Go west for second homes that offer more - Mortgages, Money - The Independent

Go west for second homes that offer more - Mortgages, Money - The Independent

Cornwall, a perfect location for a staycation. For many, the county offers riviera style without leaving Blighty. It was recently named the UK's best county for a holiday at the British Travel Awards and demand for holiday lets in the South West was up 70 per cent in the early months of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

Although hit by the recession, second-home ownership in England was still at the second highest level on record in 2010, slipping slightly from 2009 levels (due to a decrease in second homes in London), according to the Knight Frank 2011 new build second homes report. Cornwall has been one of the main beneficiaries of the trend for holiday home ownership, with four towns ranking in the top five of most expensive seaside towns, according to the most recent annual Halifax seaside town review. The average home in Padstow is £381,916, £370,902 in nearby Wadebridge and £363,494 in Fowey.