funicular

THE UK is home to some brilliant places to head off on a staycation, with one spot in particular recently being named one of the best places to visit this year.

Hastings, sat on the south coast, features the perfect blend of history, beaches and independent shops.

And now the seaside town has just been named one of the best places to visit in 2026 by Time Out, due to a range of exciting reasons.

Time Out said: “Hastings and St Leonards has been up-and-coming, with what locals call DFLs (down from Londoners) for a few years now, and that’s not going to slow down in 2026.

“It’s well known that Hastonians love a good knees-up, and every year the seaside town has a calendar packed full of cultural and community events: the incoming year has the usual festivals, including Fat Tuesday, Jack and the Green and Pirate Day, all on the books for 2026 already.”

One reason the seaside town will be particularly special to visit this year is that 2026 marks the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

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To mark the 960th anniversary, there will be a huge wargame with thousands of mini figures that will re-enact the battle where William the Conqueror took the throne.

Down the road from Hastings itself, is Battle Abbey – which sits next to the field where the battle took place.

Today it is an English Heritage site that you can visit for £17.50 per person to learn about the battle in the visitor centre and experience an audio tour that re-enacts the battle.

The abbey itself was founded by William after the conquest and is said to be sitting on the exact spot that King Harold died.

Back in Hastings there are plenty of other things to see and do.

In Hastings Old Town, you can explore lots of antiques shops – particularly on George Street.

If you aren’t into treasure hunting, then Hastings has a lot of modern, independent shops as well.

It is also in the Old Town where you will find the UK’s steepest funicular railway in use today.

It originally opened in 1902 and boasts amazing views of the beach below.

A return journey ticket costs £5.50 per person.

For art lovers, there is Hastings Contemporary which is right by the beach and is home to contemporary and modern British art – tickets cost £11 per person.

The beach is a pretty spot worth exploring too – it features a mix of sand and shingle and has a promenade with arcades and fish-and-chip spots.

Along the beach, you can venture onto Hastings Pier, for example.

The pier has an open design with stunning views of the sea and features cafes, a restaurant and even a sauna.

One recent visitor said: “Hastings Beach is a beautifully balanced seaside experience offering nostalgia, waves, and local life all in one.

“Whether you’re here for a lazy lunch, paddle sports, a dip, or simply soaking up that Old Town vibe by the sea, it’s a great spot to unplug and enjoy a British beach day with character.”

Another visitor said: “This beautiful stony beach offers a peaceful and well-maintained setting, with a remarkably quiet atmosphere.

“The area is exceptionally clean and tidy, and the locals are warm and welcoming.

“It was well worth the two hour drive from Sutton, and I would highly recommend it as a destination for families.”

If you walk for around 20 to 30 minutes along the promenade, you will reach St Leonards too, which is actually nestled within Hastings.

According to Time Out, “neighbouring St Leonards is quickly becoming a trendy coastal epicentre to give Margate a run for its money“.

Here you will find art galleries, more independent shops and top coffee spots.

Foodies should head to The Royal – a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant – which can be found in a Victorian building in the town centre with a vintage feel inside.

Dishes include pork loin and apple sauce for £19 or rare sirloin of beef with horseradish cream for £23 – both include roast potatoes, carrots, Yorkshire pudding, greens and gravy.

It takes just under two hours to drive to Hastings from London, or you could catch the train from London Bridge, with it taking around one hour and 23 minutes.

If you want to explore other top spots in the UK, here’s an under-the-radar seaside village that’s one of the coolest places in the UK – with £2.50 pints and beach saunas.

Plus, there’s an unlikely city that’s fast becoming one of the coolest places in the UK – with plans for £76million arena.

SCOTLAND’S peaks are known for drama, beauty and inaccessibility.

As a wheelchair user, for years I thought they were off limits to me, unless I fancied freezing, struggling or staying behind.

But then I heard about the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, which reopened in February.

A step-free funicular that climbs right into the clouds? I had to try it.

Access is built in from the moment you arrive – a lift to the platform, a small threshold ramp, and level boarding into the front of the train.

I wheeled straight on with no fuss, no faff, and no feeling like I was the exception.

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The train climbs from 635 to 1,097 metres in less than ten minutes.

As we rose through pine forests and heather, the view just kept opening.
Mist clung to the glens below. Ridges curved into the distance.

It was smooth, and completely surreal – like floating uphill. Ptarmigan Station is right at the top.

From the lift you roll straight into a warm cafe, an exhibition space, and a huge outdoor viewing terrace with the kind of panoramic views I never thought I’d access without help. (You can’t go beyond the terrace unless you’re part of a guided walk, but honestly, I didn’t need to.)

The restaurant serves hearty food and sweet treats.

I had a Baileys hot chocolate – totally earned – and sat soaking up the sunshine at 1,000 metres up.

Now I don’t get to do that every day.

I stayed about half an hour away at the Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey – a traditional Highland property with helpful staff and a calm, cosy vibe.

My accessible room was easy to navigate, meals were relaxed and the whole place had that lived-in charm.

It’s worth saying the access isn’t perfect – there’s a small service lift with manual doors – but the team were happy to help me, and I never felt like I was causing a problem.

This part of the Cairngorms has a few hidden gems that are surprisingly accessible.

Loch Garten has level paths and a great wildlife viewing area.

Countryside accessibility can be tricky for disabled travellers

Anagach Woods offers some forest trails you can wheel through, best in dry weather.

And a few local spots like the Highland Folk Museum and Wildlife Park advertise step-free access and accessible toilets – always worth checking ahead.

Countryside accessibility can be tricky for disabled travellers.

I’ve had to turn back more times than I can count.

I’ve scrolled past places that were “not suitable for wheelchairs”. So when a mountain made space for me, it meant something.

I made it to 1,097 metres above sea level.

No compromises, no apologies.

Just clear skies, fresh air, and the kind of joy that lasts long after you come back down.