The best place for a UK break boasts 'scenic parks and vibrant markets' - full list

Couple walking / St James' Park London

The most viral staycation spots were shared

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 06/10/2024

- 08:00

The most popular staycation spots in the UK and Ireland have been shared

Staycations are a great way to explore all the UK has to offer, and some areas are more sought-after than others.

Research has found the most popular spots to go to for a break, with big cities dominating the list.


This is based on where has the most searches online, therefore the most "viral", and it was collated by finance experts at Aqua.

They said: "From the colourful streets of Notting Hill, London to the rolling Welsh countryside, the UK is brimming with stunning scenery and countless photo-worthy spots.

Park in LondonLondon is known for having beautiful parks to stroll through GETTY

"With staycation holidays in such high demand, we looked at how many Google searches each location is receiving to determine the most coveted destinations for UK holidaymakers."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, London came up on top, followed by other major cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh.

When it comes to more rural breaks, Brighton came in fifth place and the Lake District landed at number eight.

Nearby Dublin in Ireland, also made the list, proving Britons are willing to travel slightly further for their autumn break.

UK's most 'viral' staycation spots

  • London
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester
  • Edinburgh
  • Brighton
  • Dublin
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Lake District
  • Cambridge
  • York

Speaking of London, the experts said: "London steals the crown for the most viral staycation destination in the UK. When it comes to snapping Instagram-worthy pictures, London is the UK's hotspot, with over 165 million posts tagged with the hashtag ‘#london’.

"From illuminated photos of the iconic London Eye to artsy pictures of Regent Street, millions of visitors capture and share their experiences at famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and the vibrant markets of Camden and Portobello Road.

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An aerial view of Brighton Pier

Brighton made the list

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"The city's diverse boroughs, historic architecture, and scenic parks provide endless opportunities for striking photos.

"As we’ve seen, London also receives 359,000 Google searches each month. Though not as popular as Liverpool, this is still a significant number of searches, demonstrating the city’s popularity and interest around the UK."

Prefer something quieter? The experts shared the best "hidden gem" staycation areas which are worth seeing, but lesser-known.

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