- A new study reveals the areas in England and Wales with the highest number of holiday homes.
- The study uses ONS data to determine where in England and Wales have the highest density of holiday homes.
- Isles of Scilly has the highet reported number of holiday homes while Tameside, a Greater Manchester borough has been found to have the lowest.
Following the government’s announcement that it will abolish the furnished holiday lettings (FHL) regime,
Howden Insurance has conducted a study to identify as the area in England and Wales with the highest density of holiday homes.
Using data sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the study pinpoints the regions across the UK boasting the highest concentration of holiday homes when compared to total residential properties in each area.
The appeal of holiday homes is growing in both England and Wales, with many individuals opting to stay in properties that are rented out sporadically throughout the year. This study aims to identify the areas where this trend is most common.
The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off the coast of Cornwall, claims the title of England and Wales’ holiday home hotspot. With 65 holiday lets compared to a total of 1,300 dwellings, they account for five percent of the area’s residential properties.
Second in the ranking is South Hams, a government district on the south coast of Devon. This area has a total of 2,050 holiday homes to 46,525 total residential properties – resulting in an overall percentage of 4.4%.
Gwynedd, a county in northwest Wales is the area with the third most holiday homes, with a total of 2,590 to 63,220 total residences – equating to 4.1%.
In fourth place is North Norfolk, where there are 2,195 holiday homes to 56,680 total residences, which results in a percentage of 3.9%.
The Isle of Anglesey, an Island on the north coast of Wales is fifth in the ranking. The largest island in Wales, it has a total of 1,190 holiday homes to 36,215 total dwellings, equivalent to 3.3%.
South Lakeland, an area in the Westmorland and Furness unitary authority, is the area with the sixth highest density of holiday homes with a total of 1,745 to 55,855 total residences, or 3.1%.
Scarborough, a popular seaside spot for many, is seventh on the list. The town has 1,710 holiday homes and 59,345 total residences – equating to 2.9%.
The county of Pembrokeshire, located in the south-west of Wales is the eighth place with the highest number of holiday homes. The county has 64,400 total residences and 1,800 holiday homes which results in 2.8%.
In ninth place is the Isle of Wight, which has 1,750 holiday homes to 73,475 total residences and an overall proportion of 2.4%.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk take the tenth spot on the ranking, with a total of 1,660 holiday homes and 74,780 total dwellings – resulting in a 2.2% percentage.
The top ten areas with the highest density of holiday homes
| Area Name | Holiday Homes | Total Residences | Percentage of Holiday Homes |
| Isles of Scilly | 65 | 1,300 | 5.0% |
| South Hams | 2,050 | 46,525 | 4.4% |
| Gwynedd | 2,590 | 63,220 | 4.1% |
| North Norfolk | 2,195 | 56,680 | 3.9% |
| Isle of Anglesey | 1,190 | 35,215 | 3.3% |
| South Lakeland | 1,745 | 55,855 | 3.1% |
| Scarborough | 1,710 | 59,345 | 2.9% |
| Pembrokeshire | 1,800 | 64,400 | 2.8% |
| Isle of Wight | 1,750 | 73,475 | 2.4% |
| King’s Lynn and West Norfolk | 1,660 | 74,780 | 2.2% |
Discussing the findings, a spokesperson from Howden Insurance said, “These insights highlight the popularity of holiday home ownership across England and Wales and identify the areas where current property owners would benefit from letting their home out this holiday season.”
“The data also reflects the growing interest in holiday home rentals, offering families and individuals diverse accommodation options. Findings like these not only shed light on housing patterns but also offer valuable information for prospective holiday makers seeking varied accommodation choices.”
