What travel is possible from 29 March?

From 29 March, the next major stage in the phased reopening of England swings into action.

This step on the roadmap makes outdoor socialising possible again and means you don’t need an essential reason to be out of your home.

But what does the rule change mean for travel? Here’s what we know so far.

The “stay at home” order is being swapped for “stay local” in England. This mystifying term – “local” – has not been clarified further by the government. The idea is clearly that you don’t stray too far, but day trips within an hour of home could be reasonable. Overnight stays are off limits until the next stage of the roadmap, on 12 April, though – so channel your inner Cinderella and ensure you’re home by midnight.

For those in Wales, the “stay local” rules are clearer, with the Welsh government giving of a guideline of up to five miles from home.

Many of England’s outdoor landmarks are reopening from 29 March, meaning if you live fairly nearby you can change up your daily stroll with a visit to some lush greenery. English Heritage announced that 50 of its properties would open in anticipation of the “stay at home” restriction being eased, while Alton Towers’ elegant gardens will reopen on 29 March “for local families to enjoy”. Capacity will be limited and tickets must be pre-booked.

For a day trip with a difference, boat hire company Drifters will allow single households to hire a canal boat to explore local waterways for the day from 29 March. It offers day hire from 17 boat yards across England and Wales, including those in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Stratford Upon Avon.

The “rule of six” guidance returns from 29 March, meaning you can meet outdoors in public spaces or private gardens in groups of up to six people or two households.

This means a trip to a local park, beach or gardens with others should be permitted – but you shouldn’t travel together in the same car.

Yes, but don’t expect to be invited unless you’re part of the couple’s inner circle. Weddings can take place with just six guests in attendance from 29 March. The overnight stays ban also applies, so it would have to be near enough that you could get there and back the same day.

Not if you’re an England resident. The ban on overnight stays will lift on 12 April at the earliest, when stays at self-contained accommodation, such as holiday cottages, could be allowed for single households. However, if you live in Wales, you might be able to do this from 27 March.

No. The government website states: “Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.”