Over 60s Brits look back on their twenties for their most treasured memories

They say youth is wasted on the young, and new research appears to back this up, with Brits aged 60-plus identifying their 20s as the time they made their most treasured memories (21%).

Some of the key moments that make this part of their lives so memorable include having their first child (62%) and getting married (61%).

Retirement is the third most significant moment for over 60s (41%), giving golden-agers more free time and an opportunity to revisit places from the past, so much so that nearly a third (30%) say they visit places from their childhood at least once a year. In fact, taking a trip to where they grew up is one of the activities making those over 60 feel most nostalgic (45%), alongside meeting old friends (40%), listening to music from their childhood (50%) and looking at old photos (63%).

With trains being heralded as the most nostalgic form of travel for over 60s, the Senior Railcard is perfect for recreating cherished memories at a reduced cost. Of past moments spent on trains, watching the world pass by the window is said to be the most memorable occasion (39%), especially for those in the Northwest and Scotland (41%), perhaps due to the beautiful scenery. Adding to this sentimental feeling, the noise of the train rolling in is said to invoke one of the most powerful memories of train travel (39%).

There’s no harm in looking back as nostalgia has a strong correlation with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including heightened social connectedness, an increase in positive mood, and can act as an antidote to loneliness.

Of the over 60s in the study, two fifths (40%) state that places from their past make them feel more comforted than visiting new places they have never been before, with over a quarter of those surveyed stating that revisiting old holiday destinations can be one of the most nostalgia-inducing experiences (28%). Revisiting places from their youth has a positive effect on golden agers, with over a third (38%) stating that it makes them feel happy.

A Senior Railcard can help over 60s rediscover some of those most special times and places by offering up to a 1/3rd off train travel, for just £30 a year.

To help promote the benefits of nostalgia, Railcard.co.uk has teamed up with the face of nostalgic TV for many Brits, 80s TV presenter Timmy Mallett, who is encouraging over 60s to start benefiting from a Senior Railcard, so they can save money on recreating these valuable memories while harnessing all the wonderful benefits they provide.

Timmy Mallett, 80s TV presenter said: “Young folks may sometimes playfully scoff or roll their eyes at their elders’ storytelling and rummaging through photo collections from years gone by. However, the joy and warmth of revisiting those treasured memories far surpass any momentary twinge of embarrassment or playful teasing!”

Timmy adds “I’m delighted to be working with Railcard.co.uk to promote the Senior Railcard. I am a big fan of travelling by train with my bicycle and have been inspired to visit some of the places from my past. First on my list is where I went to school; such happy times!”

The research from Railcard.co.uk found that the top five lifetime milestone moments are as follows:

First Child
Getting married
Retiring
First House
Becoming a Grandparent

For more great offers and to purchase your Senior Railcard today, visit www.Railcard.co.uk