If you’ve opted to embrace British Summer Time and choose staycay over vacay this year, then you’re not alone! A staycation was booked once every 11 seconds according to UK holiday firms, which is, of course, brilliant news for the British economy. Hoseasons and cottages.com smashed previous record sales with year-on-year sales up 270%, and 455%. So, with many of us choosing to holiday closer to home whilst travel restrictions still apply, we’ve gathered our staycay essentials - everything you need for a memorable trip in the UK. Whether you're getting cosy in the Cotswolds, camping on the Cornish coastline, or you're taking bae to the city lights, here's our wishlist.
Wine O’ Clock
One thing’s for sure, summer is made for cosy picnics and last-minute beach trips! And, if you enjoy a tipple whilst watching the water ripple, then we think a wine cooler is a smart idea. Warm wine? No way rose! For those of you who know, the struggles are real when trying to sip your favourite drink by the beach (it gets warm quicker than you can say #PowerToTheWooWoo).
This rose gold wine cooler from NEXT is just £12, and ideal if you’re walking to your picnic destination - hands-free!
If you’d rather have your wine at hand for a few sips on the way, then Partner In Wine has the solution for you. Made to carry a full bottle of wine, keeping it cool for 24 hours, all whilst looking stylish, this is a road trip essential. If you leave your wine on a hot summer's day, the chances are it will be lukewarm within 9 minutes, and it will be a massive anticlimax for you. Partner In Wine protects you against wine emergencies. The aesthetically pleasing bottle
Partner In Wines motto? “Save water, drink wine”. We’re diggin’ it.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade and go on a picnic
Every picnic needs an Instagrammable basket, it’s just like… the rules of feminism. They’re making their way onto fashion and lifestyle bloggers feeds everywhere, and you can totally nail the shot with this personalised picnic hamper, made for when it’s just the two of you. Squeeze in your favourite snacks and look adorable in your snaps = win-win.
We adore this oval picnic hamper from Not On The High Street! Not only is it picture-perfect, it’s made for four people, so you and your BFF’s can get organising your next picnic in the park ASAP. Warning - may cause onlookers envy.|
Life is better poolside
… it really is. You may think that a pool is only for holiday, or it’s only acceptable to get an inflatable pool if you have children, well we’re saying an inflatable pool is entirely necessary this summer! Let’s be honest, when it’s hot in the UK, all you wish to do is jump in the pool, so let’s not deprive ourselves of that feeling - you know it’s good! If you fancy something that oozes hot and unbothered, then this lounge pool has your back (quite literally).
If you've quite literally decided to stay at home this summer, and you have budget for a splurge due to your holiday being postponed, the Lay-Z-Spa Cancun oozes luxury and will have you feeling relaxed in minutes.
Now, this is a staycay, so we need some cute accessories too. This unicorn inflatable drinks holder from John Lewis fits four drinks, so it’s ideal if you’re chilling with your baes, or if you’re minimising the trips inside!
Games night
A variation of the much-loved beer pong. You can play with a minimum of 2 players, so it’s great for when it’s just you and your +1 and you fancy getting competitive… the winner gets to? We’ll leave the rest to you!
How to play:
Split into two teams and stand on either side of a table or flat surface.
Fill the plastic glasses with prosecco.
Arrange the 12 glasses into two triangles of 6, on opposite ends of the table/flat surface.
Varying players from each team will then take turns throwing the ping pong balls into the prosecco glasses.
If you shoot and score, the player facing you must drink one of the prosecco filled glasses!
The first team to land a ping pong ball in every glass wins!
For when your staycay involves couples, you can experience a taste of Islander life! Couple up and battle it out with challenges including a racy pub quiz, a hot game of charades, physical challenges, and more. Will you be crowned the winning couple?
Shake it like a Polaroid picture
iPhone pictures are great for your usual day-to-day snaps (you know, the #OOTD, #foodstagram snaps), but to make some staycation memories that feel extra special, we think a Polaroid camera is an essential. We love the Instax Mini - super cute, and easy to keep in your bag for when bae’s looking even cuter.
A disposable camera (or two) is another option for capturing your memories so that you can #LookBackAtIt
A good playlist is the secret to happiness
A road trip isn’t a road trip without a good Playlist to get you in the mood. We’ve created our ‘It’s a staycay baby’, Spotify playlist ready for you to press play on your staycation. Filled with the likes of Peggy Gou, Defected, Kelis, Sean Paul, Bob Marley, and many more.
Check out our bikini blog for some serious staycay style ideas!
If you’re thinking of booking your staycay but are looking for some inspiration, here are some places for you to explore! #TheBestOfBritish
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The Cotswolds
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The Brecon Beacons
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Yorkshire
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Cornwall
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Tenby
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Salcombe
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Whitby
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Dartmouth
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The Lake District
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Devon
