Staycation fatigue... Owners forced to cut holiday house prices

THOUSANDS of British cottages are on offer as bargain last-minute bookings because holidaymakers are losing interest in UK getaways.

Experts say “staycation fatigue” is contributing to average price drops of 11 per cent, compared to asking prices for the same holidays booked in April.

More than 11,000 cottages have been left on the shelf this month alone as people opt for sunnier climes abroad, forcing owners to slash their asking prices.

But despite the bargains on offer, it still pays to shop around. Research by Which? shows choosing the Peak District over the Lake District can save you £354 a week.

The Lakes was England’s fastest selling region this year, with prices to match – on average a week’s stay in a cottage will set you back £1,183.

But a similar break in the equally picturesque Peak District could cost just £829.

Cornwall was the most expensive rental region, with prices averaging £1,401. But swapping to neighbouring Devon could save you £118 a week, with a typical cost of £1,283.

Holidaymakers seeking a cheaper coastal retreat should perhaps head north where they can enjoy Northumberland’s unspoilt beaches for around £872 for seven days.

Which? also found smaller holiday cottage providers trounce the biggest names for satisfaction. All five of the firms rated as Which? Recommended Providers have fewer than 1,500 properties.

Landmark Trust topped its annual poll of holiday cottage providers, while the country’s biggest brands failed to make the top 10.

Offering unique stays such as on the Sandringham estate and in a lighthouse on Lundy Island, Landmark Trust scooped a customer satisfaction score of 92 per cent.

The charity, which restores and lets castles, follies, forts and towers, achieved five-star ratings across the board, including on value, customer service, booking process, quality and cleanliness of cottages, accuracy of description and ease of web searches.

Family-run firm Classic Cottages made it into second place, with more than 1,400 properties to choose from.

Also in the top five were Sally’s Cottages, the National Trust and Rural Retreats.

Guy Hobbs, editor of Which? Travel, said: “The UK has a wealth of unique properties for a memorable stay.

“But our research shows thousands have come down in price over the year as people have opted to brave the travel chaos and head for sunnier climes.

“Readers told us they value the personal touches, hand-picked properties and excellent customer service you get from smaller companies, which triumphed over the household names.”