A little bit wary about taking a British summer holiday this year? I don’t blame you. Between the hit-and-miss weather and crowds, it might be tempting to jet off somewhere a little more secluded. But read this article first and it might just change your mind about a UK staycation.
My top 5 destinations for a British staycation are dotted throughout the country. They’re all within driving distance and, even better, there’s plenty to do around each location. So, if it’s too crowded, too rainy, or too boring, you’re never far away from somewhere else worth exploring!
1. Durham
Durham is a favourite of mine for a UK staycation. This city in County Durham is built on the River Wear and is a university town, so you know that there’s going to be a lot to do. Durham blends together modern conveniences with history and nature.
My must-do list for Durham:
- Take the river walk.
- Tour Durham Cathedral (currently home to three issues of Magna Carta).
- Explore the indoor market and grab some food from the Saturday outdoor market.
Located in the Northeast, there’s a surprising number of things to do if you venture outside of Durham too. If you want a beach day and don’t mind a drive, Staithes is just an hour away and remains an untouched quaint British seaside village. The ice-cream is a must.
📍 Best place to stay: Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County, for views of the cathedral and the castle.
2. Norfolk Coastline
This destination is quite vague as, frankly, I couldn’t settle on just one location along the Norfolk coastline. My recommendation is to start in either Kings Lynn to the east or on the west side of Norwich, then take the coast road up and along.
Best places to stop along the Norfolk coast:
- Wells-next-the-Sea for eating fish and chips while looking over East Fleet.
- Sheringham for shopping or Salthouse Beach for peace and quiet – both have pebble beaches that are great for walking along.
- Cromer makes a good daytrip, but the crowds can be a bit much.
- Happisburgh has an iconic lighthouse, though the village itself is being swallowed up by the sea.
- Horsey Gap to see the seals on the beach (just don’t try to get too close!)
📍 Best place to stay: Sprowston Manor Hotel Country Club is located outside of Norwich with good access to the Norfolk coastal road.
3. Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort in Wales and if you want that classic British seaside holiday, this is the destination for you. Great ice cream, sandy beach, walks along the pier – what else could you need?
Well, if you do need something more than this family-friendly UK staycation destination, there’s plenty to do nearby:
- The Llandudno cable car.
- Alice in Wonderland statue trail.
- Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Anglesey for long walks along the rugged coast.
In Llandudno itself you can find museums, parks, tourist shops and your favourite high-street shops, and plenty more. There’s even a ghost tour!
📍 Best place to stay: The Grand Hotel Llandudno, for views over the north promenade from a beautiful Victorian hotel.
4. Merseyside
Not too far from Llandudno you will find Liverpool. And that’s not a bad thing! Like many UK cities, there are good parts and bad parts, as well as a huge plethora of things to see and do. You’ll also have great transport links in case you want to escape the city quickly, as well as pedestrian-friendly transport in the city itself.
But while staying in Liverpool city is great, it’s Merseyside that should be the focus of your staycation, particularly the Wirral Peninsula and Birkenhead. This is the place to go if you’ve been dreaming of long sandy beaches!
Highlights of the area:
- See the lighthouse at New Brighton Beach.
- Williamson Art Gallery and Lady Lever Art Gallery.
- Boardwalk through the forest to the beach at Formby National Park.
- Explore historic Birkenhead.
- Knowsley Safari Park has Amur tigers, capybaras, white rhinos, giraffes and many more.
📍 Best place to stay: Adelphi Hotel Liverpool, for a stunning Edwardian style building with easy access to both Wirral and the city centre.
5. Scarborough
Scarborough is an old seaside town in North Yorkshire that has been a holiday destination going back generations. But I will be totally honest, it’s no longer the nicest place to visit. The high-street is rundown and the crowds are a bit excessive.
Thankfully, like the other destinations on my list, there is so much to do around Scarborough that it’s a fantastic homebase for your next staycation.
Besides the scenic walk along the seawall, visits to the spa, fish and chips, and Sea Life Centre, you can find:
- Whitby (including the abbey and boat tours) just 40 minutes away.
- Bird watching, hiking and sea canoeing at Flamborough Head, 35 minutes away.
- Historic city York approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away.
- North York Moors with steam train, fantastic driving and nature walks.
📍 Best place to stay: The Grand Scarborough Hotel, built in 1863 and perfect for making Scarborough the centre of your North Yorkshire holiday.
Where Will Your Next UK Staycation Be?
My top 5 destinations have mostly been by the seaside, but would you ever consider a holiday inland? From Oxford to Edinburgh, there are so many amazing places to visit. You don’t need a plane ticket or 5-mile trek to find them either!
Let me know in the comments where you’ve been on holiday in the UK and where you are looking forward to going next.