We love a good day or weekend out in our neck of the woods, because we’ve got so much to show for it. Now, an area of northern England has been named the best holiday destination in the UK and if you hadn’t already guessed, it’s the Lake District, of course.
Two-thirds of Brits (66%) are struggling to afford the price of a foreign holiday this year and are instead turning to UK getaways this summer, according to new research revealed by TransPennine Express (TPE). The top destination for UK holidays according to the rail operator’s research will be the Lake District, with 38% of Brits heading there in the next month, and luckily for us, you can get there for just £10 from Manchester.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience and Transformation Director at TPE said: “We’ve all felt the pinch this year and the rising costs of flights abroad has meant that some Brits can’t go on a foreign holiday.
“Airfares in particular have never been this high and there’s no doubt we’ve seen the end of the low-cost fare era. So it’s no surprise to see people grabbing a £10.20 ticket to the Lake District for their summer holiday.”
Things to do in the Lake District, the top UK holiday destination
The Lake District, of course, deserves all the praise it gets, and whether you’re visiting Windermere, Kendal or lovely Grasmere on your next UK holiday, you’re sure to have a great time. If this warm weather lasts, why not try out your watersports prowess or get some hikes in? If not, there are plenty of tea rooms, spa hotels and of course the World of Beatrix Potter to choose from, plus so much more − you’ll never be bored.
Where to stay in the Lake District, the top UK holiday destination
You’ll find some gorgeous hotels, B&Bs and rentals in all parts of the Lake District, whether it be Kendal, Grasmere or even those nooks and crannies that don’t actually have a name, but beautiful views. One way to find the perfect accommodation for you is Rest & Rewild, whose Lake District boutique boltholes for two, Fox Corner in Ambleside and Mary’s Cottage in Grasmere, offer couples the perfect opportunity to experience all that a Lake District getaway has to offer, from wonderful walks from the door to cosy evenings by the fire.
Fox Corner, located just a short drive from Ambleside in the delightful Pull Woods, benefits from vast gable end windows that provide scenic views across the valley to Wansfell and beyond. Set in its own private oasis within a Grasmere cottage garden, Mary’s Cottage comes complete with a hot tub and al fresco seating, perfect for sipping a freshly brewed coffee on crisp mornings. You can find out more about the charming cottages offered by Rest & Rewild here.
The Lake District was followed closely by the medieval city of York (19%) and Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh (19%) in the rankings for the top UK holiday destination, showcasing the north and Scotland’s beauty and value for money − what can we say? It’s the best bit!
Manchester itself also came fifth in the rankings, and we can’t disagree. As the saying goes, Manchester’s got everything but a beach… although we’ve got some of those close by.
The top UK holiday destinations, according to TPE research
- Lake District (37.79%)
- York (19.19%)
- Edinburgh (19.06%)
- Scarborough (14.02%)
- Manchester (10.14%)
- Liverpool (8.40%)
- Newcastle (7.36%)
- Berwick-upon-Tweed (6.52%)
- Durham (5.68%)
- Cleethorpes (4.07%)
The rise of Brits returning to UK holidays this year is mainly down to the rising costs of foreign excursions, according to TPE’s research. According to some experts, the prices for hotels, airfares and tour operator holidays are rising by 10 per cent each year on average.