Summer time is nearly upon us, which for many means it’s nearly time for a relaxing breakaway. When many people think of a summer holiday though, their mind automatically wanders to far off places such as Thailand, Morocco or Mexico, but did you know that there is an abundance of beautiful holiday destinations much closer to home that won’t break the bank. We’ve been looking at some of the top UK Summer holiday destinations to give you some inspiration of where you can head for some rest and relaxation a little closer to home. So whether you want a city break or an escape to the country there’s bound to be something here for you.
King Street Townhouse, Manchester, England
This hotel is perfect for anyone looking for a city break and wanting to be close to all the action, yet able to take some time out for some peace and tranquility. Part of the Eclectic Hotels Group, the King Street Townhouse has 40 bedrooms and suites and possibly it’s most stunning feature, a rooftop spa-pool.
The bedrooms and suites are stylishly decorated in muted tones and come with features like monsoon showers and free-standing baths and luxury bathrobes. Rooms also offer features like your own coffee machine, free Temple Spa Toiletries and comfy beds with exceptionally cozy bedding. The views from your bedroom window aren’t bad either and all the rooms look out onto the beautiful city of Manchester and include rooms with a view of the Town Hall clock.
The stand out feature of this hotel though is the infinity spa pool on the roof. You could quite simply sit there all day and admire the views and be at peace while still being just seconds away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Once you’ve had some time to relax and you’re ready to tackle the day ahead you can leave the hotel and within a short walk, you’ll reach the main shopping section of the town, Manchester’s art galleries and many bars and restaurants.
Hell Bay, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England
Cornwall is always going to make it onto the list of top UK summer holiday destinations because it’s just such a beautiful part of the country to visit. The Hell Bay Hotel is situated right above a bay and offers you easy access to everything you’d want from the Isles of Scilly.
The hotel is located at the end of the Island of Bryher and sits on the coast looking out onto a natural salt pool and the bay of Stinking Porth. The cliffs of Hell Bay are an easy walk away too, or if you’d rather you can explore in an electric golf cart!
There are lots to do on the island and nearly everything is walkable. You can also hire kayaks, go swimming at some of the beautiful beaches on the island, or simply sit by the sea and indulge in an ice cream or hot chocolate depending on the weather.
The hotel itself is a country house style that has amazing views, beautiful local food and a heated outdoor pool – where apparently you can skinny dip out of hours and the staff will leave you to it! As well as the outdoor pool there is also an indoor whirlpool, sauna, a games room, TV and a children’s play area if you’re taking your little ones. So even if the weather isn’t great for exploring there will definitely be something you can do in the hotel.
Crieff Hydro, Perthshire, Scotland
Located in Scotland in the heart of Perthshire, Crieff Hydro is a spectacular place for a short stay. At just over an hour’s drive from the main hubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow, it’s easily accessible, but once you’re there you can simply leave all that behind you and enjoy the peace, tranquility, and nature that it has to offer.
The hotel offers top quality accommodation with comfy beds in tastefully decorated rooms, or if you’d prefer there are a variety of cottages on the site that you can hire and have a home away from home. What makes this place particularly great for the whole family is that there are over 60 different activities on site including a pool, spa, cinema and a whole host of outdoor options such as archery and off road driving. However, if you’d rather not do any of that the countryside scenery and nearby walks are just as charming and possibly more relaxing.
Boskerris Hotel, Carbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall, England
Cornwall is just such a good UK holiday destination that we had to include it twice! The Boskerris Hotel is located in Carbis Bay, St Ives. St Ives has a beautiful mix of sandy beaches and little streets filled with quaint cottages and many cafes. The town centres around a harbor and a beautiful pier. There are many things to do including the Tate Gallery and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, as well as plenty places to walk and explore or eat and drink at your leisure.
The Boskerris Hotel is a perfect place to base yourself for this exploring. The décor is modern and light and many areas of the hotel have floor to ceiling windows to ensure that you can really get the best view out to sea. There’s even a sundeck where you can sit on a lounger and take in the views. The hotel is located in Carbis Bay, which is a 3-minute train journey from the center of St Ives, or if you’d rather explore on the way there you can walk along the coastal path in around 20 minutes.
Slebech Park, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
This little hideaway in Wales is perfect if you want to get away from it all and relax. It is a Georgian manor nestled on the shores of an estuary that offers stylish rooms, a restaurant full of home-grown produce and activities nearby include lots of woodland walks and sites to explore.
The hotel itself isn’t actually that far from the hustle and bustle of Wales and it is located only a couple of minutes away from the A40, however this hotel is set in 650 acres of ground, meaning that you really do feel like you’re nowhere near anyone, and you can simply relax, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the peace and quiet. For those who want to do a bit more exploring, the hotel sits on an estuary, meaning there are plenty walks to go on and wildlife to spot. If you’re more into history than Picton Castle is only 5 minutes by car, and if the weather is on your side then the beaches at Barafundle Bay are just half an hour away.
If you’d rather just stay on site and relax then you certainly won’t be bored either. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, tennis courts and a walled garden which you can explore, or perhaps just spend some time in your cozy room enjoying the comfortable and stylish facilities on offer.
So there you have it, some of the best UK summer holiday destinations. Whether you enjoy a city break, a countryside retreat or a seaside adventure the UK really does have something to offer, and with such a variety of accommodation on offer, there will definitely be something to suit your needs and budget. Hopefully, this article has given you a little bit of inspiration to look for something a little closer to home and explore everything the UK has to offer.