A new analysis of Census 2021 data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that more than one in 10 addresses in some areas of England and Wales are being used as holiday homes.
According to the data, roughly 70,000 second addresses across England and Wales served as holiday retreats, visited by more than 200,000 people.
These vacation homes made up 4.1% of all second addresses, with a predominant presence in coastal regions, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and national parks such as the Lake District, Dartmoor, and Eryri (Snowdonia).
The Census data only includes people who usually reside in England and Wales and use their second address for a minimum of 30 days per year. The actual number of second addresses used as holiday homes could be higher, as this count does not take into account international vacation home owners.
Cornwall led the list of popular holiday destinations, with 6,080 holiday homes and 14,230 users. South Hams on Devon’s coast and Gwynedd in North Wales had the highest proportions of holiday homes in relation to their local housing supply. In some smaller areas, the percentage exceeded 10%.
Accounting for local population sizes, Gwynedd and the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales saw the highest proportions of holiday home users.
The South West region topped the list with the highest concentration of holiday homes in England and Wales, hosting 7.5 holiday homes per 1,000 homes. Notably, South Hams in Devon had the highest rate within local authority areas with 44.1 holiday homes for every 1,000 homes.
Both UK and Welsh parliaments have recently passed new laws to regulate second home ownership more rigorously, and the figures may reflect the effects of these legislative changes.
Travel within the UK for vacationing has become increasingly common, with almost half of those who used a second address as a holiday home travelling within the UK, up from 42.3% in 2011.
Wales emerged as the most common UK holiday destination for people from the West Midlands and the North West. In contrast, almost two-thirds of Londoners who used holiday homes travelled abroad, the highest proportion from any region in England or Wales.
Interestingly, the Census data showed an increase in holiday home usage in North Wales hotspots, with the highest proportion of people using a second address as a holiday home relative to the local population. Gwynedd in North Wales had the highest proportion, with 79.0 holiday home users for every 1,000 local residents.
