Staycation

Just up the road from Whitby, this village offers golden sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, traditional cottages and ‘the best seafood restaurant’ visitors claim

Nestled along Yorkshire’s captivating coastline, just a short distance from Whitby, lies this charming fishing village boasting secluded beaches – ideal for those seeking a more serene retreat.

Boasting its own stretch of golden sand, Sandsend provides a far more peaceful alternative to its lively neighbouring town. The scenery features dramatic cliffs, gentle sands and the most delightful traditional cottages, creating a picture-perfect British village. When the weather’s fine, both residents and tourists can enjoy a seaside stroll, a refreshing swim or simply unwind whilst catching some sun. A recent guest said on TripAdvisor: “A beautiful coast; would highly recommend. Lovely atmosphere and views. My children loved it here; it’s very peaceful, and if you love a quiet coastal trip, then I would advise visiting here. There are a few pubs, cafes and restaurants too.”

During the warmer months, one holidaymaker remarked: “Beautiful stretch of coastline any time of year. We often visit in the spring/autumn; this was our first time visiting during the summer, and it was great to see this beach in all its glory! Lovely calm water for swimming; it was great for beating the heat after we had walked the length of the beach.”

Originally two separate villages – Sandsend and East Row – the area boasts a lengthy heritage in fishing, operating as a local port engaged in inshore fishing that remains active today. Visitors can savour locally caught fish at the village’s diverse dining establishments, ranging from cafés to restaurants and, naturally, fish and chip shops.

Particularly noteworthy is The Fish Cottage in Sandsend, a charming whitewashed establishment serving as both a seafood restaurant and fish and chip takeaway. Located merely 20 yards from the beach, some diners have even dubbed it “the best seafood restaurant by far”.

Additionally, they operate another location in Robin Hood’s Bay, another picturesque village on the opposite side of Whitby. Following a spontaneous visit, one diner shared on TripAdvisor: “Whenever I’m in the area, I cannot help myself; be it lunch or dinner time, I have to call in, and I am never disappointed. Staff are so so nice and very accommodating. The restaurant, although small, is lovely. If you’re ever in the area, honestly, this fish restaurant is the best.”

If that’s insufficient to entice you, an enchanting castle, Mulgrave Castle, stands just beyond the village and features a fascinating ‘ancient’ tale. According to legend, the site was established by a 6th-century ruler of Hälsingland, with its ruins now serving as a testament to the area’s fascinating past.

One visitor said: “It’s a bit of a slog getting there through the beautiful woods, but it’s well worth the effort. There was only one other person up at the castle, so it felt like the place was all mine. The views are breathtaking, and the ruin itself is very romantic.”

I want to plan a weekend “staycation” with two of my girlfriends. They have kids, I don’t. This weekend would be adults-only. We are longtime friends who thought about getting out of town, but now feel that option is too expensive. We’re not heavy drinkers, but do like cocktails and good food. One of us doesn’t eat meat. We all love the outside, but would prefer to sit in the shade (to protect our skin and to be outside longer). We love dancing and live music. One of us is an avid walker.

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Can you suggest some things to do to have a restful, relaxing and energizing weekend that is affordable and can help make unique memories? — Stephanie Perea

Here’s what we suggest:

I love your idea of doing a staycation as opposed to going out of town. It’s definitely cheaper and easier to plan (especially for moms). Plus, it’s fun to play tourist in your own city. I’ve put together three mini itineraries in different areas to give you some options. All of the hotels mentioned have rooms with double beds at rates under $250 a night (before taxes and fees).

The first place I usually recommend to visitors is the Line in Koreatown because it’s centrally located and there are loads of things to do nearby. The aesthetically pleasing hotel has a rooftop pool, a highly Instagrammed greenhouse restaurant and the ’80s-themed speakeasy with karaoke suites. Within walking distance — because you’d easily waste an hour trying to find parking — there are also several yummy restaurants. In this guide to Koreatown, Jeong Park recommends Sun Nong Dan for a delicious Korean breakfast (“get there before 10:30 a.m.,” he notes) and Guelaguetza for Oaxacan staples. If you’re a fan of Sundubu-jjigae (spicy tofu stew), my personal favorite is BCD Tofu House, which is a short walk from the hotel and stays open until 3 a.m. on most nights. It’d be criminal to not visit a Korean spa while you’re there, so check out Olympic Spa. I recently got a massage there after a stressful week and it brought me back to life — no exaggeration. For fun activities, you can take your pick from the many karaoke bars in the area, go dancing at Apt 503, take a virtual swing at W Screen Golf or bowl a strike at Shatto 39 Lanes.

