Finding a holiday spot in England isn’t just about booking the next flight out—it’s become about rediscovering what’s right on our doorstep. People are skipping the hassle of airports and swapping it for local beaches, rolling hills, and even quirky cabins, all without leaving the UK.

If you’re trying to figure out where everyone’s flocking these days, you’re definitely not alone. Classic seaside towns like Cornwall and Brighton fill up fast come summer, with families and solo trippers hunting for ice cream and salty air. And it’s not just about the coast. The Lake District’s lakes and trails have a knack for pulling in walkers and pub-goers alike.

Not all holidays tidy up in the same box, though—maybe you want a quick city buzz in Manchester or Bristol, or you’re after the peace and quiet you only get in some stone cottage tucked away in the Cotswolds. Wherever you land, England’s got a slice of it, no passport required.

• The Rise of the Staycation
• Classic Seaside Escapes
• Countryside Getaways
• City Breaks for Culture Lovers
• Unusual and Hidden Gems

The Rise of the Staycation

Sticking around the UK for your holidays used to be the second choice. Not anymore. Since 2020, the number of people holidaying at home has shot up. With travel rules constantly changing and prices for flights climbing, it just makes sense to swap tropical getaways for something closer to home. According to VisitBritain, staycations jumped up by nearly 20% from pre-pandemic levels in 2021, and that trend hasn’t slowed. In fact, summer 2024 saw some of the busiest bookings for UK holiday cottages ever.

Why are people so hooked on UK staycations now? There’s no jet lag, no currency fuss, and you get more control over your trip. You get the chance to explore spots you’d usually overlook. Plus, with so many pet-friendly options, the family dog doesn’t have to miss out either.

Here’s a quick look at what’s pulling Brits to plan holidays in England instead of abroad:

• Less hassle: No long waits at airports, no lost luggage dramas.
• Hidden gems: More time to find cool little villages, wild national parks, and beaches you might never think to visit otherwise.
• Cost: With everything local, you save a lot on travel and spend more on experiences.
• Flexibility: Easy to plan last-minute weekends away, and you can always swap plans if the weather turns.

And just to see the trend in black and white, check out how domestic trips have gone up over the years:

If you’re thinking everyone’s heading to the same old places, think again. UK folks are branching out—mixing up city breaks with glamping, coastal towns with woodland cabins. Don’t be surprised if the conversation at work on Monday is about a hidden lake in Devon or a microbrewery tour in Yorkshire. Staycationing is how people are seeing a whole new side of England.

Classic Seaside Escapes

Nothing feels more English than packing up the car and heading for the coast. Spots like Cornwall, Devon, and Brighton top the list every summer. Cornwall’s got about 400 miles of coastline, famous for its surf at Fistral Beach in Newquay. If you want fish and chips with a view, St Ives is a safe bet, and the town’s narrow lanes are crammed with little independent shops and galleries.

Brighton is always buzzing, partly because you can hop there on the train from London in about an hour. The pier’s got arcades, fairground rides, and people-watching is top tier. For those who’d rather dodge big crowds but still want some sand, consider Southwold or Whitby. Southwold’s got colorful beach huts and a quieter vibe, while Whitby draws families and couples with its old abbey, cobbled streets, and seaside walks.

Devon’s beaches—like Woolacombe and Torquay—are praised for being super clean and family-friendly. You can find good surf there too, and even in peak season, it’s easier to track down a quieter spot away from the busier tourist trails.

Here’s a quick list of well-loved seaside towns worth checking out:

• Brighton – lively pier, great food scene
• St Ives – art galleries, surfing, sandy beaches
• Whitby – gothic abbey, fish and chips, boat trips
• Bournemouth – long sandy beaches, gardens, nightlife
• Southwold – pastel huts, brewery tours, relaxed pace
• Torquay – palm trees, seaside walks, aquarium

For anyone planning a UK trip, book your spot early—Cornwall and Devon, in particular, hit full capacity fast, especially during school holidays. And don’t forget, the weather’s always a gamble, so toss a waterproof in your bag just in case. A classic English seaside trip is about simple stuff: the beach, the sea, and a bag of chips that’s way too hot to eat right away.

Countryside Getaways

If you’re looking to ditch crowds and screens, the English countryside calls. Think sheep-dotted hills, pub gardens, proper walks, and local cheese that actually tastes like something. The England vacations trend has exploded in places like the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Cotswolds, and the Peak District—no random corners, but absolute icons on the staycation map.

