Young Brits are swapping their exotic gap year destinations for places closer to home, as concerns about taking a year of out of their career and the financial implications mean a new travel trend is emerging called ‘microgapping’.

The idea of the ‘microgap’ is taking the kinds of activities typically experienced during a gap year and condensing them into a few days in the UK. Essentially the best bits, made it possible to do in a long weekend, and easy to fit around work or study commitments.

Research by Visit England has shown that 18-34 year olds are now taking short breaks instead to enrich their lives – without having to take time out of their jobs. The research has shown that while 82 per cent of millennials would like to take a career break to travel in the next three years, only eight per cent say that they are likely to do so, because of financial concerns. Of those surveyed, more than half said they were looking to take a “microgap” in the next three years.

To capitalise on this trend Visit England, have launched their Microgap tourism marketing campaign which features the Via Ferrata Xtreme climbing experience at Lake District adventure and heritage attraction Honister Slate Mine.

The series of short films and images encourage young Brits to ‘Go Wild,’ ‘Learn More,’ ‘Switch Off’ and ‘Give Back’, and they will be displayed on digital billboards at sites across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Longer 30-second clips are also being used across online channels including social media, digital display and ‘on demand’ television adverts during the six week campaign that runs until the end of October. Honister Slate Mine’s Via Ferrata features in ‘Go Wild’ the other experiences chosen were Secrets Up at Norfolk, Peir2Pier Beach Clean Brighton and Wired Aerial Theatre Liverpool. With a wide range of places to stay across the UK to suit all budgets and tastes Microgappers can choose from glamping pods, to tree top tents, guesthouses to hotels to complete their short break experience.

Located at the head of one of the country’s steepest mountain passes, the Honister Pass, England’s last working slate mine provides the backdrop for some unique adventures both inside and outside a Lake District mountain, so it’s no wonder that it provides the perfect location to broaden horizons and enjoy a microgap experience without the air miles.

Jan Wilkinson Co-Owner Honister Slate Mine says, ‘We are delighted to feature in this major campaign. At Honister we know that young people are looking for authentic experiences they can share with their friends in person and on social media.

“Add to this the fact that so many young people live in urbanised areas and have desk based or indoor jobs, the chance to get outdoors and embrace a challenge like the Via Ferrata, provides a genuinely life enhancing experience.

“By following some of the old routes used by the miners of years past, it provides a real connection between today’s UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape and the people and industry that helped to shape it.”