Staycations are booming – and the United Kingdom is full of beautiful spots to explore. From dramatic coastlines to chocolate box villages, you don’t need a plane to discover some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world.
Here are some of our favourite staycation spots in the United Kingdom for you to explore:
1. Tenby, Wales
🤷♀️ What to do: Walk along the 13th century town’s historic harbour or visit its numerous galleries and exhibitions. The Tenby Museum & Art Gallery and the Tudor Merchant’s House are popular spots. Caldey Island, run by Cistercian monks, is only a 20-minute boat ride away or head over to Tenby Beach for a walk on the sand and maybe even a dip in the ocean if you fancied bracing the cold.
🍴 Where to eat: The Buccaneer Inn or Billycan for a pint and some pub grub, The Baytree for fresh seafood or The Stables for some ambiance.
🚗 Distance from London: 4.5 hours by car.
2. Cornwall
🤷♀️ What to do: Check out some of the UK’s best surfing beaches, such as Porthleven or Sennen Cove, before pottering around lovely seaside towns (St Ives was Instagram’s favourite!) and scoffing on tremendous seafood. Head to the open-air Minnack Theatre for a show along the cliff’s edge and dramatic skyline views to match the drama on stage, or to the remarkable tidal island of St Michael’s Mount, walkable during low-tide.
🍴 Where to eat: Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar in Penzance or The Halsetown Inn in St Ives for a great pub lunch.
🚗 Distance from London: 5 hours by car.
3. Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast
🤷♀️ What to do: Take a paddleboat out around Lulworth Cove and gawk at the iconic stone arch, or go on a sunny coastal walk nearby.
🍴 Where to eat: Lulworth Lodge is the perfect spot to satisfy your hunger after a morning of activities around the sea. Specialises in seafood and burgers.
🚗 Distance from London: 4.5 hours by car.
4. Canterbury, Kent
🤷♀️ What to do: Visit the historic Canterbury Cathedral, take a stroll in the Blean Woods nature reserve, or visit the nearby Herne Bay or Whitstable beaches. Walk through the tranquil Westgate Gardens, sample some wine at Canterbury’s surrounding vineyards, and explore the plenty of independent stores Canterbury is full of.
🍴 Where to eat: Cafe du Soleil for Mediterranean fare in an 18th-century mill, Kebbells for some top-notch seafood, and The Goods Shed for local and seasonal British grub.
🚗 Distance from London: 1.5 hours by car. 1 hour by train.
5. Isle Of Skye, Scotland
🤷♀️ What to do: Take in the beautiful Scottish Highland surroundings, and visit landmarks such as the Storr, Quiraing and Dunvegan Castle. You’ll unsurprisingly encounter some gorgeous lochs on the island, too.
🍴 Where to eat: Red Roof Café is a cosy spot serving locally produced veggie and vegan grub. Alternatively, get yourself over to Old School for some typically excellent Scottish seafood.
🚗 Distance from London: This is a long one, folks. 11 hours by car.
6. Dancing Ledge, Dorset
🤷♀️ What to do: Sit out on the Dancing Ledge itself (a flat ledge of rock beneath some pretty impressive cliffs) when the tide’s out, to take in the rays and have a dip in the ocean.
🍴 Where to eat: Grab a hearty outdoor pub lunch in the beer garden of The Square and Compass.
🚗 Distance from London: 3.5 hours by car.
7. Lake District, Cumbria
🤷♀️ What to do: Walk among swathes of greenery, boat on the lakes and visit local art galleries. A visit to William Wordsworth’s childhood home, Windermere (England’s largest lake), Beatrix Potter’s house, and Wastwater (England’s deepest lake) are all worthwhile too.
🍴 Where to eat: San Pietro’s in Windermere serves some mean Italian delights to wrap up a day by the lakes.
🚗 Distance from London: 5 hours by car.
8. London
Some smarties on the ol’ Instagram piped up with this. But, biased as we may be, you could do a lot worse than staying in (or travelling to!) the greatest city in the world.
🤷♀️ What to do: Where to even begin? Here’s a list of the things you need to do in London before you die, just to get you started. As well as plenty of free things to do, if you’re travelling on a budget.
🍴 Where to eat: And again, check out our guide to London’s best restaurants.
🚗 Distance from London: erm.
9. Brighton, East Sussex
🤷♀️ What to do: Stroll along the pier and eat ice cream on the beach, or wander The Lanes in search of a quaint tearoom or traditional English pub. Or have a look at our handy dandy guide for all the best things to do in Brighton.
🍴 Where to eat: The Salt Room for award-winning seafood on the seafront, or Terre à Terre for world-inspired vegetarian dishes.
🚗 Distance from London: 1 hour 45 minutes by car. 1 hour by train.
10. The Cotswolds
🤷♀️ What to do: Discover some of the UK’s prettiest villages or walk along some stunning, historic trails. Go fishing at Bibury Trout Farm, visit the glorious Blenheim Palace and explore its sprawling estate, or head to the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.
🍴 Where to eat: The Kingham Plough is a beautiful pub with a Mediterranean-inspired menu to transport you all the way to Greece while on your staycation or The Dining Room at Whatley Manor if you’re feeling fancy.
🚗 Distance from London: 2 hours 15 minutes by car.
11. The New Forest
🤷♀️ What to do: Explore the New Forest National Park on foot, by bike or even by horseback, check out the National Motor Museum, or admire the beautiful flowers in Exbury Gardens. Bring the little ones to Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World, explore Highcliffe Castle or take a trip to Longdown Activity Farm.
