6 Top UK Staycations

This year it has been difficult to travel abroad, due to multiple testing and the traffic light system implemented due to the pandemic.  This has led to many people staying in the UK. Of course, that isn't a hardship as the UK has some beautiful countryside, as well as historic cities and incredible things to see and do.  So if you are looking for some ideas of where to go on your next UK staycation, I have some inspiration for you. Let's have a look at 6 of the top UK staycation destinations for a holiday.

Scottish Highlands

Scottish Highlands

The Scottish Highlands is just beautiful. We visited this year when we took a flight from Bristol up to Inverness and then hired a car travelling to Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Oban. On this trip, we missed Aviemore and the Isle Of Mull, and we didn't see the Loch Ness Monster so it's a great excuse to go back!  This area of Scotland is perfect for nature lovers. We visited the free Highland Folk Museum where Outlander was filmed and really enjoyed our visit. Also worth a visit is the Culloden battlefield, the site of the bloody last battle of the Jacobite Rising. 

Pembrokeshire

Tenby

Pembrokeshire is a personal favourite of ours, as it's a short drive from where we live in South Wales and it brings back memories for me as every year as I used to visit every year as a child. Tenby still has a place in my heart, the harbour is just beautiful and there are a few great shops and amazing beaches. Don't forget Saundersfoot, Pembroke and St David's too. Pembroke Castle is worth visiting as it's an interesting medieval castle. And don't forget to take the train from Haverfordwest to get the best views of the scenic countryside. Passengers on this train have the chance to travel along the coast past various train destinations before reaching the castle If you come to Pembrokeshire the beauty of the area won't disappoint you.

Cornwall

St Ives
Cornwall is a top UK destination for its pretty villages, fabulous beaches and warm climate. Our favourite village in Cornwall is St Ives. It is famous for its artistic community and has some lovely shops selling crafts and pottery. It also has the wonderful Tate St Ives which is a fabulous little art museum. If you want to explore further afield, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary is worth visiting to see rescued seals and The Eden Project is a world-famous eco-park and educational centre. Other recommended places to visit include Padstow, Fowey and Looe. If you want to read more about Cornwall, check out this post on Cornwall's hidden gems.

Lake District

The Lake District is a popular area to visit in Cumbria as it has clear blue lakes, rugged mountains and interesting little market towns like Kendal, Amberside and Keswick. Lake Windermere should not be missed, take a boat trip on the lake, or visit the Beatrix Potter gallery where you can see her original artwork as well as the original manuscript for The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. Grizedale Forest has walking and cycle trails with art sculptures dotted around and the Lakes Aquarium has the UK's largest collection of freshwater fish. There is so much to see around this area for all the family.

Yorkshire

Whitby Abbey

Yorkshire in the north of England is known for its Roman and Viking heritage as well as medieval abbeys, castles and two national parks. We personally love York, a great historic city with amazing independent shopping. We recommend visiting for the York Christmas market to pick up some unique gifts. If you are visiting with kids the Jorvik Viking Centre is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors are taken through Viking scenes in carriages with the sounds and smell of Viking life all around them.  Other things to do in Yorkshire include exploring the Yorkshire Moors, visiting Castle Howard where Brideshead Revisited and Bridgeton was filmed and seeing Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Mary Shelly's Dracula. 

Devon

Torquay

Devon in South West England is a popular UK destination and is well known to us as it's an easy 2 to 3 hour drive. Known for its soft sand beaches, breathtaking cliffs, fossil beaches, medieval towns and areas of outstanding beauty, a visit to Devon is always very memorable. Have a Devon cream tea where the cream is always before the jam, visit the English Riveria towns of Paignton and Torquay and learn to surf in Croyde Bay. We loved the little village of Lynton and Lynmouth connected by the funicular railways. 

For more beautiful UK staycations check out Luxury Coastal who specialises in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset holidays with an upmarket vibe. 

Let me know where do you like to visit in the UK?

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5 comments

  1. We had a lovely week in the Lakes a few months ago, such a beautiful part of the country to visit. A friend is just returning from a week in Cornwall as she is from there and it was her daughters wedding, really want to visit one day

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  2. There are some stunning places to visit in the UK. I really want to go and see the Lake District. It's supposed to be beautiful.

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  3. There are so many gorgeous places to visit in the UK. For our next trip I would like to travel more up north!

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  4. Cornwall is on my travel bucket list. I'd like to go there once I've passed my driving test.

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  5. I haven’t travelled that much in the UK but York, Edinburgh and Brighton are three of my favs. I’d love to go to the Scottish highlands and just explore Scotland more, and I’d love to go to Cornwall when it’s not so busy x

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