4 UK staycation ideas for 2021

Staycation: (noun.) a holiday spent in one's home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

The notion of holidaying abroad was, excuse our pun, rather foreign to Brits before the 1970s. Taking a trip to the British seaside or countryside was the way we used to holiday before the advent of cheap package holidays, and even then, not everyone could afford to take a trip outside the UK.  It was only later that holidays abroad became the norm and staying in the UK wasn’t the most popular way to spend your days off.

But now, the idea of the “staycation” is back!

Mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions that have been imposed, many Brits are now embracing the staycation and choosing to see the sights and wonders that the UK has to offer. If you’re looking to explore the UK, here are our top UK staycation ideas for 2021.

St Ives, England

The stunning coast of St Ives in Cornwall is pretty difficult to ignore. St Ives has won numerous awards including best family holiday destination by Coast magazine and one of the 10 best European beach destinations compiled by TripAdvisor. In summer, St Ives feels like you really are abroad but with the quaint charm of being at home in the UK.

Whilst it’s a popular spot for those who love to surf, the area offers non-surfers an array of activities too. There are plenty of pavement cafes, old pubs and fantastic eateries to enjoy and numerous galleries and exhibitions to see if the weather isn’t great!

There’s always something going on at St Ives and it’s a fantastic spot to visit all year round.

Buxton, England

Buxton is the home of Buxton Water and is a thermal spa town nestled in the centre of the beautiful Peak District and the UK’s oldest National Park. If you’re a lover of the thermal-baths, you’ll be thrilled to learn that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has made a multimillion-pound donation to the fifth Duke of Devonshire’s 18th-century Buxton Crescent.

For some culture and arts, the Buxton International Festival, which was unfortunately cancelled in 2020 for the first time in 40 years, but will be back in July 2021 with a fantastic new programme.

And if you love exploring the great outdoors then you can partake in a range of walks to take in your surroundings. You can choose to do your own walk but if you partner with an outdoor adventure operator you can experience the true wilderness with some campfire chef cooked food! 

West Coast, Scotland

The West Coast of Scotland is a remote yet beautiful destination that will take you away from the touristy and crowded hotspots. Scotland has increased in popularity over the years, and with good reason, but there are still some hidden gems for you to find.

Conservation-minded travel company Scotland: The Big Picture is on hand to provide you with a fantastic staycation in Scotland. Have you ever been to the Knoydart peninsula? We thought not. It’s one of the most remote parts of Western Scotland where you’ll get to stay in a wilderness lodge only accessible by boat or a two-day hike! As part of your trip you’ll get to daily voyages to the Small Isles of Eigg, Rum and Canna. A fantastic adventure!

County Down, Northern Ireland

County Down is one of the most versatile places to visit in the UK. Stretching from the shores of Belfast Lough, Strangford Lough, and down into the magnificent Mourne Mountains, a trip to County Down provides you with access to castles, beaches, forest parks, stately homes, a Royal Palace and the world's top links golf course! 

We love County Down so much it’s where we chose to have our holiday parks. So if you love the place as much as we do, why not consider one of our holiday homes in County Down, Northern Ireland? With your very own holiday home you can choose to indulge in a little staycation whenever you like!