With lockdown restrictions slowly lifting, it is no surprise that the UK’s Google trends average for ‘staycations’ has seen an 89% increase over the past month.
Eager to find out which are the most popular cities for a UK holiday, experts from OnBuy.com’s outdoor recreation department utilized online analytics tool SEM Rush to reveal where in the UK people are most searching online to potentially visit this year. The total search volumes were divided by the corresponding population of each city and multiplied by the value of 100 to calculate monthly searches per 100 people. *
The 10 Most Searched UK Staycations:
| Rank | City | Average Total Monthly Online Searches | Searches per 100 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | York | 168,980 | 104 |
| 2 | Bath | 40,290 | 40 |
| 3 | Perth | 13,770 | 32 |
| 4 | Inverness | 13,440 | 29 |
| 5 | Chester | 21,690 | 25 |
| 6 | Bangor | 3,900 | 24 |
| 7 | Manchester | 123,950 | 22 |
| 8 | Cambridge | 29,720 | 20 |
| 9 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 54,930 | 19 |
| 10 | Liverpool | 109,530 | 19 |
OnBuy.com can reveal that
York is the UK’s most searched location for a city break with 104 searches a month per 100 people. Famed for its Cathedral and haunted streets, this North Eastern city received a total of 168,980 Google inquiries into taking a trip, with 96,560 monthly searches for ‘hotels in York’.
Ranking as the second most popular UK city for a holiday this year is Bath with 40 searches per 100 people, totalling 40,290 online searches a month – 76% lower than York. Those looking to head to the home of the UK’s largest natural springs this summer are most interested in local activities, with 30,250 searches for ‘things to do in Bath.’
Standing as the third most popular destination for a UK staycation is Perth with a monthly search volume average of 32 searches per 100 people. Out of the 13,770 monthly Google inquiries into taking a trip to this Scottish city 51% are looking into ‘things to do in Perth’ (7,070 searches).
Following closely behind are Inverness (29 searches per 100 people), Chester (25 searches per 100 people) and Bangor (24 searches per 100 people) respectively ranking fourth, fifth and sixth.
The 10 Least Searched UK Staycations:
| Rank | City | Average Total Monthly Online Searches | Searches per 100 People |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westminster | 2,650 | 1 |
| 2 | Salford | 2,090 | 2 |
| 3 | Wakefield | 1,990 | 2 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 4,170 | 2 |
| 5 | Lisburn | 1,160 | 3 |
| 6 | Stoke-on-Trent | 7,320 | 3 |
| 7 | Wolverhampton | 6,380 | 3 |
| 8 | Cardiff | 10,544 | 3 |
| 9 | Derby | 8,340 | 3 |
| 10 | Leicester | 16,270 | 3 |
Westminster stands as the least searched for UK city staycation with just 1 monthly search per 100 people. Despite being the chosen location for royal weddings and coronations, this city totals an average of just 2,650 monthly searches inquiring into a trip – 98% lower than that of York. Those who are passing through Westminster are most interested in hotels with 1,870 relevant monthly searches.
Salford, Wakefield and Sunderland rank joint second amongst the least searched for UK staycation locations with 2 monthly searches per 100 people and an average of 2,750 monthly searches into taking a trip.
Lisburn, Stock-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Derby and Leicester come in joint third place with a monthly search volume average of 3 per 100 people.
Cas Paton, Founder and CEO of OnBuy.com reveals the main attractions of top UK Staycations:
York, surrounded by a Roman wall that now houses the York Minster and St Mary’s Abbey, is truly one of our best windows into English history. Aside from the grandeur of religious architecture, there are several well-preserved cobbled streets dating to the 14th century – most notably The Shambles – a walkway that inspired Diagon Alley in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Such history combined with the beauty of the River Ouse makes it no wonder York ranks as the most popular UK city staycation.
Bath is widely considered to be the most beautiful city in the UK with its Georgian buildings and cobbled streets. This city is best known for its Roman baths and natural hot springs which can still be enjoyed today. Famed for its restaurants, walks and historical sites there is something for everyone in this southwestern city.
Perth, in Central Scotland, is the perfect place if you are looking for an active staycation. With a plethora of walks and cycle routes alongside horse riding and water sport opportunities, there will never be a dull moment in this city.
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