New research from holiday lettings agency Classic Cottages shows that 2021 was a record year in one of the country’s staycation hotspots – South Devon.

Online search demand for holiday homes up by as much as 100 per cent compared to the last full year for bookings in 2019. The report also shows that average incomes for holiday homes in South Devon increased by 19 per cent compared to 2019. 

In terms of specific locations, Bigbury-on-Sea saw a 100 per cent increase in site search traffic, followed by Salcombe where property searches rose 67 per cent, and Dartmouth which witnessed a 48 per cent rise in interest.

The report shows that an investor with a £1.3m budget, for example, could purchase a five-bedroom sea-view house in Salcombe, or three three-bedroom houses in Brixham, leaving money to spare for renovation work.

Sea views, for example, have been shown to increase average income by up to 39 per cent while adding a hot tub can generate a 29 per cent uplift in turnover. Making a property pet-friendly can also boost revenue by as much as 29 per cent. 

Dan Harrison, commercial director of Classic Cottages, says: “2021 was an extraordinary year for the business and as we enter the second quarter of 2022, we continue to see portfolio growth and strong booking numbers. 

“Occupancy levels for the year ahead are already up 20 per cent versus the same point in 2019, which is a very positive start to the year.”