Holidaying at home might not sound as glamorous as a fortnight abroad, but it has its upsides — no airport queues for starters. Imagine if there was such a thing as a stress-free holiday — one where you could guarantee you wouldn’t forget a thing, your luggage and your kids wouldn’t get lost at the airport, the food would be superb, and no one would steal your sun lounger. Sounds too good to be true?

Well no, these are just some of the benefits of a ‘staycation’ or a blissful holiday at home. With 45 per cent of us reining in our holiday spending this year, more will be opting for a break on the home fronts .You might well find that a staycation in Dorset is just what you need to truly unwind.

You’re convinced, so here’s to the best staycation ever…

1. Theres no need for your boss and colleagues to know that you’re not actually leaving the country. Make the point that you’re going away and can’t be reached.

2. Your staycation is not an excuse to catch up with the cleaning or DIY it’s a holiday. So plan ahead and get all your chores done the weekend before. Order your shopping online to avoid going to the supermarket and sort all your bills and paperwork so none of it’s staring you in the face while you relax.

3. Get your holiday cash organised. Decide on your staycation budget — in the same way you would when changing money at the airport, and explain to the kids that “when it’s gone it’s gone”.

 4. Even though you are staying at home, sort out your clothes for the week and try and minimise the need to do any washing and ironing - this is a holiday after all.

5. Devote a couple of weekends before your staycation to getting the garden into shape so you can really enjoy being outdoors without running to the shed for the secateurs every five minutes. Do any weeding and tidying that needs to be done; dust off the deckchairs; make sure the barbecue is in good working order; and if it looks like some warm summer weather is on the horizon, perhaps invest in a cheap paddling pool so the kids will be happy in the garden.

 6. Have a free day out. Challenge your family to find things to do that don’t cost money in and around Dorset. Check out local listings for open days as well as free events taking place at museums and galleries. Ask your nearest Dorset tourist information office for details of footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways so that you can all enjoy free, active days out in the fresh air.

A useful starting list for enjoying your Staycation in Dorset

Dorset Tourism

Official Dorset Tourism website of local attractions and holiday information.

www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=2201

West Dorset Tourism

West Dorset District Council’s official tourism website.

www.westdorset.com

Rural Dorset

The official tourist information site for North Dorset. Places to stay, things to do, and areas to visit.

www.ruraldorset.com

Dorset & New Forest

Visit Dorset and discover 150km of breathtaking coastline - most of which comprises the Jurassic Coast, England’s only UNESCO natural World Heritage Site - , the ancient hunting ground of the National Park of The New Forest, and some of the country’s finest rural countryside, a large part of which is officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

www.dorset-newforest.com

Jurassic Coast

Your complete guide to the UNESCO Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site.

www.jurassiccoast.com

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