When planning a staycation in the UK, the same recommendations come up time and again. You hear a lot about London and Cornwall, and sometimes you get sick of being told ‘St Ives is literally my favourite place in the world’ by your extended family.
If you’re looking for some under-the-radar staycay spots, luckily for you the kind people at Independent Cottages have done some digging and discovered the best places in the UK that you’ve probably never heard of. Next time you’re planning a weekend break, try out one of these little-known domestic destinations.
To uncover the most underrated locations in the country, the holiday rental company went through two years of data and analysed the places which have increased the most in popularity. Of course the classic breaks remain popular – the Lake District will never not be a spiritual recluse – but a few surprising places made their way up the list.
Enough context. Here’s what you came for. The best up-and coming staycation destinations are as follows.
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Less than a five-minute drive from the Peak District National Park, it’s easy to see why this classic English countryside village has become popular. With less than 10,000 residents, Ashbourne is ideal if you want a proper escape into the Derbyshire countryside. Plus it’s only slightly giving ‘Hot Fuzz’, so your chances of being impaled by a church spire are fairly low.
Taunton, Somerset
It’s easy to reject Taunton as no more than a stopping off place between Exeter and Bristol. But it’s more than that – Taunton’s got some lovely gardens and at least three good shopping streets. Admittedly a little less exciting than Ashbourne, but still a great place for a relaxing weekend away where good food, cute boutiques and pretty walks are all right on your doorstep.
Leek, Staffordshire
According to Independent Cottages, Leek has gotten more popular in the past two years than any other place in the entire country, making it the official ‘most improved player’. Another rural market town, Leek is the perfect meeting of countryside and metropolitan life, being only a short drive away from Stoke-on-Trent. It’s also ideal for families, as it sits moments away from the north’s favourite amusement park, Alton Towers. It is, coincidentally, only a half hour away from Ashbourne, so you could even do them both in one weekend if you felt like it.
Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
If you haven’t been to the Lake District before, you should probably visit. At the risk of sounding like a tipsy family member, it is easily the most beautiful place in England. So it’s no surprise that a Cumbria village has made its way to this top five. Kirkby Stephen is lesser known than other towns nearby, and is praised by Independent Cottages for its ‘heritage railways, impressive castles, and gorgeous natural surroundings’.
Monmouth, Wales
If getting to be around Welsh people for a long weekend wasn’t enough of a draw, Monmouth in the Wye Valley is perfectly situated amongst rolling Welsh scenery. Interest for the town has increased by 11 percent in recent years, so now’s the perfect time to visit before it gets cool.
So there you have it. Save some money this Easter and try somewhere off the beaten track. Then, in ten years when these places are overrun with tourists, you can brag about being a trendsetter.
Looking for more travel advice?
Look no further. Have a look at our guide to where to stay in the UK this year, or check out the best new things to do in 2024 this side of the channel. If you want your summer to be like a coming-of-age film, head on one of the best UK road trips, or pray for good weather to visit some of our best beaches.
Did you see that four UK cities are officially the best in the world- according to us!
Plus: 2024 will be a huge year for seeing the Northern lights in the UK.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.