For a Westside option, my colleague Christopher Reynolds suggests the lively Hotel Erwin in Venice, which “has a rooftop bar, hip vibe and a location close to the boardwalk,” he says. Some standout restaurants in the area, according to senior food writer Danielle Dorsey, are Si! Mon, Dudley Market and Wallflower (which is vegan, vegetarian and gluten free-friendly). She also suggests taking “a stroll through the Venice Canals, which is decorated during the holidays.” Take a short drive to Santa Monica for a pastry and coffee at Bread and Butter, which you can enjoy as you walk along the beach. My colleague Hanna Sender, who lives in the area, says, “I also love taking visitors to Bergamot Station for comedy at the Crow and food at Le Great Outdoor.” To achieve the ultimate relaxation, visit Tikkun Holistic Spa, featured in our Times guide to under-the-radar spas. Writers Elisa Parhad and Danielle Roderick noted that it garnered notoriety when Goop reported on its ancient vaginal steam therapy, but that its services are beloved for having “a more holistic bent than straightforward body scrubs.”

Another neighborhood that would be fun to explore during a staycation is Culver City. The Hilton has affordable rooms, but if you don’t mind splurging a bit, the charming Culver City Hotel is a great option. It’s located downtown, which is also home to an array of restaurants and shops including the infamous Erewhon. Start your day with a short hike at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, which offers a breathtaking view of the city. (If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even challenge yourself to the 282-step staircase.) Dorsey also recommends Destroyer for brunch and Merka Saltao for an affordable lunch. I recently tried the Japan-born ramen shop Mensho Tokyo and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. For a relaxing activity, get a facial at Formula Fig, but when you’re ready to dance, head over to Blind Barber, a speakeasy that has live DJs throughout the week.

I hope these suggestions help you plan your relaxing staycation. If you’re anything like me, simply being with your girlfriends — no matter where you end up — is always a good time and a necessary recharge. *Cues the “Girlfriends” theme song by Angie Stone.*

This charming village near the Peak District offers an impressive food scene, independent shops, and the stunning 14th century ‘cathedral of the Peaks’

This sizeable village, nestled amidst the stunning beauty of the Peak District and perched high in the hills, boasts a fantastic array of small businesses serving up delicious fare to locals.

Tideswell, situated on a limestone plateau just six miles east of the renowned Derbyshire spa town Buxton, may not be as frequented by tourists but has much to offer. Serving as a hub for surrounding villages, it’s an excellent spot for a cuppa, a pub crawl, or sampling delectable food – all supported by local businesses. In honour of their culinary delights, the village hosts an annual food festival. The next one is slated for 2 May 2026, celebrating the local flavours. The community bands together to display their hard work and sample a diverse range of artisan foods, along with other handmade goods.

Among the village’s most acclaimed eateries are The Merchant’s Yard Restaurant, The Star Inn, Tideswell Lounge, The Anchor Inn, and the modest chippy, Elliott’s Fish and Chips. When it comes to food and drink, the village packs a punch, with seven pubs dishing out tasty grub within a compact area. Beyond its gastronomic offerings, the village is home to an extraordinary church boasting unique architecture, often dubbed the ‘cathedral of the peak’.

The Church of St John the Baptist, constructed in the 14th century, houses a collection of original monuments, brasses, and woodcarvings. The church has held Grade I listed status since 1967 and, with support from the Friends of St John Tideswell, has undergone numerous restoration, preservation and repair works.

