Stoke-on-Trent is Airbnb’s surprise UK hotspot for ‘unique’ listings…so is YOUR town on the list?

Airbnb has revealed that Stoke-on-Trent is the UK’s top staycation hotspot when it comes to ‘unique’ short term rentals.

The West Midland’s city, perhaps better known for being the home of the pottery industry in England, its oatckaes, and calling strangers ‘duck’  tops the list of the place with the most quirky properties.

The online home rental platform has released a list of the best holiday destinations in the country for unusual short-term listings, placing Stoke in the top spot ahead of more traditional locations like Scarborough, Paignton and the Isle of Lewis.

Stoke has a wide variety of ‘unique’ properties, which are places like an old windmill, lighthouse, converted barn or treehouse, farms, houseboats, domes, earth houses, shepherd huts and castles (‘Escape to a Romantic and Magical Hobbit Retreat’ pictured)

 Stoke-on-Trent is an unassuming winner, perhaps better known for being the home of the pottery industry in England, its oatcakes, and calling strangers ‘duck’. Next on the list of top quirky hotspots came Scarborough followed by Cardiff then Paignton and next the Isle of Lewis. In sixth place was Bideford, after which came Newcastle upon Tyne. Birmingham bagged the eighth spot, followed by Newtown and finally Southampton

The place has a wide variety of ‘unique’ properties, which are places like an old windmill, lighthouse, converted barn or treehouse, farms, houseboats, domes, earth houses, shepherd huts and castles.

Quirky spaces on Airbnb have been a hit with guests for well over a decade. In the past two years alone, from 2019 to 2021, nights booked at these distinctive properties in the UK have increased by over 113 per cent.

In addition, in 2021, total earnings for unique stays were higher than for regular listings, with unique listings earning nearly $1 billion on the platform globally. In the UK that figure is over £134 million – representing over 10 per cent of the global figure.

The new data revealed Stoke is attracting curious visitors with its impressive selection of barn conversions in the surrounding countryside, which greatly contributed to its gaining first place on the trending list.

Stoke, which is made up of six towns, has all this going for it as well as a reputation as the place to go for a UK getaway in a ‘unique’ property (‘Hilltop Hideaway – Cosy Shepherd’s Hut Escape’ pictured), according to recent data from Airbnb

Stoke has been crowned the top staycation hotspot in the Britain when it comes to quirky listings – and the revelation is surprising (‘Delightful shepherd’s hut with free parking’ pictured)

Pop superstar Robbie Williams was born in Stoke-on-Trent. The was close to being named the 2021 City of Culture, which has perhaps also led to its growing popularity on Airbnb

Next on the list of top quirky hotspots came Scarborough followed by Cardiff then Paignton and next the Isle of Lewis. In sixth place was Bideford, after which came Newcastle upon Tyne. Birmingham bagged the eighth spot, followed by Newtown and finally Southampton.

Then, among the most popular ‘unique’ Airbnb individual properties in the country is a ‘Unique and Secluded Airship’ in Drimnin, Scotland, a UFO-style ‘flying saucer’ in Pembrokeshire, and the ‘Tree Tent’ treehouse in Somerset. Two castles also feature on the list: ‘Fairytale Castle’ in Portpatrick, Scotland, and ‘Dollarbeg Castle’, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.

While barns and farm stays thrive on Airbnb – and are among the top 10 most booked unique listing types in the UK in 2021 – it’s tiny homes that take the top spot for Brits. In 2021, almost 250,000 nights in the UK were booked in tiny homes alone, with Hosts of tiny homes in the UK collectively earning over £20 million last year alone.

Among the most popular ‘unique’ Airbnb individual properties in the country is a ‘Unique and Secluded Airship’ in Drimnin, Scotland

While Somerset does not make it to the 10 areas with quirky properties, the place does boast the unusual ‘Tree Tent’ treehouse

Stoke’s Shelton neighbourhood, a Victorian terraced area, has been a particular Airbnb favourite, with listings there surging from 22 to 267. This is the biggest increase in the whole of the UK.

The city was close to being named the 2021 City of Culture, which has perhaps also led to its growing popularity on Airbnb.

Pop superstar Robbie Williams was also born there.

Stoke has also recently become known as a place of political importance, playing host to one of the current Conservative leadership debates and a key area the party is keen to win to stay in power.