With the stunning countryside and seascapes of the British Isles, staying close to home for a UK staycation can offer just as much attraction, adventure experience.
With no travel weight restrictions to worry about apart from the number of scones you eat, we can take whatever we want away with us. So, here are our top suggestions of where to go, what to do and what to take along with you. Don’t forget to use the Capital One Shopping tool to help you earn rewards and save.
Your UK Staycation – a few options
The Mayfair Townhouse, London
This curious, engaging and of course luxurious new generation of lifestyle hotel not only has an address overlooking Green Park but also delivers the little touches that make a difference like a complimentary minibar in all the rooms with townhouse tipples and dandy candy. After your London night out, check out the experimental cocktails in The Dandy Bar and all day dining experience that is anything but traditional.
Coworth Park, Ascot
One of our favourite country hotels where class meets elegant modernity. No two rooms are the same. If you are looking for a view, the Mansion House works well. Every single bathroom has a stunning free standing copper bath for ultimate pampering. Lunch / dinner has to be at Michelin starred Restaurant Coworth Park where Adam Smith has just released his caviar tart version 3.0. The Barn at Coworth Park have recently launched their very own Lager and IPA. The Barn Beer is brewed in Highgate, North London, by the family-run and independent Gorgeous Brewery. Also, their pool has under water music!
Whatley Manor, The Cotswolds
Housing one of the finest restaurants in the UK, Whatley Manor is on the eastern part of the Cotswolds near Malmesbury. With just 23 rooms, the key themes here are relaxation and sustainable luxury especially in the spa which has a really unique pool that is both indoor and outdoor. One of the highlights at Whatley Manor is Niall Keating’s two Michelin star restaurant, The Dining Room.
The Relais, Henley
The Relais Henley is the first property to open in the collection, in the quintessential English town of Henley-on-Thames. This gorgeous property is perfectly located in the middle of Henley with river views in many of the rooms. This 16th-century coaching inn now reimagined is modern and elegant with thick lush carpets and charming service from staff kitted out in stylish rowing blazers. The attention to detail throughout in design is really impressive.
The stylish new outpost of legendary Belgravia establishment, Mosimann’s has opened at The Relais Henley too. The Clipper Restaurant features signature dishes from the prestigious London Private Member’s Club as well as newly designed menu items using the best of locally sourced ingredients as well as outdoor seating and a courtyard coming soon. Menu highlights include mussels with the creamiest most delicious sauce, one of the best Bouillabaisse we have ever tasted and huge Norfolk lobsters.
Canopy by Hilton London City Hotel
East London is too often overlooked. Located within the new Minories development in the eclectic and vibrant heart of the City, the 340-room Canopy by Hilton London City has 35 top-floor suites with impressive city views and exclusive access to the hotel’s Florattica rooftop terrace (opening in 2022). Rooms are finished in a contemporary design reflecting the rich history and culture of the East End’s historic textile industry. Everyone also receives a welcome gift on arrival inspired by the City of London to make you feel truly at home.
What impressed us a lot were the welcoming staff and cool vibes. The Freedom Café on the ground floor has a huge range of locally inspired items as well as other drinks and cocktails including Luxuriate Life favourite, Clase Azul tequila, available by the glass. This is the first Canopy by Hilton hotel in the UK, part a growing family of locally-inspired, energising and contemporary hotels that aim to help travellers experience the best of the surrounding neighbourhood so you can explore the East End with Canopy’s complimentary bikes and discover the neighbourhood’s streets.
Luxury waterside cabins at The Lakes by YOO
The Lakes by YOO is set to become home to the most exclusive cabins in the English countryside with the launch of nine new bespoke properties featuring two bedrooms in an 850 acre lakeside setting. The Cabins are an innovative hybrid model for The Lakes, forming a new offering of smaller homes for both purchase and rent, enticing city dwellers to escape to the country in the most luxurious of getaways. Starting from £1 million, the cabins are designed to be a lifestyle investment whereby many owners will combine their own personal stays with a fully managed rental service with concierge that will give them a rental income when they are not in residence.
The nine cabin properties are the first of its kind for the YOO Group, offering all the amenities and services that include the private concierge, over 800 hectares of natural woodlands and lakes and only 90 minutes from London. The ultimate staycation!
