Record staycation summer on the cards as self-catering breaks make a welcome return

Hot tub holidays and pet-friendly breaks look likely to be two of the most popular UK getaways this year as Brits get set for a record-breaking staycation summer.

With self-catering breaks back on from Monday (April 12), the UK’s leading provider of holiday properties and luxury homes – cottages.com, has seen bookings for properties including a hot tub rise by 135% compared to the same point in 2019, while pet-friendly breaks are up more than 100% over the same period.

Demand for the brand’s luxury properties is up 145% as holidaymakers look to treat themselves as much as possible after a year stuck at home, while sales of seven-night summer breaks are a huge 200% up on 2019 as people look to get away for longer than just a few days.

Speaking as the brand confirmed total bookings for July and August are already more than double (+120%) where they were this time in 2019 – itself a record year – Simon Altham, Group Chief Commercial Officer at Awaze – the parent company behind cottages.com, said: “Everything we are seeing suggests it’s going to be a year like no other for the domestic holiday industry. People have clearly had enough of the uncertainty surrounding foreign travel and are locking in their summer staycation now to make sure they have something to look forward to.”

While traditional UK hotspots are selling fast (Cornwall is already more than 80% sold for the summer) inland locations including Central England and Central Scotland still have plenty of availability.

“We still have some fantastic properties in central locations, all of which benefit from great transport links and so are perfect for families and friends looking to get back together either over the summer or later in the year,” Altham added.

Bookings in September and October are up 108 per cent and 139 per cent compared to the same point in 2019, suggesting a much-needed lengthening of the domestic holiday season as people look beyond the summer to make the most of less crowded locations at quieter times.

People have also started planning their 2022 UK getaways too, with bookings up 134 per cent compared to where they were at the same point in 2019 for 2020.