Top tips for planning the perfect summer stay-cation
Summer holidays can be the best time of the year, but they also have the potential to be the most stressful. If you’re still thinking of ideas you might be surprised with how much there is to do right here in the UK.
You don’t need to go overseas to keep the kids happy – instead you can plan the perfect summer stay-cation. Growing up, we had some of our best Summer holidays staying in cheap caravan parks showing it doesn’t have to cost the earth. For a little inspiration and a few places we’ll be checking out, here are my tips for sticking around the UK this summer.
Head to the coast
Some of the best holidays we’ve had as a family have been at the beach. Sand and surf isn’t just for Spain and France, England is home to some stunning beaches perfect for your stay-cation. Cornwall is one of those beaches, famed for its white sand and pristine postcard worthy waters.
Porthcurno is in the south of Cornwall right underneath the Minack theatre. Its shallow shore and soft beach make it ideal for family getaways, while coastlines in Yorkshire, Sutherland, Kent, Wales and Norfolk provide sandy escapes within easy reach for everyone. Beach holidays can also be the cheapest, as all you need is a packed lunch and some spare change for the ice cream van. Oh, and don’t forget to pack some kids swimwear – it’s better to have more pairs than you need, just in case.
Amusement park central
Nothing says summer holidays more than going to an amusement park or fair. My kids love going to places like this and recently we’ve been lucky enough to visit Chester Zoo and Cbeebies land. If you have any Harry Potter fanatics in the house, Warner Bros Studio Tour has several different summer events including the aptly named Wizardring Wardrobes. Here you can check out some of the never-before-seen costumes from the film series, alongside favourite pieces like Hermione’s Yule Ball gown.
The great outdoors
Holidays are all about getting outdoors and making the most of our summer heat. If you don’t want to hear any “I’m bored” moments from your kids, it’s best to start planning now. Go Ape is one activity sure not to disappoint, with parks located all over the country that provide tree houses, zip lines, and ropes courses. If that doesn’t appeal to you, you could always take the family river tubing, caving, camping or hiking in different parts of the country. On those especially hot days waterparks are a lifesaver, and the one at Alton Towers has been rated the best in the country.
Parents-only getaway
With all that planning and organising for the kids it can be easy to forget about yourself and your partner. Make sure to spend a little time this summer just the two of you. Send the kids off to the grandparents, book a hotel room and plan some fun excursions in the UK city of your choice.
Are you also planning a stay-cation this holiday? Tell me your plans in the comments below.
We have holidayed in the uk for the last four years and absolutely love it. When you get the weather here it’s amazing! xx
We love staying in the UK for our holidays and our favourite place is Wales. We are heading back there this summer and we all can’t wait. We are lucky to have such gorgeous coast lines and when the weather is kind to us, there is no where I would rather be x
Wales is somewhere we have never really explored! We are off to Dorset, the coastlines in the UK are spectacular, when the sun is shining there is nowhere I’d rather be! xx
You have mentioned so many great ideas here. My favourite is camping and hiking or anything in the great outdoors really. What could be better than exposing kids to nature and all the healthy benefits that provides? Hope you have a wonderful summer.
Thank you Nicole, you too! xx
Oh I have always wanted to go to Cornwall. It has been on my list for years. I’d love to go and learn to surf and then eat loads of Cornish pasties and have a Cornish tea, what ever that is! I’ll have to add Porthcurno to the list now! Great post.
Cornwall is BEAUTIFUL! There is nowhere I would rather be than on the south coast when the sun is shining! xx
There is nothing like a good stay-cation, and the OC Fair is on its way which would be perfect. Yet a day at Disney with the family always sounds good too.
You’re so lucky to have Disney on your doorstep! xx
I’m a fan of the stay-cation over an elaborate getaway vacation so I really enjoyed this post! I live in California, USA so there are definitely some points from here that can be applied to my family– like going to the beach or Disneyland! However, my favorite staycation is chilling at home and visiting bookstore that I never have the chance too when I’m busy during the year!
I love a staycation too, we always holiday in the UK while the children are so small. California is my idea of a dream holiday! I’m very jealous! xx
One of our favorite summer vacation is going in a beach. We love going in a beach that we haven’t been visited. We really enjoy swimming, scuba diving, zip lines, etc.
Oh that sounds like so much fun! xx
You’re lucky that you live in the UK, I bet there are many things to do and beautiful places to visit! Great tips, sometimes a staycation can be even better than travelling abroad xx
I totally agree. We love staying in the UK, there are so many places we are yet to discover! xx
We love staying at the coast, the best beach I have ever been to in the UK is Weymouth OMG its amazing there. Love Cornwall, devon area as well so many lovely places to visit.
Oh we love Weymouth too! We are heading down that way next month for our summer holiday! xx
We are off to dorset next month, I can’t wait to take my children to the places I visited as a child! xx
I love going to the beach as we live in the West Midlands we don’t get to see it very often!! x
You can’t beat a day at the beach! xx
Some great suggestions here for stay cations with the family – we have some beautiful beaches and country parks near us, and there’s a Go Ape too 🙂 x
We did Go Ape back in april, I thought I would hate it but it was FAB! xx
I could definitely use a staycation. I just need a break for a little while. But I will definitely be finding activities for me and my daughter to do. Amusement parks being one of those activities.
We love an amusement park, there’s something for my 3 and 13 year old! xx
I love these tips! With a newborn we won’t be going away this summer so these are some great ideas to have a stay-cation instead!
I think stay cations can be just as lovely! And congratulations on the new baby! xx
Yes we are planning one this summer. Not decided where though. Need to get that sorted asap.
Ooh I hope you have some lovely adventures! x
Absolutely! It’s a great way to make the most of where you already are. We’re planning on going to Camber Sands agin this summer – it’s a lovely beach and we love Rye Harbour which is nearby. Can’t wait!
Oh we love Camber sands!! Gorgeous place! xx
Great tips for staycation. I try to make sure I plan a really fun staycation every summer
Us too, there is so much to do if we use our imaginations! xx
We love the great outdoors so I’m always up for such a staycation. Who can complain about a nature trail hike, a walk on the aqueduct or a picnic by the river?
Ahh a picnic is my favourite thing to do with the children, it’s lovely to get outdoors! xx
You’re lucky to be living in a place where there are a lot of things to do. Right now we’re not planning any staycations because we are saving up for our first family overseas plan.:)
You’re lucky to be living in a place where there are a lot of things to do. Right now we’re not planning any staycations because we are saving up for our first family overseas plan in Hong Kong.
Oh wow Hong Kong will be amazing! xx
Perfect timing !!! Just back from coast with my family !!! so marked the rest for rest of my holidays
Ahh I hope you find some inspiration! xxx
I am so happy to be living in the UK. 🙂
Oh me too, I love it here! xx
When we get the nice weather, the UK can just be the best place for a holiday 🙂 I’d love to visit Cornwall again, it’s so beautiful, just so far away from us x
We’ve just booked to go down to Wales the week after next, there are some amazing places in the uk! xx
A summer holiday on the beach has a lot of benefits for all of us, especially if you have kids. A beautiful beach calms and refreshes you. The sea air is not only refreshing, but it is healing as well. People have taken to the coastal towns to alleviate allergies and respiratory problems. A holiday at the beach helps us to relax and recharge, however, it also gives us welfare that can have a positive impact on our daily lives.