Best UK Holiday Destinations
Think you need to travel far to find culture, fabulous beaches, and exotic cuisine? Think again! We’re going to bring you a selection of the best UK holiday destinations, with something for everyone. We’ll look at sites (like Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall), things to do in Cornwall, the Lake District National Park, the Peak District National Park, Northern Ireland Counties, and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Read on to find out why you should be planning a UK staycation…
Why choose a UK holiday destination?
More Brits are choosing to holiday on their home shore than ever before. Why not join the trend as there are plenty of perks to staying ‘home’. The main benefits of choosing a UK holiday destination are:
- The variety of stunning landscapes on offer, including beaches, mountains, forests, national parks.
- A plethora of historical, cultural, mythical locations to explore.
- It’s better for the environment! You can be a climate change warrior and still explore the world.
- It’s better for you and your family! Think less stress and less time travelling to your destination (that equals more time actually on your holiday).
- You’ll get more for your money. With the depreciation of the pound, the perks of travelling overseas for cheap food and drink aren’t the same.
Even though you’re travelling in the UK, you should still look at purchasing travel insurance (single trip or annual multi-trip). This can cover you for:
Lost, stolen or damaged belongings.
Transport cancellation/delays.
Accommodation cancellation.
Dedicated sports or activities i.e. rafting, skiing, golf.
Transfer closer to home if you are taken to hospital.
Glasgow for culture: Royal Concert Hall & West End restaurants
It’s no secret that Glasgow is a great city to visit (and if you weren’t aware, stop hiding under that rock!). It’s one of the most intriguing and diverse cultural hubs the UK has to offer. This is what makes it such a top UK holiday destination.
Did you know that Glasgow is part of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network? It is also a UNESCO City of Music, a much-coveted title, recognising Glasgow’s musical history and involvement in promoting modern-day music. At the beating heart of this music scene is the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
The prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is one of the largest halls in the UK. It hosts everything from classical music, opera, ballet, pop, and country music to comedy gigs. As with every great cultural space you can also find art and photographic exhibits there. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy at this national treasure.
We checked out some reviews from concert-goers and art-lovers and they are overwhelmingly positive:
- Facebook (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Page) - rated 4.6 stars out of five.
- Google Reviews - rated 4.6 stars here as well.
- TripAdvisor - rated 4.5 stars on this site.
“This is the best venue I have ever been to. I have been to over 500 gigs in my life and this hall is the best for views and wonderful acoustics. I live in Edinburgh and want to say it’s the second best but it's not!” - TripAdvisor Customer
Across all the sites, the venue is praised for its wonderful acoustics and comfortable seating. Sounds like a great night out to us!
With all the gigs you may want to see, you’ll need some energy. Glasgow offers a wonderful array of cuisines and restaurants. Make sure you’re not hungry before you read our next section!
Glasgow Restaurants: West End
There are many neighbourhoods doubling as awesome food havens in Glasgow. Since you’re going on a cultural extravaganza, we thought we would highlight Glasgow Restaurants in the West End to round off your trip. You are planning on dancing the night away or being serenaded at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, so you’ll need some sustenance!
Here’s just a snippet of exotic Glasgow Restaurants in the West End:
- Cail Bruich - has been listed in the Sunday Times 100 and mentioned in the Michelin Guide. It serves up lip-smacking Scottish fare and is the perfect place for a special occasion.
- Tiffney’s Steakhouse - “the home of dry-aged beef”.
- Viva Brazil - try the chilli chicken, fried chilli and mango prawns, and cinnamon pineapple.
- Black Sheep Bistro - has a full menu but just listen to the sound of these desserts: Ferrero Rocher cheesecake or meringue and puff candy ice-cream.
We could go on all day about Glasgow but let’s move onto something a little different. We’re heading to a place where you can swap the watch for a surfboard wrist strap. You guessed it... Cornwall!
Cornwall: things to do, best beaches (including dog-friendly)
Cornwall has long been a popular UK holiday destination and with good reason! Famed for its beauty, laid-back vibe and beaches, it’s a great pick for families, single adventurers, couples, and groups!
Cornwall: things to do
There is no end of things to do in Cornwall. You could make it an action-packed holiday or take it easy and unwind. Here are some of the highlights:
- Eden Project - eco-park and educational centre where you can wander through artificial biomes full of plants from across the globe.
