A growing trend among British families is the 'micro staycation,' a holiday where the travel time is significantly reduced, often to just minutes from home. This shift reflects a desire for convenient and cost-effective breaks, with many families prioritizing proximity over long-distance travel.
Research from the Camping and Caravan Club indicates a rise in shorter journeys among its members. The organization has observed a 6% increase in members traveling between 51 and 100 miles to its sites this year, alongside a 7% dip in the average distance traveled compared to the previous year. This suggests a preference for holidays closer to home.
Rebecca Humphrey, 33, and her husband Ollie, 38, from Staffordshire, are proponents of these shorter trips. Despite the effort involved in packing their caravan, they find the immediate relaxation worth it. "I think a lot of people think you've got to travel really far to all these amazing places, but actually there's always so many gorgeous places on your doorstep that you might not have heard about," Humphrey stated. She added that "You don't have to go far from home... but you can feel like you're anywhere." For the family, the convenience is amplified by Ollie's profession as an HGV driver, making him reluctant to face heavy traffic after a work week.
Camping expert Suzanne Elsworth also embraces local holidays. Living near the Lake District, she can reach a lake, the coast, or a fell within 15 minutes of her home in Cockermouth. She finds that even a short overnight or weekend trip close to home provides a sense of holiday. "Holidaying so close to home means that we can easily be at our destination, settled and relaxed with no stressful journey, then be home for work or whatever in no time at all," Elsworth explained. One of their favorite nearby spots is Allonby, a coastal village about ten miles away.
Writer Kate Skelton, 44, has also found value in micro staycations, taking her children on weekend beach breaks in Kent, where they live. She highlights Margate as a convenient destination, accessible by a short train ride, with nearby accommodation options. For Skelton, whose family includes a child with profound multiple disabilities, these shorter trips offer an affordable way to create holiday experiences without the financial strain and logistical challenges of longer family holidays. She noted that a trip for her and two children could cost under £400, a significant saving for a peak summer holiday.
Airbnb data also supports the trend of travelers seeking destinations on the outskirts of major cities. Lisa Marçais, Airbnb's general manager for the UK, Northern Europe and MEA region, noted that these locations offer a balance of access to events and a quieter base. She stated that these city-fringe breaks provide more space, potential for gardens, and a wider range of affordable options, with searches for such destinations increasing significantly year-on-year.