Demand for poolside and coastal staycations surge as Brits seek relief from UK heatwave
- Bookings for cottages.com properties with swimming pools increased 13% year-on-year
- Coastal bookings for Hoseasons lodges rose 19%
- Holidaymakers favour flexible UK breaks close to beaches, lakes and rivers as UK hits record breaking temperatures
As temperatures soar, more Brits are booking last-minute getaways, with poolside, coastal and waterside holiday bookings surging across the UK portfolio of Awaze, Europe’s largest provider of holiday rentals and owner of the cottages.com and Hoseasons brands.
Bookings for cottages.com cottages with swimming pools rose 13% year-on-year over the last 28 days, while waterside breaks for Hoseasons increased 19% year-on-year across the UK for the same period.
Warm weather fuels demand for spontaneous UK breaks close to water
Awaze’s booking data shows the recent heatwave is driving demand for UK breaks close to the water, from cottages with swimming pools to coastal lodges and stays near lakes, rivers and seaside locations.
The uplift highlights how spontaneous UK getaways continue to appeal to holidaymakers who are looking for flexible, affordable and easy-to-plan breaks closer to home.
As holidaymakers look to cool off without the cost or complexity of travelling abroad, waterside staycations are proving especially popular, with bookings for cottages.com lake and loch stays up 12%, riverside properties up 13%, seaside properties up 6% and properties within five miles of the coast up 5% year-on-year.
Coastal and poolside hotspots see strong demand
Popular seaside destinations including Whitby, Bridlington and Newquay are among the top coastal towns for bookings, while strong demand is also being seen across waterside locations such as Brixham, Fowey, Padstow, Bowness-on-Windermere and Wroxham.
Properties with swimming pools are proving particularly popular in much-loved coastal destinations including Dartmouth, Teignmouth and Totnes.
Matthew Price, CEO at Awaze, commented: “With scorching temperatures across the UK, we’ve seen a stampede to places where people can enjoy swimming pools, beaches and clean-water swimming spots. Holidaymakers are taking advantage of the warmer weather, booking spontaneous getaways where they can enjoy a dip and escape the heat.
“With convenience, affordability and ease continuing to shape travel decisions, breaks closer to home are really appealing. Whether it’s a cottage with a swimming pool, a lodge by the coast or a stay near a lake or river, holidaymakers are looking for memorable breaks at short notice.”