From ancient castles to hilly, green countryside, the UK offers an interesting blend of history, delectable cuisine and stunning natural landscapes. You’d expect that a lot of this will be pricey, but head out of London and you’ll find a wealth of cities, towns, counties and areas of England, Scotland, and Wales where a great stay doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Here are some of our recommended places in the UK to visit, and budget friendly ways to do it.
Top Tip: Planning on flying within the UK? Check out our guide to domestic flights within the UK for an airline guide and FAQs.
The first things that come to mind when someone mentions Liverpool have got to be The Beatles and football, right? Alongside this, Liverpool was a key migration and trade port from the 18th to early 20th centuries, and has a rich historical and cultural history as a result. There’s lots to see, do and eat in Liverpool, so it’s an ideal place in the UK to visit, including if you want to stay on a budget.
Albert Dock, Liverpool, UK
Alongside the more expensive, luxury hotels that Liverpool has to offer, there are countless cheaper hotels, hostels, and online marketplace properties.
Baltic Bakehouse, Liverpool, UK Cheap eats in Liverpool include:
Fly to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) with the following airlines - easyJet, Wizz Air, Lauda, Blue Air, Flybe, Ryanair, and Widerøe
Brighton and Hove is a seaside resort city an hour south of London. Home to a pebble beach, pier, a world famous Pride, and lots of things to do, the cost of a stay in Brighton can quickly add up. However, there’s plenty of cheap and free things to do in Brighton so that you can have a great time and not spend a fortune while you’re enjoying yourself.
Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton, UK
Alongside the more expensive, luxury hotels, there are countless cheaper hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and online marketplace properties.
The Pond, Brighton, UK Cheap eats in Brighton include:
Take me to Brighton: Fly to and from nearby London Gatwick Airport (LGW) with the following airlines and more - easyJet, British Airways, Norwegian, Thomas Cook Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Westjet, TAP Air Portugal, and Vueling.
Still a popular place to visit by Brits today, the Torbay area was nicknamed “The English Riviera” in the 1800s, when it was a well-known, very popular attraction. Situated on the stunning South Devon Coastline, the main places to visit in the area include Torquay, Babbacombe, Brixham, and Paignton.
Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay, UK
There’s a wide variety of accommodation available in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham and the surrounding areas, including B&Bs, self catering cottages, holiday parks, hotels, hostels and online marketplace properties.
The Kind Grind, Torquay, UK
Cheap eats in Torbay:
Take me to The English Riviera: Fly to and from Exeter Airport (EXT) with the following airlines - Ryanair, TUI Airways, Freebird Airlines, and Flybe
The port city of Glasgow is a popular, vibrant and dynamic place, offering stunning architecture, world-class shopping, arts and culture. It is a must visit when visiting Scotland, and really gives tourists a taste of what makes Glasgow great - including the people.
Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow, UK
Alongside more expensive hotels, there are countless cheaper hotels, hostels, and online marketplace properties.
Rose and Grants, Glasgow, UK
Cheap eats in Glasgow:
Take me to Glasgow: Fly to and from Glasgow Airport (GLA) with the following airlines and more - Lufthansa, Westjet, Wizz Air, Emirates, Air Transat, Air Canada Rouge, Icelandair, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines
Rated by National Geographic magazine experts as the second best coastline in the world, Pembrokeshire has lots of things to do, places to stay, adventures and activities, including those that are free or cheap to do.
Castle Beach, Tenby, UK
There’s a wide variety of accommodation available in Tenby, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, St Davids, and the surrounding areas, including B&Bs, self catering cottages, holiday parks, hotels, hostels and online marketplace properties.
The Cambrian Inn, Solva, UK
Cheap eats in Pembrokeshire:
Take me to Pembrokeshire: Fly to and from Cardiff Airport (CWL) with the following airlines - BH Air, Vueling, TUI Airways, KLM. Flybe, Qatar Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines and Ryanair.
The Norfolk Coast has beautiful beaches, breath-taking countryside, and fantastic wildlife, most of which will be free to see! The Norfolk Coast, which spans 90 miles, is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so there’s many reasons why we recommend visiting the quaint coastal villages and coastal towns full of nostalgia.
Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk, UK
North Norfolk and the Norfolk Coast is home to lots of budget cottages, B&Bs, hotels, online marketplace properties and campsites, so finding somewhere cheap to stay won’t be too difficult.
