The UK is an incredible place to go on holiday because it caters to such a wide variety of holidaymakers: the historical hunters, the day trippers, those searching for the thrill of a city break, and those that simply want to relax; a UK staycation is perfect for everyone. The most important thing to do when planning a staycation is figuring out the exact type of holiday you want. Planning any holiday is determined by three things: the price, the place and the people.
The price is probably the most crucial part of planning your staycation because it determines almost the entirety of your holiday from how long you can spend in an area to the type of holiday you can afford. Honestly, a week in London is not exactly ideal on a student budget. A long weekend in Manchester? A lot more doable.
Who do you want to accompany you on your staycation? Your friends, partner, family or a solo mission? The people that you plan to go on holiday with will determine where you go. You should organise a chat to figure out exactly what everybody wants to get out of their staycation because there is nothing worse than having somebody who wants a chill few days in the forest whilst you want to go on a bender in the city. Figure it out before you start googling woodland cabins!
The place is obviously determined by the price and people, but you should make sure that you plan and book any activities in advance. Organising activities once you get to your holiday destination is both frustrating and challenging because it can feel like you’re wasting time, especially now that you need advance tickets to most venues.
Ideas for quiet staycations: Lake District, Somerset
The countryside is an excellent choice for a staycation if you crave peace and quiet. Cottages, lodges and B&Bs in the countryside are some of the best places to take a few deeps breaths, take long walks or pick up a book. The Lake District is one of the most well-known northern locations for a countryside break because of its beautiful mountains and forests. The Lake District holds a National Park with activities such as treetop treks or renting a boat for hire available. Likewise, Somerset has lots of holiday cottages and, as it is cider country, it has tours and tastings of cider farms available. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture, Somerset is also home to the Roman baths. You can also go on a coach trip to the infamous Giant's Causeway.
Ideas for city breaks: Cardiff, Belfast
Cardiff might be a bit of a trek from Newcastle, but it is worth spending a few days in such a fun place. Among the top things to do in Cardiff, booking one of their many escape rooms would definitely be on that list along with treetop adventure golf. In addition, the city has a whole host of history running through it with Cardiff Castle and the spooky ghost tours that are offered. Belfast is a small city that still has a lot to offer in terms of its history; it is home to Belfast Titanic which provides visitors with a ‘Titanic experience’ including interactive galleries.
Ideas for day trips near Newcastle: York, Edinburgh
Since York is a short train ride away, it is ideal for people that just want to go on a day trip. You can take a tour of York’s Chocolate Story, or walk through the picturesque Shambles which is full of cafes and little shops. There is a myriad of activities and events going on in York such as the Van Gogh immersive experience. If you go north of Newcastle, Grassmarket in Edinburgh often has free events going on. That area used to hold public executions, and now has a pub named The Last Drop referring to the final hanging of the 18th century.
Its fair to say that a staycation might not be the holiday that you hoped for, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t still be a great break away.
Feature image: Credit: Pixabay.com
