Best staycation UK:

• North Coast 500

• Atlantic Highway

• Snowdonia

• Cotswolds

• Brecon Beacons

• Yorkshire Dales

• Pembrokeshire

• Brighton

• Cornwall

• Edinburgh

• Bath

• Liverpool

UK staycation destinations

We’ve listed 12 of our favourite UK staycation ideas across four different types of holiday so you can find exactly the right inspiration you need.

We’ve even included the best cars for staycations, including the best cars for road trips, to get you prepared.

Road trips

If you’re hitting the open road, you’ll want a fun-to-drive car suited to winding B roads and long motorway stings stints. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) models are perfect for spirited driving, or you could choose a sporty car with all-wheel drive (AWD) if you prefer the extra grip.

• Mazda MX-5 – a back-to-basics sports car with room for two and some light luggage

• BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé – five doors and a choice of RWD or AWD make this very versatile

1. North Coast 500 (NC500)

Famous for its dramatic Highland scenery, rugged coastline and remote villages, Scotland’s NC500 is a popular staycation road trip for Brits and tourists from further afield.

And since it’s a road trip, you can take as long as you like. You’ll need at least a week to fully appreciate the route, which starts and ends at Inverness, but you could easily spend longer exploring the route’s attractions in more detail.

2. Atlantic Highway

Clifftop sea views, hip surfer towns and pretty harbours are some of the things you could expect to see along the Atlantic Highway – the nickname given to a stretch of the A39 that follows the southwest coast.

It’s easy to get onto from the M5 at Bridgwater, heading all the way down to Falmouth via the North Devon and Cornwall coasts and the open moorland in between.

It’s only 70-odd miles, so it won’t take you long from end-to-end, but you can spend plenty of time exploring all this ‘highway’ has to offer by stopping as often as your heart desires.

3. Snowdonia

At 1,085m above sea level, Snowdon is just one of the many mountains you can climb if you fancy stretching your legs in the UK. But it’s the twisting, scenic driving loops and dramatic landscapes that make this region of North Wales a great place to explore by car.

The Llanberis Pass, Betws-Y-Coed and the region’s slate mines and caverns are all highlights of the national park.

This is the weekend staycation for the active adventurers who also appreciate a great driving road.

Countryside escapes

If you want to blend in with the locals, then you’ll need something rugged and slightly premium. What would a posh farmer drive?

• Volvo V60 Cross Country – understated luxury with punchy engines and acres of boot space

• Range Rover Velar – stylish and iconic, it’s hard to imagine a car that suits the countryside more

1. Cotswolds

The Cotswolds runs through no fewer than six English counties, but Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire are among the most popular for their honey-coloured buildings, grandiose architecture and authentic English charm.

Antique shops and quintessential tearooms offer low-key luxury, while the picture-perfect villages transport you to the England of olde.

Staycations can be spent hopping from the villages and towns to out in the sticks, or pick your perfect spot and stay for a relaxed long weekend away.

2. Brecon Beacons

An open region with plenty of farming history and a stone’s throw from Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons are perfect for hikes to suit all difficulties. And the winding drive to get there makes it all the more enjoyable.

Mountains like Pen Y Fan and waterfalls like Sgwd Yr Eira will keep you occupied in the day, then take to a luxury yurt for an evening of stargazing (after a satisfying pub dinner). What better way to holiday close to home?

Yorkshire Dales

Rolling hills, dry stone walls, charming market towns and stacks of history. Yorkshire has plenty to offer, whether it’s just for the weekend or you plan on staying a bit longer.

In fact, this is a region that really has it all. You won’t have to head far to find plenty of storied locations, classic coastal towns or some regional delicacies (like Wensleydale cheese).

You might have to take it a bit slowly in your big SUV on the Buttertubs Pass, but it’s worth it for the extra time to appreciate the views. It’ll be hard to pull yourself away once your trip is over.

Coastal staycations

It’s got to be a drop-top for a coastal staycation, whether it’s the height of summer or a chilly winter’s day. Consider picking a high trim level for extras like heated or ventilated seats – you might need them.

1. Pembrokeshire

A Welsh county and a national park in one, Pembrokeshire is to Wales what Cornwall is to England. There’s plenty of coast to go around and its fair share of countryside hangouts too.

From quiet coves to bustling holiday villages, Pembrokeshire has something for everyone, and in certain months you can even see Skomer Island’s resident nesting puffins.

It’s definitely worth risking the wet Welsh weather for a break in Pembrokeshire.

2. Brighton

Brighton is known for its bohemian vibe – it has that old-school British seaside town charm, so if a deck chair on the beach sounds up your street, this is the place to be.

It’s well within reach from the big city, but why bother with London’s busy train stations when you could take a scenic drive to the south coast instead?

3. Cornwall

It might sound obvious, but there are so many different villages and towns to pick from that two Cornish experiences will never be the same. There’s a reason that tourists come back every year – whether they’re staycationing or from further afield.

You know you’ve made it when the most important thing you’ve got to do is get back to your spot on the beach in time before the ice cream melts.

And for lovers of action and adventure, there aren’t many better places to catch a few waves in the UK than the Cornish coast.

Urban weekend breaks

This is where electric cars come into play – zero emissions and complete silence make city driving feel totally effortless, and you’re not hurting the environment.

• Renault 5 – a retro classic that’s at home around cities, its compact dimensions make it extremely easy to park

• Peugeot e-5008 – up to 400 miles of range if you’re travelling from afar, it’s spacious inside without feeling too big around tighter streets

1. Edinburgh

Located on Scotland’s east coast, Edinburgh is the ultimate historical city break with its 12th century castle and royal ties – being the home of Holyrood Palace, located just at the bottom of the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile.

Much of the Harry Potter series was also inspired by the city’s architecture and history, with enough cafés and pubs to inspire your next novel.

2. Bath

With literary links to Jane Austen, mighty Georgian architecture and the Roman baths steeped in history, Bath is a truly elegant location for your next upmarket city break.

The best part is that it’s very walkable, so you can leave your car parked up to save on fuel costs so you can spend more on cocktails and canapés.

3. Liverpool

Lively, friendly and packed with culture, Liverpool is served by plenty of motorways and A-roads, so it won’t be too painful to drive to or from your city break.

You might already know about its ties with the Beatles, or its maritime heritage, but remember to walk around and explore the city’s current vibrant arts scene too.

UK staycation breaks

Now that you’ve worked out exactly which staycation UK drivers can enjoy, and you’ve had a taste of which cars are best suited to them, why not broaden your search and browse all of our used cars?

Put your choice of car under the microscope with cinch’s reviews and buy your next model faff-free from the comfort of your sofa (or arrange a test drive at one of our cinch Stores).

Read more: