Weaker pound has London on the nose as staycation trips surge in rural Britain

British holidaymakers have abandoned London as their choice of staycation destination, opting for cheaper locations outside the British capital as consumers adapt to the effects of the weaker pound.

Data released by holiday rental firm Homeaway showed the rise in demand for staycations, which started in the wake of the European Union referendum in 2016, continued last year. However, price pressures drove Britons away from more expensive destinations across the UK, particularly London.

The capital has been traded in for more rural holiday sites.

Consumers have been contending with the effects of the weaker pound, which has made foreign trips more expensive and pushed up inflation domestically.

The trend appears to have left holidaymakers with less disposable income for travel and leisure. Homeaway said the trend led to a 285 per cent rise in demand for holiday accommodation in Lincoln where travellers spent an average of £35 per person per night.

There was also a 275 per cent rise for Bourton-on-the-water in Gloucestershire where tourists spent £48 per night.

Shaldon in Devon also experienced a surge in demand, rising 275 per cent compared to 2016 with an average spend of £40 per night.