The Great British Staycation: Why Caravans, Cheesy Discos, and Net Curtains Are Out—And Saunas, Charcuterie and Silence Are In
You’ve probably seen the headlines: “The Great British Staycation is Here to Stay.” And you know what? I agree. But not in the way some might imagine it. Because if your mind immediately went to fish and chips, kids’ clubs with someone dressed as a dragon, and Sandra dancing to ABBA in a sequinned visor, then I’ve got news for you.
The staycation has had a glow-up.
It’s no longer just about booking a tired caravan on a crowded holiday park where your only view is the back end of another caravan. Today’s British staycation is mood lighting, minimalist wood interiors, panoramic windows, morning saunas, and a glass of bubbles in a hot tub while a red kite circles overhead. It’s about space, stillness, and style.
Yes, there’s still a place for the holiday parks that raised a generation of us. But today’s market has shifted, and the demand is clear: people are craving privacy, nature, and a bit of affordable luxury.
Let’s be honest—who can afford a proper holiday abroad these days? Especially if you're a millennial without a surprise inheritance, you're likely renting, working all hours, and wondering whether a mortgage will ever be in reach. So when you do get a few days off, the last thing you want is to be woken by a chorus of children in a soft play ball pit.
You want peace. You want woodland. You want a charcuterie board.
Let’s put it in perspective with a bit of maths:
A 3-night Parkdean holiday in Morecambe starting 27th May? £329. What do you get? A squeeze of a caravan, your neighbours two feet away on either side, seagulls stomping on the roof, and maybe a ‘leisure pass’ that gets you a front row seat to Sandra’s 80s disco tribute.
But we all know that’s not the full spend. Add £30pp per day for food (because let’s face it, that fish and chips + slush puppies combo adds up), £8 pints, and a few rounds of mini golf later and you’ve probably added at least another £300 to that break. So we’re at £629.
Now, compare that to a luxury cabin in the hills. Let’s say one of the Shuffle Life models (humble plug), beautifully placed in a secluded spot with decking, a hot tub, and enough space to sit in silence with your morning coffee and feel like you’ve made it in life.
3 nights? £420. BYO bubbles. £20 Tesco charcuterie board. Breakfast from M&S or Aldi—up to you. Let’s call food £100 max. Total: £520. You’ve saved £100 and got to read your book, soak in the tub, and maybe take a paddleboard out on the lake or hop on a steam train for the kids.
Honestly? It's a no-brainer.
Darwen 1 Bed Cabin with stunning views!
And it’s not just millennials buying into this. I did a little internal market research (i.e., I asked around the staffroom), and here’s what I got:
Steven, 38: “I don’t really like places with people. I tend to rent places with privacy and if I can’t get that, they must have decking and a space to relax away from others.”
Sarah, 40: “I have two kids, one 10 and one 13, so I do look for entertainment—but I prefer woodland adventures, kayaking, even quiet beaches. That old-school disco stuff? Nah, we’ve outgrown it.”
This is the direction things are going. The people have spoken—and they’re not asking for novelty arcade tokens anymore.
Even on Airbnb, the shift is showing. Try searching for a short break around 29th May and see what’s left. It’s not much. And what is left? Shepherd’s huts. Lots of them. It seems they’ve multiplied like rabbits—and while they have their place, £100+ per night for what often feels like a posh shed isn’t cutting it anymore.
The next wave of hosts who’ll really succeed are the ones with land to spare, a bit of vision, and a willingness to offer something better. A simple plot in Norfolk or Northumberland? Perfect. Add a luxury cabin, a smart deck, and a sauna or ice bath and suddenly you’re offering an experience, not just a bed.
We’re seeing wellness move from niche to norm. Today’s traveller doesn’t just want a break. They want recovery. They want to feel healthier and happier after their stay than when they arrived. That’s where the magic lies.
So yes, the staycation is here to stay. But it’s not the British holiday of the past—it’s the upgraded, wellness-led, design-forward version that reflects a whole new generation of priorities.
Now pass the olives. I’m headed to the hot tub.
