The UK loves a staycation – 73% of adult holidaymakers are likely to choose a staycation over a traditional holiday abroad, preferring to enjoy adventures in our internationally praised cities, seaside towns and national parks.
What’s less likely, however, is for holidaymakers to go on staycations in the winter months. A study by Volkswagen found that only 13% had plans to go on a winter staycation in recent years. This is a crying shame, especially as John Lewis found that the UK was the #1 most-desired holiday destination for Brits in 2024 – with 40% of the 2,000 surveyed listing the UK as their priority holiday destination.
The UK in the colder months is truly a winter wonderland. From snow-kissed mountain tops in the Lake District to icy Yorkshire market towns, exploring the UK in the winter is a unique experience that brings with it a collection of memorable photographs.
With first-hand insight from the staycation experts at Pure Leisure, who offer luxury holiday lodges and caravans, we have collated some of the most photogenic, Instagrammable staycation spots that are sure to make your Instagram followers green with envy.
Mary’s Shell, Thornton-Cleveleys (2,225 posts)
There’s something truly mesmerising about a beach in winter – choppy seas and unique sunrises make for atmospheric morning walks that are perfect for photos. This has never been truer than at Mary’s Shell, in the Lancashire town of Thornton-Cleveleys.
Mary’s Shell is a permanent public art piece opposite Jubilee Gardens, depicting a huge metal shell as part of the Mythic Coast art trail. On this trail, you can find an ogre, a huge paddle, a sea swallow and a shipwreck memorial – but Mary’s Shell is by far the most famous.
What makes Mary’s Shell so beautiful in winter is the way it captures the light of the sun. In winter the air is less humid, meaning that it contains less water vapour, which often blocks light from the sun from entering your eyes. This makes the warm orange hues more vivid.
The open spaces in the partially sunken metal structure amplify the sun, giving you the opportunity to capture some truly stunning photos on your winter walk.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden (5,545 posts)
The ancient ruins of Fountain Abbey and the accompanying Studley Royal Water Garden are beautiful in the wintertime, especially if we are lucky enough to see a blanket of snow draping the famous abbey ruins.
Open year-round, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden are visited often by lovers of history and of the tranquil English countryside. This location in the winter is especially enchanting, with a gorgeous reveal of the estate as you emerge from the dark Serpentine Tunnel.
Bare branches, snow-kissed land and even a February half-term winter trail spotter sheet await. This particular spotter sheet features a collection of beautiful winter vistas, chosen for their photogenic properties.
Bassenthwaite Lake, The Lake District (9,686 posts)
Bassenthwaite Lake, a beautiful body of water in Keswick, is exceptionally beautiful – even more so in the winter.
Bassenthwaite Lake slumbers beneath the famous Skiddaw mountains, which are often snow-capped in the winter and make for the perfect backdrop in photographs. There are also plenty of wonderful winter activities around Bassenthwaite and the wider Lake District, including winter hikes and even wild swimming.
It might sound daring to swim in the waters of Bassenthwaite in the winter and it should only be attempted with a guide or previous experience. But many people travel from all over the country to swim in the cold lakes, known for their rejuvenating qualities. Satisfy your own sense of adventure with a wild swimming adventure this winter.
After snapping many beautiful vistas and filling your boots with an activity or two – pop into one of the hundreds of tea rooms, traditional pubs and restaurants to warm your belly with award-winning food and warm your feet next to roaring open fires.
Forest of Bowland, Lancashire (30,504 posts)
The wider Forest of Bowland has long been described as an otherworldly location in UK countryside – loved by those looking to get away from it all and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Many take the long winter walk through the trough to the famous Inn at Whitehall, taking in the scenery along the way, before enjoying some local food and staying for the night. Bowland was even featured in season one of Steeve Coogan’s The Trip (2010), a comedy series exploring the most beautiful regions of the UK and their most celebrated restaurants.
If you want to feel you have travelled back to a simpler time on your winter staycation, with beautiful food, fantastic photo opportunities and (refreshingly) little phone reception, the Forest of Bowland should be near the top of your list.
