UK Winter Staycations

18.12.24

Airport queues. The stress of delays and cancellations. Did I leave the passports on the dryer? Winter getaways abroad aren’t always a sight for tired winter eyes. That’s why we’re banging the drum for winter staycations in the UK. Frosty coastal walks, cosy countryside retreats, or city vibes that make you want to sell up and move there. It’s all waiting on your doorstep with a little steer from your friends at The Aqua Contractor.

Winter Haven

When you think of Haven Holiday Parks, your mind probabley meanders to sunny sands and summer barbecues. But Haven’s coastal parks are winter-ready too. Many of their sites remain open in the colder months, boasting heated indoor pools, entertainment, and warm, toasty caravans to hunker down in after a bracing beach walk. We undertook weed removal works at Haven’s Lakeland Holiday Park and you can read all about it here.

Head to Cornwall’s Perran Sands for dramatic coastal views or hop to Norfolk’s Hopton-on-Sea to catch the sunrise over the North Sea. With quieter surroundings and off-season prices, you’ll get all the beauty without the beastly crowds.

Cotswolds cottages

The Cotswolds in winter. It’s like you just stepped right into your very own Netflix Christmas movie (or Channel 5 perhaps?) set in a dreamy wee cottage made from honey-coloured stone and dripping in charm. With its quaint wee villages and windy roads, this is a great place in which to hole yourself up for a few days in winter. And if too much bliss bores the pants off you, there are plenty of Christmas markets to see, in the likes of Cheltenham and Bourton-on-the-water. Both are beautiful at this time of year.

Speed bonnie boat

The word spiritual is used so liberally these days, but we can safely attach it to a description of the Isle of Skye in winter (pictured). What a stunning place whose rugged aspect takes on an otherworldly beauty in winter. The Cuillin mountains are likely going to be snow-capped, lochs moodier, and cliffs Oscar-winning dramatic. Wintry walks to the Old Man of Storr and Fairy Pools knock a blistering beach holiday into a cocked hat. Peace, tranquillity, and views to Skye for!

YORKSHIRE COAST & DALES

Scarborough’s rugged coastal beauty must be up there in the most stunning coastal resorts in the UK. Split into two bays and with a castle ruin atop the cliffs, one bay is more commercial and full of twinkly lights and a harbour, while the other is quiet and unspoilt, so there’s something for everyone. Winter walks along the beaches really do blow the cobwebs away, plus you can explore the rest of the North Yorkshire coast while you’re at it, Filey, Robin Hood’s Bay and Bridlington.

If the extremities of the North Yorkshire coast are a little too bracing for you, come in land to the Yorkshire Dales. Rolling hills, winding stone walls, and tiny villages where time seems to be preserved in aspec. The leisurely-paced Dales are perfect for those who love peace, quiet, and hearty Yorkshire hospitality. There are loads of cosy cottages and traditional inns. Malham Cove or Aysgarth Falls are well worth a gander in winter.

What a Brighton idea

Brighton has its own winter charm too, and is especially well served by independent shops. The Royal Pavilion’s ice rink is also worth checking out. Skating in front of this exotic palace can leave you feeling all filmic. And when the sea air gets too much, why not duck into one of Brighton’s many cafes?

Snowdonia

Crisp mountain air. Breathtaking scenery, Snowdonia really does take the biscuit, and so might you if you’re going to climb it in winter. Likewise make sure to dress appropriately and check the weather.

If you prefer a slower pace to life, then a traditional Welsh cottage stay, complete with a log burner and plenty of blankets is a place you can pretend you've ciimbed to on the side of a snowy mountain. And don’t forget to sample some Welsh cakes or bara brith.

Bath

Bath’s Georgian architecture and Roman baths look even more magical by twinkling lights. On a frosty evening, why not take a dip in the Thermae Bath Spa’s rooftop pool for steamy views of the city below?

Bath’s Christmas market is a real gem, with over 150 stalls selling everything from handmade gifts to food that defies expectations and description. And for literature lovers, the Jane Austen Centre is where you can discover how this author lived and worked.

Sources:

Haven Holidays

Visit Cotswolds

Isle of Skye Official Guide

Visit Brighton

Visit Snowdonia

Visit Bath

Yorkshire Dales National Park