A recent holiday index has named a popular UK city as the least favourable destination for a family holiday in the UK. The ranking, conducted by Go.Compare, placed Newport in Wales at the bottom of the list for family staycations.
The study evaluated factors such as family-friendly accommodation, child-oriented attractions, and hotel cost trends during term time and school holidays.
While Kent in England was crowned the top spot for family getaways, Newport in Wales found itself at the opposite end of the spectrum. With only 72 hotels suitable for families and a mere 20 child-friendly attractions, Newport could pose challenges for families on holiday.
Following closely behind Newport were two other Welsh cities, Cardiff and Swansea. Despite Cardiff’s vibrant cultural scene, it falls short in terms of family-friendliness. Cardiff, the capital of Wales, boasts only 70 family-friendly hotels and 85 attractions suitable for children, making it less than ideal for extended family vacations.
Swansea, despite its stunning beaches that may appeal to nature-loving families, also lacks in terms of family-oriented city breaks with just 97 suitable hotels and 59 all-age attractions.
Adding to the lack of family-friendly amenities, all three cities see a significant price surge of 47% during peak holiday periods. The Scottish cities of Aberdeen and Glasgow followed, both experiencing a significant 31% price hike outside of term-time.
Rhys Jones, travel expert at Go.Compare, shared the findings of the study, drawing attention to Kent’s unexpected ranking. He commented: “Kent taking the top spot in our staycation index is surprising as it’s not often the first place that comes to mind when we think about holidaying in the UK.
“Destinations like Cornwall or the Lake District tend to be considered more. Despite this, Kent has quietly positioned itself as a fantastic choice for families, offering a range of accommodation and attraction options while remaining affordable.”
The five lowest-ranked staycation spots
- Newport
- Cardiff
- Swansea
- Aberdeen
- Glasgow
Top five family staycation locations
- Kent
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- East Sussex
- North Yorkshire