New study reveals UK family holiday trends
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The average British family holiday involves a three-hour journey, four tantrums and two days of rain, new research reveals.
The study, which compiled the experiences of 2,000 families also found that children ask “Are we there yet?” five times and parents enjoy only two lie-ins, but do get at least 16 hours as a family on the beach.
The average British holiday also sees 81 photos snapped and three Facebook statuses posted over the holiday period.
The holiday-by-numbers research, commissioned by self-catering agency, Beach Retreats, found taking a phone to the beach is more important than a towel for four in 10 people – while one in four parents will obsess over the perfect beach selfie.
The study also showed that eight ice creams are eaten per person, although two will be dropped.
Families will also have to contend with three occasions of seagulls swooping in, five sandcastles are built and three inflatables are blown up by puffed-out parents.
Parents will normally get less than two and a half hours to themselves most days but will manage three quiet drinks over the holiday.
Andrew Easton, business manager for Beach Retreats said: “Around half of British families will be taking a staycation in 2016 and the appeal of the British beach holiday stronger than ever.
“Documenting your beach holiday with photos, social uploads and selfies is now a typical part of a beach holiday, but it’s great to see that outdoor activities, discovering the beach, are still so important to families.”
Traditional British beach behaviours are still as popular as ever, with building sandcastles (69%), digging holes in the sand (61%) and exploring rock pools (58%) listed as the most popular things to do beside the seaside.
THE TYPICAL BRITISH FAMILY BEACH HOLIDAY INVOLVES…
115 miles travelled to destination
3 hours driving to destination
5 Kids ask ‘Are we nearly there yet?’
8 ice creams eaten
4 beach trips
5 sandcastles built
4 picnics
8 sandwiches
4 tantrums
6 late nights
2 cream teas
4 car games
3 accidents/scraped knees
10 times applying sun cream
2 bits of sunburn
2 lie-ins for parents
2 drinks spilt
3 films watched
3 board games played
3 inflatables blown up
3 fending off seagulls
2 dropped ice creams
2 family bike rides
2 tags to locations on Facebook
3 holiday-related Facebook statuses
81 photos taken
3 quiet drinks for the parents
3 takeaways
2 rainy days inside
2 visits to local attractions
TOP TEN BEACH ESSENTIALS
Bucket and spade 48%
Wet wipes 44%
Windbreaks 25%
Multiple changes of clothes 21%
Newspaper 17%
Umbrella 16%
Crabbing net 12%
Tablet 9%
Full waterproofs 7%
Tents 7%
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