The Great British staycation has seen a boom in recent years, driven by the impact of Covid-19 and the rising cost of travel – and it’s set to become even more popular.
With growing concerns regarding jet fuel shortages and flight cancellations, more and more Brits are turning their attention to holiday spots closer to home.
It comes after an aviation expert this morning warned hundreds of thousands of flights could be axed worldwide if the jet fuel crisis continues.
Two of Europe’s biggest airlines have already cancelled flights due to soaring fuel costs triggered by the Iran war.
Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: ‘Some of these concerns will translate into more UK holidaymakers choosing the UK for trips as well, which will be a boost for the staycation market.
‘Already we are seeing signs of UK hotels and other accommodation being heavily booked for the May – October period.’
So, the Daily Mail Travel team has created a roundup of the best staycations around the UK to help inspire your next holiday…
Swinney Wood Log Cabins – Erin Deborah Waks, Travel Writer
Let’s run away together: Swinney Wood Log Cabins on the fringes of the Peak District was named Europe’s Most Romantic Resort last year in the World Travel Awards
Erin spent a romantic weekend in the rustic woodland cabin, which has two floors – and a king-size four-poster
Swinney Wood Log Cabins, right on the edge of the Peak District, was voted Europe’s Most Romantic Resort 2025 in the World Travel Awards.
And while it might not possess the glitz and glam of places like the Ritz in London or Paris’s elegant five-star hotels, it has features that are deeply covetable: peace and privacy.
The log cabins sleep two adults, with ebbing views of the spectacular Derwent Valley, a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding international importance.
With a private hot tub and sauna, there’s not much more you could require – and it is peace and quiet personified.
There’s lots to do in the area, and nearby Belper – a 2019 winner in the Great British High Street awards – is pretty, and full of cute coffee shops including Cocoa Cafe @ I Should Cocoa.
It’s also home to Crich Brew Co Tap Room, a microbrewery tap room with a rustic bar.
New Forest – Joanna Tweedy, Assistant Editor, Lifestyle & Travel
The New Forest is a firm favourite holiday spot in the heart of the UK
And breathe out…The New Forest, Hampshire’s thousand-year-old royal hunting ground, might be the perfect outdoorsy staycation.
Stroll under towering trees, marvel at the ponies and pigs wandering the moorland or go crabbing off the harbour wall in Lymington.
The pubs are inviting, the cream teas delicious and you can stay in everything from a tent to a five-star bougie spa retreat. Family crowd-pleaser Paulton’s Park, home to Peppa Pig World, is just up the road too.
Walberswick, Suffolk – Genie Harrison, Executive Travel Editor
Walberswick in Suffolk has one of the best hidden gem beaches in the UK
A trip to Walberswick, one of Suffolk’s coastal towns, has all of the components I think a good British staycation should: sea air, unspoilt beaches and great food.
Start the day at local deli The Black Dog for sausage rolls and coffee, and, after a long walk along the shores, tuck into dressed crab and oysters from the Sole Bay Fish Company, washed down pints of local Adnams ale.
The Peak District – Tom Chesshyre, Travel Writer
The Peak District – often passed over for the more famous Lake District – is full of beauty
Hiking around the beautiful, bleak moorlands and along remote ridges of the Peak District is soul-lifting and a pure treat – as I found on a mammoth 364-mile walk, over 32 days, for my new book ‘Wild Peaks: On Foot Through England’s First National Park’.
Trails are well-marked and you can catch a train to the likes of Edale, Glossop and Hope and set forth, no need to drive.
It’s a dreamy landscape – the ‘green lung’ of the north. Stanage Edge and the Roaches are two of my favourite spots. You don’t have to cover 364 miles, though, just pick a bit you like best!
Sopwell House – Hayley Minn, Deputy Travel Editor
Sopwell House is a countryside hotel that’s perfect for spa days
Hayley says the hotel has the best spa she’s ever been to
Despite the fact I grew up just 15 minutes down the road from St Albans, my parents now live there, and I’m planning to move there from London later this year, heading to Sopwell House in St Albans, Hertfordshire, feels like an absolutely dreamy retreat – and is worth a stay even if I have a room at my parents’ round the corner.
My husband and I chose to stay there the night after our wedding, before we went on our honeymoon to Italy, and we’re heading back again this weekend, as our trip to the Maldives got cancelled.
