Top 10 Summer Holiday Destinations in the UK
Get inspired, and get away this summer.
It’s all too easy to visit places you already know and love. Researching a new stay can be overwhelming, so let us do the hard work for you. We are showcasing the best things to do, hidden gems, and notable attractions in 10 standout British destinations. Get inspired, and get away this summer.
From UNESCO World Heritage sites to spa cities, Britain offers a remarkable range of summer holiday experiences. Whether you are chasing adventure, culture, good food, or simply a few peaceful days away, the perfect staycation is closer than you think.
Whether you are heading to the Highlands or the Heart of England, Macdonald Hotels offers a base worthy of the journey.
The UK's Best 10 Summer Holiday Destinations
1 The Scottish Highlands & Aviemore
3 Cornwall
4 Edinburgh & The Scottish Borders
9 Stratford-upon-Avon & the Heart of England
10 The New Forest, Hampshire
The Scottish Highlands and Aviemore
There is nowhere in Britain quite like the Scottish Highlands in summer. The scale of the landscape, the glacier-carved glens, the ancient pine forests, the lochs that stretch to the horizon, all create an experience that has no equivalent elsewhere in the UK. At the heart of it all is Aviemore, the gateway town to the Cairngorms National Park, and one of the best year-round adventure bases in Europe.
The Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park is Britain's largest national park, covering 4,528 square kilometres of mountains, forests, and rivers. The park stretches from just north of Perth to the outskirts of Inverness, offering plenty of outdoor experiences.
Wildlife in the Cairngorms
Wildlife is one of the Cairngorms' greatest assets. The area is home to 25% of Britain's threatened species, with red squirrels, ospreys, golden eagles, and more present in the park. For something truly unique, the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre offers guided hill walks to meet and hand-feed Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer.
What to do in the Scottish Highlands
The Cairngorm Mountain Funicular Railway takes visitors up to Scotland's only mountain-top restaurant, offering panoramic views across the Cairngorms from over 2,000 feet.
At lower altitude, Loch Morlich is surrounded by forests and beaches, making it the ideal base for watersports including sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and canoeing. Visitors travel from all over the world to try fly-fishing on the River Spey.
The Speyside Whisky Trail, passing through more than 50 distilleries, is the finest of its kind in the world.
Summer in the far north also means extraordinary daylight. Midsummer brings near-24-hour light in the uppermost reaches of the Highlands.
Where to Stay in the Scottish Highlands
Macdonald Aviemore Resort sits at the heart of Aviemore, surrounded by the Cairngorms and positioned as the ideal base. The resort combines hotel accommodation and self-catering lodges with outstanding leisure facilities, all within easy reach of the park's trails, lochs, and wildlife.
The Lake District, Cumbria
The Lake District is one of the only landscapes in England to hold UNESCO World Heritage status.
Windermere, the UK's largest natural lake, anchors the southern half of the park, while Ullswater, Coniston Water, and Derwentwater offer equally spectacular settings further north.
Hidden Gems in the Lake District
Grasmere village is famous for its gingerbread, a 170-year-old local recipe still made in a tiny stone cottage beside the church.
Keswick, Ambleside, and Hawkshead offer market towns and villages with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Beatrix Potter's farmhouse at Hill Top in Near Sawrey is among the most visited literary sites in England.
What to do on Lake Windermere
Boat hire, kayaking, and open-water swimming are all available on Windermere throughout the summer months. July is when the wildflowers peak, and the evenings extend longest. The finest time to be on the water.
The coast of the lake around Ambleside boasts countless bars, restaurants, and ice cream shacks. Take in the views of the sparkling lake and enjoy the bustling town life.
Where to Stay in the Lake District
The Old England Hotel & Spa is a Victorian lakeside hotel set directly on the shores of Windermere. It combines classic Lake District character with a full spa, fine dining, and sweeping views across England's largest lake.
Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders
Edinburgh combines a world-class arts and food scene with one of the most striking city skylines in the UK, punctuated by the castle that watches over the city below.
In summer, the city also becomes something else entirely: the global epicentre of arts, comedy, theatre, and performance.
