Fancy a staycation?
Planning a holiday this summer, but don’t know where to go — have you ever thought of a staycation? With some stunning parts of the UK, where would you go…? Here are a few ideas, so you can say hiya to you neighbours’ car and drive onwards to your chosen destination.
1. London
We could write you a whole separate article on London alone, a bustling capital city with lots to see and do on any given day. Full of arts and culture, you can wander around museums like the Tate modern by day, and enjoy a theatre show in the West End by night, as there is certainly no shortage to choose from. Stunning views of the city can be enjoyed from the London Eye, or the more recently built The Shard, a 95-story skyscraper and the tallest building in the United Kingdom. Cruise down the Thames on an organised boat tour to hear fun facts from the guide, shop until you drop, or simply see all the sights such as Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, and the many other tourist spots on offer. London is surprisingly a very green city, meaning lots of beautiful parks scattered around for your enjoyment, including Hyde Park, Greenwich, Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill to name a few. East London is a creative hub, with amazing street markets offering vintage clothing and international cuisines to suit all tastes, and well worth a visit.
Fun fact: the red telephone kiosk was designed by Sir Giles Gilert Scott in 1924 by the request of the post office, and first installed in London.
2. Brighton
Often hailed as London by the sea, Brighton is an English seaside resort town, with plenty to see and do for the whole family. The lengthy Brighton Pier is packed with fun rides and food kiosks, and the shingle beach offers seafood kiosks, bars and shops. The pictured Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence located in Brighton. Now a public attraction with around 400,000 visitors annually. Brighton is also known for its nightlife, arts scene, festivals and shopping, during the summer months you will find many Londoners heading to Brighton to enjoy a day out complete with fish and chips by the sea.
Fun fact: A musical history, Pink Floyd debuted Dark Side of the Moon at Brighton Dome in 1972, and Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo at Brighton Dome in 1974.
3. Cornwall Beaches
OK, beaches in the UK we hear you giggle, we know… but bear with us here! Cornwall is something of it’s own, with over 400 beaches accessible by foot, many magical and well worth the trip. The North Coast is exposed to the Atlantic producing some great surf. The South Coast is more sheltered with stunning coves, like the pictured Kynance Cove, when you fancy hanging up your surfboard for the day and taking the time to chill with a picnic on the beach. Cornwall is also famous for the Cornish pasties, and the delicious Cornish ice-cream. The more busy towns in Cornwall also offer great shopping and nightlife, and you can visit Land’s End, which is Britain’s most south-westerly point.
Fun fact: Cornwall lies on a long peninsula with no inland area more than 20 miles from the sea.
4. The Lake District
The Lake District is a mountainous region in North West England, famous for its forests, mountains, and yes — you guessed it, lakes! Before you venture there, we must warn you that due to it’s location and mountainous geography, it is the wettest part of England. However, we say don’t let that deter you, wrap up warm and go and enjoy the rugged and stunning outdoors. Take in the lakes by canoe, kayak, or motor boat, and if you feel like getting your walking shoes on, there are plenty of breathtaking walking hotspots.
Fun fact: The Lake District is famous for producing William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
With lots more to see and do in the UK, if you are planning a staycation this summer, pack up your Hiyacar, and enjoy. Hiyacar is the UK’s leading peer to peer car hire platform, offering a smarter, more environmentally friendly way for people to hire cars from within their own community.
