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Staycations are here to stay, and this year you should try somewhere other than the most popular cities in the country.
With most areas across the UK easily accessible by train from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and pretty much every other city in the UK, even if you don’t drive, that perfect staycation break is within your grasp. Here are four of our favourites.
In This Post:
Reading
Known for its annual music festival, reading is much more than a giant field where the biggest bands in the world play a few songs for individuals after a few warm cans of cider.
Sitting in Berkshire, this is a place buzzing with amazing things to see and do. Whether you want shopping, eateries, bars, culture or history, you’re sure to find it here. Reading Museum is a great place to spend a few hours that contains the country’s only copy of the Bayeux Tapestry. Meanwhile, the ruins of the Abbey contain wondrous gardens to explore, while Basildon Park and Forbury Gardens offer other outdoor places to relax in.
Dorset
Not your typical place for a staycation, after all, you rarely find it on top ten lists, do you? However, if you love a glass of wine or two, this could be the break you’re looking for. With one of the best vineyards in the UK, take a tour and enjoy tasting the delicious drinks on offer, before indulging in either lunch or afternoon tea here too. While there’s plenty to do around Dorset, this a relaxing weekend for those who’ve always wanted to visit some of the world’s most famous vineyards.
Forest of Bowland
One of the country’s best-kept secrets, you’ll find this wondrous place tucked away in Lancashire filled with idyllic valleys and wild moors. Located near the village of Galgate you’ll be able to explore hours of the unusual countryside. Perfect for walkers and lovers of the great outdoors, this is the kind of place you’d visit while enjoying a secluded Airbnb stay nearby.
Vale of White Horse
You’ve no doubt heard of the Cotswolds, well, this is a quieter version that not many people know about, making it ideal for those who long for a quiet, secluded staycation. Named after the Uffington White Horse, you’ll find a collection of quaint little villages here offering that countryside charm England is known for. From long walks to explore the surroundings to visiting historical areas such as Wayland’s Smithy, a Neolithic chieftain burial tomb and the oldest road in Europe, thought to be over 5,000 years old, this is a stay that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
With so much on offer, next time you go on a staycation, try something a little different.