Coronavirus has affected so many parts of our lives, especially travel. With going abroad discouraged by the government, staycations have become really popular. The UK has some amazing places to visit.
I’ve always been a big fan of holidaying in the UK. As a child every Eid was spent in some remote part of England in a caravan on holiday with my parents and friends. The memories I have are so lovely. Running around from caravan to caravan with my friends, the picnics and the late night get togethers. It was amazing. It was so easy, just get a few things together and off we would go. When I had my own kids, I wanted to them to have the same experience.
We have been to nearly every corner of the UK with our children and it goes without saying that the weather hasn’t always been perfect but most places have adapted to having some kind of activities for rainy days. I know for some, a beach holiday abroad is a must, especially after the lockdowns we have had but the U.K. really does have some spectacular places.
The thing with staycations is they are almost always cheaper then travelling abroad, especially if you are a family with kids. Plus, there is no nightmare plane journey. I am still traumatised from my 8-hour flight to Dubai with my then 3-year-old. He pretty much screamed for the whole time. When you are going on a staycation you’re travelling in a car and can break the journey up with lots of service stops. Not only that, it’s so flexible that there is no need to book months ahead.
There are so many different accommodation options. We like caravans and lodges which we find are easier with kids. Caravan holiday parks are often based within walking distance to beaches and have lots of activities for the family. If you want something a little more luxurious then, a lodge with a hot tub is amazing.
If you are planning to explore the UK with a staycation then here are my recommendations on spectacular areas to see.
The Lake District
The famous, Lake District National Park is the largest in the UK and boasts England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike and its largest lake, Lake Windermere. The area is truly beautiful and so scenic. You can find the perfect place for a picnic and paddling in the lake, feeding the ducks and playing in the playground. There are lots of boats available to hire and the views of the lake and the mountains are spectacular.
There is also a Lakes Aquarium and you could take a ride on the Railway (Lakeside station is just outside the Aquarium) if boats are not your thing. Just exploring the area whether by foot or by car is great and so relaxing. There are lots of nearby caravan parks to stay in or you could rent a cottage like we did.
The Isle of White
Totally love this little Island. Taking a ferry to it is all part of the fun. Th island itself is tiny and you could probably drive round it in about an hour.
The south-east towns of Sandown and Shanklin are among the most popular places to visit while further north, Cowes and Newport are popular for days out. Ryde has three award-winning beaches with attractions. A must see is The Needles which are a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30m out of the sea off the west of the island. A couple of the caravan parks are right on the coast and have their own beaches. Walking down to the beach at sunset is amazing. We visited the famous garlic farm on the island which was smelly but in a good way. You can learn all about the varieties garlic on the farm and buy some to take home too. Be sure to check out the black garlic.
Blackpool
Blackpool is a really traditional British seaside destination. It has the famous Pleasure Beach, amusement arcades and amusement park. Best way to describe it is that it is closest place that Britain has to Benidorm. It’s lovely and the kids can play on the sandy beach and then get delicious fish and chips from the nearby shops. Blackpool has lots of guests houses and there are lots of holiday caravan parks around the city too. We stayed in one just outside the city and it was only a 5-minute drive to the beach.
Scotland
Doesn’t matter which city or area you stay in Scotland, it’s all really beautiful. We stayed just outside the city and the surrounding landscape is truly spectacular. Best way to see the different areas is to stay at a relatively central caravan park and then do day trips to the different areas. Edinburgh Castle is a must see and Loch Lomond.
Devon
The last place I recommend is my favourite, Devon. We have been going year after year and it never disappoints. Starting from Exmouth, Devon to Swanage in Dorset, the Jurassic Coast’s 95 miles of stunning coastline and amazing rock formations has earned it a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Devon’s coast enjoys more hours of sunshine than anywhere else on the British mainland, inspiring the nickname the ‘English Riviera’. As it has a milder climate, it’s a more reliable beach getaway than almost anywhere else in England.
There are hundreds of gorgeous beaches and two national parks. Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park, two of the UK’s most beautiful and important areas for the conservation of wildlife and natural beauty.
Our favourite town is Torquay. It has nine sandy beaches on the seafront and we can always find one which is quieter. Driving around the narrow winding lanes around the town is an adventure in itself with really steep hills and such stunning views. The fish and chips are always fresh and so delicious too.
These are just a few of the destinations that I like but there are so many more. Staycations can be such wonderful holidays and great adventures. They are cheap, need less planning and easier to do with kids so I hope I have tempted you.
If you have a staycation recommendation the please comment in the box below about your adventure.