Let’s get specific. The Lake District isn’t just pretty—about 19 million people visited in 2023, making it the UK’s most-loved national park. If climbing Scafell Pike (England’s tallest mountain) isn’t for you, maybe a steam boat on Lake Windermere or tea in Ambleside is more the vibe. The Cotswolds, with honey-stone cottages and fancy farm shops, attracts everyone from young families to couples on a chill escape. Villages like Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury get packed for a reason—they’re classic for a relaxed weekend.

Looking for something less obvious? Northumberland and the Norfolk Broads offer wide open spaces, ancient castles, or quiet waterways. Great if you want to feel like you’ve escaped for real. Cycling, canoe trips, and wildlife spotting are all on the list.

• Book places early, especially for bank holiday weekends—the best cottages and glamping pods go quick.
• Check if local pubs or shops close midweek in the quieter months—some still do.
• If you’re after a particular vibe (romantic, dog-friendly, kid-focused), most regions have specialist stays—from shepherd’s huts to big barn conversions.
• National Trust and English Heritage passes save money on days out if you like your country houses and castles.

Here’s a quick glimpse at what’s hot in the countryside game, based on 2024 booking data:

So, whether you want adventure or low-stress slow days, the English countryside has a spot that fits. Pick your comfort level—hiking boots or wellies—and get out there.

City Breaks for Culture Lovers

If you’d rather swap walking boots for museums and indie coffee shops, a city break is the way to go. England’s cities pack in more art, music, and food than you could ever fit into a weekend bag. London gets most of the spotlight because of its world-famous stage shows and galleries like the National Gallery and Tate Modern. The British Museum, for example, draws in over 6 million visitors a year, and you won’t spend a penny getting in.

It’s not just London, though. Manchester has turned old warehouses into cool art spaces, and its music scene keeps attracting fans of everything from Britpop to dance music. Bristol is famous for its street art (Banksy started there), and Liverpool still rides the Beatles wave, with tours and museums dedicated to the world’s most famous band. Even smaller spots like Bath are stuffed with Roman history and modern spas.

Here’s what pulls people in the most:

• Major events like Manchester International Festival shake up the city every year.
• Liverpool’s Albert Dock area mixes art, food, and shops all in one spot.
• Birmingham stacks up as the UK’s “youngest city,” with loads of trendy bars and the famous Jewellery Quarter.
• Oxford and Cambridge both offer not just old colleges, but science museums and riverside walks.

Want some numbers to help you choose?

If you’re chasing England vacations that mix history, music, and a great pint, a city break makes sense. Save on travel by snapping up railcards—two together can cut ticket prices by a third. Head midweek for cheaper museum tickets and smaller crowds. And remember, most big museums don’t charge for entry, which means more cash for those sneaky pastry stops along the way.

Unusual and Hidden Gems

If you’ve done the big coastal spots and city breaks, England still offers plenty to surprise you. There’s more to a UK staycation than beach huts and famous hills—some places see barely a blip on the tourist radar but deliver a proper change of pace.

For starters, try the tiny village of Clovelly in Devon. There are no cars—just a steep cobbled street down to the harbour, and locals still use sledges to move groceries. Lundy Island, a windswept chunk off the North Devon coast, is a wildlife dream with puffins and seals. Only around 30 people live there full-time, and you have to take a ferry from Bideford.

Craving the odd? In Derbyshire, the Peak District’s Thor’s Cave looks unreal on Instagram but feels otherworldly in real life. It’s a ten-minute trek uphill and the views look straight out of a fantasy film. Then there’s Portmeirion—but wait, that’s in Wales (and loads of people make the mistake), so check your map first if you’re hunting hidden English towns.

Fancy sleeping somewhere totally unique? The Dungeness Desert in Kent has quirky fishermen’s huts to rent and a landscape that’s all pebbles, wooden shacks, and a silent power station. There’s even a pub, The Britannia Inn, in the quietest place you can find in southern England.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some lesser-known spots and what makes them tick:

A few tips if you go off the beaten path:

• Book your stay early, especially for micro-hotels or cabins. There aren’t many rooms in these spots.
• Check local transport—some places have one bus a day, or none at all on Sundays.
• Pack practical shoes. Hidden gems also mean wonky paths, shingle, and steep hills.

The best part? You’ll hardly bump into anyone, and your holiday snaps will look way different from the typical Brighton pier selfie.