Holiday Letting in 2026: Pets Earn 16% More Revenue & the UK's Best Locations

The Sykes Holiday Cottages Holiday Letting Outlook Report 2026 is here – and it's full of data every UK host needs to see.

In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Rachel Brennan from Sykes Holiday Cottages breaks down the key findings: how much owners are actually earning, which UK regions are performing best, and the property features that make the biggest difference to bookings and revenue.

The numbers are clear – allowing pets generates eight extra bookings and 16% more annual revenue. Hot tubs move the needle too. And flexibility is becoming the defining trait of hosts who are future-proofing their investments.

Whether you're already letting or considering holiday let investment in the UK, this is the benchmark data you need to make smarter decisions in 2026.

What we cover:

✅ How much holiday let owners are earning in 2026

✅ The best-performing UK regions, starting with the Cotswolds

✅ The best locations to invest in a holiday let right now

✅ Which property types are performing best

✅ Hot tub impact on bookings and revenue

✅ Pets: 8 extra bookings and 16% more revenue per year

✅ Why people are getting into holiday letting – and who they are

✅ How owners are futureproofing their investments

✅ Owner sentiment: rising costs, regulation concerns, and hands-on vs. hands-off management

📌 Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

1:20 Holiday letting income in 2026

4:04 Top-performing UK regions (starting with the Cotswolds)

6:12 Growth in properties on Sykes

8:02 Best locations to invest in a holiday let

8:44 Types of property performing best

10:24 The impact of a hot tub on bookings & revenue

12:14 Allowing pets: 8 extra bookings & 16% more revenue

15:17 Owner profiles: why people are getting into holiday letting

18:03 Future-proofing your investment & enhancing the guest experience

22:43 Owner sentiment: rising costs & potential regulation

25:31 Hands-on vs. hands-off ownership

🎙️ Guest: Rachel Brennan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-brennan-26098118a/

📄 Report: Sykes Holiday Cottages Holiday Letting Outlook Report 2026: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/advice/article/holiday-letting-outlook-report-2026

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Host Planet is a UK-based media and educational platform dedicated to helping holiday let owners and short-term rental hosts build more successful, sustainable businesses. Whether you're an Airbnb host looking to grow your bookings, a property investor exploring the holiday letting market, or an experienced operator managing multiple vacation rentals, we cover everything from short-term rental marketing and pricing strategy to property management automation and guest experience. New episodes of Holiday Let Insider and our other series drop regularly – subscribe so you never miss the insight that keeps your holiday let ahead of the competition.