Five Staycation Ideas for Your Next UK Adventure

Written By:Megan Bonnett11.8.20

Summertime is in full swing, and if like us you are desperate for a little change of scenery then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve teamed up with Omio, a travel platform that allows you to find the fastest, cheapest and best travel options by bus, train or flight to thousands of cities and towns across the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. 

With our exclusive Omio discount code which gets you 5% off your next booking, you can book your next holiday for less. That’s why we’re sharing some of our favourite staycation locations to give you some inspiration ready for when you book your next adventure.

Discover five amazing places you can visit in the UK for your summer staycation with Omio.

1. Brighton 

Where best to start our breakdown of the best places for a staycation than Britain’s beloved beachside city! Located on the south coast of England, just an hour away from London by train, Brighton is a unique place full of amazing food, culture and scenery. 

Things to do: 

• Catch a show at Brighton’s Dome or just observe the orient beauty of its architecture
• Explore the winding alleyways and lanes to find boutique vintage shops, delicious vegan and vegetarian cafes and irresistible tea and coffee shops. 
• Take a walk down Brighton Pier for some old fashion fun at the amusement arcade 
• Rent a deck chair and enjoy some afternoon sun on Brighton beach 

Best ways to travel: 

• By train: Brighton’s central train station operates national services with Southern Rail trains. To access Brighton from most major cities in the UK, all you need to do is change services in London, and from there it is just an hour away. There are also several smaller stations within the area, such as Preston Road and Hove, which both have services direct to London. These stations are around a half-hour away from the city centre by foot.
  
• By bus: To get to Brighton by bus, take one of the many National Express and Megabus services that go straight to Brighton Coach Station. Many of these services come from London, so if you’re travelling in from other parts of the country you might have to change services once you get into London.
  

💎Top tip: Want somewhere really unique to stay? Stay the weekend at Hotel Peliroco, a truly one of a kind hotel right on the seafront. Each room is uniquely themed to give you a once in a lifetime experience. Whether you’re a die-hard David Bowie fan and want to stay in the ‘Rebel Rebel’ room or book the ‘Lord Vader’s Quarters’ if you have kids who love all things Star Wars.

Find the best Brighton and Hove travel deals with these cheap train, bus and flight tickets over on Omio. 

2. Edinburgh 

Welcome to Edinburgh, a city that’s home to an impressive blend of architecture and landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral and Holyrood Palace which sit alongside green spaces, parks and gardens. 

Things to do in Edinburgh: 

• Head to the medieval Old Town and walk down the Royal Mile to soak up all the history of this ancient city. Follow the cobbled streets stretching from the castle to the Queen’s palace. 
• Explore Greyfriars Graveyard, a supernatural fanatic’s dream known as the world’s most ghost-infested graveyard! Learn all the spooky tales of the area dating back to the middle ages. 
• Take a trip to Edinburgh Castle, the home of Scotland’s crown jewels and full of history from over 1110 years. 
•  Explore the leafy Georgian terraces of New Town with their upmarket boutiques or local favourites such as Edinburgh Woolen Mill, the perfect place for a nice afternoon stroll. 

Best ways to travel: 

• By flight: The distance between London and Edinburgh is 650km, and so flying is often the quickest option taking around 1.5 hours. Flights depart from all London airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted straight into Edinburgh airport – make sure to book in advance to get the best deals, otherwise flying can become expensive.
• By train: The train usually takes around 5 hours from London, Virgin Trains East Coast operates between 2-3 services per hour from London Euston and London Kings Cross stations. You can also take a luxurious ride on The Caledonian Sleeper train which leaves Euston every day in the late evening for an overnight journey that takes about 7 and a half hours.
• By bus: Although the bus can take between 8 and 11 hours from London, Megabus and National Express services do sometimes have great deals that make the long haul worth it. Especially if you want to travel up there on the cheap!

