Brits back great British holiday

Ninety-five per cent of Brits are choosing to spend the August Bank Holiday in the UK, despite previous predictions of a mass holiday exodus to warmer climes in attempt to escape the no show ‘barbeque summer’. Over half of these (56%) will be jumping in their cars to get to their chosen UK destination, meaning there will be more vehicles than ever on the roads.

In spite of common driving grievances that send motorists to boiling point such as sitting in non-moving traffic (73%), road works (72%), sharing the road with inconsiderate and rude drivers (72%) and arguing over directions with partners (17%), a study by TOTAL Assistance reveals that the car is still the UK’s preferred mode of transport. Just five per cent will be travelling by train to their UK Bank Holiday destinations and one in fifty (2%) by bus or coach.

Over a quarter (29%) of these Bank Holiday trips will be to visit family and friends. Seventeen per cent will be to one of the UK’s popular tourist attractions. More than four million UK residents will be setting off to enjoy a romantic mini-break with their partner.

Top 10 UK Destinations for August Bank Holiday

1 Alton Towers, Staffordshire
2 Blackpool Leisure Beach, Lancashire
3 Thorpe Park, Surrey
4 Chester Zoo, Cheshire
5 Eden Project, Cornwall
6 London Zoo, London
7 Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
8 Brighton Pier, Brighton and Hove
9 Stonehenge, Wiltshire
10 Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Forgetful nation

The study found that nearly two thirds of Brits (60%) are more likely to holiday in the UK than they were two years ago. The top items on the ‘forget list’ include mobile phone charger (38%), umbrella (36%) and pyjamas (17%). Even one in fifty (2%) could be re-living film favourite Home Alone as they claim to forget their children. In fact, this forgetfulness results in a national spend of £183.7million* and more than 15 million hours of holidays lost trying to replace forgotten items.

Women choose breakdown cover over a partner

When questioned, forty two per cent of women would prefer to have breakdown cover with them on holiday, above and beyond their partner. Whereas, the top holiday must-have for over two fifths of men (44%) is their significant other.

Top five driving holiday must haves

As chosen by men
1) My partner
2) Breakdown cover
3) Sat nav.
4) Road Map
5) Water

As chosen by women
1) Breakdown cover
2) My partner
3) Water
4) Sat nav.
5) Road Map

Gemma Shepherdson, Brand Manager, TOTAL said: “The research suggests that even more Brits will be taking to the UK roads this Bank Holiday than ever before. However, holidaying or day tripping in the UK doesn’t mean you’re less forgetful. Leaving behind a holiday must-have can easily make or break your Bank Holiday getaway.”

“If you do forget your umbrella or pyjamas you can pop into a shop en-route and similarly if you forget your breakdown cover once you’ve set off on your UK driving break, you can pop into a TOTAL station for TOTAL Assistance. This gives free breakdown cover with every 30 litres of fuel purchased – so you’ll be covered.”