Brits are taking a trip down memory lane with nostalgic road trips

A DRIVE DOWN MEMORY LANE: 66% OF BRITS STILL PLAN TO RECREATE CLASSIC CHILDHOOD ROAD TRIPS THIS YEAR 

Psychotherapist Hilda Burke reveals the power of nostalgic road trips in reconnecting with loved ones and boosting our mental health.

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, 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: “The pandemic has been many things, but one of them is an opportunity to relive classic British holidays. 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?”