The Great British Take-off: 5 Staycation hot Spots
It’s a warm, sunny day in early July. Glasgow Airport would normally be teeming with tourists itching to catch a tan on their travels. Lines for airport check-ins nearly spilling out the door, the bustling food courts, the nervous-excitement that comes with each flight announcement. Despite the hassle, airport travel’s tinge of anticipation that hung in the air was infectious.
Sadly, the idea of Glasgow Airport accommodating anywhere near its usual amount of happy holiday-makers simply isn’t possible in 2021. The desolate terminal has been gathering dust for nearly two years - thanks to COVID-related travel bans. The world’s borders are slowly reopening, but overseas travel still looks as though it’s in for a late arrival.
An impromptu getaway to Ibiza might not be in the cards this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spread your wings closer to home. So here are five Great British staycation ideas you might want to try:
Seahouses
Where is it?
Located in the North East of England along the Northumberland Coast, Seahouses is the ideal destination for those in dire need of a sandy break. This little fishing town has an exquisite view of the coast and, despite its size, it’s unlikely you’ll run out of things to do.
What is there to do?
FISHING
Stunning beaches aside, Seahouses is well-known along the coast for its vast fishing industry, in fact, many claim Kippers were first discovered by fishermen here. It’s no surprise that the town’s harbour attracts tourists from all over.
DAY TRIPS
Seahouses is a great hub for exploring the Northumberland Coast. Their harbour does boat trips across to the Farne Islands and the town is also only 20km north of Alnwick, another beautiful town in the English countryside, whose castle was the setting for many scenes in Harry Potter. Another imposing castle can be found a few miles north of Seahouses in the picturesque village of Bamborough, whose pristine beach provides a great place to fly a kite.
THE TOWN
Throughout the day and even into the night, the town is buzzing with visitors and locals alike. Their fantastic fish and chip shops and atmospheric pubs attract tourists by the dozen, while their arcades, amusements and gift shops along the strip should keep the kids busy.
Liverpool
Where is it?
The Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool is a fantastic place to visit if you’re looking for a city escape. The Merseyside metropolis makes its mark in the North West of England, where the River Mersey meets the Irish Sea, making for another beautiful coastal view.
What is there to do?
MUSEUMS
Liverpool’s Albert Dock is home to some of the most renowned museums and galleries in the country. There’s lots to learn as you can visit so many, including; Liverpool’s TATE Modern, the Slavery Museum and the Merseyside Maritime Museum.
CITY CENTRE
Fancy some urban exploration? Liverpool’s city centre is truly a Scouse spectacle. It’s jam packed with five shopping centres, more than 400 shops and two department stores. If you’re looking for a true taste of Liverpudlian life, look no further.
THE CAVERN
Liverpool’s vibrant music culture has garnered something of a reputation for itself. The Cavern Club, which opened in 1957, is often credited for creating the Merseybeat sound and hosting The Beatles in some of their famous early performances. The Cavern is now open as a tourist attraction and also hosts live gigs.
St. Ives
Where is it?
From a distance, St. Ives a brightly coloured sweep of quaint buildings scattered along the Celtic Sea’s lush green coast. Visiting the town is a different story, however, as you’ll quickly discover St. Ives’ ever-growing culture of contemporary art that tourists can immerse themselves in.
What is there to do?
SURFING
St. Ives is home to some of Britain’s best beaches, so it’s no surprise that the Cornish town is such a hot-spot for surfing. For newbies looking to break into the waves - St. Ives Surf School offers beginner’s lessons in surfing, paddle boarding and kayaking from £40 to help you become a sovereign of the seas.
ART GALLERIES
Art is deeply ingrained into the St. Ives lifestyle. Walk down any street in the town and you’ll encounter all kinds of art that you can buy, interact with or simply admire. Popular with tourists is their TATE Modern, which includes the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, something that is worth a visit for art-lovers.
SEAL ISLAND
Seal Island is the largest island in The Carracks, a group of Cornish islands perched just 3.5 miles west of St. Ives. The beaches of this tiny land mass are permanent residence to a colony of seals. Boat trips from St. Ives to Seal Island run all day until 9PM and offer visitors the chance to spot the creatures in their natural habitat. If there was ever any doubt about going to St. Ives, hopefully this can seal the deal.
Aviemore
Where is it?
Slap bang in the middle of Cairngorms National Park, this Highland haven is Scotland’s answer to the alps. The mountainous paradise is best known for its hazy lochs, mysterious forests, rare wildlife and its ski trails. Aviemore is, without a doubt, Scotland’s adventure-tourism capital.
What is there to do?
WILDLIFE PARKS
If you’re keen on nature, Highland Wildlife Park is just outside of Aviemore. The reserve includes a driven path around the park, which allows guests to discover endangered and rare species of animals from the safety of their own cars. Inside the park are all sorts of animals, ranging from tigers, to polar bears to wild-cats, making for a fun, educational experience.
SKIING
Whether you’re a professional or a rookie, it’s almost tradition to slide down Aviemore’s slopes, or at least try! With ski shops and resorts littered across the town, picking up some skis and heading for the hills couldn’t be easier. Just make sure you pack a winter coat.
ADVENTURE PARKS
Landmark Adventure Park, just north of Aviemore, is a fun, family-oriented theme park that features rope-walks, roller-coasters, sky-diving, safaris water-rides and much more. For families travelling to Aviemore, Landmark Adventure Park is something that both children and parents can enjoy.
Blackpool
Where is it?
An oldie, but a goodie, Blackpool is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest holiday resort towns. Based along the coast of the Irish Sea, the town is probably best known for its pier which is full of amusement arcades and its theme park - Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which was built way back in 1894.
What is there to do?
PLEASURE BEACH
The most popular tourist attraction in Blackpool, Pleasure Beach contains the largest collection of wooden roller coasters in the United Kingdom. The park’s largest coaster, “The Big One” was once the tallest roller coaster in the world upon its opening in 1994. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a must for any thrill-seekers.
BLACKPOOL TOWER
Take a trip to the top of one of Britain’s most beloved landmarks, the Blackpool Tower, for a view of the town from 158m above. The tower is well-known for hosting the final of “Strictly Come Dancing” every year in its world-renowned ballroom. It also has an observation deck, a circus, an aquarium, a menagerie and a family entertainment centre.
THE COMEDY CARPET
On Blackpool Tower’s doorstep is one of the UK’s largest art installations - The Comedy Carpet. The instillation celebrates the jokes and quips of more than a thousand of Britain’s best comedy acts. Whilst it’s not high-brow, it’s certainly high-larious, which is what Blackpool is all about.