The figures show an increase on last year’s survey results when six million adults in Britain planned to take an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the Easter weekend, while in 2015 the figure was five million.
Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said:
"The UK is a world-class tourism destination with countless things to see and do, so it is no surprise that so many of us are planning to holiday at home this Easter.
“Staycations are integral to our thriving tourism industry, providing a significant boost to cities, towns, villages, and communities across the country."
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said:
“It is great to see so many Brits are planning holidays at home this Easter. The Easter break is a fantastic opportunity to get out and explore the outstanding accommodation, events and attractions right here on our doorstep whether enjoying a holiday at the seaside, countryside or on a city break.”
This year’s VisitEngland Easter Trip Tracker survey also found that 7.6 million Brits (15%) are undecided about whether to take an overnight trip during Easter, with a third of those (35%) waiting to see what the weather is like. For some (29%), financial reasons are behind their delayed decision; 22% of people are just unsure about where they would like to go; 25% are waiting to see if there are any special deals or offers to take advantage of and 20% prefer to book last minute.
The full VisitEngland Trip Tracker survey can be found here.
Tourism is worth £127 billion to the UK economy.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About VisitEngland’s Easter Trip Tracker Survey
- The 6.6 million represents 13% of British adults who said that they would definitely take a UK holiday during the Easter weekend.
- VisitEngland commissions online omnibus surveys periodically in order to collect data on the number of GB consumers who plan to take an overnight trip at key times throughout the year.
- In this April edition, the survey was carried out on an online omnibus by TNS, with a representative sample of 1,239 adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain.
- The fieldwork for the survey took place between 6th and 10th of April 2017
- Trip volumes are based on an adult (16+) population of 51m in GB (Office for National Statistics).
- For the full report visit our bank holiday trip tracker page.
List of events across England during Easter.
Easter Egg Hunts with the National Trust and Cadbury, nationwide
Various dates in April
Indulge your sweet tooth on one (or three) of the National Trust and Cadbury's Easter Egg Hunts in 2017. Families are invited to take on a variety of adventurous quests through spring woodlands and craggy coastlines, or through historic houses and enchanting castles to find Bunny’s hidden chocolate. Everyone will be rewarded with a Cadbury’s chocolate treat at the end of each completed hunt, and each Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will support a number of locations looked after by the National Trust.
www.cadbury.co.uk/easter
Baby lambs at Tapnell Farm, Isle of Wight
8 – 23 April
Meet Tapnell Farm Park’s cute baby lambs who will only be a few weeks old at Easter, but you can come and help the animal keepers feed them in the brand-new animal theatre area. In addition to giving the adorable, fleecy new arrivals a big hug, you can take part in many other animal experiences throughout the day – including wallaby feeding, goat brushing and more. Family friendly Easter festivities will be running everyday throughout the school holidays, from the April 8th to April 23rd. Get creative with some Easter themed colouring in Tiny Tapnell, or whip up a tasty treat with afternoon biscuit decorating in the Farm Park Café. On selected days, you can even bag yourself an Easter makeover, from a talented face painter! Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, (Friday to Monday), youngsters can take part in the amazing Egg Adventure Trail. Simply pick up a trail map, solve the clues dotted around the Farm Park, and then claim your special prize at the end.
www.tapnellfarm.com
Easter Adventure Quest, Scarborough Castle
14 – 17 April
Join a quest to meet a character from the past and crack the clues as you explore Scarborough Castle. Head through the imposing gatehouse and step into 3,000 years of history and enjoy fantastic views of both the north and south bays of Scarborough. Take a stroll around the perimeter of this sixteen-acre site and spread a blanket on the headland grass, a perfect place to relax with the family. Adults £5.90 children 5-15 £3.50 family £15.30 English Heritage Members FREE.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/scarborough-castle-easter-adventure-quest
Chocolate to pods in York
Take a chocolate-flavoured history lesson as part of the York Chocolate Festival this Easter weekend. Head to York Castle for a tour of all things sweet, exploring the world’s most iconic treat and watch a demonstration on how to produce Easter eggs. If you’ve still got sugar cravings there will be a market filled with goodies including handmade chocolates, crepes and pies flavoured with chocolate. Spend the weekend glamping in nearby Paradise Lakeside Lodges where open plan pods provide the perfect rural retreat for families. Each pod includes a double bed, a wet room, a kitchen area and a sofa bed that sleeps two children. A 3 night short break for four people at Paradise Lakeside Lodges starting 14 April costs £245.
www.hoseasons.co.uk
Taste Chocolate Festival, Bristol
16-18 April
Taste Chocolate Festival returns with a new location housed inside the Bristol Harbour Hotel in the Old City. A feast of hand-crafted chocolates, indulgent cakes and patisserie, it’s the perfect way to spend Easter weekend.
