Cash-strapped Brits are increasingly turning to the Bank of Grandma and Grandad when it comes to trips away and holidays, according to new research from Parkdean Resorts.

 

In fact, eight in ten (82%) parents say they are planning a multigenerational holiday in 2026 – with staycations firmly back on the table this summer, as four in ten (39%) think the UK is the best, and cheapest, place for a holiday with all ages.

 

And according to the findings, more than half (51%) of modern parents regularly go away with their parents, so much so that 82% admit they would struggle to have a break if it wasn’t for the financial help of their, or their partner’s, parents.

 

Thankfully, almost all (96%) of the parents questioned say their children get along well with their grandparents, with 46% even going so far as to say their children get along better with their grandparents than they do with their actual parents.

 

It’s no surprise, then, that a whopping 96% love going away with the wider family as they think multigenerational trips are a great way to create lifelong memories and strengthen family bonds (96%).

 

74% say that having the grandparents with them means they have a free childcare option.

 

Andy Edge, Chief Marketing Officer at Parkdean Resorts, which commissioned the study, said: “The research shows that even though parents may be holidaying with the grandparents out of necessity, multigenerational holidays are becoming a popular choice for families up and down the country.

 

“Our 65 holiday parks are located in the UK’s most popular holiday destinations and offer endless fun and action-packed activities for the whole family, so that children, parents, and grandparents alike can make lifelong happy memories without breaking the bank.”

 

The research also revealed a charming wish list of the nostalgic holiday activities that are loved by all ages. Topping the list was the great British classic, fairground rides (45%), followed by enjoying fish and chips by the sea (36%), the smell of freshly cooked chips (36%) and the quintessentially British cream tea (31%).

 

Other classic staycation activities that bring a smile to Brits no matter their age include candyfloss (30%), playing the 2p game at the arcades (27%), games of mini-golf (24%), building sandcastles on the beach (22%), and riding a steam train (21%).

 

But there are some more unusual things that make our holidays our own, like hearing the children say ‘are we nearly there yet’ hundreds of times (42%), fighting the seagulls off as they try and steal your chips (28%), your ice cream melting faster than you can eat it (25%), and getting sand in your shorts (21%).

 

Three-quarters (74%) agree that the cost of going on holiday is more expensive now than it has ever been, with Brits saving up for an average of nine months to pay for a typical week-long family break in the UK.

 

However, two thirds (65%) think it’s the little things that happen on a holiday that make it enjoyable and memorable, rather than the big, expensive things.

 

And when it comes to generational differences, 86% of grandparents think that the family holidays their grandchildren go on are more exciting than the ones they went on at the same age, with more than half (53%) admitting they used to get bored on family holidays when they were young.

 

It’s no surprise that 68% would have liked holidays to have been more exciting when they were younger.

 

MOST NOSTALGIC THINGS ABOUT INTERGENERATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN THE UK:

 

  1. Fairground rides – 45%
  2. Kids asking if ‘we’re nearly there yet’ – 42%
  3. Fish and chips by the sea – 36%
  4. The smell of freshly cooked chips – 36%
  5. Cream teas – 31%
  6. Going for an ice cream – 31%
  7. Walking along the beach – 31%
  8. Candyfloss – 30%
  9. Trying to stop seagulls stealing your chips – 28%
  10. Playing the 2p game at the arcades – 27%
  11. Screaming because the sea is so cold – 26%
  12. Having a picnic – 26%
  13. Visiting stately homes – 25%
  14. Ice creams melting faster than you can eat them – 25%
  15. Visiting a seaside pier – 24%
  16. Games of mini-golf – 24%
  17. Bucket and spade shops – 24%
  18. Games of eye-spy – 22%
  19. Wandering around a castle – 22%
  20. Building sandcastles on the beach – 22%
  21. Riding a steam train – 21%
  22. The smell of sunscreen – 21%
  23. Visiting a zoo – 21%
  24. Getting sand in your shorts – 21%
  25. Evening strolls along the promenade – 20%