A quiet Northumbrian seaside market town has left long-time rival holiday destinations such as Cornwall in the rear-view mirror as Brits rush north to rent out holiday homes amid a surge in rental profits in the region.
Seahouses in Northumberland, on the north-east coast of England, has emerged as the town where holiday rental owners have seen the biggest increase in rental profits by more than a third.
Analysis from Sykes Holiday Cottages found that landlords in Northumberland saw a four times greater increase in profits last year compared to the previous year than in Cornwall, which saw an increase of just eight per cent.
It found that the four biggest increases in rental profits last year were all in Northumberland, closely followed by two locations in Cumbria.
At Seahouses, located in the Northumberland Coast National Landscapes area, rental income rose by 36 per cent to £29,700 per year.
Seahouses in Northumberland is located on the northeast coast of England, where holiday rental owners have seen a one-third increase in rental profits
Bamburgh, home to Northumberland’s famous Bamburgh Castle (pictured), is another popular Northumberland resort
In second place was Bamburgh, which rose by 25 per cent, Alnwick by 19 per cent and Alnmouth by 17 per cent.
In Cumbria, Ambleside saw a 12 per cent increase, equal to Grasmere, also in Cumbria.
The top 10 was completed by Betws-y-Coed in Conwy, Bridlington in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Beadnell in Nortumberland.
In tenth place is Loee, in Cornwall, which has seen an increase of eight per cent.
Head of Visit Northumberland Andrew Fox told the Telegraph: ‘It’s great to see demand and revenue from holiday homes flourishing in so many different areas of Northumberland, reflecting the growing interest in the amazing attractions, places and experiences available in are available in the province.
‘Northumberland offers great opportunities for property owners, whether they are based on our beautiful coastline, in our tranquil countryside or in the heart of our traditional towns and villages.’
He believes the growing profits for landlords are being driven by an increase in tourism, with many Britons looking for cheaper holidays that avoid the hassle of traveling abroad.
In the small Northumberland village of Alnmouth, profits are up 17 percent
And in Grasmere, Cumbria, profits have also beaten Cornwall, rising by 10 per cent
According to Sykes, the average British landlord receives £24,500 in income annually.
Graham Donoghue, from Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: ‘With a wide range of things for travelers to see and do in Northumberland – including easy access to a National Park and beaches – it’s not surprising to see holiday home owners making a significant increase in their bookings and annual incomes as a result.’
This comes after data from earlier this year showed Cornwall remains the most profitable region for holiday rentals, with an average price of £84 for a room and £117 for an entire house.
A total of 476,910 bookings were made through popular holiday rental companies in the area last summer, according to analysis of Office for National Statistics data by money website Wealth of Geeks.
The holiday rental problem is a scourge spreading across Britain, with some areas resorting to drastic measures to prevent second home owners from driving up house prices.
In Narberth, locals try to keep tourists from driving them out of their town, while a developer refuses to sell homes to outsiders.
Charles Salmon, 67, is behind the recent housing development and is keen to use the site to benefit the close-knit local community.
Mr Salmon, who grew up in the town, said: ‘There will be a vetting scheme – I’m trying to keep it for the locals.
‘Maybe they should sign something to say they are real local people and the houses will not be used as holiday rentals.’
And in Whitby, North Yorkshire, the council has doubled council tax on second homes.