English Holiday Cruises
Cruising in England for your UK staycation?! Why not. The Edward Elgar is the largest Hotel Boat in England, built to be the biggest ship capable of fitting into the smallest locks. You can get your cruise fix on the picturesque rivers of England with several layers of safety including fogging between cruises, overnight air sterilisation, ‘no-share’ airflow and table service for everything, all accredited under the Visit England ‘Good to Go’ scheme.
Le Boat
What about an inland water boating staycation. Le Boat has a fleet of large self-drive cruisers where you become the skipper. The self-drive Benson Return river cruise explores the western section of the River Thames, taking in Oxford, Henley, Marlow and so much more. A seven-night self-catered cruise on the River Thames in 2022, starting and finishing at Le Boat’s base at Benson, on board the Capri sleeping up to three, is priced from £789 per boat.
UK staycation essentials
TomTom GO Discover navigation device
It’s easy to get lost when exploring. Never fear however as the brand-new TomTom GO Discover is TomTom’s quickest and most powerful navigation device yet. With a high-definition touchscreen display and outstanding picture clarity, TomTom will help you navigate your way speedily and safely around the UK.
From TomTom
Price | From £229.99 (5-inch screen)
The PowerPic Mod wireless charger
With a blend of modern design and 10watts of Qi charging technology, PowerPic mod charges all of the newest, and oldest, wireless charging phones, including phones with cases up to 3mm thick. As a bonus, this elegant stand also charges AirPods Pro.
The acrylic frame on PowerPic mod can be positioned vertically or horizontally and is easily customisable with a 4×6 photo. Wirelessly charge your phone on the only stand that looks like it belongs in your home whilst you are away.
From Twelve South
Price | £54.95
Serengeti Eyewear
Serengeti is an international eyewear brand with pioneering 3-in-1 technology integrated into a sleek and stylish glass lens, to guarantee the best quality and protection. Each pair of glasses has been handcrafted and hand-designed into various styles. The Serengeti Main Line Collection are great for staycations as they are recognised as the best for driving in the world thanks to the 3-in-1 lens technology – including photochromic technology. The range is for those seeking to express their uniqueness, authenticity and style and comprises of 3 capsule collections including the Creator Collection and Driving Heritage Collection, each with its own personality and style.
From Serengeti Eyewear
Price | From £180
The Business of Life by Charles Tyrwhitt
No matter where you are, the new collection from Charles Tyrwhitt has smart details and casual touches; everything you need for getting back to business, wherever your office is. With 4 shirts or polos for £129 and a range of work from anywhere wardrobe items, the business of life range has everything including the all important layering and items for when the colder weather will inevitably appear.
https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/home
Chinook Weekend Bag
Cut a dash when weekending away with the Chinook Weekend Bag designed by no less an organisation than the RAF Chinook Display Team! As you might expect, quality and no-nonsense style is what this bag is all about, made with black Italian and Indian leathers and displaying their signature aircraft on the bottom right-hand side. There’s a handy strap to fling over your shoulder and it can even be personalised. Ideal for the aviator in us all – get set and go! For a refreshing companion, consider pairing your travels with the THC seltzer variety pack.
From Asali Designs
Price | £260
Arlo Wire-Free Video Doorbell
You’re away from home on your UK staycation – protect your property with the Arlo full picture video doorbell. It uses a unique viewing angle to capture a head-to-toe view, to give you a full understanding of who’s at your doorstep, if you’re in or not. The battery powered wireless doorbell calls your phone directly for a faster response and is the only smart doorbell with a built-in siren deterrent. Paired with the SMART subscription, from 30p a day, the doorbell camera allows you to stream live from your doorstep to your phone and will give you up to 30 days of video recordings if anything goes wrong.
From Arlo Video Doorbell
Price | £179.99
De’Longhi’s Ballerina Collection
If you are staycationing at home, The Breakfast Collection by De’Longhi combines exquisite craftsmanship with creativity. Taking inspiration from the famous glass blowing of the island of Murano in Venice and the technical forms of a Ballerina dress, the collection combines artisanal and technical properties to present the future of design, with Michelle Ogundehin’s curation helping to colour and compliment the collection. As well as elegant toasters and kettles, bespoke items including a George Nelson Ball Clock and Astier de Villatte’s side plate. Each product is a touchpoint for creativity around the home and takes inspiration from the colours, materials and forms of the natural world.
