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Original poster

So who has already been on a ‘staycation’ and how was it?

61 replies

hopingforabrighterfuture2021 · 16/04/2021 19:27

We have and it’s been amazing. Left home on Monday, English seaside village, the sun has shone, the kids have enjoyed some sea air and we’ve supported local businesses down here. People still being sensible mostly with mask wearing and it hasn’t been crazily busy. We debated and debated coming, but are so glad we did. Anyone else?

OP posts:
JaninaDuszejko · 16/04/2021 21:33

We had a proper staycation last August. Two weeks at home, a daytrip every second day to places we hadn't been before (a day in Knaresborough messing about on the river was our favourite day), EH membership cost fully taken advantage of and a lot picnics were eaten. Days in between spent reading and in the garden. It was bliss. This year we've got a UK holiday in May that was postponed from last year which I'm really looking forward to. We are culture vultures and like a holiday in the UK and a holiday abroad each year to places the kids haven't been so they learn a bit of history. No holidays anywhere last year though.

BadgerFace · 16/04/2021 21:35

We’ve had five nights on the south coast, mainly to be able to have pub lunches and garden visits with grandparents we haven’t seen in six months. It’s been so great. Especially after a stressful few months working and home schooling. Lovely weather has been a bonus.

Pupster21 · 16/04/2021 21:36

We had a staycation last summer. Lots of days out from home, lots of relaxed downtime, it was lovely for 2 weeks.
This year we’re having a U.K. HOLIDAY.

Jenasaurus · 16/04/2021 21:40

Can I ask which seaside town you holidayed in Op, I am looking for a holiday cottage or caravan for 3 adults, possibly 7 (so a caravan for 8 or a cottage would be good) needs to be in school holidays as my DD teaches, We were thinking of last week in July or last week in August. I am happy to pay about 3k for the week but everything seems so expensive for that size and time of year.

echt · 16/04/2021 21:44

Definitely not a staycation. It's a UK-based holiday. And no, it's not pedantry.

I'm trying imagine that should I fly to see the Bungle Bungles in WA, about 7 hours, and that's just to get Perth, would that be a staycation because it's the country I live in?

Hmm
BlackLambAndGreyFalcoln · 16/04/2021 21:44

Yes we are away now. It's lovely to get away after lockdown!

katy1213 · 16/04/2021 21:47

I like day trips! Sometimes more than a holiday.

Allmyfavouritepeople · 16/04/2021 21:47

Amazing! First time we've left the immediate local area in about 15 months and it was SO GOOD to see new views.
Weather was lovely, place was lovely.
Felt almost normal. Much needed and now need to book the next one.

Abracadabra12345 · 16/04/2021 22:04

Staycation: “A holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions” (Oxford Dictionary).
“A staycation is a holiday that you spend in your own home or your own country “ (Collins dictionary)
“What is a Staycation? Simply put, staycation is a combination of the words stay and vacation and it means taking a holiday in your home country. Originally staycations involved a day out to a destination usually driving distance away and without an overnight stay, but nowadays it mostly refers to holidaying without flying to another country. Think of it as a stay-at-home vacation “

As a pp said up thread, language changes. It’s living. So don’t apologise OP and it’s a great topic!

Lemons1571 · 16/04/2021 22:08

We’re on a short uk break at the moment (an Airbnb in a town on the south coast). It is nice. Took a day to get into it, given that 3 weeks ago we were still on “Stay at Home” orders it does take a bit of a mindset change. I’m just relieved that the kids have had a break from their screens in their bedrooms more than anything else!

DirtyDancing · 16/04/2021 22:09

Oh gawd the point wasn’t to debate ‘stay or away cation’ from OP.. it’s easier not to open ones mouth around here sometimes!

OP we have booked a weekend away in May for DH birthday. The weather is going to have a bit of an impact I’m sure.. if it piddles down all weekend it won’t quite be as fun. We have booked an afternoon tea on a local farm as well, with some Alpacas. Random by something to do! I am reallllly looking forward to getting out of the city, our flat & generally having a change of scene.

