There are some necessities in life that London parents are not willing to sacrifice despite the current financial crisis and this includes a short break. A new travel report by Travelodge has revealed that 68% of London parents are taking an October half term break this year and 79% of these holidaymakers are holidaying in the UK.

These findings have been revealed in the autumn segment of the 2023 Travelodge Travel Index. The hotel chain which operates over 580 hotels across the UK surveyed 2,000 British families to discover their October half term holiday plans. Key findings from this study revealed that London families on average are taking a three-day autumnal Minication and spending £447.42 Collectively this spend equates to a £2 billion boost into the UK economy.

The report also revealed that over a third (34%) of parents living in London reported that taking their children away on a UK mini-break is better value for money in relation to time and cost versus taking several days out.

This year, 47% of Londons’ parents booked their October half term break as part of their getting ready for school preparations. Whilst a fifth (20%) of parents in London have waited until October to book their half term staycation – to ensure they could cover the cost.

Further research findings revealed a new travel trend is emerging with 77% of savvy London parents planning a multi-location October half term break. This includes taking a trip to two different destinations as part of one break. For example visiting a city and then travelling to either a coastal or rural location. By mapping out a multi-location trip, children will feel like they are getting two holidays for the price of one.

Over a third (34%) of parents from London reported that they are planning to take a city break that is steeped in history and heritage with a exhilarating coastal autumnal break. The top three multi-locations include: Manchester and Blackpool, York and Scarborough and Plymouth and Cornwall.

Thirty percent (30%) of London parents are planning to optimise their children’s learning by visiting an educational location and then visiting family and friends that live nearby. The most popular dual-locations include: York and Yorkshire, Liverpool and Merseyside and Warwick and the West Midlands.

Over a quarter (26%) of parents are planning to keep their children entertained over October half term by taking an action packed, activity holiday combined with a cosmopolitan city break. The top three multi-location locations include: The Lake District and Manchester, The Scottish Highlands and Inverness and The Peak District and Nottingham.

Further research findings revealed that the parents from Aberdeen, Swansea and Glasgow are spending well above the average for their October half term break this year, splashing out £633.67, £546.62 and £554.25 respectively.

The savviest parents are from Wolverhampton, Cambridge and Norwich whose consecutive spends are just £250.43, £259.43 and £327.42.