UK Weather: Dodgy Bank Holiday Weather Will See Thousands Head Abroad

Dank Holiday Weather To Send Thousands Abroad

Around 1.8 million Britons will head abroad this bank holiday weekend, with those staying at home set to endure cool and wet conditions.

While those jetting off will seek to soak up the sun in places such as Spain, Turkey and Greece, it is likely to be umbrella time for those attending festivals and sporting events in the UK.

An estimated 400,000 people will fly from Heathrow over the weekend, with 250,000 leaving from Gatwick, 150,000 from Manchester, 124,000 from Stansted, 68,500 from Luton and 62,500 from Birmingham.

Expect the Spanish and Greek beaches to be packed with sun-hungry Brits this weekend

Channel Tunnel high-speed train company Eurostar will carry 60,000 departing passengers this weekend and ferry services and Eurotunnel trains will be busy.

P&O Ferries said it was likely to carry 200,000 people over the weekend.

Travel organisation Abta said Spain and its islands were the most popular overseas destinations for Britons this weekend.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "As always at the end of a major sporting event (the Olympics), many people are looking to head off for a break either at home or overseas.

"Spain and Greece continue to be popular with many holidaymakers taking advantage of the strong pound, which is at a four-year high against the euro, as well as the fact that prices in bars and restaurants have come down."

Thousands of youngsters will descend on Reading and Leeds for this weekend's annual festivals

Meanwhile, VisitEngland, the official site of the English Tourist Board, have said another 3.6m Britons would be taking a trip in the UK involving at least one night away over the bank holiday weekend.

These trips are likely to generate around £800 million for the UK economy.

A VisitEngland survey showed that 43% of Britons were more interested in exploring the UK thanks to high-profile events this year, including the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Olympic Torch Relay and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Elsewhere in the UK, thousands will brave the mud and rain in Reading and Leeds for the annual music festivals in the towns.

Headliners at this year's festivals will include The Cure, Kasabian and the Foo Fighters.

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