Once upon a time travelling within your home country for your summer holiday was unthinkable with holidays traditionally reserved for planning ways of getting as far away as possible for a week or two!
However, with the rise of so-called “staycations” showing some love for your country and discovering what’s on your very doorstep is a fun, cost-effective alternative if you can’t make it anywhere exotic, hate flying or simply enjoy the simplicity of travelling for a couple of hours or less.
So, if you fancy avoiding the fuss of boarding passes, passports and potential delays, and would rather be the boss of your own trip and run it on your own schedule, then read on for our top five staycation ideas across the UK and Ireland.
North Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland
As Northern Ireland is the home of Lighthouse, we just couldn’t resist showing some love for the laudable North Antrim Coast.
The Causeway Coastal route, a driving route by the North Antrim coast, has been rated as one of the top 5 road trips (worldwide!). It is, undoubtedly, the best way to see the best of the North Antrim Coast which really has quite a lot jam packed into it.
From Carrickfergus castle, the nine Glens of Antrim, and the Dark Hedges (a must-see for any Game of Thrones fans), to the Gobbins, the Giant’s Causeway and much, much more, there is no shortage of things to see and do by the breathtaking North Coast.
Wherever across the coast that you choose to base yourself, they key spots are all a short drive from one another, so its really easy to spread your staycation across a number of days or a week.
Devon, England
Devon is the perfect location for a family staycation because it has a bit of everything - shopping, beaches, national parks, and castles a-plenty, you certainly aren’t limited on a trip to Devon. Rated as the third most popular staycation destination, it is easy to see why.
Home to the picturesque English riviera, you can have a nautical experience working your way through this series of quaint harbour towns such as Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Stop off for award winning fish and chips in Babbacombe, or have a stroll along Breakwater beach.
Snowdonia, Wales
With the biggest mountain in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon, a large national park, and lots of valleys and villages to discover, a trip to Snowdonia is definitely one to take if you’re feeling you need to escape the grind of daily life.
Explore the beautiful coastal village of Portmeirion, take a boat trip out to the tallest Lighthouse in the UK or delve 500 feet underground, into the Llechwedd Slate Caverns.
Ayrshire, Scotland
With lots of kids-friendly campsites, Ayr is the perfect family staycation retreat that won’t break the bank. Nestled by the sea, relaxing strolls along the promenade with an ice cream in hand are an absolute must.
For fun day trips, jump back in history and visit Culzean castle. Explore its beautifully maintained gardens and rockpools. There’s even a bookshop to pick up some reading material for sitting in the walled garden and letting the world go by. You can extend your Scottish history lesson by heading to the Robert Burns birthplace museum.
Galway, Republic of Ireland
Immerse yourself in Irish culture on the winding, cobblestone streets of Galway.
Merging city life and coastal vibes together, Galway is where you’ll have excellent shopping options and an artsy feel from the abundance of students that make up the population but also have a calming rural retreat in the surrounding landscape.
Take a day trip out to the Cliffs of Moher, or keep yourself city-bound and with a visit to Galway's centrepiece - Eyre square. Whatever you choose, you won't be short of choice on a trip to Galway city.
Where are your favourite staycation destinations? Tweet us @lighthousestyle!