For many Brits, the best part of a staycation is a scenic walk that ends at a cosy pub.
New research by cottages.com shows that six in ten UK holidaymakers believe a getaway isn't complete without a visit to a traditional inn, with 67% placing pub food at the top of their wish list.
Cosy interiors and beer gardens with scenic views were also high priorities, favoured by 60% of those surveyed.
Broadcaster Clare Balding is among those who love a quiet lunch after working up an appetite with a long walk.
Balding said: "A proper pub walk is a much-loved British tradition.
"For me, the perfect route is four to six miles with dramatic scenery, ending at a great local pub."
New guide reveals the UK's best pubs on scenic walking routes
Balding has teamed up with cottages.com and walking charity The Ramblers to launch the Pub Walk Collection—a new guide to the best pubs on scenic walking routes across the UK.
She said: "It’s fantastic to see that our appetite for adventure has grown and we want to help people discover the lesser-known corners of the UK that make a staycation truly special.
"Some of the most memorable parts of a break can come from taking a different turn, chatting to locals, and discovering places which aren’t on every itinerary."
The Pub Walk Collection features hand-picked walking routes, nearby cottages, and welcoming pubs, helping holidaymakers explore Britain’s landscapes while enjoying traditional hospitality.
Director of owner success and growth at cottages.com, Belinda Vazquez, said: "Our research shows people are looking for experiences that feel authentic and help them connect with the places they’re visiting.
"That’s exactly what inspired our new Pub Walk Collection, making it easier to discover some of Britain’s best walks, pubs, and places to stay."
The survey also highlights:
- Nearly half (46%) of UK travellers say they’re seeking more adventure
- 51 per cent would prefer to discover off-the-beaten-path destinations over well-known tourist hotspots.
Ms Vazquez said: "Britain’s best holidays aren’t always about travelling further – they’re about discovering more.
"Whether it’s finding a beautiful new walking route, stumbling across a fantastic village pub or exploring somewhere you’ve never visited before, those moments are often what people remember most."
The survey also found that there has been a shift away from viral destinations with 66% saying that this means missing out on more authentic holiday experiences.
This preference was particularly strong among over-55s, 69 per cent of whom favoured hidden gems versus just 36 per cent of 18–34-year-olds.
Value for money remains the top booking priority for 49 per cent of Brits.
Partnerships manager at The Ramblers, Matt Guy, added: "Walking is one of the best ways to discover somewhere new, whether that's a much-loved national trail or a local path you've never explored before.
"Every walk depends on the paths that connect our towns, villages and countryside, which is why the Ramblers works to protect public rights of way, improve paths on the ground, and defend access when it's under threat."
The Pub Walk Collection is available at cottages.com (a link to which can be found above) and features routes across the Peak District, Lake District, Cornwall, Norfolk, Scottish Borders and Highlands, Wales, Yorkshire, and Northumberland.
Are you a fan of a pub lunch after a long walk? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
