Two Yorkshire Coast Towns Named In Top 10 Family Staycation Spot This Summer

There’s no seaside town quite like Whitby. It manages to feel like a quaint place to visit whilst also being one of the most popular coastal spots to head to in the summer months. And, with good reason. Number one is the long stretch of sandy beach going all the way to Sandsend. That is just one of a million things to do in Whitby.

And, it seems that we aren’t the only ones who think so. Sykes Holiday Cottages named the North Yorkshire coastal town Britain’s most sought-after family staycation, with bookings up 4%
year-on-year for 2025 – just in time for the summer holidays, it seems.

The historic seaside town, known for the likes of Whitby Abbey and its connection to Dracula alongside the 199 steps, vibrant promenade you have to go to, as well as the many, many pubs, fish & chips shops and arcades. All those things that go along with a great British summer family break.

Whitby wasn’t the only Yorkshire Coast town to feature on the list, as Scarborough also featured, coming in a respectable 7th place. We are big advocates for the oldest seaside town.

It seems that this summer there is a trend towards domestic tourism, with families deciding to explore destinations closer to home, and Whitby has taken the gold. Windermere in the Lake District and Weymouth in Dorset took the silver and bronze places.

The data comes as Sykes’ Staycation Index Report shows 63% of Britons are planning to holiday within the UK. The research also showed that holiday spending had increased to an average of £1,292 on the main UK holiday this year, a rise from £1,070 in 2024.