Britain’s visitor attractions are benefiting from the “staycation” phenomenon, reporting strong business over Easter and predicting “excellent” bookings for the peak summer season.

Easter figures complied by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) show substantial rises in attendances on the previous year and big increases in retail and catering spending, as many UK residents shunned overseas destinations for their Easter breaks and chose to make the most of tourist venues at home.