The Best of British Staycations: Where to Go in 2026
As we approach 2026, the trend of holidaying closer to home continues to grow in popularity. The Sun Travel team has compiled their favorite UK destinations, offering everything from seaside escapes to cozy cottages and vibrant city breaks. Whether you’re looking for a digital detox, a cultural experience, or simply some time by the beach, these expert recommendations showcase the best of British staycations.
Seaside Charm and Historic Celebrations
Skegness in Lincolnshire tops the list for those seeking traditional seaside fun. In 2026, the town will celebrate the 90th birthday of the very first Butlin’s holiday camp, founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable seaside holidays with on-site entertainment. Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot recommends visiting during Easter weekend for special celebratory events, including a spectacular firework and laser show on April 11. Beyond Butlin’s, Skegness offers classic arcade amusements, fish and chips on the pier, and family beach fun. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss the Natureland Seal Sanctuary, where you can learn about their rescue and rehabilitation work, or the Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve with its diverse ecosystem of dunes, saltmarshes, and abundant birdlife.
In Norfolk, Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens suggests venturing beyond the tourist hotspots to discover hidden gems like her hometown of Snettisham. The beach here offers a quieter alternative to popular Hunstanton or Holkham, with dramatic orange sunsets and breathtaking displays of pink-footed geese sweeping across the horizon. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the trendy Old Store, featuring duck fat hash browns, then spend your day at Snettisham Park, where you can feed farm animals and go on a deer safari. As evening falls, The Rose and Crown pub provides an authentically cozy atmosphere with local ale and friendly locals who are happy to share insider tips about the area. Snettisham is also conveniently located just a 10-minute drive from the royal residence of Sandringham, with its beautiful woodlands, walking trails, and large wooden playground for children.
Picturesque Villages and Cultural Escapes
The Cotswolds remains a perennial favorite for UK staycations, but Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recommends looking beyond the famous Bourton-on-Water to discover Burford. Its main high street showcases the region’s signature sandy yellow Cotswold stone buildings, housing vintage sweet shops, historic pubs, and charming gift stores instead of chain restaurants. Don’t miss Hunter’s Cake Company for a delicious treat, or Huffkins for a traditional afternoon tea. Any leftover crusts from your meal can be taken to feed the eager ducks at the river at the bottom of the hill.
Just 15 minutes outside of Cambridge, the village of Grantchester offers another idyllic escape. Travel Reporter Alice Penwill notes that while many visitors come to see filming locations from the popular television series of the same name, the real highlight is a relaxing walk along the River Cam followed by a stop at The Orchard Tea Garden. Set in an actual apple orchard, this historic spot has welcomed literary legends like Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster. Alice recommends trying their homemade scones, served with jam and clotted cream for £5.40.
For those seeking true tranquility, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski suggests booking an Unplugged cabin in Powys, Wales. This growing brand specializes in digital detox experiences, where guests lock away their devices for a minimum three-night stay (with a basic Nokia phone provided for emergencies). The dog-friendly Taffy cabin comes with a private hot tub for stargazing, a log burner, and all essential amenities including a kitchenette and bathroom. Entertainment comes in the form of board games and books rather than screens, allowing visitors to fully disconnect and reconnect with nature. Prices start at £420 for three nights.
City Breaks and Historic Towns
If postcard-perfect scenes are what you’re after, Knaresborough in North Yorkshire should be at the top of your list. Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey describes it as almost looking “fake” with its historic viaduct spanning the river and trains trundling overhead. The tiny market town offers a perfect place to while away a few hours, perhaps with a glass of wine at The Mitre before catching your train. Nearby York is also worth a visit, particularly for a stop at Betty’s for their famous Fat Rascal scones.
Newcastle offers the perfect balance between culture and nightlife, according to Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens. The city surprises visitors with its blend of cobbled streets and grand neoclassical architecture in Grainger Town, contrasted with the industrial feel of the Quayside area where seven bridges span the river. History buffs will appreciate Newcastle Castle’s 2,000 years of heritage and rooftop views, while those looking to experience the famous nightlife should head to The Bigg Market or the Ouseburn for affordable drinks and a lively atmosphere.
Cambridge not only offers stunning architecture and punting opportunities but also boasts the historic University Arms Hotel, which Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey considers unmissable. Rooms named after famous Cambridge alumni (with the Hawking Suite being particularly special), bathrooms playing Wind in the Willows readings, and a beautiful Library room create an immersive British experience. Guests can enjoy complimentary blue bikes for exploring the city, free Saturday walking tours, and summer punting packages for a quintessentially English escape.
Luxury Retreats and Natural Beauty
Cornwall continues to be a staycation hotspot, with Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski returning at least four times annually. She appreciates the region’s constant renewal with quality restaurants, music festivals, and cultural experiences, alongside its historic sites and natural beauty. The Cornish coastal meadows project, to be completed in 2026, will add new grasslands to encourage plant growth and wildlife. Sophie recommends staying at the recently renovated Pedn Olva in St Ives, a pub with rooms carved into the cliff-face facing the sea, where you can enjoy crabby fries and stargaze using the in-room telescopes.
For a luxury stay, Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot recommends Celtic Manor in Wales. Set in 2,000 acres of scenic parkland in the Usk Valley near Newport, this high-end resort combines championship golf courses with luxurious accommodation and an excellent spa. It has hosted both the Ryder Cup and notable figures like former US President Barack Obama during the 2014 NATO Summit. The resort’s four-bedroom Hunter Lodges offer spacious living with vaulted ceilings and outdoor terraces featuring golf course views and private hot tubs, making them ideal for special group getaways.
Nature lovers should explore the New Forest in Hampshire, where Travel Reporter Alice Penwill enjoyed watching wild ponies, donkeys, and cows roam freely through villages like Brockenhurst. After walking the forest trails, visitors can relax in pub gardens at establishments like The Snakecatcher, Foresters Arms, and The Huntsman.
York captivates Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski with its “higgledy-piggledy buildings,” narrow alleyways, and grand Gothic cathedral, all enhanced by the friendly Yorkshire locals. The area within the ancient City Walls (which date back to Roman times) contains Betty’s Tea Room, where visitors can enjoy Yorkshire tea from polished silver pots alongside traditional bakes like the fat rascal—a chunky, fruit-filled scone that originated in the county.
Chester, dubbed “the prettiest city in England” by Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot, combines historic charm with shopping delights. In 2026, it will welcome the new H Beauty store from Harrods, featuring a champagne bar and interactive experiences. Visitors should explore The Rows, a two-tier medieval gallery of timber-framed facades housing boutiques and cafes, and walk the City Walls—the most complete circuit of Roman and medieval walls in Britain—for panoramic views of the town, gardens, and river.
Finally, for those seeking tranquility, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill recommends the former fishing village of Moelfre on Anglesey in Wales. This peaceful spot features beautiful pebbled coves and lighthouses perched on stretches of land extending into the sea. Local highlights include Welsh beer or scones at Ann’s Pantry, fish and chips at the popular Coastal Cafe, and a short walk to Traeth Lligwy beach, where a natural paddling pool forms at low tide and lucky visitors might spot dolphins among the waves.
As overseas travel takes a backseat, these diverse British destinations showcase why the UK continues to be an exceptional holiday choice for 2026, offering experiences to satisfy every type of traveler.
