Why Is Everyone Buying Souvenirs in This Cornish Town? Bude Ranks Among UK’s Top Spots for Holiday Keepsakes

Bude comes second only to Shanklin in new UK souvenir ranking

A new study has revealed that Bude, a popular coastal town in north Cornwall, is one of the UK’s top destinations for holiday keepsakes – ranking second only to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight.

The study, conducted by Away Resorts, analysed souvenir-related online searches per capita and scored Bude 97.14 out of 100. According to the findings, more people are choosing to spend their holiday money on physical keepsakes in Bude than almost anywhere else in the UK.

Nostalgia and the power of mementoes

The report suggests that in a time where photos and social media posts dominate, many Brits still value physical souvenirs. In fact, souvenir shopping remains a strong part of tourist spending, particularly in seaside towns like Bude.

Dan Doherty, Insights Manager at Away Resorts, said:
“While some may argue that the demand for physical mementoes is fading in favour of photos and social media memories, the reality is that souvenirs continue to thrive due to their deep emotional and nostalgic value.
“A tangible keepsake – a handcrafted ornament, a local delicacy, or even a simple keyring – can instantly transport travellers back to a moment in time, evoking the sights, sounds, and feelings of their trip. Beyond personal sentiment, souvenirs also support local artisans and preserve cultural traditions, ensuring that the essence of a destination lives on long after the trip has ended.”

Why Bude?

Set along Cornwall’s dramatic coastline, Bude is well known for its stunning beaches, coastal walks and laid-back surf culture. It’s home to around 10,000 people and draws visitors looking for a classic seaside experience.

The town’s souvenir shops are stocked with Cornwall-branded tea towels, beach-themed trinkets, handcrafted pottery and, most popular of all, fridge magnets. The study suggests many tourists return year after year to add to their collections.

Staycation trend fuels spending

The findings come as recent reports show a rise in staycations, with over half of Brits planning to holiday in the UK in 2025 – a 10% increase compared to 2024. Last year, UK consumers spent an average of £1,070 per person on domestic breaks.

The top three destinations for souvenir interest in the study were:

1. Shanklin, Isle of Wight – 99.71

2. Bude, Cornwall – 97.14

3. Cromer, Norfolk – 95.71

By contrast, larger towns such as Fleetwood and Cleethorpes recorded lower search volumes per capita, suggesting souvenir shopping is more popular in smaller, tourism-driven spots.

How the ranking was calculated

The index was created by sourcing a seed list of popular UK holiday destinations from various travel blogs and using Google Keyword Planner to track souvenir-related search volume between May and August 2024. The results were normalised per 10,000 people to generate the final scores.

Away Resorts operates 25 holiday park locations across the UK, including one in Cornwall. You can find out more about them at awayresorts.co.uk.