The Shambles, York (47,691 posts)
Does Harry Potter remind you of Christmas? Of course it does. There’s a reason why The Shambles, the ancient medieval market street in the gorgeous town of York, was featured in Harry Potter as Diagon Alley – it’s a simply magical location.
One of the best-preserved market areas in Europe, The Shambles is a cosy, cobbled network of streets, complete with quaint cafés, stalls, sweet shops and even the famous York Ghost Merchants!
Every year, visitors flock to TripAdvisor to praise The Shambles’ Christmassy feel, and with 47,691 snaps on Instagram to date, it’s fair to say a Shambles shopping trip will be the envy of all your followers.
Malham Cove, The Yorkshire Dales (70,505 posts)
Malham Cove is renowned as a location of exceptional beauty – racking up an incredible 70,505 Instagram posts to date.
A cliff of festive white limestone, this 70-metre natural landmark has amazed visitors for hundreds of years. The cove is believed to have been covered with huge sheets of ice at least three times over the last 1.5m years, making it an exceptionally historic landmark.
These days, Malham Cove is visited by thousands of tourists – both climbers and onlookers – who love to gaze upon its awesome beauty. It’s a sight that everyone in the UK should see at least once and visiting in the winter is the closest you’ll get to its icy, prehistoric era origins.
Scafell Pike, The Lake District (117K posts)
England’s highest peak is treacherous in the winter – thanks to the harsh conditions and uneven terrain, this route should only be attempted by experienced climbers. Still, the snowy vistas make the surrounding views all the more rewarding – even if you don’t venture all the way to the top.
Standing at 3,209 feet high, Scafell Pike dominates the landscape and provides a viewing platform to gaze over the Lake District in jaw-dropping fashion – the view features all four nations of the British Isles. The scenic valley of Wasdale and Wast Water, England’s deepest lake, lie below Scafell to the west. To the north, Borrowdale Valley runs into Keswick along Derwentwater’s shores, another beautifully tranquil body of water to visit in the winter months.
The Lake District in winter is nothing short of magic and winter is a fantastic time to explore the area, thanks to the off-peak season leading to lower prices and more options for your stay.
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland (149,523 posts)
A diverse, living landscape of incredible beauty – Cairngorms National Park encapsulates a series of stunning mountains, forests, farms, crofts, moorlands, wetlands and rivers running through one of Scotland’s most beautiful plains.
Home to a quarter of the UK’s threatened species, winter visitors will be some of the few in the UK to experience ptarmigan birds, snow buntings, white-tailed eagles, red squirrels, mountain hares, Scottish wildcats, red deer and many more.
This preserved 1,748 square mile region is one of the most wonderous winter wonderlands in Europe, the perfect location to capture the magic of winter in photographs and film.
Portmeirion, Wales (208,507 posts)
A Welsh village designed by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, this small settlement was built with the hope that the unique location would inspire others to see the creative potential in the UK’s beautiful coastal towns.
Often referred to as the hidden gem of the UK, in recent years Portmeirion has seen more and more tourists, as Brits and international travellers discover the otherworldly sights on offer. The flair of the scenic gardens and colourful architecture lend themselves perfectly to stunning photography, one of the many reasons why Portmeirion has seen an explosion of attention on Instagram from travel influencers.
Winter offers a unique perspective on Portmeirion, with crisp white scenery and unbelievably peaceful surroundings. Less busy than the summer months, expect relaxing walking routes, wholesome cafés and a wealth of cosy accommodation to unwind in.
If you visit during Christmas, you will also experience beautiful lights, trees and winter displays for the whole family to enjoy.
When you post your winter pictures from your Portmeirion staycation, expect plenty of messages asking which far-flung paradise you travelled to – then revel replying, “What do you mean? We went to Wales!”
Will you be booking a UK staycation this winter? If so, now is the perfect time. We look forward to seeing your photos all over our feed.
