Holiday with elderly grandparents and 8 y/o

[cocavino]

We are trying to plan a summer holiday of a week to 10 days in the UK for my non-mobile (but not wheelchair-bound) parents and DC.

They won't be able to walk far, especially up hills, but they are interested in history and a day or two at the beach would be appreciated by DC. The grandparents get bored fairly easily as well, which is difficult given their inability to walk around.

We can drive basically anywhere and could even have multiple stops.

Suggestions very welcome!

I’m wondering if a holiday park near the coast might be your best bet. Somewhere like the Parkdean or Haven ones. That way there’d be lots for your DC to do while your parents could relax or not as the mood takes them. Also you’d be able to have two of the statics so each have your own space & could socialise together or have times apart as you wish. There seem to be lots of them all over the uk, many on the coast

@Darklane thanks for the idea! They are unlikely to want to stay in a holiday park of this kind, unfortunately. They would probably be up for a more full service experience like a hotel or B&B.

Hmm. This holiday sounds like it will be a lot of work for you. What would you like from it?

@reallyworriedjobhunter it does have the potential to be a lot of work.

What I want is for everyone to be happy 😅. My parents think they are easygoing but actually they require a lot of handholding and need to be dropped at every doorstep due to their health problems.

We've enjoyed the highlands if that's not too far for you, we always stop somewhere overnight to break up the journey en route. It works ok for non mobile folks as there's just so much to see out the car window, and many historical places to visit, though would be a lot of driving for you. Some wonderful beaches too.

I think the requirements of the different ages are too wide to holiday in the same type of accommodation. Sometimes you have to admit, it is not possible to please everyone and the price of compromise is too great.

Best would be a hotel for the elderly parents and a holiday park for you and the kids. Meet up for lunches / dinners. They can go on day trips on coaches (plenty of these at seaside towns) and you and kids can stay on the park or the beach.

Alternatively - the parents come just for a few days, not the full 10

Should have mentioned that we have to drive them around... they are also visiting from far away so need to be attended to the whole time.

Eastbourne as a base? I know it's a bit of a cliche but you can day trip to lots of places eg Battle Abbey. Can / will they walk at all? You could do the 1066 driving tour, probably not much fun for the kids though. I think this is going to be difficult.

A friend of mine has just taken her fairly non mobile parents to Ibiza, they are both on mobility scooters and found Santa Elulia very accessible if that's an option?

Have a look at The Manor & Ashbury Hotels. They’re perfect for multi-generational holidays.

Would they benefit from the loan of a mobility scooter from a hire place or borrowing a wheelchair to be pushed in from the Red Cross to help them get around?
If they are anything like my GParents that put up a fight until they realized how much more they could experience.

Also have friends who rave about here Potters Resorts | Family Holidays UK | Family Breaks UK but i haven't been personally

I’ve heard lots of people on MN mention the Delmeny in Lytham, Latham’s really lovely and upmarket but Blackpool is only a 20min drive for your DC to visit the pleasure Beach. The Delmeny has entertainment but also a spa and kids club. I think it’s a good middle ground for children and grandparents

https://www.dalmenyhotel.co.uk/

The Turner prize is at Eastbourne ATM.

Sounds as though Malta would be perfect. Short distances. Amazing history. Good sea. The best bus service in the world.

Sorry-missed the UK bit! 😊

I was going to suggest The Manor hotels too. Lots of activities on site for both the mobile and not-so-much plus the option of trips to local NT places/notable gardens etc.
Most of these places have wheelchairs available.

Some of these resorts look promising! I like the idea of basing ourselves somewhere comfortable and taking day trips.

Unfortunately, the Manor hotels only have two day blocks available all through August???

@cocavino You can definitely stay longer than 2 nights in August, I’ve just been on to check. The dates greyed out mean that you can’t check in or out on those dates. E.g. if you wanted a week 5th - 12th, just click on the 5th then click on the 12th.

I second Potters, it runs pretty pricy depending when you're going but it isn't caravans and has lots of activities.

If you go to Potters in Norfolk both Gorleston and Great Yarmouth beaches have beach wheelchairs that you can rent which can be pushed on the sand and into the sea so they can feel the sea on their feet which are a big hit for those that are too unsteady on their feet to walk on sand

Have a look at sandy balls in the new Forrest, luxury lodges with full facilities on site to eat out for all meals. Plenty to do around there and lots of places of local interest within 30 minutes drive. Beaches,. Historical sites, theme parks etc.

@Forgottenmyphone ooh, thanks

My parents do not believe themselves to be infirm. There is literally no way they would agree to ride in a wheelchair. They just can't walk very far (as in more than a quarter of a mile) without getting winded, and hills are an absolute no.

What about Ribby hall?
https://www.ribbyhall.co.uk/