Relaxing Winter Escapes: The UK’s best countryside staycations this winter

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A new study has named the best UK staycation destinations for a relaxing country escape this winter—with Rutland, England’s smallest county, taking the top spot.

The study by UK CBD Brand analysed government data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), as well as data from online resources such as Bing Maps and Booking.com, to reveal the best relaxing breaks this year. The analysis compiled 11 factors into an index study to reveal a score out of 100 for 96 rural council districts across the UK.

The factors which can contribute to a relaxing break analysed in the study are: the reported well-being levels in each area based on people feeling ‘worthwhile’, ‘life satisfaction’, ‘anxiety’ and ‘happiness’, according to ONS; the average distance to the nearest park, public garden or playing field, and the average size of those green spaces within 1,000m radius; the percentage of woodland cover in the area; the distance to the nearest ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’; the reconciled crime rate per 10,000; and the number of spas and spa hotels per 100,000 population.

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These factors were scored and aggregated to reveal the areas with the highest index score out of 100, ranking the best destinations this winter.

#1 Rutland

The findings reveal that Rutland in the East Midlands is the best relaxing countryside destination for a staycation in the UK. The area appears perfect for a getaway this winter, scoring top across the country in the index, achieving 64.17 out of 100.

According to the study, the average combined size of parks, public gardens and playing fields within a 1,000m radius (m2) scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in the index. The East Midlands area also scored well for its distance to an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’—highlighting the area’s appeal for those hoping to find some serenity in nature.

#2 Scottish Highlands

Second on the list is the Scottish Highlands, making up the most northern part of mainland Scotland, the area often celebrated for its wealth of natural beauty scored 61.78 out of 100 in the index study.

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The findings identified that the area has, on average, around 176% more spa hotels per 100,000 population than the average across all countryside destinations analysed in the study—equating to 7.98 out of 10 in the index. Additionally, the Highlands scored an impressive 9.53 out of 10 for its distance to the green spaces analysed, ranking fourth in the UK.

#3 Torridge

Located in northwest Devon, the Torridge district ranks third among the best relaxing staycation destinations in the UK this winter. The area achieved an index score of 61.54 out of 100 for its relaxing offerings.

The Devonshire district scores highly for ‘happiness’ among locals, according to the findings—with ONS reporting the area achieved a score of 8.05/10. This is the fifth-highest score of all rural districts analysed in the study, equating to an index score of 8.71 out of 10.

#4 Malvern Hills

The Malvern Hills council district, Worcestershire, ranks fourth on the list, with a score of 60.5 out of 100 overall in the index study.

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The Malvern Hills are named an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, and its idyllic landscape appears to have a great, positive impact on residents of the area. The study identified that residents scored 8.21/10 for feeling ‘worthwhile’ in the latest ONS survey—among the top scores for rural areas in the UK.

#5 Argyll and Bute

Rounding out the top five relaxing staycation destinations in the UK and placing second in Scotland is Argyll and Bute—achieving an index score of 60.43 out of 100 overall.

The area offers one of the highest proportions of hotels with spas per 100,000 population, which scored the area 9.19 out of 10 in the index for this factor and a perfect 10 for the distance to the nearest park, public garden or playing field—highlighting its perfect opportunities for a relaxing getaway.

For those in Northern Ireland seeking a relaxing escape without having to travel far, two areas make the top 15 locations in the UK—the district of Fermanagh and Omagh ranks sixth (60.07/100) and Mid Ulster ranks eighth (58.92).

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In the North of England, there are some great options, too. Two districts in Cumbria rank among the top locations, with Eden in 10th (57.5/100) and South Lakeland in 12th (56.81), while Northumberland in the North East ranks 11th (57.4/100).

Top 15 UK Countryside Staycation Destinations:

Index Score (/100)

  1. Rutland, East Midlands (64.17)
  2. Scottish Highlands, Scotland (61.78)
  3. Torridge, Devon (61.54)
  4. Malvern Hills, Worcestershire (60.50)
  5. Argyll and Bute, Scotland (60.43)
  6. Fermanagh and Omagh, Northern Ireland (60.07)
  7. High Peak, Derbyshire (59.58)
  8. Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland (58.92)
  9. Sevenoaks, Kent (58.67)
  10. Eden, Cumbria (57.50)
  11. Northumberland, North East (57.40)
  12. South Lakeland, Cumbria (56.81)
  13. West Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire (56.72)
  14. South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (56.26)
  15. Na h-Eileanan Siar (Outer Hebrides), Scotland (55.94)

Laurence Brown, director of BROWN'S CBD commented: “The festive season can be a hectic and even stressful time for many, with an often-packed social calendar and lots of Christmas preparation—from gift shopping to getting ready for hosting family and friends. Year-on-year, this results in many people failing to take some time for themselves, and risking burnout.

“Therefore, this list provides the best places across the country where people can take some time out of their usual, busy routine to switch off and enjoy some relaxation—from spending time in nature to visiting a spa, offering well-needed opportunities to decompress.

“Whether you would prefer a weekend mini-break, a mid-week escape before the festivities, or a quick day trip getaway, the list highlights the best areas across different corners of the country that will help you reset this season.”

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