Tight for Money? 5 of the Best UK 'Staycations' on a Budget
Tight for Money? 5 of the Best UK 'Staycations' on a Budget By Simon Thompson
If you’re feeling the pinch at the moment and planning your summer, the humble ‘staycation’ might just be your ideal solution. If you’re willing to risk the British weather, rather than jetting off on a low-budget, sunny trip to Spain, there are so many beautiful and exciting places to visit right on your doorstep, to suit even the tightest of budgets.
Plus, if you are thinking of a trip away with uni friends or housemates, think of all the hassle you’ll save without any airports or exchange rates to grapple with. We’ve picked out a few of our favourite staycation destinations in the UK, but this is only scratching the surface of a very underrated holiday option.
1.) Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland
Edinburgh’s world-famous Fringe festival which runs from 5-29th August is worth going to if you enjoy music, comedy, dance, drama, alcohol, food and things like that. Although Edinburgh is known for being expensive in relation to the rest of Scotland, I stayed in Budget Backpackers Hostel with a group of friends right in the centre of Edinburgh a couple of years ago and it was really cheap. Plus, there are so many free events on at the Fringe for you to enjoy, and so many different types of entertainment going on, that you’re guaranteed to please even the pickiest of groups.
2.) Brighton, England
Moving further south, Brighton is one of those places I’ve heard so many people raving about, and for good reason. A bohemian and relaxed city, Brighton is well-known for being simultaneously a student hotspot, and a typically English pebble-beach seaside resort. With a large music, arts and cultural scene, quirky independent shopping areas and diverse communities, Brighton has been described as both the ‘hippest’ city in the UK, and the happiest place to live. Whether you’d describe yourself as ‘hip’ or not - and who’s used that word since 1980? - there’s so much to do in this city, and it won’t cost you the earth either. Get yourself in an airbnb with a sea-view, and you’ll be sorted.
3.) Padstow, Cornwall
One of the most popular and beautiful staycation destinations, Padstow is ideal for the outdoorsy types. Come for gorgeous beaches with fantastic waves for surfing, bodyboarding and sailing opportunities, as well as cycling trails nearby. If you’re a wildlife fan, you can go on boat trips and try and spot a dolphin, some grey seals, or maybe even a basking shark. Cornish people are renowned for their warm hospitality, and you’re sure to have a fantastic stay in Padstow.
4.) Anywhere in the Lake District, Cumbria
Wordsworth and his pals knew it, and so do the 16.4 million people who visit the Lake District every year: the Lake District is England’s biggest national park, and somewhere you have to visit at least once (and preferably many times) in a lifetime. There are so many mountains, lakes and forests to explore, and if you stay away from the main tourist hotspots - such as around Windermere - you will be able to find somewhere both affordable and breathtakingly beautiful to stay.
5.) York, North Yorkshire
Okay, so I’m a little bit biased because this is my hometown, but York is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the whole of England, and for good reason. We’ve got medieval city walls to walk around, the York Minster, multiple opportunities to stuff yourself with chocolate (such as York’s Chocolate Story), quirky shops, the Museum Gardens with a ruined abbey inside and river views, boat trips along the River Ouse, the Jorvik Viking Centre and lots more. In other news, York also has at least one pub for every day of the year, and loads of affordable cocktail bars. If that hasn’t convinced you to check the city out, I don’t know what will.
So there you have it, five of the most popular and most beautiful places for a ‘staycation’ in the UK. There are so many places to stay with your mates for far less than a package holiday, let the summer adventures begin!
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