It’s all about staycations at the minute with a lot of uspreferring to explore what’s around us, rather than venturing abroad. Whetheryou’re considering a short weekend away, a week of relaxation or would love to experiencea local trip with your family, here is our guide on where to head in the UK forthe best staycation.
Read moreWhether you’re looking for a staycation at home or to travel further afield across the UK, here are our top kid-friendly destinations.
Escape from the bustle of everyday life with the refreshing sea air; picture fish and chips on the sand, swimming in the clear ocean (even on the colder days) and nightly sunset strolls. If you’re unsure on a destination, these are our best seaside picks.
The award-winning beach set in the heartof Dorset, Weymouth beach has everything you could need for a week of seasidefun. The activities available include a year-round fairground, donkey rides,pedalos and the beautiful stretch of sea. The beach is also renowned for beingrather shallow which can make swimming or paddling easier for your smallertravellers. And, with sand practically designed perfectly for sandcastles,you’re able to build the finest of creations.
The town of Weymouth also has a wide variety of things to do including the Sealife centre, Sandworld, a gorgeous harbour and the Nothe Fort. And, near the beach, are plenty of beachside resorts to book your family accommodation.
Devon is notoriously known as a stunningstaycation destination with plenty in store for families. There are manybeaches to choose from or base your trip around but Blackpool Sands isespecially special, even in the cooler months.
Nestled by pine trees, this beach is located in an Area of Outstanding Beauty and doesn’t seem like it’s part of the UK. It’s one of those beaches that are so perfectly maintained, it looks like paradise when you’re going for a stroll or dip in the sea. The beach also is home to designated sand pits, where kids can get stuck in with digging and sandcastle making.
Think ice creams and entertainment whenit comes to Broadstairs mains sands beach. Viking Bay is a hub of fairgroundrides, rockpools and colourful beach huts. Minutes from the beach are aselection of ice cream shops, coffee shops, restaurants and family-run trinketshops.
Broadstairs main sands beach has many other beaches surrounding it including Dumpton Gap, Stone Bay and Botany Bay, only a short walk away. It’s surrounded by plenty of things to see and do, and in prime time, pop up events occur including food festivals, Dickens Week and Folk Week. On a sunny day, the stretch of Broadstairs showcases paradise with bustling beach goers and happy smiles all around.
If you’re dreaming of rolling green hills, clear blue skies and lakes, these destinations are sure to be up your family’s street for exploration.
The Lake District had to be our topchoice for nature lovers. With a whole area of lakes and countryside toexplore, it can be hard to know where to begin with your planning process. Ifin doubt as to which peak, lake or area of natural beauty to explore first, Windermereis the largest and most popular area in the Lake District, and perfect forevery type of family coming to visit.
Windermere is renowned for its bucket load of activities available no matter what the weather is. From boating along the lake, heading on the many hiking trails, or going for a cycle, to the different railways, castles, museums, National Trust properties and galleries to experience. There is also the many cinemas and theatres nearby, golfing options and even, balloon rides. You’re not short of entertainment for all the family at Windermere, even on a rainy day.
Set in the beautiful countryside, NorfolkBroads is a national park with over 125 miles of waterways, surrounded bycharming towns and villages. The Broads are known as the ‘Venice’ of the UK andhave more waterways than Amsterdam so really, it’s as if you really are jettingoff abroad.
The Norfolk Broads aren’t short of any activity and have too many to count for your family getaway. With so much to do, it can be impossible to know where to begin but the best way is by booking your family a boat and exploring a few of the waterways to get your bearings of the location. Around the Broads, there are different things to do from pottery, canoeing, to churches, horse riding and gardens to explore. The Broads really is a place like no other.
Cities are a hub of the bustle, entertainment and a whole heap of history and are prime location for kids to learn whilst they travel. If you’re looking for city recommendation, these are our favourite spots.
Brighton and Hove have the beauty of acity and beach, which gives it that calm-yet-busy appeal. The list of things todo in Brighton and Hove are limitless from its famous pier packed withentertainment and amusements, the shopping scene, wide variety of restaurantsand the SeaLife centre. And of course, unlike most cities, you have the pebbledbeach to relax on after a day of exploring with the kids.
Hove is the quieter side of Brighton with lots of parks, walking areas, churches and gardens for the whole family to enjoy.
