The best staycation destinations in the UK

Our recent study reveals the best and most affordable staycation destinations across the UK.

Written by Hayley Bevan and Scott Yule

Published on March 17th, 2025

Last reviewed on March 16th, 2026

11 mins read

News and insights

From cost savings to reduced travel stress and convenience, many Brits are embracing the staycation trend, opting for domestic holidays over international travel. In fact, 8 in 10 UK residents have been on a staycation across the country, according to a 2025 survey [1]. From coastal towns to bustling cities, there are many beautiful spots to choose from across the UK, but which is the best staycation destination?

To find out, we analysed the average cost of accommodation for one night in different locations across the country, along with the average temperature, monthly rainfall levels, as well as the number of social media hashtag posts and the average annual search volume for searches to visit and stay in each location to assess their popularity.

Additionally, we’ve shared practical tips on how to budget and save for a staycation holiday, and how to manage your money effectively while you’re away.

The Staycation Destinations in the UK

1. London

London takes the top spot as the UK’s top staycation destinations. Despite a hotel stay costing £187 per night, the city draws 940,800 annual searches on average and boasts 173 million Instagram posts. April’s temperatures average nearly 10°C, which can feel very pleasant while strolling through the capital on a sunny spring day. From iconic landmarks like the Tower Bridge and Big Ben, to picturesque neighbourhoods like Richmond’s riverside views and village-like atmosphere of Hampstead, the capital has everything to offer for a perfect staycation experience

2. Liverpool

Liverpool ranks second, with more than 18 million Instagram posts and around 416,400 Google searches each year, signs of its strong and continuing appeal to visitors. Paired with a fairly reasonable price for a hotel stay, at £115 per night, and temperatures averaging 9.2°C in April, Liverpool makes a destination worth exploring if you’re considering staycations this spring. From iconic Beatles attractions like the Cavern Club and Strawberry Fields, to Anfield Stadium for Liverpool FC fans, the city is brimming with art, culture, and heritage, truly offering something for everyone.

3. Northumberland

Ranking third is Northumberland, offering the best spring average temperatures, at 10.7°C in April. The average rainfall is also low compared to the top destinations, at 38.6 mm in April, over 10mm less than in both London and Liverpool (49.6mm). The area is perfect for historical and nature-filled escapes, featuring more castles than any other English county [2] and dramatic coastal landscapes.

4. Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital Edinburgh takes the fourth spot, with over 12 million Instagram tags and 613,200 annual searches on Google. The city averages 40.8 mm of rain in April, less than in southern cities like London (49.6) or Brighton (45.1), and combines a rich medieval history with a vibrant arts and culture scene, making it a perfect destination for a spring getaway.

5. Portsmouth

Portsmouth rounds off the top five, boasting one of the more affordable hotel stays, at less than £100 per night (£93). Average temperatures in April are also among the warmest, at 10.3°C, and rainfall among the lowest, at 41.5 mm on average. The coastal town is known for its maritime heritage and is perfect for those looking for a staycation featuring long coastline walks and seaside attractions.

The Most Affordable Staycation Destinations in the UK

Travelling locally can offer great financial benefits, including eliminating costly flights and other overseas expenses. However, we recognise that everyone’s financial situation is different and budgets may differ from one holidaymaker to another. So, to help you find the most suitable getaway for your budget, we compiled a list of the most affordable staycation destinations across the UK based on the cost of a night's accommodation in April.

1. Blackpool

Blackpool remains the most affordable staycation destination in the UK, offering a hotel stay at just £80 a night, slightly cheaper than what was found in our 2025 study. Known for its attractions like the iconic 158-metre Blackpool tower, Pleasure Beach and the Golden Mile promenade, the seaside town is ideal for families looking for a fun yet affordable beach holiday.

2. Torquay

In second place is Torquay, where visitors can book a hotel stay for only £92 per night. Located in the “English Riviera”, a classified UNESCO Global Geopark, the Devon coastal town offers palm-lined promenades, sandy beaches, and historical attractions like the Kents Cavern - another great option for a seaside getaway.

3. Eastbourne and Portsmouth

Eastbourne and Portsmouth take the third spot, with a hotel night stay costing £93 on average. At Eastbourne, which is located at the foot of the South Downs, visitors can enjoy a coastal walk along the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and admire the Victorian architecture while enjoying a chippy along the pier. Portsmouth offers maritime heritage and is also known for being the birthplace of notable author Charles Dickens, making it the perfect getaway for those wanting to add a bit of history to their holiday.

The UK’s Most ‘Viral’ Staycation Destinations

From Floating Harbour’s colourful houses in Bristol to the Lake District’s dramatic mountaintops and deep lakes, the UK is full of picture-worthy landscapes, attracting visitors from all over the world. With searches for staycations in the UK up 40% since last year, we analysed Google search data and Instagram tags for each location to identify the most desirable destinations.

1. London

London rises to the top spot for the most ‘viral’ staycation destinations in the UK, opposed to its fourth place from last year’s study. The capital boasts 173 million posts on Instagram under #London, and 940,800 online searches. From Notting Hill’s pastel-coloured townhouses to panoramic views from Primrose Hill, London offers a diversity of landscapes, looking as good on screen as in person.

2. Edinburgh

With 613,200 searches, Edinburgh takes second place. The Scottish city also boasts over 12 million posts on Instagram as people share their favourite snaps of the historic city.

