The trending staycation hotspots you need to visit in 2025

Verdant Leisure – an award-winning holiday park, has released its annual Travel Trends report for 2025, which reveals the top trending staycation destinations to add to your bucket list.

The annual report, which has spoken to 1,000 people from across the UK, uncovers the most desired regions, the most popular destinations, the best months to travel, the most in-demand staycation activities and more.

The top regions to visit in 2025

We asked the UK where they would like to holiday in 2025, and discovered the top five destinations to be:

1. Scotland
2. Northeast England
3. Southwest England
4. Yorkshire and the Humber
5. Northwest England

Our 2024 report found Scotland to be the most popular destination for staycations, which remains top of the list for 2025, with 62% of those we spoke to citing the region as their first pick. Northeast England came in second place, with 45% confirming they would wish to travel to the region in 2025, correlating with our 2024 findings. 29% of Brits confirmed the Southwest as a 2025 destination, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (25%), and Northwest England (24%).

To get you inspired for your next trip, we've dug into data from TripAdvisor, AllTrails and tourism numbers to provide you with a list of the areas you need to visit in these regions in 2025, including the best walks, most highly rated pubs, top attractions, natural beauty hotspots and the best beaches or lakes to visit.

Dunbar, Scotland

• Nearest park – Thurston Manor
• Best pub – Black Agnes Restaurant
• Best walk - Dubar and Victoria Harbour Circular
• Natural beauty hotspot – Victoria Harbour
• Top attraction – Belhaven Brewery
• Best beach - Belhaven Beach

Dunbar is a town on the North Sea, around 30 miles from Edinburgh. Famous for its spectacular coastline, high sunshine rates and deep history, Dunbar is undoubtedly the place to add to your 2025 bucket list.

According to TripAdvisor reviews, the best pub in Dunbar is the Black Agnes Restaurant, which boasts a 4.5 rating from 266 reviews. The Black Agnes can be found on Dunbar's high street and has been praised by guests for its cheerful atmosphere, friendly staff and excellent food.

Our report found that 72% of those taking a staycation are most interested in walking as an activity. If you're visiting Dunbar, the best-rated walking route, according to AllTrails, is the Dubar and Victoria Harbour Circular. This 6.9 km route will take around 1.5 hours and is generally considered an easy trail. Popular with road and mountain bikers, this route will take you along a coastal path, where you will spot breathtaking coastal views. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.

If you are looking for a natural beauty hotspot, TripAdvisor recommends Victoria Harbour, which has a 4.5-star rating from 232 reviews. The harbour is overlooked by the ruins of Dunbar Castle and has been praised by visitors for its exceptional views and fascinating history.

According to TripAdvisor, the top attraction in Dunbar is the Belhaven Brewery. Rated highly at 5 stars, the brewery was established in 1719 and is the oldest working brewery in Scotland. The brewery employs a passionate team that draws on a brewing tradition of over 300 years. Guests have praised the brewery for its first-class tours – even for those who don't drink beer.

86% of staycationers we polled highlighted beach and coastal staycations as their first choice for staycation type. If you want to add a beach visit to your Dunbar itinerary, TripAdvisor recommends Belhaven Beach. Rated 4.5 stars from 173 reviews, Belhaven Beach is praised by visitors for its cleanliness, sand and beautiful views. According to TripAdvisor reviews, plenty of parking can be found at the beach, along with access to toilets. Dogs are also welcome.

Wooler, Northeast England

• Nearest park – Riverside
• Best pub – The Black Bull Inn
• Best walk - Hartside to Linhope Spout
• Natural beauty hotspot – The Northumberland Coast
• Top attraction – Cheviot Hills
• Best beach - Beadnell Bay Beach

Wooler is a town based in Northumberland. It lies close to the Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills and is a popular destination for walking and outdoor enthusiasts.

We dug into reviews from TripAdvisor and found The Black Bull Inn to be the highest-rated pub, boasting a 4-star rating from 321 reviews. The Black Bull can be found on Wooler's high street and has been praised by guests for its delicious food and down-to-earth atmosphere.

If you're planning an active day out while visiting Wooler, AllTrails recommends the Hartside to Linhope Spout route. While this walk is just 5.1 km, AllTrails warns it is considered a moderately challenging trail, and will take 1 hour and 23 minutes to complete.