The group continues to help preserve this magnificent structure, which they regard as “one of the most important of the county’s mediaeval parish churches”. A recent guest shared their thoughts on TripAdvisor, saying: “A beautiful church; it’s easy to see why it’s known as the Cathedral of the Peak. I’m told I’d been before, but I couldn’t remember anything about it, so I enjoyed a visit in peace and tranquillity. Spectacular stained glass windows and beautiful and intricate carvings in the choir, combined with an interesting history, make it worth a visit. Also don’t miss the altar tomb, which is very unusual, as is the stone effigy beneath.”

Tideswell historically served as an important centre not just for markets but also for numerous industries including quarrying, lead mining and cotton and velvet production. Much of this heritage survives in the town today, with many choosing to explore the Tideswell Dale walk, which passes the historic mill.

Following the river’s course through the village, this six-mile route takes walkers across level ground for a journey lasting two to three hours. Many consider this an excellent opportunity to appreciate the area’s natural splendour whilst discovering the town’s character.

The village was custom-built in the 1830s and is home to a range of different architectural styles, all with a wealth of history and attention to detail

Nestled in the Peak District lies a quaint village with a unique history and an array of fascinating architecture.

The village as we see it today was purpose-built in the 1830s and is renowned for its diverse mix of architectural styles, including mock Tudor and Swiss Cottage. Edensor, pronounced ‘Enza’, is situated within the more famous Chatsworth Park, presenting a scenic collection of buildings that exhibit meticulous attention to detail.

It was initially commissioned by the 6th Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish, who decided to entirely demolish the old estate and reconstruct it in the 19th century. The reason? He believed it marred his view of the magnificent Chatsworth House and its estate.

The responsibility of redesigning the entire village fell to Sir Joseph Paxton, the architect behind the renowned Crystal Palace. It’s said that when he presented the Duke with a variety of architectural styles, the Duke instructed him to select ‘one of each’, giving the area its distinctive character.

This rich diversity of styles is evident in Edensor’s most prominent buildings, such as St Peter’s Church, which commands the area with its elegant spire. Inside, it contains monuments dedicated to the late Cavendish family, whose graves are still located on the site.

A recent guest enthused on TripAdvisor: “If AI was asked to generate the perfect English village, it would be Edensor. It is so lovely it didn’t seem real at times. At one point a pheasant stalked in front of us, and smaller, curious birds landed on a wall close to where we were standing. It brought to mind a scene from Disney’s Snow White!”

Next door sits the charming Edensor Tea Cottage, formerly the village post office, which welcomes visitors daily throughout the year. Nowadays, the enchanting little cottage offers breakfast, coffees, lunch and afternoon tea for intrigued tourists seeking a brief refreshment break.

In a review about the church, one visitor noted: “Edensor is a lovely village with interesting architecture, so lovely to walk round. We enjoyed visiting the graves of the Devonshire family at the top of the churchyard and found peace and time for reflection inside the church.”

Perfectly positioned beside the stunning Chatsworth estate, visitors can enjoy a short stroll from the village to reach one of Britain’s most beloved stately homes. Boasting expansive gardens, an adventure playground, a farmyard, plus numerous shops and eateries, Chatsworth provides plenty of attractions right on the village’s doorstep.

For anyone wishing to explore this picturesque village, straight from a storybook, Chesterfield offers the closest accessible railway station, with several bus services connecting visitors to Chatsworth. On the flip side, Edensor is situated just under an hour’s drive from Derby, with several car parks conveniently located near the village and within a short stroll.

A village in Northumberland is home to a ‘spellbinding’ castle that was used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films and features the famous gardens with a killer Poison Garden

Stepping into this village is like entering a real-life fairytale, with its enchanting castle attracting visitors and film enthusiasts alike from across the UK and beyond.

Tucked away in Northumberland, further inland from the coastline, lies the delightful village of Alnwick, pronounced ‘Anick’. Within this tranquil town stands a ‘spellbinding’ castle that not only holds a wealth of history but may also look familiar to a famous one seen on your screen.

Alnwick Castle starred in the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and its grounds were used as the backdrop for some of its most iconic scenes. Film buffs have plenty to absorb both inside and out, and can even partake in a broomstick lesson in the same spot where the main cast, including Harry, Ron and Hermione, learnt to fly in their first year at Hogwarts.

