The UK is set for a staycation summer - and there are plenty of hidden gems

The UK is bracing for a staycation summer as international travel disruptions and rising costs drive a surge in domestic holiday bookings, according to data from major travel platforms [1]. Searches for May half-term UK holidays on Booking.com are up 20% compared to last year, with Airbnb also reporting a 15% increase in searches for UK stays over the May bank holidays [1]. Travel and lifestyle content creator Eboni Dixon champions the domestic coastline, stating, "We are literally surrounded by coastlines, and there are so many stunning ones I haven't even got to yet" [1]. She recommends the Isle of Wight, Alton in Hampshire, Hastings, and Folkestone in Kent [1]. "For me, it doesn't really matter where in the world I am as long as there's interesting things on offer," Dixon said [1]. Some travelers are making significant pivots. David Land and his wife swapped a planned trip to the Maldives for a holiday in Northumberland after the UK Foreign Office advised against travel to their connecting hub in the UAE [1]. "The coastline is idyllic, it's just not got the temperatures," Land said, adding that a UK holiday offers more for family entertainment than often credited [1]. In Cornwall, Lizzy Stroud runs self-catering accommodation in converted train carriages, capitalizing on the desire for car-free travel as fuel prices rise [1]. "There are some great places to go in the UK where you'll say, 'Wow I didn't know this existed!'," Stroud said [1]. Lexie McGaughey, who recently tried glamping in Lincolnshire, found the experience enjoyable despite the weather, reflecting a broader trend of exploring local alternatives [1].