Sipping wine while gazing at the stars or walking hand in hand along a secluded beach? Sounds like the perfect getaway, right? And who wouldn’t love spending a few days away from the city? A staycation is a perfect opportunity to explore the UK and its natural beauty. From quaint country villages to historic towns, there’s no shortage of excellent options for a UK staycation.
If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to take your next UK staycation, look no further than these clever, unique and budget-friendly ideas. The UK is home to so many fun and unique places to explore, so there’s plenty of inspiration to take your next staycation.
Here are some of the cheapest and most unique places to visit in the country, as well as some ideas for how to make the most of your staycation.
1. Head to the Lake District
If you love your outdoor activities, you’ll love the Lake District in the UK. With over 1000 miles of paths and trails, you can explore the area by foot or by bike. Activities such as mountain climbing, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, why not visit the Lake District’s lovely country pubs? You’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants in nearby towns, so you can have a hectic day out without needing to travel too far. Visit the Lake District in the UK in the summer, and you’ll experience the best of nature’s splendours.
2. Visit York
One of the most famous cities in the UK, York is a great choice for a UK staycation. The city is unmissable; with a rich history dating back to Roman times, York also offers many modern attractions. One of the UK’s most popular festivals, The York medieval festival, is held every May. There are plenty of other festivals too, so you can discover more about the city’s history. If you’re looking to visit a city, visit York in the UK. Visitors can explore the city’s rich history, or they can experience modern life in the city.
3. Visit Edinburgh
One of the most visited cities in the UK, visitors can explore Edinburgh’s history and architecture during a UK staycation. One of the UK’s most cosmopolitan cities, Edinburgh offers visitors a blend of old and new. If you’re interested in architecture, visit Edinburgh in the UK. Practically every building in the city has been built at least twice, so there’s a lot to see.
You can also enjoy the city’s sights such as the Edinburgh Castle or Edinburgh’s historic parks. If you’re looking for a more active break, visit Edinburgh in the UK. Edinburgh has plenty of green spaces, so you can relax, or you can explore them to discover more about the city’s history.
4. Go cave diving in Yorkshire
Visit a vibrant city like Yorkshire. For a UK staycation, you can’t do better than exploring underwater caves. There are over 150 caves in Yorkshire, and some of the most famous are in Yorkshire. Visit the Yorkshire Undersea world to explore the beauty of the underwater world, and then visit some of the caves. If you’re looking for an activity that will make you feel active but won’t make you feel like you’ve worked too hard, visit a UK cave. Caves are generally unspoiled, meaning you won’t feel as if you’ve damaged the environment as you would with some other types of outdoor activity.
5. Visit Brighton camping
Head to the coast to visit a beautiful town or city. Coasts are great for UK staycations; if you’re looking for a stunning view, few places in the UK compare to coastal areas. Visit one of Britain’s most beautiful cities or one of the UK’s most picturesque towns. You can visit one of the UK’s most famous seaside towns: Brighton.
The beach is famous for its white cliffs, so you can enjoy the view while you’re in the UK. Or visit an ancient city like Cambridge. Visit a UK town or city and spend a few days exploring the area, or visit one of the UK’s most beautiful natural beaches.
6. Go surfing at Bournemouth
Visit the shiniest city in the UK. Bournemouth is known for its beaches and its shopping, but it’s also a great place for surfing. If you’ve always dreamed of surfing, but you’ve never done it before, you should visit Bournemouth in the UK. You’ll find ample opportunities to learn how to surf here, along with plenty of waves to ride.
You can also visit Bournemouth in the summer, and spend a few days exploring the city. Bournemouth has plenty of historical sites you can visit, or you can enjoy the beach while you’re in the UK.
7. Wales: The land of castles
If you’re looking for a trip to explore the breathtaking peaks and mighty rivers of Wales, you’ve come to the right place. But as an excuse to explore royal castles, you might as well be in heaven.
Castle Conwy, near the northeastern tip of Wales, is an excellent budget option for visitors looking for an authentic medieval castle experience. This walled castle, built in the 11th century, is home to a museum full of artefacts from the Norman Conquest of England. Nearby, at Hawarden, the world’s first railway castle is set amid vast parklands. More than just a place to stay and sleep, the castle is a hotel, complete with a restaurant and bar.
If castles are not your thing, but you still want to visit Wales and experience the culture and heritage of the region, then a trip to Wales’ National Museum, in Cardiff, is an excellent idea. This fascinating museum will take visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of the country, from the earliest days to the modern era.
