NEARLY one third of British people regularly return to their childhood holiday destination: with North Wales one of the favourites.

With staycations ever-popular and travel restrictions still in place, new research from holiday lettings company holidaycottages.co.uk reveals the UK’s most popular childhood destinations and how many people return to them each year - giving perfect inspiration for that Autumnal staycation!

Cornwall has been voted the most popular UK childhood holiday destination.

Nearly one third of the nation (27%) revealed that they go back to their childhood holiday destination every few years.

31% said that they are more likely to consider a staycation now than they were before coronavirus

Analysing the research, the top 10 most popular nostalgic holiday destinations that Brits visited the most as children, are:

1. Cornwall (15%)

2. Devon (11%)

3. North Yorkshire (7%)

4. North Wales (6%)

5. Lake District (5%)

6. Kent (5%)

7. Dorset (5%)

8. Isle of Wight (4%)

9. Scottish Highlands (4%)

10. Lancashire (4%)

North Wales, with resorts towns like Rhyl, Prestatyn, Conwy, Colwyn Bay, and Llandudno was the fourth most popular destination, ahead of the Lake District.

However, Cornwall was voted the most popular childhood holiday destination with 15% of people saying it was their favourite place to visit when they were young. Famous for its surfing and sailing alongside its number of incredible scenic walks, it’s no surprise that Cornwall landed the number one spot.

After revealing their favourite nostalgic destinations, nearly one third of Brits (27%) said that they return to their childhood holiday destination every few years. But why do we come back year after year?

  • Half (50%) of people said that they return because they love the location
  • Three in ten (30%) admitted that they have an emotional attachment to the area
  • Two in ten (23%) Brits said they re-visit because they like the familiarity of returning to the area
  • 21% saying they have childhood memories with their parents and want to make new ones with their own family

The pandemic has had a huge impact on travel plans and while a third of people (32%) are more likely to consider a UK staycation than ever before, over a quarter (26%) said that Covid has not changed their attitudes to UK holidays, as they went on staycations before and will continue to do so now. And with all the amazing destinations the UK has to offer, you can’t blame them!

Commenting on the research, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at holidaycottages.co.uk says: “It’s really interesting to find out all about Brits’ nostalgic holidays - where people holidayed as a child, the top reasons why so many return year after year and their biggest memories when looking back on holidays as children.

“It’s no big surprise that Cornwall was the most popular childhood location with it being such a beautiful holiday spot for families to enjoy. The UK has so many amazing holiday destinations and it’s great to see how loyal Brits are to their favourite childhood spots!”

To find out more findings from the research, visit: https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/blog/top-nostalgic-childhood-holiday-destinations