Your Complete Multigenerational Holidays Guide

Your complete multigenerational holidays guide will help you plan your next perfect UK holiday. This form of holiday is particularly popular because it promotes memories and relationships that span ages and interests. Grandparents, parents, and children enjoy a location that caters to everyone's needs, from food, activities, locations, accessibility, and schedule. Whether your family is large or small, our range of cottages will offer the perfect experience for small family gatherings in quaint locations, through to modern open-plan cottages for large family holidays. View our range of cottages to make a booking.

Top: West Acre at Celebration Holiday Homes - Yorkshire

Planning Multigenerational Travel

Planning the logistics to suit all ages and needs within your family unit is a big part of starting your holiday off on the right foot. The biggest aspects to consider are the children and grandparents, as they will be most affected by longer, or certain types of traveling. In short, the highest priority when finalising your decision about travel options should be to compromise. Take your time, and gather some options, you will be surprised how many countryside venues and beachside locations are available right at your door. Once you have found some options, consider how you will travel to the destination itself, as well as any traveling that may occur on a daily basis while on your holiday. Will the form of travel be an activity in itself, such as beautiful scenic train journeys, or trips in your own car? Assess how your family will feel with the duration and comfort and find an option that suits you best. Further to this, remember to check if you have any disability access that you may require at your chosen property.

 The key points to remember are:

• Will the duration of travel be tolerable by those in your party?
• What forms of travel best suit the members of your family?
• What frequency do you wish to travel on a daily basis?
• Can you utilise any of your travel options to create experiences such as scenic rail journeys?
• Will you require private travel, such as a rental car that is in your control, or public transport to reduce cost?

Left: Flylfisher's Cottage at Rivercatcher - Denbighshire

The Best Multigenerational Family Trips

Days Out & Family Activities

The most important thing to remember here is that you don’t need to spend all day together. Your multigenerational holiday should provide you with activities that bring the whole family together and also allow space when required. For example, a day at the beach would allow grandparents to park up and relax, parents to take things at their own pace, and time and space for kids to blow off steam. Other events could see the group splitting into two parties, for example, mum and dad could have some time in a spa, while the grandparents and children go to a slower pace attraction such as a zoo. Planning your days with a schedule that provides space for all ages and abilities to be engaged correctly will go a long way in making the entire family's experience as meaningful as possible.

Points to consider when planning a day out include:

• What activities will be good for the family as a whole?
• What activities would suit smaller groups of the family when you decide to do things separately?
• Will the activity cater for meal times? Or do you need to plan this separately?
• Does your day out have the required parking capacity and duration nearby?
• Are there other activities, food outlets, or sights you could utilise on the same day?

Top & Right: Exclusively Burlton at Burlton Cottages - Shropshire

Large Family Gathering Accommodation

Make Your Space Work For The Whole Family

Your multigenerational break will work best when both activities and your place of stay allow a sense of togetherness and space. Pick from our extensive range of cottages to find the perfect space for your family. Whether you need easy access, space for children to play, a great dining area, or quiet corners, our properties have got you covered. Finding a cottage that aligns with your family unit's rhythm will make the whole day enjoyable from the moment you get up through to bedtime.

What to look for in your cottage:

• Is the setting correct for the feel and size of your family?
• Does the layout provide complete family gathering areas as well as private spaces?
• Will you require a games room or a cot for younger children?
• Have you got enough bathrooms to suit everyone's morning and evening routines?
• Does the location cater for the days out you had in mind?

Top & Left: Wooladon House at Wooladon Estate - Devon

The Psychological Benefits of Multigenerational Breaks In The UK

The benefits of these types of holidays extend far beyond the time away itself. The time together will help create strong family bonds, better emotional well-being, and foster a sense of identity across generations. Multigenerational holidays offer a slower pace, traditional family experience. The strengthened family connections will be noticeable back home. The holiday environment provides extended time to get to know each other in a relaxed environment, allowing open communication, laughter, and memories to be made easily. This emotional intimacy and strong family networks will strengthen your day-to-day life when returning from your holiday, helping routines, responsibilities, and family time become something everyone thinks about regularly.

Top & Left: Sharpnage House at Long View Cottages - Herefordshire

For the older members, these holidays provide a sense of purpose and inclusion. Allowing caregiving in the form of storytelling and family history to emerge naturally. This can help maintain and create new family traditions. Children and teenagers will benefit massively from the heritage they will be surrounded by, helping them feel a sense of purpose, guidance, and care. Exposure to the wisdom of older generations fosters empathy, respect, and resilience to the stages of life. They will also know that the length of the system of support in the family extends beyond just their parents, making them feel more confident with both support and self-esteem.

Top: Mole End at Barnacre Cottages - Lancashire

Be Flexible, Understand Everyones Needs

The other skill that will be of use to the entire family is the increased awareness of both learning and compromise. Each generation and individual will bring their own preferences. See these as opportunities, patience, encouragement, or flexibility will need to be practiced by all, this will provide meaning for the adults and healthy emotional growth for the younger

Travelling As A Family In Britain

Avoid the complex logistics and costs of long-haul travel by staying in Britain. There are many stunning locations all across the UK that cater to all types of people. Those who want to enjoy nature, be near a city, or coastline. Britain also offers educational travel, with a rich variety of museums, heritage sites, and natural landmarks that make the geography speak for itself. Parents may have memories upon visiting old destinations that they can share with the whole family. You can also decide to discover brand new places together you may not have explored before, helping create new memories for the younger generations to share in the future.

Many families who choose this type of holiday often leave with a great feeling of reconnection. Many are already close and spend time together, and wish to carry on this way of life. Others have busy schedules and want to create more time with the holiday as a catalyst to do so. Some families even have long distances between them. Whatever your family's situation, you will come together with the correct distance, experiences, and time you require with one 

Top & Right: Beacon View Barn at Crag House Farm - Yorkshire

Pack For Your Family Holiday

You will need to think about a few more things than your standard holiday now. With age range being the largest thing to consider, you will need to ensure everyone will be calm, stress-free, and comfortable. Starting with the basics:

• Has everyone got the appropriate clothing for the location and activities you will be planning?
• Does everyone have enough layers and range of clothing to cater to the changeable environment in the UK?
• Will everyone have the correct footwear, sun protection (glasses, cream, hats), and sleeping essentials?
• Will any members who require medications or access have everything they need with them?
• Have you got age-appropriate entertainment for the children traveling with you?
• Do you have a first aid kit and other shared essentials you may wish to carry?
• What group bonding games and entertainment are you taking? Cards, Jenga, films?
• Are you self-catering? Have the meal plans got all dietary requirements covered?

Now that you know what's included, you can get your options together and discuss it with your family. Remember, planning this type of holiday fundamentally means thoughtful planning, compromise, and a desire to work towards a sense of connection.

Top & Left: Silver Birch at Wallops Wood Cottages

Book Your Holiday Cottage Now

Does all the above sound like the perfect getaway for you? Can you picture your family settling down in the evening after spending meaningful days together? Browse our range of holiday cottages available for multigenerational holidays in the UK. If you are in further need of help, then we are just a phone call or email away to answer any specific enquiries you may have. So what are you waiting for? Find the perfect cottage now.