WFA (Working from Away) is giving the traditional workcation a new lease of life, with travellers swapping the home office for hotel rooms, coffee shops, and destination-led surroundings without taking full time off work. Particularly suited to hybrid workers, the change of scenery while staying connected could be just the stress-reliever the doctor ordered – and Superbreak reveals the WFA hotspots proving most popular with travellers this summer.
For the best WFA destinations, that means finding the balance between reliable spaces to work, a strong coffee culture, and enough character to make stepping away from the laptop worthwhile. Striking the sweet spot between practicality and escapism, independent cafés can be particularly appealing, offering the background energy of a destination while providing enough space to settle in and focus without feeling as though you have simply relocated your desk. Add somewhere interesting to explore once the working day ends, and even a few days of meetings and emails can start to feel considerably more like a break.
According to Jamie Lavers, UK Travel Expert at Superbreak, these are some of the UK destinations that have been drawing WFA-ers the most this summer.
- Brighton: “We’ve seen a 48% increase in bookings over the last 30 days, The Lanes are full of independents, such as Trading Post Coffee Roasters and LOST in the lanes, that welcome people working from their locations rather than just a coffee to go. Being near the sea isn’t just an added bonus, it’s great to take a stroll along the seafront to reset in between work calls.”
- Birmingham: “Birmingham is one of the most underrated WFA cities in the UK, and Digbeth, also known as the creative quarter, is the reason why we’re seeing a 15% year on year growth in bookings […] It’s understandable why, with a bunch of independent coffee shops [or example Medicine Bakery] with premium coffee without the price tag of bigger cities such as London.”
- Cambridge: “Cambridge does have an unfair advantage here, it’s been designing spaces to work and study for around 800 years which makes it a no-brainer location for your next project. 58% of our Bookings are mid-week vs weekend. The cafe culture just inherited that, with the likes of Sage Cafe and Bean Theory providing the perfect spots to dial in.”
For some, though, working from away means getting properly out of the UK. With frequent flights and budget airlines making European city breaks increasingly accessible, it is possible to add a cultural change of scenery without needing to take a full week away from work. Here are Jamie’s picks for WFA-friendly destinations further afield.
- Lisbon: “Aside from being in the same timezone as the UK, Lisbon has started to become a hotspot for brunch and coffee shops. Making it the perfect place to get your culture fixed when OOH and still send those all-important emails. Hygge Cafe provides a great brunch platter as well as delicious coffee options, starting the day there before heading to Praça do Comércio to take in the sights once you clock off.”
- Budapest: “Budapest is another great place to WFA due to its mix of affordability, history and access to co-working spaces such as KAPTÁR, where you can purchase day passes. Once you are finished with your 9-5, you can explore the beautiful architecture of St. Stephen’s Basilica and the parliament building.”
The secret to effective WFA, however, is making sure the practicalities are sorted before you open the laptop. Jamie recommends packing a compact power strip to avoid competing for limited hotel-room sockets, while noise-cancelling headphones can help block out the distractions that come with working somewhere unfamiliar. He also suggests getting to your chosen workspace early, giving you a better chance of securing a comfortable seat with a nearby power socket before the rest of the working crowd arrives.
Jamie Lavers is the UK Travel Expert at Superbreak, where he specialises in finding value-led breaks and experiences across the UK and beyond. Superbreak brings together hotel stays, city breaks, seaside escapes, spa retreats, and experiences, with deals designed to make getting away more accessible for travellers, without compromising on choice.
You can find out more about Superbreak, explore its latest deals, and find your perfect escape right here.