Festivals in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which runs throughout August, is the world's largest arts festival. It features more than 3,000 shows across more than 300 venues, from cathedral crypts to converted railway arches.
The International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Book Festival, and the Film Festival make August in Edinburgh an experience unlike any other city in Europe.
The atmosphere is electric, and the city buzzes with creativity.
Historic Sites in and Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle, with its panoramic views and Crown Jewels, is one of the most visited attractions in Britain. Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano rising from Holyrood Park in the middle of the city, offers a 45-minute climb rewarded with awe-inspiring views.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Botanic Garden, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Dean Village also deserve a visit.
The Scottish Borders, stretching south of the city, offer a completely different character. Expect rolling hills, numerous abbey ruins, fishing and walking, and world-class mountain biking. A visit to both Edinburgh and the Borders makes a two-in-one trip that combines culture and adventure.
A practical note on August: accommodation in Edinburgh during the Fringe sells out faster than almost anywhere in the UK. Book well in advance.
Where to Stay Near Edinburgh
Houstoun House is set in 22 acres of beautiful woodland and sweeping grounds, providing the perfect backdrop for a Scottish escape. A country hotel retreat with the serene ambiance to inspire complete relaxation, and just 40 minutes’ drive from Scotland’s iconic capital.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs
Loch Lomond will never disappoint. The largest body of fresh water in Great Britain, flanked by lowland hills and Highland peaks, it is accessible from Glasgow in under an hour, and yet it feels a world away from the city.
For families, active couples, and anyone seeking watersports, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are among the best summer destinations in the UK.
Things to do in Loch Lomond
The village of Luss is one of Scotland's most photographed spots, with its traditional stone cottages, pier, and stunning backdrop of mountains and iconic loch.
Boat trips from Luss, Balloch, and Balmaha provide the best way to appreciate the loch's scale.
Watersports such as kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, and open-water swimming are ready for you to enjoy.
The Trossachs, often described as the Highlands in miniature, begin just east of the loch and offer an intimate landscape of wooded glens, smaller lochs, and accessible hills.
Ben Lomond, one of the most frequently climbed mountains in Scotland, rises directly from the eastern shore of the loch and rewards walkers with panoramic views on a clear summer day.
A practical summer tip: the loch warms enough in July and August for wild swimming, particularly on the southern shores, and the midges in more sheltered spots are less troublesome near the water's edge.
Where to Stay at Loch Lomond
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Resort sits within the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park with Loch Ard on the doorstep. The resort offers a full range of spa and leisure facilities, numerous walking routes, and self-catering lodge options, making it one of the best-positioned bases for a summer break in Scotland.
Bath and the West Country
Bath is one of those cities that operates at two speeds simultaneously: the ancient, and the leisurely.
Its UNESCO World Heritage status is certainly deserved. The Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge, and the Grand Pump Room must be seen. It also boasts great restaurants, independent shops, and cultural life throughout the summer months.
Things to do in Bath and the West Country
The Roman Baths are the city's most visited attraction. 2,000 years old and still extraordinary. Thermae Bath Spa, the rooftop thermal pool set against the city's skyline, is one of the finest spa experiences in the UK. The Jane Austen Centre draws literary visitors from across the world.
Wells Cathedral and the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor, Longleat Safari Park, and the stone circles at Avebury (larger than Stonehenge and far less crowded) are all within comfortable day-trip distance.
Festivals in Bath
Bath's festival calendar includes the Bath Fringe, the Bath Film Festival, and a programme of open-air events in the Royal Victoria Park and Parade Gardens. The parks and public spaces are perfectly suited to summer afternoons.
Where to Stay in Bath
Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel stands in seven acres of private gardens in a Georgian mansion at the heart of the city, within walking distance of every major Bath attraction and with its own award-winning spa.
Snowdonia and North Wales
Snowdonia boasts the highest peak in Wales and England combined, dozens of lakes, ancient oak woodland, and one of the UK's most unspoilt coastlines.
Things to do in Snowdonia
Snowdon stands at 1,085 metres, and is accessible by the Snowdon Mountain Railway for those who prefer a gentler ascent, or on foot via seven different walking routes for those who want the full experience. On a clear summer day, the views from the summit extend to the Isle of Man, the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, and the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland.
