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Amsterdam and Little Venice
You don’t need to board a plane for a taste of Europe (Picture: Getty)

Your short-haul destination not on the Green List?

Don’t assume you’ll need to give up your holiday dreams entirely.

Instead, replicate your location’s feel with these hidden spots in the UK, that feel like they’re far abroad.

From Norfolk to Lincolnshire, these are all well worth a visit.

Here’s how to get a little taste of Europe in the UK.

Cley Next The Sea, Norfolk… aka Dutch canals

Traditional windmill on the Norfolk broads in the UK
Cley Windmill is the perfect place for a staycay (Credits: George W Johnson / Getty Images)

With centuries of trade linking Norfolk and the Netherlands, it’s almost no surprise that you can find a slice of the latter on the Broads.

Look out for traditional Dutch gables and the picturesque Cley windmill, which now operates as a B&B and restaurant. cleywindmill.co.uk

Portmeirion, Wales… aka Portofino, Italy

Portmeirion is a colourful, popular and picturesque tourist village. It was designed and built by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village, located on the estuary of the River Dwyryd.
Bask in Portmeirion’s stunning views (Credits: Getty Images)

Pastel-coloured villas, elegant colonnades and panoramic sea views are all part of Portofino’s charm… sorry, Portmeirion’s.

Built by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, this seaside village in North Wales has been transporting visitors to the Italian Riviera for nearly 100 years. portmeirion.wales

St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall… aka Normandy, France

View of St Michaels mountain near Marazion, Cornwall, UK
Yes, this is Cornwall (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Rising out of the water like something from Arthurian legend, Cornwall’s St Michael’s Mount can only be rivalled by its French cousin, Mont St Michel, in Normandy.

Reachable at low tide across a causeway, the island is home to a turreted medieval castle, a chapel and sub-tropical terraced gardens. stmichaelsmount.co.uk

Belton House, Lincolnshire… aka France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland

F68XRE Deer grazing in front of Belton House, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England UK
Add Belton House to your staycation list (Picture: John Morrison / Alamy Stock Photo)

This impressive National Trust property offers a whistle-stop tour of continent with its French-style chateau, Italian and Dutch formal gardens and magnificent orangery.

There’s even a miniature Swiss chalet nestled in the woods. nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house

Little Venice, London… aka Amsterdam, Netherlands

Regent's canal, Little Venice in London, UK
Little Venice or Amsterdam? (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It might be named after the Italian city but this idyllic section of the Regent’s Canal feels more like Amsterdam’s Herengracht than the Canale Grande.

Cycle
along the towpath and sit in the Rembrandt Gardens for a true Dutch experience.

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Get in touch at MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk.

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