Staycation ideas for local holidays in the North

Arabica, 7 Lewis Cubitt Walk, King's Cross, London, N1C 4DT - Visit now

Holidays abroad are looking ever-more risky as spring turns into summer, and quite wisely most smart people are looking to the British Isles for the holidays. With the Lake and Peak Districts on our doorsteps, let alone a wealth of green space (Manchester city centre aside), picnic pics are set to flood Instagram over the next few months – for a truly next-level outdoor dining experience, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better selection of Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine than the Arabica picnic kits.

Losehill House Hotel and Spa in Hope Valley, Losehill Lane, Edale Road, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 6AF - Visit now

A former ramblers’ hostel and Arts and Crafts gem converted into a luxury boutique hotel and spa in the heart of Hope Valley.

Titanic Hotel, Stanley Dock, Regent Rd, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 0AN - Visit now

Not many places are as exciting to visit as Liverpool, with its rich history as one of the most important port cities in the world, through to the swinging sixties, right up to its modern reputation as the place to go for a wildly fun night out, or a trip to see some of the wonderful architecture and visit its world-class museums and art galleries. And there’s no more awe-inspiring place to stay than The Titanic Hotel, with its rooms decked-out in all manner of paraphernalia related to the titular ship. As for food, we can’t recommend The Art School enough, for those with a taste for fine dining, and Leaf on Bold Street for a daytime snack in one of the North’s most vibrant areas.

The Cranleigh Boutique, Kendal Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3EW - Visit now

You might have stayed in the Lake District, but you’ve never stayed in the Lake District like this. The Cranleigh Boutique boasts the region’s most dazzling rooms, perfect for a romantic trip away and a hop, skip and jump away from Baha with its stunning high-end East Asian cuisine, and all the many bars, pubs and cute daytime tearooms (such as Bryson’s Of Keswick Craft Bakery & Traditional Tea Rooms) that Windermere has to offer.

Ensana Buxton Crescent Health Spa Hotel, The Crescent, SK17 6BH, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6BH - Visit now

The long-anticipated opening of the Crescent Health Spa Hotel signals a new chapter in Buxton’s history as a leading wellness resort.

Chester Townhouse, 49-51 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH 1 1RS - Visit now

Chester is one of the UK’s most idyllic cities, steeped in history and beautiful places to visit. This walled city was founded way, way back in 1 AD, as a Roman fortress and there are fascinating nooks and crannies and weaving paths wherever you look. Book in at the wonderful Chester Townhouse, an independent boutique hotel with peaceful, spacious rooms, then grab a drink or afternoon at the accompanying lounge bar, before seeing the sights. Don’t forget to pop by the much-loved Chester Zoo one day, obviously.

The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 5LH - Visit now

The Lowry Hotel is one of Manchester’s leading hotels, although it actually lies across the border in Salford (not to be confused with The Lowry arts venue a couple of miles away in Salford Quays, as many have found to their peril). Home to many visiting famous names, including an extended period for Jose Mourinho’s ill-fated stint as manager of Manchester United, The Lowry Hotel has become a byword for luxury, bolstered in no small part by the excellent River Restaurant. From here, you can enjoy the peaceful environment of the hotel itself, set back from the hustle and bustle of the city, or take a short walk to enjoy all of Manchester’s many many museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and everything else you could possibly want from a thriving modern city.

Forest Side Hotel, Keswick Road, Grasmere, Ambleside, LA22 9RN - Visit now

Right in the heart of Grasmere, The Forest Side hotel and restaurant are all you could ever dream of when it comes to seeing and experience the most beautiful sights and cuisine the Lake District has to offer. There’s a reason William Wordsworth described Grasmere as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”, and The Forest Side upholds this tradition 200 years later.

Stock Exchange Hotel, 6 Norfolk Street, Manchester, M2 1EW - Visit now

The Stock Exchange Hotel revived one of Manchester’s most stunning and long-overlooked spaces, and turned it into a fantastic modern hotel, with an equally awe-inspiring restaurant, The Bull & Bear, headed up by no less than Tom Kerridge. It doesn’t get more central than this, meaning you’re within the beating heart of the city centre the moment you step outside.

Kenwood Hall Hotel, Kenwood Road, Sheffield, S7 1NQ - Visit now

The four-star Kenwood Hall Hotel lies just a mile outside Sheffield city centre, putting it within easy travelling distance of both the beautiful Peak District and Sheffield’s fast-growing and exciting city centre. Be sure to visit Rafters for a fine dining experience like no other, as well as the Millenium Gallery, the Winter Garden, the Botanical Gardens and all manner of other cultural activities.

Quebecs Hotel, 9 Quebec St, Leeds, LS1 2HA - Visit now

The Grade II listed four-star Quebecs Hotel offers luxury rooms in the heart of Leeds. Use this as your base to explore the surrounding countryside and the many fantastic restaurants Leeds has to offer.

Moor Hall, Prescot Rd, Ormskirk, L39 6RT - Visit now

Moor Hall is the jewel in the crown of the northern food scene, with two Michelin stars under their belt. This nationally-acclaimed restaurant has a small number of rooms for guests to stay at, making it ideal for a short holiday away with one of the UK’s best tasting menus at the heart of it. From here, explore the West Lancashire scenery and if you have enough of rambling, there are many major cities just minutes away by car.