The route takes you to Lindhope Spout, a stunning waterfall, based in the Northumberland National Park. Weather permitting, AllTrails recommends a swim; however, it cautions that the rocks around the waterfall are precarious and steep. The route is dog-friendly; however, dogs must be kept on a lead. Some of the route passes through private property – which is allowed by the landowners.

According to TripAdvisor, the most breathtaking natural beauty hotspot close to Wooler is The Northumberland Coast – an area of outstanding natural beauty. Considered as one of the country's finest landscapes, the coast covers 39 miles, stretching from Berwick to Coquet Estuary. The coastline is dramatic; you will see everything from sandy beaches to islands and rocky cliffs.

Moving onto the top attraction close to Wooler, according to TripAdvisor, is the Cheviot Hills. Visitors describe the hills as breathtaking. The Cheviots are made for walking, so make sure you plan your route, check the local weather and bring appropriate footwear and hiking gear. Keep an eye out for the local wildlife while exploring, too – you might just see wild cattle or the infamous Northumberland Neolithic goats.

Northumberland is home to some of the most amazing beaches in the world, so we took to TripAdvisor to see which one is the highest rated. Coming out at number one is Beadnell Bay Beach, rated at 4.5 stars from 429 reviews. Beadnell Bay Beach is approximately 21 miles from Wooler and is described by visitors as tranquil and relaxing. Parking can be found close by, and dogs are welcome. In the warmer months, you will likely find an ice cream van at the beach, and although the water can get cold, a swim or a dip is recommended.

Woolacombe, Southwest England

• Nearest park – Golden Coast
• Best pub – The Jube
• Best walk - Morte Point and Bull Point Circular
• Natural beauty hotspot – Woolacombe Beach
• Top attraction – Borough Farm Sheepdog and Falconry Displays
• Best beach - Barricane Beach

Woolacombe is a seaside resort based in North Devon, Southwest England. The village is within an outstanding natural beauty area and is home to the number one beach as voted by the UK. The area is a popular destination for families and fans of outdoor activities and is a popular spot for surfers.

TripAdvisor places The Jube as the highest-rated pub in Woolacombe, rated at 4.5 stars from 940 reviews. The pub is described as a hidden gem and is praised by guests for its friendly, welcoming service. Their menu caters to vegetarians and vegans and offers gluten-free options, so there is plenty of choice for everyone. The Jube has also received top marks for its prime location, close to the waterfront.

AllTrails rates the Morte Point and Bull Point Circular as the best walk close to Woolacombe. The walk is considered generally a moderately challenging route and will take you close to 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on speed. The area is very popular with birdwatchers and campers, so you will likely spot both on the route. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for seals and when walking through the grassland, you should be able to spot birds and other local wildlife.

In terms of natural beauty hotspots, Woolacombe Beach comes highly recommended. The beach has won multiple awards, including The Sunday Times Beach of the Year for 2021, the Mail on Sunday's Best British Beach and TripAdvisor's Best Beach in the UK and the 13th Best Beach in the World. The beach stretches over three miles and is known for its cleanliness, water quality and facilities. Woolacombe Beach is a must-visit and a popular beach for families, surfers, walkers, and rockpools.

Our research for the top attractions in Woolacombe (which aren't beaches or the Morte Point trail) took us to the Borough Farm Sheepdog and Falconry Displays. Rated as five stars from 180 reviews, Borough Farm has hosted Sheepdog and Falconry displays since 1998. Both the Sheepdog and Falconry displays showcase the amazing skills of the animals, which has been praised by guests as a masterpiece.

The best beach in Woolacombe, aside from Woolacombe Beach, according to TripAdvisor, is Barricane Beach. The beach sports a 4.5-star rating from 275 reviews and is home to beautiful coves, mermaid pools, and breathtaking scenery. Visitors describe Barricane Beach as relaxing, peaceful, and a hidden gem.

North York Moors, Yorkshire and the Humber

• Popularity with tourists – Very popular
• Best pub – The Crown
• Best walk - Captain Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping
• Natural beauty hotspot – Robin Hoods Bay Beach
• Top attraction – Goathland Station (nymr)
• Best beach - Staithes Beach

From our research, 25% of those we polled named Yorkshire and the Humber a 2025 staycation destination. Drilling down to a location, we used Visit Britain's Sentiment Tracker, which highlights the North York Moors as the number one place to visit for a staycation.

