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UK: September bookings at Sykes Holiday Cottages have increased by three per cent year-on-year as travellers continue to book domestic breaks beyond the peak summer season.
Sykes said the figures point to continued demand for UK staycations after the school summer holidays, when destinations are typically quieter.
The increase follows an uncertain summer for overseas travel, during which tensions in the Middle East affected some flights and holiday plans for UK travellers.
Whitby in North Yorkshire recorded the highest number of September bookings, followed by Ambleside in Cumbria and Dartmouth in Devon.
Coastal destinations accounted for five of the ten most-booked locations, with Weymouth, Carbis Bay, Salcombe, Lyme Regis and St Ives also making the list.
Cumbria also performed strongly, with Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere and Keswick representing the Lake District in the ranking.
Sykes’ most-booked destinations for September 2026
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Ambleside, Cumbria
- Dartmouth, Devon
- Weymouth, Dorset
- Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
- Carbis Bay, Cornwall
- Salcombe, Devon
- Lyme Regis, Dorset
- Keswick, Cumbria
- St Ives, Cornwall
James Shaw, chief commercial officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “What we’re seeing is continued demand for UK breaks beyond the traditional summer peak, with September becoming an important part of the holiday season.
“What’s particularly interesting about this year’s data is the variety in the most popular destinations. You’ve got traditional countryside locations like the Lake District on the list, as well as places like Whitby, Dartmouth and St Ives, showing how coastal retreats are still a big draw once summer is over.”
Highlights
- September bookings are up three per cent year-on-year
- Whitby is the company’s most-booked destination for the month
- Coastal locations account for half of the top ten
- Three Lake District destinations feature in the ranking
