As the cost of living continues to rise in the UK, many Brits are swapping their overseas holidays for staycations.
If you’re new to holidaying in the UK, you might be wondering where to go.
Fortunately, walking shoe experts FitFlop have analysed data to find the top UK staycation spots this summer. And it turns out that I live in the number one spot – Portsmouth.
This may come as a surprise to some, and even I was taken aback to learn that my hometown is considered the best place for a staycation. But who can argue with the data?
The research took into account five factors, such as sunshine hours, temperature, and average accommodation costs across June, July, and August – for over 50 of the UK’s top summer holiday destinations.
Each destination was given a score between 1 and 100 for each factor, with an average score determining the final ranking.
Portsmouth came out on top with a score of 79.27 out of 100, followed by Rye in East Sussex (78.25), Deal in Kent (74.50), Bognor Regis in West Sussex (73.32) and Bournemouth in Dorset (73.26).
The rest of the top ten included Southend-on-Sea (72.49), Eastbourne (71), Hastings (70.88), Weymouth (70.57) and Canterbury (70.20). According to the researchers, Portsmouth boasts an average summer temperature of 20.33C and around 7.5 hours of sunshine every day during the summer months.
Portsmouth boasts the lowest chance of summer rain in the UK, with less than 45 mm of rainfall and fewer than 10 rainy days overall during the season.
Hotel prices in Portsmouth are also among the lowest in the country during peak season, with a room for two adults costing approximately £81 between June and August.
Living in Southsea – the location of Portsmouth’s beach – I find myself visiting the it almost daily during the summer. With its lake, sea, flower gardens, parks, castle, bars, and restaurants, it often feels like a holiday destination.
The area is also host to numerous events, including the recent Southsea Food Festival and the upcoming Victorious Festival in August.
However, there is a noticeable difference between Portsmouth and Southsea. For a beach holiday, Southsea is the ideal location, offering a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the bustling town centre of Portsmouth.
For those seeking retail therapy alongside their beach break, Gunwharf Quays retail outlet is highly recommended and much better than the bleak high street. It offers a superior shopping experience compared to the high street, with discounted designer items from brands such as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Nike, Adidas, and Cadbury.
Gunwharf also boasts a plethora of restaurants and bars, along with a cinema, bowling alley and the Spinakker Tower (including a sky-high bar for those seeking a tipple).
For those who appreciate historical charm, Old Portsmouth is just a stone’s throw away from Gunwharf or Southsea. This original medieval town offers quieter pubs and restaurants.
So, could Pompey be rebranded as Costa del Portsmouth in the near future? Unlikely. However, Costa del Southsea does have a certain allure to it.