From De’Longhi
Price | Varies
Oofos
Ever wanted to find a pair of sports sandals that you can slip on and off whilst soaking up joint stress and cushioning against irritating pebble beaches? Well Oofos’ Ooahh Sport Flex Slide Sandal might fit the bill. A contemporary spin on the classic style, the OOfoam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear and the proprietary footbed design reduces stress on knees, ankles and other joints. You can even throw them in the washing machine to keep them on sparkling form.
From Oofos
Price | £65
Elite Active 75t / Elite 45h
Get into the zone with Jabra’s discreet Elite Active 75t earbuds. This is a great piece of kit for the active explorer as they are both waterproof and sweatproof. The Elite Active 75t have been engineered for a perfect fit with active noise cancellation technology and up to 5.5 hours of battery life. And they come in a range of colourways too.
If you prefer a wireless on ear headphone however, the Elite 45h are compact, foldable and lightweight – ideal to fit into a backpack. Jabra’s 2-microphone call technology also makes for quality conversations wherever and whenever you are on the go. These headphones have passive noise cancellation and with up to 50 hours of battery-life, you’ll run out of puff before they do! You can also customise your music with Jabra’s Sound+ app.
From Jabra Elite Active 75t / Jabra Elite 45h
Price | Elite Active 75ts – From £179 / Elite 45h – From £89.99
Premier Cru / Rosé Hoodies
We love the quality, ethically made comfy clothing created by FWP By Rae who values style combined with affordability. Their various T-shirts and sweatshirts are screen printed or embroidered with fun and meaningful words from the world of wine. So, look the business and travel in comfort in a Premier Cru or Rosé sweatshirt, perfect for dressing up or down with either jeans or skirts on your UK staycation.
The Premier Cru is available in navy, marl grey and black and is designed to turn heads whilst the Rosé is offered in a slightly heavier organic cotton in a relaxed feminine style.
From FWP By Rae
Price | Premier Cru – £55 / Rosé – £49
Opinel Nomad Cooking Kit
For the outdoorsy type who likes to be prepared, then the Nomad Cooking Kit from French knife specialist, Opinel, is the essential travel accessory. This compact set includes three pocket knives – (the No 10 corkscrew, 10 cm blade to cut, slice like a paring knife and to open wine bottles, the No 12 with 12 cm serrated blade as a bread knife or to carve large veggies and large fruits and the No 06 as a very efficient peeler) – a beech cutting board and a three in one kitchen cloth for use as a small tablecloth and carrying case.
From Whitby & Co
Price | £59.95
Caledonian Sleeper Travel Bags
For all those upcoming UK staycations, this stylish travel essentials depicting the main cities on the Caledonian Sleeper’s iconic route is an ideal kit. These ARRAN Sense of Scotland retro travel bags are themed around the route of the overnight train journey from London to Scotland with six collectable designs – Glasgow, Aviemore, Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Fort William, Edinburgh and London.
Each bag contains a selection of ARRAN Sense of Scotland travel-sized products in the exclusive Glen Etive fragrance that was developed for the sleeper train by the brand’s artisan perfumer and features in the luxurious cabins on the train. Included in each is a calming pillow spray, conditioning shampoo, hand & body wash and hand & body lotion.
From – Arran
Price | £25.00
Glencroft 100% Wool Weave Up Plain Travel Rug
Ideal to keep in the car for that impromptu picnic or long journeys are these 100% wool weave up plain travel rugs from Glencroft. This large Yorkshire made woollen blanket is made from spare and redundant yarn using the traditional and weave up process, enabling the production of a premium blanket for a great price. The rug comes in attractive colours that change depending on the yarn available, but we really like the yellow for a splash of colour and being nearly the size of a double bed, it can comfortably seat the family.
From Glencroft
Price | £64.95
GOMATIC Backpack
When you’re on holiday of course you need something to hold all your essentials. The GOMATIC Backpack, which has been designed for everyday use, is ideal for your next getaway. Made with durable, water-resistant materials and YKK zippers, this backpack is slim but expandable (20L – 24L). That’s not all, the GOMATIC backpack has some noteworthy features – RFID safe storage, hidden pockets, magnetic water bottle pockets, full perimeter zipper and more. These are just a few notable mentions, there are 20+ features on this very functional backpack. The simplistic and neutral design makes the backpack modern and stylish, ready for use.
