The best UK summer holiday destinations for students

If you’re looking for summer fun without the boarding pass, we’ve got just the ticket.

At the end of every academic year, we throw open the doors of Unite Students accommodation to uni students up and down the UK – from Bournemouth to Aberdeen, and everywhere in between. If you’re working out things to do as a uni student this summer, it’s the perfect solution.

You get to experience a new city without coughing up for a pricey hotel or crashing on a mate’s lumpy sofa. Think great prices, great locations and great vibes – all with a comfy bed, your own bathroom and all the other perks of Unite Students accommodation. As for the length of stay, we’re easy. Stay for as little as a week, or stick around for the whole summer if you like.

But first, it helps to choose a city – or even a few, if you fancy a road trip. In this guide, we’ll talk you through the best summer holiday destinations for students.

Edinburgh: best for comedy, theatre and history

Pack your bags and prepare for bagpipes. In Edinburgh, you’ll find ancient architecture, knockout nightlife, and a packed cultural calendar, all wrapped up in a distinctly tartan package. While some cities tend to quieten down a tad during summer, the Scottish capital ramps up as the Edinburgh Festival and its anarchic younger sibling, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, roll into town.

During August, the streets are a carnival of colour. You should expect to pass at least three acrobats and a fire eater on your way to Tesco. Every space in the city – from pub back rooms to cavernous castle dungeons – hosts theatre and comedy acts hoping to make a splash. At night, the restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs thrum with excitement.

Fun is an understatement here. But if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet, then you’ll find plenty of ways to escape the crowds.

Edinburgh is full of beautiful parks and gardens – from the expansive meadows at Edinburgh University, to the rocky ascent to Arthur’s Seat above the city. Our top tip for a day out away from the city centre is a walk down to the Water of Leith – a pretty trot through idyllic and highly Instagrammable villages as you follow the river to the sea.

As revellers from across the world flock to the city for the festival, hotels, Airbnbs and sublets tend to hike up the prices. With Unite Students, you can get a student summer let in Edinburgh for a bargain.

Bristol: best for harbours, festivals and food

Bristol is full of surprises. It’s got fancy galleries and cutting-edge street art. You’ll find everything you want from a big city, but with an idyllic waterfront, quaint, colourful houses and a gorgeous gorge to flock to and watch the sun go down.

The key to Bristol's summer calendar is the Harbourside Festival, which celebrates the city’s maritime history. By day, it’s all family friendly bunting and rigging against the backdrop of the SS Great Britain. In the evening, it’s a party that spreads across the city. Later in the summer, the annual balloon fiesta sees hundreds of hot air balloons take flight from the city. Head to Ashton Court to see them take off, or simply grab an al fresco table across the city to watch them fill the sky.

Outside the festival schedule, there’s loads to see and do. Check out Bristol’s rich countercultural and multicultural history in areas like Stokes Croft, St Pauls and Easton. Head to the hippie neighbourhood of St Werburghs to whittle spoons and pet goats in the inner-city farm.

In the centre of town, glitzy shopping centres like Cabot Circus offer all the big-name brands you could ask for. St Nick’s market meanwhile offers street food and craft stalls aplenty, just a short jaunt from historic pubs, renowned theatres and cobbled streets of the Old City.

As a foodie capital of the country, you’ll find fantastic independents around every corner – from budget-friendly lunch joints like Edna’s Falafel Kitchen and Sandwich Sandwich, fancy Michelin-approved restaurants like Bulrush and Casa, to hip small plate spots like Cor, Cotto and Root.

Book a space now to start exploring some of the amazing things to do in Bristol this summer.

Sheffield: best for village vibes in the big city

Sheffield is having a bit of a moment right now. In 2023, it was named Time Out’s second-best spot for city breaks in Europe – and who are we to argue? Sheffield is a city of two halves – and this is key to its charm. On one side, you’ll find old workshops and factories converted into hip food halls, galleries and cafes. On the other, you’ll find idyllic, village-like neighbourhoods in the foothills of the Peak District.

As a result of this proximity to the Peaks, Sheffield is one of the UK’s greenest cities, with more trees per person than anywhere else in the country. It’s the perfect base for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, mountain biking and fell running, or just strolling around over 250 public parks and beautiful leafy neighbourhoods.

If you’re not an outdoorsy type, then there’s plenty going on indoors too. Sheffield is famed for its banging nightlife, thriving restaurant scene (say hello to another foodie capital of the UK) and friendly, inclusive atmosphere. In the summer, it hosts its home-grown Tramlines Festival – with huge headliners and small up and coming acts in Hillsborough Park.

Our top tip for a day out? Mooch around the Sharrow Vale Road shops, bakeries and cafes. Grab a pizza for a picnic in nearby Endcliffe Park. From there, you can walk straight into the Peak District in about 90 minutes, via the Mayfield Alpaca Animal Park and a nice pub for a pit stop. Then, get the bus back for the evening – the whole city is your oyster.

Leeds: best for culture and countryside in the heart of Yorkshire

As the sister site to the raucous Reading Festival, Leeds is another hot spot for the summer. But it’s more than a simple stop-off for the August bank holiday. In the centre, you’ll find grand Victorian arcades full of designer boutiques and fancy restaurants, as well as a flashy malls and department stores with all the big brands you could ask for.

