We may live in an increasingly digital world, with the likes of Tripadvisor, Tiktok and Instagram taking the travel world by storm, but it appears that people are still keen to stick to the basics when it comes to recommendations.
Because, according to a research study, it is the humble travel guidebook that is still rated as the most influential source of information by travellers.
Those nifty, pocket-sized, travel encyclopedias that don’t rely on a stable internet connection and provide you with information in any corner of the world, no matter how remote.
And we can almost guarantee that everyone will have at least one travel guidebook on their bookshelf – whether it be London, Paris, Rome, or even somewhere more exotic.
This got us thinking… and thinking about the popularity of staycation travel. What cities and counties in the UK have the most guidebooks written about them?
Well, we scraped over 3 million books to find out, so check out the results below!
Staycation hotspots: The UK counties with the most guidebooks
All clearly destinations popular on people’s staycation lists, below are the British counties most written about in guidebooks.
1. Somerset, England
With a total of 143, Somerset is the UK county with the most guidebooks written about it. Perhaps unsurprising considering that its landscapes are highly-regarded, from the Cheddar Gorge and Mendip Hills to the ruggedness of Exmoor National Park. The region is also recognised as the home of the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival.
If you are considering visiting Somerset in the near future, we recommend The Treehouse in Taunton for a truly memorable stay, where you can sleep under a leafy canopy in 5-star luxury.
2. Devon, England
In joint-second place is Devon, which has 133 guidebooks written about it. The popular tourist destination is home to Dartmoor National Park, the beachy havens of Woolacombe and Sandy Beach, as well as the historic city of Exeter, which has a cathedral worth marvelling at. It is perhaps best known though for the fascinating rock formations on its fossil-rich Jurassic Coast, a site that earned itself a World Heritage Site status for the fascinating rock formations found here.
Thinking of taking a trip to Devon, why not stay in Drift Cottage in Turnchapel, Plymouth? The quirky property takes the nautical theme to the next level and comes with its own boat mooring.
2. Kent, England
Sharing position two, and the highest-ranking in the East of England, is Kent, also with 133 guidebooks written about it. The county is best known for being home to the historic city of Canterbury, which has a cathedral with a 1,400-year history, a Romanesque crypt and medieval stained glass. In the north of the county are the pretty coastal towns of Whitstable and Margate and the busy port town of Dover, with its iconic white cliffs, can be found to the south.
For any couples heading to Kent, opt for a stay in the super quirky ‘A Secret Garden’ – a property that looks straight off the pages of a storybook and offers its own outdoor hot tub, underfloor heating and whimsical mushroom seating.
4. Cornwall, England
Narrowly missing out on a top-three position is the UK staycation hotspot of Cornwall, with 130 guidebooks written about it. Cornwall is the UK’s southernmost county, making up the nation’s peninsula. Aptly nicknamed the ‘Cornish Riveria’, the region is known for its picture-perfect harbour villages of Falmouth and Fowey, as well as the seaside towns of Newquay and St Ives, which are renowned for surfing.
Cornwall is not short of staycation properties but if you’re looking to spend some time there, we recommend booking The Sail Loft, which gives you private access to Porth Beach in Newquay and uninterrupted coastal views.
5. Berkshire, England
Rounding up the top five is Berkshire, which has 117 guidebooks written about it. Being home to Windsor Castle, Berkshire was officially recognised by Queen Elizabeth II as the Royal County of Berkshire. Also in the county is the much-loved theme park, Legoland Windsor Resort, and the famous racecourse, Ascot. Highclere Castle is also located in Berkshire, which is the setting of the popular ITV period drama Downton Abbey.
Consider staying in this delightful country retreat when visiting Berkshire, which is right beside the Thames and within walking distance of several pubs, footpaths and cycling routes.
Hidden gems: The seven counties with the least guidebooks
And what about those that haven’t been written about extensively, or at all for that matter? Hidden gems were actually revealed as a key travel trend for 2023, according to Expedia’s 2023 Travel Trend Report.
So below are the UK counties, in alphabetical order, that appear to be overlooked, hidden gems if you’re looking for a holiday off-the-beaten-track.
