Britons are turning to the coast for their summer holidays, with Cornwall emerging as the UK’s most-searched coastal staycation destination.
The popular county has racked up 6,377 searches over the past two weeks, according to new data, putting it comfortably ahead of other British seaside favourites, including Brighton and Bournemouth.
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Travel discovery site Rome2Rio analysed internal data to find the most popular British staycations. It looked at both recent searches and those over the past quarter to find the most-searched staycation locations.
The findings come as holidaymakers look closer to home for a beach escape. Luckily, the UK is home to thousands of miles of coastline and beaches, ranging from sandy family-friendly shores to rugged stretches of countryside. The research ranked Cornwall top, naming how many searches each area received during a 14-day period at the end of June and the start of July.
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UK’s most-searched coastal staycations
- Cornwall (Newquay/St Ives/Padstow) – 6,377 searches
- Brighton – 4,484 searches
- Bournemouth & Dorset Coast – 4,088 searches
- Whitby & Yorkshire Coast – 2,841 searches
- Isle of Wight – 2,210 searches
- Oban & Scottish West Coast – 2,114 searches
- Devon (Salcombe / South Hams) – 1,242 searches
- Northumberland Coast & Bamburgh – 376 searches
- Norfolk Coast – 334 searches
Cornwall takes the crown, with searches for destinations including Newquay, St Ives and Padstow rising by 12 per cent over the past three months.
It’s easy to see the appeal. Cornwall is home to some of Britain’s most spectacular beaches, while its coastal towns offer plenty to do away from the sand. Newquay is particularly popular with surfers and families, while St Ives combines beaches with a thriving art scene. Padstow, meanwhile, is a favourite for its picturesque harbour, restaurants and coastal scenery.
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For many holidaymakers, Cornwall offers the feeling of a much more exotic getaway without leaving the UK. Brighton comes in second, garnering 4,484 searches over the past two weeks.
The East Sussex seaside city has long been a favourite for British beach breaks, combining its pebble beach and famous pier with independent shops, restaurants, nightlife and cultural attractions.
Its accessibility is another advantage of Brighton. The journey from London to Brighton takes just over an hour by train, with fares available from around £26, according to the research, making it an easy option for a day or weekend trip.
In third place is the Bournemouth and Dorset Coast, with 4,088 searches. The area boasts seven miles of award-winning beaches, with Blue Flag shores and generally safe waters making it great for families.
Visitors can spend the day swimming, relaxing on the sand or enjoying a picnic before heading to one of the area’s pubs for a traditional fish and chips and a pint.
While southern beaches are often among the first places that spring to mind for a British beach trip, holidaymakers in the north are not short on options.
Whitby and the Yorkshire Coast recorded 2,841 searches, while the Oban and Scottish West Coast attracted 2,114. The Isle of Skye is also proving popular, with 3,415 searches over the past two weeks. Although the island is easier to explore by car, its dramatic coastline and spectacular Highland scenery make it an appealing option for a longer seaside escape.
Further south, the Northumberland Coast and Bamburgh recorded 376 searches. The region packs a number of beaches into a relatively small area, including Alnmouth, Bamburgh and Seahouses.
It is also surprisingly accessible from the North East, with journeys from Newcastle to Alnmouth taking less than 30 minutes and fares available from around £11.
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