Families are increasingly looking to Morecambe Bay for an autumn getaway, with new figures showing Morecambe and Carnforth are among the UK's fastest-growing staycation hotspots ahead of the October half-term break.
New data from Booking.com shows searches by UK families for stays between October 24 and October 31 have surged in both Lancashire destinations compared with last year.
Carnforth topped the travel site's list of trending UK destinations, recording a 243.3 per cent increase in searches year-on-year.
Morecambe ranked second, with searches rising by 116.9 per cent.
The figures place the neighbouring destinations ahead of a host of popular UK holiday locations as families look for coastal, countryside and historic destinations for the school holidays.
Morecambe offers visitors its famous seafront and promenade, with views across Morecambe Bay towards the Lake District and the hills beyond.
The town is also home to attractions including the Eric Morecambe statue, Morecambe Winter Gardens and the promenade, while its location makes it a base for exploring the wider Lancashire coast.
Carnforth, meanwhile, offers a very different type of getaway, with the market town providing easy access to the countryside and the nearby Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape.
The area is also close to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, making Carnforth a convenient base for families looking to combine a rural break with days out in some of the region's best-known landscapes.
Carnforth is also well connected by rail, with its station providing links towards Lancaster, Morecambe, Barrow-in-Furness and the Lake District, as well as destinations further afield.
Booking.com's figures suggest both destinations are benefiting from growing interest in UK breaks during the autumn school holidays.
Other places to make the top 10 included Bickenhill, Caernarfon, Stirling, Newby Bridge, Gloucester, Fort William, Llandudno and Looe.
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Booking.com said there had been a wider increase in interest in UK breaks for the autumn half-term period, particularly destinations offering access to coastlines, rural scenery and family-friendly attractions.
The top 10 trending UK destinations for October half-term were:
- Carnforth (+243.3%)
- Morecambe (+116.9%)
- Bickenhill (+94.5%)
- Caernarfon (+75.8%)
- Stirling (+72.8%)
- Newby Bridge (+72.7%)
- Gloucester (+71.7%)
- Fort William (+68.3%)
- Llandudno (+62.6%)
- Looe (+62%)
The latest figures are likely to be welcome news for tourism businesses across the Morecambe Bay area as they prepare for the busy half-term holiday period later this month.
The rise in searches also puts Morecambe and Carnforth firmly on the map for families looking for a UK break without travelling too far, with the two destinations offering a combination of coast, countryside and easy access to some of the North West's best-known attractions.
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