WITH the final bank holiday of the summer looming - the last before Christmas - preparations for the big getaway are well underway.

Those fed up with the recent unseasonably wet weather will be jetting off for sunnier climes, but come the end of the long holidays many will be conscious of reining in the expenditure prompting a staycation instead.

Regardless of the destination, the roads, and skies, are bound to be busier than normal accommodating the extra traffic bank holidays traditionally generate.

An estimated 4.5 million Britons are planning an overnight break in England, according to the national tourist board.

The figure was calculated following a survey of 1,214 adults commissioned by Visit England, which found that 8.8% were taking a so-called staycation.

Some 7.6 million people are predicted to be planning a day trip, while a further 14.8 million are still deciding how to spend the long weekend.

Visit England chief executive James Berresford said: "With 4.5 million Brits planning a holiday trip in England this bank holiday weekend, it signifies a real statement of confidence in the breadth of product on offer across the country, from world class indoor and outdoor attractions, a host of events and festivals or coastal and rural destinations to explore.

"There is still time to plan a last minute short break or day trip in England, whatever the weather."

Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) predicts 1.9 million people will be grabbing their passports and heading overseas between today and Monday.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said: "This weekend is always one of the busiest of the year with hundreds of thousands taking advantage of the long bank holiday weekend to head overseas for some guaranteed sunshine."

Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport's aviation development and marketing manager, says: "This weekend is going to be our busiest weekend of the year. So far over 50,000 passengers will be flying through the airport over the bank holiday weekend."

He says sunseekers are also seeking last minute deals with the Canaries, Balearic and Greek islands among the most popular destinations.

Amsterdam, Prague and Budapest are topping the city break charts and the long weekend is also giving families the opportunity to meet up with loved ones closer to home in Northern Ireland, London and Scotland.

Haworth, the home of the famous literary family - the Brontes - is one of Yorkshire's popular tourist destinations.

Doreen Pickles from The Old White Lion Hotel and Restaurant says they are traditionally busy during bank holidays but this latest getaway is the last chance for families to take a break before the children return to school.

"Haworth has always been a busy village and people are staying at home and doing short breaks," says Doreen.

But what is the appeal of Haworth? "It is very quaint, a lot of people comment on that and everything is within walking distance," adds Doreen.

Located on the doorstep to the picture postcard market town of Skipton, dubbed The Gateway to the Dales, The Rendezvous Hotel in Keighley Road is already booking up for the bank holiday.

Owner, Malcolm Weaving, says: "The fascinating thing is the whole of August, during the children's holidays, have been exceptional."

Malcolm believes the popularity of Skipton and the Dales is largely down to last year's Tour de France coming to Yorkshire.

"I think a lot of it is due to the exposure we got from the Tour de France, there is no doubt about it, it did us the power of good."

Now Malcolm wants to see tourists flock to Skipton and the Dales as they do to the Lake District. "We have got to make it into a honey pot destination like the Lake District because it is very similar without the heavy traffic and the bad weather."

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, says: “Right across the county, tourism businesses are enjoying a fantastic year. Visitor spend is up by 45%, thanks to Yorkshire’s rising reputation.

“But it isn’t just visitors from outside of county. We’re seeing more and more people from within Yorkshire visiting other parts of the county, for the day or longer, and we’re anticipating that trend will continue this Bank Holiday. There’s so much to see and do right here in the county, from a walk through Brontë country to shopping in the city to a visit to the National Media Museum, there’s something to do in all weathers.”

“What’s more, attractions in Yorkshire are posting fantastic visitor numbers for 2014, and in fact, Bradford’s very own National Media Museum is the fourth most visited free attraction in the whole county.”