More than a third of UK families will holiday at home this year because of the serious squeeze on household finances. Amidst soaring inflation, budget pressures are one of the reasons most cited for choosing a staycation, behind only foreign travel disruption.
For many, pressures on budgets have made holidaying closer to home more appealing than ever, with average staycation spends falling to an average of £822 from £940 in 2021, according to Sykes Holiday Cottages’ annual Staycation Index. A major proportion of the holiday budget is spent on accommodation, travel, and food and drink – which accounts for 77 per cent of overall spend.
Additionally, 51 per cent of those polled say they prefer self-catering accommodation because it works out cheaper. According to Sykes figures, St Harmon and White Grit in Powys and Longframlington in Northumberland are the top three best value staycation locations this year with a week’s accommodation available for under £500, on average.
The rural Oxfordshire village of Chacombe ranks fourth, with Winston in County Durham rounding out the top five. Graham Donoghue, chief executive of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Uncertainty around Covid restrictions has been replaced with another worry – squeezed family finances – which has encouraged many to put their passports away this summer.
“With Brits’ budgets tighter than we’ve ever, many are turning to staycations as a better value holiday option and seaside towns and rural villages are expecting an influx of visitors over summer and beyond.”
Five best value staycation locations (all under £500 on average):
- St Harmon (Powys)
- White Grit (Powys)
- Longframlington (Northumberland)
- Chacombe (Oxfordshire)
- Winston (County Durham)
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