Family & Friend Railcard's definitive guide to staycationing this summer

This Summer is most definitely the Summer of the 'Staycation', with more people than ever expected to holiday in the UK rather than abroad in order to cut down on costs*. The UK has loads of exciting cities, lively towns and picturesque places waiting for your family to explore. Getting there by train is a great way to beat the traffic jams and keep the kids entertained throughout the journey.

To help uncover the hidden gems of the UK, Family & Friends Railcard has teamed up with award winning** independent UK travel journalist, David Atkinson, who regularly writes for Wanderlust, CNN Traveller and several national newspapers, to provide us with tips to the top five family destinations this summer, all within easy reach by train.

David comments: "Not going abroad doesn't mean you should have any less fun this summer. The UK has an amazing array of vibrant, fun and exciting places to visit, and by taking advantage of practical money-saving tools like the Family & Friends Railcard, you can do it all without breaking the bank. Let's just hope that the predictions ring true and we get that barbecue summer."

Swansea (Nearest Station – Swansea Railway Station)

Swansea's most famous son, the poet Dylan Thomas, branded the city an 'ugly lovely town', but he wouldn't recognise his hometown these days. Wales' second city is enjoying a renaissance, its seaside neighbour, Mumbles, growing as a weekend destination and Port Eynon, located on the nearby Gower Peninsula, increasingly popular with families and outdoors enthusiasts in equal measure.

For families, Swansea's new landmark building, the National Waterfront Museum has a good mix of education and fun with its hands-on exhibits, play areas for kids, best of all, entry is free. To let off some steam, new leisure centre, LC, features a flume ride and an indoor wave pool. Otherwise, catch some of the events in the Swansea Bay Summer Festival, which runs from May to September. Highlights include Sea Swansea in June, the Wales National Airshow in July and Skate Jams in August.

Whatever you do, finish the day with a trip to Joe's Ice Cream Parlour, a Swansea institution since 1922 situated at 85 St Helen's Road, Swansea and Mumbles Road, Mumbles.

Blackpool (Nearest station – Blackpool Pleasure Beach Railway Station)

These days Blackpool is more 'oh-la-la' than 'eh-up, luv'. A promo film targeting French visitors has been all over the internet and shows how Blackpool is changing. The original bucket-and-spade family resort, dating back to the 19th century, is now smartening up its image for the great British summer of family holidays.

Traditional family favourites are still there, such as the Pleasure Beach, tower and donkey rides, but the accommodation is bang up to date. Check out boutique hotels, such as The Big Blue Hotel at South Beach, a new, upmarket breed of B&Bs, including the famous Number One B&B, and more sophisticated self-catering options, such as The Beach House at Bispham.

This year Blackpool hosts a major programme of events, including the European Beach Volleyball Championships (September 10th-13th) and World Fireworks Championships (September 6th to October 2nd). The Blackpool Illuminations also fire up from September 4th - 'the greatest free light show on earth.' Can these changes re-establish Blackpool as our favourite family resort? 'Oui, luv'.

Bournemouth (Nearest station – Bournemouth Railway Station)

Dorset is getting a design makeover with the family resort of Bournemouth, a favourite for its seven-mile sweep of Blue-Flag beach, leading the charge this summer.

The big news is the unveiling of the new, über-chic beach huts designed by design gurus Wayne and Geraldine Hemingway. Bournemouth invented the beach hut back in 1908 and the new-generation beach pods reflect the retro styling of the Overstrand, the building where they are housed. Each pod is individually designed and includes mains electricity, running water and French doors. If you can't afford the £81,000 price tag, you can hire one from the council from £25 a day. For hire details, ask Bournemouth Tourist Information: 0845 051 1701 / www.bournemouth.co.uk

Work is also due to finish on Europe's first artificial surf reef (situated at Boscombe Beach) by late summer and new places to eat and drink are springing up around town. Check out the Urban Beach Hotel, just five minutes from the seafront, with 12 B&B rooms, and Aruba restaurant for Mediterranean food served on a sunny terrace overlooking the pier.

Burns Country (Nearest station - Dumfries, Ayr or Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station)

Olympic medalist Chris Hoy stands outside the Glasgow Science Centre, singer Eddi Reader in front of the Burns statue in Dumfries and actor Sean Connery by Edinburgh Castle. The message from the advert is clear: it's a big year for Scotland. Indeed, the 250th anniversary of the birth of national poet, Robert Burns, provides the inspiration for Homecoming 2009, a year-long festival to celebrate Scotland's contribution to the world.

Burns lived a short but eventful life. He travelled throughout Scotland, drawing on the landscape to inspire his writing. Many of the places he loved are just as inspiring today - from the rolling landscape of Ayrshire to the romantic setting of Dumfries.

Festival highlights for families include Homecoming walks in the footsteps of Burns and other Scottish icons, the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh from 25th to 28th June to celebrate Scotland's rural heritage and Doors Open Days throughout September with free, behind-the-scenes access to Scotland's least-known architectural gems. But no trip is complete without a traditional Burns Supper: haggis, whiskey and some serious Scottish storytelling.

St Ives (Nearest Station – St Ives Railway Station)

Don't be fooled by St Ives. This humble little Cornish fishing village is a hotbed of artistic endeavour, much of the contemporary kind that even kids can relate to. Tate St Ives, the southwest outpost of the London artistic establishment, opened its doors in 1993 and the art scene has gone from strength to strength ever since. Today you can visit the latest gallery's exhibition (Family of four costs £18), then explore the sculpture garden dedicated to the modernist sculptor, Dame Barbara Hepworth.

The scenery has also inspired writers and, more latterly, visits in the footsteps of writers. Virginia Woolf spent her summers in St Ives and her creative spirit was duly inspired by the landscape, sense of space and light. Her 1927 novel, To the Lighthouse, was inspired by the views from her holiday home at Talland House.

For foodies, don't miss the Porthminster Beach cafe, which occupies a spectacular spot overlooking Godrevy Lighthouse. Sit inside for a supper of fresh Cornish seafood and shellfish, or grab a bundle of fresh-battered fish and chips downstairs and head out to savour the flavour while sat on the beach. Bliss.

Up to four adults and four children (5-15 years old) can travel using one Family & Friends Railcard which costs only £26 a year, saving you 1/3 off adults' fares and 60% off kids' fares across Great Britain for a whole year.

- Ends –

* Source: The Guardian, 22.05.09

**Best Guidebook, British Guild of Travel Writers Members' Awards, 2007

Epic Savings on rail fares

For just £26 a year the Family & Friends Railcard offers holders 1/3 off the price of adult train tickets and a massive 60% reduction on kids' fares. The Railcard allows up to four adults and four children to travel on one Railcard, regardless of whether just one or both named Railcard holders are present. Here are just a few examples of the amazing savings you could make when travelling around the UK with a Railcard:

Notes to editors:

A Family & Friends Railcard is for anyone travelling with children

• *The average annual saving by Family & Friends Railcard holders was £104 on rail fares in 2008/09
• Railcard holders can get fantastic deals and discounts with a wide variety of Railcard partners. Partners differ per Railcard and currently include: Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn, Ramada Jarvis, YHA, Bella Italia, Caffe Uno, Days Out UK, LoveFilm, Toptable
• Visit www.railcard.co.uk for more information
• All Railcards cost £26.00 and can be purchased online or at your local station ticket office

For more information please contact Richard Wisniewski or
Anna Corfield at Clarion Communications on 020 7479 0910