This is the best UK holiday destination for 2023 – and it’s not Cornwall

Laura Hampson
Updated ·2-min read
Runswick Bay in Yorkshire as county is name the best UK holiday destination for 2023
The best UK holiday destination for 2023 has been announced. (Getty Images)

If there’s one thing we discovered during the pandemic staycation boom, it’s just how beautiful some parts of the UK are.

From Cornwall’s pristine beaches, to the English Riviera, sleepy Welsh villages and Scotland’s rugged Highlands, there’s so much to explore.

Yet, one destination has been named as the most desirable British tourist destination for 2023 – and it’s not Cornwall or Scotland.

Read more: Couple quit jobs to live and work in £25k campervan

Yorkshire has been named as the most popular place this year, thanks to its postcard perfect coastal towns and rolling dales.

The poll of 2,000 adults from Sykes Holiday Cottages’ Staycation Index Report deemed Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, Cumbria and Northumberland as close runners up.

Robin Hoods Bay Yorkshire
Coastal towns in Yorkshire make it a desirable option. (Getty Images)

Top 20 staycation destinations for 2023

  1. Yorkshire

  2. Cornwall

  3. Scottish Highlands and Islands

  4. Cumbria

  5. Northumberland

  6. Devon

  7. Norfolk

  8. Berkshire

  9. North Wales

  10. Isle of Wight

  11. Dorset

  12. Derbyshire

  13. London

  14. Scottish Borders

  15. Buckinghamshire

  16. Suffolk

  17. South Wales

  18. Cambridgeshire

  19. Central Scotland

  20. Somerset

Data from the survey shows that nearly half of people (47%) plan to visit places outside of tourist hotspots, such as Norfolk, Ayrshire, and Kent as many want to avoid over-crowded areas and seek lower price points.

Over half (52%) of respondents said they can’t see themselves booking a trip abroad this year, while 42% want to book a last-minute UK break in the hope of getting a good offer.

Read more: How to get a row of seats to yourself on a plane, according to experts

Two-fifths of respondents (43%) have planned a budget of £1,200 for their staycation, with a third of people wanting to camp or glamp this year and 54% choosing self-catered accommodation.

“With holiday season almost upon us, travellers are starting to make plans for the year ahead if they haven’t already,” Graham Donoghue, chief executive at Sykes Holiday Cottages says.

United Kingdom, South West England, Cornwall, Port Isaac, view of the harbour and the village
Yorkshire beat the likes of Cornwall (pictured) to claim the top spot in the most desirable UK tourist destinations. (Getty Images)

“It’s great to see staycations remain a popular choice for many and with financial pressures significantly impacting holidaymakers’ travel choices, it’s no surprise that holidaying closer to home can be a more affordable option.

Read more: Couple quit rat race to live in a motorhome and save £1000 a month

“The UK has so much to offer and there are so many beautiful regions to visit that mean you don’t have to compromise on your holiday experience.”

Watch: Couple travel the world by dog-sitting in strangers' homes

Latest stories