Reasons to holiday in the UK

[nearlywed21]

Can someone please sell this to me?
Obviously due to the pandemic not even entertaining the thought of an overseas trip but what actual reasons are there to holiday closer to home? I'm looking at accom and nothing seems to be doing it for me. Prices are extortionate compared to abroad, seems especially uncomfortable coughing that up when its possible to visit as a day trip. Also what activities to actually do on a UK based holiday?
We can't decide whether to halfheartedly book somewhere in the UK or just hold out for whenever our next trip abroad is.

Depends what you like doing. I don't know as much of Wales or Scotland as I'd like. Both are utterly stunning, and the culture and history are so interesting in both countries. Prices for holiday cottages reasonable in both - we've just come back from a lovely week in rural part of Scotland with gobsmacking beaches. Cost for the week? £700.

We’ve found interesting things to do on all the UK holidays we’ve done, but I think it’s a mindset. If you go thinking it will be boring & you’ve made no effort to find activities you’ll have a crap time.

We love walking, cycling, body boarding, visiting market towns, country villages, castles, going to new pubs & restaurants. There are things to see and do everywhere!

If all you want to do on holiday is like on a beach in hot weather then UK holidays probably aren't your first choice. It's all about expectations. There are a lot of things it's easier to fo when the weather isn't hot - like taking long walks, climbing hills, going on steam trains, visiting stately homes...

I have loved per UK holidays the last couple of years. Crabbing off harbour walls, rockpooling, fish and chips, brilliant walks, playing Monopoly back at the cottage/caravan, penny arcades, castles, beautiful East coast beaches, seal spotting, climbing mini mountains in Wales to watch the paragliding - loved it all. Not so keen on the packed service stations and the lorries on the M1, but hey ho!

As someone that’s never really holidayed in the UK, the prices just seem extortionate to me. So hive mind, how much would you spend on accommodation per night?

I grew up in rural coastal Wales and see no attraction in such areas - I hate being reliant on a car.

We do two city breaks a year in the UK - always a London and one other. Bath and York are my favourites as there’s lots of history and you can walk everywhere. There’s always more wet weather options in cities.

The key to a UK holiday is go somewhere you wouldn't for a day trip.

How about something like a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads?

If you don't want rural or seaside and prefer a city break then how about Edinburgh? There's loads to do and it's totally different in culture and vibe.

If you're feeling adventurous try hiring a campervan and book different places in the UK for a week or two?

This sentence

Also what activities to actually do on a UK based holiday?

      makes me think you are incredulous that it is possible to have lovely holidays in the UK.  I think there is a correlation between attitude and satisfaction - or even enjoyment.   If you have made your mind up it "won't be a proper holiday"  then I doubt you will enjoy anything anyone suggests.  However, if you go with a positive attitude then there are so many things you can do.

As to what - it depends what is your 'thing'

People:
camp in the wilds - miles from anyone else for a complete contrast to work and our hectic life
climb mountains
walk coastal paths
sail
kayak
Other people
sit on beaches
find somewhere quiet and just switch of technology - read, paint, bird watch
Some people seek thrills - zip wires, climbing, horse riding, 'experiences' such as driving various vehicles
Some people like City breaks - from cathedrals to shops, from City Walls to museums
Some people go to water parks, or theme parks or zoos or safari parks
There is so much history to uncover in the UK - on a theme like the Naval history in somewhere like Portsmouth through to modern stuff like the Beatles Tour in Liverpool or older such as the Roman baths in Bath, or spend time at Iron bridge or Stratford, and so many thousands of other places
Then there are festivals - from pop to folks to rock. There are the "classical music" festivals. There are massive car festivals or things like Tom Kerridge's food festivals.
Hundreds of weird local customs - from cheese rolling in Gloucs to well dressing in the Peak District.
There is the whole of the National Trust / English Heritage / and equivalents in the other Home Countries.
Haven't touched on the capital city yet as you did concede there might be things to see there.