What is a Staycation? And Why Britain Does Them Best

Summer is almost here, and if you haven’t sorted your holiday plans yet don’t panic – a staycation might just be exactly what you need.

A staycation is a holiday spent in your own country. No airports, no passport hunting, no four-hour check-in queues, just the straightforward pleasure of getting away without the stress of international travel. And it turns out more and more of us are falling in love with the idea, with over half of Brits choosing a UK holiday in 2024.

From the surprisingly rich history of the humble staycation to all the reasons it might be the best decision you make this summer, here’s everything you need to know.

In this article:

• The history of the staycation
• What are the benefits of a staycation?
• The perfect holiday closer than you think

The history of the staycation

The staycation might feel like a modern concept, but its roots go back further than you might think – all the way to 1944.

On the 18th July that year, the Cincinnati Enquirer printed the line: ‘Take a Stay-cation instead of a Va-cation this year’ – encouraging Americans to save fuel, and support the war effort.

Of course, holidaying at home was already the norm 80 years ago in Britain. With foreign travel out of reach for most, the British seaside was the destination – Blackpool, Brighton, Scarborough and Filey packed out every summer as families made the most of what was on their doorstep. 

But the term itself faded into the background as the decades rolled on, foreign travel became affordable, and the allure of guaranteed sunshine meant we swapped the British seaside for Benidorm, Bali and beyond. 

It wasn’t until the 2008 financial recession that the staycation became popular again. With household budgets tightening and fuel prices increasing, long distance travel became too expensive. In fact, 2008 saw an 8% decrease in outbound travel as Brits looked closer to our own shores for their summer break.

Then of course, Covid-19 came along. No one was going anywhere. International travel came to a standstill and even when it reopened, we were reluctant to sit in close proximity with other passengers for hours. So, instead of boarding flights, we packed our cars, and explored all corners of the UK. 

The staycation has been shaped by war, recession, and a global pandemic – and each time, we’ve remembered just how many reasons there are to holiday at home.

What are the benefits of a staycation? 

From the money you’ll save to the hidden gems you’ll uncover, the benefits of a staycation go far beyond just avoiding a stressful airport. Whether you’re after adventure, relaxation, or something in between, here’s what you can expect from a UK staycation.

Holiday more, spend less

The staycation is the perfect way to get more from your holiday. No passport hunting the night before, no decanting your shampoo into tiny bottles, no 4 am alarms, no arguing over baggage allowance, no extortionate airport parking, no baggage drop queues, no paying £6 for a bottle of water airside, no border queues, no long transfers, and no trying to navigate an unfamiliar place on broken sleep.

Just pack a bag and go. Simple as that. And with the time and money you save, you might be surprised how far your budget stretches.

A better place to stay, more days off work, finer dining, more days out. A staycation doesn’t mean compromising on your holiday – it means spending your money on the parts that actually matter and getting more holiday for it.

Great for the whole family (even the four legged members)

One of the best things about a UK staycation is that there really is something for everyone – and we mean everyone.

Romantic break for two? Lose yourselves in the ancient woodland of the New Forest or the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District. Young kids in tow? You can’t beat the coast – rockpools, ice cream, sandcastles and the kind of simple joy that no theme park can replicate. Older kids needing a bit more excitement? Try a city break packed with culture, street food and things to do, or go all-in on an activity holiday – coasteering, mountain biking, wild swimming. The UK does adventure brilliantly.

Got older relatives joining you? A staycation makes that so much easier. No long-haul travel, no navigating foreign airports, and if anything comes up, you’re never more than a few hours from home.

And then there’s the members of the family that foreign holidays always leave behind. Pets are welcome across a huge range of UK holiday destinations – from dog-friendly beaches to holiday parks that roll out the welcome mat for four-legged guests. No kennels, no guilt, just the whole family together. Which is really what a holiday is all about.

History, nature and hidden gems – Britain’s got it all

Britain punches well above its weight when it comes to things to see and do. 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 15 national parks, 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over 1,800 museums, 600,000 listed buildings, 11,000 miles of coastline and 103,000 miles of footpath. There’s a lifetime’s worth of exploring to be done in this country.

For the adventurous, there’s mountaineering on Snowdon, Scafell Pike or Ben Nevis and mountain biking through vast forests. Then there’s wild swimming, coasteering and surf schools in Cornwall where the Atlantic delivers some of the best waves you’ll find anywhere.

For those who’d rather eat their way around the country – and honestly, what better way to travel – Britain’s food scene is world class. Yes, fish and chips on the seafront and a proper pie in a pub will never get old. But Britain is also home to some of the best Indian, Chinese, Caribbean and Middle Eastern food you’ll find anywhere, shaped by centuries of culture and community. And let’s not forget the 230 restaurants that hold a Michelin star, proof, if you needed it, that British dining has never been more exciting.

And perhaps the best thing about staycationing in Britain? Every county feels like a different country. Compare the rugged, salt-sprayed coastline of Cornwall to the sweeping moorland of Yorkshire. The urban energy of Merseyside to the wild, untouched landscapes of Argyll and Bute. The accents change, the food changes, the landscape changes. You could spend all your holidays here and never run out of somewhere new.

A holiday you can feel good about

Holidaying in the UK isn’t just good for your bank balance, it also has a positive effect on the environment. Put it this way – you could drive the entire length of Britain, all 874 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and still produce less CO2 than a short flight to Paris. Mile for mile, flying isn’t just the priciest way to travel, it’s also the most damaging. And let’s be honest, most of us aren’t driving the length of the country for a staycation. There’s plenty to be found a lot closer to home than that. And the closer you stay, the bigger the difference. 

But the feel-good factor doesn’t stop at the environment. Every time you book a staycation, you’re putting money directly into local economies – the independent café that makes the best bacon sandwich you’ve ever had, the family-run pub with rooms, the local surf school, the farm shop on the way home. Tourism is a lifeline for communities across Britain, and choosing to spend your holiday budget at home makes a real difference to the people and places that depend on it. 

So a staycation really is a holiday to feel good about. 

The perfect holiday, closer than you think

Whether you’re after a romantic bolthole in the countryside, an action-packed adventure with the kids, a peaceful retreat by the sea or a city break with world-class food and culture on your doorstep – Britain has it all, and then some.

And for those who’ve found their perfect corner of Britain, there’s something even more special about having a place to come back to. Invest in your own holiday home and you’ll never need to check availability again – just your favourite spot, waiting for you whenever you need it.