With international travel becoming a little trickier these last couple of years, a lot of us have been embracing the joy of the ‘staycation’. Gone are the stresses of airports, language barriers and foreign currency - instead, you get to fully enjoy your well-earned break, all without the worry of border restrictions or testing requirements.
At Oliver's Travels, we're taking this as the perfect opportunity to really get to know the coasts, forests and chocolate-box towns of our beloved UK. And so we should. We’ve got so much on our back doorstep: from the white-sand beaches of Devonshire to the gnarly hills in the Lake District, and the castle-dotted countryside of Scotland… staycations are definitely here to stay.
Where to go on your staycation holiday
England: From gorgeous sandy coastlines to medieval cities, the landscapes of England offer up a different kind of staycation every time. Whether you’re down for hiking mountains, tanning on the beach or delving into the history of bygone eras, England has it all.
Scotland: Scotland is a playground for adventurers and explorers, with a vast amount of rolling countryside, deserted coast, historic ruins and adrenaline-fuelled outdoor activities like kayaking and bouldering. Or if its charming cities and towns you’re after, its got those too.
Wales: With surroundings that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a postcard, you’re never far away from a picture-perfect scene in Wales. Stunning mountain ranges, protected wilderness and lush forests take over the landscapes, scattered with ancient ruins, historic houses and fringed by a rugged coastline.
Staycations are a lot more budget-friendly and can even be done over a weekend.
Why stay with us?
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked villas in the UK have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking villas that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
Chocolate-box villages, picturesque countryside views, and cosmopolitan cities – you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a staycation holiday in England. Surf lovers and beach goers will be all over coastal escapes in Cornwalland Devon, hiking and nature enthusiasts will be bowled over by the hills in the Lake District, or the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Suffolk and Surrey… and don’t forget the quaint and classic English feel of the Cotswolds! It’s time to grab your family and loved ones and start exploring the beauty that’s right on your doorstep!
Northern England
Rugged, raw, and full of hidden gems – Northern England is the perfect staycation choice (as long as you don’t mind unpredictable weather!). Brimming with history and culture in Yorkshire, untouched beauty in the Lake District, and craggy coastlines in Northumberland, it’s a real treasure trove of regions.
Midlands
An idyllic blend between scenic countryside and urban pockets, the Midlands will have you exploring museums and historic houses one minute, then hiking lush green hills and rowing along canals the next.
The South West
The South West is easily the most popular corner of England for a staycation. You’ve got beachy Cornwall, which boasts the best (usually hottest!) climate in the UK, the rolling countryside and coastal charms of Devon, and the village charms of the Cotswolds and Dorset.
The South East
It’s all about the natural landscapes in the South East – from the lovely garden of England, aka Kent, to the peaceful coastlines of Surrey and Sussex… if you’re looking for a staycation to rest and recharge, then look no further.
Why we love staycations in England
There’s a place for every taste: history, culture, nature, coastal and city lovers are catered for.
Want to do a two-week staycation? You can easily cover a lot of ground in England over two weeks, so you could visit two areas in one holiday!
You don’t need to head abroad to find those summer European vibes – southern England has been known to hit the high 30’s in its peak (and often benefiting from an Indian summer), so you can still dine alfresco in the evenings with an Aperol or Sangria!
Scotland staycations
Scotland is the ultimate outdoor playground – if you’re all about activity-led holidays but want to stay closer to home then this country will answer all your travel-related prayers. Adrenaline junkies will be pleased to find all manner of heart pumping adventures, from rock climbing, snowboarding and rapid kayaking in the Highlands to mountain biking in the Scottish Borders and windsurfing in Argyll. Or if you want to take it down a notch – but still explore the outdoors - there’s a serious amount of walking trails across Scotland, in stunning national parks like Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, and the Cairngorms. There’s literally so much to choose from, the whole family will love a Scotland staycation!