- Tintagel Castle - is a medieval fortification. This awe-inspiring site is set on the cliffs and is guaranteed to take your breath away.
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan - great for all ages, it is renowned for being one of the best botanical gardens in the UK.
Cornwall: best beaches, including dog-friendly options
Cornwall’s best beaches are regularly mentioned in beach lists and articles around the world. This international recognition can make it busy, but with an enormous number of beaches, you can always find a cosy spot. There are also plenty of vibrant beach towns where you can find surf schools by day and bars by night.
- Perranporth (Penhale Sands) - a bustling seaside holiday village with surf schools and other activities.
- Godrevy Beach - this rugged stretch of coast is no stranger to big swells, adding to its mystical-style beauty.
- Porthcurno Beach - set next to impressive granite cliffs, it boasts turquoise water and golden sand. Need we say more?
One of the best things about holidaying at home is that you can easily take all your family members (including your best pooch friend). There are at least 20 dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall. You can find detailed information on Cornwall’s dog-friendly beaches, including a map and even information on parking.
Lake District: things to do, national park & mountains
Our next UK holiday destination pick is the Lake District. We think you’ll love this area for its beautiful scenery, tranquillity, and ‘getting back to nature’.
The most popular things to do in the Lake District are:
- Explore the Lake District National Park - England’s largest national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend days taking leisurely strolls and having picnics, or get out the walking poles and burn off some calories whilst admiring the beauty.
- Hike Lake District Mountains - home to Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain) and at least 200 fell tops, you could be busy hiking here for weeks! Always check the weather forecast and pack appropriately.
Peak District: national park and best walks
The Peak District National Park is perfect for cycling, walking and wildlife watching. Located virtually smack bang in the middle of England, it makes it an accessible UK holiday destination for many.
Some of the Peak District’s best walks are along its four recreational trails. Formerly railway lines, they are easy to navigate and can be used by walkers and cyclists. Look at the Thornhill Trail for beginners or families, and the Tissington Trail for a long walk if you want to make a day of it (don’t forget to pack water and snacks!).
Northern Ireland counties: choose one or visit them all!
Northern Ireland is formed of six counties. They date back to the 16th century so there is no shortage of history here! We think it makes a great UK holiday destination because each county has something special to offer.
What are the Northern Ireland Counties?
- Antrim - home to the vibrant city of Belfast, you can easily start your holiday here if you need to fly. Then you could drive the Causeway Coastal Route, visit Glenarm Castle, sample some whiskey at Old Bushmills Distillery, and visit Antrim town (featuring listed historic buildings, monuments and landscaped grounds).
- Armagh - there’s plenty to do here but just to whet your appetite, why not go to the food and cider festival? It’s held in September and you’re guaranteed to find superior artisan cider and a tantalising array of dishes to try. If you can’t make it in September, you could still book a cider tour.
- Down - a perfect place for a stroll through the countryside and then a well-deserved pit stop at the Rademon Estate Distillery for Shortcross Gin and Irish Whiskey. They even hold a gin and tonic masterclass, so you could impress all your friends when you get home!
- Fermanagh - is covered with lakes and waterways. It also has a whopping 24,000 hectares of forest cover. Grab the walking poles and picnic hamper!
- Londonderry - (also called Derry), visit this old walled city which is the only one in Ireland with its walls completely intact. This is no mean feat considering the walls were built between 1613–1619!
- Tyrone - adrenalin-packed activities await you here. You could try your hand at mountain biking, blindfold Land Rover driving, body zorbing and many more hair-raising sports. Just please make sure you check your travel insurance policy before you sign up for these!
Brecon Beacons National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park is located in South Wales. If you’re dreaming of a peaceful getaway then this UK holiday destination is the one for you. The area features mountains, waterfalls and castles to explore.
That famous, friendly Welsh hospitality is waiting for you too. Abergavenny is a town located just on the outskirts and is an absolute visual delight to wander through. If you’re a foodie (who isn’t?!) it simply has to be on your hit list, with numerous gastro pubs and an annual food festival you don’t want to miss (don’t say you weren’t warned!).
We hope that you’re inspired to visit these diverse and wonderful UK holiday destinations that are on your doorstep. It’s time to put away the passport and explore your new home-away-from-home.
All material on this page and the selectra.co.uk website is for information purposes only and does not constitute any form of financial advice. Selectra.co.uk is not responsible for any consequences that might arise from your use of the information provided.