Staycations are the perfect excuse to head down to the British coast and visit some of the best beaches the UK has to offer.
There’s nothing better than waking up first thing in the morning and smelling the seaside air while you watch the waves roll in. But how far from the beach should you stay to get the best value for money?
To answer this question, discount code and fundraising platform Savoo has highlighted the perfect distance for 7 of the UK’s best beaches so you can find that sweet spot between the beach and your hotel and have more money in your back pocket for your seaside holiday essentials like fish and chips and ice cream!
How far away should you stay from the beach?
![Staycation beach hotels]()
Kirkwall - Scapa beach
Scapa beach has an amazing view out to Scapa flow which makes it a brilliant place to be as the sun casts its colour in the sky early in the morning and late in the evening.
If you’re planning to make a trip to Scapa beach, think about staying between 2-3 miles away from the seafront. Hotels in this distance zone have a sparkling 9.8 average rating and an average cost of £65, making it the perfect option for a fabulous summer staycation on a budget.
Avoid staying 1-2 miles away from the beach as you can expect to splash out around £92 in cash for a one-person stay.
![Kirkwall Scapa Beach]()
Salcombe - South Sands Beach
Located in Devon, South Sands Beach offers beachgoers crystal-clear water and fine sand - perfect for making sandcastles with.
Look for accommodation that is located within 5-6 miles from the beach as these options have an average cost of £68. Hotels in this area have also been given an average 9.3 rating.
![Salcome South Sands Beach]()
Plymouth - Wembury Beach
The sandy beach, low tide and numerous rock pools make Wembury beach the perfect place for a family getaway. This picturesque beach has an award from the Marine Conservation Society for its clean water.
11-12 miles away from the beach is where you can expect to get the best value for your money. Hotels in this region cost around £74, and have an average rating of 9.3.
Dismiss staying in hotels in the 4-5 miles zone. Although very close to the beach, these hotels average a lower 8.3 rating while costing over £88 on average.
![Plymouth Wembury Beach]()
Poole - Sandbanks Beach
With fine golden sand and sparkling clean waters, Sandbanks beach offers spectacular views towards Studland and Old Harry Rocks and is beautiful all year round.
The perfect distance away from the beach is inside the 8-9 mile range. Holiday-goers can expect to find hotels costing an average of £73 with a 9.1 rating.
![Poole Sandbanks Beach]()
Bournemouth - Bournemouth Beach
Pristine Bournemouth beach has plenty of dog-friendly areas, perfect if you want to bring along your pet on your staycation adventure. This beach offers 7 miles of award-winning seaside fun!
Search for hotels located 8-9 miles away from the beach as this is where the value for money sweet spot is. Priced around £163 per night, hotels in the area have received an average 9.5 rating.
If you’re thinking about staying nearer the beachfront, then you might want to reconsider. Hotels in the 1-2 mile zone cost on average £387 for a one-person stay - more than double the price of those a little further out!
![Bournemouth Beach]()
Newport - Newport Sands
Found in Wales, Newport Sands - known locally as ‘Traeth Mawr’ - is around 1.5 miles long. Perfect for people looking to kayak and surf, this Welsh gem also has an area designated to sunbathing only, making it the perfect place to top up your tan.
If you’re interested in making a trip down to Newport Sands, explore hotels in the 9-10 mile range away from the beach. Hotels in this zone have been rated highly with an average rating of 8.7while costing around £77 per night.
![Newport Sands Beach]()
Weston-super-Mare - Sand Bay Beach
Mixed with sand and shingles, Sand Bay Beach is a great location for fishing, swimming, and sunbathing. Popular with both beachcombers and horse riders due to its long and flat shore, this stunning beach offers fantastic views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales.
Hotels located 2-3 miles away from the coast are where you can expect to get the best value for your money. Not only does accommodation in this area cost only £55 per night, it also has an average rating of 8.7.
Keep away from hotels distanced 8-9 miles away from the beach as they are priced higher at £92.
![Weston Super Mare Beach]()
4 top tips for the perfect beach staycation
Choosing a staycation over jetting off abroad can save you a lot of money - instead of splashing out on flights, staying on British soil and sampling the best attractions Britain has to offer can be just as fun and a whole lot cheaper. If you’re swapping travelling abroad for the sights and scenery of good old Britain, here are our top tips for a great staycation.
- Create a budget:Just like you’d create a budget for your holiday abroad, you should do the same for your staycation. Decide how much you’ll spend on your staycation before you get there, and stick to it!
- Use discount codes and coupons: Loads of UK attractions have offers available. Throughout summer, theme parks, waterparks, museums, and zoos will often have a 2-for-1 voucher, just take a look at your next box of cereal.
- Speak to the locals: Ask a local if they know any secret spots. You may be surprised how many people are willing to recommend a new place for you to see.
- Bring the right lotions: Don’t forget to pack the sun cream! Ideally, choose one that’s water-resistant and remember to reapply as directed. A great hack for getting sand off damp skin is to sprinkle talcum powder over yourself. The talc releases the grains by removing moisture from the body allowing the sand to fall freely.
Get your staycation off to a cracking start with our travel deals and discounts. Get the best rates across thousands of seaside resorts by using an online travel operator like Booking.com or Expedia and discover unique accommodation and quaint British cottages at Sykes Cottages and Shearings Holidays. If you prefer to stay in a hotel make sure you check out Travelodge. When it comes to travel, get there fuss-free with Trainline or National Express, or check out top deals for Hertz or Sixt car rentals if you'd prefer to drive.
Sources and Methodology
Towns have been selected manually from the seaside locations in the top 5 counties with the lowest incident of coronavirus cases per capita.
Price based on a stay for 1 adult between 01/10/20 and 02/10/20.
Distance has been based on proximity to seaside landmarks.
All calculations based on distances fitting into ranges rounded up or down. For example, a hotel with distance 4.2 miles from the beach had its cost and rating incorporated into the average for the range 4 - 5 miles.
