The Staycation is going to be biggest since the recession began with the UK tourism industry set to benefit by a record £8.7billion
Cornwall is the top Staycation destination for 2012
In spite of 2012 being a tough year for many Britons, the one thing they are refusing to give up; is their summer holiday according to Travelodge’s annual holiday index out today.
The hotel chain surveyed 5,000 British adults to investigate their summer holiday intentions and discovered that 41% of Britons are holidaying at home this year (up 6% on last year) with the average week’s holiday costing £433.47 (Up £10.78) on last year). This investment is set to benefit the UK tourism industry by £8.7bn (Up £1.5bn on last year).
The travel report also revealed that 48% of Britons will be taking four domestic breaks this year. (Up on the average of three breaks taken last year). The top three summer Staycation destinations for 2012 are: Cornwall, Edinburgh (Jumping to second position from fifth position from last year) and the Lake District.
Listed below are the top ten Staycation destinations for 2012 and 2011
2012 Destinations
2011 Destinations
1
Cornwall
1
Cornwall
2
Edinburgh
2
Lake District
3
Lake District
3
Devon
4
London
4
L ondon
5
Scottish Highlands
5
Edinburgh
6
Devon
6
Scottish Highlands
7
North Wales
7
Wales
8
Glasgow
8
Blackpool
9
Yorkshire Dales
9
Great Yarmouth
10
Blackpool
10
Scarborough
The annual holiday index also revealed that a third of adults are reliving their childhood and taking a traditional British seaside holiday this summer. Whilst 30% of Britons are taking a UK city break and a quarter of Britons are planning to explore the British countryside. Just one in ten Britons are taking a thrill seeking theme park holiday.
Nearly half of British adults (49%) have waited until now to book their summer break due to financial budget constraints. Sixty five per cent of Britons have had to make major sacrifices to their household budget; in order to afford a holiday this year. Some of the financial cutbacks have included:
Not going out for a meal or drinks with family and friends
Buying cheaper groceries and cuts of meal
Not buying new clothes
Not buying a present on a special occasion for their partner
Around a fifth of Britons have relied on selling goods on eBay to cover the cost of their holiday this year.
Grant Hearn, Travelodge, Chief Executive said: “It’s fantastic news that the Staycation is going to be bigger than ever this year despite British household budgets being attacked by a second recession. Our research highlights even in difficult financial times, Britons will make the necessary sacrifices in order to have a summer break. I guess everyone needs something to look forward to during these difficult times.”
“2012 is such a momentous year for British tourism and it’s a great bonus that the economy will be further boosted by £8.7 billion due to more Britons holidaying at home this summer”.
Further findings from the report revealed that over a third of British families (36%) are breaking up their traditional one week Staycation holiday into three shorter breaks, at different locations this year; so that their children will think they have gone on lots of holidays.
A third of Britons are using their Staycation break to catch up with family and friends. One in ten Britons reported that taking a UK weekend break with friends was cheaper than a night out at home, whilst a quarter of couples surveyed stated they are taking more UK short breaks, so that they can spend quality time together.
Findings also revealed that 72% of Britons will travel to their Staycation break by car. Just 12% will go by train, whilst four per cent will choose to travel by coach and six per cent will opt for air travel.
Royalist or not this weekend marks a four day weekend. If that is not something to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Here are our Jubilee picks.
With the Diamond Jubilee imminent, a national group of country pubs has launched a cake to celebrate Her Majesty’s milestone – with the help of celeb baker Paul Hollywood.
Chefs for Vintage Inns have created the Vintage Summer Cake, a triple-decker sponge cake with raspberries and blackcurrants, summer fruit syrup, cream and blueberry fruit, to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.
The patriotic puddings will feature exclusively on the Vintage Inns menu until the end of August and for every £3.95 slice Vintage Inns will donate 15p to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Paul, a judge on smash hit BBC TV show The Great British Bake-off, helped Vintage Inns launch the cake
He said: “As a nation of food lovers, we always rise to the challenge of producing something delicious for a momentous occasion.
“The Victoria Sponge was created in honour of Queen Victoria’s reign so it’s only right we commemorate Elizabeth II with something special and traditionally British.”
BEN FOGLE REVEALS HIS INSIDE KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO HOST A JUBILEE TEA PARTY FIT FOR THE QUEEN
JANE TROZZO GETS SET FOR THE ‘MOTHER OF ALL PARTIES!”…WITH AN UNSUAL TWIST!
