Sport-mad Brits swap breaks abroad for UK get-aways

MANY sport-mad Brits intend to holiday at home this summer to catch the biggest sporting events in the calendar, according to luxury cottage rental firm Rural Retreats. The company saw a 40 percent increase in stays at some of its properties during Wimbledon earlier this year. It recorded a similar increase in bookings during The Ashes last year, when some properties saw a 25 percent uplift in visitors.  A 61 percent rise in UK holiday bookings last year was noted. 

Charles Millward, chief executive of Rural Retreats, said: ‘We’ve noticed an increasing trend for UK holidaymakers to plan their summer holidays around sporting events, such as Wimbledon and The Ashes. Domestic get-aways are proving popular because they allow people to relax in luxury, scenic surroundings with the comforts they would find at home – including being able to watch all the sporting action which might not be so easily accessible when abroad.’

‘The London Olympics rekindled people’s passion for the UK, and helped to convince many to re-asses their holiday options.’

Top 10 2014 staycation destinations:

1. London  2. Edinburgh  3. Lake District  4. Cornwall  5. Brighton   6. Dorset  7. Devon  8. North Wales  9. Blackpool  10. York

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