More than seven in 10 adults believe you can only achieve the ‘holiday feeling’ with a trip abroad – but UK destinations came out on top in a blind selection process.
A study of 2,000 adults revealed stepping off the plane in warmer climates, sunbathing and experiencing a different culture were among the top ways people feel like they’re on holiday.
And the main deterrent for being put off by staycations on home soil is the unpredictability of UK weather, despite recording temperatures of 33C in July - hotter than European destinations such as Marbella and Mykonos.
But, when respondents were asked to select images of holidays destinations which evoked the holiday feeling, the results told a different story.
Respondents were shown four locations – two from home and two from abroad, and it was the image of Kynance Cove in Cornwall which came out on top, ahead of Praia do Camilo in Portugal and Lake Trasimeno in Italy.
More than half selected a UK destination, with 56 per cent of those surprised to find out their choice wasn’t actually overseas.
The stats emerged in a study commissioned by holiday cottage company Original Cottages, which is working with creative neuroscientist Katherine Templar Lewis to explain the science behind the ‘holiday feeling’ and how it can be achieved on home soil.
She said: “From the study, we can see that one of the most stressful and counterproductive parts of a holiday is the travel itself.
“Staying closer to home cuts down on that stress and allows you to fully embrace that holiday feeling and reap the positive benefits of a holiday.
“Science reveals that the benefits of a holiday, regardless of where can last up to a month.
"A change of scenery can restore our overworked minds, increase motivation and creativity and even have health and wellbeing benefits.
“Catching up on sleep, outdoor activity or simply escaping everyday worries has a powerful restorative effect on the brain and body.
“After a holiday we can often see a reduction of cortisol the chemical associated with stress and an elevation of serotonin the happiness hormone. This state can only be achieved if you can capture that holiday feeling.”
The study also revealed that the ideal trip needs to be between 101-500 miles away for a third of adults to consider it to be a break where they have truly escaped.
When holidaying in the UK, Devon and Cornwall were named the staycation destinations most likely to give you the ‘holiday feeling’.
It also emerged 67 per cent will be holidaying in the UK this year, while one in five plan to mix it up and head abroad as well as taking a break closer to home.
Being able to drive to the destination, no long-haul flights and avoiding the stress of airports were seen as the some of the benefits of staying in Britain.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed four in 10 think they would be more likely to enjoy a holiday in the UK, but their knowledge of what’s on offer isn’t strong.
Sonia Holman, from Original Cottages, said: “We've always had a loyal customer base who find that ‘holiday feeling’ in the UK, and over the last 18 months, we've seen a broader group of people discover it too.
“The results of our research highlight how perceptions of the UK as a holiday destination have changed and with our truly local experts on the ground, we are uniquely positioned to provide tips for an incredible staycation – packed with ‘holiday feels’.”
To help Brits discover the best of what the UK has to offer, Original Cottages’ team of local experts have collated the top 10 ‘holiday feel’ places and activities in England and Wales: https://www.originalcottages.co.uk/blog/our-top-ten-locations-get-holiday-feeling-in-england-and-wales
TOP 10 UK LOCATIONS TO GET THE ‘HOLIDAY FEELING’
1. Cornwall
2. Devon
3. Lake District
4. Wales
5. Dorset
6. Northumberland
7. Norfolk
8. Peak District + Derbyshire
9. Sussex
10. Suffolk
