The best places for every type of UK holiday
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Though our daily daydreaming usually sees us travelling to far-flung, exotic atolls, in reality, the UK has a vast and varied roster of holiday possibilities on offer without ever having to step foot off the island. Not only is this music to the ears of those trying to cut down on their carbon emissions, but it’s also a godsend for those short on time, big on bringing their four-legged friend along or keen to keep travel costs low.
With that said, we’ve rounded up a clutch of our favourite forms of staycation, from surfing on the enchanting Cornish coast to horse riding across the rugged landscapes of Scotland. So, leave the passport at home and head off on one of the many types of holidays that this island has to offer.
Arda SariBeekeeping holidays
Beekeeping breaks are on the up, with more and more of us in search of meditative activities to do on holiday that get us out into the fresh air and help us to stay present (we’re all guilty of letting our minds drift back to our desks and those unopened emails while away). Plus, with celebrities and royalty alike, from The Princess of Wales to David Beckham, championing it as a key part of their wellness regime, it’s not hard to see why there’s a real buzz around this particular type of holiday. The regions of Norfolk and Suffolk are peppered with hives open to the public to experience the joys of beekeeping, so too are various spots across Wales, and there are even some urban beekeeping spots across some of the capital’s most famous rooftops.
Best time to go: Like many other insects, bees somewhat ‘shut down’ for winter, and so most beekeeping experiences will only open to the public as we hit the warmer climes of spring and the colony begins to lay brood (baby bees), increase in number and begin to produce honey once again. The end of April through to the end of June is considered the best season to try out beekeeping.
Where to stay: Beekeeping experiences and opportunities can be booked at a string of holidays across the UK, from The Langley in Buckinghamshire to Monachyle Mhor in Perthshire who offer their own ‘bee therapy’, where guests can relax on beds in the apipod and de-stress surrounded by the vibrations of the bees and the aromas of honey, propolis, nectar and pollen.
Matt_GibsonStargazing holidays
There is nothing quite so magical as stepping out after sunset and gazing up at the twinkling stars in the sky. However, for many of us – especially the city-dwellers among us – there are various obstacles to really soaking up the sky’s moonlit treasure trove in real peace, from light pollution to space limitations. So it’s little wonder that many of us seek out this sort of awe-inspiring and humbling experience during our time off. The regions of Northumberland and Galloway Forest Park boast internationally recognised Dark Sky Parks offering exceptional viewing conditions, as do various spots across the Brecon Beacons and Exmoor National Parks, and even some locations within reach of urban areas are actively working to reduce light pollution for better astronomical observation. Plus, in response to the growing demand for stargazing holidays, specially-designed accommodation is popping up in key stargazing spots across the UK to help visitors best take advantage of a front-row seat.
Best time to go: Winter is generally the best time to get stargazing as the cold air is often clearer than the warmer summer nights, with less haze. Plus, the sunset is earlier, so the ‘gazing’ hours are also extended.
Where to stay: The Lord Crewe Arms in Northumberland sits on the edge of the Northumbrian Moors and is famous within the stargazing circle. Though specific stargazing excursions are offered, all guests here will find a pair of astronomy binoculars, a guide to stargazing and often even a telescope in their room. Throughout autumn and winter here, people congregate in the Crewe garden with blankets and warm drinks to cosy up under the dark skies with their stargazing equipment. It’s a real social affair, as well as a magical one.
paul c stokesFilming location holidays
Not many of us can say we watched Bridgerton and didn’t immediately want to take a trip to Bath or re-watch The Holiday each year at Christmas, and don’t feel a pull toward a weekend in the Cotswolds. The filming locations of our best-loved TV series and films inspire many of a staycation booking each and every year, they offer us a unique and familiar way to connect with stories and step directly into the worlds created on screen (it's easy to feel a thrill of recognition when standing in a place you've only ever seen through a lens). The dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands have famously featured in numerous productions, from Harry Potter to Outlander, as have various historic sites across England that have provided the setting for period dramas, and even urban locations in London continue to draw fans eager to see where their favourite scenes unfolded.
Best time to go: The best bit about a holiday inspired by a favourite film or TV series is that you can book a staycation anytime, depending on the location or the narrative you want to trace in the footsteps of, there are options and opportunities all year round.
Where to stay: The iconic Cliveden House in Berkshire with its opulent suites and historic grandeur, has served as a backdrop for numerous films, including Cinderella and Sherlock Holmes, and stay here not only offers guests the opportunity to experience the lavish lifestyle depicted on screen but also to wander the very grounds where cinematic magic was made. Then there’s The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, perched on the iconic Royal Crescent, a magnificent sweep of Georgian townhouses that prominently features as the exterior of the Featherington family's London residence in the Bridgerton series.
