Everyone needs a holiday every now and then. Work is hard, chores are hard, even making time for fun can be hard, and going on holiday offers some much needed calm from the storm of everyday life. What holidays are often not, however, is cheap.
Between transport, accommodation, and general day-to-day costs, trips away add up quickly, and most of us don’t have a lot of spare cash lying around at the moment. But what if we told you that your next break doesn’t need to break the bank? According to the Independent, there are loads of cheap and cheerful holiday destinations right here in the UK you can check out this summer.
As well as being excellent value for money, each of the Independent’s top 10 places was selected for offering something unique. For instance, Bristol, which it puts at number eight, is the newspaper’s pick for foodies, whereas the Scottish Highlands, in fourth, is ideal for exploring the wilderness.
Newcastle was named as the country’s best cheap holiday destination, and the ‘best for culture. Well-known for its budget-friendly nightlife, the Independent described it as ‘remarkably picturesque, with a range of architectural styles visible within the city centre’. It also added that Newcastle’s range of museums, such as BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Laing Art Gallery make it perfect for a culture-filled break. If you’re planning a trip to the Geordie shores, make sure to check out our recommendations for the city’s best restaurants and things to do.
In second was the Lake District, which was ‘best for families’. Cheap and easy to access from the north, with tickets from Manchester costing as little as £7.50, this part of the world is packed with cute little towns and gorgeous scenery. The Independent recommends Oxenholme, Keswick, or Bowness for first-timers, or you can try Ambleside, the town once home to William Wordsworth. If the views are good enough to inspire the romantic poets, you know they’re not going to let you down.
The third best place for a staycation, coincidentally also in the north, was Liverpool, which also made it into our list of the best places to visit in the UK. No one will be shocked to see the Merseyside town named ‘best for music lovers’, but there’s more to this city than the Beatles. The canals, Royal Albert Docks, and cathedral, are just a few of the attractions you can access for free.
If you’re looking for a cheap beach trip, the Independent recommends Portrush in Northern Ireland, or Weymouth, which were best for ‘beach time’ and ‘a quintessentially British seaside break’ respectively. What’s the difference? Portrush seems to excel at watersports, while Weymouth is home to ‘long stretches of sand, chippies, ice cream parlours and bars and restaurants with waterside seating and music.’ We’re sure that they’re equally good for sunbathing, though.
Here are the Independent’s top 10 UK budget holiday destinations, including what each of their specialties:
The 10 best UK budget holiday destinations, according to the Independent
- Newcastle: Best for culture
- Lake District: Best for families
- Liverpool: Best for music lovers
- Scottish Highlands: Best for wilderness
- Glasgow: Best for couples
- Brighton: Best for LGBT+ travellers
- Pembrokeshire: Best for walkers
- Bristol: Best for foodies
- Portrush, Northern Ireland: Best for beach time
- Weymouth: Best for a quintessentially British seaside break
You can read the Independent’s full list, including their explanations for each entry, here.
Planning your 2025 staycations
If you’re currently on the hunt for a perfect 2025 getaway and none of the above tickle your fancy, here’s our favourite family friendly holiday digs. But you deserve to have fun too – here’s some tree houses you can rent out for something a little different. We’ve also got guides to the country’s cosiest cabins, and the coolest castles you can stay overnight in.
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