The rise of the staycation
Are you craving some much-needed downtime, to connect and be together with those nearest and dearest to you? Spending quality time with friends and family is so important and something many of us simply forget to prioritise. Over the last few years, there has been a rise in the demand for staycations. Besides the convenience and lack of airport queues and flight delays, holidaymakers are feeling the pinch with the rise of living costs and are embracing a growing focus on sustainability. In this blog, we explore some of the many perks of booking a staycation and celebrate togetherness.
Photo credit: Fable Photography
Staycation market insight
86,445 properties hosting 9.4 million visitor nights per year for a total of £2.6 billion visitor spend (2019 PASC Report)
6.6 million Airbnb listings worldwide by the end of 2022 (Airbnb)
120,000 in Airbnb listings in the UK alone (Airbnb)
50% increase on major booking platforms (Which)
78% of global travellers intend to stay in a sustainable property at least once in the coming year (booking.com Sustainable Travel Report 2022)
Photo credit: Fable Photography
Sustainability
There is a growing focus on sustainability in the travel industry, and this is reflected in the popularity of staycations. People are increasingly choosing to holiday in the UK, as it is a more sustainable option than flying abroad. There are a number of ways to make your staycation more sustainable by choosing to stay at eco-friendly accommodation, travelling by bus or train to offset your carbon emissions and participating in ecotourism activities. A good way to check an accommodation’s commitment and credibility to sustainability is to see if they have won any sustainability awards, and what measures they have taken to be sustainable in the property’s design, resources and even the products they use.
At The Grain Store we take sustainability seriously. We’re committed to using, where possible, green sources of energy. We have an air source heat pump, solar panels and underfloor heating. We also provide a charging point for electric vehicles, recycling facilities, and use eco-friendly products. We also have consciously sourced everything from the Piglet in Bed bedding to the Maker and Son sofa from local partners who are also living the values of wanting to have a positive impact on our world.
We recently achieved the “The Green South Downs” bronze award for our commitment to sustainability. We’re thrilled to have received this award, spearheaded by the South Downs National Park Trust and Green Tourism, to champion sustainability.
Photo credit: Emily Bowden Photography
Self-catering
There are lots of perks to booking a self-catering holiday. When you are “busy” relaxing with friends and family, self-catering provides you with much more flexibility. You can eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired, and take breaks when you need them. You can also choose an experience that works for you. Perhaps it’s making a delicious breakfast for your family, setting up a picnic in the garden or enjoying a BBQ. There is also the huge benefit of it being more cost-effective.
At The Grain Store we have a beautiful modern kitchen fully kitted out with everything you might need, including all the necessities like a brilliant coffee machine. We also have Field Food and Pure Brunch Box delivery options that can complement your self-catering or even a private chef service, should you be looking to celebrate a special occasion.
Photo credit: Fable Photography
Family-friendly holidays
Going on holiday with the whole family can be stressful, especially when you factor in the logistics of international travel. Choosing a family-friendly staycation can provide everyone the space they need to slow down, have fun and connect.
At The Grain Store we welcome children of all ages. We can provide a travel cot, cot bed, and a highchair. We want you to feel at home and well cared for during your stay. Whilst we have all the intentions to make your family holiday in Sussex enjoyable, we are also confident that your little ones will enjoy the space to run free, explore and enjoy the fresh South Downs air. If you take a walk straight out of the front door and into the wide open fields, you’re also likely to stumble across some fluffy lambs (season depending), which always goes down well with the children!
Photo credit: SHOOTLAB
Togetherness
There is nothing like leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind and heading for a country getaway. The Grain Store is nestled in the beautiful South Downs National Park and is a beautiful luxury eco-friendly holiday home in Lewes, Sussex. We offer 3-bedrooms with generous space for six guests and ample space to be inside and out.
There are so many things to do in and around The Grain Store from preparing food together, enjoying aperitifs on the veranda, playing in the garden and relaxing in the hot tub. There are also a host of exciting things to do in and around the area; from going on a cycling tour and checking out the local pubs in Lewes, to going for a swim at one of the nearby beaches.
Photo credit: Field Food
The Grain Store was the perfect base
“Our recent stay with you was wonderful! The accommodation is absolutely beautiful and the view from it is just stunning. We’re (fairly) local but love spending weekends in Sussex with our young children and The Grain Store was the perfect base. I’ve no doubt we will return. Thank you again!”
– Beth & family
Jump onto our booking page to check our availability. We’re nearly fully booked this summer so if you’ve missed out, be inspired to get in early and book your summer holiday for next year!