www.tastechocolate.co.uk
Cedric’s Chocolate Bunny Burrow, Norfolk
1 – 17 April
Meet the Easter Bunny at BeWILDerwood! Cedric, the bouncing BeWILDerwood bunny, will be busy in his burrow preparing lots of chocolatey treats for the Boggles and Twiggles. Skip on down to meet him and explore his hoppy-home! Those Pesky Bunnies have been stealing Easter eggs from the witch again, can you spot them in the woods? And don’t forget to visit our crafty Big Hat and fabulous face painters to get into the bunny spirit! All activities are included in the ticket price.
www.bewilderwood.co.uk
Easter Afternoon Tea and Bunny Trail at Woolley Grange, Bath
Explore the grounds at Woolley Grange on a fun treasure hunt before settling down to Easter Afternoon Tea (1-30 April). Every child receives a prize and the special Easter Afternoon Tea promises to be a real treat. Grownups can indulge in a sophisticated afternoon teach whilst kids tuck into cheese finger sandwiches, crunchy carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus, scrummy chocolate brownie and fruit jelly with ice cream. Price for afternoon tea is £21.50 per adult and £6.75 per child.
www.visitbath.co.uk/whats-on/easter-afternoon-tea-and-easter-bunny-trail-p2199833
Easter at Holkham, Norfolk
14 – 17 April
Hop-along to Holkham for four days packed full of ‘egg-citing’ things to do over Easter. The ‘egg-cellent’ events and activities will be great fun for all the family and Holkham Hall will be open each day.
www.holkham.co.uk
Release your inner “eggsplorer” at Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath
At Prior Park Landscape Garden kids can get in touch with their inner “eggsplorer” as they crack on with an Easter trail (14 – 17 April). The trail will take kids past the crumbling grotto, through the shadowy wilderness, down wooded paths and over the famous Palladian bridge.
If they can follow the clues they will be able to unlock the Easter Bunny’s stash of chocolate, but you may need to “egg them on” as they climb back up the hill to collect their prize. Price for trail is £2.50 plus admission price which is £7.70 for an adult, £3.80 for a child, and £19.40 for a family.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/a8ec6d01-b3d6-4100-9747-0d2cf4ab2de6/pages/details
Medieval Falconry at The Bishop’s Palace Wells, Bath
Don’t wing it over Easter; join the Raptor Foundation for a day of fantastic flying displays instead (14 April). Learn how hawks and falcons would have been used in medieval times and why, and marvel at their skill and training as they show off their well-honed moves in the romantic setting of the South Lawn at The Bishop’s Palace. Included in admission which is £7.99 per adult and £3.35 per child (5-18 years).
www.bishopspalace.org.uk/2017/01/18/medieval-falconry/#read-more
Oxford Castle Unlocked – Easter Egg-tivities
8 – 23 April
Easter themed activities for adults, and children. From Good Friday to Easter Monday between 9am and 11am, children are challenged to complete an egg hunt around the castle and ancient mount, leading them to claim a chocolatey prize. As well as this, kids have the opportunity to create charming Easter baskets.
www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Easter-listings-PR.pdf
Enchanted Easter at Wild Place, Bristol
8 – 23 April
The Wild Place Project will be hosting a variety of Easter activities and adventures for families to enjoy including a fairy door trail in their enchanted woodland. Wildplace Project also offers barefoot trails, woodland walks and animals from all over the world, from European grey wolves to Red River hogs and coming soon, giraffes.
www.wildplace.org.uk
Medieval Easter Weekend, Dover Castle, Kent
14 –17 April
Travel on a journey back in time where medieval knights and princesses roam. Get hands on with knights’ training and be amazed at the mounted skill-at-arms on horseback. Try on armour, enjoy storytelling and learn circus skills at this medieval fun-packed day for kids of all ages. Marvel at Peterkin’s fire-eating show on stilts and sing along with the merry musicians. Re-live the story of George and the Dragon and cheer on our hero as he valiantly battles the fiery dragon.
english-heritage.org.uk
Cadbury Easter Dragon Hunt, Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
1 –17 April, 11am – 4pm
Calling all brave knights and dragon hunters. This Easter Bodiam Castle needs your help. Rangers have found some unusual eggs hidden around the grounds, and after expert examination they believe they’re dragons’ eggs. Help find all the eggs to save the castle from a fiery end and receive a delicious Cadbury treat. Price: £3 (normal admission fee applies)
nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle
Cadbury Egg Hunt, Stowe, Buckinghamshire
14 – 17 April, 10am – 4pm
Delve into a world of fairy tales, myths and legends at Stowe this Easter. Courageous young princesses and knights are invited to embark on a quest through the garden and around mystical lakes. Follow the trail of the brave knight as he finds his love while avoiding the wicked witch and conquering the ferocious dragon. Brave heroes and heroines can claim their delicious Cadbury treat and finish on a happily ever after. Price: £2.50 (normal admission fee applies)
nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
For more ideas and inspiration on how to get the best out of a holiday or day trip in England, whatever the weather, visit: www.visitengland.com
