As 80% of us prefer to staycation rather than holiday abroad, six reasons why Britain is best

Four in five of us would rather holiday at home than suffer the stresses of travelling abroad - and here are some fabulous places to see

Cullin Mountains from Loch Slapin on the Isle of Skye

Nobody is quite sure where the word ‘ staycation ’ came from (most likely imported from the USA during the credit crunch a decade ago) but one thing is certain – a holiday at home is here to stay.

The number of Britons taking a domestic break over Easter was up by 10% on last year to 6.6 million and 43.7 million of us went on one in some form in 2015.

A report this week said four in five of us would rather holiday at home than suffer the stresses of travelling abroad (mind you, as a regular driver on the M6 in Cheshire I’d suggest that’s pretty stressful!).

So staycations are, obviously, hugely popular - and I do think we sometimes forget we live in one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

After all, 37.3 million visitors from around the world can’t be wrong as the UK attracted record numbers of inbound tourists in 2016, injecting a very welcome £22.2billion into the economy.

Admittedly, it’s not sunny in Britain every day. But we can get some cracking weather (we even had a Minister for Drought once! True: Google it if you’re under 45) and anyway there’s loads to see and do if we do get a spot or two of rain.

And although Britain can still be a bit expensive, at least you’re not at the mercy of the euro and dollar exchange rates.

So to celebrate the joys of the staycation, here are my six Best of British reasons for a holiday at home for 2017:

1. Bonnie Scotland

I lived there for six years and regret not seeing more of this fabulous country.

Edinburgh is a world class destination that’s bursting with sights (is there a more spectacular castle skyline? Discuss), Glasgow is just a brilliant city to visit and the Highlands and Lowlands scenery is outstanding. Though if you’re out standing in it take an anorak, just in case.

My pick would be Skye; we had one of our best holidays there.

We drove past the brooding Cuillin mountains, watched golden eagles soaring over the Trotternish peninsula, visited a terrific castle and emerged from a pub in Portree at midnight to find it was still light. And the weather was amazing.

2. Yorkshire

Sheffield Winter Garden is the largest urban glasshouse anywhere in Europe

God’s Own County has heaps to offer, ranging from a glorious coast (fish and chips in Dracula-tastic Whitby is irresistible) to moors and dales and Britain’s happiest town in Harrogate. Plus Hull is this year’s UK City of Culture.

But I’m going to suggest Sheffield as a city break just waiting to be discovered (sorry, Leeds, I know you have some of the best shopping in Britain but I am a bit biased towards the Steel City).

Bessemer Converter outside the Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield

It’s got plenty to see and do – don’t miss seeing the huge River Don Engine being fired up at Kelham Island Museum - it’s good value, got great nightlife, the locals are very friendly, it’s finally got some decent hotels, and it’s on the doorstep of the fabulous Peak District... so close in fact we could just about see the hills from the bedroom window of our house in a southwest Sheffield suburb.

3. Norfolk and Suffolk

Boats passing the How Hill windmill on the Norfolk Broads (Photo: Visit Britain)

I won’t be thanked for combining the two ‘rival’ East Anglian counties, but they are both excellent places to visit.

The Norfolk Broads has rightly been a holiday favourite for decades and the Suffolk coast around Southwold and Aldeburgh is delightful. And you can’t go wrong with a pint of Adnam’s or Woodforde’s bitter.

Norwich styles itself A Fine City and indeed it is a pleasure to visit – you do have to make the effort as it’s really not on the way to anywhere - and the area of West Norfolk around Sandringham north to Wells-next-the-Sea is lovely. Well, if it’s good enough for The Queen...

4. Ticket to ride

Britain has some of the best rollercoasters in the world and from Blackpool to Alton Towers via Drayton Manor and Thorpe Park and more, there are family-friendly white knuckle thrills a-plenty.

Take a ride at Drayton Manor (Photo: Birmingham Post and Mail)

And many of our leading theme parks now feature superb on-site accommodation too.

My favourite UK rides are Nemesis ( Alton Towers ), The Big One (Blackpool Pleasure Beach), Shockwave (Drayton Manor), Colossus (Thorpe Park) and the 1958 Wild Mouse (Blackpool). Don’t be fooled by the innocuous appearance of the last one, it’s an evil rodent rage ride.

For next year, the new £16.25million Icon ride at Blackpool looks awesome, with an 80mph top speed and double launch.

5. The ‘stay’ bit

Fawlty Towers and Hi-de-Hi! may have been sitcoms but there was a layer of truth about the accommodation standards depicted. Today it’s all so much better – from quirky to quality there are terrific options across the UK.

Stay in a lovely lodge

Fancy a glamping shepherd’s hut by an award-winning West Wales beach or a cute stone cottage in the Cotswolds? A hip hotel in Manchester or a perfectly fine £19 budget chain room for a cheap and cheerful break?

What about the scores of holiday parks? These days expect safari tents, luxury lodges with hot tubs, apartments and high-spec mobile homes that look like they’re out of a glossy magazine.

We have it all. Basil Fawlty and Gladys Pugh would be amazed – and so will you when you see what’s on offer for a staycation these days.

I like the look of the new for 2017 Landal GreenParks – think lodges and hot tubs in woodland - in Northumberland and Derbyshire and I expect a big things from them.

6. Northern Ireland

Titanic Belfast is a visitor attraction and a monument to Belfast's maritime heritage (Photo: Getty)

Since the peace process finally brought an end to the Troubles it’s gone from strength to strength.

Super-friendly, fascinating Belfast makes a great city break (it’s a better bet than Dublin, in my opinion). Titanic Belfast is a compelling and moving visitor attraction, and a black cab tour of the city, including the political murals of the Falls and Shankill roads and the ‘peace line’ is an evocative must.

And it’s Northern Ireland I’m off to next – to see the Causeway Coast in Co Antrim and and the Mourne mountains in Co Down. Save me a pint of Beamish, please.

NB: yes, I’ve omitted London, Devon and Cornwall and the Lake District because if you don’t already know how brilliant they are, then a staycation is probably not your thing.

Is the Brits’ love of a foreign holiday over? Certainly not.

Brits are still enthusiastic overseas travellers and tens of millions of us will head abroad this year in search of guaranteed good weather, to experience different cultures, see world famous sights and moan that you can’t get a decent cup of tea.

But of course we live in difficult times and where we go on holiday is hugely influenced by safety and security - and as a consequence going aboard is not as simple as it was.

Yes, the staycation is here to stay – but so is the foreign city break and the fly and flop beach holiday.

And there are some amazing bargains out there right now.

*Don’t miss the Daily Mirror’s travel section every Saturday.