According to a study out today, a staggering 56 per cent prefer their main getaway to take place in the UK rather than on sunny shores abroad.
More than half (53 per cent) of the 2,000 holidaymakers surveyed by Rentalcars.com said exploring the British Isles was their favourite type of holiday, while 47 per cent said they preferred camping in the UK over a package holiday abroad.
But why have people decided the staycation beats a sunny trip to Europe or a glamorous long-haul break?
- Our stunning landscapes – It can’t be denied that the UK boasts some of the most stunning landscapes, from the Lake and Peak Districts to Dartmoor National Park, from the Three Peaks to The Old Man of Storr. The views are unparalleled and it seems that Brits don’t take them for granted, with 20 per cent saying they holiday at home because they love exploring the British landscape.
- We adore British cuisine – Bangers and mash, steak and ale pie, afternoon tea and fish n’ chips are all traditional country dishes everyone adores. So much so, that they rival the delicacies on offer in Europe, with one in six admitting they prefer tucking into traditional British cuisine.
- Less stress – Traipsing to the airport with kids and luggage in tow can be stressful at the best of times and a big benefit of a British staycation is being able to travel at your own pace with very few restrictions. 17 per cent of people surveyed say they enjoy holidaying at home because it means they don’t have to fly, there are no baggage restrictions and no currency exchanges they need to worry about.
- Our beautiful coastlines – From Cornwall beach and Barra in Scotland, to Newquay and Brighton Pier, Britain’s beaches are nothing short of stunning when the sun comes out, with holidaymakers flocking from all over the country to enjoy a bit of sun, sea and sand.
- No language barriers – Holidaying at home means no language barriers, something that Brits notoriously struggle with when taking trips abroad. According to the data, one in five 20 Brits choose staycations for this reason alone.
- Our British heritage – Britain has a proud history, one that boasts a royal family, Hadrian’s Wall, Tower of London, Stonehenge and many more. There are plenty of fascinating backstories for everyone to explore right on their doorstep.
- We love camping – Holidaymakers have embraced the camping trend, with traditional tent holidays, yurts, glamping becoming all the rage. Not only is camping more fun and cheaper than going abroad, it also gives people the opportunity to enjoy the simple things in life, like quality time together as a family.
- We can keep up to date with our favourite TV shows – According to the survey findings, one in seven people love a staycation because it means they can keep up to date with their favourite TV shows. Because who would want to miss out on the latest episodes of Peaky Blinders?
Top five UK holiday destinations (long break)
London (21 per cent)
Traditional seaside town (15 per cent)
Cornwall (12 per cent)
Lake District (10 per cent)
South Coast (10 per cent)
Top five UK holiday destinations (short break)
South Coast (21 per cent)
Cornwall (14 per cent)
Lake District (12 per cent)
Wales (11 per cent)
Yorkshire (10 per cent)
Top five reasons to holiday in the UK
No language barrier (20 per cent)
British landscape and countryside (20 per cent)
Traditional English food (16 per cent)
Being able to catch up on favourite TV shows (7 per cent)
No baggage restrictions (6 per cent)