While not quite the luxury of the Maldives, it’s not far off. Just a 20-minute train ride from St Pancras International, Sopwell House has the best spa I’ve been to, Cottonmill Spa, with an extremely relaxing indoor and outdoor area that is an incredible sun trap. There’s also two excellent onsite restaurants, but Omboo, a Japanese eatery, is my favourite.
Outside of Sopwell, St Albans is a great staycation destination, with tons of Roman history, a wonderful cathedral, loads of shops, and a gorgeous park too.
Hotel Du Vin Poole, Dorset – Jowena Riley, Travel Writer
The Hotel Du Vin in Poole is the next destination up on the list
Tucked away on a quiet street near Poole’s historic centre and harbourside is the Hotel du Vin, a Georgian Mansion house offering 38 snug yet luxe bedrooms and suites, as well a stylish bistro, bar and two meeting rooms that double up as dining rooms.
For around £80 a night, you’re treated to soft Egyptian linen, colourful velvet seating, handsprung beds, bright and modern bathrooms, and plasma TVs, as well as all the usual room amenities you’ll find at a prime four-star location.
As much as I loved my stay at the hotel, it was its proximity to various scenic coastal spots, lush countryside, and unique sites that really cemented its status as a relaxed staycation spot.
Nearby is the Old Town Poole, Poole Quay and ferry port and Sandbanks Beaches.
Venture out a little more and you can spend the day picking sweet blueberries at Trehane Blueberry PYO farm – or embark on a 60-minute car journey to the iconic Durdle Door.
Durham City – Erin
Lumley Castle Hotel, Durham is a budget-friendly stay with luxury trimmings
Nearby Seaham Beach is far superior to some of the busier, crowd-filled beaches in the UK
Having studied at Durham University, I can say there’s far more to this cathedral city than a bunch of students.
From the quaint Bailey – a row of shops that would beat most Cotswolds villages in my book – to the magnificent 11th century castle, this city is perfect for anyone looking for a weekend away.
Especially in the summer holidays, when most students go home, it’s an ideal – and underrated – spot.
For an elevated experience, Lumley Castle Hotel, Durham – bookable from £92 a night – is a Grade I-listed building surrounded by parklands and greenery.
And if weather permits, head to Seaham Beach in County Durham, known, above all, for one thing: it has multi-coloured sea glass along its shores.
It’s also a hidden cove – so much so that it only has seven reviews on Tripadvisor.
Salcombe, Devon – Hayley
Salcombe is a resort town in Devon, which Hayley now visits almost every year
Hayley even got engaged nearby at Gara Rock beach
I’d never been to Devon before I met my husband, but I now join his family in Salcombe almost every year, when we rent out a house or stay at the Harbour Beach Club Hotel and enjoy a week of morning sea dips, delicious ice cream and fish and chips on the beach, and big old drinking sessions at the pub overlooking the water at The Ferry Inn.
On one trip, we even managed to spot some dolphins while on a boat ride.
I’ve fallen in love with Salcombe and the surrounding area so much I got engaged nearby at Gara Rock beach, which is an hour’s scenic walk along the coast from the centre – but worth it for the stunning views and great atmosphere and food at Gara Rock Hotel.
Liverpool and Manchester – Joanna
Manchester, often considered the UK’s second city, is a great staycation spot
A brace of cities packed with culture and character, Liverpool and Manchester are less than an hour apart but each bang to the beat of their own drum.
Thanks to brilliant museums, cool shopping and stylish hotels, these north west titans tick the city break box for every kind of staycationer, from kids to grandparents – and even hard-to-please trendy teens.
And everyone’s friendlier up north, right?
Trains in Scotland – Tom
The Caledonian Sleeper is a great method of transport to experience the country
Travelling by train is a brilliant way to explore Scotland – and if you’re coming from way down south, it’s best to catch the Caledonian Sleeper to begin your journey.
Starting in Aberdeen, after an overnight service from Euston, you can head up to Inverness and onwards on the Far North Line to Thurso at the boundary of the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea on the north coast (Britain’s most northerly station), or head across to Kyle of Lochalsh to visit the Isle of Skye, catch a ferry to Mallaig and a train south to Glasgow. It’s a brilliant circle via moorland and hills aplenty.
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