STAYCATIONS will be popular next year with most Brits setting their sights on a UK holiday, according to an American Express study.
But where should you go?
Time Out has just revealed its best places to visit in the UK in 2024 – with some unlikely candidates in the top spots.
Sophie Swietochowski takes a look at the best six, in the order they feature on the list, and picks out places to stay in each of them.
BRISTOL
THIS arty harbour city, which took the top spot on the list, is bursting with culture and trendy cafes scattered along the mighty River Avon.
A bubbling hub for creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy and you can admire some of his best, early works on a free walking tour.
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6Make sure you swing by Clifton Village, which is crammed with quirky stores and independent coffee shops.
For somewhere that feels typically Bristol, the Artist Residence in a renovated boot factory on Portland Square, has eccentric and comfy rooms from £150 per night (see artistresidence.co.uk).
Well located and with modern rooms, the Leonardo Hotel Bristol City costs from about £90 per night (see leonardohotels.co.uk).
HULL
TO be fair, until relatively recently, not much could be said about Hull as a tourist destination.
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But now, the Humberside port city has a thriving nightlife scene with LGBTQ+ bars popping up, including Cherry’s, named after the late Cherry Valentine, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The old town is crawling with history and classy buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
Visit one of the free museums or pop into the Hepworth Arcade, where Mr Marks and Mr Spencer had one of their first penny bazaars.
If you want to be in the thick of the action, the Premier Inn Hull City Centre is well positioned and has double rooms from £98 per night (see premierinn.com).
For something a bit more roomy and suited to families on a longer getaway, the welcoming Hideout Hotel has Scandi-chic family apartments available from £170 per night (see hideouthotel.co.uk).
ISLES OF SCILLY
IT’S easy to see why this fascinating archipelago, off the Cornish coast, has made it into the top three . . . it is a favourite of royalty.
King Charles has visited plenty of times and even has his own public castle, an English Heritage site, perched on top of a hill overlooking the harbour on the island of Tresco.
Expect golden sandy beaches where you will be able to spot dolphins beyond the shoreline, as well as seafront pubs serving up hearty grub.
Glamping is the best way to immerse yourself in the unspoilt nature of these islands and Parting Carn’s luxury pods on St Mary’s are picture-perfect, costing from £100 per night with a minimum seven- night stay (see partingcarn.co.uk).
Mincarlo B&B, also on St Mary’s, has doubles with brekkie from £110 per night (see mincarloscilly.com).
LONDON
EVEN if you are a frequent visitor to the capital, it is almost impossible to get bored here.
There is something new to do and see every month, with quality restaurants and action-packed attractions springing up all over.
For those yet to tick off the bucket list experiences, make sure you book a show in the West End or head to the Tower of London, where famous historical figures including Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes were imprisoned.
When it comes to food, you can tuck into dishes that will transport you all over the world.
If you like a curry, try Sri Lankan restaurant Hoppers which has sites in Soho, Marylebone and King’s Cross.
The last time I visited, I sat next to a Sri Lankan man who told me this authentic food was as close to the real thing as you could get.
If you are after a clean and modern base, stay in a Yotel with rooms in Shoreditch and Farringdon from £78 per night (see yotel.com).
BELFAST
NORTHERN Ireland’s capital brims with culture.
There will be even more to sink your teeth into next year when Belfast 2024 kicks off with a series of projects, events and initiatives including a collaboration with the Eden Project and immersive music performances.
Get to know the city with a Black Cab Tour that really gets into the nitty gritty of Belfast’s fascinating history and struggles, then grab a pint in Whites Tavern, the oldest pub in the city that dates back to the 17th century.
It recently expanded and is now home to the first Guinness-only bar.
Spend the night in the Room2, a “hometel” that opened a couple of months ago and has swish rooms from £103.50 per night (see room2.com).
If you are on a budget, head to the centrally located Ibis hotel, which has rooms from £65 per night (see all.accor.com).
ST ANDREWS
IT was at the University of St Andrews that a young Prince William and Kate Middleton first met.
The seaside town northeast of Edinburgh has charming cobbled streets, cosy old-fashioned pubs and a magnificent castle watching over it.
Grab a hefty portion of fish and chips from Cromars and wander along the windswept West Sands beach (be warned if you fancy a dip, these waters are chilly).
For some downtime, book a room in the 5H Fairmont St Andrews, whose spa was recently named one of the best in the UK by the AA.
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Rooms cost from £203 per night (see fairmont.com).
Or book into the Hotel du Vin which, despite being a chain, still feels boutique and has rooms from £111 per night (see hotelduvin.com).
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