How far will people be driving home for Christmas?

People in the east of England are the most likely to have to travel 100 miles or more to visit their childhood home

Nearly a third of adults in the UK will have to travel at least 100 miles if they plan to celebrate Christmas at their childhood home, according to research by Ocean Finance.

The survey of 2,061 adults showed that although nearly one quarter of people live within five miles of the town where they grew up, 11 per cent would have to travel between 100 and 200 miles to eat their Christmas dinner there now, while 12 per cent would face a journey of up to 500 miles. A further 8 per cent would have to travel more than 500 miles or more to return to where they spent their childhood.

People living in the east of England (36 per cent), followed by those in London, the South East and Scotland (35 per cent for each), are the most likely to have to travel 100 miles or more to visit home.

While 31 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds live within five miles of their parental home, only 19 per cent of those aged 55 to 64, and 15 per cent of those in the 65+ age group still live near where they grew up.