After the uncertainty surrounding 2020 and the various travel restrictions and rules which were implemented, it should come as no surprise to many of you, to learn that the number of people choosing to enjoy staycations here in the UK is higher than ever before.
Now, myself personally? I absolutely adore staycations as the UK is indeed home to some of the most popular holiday and tourist destinations on the planet. Whether you’re looking for a city break, rolling hills, rugged mountains, or gorgeous coastlines, Great Britain has it all so you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding on your next getaway.
Staycations, which are basically just holidays enjoyed in one’s home country rather than overseas, can be incredibly enjoyable and I’m speaking from experience here. Okay, sure, the weather is anything but reliable, but if you can get past that you’ll find that the UK is one of the best staycation destinations in the world.
To help you get in the mood for your next well-deserved getaway, here are 7 staycation ideas you’ll absolutely love.
London, England
When people go on holiday, not everybody wants to spend all of their time sat on a beach getting sunburnt, doing nothing all day. Some people prefer to cram as much culture and excitement into their break as possible, which is why I’m starting off with London first.
If you enjoy city breaks, London is simply a must-visit destination for anybody looking for a holiday that will keep them busy and active for the duration.
With art galleries, museums, shops, markets, tourist attractions, bars, cafes, restaurants, parks, and plenty more besides, London is one of my favourite city breaks as it has something to keep you busy every single day.
As well as doing all of the usual touristy things like visiting Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and so on, why not go exploring some of the city’s hidden gems and venture down some of the quieter back alleys and see the part of London most tourists don’t know about?
The Isle of Skye, Scotland
Lately, I’ve found myself becoming more and more enamoured with bonnie Scotland, which is why I’ve included the Isle of Skye on my list for you today.
The Isle of Skye is located just off of the West Coast of Scotland and it is considered to be a real gem when it comes to holidays. This tiny island is connected to the mainland by the hugely impressive Skye Bridge and is the perfect staycation destination for people that want to get away from civilisation and get back to nature.
Renowned for its tranquil fishing villages, its panoramic mountain vistas, rugged coastline, and of course, my favourite medieval castles, booking a gorgeous self-catering holiday cottage here is like heaven.
Be sure to visit the harbour towns and fishing villages before sampling a wee dram or two at the Talisker Distillery, topping off your night by tucking into fine Scottish cuisine at any number of the Island’s pubs or restaurants.
Windermere, Lake District
If you’re familiar with my blogs, you’ll know that I’m also a huge fan of the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, as are millions of other people from all corners of the earth.
Windermere in the Lake District is a gorgeous little town in Cumbria a mere stone’s throw away from Lake Windermere itself, which is the largest lake in this amazing National Park.
I love Windermere because it is everything that a rural countryside town should be. It has trees, hills, farmland, mountains, lakes, towns, villages, tourist attractions, and a whole lot more besides.
I personally recommend a cruise on the lake itself on one of the many boats operating here before stopping off at the World of Beatrix Potter and grabbing a real ale and meal at any number of the pubs in the area.
Bath, Somerset
Somerset is a county which I haven’t visited anywhere near as much as I would like to, and that is going to change this year.
Somerset is another county well known for its greenery, as well as for making arguably the finest cider in all of the UK.
Bath is a city in Somerset that is perfect for those of you with an interest in history as its origins can be traced way back to Ancient Romans. It is also the only city in the UK to be a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bath is a spa city complete with preserved Roman bathhouses (hence the name) and spas, along with a natural thermal hot spring.
I’m a bit of a foodie, which is another reason I’m recommending Bath as it is a foodie’s haven, complete with gastropubs, Michelin starred restaurants, delicious takeaways, street food, and more besides.
Padstow, Cornwall
Another firm favourite of mine is Cornwall, and what better place to stay than Padstow?
Padstow is a fishing town and harbour located on Cornwall’s North Coast, which is renowned for its gorgeous beaches, beautiful seafood, quirky Cornish traditions, and of course, for being the home of celebrity TV chef Rick Stein.
Stein owns a number of restaurants, bakeries, and businesses in Padstow, so many in fact, that the locals have nicknamed it Padstein.
I love Padstow because it has everything you need for a holiday, including self-catering cottages, hotels, campsites, and of course, plenty of beaches and sea views. As Padstow is located so close to villages such as St Merryn, Pawth, and Trevose, you can also hop in the car and explore a completely different beach and entirely different part of Cornwall in less than 15-minutes usually.
As you know, no visit to the seaside is complete without fish and chips, although a traditional Cornish pasty makes a great alternative.
Snowdonia, Wales
In terms of popularity, Wales is a firm favourite for people looking to enjoy a staycation, particularly in North Wales such as Snowdonia National Park.
Snowdonia is the ultimate destination for those of you who enjoy breath-taking countryside views, as well as wonderful coastline, and of course, mountains such as Snowdon – the largest mountain in Wales.
If you want a staycation that gets you some fresh air, keeps you active, and offers you stunning rural views, Snowdonia is the ideal destination.
Staithes, North Yorkshire
Finally, another of my favourite staycation destinations, yet one which doesn’t seem to get the love it deserves in my opinion, is Staithes.
Staithes is a chocolate box fishing village on the North Yorkshire Coast, a stone’s throw away from Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, and not too far from Scarborough.
Staithes isn’t a huge place, so there’s not a huge amount to do here, but it makes the perfect base for a North Yorkshire Coast holiday. Nearby you can explore the North York Moors, hop on the North York Moors steam train, go bargain hunting in Pickering, goth watching in Whitby, or simply spend the day crabbing in Staithes before enjoying fish and chips at the Cod and Lobster, washed down with a pint of Whitby Whaler ale. Perfect.
Which one was your favourite?
Until next time stay safe, stay curious and don’t stop wandering!
