Planning a fancy getaway to an exotic country is always fun, but the prices can be eye-watering and finding the time to go away for a few weeks is tricky.
So it’s no surprise that many Brits are opting to holiday right here in the UK, exploring the many superb locations that are on our doorstep.
Data from Airbnb found that there’s been an increase in Brits opting for rural destinations right here for their holidays. Some of the most popular locations have included farm and countryside stays, with
It’s also recently been named as one of the best places to live in Britain’s national parks, according to property experts.
In a piece for the Daily Mail, estate agents shared the top places to move for a ‘lifestyle makeover’ and Buxton (sometimes called ‘the Bath of the Midlands’) was said to be a stand out option due to its elegance, cultural activities, and Instagram-ready buildings.
The town in High Peak, Derbyshire, is said to be the highest market town in England, as it’s situated around 1,000 feet above sea level. It’s well known for the water company named after it, which you’ve undoubtedly heard of.
But there’s more to the area than just bottled water. Thanks to its location in the centre of the Peak District, the town is surrounded by stunning scenery, with Tripadvisor users hailing the views ‘amazing’ and ‘great’.
If being able to head straight out for a hike in the UK’s second most beautiful national park wasn’t enough, Buxton also has a fabulous array of local attractions to entertain visitors, such as the Country Park, Poole’s Cavern, the Opera House and Pavilion Gardens.
Those who have already been to Buxton have nothing but warm words to share about the town, with one Reddit user hailing it (and its amazing water) ‘divine’. They added that it was a ‘beautiful part of the country’.
Many also claim the town feels incredibly ‘isolated’ from the rest of the world (despite being just an hour away from Manchester by train), and while you might think this is a negative, they claim it seems it’s actually part of the appeal.
Ken Harris recently posted on a Tripadvisor forum saying: ‘Have visited Buxton many times in the past few years and I’ve fallen in love with it. I can’t explain why really. I think it’s how isolated it is asa small town or how contrasting the scenery is from the town to the gardens. The place fascinated me from the first time I went.’
While a user known as NomadInLondon claimed they liked Buxton as it reminded them of Bath — but less crowded.
They wrote: ‘I come to Buxton often too when in the UK for its architecture. For me, it feels almost like a norther Bath, and it’s refreshing that it has none of Bath’s summer hordes of tourists and happy day trippers.’
Martinmjgh agreed that the town felt ‘isolated’. While Gray W added: ‘Buxton is isolated from the rest of the world.’
Things to do in Buxton
There’s lots to see and do in Buxton, from exploring heritage trails and walks in and around the town, to catching a show at the Buxton Opera House or Pavilion Arts Centre.
One of the must-visit places in town is St Ann’s Well, where you’ll want to stop and fill up your bottle with that natural mineral water Buxton is famous for.
It was hailed as one of seven ‘Wonders of the Peak’ by philosopher Thomas Hobbes in 1678, who said the water ‘cures the palsied members of the old, and cherishes the nerves grown stiff and cold’.
Those interested in the water should also pay a visit to The Ensana Buxton Crescent Health Spa Hotel where you’ll find the town’s natural thermal mineral baths as part of the spa.
Other attractions include Poole’s Cavern, a large limestone cavern which has been sculpted over millions of years. There’s also Solomon’s Temple (the Grin Low Tower) which is a popular local landmark. Climb up the stairs and admire the scenic views from the vantage point.
For architecture fans there are plenty of fabulous listed Georgian buildings to check out, including The Crescent, which is now home to the aforementioned hotel. The unique curved building bears a striking resemblance to the Royal Crescent in Bath.
The town itself also has a charming look to it, with an abundance of local independent businesses, cute tea rooms and more.
The Pavilion Gardens are another highlight, spanning 23 acres of land, with plenty to keep the kids occupied including a boating lake, miniature train, play areas, and wildlife.
The gardens are also home to the Winter Conservatory which houses an impressive botanical garden and fish pond. Visitors can buy flowers, and art from here as well, and there are several spaces to stop for a cup of tea or sweet treat during your visit.
Where else to visit in the UK:
If you’ve already been to Buxton and are looking for somewhere else to visit in the UK, then East Anglia should be on your radar.
The region has just been declared as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2025, by Lonely Planet.
For those who aren’t familiar with the area, the region consists of several counties, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Lonely Planet also includes Essex within its East Anglia guide, and while it is in the East of England, there’s often much debate as to whether it’s actually a part of East Anglia or not.
Many will now likely be wondering what exactly makes this particular region so great.
According to Tom Hall, the head of Lonely Planet UK, it’s the ‘unspoilt beaches, quiet villages, quirky market and seaside towns, as well as thriving cities like Norwich and Cambridge’.
Key spots to visit include Holkham beach, Aldeburgh, Southwold, Norwich, Holt, Woodbridge, Cambridge, St. Neots, Orford Ness, and the Norfolk Broads.
As well as Buxton, a number of other rural UK spots are proving popular on Airbnb of late, including Penrith, Fort Augustus, Caernafon, Betws-y-Coed, Filey, Rye, Keswick, and Glencoe.
Amanda Cupples, general manager of Northern Europe at Airbnb, said: ‘Easter is the perfect moment to take some time with your loved ones, and there’s no better way to spend the long weekend than in the hidden gems of beautiful, rural destinations around the UK, offering a setting to reset and rejuvenate this Spring.
‘With the hectic pace of life, and the rising cost of living – it’s no wonder that this year we’re longing for getaways in tranquil places closer to nature, where we can pause and recharge, Whether you’re seeking a memorable getaway in the UK or venturing further afield, Airbnb has something for everyone to create unforgettable memories this Spring.’
This comes after a popular UK commuter town was named one of the most depressing places to live in the country, coming in second place behind Falmouth.
Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, might win points for convenience as its the cheapest commuter location, but its not bringing its residents much joy.
The city frequently features in lists of the top 50 ‘worst’ places to live, with it holding the title for three consecutive years until 2022 when it was knocked off the top spot.
However, it’s still high up there in the rankings, coming in second place last year for 2023. So what exactly is so bad about living there?
Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) users say the city in Cambridgeshire is a ‘dump’ and a ‘cultural dead spot’, with a high street ‘reminiscent of the Walking Dead’, especially since John Lewis closed its doors there in 2021.
Others claim Peterborough has an ‘atmosphere of misery’ and is ‘dismal’ — not exactly the most endearing description.
However, it seems it wasn’t always like this. On X some users fondly recall the city being a great spot to be back in the 80s.
Dan, who posts as @aaronaarrdvarrk, said: ‘I know Peterborough fairly well and the change has been incredible since the 80s when it was a small, clean, modern city, it’s a total dump these days.’
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A user named @jenn53803 felt similarly, claiming Peterborough used to be ‘beautiful’. They added: ‘Peterborough is now a s***hole!! It used to be a beautiful market town, with a lot of heritage and traditions. Now it’s a dump.’
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