The 10 best UK staycation destinations to drive to this year
1. Harrogate
Harrogate takes the top spot on our list. The locals there have one of the highest happiness ratings around (7.8/10 – that’s pretty happy!), a good indication that it’s a nice place to visit. There are also plenty of EV charging spots and petrol stations to keep you filled up while on the move.
But what’s there to do in Harrogate? Well, after a long drive, what’s better than treating yourself to some pampering at one of the many local spas? After all, Harrogate is famous for its wellness resorts, so don’t miss out if you’re headed there this year!
Aside from swimming and building up a sweat in the sauna, Harrogate is also great for doing a bit of sightseeing out in nature. Why not visit the Brimham Rocks or take a stroll along one of the many hiking routes? There are also several gardens full of lush greenery that you can check out (like RHS Garden Harlow Carr or Valley Gardens).
2. Stratford-upon-Avon
A medieval market town with over 800 years of history, Stratford-upon-Avon scores a silver medal on our list, with a happiness rating of 7.6, over 6,000 car parking spaces and more than 60 attractions for you to check out.
The town is known for being the birthplace of none other than William Shakespeare. Simply walking around the area is a grand experience in itself, as you’ll get to take in the sights of buildings that have been standing since the 14th century.
You can even visit Shakespeare’s birthplace – a beautiful 16th-century half-timbered building on Henley Street in the heart of the town, before taking in one of his famous plays at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or the Swan Theatre, both close to the picturesque River Avon.
3. Newquay
Coming in at third is Newquay, the popular seaside resort town with sandy beaches and luscious scenery. It’s no wonder this Cornwall getaway spot has so many AA-approved locations to stay in (326).
Aside from the sea, sun and sand, there’s also plenty to do here, with more than 25 activities in the area according to our scale. You can also find ample parking (over 3,500 spots). The somewhat tropical atmosphere in Newquay has clearly contributed to local happiness scores, which average at 7.5/10.
It’s a brilliant choice if you’re looking to drive for a staycation with your family, with plenty around to keep the kids busy. The Blue Reef Aquarium is always a good place to start, but there’s also mini golf, water sports, Newquay Zoo and so much more. If a stroll along the beach is more your speed, then walking along the coast makes for a great day out!
Notable mentions
The happiest town to visit in the UK
It’s number 5 on our top 10, but Richmond (Richmondshire) is the happiest location on our list. A breathtakingly beautiful market town with quaint cobbled streets and striking architecture, Richmond is located close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, so there’s plenty to do for lovers of the outdoors.
Best of the Welsh
Dramatic scenery is guaranteed with a trip to Anglesey – there’s plenty to do and see, like the historic Beaumaris Castle or a walk around Trearddur Bay. For little ones, there’s the Anglesey Sea Zoo. Just make sure to arrive early as limited parking spots are available on the island.
Northern Ireland’s finest
Carrickfergus is an excellent choice if you want to stay somewhere a bit more laid back, but still be within touching distance of a bustling metropolis like Belfast, which is only 25 minutes away by car. Make sure to visit the famous Carrickfergus Castle while you’re in town!
If you want to check out our rankings for yourself, scroll down.
| Rank |
Location |
Country |
Happiness rating |
Number of car parking spaces |
Things to do |
Number of petrol stations |
Number of EV chargers per 100,000 people |
Number of AA approved places to stay |
| 1 |
Harrogate |
England |
7.8 |
2,675 |
62 |
54 |
107.3 |
58 |
| 2 |
Stratford-upon-Avon |
England |
7.6 |
6,039 |
48 |
43 |
124.3 |
58 |
| 3 |
Newquay |
England |
7.5 |
3,660 |
26 |
19 |
109.6 |
326 |
| 4 |
Horley |
England |
7.2 |
18,221 |
41 |
93 |
28.4 |
26 |
| 5 |
Richmond |
England |
8.0 |
544 |
32 |
25 |
107.3 |
52 |
| 6 |
Poole |
England |
7.5 |
7,722 |
45 |
59 |
46.0 |
52 |
| 7 |
Great Yarmouth |
England |
7.6 |
4,645 |
50 |
30 |
73.9 |
39 |
| 8 |
Carrickfergus |
Northern Ireland |
7.8 |
1,993 |
31 |
115 |
18.0 |
10 |
| 9 |
Anglesey |
Wales |
7.6 |
50 |
41 |
27 |
124.7 |
6 |
| 10 |
Abergavenny |
Wales |
7.6 |
2,122 |
22 |
38 |
126.6 |
12 |
The best UK staycation destinations for vehicle provisions
In case you’re all about making sure the driving aspect of your staycation is as convenient as possible, we’ve put together an alternative list of the best destinations. All the destinations we’ve picked out are already great staycation spots in their own right, but you’ll find the following locales particularly useful for:
- Car parking spaces
- Petrol stations
- EV chargers
1. Horley
Taking the top spot on the car-driving convenience list, it’s Horley. With over 18,000 parking spaces, 93 petrol stations and ample EV charging spots, you can expect a stress-free time if this is your choice for a staycation! Located midway between London and Brighton, Horley makes an excellent base for exploration.
