South East named the best value holiday hotspot in the UK
The South East is the best holiday destination in the UK based on annual sun hours, maximum temperatures and value for money, new research reveals.
The region enjoys 1,880 sun hours each year and a mean maximum temperature of 14.5°C per day, offering the most sun for the lowest price.
More Brits are choosing to holiday at home than ever before, with more than half the adult population (56%) spending their summer vacation in the UK.
May was one of the sunniest months ever recorded in the UK, with experts predicting a 50-75% chance that the summer of 2020 will be the hottest to date.
The South East is the best holiday destination for those looking to take a staycation this year, as the region boasts the most sun hours for the price of a visit, new research shows.
The Sun For Your Spend analysis, conducted by holiday letting agency Island Cottage Holidays, uses Met Office data and Tourism Office costings to calculate which part of the UK offers the best value for money when it comes to sun hours and average temperatures.
The research found that although the South West experiences the highest proportion of domestic overnight visitors when compared to any other region, the South East actually experiences more sunshine for a considerably lower price per visit.
It costs £225 on average per visit to the South West, compared to just £167 in the South East. For £58 less, holidaymakers can enjoy seven more hours of sunshine per year and temperatures up to 0.5°C higher each day.
The North of England ranks considerably lower for sun vs spend, with the North West providing 1,505 sun hours and maximum temperatures of 13.9°C for £203, while the North East offers 1,498 hours of sun and 13.3°C for £200.
Scotland offers the worst return on investment for sun hours at just 1,406, while London is the hottest city in the UK with annual average temperatures of up to 15.5°C – higher than most other cities in Europe. Unsurprisingly, it’s almost the most expensive destination at £252 per visit.
Regional ranking – most sunshine for the price
South East
East of England
East Midlands
Yorkshire and the Humber
South West
West Midlands
London
Wales
North West
North East
Scotland
For those who spend a lot of time indoors, or who fall into at-risk groups as outlined by the government, maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D is important all year round. Saadia Noorani, a registered nutritionist, says: “Vitamin D supplementation is also recommended for adults especially during the autumn and winter months.
“That’s because while you can get vitamin D from some foods (e.g. eggs, fish), most of our vitamin D is created by our body after exposure to sunlight – and there isn’t much sunshine in the UK during the winter months.”
With temperatures on track to exceed 30C in early July across Europe and particularly warm weather is anticipated in the UK around mid July, especially in the South of England, it’s crucial that Brits take preventative measures to reduce the risk of sun damage.
To find out where your region ranks in the Sun For Your Spend study and where’s really worth visiting in the UK, visit: https://www.islandcottageholidays.com/guides/sun-for-your-spend