Booking a staycation in UK

[cocowhite]

I know we can't book anything right now, we usually have a holiday abroad with the kids in Spain or Portugal, we actually have our summer holiday booked for the end of April to Spain (was booked for May last year but obviously cancelled so we postponed to this year)

Doesn't look likely at all that it will go ahead. We all desperately need a holiday - as I'm sure everyone does! I'm starting to think once restrictions are lifted it will be much easier to go on holiday in this country.

So I'm not really asking AIBU (or maybe you think I am for thinking about booking at all?!) and more that I need some recommendations on where we can go? We've never had a holiday in this country to be honest so I'm clueless!

We want something that allows pets and a hot tub would be ideal! I'm thinking a lodge or cottage or maybe even glamping?!

Any suggestions of where is nice and child/pet friendly?

We visited Fife coast last August and it was absolutely beautiful, booked through Air BnB & stayed at a place called Lower Largo. Day trip into St Andrews (the shops & restaurants had reopened then for a brief period), lots of beach walks, saw seals etc. Was a lovely holiday and the people were all incredibly lovely.

I’ve been looking at a UK break in the summer holidays. We like Anglesey but as we live in England I don’t really want to take the risk that we won’t be allowed into Wales. Same with Scotland. So am limiting our search to England. Don’t particularly want to travel all the way to Devon/Cornwall from the NW either with young kids, so that also cuts out a major tourist area.

It’s going to be busy everywhere. My top tips:

Try less-obvious places in the UK (I think the ‘usually travel abroad’ crowd will gravitate to Cornwall and other places that are well known as tourist destinations, particularly on the coast).

If you’re stuck with school holidays, try to use periods where school holidays across the UK don’t align: eg if you live in Scotland go to England in July before schools break up. If you live in England try Scotland in late August when local schools are back.

If you are anxious about covid, look for remote self-catering cottages, small glamping sites etc where you can easily avoid other people

If you’re less covid-anxious, breaks might be a good option (though be prepared for continuing covid restrictions on tourist attractions, hospitality etc) particularly in places that normally attract a lot of international tourists like London, York and Edinburgh.

On AirBnB most properties are flexible about start and end dates so it’s easier to travel on weekdays and avoid the weekend traffic.

(Penultimate paragraph should say city breaks)

We have booked Northumberland for June & just outside of whitby for end of august. As someone else said we decided against wales or Scotland incase of border issues. We love Dorset but it’s a trek for us for one week. We know whitby quite well and the beaches are beautiful. We just booked the same place we stayed last year as it was available and we know it works. Never been to Northumberland so looking forward to that.

OP you have not indicated the ages of your children or if any have special needs. Hope the suggestions others have made are helpful.

@CountessFrog

Cornwall last summer was exactly the same as every summer. It’s always busy. I spent three weeks there.

I always spot locals on here telling people it’s not safe, ‘rammed’ and ‘awful.’

Also, to the poster who said that people booking in August (when it can be rainy) have only themselves to blame - you do realise that parents don’t get a choice on when the six week summer holiday falls?

Honestly. I read some absolute rubbish on MN!

You're the one talking rubbish - it was rammed. I witnessed it myself and the abuse levelled at retailers and locals that I witnessed from tourists, which has always been an issue, was on another level. Just because you didn't see it didn't mean it didn't happen. Unless you were an instigator....

We visited the Lake District in autumn and we spoke to some locals who said last summer was by far the busiest they’ve ever seen.

@mywifi I doubt the prices could be more inflated than Venice. Still remember sitting in the square with our two aperol spritzes costing 42 euros including a 6 euro cost for the live entertainment each, and the bloody orchestra decided to go on a break. DH - who sometimes mistakes us for oligarchs- suggested we have another drink but I point blank refused. Even fish and chips and Rick Steins weren't as overpriced.

My top tip - book fully cancellable. Still some cottages and apartments through booking.com or vrbo with no deposit required and fully cancellable until 30 days in advance by when hopefully- but not certainly- we should have more clarity about holiday situation.

Lots of Airbnb places can be cancelled without penalty up to a few days before arrival.