Zip World near Bethesda operates Europe's fastest zip line, a steel cable stretching over a kilometre across a former slate quarry, reaching speeds of 100mph. It is one of the UK's most exhilarating visitor experiences.
The Llŷn Peninsula, extending into Cardigan Bay, offers some of the most secluded beaches in Wales, and a landscape that has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Portmeirion, the Italianate village created by architect Clough Williams-Ellis on the Dwyryd Estuary, is unlike anything else in Britain.
Where to Stay in Snowdonia
Macdonald Plas Talgarth Resort is set within the southern tip of Snowdonia National Park near Machynlleth, with easy access to the beaches at Aberdyfi and the mountain trails on the doorstep. The self-catering resort offers family-friendly accommodation in an exceptional natural setting.
Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England,
Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the most visited towns in England for good reason. It is beautiful, historically rich, and when the Royal Shakespeare Company's mainstage season is in full swing, it is alive with culture.
Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street, Anne Hathaway's Cottage at Shottery, Hall's Croft, and the Holy Trinity Church where he is buried form one of the finest literary pilgrimages in the world.
The River Avon running through the town centre, with its weeping willows, punts for hire, and swans, provides the most relaxing summer backdrop.
Things to do in Stratford-Upon-Avon
The RSC's summer season, running from June to September, brings the world's greatest theatrical writings to life in their riverside theatre. Tickets sell quickly. Booking well in advance is essential for the most popular productions.
Warwick Castle, a twenty-minute drive away, is one of England's best-preserved medieval fortresses and an outstanding family day out. The Warwickshire countryside, with its traditional villages and rolling farmland, provides beautiful summer cycle routes and walks.
Where to Stay in Stratford-upon-Avon
Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel & Spa is a Grade II listed manor house hotel in Shakespeare country, just 15 minutes' walk from Shakespeare's Birthplace. The manor's gardens, spa, and proximity to the RSC and the town centre make it the ideal place to stay.
How to Choose the Right UK Summer Holiday Destination for You
With exceptional options to consider, the right choice depends on what you want from your summer staycation.
Best UK Summer Holiday Destination for Families
The Scottish Highlands and Aviemore, Loch Lomond, and Snowdonia, are the outstanding family choices. Each combines outdoor activity and wildlife, with freedom to roam in the summer sunshine.
Aviemore in particular, with its adventure parks, wildlife centre, mountain railway, and watersports, is arguably the best all-round family summer destination in the UK.
Best UK Summer Holiday Destination for Couples
Bath, Edinburgh, and the Lake District are perfect for couples. Each combines romance, fine dining, and walking, with access to classic British culture and standout spa facilities.
Best UK Summer Holiday Destination for Outdoor Activities
The Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond, Snowdonia, and the Lake District offer the most varied outdoor activities in the UK. Hiking, watersports, and guided wildlife experiences are available across all four.
For the most remote and ambitious outdoor experience, the Cairngorms are unmatched.
Best UK Summer Holiday Destination for Culture
Edinburgh in August is simply incomparable. No other city in the world has such a concentration of live performance in one place for a single month.
Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Bath cover literary, theatrical, and architectural culture at its finest.
Tips for Booking a UK Summer Holiday in 2026
Book Early, Summer 2026 Is Filling Fast
Demand for UK-based holidays has surged by 20% in 2026 compared to last year. For peak dates, particularly the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August, the time to book is now. Book direct for the best rates and availability.
Consider Shoulder Season for Better Value
Late June and early September offer almost identical weather and daylight to peak summer, with fewer crowds, better availability, and often lower rates. Destinations like Bath and the Lake District are particularly well suited to shoulder-season visits. All the beauty, without the summer traffic.
Dog-Friendly UK Summer Breaks
The Lake District and the Scottish Highlands are among the UK's most dog-friendly destinations, offering hundreds of miles of open-access land, dog-friendly walks, and welcoming pubs. Several Macdonald Hotels & Resorts properties welcome four-legged guests.
