BARROW has been named as the second most popular place to visit during the Easter break by Airbnb.

The online giant for the lodging marketplace has unveiled its most recent top 10 popular UK destinations, which are based on the spots which have been searched for the most on its website.

The rankings are seen as a boost for Barrow’s tourist economy going into the Easter weekend, helping to promote some of the unique and special visitor attractions on the Furness Peninsula.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “It’s great to see that Barrow has been recognised as second in the Airbnb, most popular destination to visit for an Easter break.

“We sit right on the edge of the Lake District, which is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, yet very few of the 40 million annual visitors know of the stunning scenery and historic monuments that lie just a 30-minute drive off the beaten track.”

Sites like 14th century Piel Island castle and Furness Abbey which was pilfered and left to ruin during the English Reformation, are some of the area’s crowning jewels.

Independent MP Mr Woodcock said the timing of the news coincides with the Furness Tourism Summit, that he is co-hosting with Cumbria Tourism on April 26.

The summit aims to bring together Cumbrian businesses and stakeholders in the visitor economy, to encourage tourists and day-trippers to enjoy the unique and special sights on offer in the local area.

Mr Woodcock added: “We have so much to offer and I want to do all I can by working with our local tourism industry to expand our visitor economy.

“I look forward to talking to the stakeholders involved if they noticed a spike in visitor numbers over the Easter weekend.”

Taking Airbnb’s top spot was Scarborough in Yorkshire and coming in just below Barrow was the Dorset coastal town of Weymouth.

Hadi Moussa from Airbnb said: “This Easter, some rather unexpected destinations have proved popular with ‘stay-cationers’ as Brits discover what the UK has to offer beyond its major cities and well-trodden tourist attractions.”