W

hy wait for an excuse to spend a few days with friends enjoying the best of what England has to offer? Shopaholics on tour? Try Manchester or Leeds. Need an adrenaline fix?

Hire mountain bikes in The Peak District or sign up for an activity break in Kielder Forest. From cookery courses to golfing lessons, holidaying as a crowd has seen a recent surge in popularity.

Hardly surprising – away from the stresses and strains of everyday life, it’s the perfect time to catch up with friends. Stay affordably at one of the many YHA hostels across England . Or hire a cottage for a group from a booking site such as www.ukholidayplaces.co.uk .

If you’re taking more than 10 friends along, check www.groupaccommodation.com . Need room for 72 people … they’ve got just the place.

If you want to join a group, The National Trust run working holidays around the UK. You might find yourself herding goats, building a dry stone wall, or doing a spot of organic gardening.