Capital of Wales, although Cardiff isn’tthe largest city, it’s also not the smallest and has many things in store forfamilies. The city is mainly walkable which provides an opportunity to explorethe wonders on foot, roaming around the shops, eating out and experiencing everychance there is to learn something new.
The city is home to Cardiff Castle, battlements to discover, museums, Bute Park and Cardiff Bay is also nearby. You’ll all be city pros when you head home.
Located on the southwest of England,Bristol is an underrated city with a wealth of maritime history. The city hasmore to it than first meets the eye; home of Wallace and Grommit and pirates,it has dream kid destination written all over it.
Bristol has an ongoing list of things your family are able to get up to on your trip including boat tripping around the harbour, steam train rides, pirate tours, museums such as science and natural history, and the landmark of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The amount of activities will thrill your whole family and you’ll return home with a bucket-load of memories.
Thrill-seeking locations are easier to spot than you think, whether you’re looking for a rush of adrenaline or an experience that’ll last a lifetime with your family.
Located in northwest Wales, Snowdonia isa region and home to the famous Snowdonia National Park. For families that loveto hike and climb, this is a dream location to experience the mountain air andclimb up to great heights and experience amazing views.
The national park has a network of different walking and climbing trails, at varying degrees of difficulty, plus hundreds of lakes and craggy peaks to explore. And, aside from the main park, there is also many castles to see and an exciting steam train ride to take in all the scenic views.
For an experience like no other, theOrkney Islands are calling your name. Located off Scotland’s North Coast, theislands are made up of 5,000 old sites and encompass beautiful beaches,stunning sea cliffs and the opportunity to get up, close and personal with thelocal wildlife.
One of the thrill-seeking experiences to note is diving in Scapa Flow which is a body of water known for old shipwrecks and a wide variety of sea life to witness. It’s easy to reach by boat, like all of the islands – and by making a day trip of it, you can set base in mainland Orkney.
As Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO site, the Giant Causeway has more to it than you first think. Located on the northern coast of Northern Ireland, the Causeway has lots of different things to discover including the Grand Causeway, Giant’s Boot, The Wishing Chair and many glorious clifftop trails to explore. Imagine a combination of hiking and fab scenic views, that’s all of the joy the Giant Causeway will bring for your family.
If you’re planning your next family holiday, we offer a travel insurance policy to suit every family member and we also have a dedicated family travel insurance page here.
Often with budget airlines, you are left believing you have found a bargain yet you’re completely oblivious to all those additional fees and extras that more premium airlines would offer as standard.
Read more
For many, a holiday is a once-a-year treat, something you are willing to spend a little bit extra on. However just because you are happy to splurge and really treat yourself and loved ones, doesn’t mean you would turn down a good deal when you see one.
Read more
Some of us can just be spontaneous – going away last minute, booking a flight without giving it a second thought, even doing next-to-no research on the destination prior to swiping out the good old credit card and booking our trip.
Read moreMost airlines have some sort of frequent flyer scheme or loyalty programme, which as it suggests, rewards those who fly with the same airline time and time again. They work by collecting points for each mile you fly which can then be used to get free upgrades and discounted tickets.
Read more
2020 will forever be the Year of Lockdown, the year our holiday plans were cancelled or put on hold, and nothing got ticked off our travel bucket lists. Nevertheless, we must look forward to a time when travel restrictions will be lifted, and travel to all the amazing places the world has to offer will once again be possible.
Read more
Here at Holidaysafe HQ we understand that after months of staring at the same four walls, most of us are now daydreaming about exotic beaches, beautiful cities – or simply going somewhere different for a change in scenery. However, with ever-changing advice from the Government, it can be difficult to know where we can actually go.
Read more
After spendingweeks in lockdown, many of us may not feel comfortable taking our family abroadfor a holiday this year – and we completely understand!
That’s why we’ve put together a list of reasons why a staycation in the UK may be the best option for your family this year.
We haven’t been able to see our family and friends in months, so when we’re able to, what better way to enjoy being back together again than getting away and spending a long weekend or so reminding yourselves of just how much you appreciate eachother. You bring the nibbles, we’ll bring the bubbles.
We can all agree that we’ve developed a new appreciation for the beautiful country we live in. Whether it’s a trip to the beach you’re after or a break in a more rural area, Great Britain really does offer some amazing places suitable for the whole family.
