Cornwall has topped a list of the most relaxing places in the UK to go on staycation, research suggests.
The Lake District and the Scottish Highlands came second and third place in the poll findings respectively.
Other popular UK destinations to unwind include the Yorkshire Dales, Dorset, and Norfolk, while the rolling hills of the Peak District and Snowdonia also made the top 10 list.
And it comes as three in ten Brits (29 per cent) feel that holidaying within the UK is more relaxing than travelling abroad – compared to just 22 per cent who feel more laid-back on an overseas trip.
The survey of 2,000 holidaymakers found some of the most stressful things about going abroad include getting through the airport (52 per cent), and not being able to get home easily if there was an emergency (30 per cent).
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Three in five also prefer not having a language barrier while staycationing in the UK, and three-quarters feel they just know what to expect from a holiday on home soil.
As a result, a quarter of those polled prefer booking a break within their own country, with 29 per cent planning on doing so this summer.
And when it comes to a UK holiday, outdoor hot tubs, local pubs, and scenic walks are among the most relaxing things those polled experience.
Graham Donoghue, chief executive of Sykes Holiday Cottages, which commissioned the research, said: “Holidays are a time to reset and take some much-needed respite from our day-to-day pressures.
“With shorter travel times, avoiding airport check-in queues, and no language barriers to contend with, it is no surprise that our research has found staycations to be more relaxing than a holiday abroad.
“There is such an abundance of fantastic locations to explore across the UK, staycationers can enjoy a wealth of stress-free holiday experiences to relax and recharge.”
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According to those polled, the most relaxing sounds that help to bring back feelings of worry-free holidays include waves crashing (60 per cent), birds tweeting (40 per cent), and food sizzling on a barbeque (16 per cent).
It also emerged that during a two-week break in the UK, half said it would take them up to two days to fully relax – while just 42 per cent would unwind in this time on a holiday abroad.
And 36 per cent have had something stressful happen while holidaying in a foreign country, according to the OnePoll study.
Respondents highlighted baggage going missing, long travel delays, medical emergencies, and suffering from food poisoning, as some of the most stressful experiences affecting their enjoyment.
Meanwhile, 84 per cent reckon the UK is just as beautiful as any other country – and 14 per cent of those with children, claim their parenting approach is more relaxed on home soil.
Before setting off, a quarter plan an itinerary to help make it more relaxing, and 25 per cent pack far in advance.
Top ten most relaxing UK locations
- Cornwall
- Lake District
- Scottish Highlands
- Yorkshire Dales
- Dorset
- Norfolk
- Cotswolds
- Isle of Wight
- Peak District
- Snowdonia
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