Staycations aren’t just for summer, as people look to get away during the winter months for city breaks, celebrating the festivities and seeing in the New Year in idyllic settings.
And the figures suggest that Cumbria is set to be the most popular staycation location this winter. New booking data from Sykes Holiday Cottages has revealed that Cumbria and Lake District staycations hotspots including Ambleside, Windermere, Keswick and Bowness-On-Windermere all feature in the top five most popular locations for bookings during this time of year.
That means a busy winter ahead for those with holiday lets in this ever-popular part of the UK.
What income can holiday let owners expect?
According to separate analysis by Sykes Holiday Cottages shows, holiday let owners in Cumbria and the Lake District can, on average, expect to earn £44,000 per year for a four-bedroom house, 57% more than the average income of a UK holiday let.
There are also certain features that could boost the earning potential of holiday lets, especially during the autumn and winter seasons. Owners can, for example, expect to make an estimated 49% more if they have a hot tub on site, while there is a 19% premium for those with a log-burner or open fire to help keep guests nice and toasty.
Meanwhile, when it comes to generating more bookings, enabling travellers to book shorter stays of two to four days could help, with Sykes finding that holiday homeowners who opt to do this can expect to make 58% more per year than those who don’t.
Bev Dumbleton, chief operating officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “As we move into the colder season, we’re still seeing a strong demand for UK-based holiday accommodation, with many opting for staycations as a lower-priced alternative to winter sun.
“Those looking to try holiday letting could see great success with a property in Cumbria. While proving particularly fruitful for bookings in autumn and winter, the long-term investment opportunities could also be substantial.”
He added: “Touches such as an open fire and hot tub could help to increase earnings during the colder seasons, while affordable extras, such as thick blankets and rugs, or a selection of board games and movies to help families pass the time, can also make all the difference to a holidaymaker’s off-season stay.”
Top five most popular locations for autumn bookings (September to November):
- Ambleside, Cumbria
- Weymouth, Dorset
- Windermere, Cumbria
- Keswick, Cumbria
- Lyme Regis, Dorset
Top five most popular locations for winter bookings (December to January 2023):
- Ambleside, Cumbria
- Windermere, Cumbria
- Keswick, Cumbria
- Bowness-On-Windermere, Cumbria
- Lyme Regis, Dorset
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