Inn, which dates all the way back to the 16th century.

Exeter’s home to a thriving High Street too, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the narrow side streets that branch off from it. Lined with quirky boutiques in wattle and daub buildings, browsing for bargains feels like stepping back in time in these characterful lanes.

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While away a break in Wells

The diminutive city of Wells has got to be on the radar of any self-respecting history buff. Small, yet perfectly proportioned, this historic city is the smallest in the country. Wells is home to the oldest residential street in Europe, so it’s the perfect setting for those romantic, Bridgerton-inspired strolls you’ve been promising to take. If you’re after architecture that tells of days gone by and a slow pace of life, you’re in luck.

A day in Wells will include a visit to its beautiful cathedral, a wander around Bishop’s Palace and its gardens, and of course, indulging in some hearty West Country fodder. Wells market takes place outside the cathedral every Wednesday and Saturday, and it’s the perfect place to ditch the post-lockdown diet and taste the food that’s made Somerset famous. Well, at least you won’t have to squeeze into a corset like Daphne anytime soon…

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Find a place in your heart for Plymouth

Now to the coast of Devon and the picturesque port city of Plymouth. You can barely turn a corner in this friendly city without coming face to face with a historic landmark, and there’s something for everybody. The historic Barbican district is all about wandering cobbled streets and browsing historic book shops, stopping now and then to watch the world go by with a coffee. You’ll find the National Marine Aquarium at Sutton Harbour, as well as a lively fish market.

Head to the Mayflower Steps to see the very spot where the Pilgrim Fathers set off for the New World all the way back in 1620. If it’s history you’re after, Plymouth has more than you’ll have time to discover in one visit.

 

Whichever historic destination you choose, we know you’ll find adventures await the whole family.

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