The Best Areas to Buy a Holiday Let in the UK
The fifth edition of Sykes' annual Holiday Letting Outlook Report compares booking and turnover data from properties managed by Sykes. This page uses that supplier dataset to compare locations for buyers researching an investment property or holiday lets for sale.
Sykes reports average annual gross turnover of £25,600 per property across its dataset. Gross turnover is not net profit or a forecast for an individual investment property; purchase price, occupancy, rates, fees, finance, tax and operating costs all affect the result.
Article updated: July 2026
Where is the Best Place to Buy a Holiday Home?
If you are weighing up a holiday let investment, our buying guide walks through the practicalities before you pick an area.
If you are comparing a holiday let with a standard buy-to-let property, assess net income after finance, management and operating costs on the same basis.
However, with so many stunning destinations across the country, it can be challenging to determine the best places to buy a holiday home.
To help, Sykes' Holiday Letting Outlook Report compiled a list of the top 10 best places to buy a holiday home in the UK, based on booking and revenue data from their 25,000 UK holiday rentals.
All 10 locations with the highest reported average gross turnover in the supplier dataset are in England, with countryside destinations leading the list.
Top 10 UK Locations in 2025 for Average Gross Turnover
Updated March 2026
Date range: Based on the latest reported average gross turnover data for 2025.
| # | Location | Average Annual Turnover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grasmere, Cumbria | £45,900 |
| 2 | Castleton, Derbyshire | £38,200 |
| 3 | Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria | £36,200 |
| 4 | Ambleside, Cumbria | £34,800 |
| 5 | Durham, County Durham | £34,100 |
| 6 | Matlock, Derbyshire | £34,000 |
| 7 | Aldeburgh, Suffolk | £33,600 |
| 8 | Warkworth, Northumberland | £29,500 |
| 9 | Hunstanton, Norfolk | £27,200 |
| 10 | Chester, Cheshire | £25,500 |
Note: The data reflects the average gross turnover for each location in the UK for the year 2025.
Top 10 UK Regions in 2025 for Average Gross Turnover
Updated March 2026
Date range: Based on the latest reported average gross turnover data for 2025.
| # | Region | Average Annual Turnover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cotswolds | £30,600 |
| 2 | Cumbria & the Lake District | £28,400 |
| 3 | Highlands & Islands | £28,000 |
| 4 | Peak District | £26,900 |
| 5 | Central Scotland | £26,600 |
| 6 | Dorset | £26,600 |
| 7 | Northumberland | £25,800 |
| 8 | North Wales | £24,800 |
| 9 | Cornwall | £24,600 |
| 10 | East Anglia | £24,000 |
Note: The data reflects the average gross turnover for each region in the UK for the year 2025.
Highest Reported Average Gross Turnover for Holiday Lets in the Supplier's 2025 Dataset
Grasmere, a village in the Lake District, has the highest reported average annual gross turnover in the supplier dataset at £45,900.
Durham and Matlock report average annual gross turnover of £34,100 and £34,000 respectively. These are supplier-reported gross figures before property-level costs, not owner profit.
Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere and Castleton also appear in the supplier's top 10 by reported average gross turnover.
UK Holiday Let Regions by Reported Average Gross Turnover
1. Cotswolds
Average annual turnover: £30,600
The Cotswolds is a region renowned for its stunning rural charm, historic villages, and high-end appeal.
The Cotswolds remains popular among domestic and international tourists, including visitors using second homes and holiday lets. The area benefits from its proximity to major cities like London, making it a frequent destination for short getaways.
The region's combination of natural beauty and good transport links helps explain buyer interest in cottages for sale in the Cotswolds.
2. Cumbria and the Lake District
Average annual turnover: £28,400
The Lake District continues to be one of the most popular locations for UK holiday rentals, attracting visitors year-round.
The picturesque lakes, dramatic mountains, and abundant walking trails make this an area of exceptional appeal.
The cited regional table places Cumbria and the Lake District second for reported average gross turnover, at £28,400.
Sykes lists Cumbria and Lake District cottages for sale, including areas such as Keswick and Ambleside. The reported regional turnover is before property-level costs and does not promise an individual return.