I’ve booked in Wales for autumn. I figure if things are bad enough that travel between UK nations is restricted it’ll probably be be bad enough we don’t want to/can’t holiday anyway. It’s refundable Airbnb anyway so no financial loss if we can’t travel.

Do people who live and work in tourist areas really dislike tourists?
I’ve never understood this. The most popular destinations and the many many business owners rely on tourists to fill hotels, holiday cottages, restaurants, bars, cafes, shops surely?

Why complain when it’s busy?

You were probably in St Marks Sq in Venice. One of the most expensive places in the world to have a drink. You need to then compare that cost to say the Savoy American Bar or the Ritz in the UK.

My Aperol spritz was £5.

I am refusing to pay the stupid prices along with the naff welcome. I have relatives in Cornwall. They say the local feeling is that people can visit but by God they will charge them for the privilege.

So if we cannot go abroad we will stay at home. Maybe a city break in London? I am from London originally so I know it well.

As soon as things are open internationally I will be off..

I have relatives in Cornwall. They say the local feeling is that people can visit but by God they will charge them for the privilege.

I hate this attitude. The same people will be whining and complaining in 2022 when people fly off to other parts of the world and their overpriced cafe/bar/holiday home has fewer customers.

With travel and holidays in particular people will have very long memories. The family had a great experience with Trailfinders and a terrible time with STA ( who have now gone bust!).

The Cornish coast is lovely but this summer I fear it will be overrun. Cheap and tacky arcades if it’s raining. Slimy fish and chips in over priced cafes. Traffic over the Tamar Bridge will be a car park.

Let alone the locals who really don’t want this to happen but will for the right price. Seeing those pictures of Bournemouth last year, just double and treble it for this year.

Just checked Premier Inn in Worthing for 3 nights mid June staying from Monday £470 per room!!!!

I suspect people are booking knowing they can cancel but Worthing!!!

Am I missing something?

The kids and I are having a staycation. Putting the tent up, small pool and bbq grill in the garden when the UK forecast looks good. Job done!

Worthing?? £470 per room??
Is that a typo?

We haven’t been abroad for four years now as begrudge the cost of a week for four of us
The days of two weeks all inclusive in Sri Lanka for £600pp are obviously gone

Looking at U.K. prices this summer I don’t think I can bring myself to pay to go anywhere in this country either over £1k for a week in a caravan no thanks

It’s for 3 nights. God, if it was 1 we really have lost the plot.

What do you get for that moonstone?

@Goodbye2020Helllo2021 we stayed at YHA Whitby and one of the Devonshire Estate cottages at Monsal Head in the Peak District.

Monsal Head was crazy busy during the good weather. I've never seen so many people there. Still very busy even in November.

We stayed in our own country for the first time last year. I’d advise doing a lot of research and booking activities, sporty stuff, kayaking, climbing etc . That way you have something to do even if the weather isn’t great. Basically it takes more planning than a sum holiday where you can depend on the beach every day. Btw I’m usually a language nerd but I fear the ‘staycation’ to mean your own home battle has been lost - sorry! Language evolves and in Covid times it now means not going abroad (ducks)

We have been to Scotland for the last 3 years and have travel all over + the islands.

Met wonderful people who have been very welcoming.

Also had great weather all 3 times (late Sept - early Oct).

www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/west-sussex/worthing/worthing-seafront.html?ARRdd=21&ARRmm=06&ARRyyyy=2021&NIGHTS=3&ROOMS=1&ADULT1=1&CHILD1=0&COT1=0&INTTYP1=DB&BRAND=PI&cid=KNC_Brn|_G_UK_UK_Eng_Enc_Brand-Destinations_LO_West-Sussex_EX&mckv=slz9xAJev_dt|pcrid|212525880230|kword|worthing%20premier%20inn|match|e|plid||pgrid|45371063419|ptaid|kwd-488648933672|&s_kwcid=AL!9693!3!212525880230!e!!g!!worthing%20premier%20inn!902402837!45371063419&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI3tbfm67p7gIVhIBQBh2DTw1JEAAYASAAEgJuo_D_BwE:G:s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3tbfm67p7gIVhIBQBh2DTw1JEAAYASAAEgJuo_D_BwE

You get 1 room for 3 nights.... it’s a shocking price but I guess that some people are booking stays all over the place knowing that they can cancel.