Top five UK destinations for holiday seekers

Holidays abroad are wonderful, they give people the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a different culture, experience new sights, sounds and even weather. However, for all this, they also get to experience a hefty price tag and they can be impractical if you have pets or young children. Instead of saving for one big holiday a year people could benefit from multiple holidays if they chose the UK as their holiday destination.

There are places all over the UK that offer this same change in sights, sounds, smell and, surprisingly, weather, but are a fraction of the cost and hassle of holidays abroad.

Here are five top UK destinations for holiday seekers.

Snowdonia, Wales

Snowdonia is perfect for those that want to get away from the busy streets of the cities and breathe in the fresh air. It is a fantastic location for a short break or even a weekend to do something different.

For example, not many people can claim that they climbed a mountain on their holiday. Whether you walk to the summit or cheat and take the train, Mount Snowdon is fully accessible right up to the highest point, and with it standing tall at 3560ft you are likely to have some spectacular views. On a good day, it is said you can see the Isle of Man.

However, there is more to Snowdonia than mountains. Thrill-seekers can have a go on the world’s fastest zip wire Zip World, gliding you through the mountains of Wales at a breath-taking 100mph.

Children (and adults) can enjoy Bounce Below, an underground trampolining experience, King Arthur’s Labyrinth, a mysterious cavernous tunnel hidden deep beneath the mountains and a treetop adventure.

If you want the perfect base to your welsh experience, there are beautiful caravan parks in Wales, close to Snowdonia, and close to the coast, perfect for the whole family and giving you the best Wales has to offer.

St Ives, Cornwall

The Cornish coast is famous for being one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK. The county as a whole experience some of the best weather and best beaches in Britain. One town worth visiting, in particular, is the picturesque town of St Ives: it is known for its surf beaches and is a hotspot for artists.

St Ives has a number of galleries and museums, such as the Barbara Hepworth Museum and sculpture garden as well as a Tate Modern. Wildlife enthusiasts can hop on a boat and take a trip to Seal Island to see the seal colony up close.

There is also plenty of entertainment for the little ones to enjoy such as The Flambards Experience, with rides and activities, and the Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary near St Ives means there is something for everyone to enjoy during a staycation in the UK.

With an abundance of hotels, bed and breakfasts and cottages to rent you’ll certainly find something that suits your party size and budget.

Inverness, Scotland

Recently named as the most beautiful country in the world, Scotland has a lot to offer for those looking for a holiday.

There aren’t many places in the UK that you can go dolphin watching, but off the coast of Inverness you can. Boats can take you out to sea to look for these majestic creatures, allowing you to see them swimming free in their natural habitat.

For those who get seasick or fancy doing something with their feet on solid ground there is plenty more on offer in Inverness. With stretches of glorious countryside nearby there are opportunities to go on adventurous bike rides and hikes. You can even visit the famous Loch Ness and try to spot Nessy for yourself or take a highland tour and experience the beauty of Scotland.

Inverness may not be as celebrated as Edinburgh but with a castle as impressive and a long list of activities and sights, it is perfect for those that want an adventurous breakaway in the midst of nature.

Bath, Somerset

With a tagline of “A world heritage spa city”, it is no surprise that Bath made the list. It’s the only place in the UK where you can visit a naturally hot spa as well as 2,000-year-old Roman baths.

Once you are finished soaking in the relaxing Thermae baths you can take a visit to the fashion museum to see the Georgian gowns or visit the Jane Austen Centre and learn about the time she spent in Bath.

Depending what time of the year you visit you can attend one of the many festivals, from the Jane Austen Festival to the Bath Christmas Market.

And don’t leave before you have had a chance to try the famous Sally Lunn Bun. This part bun, part cake and part bread was invented by Sally Lunn, a French refugee. The Bath-based treat has been likened to brioche but is traditionally a large, very light bun. Although many have tried to replicate the bun, just like Colonel Sanders’, there is one secret recipe and Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum is the only place you can find it.

Whether you want to stay in a spa hotel, a Georgian townhouse or a country manor, there is a range of accommodation options to suit the type of holiday you are looking to take.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast is a rare location that can excite couch potatoes and nature lovers at the same time. For those who like to take in the sights, book a tour to the Giant’s Causeway and see the magnificent rocks formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. If you have the little ones why not take the Gruffalo trail and Colin Glen forest, where you can spot the creatures from Andrew McIntyre’s masterpiece and watch them come to life.

The couch potatoes or serial TV bingers will be thrilled at the chance to visit the Titanic Studios where Game of Thrones is shot, it is also only a short distance from some of the other filming locations for the show. Including the King’s Road, Winterfell, the Wall and Dragonstone. Don your faux fur and proclaim that winter is coming in the actual footsteps of Jon Snow.

Use your visit to learn more about the tragedy of the RMS Titanic, tracing the story to its source. For a complete change of scene, you can spend some time in Crumlin Road Gaol, an A-listed jail that is open to the public. There is so much to experience in and around this Irish city that you will forget you are still in the UK.

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