New range of exclusive indoor/outdoor table decor prove just the tonic for a season of summer shindigs
Designer Jane Trozzo of quirky home and garden accessories website JaneTrozzo.com (http://www.janetrozzo.com/) has released an exclusive range of personally-designed table dining sets as Brits get set for the “Mother of All Parties”.
COOL BRITANNIA
The stunning New Infinite Rose Cube by OnlyRoses
Show your patriotism this year with OnlyRoses stunning red, white and blue Infinite Rose ‘Cool Britannia’ Cube. The Cool Britannia Infinite Rose Cube is priced at £150
Event: ‘What The Butler Saw…Queens, Kings and all Inbetweens’
· Date: 3rd of June 2012 only – Time: 21:00- 03:00 (last admission at 1:00)
· Place: 66 West Smithfield, London, EC1N 9DY
· Artists: Frank and Nancy Sanazi, Beau Rocks, The Tootsie Rollers, Marnie Scarlett, Jonny Anglais, Living Cake Doll, Nikkita Sablier, Ghoulias Peculiars
DJs: Neoblade (C & D), The Secretary (TG)
· Full details: www.corsetanddiamonds.com and www.whatthebutlersaw.info
· Price: £25 in advance, £35 on the door
Philip Mould & Co’s upcoming exhibition entitled – “From the House of Tudor to British Regency” – a celebration of Royal Portraiture to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Highlights include a painting of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger, as well as a selection of intimate portrait miniatures, which were often secretly exchanged or presented as diplomatic gifts and tell the story of a monarch from a new perspective.
This exhibition runs from 29th June to 6th July, at Philip Mould & Co, 29 Dover Street, London, W1S 4NA.
– Brits to celebrate Jubilee with 200,000 cups of tea, 30,000 scones and enough picnic rugs to cover six football pitches –
As the Union Jack begins to line our streets, the National Trust is busy preparing for the Diamond Jubilee Weekend in the most British of ways – with almost 200,000 cups of tea.
Based on previous Bank Holiday figures the National Trust is making provisions for its Summer of Celebration with over 70 tea parties planned across the country where they expect almost 40,000 litres of tea to be drunk, and over 30,000 scones to be scoffed. The nation is also likely to put away around 85,000 cream teas and more than 11,000 sandwiches as the country celebrates in true British style.
The National Trust – the perfect location for Brits to come together and celebrate all that Great Britain has to offer – will be proudly displaying 7.3km of bunting (more than 4.5 miles) across the Jubilee weekend – enough to wrap around Buckingham Palace 16 times.
More than 23,000* picnic rugs are expected to be sold over the weekend of celebrations – which would cover an area of 41,812 square meters, the equivalent of six Wembley football pitches.
To mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Britain’s first budget hotel chain, Travelodge is offering a free UK weekend break to all couples who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this year.
Couples who got married in 1952, the year the Queen came to the throne can enjoy a complementary two night break including a traditional English breakfast* at any one of Travelodge’s 491 UK based hotels.
To qualify for the free diamond anniversary room offer couples need to register their details at: diamondoffer@travelodge.co.uk. They will be asked to send proof that they have been married for 60 years. Upon receipt of the requested information a free weekend break will be booked for the couple at a Travelodge hotel of their choice.
Inspired by the Queen’s enduring trimness, and in preparation for the demands of the Jubilee weekend, Harpers Fitness has put together a few tips on how people across the land can get one’s leg, arms and buttocks into Buckingham palace shape.
* Harpers Fitness, which runs over 70 gyms and leisure centre facilities across the country, has used its industry expertise to come up with three specific exercises that would ensure the Queen is in tip-top shape for the exertions of a very special weekend
* With the excitement of the nation building, who knows – she might already be doing them
* The recommended exercises are:
* The Wave: Hold one’s arm to the side of one’s body and raise, so that the arm is held out in front of the body and the elbow is bent at a right angle. With fingers loosely together and a slightly cupped palm, slowly rotate one’s wrist. Repeat with other arm. Aim to do three sets of 20 repetitions
* The Royal Squat: Stand up straight, then lower one’s posterior (crown jewels?) into a sitting position and maintaining a straight back, before slowly returning to the standing position. Repeat in sets of five – remembering to keep the expression on your face regal at all times. To ensure your back remains in the perfect ‘neutral’ position you should consider balancing a crown on one’s head and ensure it doesn’t fall off
* The Downward Corgi: Get on to one’s hands and knees. Pressing one’s hands into the floor/mat, slowly raise one’s hips, while learning back until one’s head, shoulders and spine are all aligned. This should lift one’s knees and make your body form a triangle with the floor/mat. Legs can be straight, although beginners may want to bend their legs slightly for a slightly less intense core workout
For an alternative to Pimms try Stone’s Ginger Lemonade Cup. This alternative cocktail from Stone’s Ginger Wine will put a fresh spin on any street party and is featured exclusively on the back of the limited edition label. Simply pour one measure (50ml) of Stone’s Ginger Wine, per person, into a jug, top with lemonade and add lots of ice. Pop in a few slices of cucumber and your favourite ripe fruits, add mint to garnish and you’ll have the perfect refreshing summer treat.