2. Stratford-upon-Avon
Making its second appearance on this page, Stratford-upon-Avon really is a solid option for a road trip staycation. Not only is there plenty to do once you arrive, there’s ample parking, petrol stations and over 124 EV chargers – so driving is as stress-free as it gets.
3. Holywood
Claiming the third spot is Holywood. With 1,288 available car parking spaces, 51.6 EV chargers (per 100,000 people) and 141 petrol stations, this Northern Irish seafront town comes with equal parts charm and convenience.
| Rank |
Location |
Country |
Number of car parking spaces |
Number of petrol stations |
Number of EV chargers per 100,000 people |
| 1 |
Horley |
England |
18,221 |
93 |
28.4 |
| 2 |
Stratford-upon-Avon |
England |
6,039 |
43 |
124.3 |
| 3 |
Holywood |
Northern Ireland |
1,288 |
141 |
51.6 |
| 4 |
Harrogate |
England |
2,675 |
54 |
107.3 |
| 5 |
Abergavenny |
Wales |
2,122 |
38 |
126.6 |
| 6 |
Poole |
England |
7,772 |
59 |
46.0 |
| 7 |
Dornoch |
Scotland |
60 |
8 |
153.7 |
| 8 |
Isle of Lewis |
Scotland |
168 |
6 |
153.7 |
| 9 |
Isle of Skye |
Scotland |
186 |
4 |
153.7 |
| 10 |
Newquay |
England |
3,360 |
19 |
109.6 |
Driving tips for your staycation getaway
Driving to a staycation destination might sound like a romantic notion, but it pays to be well-prepared before you set out on your journey. Most people enjoy driving for short trips during the summer, and these expert tips will help you avoid any nasty hiccups along the way.
1. Prepare for the heat
If you’re driving during the summer months, make sure to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (ideally in lighter colours), but avoid unsuitable driving footwear like sandals or flip-flops. You can also freeze some water bottles beforehand or bring a cooler to keep everyone refreshed. Couple that with your car’s air conditioning and it should be a breezy drive! When parking, try to choose a spot in the shade or use a windscreen shade to prevent your car from turning into a giant oven.
2. Plan your route
Knowing your route and avoiding any roadworks/traffic incidents can make for a much nicer road trip. Luckily, we have just the thing to help you with that. Our AA Route Planner can help you plot a course and get to your destination safely and easily – it’s designed to avoid major incidents and traffic jams, and it’ll also let you know about any inclement weather along your route.
3. Plan your stops/share the driving
Driving with your family (particularly young kids) has the potential to get quite frustrating, so make sure to let everyone out to stretch their legs at regular intervals and burn off some of that energy. Babies shouldn’t be in a car seat for more than two hours at a time, so give your little ones regular breaks.
You might even want to plan some activities or stop at a local park for some light exercise.
Remember, it’s also not good to drive for more than 9 hours in a 24-hour period, so if you’ve got someone else who’s able to take over at the wheel, why not share the duty? If you’re the designated driver and you’re feeling tired, just pull over somewhere safe and rest until you’re good to go again – don’t take the risk of driving while tired.
4. Carry out some pre-trip checks
Before setting off, make sure all the essential parts of your car are in working order, and sufficiently topped up.
- Your tyres should have enough tread and the correct pressure level for a long journey
- Your lights should all be in working order with no defects
- Your wiper blades should work perfectly and not leave any smudges or smears when activated
- Your car battery should be working smoothly. Check the dashboard warning symbol before setting off. As a rule of thumb, if your battery is more than 5 years old, you may want to consider replacing it
If you’re ever unsure about what to check before a road trip, remember FLOWER:
- Fuel
- Lights
- Oil
- Water
- Electrics
- Rubber
5. Get breakdown cover
Sometimes you can do all of the above but still get caught out by simple bad luck. If the worst-case scenario is that you break down while en route to your staycation destination, it could be a real lifesaver to have breakdown cover. Having it could mean the difference between an expensive headache and the end of your trip, or a simple hiccup where we get you back on your way promptly.
Methodology and sources
To begin our research, we conducted an in-depth analysis of 36 of the best UK staycation destinations to drive to across the UK. Our goal was to identify the ultimate driving destinations for this summer, based on six key metrics. These factors included:
- Happiness Rating
- Number of car parking spaces
- Things to do in location
- Number of petrol stations
- Number of EV chargers per 100,000
- Number of AA-approved places to stay
