From £10 meals to cheap pints and free museums, here are the UK’s top low-cost staycation spots. Plus, the best tips to stretch your budget even further.
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With prices climbing faster than your kids on a hotel bunk bed, it’s no wonder more of us are swapping all-inclusive getaways for something a little closer to home. And a lot kinder on the wallet.
In fact, searches for “cheap last-minute holiday” have shot up 44% recently, and almost 6 in 10 Brits are changing how they travel because their budget’s tighter than ever.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to jet off abroad to get a proper break. A UK staycation can still deliver beaches, museums, walks, pints, and plenty of Insta-worthy moments, all without needing a second job to pay for it.
A new study from SumUp has ranked the best low-cost staycation cities in the UK, based on everything from food and drink prices to museum counts and cheap transport. And some of the top picks might surprise you.
The cheapest staycation cities in the UK
Derry
Cheap meals, cheap pints, and a decent number of museums per head, Derry’s got staycation written all over it. A meal sets you back just £10, and the average pint is a very reasonable £3.97. There’s plenty to do too, with 25 museums and 33 landmarks per 100,000 people.
Edinburgh
Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also full of free attractions, loads of history, and the highest safety score on the list (so good news if you’re bringing the kids or going solo). It’s got 26 museums per 100,000 people and plenty of cobbled charm.
Liverpool
Music, football, art, and a load of stuff to do for free. Liverpool offers 173 free activities per 100,000 people, and it has the most landmarks on the list. Basically, if you’re after culture without the cost, this one’s a winner.
Preston
It’s not top of every travel guide, but Preston quietly shines when it comes to budget-friendly breaks. Especially good if you like shopping, there are more fashion designer stores here per person than anywhere else on the list.
Belfast
Another great shout with solid scores across the board and loads to explore if you want a city vibe without London prices.
…. Now, it didn’t make the top 5, but I need to give a big honorary shout out to my adopted home city of Hull, in 6th place.
Kingston upon Hull
Once unfairly crowned the worst place to live in the UK (who asked them anyway?), Hull’s had the last laugh.
It’s buzzing with history, full of free stuff to do, and home to some of the nicest people you’ll meet.
- Average pint? Just £4.24: That’s lower than the national average. And when you’re sipping it along Humber Street, with live music playing in the background, it hits just right.
- Loads of green space: East Park, Pearson Park, Pickering Park: Hull is full of open, free places to run around, picnic, or just lie on the grass pretending it’s still summer. And some of the parks have free zoos!
- Museums? All free: Hull’s museum quarter is criminally underrated. Shout out to Streetlife Museum and Wilberforce House, plus get over to Feren’s Art Gallery (again, free entry).
- Family-friendly but not boring: The Deep is world-class and not as pricey as similar attractions elsewhere. Bonus tip: book online and go late in the day for discounted tickets. Plus, Hull Marina and Humber Street offer food, art, and people-watching for days. Plus, the summer hosts the incredible Humber Street Sesh festival.
- It’s easy to get around: The centre’s walkable, buses are cheap, and parking’s not extortionate. Oh, and nowhere’s really that far away.
Can you tell I’ve got a soft spot for Hull? (Check out more on the Visit Hull site – this isn’t an advert, I truly love the place.)
Anyway, back to the list…
Also making the top 10: Nottingham, Leicester (where you’ll find the cheapest coffee), Sheffield and Stoke-on-Trent (home of the lowest taxi fares).
6 clever ways to save even more on your staycation
Thanks to money saver Ebony Cropper, here are some handy tips to stretch your holiday funds even further:
1. Act like a local, not a tourist
Check local council websites for free events, markets, or outdoor festivals. Tourist traps drain your budget fast, but free walking tours and community events can be just as fun.
2. Use loyalty points
Tesco Clubcard or Nectar points can often be swapped for days out, sometimes worth double. One quick check could save you £50 or more on family activities.
Especially at the moment where you use up £5 in Clubcard points and get £20 worth of rewards!
3. Get smart with travel
Split-ticketing websites can cut train prices by up to 40%. Driving? Look for supermarket fuel deals before you set off. Once there, grab a local family bus pass (often under £10) or see if the town runs a free park-and-ride.
4. Pack smart
Bring basics from home, such as snacks, teabags, cereal (or pick them up at the local supermarket), and skip the expensive café stops. A refillable water bottle and a packed lunch could save you £200+ across a week.
5. Withdraw daily spending money in cash
Setting a daily budget (and only taking out that amount in cash) is a simple trick that helps avoid overspending. It also stops the “oh go on then” café runs from piling up.
6. Plan for free fun
Nature is your friend. Beaches, parks, and woodland trails are they’re all free. Bring games, books, or use treasure hunt apps to keep the kids happy without opening your wallet.
Final thought
You don’t need a passport stamp to have a proper holiday. Whether it’s walking the city walls in Derry, getting your history fix in Edinburgh, or finding hidden gems in Hull, the UK has loads of affordable adventures to offer.
And with a bit of planning (and maybe a packed lunch), you can come back from your break relaxed, refreshed, and not skint.
Don’t fancy a city break? Why not check out the best Haven parks to holiday or these cheaper alternatives to Centre Parcs.
Naomi knows the burden of living on very little and became debt free by following her own money saving tips and tricks. She is an expert on saving money at the supermarket and side hustles.