Parkdean digital detox

We found that the majority of Brits have one thing in common: their early memories are of the simplest parts of family holidays.

“Going to Cornwall to see grandad in a caravan”
“Having sandwich spread sandwiches on the beach with family”
“Making sandcastles on the beach in Devon”
“Eating ice cream on the seafront”

Whatever your earliest holiday memory, the key theme is being in the moment and spending time with loved ones.

As part of the Unplugged campaign, we surveyed 2,000 Brits1 and found that memories of seaside holidays without screens span all ages and include every generation. From Boomers (39%) to Gen Z’s (31%) the majority stated that their earliest holiday memory is of a beach or seaside break in the UK, with the second most popular childhood holiday memory being of a traditional UK caravan holiday (19%).

What is a digital detox or unplugged holiday?

You may be wondering what an unplugged holiday is: well, it's a term coined for a trip where you intentionally disconnect and put down your electronic devices. This time away from screens and technology is what's known as a digital detox and is designed to allow you to relax, be present, and focus on real-life experiences while spending quality time with loved ones.

Relationship expert and co-founder of SoSynced, Jessica Alderson, has explained why embracing an unplugged holiday and taking time away from our screens is so important for our relationships.

1. You feel more present - “Putting your phone down and unplugging is one of the best ways to make sure you’re present with your family or partner. If someone is constantly checking their phone, it can subtly communicate that there are more important or more interesting things going on.”

2. You make your loved ones feel seen - “There are exceptions, such as urgent work situations, but if you’re constantly checking your phone when you’re with loved ones, it can leave them feeling unseen, unheard and unimportant. This isn't about never looking at your phone, but rather finding a balance that lets the people around you know they come first.”

3. You feel more connected to one another - “It's understandable that 91% of families use devices during shared family time. Life doesn't stop just because you're on holiday. But there's a difference between a quick check and constantly disappearing into your phone in ways that affect how present you are and disrupt how connected you are.”

To help unplugged holiday goers create holiday memories that will last a lifetime, we've shared our own top tips:

"Plan a few screen-free moments into each day and say yes to trying something new. Our guests can book activities online before they arrive or while they're on park, making it easy to fill your holiday with memorable 'Unplugged' moments. From the exciting new activities at Vauxhall and Highfield Grange to our Grown Up Getaways, we've created even more ways for guests of all ages to reconnect, have fun and make lasting memories together."

Finding out new things about each other is often something people take for granted and don’t spend enough time doing. To get the conversation started, we’ve designed our own card game, which you can download here.

Dr Ravi Gill, Practitioner Psychologist, explains how unplugging invites presence back into our lives and shares the top three benefits of going on an unplugged holiday:

“With us all being ‘online’ all the time, constantly connected, scrolling, and multitasking, lots of research studies show the link with screen fatigue, anxiety, and distracted attention. Unplugging offers a decompression from the ‘always-on’ digital world, replacing endless notifications with slower, more focused time that invites presence and sensory engagement rather than rapid digital consumption.

For many people (particularly Gen Z), unplugged retreats align with values around sustainability, slow living, and authenticity. Engaging in time away from screens intentionally, away from productivity culture, reinforces a sense of chosen identity rather than reactive living.”

1. Reduces cortisol levels - A weekend away reduces environmental stressors (emails, notifications, routines) and allows the body to downshift more fully into parasympathetic regulation. When combined with slow, hands-on activities, this can meaningfully reduce cortisol and mental fatigue.

2. Improves focus - Attention Restoration Theory suggests that natural, low-demand environments help replenish depleted cognitive resources. Unplugged activities like gardening retreats, craft weekends, and baking workshops all allow ‘soft fascination’, which restores focus better than passive screen time.

3. Strengthens relationships - Shared tactile activities (cooking together, crafting, planting) increase cooperation, eye contact, and attuned conversation. Oxytocin and social synchrony tend to increase during collaborative physical tasks, strengthening relationships more than parallel digital interaction.

While it’s inevitable that devices will be somewhat present on holiday, as participating in fun TikTok trends with family can be a great way of bringing loved ones together, Jessica explains why some generations tend to rely on their devices more than others and therefore why some are more open to the concept of unplugging.

“One reason Boomers are the least willing to unplug could be because they didn't grow up with the digital wellness conversation and may be less likely to see device use as something that needs to be managed. They tend to use devices more purposefully for things like phone calls and messages, rather than constant scrolling, which many millennials have fallen into.

“While they use tech more often in daily life, Millennials tend to be more aware of the toll of being glued to their phones, having grown up during the mental health and wellness movement. They're also old enough to remember life before mobile phones, so it’s no wonder they’re the most willing to unplug."

As we head into the summer season, we hope to bring loved ones together through the Unplugged campaign, encouraging more moments of togetherness and helping people reconnect to create lasting holiday memories.