The Crab Pot Cafe, Cromer, UK
Cheap eats on the Norfolk Coast:
Take me to Norfolk: Fly to and from Norwich International Airport (NWI) with the following airlines - TUI Airways, Loganair, Aurigny, Flybe, BH Air, and KLM
The Fylde Coast is a coastal plain stretching from north of Liverpool to just below the Lake District, and includes towns such as Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood, Morecambe Bay, and Cleveleys. There’s lots of things to see and do in the area for travellers on a budget. Despite being closer geographically to Liverpool, Manchester airport would be the best place to fly to as there are excellent rail links to Blackpool.
Blackpool Tower, Blackpool, UK
Lytham St Annes, Blackpool, and the Fylde Coast is home to lots of B&Bs, hotels, budget cottages, online marketplace properties and hostels, so finding somewhere cheap to stay won’t be too difficult.
Yorkshire Fisheries, Blackpool, UK
Cheap eats in Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and the Fylde Coast:
Take me to Blackpool and Lytham St Annes: Fly to and from Manchester Airport (MAN) with the following airlines and more - Flybe, easyJet, Jet2.com, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Air Transat, Pakistan International Airlines, and Eurowings.
Alongside being the largest county in England, North Yorkshire is home to sweeping sandy beaches, stunning scenery, quaint towns and villages, and cities such as York and Middlesbrough.
There are no airports in the county, however, we recommend flying to Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) to access the area.
York Minster, York, UK
North Yorkshire has a wide variety of cheap accommodation to stay in - quaint B&Bs in the Moors, campsites and caravan parks, hotels, guest houses, and online marketplace properties.
Caffe Lago di Como, Harrogate, UK
Cheap eats in North Yorkshire:
Take me to North Yorkshire: Fly to and from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) with the following airlines - British Airways, Jet2.com, KLM, Nouvelair, Ryanair, TUI Airways, Flybe, Aer Lingus Regional.
The Victorian seaside gem of Llandudno, and quaint town of Conwy can be found on the north Wales coast. This area of north Wales is perfect for travellers who want to visit a typical British seaside town, which has the addition of a rich mining history.
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Station, Wales, UK
Llandudno and Conwy have plenty of cheap places to stay, including B&Bs, hotels and guest houses.
Providero Tea and Coffee House, Llandudno, UK
Cheap eats in Llandudno and Conwy:
Take me to Llandudno: Fly to and from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) with the following airlines - easyJet, Wizz Air, Lauda, Blue Air, Flybe, Ryanair, and Widerøe
Famed for world-renowned beaches, Cornwall can be found on the rugged south west coast of England. There’s lots to do and enjoy - whether it’s surfing on the north coast, or visiting picturesque fishing villages on the south coast, Cornwall offers a wide array of budget friendly things to do.
Lands End, Cornwall, UK
As a traditional British holiday county, visitors to Cornwall have plenty of choice for cheap accommodation, from hotels, holiday parks, campsites, glamping, hotels, B&Bs and hostels.
Rest a While Tea Garden, Padstow, UK
Cheap eats in Cornwall:
Take me to Cornwall: Fly to and from Newquay Airport (NQY) with the following airlines - Aer Lingus Regional, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines, Flybe, and Eurowings.
The port city of Portsmouth is known for its maritime heritage, alongside being the UK’s only island city, as it is mostly spread across the island of Portsea. The towns of Gosport and Southsea are part of Portsmouth, and both offer interesting and fun things to do and places to visit.
Portsmouth, UK
The Portsmouth area is home to a wide variety of accommodation for those on a budget - from B&Bs, cheap hotels, and hostels, to online marketplace properties and campsites.
Pie and Vinyl, Southsea, UK
Cheap eats in the Portsmouth area:
Take me to Portsmouth: Fly to and from Southampton Airport (SOU) with the following airlines - Aurigny, Volotea, Flybe, easyJet Switzerland
The UK’s 11th largest city, and the capital of Wales, Cardiff is a modern, vibrant city where something is always going on. It is home to the National Assembly for Wales, the Senedd building (home to the Welsh Assembly), a number of sports venues (including those for national and international football, rugby, and cricket), and lots of culture!
Cardiff Bay, Wales, UK
Despite being home to some absolutely stunning luxury hotels, Cardiff is also home to many cheap hotels, hostels, online booking accommodations, B&Bs, and guest houses.
Kemi's Portcanna, Cardiff, UK
Cheap eats in Cardiff:
Take me to Cardiff: Fly to and from Cardiff Airport (CWL) with the following airlines - BH Air, Vueling, TUI Airways, KLM, Flybe, Qatar Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines and Ryanair.
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