🍴 Where to eat: For an excellent beer garden and a cracking Sunday roast, head to The New Forest, Ashurst. It’s the perfect pitstop for New Forest walkers. Verveine for impeccably cooked fish, and The Elderflower Restaurant for charm up the wazoo.
🚗 Distance from London: 2 hours 15 minutes by car.
12. Scottish Highlands
🤷♀️ What to do: Look out for Nessie in Loch Ness or hire a kayak for a trip on the water at Loch Lomond. There’s plenty of walking and exploring to do at Loch Ness, the world is your oyster at one of the crowning beauty spots the UK has to offer.
🍴 Where to eat: The Plockton Shores has you covered for some of the best seafood to come from Scottish Highland waters.
🚗 Distance from London: 9 hours to Fort William by car. 11 hours 45 minutes to Durness.
13. Devon
🤷♀️ What to do: Like its neighbour Cornwall, you can surf here, enjoy the beautiful beaches and also walk along many a harbour. See the stunning Canonteign Falls, explore the vast moorland of Dartmoor National Park and splash around in Becky Falls.
🍴 Where to eat: Enjoy some swanky dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant at Gidleigh Park, or a wholesome lunch by the river at the ever-so-quaint River Cottage. The Seahorse for unfussy Italian fare and The Oyster Shack in Bigbury for… oysters.
🚗 Distance from London: 4 hours by car.
14. Rye, Sussex
🤷♀️ What to do: Visit Lamb House—the former home of author Henry James—or take a stroll along Mermaid Street, before frolicking on Camber Sands beach. The Rye Castle Museum, The Rye Waterworks Micropub (the first micropub in South East Sussex) and Bodiam Castle are also worth a visit.
🍴 Where to eat: The George Grill will serve you fine cuts of meat, while The Fig will sort you out with some strikingly colourful vegan and vegetarian plates.
🚗 Distance from London: 1 hour 45 minutes by car.
15. Seven Sisters, East Sussex
🤷♀️ What to do: Marvel at the sight of the stunning chalk cliffs (of which there are 280 hectares of!) as you meander around the Seven Sisters Country Park and, by extension, the South Downs National Park. Head to Eastbourne Beach and walk along the pier, or see a sea of bluebells when they’re in season at Arlington Bluebell Walk
🍴 Where to eat: Have a slap-up Thai feast over at Thai Terre Restaurant in East Dean.
🚗 Distance from London: 2 hours by car.
16. Malvern, Worcestershire
🤷♀️ What to do: Explore the grounds of the Little Malvern Court & Gardens, visit the Malvern Museum to discover some local history, or spend the day navigating the breathtaking Malvern Hills. Wander around Witley Court and Gardens, and smell all the gorgeous blooms at Old Court Nurseries and Picton Garden.
🍴 Where to eat: Visit the Swan Inn in Newland for cosy pub vibes and traditional fodder, or the Little Malvern Courtyard Tea Room for some truly stunning views.
🚗 Distance from London: 3 hours 15 minutes by car.
17. Isle Of Wight
🤷♀️ What to do: Take a dip in the sea, head to Queen Victoria’s beloved Osborne House and Swiss Cottage, or tiptoe around the woodland paths of Shanklin. Poke around the miniature houses at Model Village Godshill and discover the history of the dinosaurs that once roamed the island at Dinosaur Isle Museum.
🍴 Where to eat: The Bandstand is a must-visit spot in Sandown overlooking the glorious bay, as is Mediterranean cafe Cibo, The Hut at Freshwater.
🚗🚢 Distance from London: 3.5 hours by car and ferry.
18. Snowdonia, Wales
🤷♀️ What to do: Climb the mighty Mount Snowdon, bask in the beauty of the idyllic national park, and head to Beddgelert to learn about the tragic fate of the faithful dog Gelert and see his grave.
🍴 Where to eat: Head to the no-nonsense Gallt-y-Glyn to devour a hard-earned pint and a pizza after a long day hiking up to the peak of the mountain.
🚗 Distance from London: 4 hours 45 minutes by car.
19. Edinburgh, Scotland
🤷♀️ What to do: Climb up to Arthur’s Seat for stunning views of the city skyline, visit the famous Edinburgh Castle, taste some whisky, take canalside walks in Leith and beyond, or peruse our website entirely dedicated to all things Edinburgh here.
🍴 Where to eat: Try out one of the three Oink locations for a delicious (and traditional!) hog roast, or visit the fantastic, family-run Timberyard restaurant hidden in a former props and costume warehouse. The Devil’s Advocate is great for drinks and small bites and Bross Bagels for some top-notch bagels, of course.
🚗 Distance from London: 7 hours by car.
20. Llandudno, Wales
🤷♀️ What to do: You lot love a good coastal walk, don’t you? We don’t blame you. Llandudno Pier and Promenade or Great Orme Country Park are perfect places to start here. If you don’t fancy a walk up to the summit of the Great Orme, there are trams at your service for a more leisurely way up to the top.
🍴 Where to eat: Get a famous wood-fired pizza over at Johnny Dough’s, taste one of the many wonderful ice cream flavours there are at Forte’s Restaurant (there’s burger, pizzas, and more too), or head to Home Cookin’ for classic home-style grub.
🚗 Distance from London: 5 hours by car.
21. Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
🤷♀️ What to do: Breathe in the fresh, sea air at this beautiful little fishing village, make a trip to the Robin Hood’s Bay Museum, or spot the seals at Ravenscar. A visit to all the filming locations from Wild Child is of course also a must.
🍴 Where to eat: One word. Fish. We are in Whitby territory, after all. We recommend taking your pick of local fish ‘n’ chips shops, or just head straight to Fish Box.
🚗 Distance from London: 5 hours by car.