21-07-2025
Revealed: The UK regions with the worst offenders for rising early and snapping up sunbeds - where does YOUR area rank
Everyone loves to blag a poolside spot in the sun – and this year has seen fierce battles between those looking to grab their loungers early.
Even though most resorts prohibit the reserving of sunbeds, it's common to see them draped with towels while holidaymakers are off having their breakfast – a travel etiquette no-no.
And now the worst-behaving Brits have been revealed – with one region coming bottom of the list.
Those in the West Midlands are most likely to get up early when they're on holiday in order to reserve their sunbed.
This was closely followed by people living in England's North West and North East, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The results come from a YouGov survey of more than 2,500 UK adults, who were asked about their part in the so-called 'sunbed wars'.
Those living in the South West and Yorkshire and the Humber are least likely to spring out of bed to snatch a lounger.
Across the UK, 12 per cent of those asked admitted to this behaviour – with people in Northern Ireland and Wales just above the UK average, and Scotland coming in at 10 per cent.
Though over one in ten revealed this habit, it marks a decrease from the 72 per cent who admitted doing so five years ago, according to GetYourGuide, an online marketplace for travel activities.
Benjy Potter, a spokesperson for the company, said this shows that 'the days of getting up at the crack of dawn to simply sit are fading fast' – though footage on social media from this summer shows the dawn scramble is very much still a thing.
But it seems that some habits are harder to break.
The research revealed that almost a quarter of Brits still indulge in a full English breakfast at the airport before jetting off.
Booze has been given a brush-off, with 30 per cent of UK travellers saying they drink less alcohol on holiday now than they did five years ago.
Only 12 per cent admit having a tipple at the airport before flying, with those in the North East (18 per cent) most likely to hit up Wetherspoons for a pint.
Despite this, many tourists are still playing up when abroad.
This week, holidaymakers were left shocked as they watched a 'stampede' unfold for prime sunbed spots at a popular five-star hotel in Crete.
It was sparked by influencers who wanted to take selfies 'all day' on them – infuriating other guests.
Dozens of guests were seen charging towards available loungers as the pool opened for the day in chaotic scenes at Akasha Beach Hotel & Spa on the Greek island of Crete.
And earlier this month, British summer workers got revenge on 'selfish' tourists in Zante who reserved sunbeds – by 'hiding' their towels and flinging them up trees.
Waitress Millie Newsham, 20, was on her way back to her hotel room at 6am after a night out with friends last week when they noticed towels had been placed on sunbeds to reserve them.
Footage shows the group dragging towels off the loungers, chucking and scattering them around the poolside.
The Brits can be seen flinging the towels onto railings and a tree.
