The price of a Christmas UK break surges by a staggering £554 for a family of four compared to an identical holiday just a month later.

Research by travel money expert FairFX also revealed prices soar by an average of £228 for couples proving there are big savings to be made by postponing a festive getaway for a few weeks.

Comparing the cost of a three-night stay at nine different UK holiday resorts including Centre Parcs, Forest Holidays and Butlins, FairFX found that the cost of a trip taken during the festive break cost an average of 141 per cent more for couples. This rises to 183 per cent more for a family of four, compared to stays at the same accommodation on the last weekend in January.

For couples hoping to head off on a festive break during the school holidays this December, the study showed an average price hike of £228 - 141 per cent higher than the cost of weekend break at the same resort in January.

Biggest increase was at Brummies' favourite Butlins' Minehead resort, where a three-night trip in a standard room over the New Year would set customers back £231. That is a huge 420 per cent more than the same length stay over the last weekend in January, which would cost just £55 for two people.

Meanwhile, at Centre Parcs’ Whinfell resort, a three-night stay over the festive period costs £749, a huge £430 more than the same break in January, priced at £319.

Butlin's at Minehead

The average cost increase for a three-night stay across the nine locations was a shocking £554 – an increase of 183 per cent on average.

Butlins’ Minehead resort again revealed the biggest price hike with a three-night stay over New Year setting holidaymakers back £597– a staggering 419 per cent more expensive than a comparable trip in January, priced at just £115.

Centre Parcs, Whinfell

Families heading to Forest Holidays’ Forest of Dean resort could also be paying over £1,000 more during the festive break than they would if they took the same trip in January. The sudy showed a term-time trip costing £1,020 less and 174 per cent cheaper than a month earlier.

Ian Strafford-Taylor, chief executive of  FairFX, said: “It’s no secret that trips are more expensive during the school break.

“While many will understandably be reluctant to take their children out of school, our research shows that even when opting for dates over a weekend, they could knock hundreds off the price of their trip simply by waiting a few weeks.

“It’s worth keeping an eye on last-minute offers or considering whether you’d be happy to wait a few weeks to get more for your money.

It’s also vital that people check the cancellation policy of their booking, to ensure they’re not left out of pocket if rules and regulations change."

Holiday comparison of costs (for two people)

BUTLINS

Resort

Term Time Trip
29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021

Christmas Break Trip 
30 Dec 2020 - 02 Jan 2021

% Increase

£ Increase

Minehead

£115

£597

419%

£482

Bognor Regis

£110

£542

393%

£432

Skegness

£284

£431

52%

£147

FOREST HOLIDAYS

Resort

Term Time Trip
29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021

Christmas Break Trip 
18 Dec  -  21 Dec 2021

% Increase

£ Increase

Forest of Dean

£590

£1,610

173%

£1,020

Deerpark

£410

£560

37%

£150

Ardgarten Argyll

£480

£610

27%

£130

 

 

CENTRE PARCS

Resort

Term Time Trip
29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021

Christmas Break Trip 
30 Dec 2020 - 02 Jan 2021

% Increase

£

Increase

Whinfell Forest

£439

£1,349

207%

£910

Woburn Forest

£499

£1,399

180%

£900

Longleat Forest

£529

£1,349

155%

£820

Holiday comparison of costs (for family of four)

BUTLINS

Resort

Term Time Trip
29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021

Christmas Break Trip 
30 Dec 2020 - 02 Jan 2021

% Increase

£ Increase

Minehead

£55

£286

420%

£231

Bognor Regis

£53

£260

391%

£207

Skegness

£136

£207

53%

£71

 

FOREST HOLIDAYS

Resort

Term Time Trip
29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021

Christmas Break Trip 
18 Dec  - 21 Dec 2021

% Increase

£ Increase

Deerpark

£410

£560

37%

£150

Forest of Dean

£590

£720

22%

£130

Ardgarten Argyll

£590

£710

20%

£120

 

CENTRE PARCS

Resort

Term Time Trip
29 Jan- 1 Feb 2021

Christmas Break Trip 
30 Dec 2020 - 02 Jan 2021

% Increase

£

Increase

Whinfell Forest

£319

£749

135%

£430

Longleat Forest

£449

£859

91%

£410

Woburn Forest

£299

£599

100%

£300