Best UK staycation destinations 2022
UK staycations
Summer is here and UK holidaymakers are ready for their next big trip.
Covid made us fall back in love with the great British staycation, and everyone is on the lookout for the best holiday destinations here at home.
With so many amazing destinations to choose from, Cuvva has designed a questionnaire to help inspire your next UK staycation!
We've also rounded up some handy car maintenance tips to help make your journey safe and smooth.
Travel trends in the UK are changing
Government regulations and the closing of international borders during the pandemic significantly shifted our travel habits.
Pre-lockdown, UK holidaymakers flocked to countries across Europe, as well as the USA, Australia and other far-flung locations.
In 2019, Spain took the top spot as the most popular destination for UK tourists with over 18 million Brits visiting the country. France was the second most visited country with over 10 million UK tourists while Italy came in third with just over 5 million visits.
During Covid, however, with international travel trickier (or straight up impossible), Wales was the highest searched travel destination, with an average monthly search volume of 9,900. France came in second with 8,100 monthly searches. Scotland and Spain tied in third place with 5,400 searches.
Even though almost all restrictions have been lifted, the UK staycation remains popular. Here's how to find your ideal trip.
Where's the best UK staycation destination for you?
If you need inspiration for your next staycation, look no further. We've created a quick questionnaire to help you discover the best destinations based on your travelling style.
Simply answer yes or no to the following statements. Each yes answer scores you one point.
Count up all the points you have at the end to reveal your traveller type and destination recommendations!
Yes or no:
- I prefer knowing what to expect when visiting a destination. 💭
- I always check the latest travel guides and articles to find recommendations for the summer holidays. 🔍
- My friends and family turn to me for advice on the best places to visit. 💬
- Taking good photos when travelling is a must. 📷
- If travelling by car, I always take the scenic route! 🌅
- I enjoy buzzing cities and being outdoors, as long as it's a well-known destination. 🏙️
- I like to document my travels from start to finish on social media. 📱
- I enjoy destinations that offer me a good balance of being active and having cultural things to do. 🏃♂️
- Travelling and food go hand in hand for me - I'm always on the lookout for the best restaurants. 🍲
- I enjoy combining multiple destinations in one trip. 📍
Your results:
Drumroll, please! Add up your points to find your ideal UK staycation.
0-3: Nature Escapist 🏞️ Nature Escapists love venturing into the wild! You enjoy exploring the outdoors and aren't afraid to choose lesser-known locations off the beaten path.
Reconnecting with nature is the most important part of your trip, whether it's a peaceful hike in the mountains or extreme kayaking through the rapids.
This summer you should consider destinations like Observatory Gully on Ben Nevis or Bidean Nam in Scotland if you'd like an active nature escape. Looking for something more laid back? Why not check out the Norfolk Lavender Fields or Durham's High Force waterfall for a zen summer staycation.
4-7: Organised Adventurer 🗺️ Organised Adventurers like to plan before travelling! You love researching destinations thoroughly and making an itinerary for your trip.
Renowned holiday hotspots are your go-to and you love choosing well-rated locations. Destinations like The Lake District, Peak District or Snowdonia National Park, are perfect if you'd like an active staycation with tried and tested walking and cycle routes.
For a more chilled break, The Cotswolds and Isles of Scilly in Cornwall offer highly-rated spots for a calming, tranquil break.
8-10: Insta-traveller 🤳🏾 Insta-travellers seek show-stopping destinations that have it all! You are inspired by beautiful locations and unique cultural experiences.
Capturing shareable moments is a must and you're ready to put your camera to work and make memories. The Jurassic Coast in Dorset and Sussex Downs offer the perfect backdrop for a peaceful getaway.
If you're on the hunt for the latest in food and culture this summer, a city break could be for you! Places like Edinburgh, London, Bristol and Brighton are great for exploring historic or cultural landmarks as well as new hotspots for food.
Getting your car ready for a long distance road trip
If you plan on travelling by car you must make sure it's ready for the road before setting off.
Car use fell significantly during the pandemic as government lockdown restrictions meant people could only travel for essential purposes.
In September 2020, car traffic fell 20.9% compared to pre-Covid levels.
For many drivers, this meant their cars were sitting idle, without being started for weeks or months at a time.
Cars are designed to be driven regularly so not starting them for long periods can lead to damage.
There are simple car maintenance hacks you can do to keep your car in good shape and get it ready for your next trip.
(By the way, we've got a full guide on car maintenance tips here!)
Five top car maintenance tips
We've rounded up five top car maintenance tips to make sure your vehicle can go the distance on your staycation!
✅ Check the oil Oil is really important for protecting all the moving parts in the engine. It also cleans, cools and lubricates to help prevent your car from breaking down.
Checking the oil in your car's engine is simple. All you have to do is open the bonnet and find the dipstick (which usually has a brightly coloured handle). If the oil is too low, you'll need to top it up as soon as possible.
You should be able to check your car's oil level on the dashboard if it doesn't have a dipstick.
The best oil for your car will vary depending on the make and model. Your car handbook should tell you the right oil to use. You can also get in touch with the manufacturer directly to find the best oil for your car.
✅ Check the car battery Checking your car battery might sound intimidating but it's really simple!
All you have to do is find where your car battery is located and make sure it's connected properly.
Your car manual should show where the battery is in your car.
The simplest way to test your car battery is with a small device called a multimeter. You can use something called a voltmeter as well.
Designs vary but each device will have its instructions and way of showing if your car battery is charged properly.
You might be able to get a free battery health check at some big-name garages too.
✅ Check the tyre pressure Tyre pressure is really important, especially for long car journeys with heavy luggage.
Having the wrong tyre pressure could cause them to wear down a lot faster or in some cases, blow out completely.
You can check tyre pressure yourself using a good-quality tyre pressure gauge.
Some garages and tyre shops offer free tyre checks and they'll also test the pressure.
Most petrol stations have a coin-operated tyre pressure pump where you can check the pressure and top up yourself.
✅ Book a car service A car service is a routine health check that inspects the condition of your car. It usually looks at things like oil and fluid levels as well as tyre pressure, lights and steering.
On average, a basic car service costs around £125, but you may be able to get it cheaper if you shop around.
You need to service your car at least once a year or every 12,000 miles you drive (whichever comes first!)
Regularly servicing your car can help keep it in good condition and prevent breakdowns or general wear and tear.
It can also help save you money on expensive repair bills in the future!
✅ Clean the car Cleaning your car is an important maintenance step that shouldn't be skipped!
Washing the outside of your car can help prevent blemishes, scratches and corrosion caused by grit and other chemicals that build up on your car.
It also keeps your windscreen and windows pristine, so that you can see the road clearly and spot hazards while driving.
Deep cleaning the inside of your car, for example vacuuming the carpets, dusting and cleaning the seatbelts, helps prevent wear and tear.
It also makes your car journeys more comfortable!
You should aim to clean your car every two weeks. You may need to do it more frequently if you drive often (or park under a tree!)
If you're short on time or don't fancy washing your car yourself, you could get it professionally cleaned. Prices vary depending on where you are and the level of cleaning you need.
Getting the right car insurance for your road trip
Finally, don't forget to make sure you've got the right insurance for your road trip.
Cuvva's temporary car insurance offers policies ranging from one hour up to a month.
They're really handy if you only need insurance for a short period, like sharing a long drive with a friend.
It only takes a few minutes to get a quote.
Sources
- Outbound tourism statistics, Finder (2020)
- Provisional Road Trafc Estimates Great Britain, Department for Transport (2020)
- Most searched for "can I travel to" phrases, SEMRush (April 2021)