Staycation Inspiration: The Ultimate UK Holiday Destinations

Overseas travel proves tricky this summer but that doesn’t have to stop us enjoying quality time safely holidaying with family or friends, surrounded by stunning scenery. 2020 is a brilliant opportunity to explore all that the UK has to offer. Whether you are a city lover, or wild at heart, Britain has it all: shopping galore, an array of restaurants, beaches, walking trails and jaw-dropping scenery. The great thing about having a holiday in the UK is the flexibility that it offers to those on a budget – an overnight stay or a long weekend is affordable and convenient but will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite UK staycation destinations whilst keeping in mind budget-friendly travel and accommodation options.

Cornwall

Sandy white beaches, turquoise waters… experience a sunny day on the famous beaches of Cornwall and it’s hard to believe you are in the UK. Open spaces and an outdoor lifestyle encourages social distancing too. Why not take a visit to Fistral Beach, one of the world’s top surfing destinations and try your hand at surf lessons, starting at a reasonable£35 per lesson (including board and wetsuit). If cliff top trails and breath-taking views are more your scene, visit the iconic Land’s End for a free and bucket-list worthy day out. The most popular form of accommodation in Cornwall is camping, with tent pitching prices starting from £9.45 per night based on two adults sharing. Is glamping more your style? From £59 per night, woodland camping pods offer a great luxury alternative. Unfortunately there are no direct train routes from Bradford to Cornwall, which would prove costly and involve multiple connections. However, for those that have access to a car and love a good road trip, you can reach Cornwall in around six hours via the M5 on a good traffic day. It can of course be done via public transport, but we strongly recommend a road trip on this one – camping often involves packing for all weathers and taking a car will prove handy for storage – and makes spontaneous day trips to the likes of quaint seafront town St Ives easily accessible, too.

London

Love the buzz of city life? Few cities in the world prove as cosmopolitan and bustling as London, the English Capital and currently the most popular tourist destination in the world. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, over 300 languages are spoken in London and it boasts a fantastic sense of culture, being home to 170 museums. Not to mention the impressive shopping scene that London has to offer. Wander along iconic Oxford Street, or visit Burberry on Bond Street, home of the iconic designer check. Covent Garden is a great place to browse urban streetwear and handmade goods. After a long day of retail therapy, head to one of London’s 39 theatres for a West End show/ musical or enter foodie heaven and choose from over 15,500 restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes. When you’re all shopped out, a trip to the capital wouldn’t be complete without sightseeing London’s iconic landmarks. Visit the queen at Buckingham Palace, soak up the view from the London Eye or head to the historic Tower of London. Public transport really is the only way to explore London, and why not do it in true tourist style with open top-bus tour? Prices start from £26 for a 24 hour ticket, or grab a map and navigate the London Underground by purchasing a two-day visitor’s pass for £27. Accommodation options are endless: hostel prices start at £12 a night, a simple but clean base such as a Premier Inn will set you back around £49 per night and of course there is a variety of luxurious and romantic hotel options available for those special occasions. We recommend considering location as a deciding factor, perhaps being based closed to a train station so once you arrive in London you can drop your bags and explore the city! We found the best prices for Bradford to London train tickets at £23.50 one way (based upon travel dates over the next month).

The Lake District

Think glassy lakes, rugged mountains and utter relaxation… welcome to the Lake District! A national park based in Cumbria, North West England, the Lake District is home to waterside walks, cycling routes and starry night skies. Why not visit the Aira Force waterfalls, or the charming village of Grasmere. If you enjoy a challenge then check out Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain. Take in the breathtaking views of Windermere, the largest lake in the Lake District (and England). This tranquil landscape will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to idyllic picnic spots. With prices as little as £5 per night for a camp site tent pitch in Cumbria, it really does make for an ideal weekend break. If you fancy a luxury retreat, there are spa hotels with standout views from £122 per night – ideal for a romantic candle lit getaway. Whatever your budget, pour a glass of wine and be sure to enjoy the view. Travel times from Bradford are roughly 1 hour 34 minutes via the A65, or train prices start at £16.50 with an average journey time of 2 hour 53 minutes.

Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland will make an unforgettable first impression, mixing ancient, hilly landscape with vibrant city lights. Edinburgh is famed for its history, so don’t forget to check out the beautiful and beloved Edinburgh Castle, recently voted the top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards. Make the most of the National Museum of Scotland’s free entry on a rainy day and if the sun does make an appearance? Enjoy unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle from the rooftop terrace. More of an adventurer? Climb Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano sitting 251m above sea level. As you can imagine, the views of Edinburgh from the top of this hike are picturesque.  Home to the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival (postponed until 2021) Edinburgh is well known for its festivals and vibrant city life and can certainly do contemporary very well. Ever charming, expect beautiful, medieval architecture whilst browsing high street fashion at Princes Street (think Zara, Primark) or head to George Street for more upmarket brands (Hollister, Jack Wills). There are a whole host of Airbnb city centre flats that are very reasonably priced, we spotted a few for £29 per night (hosting up to four guests).  How to get there? For those driving, it’s around 4 hours in a car via the A1, or National Express offer a coach service for £11 per person for those on a tighter budget. Train tickets start at £18.30 with an average journey time of 4 hours 51 minutes.

We hope we’ve inspired you to take a safe and well-deserved staycation here in the UK! Weather permitting, the UK has a lot to offer, whether it’s nature or culture that floats your boat. Though do check out the latest information and advice for travelling safely, and be sure to find out what’s open as lockdown restrictions begin to ease across the UK. Take a look at the websites for tourist attractions ahead of booking to avoid disappointment. Stay safe and have fun!