Let’s face it, the cost of living crisis has had a financial impact across the UK (and the world!). So this year, lots of people will be looking for ways to save on the pennies while still enjoying a short getaway – and what better way than to do this than taking a trip a little closer for home.
Booking a trip in the UK not only takes less time to plan but more often than not it also takes you less time to get there! For example, by the time you’ve arrived at the airport two hours before your flight, boarded the plane, landed, collected your suitcase at the other end and got a taxi to your resort, you might as well have driven from Portsmouth to Scotland!
Carbon emissions have dramatically decreased while the world has been in lockdown – and nature has seen the benefit from this. We’ve seen much clearer waters, bluer skiers, and a boom in wildlife. So why undo all the good we’ve done for the sake of a tan?
As the saying goes, charity starts at home. So many of us may feel more comfortable investing our money in local or nationwide businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus before we splash out abroad.
We completely get it! We’ve spent over three months sheltering away in lockdown, so there’s no surprise that it may take some time before we feel secure enough to jump on a plane to somewhere tropical. Until then, a holiday near home may just be the next best thing.
As of the 8th of June 2020, anyone who enters Britain will have to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival – this includes those who return to the UK after going on holiday! The idea of spending another two weeks in complete lockdown may put some off going abroad completely. Not to mention that those who are unable to work from home may be required to take an additional two weeks off work just to isolate!
If you feel like packing your car up and travelling on a Tuesday then why not! With no one to ask (apart from your boss, the accommodation providers, and probably your partner) staying in the UK gives you a lot more flexibility with your travel dates! More often than not, you can also get great last-minute deals as accommodation providers are keen to fill their rooms.
Is it good at the minute? Is it bad? Who knows! We’re going through a pandemic, the last thing you need to worry about is the best place to exchange your pounds for a couple of extra euros!
Who said you had to go away this summer? Of course, more people prefer to take staycations during the summer months as the weather tends to be a little nicer, but there’s nothing stopping you from booking a log cabin in October and enjoying country walks, pub lunches and a dip in a warm hot tub, a little later in the year.
If socially distancing is playing on your mind, a staycation will give you great comfort in the fact that you can keep your distance from others. You can drive to your destination in your own car, stay in accommodation that you’re comfortable with, and participate in activities during your break where you feel safe (for example, avoiding busy beaches and opting for a walk instead).
This goes without saying: staycations are much easier than going abroad when you have children. Apart from the usual aspects of being able to travel at your own leisure, bring as much luggage as you like, and be familiar with your local supermarkets, a staycation will provide that extra level of comfort for parents who are worried about their children mixing with other households. It will be much more manageable to encourage your children to play with their siblings in say a rented cottage for the weekend than it would in a busy foreign hotel.
Let’s not forget about these little guys! Our pets have been used to having us all to themselves for months now. So what better to keep their spirits up than to take them on holiday with you before the household slowly but surely disappears back into reality? Staycations really are great for all the family!
If you want to read more about the travel insurance that we provide for staycations please visit our UK Travel insurance page here. Or, if you’d like to read about the benefits of our travel insurance, read our dedicated travel insurance benefits page here.
If you’re looking to book your next staycation, don’t forget to get a quote with us to make sure that you’re covered!
As your dreams of sun-kissed Mediterranean beaches fade quicker than your grandma’s holiday snaps you may be feeling a bit glum about your summer holiday choices for this year.
But don’t despair. Britain has so much to offer! If the idea of a wet weekend at the seaside doesn’t float your boat, then read on.
Read moreHolidaysafe is a trading name of Travel Insurance Facilities Plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 306537. Registered Office: Suite 12, 20 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4YU. Travel Insurance Facilities Plc registered in England No. 3220410. All rights reserved. All policies offered are on a non-advised basis.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has up-to-date advice on staying safe abroad, see gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. FCDO Travel Advice can change so check regularly for the latest information and sign up to email alerts for your destination. For more general travel information, visit the FCDO Travel Aware website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk.
Ɨ Please note, Holidaysafe’s online prices automatically include a 15% discount against our Customer Service Centre prices. This is discounted from our core policy price before you add any additional cost of optional extensions or additional medical premium. Discount codes cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount. Only one discount code may be applied per purchase.
* For full pricing, discount and reviews T&Cs please click here
