More Brits plan overnight festive trips and meals out

The survey of 1,219 British adults who were questioned on their plans for Christmas and New Year earlier this month found that 27 per cent are 'definitely' planning to take an overnight trip during the festive period, a rise of 6 per cent on last year. 

Of those planning overnight trips over the Christmas and New Year period, 30 per cent of those questioned say it is for a holiday while 73 per cent plan to visit friends or family. The majority (58 per cent) plan to take just one trip, but just over a third (38 per cent) are planning to take two or more. 

Following the news that more restaurants will be opening on Christmas Day​ this year, VisitEngland has also recorded a rise in the number of people planning on eating out during the entire festive period.

This year 50 per cent of respondents said they would be eating out at some point between Christmas and New Year compared to 42 per cent of people last year. Pubs and bars should also expect to be busier this year with 30 per cent of respondents planning to go out for a drink this year, a rise of 5 per cent on last year. 

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said: “It is great to see that so many people are planning an overnight trip to another part of the country over the festive period.  Wherever you stay in England there is always something exciting to see or do right on the doorstep, and this is never truer than at Christmas." 

Other popular festive activities include sales shopping (42 per cent) and visiting a Christmas market (33 per cent).