Getty ImagesCamping holidays
Sleeping under the stars has obvious appeal, as does the idea of stripping things back to basics and just soaking up quality time with loved ones in nature. The UK is peppered with camping and glamping sites; from the rugged coastline of the Isle of Mull in Scotland to the free-roaming horses of the New Forest, there are campsites with varying facilities almost everywhere you can think of. If it’s the stargazing you’re going for specifically, you’ll want to pitch your tent somewhere in the South Downs ‘dark sky reserve’, where the use of light is limited in order to create optimal galaxy watching.
Best time to go: For the brave, you’re able to pitch a tent at any time of year. For those keen to avoid rain or chilly temperatures, May through to September is the best time to go camping in the UK.
Where to stay: Head to Woodfire Camping in Sussex, which operates two sites, both in the South Downs ‘dark sky reserve’, or for something a little more luxe, try camping next to a vineyard in Devon at Ten Acres Vineyard Campsite, where you can rent a furnished safari tent to return to after a wine tasting.
Getty ImagesCycling holidays
Cycling holidays have been a sustaining favourite across families, couples and groups of friends, and it’s easy to see why. Pedalling through quaint, honey-hued villages, picturesque coastlines and up and down the rolling hills that pepper the countryside up and down the country make for an exhilarating and memorable break. If you’re an experienced cyclist on the lookout for a challenge, then the Lakeland Loop cycle route is often voted the best among seasoned riders, showcasing the dales and valleys of the area of natural beauty as it hugs the Coniston shore on its way around. Those with youngsters in tow or after a flatter ride might prefer the Norfolk broads for a scenic, easier route, while Lincolnshire is also known for its even-pathed cycle routes.
Best time to go: The variety of routes and landscapes makes cycling a worthy year-round endeavour.
Where to stay: Nestled on the shores of Coniston Water, The Coniston Inn offers residents an ethereal lake and fell vistas from its classic slate standing. The boutique hotel warmly welcomes in muddy boots, paws and walls for good food, good company and a good rest.
Getty ImagesFishing holidays
The UK is well-known for its fishing opportunities, from legendary fishing spots - like the River Dove in Derbyshire (Well-known and loved since Izaak Walton mentioned it in his book The Compleat Angler in 1653) – to newer, more private offerings like Arrow Meadow, just south of Birmingham, where you’re able to exclusively ‘rent’ lakes for a secluded experience. Lake Windermere in Cumbria and Redmire Pool in Herefordshire are top picks if you like a breathtaking view alongside your fishing, while the River Bure in Norfolk comes highly recommended, too, complete with quaint waterside pubs and restaurants as well as high-quality fishing.
Best time to go: Spring is the ideal season to fish for species like salmon, tench, bream and trout due to the warming waters, while the summer offers longer days and a wider variety of fish.
Where to stay: Avington Lakes at Avington Park in Hampshire is home to the oldest fishery in England and is renowned for offering some of the finest angling experiences. It now also boasts a string of luxury cabins and a vast five-bedroom glass-fronted centrepiece. Here, you can arrange lessons across a wide range of fishing techniques, including fly, lure, pole fishing and pond dipping for young children.
Getty ImagesGolfing holidays
Every golfer worth their salt knows that the UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for a golfing holiday, and teeing off on one of the country’s hallowed courses is a luxury made all the sweeter by it being on our doorstep. Multiple Championship courses are to be found on the Kent coast, while the rolling sand dunes of Southport offer a string of high-quality courses. Ireland is also home to a clutch of characterful courses, while Wales, with its stretches of enchanting coastline and acres of untouched countryside, also holds its own on the golf offerings. Scotland, too, is home to a wide variety of golf courses, many complemented by striking scenery, though not many can top St Andrews Golf Club. A private members' golf club located in the university town by the same name, the club is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, having been established in 1843, and the Swilcan Bridge and Hell Bunker on the Old Course are recognised across the world.
Best time to go: Golf season in the UK typically starts at the beginning of April and ends in September, thanks to longer, warmer days.
Where to stay: The Fairmont St Andrews Hotel is a glamorous crowd pleaser even for those without a penchant for the sport, perched just yards from the sea and with a complimentary shuttle bus service to take you directly to the course (and the British Golf Museum).
Getty ImagesHorse riding holidays
From trails through Wales, through the Brecon Beacons and into the Wye Valley, to the quiet country lanes and mountain tracks in County Mayo on the West coast of Ireland, some of the UK’s most unbridled beauty is best explored on horseback. And bonnie Scotland, with its sandy beaches, heather-swathed moors and dramatic mountain ranges, offers more experienced riders a plethora of truly enchanting trails. The popular ride from Brora in Sutherland to Loch Inver on the West coast of Scotland takes around seven days, though shorter routes are equally as bountiful.
