UK staycations: where to go and what to pack

If you’ve spent the last few months exploring every crevice of your home – and we’re sure you have – you’re well overdue a change of scenery. As for what to pack, let the British Airways Avios eStore be your guide. From sweeping coastlines to rolling hills, we round up the dreamy UK destinations we’re eyeing for a late summer getaway

Dartmoor, England

The vibe: With its craggy hilltops, vast wetlands, rivers and rock formations, Dartmoor National Park in south Devon is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike. It also happens to be the only destination in England that legally permits visitors to wild camp – an eco-friendly approach outside of organised sites.
What to pack: Bunker down for the night in comfort with this Talus Eco 2 Person Tent (£270) from The North Face (5 Avios/£1) designed to optimise air flow and maximise space.
Support the locals: Enriched with some of the region’s natural ingredients, don’t leave without snapping up one of The Dartmoor Soap Company’s handmade artisan soaps complete with biodegradable packaging.

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Brecon Beacons, Wales

The vibe: Meteor showers, glistening nebulas, constellations and even the Milky Way are commonly occurring phenomena in the clear skies of mountainous Brecon Beacons National Park. For those feeling extra starry-eyed, book a stay at plush The Angel Hotel in the heart of Abergavenny, around a 45-minute drive away.
What to pack: Get a front row seat to the celestial showcase with a pair of Nikon Monarch Waterproof Binoculars (£259) from Currys PC World (3 Avios/£1), which offer impeccable clarity and a wide field of view.
Support the locals: Black Mountains Smokery is a family-run artisan business in the Brecon Beacons, selling award-winning British produce, which includes plenty of delicious Welsh food and drink. Our choice? It’s got to be a Welsh cheeseboard.

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Jura, Scotland

The vibe: An island sanctuary so remote, George Orwell sought out serene Jura to finish writing famed novel 1984. Located in the Inner Hebrides, it’s now home to around just 200 inhabitants making its coastal walks blissfully unspoiled. Pay a visit to the Jura Whisky Distillery – originally founded in 1810 and the island’s pride and joy – before calling in at the sea-fronting Jura Hotel.
What to pack: With its famed red deer, sleepy bays and the rugged Paps of Jura, the island’s natural beauty needs to be seen to be believed – capture it all with the help of a Lumix DC-GX880 camera (£439), available at Selfridges (12 Avios/£1).
Support the locals: Take home a bottle of Jura signature single malt whisky. It’s made using water directly from the island’s tallest mountains.

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Holkham, England

The vibe: Renowned for its sandy dunes, which extend for miles at low tide, Holkham Beach is the jewel of Norfolk on England’s eastern coast, backdropped by verdant parkland and pine forests. After a day by the water, retire to The Victoria Inn with its cosy rooms and a restaurant plating up locally sourced seafood.
What to pack: When it comes to packing for a seaside staycation, Vilebrequin’s (7 Avios/£1) medium-weight terry cloth towels (£70) are perfect for bundling up in post-dip.
Support the locals: This coastal town may be better known for its fresh fish, but Holkham venison from the long-standing Deer Park is also highly sought-after. Just be sure to pack your cooler for the drive home.

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Peak District, England

The vibe: Though it may be home to some of England’s most quaint country villages, sprawling Derbyshire estate Chatsworth House is another scenic draw of England’s glorious Peak District. Its spectacular grounds include the 105-acre Chatsworth Garden, laden with water features and a greenhouse. Stay nearby at The Peacock at Rowsley, close to the market town of Bakewell.
What to pack: With endless options for a picturesque setting, settle in for the day on a recycled Welsh weave wool picnic rug (£19.95) from the Ethical Superstore (up to 10 Avios/£1) to soak up your surrounds.
Support the locals: Chatsworth House’s Estate farm shop is a veritable trove of the finest produce, pastries and wine from the estate, tenant farms and local suppliers.