For those used to travelling abroad but looking for somewhere closer to home this year, Sykes Holiday Cottages has compiled a collection of its most idyllic staycations reminiscent of well-visited overseas holiday locations. From a manor in Yorkshire that evokes the lush landscape of Tuscany, to a townhouse in Cornwall reminiscent of the popular city of Dubrovnik, the UK has a wealth of captivating locations on our doorsteps that could easily be mistaken for a holiday abroad...
Try Yorkshire for a staycation reminiscent of Tuscany
Carlton Manor - Aldbrough, East Yorkshire
Sleeps: 22
Price: Seven nights from £3,399
Set within two acres of stunning gardens on the outskirts of Aldbrough is Carlton Manor, which has been fully refurbished to resemble a villa in Tuscany. The ten luxurious rooms have their own unique colour scheme and style, including beautiful wallpaper and velvet headboards and the property is spacious enough to serve as a base for a large reunion between friends and family.
The rolling hills surrounding the property can be easily mistaken for those in Tuscany, and the large garden is the ideal place to and admire the view while dining al fresco in the sunshine. If guests can tear themselves away, the village of Aldbrough has a pub, restaurant, and shop for stocking up on amenities.
Stay in a Cornish townhouse to feel transported to Dubrovnik
Sleeps: Six
Price: Seven nights from £787
This contemporary, mid-terrace property sits in a popular area of St Ives, just a short walk away from the stunning Porthmeor Beach on the Cornish coastline. Providing guests with the buzz of the town and the beauty of the coast and the harbour, staying at Pebbles is reminiscent of popular holiday spot Dubrovnik, with its picturesque landscapes and turquoise seas.
Cornwall is home to a wealth of further attractions, including Trengwainton Garden and Trevaylor Woods Nature Reserve, while the nearby villiages of Hayle and Towednack are also charming spots for a tapas style lunch.
Feel like you’re holidaying on the Mediterranean coast in North Yorkshire
Bramble Cottage - Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
Sleeps: Five
Price: Seven nights from £641
Bramble Cottage has breathtaking panoramic views that resemble those along the Mediterranean coast. The traditional fisherman's cottage is tucked away in the picturesque village of Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire and has been stylishly renovated to retain its original features.
If the need arises to stock up on essentials, guests can take a stroll into the centre of the smugglers’ village, and peruse the array of shops, tea rooms and pubs. For those wanting to get closer to the sea, there is also the option to explore the rock pools and coves on Robin Hood’s Bay beach.
If escaping to the Fjords of Norway is for you, look no further than County Donegal
Upper Killult – Killult, County Donegal
Sleeps: Six
Price: Seven nights from £654
You’d be forgiven for assuming that the magnificent vistas of County Donegal had been plucked right out of Scandinavia! The broad views of the sea and towering hills could have you believe you’re atop a fjord in Norway. This coastal oasis has a spacious sitting room for groups to unwind in front of the fire while the designated chef rustles up a delicious feast to tuck into together with a glass of bubbly.
Holidaymakers can admire the panoramic views from their private patio area before heading out to explore the coastline’s many hotspots, including Magheraroarty, Curran’s Port Pier and Bloody Foreland Beach, which all offer picnic spots, hiking, and cycling trails.
Find Denmark in Devon
Middlecoombe - Dartmouth, Devon
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £574
Known for its vast landscapes, Devon is unexpectedly reminiscent of Denmark, with its beautiful stretches of coastline and array of national parks. Middlecoombe can be found in a popular part of Dartmouth, overlooking the Coronation Park and the river. Set in an ideal spot to visit Dartmouth Castle, Dartmoor National Park or the nearby town of Totnes for a selection of boutique stores and restaurants.
The colourful townhouses, cobbled streets and the shared maritime seafaring heritage of Devon and Denmark, will make you feel like you’re already discovering the Scandinavian country. After a day of exploring, guests can make the most of the garden room to unwind on the seating as the day comes to an end.
To feel like you’re in the South of France, head to Lincolnshire
Hideaway – Scampton, Lincolnshire
Sleeps: 13
Price: Five nights for £1,107
This renovated barn conversion tucked away in the village of Scampton in Lincolnshire will make guests feel like they are in the South of France. Guests will feel like they are in a traditional French farmhouse as the patio doors open out to the enclosed garden that has an array of luxurious amenities, including a hot tub and barbecue area overlooking the rolling countryside.
The village of Scampton is home to a characterful pub, Dambusters Inn, where groups can dine al fresco after a picturesque walk, and the city of Lincoln is home to an 11th-century, gothic cathedral for those looking to brush up on the local history.
