Why 2026 is the Summer of the Experience-Led Staycation

19th June 2026

For years, the holiday conversation has centred around where we go. This summer, however, it seems more people are thinking about how they want to spend their time once they get there.

Research suggests domestic holidays remain firmly on the agenda for British travellers in 2026, while travel trends point towards a growing appetite for more meaningful, experience-led escapes. Industry reports from Virtuoso, Audley Travel and British Airways Holidays all highlight a shift towards holidays that combine relaxation, wellness, culture and memorable experiences, with travellers increasingly seeking destinations that allow them to shape their stay around their own interests rather than follow a fixed itinerary. It’s a trend we’re seeing here with guests booking a summer stay at Goodwood that goes beyond the ordinary.

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At the same time, travel trends point towards a growing desire for experience-led escapes. Rather than ticking off landmarks or packing an itinerary from dawn until dusk, many travellers are looking for holidays that combine memorable experiences with space to relax. Research into luxury travel trends for 2026 highlights a growing focus on wellness, authentic local experiences and destinations that allow guests to shape their stay around their own interests.

For those in their fifties and beyond, this shift feels particularly relevant. Often no longer tied to school holidays and with more freedom to travel when and how they choose, many are seeking holidays that offer variety without compromise. The ideal break is no longer about choosing between adventure or relaxation, culture or countryside. It's about finding a destination that allows all of those things to coexist.

The rise of the ‘Choose your own holiday’

One of the biggest changes in travel over recent years has been a move away from one-dimensional holidays.

A spa break is no longer just a spa break. A countryside escape is no longer simply a place to walk. Today's travellers are increasingly looking for destinations that allow them to create different versions of the same holiday, depending on how they feel each day.

One morning might begin with a round of golf or a woodland walk. The next could involve learning a new skill, exploring a gallery, taking to the skies or spending an afternoon by the pool. The common thread is freedom and the ability to shape the day around your mood rather than a fixed itinerary.

It's a trend that feels particularly at home in the British countryside, where the pace is naturally slower and experiences feel more connected to the landscape around them.

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Making time for both excitement and escape

Perhaps the most interesting travel trend of all is the desire to combine moments of excitement with moments of restoration.

Increasingly, people are seeking experiences that create lasting memories,  whether that's driving a high-performance car, trying clay shooting for the first time, learning to fly or discovering somewhere entirely new. At the same time, they want opportunities to slow down, reconnect and enjoy simple pleasures that often get squeezed out of everyday life.

The appeal isn't necessarily doing more. It's having the freedom to do something different.

One day, that might mean hearing the roar of an engine on a famous motor circuit. Another, it might mean spending an afternoon among contemporary art, walking through woodland or lingering over a long lunch in the sunshine.

The most memorable holidays often contain a little of both.

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Image credit: Max Carter

The return of multi-generational holidays

Alongside experience-led escapes, another trend continuing to grow is multi-generational getaways.

Grandparents, parents and children are increasingly choosing to holiday together, creating opportunities to spend meaningful time as a family while giving everyone the flexibility to enjoy different activities throughout the day.

The best destinations for these trips tend to offer a balance of space, privacy and choice. Some family members might spend the day exploring the countryside, while others head for the golf course, spa or a cultural attraction. The real value comes when everyone comes back together again at the end of the day.

Long dinners, shared stories and unhurried evenings often become the moments that are remembered most.

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A different kind of summer

Perhaps the appeal of a UK holiday in 2026 is not simply about staying closer to home. It is about rediscovering what makes a holiday feel valuable in the first place.

Whether that means driving, flying, golfing, exploring art and culture, wandering through woodland or simply finding a comfortable spot in the sunshine and staying there for a while, the most rewarding holidays are often the ones that leave room for possibility.

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Your summer, your way

At Goodwood, no two summer stays need look the same. One day might begin on the Motor Circuit and end over dinner at Farmer, Butcher, Chef. Another could be spent exploring the Art Foundation, enjoying a round of golf, unwinding in the spa or simply soaking up the peace of the Sussex countryside.

Whether you're escaping for a few days as a couple, gathering generations of family together in a cottage, or looking for a base from which to explore the very best of Sussex, Goodwood offers the freedom to spend summer exactly as you choose.

After all, the best holidays aren't about following an itinerary. They're about creating moments you'll remember long after summer has ended.

Find out about a Summer Stay at Goodwood, whether it's space to spread out in one of our self catering cottages, or a hotel stay in the heart of the estate.

 

References

Virtuoso Luxe Report 2026 – Travel advisor insights on luxury travel trends: Hospitality Today
Audley Travel & Globetrender Luxury Tailor-Made Travel Trends 2026
British Airways Holidays / YouGov Travel Trends Report 2026
National Geographic Traveller (UK): Wellness Travel Trends for 2026
Kuoni Travel Reimagined Report 2026
Lightfoot Travel: Luxury Travel Trends 2026

  • The Goodwood Hotel

  • Goodwood Cottages

  • Summer

  • Summer Stays

  • Plan Your Stay