Holiday ASMR: The most relaxing holiday sounds and smells, according to 3,000 Brits

Ever noticed how the sound of waves can make your shoulders drop about three inches? Or how one whiff of sun cream transports you straight back to a childhood beach trip? We surveyed 3,000 Brits across 17 UK cities to uncover the holiday sounds and senses that make them the most relaxed and why they value time spent in nature, away from day-to-day distractions.

Key findings from Away Resorts’ survey:

Water sounds are the most relaxing for Brits — waves over pebbles, flowing water, and waves crashing each rated relaxing by 82%+ of respondents
Birdsong ranked fourth at 78%, rising to 85% among over-55s
69% say relaxation is the primary thing they want from a holiday
Natural sounds reduce stress by shifting the nervous system toward a calmer state — and holiday scents trigger stronger emotional memories than sight or sound

The rise of the wellness holiday
Holiday ASMR sounds: UK’s top-rated natural sounds and senses
How do the sounds of nature make us feel?
The science behind the sounds: Psychologist shares why natural sounds are relaxing
Breathe it in: the most nostalgic holiday smells
Why smell triggers stronger holiday memories than sight or sound
UK wellness holidays with Away Resorts: What a UK holiday park offers

Why Brits are seeking wellness holidays in 2026

The 2026 Holiday Desires Report revealed exactly what Brits look for in their holidays - a moment to disconnect, quality time with loved ones, and experiencing the landscape.

Over half of Brits (52%) chose a beach or coastal holiday as one of their most desirable destinations, and half of the top holiday destination types included an element of outdoor or wellness.

A connection with nature has become a defining feature of today’s popular UK wellness holidays. From the sound of the sea to fresh countryside air, these simple sensory experiences help calm the mind, reduce stress, and encourage a slower pace. Travellers are able to properly switch off, making time in nature feel not just enjoyable, but genuinely restorative.

Holiday ASMR sounds: UK’s top-rated natural sounds and senses

Nearly three-quarters (69%) of British holidaygoers said that the main feeling they want from a holiday is relaxation, and that nature sounds, such as waves and rustling leaves, make a holiday destination more appealing.

So what sights and sounds from the natural landscape do Brits find the most relaxing?

Water-based sounds clearly top the list when it comes to helping holidaygoers unwind. Waves moving over pebbles (83%), sounds of flowing water in a stream or river (82%), and waves crashing (82%) are rated the most relaxing, with around half of Brits saying they find these very relaxing. It’s not just what we hear, either—71% say walking barefoot in the sand is a calming experience in itself.

Birdsong also plays a big role, with 78% of Brits finding it relaxing. Interestingly, it becomes even more appreciated with age, rising from 64% among 18–24-year-olds to 85% for those aged 55+. And for city dwellers, the pull of the coast is especially strong—Londoners rank ‘waves over pebbles’ (84%) and ‘waves crashing’ (82%) as their most relaxing sounds, hinting at a clear craving for seaside escapes (fancy trading spreadsheets for sandcastles?).

Spotlight trend: Even when we can’t get away physically on a nature holiday, many are turning to digital versions of these experiences. Nature ASMR is booming, with searches for ‘woodland sounds’ and ‘sand ASMR’ rising by 9,300% and 8,500% respectively over the last year. Social media trends echo this, too—‘forest bathing’ has over 1.1 million Instagram posts (and 50.8k on TikTok), while ‘sand asmr’ has racked up 83.1k posts across both platforms. It’s clear that, wherever we are, we’re finding ways to tap into the calming power of nature.

Hannah Evans, Marketing Manager at Away Resorts, says:

“Stepping away from the pace of everyday life is key to truly switching off, and the natural landscape offers a perfect way to do just that. At Away Resorts, our mission is to create environments where people can fully disconnect and be present. With UK holidays, we’re seeing more people embrace these moments—using time in nature to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories with loved ones.”

How do the sounds and senses of nature make us feel?

Relaxation is the dominant response to natural holiday sounds, but our survey found that different soundscapes produce meaningfully different emotional profiles.

When it comes to UK beach holidays and trips to the forest, the feelings are overwhelmingly positive. The sound of the sea makes Brits feel peaceful (40%), calm (39%) and happy (32%), while woodland sounds follow closely behind—relaxed (36%), peaceful (33%), calm (33%) and happy (26%). Even simple sensations like walking barefoot on the sand evoke similar emotions, with 34% feeling relaxed, 30% calm, and 29% happy.

These sounds don’t just feel good—they serve a purpose, too. The sound of the sea, which Brits can experience with holidays in Cornwall, is considered the most grounding, while woodland and forest sounds are most likely to help people clear their minds and reduce stress.

Love it or hate it: That said, not every sensation is universally loved—walking barefoot on sand divides opinion, with 4% feeling irritated and 7% uncomfortable.

