Brits are flocking to the seaside this summer, with Cornwall topping the list of UK holiday hotspots.
Despite the current cost of living crisis pushing up the price of time away, it seems that it is true that 'we're all going on a summer holiday', or at least most of us are.
The majority (63%) of Britons have booked a summer holiday this year, which is a 50% increase from the 42% that went away in the summer of 2022.
We are a nation that loves to be at the seaside, with 43% of Brits taking their summer holiday at a UK coastal destination this year, according to a new Travelodge report.
With more than 250 miles of coastline and 300 beaches to explore, Cornwall tops the 2023 top summer holiday staycation destinations chart.
There are loads of amazing spots to head to in the most south-westerly county, including St Ives, where a host of high end seafood restaurants, the Tate gallery and sweeping beaches attract huge numbers each year and make it one of the happiest places in the country.
Crantock Beach is another great spot, in no small part due to the secret carvings cut into the wall of a cave that are only revealed when the sea is at a certain level.
Lizard, which has the honour of not only being named after a reptile but of being Britain's most southerly mainland village, is another place well worth a visit.
It’s still very much an ice cream and pasties destination that feels more like an island community than one on the mainland, and it has access to a brilliant sandy beach.
Another spot that catches the eye is Polperro Harbour, an exceptionally pretty little port which is home to a small fleet of fishing boats and takes visitors back in time with its gentle pace of life.
Devon takes second place with its 120 beaches and the gorgeous Jurassic Coast, which remains a big hit with those looking to immerse themselves in the lushness of the British countryside.
Shaldon, on the Teign estuary, gets a fraction of the visitors of the more popular and better known Devon village of Salcombe which is just down the road, despite the many things to do there, including a botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuary.
People flock to the village for nine days over August when the Shaldon regatta - one of the oldest in England dating back to at least 1817 - takes place.
Third place is taken by The Isle of White, the UK’s island paradise - which spans 13 miles north to south and 27 miles east to west. The island has been crowned a UNESCO Biosphere and offers 57 miles of coastline and over 20 stunning beaches
One of those is Ventnor, which boasts a mix of pebbles and stretches of golden sands, and is ideal for everyone from walkers to sun-seekers.
There are deck chairs you can hire if you want to relax for a few hours and a Victorian town nearby as well as plenty of fish and chip shops, cafes and even ice cream parlours.
According to the Travelodge survey of 2,000 adults, nearly three quarters of Brits planning a holiday this year are aiming to do so on British shores.
They are extending their length of holiday from an average of three days to five days this year, and spending nearly double the amount of money on their British summer holiday this year compared to 2022.
This year, staycationers are splashing out on average £1011.30 for their holiday whereas last year they spent on average £513.13.
That 25% of those asked said that a summer holiday is one of the few things in life that they refuse to cut back on, despite the cost rising so much in recent years.
Top coastal spots in the UK this summer
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Isle of Wight
- Whitby
- Blackpool
- Brighton
- Pembrokeshire Coast
- Bridlington
- Great Yarmouth
- Newquay
Shakila Ahmed, a Travelodge spokesperson, said: “Our latest research shows that Britons are prioritising and taking a well-deserved staycation this summer, despite the rising cost of living; as a break has become one of life’s necessities.
"Interestingly in these challenging times, our bookings data shows Britons are getting creative and resourceful with their budget and holiday planning. New travel trends we are seeing include Britons splitting their holidays into lots of shorter breaks and also planning multi-location holidays.
"This enables them to combine two different experiences within one holiday and obtain a better return on their money and time.
2Just a weekend break can make a huge difference to your wellbeing. With a network of over 580 hotels across the length and breadth of the UK, holidaymakers are using Travelodge hotels as their summer base to explore and experience what makes Great Britain so Great this summer.”
