Welshpool is one of the most popular destinations in the UK for holidays in the first months of 2022, according to a new report.
The market town took the number one spot in the cooler months of the new year, likely because it is the perfect base for exploring mid Wales.
Coastal locations proved more popular for summer bookings but it seems people are looking for cosy towns within charming landscapes and access to walking routes when the weather is colder.
Welshpool in Powys is mounted in history and home to countryside canal walks, modern art, historic castles and heritage railways making it a great spot to explore.
Read more: Snowdonia National Park crowned best place in world for stargazing the winter solstice
Powis Castle and Garden , in particular, is worth visiting; it was built by a Welsh prince in the 13th century and sits on a rock above a world-renowned garden.
You can also walk to the highest waterfall in Wales, Pistyll Rhaeadr, which sits at 80m tall in the Berwyn mountains.
It is taller than Niagara Falls in Canada and is pretty spectacular.
The staycation report, produced by UK holiday rental marketplace Snaptrip, also found Llandovery to be the location with the largest increase in bookings this year as the number of bookings had surged by 669%.
However, Brecon was the only Welsh spot making it into the top 10 locations for 2021, coming in as the ninth most booked staycation destination.
Interestingly it pipped the more obvious Welsh holiday spots like Tenby or Anglesey, seeming to show the growing trend of escaping to nature to hiking locations.
Matt Fox, founder of Snaptrip, said: “After a surge in staycations last year it’s encouraging to see new, lesser known beauty spots across the UK be recognised as ideal places for a holiday.
“With six destinations in Wales seeing the largest increase in bookings, including the town of Llandovery with the highest increase of 669%, we would expect to see UK holidays in Wales continue to trend next year.”
Looking to 2022, Aberystwyth is climbing the table and is currently the seventh most booked location for a staycation.
Matt added: “We can see the staycation trends of seaside stays, holidays in nature and breaks in Wales continue into the new year with destinations such as Newquay, Keswick and Brecon taking their places in the top ten popular locations.“With so much to explore on our doorstep, a cottage break is a fantastic holiday option for the new year and with such a variety of top locations and properties across the UK you can find the perfect place to suit you.”
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