Summer is a season of excitement with holidays booked, out of offices, and the stress of the daily grind beginning to fade.
The idea of relaxing and escaping reality is a necessity for many people, and with this in mind, experts at ICE Headshop sought to discover the most peaceful destinations for a staycation in the UK.
An index was created by compiling a seed list of peaceful locations and analysed weighted variables for each, including; crime rates, Instagram hashtags, population, and peaceful outdoor activities.
ICE Headshop then combined their findings to establish an overall peace score out of 100 for each of the 53 analysed locations to reveal the top 10 most peaceful UK destinations. Findings revealed that Over Haddon, a village in the Peak District, is the most peaceful UK destination, with a peace score of 85.92 out of 100.
The area is home to 12 hiking trails and six bird-watching trails. Set peacefully among the rolling fields of the White Peak, the main attraction is the beautiful views stretching for miles, making it great for walking.
Of all the areas in the research, it has the fewest number of Instagram hashtags (100), giving it the “hidden gem” status. With just 12 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, it has the lowest crime rate of all destinations.
Bassenthwaite, Cumbria, ranks as the second most peaceful destination for a staycation, with an impressive peace score of 82.66 out of 100.
Filled with wildlife and water, the village sits quietly in a valley at the north end of the Lake District and has plenty of exercise options holding the highest number of hiking trails at 39.
Next on the list is another Peak District gem. Located in Derbyshire, Bakewell is the third most peaceful location to visit.
With a population of just 4,258 inhabitants, this picturesque town has a peace score of 79.29 out of 100, and while it lacks fishing trails, it does boast 13 hiking trails and a town filled with treasures.
In fourth place is the rustically charming village of Reeth, North Yorkshire, with a peaceful score of 78.64 and the smallest population size of 658 inhabitants.
Not only does this affirm it as a natural environment perfect for spotting wildlife, but it is also ideal for a break away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With 11 hiking trails, you won’t be short of exploration options to fill your time.
According to the rankings, Broadway, Worcestershire, ranks as the fifth most peaceful destination to visit.
Often referred to as the “jewel of the Cotswolds”, and despite being one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds, it has an overall peace rating of 77.21 out of 100.
The village is home to 2,716 inhabitants, and whilst it is one of the most beautiful, it hosts only 3,924 Instagram hashtags.
Despite ranking in tenth place, Mullion, Cornwall still gains a respectable peace score of 72.66 out of 100. An area of natural beauty, the seaside village is the largest on the Lizard and hosts some of the most impressive landscapes.
With 2,300 inhabitants living here, it is home to popular beaches and hidden coves and is the fourth safest, with a rate of 24 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants.
Dr Gurpreet Kaur, chartered clinical psychologist & EMDR practitioner, commented on the importance of breaks to reduce burnout: “Having an awareness of what a healthy baseline looks like is key to recognising signs of burnout.
“A common factor is feeling as though they can never stop and take time off, or if they do physically, they may find that emotionally or mentally, they are still preoccupied with the stress. High standards can amplify this and lead to an imbalance in home and work life due to heightened responsibility, which reduces room for error.
“Physical exhaustion, disruption in sleep, unease or a tiresome feeling are all signs that a rest is needed. Likewise, feeling irritable or emotionally overwhelmed can indicate that you are depleted.
“To reduce burnout, there needs to be some level of acceptance that life is hard and looking after your emotions, mental and physical wellbeing is key. Taking a break teaches the mind and body that it is safe and that relaxing is an important skill.
“Taking a break more regularly teaches the mind that it is important to switch off from stress and how to switch off from stress. The common mistake people make is only switching off when they need to, which is not resting; this is simply recovering from going and getting back into fight mode.”