Ayrshire
History buffs, listen up. Ayrshire is full of historic attractions, the region was home to Robert Burns, Vikings were once holed up there, and it’s still home to lots of ancient castles, so there’s plenty to explore! It’s also great for golfing and soaking up some Scottish island life.
Argyll
If you love a bit of wildlife-spotting, Argyll is the place to visit. Housing seven national nature reserves, you can find everything from golden eagles to puffins! Plus, this scenic wonderland is perfect for outdoor activities like surfing and quad-biking.
Loch Lomond
The clue is in the name – this region is home to some beautiful lochs where you can go canoeing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and more! Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park offers up plenty of walking trails, stargazing and incredible waterfalls, too.
Edinburgh
If you’re fancying some city vibes, then Edinburgh will be right up your street. Cobbled streets, charming pubs, and world-class restaurants await – and the city is bursting with history: the castle, dungeons and great ghost walks are great to get stuck into.
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is easy to reach and really diverse: from world-class mountain biking and championship golfing, to medieval abbeys and grand stately homes, it’s the ideal destination for families.
Highlands
Lofty mountains, majestic lakes and romantic castles – the Highlands is the ideal match for outdoor adventurers. Hike Ben Nevis, explore secluded, rugged beaches, enjoy all manner of watersports, or golf Dragon’s Tooth (#1 in Scotland’s Best 9 Holes!).
St Andrews
This seaside town is well worth a visit – it packs a punch for such a small size. With an array of interesting museums, a spellbinding cathedral and enchanting ruins, St Andrews draws in history lovers, plus it’s known as the ‘Home of Golf’, and its culinary scene is sublime.
Why we love staycations in Scotland
The amount of outdoor activities - we barely even scratched the surface in our introduction! Think skiing, bungee jumping, scrambling, zorbing, zip lining, cycling, white-water rafting, paragliding… the list is endless!
There’s so much history – the country is scattered with so many castles and ancient ruins with interesting tales to tell. You can even bed down for the night in some of the castles!
While it’s all about the outdoors in Scotland, you’ve also got incredible bustling cities right in the heart of it all. We’re in love with charming Edinburgh!
Wales staycations
For a small country (you can travel from North to South in four and a half hours!) this corner of the UK packs a lot in. Wales is probably most well-known for its scenery – with five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty you’re never far from a picture-perfect landscape! But that’s not all Wales offers staycationers, with three incredible national parks – Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to where to go on your adventure-filled holiday.
Brecon Beacons
One of the UK’s most-loved national parks, Brecon Beacons offers up a wealth of adventure, from stargazing and cave-exploring to fishing and paragliding… not forgetting the 1,200-miles of walking trails through gorges and over lush green hills.
Snowdonia
Another epic national park in Wales, Snowdonia offers up amazing scenery, magical wild swimming spots, fresh and beautiful walks along the coast, and even zip-lining in the mountains. A total outdoor playground!
North Wales
Home to three of Wales’ five Area’s of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the landscapes of North Wales are spellbinding. Go surfing at the seaside, wander charming old towns, and soak up the interesting local culture and heritage.
Why we love staycations in Wales
There are over 600 castles to visit – four of which have UNESCO World Heritage status!
Coasteering is an adrenaline-fuelled activity which was created in Wales. Where better to give it a go?
Museum and gallery buffs, look no further. There’s over 90 accredited museums and galleries, and 7 National Museums of Wales.
From the blog...
Best Hikes in the UK for a Great British Staycation
Best Places to Visit in Kent for a Super Staycation
10 UK Holiday Homes for the Ultimate Staycation
Wardrobe Essentials For A Winter Staycation
England Coast Path: World's Longest Coastal Walk
Unique Places to Stay in the UK: Converted Holiday Homes
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In the meantime, if you have any questions or just feel like having a chat, please drop us a line on 0333 888 0205 or +44 (0)333 888 0205.
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Thank you for your enquiry! Our team will get back to you shortly with a few options that we think will be perfect for you.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or just feel like having a chat, please drop us a line on 0333 888 0205 or +44 (0)333 888 0205.
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