Pristine sandy beaches, impeccable restaurants, glimmering sea water and 28 degree sunshine – who needs Spain or Greece when you can get all of those things right here in the UK? Over the past few years, Brits have been giving their motherland the appreciation it deserves, with more people sacking off holidays abroad to explore places much closer to home – 63 percent of us plan to stay in the UK for our summer holiday this year, according to a report by Sykes Holiday Cottages.
But which places in the UK are actually worth the visit? You can use Time Out’s guide to our 15 favourite places to visit in the country for 2025 to help you decide on your next staycation spot, or you could follow the crowd and take inspiration from people who’ve already booked theirs.
After delving into its booking data, Sykes Holiday Cottages named Yorkshire seaside town Whitby the hottest UK destination for the 2025 summer holidays. It’s the site’s most in demand destination over the school break, with bookings up by four percent year on year.
We can see why Whitby is high up on everyone’s list. It’s got the gorgeously gothic Whitby Abbey, which is said to have inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, picture-perfect coastline at Whitby Sands, Sandsend Beach, and Saltwick Bay Beach, and a seriously good offering of food, from the cured fish at Fortune’s Kippers to the humungous sarnies at Mary’s Sandwich Shop.
If you want some R&R, there’s the luxurious Saltmoore spa resort and if you’re into nautical history, you can set sail on an authentic replica of HMS Endeavour, the ship sailed by Captain James Cook during his scientific expedition of 1768. See Time Out’s full list of the very best things to do in Whitby here.
James Shaw, managing director of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: ‘It’s no surprise to see Whitby leading the way for school summer holidays this year. Its mix of natural beauty, rich history and family-friendly activities continues to draw visitors, both with and without children, from across the country.
‘We’re seeing more families prioritise stress-free getaways that cater to all ages – whether that means scenic coastlines, charming local towns or easy access to the great outdoors. The destinations featured in the top 10 strike the right balance between convenience and character, making them ideal for switching off, reconnecting, and creating lasting memories together.’
Sykes found that Windermere in the Lake District was the second most booked destination for summer 2025, followed by Weymouth in Dorset.
The 10 most popular locations for the 2025 school summer holidays, according to Sykes Holiday Cottages
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Windermere, Cumbria
- Weymouth, Dorset
- Ambleside, Cumbria
- Lyme Regis, Dorset
- Keswick, Cumbria
- Scarborough, North Yorkshire
- Dartmouth, Devon
- Salcombe, Devon
- Carbis Bay, Cornwall
ICYMI: An interactive map has just launched of historic seaside attractions in England.
Plus: Four British beaches have been named in the 50 best in the world.
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