With the end of lockdown fast approaching, many of us will be looking to book last minute trips. While the likes of Spain or Turkey might usually be high on our lists, this year more of us are hoping to holiday right here in the UK. But make no mistake, holidays at home are no runner up prize, from beautiful beaches to incredible mountain ranges, and big bustling cities, the UK breaks have it all. Us Brits are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to potential staycation locations, but where is the best place to visit?
Well, I asked a tonne of UK bloggers for their favourite UK staycation spots and my god did they deliver...
... Here are the top 10 places to staycation in the UK according to the bloggers!
10. The Peak District
The Peak District, which can be found in the heart of England, is home to the first the of UK's national parks. The area features 1,600 miles of public rights of way so it's no surprise that the majority of tourists flocking to the Peak District intend to do some form of walking. Of those rights of way mentioned, 64 miles are accessible to disabled people, making it a good choice for anyone looking for a more easy-going staycation. Along with incredible scenery, The Peak District also offers some great historic houses such as Chatsworth, and even Caves which are open to the public!
Molly (Girl About Derbyshire) has written a great itinerary of things to do in The Peak District in just 48 hours, which will be an ideal read if you're looking to visit the area for a weekend staycation. She has also popped together a list of 8 great places to visit in the Peak District on her new blog!
9. Bath
Bath is famous for its beautiful golden architecture and ancient Roman Baths, of which it takes its name. It is the largest city in Somerset which is ideal as it welcomes nearly 4 million visitors each year. The city which became a world heritage site in 1987, was home to Jane Austin and at least two of her novels were set here, which is why you'll find several tourist attractions based on her life and works in the area.
Tracy (Enjoy England For Less) has a fantastic blog post which covers all aspects of visiting beautiful Bath, including a whole list of free things to do in the city!
8. Norfolk
Norfolk is a county in the East of England which holds the record for the highest concentration of medieval churches in the world. Dripping with history, and full to the brim with listed buildings, Norfolk really is a treat for history nerds, but if that's not your thing the beach surely is! The Norfolk coastline runs for almost 100 miles. Here you will find golden beaches, plenty of piers, and even the UK's largest Seal colony!
Looking for luxury accommodation in Norfolk? Why not check out Sophie's (Soph Hearts) review of Congham Hall Hotel & Spa.
7. Yorkshire
Yorkshire, the UK's largest county and one absolutely jam packed with things to do. Famed for its natural beauty, rich history, and of course everyone's favourite pudding, a staycation in Yorkshire really has it all. Alongside being home to many historic towns such as York and Harrogate, 3 of the UK's national parks also fall within Yorkshire's boundaries making it a great area for walking holidays.
If chasing waterfalls is your kinda thing Danny (Danny Explores) has put together a cracking guide on the Ingleton Waterfall trail which he claims are the best waterfalls in Yorkshire. And if you're looking for an accessible break, Pippa (Life Of Pippa) has it covered with her post on Yorks wheelchair accessible indie coffee shops and cafes.
6. Brighton
Brighton often finds itself rated amongst some of the best seaside towns across the world, and for a good reason. The town, often fondly referred to as 'London by the sea', is home to both Britain's oldest cinema and the world's oldest aquarium, among other attractions. You'll also find plenty of beautiful listed buildings, a crazy amount of pubs, and even a nudist beach within walking distance of the Brighton City Centre - I guess it has something for everyone!
Looking for a seafront hotel? Look no further, Chloe (Wanderlust Chloe) has rounded up some of the best seaside hotels in Brighton!
5. London
London town, the busiest of the UK's cities, and in my experience also the dustiest. England's capital city is home to a whole host of tourist attractions which is why it's so popular with both our own population and that of the world. From the first-ever Hard Rock Cafe to the Queen's house, London has a tonne of famous places to visit and thanks to the Tube it's easy enough to see them all! If you do use the underground, however, beware of the mosquitos! A special breed of mosquito has specifically evolved to live in the dark of the London underground, though I don't think I've ever personally come across one!
Thinking of having a little beverage or two on your London staycation? Della (Della Loves Nutella) has handpicked the best cocktail bars around Covent Garden so you'll never be short of options!
4. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds cover a large area of west England and are most famous for their numerous picturesque towns and villages. The area, which actually lies within 6 counties (Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset) is home to historic houses, wildlife parks, and miles of glorious countryside. In the winter months, you will see Christmas markets and celebrations in most Cotswold towns and in the summer months, you'll find flower and lavender fields in bloom.
Don't forget to check out Kitti's (Kitti Around The World) list of 8 Cotswold towns you must visit, and if you're in need of a dog-friendly hotel, Danielle (It's A Danielle Life) has you covered with her review of The Fish Hotel in Broadway.
3. Devon
Devon is home to a number of pretty seaside towns along two coastlines. These charming social centres are the main reason for the flock of tourists which flood the county each year and for a good reason. Not only do visitors have the choice of two separate coasts to choose from (something no other English county has) they also have a range of activities to do once they arrive. From surfing to sightseeing and even fossil hunting on the Jurassic coast, you'll never have a dull staycation here.
