How to enjoy a thoroughly British break

By Asher Mcshane, TravelMail

Last updated at 09:53 07 July 2008

A regal stay: Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall’s new Welsh hideaway is available for rent

Deckchair? Check. Rain mac? Check. Let the cloud-bathing begin...

The credit crunch is hitting everyone, even the Queen, but you would think that Prince Charles and Camilla would have means enough to keep their heads above water... and go wherever they choose on holiday.

So it's reassuring to see them enjoying some more traditional breaks on home soil. When they could be taking high-speed jets to far off shores and staying in gold and marble bedecked hotel suites, doesn't it warm the cockles to see Britain's favourite royal couple doing things much more modestly?

Regardless of whether or not it's a pr exercise, it still sends out a good message that they are not needlessly damaging the planet and wasting cash with yet another trip on a private jet.

First off, Prince Charles has decided to try his hand in the hospitality business by opening a B&B (or rather, letting people occasionally stay in one of his houses) click here for the story.

Camilla, on the other hand, while on a break in Llangrannog, Wales, decided to do her best impression of a person from the 1940s while paddling in the sea (a knotted handkerchief was all she needed).

In for a penny, in for a paddle: Camilla takes a dip

So the Royals are British, and they take British breaks. There's no denying the logic there – but what about the rest of us? A spot of guidance is in order on how to behave in a thoroughly British fashion while holidaying at home, which a third of us are estimated to do this summer. Here are my top tips...

TEN WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY MORE BRITISH

If there's even a hint of sunshine, sit in it

Overcast days will see swarms of British tourists waiting in anticipation for a moment when the sun infiltrates the clouds. Proper Brits on holiday will sit outside in weather they would never dream of basking in at home. "We're on holiday so we're lying outside regardless" pretty much sums it up.

Greet someone in a British fashion

Dear, dearie, flower, love, chick, chuck, duck, me duck, me duckie, duckie egg, mate, guv, son, ma'am, madam, miss, sir, treacle or me old badger are all acceptable forms of greeting.

If suncream is essential abroad, a good brew is just as important in the UK

Cream teas are good for you

Your arteries will weep at the amount of saturated fat in a cream tea, but scientific reports* have long indicated that people eating them daily while on holiday, especially in the west country, actually increase their Britishness. * Ok, we made that up

Apologise

Especially if you didn't do anything wrong. We're the only nation in the world where when someone bumps into you, it's up to you to grovel and say sorry. But at least you are unlikely to get sued.

Tour a mildly interesting attraction

Possibilities include: The Cheshire Salt Museum, the Cumberland Pencil Museum or the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport. These are all real museums that you should preferably attend while dragging bemused children along - who thought they were off to Alton Towers.

An early flymo from the archives of the British Lawnmower museum

Queue

Join the fun and join a queue – it's a national pastime that Brits love to partake in, whether it's at Wimbledon or their local newsagent – there's no fun that's as fun as queue fun.

Go on a ridiculously long walk

This practice originally started in the 1920's when holidaymakers found themselves so bored of penny farthings and Homburgs that they tried to escape from their destination on foot. Nowadays it has been perfected into an art form – usually one that ends up in a pub.

Enjoy a spot of small talk

Acceptable subjects include the weather, the other party's journey, and the state of youth today.

Drink tea correctly

This couldn't be more important. Use loose leaf. Leave to brew. Always milk last (although this remains a contentious issue). No sugar.

Indulge in your stereotype status

You are a holiday-bound Brit – so be proud of it. Cheerfully share your best stories about rain and cups of tea with people you meet, order chips with everything, and roll up those trousers a la Camilla and go for a paddle.

To construct your own thoroughly British break you could head to the town of Llangrannog where Camilla recently visited – cottages can be rented from just £199 for the weekend. Visit www.llangrannog.org.uk to search for accommodation.