Cornwall third in best locations for cycling holiday in UK

With the Tour of Britain beginning today (Sunday, September 3) one of the official sponsors of the race has published results of an independent survey, revealing more than a third of Brits (40%) are cyclists, with a fifth (20%) considering themselves to be infrequent, one in ten (9%) as ‘fair weather’, and one in 20 either commuter (5%) or avid cyclists (5%).

Holiday company cottages.com, which specialises in staycations, has also revealed the top ten locations for cycling holidays in the UK.

Making the top three is Penzance, coming in third spot.

Of those surveyed, 11% voted for the town in West Cornwall when asked for the destinations cyclists would go to for their ideal cycling break or staycation.

It came just below the Scottish Highlands, which also received 11% when rounded to the nearest number, and both were only one per cent away from the top spot, the Peak District, which received 12%.

Popularity Poll: Top 10 UK Locations for Cycling Staycations

1) Peak District (12%)                                                         

2) Scottish Highlands (11%)                                              

3) Penzance, Cornwall (11%)                            

4) London (10%)                                                    

5) Isle of Wight (9%)                                            

6) Morecombe Bay, Lake District (9%)          

7) Norfolk (9%)                                                      

8) North Wales Coast (8%)                                

9) Hampshire (8%)                                               

10) Bannau Bycheiniog (Cymraeg) (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons) (8%)

Penzance hosted the Grand Depart opening stage of the Tour of Britain in 2021 (Image: Tour of Britain)

Penzance hosted the Grand Depart stage of the Tour of Britain in 2021, with the race travelling through Cornwall for the first time. 

A major refurbishment the town's Victorian promenade was completed in preparation for the event. 

The survey also found that 18 to 28-year-olds and 29 to 43-year-olds are more likely to prefer cycling during a staycation than 44 to 58-year-olds.

Those living in Yorkshire and Humberside (18%) are more likely to go on a cycling staycation – or bikeation – compared to those living in the East of England (3%).

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When asked about their motivations for cycling, improving general health (34%), spending more time outdoors (28%), and the joy of exploring (23%) were the most common reasons.

Meanwhile, wanting to improve or maintain mental health (22%), losing weight (20%), a sense of adventure (19%) and because cycling reminds people of their childhood (13%) were other popular reasons for cycling.

According to the findings, cycling is best when connecting with nature (32%), cycling with others (29%), or new places (23%). Interestingly, onein 20 (5%) reported cycling is best when ‘getting lost’ – and those aged 29 to 43 years agreed with this more than any other generation.

They are also most likely to be motivated by food or drinking during a cycling trip, while overall 36% identified with a trip to the pub or a pit stop for cake and coffee stop.

When asked which ‘cycling celebrity’ they would rather take on a cycling staycation, people named Tom Hardy as top (12%),  followed by Kylie Minogue (12%) and Louis Theroux (10%)  topped the poll.

They were followed by Jeremy Clarkson (9%), George Clooney (8%), Kelly Brook (8%), Arnold Schwarzenegger (8%), Boris Johnson (7%), Zac Efron (7%) and Victoria Pendleton (6%).

People also said they would rather go on a cycling holiday with Elliot & ET (from ET, 1992), Simon Cowell or Lord Sugar (each 4%) rather than US President, Joe Biden or British PM, Rishi Sunak (both 3%).