New research from credit card brand Aqua has revealed the best spring staycation destinations across the UK, comparing locations on accommodation costs, social media popularity, Google search volumes, and weather data. The findings come as a 2025 survey showed that 8 in 10 UK residents have taken a staycation somewhere in the country.
London leads the pack
London tops the list, driven by nearly one million average annual Google searches, 173 million Instagram posts, and an average spring temperature of 9.8°C. Despite hotel stays costing £187 a night, the capital offers plenty of free attractions, including the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, and the Sky Garden.
Liverpool follows in second place with over 18 million Instagram posts and 416,400 annual searches, while Northumberland rounds off the top three with the best average April temperature at 10.7°C and only 38.6mm of rainfall.
The full top 10 overall staycation destinations are
| Rank | Location | Avg. Hotel Cost (April) | Instagram Posts | Annual Searches | Avg. Temp (°C) | Avg. Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | £187 | 173,000,000 | 940,800 | 9.8 | 49.6 |
| 2 | Liverpool | £115 | 18,600,000 | 416,400 | 9.2 | 49.8 |
| 3 | Northumberland | £153 | 1,900,000 | 63,360 | 10.7 | 38.6 |
| 4 | Edinburgh | £193 | 12,100,000 | 613,200 | 8.4 | 40.8 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | £93 | 2,500,000 | 17,640 | 10.3 | 41.5 |
| 6 | Eastbourne | £93 | 998,000 | 70,560 | 10.0 | 44.4 |
| 7 | Brighton | £124 | 8,600,000 | 276,960 | 9.1 | 45.1 |
| 8 | Blackpool | £80 | 1,800,000 | 289,200 | 8.9 | 48.7 |
| =9 | Stratford-upon-Avon | £121 | 549,000 | 272,160 | 9.2 | 45.6 |
| =9 | Southend-on-Sea | £124 | 475,000 | 119,400 | 9.4 | 36.1 |
| 10 | The New Forest | £163 | 71,300 | 180,720 | 10.4 | 52.3 |
Best value destinations
For budget-conscious travellers, Blackpool is the most affordable destination at just £80 per night. With attractions like Pleasure Beach and the Golden Mile promenade, the seaside town offers a fun yet low-cost getaway. Torquay comes in second at £92 a night, drawing visitors with its palm-lined promenades and sandy beaches along the so-called “English Riviera.” Eastbourne and Portsmouth tie for third at £93 per night.
The top 10 most affordable destinations are
| Rank | Location | Avg. Hotel Cost (April) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackpool | £80 |
| 2 | Torquay | £92 |
| =3 | Eastbourne | £93 |
| =3 | Portsmouth | £93 |
| 4 | Plymouth | £101 |
| 5 | Weston Super Mare | £105 |
| =6 | Bristol | £106 |
| =6 | Ilfracombe | £106 |
| 7 | Manchester | £107 |
| 8 | Liverpool | £115 |
| 9 | Cardiff | £116 |
| =10 | Brecon Beacons | £119 |
| =10 | Southampton | £119 |
Most popular on social media
Edinburgh takes second place in online buzz with over 12 million Instagram posts and 613,200 searches, while Manchester ranks third with 20.6 million Instagram posts and 508,800 searches. The top 5 most viral destinations are
| Rank | Location | Instagram Posts | Annual Searches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 173,000,000 | 940,800 |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 12,100,000 | 613,200 |
| 3 | Manchester | 20,600,000 | 508,800 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 18,600,000 | 416,400 |
| 5 | Lake District | 4,700,000 | 407,760 |
Hidden gems for the off-the-beaten-track traveller
For those seeking quieter retreats, Broadstairs in Kent leads as the top hidden gem, with just 3,360 annual searches for visits and hotels despite 332,000 Instagram posts. Dartmouth in Devon ranks second, also drawing only 3,360 searches, while Whitstable, Poole, and the Scottish Highlands share third place.
| Rank | Location | Instagram Posts | Annual Searches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broadstairs | 332,000 | 3,360 |
| 2 | Dartmouth | 878,000 | 3,360 |
| =3 | Whitstable | 593,000 | 6,360 |
| =3 | Poole | 792,000 | 6,360 |
| =3 | Scottish Highlands | 1,800,000 | 1,200 |
| 4 | Torquay | 1,000,000 | 10,680 |
| 5 | Robin Hood’s Bay | 117,000 | 22,800 |
How to budget for your staycation
Scott Yule, Commercial Director at Aqua, offered practical tips for managing holiday finances: “To help budget for your holiday, consider setting up an automated direct debit to your current account months in advance. Even small, regular contributions will accumulate over time, ensuring you have a dedicated fund for your trip.”
“A top tip: It’s a good idea to have an emergency fund in place before your holiday. If anything goes wrong, you know you have a pot of money to help cover the cost of emergencies or extra expenses. That way, you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.”
“A credit card can be a helpful tool to have while on a staycation. Your credit card can help you in an emergency, for example, if you need to cover unexpected expenses. Using a credit card can also help you work towards building your credit score if you stay within your credit limit and make your repayments on time.”
“An installment plan can help you spread the cost of your holiday spending into manageable monthly payments, giving you more control over how you budget. Sticking to a clear repayment plan is highly recommended, as missing a payment could break your installment plan, impacting your credit record and will take longer to pay off your balance.”