This year has seen the staycation rise in popularity across the UK, with no signs of this trend going anywhere anytime soon. This summer the British public took to the seaside to get their holiday fix, Park Holidays surveyed 2,000 UK adults about their seaside staycation plans for the next 12 months, as well as what draws them to visit the seaside. Let’s take a look at why a seaside staycation is good for the soul and the planet.
The Staycation
Of course, this summer has been like no other anyone has experienced before. A worldwide health pandemic meant foreign countries closed their borders, airplanes were grounded, and quarantine rules were put into place. People couldn’t travel abroad as they normally would, so researched alternative methods.
In July 2020 the term staycation was searched for 49,500 times. The summer before it was searched 8,100 times.
Tony Clish, UK Director for Park Holidays, commented on the rise in staycations: “Following the doom and gloom at the start of the year, it’s great to see the increase in uptake when it comes to domestic getaways in 2020. Even as the colder months creep in. Luckily, the British coastline is gorgeous all year round.”
Walks on the Beach
It was revealed in a survey that walks on the beach are the most popular reason UK adults are heading to the coast, with more than half of those questioned (52%) sharing this as the biggest draw.
Even though it’s not quite the usual for many of us to stay in the UK for a holiday, more and more of the population are quite happy to explore the coasts closer to home.
Friends and Family
The survey also revealed that 25% of people wanted to go to the coast to enjoy a day out with friends and family. Heading for a day out to the seaside with friends and family, blowing off the cobwebs and enjoying fresh sea air is a tonic for the soul. This year people have had to adjust to social distancing in order to keep each other safe. Lots of people adjusted and made plans around meeting outdoors. It’s important to maintain these relationships to help get through tough times. 86.7% of people reported to the Mental Health Foundation that they had someone to rely on in times of stress.
A trip to the coast allows people to come together while staying safe.
Rest and Relaxation:
22% of people said they want to go to the coast for rest and relaxation. After the way 2020 has panned out, you can’t really blame them. The British seaside may not have the tropical heat of some of its European neighbours, but there’s still something very special about it. It offers charm in a way that not a lot of coastlines do. Plus something as simple as a trip to the beach can make some people feel like a child all over again.
The Months Ahead
Just because summer has come to an end, doesn’t mean the trips to the coast will. 74% of Brits are planning a coastal staycation for autumn and winter. From the stunning southern beaches to the noble ones up north. It looks like Brits haven’t packed up the seaside traditions just yet. No matter the time of year, people are always able to find a reason to visit the British coast. Whether they want to switch off from the world or enjoy the company of those dearest to them.
Choosing to holiday on home soil is not just an enriching experience for the family, but fewer flights mean less air pollution, so every cloud really does have a silver lining.
Do you have a favourite beach in the UK to visit?
Words by Cecilia | Photography by Annie Spratt
