Now that we are allowed to travel around the UK again, a staycation is the perfect way to spend some much-needed quality time with your grandchildren and family. Whether you’re planning on a multi-generational holiday or just treating the grandkids to a trip away, we’re here to help you plan a stress-free, fun getaway with some simple pointers.

Consider what everyone needs

Before deciding on where to go and where to stay, it’s important to take everyone’s needs and wants into consideration. With children being full of energy, you might want to plan some activities that will allow them to burn some of it off. However, if you’re not looking for a completely action-packed holiday, then make sure you choose somewhere with some more relaxed activities on offer too, to keep everyone happy.

A day at the beach is a perfect example, you can relax on the sand while your grandchildren enjoy all the wonderful activities the seaside has to offer; digging holes, building sandcastles, and looking for sea creatures.  Certain themed attractions are also good choices; places like The Big Sheep in North Devon are perfect. There are plenty of themed educational shows to keep the kids entertained while giving the whole family the chance to sit down, as well as a big indoor soft play for the little ones to then run wild in! 

It seems simple, but remember to talk with your children and grandchildren about the type of accommodation you’d like to stay in, what kind of activities you want to do, how far to travel, whether you’ll be eating out, eating at your accommodation – or enjoying a mix of both. Making sure everyone has made their requirements clear will help the holiday run smoothly without any issues or arguments.

Where to go?

The UK is full of beautiful places to choose from, if you’re looking for a beach holiday then why not take a trip to the coasts of Devon or Cornwall, or head to a beach in the southeast. If a trip to the coast isn’t what you’re looking for, you could head up into the peak district or the lake district where you can enjoy picturesque adventures in the lovely countryside.   Or, if you’d like a staycation in the city, then places like Edinburgh or Liverpool are full of fun things to do. 

Liverpool has plenty of parks, perfect for your little ones to have fun while burning off their excess energy. Don’t forget to check out Wild Shore, Liverpool’s inflatable water obstacle course in Dukes Dock – suitable for anyone over the age of 6.

Edinburgh is a destination for the whole family. Not only is it fun, it’s also full of educational activities. Take a trip to the castle or climb an extinct volcano. If your grandkids love the magical world of Harry Potter, take them on the Potter Trail, if they love history then they can learn all about medieval history and even pay a visit to a spooky dungeon if they dare.

Where to stay?

Wherever you go, there will be plenty of different types of accommodation to choose from: camping, hotels, B&Bs, or self-catering. We’d recommend booking a cottage or house, that way you can all stay together and have a kitchen and living room where you can spend quality time with each other in the evening, and all go at your own pace in the mornings. Look on Skye Cottages, Airbnb or Cottages.com to find accommodation all over the UK.

Lock up and leave

If planning a holiday is causing you stress thinking about leaving your home unattended, then maybe it’s time to start thinking about moving into one of our retirement villages. Our residents enjoy their holidays that little bit more, knowing their home is safe and secure. At our retirement villages, we always have our team members onsite 24/7 to make sure you and your home are always protected. Our residents look out for one another, so you can have a stress-free holiday knowing your home will be safe.

How we can help!

Here at Inspired Villages, we have many different types of properties all over the UK, from Exeter to Warwick. If you’re looking to move and considering a retirement village, we can help you find the perfect property whether you choose to downsize or not. 

If you’d like to find out more about us and the benefits and attractions of renting or buying a home in an Inspired village, get in touch today or read our blog on the benefits of living in a retirement village.