As the UK gears up to leave lockdown over the next few months staycation break prices have skyrocketed.

Some seaside locations have even doubled in cost, reports The Metro.

Research by consumer group Which? found that destinations such as Whitby and St Ives are priced 35% higher on average than they usually do in summer.

The data compared the prices of 15 properties on Airbnb and Vrbo and found that one was even 70% more pricey than last year.

But, the biggest increase was for a one-bed flat in Brighton on Airbnb which was priced higher by 140% than last year.

In 2020, the maisonette cost £53 per night, but this summer it will set you back a whopping £127.

Meanwhile, a week in St Ives has risen from £860 to £1,263.

And, seven nights in Llandudno has rocketed from £427 to £596.

Some price hikes weren’t as dramatic though, as a one bed cottage in Scarborough increased by just 7% compared to August last year.

The lockdown road map means that households can book self-catering British holidays from April 12.

But, no bookings involving two households are allowed until May 17.

Rory Boland, the editor of Which? Travel said: “Many holidaymakers are looking forward to finally going to the seaside this summer, so it’s perhaps not a surprise that high demand has seen prices for some destinations shoot up too.

“If people are prepared to pay more for their summer holidays this year, it’s essential that they know their money will be protected or returned to them without hassle in the event they cannot travel.”

Airbnb told the Daily Star: "This misleading research features isolated examples that are not representative of prices on Airbnb.

"A survey shows that more than half of UK guests choose Airbnb because it is more affordable than a hotel or other options.

"With the Great British staycation back on the horizon, hosts are ready to provide clean and private accommodation to help families and loved ones safely reconnect, and around half say they rely on the additional income from hosting."

Vrbo said: “It does not set, change or influence the property prices a host chooses.”

The Daily Star reached out to Vrbo for further comment.

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