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Planning a staycation?
8 standout Instagram accounts you need to follow
86% of Virgin Money customers say they are opting for a staycation this year over going abroad. So we’ve rounded up our favourite inspirational Instagram accounts for UK holidays. Don’t say we never do anything for you…
Published: May 2021
With all the ‘amberguity’ around the government’s travel light travel quarantine system, it’s hardly surprising that travel firms have already reported a huge surge in staycation bookings and this Instagram inspo might just tempt you to stay at home too. From the scenic Highlands to the magical coasts of Cornwall, Britain hosts a bountiful of standout staycation spots which you need to explore. Here are our top eight Instagram accounts to follow for all your staycation needs…
1. Visit Mid Wales
A staycation with a Tuscan twist
@visitmidwales Link opens in a new window
Mid Wales hosts a handful of stunning villages to be explored. Our favourite has to be the little town of Portmeirion, which is regularly showcased on their Instagram, and it’s easy to see why. Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925, Portmeirion was built in imitation of a rustic Italian village, to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it. Sitting at the feet of Snowdonia, it makes for a charming all year-round destination that is truly unique. Give this account a follow to see all of the exciting things happening within Mid Wales.
2. Luke Stackpoole
For all your lifestyle and adventure needs
@withluke Link opens in a new window
UK-born Luke Stackpoole is a professional lifestyle and adventure photographer, posting beautiful imagery on his popular profile. He has a passion for creative storytelling through photography and film. Over the last five years he has travelled the world in search of the most unique spots and, following the Covid restrictions, he has found himself exploring the coasts of the UK, with his most recent travels taking him around the Scottish countryside. So, if active adventure holidays are for you, we recommend you give Luke a follow.
3. The Plum Guide
The home of exceptional quality holiday homes
@plumguide Link opens in a new window
Home of the Plum Award the global trust mark for exceptional quality in holiday homes, the Plum Guide’s Instagram is a honeypot of inspiring spots in Britain. Great for big families, these homes are not only abundant in size but in charm, too. Unique stays are available for booking through both their website and Instagram. One to look out for is their unique stays available in lighthouses across our shores…it’s a beautiful way of seeing the coastline from your window and a great snapshot moment for your own Instagram feeds.
4. The Pig Hotels
Home-grown in every way
@the_pig_hotels Link opens in a new window
Sparking interests with their ‘tumbledown’ charm, The Pig Hotels have grown their roots from their first hotel in the New Forest in 2011, to 7 new locations to explore. Each ‘Pig’ has its own identity and with its kitchen gardens at the very heart of the operation, you are sure to have a great dining experience throughout your stay. The hotels are also committed to sustainability and are actively reducing its carbon footprint. All waste is recycled in the gardens and each menu has a 25-mile ethos. Also, as an added bonus for following them you get to see their weekly food posts – guaranteed to have your mouth watering and tummy rumbling!
5. The Great Staycation
Shepherd huts, B&Bs and treehouses
@thegreatstaycation Link opens in a new window
The Great Staycations’ ethos is to showcase holidays we could be missing right on our doorsteps. So, what better time to get following them than this summer…With a bucket list of Cornish coastal towns, Jurassic coast sandy beaches and Cotswolds B&Bs, The Great Staycation is a blog for everyone on any budget. Uncovering hidden gems and recommending itineraries along the way, the hard work is done for you. All you need to do is pack your suitcase and relax.
6. Unique Homestays
Unique escapes in inspiring locations
@uniquehomestays Link opens in a new window
Looking for a city break? Or what about a holiday home for a large party? Unique Homestays has you covered for both and so much more. With the promise to offer you and your family a lifeline to sanity, a chance to step away from everyday life and reconnect with people you love, you are in for a truly magical experience, plus memories that will last long after the holiday ends…
7. Sally Akins
Food and drink to home and garden, with plenty of travel as well
@sallyakins Link opens in a new window
Sally is a British-born blogger with a love for travel. Now that her sons have all grown up, she has started to scratch that travel itch again and she’s bringing us along for the ride! With loads of reviews, travel guides and journals, Sally really is the embodiment of staycation travel. Her blog showcases the rich, colourful life of the British countryside and is packed full of envy-inducing photographs of her travels. Sally is a great inspiration and highlights that it's never too late to get travelling again, even if we’re staying a little closer to home.
8. Sussex Travel & Food Bloggers
Sharing the best of Sussex
@sussexbloggers Link opens in a new window
Founded by two well-established travel bloggers and great friends Suzanne Jones and Kathryn Burrington, two ladies on a mission to promote the very best of their home county of Sussex. From beach huts looking over the pebbled shores of West Sussex to homestays in the busy lanes of Brighton, Sussex truly is a bountiful county of both quiet and city-centre breaks. With so much to choose from, why not plan a trip to Sussex this year – we know we want to.
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