The North York Moors can be found in north-eastern Yorkshire and contains one of England and Wales's largest expanses of heather moorland. The area is internationally renowned as a haven for ground-nesting birds. It is visited by approximately 8.74 million people every year.

According to TripAdvisor, the best pub is The Crown, which can be found in the village of Hutton-le-Hole. The Crown has been awarded 4.5 stars from 846 reviews, with guests praising the pub for its atmosphere and pleasant staff.

Captain Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping are recommended as the best walk in the North York Moors, which takes just over 2.5 hours to complete. The walk is around 7.7 km and is considered by AllTrails as a moderately challenging route. The best time to complete this walk is from January to October, and if you visit during April and May, you might see blue tits and great tits collecting caterpillars for their chicks. Be aware that the trail does include steep sections, so appropriate footwear is required.

If you're looking to add a natural beauty hotspot to your list of activities, Robin Hoods Bay Beach is highly rated by TripAdvisor. Reviewed by 675 visitors, the beach has been awarded a 4.5-star rating. Visitors praise the beach for its well-renowned fossils, picturesque village and cleanliness. If you're visiting the North York Moors in 2025, Robin Hoods Bay Beach is one to add to your list.

The top attraction at the North York Moors (according to Trip Advisor) is Goathland Station (nymr), located at Cow Wath Bank, Goathland. The village of Goathland is famous for being the set of Heartbeat, with the station itself featured in many episodes. Visitors have awarded the station 4.5-stars via TripAdvisor, leaving 864 reviews. The station has been described by visitors as an attractive old building set in wonderful surroundings in a truly gorgeous part of the world.

Looking into the highest-rated beach, Staithes Beach comes out top. This stretch of coast is sometimes referred to as 'Dinosaur Coast' as it is a popular spot for fossil hunters. At the beach, you will find towering, rugged cliffs, a beautiful harbour, and rockpools.

The Lake District, Northwest England

• Popularity with tourists – Very popular
• Best pub – The Crafty Baa
• Best walk - Hawes End, Cat Bells, and Derwent Circular
• Natural beauty hotspot – Lake Windermere
• Top attraction – Alpacaly Ever After
• Best lake - Derwentwater

20 million people visit the Lake District annually, placing it firmly at the top of the list of the best staycation destinations in Northwest England. Home to 16 major lakes and steeped history, the Lake District is England's largest national park, covering 912 square miles.

If you're looking for the best pub to visit, TripAdvisor rates The Crafty Baa as the highest rated. The Crafty Baa can be found in the beautiful town of Keswick and has been awarded as a Travellers' Choice by TripAdvisor for 2024. Guests praise The Crafty Baa for its lovely atmosphere, great food and selection of drinks.

With so many walks to choose from in the Lake District, it's hard to name the best. That being said, according to AllTrails, Hawes End, Cat Bells, and Derwent Circular are the highest rated. The trail can be found near Keswick, which is handy if you plan to visit The Craft Baa after your walk. In total, this route stretches 7.1 km and is considered moderately challenging. Dogs are welcome and can be off-lead in some areas. The trail is described as spectacular, and you will be rewarded with stunning views on clear days.  

We aren't surprised to see Lake Windermere as the number one beauty hotspot in the Lakes. Rated 4.5 stars from 4,174 reviews on TripAdvisor, Lake Windermere is beautiful and steeped in history. The lake stretches for approximately 11 miles and is the largest lake in England in terms of length, area, and volume. The lake contains 18 islands and can be explored by ferry or boat.

Alpacaly Ever After tops the list of attractions in the Lake District. It can be found in the village of Portinscale, close to Keswick, and has a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor. At Alpacaly Ever After, you can take alpacas for a walk, which guests have described as a holiday highlight.

If you're looking for another body of water to add to your travel list, Derwentwater is the highest-rated after Lake Windermere. Located also in Keswick, Derwentwater has been awarded 5-stars, from 2,981 reviews. It is the third largest lake after Lake Windermere and Ullswater, stretching 2.9 miles. Visitors describe the lake as breathtaking and considered a place of considerable scenic value.

These destinations are just a few of the stunning places to add to your 2025 bucket list; however, there are many more across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a dog-friendly holiday, a last minute break or a hot tub holiday, we have you covered.

Sources

• Verdant Leisure's 2025 Travel Trends Report, view the full report here (poll of 1,000 respondents)
• TripAdvisor
• AllTrails
• Visit Britain