UK's 'most underrated staycation spot' with pretty market towns and beautiful trails

A beautiful area of the UK has been named the country’s most underrated staycation spot, with pretty market towns and beautiful trails. Cottages.com created the UK Staycation Index of the country’s best-kept secrets, perfect for last-minute getaways.

The staycation index factored in points including search volumes, Instagram-worthy scenery, last-minute booking availability, hiking and biking trails, spas, and pubs per 100 square miles. Topping Cottages.com’s list was the Mendip Hills, a range of limestone hills to the south of Bristol and Bath in Somerset. Running from Weston-super-Mare in the west to the Frome valley in the east, the hills overlook the Somerset Levels to the south and the Chew Valley to the north.

The Mendip Hills are Somerset’s best-kept secret, and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty makes for a thrilling last-minute trip full of exploration and family-friendly fun, without the tourist crowds.

With 619 hiking trails and routes made for both cycling and walking, the Mendips are a playground for explorers. Climb to Crook Peak for sweeping views to the Bristol Channel, or follow woodland paths lined with wild garlic and bluebells in spring.

It is home to Cheddar Gorge, a limestone valley where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, estimated to be 9,000 years old, was found.

Older remains from the Palaeolithic era (13,000 years ago) have been found in the caves, produced by the activity of an underground river.

Nearby towns and villages include Weston-super-Mare, Wells, Cheddar and Chew Stoke. Wells is one of the smallest cities in the UK and home to a cathedral built in the 12th century.

Cheddar is a village on the edge of the Mendip Hills. It gave its name to the beloved cheese and is a centre for strawberry growing, both of which have helped make it a major tourist destination for the area.

Cottages.com said of the area: "With low search volumes and 22 available properties, it’s often skipped by crowds, making it a dream destination for last-minute planners who want exploration without the queues."