Clare Balding shares her favourite UK destinations for LGBTQ+ explorers
It comes as a new poll has found more than half of us would rather discover new places on a staycation
Iconic presenter Clare Balding has been revealing her favourite LGBTQ+ destinations - as a new survey has revealed British holidaymakers often choose more established tourist hotspots when they take a break.
All this comes despite a growing interest in exploring hidden gems, with nearly half of those surveyed citing the more popular destinations simply easier to plan around.
Value for money leads the list of priorities when choosing a UK getaway, with 49% prioritising this over other factors.
'If you book a double room, hotels no longer ask if you meant a twin room'
Clare - who herself was named Broadcaster of the Year at the 2017 British LGBT Awards - has long used her platform to advocate for LGBT+ rights, and has revealed to Hits Radio Pride that so much has changed when booking a holiday at home.
She said: "I know the world has changed a lot, and hotels have become a lot better.
"If you've said you've booked a double room, they don't ask you if you meant a twin room any more, and it really feels like a safety net is there now, which never used to be.
"It means you can be cosy together."
And when it comes to her favourite queer destinations - her list focuses on getting out into the fresh air, and for a good reason, too.
As Clare explained: "Across the UK, we've got so many fabulous places to explore - and for sure, there are so many great places for LGBTQ+ people to visit, too.
"Hebden Bridge is a fantastically gay friendly area, and a fabulous part of Yorkshire where there are so many great places to visit on your doorstep.
"It's a very cool, artisan area, and it's very creative, with so many interesting locations, like the fantastic Salts Mill to visit.
"Brighton, famously, is very gay friendly, and that's not far from the South Downs Way - and that I would recommend for a long-distance walk, which you could over the course of a week.
"That is sensational, with so many villages, and so much history to explore.
"For relationships, walking is an essential thing to do, which you can do when you book a cottage for example.
"Alice Arnold and I walk a lot together, and you talk about a lot of things when you're out and about, because you're side by side, and exploring your adventurous side, when you suddenly finding yourself going off-track, and it's just a great way of being able to communicate with each other.
"You also learn to appreciate the places other people don't always get to appreciate, when you head out on that hike.
"And I'd actually recommend doing something like that for a first date, just going on a big walk!"
More of the data
The data - collected by cottages.com - revealed nearly a third of people look for peaceful surroundings, whilst 35% have admitted AI has in some way helped shape their vacation plans.
The affinity for traditional settings remains strong, as 61% agree that a quintessential UK holiday is not complete without a cosy pub nearby.
With so much of a selection at-hand, the aim of the survey is to encourage more of us to explore those lesser-known routes, and go off the beaten track this summer - whilst supporting local communities.