Study reveals London landmarks among UK’s favourite holiday views
According to new research from glazing experts at IDSystems, landmark views are now drawing twice as many monthly searches as seaside stays.
7 October 2026 · 3 min read
From overseas escapes to staycations, seaside breaks to city skylines, Brits are searching for the perfect holiday scenery.
Glazing experts at IDSystems analysed search data to discover the UK's favourite hotel and Airbnb views, shortlisting the categories that people are searching for the most.
The insights show that it’s not the country’s impressive coastline that comes out on top, but a love of landmarks and broader interest in standout views of all shapes and sizes:
Type of view | Combined UK monthly search volume | |
|---|---|---|
1 | Landmarks | 5,410 |
2 | Sea/beach/ocean | 2,620 |
3 | City/skyline | 1,620 |
4 | Harbour/bay | 1,570 |
5 | Lake | 1,560 |
6 | River/canal | 1,250 |
7 | Mountain | 560 |
8 | Pool | 200 |
Significant searches for hotels and Airbnbs with any type of view (3,680 combined monthly UK searches for non‑specific ‘view’ queries) show how keen Brits are for a scenic backdrop at their destination.
1. Landmarks are the most popular view
Image: Mike Marrah on Unsplash
With a coastline of at least 7,723 miles, you may expect seaside views to take the crown. However, the data reveals that landmarks and tourist attractions come out on top.
With over 5,000 UK searches every month (5,410), landmarks are the most popular view by far. The Eiffel Tower is particularly beloved, accounting for almost half of the searches (2,490), showing that Brits are especially interested in landmark views when holidaying abroad.
Closer to home, the capital’s Tower Bridge (250), Big Ben (110), and the London Eye (80) are perennial contenders, as well as Edinburgh Castle (150) up north. A recent report supports these findings, noting that Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament have been voted Britain’s favourite sight.
2. Sea and ocean views get second place
Image: Chris Taylor Photography / IDSystems
What’s more refreshing than opening your windows and hearing the sounds of waves lapping against the shore, and a gentle sea breeze coming in?
While surprisingly not the UK’s favourite view, seaside towns are the most popular destination during the summer months (July to September), according to a survey by Visit Britain. With 2,620 combined monthly searches, Brits are still partial to breezy ocean scenery. Views of harbours and bays also receive 1,570 monthly UK searches, a perfect match for sailing enthusiasts or fans of picturesque boats bobbing in the distance.
3. City and skyline views are the third most popular
Image: Alicja Korbinska Photography / IDSystems
The third most popular view is a city or skyline view, with 1,620 monthly searches in the UK. Besides city views in London and Manchester, Britons search for rooms with a skyline view of top destinations like Rome, Barcelona, and Berlin in Europe, and Hong Kong, Manhattan, and Tokyo further afield.
It goes to show that the popularity of skylines is not confined to boardrooms and other corporate spaces, but it appeals to holidaymakers too. It’s the perfect view to watch the world go by, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.
How to bring the holiday view home
Image: Layton Bennet Photography / The Barrels, St Agnes
When people book a holiday property, they aren’t just paying for a place to stay; they are buying an escape from their normal lives. However, this feeling doesn’t have to be left behind when the holiday ends.
Edward Stobart, Technical Sales Manager at IDSystems, explains how homeowners can bring that same scenic luxury into their everyday living spaces: “For those who are fortunate to live in properties that overlook a rugged coast, rolling hills, or a leafy garden, strategically designed architectural glazing can maximise the views and enhance the living experience all year-round.
“For larger expanses of glazing, choosing slim sliding doors with ultra-thin frame profiles can help eliminate visual interruptions between the inside and out. Minimal sightlines mean less frame, more glass and allow the natural surroundings to take centre stage.”
Stobart advises that opting for large panes of glass creates a dramatic, picture-window effect, helping to frame the view even when the weather keeps you indoors: “Floor-to-ceiling glass with minimal aluminium profiles ensures guests can enjoy panoramic, unbroken views in total comfort.“
Stobart notes that high-performance glazing also has the power to make spaces feel larger, brighter, and instantly luxurious.
Header image credit: Fernando Strabuli on Unsplash
Contributor at The London News