3. Manchester

Manchester rounds off the top three, claiming 20.6 million Instagram posts under #Manchester and 508,000 annual Google searches for visiting and staying in the city. Manchester remains a travel-worthy destination, thanks to its music heritage, bustling nightlife, and strong football culture.

The UK’s Best Staycation ‘Hidden Gems’

With this in mind, we identified the UK’s “hidden gem” staycation destinations by ranking locations based on their annual search volume for visits and hotel stays, as well as their Instagram hashtag popularity.

1. Broadstairs, Kent

Broadstairs stands out as the UK’s top hidden gem staycation destination, with 332,000 Instagram posts under #Broadstairs and only 3,360 searches for visits and hotels, keeping it under the radar. This charming seaside town offers golden sandy beaches, scenic cliff-top walks along the coast, and quaint tea rooms perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Visitors can explore the historic harbor, browse independent shops, or enjoy local seafood at waterfront restaurants.

2. Dartmouth, Devon

Ranking second among the UK’s hidden gem staycation spots is Dartmouth in Devon. Although the picturesque town has 878,000 Instagram posts, interest in visiting or booking hotels remains relatively low, at just 3,360 searches, keeping it a peaceful retreat. Nestled on the banks of the River Dart, Dartmouth offers charming cobbled streets, historic architecture, and riverside walks perfect for a leisurely day.

3. Whitstable, Poole and the Scottish Highlands

Tied for third place among the UK’s hidden gem staycation destinations are Whitstable, Poole, and the Scottish Highlands.

Whitstable and Poole, both charming seaside towns, each receive around 6,360 searches annually, offering visitors a quieter coastal escape. Whitstable is famous for its oyster bars, colourful beach huts, and scenic harbour walks, making it perfect for a leisurely break filled with fresh seafood and coastal charm. Poole, meanwhile, boasts sandy beaches, a bustling harbour, and opportunities for sailing, kayaking, or exploring the nearby Jurassic Coast.

The Scottish Highlands, with lower annual searches of just 1,200, offer a completely different kind of staycation. Visitors can immerse themselves in dramatic mountain landscapes, tranquil lochs, and historic castles, while enjoying hiking, wildlife spotting, and scenic drives.

Expert Tips for Budgeting Your Next Staycation

As the cost of living continues to rise, many Brits are opting for staycations as a more affordable way to enjoy time off without sacrificing fun and relaxation. However, expenses can add up quickly, even on a domestic holiday, if you’re not careful. With that in mind, Scott Yule, Commercial Director at Aqua shares practical tips to help holidaymakers budget both before and during their trip.

1. Start with a dedicated savings pot

"Treat your staycation like any other major purchase by planning ahead,” says Scott. “Set up a separate savings account specifically for your trip and automate a small monthly payment into it- whether that’s £20 or £50. It may be worth starting as soon as you’ve set your mind on the destination, to allow enough time to save. Over a few months, you’ll build a decent holiday fund without feeling the pinch.”

2. Plan early and budget with a purpose

“Booking your staycation early gives you the best chance of securing affordable accommodation and transport,” he explains. “Once you’ve locked in the basics, draft a rough daily budget for food, activities, and extras. Don’t forget to set aside an emergency fund - that way if anything goes wrong, you know you have a pot of money set-aside.”

3. Tap into free and low-cost experiences

“From national parks and free-entry museums to local festivals and beach days, the UK is full of experiences that don’t cost a thing,” Scott says. “Self-catering accommodation can also help you cut food costs - just a few home-cooked meals or packed lunches can help you save over a week. For pricier activities you don’t want to miss, it may be worth looking for off-peak time tickets or if activity booking discounts are available on platforms like Virgin Experience Days or Day Out With Kids.”

4. Use credit responsibly and as a safety net

“Credit cards can offer flexibility, especially for larger costs like accommodation bookings or emergencies,” Scott notes. “Just make sure to spend within your means, set a clear repayment plan, and avoid using credit to fund a holiday you can’t afford. If used responsibly, it can even help build your credit score.”

5. Consider options like balance transfers or instalment plans

“A balance transfer could help you manage any costs that have built up along the way,” Scott comments. “It may be worth considering a 0% interest rate deal, as it allows you to repay the balance without accruing extra interest during a set period of time. Many providers also offer instalment plan options, which lets you spread the cost of a purchase into smaller monthly payments, making them easier to budget for. However, missing a repayment may cause your 0% deal or instalment plan to be voided, with a higher interest rate to pay and longer to pay off your balance. For this reason, having a clear repayment plan and sticking to it, without adding to your existing balance is recommended.”

Methodology

To uncover the top places for a staycation, we created a seedlist of 56 popular staycation destinations in the UK. These were then ranked according to the following metrics:

The cost of a hotel for one night, for two people | Booking.com
The number of Instagram posts with the relevant hashtag | Instagram
The average number of annual Google searches in the UK for ‘visit [location] ‘hotels in [location]’ | Google Keyword Planner
The average temperature in April (°C) | metoffice.gov.uk
The average rainfall levels in April (mm) | metoffice.gov.uk

Each individual metric was indexed to give it a score out of 10, and then an overall index was created by taking an average of each metric’s score. These were then ranked from highest to lowest to reveal the final ranking.

[1] Do I need travel insurance for a UK break or staycation? | Post Office

[2] Might Northumberland Castles | Northumberland 250

Failure to make payments on time or to stay within your credit limit means that you will pay additional charges and may make obtaining credit in the future more expensive and difficult.

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