From: GOMATIC
Price: £279.99
UK Staycation activities
Buyagift
If you want to do something a little special for someone you love, why not treat them to a getaway with Buyagift, the UK’s leading provider of experience days?
Choose from carefully selected B&B’s to boutique retreats and luxurious hotels – there’s endless choice and it can be surprisingly affordable. Who could resist the surf and beach, the food and art and staying two nights in a Hobbit Hut whilst glamping in gorgeous Cornwall? These unique 11 square metre Hobbit Huts are in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, set in untouched woodland, ideal for exploration. Gandalf would be amazed.
From buyagift
Price | £99 for two nights
Camel Creek
A UK staycation in Cornwall wouldn’t be complete without visiting Cornwall’s award-winning family attraction park, Camel Creek. Fun seekers of all ages can experience exhilarating rides including rollercoasters, water rides, a 5D Cinematic simulator and many more.
From www.camelcreek.co.uk
Price | From £13.95 free entry for children under 92cm
VFest UK – The Ultimate Vegan Food & Camping Festival
Time to air your tents! The ultimate vegan food and camping experience is happening at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Wokingham – Vfest UK. This brand-new upbeat event featuring exciting headline acts, yoga, family entertainment, fun shows, international speakers, stalls, global food caterers and much more, including TV Chef Matt Pritchard and Guinness World Record Holder marathon runner Fiona Oakes.
From VFestUK
Price | Adult tickets £40
Treasure Trails
Treasure Trails are a fun UK staycation activity, giving you the chance to explore over 1,200 locations throughout the UK. The themed self-guided booklets take explorers on a circular outdoor walking route of approximately two miles. Discover secrets of cities, villages, coastlines and countryside as you solve clues to crack a detective mystery, treasure hunt, or spy mission. Treasure Trail booklets cost £9.99 for the downloadable and print at home version or £11.98 (including p&p) for the posted version. They are suitable for groups of up to five and are designed to appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure.
From Treasure Trails
Price | £9.99
Looking good, feeling good for your UK staycation
Detox Hair Ritual Travel Kit
We’ve all felt the stress of lockdown and restrictions and this can definitely show itself on our bodies and with our hair. So why not take along Christophe Robin’s Detox Hair Ritual Travel Kit on holiday and treat yourself? There is a daily rebalancing and calming shampoo, a purifying, hydrating and soothing detox shampoo to exfoliate and purify the scalp and some hydration for the upper layers of the epidermis. This leave in daily moisturising cream helps avoid split ends and breakage, rehydrating without weighing it down. Your hair will thank you!
From Christophe Robin
Price | £ 32.30 – Shampoo 75ml / scrub 40 ml / Cream 20.7ml
HOOHAA
HOOHAA is changing the way we shop for fragrance, allowing you to gain access into a new and undiscovered world of niche and luxury fragrances from home. HOOHAA is also great for staycation packing as you can pack light. Fragrance by subscription helps you discover and test new scents over a longer period of time
All you need to do is pick from three fragrance style options (called edits) and leave the rest to HOOHAA. With crystal clear descriptions, simple labelling and all unisex fragrances, you will receive a 10ml unisex fragrance at your door every month. Edits have all been carefully curated by experts and you have the option to change your edit at anytime as preferences change with the seasons. There might be a fragrance that you discover and just have to buy a full sized bottle of it, which can also be purchased from the HOOHAA site. New fragrances with an emphasis on craftsmanship and sustainability are introduced to HOOHAA every month which is what makes this such a new and exciting experience, you never know what might come through your letter box.
From HOOHAA
Price | £14.95 per month
Dermatology M Run Zu Shui Gao Nourishing Hand & Foot Cream
When the sun appears and your feet gingerly emerge from their winter shoe hibernation, it’s imperative that your “tootsies” look their bests for chic sandal exposure! So try out Dermatology M Run Zu Shui Gao Nourishing Hand & Foot Cream, the remedy for dry, cracked heels or soles for a rich skin treat. Their nourishing hand and foot cream has a botanical blend of natural Alpha Hydroxy Acids which gently exfoliates dry, dead skin cells and hard skin. Liquorice Root extract and Urea deeply nourish and soften whilst Vitamin A and Bisabolol soothe.
