Top five British house swap holidays

As recession tightens its grip, Brits are shunning all-inclusive resorts and swapping their homes with strangers instead. That’s according to UKHolidaySwapShop.co.uk, the website that puts people in touch to swap homes for holidays and short breaks.

“Adversity, in this case economic, can bring people together,” says Dave Wiltshire, who founded the site with his wife Jackie.

“Over the last year there has been a surge in swapping sites, where people try to save money by exchanging goods and services.

“Not only does this make financial sense, it is giving rise to a new culture of co-operation and community.”

In recent weeks hundreds of UK properties have been added to UKHolidaySwapShop.co.uk – from a Georgian mansion in Cumbria to a farmhouse in the Brecon Beacons.

“Most people, and especially most families, view at least one annual holiday as essential, and will continue to do so however tight the money gets,” adds Jackie.

“If you swap your home, accommodation is free. You get the luxury of a home from home.”

UKHolidaySwapShop.co.uk’s top five Great British rural retreats

• Appleby, Cumbria – part of a Georgian mansion set on a three acre estate in the unspoilt Eden Valley. This family retreat has easy access to the pretty market towns of Appleby and Kirkby Stephen, as well as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. There is even a holiday cottage in the grounds for friends and family.

• Brecon Beacons – a four bedroom renovated farmhouse in the middle of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Surrounded by fantastic views and farmland, the house nestles at the foot of a mountain. There is plenty to do in the local area – local attractions include the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and Hay on Wye.

• The Cotswolds – fantastic three bedroom conversion in the Cotswolds, built in beautiful Cotswold stone in Blockley, the 'secret village in the Cotswolds'. The home is ideally located for day trips to Oxford and Cheltenham.

• North Berwick, East Lothian – a five bedroom house with three bathrooms and a large open plan living, dining, kitchen and garden room. The quiet property is in the traditional seaside town of North Berwick, which has great golf clubs and private health clubs, as well as easy rail links to Edinburgh.

• Brighton – a family home with all mod cons and easy access to the cobbled streets of The Lanes, boutique shops and fantastic restaurants.