A survey of 2,000 UK adults has named the best staycation destinations for 2026, with Cornwall's St Ives retaining the top spot and Northumberland's Bamburgh making a surprise new entry into the rankings. The annual Staycation Index Report, commissioned by Sykes Holiday Cottages, reveals shifting preferences among British holidaymakers.
Top 10 Staycation Destinations
The complete top 10 list for 2026 is as follows:
- St Ives (Cornwall)
- Bamburgh (Northumberland Coast)
- Ambleside (Lake District)
- Grasmere (Lake District)
- Robin Hood’s Bay (North Yorkshire Coast)
- Brighton (East Sussex)
- Lyme Regis (Dorset – Jurassic Coast)
- Bakewell (Peak District)
- Salcombe (Devon)
- Bourton-on-the-Water (Cotswolds)
Bourton-on-the-Water and Salcombe have grown in popularity, while Brighton overtook Lyme Regis, climbing to sixth place, ahead of the Dorset town, which moved from fifth last year to seventh.
Rising Popularity of UK Breaks
The study found that 38% of adults intend to take their main holiday within the UK this year, climbing to 53% among Gen Z. This is up from 34% of adults who said the same last year, while Gen Z's appetite for UK holidays has increased from 45% in 2025. James Shaw, chief commercial officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: "The continued popularity of UK breaks demonstrates that staycations remain a key part of how Brits holiday. More people are choosing to stay at home and prioritising value, flexibility and reassurance when planning time away, particularly amid ongoing uncertainty around overseas travel."
Gen Z Driving Change
Shaw added: "What's especially notable this year is the growing influence of younger travellers, Gen Z is increasingly embracing UK holidays, with more people opting for experience-led trips that combine scenery, food, culture and the chance to explore multiple destinations in one break." The survey revealed that 64% are planning to – or have considered – a multi-destination road trip, stopping off at an average of three locations. Coastal spots are the most sought after, followed by rural areas and national parks.
Factors Influencing Choices
Tourist attractions (48%) were a deciding factor when choosing where to visit, alongside locations with fond memories (38%) and positive reviews and ratings (35%). Of those hoping for a break in the UK, 48% said it's simply the time they have to switch off and relax. The study, conducted via OnePoll, found 14% have been swayed by a film or TV show, with Peaky Blinders proving the most influential following its film release this year (11%), set in Birmingham. Similarly, Northern Ireland, home of the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, and Northumberland, which was a location for Jurassic World, were also popular choices.
Full Top 50 List
The complete top 50 staycation destinations for 2026 are:
- St Ives (Cornwall)
- Bamburgh (Northumberland Coast)
- Ambleside (Lake District)
- Grasmere (Lake District)
- Robin Hood’s Bay (North Yorkshire Coast)
- Brighton (East Sussex)
- Lyme Regis (Dorset – Jurassic Coast)
- Bakewell (Peak District)
- Salcombe (Devon)
- Bourton-on-the-Water (Cotswolds)
- Alnwick (Northumberland)
- Lerwick (Shetland)
- Tenby (Pembrokeshire)
- Conwy (North Wales)
- Fort William (Gateway to Ben Nevis & the Highlands)
- Betws-y-Coed (Snowdonia)
- Castleton (Peak District)
- Shanklin (Isle of Wight)
- Lyndhurst (New Forest)
- Haworth (Yorkshire Dales)
- Dartmouth (South Devon)
- Boscastle (North Cornwall)
- Oban (West Coast gateway to the Isles)
- Brecon (Brecon Beacons)
- Wells-next-the-Sea (Norfolk)
- Portree (Isle of Skye)
- Llangollen (North Wales)
- Exmouth (East Devon)
- Rye (East Sussex)
- Hastings (East Sussex)
- Aviemore (Cairngorms National Park)
- Hay-on-Wye (Brecon Beacons)
- Broadway (Cotswolds)
- Whitstable (Kent)
- Holt (North Norfolk)
- Brodick (Isle of Arran)
- Staithes (North Yorkshire Coast)
- Stamford (Lincolnshire)
- Salisbury (Wiltshire)
- Moffat (Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland)
- Melrose (Scottish Borders)
- Elan Valley (Mid Wales)
- Ballintoy (Causeway Coast, Ireland)
- Pitlochry (Perthshire)
- Kelso (Scottish Borders)
- Kingsbridge (South Hams, Devon)
- Symonds Yat (Forest of Dean)
- Dunster (Somerset)
- Luskentyre (Isle of Harris)
- Anstruther (East Neuk of Fife)
James Shaw concluded: "For many people, holidays remain one of the most important opportunities in the year to properly switch off and spend quality time together, even as budgets remain under pressure. What this research highlights is that UK travel continues to appeal because it offers both convenience and variety – whether that's a coastal escape, a countryside road trip or revisiting places that hold personal memories. We're also seeing more travellers embrace flexible, multi-stop breaks, with people increasingly keen to experience more of what the UK has to offer in a single trip."
