5 reasons to visit the UK
Choosing to stay in the UK for your holiday eliminates the stresses of flying and airport queues, as well as giving you flexibility to book last minute trips. Getaways close home also have an enduring appeal, offering so many exciting activities on our doorstep, along with restorative spa breaks giving you time to unwind and forget the everyday.
There are so many reasons to visit the UK, from visiting glorious gardens and stately homes, to exploring beautiful beaches and remote islands which can be discovered by boat. You can also combine your hobbies and passions with a trip, for example, a sporting event like Wimbledon or the Six Nations.
There is a fantastic range of stunning gardens to explore right here in the UK. Cornwall is famed for its gardens - particularly The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project. Meanwhile, the Cotswolds are renonwed for their stately homes with glorious gardens. Kent is known as the 'Garden of England' and with good reason. You can visit several glorious English country gardens in Kent and Sussex as you join Sarah Raven at her garden at Perch Hill on our bestselling tour - returning for 2026.
Scotland is home to some exceptional islands with intriguing histories, breathtaking landscapes, and tranquil beaches to be discovered. Of course, the mouthwatering seafood and smoky whiskies are also a big draw. The best way to see these islands is by cruise, and smaller ships allow you access through the Caledonian canal and Scotland's narrow waterways. Or take the ferry as you island hop, in the company of Monty Halls on our tour around the Outer Hebrides.
One benefit of holidaying in the UK is that you don't have to deal with the hassle of flying. Instead, why not spend some time exploring the country's heritage railways, which will whizz and steam past some heavenly scenery.
Travel along the Bure Valley Railway, Poppy Line and the Bittern Line in Norfolk. For something more elegant, re-live the Golden Age of travel with a trip on the Northern Belle and relax in an Art-Deco carriage as scenery passes you by. Or join Carol Kirkwood when you journey on board the famous Jacobite steam train, passing over the spectacular 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter films.
You don't have to jet off to the Mediterranean for a beachy holiday. While the weather is a little more reliable in southern Europe, we do have some stretches of sand here that give the Costa del Sol a run for its money. The Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall are truly stunning - with sandy beaches, glorious gardens and wonderful wildlife waiting to be explored. Join our trip to the Isles of Scilly and you'll see what we mean.
Sports culture is part of the UK's national identity and there's no better way to embrace this than by combining world-class sporting events with travel experiences. By joining our experts on a sporty short break, you also benefit from their knowledge and insights along the way - like on our 2027 Six Nations packages. Join Nick Mullins in Cardiff (or even take the short flight to Dublin) to watch England men's campaign early next year and receive a complimentary commentary sheet from Nick himself.
We also have a luxurious Wimbledon day trip, if you'd rather a day at the tennis - including an exquisite lunch at Light on the Common.
View all our sports tours here.
Where to start? We have a great choice of experiences to enjoy in locations from Cornwall to the Lake District and all the way up to the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides. We've listed five reasons to visit the Cotswolds and have a selection of hotels to pick from.
Many of our trips are accompanied by experts too, so you can learn more about the landscapes and history of our isles as you visit.
There is no specific time to enjoy a staycation in the UK, as throughout the seasons, there's always something new discover and it completely depends what you look for in a trip.
During the winter months, you could experience the Northern Lights, if you're in the right location. The spring brings the opportunity to see many of the UK's glorious gardens in full bloom, from Sezincote Gardens in the Cotswolds to Tresco Abbey Garden in the Isles of Scilly.
While the weather can be unpredictable, the summer months are the perfect time to head to the coast - we love getaways to the vast, golden beaches of Cornwall and Norfolk, or to the white, powder-soft beaches of the Hebrides, where you can almost feel like you're in the Caribbean if the weather is right.
