Responsible travellers are holidaying closer to home

responsibletravel.com, the leading online directory of specialist hand-picked holidays, has seen a staggering 113% increase in the number of enquiries from travellers looking for trips and accommodation options in England between 1 January and 21 April 2008, compared to the same period in 2007.

Furthermore, England has jumped from 14th to second most popular destination in terms of actual holiday bookings via responsibletravel.com for the same time frame, just trailing behind Egypt which takes first place.

Justin Francis, co-founder of responsibletravel.com said: "We have seen strong overall growth in responsible holidays and I'd like to think that this latest news perhaps shows that travellers are starting to cut down on short haul flights and city breaks.

"Responsibletravel.com was one of the first travel companies to encourage customers to take fewer and longer holidays. Over the past year or so, we've also been proactively adding to the site, some fantastic UK-based trips and accommodations have joined that really put responsible tourism at the core of their business.

"Every one of us needs to be reducing our everyday carbon output and holidaying closer to home can be a great way to do this, wherever you may be based in the world. Appreciating the local character of a place is what travel is all about - it's something unique and truly memorable, whether you are travelling 20 or 20,000 miles from home."

With St George's Day being celebrated in England tomorrow and May being a popular month for UK travel in general - with bank holiday weekends and the half-term break - here are five of Responsibletravel.com's newest UK holidays:

Surfing short break in Cornwall - from £305-£465 (3-5 days)
Cornwall has been the home of British surfing since the 1960s. This short trip is ideal for surfers of all abilities, including first-timers who can take advantage of the long, gradual, sandy shelves into the sea and the fully qualified British Surfing Association instructors. Choose a long weekend (Fri-Mon), a City Slicker weekend (Fri-Sun) or a mid week break (Mon-Fri).

Price includes bed & breakfast accommodation, arrival/departure transfers, guiding/instruction from BSA instructors (max 1:10), equipment, beach towels, BSA certification. Non surfing partners welcome (50% discount).

Tree climbing tour on the Isle of Wight - from £35 (1 day)
Climbed as high as you want to go, then hang out in the canopy, resting awhile in the tree hammock before abseiling to the ground through the branches. Back on the ground, the picnic blanket awaits you with homemade refreshments and a cup of tea. If you're still feeling adventurous, there's plenty of time for branch walking & hanging upside down! Specialist equipment is used to protect the bark of the tree when climbing takes place.

Price includes 2.5 hour experience, equipment, public liability insurance, health and safety briefing, full instruction, supervised climbing and homemade refreshments.

Sea kayaking holiday in Wales - from £225 (3 days) - £439 (5 days)
Pembrokeshire is a sea kayakers paradise and the coastline is world renowned. Paddle alongside the inspirational National Park coastline, beneath the towering sea cliffs and into sun dappled caves.

You might find yourself kayaking amongst Atlantic grey seals, or porpoise and dolphins. The coast is awash with sea birds, kittiwakes, razorbills, choughs, shags and cormorants, also the impressive gannets who have their colony on Grassholm island. Departs 20 Jun, 21 Jul, 8 Aug, 1 Sep, 12 Sep 2008.

Cornwall self catering accommodation for 10 - f rom £400 - £1500 per week
This stunning converted barn near Launceston is set on a working organic farm. Go for walks, fish in the river, help on the organic farm, play table tennis, use the trampoline or just relax in front of the woodburner.

Enjoy a welcome hamper of local produce, including locally made soap. And the extra-large shower encourages visitors to save water and shower in pairs, or with several children together!

Scotland multi-activity holiday - from £425 - £1250 (6 - 10 days)
These adventure holidays in Scotland combine sailing, sea-kayaking or canoeing with walking / hiking as a means of exploring a wild and beautiful part of the Highlands of Scotland. Travelling in a small group led by a qualified and experienced guide, these holidays are a wonderful way to experience Scotland on a multi-activity trip.

Departs 1 May, 25 May, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Aug, 9 Aug, 10 Aug, 19 Aug, 15 Sep 2008. These trips all start and end at railway stations to encourage travel by train.

For UK residents, responsibletravel.com has an entire section devoted to 'I don't want to fly' holidays in the UK, Ireland and continent Europe. See Responsibletravel.com/NoFly for more information.