💎Top tip:  You may already have the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street on your list of things to do during your staycation, but did you know you can venture up to the rooftop viewing platform on the 7th floor, to see the incredible 360-degree views of the city skyline? It’s a must-do for any staycation if you want to really take in the views of Edinburgh. 

Find the best Edinburgh travel deals with these cheap train, bus and flight tickets over on Omio. 

3. Exeter 

Next up on our staycation wishlist is Exeter, a charming city in the heart of Devon. A small city that makes a big impact, Exeter is another vibrant city that’s got historically landmarks on every corner. You’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for things to do, no matter what the weather during your staycation! 

Things to do in Exeter:

• Explore the creativity, skill and devotion that went into building the stunning Exeter Cathedral. Take in the history of this masterpiece dating back 900 years. 
• Take a guided tour of Exeter’s Underground Passages for a memorable afternoon – visit the heritage centre before your guided tour, packed with interactive exhibits and interpretation of the underground passages that were built to house the pipes that brought clean drinking water into medieval Exeter. 
• Exeter Quayside is the perfect place to go when the sun is shining! Packed with plenty of things to see and do for all the family. The cobbled paths take you past quirky shops, craft workshops, antique stores, restaurants and pubs. You can even rent canoes and sail along to take in the vibrant atmosphere from the water. 
• Shop til you drop down Gandy Street, known as the little Exeter road that time forgot.  This 19th-century street is filled with plenty of bars and cafés to indulge yourself in, you can even rent a paddleboat during the summer and splash on the water. 

Best way to travel: 

By flight: Exeter can be easily reached by flight thanks to its own international airport, located just east of the city. Once you arrive at the airport, hop on the number 56 bus which will take you straight into the city.

By train: Exeter has two major railway stations; Exeter Central and Exeter St. Davids. The latter station forms part of a cross-country line that runs from Scotland right down to Exeter, calling at major cities along the way. There are also direct services to and from London, which run many times per day. 

By bus: The central bus station in Exeter has many regional services to Cornwall and throughout the southwest, the majority of which are run by Stagecoach and Western Greyhound. From the same station, National Express runs long-distance services, several of which go to and from London and its airports.

💎Top tip: Want a nice little eatery for your weekend away? Head to The Old Fire House pub to feast on a delicious meal or sip on a pint or two of the best selection of ales and ciders in Exeter. 

Find the best Exeter travel deals with these cheap train, bus and flight tickets over on Omio for your next staycation. 

4. Liverpool

Liverpool is a city packed with diverse culture and is famous for its people, architecture, and of course, the Beatles. It’s a hugely popular destination for national and international tourists alike. With more museums and galleries than London and a nightlife that’s on top form – this city definitely has something for everyone. 

Things to do in Liverpool: 

• Visit Lark Lane to explore cute vintage shops and cosy cafés or take a leisurely stroll along the river to see some of the next parts of Liverpool. 
• No Beatles fan can leave Liverpool without exploring the sites where it all began. For the full experience, head to The Beatles Story on Albert Dock; the ultimate dedication to the band. 
• Take in the beauty of Liverpool from new heights with a 360 tour at the Royal Liver Building. 
• Fancy yourself as a bit of a history buff? Venture to The Merseyside Maritime Museum to learn all about the story of the dock development and its rich history. 

Best ways to travel: 

By flight: Plane journeys between London Heathrow and Manchester Ringway International Airport, which lies just over 50 kilometres from Liverpool city centre. Explore fabulous savings and Liverpool Airport discount codes for even more savings.

By train: One train per hour departs London Euston for Liverpool Lime Street Station and the total journey takes just over two hours. 

By bus: Buses depart London Liverpool Street Station each day and the whole journey takes between 5.5 and seven hours. So if you’ve got enough time, and want a cheap option for travel then this might be the best option for you. 

