Resources for the Slow Traveller
Looking for resources to plan your Slow Trip? Don't want to use polluting air travel or give your hard-earned money to the big corporations? Find the the best ways to get around, places to stay, tours to take and much more, all in one place. Click on the logos to go to the company website.
Transport
Alternative ways to get around, from finding the best ways to travel across continents by train, to a local coach journey, there are several sites out there which can help you to plan your trip.
Rome2Rio is an excellent resource for finding out how to get from one place to another, whether it is crossing continents or just going to the next town.
It gives you all of the available methods including train, bus, taxi, private car as well as ferries and flights, along with estimated costs for each method.
This free app can give you details of any train journey in any country, including times and prices, as well as help you to find the cheapest price on offer.
You can set notifications to be told when the cheapest tickets have gone on sale and save yourself a small fortune if you plan ahead.
They do charge an admin fee if you book your tickets through them, but it is worth it if you are planning trips across several different train networks.
This is one of my favourite sites for planning train jouneys. It gives you comprehensive details of all train journeys around the world, with photos, ticket booking details, changing train options and how to get the best price depending on where you are travelling.
There are full details on night trains and reviews of the sleeper carriages, making it an excellent resource for the slow traveller.
A site which covers ferry journeys from 764 ports worldwide and 3325 routes, this is the ideal ferry planner for those looking to avoid air travel and instead travel by sea. They have price comparisons, details of on-board amenities and often do special offers such as free meals on particular journeys.
Moovit is all about getting from A to B using public transport. Just add in your location and destination, and let the website do the journey planning for you. You can narrow down the routes by those with least walking, fewest transfers or your preferred method of public transport.
A website where you can put in your departure point and destination to see if anyone else is driving that route who can give you a lift. Regular users seem to be commuters who are looking for help with petrol costs or just company on a long drive.
It is possible to save a huge sum on costs if you can find a driver for your route, and it is great for the environment as you are joining a journey which would be happening anyway.
(UK Only) National Express operate the long distance coaches which travel between towns and cities in the UK. Prices tend to be low and although the journeys sometimes take longer than plane or train, they can travel through the night and you get to see more of the places you pass through, giving you a much more interesting journey.
ACCOMMODATION
With Homestay you book to stay in a room in people's homes for often really low prices. You get your own room and often your own bathroom and can stay in places that you would never normally get the chance to with some fabulous properties on offer. Its a good way to stay in more out- of-the-way places where hotels don't bother to set up, and to meet some really interesting people.
Booking.com is a well known holiday accommodation website that has one huge advantage for travellers - you can book places to stay which have free cancellation. In these uncertain times, that is a huge bonus that outweighs any concerns you may have about using such a multinational company.
If you use them regularly you can also get discounts on the cost, free breakfast or free room upgrades.
A Not-for-Profit organisation that encourages you to book direct with the farmer for accommodation in the heart of the British countryside. You can stay in farmhouses or on farm land with B&B, self-catering and glamping all available. Often family and dog friendly, near beaches and historic sites, this is the perfect way to book a Slow Holiday.
With Trusted Housesitters you stay in someone's home to look after the house and their pets while the owners are away. Stays can be from a few days to months and it is a great way to experience a place living as a local.
Some people make a whole career from it, travelling the world to look after homes and pets, staying in places for free that often other travellers don't get to experience.
Find self-catering holidays in the UK countryside, with thatched cottages, luxurious barn conversions and former churches all on offer, often with log burners, hot tubs and games rooms. Suitable for couples or large family groups and many dog friendly places available.
Champing is when you camp inside a church. The necessities are provided for you and you get the whole place to yourself, sleeping in an ancient historic church. It is only available for 6 months of the year, but is a great way to stay in new places, often in the heart of tiny villages, and helps raise money for the preservation of these ancient buildings. Prices are low and it is a real adventure.
PLACES TO VISIT
Similar to the National Trust but without the politics and controversy, Historic Houses are lived in by their owners who will often offer guided tours of their incredible properties. Historic Houses include places such as Highclere Castle and Athelhamptom House, both amazing places to visit. Read more about Historic Houses here >>
The NGS provides access to over 3,600 exceptional private gardens across England and Wales, raising money for nursing charities in the process - raising £2.8 million in 2020 alone, even with the pandemic raging. Not just available in the summer months, you can also get to visit some incredible winter gardens too, and all for a good cause.
Always worth a look, Groupon often have deals for places to visit that you wouldn't expect to find - you get exactly the same ticket but for a reduced cost. Look under attractions on their home page to find what is available in the place you are visiting and you may be surprised at the discounts you can get.
Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours run in multiple cities around the world, and are a great way to get around without needing to use cars or taxis. They tend to stop at all of the main tourist attractions so you can get to all of the places you want to see without adding any extra pressure on the local roads. They usually have wifi and audio tours available.
Good Journey is a UK based organisation with a focus on car-free days out. They provide discounts on assorted attractions if you travel there on public transport, some up to 50% off. They also give comprehensive directions on how to get there by train, bus and bike, with links to detailed timetables. Definitely worth a look when you plan your UK holidays and days out.
Food
Big Barn will help you find locally produced, season food wherever you are staying in the UK, many of which will deliver to your holiday home. Just have a look on their map to see what is available.