Are these the best places to buy an Airbnb or Holiday Home in the UK?
We've gone under the bonnet of Google to uncover the 50 most sought-after and searched places by guests wanting to stay in Airbnbs and serviced apartments. It's not an exact science in quantifying booking demand but it's a great proxy. There are 600,000+ searches per year for the top result on this list alone and Airbnb is only one of the the most popular OTAs in the UK, so we think it's a fair gauge of popularity for short term lets, holiday homes and serviced apartments across the land.
Before we dig in to the top ten, here are the key highlights we pulled from the analysis of the 50 most searched destinations for Airbnb:
urban centres dominated the search terms. This makes sense - cities and towns have plenty of attractions and rich British culture on offer for weekend visitors, but they also provide much more. They are industrial and business centres too with large universities and student populations. We think this is a great insight for investors - these locations need Airbnb and short term rental (STR) supply to cater for work-related short stays and higher education requirements as much as tourism. That is, short term rentals are not just for leisure tourists.
Venturing beyond cities, Cornwall and Devon emerge as the prime rural Airbnb destinations in the UK according to google searches. Their picturesque coastline and national parks make them sought-after locations for those wanting to enjoy a holiday home in the UK, and has rightly made them highly desirable for Airbnb investors too. The towns and villages along the South West Coastal Trail path which can be found in these two counties made our list of the top destinations in the UK this year for tourists for this exact reason.
Among the top 50 destinations that are rural and outside the cities, the more popular trend are for coastal retreats like the Isle of Wight in the south and Whitby in the north than the countryside such as the Peak District. An Airbnb on the beach anyone? The caveat here is this could reflect the fragmented nature of large rural regions - think the Highlands and Lake District - where guests could be searching in more specific towns and villages. And some of the most extraordinary Airbnbs in the UK are often found in these rural parts, so they are not to be discounted.
Here's a rundown of the top 10 most searched Airbnb locations in the UK:
1. London Airbnb & serviced apartments Unsurprisingly, London tops the list as the most in-demand place for Airbnb in the UK. With its iconic landmarks and diverse neighbourhoods that stretch for dozens of miles out to the M25, the city attracts millions of tourists & short stay visitors every year. Buying an Airbnb in London means tapping into a lucrative market with constant demand for short-term accommodations. Of course, it does come with a sharper price tag (but why not explore your options to finance your next Airbnb / STR investment) and the 90 day Airbnb limit policy - but it doesn't take away from its huge potential for the right investors and hosts.
2. Edinburgh Airbnb & serviced apartments Edinburgh's historic charm and year-round festivals make it a prime spot for Airbnb investments. Well over 250,000 google searches per year are made looking for Airbnbs in Edinburgh alone, and this does not include those looking specifically for serviced apartments or short stay properties in Edinburgh - so you can see the lofty demand. With its stream of tourists, buying an Airbnb in the Scottish Capital promises a solid return on investment, provided you abide by Edinburgh City's Airbnb license regulations.
3. Manchester Airbnb & serviced apartments
The lively city of Manchester is a top choice for those looking to stay in an Airbnb and features really high on the list. Its thriving music scene, huge student pool and bustling economy make it a magnet for both tourists and business travelers. Investing in a Manchester Airbnb should have no issues with demand.
4. Cornwall Airbnb & serviced apartments Cornwall stands out in the top 10 as the only rural region searched heavily by those wanting a more serene Airbnb retreat. Its stunning coastline and postcard villages draw visitors year-round, making it an ideal location for a charming short stay property. Is this the year you buy a holiday home in Cornwall?
5. Brighton Airbnb & serviced apartments Brighton offers that quintessential English mix of quirky charm and coastal allure that simply never gets old. If you've ever been to the area during summer, you could be forgiven for thinking you're in the French Riviera (if the weather holds up...) The city's artistic vibes and beautiful beaches attract visitors throughout the year however so buying a Brighton Airbnb remains a sensible investment strategy.
6. York Airbnb & serviced apartments Representing Yorkshire in the top 10, the medieval capital with its cosy streets and rich heritage make it a classic weekend break in the UK so no surprise to see it on the list so high up. Having a holiday investment home in York to capitalise on the tourist demand continues to make a lot of sense.
7. Liverpool Airbnb & serviced apartments Another location with a significant musical and cultural heritage, this beautiful city also comes with a stunning waterfront on the Mersey. There are so many reasons guests will be searching for Airbnb stays in Liverpool, but a weekend night out in the town is one of the frequent highlights and, famously, weather-proof!
8. Glasgow Airbnb & serviced apartments As Scotland's largest city and main hub, it's no surprise to see the friendly city feature so high on the list. There's always something going on in Glasgow to attract demand for short stay apartments and homes - from night time revellers to business travellers, the city needs the supply. Buying an Airbnb in Glasgow will require research on the country's licensing policy for short term lets like Edinburgh, but this small hurdle shouldn't diminish the huge investment opportunity. Check out our guide to the compliance and regulations of Airbnb ownership in the UK for more information.
9. Bristol Airbnb & serviced apartments
Bristol is another great British city that has all the key ingredients for strong demand from short term visitors - its flourishing arts and cultural scene, its universities and vibrant nightlife make it one of the most searched places in the UK when looking for Airbnbs. It's also a natural hub to places further afield such as south Wales and also the south west of England.
10. Cardiff Airbnb & serviced apartments
As Wales' lively capital, Cardiff entices travellers and working professionals with its rich history, strong economy, and warm Welsh charm. Airbnb rentals clearly thrive here and buying an Airbnb in Cardiff opens you up to demand all year round and from a variety of guests which is the recurrent theme of the top 10 in-demad locations in the UK for Airbnb.
If you're looking to buy an Airbnb or serviced apartment, or even if you have a holiday home to sell in the UK, head over to the Airbuy and Sell marketplace. You'll see the largest selection of suitable investment properties for short term lets for sale in the country. And why not filter according to any of the above locations where demand for Airbnbs is strongest..?
And if you liked this article about in-demand locations for Airbnb in the UK, you may enjoy these other pieces below that could help you successfully find, finance and operate an Airbnb / STR property for your business:
Comments