Graham Norton invites the nation to Party for Parkinson’s for The Queen’s Jubilee
Popular BBC TV Presenter and arguably the nation’s favourite party host, Graham Norton, has issued a rallying cry – urging everyone to Party for Parkinson’s this summer.
Whether it’s a barbecue, street or house party, Parkinson’s UK delete alongside Graham, hopes to encourage people to turn their gatherings into a real cause for celebration by helping to raise funds for the charity.
Though you can turn any event any event into a Party for Parkinson’s, with The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee just weeks away, there is no better time to get the party started.
Graham, whose father lived with Parkinson’s for many years, explains: “Don’t be a party pooper. Get into the party spirit and invite family, friends and neighbours to your very own Party for Parkinson’s for a day to remember.
“Make it happen by hosting your own party, and you will be helping Parkinson’s UK to raise vital funds to improve the lives of the 127,000 in the UK living with the condition.
“Together and with your help, we can find a cure for Parkinson’s,” he added.
To help your party go with a bang, Parkinson’s UK have created some special additions for their free party pack. People really wanting to paint the town blue can also order special downloadable decorations in the charity’s trademark colour.
To find out more or to order your own Party for Parkinson’s pack, please visit www.parkinsons.org.uk or call 0207 963 9319.
Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style with the help of luxurious British lifestyle brand Scarlet & Argent.
The brand has created a stunning limited edition Jubilee Throw made from beautifully soft 100% Lambswool and inspired by the colours of the Union Flag and the Thames River Pageant. It is available online at www.johnlewis.com and in John Lewis’ Oxford Street store from next week (w/c 14th May).
The Jubilee Throws are reversible and are ideal for throwing over a comfy sofa to watch the Jubilee celebrations on television, adorning a bed or as a patriotic travel rug. Price £160, size 195x120cm, weight 1.1kg.
Each throw is created exclusively by Yorkshire-based Hainsworth which is one of Britain’s most prestigious textile mills and a luxury fabric supplier to the Queen. Its iconic scarlet cloth is worn exclusively by the Queen’s Guards and Prince William even wore it on his wedding day.
The company was awarded the Royal Warrant for supplying Her Majesty the Queen with interior fabrics following the fire at Windsor Castle in 1992.
Only the finest natural materials are used in every Jubilee Throw and every piece is impeccably finished. It is this attention to detail that gives the beautiful woollen lifestyle accessories their exceptional quality, their indulgent textures and a special place in any home.
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate this summer, including the launch of three fabulous new Jubilee Edition versions of ROBERTS’ bestselling Revival DAB/FM radio, in high gloss red, white and blue.
The “Royal Kew Family Package” gives visitors to London the opportunity to enjoy the stylish accommodation and friendly service of the four-star, deluxe, Chiswick Moran Hotel, whilst experiencing the world’s most famous gardens and exploring their royal connections.
In the run up to, and during, Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Kew Gardens has launched a fascinating “Royal Kew” walking tour. Kew guides will introduce families to the history and importance of Kew and unveil the gardens’ wealth of Royal heritage and connections.