💎Top tip: The best way to explore this fabulous city is definitely by foot. Being Britain’s fourth-largest city, Liverpool has a rich history, diverse culture, and many elegant buildings to explore. Start your walk at Albert Docks and walk to the side of River Mersey and watch the Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey’ as it leaves the dock. From here, you can also see Liverpool’s famous three Graces, which are the Port of Liverpool Building, the Cunard Building, and the Liver Building. After strolling through the dock continue southwards, passing the John Lennon Peace Monument, and reach the Liverpool Festival Gardens.

Find the best Liverpool travel deals with these cheap train, bus and flight tickets over on Omio. 

5. Bath

Fall in love with Bath on your next staycation. A city packed full of history and built for pleasure and relaxation. 

Things to do in Bath: 

• Discover The Roman Baths, a well-preserved thermae in the heart of the city that was built between 60-70CE in the first few decades of Roman Britain.
• Take a tour of The Abbey and climb up to the top of the Abbey to take in the breathtaking views of the city and learn all about the history of Bath and the bell ringers of the Abbey. 
• Walk along Pulteney Bridge and gaze at the amazing views of the Avon River and dip in and out of the boutique shops built into its architecture. 
• Want to see the city from a different angle? If you’re up for a bit of exercise, walk the Bath Skyline Walk, a circular trail that affords views of the historic city. This six-mile walk is no mean feat, so pack a lunch and make a day of it for a cheap and cheerful day out. 
• Take a takeaway lunch and head over to Prior Park Landscape Garden, a National Trust area designed in the 18th century by the poet Alexander Pope and the landscape gardener Capability Brown. 

Best ways to travel: 

• By train: Bath Spa railway station is the city’s main public transport connection with the rest of the country, with incoming services from London and Bristol as well as southern and western parts of the country.
• By bus: Bath Bus Station receives National Express services from across the country, making it a convenient city to access by bus. It is often a calling stop on buses to Bristol coming from the north, and has many daily services to London.

💎Top tip: Want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre in the evenings? Why not camp on the outskirts of the city to not only get a little peace and quiet sleeping under the stars, but also save yourself a little extra on accommodation. There are plenty of amazing campsites in the greenery surrounding Bath where you and your friends or family can enjoy a little BBQ after a long day of exploring. Just get yourself down to Go Outdoors or Halfords to stock up on supplies beforehand. 

Find the best Bath travel deals with these cheap train, bus and flight tickets over on Omio. 

Find even more Omio voucher codes and travel deals right here at Savoo. 

Save 5% and raise a free donation for Railway Children with every booking

This International Youth Day we’ve teamed up with renowned children’s charity Railway Children and Omio to help them raise vital donations and awareness. It’s now even easier to get involved and help us raise even more donations for this important charity and the work they do for vulnerable children all over the world.

What is International Youth Day? 

Set up in 2000 by the United Nations, International Youth Day falls on 12th August every year as an awareness day that focuses on all the surrounding issues young children face across the world. In particular looking at issues surrounding education, employment, mental and physical wellbeing and relationships. 

How can I help? 

From 3rd to the 16th August, save 5% on your next Omio booking and raise free donations for Railway Children at no extra cost to you right here at Savoo. 

So whether you want to jump on the train down to the coast for a bit of summer sun, or hop on a plane to visit your friends or family you haven’t seen in months – you’ll be able to make huge savings on your next travel trip with Omio who have all the best deals for boats, trains and flights around the UK and Europe. Make sure you book through Savoo to take advantage of this exclusive discount and show your support for such a worthy cause.

To access the discount code:

1. Head to the Omio discount codes page on Savoo 
2. Click on the 5% off all Omio bookings code 
3. Copy the code and get redirected to the Omio site
4. Search through thousands of options on boat, train, coach and car travel for your next trip 
5. Once you’ve got your tripped planned, redeem your exclusive discount code on your booking at checkout for a great 5% saving

The best part? You’ll have raised a donation for a great charity at no extra cost or effort. As soon as your order goes through, 2% of your total booking value will be donated directly to the Railway Children charity on your behalf. 

Happy travels!