JEEP REVEALS 15 'OFF THE BEATEN TRACK' SPOTS TO TAKE KIDS THIS SUMMER

The top 15 free 'off the beaten track' locations to explore with the kids this summer have been revealed by Jeep. According to a survey of 1,000 parents commissioned by Jeep in collaboration with Ordnance Survey, 44% of parents end up taking their children to the same places every summer holiday. The top reasons for doing so include familiarity/comfort (53%), children wanting to go to the same places (48%), a lack of inspiration on new places (32%), not being able to afford to visit other locations (29%) and not having time to research new places to visit (28%). In addition, 56% of parents said they want to avoid tourist hotspots, suggesting crowded and popular places are not what parents are looking for. Families spend an average of £425 on their kids' summer holiday activities, but 61% say the cost-of-living crisis is affecting their summer holiday plans with their children. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there are 8.2 million families in the UK with dependent children, meaning a collective sum of £3.49 billion is spent on kids' activities each summer holiday. Therefore, 42% of parents said they won't travel abroad this summer, with a limited budget being the biggest challenge to keeping kids entertained (50%). 48% of those said it is easier to travel within the UK with children and 44% will do so to save time by staying in the country. The national spread of 'off the beaten track' locations in England, Scotland and Wales are all free to visit. They have also been selected based on analysis of walking route data in the popular OS Maps app, obtaining expert tips from the network of Ordnance Survey outdoor ambassadors and online reviews. An easy-to-explore map created by Jeep on https://www.jeep.co.uk/get-lost-map contains a total of 100 'off the beaten track locations' to help parents plan their kids' summer holidays and keep them entertained. Kris Cholmondeley, Managing Director at Jeep UK said: “Summer holidays with the kids can be challenging, requiring a lot of energy, planning and resources, so we want to help inspire parents with some fresh ideas for adventure. We've focused our top 15 'off the beaten track' outdoor locations on places that are free to visit, as keeping costs down is a top priority for parents. These locations showcase the very best of the Great British outdoors, yet those that are lesser known to the wider public.”