A drive down memory lane
A DRIVE DOWN MEMORY LANE: 66% OF BRITS STILL PLAN TO RECREATE CLASSIC CHILDHOOD ROAD TRIPS THIS YEAR
Memory expert Hilda Burke reveals the power of nostalgic road trips in reconnecting with loved ones and boosting our mental health
New research from Zipcar UK reveals that 91% of Brits have their fondest memories of road trips in the UK, compared to just 22% having good memories of road trips abroad
66% of Brits wish to relive a happy road trip with someone from their childhood
It runs in the family: 4 in 5 parents take their children on the same holidays they went on when they were kids
The nation’s top tracks to listen to on the road are ‘Livin' On A Prayer’ by Bon Jovi, ‘Summer of 69’ by Bryan Adams and ‘American Pie’ by Don Mclean
8th September 2021: Brits going on holiday in the UK this year are taking road trips down memory lane to recreate the journeys they went on as children.
In a national survey conducted by Zipcar UK, the nation’s largest car-sharing club, two thirds (66%) of Brits revealed they wish to relive a happy road trip with someone from their childhood. In fact, the majority of Brits (85%) admitted they’re nostalgic about times spent with loved ones.
Reliving positive memories has been proven to boost mental health and even combat stress and depression, so there is no better way to get nostalgic and recreate some of our fondest childhood trips in the car.
Hilda Burke, memory expert and clinical psychotherapist, explains why reliving these magical memories is good for the soul and our overall well-being:
“With most of us unable to travel abroad due to the pandemic, many of us are revisiting places we holidayed at as children. Visiting these childhood haunts can be very cathartic, helping us to re-connect to the feelings and love we hold for the old friends and family members we associate with them.
“Travelling by car, rather than plane, produces even stronger memories, giving us time to reflect on these memories as we take in all the sights and smells of the road trip.”
Despite the nation’s desire to holiday abroad, the vast majority of Brits (91%) with good memories of road trips said these memories took place in the UK, with only 22% saying they had good memories of car journeys abroad.
Of those yearning to turn back the clock, two thirds (64%) had their fondest memories on road trips to the seaside, while half us (48%) happily remember driving to visit grandparents and other relatives.
Looking for inspiration for your next trip this autumn? The nation’s top 3 most unforgettable spots for road trips were voted the Lake District (24%), New Forest (16%) and Snowdonia (15%).
And it’s not all about where we drive to either, it’s that road trip soundtrack which evokes powerful memories too. In fact, classic 80’s music is making a comeback as 40% of us are taken back to a fond moment when certain songs come on the radio. When creating the all-important road trip playlist, the nation’s top tracks to listen to on the road are ‘Livin' On A Prayer’ by Bon Jovi, ‘Summer of 69’ by Bryan Adams and ‘American Pie’ by Don Mclean.
James Taylor, UK General Manager at Zipcar says: “With the increase in staycations during the pandemic there’s been an opportunity to relive classic British holidays. At Zipcar we’ve actually seen an increased demand for longer distance trips, as two thirds of Brits want to go on road trips with their friends and family this summer to reconnect with those loved ones after a long year of lockdown. So, why not get out there and make new, happy memories with Zipcar this year?”
Zipcar is asking Brits to look back and go forth to relive some of their most-loved nostalgic moments on the road. Follow @ZipcarUK on Instagram, share a photo of your favourite road trip, and tag the friend you holidayed with for a chance to win £250 FREE Zipcar credits.
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About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network, driven by a mission to enable simple and responsible urban living. With its wide variety of self-service vehicles available by the minute, hour or day, Zipcar operates in urban areas and university campuses in cities and towns across Canada, Costa Rica, Iceland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Zipcar offers the most comprehensive, most convenient and most flexible car-sharing options available. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of mobility solutions. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.
About the research data
The research data is based on a survey conducted with 2,003 respondents from the UK.
The research fieldwork took place on 13th-16th August 2021.