Whether travelling as a family, with friends or as a couple, finding somewhere peaceful to unwind is often high on the priority list. To reveal the UK’s most relaxing staycation destinations, JoJo Maman Bébé analysed more than 30 popular locations, ranking them using factors including hotel quality, restaurant ratings, spa and wellness facilities, and the range of local attractions.
The UK’s Best Staycation Destinations for a Relaxing Heatwave Escape
| Rank | Location | Number of hotels | % of 4*+ hotels | % of 4*+ hotels with spa and wellness centre | Number of restaurants | Number of 4* % | Number of things to do | Elevation range (miles) | Destination Score /10 |
| 1 | Salcombe | 43 | 51.2% | 9.09% | 36 | 77.8% | 50 | 138 | 7.94 |
| 2 | Lyme Regis | 142 | 65.5% | 0.00% | 44 | 93.2% | 68 | 205 | 5.97 |
| 3 | Southwold | 71 | 38.0% | 0.00% | 30 | 90.0% | 52 | 18 | 5.46 |
| 4 | Grasmere | 29 | 58.6% | 11.76% | 22 | 59.1% | 29 | 572 | 5.27 |
| 5 | Windermere | 277 | 70.0% | 4.12% | 62 | 72.6% | 78 | 430 | 5.26 |
| 6 | Padstow | 66 | 50.0% | 3.03% | 52 | 65.4% | 76 | 97 | 4.80 |
| 7 | Tunbridge Wells | 33 | 39.4% | 7.69% | 240 | 60.4% | 191 | 154 | 4.64 |
| 8 | Cotswolds | 2094 | 45.9% | 4.37% | 1490 | 61.7% | 1339 | 87 | 4.61 |
| 9 | Alnwick | 99 | 61.6% | 1.64% | 96 | 65.6% | 105 | 241 | 4.59 |
| 10 | Harrogate | 232 | 53.4% | 1.61% | 283 | 68.2% | 198 | 181 | 4.51 |
Salcombe takes the top spot as the UK’s most relaxing staycation destination, thanks to its laid-back coastal atmosphere and high-quality accommodation. The town has 43 hotels, with more than half (51.2%) rated four stars or above, while 9.09% also feature spa and wellness facilities. Alongside 36 restaurants, 77.8% of which are rated four stars, and 50 attractions, Salcombe offers the ideal balance of relaxation and things to do.
Lyme Regis ranks second, with 65.5% of its 142 hotels rated four stars or above. It also has the highest proportion of highly rated restaurants in the top five, with 93.2% of its 44 restaurants receiving four-star ratings. Alongside 68 attractions, it’s an ideal destination for a relaxing seaside break.
Southwold comes in third, offering a quieter coastal escape. The town has 71 hotels, 38% of which are rated four stars or above, while 90% of its 30 restaurants hold four-star ratings. Its relatively flat landscape also makes it well-suited to visitors looking for an easy-going getaway.
Rounding out the top five are Grasmere and Windermere in the Lake District. Grasmere has the highest proportion of four-star hotels with spa and wellness facilities among the top five (11.76%), while Windermere offers the widest accommodation choice, with 277 hotels and 78 attractions to explore.
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