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More than a third of Britons plan to take a holiday in the UK in 2026, with cost and convenience cited as the main reasons, according to a survey commissioned by the budget hotel chain Travelodge.
The company’s annual Travel Trends Report, based on a survey of 2,000 British adults, found that 35% expect to holiday in the UK next year. Almost one in five respondents said they are only planning a domestic break, while 52% said they intend to combine a UK holiday with a trip abroad, up from 43% last year.
The research suggests Britons are also taking more frequent short breaks. Just over half of respondents said they plan to take two to three additional trips on top of their main holiday, while 15% expect to take four or more.
August has overtaken June as the most popular month for UK travel, with 14% of respondents choosing late summer for their break. June and July followed, selected by 13% and 11% respectively.
Coastal destinations remain the most popular choice, with 35% of respondents planning a seaside trip, followed by city breaks at 18%. Among 18 to 34 year olds, city breaks were the preferred option, with 58% opting for urban destinations over rural or coastal stays.
Recommendations from friends and family remain the leading source of travel inspiration, cited by 39% of respondents. However, social media continues to grow in influence, particularly among younger travellers. Almost half of those aged 18 to 24 said they use Instagram for holiday ideas, while 42% turn to TikTok.
Location and value for money were identified as the most important factors when planning a trip, followed by the desire to visit new places. More than a third of respondents said they are choosing to holiday in the UK because it is easier than travelling abroad, while 30% said it is more cost-effective. One quarter said they plan to manage costs by choosing cheaper accommodation.
The survey also found differences by age group. Value for money was the top consideration for travellers aged 18 to 44, while location ranked highest among those aged 45 to 54.
More than a third of respondents said they plan to travel to their UK destination by car. The most popular destinations named were Cornwall, the Lake District, London, Edinburgh and Devon, followed by the Peak District, the Cotswolds, Manchester, York and the Isle of Wight.
A Travelodge spokesperson said: “Location and value for money are generally front of mind when it comes to planning a holiday and next year looks no different. It’s encouraging to see domestic travel continuing to grow, with UK coastlines, cities and national parks remaining popular choices for 2026.”
The company said it has upgraded around two-thirds of rooms across its UK hotels as part of an ongoing refurbishment programme.
