MANY FAMILIES with children are taking more than just suitcases on their holidays this year – they are also making room for grandma and grandad.
That’s the finding of major Lake District holiday park Skelwith Fold which reports a rise in multi-generation holidays booked for summer and autumn.
The park’s Henry Wild believes that many families are motivated by wanting together after months of lockdowns.
The Ambleside park says the trend is evident amongst those hiring glamping accommodation such as safari tents, and people staying in motouring caravans.
“The three-generation holiday is a throw-back to what was once a common practice in this country many years ago,” said Henry.
“It diminished with the popularity of overseas holidays which weren’t as practical for extended family groups – but, of course, Covid has now changed all of that.
“With foreign travel now largely off limits, staycations are providing a great opportunity for everyone together and catch up on their experiences.
“That might normally have happened over a Sunday lunch or a regular meet-up, but the past year’s limits on social gatherings mean there’s plenty to look back on!
“A holiday park is the ideal environment for this as everyone can enjoy breathing fresh air in natural surroundings, and just take it easy in a laid-back atmosphere.
“As well as enjoying each other’s company, mum and dad also have a built-in child care service so that they can make an occasional escape and be just a couple again,” added Henry.
Many of Skelwith Fold’s bookings this autumn, he said, are from people taking their second or third break of 2021 – including three-generation families.
With autumn colours predicted to turn.
The Wild family, which has owned the park for nearly 25 years, has won a number of environmental awards for its care of the natural world and many wildlife-friendly projects.
There is more information about Skelwith Fold at www.skelwith.com