From the rugged coastline of the Scottish Highlands to the charming beach cottages and dramatic cliffs in Cornwall, the luxurious air of the Isles of Scilly, to the beauties of our own capital city – there is so much to see on your next holiday without the need for a plane.
UK staycations eliminate all the hassle of travel; all you have to do is arrange your destination, get in the vehicle or find the closest rail station and start an adventure to find out what might be far closer to home than you first believed.
Picturesque Serenity in The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds, with its chocolate box towns, miles of undulating farmland and huge stately residences, are among the most beautiful areas you will discover in all of Britain. You can just imagine how much there is to discover across 800 square miles of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
One of the key selling features of the Cotswolds is their excellent gardens. There is enough for green-fingered visitors to appreciate, from small cottage gardens bursting with wisteria and roses to the great groomed turf of rural estates.
Traveller’s Tip: Make use of unique five-day getaway bookings to discover some of the best gardens in the area, including Batsford Arboretum, Sudeley Castle, and Painswick Rococo Garden. One of the most exciting parts will be going to Cotswolds Farm Park with Adam Henson, a TV farmer who will give you a tour and fill you in on his conservation efforts and sustainable farming practices.
Discover London Like You Never Have
If you want to practise leisurely travel, it might not be the first spot you choose for a staycation; yet, the city offers more than just its well-known squares and buildings. Looking beyond the buildings, there are some amazing gardens and green areas where one may discover nature in the city. One classic example is Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, a little oasis in the city with more than 320 acres of green area and tropical glasshouses.
Of course, there are numerous well-known palaces and historical structures around the city. From Hampton Court Palace’s lush garden to the majestic Tower of London, the city is alive with the past.
For those who enjoy the thrill and excitement of a night out, London’s casinos offer a lively atmosphere filled with bright lights and top-tier entertainment. Many venues provide welcome drinks and sign-up bonuses like those found at bonusfinder.co.uk, inviting guests to test their luck at table games like roulette and blackjack. There’s also the chance to experience slot machines in person—a completely different vibe from online casinos—especially when playing alongside friends. Some of the best include The Hippodrome, Les Ambassadeurs, Crockfords, Aspinalls, and Maxims.
Find England’s Best Beaches on the Cornish Coast
The Cornish coast boasts several of the greatest beaches in the United Kingdom. This county is one of the UK’s most popular staycation locations because of its gorgeous coastline, small fishing communities, golden sandy beaches, and rocky, tall cliffs.
But the beaches are hardly the only thing people enjoy about Cornwall. Particularly in the lovely port town of Padstow, where famous chef Rick Stein has developed many restaurants and cafés, it is also recognised as a gastronomic heaven.
Traveller’s Tip: Stay in one of Rick Stein’s Shepherd’s Huts, situated in the grounds of his pub, the Cornish Arms, only minutes from Padstow, and get to know the beautiful coast and great cuisine of Cornwall. If you take advantage of online deals, you can have a three-course meal at The Cornish Arms and then grab some fish and chips from one of Rick Stein’s restaurants.
Experience a British Treasure in the Scottish Highlands
Up north, the Scottish Highlands are one of Britain’s true gems; picturesque, isolated, and perfect for a genuinely wild getaway, where you can lose yourself in nature amidst lochs, beaches, and mountains. The Highlands are not only the site of some of the most famous landmarks in Britain—the Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, and Eilean Donan Castle—but they are also the starting point for thrilling steam train rides on the Jacobite, better known as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
Traveller’s Tip: Like Harry and his pals, you are over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct and near Loch Nevis, Ben Nevis, and Loch Morar; the Jacobite is absolutely essential. During a four-day Scottish steam holiday, you can book trips that allow you to ride the Jacobite and take advantage of a talk and Q&A with Scottish TV meteorologist Carol Kirkwood.
1st Century AD Living in Bath
For those who enjoy history, it’s difficult to top picturesque Bath for UK tourist sites. The Romans, attracted by the natural hot springs, transformed them into a thermal resort, establishing this sophisticated metropolis in the first century AD. Among the best-preserved Roman remnants worldwide, the Roman baths are still open for visitors today.
Thanks to its 18th-century growth, the city also boasts a rich Georgian past. Today’s visitors love meandering along its tasteful streets created from warm, honey-coloured stone. Join County Living’s day excursion to Bath to explore magnificent structures, including the famous Royal Crescent.
Traveller’s Tip: You will arrive in Bath on the magnificent Belmond British Pullman, lounge in the restored Art-Deco carriages, sip a Bellini and have a mouthful of three-course breakfast while gliding over the countryside.
Great Britain’s Caribbean Copycat: Isles of Scilly
These perfect islands, which sit 28 miles from Cornwall’s shore, are the UK’s response to the Caribbean. The Isles of Scilly is a UK tourist location everyone should have on their bucket list because of its celestial white dunes, blue seas, and much warmer temperature. Five of the 140 isles—St Mary’s, Tresco Abbey Garden, St Martin’s, Bryher and St Agnes—are inhabited and include some of Britain’s most remarkable sites.
Traveller’s Tip: Along with the laid-back lifestyle most island vacation wish lists include, there are dark skies for stargazing and fauna that thrive—including Atlantic grey seals and puffins.