United Kingdom

When organising a much-needed holiday, we can often be guilty of overlooking the beauty and activities right on our doorstep and that’s certainly the case when it comes to UK holidays and short breaks.

The ‘staycation’ label can remove a lot of the excitement and mystique of UK holidays, but there’s an incredible amount of untapped natural beauty, stunning beaches, and exciting family adventures at our fingertips.

London is one of the world’s top destinations, with good reason. Not only is the capital teeming with fascinating, intriguing and sometimes gory history to delve into, it also has culture, varied cuisine, modern attractions, family-friendly activities, iconic landmarks and beautiful parks, not to mention a number of well-connected cities and destinations which make perfect day trips.

Equally, Edinburgh is another city well-worth taking the time to explore. From the Royal Mile to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat to its Harry Potter connections, Edinburgh is the perfect choice for city breaks and staycation holidays.

Cardiff, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow, York and Belfast also have an abundance of activities to offer if cultural city breaks are your thing.

When the UK weather behaves itself, a day or more on the beach isn’t out of the question either. From beautiful Bournemouth to vibrant Blackpool, and the golden expanses served up along Woolacombe Sands in Devon, Cromer Beach in Norfolk and the Isle of Harris’ Scarista Beach, the UK has some truly spectacular beaches perfect for family holidays. In fact, Pembrokeshire’s Barafundle Bay and the glorious Rhossili Bay in Gower, just outside of Swansea, are often voted among the best beaches in the world.

The UK is also blessed with a number of breath-taking national parks, from Dartmoor and Exmoor nestled in the south west, to the Norfolk Broads on the east coast, the towering mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, the rolling hills and diving valleys of the Lake District and right up to the rugged Cairngorms in the heart of Scotland. These national parks provide not only jaw-dropping scenery, but bountiful opportunities for hiking, cycling, climbing and kayaking, plus many more outdoors pursuits.

And the best thing about getting outdoors and active in the beautiful UK countryside is finding a quintessential British pub, tucked away in a chocolate-box village, for a well-earned, refreshing pint on the way home.

But it’s not all hustle and bustle of vibrant cities or sweat-inducing hikes across rugged terrain, UK holidays and short breaks can be taken at a more leisurely pace too. Take a trip to Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, or to the historic and mystical Stonehenge in south-west England.

For a real escape, head up to the Highlands of Scotland, or pop over to one of the spectacular Hebridean islands, such as the Isle of Skye or the Isle of Mull, and simply be at one with your surroundings. There is an array of wonderfully remote, relaxing and unique accommodation options, from log cabins to luxurious houses with panoramic windows, gazing out across lochs or over mountain ranges, where golden eagles soar past or dolphins can be seen jovially frolicking out to sea.