The Great British Staycation: Because Spain is So 2023 (and Slightly On Fire)

Let’s be honest: jetting off to the Costa del Sol has lost its luster. Between the airport security queues that require a sleeping bag and the fact that Europe is currently experiencing temperatures usually reserved for the surface of the sun, staying home is the new jet-setting.

Mar 22, 2026 - 23:09

Mar 22, 2026 - 23:27

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The Great British Staycation: Because Spain is So 2023 (and Slightly On Fire)

Why bother with a two-hour flight to get yelled at in Spanish when you can drive three hours to be yelled at by a seagull in Blackpool? It’s cheaper, the "sangria" is just Ribena with a splash of supermarket vodka, and you won't get a third-degree burn from a sunlounger.

Here’s why the UK coast is officially "in" this year:

1. Skegness: The "Vegas of the East" (Sort Of)

Affectionately known as Skeggy, this is the place to go if you find neon lights and the smell of frying fat "invigorating."

The Unique Selling Point: The Jolly Fisherman statue. He’s been "so bracing" since 1908, which is basically British code for "it’s so windy your face might actually peel off."
Why it beats Spain: In Benidorm, you pay for a "sea view." In Skegness, the sea is often so far out you need a GPS and a packed lunch just to find the wet bit. It’s basically a free hiking holiday.

2. Brighton: For the "London Prices, but with Pebbles" Experience

If you like your seaside with a side of organic kombucha and a drag queen, Brighton is your spot.

The Unique Selling Point: The Palace Pier. It’s the only place on earth where you can lose £20 on a claw machine and feel sophisticated because you’re looking at a Royal Pavilion that looks like an onion-domed fever dream.
Why it beats Spain: No sand. Anywhere. You won’t be finding gritty bits in your sandwich three weeks later. Instead, you get a free foot massage from the pebbles (disclaimer: "massage" may feel like "slow-motion torture").

3. Whitby: Goth Heritage and Haddock

The jewel of the Yorkshire coast. It’s got ruins, it’s got Dracula, and it’s got hills that will make your calves scream for mercy.

The Unique Selling Point: The 199 Steps. Nothing says "holiday" like a forced vertical climb to an abbey while clutching a tray of cod and chips.
Why it beats Spain: The fashion. In Spain, everyone’s in linen. In Whitby, you can wear a full Victorian corset or a Batman costume and nobody blinks. It’s much more forgiving on the "winter body."

4. Margate: Shoreditch-on-Sea

Once a bit "stuck in the 70s," Margate is now where hipsters go to die (or at least buy vintage lamps).

The Unique Selling Point: Dreamland. It’s a vintage theme park where the wooden rollercoaster feels like it might disassemble at any moment. It’s the ultimate adrenaline rush for the budget traveler.
Why it beats Spain: The "Turner Sunset." The painter J.M.W. Turner loved the light here. It’s much more poetic to be cold under a "masterpiece sky" than sweaty under a Spanish one.

5. The Survival Kit: Amazon Essentials for the Optimist

To survive the British elements without looking like a drowned rat or a boiled lobster, you’ll need a few supplies. (Affiliate links won't cost you more)

Suncare: Despite the grey skies, the wind can trick you into a nasty burn. Grab some NIVEA SUN Protect & Moisture Sun Lotion SPF50—it’s water-resistant for that three-second "refreshing" dip.
Umbrellas & Shades: Since a standard brolly will last approximately four seconds in a North Sea gale, consider a sturdy AMMSUN Heavy Duty High Wind Beach Umbrella with an air vent to prevent it from launching into the stratosphere.
Beach Toys: For the kids (or competitive adults), the
Elovien 24Pcs Beach Sand Toy Set
includes collapsible buckets, which are a godsend when you're trying to cram everything back into the car.
Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the glare (and the judgmental stares of seagulls) with

Hawkers Warwick Raw Polarized Sunglasses

—they’re stylish enough for Brighton and tough enough for Blackpool.

The Financial Verdict

With the world being a bit... gestures vaguely at everything... staying local makes sense. Why exchange your hard-earned Pounds for Euros at a depressing rate when you can spend them on a donkey ride or a stick of rock that will definitely break a molar?

It’s about patriotism. It’s about stoicism. It’s about wearing a fleece over a bikini and saying, "Actually, it’s quite nice once you’re in."

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