UK Regions That Are Perfect for Stress-free Staycation

Summer is a season of fun activities and excitement, with holidays booked, out of offices on, and the stress of the daily grind beginning to fade.

The idea of escaping the grind and relaxing is a necessity for people to curb stress and burnout. Stress-free staycations present the perfect opportunity for individuals and families to participates in relaxing leisure activities at home, with day trips to local attractions rather than abroad.

According to Dr Gurpreet Kaur, a chartered clinical psychologist & EMDR practitioner, the importance of breaks to reduce burnout and improve wellbeing cannot be overstated:

"Having awareness of what a healthy baseline looks like is key to recognizing signs of burnout. A common factor is feeling as though you can never stop and take time off, or if you do physically, you may find that emotionally or mentally you are still preoccupied with the stress. High standards can amplify this and lead to an imbalance in home and work life due to the level of heightened responsibility…

Physical exhaustion, disruption in sleep, unease or a tiresome feeling are all signs that a rest is needed. Likewise, feeling irritable or emotionally overwhelmed can indicate that you are depleted. 

To reduce burnout, there needs to be some level of acceptance that life is hard and looking after your emotions, mental, and physical wellbeing is key. Taking a break teaches the mind and body that it is safe, and that relaxing is an important skill.”

With this in mind, experts at ICE Headshop sought to discover the most peaceful destinations for a stress-free staycation in the UK. An index was created by compiling a seed list of peaceful locations. The index analyzed weighted variables for each destination, including crime rates, Instagram hashtags, population, and peaceful outdoor activities. 

The experts then combined their findings to establish an overall peace score out of 100 for each of the 53 analyzed locations to reveal the most peaceful UK destinations.

UK's Most Peaceful Destinations for Staycations

If you have been sourcing the best UK spots for a staycation, these topmost peaceful regions and destinations are perfect for stress-free staycations and beating work burnout:

1. Over Haddon, Peak District

According to the study findings, Over Haddon, a village in the Peak District, is the most peaceful UK destination, with a peace score of 85.92 out of 100. The area is home to 12 hiking trails and 6 bird watching trails.

Set peacefully among the rolling fields of the White Peak, the main attraction is by far the beautiful views which stretch for miles making it great for walking. 

Of all the areas in the research, it has the fewest number of Instagram hashtags (100), giving it the 'hidden gem' status!

With just 12 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, Over Haddon has the lowest crime rate of all destinations.

2. Bassenthwaite, Cumbria 

Bassenthwaite, Cumbria ranks as the second most peaceful destination for a staycation, with an impressive peace score of 82.66 out of 100. 

Filled with wildlife and water, the village sits quietly in a valley at the north end of the Lake District and has plenty of exercise options holding the highest number of hiking trails at 39. 

3. Bakewell, Derbyshire

Next on the list is another Peak District gem. Located in Derbyshire, Bakewell stands as the third most peaceful location to visit. 

With a population of just 4,258 inhabitants, this picturesque town has a peace score of 79.29 out of 100, and whilst it lacks fishing trails, it does boast 13 hiking trails and a town filled with treasures.

4. Reeth, North Yorkshire

In fourth place is the rustically charming village of Reeth, North Yorkshire, with a peaceful score of 78.64 and rather fittingly the smallest population size of 658 inhabitants. 

Not only does this affirm it as a natural environment perfect for spotting wildlife, it is also ideal for a break away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With 11 hiking trails you won't be short of exploration options to fill your time.

5. Broadway, Worcestershire 

Broadway, Worcestershire ranks as the fifth most peaceful destination to visit, according to the rankings. 

Often referred to as the 'jewel of the Cotswolds', and despite being one of the most popular villages in the Cotswolds, it has an overall peace rating of 77.21 out of 100. 

The village is home to a total of 2,716 inhabitants and whilst it is one of the most beautiful, it hosts only 3,924 Instagram hashtags.

Despite ranking in tenth place, Mullion, Cornwall still gains a respectable peace score of 72.66 out of 100. 

An area of natural beauty, the seaside village is the largest on the Lizard and hosts some of the most impressive landscapes. 

With 2,300 inhabitants living here, it is home to popular beaches and hidden coves and is the fourth safest with a rate of 24 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants.

Top 10 Most Peaceful UK Destinations:

“Taking a break more regularly teaches the mind not only that it is important to switch off from stress, but also how to switch off from stress,” says Dr Gurpreet Kaur. “The common mistake people make is only switching off when they absolutely need to, this is not resting this is simply recovering in order to go and get back into fight mode."

By taking regular staycations, you can avoid burnout, improve your mental health, boost your overall wellbeing, and increase your productivity when you finally go back to the daily grind.