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There was an ocean of distance between me and my girlfriend. We couldn’t make it work.

“Money broke us up. Long distance cost too much.”

Sometimes, your next best adventure is on your doorstep. The UK is full of beautiful places to explore, from coastal villages to quiet woodlands to mountain tops. Below are a few ideas for staycation destinations, plus some tips on how to save money.

A big benefit of booking a staycation is that you don’t have airline luggage weight restrictions. This means you can save money by bringing some things from home, such as a football or hiking boots, or board games for rainy days.

If you’re staying in a self-catering holiday cottage, you could also bring things to cook and eat: pasta, a few herbs, or perhaps some tasty tins of baked beans and crunchy snacks.

Planning a UK staycation can give you the chance to stay somewhere a bit unusual. If you’re up for the adventure of camping, why not explore the magic of a forest? And at a very reasonable price too. Forestry England offers 

, we’re told that you can bring the dog along for free at National Trust campsites.

For staycation glamping inspiration, have a look at Canopy & Stars, a search website that showcases unique, creative places that can give you an experience of a life more wild. One of the properties listed on the site is the 

 in the Lake District, set in four acres of private land, a short drive from Hawkshead Brewery.

Glamping in style in a forest

Up and down the British coast, you’ll find town after town to enjoy, full of wonderful places to stay. Close to Edinburgh is the 

, with beaches and all kinds of coastal walks. Wales is a great place to find a seaside staycation too and the 

 has some nice ideas of places to go. Cardigan Bay has all kinds of beautiful beaches, many of which are 

Mwnt beach, near Cardigan, Wales

Much further down South, on the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, you could stay at the historic towns of Weymouth or Lyme Regis. Explore the beach for fossils during the day and sit down to a fish and chip supper in the evening. The pioneering fossil hunter 

 lived in Lyme Regis and made history uncovering many prehistoric wonders here.

If you’re going to travel by train, aim to buy your tickets a few weeks before you travel, to get a better deal with an advance ticket price.

 - they’re not only for people under 25 and over 60, they’re also for people who frequently travel together, as friends, a couple or as a family.

National Trust spaces are always worth a look, especially if you have children. During July and August, lots of properties are running Summer of Play activities for families, from art workshops at 

The activities are usually included in the price of your day pass, and from July 2024 you and three

Starling also has an additional offer for customers that have 

 for their child. If you’re a Kite customer, your child could enjoy a free meal at a National Trust café until the end of 2023. 

Buckland Abbey, Devon

Look up petrol and charging stations before you set off

My final staycation tip is for anyone travelling around by car to a remote part of the UK, for example if you’re doing the 

. Make a point of planning fuel or charging station stops before you get deep into the countryside, where petrol stations or charging points may be quite rare. You could save yourself a lot of potential stress and money.

Sometimes, your next best adventure is on your doorstep. Discover staycation ideas for your next holiday, from camping to beaches and coastal walks.