Harry Potter has topped a list of children's book characters that UK adults would most like to go on holiday with, a new YouGov survey from Villa Plus shows.

Whether respondents were imagining side-along apparition or simply having the Boy Who Lived accompany them on the long journey to their destination, Harry Potter made it into the top three choices for every age group surveyed.

Potter was the most popular option among 18 to 24-year-olds, with 22 per cent selecting him as their top choice.

He was also joint top among 25 to 34-year-olds (14 per cent), 35 to 44-year-olds (13 per cent) and 45 to 54-year-olds (10 per cent), alongside Bilbo Baggins from JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit in each age group.

In addition, he was the most-wanted holiday companion overall among female respondents questioned (14 per cent vs. 9 per cent of males).

As far as male feedback was concerned, Bilbo Baggins was the only character on the list who could beat Potter as the perfect holiday pal (13 per cent vs. 9 per cent).

Despite the huge success of Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games trilogy, Katniss Everdeen failed to impress respondents with her archery and hunting skills and lost out to Harry Potter in all age groups questioned.

Magical abilities don't guarantee you a place on a trip, however, as Mildred Hubble from Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch books and Lyra Belacqua from His Dark Materials were the least popular on the list to go on holiday with (selected by 2 per cent each).

The poll, carried out in celebration of International Children's Book Day on April 2nd, also revealed that the Famous Five were a prominent choice of holiday companion. Enid Blyton's much-loved characters were the third most popular on the list (8 per cent), while Roald Dahl's The BFG was fourth (6 per cent).

Among men, the most favoured fictional character to go on holiday with was Bilbo Baggins, with 13 per cent of men voting for him compared to just nine per cent of women.

Simon Lifford, Head of Sales and UK Operations at Villa Plus, commented on the study's findings: "Many adults hold the characters from their favourite children's books dear even after they've let go of other parts of their childhood.

“We're pleased - but not surprised - to see classic characters like the Famous Five and Bilbo Baggins are more than holding their own against the likes of Katniss Everdeen.

"A family break is the perfect time for kids to be kids - enjoying the great outdoors and having an adventure or two - but it's also the perfect time for us adults to switch off from today's demanding schedules and enjoy the freedom and fun we felt as children.”

ENDS

Fictional characters from children's books Brits would most like to go on holiday with

Harry Potter (from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter books) 12%

Bilbo Baggins (from J.R.Tolkein's The Hobbit book) 11%

Georgina, Julian, Anne, Dick and Timmy (from Enid Blyton's The Famous Five books) 8%

The BFG (from Roald Dahl's childrens book) 6%

Katniss Everdeen (from Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games books) 5%

Tin-Tin (from Georges Remi The Adventures of Tin-Tin) 4%

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie (from C.S.Lewis the Chronicles of Narnia books) 4%

Nancy Drew (from  Edward Stratemeyer's Nancy Drew Mystery stories) 3%

Mildred Hubble (from Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch books) 2%

Lyra Belacqua (from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials books) 2%

About the survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,067 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th - 28th February 2014.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

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For further information please contact:

Helen Clark

Tel: 0113 220 6319  

Email: helen.clark@epiphanysolutions.co.uk