Another unforgettable moment filmed right on the castle’s grounds is the flying car crash disaster, landing in the Inner Bailey. Not to mention, Harry’s significant Quidditch practice scenes took place in the Outer Bailey area of the castle.

Aside from Hogwarts, the castle is the second largest inhabited one in the UK, which has been home to the Percy family for over 900 years. The Grade I listed building is believed to have been initially built in 1096 to protect the border of Northumberland, starting as a wooden structure and evolving into a stone fortress over time.

Beyond the castle’s captivating allure, Alnwick Garden offers a unique natural spectacle teeming with wildlife not found elsewhere in the UK. The garden’s website boasts that “no two days in the garden are ever the same”, reflecting its seasonal transformations while preserving its historical essence.

The Duchess of Northumberland established this horticultural haven in 2001, which now houses an impressive variety of roses, including over 200 English shrub roses and climbers. In total, visitors can marvel at up to 4000 different plant species, including the world’s largest collection of Japanese Taihaku cherry blossoms.

A notable feature is the poison garden, home to around 100 toxic and narcotic plants. For safety reasons, guests are prohibited from smelling, touching or tasting any of the plants, and the garden is securely enclosed behind black iron gates.

One recent visitor shared their experience on TripAdvisor, enthusing: “We visited Alnwick Castle Gardens today, and it was absolutely outstanding, a masterclass in vision, creativity, and care. Every corner feels as though it has been designed not just to impress, but to inspire and delight.

“The imagination behind this place is extraordinary – the designers have somehow managed to weave art, nature, and storytelling into a single, living experience. I can only imagine how it will change through the seasons (I’ll be back in April for the blossom).”

Nestled near Peak District National Park, this charming Derbyshire village is bursting with character and offers the perfect pit stop after a day of hiking around Mam Tor

Tucked away near the Peak District National Park, this picturesque rural village provides an ideal stopping point for ramblers exploring Derbyshire, with numerous welcoming pubs just a short stroll away.

Located next to the renowned Mam Tor, a 517-metre peak within the national park, Castleton ranks among the most spectacularly positioned villages in the region. The settlement is encircled by breathtaking vistas of limestone and gritstone escarpments, which regularly draw visitors from cities including Sheffield and Manchester.

Numerous visitors pause in the village either before or following a day’s trek up the hill, where a stone-paved footpath guides walkers along a circular route spanning roughly three miles. The moderately challenging ramble typically requires up to two hours – an expedition well worth rewarding with a refreshing beverage afterwards.

One recent rambler shared on TripAdvisor: “I finally decided to pay Mam Tor a visit to walk up to rather than just driving past it. It’s so dominating on the horizon as you drive through Castleton. Now, you can walk up to it from a variety of paths. The tourist path from the official Mam Tor car park is a popular one; however, you pay for car parking there, and it usually gets busy.”

At its core sits a thoroughly English village, packed with pubs, tearooms, bakeries and shops, ideal for leisurely browsing. Highly-rated drinking establishments in the village include The George, Ye Olde Nags Head, 1530 The Restaurant and the Bulls Head. All within a stone’s throw of each other, these pubs provide the perfect haven after a hard day and maintain a cracking atmosphere throughout the year. Ye Olde Nags Head, believed to be the oldest in the area, has been serving pints since the 17th century. One satisfied punter left a review, stating: “The pub is lovely, warm and welcoming. The staff were very friendly. The building is old and tired in places, but it’s part of the character of the place.”

In addition to the beer selection, the village boasts a high number of cafes for its size, offering passers-by a cuppa and a sweet treat. Regardless of the weather, both locals and tourists pack the rooms for a hot beverage and their locally baked cakes, biscuits and other treats – delicious and totally Instagram-worthy.

Castleton is believed to be the only place on earth that possesses the precious Blue John stone, found within several of its hidden gem caverns. There are four caves in total, open for anyone to explore, including Peak Cavern, Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Mine. The most frequented is the Peak Cavern, nestled beneath Peveril Castle and amusingly dubbed ‘the devil’s arse’. Eager explorers flock to the site for tours lasting over an hour, detailing its history and showcasing the intricacies of the underground hidden gem.