8. Blackpool: The dreamiest of seaside resorts
Blackpool’s famed Grand Theatre is an excellent budget staycation option, but the seaside town is also home to a range of cheaper accommodations and charming hotels. A stay in one of Blackpool’s budget hotels will have you steps from the beach, meaning you’ll have no excuse for not getting your sea legs under you.
When you’re ready for a day out exploring the area, you’ll discover that Blackpool has something for everyone. With its array of amusements and some of the most stunning sea views in the UK, Blackpool is an excellent budget staycation option. With a staycation in this quintessential seaside resort, you’ll have no excuse not to get a taste of the British seaside.
9. London staycation
A visit to London is a must for almost any visitor to the UK, but if you want to visit the city on a budget, you’re in luck. Although the city is expensive to visit, you can save money by staying in London. The city is full of great budget options, from hostels to Airbnbs.
If you don’t mind roughing it a little, you can save money by staying in the city’s hostels. Explore historic London on a budget by staying in a hostel in the city. London’s hostels tend to be warm and welcoming and offer a great way to experience the city’s rich history. Hostels in London are great budget options. They are generally clean, safe and in a central location. Plus, they are usually located near public transportation, making it easy to get around the city quickly.
10. Visit the Isle of Wight
The UK’s only “HM Island,” the Isle of Wight is primed for a staycation. You’ll find stunning coastlines, rolling green hills and sandy beaches here, with some of the best family-friendly parks and gardens, as well as historic sites, museums and galleries in the country.
There are plenty of activities you can enjoy here, including watersports, cycling, horse riding, fishing, visiting castles, and more. The Isle of Wight is primed for a staycation to explore the stunning island, its beaches and its historic sites.
11. Oxford
Oxford is home to one of the oldest university towns in the world, as well as several museums, galleries and sites of interest. There are plenty of family-friendly activities you can enjoy in Oxford, including visits to the University Museum, Oxford zoo, and the Oxford Botanic Garden. There are also plenty of cultural activities, such as trips to the Bodleian Library and the Medieval Hall at Christ Church College, or visits to museums, such as the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Museum of the History of Science and the Oxford Industrial Museum.
12. Cornwall
The southwestern county is home to stunning beaches, rolling hills and historic towns, like St Ives, with its famous market. Here you can explore Cornwall’s history, through its castles, museums, galleries, and shops, as well as its culture, through visits to its famous music venues, like the Eden Pool and the Eden Project, or through its craft and handmade goods, like the Handmade Cornwall or the Cornish Museum.
13. Glasgow
Explore Glasgow’s history, museums, markets and culture, and enjoy its amazing nightlife. There are plenty of unique and fun ways to explore Glasgow, from visiting the Botanic Gardens and Glasgow Science Centre, to visiting the Kelvingrove Museum, the Museum of Modern Art or the St Mungo Museum. You can also explore the city by taking a walking tour, or by using a hop-on, hop-off bus service.
Don’t miss Shakespeare’s birthplace
Shakespeare’s birthplace is one of the most famous sites in the country and is worth a visit. Explore the beautiful city of Stratford on Avon, where the author was born, and enjoy the beautiful countryside and culture of the Stratford-upon-Avon area. Here you can explore the city’s history, such as the Holy Trinity Church, the Birthplace Museum and Theatre (Shakespeare’s Birthplace), and the Holy Cross Church, as well as enjoy walks through the beautiful countryside, such as in the Forest of Arden, or along the River Avon.
14. Bath, England
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, unique UK staycation, head to Bath, England for a staycation. Bath is the epitome of a British city. It’s Victorian, has Roman history, has an 18th-century spa and is home to the world’s oldest working East-West tunnel. You can easily spend a few days exploring the city and exploring the stunning surroundings, with stunning views of the Thermae Bath Spa, the city’s iconic East-West tunnel and the surrounding countryside.
15. UK National Parks
While there are plenty of UK parks to visit during a staycation, there are also a few that are perfect for those with a love of the outdoors. The Lake District, New Forest and South Downs are all perfect for exploring with your family, while Yorkshire’s National Parks are perfect for any nature lovers.
As well as offering beautiful landscapes, some National Parks are perfect for exploring history, too. In Northumberland and Cumbria, you can visit Hadrian’s Wall, while in the Lake District you can visit Hadrian’s Wall country, while in the New Forest you can explore the Roman city of Calleva.
For your next UK staycation
A staycation is a perfect opportunity to explore the UK and its natural beauty. From quaint country villages to historic towns, there’s no shortage of excellent options for a UK staycation.
