Where’s the best place to buy a holiday home?
The UK boasts some fantastic holiday destinations, making investing in a holiday home here – rather than abroad – an extremely attractive proposition.
With the aftereffects of the coronavirus pandemic continuing to shroud overseas travel in uncertainty, staycations are still high on the agenda. It means there’s never been a better time to buy a UK holiday home.
However, with so many great destinations available, from stunning coastal resorts and bustling cities to quaint villages and beautiful countryside, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here, in no particular order, is our list of some of the best places in the UK to own a holiday home…
The Lake District
One of the UK’s most popular tourist hotspots, around 19m visitors flock to the Lake District every year. It’s the largest National Park by area in the UK, spanning 2,292 square miles of stunning landscapes, countryside and waterways.
In such a vast expanse, there are many popular locations to choose from. Windermere is home to the largest body of water in the Lake District, while nearby Keswick and Penrith are bustling traditional market towns with plenty to see and do.
Grassmere, meanwhile, is a perfect base for those wishing to tackle Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak.
Devon & Cornwall
Devon and Cornwall make up most of the UK’s southwest coast and are a popular destination for domestic holidaymakers and those visiting the UK.
They enjoy some of the best weather conditions in the UK and boast a host of things to see and do, from the surfers’ paradise that is Newquay to the beautiful, unspoiled countryside of Exmoor and Dartmoor.
For more information about this beautiful part of the UK, check out our in-depth guide to Devon & Cornwall.
The Peak District
Nestled away in the heart of the UK, the Peak District was the UK’s first official National Park and offers up some of the country’s most stunning landscapes and countryside.
It’s a great location to own a holiday let, as it remains a popular destination for people who love to experience the great outdoors.
Several quaint and picturesque market towns across the region have plenty of history and tradition, including Bakewell, Ashbourne, Matlock and Buxton.
The Cotswolds
Easily accessible from the north and south, the beautiful countryside of Cotswolds is a magnet for tourists from major cities, including London and Birmingham.
From Stow-on-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water, picturesque towns to breath-taking countryside, there are plenty of places of interest in the Cotswolds to keep the whole family happy.
The Norfolk Broads
The Norfolk Broads is an expansive network of lakes, rivers, and waterways, making it the perfect holiday destination for people who enjoy the relaxed way of life that waterside living brings.
It’s also home to more than 30 nature reserves, a historic cathedral city (Norwich) and popular coastal resorts including Hunstanton, Cromer and Great Yarmouth.
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is the biggest county in the UK and offers something for everyone. It has plenty of tourist appeal, from bustling cities to historic towns, stunning coastline, and unspoiled countryside.
Some of the most popular locations for holiday homes include the Yorkshire Dales, the walled Viking city of York and the stretch of resorts along the Yorkshire coast, including Whitby, Scarborough and Robin Hood’s Bay.
Check out our in-depth guide to holiday homes in Yorkshire for more information.
Wales
Around 11m visitors flock to Wales every year to enjoy its wealth of historical landmarks, traditional towns, stunning coastline and beautiful, unspoiled countryside.
Coastal resorts, including Llandudno, the Isle of Anglesey and Tenby, are a popular choice for families. At the same time, the three National Parks of Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire and the Brecon Beacons also offer plenty of great locations for a holiday home.
Scotland
No list of the UK’s top holiday destinations would be complete without Scotland.
From bustling cities to pristine beaches, crumbling castles, ancient heritage, and unforgettable cultural experiences, Scotland has something for everyone.
The Scottish Highlands boast some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes, while the historic cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh offer plenty of attractions and things to do.
And don’t get us started on the food. Scotland is home to some of the UK’s most famous delicacies, from traditional haggis and fresh seafood to excellent whiskeys, which can help you toast to your investment in a holiday home.
Do I need a mortgage to buy a holiday home?
If you’re looking to buy a holiday home in the UK, you may need a mortgage to make your dream a reality.
The type of mortgage you need will depend on what you intend to use your holiday home for.
If you plan to let it out to tourists or holidaymakers on a short-term basis, then you’ll need a holiday let mortgage. These are designed for people wanting to borrow money to buy a property they plan to let out.
They are different from holiday home mortgages, which buyers use to purchase properties intended only for personal use.
So, if you’re interested in buying a holiday home and making it available to let, then understanding your options when it comes to the type of mortgage you need is essential.
Our expert team has over 40 years of experience in the holiday home market and is dedicated to taking the stress away from getting the right mortgage. We’ll provide honest, straightforward advice and guidance on the right way forward and help you arrange the deal that’s right for you to make your investment a holiday home as pain-free as possible.
For more information, get in touch today.