AS the recession bites and our financial belts tighten, the summer holiday has become one of the first casualties for many.

But this has at least been good news for local tourist attractions, which have seen visitor numbers soar in the past two months.

BETH McMILLAN reveals how hundreds of us have been keeping it local, swapping sunny Spain for Standen and the Copacabana for Chequer Mead.

STANDEN

VISITING figures at Standen House have risen by 8,000 compared to this time last year.

Visitor services manager Chris Hill attributes the 20 per cent increase to a trend across all National Trust properties, where attendance has been high since the beginning of the year.

"In the current economic climate, people are staying at home rather than going abroad and National Trust places are seen as good value for a full day out," Mr Hill said.

"It's much less expensive than theme parks and other attractions. People can bring their families without spending much extra money and members of the National Trust get in completely free."

The Victorian house has hosted several new events this year, largely centred on family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts days, and open air theatre.

Mr Hill added: "If this level of visitors continues, it will be our best year ever. At the current rate, we could be seeing 82,000 visitors in total for the year."

Standen is open from 11am until 4.30pm, from Wednesday to Friday. Call 01342 323029 for more information.

BLUEBELL RAILWAY

THE Bluebell Railway has had an 18 per cent rise in revenue this July compared to the same month last year. And August's visitor figures had already exceeded last year's with a week of the month still remaining.

Commercial director Tim Baker said: "August has been fantastic. "There's been a fall in the use of our more high-market services like the Golden Arrow dining train, but a rise in the number of families, and our vintage vehicle show this year was the most successful we've ever had."

More information about the Bluebell Railway is available by calling 01825 720800.

CHEQUER MEAD

EAST Grinstead's popular theatre, Chequer Mead, reports that ticket sales are high.

Chief executive John Durrant said: "More people are staying at home and enjoying local activities.

"People are booking seats later than normal, a week or so before the performance. In the current climate, people want to hang on to their money for a bit longer."

Despite that, 396 seats for the Christmas pantomime have already been booked.

Mr Durrant added: "It's seen as a good night out at the theatre. We want people to have a good experience when they come to Chequer Mead."

For more information about Chequer Mead, visit www.chequer mead.org.uk or call 01342 302000.

WAKEHURST PLACE

THERE have been 2,000 more visitors at Wakehurst Place this year compared to last year.

Alistair Bennett, visitor services manager, said: "Our visitor base is predominantly regional, and quite regular, but there's been an increase in casual visitors without season tickets.

"There's something for everyone at Wakehurst, from a casual walk in the gardens to the Millennium seed bank. You can take it more seriously, depending on your interest.

"Sussex is becoming more well-known as a destination in its own right – it's really put itself on the map recently.

"I think people are looking beyond the big touristic sites and seeing the places in between, which is what Sussex is good for."

Wakehurst is open from 10am to 6pm daily. Call 01444 894000 for more information.