UK holiday: 'Scenic' town in Devon named best staycation spot - 'hidden gem'
TORQUAY has been named the top UK staycation spot for Britons this summer.
Devon: A tour of The 25 Boutique B&B in Torquay
Torquay in Devon has been voted the UK number one destination for staycation by Tripadvisor. The resort town has seen the largest increase in reservations and searches on the site.
Some of the “essential” things to do in Torquay include Babbacombe Model Village, Kents Cavern and Cockington Country Park.
The neighbourhood of Babbacombe has been awarded a Travellers’ Choice Award and is a firm favourite with holidaymakers.
One reviewer said: “It’s a beautiful place and the scenic views are outstanding.”
Another added: “Every single minute we were there was just so relaxing and so beautifully scenic.
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“Every person we walked past (with their seemingly calm and relaxed dogs!!!) just had a happy and healthy aura surrounding them.
“I'm actually planning since returning to the melancholy midlands on living/working in Babbacombe for the rest of my day's as I know I'll be so much happier.”
And a third commented: “Stayed here for a week and it is delightful lovely walks and plenty of restaurants cafes and pubs, there is a theatre and a regular bus service into Torquay.”
Cockington is also highly rated, with one Briton branding it a “hidden gem”.
They said: “This is on the outskirts of Torquay and is definitely worth visiting if you have an hour or two to kill. Beautiful thatched cottages and lovely walks with a cafe and gift shop to wander around.”
With many pubs and restaurants in the area, Torquay is a fantastic destination for a UK holiday.
TripAdvisor said: "The small town of Torquay, with its sandy beaches, palm trees and harbour full of yachts could easily make you feel like you’re holidaying in the Mediterranean.
"Get a tan on Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay’s main beach, or Anstey’s Cove to escape the crowds.
"To keep the kids entertained, join a guided tour of Kents Cavern, a labyrinth of underground passages dating back millions of years, to see some of the earliest tools ever found in Britain and the remains of Ice Age animals."
The site released its list of best UK destinations for a staycation, and after Torquay, Windermere in the Lake District came second and York came third.
The Lake, Orrest Head and Holehird Gardens were some of the top attractions in Windermere.
All three have won Travellers’ Choice awards this year.
In York, the National Railway Museum, York Minster and the Castle Museum were noted as top attractions.
Top 10 UK destinations for Britons
1. Torquay, Devon
2. Windermere, Cumbria
3. York, Yorkshire
4. Newquay, Cornwall
5. Bath, Somerset
6. Whitby, Yorkshire
7. Bowness-on-Windermere
8. Brighton, East Sussex
9. Portree, Isle of Skye
10. Bournemouth, Dorset