The Rise Of The UK Staycation Road Trip

Where To Go For Your Summer Motorhome Staycation

Classic British holiday spots are firmly back on the map. Last year, we asked Brits where the most beautiful views in the UK are, and this year, we’ve asked where you most want to go on a UK staycation. According to our research, the UK’s most popular staycation destinations this summer are:

1. Lake District (13%)
2. Brighton (12%)
3. Bournemouth (11%)
4. Southend (9%)
5. Scarborough (7%)
6. St Ives (7%)
7. Blackpool (7%)
8. Newquay (7%)
9. Whitby (7%)
10. Scottish Highlands (6%)

These locations are fantastic for campervans and motorhomes, and they deserve a spot on anyone’s staycation wishlist. They offer scenic driving routes, reliable campsites, and easy access to coastal paths and country walks.

The Lake District tops our list thanks to its winding mountain passes and breathtaking views. If you’re chasing a traditional seaside getaway, Cornwall hotspots like St Ives and Newquay remain firm favourites.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Highlands are growing in popularity for travellers who want a quieter, off-grid adventure far away from the busiest tourist hotspots

Why Nostalgia Is Driving The Staycation Boom

One of the biggest forces behind the rise in UK road trips is pure nostalgia. An impressive 93% of adults we surveyed said childhood summer holidays felt more fun than modern trips abroad.

Many of us are actively trying to recreate those simpler times, with classic seaside activities proving incredibly popular. The nostalgic experiences Brits look forward to most include:

1. Walking on the beach (60%)
2. Eating fish and chips by the sea (49%)
3. Making family memories (43%)
4. Snapping family photos (33%)
5. Paddling in the sea (27%)
6. Long countryside walks (27%)
7. Eating a ’99’ Flake (25%)
8. Family picnics (25%)
9. Playing arcade slot machines (22%)
10. Playing Board Games ( 22%)

More than half of adults (53%) also feel that today’s children miss out on these simple pleasures because they spend too much time looking at screens, while 61% agree that life simply felt less complicated in the past.

It’s also becoming harder to switch off. Our study revealed that 38% of people struggle to disconnect from work emails when holidaying abroad. Travelling in a motorhome naturally encourages a slower, more deliberate pace of life, making it much easier to unplug, spend quality time with family, and enjoy the journey itself.

Practical Planning Tips For Your Motorhome Holiday

If you’ve never holidayed in a motorhome or campervan before, setting off on your first trip can feel a little intimidating. Don’t worry, though: it’s much simpler than you might think. To keep your road trip smooth and stress-free, it’s worth keeping a few key practicalities in mind before you head off:

• Book campsites early: Popular spots in Cornwall and the Lake District fill up quickly during peak summer weeks.
• Check parking restrictions: Some coastal towns have narrow streets or height barriers in public car parks.
• Plan your power: If you want to use onboard appliances, make sure your campsite offers electric hook-up points.
• Share the driving: Long hours behind the wheel of a larger vehicle can be tiring. Sharing the driving responsibilities keeps everyone fresh.
• Sort your insurance: Make sure everyone taking a turn behind the wheel is legally covered to drive the vehicle – our temporary options can be a big help with that.

If you’re feeling unsure, try booking a short weekend trip close to home first before committing to a longer trek across the country.

How Much Does A UK Staycation Cost?

According to our research, Brits plan to spend an average of £2,216 on their staycations this summer. Holiday budgets vary quite a bit across the country, though. Londoners expect to spend the most on their UK getaways (£3,098), followed closely by holidaymakers from Manchester (£2,607) and Belfast (£2,556).

These figures show that staycations are a major investment, which makes sense when you look at domestic tourism data from VisitBritain. Their data shows that £25.2 billion was spent on domestic tourism in Q3 2025, seeing the sights of the UK is something more and more of us are splashing cash on. If you’re looking for clever ways to keep your own holiday spending under control, we’ve shared some handy road trip savings tips to help you enjoy a budget-friendly escape.

One of the absolute best ways to slash your staycation costs is by borrowing a motorhome or campervan from a generous friend or family member. Standard motorhome hire can easily set you back anywhere from £120 to £250+ per night during the peak summer months, which quickly eats into your budget.

By borrowing a vehicle instead, you completely eliminate those hefty rental and hotel bills. It means your transport and accommodation are sorted in one go, saving you a small fortune. All you need to do is make sure you’re properly insured before you turn the key, which is where simple, affordable temporary cover comes in handy.

Do I Need Special Insurance For A Motorhome Holiday?

If you do decide to hire or borrow a leisure vehicle, making sure you have the correct insurance is absolutely essential.

Many drivers mistakenly assume their standard car insurance automatically covers them to drive a motorhome or campervan, but this is rarely the case. Standard annual policies usually exclude larger leisure vehicles entirely.

That’s where temporary motorhome insurance comes in. It provides flexible, short-term comprehensive cover, allowing you to get on the road without the hassle or expense of changing your annual policy. You can use our campervan insurance if you’ve borrowed someone’s motorhome, even if you’re paying a fee for it as a peer-to-peer loan.

Not Ready For A Campervan? Take The Car Instead

If the idea of steering a large, heavy motorhome down narrow country lanes or tight coastal tracks makes you feel a bit nervous, you don’t have to miss out on these incredible travel spots. You can easily use all these ideas for a classic British car road trip instead.

Taking the car is often the most relaxed way to travel, whether you’re taking a family trip to the seaside or travelling by car to festivals with friends. If your own daily runaround is a bit too small for all your camping gear, suitcases, and windbreaks, you could always borrow a larger, more comfortable vehicle from a friend or family member for the week.

Alternatively, if you’re planning on driving your own car but want to take turns behind the wheel to avoid driver fatigue, you can easily insure someone else on your car with temporary cover.

With us, getting covered is incredibly simple. Our flexible temporary car insurance lets you get comprehensive cover on another vehicle, for anywhere from one hour to 28 days. It takes less than two minutes to get sorted, so you can focus on planning the perfect playlist instead.

Explore the UK With Complete Peace Of Mind

From fresh fish and chips on the pier to watching the sunset from your campsite, domestic road trips are helping us reconnect with the simple holiday pleasures we loved growing up.

Whether you’re packing up a family-sized motorhome or heading off in the family car, you have the freedom to explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems, and create your own unique adventure.

Ready to start planning your summer getaway? Get a quick campervan insurance quote today, and enjoy every single mile of your journey.

*The research of 2,038 Brits was conducted by Clariti on behalf of GoShorty between April 29th to May 1st 2026. Clariti is a member of The British Polling Council, all surveys adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct based on the ESOMAR principles.