Best time to go: Though summer jaunts can be balmy, autumn is the ideal season to go on a horse-riding holiday, as not only is the landscape filled with scenic colours, but the cooler weather often makes for a more comfortable journey - for both horse and rider.
Where to stay: The country estate of Gleneagles in Perthshire boasts a reputation that is held in high regard among discerning circles (thanks in part to its two Michelin-starred restaurants, the only of its kind in Scotland), as well as an equestrian school. Alternatively, if you are looking for something a little less rugged, then the gently undulating 500 acres of Dogmersfield Estate on which the Four Seasons Hampshire sits is the ideal option to allow even the youngest members of the family to ride out - all just 90 minutes from London.
Getty ImagesWildlife spotting holidays
Though many might jet off to the wild plains of South Africa or the dense forests of Borneo for an exciting animal-spotting opportunity, the UK has an offering of its own for animal lovers. Whether it’s dolphin spotting along the 60-mile stretch of Cardigan Bay in Wales - home to the largest population of the aquatic mammal in Europe - a red stag safari on the open moorland of Exmoor, or bird watching in Norfolk, there are myriad opportunities to experience wildlife in their natural habitats without having to leave the United Kingdom at all. Up in Northumberland, the Farne Islands is one of the most wildlife-rich corners of the country, home to grey seals, seabirds, dolphins and all manner of birds and other aquatic sealife, best viewed by boat.
Best time to go: May until the end of July is the best time to visit the Farne Islands if you’re a keen birdwatcher, while late October until January is ideal if spotting baby seals is high up on your agenda.
Where to stay: The award-winning Bamburgh Castle Inn in Northumberland overlooks the harbour and offers its guests access to the nearby Ocean Club health and leisure complex, with its swimming pool, thermal spas and fitness centre.
Getty ImagesRambling holidays
If long meanders through the captivating countryside have you weak at the pole-supported knees, then look no further than the fair shores of the UK to satisfy your rambling needs. A year-round wonderland for keen ramblers, as so testified to by Wordsworth's strolls in spring among a ‘host of golden daffodils’ and Keats' ode to the autumnal ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’. But today’s routes are more than poetry; they are practical and mean you can commune with nature on its terms while enjoying a comfortable stop each evening on your terms. From wandering Poldark country on the South West Coast of England to the well-traversed Cotswolds circuit, through honey-hued villages and along the trails of ancient pilgrims.
Best time to go: The UK bears fruit for ramblers year-round, though the blossoms and balmy climes of spring make it an ideal time to book a trip.
Where to stay: The Cotswolds Circuit runs through Lower Slaughter, happily also the home of The Slaughter’s Manor House, a contemporary country house hotel within five acres of manicured gardens and a much-loved spot for families.
Getty ImagesClimbing holidays
Our fair isle is dotted with outdoor rock climbing and bouldering spots that could compete with those all over the world. From the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall, which span over 300 miles and include the tors and quarries of Bodmin Moor, as well as the popular bouldering spots of Cheesewring and Carn Brea Quarry, to the rugged mountain ranges of Scotland, there is a cliff face to suit everyone here, whether you count yourself as a novice climber or an experienced boulderer looking to put their skills to the test. The Peak District also offers some of the UK’s best climbing spots, with over 10,000 different route options and their gritstone edges (particularly those of Stanage and Burbage) drawing climbers here year after year.
Best time to go: The end of May through September is the best time to go on a climbing holiday in the UK due to the warmer weather and longer days.
Where to stay: Though not the nearest to the key climbing routes in the Peak District, the Tawny Hotel is worth the 25-minute drive to be able to really relax at the end of a tiring day of bouldering. Treat yourself to a muscle-soothing treatment at the spa, stretch your legs out in the swimming pool and refuel with a relaxed dinner at their flagship restaurant, The Plumicorn.
Getty ImagesSurfing holidays
While there are myriad surfing spots across the UK - the southern fringes of the Isle of Wight for example, or the gentler swells of the south coast of Wales - Cornwall is the real gem in the crown for lovers of the sport, its coastline littered with beaches offering consistent swells. Located on the northern coast, Polzeath's gentle waves make it ideal for beginners. Low tide reveals a vast stretch of golden sand which, by sunset in the height of summer, turns into a real surfer's hangout, while to the west, Porthleven's powerful swells are for more experienced surfers due to the fast, deep channel waves.
Best time to go: Autumn – the swell is bigger than in the summer, and the beaches are calmer, and between September and November, the water temperature tends to increase.
Where to stay: The award-winning Polzeath Beach House occupies an enviable position at the pinnacle of north Cornwall’s golden triangle and so offers its guests far-reaching views out across the Atlantic, as well as an Italian-inspired restaurant with oversized bi-fold doors to further merge the inside and out.