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When you’re drawing up holiday plans for the next year, you may be planning a trip to a palm-fringed white-sand beach or maybe you’re thinking of snow-capped peaks. But did you know you can experience that right here on a UK staycation? You may be surprised by what the UK can offer you - there are many reasons to consider a staycation, especially when it comes to the quality and variety of locations we have on our doorstep!
England along with Wales and Scotland make great staycation destinations. Whether you’re searching for sand and sea, snowy mountains, vibrant cities or historic sites – you’ll find it in Great Britain.
From romantic staycations to family breaks, get inspired by our cottage collection by clicking the button below, or read on to discover some of the best staycation locations across the UK. We have plenty of brilliant UK staycation ideas to choose from!
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South West staycations: best for taking to the water
Bude, Cornwall
On the North Cornwall coast, and not far from the Devon border, Tintagel, the birthplace of King Arthur, and Port Isaac, where much of Doc Martin was filmed, are within easy reach.
For couples: Pack a picnic and explore Bude Canal via rowing boat or pedalo, stopping for a bite to eat by the waterside.
For families: Book the whole family in for a surfing lesson – learn a new skill, boost your fitness and create some new memories together!
For empty nesters: Stroll along the South West Coast Path to Crackington Haven, spotting seals in the Atlantic and the high tors of Dartmoor looming inland.
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Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds
No need to hop on a plane to explore famous waterways – Bourton-on-the-Water is often called the Venice of the Cotswolds and for good reason. Sat on the banks of the River Windrush, the village is known as one of the prettiest in the UK and is a wonderful staycation idea, with unique attractions and plenty of charming waterside restaurants and tearooms for whiling away the hours as the river runs by.
In a central location in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it also provides a great base for exploring the sights of one of this popular UK destination, making it one of the best staycation ideas.
For couples: Enjoy a romantic, eight-course meal at atmospheric The Slaughters Manor House Restaurant just up the road in Lower Slaughter.
For families: Visit The Model Village, where you’ll find a ninth-scale replica of Bourton-on-the-Water, handcrafted in stunning detail.
For empty nesters: Take a day trip to the impressive Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill and the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough.
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Wales staycations: best for adventure
Snowdonia/Eryri
If your holiday often involves heading to a remote location to conquer the natural environment, the towering peaks of Snowdonia/Eryri National Park are for you. There is ample opportunity to take on a physical challenge, from zip-wiring, surfing and paddleboarding to taking on the biggie: Mount Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa.
That’s not to say you can’t have a more relaxed staycation if that’s top of your itinerary – there are plenty of picturesque villages to explore, delicious food and drink to sample, and the coastline around Cardigan Bay offers tranquil seaside walks and balmy beach days.
For couples: Take a starlit journey across a lake on a paddleboard trip with Psyched Paddleboarding and marvel at the twinkling stars in this Dark Sky Reserve.
For families: Explore the landscape on two wheels by following the Gwynedd Recreational Routes, a series of family-friendly, off-road tracks.
For empty nesters: Pack your walking boots as there are plenty of trails to explore – from sedate coastal walks to Mount Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa itself!
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Hay-on-Wye
World famous for its myriad book shops, Hay-on-Wye is definitely the place to visit if you value a heavy dose of culture on your holiday. One of the best staycations in the UK for book-lovers!
With over 20 bookshops, you could easily spend your UK staycation wandering in and out of shops, flicking through antique tomes and finding your next page-turner. But there’s more to Hay than meets the eye. The River Wye offers plenty of opportunity for adventure on the water, while the town’s position on the England/Wales border means the challenging hills of the Brecon Beacons are only a short hop away.
For couples: Take a stroll around the town’s many bookshops and boutiques before enjoying a pick-me-up in a charming waterside café.
For families: Rent a canoe for a sedate day trip down the River Wye spotting wildlife as you go. Pack a picnic for an extra-special treat.
For empty nesters: Time your visit to coincide with the Hay Festival in May and experience ten days of literary culture.
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Scotland staycations: best for out-of-this-world landscapes
Isle of Skye
If the best bits of your holiday are exploring unfamiliar landscapes and enjoying foreign surroundings, the Isle of Skye could be one of the best staycations you ever take. The mountainous scenery looks so far removed from the UK that some of the opening scenes from Ridley Scott’s Prometheus – a science fiction prequel to Alien – was filmed here.
