British holidaymakers are increasingly swapping overseas trips for domestic breaks, with new research indicating a record-breaking summer for staycations. According to data from consumer bank Chase, 25.2 million UK adults plan to holiday on home soil during the warmer months – a 40% increase compared to 2025.
The trend is reflected in travel searches: nationwide queries for “UK holiday ideas” have risen 50% year-on-year, while “UK holiday rental” searches are up 56%. Beyond the familiar frustrations of airport queues, flight delays and rising airfares, a more appetising factor is driving the boom: food tourism.
The rise of the 'foodie staycation'
Nearly three-quarters of Britons (71%) say that dining out is a central part of their staycation plans, with many incorporating the UK’s culinary landscape into their itineraries. The research suggests that food experiences now play a more significant role in holiday planning than ever before.
Three in five Brits (58%) now identify as “foodies”, and 42% say they place greater importance on good dining experiences when choosing a break. Binay Agarwala, Managing Director for Rewards and Lending at Chase, said: “Staycationing is no longer a consolation prize or ‘second best’. Rather, the UK is actively seeking out at-home holidays in order to try out the world-class dining scene this country has on offer.”
This shift is not just about taste – it’s also about spending. More than three-quarters (76%) of staycationers say they are willing to spend generously on dinners, a figure that rises to 89% among self-proclaimed foodies. On average, Brits consider a “splurge” dinner to cost around £54.35 (€63.44) per head, but younger diners aged 25 to 34 are prepared to pay considerably more, at £66.67 (€77.82).
Time is another investment. The average staycationer spends 36 minutes researching the best foodie hotspots – more than the time devoted to transport or travel (33 minutes) or weather (26 minutes). Among self-confessed foodies, this increases to 45 minutes, a 25% jump.
The staycation surge is part of a broader European pattern, as travellers across the continent reconsider their summer plans. In countries like France, Italy and Spain, domestic tourism has also grown, though the UK’s foodie focus adds a distinctive flavour. For those planning a staycation, the culinary scene is becoming as important as the destination itself – a trend that looks set to reshape the British holiday landscape for years to come.
