Cheapest and most expensive staycation destinations revealed

The cost of staycation accommodation across Britain has jumped by 41 per cent in the past year, new findings reveal.

At an average cost of £2,040, the Highlands in Scotland is the most expensive place for a family of four taking a seven-day getaway in Britain this year. 

That includes accommodation, travel, food and drink and activities.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, a family of four could enjoy a week’s staycation in the Peak District for around £1,485, making it one of the cheapest options among the country’s most popular holiday destinations.

Costly: A table showing average price hikes for some of the country’s top staycation locations

Over 17.6million adults in Britain have not ventured on a staycation in the last three years, with about 4million put off by high costs, Direct Line Travel Insurance said.  

The location which has seen the biggest jump in the cost of a week’s staycation for a family of four in the past year is Dorset. 

There, a week’s break for a family is around £233 more than it was a year ago, bringing the total cost up to around £1,835. 

The Lake District has also seen a sizeable hike in staycation prices, having risen by £230 to around £1,875 for a family of four holidaying for a week.

For families, the third-biggest spike in staycation prices has emerged in the Highlands in Scotland. Here, the average cost of a seven-day break for a family of four has risen by £226 to around £2,040.      

On Expedia’s website, This is Money found that a family of four wanting a seven-day stay in Lisbon, Portugal, could do so for a fraction of the cost of many staycations across Britain’s most popular locations.

Gorgeous: The Scottish Highlands are beautiful, but can be costly for holidaymakers

Gorgeous: The Scottish Highlands are beautiful, but can be costly for holidaymakers

Quaint: The Cotswolds is the priciest place to holiday as a couple, new findings suggest (file pic)

Quaint: The Cotswolds is the priciest place to holiday as a couple, new findings suggest (file pic)

Popular: Destinations like Newquay in Cornwall are among the many popular seaside resorts in Britain

Popular: Destinations like Newquay in Cornwall are among the many popular seaside resorts in Britain

For couples, the Cotswolds is the most expensive destination in Britain for a staycation. 

In this beautiful part of the world, the average cost of a seven-night stay for a couple, including things like accommodation, travel costs and food and drink, stands at around £1,564, which is £201 more than a year ago.

Behind the Cotswolds, Cornwall, the Lake District and Snowdonia are the most expensive places for couples to take a week-long holiday, the data suggests.

Looking at all the country’s go-to staycation destinations, a couple can expect to fork out around £1,266 for a week, while a family of four may have to splash out an average of £1,769, which is £198 more than last year. 

In terms of where people are likely to head to this summer, seaside breaks are the most popular option, followed by countryside staycations and holiday resorts like Centre Parcs.

The South West of England came out on top as the most popular domestic holiday destination, followed by Scotland and Yorkshire and the Humber, Direct Line Travel Insurance said. 

The new research suggests 41 per cent of people in Britain took a staycation over the past year, which equates to around 36.9million trips. Over the same period, Britons took 15.8milion visits to Europe and 10.5million to the rest of the world. 

Comparing different age groups, around two-fifths of over 55s have not taken a domestic holiday in the last three years, compared with a third of 34 to 54 year-olds and a quarter of 18 to 34 year-olds, the research claims. 

‘With frequent changes likely to the Government’s traffic light list for foreign holiday destinations this summer, it seems that the UK “staycation” is going to be more popular than ever this summer’, Tom Bishop, head of Direct Line Travel Insurance, said.

He added: ‘This means millions of holidaymakers are opting to visit places right here in the UK they perhaps wouldn’t have thought about previously.

‘The restrictions on foreign travel are going to be tough to handle for some with around one in three adults not having gone on holiday in the UK for the past three years and now having to contemplate a staycation for the first time. 

‘Wherever holidaymakers do end up they need to consider travel insurance, as it’s just as important to protect UK trips as it is for holidays overseas.’ 

Britons are expected to spend an average of £353 each in the next six months on UK holidays, according to recent data from American Express. 

Last month, Cottages.com told This is Money that it had seen bookings rise 210 per cent for the year ahead compared to the year before. 

Simon Altham, group chief commercial officer at Awaze, the parent group of Cottages.com, said: ‘Everything we are seeing suggests it’s going to be a year like no other for the domestic holiday industry.

‘The outlook for foreign travel is still uncertain, and so perhaps it’s not surprising that summer is selling so well.’

What do holidaymakers need to be aware of?

For travellers booking a holiday this summer, there are several points to be aware of before taking the plunge, whether staying in Britain or going further afield:

1) Can you change dates?: When you book, ensure that you are able to switch dates or get your money back if Covid restrictions imposed by the Government prevent you from travelling.

2) Terms and conditions: Read the terms and conditions before booking and know what you are signing up to. Find out what the firm’s policy is regarding coronavirus cancellations, and what measures have been put in place to keep you safe.

3) Get insurance: Importantly, holidaymakers should still purchase travel insurance even if they’re staying in the same country.

You will still need it in case your holiday is cancelled, your baggage gets stolen or your accommodation provider goes bust.

4) Credit card: Consider booking with a credit card for Section 75 protection. This means you can make a claim to get a refund if something goes wrong with your trip.

Grace Gausden 

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