'I went on two staycations in a week and there's one thing I wish I remembered'

Staycations have become increasingly popular in the UK, instead of jetting off overseas, there are many sights to take in here on home territory that we often miss out.

I have become quite the expert traveller in the staycation world, and this time I put myself to the test of tackling two staycations in one week. Let me tell you, it was worth it and I am definitely coming back to these spots.

I first went to the south of England, Dorset where I stayed in a lovely caravan park in Poole, Rockley Park. My family and I stayed in a static caravan made for six people but could fit up to eight with the sofa bed included.

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It was a decent and spacious size for the six of us with a nice living room space and kitchen. A bathroom and a double bedroom with a toilet, and the other two single bedrooms were a little more cramped but still comfortable to sleep in. We opted for the Silver caravan which also included decking to sit and catch some morning sun, or enjoy lunch outside and look at the breathtaking views.

Whilst Rockley Park offered many activities within the park itself: indoor and outdoor swimming pools, crazy golf and a bungee trampoline for kids as well as many more. We enjoyed the nearby sights of Poole ourselves.

The first full day after eating a nutritious breakfast that we prepared ourselves, we set off on a scenic boat trip by Coastal Cruises, we took on the Poole Harbour & Islands Circular Cruise. We got the stunning views of nearby islands, like Brownsea Island, home to the rare red squirrel, woodlands and historic sight of Brownsea Castle. We saw the Sandbanks and millionaire's row which as the name suggests is home to the rich and famous celebrities like certain footballers - it's also one of the UK's most exclusive waterfront areas.

We sat on the open deck to enjoy the views and the sun luckily was beaming that day. Live commentary from the crew was great, learning about the rich history of the harbour, the landmarks and wildlife with some light-hearted banter along the way, kept us all entertained.

The 70 minute boat ride was also relatively affordable as those aged 16 and above cost £14 and while a child (5-15 years) was £9 and infants were free. The next day we tackled the infamous Durdle Door, one of Dorset's most iconic landmarks, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It was a beauty to visit and is England's first natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

It's a wondrous, natural limestone arch and to access it, you follow the footpath from the Car Park (charges apply), and it is around 15 minutes and then a further 143 steps to get down onto the beach. You definitely have to take appropriate footwear for this, like trainers or walking shoes. Best part is you take in this beautiful sight for free.

The one thing I wish I did remember was to take a swimming costume as I could have enjoyed swimming in the sea as many people were doing. Seeing the views made me forget I was in England at one point and we got to enjoy some ice cream too.

To end off my first staycation, on the final day we couldn't forget about Bournemouth Beach. Bournemouth itself has been ranked as the number one beachin the UK by TripAdvisor in 2024, and I can only agree. This is a personal favourite when it comes to UK beaches and is my second time visiting and I still would go back.

The views, the weather and the vibes was what we definitely needed. I got my souvenir from here too to take home with me. Whilst my family and I just parked ourselves on the beach, munching our packed lunches and dipping our toes in the sea, which again I wish I had my swimwear for, they do offer much more.

There is a Land Train that goes along the promenade which can take you from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier or from Bournemouth Pier to Branksome Chine.

We also enjoyed the Lower Gardens, only a five minute walk from the beach. The gorgeous nature and colours as well as plenty of activities for visitors: an aviary, and mini golf course. Bournemouth will definitely be seeing me again, as well as Dorset as a whole, I just need to remember my swimsuit.

A few days passed by, but there I was again setting off a bit further north but settling into the Midlands for my next spot. We reached Tardebigge, a humble village near Redditch, in the Worcestershire countryside.

We stayed in a lovely cottage for eight guests. It had a large kitchen with a dining room attached, the living room was decently sized, there was a spacious garden, and upstairs had four bedrooms with the master bedroom having an en suite and there being two other toilets.

Not to forget under the stairs, the cupboard was packed with extra essentials and plenty of board games to enjoy. This was great considering my family size and younger siblings.

The cottage experience was just as fun, we had the Worcester and Birmingham canal just opposite our house and that evening we took a 30 minute walk to take in the setting.

There we saw a duck farm, rams and endless greenery and took some pictures up at a bridge, before making our way back to play Ludo which became an evening tradition every night.

The next day, we set off bright and early to go to Stratford-upon-Avon, or better known as William Shakespeare's birthplace. It was a 40 minute drive and a charming medieval market town.

We booked the Stratford Town Walk, which was cheap and cheerful: Adults: £10, Children £5 (8 years - 15 years) and Under 8s were free. Considering our family size and different ages this was right in our budget.

The Town Walk was such a unique way of exploring Stratford and its history. We saw the main attractions and understood the town's connection with William Shakespeare. The Guide was very informative and engaging sharing great stories and historical anecdotes, allowing us to ask questions the whole way.

The tour allowed us to see the main sites from its exterior, like Shakespeare's Birthplace, Schoolroom, the Holy Trinity Church, and Royal Shakespeare Theatres and more. We walked by the picturesque River Avon where people were enjoying relaxing boat rides. The whole walk was in the space of two hours, but felt even quicker as we were consuming the history.

Whilst the weather wasn't doing us any favours for the latter part of the day with the rain, we still thoroughly enjoyed the experience, like being told off by the strict headmaster at Shakespeare's Schoolroom, as well as learning about Shakespeare's journey to becoming one of the greatest writer's in the English language.

The penultimate day of our trip, we headed off to Warwick Castle, which I would say is the greatest castle I have been to in the UK. There was so much to do for the family, and we still did not conquer it all.

Whilst the adults went to face fears with the Dungeons - and I have to say I am easily spooked - but was still a thrilling experience. The little ones went off to the Horrible Histories Maze and tackled their Quest for the Gold Star interactive trail.

We had a whistle-stop 30 minute tour of the Castle's exteriors: learning the entire history from 1068 - present with a guide. Walking through the glorious state rooms, travelling through time from Tudors to Victorians and more. A quick talk on Henry VIII and his six wives was my personal favourite.

And then we ventured off to over 500 steps reaching the top of various towers: Guy's Tower and Caesar's Tower and getting magnificent views of the entire castle grounds and beyond. We concluded the day with the Falconer's Quest, the UK's largest bird of prey display, seeing over 60 birds soaring the skies.

The weather in the Midlands, may not have been as nice to us as it was down South, but either way what a week it was full of entertainment for us all. I will definitely be back, I just have to make sure I remember my swimwear for those scorching summer days, that we know the UK is capable of having.

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