Staycations: The UK's Prime Holiday Destinations

As lockdown restrictions are lifted slowly but surely across the UK, we can now start looking at summer plans. With the travel industry still surrounded in an air of doubt, ‘Staycations’ are set to be the holidays of choice for thousands all over the UK. Whether this be a weekend camping trip, trying out ‘glamping’ for the first time, or booking a nice cottage to spend some long-awaited time with extended members of friends and family, we’ve put together a list of some of the best places to spend some well-deserved down time.

1. The Yorkshire Dales

Now being a Yorkshire based company, this one may not exactly be particularly left-field – but there’s a reason the Dales receive over 10 million tourists every year. Perfect to get away from the buzz of city life, easily accessible and home to some of the best walks in the country, the Yorkshire Dales offers amazing scenery and plenty of accommodation options to boot. Whether you explore the top of Malham Cove, the immaculate Bolton Abbey Priory, or the wonderful hills of Ingleborough topped off by old fortress ruins, there’s something for everyone in Gods County’s countryside.

Of course, you have the added benefit of popping in to our Northallerton store, situated less than half an hour to the east of Aldburgh and entry to the dales. Camping, glamping and traditional B&B’s are all on the cards in the dales and there’s plenty do to whether you want to spend the day or the week.

2. Scotland's North Coast 500

Sticking to the theme of exploring Brook Taverner stores, Inverness is widely considered as the gateway of the North Coast 500 – the 500 mile stretch of road taking you up to the UK mainland’s most northerly point and through the winding stretches of stunning Scottish coastline, this certainly isn’t one to miss. Getting evermore popular since the rebranding of “The UK’s equivalent to Route 66”, there are now more options to stay along the entirety of the route. In addition to this, Scotland’s camping laws makes this the perfect impromptu trip – if you aren’t a fan of planning an itinerary and would rather some spontaneity, then this is for you.

Whilst the NC500 route brings you back to the heart of Inverness from the coastal town of Ullapool, there’s no need to stop there. If you’ve got time on your hands why not continue down the coast and cross the bridge into the Isle of Skye? Notorious for its stunning scenery and abundance of wildlife, you’ll find culture and history in shedloads.

3. Cornwall

Without wanting to be accused of northern bias, next on our list is as south as it gets with the county of Cornwall. Famed for its surf and pasties, amongst other things, it is also one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations. Being located on a peninsula means for dozens of stunning locations across the county, whether it be Newquay, St Ives, Falmouth, Penzance or Truro. With harbours, beaches and cliffs never more than a short drive away, it is arguably the most relaxing location in the UK.

Here, B&Bs are in no short supply and whilst you may have to pay a premium, it is hard to put a price on watching a sunset from Lands End safe in the knowledge that if you were somehow able to walk in a straight line from point A to B, you wouldn’t come close to another piece of land until Brazil.

4. The Welsh Coast

As tempting as it was to put the whole of Wales on our list for UK staycations thanks to the cultural benefits of Cardiff, the stunning views found in Snowdonia National Park as well as the numerous quant towns that frequent the country. The Brecon Beacons was also close to making the list in its own right, but the stunning views found in Aberystwyth, Anglesey, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno meant that they just managed to get the nod.

Whether you spend your days dolphin watching in Cardigan Bay or exploring the cliffs littered across the coast from Anglesey, the opportunity along the entirety of the coast is something that we strongly recommend. There is a reason that the Welsh tourist board has invested so much recently in its advertising spend, meaning that it is no longer becoming one of the UK’s best kept secrets, but instead is becoming a tourist destination in its own entity. Coincidentally, if you’re travelling from outside Wales then why not swing by Cirencester located less than an hour away from the border as well as offering you a chance to briefly explore the Cotswolds?

5. The Lake District 

The Lake District is one of those places that everybody is aware is naturally stunning, but it doesn’t stop it from being any more of a pleasant surprise every time you go From the lakes that gave the national park its name, to the stunning hillsides that allow you to see the beautiful views offered by the Irish Sea. Similar to the Yorkshire Dales, the sheer variety of offerings means that whether you’re staying for one day or two weeks, there will always be something new for you to see and explore.

Lakes Windermere, Ullswater, Derwent and Buttermere all unsurprisingly top of our recommended list, and if in the area, a trip to England’s tallest point in Scafell Pike is a must. By no means is it an easy walk, but the panoramic views at the top make the trek completely worth it. Cottages, hotels and B&Bs are all on offer throughout the Lake District, making it perfect whether it’s a solo trip or a place to invite the whole family.