Abracadabra12345 · 16/04/2021 22:11

I’m on a staycation now. Before I left, I wondered why I was going to all the hassle when I was slumbering at home (figuratively), content enough in a Groundhog Day sort of way.

But being here in an English seaside town, in a holiday let, I feel energised and alive. We’re doing more walking than if we were at home, eating out on the seafront or the green spaces and having fun exploring the area. I feel more alive than I’ve felt for the past six months. It’s been glorious

Bellabelloo · 16/04/2021 22:16

Op. I'm in an Air Bnb beside the seaside and also referred to it as a staycation. And it's been amazing. So cathartic.

kessiebird · 16/04/2021 22:16

Yes four nights in a beautiful rural location. Chose to leave my phone at home, loaded a spare handset with some data. No social media. Read a book, watched films together, enjoyed the beautiful weather and found a beer garden that let us eat takeaways at the tables (they didnt do food). DC had a great time and seemed so appreciate. Even the teen didn't complain!

Bellabelloo · 16/04/2021 22:17

Top definition on Google:

a holiday spent in one's home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

Lulu1919 · 16/04/2021 22:23

Not yet PP but going to Somerset in May half term self catering cottage
Also booked Yorkshire for a week in a cottage flooded by a few days in a hotel on the way home !!
Sooooooo looking fwd to it
We usually do Devon and Cornwall but prices were steep and very booked up so decided to head up North for a change !

AlexandraEiffel · 16/04/2021 22:32

Yes we're away now, not far from home, not even left the county, but to a place we live. Fish and chips, seaside, cycling in the forest, walking on the moors, spending money locally. It's been great!

AlexandraEiffel · 16/04/2021 22:32

*love not live! Was trying to avoid that debate!

LemonRoses · 16/04/2021 22:45

Here at the moment. Sun has been lovely. A few hours work each day then walking the dog on the beach, a drink outside a pub, lazy get ups. Sea swim tomorrow and pub meal booked.
It’s nothing special, but just nice to be away and seeing different things.

Original poster
hopingforabrighterfuture2021 · 16/04/2021 22:47

Thanks everyone.

To those who have had a break this week in the UK, glad it’s been good, totally agree re change of mindset though and getting used to being out and about again!

To everyone who has a UK break booked, hope the weather is lovely for you, and that you all have a great time. We have another couple of Uk breaks planned too, and the lovely weather would be a bonus!

To the poster who asked where, we have been in North Cornwall, but you’re right, summer is so, so booked up/expensive now. Air b n b in other areas might be worth a look. Hope you find somewhere.

OP posts:
dillydallydollydaydream7 · 16/04/2021 22:49

We went on a Haven 'hideaway' four day break in September and it was lovely! On site restaurant/pub was a booking service all socially distanced, arcades were open but again socially distanced. We aren't ones for the show bars or anything so it was just a lovely quiet four days away

Gertie75 · 16/04/2021 23:25

I'm currently in my caravan just over the border into Wales, we've been here since Monday and go home on Sunday then will be back in 2 weeks and many weekends and longer breaks in the school holidays.

It's lovely to see the hills from the window, sit outside and relax watching the kids play and to chat to new people.

It's seemed such a long, miserable lockdown and this week has felt almost normal, it's definitely lifted my mood.

Fifthtimelucky · 16/04/2021 23:29

I'm on holiday in north Devon and it is glorious!

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 16/04/2021 23:46

I went to my place in Cornwall on Sunday, and came back yesterday. It was ace. Going back in 2 weeks, and will be going every other weekend, and for some chunks of time right up to end of September. Have missed it desperately.

JaninaDuszejko · 17/04/2021 09:00

We had a few days out over Easter and I was really impressed with how organised things were. We had a day at Newby Hall and the restaurant was doing takeaways so we took our picnic blanket and some picnic chairs and sat in the orchard and tucked into our warm food I hadn't cooked and it was bliss. A small place local to us last year got a mobile wood burning pizza company to set up in the grounds so we had delicious pizza in lovely surroundings. It would be great if this was something that happened more even after the pandemic, I love a hot picnic!