Summer. Enter sandy white beaches and swaying palm trees, the sweet essence of sun cream on glowing, sun-soaked skin, a cocktail in hand, and long hours of daylight…

A bespoke enamel box remembering summer holidays past.

For the jetsetters among us, the urge to travel may never have been so acute, but rather than facing the uncertainty of boarding a plane this year, and the unwelcome question of quarantining, it isn’t hard to recommend embarking on an easy-yet-unforgettable summer of staycations instead and making the most of what we have right in front of us in the UK. Here, we’ll highlight how a summery sojourn without roaming too far from home could be one of the best yet: a memorable summer can easily, like our Halcyon Days pieces, be made in the UK.

Last week, we celebrated some of London’s greatest landmarks in all of their glory. Opulence, grandeur, and splendour feature widely throughout the bustling streets of our great capital city, and there is rarely a corner turned without monumental magnificence appearing just around it. We are fortunate to have such an endless exhibition of history and culture in our midst, and any opportunity to venture into the city to view these spectacles, even just for the day, ought not to be taken for granted. Especially now that theatres, galleries, bars, and restaurants are re-opening their doors at long last.

While the hustle and bustle of urban life comes with eminent entertainment, sometimes, we need a change of scene and a breath of fresh countryside air. Luckily for us, the scenery that surrounds our cities is second to none, and it doesn’t take much of a journey to be fully immersed in it either. Did you know that no matter where you are in the UK, one can never be more than two hours away from a beach?

For those itching to hear cascading waves and the gentle slapping of flip flops on the carefree soles of their feet as they saunter down to the beach for the day, we have the incomparable Cornwall, the Scilly Isles, and Salcombe. Journey along the Jurassic coast to see tremendous seascapes and heritage all the way to Dorset’s Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, and Old Harry – these panoramic views are entirely worthy of their World Heritage Site title. The more challenge-accepting among us may take to the summits of Snowdon, tackle a few munroes in Scotland, cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, hike along Hadrian’s Wall, and be back in the home office feeling fresh on Monday morning.

The essence of any holiday highlight involves a little bit of luxury. Picture the sense of liberation when setting off from the city on a Friday afternoon, car rooftop down, sporting sunglasses and a silk scarf a la Audrey Hepburn. Bring such poise all the way to the poolside, while you wallow in warmth and bury yourself in a book, with our Maya Torque bangles that ooze utter elegance. Dive into long, lazy lunches and Al fresco dining that comes with a sultry summer’s eve with UK handmade dinnerware. Memorialise these moments on a handmade, enamel box to thank your host or for your own keepsake.

Images of Maya Torques on holiday - Why not take our jewellery with you on your staycation and share with us how you style it?

Whatever your staycation of choice, the UK no doubt has the answer. As a UK based brand, we urge you to take the time this summer to optimize on the quiet glamour that our nation has to offer. Afterall, who needs Greek islands, when we have an island of our very own…?