You can also learn about Scotland’s clan history and the Clearances on the island, with many heritage sites to visit. And, as with the entire country, there is a rich and delicious food and drink tradition to discover – so you won’t be going hungry!
For couples: Take a walk to Neist Point Lighthouse, at the island’s most westerly tip, just before sundown and watch the most beautiful sunset together.
For families: Visit Staffin to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs – you can spot the footprints of these terrible lizards at An Corran Beach.
For empty nesters: Hike Skye’s most popular walking trail – the Quiraing – and enjoy the incredible scenery along the entire route.
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The Cairngorms
Can’t imagine life without a pull-out-all-the-stops skiing holiday to a snowy destination? The Cairngorms National Park is one of the snowiest places in the UK, receiving an average of 76 days of the white stuff over the year. This is made it one of the country’s most popular snow sports destinations, boasting 30 km of on-piste and ten lifts suitable for all ages and abilities.
If you want to keep your feet firmly on land and out of skis, the resort is also home to its own herd of reindeer – so you don’t need to go all the way to Lapland to see these impressive creatures!
For couples: Enjoy a relaxing day together at the Cairngorm Beauty Therapy and Spa. Why not book a couples’ massage for an indulgent treat?
For families: Visit in winter for a day on the slopes together; there’s a beginners’ area that’s perfect for little ones.
For empty nesters: Take a tour around the award-winning Glenlivet whisky distillery and sample a wee dram yourself!
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East of England staycations: best for laid-back holidays
North Norfolk coast
If you’re used to holidaying where there are golden sands fringed with marram, an abundance of freshly caught seafood and a laid-back, slow pace of life, a staycation on the North Norfolk coast could be for you. Boasting around 55 miles of secluded beaches, charming villages and nature reserves, the North Norfolk coast has all the ingredients for a peaceful break.
The Norfolk Coast Path runs through the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so there is plenty of opportunity to get out in the fresh air, plus there are plenty of historic sites to explore too.
For couples: Take a trip to Hunstanton – the only west-facing beach on the east coast – to toast to the sunset with a glass of bubbly.
For families: Book a boat trip to see the seal colonies off Blakeney Point – a guaranteed kid-pleasing day out!
For empty nesters: Explore the famous Holkham Hall and Estate, with an impressive stately home and plenty of grounds to wander.
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Norfolk Broads
This popular national park spreads over the flat marshes of Norfolk and North Suffolk, where the wide landscape is hazy under the filtered light from the giant sky – peppered only with the distinctive windmills that are so iconic in this area.
It's one of the best places for staycations in the UK if you are hoping for peace and tranquillity. Nothing beats gently cruising the Norfolk Broads' manmade waterways by boat, eyes peeled for resident wildlife, and stopping at traditional pubs and inns for a bite to eat. If you’d usually opt for a cruise, this could be one of the best staycations for you.
For couples: On the edge of the Broads, Norwich is a fabulous city to explore with your loved one, with plenty of independent shops and restaurants to peruse.
For families: Take the kids to BeWILDerwood, a woodland adventure park with treehouses and zip wires, where they can burn some excess energy.
For empty nesters: Explore the Broads as they were meant to be explored – by boat. Charter one yourself or hop aboard a guided tour.
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Heart of England staycations: best for countryside and culture
Bakewell
Visitors flock from the world over to visit this traditional and historic town, so it is only right that it should be on your list of UK staycation ideas when it’s so close to home! As well as having the opportunity to sample the famous Bakewell tart and pudding (they are two different things, as you will find out), you could spend hours just roaming the charming streets and soaking up the atmosphere.
Further afield, there are historic stately homes to explore – or, as Peak District National Park, it’s an ideal base for walkers looking to roam the stark natural landscape.
For couples: Visit Love Lock Bridge, where couples engrave padlocks with their initials, lock them to the bridge and throw the key into the River Wye as a sign of their unbreakable love.
For families: The kids will love meeting the animals at Chatsworth House’s working farmyard where they can meet the animals and take part in farm activities. Discover more farm parks in the UK here.
For empty nesters: Experience a true taste of Bakewell, and where better than at the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop – the birthplace of the famous pudding?!
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Stratford-upon-Avon
As a town made popular by one of the UK’s most famous citizens – William Shakespeare – this is another favoured destination for tourists the world over, so why not check it out yourself?