What that headline figure does not show is how income and occupancy vary within the region. Our Lake District holiday-let income comparison covers 11 towns, while the separate Lake District property market data covers asking prices and long-term rental yields.
3. Highlands and Islands
Average annual turnover: £28,000
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland combine coastal, mountain and island landscapes that form part of the region's visitor appeal.
Sykes lists cottages for sale in the Highlands across destinations including the Isle of Skye and the wider Scottish Highlands.
The cited dataset reports average annual gross turnover of £28,000 for the region. It does not provide the purchase, occupancy and cost data needed to calculate net revenue for an individual property.
4. Peak District
Average annual turnover: £26,900
The Peak District's dramatic landscapes and charming market towns have long made it a popular destination for holidaymakers. From hiking and cycling to exploring historic sites, this area provides plenty of activities for guests.
The cited dataset reports average annual gross turnover of £26,900 for the region. Property-level occupancy, nightly rates and costs still need to be compared separately.
Sykes lists Peak District holiday cottages for sale.
5. Central Scotland
Average annual turnover: £26,600
Central Scotland offers a mix of scenic countryside, historic towns and easy access to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes.
Destinations such as Highland gateways and traditional market towns attract visitors year-round, drawn by walking, outdoor activities and cultural heritage.
Sykes lists cottages for sale in Scotland across the region. The cited dataset reports average annual gross turnover of £26,600 before property-level costs.
6. Dorset
Average annual turnover: £26,600
Located on the southern coast of England, Dorset includes coastal villages, beaches, rolling countryside and landmarks such as the Jurassic Coast.
Lyme Regis and other Dorset destinations attract visitors for coastal and countryside breaks.
Sykes lists holiday cottages for sale in Dorset. The cited dataset reports average annual gross turnover of £26,600 before property-level costs.
7. Northumberland
Average annual turnover: £25,800
Northumberland combines unspoilt coastline, historic castles and expansive countryside, offering visitors a quieter alternative to some of the UK's busier tourist destinations.
Its picturesque villages and access to beaches and national park landscapes continue to draw travellers looking for scenic getaways.
Sykes lists holiday homes for sale in Northumberland. The cited dataset reports average annual gross turnover of £25,800 before property-level costs.
8. North Wales
Average annual turnover: £24,800
North Wales is widely recognised for its rugged mountains, dramatic coastline and outdoor adventure opportunities.
With easy access to national parks and heritage sites, the region attracts visitors seeking both active holidays and scenic retreats.
Sykes lists holiday homes for sale in Wales. The cited dataset reports average annual gross turnover of £24,800 for North Wales before property-level costs.
9. Cornwall
Average annual turnover: £24,600
Cornwall remains one of the UK's most iconic holiday destinations, known for its sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages and thriving food scene.
The region continues to draw strong visitor numbers during peak seasons as well as increasing off-season tourism.
Cornwall remains a top coastal destination, supporting demand for holiday homes for sale in Cornwall.
10. East Anglia
Average annual turnover: £24,000
East Anglia offers a blend of coastal charm, historic towns and tranquil countryside, making it a popular choice for relaxed UK getaways.
Visitors are drawn to its characterful seaside resorts and scenic landscapes, while the region's accessibility from London helps maintain consistent demand.
View the holiday homes for sale in Norfolk and holiday cottages for sale in Suffolk.
A property marketed as below market value still needs to be checked against like-for-like local sales and its expected net income.
Property Types by Reported Average Gross Turnover
Location and property type both affect gross turnover, occupancy and operating costs, so the regional figures should be compared with property-level evidence.
The Sykes website lists cottages and other potential holiday homes across the UK.
Sykes' Holiday Letting Outlook Report ranks property types by average gross turnover using its own booking and revenue data. It does not rank them by net profit.
Which type of property is most profitable?
The supplier data cannot answer profitability because it reports gross turnover without purchase, finance, tax and operating costs. On its gross-turnover measure:
- Detached houses report average annual gross turnover of £32,700.
- Shepherd's huts, yurts and glamping pods report £31,800 on average.
- Farm stays report £28,900 on average per year.
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