
The stunning destination crowned UK's happiest holiday spot for families
As foreign travel becomes increasingly pricey, more and more Brits are opting for staycations, particularly families seeking a summer getaway. After all, the key to a great holiday is happiness, which can take many forms - from shared laughter during a coastal walk to savouring a hearty pub lunch after a day of wildlife spotting.
With this in mind, the team at holidaycottages.co.uk have unveiled the UK's top staycation spots guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The findings were based on a survey of 2,000 people, aimed at determining the UK's happiest holiday destination.
The Isle of Wight took the top spot, with its enchanting coastline and golden beaches earning high praise. The experts lauded the island as having "all the ingredients for happiness".
There's no shortage of activities to suit all tastes, whether you're a history buff, beach lover, hiking enthusiast or an adrenaline-junkie family.
Families can spend their summer days building sandcastles on the stunning beaches of Shanklin or Sandown. For those seeking a bit of excitement then head to Blackgang Chine to visit the UK's oldest theme park.
One satisfied visitor who chose the Isle of Wight for their holiday gushed: "On the Isle of Wight; it's tranquil and so magical. It's a very unique place for a holiday for all the family, including the family pet."
Following closely behind was the stunning Welsh county of Pembrokeshire, whilst Hampshire, which boasts the New Forest National Park, secured third position.
Reflecting on the Happiest Places survey, Sarah Pring from holidaycottages.co.uk remarked: "Joy and happiness can be found in so many areas of life - whether that's getting active in some of the UK's most scenic locations, sharing a laugh with family over fish and chips on the beach, or seeing the wonder of wildlife through the eyes of your children.
"Though everyone's happy place is different, we wanted to explore some of the shared moments of happiness experienced across the UK, as many families look for last-minute breaks over the summer holidays.
"We hope our research inspires more people to enjoy a UK staycation and find their own happy place - who knows, it might just be one of the destinations on this list."
The UK's happiest family staycations
Isle of Wight
Pembrokeshire
Hampshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
Lancashire
Ceredigion
Cornwall
Dorset
Norfolk
Lincolnshire

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Blackpool Air Show flypasts attended by thousands
Thousands of people have turned out to watch spectacular flypasts at the annual Blackpool Air Red Arrows were among teams from the Royal Air Force who wowed visitors on both days of the free aircraft also featured in a Battle of Britain memorial flight, alongside displays by the world's only professional wing-walking hosted the UK's first official public flying meeting in 1909 and council leader Lynn Williams said: "That legacy lives on today through the Air Show, which continues to captivate audiences across the Blackpool skyline." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Quaint seaside town with no arcades or rides but named 'best in the UK'
A beach with no piers, arcades or rides has been named the best seaside town in the UK, beating other well-known places on the list A little-known seaside town has been named the best in the UK despite having no arcades or rides. Big UK seaside towns with entertainment and piers have always been a favourite for Brits looking for a daytrip to the sea or a staycation. But a new spot has now topped the list of the country's best seaside locations - and this winner isn't one of the big names most travellers go to on a hot day. Aldeburgh in Suffolk replaces arcades and rides with rows of pastel homes and a wealth of history. It comes after reports of a small fishing village with some of UK's best seafood but hardly any tourists. The quaint town was once a site where famous ships were built, including Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind, and the area has not forgotten its rich past. It also has links to the Tudor period as Henry VIII himself gave the port town borough status. History and literature buffs can even enjoy the annual Aldeburgh Festival of music and arts if they want a different type of fun to coin machines and whack-a-mole. The cute town offers a high street full of clothing boutiques, independent shops and antique stores. Foodies can also enjoy the classic seaside fish and chips while also digging into spots rated by the Michelin Guide. The town's Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop has previously won the title of Britain's best chippie. Aldeburgh has even been dubbed "London-on-Sea" due to its location between the River Alde and a stretch of English coastline overlooking the North Sea. The main attractions for visitors are the pebble beach, home to colourful 19th-century holiday villas and a historic watchtower. The town's beach is recognised as one of the top five shingle beaches in the country, winning several national awards including a prestigious Blue Flag. The beach has no kiosks, but there are traditional fisherman's huts across the sand where visitors can buy some freshly-caught seafood. This sweet town offers a whimsical escape from neighbouring areas and has been named the best seaside spot by The Times, which said: "The East Anglian coast often seems stuck in a bit of a time warp, and if anywhere exemplifies this it's Aldeburgh." The review added: "Aldeburgh is a vision of the English seaside of yesteryear: wooden shacks and bathing huts, boats pulled up on the shingle, strolls along the prom with ice cream in hand." Other places on the list included Oban in Scotland, Cromer in Norfolk, Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria and Penzance in Cornwall. Some more well-known seaside towns also made the list including Brighton and Margate. The train from London to Aldeburgh is quick and frequent, but you can also get there easily by car. The drive from the capital to Aldeburgh via the A12 takes less than three hours.


North Wales Live
2 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Welsh lad holidaying in Turkey warns people not to 'bother' going for one reason
Turkey ranks as one of Britain's favourite holiday destinations, with an impressive 4.4 million UK visitors flocking there in 2024. According to Time Out, this places it eighth on the list of most sought-after spots for British holidaymakers, trailing the likes of Spain, France, and Greece, though visitor numbers continue to climb annually. But one Welsh traveller has issued a stark warning to anyone considering Turkey as their next getaway, as he says, "don't bother". The individual, known as @northwalesboii on TikTok, shared his disappointment after jetting off for his summer break, expressing frustration with one particular aspect of his trip. In his online post, the holidaymaker grumbled that costs had become "too expensive", urging prospective visitors to pack "a lot of money" if they're determined to go. Whilst he didn't specify his exact location, popular Turkish destinations include Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, and coastal hotspots like Marmaris. He declared: "Just to let you know, if you're coming on holiday to Turkey, bring a lot of money. You will spend it. Everything has gone up. Warning: The below video contains strong language. "It never used to be so expensive; it used to be so dirt cheap to come here. To eat out, to drink out. Not no more. It is f***ing expensive." Opinions were divided among commenters on the video discussing holiday expenses in Turkey. Some concurred that prices had risen, with reports of being charged 400 Turkish Lira for a beer, equating to roughly £7.30. One viewer remarked: "I go three times a year, and you are correct, it's gotten expensive. It will go up again. Next year, we're looking at different places." But some maintained their recent trips were "cheaper than the UK." A commenter contested: "I don't know what part you went to. We have just got back from Antalya, had a great time, and it was cheaper than the UK." Another chimed in: "I don't know where you guys are going, but it's really cheap in Turkey. I do a lot of shopping and the food is cheap as well. " In 2024, some travellers expressed concerns that soaring inflation might render Turkey a "ghost town" within years, with one social media user comparing tourist spot prices to those in London. He recounted: "I'm sat in this place now - for a burger it's £12. For a water it's £2 - it's becoming like London prices. My sister, and her little family, said they're not going to come back again.