Domestic ferry operators have been reporting strong demand from people who swapped their two weeks in the sun for a week discovering the best of Britain.
Wightlink marketing manager Kerry Jackson says music and walking festivals in May and June, and family staycations this summer, kept hotels, self-catering accommodation and the ferries well booked.
Stena Line general manager travel, Irish Sea, Dermot Cairns says promotional fares helped push up traffic between the UK and Ireland.
Irish Ferries head of passenger sales Declan Mescall says summer price reductions led to positive sales over what could have been a difficult trading period. He says: “We need to maintain this impetus, hence we have a new £69 autumn and winter one-way fare for car and driver when booked 14 days before travel.”
With so many bargains around, and autumn half-term around the corner, it’s a great time for agents to sell domestic ferry breaks – Wightlink and Red Funnel serve the Isle of Wight; Condor Ferries goes to Jersey or Guernsey; and Irish Ferries or Stena Line serve Ireland.
Ferry travel isn’t going to earn much, so link it to a special event and book a hotel too.
The Wight History Trail
Where? Isle of Wight
Why? The Wight History Trail, produced by Wightlink, highlights the island’s heritage such as Osborne House, where Queen Victoria lived, and Carisbrooke Castle, where Charles I was imprisoned for 10 months before losing his head. It also points out the island’s literary connections to Tennyson and Dickens.
When? Aim for out of season to avoid the holiday crowds.
Cost: Two nights at the Farringford in October costs from £125 per person bed and breakfast including return ferry crossings from Lymington to Yarmouth, or from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, including a car.
Book it:wightlink.co.uk, 0871 376 1000
The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
Where? Southern Ireland
Why? The Cork Jazz Festival is one of the top three jazz festivals in the world, with 13 headline acts and more than 1,000 musicians who perform in concerts, clubs and pubs around the city to more than 40,000 visitors.
The city’s hotels get well booked up in advance, but passengers travelling by ferry with their car can get a great deal by opting for self-catering accommodation.
When? October 23-27. There’s also a Big Jazz Fringe festival between October 19-26.
Cost: Irish Ferries offers a five-night stay at the three-star Fota Island Courtyard Lodges, a few miles from Cork City, from £149 each for four adults. Price includes return ferry crossing from Pembroke to Rosslare for a car and passengers.
Book it:irishferries.co.uk, 08717 300 400
Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival
Where? Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Why? Get your chills in this five-day celebration of everything ethereal. The carnival culminates in a mammoth parade of spooky ghosts, ghouls, warlocks and witches through the town, and an impressive fireworks display.
It all centres on the Guildhall Square, where there will be live entertainment on October 31, but venues around town join in the fun with their own spooky activities.
When? October 27-31.
Cost: Stena Line is offering three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Radisson SAS in Limavady, east of Londonderry, from £215 per person including return HSS fast ferry or traditional Superferry crossing from Stranraer to Belfast.
Book it:stenaline.co.uk/hotels, 08705 143184
Tennerfest
Where? Guernsey
Why? This is the ultimate for foodies in search of a bargain – six weeks of special menus put together by more than 160 restaurants and priced from £10 per person. Gourmets can expect to indulge in plenty of local produce including lobster, oysters and fresh langoustines.
When? From October 1 to November 12.
Cost: Premier Holidays offers five nights at the St Pierre Park Hotel from £389 per person bed and breakfast in October including return fast ferry crossings from Weymouth with Condor Ferries, including a car.
Book it:premierholidays.co.uk, 0844 4937 520