Fun activities to elevate a staycation

Are you planning time off at home this summer? With the continuing cost of living crisis, many of us are choosing to save some pennies and holiday on British shores this year. Make the most of your staycation with these fun activities which will elevate your at-home experience.

Explore local attractions

Discover the delights on your doorstep that you don’t get the chance to experience very often – if at all. 

Head into your nearest city for a wealth of attractions at your fingertips. This will include museums with engaging exhibitions, themed venues where the past is brought to life by live actors and magnificent historical sites like cathedrals and crumbling abbeys.

Alternatively, explore nearby rural areas and you’ll find heritage houses set in spectacular gardens where you can lose yourself for hours, and quaint market towns with food markets and independent shops selling all sorts of arts and crafts.

Relax indoors

Especially with the summer weather we’re having when rain is a frequent occurrence, don’t feel any shame in just relaxing indoors alone or with friends! A staycation is about rest after all, and sometimes this is the best way to recharge your mind and body.

Remind yourself of your passions by engaging in your favourite hobbies. Whether this is painting, reading and writing or cooking, spending time doing what you love will bring you peace and joy and make the hours fly by. 

You could also use this time to try new activities which promise straightforward fun such as playing a game of bingo online, pampering yourself with an at-home spa day or trialling a new baking recipe.

Virtual experiences

Thanks to developments in virtual reality, you can now travel beyond the home without leaving your sofa and access once-exclusive experiences.

Music lovers can watch live performances with the perfect perspective from the comfort of the sofa, from rock and metal gigs and acoustic sets to orchestral concerts and operas. You can fuel the imagination by exploring other arts too with virtual tours of galleries and live streams of ballets and other dance recitals.

You can use virtual experiences as a tool for learning as well. Join digital classes and talks – there are options for almost every subject – and let yourself be inspired by experts in your field. 

Outdoor adventures

When the sun is shining, get out in the great outdoors! Spending time in nature has been shown to support good mental health and is a rewarding way to spend the day alone or with friends and family.

Browse walks within your area suited to your fitness level and how active you want to be. There will be a choice of gentle woodland or lakeside strolls and harder hikes up peaks to glorious viewpoints. You could also hop on bikes and cycle peaceful pathways or tackle tough trails.

More simply, get out in the garden for light-hearted games or perhaps a barbecue with friends, or pop to your local park for a picnic.