1. East Ayrshire, Scotland
Kilmarnock is a large town that lies in East Ayrshire and is home to the largest monument in Scotland of Robert Burns, who is widely considered the country’s national poet. Whisky fans should consider a visit as the town is the original home of the Scotch brand, Johnnie Walker, which first started trading from the town in the mid-1800s. We have a range of different properties in Scotland to rent.
2. East Dunbartonshire, Scotland
To the north of Glasgow lies East Dunbartonshire and, inside it, Milngavie, which is the start of The West Highland Way. Stretching 96 miles to Fort William, the hiking route takes you through countryside parks to loch-shores and open moorlands to steep mountains, so it is a great option for any keen outdoor enthusiasts.
3. Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Londonderry, otherwise known as Derry, is the only remaining completely-walled city in Ireland so take some time to explore what is within. TV fans can also discover some of the filming locations of Derry Girls, as well as visit the huge mural dedicated to the show. If dragons are more your thing, take a trip to Downhill Beach, which was transformed into Dragonstone, home of Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones.
4. Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Neath Port Talbot is a small county borough located close to Swansea, between the foothills of the Brecon Beacons and the sands of Aberavon Beach. Stretching for around three miles, its golden sands are ideal for families, offering plenty of space to build sandcastles, race sand yachts and kitesurf along the beach. We have a range of different properties in Wales to rent.
5. Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales
Daredevils will love visiting Rhondda Cynon Taff in South Wales, as the small county borough is home to the Zip World Tower attraction. The thrilling complex offers adrenaline-filled activities such as the world’s fastest seated zip line, where you can reach speeds of up to 70mph, and a 30-metre-high tower with a 4-level obstacle course to master.
6. Torfaen, Wales
Torfaen is a small county borough, close to Monmouthshire and the city of Newport, and is home to an array of visitor attractions including South Wales’ first World Heritage Site, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape. Now a museum, the Blaenavon Ironworks was a major centre of iron production using locally mined or quarried iron ore, coal and limestone, and is now a fascinating day out for tourists.
7. West Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Nestled on the side of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, West Dunbartonshire is perhaps not the first place people think of going when visiting the Scottish lake but it should be. West Dunbartonshire is actually home to Inchmurrin, an idyllic and peaceful inland island within Loch Lomond that is worth exploring. It’s also the largest inland island in Britain!
The UK Cities With The Most Guidebooks
As well as regions, we were also curious about UK cities and which have had the most guidebooks written about them.
1. London
It might not come as any great surprise but London took the top spot for the UK city with the most guidebooks written about it, with a grand total of 1,637. Tourists flock from around the world to visit the iconic city and marvel at its famous buildings including Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.
2. Edinburgh
In second place is Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, with the historic city having 205 guidebooks written about it. Its medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town draw tourists all year round to its attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat and the world-renowned comedy festival.
3. Cambridge
Rounding up the top three is Cambridge, with 102 guidebooks written about it. Famous for its prestigious university, the city is a tourist hotspot so it’s not surprising that it secured the bronze medal position. Whilst here, people are keen to visit its medieval colleges and churches, as well as punting on the River Cam, of course.
4. Glasgow
In fourth position, and second in Scotland, is Glasgow. The city only narrowly missed out on the top three, with 100 guidebooks written about it. Glasgow attracts tourists as a result of its blend of Victorian and art-nouveau architecture, and a rich history as a result of its strong trade and shipbuilding legacy.
5. Manchester
Taking the last top five place is England’s ‘capital of the North’, Manchester, which has 46 guidebooks written about it. Its rich industrial heritage is a significant draw to tourists who marvel at the buildings that once made the city a textile powerhouse and now are home to a range of bars, restaurants and cafes.
Methodology
Taking the UK’s ceremonial counties and boroughs, and biggest cities by population, we used Open Library to find out how many guidebooks have been written about each and then worked out which have been written about the most.
The figures are for guidebooks written about that country specifically, with its name included specifically in the title rather than including any guidebooks that only reference the country within its content.
OpenLibrary is a digital database of books and e-books that contains over 20 million edition records online and provides access to 1.7 million scanned versions. Our research is based solely on what’s provided on this database so there may be guidebooks written that are not, therefore, included in this data but it still provides an accurate reflection.