10 Best Places To Holiday In The UK For Locals Who Want A Staycation
Want to take a break from work but have limited time or funds? Or maybe you can’t be bothered with the hassle of the airport. Look no further. According to VisitBritain, around 59 million staycations were taken in Britain in 2017 and over half of us Brits are now choosing to holiday in the UK over travelling abroad! With so much to see and do right on your doorstep, why not holiday right here at home? Here are 10 of the best places to holiday in the UK.
Lake District
If you’re looking for a relaxing break away from it all, the Lake District is the perfect, idyllic holiday destination. As the UK’s largest national park, it is home to beautiful lakes, woodland, valleys and mountains. There are walking routes for both beginners and more advanced hikers and it is the perfect setting for more adventurous sports like mountain biking and kayaking. Although the weather in the Lake District is unpredictable, the scenery is magnificent come rain or shine and the stunning waterfalls are at their best during the rainy season! Whether you just want to kick back and admire the views, or don your hiking boots and go exploring, there is something here for everyone!
Cornwall
With its rugged coastline, family-friendly beaches and 300 miles of dunes and cliffs, Cornwall is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. Located on the southwestern tip of the UK and known locally as the English Riviera, Cornwall is home to famous attractions such as Land’s End and the Eden Project. Water sports like surfing and bodyboarding are very popular here and you can also explore beautiful rock pools or go seal spotting. If you’re lucky you may even see one of the region’s harmless basking sharks along its gorgeous coastline. What’s more, you can grab yourself a famous Cornish pasty or cream tea while you’re here!
Pembrokeshire
Located in the southwest of Wales, Pembrokeshire is Britain’s only coastal national park. Despite its striking rocky cliffs and pretty beaches, it is much under-rated in the top destination lists. It’s the perfect place for hikers, water sport enthusiasts and nature lovers – you can even take a boat trip along the coast to spot dolphins! If you’re more of an indoor person, there are also several National Trust properties for you to visit during your stay. If you enjoy peace and quiet on your holidays, Pembrokeshire could be right up your street!
London
On the other end of the spectrum is our bustling, cosmopolitan capital. Attracting millions of visitors from all over the world every year, London is a tourist hotspot with some must-see landmarks! It is home to Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London and even the Harry Potter studios tour! In addition, there are many museums, restaurants, galleries, markets and top department stores to explore, as well as music venues and theatres with West End shows, to keep you entertained after dark. Travelling around is easy on the tube and you can save money by staying on the outskirts and travelling in. You’ll also save if you book attraction tickets in advance! This is definitely one UK holiday destination not to miss!
Northumberland
Northumberland is located in the far north of England, right on the Scottish border. It has the best of both worlds with rural countryside and wild beaches, with some of the cleanest air and rivers in the country. Here you will find numerous ancient houses and castles, charming towns and villages and hidden beauty spots like waterfalls and caves. You can also take a boat from Seahouses to the Farne Islands to see some stunning wildlife at the largest Sea Bird Sanctuary in the British Isles. Alternatively, you can cross the causeway to Holy Island, but be sure to check the tide times, as twice daily, the road disappears beneath the waves! Take a look at these best places to holiday in the UK!
Dorset
Known for its Jurassic Coast, in Dorset you will find beautiful sea-carved bays, crumbling cliffs and famous landmarks such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. You can go fossil hunting on Chesil beach! With steep chalk hills and clay valleys in its rural countryside and its old-fashioned seaside resorts, Dorset offers something for everyone, on top of its unrivalled natural beauty. You can visit National Trust properties, explore Monkey World or one of Dorset’s several aquariums or simply enjoy a ginger beer while you ramble! If nothing else, this is definitely one of the prettiest places to holiday in the UK!
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is Scotland’s hilly capital city and offers the perfect break for those who like to stay busy whilst away. There are lots of attractions including Edinburgh castle which towers over the city and houses Scotland’s crown jewels, the famous Royal Mile shopping district with its numerous Whiskey sellers and winding closes, Edinburgh Dungeon, Camera Obscura and The Palace of Holyrood House. There are also museums, galleries and gardens which are a welcome green space in this urban tourist hotspot. If you go in August, you’ll get the chance to experience the largest arts festival in the world – Edinburgh Fringe! This is one of the best places to holiday in the UK!
Yorkshire
This has got to be one of the best places for a UK staycation. Located in the north east of England, Yorkshire is the UK’s largest county. Whether you prefer the quiet, rural countryside of the Dales or traditional seaside towns like Scarborough on the east coast, Yorkshire can accommodate just about anyone. Admittedly I’m biased, but its smaller coastal resorts of Whitby and Filey were recently placed second and third in a list of UK top holiday destinations, so there’s the proof! With its beauty and rich history, there is no surprise that Yorkshire attracts over 40 million visitors each year – and that’s heritage tourism only! If you decide to visit this stunning county, expect warm hospitality, quaint tea rooms and Yorkshire puddings on Sundays. There really is no place like God’s Own County! Take a look at these best places to holiday in the UK!
Blackpool
Blackpool has got to one of the UK’s most famous seaside resorts! With its iconic tower housing the world-renowned tower ballroom and circus, as well as three piers, a newly refurbished promenade, a theme park and a zoo, there really is something for everyone! There’s also many clubs and theatres to attend on an evening, where you can see singers, magicians and comedians. The best time to visit Blackpool is in the Autumn when you can experience its famous Illuminations. Funded solely by public donations, this impressive annual light show spans six miles along Blackpool’s coastline! It really is unforgettable! This is one of the best places to holiday in the UK!
Isle of Wight
This popular UK holiday destination is an island located off the south coast of England. Accessed by a short ferry ride across the Solent, the Isle of Wight is known for its seafront promenades and the natural beauty of its countryside and ancient forests. On its western point, you will find famous landmark The Needles, which are three huge white chalk rocks and over half of the Island is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Beauty. You can even go fossil hunting as the Isle of Wight has the largest collection in the UK. It also offers quirky cafes, a plethora of freshly caught seafood, music festivals and a fair dose of sunshine in the summer, so if you’re a sun worshipper this could the next best thing to a trip abroad! Take a look at these best places to holiday in the UK!
Hopefully this list of the 10 best places to holiday in the UK has given you some inspiration for a staycation of your own! With all the UK has to offer, this list should definitely make you proud to be British. Let us know which of these places you are going to visit in the comments.
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