Small English town that is ‘ideal for nature lovers’ tops the list of most relaxing staycation spots

The UK has many beautiful places for Britons to explore and enjoy, even during the cold winter months.

Rutland, England’s smallest county, has been crowned as the UK’s top destination for a relaxing countryside break this winter, according to a new study.

The East Midlands county achieved an impressive score of 64.17 out of 100 in comprehensive research analysing the nation’s most peaceful rural retreats. The study examined 96 rural council districts across the country to identify the most tranquil locations for winter escapes.

The Scottish Highlands secured second place with a score of 61.78, while Torridge in Devon completed the top three, scoring 61.54. The rankings come at an opportune time for those seeking a peaceful retreat before the busy festive season gets underway.

The study analysed 11 key factors to determine the most relaxing rural destinations, using data from the Office for National Statistics and other official sources.

These factors included reported well-being levels, which measured how worthwhile, satisfied and happy residents felt in each area.

The research also examined the average distance to parks, public gardens, and playing fields, along with the size of green spaces within a 1,000m radius.

Other crucial metrics included woodland cover percentage, proximity to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, local crime rates, and the number of spa facilities per 100,000 population. Each factor was scored on a scale of 0 to 10 and weighted according to its importance, with green spaces and spa facilities receiving the highest weightings at 11.36 per cent each.

Rutland’s top ranking was particularly influenced by its perfect score of 10 out of 10 for the size of parks, public gardens and playing fields within a 1,000m radius. The county also scored highly for its proximity to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it ideal for nature lovers seeking serenity.

The Scottish Highlands, in second place, boasts 176 per cent more spa hotels per 100,000 population than the average across all analysed destinations. Torridge in Devon secured third place with notably high happiness levels among locals, scoring 8.05 out of 10.

The top 15 relaxing destinations

• Rutland, East Midlands (64.17)
• Scottish Highlands (61.78)
• Torridge, Devon (61.54)
• Malvern Hills, Worcestershire (60.5)
• Argyll and Bute, Scotland (60.43)
• Fermanagh and Omagh, Northern Ireland (60.07)
• High Peak, Derbyshire (59.58)
• Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland (58.92)
• Sevenoaks, Kent (58.67)
• Eden, Cumbria (57.5)
• Northumberland, North East (57.4)
• South Lakeland, Cumbria (56.81)
• West Oxfordshire (56.72)
• South Kesteven, Lincolnshire (56.26)
• Na h-Eileanan Siar (55.94)

Commenting on the findings, Laurence Brown, director of BROWN’S CBD which conducted the study, said: “The festive season can be a hectic and even stressful time for many, with an often-packed social calendar and lots of Christmas preparation – from gift shopping to getting ready for hosting family and friends.

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“Year-on-year, this results in many people failing to take some time for themselves, and risking burnout.

“This list provides the best places across the country where people can take some time out of their usual, busy routine to switch off and enjoy some relaxation – from spending time in nature to visiting a spa, offering well-needed opportunities to decompress.

“Whether you would prefer a weekend mini-break, a mid-week escape before the festivities, or a quick day trip getaway, the list highlights the best areas across different corners of the country that will help you reset this season.”