Kirstie Allsopp Divides Opinions Over Son's Independent Interrail Adventure

Kirstie Allsopp’s Controversial Parenting Choice

Kirstie Allsopp has sparked a debate online after she revealed that her teenage son has just returned from a three-week interrailing holiday – which he went on without an adult.

The television presenter, who is best known for hosting property shows including Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location, and Love it or List it UK, revealed to fans that her son and his 16-year-old pal organized the whole trip and traveled across Europe, staying in hostels.

Reactions to Kirstie Allsopp's Decision

On X, she expressed: ‘My little boy has returned from 3 weeks inter-railing, he’ll be 16 on Wednesday so he went with a mate who’s already 16 due to hostel/travel restrictions, but they organized the whole thing; Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Marseille, Toulouse, Barcelona & Madrid.

‘For obvious budget reasons inter-railing isn’t on the cards for everyone, but in this increasingly risk-averse world it’s vital that we find any ways we can to give our children the confidence that only comes from trusting them. Of course I missed spending the summer with our son, but I’m so proud of him & my loss is nothing compared to his gain & the encyclopaedic knowledge he now has of the differences between one McDonald's & another. If we’re afraid our children will also be afraid, if we let go, they will fly,’ she added.

• Many netizens expressed their concerns, stating that 15 is too young for a teenager to travel across Europe alone.
• Kirstie firmly disagreed, arguing that societal perceptions of youth maturity have changed.
• Criticism included comments about safety risks associated with young travelers.

‘Until 1972 you left school at 15,’ she responded, challenging the notion that youth should be more protected today than in the past. ‘The human brain has not altered so much since then, why have we stopped respecting young people’s abilities?’

Despite the backlash, Kirstie reaffirmed her pride in her son's safe return, emphasizing the varied maturity levels among teenagers. ‘Different kids mature at different speeds,’ she concluded.