According to research from Turo, a third of us Brits (33%) would prefer to road trip within the UK as opposed to going abroad (26%). And with all the UK has to offer, this makes perfect sense. With beautiful countryside, plenty of beaches and bustling cities, there’s something for everyone.
Fancy a road trip? Here are our top UK staycation ideas.
Looe, Cornwall
Looe is a small coastal town in south-east Cornwall. It’s got it all – beautiful beaches, windy cobbled streets, small hidden pubs and some of the best fish and chips you’ll ever have. It’s ideal for kids, too, as there’s a lot of wildlife (on Looe Island and at the monkey sanctuary). There are also plenty of walking trails for the more active types.
Choose to stay at the Bay View Farm Camping Site and you’ll get one of the best views of Looe Bay. People who stay here tend to return, and it’s easy to see why. It has options for pitching your own tent or campervan, or you can rent one there. Prices vary from £20 to £240 so you should be able to find something to suit all budgets.
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Keswick, The Lake District
One of the more traditional staycation ideas, Keswick is a pretty market town in the Lake District National Park. It’s the perfect staycation for those who like to go on adventures as you can get out and about in all sorts of ways including on the water (sailing, ghyll scrambling, cruising, wild swimming and more) or head out in any directions for fell, riverside, and lakeshore walks.
There are also lots of indoor attractions if the weather is terrible, including an Art Deco cinema, the Theatre by the Lake, various museums and even a ‘world of illusion’, the Puzzling Place. If you're a bit of a foodie, there is plenty to choose from too including award-winning pubs and a range of restaurants and cafes.
The Charlotte Cottage is set back on a quiet street just a few minutes' walk from all of the attractions an amenities of Keswick. A great staycation for families, it sleeps four guests (and one dog), is comfortably furnished throughout and has its own courtyard (which is apparently a rarity in Keswick).
Northumberland
Probably best known for playing host to Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland is full of historical sights and stunning views. Other sites in the area include Dunstanburgh Castle, Berwick Castle and the Alnwick Garden and castle, which is known as the finest contemporary garden in the UK. And then there’s the landscapes with everything from walking and cycling trails, to fishing and wildlife watching.
Set on the edge of Northumberland National Park, Riverside Leisure Park is nestled amongst a range of attractions including railway museums and Alnwick Castle – which the first two Harry Potter films used as Hogwarts! This is a little pricier, but worth it if you’re after a bit of luxury on your staycation.
Durham
If you’re looking for city-based staycation ideas, you might like Durham. Based in north-east England, south of Newcastle upon Tyne, the picturesque city hosts quirky cobbled streets, traditional architecture including Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, as well as several locations for food and drink. Close to Beamish Museum, home to the famous Bowes Museum and surrounded by Durham’s heritage coast, there’s something for everyone in Durham. You can find out more about Durham via Visit North East England.
Couples might like to stay at Riverside Retreat. As the name suggests, this quiet riverside location has great views overlooking the weirs, is within walking distance of the main stops in town and has a fully equipped kitchen.
Mendip Hills, Somerset
The limestone Mendip Hills and the Chew Valley, have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). One of 46 AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, they can be found to the south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset. The AONB Mendip Hills website has created a handy downloadable walks guide, and the GreenTraveller’s Guide has tips on what to do and where to eat in the area.
Families that choose the Mendip Hills for their staycation might like to stay at the Wookey Hole in Somerset. It has various accommodation such as the Wookey Hole Hotel with a wide range of rooms. It offers many attractions such as their ‘Wild Wookey’ package, an adrenaline fuelled caving experience and their very own spectacular live Circus show. As well as the Mendip Hills, it’s near to cities such as Bath, Bristol and Wells, as well as Glastonbury Tor and Cheddar Gorge.
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