Are you in need of some ‘staycation’ inspiration for the best that Blighty has to offer? Look no further as fresh from my ‘staycation’ swap suggestions in The Mirror here are 10 more ideas so you can plan your dream stay- for less!
Bristol instead of Amsterdam
How about a visit to Bristol as the UK equivalent to a weekend in the Dutch capital due to its thriving after hours offering, waterways and cycle-friendliness? As with the popular Dutch city, Bristol also offers a vibrant cultural scene, quirky bars, independent eateries and the best of boutique shopping.
Skiing in Aviemore, Scotland instead of Avoriaz, France
Instead of jetting off to France to experience some sun and snow, UK vacationers can instead retreat to Aviemore in Scotland. Aviemore is the UK’s ultimate snowsport destination. Set in the Cairngorms National Park, the location provides endless opportunities for exploring the landscape and practicing skiing and snowboarding skills, no matter your proficiency.
Boating in the Lake District instead of Lake Como, Italy
The picturesque Lake Como is set at the foothills of the Alps is lined with quaint villas and villages where tourists can relax at their leisure. Boat hires are a popular option for visitors, allowing them to soak up the scenery from the water. The UK has the perfect alternative to this Italian escape – the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, which is already one of the most popular holiday breaks for UK tourists. The mountainous landscape and charming market towns encircle its glacial lakes. If you’re looking to explore this beautiful area in comfort, a trailer tent could be just what you need!
Liverpool instead of Barcelona
How about Liverpool as an alternate to Barcelona? With an impressive history, touch of urban flair and the best nightlife and music, Liverpool is one of the UK’s most interesting and lively cities so definitely worth a visit.
Chester instead of Lucca Italy
Just like Lucca, Chester is a walled city on the banks of a river with a roman amphitheatre and roman gardens. Pedestrianised cobbled streets with alfresco eating areas, an impressive Cathedral and the best pizza outside of Italy at Stile Napoletana make Chester the ideal UK destination.
Glasgow instead of Berlin
Glasgow is one of the UK’s most happening cities with an exciting City Centre Mural Trail which serves as a street art fix to rival Berlin’s best graffiti. And as with Berlin’s thumping techno scene, Glasgow is also one of the UK’s best live music destinations and clubbing capitals – so the late night scene is equally as impressive.
York instead of Rome
York was founded by Romans and is, curiously, more Roman than Rome! There’s plenty of archaeological evidence that Neolithic tribes had already settled in the area before Rome was founded in the 8th century BC. Two Roman Emperors ruled from York for a time – and each died there. Today visitors to York find themselves immersed in an equal wealth of history and culture to that of Rome with so much to see and do.
Solway Cumbria for the Costa del Sol
Swap the Costa del Sol for the Solway Coast in captivating Cumbria this summer. The two best spots to take to the water are at Allonby Bay and further north at West Beach at Silloth. Perfect for sunbathing, dipping toes in to the water and strolling along the miles of sandy beach, ice cream in hand.
Snowdonia instead of the Swiss Alps
Snowdon (Snowdonia National Park). Snowdon is Wales’ highest mountain, standing at an incredible 1085 m (3559 ft) high. In comparison to the Eiger (The Eiger is a 3,970-metre (13,020 ft)) or Matterhorn (4,478 meters (14,692 feet)) it is tiny in comparison, but what it does have is beautiful scenery and a mountain railway to help you get to the top. So, you don’t need to be an experienced climber, like you do for many of the Swiss peaks, to summit it.
Scilly Isles instead of Azores Portugal
The UK’s surprisingly tropical islands to visit are The Isles of Scilly. This archipelago of islands (like the Azores which are an archipelago too) is just off the lowest part of the UK and as a result, is so much warmer than the rest of the UK. Head there and you’ll discover palm trees, clear waters and unspoilt beaches.
Domestic holiday provider Independent Cottages saw an 80% increase in staycation enquires on its ‘last-minute’ pages in June and July alone. Enquiries for the summer holidays went up by 23% on week too.
Sean Thompson, Head of Marketing at Independent Cottages, said: “This may suggest that people were waiting to see how things unfolded over recent months and subsequently, when they saw chaos, quickly researched and booked UK destinations.
“We may be seeing a continuation of this trend given that we are still experiencing delays and cancellations at UK airports, with more people looking to opt for the safer bet by booking a staycation in the UK to avoid any unnecessary holiday stress.
LastMinute-Cottages.co.uk is a trusted marketplace for travellers to discover the best last-minute stays across the UK and Europe. It has over 60,000 last minute holidays with late availability in professionally managed, independent cottages, lodges and apartments all for the best price possible. Well worth a look!
If camping is more your thing, how about camping near open water with Hipcamp? https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US
For the ultimate UK staycation inspiration check out https://weekendcandy.com
Book your dream holiday abroad with confidence with https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/emma.savage
Please note all details were correct at the time of sourcing for a family of 4 mid August. Please read all T’s and C’s carefully before booking your summer holiday.
