I love a UK holiday and have gone on 13 in the past year… here is my favourite place to go

A COUPLE have revealed how they are ‘serial staycationers’ after going on 13 UK holidays last year.

Tahir Mehmood, 47, his wife, Deepika Benjamin, 41, and their three-year-old son, Isaac, aim to take one staycation every month for some quality family time.

Over the last year alone, the family has travelled to towns and cities including Bournemouth, Hastings, and Weymouth.

But their top trip was Blackpool – Tahir’s favourite childhood beach destination.

They visited the amusements, rode The Big One rollercoaster, and ate chips on the sea front.

Tahir says the breaks are “good for family wellbeing”, as he didn’t get to go on many holidays as a child, he loves to make memories with his brood at every opportunity.

He said: “As a country, we’re blessed with so much to see and do, even on short breaks – whether its beaches, countryside locations or quintessentially British towns and villages.

“There’s so much to do on your doorstep so you don’t always need to go abroad.

“And there’s something about sea swimming and eating chips on the beach that you just can’t beat.”

UK staycation provider Sykes Holiday Cottages has launched a competition giving one winner the chance to become a UK Short Break Tester – enjoying a selection of trips for free in 2025.

Staycation enthusiasts can apply by submitting a 200-word letter detailing why they deserve the role, with applications open from now until 17th February 2025.

Tahir says he plans his trips to better stick to a budget.

He said: “We book accommodation in advance to get the cheapest prices.

“As well as that, we research good value and free local attractions and expect to have a cheap meal on the beach such as fish and chips.”

It comes after a study of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Sykes Holiday Cottages, found the top places for a short break in the UK in 2025 are York (25 per cent), Edinburgh (24 per cent), and Bath (15 per cent).

Other locations people want to go are Windermere, Whitby and Cambridge, with 52 per cent claiming they can get that ‘holiday feeling’ even on a short break not far from home.

Those surveyed, via OnePoll, have an average of two overnight UK trips booked over the next 12 months, while the typical year sees them go on three.

Top reasons for taking such breaks are for relaxation (58 per cent), to escape the routine of daily life (44 per cent), and for sightseeing (42 per cent).

Staycations have also been the result of visiting loved ones (45 per cent), birthday celebrations (43 per cent), and for a romantic weekend (38 per cent).

James Shaw, managing director for the holiday brand, said: “There are so many places to escape to in the UK which don’t have to include long distance travel and weeks of planning and packing.

“As little as 48 hours away from everyday routine, work and school commitments, and chores can be the refresh people need.

“We’re excited to give someone the chance to go on several staycations this year.

“Whether it’s food, adventure or views people are seeking, the UK has it all and our UK Short Break Tester will be able to experience that for themselves.”