New research* reveals entertaining the kids during half-term will cost the average British family more than £200. With over 8 million families with children in the UK**, it's the equivalent of a nationwide cost of over £1.6 billion.
The study among 2000 parents carried out by Travelodge found half-term week costs the typical British family an average of £201.60. With each additional child, costs mount by £112 per week.
The research revealed families go on an average of two days out during the half-term, spending an average of £45 per child on items like admission tickets and souveniers. Parents also spend an average of £20 on special treats like sweets and ice cream; £29 on extra travel costs; £10 on toys and games and an average of £8 on new clothes to wear during half-term.
Guy Parsons, Chief Operating Officer at Travelodge said: "Keeping the kids happy and occupied during half-term needn't cost the earth. There are plenty of free or low-cost activities around the UK, and a Travelodge room for £26 a night will make a short break away much more affordable. Careful planning can produce a jam-packed week that will keep the kids entertained and importantly, tired come the end of every day so parents can still get some all- important downtime."
The top five destinations for travellers during half-term, according to Travelodge reservations data, are:
1. London
2. Aberdeen
3. Kent
4. Edinburgh
5. Durham
Customers can gather ideas for activities on a short UK break on the Travelodge website under the 'what's new' section. Ideal city break destinations with an educational angle include:
Birmingham (11 Travelodges in Birmingham to choose from - including Birmingham Central Travelodge and Birmingham Walsall Travelodge).
Inspiration: Visit the city and take on some tours to learn about what makes Birmingham so special in the UK. A canal tour will tell you everything about the city's early life-blood - did you know there are more canals in Birmingham than Venice for example and that there are 32 miles of canals? One of the city's notable walking tours is around the unique Jewellery Quarter, responsible for producing over a third of all the jewellery made in the UK.
Berkshire: Reading and Newbury (6 Travelodges in and round Reading and Newbury - including Reading Central Travelodge and Newbury Chieveley).
Inspiration: Reading's main attractions are the mediaeval abbey ruins, the rivers Thames and Kennet and a major shopping centre. If on a short break with great nightlife on your doorstep, why not take a 15 minute trip by train to Henley and visit the river and rowing museum - it's particularly good for entertaining the kids. Newbury has great cultural experiences from Donnington Castle to Thatcham's Nature Discovery Centre as well as the racecourse, all within easy reach of the hotel.
Wiltshire:Try Amesbury Stonehenge Travelodge
Inspiration: Use the opportunity of staying at the Travelodge to visit The White Horses of Wiltshire, a well known landmark in the South of England as well as Stonehenge. The town of Salisbury is 8 miles away and well worth a visit for the Cathedral.
-Ends-
*Travelodge research conducted by 72 point in February 2006 among 2000 UK parents.
Travelodge's £26 rates are only available at selected hotels on selected nights, must be booked 7 days in advance and are only available online at travelodge.co.uk. See www.travelodge.co.uk for more information and terms and conditions.
**According to the Office of National Statistics:
The average family today contains 1.8 children
There are an estimated 8,159,813 families in the UK with dependent children
Spending breakdown:
- £20 on special food and treats
- £45 extra on outings throughout the week
- £29 extra on all travel costs
- £10 on toys or games for the week
- £8 on clothes for half-term playtime = £112 1.8 (number of children in the average family) = £201.60