The staycation, or taking a holiday in your home country rather than travelling abroad, has become increasingly popular in the United Kingdom in recent years. Britain offers an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and experiences within a relatively small area, from the beaches of Cornwall to the mountains of Scotland, the cities of London and Edinburgh, and the historic villages of the Cotswolds and the Yorkshire Dales. A holiday in the UK can be as varied as a trip abroad, with the added advantage of no language barriers, no currency exchange, and no long-haul flights.
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In This Article
The Best Regions for a UK Staycation
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Cornwall and Devon remain the most popular destinations for a traditional seaside holiday, with their sandy beaches, cream teas, and picturesque fishing villages. The South West Coast Path offers some of the finest coastal walking in Britain, linking the resorts of St Ives, Padstow, and Salcombe with hidden coves and dramatic cliff scenery. The Lake District, a UNESCO World heritage Site, is the most popular destination for walking and outdoor activities, with its beautiful lakes, mountains, and valleys. The Peak District, Britain’s first national park, offers gentler walking and cycling in a landscape of limestone dales and gritstone edges. The Scottish Highlands provide the most dramatic scenery in the UK, with the North Coast 500 driving route offering a spectacular tour of the northern coastline. The Norfolk Broads, a network of navigable rivers and lakes, are perfect for a boating holiday, with the chance to see wildlife such as bitterns, otters, and marsh harriers.
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Types of UK Holiday Accommodation
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The variety of accommodation available for a UK staycation is one of the great strengths of the domestic holiday market. Self-catering cottages, from historic stone-built properties in the Cotswolds to modern conversions in the Scottish Highlands, offer the flexibility and space that many families prefer. Holiday parks, such as those operated by Haven, Parkdean, and Center Parcs, offer on-site entertainment, swimming pools, and activities that keep children entertained whatever the weather. Glamping, or glamorous camping, has become increasingly popular, with safari tents, yurts, and shepherd’s huts offering a more comfortable alternative to traditional camping. Bed and breakfasts and country house hotels provide a more traditional experience, with home-cooked breakfasts and personal service that is hard to find in larger hotels.
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Practical Tips and Weather Considerations
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The great unknown of any UK staycation is the weather. The British summer can be unpredictably wet, so packing a waterproof jacket is essential whatever time of year you travel. Many attractions, including museums, galleries, and historic houses, offer shelter on rainy days, and the best UK destinations have enough indoor activities to keep a family entertained when the weather turns. Booking accommodation that offers flexible cancellation policies provides peace of mind if the forecast looks particularly bad. The best value for UK holidays is found outside the school summer holidays, with May and June offering the best balance of good weather and lower prices. The half-term weeks in February and October are increasingly popular for winter breaks, with indoor attractions and festive events providing plenty of entertainment. The key to a successful UK staycation is to embrace the unpredictability, plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, and treat the weather as part of the adventure rather than an obstacle.
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Have you rediscovered the joys of a UK staycation and explored the beautiful landscapes of Britain? Which part of the country is your favourite holiday destination?
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Given the current financial climate, families are increasingly looking for cheaper, cost-effective ways to book their annual family break. Following a number of years of families booking package deal holidays in Europe, the recession has meant that increasingly families have less expendable cash for the luxury of their annual holiday, and so are choosing to stay in the UK and are looking at the accommodation options available.
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\nStonehenge, UK by rupjones
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There is a wide variety of accommodation options available across the UK and families are using all to embrace their UK holidays.
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Camping
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A return to camping by many families is providing a flexible and cheap holiday option. There are many benefits of planning a camping holiday for your family. Children love the freedom and adventure of camping, exploring the natural world around them, in a safe environment overseen by their parents. Most camping equipment can be easily hired or even purchased relatively cheaply, allowing you to enjoy multiple holidays with your purchases. Caravans, both tourers and statics, are a more luxurious alternative to a tent, and can be hired for weekend or week breaks.
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Hotels and B&Bs
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Up and down the length of the UK, a vast selection of hotels and Bed and Breakfast’s are available for holiday accommodation. Family friendly accommodation can be chosen, to ensure that you and your children get the most from your break. Staying in hotels and/or Bed and Breakfast’s may mean that you have the option of moving to a number of locations and different accommodations during your holiday, exploring a number of areas of the UK.
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Self-catering
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Self-catering cottages are a great option for families offering all the convenience of home-from-home comforts, whilst allowing you access to explore a new part of the UK. Cottages can be selected based upon your specific needs, from proximity to the local shops, or the need for a washing machine, there is bound to be a property available to meet your families’ specific requirements, easily identifiable using online search engines.
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Not only is the accommodation possibly cheaper within the UK, but you will avoid the expensive cost of travel by choosing a UK holiday. Flights and ferries can add a huge extra cost to your holiday, which is easily avoidable. The other benefit about holidaying in the UK is that your day-to-day costs can be kept to the minimum of your usual weekly spend if you require.
\nWith all the accommodation options available, holidaying in the UK is a cost-effective a viable option for any family.
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Dylan Glover looks at ways to enjoy holidaying on a budget, often writing articles on behalf of Analytix Marketing Limited
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