If you're looking for inspiration, why not check out Charlotte's (A Fashion Oddity) post on the top places to visit in South Devon!
2. Cornwall
When thinking of Cornwall it's likely that your mind wanders to memories of childhood holidays and warm pasties on the beach - Cornwall is the home of the traditional Cornish pasty we all know and love after all. But this British county has so much more to offer than savoury treats. Museums, beaches, theme parks, and even giant greenhouses, Cornwall has something for absolutely everyone which is why it's no surprise that 4 million people visit the area each year.
For a pretty complete guide to Falmouth check out Samantha's (Cocobutter Blog) post which gives a detailed run down of what she got up to in the Cornish town. If seafood is your thing, Charlotte (Charlotte Rick) has reviewed her favourite restaurant in Cornwall - The Fish House.
1. The Lake District
Over 15 million people visit the Lake District year each and it's clear to see why. The area holds vast forests, a number of waterfalls, and of course multiple picturesque lakes. The scenery is the main reason tourists swarm the Lake District, however visitors to the area don't have to simply admire the views, they can get up close and personal by hiking the mountains and sailing the lakes.
Why not check out my guide to the most beautiful locations in the Lake District before you head up there? Believe me, you won't want to miss out! And if you fancy trying your hand at hiking but your skills are lacking Emmalene (A Brummie Home And Abroad) has a great post on hiking for non-hikers which you might find handy!
Thank you to all the wonderful bloggers who voted for their favourite place to staycation in the UK! Almost 100 of you lovely bunch contributed to this post which wouldn't have been possible without your votes and knowledge!
So now you know which locations the bloggers love, where are your top places to staycation in the UK?
Thanks for reading!
As someone who has been blogging since their late teens, I often get A LOT of questions from people hoping to start a blog of their own! From friends in real life to strangers on the internet, I never go long without someone asking, "how do I start my own blog?". Well, I'm no expert, but I'd like to think I've learnt a few things about blogging that might help you on your way!
So how do you start your first blog post, and what should it be about?
I'll let you into a little secret, there is no right or wrong way to start your first blog post! Yep, that's right, you literally can't go wrong with this first creation! Okay sure if you're starting a blog for your business or you're going for a more professional angle instead of a personal blog you probably won't want to swear your head off, but this is your new baby so it's down to you how you plan to do it!
But don't worry, I won't leave you to figure it out yourself, here are my tips...
Just start it!
Stop overthinking it. Chances are your first blog post won't be a work of art. This is a brand new thing to you, you can't expect to be 'good' at it straight away! The longer you stress and rewrite your first blog post, the longer it will take you to launch your blog properly, and let's be honest you want to get this off the ground sooner rather than later right?
Brainstorm
If you're really stuck for ideas - get brainstorming! What is your blog going to be about? What do you want to tell people who click on your site for the first time? Maybe you want to introduce yourself, or maybe you just want to give the reader a run down of what they will find here in the future? Scribble down your ideas and get cracking!
Stick to the golden blogging rules... or don't!
Once you have an idea of what you're going to write about, get stuck in! Now in the blogging world, there are some rules to make your posts the best they can be. These rules help your blog posts appear in google searches and they are super important if you want to drive traffic to your blog. However, I don't think they matter too much when you are just starting out! It's your first post at the end of the day - you should have fun writing it, not worrying about making it SEO perfect!
Oh you're a sucker for the rules eh? Okay, I'll tell you a few of the basics to see you on your way:
- Try to write over 500 words, but definitely no less than 300
- Insert at least 1 relevant photo
- Keep your title short, ideally no more than 60 characters
The longer you blog, the more rules you'll learn to live by but for now just enjoy your new creative outlet!
What photos should I use?
Again this is completely up to you! If you're introducing yourself, maybe a nice inviting selfie would be a good idea, or if your blog post is going to be about beauty, a photo of your favourite beauty products would be great. Just try to make sure the photo is good quality and belongs to you. You don't want to use photographs you don't have the rights to as you might find yourself with a surprise bill if the owner catches you using it!
I've written the post but it just doesn't look good?
Don't beat yourself up too much if your first blog post doesn't look the way you expected it to. Learning to style up blog posts takes a lot of time and patience. Have a play around with the fonts, font sizes, headings, and even colours until you're happy with how the blog post looks. In time you can purchase blog themes which will give your site and blog posts and more unique uniform look, but for now, just have fun!
Starting a blog can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding modern hobbies, but just like anything else, you won't master blogging straight away. Some of the biggest bloggers with the most beautiful platforms have been doing this for 10 years, and believe me their blogs DID NOT look that pretty when they first started! So get cracking, go write your first post, and most importantly enjoy putting your new creation together!
