The most popular staycations for mature travellers

There is nothing better than the thrill of packing for a holiday where relaxation and taking in new sights are so close you can almost taste it. For Brits looking to escape their daily routine without travelling abroad, a staycation in the UK is the perfect solution to soak up the sun without the need to pay for a plane ticket.

Here at One Traveller, we were curious to discover what the most popular staycation location is among our audience of mature solo travellers so we delved into our data to find out. We analysed data from 2022 to pinpoint the most popular destinations in the UK for travellers.

The most popular UK staycation

Our research analysis shows the most popular staycation for mature travellers in 2022 was Devon and Torquay, situated at the heart of the English Riviera. Famous for sandy beaches, exotic palm trees, and being a UNESCO Global Geopark, the unitary authority of Torbay is the most popular destination for travellers from Somerset to Leicestershire.

This South England holiday location offers Brits the opportunity to visit the Eden Project, and Dartmouth Steam Railway, and also take a walking tour of the Agatha Christie mile, making it ideal for those who want an active staycation.

The second most popular staycation for mature solo travellers is Norfolk, the fourth largest county in England. The data shows solo travellers flock here in the summer, drawn in by the clean beaches and seaside resorts on offer. Norfolk is the number one destination for travellers across a number of counties including Buckinghamshire, Essex and Herefordshire.

1. Devon and Torquay
2. Norfolk
3. Oxford
4. Warwickshire
5. Harrogate
6. Scotland
7. Bristol and Somerset
8. County Durham
9. Kent - The Garden of England
10. Lake District

Third on the list as the most popular staycation destination for UK travellers is Oxford. Described as “The City of Dreaming Spires”, Oxford is famous across the world for its university which is still dominant today. For those who love exploring on holiday, Oxford also offers walking tours, river cruises, and trips to Blenheim Palace, making it a city perfect for both history and exploration fans.

As well as analysing the most popular holiday staycations across the UK for solo travellers, we also identified the most popular destination for each county. This data can be found below:

The most popular staycation destination for solo travellers in London, according to the data, is Devon and Torquay. This pattern can be seen across a number of counties in the south including Surrey, Somerset, and Bristol, where solo travellers are heading to Devon and Torquay for their holiday.

For residents in Edinburgh, the most common place to visit as a solo traveller is the Lake District. Located in the heart of Cumbria, this is a predominantly rural county which attracts travellers for its beautiful lakes and mountainous fells. In Glasgow, the data shows mature travellers are most drawn to County Durham for their staycation.

Commenting on the data, Nadya Durrant, Head of Marketing at One Traveller, says: “We are thrilled to see Devon and Torquay being named the most popular staycation for mature travellers in the UK. We have seen interest spike in staycations since the pandemic, and we can safely say that they are here to stay.

“A staycation gives us an opportunity to explore and rediscover our hometown, as well as avoid additional expenses such as airfare. They are an excellent way to take a sustainable trip, and we are looking forward to seeing what staycation destination is the most popular for our travellers in 2023!”