Scunthorpe and Wigan are among some of the unlikely places to be enjoying a tourism boost on the back of the UK heatwave.
With temperatures set to reach record highs the number of Brits flocking to UK destinations has increased exponentially.
Traditional seaside towns Southend-on-Sea, Margate, Scarborough and St Ives are all seeing a surge in popularity.
Southend-on-Sea has seen train bookings to the town for July and August up an incredible 210 per cent compared to the same period in 2016.
Margate bookings have also soared by 164 per cent, while St Ives and Scarborough have seen a rise of 79 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.
But according to analysis of the Trainline app’s booking data for July and August 2018 unlikely destinations such as Scunthorpe and Wigan are also enjoying a tourist boom.
Bookings to Scunthorpe are up 106 per cent year-on-year, with tourists flocking to sites such as Julian’s Bower to enjoy the sun.
Wigan has also seen bookings surge by 113 per cent thanks to its Leeds Liverpool Canal suntrap, which has become a popular spot for sun seekers.
Oliver Berry, co-author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Great Britain, said: “It’s great to see that Brits are getting out and exploring their own backyard.
“And it’s especially encouraging that people are seeking out some of Britain’s lesser-known spots – and rediscovering a few old favourites that perhaps have something new to offer.”
It’s not just coastal regions experiencing a tourism surge – Birmingham has seen a 163 per cent boost in the number of people planning to travel there this summer compared to 2016.
Manchester has seen an 141 per cent increase, the New Forest, in southern England, has seen a 91 per cent rise, while visits to Durham are up 80 per cent.
Amid this, the Trainline app also commissioned a poll of 2,000 UK adults which found around six in 10 are more likely to holiday in the UK this year.
Fergus Weldon, data science director at Trainline, said: “It’s great to see that Brits are falling back in love with the great British coast and are going back to places visited as a child for their UK trips and travel this year.
“Alongside showing customers how to travel in the most cost-effective way with our Price Prediction tool, we’re also providing a guide to some of the weird and wonderful hidden gems of each destination, to make these trips extra special for travellers this summer.”
TOP 10 UK DESTINATIONS ON THE UP (AND THEIR HIDDEN GEMS):
Trainline has teamed-up with Oliver Berry to identify the weird and wonderful ‘hidden gems’ of the Great British Isles.
1. Southend on Sea (+210%) – The Southend Pier Museum
2. Margate (+164%) – The Shell Grotto
3. Birmingham (+163%) – Saltwells Local Nature Reserve
4. Manchester (+141%) – Mackie Mayor Food Hall
5. Wigan (+113%) – Leeds Liverpool Canal
6. Scunthorpe (+106%) – Julian’s Bower
7. New Forest (+91%) – Puffin Cruises
8. Durham (+80%) – Hamsterley Forest
9. Cornwall (St Ives) (+79%) – Sloop Craft Centre
10. Scarborough (+76%) – Scarborough Surf School