But you’ll also find some of the best independent bars, cafes, shops and restaurants in the UK. Head to the Corn Exchange for a mooch around the Colours May Vary bookshop, or head to Kirkgate Market for an incredible selection of Yorkshire produce, street food and quirky stalls in the largest covered market in Europe.

One of the key pulls of Leeds is its food, drink and nightlife scene. Head to modern Indian street food joints like Bundobust or Tharavadu, or check legendary pasta spots like Stuzzi or Sarto. You’ll also find some of the best unique venues and clubs like Belgrave Music Hall, Headrow House and Brudenell Social Club.

If you’re looking for summer ideas to get out of the city, Leeds has the whole of Yorkshire on its doorstep. Head to Rodley Nature reserve for wildlife spotting, just a short hop from the centre. Or, get the train to Ilkley Moor, or explore Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden in the Calder Valley.

Newcastle: best for world-class nightlife and seaside fun

Newcastle is well known as a vibrant, fun and very student-friendly city. But with its world-class cultural venues, foodie hotspots and nightlife, it’s a great spot for a city break too. Plus, with cool coastal havens like Whitley Bay and Tynemouth right on the doorstep, it’s the perfect spot for summer fun.

The city plays host to festivals, parties and gigs all summer long – including Newcastle Pride and the Mouth of the Tyne festival.

After a morning exploring Newcastle’s cultural scene – including the Biscuit Factory and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, it’s just a short trip on the metro to the coast. Mooch around the independents in the pretty seaside town of Tynemouth and head down to Riley’s Fish Shack on the beach for world-class seafood. You’ll also find a huge range of great restaurants in nearby North Shields. Walk along the beach to Whitley Bay for drinks, and then head straight back to Newcastle to dance the night away.

Bath: best for a boujee break in the West Country

Just down the road from Bristol is the small city of Bath. Famed for its rugby, Regency-era architecture, Jane Austen connections and gorgeous Cotswold setting, it’s a charming spot for a summer city break.

A trip to the Roman Baths and a swim on the rooftop pool of the Bath Spa is a great way to start a summer’s day. Outdoor spaces like Victoria Park, Sidney Gardens and Parade Gardens are the perfect spot to catch some rays and have a picnic.

From Parade Gardens, you’ll see the iconic arches of Pulteney Bridge, and the River Avon flowing over the weir below. This shop-lined bridge and the nearby Guildhall Markets are great for a spot of shopping. Next, head to the arty Walcott Street and hit the renowned Landrace Bakery and hunt for vintage gems at the Yellow Shop.

Bath is a maze of grandeur and beauty – and sometimes the best way to appreciate it is from afar. Head to the Bath Skyline walk for a view of the whole city and the surrounding countryside. A bit further down the road, head to the American Museum to learn about US history in a stunning hillside setting. In either direction, the Kennett and Avon canal towpath is a beautiful way to explore the countryside by bike or on foot.

Bournemouth: best for the ultimate UK beach holiday

When it comes to seaside fun with big-town buzz, Bournemouth’s got the whole package. Here, you’ll find a thriving nightlife and cultural scene flanked by a beautiful soft-sand beach and more daytrip opportunities than you can shake a beach ball at. Right on the doorstep are Durdle Door, Studland, Poole Harbour and more – offering some of the best coastline in the country.

By the town centre, Bournemouth’s iconic pier offers all the old-school amusements you could wish for – with ice cream, fish and chips, arcades, rides and even a zipwire. The beach stretches for miles either side of the pier, so you can explore as far as you like to find the perfect spot. If you get tired of exploring on foot, take the land train (AKA a train with wheels), rest your legs on the big wheel or ride the lift to the top of the cliffside.

If you can drag yourself away from the beach, there’s plenty to do inland. Check out the Russell-Cotes gallery for a cultural afternoon or mooch around the shops in Westbourne. When the sun goes down, prepare for beach parties and clubbing galore.

Liverpool: best for carnival of creativity

Liverpudlians are rightly proud of their musical and sporting heritage – but there’s much more to the city than the Fab Four and the red/blue rivalry of Liverpool and Everton. Here, you’ll find a city where community is part of the DNA.

Liverpool celebrates creativity like few other cities in the UK. Tate Liverpool exhibits some of the best modern art exhibitions in the country, and the Shakespeare North Playhouse offers an enviable programme of plays. In the summer, you’ll find a packed roster of festivals and events, including In the Park festival and Liverpool Pride.

You’ll also find incredible restaurants – such as the middle-eastern inspired Maray on Bold Street – and plenty of other small plates and street food joints spread out across the warehouses and docklands of the city.

Of course, it’s not all about cutting-edge art and hip restaurant bookings. A ride on the iconic Birkenhead-Liverpool ferry – made famous by the Merseybeat legends Jerry and the Pacemakers – is about as Liverpudlian a day out as they get.

Book a summer break with Unite Students today

It doesn't end there. We’ve also got incredible locations in Manchester, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Oxford, Southampton and many more. So if you’re looking for ways to spend summer as a student, we’ve got you covered.

Check out summer student lets and short stays in your dream city today.