Holidaying with grandparents or as an extended family is becoming more and more popular, with many families in the UK choosing this option to make the most of precious time together. If you’ve got babies or toddlers, you can take advantage of being able to get away during term time when prices are lower and Cornwall’s beaches and attractions are less busy than during the school holidays, giving you more space to yourselves to roam free and make memories that last a lifetime.
Imagine leisurely days on the beach with blue skies as far as the eye can see, picnics nestled amongst the sand dunes and the look of wonder on the children’s faces as they explore the rock pools. And after the kids have gone to bed, there’s time to kick back, watch the sun go down and catch up over a glass of wine or two…
Planning a large family holiday in Cornwall
Key to making the most of a three generation holiday in Cornwall is preparation beforehand. While you don’t want to plan everything in detail before you arrive, it’s good to have an idea of the basics to make sure everyone’s needs are met – and that you all have chance to relax while you’re away.
10 tips for a fantastic three generation holiday
- Plan the daily routine. It can be a challenge to get everyone up and out at the same time. Why not take it in turns to go down to animal feeding with the kids or for an early morning swim while everyone else gets ready?
- Mix up days out visiting attractions with days pottering about or short trips close by.
- Look for child friendly days out which also have something to engage the grown ups. Bosinver’s Nanny Pat has been exploring Cornwall with her grandchildren and has heaps of suggestions for where to go and what to do with under 5s – read more about her adventures in our blog or download our free ebook Nanny Pat’s Adventures.
- Take some time out to relax, whether that’s playing golf, going for a massage or a spa, or simply having a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast reading the paper.
- Don’t feel that you have to spend all your time together just because you’re on a family holiday. Give Mum and Dad a night off for a romantic meal, or book a babysitter and have an adults-only evening out.
- Mealtimes can be a great way for all the family to get together – whether you fancy booking a private chef to create a special dinner for you in the comfort of your cottage or want to go out to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. We can recommend a range of child friendly places to eat – just ask!
- Family holidays don’t have to cost the earth – rediscover the simple pleasures of childhood, like building sandcastles, crabbing off the harbour walls, playing pooh sticks or flying kites. We’ve got plenty of equipment at Bosinver like buckets and spades, BBQs, windbreaks and wellies you can borrow to save space in the car. Or head down to our Wild Kids club for nature crafts, den building and toasted marshmallows around the campfire.
- Don’t let rain stop play. We all know the British weather can be unpredictable – and if it does rain while you’re away, just get your macs and wellies on and carry on regardless. Alternatively, there’s plenty of indoor fun to be had at Bosinver – take a dip in our lovely warm heated indoor pool, burn off some energy in the play barn, play some games, watch a DVD or borrow our baking box and get busy in the kitchen.
- Leave the car behind and try a car-free day out – the kids will be delighted with a trip on a ferry or a train. We’ve put together a few suggestions for car-free days out from Bosinver.
- Take photos or videos to capture those special moments so you can share them with family and friends and remind yourselves of all the fun you had when you’re back home.
Find the perfect cottage for your family holiday
All our cottages are spacious and well equipped with all the mod cons you’d expect, plus a raft of baby friendly equipment. Our four larger cottages are ideal for big family groups: Laburnum (sleeps 8), Jack’s Barn (sleeps 8) the Farmhouse (sleeps 12) and Lowen (sleeps 8).
Alternatively, you might prefer to book two smaller cottages close by so grandparents can have their own space. Several of our cottages also take dogs outside the main school holidays – so you can take all members of your family with you!
If you haven’t got time to take a whole week’s holiday, why not think about a short break or a long weekend in Cornwall?
If you’ve been on a large family holiday in Cornwall, we’d love to hear your suggestions about how to make the most of your time away. What made your holiday memorable, and what would you recommend doing? Leave a comment below, post on our Facebook page or tweet your ideas @bosinver.
Editor’s note: this blog was orginally published in July 2014 and has been revised and updated.