Look local to avoid school hell-idays with the kids - 5 August 2005
The summer break is no holiday for parents facing the prospect of the kids at home for six weeks – but the solution could be close at hand. According to new research from Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages directories, the familiar whine of “I’m bored” is least likely to resonate in Exeter, as the West Country city is named the ‘Kids Capital’ of Britain thanks to its high numbers of businesses dedicated to family fun.The Yell ‘Kids Capitals’ study compares 99 of its Yellow Pages directories for the total number of businesses listed under 24 key classifications for kids, from Amusement Parks & Arcades to Zoos. Exeter, the hometown of Coldplay’s Chris Martin emerges as Britain’s most kid-friendly hotspot. Delia Smith’s stomping ground, Norwich, comes in second, whilst boredom-busting Bournemouth, birthplace of new dad Jamie Redknapp, is third.
| Rank | Yellow Pages Top 20 'Kids Capitals' |
| 1 | Exeter |
| 2 | Norwich |
| 3 | Bournemouth |
| 4 | Chester & North Wales |
| 5 | Brighton |
| 6 | Edinburgh |
| = | London Central |
| 8 | Bristol |
| 9 | Glasgow South |
| 10 | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| 11 | Swansea & South West Wales |
| 12 | Southampton |
| 13 | Cardiff & West Valleys |
| 14 | Peterborough |
| 15 | Manchester South |
| 16 | Middlesbrough |
| 17 | Canterbury |
| 18 | Mid & West Cornwall |
| 19 | Preston |
| 20 | Kingston |
While most people would expect central London to be our museum and film capital (its directory lists the most businesses in the Museums, Cinemas and Video/DVD Hire & Rental classifications), other more surprising locations lead the way in family entertainment. Families could make a splash in Aberdeen (best for Swimming Pools), bowl them over in south Glasgow (best for Bowling Centres) or saddle up in the Chester & North Wales area (best for Riding Schools).
For sand and surf, Mid & West Cornwall families have the most Water Sports facilities to choose from. For a wilder day out, parents in and around Exeter can choose from the highest number of Zoos whilst the Norwich directory lists the most Nature & Wildlife Parks. The study also reveals that it’s not just the big cities that have the most to offer – the Scottish Highlands & Islands directory has the highest number of Tours & Sightseeing and Outdoor Pursuits listings.
Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, publisher of Yellow Pages directories, said: “Our study shows that whatever your kids want to do over the summer holidays you don’t need to look far from home to find ways to keep boredom at bay. The number and diversity of family-oriented businesses listed in Yellow Pages directories illustrates that there is a booming industry associated with keeping the children entertained.”
| Best for... | Yellow Pages directory area |
| Adventure & Activity Centres | Kingston |
| Amusement Parks & Arcades | Norwich |
| Bouncy Castles & Inflatables | Coventry |
| Bowling Centres | Glasgow South |
| Cinemas | London Central |
| Computer Games | Wolverhampton |
| Discos – mobile | Peterborough |
| Entertainers | Norwich |
| Ice Rinks | Glasgow South |
| Karting | Maidstone |
| Leisure Centres | Glasgow South |
| Museums | London Central |
| Nature & Wildlife Parks | Norwich |
| Outdoor Pursuits | Highlands & Islands |
| Paintball & Combat Games | Bristol |
| Riding Schools | Chester & North Wales |
| Sports Training & Coaching | Brighton |
| Swimming Pools | Aberdeen |
| Tours & Sightseeing | Highlands & Islands |
| Toy Shops | Exeter |
| Video / DVD Hire & Retail | London Central |
| Water Sports | Mid & West Cornwall |
| Youth & Community Groups | London Central |
| Zoos | Exeter |
