The Traitors is inspiring a brand new kind of UK staycation, with families and friends booking whole weekends away dedicated to board games and murder-mystery style group play. New research from Parkdean Resorts shows nearly two-thirds of Brits are considering a games-focused break this autumn, as the second series of The Celebrity Traitors returns to our screens.
According to the survey, more than half (53%) of Brits have already been on a weekend away where board games or group games were the main focus. Two-thirds (65%) are considering a trip this autumn to do just that, and 65% say they would like to stage their own version of The Traitors with friends.
Parkdean says the trend ties in with the growing popularity of analogue hobbies and multigenerational holidays, with many families swapping nights out for cosy nights in around the games table.
7 UK destinations for a Traitors-inspired board game break
1. Scottish Highlands
As the original home of the show, the Highlands are the obvious pick. Misty mountains, dramatic lochs and historic castles set the perfect scene for a weekend of plotting.
Fans hoping to see the Traitors castle can stay at Parkdean’s Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame, around a 40-minute drive from the estate, with a moody coastal setting to match.
2. Northumberland
Medieval castles, historic villages, atmospheric pubs and a rugged coastline give Northumberland plenty of potential Round Table settings. Bamburgh and Alnwick, both with their own castles, are great bases for a group getaway.
3. Snowdonia
If dramatic scenery is top of your list, a lodge in the Welsh countryside is hard to beat. Snowdonia’s imposing mountains, misty landscapes and quiet valleys create an atmospheric backdrop for games and group activities.
4. Lake District
For bigger groups, the Lake District combines stunning views, cosy pubs and roomy accommodation. Parkdean is billing its Fallbarrow Hall, on the shores of Windermere, as the ultimate Traitors castle dupe.
The hall sleeps up to 36 guests and has grand interiors, a private cocktail bar, a large dining room and a games room stocked with board games, so there is no need to pack your own. The grounds look out across the lake, adding to the drama.
5. Rutland
England’s smallest county still feels wonderfully remote, making it ideal for switching off. Pretty villages, peaceful countryside and the vast Rutland Water reservoir make a great setting for outdoor challenges.
6. Whitby
This gothic town on the North Yorkshire coast has mystery built in. Winding streets, the clifftop abbey and its famous links to Dracula make it a perfect spot for some Traitor-style scheming.
7. Dartmoor
For families in the south, Dartmoor’s rugged moorland and secluded landscapes deliver plenty of drama. Spend the days exploring the national park, then retreat to a cosy pub or peaceful lodge for games in the evening.
Why families are hooked on Traitors-style getaways
A spokesperson for Parkdean Resorts said: “In recent years, game shows like The Traitors have had the nation hooked; one of the reasons we suspect they have become so popular is because they tap into something we all enjoy, getting together and spending quality time with friends and family.”
The company says many groups of friends, families and even work colleagues held Traitors-inspired gatherings last winter, and it expects bookings for games-focused trips to keep rising in the run-up to Christmas.
To explore all Parkdean Resorts locations, visit the Parkdean Resorts website.