If you're after a few more tips on setting up your blog check out my ultimate guide to starting a blog for everything you need know about getting going. I also really love Sarah's post about her 5 step blogging checklist and Jenny's blogging Q&A post is also sure to help you on your way!
And if you're still super stuck on what your first blog post could be about, I've rounded up a few easy ideas below:
- Introduce yourself
- A run down of what your blog is going to be about
- The creators who inspired you to start a blog
- 50 facts about yourself
- Why you're starting a blog
- A round up of your favourite blog posts
- a Q&A or a FAQ
Good luck starting everything up, I'm sure your brand new blog is going to be AMAZING!
Beautiful Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland and a cracking place for a budget break. A city once consumed by conflict and violence is now a modern and safe place for tourists looking for an interesting but affordable trip.
Whilst Belfast offers a whole host of activities tourists can do for a small fee, there are also many things visitors can do without spending a penny.
Here are 10 free things to do in Belfast...
Belfast City Hall
Belfast City Hall is by far the most beautiful city hall I have ever had the pleasure to see. During the day the building could be mistaken any other city hall in northern Europe, however stick around until the evening and you will see the structure come to life once it is lit up in the most magical shade of purple. But Belfast City Hall doesn't just offer a pretty facade, free guided tours are usually available to visitors wishing to learn a little more. The tours are currently on pause due to Covid-19.
Belfast Free Walking Tour
Free walking tours can be found across the world and for a good reason. The Belfast Free Walking Tour covers several of the city's most famous spots for a fraction of the price of a more traditional tour, plus you'll benefit from the knowledge and passion of your guide. As always I recommend tipping your tour guide at the end if you have a good time - which I almost guarantee you will!
Visit The Peace Wall's
As you'll likely know if you've done your research on the beautiful city of Belfast, it is divided by -- miles of walls, or peace lines at they are often called. The walls were built during the troubles to separate the various communities in Belfast and while there may be little need for them today, many of them remain. Now more a reminder of Belfast's troubled past than active defences, the peace walls are unique structures which aren't to be missed when visiting the city.
The Big Fish
Another magnificent piece of art you shouldn't miss while in Belfast is The Big Fish. The 32 foot salmon sculpture can be found on the banks of the Lagan and was actually commissioned to celebrate the regeneration of the river. The Big Fish is an impressive sight to see from far away however get up and personal with the art and you will be treated to depictions of Belfast's rich history on tiles which make up the salmons scales.
Belfast Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens can be found just to the south of Belfast city centre and can be easily reached by several buses. The Gardens are spread across 28 acres and two victorian glasshouses which are free to visit. While the Gardens are great to visit at any time, you can often find special events and concerts in the park from time to time too.
The Ulster Museum
The Ulster Museum is a fairly small, but well-stocked venue filled with art and objects of interest from across Ireland. Whilst a lot of the exhibits focus on Northern Irish history, this is a great place to start when trying to understand history from the whole island of Ireland. From time to time you'll also find more modern attractions at the Ulster Museums such as the incredible Game Of Thrones Tapestry which was on display until 2019.
Murals
It's hard to think of Belfast without also thinking of the many murals dotted around the city. But these emotive artworks have much more meaning behind them than the regular graffiti you can find in any modern city. From political pieces, to memorials, and pleas for peace, it's clear that these murals represent a city once divided. While some of the more notable murals can be found on Falls Road and Shankill Road respectively, tourists will find pieces on every other street corner.
Wander Around The Cathedral Quarter
The Cathedral Quarter in Belfast City Centre is a bustling area full of pubs and bars. It's the first places many tourists head when arriving as it's where you will find The Duke Of York - Belfast's most famous pub. While you will obviously have to purchase drinks if you plan on visiting these quirky venues, you are free to wander the photogenic streets outside.
The Titanic Hotel
While I'd recommend purchasing a cuppa at the Drawing Office Two inside the titanic hotel, there is technically nothing to stop you popping in for a wander around. The Titanic Hotel is not worth visiting alone (as it's a fair walk out of the city) however if you are planning on touring the Titanic Museum I'd recommend nipping over the road to the hotel before you head back into central Belfast. Inside the hotel, you will find tonnes of memorabilia including a beautifully made sized-down replica of the ship itself.
Dome at Victoria Square
You wouldn't visit Paris without climbing the Eiffel Tower, so you shouldn't visit Belfast without taking a trip up to the Dome. You've not truly seen a city until you've viewed it from the sky, and that's exactly what you'll be able to do from the Dome at Victoria Square. Free tours of the dome, which give you 360 views of Belfast, run hourly each day.
And so those are 10 absolutely free things to do while visiting Belfast.
Belfast is a city with scars, some of which have not yet completely healed, but the city doesn't hide its history no matter how morbid it may be. Whether you're looking for a quick weekend break or a longer stay, you'll be sure to leave this place with a completely new mindset. Belfast is an affordable place to take a city break, but it is so much more than that.