As well as a rich literary and dramatic culture, Stratford also has a modern side too, with plenty of wine bars and boutiques to add a touch of indulgence on a luxury staycation. Or why not take a picturesque walk along the River Avon and through the Avon Valley to enjoy the quintessentially British scenery?
For couples: Rent a gondola and take your beau for a romantic punt along the River Avon, taking in the sights of the picturesque town as you go.
For families: Spark their curiosity with a visit to the Mechanical Art & Design Museum – it’s a short walk from the town centre and packed with interactive exhibits.
For empty nesters: Watch Shakespeare in the Bard’s birthplace, and as it was meant to be performed, by catching a play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
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South Coast staycations: best for beaches and balmy days
Isle of Wight
If you don’t feel like you’re on holiday until you’ve left terra firma, the Isle of Wight would make a great staycation idea for you. Accessed only by a ferry across the Solent, you can get a real holiday feeling without having to leave the UK.
Once on the island, there are plenty of sandy beaches to continue the vacation vibes, as well as beautiful gardens, historic homes and plenty to see and do for children too – making it a brilliant choice for a family staycation.
For couples: Take a gentle stroll around Ventnor Botanic Garden, where exotic plants thrive in a unique microclimate, and soak up the rays together.
For families: Visit Blackgang Chine, the UK’s oldest amusement part, packed with rides, slides and shows to amuse all ages.
For empty nesters: Explore Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s palatial holiday home, which also has a private beach and vibrant grounds.
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The New Forest
If you like a holiday with lots of variety, a staycation in the New Forest is a wonderful UK staycation destination. As well as an abundance of natural beauty – it’s a national park spanning almost 300 square miles – the Beaulieu Estate offers plenty to see and do for all ages, from sedate walks around historic buildings to high-octane F1 cars.
However, you simply can’t beat taking a stroll around the forest, spotting the famous wild ponies that roam the land – an activity which is guaranteed to delight all ages!
For couples: Visit the village of Lover – enjoy a wander around the quiet streets before taking a picture by the famous village sign with your very own lover!
For families: We couldn’t imagine a better day out for little ones than at Peppa Pig World – they’ll be delighted as their favourite characters come to life.
For empty nesters: Take a trip down memory lane with a visit to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, which has vehicles dating back to 1875 as well as more modern F1 cars.
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North of England staycations: best for unbeatable scenery
Lake District
As a destination that has attracted visitors for over 100 years, we couldn’t miss the Lake District National Park off our UK staycation list. Its towering peaks and placid lakes are among the best natural landscapes in the world – and you don’t even need to go abroad to appreciate them.
Added to that, you can taste some of the UK’s best food – from Michelin-starred restaurants to iconic home baking – and discover the area’s rich literary culture. And that’s without mentioning the abundant walks offering breathtaking panoramic vistas!
For couples: Enjoy a romantic meal at L’Enclume in Cartmel, the only Lake District restaurant to hold two Michelin stars.
For families: A trip to World of Beatrix Potter is a must, and little ones will love meeting the characters that have delighted children for generations.
For empty nesters: Walk around the placid Lake Windermere before tucking into some of Grasmere’s famous gingerbread to refuel.
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Northumberland Coast
Still seen as a hidden gem, it’s surely time you discovered the Northumberland Coast on your next staycation. While we can’t guarantee the weather, and the chilly North Sea can’t rival the temperatures of the Mediterranean, there is a unique charm about this north-east coastal landscape.
The 40 miles of golden sandy beaches, peppered with historic castles, are often deserted except in the high season, giving you the feeling you are on your own private resort. On top of that, most of the beaches welcome four-legged visitors all year round too, making it a great choice for a dog-friendly staycation.
For couples: Spend some quality time together on the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne – take a peaceful walk around the island before enjoying a drink in the traditional inn.
For families: Visit Alnwick Castle, where some of the Harry Potter films were shot, and have a go at flying broomsticks.
For empty nesters: Take a windswept walk along the coast from Craster to the dramatic ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle – the wild North Sea views are incredible.
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Staycation destinations across the UK
Have you found some inspiration with these staycation ideas? Explore the wonders of Great Britain from the comfort of one of our handpicked holiday cottages.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic bolthole for an unforgettable couples’ getaway, or a large family home to bring the whole gang together, our holiday cottages have something for everyone.
Many even welcome four-legged guests too – our dog-friendly cottage collection means your furry best friend can enjoy all the fun. Take a look at our full collection of UK holiday cottages and start exploring our country’s wealth of holiday destinations.
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