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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Hayley Spencer

Swap Biarritz for St Ives and the Swiss Alps for the Cairngorms – the UK spots to visit instead of Europe

You don't have to travel to Europe to catch great waves – St Ives in Cornwall is ideal for a surfing holiday - (Three Mile Beach)

It’s officially the year of the staycation, with record numbers of Brits choosing a UK holiday over one abroad. In the past few months, thanks to scorching temperatures, pictures from the Scilly Isles could have passed for those of Sicily, while Donegal's sun-soaked beaches rivalled Dubrovnik’s. And staycations aren’t just for summer – as we head into autumn, a no-fly holiday looks equally appealing.

As well as avoiding airport stress and high fares, staying in Britain at this time of year means lower accommodation prices, fewer crowds, and water that's often pleasantly pre-heated. Yes, the weather will be a little less predictable, but there are plenty of spectacular UK enclaves that have just as much to offer for a shoulder season break as some of Europe's holiday hotspots.

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