Staycation vs Abroad: Which is Better for You?
When it comes to choosing between a UK staycation or heading off on a holiday abroad, the decision isn’t...
by Steph Boal / News
Sykes Holiday Cottages is back once again with its highly anticipated Staycation Index, covering trends, insights and all you need to know about the UK staycation market.
Our annual report provides a comprehensive overview of the current staycation landscape, fuelled by dedicated consumer research and bookings data.
Uncover the most popular destinations in the UK, the latest travel trends inspiring UK holidaymakers and how AI is impacting travel planning.
Read on or download the full 2026 Staycation index to learn more…
38% are planning to make it their main holiday with more choosing staycations vs abroad. This has grown 4% YoY.
Average lead time at around 101 days (14.4 weeks) and nearly a third (31%) of trips in 2025 booked within a month of departure.
Over 53% of 18-28s opting for a UK main holiday and 72% planning a UK trip overall.
Bookings were up year-on-year for January (+12%) and October (+11%) 2025, as Brits look to avoid peak prices and crowds.
With Brits taking 3 UK trips per year on average, and 51% of 2025 bookings classed as short breaks (6 or less days).
Solo bookings are up 25% year-on-year in 2025, making it the fastest-growing traveller type as more people seek the best solo destinations in the UK.
Curious about the UK’s most popular destinations? Here’s everything you need to know. We’ve analysed 2026 bookings so far to reveal the 10 most popular regions and destinations.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guide to the UK’s most popular holiday destinations >>
For those looking to get ahead of the curve, we’ve also identified the top 10 trending locations in 2026, based on year-on-year booking growth.
Our data-led guide to the trending and most popular UK towns and villages uncovers what makes these destinations so special as well as plenty of reasons why they should be on your staycation bucket list.
Affordability is clearly on the mind of the UK holiday maker, with travellers increasingly seeking better value without losing out on experience.
Our research shows that 23% of Brits are opting for cheaper destinations, rising to 30% among Gen Z and 33% among Millennials.
This trend is impacting where people travel, with 1 in 5 Brits opting for a UK break instead of travelling abroad. With this in mind, we’ve collated a list of the most affordable and under-the-radar destinations that could make for the perfect holiday without breaking the bank.
You can read more about what makes these destinations so special in our guide to the cheapest UK holiday destinations.
Our research found that Brits are increasingly looking to maximise their time away, making multiple stops throughout their trip.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Brits said that they were planning or considering a multi-stay UK holiday. This increases through the generations, with 74% of Millennials and 85% of Gen Z saying the same. This is on the rise, with 23% of Brits saying that they’re more likely to consider this type of trip than five year ago.
The research further uncovered that Brits would, on average, visit three locations per trip which rise to four amongst Gen Z; with coastal destinations being the most popular (65%).
Ever found yourself watching a TV series or film and then wondering where it’s filmed and if you can visit? Then you aren’t alone; TV and film are increasingly influencing travel decisions with on-screen destination being reflected in real-world demand through search volume and booking patterns.
This is a trend is clearly here to stay! Over 67% of UK travellers said they would consider visiting a location featured in a film or series, particularly Gen Z and Millennials.
Check out more popular locations in our guide to the best filming locations in the UK.
AI has taken the world by storm and the UK staycation market is no exception. We’re seeing this impact on real-world behaviour, with huge shifts in how people are finding and accessing our website. Our data shows a 1,389% increase in people coming to the website via LLMs including ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, between January and March 2026.
Our research also uncovered how travellers are increasingly using AI tools to plan and personalise their trips. From itinerary-building and destination discovery to budgeting and route optimisation, the possibilities are endless.
We found that younger travellers are leading the charge when it comes to using smart tools across their whole journey. These are our key findings:
55% are using AI for destination inspiration compared to 26% of Brits overall.
15% of Brits saying AI shaped their choice of destination, which rises to 28% for Millennials and 30% for Gen Z.
Men are 57% more likely than women to rely on it when making travel decisions.
This is followed by finding places to eat and choosing where to go.
Prefer to explore things your way? We’ve turned the Staycation Index into an interactive experience, so you can dig into the data in a way that suits you.
Got a burning question the report might answer? Instead of trawling through the content, just ask. From trends and destinations to booking behaviour, the insights are instantly at your fingertips.
At Sykes, it is more important than ever for us to understand who is holidaying and when, so we can cater our content to help people find their next amazing getaway.
We’ve used our research to delve into who is booking a UK staycation and when, and a few of these findings might surprise you!
Leading the staycation surge, Gen Z are the most likely to holiday at home and to do so frequently.
Balancing family, partners and experiences, Millennials are the biggest investors in UK breaks.
More selective but consistent, older travellers favour familiar formats and partner-led trips.
One important thing to know is that pets are always part of the plan!
27% of our 2025 bookings included a pet, which is why uncovering the top dog-friendly destinations in the UK is more important than ever.
Our research and data analysis of 2025 bookings found the following:
August is the most popular month to travel, followed by May and July.
With May rising sharply in popularity since 2023 and April bookings up 15% year-on-year in 2025.
Led by January (+12% year-on-year) and October (+11% year-on-year), as travellers look to avoid peak prices and crowds, a common way to book a staycation on a budget.
2025 winter bookings were up 5% year-on-year, with more people looking to find the best places to visit in winter.
They accounted for over half (51%) of all 2025 trip and 43% of 2026 trips to date, leading us to uncover the best short break destinations in the UK.
Nearly a third (31%) of trips are now booked within a month of departure.
Sykes’ bookings data for 25,000 properties in 2026 was used to provide a snapshot of the staycation market, while comparisons with equivalent YTD and full-year figures from 2023 to 2025 were used to identify market trends. Supporting consumer research of 2,000 UK adults was carried out by OnePoll in April 2026.
If our 2026 Sykes Staycation Index has piqued your interest, download the full report to learn more! You can also check out 2025’s Staycation Index to see how things have changed in the Staycation market.
by Steph Boal / News
Hi, I'm Steph and I've spent the past three years uncovering the best places and hidden gems that make the UK so special. Writing ...
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