Here are some of our recommendations for your United Kingdom staycation

London

London is packed full of iconic landmarks that any trip to the city must include. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are the perfect place to start: truly stunning architecture. Slightly along the river the London Eye is the most impressive of Ferris Wheels and gives the opportunity to see the beauty of this wonderful city from above.

Buckingham Palace and The Mall provide the royal glamour that London is famous for and a short walk back into central London brings you to the famous hustle of Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street. Slightly further south Trafalgar square and Nelsons Column offer a spectacular history lesson.

Waterloo Bridge might not be the most famous of London bridges, but it does have by the far best view. For a flavour of true English culture Borough market displays the best of English produce.

While you could get lost for days in London, we would also recommend taking your Green Motion rental car to explore a few of the many hidden treasures which the UK has to offer.

Brecon Beacons, South Wales

This beautiful National park has gardens, castles and caves to explore, as well as 140 miles of rivers and 35 miles of canal.

Cornwall

The beauty of the stunning Cornwall coastline has to be seen to be believed; from the nightlife of Newquay to the quaint St Ives, not forgetting the iconic Lands End, Cornwall is the perfect holiday destination in the British Isles.

Devon

Teignmouth, a picturesque town in Devon on the south coast of England, has been a popular holiday destination since the Georgian times. The traditional seaside town has, in recent years, also gained the reputation of a foodie hotspot. Great food beside the beach, how can you go wrong? Don't forget to stop in at the bustling university town of Exeter on your way through!

Bristol

Enveloped in the hills of South West England, Bristol has its own unmistakable identity, carved out by passionate locals and spirited fans. Discover things to do in Bristol born out of the city’s centuries-old heritage and irrepressible creative spirit. Float over historic landmarks in a beautiful balloon, seek out world-class street art and follow the sound of live music flowing into cobbled streets.

Kent

The Garden of England - beautiful beaches, stunning castles, exciting culture and delicious food and drink.

Kent is one of the best UK destinations for a day trip or short break, with a multitude of things to do and places to see. With some of the best beaches in Europe - voted by Lonely Planet - as well as art galleries, elegant stately homes, romantic getaways, fun-filled family attractions, and more than 4,000 of exhilarating foot and cycle trails.

Oxford

A visit to Oxford, which dates back to Saxon times, is a trip into the brains of a nation. Tour the hallowed halls of the university and follow in the footsteps of Prime Ministers, poets and the one and only Harry Potter. For leisurely sightseeing, take a trip on a punt (a traditional flat-bottomed boat).

Cambridge

At the heart of this spectacular city is Cambridge University, which is split into 31 architecturally stunning colleges. The most famous is Kings College, with its distinctive gothic chapel and illustrious list of former students. You could spend the day in the bustling market square or punt lazily down the River Cam - either way, Cambridge is a truly idyllic place to explore.

Birmingham

Visit Birmingham and indulge your inner kid at Cadbury World, the famous chocolate factory where you can order a liquid pot of choc with your choice of sweet treat added, from marshmallows to moreish candies. The city is renowned for its dining scene, which ranges from the flavourful family-run eateries of Balti Triangle to its Michelin-star restaurants.

Nottingham

The story of outlaw Robin Hood lives on in Nottingham and beyond. Take a Robin Hood Town Tour to see the sites associated with the folk hero, find the famous Robin Hood statue and run free in Sherwood Forest. There’s even a Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival.

Find fantastic views over the city from the top of Castle Rock, before visiting Nottingham Castle, Kelham Island Museum and Art Gallery to discover how the city came into being. Then explore the subterranean depths of the Nottingham Caves, with its medieval tannery and enchanted well.

Manchester

A city alive with character, Manchester is rich in art and heritage, and as proud of its music scene as it is of its world-famous football teams.

Lake District

The Lake District National Park is the largest in the UK and boasts England’s highest mountain – Scafell Pike – and its largest lake – Lake Windermere. Visit Hill Top cottage to see where Beatrix Potter penned many of her famous works, or retrace the footsteps of William Wordsworth at his home Dove Cottage, now a quaint museum packed full of memorabilia.

Liverpool

Home of The Beatles, Liverpool has moved on from its industrial roots to become one of Britain’s most dynamic and vibrant cultural centres.

Newcastle

The cities of Newcastle and Gateshead face each other across the River Tyne, in North East England, coming together at the dazzling Quayside. Must-see attractions include the award-winning Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Angel of the North, a steel sculpture by Sir Antony Gormley.

Scotland

Scotland is not just the land of Braveheart, haggis, and sheep herders. It is filled with castles, stunning lochs and mountains, beautiful parks, and welcoming locals. Wherever you are, you’ll find yourself occupied with rich culture and history. Make sure you visit the highlands for some of the most stunning views and landscapes in the world.

Inverness

Explore the Scottish Highlands – Visit the highlands of Scotland for gigantic mountains, rugged terrain, glaciers, lochs, and kilt-clad Scotsmen. For centuries, people have carved out a living here. While the land may be harsh and unforgiving, it’s beautiful landscape and you haven’t seen Scotland until you’ve been here.

See the Cuillins – This dramatic mountain range dominates Skye and has attracted walkers, climbers and artists for centuries. There are two peaks (red and black) and this can be done as a daytrip or a longer two-day hike.

Play golf – The Scottish invented golf. If you’re not lucky enough to play a round at St. Andrews, there are plenty of immaculate-kept greens to keep any golf player happy. Try to play during the low season (between November and March) if you want the lowest prices.

Try to find Nessie – Visit Loch Ness and try to find the famous monster that is said to be swimming in its depths. When you get tired of that, simply cruise around this amazing lake. The hills nearby provide for good hiking too.

Glasgow

Visit Glasgow University – The university houses an art gallery, museum, and dates back all the way to 1451. You can take walking tours and marvel at the architecture.

See the Cathedrals – The cathedrals in Scotland are marvelous with their unique Gothic architecture and imposing heights. One of the best is Glasgow Cathedral.

Try the local markets – Scotland is full of farmers markets where fresh produce lies at your fingertips. The bigger cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh have several of them, but you can usually find smaller markets in towns outside of the cities as well.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a glorious city filled with beautiful cobblestone streets, parks, museums, history, a castle, and maybe even ghosts. There’s a lot to do here and, after a long day of sightseeing, spend the evening in the pub, hanging out with the fascinating locals.

Spend an Afternoon at Edinburgh Castle – Not only is this castle beautiful, but it’s an important Scottish monument that provides a fascinating history of the city.

Eat great pub food – Pub food is often the best in the country, which is why you see many locals eating lunch or dinner here. Since it’s so affordable, it’s also a good way to eat out. Pubs are a great place to try good beer, food, and even haggis.

Puzzle over Rossyln Chapel – Figure out the Da Vinci code at this historic chapel with its intricate art work and symbolism. The place raises a lot of questions: why is there corn on the wall if it wasn’t discovered until centuries later?

To discover all this and more book your staycation car rental with Green Motion in key cities and locations around the wonderful, historical, cultural United Kingdom.