UK Staycation Guide
A multitude of reasons can lead to a decision to stay in your own country for a vacation. The UK has a whole host of historical cities, landmarks, and locations to satisfy any demand. Certainly, in 2020 and 2021, it is likely the UK will see a rise in demand for staycations, with ongoing travel distruption when travelling to other countries showing no sign of stopping. But don't let that be a negative, use the opportunity to explore places closer to home, which you may never have seen before.
What is a Staycation?
A staycation refers to a holiday, which takes place within your home country, as opposed to a country abroad. It provides an opportunity to explore closer to home locations, which you may not have otherwise considered.
Benefits of a Staycation
Travel is one - staying within your own country immediately cuts down on any need for long flights or travel times to an airport. This helps with starting your holiday sooner, and enables you to perhaps take such a staycation at a time when you may not have otherwise been able to. A long weekend is a good example, take a couple of days out of work, combined with a weekend, and you can have a good amount of time away somewhere.
Other benefits include a lack of adapting to a new currency, or changing money prior to travel, plus being familiar with everything from shops to road signs from the outset.
Staycation Ideas
A good place to start when considering staycation ideas is on Dog Walks Near Me, which covers dog walks in areas throughout the UK. Below, we look at some quick ideas to get you started.
The Lake District
The Lake District is an outstanding area to visit, close enough to home but when there you will feel anywhere but. Explore some of the famous (but busy) lakes, or venture out to the lesser known lakes for a more relaxing experience!
View a selection of walks in the Lake District here.
Take a look at our Home & Garden Lake District National Park Travel Guide, for a guide of things to do in and around Cumbria.
The Peak District
Great for a hiking break, the Peak District offers distinctive surroundings and a wide-ranging exploration area. There is a lot of history in the towns dotted about across the region, so be sure to explore a little further if you take a trip here.
View a selection of walks in the Peak District here.
Cairngorms
Located in the North-East of Scotland, and established in 2003, Cairngorms National Park stretches through the regions of Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Angus and Perth and Kinross. The Cairngorms is the largest national park in the UK and is ideal for a getaway, allowing you to escape to witness mountains, rivers, lochs and some memorable views.
View a selection of walks in the Cairngorms National Park here.
Take a look at our Home & Garden Cairngorms National Park Travel Guide, for a guide of things to do and see when in this fantastic area of Scotland.
Anglesey
Located in the North-West corner of Wales, Anglesey is an ideal location to travel to, if you are looking for a relaxing, get away from it all, outdoors-based holiday. Combining some stunning landscapes, with a varied coastline to explore, and a number of small towns and villages to discover, Anglesey is a great choice for a holiday. Winding roads, remote cottages, and great coastal locations (you are rarely far from the coast when here) enable a fantastic break in a scenic location.
View a selection of walks in Anglesey here.
Take a look at our Home & Garden Anglesey Travel Guide, for a guide of the must-see areas on this island in the north-west of Wales.
City Breaks
If you are planning to travel to a UK city, there are many options which may interest you.
Liverpool
A large city in the north-west of England, Liverpool has a rich cultural history to explore, from maritime museums to great restaurants, to the music, which defined a generation.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth makes a great day-trip option and is one of the best places you can visit to gain extensive knowledge of maritime history. The Historic Dockyard must rank among the UK’s best attractions, with a large number of things to do and see.
View our travel guide to Portsmouth here.
Bristol
Located on the River Avon, in the southwest of England, Bristol has a rich maritime history. Ensure you check out the Clifton Suspension Bridge, opened in 1864, which spans the Avon Gorge.
Bath
Host to many small, unique shops, this historic city offers a lot to do in a small area and is therefore ideal for a long weekend.
Lincoln
Lincoln is a Cathedral City and the county town of Lincolnshire. It is located in the East of England and has a rich history dating back to the Roman days of 47 AD when the settlement of then-named Lindon was occupied and a fortified town was built. The city is home to one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, the 1215 charter that has become the symbol of liberty and freedom in the western world.
Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, hosts cobbled street, a number of museums and a rich history ready to explore. A popular weekend getaway for many, the below guide highlights the main attractions on a first-time or subsequent visit.
View our travel guide to Edinburgh here.
London
Don't rule out the UK capital as a staycation break. It may be far away from quiet and scenic, but you will never run out of things to do here. Take a look at our Home & Garden London Travel Guide, to view the top things to do in the UK capital city.
Booking your staycation
The best advice when booking a staycation is to consider the fact that you want a simple holiday, something which won't take a lot of effort to travel to, book, or involve yourself in. As a result, you can search for hotels or accommodation in your destination city or area relatively easily on sites such as Booking.com and Hotels.com.
Getting There
Check out transport options, and whether driving is the best option, or taking public transport, such as the train may be more beneficial (particularly for a city break). Have a look at our useful tips article, on finding cheap train tickets, here. Railcards (depending on your eligibility) may also help bring the cost down on such a trip.