But it’s not just nature doing the heavy lifting. The sounds that stay deep in our memory are often the ones tied to shared holiday moments and the nostalgia that comes from time spent with loved ones. Whether it’s the sound of laughter (42%), a sizzling BBQ (33%), or children playing in the background (25%), these everyday moments are powerful mood-boosters, sparking feelings of happiness in many British travellers. For those lucky enough to experience a hot tub holiday, nearly a third (29%) found the sound of a bubbling jacuzzi calming.

For those with grown-up children in particular, hearing kids play can be especially nostalgic (17%), showing how closely these sounds are linked to memory and meaningful time spent together.

Take a minute to picture yourself surrounded by the sounds of an Away Resorts holiday and see how relaxed you feel.

The science behind the sounds: Psychologist shares why natural sounds are relaxing

A huge 85% of people report that the sounds of the seaside help them disconnect from the stresses of everyday life, highlighting just how powerful these natural soundscapes can be in helping us truly switch off on holiday.

According to a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Dr Kate Mason, there is scientific evidence that proves natural environments can help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress.

“One reason is that natural sensory input tends to be gentle, rhythmic and predictable. Think about sounds such as waves, wind in trees, or birdsong; these are processed by the brain as ‘non-threatening’ stimuli, which can help shift the nervous system away from the stress (or fight-flight) response and towards a calmer state often referred to as ‘rest and digest’.

“Natural environments also reduce what psychologists call cognitive load. Modern life bombards us with constant information: notifications, screens, traffic, and artificial lighting. Nature, by contrast, provides soft sensory engagement that allows the brain to rest and recover, which can improve mood and reduce mental fatigue.”

Our survey also revealed that over a third of Brits always or often use nature sounds to help them sleep. Notably, 25-34-year-olds and parents of children aged 0-3 are the most likely to use sounds like ocean waves and rainfall to send them to sleep, with just under a quarter always doing so.

Dr Mason says:

“Nature tends to bring our attention into the present moment through simple sensory experiences; the feeling of sand underfoot, the sound of waves, or the smell of pine trees. These are grounding experiences, and it naturally shifts our focus away from worrying thoughts about the past or future and into what is happening right now.

“Psychologists often describe this as a form of 'effortless attention’. Natural environments gently capture our awareness without demanding intense concentration, which helps calm the mind and regulate emotional responses.”

Breathe it in: the most nostalgic holiday smells

We’ve already explored how the soothing sounds of nature, from crashing waves to rustling leaves, can bring a sense of relaxation and joy. But it’s not just the music of the outdoors that has this effect — our favourite holiday memories are just as strongly tied to scent.

Holiday smells, like sea air and sun cream, can instantly transport British holidaymakers back to seaside staycations or sun-soaked trips abroad. In fact, the scents that make people happiest are sea air or saltwater (45%), followed by BBQs (39%), meadow or wildflowers (38%) and freshly cut grass (37%). Even the smoky scent of a campfire evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia, reminding people of long summer evenings and time spent outdoors.

Why smell triggers stronger holiday memories than sight or sound

As Dr Mason explains, “Our brains store memories alongside whatever sensory information was present at the time: what we could smell, hear, see, or feel. This means sensory cues act like powerful ‘keys’ that can unlock past experiences.

“Smell in particular has a strong link to memory because the brain’s olfactory system connects directly with our Limbic system, which is responsible for emotion and memory. That’s why something as simple as the smell of sunscreen, or sea air can instantly transport us back to memories of childhood holidays or carefree summer days."

UK wellness holidays with Away Resorts: What a UK holiday park offers

It is often the smallest sensory moments that stay with us long after a holiday ends. The sounds of birds in the trees, the laughter of children enjoying their first dip in a pool, or the nostalgic scent of a campfire can instantly transport us back to nostalgic times with loved ones and the simple pleasure of unwinding in the outdoors. So, get away with Away Resorts…

Hannah Evans, Marketing Manager at Away Resorts, says:

“In a world that rarely slows down, reconnecting with nature has never been more important. From the calming sounds of crashing waves to the nostalgic scent of sea air, these simple sensory moments help us unwind while bringing back that carefree holiday feeling — and a UK holiday park offers the perfect way to experience both. Blending natural surroundings with comfort, guests can enjoy everything from hot tub holidays under the stars to coastal and forest retreats, making it easy to switch off and embrace the outdoors without sacrificing life’s little luxuries.”

Spotlight: Away Resorts' Song of the Forest experience, available from May 2026 at Sandy Balls Holiday Village in Hampshire, is a one-of-a-kind offering that invites guests on a Hampshire holiday to connect with nature in an entirely new way. Located in Acorn Place, the experience uses technology to translate the electromagnetic signals of a tree into a calming combination of sound and light. Guests can relax beneath the canopy, taking in these natural rhythms through silent disco headphones, creating a deeply immersive and meditative environment.