Prices for the “Royal Kew Family Package”, which is available from now until 8 June 2012, start from £280 for a family of four (terms & conditions apply). The price includes a two-night stay in an Executive Family Room on a bed and breakfast basis, a two-course dinner in the hotel’s stylish Napa restaurant on one of the evenings and entry to Kew Gardens.1 The hour-long “Royal Kew” guided tour is available daily at Kew Gardens and is free of charge on entry to the gardens. There is a limit of 15 people per tour and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour starts at midday and visitors are asked to register with the guide 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
Oxford Street launched a Great British Fashion Flag Showcase with 147 union flags – including 10 dedicated fashion flags to celebrate Great British Fashion – ahead of the HM Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
MOËT & CHANDON CELEBRATES THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE WITH EXCLUSIVE COMMEMORATIVE LABEL
Established in 1743, Moët & Chandon has become the definitive champagne of celebration. The most renowned champagne house in the world has held the Royal Warrant since Queen Victoria recognised the quality of the Champagnes in 1893. This recognition was reaffirmed in 1955 when Moët & Chandon was granted the Royal Warrant by HM Queen Elizabeth II, which has been maintained over the last fifty seven years. Now in 2012, Moët & Chandon toasts this relationship by producing an exclusive Diamond Jubilee Cuvee.
July is the grumpiest month for Brits, according to findings from a new survey conducted by Travelodge.
Hot, humid nights mean, we miss out on 56 hours of sleep during flaming July – that’s one entire week of sleep.
Sleep deprivation is taking its toll with 78 per cent of adults admitting they are moodier in July than any other month.
Nearly 90 per cent of us (88%) loose sleep every night with two hours being the average amount lost.
More than three quarters of the population (69%) will take one to two days off work to catch up on lost sleep.
Seventy per cent of parents admit they are woken up at least three times a night by children struggling in the heat and humidity.
According to the snap survey by Travelodge, sleep deprivation is fuelling more arguments at work, bust-ups between couples and kids being snapped at.
A higher number of men and women also admit they are likely to have an attack of travel rage due to the heat and exhaustion.
One in two (49%) tired or hot drivers will shout at another motorist out of frustration at least once over the month.
A quarter will use bad language, 40 per cent will make rude gestures and a really mad one in five will go as far as tailgating an unsuspecting driver.
More than one in five short tempered rail, tube or train commuters admit they will make a rude comment to another traveller while 15 per cent will end up arguing with staff.
Over a quarter (27%) of commuters will even shout at a partner or child when they are travelling.
Work will be the tensest place during moody July, 45 per cent of hot, tired men and women admitting they will take their grumpiness out on colleagues.
Partners, kids, friends and even the boss will also come under attack from irritable adults.
Leigh McCarron, Travelodge Sleep Director said; “We wait all year for the hot weather, but when it arrives, most of us aren’t prepared. We lose valuable hours of sleep and everything goes downhill from there. The lack of sleep makes us irritable, that combined with soaring temperatures in the day make many of us quite tense. We like the heat – but it takes us time to get used to it.”
Listed below are Travelodge’s Sleep Director’s top five tips to help you sleep in the summer months
1. Change your duvet to a lighter tog (4.5 to 6)
2. Sleep in 100 per cent natural fibre sheets
3. Change your sheets every couple of days
4. Have a shower or bath before bedtime
5. Have a milky drink or herbal tea before going to bed
But the July misery doesn’t end with lack of sleep – up to 40 per cent will suffer sun burn, while one in five will endure sun stroke or an increase in their asthma symptoms.
The same number will also be laid low by hay fever while 15 per cent endure heat related migraines, according to the Travelodge survey.
Exhaustion, dehydration and nose bleeds will also increase as the temperature rises.
Work pals (43%) will also suffer the most from body odour followed by friends (27%) and commuters (23%).
Just over 80 per cent of Brits also admit getting fed up in July – because they are too ashamed of their bodies to strip off and soak up the sun.
To celebrate 25 years, Travelodge, is hosting Britain’s fist ever ‘Sleep Concert’.
The free-of-charge ‘Sleep Concert’, which aims to leave Britons snoring for more, will take place on Tuesday 20th July 2010 at 12.30pm at London City Road Travelodge.
Guests will be supplied with pillows, duvets and eye masks in order to ensure the optimum slumber environment. (If the trial is successful it may be rolled out nationally).
Sleep deprived Britons can register for a place at the exclusive Travelodge ‘Sleep Concert’ by registering their interest at: sleepconcert@travelodge.co.uk
Sleep concerts have apparently been popular in Japan, where sleep deprived workers will happily pay £50.00 for the privilege of nodding off to a live music performance.
Ewan Crawford, Sleep Expert at Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said: “It’s warm, dark and you don’t have any distractions such as your mobile phone. What’s more, it removes any embarrassment of sleeping in public – you can totally relax and be safe in the knowledge that even snoring is socially acceptable.”
(Places for the Travelodge ‘Sleep Concert’ are available on a first come basis)
have gone on lots of holidays. 
