Google search data shows that this week searches for ‘staycation’ are more than 200% higher than this time last year due to the PM’s announcement that hotels, restaurants and B&B’s will be able to reopen on July 4th.
To help people feel like they have a little bit of Europe while they day trip in the UK this year, researchers at CAT Autokeys has looked far and wide in the UK to find some of the most exotic-looking locations which are right at your fingertips.
According to the most recent Google Search data from Ahrefs, here are five of the top, most exotic locations in the UK, that you’ll forget you’re on home turf. If you’d like to see the top 12, check them all out here.
UK images are the left photograph in each image.
Durdle Door, Dorset (or Algarve, Portugal?)
Average UK monthly searches: 83,000
Located on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door’s natural limestone arch looks very much like the one you’d find on the popular Portuguese beach.
The arch’s origins date back millions of years, with the rocks initially formed 150 million years ago, before being contorted into the arch we know today, 40 million years ago.
Portmeirion, Wales (or Varenna, Italy?)
Average UK monthly searches: 81,000
Over 200,000 people flock to this north Wales town every year, specifically because of its Italian feel. When you’re there, make sure to immerse yourself in the architectural heritage, and visit the sub-tropical gardens, and authentic Italian style gelateria.
There are also several hotels and self-catering cottages available if you’d prefer to spend the night. Visit during the summer months, and you’ll feel like you’re holidaying in a tranquil Italian town, without having to fork out the cost of flights!
Minack Theatre, Cornwall (or is it a Greek theatre?)
Average UK monthly searches: 43,000
Admittedly, this open-air theatre is much more modern than its Greek equivalent (it was created in 1931 specifically to host Shakespeare’s The Tempest).
Perched on the cliffs, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, if you visit in the summer you can often watch one of the many musicals, operas or dramas that take place.
St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall (or France?)
Average UK monthly searches: 37,000
St. Michael’s Mount is set back in Mount Bay, and is home to the castle that the St. Aubyn family has called home, since the 17th century.
Only 30 people live in the village right now, but if you book onto a guided tour, you can hear all about the families who lived there previously; and explore the buildings as you learn about the important part they’ve played in the castle’s history.
Northern Lights – Isle of Skye, Scotland (or is it Lapland?)
Average UK monthly searches (for Northern Lights Scotland): 6,700
Northern Scotland is on the same latitude as both Nunivak Island in Alaska, and Stavanger in Norway, which is why it’s the perfect place to view the Aurora Borealis.
In fact, there are multiple Scottish destinations where you can catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights – including Aberdeenshire and the Moray Coast, Inverness, Shetland, Orkney, and even the coast of Fife.
“The benefits of a staycation in Britain are numerous – it’s more sustainable, much more accessible and there are some hidden gems that make up our beautifully diverse country. The true benefit is visiting rural Britain and enjoying a quiet staycation away from the crowds. All we need to rely on is the “great” British weather.” Megan Allen. Editor, The Rural Travel Guide
Dennis Relojo-Howell, founder of psychology website Psychreg, says: ‘There are many psychological benefits that we can derive from a travel experience. The most obvious ones is that it allows us to relax, boost our self-confidence, and shift our perspectives.
‘However, despite these benefits, some people can also find travelling abroad to be stressful, with a lot of preparations to consider such as getting visas and other necessary documents, and what the weather will be like. Holidaying in the UK is a great way to enjoy the benefits of travelling and experience what a new place can offer.”
