Going on a family holiday is not only a great way to get away from the routine of everyday life, but it is also an excellent way to spend some special time with your family, allowing you to bond and enjoy each other’s company.

When you are thinking about booking a holiday for the whole family you need to consider a few things – ensuring that everybody is kept interested and occupied whilst also trying to ensure that you do some things together.

There are plenty of different holidays available to the whole family in 2020 and here are just some of the quirkier ones…

Family Coach Trip

According to coach trip specialists Just Go Holidays, “a wide range of destinations are available by coach, whether in the UK or further afield. Whether you fancy a short break to a favourite city or seaside resort or a longer holiday, there’s plenty of choice.”

You could find yourself on a visit to some of the quirkier attractions in the country – from the Downton Abbey castle, to a tea dance trip to Eastbourne, to a trip to see the trains on the Isle of Man. What’s even better is that everything is completely organised for you, including your accommodation, travel, and food meaning that you can concentrate on your family and enjoying yourselves. There are a number of coach companies offering accessible coaches with ramps and wheelchair friendly seating among other facilities. Make sure to check with your travel company to see what is available.

Volunteering Holiday

There’s no better way to both bond with your family and give back to the world than with a volunteering holiday. If you have particular skills – or a passion that you all share, this could be an excellent basis for your volunteering holiday.

There are a number of websites that can help to put you in touch with volunteering opportunities in this country – helping animals, agriculture or charities, for example. Volunteering does not only do good for the people that you are helping, but it also teaches your children about how other people live and the importance of giving back. This can be an excellent way to help with managing anxiety conditions and can help with building confidence.

Activity Holiday

There are two ways that you can look at an activity holiday.

One way is to go away for a few days to do something which you all love doing as a family. Cycling, kayaking, walking, rock climbing, caving – whatever you’re into. This is a great way to bond together and create memories.

Another – and perhaps even better way to bond and create memories is to try something new. It can be fun learning to do something together, from scratch, failing together and succeeding together.

In addition to the activity holidays listed above, you could also think about scuba diving, cross-country skiing, archaeology, sailing, or motorcycling.
There are several companies who specialise in offering these experiences to those with mobility limitations, as well as sessions that are designed for those with sensory conditions. You can find more options for autism friendly attractions here and wheelchair friendly attractions here.

Wildlife Holiday

Teaching our children about the plight of the planet and to appreciate its natural beauty is something that more and more people are placing importance on. A wildlife holiday gives you the chance to cut yourselves off for a few days, surround yourselves in nature, enjoy looking at the wildlife and experience the other excitement that the natural world has to offer.

You could consider going somewhere that you can swim in lakes, get an eco-guide to tell you about the local wildlife, go rock climbing, have campfires, go canoeing, or cook outside, for example.

Working Farm Holiday

If you have younger children or older children who love animals, a working farm holiday could be right up your street. A stay on a working farm means that you can escape the rush of the city and slow down to a rural pace of life. You can get involved in looking after animals, explore the local nature and sample the local produce.

There are plenty of farms around the UK which are easy to reach – some of which by public transport, meaning that you will also be supporting the local economy – without creating a massive carbon footprint. And remember, just because you’re staying on a working farm doesn’t mean that you have to be working… There are some farm holidays that offer support for families with additional accessibility needs, so that everyone can have a great time away.

Hire a Canal Boat

The UK has an extensive network of canals that are just perfect for exploring the country (albeit at a very slow pace!). Hiring a canal boat gives you the chance to go off on your own little adventure, chugging along the waterways, driving and steering a boat, negotiating locks, reading maps, all with the comfort of a soft bed, heating if needed, a kitchen, and running water. Perfect!

Whether you are looking for a family holiday which is far-flung or one which is closer to home, there are plenty of options available to you. Why should you settle for a ‘conventional’ family holiday when there are so many more interesting ones available?

Post supplied by Ella Hendrix.

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