Portsmouth named one of the UK’s best staycation destinations this spring
Portsmouth has been named as one of the UK’s best staycation destinations this spring.
With spring here and the sun finally returning, it’s the perfect time to start planning a UK staycation. But which destinations offer the best weather, stunning scenery, and the ultimate seasonal escape?
New research from credit card brand Aqua has compared destinations across the UK on metrics like the cost of accommodation, social media popularity, annual Google searches for visiting and staying in each location, as well as weather data, to reveal the best staycation destinations for holidaymakers to choose from this spring.
According to a 2025 survey, 8 in 10 UK residents have been on a staycation across the country. So, from coastal towns to bustling cities, which destination is the best for a springtime staycation in the UK?
Portsmouth is the UK’s fifth best destination for a spring staycation, with 173 million Instagram posts
London tops the list for best staycation destinations in the UK. The capital boasts nearly one million average annual searches on Google, 173 million Instagram posts, and pleasant average springtime temperatures of 9.8 °C. Despite a hotel stay costing £187 a night, London offers plenty of free attractions, including major museums like the National Gallery or the Tate Modern, and the Sky Garden to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
Liverpool follows in second place, drawing over 18 million Instagram posts and 416,400 annual searches online. Holidaymakers can enjoy spring temperatures of 9.2°C while strolling through the city. Northumberland rounds off the top three, offering the best temperatures, with an average of 10.7°C in April, and only 38.6 mm of rainfall on average.
| Rank | Location | Average hotel cost in April | Instagram hashtag volume | Average annual searches for 'visit' and 'hotel in' | Average temp in April (°C) | Average rainfall in April (mm) |
| 1 | London | £187 | 173,000,000 | 940,800 | 9.8 | 49.6 |
| 2 | Liverpool | £115 | 18,600,000 | 416,400 | 9.2 | 49.8 |
| 3 | Northumberland | £153 | 1,900,000 | 63,360 | 10.7 | 38.6 |
| 4 | Edinburgh | £193 | 12,100,000 | 613,200 | 8.4 | 40.8 |
| 5 | Portsmouth | £93 | 2,500,000 | 17,640 | 10.3 | 41.5 |
| 6 | Eastbourne | £93 | 998,000 | 70,560 | 10.0 | 44.4 |
| 7 | Brighton | £124 | 8,600,000 | 276,960 | 9.1 | 45.1 |
| 8 | Blackpool | £80 | 1,800,000 | 289,200 | 8.9 | 48.7 |
| =9 | Stratford-upon-Avon | £121 | 549,000 | 272,160 | 9.2 | 45.6 |
| =9 | Southend-on-Sea | £124 | 475,000 | 119,400 | 9.4 | 36.1 |
| 10 | The New Forest | £163 | 71,300 | 180,720 | 10.4 | 52.3 |
Blackpool is the most affordable staycation destination in the UK this spring, costing just £80 for a weekend stay
When it comes to the most affordable staycations in the UK, Blackpool takes the top spot, with a hotel stay costing just £80 per night. With attractions like Pleasure Beach and the Golden Mile promenade, the seaside town is ideal for a fun yet budget-friendly getaway.
Torquay takes second place, with a hotel stay only costing £92 a night. Visitors can enjoy the “English Riviera” landscapes, featuring palm-lined promenades and sandy beaches, making it another great option for a seaside getaway. Eastbourne and Portsmouth tie for third place, both offering a hotel stay under £100, at £93 per night.
| Rank | Location | Average hotel cost in April |
| 1 | Blackpool | £80 |
| 2 | Torquay | £92 |
| =3 | Eastbourne | £93 |
| =3 | Portsmouth | £93 |
| 4 | Plymouth | £101 |
| 5 | Weston Super Mare | £105 |
| =6 | Bristol | £106 |
| =6 | Ilfracombe | £106 |
| 7 | Manchester | £107 |
| 8 | Liverpool | £115 |
| 9 | Cardiff | £116 |
| =10 | Brecon Beacons | £119 |
| =10 | Southampton | £119 |
London stands out as the most ‘viral’ staycation destination in the UK, with 173 million Instagram posts
The study also revealed the staycation destinations generating the most buzz online. London tops the list, boasting 173 million posts tagged #London. Additionally, the capital generates nearly 940,800 annual searches on Google, reflecting a strong popularity online.
Edinburgh steals second place, boasting over 12 million posts on Instagram and 613,200 online searches for staying in and visiting the city. Manchester rounds off the top three, garnering the second-highest number of Instagram posts (20,600,000), and 508,800 annual searches.
| Rank | Location | Instagram hashtag volume | Average annual searches for 'visit' and 'hotel in' |
| 1 | London | 173,000,000 | 940,800 |
| 2 | Edinburgh | 12,100,000 | 613,200 |
| 3 | Manchester | 20,600,000 | 508,800 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 18,600,000 | 416,400 |
| 5 | Lake District | 4,700,000 | 407,760 |
Broadstairs, Kent is the top staycation “hidden gem”, with only 3,360 online annual searches
For holidaymakers seeking quieter, more intimate staycations, away from the hustle and bustle of touristy destinations, the study also identified “hidden gem” spots in the list, looking for those with the fewest Instagram posts and average annual searches online.
Broadstairs stands out as the UK’s top hidden gem staycation destination, with 332,000 Instagram posts under #Broadstairs and only 3,360 searches for visits and hotels, keeping it under the radar. Ranking second among the UK’s hidden gem staycation spots is Dartmouth in Devon. Although the picturesque town has 878,000 Instagram posts, interest in visiting or booking hotels remains relatively low, at just 3,360 searches, keeping it a peaceful retreat.
Rounding out the top three is Whitstable, Poole and the Scottish Highlands, all in joint position.
| Rank | Location | Instagram hashtag volume | Average annual searches for 'visit' and 'hotel in' |
| 1 | Broadstairs | 332,000 | 3,360 |
| 2 | Dartmouth | 878,000 | 3,360 |
| =3 | Whitstable | 593,000 | 6,360 |
| =3 | Poole | 792,000 | 6,360 |
| =3 | Scottish Highlands | 1,800,000 | 1,200 |
| 4 | Torquay | 1,000,000 | 10,680 |
| 5 | Robin Hood's Bay | 117,000 | 22,800 |
Scott Yule, Commercial Director at Aqua, shares some top tips for saving for a staycation and managing your money while you’re away: “To help budget for your holiday, consider setting up an automated direct debit to your current account months in advance. Even small, regular contributions will accumulate over time, ensuring you have a dedicated fund for your trip."
“A top tip: it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund in place before your holiday. If anything goes wrong, you know you have a pot of money to help cover the cost of emergencies or extra expenses. That way, you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.”
“A credit card can be a helpful tool to have while on a staycation. Your credit card can help you in an emergency, for example, if you need to cover unexpected expenses. Using a credit card can also help you work towards building your credit score if you stay within your credit limit and make your repayments on time.”
“An installment plan can help you spread the cost of your holiday spending into manageable monthly payments, giving you more control over how you budget. Sticking to a clear repayment plan is highly recommended, as missing a payment could break your installment plan, impacting your credit record and will take longer to pay off your balance.”