From Dermatology-m
Price | £42
ESPA Mindful Traveller Collection
Make sure you have space in your luggage for ESPA’s limited edition travel collection containing eight skin, body and hair products to soothe, revive and rejuvenate, housed in a keepsake vegan leather vanity case.
There’s ESPA’s Pro-Cleanser, a 3-in-1 wonder product to cleanse, exfoliate and mask as well as Optimal Skin Pro-Serum and Pro-Moisturiser. Add to this a Bath & Shower Gel and Pulse Point Oil to provide uplift throughout the day. Finally for the hair, ESPA’s naturally nourishing hair formulas including Purifying Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner. The Pink Hair & Scalp Mud can be used as a mask to hydrate dry hair or applied to soothe dry patches on your skin – dual action!
From ESPA
Price | £72.00
Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara
If you want to make an instant impact, then Eyeko’s botanically-infused and fibre filled formula will give your lashes instant energy thanks to caffeine and biotin. Lifting the sleepiest of lashes and conditioning with arginine, this black mascara gives perkier volume, curl and care all day.
From Eyeko
Price | £19.00
Illamasqua Masquara Raven
For defined and volumised lashes, try Illamasqua Masquara Raven. The thick bristle brush defines lashes from root to tip with an intense jet-black finish and the unique formula applies smoothly for even coverage on every lash. With lash conditioning Castor Seed Oil and Vitamin E, Masquara will give both colour intensity and soft, supple lashes.
From Illamasqua
Price | £20.00
Wild Foraged Essentials Kit
Wild Beauty is the brainchild of Rhug Estate owner Lord Newborough, an organic farming pioneer and sustainability advocate. He has transformed his Estate into a thriving and diverse business and recognised brand embracing farming, green energy, retail, wholesale and most recently, skincare.
Now we are Luxuriate Life are suckers for a travel kit and this one does not disappoint. The Wild Foraged Skincare Essentials contains everything you need for looking good. Contents include a purifying cleansing lotion, rebalancing skin tonic, protecting day cream, replenishing mask and an organic cotton muslin cloth.
From Wild Beauty
Price | £85
MONAT Sun Veil Daily Mineral Protection SPF30
Protect your skin with the Monat Sun Veil Daily Mineral Protection with SPF 30 against the harmful effects of the sun. Add it into your daily routine whilst improving the health of your skin. Apply after moisturiser and feel this lightweight, fast absorbing creamy blend of mineral rich zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, botanicals and antioxidants do the work!
From Monat
Price | £38
Splashing about in the water
Sun Safe Suits for children
Leading sustainable children’s clothing brand Frugi has launched their new range of recycled swimwear for new-borns up to age 10. Vibrant and fun, this range provides UPF 40+ rating to help shield your little ones from UVA/UVB rays when used alongside high factor sunscreen.
The Safe Sun Set covers elbows, knees and neck for extra sun protection whilst their vests and shorts are great for layering. They even offer the Newlyn Happy Swimsuit which includes a built-in swim nappy for ease of wear and use – perfect for the tiny tot! The TotBots Reusable Swim Nappies come in five adorable prints and are made from recycled plastic bottles.
From We Love Frugi
Price | £25 for Little Sun Safe Suit
Waboba Extreme Water Bouncing Ball
If you are heading to the water, take along the Waboba Extreme Water Bouncing Ball with you. Its firm signature gel core makes it bounce fast, far and high with the Lycra cover providing extra buoyancy. Small yet powerful, the colourful Extreme can bounce long distances at speed on water yet fits easily into your pocket, perfect for the pool, the beach or even the river!
From Amazon
Price | £7
Venator Goggles
Look stylish whilst swimming on your UK staycation with a pair of Venator goggles. These award-winning goggles, available in several colours, are designed with performance, quality and comfort in mind with a range of lenses available from polarized mirrored, photochromatic to tinted lenses. They are anti-fog too, so no stopping to wipe any mist away ensuring you can concentrate of simply enjoying the waves.
