Over a year since the effects of the first coronavirus lockdown were felt across the country, and as restrictions slowly start to lift, people have become increasingly interested in taking a staycation within the United Kingdom.
Even when the airports reopen and we can travel abroad there will still be many who have discovered the beauty upon their doorstep and, as such, it seems that the staycation is here to stay. Heading towards the second summer of socially distanced holidays at home we have compiled a list of some of the best destinations around the UK for families to visit this summer.
To determine which locations are the best for families to visit, we used a number of factors to calculate a score out of ten for each destination, these factors are as follows:
In a world where we still have to wear masks and socially distance, areas that are less crowded have become increasingly important.
In some of the more rural areas of the country, big hotels can be hard to come by. Consequently, camping has increased in popularity and the more campsites in a location, the better.
A summer holiday in the UK would not be complete without the great British weather. While no part of the country will have Mediterranean style heat, some places are certainly hotter than others.
Similarly to population density, having lots of outdoor green spaces (such as parks and nature attractions) is important in a world where we all distance and stay outdoors. Moreover, more open natural space often translates to a more picturesque area.
Outdoor activities such as running and cycling have skyrocketed during the pandemic, and while many indoor attractions sadly remain closed, an area with a high number of outdoor activities is ideal.
After all that outdoor activity it would only be natural to feel hungry, and as such having a multitude of different restaurants in the vicinity is a must for potential staycation destinations.
7.32 score /10
Home of England’s biggest lake, and highest peak, the Lake District is now also the highest-ranking staycation destination in the whole of the UK. From charming towns and villages such as Bowness, Ambleside, and Grasmere to spectacular mountains like Scafell Pike and Helvellyn, the Lakes have a bit of everything for the whole family. The Lakes attracted just under 16 million visitors per year in pre-COVID times, so booking in advance may be advisable.
6.95 score /10
Moving far down the coast from the North West of England to the South West we find the second-highest-ranking destination in the rankings, Exmoor. The national park is an area of moorland bordering the counties of Devon and Somerset and is home to the highest sea cliff in the country near Combe Martin and is also the supposed lair of the ‘Beast of Exmoor’. But aside from mythical monsters, it’s a pretty perfect picturesque place for a holiday.
5.74 score /10
Up next is the only area that is not a national park to penetrate the top positions in the rankings, the southernmost British county of Cornwall comes some way behind the top destinations. Cornwall scores highly for the number of campsites, with 252, and has the highest average summer temperature of any location in the top five. Apart from its beautiful coastal towns, Cornwall is mainly famous for its jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches and coastal walks.
5.55 score /10
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is one of only two Scottish national parks, and the only one to perforate the higher echelons of the rankings. Loch Lomond is the gateway to the highlands and a perfect family staycation destination due to its stunning landscape and numerous activities. Despite being one of the cooler locations in the summer months, a bonny Scottish summer day will feel plenty warm enough this summer.
5.35 score /10
Home of the tallest mountain in Wales (Snowdon) as well as numerous hills and lakes, Snowdonia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. This is due to its geographical location in North Wales making it the nearest mountainous region for most of England, but wherever you’re travelling from it is well worth the wait.
|
Rank |
Destination |
People per square kilometre |
Number of campsites |
Average |
Number of |
Number of child-friendly |
Number of child-friendly |
Overall Score |
|---|
Starting with a list of over 100 destinations including counties and national parks, we gave each destination a normalised score out of 10 for each of the following factors, before taking an average score across all the factors, to reveal the top 50 destinations.
People per square kilometre
The number of people per square kilometre according to the Office for National Statistics estimates of the population for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with figures for national parks taken from the most recent data published by the parks themselves.
Number of campsites
The number of campsites according to Campsites.co.uk.
Average summer temperature
The average temperature for June to August, according to Climate-Data.org, using a major town or city within each area.
Number of green spaces | Number of child-friendly outdoor activities | Number of child-friendly restaurants
Each sourced from Tripadvisor and calculated per 100,000 people.
