Only one in ten children has been on a British beach holiday
They have probably played on a Spanish beach, but one in ten British children has never taken a bucket and spade to our seaside, says a survey.
Researchers found that although 78 per cent of five to 12-year-olds had been abroad, only 10 per cent had visited the British coast.
Just 39 per cent have been to Scotland and 44 per cent to Wales. By contrast, 54 per cent have visited France and 57 per cent have travelled to Spain.
Big fun in Littlehampton: But only one in ten children now visits a British beach
They have probably played on a Spanish beach, but one in ten British children has never taken a bucket and spade to our seaside, says a survey.
Researchers found that although 78 per cent of five to 12-year-olds had been abroad, only 10 per cent had visited the British coast.
Just 39 per cent have been to Scotland and 44 per cent to Wales. By contrast, 54 per cent have visited France and 57 per cent have travelled to Spain.
Paul Anstey, of the Travelodge hotel group, which commissioned the research, said budget airlines and cheap packages have made foreign travel more appealing.
He added: 'The real cost of these trips has resulted in youngsters not appreciating their heritage and not knowing what makes Britain so great.'
It was very different for their parents. A poll of adults found 81 per cent went to British beaches as children. And 88 per cent want to preserve our seaside heritage.
Mr Anstey said: 'Our research shows that 30 per cent of holidaymakers are switching from foreign to British holidays this summer due to the credit crunch, soaring air fares and the strong euro.
'There is no better time than now to show our children how much fun a British seaside holiday can be.'
