Fan of staycations? Here's how to apply for 'dream' £30,000 job travelling around the UK – for free
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting some of the UK’s top holiday destinations, then this job could be for you.
One lucky Scot could soon be paid £30,000 to stay in cottages around the UK for free next year.
The ‘dream’ role is being offered by HolidayCottages.co.uk, who are looking for a content creator to travel the country while staying in a minimum of 12 cottages across 2026.
The successful candidate will then become the face of the letting agent’s Happy Place campaign, which will see them visit the happiest destinations in the UK. Guaranteed travel locations will include Cornwall, Devon and Cumbria , with all travel expenses covered.
The year-long role, with its “Joy Seeker” job title, has seen HolidayCottages.co.uk launch a nationwide search for the perfect person.
‘Joy Seeker’ will be paid to travel around the UK’s 10 happiest destinations
After asking more than 12,000 holidaymakers to name where they feel happiest in the UK, the firm has gathered a list of ten locations around the UK.
The successful candidate will stay in properties across the UK’s 10 happiest places, including:
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Cumbria
- Norfolk
- North Yorkshire
- Northumberland
- Dorset
- Pembrokeshire
- Gwynedd
- Suffolk
Sarah Pring, the digital PR manager for HolidayCottages.co.uk, added: “Now we want to bring those places to life through real experiences.
“The Joy Seeker will help us show the joy that’s waiting in every corner of the UK, from peaceful coastal escapes to countryside retreats, and inspire others to discover their own happy place.”
What the ‘dream’ role involves
The Joy Seeker will sign a £30,000 content creator contract and enjoy free stays in a minimum of 12 holiday cottages around the country, with all travel expenses covered.
The successful candidate must share their adventures through:
- Photography
- Long and short from social media content
- Blog writing
The role is about uncovering local stories and the UK’s best travel experiences from coastal villages to hidden national park trails.
The resulting content will then be shared across all of HolidayCottages.co.uk’s online channels as well as in national press.
Here’s who they are looking for
The company are looking for someone who is a confident and creative storyteller, who is passionate about “travel, the outdoors, and celebrating local culture within the UK”.
They should have experience creating engaging content across various formats, with enthusiasm key.
How to apply
If you would like to tick off items from your bucket list, this ‘dream’ job could be for you.
To apply, you must be a UK resident aged 21 or older. Entrants must also be willing to travel around the UK and Ireland throughout a 12-month period.
To be in with the chance of being paid to travel the UK, there are three application stages:
- Stage 1 – Submit an online entry form with a written pitch and a video describing a personal UK happy place.
- Stage 2 – Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a call, and asked to complete an additional creative task.
- Stage 3 – Three final applicants will be sent on short breaks to produce property and location content, with the winner selected from there.
Content will be judged based on factors including visual excellence, storytelling and creativity, authenticity, and on-camera confidence.
Applications will close on Saturday, January 20 2026, with the role beginning in February 2026.
Further information including tips and tricks, as well as terms and conditions, can be found on HolidayCottages.co.uk.
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