The unsuspecting South East town named top destination for a UK summer holiday

New research has named the UK’s top attractions for tourists this summer (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, Lake Windermere, the Roman Baths.

When thinking about some of the UK’s most popular destinations, these are just some of the tourist hotspots that might come to mind.

But apparently, you don’t want to be heading to any of these this summer – instead, a fairly unsuspecting town in Hertfordshire is the place to be.

The sleepy suburb of Bishop’s Stortford has just been crowned the top spot for a UK holiday. Yes, you did read that correctly.

According to research by Expedia, domestic holidays are becoming increasingly popular, with an overall search increase of 77% over the last year.

The study analysed online social media mentions posted by UK residents heading to domestic locations on their holidays between February 1 and April 29, 2025, and the same dates one year on, in 2026. Humble Bishop’s Stortford has seen interest surge by a whopping 90%.

Alongside this, searches for accomodation in the area have also skyrocketed, according to the bookings site.

Melanie Fish, travel expert and spokesperson at Expedia Group, said of the new figures: ‘As major global events and rising costs influence decisions, travellers are either staying closer to home or seeking out destinations where they can get more for their money.’

Bishop’s Stortford scored highly for its access to green space (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

‘I’m not sure I’d recommend it’

So, what’s driving interest in Bishop’s Stortford specifically?

Apparently, it’s primarily its status as a historic market town, as well as its access to greenery (the walking routes in particular).

However, considering there are so many stunning tourist destinations to choose from in the UK, including popular holiday highlights such as the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Cotswolds, and coastal Cornwall, some locals are raising their eyebrows at Bishop’s Stortford’s ranking.

Metro‘s very own Paul Dietrich grew up nearby, and his first newspaper job was at the Herts and Essex Observer in the late 1990s. He says: ‘I’m pleased the place is getting some.

‘Not sure I’d recommend it, mind you, but then market towns that border the far edges of East Anglia aren’t really my thing.’

And while current residents of Bishop’s Stortford have plenty of love for their modest market town, that doesn’t mean they’re not slightly shocked by their hometown’s positioning.

Hannah Pearman-Eddon, who runs a local hypnobirthing business, has lived there for the last six years.

She tells Metro: ‘The town is lovely, it’s really historic, but there are also enough modern shops, lots of places to eat and bars. It’s a great place to live.

‘If my family were coming to stay in our spare room and I wasn’t around, there’d be enough for them to do, I wouldn’t be worried about that. But I wouldn’t necessarily see it as a tourist location.

‘There is lots of natural beauty, but I wouldn’t say any more so than other nice areas on the outskirts of London.’

But Amy Lovelock Fleming isn’t as surprised by the new ranking, having holidayed in an Airbnb in Bishoop’s Stortford before moving there a year ago.

‘I can’t deny, it’s still been one of my most favourite family holidays,’ the cleaner and caretaker tells Metro. ‘The kids loved the freedom of the farm and vineyards, wood burning hot tub, homemade playground in the woods, fishing and Rosey Lea Tea Room – just a little hidden gem!’

Things to do in Bishop’s Stortford

Ruffled feathers aside, clearly, one of the biggest elements drawing people towards Bishop’s Stortford is its proximity to plush countryside.

For starters, Hatfield Forest isn’t far away, and if you’re up for a two-hour walk, then you can follow the route along to Bedlars Green and through the Flitch Way Circular.

There’s also the River Stort (where else do you think the town got its name?), which has a trail connecting through to Harlow in nearby Essex. This path takes between four and five hours, so bring plenty of snacks.

If you want to feel connected to nature but don’t quite fancy lacing up your walking shoes, then there are plenty of parks in the locality, too. Castle Park is home to a Norman castle, and the river flows through it, too.

Bishop’s Stortford is home to plenty of local businesses (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

It also features on the Green Flag scheme, recognised for its cleanliness and commitment towards providing people with accessible green spaces.

Southern Country Park stretches for 23 hectares and has a duck pond, picnic area, and plenty of play areas. If you want to channel your inner Mary Poppins and fly a kite, too, there’s a designated spot for that.

As for the food scene, South Street Pantry channels a vintage tea room vibe, but it’s also the perfect little spot to enjoy a Sunday morning brunch. Enjoy a full English for £14, or a stack of pancakes for £10.75.

Affiliated with its Walthamstow and Hackney sisters, there’s also an Eat17.

Just like its East London counterparts, it’s a self-described ‘food utopia,’ with equal opportunities for visitors to buy brunch, or a sourdough and some craft beer in the adjoining shop. Don’t miss out on the bacon jam.

If you’re after a food crawl opportunity, there’s an indoor street food market, too, dishing out classics like sushi, pizza, tacos, and Thai.

The River Stort flows through the town, too (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

How to get to Bishop’s Stortford

Another green tick going for Bishop’s Stortford is the fact that it’s very well-connected.

Being five stops away, the train to Liverpool Street takes 41 minutes.

If you’re driving into the city, then expect it to take around one hour and 20 minutes. Plus, if you’re already a local, then you’ll know it’s well-served in the airport department, as Stansted is a 13-minute drive away (or one stop on the Stansted Express). You can’t go wrong, really, can you?

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