The UK is blessed with some of the most picturesque landscapes and cultural cities on the planet. Some places may astonish you with natural beauty while many will thrill you with the fantastic choice of cultural attractions.
Of course with so much choice, it can be hard working out where to enjoy a fun or romantic holiday close to home with your loved one.
So that’s why we have narrowed down the eight best UK staycations for couples. Make sure to narrow down these more based on your mood and preference.
8 UK Staycations Couples Must Visit
Edinburgh – Lots of culture and, oh yes, whisky!
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is an excellent staycation for couples. It’s a place where you won’t ever fall short of places to visit.
When it comes to culture, it has many historical museums to visit, including the excellent National Museum of Scotland.
The Fringe Festival takes place all over Edinburgh in the month of August every year (excluding 2020 of course) and is one of the largest cultural festivals on the planet. You’ll find up and coming comedy and theatre performances, including free street acts and live music.
Fans of whisky will also find a lot to keep them happy, with excellent whisky tasting bars scattered across the town from The Royal Mile to Leith.
Despite being a bustling city, there are plenty of great walks just a stones throw from the city centre, including the extinct volcano of Arthurs Seat and Water of Leith walkway. Edinburgh is an easy choice if you’re looking for a fun city break.
North Wales – A Pure Scenic Beauty
Love the great outdoors? North Wales offers something for everyone, from Snowdonia National Park to Conwy Castle, you’ll find mountains, coastal walks and serene vistas.
If you’re an adventurer, you can’t leave North Wales without hiking Mt Snowdon, which is the UK’s second-largest mountain.
In addition to this, the Isle of Anglesey offers some great opportunities for adventure. The place is blessed with over 100 miles of coastline and numerous seafood resorts and villages. Anglesey is a bit of a gem, with beaches, spas and some great food too.
The coastal resorts of North Wales also make for a fantastic getaway for couples, especially if the resort vibes of Blackpool aren’t quite your cuppa tea. Rhyl and Prestatyn both offer a classic British seaside resort vibe and are great for those seeking some bracing sea air and maybe some fun in the traditional pitch and putt courses, arcades and funfair attractions.
Devon and Cornwall – Rugged beauty and stunning beaches
Devon and Cornwall, collectively known as Westcountry, are two of the most popular regions to visit in the UK for a couple’s staycation. Known particular for the stunning coastlines, you’re never far from a beautiful beach in the Westcountry. In fact, the combined coastline of Devon and Cornwall stretches for over 500 miles, with everything from craggy clifftops to stunning sandy beaches.
You can spend your day walking across Dartmoor or Bodmin Moor, or exploring quaint fishing villages. And at the end of the day, you’ll find a homely pub to enjoy some excellent food and warming drink.
Some highlights for Devon and Cornwall include:
- Burgh Island in Devon, home to the 1920’s art deco Burgh Island Hotel
- St Ives is a popular artists hangout and one of the most visited towns in Cornwall
- Salcombe in Devon is popular sailing hangout and one of many picturesque towns in the region
- Newquay has a reputation as a party hotspot, but is in fact a great base for those looking for some of Cornwall’s best beaches
- Tavistock is a great place to base yourself for exploring Dartmoor, and is also a Fairtrade town known for it’s great boutique shopping
Northern Ireland – More than just Game of Thrones
Northern Ireland has been a sightseeing spot for quite a while now. It’s one of the best UK staycations for couples who love the touch of history with nature.
The Giants Causeway is known for its geometric rock formations, and a must visit in Northern Ireland. The area is also great for coastal walks and even whisky tasting at the nearby Bushmills distillery.
In fact the Giant Causeway is one of many locations in Ulster that were featured in Game of Thrones. The location was used for the outer castle shots of the Iron Islands in the popular series.
The provincial capital of Belfast is fast becoming a cultural hotspot and a great place for a couples staycation in the UK. The new Titanic Belfast is a museum and attraction built to honour the legacy of this infamous ship and the shipyard that launched it.
And if you’re in Belfast, make sure to drop in to St George’s Market, the last surviving covered market from the Victorian era in Northern Ireland. Plenty of awesome food to enjoy here!
Explore the Midlands on a Narrowboat
Exploring with a narrowboat is a fun and slow paced way to enjoy sightseeing, and makes for an excellent staycation option. From Oxfordshire to Warwickshire, there are some great canalways to explore with a narrowboat.
Spend your days lazily making your way along the canals, moor up and enjoy a pub lunch and then spend a lazy afternoon on deck with your favourite book. A great way to change your view and enjoy some time with your loved ones.
Even if you’ve never helmed a narrowboat before, it’s actually quite simple to master. When you sign up to rent a narrowboat, you’ll be given all the instruction you need to get going with confidence.
The Channel Islands – The original staycation destination
Once known as the main holiday getaway for Brits, before the era of cheap flights to the continent, the Channel Islands are still a great UK staycation destination. The two biggest islands are the Jersey and Guernsey, easily reached by plane or ferry from the mainland UK.
All of the Channel Islands are blessed with some beautiful beaches, coastal walks and hidden spots to discover. And if you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat! The islands are blessed with some great restaurants, including the excellent Bohemia in Jersey which is the last of the island’s Michelin star restaurants.
Apart from beaches and food, Jersey is home to the famous zoo founded by Gerald Durrell. Jersey Zoo covers 32 acres and is a home to over 100 species of various animals.
London – A thrilling staycation in the capital
The UK’s capital is undeniably the best staycation for couples who are looking for the thrills of the big city.
London is packed with loads of fun and beautiful places to visit, just don’t expect to get all of them covered on your long weekend. From the markets of Spitalfields and Notting Hill, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, to taking in the views from the London Eye from the top. A staycation in London will be an action packed affair.
When it comes to food, there are few cities on earth that can match London. Discover some of the finest cuisine at the cities countless haute cuisine restaurants, enjoy cutting edge street food at any of the many food markets; or find authentic Indian, Chinese or obscure international dishes scattered across the capital.
Insider tip: plan your London trip in advance, and try to stay close to where you expect to spend the most time. There is a lot to do in a short amount of time!
York – An old city feel and Viking culture
York is the UK’s most visited city outside of London, and it’s quaint charm feels like a much bigger city. Explore the shopping of the Shambles, the city’s old shopping centre, walk the Roman Walls and head to York Minster – the largest medieval church in England which is situated in York.
A sightseeing bus also runs in York that takes you to famous and major tourist spots all around York. The city is filled with early life roman monuments and destinations. For example, the Jorvik Viking center has several reconstructions of Viking dwellings and workshops.
If you want a smaller city getaway and to connect with some of the UK’s older cultural history, York makes for a perfect couple’s staycation.
Which One Should You Visit First?
All these 8 UK staycations are excellent for couples. No matter which one you choose, you will enjoy nature’s beauty, know the greatness of historical monuments, and get to know more about the culture of the UK.
So pack your bags and head off on a fabulous holiday in beautiful Blighty. If you’re looking for great choice and the best prices for your break, check out Staycations-UK for your UK staycation.
If you’ve had a flight delay or cancellation due to a flight to or from the UK, check this article about flight compensation.