From Zone3
Price | £29
DRBK Skin 50 Tinted Broad Spectrum Sun Protection
Suitable for use in the water too, this effective photo-stable broad spectrum organic sunscreen contains a combination of filters to protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays. It has a cooling and calming faint fragrance of summer cucumber whilst providing a mild tint and a healthy glow suitable for all occasion with or without make-up, you’ll look fab and protect your skin at the same time.
From DRBK
Price | £45
Baby and dog can come too
The Aster
Designed by parents for parents, The Aster is the ultimate compact fold pushchair, practical for any vacation. It folds and unfolds at the touch of a button and has been designed as an ultra-lightweight pushchair to make travelling with baby a breeze. It can even be carried as hand luggage on most airlines too. Suitable from birth to 25kg, The Aster is an innovative addition to your child routine – it looks super chic too.
From Didofy
Price | £275
Collapsible travel bowl
The sun can be a very exhausting environment for our furry coated friends so it’s imperative to keep your mutt well hydrated. Made from BPA free silicone, the bowl is built to last, comes in bright, cheery colours and best of all, fully collapses to slip into your suitcase.
And our office dog has demanded we include this too – Beco also has a range of squeaky soft toys to wrestle with or cuddle up to – all made from recycled plastic. There’s a giraffe, a monkey, an alligator, a teddy, even a hemp rope flamingo. Who can resist? He certainly can’t.
From Beco Pets
Price | From £4.99 – bowls available in S, M, L / toys from £6.99
Edushape Edublocks
Build your own castle on the beach, tower in the park or simply a house in the garden with these portable, waterproof and fun oversized Edushape Edublocks. These large interlocking building blocks fit together to create structures big enough for toddlers to play and walk through, allowing their imaginations to run wild. Sturdy, soft and safe to use the 26 piece comes in a vinyl bag to allow for easy transport. If you were staying at home and wanted to go big – there is also a 50 and 84 piece set.
From Halilit
Price | £119.99
Having fun in the UK staycation sun
Waboba Wingman Foldable Silicone Disc
Playing catch is one of the simplest games to play with the family and with a Wingman Foldable Silicone Disc, you have an aerodynamic designed funfest! Safe for indoors and outdoors play, the Wingman flies over 130 feet and doesn’t veer off course, making for safe catches. When play is done, fold away and put in your pocket.
From Amazon
Price | £6
Stomp Rocket 40000 Stunt Plane Kit
This is a toy that is bound to inspire budding engineers and astronauts – educational plus great fun. The Stomp Rocket® is ideal for days out in the park or holidays and helps teach scientific concepts such as trajectory, force, projection and motion. All products are portable, fast, easy to assemble, with no batteries required – you simply run, jump and stomp to launch the planes. There are three unique planes: the Looper makes giant loops; the Glider does tricks and glides over 100 feet; and Wild Cat flips, turns and soars.
From Amazon
Price | £29.99
Pass the Pigs Giant Dice Game
This will get the family snorting with delight! Play the giant Pass the Pigs game and throw these inflatable pigs around a see how they land. This has been a much-loved family game for years and now has gone super sized! Believe it or not, it’s said to be Amazon’s #1 travel game and has sold in their millions across the world. And they said pigs don’t fly.
From Amazon
Price | £13.98
Gruffalo Mini Micro Scooter
One of the world’s best loved tales aims to give children everything they might want to explore their local ‘deep dark wood’, ‘fields and forests… rivers and reeds…’ and ‘waves and the caves and the golden sand’. With the core values of the stories in mind the Gruffalo range includes plush toys, games, puzzles, brand new eco-friendly pop out playsets, toiletries, clothing and the exciting new collaboration with Micro Scooters.
From first steps to first days at school this award-winning scooter range will help families get out together for lots of outdoor fun this summer. The scooters have a deluxe reinforced fibreglass deck and come in four exclusive designs – featuring Gruffalo, Mouse, Fox and a host of forest friends. They have an adjustable handlebar, increased weight limit and anodised stem. Each scooter design has its own matching helmet.
From www.micro-scooters.co.uk
Price | £89.95 scooter
Price | £32.95 helmet
All imagery courtesy of the brands featured.