Top 4 UK staycations for families to take this summer

Where to stay
For both convenience and comfort, Holiday Inn® Bristol Filton should be your first port of call. Set just outside of the city centre, it’s a quick drive into the action, with plenty of relaxation available on your doorstep – including a sauna and the fitness club, a lake, and a lounge-bar open 24 hours a day, with hot and continental breakfast options for you, meaning you’ll start every day of your stay off in style.

What to do
You might not be getting on a plane this summer, but a trip to Bristol means you can definitely find out more about them at Aerospace Bristol. At this brilliant interactive museum, you can explore the last Concorde, learn about aviation history, and visit a Grade II WWII aircraft hangar. If you’re up for a trip a little further out, however, and you’re up for an adventure, you can hardly get better than stunning Cheddar Gorge, one of the UK’s most jaw-dropping sites of natural beauty: whether you’re a history buff or an adrenaline junkie, there’ll be plenty to interest you here. 

Where to stay
There’s nowhere better to stay than in the city centre when in Liverpool, so check out – and check in to – Holiday Inn® Express Liverpool Royal Albert Dock. It’s situated inside a stunningly renovated 19th-century warehouse, and it’s perfectly located to enjoy everything that this absolutely buzzing city has to offer, whether that’s culture (at nearby Tate Liverpool), entertainment (the M&S Bank Arena is just around the corner), or shopping at Liverpool ONE Shopping Centre. 

What to do 
The Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, which you’ll be conveniently located for, is the best starting point and the most-visited free tourist destination in the north west with loads of museums, galleries, restaurants and shops. Our picks? Tate Liverpool for a culture fix, the Beatles Story – because, The Beatles! – and Escape Hunt for solving puzzles in a race against the clock. Afterwards, why not scale the colourful walls at Clip ‘n Climb Liverpool or go for a behind-the-scenes tour of Anfield Stadium? As the home of Liverpool F.C., football-mad little ones are sure to get a kick.

Where to stay
Right next to Edinburgh Zoo, Holiday Inn® Edinburgh overlooks the animal enclosures and Pentland Hills, meaning it’s got views for days. Better still, there’s an indoor pool for the kids and a spa with sauna for you, while everything is within easy reach of the city’s historic centre. We love the comfortable and stylish rooms with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and pillow menus – yes, really. But the best bit? Kids stay and eat free, meaning you can make the most of the European-inspired menu serving up something for everyone in the relaxed restaurant. The icing on the cake? Free parking.

What to do
Thought Edinburgh was all about the Fringe? Think again. Firstly, you’ve got Edinburgh Castle with its Crown Jewels, old cannons and creepy dungeons, not to mention some of the best views of the city. Elsewhere, there’s Camera Obscura & World of Illusions – think mazes, optical illusions and more – as well as Dynamic Earth, the science centre with an interactive exhibition that lets you experience an earthquake first-hand. And don’t forget the Royal Mile, a historic street buzzing with street performers and quirky shops, which is completely free to explore.

Where to stay
Close to all the action of Bicester Village is Holiday Inn® Express Bicester, where you’re just a hop, skip and a jump from the 150 boutique outlets calling your name. Hotel-wise, there’s free breakfast, including hot and continental options, as well as a stylish bar lounge for a refreshing tipple after a day pounding the pavement – plus a large, plush bed for flopping on when you eventually retire to your room. Fancy exploring further afield? It’s the perfect base for a breezy 20-minute drive to Blenheim Palace, or a quick trip into London, just 48 minutes away by train.

What to do
When in Bicester, there’s one obvious thing to do and that’s… shop to your heart’s content! Renowned for being one of the UK's largest premier open-air retail outlet shopping destinations, Bicester Village is the place to visit for scoring luxury lifestyle deals alongside fine-dining and personal styling services – if that’s your vibe. However, when in Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is probably the most beautiful (and historic) place to spend the day in sunshine. From the incredible walks to mind-blowing natural beauty, you can easily while away a full day with the whole fam. 

Ready to sort your staycation?
Whether you're craving a coastal escape or a city break, IHG Hotels & Resorts has the perfect summer staycation that won’t break the bank. And remember: IHG One Rewards members save 15% at select European locations with the Flexible Saver rate this summer, for bookings from 20 June 2026 to 20 March 2027, and joining is completely free. Book by August 31 here. Terms apply.